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REPRODUCTIOXS FROM RARE
PRINTS AND WORKS OF ART
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LONDON . . . . W. Wesley & Son ROME I* Piale
88 Essex Street, Strand, W. C. 1 Piazza dl Spaema
PARIS Brentano's ST. PETERSBURG Watklns and Company
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Calle Alcala, 5 1st San Francisco No. 18
nf tl|g Inaugural Number
FIRST \ < • 1. 1 M 1; FIRST NUKBKR
Collecting the Various Phases of History, Art, Literature,
Science, Industry, and Such as Pertains to the Moral, Intellectual
and Political Uplift of the American Nation — Inspiring Nobility
of Home and State — Testimonial of the Marked Individuality
and Strong Character of the Builders of the American Republic
HERALDIC ILLUMINATION — Coat-of-arms in use by the Hooker Family In America
as descendants of Thomas Hooker, emigrant In 1633, and author of the First
Written Constitution In the World, creating: a government — Emblazoned In six
colors by Charles L. N. Camp
AMERICAN FLAG — THE EMBLEM OF LIBERTY — Story of Its Evolution from the
Discovery of the New World to the Present Age when the Sun Never Sets on the
Stars and Stripes — Accompanied by a Silk Memorial Flag: made by the Cheney
Mills at South Manchester, Connecticut, and seven Silk Tissue reproductions In
Original Colors Mrs. Henry Champion 9
TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE — THE VOICE OF THE STATES— Expressed In Per-
sonal Messages from the Governors to "The Journal of American History"
"America's Greatest Need Is Civic Virtue" Honorable George E. Chamberlain
Governor of Oregon 17
"Higher Standards of Public Service". .Hon. George R. Carter, Governor of Hawaii 18
"Future Mastery of the Pacific Ocean" Hon. George C. Pardee
Governor of California 21
"An Inspiration for Worthy Work"... Hon. Fred M. Warner, Governor of Michigan 21
"Strong, New Blood Elevates Citizenship" Hon. Bryant B. Brooks
Governor of Wyoming 24
"The Native Honesty of the Nation" Hon. John C. Cutler, Governor of Utah 25
"American In Spirit and in Aspiration". .Hon. Andrew L. Harris, Governor of Ohio 2C
"Wholesome Immigration Is a Builder". Hon. J. O. Davidson, Governor of Wisconsin 27
"Commercialism Must Not Dominate America" Hon. Joseph M. Terrell
Governor of Georgia 29
"The Spirit of Patriotism Still Lives" Hon. Win. T. Cobb, Governor of Maine SI
THE "MIRACLE" OF THE FIRST STEAMBOAT — Tragedy of an American Genius who
was Publicly Ridiculed as a "Fanatic" for Proposing the Propulsion of Vessels by
Steam against Wind and Tide — The Idea was Pronounced "Impracticable" and to
Risk Life in its Undertaking "Foolhardy" — Eleven Reproductions from Rare
Prints By Seymour Bullock 22
MEMOIRS OF A SOUTHERN CONGRESSMAN— Ranging the Borderlands with Daniel
Boone — Encounters with the Cherokees In Command of the Light Dragoons —
Electioneering In American Politics a Hundred Years Ago — On the Floor of Con-
gress during the Monroe Administration — Old Manuscript left. By Hon. Felix Walker
Born in Virginia in 1762 49
A WEDDING SUIT IN 1758— Trancribed from Ancient Memorandum
By Fannie M. Hackett. Biddeford. Maine 60
PERSONAL LETTERS OF PIONEER AMERICANS — Glimpses Into Time-stained and
almost Indecipherable Correspondence Revealing the Strong Character, Conscien-
tious Lives, Business Integrity and Hardihood of the First Citizens of the Republic 61
Letter Sent by Post-boy from William Prentlss, during the Plague in Philadel-
phia, to Dr. Jeremiah Barker, Fallmouth, Casco Bay, Massachusetts. In 1792 —
Transcribed from Original By Abbie F. Carpenter, Portland. Maine 61
Letter Written to Reverend Chandler Robbins of Plymouth. Massachusetts, by
Reverend Little in Birmingham, England, Discussing the Moral Problems In 1797 —
Transcribed from Original By Mrs. Lydla J. Knowles, Bangor. Maine 62
Letter Sent by George Washington, in 1797, to Honorable Oliver Ellsworth, a
Framer of the Constitution. Minister to France, and Chief Justice of the United
States — Transcribed from Original By Adaline B. Ellsworth Roberts
Ollana. Illinois 62
THE CENTENARY OF AN AMERICAN POET— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow— Born
at Portland, Maine, February 27, 1807 — Died at Cambridge, Massachusetts. March
24, 1882 — Four Sonnets Inscribed to His Memory and Centennial Bas Relief
By Louis A Gudebrod. National Society of Sculpture 64
PHILOSOPHY OF DEATH IN EARLY AMERICA— Manuscript by the Reverend Joseph
Webb, Born in 1666, and an Intellectual and Moral Leader of His Times — Occa-
INDEX CONTINUED (OVER)
mttfr jEngraptttgg anft
FIRST QUARTER NINETEEN SEVEN
Chronicles of Those Who Have Done a Good Day's Work —
Rich in Information upon Which May Be Based Accurate
Economic and Sociologic Studies and of Eminent Value to
Private and Public Libraries — Beautified by Reproductions of
Ancient Subjects through the Modern Processes of American Art
CONTINUATION OF INDEX
stoned by the Demise of Major Nathan Gold, in 1693, who was Foremost In Politi-
cal, Military and Ecclesiastical Affairs — Original Sermon Transcribed
By Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbell Schenck, Washington, District of Columbia 65
ANECDOTE OF AN AMERICAN REVOLUTIONIST By Mrs. J. R. Cozart
Lamar, Arkansas 72
LIFE STORIES OF GALLANT AMERICANS 78
John Moor — The Knight of Derryfleld — Contributed. By Mrs. Lina Moore McKenney
Madison, Maine 78
James Caldwell — Hero of Elizabethtown — Contributed. By Mrs. Hiram Price Dillon
Topeka, Kansas 76
AN OLD TAVERN SONG — Transcript from Fugitive Paper 79
ESTATE OF A "WELL-TO-DO" AMERICAN IN 1689 — Transcribed
By M. Augusta Holman, Leominster, Massachusetts 80
CENTENARY OF GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE — His Last Portrait taken on His Old
War Horse "Traveller" — Excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt's Writing by His
Special Permission Supplement 80
ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN SEAMAN— Journal of Captain Samuel Hoyt, Born
in 1744, and Followed the Roving Life of His Generation — On a Fighting Ship off
Havana, Cuba, in 1762 — Experiences as a Prisoner on a Privateer — Wanderings
as a Fugitive along the American Coast — Contributed By Julius Walter Pease
In His Ninety-Third Year 81
ONE OF THE FIRST INSTANCES OF BOYCOTT IN AMERICA— Transcript from Orig-
inal Document By Ella S. Duncan, Keokuk, Iowa 88
EXPERIENCES IN EARLY WARS IN AMERICA— Life Story of an Ambitious Ameri-
can Youth who at Sixteen Years of Age was Fired with the Spirit of Patriotism
and against the Will of his Parents Marched to the Battle Line in Defense of His
Country — Original Journal of Peter Pond, Born In 1740 — Transcribed
t By Mrs. Nathan Gillette Pond, an Eminent Genealogist 89
yBILL OF SALE OF A NORTHERN SLAVE IN 1721— Transcribed from Original
By Eliza Comstock, Descendant of Slave-Holder 94
J QUAINT WILL OF A NEGRO SLAVE IN 1773— Transcribed from Original
By Eliza Comstock 95
A MOTHER'S LETTER TO HER SON IN 1789— Transcribed from Original in Posses-
sion of Joseph Alsop, Descendant of Correspondent 96
PIONEER LIFE ON AMERICAN FRONTIER — Experiences of a Federal Justice on the
Trail of the Prairie Schooners — Carrying the Law into the Western Wilderness —
Treaties with the Indians and the Establishment of Courts in a New Land of Gold
and silver — The Birth of the Rich West — Several illustrations bearing the lines
"Old Prints in Possession of Judge Munson" should be credited to Hon. William
Henry Milburn's work "In the Valley of the Mississippi." Judge Munson wishes
it fully understood that these illustrations are from Mr. Milburn's original work, a
copy of which was presented to a member of his family by the author. The work
Is published by the N. D. Thompson Publishing Company of New York and St.
Louis and should be read by all who are interested in American pioneer life.
Judge Lyman E. Munson
United States District Court of Montana in 1865 97
THE FIRST AMERICAN SOLDIERS — Call "To Arms" began with Arrival of First
White Men in the New World — Footmen with Musket and Pike — Horsemen with
Pistol and Carbine — Military Force Blazed Path for Civilization — Heroic "Trained
Bands" and the Organization of the Continental Army.. .By Hon. Spencer P. Mead
Of the New York Bar 120
WHEN SORROW BECKONS AT THY DOOR— A Poem Howard Arnold Walter
Now In the Orient 128
COUNTRY LIFE IN AMERICA— Six Nature Reproductions
Path Through the Wood — Drawing by Daniel F. Wentworth 129
Moonlight — Drawing by Daniel F. Wentworth 130
The Road Home — Sun Gravure by George C. Atwell 131
The Old Mill — Sun Gravure by George C. Atwell 132
The Meadows — Drawing by Daniel F. Wentworth 133
The Brook — Sun Gravure by George C. Atwell 134
\>
From Anrtntt
JAM AKY FEBRUARY MARCH
A "Journal of American History" will be a Credit to the Nation.
I hold its builders in High Esteem. I cannot too strongly En-
dorse the Plan. I am sure it will receive the Immediate Co-
operation of All who have the Real Interests of the Nation at
heart— HENRY ROBERTS, Governor of Connecticut
CONCLUSION OF INDEX
THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN IMMORTALS— The Hall of Fame .................... 135
Bronze Medallion of George Washington, First President of United States ........ 1S6
Bronze Medallion of Abraham Lincoln — First Great American Liberator ........... 137
Bronze Medallion of Daniel Webster, First Great American Statesman ............ Iff
Bronze Medallion of Benjamin Franklin, First Great American Diplomat .......... 139
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POETRY— An Ode to Niagara Falls— With Four Photo
Art Engraving's ..... By Hon. Henry Taylor Blake, Now in His Seventy-Ninth Year 141
FIRST AMERICAN'S GREETING TO THE WHITE MAN— Sculpture
By Herman Atkins McNeil, National Society of Sculpture 144
HERE LET ME DWELL — A Poem ......................... By Frederic E. Snow, B.D. 146
LETTERS OF A SERGEANT IN WAR OF 1812— Romance of John Burt, First Battalion
Artillery, and Persia Meacham — With Transcripts from Correspondence and two
Ancient Silhouettes ........ By William Burt Harlow, Ph.D., Now in the Bermudas 147
FIRST CHAMPION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE — Memories and Anecdotes of Ellhu Burrltt,
an American Farmer-lad who Rose from a Blacksmith Forge and Through Self-
instruction Acquired the Tongues of Fifty Nations — He Appealed to Christendom
to Cease Warfare and Became Honored by the Master Minds of the Old World —
With Prophecy of Victor Hugo and Last Portrait of Elihu Burritt
By Hon. David Nelson Camp, M.A., Department of Education at Washington In 1867 151
ANCIENT AMERICAN LANDMARKS— Two Photo-Engravings ....................... 162
SCULPTURE IN AMERICA — The First Sculptors and Their Hardships in the New
World — With two Reproductions from Early Sculpture ........ By Bickford Cooper 163
I WHO HAVE DRUNK THE WATER BITTER SWEET— A Sonnet. .By Horace Holley 166
BEGINNINGS OF AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE — Six Photo-Engravings of Ancient
Structures ...................................................................... 167
PAINTING IN AMERICA — The First Artists and Their Experiences on the Western
Continent — With three Reproductions from Rare Paintings ...... By Stuart Copley 16$
MUSIC IN AMERICA — The .Struggles of the First Composers against Public Condem-
nation ........................................................ By Clara Emerson 17S
IMMUTABILITY — An Illustrated Poem .................... By Frank Burnham Bagley 176
BOOK-LOVERS OF 1738 — ONE OF THE FIRST LIBRARIES IN AMERICA— The Lit-
erary Inclinations of Early Americans — The Books They Read and Their Learned
Discussions in Matters Intellectual and Moral — A Treatise on "Physlck" was the
Foundation of Literary Culture In the Discriminating Judgments of these First
American Bibliophiles — with Portrait of the First Librarian of the Phllogram-
matican Library ................................ By Mrs. Martha Williams Hooker
Great-Granddaughter of tne Founder 177
CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT IN AMERICA— "The Press of the Republic la the
Moulder of Public Opinion — the Leader and Educator" ...........................
American Municipalities of the Future ---- By T. E. Stafford In "Dally Oklahoman" 186
Progress Is Adjusting the Race Problem ................ ...... By Frank Johnston
In Jackson (Mississippi) "Evening News" 186
Marriage and Divorce are Subject to Evolution .................... By J. W. Spear
In Arizona "Republican" 187
Will American Republic Outgrow State Lines? ................ By Gilbert D. Paine
In Memphis (Tennessee) "News Scimitar" 187
American Constitution Is In Advance of Times ............ By Horatio W. Seymour
In Chicago (Illinois) "Chronicle" 18S
Shall America Limit Private Fortunes? .......................... By W. H. Merrell
In Boston (Massachusetts) "Herald" 188
American Purpose is Common Good ...... Editorial Writer In New York "Tribune" 18»
America Must Save Lives of Its Children
Editorial Writer In Houston (Texas) "Chronicle" 18»
America Extends Freedom to all Religions
Editorial Writer in Montgomery (Alabama) "Advertiser" 190
Conquest for Pacific Must Not Come
Editorial Writer In Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) "Inquirer" 190
Americans — Our Future Civilization — Excerpt from Recent Public Utterance
By Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, Cover
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Ammratt Flag-Sty? lEttatgn
ehr £im Nrorr $rta on tbr fctara and &triprs
BT
MRS. HENRY CHA.MPION
AUTHOR or THB BROCHURB " OUR FLAG "
Revised for this publication and copyright assigned to the author
sun never sets on the
,JL American flag! The tri-
umphant proclamation of
IL the British Empire that
night never mantles her
domain is now the exul-
tation of the American
people. The Lion has its compeer !
It is but two generations ago that
the American Nation, like a black
knight, entered the tournament of the
Nations unarmored and unskilled
with the unwieldy commercial lance.
Well might the Old World look
upon it as brazen effrontery. Impov-
erished by the War for Independence
and facing a financial crisis more seri-
ous than any of its experiences on the
battlefield, the knight of the west
looked to the east for the loan of suf-
ficient funds to secure the bare suste-
nance of life — but without sympathy.
The aged monarchies proclaimed it
a hazardous risk and forecasted short
life to the bold knight, pronouncing
self-government as the vision of irre-
sponsible theorists.
The tournament of the Nations has
been swift. From thirteen scattered
states in the wilderness the Ameri-
can Republic has swept from ocean to
ocean. It has pushed the light of lib-
erty to the far ice-bounds of Alaska.
With a leap it has carried the dawn of
a new day into the Hawaiian Islands
and into the Philippines ; it has ex-
tended its arm to struggling Cuba and
Porto Rico as the champion of free-
dom, until to-day the American
knight holds the commercial suprem-
acy of the world, and with a wealth
estimated at one-tenth of a trillion
dollars, and increasing at the rate of
twelve millions a day, it is the richest
Nation on earth — in Men and gold.
Ammran
— Sty? Ensign of
UR flag, whose one
hundred and thirtieth
birthday we celebrate
this June 14, 1907,
was, like everything in
nature or history, a
growth, and to trace
that growth takes us back to the Na-
tional flag of the Mother Country.
One naturally asks, what flag
floated over the early settlements of
our country? What over its battle-
fields previous to that June day in
1777, when by an act of Congress it
was resolved "that the flag of the na-
tion be thirteen stripes, alternate red
and white, and thirteen stars, white
on a blue field?"
Answering our question in order of
time, we take first the earliest settle-
ments of the country.
Tradition tells us that the Norse-
men, or Northmen, and the Danes
landed between the years 986 and
1300 at several points at the extreme
northeast of the continent, and even
as far down the coast as the New
England shore.
Tradition also relates that an expe-
dition from Iceland in 1347 landed
near what is now Newport, Rhode
Island — at which time the "Round
Tower" was built. These expedi-
tions no doubt planted some ensign or
standard, as they took temporary pos-
session, but no record of its design is
left us.
In 1492, Columbus planted the
Spanish flag on the Island of San Sal-
vador, one of the Bahama group, and
again in 1498 at the mouth of the Ori-
noco, South America. He supposed
he had then reached the coast of Asia.
According to Humboldt, Sebastian
Cabot landed at Labrador in 1497,
and planted the "Red Cross of St.
George," the royal ensign of Henry
the Seventh. If so, the English flag
then for the first time floated over
North American soil. But we nar-
row down our field of inquiry to what
is now the United States and as we
remember that for one hundred and
sixty-nine years from the settlement
of Jamestown, Virginia, or the one
hundred and fifty-seven years, from
the wintry day when the Mayflower
landed at Plymouth Rock, to the June
day in 1777 when the stars and stripes
were adopted — for this more than a
century and a half the flag of Eng-
land was our flag, we ask with inter-
est, what was the flag of the Mother
Country in those years?
About the year 1192, Richard
Cceur de Lion had asked the aid of St.
George, Bishop of Cappadocia. He
gave the king as a banner what is
now called the "Red Cross of St.
George," and Edward III, about
1345, made St. George the patron
saint of the kingdom.
Under this flag Sir Humphrey
Gilbert, Bartholomew Gosnold and
others sailed with grants of land
from Queen Elizabeth to found colo-
nies in the new world, 1578-1587.
The generous, even reckless way,
in which land was disposed of by
these charters is shown by the boun-
daries given.
All the land between the latitude of
Cape Fear, North Carolina, and Can-
ada was given by the Queen and to be
called "Virginia." It was to be
divided into two districts; the south-
ern part, from the latitude of Cape
Fear to the mouth of the Potomac,
and running back indefinitely into the
wilderness, was given to the "London
Company," and to be called Southern
Virginia ; the land from about the lat-
itude of New York to Canada was
given to the "Plymouth Company,"
and to be called Northern Virginia.
The strip of country between these
two grants, about one hundred miles
of coast, was to be a dividing line to
avoid disputes as to territory, and
neither company might make settle-
ments more than fifty miles from its
boundary.
All these efforts to plant colonies
proved failures. Lack of supplies
and cold winters led the settlers to
give up the project and return to
England.
This "Red Cross of St. George"
FIRST FLAG
TO FLOAT OVER
PER MA NEXT SETTLEMENTS IX AMERICA
"THE < OLORS" A UNION BETWEEN Til K HI. l>
moss <t| ST. GEORGE OF ENGLAND AND THK
win OTLAND UNDER i\
JAMES I IN Him; THE FI.A«J "I
THE MAYFLOWER IN 1O2O
American Jflag
£natgn nf Htb*rtg
_m
•ver
;ripes
<o -Tcord of its design is
In 1492. Columbus
Spanish flag on the Islan
vador, one of the Bahanv>
again in 1498 at the mouth of the Ori-
noco, South America. He supposed
he had then reached the coast of Asia.
>ig to Hnmboldt, Sebastian
-..->t landed at Labrador in
the "Red Cross of
" elMSk^M
th. If so, the Engfi
n time floated over,
we nar-
0.--IH :iHT MXSVflWI
ape
otomac,
into the
he "London
-outhern
bout the lat-
^ to Canada
outh Comp?
lied Northern Virg
The strip of country between the.>e
two grants, about one hundred miles
of coast, was to be a dividing line to
tes as to U
might -
AMD fii~
W01VIT1 A "HHO.IO-) *•,>/. I/I
:DIT (iviA «!/•./ i.'/.;i -in aenoao .TP ••?•>
M ^ / I I •'• ' •- '!( ' '^OHO 3TIMV/
!<>t<fllMK H" ' <><>o r y.\ \
Oi!OI HI HaV/f)JHTAK 3HT
. it
wars
brated picture of the "Bal
ker Hill," in the rotunda <
tol at Washington, repres*
*. white corner, green
was
.
and they
the cole
T1IK KI.A<; OK
CROMWRI.I. AM) (HAH 1. 1
•d elsewhere in
-r-
mouth,
<:ut united, un<
,,, MICH
out no nag was ado,
ITNITKI)
u < > u i
f Plv-
lflt>T It
.\ i i:s IN TIIK
) \\ AS Til K I A
TIIR
M-:\N
AIIOI'T 1707
KI
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a/. A
:•!/. MH'l /!!
:-ij-!j/.'>
tK-IT! .
(i /.i.
OT I TU<
an
anil
was England's flag until the year
1606, over two hundred and fifty
years.
In that year, 1606, Scotland was
added to England, and King James I,
in honor of the union, placed the
"White Cross of St. Andrew" on the
national flag, changing the field from
white to blue. This diagonal "White
Cross of St. Andrew" had been the
badge of the Scots since the Crusades.
The union of the two crosses was
called the "King's colors," or "Union
•colors," and the first permanent set-
tlements in this country were made
under its protection. It was the flag
of the Mayflower in 1620.
Massachusetts records speak of it
as in use in that colony in 1634.
In November of that year a Mr.
Endicott of Salem defaced the King's
colors. Much excitement followed,
a trial was held, when it was proven
that it was not done with ill-intent to
England, but the red cross was a relic
of anti-Christ, having been given to
England by a pope, and so was a
•cause of offense. After referring the
matter to an assembly of ministers,
and then to one court after another,
it was proposed that the colony show
no flag, and none was displayed.
Then arose a question. If captains
of vessels returning to Europe were
asked what colors they saw here, the
truth might cause trouble. The mat-
ter was referred to Reverend John
Cotton, who wisely suggested a way
"by which the growing spirit of inde-
pendence might be satisfied and yet no
offense be given. He said, "As the fort
at the entrance of Boston harbor with-
out doubt belongs to the King, the
'King's colors' should be used there."
This was done, to the extent of show-
ing them on the staff at the fort when
a vessel was passing, but only then,
and they were not used elsewhere in
the colony. This was in 1636.
In 1643, tne three colonies of Ply-
mouth, Massachusetts and Connecti-
<cut united, under the name of "The
United Colonies of New England,"
"but no flag was adopted.
In 1651, fifteen years after the
Salem episode, the Court of Massa-
chusetts ordered that the "Cross of
St. George and St. Andrew" be used
in the colony.
Under Cromwell and Charles II,
various minor changes were made in
the flag of the Mother Country, but
later the color was changed to crim-
son and the two crosses, which had
covered the entire flag, were placed in
the upper corner.
This was called the "Cromwell
flag," and in that form was not
accepted by the colonies; we contin-
ued to use the "King's Colors" till
1707, when we adopted the red flag,
but substituted a device of our own
in place of the crosses.
All the pictures of New England
flags from 1707 to 1776 show a red or
blue ensign, field white, with a pine
tree or globe in the upper corner,
sometimes covering the entire field.
The pine tree was oftener used.
Massachusetts had used the pine
tree as her symbol for some time. It
is on the silver coins of that colony,
the die for which was cast in 1652,
and used without change of date for
thirty years. Trumbull, in his cele-
brated picture of the "Battle of Bun-
ker Hill," in the rotunda of the Capi-
tol at Washington, represents the red
qag, white corner, green pine tree,
he Connecticut troops who took
in the exciting times that fol-
lowed Lexington and Bunker Hill
had a state banner with the state
arms and the motto, "Qui transtulit
sustinet."
The troops of Massachusetts adopt-
ed the words, "An Appeal to
Heaven."
Early New York records speak of
different standards; indeed, the regi-
ments from various states, hastening
to the aid of Washington or his gene-
rals, carried flags of various devices ;
many having only a local interest and
only used on the occasion that origi-
nated them.
The men at Lexington had neither
uniform nor flags, but at Bunker Hill,
Am^rtran
nf
two months later, the Colonial troops
had more the appearance of an army.
Among the flags described, the pine
tree is most frequently mentioned,
also a serpent coiled, ready to spring,
with the motto, "Beware!" "Don't
tread on me," or "Come if you dare !"
The snake flag was used by the
Southern states from 1776, to June,
1777. A chain of thirteen links, a
ring, a tiger, and a field of wheat
were also used as devices.
In October, 1775, Washington
writes to two officers who were
about to take command of cruisers:
"Please fix on some flag, by which our
vessels may know each other."
They decided on the "pine-tree
flag," as it was called. This is fre-
quently mentioned in the records of
1775 and 1776 as used by vessels.
The first striped flag was flung to
the breeze and "kissed by the free air
of Heaven," at Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts, Washington's headquarters,
January I, 1776.
Washington says : "We hoisted the
Union flag in compliment to the
United Colonies, and saluted it with
thirteen guns."
It had thirteen stripes, alternate
red and white, and the united crosses
of St. George and St. Andrew on a
blue field. Similar flags were used
later in the year.
When reported in England, it was
alluded to as "the thirteen rebellious
stripes."
In 1775 a navy of seventeen ves-
sels, varying from ten to thirty-two
guns, was ordered. Says Lieutenant
Preble: "The senior of the five first
lieutenants of the new Continental
Navy was John Paul Jones. He has
left it on record that the 'Flag of
America' was hoisted by his own
hand on his vessel, the 'Alfred,' the
first time it was ever displayed by a
man-of-war." This was probably
the same design as the Cambridge
flag, used January I, 1776, and was
raised on the "Alfred" about the
same time. No exact date is given.
We come now to the time when the
crosses of St. George and St. Andrew
were taken from the striped Union
flag, and a blue field with white stars
was substituted for the symbol of
English authority.
Thirteen states had bound them-
selves together as the "United States
of America." They were:
New Hampshire,
Massachusetts,
Rhode Island,
Connecticut,
New York,
New Jersey,
Pennsylvania,
Delaware,
Maryland,
Virginia,
North Carolina,
South Carolina,
and Georgia.
One hundred and thirty years ago
this June fourteenth, 1907, the Amer-
ican Congress in session at Philadel-
phia resolved, "that the flag of the
thirteen United States be thirteen
stripes, alternate red and white; the
union to be thirteen stars, white on a
blue field, representing a new constel-
lation, the stars to be arranged in a
circle."
Here we may ask, what suggested
the "Stars and Stripes?"
It has been said in answer, that the
words "representing a new constella-
tion" refer to the constellation Lyra,
symbol of harmony; that this sug-
gested the stars. As to the stripes,
some writers refer us to the stripe
which, in the absence of uniform,
marked the rank of Continental sol-
dier, by orders from headquarters at
Cambridge, July 24, 1775.
Says another writer, in answer:
"The flag of the Netherlands." It
had become familiar to the Puritans
during their twelve-years' sojourn in
Holland, and its triple stripe, red,
white and blue, suggested the stripes
and the three colors.
Another answer has been, that
Washington found in the coat of
arms of his own family a hint from
which he drew the design for the flag.
The coat of arms of the Washing-
ton family has two red bars on a
white ground, and three gilt stars
above the top bar. A careful search
among the records of that family
fails to discover any connection. Says
one of their genealogists : "There are
several points of resemblance between
our coat of arms and the flag of the
country." The three stars are ex-
plained as meaning in heraldry that
the estate passed to the third son.
In an English genealogy of the
family, the author refers to the mat-
ter as entirely without foundation,
and adds: "At this time Washing-
ton was only commander-in-chief of
the army, and Congress arranged the
flag; besides, he was not at all popu-
lar, then, there being a strong move-
ment to supplant him with Sir Hora-
tio Gates, fresh from the victory of
Saratoga."
Certainly, Washington himself
never referred to any connection be-
tween his coat of arms and the flag,
and his pride of family might have
led him to do so, had any connection
existed.
It has seemed to me, from a care-
ful study of the subject, that to no
one thing, but to a blending of seve-
ral, especially of several flags, are we
indebted for the design of our own.
It is said that a committee had been
appointed, three weeks before the
June fourteenth when the stars and
stripes were adopted, who were to
consider the subject and report on a
general standard for all the troops of
the colonies ; that the committee,
consisting of General Washington,
Robert Morris and Colonel Ross,
called on Betsy Ross, widow of John
Ross, who kept an upholsterer's shop
on Arch street, Philadelphia, and
passing into the back parlor to avoid
public view they asked Mrs. Ross if
she could make a flag after a design
they showed her. She said she would
try. She suggested changing the
stars that Washington had drawn
with six points, the English rule, to
five points, the French rule. Her
suggestion was accepted. Our flags
always have the five-pointed stars, our
coin the six-pointed. There is no
doubt but that Betsy Ross made the
first flag and that she made them for
13
the government for several years.
There is an entry of a draft on the
United States Treasury, May, 1777:
"Pay Betsey Ross £14, 125. 2 d. for
flags for fleet in Delaware river."
It is claimed that the first using of
the stars and stripes in actual military
service was at Fort Stanwix, re-
named Fort Schuyler, now Rome,
New York, in 1777. August third,
of that year, the fort was besieged by
the English and Indians; the brave
garrison were without a flag, but one
was made in the fort. The red was
strips of a petticoat furnished by a
woman, the white was from shirts
torn up for the purpose, and the blue
was a piece of Colonel Peter Ganse-
voort's military cloak. The siege
was raised August 22, 1777.
The first anniversary of American
independence was celebrated July 4,
1777, at Philadelphia, at Charleston,
South Carolina, and other places.
Records of the exercises are pre-
served, and the flag adopted a few
weeks earlier is mentioned as used.
Thirteen stripes and thirteen stars
are mentioned as used at Brandywine,
September n, 1777, at Germantown,
October 4, 1777, and to have floated
over the surrender of Burgoyne.
This flag cheered the patriots at
Valley Forge the next winter, ^it
waved at Yorktown, and shared in
the rejoicings at the close of the war.
The shipping of the country seems
to have been slow to adopt any par-
ticular form of flag.
In 1789, when Washington took
the presidential chair for his first
term, there were thirteen states in the
Union, none having been added in the
twelve years since 1776, nor were any
added till Vermont came into the
Union, two years later in 1791, and
Kentucky in 1792. In consequence
of these additions the Senate in Con-
gress passed a bill, in 1794, increasing
the number of stars and stripes to fif-
teen, to take effect the next year,
1795. When the bill came to the
House it caused considerable debate.
Said one wise prophet, "The flag
Am*rtran
— ©If* Ensign of ICthertg
ought to be permanent; we may go
on altering it for one hundred years.
Very likely in fifteen years we may
number twenty states." This was
almost literally fulfilled.
One representative suggested that
"it might give offense to incoming
states, if a new star and a new stripe
were not added." The bill finally
passed, making fifteen the number of
stars and of stripes after July 4, 1795.
We used the fifteen-striped flag for
twenty-three years. But one after
another the states came knocking for
admission.
Tennessee, 1796; Louisiana, 1812;
Ohio, 1802, and Indiana, 1816, had
joined the Union, and in 1816 the sub-
ject of the flag came up again in Con-
gress, now assembled at Washington ;
since 1800 the capitol of the country.
It is of interest to note that the cap-
itol of the country was changed nine
times during the Revolutionary War.
A committee was appointed (1816)
to inquire into the expediency of
again altering the flag. This com-
mittee reported in favor of increas-
ing the number of stars and of stripes
to twenty, the number of states then
(1817) in the Union, Mississippi be-
ing admitted that year. The matter
was referred to Captain S. C. Reid,
who as captain of a privateer had
made himself famous by the capture
of several British ships. He advised
reducing the number of stripes to the
original thirteen and increasing the
number of stars, one for each incom-
ing state, making them form one
large star, the motto to be, "E plu-
ribus unum." The committee re-
ported the bill as recommended by
Captain Reid.
It was "laid over," came up again
and was passed April 4, 1818, to take
effect July fourth of that year. The
new star did not take its place on the
field of the flag till the July fourth
following the passage of the bill. A
newspaper of the day says: "The
time allowed for the change, three
months, is too short. It will take a
month before the change can be re-
ported in New Orleans and vessels
all over the world cannot hear of it
for a year or more."
Mrs. Reid made the first flag after
the new design, proposed by her hus-
band. July 4, 1818, the number of
stars in the flag was twenty.
The rule of arranging the stars to
form one large star was abandoned.
As the number of states increased,
was necessary to make the individual
stars on the field so small as to be
almost indistinguishable as stars, or
their points must interlace. The plan
of arranging them in rows was adopt-
ed in 1818 and has been continued.
Illinois was admitted in 1818.
Alabama in 1819.
Maine, 1820.
Missouri, 1821.
Arkansas, 1836.
Michigan, 1837.
Florida, 1845.
Texas, 1845.
Iowa, 1846.
Wisconsin, 1848.
California, 1850.
Minnesota, 1858.
Oregon, 1859.
Kansas, 1861.
West Virginia, 1863.
Nevada, 1864.
Nebraska, 1867.
Colorado, 1876.
North and South Dakota, 1889.
Montana, 1889.
Washington, 1889.
Idaho, 1890.
Wyoming, 1890.
Utah, 1896, the forty-fifth state
and star. Since that date, every
Congress has had before it a bill for
the admission of one or more territo-
ries, but it has failed to pass both
Houses. The last Congress had a
bill to unite Oklahoma and Indian
Territory and Arizona and New Mex-
ico. The former passed (1906) but
a State constitution is yet to be
adopted by the people and approved
by Congress, so its star, the forty-
sixth, will probably take its place on
the field of the flag, July 4, 1907. By
vote of Congress the question of joint
FIKST FI.A.CJ
OF COLONIAL, SKCKSSION
REVOLUTIONARY BANNKH KNOWN AN
THX "PINE THEE KLAO" AND FLOWN
TO THE BKEKKE »t KINO Till
UK VOLUTION AH If YKAHN
17H7 TO I77«.
to rwetK < . the number of states then
(1817) in the Union V H-
ing arimittc'.! 'ra* y?*r.
• '«> ih»- c
v-veral Brstisb ship*. He advised
reducing the numter of stripes to the
original thirteen and increasing the
number of stars, one for each incom-
ing state, making them form one
large star, the motto to be, "E plu-
ribus unum." The committee re-
••-•d the bill as recommended by
in Reid.
• as "laid over," came up
vas passed April
. h of that year." The
ir did not place orrthe
iie flag tiU I
the pas
-" the d -.'' ",* '' ".
'. for the cnang>,AaY
i
Colorado, 1876.
th and South Dakota, 18
Montana, iv
W;:
forty-fifth state
and star. Since that date
Congress his had before
the admission of one or •
ries, but it has
^aiii<»ises. T
JAIVbOllQ© "HO
on % &tarB and fctrijir s
and r
surr
In 184
tically tret ;
from M«
annexed
was received
si
KIKST Vl.JUi
OK A MKKK1 \ ^ F\
WITH A SALUTE OIT TH1UT..
AT WASHINGTON'S MKAI
liKIIXiK. M.VSSAIIH-SKTT.S. JAKl A10 1. 1.
AND AI.I.T-DKI) TO IN OI.II 1
"TIIK TIIIKTKKN KKMKLI.Iol s STIMIM
.,..,.: T*,.IM '
'(I'/li /.ArmiMMA MO
HX'JU /.-' HTH I ,1 T HO . I 1 // (IMTHM)H
•It A1) Xi /• " TA
..'ITTJ ,1 Y»y iKIMIll
HA oxA.iOKa: n.ro xi or n:-i<i I.I.IA OUA
"KHMIllTH K 'I*)!. I. IMJI \\ 1! V.HMTJIIUT MIIT"
nn
mtin
statehood of Arizona and New Mex-
ico was submitted to the people of the
two territories, and rejected Novem-
ber, 1906, so they continue as terri-
tories.
As the tie that binds the United
States was held by the government at
Washington to be one that could not
be severed, no star was taken from the
flag during the conflict 1861-65.
It was at this time that the term
"Old Glory" was first applied to our
flag. Stephen Driver had been a sea-
captain before the Civil War and
sailed from Salem, Massachusetts, to
foreign lands. Once when in a for-
eign port, for some important service
rendered the people, he received from
them a beautiful American flag. A
priest blessed it as it rose to the mast-
head of his ship, and Captain Driver
made a solemn promise to defend it
with his life if need be. Giving up
the sea, he made his home in Nash-
ville, Tennessee. He opposed seces-
sion. When the war began, to se-
crete the flag he sewed it in a quilt,
and every night slept beneath it. He
named it Old Glory.
Since that eventful afternoon of
July 4, 1776, when with a boldness
that seemed an audacity and a hope
that seemed a prophecy, the name
United States of America, was added
to the list of independent nations, and
nearly a year later, June 14, 1777, the
stars and stripes adopted as the
sign of nationality, we have been one
of the combatants in three wars : with
England, 1812-15; Mexico, 1846-48,
and the Spanish-American War, 1898.
The first was largely fought in
Northern New York and on the lakes.
Our small navy was uniformly suc-
cessful; "more than nineteen hun-
dred British vessels were captured."
Not once was our flag of fifteen stars
and fifteen stripes lowered in token of
surrender.
In 1845, Texas, that had been prac-
tically free for many years, seceded
from Mexico and formally asked to be
annexed to the United States. She
was received, her star making the
is
twenty-eighth on the flag. Mexico re-
fused to acknowledge Texas' inde-
pendence and called her annexation a
declaration of war.
The conflict lasted about two years
and resulted in the acquisition by the
United States of California and New
Mexico, Mexico receiving $15,000,-
ooo in payment for the territory.
Turning, lastly, to the records of
the Spanish-American War, we find
that the tie that binds the states to-
gether had been strengthened by the
thirty-three years of peace so that
when the subject of Spanish oppres-
sion in Cuba and the blowing up of
the Maine was discussed in Congress,
a Southern Senator moved that
fifty million dollars be placed at the
disposal of President McKinley to up-
hold the honor of our country and
our flag. Every Southern man in
both Houses voted "aye" and troops
were offered from all those States.
War was declared April 21, 1898.
Secretary of the Navy Long, cabled
to Admiral Dewey in command of
seven of our finest war vessels com-
posing the Pacific squadron, to cap-
ture or destroy the Spanish fleet in
the harbor of Manila. The battle
was fought May I, beginning at 5:20
A. M., the stars and stripes flying
from every mast-head. In seven
hours and a half every Spanish ship
was destroyed, while not one of our
fleet was badly injured.
Secretary Long, as soon as the news
reached him, ordered the "Oregon,"
the largest and newest of our fleet, to
join the Atlantic squadron off Cuba
"with all speed." Raising the "home-
ward-bound flag" to the mast-head,
Captain Clark started on his 14,000
mile race round Cape Horn. This
flag is a long streamer, about one-
third of its length is blue, with the
stars in line ; the rest of the flag is a.
parallel strip of white with one of redv
It is raised at the mast-head when the*
war-vessel starts and flies there dur-.
ing the voyage. It is sometimes a
hundred feet long and would dip into,
the water if lying at rest. Obeying^-
Atturtratt
— 311;? lEttatgn of ?Ctb?rtg
orders, steam was kept up to the high-
est point night and day, but so perfect
had been the construction of the ves-
sel, that not once was the steam pres-
sure lessened for repairs and in less
than four weeks, May twenty-fourth,
the "Oregon" anchored off Cuba.
June first a watch was set off the
harbor of Santiago where Admiral
Cervera's fleet had been discovered
hiding. This was ascertained by bal-
loon. Our vessels formed a semi-
circle with steam up and search-lights
at night. June second the "Merri-
mac" was sunk at the entrance to the
harbor. Lieutenant Hobson wished
the vessel to go down flying the stars
and stripes, but the admiral refused,
saying the flag would be a target for
the Spanish guns in the fort at the en-
trance to the harbor. Sunday morn-
ing, July third, Admiral Cervera,
watching an opportunity to escape,
saw a flag mount to the mast-head of
the flag-ship "New York," the only
flag that ever flies above the stars and
stripes. He recognized it as the
church flag and knew that divine ser-
vice was being held and the men off
duty. This flag is raised as the ser-
vice begins and lowered at its close;
it is a pennant of white, nearly square,
deeply notched and bearing a Greek
cross of blue.
Cervera ordered "Forward!" but
the lookout saw the line of smoke
moving behind the hills that shut in
the harbor and firing a signal-gun to
attract attention, signalled "they are
coming." In three minutes every
man was at his post at the guns or in
the powder-room in his Sunday suit
of white duck.
This was at 9 130. At 1 130 every
Spanish ship was burned or beached.
The Spanish colors were lowered at
1 1 :oo in surrender to our flag. The
rapidity with which these two great
naval battles were fought attracted
the attention of all nations. It is of
interest to vjote, that we entered this
war the sixth of the naval powers of
the world ; we stood the second at its
close.
Porto Rico asked to be taken under
our protection and our flag was raised
on the palace at Ponce, October 18,
1898.
It may be of interest to refer to one
more change made in the flag of Eng-
land in 1801. In that year Ireland
became a part of the kingdom, and to
commemorate that event, the "Cross
of St. Patrick," a red diagonal, was
by order of King George III fimbri-
ated (to use a heraldry phrase) on
the "Cross of St. Andrew." By a
heraldry law the flag of Scotland
shows uppermost in the first and third
quarter of the field and that of Ire-
land in the second and fourth.
As this third cross was added in
1801, England's flag in its present
form was never used by an American
colony.
As we have seen, the principal
change in our flag since its adoption,
June 14, 1777, has been in the grad-
ual increase of the number of stars.
In its general form it is older than
any of those of Europe, except Den-
mark, which has been in use since
1219. Ours is followed by Spain,
1785-.
Thirty-one states and three territo-
ries have what is called a "flag law,"
making it a misdemeanor punishable
with fine or imprisonment or both, to
place any picture or inscription on the
flag of the country. The number of
the United States regiment is except-
ed. There is a bill before Congress
to make a National law to that effect.
The Aleutian Islands, a part of
Alaska, extend so far to the westward
that when it is sunset on the most
westerly part, it is sunrise in East-
port, Maine. So it is that since 1867,
thirty-five years before the Philippine
Islands were taken under our care
"for the purpose of protection and
government" we can make the proud
boast that the sun never sets on the
American flag.
Great is our wealth, great is our
domain — but greater than these, and
of more importance than all of them
is our intellectual and moral advance,
our conscientious citizenship, our love
of home and country — the dominant
cord in American life.
FIRST FLA»
OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
ADOPTED BT AMERICAN CONGRESS IN
PHILADELPHIA. JUNK 14, 1T7T. WITH
THIRTEEN STARR AND THIRTEEN
STRIPES SYMBOLIZING THE THIR-
TEEN ORIGINAL COLONIES
it-:
cros
attract atte -jpW "'?';';:"^un T!
coming." are
man was at his r
the powder
Qi white duck Sunday suit
_ ! was at 9 ; ^o. A x
-"- j^wcrea at
to -our flag. The
> ere
er of
the United Sr
ed. T . ..^.^^,l.
-TCSS
^ to that effect.
• V -ids, a part of
\v/i^n » *• cotiV SLrfi
' sunset on the r
jjisrt it i •
t^J"^'
;ds we're takr;
"
%AJ, TaHI^
SHT -50
HI 8BXHOK03 VIADIHaMA TH
HTlYf ,TTTI ,*I aUTJt. .AIH^
naaTHinr aviA BHAT« MSITHIHT
•HJHT XHT OWISIJOHHTB R
BHWO,TOr> JAHIOTHO
A
law.
waning.
FIRST FLAW
OF AMERICAN EXPANSION
I MIKI) STATKS CONUKJBMM ITO.N TIIK ADMISSION
<>i TUO MOHJC STATKS TO THE AMKKICAN
bnehter withTBr
I MON ADDED TWO MORE STARS TO
TIIK KI.A«J ON JULY 4. 17115
.1-1
. A
/! f ) I * P.
MA
AT? asiou ov/x •
M1H>1£ OV/T liaUilA /<>!
TJ1H, XO OA.r-i HJIT
Sfo
Amertratt
THE VOICE OF THE STATES
AS I.\ I'HKSSKD THHOUOH
MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNORS
TO i n i.
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN BISTORT
Amerira'0
10 (Ettrir Utrtu*
BT
HONORABLE GEORGE £. CHAMBERLAIN. GOVERNOR OF OREGON
MERICA'S greatest need
is more of civic virtue,
an aroused public con-
science, and the elec-
tion of men to office
unpurchased, un pur-
chasable, and who are
willing to regulate and control the
great aggregations of wealth in this
country and punish those who, be-
cause of their wealth and influence
continually disobey and disregard the
law.
I do not believe that patriotism is
waning. I believe that our country is
growing better and its prospects
brighter with the passing years.
Oregon's greatest need to-day is
more transcontinental railways, with
a rigid law authorizing the regulation
of transcontinental and other rates.
The first settlement in Oregon
was made at Fort Clatsop near the
mouth of the Columbia River, on the
twenty-third day of March, 1811.
The settlers were composed of men
who came around from New York on
board the ship Tonquin, which was
fitted out by John Jacob Astor of New
York for the fur trade of the Pacific
Coast
Oregon was admitted to the Union
on the fourteenth day of February,
1859.
America's d»r?ai?0t
tfi (Ettm Htrtu*
It is probable that Honorable E. D.
Baker, who left his position in the
United States Senate as senator from
Oregon to take command of a regi-
ment in the Civil War, and who was
killed at Ball's Bluff in Virginia, was
one of the best known men of the
State, but there were others equally as
able and who would probably have
been as illustrious if their fates had
been as tragic, and amongst the num-
ber I would mention Honorable Dela-
zon Smith, Honorable J. W. Nesmith,
Honorable Joseph Lane, the latter of
whom participated in the Mexican
War with distinction and later was a
prominent factor in State and Na-
tional politics.
Our population to-day is about five
hundred and fifty thousand.
Our greatest wealth-producing
product is lumber, but Oregon is soon
to take the first rank as a great agri-
cultural State. Our greatest reven-
ues are derived from these two indus-
tries.
Quite a number of immigrants are
coming here, principally from the
Middle West and from the East, and
I would say that the majority of them
are American-born, though there are
some Italians and a good many of the
Scandinavian races. Generally they
seek occupation in the country and
are thrifty.
The immigration to which I refer
has no particular effect on the citizen-
ship of the State. Our citizenship
has always been of a high standard
and it is being maintained by an ex-
cellent class of immigrants.
There is no trouble between labor
and capital in this State, and there
never has been any serious trouble.
Oregon is forging ahead in all lines
and is developing more rapidly than
ever before in its history.
Corporal punishment in the schools
is rare, though it has never been abol-
ished, it has never been abused. Nor
has capital punishment been abol-
ished. I hope the day is not near at
hand when either will be abolished, so
far as I am personally concerned, and
do not agree with the sentiment which
declares itself in favor of sparing the
rod and spoiling the child, nor which
does not take kindly to the old Mosaic
law.
$Itiblu
GOVBRNOH OF HAWAII
MERICA'S greatest need
is to follow the Golden
Rule and practice what
she preaches — admit
that all men are born
equal and permit any
human being to become
a citizen of our great Republic, irre-
spective of race or color, whenever he
possesses reasonable qualifications
which justify the assumption that he
will be patriotic and loyal to the
Union.
Patriotism is increasing and we are
reaching higher standards of public
service under the splendid examples
of Roosevelt, Root and Taft.
18
from Sjaroati bg
<Eart*r
The traditions and legends of the
Hawaiian people show that the
Islands were settled many centuries
prior to their discovery on the eighth
of December, 1777, by Captain Cook.
After his death, various adventurers
in search of trade touched at these
Islands, and it is impossible to state
when the first European or foreigner
settled in the Islands. The salubrity
of the climate and the charm of the
Islands early caused runaway sailors
to remain on them, and the narratives
of a number of these have been pub-
lished.
In 1791, Captain Kendrick, of Bos-
ton, left three sailors on Kauai to col-
lect sandal-wood, pending his return.
In March, 1792, Vancouver made
his first visit, which, from his great
interest and kindly advice and the
fairness with which he treated the
natives, did much towards their ele-
vation and advancement.
The sandal-wood trade brought the
Hawaiians into contact with the Ori-
ent, and the knowledge gained from
there was used by Kamehameha I in
bringing the entire group under his
dominion, which was completed about
the year 1810.
The harbor of Honolulu was dis-
covered by Captain Brown, of the
schooner "Jackal." in 1794, and
named by him "Fair Haven." The
facilities it offered for commerce and
trade brought about a considerable
settlement on the neighboring shores
and the port of Honolulu developed
rapidly.
The turning point in the history of
the Islands was the arrival of the pio-
neer missionaries on October 23,
1819, who had been sent out by the
American Board of Missions on the
brig "Thaddeus," Captain Blanchard,
and of which Mr. James Hunnewell,
of Boston, was first officer. Kame-
hameha I had died May 8, 1819, and
his son being still in his minority,
divided the sovereignty with Kaahu-
manu, his guardian. The missiona-
ries finally secured permission from
19
them to settle. A large proportion of
these and the later additions, with
their descendants, have remained per-
manently on the Islands.
Hawaii is not a State, nor is it a
dependency of the United States, as
are Porto Rico and the Philippines.
The Hawaiian Islands were annexed
by joint resolution of Congress, ap-
proved by President McKinley on
July 7, 1898. This information
reached here and the ceremony by
which the American flag was raised
took place on August 12, 1898. Then
followed a transition period, during
which the former Hawaiian laws
were continued and the Islands were
governed by direct executive order of
the president of the United States un-
til June 14, 1900, on which date went
into effect the Act of Congress organ-
ising Hawaii into a Territory, ap-
proved by the president on April thir-
tieth previous. By this act, Hawaii
became an integral part of the Union,
in many respects the form of govern-
ment granting greater power to the
people and centering larger authority
here (due undoubtedly to our geo-
graphical isolation) than had thereto-
fore been granted by Congress in or-
ganizing any territory.
The time which has elapsed since
Hawaii entered the Union has been
so short that we must go beyond that
to ascertain what great men or great
events have developed in Hawaii in
its relations to the United States.
General Armstrong, the founder of
Hampton Institute, was an Hawaiian
boy, one of a number of young men
of American parentage whose patri-
otism caused them to volunteer from
Hawaii in the service of the Union
during the Civil War. In his early
boyhood he had observed the work-
ings of a manual training-school in
the town of Hilo, started by the early
missionaries. His father was for
many years Commissioner of Educa-
tion in Hawaii, instituted compulsory
education, and laid the foundations of
common school education here, mod-
from ijaroatt bg (Sot^rnnr
eled, of course, upon the American
common school system, but in some
respects in advance of it. It was nat-
ural, therefore, for young Armstrong
to be interested in educational ques-
tions, and his life-work resulted in the
development of Hampton Institute
and its practical ideas of education,
now so ably extended by Booker
Washington and Tuskegee.
Probably no other event better
illustrates the attitude of the people
of the Hawaiian Islands towards the
United States of America than one
which occurred during the war with
Spain. When the question arose in
Hawaii, an independent nation, as to
what its attitude should be towards
the combatants, it was Hawaii's priv-
ilege to remain neutral, in which case
her ports could only harbor the ves-
sels of the warring nations for
twenty-four hours and furnish coal in
amount sufficient to reach the next
home port. Although unarmed and
unprotected, and under the impres-
sion that Spanish men-of-war were
cruising in the South Pacific waters,
yet President Dole took no action un-
til he had ascertained whether the
course he contemplated would in any
way embarrass the United States. If
not, it was his desire and that of the
people of Hawaii to abandon neutral-
ity and announce to the world that
they were to be classed as favoring
the United States, would harbor her
troops and vessels, and abide the con-
sequences of such a course.
The census of 1900 showed the
population of the Hawaiian Islands to
be some 155,000, largely engaged in
agriculture.
Agriculture predominates, sugar,
coffee and pineapples being the prin-
cipal products, with sisal and rubber
forging ahead. There are also the
usual business and commercial pur-
suits found in cities.
The supply of labor is entirely in-
adequate, and the first lot of Euro-
pean immigrants to be landed under
the auspices of the Territorial Board
of Immigration has just arrived.
These came from the Azores and a
large percentage of them have gone
to work on the sugar plantations.
They are a thrifty and very desirable
class of people.
From past experience, it is believed
that this immigration will have a very
beneficial effect on the citizenship of
Hawaii, increasing the number of
those who can accept civic duties.
The problem of capital and labor is
not so perplexing in Hawaii as it is on
the mainland. The outcome is bound
to be satisfactory if, as in our case,
those who control corporations are
dominated by humane impulses.
From my observation, the corpora-
tions in Hawaii come nearer to hav-
ing "souls" than any others I know
of.
Hawaii appears to be forging ahead
in its great work of making known to
one another the habits, customs and
qualities of the peoples of the Orient
and Occident — a common meeting-
ground for both. Our schools re-
semble retorts, into which all kinds of
raw material are poured, and we be-
lieve the resultant out-put will be pa-
triotic and loyal American citizens.
We also believe that if the Golden
Rule and the broad principles upon
which our Union was founded are
maintained in spirit and practice here,
that these little Islands will show to
the mainland that the causes of a
"yellow peril" exist only among our
own people.
In our public schools corporal pun-
ishment is rarely resorted to. We
find it is not necessary. Capital pun-
ishment is in operation. Our murder
trials are not, as a rule, as expensive
to the taxpayers or as sensational as
in other communities. I believe I
am expressing the sober sentiment of
this community when I state that the
effect and result justify capital pun-
ishment.
Hawaii's greatest need is a larger
population of self-reliant, sturdy citi-
zens.
Jffutmr*
nf tfyt fariftt
BY HONORABLE GEORGE C. PARDEE. GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA
URING the last five years
more settlers have come
into California than for
any similar period since
the gold rush. They
come from all parts of the
United States and from
other countries. To a very large ex-
tent these settlers buy lands and be-
come farmers, but they also distribute
themselves through all lines of indus-
tries. The pleasant winter climate
draws many thousands of tourists to
California every year, and many of
these persons remain and build
homes. Large accessions to the
wealth and population of many towns,
especially in the southern portion of
the State, have been made in this way.
The greater portion of the immi-
gration is of a high order and benefi-
cial to the State, but recently there
has been a considerable influx of Jap-
anese, who are gaining a foothold in
both town and country and promise
to become an industrial force of im-
portance. This fact is regretted by
most citizens. In San Francisco and
a few other cities the problem created
by the contending forces of labor and
capital is serious, as it is in great cen-
ters of population elsewhere, and it
can only be solved by a gradual
process of evolution along conserva-
tive lines.
At the present time California is
progressing in a most satisfactory
manner, especially in everything
which tends to a higher civilization.
No State spends money more liber-
ally upon the public schools; indeed,
frnm California bg (Sowrnor
more than fifty per cent of the reven-
ues of the State, now about $10,000,-
ooo per annum, are expended for edu-
cation. The University of California,
a free institution supported by the
State, has in its various colleges more
than three thousand students, while
Leland Stanford, Junior, University,
has about half as many.
At the present time California has
a population of more than two mil-
lions. Their industries are diversi-
fied, for while agricultural and horti-
cultural pursuits engage the attention
of the largest numbers of persons,
California has usually been about
tenth among the States in order of
importance in manufacturing busi-
ness. Mining, the earliest industry,
is still being conducted with great
success, fifty or more mineral sub-
stances being produced on a commer-
cial scale. In the production of pe-
troleum California now leads all the
other States. There are more than
twenty million acres of valuable for-
est and lumbering is conducted on a
large scale. The horticultural prod-
ucts of California far exceed in value
those of any other State.
I will say that although corporal
punishment in the schools has not
been abolished, it is reduced to a min-
imum. Our laws still recognize cap-
ital punishment for murder, but it is
within the option of trial juries to fix
the punishment at life imprisonment,
and this is very generally done. Cap-
ital punishment will very probably be-
come obsolete some day, but it is very
questionable whether the time has yet
come to prohibit it. In my judgment,
the greatest need of California as of
every other State is good citizenship
— good, better, best citizenship. I do
not believe that patriotism, in the
truest sense, is waning in California
or in any other commonwealth made
up of educated men and women. On
the contrary, the love of country
never manifested itself in a more dis-
criminating and elevated form than
at the present time.
The first settlements by civilized
men in California were made by the
Franciscan friars from Mexico, who
followed in the wake of Cabrillo, Vis-
caino and other explorers of the six-
teenth century. A great work of ex-
ploration and of peaceful conquest
was performed by these earnest
priests, who established a chain of
missions extending from the extreme
south to the region immediately
north of the Bay of San Francisco
and taught and civilized the Indian
population.
The first mission was established in
San Diego in 1769, and within a little
more than half a century twenty other
missions were established, each be-
coming a center of industry and cul-
ture. The Government of Mexico,
not very much later, began colonizing
Upper California and established a
system of Pueblos, or towns, which
were the counterpart of the missions,
or religious establishments. Even-
tually the missions were disestab-
lished, or secularized, and California
was governed as a dependency of
Mexico until the territory was ac-
quired by the United States in 1848.
In 1850 a State Government was
established, California being admitted
to the Union by an act passed by Con-
gress on September seventh, 1850.
In the past half century California
has made important contributions to
the Nation, the first and one of the
most important being the flood of the
precious metal which was poured out
of her mines from 1848, the year of
the gold discovery, and continued
until the present time, although in
diminished volume. But the greatest
advantage which the Nation derived
from the acquisition of California was
that it gave the United States not
merely an outlook upon the Pacific,
the greatest of the world's oceans, but
the command of a coast line of more
than a thousand miles, including the
best harbors, and thus insured this
country the future mastery of Pacific
commerce.
An 3n0pirattnn fnr Unrtlfij Work
BY HONORABLE FRED M. WARNER. GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN
/^^^^ has been to me a source of
dm pride to realize that there
JK are States in our Union
whose citizens feel that
W I their history gives them a
^%L-^ special reason for pride
and self-congratulation.
New York, Massachusetts and the
older States that had to do with the
earlier contests of our tountry for ex-
istence and a place among the nations
of the world, have well earned the
proud position among their sister
States which they have always occu-
pied.
Surrounded as is our State by the
inland seas of the republic, from
Maumee Bay to Keweenaw Point, the
lover of beauty and of the picturesque
finds in Michigan that which is shared
in full by none other of our sister
States. And in those things which
give commercial standing and busi-
ness worth to a territory, the State of
our homes, by birth and adoption,
stands foremost in the list. In the
great iron ore industry, in the produc-
tion of copper, in manufacturing
lines, and in its farms and their prod-
ucts, Michigan has come to be recog-
nized as a leader in the quantity as
«3
well as in the quality of these, her sev-
eral important contributions to the
wealth of the Union.
In the work that Michigan has done
for higher education through its great
State university, in its normal schools,
which are excelled by no other insti-
tutions of their kind ; in its Agricul-
tural College, and schools for the
blind, in the superior provision it has
made for its grievously afflicted ones,
its asylums and charitable institutions,
and its splendid soldier's home, and in
its institutions for the care of its
homeless and helpless children, Mich-
igan is not fully equalled by any other
State.
Forty years ago Michigan ranked
as the sixteenth State in the Union in
population; thirty years ago our
State had advanced to the thirteenth
position, and the most recent census
places us ninth on the list.
This would indicate that Michigan
is rapidly growing in population and
in the number and the value of its
homes, and in that which affects the
homes of Michigan lies that which
gives inspiration to our efforts of the
future and compensation for all
worthy work for her sake in the past.
Br HONORABLE BRYANT B. BROOKS. GOVERNOR OF WYOMING
S3
been
Charles I.,
Philip IV.,
YOMING enjoys the
unique distinction of
having been under
more rulers and more
kinds of Government
than any other State
in the Union. It has
under Ferdinand and Isabella,
Philip II., Philip III.,
Charles II., Philip V.,
Ferdinand IV., Charles III., Charles
IV., Ferdinand VII. , and Joseph
Bonaparte of Spain; Francis I.,
Henry II., Francis II., Charles
IX., Henry III., Henry IV., Louis
XIII., Louis XIV., Louis XV., Louis
XVI., the Republic and the Consu-
late of France, and Louisiana, Mis-
souri, Texas, Oregon, Utah, Ne-
braska, Washington, Dakota, Idaho
and Wyoming of America. It is the
only State that contains lands ob-
tained from all four of our principal
annexations, which form the terri-
tory west of the Mississippi river.
Wyoming was organized as a terri-
tory July 25th, 1868, and admitted as
a State July loth, 1890, being the
forty-fourth State, and a lucky num-
ber.
In bygone years this was the home
of the great Sioux Indian, who was
physically and intellectually the
mightiest of his race, while in cour-
age and ferocity unexcelled. Conse-
quently, here is recorded some of the
most fascinating history of hunter
and trapper life in America.
Topographically it is a country of
rolling plains, vast plateaus and lofty
mountains. The present population
numbering 125,000 people is engaged
in agriculture, stock raising and min-
ing.
The climatic conditions are ideal,
altitude favorable, soil fertile and
productive. Owing to the abundance
of water supply, hundreds of thou-
sands of acres will soon be brought
under large irrigation canals through
the instrumentality of .the Reclama-
tion Service and Carey Act projects,
thereby furnishing homes for land
hungry thousands. Immigration is
received largely from the northwest
farming States, where the young men
have acquired a deep knowledge of,
and abiding faith in agriculture, from
the experience and successful work of
pioneer forefathers. This infusion of
strong, intelligent, courageous blood
aids to elevate our citizenship.
Laws are enforced, life and prop-
erty protected, and in matters of leg-
islation, Wyoming stands well in the
forefront of modern progress and re-
form. Her greatest need to-day is
for better transportation facilities,
capital with which to develop her in-
numerable resources, and sturdy men
and women, who are not afraid to
work, who will aid in making of this
young Commonwealth the Pennsyl-
vania of the West.
Natiu* ijoiuatg of tlj* Nation
BT HONORABLE JOHN C. CUTLER. GOVERNOR OF UTAH
3T is my belief that on the
whole patriotism is in-
creasing in the country at
large. I know it is so in
Utah, and I am led to be-
lieve, from my study of
national events, that this
condition is general. While some in-
cidents have occurred, and have been
magnified unduly, which some people
may regard as menacing our national
honor, I am firmly convinced that
these will sink into insignificance and
oblivion, when contrasted with the
breadth and scope of patriotic Amer-
icanism, as exemplified in our great
and admirable chief executive, Theo-
dore Roosevelt. So long as our Na-
tion is producing such men as he, its
future is in no great jeopardy.
The first settlement in Utah was
made at Salt Lake City, in July, 1847.
Utah became a State in the year
1896. In contributions to the Nation,
both in great men and great events,
Utah has cause to be proud of its
record. The greatest of these events
— one that will stand out in the his-
tory of the Nation as pre-eminently
important — is the establishment of
the practice of irrigation, by means of
which the western half of the conti-
nent was given to the Union. The
part taken by Utah in the settlement
of the West, and the building of the
great highways across the continent,
is a prominent part of the State's
splendid record. We also point with
pride to the work of our batteries in
the Philippines. To mention a few
of the great men Utah has produced
would necessitate the omission of
many equally great. The founder of
Utah was the greatest colonizer of
modern times; one of her sons is a
sculptor of international reputation;
some of our scientists, artists, states-
men, painters, orators, and financiers
have won the admiration of the
world. The size and scope of this
article will scarcely allow further par-
ticularization.
Utah's population to-day is about
335,000. By far the largest propor-
tion of our people live by agriculture.
We are receiving many immigrants
every year. This fact is due in large
part to the splendid opportunities
afforded here for sturdy, honest im-
migrants, and partly to the mission-
ary system of the Mormon Church, by
frnm Ital; hg
(ttntbr
means of which the solid, honest peo-
ple of the European middle class are
brought to Utah. The immigrants
are Scandinavians, English, Welsh,
Scotch, Dutch, Swiss, Germans, and
a few Italians, Greeks, and Austrians.
A very large part of our immigration
is from various portions of the United
States. Most of the immigrants go
to the farms, and help to build up
country settlements. As a rule they
are thrifty. The general effect of
immigration on the citizenship of
Utah is very beneficial. About the
only drawback in this respect is in the
case of the elements which never be-
come assimilated, such as the Italians,
Japanese, Austrians, and Greeks. In
Utah there are practically no labor
troubles. Labor and capital has not
become one of our vexed problems.
Utah is making greatest progress,
perhaps, in mining. And the progress
here is steady and healthy. In cer-
tain lines of manufacture, and espec-
ially in the making of beet sugar,
there is a notable advancement.
Agriculture and stock raising are also
making rapid strides. In education,
social advancement, religious prog-
ress, and in other worthy directions,
our State is forging ahead as rapidly
as in material affairs. Light corpo-
ral punishment is still permitted in
the public schools, and I approve of it
when cruelty and harshness are pro-
hibited, as they are by our school law.
My views on capital punishment are
strong. It is a part of Utah's code,
and so long as I occupy the executive
chair it shall remain so unless two-
thirds of the legislators shall vote for
its abolishment.
In my opinion, Utah's greatest need
to-day is unity. A small faction of
malcontents, disappointed politicians,
and others of their kind, has been
formed, and is doing a little to stir up
strife and create false impressions
abroad. But the better element of
Utah's citizenship protests against
the methods of these breeders of
strife, and we confidently hope that
before long they will leave the State
or join in promoting its interests.
America's greatest need to-day, in my
opinion, is political, social, and com-
mercial integrity. And I think the
events of the past few years indicate
that the very few cases where a lack
of this integrity has been revealed
will soon be eliminated, and the gen-
eral, native honesty of the Nation will
again be without serious blemish.
Ameriran in ^ptrtt attfc in
BY ANDREW L. HARRIS,
HIO is pressing forward
in many lines of hon-
orable endeavor, and is
keeping step with the
progress of the Union.
Incidentally, she leads
all States in the extent
of interurban electric railways.
GOVERNOR OF OHIO
It is difficult to say what is Ohio's
greatest need. A distinct impetus
would be given to her commerce by
the improvement of the Ohio River.
Our greatest need as a Nation is
"unity of purpose and unity of patri-
otism."
Patriotism is not waning; our love
26
frnm (Pfytn fag (Snuernnr
of country should be more fervent,
pure and umlefiled.
In war and statesmanship, Ohio has
contributed Ulysses S. Grant, Wil-
liam T. Sherman, Philip Sheridan,
William Henry Harrison, Rutherford
B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benja-
min Harrison, William McKinley,
Edwin M. Stanton, Salmon P. Chase,
and Allen G. Thurman. Salmon P.
Chase and Morrison R. Waite were
chief justices of the Supreme Court
of the United States. In literature
Ohio has contributed William Dean
Howells, Albion Tourgee, the Carey
sisters, and Paul Laurence Dunbar;
in science, Thomas A. Edison and
Charles F. Brush, Daniel Decatur
Emmett, author of "Dixie," and Ben-
jamin R. Hanby, author of "Darling
Nelly Gray," were sons of Ohio.
Within the limits of the State
occurred the most serious reverse in
battle ever suffered at the hands of
the Indians, — known in history as
"St. Clair's Defeat." phio was the
scene of stirring events in the War of
1812, among them Major Croghan's
defense of Fort Stephenson and
Perry's victory on Lake Erie. In the
Civil War the Confederate cavalry
leader, John Morgan, made his fam-
ous raid through the State and was
captured near Lisbon, Ohio.
The population of Ohio in 1900
was 4,157,543. It is now probably
about 4400,000.
The better element of our foreign
population rapidly becomes American
in spirit and aspiration. The objec-
tionable element is so small relatively
that it does not seriously affect the
citizenship of Ohio.
Jfmmtgraitnn ta a Sutler
JSCONSIN'S fervent
civic patriotism,
- evinced in the great
Civil War, has les-
sened in no degree,
and an eager, intelli-
gent, and well-in-
formed people will do their part with
the rest of the nation in effecting the
total extirpation of special privilege
throughout our common country.
The distance between the head
waters of the rivers flowing into the
Great Lakes and the Mississippi, be-
ing shortest in Wisconsin, this terri-
tory naturally very early became a
far-famed region of exploration and
trade in the development of New
France. Previous to the fall of New
France in 1763, the French had seve-
ral military posts within its borders,
chiefly at Green Bay, Prairie du
frnm WternnBtn fag dtotimuir iatriinann
Chien, Lake Pepin, and Chequame-
gon Bay (La Pointe).
Wisconsin was included in the Old
Northwest Territory ; subsequently
it was a part of Indiana and Michi-
gan, respectively; it was erected into
a territory by itself in 1836; and on
May twenty-ninth, 1848, was the last
part of the Old Northwest to be ad-
mitted into the Union as a State.
During the War of the Rebellion,
Wisconsin contributed a larger per-
centage of its male population to the
Union Army than any other State.
In this contribution was the famous
iron brigade, and its commander, Ed-
ward S. Bragg, later United States
Consul-General at Hongkong.
Matthew H. Carpenter, James R.
Doolittle, William F. Vilas, John C.
Spooner, and Robert M. La Follette
are among the men who have repre-
sented Wisconsin in the United States
Senate, — all of them well-known na-
tional characters.
Timothy O. Howe, William F.
Vilas, and Jeremiah M. Rusk have
been members of president's cabinets.
The Babcock test, In determining
the butterfat value of milk, was an
important contribution to science and
to civilization, made by Stephen S.
Babcock. Professor Babcock is one
of Wisconsin's modest and unassum-
ing citizens. His discovery, although
royalty thereon might have brought
to him millions of dollars, was gratui-
tously given to agriculture by Mr.
Babcock.
Wisconsin, as shown by the State
census of 1905, has a population of
2,228,947. The builders of the State
were, in a very large proportion, for-
eign-born,— Norwegians and Ger-
mans predominating. The propor-
tion of native-born is, however, stead-
ily increasing. The emigration, which
is still coming into the State, is of the
most desirable class, being largely
Scandinavian and Teutonic. The
people of Wisconsin possess the na-
tional characteristics of honesty, fru-
gality and thrift.
Agriculturally, Wisconsin is a rich
commonwealth. While tobacco is,
from a moneyed point of view, per-
haps, its most important agricultural
product, it is by no means a one-crop
State. Its agricultural interests are
much diversified, dairying being a
close second in value of product.
As a manufacturing State, Wis-
consin deservedly stands high. Its
exceptionally good water-powers are
as yet largely undeveloped, and they
promise abundantly for the future.
The lead and zinc mines of South-
western Wisconsin, which were large-
ly worked during the period of 1828
and 1855, are now being reopened,
especially for the zinc deposits, and
their bi-products, especially sulphuric
acid, and it seems likely that Wiscon-
sin will prosper more on account of
them in the future than it has in the
past. We have also extensive iron-
and copper mines.
Because of the diversification of in-
dustries, our manufacturing estab-
lishments are fast growing in number
and power, our farms are constantly
in need of more men than can be ob-
tained, our fisheries on the Great
Lakes and inland waters are growing
yearly, our railways are pushing out
into territory not yet gridironed, and
the opportunities thus afforded for
labor and capital, economic and social
problems have not as yet much per-
plexed Wisconsin.
It was in Wisconsin that the mod-
ern humane treatment of the incura-
bly insane was first experimented
upon, and in harmony with the spirit
thus manifested, the State at an early
date abolished capital punishment, be-
ing one of the four or five States in
the Union that does not take life.
The exceptional water-power, the
fine building stone, — granite, lime,
and sandstone, — and the still unde-
veloped agricultural lands of Wiscon-
sin, our great fisheries, and far-reach-
ing manufacturing interests, all cair
for a larger population for their ex-
ploitation, and the State cordially
welcomes emigration.
•I
(EmnmmtaltBm iKuBt Net laminate Ammra
BY HONORABLE JOSEPH M. TERRELL, GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA
SHE tide of immigration
has not turned this way.
Still there is to be no-
ticed a steady increase in
sturdy immigration that
assimilates with our
blood — representing pure
Americanism. This is the only peo-
ple we want, feeling that it is better to
have as our peasantry the negro, a
distinct type, that cannot assimilate,
than certain foreigners who might, by
intermarriage, endanger our blood
and institutions.
The foreigners who are coming to
Georgia, as a rule, are of German,
Scotch, Swede, English and Irish
blood. Without appreciable excep-
tion they, are thrifty. Georgia needs
people of these types on the farm.
Those we have are to be found in the
cities, and their number is yet too
small to have any effect on the civil-
ization of our State.
There is no problem of capital and
labor that threatens any industry in
our State. Georgia is practically a
stranger to strikes.
Corporal punishment in schools has
been abolished in most of the local
systems. (Each separate board of
trustees determines this question) ;
but capital punishment remains on the
statutes of our State, with no indica-
tion that it will be a repealed law.
Georgia has a population of 2,750,-
ooo— more than half being American
blood — balance largely made up of
negroes, who are tractable.
The people of the State are sup-
ported, in the main, by four indus-
tries: Agriculture, Commerce, Manu-
facturing and Mining.
Georgia is the only State in the
Union that ever whipped, single-
handed, a powerful Nation, six hun-
dred and fifty settlers defeating seven
thousand Spaniards, with an armed
fleet, who were bent on invasion. She
was likewise the only original colony
that did not allow slavery under her
formative constitution. She was
forced, by a spirit of competition with
from (irorgta bg (Sironiuir Sfcmll
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode
Island and South Carolina to petition
for this industrial vantage in 1749 —
but with the distinct provision that the
slaves should never be used in compe-
tition with white labor, and that they
should further be compelled to ob-
serve the Sabbath day.
Among the representative men of
international fame that Georgia con-
tributed to the world of action during
the Colonial and Revolutionary peri-
ods, may be mentioned: Oglethorpe
the founder; Noble Wimberly Jones,
"the morning star of liberty ;" Tomo-
chichi, the greatest Indian chief of
that period; Nancy Hart, the hero-
ine of the Revolution; Jackson,
Habersham, Pulaski and others.
Georgia gave Eli Whitney, the dis-
coverer of the cotton gin, to the field
of industry ; she presented Dr. Craw-
ford W. Long, the discoverer of an-
aesthesia, to the world of science ; and
she suggested steam-propelling to
navigation, through William Long-
street, one year before Robert Fulton
made his successful trial trip.
Her contributions to the gospel
may be read in such lives as Jesse
Mercer, George F. Pierce, Willard
Preston, Bishop Gartland and Father
Ryan.
In the Wesleyan Female College
Georgia built the first institution of
learning in the world to confer de-
grees upon women.
Some of Georgia's notable states-
men are: William H. Crawford,
John McPherson Berrien, John For-
syth, Robert Toombs, Benjamin H.
Hill, Alexander H. Stephens, Joseph
E. Brown, the war Governor, Howell
Cobb and Charles F. Crisp (the two
last named having been Speakers of
the National House of Representa-
tives), and General John B. Gordon.
During the war between the States
Georgia bore herself with the same
unconquering devotion to duty that
had always characterized her people.
She gave one hundred and twenty-five
thousand men to the struggle, and
such was their gallantry that she had
one hundred and seventy-two officers
killed on the battlefield, — among them
seven generals.
In the Spanish-American war
Georgia furnished more volunteer
troops, according to population, than
any State in the Union.
The principal instances of improve-
ment in which Georgia excels are :
Agriculture, Mining and Manufac-
turing. Our State contains more
granite and marble than all the States
of the Union combined — and much in
gold, iron, coal and aluminum.
The greatest need of our State is to
be let alone — and to grow politicians
and editors who will let the race ques-
tion alone.
In agriculture and horticulture
Georgia excels. She grows sixteen
million peach trees; produces more
and better water-melons than any
country on earth; markets two mil-
lion bales of cotton, and has fields of
Bermuda that are second only to the
blue-grass fields of Kentucky.
Georgia was settled as a colony in
1733, the date of settlement being
February 12, and the site Savannah.
She became an independent State
April 15, 1776.
Oglethorpe, the settler of Georgia,
proved a great forerunner of civiliza-
tion. The colony first emblazoned a
purpose to lead by building the tallest
light-house then on the Atlantic coast
a few months after the date of settle-
ment. One of these first settlers, John
Wesley, gave Methodism to the spir-
itual world.
America's greatest need is to pro-
duce a type of public men who will
attend to their own business, and quit
this interminable intermeddling with
other people's affairs.
It seems that patriotism is waning
in our land as the love of money in-
creases. America needs education on
this line. Fortunately for our State
her people are not dominated by com-
mercialism to the extent of forgetting
the higher duty.
3°
Spirit nf JJairtflttam
BY HONORABLE WILLIAM T. conn. GOVERNOR OF MAINE
,AINE has never failed
to manifest her fidel-
ity to the Union and
in early life her sons
learn that the noblest
ambition of a manly
life is to suffer for
liberty. From the sixteenth century
to the present time in every conflict
that has encompassed this land, Maine
has, owing to her exposed position,
suffered more or less. From the days
of her starving Plymouth colonists to
the present she has cheerfully done
her part in succoring her friends and
allies. She has ever been a central
figure upon the stage, a shining star
in the constellation of States.
Upon the Nation's roll of honor
Maine has etched many names besides
Hamlin, Washburn, Fessenden, Dear-
born, Morrill, Elaine, Dingley, Fuller
and Reed. She has reared twenty-
seven of her forty governors, fur-
nished twenty-one governors for
other States, supplied the Nation with
nine major-generals, nine brigadier-
generals, six rear-admirals, two com-
modores, three commanders, and fur-
nished more mental timber to other
States in proportion to her population
than any other State. The blood of
Maine runs in every State of the
Union. Governors, senators, judges,
congressmen, from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, claim a part of her greatness
as their birthright. In addition to
her generous gifts of men qualified to
manage the affairs of the Nation, she
has contributed liberally to the world
of literature, science and art.
In National affairs Maine has often
wielded an influence out of propor-
tion to her size, location, population
and apparent interests. With a pop-
ulation of 694,466, a land surface
equal to one-half of all New England,
with almost unlimited and only par-
tially developed resources, Maine is
entering an era of great promise. The
increase in our population has been
smaller on account of the large num-
ber of our citizens who have gone to
the West, and yet our growth has
been steady both in population and
wealth.
While it is difficult, if not impossi-
ble, to fix the exact date and place of
the first settlement in Maine, it is con-
ceded that many settlements had been
established along the coast and inland
some years prior to the landing of the
Pilgrims on Plymouth shore. It is
safe to say that permanent settlement
had begun in 1607 in the region of the
Kennebec and Sagadahoc. The men
of Maine, the Pophams, the Gilberts,
and the Gorges, are rightfully termed
the fathers of New England coloniza-
tion. The Maine shore was an ob-
jective point for the early explorers
and adventurers, and our claim to
priority of settlement in New Eng-
land is well founded.
Until within the last two decades
Maine has been an agricultural State
frnm HJatn? fag (Snumtor Qlnbb
and while the present condition and
future prospects of the agriculture of
the State is most hopeful and encour-
aging, the majority of people engaged
in gainful occupations are those fol-
lowing manufacturing and mechani-
cal pursuits.
Maine's extensive fisheries are one
of her best known industries. Ap-
proximately 25,000 men are employed
in reaping her annual fish harvest of
more than $4,000,000. Lumber is a
great revenue producer ; the woods of
Maine yield a yearly sum of at least
$15,000,000.
Her extensive water-power has
been a great aid in developing her
manufacturing industries. The man-
ufacture of wood pulp has developed
greatly during the last few years and
two of the largest mills of the world
are located within her borders.
The city of Bath is known as the
cradle of American shipbuilding
where have been built craft varying
from the highest type of government
vessels to the six master schooners,
the biggest cargo carriers of the type
extant.
Aside from the commercial and
manufacturing lines, the summer vis-
itor is a constantly increasing source
of revenue and gratification. The
four hundred thousand pleasure-seek-
ers, attracted by the salubrious sum-
mer climate, the beautiful and varied
seashore and mountain scenery and
unequaled sporting, fishing and hunt-
ing privileges, leave nearly sixteen
million dollars in various summer re-
sorts and pleasant abiding places.
With magnificent and extensive for-
est, and a coast line of 278 miles, from
Quoddy Head to Kittery Point,
which, by the wonderful network of
bays and inlets becomes nearly 3,000
miles (greater than any other State),
Maine offers greater natural attrac-
tions than any other commonwealth.
The industrial condition of the
State is not materially affected by im-
migration. Only about thirteen per
cent of the population are foreign-
born. They are of the different na-
tionalities, follow various occupations,
and seem to be contented and well-to-
do.
The people of Maine are possessed
of a generous, public spirit and a hu-
mane tendency. A common school
system was adopted very early in the
history of the State and all institu-
tions of an educational nature have
been liberally patronized by the State.
In her hospitals, prisons and reforma-
tory institutions, her unfortunate and
evil-minded are provided for by scien-
tific and rational methods. The death
penalty was abolished in 1878 and
although it was restored for a brief
time, it has never been in real opera-
tion since that date and unless condi-
tions change considerably that law
will never be re-enacted.
Maine enjoys prosperity in her va-
ried industries, and her workingmen
are a class of such intelligence and
character as to induce reasonable de-
mands on their part and fair treat-
ment on the part of the employers.
The spirit of trade unionism, while it
has become an important factor in in-
dustrial conditions, is opposed to dras-
tic measures. The affairs of the
Union are, for the most part, wisely
and justly handled, and there is no
apparent desire to do injustice or
wrong to others. On the other hand,
the labor organizations have done
much to advance the interests of la-
boring people.
The spirit of patriotism still lives in
the hearts of the citizens. They want
peace, but should war come Maine
would respond as promptly as she
ever has. In the minds of the people
there is a marked difference between
the patriotism of the military ages,
when war was the chief business of a
country, and the present day spirit of
devotion and duty to country. The
patriot of our day is the just and not
the fighting man ; he is the patriot of
peace; the man who lives honestly,
injures no one, does the best he can in
his calling, is helpful and kindly to
all.
"iEtrarlr" of Jtrat
WORLD'S FIRST STEAMBOATS— Built and Successfully Run by John Fitch
<i ram-iiu of an
Amrriran (brittur, mini
3?nblirlg Riuirnlrb UH a "Jffanaiir"
for yrupn-.-.tiu; ihr flropnlBion uf "Hri-.i-.rhi Im
Strain against 2$Hnb an& (Tii»r ** OH?? 3ora utas fJrnmmnrrb
" Jmprartirablr " and to Risk Htfr in its lliturrtaktuy " jfmilhuriH} **
iirlatrn
BY
SEYMOUR BULLOCK
AFTBR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS' INVKSTIOATIOX or TOE DCVEUIPMENT OF STEAM NAVIGATION
A "unpractical" man's
"impracticable" the-
ory that steam could be
used to drive vessels
against wind and tide
met the ridicule of the
"sound-headed" men
of the business world a generation or
two ago. When a few months later
a strange craft, puffing smoke from a
tall stack, wierdly scooted over the
waters at the mercy of a man at a
crude throttle it was proclaimed a
"miracle." Men with business judg-
ment advised sane people to avoid it
and not to risk their lives in its power.
Indeed they spoke better than they
knew — it was a miracle. A miracle
inasmuch as its value to civilization is
beyond the power of human mind to
33
compute ; a miracle that has thrown
wide open the gates to the world; a
supernatural "elastic vapor" that has
reduced time and space and moved
the world along at a pace an hundred-
thousand-fold more rapidly than be-
fore its discovery. Until to-day the
nations of the earth through the
power of modern transportation facil-
ities are exchanging products at the
magnitude of seventy million dollars a
day — or an estimated value of about
twenty-five billions during the year
that has just closed.
It is the story of this "unpractical"
man, who had the courage to face the
rebuffs of his business contempora-
ries and who closed his life in dis-
couragement and tragedy, that is here
told.
"Hirarle" nf
'HE day will come
when some more
powerful man will
get fame and
riches from my
invention, but no-
body will believe
that poor John Fitch can do anything
worthy of attention."
These words of the discouraged in-
ventor who first demonstrated the
practicability of the propulsion of ves-
sels by steam, came to my mind as I
stood over his unmarked grave in the
little burial spot in Bardstown, Ken-
tucky, a few days ago.
My life-long researches into the
development of steam navigation have
led me several times to that shrine,
"but never before has the fickleness of
fortune impressed me more forcibly.
As I looked upon the neglected
grass-grown plot that lay about thirty
feet from the fence on the north side
and but little more from the fence
that ran along the east side — fourteen
feet north of a stone that bore the
name Jesse McDonald — , I thought
of the oft-repeated yet unfulfilled
wish of the man who had opened up
the gates of the world's commerce
and had received in compensation
only a narrow six-foot-deep strip of
otherwise worthless earth, the exact
location of which seemed scarce saved
from the all-hiding hand of obliv-
ion. John Fitch — unappreciated in
life, unwept in death and unsung in
story — had often wished that his last
couch, when, wearied with life's un-
even battle, he should lay himself
down to sleep, might be placed
"where the song of the boatman
would enliven the stillness of his rest-
ing place and the music of the steam
engine soothe his spirit."
The world's greatest benefactions
have come through the hands of pov-
erty; the story of a poor man's life,
however, is thought to be hardly
worth the telling. But when that poor
man proves to be the genius who first
successfully hitched his oars to the
power of steam, then men may be
brought to read his story and to even
join in sounding his praise.
No claim is made that John Fitch
was the sole "original inventor" of
the steamboat, in the sense that no one
but he had thought of the possibility
of using the power of steam for navi-
gation. He was an original inventor
xin that he successfully linked together
a steam engine and a method of pro-
pulsion for boats before he knew that
anyone else had ever even attempted
it. The boats that he built were not
magnificent marine palaces, like the
boats upon the Hudson and the Mis-
sissippi to-day; they were not mon-
strous leviathans into whose cavern-
ous maw thousands and thousands of
tons of freight could be stored, but
they were the first successful cham-
pions in the battle for supremacy over
wind and tide and to them must be
given the credit of demonstrating that
it was possible to travel by water and
yet keep engagements by set appoint-
ments in time.
Revolutions so far reaching as con-
templated in the scheme of Fitcli
must necessarily move slowly. The
world of to-day differs more from the
world that John Fitch knew than that
world differed from the world of
Julius Caesar and the great difference
has been wrought by the development
of the ideas that he incorporated in
his first steamboat. The boats of his
day differed from the boats Csesar
saw upon the Mediterranean only by
the cut and set of their sails. The
boats of to-day differ from those of a
hundred and twenty-five years ago in
nearly every feature. Yet, as the
forest lies hidden in the acorn, the
"Minnesota" and the "Dakota," the
largest freight carriers in the world,
built at New London, and now plying
the waters of the Pacific, were hidden
in that little craft that John Fitch
launched in a small meadow-stream in
1786.
Although the ancients knew of the
expansive force of confined steam but
little use was made of it until men of
modern times demonstrated its utility
0f an Amnrtran
*,.. \
«r'<»M:»T, - "TV
. n , *s 1 1
r.~..1 1 *&uY*
...... .,
7
I _ •*...,«. i, --
-if i
' §••
s<- • ' /
_1 5 /
4r
ffi-v
COLLECT POND, NEW YORK, UPON WHICH
FITCH SAILED HIS STEAMBOAT OP 1796-7
and no small share of the honors that
the Present renders to the not-far-
distant Past is due to John Fitch for
the part he took in that demonstra-
tion.
The time had come for the turning
of a new leaf in the world's book of
progress. A new hour had been
struck on the "Horologue of the
Ages." The "Old World" was to be
brought over and anchored alongside
the "New" with but enough water-
filled space left between them to set
for each the bounds and limits of its
own. To John Fitch was given a
dream — a tantalizing haunting dream
that held him in its power day and
night — in which he saw this thing
made true.
Speaking of that time when he first
thought to annihilate space through
the application of steam, Fitch leaves
this written confession:
In the month of April, 1785, I was so
unfortunate as to have an idea that a car-
riage might be carried by the force of
35
steam along the roads. I pursued that idea
for about one week and gave it over as im-
practicable, or, in other words, turned my
thoughts to vessels. From that time I have
pursued the idea to this day with unre-
mitted assiduity, yet do I frankly confess
that it has been the most imprudent scheme
I was ever engaged in.
Up to this time Fitch had never
heard of a steam engine. In the
Franklin Institute manuscript, from
which the foregoing quotation is
taken, he says:
What I am now to inform you of is not
to my credit but as long as it is the truth,
I will insert it viz : that I did not know
there was a steam engine on earth when I
first proposed to gain force by steam. . . .
A short time after drawing my first draft
for a boat. I was amazingly chagrined to
find at Parson Irwin's, in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, a drawing of a steam en-
gine; but it had the effect to establish me
in my other principles as my doubts lay
at that time in the engine only.
Every part of the civilized world
possessing any extended sea coast or
navigable waters seems to have put
forth at some time a claimant for the
honor of having invented the steam-
boat. Spain presents Blasco de
Garay, but of his work the editor of
the Franklin Journal very suggest-
ively hints that it is not wise "to date
the history of the steamboat back so
far as 1543 until the Public Record
from which the account is taken shall
appear in authentic form."
The next champion for the crown is
Jonathan Hulls who published in
London in 1737 a "Description and
draught of a new invented machine
for carrying vessels out of and into
any harbor, port or river against
wind and tide or in a calm, for which
his majesty George II has granted
letters patent for the sole benefit of
the author, for the space of fourteen
years." Accompanying this pamph-
let is a drawing of a stubby little boat,
with a smoking "chimney," having a
pair of wheels rigged out over the
stern which are supposed to be moved
by ropes passed around their outer
rims. To the axis of the wheels pad-
dles are fixed for propulsion.
iltrarli>" nf tlj?
SIDE WHEEL STEAMBOAT THAT CREATED WONDERMENT ON COLLECT POND,
NEW YORK— (From an old print)
It is not probable that Jonathan
Hulls ever built any other steamboat
than this one on paper. Leastwise
there is no account of his doing any-
thing further with the patent and 1
believe it safe in assuming that no one
else ever became sufficiently inter-
ested in the "paper invention" as to
have put its theories to the testing.
The late Robert D. Roosevelt, of New
York, wrote me shortly before his
death : "I cannot allow the discussion
of this subject to pass without putting
in the claim of the Roosevelt family.
I trusted that some other member of
the family who had the actual proofs
in his possession would come for-
ward, but we are rather careless in
claiming credit — especially when the
public has made up its mind in
another direction. It has always been
a tradition with us that my grand-
uncle, Nicholas J. Roosevelt, first ran
a model steamboat as finally adopted
by Fulton and made a success by him.
He was connected with Fitch by mar-
riage and business, and together they
afterward exploited the Western
waters, leaving Fulton the Hudson.
You will find models of boats with
oars propelled with steam. These
were failures, and the little steamboat
of my relative led the way for the
wonderful invention which Fulton
made successful. I do not like to
seem to ignore or abandon our claim,
which has been quietly maintained for
nearly a century and is upheld by a
quantity of evidence."
When John Fitch built and
launched his first boat it was no re-
production of any other. So unique
was it that its builder might have
fallen down before it in worship, and
yet have been without sin, for it was
not made like unto "anything that is
in the heavens above, or that is in the
earth beneath, or that "is in the waters
under the earth."
Fitch once exclaimed to friends:
"The propelling of a boat by steam is
as new as the rowing of a boat by an-
gels and I can claim the first thought
and invention of it."
The first model was built in Cobe
Stout's log shop and tried on the small
stream that ran through Joseph Long-
streth's meadow about a mile and a
half from Davisville, Southampton
County, Pennsylvania. The boiler
was made of an iron kettle, the ma-
chinery was of brass and the paddle
wheels, thrown over the sides, were of
wood. In all, Fitch tried seven dif-
ferent schemes for propelling the
boat, building perfect models of four,
and in September, 1785, — having
already experimented with the screw-
propeller, the endless chain, the pad-
dle wheels and the large stern wheel
— Fitch prepared and submitted to the
American Philosophical Society of
Philadelphia a "drawing and descrip-
tion of the machine . . . invent-
36
nf an Amrrtran
ed for working a boat against the
stream by means of a steam engine,"
and in the following December he
"presented to the society a model and
additional drawings," and in that
same year, he wrote to Benjamin
Franklin his belief in the practica-
bility of sea navigation by steam.
In 1786-7 the sole and exclusive
right to the waters of Pennsylvania
and several adjacent states for steam
propelled vessels was given to John
Fitch. When he applied for this con-
cession, he was experimenting with
an engine having a three-inch cylin-
der and a propeller attached to a
skiff. His efforts seemed to end only
in failures and, stung by the jibes of
the wiseacres with their eternal "I
told you so," Fitch sought the tavern
and tried to drown his disappointment
in drink. The debauch ran through
that night and the next day and then
he seems to have gotten hold of him-
self. He went to bed early the sec-
ond night to try to sleep himself so-
ber but "about twelve o'clock (July
21 ) the idea struck me," he writes,
"about cranks and paddles for rowing
a boat and for fear that I should lose
the idea, I got up about one o'clock,
struck a light and drew a plan. I was
so excited I could not sleep." Six
days later Fitch had a craft of about
nine tons burden fitted with paddles
hung perpendicularly and moved by
his re-arranged engine geared to a
crank. On the twenty-seventh (July,
1786) he gave a public demonstration
— the trial trip of the world's first
steamboat.
Having exhausted his own finances,
Fitch applied to the Pennsylvania
legislature for a loan of £150 and fail-
ing to obtain it — by a vote of thirty-
two to twenty-eight — he applied to
the speaker of that body, General
Thomas Mifflin, for an individual loan
of the amount. In soliciting this
accommodation Fitch writes:
I am of the opinion that a vessel may be
carried six, seven or eight miles per hour
by the force of steam and the larger the
vessel the better it will answer, and am in-
clined to believe that it will answer for sea
voyages as well as for inland navigation
which would not only make the Mississippi
as navigable as tide water but would make
our vast territory on those waters an in-
conceivable fund in the treasury of the
United States. Perhaps I should not be
thought more extravagant than I already
have been when I assert that six tons of
machinery will act with as much force as
ten tons of men, and should I suggest that
the navigation between this country and
Europe may be made so easy as shortly to
make us the most popular empire on the
earth, it probably at this time would make
the whole very laughable.
Fitch during that year built a sec-
ond boat, forty-five feet long and
twelve feet beam, which was an im-
provement in every way over its pre-
decessor. Besides its larger propor-
tions this boat had a much heavier en-
gine. The trial trip was made on the
PROPELLER BUILT BY JOHN FITCH-CONSIDERED A MARVELOUS MECHANISM
(Prom an old print)
37
of
Jtrat g>t?ambnai
THE "PERSEVERANCE" ON THE DELAWARE RIVER IN 1787
IDelaware river, August 22, 1787,
-and was witnessed by all the members
•of the convention for framing the
Federal Constitution, except General
Washington.
Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth of
the United States Supreme Court was
the guest of the steamboat company
on the initial trip of Fitch's new boat.
Every one seemed to be satisfied with
what was done except the inventor.
Attainment seemed to only fire his
ambition and he at once began to
plan for greater things.
By the sale of maps of the North-
west Territory drawn by Fitch from
his own surveys and engraved in the
rude shop of Cobe Stout, the print-
ing being done with a cider press, the
sum of $800 was made available for
-the new boat. A stock company of
forty shares was organized in Feb-
ruary, 1788, and the exclusive right
to navigate by steam the waters of
New York, March 19; Delaware,
February 3 ; Pennsylvania, March
28, and Virginia, November 7, was
:given to the new enterprise "for a pe-
riod of fourteen years." The new
boat was built and -measured sixty
feet in length with eight-foot beam.
Paddles were set at the sides instead
of at the stern as in the former boat.
It was noised about that Fitch's new
boat would be given its trial trip that
twenty-second day of August and a
crowd of the curious gathered to wit-
ness the event. Incredulity and an-
ticipation stood staring each into the
other's face. The lines were cast off,
there was a puff of smoke and a whiff
of steam and the odd, multi-legged
creature began walking on the water.
Three miles only were covered in an
hour but it had been shown that some-
thing could be done. A rally was
made and the forty original shares
were doubled. A new and larger
boat was built. The next summer
this new craft, fittingly called the
"Perseverance," Fan on its trial trip
from Philadelphia to Burlington,
twenty miles. On the twelfth of Oc-
tober, 1788, a pleasure party of thirty
was taken over the same course in
three hours and ten minutes.
38
nf an Amrrtran
Had this boat been launched on the
Hudson, locked in by the towering-
hills over whose heights no ordinary
roadway could be built, instead of on
the Delaware along whose shore
stretched a well-kept level road upon
which swift ( ?) stages ran more
than six miles in an hour, it is certain
that no break would have been per-
mitted in the chain that linked to-
gether the steamboats of three centu-
ries. If the papers that published Ihe
account of Fulton's triumph had an-
nounced that on that August day of
which so much is made, the "Cler-
mont" and the "Perseverance" would
leave New York at the same hour and
race to Albany, each maintaining its
accredited rate of trial-trip speed,
their account of the race would have
shown that when the "Perseverance"
touched her wharf at the farther city
the "Clermont" was fifty-two miles
astern.
Fitch was not content with what
had been accomplished with the "Per-
severance" and at once proposed the
building of a larger boat with a more
powerful engine. The next year was
spent in preparation and building and
on the sixteenth of the April follow-
ing (1790), a trial trip was made.
Everything worked charmingly and
Fitch writes: "Although the wind
blew fresh at the northeast, we
reigned Lord High Admirals of the
Delaware and no boat in the river
could hold its way against us but all
fell astern, though several sail boats
which were light, and heavy sails that
brought their gunwales well down to
the water, came out to try us."
Several other equally successful
trips were made and the elated Fitch
wrote again : "Thus has been effected
by little Johnny Fitch and Harry
Voight (a close friend) one of the
greatest and most useful arts that has
ever been introduced into the world,
and although the world and my coun-
try does not thank me for it, yet it
gives me heartfelt satisfaction."
In a description of this admittedly
successful steamboat, which was pub-
lished under Fitch's name in the
Columbian Magazine, he says:
The cylinder is to be horizontal and the
steam to work with equal force at each end.
The mode by which we obtain a vacuum
is, it is believed, entirely new, as is also the
method of letting the water into it and
throwing it off against the atmosphere
without any friction. It is expected that
the cylinder, which is of twelve inches
diameter, will move a clear force of eleven
or twelve cwt. after the frictions are de-
ducted, this force is to be directed against
a wheel eighteen inches in diameter. The
piston is to move about three feet and each
vibration of it gives the axis about forty
evolutions. Each evolution of the axis-
moves twelve oars or paddles five and a.
half feet; they work perpendicularly and
are represented by the strokes of a paddle
of a canoe. As six paddles are raised from
the water, six more are entered and the
two sets of paddles make their strokes of
about eleven feet in each evolution. The
crank of the axis acts upon the paddles
about one-third of their length from their
lower ends, on which part of the oars the
whole force of the axis is applied. The
engine is placed in the bottom of the boat,
about a third from the stern and both the
action and the reaction turn the wheel the
same way.
From the very first demonstration
of this steamboat, Fitch had held the
unshaken confidence of a Dr. William
Thornton and a Mr. David Ritten-
house, who, with Benjamin Franklin
also a stockholder in the company or-
ganized to build steamboats, were
members of the American Philosoph-
ical Society. Dr. Thornton was
sometime afterward connected with
the government patent office in Wash-
ington where he had access to all
drawings and models illustrative of
steamboating. From this unequalled
opportunity to study all that others
had done and were doing, Dr. Thorn-
ton was peculiarly fitted to write the
pamphlet, "A short account of the ori-
gin of steamboats," in which he says:
Finding that Mr. Robert Fulton, whose
genius and talents I highly respect, has
been considered by some the inventor of
the steamboat. I think it a duty to the mem-
ory of the late John Fitch to set forth with
as much brevity as possible, the fallacy of
this opinion and to show, moreover, that if
Mr Fulton has any claim whatever to orig-
UUrarU" nf tlj? Jtrat
PROPELLER BUILT BY JOHN FITCH IN 1796-7
The figure in the centre is Fitch— At the extreme left stands Livingston with Fulton— This boat was sailed on
Collect Pond, New York, in a demonstration to raise capital for organizing a corporation
inality in his steamboat, it must be ex-
ceedingly limited. In the year 1788, the
late John Fitch applied for and obtained a
patent for the application of steam to navi-
gation, in the states of New York, Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey, Delaware, etc. ; and
soon after, the late Mr. James Rumsey,
conceiving he had made some discoveries
in perfecting the same, applied to the state
of Pennsylvania for a patent; but a com-
pany formed by Mr. John Fitch under his
state patents, conceiving that the patent of
Fitch was not for any particular mode of
applying the steam to navigation but that it
extended to all known modes of propelling
boats or vessels, contested before the
assembly of Pennsylvania, and also before
the assembly of Delaware, the mode pro-
posed by Mr. Rumsey and contended that
the mode be proposed, viz. : by drawing up
water into a tube and forcing the same
water out of the stern of the vessel or boat,
which was derived from Dr. Franklin's
works (Dr. Benjamin Franklin being one
of the company), was a mode the company
had a right to, for the plan was originally
published in Latin about fifty years before
in the works of Bernonilli the younger.
The decision of the assembly in
both states where the issue was raised
was in favor of Fitch and the Rumsey
company "were excluded from the
right of using steamboats on any
principle." In the violent pamphlet
controversy between these two claim-
ants for the honor of having first
applied the power of steam to naviga-
tion, it was shown that Fitch, when
en route to Philadelphia to interest
men and capital in his invention, had
passed through Winchester, Virginia,
and had stopped to rest at the home
of a friend to whom he declared his
"firm conviction that the agency of
steam might be used in navigation,"
stating that he "was then on his way
to Philadelphia to awaken interest in
such an invention." Rumsey is said
to have learned this. Be this as it
may, it is certain that the world would
yet be without its swift sailing steam-
boats if it had been forced to depend
upon the "suck-in, squirt-out" mech-
anism of James Rumsey's invention.
But, to go back to Dr. Thornton's
story. Here is given in detail the
difficulties under which Fitch built
his first boat and then comes the ac-
count of the launching and the suc-
cess that crowned him :
The day was appointed and the experi-
ment made in the following manner: A
mile was measured in Front (Water)
Street, Philadelphia, and the bounds pro-
jected at right angles, as exactly as could
be to the wharf, where a flag was placed
at each end and also a stop-watch. The
boat was ordered under way at dead water,
or when the tide was found to be without
movement, as the boat passed one flag, it
struck and at the same instant the watches
were se't off; as the boat reached the other
flag it was also struck and the watches in-
stantly stopped. Every precaution was
taken before witnesses ; the time was
shown to all, the experiment declared to be
fairly made and the boat was found to go
at the rate of eight miles an hour, or one
mile in seven minutes and a half. . . .
It afterward went eighty miles in a day.
Congress was in session and an
adjournment was ordered that the
members might witness the remark-
able event and on the sixteenth of
June, 1790, Governor Thomas Mifflin
and the Supreme Executive Council
nf an Amrrtran
SIDE WHEEL BOAT BUILT BY FITCH 1796-7
With Fitch, the inventor, Fulton and Livingston made several trips about Collect Pond, New York, in this
boat ten years before they placed the " Clermont " upon the Hudson
of Pennsylvania were passengers on
the boat. Of the latter Dr. Thorn-
ton writes:
The governor and council of Pennsyl-
vania were so highly gratified with our
labors that without their intention being
previously known to us, Governor MiffHn,
attended by the council in procession, pre-
sented to the company and placed in the
boat a superb silk flag prepared expressly
and containing the arms of Pennsylvania;
and this flag we possessed till Mr. Fitch
was sent to France by the company, at the
request of Aaron Vail, Esq., our consul at
L'Orient, who being one of the company,
was solicitous to have steamboats built in
France. John Fitch took the flag, un-
known to the company, and presented it to
the National Convention.
The success of Fitch's boat foun'l
its way into print and during that
summer a "card" appeared in the
advertising columns of the two papers
published in Philadelphia, announcing
the regular sailings of the "steam-
boat." The Pennsylvania Packet
of June 15 runs the first steamboat
"ad" as follows:
The Steam-Boat
IS now ready to take PafTcngers, and it intended to
frt off dam Arch flreet Ferry in Philadelphia eve-
ry Moo'/jr, Wtdmffay and fritaj, for BurtintHmt
B'ijlol. BirJinta-wn and Trtntat, to r<iurn on TirJJtyt,
TburfJaii and Satfrdayi— Price for Pjflenger*, a/5 to
Burlington and Bridal, J J to Bordcntown, 5/*. 10
Trenton. June 14. tu.th f tf
The same "ad" appeared in the
Federal Gazette and Philadelphia
Daily Advertiser on June 14, 17, 19,
22 and 24, and on Monday, July 26,
it was changed, abbreviated to read:
"The steamboat sets out to-morrow
at ten o'clock from Arch Street Ferry
in order to take passengers for Bur-
lington, Bristol, Bordentown and
Trenton and return next day."
This was the first steamboat line in
the world and the first use of any
steam-propelled carrier for hire.
Later in the year a letter was print-
ed in the New York Magazine, dated
Philadelphia, August thirteenth, con-
taining the words: "Fitch's steam-
boat really performs to a charm. '
The boat had then been running two
months and was maintained all that
year and the next summer. Her
frame rots to-day on the south side of
Cohocksink Creek.
In 1788-0 another boat was built
and successfully launched. On the
night of the day she made her trial
trip, she was burned to the water's
edge. In 1791 further "patents"
were secured and a boat was built for
a New Orleans route. When nearly
completed a storm tore this new craft
from its moorings and drove it over
onto Petty's Island, opposite the
uoper end of Philadelphia, where it
became embedded in the mud. Con-
stant interference with Fitch's plans
and the substitution of worthless in-
ventions by shareholders had made
iitrarU?" of tljr Jirai &trambnat
ORIGINAL MODEL OF JOHN FITCH'S STEAMBOAT
Presented by Fitch to the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia— Now in the Smithsonian Institute
the building of this boat very expen-
sive. The shareholders were dis-
couraged and would advance no more
funds. Fitch had spent his little
"all" and the boat was abandoned.
For four years it lay in the mud
where it had first stranded and then
it was advertised as for sale at auction
on the eighteenth day of August,
Boat building has always been a
good butt for a joke. The first man
who launched a log and straddled it,
using his hands for paddles, afforded
no end of merriment to the other fel-
low who was "looking on." Noah's
boat was the most ludicrous thing his
contemporaries had ever seen. Poor
John Fitch soon found himself to be
the "laughing-stock" of the town but
through it all he said: "Never mind,
boys, the day will come when all our
great lakes, rivers and oceans will be
navigated by vessels propelled by
steam."
The patent that Fitch received
from the Federal Congress, signed by
George Washington and commission-
ers Thomas Jefferson, General Henry
Knox and John Randolph, ran for a
period of fourteen years from August
26, 1791. It was this patent, with
the Rumsey-Fitch pamphlets, that the
opponents to the Fulton-Livingston
monopoly used to break the exclusive
franchise held for the waters of New
York.
Knowing that his friend Ritten-
house was fully cognizant of the
details of this patent, Fitch wrote to
him, upon the abandonment of the
Philadelphia-Trenton steamboat line
in 1792, urging him to purchase his
lands in Kentucky that he might
"have the honor," as Fitch says, "of
enabling me to complete the great un-
dertaking."
In this letter Fitch writes: "It
would be much easier to carry a first-
rate man-of-war by steam than .1
boat as we would not be cramped for
room, nor would the weight of ma-
chinery be felt. This, sir, tvill be the
mode of crossing the Atlantic in time
whether I bring it to perfection or
not for packets and armed vessels."
He suggests further on that steam be
used to conquer the Barbary pirates
who had recently captured' several
American vessels. "A six-foot cylin-
der could discharge a column of
water," he says, "from the round-top
forty or fifty yards and throw a man
off his feet and wet their arms and
ammunitions" — a device actually re-
ported in England some years later
as having been incorporated as part
of the armament of the "Demologos,"
the first steam war vessel in the
world.
The "Demalogos" was built for the
War of 1812 upon the urgent solicita-
tion of "a number of gentlemen in
\Y\v York associated under the title
of a Society for Coast and Harbor
Defense." Their chief object was to
bring into operation a Steam frigate
in addition to the measures already
adopted for annoying the enemy with-
in our waters. The "memorialists"
Sragrfog nf an American <£nttufi
who urged this innovation were ap-
pointed by the secretary of the navy
to act as "his agents to superintend
the construction of a vessel of war to
be propelled by steam" and they in
turn announced for themselves that
"Messrs. Browns are to be the naval
constructors and Mr. Fulton is the
engineer for completing the grand de-
sign originally conceived by himself."
As originally planned the "Demo-
logos," afterward known as "Fulton
I," was to have been a mastless ves-
sel, but Captain David Porter, who
had just returned from the unfortu-
nate cruise of the "Essex" and been
assigned to the navy yard to superin-
tend the building of this new-style
craft, had ordered that two masts be
stepped, upon which were hung lateen
sails with the accompanying top-
hamper, and the installation of a bow-
sprit. Before the time had come for
the launching he seemed to have
grown more apprehensive of dangers
hidden in the strange creature and
ordered several other changes. Two
boilers or "cauldrons for preparing
steam" as they are termed in the re-
port, were substituted for the one de-
signed by Fulton. Guns that were
originally on the British ship "John-
of-Lancaster." which had been cap-
tured early in the war, were hauled
overland from Philadelphia and
mounted on her decks. The day of
launching was a gala day for all New-
York and vicinity. At eight forty-five
Saturday morning, October 24, 1814,
the "Steam Battery Fulton, the
First," slipped from her cradle and
rested on the waters of the Fast river.
In the following June the "Demo-
logos" — Fulton's name for the boat —
carried a party of officials out onto
the waters of Xew York Bay. On the
fourth of July a trip to sea — covering
from fifty-three to fifty-five miles —
\vas made — John Fitch's prophecy of
a steam war-craft had been fulfilled.
Stories travel far and in Fngland it
was reported that we had a craft
"three hundred feet long and two
hundred feet wide, with sides thirteen
43
feet thick built up of alternate oak
plank and cork wood. There are
forty-four guns, four of them one
hundred pounders on the main deck
and quarter deck. The forecastle-
deck guns are forty- four pounders.
And further to annoy an enemy a
mechanism to discharge one hundred
gallons of boiling-hot water every
minute and, by a new contrivance
three hundred cutlasses are brand-
ished over her gunwales, and an equal
number of heavy iron pikes of great
length dart from her sides with prodi-
gious force — darting and withdraw-
ing every quarter of a minute."
The "Demologos" after her "trip
to sea" was taken to the Brooklyn
Navy Yard and used as a receiving
ship. On the fourth of June, 1829,
her magazine, containing two and a
half barrels of damaged powder, used
for firing the morning and evening
gun. exploded and destroyed the ves-
sel. No other steam vessel was adde'l
to the navy — except a galliott of one
hundred tons, named the "Sea Gull"
purchased in "1822 to suppress piracy
in the West Indies — until the "Fulton
II" was built for the government in
1837. The engines for the "Fulton
II" were built by William Kemble of
the West Point Foundry Association
and were made up of successful inno-
vations in marine enginery. This
boat ran a race with the British
steamer "Great Western" and easily
vanquished her opponent. She did
service till 1842 when she was laid up
at the navy yard till 1851. In the
latter year she was pulled out onto
the ways and thoroughly overhauled
before being sent to the West Indies
on, "cruising duty." In 1861 she was
called back and "placed in ordinary"
at Pensacola and that same year fell
into the hands of the Confederates
and was destroyed with the navy
yard, May 9, 1862.
With the exception of a little pad-
dle wheel tug bought in 1836 and
used as a despatch boat, our navy had
no other steamboat until the launch-
ing of the "Mississippi" and the "Mis-
Ultrarl?" nf ilf?
souri" in 1842. These two vessels
were planned at a meeting of the na-
val board in 1839 and at the same
time plans were laid for the "Mich-
igan" which was the first iron steam
war vessel in the world. The "Mich-
igan," built in 1842, is yet in active
service on the Great Lakes and the
original engines are yet in use as
placed in the hull at first. These
three boats were the first to be built
under the entirely new branch of na-
val economy organized by Captain
Matthew C. Perry, a brother of the
hero of Lake Erie in 1813.
The "Missouri," whose engines
were built at Cold Spring, New York,
under the supervision of William
Kemble who had built the engines for
the "Fulton II," was burned at Gibral-
tar in 1843 by the careless dropping
of a cask of turpentine which ignited.
The "Mississippi" twice circumnavi-
gated the globe ; was flagship in the
Mexican War; led the fleet as flag-
ship in the expedition of Commodore
Perry to Japan ; carried Kossuth, the
Hungarian patriot, from Turkey to
France; was flagship at the engage-
ment of Pei Ho river in 1859, and
was one of the first ships to the front
at the outbreak of the Civil War.
She took part in the midnight attack
upon Port Hudson. Riddled by shot
poured into her while grounded, she
was there fired by the crew that had
so proudly sailed her and sunk in
the waters whose name she had so
gloriously borne.
The same year that witnessed the
launching of the "Mississippi," the
"Missouri" and the "Michigan," saw
also the building of the "Princeton"-
the first screw war vessel ever built,
the first to have its machinery below
the water line, the first to burn anthra-
cite coal, the first to use "blowers" for
artificial draft and to have a collapsi-
ble or telescoping smoke-stack, and
the first to have engines couple'l
direct to the shaft. When the
"Princeton" was launched, having
Ericsson's screw and Ericsson's
wrought iron gun, the war between
armor and projectile had really begun
in earnest. After seven years of
service the "Princeton" was broken
up at the Boston Navy Yard in 1849.
But to return to the story of John
Fitch. In 1796-7, upon a pond of
water known as the "Collect" which
remained up to very recent times
where the Tombs Prison and the ad-
jacent buildings now stand, Fitch
had a yawl of about eighteen feet in
length and six feet beam, with a
square stern and rounded bow, in
which he had placed an engine and
boiler. The boiler was a ten or twelve
gallon iron pot with a lid of thick
plank securely fastened down by a
transverse bar of iron. The cylin-
ders of the engine were made of wood
shaped like a stubby barrel on the out-
side and made straight inside,
strongly hooped together. The main
steam pipe led directly from the
boiler top into a copper box, about six
inches square which was called by
Fitch "the receiver or valve box."
"Leading pipes" led from the boiler
into the bottom or base of each cylin-
der.
John Hutchins, who some time
later published an account of the boat,
was the "assistant" engineer and
pilot. He tells us:
In the summer of 1796-7 Robert Living-
ston, Esq., and Mr. Fulton made several
trips, on different occasions, around the
pond and Mr. Fitch explained to them
the modus-operandi of the machinery. I
being a lad had conversation only with Mr.
Fitch. From hearsay I believe Colonel
Stevens of Hoboken, New Jersey, and
another person by the name of Roosevelt
had some knowledge of the enterprise and
had some interest in its success. In con-
versation Mr. Fitch remarked to Mr. Ful-
ton that in former experiments with paddle
wheels it was found that they splashed too
much and could not be used in canal navi-
gation. No one in that time thought of
having them covered.
Hutchins says that he afterward
made several trips to see the "Cler-
mont" and that he then recognized
Fulton "to be the same man who was
with us on the Collect." Hutchins
gathered up the statements of men
who had witnessed the steamboat
Sragrfcy nf an Amrriran
demonstrations on the Collect pond.
Among them he has two that are of
special force.
Anthony Lamb, who was a briga-
dier-general and later an alderman
in New York says:
I have a perfect recollection of having
seen a boat on the Collect pond in this city
with a screw propeller in the stern driven
by steam across the pond. I do not recol-
lect tin- year but I am certain that it was
as early as 1796. It was about the size of a
ship's yawl.
William H. Whitlock, who was for
some time city surveyor, wrote:
It affords me much pleasure to state that
I was an eye witness to the circumstance
of a boat being propelled by steam on the
Collect pond of this city about the year
1796.
Failing to interest others in what
he saw to be so feasible himself, Fitch
abandoned the boat with portions of
its machinery, leaving it to decay on
the muddy shore of the Collect.
Piece by piece this prototype of the
world's steam fleet was carried away
by the children of the neighborhood.
Fitch was still firm in his convic-
tions and talked steamboat wherever
he could find an audience and for as
long as his audience could be induced
to stay. Soon after the New York
demonstrations he returned to the
scenes of his first experiments and
from thence went into Kentucky. In
a blacksmith's shop he met Jacob
Graff, who had helped him on his first
boat, and began to talk of those early
days. The onlookers chimed in with
ridicule to which he replied: "Well,
gentlemen, although I may not live to
see the time, you will, when steam-
boats will be preferred to all other
means of conveyance and especially
for passengers and they will be partic-
ularly useful in navigating the Mis-
sissippi river." As he went out of
the shop Peter Brown, who had
worked with John Wilson on the first
boat, turned to the latter and said :
"Poor fellow! What a pity he is
crazy !"
Who was this man thrust thus upon
the world before his time, who blazed
45
the way for others to riches and re-
nown and then died, scarce wept —
his only friend the poverty with which
he had been so wholly in touch
through all his years? What was his
parentage? Where was he born?
In writing of himself in a manu-
script bequeathed to the Franklin
(Philadelphia) Institute, under the
condition that its contents should not
be known until thirty years after his
decease, Fitch says:
The 21 st of January, 1743, old style, was
the fatal time of bringing me into existence.
The house I was born in was upon the line
between Hartford, Connecticut, and Wind-
sor— (now known as the Old Road). It
was said I was born in Windsor but from
the singularity of my make, shape, disposi-
tion and fortune in the world, I am in-
clined to believe that it was the design of
Heaven that I should be born on the very
line and not in any township whatever;
yet I am happy also that it did not happen
between two states that I can say I was
born somewhere.
He gives us, farther on in the man-
uscript, glimpses of his boyhood's
home and tells us of two sisters, to
one of whom he seemed to have been
especially attached, and two brothers,
one of whom he calls a tyrant. We
are shown the school to which he was
sent "one month in the year, because
it didn't cost anything" — his father's
obligations to him being limited to
pointing out the way to Heaven and
a way to make money for his sole ben-
efit. The books that he used are all
named: "The New England Primer
from Adam's fall to the end of the
Catechism;" an "arithmetic by Hod-
der which had the old-fashioned long
division in it and went as far as Alli-
gation alternate," and "Salmon's
Geography" — which his father re-
fused to buy for him and he finally
purchased himself, through a neigh-
bor who was going into the city, and
paid for by selling "potatoes raised on
the headlands at the end of the garden
in soil dug up by hand on a holyday"
(holiday) — the annual gathering of
the militia. Only those who have
heard an old grandfather's rhymes
"Utrarb" of ttyt Jtrai
***2e^2
/^
LINES INSCRIBED BY JOHN FITCH IN HIS DISCOURAGEMENT
of those early days and listened to the
distich :
"First Monday in May
Is training day,"
can have any adequate idea of the
thirst for knowledge John Fitch must
have had as a boy when he denied
himself the crowd and the soldier's
drill and stuck to his "digging" on
this "holyday" to buy a book that
would tell him "all about the whole
world."
Page after page is taken from his
life experiences before he comes to
the story of the governor of the col-
ony whose lands adjoined some
meadow land owned by his father.
One day. Fitch tells us, the governor
had gained the consent of the elder
Fitch to the boys' helping him survey
some land that was to be cut up into
small parcels for several purchasers.
All day the weary-legged lad of
eleven summers trudged over the
fields carrying the surveyor's chain
for the governor and at night the
work had not been finished. The
chain was left with young Fitch who
was told how he should lay off the
remaining lots and the next day
found him early at his task. "I, be-
ing proud of the office," he says,
"readily accepted it and executed it
faithfully. Sometime after the gov-
ernor called at my father's house for
the chain ; I fetched it to him with
the greatest expedition, and expecta-
tion of some pennies. When he took
it, he put it into his saddle bag and
rode off without saying a word ! . . .
I am persuaded the governor was an
honest man but concluded within
himself that the honor of having
helped him would compensate me."
This experience with the governor,
Fitch says, was a forerunner of the
treatment he was afterward to re-
ceive in the world. In another place
he tells of a September day when the
steeple was raised on the village
church : "This was indeed a gala day
and the people from Hartford and the
whole country flocked to witness the
uncommon spectacle." But on that
day Fitch borrowed a horse that
would otherwise have been in service
and "rode to Rocky Hill, a parish in
Wethersfield, where there were a
great many coasters" and engaged
berth for a short voyage that he might
settle the question as to whether he
should become a seaman or remain
ashore and learn a trade.
After describing his experiences at
sea and the treatment that he after-
ward received on land when he sought
to learn a trade, Fitch tells us of his
marriage on the twenty-ninth of De-
cember, 1767, to Miss Lucy Roberts
of Simsbury. A son and a daughter
were born to them. The daughter
who married James Kilbourn, was
born in 1769. Fitch "thought the
world and all of little Lucy" but that
marriage in 1767 was the beginning
of the ending. He could not live
46
nf an Ammratt <&?ntii0
happily with his wife and went out
from his home to become a wanderer.
Notwithstanding what Fitch wrote
about the vexations of a steamboat
he continued his experiments and
improved every opportunity, as we
have seen, to interest others in his in-
ventions. On his return from the
fruitless trip to France, Fitch, who
had worked his way homeward as a
common sailor, landed in Boston and
from there went to the home of Colo-
nel King, who had married Fitch's
sister, where he remained for some
two years with occasional visits made
to his daughter, Mrs. Kilbourne.
Leaving the hospitality of Windsor
to claim possession of the lands he
acquired when appointed "Deputy
Surveyor" for Kentucky, Fitch passed
through New York and made the
demonstrations upon the Collect pond
which should have won for him first
place on the roll of honor. Arriving
at I'.anlstown, Kentucky, Fitch made
another model of a side-wheel boat
which he ran upon the nearby stream.
Broken in health and in spirit, he
gave up the project and handed over
his model to one of the few friends
who yet stood true and by whom it
was kept for many years. A bargain
had been made with the tavern-keeper
by which Fitch was to give him half
of the tract of land he had gone south
to claim in exchange for board and
a pint of liquor daily as long as he
should live. Later the size of the
piece of land was increased for an in-t
crease in the quantity of liquor.
There is an added tone of sadness
to the story of this man when one
stops to think of how unnecessary
were all the deprivations and suffer-
ings of the closing days of his life.
At the death of her father, Mrs. Fitch,
from whom the great genius had sep-
arated when the question of their per-
'DEMOLOGOS" THE FIRST STEAM WAR VESSEL IN THE WORLD
47
Ultrari?" nf
Jtrst
sonal religion was raised — he was a
"skeptic" and she had just become a
Methodist — sent her brother-in-law,
Burnam, with a letter telling the hus-
band that she had come into a consid-
erable estate and urging him to return
to Connecticut, where she promised to
"maintain him like a gentleman for
life," but he was inflexible and stub-
bornly refused to consider the matter.
He sent a pair of silver shoe buckles
to his son, Shaler, and a gold ring to
his "little girl Lucy," but refused to
send anything to his wife, despite the
.urging of his friend Garrison and his
wife, with whom he was then staying.
Straight as an arrow, six feet two
inches tall ; thin and spare, face slim
and complexion tawny; hair jet black,
eyes dark and peculiarly piercing;
temper sensitive and quick and stub-
born— such was John Fitch. His an-
cestry, for he had a most respectable
ancestry with a vellum of pedigree
and a coat-of-arms, were originally
Saxon and immigrated to Essex, Eng-
land, from whence they came to
Windsor, where the great-grandfather
purchased one-half the original settle-
ment, leaving it at his death to three
sons — Joseph, Nathaniel and Samuel.
From the loins of Joseph sprung
John, who was the father of the John
to whom the boiling over of a tea-
kettle suggested the latent force of
steam.
Somewhere between the twenty-
fifth of June, 1798, when he made his
will and the eighteenth of the follow-
ing July when the will was probated,
poor John Fitch died. He could have
been a rich man had he chosen, for
Gardoqui, the Spanish envoy in this
country in 1796, wanted to buy his
invention for the "sole and exclusive
use of my Master the King of Spain,"
but Fitch who had linked his fortunes
with the feeble colonies in their
struggle for liberty, said: "No. If
there is any glory or profit in my in-
vention my countrymen shall have the
whole of it."
I would not ask that the honors be
stripped from others that they may be
bestowed upon John Fitch ; but only
ask that by the side of their names,
his name shall be written equally
large. His lone grave, unmarked
and unkept is a silent witness against
the manner in which we write history
and a condemnation of the conserva-
tism with which we cling to beliefs,
however false, simply because they
bear the stamp of long-gone years.
FIRST STEAMSHIP OF CUNARD LINE FROM LIVERPOOL TO BOSTON
The "Britannia" made her first trip in 1840. It was on this ship that Dickens experienced the
storm at sea described in his American Notes, speaking of the many perils of the new science
of a &msthmt
Hanging Ihr
iTimthrnt Sordrrlanta
uiitlj Dmtirl Sounr o* Enrnmttrra mitt;
llir (Chrrnkrrii in CCummauiJ uf thr Higljt Dragnuno J*
Elrrtinnrrring in Amrrtran |JolittrB a ifunfcrrii $rarn Ago >
(On tbr JFlunr af (CangrtHH during tl|p IHanrar AfcmtniBtraiinn ^ Aulnbiographg
BT
HONORABLE FELIX WALKER
MEMBER or UNITED STATES HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES, 1808-1818— ONB op THB ORGANIZERS OP FIRST
QOTBRNMENT IK KENTUCKY— FlRST CLERK OF FlRST COURT IN A SELF-GOVERNING DISTRICT
CALLED WASHINGTON NOW INCORPORATED IN STATE OP TENNESSEE— BORN IN VIRGINIA
IH 1758 AND AUTHOR op THESB MEMOIRS IN HIS SEVENTY-FOURTH TEAR
HIS chronicle of the se-
cret struggles — the for-
tunes and misfortunes —
of a pioneer American
has been held from pub-
lic scrutiny for eighty
years. Not that its con-
tents have been of a confidential
nature, the revelation of which
would violate a trust — for it is the
frank story of an honorable man — but
because the descendants of the chron-
icler have treasured it as a family
heirloom rather than a. public docu-
ment.
It is the life story of a man of
strong character and wide experi-
ence. It was written by Congress-
man Walker in his seventy-fourth
year for the entertainment of his
children and for the information of
his direct descendants. It is, how-
ever, one of those rare "human"
documents that throw back the por-
tals that separate the yesterdays
from to-day and lay before the vision
a clear view of "America in the
rough," when one had to "cut his
way through the forests to pass from
Virginia into Kentucky," matching
his cunning and markmanship with
the half barbarous men, enduring
hardships and sufferings that are
little known to this generation, and
49
literally moving the mountains before
him.
When one considers that it is but
the call of a single generation since
the writing of the manuscript here
recorded and that this same region
is to-day a panorama of thrifty
estates, of prosperous institutions,
of great centers of commerce and in-
dustry— the American Nation seems
almost a miracle.
It is living testimony such as this —
modest in its narration and wholly
unconscious of the possibility of its
ever becoming public record and ar-
resting the attention of succeeding
generations of fellow-countrymen, —
that awakens a full sense of the
building of the United States — a
masterpiece in governmental evolu-
tion.
The chronicler's posterity to-day
enrolls many names distinguished in
the service of his country — the Bairds
of Louisiana and North Carolina,
the Grants, Trichelles, Haydens,
Bakers, Sawyers, Rollins.
This transcript from the original
manuscript is officially presented by
permission of Mrs. Estelle Trichelle
Oltrogge of Jacksonville, Florida, _a
great-great-granddaughter of Con-
gressman Walker.
nf a
,HEN I proceed to re-
late the reminiscences
of my own desultory
walk through life,
variable as the
winds that incessant-
ly change through the
atmosphere, I blush to record the
working of the needle in the compass
of my mind which has played and
vibrated in every direction, like the
fool's eyes to the end of the earth. A
restless and enterprising anxiety was
my constitutional misfortune, which
in my later years I most sensibly see
and feel, and has lost me half a life-
time of repentance, and, to speak
comparatively, ten thousand disap-
pointments.
But to do the same justice to my-
self, and that I would to others, can
-acquit myself on the ground that my
irregularities were entirely and ex-
clusively my own, and, on the most
scrupulous and strict examination, I
cannot charge myself in any of my
transactions through life, intention-
ally with malice or fraud afore-
thought, of doing injury or injustice
to my fellow-man. Honesty, truth
and integrity has been my guiding or
polar star through all the vicissitudes
of my variable and checkered life.
An Irish Emigrant in
Delaware in the Year 1720
In attempting to give a history or
biography of our ancestors, I cannot
look back and avail myself of eminent
family distinctions as others may do
and have a right to do; honest pov-
erty appears to be the lot of our in-
heritance.
The only honorable title we can
•claim by birthright, on which I can
proceed with certainty, although we
might have a claim on the merits of
George Walker, a dissenting clergy-
man who distinguished himself in the
•wars of King James in Ireland,
about the year of 1690, in saving the
city of Derry, by his valor and strat-
agem, when it was thought all was
lost when besieged by the King's
troops.
From the information afforded by
my father and what I could collect
from an old and respectable citizen,
Mr. William Smart (an elder of the
church in Rutherford County, North
Carolina, now deceased) relative to
our family descent, states, that my
grandfather, John Walker, was an
emigrant from Ireland about the year
1720, settled in the State of Delaware
about or near a small town called
Appaquinimey, lived and died in that
State, was buried in a church called
Back Creek Church on Bohemia
River.
I passed the church in my travels
through that country in the year 1796.
Mr. Smart related that my grand-
father Walker was a plain, honest
man (a farmer), in moderate circum-
stances, of upright character, and re-
spectable in his standing. He, Mr.
Smart, made one or two crops with
him when a young man. We must
suppose he died in the meridian of
life. He left two sons and three
daughters. The eldest son Thomas
died young ; my father, the youngest,
was bound to the cooper's trade, and
followed it some years within my
recollection after he had a family.
One of my father's sisters married
a man by the name of Humphreys,
father of Colonel Ralph Humphreys,
who died at or near Natchez about
thirty years past, the father of George
Humphreys, who lives in that county.
One sister married Benjamin Gruble
(?Grubb), a respectable farmer of
Pennsylvania, but removed to South
Carolina and died there. The other
sister married Colonel Joseph Curry,
settled about five miles below Colum-
bia on the Congaree River. I was
boarded there to school in the year
1764 at eleven years old. The school-
house stood on the site where Granby
is now situated. It was then nearly
a wilderness, a sandy desert, and so
thinly inhabited that a school could
scarcely be made up, and now a con-
siderable commercial town.
Adventures of a Huntsman
in Virginia 150 Years Ago
My father, John Walker, after his
freedom from apprenticeship, went up
the country as an adventurer, settled
on the south branch of the Potomac
in Hampshire County, Virginia. Be-
ing a new country and game plenty,
he became a hunter of the first order,
famous in that profession, in which
he practiced nearly to the end of his
life. He was with General Washing-
ton in Braddock's Army in the year
1755. Previous to that time he mar-
ried my mother, Elizabeth Watson, of
a good family from Ireland, by whom
he had seven sons, no daughter. I
was the eldest, born nineteenth day of
July, 1753. The names of his sons
after my own, were John, James,
Thomas, Joseph, George and Jacob.
I like to have forgotten William who
was the eighth son, although the
fourth in succession, and only now
living (William, Jacob and myself).
After Braddock's defeat, which hap-
pened on the ninth day of July, 1775,
the country exposed to the depreda-
tion of the Indians and- in continual
jeopardy, my father removed to North
Carolina, settled in Lincoln County
on Lee Creek about ten miles east of
the village of Lincolnton, worked at
his trade and hunted for his livelihood
according to the custom of the time;
game was then in abundance.
About this time the Cherokees, a
powerful and war-like nation of In-
dians, broke out and murdered some
of the inhabitants on the frontier.
He went out as volunteer against the
Indians, joined the army from South
Carolina under Colonel Grant, a
Scotch officer, marched on to the Che-
rokee nation (a battle was fought at
Estitoa, a town on Tennessee River
about fifty miles distant from my own
residence) in the fall of 1762. Colo-
nel Grant was there repulsed with
considerable loss, yet in the event the
Indians were partially subdued and
made peace, for a time. It did not
continue long; the war broke the
year after.
Plantation Life in the
Carolinas Before Revolution
On his return from the expedition
he purchased a beautiful spot of land
on Crowder's Creek, about four miles
from King's Mountain, in the same
county, and removed there in the fall
of 1763, being then a fresh part; he
cultivated some land and raised stock
in abundance and I can then remem-
ber that my mother and her assistants
made as much butter in one summer
as purchased a negro woman in
Charleston. My father hunted and
killed deer in abundance and main-
tained his family on wild meat in
style. I remember he kept me fol-
lowing him on a horse to carry the
venison until I was weary of the bus-
iness, which also gave me a taste for
the forest. He resided on Crowder
Creek until the year of 1768 the
range began to break and the game
not so plenty, his ardor for range and
game still continued. He purchased
a tract of land of four hundred acres
from one, Moses Moore, a brother
hunter, for one doubleloon, which at
this time could not be purchased for
five thousand dollars, such the rapid
increase of the value of land in half a
century. This is the farm and plan-
tation at the mouth of Cane Creek (or
second Broad River) in Rutherford
County, settled by my father in 1768,
on which he resided until he raised
his family until they all were grown,
and on part of said tract I lived for
seventeen years, and had six children
born, Betsie Watson, Elvira, Felix
Hampton, Joseph, Jefferson and Isa-
bella.
In the year of 1787 my father re-
moved to the mouth of Green River in
the same county (about ten miles dis-
tant) where he lived until he died on
the twenty-fifth of January, 1796, in
the sixty-eighth year of his age; left
that valuable inheritance of land in
the Forks of Green and Broad River
to his youngest son, Jacob Walker,
nf a &roitl|mi Qtottgrcaaman
who lives on it to this day. My
mother died on Easter Sunday in
April, 1808, about the age of 75,
and buried by the side of my father
in the family burying-ground on the
plantation. I trust she was a good
woman and gone to rest.
My father bore several commis-
sions under the old government; was
colonel-commandant and judge of the
court for many years in the county
of Rutherford, but on the commence-
ment of the Revolutionary War he
resigned all his commissions, both lo-
cal and military, and united his in-
terests and efforts in defense of his
country against the oppressions of the
British government and was a mem-
ber of the First Public Convention
held in North Carolina at Hillsbor-
ough in July, 1775, on the Revolution
of the American States. I was with
him at that place. He took an early
and decided part in the war, was ap-
pointed a regular officer in the Conti-
nental Army. His grown sons were
all active in that war in defense of
their country. He was in person a
man of slender habit, full of energy
and swift on foot; a suavity in his
manners that was graceful and at-
tractive, and a cultivated understand-
ing for his times and his day, and
proper enthusiast in his friendship.
Among my acquaintances I knew no
man of a more liberal, hospitable and
benevolent disposition (even to a
fault) which often proved injurious
to his pecuniary circumstances, but
have thought he was wanting in that
cool, deliberate, calculating faculty so
necessary in all the occurrences of
life, to balance the scale of our exist-
ence; yet he maintained such a con-
sistency of character as insured him
the confidence and friendship of so-
ciety through life and left a good
reputation and inheritance to his chil-
dren. This is a narrative of our an-
cestors down to the present genera-
tion so far as my information extends.
Early Custom of Binding
Boys into Apprenticeship
At the age of sixteen my father
bound me to a merchant in Charles-
ton (Mr. George Parker, an English
gentleman of high standing in trade)
for five years. He had three pren-
tices of very singular names, one
Nancy Milly Stuckings, one Atlard
Belin, and myself, Felix Walker (the
youngest). He used to boast that he
had three young men of such singu-
lar names, none such to be found in
the city of Charleston in one house,
either for names or service. I was
highly gratified with my mode of life,
well approved by my master, caressed
by my mistress, who treated me with
the sympathy and kindness of a child.
I lived most delightfully for a time
while the novelties of the city arrested
my mind and occupied my attention.
At length those pleasures began to
lag and I became weary and satiated
with the continual sameness of the
city. My restless and anxious pro-
pensities began to prevail and I thirst-
ed and sighed for those pleasures that
variety afforded. Some more than a
year after being bound, I solicited my
master to give me up my indentures
and permit me to go home for a time,
under promise to return and serve
out my apprenticeship. This he ab-
solutely and promptly refused, saying
he could nor would not do without
me; my father's and my own ac-
quaintance in the country brought in
a great custom. At length my father
coming to town, I renewed my solici-
tations to go home and through the
influence of my father, and he seeing
I was determined to go, he let me off
with seemingly great reluctance. In
this I believe my father committed an
error in taking me away. He ought
to have compelled me to business,
and have since thought that too much
indulgence to a child, particularly in
the rise or dawn of life, is the greatest
injury we can do them. I have ex-
perienced something of this in my
own family.
ODn tlj? Imrforlanfc Uitty lanul
During my residence in Charles-
ton in the Christmas of 1769 I heard
the celebrated Dart Whitefield preach
with great power. He was the great-
est awakening preacher that perhaps
ever filled the sacred desk. He had
most crowded congregations. I felt
the power of the awakening spirit
under his preaching, but it soon went
off.
Paternal Discipline in
the Pioneer American Homes
On my return home my father put
me to work on the farm, which did
not well accord with my feelings.
Yet I submitted and worked faith-
fully for a while. I applied myself to
music, for which I had a predominant
taste, and soon acquired a great pro-
ficiency in performing on the violin
(then called a fiddle) in which I ex-
celled, and although accustomed to
frolic, I could never learn to dance.
My father, discovering I had neither
inclination or capacity for a farmer,
he put me to school to Doctor Joseph
Dobson of Burke County, from whom
I received the best education I have
ever been in possession of, although
no more than the common English,
so-called. I returned from school in
less than a year and lived at home
nearly two years without much re-
straint, yet I obeyed my father and
mother with the greatest punctuality,
but at the same time living accord-
ing to the course of this world, ful-
filling the desires of the flesh and of
the mind and of the vanities of life
with the greatest avidity. At length,
becoming weary of so limited a circle,
I solicited my father to suffer me to
go to Kentucky (which was then
called Louvizy) with Colonel Richard
Henderson, who had made a purchase
of that country from the Cherokee
Indians. He consented, and accord-
ing my father and myself set out to a
treaty held for that purpose, on
Watawga in the month of February,
1775, where we met with Colonel
Henderson and the Indians in treaty.
I there saw the celebrated Indian
53
Chief called Atticullaculla — in our
tongue "the little carpenter." He was
a very small man and said to be then
ninety years of age and had the char-
acter of being the greatest politician
ever known in the Cherokee Nation.
He was sent as an agent or plenipo-
tentiary from his nation to England
and dined with King George the Sec-
ond with the nobility, so I heard him
declare in a public oration delivered
at the treaty. He was an eloquent
orator and graceful speaker in his In-
dian way. The name of "little car-
penter" was given him by similitude.
The Indians said he would modify
and connect his political views so as
to make every joint fit to its place as
a white carpenter can do in wood.
You may find his name mentioned in
"Weem's Life of General Marion."
The treaty being finished and a
purchase made, there associated and
collected together about thirty men.
Mr. William Twitty with six men
and myself were from Rutherford;
the others a miscellaneous collection.
Adventures with Daniel Boone
In the Wilds of Kentucky
We rendezvoused at the Long
Island in Holstion. Colonel Daniel
Boone was our leader and pilot.
Never was a company of more cheer-
ful and ardent spirits set out to find a
new country. We proceeded and
traveled, cutting our way through a
wilderness of near three hundred
miles, until we arrived within about
twelve miles of Kentucky River when,
on the twenty-fifth of March, 1775,
we were fired on by the Indians while
asleep in our camp ; Mr. Twitty and
his negro man killed, myself badly
wounded, the company despondent
and discouraged. We continued there
for twelve days. I was carried in a
litter between two horses to the bank
of the Kentucky River, where we
stopped and made a station and called
it Boonsborough. I well recollect it
was a "lick." A vast number of buf-
faloes moved off on our appearance.
I saw some running, some loping and
0f a j&nutljmt
some walking quietly as if they had
been driven. It was calculated there
were near two hundred.
But let me not forget, nor never
shall forget, the kindness, tenderness
and sympathy shown me by Colonel
Daniel Boone. He was my father
my physician and my friend; attend-
ed me, cured my wounds, consoled
me in my distress and fostered me as
his own child. He is no more, has
gone to rest, but let me pay my trib-
ute of gratitude to his memory and
his ashes.
In a few days after we had fixed
our residence, Colonel Richard Hen-
derson, Colonel Luttrell and Colonel
Slaughter (from Virginia) arrived
with about fifteen men, who stationed
with us. This addition, our company
consisted of about fifty men, well
armed with good rifles. Colonel Hen-
derson, being proprietor, acted as Gov-
ernor, organized a government. We
elected members, convened an assem-
bly, formed a constitution, passed
some laws regulating our little com-
munity. This assembly was held
about the beginning of May 1775.
This was the first feature of civiliza-
tion ever attempted in that flourish-
ing and enlightened state now called
Kentucky.
From the recent occurrences of so
unexpected an event, my friend and
protector, Mr. Twitty, taken dead
from my side, myself deeply wounded
without much expectation of recov-
ery, brought me to solemn reflections
should I be taken off, what would be
my destination in the world to come.
I could make no favorable calcula-
tions as to my future happiness.
Under these impressions I was indeed
excited to make every possible exer-
tion to meet death, prayed much and
formed solemn resolutions to amend
my life by repentance should I be
spared ; but on my recovery, my feel-
ings wearing off, and my duties de-
clining, I gradually slided back to my
former courses and pursued my pleas-
ures with the greatest avidity.
Experiences as a Civilizer
in Forests of Tennessee
Such is the instability of all human
resolutions and legal repentance, no
power on earth can change the heart
but the omnipotent power of the grace
of Almighty God. During the time
we were there we lived without bread
or salt. In summer, perhaps in July,
my wounds being healed, although
very feeble I was able to sit on horse-
back by being lifted up. I set out in
company with Messrs. Decker and
Richard Hogan and returned by the
way we came to Watawga, a danger-
ous route. It was a merciful provi-
dence that preserved us from being
killed by the Indians, who were then
in open hostilities with all the adven-
turers to Kentucky. However, we
arrived safe to Colonel Robinson on
Watawga, and from there in a few
days I returned to my father's in
Rutherford. I lived at home about
three months, when that spirit of nov-
elty began to prevail. I wished to be
moving, but what course to pursue
was undetermined. At length con-
cluded to go to Watawga, (This river
is a branch of Holsteen, heads up in
the mountains opposite to Ash
County, in N. C.) where I had
formed some acquaintances, on my
way to Kentucky. And now being
my own man (but with the consent of
my father) I set out in October '75,
and arrived at Col. Charles Robin-
son's in a few days, being about
ninety miles.
The country being newly settled, in
a short time they organized a county
and called it Washington. I was ap-
pointed Clerk of the Court. It was
then a county or district of self-gov-
ernment, not incorporated in the State
of North Carolina until some years
after. It was then taken in by Act of
Assembly and so remained until it
was ceded to Congress in 1789, and
since a part of the State of Tennessee.
This was the first Court ever organ-
ized in that section of the western
54
country. I continued in this office
for nearly four years.
The war of the Revolution com-
mencing about this time, I considered
it a favorable opportunity, a fine the-
ater, on which to distinguish myself
as a young man and patriot in defense
of my Country.
Accordingly I went to Mecklen-
burgh County, and meeting with
some recruiting officers, by the recom-
mendation of General Thomas Polk
(father of Col. William Polk of
Raleigh) I was appointed Lieutenant
in Capt. Richardson's Company in the
Rifle Regiment, commanded by James
Stuger (then a Colonel) and was
there furnished with money for the
recruiting service. I returned to
Watawga and on my way throughout
that country I recruited my full pro-
portion of men and marched them to
Charlestown in May 1776, joined the
Regiment, and was stationed on
James Island.
Sir Peter Parker with his whole
fleet arrived in the Bay while we were
stationed on the Island. General Lee
arrived in Charleston and took com-
mand of the troops, but did not tarry
long; he went on to Savannah to
assist the Americans against the Brit-
ish and Indians, and to regulate the
troops, Sir Peter Parker commanded
an attack on Fort Moultrie on Sulli-
van's Island on the twenty-eighth of
June 1776, was repulsed with loss of
two British men-of-war and a number
of men ; did not succeed in the reduc-
tion of Charleston.
Ranging the Borderlands
with the "Light Dragoons"
The war now becoming general
through the American provinces, the
British stimulating the Indians on the
frontiers, the Cherokees breaking out
and murdering the inhabitants of
Watawga and Holsteen, where my
property and interests lay, I was con-
strained to resigrn my commission,
contrary to the wish of the command-
ing officer, and return home to engage
55
against the Indians in the defence of
my property and country.
I was appointed to a command of a
company of Light Dragoons to range
on the frontiers, was stationed at Nol-
achuckey for a year and prevented
the Indians from making any depre-
dations on the inhabitants.
The war subsiding with the In-
dians, I returned to Watawga, attend-
ed to the duties of my office as Clerk
of the Court. Having experienced
some of bitter with the sweets of life,
I became imore local in my disposi-
tion. Thinking it necessary to be-
come a citizen of the world, in its ut-
most latitude, concluded to marry.
Accordingly I was married to Su-
san Robinson, a beautiful girl of fif-
teen, on the 8th of January, 1778,
daughter of Col. Chas. Robinson
(where I had resided for 3 years past).
In March ensuing, my wife and self
paid a visit to my father in Ruther-
ford, designed to spend the summer.
On the 28th of June, my dear girl has
a miscarriage, which terminated her
existence. She died on the 9th day
of July, 1778, six months after our
marriage.
This was the most momentous and
eventful year in which I lived,
through the whole period of my life.
I was so shocked and impressed with
so unexpected an event, that my mind
was almost lost. Absorbed in grief
almost insupportable, I felt so deeply
afflicted that I thought all my pros-
pects of happiness were buried with
the woman I loved. However, happy
for man, that in cases of the most deep
and deplorable affliction, the constitu-
tion of our nature affords some re-
sources for recovery, and finds his
way from under the most pressing
calamities ; but as excess of any kind
is not intended to last, after some time
I began to collect my scattered facul-
ties and realize what would have been
the consequence had I been called off
in place of her that was gone, and
although it is now 48 years since
(1826) that melancholy scene, yet I
tremble as I write when I consider
a
the goodness and merciful forbear-
ance of Almighty God in sparing me
to this day, who am a sinner, through
all the vicissitudes and vanities of life
which I have been destined to fill.
To Him be the praise forever, under
the alarm of so feeling a dispensa-
tion, I became seriously and solemnly
impressed with a mighty concern for
my own salvation.
Strong Heart of Frontiersman ,
Broken by Death of Beloved One
Reflecting on my past life, I found
that I had been traveling from Jeru-
salem to Jerico, had lived in a state of
sin and rebellion against God, un-
grateful of his goodness, and tram-
pled his mercies under my feet. I re-
solved to reform and turn from my
wicked ways and be a good Christian,
and so ignorant was I that I thought
all was in my own power with my
good intentions ; and but endeavoring
to obtain forgiveness for all my sins
through the merits of the Redeemer
(delusive hope) which I fear thou-
sands are carried away on on the
quicksands of their own confidence.
In this resolution I was serious and
determined. Accordingly, I read my
bible, prayed much, abstained from
every evil as I could avoid, declined
corrupt company, was sober and re-
served in my manners and morals,
and so continued until I thought I
was not only an almost, but a real
Christian indeed, and in truth so I was
settled on the fatal rock of self-right-
eousness, that when the rain descend-
ed and the wind blew and beat upon
it, it fell and great was the fall; in-
deed, it swept away the refuge of lies ;
but glory, honor and praise be to Him
who sits on the throne, and to the
lamb forever and ever.
I was not suffered to rest on so fa-
tal a delusion; the Lord by his spirit
cautioned me that all I have been do-
ing was as filthy rags and then the
commandment and sin renewed and
the purity and extent of the law was
discovered to my mind with irresist-
ible force, and I was constrained to
say "what shall I do to be saved?"
The spirituality of Divine Law was as
a piercing sword in my back, with
condemning power.
This produced a deep sense of the
depravity of my nature and pollution
of my heart, and my utter inability
to save myself by the utmost exer-
tions of my moral powers. In this
deplorable and depressed situation,
almost to desperation, I remained for
a time in inexpressible anguish of
spirit, until it pleased the Almighty in
His mercy to discover to my mind the
way of salvation by faith in Jesus
Christ as a Redeemer and Saviour for
lost sinners, such as I found myself
to be, and at a certain time on a cer-
tain day, which was Sunday, I re-
ceived power to believe in His Name
and obtain pardon for my sins to my
inexpressible joy and comfort. It
appeared to me indeed that old things
were done away, and all things be-
come new, or as if I had really been
in a new world, for which may I be
enabled to praise Him through the
ages of eternity; so confident was I
at that season of happiness, that I did
then believe that all men on earth and
devils in hell could through their in-
sinuations never prevail on me to do
what I have since done; but since
that period my course through life
has been such medley of inconsis-
tencies.
Remorse of an American
Pioneer and His Resolutions
Could I write in tears of blood the
many failures, backslidings and self-
indulgences of which I have suffered
myself to be the victim, I could not
describe the heartfelt inquietudes I
have experienced as the conse-
quences; and in truth confess that
sinning and repenting has filled up the
measure of my days, which I lament
and deplore before Him that knows
my heart, and regret with the deepest
sensibility that I was not more faith-
ful and watchful and grace-given and
not permitted the old traitor without,
combined with my own traitorous
56
<S)n tfyt
OTtilf iatwl
within, to place me on the dark
mountains of unbelief, and left me
neither the pleasures of a saint or sin-
ner ; but thanks be to Him that opens
and no man can shut, who did not en-
tirely abandon and forsake me in that
state of double rebellion, but gave me
such intimations of His grace as en-
abled me to maintain a habitual dis-
position to press forward through
fears without and fightings within, and
often times like a lost sheep wander-
ing on dangerous ground, has brought
me back to the fold again, and by the
grace of God I am what I am.
As this narrative of my passage
through life may be read by my chil-
dren while I am mingling with the
dust I have trodden for 73 years, I
have been more copious on the exper-
imental part (for their encourage-
ment) that if any of them should
travel the same thorny road I sol-
emnly warn them of the danger of
deviating from the narrow path of
rectitude, of virtue and religion. Not
to wander on foreign and forbidden
ground.
The wages of sin is death, and be
assured a man's sin will find him out.
If they have been the chief of sinners,
so am I ; if they are backsliders, so
have I been; if they are struggling
and striving for victory over a cor-
rupt heart and degenerate nature, so
am I, at this time, and have a hope
that through the broad righteousness
of our Great Redeemer's merits, I
shall in the end arrive on the shores
of a happy immortality, and (oh
transporting thought) if the father
and mother, sons and daughters,
would be participants of that happy
region, what a happy consolation be-
yond expression to be found worthy.
' With rapturous awe on Him to gaze, who
taught the light Tor me,
And shout and wonder at his grace through
all eternity."
If this be read with the same inter-
est and feeling with which it is writ-
ten, I trust it will not lose its effect.
Having given a concise view of my
times so far, I return to the narrative
57
as it relates to my further progress
through life.
I continued at my father's as a
home for about 16 months under the
pressure of a wounded and broken
spirit, rather in a state of despond-
ency, spending my time without much
effect. The war now raging in its
utmost violence, I was occasionally
with the Whig or Liberty party,
though took no commission as I might
have had. The county of Rutherford
was at this time stricken off from
Tyron (now Lincoln County), and
made a new county. I was appointed
Clerk of Court in October 1779,
which brought me into business.
Entering Public Service in First
Days of American Politics
After some time, my spirits began
to revive and gradually emancipate
me from my drooping situation, and
viewing myself as a young man and
must travel through life on some
ground, thought it best to marry and
become a citizen of the world once
more. Accordingly, after some pre-
liminary acquaintance, I was married
to Isabella Henry on the loth of
January, 1780, in the 27th year of
my age and I7th of hers, a daughter
of William Henry, Esquire, of York,
South Carolina. Mr. Henry was
a reputable citizen, a plain, honest,
reputable character; was a member
of the Legislature, and was one of
the first settlers in the frontiers of
the Carolinas. He raised a reputable
family of sons, all of whom took an
active part in the Revolutionary War ;
of a decided military character, invin-
cible courage, feared no danger, and
always ready for the most eventful
enterprise.
Grandfather Henry (it is asserted)
was descended from a wealthy family
in Ireland, the only son of his father,
who possessed a large estate. His
mother dying young, his father mar-
ried a second wife, and he not liking
so well his next mother, eloped from
his father about 18 years of age, came
nf a £>nu%nt
to America and never returned to see
for his hereditary inheritance. He set-
tled in Augusta County in Virginia,
there married your grandmother Isa-
bella McKown, of a good family. My
acquaintance with her enables me to
say she was a woman of the first class
in her time and her day. She died about
the age of 56. Mr. Henry removed
to Carolina about 75 or 80 years past,
and resided in York District, South
Carolina, for 65 years, and died at the
advanced age of 102 years, a complete
century, which one in ten thousand
never arrives to. Thus you have a
transient account of both the paternal
and maternal line of your ancestors,
so far as my information extends ; but
have something more to relate as re-
spects my further progress through
this world, where woods and wild
promiscuous shoot, and gardens
tempting with forbidden fruit.
I was highly gratified in my second
marriage, happy in the woman of my
choice, and believe I could not have
selected a better had I traveled and
traveled till this day. I resided at my
father's and father-in-law's alterna-
tively for a while; no place a home,
but in camp, the War being so severe
and Tories all around.
Driven thro' Wilderness by
Enemy in War for Independence
Charleston, S. C., was taken by the
British the I2th of May, 1780, after
which temporary victory and encour-
aged by the Tories, they advanced up
the country with the greatest rapidity,
overran the country in the frontiers
of North and South Carolina. My-
self with many others were compelled
to retreat over the mountains to
Watawga and Holsteen in Tennessee
for refuge. I took my wife and prop-
erty with me, and had to take a cir-
cuitous route by the head of the Yad-
kin River through the Flour Gap, by
New River to the head of Holsteen,
down to Watawga in Washington
County, Tennessee, waiting there the
event of the War. At length an
Army of Volunteers from the West-
ern waters, under the command of
Cols. Campbell, Shelley, Sevier and
Cleveland, marched through the
mountains, joined a few militia from
North and South Carolina, under the
command of Col. Williams and Col.
Hambright. A battle was fought on
"Kings Mountain" ist of October,
1780, where a complete victory was
obtained by the Americans, being all
militia, over the British Regulars, and
Tories, commanded by Major Fergu-
son, who was shot from his horse,
bravely exhorting his men. Seven
bullets went through his body, it was;
said. He was a brave and meritori-
ous officer from Scotland, and it was
well he was killed to prevent his do-
ing more mischief.
In February following, the Battle
of the "Cowpens" was fought, and a
complete victory gained by our troops
commanded by Genl Morgan over
Col. Tarlton and his legion of horse
and regulars. These two victories
were a decisive blow to the British
arms in that section of Country, and
the same fatality pursued them
throughout the remainder of the War,
until Cornwallis was taken at little
York in Virginia, which was the last
battle fought between the Americans
and British in the Revolutionary War.
Accumulating Wealth in
Early Land Speculation
In April 1781 I returned to Ruther-
ford, built a cabin on my father's land
at the mouth of Cain Creek. Betsy
was born in September 1782. I re-
moved in a year to the mouth of
Green River, settled, cultivated my
farm and attended to the duties of my
office as Clerk of Court, there resided
to the year 1787. These five years
were my halcyon days, the millenium
of my life. I gathered property, lived
comfortable with my little family, in
friendship with the world and gen-
erally at peace with myself.
But, alas, my restless propensity
which I fondly hoped was abated, was
only slumbering to rouse with double
solicitude. A dazzling prospect of
<JDtt tljp Inrtorlattfc Wtttf latttd Soon*
the Western country presented to my
view the ten thousand advantages that
I might acquire, with such irresist-
ible force, that I resigned my office
with a fixed resolution to remove
there in a few months.
"" Fond man the vision of a moment made,
Dream of a dream and shadow of a shade."
YOUNGE
This was the greatest error I ever
committed in my temporal transac-
tions through life. I had considera-
ble property, owed nothing and re-
.signed an office worth $1,000 per an-
num. Col. Lewis in whose favor I
resigned office, made a fortune worth
$50,060 in thirty years. But being
providentially prevented (as I be-
lieve) from going to the West, I
went down to York District, lived
there one year, 1790, returned to
Rutherford, purchased a part of my
father's old plantation at the mouth
of Cain Creek, settled and lived there
17 years. My children Betsy Stan-
hope, Elvira Watson, Felix Hampton,
Joseph Emanuel, Jefferyson and Isa-
bella were born there, after I was set-
tled and fixed in my residence. My
acquaintance and intercourse had been
and was then very extensive. I had
the confidence and friendship of soci-
ety in general. They put up my
name for the Assembly, and I was
•elected, losing few votes, in the year
1792. The Assembly then sat at
Newburn, N. C.
On my return from the Assembly,
1 commenced merchandise with a tol-
erable capital, for the country, which
prevented me from continuing in the
Legislature. I pursued that line of
'business about 5 years. Went to
Maryland and Virginia and pur-
chased several droves of negroes. I
was now much in the spirit of the
world, and like to have forgotten I
was purged from my old sins, but on
reflection, collecting my scattered
fragments and little remaining
strength, abandoned the iniquitous
practice of buying and selling human
"beings as slaves, which I found to be
•a violation of my conscience, in direct
59
opposition and in the very face of all
morality and religion, and have ever
since that conviction abhorred the
principle and the practice.
In the year 1795 I engaged in a
large land speculation in the Western
counties of Buncombe and Haywood,
calculated I had made an immense
fortune by entering lands. I was not
mistaken, and had the line between
the United States and the Cherokee
Indians been run according to treaty,
I would have realized a fortune in-
deed ; but it was run otherwise by the
commissioners, and divested me of
10,000 acres of the best land I en-
tered. What I saved I was forced
into a lawsuit with Col. A very for 12
years. Although I gained it, it prof-
ited me little, having expended so
much money in the defense of the
suit.
On Floor of Congress
in Early Days of Republic
In the year 1799, I was again elect-
ed to the General Assembly by almost
a unanimous vote, and continued, with
the exception of a few years, to rep-
resent the County until the year 1806,
which was the last year I was in the
Assembly. At length, becoming
weary of the drudgery of legislation,
I fled from the scenes of popular so-
licitations and removed to the moun-
tains of Haywood in 1808, warned by
the langour of life's evening ray,
thought I would house me in some
humble shed, with full intention of
lasting retirement for the remainder
of my life. But, as says a great man,
the spider's most attenuated thread is
cord, is cable, to man's feeble ties,
I consented to have my name an-
nounced for Congress. The compe-
tition was with Governor Pickens,
late Governor of Alabama. He beat
me by a small majority. I was then
opposed by Judge Paxton. I ob-
tained my election by a good major-
ity, and continued to represent the
District of Morgan for six years in
succession.
My situation was so enviable that I
nf a
was opposed every election, but so
feebly as scarcely to be felt.
In the year 1823, Doctor Vance of
Buncombe, Genl Walton of Ruther-
ford, Col. Reyburn of Haywood, all
offered for Congress. Walton had
978 votes, Reyburn 492, Vance and
myself tied at 1913 votes each. The
Sheriff of Burk gave the county vote
to Vance and elected him. It was
well known that Walton and Rey-
burn bore on my interest. Had
Vance and myself met single hand, I
should have beat him 1,200 votes; and
it was afterwards ascertained I had a
majority of 71 votes over Vance,
although in counting the ballots they
made a miscount or misdeal. The
next election my name was announced
as a candidate, but on considering my
age and growing infirmities, and con-
sulting my feelings which seemed to
forbid the bans, I withdrew my name
from the list and dropped out of the
circle, to the disappointment of the
great majority of the District. Such
was my standing when I shut the
door on public life.
Admitting Missouri, Mississippi,
Maine, Illinois into Union
Through the whole course of my
life I have been a close observer of
providential occurrences, especially
as it regards myself and my similar
concerns, and do verily believe it was
a particular direction of a wise and
unseen Director who knows what is
the best for his creatures and cannot
err, (by the unexpected event) to
arrest my further progress in public
life, to save me from some fatality to-
which I might be liable, and lessen my
responsibility in the affairs of State;
a gracious donation, to give my few
remaining years to retirement, and
appropriate the remainder of my days
to obtain a better inheritance in a bet-
ter world.
Since my release from the bondage
of serving the busy world, I find my-
self perfectly regenerated, and so
averse am I at the present, that no.
compensation could induce me to-
accept of any public vocation.
My standing in Congress is pretty
generally known. I took a share in.
public debates, with what credit so-
ciety must judge. We must all sub-
mit to public opinion. I was one who-
advocated with the utmost ability the
conduct of Genl Jackson in the Semi-
nole War. Also in most of the most
interesting and popular discussions, I
threw in my mite on the floor — the
Missouri questions, the reduction of
the army, the Revenue and Bank-
ruptcy bill were all debated in my
time. The State of Missouri, the
State of Mississippi, the State of Illi-
nois and the State of Maine (4 new
states) were admitted into the Union
during my service in Congress, under
Mr. Monroe's Administration.
A WEDDING SUIT IN 1756
TRANSCRIBED BY FANNIE M. HACKETT OF BIDDEFORD, MAINE
Jonathan Merrill and Hannah Hackett were married December 29, 1756. This is the
receipt for his wedding suit:
SALISBURY Decemrye 27 A. D. 1756.
This is to Sertify all whom it may Consearn that Jonathan Morrill hath paid Suf-
ficent Bevrage for a Suit of Cloths a Coat of a light Coulourd Drab Cloth with
Darkish Satine lining moheir Buttons a full Coat and Briches of Sd Drab and a Jacket
of light Couloud bleu Shag Velvet with Tick lining and green moheir and flanied
(flanged?) Brass Buttons as witness our hands
DAVID PURINTUN
MOSES ROWELL
|br00ttal Ifo tfrra of {timtwr AmmrattH
H into JFimr-Btamrb unit alumni Jnftrriptjrrablr (Cnrrmpnuiirurr
ItairaUng tbr fctrmuj (Cbarartrr. (CansrtattUras thiro. Unmrstir (CaatumH, Vtut-
nr BJB 3ntr grttg anb (Cuitragf nua ifarbitfnad nf JFirst (Citterns of the Republic
LETTER SENT BT POST-BOY FROM WILLIAM PREXTI8S. DURING THE
PLAGUE IN PHILADELPHIA, TO DOCTOR JEREMIAH BARKER.
FALLMOUTH, CASCO BAT, MASSACHUSETTS, IN 1793
THASTHCHIBKI} KBOM OKIO1STAI, BT
ABBIE F. CARPENTER OF PORTLAND. MAINE
DESCENDANT or DOCTOR BARKER
PHILADELPHIA 25th Septr 1793.
DEAR DOCTOR:
I left this for North Carolina last Febry Intending to return in 6 or 8 weeks
but was taken sick and did not get back untill last month when I rec'd your
Esteemed favour of ist May last — happy in hearing of yours and Families health,
with those of our Dear friends at Gorham — Respecting Mr. Osgood I hope you
have pursued him in the law so as to bring him to do Justice — as to my selling his
Bills so it was stock in the English I sold it when he Ordered and at market price
at the Date — If he can make it appear other ways, I submit — as to too much
Interest — he has the amt as I settled it with him and will appear for itself — I
believe no Interest is charged untill 6 or 9 ms from Goods being shipped, if not
his objections must be futile — However my Dear Sir if you find he is not able to
pay the whole — I leave the matter wholly with you to compromise, or settle as
shall appear right, so as to bring it to a spedy settlement. I have returned to this
City about one month, since which time the heaviest Judgments have attended
us — about 20,000 citizens have moved out and the rest are Dying by hundreds —
for 15 or 20 Days past have been buried from 30 to 50 of a day and some days
upwards of 100 — All Stores and Business are to stop and all communication cut
of from the Country — and between this and New York, Baltimore &c. — what
alarms us more is a proper war between the principal Physitions some calling
and Treating it as of a Putrid nature — others as wholly Inflammatory — however
as it is most that are taken Die — some in 3 — 4 — 5 to 8 days which none scarcely
exceed except they recover — From the Symptoms &c I have no doubts of its being
the Plague — it is traced being Introduced by a Vessell with Passengers from
Ireland. The Yellow Fever never could spread from a Country whose lattitude is
53 and that surrounded by Salt Water — Its the Plague — but the reason its not so
general here as in Old countries, is — we have Spacious streets that are kept clean
and of course have always a free and clear circulation of air — we have clean
Houses and not crowded — In those countries where this fatal disorder generally
sweeps whole cities as it where They are quite the reverse — To add to our Calam-
ities the commissions have return'd without concluding the Treaty with the
Indians. Therefore we may expect a Bloody Indian War — God only knows
how our distresses will end — we are in the hands of a merciful being, and while
his Judgments are abroad in the land may the Inhabitants learn righteousness and
be humble.
We intended to have left the city but one thing and another has hindered us —
and now I fear we are shut in
My Brother Saml mentioned to me about finding a Vessell with sundries to
No. Carolina — tell him if e can send one with suitable articles — such as his crock-
cry — Beef — home cloth — West India Goods &c. to Plymouth Roanoke River No.
61
ctf
Carolina I think Henry could do well for him Corn, Pork, Pease, Tar &c — but he
must get his Vessell on low Terms — If Caleb is with him tell him I will write him
by first private conveyance — Henry keeps store up the River above Plymouth —
but Plymouth is the place Vessells load at — please to give Our most affectionate
Love to them and Brother Gorham's family — Sister Bacon if with you and accept
the same to you and yours — with every Good wish for your Healths and Happi-
ness. WM. PRENTISS.
I send this by Post — the expense shall be happy in Refunding when I see
you — which hope will be in course of next Winter or Spring.
LETTER "WRITTEN TO REVEREND CHANDLER ROBBINS OF PLYMOUTH,
MASSACHUSETTS. BY REVEREND LITTLE IN BIRMINGHAM. ENG-
LAND, DISCUSSING THE MORAL PROBLEMS IN 1797
THANSCRIBKD BY
MRS. LYDIA J. KNOWLES OF BANGOR, MAINE
"BIRMINGHAM MARCH 7 1797
REVD. & DEAR SIR :
Upon reviewing your letter of Oct 7 1796 I feel regret that I have suffered
twelve months to elapse without sending a line to so kind a corispondant. this I
did not intend to do last fall when I spent six weeks at Plymouth but could find
no ship during that period bound to Boston.
I should be ashamed to trouble you with so many queries concerning Dr.
Hopkins's System &c did I not feel persuaded that your kindness and readyness to
communicate would not even find a sort of gratification therein, — For which you
are entitled to my thanks. Some of your answers have removed. my objection
from the Dr. and others have confermed me in the opinion that good men from
different habits and modes of reasoning may think very differently yet very sin-
cerely on the same subject. I doubt not a great part of the felicity of heaven will
result from the clear unobstructed views we shall have of Divine truth. Every
difficulty will then be cleared up — and full evidence of the glorious propriety and
consistency of the moral government of Jehovah will blaze on every mind. Hence
the perfect union of the assembly of glorified Saints.
It will be one indivisible — harmonious — blessed society — without a discord-
ant Word or Idea ! My soul longs for that perfection ! and I would say with the
psalmist 'Then shall I be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness!' But while
this happiness is withheld, O ! for grace to supply in brotherly affection what is
deficient in understanding.
I would not forget to tell you what little evangelical Intelligence I have to
communicate. The missionary Society have compleated their first mission To the
South Sea Islands.
In a few months the subscription amounted to Thirteen Thousand pounds, a
striking proof that the hearts of all men are in the hands of the Lord. The silver
and the gold of the earth are His ! nor can be better appropriated than as a sacri-
fice at the gospel shrine. Men were not more difficult to procure than money.
Several came forward and offered themselves to embark in the arduous under-
taking of carrying the news of Salvation by our precious Emanuel to a perishing
heathen World ! A ship called the Duff was purchased last year by the Society
and fitted out and stored by the voluntary contributions of benevolent individuals.
The spirit which appeared on this occasion was Singular. A ship-wright em-
ployed in fitting the ship for her voyage, whose work could not be estimated at
less than 200 pounds Stirling, made a formal charge to the directors of the
Society of 5 shillings for the whole business.
0f H0n??r Am?rtran0
A gentleman gave a table worth 200 pounds and hundreds of private famileys
contributed lots of smaller articles such as linnin — hardware — Books — pickets and
evry other necessary and convenience for so long a voyage. A pious man who
had been a Capt in the east Indian Service twenty years — but had retired in afflu-
ence to spend the remainder of his days in ease at home — was drawn forth by the
attractive influence of so noble an undertaking, but still more (we trust) by the
love of Christ, to offer himself to conduct the expedition. His piety — sensibility
and sweetness of disposition endeared him to the Directors and Missionaries. His
nephew, an agreeable serious young man accompanyed him as Chief Mate. The
whole ships crew were selected from professing Christians. The mission con-
sists of 27 men not all of them preachers, but some of them intended to assist as
mechanics in the intended settlement. But all of them as far as human under-
standing can judge, partakers of ardent love to Christ, and unconquerable desire
for the salvation of immortal souls, — five godly women wifes of some of them —
and 3 infant children: 37 persons in all, there sailed from Spit-head on Thursday
22 of Sept 1796 — and were bound to Otaheite.
It is the intention for the whole mission to stay in that Island 3 months till
they have formed a good notion of their language, customs &c and obtained a
peacable footing among the natives — after which as many as can be spared are to
remove to adjacent Islands, of which the language is precisely the same. I feel
no small gratification in having among this truly honourable Company — two
young men — the fruit of my ministry — and one of whome continued under my
care sometime previous to embarking in this work. You will doubtless unite your
prayers with Thousands in this land for a blessing on this important undertaking !
This bread of Life is cast upon the waters — We need persevering faith prayer and
patience to waite and it shall be seen after many days! All the promises and
prophecies are in our favour. God has long said to the North give up — He will
also say to the South — ke.ep not back ! Great obstacles are indeed in the way."
LETTER SENT BY GEORGE WASHINGTON IN 1797 TO HON. OLIVER
ELLSWORTH. A FRAMER OF THE CONSTITUTION, MINISTER
TO FRANCE, AND CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES
THAN .^CKIlllIIJ Fl:<)M < > K 1 c i I N A 1 . 1. V
AD ALINE B. ELLSWORTH ROBERTS OF OLLANA. ILLINOIS
PHILADELPHIA, 8th Mar. 1797.
DEAR SIR:
Before I leave the city, which will be within less than twenty-four hours, per-
mit me in acknowledging the receipt of your kind and affectionate note of the 6th,
to offer you the thanks of a grateful heart for the sentiments you have expressed
in my favour, and for those attentions with which you have always honored me.
In return, I pray you to accept all my good wishes for the perfect restoration of
your health, and for all the happiness this life can afford. As your official duty
will necessarily call you to the southward, I wish to take the liberty of adding, that
it will always give me pleasure to see you at Mount Vernon as you pass and repass,
With unfeigned esteem and regards, in which Madam Washington joins me, I
am always and affectionately yours G. WASHINGTON.
63
27,
Ofctttatanj of an Ammratt
BlaliButurth. iCungfrUnui — Horn at Portland, iftainr.
IBflr— Slfb at (Hambr%r, iMaaBartfusfttu, lHarrlj 24. 1BB2
The Poet Longfellow frequently remarked to his friends that a Man's Work is his best
memorial — On this Centenary of the Poet four of his Sonnets, two of which are
translations from that Master -Artist Michael Angelo, are here inscribed to his memory
OLD AGE
From the Italian of Michael Angelo
The course of my long life hath reached
at last,
In fragile bark o'er a tempestuous sea,
The common harbor where must ren-
dered be
Account of all the actions of the past
The impassioned phantasy, that, vague and
vast,
Made art an idol and a king to me,
Was an illusion, and but vanity
Were the desires that lured me and
harassed.
The dreams of love, that were so sweet of
yore,
What are they now, when two deaths
may be mine, —
One sure, and one forecasting its alarms?
Painting and sculpture satisfy no more
The soul now turning to the Love Divine,
That oped, to embrace us, on the cross its
arms.
Ill
BURIAL OF THE POET
In the old churchyard of his native town,
And in the ancestral tomb beside the
wall,
We laid him in the sleep that comes to
all,
And left him to his rest and his renown.
The snow was falling as if Heaven dropped
down
White flowers of Paradise to strew his
pall ;—
The dead around him seemed to wake,
and call
His name, as worthy of so white a crown.
And now the moon is shining on the scene,
And the broad sheet of snow is written
o'er
With shadows cruciform of leafless trees,
As once the winding sheet of Saladin
With chapters of the Koran ; but, ah !
more
Mysterious and triumphant signs are
these.
II
FIRE
Prom the Italian of Michael Angelo
Not without fire can any workman mould
The iron to his preconceived design,
Nor can the artist without fire refine
And purify from all its dross the gold;
Nor can revive the phoenix, we are told,
Except by fire. Hence if such death be
mine
I hope to rise again with the divine,
Whom death augments, and time cannot
make old.
O sweet, sweet death! O fortunate fire
that burns
Within me still to renovate my days,
Though I am almost numbered with the
dead!
If by its nature unto heaven returns
This element, me, kindled in its blaze,
Will it bear upward when my life is fled.
IV
MY CATHEDRAL
Like two cathedral towers these stately
pines
Uplift their fretted summits tipped with
cones ;
The arch beneath them is not built with
stones,
Not Art but Nature traced these lovely
lines,
And carved this graceful arabesque of
vines ;
No organ but the wind here sighs and
moans,
No sepulchre conceals a martyr's bones,
No marble bishop on his tomb reclines.
Enter! the pavement, carpeted with leaves,
Gives back a softened echo to thy tread !
Listen! the choir is singing; all the birds,.
In leafy galleries beneath the eaves,
Are singing! listen, ere the sound be
fled,
And learn there may be worship without
words.
i I:\MAI. HAS in-: i. 1:1 I ^oT-l !>O7
I'.-. I.««i is \. (.1 I.I,KI;OI>. Mi-:\ii!Kit OF TIM:
\Allo\\i. SCULPTURE SoilKTY K X KITTK I) Fl ) It T11K
IN \i «.i i,- A i. \IMI;I:K ••!-• Tin: .JOIUNAI. <>i A M i-: UICAN Hisroitr AS A MI:M«MUAL
TO TUB POET OF T1IK A.MKItlCA.N 11KAHT ON THE ONE HUNDREDTH A.NNI \ i: I; s A I,' t «>l HIS IMItTH
of Irailj tn lEarhj Ammra
fUauuarript bg
tlfr Rrurrrnb Suarpb. BUrbb ..•*
itorn in Ifififi an& an Jlutrllrrtual and
Moral Cra&rr of 3?ta fTtmra •* ©rraatnnrii by tljr
flrminr af iflajur JKatljan CSulb. in 1C 33, mhn ntaa furrmufit in
ifaliitral, fHtlttarg anb Errlrataattral Affatra o* (Original &rrmim Erauarribrfc
BY
MRS. ELIZABETH HUBBELL SCHENCK
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OP COLUMBIA
"Strange, is it not, that of the myriads who
Before us passed the door of Darkness
through,
Not one returns to tell us of the road,
Which to discover we must travel too?"
mystery of death is one
of the few problems that
civilization fails to solve.
The first philosophers
argued its perplexities
only to come, like the
wise Socrates more than
four hundred years before Christ, to
the conclusion: "We go our ways — I
to die, and you to live. Which is bet-
ter, God only knows."
Not until the writing of that
wonderful scroll — the scriptures — in
which is embodied the fundamentals
of all sciences, has light been thrown
onto the bleakness of the hereafter,
and these revelations while establish-
ing hope and faith in a life to come,
veil death with a mystery that centu-
ries have been unable to lift.
The six thousand orthodox years
since the creation find theologians and
scientists still parleying over the dis-
position of man after he has left this
earth. That death is the emancipa-
tion of the soul and that it rises to the
light of eternal life is the view of the
orthodox world, supported by multi-
tudinous evidences.
That even the orthodox view of
death is subject to a continual process
of change, and that its dire terrors are
being illuminated with the light of
reason until 'its beautiful aspects are
6s
more discernible, is shown by a com-
parison of the funeral orations of the
church to-day with those of the earli-
est in America.
In possession of Mrs. Elizabeth B.
Gould of Fairfield, Connecticut, is the
original age-seared manuscript of the
funeral sermon preached over the re-
mains of Major Nathan Gold, a lead-
ing citizen of his times, for fifty years
a compatriot of the Burrs and the
Ludlows, foremost in ecclesiastical,
political and military affairs, and the
progenitor of the Gould family in
America, one branch of which has be-
come eminent through its accumula-
tion of great riches and the philan-
thropy of one of its daughters. Major
Gold died on March 4, 1693, and the
funeral sermon here recorded was
preached by the Reverend Joseph
Webb, eminent for his scholarship
and as a theologian.
While this sermon with its quaint
diction and construction is an inter-
esting study in homiletics, its real
worth is as a witness of the thought
and spirit of its generation, revealing
the tendencies and leading character-
istics of the age and life of which it
was a part. It views death as a
calamity — as a rebuke from God —
and there is in it an eccentric strain
of perplexity that a pious man should
die. It is here presented as a basis
for the study of the intellectual and
religious movement in America, es-
pecially in relation to the final dispo-
sition of mankind.
bg an
we are at this day
under ye terrible rebukes
of God; that God hath
I I not only formerly but
now very lately written
bitter things agst us in
this place. I suppose
none of us are ignorant. Tis to
be feared, all are not soe affected
with or circumstances as they ought
to be, and as it could be wished
they were, but none can be all-
together without ye knowledge of
them. It seems to be a day wherein
ye Lord is calling us to weeping,
mourning, boldness and girding on of
sackcloth. The Lord hath bin be-
speaking this from us by ye loud
voice of an awfull and solemn provi-
dence, in wch he hath bin striking a
very dismall blow at or head and hath
made a very sorrowfull breach there.
Wt is ye duty of the day hath bin
well and very pathetically laid before
us by a pious and faithfull Servant of
Jesus Christ from yt text I Samll : 25,
i. And Samuel died and all ye
Israelites were gathered together and
lamented him and buried him in &c. ;
And oyt there were such an heart in
us to practice according to wt was
from thence soe solemnly and affec-
tionately pressed upon us as or duty.
This is ye best way to prevent further
wrath from coming upon us here and
to provide for a comfortable account
of wt we yn heard in ye great day.
Considering yt we cannot be too
well acquainted wth or duty at such a
time, I was willing (according to ye
small mite received) to endeavr wt
might be for or further information
and instruction. Such a providence
as this, I could not by any means
silently pass over, — but would take
such notice of it as to endeavr some
spirituall improvemt of and benefit
by it. And wt we shall say will be
from ye words now read unto us,
which hold forth an account of ye
sickness and death of a great and
good man together wth ye effect it
had upon a person of great dignity
and honour.
in 1H33
(1) There's observable ye sickness
and death of a great and holy man
"Now Elisha was fain sick of ye sick-
ness whrof he died &c. ; Ye person
we see is here described by his name
Elisha, he was a man of great note,
one in a publick capacity, or of pub-
lick use and place. Tis true his office
and sanction was sacred, he was a
prophet, but wt is here said concern-
ing him is very applicable unto those
who have a civill charge committed
to them. It is a truth as well con-
cerning godly magistrates as minis-
ters yt they are liable to sickness and
death, and yt they are ye chariots of
Israel and horsemen thereof, wch are
ye things we design to speak to.
Thus for ye person. As to his sick-
ness it is not particularly expressed
wt it was, but wt ye kind of it be wt
it will, it seems it was mortall, it had
malignity enough in it to kill ye ani-
mall spirrits and to cause a seperation
between his soul and body, it was (as
ye text saith) his sickness whrof he
died.
(2) Here's allsoe observable ye
effect it had upon a person of honour.
And Joash ye King of Israel came
down and wept over his face and he
said o my father my father &c. ; ( i )
The person is described from his
name Joash; (2) From his office, he
was King wch is amplifyed from his
subjects wm he more werthy reigned
over. Israel ic ye ten tribes; (3)
Here's ye effect it had upon him. viz.
it brought him to see him and to weep
over him &c. It's said he came down
unto him &c. The names of ye
prophets' sickness brought him from
his palace, from his castle to pay him
a visit and ye prospect of his death
drew tears from his eyes (i) he wept
over his face, partly because he loved
him, and partly because of ye great
loss his death would be to ye King-
dome. (2) Here's ye lamentation he
broke forth into, o my father, my
father, ye chariot of Israel and ye
horsemen yreof [before we come to
ye observations designed it will be
necessary to hint at ye meaning of
66
nf
in lEarlg Antrim
those phrases O my father my father]
thus he calleth him out of love, reve-
rince and respect; but assuredly tis
not a bare and empty complement, yre
is a great deal in it, he was a father to
him and all ye people, as godly min-
isters and magistrates are as we may
hear afterwards.
(The chariots of Israel and ye
horsemen thereof.) there were char-
riots of war and yre were chariots of
L'tate in a time of peace; not only
such as were for ye defence of a land,
but allsoe such as were for ye glory
and honour of great men. 2. Samll:
15.1. And Absalom prepaired him
chariots &c. ; i e for his greater hon-
our and dignity. The expressions
are metaphorical! and signific yt Elisha
was ye glory, strength and power of
Israeli. The strength of a people in
war lay most in chariots and horse-
men they are as it were ye strength
and stay of ye land, soe are pious rul-
ers either in church or State, and the
interpreters expound ye phrases only
concerning ye security, stay and de-
fence of a people yet inasmuch as ye
words will well bear wthout ye least
straining ym ye other interpretation
viz ; concerning ye glory and honour
of a people we shall add this allsoe in
or discourse from ym.
i. Doct. yt Pious men of publick
use and place must die as well as oth-
ers. 2. Doct. That pious and holy
men especially those who are in a pub-
lick capacity are ye fathers, the glory,
and the strength of a people among
wm they live and over wm they are,
O my father, my father ye chariot of
Israel &c. ; i. Doct. Holy men of
publick use and place n.ust die as well
as others. Such are no more exempt-
ed from this stroke yn others. The
godly are indeed delivered from ye
sting of death, but not from ye stroke
of it. Neither goodnes, nor greatness
is sufficient to procure for any a dis-
charge in yt war. 8. Eccl: 8 — yre is
noe man yt hath power over ye spirit
to retain ye spirit ; neither hath he
power in ye day of death : and yre is
noe discharge in yt war, and as he ads
67
in ye last clause of ye verse, neither
shall wickednes deliver those who are
guilty of it, for it may be said neither
can righteousnes prevail unto this.
Good men tho never soe usefull to,
tho never soe much loved and respect-
ed by those among wm they live must
sooner or later away to ye grave.
Godly rulers must die tho eminently
holy and serviceable unto yr people.
It hath bin soe; it is soe, and will be
soe. Wt is become of Moses, of
Joshua, Samuel, David, Josiah and of
many other worthies, great and good
men who have served God and yr own
generation according to ye will of
God ? Why ! they are long since dead.
The Scriptures wch record ye en-
trance into, and ye behavior in,
this world have allsoe recorded their
exit out of it. 34. Deut. 5. Soe
Moses ye servt of ye Lord died yre in
ye land. 24. Josh. 29. And it came
to pass after these things yt Joshua ye
Son of Nun ye Servt. of ye Lord died,
and i. Sam: 25:1. i Kings 2.10. and
2 cron: 35.24. Hence we see yt it
hath bin thus, and yt it is thus by an
awfull and sad instance among or-
selves; and soe it shall be soe here-
after.
And yn doe those yt minister about
holy things fare any whit better ? Are
ye Servants of God in ye ministry any
more exempted than his servants in
ye magistracy? Where are the an-
cient prophets and teachers of God's
church ? They are long since gone to
ye place of silence. Elisha must die
as in ye text, and ye rest of ye proph-
ets have submitted to death, i. Zech :
5. Yor fathers wre are they? and ye
prophets doe they live forever i. e.
they doe not, they are dead and gone
to yr long home as well as other men.
But I need not enlarge to confirm a
truth wch is verifyed by soe many
dayly instances.
If we enquired after ye reasons of
it, why and whence is it yt pious mag-
istrates and ministers must die as well
as others. Answ. (!) It is because
they are under ye Same condition and
circumstances of mortality wth other
bg an Eminent
in 1H93
men. That wch is the cause of the
death of others is to be found wth
and is extended even unto ym and
yrefore yre is noe discharge for ym
in this war, any more than for others.
See ye illustration of this in three par-
ticulars, i. They are of ye same
earthy and compounded constitution
with other men. This is the internall
cause of man's mortality vizt ye com-
position of his body. It is made up
of contrary elements and qualities
wch are continually warring one agst
another and will continue soe to doe
untill ye controversie be decided by ye
destruction of yt wch is thus com-
pounded. This is ye condition of all
bodies, they are made of earth, dust
&c., hence tis said of men in generall
yt they dwell in houses of clay and
yt yr foundation is in ye dust. 4. Job.
19. and this is yre laid down as a rea-
son why they are soe frail and brittle,
soe exposed to death, soe easily
crushed before ye moth as ye phrase
yre is. Good and great men are
made of this matter as well as others.
Such an one as Abraham could say
concerning himself yt he was dust and
ashes. 18: Gen: 27. The honour
wch men are advanced to here doth
not refine yr natures, soe as to dimin-
ish yt dreggishnes wch is ye inward
cause of mortality. Neither doth
conversion and holiness make any
physicall change in men. Grace doth
not physically but only morally alter
yr natures. Soe yt seing great and
good men are of ye same constitution
wth othrs wch is a cause of yr death,
it must needs be yt they be mortall
like them. (2) They have had to doe
wth Sin as well as others and there-
fore are mortall as well as they. Sin
is another cause of mans being under
a necessity of seing corruption. Sin
wch hath brought death into ye world.
Death was first threatned unto and in
case of Sin. 2. Gen: 17. This hath
invited death into ye world, and this
is given as ye reason why all must
come under ye reach of death vizt be-
cause they've touch i ye unclean thing,
Sin. 5. Rom: 12. wherefore as by one
man sin entred into ye world and
death by sin and soe death passed
upon all men, because all have sinned.
If any say hath not Christ died for
believrs why yn must they die, should
they not have a discharge yn upon his
acct! I answr they have a discharge
from ye sting of death, from death as
a curse : they die not to satisfie justice
in part for yr sins as Christhes sinnrs
doe, but they have sinned since yr be-
ing in Christ and there is of ye lep-
rosie of sin cleaving unto ym and yre
it will be untill it be abolished by ye
taking down this earthly house of ye
tabernacle. Therefore 'tis noe un-
righteous thing for God to subject ym
unto ye stroke of death.
Pious magistrates and ministers
must yrefore die as well as other men,
because they have sinned as well as
others. (3) They are under ye same
law of mortallity with other men.
Death is established by an irrevocable
decree. There is a statute law of
heaven concerning ye progress of
death, and by this law all are doomed
unto this stroke 9. Heb. 27. It is ap-
pointed for men i. e. all men once to
die. Now as they are men tho they
are holy and honourable they come
under ye force of this law, and are by
it obliged to pay this debt unto na-
ture.
(2 Rea:) Great and good men must
die as well as others yt soe they may
give up yr account. The great God
stands in ye relation of a judge unto
all ye Sons of Adam. He hath
brought ym under a law, and hath
betrusted ym wth such and such tal-
ents according to his pleasure and
hath required such and such an im-
provemt of ym. Accordingly he hath
laid ym undr a necessity of being
accountable to him for wt they have
received and done. And even godly
rulers both in civill and sacred re-
spects come under this obligation.
Those yt are in civill autority have yr
power from God, he calls ym to ye
places they are in, and bctrusts ym
wth ye power they have 13. Rom: i.
For yre is noe power but of God,
63
il0H0plfg 0f
in lEarlg
hence they are said in ye execution of
ye office to act for God. 2 Cron: 13.6
— for ye judge not for man but for ye
Lord.
And yn as to ministers they are said
to be stewards of God. i. Tit. 7. wch
supposeth ym under an engagemt to
give up an account of wt they have
bin and received. And this account
is refered unto ye other world, there
it is to be given up. Therefore these
men must die as well as others yt soe
they may make yr appearance before
ye great judge, and be accountable for
wt they have done in ye flesh 9. Heb.
27. Judgemt is yre to follow imedi-
ately after death. (3 Rea.) They
must die that soe they may rest from
ye labour and toil appointed ym in
this world. All men have work to
doe in this world. They have a task
set ym by ye God of heaven. They
have something to doe for soul and
body, for time and eternity, for ym-
selves and others, and this labour wch
is commanded ym is not wthout its
difficultie. But these who are in a
publick capacity, who have ye charge
of the civill or sacred concern's of a
people have a much greater burden to
bear than others. They have very
often hands full and hearts full wth ye
publick charge and truse comitted to
ym. They have besides yr own par-
ticular burden ye burden of yr own
personall concerns, the burden of yr
own families, they have ye burden of
ye comon wealth, and of ye church ly-
ing upon ym. And o how much
trouble and sorrow and difficulty doe
they meet wth from those things!
How often are yr hearts ready to
break and yr spirits ready to die and
sink under ye weight of those per-
plexities and troubles wch are occa-
sioned unto ym by yr concerns wch
they are to manage ?
Now they must not be allwayes
staggering under such weary loads.
Their case would be miserable indeed
if it were to be soe wth ym allwayes.
Therefore God hath appointed ym a
resting time and place. And wre is
this? Is it not in ye grave 3. Job. 17.
— there ye weary be at rest, yr ye bod-
ies of ye righteous lie at ease and
quiet. And yr souls are imediately
upon yr death carried to ye rest in
Abrahams bosome 16 Luk 22. Hence
ye dead yt die in ye Lord are pro-
nounced blessed upon this acct and
from ye time of death they rest from
yr labours 14. Rev: 13. And I heard
a voice from heaven saying unto me
write blissed are ye dead wch die in ye
Lord from henceforth yea saith ye
spirrit yt they may rest from yr la-
bours &c.,
(4 Rea:) Holy men of publick use
and place must die that soe they may
receive yr reward Tho none deserve
or merit a reward for wt they doe,
yet God hath of free-grace promised
a reward to those who faithfully dis-
charge yr trust. He will not be
served for naught. He hath a sure
recompence of reward for pious ones,
especially for holy magistrates and
ministers. God is not unrighteous to
forget yr work and labour of love as
ye phrase is in ye 6. Heb. 10. By
this we may see yt they must be re-
warded. And now they are not
recompensed in this world. Here
they are oft abused for ye love and
service, here they meet wth scorn,
contempt and reproach, are evill
spoked of. Moses and Aaron were
abused by Cora and his company 16.
Numb. 2. And others have met wth
ye like evill treatment. Jeremiah met
wth soe much as yt he was ready to
exclaim agst his mother for bringing
him into ye world 15 Jer: n. woe is
me my mother yt thou hast born me
a man strife, and a man of contention
to ye whole earth — every one of ym
doth curse me. And Paul will tell us
yt he was accounted as ye off-scour-
ing of all things. I Cor: 4.13. we are
made as ye filth of ye world &c. ;
Their reward is yrefore in ye other
world and they must die yt soe they
may have it. It is given ym after yr
death 14. Rev. 13. and yr works doe
follow ym, yr works, ie. ye gracious
reward of yr trouble, hardship and
patience.
$?ntum bg an lEmtnmi QHpohigian ttt 1H33
(5. Rea.) Holy men of publick use
and place must sometimes die to make
way for ye wrath of God to come
down upon a sinfull people. The
death of pious rulers is allwayes in
mercy to ymselves and sometimes it is
in judgmt unto ye places where they
lived. The death of such eminent
ones is a presage of approaching
calamities, in ye 57. Isai I. it's said
yt ye righteous are taken away from
ye evill to come. God is wont to take
such away before he brings, and yt
soe he may bring an overflowing
Scourge upon a degenerate and irre-
clamable generation. Whilst they
lived they were a means to keep off
judgmts. God could not to speak
after ye manner of men soe freely
and fully pour out ye vialls of his
wrath upon an impenitent and sinfull
people whilst they lived, and therefore
they must be carried to ye grave yt
soe he may have ye greater liberty to
accomplish ye ruin of such as would
by noe means be reformed. See this
illustrated in 2. particulars. (i)
They are taken away by death that
soe they may not see and be grieved
for those miseries wch come upon
those amongst wm they lived. Tho.
God's servants in ye magistracy and
ministry may meet wth ill treatmt
from, yet they are truely sollicitous for
ye wellfare of yr people. And it would
be a sad and grievous thine to ym to
see ym ruined. To see these and
those dismall calamities overtake ym
would be an heart breaking sight to
ym. To see yre land in wch they
dwell wasted and emptyed of its in-
habitants by mortall sicknes, by ye
sword &c., To see yr neighbrs perish-
ing by famine, pestilence and sword,
how would it even grieve yr very
souls to death! How doth pious
Esther express ye intolerable grief yt
ye destruction of her people would be
unto her 8. Esther 6. For how can I
endure to see ye evill yt shall come
upon my people ! or how can I endure
to see ye destruction of my Kindred,
as if she had said I shall not be able
to see it for grier. Now God doth
not delight to grieve his children, nay
he will avoid it as much as may be soe
yt wn such terrible judgments can be
noe longer deferred, he sends death
to fetch home such precious ones yt
they be out of ye noise of them. God
knew how bitter a cup it would be to
good Josiah to see ye ruine of Jerusa-
lem, destruction of ye temple and cap-
tivity of the people and therefore he
gives him a gracious promise yt he
should goe to ye grave before these
judgmnts overtook them. 2 cron: 34.
28. Behold I will gather thee to thy
fathers in peace and thou shalt be
gathered to thy grave in peace, neither
shall thine eyes see all ye evill yt I
will bring upon this place and upon
ye inhabitants of ye same. (2.) They
must die that soe they may not by yr
intercession for a sinfull land any
longer retard those judgmts wch they
have deserved and God is now re-
solved to bring upon ym. They are
ready to pity and compassionate ye
case and condition of a sinfull people.
These righteous ones are earnestly
desirous of ye wellfare of yose among
wm they are and wn they see evill
coming upon ym and in a probable
way to fall upon ym, they cannot but
endeavr to yr utmost ye preventing
of it: Wn God is threatning, a sin-
full generation they will interpose as
far as they may wth God on ye be-
halfe of those who are threatned. noe
unkindness of a People towards ym
shall put a period to their prayrs for
ym. The people of Israel were un-
kind to Samuel in rejecting his gov-
ernmt, and asking a King, but yet he
resolves not to cease praying for ym
i. Samll: 12:23: moreover as for
me God forbid yt I should sin agst ye
Lord in ceasing to pray for you.
And o how earnestly will they plead
wth God for ye sparing of sinners!
How hard did good Abraham plead
for poor Sodome See in ye 18. Gen
from 23 vs. to ye end. And tho ye
destruction of it was not prevented
yet it may be remarkt yt soe far as
Abraham requested God granted.
And assuredly ye prayrs of Gods emi-
nf
in Earlg Am^rira
nent Servants have a great deal of
effecacy to keep of wrath from a peo-
ple. Lots prayr procured ye salva-
tion of Zoar from yt generall destruc-
tion wch came upon ye other cities
about it. 19. Gen 20.21. — And he said
unto him See I have accepted thee
concerning this thing allsoe, that I
will not overthrow this city for the
which thou hast spoken. God is un-
w'lling to loath to deny ye jrayrs of
his dear ones. The prayrs of his em-
inent servants doe (wth holy reve-
rence be it spoken) as it were tie ye
hands of God. Threfore he takes ym
away sometimes by death yt he may
not be hindered by yr intercession
from cutting down a generation of
sinners. Wn God is resolved yt
wrath shall come he stops ye mouths
of those praying ones, that those shall
not pray whose prayrs would have bin
an hindrance to him in his designs.
APPLICATION !
i vse. Is it soe yt pious men of pub-
lick use and place must die as well as
others, let this teach us to beware of
having too great a dependence upon
any, yet greatest and best of men.
Men may indeed be both able and
willing to doe us a kindnes in this or
ye other respect whilst they live, but
we must not depend overmuch upon
ym, because of the mortality of yr
lives. It is indeed lawfull and a duty
to value ye friendship of great and
good men, but it is or interest to re-
member and considr that they are but
dying friends and soe to be cautious
of laying too great a Stress upon ym.
Upon this consideration ye Lord en-
deavrs to take off or confidence from
men because they are mortall crea-
tures. 2. Isai. 22. Cease ye from
man whose breath is in his nostrills
for wherein is he to be accounted of !
As if he had said yre is but little help
to be had from these, ye hear yt great
ones are mortall yre fore put not yor
trust in men whose breath and life is
in yr nostrils ; Stop but yre mouth
and nose and they must die imediately.
Wrein is he to be accounted of" ye
meaning is wt is there I pray in man
for wch we should put or trust and
confidence in him ? he is nothing at all.
We are advised in ye 146. Ps:3. not
to put or trust in Princes nor in ye
sons of men and ye reason is given in
ye next vs. his breath goeth forth and
he returneth to his earth.
(2) This truth teacheth us yt 'tis
ye great interest of a people to be
continually praying unto God yt he
would raise up and qualifie others to
succeed in and to fill up ye places of
those publick men whom he from time
to time calls out of ye world. Great
and good men we heare are mortall
as well as others, or Godly magis-
trates and ministers who have ye care
of or all are dying and must die. This
we are not only told of from ye word
of God but have allsoe bin informed
of in the providence of God, wch hath
not only formerly but more lately
sealed this truth to us. Now are not
such men of great use? Can a peo-
ple be in any tolerable degree happy
wthout them? Wt will become of or
bodies and or souls without such pub-
lick persons. It will be sad if wn God
hath called any of his worthies in
church and state their places must
stand empty, and there be none to
step forward to make good yr ground.
Now if we would have this prevented
we must follow God wth dayly and
earnest prayers, that he would suit-
ably fit and qualifie those yt are rising
up not only wth naturall but allsoe
wth gracious abilities for wtever ser-
vice for himself and for his people
they may be now or hereafter called
to. God only can Spirrit and fit men
for a publick (wch is a very weighty)
charge either in civill or Sacred re-
spects. God is acknowledged as ye
authr of yt Knowledge and gifts wch
meetens ym for curious work of ye
hand &c ; 35. Exod. 35. Much more
are gifts and graces to qualifie for a
charge of a more publick nature from
him. And prayer is needfull to ob-
tain and procure this pouring down of
his Spirrit, upon those who are to be
ye Successrs of or pious magistrates
and ministers yt goe off ye Stage at
9?rttum hg an ?Emtn?nt
in 1693
this and ye other time. Let us dayly
yn pray hard that we may have Josh-
ua's to succeed or Moses's, that we
may have Solomon's to succeed or
Davids, yt we may have Elisha's to
make good ye ground of or Elishas
when they come to leave us. This is
the way to have or comonwealth and
or churches to flourish, to our owns
and or posterities wellfare and happi-
ness, both for time and eternity.
(3) And lastly If godly magis-
trates and ministers must die and are
dying, let this teach us to secure ye
friendship and presence of an un-
changeable God.
ANECDOTE OF AN AMERICAN REVOLUTIONIST
BT MRS. J. R. COZART OF LAMAR. ARKANSAS
3 RECALL these statements
made to me by my hus-
band's father, Sidney
Bumpass Cozart, which
he said, he obtained from
his father, James Bum-
pass Cozart, prior to his
death which occurred September
1 7th, 1846.
James Bumpass Cozart's father's
name was Anthony Cozart, who lived
in Orange County, North Carolina,
his occupation was that of a planter;
he married Winnifred Bumpass, a
sister of John Bumpass, who was
captain of a company raised perhaps
in 1772, or 1773, to demand some re-
dress from Governor Tryon. An-
thony Cozart was a member of this
company, which assembled at his
(Cozart's) house, moulded bullets
and discussed the methods of pro-
cedure.
These deliberations were not to be
made public until a stated time as they
might be considered insurrectionary
by Governor Tryon, but the news
reached the governor who made prep-
arations and dispersed them. Cap-
tain Bumpass was arrested and sen-
tenced to death, but from some cause
was not executed. Tryon then sent
men out, whom the people called
"Press gangs," to take the arms of all
engaged in this movement, but Co-
zart's wife, by substituting an old gun
procured from a tenant, and hiding
the good one, saved it to be after-
wards carried by her husband in the
Revolution.
On the breaking out of the war,
Anthony and his brothers John and
David, and his brothers-in-law, the
Bumpasses, entered the Revolution-
ary Army, and served throughout the
war. The roster of revolutionary
soldiers, published by the state of
North Carolina, shows that David
was a sergeant.
James Bumpass Cozart was about
sixteen years old when the war closed
and six or eight years old at the time
of the moulding of the bullets, and
could remember the above described
circumstances.
IGifr £>t0roB nf Gallant Ammratta
3labn ilnnr— Qty? SCntgljt of
BY HONORABLE ALBERT MOORE SPEAR
JUSTICB Of SuPBKME JUDICIAL COUBT OF M AI N K
GRKAT-OBKAT-OBANDSON OF MAJOR JOHN MOOB
CONTRIBUTED BY MRS. LINA MOORE MCKENNEY. MADISON. MAINE
He lay upon his dying bed,
His eye was growing dim ;
When with a feeble voice he called
His weeping son to him.
" Weep not, my boy," the veteran said,
" I bow to Heaven's high will;
But quickly from yon antlers bring
The sword of Bunker Hill."
The sword was brought ; the soldier's eye
Lit with a sudden flame,
And as he grasped the ancient blade,
He murmured Warren's name.
Then said, "My boy, I leave you gold,
But what is richer still,
I leave you, mark me, mark me now,
The sword of Bunker Hill."
" Oh, keep that sword " — his accents
broke —
A smile and he was dead ;
But his withered hand still grasped the
blade
Upon that dying bed.
The son remains, the sword remains,
Its glory growing still,
And twenty millions bless that sire
And the sword of Bunker Hill.
as we do, sur-
rounded by a mighty
^^ civilization, occupying
• mountain, valley, hill
JF^^^L and plain from sea to
^^^^r sea; traversing space
with the speed of the
winds ; spanning the oceans with the
palaces of the deep; sending mes-
sages with lightning; living amidst
these glories of the twentieth century
and the splendor of its opening days
— little do we comprehend the sor-
rows and the woes of the dark days
when homes were the clearings in the
forest; sustenance the caprice of the
season; music the bay of the roam-
ing beasts; safety the mercy of the
Indian's knife; hope the return of
their patriot brave.
It is of one who knew these hard-
ships that I here relate — Major John
73
Moor, whose bravery in the Ameri-
can Revolution won him promotion,
and who as a captain in many battles
in the French and Indian War blazed
the path for civilization. The Moor
family, of which Major John was a
member, migrated from Scotland to
Londonderry, in the north of Ireland,
about the year 1616. From there
they came to this country in 1718, and
settled in New Hampshire. The
"Town Papers of New Hampshire,"
volume 12, page 429, show that on
June 21, 1722, John Moor and one
hundred and seventeen others were
granted a township which they had
incorporated by the name of London-
derry, in honor of the county in Ire-
land from which they had emigrated.
In religious belief they were Scotch
Presbyterians. The name was origi-
nally spelled Moor, the letter e being
3f0If« JKnnr--®lji? iKmglji nf IBmgftrlit
omitted, but later generations adopted
the present spelling.
The first record of the name is of
one Samuel Moor, who married Deb-
orah Butterfield and settled in Litch-
field, then called Naticott, New
Hampshire. They had six children,
the second of whom was John. He
was born November 28, 1731. He
married Margaret (Peggy) Goffe,
and settled in Manchester, New
Hampshire, then called Derryfield.
The family of Deborah Butterfield,
the mother of our John Moor, came
from a distinguished Norman family
that arrived in England in the twelfth
century, the head of the family being
Robert de Buterville.
During the French and Indian
War, when Colonel Johnson led 6,000
men against the French, New Hamp-
shire furnished 500, one company be-
ing under Captain John Moor of
Derryfield. On the twenty-sixth of
August they arrived at Fort Edward,
where Colonel Blanchard, with a reg-
iment from New Hampshire, was left
in charge of the fort. After this
came the Battle of Lake George, in
which the New England sharpshoot-
ers did valiant service. In the French
and Indian War he won a reputation
for courage and energy. After the
conquest of Canada, he quietly set-
tled down upon his farm at Cohas
Brook.
When the alarm came in 1775, Cap-
tain John Moor of Derryfield led a
company of forty-five men to Lexing-
ton. Upon arriving there he found
that the British had retired into Bos-
ton. He marched to Cambridge, and
on April twenty-fourth was commis-
sioned by the Massachusetts Commit-
tee of Safety a captain in Stark's reg-
iment.
John Moor's bravery at Bunker
Hill makes him a hero whose name
should be illuminated on the rolls of
American chivalry. It was he, who
with a few New Hampshire farmers,
faced the Welsh Fusileers, the flower
of the British Army, and the famous
regiment that had fought with dis-
tinction at Minden, gaining the title
of the "Prince of Wales Regiment."
It was on the morning of June 17,
J775' The American Revolutionists
were inviting the king's soldiers to a
test of arms, and, with the spectacular
manceuvering of the Old World mili-
tary pageants, the British warriors,
veterans of many gallantly won bat-
tle-days, moved toward the audacious
Yankee farmers with the precision
and coolness of a dress parade, and
with the confidence and fearlessness
born of conflict with greater and
more learned enemies, the grenadiers
and light infantry marching in single
file, twelve feet apart, the artillery ad-
vancing and thundering as it ad-
vanced, while five battalions, moving
more slowly, approached the fence,
breastwork, and redoubt, forming an
oblique line. The best troops of Eng-
land assailed the New Hampshire
line, doubtless expecting those half-
armed provincials in home-spun
clothes would fly before the nodding
plumes and burnished arms of the
light infantry and before the flashing
bayonets and tall caps of the grena-
diers.
Behind the fence, upon which they
had placed grass to conceal them-
selves, lay, still as death, Captain*
John Moor and his men from Amos-
keag, New Hampshire.
Now and then came a challenging
shot from the brilliant British pag-
eant, singing over their heads and cut-
ting the boughs of the apple trees be-
hind them.
Colonel Stark had planted a stake
about eighty yards from the wall and
fence, and had given orders to his
men not to fire until the advancing
line of the enemy should reach the
stake.
On came the Welsh Fusileers,
haughty and defiant. Still there came
no response from the Yankee farmers.
Bang! Bang! Bang! The dead
line had been crossed ! Like a storm
of thunder and lightning and lead
there burst across their vision a mass
of death-dealing flame, so intense, so.
g>t0rt?H nf Gallant Ant^rtrana
continuous, so staggering, that the
flower of England wavered, recoiled,
and fell back repulsed.
Again and again they rallied to the
attack, only to again and again fall
back blinded, wounded and depleted.
One by one the brave grenadiers and
light infantry fell before the Amos-
keag farmers. One by one the gal-
lant officers staggered to the earth,
until broken in heart the living broke
ranks and fled in dismay before the
musketry of the hunters from the
New Hampshire forests.
And when the smoke had cleared,
ninety-six lifeless red-coats lay be-
fore the feet of Captain John Moor
and his daring patriots, and nearly
every officer and aid of General Howe
lay wounded or dead. It is not too
much to assume that if the rest of the
American lines had been defended
with equal success the entire British
force would have been driven from
the hill or annihilated.
When the dead were counted, after
the battle-day at Bunker Hill, Major
McCleary was among the lifeless, and
Captain John Moor was called to the
rank of major. He remained with
the army for a few months, when the
state of his wife's health obliged him
to return to his farm. In the spring
of 1777 Major Moor again enlisted
among those of Derryfield, and re-
tired from the army in 1778, when he
removed to Norridgewock, at which
place and North Anson he passed the
remainder of his life.
Goffe Moor, son of John Moor,
was also at the Battle of Bunker Hill,
and was a drummer boy in his fath-
er's company. He was also a mem-
ber of Captain Thomas McLaughlin's
company in Stark's regiment, in Octo-
ber, 1775.
An examination of the New Hamp-
shire records discloses that Major
Moor was a man who stood well
among his neighbors as a civilian. I
find that he filled nearly all of the mu-
nicipal and parish offices in the gift of
his people before he left New Hamp-
shire. As to his career after he came
to Maine, I quote from "Allen's His-
tory of Norridgewock": "In 1780,
Major John Moor, who had been an
officer in the army, came to this place
in his uniform with epaulettes and in-
signia of rank, and excited considera-
ble attention by his dress and address.
He had four sons, who came with
him. Having lost his wife, he mar-
ried Mrs. Eunice Weston (Eunice
Farnsworth), the widow of Joseph
Weston, the first settler in Canaan.
He was a man of more than ordinary
talents, was respected for his intelli-
gence and activity, and was a useful
citizen. A financial report of the
town affairs, in 1791, was drawn up
by him in a correct and business-like
manner, and remains (1849) in the
files of the town papers. When the
militia in the vicinity was reorgan-
ized, he was chosen colonel, and was
esteemed as an officer and gentleman.
He was granted a large lot, on which
North Anson Village is now situated,
and died there in 1809."
Major Moor had no children from
his second marriage. The tender-
ness of Major Moor, the most com-
mendable quality of his character, as
it is of any man's, is a prominent feat-
ure of the traditions concerning him.
True bravery is almost always the
twin brother of tenderness.
O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and wild war's desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land,
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto — "In God is our Trust !"
75
nf
THXN8CHIPT FHOM KUQITIVK FAPSX COVTKIBT7TKD BT
MRS. HIRAM PRICE DILLON OF TOPEKA, KANSAS
Stay one moment ; you've heard
Of Caldwell, the parson, who once preached
the word
Down at Springfield? What! No? Come —
that's bad ; why, he had
All the Jerseys aflame ! and they give him
the name
Of the "rebel high priest." He stuck in
their gorge,
For he loved the Lord God— and he hated
King George !
He had cause, he might say ! When the
Hessians that day
Marched up with Knyphausen, they stopped
on their way
At the "Farms," where his wife, with a
child in her arms,
Sat alone in the house. How it happened
none knew
But God — and that one of the hireling
crew
Who fired the shot ! Enough !— there she
lay,
And Caldwell, the chaplain, her husband,
away!
Did he preach — did he pray? Think of
him as you stand
By the old church today, think of him and
his band
Of militant plow boys! See the smoke and
the heat
Of that reckless advance, — of that strag-
gling retreat!
Keep the ghost of that wife, foully slain,
in your view,
And what could you, what should you,
what would you do?
Why, just what he did ! They were left in
lurch
For the want of more wadding. He ran to
the church,
Broke the door, stripped the pews, and
dashed out in the road,
With his arms full of hymn books, and
threw down his load
At their feet ! Then, above all the shout-
ing and shots,
Rang his voice, " Put Watts into 'em,
boys ; give 'em Watts!"
And they did. That is all. Grasses spring,
flowers blow,
Pretty much as they did ninety-three years
ago.
You may dig anywhere and you'll turn up
a ball,—
But not always a hero like this — and that's
all.
— BRET HARTE
^^^/^T was in New Jersey,
distant rumble of
J
The
ap-
proaching war had aroused
the people to intense ex-
citement. In the little
community of Elizabeth-
town was one James Cald-
well, a preacher, whose devotion to
his faithful flock was their strongest
support in this time of peril. The
good parson was of that sturdy Scotch
ancestry that knows no cowardice —
the blood that flows in the veins of the
Virginians and that infused fortitude
into American character.
His father, John Caldwell, came to
America and settled in the southern
part of Virginia, in what is now
Charlotte county, where James, the
youngest of his seven children, was
born in April, 1734. The place was
called "Caldwell Settlement." A
daughter of one of his brothers, also
born there, was mother of the Hon-
orable John Caldwell Calhoun, of
South Carolina, the noted senator and
statesman of the South.
James Caldwell prepared for col-
lege under the instruction of the Rev-
erend Todd. After hearing the Rev-
erend Whitefield preach several times,
he received a life-long impulse for
good. James graduated from col-
lege in 1759, and received a call from
the church of Elizabethtown, New
Jersey, 1761. In 1763 he married
Hannah, daughter of John Ogden, of
Newark, New Jersey.
The causes of the American Revo-
lution now aroused the people of New
Jersey. No other parish in the land
took a bolder, nobler stand, and few
were more efficient in their country's
cause than Reverend Caldwell.
Among his congregation were Gov-
ernor Livingston, Elias Boudinot,
afterwards president of the Continen-
tal Congress ; Abraham Clark, one of
the signers of the Declaration of In-
dependence; Honorable Robert Og-
of Gallant
den, speaker of the Assembly; and
from this congregation went forth
about forty commissioned officers to
fight the battles of independence.
The journals of Congress show that
in March, 1777, "$200 were ordered
to be paid to the Reverend James
Caldwell, of Elizabethtown, for extra-
ordinary services."
Reverend Caldwell was chaplain to
the Jersey brigade and assistant com-
missary general from 1777 to 1779.
The old parsonage was destroyed
by the torch of the enemy that year.
The campaign of 1780 opened late,
after the severe winter. Confident of
success, General Knyphausen, with
his Hessian troops, now in command
of a part of the British army, began
an invasion of East Jersey. An eye-
witness of the passage of the troops
says: "The Queen's Rangers, with
drawn swords and glittering helmets,
mounted on fine horses and followed
by infantry composed of Hessian and
English troops, about 6,000, all clad
in new uniforms, gorgeous with bur-
nished brass and polished steel, en-
tered Elizabethtown. Instantly drums
beat to arms at Morristown, and
Washington and his troops marched
with all speed to the post of danger."
The Reverend Caldwell had a few
weeks before this removed his family
from Elizabethtown to Connecticut
Farms for safety, and had taken pos-
session of the vacant parsonage.
When the British troops passed
through the Farms, Mrs. Caldwell,
with her maid, retired to a secluded
apartment with the children. The
girl looked out of the window and
said : "A red-coat soldier has jumped
over the fence and is coming towards
the house with a gun."
The youngest child but one, Elias
Boudinot Caldwell, two years old,
playing on the floor, called out: "Let
me see!" and ran to the window.
Mrs. Caldwell arose from her chair,
and at this moment the soldier fired
his musket through the window at
her. It was loaded with two balls,
which passed through her body, and
she instantly expired.
A correspondent of the New Jersey
Gazette says: "I saw her corpse, and
was informed by the neighbors it was
with infinite pains that they obtained
leave to bring the body from the
house before they set fire to it."
It is related of Reverend Caldwell
that in the battle that followed he
showed the utmost ardor in the fight,
as if he would revenge himself for the
murder of his beloved wife. He gal-
loped to the church near by and
brought back an armful of Psalm
books to supply the men with wad-
ding for their fire-locks, and shouted:
"Now put Watts into them, boys;
put Watts into them." The work of
plunder began; nineteen houses and
the Presbyterian church were de-
stroyed.
In October, Lord Cornwallis sur-
rendered his army and munitions of
war to General Washington. Though
the war was over, a class of adven-
turers and desperadoes were let loose
on society, and several noted citizens
became their victims, and among
them the Reverend James Caldwell.
The New Jersey Gazette of No-
vember 28, 1781, says: "Last Satur-
day Reverend James Caldwell, minis-
ter of the Dissenting Congregation at
Elizabethtown, was shot dead, with-
out any provocation, by a native of
Ireland named Morgan. The coro-
ner's inquest brought a verdict of
'willful murder.' It was thought the
ruffian was bribed by the enemy to do
the dreadful deed. The British au-
thorities had offered a reward for the
assassination of Governor Living-
ston, and next to him Chaplain Cald-
well was most dreaded by the enemy.
The funeral services were performed
on Tuesday, the twenty-seventh, the
whole town suspending business and
gathering in uncontrollable grief at
the obsequies. An opportunity to
view the body of Mr. Caldwell was
given in front of the house on the
open street. After all had taken the
last look, and before the coffin was
nf
closed, Judge Boudinot came for-
ward, leading nine orphan children of
the deceased, and, placing them
around the bier of their parent, he
made an address of surpassing pathos
to the multitude in their behalf. The
procession slowly moved to the grave,
weeping as they went. He was laid
by the side of his wife's remains, and
over his body was placed a marble
slab with the following inscription:
'Sacred to the memory of Reverend
James Caldwell and Hannah Ogden,
his wife, who fell victims to their
country's cause in the years 1780 and
1781.'"
Honorable Elias Boudinot took
upon himself the administration of the
small estate and the care of the chil-
dren left by Reverend Caldwell. The
patrimony was eventually rendered
productive, and the children were
well educated.
They were greatly befriended by
General Washington, Marquis de La
Fayette, General Lincoln, and by
Mrs. Noel who adopted the baby.
Marquis de La Fayette obtained the
privilege of adopting and educating
the eldest son. On his departure,
young Caldwell accompanied him to
France and became a member of his
family. He remained abroad until
1791, when, owing to the horrors of
the French Revolution, he returned to
America. He married Mrs. Van
Wyck, and renounced papacy, which
he had embraced in France, and be-
came a member of the Cedar Street
Presbyterian Church, New York, de-
voting himself to works of benevo-
lence. He died in 1819.
Elias Boudinot Caldwell, the young-
est son of James Caldwell, was adopt-
ed by the distinguished citizen for
whom he was named. He was grad-
uated at Princeton College, New Jer-
sey; then studied law with Judge
Boudinot and inherited his fine law
library. He was appointed clerk of
the Supreme Court of the United
States, at Washington, at the age of
twenty- four, in the year 1800, and
continued to hold the office until his
death, in 1825. In the war of 1814
Lawyer Caldwell commanded a troop
of cavalry in Maryland until the Bat-
tle of Bladensburg. The British then
marched into Washington and set fire
to the Capitol. Mr. Caldwell had only
time to remove the archives of the
United States Supreme Court, leav-
ing his law library and other valuable
property at the mercy of the enemy.
It was all destroyed at the burning of
the Capitol, August 24, 1814. This
valuable library was in the north wing
of the Capitol. It was placed there by
Mr. Caldwell for the use of the judges
of the Supreme Court. The British
also greatly damaged Lawyer Cald-
well's residence, which still stands on
Pennsylvania avenue, 204 and 206,
southeast, Capitol Hill, at which place
the United States Supreme Court held
its sessions for a short time after the
Capitol was burned.
The Caldwell home was the seat of
hospitality, and the honored and dis-
tinguished statesmen of that day were
guests at his table. On one occasion
he gave a dinner party, and among
the guests were Mr. Webster, Mr.
Clay, and Mr. Calhoun. In the course
of conversation the subject of wealth,
brains, and good blood was intro-
duced. Mr. Webster said : "If I had
my choice, I would take wealth." Mr.
Clay said: "I would prefer noble
blood." Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Cald-
well desired to be good, useful men,
and to live such lives as to be respect-
ed and loved by the community. Per-
haps it was because each had good
blood, brains and enough wealth for
those days.
When the Marquis de La Fayette
visited this country, in 1824, Mr. Cald-
well went with his youngest daughter
in his carriage as far as Bladensburg
to meet him. He brought him to his
house, where he remained some
days. There was a strong friendship
between the families.
Though Mr. Caldwell was a re-
ligious man, he was very liberal in
his ideas. His children when old
enough wished to go to dancing
78
Htf>
of (gallant Am^rtrana
school. He consented, and some of
the other elders of the church waited
on him to know if such were the case.
"Yes," said he, "my children have
dancing in their feet, and I prefer
that it should come out gracefully."
Elias Caldwell was one of the
founders of the American Coloniza-
tion Society, of which he was corre-
sponding secretary until his death.
One of the towns of Liberia bears his
name, and his last public prayer and
the last note he wrote were for the
enlightenment of the "Dark Conti-
nent." He was a member of the First
Presbyterian Church, then located on
Capitol Hill. He had been licensed
to preach by the Presbytery, and was
accustomed to occupy vacant pulpits
on the Sabbath. He was noted for
his generosity and benevolence. His
name was connected with every good
object of the day, and his life was
crowned with blessings. He some-
times said : "I fear the Lord does not
love me, as I have been prosperous in
everything I have undertaken and
happy in all the relations of life."
Mr. Caldwell made a request that
his funeral should be plain, as an ex-
ample to the poor, and that his re-
mains should be placed in a pine cof-
fin, much to the disapproval of the un-
dertakers, who, however, draped the
coffin with black cloth.
Mr. Caldwell was married twice.
The first wife was Miss Boyd, of
Georgetown; the second was Miss
Lingan, of Baltimore. He left eight
children, all of whom inherited the
traits of their remarkable ancestors.
The room of the clerk of the Su-
preme Court at the Capitol has now
historic interest. The portraits of
men who have filled that important
office are hanging upon the walls, and
among them that of Elias Boudinot
Caldwell, the patriot, the scholar, and
the refined Christian gentleman.
The portrait was taken from a
miniature when Mr. Caldwell was
twenty-four years old. The finely
cut features, the clear blue eyes, and
the fresh complexion are reproduced.
The hair is powdered, as was the
fashion in those days.
Mr. Caldwell was dignified in per-
sonal appearance, polished in man-
ners, zealous in his public perform-
ances, and prompt to meet every de-
mand that was made upon his ample
fortune. He exerted a gentle influ-
ence not only over his own family
and friends, but also over many of
the leading minds of his day.
(AN OLD TAVERN SONG)
Our life is nothing but a winter's day,
Some only break their fast and so away ;
Others stay dinner and depart full fed ;
The deepest age but sups and goes to bed.
He's most in debt who lingers out the day,
Who dies betimes, has less and less to pay.
ESTATE OF A WELL.-TO-DO " AMERICAN IN 1689
"THIS IS AN INVENTORY OF THE WHOLE ESTATE
OF JOSEPH TAINTER, SENIOR, OF WATERTOWN,
WHO DYED THE 2OTH OF FEBRUARY, ANNO
DOM 1689. TAKEN THIS 11TH OF MARCH"
TRANSCRIBED FROM ORIGINAL BT
M. AUGUSTA HOLMAN OF LEOMINSTER, MASSACHUSETTS
£ S D
In cash 34 01 oo
Wearing Apparrell of all sorts 05 01 oo
IN THE LODGING ROOMS.
A feather bed with all belonging to it, with bedstead, curtains & valance,
as it stands 07 oo oo
A trundle bed-stid with a feather bed & what belongs to it as it stands. ... 03 oo oo
A Fine pair of sheets ; seven pillow coates 01 oo oo
Three table cloathes, Eighteen napkins, six towels 02 08 oo
One Chest, two boxes, two chairs, two cushions oo 12 oo
A warming pann, A glass case with a parcel of glas bottles oo 07 oo
A wodden mortar, A parcel of trenchers oo 05 oo
A parcel of Books 01 10 oo
A piece of Black cloth oo 10 oo
IN THE FIRE ROOME.
Twenty pewter platters, six pewter porringers, one pewter flagon, one
pewter drinking pot, four pewter drinking cups, two cups of tin, two
basins of pewter, three pewter platters, one candle stick, one salt-seller,
one little bottle, all of pewter, & a pewter chamber pot, four saucers. . . 03 oo oo
Two brasse kettles, two brasse poles, two skillets of brasse, a little brasse
morten & pestle, brass candlestick, a brasse skimer & baleing ladle 02 10 oo
Two iron pots, one Iron kittle, an iron morten & pestle, an iron candle-
stick, an Iron skillet, two paire of pott hooks, a spit, a paire of cob irons,
two tramels fire pan & tongs, a grid iron 02 05 oo
Two small tables, power chairs, a smoothing box, eleven vessels of chiny
ware, a dozen of trenchers, A fowling piece, two muskets, a case of
pistols with holsters, power swords, with scabbardes and belts, two
pair of bandolers* with ammunitions 05 04 oo
* Ancient cartridge boxes being a belt of raw-hide filled with wooden bottles, each containing a charge of
powder.
IN THE CHAMBER.
£ S D
A feather bed with the bedstead and apertinances to it, as it stands 03 10 oo
A flock bed with the bedstead and the apertinances to it, as it stands 02 oo oo
Several remnants of new cloath 01 05 oo
Two moos skins ready dressed, and a parcel of small skins 03 oo oo
One chest, two trunks & a parcel of button In one of the trunk 02 10 oo
Furniture for a horse, as bridles, saddles, pannels, and a wodden basin,
and a small lot of waiters, A parcel of ground malt 01 10 oo
andrie.. or 15 oo
In Memory of General Robert E. Lee, on this Centenary (1807-1907) of his Birth
This, His Last Portrait, is Published, Knowing the Fondness with which he
Treasured it — Taken on his Old War Horse "Traveller" in the Garden
of his Home on the Campus of Washington and Lee University at
Lexington, Virginia, after his Return from the Great Struggle,
and during his Presidency of that Historic Institution —
He was born at Stratford, Virginia, January 19, 1807—
He Died at Lexington, October 12, 1870 — On
This, His Centenary, the American People
Offer Tribute to his Memory as a Master
Military Tactician — Great in War —
Great in Peace— Beloved by
Friend and Foe
CENTENARY OF ROBERT E. L.EE — A TRIBUTE BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Robert E. Lee will undoubtedly rank as, without any exception, the
very greatest of all the great captains that the English-speaking peoples
have brought forth — and this, although the last and chief of his antagonists
may himself claim to stand as the full equal of Marlborough and Wellington
By Permission of the President on this Centenary of the Distinguished American's Birth from his " Life of Thomas H. Benton"
of mt
Journal of
Captain fcamnrl ifngi •*
Bom in 1T44 anb follotorh tlje Smrfng
of Ijia (Srnrrutum J* Hifr on a <f u;,litiua
off Ifauana, (Cnna, in 1TB2 J* Exwrrirurra aa a
r on a Jlrinatm o* ffianorrtnga as a Jngitiu* almtg Amrriran (Coast
TRANSCRIBED
BY
JULIUS WALTER PEASE
Now IK HIS NINETY-THIRD YEAR AND A GRANDSON or CAPTAIN SAMUTL HOTT
adventurous life of the
<A early American in the
age when tlu land was an
I I unknown wilderness and
the high seas were the
more familiar highways
is vividly pictured by the
old journal left by one Captain Samuel
Hoyt, an ambitious American youth
who led the roving life of his genera-
tion and fought in the early wars of
his country.
The journal of this rugged pioneer
seaman is here recorded. The stal-
wart character behind the strong hand
that inscribed it may be suggested by
the knowledge that Samuel Hoyt was
the son of one of the New World's
first families. The Hoyts, who spelled
their names variously, such as : Hoyte,
Hoite, Hoit, Hait and Haight, had
their beginning in America through
Simon Hoyte, who was born in 1595,
probably at Curry Rivel, Somerset-
shire, England, and came to this coun-
try in 1628 in the ship "Abigail" with
Governor John Endicott, landing at
Salem, Massachusetts, and exploring
and settling Charlestown. In 1630
he became one of the settlers of Dor-
chester and in 1631 was made one of
the first freemen in Massachusetts.
From Dorchester he went to Scituate
in 1633 and then became one of the
settlers of Windsor, Connecticut,
about 1639; thence to Fairfield about
1649, a°d then to Stamford, where he
died in 1657, after having been either
an early, or one of the first settlers in
seven New England towns.
Samuel Hoyt, whose journal is here
recorded, is a product of this family
in a later generation. His parents
had migrated into the old seaport
town of Guilford, Connecticut, where
he was born at East Guilford (now
in Madison) April 3, 1744. From his
own notes one is informed of his ex-
periences. He was twice married,
the first occasion being to Clotilda
Wilcox who was born April 29, 1745,
and second to Mary Stone, a widow,
who was born November 3, 1756.
After eighty-two years of pioneer life
Captain Samuel Hoyt died on October
5, 1826, at Madison.
The manuscript left by Captain
Samuel Hoyt illuminates the indomit-
able courage of the pioneer Ameri-
cans, their hardships and their suffer-
ings. It gives one a better under-
standing of what it meant to have
lived in the earlier years of the New
World. The contributor recalls hear-
ing his mother, who was the daughter
of the narrator, tell of her father's ex-
periences much the same as here re-
corded, and also of hearing her tell of
scenes in the American Revolution.
In transcribing the old journal it is
edited only as necessary to preserve
an illuminating story of the period.
It is evident that Captain Hoyt re-
wrote his story from notes and mem-
ory in his mature years, probably
shortly before his death.
an Ammran
On a Fighting Ship
in Havana, Cuba, in 1762
first pages of the an-
cient journal seem to
have been lost and the
story abruptly begins
with a record of experi-
ences in Havana, Cuba,
about 1762, when he was
eighteen years of age, and an attack
on Morro Castle and states that after
the reduction of Morro Castle they
proceeded up the harbor.
That the Hobson strategy of sink-
ing a ship in the channel to bottle up
the enemy in the recent Spanish-
American War was practiced some
one hundred and thirty years previ-
ously is shown by one of the first en-
tries in this quaint journal. It says:
"We had not gone far before
our progress was impeded by a
large chain thrown across the channel
and fastened at each end so firmly that
it was impossible to force our way
through. We were, however, suc-
cessful in raising it upon the forecas-
tle of one of the smallest vessels when
the carpenters, with their chisels, suc-
ceeded in cutting it in two. A short
time after we were again brought up
by a seventy-four gunship, which the
inhabitants had sunk to prevent the
rpproach of the enemy. We, how-
ever, soon removed this impediment.
Before we arrived so near the town
as to aid the land forces we were a
second time obliged to stop on account
of a ninety . . . ship placed in a
similar manner to the other. As soon
as the commandant of Cuba saw that
the fleet had succeeded in clearing the
channel of the obstacles that were
thrown in the way he immediately
capitulated and thus a further effusion
of blood was prevented."
"It was not without horror," says
the journal, "that I beheld a large
number of bodies that were alive this
morning in the enjoyment of health,
now floating upon the surface of the
water, having been thrown overboard
from the ships."
Subsequent to the taking of Cuba
Captain Crane received compensation
for his services and sailed on the
"Friendship," a vessel bound for New
York. The lad, Samuel Hoyt, was
his cabin-boy. A short time after they
left Cuba they sighted an American
vessel, which had been captured by the
French and afterwards retaken by
her own crew. Their situation was
hazardous and they requested Cap-
tain Crane to take them and part of
their cargo on board the "Friendship."
He complied with their request and
while performing this benevolent act
of humanity lost sight of his company
and for two or three days proceeded
on his voyage without interruption.
"At length a sail came into sight,"
says the journal. "For some time
he kept on his way ^'Jthout seeming
to regard them, but as the signals
were often repeated he was induced
at length, by motives of humanity,
to bear down for her. He soon
after discovered her to be a small
sloop, and from her appearance con-
cluded her to be the same one from
which he parted three days before, but
as he advanced nearer he felt less pos-
itive about it, and, recollecting that his
orders were (it being time of war) to
speak no vessel and let none speak
with him, attempted to haul his wind
and get at a greater distance."
A Cabin-Boy's Experiences as
Prisoner on a Privateer
The journal says that it was then a
little past sunset and unfortunately an
almost perfect calm succeeded. They
had not remained long in this anxious
condition before they heard the sound
of oars coming from a distance and
soon after were summoned to strike to
a French privateer. Captain Crane
felt no great disposition to surrender
his hard-earned property and delayed
a compliance in hopes of being over-
taken with a favorable gale; but as
he was unprovided with the means of
resistance, and delaying was danger-
ous, he surrendered his ship as a
. . . prize and his men as prison-
Snuntal nf (Eaptam £>amtt?l Sjngt — 2tora in 1744
crs. When the officers had taken for-
mal possession of this brig they took
the captain and several of his men on
board their own vessel and left a prize
master with a number of others to
plunder at their leisure. Immediately
upon their arriving on board the pri-
vateer a fresh breeze sprung up and
the remainder of the prisoners (after
having been stripped of nearly all
their clothing) were forced to con-
tinue on deck the remainder of the
night. In the morning they were re-
moved on board the privateer and con-
fined in her hold. When they entered
their new habitation they found the
vessel's company which sailed with
them from Cuba. She was captured
immediately after parting with the
"Friendship" and sent off in another
direction that the privateer might bet-
ter succeed in decoying her compan-
ion. Here they were kept on a short
allowance of provision and were
allowed no water but what they
sucked through a gun-barrel three
feet in length, and even this privilege
was not granted them but one minute
in twenty-four hours. Yet notwith-
standing the great severity of the cap-
tors Captain Crane had the address to
obtain from them the chest which con-
tained the ... of his voyage.
The captain of the privateer, upon ex-
amining his prisoners, observed many
of them to be almost or quite naked,
having been stripped of their coats,
hats and breeches, upon which he
made an immediate inquiry into the
affair, and finding out the true cause
of their present appearance, ordered
his men, upon pain of his displeasure,
to deliver up those things they had so
barbarously forced from them.
After relating his experiences as a
prisoner on a privateer, Samuel Hoyt
in his journal says that his captors,
having taken a number of prizes, pro-
ceeded to the Gulf of Florida, where
she was met by an English battleship,
which came for the purpose of ex-
changing prisoners. The captives
were then ordered on deck and taken
on board the "Beneato," a vessel of
twenty guns. Here their situation
was somewhat more comfortable, but
the rigorous discipline which they ex-
perienced in the ship soon made them
sigh to regain their native liberty.
Yet for the inestimable blessing all of
them, except Captain Crane and his
cabin boy, sighed in vain.
Samuel Hoyt tells this anecdote of
his fidelity, as a cabin-boy, to his mas-
ter: "Upon Captain Crane's leaving
the ship, observing the first officer
walking the quarter deck, I went to
him, and pulling off my hat, requested
leave to go on shore in company with
Captain Crane. The officer immedi-
ately made this reply: 'We cannot
spare you at present.' For the sake of
consolation he, however, told me I
might go on shore when the main-
mast went. Not long after, having
sprung the mainmast, they took it out
and carried it on shore. When the
boat was just shoving off, recollect-
ing the promise given by the first
lieutenant, I immediately stepped up
to him with my hat under my arm
and reminded him of his promise,
when the mate, laughing heartily at
the joke, told me I must wait until
the foremast went on shore."
Life on the High Seas off the
American Coast in Early Wars
The thrilling adventures of the
cabin boy, who later became a cap-
tain, are now best told in his own
words. The story in his journal,
from this point, is narrated with the
clearness and vigor of a born narra-
tor as well as navigator. Here is the
story as transcribed from the old
manuscript :
"After parting from the privateer
the 'Beneato' returned to South Car-
olina and continued to cruise off the
coast several months. One day we
discovered a large ship, and as we
took her to be an envoy the vessel was
immediately cleared for action and all
agreeably were we surprised when
we found it was a British packet
which brought intelligence that a
treaty of peace had been signed be-
nf an Amrruatt
tween the sovereigns of France and
Great Britain. Upon this news all
hands, dropping their arras, sprang
upon the yards and saluted the packet
with three cheers and being answered
on board the packet we immediately
hove about and stood for Charleston
in company. The great joy at the
news of peace was somewhat damped
upon opening the mail from London
wherein were orders for the immedi-
ate return of the 'Beneato.' This
made the prisoners somewhat sorrow-
ful. However, their manly courage
never forsook them. A few days
after, while lying at anchor, it being
very early in the morning, a midship-
man was ordered to go on shore for
the purpose of filling the water casks.
The midshipman, proceeding accord-
ing to orders, we lashed the casks to-
gether, and, throwing them over-
board, proceeded to man the boat
when the officer, calling to the captain,
requested more men. His answer
was: Take what number you shall
think necessary.' Upon the midship-
man hearing this he called out to the
men on board, saying: 'Come, my
boys, jump into the boat.'
"I was on deck at this critical time
and knowing that if I left this chance
to slip unimproved I must, of course,
go to England, the hopes of again
seeing my friends and escaping from
such cruel masters stimulated my
drooping spirits and made me resolve
to try my legs if I should be so fortu-
nate as once more to feel terra firma
under me. Having made this re-
solve and hearing the officer call
out at the same time for more men
I immediately sprang into the boat
and sliding under one of the benches
lay secreted until we all landed
near the watering place. It be-
ing still duskish on account of the
earliness of the hour I assisted in get-
ting the casks out of the water and
helped to secure the boat when the
officer, calling to his men, says:
'Come, my boys, we will go and drink
some bitters before we proceed any
further in our work.' Fortune at last
seemed to favor me, and, lagging a lit-
tle behind, I gladly saw them enter the
house without observing my reluc-
tance to follow them. The house was
situated about forty or fifty rods from
the boats. On the opposite side of the
watering place was a lofty pine forest
with thick underbrush at the entrance.
"A neighbor by the name of
John Murray, who belonged on board
the 'Friendship' at the time of her cap-
ture, happened at this time to be
appointed boat-keeper. I made known
my determination to Murray and re-
quested him to accompany me. He at
first thought my undertaking to be
foolish in the extreme. I told him I
had no time to lose and was resolved
to try it myself should he still persist
in his resolution of not accompanying
me. I then began to walk toward the
woods; when I had gone but a few
rods, looking back I saw Murray fol-
lowing close at my heels. We contin-
ued to walk until we gained the woods,
when, looking back, we saw the officer
and men coming out of the house
where they had gone for their bitters
and walking very moderately down to
the boat. This was the last time we
saw this gentleman officer.
A Fugitive's Wanderings along
the Desolate Atlantic Shore
"We had but just entered the woods
when we began to try our skill in run-
ning. We directed our course into
the thickest of the forest and ran until
nearly out of breath when we beheld,
to our great joy, a safe asylum from
our pursuers. A large pine had, it
seemed, been broken off near the
ground; the tree being hollow we
both crept into it where we remained
through the day. When night ap-
proached we, creeping out of our den
or hole like the wild beasts of forest,
pursued our way unmolested; taking
the stars for our guide we proceeded
in an easterly direction until we
found a road running to the north-
east. We kept this road, walking as
fast as possible through the whole
night.
3I0untal nf (Eaptatn £>amu?l Ijngt — Snra in 1744
"Whenever we saw anybody trav-
eling to meet, interrupt or over-
take us we immediately sprang into
the woods, so fearful were we of be-
ing apprehended. The next day we
quit the road and traveled in the
woods, taking the sun for our guide.
The next night we proceeded in a
quick pace, following the road
through the night. The distance we
had traveled gave us some hopes of
escaping and we traveled through this
day without leaving the road. We,
however, kept a suspicious eye on all
travelers we met; our fears of being
taken somewhat subsiding, we found
to our surprise we had appetites, not
having eaten anything for the span of
three days. We had no quarreling jn
the road, for money, the bane of soci-
ety and source of all evil, was not in
our possession, the officers being very
cautious while on board not to corrupt
our morals by leaving us the possibil-
ity of becoming spendthrifts. Our
only resort now was to beg, which we
tried, but without success, the inhabi-
tants agreeing with the external ap-
pearance of the cottage, it being a
wretched hovel, not fit for stabling
cattle. Necessity knows no law ;
neither will hunger permit a man to
slight the meanest hovel while there is
a possibility of obtaining the least
morsel of food to satiate an enraged
stomach growling for its prey. We,
however, made a shift to keep on our
journey, but our steps were feeble and
slow through the remainder of the
day.
In an old Southern Mansion
before America was a Nation
"Just at sunset we discovered a
large and beautiful house standing
upon a plantation. We quickened our
pace and reaching the house a short
time after sunset immediately knocked
for admittance. When being told to
walk in we obeyed and were shown
into a room where a gentleman sat
alone by the fire playing upon a violin
for his own diversion. Immediately
upon our entering the room the gen-
tleman ordered us to be seated. When
we had told our story (one which we
had framed before) he ordered one of
the servants to boil us a small kettle of
rice and in the meantime began to
question us. At length, laughing at
our fictitious stories, he gave us to un-
derstand he was fully persuaded we
were runaways, but, to silence our
fears, told us he would not expose us.
Having eaten very heartily of the
boiled rice he ordered for our lodging
a couple bundles of straw which were
laid on the floor before the fire. We
slept well and arose in good season to
proceed on our way.
"We traveled onward till near the
middle of the afternoon when we came
to a ferry where we were hindered for
some time before we could get across,
not having anything with which to re-
ward the ferryman for his trouble.
We, however, at length prevailed upon
him to let his negro man set us across.
After thanking him we proceeded on
our journey. Sometime after sunset we
were stopped by a narrow river which
was very deep. We now perceived
that we were on an island which was
not inhabited. We cast our eyes
around and, though it was night, we
perceived a large magnificent house
on the opposite side of the river.
Upon this discovery we immediately
hailed the ferryman as loud as we
could holler, and being answered by a
large negro it was not long before we
were safe on the opposite side of the
river.
"As soon as we were across we
thanked the negro and telling him we
were entirely unable to reward him as
he deserved, were about to proceed on
when he gave us to understand we
must go see massa. We obeyed
accordingly and following the negro
through a spacious hall we were at
last introduced into an elegant room
where sat a young man and three
ladies. The eldest of the family
appeared to be about sixty years of
age and had become a widow but a
short time since. There we were left
standing for some time; at length,
an Ameruan
after having surveyed us with appar-
ent astonishment, he at last ordered us
in a stern voice to be seated. After
we had obeyed the young man and
taken our seats we immediately began
our lamentable story. He seemed to
listen to it very attentively until we
informed him that we were landed at
Charlestown, when he interrupted us
to inquire why we did not seek a pas-
sage by water as there were always
plenty of northern vessels in Charles-
town. We told him the small-pox
was very prevalent there when we
arrived at that port, and, as we had
neither of us had it, we preferred go-
ing by land to Georgetown and taking
a passage from there. 'You lie,' said
he, 'you rascals! You have deserted
from a man-of-war and in the morn-
ing I will take you back to Charles-
town as I am authorized to return all
deserters and receive five pounds ster-
ling for every one I deliver.' We,
however, (like old Job) held fast our
integrity while he proceeded to exam-
ine and cross-examine us at his lei-
sure.
"When he had pursued this
method for some time to no purpose
he became very humorsome and asked
us a variety of questions about the
amusements of the Yankees and the
different productions of the New
England states, etc., etc., but in the
meantime he took care, now and then,
to advert suddenly to the old subject
in hopes, no doubt, of making us con-
tradict our former assertions. We
were, however, too much on our guard
to be ensnared by this artifice ; recol-
lecting the old saying that 'a lie well
stuck to is as good as the truth* we
adhered to our story so firmly that he
at last appeared to be convinced of our
innocence. The aforementioned old
lady, whom we took to be the mother
of this young man, speaking to her
son, said: 'I wonder you can be so
much pleased in teasing those young
men. I really believe they are honest
lads and speak the truth.' Before this
we observed she was setting an ele-
gant table and concluded that the fam-
ily had not drank tea before we
arrived. Then judge of our surprise
and astonishment when the old lady
informed us that this elegant enter-
tainment had been prepared solely for
us and gave us a cordial invitation to
help ourselves to whatever we liked
best. We had been some time without
food and should probably have in-
jured our health had not the idea of
being carried back and delivered up as
deserters taken away our appetites.
"As soon as we had supped the old
lady commanded us to follow her ; we
obeyed and being led through numer-
ous apartments we at length arrived
in a small bed-room which was ele-
gantly furnished, when the old lady,
pointing to a bed in a corner of the
room and setting down the light, says :
'My lads, you must sleep there,' telling
us at the same time not to run away in
the morning before she was up and
bidding us 'Good evening,' left us to
our repose. On the ensuing morning
we arose early and the old lady, get-
ting up soon after, loaded us with
victuals, and, giving us some bitters,
told us we now were at liberty to pro-
ceed on our journey. As soon as we
had left the house we observed the ne-
gro, who had ferried us across the
preceding evening, coming to meet us.
Upon seeing him we told him his mas-
ter had given us liberty to depart.
'Very well, massa,' was his reply.
We then proceeded to state our pov-
erty to him, making that as an excuse
for our not rewarding him for his ser-
vices to us the evening before. While
racking my brains how to reward him
I bethought myself of a pair of flannel
drawers which I had constantly worn
for near three months. These I de-
termined at length to make him a
present of. This I did the more will-
ingly for two special reasons ; the first
was, the weather being so warm as to
render them uncomfortable; the sec-
ond reason being far the most
weighty, as no doubt everyone will
admit when they come to be informed
that they contained living animals
almost innumerable. The negro
86
3lflurnal of (Eapiain
Snrtt in 1744
seemed to be highly pleased with his
present and I of getting rid of so large
a quantity of live stock, so that all
parties being suited, we parted on
good terms — he to his daily labor and
we to our occupation of traveling and
begging.
In the old Seaport Town of
Newport, 145 Years Ago
"We arrived at Georgetown just be-
fore the sun left the earth for the
lesser lights to rule. We walked
round amongst the shipping for some
time without being able to find any
vessel which belonged to New York.
We, however, at last agreed with a
certain captain, belonging to a brig,
for our lodging on board of his vessel.
We continued in this situation, work-
ing hard for the span of fifteen or six-
teen days, and all the wages we re-
ceived was our daily bread. We at
length engaged a passage on board of
two different vessels bound to Rhode
Island. We, however, got separated
soon after we left Georgetown by a
gale of wind from the northeast,
which continued to blow for the span
of twenty-four hours with unabated
fury. After the storm subsided we
proceeded on our way without any-
thing remarkable taking place. I shall
only observe that after fourteen days'
passage we arrived safe in Rhode
Island about thirty miles east from
Newport, where I arrived just after
sunset the same day.
"After arriving at Newport I spent
the evening in wandering about the
town and among the shipping in hopes
on finding some one of my acquaint-
ance who would be humane enough
to find me a lodging, I being wholly
destitute of money, not even having
anything I could barter for a lodging.
At length, my strength and fortitude
leaving me, I seated myself upon a log
and wept over my cruel fate. I re-
mained in this melancholy train of re-
flection for some time till at length,
arousing from this horrible train of
ideas, I determined, if possible, to get
liberty to sleep in some vessel's hold,
that the deck might cover me from the
dews, which were very large at this
season of the year. I had not pro-
ceeded far down the wharf with this
intention, when lo! to my astonished
sight, I beheld Captain Thomson,
an old acquaintance. He imme-
diately invited me on board of his ves-
sel which lay down at the end of the
long wharf. When we arrived on
board he gave orders for a supper to
be got ready as soon as possible. After
supper I was requested by all present
to give them a relation of my adven-
tures.
"According to their request I gave
them a true account of the dangers
and hardships I had gone through,
which kept us up to a very late hour.
We at length, however, retired to rest
and arose the ensuing morning in high
spirits, being refreshed by that all-
powerful god, called by the ancients
Morpheus, who befriends the misera-
ble and revives the drooping spirits of
the meanest slave. The vessel which
I slept on board of, sailing the next
morning, I found myself once more
alone, without friends or acquaint-
ance. I once more sat myself down
without knowing what to do or which
way to go. While I remained in this
situation I once more cast a wistful
look upon the harbor in hopes of see-
ing some vessel enter it with some
acquaintance on board who might
contribute to my relief, or, to state my
still stronger hopes, I was trying my
utmost to find a vessel in which I
might embark for New Haven or even
New York. After looking some time
I at length beheld a vessel beating up
the harbor (the wind being ahead).
"After looking some time at the
vessel, I again falling into my old
train of melancholy reflections, con-
tinued to ponder over my unhappy
fate until I was broken off by having
my name called in an audible voice,
when, standing up, I looked around
me with amazement, wondering who
the person could possibly be, as I had
no acquaintance in Newport. After
looking for some time without being
of an Ammratt
able to learn from whence the voice
proceeded I was again about to reseat
myself and concluded it was nothing
more than disturbed imagination when
my ears were again saluted by hearing
my name called a second time, more
distinctly and much louder than I did
the first time. I again looked around
me, somewhat perplexed at my not be-
ing able to find the person who had re-
peated my name twice undiscovered.
At length, however, I espied the per-
son who had been hailing me standing
upon the windlass of a vessel I have
mentioned before that was beating up
the harbor.
"Upon observing the person more
narrowly I recognized my old
friend and fellow-sufferer, Murray
(who came from Georgetown in
another vessel and had been separated
from us by a storm soon after we left
that place.) As soon as the vessel
reached the wharf we were in each
other's arms and resolved not to sep-
arate again, let what would take place,
until we should arrive safe at home.
N. B. This makes the old proverb
good, 'Misery loves company.' I be-
ing happy in the acquisition of my old
friend, Murray, we remained together
through the day. It growing towards
night, we thought it advisable to look
about us for a lodging ; walking down
the wharf for this purpose, we saw a
vessel just arrived, and going on
board, inquired of the captain where
she was bound, and being embarked
on board and arrived safe in New
Haven the next day before sunset.
We immediately went on shore and
proceeded as far as East Haven, when
we took up our lodging with a distant
relative of mine for that night.
"The next morning we arose early,
and not having anything to impede
our progress, proceeded on our jour-
ney with alacrity and arrived home at
Guilford soon after the sun had passed
the meridian, where, to the no small
joy and surprise of our friends, we
were received with exclamations of
satisfaction and wonder almost ex-
ceeding belief. We on our part were
highly delighted with the idea of hav-
ing arrived safe home after having
been absent twelve months."
ONE OF THE FIRST INSTANCES OF BOYCOTT IN AMERICA
Major Peter Norton was born In Edgartown, Massachusetts, September 9, 1718. He was a
prominent citizen holding the office of sheriff and attained the rank of major in the Continental
Army. He was a leader in overt acts in resisting British policies and died February 3, 179*
TRANSCRIPT PROM ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTED BY
ELLA S. DUNCAN OP KEOKUK, IOWA
GREAT-OREAT-ORCAT-QRANDDAUSHTKR OF MAJOR NORTON
We the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Edgartown, do sincerely and truly
covenant and agree to and with each other, that from and after the first day of January
A. D. 1775, that we will not directly nor indirectly by ourselves or any for or under
us, purchase of any person or persons whatever for the use of our families any kind of
goods, wares or merchandise of the growth, produce or manufacture of Great Britain
or of the East Indies, imported from Great Britain, except tools for manufactures and
husbandry, nails, pins and needles, until our Charter Rites be restored, and the Port
of Boston be opened, and if any person or persons belonging to said town shall refuse
to sign this or a similar agreement at or before the said first day of January, that we
will deem them enemies to the country and supporters of the Oppressive Acts of the
British Parliament. And whereas many of us, the subscribers, are owners of sheep,
we also agree that we will sell our wool for one shilling per pound until our Rites are
restored as aforesaid.
Witness our hands at Edgartown November the 8—1774.
PETER NORTON
WM. JERNIGAN.
83
in lEarlg Hara in Amtnnt
&torw. of
an Ambitiiwfl Amrriam
\JmtiIj mini at &iximt ftrara of
mas 5f trrii uutlt thr Spirit of $Jatriuttam and
against tlj? Will of Ijta |Jarruto marched to tb.r Sattlr-linr
in Drfruar of ijia (Cumttry o* (Original Journal of Pctrr Pond, Vont in 1 T40
TRANSCRIBED
BT
MRS. NATHAN GIXLETT POND
AN EMINENT AMERICAN GENEALOGIST AND WIFK OF THE LATE GREAT-GRANDNEPHZW or PETER POWD, THB
WHITER or T:IU ANCIENT JOURNAL
HAVE in my possession
old manuscripts, almost
indecipherable which I
believe to be of much im-
port, throwing as they
do, a strong, clear light
on one of the most impor-
tant periods in American history.
The ancient manuscripts were found
by me in 1868, about to be destroyed
with waste paper in the kitchen of the
home of Hon. Charles Hobby Pond,
governor of Connecticut. A member
of the family was tearing off pages
from an old time-stained document.
"What is that?" I inquired, "It
looks interesting."
"Why, it's nothing but old 'Sir' Pe-
ter Pond's journeys," she replied, "It's
not worth anything. You are wel-
come to it."
In my young days I cultivated the
habit of devouring everything that
looks interesting, and that characteris-
tic seems to have served me well in
this instance. In deciphering the mus-
ty sheets I was fascinated by the
quaint diction and phonetic spelling.
It indeed is a model for the modern
reformers who would carry our Eng-
lish orthography back to its most
primitive elements.
89
I find that "Sir" Peter Pond in his
journal relates his experiences in this
very romantic period to which Wash-
ington Irving gives this significance:
"Two leading objects of commercial
gain have given birth to wide and dar-
ing enterprise in the early history of
the Americans ; the precious metals of
the South, and the rich peltries of the
North. These two pursuits have been
the pioneers and precursors of civili-
zation. Without pausing on the bor-
ders, they have penetrated at once, in
defiance of difficulties and dangers, to
the heart of savage countries; laying
open the hidden secrets of the wilder-
ness; leading the way to remote re-
gions of beauty and fertility that might
have remained unexplored for ages,
and beckoning after them the slow
and pausing steps of agriculture and
civilization. The Indians, as yet unac-
quainted with the artificial value given
to some descriptions of furs, in civil-
ized life, bartered them away for
European trinkets and cheap commod-
ities. Immense profits were thus made
by the early traders, and the traffic
was pursued with avidity."
The journal is of such length that
at this writing I will record only the
portion of it which relates to his boy-
hood in the early wars of America.
in lEarl War0 in Ammra
3 WAS born in Milford in the countey of New Haven in Conn the 18
day of Jany 1740 and lived thare under the Government and pro-
tection of my parans til the year 56. A Part of the British troops
which Ascaped at Bradixis Defeat on ye Bank of the Monagahaley
in Rea the french fortafycation which is now Cald fort Pitmen
Cam to Milford. Toward spring Government bagan to Rase
troops for the Insewing Campaign aganst Crown point under
the Comand of General Winsloe. Beaing then sixteen years of age I Gave
my Parans to understand that I had a Strong Desire to be a Solge. That
I was detarmind to enlist under the Oficers that was Going from Milford &
joine the army. But thay forbid me, and no wonder as my father had a Larg
and yung famerly I Just Began to be of sum youse to him in his afairs. Still
the same Inklanation & Sperit that my Ansesters Profest run thero my Vanes.
It is well Known that from fifth Gineration downward we ware all waryers
Ither by Sea or Land and in Dead so strong was the Popensatey for the arme
that I could not with stand its Temlations. One Eavening in April the Drams
an Instraments of Musick ware all Imployed to that Degrea that thay Charmed
me. I repaird to a Publick house whare Marth and Gollatrey was Highly Go-
ing on. I found Miney lads of my Aquantans which Seamd Determined to
Go in to the Sarvis. I talkt with Capt Baldwin and ask him weather he would
take me in his Companey as he was the Recruiting Offeser. He Readealey
agread and I set my hand to the orders. My Parans was so angry that thay
forbid me making my apearance at Home. I taread about the town among my
fello Solgers and thought that I had made a profitable Exchange giting a Rigi-
mintal Coate in Plase Hard Cloth. At Length the time Came to Re-
port. Early in June we imbarked on bord a Vessel to join the Arme at the
randivoere. We said from Milford to New York proceeded up North river and
arrived safe at Albany. I cam on Smartly as I had sum of my Bountey Mon-
ey with me. I did not want for Ginger Bread and Small Bear and sun forgot
that I had left my Parans who were Exseedingley trubeld in Minde for my
wellfair. After taring thare sum Weakes the Prinsabel Part of the Armey got
togather and we Proseaded up to the Halfmoon and thare lay til the hole of the
Armey from Differant Parts of the hole Countray Got to Gather. In the mean-
time Parties and Teamsters ware Imploid In forwarding Provishon from Post
to Post and from Forte Eadward to the head of Lake George. It was supposed
that we should Crose Lake George and make a Desent on ticondaroge But be-
fore that could be a Complished the sumer ended. Fall of Year Seat in and
we went to work at the fort George which lay on the head of the Lake by that
name. In November it Groed two cold to sleap in tents and the men began to
Mutanie and say that thay had sarved thare times out for which thay ware in-
listed and would return Home after Satisfying them with smooth words they
ware Prevailed on to Prolong the Campain a few weakes and at the time prom-
est by the Ginarel the Camp broke up and the troops returned to thare respect-
ive Plasis in all parts of ye Country from which thay came But not without
leaving a Grate Number Behind which Did with the Disentary & other Diseases
which Camps are sub jet to Appesaley among Raw troops as the Amaracans
ware at that time and thay Beaing Strangers to a holesome Mod of Cookeraray
it mad Grate Havock with them in making youse of Salt Provishons as thay
did which was in a grate part Broyling & Drinking water with it to Exses.
The year insewing which was 57 I taread at home with my Parans so that
I ascaped the Misfortune of a number of my Countrey men for Moncalm came
against fort George & Capterd it & as the amaracans ware Going of for fort
Edward a Greabel to ye Capatalasion the Indians fel apon them and mad grate
Havack.
In ye year 58 the Safety of British Amaraca required that a large Arme
ainurttal nf |J?t*r Petti* — Uartt in 1T40
should be raised to act with the British Troops against Cannaday and under
^the command of Gineral Abercrombie against ticonderoge. I found tareing
at home was too Inactive a Life for me therefore I joined many of my old
Companyans a secont time for the Arme of ye end of the Campain under the
same Omsers and same Regiment under the command of Cornl Nathan Whit-
ing. In the Spring we embarked to gine the Arme at Albany whare we arrived
safe at the time appointed. We ware emploid in forwarding Provishuns to
Fort Edward for the youse of the Sarvis. When all was readey to cross Lake
George the Armey Imbarked consisting of 18000 British & Provincals in about
1 200 Boates and a number of whalebotes, floating Battery, Gondaloes, Rogal-
leyes & Gunbotes. The next day we arrived at the North end of Lake George
and landed without opposition. The french that were encampt at that end of
the Lake fled at our appearance as far as Ticonderoge & joined thare old com-
mander Moncalm & we ware drawn up in order and divided into Collams and
ordered to March toward Montcalm in his camp before the fort — but unfortu-
nately for us Moncalm like a Gineral dispatched Five hundred to oppose us in
our landing or at least to Imbarres us in our March so he might put his Camp
in some sort of defense before our Arme could arrive & thay did it most com-
pletely. We had not Marcht more than a Mile & a Half Befoare we Meat the
falon Hope for Such it Proved to be. The British troops Kept Rode in One
Collam the Amara Cans Marcht threw ye Woods on thare Left. On ye Rite
of the British was the Run of Water that Emteys from Lake George into Lake
Champlain. The British & French Meat in the Open Rode Verey Near Each
Other Befoar thay Discovered the french On a Count of the Uneaveneas of the
Ground. Lord How held the secont Place in Command & Beaing at the Head
of the British troops with a small sidearm in his hand he Ordered the troopes
to forme thare front to ye Left to atack the french But While this Was Dueing
the french fird & his Lordship Receaved a Ball & three Buck shot threw the
Senter of his Brest & Expired without Spekeing a word. But the french Pade
Dear for this Bold atempt. It Was But a Short time Befoare thay ware Sur-
ounded By the Hole of the Amaracan troops & those that Did not Leape into
the Raped Stream in Order to Regan thare Camp ware Made Prisners or Kild
& those that Did Went Down with the Raped Curant & Was Drounded. From
the Best Information I Could Geat from ye french of that Partea was that
thare was But Seven men of ye five Hundred that Reacht the Campt But it
answered the Purpas Amaseingly. This afair Hapend on thirsday. The troops
Beaing all Strangers to the Ground & Runing threw the Woods after the Dis-
parst frenchmen Night came on and thay Got themSelves so Disparst that thay
Could not find the way Back to thare Boates at the Landing. That Nite the
British did Beatter haveing the Open Rod to Direct them thay Got to ye Lake
Sid Without trubel. A Large Party of ye amaracans Past the Nite within a
Bout half a Mile of the french Lines With Out noeing whare thay ware til
Morning. I was not in this Partey. I had wanderd in ye Woods in the Nite
with A Bout twelve Men of my aquantans — finealey fel on the Rode a Bout a
Mile North of ye spot whare the first fire began. Beaing in the Rode we
Marched toward Our boates at ye Water Side But Beaing Dark we Made But
a Stumbling Pece of Bisness of it & Sun Coming aMong the Dead Bodeyes
Which ware Strewed Quit thick on the Ground for Sum Little Distans. We
Stumbled over them for a while as long as thay Lasted. At Lengh we Got to
the Water just Before Day Lite in the Morn. What Could be found of the
troops Got in sum Order & Began our March a Bout two a Clock in ye After-
noon Crossing the Raped Stream & Left it on Our Left the rode on this Side
was Good & we advansd toward the french Camp as fars the Miles About a
Mile from the Works & thare Past the Night Lying on Our Armes. This De-
lay Gave the french What thay Wanted — time to secure thare Camp which was
in ?Earl Hara in Anurira
Well Executed. The Next Day which was Satterday about Eleven we ware
Seat in Mosin the British Leading the Van it was about. They ware Drawn
up Before Strong Brest Work but more in Extent then to Permit four thous-
and five Hundred acting. We had no Cannon up to the works. The Intent
was to March over this work But thay found themselves Sadly Mistaken. The
french had Cut Down a Grate number of Pinetrease in front of thare Camp at
som distance. While som ware Entrenching Others ware Imployed Cuting of
the Lims of the Trease and Sharpening them at Both Ends for a Shevoe Du-
frease, others Cuting of Larg Logs and Geting them to the Brest Works. At
Lengh thay ware Ready for Our Resaption. About twelve the Parties Began
thare fire & the British Put thare Plan on fut to March Over the Works But
the Lims and tops of the Trease on the Side for the Diek Stuck fast in the
Ground and all pointed at upper End that thay Could not Git threw them til
thay ware at Last Obliged to Quit that plan for three forths ware Kild in the
atempt But the Grater Part of the armey Lade in the Rear on thare fases til
Nite while the British ware Batteling a Brest work Nine Logs thick in Som
plases which was Dun without ye Help of Canan tho we had as fine an Artilrey
Just at Hand as Could be in an armey of fifteen thousand Men But thay ware
of no youse while thay ware Lying on thare fases. Just as the Sun was Seat
ing Abercrombie came from left to Rite in the rear of the troops ingaged and
Ordered a Retreat Beat and we left the Ground with about two thousand two
hundred Loss as I was Informed By an Officer who saw the Returns of ye Nite
Wounded and Mising. We ware Ordered to Regain our Boates at the Lake
Side which was Dun after traveling all Nite so Sloley that we fell asleep by the
Way. About Nine or tenn in the Morning we ware Ordered to Imbark &
Cross the Lake to the Head of Lake George But to Sea the Confusion thare was
the Solgers Could not find thare One Botes But Imbarked Permisherley whare
Ever thay Could Git in Expecting the french at that Heales Eaverey minnet.
We arived at the Head of the Lake in a short time — took up our Old Incamp-
ment which was well fortefied. After a few Days the armey Began to Com to
themselves and found thay ware safe for the hole of the french in that Part of
the Country was not more than three thousand men and we about fortee thous-
and. We then Began to Git up Provishan from fort Edward to the Camp But
the french ware so Bold as to Beseat our Scouting Partey Between the the Camp
and fort Edward & Cut of all the teames, Destroy the Provishun, Kill the Par-
ties and all under thare ascort. We Past the Sumer in that Maner & in the
fall Verey late the Camp Broke up and what Remaned Went into Winter Qa-
ters in Differant Parts of the Collanees thus Ended the Most Ridicklas Cam-
pane Eaver Hard of.
The year 59 an armey was Rased to go aganst Niagaray to Be Command-
ed by Gineral Broduck. As the Connecticut troops ware not to Be Imploid in
that Part of the armey I went to Long Island and Ingaged in that Sarvis. In
the Spring we Repaird to Albany & Gined the armey as that was the plase of
Rondevuse. We ware Imploid in Geating forward Provisons to Oswego for
the Sarvis of the Campain. When we asemeled at Osawaga Col Haldaman
took Part of the troops under his Command & Incampt on the Ontarey Side
But the troops that ware Destind to Go aganst Niagara Incampt on the Opaset
Side of the River under the Command of Genneral Bradduck But the Com-
paney I Belonged to was not ordered Over the Lake at all But Col Johnson who
was in the Garsea Sarvis sent for me In Partickler to Go Over the Lake. I
wated on him and Inquired of him how he Came to take me the Ondley Man
of the Company Out to Go Over the Lake. He sade he had a mind I should be
with him. I then asked him for as maney of the Companey as would make me
a Seat of tent mates. He sun Complid & we went & Incampt with the troop
for that Sarvis. CaptVanvater Commanded the Company we joind. We sun
Journal 0f $I?t*r JlnttJi — IBnrtt in 1740
Imbarkt and Arived at Nagarey. In a few Days when all ware Landead I
was Sent By the Agatint Mr. Bull as Orderley Sarjant to Genaral Braduck.
I was Kept so Close to my Dutey that I Got neither Sleape nor Rest for the
armey was up Befoare the Works at the fort and the General was Down at
Johnsons Landing four Miles from the acting Part of the armey. I was forced
to Run Back & forth four miles Nite and Day til I Could not Sarve Eney
Longer. I sent to Mr. Bull to Releave me by Sending another Sargint in my
Plase which was Dun & I Gind my friends agane and fought In
the trenches aganst the fort. Befoar we had Capterd the fort
the Gennarel had gind the arme & himself & my frend Col Johnson ware
Both Kilt in One Day and Col Shaday of the New York troops shot threw the
Leag. This was a Loss to Our Small armey — three Brave Offesars in One
Day. We Continued the Seage with Spereat under the Command of Sir Wil-
liam Johnson who it fell to after the Death of Braduck. I was faverd — I Got
but One Slite wound Dureing the Seage. At the End of Twenty five Days the
fort Capatalated to leave the Works with the honners of war & lay down thare
Armes on the Beach whare thay ware to Imbark in Boates for Schanectady
under an escort. After apointing troops to Garsen the fort we Returnd to
Oswago and Bilt a fort Cald fort Erey. At the Close of the Campain what was
alive returned Home to thare Native places But we had left a number Behind
who was in thare Life Brave Men. On my Arival at Milford I found Maney
of the Prisners I had Bin so Industres in Captering ware Billeated in the
town. I Past the winter among them.
In 1760 I Receaved a Commission and Entered a forth time in the armey.
We then Gind the Armey at the Old Plase of Rondavuse and after lying there
a few weakes in Camp Duing Rigimental Dutey General Armarst Seat of in
pourshen to Carre the Baggage to Oswago whare Part of the Armey had all
readey arived. I was Ordered on this Command — four Offesers & Eighty
Men. On our arrival at Oswago the Genarel gave the other three Offesers as
Maney Men as would man One Boate & Ordered them to Return to thare Rigi-
ment. Me he Ordered to Incamp with my Men in the Rear of his fammerley
til farther Orders with Seventy Men til Just Befoar the armey Imbarkt for
S and then Gind my Rigiment. Sun after thare was apointed a Light
Infantry Companey to be Pickt Out of Each Rigiment — Hats Cut Small that
thay mite be youneform. I was apointed to this Company. When orders ware
given the Armey about Nine thousand Imbark in a Number of Boates & went
on the Lake toward Swagochea whar we Arived safe. Thare we found Pash-
oe that had Bin taken at Niagarey the sumer Before Commanding the fort and
Semed to Be Detarmined to Dispute us & Give us all the trubcl he Cjuld But
after Eight or a few more Days he was obliged to Comply with the tkrmes of
Our Victoras armey a second time in les than One year. We then Left a
Garrson & Defended the River til we Reacht Montreal the Ondley Plase the
french Had In Possession in Canaday. Hear we lay one Night on Our Armes.
The next Day the town Suranderd to Gineral Amharst.
In the years while I was in the Armey all Canaday was in the Hands of the
British Nor have thay Had aney Part of it Sins. All Canaday subdued I
thought thare was no bisnes left for me and turned my atenshan to the Seas
thinking to make it my Profesion and in Sixtey one I went a Voige to the
Islands in the West Indees and Returnd Safe but found that my father Had
gon on a trading Voig to Detroit and my Mother falling Sick with a feaver Dide
Before his Return. I was Oblige to Give up the Idea of going to Sea at that
time and take Charge of a Young fammaley til my father Returnd after which
I Bent my Mind after Differant Objects and tared in Milford three years which
was the Ondley three years of my Life I was three years in One Plase Sins I
was Sixteen years old up to Sixtey.
BILL OF SALE OF A NORTHERN SLAVE IN 1721
Transcribed by ELIZA COMSTOCK, of New Canaan, Connecticut
GRBAT-GRBAT-GBANDDAUGHTEB OF THE SLAVE HOLDER
M
great - great grandfather
was a slave owner. Among
his old papers, that have
come down through the
generations, I find a bill of sale of a
twelve year old negro boy, named
" Cesar," in 1721. I also find a will
left by this same negro " Cesar" in
1773-
These documents give an insight
into the trade which had become an
established American custom in
these early days of the colony. They
are of stronger evidence than volumes
of written theories or arguments.
It is significant that "Cesar," the
slave, accumulated property, as is
shown by his " last will and testa-
ment," and that while he was unable
to sign his own name, his property
consisted largely of books. I have
transcribed it accurately from the
copy of the will still in my possession.
I find that this will was admitted to
probate in Norwalk, Connecticut,
and is on the records of that prob-
ate district.
These documents tell their own
story. It is unnecessary for me to
elucidate them other than to men-
tion that " Dwer " and " Belinda,"
to whom " Cesar" made bequests in
his will, were fellow-slaves. I re-
member hearing my father speak
of them. The quaint documents are
here recorded :
To all People to whom these preasents shall Come, greeting —
Know ye that I John Davice of the Town of Bastable in the County
of Bastable in ye Province of ye Machejusett Bay, for and in Consideration of
the sum of fifty and eight pounds in Current Money of the Colony of Con-
necticut: to me in hand Payed by Moses Corns tock of the town of Norwalk in
the County of Fair field in ye Colony of Connecticut j have given granted
bargained sold and by these presents Delivered unto the aforesaid Moses Corn-
stock a Cartain Negro boy (aged about twelve years) Caled and known by the
Name of Cesar: for him to have and to hold said Negro boy to him the said
Moses Comstock, his heirs, Executors, Administrators and assignes during
the term of said Negros Natural Life; and in witness wheareof 1 heare
hereunto sett my hand and seal this 26th day of April Anno 1721.
Signed sealed and delivered
In presence of
Berys A. Lines. John Davice. (Seal)
Jacob Hays.
94
QUAINT WILL OF A NEGRO SLAVE IN 1773
y CESAR Negro Man of Abijah Comstock of Norwalk in the County
of Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut, Being of sound Mind
and Memory And Calling To Mind my Mortallity, Knowing it is
Appointed for all Men once to Die With the approbation of my Above s'd
Master Do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament. As fol-
lows, Viz. —
ist I give to my master Abijah Comstock my Great Bible, Confession of
Faith, Mathew henry upon the Sacrament one old Trap of my Deceased
Masters and woppit. Furthermore —
2nd I give to my Master's son David my small Bible &* psalm Book,
Willison's Explanation, Joseph Allen, Thomas Gouge, My new chest And
young Bobben trap and half of my Money Except a reserve Hereafter made
even the price of a silver Spoon Left at the Discrition of my Master to pur-
chase &•(.
3rd I give to my Masters son Enoch, Joseph Sewall, Dr. Watts
Catechism, Thomas Shepperd Solomon Stodard and S Wright My clasp
paper pocket Book My New Bever hat and Case And hayt trap And the
other half of my Money Except the Value of one silver spoon.
David and } At Masters Decease my Great Bible to David And the
Enoch. \ rest to Enoch.
If Either of my Masters above sd. sons Dye without heirs The survivors
to take what I gave to the Deceased.
My silver spoon to Hannah j
A silver spoon to Dinah r My Master's Daughters
A silver spoon to Deborah
To Thomas My Masters Eldest son The Dissenting Gentlemans Anss.
To Abigail Eells \
To Moses Eells \ ^e Almost Christians and when Deced.
To Hannah hanford — Four Books — Viz. Law & Grace, John Bunyon,
Vincens Sudden and Certain Appearance to Judgment — Vine ens Explana-
tion uf>on the Catechism. John Fox, Time &• End of time.
To Phineas hanford one trap called old Bobben.
To Samuel hanford one Book a Cordial to the fainting Saint.
My silver shoe Buckles or* knee buckles <5r» clasps which was above for-
gotten With my Tankard Quart pot and Bason To David with my sleeve
Buttons and Gloves.
My old chest to Dwer and then to Dwer and Belinda all my caps and
handkerchiefs, old shoe buckles to Dwer and knee buckles.
February ye I 3th A. D. ///J. I appoint my Master Abijah Comstock to be
Executor of this my last will and testament.
Daniel Lockwood. His
Samuel Lockwood. Cesar x Seal
Mark
A MOTHER'S LETTER TO HER SON IN 1789
TRANSCRIPT OF LETTER WRITTEN BY MRS. MARY WRIGHT
ALSOP, BORN FEBRUARY 24, 1740, TO JOSEPH WRIGHT
ALSOP, BORN MARCH a, 1772— NOW IN POSSESSION OF A
DESCENDANT, JOSEPH ALSOP OF AVON, CONNECTICUT
Dear Joseph : —
My great concern for your Prosperity in this World and your Hap-
piness hereafter, have induced me to give you my Advice in writing;
hopeing you will read it frequently, and impress it on your Mind, and
regulate your conduct by it In the first place, I wish you to have a
due sense of your dependance on God ; and that will induce you to be
careful not to be offensive in thought, word or deed Never Men-
tion the word of God but with reverence You must never jest with
anything Sacred or Religious Attend Church constantly, and be-
have with decency when there Carefully avoid all profane Language,
for it is very wicked, and no pleasure or advantage can arise from it
Execute the business allotted to you with the utmost exactness and
fidelity Always study to give satisfaction to those with whom you
live Be not difficult to please with respect to your diet, or anything
else; for it argues an insolent temper, and will gain the ill will of every-
one that lives with you; and you will not only loose the esteem of the
family but will fare worse in every respect
Avoid gameing of every kind; it is a pernicious Vice ; Many have
been ruined by it: shun it in the smallest degree for it will lead you
imperceptibly on to destruction. God grant my advice on this head may
be unnecessary ; as I hope you have no propensity to gameing
Shun the company of idle dissolute people; never on any account as-
sociate with such; if you do they will most certainly hurt your Morals,
and your character will be ruined
Be careful never to offend any one; but if you should inadvertently
do it, readily make a proper acknowledgment; for candidly to confess our
faults, argues a generous mind, and we are more esteemed for it
Be not too ready to take or resent an affront; it is much better to pass
over trifles, than to be continually irritated ; a person of that temper
frequently take offense when there was none intended But if an
affront is really intended, resent it properly, but not with ill language,
or too vulgar behaviour
Be decent in your Dress but not fopish or extravagant; for you will
not be esteemed by those whose opinion are of any consequence for
your dress but for your good behaviour
I flatter myself it is not needful for me to mention Honesty and in-
tegrity to you
If there is anything more than I have not particularly mentioned,
your own reflections will suggest them to your mind, and supply the de-
ficiency
I hope you will peruse this with that attention which I think my
great concern for your present and future welfare demands That
God will Bless and Protect you, and give you Grace so to conduct your-
self thro' Life, that you may, thro' the Merits of our Redeemer, be ever-
lastingly happy, is the fervent prayer of your affectionate mother
3oth March 1789 Mary Alsop.
Joseph W. Alsop.
ICtfr 0tt Attwrinw
Exptftmtf
nt" a JFrbrral Inetirr
mi thr (Trail uf thr JJrairir &rhnnnrra J*
(Carritinn, th,r Caut tntn thr Ulrstrnt mubrrnraa j*
(Erratics with thr JhtiUauo aub thr Eatabltahmrnt nf (Cnurta
tn a Caub nf ^ulb anb &ilurr ^ Shr Sirth nf thr Sirh Wrat «^ firminiarrnrra
JUDGK LYMAX E. Muxsox. LL.B.
JUSTICE or THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COUKT op MONTANA TNUEB APIHIINTMKNT OF PKESIDKNT LINCOLN IK
1865, AND WHOSE JUDICIAL DKC-ICIONS WKP.K INSTRUMENTAL IN MOULDINH THE TEKRITIIKIAL DESTINY
or WESTERN AMERICA— HORN IN MASSACHUSETTS IN 1822, AND NOW HETII:ED KROM
ACTIVE PRACTICE IN HIS EHUITY-HIXTII YEAR
/
birth of the Rich West
^ is one of the most ro-
niantic stories in Ameri-
W L can ^e' ^ *s ^e c^'va'"
rous tale of the conquer-
ing of mountains and can-
yons,of forest and wilder-
ness, of savage men and more savage
beasts. It is but forty-two years
ago that the writer of this narrative
parsed through the experiences here
described, and to-day this same path-
less wild is aglow with untold wealth
in precious ores, vast timber lands,
and rolling fields of grain. Montana,
the scene of this action, is alone
contributing three hundred million
pounds of copper annually, and gold
and silver treasured at nearly twen-
ty-four million dollars yearly, while
its dense forests of more than twelve
million acres are almost priceless in
their riches and its Great Falls offer
water power three times that of
Niagara.
of a ilmtiana
ECEIVING from Presi-
dent Lincoln in March,
1865, my commission as
one of the three United
States judges of the Su-
preme Court of Mon-
tana, I began preparing
for the start into the American wilder-
ness in the service of my country. I
will relate the incidents as I experi-
enced them.
The discovery of gold in Montana
in 1863 and 1864, nacl attracted wide-
spread attention, and people flocked
there in wild enthusiasm at the pros-
pect of speedy wealth, apparently
dreaming that a trip there would be
equivalent to a life-time of ease and
luxury in golden dreams. Crime was
rampant with no laws or courts for
its restraint.
Congress, to meet the emergency,
provided for a territorial government,
over the country, by act approved
May 26, 1864. Under this act as a
political division of territorial area,
Montana was larger in extent than all
the six New England states, New
York, New Jersey, Delaware and
Maryland combined.
At this time no railroads crossed
the continent, and it was unsafe to
travel in those western wilds, except
in large well-armed parties, and even
-then the danger was great on account
of the Indians who struck terror to all
objects of civilized life in their sur-
roundings.
Appointees for the government of
Montana, in the summer of 1864,
made rendezvous at Omaha, pur-
chased their outfit, with three months'
provision for the journey, joined an
•emigrant train for Salt Lake and
started, arriving at Virginia City in
Southern Montana late in the fall of
1864.
Here they found a large popula-
tion seeking gold, and human life
was a small obstacle in their way of
getting it. Among this rough, law-
less element, were as brave, true men
as ever faced danger or met duty. Out
of dire necessity a Vigilance Com-
mittee had been organized for protec-
tion, and for a time it was a question
which would be cleaned out first, the
committee or the banditti. It was a
trying crisis for the future of the Ter-
ritory. Adventurous men and women,
long emancipated from restraints of
home and the refining influences of
virtuous society, who had followed
camp life on the Pacific slope as long
as it was safe to remain there, had
come to Montana. '
This committee, hardly knowing
whom to invite in, or exclude from its
councils, with resolute purpose, with
physical bravery and moral courage
that would have crowned them mar-
tyrs at the stake in any age of the
world, went forward with their work.
Detective agencies sent out, the net-
work woven — and at a given signal
the net was sprung, criminals arrest-
ed, and brought in from different
points to a designated place, and there
charged with crime — a trial took
place, and five of them were hanged
at one time. This was the most im-
portant day's work ever done in the
Territory. Similar arrests, trials,
convictions and executions were
held, sometimes one, two, and three
executions at a time, till between
the twenty-first day of December,
1863, and the third day of February,
1864, a "ttle over a month, at Virginia
City and Bannack, twenty-four of
these outlaws, including the sheriff
and two of his deputies, were hanged
by the Vigilantes ; and eight others, in-
cluding two attorneys who had de-
fended the criminals at the trial, were
banished from the Territory.
The sheriff and his deputy pals were
in league as robbers of coach and pas-
sengers with gold consignments to
the states. His official position
gained information as to coach out-
fit, and if the outfit promised favorable
results, the coach met with masked
robbers and the robbery was com-
pleted. Success finally betrayed his
ambition, and he was brought to view
his ending at the end of a hangman's
rope. The sheriff was a well-built,
98
LEFT BY THE ABORIGINE AND TREASURED TO HIS MEMORY
SIGNING THE TREATY WITH THE INDIANS IN A BARTER FOR HIS LANDS
FROM COLLECTIONS OP THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTANA
%i>mtntBr?nr*B flf a iHnntana
all-around confidence man, whose
position disarmed suspicion and his
punishment too long delayed. Vigi-
lante execution was speedy, usually
within an hour after conviction.
After every execution, good people
breathed freer; that is, those who
could breathe at all, for it was found
at the trials by'proof, confession and
otherwise, that these adventurers be-
came insane with the greed for gold
and over one hundred lives were sac-
rificed to their sordid ambitions. Con-
science was temporarily stupefied by
the stampede for riches. One victim
at the end of the rope, confessed that
it was quicker and easier to kill a man
for his gold than to dig for it.
These trials were before a Vigi-
lante jury, presided over by one of
their number with dignity and deco-
rum, with a conscientious regard for
the rights of the innocent, as well as
stern justice for the guilty. If on
trial, suspicion was strong and evi-
dence weak, the accused was given so
many hours to leave the Territory, and
if he did not leave within the time
limited, he never left at all. No
one, once warned, waited for a
second call, and he asked for no days
of grace to the time limited.
The history of the Vigilance Com-
mittee in Montana is so incorporated
into its early history, that I feel justi-
fied in alluding to it as one of the nec-
essary forces used to eradicate a greater
evil. The conscious existence of this
committee was a wholesome dread to
evil-doers. It will be remembered
that, at the time of this active work of
the Vigilantes, there was not an or-
ganized court in the limits of the Ter-
ritory, and not one East between the
Rocky Mountains and Yankton, in
Dakota, nearly one thousand miles
distant.
When President Lincoln summoned
me to Montana, I could gain but little
information by correspondence or in-
quiry, as to the condition of affairs in
the Territory — where I should be lo-
cated when there — or the best way to
go. Deciding upon the river route, I
shipped my library to St. Louis, tak-
ing a steamer there for Fort Benton,
the head of steamboat navigation,
three thousand miles distant by river
from St. Louis, and it took over fifty
days to complete the trip, yet our
steamer was the crack boat on the
river that season.
Passing Yankton, in the lower part
of Dakota one thousand, one hundred
and eighty miles by river above St.
Louis, we entered a country filled
with hostile Indians. Military forts
and stockades were besieged by the
redskins, and commanders of the forts
tried to impress upon the captain of
our boat the perils of the trip, and it
required no stretch of imagination to
guard against possible adverse expe-
riences on the way.
Fort Rice, one thousand eight hun-
dred miles above St. Louis by the
river, had been surrounded by them
for days, it not being safe for even
picket men to venture outside the en-
closure. Mooring our boat to the
shore, Indians interpreted our arrival
as reinforcements for the fort and
they left. Colonel Reeves, command-
ant of the fort, showed us a poisoned
arrow taken from the body of one of
his soldiers who had died that day in
great agony from its effects.
The pilot house of our boat was
sheathed with boiler iron, with peep-
holes to look out for safe navigation,
and other precautions taken for
safety. There was no security in
traveling through the Indian country
at that date, except in large, well-
armed parties, and even then trains
were frequently stampeded by the
bold dash and dreaded war-whoop of
the Indians, who swept down like an
evil spirit of the winds to help them-
selves to the scalps of drivers and
plunder from the trains. Many to
this day remember how frequently
the coaches on the overland route
were attacked by the Indians, and
how thrillingly graphic were the
scenes described by those who escaped
the peril.
A PIONEER SETTLEMENT IN THE LAND OF GOLD-MONTANA CITY IN 1864
NDIAN (iRAVK (>X THK TRAIL BEFORE THK INVASION BY CIVILIZATION
FROM COLLECTIONS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTANA
a
At night our boat was anchored
with sentinels on guard to prevent
surprise or attack.
On our way up the river we en-
countered vast herds of buffaloes
moving from southern to northern
feeding grounds. The plains, at
times, on either side of the river, were
literally covered with them as far as
the eye could reach. They came to
the river-bank and plunged into the
sweeping floods regardless of fear
and swam to the opposite shore like
veterans in their native element.
Such a sight will never again be
witnessed by mortal eyes. The river
was full of them ; so full, that we
were obliged on different days to stop
the steamer to avoid being swamped
by them. On one occasion a stalwart
fellow became entangled in the wheel
of the steamer, and in his efforts for
release, ripped out some of the buck-
ets of the wheel, necessitating repairs.
Some fat heifers and calves were las-
soed from the river and killed for
fresh meat for boat supplies. Ex-
citement on these occasions lifted us
into pleasurable emotions regardless
of possible events for the morrow.
Each had its markings different from
preceding days.
At times an old bullock which had
often piloted the herd over vast prai-
ries to better feeding grounds, being
fought and gored by younger blood of
the same gender, would lag behind on"
the plains meditating on the mutabili-
ties of time. No king deposed from
thronely power seemingly ever felt
the force of adverse circumstances
more keenly than these deposed mon-
archs from prairie ranges forty years
ago.
A wolf finding them alone, would
watch their movements, and sound
his call for help, which being an-
swered by others understanding the
signal, would hasten to respond ; and
when a sufficient number had gath-
ered, would attack and drag their vic-
tim down for a feast. These exhibi-
tions were not rare in episode, but
pathetic in exhibition. \Yolves in
single numbers are cowards for
attack, but when fortified by numbers
are courageous and voracious till
their hunger is appeased. It is won-
derful how well understood is the
language of beast and bird-life pecu-
liar to their species, and how quickly
they respond to the meaning of sig-
nals ! Montana was full of buffalo,
moose, elk, deer, antelope, bear,
wolves, foxes, and other game, and
rifles echoed results in trophies that
garnished the menu of our table on
the transit.
Buffalo hunting .was exciting and
perilous. A wounded buffalo would
often turn upon his pursuers, and
in his fury, horse and rider would
go down to rise no more. Buffalo
are powerfully built, with fourteen
pairs of ribs to the ox thirteen,
and courageous to the extent of their
vitality.
In the timber that fringed the river
bank, otter, beaver, mink and musk-
rat, splashed into the water on our
approach. Lagoons and lakelets
were alive with water-fowl that
sported in security, apparently tame
in their wildness.
Game birds and animals strutted in
tempting attitudes before the gunner
armed with breech-loading shot-guns,
and the deadly aim of Winchester
rifles often varied the menu at our
cabin table with luxuries that would
tempt the gods of epicurean habit.
Rivers and lakes were full of deli-
cious trout, as pretty speckled beau-
ties as ever tempted the eye, or tic-
kled the palate of good old Isaac
Walton, who hung up his fishing
tackle without visiting Montana, and
his facetious pen was lost to the de-
scription of celebrities in its waters;
where a few hours of careless fishing
would satisfy the ambition of any
one, especially if he had to carry the
catch far on his back. There is a tra-
dition in Montana of a man on mule-
back fording one of its streams,
where the trout were so voracious
that they bit the spurs of his boots
and hung on till he reached shore,
NOTICE.
i hnf/ar>-
carried uml»r
>v
:i« ,A
•
j«r^|E«B
l.rrsil Tlirnn:ll Mulls hdwrMl Ilir lllanlir ;.;
(BEN HOULADAY, PROPRIETOR ,
Kerrived of
S •</;•
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/„ <yy C- L ( ' • '" • /•,•„,-/• /,„,<,„? ^
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tWLLARS.
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I.lnc. Hi- ; • I
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•• liolrlcr then'.
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' '
AN OVERLAND STA(!E-L1NE TICKET INTO TPE GOI DEN WEST IN 1866
THE BIRTH OF A METROPOLIS-HELENA, MONTANA. AHolT 1" YKA!
SOCIETY OF MONTANA
nf
and people repeated it as if they be-
lieved it true, and they were never
hanged for speaking the truth.
A school teacher from Massachu-
setts, writing to the Springfield Re-
publican, said that his fishing experi-
ence culminated when he reached
Snake river. That he there "caught
a brook trout that had a chipmunk
and a mole in his stomach and still
was hungry." "What do you think,"
said he, "of brook trout two feet, four
inches long, with a nose four inches
in breadth, a mouth like a good-sized
shark, and weighing six and one-half
pounds ? You will not believe in such
fish, but I assure you that Snake river
is full of them, of incredible ferocity,
and voracious to the last degree."
At Wolf Point, so-called, on the
banks of the river, some woodchop-
pers had built a stockade to divide
their time in cutting wood for the
steamers, and trapping for furs, and
it proved most profitable. They
killed a buffalo — cut out what meat
they wanted to use, and poisoned the
carcass for the wolves. The first
night seventy-two wolves came to
grief. This was the largest wolf-
gathering I ever saw. They had
come in from prairie ravines and tim-
ber nooks for a feast, and they lay
around the stockade on our arrival
mid-day following their adventure,
harmless of snapping teeth that glis-
tened in the sun waiting the knife to
separate their furry backs to fleshy
coverings, which suggested comforta-
ble robes for wintry days. An Indian
would skin a wolf, surrendering its
pelt to its captor for its carcass for
his feast, regardless of the cause of
its death and careless of his own mor-
tuary record. The captain of our
boat made arrangements with the
stockade adventurers for the pur-
chase of their pelts on his return, with
as many more as they might capture
in the interim.
River traffic in those days picked
up much furry materials at local
points on the river that did not enter
into commercial reports, but their
markings in value on return trips
were as great as on an tip-trip adven-
ture.
About one hundred miles below
Benton, our boat grounded. On
board as passenger was Major Up-
son, Indian agent at Benton, return-
ing with annuity goods for distribu-
tion among the Indians connected
with the agency. Some Indians came
to the river bank who knew the ma-
jor. He told them what he had on
board which excited their vision of
supplies, and gave one a letter to
deliver with utmost speed to the
agency at Benton. After a square
meal for the start, and a sandwich for
the way, the Indian started, leaving
his three companions as hostages on
the boat to await his return. Indians
are fleet runners, and in two days
from starting he had delivered his
errand and returned. Three days
later, teams appeared ; the boat light-
ed of freight again steamed up the
river. Strict surveillance was kept
over the Indians on the boat till the
Indian returned — only one allowed to
leave the boat at a time for fear of
treachery if they met other Indians.
Near Benton several persons, a few
days before our arrival, were reported
as massacred by the Indians. This
soon after was retaliated by whites,
when eleven Indians at one time, out
of deference to Winchester rifle bul-
lets, passed over into the spirit land,
leaving their bodies and blankets on
the ground, and their scalps flutter-
ing on poles with night winds chant-
ing a requiem over their departure.
After some delay at Benton we
started with mule trains and prairie
schooners for Helena, one hundred
and forty miles distant. The trail
was sufficiently marked to follow the
way. We usually encamped for the
night about mid-afternoon near a
spring or water course. Wagons
were drawn up in a circle, horses
tethered out for grazing and a dinner
prepared, sometimes stimulated by
heat energies from dried buffalo
chips, which was received with less
CHIEF YELLOW BOY GIVING PEACE SIGN TO
THE WHITE INVADERS— FROM THE COLLECTIONS
OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTANA
itf a
grumbling by the guest than are din-
ners served to major-generals from
embalmed beef of modern notoriety.
At night, horses were brought into
the enclosed circle for safety, passen-
gers spread their blankets on the
ground under the wagon for night's
repose, trusty sentinels kept watch
around the encampment, while the
music of howling wolves in the near
distance contributed to wakeful hours
of nervous sleepers. Time wore
away distance, and on Sunday, July
9, 1865, we arrived at Helena, then
called Last Chance Gulch, owing to
its discovery late in the fall before.
This was a lively camp; two thou-
sand people were there, street spaces
were blockaded with men and mer-
chandise, ox trains, mule trains and
pack trains surrounded the camp,
waiting a chance to unload. The
saw and hammer were busy in put-
ting up cabins and store-houses, and
in constructing sluice boxes for the
washing out of gold, which was found
in nearly every rod of its valley soil.
Men who had shunned domestic duty
over the cradle for years were rock-
ing a cradle filled with dirty water,
watching appearances of golden sands
to open their purse strings to the real-
ities of their adventure. Auctioneers
were crying their wares, trade was
lively, saloons crowded, hurdy-gurdy
dance-houses in full blast; wild mus-
tang horses, never before saddled or
bridled, with Mexican riders on their
backs, whereon man never sat before,
were running, jumping, kicking and
bucking to unhorse their riders, much
to the amusement of the jeering
crowd, and as exciting as a Spanish
bull fight. "Buffalo Bill's" Wild
West show illustrates in pantomime
some of the stirring scenes and hair-
rising proclivities of my first Sunday
in Montana. It was a Sunday differ-
ent from my early education in New
England, and long to be remembered
as a dividing line between Puritanical
life and the wild scenes of Western
activities.
There was suspended to the limb of
a tree a man hung by the Vigilance
Committee the night before, which
was the eighth specimen of similar
fruit encased in leather boots that
tree had borne in as many months.
Saturday nights and Sunday morn-
ings miners would come into town
with their week's wages, and they
would drink, gamble and dance till
their money was gone, and then go
back to camp after the excitement of
the day was over, completely strapped,
to renew the folly at another week's
ending. Is it any wonder that such
indulgence should blossom into crime ?
At a conference with the other
judges I spoke of this mode of mid-
night life-taking, and insisted that
such cases should be noticed by the
courts. One of the judges, under-
standing the necessity of sure, speedy
work with the criminals, said : "I am
content to let the Vigilantes go on,
for the present ; they can attend to
this branch of jurisprudence cheaper,
quicker and better than Lt can be done
by the courts ; besides, we have no
secure jails in which to confine crim-
inals."
The other judges coincided with
him and said: "If you attempt to try
one of those road agents in the courts,
his comrades will get him clear, or if
he should be convicted, the lives of
the witnesses who testify against him,
and of the judge who sentences him,
will not be worth the shoes they
wear." "Road agent" was a moun-
tain phrase to designate highway rob-
bers and perpetrators of kindred
crimes.
A grand jury in one of the districts
presented to the court in lieu of an
indictment : "That it is better to leave
the punishment of criminal offenders
to the Vigilantes, who always act im-
partially, and who would not permit
the escape of proved criminals on
technical and absurd grounds."
My court opened the first week in
August, 1865. In my charge to the
grand jury, I took occasion to say
that the court that day opened for the
106
NATIVE AMERICANS ON THE FRONTIER FORTY YEARS AGO
FIRST GOVKKN-oRs MANSION-FIRST SCHOOL TEACHBR-FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE IX MONTANA
FROM COLLECTIONS OP THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTANA
a
first time in that district for the trial
of civil and criminal cases ; and that,
however satisfactory an excuse might
hitherto have been for secret trials
and midnight executions, no such ne-
cessity longer existed, and that, all
such proceedings must now be left to
the courts.
The next day, three gentlemen,
neither of whom I knew by name or
sight, called upon me, and said that
my charge to the grand jury was ex-
citing considerable comment in the
community, and asked about the lan-
guage used. I told them it was on
file in the clerk's office and they could
see it there. That there might be no
misunderstanding about it, I caused
the whole charge to be published in
one of the local papers and it was
copied in other papers in Montana.
My next court term opened in De-
cember, 1865. A murder had just
been committed. Through the vigi-
lance of court officers the man was
arrested and held for trial in the
court. A rescue and summary pun-
ishment of the prisoner was threat-
ened. The officers of the court, the
jail not being secure, guarded the
prisoner to prevent escape or rescue.
At night the prisoner was taken from
the jail to the court-room, where it
was warm and comfortable for the
officers on duty; one leg of the pris-
oner was shackled and secured to a
staple in the floor. The officers, well-
armed, remained on duty through the
night in the room, while trusty senti-
nels patrolled outside to prevent sur-
prise. This was more agreeable to
the prisoner, who was afraid of res-
cue and summary punishment, than
pleasant to the keepers.
No braver officers ever lived than
U. S. Marshall George M. Pinney
and his deputies, Neil Howie, John
Featherston, and J. X. Beidler, and it
gives me personal pleasure to accord
to them the merit of having contribu-
ted largely to the establishment of
order and good government over dis-
cordant elements in the Territory.
The grand jury, in attendance upon
the court, was charged upon the spe-
cial work before them and upon such
matters as might be the subject of in-
quiry. They found a true bill against
the prisoner and were excused from
further attendance upon the court.
The prisoner was put upon trial for
the offense charged in the indictment.
Officers guarded him day and night.
The verdict of the jury was murder
in the second degree; no appeal
taken, sentence passed, and in less
than thirty days from the commission
of the homicide the prisoner was
serving out the penalty in the terri-
torial prison at Virginia City.
The secretary, acting as governor
of the Territory in the absence of the
governor, while, under the influence
of an unfortunate habit, pardoned
and .set the prisoner at liberty. On
being released from prison the man
went back to Helena, swearing ven-
geance upon the witnesses who had
testified against him. Arriving at
Helena about nine o'clock in the even-
ing, he was immediately surrounded
by the Vigilantes and was hanged at
ten o'clock with the pardon in his.
pocket.
This was the ninth specimen of kin-
dred fruit that famous hangman's
tree at Helena had borne in so many
months. They all went up with their
boots on, and as death found them, so
the grave covered them. This trial in
the courts for murder was the first
ever held in the Territory, and it
marked a new era in its jurispru-
dence.
If you would like to see how a man-
looked after graduating with the high-
est honors from a Vigilance institu-
tion, I will give you a verbal picture
of this man as he appeared the next
morning before removal from the
sunlit tree to final rest beneath the
clods of the valley. The remains were
placed in a stainless board coffin on a
dray cart drawn by a mule, the sher-
iff and coroner leading the way from>
the place of execution to the ceme-
tery; no mourners shed tears on the
way ; no glove-handed pall-bearers
ioS
EARLY DAYS IN A MIXING TOWN— HELENA, MONTANA
FROM COLLECTIONS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTANA
to do escort duty ; no flowers on the
coffin enclosing the remains ; " no re-
ligious ceremony over its commit-
ment, and no monument marks his
resting-place.
Vigilante rule worked in harmony
with its precedents, with no artificial
distinction of persons or in results.
Speedy trial in civil and criminal
jurisdiction metes out justice better
when witnesses are fresh from the
scene of controversy than to await
their departure, or to depend upon
India rubber memories which may be
side-tracked into forget fulness when
the trial is reached. Eastern states'
courts would profit largely by imitat-
ing Western promptness in court pro-
ceedings with less miscarriage from
the pivotal point of justice, with less
frivolous technicalities for delay.
There was one other trial for mur-
der before me in August, 1866. This
man was arrested by the United
States marshall for murder in the
Indian country under provisions of
United States laws ; was tried on the
United States side of the court and
convicted of murder in the first de-
gree. Sentence passed that he be re-
manded to prison and there safely
kept, "till Friday, the fifth day of Oc-
tober, 1866. then and there to be
hanged by the neck till dead." Offi-
cers of the law guarded the jail and
prisoner day and night to prevent
escape or summary execution. Rec-
ord of arrest, proceedings, trial, con-
viction and sentence were forwarded
to the president and attorney-general
of the United States.
President Johnson commuted the
sentence to imprisonment for life, and
ordered his transfer to Detroit prison,
Michigan, to serve out the sentence.
On his way thither, he escaped from
nf a ilotttana
his keepers and was never delivered
there.
I recall another case. The head
manager of a large quartz mining
company for the reduction of gold
ores near Helena killed a man for
alleged stealing of wood, cut for mill-
ing purposes. This wood was cut on
government land, the title to which
remained in the government. The
man was arrested, jailed, indicted by
the grand jury, and held for trial.
Pending trial, the prisoner took
change of venue to a sparsely settled
county in another district jurisdic-
tion. On the trial the prisoner was
discharged and he left Montana un-
der cover of midnight hours and was
never seen there afterwards.
After I left Montana, I learned
that four other persons were hanged
by the Vigilantes upon that famous
Helena tree, thirteen in all, when a
clergyman, ostensibly to reform the
morals of the community, cut the tree
down, and when it was safely housed,
peddled it out for canes, and that tree
became as famous for the number of
canes it produced as it had for the
number of persons who had cast their
last look up among the branches be-
fore testing the strength of its fibers
at the end of the rope. From twelve
to twenty-four hours of good hanging
was generally considered long enough
to warrant a certificate that life was
extinct and the body ready for burial.
Soon after my arrival in the Ter-
ritory, I received a letter from a med-
ical graduate of Yale, stating that he
had graduated with honor, was de-
voted to his profession and anxious
to settle in a new thriving city, and
inquired if Helena was such a place.
Meeting one of the worthy doctors of
the city, I handed him the letter and
asked for information.
Said he : "Tell that young man not
to come here, for men are seldom sick
and never die," and with a quizzing
look into the face of the gentlemen
by his side said : "The Vigilance Com-
mittee had to hang a man in order to
start a grave-yard." Whereupon the
gentlemen addressed replied: "The
reason of the delay in starting one is
not so much owing to the want of
sickness among the people as the lack
of skill among the doctors." Honors
being easy between them, the conver-
sation was not continued.
Vigilantes, as a rule, filled the hiatus
between early settlements, the estab-
lishment of courts and organization
of civil government over the Terri-
tory. They can look back over a
generation of stirring activities in her
borders with a consciousness of duty
well performed in its early history.
Hopeful and active for its welfare
under shadowy clouds in its morning
life they were efficient and watchful
in the sunshine of its prosperity, in
social, political and commercial
maturity. History overlooks some
faults to embellish the memory of the
faithful. Vigilante rule in the early
life of Montana may have had cloudy
spots upon its disk, but its general
record illumines its history as a nec-
essary force in the cycles of time.
The first Montana legislature in
1865 failed, under its organic act, to
make provision for its successor and
its legislative functions lapsed, ne-
cessitating affirmative action by the
government at Washington. With-
out waiting that action the acting
governor (the governor being absent
from the Territory), in February,
1866, under some fancied pressure,
issued a proclamation ordering an
election of delegates and convening"
the legislature in March, 1866. which
proceeded to the business of law-
making for the Territory. Its pre-
tended laws and franchises were early
before my court for consideration and
were adjudged void and of no valid-
ity.
Court records, with legislative pro-
ceedings, were transmitted to the
president and by him referred to the
attorney-general of the United States,
who sustained the ruling and decis-
ions of the court, adjudged the legis-
lative proceedings void, payment of
expenses of the legislature refused,
THE FIRST RAILROAD TRAIN INTO THE GOLDEN WEST
FROM RARE PRINT IN POSSESSION OF JUDGE LYMAN E. MUNSON
and its reputed laws expunged from
the statutes of Montana. Executive,
judicial and legislative jurisdictions
settled down in harmony, and peace
and prosperity ruled the Territory.
The Montana Bar was composed
in the main of well-educated, good
lawyers and accomplished gentlemen,
some of whom had held judicial posi-
tions in the states before going there.
They were loyal to their profession, to
the courts, to the commonwealth, and
their influence did much to bring or-
der out of chaos and establish good
government for the people.
Many families emigrated there for
future homes. Fond mothers had
said in the language of Ruth :
" Whither thou goest, I will go.
Whither thou lodgest, I will lodge.
Thy people shall be my people.
And thy God my God."
The presence of virtuous women
inspired rough miners with respect,
and their gentle administrations to
the wayward were like merciful visi-
tations to the doomed.
In October, 1865, in company with
the governor, and an armed escort,
we started from Helena on horseback
for Benton, one hundred and forty
miles distant, to help the Indian agent
make a treaty with the Indians and
witness the distribution of annuities.
At this time three log cabins, two
occupied by French half-breeds and
one by an American, were the only
stationary evidence of civilized life on
the way.
The first day we reached the ranch
of Malcolm Clark, an American liv-
ing with his two squaw wives of dif-
ferent tribes in his cabin home.
Horses and mules carrying our camp
outfit were relieved of their burden
and picketed around haystacks for
forage. Supper ended, we retired
for the night under a shed, nrovided
our horses from storms which came
up suddenly and raged furiously
while the storm-king tarried, rolled
ourselves up in our blankets with
trusty rifles loaded by our sides for
emergency and took a quiet sleep
while midnight sentinels patrolled the
cam]). Morning sunlight was propi-
tious for a pleasant day's journey.
THE FIRST AMERICAN'S PROTEST AGAINST CIVILIZATION
FROM RARE PRINT IN POSSESSION OF JUDGE LYMAN E. MUNSON
tatter SItf? on Amrrtran
Clark was a graduate of West
Point and worked on the fort and
storehouse at Benton for the Ameri-
can Fur Company, of which John
Jacob Astor was the head. He
claimed that his wife and children
were entitled to a share in the distri-
bution of the annuities and in the
morning he joined us for the balance
of the journey. During the day a
snowstorm struck us and we housed
for the night in the cabin of a Cana-
dian half-breed, before spoken of.
An Indian hunter for the cabin had
brought in a mountain sheep and we
feasted on delicious morsels from its
juicy sides. After the repast we
rolled ourselves up in blankets and
lay round on the ground floor with
heads and points at promiscuous an-
gles. Still snowing in the morning,
it was decided to detour from the reg-
ular route and visit the Catholic mis-
sion some fifteen miles distant.
Clark, understanding Indian, en-
gaged the hunter as guide, they lead-
ing the way over the trackless snow
and we following. Reaching the mis-
sion, we were cordially received and
generously entertained over two
nights and a day. In 'the morning,
taking a guide from the mission to
pilot our way to the Great Falls of
the Missouri river, we encamped there
for the night amid the roar of mighty
waves pouring over a rocky precipice
nearly eighty feet in perpendicular
plunge. A dead tree with naked
branches tempted the advent of an ax
from the outfit, and that tree with its
fiery outlines was very companionable
and midnight hours sparkled with wit
and repartee, now lost to memory.
The next morning we started for
Benton, arriving there in a snowy
coverlet mantling the earth from five
to six inches in depth, at the close of
a six-day journey from Helena. On
our way we daily saw large bands of
deer, antelope and elk, which, at the
sight of our cavalcade, fled into safe
distance, wheeled about and faced us
like a military company on parade,
»3
watching our movements in retreat-
ing distance.
At Benton we met about seven
thousand, five hundred Indians com-
posed of different tribes gathered
there in expectation of great results.
Indians claimed all that country as
theirs. Indian tepees fringed the
hillsides and pioneer cabins dotted the
valleys. The bow sped the arrow for
game and other trophies and the
crack of pioneer rifles echoed from
valley to hilltop. Antagonistic forces
contended for mastery over the situ-
tion, but civilized agencies had its
innings and chaos its outings in a bat-
tle well won for the former and de-
feat for the latter. Human life was
unsafe and cheap on both sides. A
good opportunity for skill in marks-
manship with either rifle or bow and
arrow was frequently rewarded with
bloody trophies.
We made a treaty by which the In-
dians were to give up their coveted
lands, the land of their fathers, the
gamiest country in the world, and go
onto a reservation on Canadian bor-
ders, and we distributed to them about
$7,500 in annuities, ostensibly one
dollar for each Indian, squaw and
papoose. These annuities consisted
of dry-goods, groceries, hardware,
etc., suitable to necessities, wants and
desires of the Indian. It required on
the part of the agent care and judg-
ment to measure and cut, weigh and
divide for distribution so as not to ex-
cite tribal jealousy, a marked char-
acteristic in Indian character.
During the distribution, Indians
were seated on the ground in Indian
fashion, each tribe separate and apart
from other tribal groups, all facing
the center of a square, where the
goods were placed for distribution.
The chiefs, as mark of special favor
by the agent, were presented with ex-
tra gifts and provided with chairs in
recognition of tribal distinction,
which flattered their vanity as pos-
sessors of thronely power.
It was a panoramic scene of tribal
costume, interlaced with painted faces
nf a Montana
and fantastic paraphernalia of tribal
ornaments, requiring the graphic
touch of a painter's brush on canvas
to convey a realistic impression, no-
where to be reproduced by pen and
ink descriptions. It was the enchant-
ment of a divine reality moving over
the canvas of passing events never to
be effaced from memory's tablet.
Chieftain costumes, indescribable
in fantastic exhibit, down to the bare-
footed papoose in the lap of its
mother, the transition stage was grad-
ual with no apparent jealousy to mark
the outfit in gradation of fashion-plate
colorings. These scattered tribes of
Israel retain characteristics of their
nationality. Tribal jealousies still
mark the instincts of ancestral life on
the plains of Judea, transferred to
American soil, before the ships were
built that brought Columbus to our
shores. Robbed of peaceful posses-
sions and life pursuits, they are in the
environments of the Nation's power,
and should be generously provided
for by beneficent, impartial, life-sus-
taining agencies before being forced
into the horoscopic circle of extinc-
tion now clouding their inheritance
and foreshadowing their destiny.
The distribution of annuities ended
apparently satisfactorily with peaceful
outlines and the next day we started
for Helena on our return trip and
camped about twenty-five miles out
for the night, with several merchan-
dise trains moving to trade centers in
Montana. About midnight, a mes-
senger with horse foaming with
sweat, arrived, bearing a dispatch
from the Indian agent at Benton to
the governor. The message was that
war had broken out between two
treaty tribes on agency grounds, that
the lives of the people, government
stores and agency buildings were in
jeopardy and to return at once.
Attached to one of the trains was a
brass cannon on the way to Virginia
City. Governor Meagher, quick in
perception, and efficient in emergency,
pressed the cannon into service and at
two o'clock at night we were on our
way back to Benton, arriving there at
sunrise, much to the relief of the peo-
ple, after a sleepless night and anx-
ious forebodings of the day, and news
of our arrival spread over the sur-
roundings from camp to camp. The
cannon was drawn up before the
agency building, loaded and shotted
to its muzzle with musket balls for in-
stant service, with no secret from ob-
servation or of intention.
The governor, his aids, Indian
agent and interpreters, walked out to
one of the camps, called the chief and
head men for an interview. They
appeared in war paint as red as the
blood in their veins, with black stripes
as hideous as dragons' teeth on their
faces.
The governor said to them that
hearing of this disturbance he had
hastened back to be in the fight and
if the chief and his men did not leave
the agency grounds before noon that
day, he would open fire upon them
and not stop till every Indian was
killed and annuity goods restored to
the government. That they might
know the time limited he stuck his
cane in the ground and said that when
the sun's shadows fell upon the other
side of the stick the time was up and
no delays would be granted.
We next went to the other camp
where he repeated the same warning.
Both camps were in belligerent atti-
tudes. Trenches dug and breast-
works thrown up; women, children
and goods removed to safety; two
hundred Indian warriors in each
camp in war-paint ; guns and arrows,
spears and tomahawks, scalping-
knives and battle-axes were no pleas-
ing attributes to contemplate when
the balance of numbers were largely
against us. It was a day of anxiety,
measured by hourly reports from the
camps. Hopeful signs of evacuation
during the day appeared and at night
the curtain dropped in peaceful lines
over the landscape, camps deserted,
and the angel of peace celebrated a
bloodless victory over what had ap-
peared to be one of bloody carnage.
ffitf? nn Amrriran
Each Indian has its head and lesser
chiefs who rule the policy of the tribe
with more rigor than the governor
and statutes do their constituents in
the states.
During my three or four weeks'
stay there I saw Indian character in
full development in many of its
phases. Tribal chiefs in gay attire,
in war-paint with eagle feathers and
wampum, with necklaces of polished
bear claws and wolf teeth that glit-
tered in the sun and rattled with their
movements, with bows and arrows,
tomahawks, scalping-knives and tro-
phies of war, saw them on the war-
path, heard the war-whoop, saw them
in the war-dance, in the pow-wow
around their dead brave, in the
burial ceremony, around council fires,
in the wigwam, on the field, in the
chase, in their ceremonial rites to the
Great Spirit, in their hunger and in
their feasts; have smoked with them
the pipe of peace, have tasted the
aroma of roast dog in the wigwam of
the great chief, with one hundred
yellow bucks with hungry mouths
around the tent watching movements
of the feast within, have confronted
them with weapons of "warfare in the
hour of danger, and I declare, that in
their nomadic state, measured by
standard ideas of civilized life, the
mind cannot escape the conviction
that they are a degraded, indolent,
treacherous race, with no manly attri-
butes of character worthy of poetry,
song or tradition.
Over and against this estimate of
their character much should be placed
to their credit. This was their coun-
try, the land of their fathers, where
sleep their brave dead. The Great
Spirit had presided over their coun-
cils and had given them an abundance
of game at all seasons of the year.
Success attended the chase. Horses,
dogs and papooses multiplied to the
tribes ; they were happy and con-
tented in their seclusion and prosper-
ous in their ways. But the Chinese
walls of isolation were being broken
"5
down, men poured into their country
by the thousands from all directions
" They came as the winds come,
When forests are rended ;
They came as the waves come,
When vessels are stranded."
and they felt the situation keenly.
The handwriting to them was on the
wall. Beyond the realms where light-
ning flashes and thunder rolls the
shining stars shot the shadows of
their fate athwart the heavens and
they read their doom in the evening
sky and comprehended the reality
amid the stirring scenes before them.
Whittier has said:
" I hear the tread of pioneers,
Of Nations yet to be ;
The first low wash of waves, where soon
Shall roll a human sea."
This prophetic vision by Whittier was
not understood in its full relation to
Montana till the prophecy burst into
full realistic vision.
Forty steamers that season un-
loaded men and merchandise at Ben-
ton. Ponderous trains of merchan-
dise and strange devices of machinery
were moving across the country, cities
were springing up as if by magic,
the government was there with its
officers collecting its revenues and en-
forcing its laws ; game was unmerci-
fully slaughtered and frightened from
its ranges; a new order of strange
proceedings to the Indians was being
established in their midst and they felt
that their occupation was gone and it
was gone forever.
A letter from one of the principal
mercantile firms at Benton informed
me that as late as the years 1874, 1875,
1876 and 1877, there were annually
shipped from Benton to the East
eighty thousand to one hundred thou-
sand buffalo robes; thirty to forty
thousand mountain wolf -skins; one
hundred and twenty-five to one hun-
dred and fifty tons of deer and ante-
lope skins, besides beaver, otter, mink
and other choice furs, aggregating
some years in value to more than a
million of dollars.
After 1878 the numbers dwindled
nf a JHnntana
rapidly until 1884 when hardly one
thousand robes were brought to mar-
ket; and now not one buffalo left,
and to extinguish the last vestige of
them the white man is gathering from
the plains the dried bones and ship-
ping them to bone mills to be ground
into fertilizers.
Under this tremendous slaughter
by the Indians, game seemed to mul-
tiply, or at least to hold its own, but
when the white man appeared, it be-
gan to decrease, and now not a buf-
falo roams anywhere on the plains
from Mexico to Canada.
A few are protected by the vigi-
lant care of the government in the
National Yellowstone Park, to pre-
serve their species from extinction,
but they do not thrive under domestic
habit. A few may be seen on exhi-
bition in menageries, and in confined,
fenced-in preserves, but they exhibit
but feebly the characteristics of the
buffalo as he roamed over the conti-
nent forty years ago.
The bow and arrow was not the
only destructive agency in game sur-
roundings. Civilization marked its
bloody tracks in many ways and the
Indian read his doom on the lines of
passing events. The lesson was se-
vere to contemplate, but emphatic in
results. With the loss of game to the
Indians came also the loss of profits
to the merchants. The old trading
post of the American Fur Company
at Benton with its thrilling history
has been abandoned, its walls fallen
to decay, bats nest in security upon
shelves where rested from time to
time millions of dollars in furs, and
the hoot of the owl breaks the silence
of midnight hours where once echoed
the busy hum of commerce.
The game is gone and the Indian is
going. His proud spirit is broken, his
erect, stalwart form is bending to the
shadows of inevitable fate, his step
trembles upon the threshold; he is
passing away from the march of civil-
ization like dissolving snows from
the breath of morning. The waves
of civilization have crowded him back
from sea-girt shores to the rivers,
from the rivers to the plains, from
the plains to the mountains, from the
mountains to the shadow-land beyond
the cycles of time.
The problem of dealing with these
poor people, now but remnants of
once powerful tribes, is a humane
one, and the government cannot too
promptly awake to its importance,
and, with a liberal hand, lighten the
shadows and avert the sorrows that
environ them. They are fast becom-
ing but a memory of traditionary
realities.
"There's a spirit on the river; there's a
ghost upon the shore ;
They are chanting, they are singing
through the starlight evermore,
As they steal amid the silence and the
shadows of the shore,
You can hear the ringing war-cry of the
long forgotten brave
Echo thro' the midnight forest, echo o'er
the midnight wave,
And the mystic lanterns tremble at the
war-cry of the brave."
The relation of husband and wife
was that of autocrat and servant. An
Indian suing for the hand of a comely
squaw had a poor chance of success,
unless bravery attended him in the
chase, or in prowess of warfare ; and
even then, he often had to gauge his
desires by the number of horses he
could give the father in exchange for
his daughter, the horse being the
standard of relative values the same
as stocks and bonds in civilized life.
As to faithfulness of their mar-
riage vows statistics give no data.
The rules and laws of the tribe dis-
criminate largely in favor of the male.
The wife and daughter, so to speak,
is owned by the husband and father.
If the wife, overtaken in violation of
one of the commandments without
consent of the husband (and such
consent was sometimes given by the
husband as a mark of favor), if she
escapes punishment by death her face
was often disfigured for life and then
banished from her husband's tent
with no mystic seal of court records
paraphrasing causes of matrimonial
116
totter 3Gtf? nn Ammran
infelicities. I have never seen such
disfigurement upon faces of the males,
but such absence should not be con-
strued as freedom from similar in-
dulgence.
Mormon doctrines, to some extent,
found favor among the chiefs and
high-toned bucks of the tribe,
although I never heard that they
claimed special revelation from the
spirit-land enforcing it as a religious
observation. Chastity and sexual
commerce in Indian character is at
no lower ebb than in civilized life in
the states; indeed, the percentage of
concubinage in commercial centers of
civilized life in the states is greater
than in tribal centers of Indian life.
Some Indians dispose of their dead
by elevating their bodies upon a scaf-
folding of poles about six feet from
the ground, above the reach of wolves
and beasts of prey, wrapped in blan-
kets or robes with tribal ornaments
about the person. These subjects are
never disturbed by Indian hands,
though the glittering ornaments so
much coveted in tribal life should
drop upon the ground. The sight of
one of these "burial grounds" would
have been an inspiration for a sur-
geon's dissecting knife in other parts
of the country without screened doors
or peep-hole observation.
I have mentioned Fort Benton
earlier in my article. It was not a
military fort, but a trading post, es-
tablished by the American Fur Com-
pany and was one of the most im-
portant on the river, if not in the
whole country. From this point
alone more than half a million dollars
in furs and robes were annually
shipped to the states.
The store-rooms and work-shops
were built of adobe bricks of much
strength, with port-hole turrets for
lookout and defense. These build-
ings again were surrounded by a
stockade of high poles together, one
end embedded in the ground, and the
other riveted in their fastenings at
the top, giving ample room in the en-
closure for storage and made capable
of resisting attacks by the Indians in
any mode of warfare then known to
them. A large gate in the stockade
opened to the enclosure, through
which Indians passed in limited num-
bers at a time, chiefs and head men
first, to exchange robes and furs for
paint, beads, gaudy calico and red
blankets, so attractive to the race.
As soon as one squad had finished
trading they were turned out to make
room for others to enter, who had re-
mained outside the stockade waiting
opportunity, it not being prudent to
let too many in at a time, besides be-
ing inconvenient to accommodate a
whole tribe at once for want of room.
The exchange price for a good
buffalo robe, formerly, was a cup of
sugar, a yard of calico, string of
beads, or a little red paint, with a
plug of tobacco added, for an extra
nice robe or a choice lot of furs. If
an Indian could get several coveted
articles in exchange for one, the traf-
fic was reckoned by them to be largely
in their favor; numbers often offset
values.
These robes were dressed and
tanned by the squaws and by them
brought to market, either upon their
own backs or upon the backs of po-
nies, with papooses in the outfit
astride of the bundles or on the necks
of the horses as conscious of life's
realities as the owner of an automo-
bile on the back seat of his "red devil
flyer" is conscious of unlawful speed
over his transit. The squaws formed
the baggage train of the moving
camp, while their master lords rode in
stately ease, oblivious of all care or
responsibility for the drudgery of the
camp. All the labor among the In-
dians, except the chase, was per-
formed by the squaws. They did
everything, took care of the babies,
moved the camp, pitched the tent, cut
the wood, brought the water, dried
the meat, dressed the pelts, cooked the
meals, and when the repast was ready
first served their masters, contenting
themselves with the scanty refuse
that might be left.
flf a ilnntatta
The White and Indian races, sepa-
rate in life's pursuits on the line of
human destiny, the weaker has given
way to the stronger, under the shad-
ows of inevitable fate.
I have spoken generally of the In-
dians in their nomadic state, and not
in their enforced colonization upon
reservations, where they are kept in
subjection by the power of the gov-
ernment, contrary to the impulse of
their nature. The difference be-
tween the two conditions is much like
that of a tiger caged for exhibition in
the menagerie and in the jungles.
During my early residence in Mon-
tana gold dust was the circulating
medium in which contracts were
made and purchases were settled for
in this commodity. Each place of
business had its little scales where
balances were adjusted. Gold dust
had a commercial value of $18.00 to
the ounce the same as gold coin, and
it took thirty or more crispy green-
back dollars to equal the purchasing
power of an ounce of gold dusf.
In the saloons and hurdy-gurdy
dance-houses, where whiskey was
sold at thirty and forty cents a drink,
the beam of the scales went down
with the weight of gold as rapidly as
the whiskey went down the throats of
the drinkers. It was easy to tell
which had the advantage in this ex-
change. Sometimes a looker-on,
seeing the size of the drinks, would
conclude that the drinker thought
himself a long way ahead in the ex-
change and the oftener he drank, the
more sure he became that such was
the fact.
Miner's wages at that time aver-
aged $8.00 to $10.00 a day, payable
in gold dust. This gold was carried
by them in a leather pouch of pliable
deer-skin, and not unfrequently the
bartender, when patrons became mel-
low and oblivious to care, would dip
his finger and thumb into the sacks,
take out a pinch of the yellow stuff
and drop it into his till without weigh-
ing. An avaricious pinch would bal-
ance the value of eight or ten dollars
in greenback currency.
I watched the transition stage
from Indian and Vigilante rule to
law-abiding precepts established by
the courts and co-ordinate branches
of the government, and the Territory
passed into channels of state sover-
eignty among the sisterhood of states
on the twenty-second of February,
1889. Montana in its uplift out of
"swaddling clothes" stands full-
dressed in the sunshine of activities in
the destiny of the republic.
The power and dread of the Indian
is gone. Their contact with civiliza-
tion, with its arts and sciences, weak-
ened their power of resistance to
aggressive forces; they are but or-
phans on the fly-wheel of time, driven
to reservations distasteful to their na-
ture, surrounded by government bay-
onets to enforce obedience to govern-
ment demands.
Cattle, horses and sheep roam in
fatness and contentment on the hills
and in the valleys. Christian homes
dot the landscape, golden harvests
gladden the fields, routes of travel are
improved and safe. Railroads with
•their branches reach up into Montana
for its commerce, with palace-cars for
comfortable travel running through
Helena, the capitol of the state, and
on to the Pacific ocean. So that now
we can take the cars to New England,
and with but few changes ride to the
fields of gold, copper, silver, and other
mines in Montana with ease and com-
fort, visiting the Yellowstone Park,
Nature's wonderland, unequalled in
marvelous natural wonders on the
globe. Churches in Montana are
well filled on the Sabbath, schools pro-
vided with accomplished teachers, so-
ciety good, and life as secure as in
other states. Trolley cars fly on elec-
tric wings over mountain and valley,
delivering messages from point to
point with the regularity of clock-
work, while the wireless telegraph
annihilates time and distance in its
circuit around the globe.
The Indian, on his fleet-stepping
ffitf* an Ameruan Jrontter
horse, with flashing spear, battle-ax
and implements of warfare, has given
way to the pale-faced rider on a
steam-chested iron horse with speed
that defies the whirlwind and fears
no obstacle in its way.-
Emigrant trains, the post-rider, the
stage-coach, are vanquished by the
power of steam and electric forces,
guided by intelligent agencies that
rule the world and bridge the skies.
Old theories and moving powers
are substituted by new agencies in
life's activities and the springtide of
the new century is budding to flash
sunlight over the world that will
emancipate the social, political, com-
mercial and religious environments
that encrust them. In the uplift,
man comes into sublimer relation's to
creative power than prophets foresaw,
or seers foretold. The past is but an
epitaph on the tombstone of time; the
future will be living history. The
star of Bethlehem that shone for only
a few wise men to gather at the man-
ger to-day shines with increased lus-
ter for all men to worship at its shrine
and we are on the threshold of greater
events in the problem of life than
ever before.
The president of the United States
on the Fourth of July, 1903, by tele-
graphic and cable news startled the
slumbers of kings and queens in their
morning naps by "good-morning sal-
utations" which echoed around the
world in twelve minutes and ten sec-
onds, returning with responsive
acknowledgments over a circuit of
nine thousand miles through ocean
waters and over mountain summits,
annihilating distance and sanctifying
thought that reached from the throne
of light to the heart of man.
The rainbow of promise bends from
the Throne of Power to the ear of
man, revealing secrets and new agen-
cies soon to burst upon us; the bow-
els of the earth give up their envel-
oped history, the ocean becomes a
sounding-board for midnight dreams
among the nations, and morning sun-
light flashes through inky type, the
maturing of plots in isles of the seas,
and the moving of armies in distant
nations of the earth are photographed
over our menu at the breakfast table.
Electric words from land shores jump
into wireless aerial chariots and in the
twinkling of an eye dance upon decks
of ships hundreds of miles distant,
revealing to the selected eye secrets
that astonish the world.
The star chamber of destiny opens
its gates and gives us a free ticket to
gather at the passover of coming
events. The cradle of to-day is rock-
ing elements that will startle the
world to-morrow. Rip Van Winkle
slumbers are at an end. The twenti-
eth century awakens new-born activ-
ities ; morning sunlight illumines the
night of slumbering energies; science
lifts its torch revealing new attributes
from starry realms; theology breaks
the shell of long encased dogmas ;
medical skill moves away from blood-
letting facilities which nourish and
sustain the tissues of human life ; the
law abolishes its shield on the equity
side of party litigants ; American en-
ergies sweep the decks of the world's
commerce; the nations stand aghast
at the attributes of American achieve-
ments on the line of progressive
events.
Railroad bands of steel girdle the
earth's surface by American push ;
our sails whiten the seas, steamboats
plow ocean waves, gathering to their
decks the commerce of the world.
There are no shady nooks for lethar-
gic dreams by the wayside in the
whirl of passing events.
"Life is real, life is earnest," and
no manna from heaven need be ex-
pected 4o drop into the basket of the
slothful.
We'll tread the prairie, aa of old
Our fathers sailed the sea,
And make the West, as they the East,
The homestead of the free "
119
Jtrat Ammran
C&all " Oto Arm* "
Srgan nrttl| ilj* Arrttral
of Jirnt liljil* flrn in % Nrro Wnrlb ^
3faatmrn nritlj fHushrt an& $tik* ^ ^orsrmrn mill) JJtctnl
and (Earbtn* j* dHttitarg 3Forr* Ulazrii Jfailj for OUwttizatUm J
Ufa Jirnt " 3rain*& IBanfo " and % Organization of tlf* (Crnrtin* ntal Armg
BT
SPENCER P. MEAD, LL.D.
of the New York Bar
AUTHOR OF THB HlSTOKT AND GENEALOGY OF THB MEAD AND REYNOLDS FAMILIES IN AMERICA
HE earliest colonial settlers
m ^is country found it
necessary to form and
maintain military organi-
zations for their protec-
tion from the Indians and
other marauders, which
were designated "trained bands" and
were called into active service at dif-
ferent times during the colonial period
as the exigencies which confronted
the colonists required.
In Virginia, Captain John Smith
commanded the military force for a
number of years, and under his effi-
cient leadership it proved indispensa-
ble to the preservation of that colony.
The military forces of the Plymouth
Colony were commanded by Captain
Miles Standish, who, in 1621, com-
manded a strong party of fourteen
men against the Indians and on the
twenty-ninth day of August, 1643, was
appointed captain by the General
Court, and in 1649 he was command-
ant of the several military companies
within the Plymouth Colony.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony in
1631 ordered that "every man with a
musket shall have ready one pound of
powder, twenty bullets and two fath-
ome of match, and that every captain
shall traine (drill) his company on
Saturday in every week. General
training days once a month at one
o'clock in the afternoon." In 1637,
general training days were reduced to
eight times in a year. In 1636, the
General Court held at Boston, ordered
that the military companies be divided
into three regiments ; that all freeman
be allowed to vote for officers of a
trained band; and in 1645 ordered
that the chief commander of every
company is authorized to appoint out
and to make choice of thirty soldiers
of their companies in every hundred,
"who shall be ready at halfe an hour's
warning upon any service they shall be
put upon by their chief military offi-
cer." The organization of these emer-
gency men was continued for gen-
erations, and later they became the
famous minute-men of the Revolution-
ary War. There has recently been
organized, in order to perpetuate the
memory of the minute-men and also to
promote patriotism, an association
known as the "Minute-men," with
headquarters at Washington, D. C.,and
divisional commanders located in dif-
ferent sections of the country. In
1642, provisions were made for fines
and punishments for disorderly sol-
diers, and in 1648 arrangements were
made for regimental drills and a troop
of horses was organized.
The Connecticut and New Haven
colonies likewise organized military
companies, or "trained bands," as they
were called, and in 1636 ordered "that
every plantacon shall traine once in
every month and if upon complainte
of their military officer, it appears that
there bee divers very unskillfull, the
saide plantacon may appoint the offi-
nf Ity (EntttutFtttal Armg
cer to traine oftener the saide unskill-
full. And that the saide military offi-
cer take view of their several arms
whether they bee serviceable or noe.
And for default of every souldiers ab-
sent the absent to paye five shillings
for every tyme without lawful excuse
within two days after, tender to the
commissioner, or one of them in the
saide plantacon. And for any default
in arms upon warnings to them by
the saide officer to amend by the tyme
appointed one shilling every tyme.
And where arms are wholly wanting
to be bounde over to answer it at the
next Corte."
First American Homes Were
Arsenals Under Penalty of Law
Captain Mason, in 1637, was ap-
pointed a public military officer of the
plantations of Connecticut to train
"the military men thereof in each plan-
tacon according to the dayes appointed
and shall have £40 per annum, to be
paid oute of the Treasury quarterly.
The pay to begine from the day of
the date hereof, to traine the saide mil-
itary men in every plantacon tenn days
in every yeare, soe as it be not in July
or August, giving a weekes warning
beforehand." All persons to bear
arms that are above the age of six-
teen years, except those exempted.
A magazine of powder and shot to be
kept in every plantation for the supply
of the military men, and every military
man is to have continually in his house
in readiness "halfe a pounde of good
powder, two pounds of bullets sutable
to his peece, one pounde of match, if
his peece be a matchlocke, and whoso-
ever failes of his halfe pounde of pow-
der and two pounds of bullets and
match to pay five shillings for every
tyme that is wanting." Later train-
ing days in the plantations of Con-
necticut were reduced to six times in
a year, and the General Assembly en-
acted, that "there shall be in each Plan-
tation within this Jurisdiction, every
year at least six Training days, or
days of public military exercises to
teach and instruct all the males above
sixteen years of age in the comely
handling, and ready use of their arms,
in all postures of war, to understand
and attend all words of command."
An extract from the report of the
governor of Connecticut to the home
government, dated the fifteenth day of
July, 1680, reads as follows :
"For the present we have but one
troope settled, which consist of about
sixty horse, yet we are upon raysing
three troopes more, one in each county
of about forty horse in each troope.
Our other forces are Trained Bands.
There is a major in each county, who
commands the militia of that county
under the governor for the time being,
who is the General of all the forces
within our Colony. The whole amount
to 2507. The names of the several
counties are :
Hartford County where are about 835 trained soldier*
New Haven " '• " 623
New London " " " " 500 " "
Fairfield " " " " 540 "
2,507
Our horsemen are armed with pis-
tolls and carbines. The foot soldiers
with musket and pike. For the pres-
ent in our late warrs with the Indians,
we found dragoones to be most use-
full and therefore improved about
three hundred of these in the service
to good successe. In 1689 our num-
bers were 2507."
Governor Trumbull's Report to His
Majesty's Secretary of State, dated
October, 1774, shows the number on
the militia rolls to be 26,260, "all male
persons from sixteen years of age *.o
forty-five bear arms, the trained bands
in each town attend four days in the
year for instructions in military disci-
pline. There are eighteen regiments
with a troop of horse to each, and to
some two troops; each regiment
attends regimental exercise once in
four years." In March, 1775, the
number of regiments of foot in Con-
necticut were twenty-two, not includ-
ing troop of horse, light dragoons,
artillery, or independent companies.
In Rhode Island practically the
same military organizations existed
and in 1640, training days were eight
3fftrat Ammran
Arma
times in a year, and at the second beat
of the drum all men allowed and
assigned to bear arms were to make
their personal appearance completely
armed to attend their colors by eight
o'clock in the forenoon; also two
general masters in each year were pro-
vided for in addition. Training days
in 1745 were reduced to twice a year,
but the two general muster days in
each year were continued, and later
a review was had of each regiment or
battalion twice a year and a general
muster and review of each brigade
once in two years.
First Confederation of American
Fighting Forces was in 1643
The first confederation of the New
England Colonies took place as early
as 1643, a°d at a meeting of its com-
missioners in 1653, who were at that
time in session at Boston, after having
"considered what number of souldiers
might be Requisite, if God called the
Collonies to make warr against the
Dutch, concluded that five hundred
men for the first expedition should bee
the number out of the four jurisdic-
tions," and apportioned that number
to the several colonies, as follows :
Massachusetts Bay.
Plymouth
Connecticut
New Haven
333
60
65
42
and Captain John Leverett of Boston
was selected as commander-in-chief
of the forces to be so raised.
A few years after this, in 1665, the
Connecticut and New Haven Colonies
were united under one government,
and the Massachusetts Bay and the
Plymouth Colonies united in 1692.
The militia in the city of New York
in 1678 were formed into companies of
one hundred men each, and although
but indifferently provided with fire-
arms, and those of all sizes and pat-
terns, they were drilled and rendered
excellent marksmen by continual prac-
tice in firing at a mark. In December,
1772, the governor of the province of
New York held a general review in
the fields of seven independent compa-
nies of the militia formed into a bat-
talion in the following order :
The grenadiers,
Two companies of the Governor's guard,
The rangers,
The Germans,
One of the companies of artillery, and
One company of the light infantry.
The review was witnessed by "a
splendid assembly of the principal
ladies and gentlemen." After the re-
view the officers were entertained by
the governor, who wrote to Lord
Dartmouth, stating that "it was the
most brilliant militia review that ever
was had within His Majesty's Ameri-
can dominions." In June, 1773, the
governor of the province of New York
forwarded to the home government an
abstract of the state of the militia in
the province of New York, by which it
appears that there were twenty-six
regiments of foot and eleven troop of
light horse, of which one regiment and
one troop were in New York county.
The Pennsylvania militia was organ-
ized and trained along the same lines
as were the other colonies and in 1775
it was organized into battalions, and
on the nineteenth day of August of
that year consisted of fifty-three bat-
talions, and in 1776 some of these bat-
talions were composed of eight com-
panies.
George Washington received his
early military training in the Virginia
militia, and in 1751, at the age of nine-
teen years, he was appointed adjutant
of the militia, and in 1753 he was made
commander of the Northern Military
District of Virginia, and in 1755 he
was commissioned commander-in-chief
of all the Virginia militia.
It will thus be seen that the training
in arms and the preparation against
surprise and attack have been hand2d
down from the days of Captain John
Smith and Captain Miles Standish,
and that as the settlements increased
and the population multiplied the mili-
tary forces increased in equal ratio,
which were under the immediate su-
pervision of the various Colonial Gen-
eral Courts, the Legislature, or the
governor of the colony. The com-
pany officers, who must be freemen,
were elected by the freemen of the
(Drganuatinn af ttyt (Enniinimtal Armg
trained band to which they belonged ;
every freeman was compelled to serve
in the militia and their names pre-
sented to the General Court or Legis-
lature, and if such elections were con-
firmed commissions were issued by the
General Court or Legislature, signed
by the governor and under the seal of
the colony, and forwarded to the re-
spective officers.
Company drills were held at irreg-
ular periods and at such times and
places as the commanding officer
might designate, and should not be
confused with training days or muster
days, which were held in the fields and
at the times prescribed by the General
Court or Legislature. In Massachu-
setts, the minute-men, which were
picked men from the trained bands,
during the latter part of 1774 and the
early part of 1775, were "disciplined
three times a week and oftener as
opportunity might offer."
The First Men of the Nation
Were Drilled in Use of Arms
Training days, of which there were
from two to six during the year, were,
in a military sense, the graduating ex-
ercises of a finished course of instruc-
tion in company drills. Assembly was
sounded in some of the colonies at
eight o'clock in the forenoon, and on
others at one o'clock in the afternoon,
when the companies were formed, roll
called and the militia exercised in the
manual of arms and marching in close
order. This was followed by a review
and inspection by the colonial officers,
then target practice and firing by
squads. After this the forces were
divided and manoeuvred in extended
order and finally ended the day by par-
ticipating in a sham battle. The vari-
ous state military camps now take the
place of the colonial training days.
On muster days every freeman in
the colony between the ages prescribed
for military duty, except those ex-
empted, was compelled to be present
and be inspected, or examined, as to
his fitness for military duty and if he
passed the necessary qualifications he
was mustered into the militia in his
respective district and required to
attend company drills and training
days.
From these different trained bands
there were principally recruited the
quota of soldiers which the several
colonies were called upon from time to
time to furnish in the various wars in
which the home government was en-
gaged during the colonial period. The
last and most important colonial war,
so far as the colonies were concerned,
was the French and Indian War, 1754
to 1764, during which the Virginia
militia was commanded by George
Washington. It might be well to add
here that out of twenty-three Ameri-
can major-generals of the Revolution-
ary War, the majority of them
(twelve) had served with distinction
as commissioned officers in the French
and Indian War, and several of the
others as Indian fighters.
Washington's letters during his ser-
vice in the first Continental Congress
held at Philadelphia in September,
1774, show that he was under no delu-
sion as to the outcome of the taxation
struggle, and that he expected war,
and after its adjournment he was act-
ively engaged in perfecting the militia
of Virginia.
The first sion of the Massachu-
setts Provincial Congress was held at
Salem on the seventh day of October,
1774, and after being temporarily
organized adjourned to the eleventh
day of October, 1774, to meet at the
courthouse at Concord, and as the
improvement of the militia was an ob-
ject of importance arrangements were
made for increasing the quantity of
warlike stores and the organization of
an army, and at the session held on the
tenth day of December, 1774, the sev-
eral towns and districts in the prov-
ince were advised to "see that each of
the minute-men not already provided
therewith should be immediately
equipped with an effective firearm,
bayonet, pouch, knapsack and thirty
rounds of cartridge and balls."
123
Jtrat Ammnm &0lltor0— (Ml "Sto Arms"
On the eighth day of April, 1775,
the Provincial Congress of Massachu-
setts resolved that an army should be
raised and established and that other
New England colonies should be asked
to furnish their quota of men for the
general defense.
The records of the committee of
safety and supplies show that in
accordance with the resolution of
October, 1774, authorizing the collec-
tion of military stores, that various
stores, arms and ammunition were be-
ing collected and stored at Concord.
To seize those stores Lieutenant Colo-
nel Francis Smith, with a detail of
British regulars, consisting of about
eight hundred men, embarked from
the Boston Common at ten o'clock
Tuesday night on the eighteenth day
of April, 1775, crossed the Charles
river and began the march, which was
to bring on the Revolutionary War.
He met and dispersed the forewarned
minute-men at Lexington at five
o'clock on the morning of the nine-
teenth of April, 1775, and marched on
to Concord, destroyed the stores and
commenced his return.
" You know the rest in books you hare read,
How the British regulars fired and fled,—
How the farmers gave them ball for ball,
From b«hind each fence and farmyard wall ;
Chasing the red coats down the lane,
Then crossing the fields to merge again
Under the trees at the turn of the road,
And only pausing to fire and load."
At length, about sunset, almost on a
run the British reached Charlestown
Common, where they were sheltered
by the guns from the ships. The pur-
suit stopped and the colonial officers
held a consultation. A guard was
formed, sentinels posted and detach-
ments were sent out to watch the
enemy. The remaining provincial
forces consisting of minute-men and
trained bands encamped around Bos-
ton.
Soon after this the men encamped
around Boston were asked by the com-
mittee of safety, which was the execu-
tive committee of the Provincial Con-
gress of Massachusetts, to enlist until
the end of the year, or for a shorter
period ; also a vigorous circular letter,
dated the twentieth day of April, 1775,
was sent to the neighboring towns
urging the organization of an army
and on the twenty-third day of April,
1775, the Provincial Congress of Mas-
sachusetts decided that an army of
30,000 men be immediately raised and
that 13,600 be raised from Massachu-
setts. Committees were sent to the
Congress of New Hampshire at Exe-
ter and to the governments of Rhode
Island and Connecticut to inform them
of those resolutions and urge the fur-
nishing of men in the same propor-
tion.
Minute Men and Trained Bands
Were America's First Protectors
So thorough had the work of organ-
ization been accomplished in the colo-
nies during the years 1773, 1774 and
the early part of 1775 that an appeal
for men when the Seige of Boston
commenced was immediately suc-
cessful and a force of from 20,000 to
40,000 men, consisting of minute-men
and trained bands, was soon raised.
"Throughout the colonies a network
of local committees controlling militia
companies and post-riders, formed in
each colony at the suggestion of the
Virginia House of Burgess in March,
1773, watched the approaching storm,
tested the loyalty of those who pro-
fessed to welcome it and guided the
popular indignation and when the Bat-
tle of Lexington came, the colonies
were as well prepared for war as the
poor dependencies of a powerful na-
tion could be."
The forces beseiging Boston were
temporarily under the command of
General Artemas Ward, who received
his commission from the Provincial
Congress of Massachusetts as com-
mander-in-chief on the nineteenth day
of May, 1775. A short time prior to
this, however, the Provincial Congress
of Massachusetts sent a communica-
tion to the Continental Congress, then
in session at Philadelphia, offering the
direction of the forces to that body
and suggesting, as had been proposed
nf
(Enntuuntal Armg
by General Ward, the organization of
an army on the following basis :
i. A General-ln-Chlef.
a. Troop* to be enlisted for the war.
3. Provisions to be made for the support of the
families of soldiers.
4. That a loan should be negotiated for the equip-
ment and support of the body, which should be
called "The American Continental Army."
5. That the volunteers then In the held before
Boston were, as far as practicable, to be re-enlisted,
and a special light infantry corps, consisting of six
companies of " expert riflemen <f from Pennsylvania,
Maryland, and Virginia, were also to be enlisted.
On the fourteenth day of June,
1775, a system of rules and articles of
war were prescribed by the Continen-
tal Congress, which also resolved that
six companies of expert riflemen be
immediately raised in Pennsylvania,
two in Maryland and two in Virginia,
to re-enforce the army near Boston.
On the following day, June 15, 1775,
the Continental Congress announced
the selection of George Washington as
general and commander-in-chief of the
united colonies and of all the forces
now raised or to be raised by them.
First Record of an American
Continental Army was in 1775
The term, "Continental Army," first
officially appears upon the printed
records of the Continental Congress in
the summary of the proceedings for
the fourteenth day of June, 1775,
where the form of enlistment to be
subscribed by companies of riflemen is
given. It was to be an enlistment into
the "American Continental Army."
On the same day a committee of five
was appointed to prepare rules and
regulations for the government of this
prospective army, which were reported
and adopted on the thirtieth day of
June, 1775.
For the year 1775 no Continental
Army was in the first instance organ-
ized as such by the Continental Con-
gress, and as the colonies were mus-
tering their trained bands and minute-
men around Boston and Ticonderoga
after the Lexington alarm, and as they
were already in the field as good ma-
terial for the nucleus of such an army,
the Continental Congress adopted
them as the Continental Army, but
troops joining later were generally re-
cruited on the Continental basis.
After the year 1775 and for the suc-
ceeding years of the war, the Conti-
nental Congress took the initiative and
raised troops for the common army
under its own regulations respecting
pay, subsistence and term of enlist-
ment. The army, however, as will
appear, was organized and reorgan-
ized several times during the Revolu-
tionary War, and for various terms.
These Continentals were the "regu-
lars" of the Revolution. They formed
the main army in the field and were
the chief dependence of the revolu-
tionary cause. All other troops raised
during the war were either state
troops or militia, and were to act as
reinforcements of this army, or to re-
lieve it by serving in alarms at differ-
ent points.
General Washington arrived in
camp at Cambridge, Massachusetts, on
the third day of July, 1775, and the
provincial forces having accepted his
leadership and the regulation of the
Continental Congress, the entire force
consisting of about 14,500 men were
placed upon a Continental establish-
ment. This new relation was officially
announced by the commander-in-chief
in general orders, dated Headquarters,
Cambridge, July 4, 1775, as follows:
"The Continental Congress having
now taken all the Troops of the several
Colonies, which have been raised, or
which may be hereafter raised, for the
support and defence of the Liberties of
America into their Pay and Service,
they are now the Troops of the United
Provinces of North America; and '.t
is to be hoped that all Distinctions of
Colonies will be laid aside so that the
one and the same spirit may animate
the whole, and the only contest be,
who will render on this great and try-
ing occasion the most essential Service
to the great and common cause :n
which we are engaged."
After the campaign of 1776 the
army was reorganized for 1776. It
was not, however, until the reorgani-
zation of the Continental Army for
— (Eall "
1777, that Congress realized that the
contest could not be successively car-
ried on with troops enlisted for short
terms. The need of a permanent dis-
ciplined army to cope with the British
"regulars" was recognized as urgent.
Congress accordingly, by resolutions
of the sixteenth and twentieth days of
September, and the eighth day of
October, 1776, provided for such a
body. The army was proportioned
among the states according to their
population, as follows :
Massachusetts 15 regiments
Virginia iS
Pennsylvania.. 12
New York 4
Maryland 8
Connecticut 8
and the rest in like ratio.
As a body they formed the Conti-
nental Army, and the regiments of
each state formed a subdivision by
themselves. Each state quota thus
became a "Line Regiment" in itself,
which was designated by its state's
name, as the "New York Line," "Con-
necticut Line," etc., each being a dis-
tinct body commanded by officers from
its own state and cared for by its own
state as well as by Congress. In-
spired by a common cause and welded
into a homogeneous body under the
leadership of General Washington, it
was these state "Lines," facing the
enemy as a single "Continental Army"
that were to bear the burden of the
war for the next six years and bring it
to a successful close.
Washington Called for " Clean
and Spruce" Men In 1776
The Washington Continental Guard,
also known as the "Washington Life
Guard," "Captain Gibbs' Guard" and
the "Commander-in-Chief's Guard,"
was organized on the twelfth day of
March, 1776, a few days before the
termination of the Seige of Boston,
pursuant to the following order :
HEADQUARTERS, CAMBRIDGE,
MARCH u, 1776.
The General is desirous of selecting a
particular number of men as a guard for
himself and baggage. The colonel, or com-
manding officer, of each of the established
regiments, the artillery and riflemen ex-
cepted, will furnish him four, that the num-
ber wanted may be chosen out of them.
His Excellency depends upon the colonels
for good men, such as they can recommend
for their sobriety, honesty and good behav-
ior. He wishes them to be from five feet
eight inches to five feet ten inches, hand-
somely and well made, and as there is noth-
ing, in his eyes, more desirable than clean-
liness in a soldier, he desires that particular
attention may be made in the choice of such
men as are clean and spruce. They are to
be at headquarters to-morrow precisely at
twelve o'clock noon, when the number
wanted will be fixed upon. The General
neither wants them with uniforms, nor
arms, nor does he desire any man to be sent
to him that is not perfectly willing, or de-
sirous of being of this Guard. They should
be drilled men."
On the following day, March 12,
1776, Caleb Gibbs of Massachusetts
was commissioned captain of the
Guard, which consisted of a major's
command of one hundred and eighty
men, to whom was entrusted the de-
tails of the organization.
The Guard, like the Continental
Army, was organized and reorganized
several times during the Revolutionary
War, and on the twenty-second day of
April, 1777, the commander-in-chief
sent the following letter to Captain
Gibbs :
MORRISTOWN, APRIL 22, 1777.
CAPTAIN GIBBS :
DEAR SIR:
I forgot before you left this place to de-
sire you to provide clothing for the men
that are to compose my Guard. . . .
Provide for four sergeants, four corporals,
a drum and fife and fifty rank and file. If
blue and buff can be had, I should prefer
that uniform, as it is the one I wear myself.
I shall get men from five feet nine inches
to five feet ten inches for the Guard; for
such sized men, therefore, make your cloth-
ing. You may get a small round hat, or a
cocked hat, as you please. . . .
I am, dear sir, your most obedient
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
In accordance with the foregoing,
and on the thirtieth day of April, 1777,
the general issued the following circu-
lar to the colonels, or commanding
officers, of the various regiments sta-
tioned at Morristown :
SIRS:
I want to form a company for my Guard.
In doing this I wish to be extremely cau-
126
Qi)rgatti2ati0tt nf ttyt (Ennthtrntal Armg
tious, because it is more than probable thnt
in the course of the campaign my baggage,
papers and other matters of great public
import may be committed to the sole care
of these men. This being premised m
order to impress you with proper attention
in the choice. I have to request that you
will immediately furnish me with four men
of your regiment ; and, as it is my further
wish that the company should look well,
and be nearly of a size, I desire that none
of the men may exceed in stature five feet
ten inches nor fall short of five feet nine
inches ; sober, young, active and well made.
When I recommend care in your choice, I
would be understood to mean of good char-
acter in the regiment, that possesses the
pride of appearing clean and soldierlike. I
am satisfied that there can be no absolute
security for the fidelity of this class of peo-
ple; but yet I think it most likely to be
found in those who have family connections
in the country. You will, therefore, send
me none but natives, as I do not want to
create any individual distinction between
them and the foreigners."
The Guard varied in numbers at dif-
ferent periods during the Revolution-
ary War. At first it consisted of one
hundred and eighty men. During the
winter of 1779-1780 it was increased
to two hundred and fifty men and in
the spring of 1780 it was reduced to
its original number and in 1783, the
last year of the war, it consisted of
sixty-four non-commissioned officers
and privates. It was the duty of the
infantry portion of the Guard to guard
the headquarters and insure the safe-
keeping of the papers and effects of
the commander-in-chief, as well as the
safety of his person. The mounted
portion accompanied the commander-
in-chief on his marches and in recon-
noitering, and were also employed as
patrols, videttes and bearers of the
commander-in-chief's orders to vari-
ous military posts.
Uniforms of Soldiers of
Continental Army in 1776
The Continental Congress on the
eighth day of October, 1776, resolved
"that for the further encouragement of
the non-commissioned officers and sol-
diers, who shall engage in the service
during the war, a suit of clothes be
annually given to each of said officers
and soldiers, to consist for the present
1*7
year of two linen hunting shirts, two
pair of overalls, a leathern or woolen
waistcoat with sleeves, one pair of
breeches, a hat or leather cap, two
shirts, two pair of hose and two pair
of shoes." On the twenty-fifth day of
November, 1779, Congress further re-
solved, that the following articles be
delivered as a suit of clothes for the
current and every succeeding year of
their service to the officers of the line
and staff, entitled by any resolution of
Congress to receive the same, viz. :
"one hat, one watch coat, one body coat,
four vests, one for winter and three
for summer; four pair of breeches,
two for winter and two for summer;
four shirts, six pair of stockings, three
pair thereof worsted and three of
thread and fo pair of shoes."
On the twenty-third day of March,
1779, Congress by resolution "author-
ized and directed the commander-in-
chief, according to the circumstances
of supplies of clothing, to fix and pre-
scribe the uniform, as well as with re-
gard to color and facing, as also as to
cut and fashion of the clothes to be
worn by the troops of the respective
states and regiments — woolen overalls
for winter and linen for summer."
In accordance with the above reso-
lution, the following general order,
dated Headquarters, Moore House,
October 2, 1779, was issued by Gen-
eral Washington. "The following are
the uniforms that have been deter-
mined for the troops of these states re-
spectively, so soon as the state of the
public supplies will permit of their be-
ing furnished accordingly ; and, in the
meantime, it is recommended to the
officers to endeavor to accommodate
their uniforms to the standard, that
when the men come to be supplied,
there may be a proper uniformity."
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode
Island and Connecticut:
Blue faced with white.
Burtons and linings white.
New York and New Jersey :
Blue faced with buff,
Buttons and linings white.
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia:
Blue faced with red,
Burtons and linings white.
Ammran
(Hall
Arms
North Carolina, South Carolina and
Georgia :
Blue faced with blue,
Button holes edged with narrow white
lace or tape,
Buttons and linings white.
Artillery and Artillery Artificers :
Blue faced with scarlet,
Scarlet linings,
Yellow buttons,
Yellow bound hats,
Coats edged with narrow lace or tape
and button holes bound with same.
Light Dragoons :
The whole blue,
Faced with white,
White buttons and linings.
HEADQUARTERS, SHORT HILLS,
JUNE 18, 1780.
The colonels, lieutenant-colonels and
majors, the uniforms of their regiments and
two epaulettes.
The captains, the uniform of their regi-
ment and an epaulette on the left shoulder.
All officers as will warrant, as commis-
sioned, to weai a cockade "and side arms,
a sword or a genteel bayonet."
HEADQUARTERS, NEWBURGH,
MAY 14, 1782.
"The clothier is, if practicable, to obtain
worsted shoulder knots for the non-commis-
sioned, to wear a cockade and side arms,
distinguished by one on each shoulder and
the corporals by one on the right shoulder,
and in the meantime it is proposed that a
piece of white cloth should be substituted by
way of distinction."
The military record of the New
World, while not as spectacular as
that of the Old World, is a story of
strong men with strong hearts who
have conquered strong forces until
today this first struggling republic
is one of the strongest nations of the
earth and stands at this moment a
world power — learned in the arts of
peace and the forerunner of an age
of Universal Brotherhood.
WHEN SORROW BECKONS AT THY DOOR
BY
HOWARD ARNOLD WALTER
Shall I rejoice that thou hast never
known
Life's thorny, bitter way ;
That woodland glades with roses over-
blown
Are where thy glad feet stray?
Aye, — tho' I toil alone
Beneath my cross this day.
Shall I recall thee from thy roses,
sweet,
To feel the thorns with me ;
When deathless sorrow hath not lured
thy feet
Nor taught thine eyes to see ?
Nay, — 'twere not meet
My grief should sadden thee.
But O, when sorrow beckons at thy door,
And thou dost rise and follow far,
As I rejoin thee on the distant shore
Where all earth's grieved ones are,
If thou implore
I'll show my livid scar.
128
(Enuutrg ICif? in A m ? r t r a
PATH THRO' THE WOOD
DRAWING BY DANIEL F. WENTWORTH
MOONLIGHT
DRAWING
BY
DANIEL F. WENTWORTII
THE ROAD IIOMK
srx
HY
GEORGE C. AT U KM.
THE OLD MILL,
SUN GRAVURE.
BT
GEORGE C. ATWELL,
THE MEADOWS
DRAWING
BY
DANIEL F. WENTWORTH
THE BROOK
SUN GRA.VURE
BY GEORGE C. ATWEL.L,
itf Ammrmt JmmitrtalH
MERICANS are united in
a resolute purpose —
the erection of a Great
Edifice of Human
Eqjuality on the West-
ern Continent. It is
the structure, not the
architects no? the builders, that is
uppermost' in the American mind.
With this monumental labor slow-
ly but steadily moulding itself into
the greatest tabernacle of "Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happi-
ness" that human mind and heart
and hand have ever conceived, the
artisans are begin-
ning to recognize
that there is he
among them who
has contributed
largely.
It matters little
whether it be under
the Empire or the
Republic, in the
short Day's Work
of Man there will
always be One
whose craftsman-
ship and ingenuity
will lift him up from
the ranks.
American spirit
knows nothing of
idolatry. It is not
hero - worshipping.
It loves Honest
Work, well done,
and, when it beholds
it, grasps the hand of the Worker —
and the pulse throbs in manly recog-
nition and brotherly affection.
The Heart of Man is great. It is
greater even than his marvelous in-
tellect and his determinate brawn.
This recognition of the fellow-
worker's skill is one of the noblest
attributes of Man. No community
of people — no nation — can become
permanently strong that does not
recognize the individual achieve-
ments of its workers.
Westminster Abbey is an incentive
for every toiler under the British
THK H.U.I. OK FAMK
FOR GRKAT AMERICANS
BY WEALTH OK THOUGHT
OR ELSE HY MH;HTY DKKI
THEY SKKYED MANKIND
:LK CHARACTER
IN WORLD-WIDE GOOD
THEY LIVE FoREVBRMORE
Flag to do his Day's Work to the
best of his ability — its portals are
thrown wide and willingly open to
him whose completed work is done a
little better than that of the other
laborers. France has its Academy
of Immortals — its Pantheon in Paris,
and Germany its " Ruhmes
Halle."
It is the American people who
have dedicated " The Hall of Fame "
for their great kinsmen whose ser-
vices have contributed liberally to
the Great Whole.
This magnificent tribute to Amer-
ican Achievement
stands on the bank
of the Hudson, com-
manding a sweeping
view of the Palisades,
the historic heights
of Fort Washington
where one of the
hardest struggles for
American independ-
ence was fought, and
at the gate-way of
the New World.
A senate of one
hundred eminent
Americans confers
the honor on the
Americans whose
labors entitle them
to the immortal
memory of the Amer-
ican people.
The first American
chosen to the " Hall
of Fame " was George Washington,
who received the full recognition of
the electorate in which ninety-seven
members conferred, three being ab-
sent
The second American elected was
Abraham Lincoln, with ninety-six;
Daniel Webster, third, with ninety-
six; and Benjamin Franklin, fourth,
with ninety-four.
Forty Great Americans are now
immortalized in the "Hall of Fame."
A series of bronzes to their memory
is appropriately inaugurated in these
pages.
«3S
I IHST IMIKSIOENT OF AMERICAN KKITBI.M
GEORGE WASHINGTON
JOH.V AT IlHIIHii:- i Kl I:K, Vll«;iN-IA. FR 1IH r A M V 22, O. S. H. 173S
DIKI) AT Mof.VT VKR.VON-, VIRGINIA, DKfKMHKH 14, 17OO
KIHST «.IM:AT AMKHKA.N i.i HKUAK •»
A UK A II AM LINCOLN
IN IIAKIMN < )l S I V. >. KEIIKfAHV IS. 1«O»
)1KD AT WASIII V"»r«iV. DISTRICT OK COUDMHIA. AI'KII. 13. I •
KIItST O It K AT AMERICAN STATESMAN
DANIEL WEBSTER
Ili'HN AT SAI.INBURV, NKW II A M PI1 I ft K. JANUARY 18, 17B3
I>IKD AT MAR8HFIK1.D, MA 8 S ACHUS KTTS, OOTOBKH 2«, ISSZ
MUST C,KI:AT AMKKK AN i»i IM.OM A i
UK N.I AM IN FHANK1.IN
HORN AT BOSTON, JIA88 ACHUS KTTH, JANt'AKY 17, 1TO«
DIKD AT PHII-AIJKLI'IIIA, PKICW BTL V A -V I A. APRIL 17. 17«O
"MONARCH SUPREME IN NATURE'S GLORIOUS REALM"
But few American poets have sung the praises of Niagara. For nearly half a century this
marvelous pageant has been neglected in literature. About 1825, John J. C. Brainard, while
residing in Hartford, wrote a poem, "Niagara," which according to the critics of those days
" produced a sensation of delight over the whole country." That American Poetry is not dead
is proved by the stirring lines to Niagara here written by a venerable American lawyer, who
is about to pass through the gateway of the octogenarian, with the vigor and patriotic spirit
of the generation which he still represents. Henry Taylor Blake, the author of this new ode.
was born in 1828 at New Haven, Connecticut. He was graduated from Yale in 1848; studied
law and was admitted to the bar of Hartford county in 1851, retiring from active practice in 1888
(Emttmporary Amrnrmt
An ®ur to Niagara Jffalhs
HONORABLE HENRY TAYLOR BLAKE
Now is HIS SEVEXTY-XIXTII YEAII
IKE him of Patmos who in vision rapt
Beheld in Heaven Jehovah's great white
throne
And speechless worshipped, thus with
reverent awe
Before thy royal state I bow, Niagara!
Monarch supreme in Nature's glorious
realms
Of Beauty, Grandeur, Majesty and Power !
Monarch and psalmist both! whose mighty harp
Like that of Israel's King, with vibrant strings
Repeats in chant sublime thy Maker's name.
Fit music for this wondrous amphitheater
Whose pageants God's own hand has framed and moves
Incessant through the years in pomp divine!
Draped from the wide arena's farther wall,
Yon streaming curtain shows in living scene
A sliding, shimmering precipice of foam
Half veiled in rolling clouds of bursting spray,
Whose gullied front with changing hues aglow
And glimpsed in gleams of fitful splendor, seems
An endless avalanche of emerald and snow;
Or like a marble mountain's beetling cliff,
Its tumbling crags in dusty ruin hurled ;
While like a dirge in varying cadence floats
Across the misty gulf, their deep despairing roar.
Turning I downward peer with shuddering gaze
Over the plunging cataract's dizzy verge,
Stunned by the throbbing thunder-roll below,
Where Hell's infuriate cauldron boils and spouts
And quivers with the throes of bellowing floods
In that fierce torture-dungeon pent and torn!
Their writhing ghosts, out from the vortex flung
Bewildered whirl; then some in somber train
Like spirits lost, flit weeping: some with joyous flight
Swift through the golden archway overspread
Like radiant portal of immortal hope
Upsoaring, vanish at the gate of heaven.
j^to^J&f AR up the stream in restless flashing line
Ml Thy heaving waters meet the horizon's
edge.
r Lo ! leaping from the sky in pauseless
^^^^ flow
Unnumbered billowy legions, rank on
rank
In plumed array sweep down the tossing slope!
Onward they drive in eager, mad career!
They hear thy battle thundering at the front!
They see thy banner glittering o'er the fray,
And shout exulting ! but the foremost lines
When thy deep dread abyss yawns wide below
Shrink back appalled, recoiling from their fate!
Vain thought! borne onward in impetuous course
Their loose battalions massed for final charge
Are headlong hurled to join the dreadful war
Where crashing its volleys on the mail clad rocks
Thy fierce artillery smokes in ceaseless peal!
Stupendous strife of Nature's mightiest powers!
Resistless Force with Strength immovable!
But thine all shattering blows break piecemeal down
Those armored hosts and beat them into dust
And bear them backward in a murky tide;
First, slow and sullen, then in frantic rout
And desperate race, pursuers and pursued
In wild commingling piled, with deafening roar
Down through that gloomy gorge where thou hast
fought
Thy tireless battle of ten thousand years
Moving thy standard onward, inch by inch!
Slowly the turmoil dies; the struggle ends;
O'erwhelmed the vanquished sink, and the victorious
hosts
With trampling rush above their fallen foes
Press on to reach the goal by glory won.
Death's and Oblivion's dank and turbid pool !
FAR UP THE STREAM IN RESTLESS FLASHING LINE "—NIAGARA RIVER
^^^ ND now the setting sun's departing beams
Jv^k Light up thy face with warm responsive
glow
^ ^^ As if thou answeredst back his kind
.fa, ^Lr "Good Night!"
And thus with fond attention hour by
hour
Thy brow reflects his every changing mood;
Bright when he smiles, and shadowed when he frowns,
But all things else thou heedest not, withdrawn
In solemn mystery apart, inscrutable ;
Speaking thy thunders to no earthly ear,
And tossing man or beast or floating log
Indifferent which, and all with equal scorn!
For he, thy sire, who warmed thee into life
Smiled the first welcome to thine infant form
When the great glacier mother gave thee birth
And scooped thy cradle in the solid rock,
Then dying, left thee to his fostering care.
And he and thou in lone companionship
Through aeons vast together have beheld
The myriad changes of Creation's growth ;
Seas, lakes and rivers, mountains, hills and plains,
Deserts and forests, reptiles and monsters strange,
Fierce beasts and fiercer men, race slaughtering race.
In long succession come and pass away ;
Thyself and he, the only deathless things!
And still his radiant orb undimmed shall light
Unnumbered generations to adore
At thine all-glorious shrine, all glorious still
Though marred by fripperies, and despoiled by greed,
While empires wax and wane and disappear.
Till Time's tired footsteps drag but feebly on
And Earth decrepit staggers to her end!
Then shall his face grow wan with age and cold
And thy swift rushing torrents freeze to stone ;
And slowly mantling in the gloomy pall
Of Nature's icy death-bed, thou and he
Shall sleep together in eternal night.
"OVER THE PLUNGING CATARACT'S DIZZY VERGE "—NIAGARA FALLS
'NATURE'S ICY DEATH-BED "-NIAGARA FALLS IN WINTER
THE FIRST AMERICAN'S GREETING TO THE WHITE MAN
By Herman Atkins MacNeil, Sculptor
HEKE LET ME DWELL,
BT
REVEREND FREDERICK E. SNOW
LOOKED across the valley from my home
When Winter's frosty hand held in its grip
The wide and barren landscape ; here and there
Patches of evergreen stood forth distinct
And vivid mid the all-pervading gray
Of sky o'er-head and circling atmosphere.
A storm had raged through all the day and night,
And every tree trunk had its snowy coat ;
The woods looked like a group of spectres wan
And with uplifted arms in mute appeal
To Heaven to pity them, bereft and stripped
Of all of Summer's beauty. A leaden sky
Still hung above the white and snow-bound earth ;
Pale shadows lay along the lines of fence ;
The houses rose from out their muffled yards
Like ships from out the foam of troubled seas ;
Deep in the valley, outlined by the trees
Which sparsely stood along its frozen brim.
The brook was babbling 'neath its mail of ice ;
The village looked so like a little world
Half buried, yet rising from its fleecy tomb.
'Bove every roof the smoke curled hesitant,
Reluctant thus to leave the sheltering warmth
Of wide and generous chimneys. Signs of life
Were here and there visible ; and forms dark
Against the universal white moved, now
From house to barn, from barn to well,
Tracing the curious labyrinth of paths,
Through which, as through a loom the shuttle moves,
The children chased each other back and forth.
Halfway up the hill, facing the long street
Stretching southward, stood like a sentinel
The village church, guarding with jealous eye
Her trusting children as they worked or slept,
us
HERE LET ME D W E L, L,
A little world shut in and by itself;
A world behind its snowy ramparts hid,
Having its own sorrows, its own tears ;
And yet a world " far from the madding crowd,"
Unvexed by mad ambition, eager strife,
Competition in which one must go down
To cruel disappointment's black abyss ;
A world where love delights in ministry
In common things, nor vaunts itself before
The eyes of men, as tho' it sought applause ;
A world where each his neighbor gladly serves
And counts it scorn to think of recompense ;
A little world lying beneath God's eye
Content within the circle of His love !
Let those who will dwell midst the noisy din,
The harsh clamor, of the world's contention, —
Ceaseless debate of questions without end,
And strife for earthly dignity and rank, —
The heedless scramble after tinseled toys,
The heated chase for riches' gilded prize ;
Give me a book before the fireside
Where the soft nestle of the murmuring flame
Stirs tender tho't, and soothes the tangled brain ;
Where, from the circle of the village life
Some friend congenial and with like taste
Shall come, tho' all unbidden, yet to find
His chair set forth, and welcome waiting him;
Where quiet talk shall glide from lip to lip,
Or if perchance the flow of words shall cease,
Unspoken tho't shall tell of sympathy,
And silence shall be full of golden speech !
Here let me dwell in calm serenity,
-Secure from hard, insistent claim,
From every brazen, insolent demand
To render homage where desert is not,
To worship at a shrine whence worth has fled —
I'll be content and thank a gracious God
Who lets the lines of life fall happily!
of a £*rg?attt in Mar of 1B12
Unmanrr of 3oh.n Surt. Jtral Vattulton Artillrrif. ano
Jlrrata f8rarb.am — Bttb. QfranBrripts from (ftorrrsponornrr
BT
WILLIAM BURT HARLOW. PH.D.
GRANDSON or SXBUKANT BUKT
MONO the ancient papers
left by my grandmother
I find a bundle of old
letters and from them I
gather glimpses of a
real old-time courtship
— a romance such as
our grandmothers and grandfathers
experienced when the American Re-
public was in the making. There
is a gentility and a gallantry to
these worn documents that flavors of
the Old World. In the changes of
time these courtly manners have gone
with those whom they graced and it is
indeed pleasurable to look upon the
lines of those who Jived "when knight-
hood was in flower."
It was one hundred and twenty
years ago that my good grandmother
was born on Enfield street in northern
Connecticut. Her name bears the im-
print of days long gone — "Persis" —
quaint Persis Meacham.
Her father's little farm was one of
several estates that were united to
form the property of that successful
founder of the mills from whom
Thompsonville, Connecticut, is named.
My grandmother remembered "that
little Thompson boy" as a ragged
barefoot urchin running about the lots
in old Enfield. Only the wells of the
former farms were allowed to remain
to tell the tale of the old days and
the great mansion standing in its com-
manding position in the midst of a
fine grove is still seen next the quaint
old church with its slender spire.
Here Persis Meacham attended ser-
vice until she was thirty years old
and the old building remains much
as it appeared then ninety years ago.
The wooden bridge from Enfield
across the Connecticut river to Suf-
147
field was a few years ago carried away
in a spring flood. It was shaky and
called unsafe when I rode over it ten
years ago. My grandmother used to
walk over it daily on her way to the
Suffield school of which she was mis-
tress.
John Burt of Longmeadow was
courting her in those days and as he
was the son of a Revolutionary officer,
Colonel Gideon Burt, he naturally felt
called upon to follow in the footsteps
of his sire who procured him a com-
mission as sergeant to serve in the War
of 1812 at Sackett's Harbor and Fort
Michilimackinac. His term was for
five years and the youthful lover, who
was six years the junior of his lady-
love, must cease his visits at the En-
field farm and shouldering a musket
depart with his regiment into the wil-
derness.
Letters were slow in coming in
those days and the postage amounted
to eighteen cents. I fear my grand-
papa was rather neglectful of his poor
little Persis. She may perhaps be ex-
cused for lecturing him a little, for he
was twenty-two and she was twenty-
eight. She was old enough to know
what was what and I am glad she
gave him a piece of her mind. I will
copy one of her letters which is in-
teresting when compared with what
might be written by a girl to her
sweetheart at the present day.
ENFIELD, FEBRUARY 3, 1816.
MY DEAR FRIEND :
I received your letter yesterday with
much pleasure as well as surprise, for I had
long since supposed myself forgotten by
you. I am happy to hear that I am still
remembered by you & that I still retain
the same friendship and affection for you
as ever. I think you have been rather too
neglectful in writing to me; you have
Urttera of a
in
of 1B12
wrote to your other friends much oftener
than to me. Allmost three years have
elapsed since you left Enfield and I have
received only four letters from you and this
is the eighth I have addressed to you in
your absence. However, I am willing lo
make every allowance for your omission in
writing if you will be more punctual for the
future, alltho' I am unacquainted with a
military life I know there must be many
inconveniences. I rejoice to hear of your
good health & agreeable situation, may it
still continue, ma" you receive every bless-
ing that is necessary to make life agreeable.
Your father received your letter on
Thanksgiving day; it gave your friends
much joy, I was then at Long meadow and
had an opportunity of perusing it through
the kindness of Gideon which gave me
much pleasure as you expressed your love
for those that loved you only, and I thought
I might be one of that number. Oh, John!
have you got to stay more than two years
longer? Three years are allmost past
which seems like a little eternity. Alas !
must you stay your five years? Write I
entreat you and let me know if there is a
probability of your return before that
period which I live in constant hope there
is. Thanksgiving eve I attended Wm.
Stebbins and Eliza B's. wedding. Happy,
happy union ! two fond hearts are joined in
one. Your brother has once more received
a wound from little Cupid but I think there
is a remedy before winter is out I think he
will be firmly bound in Hymeneal bonds
with Miss Sally Kibbe; he seems to think
of nothing else at present but his approach-
ing nuptials. Write me as often as possible
and be assured I shall not omit the same.
Adieu my friend, I still remain your
PERSIS.
The reply of the soldier lover writ-
ten in good round hand is dated more
than seven months later, but then it
took more than four months for his
lady-love's letter to reach him. One
had need of much patience in those
days of uncertain mail transportation.
MlCHILIMACKINAC
I4th Septr. 1816.
MY DEAR PERSIS :
Your kindly letter I received on the i6th
of June last which I would have Answered
long since but no opportunity offering from
the inconvenience of vessels from Detroit
not arriving as I should wish to convey it.
I am happy to inform you that I am well at
present, although afflicted with the fever
and ague for some time past which I hope
these few lines will find you in good health
also. My feelings are rather hurt at find-
ing that you should imagine or even think
that you were forgotten by me on account
of not punctually writing to you. No, my
Dear Persis, it is the fate of a soldier's life
to be thus disappointed in the sanguine ex-
pectation of doing an act of the most im-
portant concern to be turned from it in a
moment, but those in private life have no
Idea of such inconvenience, — I know my
Dear, the time is long since my departure
from Enfield, but what can I do ? here I am
bound and cannot stir without bringing dis-
grace upon myself and family until regu-
larly and legally released from such embar-
assment; if then this should be removed I
must say you would have enough of room
to impeach me with neglect but I shall be
as punctual in Writing for the future as the
nature of this place will admit — I am
obliged to you my Dear for your good
Wishes for my being in good health which
is more precious than all other riches, and
equally so for you being in the same state ;
but as to my Situation although as agreea-
ble as the nature of it will admit is not to
me so, particularly being so long apart from
you and my other relations and friends but
I hope my Father will shortly effect some-
thing for my Relief.
I am glad to hear of the happy Union cf
Mr. Wm. Stebbins and his Consart and
wish them all happiness, not but I regret
the distant period of ours which I hope will
some time or other take place. I shall
write you every opportunity and hope you
won't neglect answering as it will be the
only consolation I shall have in my present
situation. The Indians here are quite
peaceable at present Remember my love
to all friends and remains your ever affec-
tionate and unalterable
JOHN BURT
Sergeant Artillery
Capt. Pierce's Company, ist Battallion.
John Burt, it appears, did not get a
commutation of his term of service,
but at the end of the five years pa-
tience had its reward and the lovers
were united in marriage or I should
not be telling their story.
Then came the long journey by
stage from Enfield out into the great
wilderness of Ohio. They settled in
Euclid, now known as a beautiful sub-
urb of Cleveland.
I have before me the list of the
household outfit purchased on their
arrival in 1818, amounting to $72.82^
and paid for by Colonel Gideon Burt.
their father. Among the forty-two
articles are the following :
30ljn lurt, Jftrjst Sattaltnn Artilbrg
pair linen sheats, tos
pair pillow cases, .
old table spreads, its .
flannel sheats, 15 yds. 6s
old towels, 6s . .
earring knife and fork,
snuffer tray, .
patchwork bedquilt,
small flannel gowns,
pairs mils,
pairs socks,
pair stocking legs,
pieces cotton factory, .
small red slip,
pair drawers,
chest,
tea canister,
pair buckskin gloves,
8 phials, ....
15 nutmegs, ....
$ »-S°
.«5
•75
.50
•50
•SO
•50
.50
•50
Nutmegs were costly in those days,
at eight cents apiece, and were prob-
ably much more indispensable than
now as they were largely used, not
only for flavoring foods, but drinks.
My mother was the first of three
children and born in the town of
Euclid. The father, who was a joiner,
found plenty of work in the new coun-
try. When he was not building
houses and barns he was making cra-
dles and coffins. He was easy-going
and kind, never demanding what was
owed to him, and debts were not
always voluntarily paid. After spend-
ing about ten years in the new home
the father heard of the need of men to
build the ship canal in the southern
part of the state, and, -tempted by the
high wages paid, he moved his family
to Chillicothe, Ohio. It was a sadly
unfortunate venture. The country
was swampy and malarial. John Burt,
who was at the head of a gang of men,
must be a leader, and as the others
were often afraid to venture into the
water to work he would precede them
to show that there was no danger.
He must thus stand in water for many
hours and return home at night with
wet clothes. My mother, who was
about nine years old, was attacked by
the malarial fever and her devoted
father, after his exhausting work, sat
up with her during the night. What
wonder that the soldier's constitution,
though strong, gave away under the
strain! The child recovered, but the
brave and faithful father fell a prey
to the fever that carried off so many
of the early settlers and died at the
149
age of thirty-nine, leaving a frail
widow and three small children.
Poor Persis was in a land of stran-
gers and her first thoughts were to re-
turn to Euclid where there were warm
hearts to welcome her. There were
weary miles of stage travel and her
oldest child, hardly recovered, was so
thin that her little frail hands held up
to the light showed all the bones ; her
hair had fallen out and she wore a lit-
tle cap to cover her bald head. She
was so sick from the jolting of the
stage that she was lifted out helpless
at the way stations.
At Euclid the mother thought it
best to return to the east against the
advice of several good friends. She
wrote to her husband's brother for
assistance. He was a well-to-do man
and childless. He owned a control-
ling interest in the stage route between
Albany and Boston, in those days
bringing in large revenue.
The letter which he wrote to Persis
I must transcribe to show a phase of
human character. It has always
seemed heartless in its tone, but he
proved a good friend at last and
adopted the younger daughter; also
aided the rest of the little family.
WORCESTER, DEC. 29, 1830.
DEAR SISTER AND STRANGER:
Your letter is reed, giving me the de-
sired situation that you are in and your
children and imploring some relief. The
widow and fatherless are objects of charity
from all and in particular from those that
are connected by blood or by marriage.
You are a stranger to me otherwise than by
your connection with a Brother who I have
not seen but once in twenty years. His
misfortunes and troubles I have been unac-
quainted with. With regard to assisting
you I have concluded to send you fifty dol-
lars that may be present help if you con-
clude to stay in Euclid or if you should
conclude to leave and come to N. England
it will be sufficient amount to bring you
here. Whatever should be your determi-
nation I would say that one of your chil-
dren, the youngest, if you can make up your
mind to give it away to us as we have none
of our own, we have concluded to take it
The other two I shall, if they come here
use my influence to procure them a home.
Brother Nathaniel will perhaps take one
of them, but a home shall be provided for
of a S^rg^ant tn
nf 1B12
QUAINT SILHOUETTES OF A BRIDAL COUPLE
Persia Meacham, born in 1785
all until such times as you may be able to
provide for yourself.
Poverty you claim and if you should un-
dertake the journey you will remember that
at this season of the year it is cold and
more expensive traveling. I should recom-
mend to you to dispose of all but what is
necessary for your comfort and to make
your children and yourself warm, and that
you should make some exertions to travel
as cheap as possible. • There is no other
way but to come all the way in the stage.
If by misfortune you should fall short of
cash when you arrive at Albany call at the
stage office of Rice and Baker and inform
them who you are and tell them I will see
that they are paid and show them the post-
script Yo. SIMEON BURT.
And so the forlorn little family, un-
able to collect the many sums due to
the poor father, accepted the cold invi-
tation and took the weary journey
which in those days must have been in
undertaking equal to that of crossing
the continent at the present time.
The Connecticut home of Persis had
been broken up. Her father and
mother had long since died and the
brothers and sisters had married and
scattered. The two little daughters
of Persis were for a time sent to the
Enfield High School by the benevolent
uncle. The younger, who had been
IN EARLY YEARS OP LAST CENTURY
Sergeant John Burt, born in 1791
adopted by him, continued her educa-
tion, but the elder, who had a longing
for education, was given but one year
of this, to her, happy school life when
she was required, at the age of six-
teen, to learn a trade and take care of
herself and her mother. The one boy,
Simeon, was of a roving disposition
and gave his mother much anxiety.
He could not be kept steadily at any
occupation. He finally ran away
while yet in his teens and enlisted on
board a man-of-war. It was a mis-
taken kindness on the part of the little
mother to go down to New York and
beg him off, for he was afterwards of
little comfort to her and finally joined
a tribe of wandering Indians, return-
ing with them to Maine where he mar-
ried among them and died without
issue and with no communication with
his sisters who had married well and
lived in New York and elsewhere in
the growing nation.
The little mother, Persis, spent her
last days in Worcester, Massachusetts,
with her elder daughter who had also
become a widow, and died among
kind friends at the age of sixty-one
years.
ISO
fllijamjmm of Intw0r0al
Aurrfcutra of EUIjn Surritt, an
Amrrirau J^armrr-lad mljii roar from a VlarkBtnttt|'a
unfi thruuulj &rlf-tmitrurtum Arquirrit Ihr Sunijurc of
Natinna «* l?r Appralrft tn QJhriatrnimm 10 (Craar Warfare
and Brramr ^nnnrrb bg ttje fHaatrr fflinfra uf tfjp (Dlfc Harlb *4 Srminiarrnrra
BT
HONORABLE DAVID NELSON CAMP, M.A.
STATIHTICIAN IN DEPARTMENT or EDUCATION AT WASHINGTON IN 1807— MEMBER OF FAOCLTT AT ST. JOHN'S
COLLEGE IN MARYLAND IN IBM-SECRETARY or NATIONAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATIO* in 1864— MAYOR
or NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, THE HOME or ELIIIU BURRITT, IN 1877— Now
AN ACTIVE EDUCATOR IN HIS EIOHTV-HIXTT YEAR
It has been estimated that since the beginning of authentic history war has
destroyed fifteen billions of human lives. I have seen the estimate put at twice that
number. The estimated loss of life by war in the past century is fourteen millions.
Napoleon's campaigns of twenty years cost Europe six millions of lives.
The Crimean War ........................ 1854 ............................. 750,000
The Italian War ......................... 1859 .............................. 63,000
Our Civil War, North and South ..... ........ (killed and died in other ways) 1,000,000
The Prussian-Austrian War .............. 1866 .............................. 45,000
The expeditions to Mexico, China, Morocco, etc ............................... 65,000
The Franco-German War ................ 1870 .............................. 250,000
The Russo-Turkish War .................. 1877 ............................. 225,000
The Zulu and Afghan Wars .............. 1879 .............................. 40,000
The Chinese-Japanese War . .............. 1894 .............................. 10,000
The Spanish-American War ........................................ . ...... 5,000
The Philipoine War ...................... 1899.. . . -I £.™e?icans 5'°°°
< Filipinos.. i, 000,000
The Boer War ....... , ................... (killed and wounded)
The Russo-Japanese War ................................................... 450,500
These are probably all under the actual facts.
BENJAMIN F. TRUEBLOOD,
Secretary American Peace Society.
conflicts within the life-
time of men who are now
living, more than three
billions sterling have been
thrown into the cannon's
mouth and nearly a mil-
lion fellowmen have fallen
martyrs to the battlefield.
In the United States of America, a
government founded on the brother-
hood of man, the greatest expenditure
since the beginning of the Republic
in 1789 has been for bloodshed — over
six billions for war, nearly two bil-
lions for navy, and about three and
one-half billions for pensions — more
than eleven billions out of a total of
something over nineteen billions of
dollars.
Since 1850 the population of the
world has doubled: its indebtedness,
chiefly for war purposes, has quadru-
pled. It was eight billions fifty years
ago, it is thirty-two billions to-day.
This is the dawn of the Age of
Humanism when the peoples of the
civilized earth will lay down the weap-
ons of brutality and arbitrate their
differences through the Power of
Moral Intelligence. The eighteenth
of May of this year has been appoint-
ed as Peace Day in many of the States
of the American Union and countries
of Europe. The second Hague Trib-
unal also convenes this year and it is
indeed a propitious time to turn atten-
tion to the First Champion of Uni-
versal Peace — Elihu Burritt, an
American whose memory has too
long remained unhonored.
nf iEUtfu Bttrrttt
recall my memories of
Elihu Burritt — that strong
man in American history
I I who began at the black-
smith's forge and became
a world-renowned linguist
and advocate of universal
peace — is indeed a pleasure, and
especially so if I can throw any new
historical light on this distinguished
figure.
Elihu Burritt was the world's first
champion of universal peace. It was
this distinguished American who ap-
pealed to the nations to lay down arms
and to apply reason rather than physi-
cal force to their misunderstandings.
He was as well-known in Europe as in
America, for a good part of his life-
time was spent in philanthropic enter-
prise which had England and the
United States for its field, and his
books have been as popular on the
eastern hemisphere as on the western
continent.
Burritt's career has been unique
in America. He is not the only phil-
anthropist or self-made man that we
have produced, but he is the only one
who has achieved for himself and by
himself such a wide acquaintance with
foreign literature, and at the same
time, given his active life to the ameli-
oration of the condition of his fellow-
men throughout the earth.
The service requested of me is to
give my reminiscences of the great
Burritt, who for some years was my
fellow-townsman and friend. All
that I record, however, cannot be per-
sonal recollections. For periods of
his life during which I saw nothing
of him I depend upon other records
to which I here acknowledge my in-
debtedness.
There is a maxim : "the boy is father
to the man." If I had known the boy
Burritt I might have been able to have
shown the embryo characteristics that
developed into the man Burritt, but
unfortunately for me, and possibly
fortunately for him, he was ten years
old before I was born, and while our
birthplaces were not many miles apart
it was in the era before transportation
facilities, when a neighboring town
was almost as foreign as a neighbor-
ing country.
Elihu Burritt was born in New
Britain, Connecticut, December 8,
1810; and ten years later, or in Octo-
ber, 1820, I was born in Durham, and
it was not until manhood that I made
Burritt's acquaintance. I presume the
boyhoods were very much alike in the
two Connecticut villages. It was an
age of barefooted summers and tip-
peted winters. There was the old
"swimmin'-hole," the little red school-
house and the sanctified "meetin'-
house." It was a time when the com-
munity lived faithfully by the maxim :
"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a
man healthy, wealthy and wise."
Burritt, then, was much the same
boy as the rest of us. He was the
product of a long line of rugged an-
cestry— a descendant of William Bur-
ritt who came to this country from the
south of Wales and settled in Strat-
ford, Connecticut. His father and
grandfather were both named Elihu
and were respected in the community
in which they resided. His father had
his home in New Britain, working on
a farm in summer and at the shoe-
maker's trade in winter. According
to the custom of the day he had a
large family and he sometimes found
it difficult to supply the needs of the
family by his scanty earnings.
Elihu Burritt was the youngest son
of ten children and in his childhood
was deprived of many things which
were esteemed the necessaries of life.
He told it of himself that when he
went to the district school he was not
furnished with a single book and he
learned his lessons from books bor-
rowed and from listening to the recita-
tions of other children. As he could
have a book only when not needed by
its owner he had to apply himself with
diligence while he had the book. In
later life he said that he attributed his
habits of intense application and clo:>e
observation partially to the circum-
stances of his earlier experience and
JFtrat QUjamjJtnn nf Intnpraal
the necessity of making the best use of
the few helps he had.
Soon after he was sixteen years of
age and on the death of his father he
felt the need of earning something for
the family as well as for his own per-
sonal needs. He was apprenticed to a
blacksmith and at once applied himself
diligently to learning the trade. The
days in the shop were long and he
worked early and late, but he made
frequent calls on his mother who was a
woman of strong powers of mind.
She encouraged Elihu in his efforts to
fit himself for usefulness. He was a
great reader and he read all the histor-
ical and biographical books in the vil-
lage library, which was well provid2d
with volumes of this class. When
partly through his apprenticeship he
commenced the study of Latin.
At this time his chief aim and desire
was to become an accurate surveyor.
As evidence that he possessed more
than ordinary talent in this direction it
may be stated that he mentally solved
two following problems — and unaided
by pencil, chalk or anything of the
kind, actually working them in his
mind while working at the anvil :
1. How many barley-corns, three to
an inch, will it take to extend around
the earth at the equator ?
2. How many yards of cloth, a yard
wide, allowing half an inch at each end
for lapping, would it require to reach
from the center of the sun to the cen-
ter of the earth, and what would it all
cost at one shilling per yard?
It will readily be admitted that any
one who could mentally obtain the cor-
rect answers of these questions as
Burritt did must be possessed of more
than ordinary mathematical ability.
I here give the contents of a per-
sonal letter which he wrote to
William Lincoln of Worcester, Mas-
sachusetts, in 1838. In this letter he
says:
" At the expiration of a little more than half
of my apprenticeship. I suddenly conceived the
Idea of studying Latin. Through the assistance
of an elder brother, I completed my Virgil dur-
ing the evening:* of one winter. After some
time devoted to Cicero and a few other Latin
authors, I commenced the Greek. At this time.
It was necessary that I should devote every
hour of daylight, and a part of the evening, to
the duties of my apprenticeship. I carried my
Greek grammar in my hat, and often found a
moment, when I was heating some large iron,
when I could place my book open before me, and
go through with ' tufto, tuftm, tufttr,' unper-
ceived by my fellow apprentices, and. to my
confusion of face, sometimes with a detrimental
effect to the charge in my fire. At evening, I
sat down unassisted and alone, to the Iliad of
Homer, twenty books of which measured my
progress in that language during the evenings
of another winter.
I next turned to the modern languages, and
was much gratified to learn that my knowledge
of Latin furnished me with a key to the litera-
ture of most of the languages of Europe. This
circumstance gave a new impulse to the desire
of acquainting myself with the philosophy, de-
rivation, aad affinity of the different European
tongues I therefore laid down my
hammer, and went to New Haven, where I re-
cited to native teachers In French, Spanish,
German and Italian.
At the expitatlon of two yearr, I returned to
the forge, bringing with me such books in those
languages as I could procure. When I had read
these books through, I commenced the Hebrew,
with an awakened desire for examining another
field; and by assiduous application. I was en-
abled, in a few weeks, to read this language
with such facility, that I allotted it to myself, as
a task, to read two chapters in the Hebrew
Bible before breakfast, this, and an hour at
noon, being all the time that I could devote to
myself during the day.
After becoming somewhat familiar with the
Hebrew, I looked around me for the means of
initiating myself into the fields of Oriental liter-
ature, and to my deep regret and concern, I found
m" progress in this direction hedged up by the
want ofrequislte books."
In my prolonged years as an educa-
tor it has been my good fortune to
make the acquaintance of many bright
men and women, but there has been
but one Elihu Burritt. For studious
concentration, I doubt if his equal has
ever been known in an American uni-
versity. With the exception of the two
years in New Haven, where he had
the aid of instructors in acquiring a
few of the modern languages, he had
no opportunity of aid at school, or
from teachers, except three months at
his brother's private school when he
was twenty-one. He attended the dis-
trict school somewhat irregularly until
he was fifteen, but his acquisition of
foreign languages was made after he
left school.
At the end of his school term he re-
sumed his work at the anvil where he
resolved to do double work to make jp
for the time spent in school. He
found that it would be far more con-
venient for him to pursue the study of
languages as he could easily carry in
his head or pocket a small Greek or
0f Slttfu lurrttt
Latin book at which he could glance
from time to time without interfering
with his work at the anvil. His even-
ings were devoted to the study of
French and Latin.
Burritt told his friends that he went
to New Haven that he might at least
enjoy the atmosphere of that classic
city, hoping to be stimulated thereby.
He was twenty-two years old, and be-
ing naturally diffident, he felt ashamed
to ask any one to enlighten or assist
him in the rudiments of Greek and
Hebrew. He therefore resolved to de-
pend upon his own resources and to
seek aid of no one. On his first day in
New Haven he took a copy of Ho-
mer's "Iliad," which he studied, his
sole aid being a Greek Lexicon with
Latin definitions. He had never yet
read a single line in the book, but re-
solved that if by hard study and close
application he could succeed in trans-
lating two lines during the day, he
would never thereafter ask aid of any
person in pursuing the study of Greek.
Before nightfall he had succeeded in
mastering the first fifteen lines of the
book. This success gave him greit
courage and confidence which proved
a great advantage to him in all his sub-
sequent studies. He now so widened
his range of studies as to devote his
time each day to French, Greek, Latin,
Italian, German, Hebrew and Spanish,
giving about half his time to the study
of the "Iliad."
In this way the studious youth spent
a winter and on returning to New
Britain he was induced to accept the
preceptorship of an academy in a
neighboring town. Here for a yeir
he both taught and studied. But the
change from an active life of manual
labor to one of sedentary pursuits
proved too much for him and his
health became greatly impaired. At
the expiration of the year he resigned
the position and engaged in the more
active business of commercial traveler
for a New Britain manufacturer, a
position he filled for many months, un-
til, in compliance with the earnest
wishes of his friends, he decided to
establish himself in the grocery and
provision business in his native town.
Here he was soon overtaken by the
great commercial crash of 1837 and
all his accumulated earnings disap-
peared.
On finding his little property swept
away he resolved to start a life anew
from the new standpoint. He left
his native town and walked to Boston,
a distance of more than a hundred
miles, hoping either to find the books
he sought or some vessel bound to
Europe upon which he could go as a
sailor and collect at different ports
works in the modern and Oriental lan-
guages. He was disappointed in not
finding either, but accidentally heard
of the American Antiquarian Society
at Worcester and immediately re-
turned to that place. He there found
what he wanted and writes of it as fol-
lows:
"Availing myself of the kindness of the
directors, I spent about three hours daily at the
hall which, with an hour at noon, and about
three hours in the evening, made up the portion
of the day appropriated to study, the rest being
occupied in arduous manual labor. Through the
facilities afforded by this institution I have been
able to add so much to my previous acquaintance
with the ancient, modern and Oriental lan-
guages, as to be able to read upwards of fifty of
them with more or less facility."
In August, 1838, he wrote a letter
in the Celto-Breton language to the
Royal Antiquarian Society of France.
The accurate use of the language and
the knowledge of its structure, evi-
denced by this letter, attracted the
attention of scholars and brought Mr.
Burritt into notice as a linguist.
At the age of thirty years he had be-
come more or less familiar with all the
languages of Europe and several of
Asia, including Hebrew, Syriac, Chal-
daic, Sumaritan and Ethiopian. At
this time he was invited to dine with
the late Governor Everett, who, in be-
half of several wealthy citizens,
offered him all the advantages of Har-
vard University. This kind offer Mr.
Burritt felt called upon to decline, feel-
ing that it would be better for him to
combine manual labor with study.
In 1839 he commenced the publica-
tion of the Literary Geminae, made
(Efyamptnn nf
up of selections in English and French
and designed to be an aid to students
in French. This periodical was sus-
pended at the close of the year for lack
of financial support.
In 1841 Mr. Burritt first entered the
field as a public lecturer and was
familiarly known as the "Learned
Blacksmith." His first lecture was an
attempt to prove that there was no
such thing as native agency, but that
all attainments were the result of con-
tinued effort and application. In illus-
trating his position he used the well-
known story of the boy's climbing the
Nature bridge of Virginia. In one
season this lecture was given sixty
times. Among other places in which
it was given may be named New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Rich-
mond.
At the close of the successful lec-
ture season, he returned to his anvil in
Worcester, working and studying as
before, and managing to write a new
lecture for the next winter. At this
time, cause of anti-slavery was agitat-
ing the public mind and it readily en-
listed the sympathy of Mr. Burritt
who felt that it was worthy of his pen
and voice, but certain circumstances
led him to devote his time and energies
to the cause of peace. He prepared a
radical lecture on this subject which
he was invited to deliver in the old
Tremont Theater, Boston, which had
recently been purchased by the Bap-
tist Church. He had a good audience
and among them were prominent Bap-
tist advocates, such as Dr. Worcester
Ladd and others who cordially en-
dorsed the views of the lecture.
On returning to Worcester he de-
cided to suspend his studies for a sea-
son and to establish a paper in the in-
terest of peace, anti-slavery, temper-
ance, etc. It was called the Christian
Citizen and was the first paper in
America that made any considerable
step to the cause of peace. It had not
a large circulation and yet many copies
were circulated through the Northern
cities and awakened the interest of
many strong minds and did much
good. He edited and published several
other periodicals devoted to the cause
of peace, anti-slavery and temperance.
He also prepared leaflets, entitled
"Olive Leaves," which were sent to
the weekly and daily papers and were
very generally published. He had
been in frequent communication by
letter with the advocates of universal
peace in Europe; and in May, 1846,
he sailed for England to meet the
friends of the Peace movement, in
Manchester, Birmingham, and else-
where in Europe. He planned to be
absent from this country four months,
but was induced to prolong his stay «x>
four years. He met with the friends
of peace and co-operated with them
in devising methods and plans for
promoting the cause of universal
brotherhood; addressed large audi-
ences in London and other places m
England and was active in forming
the League of Universal Brother-
hood. In connection with this asso-
ciaton he commenced the publication
of "The Bond of Brotherhood," which
explained the principles and objects of
the association and was circulated
both in this country and Europe.
In September, 1847, Burritt began
his campaign for "Ocean Penny Post-
age" and made more than one hun-
dred and fifty public addresses on the
subject in Great Britain. He was
much interested in efforts to secure
relief for Ireland on the failure of the
potato crop and made strong appeals
to this country to furnish aid. His
appeals were answered by sending a
cargo of clothing and provisions from
Boston to Ireland.
In 1848 he went to Paris in the in-
terest of the Peace movement to
arrange the preliminaries for holding
a conference in that city. The inter-
nal disturbance and the civil struggle
of that year made it impracticable to
hold the convention in Paris, but it
was determined to hold a meeting in
Brussels in the autumn. Mr. Burritt
was active in making arrangements
for this meeting, and when the Con-
gress was organized he was chosen
nf lEitlju Hurrttt
the vice-president from America. He
was active in the proceedings and was
much gratified with the results.
After the adjournment of the Con-
gress Mr. Burritt, as representative of
the "League of Universal Brother-
hood," visited many places in England
and delivered addresses in favor of
arbitration and universal peace.
In April, 1849, he was again in
Paris, arranging the details of the
great Peace Congress which was held
in that city in October. This was one
of the most important gatherings of
the friends of peace held in any coun-
try and Mr. Burritt was one of the
secretaries. Soon after the adjourn-
ment of this Congress he came to
America and to his home in New
Britain, where a public reception was
tendered him. In reply to an address
of welcome, by Professor E. A. An-
drews, Mr. Burritt recounted events
connected with his visit to Europe.
In the course of his address he said :
"I have received many flattering testimonials
of consideration and esteem in Great Britain,
but the little village of New Britain is the
world of my childhood, the birthplace of my
first hopes and aspirations, of my first affec-
tions ; and all the tendrils and fibres of my
young and earnest love are thrown around it;
and all its interests, and all its inhabitants,
with all the glow and warmth of its first
strength."
To become reminiscent, I might
state that it was at this time, 1850,
that I became a member of the faculty
of the Connecticut State Normal
School. Since 1840 I had been teach-
ing in public schools and academies
and was naturally much interested in
the tremendous undertaking of Mr.
Burritt and the world-wide impression
he was creating. His home town,
New Britain, was beginning to feel
much pride in him. He did not re-
main much in New Britain during
1850 and the winter and spring of the
year was devoted to lecturing in New
England and the Middle West. He
was also in Washington, D. C., where
he met Henry Clay, Joshua Giddings
and other men of national reputation,
who promised cooperation in the
Peace movement. In May, 1850, he
again sailed for Europe and visited
the principal towns and cities of Eng-
land and Germany in making arrange-
ments for the Peace Congress which
was held at Frankfort in August. He
was accompanied by President Hitch-
cock of Amherst College and John
Prentice and John Tappan, delegates
to the Frankfort Congress. It re-
quired two steamers to convey the
English delegates up the Rhine. All
the German states and Italy were rep-
resented. America was largely and
ably represented. Congress contained
among its members many of the most
eminent men of the times. The meet-
ing continued three days and was
characterized by its statesmanship. He
also gave considerable time to the advo-
cacy of "Ocean Penny Postage," both
by lectures and conferences with
friends of the measure and the offi-
cers of government. He was active
in preparations for the fourth Peace
Congress held at Exeter Hall, Lon-
don, in 1857, and was secretary of this
Congress and one of the speakers at
its meetings. Mr. Burritt was pres-
ent at the Peace Congress at Man-
chester in 1852 and at Edinburg in
1853. Soon after the adjournment of
the latter he returned to the United
States and devoted several months to
the agitation of the subject of "Ocean
Penny Postage." In 1854 he went to
England again to advocate the same
measure.
In 1855 Mr. Burritt returned to the
United States, speaking upon the sub-
ject of "Compensated Emancipation"
as a proper measure for securing the
abolition of slavery in this country.
He had met with some encouragement
from such men as Sumner, Seward
and others when the raid of John
Brown put a stop to any hopeful con-
sideration on the subject. He then
retired to his home in New Britain
and devoted much of his time to the
improvement of his land and to efforts
to secure improved methods of agri-
culture in the vicinity of his home.
In 1863, however, Mr. Burritt was
again in Europe to carry out a long-
cherished plan to pass through Eng-
156
3FtrBt (Eljamptntt nf Hntn^raal
land on foot that he might observe the
methods of agriculture and the sys-
tem of stock raising. He went from
London to John O'Groat's during the
summer and early autumn of this year
and the next year from London to
Land's End, making both journeys on
foot.
Under the administration of Abra-
ham Lincoln as president of the
United States, in 1865, Elihu Burritt
was appointed consular agent for the
United States at Birmingham, Eng-
land. In the following year I went
abroad in a desire to visit the principal
educational institutions of Europe and
at this time, 1866, I visited my fellow-
townsman, Mr. Burritt. I found the
business of the office carefully and
systematically conducted with the aid
of a clerk. Consul Burritt was living
in the parish of Harborne, two miles
or more from Birmingham. His resi-
dence had all the charm of an English
home. On the rustic gate, at the en-
trance of the grounds, was a plate
bearing the name, "New Britain
Villa." His niece, Miss Strickland,
of New Britain, was abroad with him
and presided over this charming
home. Mr. Burritt was. enjoying life
surrounded by his English friends.
It was interesting to note the respect
paid to him at all public meetings and
the esteem felt for him by his Engish
friends and acquaintances. At the
Peace meetings and other public
assemblies he was invited to the plat-
form and given a seat of honor. His
modesty often led him to seek an ob-
scure place when he might have had
a conspicuous one.
Elihu Burritt's regard for others
and his tender sympathy were illus-
trated by an incident which occurred
while I was enjoying his hospitality at
Harborne. A neighbor's bird was
found dead and the owner attributed
its death to Mr. Burritt's pet dog.
Though there was no evidence that
the dog caused the death of the bird,
Mr. Burritt spent hours in looking
through the bird markets of Birming-
ham to find, if possible, a bird more
valuable than the one killed that he
might present it to the woman who
had lost her pet.
While discharging his duties as con-
sul at Birmingham, he visited officially
the principal manufacturing towns in
his consular district. These visits led
him through the large coal and iron
regions and on the conclusion of his
visits he published an interesting vol-
ume entitled "Walks in the Black
Country and its Green Border Lands."
He had passed four pleasant years at
Harborne, when, on the accession of
Grant to the presidency, a change was
made in the consular offices and Con-
sul Burritt retired from the office at
Birmingham. He received several
testimonials from inhabitants and
manufacturers of the district ; among
them was the following from the peo-
ple of Harborne, presented by the
vicar of the parish at a large public
meeting :
" HARBORNE, May a6, 1869.
T» Elihu Bmrrift, Etg., Consul and Ktfrtttnta-
tivt of thi United Statrt of Amir tea, Bir-
mingham.
Respected and dear Sir
We have heard, with the most unfeigned re-
gret, that your residence amongst us Is about
to terminate. During your four years of sojourn
in the parish of Harborne, we have ever found
in you a kind and sincere friend, and a warm
and generous supporter of every rood and
philanthropic work. We are only expressing
our heart's true feeling in saying that we deeply
deplore your anticipated departure, and shall
ever remember, with the liveliest emotions,
your oft-repeated acts of courteous kindness.
Your aim has always been to forward the inter-
ests of the parish from which you are now, on
the termination of your mission, about to sepa-
rate. We are sure that the affectionate regard
of the parishioners, generally, will follow you
to your new sphere of labor and usefulness ; and
it is our prayer and heartiest wish that your
life may long be spared to pursue your honora-
ble career, so that by your writings, not leas
than by your example, many may receive last-
ing good. We take leave of you, dear sir, as-
sured that you will not forget Harborne and its
people, on whose hearts your name will long re-
main engraved. We ask you to accept the
accompanying volumes, with this numerously
signed address, which we think will, in your
estimation be the most assuring token of our
deep regard and affectionate remembrance of
yourself, and respectful appreciation of your
character."
With this address was presented a
splendid set of Knight's "Illustrated
Shakespeare" in eight volumes. Sim-
ilar addresses and testimonials came
from others who had known Mr. Bur-
ritt in Europe.
?r01Urttnn0 nf lEUlju lurrttt
After retiring from his official posi-
tion he passed several weeks in Ox-
ford and visited other places of inter-
est, calling on friends and acquaint-
ances in England, and returned to
America in 1870.
When Burritt returned to us in
New Britain it was as the personal
friend of the greatest men in Europe,
— Victor Hugo, M. de Tocqueville,
Joseph Gamier, John Bright, Sir
David Brewster, Sir Charles Napier,
Professor Liebig, and that whole
brilliant assembly of minds that had
distinguished the Old World. While
he had been the hero of the masses
and entertained by nobility, he was
still the same benevolent, unassuming
Burritt — a statesman and still a black-
smith. One-third of his life on the
eastern continent had cultivated his
mind, but not at the expense of his
heart, for it still throbbed to the time
of the hammer on the anvil and his
love for the people was as warm as the
old forge fire.
During the more than twenty years
in which Elihu Burritt had been ab-
sent from this country he had been
almost constantly before the public,
advocating means for the benefitting
of mankind. He had also, when in
the United States, devoted much of
his time to giving public addresses on
similar subjects. He had seen great
changes in public sentiment in regard
to the measures he had advocated and
he now returned to the place of his
birth and the home of his childhood
and youth to pass the remainder of
his days in comparative quiet. But
he was not idle. His active efforts
and his influence set in operation plans
and forces, which, in their execution
and results, were beneficial to New
Britain and the world. His interest
in agriculture led him to take an act-
ive part in the management of the
Agricultural Club of which he was
secretary. When its members, with
others, organized a grange it was fitly
named "The Burritt Grange." Mr.
Burritt in a quiet way identified him-
self with the moral and religious inter-
ests of the community. His desire'
for mutual effort led him to advocate
fellowship meetings of the churches
and these were held by the churches
of the Conference to which he be-
longed for many years with interest
and profit. He had a building on his
farm, which he fitted up for a mission
school. He erected in another part
of the town a building for Sunday
school and religious services, doing
much of the work with his own hands.
In this building services have been
held every Sunday until the present
time and it is properly named "The
Burritt mission."
While Elihu Burritt was a strong
advocate of municipal improvement
and good government he would have
nothing to do with a party measure.
I recall an occasion during my active
political years when I was in the pub-
lic service. A meeting was to be held
at which a question was to be decided
which was deemed of importance by
the political leaders and they were
very desirous that Mr. Burritt should
be present and vote. I was requested
to see him, and if possible, secure his
attendance. I called on him at his
home and presented the request. He
listened to it with attention and then
said that he had considered the ques-
tion and while he thought it impor-
tant he did not think the decision was
of sufficient importance to justify him
in voting with either party as by so
doing he would be voting in opposi-
tion to friends of the opposite party
who might have studied the subject
more than he had and whose judg-
ment might be superior to his own.
In his years when I knew Elihu
Burritt in New Britain he was a
friend of children and took a deep inr
terest in their studies and plays. When
he visited the schools and spoke to the
students he always received close
attention and many children and
youth were influenced for life by his
words. One of the last times that he
left his home, and when too feeble to
walk even a short distance, he rode in
a carriage to a school in which he had
nf
special interest, where he said a few
words which deeply impressed those
who heard them.
During the latter years of his life,
when at his home in New Britain, Mr.
Burritt's knowledge of foreign lan-
guages was made practically useful,
not only by his translation of letters
and legal documents for his friends
and the courts, but by teaching classes
in Hebrew, Sanskrit and other foreign
languages.
I shall state here that this self-edu-
cated man is credited with knowledge
of some fifty languages. While no
one but he ever knew just what were
the limits of his learning as a linguist,
I can state that he was familiar with,
and in many instances a master of,
Amharic, Arabic, Basque, Bohemian,
Breton-Celto, Chaldaic, Cornish, Dan-
ish, Dutch, Ethiopic, Flemish, French,
Gaelic, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hin-
dustani, Hungarian, Icelandic, Irish,
Latin, Manx, Persian, Polish, Portu-
guese, Russian, Samaritan, Sanskrit,
Spanish, Swedish, Syraic, Turkish,
Welsh. He published the first book
in Sanskrit ever printed in America.
So remarkable was his proficiency
in these languages that Yale College
conferred upon him the. honorary de-
gree of Master of Arts in 1872, and
he was similarly honored by other in-
stitutions.
He had been accustomed to make
full notes in his travels and his
books and journals give abundant
evidence of his fidelity to facts and cir-
cumstances. Besides the periodicals
which he edited both in Europe and in
the United States, he was the author
of several books, among which were:
"Sparks from the Anvil," "Thoughts
and Things at Home and Abroad,"
"Walk from London to John
O'Groat's," "Walk from London to
Land's End and Back," "Walks in the
Black Country," "The Mission of
Great Sufferings," "Chips from Many
Blocks," "Lectures and Speeches,"
"Ten Minute Talks," and several
smaller books and pamphlets, more
than thirty in all. In the study of
foreign languages he had, to some ex-
tent, the aid and use of the treasures
of antiquarian societies and univer-
sity libraries, but the dictionaries and
text-books which he owned and used
form a very interesting collection of
more than a hundred volumes which
have been placed in the historical
room of the New Britain Institute.
One of the large grammar schools of
New Britain, near his home, has been
named "The Burritt School."
Elihu Burritt never married and on
returning to his native town he found
a delightful home with a widowed sis-
ter and two nieces who did all that
could be done to promote happiness of
one so true to them, so honored by the
great and good. His last days were
passed peacefully and though for
weeks before his death he was fully
conscious of the near approach of the
great messenger he knew in whom he
believed and was sustained by an un-
faltering trust. To his friends, he
spoke calmly of the approaching
death and made known his wishes ;is
to the place of burial and matters con-
nected therewith, earnestly desiring
that everything might be done in sim-
plicity.
Those of us who knew Elihu Bur-
ritt in his last days loved him most of
all for his strong manhood — a man-
hood shaped at the blacksmith's forge.
When he lay awaiting the passing of
life into the realm "from which no
traveler returns," he remarked to a
friend: "I have had a busy and a
happy life, but I have finished my
day's work. I am now only waiting
for that sleep that comes sooner or
later to us all."
It was to this same friend that he
exclaimed: "I charge you, so far as
possible, to see that my funeral ser-
vices are free from unnecessary ex-
pense and all ostentation. Let my
coffin be as plain and inexpensive as
is consistent with propriety."
It was a few days later on the even-
ing of March 6, 1879. The day had
seemed brighter to him than usual.
As the shades of night were falling he
tcalltttiana of SUhu SurrUt
called his faithful attendant and walk-
ing to his bed in an adjoining room,
he retired
" Like one who wraps the drapery of his
couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant
dreams."
As his good friend, Charles North-
end, said: "His life at last went out
so peacefully that his friends thought
him 'sleeping when he died.' Like
the flickering flame of a consumed
candle, which sometimes brightens
just before it darkens, so the life
lamp of our friend, and the friend of
all the living creatures of the earth,
seemed to give a brighter and softer
light just before it went out in dark-
ness to us. ... It had come forth
bearing the precious seeds of peace
and good-will to all mankind, and the
harvest has been ripening ever since,
and in all coming time will the world
reap the precious fruits of his sow-
ing."
Extract from €l!bn Burritt's Private Journal, recording the eloquent prophesy of
Uictor tiMgo at the Peace Conarm at Paris in 1*49, the most remark-
able assembly that bad ever convened on the Continent of Europe
A DAY will come when a cannon will be exhibited in
public museums, just as an instrument of torture is
now, and people will be amazed that such a thing could
ever have been. A day will come when those two immense
groups, the United States of America, and the United States
of Europe, will be seen placed in the presence of each other,
extending the hand of fellowship across the ocean, — exchang-
ing their produce, their commerce, their industries, their arts,
their genius, — clearing the earth, peopling the desert, improv-
ing creation under the eye of the Creator, and uniting, for the
good of all, these two irresistible and infinite powers, — the
fraternity of men and the power of God.
" Victor Hugo arose— It was to me a moment of most intense interest— the opening of
the great drama. When silence was restored he poured out his mighty thoughts with all
the fervid glow of his poetic genius— As the lofty and burning'periods fell upon the assembly
they responded to their power by repeated bursts of applause— Some of his passages were
worthy of being chased in gold"— From Elihu Burritt's Journal
160
His Favorite Portrait Taken While United] States Consular Agent at Birmingham England
Original in Possession of Oscar J. Murray, New Britain, '.Connecticut
ANCIENT AMERICAN LANDMARKS
AT MILFORD, OOXVKCTICI7T
AT TOHHINQTOW, COXNT5CTICUT
ftt
III
anb tljrir
tn thr New Hurlb
BY BIC'KKOKD COOI'KK
power — a
Puritans
CULPTURE was held by
the first Americans as
an invention of the
devil. The American
Indian's conception of
it, in its crudest form,
was that of a revengeful
god of vengeance. The
of New England were
brothers to the men who decapitated
the cathedral statuary, asserting it to
be shameful and immoral. The Quak-
ers of Pennsylvania looked askance
upon sculpture and found little in it
but suggestiveness. The early Dutch
settlers of New Amsterdam were
born in a land that was producing
masters in painting, but they came to
the New World not to potter in clay,
but to lay the foundations for large
commercial institutions and result-
ant fortunes. The French and Span-
iards were lovers of the sculptural art
at home, but America was to them a
land of romance and daring where the
flesh and the sword were nobler com-
panions than bloodless clay. The cav-
aliers of Virginia were more in sym-
pathy with the beautiful, and were the
first to import works of art into the
New World.
The way of the wilderness is stern
and relentless. The call from the
wilds brings back in its echo the re-
sponse of man. The rough forest life
of the path-finders found sympathy
only in throbbing life. One genera-
tion passed — and then another — the
forest rang with the sound of the axe
and the fields blossomed into the
fruits of husbandry — still the same
stoic disposition which held in disre-
pute the purely aesthetic bound the
characters of the early Americans.
I find that it was a woman who first
gave sculptural expression to the
American people — Patience Lovell,
born at Bordentown, New Jersey, in
1725. Although there was not a
statue in that part of the country, she
began molding miniature heads in
wax. At twenty-three years of age,
in 1748, she married Joseph Wrighr.
In 1769, she was left a widow with
163
TWO STATUES BY THE FIRST NATIVE
BORN AMERICAN SCULPTOR — HORATIO
GREENOUGII, A SACRIFICE TO ART
Ameriran
three children, and removed to Lon-
don where she believed there were
wider opportunities for her talent.
Tradition claims that she became a
friend of the king, but on the out-
break of the American Revolution she
severely upbraided him and became
a^ enemy. For a time she was cred-
ited with acting as a spy for the
American Revolutionists, and it *s
said that she kept them informed re-
garding the shipments of British
troops and their destinations. Mrs.
Wright corresponded with Benjamin
Franklin who was then residing in
Paris, and kept in intimate relations
with her countrymen. In 1785, she
died in London ; her son, Joseph
Wright, studied with Benjamin West,
and returned to the United States as
an American painter; her younger
daughter married John Hoppner, an
English portrait painter.
American blood had been inocu-
lated with art. Interest had now
been stimulated in sculpture. Aristo-
cratic homes were beginning to give
it recognition, and Mount Vernon
possessed marble busts brought from
Italy.
Virginia was the earliest patron of
sculpture in America, granting to
Houdon, a French sculptor, in 1781
and 1785, the commissions to execute
a marble statue af George Washing-
ton and of Lafayette. Houdon sailed
with Franklin from Havre on July 2,
1785, and made the first contribution
to the sculpture of the New World.
The second sculptor who visited
America was Guiseppe Cerracchi, an
Italian, who had worked with Canova
upon sculptures for the Pantheon.
He came to America in 1791 with the
plan to present to Congress a monu-
ment to American Liberty — a colossal
group, one hundred feet high, in
which the Goddess of Libertv is rep-
resented descending in a car drawn by
four horses, darting; through a vol-
ume of clouds which conceals the
summit of a rainbow. In her right
hand she brandishes a flaming dart,
which, by dispelling the mists of
error, illuminates the universe ; her
left hand is extended in the attitude
of calling the people of America to
listen to her voice. The proposed
group included figures of Saturn,
Clio, Apollo, Policy, Philosophy, Na-
tional Valor, Neptune and Mercury.
Cerracchi failed to secure the thirty
thousand dollars for his proposed
work, and tried to accumulate the
funds by private subscription. George
Washington headed the list of con-
tributors, but the sculptor returned to
France disheartened, just in time,
according to tradition, to have his
head taken off for conspiracy against
Napoleon.
It was but a few years later, in
1789, that John Dixey, born in Dub-
lin, came to America with the com-
mendable ambition of founding a
school of American sculpture. Many
Europeans were deceived with the be-
lief that the land of liberty meant
necessarily the emancipation of arts,
and they came and went without ful-
filling their dreams.
The foreign elements were, never-
theless, making an impression on
American craftsmanship. In Phila-
delphia was one William Rush, born
July 4, 1756, and apprenticed as a
boy to learn the trade of wood carv-
ing, who gained eminence by design-
ing the figure-heads of ships. He
served his youth in the American
Revolution, and his service to Ameri-
can art is enduring, especially as a
founder of the Pennsylvania Acad-
emy of Fine Arts in which he united
the fugitive elements of American
culture. He died January 17, 1833,
leaving his impress on the political
and intellectual life of his birth-place.
The seed of art seemed to have
been planted, and in New Haven, Con-
necticut, there appeared Hezekiah
Augur, born in February, 1791, the
son of a carpenter. At nine years of
age he was apprenticed to learn the
trade of cobbler, but finally became a
wood-carver and later the first Con-
necticut sculptor. He is also cred-
ited with producing the first bracket
nf
Amrrtrau
saw and inventing the carving ma-
chine. In 1833, he was made an hon-
orary member of the Alumni of Yale
College, and died in January, 1858.
Contemporary with Rush, was
John Frazee, born July 18, 1790, in
Rahway, New Jersey. He was ap-
prenticed to a bricklayer, became a
tavern-keeper, and later a stone-cut-
ter. He married in 1813, and on the
death of an infant son, carved a rep-
resentation of "Grief" on the tomb-
stone— his first attempt at the human
figure. About 1824, he made the
marble bust of John Wells, a promi-
nent lawyer of New York, which is
probably the first marble bust chis-
eled in this country, and undoubtedly
the first carved by a native American.
In 1792, John Henri Isaac Browere
was born in New York, and in his
early life went to the Old World to
prepare himself as a sculptor. After
experiencing two years of adventure,
tramping over the continent, he re-
turned to the United States and in-
troduced a new process which gave
him position as a contributor to Amer-
ican art.
The first American deliberately
choosing sculpture as a profession
and going abroad for serious study,
was Horatio Greenough. born in Bos-
ton, Massachusetts, September 6,
1805. As a child he carved swords
and pistols, tiny horses and carriages.
At twelve years of age he copied the
busts of William Penn and John
Adams in chalk. At sixteen years of
age he entered Harvard. During the
close of his senior year, he boarded a
vessel about to sail for Marseilles,
after obtaining permission from the
government of the college to leave be-
fore graduation, and his diploma was
forwarded to him abroad. He arrived
at Marseilles in the first of the au-
tumn and proceeded directly by land
to Rome, where he entered into the
art life of the Old World metropolis.
A year later he returned to Amer-
ica, because of ill health, and mod-
eled the bust of John Quincy Adams
and of Chief Justice Marshall. In
1827, he returned to Italy, where he
began serious work for greater
achievements. It was soon after that
he made the first marble group by an
American sculptor. It was entitled
"Chanting Cherubs."
J. Fenimore Cooper, the novelist,
saw with great regret the neglect
Greenough experienced, and was con-
vinced that he lacked only an oppor-
tunity. Raphael's painting of the
"Chanting Cherubs" impressed him
as a group of great beauty and suited
to Greenough's taste. lie gave the
young sculptor the order, and from
the print before him he produced the
group. To convince Americans that
thev had a countryman superior in
talent and skill to the Italians they
were employing. Cooper placed the
group on exhibition. This is the first
group from the chisel of an American
artist. Puritan decency was shocked
by their nude baby forms, and omi-
nous mutterings were heard on every
side. Although we have no record
of Cooper's instituting a law suit, as
was his general custom, the bitterness
of the controversy is proved by
Greenough's truculent reply to his
critics in a letter dated December i,
1833-
Cooper martialed his influence to
force the American people to recog-
nize Greenough as their "first great
native sculptor." Through the efforts
of the novelist, Congress commis-
sioned Greenough to immortalize
Washington as "The Father of His
Country." The story of Greenough's
"Washington" is a tragedy. He con-
ceived him as a colossal, godlike fig-
ure, with lower limbs covered with a
loose drapery, and seated in a majes-
tic chair. The statue which was in-
tended for the national capitol met
with impudence, ridicule and taunts.
After being subjected to mu h igno-
miny the figure was placed outside
the capitol where it still stands. One
satirist, when interpreting the mean-
ing of the extended arms, said that
one pointed to Mount Vernon and
other to the Patent Office, bv which
0f Jfftrat Ammran
he supposed that Washington was
saying, "My body is at Mount Ver-
non ; my clothes are in the Patent
Office."
I have the deepest sympathy for
poor Greenough. For eight years he
had labored on an ideal that an un-
poetic people could not conceive.
With -the true soul of the poet he
wrote : "It is the birth of my thought.
I have sacrificed to it the flower of
my days and the freshness of my
strength ; its every lineament has
been moistened by the sweat of my
toil and the tears of my exile. I
would not barter away its association
with my name for the proudest for-
tune that avarice ever dreamed."
With the storm of ridicule came the
unwavering friendship of a few who
understood the soul of the young
sculptor. Edward Everett wrote
from Italy in 1841 : "I regard Green-
ough's 'Washington' as one of the
greatest works of sculpture of mod-
ern times. I do not know the work
which can justly be preferred to it,
whether we consider the purity of the
taste, the loftiness of the conception,
the truth of the character, or, what
we must own we feel less able to
judge of, the accuracy of anatomical
study and mechanical skill."
I recently read a letter which
Greenough wrote to a friend. In it
he said: "In future time when the
true sculptors of America have filled
the metropolis with beauty and gran-
deur, will it not be worth $30,000 to-
be able to point to the figure and say :
'There was the first struggle of our
infant art?'"
The tragedy of this first American
sculptor closed on December 18, 1852.
The depth of this man's soul is shown
by some of the last words which he
wrote in the closing days of his forty-
seven years of life, which had been
filled with rebuffs and blasted hopes:
"I would not pass away and not leave
a sign that I, for one, born by the
grace of God in this land, found life
a cheerful thing, and not that sad and
dreadful task with whose prospect
they scared my youth."
It is but the first of the hundreds of
tragedies that have been suffered in
the building of a national art on the
Western Continent.
A SONNET BY HORACE HOLLEY
I WHO have drunk the water bitter-sweet,
In whose wan eager lips there gnaws the white
Sad brine from sin's deep goblet bright, —
Sit by the barren well I thought replete,
Its treachery now usen to my sight.
Before me are the ways that part the feet
Of common manhood, sloping from my seat,
And here begins the brooding rim of night.
Many, athirst, dip in the spring for drink
Whom tearfully I bid to cease their lust,
Striking the sparkling cup upon the sand,
And show the water choked with ancient dust.
Then if they flout me with enangered hand
I bare my shame and fright them from the brink.
166
BEGINNINGS OF AMERICAN A R< 'IIITKC "II RK
1:1 ll.l BKFORE 18OO
SCUOOI.HOITSE OF
III NliKKI. YKARB AiiO
IOMKS OK KKVfll.l- MOV AHY 1 1 » t -
A BOMK8TKAD AND ITS OLD WKLI.
EARLY PAINTINGS IN AMERICA— Family Group by John Singleton Copley,
Tne First Native Born American Artist of Exceptional Skill
PAINTING OF BISHOP BERKELEY'S FAMILY BY JOHN SMYBERT, ONE OF THE
FIRST EUROPEAN ARTISTS TO COME TO AMERICA- Now in possession of Yale University
- "It is probably," wrote Horace Walpole, " the first painting of a group of figures in the United States"—
ttt
Ul
Vfrtfntfaatt&CBifrn<£anlmfnt
Hv STUART COPLEY
rAINTING was little
known by the aboriginal
Americans, excepting as
they used color as a per-
sonal decoration in times
of tribal wars or revelry.
The painters of the Old
World found it sufficiently difficult to
obtain a livelihood in civilization
without coming to the savage land.
It is probable that the first artist to
dare the dangers of the western con-
tinent was the adventurous Jacques
le Moyne, who came with the French
expedition, about 1565, to the coast of
Florida. The stories of his experi-
ences were not such as to induce his
fellow artists to follow him. His
companions were young Huguenot
nobles who came to seek gold, but
found famine. They fell into the
hands of adventurous Spaniards who
slaughtered most of them, but Le
Moyne escaped and fled to the woods.
In his hiding he saw one of his com-
rades hewn to pieces before his eyes.
After fearful suffering the French
artist reached the coast and was
picked up by a small v'essel and taken
to England.
Joannes With, probably from the
Netherlands, came to America about
1585 to secure subjects for his art.
One or two other courageous illustra-
tors came here for material, but none
of them remained any length of time.
Samuel de Champlain, the explorer,
embellished his records with colored
views of harbors, block-houses, ani-
mals, rivers, and skirmishes with the
Indian-.
The early colonists in their migra-
tion from the Old World brought no
such luxuries as paintings. In truth,
most of them had strong religious
scruples against art.
Regarding the first foreign artist of
real ability to come to America I find
some controversy. Mr. Charles Henry
Hart, an authority on American art,
is confident that Gustavus Hesseluis.
a Swede, was the first painter to arrive
in America; and that his son, John
Hesseluis, was the first native-born
artist. He bases his argument on
manuscript written by Wertmuller, in
which he records his marriage on
January 8, 1801, to a granddaughter
"of Gustaf Hesseluis of the Swedish
nation, and painter of portraits, who
arrived from Sweden in 1710."
Accompanying the manuscript are
portraits of Gustavus Hesseluis and
Lydia his wife, painted by himself,
and now owned by the Historical So-
ciety of Pennsylvania. Critic Hart
says that these portraits "show that
Hesseluis was a painter of no mean
ability for his time."
Gustavus Hesseluis was barn at
Volkarna, Dalarm, Sweden, in 1682,
the son of a minister. That he was
truly a painter is proven by an ad-
vertisement in The Pennsylvania
Packet December u, 1740:
Painting done in the best manner by
Gustavus Hesseluis from Stockholm and
John Winter from London. Viz. Coat of
Arms drawn on Coaches. Chaises. &c., or
any kind of Ornaments. Landskips, Signs,
Shcw-boards, Ship and House painting,
Guilding of all sorts. Writing in Gold or
Color, old Pictures cleaned and mended,
&c.
Hesseluis was in Maryland for
some time, but in Philadelphia in 1735
he purchased a house and lot on the
north side of High street, where he
resided until his death. May 25, 1755.
The popular opinion in art circles
accords the honor of being the first
pioneer painter in America to John
Watson, a Scotchman, who came to
the country in 1715 and set up his
easel in a home on a picturesque ele-
vation in Perth Amboy — then the cap-
ital of Xew Jersey — overlooking the
sea on one hand and on the other the
undulating hills and rich lowlands of
the Jersey shore. The most that
seems to be known of him is that he
purchased lands, built houses, painted
portraits, and lived to a great old age
of 3Firal American
in the land of his choice. There were
many traditions about him, probably
growing out of his thrifty habits of
usury and miserliness in his practices.
He visited Europe, and Dunlap says
in his history of art that he brought
back to America many pictures,
which, with his own, made the first
collection of paintings in this country
of which we have any knowledge.
It is said that a good many of Mr.
Watson's own pictures were portraits,
real or imaginary, of kings of Eng-
land and Scotland, and that in the
Revolution the militia in that section
being a rough, undisciplined com-
pany, took great delight in destroying
the monarchs in effigy, and along
with them this first cabinet of fine arts
was broken up and its treasures
wasted. Watson died in 1786 aged
eighty-three years.
I have authority to state here that
the first artist to come to America,
whose work seems to have made any
lasting impression, was John Smy-
bert, a Scotchman, who exerted a
powerful and lasting influence on the
native-born painters who were his
contemporaries and successors. Dean,
afterward Bishop, Berkeley, resigned
in 1728 the richest church preferment
in Ireland for a bare maintenance as
principal of a projected "universal
college of science and arts" in Amer-
ica, "to instruct heathen children in
Christian duties and civil knowledge."
He invited John Smybert, a young
artist, born in Edinburgh about 1684,
who in boyhood was apprenticed to a
plasterer and house painter, to be a
professor of drawing, painting and
architecture in the new institution.
The project was a failure and Dean
Berkeley returned to Ireland a disap-
pointed man, but still with courage to
do more and good work in his own
country.
Smybert remained in New Eng-
land, living in Boston, acquiring fame
in his profession as an artist, and for-
tune by his marriage with a daughter
of Dr. Williams, who was "Latin
schoolmaster of the town of Boston
for fifty years." Smybert died in
1751, leaving a widow and two chil-
dren.
There appeared about this time a
number of artists and to have one's
portrait painted began to be the cor-
rect fashion. In 1750, there was one,
Theus, painting portraits in South
Carolina, Robert Feke in New Eng-
land, John Greenwood, and several
others. In the New York Gazette,
July, 1754, appears this item:
LAWRENCE KILBURN, LIMNER
Just arrived from London with Capt.
Miller, hereby acquaints all Gentlemen and
Ladies inclined to favor him in having
their pictures drawn, that he don't doubt
of pleasing them in taking a true Likeness,
and finishing the Drapery in a proper
manner, as also in the Choice of Atti-
tudes suitable to each Person's Age and
Sex and giving agreeable satisfaction as
he has heretofore done to Gentlemen and
Ladies in London.
It is doubtful, however, if either
art or advertising paid in these pio-
neer days, for it appears that in 1772
Kilburn abandoned his practice and
opened a paint store.
There came to Boston, about 1750,
a traveling artist, Jonathan B. Black-
burn, who painted family groups and
for fifteen years held a select clientele.
The first native American artist of
masterly skill was born in Boston,
July 3, 1737 — John Singleton Copley.
He was the son of a Yorkshire farmer
who had settled in County Limerick,
Ireland, married, migrated with his
wife to Boston in 1736, and died in
the West Indies about the time of his
son's birth. Widow Copley opened
a tobacco store in Boston where,
according to her notices, she sold
"The best Virginia Tobacco, Cut,
Pigtail, Spun, by Wholesale and Re-
tail, at the cheapest rates."
About ten years after the death of
her first husband, Widow Copley
married Peter Pelham, a mezzotint
engraver. Under his guidance, the
boy Copley made his first portrait — a
painting of his stepfather. About the
time he was seventeen, young Copley
had become recognized as a painter,
170
PORTRAIT OP MRS. FORD BY JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY. FIRST
NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIST WHOSE WORK PORTRAYED GENIUS—
Now in the Art Gallery of the Wadsworth Athenzum at Hartford, Connecticut
nf Jtrst American
and his work already included a min-
iature of Washington, whose reputa-
tion was then that of a brave Indian
fighter. He married, in 1769, the
daughter of Richard Clarke, a wealthy
merchant. Copley considered his
wife the most beautiful woman in
America and he introduced her into
many of his paintings.
The Copley home was an eleven-
acre farm on Beacon Hill, Boston,
and in 1767 he wrote: "I am now in
as good a business as the poverty of
this place will admit. I make as
much money as if I were a Raphael
or a Correggio, and three hundred
guineas a year, my present income, is
equal to nine hundred a year in Lon-
don."
Nevertheless, he sailed for Eng-
land, in June, 1774, and from thence
to Italy where he passed the winter in
Rome. In a letter to his wife from
Genoa he writes :
"I judged it best to take advantage of so
good an opportunity and purchased a suit
of clothes for the winter. Perhaps it
would amuse you should I tell you what
I have bought. I have as much black vel-
vet as will make a suit of clothes. For
this I gave about five guineas ($25), and
about two more for as much crimson
satin as will line it. This is the taste
throughout Tuscany; and to-day I have
bought some lace ruffles and silk stock-
ings."
Because of political disturbances in
America, he sent for his family who
joined him in July, 1775. It is said
that "Mrs. Copley left behind her in
America, Mrs. Pelham, the artist's
mother, and in her care an infant only
a few weeks old, which she was afraid
to expose to the trials of an ocean
voyage, and which died soon after.
She took with her three children, and
was soon afterward joined by her
father, Mr. Clarke, and her brothers,
who had previously moved to Canada.
Mr. Clarke was a strong Tory. It
was to him that the tea was con-
signed which was dumped into the
harbor at the 'Boston Tea Party,' and
in other ways he suffered so heavily
for his views that he subsequently re-
ceived a pension from the British gov-
ernment up to his death."
Copley was inclined to favor the
American party in England, but took
no part in the dispute. It was on De-
cember 5, 1782, that he listened to the
king's speech recognizing America's
independence. At that time he was
working on a portrait in the back-
ground of which he had introduced a
ship, and upon receiving the news he
painted on the ship's mast the first
American flag seen in England.
Copley's career in London carried
him to renown, and then began to de-
cline. During his prosperity his man-
sion was opened to all Americans vis-
iting London, but when fortune
turned he. became involved in finan-
cial difficulties and borrowed money
to advance his son. It is told that
"patronage fell off; almost his last
important work, the equestrian por-
trait of the Prince Regent, from
which he had hoped great things, re-
mained unsold ; his health declined,
and his life did not long outlast his
popularity." He died in 1815 and
was buried in the parish church at
Croyden.
"All are architects of Fate,
Working in these walls of Time !
Some with massive deeds and great,
Some with ornaments of rhyme.
"Nothing useless is and low;
Each thing in its place is best;
And what seems but idle show
Strengthens and supports the rest.
"For the structure that we raise,
Time is with materials filled ;
Our to-days and yesterdays
Are the blocks with which we build."
iflusir in Amrrira
ra of ihr JFirat U'um-
iluliltr (IiuuVmnutum
IIY (LARA. E.MKRSOM
in America traces
its first melodies to
the quaint chants of
the savages. The
American Indian in-
terpreted all the emo-
tions of life into song.
He had songs to nerve the warriors,
to give zest to sports and games, and
to speed the spirits to the happy hunt-
ing-ground. I find a quaint custom
in one tribe. Upon the death of a
prominent person, the young men of
the tribe made two incisions on the
left arm and under the lip of the flesh
formed put a willow twig. With the
blood dripping from their arms, they
marched to the place where the body
was lying, singing a song of happi-
ness. It was their belief that the
spirit of the dead person could hear
the song and that it would cheer him
in his journey. The bleeding arms
were supposed to show their sympa-
thy and love.
With the coming of the white man
the first Virginians brought the folk-
songs of old England. The first na-
tive singing in America were the
Psalms chanted in Puritan religious
services. Songs and music of all
kinds were held in distrust. The
"Bay Psalm Book," published in 1640
at Cambridge, Massachusetts, was the
first book printed in the colony. For
some time previous to this but five
tunes were permitted. These in-
cluded "Old Hundred" and "York."
It is believed the other three were
"Hackney," (sometimes known as St.
Mary's), "Winsor," and "Martyrs."
Hymns began to be used in 1647.
A deep theological problem con-
fronted the Americans of about 1648.
I find evidence of a vigorous move-
ment to confine singing to the few
"elect of God," allowing the congre-
gation to join only in the final
"Amen." Many even considered
skilful singing as wickedness. These
questions created serious controversy :
Whether women, as well as men ; or men
alone may sing?
Whether carnall men and Pagans may be
permitted to sing with us, or Christians
alone, and Church-Members?
Whether it be lawful to sing Psalmes in
Meeter devised by men?
Whether in Tunes invented?
Whether it be lawful in Order unto
Singing, to reade the Psalme?
The evidence by which singing was
declared a sin was based on three find-
ings: First, that tunes are inspired;
second, that to sing man's melody is
only a vain show of art; third, that
God cannot take delight in the process
where the man of sin has had a hand
in making the melody.
There were, however, some daring
liberals who sacrificed their reputa-
tions in the cause of music, and as
early as 1717 a singing school existed
in Boston.
About 1673 it was attempted to
found a school in which the feet were
taught to keep time to music. The
willful instructor was named Stenney,
but he was arrested and fined one
hundred pounds.
The singing school caused another
discussion in which this query was
foremost: "Is it possible that fathers
of forty years old and upward can
learn to sing by rule? And ought
they to attempt at that age to learn ?"
The importation of a church organ
from London to Boston in 1713 cre-
ated consternation. It was placed in
King's Chapel, and many preachers
denounced it in their sermons. It
was termed "boisterous," and it was
insisted that it could never be "justi-
fied before the great master of reli-
gious ceremony." It was at this time
that choir singing developed through
the singing schools.
Then came the first American com-
poser— William Billings, born in Bos-
ton, October 7, 1746. He was appren-
ticed to a tanner and wrote his first
composition with chalk upon the side
of leather in the tannery. Despite
0f 3Htr0t American
the ridicule to which he was subject-
ed, he published "The New England
Psalm Singer, or American Choris-
ter," in 1777. Upon hearing his first
composition sung by a church choir,
this first American composer in his
enthusiasm recorded his feelings thus :
"It has more than twenty times the power
of the old slow tunes, each part straining
for mastery, to keep the audience en-
tertained and delighted, their minds sur-
passingly agitated and extremely fluctu-
ated, sometimes declaring for one part,
and sometimes for another. Now the sol-
emn bass demands their attention, next the
manly tenor; now the lofty counter, now
the volatile treble. Now here, now there;
now here again — O ecstatic ! Rush on,
you sons of harmony !"
The true American spirit of prog-
ress is shown in the introduction
which Billings wrote for his composi-
tions. He said:
"Perhaps it may be expected by some,
that I should say something concerning
Rules for Composition ; to these I an-
swer that Nature is the best dictator, for
all the hard dry studied rules that ever
were prescribed, will not enable any per-
son to form an Air, any more than the
bare Knowledge of the four and twenty
letters, and strict Grammatical Rules will
qualify a scholar for composing a piece of
Poetry, or properly adjusting a Tragedy
without a Genius. It must be Nature, Na-
ture must lay the foundation, Nature must
inspire the Thought. . . . For my own
part, as I don't think myself confined to
any Rules for Composition laid down by
any that went before me, neither should
I think (were I to pretend to lay down
rules) that any who come after me were
any ways obligated to adhere to them any
further than they should think proper; so
in fact I think it is best for every Com-
poser to be his own Carver. Therefore,
upon this consideration, for me to dictate,
or pretend to prescribe Rules of this Na-
ture for others, would not only be very
unnecessary but also a very great piece of
Vanity."
This first American composer
soon won the hearts of the people.
He was a patriot during the American
Revolution and many of his tunes
were heard around the camp fires of
the Revolutionary Army, or the notes
of "Chester" from the fifers of the
Continental ranks.
Music, however, did not prove
a profitable occupation and he suf-
fered poverty. He gave his life to
the muse regardless of the taunts of
his fellowmen. It is said he was the
first to use the violoncello in church
music in New England, and he is
credited with being the first to intro-
duce concerts in the colony. Billings
was an eccentric man, physically de-
formed, defective in sight, and un-
tidy in personal appearance and habit.
His family was so distressed by pov-
erty that the assistance of the com-
munity was solicited. Billings had a
sign over the door of his house on
which was inscribed "Billings' Mu-
sic." I have heard the story told that
one night two cats were suspended
from it by their tails and that their
howls aroused the entire neighbor-
hood. The ridicule to which he was
subjected is also shown by the query
which he received, asking if snoring
was to be classed as vocal or instru-
mental music. After a rather turbu-
lent career, this first American com-
poser died September 29, 1800. Of
him a modern music critic says:
"Beethoven could have obtained no
audience in America in the Eigh-
teenth century, but Billings found a
willing audience and cheered many a
fireside and camp where higher art
would not have been introduced."
I have been searching for the grave
of this first American composer.
While it is known that he was buried
somewhere in the cemetery on Boston
Common, it was unmarked. The
cemetery still exists, but it does not
seem possible to discover the exact
soot where the first American com-
poser was laid at rest.
BEFORE IMAN FOUND A NAME FOR ANY THOUGHT, OR THING, HE HAD HOPES
AND1FEARS AND PASSIONS AND THESE WERE RUDELY EXPRESSED IN TONES
IMMUTABILITY.
\& nob]e records of fte centuries I
\£ living witnesses of ages dead !
\£ Singly comrades true,wbose stout Wve
for L'fe,t brows Dope's eterA^l lig^t
Upon our p&Jbs full of obscurities !
us T>r 'tis by every conflict won
The knotted sinews cfrov, w])lcj) give strength coM
And confident, and in tjje ftas]) eo\d iwr
Of storn, feel, wjtl) sure touci, tbe coning
Of fbe restorincf rtvin *xnd ft\it!)ful SUA.
'
Scribe " of the Old Philogrammatican Library at Lebanon, Connecticut
One of the First Libraries in America, 1738
of ir3B— dDtt? of
ICtbrartes tn Ammra
3nrlinatlmtjB of tarlg
Amrrtrami > 3Jb.r Book* tljrg firao ano
Ihrtr trarurb SieruBBtmta on fHatlrra Jntrllrrtual
anb fHoral > A ftrratia* on " PljgaUk " man tl|* JfounoatUm of Uttrrarg
Culture In til* Starrtmtnattng Snagittpntfl of tlj* ^Irrt Amrrtran
BT
MRS. MARTHA WILLIAMS HOOKER
OF ONE OT THE POCKDEBS OF THE " PuiLOGOAllXATICAN " LlBRART
IN old record book, bound
in parchment and yel-
low with age, has come
down to me from my
great-grandfather. It
is the original record
of one of the first libra-
ries in America. Most of it is in
the handwriting of the first Governor
Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut
when he was a young man, and
at the beginning of the notable career
which later distinguished him as one
of the leading jurists and patriots of
the early days. This old record has
defied the lights of time for one hun-
dred and sixty-eight years and the
entries are still distinct.
In this ancient record book is re-
vealed the life-story of the old library
in historic Lebanon, Connecticut, be-
ginning in 1738. But even at that
time we find that "the Book Com-
pany of Durham, Connecticut, was
instituted on the 3Oth day of October,
Anno Domini, 1733," and therefore
must have been five years older than
its little sister in Lebanon with the
long name of "Philogrammatican."
The name itself is sufficient to dis-
credit any statement that the early
New England people were unlearned
or that they gave scant interest to lit-
erary matters. The truth is that these
pioneer Americans were not only book
lovers but scholars; even more, they
were pedagogues. Look, for in-
stance, upon the clerk who inscribed
the minutes of the old "Philogram-
matican" library. Jonathan Trum-
ble, as his name was then spelled, was
the son of a country merchant, and a
graduate from Harvard in the class
of 1727. He studied theology with
the clergyman, the Reverend Solo-
mon Williams, but upon the death of
an older brother abandoned the study
and went into his father's business.
At that time many of the goods came
from foreign countries by ship to
New London, and thence by teams to
the inland towns of Connecticut and
Massachusetts. These men were
owners of some of these importing
vessels.
Trumble was about twenty-eight
years old when this Library Associa-
tion was formed and he was choser
as its "scribe."
The village clergyman, the Rev-
erend Solomon Williams, was one of
the most ardent promoters of the plan
Utierarg Jurltttattnttja nf lEarlg Ammratt-s
to develop a system of co-operative
reading whereby the minds of his
community might be nourished with
intellectual food. The pulpits of the
meeting-houses were occupied by the
most learned men of the new land and
Reverend Williams was a type of the
old-time scholar, descended from sev-
eral generations of scholarship. He
was the son of Reverend William
Williams of Hatfield, and the grand-
son of Reverend Solomon Stoddard
of Northampton, Massachusetts, as
was also Jonathan Edwards, the emi-
nent theologian and president of
Princeton College.
His elder brother, Elisha Williams,
was rector (or president) of Yale
College for thirteen years. Reverend
Williams was settled over the flock
in Lebanon in 1722 when he was
only twenty-two years of age. He
married Miss Mary Porter, whose
father was Judge Samuel Porter of
Hadley, Massachusetts. The youth-
ful minister and his bride had ma-
tured under the grandeur of Holyoke
range which cast its shadows on the
blue Connecticut, winding through
green and fertile meadows.
The first parish of Lebanon, to
which they came, was the home of a
goodly number of intelligent families.
It was an atmosphere of refinement
and culture. The inhabitants of the
town were a studious people and
eagerly digested all bits of informa-
tion that came from the Old World,
•especially such rare intellectual feasts
as a printed book from Old England.
'There were frequently expressed de-
sires that some way might be devised
.for giving them better literary oppor-
tunities, and in 1738 practical meas-
nires were taken for this purpose.
It was thirty-eight years before
'the outbreak of the American Revo-
lution and the radicalists had not
organized any definite plan for
remedying existing evils. There was
time for literary pursuits, especially
with the conservative colonists who
had full faith in an ultimate peaceable
disposition of affairs.
It was well, then, that the book-lov-
ers of Lebanon should institute a
library, which, modest as it may now
seem, was a notable factor in the
mental development of early Amer-
ica.
Those with literary inclinations
from far and near cordially indorsed
the proposed undertaking. Clergy-
men from the different communities
became interested in the movement
and joined the Library Association,
conferring upon one another the title
of "Covenanter" and approaching the
responsibility with a reverence that
must have verged on bibliolatry.
Unlike modern library associations,
there was no constitution, no presi-
dent or board of officers, but a strictly
legal covenant was entered into be-
tween the Reverend Solomon Wil-
liams on the first part, and the leading
men of his town, physicians, mer-
chants and lawyers, together with
clergymen of adjoining towns on the
other part. Each one agreed to con-
tribute fifty pounds, or two hundred
and fifty dollars, to purchase books.
Reverend Williams was treasurer,
although no mention is made of such
a title, and Jonathan Trumbull, secre-
tary, or, as he was called, the
"Scribe."
The covenant of the old book-lov-
ers is not unlike many of the manu-
scripts of the scholarly inclined of the
present generation. The young col-
lege graduate who inscribed it seems
to have a very human relation to his
collegiate brother of to-day, and was
undoubtedly better informed in Greek
and Latin than in the orthography of
his own language. His handwriting,
which lies before me, is so legible,
however, that I pardon his excessive
use of capital letters for they certainly
are quite ornamental.
"The Covenant," I here transcribe
from the original entry in the old
record-book before me, preserving
the quaint spelling and capitalization:
178
COVENANT OF THE EARLY AMERICAN
BI BL1OPHILES
TRANSCRIBED FROM ORIGINAL RECORD BOOK OK THE
"PHILOGRAMMATICAN" LIBRARY AT LEBANON, CONNECTICUT
This Covenant made this 4th Day of Jany., Anno Domini, 1738. Between Eleazur
Williams of Mansfield, Joseph Meacham of Coventry, Thomas Clap of Windham, Jacob
Eliot, Eleazur Wheelock, Ebenezer West, Ebenezer Gray, Joseph Fowler, Gersham
Clark, John Williams and Jonathan Trumble, (all of Lebanon,) in the County of Wind-
ham and Colony of Connecticut in New England, on the one Part — and Solomon Williams
of the said Lebanon on the other Part. Witnesseth — That we, the above named —
Do Covenant and agree to, and with the said Solomon Williams, His Heirs, Executors,
in manner and form following — viz.
COVENANT
We Do Each and Every of us, Severally
Oblidge ourselves, our Heirs — Executors,
and Administrators To pay, or Cause to be
paid, unto The Said Solomon Williams,
His Heirs or Order the full and just Sum
of Fifty Pounds Current money, That is,
Twenty Five pounds, at or before the first
day of September Next Ensuing, and
Twenty-five pounds at or Before the first
day of September which will be in the Year
of our Lord 1740. All and Every of which
Fifty Pounds by Each and Every of us
Agreed and Covenanted To be Paid ; we do
hereby Covenant and Agree shall be by
Said Solomon Williams his Heirs, Execu-
tors and Administrators Used and Im-
proved to Purchase and Buy a Library of
such Usefull and Profitable Books, as the
Covenanters by Their Major Vote Taken
and Given in manner hereafter to be Ex-
pressed shall be Agreed and Concluded
upon; to be Holden and Kept in the first
Society in Lebanon Aforsd, as a Common
Library among the Covenanters, for Their
Use and Improvement Under such Re-
strictions, Regulations, and Directions as
hereafter in this Instrument shall be Ex-
pressed, or in Due manner and form shall
be Agreed — Voted and Concluded on by
the Proprietors and Covenanters afore-
said. Whereupon : The Said Solomon
Williams doth for himself, his Heirs, Ex-
ecutors and Administrators Covenant and
Agree to and with the above named.
. . . (Names of Proprietors follow.)
Their Heirs, Executors, Administrators
and Assigns that he the Said Solomon Wil-
liams, His Heirs, Executors, Administra-
tors, shall well and Truely Pay or Cause
to be paid toward the afores'd. Out of his
Own Proper Estate The full and just Sum
of Fifty Pounds money, To be paid
Towards the Use aforesaid. In manner
and form as the Several Fifty Pounds
aforesaid. That is Twenty Five Pounds at
or before the First day of September next,
and Twenty Five Pounds at or before the
First day of September which will be in
the year of our Lord 1740— And then fur-
ther— Secondly the aforesaid Solomon
Williams doth bind and oblidge himself,
his heirs &c to Purchase and Deliver into
the hands of the Covenanters aforesaid, a
Collection of such books and such sort of
books as shall be agreed upon and con-
cluded, to be bought by the vote of the
major part of the Covenanters, made as
hereafter expressed, which shall amount in
the whole, to the whole of the Several
sums covenanted to be paid by the Cove-
nanters on the first part. To the said Sol-
omon Williams Together with the fifty
Pounds covenanted and agreed by him to
be, added to the same Totall amount at
the Cheapest Rates they can Reasonably be
purchased in New England to be delivered
at or before the first day of September
next— one half of them — and the other half
of them, at or before the first of September
A D 1740.
Whereupon it is now further covenanted
and agreed and Determined to, by and
among all and every of the Covenanters
both on the one and other part mentioned
in manner and form — following —
That the said Collection of books made
and Purchased as aforesaid, shall be put
into a comon Library, and shall be held
and kept within the Limits of the first
Society in Lebanon aforesaid, for the
Comon use, benefit and Advantage of the
Covenanters aforesaid, and those of their
heirs and assigns as by the vote agreed on
by the major part of the Proprietors shaH
be allowed to Take and hold Interest*
Therein. (OTXB)
COVENANT OF EARLY AMERICAN BIBLIOPHILES (Continued}
Secondly, That the said Library shall be
called by the name of the Philogrammati-
can Library, and that the Proprietors and
owners Thereof in Relation thereto shall
be called and known by the name of The
Company of the Philogrammatican Library.
Voted — That the said Solomon Williams
shall be the keeper of the said Library until
the Proprietors of the same shall by their
vote Regularly given order otherwise.
Voted that a True Record "Shall be
kept and Entries made of the votes and
, Doings of said Company. It is agreed that
a Book shall be made and kept by some
person thereto appointed and that from
time to time two persons shall be appoint-
ed, Truly to Enter all the votes, proceed-
ings and orders of the Covenanters and
proprieters of said Library in the said Book
for that End provided and shall subscribe
their names thereunto which shall become
evidence that These Records or Entries
made were the acts and doings of said
Company —
It was also voted — That Three Cove-
nants of Like Tenour and date, shall be
duly executed by each of us — which Cove-
nants so executed Shall be lodged in the
hands of the Library keeper. It was also
voted that a true copy shall be made of the
Covenant, and transcribed in the forepart
of the Book Wherein the votes, and doings
of said company are recorded. Voted that
other Covenanters may be admitted and
received to make additions to said Library
by the major vote of the Company who
shall be under the like Restrictions Regu-
lations and Directions as the present Pro-
prietors are.
In witness whereof Both Parties and
each member of both Parties here sub-
scribe their Hands and Seals to Three
Covenants of like Tenour and Even Date
with these presents, one of which being
accomplished the Rest shall be discharged
Signed, Sealed &c in presence of us.
Here follow the names.
WITNESSES
Ralph Wheelock (L S)
Eleazur Gillet (L S)
Eleazur Williams (L S)
Joseph Meacham (L S)
Solomon Williams (L S)
Thomas Clap (L S)
Ebenezer West (L S)
Joseph Fowler (L S)
John Williams (L S)
Jacob Eliot (L S)
Eleazur Wheelock (L S)
Ebenezer Grey (L S)
Gersham Clark (L S)
Jonathan T rumble (L S)
The Covenant contained on Three pre-
ceding pages is a true and perfect Tran-
script of that made and executed by The
Company of the Philogrammatican Library
— In Witness whereof we here by the
order of the said Company subscribed
Our names —
(as above)
JON'TH TRUMBLE —
Clerk—
At a later meeting it was also
Voted — That each Proprietor may bor-
row Books to the Value of Twenty
Pounds at a time and no more —
Voted — That Jonathan Trumble be ap-
pointed to buy tanned sheepskins — and get
the Books already brought into the Library
covered with them — and that It be Done
as Speedily as may be with Conveniency —
at the Charge of the Company.
I should like to here place before
you the interesting records of each
one of these meetings of the good
bookmen, for every page of the old
witness which they left behind draws
one nearer to them, and one soon feels
an intimate acquaintance with the se-
lect literary circle and can almost
hear them discuss the literary quality
of the books of the day, gathered un-
doubtedly in a large hospitable room
in which a severely plain table, some
straight-back chairs and a glowing
fireplace are the principal objects of
luxury.
Can you not see in your imagina-
tion the pious and reverend Parson
Williams, questioning the propriety
or moral influence of this book and
that, protesting against frivolity and
appealing to the philosophical in-
stincts that were so strongly devel-
oped in the wilderness life of the
early Americans. Possibly Jonathan
Trumbull, who was some ten years
younger and knew something of poli-
tics, supported a more lenient policy
and suggested an occasional volume
that would meet the popular fancy.
Whatever may have been these dis-
180
Jlnrltnattnnfi 0f lEarlg Ammrana
cussions — and discussion there surely
must have been, for whoever heard of
a literary gathering that could agree
upon what literary quality really
means — the old record-book settles
them all with this decisive statement
that the first purchase was:
THE BOOKS OF PHYSICK
Dr. Gray and Dr. John Williams were
appointed to get a proper catalogue and de-
liver to Rev. Solomon Williams in order
to their being purchased. And that £40 of
the first purchase be in Law Books, and
that Messrs. Eliot, Fowler, and Trumble
procure and deliver a proper catalogue as
above said —
A Catalogue also of Sundry other
Books. Voted: That Rev. Solomon Wil-
liams and Rev. Jacob, Eliot and Messrs.
Eben Gray, John Williams, and Jonathan
Trumble be a Com. to look over, settle and
sort the catalogues and the first mentioned
in these catalogues by them to be bought
first
It is evident that the original "Cov-
enant" proved insufficient to meet the
emergencies of book buying and book
loaning, for in 1740 an additional
"Covenant" was made in which the
desire is expressed that "this Library
remain one joint Library front Gene-
ration to Generation."
Circumstances which these good
men could not foresee prevented this
idealistic accomplishment. The de-
velopment of the library, however,
was well directed, and in 1843, at a
meeting held on August 8, this record
appears in the book before me :
Voted that the Company would now
proceed to purchase the Remaining part of
the collection of books and that the Rev.
Solomon Williams be desired to Procure a
bill of Exchange and send it to London
this Fall in order to have the books from
thence next Spring and that he take the
best method for obtaining them at the
Cheapest sterling price and order them
181
insured home and the company agree to
pay their respective quota to the Rev. Sol-
omon Williams on or before the fifteenth
day of October next This meeting was
adjoined by vote of the Company until the
26 of September next The foregoing
votes truly entered by
JON*TH TKUMBLE, Scribe.
This was the last meeting to be re-
ported in the handwriting of Jona-
than Trumbull in this old book. Pos-
sibly politics diverted his interest
from literature. Possibly he contin-
ued in the literary circle but inscribed
his minutes in another book which
has failed to find its way down the
channel of the generations. I have
made persistent inquiry among the
other descendants of the Reverend
Solomon Williams, and also in the
Trumbull family, but fail to support
this later possibility. This, indeed,
was a period of increasing activity.
There were troubles brewing and pol-
itics may have demanded the entire
attention of the scholars.
The old record-book is silent — se-
verely silent, and for a period that
gives rise to a multitude of probabil-
ities. It is silent for forty-three
years! From 1743, through that trag-
ical sweep of time in which occurred
the American Revolution, the ancient
volume does not speak until the
twenty-seventh of November, 1786.
What a drama of human passions had
been played in this long interval.
What tremendous clashes of powers
had taken place, and what a stagger-
ing blow had been struck to tyranny.
The British Empire had lost its rich
colonies in America. The American
people had declared, bled for, and es-
tablished their independence. A
young giant had entered the arena in
the conflict for the world's suprem-
acy, and the United States of Amer-
ica stood a free nation before the
peoples of the earth, inviting them to
break the chains of monarchy and
come and partake of the cup of
Liberty.
£ti?rarg Jnrlinatinna of lEarlg Ammrana
Once again the seared old pages
speak in 1786:
27th November 1786: Present Eleven
Members — Mr. Oliver Huntingdon was
chosen Moderator— Dr. Thomas Williams
chosen clerk — The question was can-
vassed whether or not the Company be dis-
solved and the books divided, it was voted
to keep and continue the Library. Voted
that Dr. Thomas Williams shall be Libra-
rian for the present. Voted that Rev.
Zebulon Ely shall be the Librarian at the
time when he shall purchase a share in
said Library.
Truly entered Thomas Williams
Clerk.
Turning over the pages it is found
that there was held:
a Meeting on Sep. 25, 1792; there were
present
Rev. Zebulon Ely
Rev. Stephen White
Rev. James Cogswell
Oliver Huntington
Eben West
Dyer Hinckley
Thomas Williams.
His Excellency Samuel Huntington Esq
Ebenezer Grey }
Peleg Thomas f By their attorneys
Jacob Eliot C
deceased
Voted to Divide the books belonging to
The Philogrammatican Library to Each
Proprietor on equal shares — said vote im-
plying of consequence the Dissolution of
the Company —
Voted that Rev. Zebulon Ely, Oliver
Huntington, and Thos. Williams, make
just distribution and to meet and divide the
books by lot
», THOMAS WILLIAMS Scribe.
When one considers the events that
passed through the first decades of
the life of the "Philogrammatican"
Library it seems remarkable that it
could have existed at all, and if it was
deserted by men who found war of
greater immediate consequence than
intellectual development, it is a signi-
ficant fact that it again claimed their
attention after the laying down of
arms in the great struggle. Even be-
fore the Revolution the French and
English War had occurred, and men
and money had been given to the ex-
pedition against Annapolis and Louis-
burg, which was led by Colonel
Lathrop of Norwich. Lebanon had
spent so much in men and money in
the Revolutionary War that they
could not purchase new books in
1792.
The small boys who had played in
the grass-grown streets of the quiet
and secluded village of Lebanon had
become men and offered their lives as
a sacrifice to the cause of liberty.
Jonathan Trumbull, the "scribe,"
had become Honorable Jonathan
Trumbull, the legislator and lawyer,
and the beloved "Brother Jonathan"
the intimate friend and "right-hand"
confidante of General Washington,
who relied much upon his judgment
and service in directing the American
Revolution.
Reverend Solomon Williams had
died in 1775, just before the dawn of
liberty and his sons had fallen heir to
the literary pride of their father in
the "Philogrammatican" Library.
Thomas Williams, the "scribe" of the
library who had some time succeeded
Jonathan Trumbull, had been gradu-
ated from Yale College and settled as
a physician in his native town. Wil-
liam Williams, his brother, had been
graduated from Harvard College, and
had seen service in the French and
English War on the staff of his rela-
tive, Colonel Ephraim Williams,
founder of Williams College, Massa-
chusetts, at the Battle of Lake
George. He had represented his old
town in the General Assembly and
had been a distinguished member of
the Continental Congress in 1776.
Moreover he had forever perpetu-
ated his name by inscribing it on
that "roll of fame," the Declaration
of Independence. His wife was a
beautiful woman, Mary Trumbull,
the daughter of his old friend, Jona-
than Trumbull.
The good bookmen who had organ-
ized the "Philogrammatican" Library
in 1738 had most of them passed
away in the lapse of forty-three years
which the mute record-book fails to
182
Ctirrarg Jlnrltnatinna nf lEarlg Ammrattfi
divulge, and in 1786 those who were
still living were in venerable and in-
active age and had long since left the
responsibilities of life on younger
shoulders.
Thomas Clapp, one of the first
"Covenanters," rose from the minis-
try in Windham to the presidency or
rectorship of Yale College. This
distinction was conferred upon him
the first year after the establishment
of the library, in 1739, and he fulfilled
its duties until 1766. "He contribu-
ted much to improve Yale College
and was the means of building a new
edifice and chapel. He was a man of
extensive learning and gave great
attention to mathematics and astron-
omy, and constructed the first Orrery
made in this country."
Eleazur Wheelock, another of the
select circle of bookmen, became an
educator. He was first a teacher of
Indian boys in Lebanon, and later re-
moved his school to Hanover, New
Hampshire, where many of the abo-
riginal Americans were led to civili-
zation and learning. From this work
developed Dartmouth College, of
which he was president, as was also
his son.
Eleazur Williams, an original
"Covenantei4," was the son of the
Reverend John Williams of Deerfield,
Massachusetts, who was carried to
Canada by the Indians in 1704. The
son, Eleazur, escaped capture at the
same time only because of his fortu-
nately being away from home — at
college — for all the other members of
the family were taken captives. The
son, after his college years, settled in
Mansfield as a minister.
Joseph Meachem, still another of
the literary clique, was also a
clergyman, and married a sister of
Eleazur Williams. She was taken
captive with her father and family by
the Indians, but after reaching Can-
ada she was rescued by the French
and was placed in a school in Mon-
treal where she received two or three
years of superior training. She was
returned to the colonies with her
father and younger brothers in 1707.
There were many new faces at the
meetings of the Library Association
in 1786. Reverend Zebulon Ely was
then the village minister, having suc-
ceeded the late Reverend Solomon
Williams. His Excellency, Samuel
Huntington, governor of Connecti-
cut, was a member of the association
for a short time. He was a personal
friend of William Williams, and with
him signed the Declaration of Inde-
pendence.
Then came the decade of construc-
tive energy, when men gave the best
there was in them to the laying of the
foundation of the new nation. Lit-
erary pursuits were left largely to
men who made a business of it. The
newspaper press became well estab-
lished. The post-boy brought the
news regularly, and in 1792 the old
"Philocrrammatican" Library passed
into history.
These old bibliophiles did their
work well and nobly. May all good
bookmen of the years to come exer-
cise the same discrimination and con-
scientiousness as did these pioneer
American bookmen of one of the first
literary clubs on the Western Conti-
nent.
LICENSE TO MAKE BOOTS AND BOOTEES IN 1815
TRANSCRIBED FROM ORIGINAL BY BENJAMIN C. LUM
WHEREAS David Lum Junr of the County of New Haven In the State of Connecticut bath duly
applied for a license to employ a manufactory conducted In one wood building, situate in the county of
New Haven in the State of Connecticut and owned by Sd Lum of the county of New Haven in State
of Connecticut in the making of BOOTS and BOOTEES during the term of one year to commence on the
eighteenth day of April 1815 and to end on the eighteenth day of April 1816:
Now KNOW YE, That the said David Lum Junr is hereby licensed to employ the said manu-
factory in the making of BOOTS and BOOTEES, for the said term of one year as above defined, in con-
formity with the laws of the United States. WALTER B. BEALE
Countersigned at Cheshire in the Sd Collection District this iSth day of April, 1815,
S. Hull Jr., Collector of the Revenue for the Collection District.
.83
BOOKS IN ONE OF FIRST LIBRARIES IN AMERICA
VOLUMES SELECTED BY BOOK LOVERS IN 1738
Transcribed pages from the Original Record Book of the Philogramma-
tican Library at Lebanon, Connecticut, giving an accurate idea of
the literary inclinations of the pioneer Americans. Reverend Solomon
Williams, a prominent book-lover of his times, made two or three
trips on horseback to Boston to learn the latest literary news and
then sent to England for most of these volumes.
Ninety-four books were recorded in 1739, others were added in 1743.
Page I of Original Record Book.
Folios—
Rapin's Hist, of England
No.
of
Vols.
, a z
£
2
S
7
D
Chambers' Dictionary
•i •>
4
10
Cambden's Brittannia
,3 2
2
14
Calmet's Dictionary
w 1
5
Burnet's History of His Own Times
£ 2
2
8
Barrow's Works
38 2
I
15
Tillotson's Works
•2 3
2
5
Saurin's Dissertations
X 3
10
6
Bates' Works ^i o o
*•(/!
Flavel's Works i 10 o
Edward's Theologia Reformata i 15 o
Stillingfleet's Origines Sacra o 15 o
Coke's Institutes 3 o o
Lilly's Abridgement 2 o o
Quarto's —
Guise's Paraphrase, his gift to us 015 o
Wollaston's Religion of Nature, &c, o 5 3
Winslow's Anatomy Sterling price
14
o
History of Popery — Gift of Mr. Jno. Oswald,
2 vols ;£o 15 o
Octavo, &c.
Coke's Reports 7 vols. 200
Bohun's Declarations and Pleadings Sterling
5
o
Jacob's Introduction to Common Civil and
Canon Law Do.
5
6
;£i3 15 3
Pagt 3 of Original Record Book.
Gentlemen Instructed £o 5 o
£22
17
Colamy's Abridgmt. of Baxter's Lives o 10 o
2
Prideaux's Commition, &c 017 o
3
Ditton of Christ's Resurrection o 5 o
Ray's Wisdom of God in Creation o 4 o
Sherlock on the Soul's Immortality o 4 o
Sharp's Sermons o 12 o
4
Wilkin's Principles of Natural Religion o 4 o
Buxtorffie, Synagoga Judaia Sterling
4
Langii Medicina Mentis do.
4
6
Grabii Spuilegium Patrusm do.
2
6
Sir Isaac Newton's Opticks do.
c
Chamberlain's Present State of Great Britain . do.
6
184
Sterling
Paii 3 of Or i final Etctrd Bo»k (ttntinuif).
Waterland's ist Defence and Further Vindica-
tion do.
No. of
Vols.
2
2
£
s
6
6
5
5
6
4
8
9
4
4
4
6
4
2
2
D
6
6
6
6
Waterland's and Defence and Further Vindica-
tion do.
Waterland's Sermons do.
Brown's Procedure of Human Understanding. do'
Sherlock on Prophecy do.
Revelation Examined with Candour do.
Watt's Sermons do.
Logick do.
Philosophical Essays do.
Astronomy and Geography do.
Various Sermons and Tracts do.
World to Come do.
Lyrick poems do.
Misselaneous Thoughts do.
£2 i
Pa ft 3 »f Or i final Rtc»rd Book.
Scripture History
5
2
3
2
.5
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
8
3
3
3
i
7
4
5
5
5
6
5
10
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
Humble Attempts
On The Passions and Love of God
Strength and Weakness of Human Reason
Death and Heaven
Redeemer and Sanctifier
Guide to Prayer
Spelling Book or Art Reading and Writing
Divine Songs and Prayers for Children
Self-Murder
Catechisms
Psalms
Holiness of Times, Places and Persons
Guise's Sermons and Tracts
On The Holy Spirit
On The Person of Christ
Handing Use of The Scripture
Youths Monitor
Edwards Preacher £o 15 o
Three Books, Law's Serious Call to a Devout Life
Hurrions, Christ Crucified
On The Spirit
8uincy's Medicina Statira
ippocrates Aphorisms
Lobb, on Fevers
j£o 15 o
Pa ft 4 »/ Ori final Rtctrd Booh.
Robinson, on Consumption
4
6
4
5
4
6
On The Spleen
Cliftons State of Physick
Two Letters on Fevers by Anomalous Authors £o i 6
Moody's Gospel Way of Escaping Ye Doleful
State of The Damned o o 6
£i 13 3 13 6
185
w Ammra
$rraB of % Ikpnblir IB tty Monitor of
(DpinUm — tljr Crater an& lEburotnr
OKLAHOMA
MISSISSIPPI
AMERICAN MUNICIPALITIES OF
THE FUTURE
BY T. E. STAFFOHD
EDITORIAL IX
THK DAILY OKLAHOMA!*
The people . . . are giving much
attention to the suggestion of municipal
government by a commission. ... By
the Houston and Galveston plan of munici-
pal government the mayor and four com-
missioners are elected at large every four
years. They each get the same salary—
$1,200. The mayor devotes six hours a
day to the business of the city; the other
commissioners give as much of their time
as is necessary. One of the advantages of
this new system is that, by reason of the
commissioners not being required to devote
all their time to the work, it is possible to
procure the very best business men of the
city. In one of the cities which is gov-
erned by a commission, the new form of
administration is liked so well that there
has been no change in six years, except on
account of death of one member. He keeps
a check on every transaction that is made
in the city government every day. Among
the chief advantages of the new form of
rules is the abolition of retainers and hang-
ers on. Government by commission has
been tried not only in Texas, but in all the
cities of Europe, and wherever it has been
practiced this new system is well liked and
considered a great improvement over the
old forms. The installation of this kind of
government in a city enables the city to be
run the same way that business institutions
and railways are managed. Unnecessary
expenses are eliminated, and a community
of interests is fostered and maintained.
PROGRESS IN ADJUSTING THE
RACE PROBLEM
BY FHANK JOHNSTON
KIMTOKIAl. IV
THK .JAC-KSON KVKNM.Vfi NKWS
There is too much discussion of the so-
called race problem. ... In the South
there are no race questions whatever that
are disturbing the peace and tranquility or
the progress and prosperity of the South-
ern people. There may be some new
phases of racial questions in the far future
in the South, that may require remedial
legislative action, or action by the state
authorities, but such is not the case at pres-
ent. . . . Study the actual conditions
of the subject as they exist to-day in the
South with an intelligent and temperate
scrutiny, and, what those of us who take a
calm and correct view of the situation real-
ize to be the situation in the South. And
that is an industrious, contented race en-
gaged in the work of improving itself with
all its efforts, tilling the soil, and engaged
in every branch of industry, living as a
race, quiet and contented lives, and as a
race, and considering their history, a law-
abiding and peace-loving people. With the
labor and muscle of these people the South
is making rapid strides in progress and
prosperity. The South is rapidly growing
wealthy, and it is the great laboring class
of the South, that is largely composed of
negroes, that is working out these magnifi-
cent results for the South. Not that the
white men of the South are not devoting
all of their labor and brains and energies
to this great work, but everybody who is
informed on the subject knows that by far
the greater part of the manual labor that is
necessary for the development and rehabil-
iation of the South is furnished by the ne-
groes. In all this splendid movement of
the South in material development, the two
races are working together and, as the net
result of their mutual efforts, the South
will soon be more wealthy and prosperous
than at any time in its entire history.
1 86
<E0nt?mpnrarg
in Ammra
ARIZONA
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE ARE
SUBJECT TO EVOLUTION
Br J. \v. SPEAR
irni TOHI A i. i x
THM AKIZOBA •KPOBLIOA3T
A few people of this country have be-
come unnecessarily excited over . . .
the doctrine of trial marriages. The course
oi marriage and love will not be changed
in an instant on the recommendation of
any man or woman. What changes there
may be will come with changing civiliza-
tion, which is now making satisfactory for-
ward progress. The subjects of marriage
and divorce have not been treated with
good sense by those who have agitated
them the most loudly, but in the meantime
the great mass of the people have been go-
ing on getting better all the time, and
slowly approaching a proper solution of
the relation between men and women. It
is an error on one side to regard mar-
riage as a wholly divine institution and
divorce as an unpardonable sin, as it is on
the other, to regard marriage as the possi-
ble result of a passing whim. There is
much foolishness on the part of those en-
thusiasts who are seeking to render divorce
in any circumstance difficult almost to the
point of impossibility and to prevent by
shame and humiliation the separation of
those who ought to be separated. "Whom
God hath joined together let no man put
asunder," is not an injunction laid upon
divorce courts.
Marriage is a solemn, but not a sacred
institution. . . . Marriage is something
more, and something less than a civil con-
tract. People enter into it with a few
definite promises and a great many more
.as clearly understood. Marriage and di-
vorce laws at any stage of the world's his-
tory are the product of the best human
wisdom and experience prior to that time.
That wisdom and experience are more val-
uable guides to matrimonial well-being
than the views of extremist agitators on
either side. A trial marriage, necessarily
entered upon with doubt, would almost
'Certainly prove a failure.
187
TENNESSEE
WILL, AMERICAN REPUBLIC OUT-
GROW STATE LINES
Br GILBERT D. I'AIN K
KDITOBIAL IJT
THK MKMPHIH MKWH •CIMITAB
The News Scimitar has made itself clear
as to its attitude on states' rights; and that
attitude is that it would not to-day brush
down all the state lines or the legal evi-
dences of states' rights; but that the ten-
dency has been, and is and will be, in the
direction of gradually effacing these bar-
riers and fortifications; and their final re-
moval will be when they are no longer
necessary, which will be when the people of
the different sections need have no fear of
a lack of reasonable consideration from the
people of other sections of the country.
. . . We do not agree fully with the
president in his first announcement, which
he has since explained, on the California
Japanese question. This is one of the very
matters in which states' rights to-day, as a
local safeguard, is still essential. We have
faith in the intellectual and spiritual
growth of Americans. . . . The states
as a whole have always had and are having
more from time to time, of influence, moral
and legal, on each separate state. The na-
tion, the state, the county and the city
always have had, and are having more in-
terference with even a man's relations to
his home or his business. The criminal
laws and the civil laws fix limits for his
conduct in relation to his family, or to his
community affected by his business meth-
ods. In all relations we are growing more
and more our brother's keeper. While the
people of California should be allowed to
determine the question about Japanese
children in the schools, it is also true that
there is a radical difference between the
Japanese and the negroes. This is admit-
ted and felt in the South. The Honorable
John Sharp Williams, the Democratic
leader in Congress, and rather of the old
school of politics and governmental econ-
omy and methods, says, and says properly,
that the objection to the negro in the South
is not a matter of color, but a matter of
race. He says with great force that the
negro is half child and half devil. He is
yet an infant in intellectual and moral de-
velopment He says no community in the
South would take offense at seeing a Jap-
anese or even a Chinese at a hotel table.
The Japanese are a highly developed and
civilized race of people.
<Enttt?mp0rarg
in Amertra
ILLINOIS
MASSACHUSETTS
AMERICAN CONSTITUTION IS IN
ADVANCE OF TIMES
BY HORATIO "W. SEYMOUR
KUITOHIAL IK
THK CHICAGO CHKOBTCI.K
There is a regrettable inclination, which
seems all the time increasing, to bewail the
limitations of the constitution. The presi-
dent appears greatly impressed with the
idea that if he were only unhampered by
constitutional restrictions he could be of
much greater service to the country. . . .
European newspapers are directing atten-
tion to it and doing so approvingly. They
are explaining that the constitution was
framed when the country was in its infancy
and that it has been outgrown. This is
their diplomatic way of saying that Amer-
ica and its constitution are not worth a
cent and that the only way to govern peo-
ple is by an autocrat and lese majeste laws.
This is to be deplored from every point of
view. Scripture says "the law is not made
for righteous men," and the constitution is
not made and is not needed for presidents
like Mr. Roosevelt, who are wise and just
and above the temptations of corrupt poli-
tics. It is made for the salvation of the
community when the weak or violent or
wicked man gets into the presidency. Its
restrictions may at times be an evil, but
they are a necessary evil because without
them under some administrations liberty
would be lost. The constitution is the
voice of the people. Its limitations express
the people's ideas of what is safe and just
The instrument was not drawn by casting
lots or throwing dice. It was the care-
fully thought-out work of men who died a
century ago, but who knew more about
political philosophy and about constitution
building than all the statesmen of this age
put together. The objections made to it
are not always worthy of attention. If it
did not interfere with the cherished plans
of some people it would not be worth a
straw. . . . The United States Consti-
tution is far in advance of the American
people of the present day and that the cry-
ing evil of the twentieth century in the
United States is not that the constitution is
too narrow but that the people are too law-
less and too impatient of wholesome re-
straint. . . . What the people of this
country need is at least one-tenth of the
law-abiding instincts of those countries
which do not know what liberty is.
SHALL AMERICA LIMIT PRIVATE
FORTUNES
BIT W. H. MERRILL
KDITOKIAL IK
TH« BOSTON" IIKHALD
A progressive tax on all fortunes be-
yond a certain amount . . . would not
only be just in itself, but would do much
to allay the spirit of discontent among the
people over the undue privileges and op-
portunities enjoyed by the rich. ... If
a man has accumulated $5,000,000 or
$10,000,000, and wishes to "hand it on" to
his wife or his son, or to any other person,
the government would, by a tax, take all
beyond what the law should prescribe as a
"healthy limit." . . . Who would take
the money thus confiscated, and what
would become of it? What guarantee
could there be that it would be more wisely
disposed of than by the man who made it?
The government is not an individual. It
is not even a board of trustees for hand-
ling bequests and legacies. So far as
money is concerned, it is merely a huge
machine. . . . Putting quite aside the
question of the constitutional warrant for
such a law, or of its ethics, the practical
consideration remains whether the govern-
ment would make better use of this sur-
plus wealth for the public good than is
now made, in a majority of cases, by the
men whose ability, industry and prudence
accumulated it? Numerous examples of
the beneficent use made of "swollen for-
tunes" by their possessors are in the public
mind. Or, on the business side, how many
great enterprises that have wrought won-
ders for the development of the country
and the increase of its prosperity would
have been impossible if individual fortunes,
after the first generation, had been limited
to $250,000, or even $1,000,000? If Con-
gress would repeal some of the present
taxes on the common necessaries of the
people, and enact as a revenue measure a
reasonable inheritance tax, such as exists
in England, and a graded income tax, if it
can be lawfully done, the restriction and
disposition of fortunes may very well be
left to the operation of natural laws and
individual judgment.
188
Qlijnuglft in Amrrira
NEW YORK
TEXAS
THE AMERICAN PURPOSE IS
COMMON GOOD
EDITORIAL WHITE* IV
THM WKW TOBK TMIBTTITK
This country, this union of states, must
have government which serves the welfare
of all its members. That would be equally
true if it were a compact and centralized
nation or if it were the loosest kind of a
confederacy. A principal reason for the
failure of the old confederacy was that this
fact was not sufficiently and practically
recognized and that there was too little
striving after the common good in the gov-
ernments of the various states. It was "to
promote the general welfare" that the Con-
stitution was ordained. Now it will not do
to say that that supreme aim can be de-
feated by the action, or rather the inaction,
of a single state. We can readily imagine
what would be the result if some state
were, for example, so to neglect the en-
forcement of sanitary laws as to make it-
self a plague spot and a menace to the
health of its neighbors, or were to regard
the criminal code so lightly and to be so
lax in police administration as to make it-
self an asylum for evil-doers. Such con-
duct on the part of any state would be gen-
erally recognized as intolerable. This
growth of the nation and the closer inter-
weaving of interstate interests have not
only promoted the growth of a spirit of
nationality, but also have made necessary
the development of those rights and powers
of the federal government which were am-
ply provided in the Constitution, but which
were not needed and were, therefore, held
in abeyance until recent years. National
government and state governments alike
have rights, but the neglect of duty is not
among them. It would be self -stultifica-
tion to say that the welfare of the people
must suffer because the federal government
or some state government would not do its
duty and could not be compelled to do so.
The whole theory of our government is
that government exists not for its own
arbitrary sake, but for the sake of the peo-
ple and their welfare. . . . There can
be no surer way to maintain the Constitu-
tion and to preserve the fine balance be-
tween state rights and national sovereignty
than for both federal and state govern-
ments to be as scrupulous in fulfilling their
duties — to the whole Union — as they are
vigilant and sensitive in protecting their
rights against invasion or impairment
189
AMERICA MUST SAVE LIVES OF
ITS CHILDREN
KI>1TOJIIAL WBITKH I IT
THB HOUSTOW CH»OWIOL«
It is unfortunately too often the case that
the people see where matters in a social
and economic sense are going wrong, yet
as everybody's business is nobody's busi-
ness, there is no systematic or organized
effort made to set things right until condi-
tions become so bad that the protection of
society makes it imperatively necessary
that corrective or suppressive action be
taken. This is exactly the attitude of the
public towards the child labor question.
Many saw the evil, many were not brought
into contact with it, therefore could not
appreciate its magnitude or iniquity, but it
is now being pressed upon the public mind
and conscience. It is most fortunate that
there are to be found some people in this
great nation who are both willing and able
to give their time and money and influence
towards any practical movement for the
betterment of social and moral conditions,
and a large number of such people are
making organized warfare upon the in-
famous system of child labor. . . .
"Child Labor — A National Disgrace —
Children Sacrificed to Greed — Girls Are
Cheaper Than Cotton." These are fearful
headlines, yet they are supported by la-
mentable and disgraceful statistics. Ten
thousand bovs from nine to thirteen years
old work in coal breakers. Seventy-five
hundred children under sixteen years of
age work in glass factories. Hundreds of
them work all night. Sixty thousand little
children under fourteen years of age toil
in Southern cotton mills. Little girls eight
years old work through a twelve-hour
night Seventy-five per cent of the spin-
ners of North Carolina are only fourteen
years old or under. A picture is given of
one little boy, now sixteen years of age,
who for six years, for beggarly wages, has
tied stoppers on bottles in a glass factory,
and "his bent shoulders, sunken chest, sal-
low face and lusterless eyes are the signs of
nature's protest against such toil." The
pinched faces and shrivelled forms of the
children doomed to spend their lives at
work in factories show that every hope of
future manhood and womanhood is des-
tined to be destroyed, and the state is be-
ing robbed of what is or should be its most
valuable asset. During the past ten years
. . . . laws have been passed for the
protection of children in Iowa, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New York, Missouri, Dela-
ware, Georgia, Rhode Island, Kentucky.
Kansas and Pennsylvania.
<E0nt*mp0rarg
in Amrrtra
ALABAMA
PENNSYLVAMIA
AMERICA EXTENDS FREEDOM
TO ALL RELIGIONS
CONQUEST FOR THE PACIFIC
MUST NOT COME
K.VI rilHIAl. IV
run MOXTGOMKKT A i> VKKTI s KK
The people of these United States will
naturally watch with much interest the
progress of events in France, and will join
the friends of humanity the world over in
hoping and praying that there may be no
bloodshed. Of all wars that come to plague
nations religious wars are the most im-
placable and deplorable. When men go to
war on account of religious difference they
seem to lose sight of both religion and hu-
manity and give way to the one desire to
win at whatever cost. . . . Among all
the principles distinctively marking our
government there are two that may be
called supreme. One is the absolute reli-
gious freedom of all the people. The right
to worship God in one's own wav, without
interference, persecution or hindrance by
others, is one of our dearest rights. Even
if the peculiar form of one's religious views
may be repugnant to others, and may even
lead to what others may look on as ex-
cesses, we are accustomed to regard it
with tolerance, feeling that no one has the
right to interfere with the mode of belief
or worship of another. . . . Many of
the first white settlers on this continent
had been driven from their homes by reli-
gious intolerance or had fled from religious
persecution. They came to America to be
free to worship God in their own way, and
although in the early days some of the new-
comers were intolerant and persecutive, as
a general thing those who laid the founda-
tions of a future nation were willing to
leave questions of religious belief for each
to settle in his own way. When the patri-
ots and statesmen came to write a consti-
tution for the new government that was
about to enter on its career, they were
careful to insert the words, "Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof," and no feature of our governmen-
tal system has been more jealously guarded
than that In all the trials, struggles and
wars through which the country has passed
absolute freedom of religious worship has
been maintained.
KDITORIAI. I2T
THK PHILADELPHIA IKQUIHEH
It has been seriously urged that if Japan,
in order to vindicate the right of Japanese
youth to attend the public schools of San
Francisco without being restricted to the
use of any particular establishment, were
to go to war with the United States, then
England, under the existing treaty, would
be obliged to take up arms against us also.
. . . Now it is to be said in the first
place, that there is not the slightest danger
of war occurring between Japan and the
United States, either over the troubles in
San Francisco or over any other imagina-
ble issue. It is possible, of course, but it is
so improbable as not to be worth consid-
ering. The Japanese . . . know better
than to engage in a conflict from which
they would emerge bankrupt and ruined.
. . . But assuming the occurrence of
what is barely possible, it is difficult to find
in the text of the Anglo- Japanese treaty
any warrant for the statement that Great
Britain, as the result of that treaty, would
be dragged into the contest or else forced
to repudiate its solemn pledge. . . .
The purposes of that treaty are exhibited
in the preamble. They are "the consolida-
tion and maintenance of general peace in
the regions of eastern Asia and India; the
preservation of the common interests of all
the powers in China by insuring the inde-
pendence and integrity of the Chinese Em-
pire and the principle of equal opportuni-
ties for the commerce and industry of all
nations in China; the maintenance of the
territorial rights of the high contracting
parties in the regions of eastern Asia and
India; and the defense of their special in-
terests." ... In the second article of
the treaty it is provided that "if by reason
of an unprovoked attack or aggressive ac-
tion, wherever arising, on the part of any
other power or powers, either contractor
be involved in war in defense of its terri-
torial rights or special interests mentioned
in the preamble the other contractor shall
at once come to the assistance of its ally
and conduct war in common and make
peace in mutual agreement with it."
igo
Jfnarnal »r
Aramran i
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REPRODUCTIONS FROM RARE
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and dfcmntao —
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by ihr Acanrtatrb JJubliabrra of Amwriran Rrrnrta, Jnr.
in the Aurirut iHntrtrijialtiy of Nrui ® aunt , (Cii minnnuiralth. of <£un-
urrtirirt, in QtmrtnrlQ Art toUlona, four bmika to fl?r volume
at (t ran Dollars annually. 3Fiftg drntB a ro$nj > CCnntptlrft
in (ftallabaration unlh tltr (Cunnrrtirut Ma^azint
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of Ihr Snrman tithngra}ihmg
publication rntrrr!) at tltr
©ffirr at Nrm $au?n aa mail
mattrr of ilie arrnnli rlaaa
and
dihrrr oollara annually o* Srorniu-fior rrnta a ropy
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1st San Francisco No. 12
of tfr* ®gr-(flgntgnarg Number
FIRST VOLUME SECOND NUMBER
Collecting the Various Phases of History, Art, Literature,
Science, Industry, and Such as Pertains to the Moral, Intellectual
and Political Uplift of the American Nation — Inspiring Nobility
of Home and State — Testimonial of the Marked Individuality
and Strong Character of the Builders of the American Republic
HERALDIC ILLUMINATION — Coat-of-arms of Captain John Smith, of the first perma-
nent English settlement in America — The three Turks' heads were conferred upon
him by Sigismundus Bathor, Duke of Transylvania, for bravery In the Wars of
Hungary — Emblazoned In six colors By Charles L. N. Camp
.ANCIENT ENGRAVINGS OF EARLY AMERICA — Prints from quaint pictures of the
adventures of John Smith from 1597 to 1629 in green tint on imitation parchment 193
AMERICA — THE RISE OF A STRONG PEOPLE — Nine hundredth anniversary of
Thorflnn's Discovery of the Western Continent — Four hundredth anniversary of
the Christening of the New World as America — Three hundredth anniversary of
the Call of th« Wilds to the Anglo-Saxons and the daring men who heard
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN SMITH— His Own Story of His Birth, Apprenticeship and
Youth — Embellished with family arms 204
ARMS CONFERRED FOR CHIVALRY — Accurate Translations of Latin Memorials
Issued to John Smith for his heroism in the Wars of Hungary in 1603 — Embellished
with reproductions of the heraldic order 205
STRUGGLES OF THE FIRST CITIZENS IN AMERICA— True Record from the time Of
departure from England in 1606, to the arrival in Virginia in 1607 and the hazard- 4
ous beginnings of a World Power — From the Journal of William Simons, "doc-
tour of divinitle" 20«
DAWN OF THE NEW WORLD — First Permanent English Settlement In America —
Foundation of the people who in three hundred years have stretched over domin-
ions and millions across the continent and whose Influence permeates the earth —
The Nations of the World extend tribute on this ter-centennial — With ten repro-
ductions of rare engravings and paintings Honorable H. St. George Tucker
President of the Jamestown Exposition 209
AN OLD ENGLISH PLAY ON AMERICA— The New World In 1607 was the Talk of the
Taverns in the Old World and Playwrights Introduced it into their dramas —
Extract from "Westward Hoe" 219
THE FIRST ROMANCE IN AMERICA— The story of the heroism and fortitude of Poca-
hontas — Her marriage to John Rolfe, the first union of the Western Continent and
the Eastern Hemisphere — With six reproductions from rare engravings and paint-
ings 221
IN HONOR OF A VALIANT ADVENTURER— Loving lines inscribed to gallant John
Smith by Compeers — Ter-centenary statue to be unveiled in September on the scene
of the American explorations By William Couper, New York City 225
AMERICAN PROGRESS ON THE PACIFIC COAST— Voice of the people as expressed
through the Governors of the American Commonwealth to "The Journal of Ameri-
can History" By Honorable Albert E. Mead
Governor of Washington 226
UNTOLD RICHES OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS By Honorable Frank R. Gooding
Governor of Idaho 231
AMERICAN CIVILIZATION IN THE GREATER ANTILLES
By Honorable Beekman Winthrop, Governor of Porto Rico 232
RESOURCES OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST By Honorable Joseph K. Toole
Governor of Montana 234
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN BORDERLAND By Honorable E. Y. Sarles
Governor of North Dakota 235
COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING IN AMERICA— Accurate transcript from origi-
nal order issued in New England in 1765 and contributed By Benjamin C. Lum 230
PUBLIC CARE OF THE POOR IN EARLY AMERICA— Accurate transcript from rec-
ords of Water-town, Massachusetts By M Augusta Holman
Leomlnster, Massachusetts 233
THE FIRST AMERICAN NOVELIST— Experiences of the first writer In the New World
to make literature his sole pursuit and to earn a livelihood by Pen — The first
INDEX CONTINUED (OVER)
Context tpilfr iEttgratnnga att&
SECOND QITAHTBK NINETEEN SEVEN
Chronicles of Those Who Have Done a Good Day's Work —
Rich in Information upon Which May Be Based Accurate
Economic and Sociologic Studies and of Eminent Value to
Private and Public Libraries — Beautified by Reproductions of
Ancient Subjects through the Modern Processes or American Art
CONTINUATION OF INDEX
American Fiction to create a Literary market was "Wieland," the tale of mys-
tery — Career of Charles Brockden Brown — By permission of the author from his
Literary History of Philadelphia .............. By Bills Paxson Oberholtzer, Ph.D.,
University of Pennsylvania 236
BAS-RELIEF OF CHARLES BROCKDEN BROWN, Father of Literary Trade In Amer-
ica .......................... By Dr. R. Tait McKenzie, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 240
FIRST PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA — Customs and practices of early Doctors as
revealed in correspondence of John Winthrop, born in 1606 — Dutch, Quakers and
Puritans consulted him regarding their physical ills — The New World is full of his
praises — Beginning of American medicine — With eleven transcripts of ancient let-
ters, and reproduction of oil portrait of John Winthrop
By Walter R. Steiner, M.A.. M.D. 241
THE FIRST STEAMSHIPS TO CROSS THE OCEAN— Recollections of men who partici-
pated in first futile attempts to Interest capital in the Possibilities of Communica-
tion between the Continents by Steam — Opening: the Gateways of the World — His-
toric Voyages — Beginning of Commerce — With transcript of log of the Savannah
and twenty-nine rare prints of the development of steam navigation
By C. Seymour Bullock 261
TRIALS IN EARLY JUSTICE COURTS IN AMERICA— Court record of Justice Jabez
Brainerd, 1773-1776 — Serious crimes included "Profane cursing and swalring" —
The "Gilty" were sentenced to stock and whipping-post — Debtors frequently
bound over to their creditors in servitude — Beginning of American law
By Reverend Bert Francis Case 284
THE HOME OF MY CHILDHOOD — Illustrated poem .............. By Anna J. Qrannlss 28>
A MAN OF THE SOUTHWEST — Poem ........ By John Vance Cheney, Chicago, Illinois 290
TRAVEL IN AMERICA — Excerpt by Roland D. Grant, an American traveler — With
four nature Illustrations in photo-tone .......................................... 292
ODE TO AMERICA ......................................... By Donald Lines Jacobus 297
WHEN DAYLIGHT DIES — An Evening: Pastoral — With four nature Illustrations In
photo-tone ...................... By John H. Guernsey, Government Postal Service 299
THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN IMMORTALS— The Hall of Fame .................... 301
Bronze Medallion of Nathaniel Hawthorne — American Novelist .................... 302
Bronze Medallion of Washington Irving — An American Litterateur ............... 303
Bronze Medallion of Ralph Waldo Emerson — American Philosopher ............... 302
Bronze Medallion of Samuel Finley Breese Morse — American Inventor ............ SOS
EX LJBRIS — American adaptation of the old art of Book Heraldry that originated
within half a century of the invention of printing — -Reproductions of book plates
of William Penn of Pennsylvania and Paul Revere of Massachusetts .............. 304
VOYAGES OF AN OLD SEA CAPTAIN— Adventures in South America and in the ports
of the Old World during the first years of the American Republic — An American
citizen impressed into the British service — His daring escape after years of cap-
tivity and conflict— Autobiography .................. By Captain Jeremiah Holmes 306
MARRIAGE CONTRACT IN AMERICA IN 1675— Transcribed from original
By Mary R, Woodruff 320
TAVERN AND POST ROAD— With three illustrations .............. By Norman Talcott 321
HOME LIFE IN OLD AMERICA — Eight reproductions of Ancient Estates in photo-
tone ............................................................................ 325
IN THE FIRST HOMES OF AMERICA — With four exhibitions of antique furniture
By Clara Emerson BIckford 328
ANCIENT AMERICAN LANDMARKS— Two illustrations of the first days of Amer-
ican industry ................................................................... "*
MODERN AMERICAN SCULPTURE — The "Aztecs" .............. By Louis A. Qudebrod
Member of the National Sculpture Society 332
AN INDIAN LEGEND— "The Flight of Red Bird" ........................ By Joe Cone 33S
Jrom Attrirnt
AI'KI I. HAT JUNK
The Publishers of "The Journal of American History" wish to
acknowledge the thousands of commendatory letters that have
been received since the Inaugural Number. Honorable Charles
W. Fairbanks, Vice President of the United States, writes : " I
congratulate you upon its excellence." The letters include words
of appreciation from leading American Scholars and Educators
CONCLUSION OF INDEX
FIRST PATENT IN AMERICA — Granted In 1646 to the Inventor of "an engine of mill*
to go by water" and recorded as "Jenkes Mopolye". .. .By Emellne Jenks Cramp ton
Lineal Descendant of the Patentee 834
LIFE ON GREAT AMERICAN PRAIRIES A GENERATION AGO — Two prints from "In
the Valley of the Mississippi" ................................ By Wm. H. Mllburn 386
GREAT HEART OF THE AMERICAN DOMINION — Narrative of journey In the wilder-
ness of the Mississippi Valley In 1789-1790 — The experiences In the Vast Region
that Is graining control of the American nation and now contains twenty-two of the
forty-five United States — Travel In early days of American Republic — With repro-
ductions and prints .................................. By Major Samuel S. For man 837
VOTE TO PROSECUTE NON-CHURCH GOERS IN 1664— .............. By 8. L. Griffith
of Danby, Vermont 355
ADVENTURES IN THE AMERICAN NORTHWEST - Life story of a Pioneer Fur
Trader and his experiences In the remote parts of the New World — How Amer-
ican business Instinct led the way for civilization — Accurate transcript from an
almost indecipherable manuscript recently discovered .......... By Sir Peter Pond 357
SONNET — "Oh Ye That Keep the Rule of Modern Town" ............. By Horace Holley 365
ESTATE OF A PROSPEROUS AMERICAN IN 1684 — "Inventory of Lewis Jones, lately
deceased, of goods and chattel taken by us whose names are now written this
twentieth day of April, 1684" — Transcript from original ....... By Walter E. Jones
of Waltsfleld, Vermont, a descendant of the legator 366
FIRST 8ILHOUETTIST8 IN AMERICA— Earliest extant type of Plctorlology— Brown's
notable collection of portraits of distinguished Americans — With reproductions
from Original Silhouettes of Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, Andrew Jackson
of South Carolina, John Randolph of Virginia, Bishop William White of Pennsyl-
vania ............... . ....................................... By Howard Marshall 367
"WILL OF MARY WASHINGTON IN 1788— Mother of the first President of the United .,
States — Transcribed from Clerk's office at Fredericksburg, Virginia
By Mrs. Helen Cook Porter of Baltimore, Maryland 372
LIFE STORIES OF GALLANT AMERICANS— John Thomas— Colonel of Spartanburg
and Jane Thomas' Famous Ride ....................... By Mrs. Robert J. Herndon 373
DAVID NOBLE — PATRIOT OF PITTSFIELD — He gave his wealth and then his life to
the cause of American Independence ...................... By Mrs. Sara B. Francis
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 376
PHINEAS SLAYTON — The Venerable Volunteer — He Fought in the American Revolu-
tion and had to be "Coaxed to go home" In the War of 1812 — Anecdote contributed
By Carrie J. Doane of Arlington, Iowa 378
CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT IN AMERICA— "The Press of the Republic Is the
Moulder of Public Opinion — the Leader and Educator" ............................
Must American Prosperity be Retarded ......................... By John P. Young
In San Francisco (California) "Chronicle" 379
Are These America's Needs? — A Great Problem .............. By George W. Norton
In Portland (Maine) "Evening Express" 379
Omens of the Fiercest Conflict Known to History —
In Louisville (Kentucky) "Herald" 380
North and South are United Forever
In Richmond (Virginia) "Times-Dispatch" 380
Human Brotherhood — Hands Across the Sea
In Charleston (South Carolina) "News and Courier" SSI
Man's Ambition — Quest of the North Pole
In Washington (District of Columbia) "Post" 381
LAST LEAF— EDITORIAL COMMENT
PRIVATE LETTER WRITTEN BY GEORGE WASHINGTON, Father of the American
Republic, to an Intimate friend in which he warns against Impending dangers. . .Cover
Ait*i*tt<lp*Hftktrit/Amtrie»* Rtcordi, tyji-trn Ck*}tl Street, fftw Hmven,
are thtLinU that fluw thy iLaSe.but to
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OJ Salvages, much-Cixittiz'd ty th
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1 !
AMEHIi A - KNKJJIT KRRANT
Rare Engravings
from the Originals in
The True Travel-, Adventure* ami ObMrvatioas
of Captaiae John Sr
in
Europe, Asia, Africke. and Aoitr
Beginning
About the Yeere 1^3- and '
TWAHH3
ad)
»riT
ai
•ohsmA ba« .sioiil A ,«i«A ,9qo
alaah
bcu ,
The Adventures of John Smith in the War o/ the T,urkesandtoe
Christians in which, by signal torches from the M!!,' fee ktspt
in communication with the Army at seven iniles diafaftfp 94bfe?
his stratagem drove back twenty ^^gif^ffj^fj^jf
. GRVALGO CapL oj
John Smith's acceptance of the challenge of a Turkish warrior
regaine his friend's head, or lose his owne," in which he
promptly took the head, horse and armour of his combatant and
graciously »ent " his body and his rich apparel back to Town "
ai
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Journal »f
Afltfliran Ifslnrj
VOLUME I
JTIJTMTMBV 8JCVEX
Ammra
XDITKD I!T
THEVKI.TA.V MILLKH
NUMBER II
BEOOVD QUAKTIM
0f
$ixnarrath Auuiurraarg of OUjorfutn'a DtBronrry
uf tbr HJratrrn QJontinrttt J* 3fattr l$tmorratli AmuurrHaru
of tyr OUprtBtettng nf ttj* Nrw Worto an "AmrrtnT J*
2tyrrr Ijmt&rrMt} AmuurrHarg of ttfr (Eall of tt|^ 3BUoa
to thr Auglo-&axuu3 ana thr Daring fHrn mb,n
E American people to
day stand at the thresh-
old of a new chronologi-
I cal epoch. Time has
marked its footsteps and
is now balancing the
accounts of finished cen-
turies. Marvelous as has been the
sweep of progress across the Western
Continent, the work of civilization is
to-day but in its beginning. The un-
covered wealth of the wilderness is
but the intimation of the possibilities
of the coming epoch. Many of the
powerful nations of the earth could
be devoured in the virgin forests that
are yet unmeasured and unmarked by
the trails of men and whose secrets
the white race is yet to learn.
From Panama to the Arctic runs a
wild confusion of mountains like a
caravan that never passes by, whose
camel backs are laden with the sky —
thousands of miles north and south,
until the awful range plunges beneath
the sea in the Aleutian Islands — that
can never be touched in survey by
half a dozen generations, and the
blessed Alps of Europe could be
hopelessly lost in its legions of peaks.
The new epoch must reveal won-
ders that to-day are not even dreams.
The next century of American prog-
ress is beyond the comprehension of
finite mind.
Ambassador Porter recently said:
"If we may judge the future progress
of this land by its progress in the past,
it does not require that one should be
endowed with prophetic vision to pre-
dict that this young but giant Repub-
lic will dominate the policy of the
world. Woven of the stoutest fibers
of other lands, nurtured by a com-
mingling of the best bloods of other
races, her manifest destiny is to light
the torch of liberty till it illumines
the entire pathway of the earth."
\
©all nf it?* MUto attin % ilim
IS is the nine hundredth
anniversary of the tradi-
"• tional discovery of Amer-
ica. It was in the year
J 1007, according to the
Sagas, that Thorfinn,
after having sailed from
Norway to Greenland, on the previ-
ous year, came to Vinland with three
ships and one hundred and sixty per-
sons, sighted New Foundland and
Nova Scotia, sailed along the New
England coast and landed upon an
island where they spent the winter.
For three years these adventurers are
said to have lingered on the Western
Continent, spending most of the time
in a bay, which has been identified
with Mount Hope Bay, and trading
with the Esquimaux. The Norwe-
gians returned to the Old World in
ion, and Thorfinn died about 1016,
leaving no record that shows that his
journeys were in the interests of dis-
covery but rather as trading expedi-
tions. Whatever may be the truth of
the Sagas, the New World remained
in darkness until the coming of Col-
umbus four hundred and eighty-five
years later. It was he who opened
the gateway and started the stream
of immigration that is to-day continu-
ing in its ceaseless flow of more than
a million adventurers each year.
IS is the four hundredth
anniversary of the nam-
ing of America. Five
il years after Columbus
proclaimed to the East-
ern Continent that in the
far West there was a
New World the vastness of which he
dare not intimate, one Americus Ves-
pucci came to the mainland and on
his return to the Old World recorded
his claims as a discoverer, soliciting
the services of the geographers to the
extent that in 1507 a little publication
entitled "Cosmopgraphiae Introducio,"
edited and issued by two scholars,
Waldseemuller and Ringmann, at the
college of St. Die in the Vosges coun-
try, spoke of the mysterious land as
"America." It is said that Ringmann
was an ardent admirer of Vespucius
and his quick wit applied the name as
mark of honor to him. The friends
of Columbus gave little heed to the
naming of the New World. Its rich
possibilities were their only concern.
"America" was occasionally repeated
until it finally appeared on Schoner's
globe in 1515 and was adopted by a
map maker in 1517. From this the
name gained general circulation and
it was soon fastened so firmly on the
minds of the people that not even the
friends of Columbus could overcome
it. The matter of justice came too
late, and Columbus forever lost the
distinction that was justly earned by
him. It is one of the instances that
are so very common even to-day
where the lust for gold blinds the
seeker from greater honors.
It is just four hundred years ago
that Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca,
the Spanish explorer who accompa-
nied Narvaez to Florida, was born.
This gallant cavalier at twenty years
of age came to the New World and
faced its dangers in a daring march
along the southern borders. He was
wrecked near Matagoria Bay in
Texas and captured by the Indians.
He gained their confidence by be-
coming a medicine man in their tribe
and finally escaped, and after experi-
ences the like of which few men have
ever known, de Vaca reached Mexico,
discovering the Rio Grande during
his wanderings. He later turned his
attention to the far South and was the
first explorer of Paraguay, dying at
the age of fifty-two years.
This is the three hundredth anni-
versary of the arrival of Poutrin-
court in Nova Scotia. Two years
before, Sieur De Monts had founded
Port Royal in Acadia, now Annapolis,
under many difficulties, and only by
the arrival of Poutrincourt was the
settlement made permanent. Seven
years later, Samuel Argall of Vir-
ginia went to Acadia on an expedi-
tion and ravaged the French colony.
,'< 'I ' \' • ifnmjor Artnat
.
toTr'ince SIGISMVO^DVS, C
..JI07V /It
John Smith, with a guard of six thousand, three spare horses,
before each "a Turkes head upon a lance," returning from his
triumphs with two thousand prisoners, to the Prince's Palace
where the • three Turkes heads " are emblazoned on his shield
MIT H. {c&C:ap.tiu&:Xnjtfa.:'&&SELti\V <rp
_:NALBRITS in TARTARIA
John vounded in battle, taken prisoner and sold in the
slave-market to a noble Gentlewoman in Constantinople, whose
affection for him so angered her brother that he strippc
and fled
.aaa-orf .rrisqe aeirU .bifcjtt/oitt xia,5o frfaa$ &
••'H. ; ".soctBl «
soal
ftfsirfa >.iif flo bsnoxsftf
™arm fafuaitmH ow* ift
f
io[
>orn.
-: —
/^SAT ^^
wrecRea near MaTagona
; Texas and captured by- the Indians,
gained theiis confidence by be-
«<*> rv «s*i» *4 »«.-•• f*^-
odj : riB isnoei'iq
ni
• >. sri
.9l:J6d ni babnuow ,rfJim2
s o)
i«ri bsiena oe mid
j
M
fri.fi
'
VM nan
were s<
aio John Smith held a prisoner by the American Aborigines
in 1607 iiinl VAti JfrrtnTr the sacred pretence of the Holy Idol
while the Priest and the Conjuror weave a spell about him and
their weird incantations and hideous outcries
tlj?
far
'H (Eimlt^attntt
Fourteen years from this, Acadia
was captured by the English, and
four years later restored to the
French, only to be again captured in
1690, re-taken in 1691, and finally
made an English stronghold in 1710.
It is on this scene that Longfellow
set his beautiful classic "Evangeline."
is the three hundredth
anniversary of Hendrick
Hudson's exploration of
the coast of Greenland
and his discovery of the
existence of an open po-
lar sea. In 1607, under
the Muscovy Company, he started in
search of a northwest passage. A
year later he made a second voyage
and on the following year, under the
Dutch East India Company, he coast-
ed along Labrador to the southward,
touching at New Foundland, Penob-
scot Bay, Cape Cod and the Chesa-
peake. On this expedition he sailed
up the Hudson river as far as Albany.
It is still one year later that he entered
the strait and bay which bear his
name. On this voyage his crew be-
came mutinous because of severe
hardships and set Hudson adrift in a
small boat. Nothing was ever heard
from him or his seven companions
and his terrible sufferings and tragic
end can only be surmised.
It is the three hundredth anniver-
sary of the first establishment of the
planting of the flag of the English-
speaking people on the coast of
Maine. In 1607, two ships, the
"Mary and John" commanded by
George Popham, and the "Gift of
God" commanded by Raleigh Gilbert,
were sent out with one hundred men
from England and reached the mouth
of the Kennebec river in Maine on
August the nineteenth, founding the
settlement on the northern Atlantic
coast at Fort George. Popham was
left to establish a colony at Sabino.
and Gilbert returned home. During
the severe winter, Popham died and
on the arrival of a ship with pro-
visions the next year the colonists
who had survived were willing to
abandon the colony.
It is the three hundredth anniver-
sary of the movement that sent the
Pilgrims to Plymouth Rock a few
years later. It was in 1607 that the
first Separatists from Northern Eng-
land went into Holland, seeking re-
ligious liberty. On the following
years many of their friends followed
them until the movement to America
began and in 1620 the "Mayflower"
came to the New England coast.
This seems to have been an age of ex-
pansion. The call of the American
wilds echoed through the Old World.
Strong men answered it. The ocean
swept them to the jungle shores.
The forests moaned before their
power and fell at their feet. Wild
beast and wild man were driven back
before the steel of civilization. Log
cabins, villages, towns, cities, rose
from the wilderness — a hundred, a
thousand, millions of men and women
lifted their towers of civilization until
to-day they pierce the skies and their
domes reflect the light of the sun to
the New Comers from the Old World
long before their feet have felt the
soil of the Republic that three hun-
dred years ago was establishing its
first English-speaking settlement at
Jamestown, Virginia, and is to-day a
World Power.
Here was human freedom planted
In the region of the West ;
Here the torch of Truth was lighted,
Typifying all that's best.
Here was suffered strong men's an-
guish,
Here did heroes do and die.
Honor we this soil as sacred,
Honor we nobility.
'Mid the serried ranks of nations,
'Mid the navies of the earth,
With a pride both just and noble,
Honor we our nation's birth.
903
of itolpt
In Sjta ©ranr Abwuturrc nub (Dbsrruations in
Srlattng 9?ia 18lrtl|. in 1573, Apprrnttrwlji}! anh
Ifi23
HE was borne in Willoughby in Lincolne-shire, and a Scholler in the two Free-
schooles of Alford and Louth. His father anciently descended from the ancient
Smiths of Crudley in Lancashire; his mother from the Rickands at great Heck in
York-shire. His parents dying when he was about thirteene yeeres of age, left him
a competent means, which hee not being capable to manage, little regarded; his
minde being even then set upon brave adventures, sould his Satchell, bookes, and
all he had, intending secretly to get to Sea, but that his fathers death stayed him.
But now the Guardians of his estate more regarding it than him, he had libertie
enough, though no meanes, to get beyond the Sea. About the age of fifteene yeeres
hee was bound an Apprentice to Mr. Thomas Sendall of Linne, the greatest Mer-
chant of all those parts; but because hee would not presently send him to Sea, he
never saw his master in eight yeeres after. At last he found meanes to attend Mr.
Perigrine Barty into France, second sonne to the Right Honourable Perigrine, that
generous Lord Willoughby, and famous Souldier; where comming to his brother
Robert, then at Orleans, now Earle of Linsey, and Lord great Chamberlaine of
England; being then but little youths under Tutorage : his service being needlesse,
within a moneth or six weekes they sent him backe againe to his friends; who
when he came from London they liberally gave him (but out of his owne estate)
ten shillings to be rid of him; such oft is the share of fatherlesse children, but
those two Honourable Brethren gave him sufficient to returne for England. But,
it was the least thought of his determination, for now being freely at libertie in
Paris, growing acquainted with one Master David Hume, who making some use of
his purse, gave him Letters to his friends in Scotland to preferre him to King
lames. Arriving at Roane, he better bethinkes himselfe, seeing his money neere
spent downe the River he went to Haver de grace, where he first began to learne
the life of a souldier: Peace being concluded in France, he went with Captaine
Joseph Duxbury into the Low-countries, under whose Colours having served three
or foure yeeres, he tooke his journey for Scotland, to deliver his Letters. At
Ancusan he imbarked himselfe for Lethe, but as much danger, as ship-wracke and
sicknesse could endure, hee had at the holy He in Northumberland neere Barwicke:
(being recovered) into Scotland he went to deliver his Letters. After much kinde
usage amongst those honest Scots at Ripweth and Broxmoth, but neither money nor
means to make him a Courtier, he returned to Willoughby in Lincoln-shire; where
within a short time being glutted with too much company, wherein he took small
delight, he retired himselfe into a little wooddie pasture, a good way from any
towne, invironed with many hundred Acres of other woods : Here by a faire brook
he built a Pavillion of boughes, where only in his cloaths he lay. His studie was
Machiaz'ills Art of warre, and Marcus Aurelius; his exercise a good horse, with his
lance and Ring; his food was thought to be more of venison than any thing else;
what he wanted his man brought him. The countrey wondering at such an Her-
mite; His friends perswaded one Seignior Theodora Polaloga, Rider to Henry
Earle of Lincolne, an excellent Horse-man, and a noble Italian Gentleman, to insin-
uate into his wooddish acquaintances, whose Languages and good discourse, and
exercise of riding drew him to stay with him at Tattersall. Long these pleasures
could not content him, but hee returned againe to the Low-Countreyes. Thus when
France and Netherlands had taught him to ride a Horse and use his Armes, with
such rudiments of warre, as his tender yeeres in those martiall Schooles could
attaine unto; he was desirous to see more of the world, and trie his fortune.
Arms (tafrrrrii far (Efrftmtat
> <^
(Traiuslations from ihr (Original £atht ftlrmoriale 3oaurb to 3uhu
&mtllt anil &rrorar& in lEfia Narraiiur of tljr dars of tljr tost In 1603
SIGISMVNDVS BATHOR, by the Grace of God, Duke of Transilvonio, Wallachia,
and Moldavia, Earle of Anchard, Salford and Growenda; to whom this Writing
may come or appeare. Know that We have given leave and licence to lohn Smith
an English Gentleman, Captaine of 250. Souldiers, under the most Generous and
Honourable Henry Volda, Earle of Meldritch, Salmaria, and Peldoia, Colonell of a
thousand horse, and fifteene hundred foot, in the warres of Hungary, and in the
Provinces aforesaid under our authority; whose service doth deserve all praise and
perpetuall memory towards us, as a man that did for God and his Country over-
come his enemies : Wherefore out of Our love and favour, according to the law of
Armes, We have ordained and given him in his shield of Armes, the figure and
description of three Turks heads, which with his sword before the towne of Regall,
in single combat he did overcome, kill, and cut off, in the Province of Transilvania.
But fortune, as she is very variable, so it chanced and happened to him in the prov-
ince of Wallachia, in the yeare of our Lord, 1602. the 18. day of November, with
many others, as well Noble men, as also divers other Souldiers, were taken prison-
ers by the Lord Bashaw of Gambia, a Country of Tartaria; whose cruelty brought
him such good fortune, by the helpe and power of Almighty God, that hee delivered
himselfe, and returned againe to his company and fellow souldiers, of whom We doe
discharge him, and this hee hath in witnesse thereof, being much more worthy of a
better reward; and now intends to returne to his owne sweet Country. We desire
therefore all our loving and kinde kinsmen, Dukes, Princes, Earles, Barons, Gov-
ernours of Townes, Cities, or Ships, in this Kingdome, or any other Provinces he
shall come in, that you freely let passe this the aforesaid Captaine, without any
hinderance or molestation, and this doing, with all kindnesse we are always ready
to doe the like for you. Sealed at Lipswick in Misenland, the ninth of December, in
the yeare of our Lord, 1603.
SIGISMVNDVS BATHOR.
With the proper privilege of his Majestic.
To all and singular, in what place, state, degree, order, or condition whatso-
ever, to whom this present writing shall come : I William Segar Knight, otherwise
Garter, and principall King of Armes of England, wish health. Know that I the
aforesaid Garter, do witnesse and approve, that this aforesaid Patent, I have scene,
signed, and sealed, under the proper hand and Scale Maunal of the said Duke of
Transilvania, and a true coppy of the same, as a thing for perpetuall memory, I
have subscribed and recorded in the Register and office of the Heralds of Armes.
Dated at London the nineteenth day of August, in the yeare of our Lord, 1625. and
in the first yeare of our Soueraigne Lord Charles by the grace of God, King of
great Britaine, France, and Ireland; Defender of the faith, &c.
WILLIAM SEGAR.
nit Hfoitrttt in Ammra
Arruratc JUrauBrript from Ibr Smikr nf prnrrrMugs and
Arrtfcrnts of Ihr 3f iret $Jr rmattntt tngltfilj Srttlrmrnt in Amrrtra
BY WILLIAM SIMONS
" DOCTOUB OF DlVINITM "
N the 19 of December, 1606. we set sayle from Blackwall, but by
vnprosperous winds were kept six weekes in the sight of Eng-
land; all which time, Mr Hunt our Preacher, was so weake
and sicke, that few expected his recovery. — Yet although he
were but twentie myles from his habitation (the time we
were in the Downes) and notwithstanding the stormy weather,.
nor the scandalous imputations (of some few, little better then
Atheists, of the greatest ranke amongst vs) suggested against him, all this
could never force from him so much as a seeming desire to leaue the business,
but preferred the service of God, in so good a voyage, before any affection
to contest with his godlesse foes, whose disasterous designes (could they haue
prevailed) had even then overthrowne the businesse, so many discontents did
then arise, had he not with the water of patience, and his godly exhortations
(but chiefly by his true devoted examples) quenched those flames of envie, and
dissention.
We watered at the Canaries, we traded with the Salvages at Dominica;
three weekes we spent in refreshing our selues amongst these west-India Isles ;
in Gwardalupa we found a bath so hot, as in it we boyled Porck as well as over
the fire. And at a little Isle called Monica, we tooke from the bushes with our
hands, neare two hogshheads full of Birds in three or foure houres. In Meins,
Mona, and the Virgin Isles, we spent some time, where, with a lothsome beast
like a Crocodil, called a Gwayn, Tortoises, Pellicans, Parrots, and fishes, we
daily feasted. Gone from thence in search of Virginia, the company was not a
little discomforted, seeing the Marriners had 3 dayes passed their reckoning"
and found no land, so that Captaine Ratliffe (Captaine of the Pinnace) rather
desired to beare vp the helme to returne for England, then make further search.
But God the guider of all good actions, forcing them by an extreame storme
to hull all night, did driue them by his providence to their desired Port, beyond
all their expectations, for never any of them had scene that coast. The first
land they made they called Cape Henry; where thirtie of them recreating them-
selues on shore, were assaulted by fiue Salvages, who hurt two of the English
very dangerously. That night was the box opened, and the orders read, in
which Bartholomew Gosnoll, lohn Smith, Edward Wingfield, Christopher
Newport, lohn Ratcliffe, lohn Martin, and George Kendall, were named to be
the Councell, and to choose a President amongst them for a yeare, who with
the Councell should governe. Matters of moment were to be examined by a
lury, but determined by the maior part of the Councell, in which the President
had two voyces. Vntill the 13 of May they sought a place to plant in, then
the Councell was sworne, Mr Wingfield was chosen President, and an Oration-
made, why Captaine Smith was not admitted of the Councell as the rest.
Now falleth every man to worke, the Councell contriue the Fort, the rest
cut downe trees to make place to pitch their Tents ; some provide clapbord to
relade the ships, some make gardens, some nets, &c. The Salvages often vis-
ited vs kindly. The Presidents overweening jealousie would admit no exercise
at armes, or fortification, but the boughs of trees cast together in the forme of
•6
,%ri!/ tJusJhite <fc/ff#Avz w>fc% GyXSmJfk
TrtW detincrvJ^to Sum priflwr.
ZOC?
and flaw hf S*bt*cltd 3$ ^ their
Captain ' h condemned to cl« nes 04 Xbe
Ne\v Workl -Or.air.t sce;;es of \ si.-r.tcrce ar. i his tragic vt -
by the daughter of the Savage King at the moment of execution —
Reproduced from Rare Engravings from Captain : ures
fcxptr
XLATAHW O1
mmra
'. neve
but
ckwall, but by
of Eng-
( the time we
weatherr
ttle better then
U this
the bu.c
e any affV
did
. -j, i; •• - !/ . • ii,:., •
nm
ication, but the
then
ration
the
a»9* i*uuQ**>IvjVf waHiapbord to
often vis-
o exercise
he forme of
of Jftrat (EttiHrnn in Amrrira
Captain John Smith in an attempt to force the American Savages
into subjection, "snatched the King by his long locke and with
Tils Pistoll realie bent against his breast, led him trembling
neare dead with feare" and addressed the terrified aborigines
nfioriom A adJ ;
,'>oa s-iaot gooi aid vd 91
»L< ^'
£>truggl?H 0f Jfirat Citizen* in America
a halfe moone by the extraordinary paines and deligence of Captaine Kendall.
Newport, Smith, and twentie others, were sent to discover the head of the
river: by divers small habitations they passed, in six dayes they arrived at a
Towne called Powhatan, consisting of some twelue houses, pleasantly seated on
a hill ; before it three fertile Isles, about it many of their cornefields, the place
is very pleasant, and strong by nature, of this place the Prince is called Powha-
tan, and his people Powhatans, to this place the river is navigable : but higher
within a myle, by reason of the Rockes and Isles, there is not passage for a
small Boat, this they call the Falles, the people in all parts kindly intreated
them, till being returned within twentie myles of lames towne, they gaue iust
cause of iealousie, but had God not blessed the discoveries otherwise then those
at the Fort, there had then beene an end of that plantation; for at the Fort,
where they arrived the next day, they found 17 men hurt, and a boy sjaine by
the Salvages, and had it not chanced a crosse barre shot from the Ships strooke
downe a bough from a tree amongst them, that caused them to retire, our men
had all beene slaine, being securely all at worke, and their armes in dry fats.
Herevpon the President was contented the Fort should be pallisadoed, the
Ordnance mounted, his men armed and exercised, for many were the assaults,
and ambuscades of the Salvages, and our men by their disorderly stragling
were often hurt, when the Salvages, by the nimblenesse of their heeles well
escaped. What toyle we had, with so small a power to guard our workemen
adayes, watch all night, resist our enemies, and effect our businesse, to relade
the ships, cut downe trees, and prepare the ground to plant our Corne, &c, I
referre to the Readers consideration. Six weekes being spent in this manner,
Captaine Newport (who was hired onely for our transportation) was to returne
with the ships. Now Captaine Smith, who all this time from their departure
from the Canariets was retained as a prisoner vpon the scandalous suggestions
of some of the chief e (envying his repute) who fained he intended to vsurpe
the government, murther the Councell, and make himselfe King, that his con-
federates were dispersed in all the three ships, and that divers of his confeder-
ats that revealed it, would affirme it, for this he was committed as a prisoner:
thirteene weekes he remained thus suspected, and by that time the ships should
returne they pretended out of their commisserations, to referre him to the Coun-
cell in England to receiue a check, rather then by particulating his designes
make him so odious to the world, as to touch his life, or vtterly overthrow his
reputation. But he so much scorned their charitie, and publikely defied the
-vttermst of their crueltie, he wisely prevented their policies, though he could
•not suppresse their envies, yet so well he demeaned himselfe in this businesse, as
all the company did see his innocency, and his adversaries malice, and those
suborned to accuse him, accused his accusers of subornation ; many vntruthes
were alledged against him ; but being so apparently disproved, begat a generall
liatred in the hearts of the company against such vniust Commanders, that the
President was adjudged to giue him 2001. s that all he had was seized vpon, in
part of satisfaction, which Smith presently returned to the Store for the generall
vse of the Colony. Many were the mischiefes that daily sprung from their
ignorant (yet ambitious) spirits ; but the good Doctrine and exhortation of our
Preacher Mr Hunt reconciled them, and caused Captaine Smith to be admitted
of the Councell ; the next day all receiued the Communion, the day following
the Salvages voluntarily desired peace, and Captaine Newport returned for
England with newes; leaving in Virginia 100. the 15 of lune 1607.
Being thus left to our fortunes, it fortuned that within ten dayes scarce ten
amongst vs could either goe, or well stand, such extreame weaknes and sicknes
oppressed vs. And thereat none need marvaile, if they consider the cause and
reason, which was this ; whilest the ships stayed, our allowance was somewhat
tuning nf a Morlft
bettered, by a daily proportion of Bisket, which the sailers would pilfer to sell,
giue, or exchange with vs, for money, Saxefras, furres, or loue. But when
they departed, there remained neither taberne, beere-house, nor place of reliefe,
but the common Kettell. Had we beene as free from all sinnes as gluttony,
and drunkennesse, we might haue beene canonized for Saints ; But our Presi-
dent would never haue beene admitted, for ingrossing to his private, Oatmeale,
Sacke, Oyle, Aquavitce, Beefe, Egges, or what not, but the Kettell ; that indeed
he allowed equally to be distributed, and that was halfe a pint of wheat, and as
much barley boyled with water for a man a day, and this having fryed some
2,6. weekes in the ships hold, contained as many wormes as graines ; so that we
might truely call it rather so much bran then corne, our drinke was water, our
lodgings Castles in the ayre : with this lodging and dyet, our extreame toile in
bearing and planting Pallisadoes, so strained and bruised vs, and our continual
labour in the extremitie of the heat had so weakened vs, as were cause sufficient
to haue made vs miserable in our natiue Countrey, or any other place in the
world. From May, to September, those that escaped, liued vpon Sturgeon
and Sea-crabs, fiftie in this time we buried, the rest seeing the Presidents pro-
iects to escape these miseries in our Pinnace by flight (who all this time had'
neither felt want nor sicknes) so moved our dead spirits, as we deposed him;
and established Ratcliffe in his place, (Gosnoll being dead) Kendall deposed,
Smith newly recovered, Martin and Ratcliffe was by his care preserved and
relieued, and the most of the souldiers recovered, with the skilfull diligence of
Mr. Thomas Wotton our Chirurgian generall. But now was all our provision
spent, the Sturgeon gone, all helps abandoned, each houre expecting the fury
of the Salvages ; when God the patron of all good indevours, in that desperate
extremitie so changed the heart of the Salvages, that they brought such plenty
of their fruits, and provision, as no man wanted.
And now where some affirmed it was ill done of the Councell to send forth?
men so badly provided, this incontradictable reason will shew them plainely-
they are too ill advised to nourish such ill conceits ; first, the fault of our going
was our owne, what could be thought fitting or necessary we had, but what we-
should find, or want, or where we should be, we were all ignorant, and suppos-
ing to make our passage in two moneths, with victuall to Hue, and the advantage-
of the spring to worke ; we were at Sea fiue moneths, where we both spent our
victuall and lost the opportunitie of the time, and season to plant, by the vnskil-
full presumption of our ignorant transporters, that vnderstood not at all, what
they vndertooke.
Such actions haue ever since the worlds beginning beene subject to such
accidents, and every thing of worth is found full of difficulties, but nothing so-
difficult as to establish a Common wealth so farre remote from men and meanes,,
By this obserue ;
Good men did ne'er their Countries ruine bring.
But when euill men shall iniuries beginne ;
Not caring to corrupt and violate
The iudgments-seats for their owne Lucr's sake :
Then looke that Country cannot long haue peace,
Though for the present it haue rest and ease.
/
Captain John Smith taken captive by the Savages and bound
tree to be shot to ikath while his executioners triumphantly
danced about him. swinging their bows and arrows and -
him to torture— Specimen of ancient er. -fa's book
imrimi of a Utorlfc
act
.1 every thing of worth is found f
ult as to a Common wealth so farre remote fro:
ill men
l
iood ?.'rifim3 ctt 3ntv«iaK» Jnsorm ^o n9trrtO9q3— ymfioJ oJ mid
'nttthltrulttk
tfiA tfuf^ty '</ P«m»unk«e
Vi/
Rare Engravings of the Adventures of Captain John Smith, his
daring escapades with the Native Americans, his captures and
escapes, his dangers and his triumphs in establishing the
First Permanent English Settlement on the Western Hemisphere
A\
zid ,dJim3 ado], aiftjqaD io aswJasvLA
baa asii/lqao aid ^tuonsm,
sdJ 30id2tfd*J39 at Mlqm;/;-.; Bhf br.r.
d? a afe
iaiun nf tlj?
orld
Jfirat flrrmanrnt
•ttwlir.h 0rttlrmrnt in America J*
^'muiiUitinu nt" a Jlruplr mini in (Ehrrr
l}ra IT. lutur ^trrtrhrh llirir Onmiuimt and fRillions
AcrnBB tl|p (Enntinrnt anb uil|nar 3nflurncr iJrrtnratra thr
tarth ./* Nations of thr fforlb txtruii anhutr on thir. arr-drnlruuial
BY
HONORABLE H. ST. GEORGE TUCKER
PRESIDENT or THE JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION — DEAN OF mi >i HO<M. OK POLITICS AMI DIPLOMACY AT <;EORUB
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D. C\— FORMER DEAN or WA-IIIM.THS ANII LEE
UNIVKR.XITY AT LEXINOTON, VmiiiMA KOUMKK I'RK-IHENT
or THE AMERICAN HAI: A>-<" i \TION
N this ter-centenary of
the first permanent
English settlement in
America I am im-
pressed more than ever
before with the words
of my friend, Gov-
Henry A. Wise, that gal-
lant Virginian, who in speaking of
Jamestown, eloquently exclaimed :
"Here the old world first met the new.
Here the white man first met the red
•ernor
for settlement and civilization. Here
the white man wielded the ax to cut
the first tree for the first log cabin.
Here the first log cabin was built for
the first village. Here the first village
rose to the first State Capital. Here
was the first capital of our empire of
states — here was the very foundation
of a nation of freemen, which has
stretched its dominion and its millions
across the continent to the shores of
another ocean. Go to the Pacific now
OLDEST RUINS OP A PROTESTANT ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURE IN AMERICA
Historic Tower of the Old Church at Jamestown, Virginia— Remains of the third edifice of the first
Protestant organization in New World— Preserved by Society for Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
to measure the progression and power
of a great people."
"And it is here," adds President
Tyler of the grand old College of Wil-
liam and Mary, "that the new world
witnessed the first trial by jury, the
first English church, the first English
marriage, and its first legislative
assembly."
The whole English-speaking world
must pay homage to Old James-
town on this three hundredth anniver-
sary. In it is written much of the
earth's history, for as Dr. Tyler says:
"Had the expedition that came to
Jamestown in 1607 failed of a perma-
nent footing on these shores, the op-
portunity of establishing here an An-
glo-Saxon colony might have passed
away never to return. The Span-
iards, who claimed all North America,
might have, by establishing settle-
ments of their own, prevented any
further attempt on the part of the
English."
It is therefore not an idle specula-
tion to consider America as she might
have been to-day — a Spanish-speak-
ing nation, or, possibly lost by Spain
in some of the wars that would have
arisen, under the colonial government
of one of the Old World monarchies.
It does not seem possible that the
American spirit could ever have been
held in subjection whatever might
have been its guardianship. The very
air of the continent, wherever one may
go from ocean to ocean and from the
snows of the farthest northern bound-
ary to the tropical fragrance of the
Southland, is the breath of Self-Gov-
ernment — the nature-stilled air of the
Republic.
BUST OF JOHN SMITH
By Baden Powell, Sculptor
An Old English Oil Painting of Captain John Smith, painted after the engraved
portraiture of the adventurer in his own book, when he was thirty-seven years of
age, in 1616, the year that Pocahontas went to England, the wife of John Rolfe,
and was presented at the Court of King James as " Lady Rebecca"— Captain John
Smith died at the age of fifty-three years, after a life of remarkable adventures
Jftrat
lEngluslf
It is with these sentiments in mind
that it is well for every American —
and every brother of the great broth-
erhood of nations — to look back
through the panorama of three hun-
dred years to that notable day in 1607
when the British flag planted the first
permanent English-speaking settle-
ment on the Western Hemisphere, and
endowed it with its mother-tongue.
Wonderful tales of the Golden
Land of promise were being told in
the Old World. London was agog
with the news of its resources. Ad-
venturers, poets, playwrights, were
gathering in London and the New
America was the talk of the taverns.
Old London in this day of the dawn
of the New World was an interesting
picture. I can do no better than to
describe it in the words of Edwin Ful-
ton Rorebeck who, in speaking of
London as the mother of Virginia,
said a few days ago :
London was the metropolis, the
great feeder for England, Scotland
and Ireland, and the guilds or compa-
nies of Salters, Vintners, Drapers,
Goldsmiths, Haberdashers, Skinners,
Mercers, Grocers, Fishmongers, Tay-
lors, Ironmongers, Clothworkers,
were laying the foundations which
were to make the city the great com-
mercial clearing house for the whole
world. While the town had a solid
citizenship — peaceable folk, such as
shop and tavern keepers, artisans,
Thames boatmen, and drawers of sack
and "carowses" — it was also a day of
a floating, superficial population made
up of idle rich, needy adventurers, dis-
charged sailors and soldiers, royster-
ers, "Roaring Boys," poets, play-
wrights and actors, living by their
wits, keeping London in good humor,
and incidentally being thrust into jail
for lese majestic. Gallants, adven-
turers, poets, hobnobbed together at
the taverns which abounded in Lon-
don— the Mermaid, the Horn, the
Cock and Bottle, the Old Boar's Head,
the Cheshire Cheese — these are the
names of the trysting places where
Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Smith and
Gosnold, and others of their ilk, scrib-
blers and sword-stickers, fraternized
and sought inspiration in huge "ca-
rowses" of sack. Here ballads des-
tined to become classics were written
and sung; here brave enterprises
which changed the world's cosmog-
raphy were conceived and later car-
ried into execution.
The fever of speculation was in the
air, rich and poor fell victims to the
plague. Virginia, the beautiful, mys-
terious, unknown land across the great
waters, was reputed to be fabulously
rich in gold and other precious metals.
Tales were told in the tap-room of a
city of gold located in the interior of
America, a city of which the Span-
iards had accurate information and
for which they were searching.
The closing years of the sixteenth
century witnessed a great awakening
in the public mind of England regard-
ing the possibilities of colonial ex-
pansion. It had taken one hundred
years to bring about this awakening;
one hundred years of imagination, of
vague rumors and reports and of
maritime ventures, since Columbus
opened the ponderous gates of the
Atlantic ; one hundred years of desul-
tory exploration without a resulting
settlement. But now things were
taking on a new appearance. The
Spanish Armada had but recently
been destroyed, and the country of
Elizabeth had become "Mistress of
the Seas," ready and eager under the
flush of success to extend the power
and supremacy of the nation to the
bounds of the earth. The El Dorado
of the New World offered the best
field for the test of this exuberance
of popular feeling whether the mo-
tive be commerce, romance, ambi-
tion, love of adventure, freedom
from restraint or religion.
This passion received a decided
check, however, by the disastrous
attempt of Sir Walter Raleigh to
found a colony in the New World.
In 1584, Raleigh sent out two vessels
under the Captains Armidas and Bar-
low and these traversed the Carolina
*«3
160r
in
MASSACRE IN 1622 IN FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA
Old Print in the Scheeps-Togt van Anthony Chester Na Virginia,
gedaan in het jaar 1620— Printed at Leyden by Peter Vander in 1707
coast and named the country Vir-
ginia. The next year a colony of
one hundred and eight men made a
settlement on the Island of Roanoke
but one year sufficed for the experi-
ment when the colonists abandoned
their lovely hamlet and returned to
England. The next year fifty men
left at the deserted settlement were
massacred by the Indians. But
Raleigh was not yet discouraged. A
new colony was planted and this time
the solitude was cheered by the pres-
ence of woman. But this did not
avail, and of the fate of the colony
we know nothing. The settlement
and the settlers disappeared without a
trace of their fate. The only thing
known of their year's existence
there is the fact that a female child
was born there and it was named
Virginia. These disasters gave the
colonization scheme such a set-back
that for fifteen years Virginia lay
abandoned and obscure.
The great East India Company had
been organized, in 1600, and was
throwing open the gates of the rich
East. Sir Francis Drake, in 1577-
1580, had encircled the globe. The
wealth of the Western World awaited
the men with the courage to come and
take it.
At this juncture Captain John
Smith arrived in his native country
after many years of adventure in Mo-
rocco, Turkey and the Orient. In
company with Bartholomew Gos-
nold, Edward Maria Wingfield, Rob-
ert Hunt and others, Smith began
urging the colonization of Virginia
and as a result letters patent were
issued by the King, James I, to the
territory on the sea-coast of America
from the thirty-fourth to the thirty-
eighth degrees, north latitude, to-
lEttgltalf
gethcr with all the islands within a
hundred miles of these shores and
extending to the Western Ocean.
Under this authority there set sail
from Blackwall, England, on the
nineteenth day of December, 1606,
one hundred and five aspiring colo-
nists. These vessels were the "God
Speed," "Discovery," and "Susan
Constant," the largest being of less
than one hundred tons burthen.
The beginning of the voyage was
inauspicious and discouraging. Buf-
feted about by angry seas for six
weeks before losing sight of their
home land, internal dissensions were
added to their discomforts. At last
they encountered more favorable
weather, and, by the old circuitous
route, reached the West Indies where
they landed and carried on a smart
trade with the "Salvages." After
resting several weeks they resumed
the journey toward Virginia. Their
expectation was to land on Roanoke
Island but one of the great Cape Hat-
teras storms bore them out of their
course and carried them beyond their
expected landing place. So it was
that on the twenty-sixth day of April,
1607, they made the coast of Virginia
and landed at a point which they
named Cape Henry. To the opposite
point they gave the name Cape
Charles, both names being in honor
of the sons of their King. A party
of thirty went ashore at Cape Henry
to recreate themselves and received
their first lesson in Indian warfare,
being attacked by a body of savages
who crept upon them from the hills
and forests. In looking about for
the best place for a settlement the
colonists cruised about for two or
three weeks. They anchored at a
point which they called Point Com-
fort and partook of the oysters which
they gathered along the beach and of
the strawberries which they said were
fine, "four times bigger and better
than ours in England." But they
were not quite satisfied with Point
BURNING OP FIRST PERMANENT ENGLISH SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA
Old print in the archives of the Historical Exhibit at the Jamestown Exposition
Ififlr uter-flkninuttal ttt Ammra
[Enl»ixedfrom»cutinth«5V-*///i-7<^»TO«X«//«««j'C«*««- ffa rirffxla,feaaa* in ktt jaarlOW. Printed at Leyden by Peter Vandcr, 1707. A pamphlet, inno.]
FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER FIRST PERMANENT ENGLISH SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA
Comfort as a location for their settle-
ment, and, proceeding up the river,
which they called James, they hoped
to find a better place. It may be,
too, they still had thoughts of that
ignus fatui of all the early explora-
tions, the Northwest Passage to In-
dia. On the thirteenth day of May
they moored their boats to the trees
and landed on a projection from the
northern shore of the river and that
very day the ax was buried in the
trees of the primeval forest and
the first shafts were hewn out for the
foundation of the city of the Royal
James, henceforth to be called James-
town, the first permanent English set-
tlement in the New World.
Of the trials and tribulations of
this infant settlement, the world is
familiar. There were seasons of sun-
shine and seasons of shadow, times of
plenty and starving times ; there were
dissensions within and savage treach-
ery and cruelty without. So many
were the discouragements that the
colony must have perished miserably
had not the masterful spirit of John
Smith prevailed. He it was who
pacified the Indians and procured
from them the life-sustaining corn ;
he it was who quieted the internal
strifes by firmness and a requirement
that "he who will not work shall not
eat."
Three hundred years have passed
away since this memorable day in
May, 1607, but, despite the spirit of
commercialism which is abroad in our
fair land, there are thousands of
brave souls and true, from the ice-
bound North to the sun-kissed South,
that thrill with patriotic pride at
the remembrance of "Old James-
town." This village, for it was never
more than a village, was verily the
keystone of the arch of "the land of
the free and the home of the brave."
Little now remains of this cradle
of the English race in America, ex-
cept the ruins of the tower of the old
church within whose walls nearly
three centuries ago the Gospel was
preached and songs of praise went up
from the great hearts of those brave
adventurers who were ready to suffer,
2t6
ROYAL ARMS AND SEAL ON THE FIRST
MAP OF THE FIRST ENGLISH SETTLE-
MENT IN AMERICA— Issued in John Smith's
"Historic" published in London, England, in 1629
yea to die, if need be, to plant the
standard of liberty on the soil of
America. This old .tower has well
withstood the storms, vandalism and
neglect of nearly three hundred years
and stands to-day an impressive land-
mark, a prophetic reminder of the
mutability of all things material.
Lancet slits high up in the tower
indicate that it was used as,, a fort or
block-house against sudden attacks of
Indians. In our minds' eye we can
see rough old Sir William Berkley or
the noble Nathaniel Bacon going
through these narrow slits, but not on
the same day, as Bacon and the gov-
ernor never could agree. Ivy creeps
over the ruined walls of the tower,
clinging to the bricks like the his-
torical associations which cluster
about everything connected with the
place.
This was not the first church but
most likely the third. The first was
made by "hanging up an old sail,
fastening it to three or four trees,
seats of logs, and a bar of wood be-
tween two trees served for a pulpit."
The next, so says Smith, was "like a
barn, set upon crotchets." The third
was the one on which the old tower
still stands. On this spot Pocahontas,
the tried and true friend of the Eng-
lish, received the rites of Christian
baptism and here she was married to
John Rolfe, April, 1614. Powhatan
readily consented to the alliance and
sent his brother to give away his
daughter. It was a memorable day,
as may be supposed, in the annals of
Old Jamestown and it may be doubted
whether a single adult in the colony
was absent from the ceremony. Sir
Thomas Gates beamed with happiness
while the dusky countenances of the
brothers of Pocahontas and other
youths and maidens of the forest
glowed with pleasure.
In the churchyard about the old
tower lies the tombs of the Sher-
woods, the Blairs, the Harrisons,
Lady Frances Berkley and many
others whose names are familiar to
every schoolboy and girl of the land.
Men and women of high degree or
low, they sleep side by side "waiting
for a Joyful Resurrection" as some of
the inscriptions on the tombstones de-
clare. The old fort of colonial days
was near the church and its ruins are
still discernible. It was used by
Cornwallis as a part of his fortifica-
tion in the closing campaign of the
GRAVES OP THE FIRST SETTLERS
One of first interments in Jamestown
Ififlr Gkr-<E*tti*mttal in Ammra 19flr
RUINS OF FIRST PERMANENT ENGLISH SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA
Old Ambler Mansion on Jamestown Island-Preserved by the Society for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
Revolution and again by General
McClellan in the Civil War. Save
for these two interruptions the soli-
tude of the place seems not to have
been disturbed from the date of the
abandonment of the colony in favor
of Williamsburg in 1699, to 1892,
when the patriotism of the country
cried out for the preservation of the
historic ruins and the Association
for the Preservation of Virginia An-
tiquities secured the title to the prop-
erty. Since that date much has been
done to preserve the place from fur-
ther demolition and also to restore the
foundations of some of the ancient
buildings. The general government
has erected a bulwark to prevent the
never-ceasing tide of the mighty
James from making further inroads
upon the sacred soil, many acres of
which it has long since carried toward
the sea.
In addition to the Ter-Centennial
Exposition which opens April 26, on
the shores of Hampton Roads, in
commemoration of the three hun-
dredth anniversary of the founding of
this settlement, the national govern-
ment will this year commemorate the
event by the erection of an obelisk
within the limits of the first settle-
ment. Thus at last Jamestown is
coming into its own
The American people are now
gathering at the shrine of the Na-
tion's birth ; the peoples of the earth
are paying homage to the Western
Continent, to-day one of the greatest
powers in civilization ; the brother
nations of the Eastern Continent are
extending a beautiful tribute of Good
Will by sending their military and
naval emissaries to join the wonder-
ful pageant of Peace in which the sol-
diers of all flags are to march side by
side in the Land of the Stars and
Stripes.
The United States has never hith-
erto permitted armed companies of
218
foreign soldiery to visit this country;
consequently for the first time Amer-
icans will see an international en-
campment— the greatest military
spectacle the world has ever seen —
the grandest naval rendezvous in his-
tory.
It is, indeed, a bright omen of the
future when the soldiers and sailors
of all nations meet in Peace and
Friendship. It also is beyond com-
prehension to consider this vast wil-
derness of three hundred years ago
and then gaze upon it as a World
Power to-day, and to realize that
quaint Old Jamestown is in a few
short days to witness the competitive
flights of the airships of all countries,
the races of dirigible balloons for
commercial purposes, and see the
conceptions of the brain of men and
the products of man's skilful hand of
three marvelous centuries.
Truly, this is an Age of Wonders !
AN OLD ENGLISH PLAY ON AMERICA
The New World was the Talk of the Taverns in the Old World— Gallants, Ad-
venturers and Poets told tales of its Fabulous Riches — Playwrights made
mention of it in their Dramas— One of Popular Plays of the Day was "Westward
Hoe," written by Johnson, Chapman and Marston, In which appear these lines:
Scapethrift: Is there such treasure
there, Captain, as I have heard?
Captain Seagull: I tell thee, golde is
more plentiful there than copper is
with us; and as for much redde cop-
per as I can bring, He have thrice the
waight of gold. Why, man, all their
dripping pans and their chamber
pottes are fine gold; and all the
chaines with which they chaine up
their streets are massie gold ; and all
the prisoners they take are fettered in
gold ; and for rubies and diamonds,
they goe forth on holy days and
gather 'hem by the seashore, to hang
on their children's coates, and stick
in their capps, as commonly as our
children weare saffron guilt brooches
and groates with hoales in 'hem.
Scapethrift: And is it a pleasant
countrie withall?
Seagull: As ever the sun shinde on ;
temperate and full of all sorts of ex-
cellent viands ; wilde boare is as com-
mon as our tamest bacon is here ; ven-
ison as mutton. And then you shall
live freely there, without sargeants,
or courtiers, or lawyers, or intelli-
gencers. . . . Then for your
meanes to advancement, there it is
simple, and not preposterously mixt.
You may be an alderman there, and
never be scavenger ; you may be a
nobleman, and never be a slave. You
may come to preferment inough, and
never be a pandar ; to riches and for-
tune inough, and have never the more
villiance, nor the lesse wit. Besides,
there we shall have no more law than
conscience, and not too much of
either; serve God inough, eat and
drinke inough, and "inough is as good
as a feast."
Spcndall: Gods me! and how farre
is it thether?
Seagull: Some six weekes sayle, no
more, with any indifferent winde.
And if I get to any part of the coast of
Africa, lie saile thether with any
winde or when I come to Cape Finis-
ter, ther's foreright winde continuall
wafts us till we come at Virginia.
aig
This portraiture of Pocahontas is from a rare engraving now in the possession of Mrs.
Herbert Jones, of Sculthorpe Rectory, near Fakenham, England, and believed to be an
original by Simon de Passe. It is embellished with a Latin inscription and is a small
quarto-size engraving that may possibly be the one referred to in the letter of March
29, 1617, quoted in Birch's " Court and Times of James I," which reads: " The Virginian
woman, whose picture I sent you, died this last week at Gravesend as she was
returning homeward." There is another portrait, that claims to be the original of
Pocahontas, now in possession of Mrs. Stewart, of Heachem, England, representing
Pocahontas in native costume, seated, with her only child, the John Rolff from whom
some of the first Virginia families have sprung, standing at her side. There is no in-
scription on this ancient English canvas but it bears all the marks of authenticity
Itt Amerua
®I I KRE is no romance in
American Literature
more beautiful than that
of the Indian princess,
Pocahontas, her woman-
ly courage and fortitude,
her fidelity to the white
race and the dawn of the light of civ-
ilization which lifted her from sav-
agery to the Court of King James
and the admiration and "love of the
English-speaking world.
The American people should pay
homage to her memory on this anni-
versary of the deeds of heroism in
which this beautiful Indian girl
offered her life to the cause of civili-
zation. Whether or not the tradition
of the rescue of the gallant John
Smith, as he was about to be slain by
her father's tribe, is true does not in
the least diminish the nobility and the
beauty of this Indian maid. That she
was the power behind the throne is
beyond all doubt and to her must be
given the credit for the influence that
several times saved the absolute ex-
termination of the English-speaking
settlement which to-day claims the
attention of the world as the cradle
of the Republic.
The first Anglo-American alliance,
the first union of continents — in truth I
the blending of the American-born I
strain with the strong blood of 1 .11
rope, a strain that has ever since and |
is to-day making the American race
the strongest on the face of the earth
—was that of this daughter of the
American Indians and a son of Old
England. From this union has de-
scended many of the illustrious Vir-
ginians who have full claim to blood
more noble than monarchal royalty
— a blood that has forced civilization
along.
On that notable wedding day, in I
April of 1614, the American aborig-
ines and the white men concluded a I
peace which was stamped in brass I
and proclaimed to whomsoever it I
might concern. The little church I
with pews and pulpit of cedar was I
trimmed with sweetest April flowers.
Pocahontas, the bride, the daughter
of the old war-chief, Powhatan. was
Memorial Window presented by the Indian Girls of
Hampton Institute to St. John's Church at Hamp-
ton, Virginia, the oldest standing Protestant Ec-
clesiastical structure on the Western Continent
Old engraving of Pocahontas Rescuing Captain John Smith
led to the altar by her aged uncle,
Apachisco, with the consent of her
father and friends. Two of her
brothers were present, the ritual of
the Church of England was read by
Reverend Richard Buck, and the first
citizens of the new America witnessed
the union of the continents.
Three years before, Pocahontas had
been baptized into Christianity and
christened "Rebecca." Her true
name. Matoaka, given her by her
father at birth, had long been lost in
the affectionate pet name of Poca-
hontas, meaning "little Wanton."
The bridegroom, John Rolfe, was
a widower, a member of an ancient
family of Heacham, County Norfolk,
England, a strong man who had been
secretary of state in the English col-
ony and was highly respected. He
took his Indian bride to England
where her lovable disposition won
the hearts of the English people. She
was introduced at court by Lord and
Lady Delaware and her name was on
the lips of the English aristocracy.
Some of the old state records bear
these entries:
1616. June. Sir Thomas Dale returned
from Virginia and brought divers men and
women of that country to be educated in
England. One Rolfe also brought his
wife Pocahuntas the daughter of Powha-
Uin — "the Barbarous Prince."
While in the full light of Old
World civilization the darkness of the
long night fell upon her, and these
last few lines from the old state rec-
ords close the story.
1617, 18 Jan., London. The Virginia
woman Pocahuntas has been with the
King. She is returning home sore against
her will.
1617., 29 March, London. The Virginia
woman died at Gravesend on her return.
The register of the Church at
Gravesend relates :
1616, May 2, Rebecca Rrplf, wyff of
Thomas Rrolf, gent. A Virginia Lady
borne, was buried in the Chauncell.
One year later, in 1618, the old
war-chief, Powhatan, scarred by
many a conflict between savagery and
civilization, went to his sleep and
while to-day the English-speaking
people of the world are paying hom-
age to the memory of this dear
daughter of the forests, who would
dare say that she who died in the
golden light of civilization is not res-t-
ing in the arms of her barbarian
father upon whom the light of under-
standing never dawned?
Chapman's Famous Picture of the Baptism of Pocahontas in 1613
Old Engraving of the Marriage of Pocahontas to John Rolfe about April 15, 1614
Oil Painting of Lord Delaware
Who Arrived at Jamestown on June 10, 1610
And Introduced Pocahontas to the Court of King James in England In 1617
Original in Possession of the
Society for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
in the State Capitol at Richmond, Virginia
BRONZE STATUS OP CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH
BT WILLIAM OOUPER OF NEW YORK
TO BB UHVBILBD AT JAMB8TOWN ISLAND
REPTKMBEK, NINBTEBN HDNDRBD AND SBVEN
BT TH« 80CIBTY FOB THB PRB8BBVATION OF VIRGINIA ANTIO.UITIM
Jin Irotwr of a Wtattt Atomtiirm
<Ibf »r Coving Ctnra 3u«rrtbrb to felUrat Julpi tnrttij bg
b> (Eomiirm are again brMralri> to h.im on UyU dljrrr
of
TO G FRIE:
••. • -
Tar
Ami .ins too. • - thy
• *<
Now some will aske, what Kr»-
Is added to thy st««r- K.r all thi> ^
Th' ;i
'I'h' .'-t •• .I for perils, fwioe am!
all;
Tis 1
Amrrtr*«
TO I
three Turks »n
Before two
found a common
We.
In faux .Vincrica; where thott
wo
icsse renowne amongst their
i warres, that thu« ti\ twm-
>sc tyrants daunt thy match-
of envies spight?
joontry yet reward thy merit,
rs take delight?
i so few sheets doth more ex-
jmes great. thii> is thy happi-
:Mki'
Land,
-.'.rtiiT, Gr-
and pen in bold, ruffe, Mar-
• / and bfar*- away the f>r
esar and i Can it be,
see
our
^c a Bedlem or a Stage.
RICH. JAMIS.
KRJFND
m gore,
>ugnt be-
in actions great and good :
taught the wor
H VCW TOBK
TO Ti
j'TBM ur VDiiKO /
Jtt H0tt0r
Haltattt Afoimtt«r?r
HtytBt Honing Einra 3nerribrb to (gallant inh.it fctntth bg
fyifl (Comprrro arr again brotratfb to him on thin CEhrrr
Aumurraarii of f|ia Ainrrirau Explorations
TO HIS APPROVED FRIEND
To combate with three Turks in single
du'le,
Before two Armies, who the like hath
done?
Slaine thy great lailor; found a common
weale
In faire America; where thou hast
wonne
No lesse renowne amongst their Savage
Kings,
Than Turkish warres, that thus thy hon-
our sings.
Could not those tyrants daunt thy match-
lesse spirit,
Nor all the cruelty of envies spight?
Will not thy Country yet reward thy merit,
Nor in thy acts and writings take delight ?
Which here in so few sheets doth more ex-
presse
Than volumes great, this is thy happi-
nesse. RICHARD MEADE.
TO HIS DESERVING FRIEND
Mongst Frenchmen, Spanyards, Hungars,
Tartars, Turks,
And wilde Virginians too, this tells thy
works :
Now some will aske, what benefit? what
gaine ?
Is added to thy store for all this paine?
Th' art then content to say, content is all,
Th ast got content for perils, paine and
thrall ;
Tis lost to looke for more: for few men
now
Regard Wit, Learning, yalour ; but allow
The quintessence of praise to him that can
Number his owne got gold, and riches,
than
Th' art Valiant, Learned, Wise; Pauls
counsell will.
Admire thy merits, magnifie thy skill.
The last of thine to which I set my hand
Was a Sea Grammar; this by Sea and
Land,
Serves us for imitation: I know none,
That like thy selfe hast come, and runne,
and gone,
To such praise-worthy actions: bee't ap-
prou'd,
Th' ast well deserv'd of best men to be
lou'd :
If France, or Spame, or any forren soile
Could claime thee theirs, for these thy
paines and toile,
Th' adst got reward and honour, now
adayes,
What our owne natives doe, we seldome
praise.
Good men will yeeld thee praise; then
sleight the rest;
Tis best praise-worthy to have pleas d the
best
TUISSIMUS ED. lORDEN.
TO MY WORTHY FRIEND
Deare noble Captaine, who by Sea and
Land,
To act the earnest of thy name hast hand
And heart; who canst with skill design the
Fort,
The Leaguer, Harbour, City, Shore, and
Port:
Whose sword and pen in bold, ruffe, Mar-
tiall, wise,
Put forth to try and beare away the prize,
From Caesar and Blaize Monluc : Can it be,
That Men alone in Gonnals fortune see
Thy worth advanc'd? no wonder since our
age,
Is now at large a Bedlem or a Stage.
RICH. JAMES.
TO HIS NOBLE FRIEND
To see bright honour sparkled all in gore,
Would steele a spirit that ne're fought be-
fore:
And that's the height of Fame, when our
best bloud,
Is nobly spilt in actions great and good :
So thou hast taught the world to purchase
Fame,
Rearing thy story on a glorious frame,
And such foundation doth thy merits make
it,
As all detractions rage shall never shake
it;
Thy actions crowne themselves, and thy
owne pen,
Gives them the best and truest Epiphonem.
BRIAN O ROVRKE.
Thou hast no need to covet new applause,
Nor doe I thinke vaine-glory moves thee
to it;
But since it is thy will (though without
cause)
To move a needlesse thing, yet will I doe
it.
Doe it in briefe I will, or else I doe the
wrong.
And say, read or'e Captaine Smiths for-
mer song;
His first then will invite thee to his latter:
Reader, 'tis true; I am not brib'd to
flatter.
EDW. INGHAM.
Ammratt progrf 00 an % ffanfir (to0i
nf tlj* IJnipl* aa £xjirrssrii
from HI* (gtromunra of tij* Aau»rtran (Enmm0ntn*aitffH
THE JOURNAL OF AMEHICAN HISTORT
BT
HONORABLE ALBERT E. MEAD. GOVERNOR OF WASHINGTON
coast of the State of
Washington was visited
by the early English,
Spanish, and Portu-
guese explorers in the
sixteenth, seventeenth
and eighteenth centuries.
To Vancouver, the English explorer
of the latter part of the eighteenth cen-
tury, is due the first full and authentic
information regarding our coast line
and the indentures of the sea. The
search for the fabled Straits of Anian
led the early navigators to our shores.
The first American to visit the region
now embraced in Washington was
Captain Gray, of Boston, in 1789.
His expedition consisted of the ships
"Columbia" and "Washington." This
visit, antedating that of Vancouver,
forms part of the American title to all
of the old Oregon country, which
now embraces all of the states of Ore-
gon, Washington, and Idaho, and
that portion of Montana lying west
of the main range of the Rocky
Mountains. Our title to the region
reads, "by occupation and discovery."
As early as 1809, American trap-
pers visited what is now the State of
Washington. In 1811, Stewart and
Ross, of the Pacific Fur Company, at
Astoria (John Jacob Aster's Com-
pany) established trading posts on
the Spokane and the Okanogan riv-
ers, and remained over the winter
there. Other Americans, in later
years, also established trading posts
in various parts of the territory which
afterwards became Washington.
It will be recalled that during the
War of 1812 the British secured pos-
session of the trading post at Astoria,
and that for a number of years there-
after the post was administered by
the Hudson Bay Company. Astoria
is now in the State of Oregon, being
on the south bank of the Columbia
River. In 1825, Dr. McLauglin.
chief factor of the Hudson Bay Com-
pany, removed the headquarters of
the concern from Astoria to the more
advantageous locality of Vancouver,
on the north bank of the Columbia
River, now in the State of Washing-
ton. There the Company built up an
extensive post; surrounding it by
more than three thousand acres of
a»6
frnm HaBtjwgfam bg (Soumtar
farm land, which it tilled assiduously ;
and establishing in connection with it
the headquarters for all the Hudson
Bay Company's operations in the re-
gion lying north of the then Mexican
boundary (now the northern bound-
ary of California), north to the Arctic
Ocean and east to the Rocky Moun-
tains. All the region then was
claimed by Great Britain; and its
affairs both politically and commer-
cially were handled solely and exclu-
sively by the Hudson Bay Company.
Vancouver was the real capitol of the
great province. From Vancouver
went out Peter Skeene Ogden, a
minor official of the Hudson Bay
Company, to discover the river in
Utah which now bears his name, and
which in turn gave its name to the
prosperous city of Ogden. From
here also went the men to establish
the first settlements in what is now
British Columbia.
Following the Hudson Bay Com-
pany came the missionaries. The
first real American settlement in
Washington, aside from the fur posts,
was that made by the missionary,
Marcus Whitman, at Waiilaptu, in
1836. There he and many others met
their death in an awful massacre by
the Cayuse Indians, in 1847. Early
in the forties the tide of western emi-
gration began to flow toward the
Oregon country; and hundreds of
families moved across the plains in
ox-carts and wagons to found homes
in the fertile valleys of this region.
The Willamette, now in Oregon,
seemed to be the first objective point ;
but from there many penetrated into
what is now Washington; and in
1844 established the first settlement
on Puget Sound, at Tumwater.
In 1853, Congress created the Ter-
ritory of Washington out of a part of
the Territory of Oregon ; and the new
political organization came into being
on March 2, 1853. It then included
all of what is now Washington,
Idaho, and the western part of Mon-
tana. Its next door neighbor on the
east was the Territory of Nebraska.
The Northern Pacific Railroad
was completed to Puget Sound from
the head of Lake Superior in 1883;
and following its completion popula-
tion increased rapidly. In 1889, when
the Territory contained a population
of 242,046, Washington was admitted
to the Union as a State, the exact date
of admission being November n.
A new commonwealth, far off here
on the Western shore of the conti-
nent, Washington has yet played her
part in the history of the Nation.
During the savage Indian wars of
1854-55-56 she put two regiments of
volunteers into the field. In 1862,
when the population of the Territory
perhaps did not exceed ten thousand
souls, she gave a full regiment for the
defense of the Union. Lack of trans-
portation, and because of its need at
home to take the place of the regu-
lars withdrawn for the war, caused
this regiment to spend its four years
of service on the Coast; doing not
idle garrison duty, but holding the
savage tribes in check. In addition
to these contributions to the arms of
the Nation, many of the citizens of
the Territory served notably in the
Union Army in other organizations.
Chief among them all was Isaac In-
galls Stevens, a West Point graduate,
a distinguished engineer officer of the
Army in the Mexican War, and the
first governor of the Territory of
Washington. Stevens also had served
as delegate in Congress from the ter-
ritory from 1857 to 1861. At the be-
ginning of the war he tendered his
services to the government, and rose
by various stages to be major-gene-
ral of volunteers. His dramatic
death at the Battle of Chantilly, in
1862, while leading his division in a
charge is part of the National history.
It is interesting to note also that j.
Patton Anderson, who came here in
1853 as first United States marshal
for the Territory, and who served as
delegate in Congress for Washington
from 1855 to 1857, served with dis-
tinction in the Confederate Army
during the war, rising to be brigadier-
a mt
$arifir (Enaat
general ; and also served for a time in
the Confederate Congress as a mem-
ber from Florida.
In the days before the Civil War,
Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan,
and McClellan all served at army
posts in Washington Territory; and
these posts cherish many traditions
about their associations. Pickett,
afterwards a great Confederate gen-
eral, famous for his charge at Gettys-
burg, as a captain in the Ninth United
States Infantry, played a prominent
part in the early life of Washington.
In 1857 and 1859, when the dispute
as to the boundary line in the extreme
northwestern part of Washington
came near plunging this country and
Great Britain into war, Pickett was
in command of the American forces
which landed on the islands in dis-
pute and held them for this govern-
ment. Captain Raphael Semmes of
the Navy, later commander of the
Confederate privateer "Alabama,"
was in those days in command of the
vessel of the American Navy in these
waters, and co-operated with Pickett.
The period between the establish-
ment of Washington as a territory
and the completion of the Northern
Pacific Railroad, was one of slow
growth for the Territory, but was
marked by material progress. The
people developed, in a measure, the
wonderful resources of the common-
wealth; shipped their lumber from
the ports of Puget Sound to the ports
of the civilized world ; opened up coal
mines ; and even built a railroad with
their own resources long prior to the
time when steel rails connected them
with other portions of the continent.
The last ten years has been the period
of the State's greatest development
and progress. The population of the
State now is approximately 900,000,
as against 518,103 in 1900; this in an
area of 66,880 square miles. Ridged
through its approximate center from
north to south by the Cascade Moun-
tains, the State has two markedly dif-
ferent regions. The Western por-
tion, which now contains the bulk of
the population, is notable for its fine
harbors, its enormous areas of stand-
ing timber, its manufacturing enter-
prises, its fertile valleys, its stores of
coal and minerals, its enormous trade
by direct lines of steamships with the
Orient, Alaska, and the maritime na-
tions of the world, and its remarkably
prosperous cities, chief of which is
Seattle, with a population of approxi-
mately 200,000. Tacoma, also on the
Sound, has a population of 85,000,
and is growing rapidly. Bellingham,
Everett, Aberdeen, Hoquiam, and
Olympia also are important towns.
The eastern portion of the State,
while great in manufacturing and
other departments of industry, is
chiefly notable for its agricultural and
horticultural resources. It produces
approximately 35,000,000 bushels of
wheat per year, and other agricul-
tural products in proportion. The
chief city of Eastern Washington is
Spokane, with a population of 80,000.
Other important towns are Walla
Walla, Yakima, and Ellensburg.
The fish products of the State ag-
gregate a value of between $10,000,-
ooo and $12,000,000 a year. Ap-
proximately 4,000,000 tons of coal
are produced annually in the State.
The lumber and woodenware prod-
ucts aggregate annually a value of
about $70,000,000. And in every
department of industry the increase
is notable. For instance, there are
approximately 86,000 acres devoted
to fruit culture in the State, an in-
crease of one hundred per cent in the
last two years. Irrigation in the arid
and semi-arid regions of eastern
Washington, the advent of the trolley
line in rural communities, the great
extension of all transportation facil-
ities, contribute materially to this de-
velopment. The Northern Pacific,
Great Northern, and Harriman lines
all have termini in the State, and
other systems reach here by traffic
arrangements with these. A notable
feature of the present year has been
the coming of various other transcon-
tinental lines. Nearly 2,000 miles of
228
from
bg
new mainline railroad tracks are now
under construction within the State,
to be added to the 3,300 miles of
mainline that the State now contains.
In addition to this 3,300 miles of
mainline there are approximately six
hundred of side-track. In the last
eighteen months, millions of dollars
have been expended by various sys-
tems in the purchase of terminal fa-
cilities on Puget Sound. Every rail-
road line of importance within five
hundred miles of our shores is build-
ing hither.
In the State of Washington the
pure American strain predominates.
Our people are drawn chiefly from
the other states of the Union, every
section of the continent having a well-
proportioned representation here. In
addition, we have a considerable for-
eign-born population drawn chiefly
from the United Kingdom and from
the northern countries of Europe. A
large portion of the foreign-born ele-
ment has entered upon agricultural
pursuits. In fact, the development
of a number of our newer and richer
agricultural sections is due entirely
to the industry of newcomers from
Northern Europe; and almost with-
out exception these people are among
the thriftiest and most industrious in
the Commonwealth. In the intensely
American atmosphere and environ-
ment of the State, the immigrants we
have received have become quickly
assimilated into our population. Im-
migration has had absolutely no evil
effect on our citizenship.
This is a state of abundant oppor-
tunity for all industrious men and
women. It would seem that there is
something here worth while in every
department of human activity. La-
bor commands the highest wage scale
on earth, and is in constant demand.
Our resources are being developed
rapidly, but the development does not
keep pace with the development of
our constantly increasing markets.
Our sea trade is becoming prodigious.
The last fiscal year showed an in-
crease of more than $10,000,000 in
MI
the export and import trade of our
Puget Sound ports. All these things
mean opportunity both for capital and
labor. Hence there is no Capital and
Labor problem in the State of Wash-
ington.
The greatest need of the State to-
day is more transportation facilities.
But this is coming rapidly. Of
course, we need more industrious
men and women, and more capital to
develop our natural wealth. But
these will come with the better trans-
portation facilities. And parentheti-
cally I might remark that this need
of our State is but the need of the
whole country. Transportation is a
civilizer and a builder, for it creates
opportunities.
We are proud of the population of
the State of Washington, because it
is the testimony of all careful observ-
ers that it is the most representative
population of any American State.
Drawn as it is from every portion of
the Republic, and from the parent
European stock, it is a fair sample of
the population of the whole country.
The composite Washingtonian is a
composite American. That progres-
sive, independent, sturdy patriotism
that is finding its expression through-
out the American Union, is well ex-
emplified in the State of Washington.
Our people are demanding better
government here in Washington, and
are paying more attention to the du-
ties and responsibilities of citizenship
than ever before. I think we are in
advance of many of the states in this
regard. But we are simply express-
ing, perhaps, more fervently than
elsewhere the prevailing American
assertion that all our governments,
local or national, must be adminis-
tered in accordance with the doctrine
of the Square Deal ; and that no priv-
ileged classes shall exist in any of
our communities. The State of
Washington is doing its utmost to
maintain a high standard of citizen-
ship. More than two-thirds of all
the taxes paid in the State are ex-
pended for free education. In addi-
Ammran
mt
JJarifir (Eoaat
tion to the public schools maintained
in every community, the State sup-
ports a State University, a State
Agricultural Cpllege and School of
Science, and three State Normal
Schools. We have more than 2,500
school districts in the State, in two
hundred and eighty-five of which
there are schools of higher grade
These schools are taught by 5,179
teachers, and attended by 170,386
children out of a total of 207,099 chil-
dren of school age within the State.
The State demands high qualifica-
tions from its teachers. We are con-
stantly drawing to the work of educa-
tion in Washington the best material
to be found in the country. Our
school laws are enlightened and mod-
ern, our system of instruction that
approved by the foremost men in the
teaching profession.
You ask me if corporal punish-
ment has been abolished. It has not.
Its use lies within the judgment of
the administrators of the schools
themselves; and since the schools are
administered by a high class of men
and women, there has been no public
demand for new regulations on this
subject.
In all of our cities and towns
churches are among the finest build-
ings. The number of these, and their
attendance, denote that the people of
this State are a God-fearing people.
To your concluding inquiry, "Do
you believe that patriotism is waning
or increasing in the United States?"
I must reply most emphatically that
patriotism is increasing in the United
States, and that the citizenship is
growing better year by year.
COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING IN AMERICA
Accurate Transcript from Original Order Issued in New England in 1765 and Contributed
BY BENJAMIN C. LUM
To Mr John Howd Clark of the First Training Band in Darby in ye 2d Ridgment
Greeting — Whereas by a Courtmarshall held in Sd Darby by the Commissions Officers
of Sd Train Band on the 3d Day of June A D 1765 these Several Persona hereafter names
ware Ordered and Adjudged to pay the Several fines hereafter affixed to their names for
nonappearance and Defiance in the Vewing of arms on the 6th Day of May 1765 being
Training Day Duely warned whereof Execution Remains to be Done — These are therefore
in his Majesties Name to Command you that of the goods Chattels or money of the Several
Persons Hereafter names you Cause to be Levyed the Several Sums after affixed to their
names Viz Sergt Abraham Smith 1/6 William Burritt 1/6 Benjamin Davis 3/ Hezekiah
Hine 3/ Ebenezer Henman 8/ John Humphrey 3/ Elijah Humphrey 3/ Abijah Hull 3/
Asahal Johnson 3/ Ashal Loveland 3/ Miah Pool 3/ Elias Durkins 8/ Thomas Voce 1/6
Stephen Whitne 8/ Jesse Wooster 3/ Turel Whitman 3/ William Bedels 8/ Elijah Davis
wants Powder Joseph Short wants all but a Gun David Orsbon wants all but a Gun
Benjamin ThornlinBon wants a Gun and powder Samuel Thomlinson wants all but a Gun
Edward Smithe wants all but a Gun Nichols Moss wants all but a Gun Jeremiah Blake
wants all but a Gun David French wants all but a Gun and Sword and the Same being
Disposed of paid and Delivered unto us the Subscriber the above Sd Sums together with
one Shilling more for this writ also to Satisfy your own fees and for want of Such money
Goods or Chattels of any of Either of the afore Sd Persons Sum or Sums you are hereby
Commanded to take the Body or Bodys of any and Either of them and him or them Com-
mit unto the Keepers of the Goal in New heaven within the Sd Prison who is hereby
Commaned to Receive the Same and him or them Keep until he and they Shall pay the
Full Sum or Sums above affixed to their names and also your fees and be Released in Du
form of Law hear of Fail not and Du Return make within 60 Days Dateed at Darby
330
llutnlit iKidjrs nf Ihr ftnrhg iBmnttains
BT
HONORABLE FRANK R. GOODING. GOVERNOR OF IDAHO
3DAHO was first perma-
nently settled, it is sup-
posed, at the time of the
location of the trading
post at Fort Hall, about
twelve miles from the
present city of Pocatello,
in 1834. A territory was created by
act of March 3, 1863, from parts of
Dakota, Nebraska and Washington
Territories, and included all the area
within the present states of Idaho
and Montana and a large portion of
the state of Wyoming. In 1863
Idaho was reduced to its present
dimensions, extending from the Brit-
ish possessions on the North to Utah
and Nevada on the South, and from
Wyoming and Montana on the East,
to Washington and Oregon on the
West; having a length of four hun-
dred and ten miles and a width vary-
ing from sixty to two hundred and
fifty-seven miles.
The name "Idaho" was given it be-
cause of its mountainous character
and is supposed to signify "Shining
Mountains," or, as it is anglicized,
"Gem of the Mountains." It was
elevated to statehood in 1890, the
present population being estimated at
three hundred thousand people. It
is a land of great diversity. In all
portions of the state, practically in
every county of the state, mining has
been pursued with profit in the past
and is still the leading industry of the
state, although profitable mining in a
large way is now confined to but a
few counties. In Northern Idaho,
which term includes the five north-
ern counties of the state, the people
live largely by means of following
mining, lumbering, stock-raising and
the raising of grain and fruit. In
central Idaho, which includes the
three counties of Ada, Canyon and
Washington, mining, lumbering,
stock and fruit raising are the sources
of revenue. In the thirteen southern
counties the people generally follow
mining and stock-raising.
During the past four or five years
immigration into the state has been
very heavy. These newcomers are
largely American citizens from the
middle West and Eastern states,
although in some portions of the state
where large irrigation plants have
been put into successful operation,
immigration has been in a large part
from the coast states of Oregon and
Washington. The increase in popu-
lation has been caused very largely
by the development of the timber and
agricultural resources in the northern
part of the state and by agricultural
development in the southern part,
brought about by the completion of
irrigation propositions which has put
frnm Simljn fag (imimtnr (Snnbtng
under cultivation almost half a mil-
lion acres of semi-arid lands.
Idaho as yet is not confronted with
the labor problem to any great ex-
tent. The public school system in
the state is a very excellent one. So
far there has been no interference
with the forms of discipline that have
been in vogue in the schools from the
beginning. The development of the
state seems to be in all lines, but es-
pecially in the way of making use of
the enormous timber resources and
in the putting in of irrigation plants
which are of great value. Lands
hitherto without value have by this
means been made of use. There are a
number of propositions, including
two great government reclamation
propositions, that are in process of
development. One of these which
will make valuable about two hundred
thousand acres of hitherto valueless
lands, will be completed some time
within the next few months.
The greatest need of the state, in
my opinion, is the development of the
railway system. Idaho, from its
mountainous character, is divided
geographically into many parts that
are distinct from each other in char-
acter and difficult of access one from
the other. This can be remedied only
by the extension of railway lines
within the state. There is now every
indication that extensive railroad
building will be witnessed within the
state within the next few years, and it
is anticipated that the increase in pop-
ulation by the taking of the next cen-
sus will be much greater in propor-
tion than during the past five or six
years.
Ammran (Ettriltiaium in % (imfrr Antilles
BY
GOVERNOR OF PORTO Rico
SHE Island of Porto Rico
was discovered by Co-
lumbus on his second
voyage to America. He
landed on its western
shore November 19,
1493. The first settle-
ment was made in 1510 at a point on
the mainland south of the harbor of
San Juan. The original name of the
settlement was Caparra. Its desert-
ed site is now known as Pueblo Vie jo.
In 1520 the colonists abandoned it
and founded the present city of San
Juan, which disputes with San Ger-
man— in the southwestern corner of
Porto Rico — the honor of being the
oldest community in the Western
Hemisphere.
In 1899 the census taken by the
Amerirtm <ftutUt;atum in Ity (greater Antilba
United States Military Government
showed the number of the inhabi-
tants to be 953,243. The island has
probably more than one million peo-
ple to-day. The population is en-
gaged almost exclusively in agricul-
ture and in the primary manipulation
of agricultural products. The extra-
ordinary fertility of the island will,
for many years to come, cause the
attention of all investors to be de-
voted rather to agriculture than to
manufacture.
Immigration is slight. It is made
up chiefly of the natives of the Danish
island of St. Thomas and of the Brit-
ish West Indies. The immigrants
usually go into the ranks of unskilled
labor and form a desirable element in
the community, being for the most
part industrious and intelligent. They
are to be found in greatest abundance
in the towns on the seaboard.
The demand for labor is steadily
increasing and the payment of labor
is rising. As the agricultural re-
sources of the island are developed
year by year the island will be able
to support a larger population.
Corporal punishment in the public
schools is forbidden. Such a prac-
tice is extremely distasteful to the
inhabitants of the island who are, in-
variably, gentle in their treatment of
children.
Under our laws murder in the first
degree is punished by death.
Porto Rico is forging ahead in
every line. Its exportation during
the present fiscal year will be nearly
three times the value of its exporta-
tions during its most prosperous year
under Spanish government. Increase
in prosperity, with the resulting in-
crease in insular revenue, has enabled
the government to build twice as
many kilometers of roads as were
built during the four centuries of
Spanish occupation, and the building
of new roads results again in an in-
crease in prosperity. The school
attendance is about twice what it was
in Spanish times. Crime has dimin-
ished. The expert knowledge of
public and private sanitation has been
spread throughout the island. The
administration of justice has become
swift, certain and unstained. The
intercourse between the island and
the outer world has enormously in-
creased.
Still we need more roads and more
schools. In a mountainous country
like this, with a heavy rainfall, when
we build a road we must build a good
one, and we must keep that road in
good condition after it is built ; other-
wise the money is wasted. The build-
ing and maintenance of roads in
Porto Rico is extremely expensive,
but they must be built and they must
be well maintained so that the crops
of the mountain valleys can be
brought easily and cheaply to the sea-
board. Moreover, we need more
schools. We have built schools and
have increased school attendance, but
we have not enough schools yet.
PUBLIC CARE OF THE POOR IN EARLY AMERICA
Accurate Transcript from Records of Watertown, Massachusetts
BY M. AUGUSTA HOLMAN, LEOMIXSTER, MASSACHUSETTS
At a meeting at Leift. Beers, March 3, 1671. There coming a complaint to us ye Selectmen concern-
ing ye poverty of Edward Sandersons family rt that they hare not had wherewith to maintalne them-
selves and children either with suply of provisions or employment to earne any — And considering yt it
would be ye charge of ye towne to provide for ye whole Family which will be hard to doe this year, and
not knowing how to supply them with provisions, we considering if we should supply them, and could
doe it, yet it would not tend to ye good of ye children for their good education and bringing up, soe as they
may be useful in ye common weal, and themselves to live comfortable and usefully in time to come, We
have therefore agreed to put two of his children into some honest fameleys where they may be educated
and brought up In ye knowledge of God & sum honest calling or labor. And Therefore we doe order that
Thomas Fleg (Flag) and John Blgulah (Bigelow) shall have power to find them prentises, with sum honest
people with ye consent of their parents, if it may be hade, and if ye parents shall refuse then to use ye
help of the magistrate.
of ify* 0>rrat
BT
HONORABLE JOSEPH TOOLE, GOVERNOR OF MONTANA
LTHOUGH the date of the
erection of the first
building in what is
now the State of Mon-
tana goes back almost a
century — when Eman-
uel Lisa in 1809 or
1810 built what became known as
Lisa's Fort on the Yellowstone river
— it was half a century later that the
eyes of the outside world were direct-
ed to this portion of the wilderness
lying west of the Mississippi.
The gold-hunters, those hardy old
pioneers whose restlessness ever
drove them nearer the setting sun,
lured on by the belief that the moun-
tains of this almost unexplored land
held splendid reward, pushed their
way across the plains and soon the
magic cry "Gold!" was carried back
to the East, whence other restless
spirits set out for the journey to the
Rockies.
In the latter fifties and the early
sixties the mining excitement served
to bring thousands of people into
what is now Montana. Southern
Montana was the scene of the early
excitement, and here, in the hur-
riedly-built town of Bannack, was set
up the first government, when the
Territory of Montana was organized,
in the year 1864. Other camps
sprang up as new deposits of the
precious metals were discovered, and
the infant Territory rapidly grew into
a lusty youth.
The growth of Montana continued
as the mines gave up their hoards,
the ranges became alive with cattle
and sheep, and the earth, untilled for
centuries, began under the hand of
the agriculturist to demonstrate that
it gladly yielded abundant harvest to
him who would toil for it — and at last
Congress heard the appeal of the peo-
ple for Statehood, Montana becoming
one of the States of the Union on the
eighth of November, 1889.
To-day the population of the State
is estimated to be more than 250,000,
and although its growth is not mar-
velously rapid it is healthy and steady.
Its mines have been wondrously pro-
ductive— the output of copper alone
in the last year being forty per cent of
the total for the United States. It is
the greatest wool-growing State in the
Union, its total of sheep for 1906 be-
ing 4,304,333. Its herds of cattle for
the same year contained a total of
823,721 head.
And despite this wonderful show-
ing, it is believed to be well within
the limits of truth to say that in the
years to come Montana will find its
rank among the greatest agricultural
States of the nation. It has millions
of acres of fertile lands that require
only the application of water to cause
•34
nf
them to yield immense returns. This
result is gradually being attained by
the establishment of irrigation pro-
jects under Federal and State encour-
agement, and the next ten years will
undoubtedly see the reclamation of a
vast area.
Montana has no vexed problem of
capital and labor; the people are pa-
triotic, public-spirited and progres-
sive, and they bend eagerly to their
cherished task of making of their
commonwealth one of the grandest in
the magnificent sisterhood.
in
Nnrtljmt Itortorlanin
BT
HONORABLE E. T. SARL.ES. GOVERNOR OF NORTH DAKOTA
DAKOTA is one
of two states created
out of the original Ter-
ritory of Dakota, which
was organized as a
territory on March 2,
1 86 1. The employees
of various fur companies were the
first white settlers in the territory.
As early as 1808 the government es-
tablished a military fort on the Mis-
souri river about seven miles above
the point where Lewis and Clark spent
the winter in 1804 and 1805. In 1811
Lord Selkirk built a fort at Pembina
on the Red river not far from the in-
ternational boundary line.
North Dakota became a state in
1889. Its population has increased
largely in the past two years until to-
day it has in the neighborhood of half
a million people. The occupation of
its people is largely agricultural and
pastoral. It has received many im-
migrants in the past two years, large-
ly of the Scandinavian and German
types, and its immigration is a thrifty
class, which is engaged altogether in
agricultural pursuits.
The citizenship of North Dakota
is sturdy, patriotic and thrifty. Its
laws are wise, liberal and beneficent
and abreast of the times in all partic-
ulars. Its public servants have been
patriotic and have labored incessantly
for the advancement of the state. It
offers homes to thousands of addi-
tional settlers and it has splendid ad-
vantages and opportunities for the
thrifty homemaker.
Jtfirat Ammratt
of % 3Firat Writer
in % £fom Wurlii to makr iCilrraturr
ifta £ol* i|htraiiit ana to Earn a UttwlUjoofc bg ifiB
frn ^ 2Hy* 3Ftrat Attuprtran Station to <E«at* a Ettrrarg fiarkrt
mas "Wtelano," a ®al* of fljgatrrg j* (Earwr of (Eljartw Brorkoro Vrmmt
BT
ELLIS PAXSON OBERHOL.TZER. PH. D.
AUTHOR OF "ROBERT MOBEIS, PATRIOT AND FINANCIER"— EDITOR OF THE "AMERICAN CRISIS BIOGRAPHIES," AND-
OTHER WORKS— THIS RESUME OF THE LIFE OF CHARLES BHOCKDEN BROWN, THE FIRST AMERICAN NOVELIST,
Is PRESENTED BT PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR FROM HIS "LITERARY HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA,"
PUBLISHED BY GEORGE W. JACOBS AND COMPANY, A NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION TO
AMERICAN LITERATURE
first American novelist
— the first writer of fic-
tion to achieve eminence
in this country, and the
first writer of whatever
kind who had the daring
to make literature his
sole pursuit — was Charles Brockden
Brown. It is certain that none be-
fore him in this country had done so
well; none produced fiction that the
public read so eagerly and apprecia-
tively. He lived by his pen, a hur-
ried, fitful and brief life, it is true, but
starve at the end he did not. He
came of an old Chester County, Penn-
sylvania, Quaker family, respectable
but not eminent, having been born in
Philadelphia on January 17, 1771.
He was named for Charles Brockden,
the well-known conveyancer and agent
for the Penn family in Philadelphia
who married his father's sister. From
this writer is the taste for triple
names among American authors
sometimes derived. With him at
least the multiplication of cognomens
seemed to be a necessity, for he clear-
ly understood that the odds were as
unfavorable to the Browns as they
were to Oliver Wendell Holmes'
hero whom fate tried to conceal under
the name of Smith. Once when a
friend had done him the honor of giv-
ing him a namesake, Brown expressed
his regret that the infant was not to
have a greater chance for the distinc-
tions of life. "It has ever been an
irksome and unwelcome sound to my
ears," said he. "I have sometimes
been mortified in looking over the
catalogue of heroes, sages and saints
to find not a single Brown among
them. This indeed may be said of
many other names but most others
are of rare occurrence. It must then
be a strange fatality which has hither-
to excluded it from the illustrious and
venerable list."
For about five years Charles Brock-
den Brown attended the Quaker
school of Robert Proud, the historian,
but, frail of build, confinement and
application jaded him. He was de-
signed for the law but the prospect of
that life was repellent. He loved sol-
itude, especially rambles into the
country. The talk of the world about
him wearied him with its frivolity.
His enthusiasm was for thinking and
writing, and essays, verse, dialogues,
fanciful sketches and a journal were
produced while he was still at school.
He was the leading member of the lit-
tle Belles Lettres Club of nine mem-
bers, and though he was contributing
to the "Columbian Magazine," he was
painfully impressed with the hope-
lessness of earning a livelihood from
literary pursuits. His parents, his
three older brothers, Joseph, James
and Armit, and his friends were alt'
•36
American
an& ifta Snnka
disappointed that he had left off his
law studies, and until his first literary
success was achieved in "Wieland" in
1798, he was at times plunged in the
depths of despondency. He visited
New York, and was there the guest
of Dr. Elihu Hubbard Smith whom
he had come to know as a medical
student in Philadelphia. Smith in-
troduced the young writer to a group
of professional and literary men who
received him cordially. These visits
were frequently repeated. For a
time New York was accounted his
home, and his attachment to his
friends in that city almost cost him
his life during the fever plague of
1798. Throughout this time, by his
own account, he "mused and wrote
cheerfully in spite of the groans of
the dying and the rumbling of the
hearses."
In Philadelphia in 1793 Brown had
escaped the dangers of the disease by
removing with his family to a place
of safety in the country. While in
New York he had spent several sum-
mers at Perth Amboy with his friend
who was later his biographer, the
artist and dramatist, William Dunlap,
"but in 1798 he tarried in the city with
Dr. Smith. A distinguished Italian
traveler, Dr. Scandella, after many
adventures, which read as if they
were drawn from one of Brown's
novels, was seized with the malady, to
he taken into Smith's home. The
Italian soon died. Dr. Smith fol-
lowed him to the grave and Brown,
who was a nurse for both, also fell a
victim to "this most dreadful and re-
lentless of pestilences," but by good
fortune his case yielded to treatment,
and almost immediately after this
dread experience he was invigorated
in body and spirit by his first literary
success.
"Wieland" was published in New
York, although its scenes are laid in
Philadelphia or its environs, and it
met with instant popularity, so that
its author was encouraged to wield
his pen with new energy. He had
•37
five novels in progress at the same
time. Such literary activity had not
been seen before in America. Some
were being written while others were
printing; some were just begun while
others were nearing completion. "Or-
mond," which closely followed "Wie-
land," was less successful, but "Ar-
thur Mervyn," the yellow fever story
which appeared in two parts, was a
sweeping popular triumph. The first
part of this work was published in
Philadelphia with the printer Max-
well. The manuscript was delivered
as fast as it was written, and before
Brown had yet determined his plot.
The publisher, however, proved to be
too dilatory for the eager author, who
was obliged to make allowances "for
his indigence on one hand and his
sanguine and promiseful disposition
on the other." Brown's quill was
busy from eight in the morning until
eleven at night, and if he remembered
the names of his characters in his va-
rious novels as each progressed under
his hand and he moved from one to
another, it was a fortunate circum-
stance.
"Edgar Huntley," his somnambu-
listic story, followed "Arthur Mer-
vyn." Then came "Gara Howard."
Here are five works of fiction, all of
which appeared inside of three years ;
three were issued in one year. All
were written before their author was
yet thirty. With a sixth story, "Jane
Talbot," which was published in Lon-
don in 1804, appearing soon after-
ward in Philadelphia, Brown's career
as a writer of fiction ends. Upon
these six works his title to literary
reputation rests. Yet inside the cov-
ers of his half-dozen novels is to be
found but a small part of all that was
written by this remarkably produc-
tive author.
While his stories were appearing,
Brown was busy with his New York
magazine. Eight of his friends in
that city had pledged themselves for
a sufficient amount to insure its suc-
cess. He called it "The Monthly
ICtterarg ©rate in
Magazine and American Review,"
and the first number appeared in
April, 1799. He contributed almost
the entire volume of what was pub-
lished in this periodical and at first
had from it enticing prospects of for-
tune. There were four hundred sub-
scribers, which it was computed
would repay the annual cost of issue,
or $1,600. "All above four hundred
will be clear profit to me," he wrote
to one of his brothers, and one thou-
sand subscribers, he calculated, would
yield him a net annual income of
$2,700. His hopes were not realized,
and at the end of the year, 1800, the
publication ceased, the editor return-
ing to his home in Philadelphia.
In his own city Charles Brockden
Brown was not long to dwell in lit-
erary idleness. He was now writing
political pamphlets. He made an ar-
rangement with John Conrad, a pub-
lisher in Philadelphia, for a new mag-
azine, "The Literary Magazine and
American Register." At the time it
was founded, in October, 1803, there
was no other monthly publication in
America and the way looked clear be-
fore it. The editor in his salutatory
said: "I cannot expatiate on the van-
ity of my knowledge, the brilliancy of
my wit, the versatility of my talents.
To none of these do I lay any claim."
But it was his hope "to collect into
one focal spot the rays of a great
number of luminaries." It would be
his province "to hold the mirror up so
as to assemble all their influences
within its verge and reflect them on
the public in such a manner as to
warm and enlighten."
In enlisting the co-operation of
other writers, Brown had no great
success. In one number nothing was
contributed but a short article ; every-
thing else was from the editor's own
hand. There was no gayety in this
publication, for Brown had none.
Nevertheless, the magazine was con-
tinued for nearly five years.
In 1806 he began to compile for the
same publishing house his "American
Register or General Repository of
History, Politics and Science," an
annual review of the world's happen-
ings in different fields which was is-
sued for five years (1806-1810 inclu-
sive), a large volume and sometimes
two volumes for the year. It was
published until its editor was obliged
to surrender to his disease.
Consumption for many years had
been his arch enemy. He had trav-
eled hither and thither in vain in the
hope of strengthening his weak, pale
frame, and when the attack from
which he was not to rise came, in
November, 1809, his friends were
urging him to undertake a journey to-
Europe, though it was against his in-
clinations. In that year he wrote to a
member of his family : "When have I
known that lightness and vivacity of
mind which the divine flow of health
even in calamity produces in some
men? And would produce in me no
doubt; at least when not soured by
misfortune? Never, scarcely ever.
Not longer than an half hour at a
time since I have called myself man."
His only consolation was found in
his books which for him, he said, had
"great eflicacy in beguiling body of its
pains and thoughts of their melan-
choly, in relieving head and heart of
their aches." He died on February
22, 1810, at his home in Eleventh
Street near Chestnut when only
thirty-nine years of age, being in-
terred in an unmarked spot in the
Friends' burial ground at Fourth and
Arch Streets.
While choice of his fellows, few
more fully enjoyed those intimacies
which were contracted. Although not
adhering closely to Quaker tenets, ta
his Quaker friends he used his "thee"
and "thy" as one to the manner born.
He had a brief period of domestic
bliss, for while in New York he met,
wooed and won for a wife Elizabeth-
Linn. She was the daughter of Dr.
William Linn of Shippensburg, Pa.,
once the president of Rutgers Col-
lege, and at the time a distinguished
Jtrat Atiurtratt
an& fit*
Presbyterian clergyman in New
York. The young novelist and Miss
Linn were married in November,
1804, and she came to make her home
in Philadelphia where her brother,
Dr. John Blair Linn, also a minister,
had been preaching in the First Pres-
byterian Church until his death of
consumption in the preceding Au-
gust. He had been Brown's intimate
friend and was a writer of verses, one
of which, an epic called "Valerian,"
the novelist edited and published with
a memoir.
Although Brown was to have little
more than five years of married hap-
piness, he left four children, three
boys and an infant girl. Two were
twins of whom he wrote when they
were born: "I was always terribly
impressed with the hardships and
anxieties attending the care of in-
fants and was at the moment appalled
by the prospect of a double portion of
care. . . . Now after two months'
experience I find, and their mother
finds, that the two healthy and lovely
tabes are a double joy instead of be-
ing a double care."
The final judgment on Brown's
work may not yet have been uttered,
but it is not difficult now to assign his
novels to their proper place. They
must be considered in the light of the
time in which they were written when
they will be accounted to have a great
deal of value in spite of crudities and
imperfections that are obvious to all
who dip but a little way into them.
They are the work of a writer of un-
bridled imagination. In a few pages
there are exciting incidents enough to
serve a novelist of this day for an en-
tire volume. Lust, intrigue and mul-
tiplied mystery testify to a fancy as
fecund as that of the Sultana who
saved her head by relating the tales of
the one thousand and one nights in
Arabia.
Philadelphia in Brown's hands at
once became a king of Bagdad. Mar-
•velous houses with winding stairways
and dark basements, dead men who
*y»
come to life, voices in closets, lights
that strangely disappear, treasure
found and lost with much seduction,
suicide and murder make up a record
which contains suggestions for a gen-
eration of story writers. If the plots
could be rid of involution, they would
be enjoyed by the bad boys of our
day. The reader is carried headlong
from one startling situation to
another until he is mentally fagged,
although compelled to read on, in the
end viewing with wonder the singular
flow of the author's imagination.
An impression is created of a mind
too full of possibilities of strange
complications for convenient arrange-
ment and utterance. Probability is
taxed to its limits, although his
friends assert, when they compare his
work with that of other writers, that
these bounds are never passed. The
narrative proceeds in short, tense, di-
rect, high-strung sentences, striking
with the force and regularity of a
trip-hammer. Of charm of style his
readers will acquit Charles Brockden
Brown. Of niceties of language or
care in the arrangement of his ideas
there is almost total lack. Of humor
or epigram there is none. Dialect
is used only awkwardly, and the char-
acters talk in an unchanging mono-
tone. Indeed, dialogue is little re-
sorted to by Brown in his story-tell-
ing, and there are pages and chapters
of statements and confessions unre-
lieved by quotation marks. The nar-
rator, who uses the first person,
changes from time to time, and only
close and continued attention dis-
closes the identity of the speaker.
The most marked defect in Brown's
work, however, is his failure to make
use of all the material which he so
lavishly spreads out before us as his
story proceeds.
"Wieland" errs principally through
the artificiality of the devices em-
ployed to create the tissue of mystery
of which the tale consists. Two ideas
are utilized, the principle of "self-
combustion" by which the elder Wie-
nf tlf? Utierarg ©rate in Ammra
land, the German mystic who has a
temple of prayer somewhere on the
banks of the Wissahickon or Schuyl-
kill, is consumed; and ventriloquism,
an art then new, by which a man for
no sufficient motive induces the
younger Wieland to murder his wife
and children.
The great defect of "Arthur Mer-
vyn," on the other hand, is the intro-
duction of episodes that are forgotten
by the author in the later develop-
ment of his plot. In the end he has
two interesting heroines whose fate
remains to be explained. They are
suddenly abandoned for a third. It
is plain that the author changed his
plans again and again as his work
progressed under his hand. These
faults arose from the fact that the
printer literally stood at his shoulder
while he wrote, after "Wieland" had
whetted the public taste for his sto-
ries, and the manuscript could not be
revised. Such speed was fatal to art
as it w'as to Brown himself.
The facts remain that "Wieland" is
an absorbing tale of mystery, while
"Arthur Mervyn" is more ; it is in its
first part an historical document rank-
ing with Dr. Rush's and Mathew
Carey's writings as a truthful delinea-
tion of the peculiar horrors of the yel-
low fever plague of 1793 in Philadel-
phia. Of his description of the scene
between Welbeck and Mervyn, when
the latter burns up $20,000 in notes,
Brown subsequently wrote to his
brother that "to excite and baffle curi-
osity without shocking belief is the
end to be contemplated. I have en-
deavored to wind up the reader's pas-
sions to the highest pitch and to make
the catastrophe in the highest degree
unexpected and momentous." This
in short was the guiding principle of
Brown's life as a novel writer, and
that he succeeded in spite of defects
which it is easy to see and criticise, is
his title to a national and international
place in literature.
It is impossible to find a measure of
the circulation of his books or of the
profit that accrued to him as their
author. However, it cannot have
been large for he wrote to his brother
Joseph in 1800, after his second suc-
cessful book had appeared: "Seldom
less happy than at present; seldom
has my prospect been a gloomier one.
Yet it may shine when least ex-
pected."
Again he wrote in the same year:
"Book-making is the dullest of all
trades and the utmost that any Amer-
ican can look for in his native coun-
try is to be reimbursed his unavoida-
ble expenses." At his death, his wife
conducted a boarding-house to sus-
tain herself and her children.
Thus the novel was established in
America by an undoubted literary
genius, but on foundations too hastily
and too carelessly built. His own
physical wretchedness, his penury, his
temperament that caused him to work
with unparalleled rapidity — all con-
spire to cast discredit upon his art
and make his achievement seem
vastly smaller than it might have been
under more favorable circumstances.
But blemishes may be forgot in the
presence of such a creative faculty,
and though the reproach be fairly his
that his novels are not read to-day, it
is no conclusive argument against an
author whose place has long been se-
cure in our gallery of literary men.
FBOM THE INTEBNATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHICAL INSTITUTE IN BRUSSELS
Since the invention of printing to 1907,
there have been published in the world
13,063,000 books. Of these 29.43 per cent
are legal and sociological works, 20.46
literary, 12.18 scientific, 11.44 historical
and geographical, 10 theological and
religious, 9 per cent bibliographical, 2.62
artistic, and 1.36 philosophical. Of the
periodical publications of the present
time it is estimated that 48 per cent are
in the English language, 23 in German,
ii in French, 6 per cent in Spanish, 2 per
cent in Italian, and 10 per cent in other
languages.
BRONZE BAS-RELIEF
BT DR. B. TAIT MC KBXCIB OF PHILADELPHIA
FOB THB FBAHKUH IKK CLUB
in Ammra
anil Jlrarttrra nf tarlfl
Durtnra aa Ururalrii in
af 3nljn B3tntl|rup, Surn in Ififlfi ^ Butrh.
and Jlurttana (HauanUrh ^int regarding tl|rir JUjyairal 3110 J*
Nrm •SorUi roaa 3fall of Sjia flratara ^ Vrntnning of Amrrirau fflrbtrinr
BY
WALTER R. STEINER. M.A., M.D.
FORMERLY HOUSE MEDICAL OFFICER IN TUB JOUNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL AT BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
tion here recorded was originally
read before the Johns Hopkins' Hos-
pital Historical Society and present-
ed in the Bulletin of that institution.
It is now authoritatively given, with
some revisions, for the public at
large.
The early Americans were fortu-
nate in having the services of men of
the character and ability of John
Winthrop. His "qualities of human
excellence were mingled in such
happy proportions, that, while he
always wore the air of contentment,
no enterprise in which he engaged
seemed too lofty for his powers."
He was born in Groton Manor,
England, February 12, 1606, and was
educated at Trinity College, Dublin,
and studied law at the Inner Temple.
He entered the English naval service,
sailing with George Villiers, the Duke
of Buckingham, and perfected his ed-
ucation by visiting, in part, at least, in
the public service, not Holland and
France only, in the days of Prince
Maurice and Richelieu, but Venice
and Constantinople.
Traveling in Europe "he sought
the society of men eminent for learn-
ing. Returning to England in the
bloom of life, with the fairest promise
of preferment, he preferred to follow
his father to the New World, regard-
ing 'diversities of countries but as so
many inns,' alike conducting 'to the
journey's end.'"
The New World was full of his
praises ; Puritans and Quakers and
the freemen of Rhode Island were
alike his eulogists ; the Dutch at New
York had confidence in his integrity.
^^^M^HE experiences of John
s Winthrop, junior, one of
m the first physicians in
A • L America, is a most inter-
^^^^Jr esting narrative. When
one considers that a
"doctor's" patients were
scattered in a wilderness, through
which roamed wild beasts and wilder
men, it is indeed remarkable that the
pioneer Americans ever recovered
when once seized with disease.
When the pioneer Americans were
taken sick it many times meant a dar-
ing ride through the forests, with
possible encounters with the Indians,
and it might be a day, or two days,
and very probably a week, before the
messenger returned with the "pre-
scription."
While Winthrop was one of the
earliest physicians in America he was
not the earliest. There were a few
physicians in early Virginia. Dr.
Thomas Wotten, surgeon-general of
the London Company, sailed from
England for Jamestown on December
19, 1606. Dr. Walter Russell was-
another of the little band who came to
Virginia. In the early annals of New
York, Hermain Mynderts Van de
Bogaerdet arrived as a surgeon on
the ship "Endragle" in 1631, and Wil-
liam Deeping on the ship "William of
London" in 1663.
It is through Winthrop's experi-
ences, however, that one gets a clear
insight into the beginning of medical
practice in America, with an inkling
of the "popular" diseases of the times
and their remedies. The investiga-
pfgj0triatt0 in Am^rira — Styrir
long life of this pio-
neer American physi-
cian, John Winthrop,
il makes a unique chapter.
He followed his father
to this country in 1631
and was shortly there-
after made an assistant in the Mas-
sachusetts Colony. A year later
he led a company of twelve to Aga-
wam (now Ipswich), where a settle-
ment was made. In about a year he
returned to England and received a
commission to be governor of the
river Connecticut for one year. On
coming back to America he built a
fort at Saybrook, Connecticut, and re-
sided there part of that time. Then,
making no effort to have the commis-
sion renewed, he returned to Ipswich
and became one of the prudential men
of the town. Subsequently he moved
to Salem, established some salt works
there, made another trip to England,
and finally receiving Fisher's Island
as a grant from the General Court of
Massachusetts, went there in the fall
of 1646. This grant was subse-
quently confirmed by both Connect-
icut and New York. In the spring of
the following year he removed to
Pequot (now New London), but,
after a residence of eight years,
moved to New Haven. From here
lie was called to dwell in Hartford on
t>eing elected governor of Connect-
icut in 1657. He had previously
(September 9, 1647) been given a
commission to execute justice in his
town (Pequot) "according to our
laws and the rule of righteousness,"
and in May, 1651, was elected an
assistant of Connecticut. He served
as governor one year, then became
deputy governor on account of a law
which prevented his re-election. This
law being repealed the next year, he
served continuously as governor from
1659 till his death in 1676, although
in 1667, 1670 and 1675 ne requested
to be relieved of this office.
From his youth he was devoted to
scientific studies and was an omniv-
orous reader of books. Alchemy
greatly interested him and among his
correspondents were numbered Dr.
Robert Child, Sir Kenelm Digby,
George Storkey and Jonathan Brews-
ter, all of whom had like ties. He
was also much attached to astronomy
and with his telescope, which was
"but a tube of 3 foote and a half with
L, concave eye-glasse," he was able to
see five satellites of Jupiter and make
other celestial observations. He was
distrustful of having seen five satel-
lites as Galileo and others had only
observed four. He seemed to enjoy
especially the association with scien-
tific men. In 1661, when he went to
England for a third time, he arrived
not long after the Royal Society for
Improving Useful Knowledge was
organized. It was first organized in
1660 but was not incorporated until
two years later. On December II of
that year he was proposed for mem-
bership by William Brereton, after-
wards Lord Brereton, and was admit-
ted January I, 1662. During his stay
in England, which continued till the
early summer of 1663^ he took an act-
ive part in the society's proceedings,
read a number of papers on a great
variety of subjects, and exhibited
many curious things. Some of his
papers during this period were on
strange tides, the refining of gold, the
making of pitch, tar and potashes, the
building of ships in North America,
and the brewing of beer from maize
bread. Among the things he exhib-
ited were a self-feeding lamp, of his
own invention, malleable mineral lead,
piece of a rock of granite, bluish
grains of corn grown in the West In-
dies, and the tail of a rattlesnake.
He came naturally by his liking for
medicine, as his father had no mean
knowledge of this science. In a let-
ter his father wrote, on the occasion
of his son's illness at Ipswich, he
speaks of drugs and remedies which
show him to be well acquainted with
them. The venerable Cotton says
that the elder Winthrop had been a
"Help for our Bodies by Physick, for
our Estates by Law." This bent
243
A ®0rt0r'a
Wttl| Ijte flattenta
toward medicine existed in other
members of the family also, for we
learn Winthrop's brother Henry's
widow "was much imployed in her
surgurye and hath very good suc-
cesse," and his son Wait and grand-
son John had both a laudable knowl-
edge of medicine for their times.
At this period the offices of clergy-
man and physician were frequently
associated in one individual — in-
stances of what Cotton Mather has
called "the Angelical Conjunction,"
the cure of body combined with the
cure of soul. This association may
largely have been due to the survival
of the custom of the dark ages when
the priests were considered the reposi-
tories of learning and held both of
these offices. There is, however, an
additional reason in the fact that med-
icine alone was not very profitable at
this time, so we find some turning also
to divinity, as Giles Firmin, who "pre-
viously did make and read upon the
one Anatomy in the countrey very
well." In a letter still preserved he
says: "I am strongly sett upon to
studye divinitie : my studies else must
be lost, for physick is but a meene
help."
"The scarcity of physicians in the
Colonies and Winthrop's willingness
to give advice free of charge — so far
as his studies enabled him to do so —
caused him to be much consulted."
Connecticut, Massachusetts and
Rhode Island were the territories in
which his patients mostly lived. They
were frequently sent to him, generally
at Pequot or Hartford, but at times
lu would come to see them in consul-
tation with the village doctor, or
otherwise, when they were too sick to
be moved. Some were also treated
by him by letter, without personal in-
spection. Cotton Mather says:
"Wherever he came, still the Dis-
eased flocked about him. as if the
Healing Angel of Bethesda had ap-
peared in the place."
From his papers, which consist
mostly of letters addressed to him, I
have been able to glean something re-
lating to his career as a physician.
In all I have collected over one hun-
dred medical references.
His first patient appears to have
been his father, who in some way had
injured his finger. On April u, 1628
Winthrop writes his father that he
is sending some yellow and black
plasters which were given him by a
woman "that is very skilful and much
sought unto for these things." Direc-
tions for their use accompany them.
At the end of four days his father
says : "I prayse God my finger is well
amended, my surgeon did his parte
well, and stayde the gangrene and
tooke out the mortified fleshe, but be-
cause your love and peines should not
be lost I have betaken myselfe wholly
to your plaister wch the Surgeon likes
well enough; and I prayse God it
goeth well forward." Some years
later, in 1637, Winthrop's wife seems
to have swallowed some pins. We
do not know what means were em-
ployed to relieve her, but his father
writes him a letter expressing great
gratification that the wife had been
delivered from so great a danger. He
adds : "I hope it will teach my daugh-
ter and other women to take heed of
putting pins in the mouth which was
never seasonable to be fed with such
morsels."
Besides these references we find
many others which show the esteem
in which his family held him for his
medical knowledge. Winthrop's
father-in-law, Hugh Peters, writes
from Salem, saying: "My head is not
well, nor any part at present, for I
cannot get sleepe. I would you
should send mee word what you will
doe therein but rather come over"
(from Ipswich). He later speaks of
his old malady of the "spleene" and
says: "I never had hart or tyme to
attend any cure, that I now give my
life gone ; and shall not live my parts
I feare." How little did he then
know of the truth he was telling, for
in eleven years he was executed as a
regicide, at Charing Cross, on Octo-
ber 16, 1660! Winthrop's brother-
•43
Jurat ItygfitrimtH in Ammra — Sfyrir (Etwtama
in-law, Samuel Symonds, was a
prominent man in Ipswich, and finally
became deputy governor. In 1647
he states that his wife's indigestion
is better and adds: "Good wine (as
you say) is the best cordiall for her."
In a later letter he mentions his
daughter having received some
physick from Winthrop and being
benefited bv it.
Eight years prior to this last com-
munication, in 1641, Winthrop's aunt,
Lucy Downing, from London, tells
him she has "experimented the cro-
us this 2 nights, and found much
though not a totall fredom of payne
thereby." Other letters follow this
cne about her various ailments. One
written January 17, 1661, possesses
some interest and causes us to won-
der what she really had. She says:
"I was taken with a veri sore paine
one my leaft side wich at betwickst
my short ribs and my buckell boone;
and the paine being so sharpe, it was
feared to have been plurisi, but wen
the dockter came he said it was not a
plurisi but he judge it to be the stonne
in the kidney, and thereupon did apli
mani thing both inward and outward
to remove the paine; the extremiti
there of did put me into a veryfeaver-
ish condishion, and to or thre fits of a
fever, and then i was pritti well re-
covered; but retern by a little could,
but I relapsed in to another of those
fits, and then i tried hot brikes to my
side, and bages of fried oats, and up
on the use of them i found the paine
did much mittigate, and then i sent to
the dockter, and he sent me a plaister
wich i found, the same night i laide
it on, it did much dispers the paine all
aboute my bodi, and the neckst morn-
ing i found my seulf much better
than formerli, and both my stomak
and by weast are much better then of
aweake before, but am still verri ten-
der, and forst to kepe my chamber;
but i have veri good hopes that the
p!aister may be a means to prevent
such extremity for the futurr, and the
dockter now thinkes it was some
other trouble and not the stone." She
forbare sending for Winthrop as she
got some ease and hopes of recovery.
'It is well to state that she employed
an amanuensis, so we must not blame
the old lady for this spelling. Two
years before Winthrop's death she
was still living, although well on in
years. Sh^ then mentions her in-
creasing deafness, states that she had
consulted two doctors for it and that
they both agreed "the more she did
tamper with her ears the worse it
might be for her." She is "not will-
ing consequently to a further hazerd
of her ears and her mony allso for
nothing."
Winthrop's niece, Hannah Gallup,
writes to him on two occasions. At
one time she wishes a litle phisicke
and some directions for a "disease
much like the fluxe." In the other
letter he is thanked for the "Physik
and other kindnesses." Stephen and
Samuel, Winthrop's brothers, also,
occasionally write to him about mat-
ters medical. The former, who
served in Cromwell's army and Par-
liament, informs Winthrop, August 2,
1653, that he has been "this two years
extremely troubled wth the Zeatica,
and am just now goeing to the Bath
to see if yt may remedy it. My much
lying in ye wet feilds uppon the
ground hath brought it uppon me, as
it hath uppon many others."
Wait, Winthrop's younger son,
frequently writes to him on medical
topics and often he gets his advice as
to treatment. In 1671, he wishes
some directions for "convultion fitts
in children, they being often troubled
with them here (Boston) ; also for
Mrs. Mary Maning for her old dis-
temper, which you have given her
something for formerly." On other
occasions Wait buys various medi-
cines in Boston for his father such
as opium, jalap, "vitriolum album,"
ivory, and aloes. Once Wait wishes
his father to send some black powder
to him "if ther be opertunity, and you
have any quantitye made. I am
A inrtnr'H
Witt? Ifte
almost out, and have not convenyence
to make any presently."
But aside from attending to his
family's ailments he had many pro-
fessional obligations to perform as
the most prominent men of the colo-
nies, as we shall see, consulted him
frequently in cases of sickness. His
duty to a natient caused him to fore-
go, at one time, the pleasure of meet-
ing Francis Lovelace, the governor of
New York, at Milford. He was
obliged to express his regrets for "he
was ingaged to a deare friend not
long before, who was at the very
Agony of death (as was feared by all
then present there) not to be absent
till an apparent recovery, wch then
was doubtfull, but now (god be
praised) is in a good measure
attained, but there were reasons to
think it might not have beene so, if I
had been fro home."
Elder Goodwin of Cambridge,
Hartford, Hadley and Farmington
thanks him for attending his wife and
child, and declares success crowned
his endeavors in regard to the treat-
ment of the former and wishes as
"the water she used is all spent," that
"the ingreedients and direction how
to use it" be sent them ; "for we are
very loath to breake ofe the use of
such meanes as God hath been pleased
to make so usfull to us in this case."
"His daughter was afflicted with the
palsy and did not seem to be benefit-
ted by the treatment." In a subse-
quent letter we learn that the water
was for Mrs. Goodwin "to wash her
leg with all" and more powder was
desired to make it up "for she fynd-
eth more releife and ease of her greife
by that meanes than by any other she
hath formerly had the use of." The
daughter does not seem to have im-
proved.
John Higginson, then assistant to
Henry Whitfield, the pastor at Guil-
ford, Connecticut, writes a most earn-
est letter to Winthrop, at Pequot, in
1654 or 1655, begging him to come
and see his wife. Higginson does
not say what her sickness was but
declares " the case is such as cannot
be judged without ocular inspection."
He calls it "a very sad affliction, she
being in a very dangerous case as Mr.
Rosseter (the village doctor) and all
our neighbors here doe apprehend."
He hopes that Winthrop's "counsell
and help, together with Mr. Rosseter"
may be the means of preserving her
life, "if so it pleas the Lord."
John Mason, rendered famous by
the Pequot War and subsequently
major-general, commander-in-chief
of the military forces of Connecticut
and for eight years deputy governor,
writes several letters expressing
appreciation for physick and services
rendered to his wife who "as yet re-
maineth ill, yet sometimes a little re-
viveing, with the addition of some-
what more strength."
Thomas Mayhew, governor of
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket,
as well as preacher to the Indians
there, though bowed down by over
three score and ten years, cannot re-
frain from rendering his thanks for
Winthrop's "readiness in sending that
powder for my grandchild together
with advice." I will speak of this
atorain in referring to Winthrop's sov-
ereign remedy Rubila. Mayhew,
agreeing with Higginson as to the
value of ocular inspection, wishes to
know if Winthrop is willing "shee
should com to Conectacute, where
shee may be neare vow, and also the
sight of hir may much more informe
your judgment touching her disease."
Subsequently Mayhew mentions an
attack he had of what may have been
appendicitis. He states the "paine I
had seised one me in the morning be-
tyme, upon the right syde; the paine
was not so broade as the palme of
my hand. It was like to take me of
the stage, but it went away in my
sleepe that night; when I awoke, I
was altogether free of that paine and
of other sore paine which came uppon
me in useing menese by a glystr to
free my sellfe of that." His last let-
MS
Jfftr0t
in Am?rira —
ter, written less than a year before
Winthrop's death, tells us that one of
his grand-daughters had used the
physick sent with success but the lit-
tle ones' had not taken any and we
wonder if Rubila was not the remedy
employed.
Captain John Underbill, of Long
Isiand, heretical, eccentric and illit-
erate yet firmly convinced that God
has made Winthrop "an instrument
of the gud of mani diseased," desires
relief for his wife "whom dayli con-
tinnuse in gret payne, resefing last
yere a payne in her back with alift of
a wayti stone and dayli increses her
payne, and desense in to her left hip,
so that shee can not torn her in bed,
no gooe up rit in the daye." And
again he wishes Winthrop to help "a
gud godli woman, and diere frend
of my wife" whose distemper "is as a
shoutting agew, pricking in her left
side, asending into her temples, and
tieth, bed and jase, and takese her
sometimes too dayse together and
base had it niere 12 months, with such
extremiti as shee can not rest nigh
[t] nor daye, and takes her at aell
sesones, night and daye, shiftting his
course as an ago." He also hopes
Winthrop will send his wife a "littil
whit vitterall."
Roger Williams, the ardent Quaker
and founder of Rhode Island, was
long one of Winthrop's correspond-
ents. In 1649 ne writes about his
daughter, aged seventeen, who had
"taken much physick and bene let
blood but yet no change, she is ad-
vised by some to the Bay : I pray ad-
vize me to whom you judge fittest to
addresse unto of tho Bayes Physi-
tians." At another time he speaks of
his son troubled "with a spice of an
epilepsie;" "We used some reme-
dies," he says, "but it hath pleased
God by his taking of tobacco per-
fectly (as we hope) to cure him."
Mention of Williams will again be
made when we discuss Rubila.
Winthrop's "loveing freind."
George Hethcote, from far off Bar-
badoes asks for something in 1669 "to
stop the groweth of consumption."
His mother had previously told him
he had it, but he put, unwisely in this
case, more confidence in his doctor,
who informed him to the contrary.
He goes on to add "I am much troub-
led with a thin sharp salt youmer that
settles uppon me longes and causes
me to spitt much and sume time
cough but seldom — that powder I had
of the for the spittinge did me much
good." He wishes, consequently
help in medicine and diet so that "the
cause and ground of the consumption
may be taken away if the Lord see
good." Possibly also about, this time
John Tinker appealed to Winthrop on
behalf of his servant, who was in-
jured "by reason of a little stike run
into his head through the hole of his
eare." "We know not what to do,"
he declares, "I intreat your worshipps
advice."
Samuel Gorton of Rhode Island,
"turbulent in disposition," and so
constituted that "every community
wherein he cast his lot was anxious
to get rid of him," but now tamed by
his four score and two years, writes
to Winthrop on August n, 1674, of
his "sore infirmitie and distemper
which hath held him now almost a
whole moneth of dayes." A month
later, with a heart full of thanksgiv-
ing, he pours forth his rejoicings to
Winthrop in a letter which takes up
twenty-five octavo printed pages.
The "cordiall and soveraighne pow-
ders" Winthrop had sent had so done
their work he finds his body "to be
little differing from that which it
was, before the distemper seized"
upon him. Also another "infirmitie"
which was a "benummednesse or like
the crampe" is taken away. He won-
ders consequently "that a thing so
little in quantity, so little in sent, so
little in taste, and so little to sence in
operation, should beget and bring
forth such effects."
Edward Wigglesworth, a minister
of the gospel, thinking he strained
346
A i0rt0r'B
Hill? 8jis $fott*ttt0
himself when being hot he "tooke a
lift" on a cold day in the winter, de-
sires medical aid. He states some
months after the accident "when I
looked upyards being ready to fall
backwards, and when I looked down-
ward, to fall forward. And in my
legs and feet benummedness, as if
they were asleep by lying double un-
der mee." Thinking it was the
scurvy which he previously had, he
neglected to use any means. As he
grew worse the following autumn he
used artificial baths, sixteen in all,
and in the spring following "oiles,
ointments plaisters" but all accom-
plished nothing. Finally a weakness
affected his whole body so that he
could "hardly move his neck a little."
He greatly desired Wlnthrop to come
to New Haven to see him.
Two early governors of Connect-
icut— Edward Hopkins and John
Haynes — also need his services. Hop-
kins appeals to him to see if he can
help his wife's condition. She was
insane. Some "water" seems to have
been sent which was given as direct-
ed, but no "altracion in her" was per-
ceived. Haynes has occasion many
times to ask Winthrop's assistance on
behalf of his wife. In 1649, ne
writes that his wife is yet in the land
of the living but falls into her violent
fits when she tries to sit up. Some
months later we hear that she "is yett
alive, but this month or more was sel-
dom free from her most violent fitts."
Shortly thereafter he wishes to send
her down to Winthrop at Pequot but
could not. He wants to know if the
medicine which has been prescribed
may be safelv given her. Later he
speaks of a "little alteracion of her
fitts appearing, att times" and says
he wants to send her down to Win-
throp during the winter. If she
could not come he would like to know
if anything could be administered
safely to her at such a distance. A
little later he states she has "pain all
over her, especially her right side."
She has also a "short cough, breaths
shorte, stuffed at the stomache, but
rayses not ought." In a footnote he
adds "my wife has paine alsoe on her
left side, although the most is one the
right side, wher the incision was."
How much would we give to inter-
pret what the operation was for!
The remedies employed must have
been somewhat effectual for we read
her "violent fitts are but seldomm, her
cough is abated, and herself able to
sitt upp in a chaire at night for three
or fower howres." She fears, how-
ever, that the supply of the powder
which is to prevent her fits will soon
be done and craves a further supply
of the same. A month later she con-
tinues to improve and new and fresh
supplies of medicines are again asked
for, as the preventing "phisicke is all
spent as is all the rest almost, both
drinke and powders." She was also
troubled with fainting fits and Haynes
wishes to know "whether she might
not take of red cowes milk as for-
merly she did of goates milke." "A
scare paine on her backe" as well as
other aches and ailments demand
Winthrop's attention on other occa-
sions. We imagine he must have
grown weary sometimes in hearing
and reading the long calendar of her
complaints.
In New Haven Colony, Winthrop
had as patients the families of a bril-
liant group of men — Eaton, Daven-
port and Leete. Theophilus Eaton,
the first governor of that colony, was
a pure and noble character. He was
also a long-suffering man by reason
of his second wife, who "seems to
have been in the habit of venting a
very ugly temper in the most outrag-
eous language to the whole family,
from her husband down to Anthony
'the neager.' For she slapped the
face of old Mrs. Eaton' while the
family were at dinner until the gov-
ernor was compelled to hold her
hands; she pinched Mary, the gov-
ernor's daughter by his first marriage,
until she was black and blue and
knocked her head against the dresser
Jtrat pfgatriana in Amerira— Qfynr
which made here nose bleed much;
she slandered Mary, falsely impeach-
ing her character, and in all points
she seems to have been the type of the
vulgar step-mother."
In Eaton's first letter he wishes
Winthrop to come to New Haven
from Pequot and sends a horse to
him so that he could "advise, on
arrival, for recovery of Davenport's
health." Again, thinking to send his
daughter Hopkins in the "ffleete," he
desires Winthrop's opinion as to the
danger of a winter voyage. He later
states: "my wife with thankefulnes
acknowledgeth the good she hath
found by following your directions,
but doth much desire your presence
here, as soone as the season, and your
occasions will permit, both in refer-
ence to my daughter Hopkins, and
my daughter Hannah, who hath bin
exercised these 4 or 5 dayes with
vapours rising (as we conceive) out
of her stomack into her head, hin-
dering both her sleepe and appetite
to meate, and apt to put her into
fainting ffitts, whether from winde or
the mother or from what other cause
I cannot informe. "Hearkening unto
this request, Winthrop went down to
New Haven and prescribed some
remedies. We read that "daughter
Hopkins tooke the first potion of
purging physick he left and hath
kept her bed since and my wife is in
some doubt whether she should give
her any more of it till she have your
advise." In 1655, Eaton informs
Winthrop of daughter Eaton's death
and wishes him to come, if his family
could spare him, to see her husband,
who complained chiefly of a cold, a
cough and a "paine in the reight
side." Samuel Eaton was the son
here mentioned. After Governor
Haynes' death, he married his widow,
of whose ailment we have previously
spoken. The last information we
have of the family ir, when we are
told "daughter Hopkins hath taken
some of her physick and it wrought
kindly."
William Leete, also a governor of
that colony and later of Connecticut,
for some reason or other, did not de-
sire to employ Rossiter (the village
doctor). He consequently, much to
Rossiter's disgust no doubt, consulted
Winthrop on every necessary occa-
sion. At one time he writes "my
wife entreats some more of your
phisick, although she feareth it to
have very contrary operations in Mr.
Rossiter's stomack" — an instance
that professional jealousy existed in
those days.
Leete's family caused him much
concern. In 1658 he writes "our
youngest childe, about 9 weekes old,
liaveing ever since it was 3 or 4 dayes
old, hath appeared full of red spots
or pimples, somewhat like to measles,
and seemed allwayes to be bigg, and
to hang over on the eye browes and
lids; but now of late the eye lidds
have swelled and look very red,
burneing exceedingly, and now at
last they are so sweld up that the
sight is utterly closed in, that he could
not see nor for severall dayes, nor yet
doth, and the verges of the lids, where
they close, have a white seame, like
the white heads of wheales, it is
somewhat extraordinary, such as
none of our woemen can tell that
they have ever scene the like."
This child, Peregrine by name, was
doubtless the cause of many an
anxious moment to his parents.
Leete later writes of "his starting,
and sometimes almost strangling
ffitts, like convulsions, which have
more frequently afflicted the infant of
late than formerly." We are apt to
conceive it probable he says to pro-
ceed from more than ordinary painful
breeding teeth. His eyes seem to be
somewhat better from the use of a
"glasse of eye watter" which was
also used on other of the children so
that "a little further recruit" of the
same was desired. Peregrine did not,
however, monopolize all the family
248
A inrtnr'0 (Enmapnntenr?
itB HattnttB
troubles, for his sister, Graciana, was
a weakly, puny thing and gathered
strength but very little.
Winthrop's treatment seems to have
caused an improvement for shortly
thereafter she began "to slide a chaire
before her and walke after it, after her
ffeeble manner." She caused trouble,
however, in the taking of her medi-
•cine and Leete asks for directions "to
make her willing and apt to take it;
for though it seemes very pleasant of
itselfe, yet is she grown marvailous
awkward and averse from takeing it
in beer. Wherefore I would entreat
you to prescribe to us the varyety of
wayes in which it may be given soe
effectually ; wee doubt els it may doe
much lesse good, being given by force
onely." Andrews' "starting fits" as
well as a "distemper which my son
William's wife can best explain" de-
mand other letters to Winthrop.
Leete also writes about a weak back
which afflicted a neighbor's child.
But John Davenport, the first pas-
tor at New Haven, appears to have
required Winthrop's services most.
In all seventeen letters are to be
found containing medical references,
most of them are about his wife's
prolonged illness, buc some concern
himself. In 1653 he wishes to go to
Pequot to confer with Winthrop over
the state of his body. "My wife." he
adds, "inclineth to our travayling
with you to Boston, if you judge that
a place and time fitt for me to enter
into any course of physick."
Four years later Brother Kerry-
man's eye caused Davenport much
anxiety* and he wrote much to Win-
throp about it. He says the medi-
cines sent gave some benefit "for
it opened the liddes gradually by
litle and litle, and gave him ease.
But, upon the opening of his eye-
liddes, they find that in the eyes,
where the sight was, Is a mattery sub-
stance which brother Peck thinckes
flowed out of it (perad venture it is
the chrystaline humor) ; he saith it
is ragged, or like white ragges un-
dissolved, which yet he thincks may
be easily dissolved ; and from the ball
of the eye groweth a carnous sub-
stance, which covereth the neather
eye lid all over, and at the end of it, in
the corner of the eye, by his nose, is a
tumor of a pretty bignes. Hereby,
his eye seems to be as 2 eyes, to them
that looke upon it; yet sister Herry-
man saith she can see his eye under
that excrescence. The excrescence is
red, and so is his eye. On the 5th
day last he tooke the powder, which
worked very well, bui most upwards,
which, sister thinckes, increased the
swelling about his eye. Brother
Peck thinckes that his eye hath no
sense [in] it, nor can they yet say
whether the sight is wholly lost, or
not, till that white mattery substance
be taken away which is before it."
Herryman intended, until Winthrop's
further directions came, "to put a lit-
tle sugar candie into it for the pres-
ent, which, he saith, may doe some
good, and no hurt."
Before this letter was sealed sis-
ter Herryman came into Daven-
port's study with the good news
that her husband "could stirre his
eye yesterday a litle, and this day
more, and that the excrescence from
the ball of his eye (which she likeneth
to a wheate straw, and toucheth the
underlid), lookes a litle paler then it
did, that the eye lid growes more ply-
able, and he can open it a litle him-
selfe. That tumor by the side of his
nose, she saith, is about the bignes of
a little pea. The white that covers
the black and darke colour of his eye
is as bigg as a penny, and in the mid-
dest of that is that ragged matter I
wrote of before. Brother Herryman
thinckes that he pricked his eye with
a bodkin and that might cause this
ragged thing about his eye. Sister
Herryman and he boath thinck that
what you sent workes well; for he
findes that he can stirr his eye, which
before was as a thing dead and other
good effects. He is alsoe at ease."
From the account we have of her
•49
in Awmra — Qttpir
Davenport's wife must have been an
intensely neurasthenic woman. In
1658 he states that she "hath bene,
diverse times, this sumer, and stil is,
valetudinarious, faint, thirsty, of litle
appetite, and indisposed, sundry
times, yet goes about and is between
times better and cheerful, yet ordi-
narily, in the mornings, shee feeles a
paine in the bottom of her back.;>
Later he speaks of her being "weake
in her spirits and weake stomached."
For her various com^aints Winthrop
dosed her with Rubila (as I will men-
tion later), "pilles" and other un-
known medicines without marked
beneficial effect. The last note we
have of her is in 1667 when Daven-
port, finding her refractory in taking
her remedies, writes in the depth of
his despair to Winthrop, saying "my
wife tooke but halfe of one of the pa-
pers, but could not beare the taste of
it, and is discouraged from taking
any more. I perceive that some
speech from yourselfe would best sat-
isfie her, but if God's providence
puttes a bar in the way, we are called
to submit thereunto."
Davenport, himself seems to have
had a somewhat similar malady for
which he was treated by Winthrop.
After a course of treatment "by the
mercy of God," he declares, "my body
is about to returne to its former state,
the paine being much abated. I am
now content to let nature acte of it-
selfe in hope that by God's blessing
upon suitable diet, I shall be well
againe, in due time."
In addition to all these above
named patients mention should also
be made of a probable one, "Mrs.
John Megs" of Guilford. In 1673,
Joseph Eliot, Higginson's successor
at Guilford, writes "John Megs" a
letter of introduction to Winthrop.
In it he asks aid for Meg's wife, who
has "a gentle beginning of fits of
flatus hypocondriacus yt stir upon
griefe yet without violence for the
present."
The best known remedy Winthrop
put up and dispensed was one of
his own concoction, Rubila, whose
method of making was handed down
to his son Wait and grandson John.
It is to the latter that Increase
Mather wrote on June 23, 1718, de-
siring a considerable equantity of
Rubila sent to Madam Winthrop, his
mother, "for the relief of such as the
Lord shall please to bless it for yir
health." But its composition was un-
known from then on till Dr. Oliver
Wendell Holmes deciphered a manu-
script collection of the medical cases
treated by Governor Winthrop from
1657-1669 and came across the fol-
lowing prescription. It was written,
as most of them, in symbols which
Holmes thus interpreted:
"Four grains of (diaphoretic) an-
timony with twenty grains of nitre
with a little salt of tin making rubila.""
Perhaps, Holmes states, something
was added to redden the powder as he
constantly speaks of rubifying or
viridating his prescriptions, a very
common practice of prescribing when
their powders look a little too much
like plain sugar.
Unfortunately it would seem from
letters subsequently published that
something was purposely omitted.
Winthrop himself sends some of the
powder to his son Wait, and remarks
that it not ground enough, and Wait,
on other occasions, speaks of some, of
his own manufacture, which was not
enough ground, half ground, or
grossly beaten. He says also "it is
best to make it before the weather be
hot" and at another time, "the dog
dayes will not be so good to medle
with rubila in, so it must be deferred
at present."
This remedy appears to have been
a cure-all. It was given as an anti-
dote in case of fevers, as a preventive
against fits, for "sweild legs," for
colds, for colics, for agues — in fact
for any ailment. In a letter to his
brother, Fitz John, Wait states that
he knows "no better antidote in feav-
ers then the black powder, niter,
A inrtnr'a
ta
snakeweed, lignum vita, white cor-
diall powder, unicorn's horn, all of
which you know the use of."
"Mix snakeweed and lig. vitae with
niter to take in the morning; mix
fewer graines apeice of corall, oculi
cancrorum, and ivory, to be taken at
any time; thre or 4 grainens of uni-
corne's horn mixt with the black
powder at night; but remember that
rubila be taken at the beginning of
any illness." Again, discussing Fitz
John's distemper, he says that Rubila
if taken "at the very beginning of it,
must needs abate mach of the ma-
ligntye of it, and so render it lesse
dangerous."
Many in different parts of New
England kept a store of Rubila con-
stantly in the house, from which the
town was supplied whenever neces-
sity arose. When the powder was
exhausted more was written for. In
1653, Deacon Child of Watertown
writes "my wife would entreate you
send to her a parcell of your physick,
divided into portions for young and
ould. She hath had many occasions
to make use thereof,, to the help of
many." Nearly a year later he says
his wife is very ill and "often wisheth
she had a ption of yor phisick by wch
she and other have found good, and is
psuaded should doe again had she off
it." Davenport and wife are, also,
among those who received bountiful
supplies of Rubila on several occa-
sions for themselves, their sick neigh-
bors, and friends. It was once de-
sired by Mrs. Davenport for the good
of the people that needed it, yet she
says, "she had rather have bene with-
out it, then you should get hurt by
sitting up too late." This seems to
imply that Winthrop might have
spent some time in the making of it
or that he chose the night season as
he could then prepaic it in secrecy,
without any interruption. Later
Davenport's supply is wholly spent
so that though some have desired it
they turned away empty. Roger
Williams of Rhode Island "sick of a
cold and feaver" asks that this pow-
der might be sent witn directions. If
the ingredients be costly, he will
thankfully account. He then adds
"I have books that prescribe powders
but yours is probatum in this Coun-
try." Again he asks for more as his
wife wants some for Mrs. Week's
daughter of Warrick.
Though Winthrop died in 1676,
yet John Allyn of Hartford, long
secretary of Connecticut, had not for-
gotten the benefits he had derived
from taking this powder and writes
in 1 68 1 to the governor's son, Wait,
for "a small portion of rubila to ly by
if your store would permit it." John
Winthrop, junior, had previously
been the family physician. At one
time Winthrop writes to his son Wait,
"Tell Mr. Allyn his wife hath a ter-
tian ague wc'i began the day he went
hence, and we hope the worst of it is
over. I was wth hir this morning,
and hir fit was shorter and more mod-
erate then former." Thinking, per-
haps, that too little would be sent he
then says : "I used to take 8 grains at
a time." Richard Wharton of Bos-
ton, also, desired some for his cold
"which he could not vet shake off and
thought that a full supply of it would
have saved him a great deal of blood
wch he had been forced to part with."
And Governor Haynes when John
Winthrop was alive writes, too, for
working physick or powder which
benefitted his wife as "it wrought
very kindly alwaies both causing
vomiting and purdginge." Subse-
quently the usual dose was not effec-
tual for we learn twice it hath not
wrought at all.
The powder seems to have been
rather nauseous in its taste and many
objected to take it. It may have
been the powder William Leete asks
directions about for Graciana his
daughter as "she is grown marvailous
awkward and averse from taking it in
beer." Thomas Mayhew wants some
more for his daughter, we learn, as
she is now willing (probably aft*r
Jfftrat pfjjBtrtattja in Ammra — Styrir Ghtainma
much urgings and inducements) to
take it. With Winthrop's great-
grandson, however, no trifling was
permitted. We read in a pathetic
letter to his son which Wait has left
us: "Poor little Tome taken yester-
day with great pain in his stomach,
belly, and side, like a plurettick
feaver; your mother and most of the
house up with him all night. He
took rubila this morning, and hope he
is better." This might mean though
that little Tome resisted the taking
of this nauseous drug till the morning
when, worn out and tamed, he took
his medicine, as he ought, like a little
man.
When Mr. Stone was sick Daven-
port endeavored to persuade him to
take this powder but did not find him
"inclinable, though he was burthened
in his stomach." In the same letter
Davenport states that Governor New-
man took once Rubila, "but finding
himself sundrie times ready to faint
away, hath not been willing to take it
againe, nor his wife that he should,
though we persuaded and encouraged
him thereunto." Small wonder, then,
is it that Wait Winthrop states "for
feverishness and restlessness" he has
found "nothing help like rubila when
there has been strength to bare it."
The dose generally was one to two
grains, but this amount was at times
exceeded for John Allyn; we saw,
used to take eight grains at a time
and Mrs. Davenport took once "6
graines of rubila." On one occasion
it was advised to be given in a "pill
don up with bread." For "Ashbyes
extreemely sweld leggs" Wait Win-
throp writes "if he would be persuad-
ed to take rubila in such a proportion
as would not work with him tho the
fever be not over and to take it every
day for som time, it wold insensibly
and by degrees take away both the
swelling and every evill symptom ; he
may begin with a grain, or halfe a
grain, and so increase halfe a grain
every day till it begins to make him a
little quamish, and then the next time
decrease halfe a grain or a grain,
and then keep to that proportion."
This dose would be rather a "cordiall
for him than weaken him." It may
make him costive and to overcome
this, a "spoonful or two of molasses
alone, or mixt with a spoonful of oyle,
would be as good as anything."
With such a demand for this pow-
der we are not surprised that Wait is
obliged, on several occasions, to send
for large supplies of some of its in-
gredients. At one time he asks for
"fifty pounds of nitre and twenty
pounds of good tartar free from
dust."
Besides Rubila, Winthrop pre-
scribed niter ("which he ordered in
doses of twenty to thirty grains to
adults and three grains to infants")
iron, sulphur, calomel, rhubarb, guai-
acum, jalap, horse radish, the ano-
dyne mithradate (a shot-gun pre-
scription), coral in powder form, am-
ber and electuary of millipedese. He
also used elecampane, elder, worm-
wood and anise, as well as unicorn's
horn. In 1658 Davenport sends him
"his owne unicornes home" which
Mrs. Davenport had kept safe for
him since he sent it to Mrs. Eaton.
Another remedy he probably used
was one later in his son's pharma-
copoeia. It was known as oculi can-
crorum and was sent him by Sir
Kenelm Digby, who thus describes
its preparation.
"Beate to subtile powder one ounce
of crabbes eyes (in latin called Oculi
Cancrorum), then putt upon it in a
high glasse (because of the ebulli-
tion) foure ounces of strong wine-
vinegar. It will instantlv boyle up
extremely; let it stand till all be
quiett; then straine it through a fine
linon, and of this liquor (wch will
then tast like dead beere ; without anv
sharpenesse) give two spoonefulls att
a time to drinke, three times a day;
and you shall see a strange effect in a
weeke or two."
25*
A Sartnr'B
tH
Although Winthrop treated agues
yet I hope he did not employ the fol-
lowing remedy, also sent him by
Digby who claims to have had "in-
fallible successe" with it:
"Pare the patients nayles when the
fitt is coming on ; and put the .par-
ings into a litle bagge of fine linon
or sarsenet; and tye that about a
•live eeles neck, in a tubbe of water.
The eele will dye, and the patient will
recover. And if a dog or hog eate
that eele, they will also dye."
Winthrop's life, which was thus
devoted so largely to the public weal
in his capacities as statesman and
physician, was brought to a close on
April 5, 1676, but the good which he
wrought is not forgotten and will be
ever cherished, even by future gene-
rations.
WAIT WINTHROP TO (DR.) JOHN WINTHROP IN 1673.
HONORED SR, — I received yours by Mr Roswell, and haue heard noeting from Con-
necticot since, till Mr Steele and Mr Barnad came last weeke and brought newes of yr
health, which, a day or two before they came, was otherwise reported heere, that you
weare sick againe ; but when I had inquired into it, I found noe ground for it (God be
thanked). Mr. Usher did fully understand my proposition about the reserve for three
years, which you doubt of in your letter. Here is little newes. Thay are all well at Salem and
Wenham. I was there about a weeke since. There was a sad accident fell out at Wenham
about a fortnight since. Mr Higenson went from Salem to preach there on the Sabbath day;
and after the evening exercise, he being with severall of this towne at my sisters house, in the
parler, there being a thunder shower, the lightening brake (as I suppose, haveing veiwed
the place, the house being somthing damnified) on the top of the chimny, and balls of fire
came downe into both the lower roomes, and the chamber over the parler, which killed
one Goodman Goldsmith, as he sat by the chimny in the parler, talking with Mr Higgen-
son and others, and through Gods mercy hurt noebody els; only, the mans dog. which laye
under the chayre which he sat in, was killed alsoe. My sister, with all the children, weare
in the outward kitchen, as providence ordered it. Here came one Jones, of Charlestowne,
in from Irland, the last night, but brings not newes that I yet here of, but that severall of
the New England ships bound for England are taken and noe newes that any are arived.
I enquired of Mr Nicoles about his being cured, who tells a strang story about the maner
of it; but all that was done was that his mother tooke the juice of the elder leaves and
dressed his wounds, or sores, which he had in many parts of his body, and gave him the
distilled water to drink, about a gill at a time every morning, or halfe a gill, I am not cer-
taine which, and he was well in a fortnight or 3 weekes, who before dispaired, not only of
being cured, but of life, alsoe. I am apt to believe that a little quantytye of the juice be-
ing drunk would be more effectuall then the distilled water. I have not els to ad but my
duty to yourselfe and love to my sisters and remaine
Your obedient son
Boston, June gth, 1673.
WAIT WINTHEOP.
LETTERS OF ONE OF AMERICA'S FIRST PHYSICIANS
(DR.) JOHN WINTHROP TO HIS FATHER IN 1628.
To the wor his very loving father, John Winthrop, Esq. , in Groton.
SIR, — My duty remembered unto you, I am very sorry to heare that your hande con-
tinueth so ill, but I nope, by Gods providence, you shall finde helpe by those things I have
sent you, which I receyved from a woman that is very skilfull, & much sought unto for
these thinges. She is sister to Mr. Waterhouse the linnen draper in Cheap side, by whose
meanes, I was brought to her. She told me, if you were at London she made noe doubt
but to cure it quicly, but because you cannot come up she therefore gave me these plaisters
to send to you, & said that if it were not gangreened she would warrant them by Gods
helpe to doe you present good. The use of them is as followeth. Take the yellow plaister,
as much as will cover your sore finger all over to the next joynt below the sore, and on the
rest of your finger wheron this plaister doth not lye, lay as muche of the blacke plaister
as will cover it all over, this must be done twice a day, morning & evening, till it beginneth
to grow well, then once a day. The other blacke plaister you must lay all over your hand,
& must not wash it, nor lay any other thing to it. This will draw out the thorne, if any be
in, & heale it both. She will take nothing for it, & therefore I doe the rather credit hir,
for she doth it only for freinds, &c. I pray you therefore use it, & leave of any other
course of surgery. I wish you were here at London where she might dresse it her selfe.
For newes I cannot write so good as the last ; this bearer will fully satisfye you of all pro-
ceedings, which every day alter & change, some like to be good, by & by crosse againe.
For my voyage to new England I doe not resolve (especially following my uncle
Downings advice) except I misse of the Straights, but I will stay till you have sold the
land though I misse of both: thus with my duty remembered againe to your selfe, with my
grandmother & mother, & my love to my brothers & sisters & the rest of our freinds, I
commend you to Gods protection & rest
Your obedeint Son
London: April n, 1628. JOHN WINTHROP.
JOHN WINTHROP, ESQ., TO HIS SON IN 1637.
To his very loving Son, Mr. John Winthrop, at Ipswich, d'd.
MY GOOD SON, — I received your letter, and heartily rejoice and bless the Lord for
his merciful providence towards us all, in delivering your wife from so great a danger.
The Lord make us truly thankful. And I hope it will teach my daughter and other women
to take heed of putting pins in the mouth, which was never seasonable to be fed with such
morsels. I can write you no news, only we had letters from Conectacott, when they were
shut up with snow above a month since, and we at Boston were almost ready to break up
for want of wood, but that it pleased the Lord to open the bay, (which was so frozen that
men went over it in all places,) and mitigate the rigor of the season ; blessed be his name.
On Friday was fortnight, a pinnace was cast away upon Long Island by Natascott, and
Mr. Babbe and others, who were in her, came home upon the ice. We have had one man
frozen to death, and some have lost their fingers and toes. Seven men were carried out to
sea in a little, rotten skiff, and kept there twenty-four hours, without food or fire, and at
last gat to Pullen Point.
We have appointed the general court the 12 of the i month. We shall expect you
here before the court of assistants. So, with all hearty salutations from myself and your
mother to yourself and wife, and little Betty, and all our good friends with you, I com-
mend you to the blessing of the Lord and rest
Your loving father, Jo: W.
I send you herein the warrant for Ipswich and Newbury. Commend me to your
brother and sister Dudley.
"Xlth, 22, 1637.
TRANSCRIBED FROM ORIGINALS BY MRS. ABBIE FOSDICK RANSOM
LETTERS OF ONE OF AMERICA'S FIRST PHYSICIANS
LUCY DOWNING TO (DR.) JOHN WINTHROP IN 1640.
To her most honored nephew, John Winthrop, Esq., this present, Boston.
SIR, — Wee now expect you stay for 6 boyes, you are gone so longe. Indeed wee
want your company very sensible. My lady Susan, I hear, is now deliuered, therefore, in
poynt of good manners, your wife may now presume to be eased of her loade also. If
occasion be for your longer stay, I pray, Sir, let Georg know I expect him with this bear,
Msr. Ruke, or the next conuenience; allso my husband desiers to know if you will part
with some hay that you have ; we are in much want ells. I pray your spediest answeer.
I have experimented the crocus this 2 nights, and found much, though not a totall
fredom of payne theereby. I pray let me know if I may safely aply it to the mould of
my head.
I thank you much for your advise and I pray to my brother also give my many
thanks, and to all my servis and best wishes, is
Yours,
Jan. 29, or Tuesday. (1640-1.) L. D.
All our newes is out of Eng. I hope you haue it before vs. Wee have put his Grace
of Canterbury fast in the Tower ; and if our St. Peter keeps the keyes, his grace is like to
coolie his shins, ere he gets in, this could weather; for we speak only of his confusion and
unpardonable sins.
HUGH PETER TO (DR.) JOHN WINTHROP.
GOOD SON, — My truest love unto you and all yours in Jesus Christ our dearest Lord.
These may certifye you that I doe long for your company as much as the teeming earth
for the rising sun. Let not your wife bee ouerdeiected, for my part I am as deep in my
obstructions as at Rotterdam. I pray speake to your wife that Mat : Lake and my mayd hope
may bee with her, and then I believe shee shall have two tolerable servants. My head is
not well, nor any part at present for I cannot get sleepe. I would you should send me
word what you will doe therin, but rather come over. Oh how my heart is with you. Yon
doe not know how much I need friends and helps.
Tell my dear friend your sister Symonds that I am as low as ever, & wish I knew
how to see her. Thus in much hast & perplexity I take leave & am yours ever,
Salem ult. Sept. Hu. Pm».
HUGH PETER TO (DR.) JOHN WINTHROP IN 1649.
ffor John Winthrop, Jun., Esq., with a (t)oken in paper.
DKF.RE SIR.— I feare you are angry because you doe not heare from mee, nor I from
you. I have by Mr. Gott ordered you what I have in New England (a line effaced) word
I ever loved you and yours, and am truly sensible of all your cares. Nothing under
heaven hath more troubled mee then that you had not my company into New England
with you. I have sent you by this bearer a loade stone which I pray keepe for mee if I
come, if not it is yours. Oh that I were (a line effaced) my old malady & the spleene, &
never had hart or tyme to attend any cure, that now I give my life gone : & shall out live
my parts I feare. My hart is with my God & desire after him in whom I am
Yours ever
30 of April 49. Hu: P«TKR.
LETTERS OF ONE OF AMERICA'S FIRST PHYSICIANS
GOVERNOR JOHN HAYNES TO (DR.) JOHN WINTHROP IN 1653.
To his much honoured ffrind, Jno. Winthrop, Esq. att. his house in Pequott, these bee d'd.
SIR, — I received the powder you last sent, together with your kind token, a fatt
gpate, for which I retorne harty thankes. Thus it pleases you still to lade mee with your
kindness, myselfe too short and awanting for requitall. If this Irish woman is come upp
to you (yourselfe befor being supplied) I pray you let her by the first opportunity bee con-
veied to us, for I did soe order it, hoping to have pleasured, not to burthen you. Mr.
Eaton writt lately to Captaine Cullicke that the English have had another fight at sea with
the Hollander (besides what we had formerly) & have obteined another glorious victory
over them. Thus it pleases God to goe out with our Nation to vindicate our iust quarrel.
Your youngest sonne, (Mr. Waite) hath bine somewhat ill of late complaininge of a paine
in his belly, & withall lookes somewhat heavy eyed, not soe ready to stir upp and downe
as formerly, yett keepes not his bedd, but rises dayly, & seemes for the most parte to have
a pretty good stomache to his meate ; only wee judge it best, for the while, that hee keepe
his chamber. We gave him wormseed (as supposing it might bee wormes, by reason this
time of yeare for fruite, & youth will hardly be restreined wher ther is plenty), 1 thinke,
uppon it Mr. Ffitch said hee voided some wormes, but in regard the paine in his belly fol-
lowed him still at times, we gave him Cardis, (?) & that, wee hope, did him somme good.
This daye wee thinke to give him two graines and a haulfe of your powder, in case he still
remains ill. Wee conceive yourselfe would doe the like if you were present, & somme of
us have bine ill much in like manner, & these thinges were present helpe to them (the
Lord blessinge the meanes) which caused us thus to act. Mr. Ffitch would doe nothing
without my advice & concurrence with him, and my skill is little or nothinge, only I did
as for my owne, & would in truth (in your absence) take the like naturall care, if in my
power to doe ought that ways. I hope there is not the least danndger, yett I could not but
acquaint you with it, because it may please God to direct you to advise for the best, & to
send something usefull for him in that case.
My wife continues much as formerly; she took the yellow powder twise, & only
vomited it up againe, & it wrought noe other or more ; alsoe, since J. Gallop was heere,
she tooke the working powder, 2 graines, but it wrought not at all, insomuch that she at
times is sicke at her stomache; yet her appetite better than formerly.
I have not further to imparte att present, only our respects to yourselfe & Mrs.
Winthrop, with our consideration to Mrs. Lake, (and) Mr. Blinmah, rest
Your assured loving ffrind,
Hartfd. this i4th of the 6th mo: 1653 Jo: HAYNES:
Your sonne became ill uppon Thursday last weeke, & soe hath continewed at times
ever since.
SAMUEL SYMONDS TO (DR.) JOHN WINTHROP, IN 1647.
To his very loving brother, John Winthrop, of Salem, Esq., this Salem.
GOOD BROTHER, — Having this opportunity, I thought good to let you understand
God's providence towards us : my daughter Epps, upon the 22th of this instant, was
delivered of a sonne ; & thanks be to God, both mother and sonne are comfortably well.
We would gladly know what day you will agree upon to bring my sister, that accordingly
we may send you a horse to the water side. I thank God my wife hath bene better in
respect of the paine in the stomach this weeke than formerly ; good wine (as you say) is
the best cordial for her.
I ha^e endeavoured this day to sett that businesse Cosen Downing wrote me about,
on foote, here. I wish earnestly it may be attended, &c My wife desireth thanks to be
returned to my sister for her token. Thus with our love to you both & yours, & to my
Cosen Downing & his, I rest
Your ever loving brother
Ipswich, 24th i2th 1647. SAMUEL SYMONDS.
ONE OF THE FIRST PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA
Born in 1606— Educated at Trinity College, Dublin— Studied Law at the Inner Temple-
Entered the English Naval Service and sailed in an Expedition with the Duke of Buck-
ingham—Immigrated to the New World, became a leading Chemist and was elected
Governor of his Colony— Portrait from Oil Painting at State Capitol at Hartford
LETTERS OF ONE OF AMERICA'S FIRST PHYSICIANS
SAMUEL SYMONDS TO (DR.) JOHN W1NTHROP IN 1658.
To the rigt Worsbipfull John Winthrop, Esqr., Deputy Governour, this present.
Connecticott.
1 IKAKK, BROTHER, — I gladly imbraced this oportumty to salute you with these few
lines. My cosens (all three) were in health, & as merry as very good cheere & Ipswich
f rends could make them, on sixt day last; witness my wife, sister Lake; Sam: M: R:
Mris Rogers, 3 of her sonnes, besides her sonne Hubbard & his, my sonue Epps & his, &c.
We see nothing but matter of hopefulness & incouragment concerning my cosens new con-
dicion. He carrieth himself soe that he gaineth more love & respect, amongst such as
know him.
We hope they will live comfortably together, & that both you & we shall have cause
to bless God in their behalf. We desire my cosens to be with vs this winter as much as
they can. My wife spoke to her. We think she may affourd vs her company now better
than afterward. My daughter M: desires to be excused in not returning an answer to your
loving letter at this tyme. She hath received your phizich for which she humbly thanks
you. Neither she nor her sister R: have had them since you were here. They did follow
your direccions. Thus presenting our love & kinde respects to yourself, my sister, & all
my cosens, I commend you, to the direccion & proteccion of our blessed Saviour & we rest,
Your loving brother,
SAMUEL SYMONDS.
My wife desires to be remembered to my cosen Waite& would entreat him to studdy
hard : but above all to feare God & keep his commands.
Argilla, gbr 2Qth 1658.
STEPHEN WINTHROP TO (DR.) JOHN WINTHROP IN 1653.
To my honored brother, Jo: Winthrop, Esqr., these present, att Pequod or elsewhere in
New England.
DEARE & HONORED BROTHER, — I received yrs, & thanck you most kindly for it. It
was much refreshing to me, though it repeated a great matter of sadness to me, even the
losse of my deare brother, wth whom I was brought upp so constantly; but I know the
Lord sitts in heaven, & doth whatever he will, & we must submit to his pleasure. I should
have writte unto you before, but yt I knew not when the shippswent. Jo: Tinker promised
to call on me but failed me. I have sent a letter of attorny over to you. I am bould to
put in your name yt the others may the better take yor. advice, though I should not put
the trouble of the busness upp you. Truly I doe valew what I have there , for, could I be
assured of my health, I thinck I should come away imediately, for I have no health heare,
& I have been this two years extreamly troubled wth the zeatica, & I am just now goeing
to the bath to see if yt may remedy it. My much lying in ye wet feilds uppon the grownd
hath brought it uppon me, as it has uppon many others. It makes my life very uncom-
fortable. For newes wht should I write to you ? Every passinger will be able to tell you
the latest. At present the warres betweene the Dutch & we contynue, though we have
twice this somere beaten theire maine fleet, consisting off 120 of theire best men of warre;
and at last blocked them upp in theire harbors for severall weekes, though we heare b.
reports they are gott out againe, & we expect a new engagement.
The Dutch embassidors are yet heere ; but there is no likelihood af any agreemt.
We demand three causionary townes of them, ye Brill, Flushing, & Middleborowe, &
400,000! sattisfaccon. They are not yet lowe enough to give it, and so ye case stands. Or
own state is not setled ; or doubtes & feares many. All the comfort is, ye Lord is able to
doe his ovvne worke and finnish it. Mine and my wife humble respects to you & or good
sister, & love to all or nephewes and necces I pray present; & be confident
I am, sir,
Yor most affectionat brother & servant,
Kensington, 2 Augt. '53, S. WINTHROP.
Just now a messinger is come from ye fleet, & brings letters yt say ye two fleets
have been eingaged three dayes, & now the Dut(c)h are flying & or persueing, & y t already
we have taken & sunck fortye of there best men of warre. This is thought will putt an
end to theire warre & make them submitt.
LETTERS OF ONE OF AMERICA'S FIRST PHYSICIANS
LUCY DOWNING TO (DR.) JOHN WINTHROP IN 1674.
For her much honerd nephew, Jhon Winthrop, esq., thes. New Eng.
DEAR CHILD, — In my other leter I have bin so larg as prevents a scale, yet not satis-
fied my self: as to my bodily distempers, which is a great weakness in my back, which was
first ocasioned by a grat fall of my hors in new Eng. behinde Collonel Read, and the 2 last
years I was in Hatly, I had in each of them, 2 daungerous falls, one up staires and one
down staires, which did much bruise that tender parte againe, and had not a devine hand
bin under had bin present death, and still allthought I have not usuallie I have not much
payn there, yet am much disabled in my legds for goeing, especially in could weather or
any could taken, yet I constantly wear some plaster upon it. And my hearing hath much
declined this 3 years last, for the help of which I did advise with a Cambrigh docter, a
very able experunced doter before I came to Londan, and he tould me I must expect my age
to be a great meanes thereof ; and that he feared that the more I did tamper with my eares
the wors it might be for me; and soe a dockter I did advise with hear tould me the like;
and my ould acquaintance in Londan being all gone I am not willing to a further hazerd
of my eares and my mony allso tor nothing. And in Sep. last I was taken with a great
giddiness in my head, and a great noise in my ears, and sickness in my stomach, and a
generall distemper all over me, soe as I was forced presently into my bed ; it would take
me a moment without any warning, and then I should presently sleep and then for a day
or 2 after tacke onelie mace alle whould down with me. But I thank God I have not had
any of that distemper this year, now of the noise in my ears, which I suppose may be be-
cause I now keepe my ears warmer; and since I have had that freedom I thanck God my
stomach is much better. And in respect your sister Peters is now forced for her present
profit to confine herself to a small part of her hous, and I am necessitated by my weakness
to keep a servant to help me, I found it more to my profit ; since I must give 7 pound a
year for my chamber and furnish it myself, and find myself cooles and candilles and was-
ing, and to pay for our boards with her besides, for now allthought I may feare the harder,
yet I can take my owne time, for want of which I formerly sufferd, and now I an less
troublesome to her. But I am now att ten pound a year for my chamber and 3 pound for
my servants wages, and have to extend the other tene pound a year to acomadat for our
meat and drinck; and fof my clothing and all other necessaries I am much to sake, and
more your brother Georg will not hear of for me ; and that it is onely couetousness that
maks me aske more. He last sumer bought another town near Hatly, called Clappum,
cost him 13 or 14 thousand pound, and I really believe one of us 2 are couetons. Cooles
have ben this winter at fiftie shill and 3 pound a chaldron, and wheat at ten shills a bush,
and all other things sutible thereunto. The good Lord helpe me to live by fayth, and not
by sence, whilst he pleas to afforde me a life in this world. And th:s is the onlie cause of
my soe much urgentie in the former leter for supply from what I have there, if it may soe
be. If my nephew Winthrop comes into the Bay this summer I pray show him this leter,
with my servis to him and his: and I am very sory for his loss: and tell him I find a deed
of Groton for my life, wherin himself and his brother Adam Winthrop are feffees in trust
for me, and after me to my son Georg, but whilst I live it inables me to charge what por-
tions apon it I pleas, to be payd therout after my death unto any of our younger children.
In witness therof is my husbands hand and seale the 23 of June 1644. and sealed,
delivered, and acknowlegd befor me, John Winthrop, D. G., and I suppose my brother was
that year deputie Governer. And my nephew Adam tould me it was enroulled at Boston.
And if soe, heare I know it can doe me, nor mine, noe good. I took advise of a frind that
tells me the coutrary, but I would know of my nephew if by that privilegd for my child-
ren, I being in want, I can make any advantage of it for myself whilst I live, and after me
for my daughter Peters, whoe never yet had any portion, and to her I amsuer it will not be
offensive to my son Georg. whilst the principall remains to him, it being his patrimonie.
I pray, daughter, let none see this, but my nephew Winthrop and your self, and to that
purpose I will seale it and superscrib it to him to prevent mistake.
Your very loveing mother,
Apr. the 17 74 Gardner laine. L. D.
FIRST STEAMSHIP TO CROSS ATLANTIC OCEAN
The "Savannah, "under courageous Captain Moses Rogers, a pioneer steam
navigator, sailed from Savannah, Georgia, on May 22, 1819, and arrived in
Liverpool, England, on June 2oth, making the run in 29 days and n hours—
From corrected drawing by C. B. Hudson, made under the direction of Captain
J. W. Collins, of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries in i8£g
and officially incorporated in the Report of the National Museum in 1890
to Olroaa
£rrullrrtinns
iif iflru mini JJariiripatrfc
in tlir JFiret Jfutilr Atirmpta tu
Jntrrret (Capital in tl|f JJiiasibilitirH nf
<I~ mmmuuratimi brtmrru tin* (Cnntinrnta by Strain ,-* (Opening
the (batiMuau1;. nf thr Wnrlfo «* ffiiahirir tUnjagra ** Hunuuiuim nf (£nmmrrrr
BY
C. SEYMOUR BDLLOCK
AfTiiou OF "TiiK MIKACI.K or TIIK FIRST STEAMBOAT"
1XCE the beginning of
time, men have labored
over the mysteries of
navigation by land and
sea and air. The great
problem of availing our-
selves of the power that
is manifest in man and in nature goes
back to creation itself and will be the
strongest element of life until the end
of the ages. The little giant that
now. in hauling the freights upon our
railroads does the work of more
than 250,ooo,ocK) horses, had in the
far-off days been made to open and
close the doors of Greek temples, to
pump water, to turn wheels, to help
in mines, to propel automobiles, and
to provide a way for moving heavy
artillery into the line of battle. When
men brought the dawn of a better day
in which this marvelous power should
willingly >erve the many instead of
the few. the populace scorned its pro-
moters and it> possibilities.
\\hile to-day we are riding the
ocean in luxurious palaces it is well
to remember that patient men gave
their lives to persuade us to accept
the gift that has brought the world
into one common family. Those who
are enjoying its privileges to the full-
est possibility are the very ones who
too frequently repudiate the original
idea.
When Junius Smith conceived
trans-oceanic navigation by steam as
a business proposition the good cap-
tains of trade remarked that "tin
tablislunent of steam communication
with the moon is quite as feasible."
361
and one business authority repeated:
"Earth has its bubbles as the water
hath, and this is one of them."
| FIRST PROMOTER OF TRANS-OCEANIC
STEAM NAVIGATION
Junius Smith, whose scheme of organizing capital to
ply steamships between the continents was consid-
ered chimerical and disdained by both American
and European capitalists — Portrait from an Oil
Painting in possession of his niece, Mrs. William
Lay, Chicago, Illinois— Reproduced by permission
3ftr0t
tn
"We use nor Helm nor Helmsman. Our
tall ships
Have Souls, and plow with Reason up the
deeps ;
All cities, Countries know, and where they
list,
Through billows glide, veiled in obscuring
Mist;
Nor fear they Rocks, nor Dangers on the
way."
3N these words from the
"Odyssey," as found in
Ogilby's edition, one finds
the story foretold of the
steam engine as employed
upon the sea. How
strange and hardly pos-
sible it seems that the whole story of
steam in ocean navigation, when it
had become reality, not prophecy, may
be culled from the memory of one
man's life. I was talking not long
ago with a man who remembered
the sailing of the "Savannah" under
courageous Captain Moses Rogers,
who in 1819 went from Savannah,
Georgia, to Liverpool, England, and
thence to St. Petersburg, Russia, and
back to Savannah — the first steam
voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. A
few days ago I looked upon the "log"
of that famous trip, with the silver
tea-kettle that was presented by Lord
Lydenhurst to the intrepid captain,
which may now be seen in the Na-
tional Museum at Washington.
The "Savannah" was of about
three hundred tans burden, clipper
built and full ship-rigged. She was
propelled by one inclined engine, not
unlike those now in use, with a cylin-
der forty inches in diameter and a pis-
ton stroke of six feet. The boiler
carried a steam pressure of only
twenty pounds. Her paddles were
of wrought iron with only one flange
and were entirely uncovered, though
it is probable that a canvas wheel-
house was made to cover them soon
after the voyage begun. These
wheels were so attached to the shaft
that their removal and shipment on
deck could be accomplished in fifteen
or twenty minutes. There were two
fine cabins for passengers, both hand-
somely furnished, and the thirty-two
berths were in state-rooms that were
provided with all the comforts and
conveniences then demanded. But
the "Savannah" was not properly a
steam-ship. She was an "auxiliary
clipper" and used her engine only a
part of the time. On the voyage to
Liverpool the engine was used for
eighty hours, and on the thirty-three
days' run to Petersburg the engine
was used for about two hundred and
thirty-nine hours or nearly ten days.
After returning home the "Savan-
nah" was once more turned into a
sailing vessel and put upon the old run
between New York and the city for
which she had been named. On the
fifth of November, 1821, while under
the command of Captain Holdridge,
she was driven onto Great South
Beach, opposite Moriches, on the
south shore of Long Island, and be-
came a total loss. Her machinery,
which had been removed, was bought
by James Allaire who exhibited the
cylinder at the fair in the Crystal Pal-
ace, New York, in 1856.
The "Savannah" was not built for
a steamship and entries in the "log"
record the many times when the
wheels were "shipped" and the boat
depended upon its sails. This has led
our British cousins to claim for them-
selves the honors of having first intro-
duced steam navigation on the high
seas. They quote the record of the
"Royal William," built at Cape Blanc
near Quebec, in 1831 to run to Hali-
fax, in sailing from Quebec in 1833,
"under steam for the port of Lon-
don," as a refutation of all our claims.
During my college days at Evan-
ston, Illinois, I met and frequently
talked with James Goudie, builder of
the "Royal William." He told me of
those earliest attempts to master the
terrors of the deep. I here state em-
phatically that nothing more came out
of the voyage of the British "Royal
William" than had come from the
achievement of the American "Sa-
vannah" fourteen years earlier.
,62
rtf
Ungag? ArmHH tljr
SJLM^..*mm«, *n^4 Af~.
-?-faf»&i)p*~»»~ < >^r /.
- ^y r.
— > */>.^' -« •'* //'-•
'
PAGE FROM LOG OF FIRST STEAMBOAT TO CROSS ATLANTIC OCEAN*
The first entry is as follows :
A Journal of a voyage from New York
towards Savannah on board steamship
Savannah : Moses Rogers, Master.
On the fifth page this is changed to
read:
A Harbor Journal on board steam-ship
Savannah, Moses Rogers, Master.
Later on we read :
A Journal of a voyage from Savannah
towards Liverpool on board steam-ship
Savannah, Moses Rogers, Master.
The first entry describing the voy-
age may be found, with the caption of
the first page, in the fac-simile here-
with. The second entry is as fol-
lows :
Remarks on board Monday March 29th,
1819. These 24 hours begins with fresh
breezes and clear. At 4 P. M. the Hilands
of Neversink bore N. b. W. 6 Leagues dis-
tant from which I take my departure. At
10 P. M. took in Topgallant sails. At 6
A. M. set Topgallant sails. At 8 A. M.
Tacked ship to Westward. At n A. M.
took in the Mizon and Fore Top Gallant
Sails. At n A. M. got the Steam up and
it came on to blow fresh air we took the
wheels in on the deck in 30 minutes. At
Meridian fresh breezes and Cloudy. Lat.
by Obs. 39 19.
a63
During the next two days the ves-
sel encountered heavy gales and
strong breeze but on Saturday there
is the entry:
These 24 hours begins balm and pleas-
ant. Used wheels middle of the day.
On the eleventh of May we find
this entry:
These 24 hours begins with light breezes
at N. W. and pleasant. . . . President
of the United States James Monroe and
suit came on board the ship at 7 A. M. to
go to Tybe light. . . . At 8 A. M. got
the Steam up.
After a pleasant excursion, the
first at sea on an ocean-going steam-
ship, the party returned to the city
in the evening. The next day the
first casualty at sea is entered in the
words :
Daniel Claypit cut his left thum off. the
Doctor done it up and then bled James
Monroe.
It was expected that the steamship
would sail for Liverpool on the iQth
and as we have shown elsewhere, it
was so advertised. Doubtless the
cause for delay is to be found in the
following entry :
nf Jftrat Bngage Armas
CAPTAIN OF FIRST OCEAN STEAMSHIP
Moses Rogers, master cf first steamboat to cross
Atlantic — From crayon portrait when Captain
Rogers was about 21 years of age — Artist unknown
May igth John Western coming on
board from the shore fell off the Plank
and was Drounded. he was a native of
Massachusetts. Town of Gray. At 01 A. M.
caught John Western with a boat-hook and
jury was held over an braught in accer-
dental Deth took himm on Ship and put
him in a Coffin.
On the twenty-second. Captain
Rogers "got steam up and at 9 A. M.
started" on the trans-Atlantic voy-
age. There is not much of interest
in the entries until we come to the
record of June second, when we learn
that he :
Stopped the Wheels to clean the clink-
ers out of the furnice. a heavy sea, at 6
P. M. started Wheels again; at 2. A. M.
took in the Wheels.
Land was sighted June sixteenth,
and the next day the "Savannah" be-
ing then off the coast of Ireland, was
boarded by the King's Cutter, "Kite,"
Lieutenant John Bowie.
Unfortunately, the log-book here
as elsewhere, because of its brevity,
is far from satisfactory. However,
in this case we have far fuller account
of the amusing incident in connection
with this boarding of the "Savannah"
by the King's cutter. In a letter to
the Xew London. Connecticut, Ga-
zette, Stephen Rogers, the engineer.
says that the "Savannah" was taken
to be a ship on fire and that:
The admiral dispatched one of the
King's cutters to her relief. Rnt great was
their wonder at their inability, with all
sails set in a fast vessel, to come up with
a ship under bare poles. . . . After
several shots were fired from the cutter,
the engine was stopped, and the surprise
of her crew at the mistake they had made,
as well as their curiosity to see the singu-
lar Yankee craft, can be easily imagined.
They asked permission to go aboard, and
were much gratified by the inspection of
this naval novelty.
Two days later, June 20, they :
Shipped the wheels and furled the sails
and run into the River Murcer. and at 6
P. M. come to anchor off Liverpool with
the small bower anchor.
A stay of twenty-five days was
made at Liverpool during which time
the vessel was not only a center of
curiosity but an object of much sus-
picion. The newspapers of the day
suggested that "this steam operation
may in some manner be connected
with the ambitious views of the
United States." One journal, recall-
ing the fact that Jerome Bonaparte
had offered a large reward to any one
who succeeded in rescuing his brother
Xapoleon from St. Helena, offered
the surmise that the "Savannah" per-
haps had this undertaking in view.
Moses Rogers in his log says :
Naval officers, noblemen, and merchants
from London came down to visit her. and
were curious to ascertain her speed desti-
nation and other particulars.
Later on we find the record of a
case of mutiny among the crew. The
entry for June nineteenth is as fol-
lows:
These 24 hours begins with fresh
breezes and rain. Captain Rogers told
Mr. Blackman to go on shore after Janu-s
Bruce and John Smith to get them on
board. They would not come: the watch-
man put them in a boat, John Smith tried
to nock Mr. Blackmail overboard Struck
him several times, he Swore he would
take Mr. Blackmail's life but Mr. Black-
mail got him on board and he denied his
duty and then he was put in Irons. Mid-
dle and latter part fresh gales at S. W. and
rains.
The next day's entry shows:
John Smith still in Irons.
264
Slug nf
Itogagr ArrnBH Ihr
The following day we find:
At 5 A. M. took tin- Irons off John
Smith he wait to duty.
< >n the twenty-third July the "Sa-
vannah" sailed for St. Petersburg,
'Vetting under way with steam" and
"a large ikvt of \ \>sd> in company."
Copenhagen and Stockholm were
"touched" on the way and at the lat-
ter place she was visited by the royal
family. This visit is recorded as fol-
lows:
His royal Highness Oscar Prince of
Sweden and Norway come on hoard.
While here the "Savannah" was
also visited by "Mr. Huse (Christo-
pher Hughes) the American Minister
and Lady and all the Furran Miners-
tens and their Laydes" and when she
sailed she had on board as a passen-
ger Sir Thomas Graham, Lord Lyne-
dock. of England. She left Stock-
holm on the fifth of September and on
the ninth she reached Cronstadt, hav-
ing used steam for the entire trip.
t'pon the invitation of our ambas-
sador at the court of, St. Petersburg,
when the vessel arrived there, a few
days later, there was a visit by the
Russian Lord High Admiral. Marcus
de Travys. and other distinguished
naval and military officers who tested
her superior qualities by a trip back
to Cr mstadt and return to St. Peters-
burg.
The "Savannah" lingered at St.
Petersburg until the tenth of October.
when she again sailed out under
.'.train and this time with her bow
toward home. Captain Rogers car-
ried away with him as a suhstantia1
leminder of the success of his voyage
a ma.ssive silver. -old-lined tea-ket-
tle. upon which the donor had en-
graved the following inscription:
to Captain Mosrs Rogers of the
Strain-ship Savannah
the first Steam Vessel that had
the \tlantic).
by Sir Thomas Graham. Lord Lynedock,
? passenger from Stockholm to St. Peters-
burg.
September 15. 1819.
Stephen Rogers was also the recip-
ient of many valuable gifts and
among them was a beautiful gold
snuff-box from the Emperor of Rus-
sia.
The "Savannah" arrived at her
home port on the thirtieth of Novem-
ber. The log is continued for about
two weeks afterward and then
abruptly comes to an end. The last
entry but one is so characteristic of
the man who dared to do what no
one else had ever before attempted,
even after it had been foretold by the
man who first brought together for
propulsion a steam engine and a
wheel, that we use it or the closing
words of a sketch necessarily brief:
Frank Smith damd and swore at the
Captain and struck at the Captain and
struck him two or three times and then
Smith was put in Irons.
CAPTAIN MOSES ROGERS AT AGE 40 YEARS
As courageous Captain Rogers steamed into the
port, the people along the shore believed his craft
to be some weird monster and were awe stricken
265
Harr
of l^team Navrigatum
of £arlg &tramboat0 tn Ammran Watrra
STEAM PACKET "CHANCELLOR LIVINGSTON "-1817
Built from plans drawn by Fulton for a corporation that held a monopoly of the waters of
New York state for the use of steam propelled vessels-Photographed from a rare old pnnt
"LEXINGTON"— DESTROYED BY FIRE ON RUN FROM NEW YORK IN 1840
There were about one hundred and fifty passengers and only four were saved— Illustration
is from rare lithograph circulated during the excitement created by news of the disaster
THE "OLIVER ELLSWORTH" BUILT IN ISM-ESCORT AT OPENING OF ERIE CANAL
This was one of the first steamboats to have a large iron boiler— It exploded in 1827, causing much
excitement— The legislature was in session in Connecticut, and the post-rider leaped from his
lathered horse and broke into the assembly hall shouting: "The llllver Ollsworth biled her buster!"
FIRST STEAMSHIP TO SAIL ON THE OCEAN
"Phoenix'" left New York. June 8, 1809— Arrived
at Philadelphia on the i7th— From Oil Painting
in the Stevens Castle at Hoboken, New Jersey
ESCORT TO LAFAYETTE IN AMERICA
"Chief Justice Marshall" in Great Naval Parade
on the Hudson and received an ovation from the
throng— Lost in terrific gale on April 28, 1835
MAIL CARRIER BEATEN BY RAILROADS
" Traveller ''—Built in 1845— Owned by Commodore
Vanderbilt and famed for her fast postal service
FINEST DAY BOAT FROM NEW YORK IN 1832
"Splendid" — One of first " floating palaces "
on Long Island Sound - Noted for speed and size
OLDEST STEAMBOAT'S LONG SERVICE
"Norwich " — Built in 1836 and remaining in active
commission until its destruction last year
DICKENS' "RUNAWAY BATH HOUSE"
"New York"— Built in 1836 and described by the
Distinguished Tourist in his "American Notes"
ONE OF FIRST BOATS TO USE GAS LIGHTS
" Atlantic "—Built in 1846 and went down with fifty
passengers in northwest gale six months later
COMPETED WITH STAGE AND POSTBOY
"New Haven"— Built in 18)5— One of the early
mail carriers in days of keenest rivalry
FITTED OUT TO FILIBUSTER IN CUBA
''Cleopatra ''—One of fastest steamboats In fierce
Apprehended by
sail fo
traffic war of 18^6 —
Government when about to
the
r the West Indies
FIRST BOAT BUILT ON SUBSCRIPTION
" Water Witch " — In 1832 there was a general up-
rising against the " steamboat monopoly " and
the people organized to " break tbe trust "
PASSING THROUGH HELL GATE IN 1825
41 Providence"— Old Lithograph showing steamboat
leaving New York for her run down to Rhode Island
HELD WORLD RECORD DURING HER DAY
" Oregon "— Built In 1845— George Law's favorite
river racer — Wrecked in a collision in 1865
STEAMBOAT LEAVING NEW YORK IN 1824
''Little Providence"— First single beam boat on Long
Island Sound to have a visible " walking beam "
FROM BOSTON TO PORTS IN MAINE
" Boston " — Built in 1831, and became a favorite
for excursionists — From a rare print of 1840
BUILT FOR EMPEROR OF RUSSIA IN 1818
" Emperor Alexander "—Built to go to St. Peters-
burg but never attempted trip across the ocean
ONE OP THE EARLY RATE WARRIORS
" Belle "—Built in 1837 and entered in tbe keen
competition that reduced passage rates to minimum
Jftrsi S>i?am01jtp tn (Ern^a
FIRST STEAMSHIP IN THE WORLD BUILT FOR TRANS-OCEANIC SERVICE
The "British Queen" sailed from Portsmouth, England, July 12, 1839, and arrived at New
York, July 28, 1839— time— fourteen and one-half days— Built by Junius Smith after much diffi-
culty in securing capital for the "chimerical and foolhardy" project — From rare aqua- tint of 1838
The real genesis of steam naviga-
tion so far as it pertains to the ocean,
must be set down for the year 1838
when Junius Smith succeeded in in-
teresting English capital in a project
for building a line of steamships for
ocean service.
The pioneer ocean steamship pro-
moter, Junius Smith, was born at
Plymouth, Connecticut, October 2,
1780, and studied law at Yale.
While on a voyage from Liverpool to
New York, where he then had his
home, he thought of the immense ben-
efits to be gotten from the use of
steam upon ocean vessels. John
Fitch had foreseen it. Others had
thought of it, but with Junius Smith
it became more than thought. He
was the son of General David Smith
who was born in Lebanon, near Nor-
wich, Connecticut, December 2, 1747
(O. S.), and his mother was Ruth
Hitchcock Smith, of Suffield, who
was born March 4, 1750 (O. S.)- He
died at Astoria, New York, January
23, 1853, and shortly after his death
there was brought to light a letter that
he had written to Cyrus W. Field
relative to the laying of the Atlantic
cable and setting out in detail his
earliest experiences in trying to inter-
est men of means in the question of
steamships for the ocean. None of
the New York merchants would have
anything to do with the chimerical
tuning 0f ilj*
scheme and in 1833 he turned to one
of the directors of the London and
Kdinborough Steam Navigation Com-
pany whose vessels were the largest
then afloat. He received no encour-
agement from this quarter — the prop-
osition of trans-oceanic steam com-
merce seemed too visionary for those
practical men. Smith then tried to
charter a ship to open a line under his
own name but no one could be found
who cared to risk a boat for such a
foolhardy undertaking. In 1835 he
published a prospectusof a joint-stock
"Steam Navigation Company" but no
one would buy a share.
Those who did not ridicule and op-
pose every step of the undertaking
stood suspiciously aloof and refused
to give countenance or support to the
project. When an audience was
sought with the Duke of Wellington,
he replied through his field-marshal :
"The Duke of Wellington presents his
compliments to Mr. Smith. The Duke has
no leisure to receive the visits of gentle-
men who have schemes in contemplation
for the alteration of the public establish-
ments."
To show the intellectual grasp that
this pioneer, who advocated doing
away with masts and spars entirely
for steamships, one has only to read
his letters in 1838 to Professor Ben-
jamin Silliman, of Yale, who opposed
his views and almost implied that he
was crazy. One letter reads as fol-
lows :
"The United States of America, stretch-
ing around half a continent with a sea-
coast scopped into numberless bays, har-
bours and inlets, with a government bear-
ing rule over a people almost too inde-
pendent to submit to any, urged on by am-
bition, vain of their acquirements and
proud of their country, is nevertheless
slumbering in dangerous security. To
such a people the power of steam, as a
means of national defence, is of incalcula-
ble value. But do they perceive it, or will
they slumber on until their cities, towns
and villages are battered about their ears?
Do they think that the golden images of
successful avarice set up in every part of
the country are no temptation to the dar-
SECOND STEAMSHIP TO REACH AMERICA FROM THE OLD WORLD
The " Great Western " sailed from Bristol, England, April 8, 1838, and arrived in New York
April 23, 1838— fifteen days later- Cannons from forts and warships boomed as she sailed into
gateway of the New ^ orld's astonished metropolis — Prom an oil painting by Wallers in 1838
FIRST STEAMSHIP OP CUNARD LINE FROM LIVERPOOL TO BOSTON
The "Britannia" made her first trip in 1840. It was on this ship that Dickens experienced the
storm at sea described in his "American Notes," speaking of the many perils of the new science
"BRITANNIA" ICE BOUND IN BOSTON HARBOR IN 1844
From rare print in collection of Mr. Elisha T. Jenks of Middleborough, Massachusetts, showing
steamship making her way through ice canal cut by citizens of Boston who came to her rescue
of ihip VtarliTB (Enmtturr*
ing buccaneer? and do they not perceive
that unless the means of protection corre-
spond with the growth of the thing to be
protected, the probability is that all may be
lost?"
Nothing daunted, Smith steadily
kept at the matter until he had the ear
of someone unafraid of new things
and a company was organized of men
who dared to follow where someone
more daring had opened the way.
Contracts were let and the building of
boats really begun. But before the
first boat was ready for delivery an
opposition company had sprung up
and a date of sailing was announced.
Not to be cheated out of the reward
of their labors the original company
organized by Smith chartered the
"Sirius" which was running between
London, England, and Cork, Ireland.
The "Sirius" was one hundred and
seventy-eight feet long, twenty-five
and a half feet wide, and eighteen
and a quarter feet deep. She meas-
ured seven hundred and three tons.
On the scales one "Sirius" would
have more than balanced four "Cler-
monts" and in a tug-of-war the Eng-
lish boat would have been more than
a match for thirty boats of the Fulton
make, but judged by the standards of
to-day, what an insignificant thing
was the "Sirius." She was built by
Menzies, of Leith, and engined by
Wingate & Company of Whiteinch,
near Glasgow, Scotland. Her pad-
dle-wheels were twenty-four feet in
diameter, and were turned by a
side-lever engine with a five-foot
cylinder and a six-foot stroke. It is
an error to say that the "Sirius"
steamed from London to New York
in eighteen and a half days. She re-
coaled at Cork and sailed thence on
April 14, 1838, and was eighteen
days on the trip. She came into New
York at ten o'clock at night, April 22,
1838, having been caught on a mud-
bank as she came into the harbor
where she was held till the rising of
the tide.
She had been moored to the wharf
only a few hours before the whole
•73
town had heard of the arrival of "a
wonderful thing that streamed across
the ocean and tied up to Jones's
Wharf." The sailors of the water-
front lighted great bonfires and min-
gled with the crowds that gathered
to stand and stare at the prodigy, and
the next day the papers were full of
the strange thing. No vessel before
had ever dared to depend on steam
alone for crossing the awful sea and
this venturesome craft had used up all
her fuel before she reached Sandy
Hook so that it had been necessary to
burn all her extra spars and forty-
three barrels of rosin that she might
enter the upper bay under her own
steam.
In the Marine News there was
an announcement of the arrival of the
"Sirius" and an advertisement of her
return trip, under a cut of the "Sa-
vannah," the only ocean-going ship
with steam equipment of which there
was a picture to be found anywhere.
This advertisement read:
This vessel has superior accommodation,
and is fitted with separate cabins for the
accommodation of families to whom everv
possible attention will be given. Cabin,
$140.00, including provisions, wine, etc.
Second Cabin, $80.00, including provisions,
wine, etc.
The "Sirius," whose crew mutinied
when she was a few days out and de-
clared it utter madness to go farther
on so small a craft, was commanded
by Lieutenant Roberts, of the Royal
Navy, who was afterward lost with
the "President" — the first steamship
to sail through he mists that hide the
shores of the uncharted sea, whose
trackless waters give back no tidings
of the ships they bear. On the return
voyage the "Sirins," whose boiler had
its safety limit for steam set at fifteen
pounds four hundred and fifty tons
of coal for the entire trip. Yester-
day I was reading that to generate
steam for the turbines of the new
sixty-eight thousand horse-power Cu-
narders, one thousand tons of coal
in
will be consumed every twenty-four
hours.
Among the passengers, on this dar-
ing trip across the ocean from New
York, was James Gordon Bennett, the
founder of the New York Herald,
who often told with great relish of his
experiences on board the first steam-
boat to sail from New York to Fal-
mouth, a voyage that consumed eight-
een full days.
But the honors of the "Sirius" were
not long unchallenged. Four days
after she had sailed from Cork, the
"Great Western" steamed out from
Bristol, England, carrying six hun-
dred and sixty tons of coal and hav-
ing on board seven passengers. The
two boats followed practically the
same course, but the "Great Western"
was the superior boat in every way
and outsailed her rival. In spite of
the longer distance that she had to
travel, the "Great Western" arrived
in New York but a few hours after
the "Sirius." At three o'clock on the
afternoon of April 23, 1838, the
booming of cannon on board the men-
of-war in the harbor and in the forts
that guard its approach, announced
the arrival of the second steamboat
from the Old World.
The "Great Western" at once
caught the fancy of the public. She
was two hundred and thirty-six feet
long; the "Sirius" was one hundred
and seventy-eight feet. The latest
arrival was a one thousand, three
hundred and forty ton boat ; the other
measured only seven hundred tons.
The best speed of the "Sirius" was
one hundred and sixty knots a day
but the "Great Western" had sailed
two hundred and forty knots. The
keel of the "Great Western" was laid
in 1836 but not a penny of American
money found its way into the enter-
prise.
Can it be that an unfounded fear of
the deep has kept back American in-
terest in steamships even till to-day
so that after building the fastest and
best sailing vessels that the world ever
knew we have suffered our shipping
interests to pass into other hands?
Must we wait until some nation with
a merchant marine to supplement its
navy threatens us with war before we
shall awaken to the fact that we have
been playing "penny wise and pound
foolish" in our niggardly treatment of
this most important feature in the de-
fence of a nation? With such an ex-
tent of impregnable sea-coast it is im-
possible to offer resistance to the ap-
proach of a hostile fleet unless there
shall be swift merchant ships to co-
operate with the more ponderous
men-of-war.
In the beginning of oceanic steam
service, the two voyages that I have
described inaugurated an era of trans-
portation that has ever been changing
for the better. First came the change
from sails to wooden paddle-wheels
for speed; then from wood to iron
hulls for strength, in 1843 ; next from
the paddle-wheels to the screw, for
economy, in 1856; then from simple
to compound engines to save fuel, in
1856; next from iron to steel hulls to
gain stiffness and save weight, in
1879 ; then from the single to the twin
and triple screw for safety and speed,
in 1889; and finally, to the turbine.
After her return to England the
"Sirius" was again put on the route
between London and Cork, as she
was thought to be too small for the
trans-Atlantic service, where she was
eventually lost, but the "Great West-
ern" continued to sail between the
Old and the New World for a num-
ber of years and was finally sold
to the Royal Mail Line in 1847 anc*
was broken up in 1856.
The "Great Western" made seventy
trips across the Atlantic during her
stay on the New York-Bristol Line,
averaging fifteen and a half days for
the westward passage and thirteen
and a half days for the eastward run.
The quickest trip was made in 1842
when the passage from New York
was accomplished in twelve days and
seven hours. This was most remark-
able sailing and stood as the record
for some time but we must not forget
»74
GREATEST OCEAN GREYHOUND OP 1844— "THE GREAT BRITAIN"
To forge her main shaft the world was given a new Invention— She went ashore off coast of Ire-
land without suffering serious injury, and many years later was engaged In Australian trade—
This ship was the marvel of her time— From an old print taken after the alterations in 1851
that the clipper "Dreadnaught" had
made a trip from New York to
Queenstown in nine days and seven-
teen hours and as late as 1846 the
clipper "Tornado" of the Morgan
Line beat the Cunard steamer across
from Liverpool, arriving in New
York before the steam-propelled craft
arrived in Boston. It was not an un-
common thing then to find a sailing
ship advertised under a guarantee to
reach the destination before the
steamship or forfeit the money paid
for passage.
The speed of the old "Sirius" was
about six knots an hour and the
"Great Western" was somewhat
faster. But who at that day ever
dreamed that any future ship would
make a trip from New York to
Queenstown under an average hourly
speed of 23.58 knots an hour, the best
time of the modern "Kaiser Wilhelm
II," or cover six hundred and one
knots in twenty-four hours, an aver-
age of 24.19 knots an hour, the best
time of the fleet "Deutschland" which
stands as the fastest day's run ever
made by any ship? The contract
speed of the new Cunarders is to
be 25.50 knots an hour and if it shall
ever prove practical to build a boat
that can make thirty knots an hour —
and in view of what has been accom-
plished in less than seventy years
who shall say it is not among the
really probable things — it will be pos-
sible to eat one's dinner in New York
city on Saturday noon and the mid-
day meal in Queenstown the next
Wednesday.
When the "Sirius" was withdrawn
from the trans-Atlantic service her
place was taken by the "British
Queen," which was built by Gerding
and Young of London and was to
have been called "Victoria," but upon
the accession of England's most glori-
ous queen the new boat was given a
new name. Her keel was laid April
i, 1837, and the contract for the en-
gines let to a firm that gave every
•75
tn
promise of meeting all the demands.
After receiving £6,000 sterling this
firm failed and as no other firm could
be found that would agree to take up
the work where they left it, a new
contract was made with Napier and
Company. This caused a delay of
nearly a year and was the reason for
the chartering and dispatching of the
"Sirius."
The "British Queen," which had
cost £90,000, exclusive of the machin-
ery which cost £24,000, was two hun-
dred and seventy-five feet long, thirty-
seven and a half feet wide and twenty-
seven feet deep. Her paddle-wheels
were thirty feet in diameter, made of
iron and the strongest oak. She
sailed from London on July n, 1839,
the passengers embarking at Ports-
mouth on the twelfth and was under
steam at twelve-thirty noon. At two
o'clock Sunday morning, July twenty-
eighth, she was at Sandy Hook, thus
making the passage in fourteen and a
half days. On August first, at two
o'clock, she started back for the re-
turn trip and on August fourteenth
she took her English pilot aboard,
thus making the run from pilot to
pilot — New York to Portsmouth — in
thirteen and a half days.
The same company that had sent
out the "Sirius" and built the "British
Queen" now added the ill-fated
"President" which first sailed from
the Mersey, June 17, 1840. The
"British Queen" was advertised as
sailing from London and the "Presi-
dent" from Liverpool. After two or
three successful trips this beautiful
craft sailed out from New York
Harbor March n, 1841, and was
rever heard from again, save that she
had been sighted by a passing vessel
a few days after sailing and an entrv
on the log of the brig "Poultney,"
sailing from New York to Smyrna,
stating that she had passed "a large
piece of wreckage, sixty feet long
and thirty to forty feet wide, that
looked like the broadside of a steam-
boat, the main-channel having four
dead-eyes, with turned mouldings
and long iron straps. Her hulk was
black with a broad white streak and
large, painted ports. There was a
bight of hawser over a piece of wood
apparently a part of the guards."
Those who knew the boat read in this
description of floating wreckage her
probable fate and whatever of hope
might have lingered in any breast
was dispelled when Captain Jensen,
sailing from the Cape Verde Islands
in the schooner "Moniko," brought in
an account of the finding of the stern-
boat of the ill-starred craft and the
picking up at sea of several casks
bearing the name "President," which
name was also found on several other
casks that had drifted ashore on St.
Nicholas, one of the Cape Verde
group.
The loss of the "President" and the
subsidy granted the new Cunard Line
brought about the financial collapse
of the British and American Steam
Navigation Company and the remain-
ing boat, the "British Queen," was
sold to the Belgian government, and
ultimately found her way into the
hands of the Oriental Company and
ran between Falmouth and Alexan-
dria. Her best time was made on the
voyage that began April 5, 1842, when
she crossed from New York to Ports-
mouth in 12.85 days.
The first boat of the Cunard Line
was the "Britannia" which sailed
from Liverpool for Boston on July 4,
1840. A stop was to be made at Hal-
ifax and for this service the English
government paid a substantial sub-
sidy. Four vessels were built for the
company, having an aggregate ton-
nage of 4,600 tons and a speed of less
than eight knots an hour. The "Bri-
tannia" was two hundred and seven
feet long, thirty-four and a half feet
wide and twenty-two and a half
feet deep. Her paddle-wheels were
twenty-eight and a half feet in diame-
ter and were turned by the common-
type "side-lever engine" which was
first given a standard form by Mauds-
ley & Company of London, about
•76
FIRST AMERICAN STEAMSHIP TO CARRY MAIL TO FRANCE
The " Franklin " subsidized by the Government in 1849 at $150,000 per annum to carry mall be-
tween New York and Havre on fortnightly service— Average time twelve days ten hours— Lost
off Montauk Point, Long Island, July 17, 1854, during tempestuous voyage— From an old print
It is the "Britannia" that our cousin
"Boz" describes in his American
Notes. No such description of a ship
in a storm ever came from any other
pen:
It is the third morning. I am awakened
out of my sleep by a dismal shriek from
my wife, who demands to know whether
there's any danger. I rouse myself, and
look out of bed. The water-jug is plung-
ing and leaping like a lively dolphin; all
the smaller articles are afloat, except my
shoes, which are stranded on a carpet-bag
high and dry, like a couple of coal-barges
Suddenly I see them spring into the air,
and behold the looking-glass, which is
nailed to the wall, sticking fast upon the
ceiling. At the same time, the door en-
tirely disappears, and a new one is opened
in the floor. Then I begin to comprehend
that the state-room is standing on its head.
Before it is possible to make any ar-
rangement at all compatible with this novel
state of things, the ship rights. Before one
can say "Thank Heaven!" she wrongs
again. Before one can cry, "She is
wrong!" she seems to have started for-
ward, and to be a creature actively run-
ning of its own accord, with broken knees
and failing legs, through every variety of
hole and pitfall, and stumbling constantly.
•77
Before one can so much as wonder, she
takes a high leap into the air. Before she
has well done that, she takes a deep dive
into the water. Before she has gained the
surface, she throws a somerset The in-
stant she is on her legs, she rushes back-
ward. And so she goes on, staggering,
heaving, wrestling, leaping, diving, jump-
ing, pitching, throbbing, rolling, and rock-
ing, and going through all these move-
ments, sometimes by turns, and sometimes
all together, until one feels disposed to
roar for mercy.
Such was the comedy side of his
experience. In a letter to his friend
and biographer Dickens shows the
more serious side. To him he wrote :
Of course you will not see in the papers
any true account of our voyage, for they
keep the dangers of the passage, when
there are any, very quiet I observe so
many perils peculiar to steamers that I am
still undecided whether we shall not return
by one of the New York liners. On the
night of the storm I was wondering within
myself where we should all be if the chim-
ney were blown overboard, in which case,
it needs no great observation to discover,
that the vessel must be instantly on fire
from stern to stern. When I went on deck
the next day, I saw that it was held by a
perfect forest of ropes, which had been
rigged in the night. Hewitt told me, when
we were ashore, not before, that they had
men lashed, hoisted up and swinging there,
all through the gale, getting those stays
about it This is not agreeable is it?
This reminds me of a good old
Scotch captain who has recently cast
anchor in the Harbor that is never
ruffled by the winds of storm. On
one of his roughest voyages this old
sea-salt had under his care a very
reverend gentlemen of the "Estab-
lished Kirke" and a party of young-
sters who were not at all reverent.
During the worst of the bad weather
the former had shown himself to be
decidedly nervous and on one occa-
sion had so bothered the captain and
the crew when they were tightening
some ropes that the captain in self-de-
fence had given him the dead end of
a rope and told him to hang onto it as
if his very life was at stake. When
the crew had finished their task the
reverend gentleman was relieved of
his duty with the thanks of the cap-
tain and an aside to the crew that it
had kept the "Sky Pilot" out of the
way for half an hour anyway. As
the fury of the gale increased the cap-
tain had occasion to pass through the
cabin where the "reverend" sat in
prayer and the irreverent sat at a
game of cards. The clergyman ap-
pealed to the captain for an assurance
that the ship was still safe. "Pre-
sairve us, mon," he replied disgust-
edly, "but I do believe you're mair
afeard to go strecht to heaven than
these young cubs be to go strecht to
hell."
Fear of travel by steamboat was not
simply among the "laity." The
learned Dr. Lardner, however wrong-
ly he may be accused of declaring
that a steamboat could never cross the
ocean, was at this time doing all in his
power, both with tongue and pen, to
dissuade men from embarking in so
foolish an undertaking as the estab-
lishment of a line of steamships to
regularly ply between the two worlds.
On every hand it was pointed out that
the objections "could only be regard-
ed as neutralizing to a certain extent
the benefit, if any, of the scheme."
The London Civil Engineer and
Architect's Journal said :
Another formidable objection to Atlan-
tic steam-voyaging arises from the over-
whelming force of the Atlantic storms.
The shock of masses of water roused into
a most violent commotion by the accumu-
lated momentum of every wave in the
whole three thousand miles of foaming
waters is nearly irresistible, and is pro-
ductive of the most injurious effects to
vessels of large dimensions impelled by
immense steam-power. We ourselves hap-
pened to see the "Liverpool" in dock after
exposure to one of these Atlantic storms,
and she was really little better than a
wreck. . . . The "British Queen" it is
well known has been injured on several
occasions and the frames of the engines of
the "Great Western" have been all broken
by the working of the ship.
The whole matter was dismissed
with the words:
The establishment of steam-communi-
cation with the moon is quite as feasible —
"Earth has its bubbles as the water hath,
And this is of them."
However, the companies that had
been organized went steadily forward
and ordered new and larger ships.
In 1842, came Brunei's "Great
Britain" which was described in
the prints of the day as a "huge
leviathan." Her engine developed
1,500 horse-power, or three and three-
quarters times more than that of the
"Great Western." To forge her main
shaft the world was given a new in-
vention— the Naysmith steam-ham-
mer. The hull was of iron and the
whole ship was an embodiment of the
best skill in designing and workman-
ship of that time. On Tuesday, Sep-
tember 22, 1846, the "Great Britain"
left Liverpool for New York with
1 80 passengers — the largest list ever
carried by any one ship up to that
time. At 9:30 that night she struck
on the sandy beach of Dundrum Bay
where she lay for several weeks with-
out having suffered any serious in jury
— a remarkable illustration of the sta-
bility with which the work was put
together. After some slight repairs
she was again put on the route and
many years afterward was still afloat
and engaged in the transportation of
passengers and merchandise to Aus-
tralia and ran as a steamship till 1876.
At last accounts she was lying at the
Falkland Islands as a coal hulk.
As first built the "Great Britain"
was decidedly different from the boat
that became so generally known. She
then had five masts, four of which
were hinged at the trunnion to lower
in heavy weather, and was a "side-
wheeler." Though designed by the
builder of the "Great Eastern," who
had been associated earlier with the
Stevens's in building the first steam-
boats in the world, she was a failure
and for months lay up as a "wreck in
port" But she passed into other
hands and was refitted for service.
The side-wheels and one of the masts
were removed and two oscillating
engines, of five hundred horse-power,
•were installed. As a side-wheeler
she had an extra weight of one hun-
dred tons — that is, the wheels and the
connecting machinery weighed one
hundred and eighty tons. As a pro-
peller the total weight of the wheel
and the machinery was but eighty
tons.
But it was not long before the
"Great Britain" was superseded by
bigger, faster boats. Ships with com-
pound engines were built which left
those of the old single type far be-
hind. The "Bothnia" was the first
compound Cunarder, and when she
crossed the ocean with an average
speed of thirteen knots, carrying 340
passengers and 3,000 tons of cargo,
she was for a time called the "Queen
of the Atlantic." The "Great East-
ern" came before her day, though
she proved a failure in trying
to combine sidewheels and propeller,
she solved many problems which have
been of subsequent aid to the ship-
builder. In many characteristics the
"Great Eastern" was unmatched for
years. Her displacement of 27,000
tons was not surpassed until the
arrival of the 28,500 ton "Oceanic."
And her depth of fifty-seven and a
half feet and beam of eighty-three
feet would still remain the record fig-
ures were they not exceeded by the
new Cunarders, which are sixty feet
deep and eighty-eight feet wide, and
which accordingly surpass any ves-
sels ever built.
To show how transitory is the pres-
tige of the trans- Atlantic flyer the fol-
lowing are named, with the date that
each beat the record of its predeces-
sor: Persia, 1856; Scotia, 1866; City
of Brussels, 1869; Baltic, 1873; City
of Berlin, 1875; Germanic, 1876';
Britannic, 1877; Arizona, 1880;
Alaska, 1882; Oregon, 1884; Amer-
ica, 1884; Etruria, 1885; Umbria.
1887; City of Paris, 1889; Majestic,
1891 ; Teutonic, 1891 ; Campania,
1893 ; Lucania, 1893 ; Kaiser Wilhelm
der Grosse, 1897; Deutschland, 1900,
and Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1904.
And in this race for supremacy
every mechanical factor has been de-
veloped as far as engineering skill
would permit. As the single engine
was followed by the double engine, so
the double engine has been succeeded
by the quadruple. The single screw
gave way to the twin screw boat, and
now, with the "Mauretania," the four
screw ship has come. Indeed, it
would seem that the prophecy of the
late Lord Inverclyde, head of the Cu-
nard Company, would some day be
realized — that the steamship of the
future would have propellers all along
its bottom, and that it would exceed
in speed even the fastest express
trains.
So gradual, however, has been the
development of the steamship that the
people of to-day fail to realize how
tremendous it has been. The great
monarchs of the deep come in and go
out of New York Harbor, but so long
as no accident happens to them the
city pays little heed. What business
Jtrsi
tn (Eroaa
man to-day leaves his work simply to
look at an arriving transatlantic liner ?
The day when the whole town rushed
down to the water-front to stare at
the "Sirius" will doubtless never be
repeated. No matter how big or how
fast may be the ships of the future
they will never arouse the excitement
and the curiosity of those early days.
In 1844 Boston Harbor was frozen
solid. The citizens, fearing that the
terminal of the line might be changed
to New York, cut a channel up to the
very wharf.
In those early days it was the cus-
tom to carry live sheep and cattle that
were butchered on board as needed
for food. A stall for cows was also
one of the adjuncts of a ship. Think
of what a herd of Jerseys it would re-
quire now to furnish the three thou-
sand quarts of milk and cream used
on an ordinary passenger ship on a
single trip across the ocean! A
glance at the deck plan of the "Bri-
tannia" will show the arrangement of
the slaughter-house and the cow-stall.
Think of what it means to speak of
a sixty-eight thousand horse-power
engine, such as is planned for the new
Cunarder turbines. If the sixty-
eight thousand horse-power engine
were to be replaced by sixty-eight
thousand horse-power of human mus-
cles, there would have to be three re-
lays of men at the treadmill, or what-
ever other appliance would be used.
Each eight-hour shift would require
six hundred and eighty thousand men
and for the three shifts there would
be two million and forty thousand
men — a population below deck larger
than that of any city of the world ex-
cept London. If the problem were to
give the ship the high speed of the
railway locomotive the figures would
vanish in the unthinkable. The pis-
ton speed in 1838 was not more than
two hundred feet per minute. In
1860 it had reached four hundred feet
and to-day a speed of more than a
thousand feet is common.
Strange as it may seem, the United
States, after having first solved the
practicability of the steam engine has
had but little to do with its develop-
ment upon the ocean. Other coun-
tries have been quick to see the value
of a merchant marine and have given
large bonuses as an inducement to
both brains and money, but we have
lagged away behind. During the
year 1903 not one American ship en-
tered or cleared from a single port in
Germany, Russia, Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, Austria-Hungary, Greece,
or the Netherlands. With the larg-
est export trade of all the nations and
the greatest extent of navigable coast
line, we have the smallest merchant
marine.
Last year we paid $200,000,000 in
freights to ocean ships and carried
only seven per cent of it in American
vessels, the balance, or $186,000,000,
going into the treasury of foreigners.
In 1821 we carried eighty-three per
cent of our foreign commerce. In
1903 we caried only seven per cent
and the total volume of our commerce
had increased twenty-fold. Can we
stand this forever?
The first steamers built in this
country to cross the ocean were built
for foreigners. This was in 1841
and the two boats were at first known
as the "Lion" and the "Eagle" but
when they went into the Spanish
navy they were called the "Regent"
and the "Congress." At about the
same time the "Kamschatka" was
built by W. H. Brown, of New York,
for the Russian navy and our engi-
neers were at work on the "Missouri"
and the "Mississippi," much larger
vessels, for our navy.
The first American steamship
owned or run by an American com-
pany in transportation to or from
any European port was built in 1847
when the Ocean Steam Navigation
Company had two boats built by
Westervelt and Mackay, at New
York, which they named the "Wash-
ington" and the "Hermon." They
ran to Bremen, touching at Cowes,
under a contract with the United
States to carry mail for $200,000 per
«8o
*B?gtntttttg nf
annum. The postage on letters to
Europe at this time was twenty-four
cents for one-half ounce or less, forty-
eight cents for anything between a
half ounce and an ounce and fifteen
cents for every additional half ounce.
Newspapers and pamphlets were car-
ried for three cents each. Ten years
later Congress refused to renew the
contract, made no appropriation to
cover the transportation of foreign
mails, and the company was com-
pelled to withdraw its vessels from
the service.
In the same year, 1847, tnat
the "Washington" began her trips,
Charles H. Marshall & Company,
owners of the famous "Black Ball"
line of packets running from New
York to Liverpool, gave a contract to
William H. Webb to build the steam-
ship "United States." This vessel
made but one round trip and not
proving a success as to payability was
sold to the Prussian government and
turned into a steam frigate but after-
ward found her way into the mer-
chant service where she plied for
years.
In 1849, tne New York and Havre
Steam Navigation Company was also
given a contract by the government to
carry mail between New York and
Havre, touching at Cowes, for which
they were to receive $150,000 per an-
num for a fortnightly service, and
built the "Franklin" and the "Hum-
boldt." The average time of the line
to Havre was twelve days and ten
hours. The line to Bremen had an
average of fourteen days and nine
hours. The two boats on the Havre
line continued in service until they
were lost — the "Humboldt" in enter-
ing the harbor at Halifax, December
5, 1853, and the "Franklin" off Mon-
tauk Point, Long Island, July 17,
1854. Two vessels were chartered
to take their place until the "Arago"
and the "Fulton" were built, in 1855,
which continued on the run till 1861
when they were chartered by the
United States government service in
the war.
The next line to carry the Ameri-
can flag was the famous Collins Line,
under the corporate name of "The
New York and Liverpool U. S. Mail
S. S. Co." The paid-in capital of the
company was $1,200,000 and four
vessels were built from models made
by George Steers, the designer of the
yacht "America." The first, the
"Atlantic," was built in 1849 by Wil-
liam H. Brown ; the second, the "Pa-
cific," was built the same year by
Brown and Bell. In the next year
two others, the "Arctic" and the "Bal-
tic," were built by the same firms.
A description of the "Atlantic"
from a contemporary magazine will
show what magnificent vessels were
placed upon this line :
The "Atlantic" is two hundred and sev-
enty six feet on the keel and forty-five feet
wide. The stem is rounded and has in
the center the American eagle clasping the
star and striped shield but no other device.
. . . There is a colossal figure head at
the bow. ... A house at the stern
contains a smoking-room, and a small
compartment completely shelters from the
weather the steersman. . . . This smok-
ing-room is the principal prospect of the
man at the helm, who, however, has to
steer according to his signals. Before
him is a painted intimation that one bell
means "port" and two bells mean "star-
board;" a like intimation appears on the
large bell in the bow of the ship. Accord-
ing to the striking of the bell, so must he
steer. . . . The great saloon below
deck is sixty-seven feet long and the din-
ing-saloon is sixty feet long; both are
twenty feet broad and are separated from
each other by the steward's pantry.
Panels containing beautifully finished em-
blems of each of the states in the Union
and a few other devices that savor very
strongly of republicanism are on every
side. For example, a young and beautiful
figure, all radiant with health and energy,
wearing a cap of liberty and waving a
drawn sword is represented as trampling
on a feudal prince from whose head a
crown has rolled in the dust The cabin
windows are beautifully painted glass em-
bellished with the arms of New York and
other cities in the states. Large circular
glass ventilators reaching from the deck
to the lower saloon are also richly orna-
mented while handsome mirrors multiply
all this splendor. . . . There are one
hundred and fifty berths ... the most
novel feature about them being the "wed-
281
to
ding-berths," which are wider and more
handsomely furnished than the others, in-
tended for such newly married couples as
wish to spend the first fortnight of their
honeymoon on the Atlantic. Such berths
are, it seems, always to be found on board
the principal river steamers in America,
but as yet are unknown on this side of the
water.
The line started under a contract
to carry the United States Mail for
$385,000 per annum and this was
afterward increased to $858,000, yet
the great expense of pushing the ves-
sels at a rate of speed beyond any-
thing that had ever been attempted
before and the necessary repairs that
such an undertaking involved kept
the line from becoming anything like
a paying investment. Before a solid
foundation had been reached the gov-
ernment subsidy was withdrawn and
the company that had in it more of
promise for the future of the country
than any other single enterprise was
forced to the wall. The loss of the
"Arctic" had crippled the finances of
the company but it is more than prob-
able that it would have been able to
weather the storm if the interests of
the South and Southwestern states
had not united to cut down all the
appropriations recommended in Con-
gress that were in any way to be con-
strued as being inimical to their de-
mands. Thus the line received its
death-blow — virtually killed in the
house of its friends.
The first American screw steam-
ship to cross the Atlantic was the
"Pioneer" which sailed from New
York to Liverpool in October, 1851,
which was followed the same year by
the "City of Pittsburgh." Out of the
line that despatched the "City of
Pittsburgh" came the Inman Line
which in later years ran some of the
best boats to be found upon the ocean.
New York capitalists built the
"Ericcson," in 1853, to test the use
of hot air instead of steam as a motive
power. The "Caloric Ship" was a
failure and her engines were removed
for the installation of the much
abused steam engines. After the
change this boat ran for some time on
the Collins line to Bremen and was
later sold to Boston parties who re-
moved the machinery and converted
her into a sailing-vessel for the East
India trade. As an illustration of
much advertising and little real merit
the hot-air engine of Ericcson has its
counterpart in the "liquid air" pro-
jects of to-day.
Commodore Vanderbilt made a
proposition to the Post Office Depart-
ment in 1855 to run boats alternately
with the Collins Line for $15,000 a
trip if the speed of the Cunard Line
was to be taken as a basis for sailing
and $19,250 a trip if the speed of the
Collins Line was to be maintained.
Congress rejected the proposition, as
it did a later one, to carry the mail to
Southampton and Havre for $16,680
a trip, the rate paid the Cunard Line
by the English government. The
next year he ran the "North Star"
and the "Ariel" to Bremen for two
trips and in 1857 the "Vanderbilt,"
"Ariel" and "North Star" were put
on the run. But there was no money
in the undertaking and it was aban-
doned.
No other steamship line carried the
American flag until after the close of
the war when the Ruger Brothers and
their associates started the North
American Lloyds, but this enterprise
also proved a failure. Another at-
tempt was made in 1867 and still
another in 1868 but both went as their
predecessor had gone.
In 1871 the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, wanting to increase the
foreign business of the line, was in-
strumental in the organization of the
American Line whose vessels during
1875-8 made some very remark-
able time. In 1884 this line was
merged into the International Navi-
gation Company, which in 1886
gained control of the Inman Line.
Between 1838 and 1879 there were
one hundred and forty-four steamers,
counting all classes, lost at sea while
engaged in trans-Atlantic service.
Perhaps the most noted of all was the
a8i
nf ttyt
(Enrnmerr?
"President," to which I have re-
ferred. Since 1879 the most mem-
orable Atlantic ocean disasters would
make a list, including the burning at
sea of the "Egypt," of the National
Line, and the "City of Montreal," of
the Inman Line, both without loss of
life; the stranding of the "State of
Virginia," of the State Line, on the
quicksands of Sable Island which
quickly entombed her; the sinking of
the "State of Florida," of that same
line, by collision with a sailing ship;
the disappearance of the National
Liner "Erin," which is supposed to
have foundered at sea, and the sink-
ing of the magnificent "Oregon" of
the Cunard Line off Fire Island
through a collision with a coal
schooner.
From these beginnings, and upon
these tragedies, built upon the persist-
ence of Junius Smith, the great com-
merce of the nations has developed ;
the gateways of the world have been
thrown wide open; the continents,
which were literally as far away from
one another as the planets, have been
drawn together until to-day the peo-
ples of the earth are. all near neigh-
bors. The "sound-headed" Ameri-
can business men pronounced the plan
to establish trans-oceanic service as
"chimerical" and refused to invest in
the "impracticable project."
Progress in every line of the
world's work has been made against
public opinion and in the face of pub •
lie ridicule. Such is the way of hu-
man nature. How many of the pres-
ent day "masters of finance," whose
chance and daring have accumulated
colossal fortunes, would invest in a
project to establish aerial navigation
between New York and Liverpool?
While aerial navigation is not as well
advanced now as was steam naviga-
tion when capitalists disdained Junius
Smith, it is fully as "tangible" as was
steam navigation when John Fitch
invited public attention to the pos-
sibilities of propulsion of vessels by
steam. Are its inventors passing
through the same experiences? Is
"conservative" capital holding back
the day of aerial navigation?
As I look on the tragedies of un-
fortunate men with "original ideas" I
find that new epochs are opened only
by the sacrifice of some genius who
lays down his life as the price of
progress.
I believe the fact has been fully es-
tablished that John Fitch, not Robert
Fulton, is the "father of steam navi-
gation," but it is to Fulton that we
also owe a great debt. It was his.
financiering that developed "the other
man's ideas."
We have many John Fitches with
their so-called "chimerical" ideas.
They are haunting our patent offices
with their "perpetual motions." They
are wearing their lives away over
their crude models only to find that
the great world does not open its
arms to "radical ideas."
We have multitudes of Dukes of
Wellingtons who have "no leisure to
receive the visits of gentlemen who
have schemes in contemplation for the
alteration of public establishments."
We need more Robert Fultons in
American business.
We need more Junius Smiths to
move the world along.
(From an Old Song)
"Rocked in the cradle of the deep,
I lay me down in peace to sleep.
Secure I rest upon the wave.
For Thou, O Lord, hast power to save.
I know Thou wilt not slight my call,
For Thou dost mark the sparrow's fall."
"And such the trust that still were mine.
Though stormy winds sweep o'er the brine.
Or though the tempest's fiery breath
Roused me from sleep, to wreck and death.
In ocean's wave still safe with Thee,
The germ of Immortality."
Srtala in lEarhj ifttstir?
(ftourt
of 3Jactirr 3abr? Brainrrb
£*rUmn Olrlmra
Qforaing anb Ihtratrtng "
&*nt?nrrii tn &turkfl
(Durr la thrtr (£rri>ttnrH in
" (gttig "
Srbinni 3Prapt?ntlg
iBrntmmuj of Amrrtran tarn
sr
REVEREND BERT FRANCIS CASE
IN POSSESSION or THK ORIGINAL, COURT RECORD
SHE official doings of a Jus-
tice of the Peace in Re-
volutionary times is not
without its points of in-
terest and instruction.
The book from which
these records are taken
belonged first to Justice Jabez
Brainerd of Haddam and cover the
years 1773-1775. Afterwards his
son-in-law, Joseph Dart of Middle
Haddam (town of Chatham), came
into possession of the book — and he,
with a very proper sense of econ-
omy, used the remaining blank pages
to continue the story (with varia-
tions) which his father-in-law had so
well begun.
In turning the pages of this
ancient record it is assumed that
whenever the name of a long-for-
gotten ancestor of the living reader
comes into view, said reader will
have a saving sense of humor.
There is no doubt that in those
days considerable indulgence was
shown the steady drinker, but, if
he allowed himself to be carried by
the enthusiasm of his calling beyond
a certain point, some unfavorable
comment was usually forthcoming.
One of the first records concerns
one Ben'mB , who in June, 1773,
was sternly required to confess a
judgment against himself of "8
shillings fine for the sin of drunk-
ness and one shilling cost." A con-
fession that Benjamin was persuaded
to repeat in December of the same
year. Ready enough was Benjamin
to confess but rather slow to pay up.
We do not find his account adorned
with the words "paid for," which is
the encouraging foot note to the ac-
count of Abijah B , Jr., who en-
countered a six shilling judgment
the same year.
The breach of the Sabbath was
regarded as a more serious offense,
it would appear, than "profane curs-
ing and swairing," or even the "sin
of drunkness"; for it brought a fine
of ten shillings and one shilling cost
to Hezekiah B of Middletown,
in June, 1774, an offense and fine
quickly repeated in the case of one
Noadiah B , who should have
profited more by Hezekiah's expe-
rience— a thing, however, that man
seldom does.
The same fruitful year also handed
out a judgment of three shillings
(paid) to one of the young B sfor
"playing at meeting." The B
horizon, it is true, had its gloomy
aspects — yet hope dies hard — and it
was Jacob B who conceived the
brilliant idea of himself turning
prosecutor. A neighbor was sum-
moned to court to answer to a book
account which Jacob triumphantly
produced. His demand was only
"twelve shillings Lawful money said
to be Due by Book."
"The parties appeared," pains-
takingly records Justice Brainerd,
ffiourt Sworh nf 3lafo»2 Sramrcb, 1TT3-ITT5
"and ware at Issue on the plea of
owe nothing and ware fully Heard
with there Evedances. In the Case
and this Court is of opinion
that the Def'd Doth not ow the
plaintiff in manner and forme as set
forth in His Dicklaration and that
the said Defendant shall Recover of
the plantiff His cost taxed at ^o,
o6s, Q-]d"
But other equally adventurous
spirits were abroad. Samuel Scovil
was constable in Haddam in those
days, and that meant something to
Sabbath day travelers, though they
seldom comprehended it in time.
And be it also remarked Samuel
Brooks was "one of the Grand jurors
of our Sovereign the King." The
two Samuels were an industrious
pair — as three gentlemen from Mid-
dletown discovered when appre-
hended and fined five shillings apiece
(Feb. 20, 1775), "for travilng on the
Sabbath Day."
And it was just a week later that
the watchful Samuel persuaded
Charles Wright "of the provence
and city of New York " to delay his
journey long enough to deposit 5*
Lawful money and zs charges for
the benefit and use of the town
treasury.
A very nice way of discharging a
debt, when there was nothing to pay
with— one of the common sense ar-
rangements of ye olden time not
without merit if it could be evoked
by present day creditors — was that
followed by "Joseph towner" of
Haddam, in September, 1773. He
held the note of "John Smith tailler,
a transhant person," for "three
pound eight shillings Lawfull
money." The Def'd being unable
to discharge the debt, having no
money lawful or otherwise, was as-
signed "in Servis to the said Joseph
towner the terme of one year and
six month." One only wonders
what John Smith "tailler's" earning
capacity was under favorable cir-
cumstances if it took 18 months of
steady labor to pay a debt of 3^, &s.
One of Haddam's established in-
stitutions that never attained any
very wide popularity and for whose
vacant places there was never any
very brisk competition — was the
stocks.
December ai, 1773, the case of
Elisha C , Jr., was under inves-
tigation. It would appear that some
four months before the above date
Elisha had been rather over enthu-
siastic in a celebration of some sort,
and at last "two of the Grand
Juriors of our Soverign Lord the
King," viz., "Charles sears and
Abraham tyler" got busy in the
matter. It was charged that Elisha
was seen "Between His own House
and the meeting House in s'd Had-
dam much Bereveed and Disinabled
In the use of his Reason and Under-
standing appearing in his speech
and Jestures and Behavior."
"Not Gilty," was Elisha's plea.
But when the "evidance for the
.King ware swore and gave in there
evidences," the court said "Gilty."
Whereupon the following choice was
given Elisha: "To pay a fine of
Eight Shilling Lawfull money to Be
for the use and Benefit of the Town
of Haddam, or "to set in the Stocks
one hour."
An hour to be sure was only 60
minutes, and to sit still for 60 min-
utes was not a difficult feat; but for
collateral reasons no doubt, it was
not to Elisha's liking, so we have
this simple foot note — "the fine and
cost paid."
In May, 1774, one AmosD of
"Dirham" was investigated. It was
said that he did "swair Rashly and
vainly By the Holy name of God on
the 1 8 Day of April Last pas in the
Highway near the Dwelling house of
Jabez Brainerd in Haddam." On
being adjudged "Gilty, "he also is
given a choice: A six shilling fine or
a seat in the stocks for one hour and
a half. History fails to reveal the
choice that Amos made, but no
doubt the state of his exchequer was
a determining factor.
©rtala in Sarlg 3fu0ito GhmrtH in Ammra
One thing to be noted in the case
of a not guilty verdict is that such a
verdict did not always bring the
comfort that was supposed to go
with it. There is the case of Capt'n
Abner P .
In January, 1775 he was living in
Waterbury, having removed from
Haddam in September of the previ-
ous year.
In December, 1774, three of the
King's Grand Jurors in Haddam —
Dan'll Ventross, Ezera Tyler and
Josiah Huntington — issued an " In-
formation" against the Captain.
Being much longed for and sent for
the accommodating Captain con-
sented to return to Haddam for a
short time in January. It was
averred that in the previous Septem-
ber he "Did swair Rashly, vainly
and profainly in his then Dwelling
House in s'd Haddam." The ver-
dict was that "the said p is not
Gilty In manner and forme as set
forth in s'd Deckileration and there-
fore may be Dismissed He paying
the cost taxed at £i, 2S, 8d."
Perhaps the accommodating Cap-
tain regretted that he had not sworn
rashly and vainly as charged. Per-
haps he took an early opportunity
to experiment in that line. But of
one thing we may be sure his long-
ings to return to old Haddam and
end his days there was over.
This was January 10. That same
night the Captain, in honor of his
temporary sojourn in Haddam — and
perhaps, in celebration of his rather
doubtful victory in court — got up a
little tea party. A fair assumption,
as we have it recorded that he at
tended Court next day and confessed
a judgment against himself for the
"sin of Intemperance." Having
thus behaved in a fairly generous
way toward the town treasury the
Captain with a clear conscience re-
tired to his country seat in Water-
bury, and the presumption is that
very little Haddam dust was found
clinging to his feet when he took his
departure.
And so the record runs. But it
was not all fining and granting exe-
cutions— there was an occasional
brighter side. Witness the follow-
ing records copied verbatim:
"April the 28 1774 then William
Michel of Middletown was married
to Jerusha towner of Haddam
By me
J. B. Justice of peace."
"November the 10 1774 then
Elijah at wood was married to his
wife Mary
By me J. B."
"March 23, 1777 then Ebenzer
Wyllys was married to his wife
Jemima By me J. B."
In turning to Squire Dart's records
(beginning in 1780) we find that a
large volume of business was done —
of considerable variety too — but the
bulk of it had to do with book ac-
counts and overdue notes. Occa-
sionally, however, a matter presents
itself that has its special points of
interest. For example, I have been
much interested in noting the vigor
and efficiency with which the law of
the colony was evoked to meet the
needs of the "transient person."
Two such gentlemen, Smer and
Tedeo by name, had some midnight
dealings with one Ebenezer Rowley
in 1783. Ebenezer, it appears, was
not well pleased with some of the
attendant circumstances of the affair.
Next morning he caused a writing
to be made — commonly known as a
writ — in which Messrs. Smer and
Tedeo were charged "with taking
from s'd Rowley on the Night after
the 2ist of Inst July 4 Good linen
shifts two Good linnen shirts up-
wards of 10 yards of Good tow cloth
a linnen Gown 2 table cloths 2 lawn
aprons and sundry other articles all
to the Damage of the plantif Two
Pounds Lawful money."
The sentence was that each be
"whipt on the Naked body with a
suitable whip at sum post Five
Lashes and be further punished by
286
(Enurt
of 3lab?2 Srauttro, 1773-1Z75
paying a fine of 3* L m for the use
of s'd Town and pay s'd Rowley
2j£:os:od lawful money Damages
and the cost of piosecution taxed at
2 13 :i and stand comited till s'd Judg-
ment is answrd."
"Comited" they both were; but
later Ebenezer, standing in need of
an extra hand or two, and perceiving
that there was a surer way of secur-
ing his own share of the proceeds,
decides to take the two faithful
friends and co-laborers into his ser-
vice— for a period of time of gener-
ous dimensions.
Yet we ought not to think that
Justice Dart showed partiality in the
bestowal of his favors upon tran-
sient persons. For in 1785 two resi-
dents of the town, Lemuel R
and Sarah E were jointly in-
volved in a small adventurous affair
with "two swine." Selah Jackson,
the owner of the swine, said right
out that it was a plain case of steal-
ing. The court adopted Selah's
view of the affair, and the antidote
was that, after the usual several
shillings benefit to the town treasury
had been provided - for, Lemuel
should be "tied to a tre or post and
whipt with a suitable whip on the
Naked Body 8 Lashes," and Sarah
ditto — "5 Lashes."
I suspect from other records that
in the case of Lemuel and Sarah
Squire Dart had good reasons for
adopting heroic measures. His pre-
scription is comparatively mild in a
case occurring five days later. Cap-
tain Israel Higgins, having missed
" 3 steel Horse Shoes," undertook to
show that he was damaged to the
amount of 1 8 shillings. The Captain
won his "sute," but the, damage was
placed at only one shilling, and an
execution had to be granted to
secure that, and there is no mention
of a "sutible tre or post."
The writer, having made a num-
ber of inquiries regarding the fact
and location of a training field in
Middle Haddam, was pleased to find
mention made of such a field in
Squire Dart's narrative, though not
altogether delighted with the cir-
cumstances under which that his-
toric spot was referred to. Three of
the several items are concerned with
happenings at the field on Thursday
the 3oth day of October, 1783, which
appears to have been an eventful
day in Middle Haddam military cir-
cles. Something went wrong, was
misplaced, or carelessly handled, or,
at any rate, not sufficiently lubri-
cated. For the next day Oliver
A was handed out two judg-
ments; one for "prophane Cursing
and swairing at the Training Field
at middle haddam," the other for
"striking Corp'l Ithamor Rowley in
the traning field in middle haddam."
The fine in each case was six shill-
ings and one shilling cost of Entry.
A point in Oliver's favor is that he
voluntarily came to court and con-
fessed. A point not in Oliver's favor
is that the year following the judg-
ment was still unsatisfied and Oliver
still warding off the fatal day of
payment by giving two notes of
seven shillings each.
But the October 30, 1783 returns
were not yet all in. For July 19, 1784
we find Nathaniel S — going to Squire
Dart's confessional and recalling
some things he fain would have for-
gotten—for example, a small matter
of " prophane cursing and swairing
at middle haddam Train field " on
October 30 of the previous year. Seven
shillings is the price for having his
memory jogged. Nathaniel meets
this unexpected requisition by. giv-
ing his note for that amount.
Our ancestors were to a consider-
able degree human, and while we
like to think of them as solemnly
going through this military business
to be ever in readiness to meet their
country's enemies — we must not lose
sight of the fact that they also most
generally had an eye open for an oc-
casional enemy near at hand. For
example, Ashbul A felt a strong
call of duty in that direction dur-
ing,or it may have been just after,
®riala in iEarlg itralto (Eflttrte in Ammra
the military maneuvers of the 1785
October training. For at the next
session of Squire Dart's Court he
cheerfully confessed and actually
paid his seven shillings down for the
great freedom of speech he had tem-
porarily enjoyed on the last great
day at the Middle Haddam training
field.
It may be appropriately mentioned
here that a large quantity of "State's
powder was stored in Chatham in
1783. James R was in difficulty
that same year because some of the
powder was missing, and one cask
was found by "Insn" (Ensign?) Jede-
diah Hubard near James R 's
abode. The case went to the County
Court at Hartford under a bond of
100 pounds.
Some notice may also be taken of
several attempts to check what was
known as illicit trade — that had to
do with embargoed goods.
In 1780 "mr. william Bevins" is
granted a warrant to "seize a whale
boat from Long Island in the Eliset
trade."
Nov. 7 of the same year Capt.
Joshua Griffith complains of a
schooner "Speedwell," Obed Barlo,
master, "in Eliset or embarguered
trade " — also of a sloop of 20 tons,
Amos Wright, master, with "prohe-
bated articles." A few days later
Mr. Bevins complains of the sloop
" Cumberland" of 30 tons, Thomas
Lewis, master, "Laden with embar-
goed articles to be conveyed out of
the county."
A case that greatly interested the
writer when he came upon the rec-
ord was one that came to trial April
4, 1786, in which Zepheniah Michel
of Chatham was plaintiff and "Isreal
Putnam of Pomphret and county of
Windham, Def'd." It was an "action
of Book Demanding the sum of ^4."
We hardly know whether to praise
or censure citizen Michel's pushing
spirit in this matter.
The General was, if anything
rather less enthusiastic than Zephe-
niah in the matter. When he at
last arrived in town he declared that
he " owed nothing." But the "evi-
dences" were as usual resorted to,
and the famous wolf hunter and
Revolutionary fighter yielded at last
to the persuasive "Opinion" pro-
nounced by Squire Dart in his very
best style. The sum granted
Zepheniah, however, was but £2.
The additional charges were:
£ s d
"Writ and Duty, - - - - o: 2: 6
Oficers fees, - - - - 0:12: i
Plaintifs travl and tendance, - o: 2: 4
Cort fee, ...'... v ...•'•• - o: 3: o
0:19:11 "
Chatham likewise had its own way
of treating certain worldly diseases.
For example, May 7, 1781, Elijah
J and Stephen G were ad-
monished that the little game of
cards which they had enjoyed at a
neighbor's house would cost them 10
shillings each. The bill was paid,
but whether the cards were hence-
forth eschewed we have no means of
knowing. However, it is in such
items that we catch a glimpse of the
stern conception of duty under
which our forefathers labored in
building the social fabric of their
days.
Speaking of the records in general
it seems a little strange that where
the "Cort fee" was only a shilling,
or seldom more than two, and the
other charges relatively small, not
infrequently a note would be given
for the total amount. The words
"paid for" or "Judgment satisfied"
are, if anything, of rather rare oc-
currence. After one trial was over
Justice Dart added to the record the
words " Nothing paid," as though he
were a little bit discouraged with
that sort of court business. Most
commonly he writes, "Execution
granted," and a few months later
adds, "An alias execution granted,"
and then perhaps the following year,
"Execution removed." Sometimes
the account is thus carried forward
over a period of several years, and
at the last "no cash " in sight.
333
ijam? of iflij (£ 1) U Mt 0 n it
BY ANNA J. GHANNISS. AUTHOR OF "THK BOY WITH THE HOE-
I've been a long journey and back today—
'Twixt rise and set of a single sun,
I have traveled two score of years away,
And have returned with the journey done.
To the sun-lit vale of my early youth
I bent my steps in the dewy morn,
And by noon I came to the place in truth.
And entered the house where I was was born.
As I stood in the long deserted hall,
A throng of memories met me there;
They gazed at me from the vacant wall.
They called to me from the creaking stair.
They knelt with me at the cold hearth-side
Where the gay Hames danced in other days;
They mingled their voices with mine and cried,
Holding pale hands to the vanished blaze.
In the open chamber which once was mine,
The sun still shone on the same old beams,
But, oh heart of mine, how it used to shine,
On the splendid castles of our dreams !
My glimpse of the world through a window given,
was rainbow-hued in that far-off time,
Then my own " Blue Hills " reached up to Heaven,
And I was eager and longed to climb.
Oh, what have I been that I hoped to be ?
What have I done that I thought to do?
Return, oh ye days of my youth to me,
Those early pledges I would make true !
From the crimson dawn to the sweet day's close,
Still, God through Nature Is calling me,
As all through the aires He calls to those
Who have ears to hear, and eyes to see.
And when my spirit, as one who sings.
Trills in response, I believe and know
That a breath Divine is upon the strings
By Nature fashioned to vibrate so.
And believing this, shall I cry " alack ! "
For the unsung melodies of youth ?
Shall I bid the years of my toil turn back
The years so rich in their love and truth ?
Even though the Fountain of Song be sealed.
Though I grope my upward way blind- fold,
Already to me there have been revealed
Things such as poets have sung and told.
No— the voices heard as a little child
Nor toil, nor the world's rude tones have stilled;
Life'* conflicting claims will be reconciled,
Its highest purpose will be fulfilled.
an 0f
jHERE hang the old long-rifle and the axe,
Shadowy, yet huge and grand,
I see the hairy hand
Once clutched them, never to relax;
But to defend the home already won,
And strike yet, blow on blow, —
Feed to the wolves the foe,
And hew on toward the setting sun.
He of that daring, hunter's hand scorned rest;
He must — 'twas destiny —
Push onward, do and die,
Blazing the race-trail West and West.
Nature did him for hero's hazardry
From out her wild womb fetch:
Yon hand would westward stretch
The Alleghanies to the sea.
A form grows to the hand. I see him tread
The solemn forest-way,
While butcher-bird and jay
Flit round him in the silence dread.
Idle the warnings in the low wind's talk;
Lord of the woodland dim,
Little they trouble him,
Storm, famine and the tomahawk.
The panther's thews he has, the lynx's eye,
The carriage of the tree ;
Stern opportunity
He challenges — it goes not by.
ihtlju Hattr? 01 Ij r tt
No tame, unvaried toil would he begin
Who makes of skins his dress,
His home the wilderness
Europe could lose her kingdoms in.
He knows the tumult of ambitious might
That will the pillars shake;
Will States unmake and make,
Wipe out old landmarks, and rewrite.
To his rib-mould the powder-horn is curled;
With gladiator's mien
He moves from scene to scene,
Mapping the marches of a world.
Ay, thou grim shade, I see and understand:
That haft and stock were held
That Freedom's sons might weld
The alien oceans sand to sand ;
File out along the fateful trail, to bring
Men wider liberty;
Yea, lead it sea to sea,
So far it tires the wild bird's wing.
Grim, nameless shade, he does not need a name
Who leaves thy rich bequest.
Cemented East to West,
We, Freedom's men, we are thy fame.
He heard. He fades as when the brown leaf-fall
Laid peace upon his sleep;
Only the rude tools keep
Their vigil on the dim-lit wall.
tn Amrrua-
BY DR. ROLAND D. GRANT
FTER forty trips across this
continent, and twenty
years singing the
praise of hill and dale,
of cliff and crag, of
lake and river, I am
still looking forward
to new revelations of the glories of
America. The beauty, charm and
wonder of its scenic wealth is beyond
calculation. It seems to hold in coun-
terpart all the riches of the world.
If you want Southern France, or
Southern Italy, with their fruits and
flowers and palms and bowers, with
groves of oranges and pomegranates
and bananas, or a hundred acres of
snow-white lilies, or a half mile of
trellis of geraniums and rose-bushes,
they are here in endless profusion.
The Yellowstone Park now stands
forever alone the wonder piece where
God is still at work finishing the crust
of the earth. Between the Yosemite
and Kings River Valley of the South
and the mighty Yoho valley of the
North, are upturned vaults and gla-
ciers to astonish the world, a single
one of which is more vast than all the
glaciers of Europe combined. While
in waterfalls of every possible size
and height and combination, so many
that it is really a confusion to remem-
ber their names, there are places
where mighty cliffs fling a dozen of
gem cataracts from some precipitous
height, all to be seen at a single
glance. The Colorado Canyon, with
its mile of depth and dozen miles
from shore to shore, would swallow
the gold of the nations, and makes all
similar scenery of the Old World
diminutive in the extreme.
Lake Logano and Como are per-
haps the most refined gems of Euro-
pean scenery, but we have lakes
almost without number possessing
equal charm, although it belongs to a
group of a hundred similar lakes of
indescribable beauty. The Rhine is
more than matched by our Columbia
and Snake rivers, and the history of
the Columbia can match the Rhine in
delightful story. Giant's Causeway
and Fingal's Cave are matched a hun-
dred times in Idaho.
When asked if America had a
Mount Vesuvius the reply was made,
"Not exactly, but we have a Niagara
that could put it out if it should ever
get on fire." I said to a man at the
base of Vesuvius, "No, our volcano
is not just like this, but we have an
extinct crater in America so vast that
you could pull Vesuvius up by the
roots and drop it into our crater and
Vesuvius would go a thousand feet
out of sight."
This continent is a museum world,
and I hereby give to you the keys to
its myriad canyon corridors, cathe-
dral towers, and crypts of ancient his-
tory. You and I have enjoyed these
things for years and must consider
them as only ours in trust, for the true
patriotism is a fatherism that prepares
the trail for those who shall come
after us.
I want American scenery taught
in the public schools. I want you to
save and protect the Indians. I want
to save the animal life, the buffalo,
elk, deer and beaver. These are the
original inhabitants. They have a
claim upon your honor. Oh, to see
once more a million pigeons as I saw
them in Minnesota in 1867, or five
thousand geese arise from a Minne-
sota lake !
Underneath the American deserts
are rivers of living water waiting to
come to the surface to transform all
the regions into gardens of bloom.
This is the land flowing with milk and
honey, grass for the cows and flowers
for the bees. This is the land of
promise, "the land whither ye go to
possess it is a land of hills and valleys
and drinketh the rain of the water of
heaven."
Excerpt from address before the "See
America League " in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Uruurl
in Ainrnra
TIIK MA.IKSTY OF NATURE'S MASTERPIECES
Thro* Bummer-clad boughs
to grand snow-capped Mount Shasta, in
California, 14,442 feet high - Sun Sculpture
by Underwood and Underwood, New York — Copyrighted
U-raurl
in Amrrtra
THE WONDERS OF GOD'S HANDIWORK
Nearly a mile straight down
from Glacier Point In the Yosemite
Valley in California — Sun Sculpture by
Underwood and Underwood, New York — Copyrighted
iTraurl
in Amrrira
1HK MASTER'S AIARVELOl'S ARCHITECTt'RE
Survivor of the Primeval
Flood in the Grand Canyon of
Arizona — Sun Sculpture by Underwood
and Underwood, New York — Copyrighted
araurl
in Amrrira
NATURE'S GREATEST AMPHITHEATER
Fathoming the depths of a
vanished sea — that in ages past
•wept thro' the Grand Canyon of Arizona —
Sun Sculpture by Underwood and Underwood, New York — Copyrighted
ODE TO AMERICA
Earth's Land of Liberty
BY
DONALD LINKS JACOBUS
1
O Land am ill the seas!
In whose green sun-kissed fields lair blossoms
blow;
Bright jewel wrapped in snow.
Yet breathed upon by balmy southern
breeze—
O Land of cities proud,
Whose thoroughfares pulsate with throbbing
life,
Whose massive walls with strife
Reverberate and, weary, cry for rest aloud:
11
O Land of silent mead,
Of peaceful plain, green hill and bounteous
farm,
Where safe from wild alarm
The earth gives up to every man his need!
O country of our love!
Thine both the drear monotony of toil
And thine the tempest's moil
When furies loose their angered voices far
above.
Ill
Fair Land whose climature
Is varied as thine own e'er changing face,
Which here from lowly base
Rises aloft to snowy summits pure,
And stretches level there
In rolling plains graced not by stately tree—
Our native Land, to thee
This hymn of praise we chant, extolling thee
in prayer.
IV
Earth's Land of Liberty,
Where King's dominion e'er will be unknown,
And tyrant rule o'erthrown
That all may live a life of manhood free:
May we forever boast
A fame unsullied and an honored name,
No stain or blot of shame
In all the land from hill to hill, from coast to
coast.
What other land but thee
In freedom's cause a patriot's battle waged,
Her sacred honor gaged
That in her borders none enslaved should be?
What country else resigned
Her sons to death, a sunny isle to save
Washed by the tropic wave,
And guards two continents, by oceans four
confined"?
VI
O loveliest land of all
To which the sun's wide circuit bringeth
light,
By thy maternal right
Our love and reverence boldest thou in thrall.
All hail, America!
The land of freedom, progress, thought and
worth!
The children of the earth
And stars of heaven sing: All hail, America!
VII
Lord God of glorious might,
Whose universal mercy we adore,
All-Father we implore
Thy aid by day, thy watchful care by night.
Guard our beloved land
From foes without and dissidence within;
Shield us from pride and sin,
And rule America, O God, with loving hand.
~ »iv
• jffi'T
"Such matchless splendor canvas ne'er has shown,
Nor Art nor tongue the beauteous blush portray "
•V* -
Fair land whose climature
Is varied as thine own e'er changing face "
?tt iagltglyt lies
•OT
'IS Eventide; the King of
Day descends,
To mark the course where
weary labor ends ;
Across the sky his crim-
son beams are thrown,
Such matchless splendor
canvas ne'er has shown,
Nor Art, nor tongue the
beauteous blush portray.
That gilds the heavenly dome at close of
day.
Tis Nature's hour to fill the land with
peace,
As, wrapt in slumber, countless sorrows
cease ;
Blest Comforter, while hearts forget the
pain.
Renewed in strength to take it up again.
See the white mist from yonder meadow
rise,
O'er which the myriad lamp-lit insect hies.
The twilight deepens with an incense sweet,
As children's good-night songs at mother's
feet.
And ling'ring shadows gently reunite.
Till Daylight softly clasps the hand of
Night.
Serene the lake that lies along the grove,
Whose mirrored depths repeat the sky
above,
A wondrous starry banner heaven unfurls,
That answering orbs may greet the parent
worlds !
Beneath the surface hide the latent rings,
'Till wakened by the swallow's truant
wings.
The circles hasten with a sweet unrest.
To lave the sleeping lilies on its breast !
Beneath the wooded arch the mountain
stream
Reflects sweet Luna's primal length'ning
beam.
To joys anew the silver floor invites.
And many a laughing, dancing, fairy sprite
Comes tripping from the shadow of the
mill.
To amorous vespers of a whip-poor-will.
Whose triple love notes from the wood-
man's street.
Win many an echoed bride in cadence
sweet!
ESIDE the hedge a modest
bank of flowers
Is gath'ring pearls along the
waiting hours;
The nestled jewels many a
chalice fill
With charms their loving cups alone
distill.
Glist'ning with gems the day will bid forget,
The Lily of the Vale and Violet
Await with open lips the King's delight,
To kiss away the moistened breath of
Night !
And thus the curtains of the Night are
hung :
The curtains part; the morning stars have
sung!
30*
Aratomg of Ammratt Jmmnrtala
American people on
May the thirtieth will
dedicate eleven bronze
tablets to the eleven
Great Americans whose
deedsand memories have
recently been crowned
by an election to the American
Academy of Immortals — the Hall of
Fame.
It was adistinguished Western jur-
ist, Judge J. H. Richards of Boise,
Idaho, who in speaking of America's
greatness, was recently asked :
"What is it that makes America
great ? Is it her
mountains, her gold
and her silver ? "
To which he re-
plied emphatically:
"No! It is her men
and her women!
They are the true
and lasting great-
ness of the country
that crown it with
everlasting glory.
One great man that
comes up from the
valleys and plains
is of more lasting
worth to this na-
tion than all the
gold and all the
silver hidden in the
great mountains.
"Men will never be
made great by gold
alone. It contracts
them. They must be taught that
money is to expand their hearts and
not sear them, by making them un-
derstand that the mighty power
placed in their hands is to bless
God's children throughout their en-
tire country and through them the
entire world.
"When we think of how this civil-
ization was planted upon the rocks
of the Atlantic coast, narrow per-
haps, indeed, were their concepts of
what this country was yet to be.
But the Being who gave us this
THE HALL OF FAMK
FOR GREAT AMERICANS
BY WEALTH OK THOUGHT
OR ELSE BY MI«;HTY DEED
THKY SERVED MANKIND
IN NOBLE CHARACTER
IN WORLD-WIDE Goon
THEY LIVE FOR EVERMORE
country intended that we should be
a great and generous people. He
gave us land enough for the plow,
water enough for our shipping, iron
enough for the forge, mountains
enough for grandeur, gold and silver
enough for cupidity, snow enough
for courage, and sunshine enough
for song.
" And when men are whirled
from that rocky coast out into the
great, broad valley of the Mississippi,
their ideas expand. When they see
that great valley and its possibilities,
the granary of the world, and as they
come on West and
see the great plains
of the Middle West,
and on to these
great cathedrals of
nature in these
mountains, their
hearts expand. With
expansion they get
a grander concept
of what an Ameri-
can was intended
to and will yet be."
When one con-
siders the great
works of the forty
immortals now in
the Hall of Fame,
and that most of
them lived and
labored on the At-
lantic coast long
' before the Western
America had be-
come an element in the moulding of
American character, it seems as if
the day of American achievement
is yet to come and the Great Amer-
ican of the future must be a man
the like of whom the world has never
before seen. In the last generation
men have been making the Great
West, but in the next generation the
Great West will make Great Men.
In these pages is presented a series
of four of the Great Men who have
been immortalized by their fellow-
men for services of scholarship.
AN AMERICAN IMMORTAL,
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
PHILOSOPHER
BORN AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, MAY 23, 18O3
DIED AT COXCORB, MASSACHUSETTS, Al'lfll. 27, 1883
AN AMERICAN IMMORTAL.
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE
NOVELIST
HORN AT SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, JULY 4, 1SO4
DIED AT PLYMOUTH, N I \v HAMPSHIRE, MAY Mi. 18O4
AN AMERICAN IMMORTAL
WASHINGTON IRVING
HUMORIST
BOKX AT NEW YORK 'III. APRIL. 3, 1783
IMKIl AT IHVIWOTOX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 28. 1S5«
AN AMERICAN IMMORTAI.
SAMUEL, F. B. MORSE
INVKWTOH
BORN AT CHAKL.K8TOWIT, MA88 AOH178KTT8, APRIL. »T, 1T»X
D1KD AT VB\V YORK, APRIL. *, 1»7»
ICtbrtH
Adaptation nf tljp Q!H& Art of Sunk
nriginatrfc uritbin Ijalf a rrnturgof iljr imtrntionnf printing
JT was within a half century
from the invention of
printing that book-plates
were introduced as identi-
fying marks to indicate
the ownership of the vol-
ume. Germany, the fath-
erland of printing from movable type
and of wood-cutting for making im-
pressions in ink on paper, is likewise
the home-land of the book-plate. The
earliest dated wood-cut of accepted
authenticity is the well-known "St.
Christopher of 1423," which was dis-
covered in the Carthusian monastery
of Buxheim in Suabia.
It was to insure the right of owner-
ship in a book that the owner had it
marked with the coat-of-arms of the
family or some other heraldic device.
Libraries were kept intact and passed
from generation to generation, bear-
ing the emblem of the family. The
first book-plate in France is dated
1574; in Sweden, 1575; Switzerland,
1607, and Italy, 1623. The earliest
English book-plate is found in a folio
volume once the property of Cardinal
Wolsey and afterward belonging to
his royal master. The earliest men-
tion of the book-plate in English lit-
erature is by Pepys, July 16, 1688.
The first-known book-plate in Amer-
ica belonged to Governor Dudley.
Paul Revere, the patriot, was one of
the first American engravers of book-
plates, and a designer of great ability.
nf an
(Slaptattt
AfUu'tttarru in
&m::h Atnrrira atth in
the JJcrta of tijr COI& l*mrlt> fcuring
3Ftrat flraru of tbr Amrrtran Srpnbltr o* An
Amrrtran (Etttzrn JtnprrBarft into thr Srilial) £mrtr* .*
3jtB Sartna £arapr aftrr ^ram of Ckptiuttg cn& (Crmfltrt
Antubuiriraphg
CAPTAIN JEREMIAH HOLMES
COMMAKDEB Or THE "IlERO," AND IDENTIFIED WITH THE EABLY MERCHANT MAKIJIE— BOKX 151 1788 AND DlED
AT THE AGE or NINETY TCACS
'Tis the bold race
Laughing at toil, and gay in danger's face,
Who quit with joy, when fame and glory
lead,
Their richest pasture and their greenest
mead,
The perils of the stormy deep to dare,
And jocund own their dearest pleasures
there.
One common zeal the manly race inspires,
O to sea, young
man !" This was
the advice of the
first fathers of
America to the
sons of the Na-
tion a few gen-
erations ago. It was considered
"the manly thing to do." Old Eng-
land had long been the lord of the
seas, and the new Americans were
"a race of men inheriting her seafar-
ing aptitude, and destined to dispute
her maritime supremacy." Thou-
sands of young Americans sailed "be-
fore the mast on board the swift Lon-
don packets or in the carrying trade
to the West Indies, and twelve thou-
sand American seamen enlisted in the
King's ships and the Colonial priva-
teers during the Seven Years' War
with France."
This absorbing story of life on the
high seas shortly after the founding
of the American Republic is faithfully
given as received from the lips of the
venerable sea-captain by his nephew,
305
One common cause each ardent bosom
fires,
From the bold youth whose agile limbs
ascend
The giddy mast when angry winds con-
tend,
And while the yard dips low its pointed
arm.
Clings to the cord, and sings amidst the
storm.
— HENRY JAMES PYE'S "NAUCRATIA," 1798.
the Reverend F. Denison. In record-
ing the old mariner's reminiscences,
Reverend Denison said : "Having, in
common with many others, a laudable
anxiety to secure a full narrative, in
a permanent form, of the life of my
uncle and his varied fortunes by sea
and by land, in peace and in war, I
persuaded him to sit down at differ-
ent times and relate to me the promi
nent events of his history."
Captain Holmes, whose life story
is here related, was the son of Jere-
miah and Mary (Denison) Holmes
and was born September 6, 1782,
near the village of Milltown, in Ston-
ington, Connecticut. At fourteen
years of age, in 1796, he went to live
with his brother-in-law, Thomas
Crary, in the town of Norwich, Che-
nango County, New York. He re-
mained here four years and then
"took to the sea."
Captain Holmes died in Mystic,
Connecticut, at the age of ninety
years. The following transcript from
his original autobiography is contrib-
uted by Mrs. H. B. Noyes of Mystic.
0f ifmmtalj ijnlmw — Horn 1782
every one can feel at
rest upon a farm. Our
callings are as various
as our tastes and gifts.
Being of a restless tem-
per I was allured by the
prospects of the sea.
Leaving my brother-in-law at Nor-
wich, Chenango County, New York,
in January, 1800, I traveled on
foot one hundred and ten miles
to Catskill on the Hudson, from
whence by packet I reached the city
of New York. Eager for an oppor-
tunity to know the ocean and foreign
lands I shipped in the schooner "Four
Sisters," under Captain Peleg Barker,
destined, as our papers read, for the
Falkland Islands. The state of com-
mercial affairs prompted to the arti-
fice.
We instantly sailed for Rio de
Janeiro. Reaching that port the cap-
tain opened an unrecognized business
and in fact smuggled on shore dry
goods to the value of forty thousand
dollars. After about two months our
lucrative business became suspected
when the authorities commanded us
to leave the port. Anxious to re-
main, the captain feigned himself in
ill-health; but the ruse was unavail-
ing. Thus driven from this port the
captain concluded to sail northward.
We finally ran into the mouth of the
Amazon and anchored near the
mouth of Para River, yet so broad
were the waters at this point that but
for the freshness of the water we
might have concluded that we were
on the shore of the ocean. Attracted
by the few dwellings in sight Captain
Barker sent a boat on shore contain-
ing the mate and four men. The
boat and its crew were unexpectedly
detained. The Portuguese govern-
ment in Brazil did not at this time tol-
erate commerce with foreigners.
With the morning our boat and men
returned, but they were accompanied
by another boat bearing a white flag
and filled with soldiers. Our visitors
were reluctantly entertained.
Aboard Ship off Brazil
and Confined in a Dungeon
The moment the soldiers came on
board they took forcible possession of
the vessel, when they carried the cap-
tain, mate and supercargo on shore
and then, binding the remainder of us,
proceeded with the vessel up the
river. Thus we became prisoners
and our vessel the prey of the Portu-
guese power in Brazil.
Para stands about sixty miles from
the river of the same name. The city
is guarded by a strong fort. In the
center of the fort is a huge, dark dun-
geon, a subterranean prison so dark
that objects are dimly discerned at
mid-day though near the eyes. We
were hurried into this fort and thrust
into this dungeon, a very undesirable
harbor for one who delighted in the
free air and paths of the ocean. It
was now June; we had been five
months from home; our prospects
were gloomy indeed. We were un-
der the equator, and the heat of the
country was nearly intolerable. The
old dungeon in the center of the mas-
sive fort knew no healthy light and
no refreshing winds. There were
eight of us to share this close, dark,
sweltering subterranean prison. To
add to our discomforts we had been
robbed of all our clothes except what
was found upon our persons. Thus
destitute and suffering we were held
in this detestable dungeon for a
period of nearly two months.
The walls of the dungeon were of
stone; the doors were of wood and
only some three or four inches thick.
Our only hope looked through these
doors; and but a little light from
these entered the eye of hope; yet a
little light did for a time reach our
anxious hearts. One of our company
had the fortune on his capture to re-
tain in his dress an old but substan-
tial pocket-knife. After counting for
days our feeble hopes of escape from
our dire imprisonment, we concluded
to center our hopes upon the edge and
strength of the old knife — a precious
306
of an
Ammran 8>?a (Eapiatn
instrument now in all our eyes. Se-
lecting a side door to our dark abode,
we cut carefully and at guarded hours
channels or grooves around a panel-
shaped piece large enough to admit a
man's body. The grooves were finally
cut through, and all our hopes were
on tip-toe in silence and in watchings.
But unfortunately, by some heavy
jar, the separated panel-piece slipped
our temporary fastenings and fell
back upon the dungeon floor with a
loud noise that alarmed our keepers
and revealed our plot. But had this
mischance not occurred our hope of
escape would have been exceedingly
small since the dungeon was in the
center of a strong and guarded forti-
fication.
Held Prisoner by Portugese
Four Months on a Frigate
The authorities now took us to the
river and put us on board a frigate
lying near by the place and where
we were much more uncomfortable
than in the gloomy old dungeon. We
were thrust into the frigate's hold
where the confined air was well nigh
as hot as in an oven. Yet on the fol-
lowing day we were allowed our
choice to remain in the hold or to
come on deck and work. We were
unwilling to toil as slaves under task-
masters beneath a broiling sun.
Albeit our bodies might have been
more comfortable in the breezes on
the frigate's deck and drenched with
perspiration, our spirits were yet too
proud. We endured the roasting
heat of the hold for about a week
when, fearing the worst for our
health, we consented to work on deck.
We were thus painfully imprisoned
on board this frigate for nearly four
months — and long months they were
as one may imagine.
A couple of Portuguese vessels
were now about to sail for Lisbon.
As one of the lieutenants of the frig-
ate, John George, a Portuguese, could
speak good English, we prevailed on
him to act as our petitioner to the
governor of the place to send us to
307
Lisbon. Our petition was successful.
The governor sent us the following
reply: "I do not wish to be troubled
with you longer ; I shall send you out
of the river by the first opportunity."
Shortly seven of us were sent on
board the "Grand Maranham," a
large ship carrying twenty-two guns
and having on board, with crew and
soldiers, about one hundred men, all
Portuguese. We sailed from the
mouth of the Amazon in November.
The ship being a dull sailer and suf-
fering now with calms and now with
adverse winds, we had a very hard
passage that occupied about one hun-
dred and thirty days whereas an ordi-
nary passage numbered about fifty
days. On account of the length of
the voyage we suffered severely both
for water and provisions. For forty
days I had but a pint of water per day
and a little farina meal made of the
cassada root found in South America.
Indeed I had no meat or bread during
the whole voyage.
Setting Sail for Portugal
with a Superstitious Crew
On account of the adversities and
privations of our passage the super-
stitious Portuguese, being devoted
but ignorant Catholics, imbibed the
idea that the misfortunes of the voy-
age were ascribable to the presence of
heretics or Protestants as some of us
were. Upon this matters came well-
nigh assuming a serious form. They
vowed if we had not a favorable wipd
by a given day they would cast all the
heretics after the ill-fated Jonah.
They were in earnest in their vow and
threat. We therefore made prepara-
tions for such an event by securing
and concealing slung shot and other
means of defense and offense, re-
solved to give the Catholic faith a lit-
tle of the ring of Peter's sword and
make the triumph of that faith as dif-
ficult as possible. But propitious
winds prevented an encounter.
Our voyage had various discom-
forts. All on board suffered from
the filth and vermin abounding in the
nf 31mmtafj Sjnlmos — 10m 17 S2
old ship. In most cases there was
neither ability nor disposition to avoid
the contamination. My single and
scanty suit worn in the smothering
dungeon and on board the old frigate
during the long and laborious months
of my imprisonment had fairly earned
a discharge; so on the voyage I was
presented with a little refuse canvas
and duck out of which I made, after
no Parisian pattern, a duck shirt,
duck pantaloons and a canvas cap —
one suit only and pressed by my bones
night and day. My compact ward-
robe soon had other claimants whose
demands became unpleasant. I have
pulled off my duck shirt, picked off a
score or more of lusty, healthy, hun-
gry vermin, and again donned the
apparel as if new. Thus we had
more companions and faster friend-
ships than we were pleased with.
Nearing the coast of Portugal we
fell in with an American vessel from
which we obtained a supply of water.
Words cannot describe the relief. It
was a luxury past description to once
more press to our lips as much water
as we desired to drink; and we did
drink copiously and thankfully. The
happiness of that hour cannot be for-
gotten.
Our circumstances made it expedi-
ent to land at St. Ubes. We reached
the port in March, and it was yet cold
on the coast. The American consul
at once sent us to Lisbon, which was
eighteen miles distant; but we were
obliged to go on foot. I had no shoes
and no coat; but I still had more or
less of the volunteer body guard from
the old ship with their biting friend-
ships.
I remember somewhat of the aspect
of the country as I trudged barefoot
and coatless from St. Ubes to Lisbon.
The orange trees had dropped their
foliage and yet were full of fruit, thus
presenting quite a striking appear-
ance. I bought of an old lady an
apron-full or near a peck of excellent
oranges for a piece worth about two
cents. The grape vines had not yet
started. It was now the spring of
1 80 1. I had been from home more
than a year and had shared more for-
tunes than I had counted for on my
chart of departure.
Homeward Bound with Colonel
David Humphreys from Spain
In Lisbon I found the ship "Perse-
verance" of New York, belonging to
Isaac Wright, Esquire, the well-
known proprietor of a line of ships
running to Liverpool, called the Black
Ball Line.
The "Perseverance" was com-
manded by Captain Caleb Cogswell, a
worthy Quaker, who exemplified his
friendly faith by offering me my pas-
sage to the United States. I was
happy in accepting his generous offer.
Among Captain Cogswell's crew were
English, Irish, Americans and one
Dane. My destitute condition was
only too apparent to all in my dress;
yet no one of the crew, except the
Dane, named Hanse, showed me sub-
stantial sympathy by offering me even
the loan of a coat. On learning my
fortunes, Hanse at once pointed to his
chest and said: "There is my chest
and clothes ; you are just as welcome
as myself." I shall never forget
Hanse. Pulling off my duck shirt
and pants, my right to which had
been so long and vigorously disputed
by the vermin, and throwing them
overboard, I drew upon the open
chest of friend Hanse. Finally the
captain and mate added to my ward-
robe by a gift of some of their old
clothes that I received not unthank-
fully.
Among the passengers on board
the "Perseverance" was the American
minister to Spain, Colonel David
Humphreys, who, with his wife, was
now returning to this country. The
colonel had on board a hundred
merino sheep that he was transport-
ing to the United States : by the way,
I think they were the first sheep of
this kind introduced into our country.
Finding that I was reared on a farm,
the colonel engaged me to take care
of the sheep on the passage; for my
308
Engages of an (8H& Ammran
(Eaptam
services he gave me two doubloons,
not a small sum for a man in charity
clothes and nothing in the pockets.
A passage of forty days brought us
to New York. On closing up the
voyage, my true friend Hanse, receiv-
ing his wages, divided the sum in his
hands and generously offered me the
half. His kindness and liberality
touched my heart, but I was too hon-
orable to accept the offer, especially
as I could now jingle a couple of
doubloons. Soon after this friend
Hanse shipped in a brig bound to
Demerara, where he died with yellow
fever; peace to his ashes and honor
to his memory. I immediately went
to Berne (now Knox), Albany
County, New York, where I remained
for about two months.
Still looking hopefully toward "a
life on the ocean wave," notwith-
standing the ill augury of my first
voyage, I returned to New York
where I again shipped under my old
commander, Captain Barker, who
had also safely escaped from Brazil.
We were now in the schooner
"Lively" bound to the West Indies.
This was a very pleasant voyage ; we
visited Nevis, St. Kitts and St. Eusta-
tia. We returned to New York in
September, 1801. I remained in New
York till December; meanwhile I
saw no one that I knew.
On a Whaling and Sealing
Voyage to South Pacific Ocean
Early in December I again shipped
under Captain Barker, now having
command of the ship "Cayuga." be-
longing to the firm of Hoyt & Tom.
We were bound into the South Pacific
Ocean on a whaling and sealing voy-
age. Numerous and trying adven-
tures now awaited me before T should
again reach my home. We ran up
and down the coast of Peru several
times in search of sperm whale: in
the space of a year and a half we took
about one thousand barrels of sperm
oil.
We ran into the river Tumbez on
the coast of Peru to obtain a recruit
of wood and water. In our boats we
visited the city of Tumbez. We also
found here the English ship "Tom,"
whose captain had his wife with him,
a Spanish lady that he had married at
Gibraltar, who could readily speak
both English and Spanish and was
therefore our ready interpreter. Com-
ing down one day from the city to the
mouth of the river we chanced to
have in our boat this captain and his
wife and also a wealthy old planter
going down to visit his estate near the
river mouth.
The coast of Peru was very attract-
ive. I cannot forget the many pleas-
ant views that opened to us whenever
we approached the shore. I have
seen noble deer come boldly down to
the beach and look off with the ut-
most unconcern upon us as if we had
no power or disposition to disturb
them.
Ashore on the Islands
" Exactly Under the Equator "
We took occasion to visit the Gal-
lapagos Islands some six hundred and
fifty miles from the continent and
almost exactly under the equator.
The islands are very rich. The
prickly pear trees here are noble;
some of them are twenty-five or thirty
feet high with trunks as large as a
man's body. We could supply our-
selves abundantly with fish and flesh
of the best quality. The water at
times was literally alive with bonitos,
a fish nearly as large as horse mack-
erel. There was also an abundance
of albicore, a fish approaching the
size of a porpoise and very delicate;
the catching of these with huge hooks
and nooses was rare sport. At any
time numbers of green turtle were in
sight. But we cared little for bon-
itos, albicore and green turtle in com-
parison with the turpin on the island.
These are a thick heavy land turtle
that never enter the sea. Their meat
is very excellent; their tallow is a
luxury and is as yellow as butter ;
their eggs too are a great delicacy.
Great numbers of these turpin might
0f Sferomalj
— Inm 17 S2
be seen wandering beneath the groves
of prickly pear waiting for the winds
to shake down the fruit for their pal-
ates.
Our ship at last became leaky and
we were compelled to put into Payta.
Here the "Cayuga" was examined
and finally condemned as unsea-
worthy. We could only sell her and
close up our voyage, but in this we
were hindered by various causes for
-nearly three months.
I now shipped on board of another
whaler, the "Cold Spring of London,"
under Captain Dunn, and cruised
again in the South Pacific. In about
eleven months we took near two thou-
sand barrels of sperm oil. We also
visited the Gallapagos and laid in a
supply of turpin, putting some of
them in the hold on the top of our
cargo. I recollect that some six
months after we had taken these on
board, when off Cape Horn, the car-
penter, having occasion to go to the
bottom of the pump well there found
one of these turpin still alive, having
crept over the top and fallen thus
from our sight; this evidenced their
capability of enduring hunger and
thirst. We took our homeward voy-
age by the way of St. Helena, where
we expected to obtain a convoy to
London, as the English were at this
time at war with France and Spain.
It was now 1804, and my whaling
cruises had occupied some two and a
half years.
Captured by the French
Privateers off St. Helena
On nearing St. Helena we discov-
ered a sail in shore; but suspecting
no danger we approached the vessel
and spoke her. Her character was at
once revealed. She was the "Bo-
logna," a French privateer, mounting
thirty-six guns and carrying more
than a hundred men. We were her
victim. It was now June, 1804.
She took possession of us at about
dark. Taking us on board the "Bo-
logna" our ship was instantly sent off
as a prize. We were kept on board
the privateer, however, only till the
next day, when we were put into a
boat and set adrift. Being only fif-
teen miles from the island we reached
the shore in safety. Again I found
myself in a foreign land, cast out,
alone and destitute, after many toils
and an absence from home of two and
a half years. But severe trials were
before me. I had now only the
clothes that were upon my back.
Reaching the port of St. Helena I
found no American consul and no
American vessel ; it was therefore a
dark day for me. The rights of sail-
ors at this time were not properly re-
spected, and unhappily for me, I had
now lost my protection papers. The
best that I could do was to ship on
board an English merchantman, the
"Fame," commanded by one Captain
Baker. But before the "Fame" was
ready to sail my destination was sadly
changed.
I was seized and pressed on board
the English sixty-four-gun ship,
"Trident." This occurred July 2,
1804. The "Trident," in fact, mount-
ed about seventy guns and was com-
manded by Admiral Renier and bore
his flag. When taken on board the
"Trident" I was called up for exami-
nation by the first lieutenant. I at
once said : "I am an American." He
responded: "Well, we will make an
Englishman of you." I answered:
"No, sir ; you will never do that."
I remained in the "Trident" but a
short time when I was transferred to
the sixty-four-gun ship "Athenian."
We shortly sailed in company with
the "Trident" and the frigate "Medi-
ator" as a convoy to forty East India-
men for the English Channel. We
arrived at Dover in early autumn,
when the Indiamen ran on their way
while the "Athenian" ran back into
Portsmouth to be hauled into the
naval dock for repairs. From Ports-
mouth I wrote to the American consul
at London seeking his interposition
for my release. He obtained an
order for my discharge, but in the
teeth of right my claim was disre-
JIO
nf an (SH& Am^riran
(Eaptam
garded. I now sent letters to my kin-
dred and friends in America to pro-
cure papers in evidence of my right.
Going to Assistance of
Lord Nelson at Trafalgar
I was at last pressed on board the
seventy-four-gun ship, "Saturn," now
lying at Spit Head ready for sea, and
appointed to join the fleet under Lord
Nelson. The wind detained us.
These winds blew in mercy to many
on board the "Saturn," else we should
have been with Lord Nelson off Tra-
falgar in that memorable naval action
that cost so much blood, and where
Nelson himself fell "On the field of
his fame fresh and gory." We were
unable to reach the scene till the bat-
tle had passed. The "Saturn" also
conveyed six or eight vessels loaded
with naval stores.
In passing the Straits of Gibraltar
the French and Spanish gun boats
from the shore ran out and attempted
the seizure of one of our transports.
The attempt was well-nigh successful
but the wind springing up the "Sat-
urn" hastened to the rescue and beat
back the assailants. Quite an en-
gagement now followed. The fort at
Cabarena Point opened its fire in sup-
port of the shots from the gun boats.
For about an hour and a half powder
was burnt freely and the heavy iron
hail flew merrily. In the skirmish I
was stationed as captain of a gun on
the lower deck. The "Saturn" played
her part well and won the upper hand.
Satisfying our opponents of our su-
periority and taking proper care of
our transports .we ran into the an-
chorage at Gibraltar and landed our
naval supplies.
We next proceeded up the Medi-
terranean to the Spanish port of Car-
thagena where we joined other naval
vessels in the blockade of that place.
Here we remained for several months.
Finally we were informed that Je-
rome Buonaparte, Admiral of the
French fleet, with a number of ships,
had left Brest. We knew not his des-
tination ; he sailed, however, for the
3"
West Indies. Our squadron was now
ordered off the blockade of Cartha-
gena to Gibraltar.
We were ordered from Gibraltar to
Cadiz to join Lord Collingwood in the
blockade of that port. The blockad-
ing squadron numbered about twenty
ships of the line. Here we continued
in the "Saturn" for about two and a
half years, occasionally running down
to Gibraltar for supplies. But in the
latter part of 1806 we ran down to
Gibraltar to refit our ship and receive
stores for another six months. Dur-
ing this time a few incidents occurred
of the nature of episodes in my weary
impressment.
In Service of Lord Collingwood
During Blockade of Cadiz
From my first impressment, and es-
pecially after my imprisonment on
board the "Saturn" I had been medi-
tating plans and watching for oppor-
tunities to fly from the grasp of my
oppressors. In one way and another
during the past two years I had
earned about seven guineas which I
held as a shot in the locker. These
guineas I closely wound in my neck-
cloth to have them at hand when an
opportunity for escape should appear.
We took in water on the African
side of the Straits at Tetuan Bay.
While thus engaged I strolled from
our party a little and then attempted
concealment and flight, taking refuge
in a vast field of growing wheat. It
happened, however, that the sentinels
stationed on the margin of the field to
protect it discovered me by moving
grain. I was first saluted with stones ;
but they soon found that I was no
brute and desisted. I succeeded in
conveying to one sentinel my charac-
ter and situation. He said to me : "If
you escape here you must turn Turk."
I replied: "I don't care what I turn
into if I can only get away from my
impressment in the man-of-war." I
offered him two guineas to secrete me
in. the grain and then assist me in
reaching Centa Point opposite Gibral-
tar. He dared not accept the offer.
nf Sfmmtal?
— Inm 17&2
I was obliged to return to the "Sat-
urn's" company, only glad that my
scheme was not known to the officers.
I now had the misfortune to suffer
my patriotism to overcome my pa-
tience. While returning to Gibraltar,
all hands having been treated to a
drop for the cheering of the spirits, I
was at my station in the main-top
with a man named Silsby. As a
Moorish galley passed us urged on by
slaves chained to their oars 1 re-
marked to Silsby:
"How would you like to be on that
craft?"
"Not at all," said he.
"It would be as proper for you to
be there as it is for me to be here," I
responded.
"Pshaw," said he, "you have as
much right to be here as I have ; you
are no American, but some noble-
man's bastard or else a runaway."
This was a word too much. ? drew
my fist and dealt him a blow between
the eyes that laid him horizontally
with a bloody nose. The fray was
too open. We both were taken be-
low, had our feet ironed, were laid on
our backs and had our ankles -strung
on the iron rod arranged for the safe
confinement of transgressors. In
this uneasy attitude, strung like her-
ring on the deck, we lay for three
days consoling ourselves with bread
and the confident expectation of a
sound flogging. In the meantime
four other disobedients were added to
the iron rod. On the fourth day of
our confinement, and it was the fourth
of July, the criminal crew were or-
dered up to receive their penal lashes.
It being Independence Day my spirit
was stirred within me. I managed
to scribble a note addressed to the
captain to be handed to him in case 1
should be sentenced to be flogged.
The note was to the effect that "if I
should be flogged for the sudden and
disorderly ebullition of my national
and manly pride I would never lift a
hand in the British service, be the
consequences what they might."
Several received their two dozen
each, and, after the blood started
freely, Silsby and myself were re-
served to the last ; this gave us a little
hope. Silsby was brought forward
and addressed: "This is the third
time you have been put in irons ; once
for drunkenness ; once for making
disturbance, and now for quarreling
You are pardoned this time, but if
ever caught in disobedience again,
you shall be paid for old accounts and
new." I was addressed in substance
as follows : "This is your first misde-
meanor; beware of the second; you
are also pardoned."
An Attempt to Escape from
the English at Gibraltar
I was exceedingly uneasy. I hated
the English and utterly loathed their
service. My unjust impressment
chafed my free spirit and made me
ready to accept almost any hazard for
my freedom. While lying off Gibral-
tar at this time I attempted an escape
by swimming. Some of the sailors
were perfectly willing to wink at my
endeavor, on the principle of dealing
as they would be dealt by. On a
chosen night I secretly slipped out of
a forward port hole and let myself
down into the sea. As I swam past
the ship, the man in the yawl along-
side whispered an inquiry after my
plan. In a word I informed him,
when, reaching his hand and grasp-
ing mine, he said : "God bless you ; I
hope you will succeed." The "Sat-
urn" lay about two miles from the
shore and a heavy current was setting
past her and making directly for the
land and I supposed ran near the
shore which gave me my hope of suc-
cess. I was deceived; the stream
or tide very soon changed its direction
and ran up the sea. I found that
it would be impossible for me to reach
the land across so swift a tide and that
I should inevitably be swept by the
waters far away into the Mediterra-
nean to perish. Thus the path to my
freedom was confronted by certain
death. My skill in swimming was
3"
0f an
Ameriratt
(Eaptam
not small, and it was taxed to the ut-
most. By taking advantage of an
eddy that just now formed, and I
think it was providential, setting the
waters around me back towards the
"Saturn," I made exertions to re-
turn. Using my best skill and
strength favored by the eddy I at last
succeeded in reaching the launch that
was trailing at the "Saturn's" stern.
I caught the cable of the launch and
here rested a moment to recover my-
self and to plan for the future. I then
slipped back on the cable, caught the
bows of the launch and scrambled
into her.
What now should I do? How
could I get on board the "Saturn"
again without being detected? Ne-
cessity is a mother. Concealed by the
darkness I carefully hauled the launch
up under the ship's stern and to the
larboard stern port hole of the lowef
deck. The port hole was but little
above the launch and was opened;
and it opened by one-half downward.
Creeping up I perched myself here
with no little anxiety. -The sentry on
the lower deck was directly before
me pacing his beat fore and aft and
coming almost up to the port hole. I
watched him and observed that he
constantly looked straight forward
and downward as if absorbed in
thought, and when wheeling invaria-
bly turned on his left. I at once saw
my only chance. As he wheeled to
march from me I slipped through the
port hole and tripping with my bare
feet softly up behind him followed
him on tip-toe the length of his beat
and then, gliding on the right as he
wheeled on his left, slid forward into
darkness and noiselessly hastened to
the hammocks among the sailors.
My comrades were astonished. They
had measured my chances with the
tide and felt assured that I could
never return to the ship. They almost
believed me a ghost and looked upon
my adventures as partaking of the
marvelous.
313
An American's Appeal to His
Country to Secure His Freedom
On returning from Gibraltar to re-
sume our station in the blockading
squadron off Cadiz, while standing in
towards the squadron, the "Saturn"
struck a reef and was seriously dam-
aged. All our pumps were brought
into play and we hastened back to
Gibraltar. The ship was to be un-
loaded and hauled out immediately,
and a hard job this was; we toiled
like slaves. Her keel and bottom
were finally repaired. During this
time we were put on board the large
Spanish seventy-four-gun ship, "St.
John," taken by Lord Nelson and
now used as a hulk. When the "Sat-
urn" was made seaworthy again she
was ordered to England for a more
thorough overhaul. We immediately
proceeded to Portsmouth and the ship
was taken into the naval dock.
I now applied by letter the second
time to the American consul at Lon-
don for my discharge from the Brit-
ish service into which I had been un-
justly impressed. I had managed to
write to my kindred and friends in
the United States at different times
and particularly while at Gibraltar,
informing them of my impressment
and praying them to procure suitable
papers in my behalf and send them
to our consul at London. I knew
they had faithfully attended to this
brotherly duty and was aware that the
consul had now many documents in
my favor. The consul was the Hon-
orable William Lyman, formerly of
Hartford, Connecticut, and I felt
assured that he would act in my be-
half. I received no immediate re-
sponse.
When I had been to Portsmouth
about six weeks I received a letter
from the consul stating that applica-
tion had been made to the Lords'
Commissioners for the Admiralty for
my discharge, and an answer had
been returned that my papers were
insufficient. I was disappointed. I
was indignant. I was thoroughly
0f
Storn 1782
mad. My whole blood was hot. The
legal flaw in my papers, it appears,
was in the fact that they had not been
ceremoniously endorsed by a regular
custom-house officer — a mere trifle
that gave occasion for a legal techni-
cality that answered for the crown-
serving lawyer to hang his crown-
pleasing objection on. Thus per-
sistently denied my rights and having
suffered so long and so much I was
well-nigh exasperated. I now raised
my right hand and using strong
words that I care not to repeat, swore
strongly that I would never work
more for the British crown. I meant
what I said — bating the wickedness
of my passionate words ; and I was as
good as my vow. Affairs were now
to take some shape for the better or
the worse.
Revolt Against Unjust
Impressment in British Service
It was now Thursday noon, the
fifth of November, 1806; and I had
been in this dire slavery for about two
years and a half. I had irrevocably
determined to end it. Instead of go-
ing to work in the afternoon, I said to
the officer of the deck that I wished
to see the first lieutenant, Mr. Greg-
ory Grant. My request was granted.
Showing the lieutenant certain papers
that I had received from Stonington
my native town, signed by the select-
men of the town, I said: "Mr. Grant,
here are my papers from my native
town in the United States, certifying
my American birth and rights. I
have received similar papers properly
endorsed at five different times ; some
of these papers have been laid before
the authorities by our consul ; yet I
am denied my rights. I ought to be
discharged. And if I am not set at
liberty I am resolved never more to
work for the British crown, let the
consequences be what they may."
My language was bold and strong,
but I spoke as I felt. The lieutenant
replied : "It is my duty to take notice
of such language as this and to pun-
ish you for it. Should I do my duty
I should put you in irons and send
you on board the 'Royal William' out
at Spit Head."
The "Royal William" was now a
receiving ship. She was more than a
hundred years old and was the first
three-decker ever built by the English
government.
Manifestly the lieutenant felt some-
what lenient towards me and so did
not act up to the extent of his author-
ity. He was a Scotchman and must
naturally have felt a respect for a
lover of freedom, who was suffering
the privation of his dearest rights.
He advised me to write further to our
consul. I was excused from work
for the remainder of the day and also
for Friday and Saturday, which pre-
vented a trial of my vow on board the
ship by violence.
I immediately wrote again to our
consul at London, stating more fully
my situation and my just rights. I
also addressed a letter to America to
the Honorable James Madison, our
secretary of state, informing him of
my case and stating that my Ameri-
can papers had been rejected by the
English authorities. I wrote these
letters because I knew not what might
be in the future, though I had now re-
solved to try the experiment of help-
ing myself. Of course I could not
wait for replies to these letters.
An American Ship Assists
in Plight from Captivity
At this time we were on board a
hulk, as the "Saturn" was in the dock.
On Sunday morning I approached the
lieutenant to ask, as some others had
done with success, for leave to go on
shore. Without waiting to hear my
request he said: "There is no liberty
for you." Modifying my first pur-
pose I then said: "I only wish to go
on board the American ship 'Med-
ford.'" The "Medford" was from
Boston and lay but a little distance
from the hulk. The lieutenant finally
gave consent for me to visit the "Med-
ford" in the yawl under the charge of
a midshipman. I did not choose to
314
nf an
Am*riran
(Eaptain
go in this way. I was looking for a
loophole in the direction of personal
liberty.
I now went below and put on a
second suit of clothes as far as I could
without having the duplicates exposed
to sight. While thus engaged a
sailor, William Coffin. knowing my re-
solves and sympathizing with me, put
his hand into his pocket and taking
out all the money he had — only a few
pence — handed it to me, adding:
""There, that will help you a little in
crossing the water; luck go with
you." His generosity was heartily
received, for I was now penniless, not
having received my pay for service in
*he "Saturn."
It was now noon. Coming on deck
I began to study how I might reach
the shore or the American ship.
There were wherries skulling about
among the shipping to accommodate
such as were going to and from the
shore or among the ships. Acting as
if I had full permission, when the
lieutenant was out of sight, I beck-
oned a wherry alongside of the hulk
and was going over the side when the
sentry on that side of the ship stopped
me. Just at this moment, however, the
sentry on the other side of the deck'
— from an imperfect understanding
of the interview that he had noticed
between the lieutenant and myself, or
perhaps from sympathy with me —
interposed the remark: "I heard the
lieutenant give him permission to go
on board the "Medford." Touched
by a little light of hope I now slid into
the wherry and was skulled to the
-"Medford." Rarely did a mortal
ever pay for so short a voyage more
-gladly.
It was a hopeful though trembling
moment when I put my long wander-
ing and long imprisoned feet on the
deck of an American ship. I at once
formed the acquaintance of the mate
of the "Medford," Mr. Goram Cof-
fin, of Nantucket, to whom I fully un-
folded my situation. He was ready
to stand by me as a brother. On in-
. quiring of me, "From what part of
3«S
America are you?" I answered:
"From Stonington, Connecticut."
"Indeed," said he, "I am acquainted
there!" In him I found a friend in-
deed. He then said: "Come, why
not escape now?" I answered: "I
have vowed never again to go on
board a British man-of-war alive."
He encouraged my vow. I added:
"I want to reach London and see our
consul myself. But how shall I get
there? And how can I avoid detec-
tion on the way and keep out of the
clutches of press gangs? It is sev-
enty miles to London and I have no
money, except a few pence given me
by a sailor." He took from his pocket
a one-pound note and extending it to
me said : "There, you are welcome to
that." Heaven bless him! He was
willing to help a poor fugitive from
oppression.
Fleeing to London on a
Stage Coach in 1806
Mr. Coffin now took me on shore
and we began to plan for my journey
to London. We finally went to the
stage office and learned that the regu-
lar coach would leave Portsmouth for
London at six o'clock in the evening
and that a passage on the outside
would be only seventeen shillings and
sixpence. Of course expedition
would be economy and the most open
ride would be the least suspicious. In
the meantime I had armed myself
with two good stout pocket-knives
that I might command at any instant.
I was not to be returned to a man-of-
war without bloodshed, for liberty
was born in my blood.
We retired to an inn and talked
openly like Englishmen but privately
of my best course of action. At six
o'clock the stage horn blew when we
hastened to the office where I paid my
fare with no suspicious money and
jumped upon the coach top. Speak-
ing loudly so as to be heard Mr. Cof-
fin called Mr John Hix, as I had so
registered my name on the stage
books, and bid me give his respects to
old acquaintances, giving their names
af iferomalj
Stont 17 82,
and residences in London, and hoped
that I should find my kindred and
friends in health. The deception was
managed artfully; we parted like old
London cronies.
This night, the eighth of Novem-
ber, 1806, for its anxieties, its hopes,
its fears, its long, dark, cold hours,
made also impressive by wind and
sleet, has a marked record in my
memory. That seventy miles was
traveled wakefully and thoughtfully.
On the rear of the stage was sta-
tioned a soldier as a guard. Shortly
after starting he accosted me : "Well,
shipmate, what craft do you belong
to?" I was quick to answer: "To
the man-of-war, 'Saturn.'" We
talked freely; I told of sea adven-
tures ; he told of jolly sailors that had
rode to London. No suspicion was
awakened. At the relief stations I
was merry and generous and so far
treated the driver and guard as to
draw my purse to only a remaining
sixpence of the pound appropriated to
my journey. I studiously kept up
every appearance and profession of
loyalty to the royal realm, lest detec-
tives should scent my track. Upon
the whole we were a merry company,
at least, outwardly. There rode with
us two soldiers, lately from Buenos
Ayres, having inherited some prop-
erty, who were flush with money and
wine and song and cheering story,
and thus aided to relieve the dark,
chill, drearv night. I studied oppor-
tunities to make large English profes-
sions for my better security. As we
passed near Lord Nelson's country
seat and some one pointed in its
direction, I observed: "Our nation
met with a great loss in Lord Nel-
son's death ;" but inwardly I was glad
he was dead and wished half the na-
tion dead with him.
Homeward Bound Across
Atlantic a Free American Citizen
On reaching London, as it was ex-
tremely muddy, I had the politeness
to help a lady passenger from the
coach by taking her in my arms and
landing her safely on the sidewalk.
Expressing suitable obligation for the
favor she continued by asking in what
direction I was going. I told her I
wished to find the Royal Exchange
and inquired how I might find it.
She directed me to follow the street
on which we stood till I reached Lon-
don Bridge when the Royal Ex-
change would be full in sight. So
my politeness received its recompense.
I walked forward somewhat anx-
iously, thinking withal of the in-
quiries that were now on foot in
Portsmouth for Holmes, the deserter.
I was armed with my two trusty
knives and I now carried them open
though concealed to defend myself
should a press gang lay hands on me.
I felt that a certain part of the execu-
tive power corresponding with my in-
alienable rights was in myself and the
tools of oppressors in the shape of
press gangs would have found no
mercy at my hands and no prize in
me except my dead body.
I had previously learned that our
consul's office was in a street adjoin-
ing the Royal Exchange. I soon
found the office but it was closed. I
waited near by revolving my prob-
lematic destiny and holding fast to
my knives. Shortlv the clerk ap-
peared and opened the office. I im-
mediately entered and made myself
known. It was Lord Mayor's day
and therefore a high day in the city.
The consul was somewhere in the
crowd witnessing the pageant. The
procession finally passed the office
and the clerk, discovering the consul,
stepped out and informed him that
"the Holmes who had so often written
to him was in the office anxious to see
him." The consul soon came in and
I fully spread my case before him.
Asking me various questions about
Connecticut and Stonington, he be-
came satisfied that I was no deceiver.
His duty was plain. He ordered his
clerk to furnish me with a protection.
I had gained my great point. I had
no more use for my open knives. I
now had the hand and seal of liberty.
nf an (SHft Am?riran
(Eaptetn
It was an hour of inexpressible relief
and I stood up in the pride and dig-
nity of an attested American citizen.
But the more I rejoiced in my liberty
and my endorsed rights the more I
scorned and hated the English that
had so long wronged me of my time
and strength. And I was glad too
that for my liberty I owed the
haughty crown no thanks. I rather
owed that which I exultingly en-
deavored, not without some success,
to pay on the tenth of August, 1814,
in the borough of Stonington.
My hatred to the English was only
natural but was not altogether right.
I now hastened to leave the loathed
country and find my own sweet and
free home. Searching for a home-
ward passage I shipped on board the
"Powhattan," a merchant ship from
Petersburg, Virginia, under com-
mand of Captain William Cottle. I
need not say that I coveted for the
"Powhattan" a quick passage .and
bounded across the Atlantic with a
heart more buoyant than the waves or
the winds.
Back in America After
Five Years' Fearful Experiences
We reached the United States in
March, 1807. I made no delay in
finding old Stonington. After an
absence of above five years, having
passed through privations and im-
prisonment, and slavish toils and im-
minent perils, and goading insults,
and now penniless, I was indeed
happy to end the deep anxieties of
my friends and to tread again the free
soil of the region of my nativity.
My experiences had prepared me to
prize freedom.
The wars abroad among the Euro-
pean powers now brought on a state
of general non-intercourse in com-
mercial affairs which was soon fol-
lowed by what was termed the long
embargo. For a season therefore I
remained about home, and in the
meantime busied myself variously in
farming. My restless thoughts, how-
ever, still roamed upon the sea. Mis-
fortunes had not quenched my sea-
ward ambitions. I only waited the
lifting of the war-clouds to launch
again upon the treacherous but prom-
ising element. I accepted not disas-
trous beginnings as auguries of final
defeat.
In March, 1809, I was married to
Miss Anne B. (Denison) Gallup,
daughter of Isaac and Eunice (Wil-
liams) Denison. This doubtless was
the most fortunate as it was the hap-
piest step of my life in respect to my
temporal interests.
It being reported that the long em-
bargo was about to close I sought an
opportunity to again go to sea. Only
seven days after my marriage I went
to New York and sailed immediately
for Liverpool as mate of the large
schooner "Sea Flower" under Cap-
tain Peter Guifford, a Frenchman.
We left port before the embargo
closed so as to take the first chance in
freights. The voyage occupied above
eight months. The only incident 'of
the voyage meriting notice was that
of a most terrific hurricane which we
experienced on our return passage off
St. Johns. Not a shred of canvas
dare we expose and death howled
unon our track from the raging heav-
ens and the boiling and surging deep.
In all my fifty years' wanderings on
the sea I have known no tempest that
was its parallel. We reached New
York in November.
I now left the "Sea Flower" for the
coasting trade at home. I took a
sloop in company with Manassah
Minor and sailed south, trading in
produce chiefly between Richmond,
Norfolk and other ports on the Atlan-
tic shore. Thus I passed the winter
of 1809 and 1810.
In Coasting Trade on Atlantic
Coast a Hundred Years Ago
In the spring of 1811 I joined a
company who bought of Peck & Hal-
lam of New London, the schooner
"Sally Ann." I owned a fourth of
the vessel, bought wholly on credit.
I had just invested all my property in
317
ISnrn 17S2
the erection of the dwelling that I
still occupy (1859). We paid for the
schooner five thousand eight hundred
dollars. Simeon Haley was chosen
captain and I was appointed mate.
In June we sailed to Richmond, Vir-
ginia. Here we secured a cargo of
tobacco for Bristol, England, receiv-
ing six pounds and two shillings per
hogshead, making an excellent
freight. In eight months from the
time we sailed from Mystic I had
cleared my part of the cost of the ves-
sel, more than fourteen hundred dol-
lars.
I was now put in command of the
"Sally Ann" and ran her in the coast-
ing business on the Atlantic shore till
within a few weeks of the opening of
the War of 1812, when I sold out to
Simeon Haley.
Soon after the breaking out of the
war I bought one-fourth of the fam-
ous sloop "Hero" and was appointed
as her commander.
In February, 1813, I took the
"Hero" to New York to receive a
freight to Charleston, South Carolina.
The great difficulties of the coast
trade at this time made it profitable to
such as dared to pursue it. On reach-
ing1 New York we learned that the
Chesapeake was blocked by a British
squadron, and, knowing that the ene-
my's ships were hovering thickly on
the whole coast, it was deemed very
hazardous to attempt the contem-
plated voyage. Captain Potter and
the other owners had their misgiv-
ings. I was ready to try the cruise
relying upon the "Hero's" keel and
the strength of her cordage.
I ran out to sea and for a day or so
had no trouble. Some of the time I
had the company of the pilot boat,
schooner "Ulysses," cruising off the
coast to inform Commodore Rogers
of the blockade of the Chesapeake.
My first anxiety was from five British
ships of the line discovered close upon
me during the night. Favored by the
darkness and a skilful management of
my canvas to avoid being seen and
giving reins to the "Hero" on a run
I soon left the ships beyond the hori-
zon. On another night I fell in with
a single man-of-war that I dodged by
like maneuvers. On a third night I
was again surprised and the enemy,
discovering me, turned and bent her-
self upon my track. The "Ulysses"
was now in sight to the northward
and on the shore side of me. The
enemy soon turned her pursuit upon
the "Ulysses," which was the larger
vessel ; meanwhile I turned to the
eastward and so escaped. The
"Ulysses" pressed canvas and carried
away her mainmast, when the enemy
came up and taking her crew pris-
oners, sent her to the bottom.
Adventures as Commander of
the •« Hero " in War of 1812
Only the night after this escape' I
was surprised by a bright light direct-
ly on my bow. In a moment I dis-
cerned five vessels of the British line
standing directly for me. Instantly I
bore away unseen by them, as in a
moment they were busy making a
tack and ran to the eastward; but
soon shaping my course to southward
again, before morning I ran into the
midst of the same company and
passed within a cable's length of a
brig's bow, and yet again, as my for-
tune would have it, I was unobserved.
On a following night with the wind
blowing well-nigh a gale and in the
midst of a fog that was exchanged for
rain, I found a large three-decker just
aft and a heavy ship just ahead plung-
ing on their way. I again concealed
myself by taking in my sails till a lit-
tle distance made it safe to put the
bone again in the "Hero's" mouth.
Thus with play in e hush and dodg-
ing and scudding, all with sleepless
anxiety and yet confidence in the good
"Hero's" keel, canvas and helm, after
a passage of about six days, I ran
over the bar into Charleston Harbor
to the no little astonishment of the
people in the city; for only the day
before a shio and a brig were prowl-
ing in the offing on the lookout for
victims, and had succeeded in captur-
318
nf an QDlfc Ameriran
(ttaptatn
ing the schooner "Federal Jack," then
in the government service supplying
lighthouses with oil and other neces-
saries. The collector of the port at
once asked me if I had a license for
my cruise from the English. I told
him my only license was from the
custom-house in New London. He
seemed astonished at my daring and
success.
I lay in Charleston about two
weeks discharging and making ready
and taking in freight for my return
voyage. I laid the "Hero" ashore,
scrubbed and tallowed her that she
might make a clean furrow. I found
here the "Nimble," under Captain
John Rathbun, and the "Revenue,"
under Captain Forsyth, both from
Mystic. These sailed the day before
me, heavily loaded, and were captured
off Cape Hatteras by Admiral War-
ren and were taken to the Chesapeake
when the crews, with about two hun-
dred other prisoners, were put on
board the frigate "Junan" and car-
ried to Bermuda. I took in a reason-
able load of cotton and other articles
and started on my homeward dodge.
About the third day out I fell in
with an English frigate off the capes
of the Chesapeake. She gave chase
and pursued me from morning till
evening. As darkness came on she
was within two gun-shots of me.
Under cover of the night I took in my
small sails and hauled in towards land
and then tacking to the north and tax-
ing my spars successfully eluded the
enemy's reach.
44 Gentlemen, You Have Got to
Fight or Go to Halifax ! "
I met no other danger till I neared
the island of No Man's Land, when,
at daylight, I discovered a brig on my
weather quarter busy making sail.
The wind was now north. I at once
spread all my canvas and squared
away before the wind. The brig
came bounding after me. I had a
clear track for about two hours and I
measured my knots right handsomely.
I now made two English frigates1
directly on my bow. This gave me a
shorter berth than I could have de-
sired. But despair never shipped on
board the "Hero," nor was her keel
made for a prize. I jibed and stood
to the eastward. I now had the brig
on my quarter and the frigates astern
and one of the frigates immediately
gave chase ; the other had a schooner
in care. I bid the "Hero" do her
best and helped her as best I could.
A little relief, however, unexpectedly
arose from the character and fears of
the brig.
The brig proved to be an English
privateer, the "Sir John Sherbrook,"
of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, a very
famous craft that took not a few
prizes on our coast during the war.
She did not wish to come under the
reach of the frigate lest, in obedience
to her superior, she should be com-
pelled to give up a portion of her men
for the frigate's use; she, therefore,
gave the frigate a reasonable berth,
but she still hung upon my course as
best she could with her own interests
in view. She hauled her wind to the
northward. I was now running to
the eastward, but I shortly headed
towards Martha's Vineyard.
The wind now died away, and we
were close in to No Man's Land. The
brig lowered her boat armed witli
muskets and prosecuted the chase.
The frigate had now given up the
chase and returned to seek her con-
sort. The brig's boat pressed so
closely upon me that the man in her
bow with a musket fired upon me and
put a number of balls through my
sails. But for my consideration this
bowsman would have lost his life. I
had three passengers on board ; one
of these was a Mr. Spencer of Ver-
mont, who had a prime rifle, and pro-
posed to prove his expertness with
his piece at the same time that he
should evince his patriotism by laying
this armed bowsman in the bottom of
the boat. I requested a little delay.
Counting upon what might occur I
made the "Hero" ready for defense.
I said to my passengers : "Now, gen-
nf
Unrtt 1?B2
tlemen, you have got to fight or go to
Halifax." We had no relish for Hal-
ifax. I had the men and passengers
at work at once, and I locked the
companion-way to hold all the
strength on deck. We arranged the
bales of cotton in tiers like a bulwark.
I then had a quantity of ballast stones
and all available arms ready to give
the privateer a suitable reception.
Fortunately, however, at this mo-
ment, when affairs were about to
come to arms, a breeze sprung up
that filled the "Hero's" canvas and I
soon left the assailant with no other
choice than to return to the brig.
Triumph of the " Hero " and
Her Welcome Home Again
I now ran between No Man's Land
and a reef and stood on to the north-
ward. The brig dared not follow,
but remained outside and was be-
calmed.
The brig had an American Jack
from her fore-top-gallant mast-head
for a pilot. My mate suggested that
we should run down and put him on
board as a pilot that he might realize
a few hundred dollars for carrying
her into Newport. I replied: "I
shall neither board any vessel nor be
boarded till I reach a good harbor."
Nearing land we fell in with a num-
ber of small fishing vessels. One of
these, the smack "Fair Haven" of
Edgartown ran down and furnished
the brig with a pilot.
I had a good breeze in shore and I
made the best of it. With a change
of wind I now put my head in for
Point Judith. By four o'clock in the
morning I was off Watch Hill. Ly-
ing here with jib to my mast till
morning broke I discovered the priva-
teer brig abreast of me not a mile dis-
tant. Making all sail I stood through
the reef and before sunrise the
"Hero" ran into Noank in Mystic
River, where I was most heartily wel-
comed by my owners and friends
who, not without reason, praised the
"Hero's" success and wondered how
I had so successfully run the gauntlet
through so many ships of war.
MARRIAGE CONTRACT IN AMERICA IN 1675
Transcribed from Original by MARY R. WOODRUFF
Know all men by these presents, That I, William East of Milford,
in ye County of new-haven, in the Colony of Connecticut in New England,
Do upon ye Contract of marriage with mary Plume of the same Town
Widdow, give, bind and make over my dwelling hous and homlett, and all
my Land both arrable and meadow ground within ye bounds of Milford ;
And I Doe Further Ingage that the sd mary Plume and her heirs shall
quietly and peaceably enjoy all and Singular the premises above sd with
the Barne and outhouses forever after my decease, or Two hundred pound
which she pleaseth, without any lett or mollostacon from any person, per-
sons, from, by, or under me ye shall lay Claime thereunto : The above sd
promises I Do make over unto ye sd mary as a Dowrie or Jointure upon
the Anot. aforesd, and this to stand in force to all intents and purposes
immediately upon the Confumation of marriage, or if it please God to take
me away by death before marriage, yet this to stand in full power, force
and vertue; Further I, the sd William East, doe hereby promise and
Engage not to Claime any interest in any of her Estate either reall or per-
sonall (by vertue of her interrest) But do leave ye same fully, and whoely
to herself to dispose when and as She pleaseth, In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and scale this 4th day of January 1675.
Signed and delivered in presence of us (Signed) WILLIAM EAST.
DANIEL BUCKINGHAM SAMUELL EAST.
ulaitmt
$to0t
Hg Norman ©alrntt
3T is not long since the great
network of thoroughfares
that cross and counter-
cross the Western Con-
tinent, and over which
some eighty million peo-
ple now pass, were but
rough trails through dense forest wil-
derness.
Then as the axe blazed broader
paths and the trails widened, the turn-
pike and the post-road stretched
through the woodland and fields,
winding its course over hills and
down the slopes into the valleys, join-
ing the neighboring villages.
Not long ago a single highway was
the sole artery between New York
and Boston, taking and bearing on-
ward all the life and traffic which
flowed into it from the smaller arte-
ries leading from the less populous
villages and settlements. So impor-
.tant a part did this road have in the
early life of the nation that there is
hardly a momentous event in her his-
tory which it does not recall.
Along it rode His Majesty's gov-
ernor of New England, Sir Edmund
Andros, as he journeyed to take his
seat at Boston. In 1775 spurred over
it the messenger who bore the news
of Lexington, and through its dust
resolutely trudged the trained bands
that in answer to his summons hur-
ried to the relief of Boston. Later it
was traveled by Washington and
Lafayette and other great men who
received, from the country people
dwelling on it, ovations amounting
almost to worship.
The notes of the post horn brought
the good folk of the towns along the
way hurrying to their windows and
STONE STEPS WHERE PUTNAM ON HORSEBACK ESCAPED FROM THE BRITISH
doors to see the coach roll in with its
cargo of mail and passengers from
the outside world.
Among the Colonial and Revolu-
tionary hostelries which were scat-
tered along the Post Road between
New York and Boston, none is more
intimately linked with the life of early
days than the old Israel Knapp Inn,
in Greenwich, Connecticut, which
was the headquarters of General
Israel Putnam for a time in 1779, and
where he was surprised by the Brit-
ish on the day of his daring ride down
the stone steps, the tale of which is so
dear to every American school-boy.
The house must have been built
about two hundred years ago. The
land on which it stands was bought
in 1692 by one Timothy Knapp, and
there is in the Greenwich Land Rec-
ords a deed of a gift of a half of the
house and land to his son, Israel
Knapp, in 1729. The erection was
of course between these two dates.
From earliest times it was used as an
inn, and its hospitable roof has cov-
ered many a famous man who jour-
neyed on horseback or in stage coach
between Boston and New York.
In 1766 the town records show that
a meeting of freeholders was held at
the house of "Israel Knapp, Inn-
holder." In this house were held
meetings of one of the first Masonic
lodges in America, and in recent
years while repairs were being made,
certain of the regalia was found and
is now in the possession of Acacia
Masonic Lodge of Greenwich.
The really interesting period in the
history of the place begins with the
American Revolution. During most
CELLAR STAIRS IX THE OLD KNAPP TAVERN* WHERE THE TORIES CONGREGATED
of the war Greenwich was debatable
ground. Much of the time there
were American troops stationed in
the town, but there were frequent
raids by the British soldiers and by
the hands of guerillas, known as
"cow boys," while a large proportion
of the inhabitants were loyal to the
"crown."
Among the most inveterate Tories
was the inn-keeper, Israel Knapp, and
it is said that his tavern was for a
long time a secret meeting-place for
those who sought to defeat the pa-
triot cause. It is certain that he was
held in ill-repute by all good patriots,
and his name was on the dangerous
list held by the local "committee of
safety."
Connected with the cottage is a
most romantic, though dismal tale.
The old inn-keeper's favorite son,
Timothy Knapp, though as ardent a
Tory as his father, was in love with
the beautiful daughter of the patriot,
Jonathan Mead, who lived nearby.
Tradition says that the girl recipro-
cated his affection, but she was im-
bued with a spirit of loyalty to the
cause of the Revolutionists that made
her indignantly refuse when Timothy
sought her hand in marriage. The
youth, as might be expected, was
deeply hurt.
He called to her reproachfully and
angrily as he left the house that even-
ing : "You shall speak to me one day,
but I shall never answer you !"
He little knew how true were his
words. One evening shortly after-
ward when he was approaching the
house, perhaps to make another at-
Umpt t«> win the maid, her father,
mistaking him for a "cow boy"
323
nf Suing
imj0
marauder, shot him through the
heart. The girl, recognizing him,
threw herself upon his lifeless body
and implored him to speak, but he
was dead and unable to answer to the
caresses that were showered upon
him. The body lies buried on the
grounds of the ancient inn.
On the 26th of February, 1779,
General Israel Putnam was staying
in the house when surprised by a
large party of British and Tories un-
der General Tryon. The story re-
lates that the general, old gallant that
he was, that 'night escorted a pretty
maiden, Mistress Bush of Cos Cob,
to a dance in a part of the town
known as Pecksland, and did not re-
turn until the wee small hours of the
morning. It is only reasonable to
assume that he did not rise early after
he had retired. Tradition also
affirms that he was shaving in the
morning when an American officer,
one Titus Watson, rode in and in-
formed him of the approach of Gen-
eral Tyron with a large force of Brit-
ish and Tories along the Post Road
from New York. He hastened to
the Congregational meeting-house,
which was but a few rods west of the
Knapp tavern, and drew up his little
body of Continentals. Resistance
by such a small force was futile, and
after the first volley Putnam ordered
his men to seek safety wherever they
might find it, and himself started on
a gallop toward Stamford for rein-
forcements.
A quarter of a mile east of the
Congregational Church is a precipi-
tous and rocky hill, now known as
"Put's Hill." 'in it were cut steps,
twenty-four, it is said, in number,
whereby on Sundays the members of
Christ Church, the Episcopal Church
at the top of the hill, ascended. The
British were confident that they had
captured the American general when
they saw him spurring his horse
toward the steps. Not so, however.
With reckless daring he galloped his
horse down the stone steps, turning in
the saddle as he went, shaking his fist
and calling out, defiantly: "God cuss
ye, I'll hang ye to the next tree when
I get ye."
The astounded dragoons reined up
at the head of the steps, catching a
glimpse of the "flying horseman,"
looked at one another in bewilder-
ment. Putnam returned that day
with reinforcements in time to cap-
ture a considerable number of them
as prisoners.
One of the eye-witnesses of the
daring ride was Rose Fitch, an old
slave woman belonging to Jabez
Fitch, who lived on the brow of the
hill. She died in Port Chester about
sixty years ago at a very advanced
age. Mr. Thomas T. Tompkins, of
Port Chester, who is now about
eighty years old, tells the story which
the old slave woman related to him
when he was a boy.
"'I was standing at the gate on the
morning when the British raided the
town,' she often told me," said Mr.
Tompkins to the writer. "'I had
heard the firing near the Congrega-
tional Church, and like everyone else
in town, had rushed out to see what
was the matter. As I looked down
the road I saw a man riding up the
road at a break-neck pace. Hardly a
hundred yards behind him rode a
dozen or more men in scarlet uni-
forms.
"'Across the brow of the hill ran a
stone wall in which there was an
opening at the point where the path-
way reached the summit. Leaving
the main road the first horseman
dashed straight through and down
the pathway which was very steep
and in which a number of steps were
cut. The men who followed reined
up at the stone wall and were silent
for a moment as if astonished. Then
they fell to arguing with one another,
and later rode away. I did not know
at the time who the daring rider was,
but was told later that the man was
General Putnam and that his pursuers
were British soldiers.'"
cm? ICtfe in lEarlg Amrrtra
Remembrance wakes, with all her busy train,
Swells at my breast-
How often have 1 loitered o'er thy green.
Where humble happiness endeared each scene.
0m? iCtf? in iEarlg Amrrtra
TTPICAL AMEHICAX HOMES IX FIRST YEAHS OF THE REPUBLIC
T1IE OLD OPKX IIRARTI!
THE OLD WELL SWEEP
ij 0 m ? £tf* tn E a r I g Amrrira
BUILT IN 1640 AND BELIEVED TO BE THE OLDEST ANCESTRAL ESTATE IN AMERICA
In Continuous Possession of the Descendants of Its Pioneer Builder, Joseph Loomis
At Windsor, Connecticut
SPACIOUS HOME A CENTURY AGO
OLD MANSION OP YEARS GONE BY
Jtt
3tftrat
in Ammra
Br CLARA EMERSON BICKFORD
I
CLOCK BELONGING TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
first houses in America
were small and rude, but
very soon commodious
and comfortable dwell-
ings were built, filled
with furniture that has
nothing suggestive of
the frontiersman. A thousand pounds
was a great sum of money in
those days, but before 1650 there
were plenty of men in America who
were worth more than that amount.
The wealth of the settlers consisted
of clothing, cotton, linen, woolen and
silk stuffs ; and tools, implements, ves-
sels and utensils of iron, pewter,
brass, wood and earthenware. Thom-
as Morton, writing in 1632, said that
there was need of the tumelor or
cooper, smiths, carpenters and shop-
keepers. He complained of exces-
sive prices, saying: "If they do not
gain Cent per Cent, they cry out that
they are losers." The first houses
were constructed of rough-hewn tim-
ber with window-panes of oiled glass
and the roofs thatched. The hearths
were laid with stones and clay and the
huge chimneys were raised outside
the walls. Edward Winslow writes
in 1621, "Bring plenty of clothes and
bedding, fowling pieces, and paper
and linseed oil for your windows with
cotton yarn for your lamps." In i62Q
Higginson writes to his friends in
England, "Be sure to furnish yourself
with glass for windows." Men of
position, wealth and learning came to
America. In 1638 Winthrop notes in
his diary: "Many ships arrived this
year, with people of good quality and
estate, notwithstanding the Council's
order that none such should come
without the King's order." Among
those who intended to come, history
mentions Oliver Cromwell himself.
Along the Atlantic coast log-houses
and rough abodes developed into
commodious homesteads and spacious
mansions. This was the foundation
of the home-life that has since be-
come one of the dearest treasures in
America, and even to-day many of
the truest Americans hold in trust the
home furnishings of some of the first
homes in the American Republic.
Types of
Early Furniture in America
Rare Antiques in Possession of
Mrs. John Marshall Holcombe
at Hartford, Connecticut
Jn tit? Jfftrjat 2jnm?0 in
AN AMERICAN HOME DURING THE LAST CENTURY
TAP ROOM IN WAYSIDE INN, SUDBURY, MASSACHUSETTS; CONTAINING DESK USED BY
DANIEL WEBSTER, AND THIRTEEN ANTIQUE CHAIRS FROM FLAGSHIP " HARTFORD
A n r i r tt t American iCan&markH
THE PASSING OF THE OLD LANDMARKS
THE FIRST DAYS OF AMERICAN INDUSTRY
MODERN AMERICAN SCULPTURE
The "Aztecs" by Louis A. Gudebrod
Member of the National Sculpture Society
An .Indian C*gtn&— ®lj? JflinJjt nf Jfob Strft
BY
JOE
or CAMBRIDGE, MASSACIJI-SETTS
ON the heights above the river,
Looking southward to Long
Island.
Stood the Indian home of Obed,
Stood his cabin lone and high ;
With him lived his comely daughter,
Lived his only daughter " Red Bird,"
She a robust, lovely maiden,
And the apple of his eye.
She had lovers from the Pequots,
She had lovers from the Island,
All the braves for miles around her
Sought her hand but all in vain ;
To their tales she would not listen,
For her heart went out to " White Face,'
He the mighty Yankee hunter
Of the forest and the plain.
Obed, stern and true to nature,
With disfavor looked on " White Face,"
And forbade his daughter. "Red Bird "
To the hunter's ardent gaze ;
Then within the darkened forest
Did he meet her clandestinely.
While their hearts sang love's hosannas
Through the silent summer days.
One day Obed came from Saybrooke,
Where he'd been attending worship.
For 'tis said he was converted,
And he found his daughter fled :
She had taken her belongings,
And her trail led to the river,
Where in direful consternation
Broken hearted Obed sped.
Print of maid and print of lover
Did he trail through field and meadow,
Till at last he reached the river,
Where her birch-bark was no more;
Far out on the waters rolling,
From the storm that was arising,
Could he see the lovers fleeing
For the dim Long Island shore.
Then the storm broke loose with fury,
And the shell-like craft was beaten
On the mad waves like a feather
Till 'twas lost from human sight;
Obed, dazed and bent with sorrow.
Turned him back unto his cabin.
Now a place of chill and darkness,
Cursing "White Face" through the
night.
Then a watchful, spying Pequot,
Who was haunting stream and forest,
Came upon the happy lovers,
And to Obed told the tale;
Obed full of wrath and hatred,
Ever after, in his absence,
Locked his daughter in the cabin.
Where she silent grew and pale.
Gone his only daughter "Red Bird,"
Gone the hope and joy of Obed,
Last of tribe and name of Obed,
On the treach'rous Saybrooke shoal.
Sought he then the sacred boulder,
Known to fame as " Obed's Altar,"
Where he threw himself in sorrow
And in agony of soul.
Sunday came, the church was opened,
But no Obed came for worship,
And they wondered at his absence.
Seldom had he staid away.
When they sought him on the morrow
Dead they found him on his altar,
On his altar on the hillside,
Where it stands in peace today.
333
Jtftrst Patent tn
Qj»rantrfo in Ifi4fi tn ib,r Jlnurntnr nf "an rnginr nf
mills to go bn, utatrr " anh rrrnrbr^ as " 3lrnkr0 iHupulyr "
BY
EMELINE JENKS CRAMPTOX OF ST. CL.AIR, MICIIIGAX
A LINEAL DESCENDANT or THE PATENTKK
At a generall courte at Boston the 6th of the 3th mo 1646 The Cort con-
sidringe ye necessity of raising such manufactures of engins of mils to go by
water for speedy dispatch of much worke wth few hands, and being suffi-
ciently informed of ye ability of ye petitionr to pforme such workes grant
his petition (yt n othr pson shall set up, or use any such new invention, or
trade for fourteen years wtout ye licence of him ye said Joseph Jenkes) so
far as concernes any such new invention, and so as it shalbe always in ye
powr of this corte to restrain ye exportation of such manifactures, and ye
prizes of them to moderation if occasion so require.
®HE first patent in America
was granted to Joseph
Jenks, the first, a founder
and machinist who had
emigrated from Ham-
mersmith, England,
where he was born in
1602. He was "a very ingenious
man," and was induced by Governor
AVinthrop, the younger, to come to
Lynn, Massachusetts, about 1642, as
master mechanic, to establish "the
iron and steel works." He is the
acknowledged head of the iron-smelt-
ing and founding business, and the
first builder of machinery in this
country, and first patentee of inven-
tions in America, having introduced
the idea (first granted by act of Par-
liament in 1625) of protection for the
manufacture of improvements by pe-
tition to the government of Massa-
chusetts Bay. In 1646 he took pat-
ents for mill improvements ; and in
1655 he patented the present form of
the grass scythe, for which "he should
be held in grateful remembrance."
In 1652 he made dies for the first
coinage of money, the "Pine Tree
Shillings." In 1654 he built the first
fire engine, to the order of "the se-
lectmen of Boston" (the first ever
built in the country) ; in 1657 he built
a forge, and entered upon the manu-
facture of his improved scythes nine
years before his application was
granted.
Inventor Jenks was a widower and
left two sons, Joseph, eleven, and
George, in England, who early fol-
lowed him to America. He married
again in Lynn, and had three sons and
two daughters. His son, Joseph, was
born in England in 1632, followed his
father to Lynn about 1647, an^ served
at his business; he subsequently went
to Providence, Rhode Island, and es-
tablished the iron and machine busi-
ness at Pawtucket Falls, founding the
town of Pawtucket. His shops were
destroyed in King Philip's War, but
were rebuilt. By his enterprise the
JtrBt |Iatrut in Amerira in 164fi
foundation was laid which made that
town the great "iron workshop of the
colonies," and the place where skilled
mechanics gathered, who have since
made Rhode Island noted for her steel
and iron products, machinery and
other manufactures.
The manufacture of firearms be-
gan to be carried on extensively in
this place by Stephen Jenks ; and sev-
eral independent companies were fur-
nished with arms of home manufac-
ture. Sixty heavy cannons besides
field pieces were made at the iron
works.
Inventor Jenks came from an old
family abroad. The surname is
spelled Jenks, Jynks. Jenkes, Jencks.
and Jenckes. This family is descend-
ed from the Welch or ancient Britons.
Robert Jenks was of Wolverton
(manor) parish of Eatounder-
Eywood, Shropshire, about 1350, in
the reign of Edward III. This gen-
tleman was the son of Jenkyn Cam-
brey of that place and Dorothy,
daughter and co-heiress of Sir Walter
Collyng, Knight, of Church Stretton,
in the same county. From Robert,
the ancestry is traced to Sthelstan,
who reigned from 925 to 941, the
head of the fourth royal tribe of
Wales. Sthelstan was descended
from Vortigern, who ruled the Brit-
ons from 454 to 485 A.D., and seven
generations beyond Caractacus — as
far as Welch annals and Bardic pedi-
grees are carried. At Wolverton it
continued for ten direct descents and
families branched therefrom. Her-
bert Jenks, Esquire, possessed Wol-
verton about 1640 and his estate fell
to his heirs by a daughter. From this
ancestry was Joseph Jenks, the first
patentee in America.
Inventor Jenks' grandson was dis-
tinguished in his service to Rhode
Island and was assistant governor for
eleven years, and governor from 1727-
1732 — five years.
THE FIRST ENGLISH-SPEAKING AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS
33S
THE HEART OF THE AMERICAN DOMINION A GENERATION AGO
THE CONQUEST OP THE AMERICAN WILDERNESS
Prints from Honorable William Henry Mllburn's "In the Valley of the Mississippi "
336
(feat ij£art of tty Ammratt Hmmttum
of
a Janrnrg in tfyr 39Uarrnrsa
of th.P iWir.iiir.si}Hii Uallni in
txyrrirnrra in Haul firgiim tliat ifi (Saining (Control
of thr American Nation anb nnui Qlontaina Smrnty-tmo of lljr
3Partg-fiw Hnitrb fctatrn J* SraurlH in tye tarlg Saga of Amrrtran Urpublir
BT
MAJOR SAMUEL, S. FORMAN
FROM TUB ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT Now IN POSSESSION or His FAMILY
M^^fpHE great precursors of civ-
s ilization have nearly all
m come within the memory
AIL of the generation that is
^^^^Jr now passing. Wonder-
ful are the scenes that
have been enacted before
the eyes of the silver-haired men and
women who are now turning their
faces from the great drama of a
world's unfolding and lifting their
arms in willingness to the Infinite
Power. It is hard to conceive what
the next generation will witness along
this triumphant march of progress.
Many men now of middle age knew
Major Samuel S. Forman and have
heard him tell his experiences on a
journey down the Mississippi Valley
when it was a vast wilderness, with
only here and there a small settle-
ment fortified against the Indians.
While he was relating his adventures
the wilderness disappeared as if by
magic, until to-day the very men who
heard his lips repeat the story are
traversing the scene and erecting
upon it temples of civilization.
As we read these words, twenty-
two of the forty-five states of this
American Republic are wholly within
this wilderness of yesterday — the
Mississippi Valley. With Oklahoma
and Indian Territory admitted as one
state, it will make the twenty-third
and give the Mississippi Valley a ma-
jority of the United States, ultimately
controlling the nation, politically and
337
financially, and "establishing the seat
of the American Dominion in the
great heart of the continent."
When Major Forman made his not-
able journey into the wilds of the
Mississippi Valley, he found Pitts-
burg but a few log-houses in the for-
est, and it was with difficulty that
land could be disposed of at fifty cents
an acre or hundred-acre-tracts for
fifty dollars each. To-day it is the
greatest industrial city on the West-
ern Continent, spanning the Monon-
gahela river with the finest and largest
structure in American civilization, a
million dollar terminal on the very
site of old Fort Duquesne, and its
railroad bridges handling more traf-
fic than any other locality in this coun-
try. All along the route taken by
Major Forman, rich and beautiful
cities have been similarly built and it
is with these in mind that the major's
adventures become intensely interest-
ing.
Major Forman was born in Mid-
dletown Point, Monmouth County,
New Jersey, July 2r, 1765, and re-
lated this story shortly before his
death at the age of ninety-seven years,
August 1 6, 1862, in Syracuse, New
York. The manuscript of his adven-
tures was secreted for nearly forty
years, when Honorable Lyman C.
Draper had them preserved in a bro-
chure in Cincinnati. The record here
given is contributed by Mrs. Breese
Stevens of Madison, Wisconsin.
in iff? UJtH0i00tppt Balbg in lfB9
ENERAL DAVID FOR-
MAN, of New Jersey,
entered into a negotia-
tion with the Spanish
minister, Don Diego de
Gardoque, for his
brother, Ezekiel For-
man, of Philadelphia, to emigrate
with his family and sixty odd colored
people, and settle in the Natchez
country, then under Spanish author-
ity.
I agreed with General Forman to
accompany the emigrating party ; and,
about the last of November, 1789,
having closed up my little business at
Middletown Point, New Jersey, I set
out from the general's residence, in
Freehold, with Captain Benajah Os-
mun, an old continental captain, who
was at that time the faithful over-
seer of the general's blacks. There
were sixty men, women, and children,
and they were the best set of blacks I
ever saw together. I knew the most
of them, and all were well-behaved,
except two rather ill-tempered fel-
lows. General Forman purchased
some more, who had intermarried
with his own, so as not to separate
families. They were all well fed and
well clothed.
Traveling in a Caravan
in America in 1789
We had, I believe, four teams of
four horses each, and one two-horse
wagon, all covered with tow-cloth,
while Captain Osmun and I rode on
horseback. After the distressing
scene of taking leave — for the gene-
ral's family and blacks were almost all
in tears — we set out upon our long
journey. The first night we camped
on the plains near Cranberry, having
accomplished only about twelve or fif-
teen miles. The captain and I had a
bed put under one of the wagons ; the
sides of the wagon had tenter-hooks,
and curtains made to hook up to
them, with loops to peg the bottom to
the ground. The colored people
mostly slept in their wagons. In the
night a heavy rain fell, when the
captain and I fared badly. The
ground was level, and the water, un-
able to run off, gave us a good soak-
ing. I had on a new pair of hand-
some buckskin small clothes ; the rain
spoiled their beauty, and the wetting
and subsequent shrinkage rendered
them very uncomfortable to wear.
Leaving New Jersey on Long
Journey into the Middle West
The next morning we commenced
our journey as early as possible. We
drove to Princeton, where we tarried
awhile, and all were made comfort-
able. We crossed the Delaware five
miles above Trenton. On arriving
at Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, the
authorities stopped us, as we some-
what expected they would do. Gen-
eral Forman had furnished me with
all the necessary papers relating to
the transportation of slaves through
New Jersey and Pennsylvania. While
Judge Hubley was examining the
papers, the servant women informed
me that the females of the city came
out of their houses and inquired of
them whether they could spin, knit,
sew, and do housework, and whether
they were willing to go to the South ;
so, if the authorities stopped us, they
could all soon have new homes. But
our colored women laughed at the
Lancaster ladies, who seemed morti-
fied when they learned that we could
not be detained.
In Westmoreland county we had a
little trouble with a drunken justice of
the peace and some free blacks.
These free blacks, as we learned from
a faithful old colored woman, fur-
nished the two ill-tempered blacks of
our party with old swords and pis-
tols, but nothing serious grew out of
it.
The weather began to grow very
cold, the roads bad, and traveling
tedious. We encamped one night in
the woods, kindled a fire, and turned
the tails of the wagons all inward,
thus forming a circle around the fire.
Another night we came to a vacant
cabin without a floor; we made a
333
<£rrat Ifjrart of % Am^nran iflmutuw
large fire, and all who chose took
their bedding and slept in the cabin,
some remaining in the wagons. The
captain and I had our beds spread be-
fore the fire.
Camping in the Forests
of the Alleghany Mountains
One Saturday evening, we were
apprehensive of being obliged to en-
camp again in the woods. I went
ahead, hoping to find night quarters.
I rode up to a log house and went in ;
it was growing dark, and I began to
ask the landlord to accommodate us
for the night, addressing myself to a
tall, lean man. Before I got through
with my inquiry, he caught me up in
his arms, as if I were merely a small
child, and exclaimed: "Mighty souls!
if this is not little Sammy Forman,"
and, hugging and kissing me, added.
"Why, don't you remember Charley
Morgan? Yes, you can have any-
thing I have, and we will do the best
we can for you." This was some-
where in the Alleghany mountains,
and here we remained till Monday,
buying wheat, and sending it to mill,
and converting a fat steer into meat,
so that we were well provided for, for
awhile. This Charley Morgan en-
tered the regular service as a corpo-
ral in my brother Jonathan's company,
when he was a captain, and raised his
company in the vicinity of Middle-
town Point, New Jersey. He could
ape the simpleton very well, and was
sent as a spy into the British army,
and returned safe with the desired in-
formation. I was surprised to meet
him in this far-off mountain region.
Somewhere about Fort Littleton or
Fort Loudon, our funds ran out.
When we left General Forman, he
told me that Uncle Ezekiel Forman
would leave Philadelphia with his
family, and overtake us in time to
supply our wants. But he did not
start as soon as he expected, and on
his way in the mountains the top of
his carriage got broken by a leaning
tree, which somewhat detained him.
339
so that we arrived at Pittsburg two
or three days before him.
One morning, while in the neigh-
borhood of Fort Littleton or Fort
Loudon, I offered to sell my horse to
the landlord where we took break-
fast ; he kept a store as well as a tav-
ern, and was wealthy. The price of
the horse I put very low, when the
landlord asked why I offered him so
cheap. I informed him that I was
out of funds and had expected that
Ezekiel Forman, who owned the col-
ored people, would have overtaken us
before our means became exhausted.
He replied : "I know your uncle, and
I will lend you as much money as you
need, and take your order on him, as
he will stop here on h»'s way. Now,
step with me to the store." Pointing
to the large piles of silver dollars on
the counter in the store, he said:
"Step up and help yourself to as much
as you want, and give me your or-
der." This was an unexpected favor.
When uncle arrived, he satisfied the
order.
It took nearly three weeks
to cross Pennsylvania
It had taken us near three weeks to
journey from Monmouth to Pitts-
burg. After our arival at this place,
our first business was to find situa-
tions for our numerous family, while
awaiting the rise of the Ohio, and to
lay in provisions for our long river
voyage. Colonel Turnbull, late of
Philadelphia, and an acquaintance of
uncle, politely offered him the use of
a vacant house and store-room, ex-
actly such apartments as were want-
ed. The colored people were all com-
fortably housed also.
The horses and wagons were sold
at a great sacrifice — uncle retaining
only his handsome coach horses and
carriage, which he took to Natchez
on a tobacco boat, which Captain Os-
mun commanded, and on board of
which the colored field hands were
conveyed. These boats were flat-
bottomed, and boarded over the top,
and appeared like floating houses.
tn
tppt Halbg tn IfBS
Uncle's boat was a seventy feet keel-
boat, decked over, with a cabin for
lodging purposes, but too low to
stand up erect. The beds and bed-
ding lay on the floor, and the insides
lined with plank to prevent the In-
dians from penetrating through with
their balls, should they attack us.
We had a large quantity of dry goods,
and a few were opened and bartered
in payment for boats and provisions.
On board of the keel-boat, uncle
and family found comfortable quar-
ters. Mr. and Mrs. Forman, Au-
gusta, Margaret, and Frances, aged
about nine, eleven, and thirteen, and
David Forman and Miss Betsey
Church, the latter housekeeper and
companion for Aunt Forman, an ex-
cellent woman, who had lived in the
family several years, and occasionally
took the head of the table. I and
five or six others, two mechanics, and
about eight or ten house servants,
were also occupants of this boat.
The family received much polite
attention while in Pittsburg. By the
time we got prepared for our depart-
ure, the Ohio river rose. We tarried
there about a month. Both boats
were armed with rifles, pistols, etc.
It being in Indian war time, all boats
descending that long river, of about
eleven hundred miles, were liable to
be attacked every hour by a merciless
foe, oftentimes led on by renegade
whites.
Embarking at Pittsburg for
a trip down the Monongahela
Uncle fixed on a certain Sabbath,
as was the custom in those days, to
embark on ship-board. On that day,
the polite and hospitable Colonel
Turnbull, then a widower, gave uncle
an elegant dinner, and invited several
gentlemen to grace the occasion with
their presence. After dinner, which
was not prolonged, we embarked on
board ouit little squadron. Colonel
William Wyckoff. and his brother-
in-law, Kenneth Scudder, of Mon-
mouth county, New Jersey, accompa-
nied us on our voyage. The colonel
had been, seven years previous to
this, an Indian trader, and was now
on his way to Nashville, Tennessee.
Uncle Forman's keel-boat, Captain
Osmun's flat-boat, and Colonel
WyckofFs small keel-boat constituted
our little fleet. The day of our de-
parture was remarkably pleasant.
Our number altogether must have
reached very nearly a hundred. The
dinner party accompanied us to our
boats, and the wharf was covered
with citizens. The river was very
high, and the current rapid. It was
on the Monongahela where we em-
barked.
Our keel-boat took the lead. These
boats are guided by oars, seldom
used, except the steering oar, or
when passing islands, as the current
goes about six or seven miles an
hour. As the waters were now high,
the current was perhaps eight or nine
miles an hour. Before daybreak
next morning we made a narrow
escape from destruction, from our
ignorance of river navigation. We
had an anchor and cable attached to
our keel-boat. The cable was made
fast to small posts over the forecastle,
where were fenders all around the
little deck. When it began to grow
dark, the anchor was thrown over, in
hopes of holding us fast till morning,
while the other boats were to tie up
to trees along the river bank.
As soon as the anchor fastened it-
self in the river bottom, the boat gave
a little lurch or side motion, when the
cable tore away all the framework
around the deck, causing a great
alarm. Several little black children
were on the deck at the time, and as it
had now become quite dark, it could
not be ascertained, in the excitement
of the moment, whether any of them
had been thrown into the water.
Fortunately none were missing. Dur-
ing our confusion, Captain Osmun's
boat passed ours, a few minutes after
the accident, and we soon passed him,
he hailing us, saying that he was en-
tangled in the top of a large tree,
which had caved into the river, and
340
<8r?at ifcart nf 1^ Amfriran Snmtnum
requested the small row-boat to assist
him. Uncle Forman immediately dis-
patched the two mechanics, with the
small boat, to his assistance. Osmun
got clear of the tree without injury,
and the two mechanics rowed hard,
almost all night, before they overtook
him. Mrs. Forman and daughters
braved out our trying situation very
firmly.
After we lost our anchor, Uncle
Forman took a chair, and seated him-
self on the forecastle, like a pilot, and
I took the helm. He kept watch,
notifying me when to change the di-
rection of the boat. When he cried
out to me, "port your helm," it was to
keep straight in the middle of the
stream; if to bear to the left, he
would cry out, "starboard;" if to the
right, "larboard." I was not able to
manage the helm alone, and had a
man with me to assist in pulling as
directed. Uncle Forman and I were
the only ones of our party who un-
derstood sailor's terms. Ours was a
perilous situation till we landed at
Wheeling; it was the most distress-
ing night I ever experienced.
Perilous river journey
to Wheeling in Virginia
The next morning, all our boats
landed at Wheeling, Virginia, rated
at ninety-six miles from Pittsburg.
Here we obtained a large steering oar
for the keel-boat, as the strong cur-
rent kept the rudder from acting, with-
out the application of great strength.
Having adjusted matters, we set out
again. We seldom ventured to land
on our journey, for fear of lurking
Indians.
One day, we discovered large flocks
of wild turkeys flying about in the
woods on shore. The blacksmith,
who was a fine, active young man,
asked Uncle Forman to set him on
shore, and give him a chance to kill
some of them. The little boat was
manned, and taking his rifle and a
favorite dog, he soon landed. But he
had not been long on shore, before
he ran back to the river's bank, and
made signs for the boat to come and
take him on board. When safely
among his friends, he said that he
came to a large fire, and, from ap-
pearances, he supposed a party of In-
dians was not far off. He, however,
lost his fine dog, for he dared not call
him.
We landed and stopped at Mari-
etta, at the mouth of the Muskingum,
where was a United States garrison.
Some of the officers were acquainted
with the family. It was a very agree-
able occurrence to meet with old ac-
quaintances in such a dreary place.
The young ladies were good singers,
and entertained the officers awhile
with their vocal music. This night,
we felt secure in sleeping away the
fatigues of the journey. Governor
St. Clair had his family here. There
were a few other families, also; but
all protected by the troops. I believe
there was no other settlement until
we arrived at Fort Washington, now
Cincinnati, some three hundred miles
below Marietta.
Life at the fort where
Cincinnati now stands
A few hundred yards above Fort
Washington, we landed our boats,
when Uncle Forman, Colonel Wyc-
koff, and I went on shore, and walked
up to headquarters, to pay our re-
spects to General Harmar, the com-
mander of our troops in the north-
western territory. The general re-
ceived us with much politeness. As
we were about taking leave Q,f him,
he kindly invited us to remain and
take a family dinner with him, ob-
serving to Uncle, that we should have
the opportunity of testing the deli-
ciousness of what he may never have
partaken before — the haunch of a fine
buffalo. It being near dining hour,
the invitation was, of course, accept-
ed. As the general and lady were
acquainted with Uncle and Aunt For-
man in Philadelphia, they very po-
litely extended their kindness by ask-
ing that Uncle, Aunt, and their fam-
ily, together with Colonel WyckoflE
9aimt*g; in tty
in 1?B9
and Brother-in-law Scudder and
Captain Osmun, would spend the next
day with them, which was accepted
with great pleasure. General Har-
mar directed where to move our little
fleet, so that all should be safe under
military guard. We then returned to
our boats, and conveyed them down
to the appointed place.
The next morning, after breakfast,
and after attending to our toilets, we
repaired to General Harmar's head-
quarters, where we were all received
most cordially. Our company con-
sisted of Mr. and Mrs. Forman, their
three daughters, and Master David
Forman, Miss Church, Captain Os-
mun, S. S. Forman, Colonel Wyckoff,
and Mr. Scudder — eleven in all.
Mrs. Forman and Mrs. Harmar re-
sembled each other as much as though
they were sisters. The general in-
vited some of his officers to share his
hospitalities, also, and we had a most
sumptuous dinner and tea. Before
it was quite dark, we took leave of
our hospitable friends. I had the
honor of a seat at the table next to the
general. While at dinner, the officer
of the day called on General Harmar
for the countersign, so as to place out
the sentinels. Captain Kirby, of the
army, who dined with us, was direct-
ed by the general to accompany us on
our return to our boats. Just before
we came to the sentinel, Captain
Kirby asked us to halt, until he could
advance and give the countersign,
which is done with much prudence.
I sauntered along, and happened to
hear the challenge by the guard, and
the reply of the captain. The coun-
tersign was, I believe, "Forman."
In the morning, Captain Osmun
said to me, that, after paying our re-
spects to General Harmar, he wanted
me to accompany him to the quarters
of the other officers, as he probably
knew all of them ; that they were old
continental officers retained in ser-
vice, and he added: "They all know
your brother, Colonel Jonathan For-
man, of the Revolution, and will be
glad to see you on his account." We,
accordingly, after our interview with
General Harmar, went to their quar-
ters. They recollected Captain Os-
mun, and he introduced me, when
they welcomed me most cordially, and
made many inquiries after my
brother.
I think it was in the autumn of 1790
that General Harmar was defeated by
the Indians, and most of these brave
officers were killed. At that period
officers wore three-cornered hats,
and by that means nearly all of them
were singled out and killed, as they
could be so easily distinguished from
others.
Encounters with Indians
along the Ohio River
Some distance above Fort Wash-
ington, the Scioto river empties into
the Ohio. Near this river was a cave,
which the whites had not discovered
till after Harmar's defeat. Here the
Indians would sally out against boats
ascending the Ohio. A canoe passed
us the day before we passed the
Scioto, which had been fired into at
that point, one man having been shot
through the shoulder, another
through the calf of the leg, while the
third escaped unhurt. When these
poor fellows arrived at Fort Wash-
ington, they waited for us. After our
arrival, understanding that we were
going to tarry a day, they set off.
Harmar's defeat caused a French set-
tlement near the Scioto to be broken
up; some of them were killed by the
Indians.
I must mention an anecdote about
my friend, Captain Osmun. At the
Battle of Long Island, and capture of
New York by the British, many
American prisoners were taken, Cap-
tain Osmun among them. He pre-
tended to be a little acquainted with
the profession of physic, but he never
studied it, and could bleed, draw
teeth, etc. A German officer had a
very sick child, the case baffling the
skill of all the English and German
physicians, and the child's recovery-
was given up as hopeless. At last it
©It? (great Ijrart 0f ilf? Ammran 9mninum
was suggested to call in the rebel doc-
tor. So Osmun was sent for. He
suppressed as well as he could his
half-comical, half-quizzical expres-
sion, and assumed a serious look;
felt of the child's pulse, and merely
said he would prepare some pills and
call again. He accordingly did so,
giving the necessary directions, and
promised to call at the proper time to
learn the effect. When he called the
third time the child had grown much
better, and finally recovered. He
said that all he did for the little suf-
ferer was to administer a little pow-
der-post, mixed up with rye-bread,
made into little pills. He said he
knew they could do no harm, if they
did no good, and regarded himself as
only an instrument in the hands of the
Almighty in saving the child's life.
The father of the child gave him
almost a handful of guineas. Prior
to this occurrence he had, while a
prisoner, suffered for the necessaries
of life, but thenceforward he was able
to procure needful comforts till his
exchange.
Sojourning in Louisville
when it contained sixty houses
The next morning, after our enter-
tainment by General Harmar and
lady, we renewed our journey, float-
ing rapidly down the Belle Riviere.
Nothing of moment occurred till our
arrival at Louisville, at the Falls of
the Ohio. The weather now grew so
severely cold, in the latter part of Jan-
uary, 1790, that the river became
blocked with ice. Here we laid up,
disembarked, and took a house in the
village, the front part of which was
furnished for a store, which exactly
suited us, and which was gratui-
tously offered to Uncle Forman by a
Mr. Rhea, of Tennessee. We were
remarkably fortunate in this respect,
both here and at Pittsburg.
Here I opened a store from our
stock of goods, and took tobacco in
payment, which was the object in
bringing the merchandise. Louis-
ville then contained about sixty dwell-
343
ing-houses. Directly opposite was
Fort Jefferson, which was, I believe,
only a captain's command. At the
Great Miami was Judge Symmes's
settlement, which dragged heavily
along at that time, having been
allowed only a sergeant's command
for its protection.
Besides Symmes,' there was na
other settlement between Cincinnati
and Louisville, except that of a
French gentleman named Lacas-
sangue, a few miles above Louisville,
who began a vineyard on the Indian
side of the river ; and one day Indians
visited it, killing his people, and de-
stroying his vines. Mr. Lacassangue
was a polite, hospitable man, and gave
elegant dinners.
A nephew of Mrs. Washington of
the name of Dandridge lived with
Mr. Lacassangue. When I returned
to Philadelphia, I there met him
again; he resided at General Wash-
ington's. While the Dandridge fam-
ily stayed at Louisville, they received
much attention. It was the custom
of the citizens, when any persons of
note arrived there, to get up a ball in
their honor. They would choose
managers; circulate a subscription
paper to meet the expenses of the
dance. Every signer, except stran-
gers, must provide his partner, see
her safe there and home again.
Holding a ball in Kentucky
to raise funds to travel
We had scarcely got located before
a subscription paper was presented to
Uncle Forman and myself. But the
first ball after our arrival proved a
failure, owing to the inclemency of
the weather, so that no ladies could
attend. General Wilkinson happened
in town, and though he and Uncle
Forman stayed but a little while, the
young blades were disposed for a
frolic. Some time before this a ball
was tendered to General St. Clair,
when the youngsters had a row, and
destroyed the most of the breakable
articles that the house afforded. But
in % ifttteaiaHippi Hallnj in 17 B3
such instances of rudeness occurred
only when no ladies were present.
Not long after the failure on ac-
count of the weather, the scheme for
a dance was renewed, and, at length,
we had an elegant collection of south-
ern fair. The ball was opened by a
minuet by Uncle Forman and a
southern lady — Aunt Forman did not
dance. This was the last time, I be-
lieve, that I saw that elegant dance
performed. Then two managers
went around with numbers on paper
in a hat — one going to the ladies, the
other to the gentlemen. When the
manager calls for lady number one,
the lady drawing that number stands
up, and is led upon the floor, await-
ing for gentleman number one, who,
when called, takes his place, and is in-
troduced by the manager to the lady.
So they proceed with the drawing of
couples until the floor is full for the
dance.
I, in my turn, was drawn, and in-
troduced to my dancing partner from
Maryland, and we were called to the
first dance. This lady happened to
be acquainted with Uncle Forman's
oldest son, General Thomas Marsh
Forman, which circumstance ren-
dered our casual meeting all the more
agreeable. The officers of the garri-
son over the river generally attended,
and they brought the military music
along. I became well acquainted with
the officers. Dr. Carmichael, of the
army, used often to come over and sit
in my store.
Adventures with Savages
at mouth of the Cumberland
It was the last of February, I be-
lieve, when Uncle Forman and his lit-
tle fleet took their departure from
Louisville, destined for the Natchez
country. The river was now free
from ice. There subsequently came
a report, that when they reached what
was called the low country, below the
Cumberland and Tennessee rivers,
they were captured by the Indians.
I was in a painful suspense for a long
time, and until I heard from them.
While Uncle Forman and party
were sojourning in Louisville, there
was, it appears, a white man there,
who learned the names of Ezekiel
Forman and Captain Osmun, their
place of destination, and all about
them. This fellow was a decoyer,
who lived among the Indians, and
whose business it was to lure boats
ashore for purposes of murder and
robbery. At some point below the
mouth of the Tennessee, this rene-
gade saw the boats approaching, ran
on the beach, imploring, upon his
bended knees, that Mr. Forman, call-
ing him by name, would come ashore
and take him on board, as he had just
escaped from the Indians. Mr. For-
man began to steer for his relief,
when Captain Osmun, who was a lit-
tle way in the rear, hailed Uncle,
warning him to keep in the middle of
the stream, as he saw Indians in hid-
ing behind trees along the bank where
the wily decoyer was playing his
treacherous part. Giving heed to
this admonition, Uncle Forman kept
clear of the dangerous shore.
Then an old Indian, finding that
his plot was exposed, ran down to the
beach, hailing the boats: "Where you
go?" It is not clear what could have
been the Indian's motive in making a
display of himself, and seeking the in-
formation already known to his rene-
gade associate. But for the circum-
stance of Captain Osmun being in the
rear, and discovering the exposed In-
dians screened behind trees, the whole
party might have been lured on shore
and massacred. It seems that, after
boats entered the Mississippi, they
were not molested by the Indians, as
they were not at war with the Span-
iards.
I was left in Louisville, with a store
of goods. When I had disposed of
them, I was directed to join Uncle
Forman at Natchez; but some con-
siderable time was necessary to trade
off my stock, and convert it into to-
bacco. I spent my time very pleas-
antly at Louisville. The southern
people are remarkably friendly to
344
nf
Am^riran inminum
strangers. One family, in particular,
Mr. and Mrs. Ashby, were as kind to
•me as though I had been their own
son. They soon called on Uncle and
Aunt Forman, showing all possible
attention, and soon became quite fa-
miliar.
One day, Mr. Ashby called, and in-
•quired of Aunt for "old Mr. For-
man." "I tell you, Mr. Ashby," Mrs.
Forman laughingly replied, "you
shall not call my husband old. Please
to refer to him as Mr. Forman, and
our nephew as Mr. Sam. Forman."
Mr. Ashby took the suggestion in
good part, and promised ready obedi-
ence. After Uncle and Aunt For-
man left for the Natchez country,
Mrs. Ashby would come to my store
like a mother, and inquire into the
condition of my lodgings, and sent
bed and bedding, and had a kind old
woman examine my trunk, taking
out all my clothing, first airing and
then nicely replacing them, and kindly
did all my washing during my stay.
Mr. Ashby had a farm a little way
out of town, but he and his family
came in very often. Mrs. Ashby
never came without making me a
motherly call, and looking over my
clothing to see if any repairs were
needed. I never parted with briefly-
made acquaintances with so much re-
gret.
Social Life In the Wilderness
and customs of the pioneers
I became every intimate with a Mr.
Smith, from New York, a young gen-
tleman about my own age. The Vir-
ginians, as were most of the Louis-
ville people, were very fond of danc-
ing. Smith and I agreed to let each
other know when a hop was in agita-
tion, and they were very frequent.
When notified by him of one such
occasion, I apologized for not being
able to go, as I had no suitable pumps.
"You have purchased," said he, "a
parcel of elegant moccasins for your
New York ladies. You don a pair
and I will another." "Good! good!"
we mutually ejaculated. So we en-
345
gaged our favorite partners, and at-
tended the ball. It was something
new to appear in such an assembly
decked off in such Indian gear; but
they were much admired, and, at the
next dance, almost all appeared in
moccasins. So, it seems, we led the
town, and introduced a new fashion.
There was but one tavern and one
boarding-house in the place. The
boarding-house was kept by a Dr.
Walter, who was also the pilot to
take boats over the Falls ; and he
was, moreover, a great hunter and
fisherman. One day in April, I think,
a* some public festival, several of our
boarders, the leader was the Com-
missary of the Army, proposed to
have what they called a setting, and
asked me to join them. I had often
heard the commissary relate his ex-
ploits— drinking egg-nog was then
all the go. I declined to share in the
frolic, fearing the influence of these
southern blades on such occasions.
In the course of the night, I was
alarmed by the rattling of stones
thrown against my store-door and
window-shutters. At first, I thought
it might be Indians. The clatter was
kept up, and the glass windows all
broken. I finally concluded that it
was the work of the egg-nog party.
Not only were my windows com-
pletely shattered, but my store door
was broken open by the pelting of
large stones.
These egg-nog disturbers served
Captain Thomas, the landlord, in the
same way as they had done me. The
next morning, when we all met at the
breakfast table at our boarding-house,
scarcely a word was spoken during
the meal. As I went out of the door,
passing my friend, the commissary, I
asked him if he would direct my win-
dows glazed, and some little carpen-
ter work done. He pretended to be
astonished how they should have been
broken. I made no reply, but walked
back to my store, only looked at him
and smiled. In the afternoon, at
Captain Thomas's, the business as-
sumed almost a tragical form— dirks
in
tot
were nearly drawn; however, it was
amicably settled.
The next morning these gentlemen
asked me if I would be satisfied if my
windows and door were made whole.
I answered in the affirmative, and
asked them whether they had not
acted very imprudently, situated as
we were on the frontiers in time of
Indian warfare. "You know," said
I, "that it was but a little time since
that Captain Thomas and some others
saw Indians in the night making, as
they supposed, for my store, when I
kept it up by Bear Grass creek; and
a few people got together in the night,
and followed the Indian trail out of
the village without alarming me. The
Indians evidently thought themselves
discovered, and retired, hence I es-
caped. In consequence of this alarm,
I immediately moved from that place
to the center of the village, into the
corner building opposite the tavern."
Experiences of a merchant
on the American Frontier
It was observed one Sunday morn-
ing, soon after starting my store, that
it was not opened on that day, as
other establishments were; and I was
asked why I kept my store closed —
that Sunday had not crossed the
mountains, and that I was the first
person who kept his store shut on that
day. I told them that I brought the
Sabbath with me. It so happened
that I had the honor of being the first
to observe the day in Louisville.
Directly opposite to me a billiard
table was kept. It was customary at
the South for ladies to indulge in bil-
liards, considering it a genteel and
healthful amusement. During the
morning hours, a few ladies used to
honor me with a call, when I would
spend a little while in that pleasant
recreation; but I never gambled, and
ladies' company is always more
agreeable than gentlemen's. Besides,
if you play with gentlemen, it is apt
to lead to gambling; and it was con-
sequently better to pay for the use of
the table with ladies, when one im-
proves in manners from their refine-
ment.
One day Captain Thomas brought
a little negro boy to my store, tender-
ing me his services while I remained
in Louisville ; that he should be of no
expense to me, but live at home, and
come over regularly and do my
chores, tote water, sweep my store,
clean my shoes, etc. The captain ex-
plained that he had another boy of
about the same age and size, and that
one was better than both. I had a
spruce colored barber, who was also
a tailor, the pleasure of whose com-
pany I occasionally had in helping
out in my labors.
Some time about the latter part of
May, perhaps, four tobacco boats
arrived at Louisville on their way to
New Orleans, under the respective
command of Captain Andrew Bayard,
Captain Winters, and Captain Gano,
of New York, and Captain January,
of Kentucky. Captain Bayard's boat
received some injury in passing over
the Falls of the Ohio, and he had to
unload to repair damages. I had
been some time negotiating with a
rich planter, Mr. Buckner, of Louis-
ville. After I had heard of the acci-
dent to Captain Bayard's boat, Mr.
Buckner came into the village. I
got him in my store, locked the door,
and told him that now was the time to
close our long-talked-of trade, so that
I could have the company of this de-
scending fleet. After spending the
night in conversation, I gave up my
bed to Mr. Buckner, and threw down
some blankets and coarse clothes for
my own lodging.
To make a long story short, we
effected a trade — closing out my store
of goods to him. He bought me a
tobacco boat, loaded her with this
product of the country, and got mat-
ters and things arranged so that I was
ready to accompany the descending
fleet. Of these tobacco traders, I was
partially acquainted with Mr. Bayard.
I had at Louisville a competitor in
trade, a young Irish gentleman, but
he could not succeed.
346
(great lj£art nf ilf* Ameriran inmtnum
The Beginning of Commerce
along the Ohio River
My boat was loaded below the
Falls, and by some means the hands
suffered her to break from her fas-
tenings, and went a mile or two down
stream before they brought her to. I
put my blanket on board of Mr. Bay-
ard's boat, and got on board with
him, and took my tea with him. In
the evening, being moonlight, my
canoe, with an old sailor, came for
me. I took some blankets and
wrapped them around my arms care-
lessly. I jumped into the canoe ; and
the sailor, it seems, had taken a little
too much whiskey, so that when he
pushed off from Mr. Bayard's boat,
in order to clear its bow, he leaned
over so far as to make the canoe dip
water; and, in recovering his posi-
tion, he leaned so far the other way
that the canoe filled. My arms being
entangled with the blankets, I was to-
tally helpless. Mr. Bayard's hands
jumped into their small boat, came to
my rescue, and saved me from a
watery grave.
Partly from economy, and partly
from lack of time to secure another
hand, I attempted to manage my to-
bacco boat, which was somewhat
smaller than the usual size, with less
than the usual supply of boatmen.
This made it come hard on me, whose
unskilled strength was but half of
that of an ordinary man. I had this
old sailor with me for one watch, and
an old northwestern man and a Jer-
seyman for another. The boats
would follow the current, except
when passing islands, when the men
must all beat their oars. I believe the
old sailor, while on board, was a little
deranged. After I discharged him
at Natchez, he was found, I was told,
in the woods, dead.
Nothing of any moment occurred
while descending the Ohio, until we
reached Fort Massac, an old French
fortification, about thirty miles above
the mouth of the Ohio. Tt was a
"beautiful spot. All of the captains,
347
and some of the hands, with a small
boat, went on shore, while our to-
bacco boats glided gently along.
When we landed, we separated in
squads, and visited the old deserted
ramparts, which appeared quite fresh.
It was in the afternoon, just after a
refreshing shower. Those first arriv-
ing at the intrenchment, espied a fresh
moccasin track. We all looked at it,
and then at each other, and, without
uttering a word, all faced about, and
ran as fast as possible for the little
boat. Some hit its locality, while
others struck the river too high up,
and others, too low.
Those of us who missed our way
concluded, in our fright, that the In-
dians had cut us off ; and no one had
thought to take his rifle but me, and
I feared that I should be the first to
fall. After we were all safe on one
of the tobacco boats, we recovered
our speech, and each one told how he
felt, and what he thought, during our
flight to the boats. This locality of
Fort Massac, we understood, was the
direct way from the Ohio, in that
country, to St. Louis, and probably
the track we saw was that of some
lonely Indian; and, judging from its
freshness, the one who made it was
as much frightened from our numbers
as we were at our unexpected dis-
covery.
I will note a little circumstance that
occurred during our passage down
the Ohio. One day, I was ahead of
the fleet, when one of the boats passed
by suddenly, when we observed by the
woods that we were standing still —
evidently aground, or fast on some-
thing below the surface. I gave no-
tice to the boats behind to come on,
and take position between my boat
and shore, hoping, by this means, to
raise a temporary swell in the river,
and, by fastening a rope to my boat,
and extending along beside the
others, and making the other end fast
to a tree on shore, be enabled to get
loose.
While thus engaged, we heard a
whistle, like that of a quail. Some
in
n
observed that quail never kept in the
woods, and we felt some fear that it
might be Indians; but we continued
our efforts at the rope, and the boat
was soon so far moved that we dis-
covered that we were fast upon a
planter — that is, the body of a tree
firmly embedded in the river bottom.
At last, the men could partly stand
upon it, and, with a hand-saw, so
weakened it that it broke off, and we
were released.
Another dangerous obstruction is a
tree becoming undermined and falling
into the river, and the roots fastening
themselves in the muddy bottom,
while, by the constant action of the
current, the limbs wear off, and the
body keeps sawing up and down with
great force, rising frequently several
feet above the water, and then sinking
as much below. These are called
"sawyers," and often cause accidents
to unsuspecting navigators.
On the Mississippi River
with a fleet in 1790
When we arrived at the mouth of
the Ohio, we stopped. I fastened my
boat to trees, and the other boats did
likewise. We kept watch, with an ax
in hand, to cut the fastenings in case
of a surprise by Indians. Here were
marks of buffalo having rested.
Where the waters of the Mississippi
and Ohio mingle, they look like put-
ting dirty soap-suds and pure water
together. So we filled all our vessels
that were water-tight, for fear we
might suffer for want of good water
on our voyage. But we found out,
afterward, that the Mississippi was
very good water, when filtered.
After we got all arranged, the sec-
ond day after we embarked, the cap-
tains agreed that we would, in rota-
tion, dine together, which rendered
our journey more pleasant. Mr.
Bayard's and my boat were frequently
fastened together while descending
the Ohio, but on the Mississippi, from
the turbulence of the stream, it was
not possible to do so. The first day
that we entered the Mississippi, we
discharged all our rifles and pistols,
as we were then out of danger from
the hostile Indians. In the after-
noon, we had a strong wind ahead,
which made a heavy sea, accompanied
with thunder and lightning. The
waves ran so high that we felt in dan-
ger of foundering. The forward
boat pulled hard for shore, which we
all followed.
Presently, we saw an Indian canoe
pulling for that boat. I asked my
northwestern man what that meant.
He looked wild, but did not know
what to make of it. I directed the
men to pull away, and I would keep
an eye upon the suspicious visitors,
and at the same time load our rifles
and pistols again. Reaching the ad-
vanced boat, the Indians were kindly
received, and no fighting; and, in-
stead of hostile demonstrations, they
lent a hand in rowing.
After much hard work, we at
length all effected a landing in safety.
We then prepared for dinner. It so
happened that it was my turn to re-
ceive the captains at dinner. Having
a large piece of fresh beef — enough
and to spare, I invited three of our
copper-faces to dine with us. Dinner
ever, Captain Gano set the example
of pitching the fork into the beef, as
we used, in our school days, to pitch
the fork into the ground. So the In-
dians, one after the other, imitated
the captain, and very dextrously
pitched their forks also into the beef,
thinking, probably, that it was a white
man's ceremony that should be ob-
served.
After dinner, at the conclusion of
the pitching incident, I mixed some
whiskey and water in the only glass
I had, and handed it to one of the
captains; and then repeating it, fill-
ing the tumbler equally alike in quan-
tity, handed it in succession to the
others. When I came to the Indians,
not knowing their relative rank, I
happened to present the glass to the
lowest in order, as I discovered by
his declining it; but when I came to
the leader, he took the offering, and
348
(Srrat lj?art nf ilj? Am^rtran Snmwum
reaching out his hand to me in a gen-
teel and graceful manner, shook mine
heartily; and then repeated the cor-
dial shake with each of the others,
not omitting his own people, and then
drank our healths as politely, I imag-
ine, as Lord Chesterfield could have
fully acknowledged the compliment,
done. The other Indians were simi-
larly treated, and, in turn, as grace-
They all appeared much pleased with
their reception.
This ceremony over, our men asked
leave to visit the opposite side of the
river, where these Indians had a large
encampment. This granted, they all
went to get their rifles. The Indians
seemed to understand etiquette and
politeness, and objected to the men
going armed. But, instead of speak-
ing to the men, they addressed the
captains of the boats, saying: "We
have no objections to your men going
among our people, if they don't take
their rifles. We came among you as
friends, bringing no arms along."
We, of course, told our men to leave
their rifles behind. They did so.
Returning, they reported that there
were a good many Indians there. By
some means, some of our men must
have let the Indians have la tafia — a
cheap variety of rum distilled from
molasses. At all events, they became
very much intoxicated, "and we," said
the visitors, "were very apprehensive
of difficulty ; but a squaw told us that
the Indians could not fight, as she had
secreted all their knives, and we were
very much relieved when morning
appeared, so we could bid good-by to
our new acquaintances."
Entertained by a Spanish
grandee in the New America
The next day we arrived at L' Anse
a la Graisse, which place, or adjoin-
ing it, bears the name of New
Madrid, which is the American part
of the little village settled under the
auspices of Colonel George Morgan.
Uncle Forman wrote me by all means
to call at this Spanish post, as he had
left my name with the genteel com-
349
mandant there, who would expect to
see me. In the morning, after break-
fast, we all prepared our toilets pre-
paratory to paying our respects to the
officer of the place. The captains did
me the honor of making me the fore-
man of the party, as my name would
be familiar to the commandant. I re-
gret that I have forgotten his name.
We made our call at as early an hour
as we could, so that we might pursue
our voyage without any unnecessary
waste of time.
Arrived at the gate, the guard was
so anxious to trade his tame raccoon
with our men that he scarcely took
any notice of us. We went to head-
quarters ; there was as little cere-
mony. When we were shown into
the commander's presence, I stepped
toward him a little in advance of my
friends, and announced my name. I
was most cordially and familiarly re-
ceived. Then I introduced my
friends, mentioning their respective
places of residence. After a little
conversation, we rose to retire, when
the commandant advanced near me,
and politely asked me to dine with
him an hour after twelve o'clock, and
bring my accompanying friends with
me. I turned to the gentlemen for
their concurrence, which they gave,
when we all returned to our boats.
I then observed to my friends that
the commandant would expect some
present from us — such was the cus-
tom— and what should it be? Mr.
Bayard, I believe, asked me to sug-
gest some thing in our power to ten-
der. I then remarked, that, as we
had a plenty of good hams, that we
fill a barrel, and send them to our
host ; that they might prove as accept-
able as anything. The proposition
met the approval of all, and the hams
were accordingly sent at once, with
perhaps an accompanying note.
At one hour after twelve o'clock, I
well remember, we found ourselves
comfortably seated at the hospitable
board of the Spanish commandant,
who expressed much delight at re-
ceiving our fine present. He gave us
tn
in
an elegant dinner in the Spanish style,
and plenty of good wine and liquors,
and coffee without cream. The com-
mandant, addressing me, while we
were indulging in the liquids before
us, said that we must drink to the
health of the ladies in our sweet
liquors. "So," said he, "we will
drink the health of the Misses For-
man" — my worthy cousins, who had
preceded us in a visit to this garrison.
Through the open woods with
a coach-and-four to St. Louis
After dinner, the commandant in-
vited us to take a walk in the fine
prairies. He said he could drive a
coach-and-four through these open
woods to St. Louis. There came up
a thunder-storm and sharp lightning,
and he asked me what I called that in
English, and I told him, when he
pleasantly observed: "You learn me
to talk English, and I will learn you
French." Returning to headquar-
ters, we took tea, and then got up to
take our final leave. "Oh, no!" said
he, "I can't spare you, gentlemen.
I'm all alone. Please to come to-
morrow, one hour after twelve, and
dine again with me." So, at the ap-
pointed time, we were on hand again.
The same kind hospitality was ac-
corded us as on the preceding day.
In the evening, we thought we
should surely tender the last farewell.
But no ; we must come again, for the
third day, to enjoy his good company
and delightful viands. That even-
ing, there was a Spanish dance, all
common people making up the com-
pany— French, Canadians, Spaniards,
Americans. The belle of the room
was Cherokee Katy, a beautiful little
squaw, dressed in Spanish style, with
a turban on her head, and decked off
very handsomely. On these occa-
sions, a king and queen were chosen
to be sovereigns for the next meeting.
The commandant was asked to honor
them by taking a partner, and sharing
in the mazy dance, which, of course,
he declined; and we also had an in-
vitation, but declined also. The com-
mandant said he always went to these
happy gatherings, and sat a little
while, and once, he added, he played
a little while on his own violin, for his
own and their amusement.
He expressed much regret at part-
ing with us. He said he was so lone-
some. He was a man not over thirty,
I suppose, highly accomplished, and
spoke pretty good English. I fear
he was, in after years, swallowed up
in the earthquake, which destroyed
many; among them, I believe, a Mr.
Morris, who was a brother to Mrs.
Hurd; a Mr. Lintot, from Natchez,
who was a passenger with me from
New Orleans to Philadelphia.
On our entering the Mississippi, we
had agreed that the foremost boat
should fire a gun as a token for land-
ing, if they saw a favorable spot after
the middle of the afternoon. It was
not possible to run in safety during
the night. It so happened that every
afternoon we had a thunder shower
and head wind.
Nothing special occurred, I believe,
till our arrival at Natchez. There
was no settlement from L'Anse a la
Graisse to Bayou Pierre, something
like sixty miles above Natchez. At
Bayou Pierre lived Colonel Bruin, of
the Virginia Continental line, who,
after the war, took letters from Gene-
ral Washington to the governor of
that country while it belonged to
Spain, and secured a fine land grant.
I once visited Colonel Bruin, with a
gentleman from Natchez. That sec-
tion of country is remarkably hand-
some, and the soil rich. The colonel's
dwelling-house was on the top of a
large mound, and his barn on another,
near by. These mounds are com-
mon in the Ohio and Mississiopi
countries, and no tradition gives their
origin.
While in Louisville, I bought a
young cub bear, and kept him chained
in the back room of my store. He
was about a month or two old when I
got him; and when I went down the
river, I took him along to Natchez.
When twelve or fifteen months old, he
350
(Sreat i[*art 0f tty Ammran inmtnum
became very saucy; I only could
keep him in subjection. When he be-
came too troublesome, Uncle Forman
had him killed, and invited several
gentlemen to join him in partaking of
his bear dinner.
<• Drum beat to arms " when
travelers stopped at Natchez
When our little fleet of five boats
first came in sight of the village of
Natchez, it presented quite a formid-
able appearance, and caused a little
alarm at the fort; the drum beat to
arms, but the affright soon subsided.
About this time, a report circulated
that General somebody, I have for-
gotten his name, was in Kentucky
raising troops destined against that
country ; but it all evaporated.
Natchez was then a small place,
with houses generally of a mean
structure, built mostly on the low
bank of the river, and on the hillside.
The fort was on a handsome, com-
manding spot, on the elevated
ground, from which was a most ex-
tensive view up the river, and over
the surrounding country. The gov-
ernor's house was not far from the
garrison. Uncle Forman had at first
hired a large house, about half-way
up the hill from the landing, where
he lived until he bought a plantation
of five hundred acres on the bank of
St. Catherine's creek, about four
miles from Natchez. This he re-
garded as only a temporary abode,
until he could become better acquaint-
ed with the country. The place had
a small clearing and a log house on
it, and he put up another log house
to correspond with it, about fourteen
feet apart, connecting them with
boards, with a piazza in front of the
whole. The usual term applied to
such a structure was that it was "two
pens and a passage." This connect-
ing passage made a fine hall, and alto-
gether gave it a good and comfort-
able appearance.
Boards were scarce, and I do not
remember of seeing any saw or grist •
mills in the country. Uncle Forman
351
had a horse-mill, something like a
cider-mill, to grind corn for family
use. In range with his dwelling he
built a number of negro houses, some
distance off, on the bank of St. Cath-
erine's creek. It made quite a pretty
street. The little creek was extremely
convenient. The negroes the first
year cleared a large field for tobacco,
for the cultivation of that article was
the object of Mr. Forman's migra-
tion to that country.
Allotting vast plantations
to settlers in Mississippi
After my arrival, and while so-
journing at Natchez, Uncle Forman
asked me if I intended to apply to the
government for lands. I replied that
I did not want any. He said he was
glad of it, unless I remained in the
country. He hinted something to the
effect that one of the Spanish officers,
who talked of leaving the country,
had an elegant plantation, with ne-
groes for its cultivation, and he
thought of buying it, if I would stay
and take it; that if I took land of
government, and sold out, it might
give umbrage to the governor, and I,
being a relation, he suffer by it. I
told him my father was loath to let
me come away, and I promised that
I would return if my life was spared
me.
After this, Surveyor-General Dun-
bar, much to my surprise, called on
me, and said that he brought the sur-
vey and map of my land, and present-
ed a bill of sixty dollars for his ser-
vices. I told him that I had not
asked for land, nor had Governor
Gayoso ever said anything to me
about land, nor did I want any. Gen-
eral Dunbar replied that the governor
directed him to survey for Don Sam-
uel S. Forman eight hundred acres
of land, and that it was the best and
most valuable tract that he knew of
in the district, including a beautiful
stream of water, with a gravelly bot-
tom— rare in that country; that it
was well located, near a Mr. Ellis, at
the White Cliffs, and advised me by
in tip
Balbg tn
all means to take it. Uncle Forman
happened to be absent, and I was in
doubt what to do. At last I paid the
bill and took the papers. The largest
quantity that the Spanish govern-
ment gave to a young man who set-
tled in that country was two hundred
and forty acres, so the governor
showed much friendship by compli-
menting me with so large a grant.
I must go back a little, and state
that my good traveling companions,
Messrs. Bayard, Gano, Winters, and
January, parted from me, and con-
tinued their journey down the river.
Uncle Forman had been acquainted
with Mr. Bayard, in Philadelphia,
and their meeting in a distant and
foreign country was very gratifying.
The interview was very brief, for
Mr. Bayard and associates were
anxious to pursue their voyage.
Southern Hospitality and
Aristocracy of old Louisiana
At Natchez we made many agree-
able acquaintances. Governor Gayoso,
a bachelor, was very affable and
pleasant, and had an English educa-
tion. The fort-major, Stephen
Minor, was a Jerseyman from Prince-
ton, and Mr. Hutchins, a wealthy
planter, was a brother to Thomas
Hutchins, the geographer-general of
the United States. His wife was a
Conover, from near Freehold village,
and knew more about Freehold than
I did. Also a Mr. Moore, a wealthy
planter, Mr. Bernard Lintot, who
moved from Vermont before the war,
and Mr. Ellis, a wealthy planter — all
having large families, sons and
daughters, very genteel and accom-
plished. These all lived from eight
to fourteen miles from us.
In the village of Natchez resided
Monsieur and Madam Mansanteo—
Spanish Jews, I think — who were the
most kind and hospitable of people.
These families, in town and country,
formed our principal associates. Gov-
ernor Gayoso told us, after we moved
out to St. Catherine, that there would
always be a plate for us at his table.
The year 1790 was a very sickly
one for unacclimated persons in the
Natchez country. All our family
adults had more or less fever, and
fever and ague. Uncle Forman was
severely afflicted with gout — a lump
almost as big as a small hen's egg
swelled out at one of his elbows, with
something of the appearance of chalk.
Poor Betsey Church was taken with
a fever, and died in a few days; a
great loss to the family, having been
a valuable and much respected mem-
ber of it for many years. I was the
only adult of the family who was not
confined to the house with sickness.
Stephen Minor, the fort-major,
married the eldest daughter of the
planter, Mr. Ellis. Our family was
much visited by the Spanish officers,
who were very genteel men; and
Major Minor was very intimate, and
seemed to take much interest in us.
When the time was fixed for my
departure, by the way of New Or-
leans, and thence by sea to Philadel-
phia, Uncle Forman said : "Well, you
must direct Moses, the coachman, to
get up the carriage, take two of your
cousins with you, and take leave of
all your good friends." The car-
riage, which had its top broken off
crossing the mountains in Pennsylva-
nia, had been fitted up in Natchez,
with neat bannister work around the
top of the body, which rendered it
more convenient for the country.
We sometimes took the family in it,
and went out strawberrying over the
prairies.
First four-wheeled carriage
tour in Mississippi Country
Cousins Augusta and Margaret
accompanied me on my farewell tour.
Ours was the first four-wheeled car-
riage that ever passed over those
grounds — I can't say roads, for the
highway was only what was called a
bridle-path — all traveling at that day
was on horseback. When we vis-
ited one place, some of our friends
from another locality meeting us
there would ascertain the day we de-
35»
(Srrat ijeart nf tty Ameriratt Somtnum
signed visiting their house, that they
might have the cane-brakes along the
trail cleared away sufficient to permit
the comfortable passage of the car-
riage; and we must, moreover, be on
time, or some small gust of wind
might again obstruct the passage.
Our visits were all very pleasant save
the unhappy part of the final bidding
each other farewell.
During this excursion, Governor
Gayoso had given permission for a
Baptist clergyman to preach one Sun-
day, which was the first time a Prot-
estant minister had been allowed to
hold religious services. The meeting
was held at Colonel Hutchins'. We
went from the residence of some
friends in that vicinity. After ser-
vice we were invited to stay and dine
at Colonel Hutchins'. When we
were ready to depart, all came out of
the house to see us off, and I asked
the ladies in a jocose way to join us
in the ride, when they began to climb
over the wheels as though they might
endanger the safety of the carriage ;
but this frolicsome banter over, we
took our departure. We spent seve-
ral days in performing this friendly
round of visits — by-gone days of hap-
piness never to return.
When I was about leaving the
country, Governor Gayoso asked me
what I intended to do with my land.
I replied, that if I did not return in a
year or two, that his excellency could
do what he pleased with it. Some
years after when I lived in Cazenovia,
I contemplated going back, and went
to my large chest, which had traveled
with me from Pittsburgh to New
Orleans, and thence in all my tramps
and changes, where I supposed all
my Spanish papers were safe in a lit-
tle drawer; but, to my surprise, they
were missing, and I never could tell
what became of them, as I kept the
chest locked, and retained the key.
So vanished my eight hundred acres
of valuable land in the promising
Mississippi country.
On the arrival of Colonel Wyckoff,
with his brother-in-law, Scudder,
from Tennessee, preparations were
made for our departure. Uncle For-
man went down to New Orleans with
us. It was in June, 1791, I believe,
that we left Natchez. The parting
with my kindred was most trying and
affecting, having traveled and haz-
arded our lives together for so many
hundred miles, and never expecting
to meet again in this life. Many of
the poor colored people, too, came
and took leave of me, with tears
streaming down their cheeks. Take
them altogether, they were the finest
lot of servants I ever saw. They
were sensible that they were all well
cared for — well fed, well clothed, well
housed, each family living separately,
and they were treated with kindness.
Captain Osmun, their overseer, was a
kind-hearted man, and used them
well. They had ocular proof of their
happy situation when compared with
their neighbor's servants. It was the
custom of the country to exchange
work at times; and, one day, one of
our men came to me, and said: "I
don't think it is right to exchange
work with these planters; for I can,
with ease, do more work than any
two of their men;" and added, "their
men pound their corn over night for
their next day's supply, and they are
too weak to work." Poor fellows,
corn was all they had to eat.
In New Orleans before it
was an American town
Uncle Forman and I stopped the
first night with Mr. Ellis, at the
White Cliffs, and next day embarked
on board of a boat for New Orleans.
On our way down we sometimes went
on shore and took a bowl of chocolate
for breakfast with some rich planter,
a very common custom of the coun-
try. The night before our arrival at
New Orleans we put up with a Cath-
olic priest; some gentlemen of our
company were well acquainted be-
tween Natchez and New Orleans, and
had learned the desirable stopping
places. The good priest received us
kindly, gave us an excellent supper,
353
3l0nrn*g in tff? JHtestsBtppt
in 17 BS
plenty of wine, and was himself very
lively. We took breakfast with him
the next morning; and before our de-
parture the priest came up to me with
a silver plate in his hand, on which
were two fine-looking pears, which he
tendered me. He looked at first very
serious; but, remembering his good
humor the previous evening, I sus-
pected his fun had not yet all run
out. I eyed him pretty close, and
while thanking him, I rather hesi-
tated when he urged me to take them.
I knew no pears grew in that coun-
try. I finally took one, weighed it in
my hand, and looked at him, till he
bursted out into a loud laugh. They
were ingeniously wrought out of
stone or marble, and looked exactly
like pears. I brought them home and
gave them to a friend.
Arriving in New Orleans, we took
lodgings, and our first business was
to wait on his excellency, Governor
Miro. Mr. Forman settling within
his government with so large a num-
ber of people, under an arrangement
with the Spanish ambassador at New
York, Don Diego de Gardoque, gave
him a high standing. Uncle Forman
was in person a fine-looking man,
very neat, prepossessing, and of gen-
teel deportment, so that he was
always much noticed.
On brig "Navarre" homeward
bound— Off Florida and Cuba
As there was then no vessel in port
destined for the United States, I had
to delay a couple of weeks for one.
At length the brig "Navarre," Cap-
tain McFadden, made its appearance,
and soon loaded for Philadelphia.
There were a number of Americans
in waiting, who engaged their pas-
sage with me, on this vessel. Uncle
Forman did not leave the city until
after the "Navarre" had taken its de-
parture. He suggested that I should
take a formal leave of Governor Miro
and his secretary, Don Andre. The
.secretary was a large, fine-looking
man. I politely asked him if he had
any commands for the cape — Cape
Francois, a fine town in the northern
part of St. Domingo, usually digni-
fied with the designation of the The
Cape — for which port, I believe, the
vessel cleared. "I know not," said
the secretary, "to what cape you are
going — only take good care of your-
self."
After all were on board, the brig
dropped down two or three miles,
where the passengers went ashore,
and laid in provisions, enough, the
captain said, to have carried us to
London after our arrival in Philadel-
phia. I may mention something
about distances as computed in those
days. From Natchez to New Orleans
was called three hundred miles by
water, and only one hundred and fifty
by land. From New Orleans to the
Balize, at the mouth of the Missis-
sippi, was reckoned one hundred and
five miles. It was said that such was
the immense volume of the Missis-
sippi river that it kept its course and
muddy appearance for a league out
at sea.
There were no ladies among the
passengers. We entered into an
arrangement that each passenger
should, in rotation, act as caterer for
the party for each day. It fell to my
lot to lead off in this friendly service.
We got along very nicely, and with a
good deal of mirthful pleasure, for a
couple of weeks, enjoying our viands
and wine as comfortably as if at a
regular boarding-house. The cap-
tain's wife, however, was something
of a drawback to our enjoyment.
She was a vinegary-looking creature,
and as cross and saucy as her looks
betokened, was low-bred, ill-tem-
pered, and succeeded in making her-
self particularly disagreeable. Dur-
ing the pleasant weather portion of
our voyage, she managed, without
cause, to raise a quarrel with every
passenger; and what added to her
naturally embittered feeling, was that
we only laughed at her folly.
354
0f
Ammratt iamttunn
In Philadelphia after nearly
two years' travel In America
When we arrived in sight of Cuba,
the wind arose, and blew almost a
hurricane, causing a heavy sea. We
were in such danger of being cast
away on the Florida reefs that the
captain summoned all hands on deck
for counsel. But, providentially, we
escaped. For near two weeks no
cooking could be done, and each one
was thankful to take whatever he
could obtain in one hand, and hold
fast to something with the other, such
was the rolling and pitching of our
frail vessel. Most of the passengers
were sea-sick; I was among the few
who escaped from that sickening
nausea. One night the rain was so
heavy, the lightning so vivid, and
thunder so tremendous, that the ves-
sel trembled at every clap; when I
went to my friend Wyckoff, as well
as others who were asleep, informing
them that it was a moment of no little
danger and excitement.
Captain McFadden was a most
profane man. But during the hours
of our distress and danger he be-
came very mild and humble, but it
lasted no longer than the storm. The
vinegary Mrs. McFadden, too, was
very sensibly affected during this try-
ing period ; for, standing in the com-
panion-way, leading to the cabin, she
very humbly and demurely said that
she would go below and make her
peace. We all thought she could
not be too quick about it. She was a
veritable Katharine, but he was not a
Petruchio.
Before we arrived at the capes of
the Delaware, an American sailor,
who had made his escape from a Brit-
ish man-of-war at the mouth of the
Mississippi, sickened and died on
board our craft. When we got into
the Delaware, the sailors took his re-
mains on shore and gave them a de-
cent sepulture. At length we reached
Philadelphia in safety.
VOTE TO PROSECUTE NON-CHURCH GOERS IN 1644
Record of an Election at a General Town Meeting in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1644, at which
John Porter and Jacob Barney are appointed to preserve the Sabbath Day— Barney was a
prominent land owner, served as selectman, and member of the General Court at Boston
Transcript from Original Record Contributed by MRS. S. L. GRIFFITH of
Danby, Vermont
Voted: — "At a General Towne Meetinge held the seventh day of the
fifth moneth 1644. Ordered that twoe be appointed every Lord's Day to
walke forth in the time of Gods Worshippe, to take notice of such as
either lye about the Meetinge House without attending to the word or
ordinances, or that lye at home or in the fields without giving good account
thereof and (ask) to take the names of such persons and present them to
the Magistrate whereby they may be accordingly proceeded against.
John Porter and Jacob Barney were the twoe appointed as watch for the
eleventh day. Then to begin with Goodman Porter next the Meetinge
House and so to goe through the Towne according to the order of the
watch, and the first 2 give the next 2 warning of it & so from tyme to
tyme."
355
THE RED MAN PLEADING "FOR HIS RIGHTS BEFORE THE WHITE INVADER
From rare wood engravings published by William James Hamersley of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1851
356
Aitortiturro in Ammran
Etfr
of a fltonfrr 3Fur GJrabrr
and ifte Exurfoiiimifl tutu tljr Urmntr
JJarta of Ihr 2Criti World J* ijnui Amrrtran Suainrea
Jnattnrt Cro tlf? Wag for CttitUzatUm ^ Arroratr erancrrtpt
from an almoat 3no«tjin*rablr &annarri|rt of Rrrrntlg Biaronrrro Journal
BT
SIR PETER POND
A FOCNDIB OF THB FAMOUS NORTHWEST FlJB TRUST IN 1783
life story of a pioneer
fur trader in the savage
lands of Northwest
I I America takes one into
the confidence of a man
who took a leading part
in the first great trade
war on the Western Continent. With
his pen he carries one into the ac-
quaintance of some of the most rug-
ged men that the world has ever
known — "men who had passed years
remote from civilized society, among
distant and savage tribes, and who
had wonders to recount of their wide
and wild peregrinations, their hunt-
ing exploits, and their perilous es-
capes from the Indians. These were
called coura<r,y de fcoiy, rangers of the
woods; originally men who had ac-
companied the Indians in their hunt-
ing expeditions, and made themselves
acquainted with remote tracts and
tribes; and who now became, as it
were, peddlers of the wilderness.
Sometimes they sojourned for months
among them, assimilating their tastes
and habits with the happy facility of
Frenchmen, adopting in some degree
the Indian dress, and not infrequently
taking to themselves Indian wives.
Many of these coureurs de bois be-
came so accustomed to the Indian
mode of living, and the perfect free-
dom of the wilderness, that they lost
all relish for civilization, and identi-
fied themselves with the savages
among whom they dwelt, or could
only be distinguished from them by
superior aptitude for licentiousness."
As Washington Irving says: "Ri-
valships and jealousies ensued. Trade
was injured by artifices to outbid and
undermine each other. The Indians
were debauched by the sale of spiritu-
ous liquors. Bloody feuds took place
between rival trading parties when
they happened to encounter each
other in the lawless depths of the wil-
derness. To put an end to these sor-
did and ruinous contentions, several
of the principal merchants entered
into a partnership in the winter of
1783, which was augmented by amal-
gamation with a rival company in
1787. Thus was created the famous
'Northwest Company,' which held a
kind of feudal sway over a vast do-
main of lake and forest."
"Sir" Peter Pond, from whose
original manuscript now in posses-
sion of Mrs. Nathan Gillette Pond of
Milford, Connecticut, this chapter is
recorded, was born in that commu-
nity in 1740, and became one of the
creators of the famous Northwest
Company, which might be called the
first trust organized in the New
World, and which "for a time held
lordly sway over the wintry lakes and
boundless forests of the Canadas
almost equal to that of the East India
Company over the voluptuous climes
and magnificent realms of the Orient."
To preserve the individuality of the
man, his keenness and observation
and his quaintness as story-teller, the
phonetic spelling is here maintained
and the manuscript recorded as he
leaves it.
&tnrg 0f a Jftntt^r Jur
HE ancient journal of "Sir" Peter Pond is browned with age. It is
with much difficulty that the words inscribed can be made intelli-
gible. Its opening pages tell the story of his boyhood, his experi-
• I ences in the early wars in America, and of how he turned his atten-
J tion to the seas, "thinking to make it my profession," in 1761. He
returned from his first voyage to find that his father had gone on a
trading journey to Detroit and his mother had died during the
absence. He was obliged to give up the idea of going to sea, and settled down
at home to take charge of a young family of brothers and sisters until his father
returned. This occupied three years and he relates that it was the only three
years of his life that he was in one place from the time he was sixteen years of
age to sixty.
The first years of his adventures in the Great Northwest are here related in
his own words :
At ye End of the three years I went into trade first at Detroit. I Continued
in trade for Six years in Differant Parts of that Countrey But Beaing Exposed
to all Sorts of Companey. . It Hapend that a parson who was in trade himself
to Abuse me in a Shamefull manner Knowing that if I Resented he Could
shake me in Peaces at same time supposing that I Dare not Sea him at the Pints
or at Leas I would not But the Abuse was too Grate. We met the Next Morn-
ing Eairley & Dischargd Pistels in which the Pore fellowe was unfortenat I
then Came Down the Countrey & Declard the fact But thare was none to Pros-
acute me.
I then Made a ture to ye West Indees & on my Return Home I Receaved a
Letter from a Gentleman in New York to Com Down and Sea him for he was
Desiras to Go into Partner Ship with me in trade. I Complyde and we Lade
in a cargo to the amount of four thousand Six Hundred Pounds & I went In
to the Entearer Part of the Countrey first to Mishlemackanack from thenst to
the Mississippey and up Sant Peters River & into the Plains Betwene the
Mississippey & the Miseurea and Past my Winter among the Nattawayse-
ase on such food as thay made yous of themselves which was Verey darteyaly
Cooked.
The Next is to Show the Way of Convance of these Goods to the Most Re-
mot Parts of ye Countrey for that Year or Season. In the first Plase thay ware
Shipt at New York for allbaney — from thens thay ware taken fourteen Miles
By Land to Sconacaday in wagons — then Shipt on Bord Battoes & taken up the
Mohawk River to fort Stanwix — thare Carread a Mile By Land with the
Boates and Put in to Woodcrick & from thens threw the Onida Lake & Down
those waters to Lake Ontarey & Coasted along the South Side of that Lake
till thay came to Nagarey & from the Landing Plase a few Miles South of
that fort thay warewith the Battoes Caread a Cross that Caring Place about
Nine Miles — then Put in to the Waters that Com out of Lake Erey into Lake
Ontarey at a Plase Cald Fort Slosser — from that the boats ware taken to a
small fort Cald fort Erey in the North Side of Lake Erey — then Coasting along
South Side of that Lake til thay Com to the Mouth of that River — then up to
Detroit — from thens up those waters to Lake St. Clair a small one about four-
teen Miles Long — from thens Pros these waters which Com out of Lake Huron
you come to that Lake and Coasting a Long the West Sid of it about five
Hundred Miles thay Cam to Mishlamacknack that Lay on that. On the South
Side of a Strate Betwene Lake Huron & Mishagan thare was a British Gara-
son whare all the traders asembled yearley to arang thare afaires for the In-
sewing Winter But I Did not Acompany my Goods myself — Left that Part to
my Partner Mr. Graham. I wanted Som Small artickels in the Indian way to
Compleat my asortment which was not to be had in New York. I thare foure
358
in ilf* Ammratt
took my Boate threw Lake George & threw Lake Champlain to Montreal whare
I found all I wanted. This was in the Spring 1773. Thare was a number of Ca-
noes fiting for Mishlemacanac. I agread With Isac Tod a Sgr to take my Goods
in his Cannoe on fraight and Imbarkt with him & James McGill Esq. in one of
his Canoes and Seat of from Lashean for Mackinac By way of the Grand River.
As you Pass the End of the Island of Montreal to Go in a Small Lake Cald the
Lake of the . . . Mountains thare Stans a Small Roman Church Aganst a Small
Raped. This Church is Dedacated to St. Ann who Protects all Voigers. Heare
is a small Box with a Hole in the top for ye Reseption of a little Money for
the Hole father or to say a small Mass for those Who Put a small Sum in
the Box. Scars a Voiger but stops hear and Puts in his mite and By that
Meanes thay Suppose thay are Protected. While absent the Church is not
Locked But the Money Box is well Secured from theaves. After the Sarmony
of Crossing them selves and Repeating a Short Prayer we Crost the Lake and
Enterd the Grand River so Cald which Lead us to the Waters which Corns in
to that River from the Southwest. We ascended these waters & Making Som
Careing Places we Came to a Small Lake Cald Nipasank whose Waters fall
into Lake Huron By the french River. We Desended that River and Coasted
along the North Side of that Lake til we Came Oppaseat to Mackenac — then
Crost the Streat to the Garrasson where I found my Goods from New York
Had Arived Safe. Hear I Met with a Grate meney Hundred People of all
Denominations — Sum trading with the tribes that Came a Grate Distans with
thare furs, Skins &Mapel Suga &c to Market. To these May be added Dride
Venson, Bares Greas, and the Like which is a Considerable Part of trade.
Others ware Imployd in Making up thare Equipments for to Send in to the
Different Parts of the Country to Pas the Winter with ye Indan tribes and
trade what thay Git from the Hunt of ye Winter Insewing. I was one of this
Discription. I Divided my Goods into twelve Parts and fited out twelve Larg
Canoes for Differant Part of the Mississippy River. Each cannew was mad
of Birch Bark and white Leader thay would Carry seven Thousand wate.
A Description of Macenac — This Place is Kept up by a Capts. Command of
British which were Lodged in Good Barracks within the Stockades whare
thare is Som french Bildings & a Commodious Roman Church whare the french
inhabitants & Ingasheas Go to Mass. Befoar it was given up to the British
thare was a french Missenare astablished hear who Resided for a number of
years hear. While I was hear thare was None But traveling One who Corns
sometimes to mak a Short stay But all way in the Spring when the People
ware ye Most numeras then the Engashea often went to Confes & git absolu-
tion. I had the next winter with me one who was Adicted to theaving — he
took from me in silver trinkets to the amount of ten Pound But I got them
agane to a trifle. In the spring we found one of those Preasts at Mackenac
who was Duing wonders among the People. My young Man Babtist who had
Comited the theft Heard of it from his Comrads who Had Bin to Confess. His
Consans smit him & He Seat of to Confess but Could Not Git absolution. He
went a seacond time without sucksess But was Informed by his Bennadict that
Somthing was wanting. He Came to me Desireing me to leat him Have Two
Otter Skins Promising that He Would Be Beatter in futer and sarve well. I
Leat Him have them. He went of. In a few Minnets after or a Short time
he Returned. I askt him What Suckses. O sade he the farther sais my Case
is a Bad One But if I Bring two Otter more he will take my Case on himself
and Discharge me. I let him Have them & in a short time he Returned as
full of thanks as he Could Expres and sarved me well after. The Inhabitans
of this Plase trade with the Natives and thay Go out with ye Indians in the
fall and winter with them — Men, woman and Children. Most of the french-
359
0f a
mens wives are white women. In the Spring thay make a Grate Quantity
of Maple Suga for the youse of thare families & for sale som of them. The
Land about Macinac is Vary Baran — a Mear Sand Bank — but the Gareson By
Manure Have Good Potaters and Sum Vegetables. The British Cut Hay anuf
for thare Stock a few Miles Distans from the Gareson & Bring horn on Boates.
Others Cut the Gras & Stock it on the Streat & Slead it on the Ice Thirty
Miles in ye Winter. Thare is Sum Indan Villeges twenty or thirty Miles from
this Plase whare the Natives Improve Verey Good Ground. Thay Have Corn
Beens and meney articles which thay youse in Part themselves and Bring the
Remander to Market. The Nearest tribe is the Atawase & the most Sivelized
in these Parts But Drink to Exses. Often in the Winter thay Go out on a
Hunting Party. In ye Spring thay Return to thare Villeges & Imploy the
Sumer in Rasein things for food as yousal. But this is to Be understood to
Belong to the Women — the men Never Meadel — this Part of thare bisness is
Confind to the females Ondley. Men are Imployd in Hunting, fishing & foul-
ing, War Parties etc. These Wood aford Partreages, Hairs, Vensen foxis &
Rackcones, Sum Wild Pigins. This Lake or Strate abounds in all sorts of fine
fish. I have Wade a trout taken in By Mr. Camps with a Hook & line under
the Ice in March Sixtey Six Pounds wate. I was Present. The Water was
fifteen fatham Deape. The white fish are ye Another Exquisseat fish. Thay
will way from 2.^/2 to 9 & 10 Pound wt. Baran La Huntan who was the first
that made an Excirtion from Macanac Into the Maseepey By the Rout of thee
Fou River — tho his Ideas ware Rong in Som things as I have Proved Sins his
day — that the flame of white fish was Might the Sturges are the
Best in these Lakes & the Harens Exsead in flaver. The waters are trans Par-
ant and fine.
I return to my one. In Sept I Had my Small fleat Readey to Cross Lake
Mishegan. On my Way to Grean Bay at the Mouth of fox river I Engaged
Nine Clarkes for Differant Parts of the Northan & Westarn Countrey and Bea-
ing Mand we Imbarkt & Crost the Lake yithout Seaing an Indan or Eney
Person Except our One. In three or four Days we arive at the Mouth of the
Bay which is two or three Mile Brod. In the Mouth is Som Islands which we
follow in Crossing to the South West Sid & then follow ye Shore to the Bottom
is Seventey Miles whare the fox River Empteys in to the Bay. We went a Short
Distans up the River whare is a small french village and thare Incampt for two
Days. This Land is Exalent. The Inhabitans Rase fine Corn and Sum Artick-
els for fammaley youse in thare Gardens. Thay Have Sum trad with ye
Indans which Pas that way. On the North Part of this Bay is a small Villeag
of Indans Cald the Mannomaneas who Live By Hunting Cheafly. Thay have
another Resois — the Bottom of the Bay Produces a Large Quantity of Wilde
Rice which thay Geather in Sept for food. I ort to have Menshand that the
french at ye Villeg whare we Incampt Rase fine black Cattel & Horses with
Sum swine.
At the End of two Days we ascended the fox river til We came to a Villeg
which Lies on the East End of a small Lake that Emties into the fox River.
These People are Cald Penans & the Lake by the same Name. These
People are Singelar from the Rest of thare Neighbors. Thay Speake a Hard
Un Couth Langwidge scarst to be Learnt by Eney People. Thay will not a
Sosheat with or Convars with the other tribes Nor Inter-marey among them. I
Enquired into the Natral Histrey of these People when I was at Detroit of
the Oldest and Most Entelagent frenchmen Who had Bin aquanted with them
for Meney Years. The Information amounted to this that thay formerley
Lived West of ye Misararey River — that thay Had Etarnal Disputes among
themselves and Dispute with the Nations about them — at Length thare Neigh-
360
in tlf? American
bors In Grate Numbers fel upon them and what was Saved flead across the
Misesarea to ye eastward and Over the Mississippey and on to this Lake whare
thay now live thare thay met with a trib of Indans Who Suferd them to Seat
Down. It was as is Suposed the foxe Nation who lived Near them — the fox-
is was Drove from Detroit for thare Misbehaver which ware a proper People
to aSist them in thare flite. I Beleve most of it. They are Insolent to this
Day and Inclineing Cheaterey thay will if they Can Git Creadit from the trad-
er in the fall of ye Year to Pay in the Spring after they Have Made thare Hunt
But When you Mete them in Spring as Know them Personeley ask for your
Pay and thay Will Speake in thare One Languege if thay Speake at all Which
is not to be understood or Other ways thay Will Look Sulkey and Make you
no answer and you loes your Debt.
I was at Mackenac when Capt George Turnbull demanded Previous to the
Amarecan Reverlution and thare Came in a Cheaf with a Small Band of these.
He Held a Counsel with them But he Couldn't Git an Intarpetar in the Plase
that Understood them. At Lengh the Capt Said that he had a mind to Send for
an Old Highland solge that Spoke Little But the Hars Langwege — Perhaps he
mite understand for it Sounded Much Like it. The Land about them on the Lake
is Exalant. Thare women Rase Corn & Beens Punkins &c But the Lake afords
no Variety of fish thare Wood Produce Sum Rabits & Partreageis, a small
Quantaty of Vensen. Thay Live in a Close Connection among themselves. We
made But a Small Stay Hear and Past a Small Distans on the Lake and Enterd
the fox River agane Which Leads up to the Cairing Plase of Osconston.
Adventure into Indian Camp during Burial Ceremony
We asended that River til we Cam to a High Pece of Ground whare that Na-
tion yous to Entan thare Dead when thay Lived in that Part. We stopt hear
awhile finding Sum of that Nation on the Spot Who Came thare to Pay thare
Respect to thare Departed frend. Thay Had a small Cag of Rum and sat around
the grave. Thay fild thar Callemeat and Began thar saremony By Pinting the
Stem of the Pipe upward — then giveing it a turn in thare and then toward ye
head of the Grav — then East & West, North & South after which thay
smoaked it out and fild it agane & Lade By — then thay took Sum Rum out of
the Cag in a Small Bark Vessel and Pourd it on the Head of the Grave By way
of giving it to thar Departed Brother — then thay all Drank themselves — Lit the
Pipe and seamed to Enjoi themselves Verey well. Thay Repeated this till the
Sperit Began to Operate and thare harts Began to Soffen. Then thay Began to
Sing a Song or two But at the End of Every Song thay Soffened the Clay.
After Sumtime Had Relapst the Cag had Bin Blead often. Thay Began to Re-
pete the Satisfaction thay had with that friend while he was with them and
How fond he was of his frends While he Could Git a Cag of Rum and how
thay youst to Injoy it togather. They Amused themselves in this manner til
thay all fell a Crying and a woful Nois thay Mad for a While til thay thought
Wisely that thay Could Not Bring him Back and it would Not Due to Greeve
two much — that an application to the Cag was the Best Way to Dround Sorrow
& Wash away Greefe for the Moshun was soon Put in Execution and all Be-
ga to be Marey as a Party Could Bea. Thay Continued til Near Nite. Rite
Wen thay Ware More than Half Drunk the men began to aproach the females
and Chat frelay and apearantley f riendley. At T «. ngh thay Began to Lean on
Each other, Kis & apeared Verey amaras ............ I Could
Observe Clearly this Bisiness was first Pusht on by the Women who made
thare visit to the Dead a Verey pleasing one in thare Way. One of them who was
Quit Drunk, as I was By Self Seating on the Ground observing thare Saremo-
nes, Cam to me and askt me to take a Share in her Bountey ........
&10rg nf a fltntt^r 3ffur
.... But I thought it was time to Quit and went about Half a mile up the
River to my Canoes whare My men was Incampt But the Indans never cam
Nigh us. The men then shun that three of the Women had bin at the Camp
In the Night In Quest of Imploy. The next Morning we Proseaded up the
River which was Verey Sarpentine inded til we Cam to a Shallo Lake whare
you Could Sea water But Just in the Canoe track the Wilde Gates ware so thick
that the Indans Could Scarse Git one of thare Small Canoes into it to Geather
it and the Wild Ducks When thay Ris Made a Nois like thunder. We Got as
meney of them as we Chose fat and Good. We Incampt hear Would not un-
dertake to Cross til Morning — the Water was two Deap to wade and ye Bottom
Soft — the Rode so narrow that it toock the Most of ye next Day to get about
three Miles With our Large Cannoes the track was so narrow. Near Nite we
Got to Warm Ground whare we Incampt and Regaled Well after the fateages
of the Day. The Next Day we Proseaded up the River which was slack water
But Verey Sarpentine — we Have to go two Miles Without Geating fiftey
yards ahead so winding — But Just at nite we reacht within Site of ye Caring
Plase and Incampt. Next morning Near noon we Arived and unLoded our
Canoes & toock them out of the water to dry that thay mite be liter. On
the Caring Plase On account of the fox River and its Neghbering Cuntrey A
Long its Shores from the Mouth to the Pewans Lake is A good Navagation.
One or two Small Rapeds from that Lake the water up to the Caring plase is
Verey Cental But Verey Sarpentine. In Maney Parts In Going three Miles
you due not advans one. The Bank is almose Leavel With the Water and the
Medoes on Each Sid are Clear of Wood to a Grate Distans and Clothd with a
Good sort of Grass the Opeings of this River are Cald Lakes But thay are
no more than Larg Openings. In these Plases the Water is about four or five
feet deap. With a Soft Bottom these Places Produce the Gratest Quantaties of
Wild Rise of Which the Natives Geather Grat Quantities and Eat what thay
Have Ocation for & Dispose of the Remainder to People that Pass & Repass
on thare trade. This Grane Looks in its Groth & Stock & Ears Like Ry and the
Grane is of the same Culler But Longer and Slimer. When it is Cleaned fit
for youse thay Baile it as we Due Rise and Eat it with Bairs Greas and Suger
But the Greas thay ad as it is Bileing which helps to Soffen it and make it
Brake in the same Maner as Rise. When thay take it out of thare Cettels for
yous thay ad a Little suger and is Eaten with fresh Vensen or fowls we yoused
it in the Room of Rise and it Did very well as a Substatute for that Grane as it
Busts it turns out perfeckly White as Rise. Back from this River the Lands
are as Good as Can be Conseaved and Good timber But not Overthick it is Pro-
verbel that the fires Which Ran threw these .... and Meadows Stops the
Groth of ye Wood and Destroise Small wood. I Have Menshund the Vast
Numbers of Wild Ducks which faten on ye Wild Rise Eaverey fall. It would
Sound two much Like a travelers Storey to Say What I Realey- Beleve from
What I Have Sean. You Can Purchis them Verey Cheape at the Rate of two
Pens Per pese. If you Parfer shuting them yourself you may Kill what you
Plese. On account of the Portage of Wisconstan the South End of this Caring
plase is Verey Leavel But in Wet Weather it is Bad On acount of the Mud &
Water which is two thirds of a Mile and then the Ground Riseis to a Considera-
bel Hith and Clothed with fine Open Wood & a Hansom Varder.
A French Deserter's Experience in the Wilderness
This Spot is about the Senter of ye Portage and takes up about a Quorter
Part of it. The South End is Low, flat and Subject to Weat. It was on this
Spot that Old Pinnashon a french man Impose apon Came Respecting the Ind-
ans haveing a Rattel snake at his call which the Indans Could order into a
362
in tl* Am*rtran
Box for that Purpos as a Peat. This frenchman was a Soldier in the troops
that ware stasioned at the Elenoas. He was a Sentanal. At the Magasean of
Powder he Deserted his Post & toock his Boate up the Miseura among the
Indans and Spent Maney years among them. He Learnt Maney Langwedgeis
and from Steap to Steap he Got among the Mondons whare he found Sum
french traders who Belongd to the french factorey at fort Lorain on the Read
River. This factorey Belongd to the french traders of Cannaday. These
People toock Pinneshon to the factorey with them and the Consarn toock him
into thare Sarvais til the Hole Cuntrey was Given up to the English and he then
Came into thare Sarvis. The french Strove to take him up for his Desarson
But fald. However thay Orderd him to be Hung in Efagea Which was Dun.
This is the Acount he Gives of himself. I Have Hard it from his One Lips
as he has Bin Relateing his adventures to others. He found Garner on this
Spot Going without undirstanding either french or Indan & full of Enquirey
threw his Man who Sarved him as an Interpiar & thought it a Proper Oper-
tunety to ad Sumthing more to his adventers and Make his Bost of it after
which I have Haird Meney times it hurt Caiver much hearing such things &
Puting Confadens in them while he is Govner. He Gave a Good a Count of
the Small Part of the Western Countrey he Saw But when he a Leudes to
Hearsase he flies from facts in two Maney Instances.
After Two Days Hard Labor We Gits our Canoes at the Carring plase with
all our Goods and Incampt on the Bank of the River Wisconstan and Gund
our Canoes fit to descend that River. About Midday we Imbarkt. The River
is a Gentel Glideing Streame and a Considerabell Distans to the first Villeag
which Lise on the North Side. The River runs near west from the Portage to
the Missippey. Its a Gentel Glideing Streame. As we Desended it we saw
Maney Rattel Snakes Swimming Across it and Kild them. The Next Day we
Arived at the Villeag whare we tarread two Days. This Beaing the Last Part
of Sept these People had Eavery artickel of Eating in thare way in abandans.
I shall Give Sum acount of these People and the Countrey. These People
are Cald Sankeas. Thay are of a Good Sise and Well Disposed — Les Inclind
to tricks and Bad manners than thare Nighbers. Thay will take of the traders
Goods on Creadit in the fall for thare youse. In Winter and Except for Axe-
dant thay Pay the Deapt Verey Well for Indans I mite have sade Inlitend or
Sivelised Indans which are in General made worse by the Operation. Thare
Villeag is Bilt Cheafely with Plank thay Hugh Out of Wood — that is ye up-
rite — the top is Larch Over with Strong Sapplins Sufficient to Suport the Roof
and Covered with Barks which Makes them a tile roof. Sum of thare Huts
are Sixtey feet Long and Contanes Several fammalayes. Thay Rase a Plat-
foarm on Each Side of thare Huts About two feet high and about five feet
Broad on which thay Seat & Sleap. Thay have no flores But Bild thar fire on
the Ground in the Midel of the Hut and have a Hole threw the Ruf for the
Smoke to Pas. In the fall of ye Year thay Leave thare Huts and Go into the
Woods in Quest of Game and Return in the Spring to thare Huts before
Planting time. The Women Rase Grate Crops of Corn, Been, Punkens, Pota-
toes, Millans and artickels — the Land is Exaleant — & Clear of Wood Sum Dis-
tans from the Villeag. Thare Sum Hundred of Inhabitants. Thare amuse-
ments are Singing, Dancing, Smokeing, Matcheis, Gameing, Feasting, Drink-
ing. Playing the Slite of Hand, Hunting and thay are famas in Mageack. Thay
are Not Verey Gellas of thare Women. In General the Women find Meanes to
Grattafy them Selves without Consent of the Men. The Men often join War
parties with other Nations and Go aganst the Indans on the Miseure & west of
that. Sometimes thay Go Near St. Fee in New Mexico and Bring with them
Spanish Horseis. I have scan meney of them. The River aford But a few
363
&10rtj nf a |H0tt£*r Jut
fish. Thare Woods aford Partrageis, a few Rabeat, Bairs & Deear are Plenty
In thare Seasons. Wild foul thay have But few. Thar Religion is Like Most
of the tribes. Thay alow thare is two Sperits — One Good Who Dweles a Bove
the Clouds, Superintends over all and helps to all the Good things we have
and Can Bring Sickness on us if He pleases — and another Bad one who dweles
in the fire ad air, Eavery whare among men & Sumtimes Dose Mischchef to
Mankind. ,
Courtship and Marriage among the Indians
Cortship & Marriages — At Night when these People are Seating
Round thare fires the Elderly one will be teling what thay Have Sean and
Heard or Perhaps thay may be on Sum Interesting Subject. The family are
lisning. If thare be aney Young Garl in this Lodg or hut that aney Man of a
Differant Hut Has a Likeing for he will Seat among them. The Parson of his
Arrant Being Prasent hea will Watch an Opertunety & through a Small Stick
at Hair. If She Looks up with a Smile it is a Good Omen. He Repets a Sec-
ond time. Perhaps ye Garle will Return the Stick. The Sentam ar Still Gro-
ing Stronger and when thay think Proper to Ly Down to Slepe Each Parson
Raps himself up in his One Blanket. He takes Notis whar the Garl Seats for
thare she slepes. When all the famaley are Quit a Perhaps a Sleap he Slips
Soffely into that and Seat himself Down By her Side. PresantLey he will
Begin to Lift Her Blanket in a Soft maner. Perhaps she may twich it Out
of his hand with a Sort of a Sie & Snore to Gather But this is no Kiling Mat-
ter. He Seats awhile and Makes a Second Atempt. She May Perhaps Hold
the Blankead Down Slitely. At Lengh she turns Over with a Sith and Quits
the Hold of the Blanket This Meatherd is Practest a Short time
and then ye young Indan will Go ahunting and he is Luckey to Git meat he
Cum and Informs the famaley of it and where it is he Brings the Lung and hart
with him and thay Seat of after the Meat and Bring it Home this Plesis and he
Begins to Gro Bold in the famerley. The Garl after that will not Refuse him
He Will then Perhaps Stay about the famerley a Year and
Hunt for the Old father But in this Instans he gives his Conseant that thay may
Sleap togather and when thay Begin to have Children thay save what thay
can git for thare One youse and Perhaps Live in a Hut apart. After I had
Given them a number of Cradeat to Receve Payment the Next Spring I De-
sended to the fox Villeage on the Same River and Same Sid about fiftey Miles
Distans. Hear I meat a differant Sort of People who was Bread at Detroit
under the french Government and Clarge; till thay By Chrisanising Grew so
Bad thay ware Oblige to Go to War aganst them. Tho thay Lived Within
thre Miles of the Garrson and among the Inhabatans, thay Was Obliged to
fite them and killed Grate Numbers of them. The Remander flead to the fox
River whare thay made a Stand and treated the traders Going to the Missa-
seepey Verey 111 and Pilleaged them. At Lengh thay went a Stronge Partey
aganst them and Beat them back to whare thay Now are But in Sad Sarkam-
stanis to what thay ware Before thay took So much on them selves. As I
Aprocht the Banks of the Villeag I Perseaved a Number of Long Panted Poles
on which Hung a Number of Artickels, Sum Panted Dogs and also a Grate
Number of Wampam Belts with a Number of Silver Braslets and Other Ar-
tickels in the Indan way. I Inquired the Cause. Thay told me thay Had a
Shorte time Before had a Sweapeing Sicknes among them which had Caread
of Grate Numbers of Inhabitans & thay had offered up these Sacrafisces to
Apease that Beaing who was Angrey with them and sent the Sickness — that
it was much Abated tho thar was Sum Sick. Still I told them thay Had Dun
Right and to take Cair that thay Did not Ofend him Agane for fear a Grater
36*
in tlf? Ammran
Eavel myte befall them. Thare Villeag was Bilt in the Sam form & ye the sam
Like Materls as the Sankeas Produse of the Ground — the Sam & Brole in
the Same By the Women But not in so Grate Plentey as the former one on
Account of thare Late sickness. I taread hear One Day.
After Suplying myself with such Artickels as I wanted and thay Had to
Spare I gave them Sum Creadeat and Desended the River to the Mouth which
Empteys into the Masseippey and Cros that River and Incampt. The Land
along the River as you desend Apears to be Exalant. Just at Night as we
ware InCampt we Perseaved Large fish Cuming on the Sarfes of the Water.
I had then a Diferant trader with me who had a number of Men with him.
We were Incampt Near Each other. We Put our Hoock and Lines into the
Water and Leat them Ly all nite. In the Morning we Perseaved thare was fish
at the Hoocks and went to the Wattr Eag and halld on our line. Thay Came
Heavey. At Lengh we hald one ashore that wade a Hundered and four
Pounds — a Seacond that was One Hundered Wate — a third of Seventy five
Pounds. The Men was Glad to Sea this for thay Had not Eat mete for Sum
Days nor fish for a long time. We asked our men How meney Men the Larg-
est would Give a Meale. Sum of the Largest Eaters Sade twelve men Would
Eat it at a Meal. We Agread to Give ye fish if thay would find twelve men
that would undertake it. Thay Began to Dres it. The fish was what was Cald
the Cat fish. It had a large flat Head Sixteen Inches Betwene the Eise.
Thay Skind it — Cut it up in three larg Coppers Such as we have for the Youse
of our men. After it was Well Boild thay Sawd it up and all Got Round it.
Thay Began and Eat the hole without the least thing with it But Salt and
Sum of them Drank of the Licker it was Boild in. The Other two was Sarved
out to the Remainder of the People who finished them in a Short time. Thay
all Declard they felt the Beater of thare Meale Nor did I Perseave that Eney
of them ware Sick or Complaind. Nxt Morning we Recrost ye River which
was about a Mile Brod and Mounted about three Miles til we Come to the
Planes of the Dogs so Cald the Grate Plase of Rondavues for the traders and
Indans Before thay Dispars for thare Wintering Grounds. Hear we Meat
a Larg Number of french and Indans Makeing out thare arangements for the
InSewing winter and sending of thare cannoes to Differant Parts — Like wise
Giveing Creadets to the Indans who ware all to Rondaveuse thare in Spring.
I Stayed ten days Sending of my men to Differant Parts. I had Nine Clarks
which I Imploid in Differant Rivers that fel into the River.
When I had finished my Matters Hear in October I Seat of with two trad-
ers in Company for St. Peters River which was a Hundred Leags up the
River But the Season was faverabel and we went on Sloley to Leat the Notta-
waseas Git into the Plain that we Mite not be trubeld with them for Creadit
as thay are Bad Pay Marsters. In Going up the River we had Plenty of fat
Gease and Duks with Venson — Bares Meat in abandans — so that we Lived as
Well as hart Could Wish on Such food — Plentey of flower tea, Coffee, Sugar
and Buter, Sperits and Wine, that we faird Well as Voigers. The Banks of
ye River aforded us Plentey of Crab Apels which was Verey Good when the
frost Had tuchd them at a Sutabel tim.
SONNET BY HORACE HOLLEY
Alas for all old cities of the dead: And heroes rise In towns beleaguered:—
(God send the bitter vision oft to me !) But twilight slowly drew her blanket down
Troy much-sung and Venice on the sea; When none had aught of dawn left In his eyes.
Ninereh and Rome— all, all are sped. For poets had sold their sorrow for a fee
Their night came not with any sudden dread And maids had ceased to dream of love's sweet sighs.
Of ghastly war or grinding tyranny:— Oh ye that keep the rule of Modern Town,
With sword In hand men wax more strong to be, God send this vision oft to you and me.
365
ESTATE OF A PROSPEROUS AMERICAN IN 1684
"INVENTORY OF LEWIS JONES, LATELY DECEASED. OF GOODS
AND CHATTELL TAKEN BY. US WHOSE NAMES ARE UNDER
WRITTEN THIS 2OTH DAY OF APRIL 1684".
TRANSCRIBED FROM ORIGINAL BT
WALTER E. JONES OF WAITSFIELD, VERMONT
A DESCEWDAJTT OF THE LEOATOH
£ * d
The housing and land 035 oo oo
A cow and heifer 004 05 oo
Wearing Cloaths ooi 10 oo
In ye lodging Room
One feather bed, two pillows, one bolster, one rug, three old blankets,
three sheets, curtains and bed stead 05 oo oo
One small flock bed, one coverlett, one bolster, two pillows, two sheets,
one old straw bed, two blankets and a Trundle bed stead 002 04 oo
One Chest, one Tablecloath, one napkin, with some other old linnen,
one small box, one forme ooo 12 oo
In ye fire Room
One brass Kettle, two skillets, one old warming pan ooo 17 oo
Three small pewter dishes, one quart pot, one frying pan ooi 10 oo
Three irons potts and 2 pr of pot hooks, one frying pan ooi 10 oo
In Books ooi 15 oo
One Tramell, one fire shovel, a pr. of Tongs, one spitt, a pr. of Bellows,
with other small things oo 12 oo
Two Tables, one Chest, a kneading Trough and 2 old chairs ooo 16 oo
One halfe bushell, a baskett, i pail ooo 16 oo
One beetle and wedges, one ax two pitch forks with some old Iron and
other lumber ooo 10 oo
In earthen ware with two bags ooo 04 oo
Upon ye chamber
One old fan, one flock bolster, one old Caske (sic) & lumber ooo 10 oo
In rye and malt ooo 18 oo
In barley ooo 14 oo
In Indian Corn 003 10 oo
In ye cellar
One powdering Tub, four barrells, one old churne, one small caske,
two Earthan potts and one Keeler and other lumber ooo 19 oo
JOHN COOLIDGE
JOHN BRIGHT
MANNING SAWIN
Apr 2 1684
Total £ 062 oa oo
JOSIAH JONES Administrator took oath in
court hereto
Jfftrat S>tHy0u?tttfitH in Ammra
EarlUat Extant JTupr of Jlirtnrioluan ^ Urottm'n Notabl*
<£ullrrtum of Portrait* of Bi0ttnnittflhr& Amrrtrana
BY
HOWARD MARSHALL
WITH RIPRODUCTIONS FROM BROWN'S CRIMINAL SILHOUZTTIS
years, who landed in New York un-
der special "management" a few days
after the arrival of Lafayette in 1824.
He was made the subject of much
comment in the newspapers and trav-
eled about the country exhibiting his
"Hubard Gallery" in which for fifty
cents the visitor was "entitled to see
the exhibition, hear the concert, and
obtain a correct likeness by Master
Hubard, cut with common scissors in
a few seconds, without the aid of
drawing or machine."
So lucrative seemed the "new pro-
fession" that many men entered it,
not only profiting financially but also
making the acquaintance of the exclu-
sive families of the period. One of
these was William Henry Brown, who
was born in Charleston, South Caro-
lina, May 22, 1808, and became a
genius in the quaint art of portrait-
ure. In his travels through the prin-
cipal cities of the United States he cut
the silhouettes of the most eminent
citizens. So adept did he become
that with a single glance of the eye
he could photograph on his memory
the profile and figure of an object and
reproduce it months or even years
afterwards with absolute accuracy.
He was brilliant in conversation and
his fund of reminiscences of promi-
nent men gave him entree into the
first homes of America. Brown accu-
mulated money rapidly and spent it
lavishly, but at the close of his career
left a remarkable collection of silhou-
ettes of many distinguished Ameri-
cans. On the following pages four
of the most characteristic silhouettes
are reproduced from the collection in
the Brown "Portrait Gallery."
first American pho-
tographer was the sil-
houettist, and the early
Americans, with all the
strength and weakness
of human nature, went
to him for their portrait-
ure, much as the modern American
sits before the camera to-day. The
earliest extant type of pictoriology,
found upon the Egyptian mummy-
cases and Etruscan pottery, is the sil-
houette. It passed down the genera-
tions until Madam Pompadour, a
woman of French society, had her
profile made in black upon a white
ground by simply casting a shadow
with a lamp, and it immediately be-
came the fashion throughout France
to have one's profile "a la Pompa-
dour."
It was about this time that Etienne
de Silhouette, financial minister of
Louis XV, inaugurated his rigid sys-
tem of economy which came so near
to parsimony that his name was used
as an appellation for everything cheap
or shabby. The plain black profiles
were so inexpensive and so common
among all classes of people that the
aristocracy finally exclaimed in dis-
dain : "It's too Silhouette."
The first silhouettest to begin busi-
ness in America was Charles Wilson
Peale in Philadelphia, more than a
century ago, and here American soci-
ety gathered to sit for portraits. The
distinguished men of the day also
patronized Peale and one of the most
famous of his silhouettes is that of
George Washington.
One of the most noted silhouettists
to come to America was James Hu-
bard, an English youth of seventeen
3*7
(Salbrg 0f Jamnus Ammratta
ILHOUETTE of Daniel
Webster taken in the
zenith of his greatness
in the United States
Senate, when he was
about fifty-seven years
of age. Webster was
much pleased with this portrait and
wrote to Brown, the silhouettist :
"My friends unite in saying that the
one you took of myself is a striking
likeness. I cannot, however, see its
resemblance to the original, as I do
in all the others. It is an old and
very true saying 'that if we could see
ourselves as others see us,' etc."
Brown in his notes gives these im-
pressions of Webster: "He is rather
above the ordinary stature. His fore-
head high and broad, resting as it
were upon a lowering brow, is strik-
ing and peculiar. His eyes are dark
and deep-set, his lips rather thin and
generally compressed. His whole
countenance is grave, and marked
with the impress of dignity and close
thought. His hair is black and his
complexion rather dark. To stran-
gers, his general appearance is stern
and forbidding, yet when speaking in
public, his countenance is occasion-
ally pleasing and attractive. In con-
versation he is at times free and com-
municative, but more generally, re-
served and attentive to the sentiments
of others. He is polite and solid
when conversing with those with
whom he is not well acquainted, and
when among those whom he knows
well, he is sometimes humorous, but
never without manly dignity." Hft
was born in Salisbury, New Hamp-
shire, January 18, 1782, on a farm in
the forests. He began the practice of
law at twenty-three years of age, and
was elected to Congress at thirty
years, where he became a star in the
"American galaxy," passed to the
Senate chamber, and was appointed
secretary of state in the cabinets of
William Henry Harrison and John
Tyler. He died at the age of sev-
enty years, October 23, 1852, at his
home in Marshfield, Massachusetts.
ILHOUETTE of Andrew
Jackson, taken in Wash-
ington at the time of
his inauguration as sev-
enth president of the
United States. He was
then sixty-two years of
age. Silhouettist Brown inscribed
these notes regarding the personal
appearance of the eminent general:
"President Jackson is tall, and re-
markably erect and thin. His frame,
in general, does not appear fitted for
the trials such as it has borne. His
features are large; his eyes are blue,
with a keen and strong expression,
his complexion is that of a war-worn
soldier. His demeanor is easy and
gentle; in every station, he has been
found open, and accessible to all, and
those who have lived and acted with
him, bear ample testimony to the gen-
eral mildness of his carriage, and the
kindness of his disposition." An-
drew Jackson was born March 15,
1767, in Union County, North Caro-
lina, less than a quarter mile from the
South Carolina line. He always
called himself a South Carolinian.
His parents had immigrated to Amer-
ica from Ireland in 1765. At the age
of fourteen years he joined the Amer-
ican Revolution. When twenty
years of age he obtained a license to
practice law, and at twenty-two re-
moved to Nashville where his life of
public service began with his election
as attorney-general, as a member of
the convention to frame a constitu-
tion for the state, and thence to
Congress, the United States Senate,
and the presidency. Upon retiring
from the highest honor in possession
of the American people, President
Jackson returned to his estate, the
"Hermitage," near Nashville, Ten-
nessee, and lived hospitably in the
manner of a substantial farmer. One
who visited him in his last days said:
"His amusements consist in the man-
agement of his domestic concerns."
General Jackson died in 1845, a&e
seventy-eight, having distinguished
himself, fearless in war and in peace.
369
portrait <£all?rg nf Jfamnua
ILHOUETTE of John
Randolph, of Roanoke,
Virginia, as he appeared
when embarking as Min-
ister to Russia in 1830.
Silhouettist Brown re-
fers to him as one of the
most remarkable men of his age, and
makes these comments: "Mr. Ran-
dolph's peculiar personal appearance,
his unique style of dress, and utter
disregard of the customs of society,
together with his eccentric manners,
his peculiar expressions, and singular
habits, rendered him an object of
wonder and curiosity. In 1830 he
passed through Baltimore in an old-
fashioned English coach of Revolu-
tionary times, drawn by four horses,
with a postillion mounted on one of
the leaders, and John, one of his fav-
orite servants, on the box. On his
mission to Russia he wore a large
white hat, much too large for his
head, which he kept in its place by
means of a huge bandana handker-
chief stuffed between his forehead
and the front part of his hat, a long
green coat, knee breeches and top
boots. Americans, English and Rus-
sians proceeded to witness the land-
ing of the new American Minister.
He accosted the emperor with great
familiarity and told him he wished to
see 'madam/ and when presented to
the empress he continued to address
her with that appellation. He was
one of the most brilliant politicians of
his age and an orator of wonderful
magnetism." America has never
known a public character so unique
in its strength. John Randolph was
born at Mattox, Virginia, in June,
1773, and proud of his descent from
Pocohontas. He was elected to Con-
gress at twenty-six years of age, and
for the next thirty years, with but
three short intervals, during one of
which he was United States senator,
his powers of eloquence, at times in
speeches occupying an entire day,
rang through the House of Represen-
tatives. He died May 24, 1833, at
sixty years of age, in Philadelphia.
370
Portrait
nf
Am*riran*s
ILHOUETTE of the first
duly consecrated Prot-
estant Episcopal Bishop
of America, the Right
Reverend William
White, D.D., of Penn-
sylvania. The artist's
notes describe him as "of venerable
form, rendered infirm by age, with
his long locks flowing down to his
shoulders. The general respectful
and affectionate salutations with
which he was greeted manifested the
veneration and respect which a long
life of excellence and piety had in-
spired in the breasts of his country-
men. No gloom hung upon his brow,
nor did his frown rest upon the inno-
cent pursuits and pleasures of life.
His countenance wore always the
same serene expression. Ardently
sincere himself, in his belief, and pos-
sessed of an expanded and well-
stored mind, with urbanity of man-
ners, and a heart overflowing with
benevolence and good will to all, he
was an object of much esteem with
every class and every denomination.
He was a man who respected the
rights and opinions of others, and
thereby entitled his own opinions to
the respect of mankind. He was ever
studiously careful to guard against
the slightest infraction of Christian
courtesy, in wounding the feelings of
others. Bishop White was not elo-
quent. He did not study to please
the ear and captivate the mind by the
beauties of rhetoric. His sermons
were of a dignified, argumentative
character, pervaded by a tone of com-
mon sense." Bishop White was born
in Philadelphia, April 4, 1748. At
the age of fourteen he was inclined
toward the ministry and at eighteen
years prepared to preach. He was
admitted to the priest's orders in Lon-
don at twenty-three years of age,
three years before the Declaration of
Independence, and at the close of the
American Revolution attempted to
establish the freedom of religion side
by side with civil liberty. He died
July 17, 1836, in his eighty-ninth year.
37«
WILL OF MARY WASHINGTON IN 1788
MOTHER OF TIIE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Transcribed from Clerk's Office at Fredericksburg, Virginia, by
MRS. HELEN COOK PORTER, of Baltimore, Maryland
IN the name of God ! Amen ! I, Mary Washington, of Fredericksburg, in the
County of Spotsylvania, being in good health, but calling to mind the uncer-
tainty of this life, and willing to dispose of what remains of my worldly estate,
do make and publish this, my last will, recommending my soul into the hands of
my Creator, hoping for a remission of all my sins through the merits and medi-
tation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind ; I dispose of my worldly estate as
follows :
Imprimis. — I give to my son, General George Washington, all my land in
Accokeek Run, in the County of Stafford, and also my negro boy George to him
and his heirs forever. Also my best bed, bedstead, and Virginia cloth curtains
(the same that stands in my best bed-room), my quilted blue and white quilt and
my best dressing-glass.
Item. — I give and devise to my son, Charles Washington, my negro man Tom,
to him and his assigns forever.
Item. — I give and devise to my daughter, Bettie Lewis, my phaeton and my
bay horse.
Item. — I give and devise to my daughter-in-law, Hannah Washington, my
purple cloth cloak lined with shag.
Item. — I give and devise to my grandson, Corbin Washington, my negro
wench old Bet, my riding chair, and two black horses, to him and his assigns for-
ever.
Item. — I give and devise to my grandson, Fielding Lewis, my negro man,
Frederick, to him and his assigns forever, also eight silver tablespoons, half of my
crockery ware and the blue and white tea china, with book case, oval table, one
bedstead, one pair sheets, one pair blankets and white cotton counterpain, two
table cloths, red leather chairs, half my peuter and one-half of my kitchen furni-
ture.
Item. — I give and devise to my grandson, Lawrence Lewis, my negro wench
Lydia, to him and his assigns forever.
Item. — I give and devise to my granddaughter, Bettie Carter, my negro
woman, little Bet, and her future increase, to her and her assigns forever. Also
my largest looking-glass, my walnut writing desk and drawers, a square dining
table, one bed, bedstead, bolster, one pillow, one blanket and pair sheets, white
Virginia cloth counterpains and purple curtains, my red and white tea china, tea-
spoons, and the other half of my peuter and crockeryware, and the remainder of
my iron kitchen furniture.
Item. — I give and devise to my grandson, George Washington, my next best
glass, one bed, bedstead, bolster, one pillow, one pair sheets, one blanket and
counterpain.
Item. — I devise all my wearing apparel to be equally divided between my
granddaughters, Bettie Carter, Fannie Ball and Milly Washington, — but should
my daughter, Bettie Lewis, fancy any one, two or three articles, she is to have
them before a division thereof.
Lastly, I nominate and appoint my said son, General George Washington,
executor of this, my will, and as I owe few or no debts, I direct my executor to
give no security or appraise my estate, but desire the same may be alloted to my
devises, with as a little trouble and delay as may be desiring their acceptance
thereof as all the token I now have to give them of my love for them.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the zoth day of
May, 1788.
MARY WASHINGTON.
Witness, JOHN FERNEYHOUGH.
Signed, sealed, and published in the presence of the said Mary Washington
and at her desire.
JNO. MERCER.
JOSEPH WALKER.
&i0rfe0 of (Gallant Ammonia
3lnhtt ©hnnutH-Otolmtfl of ftpartanburg
3anr
* damans Sti*
BY
MRS. ROBERT J. HERNDOX
YOKKVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Tho* we must die, let me not die
In ignominious strife,
With fate invincible, and sigh
To linger out my life;
With powers decayed, enfeebled mind
And slowly slackening breath,
Burden of pity to my kind,
And dead before my death.
No, let me perish, sword in hand,
At Honor's sudden call,
Guarding my menaced Motherland
And for her safety fall.
Or mount the scaffold with firm gaze,
Martyr to some great cause,
And end my not inglorious days
For Freedom's outraged Laws.
What is this life except a trust
For nobleness and right,
The torch which, while we may, we must
Still bear and keep alight;
And when, from our exhausted will
It flickers, hand it on,
That it may burn and beckon still,
Till Time itself be gone.
But if, in unheroic days,
No great deed may be done,
Let me at least deserve this praise:
"He lived and died as one
Who looked on Life with fearless eyes,
And with intrepid mind;
So leaves, where now he silent lies,
An honored name behind."
— Selected.
MONG the names of heroes
and heroines whose
magnificent courage
has added such glpri-
ous chapters to the
history of South Caro-
lina during the period
of the American Revolution, there is
none to surpass in patriotisrh and de-
votion to country, Colonel John P.
Thomas. His service and leadership
in the cause of liberty and independ-
ence, and the exploits of the men and
women of his family are deeds of
chivalry.
The youth of the country were
chiefly indebted to him for their first
military discipline, and in the public
affairs of his district he became an
acknowledged leader. He raised the
standard of independence among his
people, and with strong appeals
373
aroused his fellow-countrymen against
oppression.
The father of Colonel Thomas was
English, and an officer in the King's
army. During the oppression of the
Presbyterians in England, he re-
moved to Wales, where Colonel
Thomas was porn; and some years
later in company with his brother,
Reverend John Thomas, a noted
Presbyterian minister, and other
friends, came to America and settled
in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Colonel Thomas was brought up in
this country and educated in England.
He married Jane Black, a sister of
the Reverend John Black, the first
president of Dickinson College, Car-
lysle, Pennsylvania. It is said that
she was a woman of rare intelligence
and varied accomplishments, possess-
nf
ing many charms of mind and heart.
She was a superb horsewoman, of
which she gave practical proof of her
skill and endurance the day she made
the famous ride from Ninety Six to
Cedar Springs, which I will refer to
later.
The colonel removed to South Car-
olina and resided on a commanding
eminence in the beautiful region of a
bold and lovely stream which, when
the travelers beheld it in all its
beauty of forest and flower and gold-
en sunlight and sparkling cascades,
surrounded by grand hills with their
coronets of pines, one of them ex-
claimed: "What a fair forest this!"
which still bears the name of Fair
Forest Creek.
Here he was residing before hostil-
ities commenced with the mother
country. He was a militia captain
and a magistrate under the royal gov-
ernment. He was enterprising, intel-
ligent and patriotic, owned large pos-
sessions in land, slaves, horses and
cattle, and was highly distinguished
for his devotion to the public welfare.
He is described as being a man of
splendid appearance, above the aver-
age stature. His features were reg-
ular, his nose straight, his head finely
formed, and set firmly upon his shoul-
ders. He had dark blue eyes, which
in moments of action, gleamed with
fire and emotion.
Colonel Thomas's death occurred
soon after the close of the war. His
lonely grave lies not far from the city
of Spartanburg, in the fair valley of
White Stone Springs. Near by can
still be seen four rooms of the house
in which he died. And over and
above all rises the granite hills upon
whose summits the battles for liberty
were fought, and victorious armies
shouted their battle cry. Here amid
the silence of centuries dreams this
knightly soldier.
Upon the refusal of Colonel
Fletcher to acept a position under the
authority of the province, John
Thomas was unanimously chosen
colonel of the Spartanburg regiment,
having previously resigned the com-
missions he held under the royal gov-
ernment. He directed the movements
of this regiment until the fall of
Charleston.
Soon after he was taken prisoner
by a Tory captain by the name of
Brown, and confined at Ninety Six
and at Charleston until near the close
of the war.
This Brown, with his Tory band,
returned to the home of Colonel
Thomas and carried off his negroes
and horses, and destroyed much of
his property and family treasures.
Colonel Thomas had four sons, of
whom two watered the tree of liberty
with their blood. Robert was killed
at Roebuck's defeat; Abram was
wounded and taken prisoner at
Ninety Six, and died in confinement.
John succeeded his father in com-
mand of the Spartanburg regiment,
and made his mark in many a well-
fought battle, and was deeply beloved
by his men for his daring spirit and
generosity.
He was one of the four prominent
colonels selected to confer with Gov-
ernor Rutledge and to make a full
representation of the condition of the
brigade and their reasons for refusing
to accept Williams as their com-
mander.
Colonel Thomas had four daugh-
ters. The husband of each espoused
the Whig cause, and all held commis-
sions in the army, and rendered their
country most substantial service in
securing victory and freedom.
The women of South Carolina
were, and are until the present day,
proverbial for being brave and patri-
otic, but the zeal and fidelity of Mrs.
Thomas and her daughters will com-
pare favorably with the brightest of
that bright galaxy that adorns his-
tory.
In the early part of the War for
American Independence, Governor
Rutledge had sent a quantity of arms
and ammunition to the frontier for the
nf
use of the Whigs. These had been
deposited in the house of Colonel
Thomas, and kept under the protec-
tion of a guard of twenty-five men.
Colonel Moore of North Carolina,
with three hundred Tories, was ap-
proaching to take possession of the
magazine. Colonel Thomas deemed
his force inadequate to a successful
defence of his home and retired. The
guard having taken off and concealed
as much of the military stores as time
admitted, Captain Josiah Culbertson,
a son-in-law of Colonel Thomas, re-
fused to leave the house. He had
been brought up on the frontier, and
was thought to be one of the finest
marksmen in the army. (He it was
who fired the first shot at the battle
of Cowpens.)
So with William Thomas, a lad,
and the women of the family, he re-
mained, and as soon as the Tories
came in gun-shot, they all opened fire
upon the British invaders with such
vigor that the band soon withdrew
from the conflict.
Some time after the fall of Charles-
ton, Mrs. Thomas was on a visit to
her husband and sons at Ninety Six.
They were prisoners of the British at
that post. While there she heard two
women in conversation, and one re-
marked to the other: "On to-morrow
night the Loyalists intend to surprise
the rebels at Cedar Springs." This
was interesting news to her. Cedar
Springs was within a few miles of her
home. Colonel John Thomas, jun-
ior, her son, was in command of the
post, and with him were several of
her children and friends. She there-
fore determined without delay to ap-
prise them of the attack, though the
distance was at least sixty miles.
Without loss of time, she made
ready for the dangerous journey, and
with courage as cool as it was deter-
mined, very early the following morn-
ing she mounted her horse and rode
away. On and on she rode through
the dark forests and lonely highways,
with spirit undaunted, never falter-
ing until she reached the camp of her
sons, where she informed them of
their great danger in time for them to
provide for safety.
When the enemy rushed on in easy
confidence of victory, instead, how-
ever, of butchering a slumbering foe,
they received the skilful blows of
their intended victims. On that night
victory perched upon the standard
of liberty, and this faithful wife and
devoted mother quietly repaired to
her home, conscious of having done
her duty.
In the midst of turmoil and strife,
with unparalleled industry, she pre-
pared clothes for the needy, food for
the starving, nursed the wounded,
prayed beside the dying, and buried
the dead throughout the country in
which she was an angel of goodness
and mercy.
In is not definitely known at this
time where her grave is, but it is
thought more than probable that she
lies buried in the Mcjunkin burying
ground, a few miles from Union, near
by the old highway which leads
through Fair Forest to Tiger river.
The descendants of Colonel Thomas
and his wife are widely dispersed
over many countries. Some are offi-
cers in the United States Navy.
Others occupy positions of trust and
honor in other avocations of life.
Some have distinguished themselves
in the wars of the present generation,
bearing their country's banner into
distant lands across the waters, gladly
dying for its glory.
And still there are others quietly
sleeping near their old home in the
beautiful Fair Forest they all loved
so well, under the shadows of the tall
pines which stand like ghostly sen-
tinels keeping eternal watch over the
graves of the dead heroes.
Thus the names of Colonel John
Thomas and his peerless wife shall
shine on untarnished on the rolls of
devotion to country, the example of
each distant age adding new luster to
the nation's history.
375
antfc
nf
(gaur $ta 3tadty anb thru ifia Eifr
the (£cutsr of American
BT
MRS. SARA B. FRANCIS
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
He was a glorious old patriot. With
what vividness does such a memento bring
back the nature and reality of sufferings
and sacrifices which are becoming to us
top much like a tale that is told. Every
glimpse which we thus get, into the fading
story of the old time, goes to prove that it
is no fiction, founded in local or family
pride, that attributes to those who laid the
foundation of our prosperity, an earnest-
ness, courage, and pure elevation of char-
acter which places them in the first rank
among heroes and patriots.
SENATOR DAWES.
is the true story of
one who gave his life
and worldly accumula-
tions to the cause of
American independence.
Captain David Noble
was born in Westfield,
Massachusetts, January 25, 1732. The
surname of Noble is one of great an-
tiquity in Great Britain. Lower, in
his "Surnames," refers its origin
"either to the physical structure, or to
the rank, of the primitive bearer."
As a surname it appears in the rolls
and records of the court held before
the King's justices at the close of the
reign of King Richard I, in the year
1199.
Captain David Noble was of the
fourth generation from Thomas No-
ble who is mentioned as having been
admitted a citizen of that place Janu-
ary 5, 1653. In the same year, 1653,
he removed to Springfield. Massachu-
setts. He appears as a resident of
Westfield, Massachusetts, as early as
January 21, 1669, where lands were
granted to him in the year 1666.
Captain David Noble was "one of
the early settlers of Pittsfield, Massa-
chusetts, who organized and led the
company of minute men which
marched from Pittsfield to Boston on
the news of the battle at Lexington.
June 24, 1774, his name appears as
one of the ten signers of the petition
to the selectmen of Pittsfield asking
them to call a town meeting "to act
and do what the town think proper
respecting the circular letter sent out
by the town of Boston and other
towns in this province; and such
other matters as the town shall think
proper in regard to the invaded liber-
ties of this country." In response to
that petition a town meeting was held
June 30, 1774, when Captain Noble
was appointed a member of the
"standing committee to correspond
with the correspondent committees of
this and other provinces."
The following letter is copied from
the original, at one time in the pos-
session of the late Honorable Henry
L. Dawes, formerly United States
Senator from Massachusetts. It is
of striking interest as a record of the
faithfulness and self-devotion of the
Revolutionary heroes in "the times
that tried men's souls."
MRS. RUTH NOBLE, PITTSFIELD, per favor of
MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
CROWN POINT, JULY i, 1776.
DEAR WIFE: I would inform you that
through Divine goodness I am alive but
not very well, for by reason of hard fatigue
before I had the small-pox, by marching
and unsuitable diet, the distemper has left
me in a poor state of health, though I had
it very light. Ten days ago I was sent
with the sick from Isle Auxnaux to this
place, and have grown more poorly than
better since I came here. Our army is
very distressed by reason of the small-
pox; we have had four thousand sick at
once; I have not lost one of my company
yet, though some have had it very severe;
Sergeant Colfix is now very bad and it is
doubtful whether he ever recovers. I
had two men taken by the Indians in Ma-
jor Sherbern's party, which are redeemed;
and one Samuel Merry of my Company is
either killed or taken by the regulars going
down on a raft from Montreal to Sorrel.
The distresses of our sick is so unaccount-
able that I cannot paint it out by pen and
ink. (All my company have had it.) If
376
nf Gallant Am*rirana
it was not for the danger of the small-pox
I should be glad to have Brother James or
David come up and see me, and bring my
horse, for I intend to try to come home if
I remain so poorly. I believe that one of
them may come safe by taking good care
-when he gets here. I suppose that there is
about four thousand of the well of our
army at the Isle Auxnaux, and whether
they will stay there or come here I do not
know. Tell Croner's wife that he has had
the small-pox, and has got well over the
distemper, but he has had the misfortune
to have it fall into one of his eyes so that
I am afraid he will lose the sight of one
eye. He remembers his kind love to her
and child. He intends to try to come
home when I come; he cannot write for
want of paper. It is very hard living;
wine one dollar per quart; spirits one dol-
lar per quart; loaf sugar three shillings
per pound ; butter one shilling and six
pence — nor to be had for that; no milk.
All the above articles hardly to be had.
Vinegar three shillings per quart. I shall
write no more at present, but remain your
loving husband,
DAVID NOBLE, Captain.
The condition of the American
army at Crown Point is also referred
to in a letter of John Adams, dated
July 7, 1776, in which he says: "Our
army at Crown Point is an object of
wretchedness, enough to fill a human
mind with horror; -no clothes, beds,
blankets, no medicine, no victuals but
salt pork and flour. I hope that meas-
ures will be taken to cleanse the army
at Crown Point from the small-pox;
and that other measures will be taken
in New England by tolerating and
encouraging inoculation to render the
disease less terrible."
Captain Noble's letter was written
"but a few days before his death, and
alludes to the sickness which proved
fatal to him.
Captain Noble sacrificed his entire
property, as well as his life, in the
service of his country. On the first
alarm which spread through the
country, after the battles of Concord
and Lexington, he raised a company
of volunteeers in Berkshire county,
Massachusetts, and, with his own
means, "purchased one hundred and
thirty stands of arms, new, for the
supply of his company; drilled them
377
through the next winter; clothed
them with regimentals, their breeches
being made of buckskin, their coats of
blue turned up with white ; sent from
Cambridge, whither he had gone, for
all the goods that remained in his
store at home, both linen and wool-
ens, that would answer for soldier's
clothing."
"We harvested," says his son, now
deceased, in a letter written in 1836,
"thirty acres of wheat, which was
floured and sent to Cambridge the
next winter, all excepting what our
families used. My father sold two
farms in Stephentown, in the state of
New York, and one or two in Pitts-
field about the same time. Those in
the state of New York were sold in
1774, which enabled him to supply his
company with their arms and cloth-
ing. The reason of my recollecting
the circumstance of my father selling
the farms in the state of New York
is, that the men who bought them
(their names were Jones and David
Green) brought their money in gold,
quilted around every piece of their
underclothes, which took my aunt
some time to rip the gold pieces out.
He then went to Philadelphia and
bought the deer-skins of leather, and
at the same time hired a breeches-
maker, and the breeches were all
made up at our house."
About the time of Captain Noble's
death, which occurred in Skeensbor-
ough, now Whitehall, New York,
August 5, 1776, his residence, tan-
nery, store and other buildings were
burned, as was supposed, by the To-
ries. Neither Captain Noble nor his
family were ever reimbursed by the
government for the expenses and
losses incurred by him in its behalf;
nor did his widow and orphan chil-
dren receive even the seven years'
half-pay pledged by the government
to the families of officers who died in
the service.
There are few illustrations of truer
service and more conscientious pur-
pose in American history.
fir JFonglji Ut the Amrrtrau firttoltttUm and
00 br "fflaaxrft to (So Somr" in tftr War uf 1812
ANECDOTE CONTRIBUTED BT
CARRIE J. DOAXK OF ARLINGTON, IOWA
are two traditions
in my family that have
been handed down
ll through the generations.
I cannot vouch for their
authenticity although
they have always been
regarded by us as true.
^ My great grandfather, Phineas
Slayton, served his country as minute
man. At one time, during the Battle
of Lexington, he was with those who
guarded the ammunition and ambu-
lance wagon. A cannon ball killed
the driver. The guards all fled but
Slayton who threw the dead body of
the driver onto the wagon and jump-
ing into the driver's place started the
horses on a run, passing directly be-
tween two trees with sufficient room
only for the horses. The wagon.must
have stalled but another cannon ball
from the British struck the lesser
tree, cutting it squarely off and lift-
ing it above the wheels so that escape
was effected.
At another time he was sent with a
squad of men to guard a bridge. The
road traversed a side hill. Near the
bridge on the upper side was a rail
fence covered by shrubbery and green
leaves. Behind this rail fence was a
squad of unobserved British soldiers
who were sent for the same purpose.
As the Americans approached, the
British captain called out to Slayton:
"Surrender or die." Slayton pointed
his sword toward a stone wall below
the road and leaped over the wall, fol-
lowed by his men, in barely tinie
enough to escape the British bullets.
Then the shooting became general.
Few were hurt as the stone wall
proved a good shield, with the shrub-
bery and rail fence on other side.
Slayton, seeking to get some advan-
tage, crawled upon a stone that stood
near a large chestnut tree well hid-
den by leaves. Somehow the British
discovered the man near the tree and
called : "Don't shoot at the stone wall !
Shoot at the tree!"
"Shoot and be d-a-r-n-e-d," said
Slayton in his Yankee twang. Just
then the British raised up in plain
sight and a volley from behind the
stone wall killed or wounded half of
those behind the fence. The balance
fled, but returned under a flag of
truce and removed the dead and
wounded.
At another time Slayton was sent
to relieve some starving soldiers held
by the British in a floorless log house.
Some of them had died with pieces
of brick and earth in their mouths, so
dreadful were the pangs of hunger.
Neighboring women secretly tried to
take some kettles of hasty pudding to
them, for a temporary relief, which
the British officer lost no time in kick-
ing over upon the filthy earth floor.
It is said that the poor patriots laid
upon their stomachs and licked it up
like dogs. Still they could have been
relieved if they would only promise
not to take up arms against the king.
But they chose the painful death
which was facing them when Slayton
came to their rescue.
When the War of 1812 was de-
clared, Slayton, with whitened head
and furrowed cheeks, but full of pa-
triotism, took his gun and started for
the nearest recruiting station to enlist
as a volunteer. The officer at the
post laughed at him, telling him he
could not shoot anything. A col-
loquy ensued followed by an arrange-
ment that five of the new recruits
should try the old man at a mark.
The result was that the venerable
recruit beat the best shot by half an
inch. Then the crowd cheered and
the old man was coaxed to go home
and rest upon his laurels.
37«
orarg 3ty0tt01|t to
£lir JJrraa of ilj* Erjrabltc ia tl|f dttuulfcr r of
Pnblir ©ptnlon — tiff Erafcrr and tfotnrtnr
CALIFORNIA
MAINE
MUST AMERICAN PROSPERITY
BE RETARDED
BT J01IN P. YOUNG
• DITOHIAI. IV
CHMOVIOLK
Periods of depression followed years of
prosperity with such regularity that ob-
servance of the fact gave birth to a theory
which has been almost superstitiously re-
garded by men. The vast superstructure
of credit of modern times is reared upon a
foundation of promise, and until very re-
cently that foundation was not strong
enough to carry the load imposed upon it
by the careless builders. They kept on
rearing the lofty edifice until it became so
heavy that it was crushed by its own
weight
This process was usually designated as
overtrading, but that is only another way
of saying that men bought more than they
could pay for; in other words, they prom-
ised to redeem certain obligations, but
when redemption day came they could not
make good because there were so many in
the same condition that there was not
enough of that which is demanded in the
last resort to go around. The history of
every depression in this country and in
England conclusively establishes that lack
of basic money was at the bottom of the
difficulty. The talk of over-production is
twaddle. The world has never yet pro-
duced more than its inhabitants can con-
sume, and when it happens that the pro-
ducer turns out more products than he can
sell it will always be found that there is an
obstacle in the way of the consumer get-
ting the things produced and that he does
•not refrain from taking them because he
does not need or is unable to use them.
. . . The credit system is still abnor-
mally developed, but the volume of prom-
ises compared with the ability to redeem
them is growing relatively less. . . .
The vast addition to the world's stock of
basic money renders it moderately cer-
tain that the enterprises of mankind will
not soon be checked by want of the tools
to prosecute them. Money is the mechan-
ism of exchange and it looks as if there
would be enough of it produced in the
future to remove all apprehension of the
disasters which flow from the lack of it.
Modern ingenuity has achieved the tri-
umph of bringing the production of basic
money under the operation of the law of
supply and demand
379
ARE THESE AMERICA'S NEEDS
A GREAT PROBLEM
BT OEOHOK W. NORTON
EI'I I »H1 A I XV
TXJE POKTLA.JTD BTBjriHO KXPBBBS
President Roosevelt ... is not car-
rying on a war against corporations be-
cause they are corporations, and he dis-
criminates between the right doing and the
wrong doing corporation, as he does be-
tween individuals. But he says the best
way to cure the complaints which give
rise to Socialistic ideas, is to cure the evils
which do exist which give any ground for
these complaints. He would not think it
a fair estimate of his position to say that
his idea is that the way to cure Socialism
is to grant to the Socialists a part of the
things for which they clamor. It is inter-
esting to observe that the president is still
of the opinion that "swollen fortunes" are
a menace to our welfare, and he would
have the swelling reduced through the me-
dium of an inheritance tax plaster to be
applied to the locality in which the disturb-
ance appears. He also thinks that it is
possible that an income tax law may be so
drawn as to avoid the rocks of unconsti-
tutionality, upon which the Democratic in-
come tax boat was wrecked in the Cleve-
land administration, and he thinks it would
be wise to try it The president's ideas
concerning many topics of national interest
are of importance, particularly those deal-
ing with the control of corporations doing
an interstate business, concerning which
he declares against the government owner-
ship idea made prominent by Mr. Bryan,
of marriage and divorce which he would
have controlled by national legislation, of
the shipping interests, and the currency
problem, of the Philippine tariff, which he
would have entirely removed, and the Jap-
anese question, in which he stands for the
defense of the treaty rights of aliens. He
thinks still that "the United States Navy
is the surest guarantor of peace which this
country possesses." All he wants is that it
be maintained at its present strength. As
a matter of fact Mr. Roosevelt is not
"afraid for the terror by night nor for the
arrow that flieth by day."
<E0tti?mp0rarg
in Amertra
KENTUCKY
VIRGINIA
OMENS OF FIERCEST CONFLICT
KNOWN TO HISTORY
BDITOHIAL -W'KITKK
THK LOUIHVILLB
Qose, indeed, is the understanding be-
tween France and England. It is neces-
sary for both nations. There is Germany
at the doors of France, seeking for trouble
such as would justify an invasion of
French soil and the dismemberment of the
French Republic. That dismemberment
were sure to be followed, if not, indeed,
accompanied, by the seizure of Belgium
and Holland, giving the Kaiser the front
windows of the Continent to look out onto
King Edward's white-cliffed island. The
Moroccan trouble almost brought matters
to a head. Germany found no support at
Algeciras to justify war, or even suggest,
in that event, anything like certainty of
success. She accordingly decided to keep
her purposes for some time longer in abey-
ance. A Paris correspondent now writes:
"Matters had reached such a stage during
the Morocco crisis that England's physical,
as well as diplomatic, support was certain
had the sword been unsheathed. At that
time military and naval authorities of the
two countries were in communication, and
after the crisis had passed they proceeded
to work out 'in a purely technical fashion'
plans of co-operation by land and sea to
meet certain eventualities."
At every point King Edward has skil-
fully blocked his ambitious nephew. The
establishment of the new — or rather re-
vival of the old — kingdom of Norway un-
der practically British auspices is a wall
against German schemes on that side. The
marriage of the Princess Victoria of Bat-
tenburg to the King of Spain makes the
latter government friendly to Britain on a
critical portion of the map. The Kaiser
will have to wait If, however, he decides
to make a break, the conflict will be the
fiercest known in history.
NORTH AND SOUTH ARE UNITED
FOREVER
XDITOJUAX. -WHITKJZ TIT
THK BICHMOND TIM K K'lJ IK PATCH
If Southern Democrats desire to name
the next presidential candidate they must
agree on the man before they go to the
convention; they must go to the conven-
tion with a solid South. It may be argued
that this would appear to the North as a
revival of the Southern Confederacy,
would alarm the people of that section and
drive them into the Republican party.
That would depend on the temper of the
conference. If it should be composed of
hot-headed men, and if hot-headed resolu-
tions should be adopted and a hot-headed1
Southerner nominated, the North would
probably be "alarmed." But is there dan-
ger that the conference would be so com-
posed, and that it would take that turn?
Can we not trust our own leaders? If
not, we ought not to take chances, and we
ought to give up all idea now of nominat-
ing a Southern man. But if representative
Democrats from every Southern state-
would assemble in the "capital of the Con-
federacy," and by their deliberations and'
conclusions convince the North that they
were altogether safe and sane and patriotic,,
then concentrate on a Southern Democrat
who was himself safe, sane and patriotic^,
the net result of the conference would be to*
give the Southern Democracy enormous
prestige in national politics to nominate the
man of their choice, and in all probability
to elect him. Time was when the word"
"Southern" was a term to arouse prejudice;:
nowadays it is a word to conjure with..
That is certainly true in the business and'
financial world; why not in the political"
world as well? For our part, we believe-
that prejudice against the South has so far
disappeared that a majority of Democrats
of the North and West would be delighted
to see true Southern Democracy once again
in control in Washington.
<E0nt*mp0rarg
tn Amrrtra
SOUTH CAROLINA
DIST. OF COLUMBIA
HUMAN BROTHERHOOD HANDS
ACROSS THE SEA
KDITOKIAL -WHITE!* IV
TH« 01IAK1.KBTON- NKWS AXIJ COUKTK*
Every evening a great throng of people
gather under the dome of the Ho-
tel in Paris. They come from every nation
and tribe and tongue and kindred in the
world. ... It is all life and beauty
and motion, the prince and the commoner
jostling each other in good-natured spirit
as they mingle together in a delightful
comradeship to be found nowhere else.
. . . Symphonies exquisitely rendered,
waltzes and marches and ballads, solos and
<iuets and sextettes, and descriptive pas-
sages from the greatest and most familiar
grand operas, and great because they are
familiar, follow in delightful order until
suddenly with magical effect the whole
dome blazes with its myriad lights and the
orchestra plays "Hands Across the Sea,"
and all the crowd, whatever its language or
race, breaks into the most enthusiastic ap-
plause. . . . Great musicians would
probably regard the incident as reflecting
upon both the intelligence and sense of ap-
preciation of the ever-changing audience.
They would say doubtless that it was inar-
tistic, that it was not in keeping with the
best traditions of the schools, that the
trained musical mind could not applaud the
cheap, but catchy two-step style of Sousa,
and they would be exactly right; but the
human race is not artistic, except by care-
ful culture, and the heart is moved by hu-
man sympathy, whether it be excited by the
cry of an infant in distress or the harmony
of sounds which touch the hidden springs
of emotion. Strange as it may seem to the
educated mind, there is in "Hands Across
the Sea" just that little telepathic touch
which places us in communication with
those who are at a distance, whether they
are still with us in this experimental exist-
ence, or whether they have passed on into
the light of another more exalted state.
The hands of those who were here for a
little while are reaching out to those whom
they left behind across the sea that sepa-
rates us from the infinite and eternal that
lies beyond the bounds of time and sense.
MAN'S AMBITION-QUEST OF THE
NORTH POLE
BDITOKIAL WHITES IV
THB WAHHI3TOTOST POST
A number of reputable and presumably
influential newspapers are uttering protests
against further attempts to reach the North
Pole. They point to a long list of failures,
most of them involving dreadful tragedies,
and they all agree that the discovery of the
pole could not be materially beneficial to
mankind. This is precisely what The Post
did for a long time. While admiring and
commending the courage and fortitude ex-
hibited in this quest, The Post showed that
the game was not worth the candle and
sought earnestly to discourage it But
when it became evident that its protests
against efforts to reach the pole, no mat-
ter how disastrous they may be, no matter
how awful the reports of privation, suffer-
ing, death, and worse than death might
corne out" of the frozen north, were utterly
futile, The Post called a halt on its humane
efforts. The Post does not believe that as
a business enterprise the effort to reach the
pole is worth considering. No one has
any reason to believe that its successful
accomplishment would be an achievement
of commercial value. Nevertheless, it is
vain to cry out against it. So long as any
part of this globe remains unexplored, no
matter how apparently inaccessible it may
be, there will always be men to volunteer
for its exploration and capital to fit out ex-
peditions. This arises from the same
cause that has been pushing the human
family along in all the ages. It is the
product of discontent The human mind is
constitutionally incapable of contentment
or rest so long as nature hides secrets or
art can find possibilities of further con-
quest Therefore, the North Pole quest
will go on even if scores or hundreds of
victims are added to the number of those
who have laid down their lives in the hith-
erto vain endeavor. And perhaps science
in this field is less unreasonably employed
than it is in speculating on Martian canals
or in attempts to wrest from the Creator
the secret of life.
THE LAST LEAF
The key of Yesterday
I threw away,
And now, too late,
Before tomorrow's close-
locked gate
Helpless I stand— in vain to
pray!
In vain to sorrow !
Only the key of yesterday
Unlocks to-morrow !
BDITORIAL, COMMENT
This last leaf is inscribed to all Ameri-
cans who are serving their country. Not
alone those who have made self-sacrifices
in war and in peace, but to the Greater
American People who are serving their
country by each day's work, well and con-
scientiously done. The world is a great
workshop in which we are all artisans ply-
ing one of the trades and deftly adding our
own workmanship to the edifice of Truth
and Justice which the generations are
building. The structure of the future
American Republic is being modeled by
you and your friends and their friends'
friends. Its strength and its weakness
will be commensurate with the strength
and weakness of its people. Bliss Car-
men, the poet and aesthete, once said that
it matters little whether a man draws, or
digs, or makes music, or builds ships — in
the work of his hands is the delight of his
heart, and in that joy of his heart lurks
his kinship with his own Creator. Liberty
means not license, but largeness and bal-
ance of manhood, that men go right, not
because they are told to, but because they
love that which is right The heart of
self-government is the earnestness, the
self-respect, the industry of its people—-
and in j ust such proportions as these quali-
ties are inculcated into the American peo-
ple will they be found in the Republic.
The millions who have gone before have
countless stories to tell — true stories of
noble impulses, and sweet benevolences
that strengthen one's faith in humanity.
While gallantry in war will always meet
laudations by those who record history,
there is a greater army of Common Sol-
diers in the Common Cause of Right
whose names are never emblazoned on the
scrolls of conflict or inspiring victory.
Their service to their country is their sim-
ple, good lives. They were not epoch-
makers. They did not jolt the great world
along in a single blow. But this they did —
they lived honorably, they worked indus-
triously. To them the American Republic
owes the sacredness of its homes, the in-
tegrity of its institutio s, the stability of
its citizenship; its foundation and its ex-
istence; its past, its present, and its fu-
ture. The men knighted by history
owe much to the manhood of the silent
men in the ranks. It is an Americanism
that this is a land of, for, and by the peo-
ple. Inasmuch as it is the individual citi-
zen who contributes to the great body of
American citizenship, molding its charac-
ter, which in turn is but a composite of the
individual citizens, the History of a
Republic, unlike that of the monarchy,
must be written by every man and woman
who lives and labors under its ensign.
The pages of this book are but the sto-
ries that the workmen tell after the day^s
work is done, inviting you to joy in their
good fortunes, to laugh with them in their
jpvialty, to lend a hand of brotherly affec-
tion in their sorrows. It is here that one
may sit with the toilers about the evening
fire and listen to their narrations of the
long-gone days, of the roads they traveled
and the tales they told along the way —
simple stories of human lives, of physical
courage and of moral worth. To hear
them relate their experiences is like stand-
ing on the mountain heights where the
vision of the world below is clear, and to
look down on the generations of men and
women who have come and gone. There
in the fields is the multitude of workers;
in the meadows are the little ones, who,
now in the playtime of life, are so soon to
take up the tools of labor as they fall from
the hands of the workers ; there on the hill-
sides are the young men and women,
climbing, climbing the steeps that they may
catch a glimpse of the golden light before
the set of sun. On the hilltop one sees
against the skyline the bent figures of the
aged, their silvered hair glistening in the
sunlight, and their gnarled hands lifted,
with their faces toward the Promised
Land. This is the beautiful unfolding of
the past
A few days ago the eminent Dr. Lyman
Abbott remarked that we are now passing
through as great a revolution as that
through which our forefathers passed, and
that to-day our Government does a thou-
sand and one things never anticipated by
its founders. To understand the progress
of these events we must know first what
the first citizens really intended. While
the demands of the age are so great
that only the few can pursue historical re-
searches, the hearts of the American peo-
ple to-day are more patriotic than ever be-
fore. They absorb knowledge with a ver-
satility that the world has never before
known. This is an epoch, too, when men
cannot be narrowed down to treatises and
doctrines. They must think for them-
selves. They prefer to commune directly
with the men who know because they were
there. It is the privilege of these pages to
record the first-hand narratives of such
men that we may form our own conclu-
sions on "the progress of events"— conclu-
sions based whenever possible on the testi-
mony of eye-witnesses — to receive the tes-
timony of those who witnessed the laying
of the foundation, of those who are to-day
setting the keystone, and of those who
will have life-stories to inscribe of events
in years to come — to all Americans —
North and South, East and West
Journal
Ammran
.
ROBERT FULTON, THE FATHER OF STEAM NAVIGATION
Painting by his intimate friend and fellow-artist, Benjamin West— Original
now in the possession of Fulton's grandson, Robert Fulton Ludlow, of
Claverack, New York — Centenary reproduction in the Journal of American
History by permission of the Fulton family and by courtesy of the Nautical Gazette
Journal *f
SItfr ^taroa 0f JK?n twin
iljat Ijatt? ^nter^Ii tnin t^
luil&ing nf ttj? Wwtern Qlnntut^nt
REPRODUCTIONS FROM RARE
PRINTS AND WORKS OF ART
(AMERICANA)
ttriginal Rrararrhra into Autl|0rttattur ^ourrrs — Autrrlrau, Srittalj and
Euruprau Arrhiura — Private inurnala. Biarira and
Rrminlarntrra and iHrmoira —
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f ubltalf^rH nf Am^riran
by thr Aaaoriatrii Pnblialjrra of Autrriran Rrrorba. 3nr.
in thr Anrirnt JHuotripaltty of Nrm fjaurn. (Coutntoninralth of (Con-
nrrtirnt. in QuartrrlQ Art EMttona. four hooka to thr uolumr
at 3faio Bollara annually. 3Ftfty (Crnta a ropy .* (Com u i lri»
in (Collaboration with thr (Connrrtirnt iflanaEinr-
$Jrotrrtro by ropyright and JJrintru from jirraa
of thr fiorman Cithngrapl|ing (Company
Publication rutrrrii at thr
(£ff irr at Krut fiaurn aa mail
mattrr of th.r arrono rlaaa
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and S»rtirn
SForrtgn
e-hrrr dollara annually & ^rtirntu-ftur rrnta a ropy
LONDON . . . . B. F. Stevens A Brown ST. PETERSBURG Watkins and Company
4 Trafalgar Square, W. C. Marskata No. 36
PARIS Brentano's CAIRO F. Diemer
37, Avenue de 1'Opera Shepheard's Building
BERLIN .... Asher and Company BOMBAY Thacker and Company Limited
Unter den Linden 56 Esplanade Road
DUBLIN .... Combrldge and Company TOKIO Methodist Publishing House
18 Grafton Street 2 Shichome, Giz Ginza
EDINBURGH . . Andrew Elliott MEXICO CITT . . American Book & Printing Co.
17 Princess Street 1st San Francisco No. 12
MADRID .... Libreria Internacional de Ad- ATHENS Const. Electheroudakis
rian Romo, Alcala 5 Place de la Constitution
ROME L. Piale BUENOS ATRES . John Grant & Son
1 Piazza di Spagna Calle Cangallo 469
of thr Julian iJgmortal Number
FIRST \ •>!.!• M i: THIRD NUMBER
Collecting the Various Phases of History, Art, Literature,
Science, Industry, and Such as Pertains to the Moral, Intellectual
and Political Uplift of the American Nation — Inspiring Nobility
of Home and State — Testimonial of the Marked Individuality
and Strong Character of the Builders of the American Republic
HERALDIC ILLUMINATION — Coat-of-arms of the Fulton Family In America — Illumi-
nated especially as a Memorial to Robert Fulton, the promoter of steam naviga-
tion, on this Centenary of his achievement — Emblazoned in six colors
By Charles L. N. Camp
PAINTING OF ROBERT FULTON— By his intimate friend and fellow-artist. Benjamin
West — Original now in the possession of Fulton's grandson, Robert Fulton Ludlow,
of Claverack, New York — Centenary reproduction in sepia-tone in the "Journal of
American History" by permission of Fulton family 392
THE MESSAGE TO THE AMERICANS — Poem By Judge Daniel J. Donahoe 393
THE ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN COMMERCE — Ter-Centenary of the building
of the "Virginia," the First Ship Constructed on the Western Continent — Centen-
nial of the "Clermont," First Steamboat in the World — The Rise of the American
Merchant Marine and the Development of a Century of Navigation since Robert
Fulton — Illustrated with many rare blue-prints and engravings
By C. Seymour Bullock 395
ROBERT FULTON AS AN ARTIST — Reproduction in sepia-tone of his painting of Joel
Barlow, the poet and diplomat, who was Fulton's most intimate friend when the
Inventor proposed to Napoleon the power of steam as a destroyer of the navies of
the world but met with rebuff — Original Is now In possession of the Barlow family
In New York and a replica is owned by Fulton's grandson, Robert Fulton Ludlow
of Claverack, New York 401
FIRST COLLECTION OF STEAMBOAT PAINTINGS IN THE WORLD — Blue-print
reproductions of James Bard's Famous Canvasses of Early American Marine Archi-
tecture 413
MAP OF NEW YORK A CENTURY AGO when first successful steamboat in the world,
the "Clermont," sailed up the Hudson river — The city then had about 83.000
Inhabitants and was concentrated below Spruce Street — It was then planned to
preserve a system of boulevards along the water-front and construct harbors
rather than piers for shipping purposes — Modern commerce made this aestheticism
impractical and the rise of steam navigation sacrificed municipal art to the greater
demand of public utility 416
A CENTURY OF STEAM NAVIGATION — A series of sixteen of the first steamboats to
sail Inland waters from the port of New York — With double-page natural-color
reproduction of the modern "Hendrlck Hudson" 423
FACSIMILE OF LETTER WRITTEN BY ROBERT FULTON in which he confided his
doubts in the problem of steam navigation — Original in the archives of Lenox
Library, In New York 433
AMERICAN PROGRESS IN THE MIDDLE WEST — Voice of the people as expressed
through the Governors of the American Commonwealth and the "Journal of Amer-
ican History" By Honorable Albert B. Cummins, Governor of Iowa 433
•WE WANT PATRIOTS IN E VERY-DAY LIFE" — Excerpt from speech made by
Honorable Charles E. Hughes, Governor of New York 434
AMERICAN PROGRESS IN THE GREAT SOUTHWEST. .By Hon. Thomas M. Campbell
Governor of Texas 435
THE MILLENIUM OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP By Hon. Curtis Guild, Jr.
Governor of Massachusetts 436
BOUNDLESS RICHES OF THE AMERICAN INTERIOR By Horn. George L. Sheldon
Governor of Nebraska 437
THE RISE OF THE BOUNTEOUS SOUTH — Excerpt from speech by
Honorable Claude A. Swanson, Governor of Virginia 433
INDEX CONTINUED (OTER>
untlf iEngratnngg aub
THIRD QUARTER NINETEEN SEVEN
Chronicles of Those Who Have Done a Good Day's Work —
Rich in Information upon Which May Be Based Accurate
Economic and Sociologic Studies and of Eminent Value to
Private and Public Libraries — Beautified by Reproductions of
Ancient Subjects through the Modern Processes of American Art
CONTINUATION OF INDEX
THE AMERICAN SPIRIT IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ..... By Hon. Joseph W. Folk
Governor of Missouri 439
TRADE OF A MULATTO BOY IN 1765 — Accurate Transcript from Original Document
in Possession of ........................... Mary R. Woodruff, Orange, Connecticut 440
AN AMERICAN'S EXPERIENCE IN THE BRITISH ARMY— Manuscript of Colonel
Stephen Jarvis, Born in 1756 in Danbury, Connecticut, Revealing the life of the
Loyalists who refused to renounce allegiance to the King and fought to save the
Western Continent to the British Empire — Original Manuscript now in possession
of ......................... Honorable Charles M. Jarvis, New Britain, Connecticut 441
SONNET .......................................................... By Horace Holley 464
PILOT OF FIRST WHITE MEN TO CROSS THE AMERICAN CONTINENT— Identifica-
tion of the Indian Girl who Led the Lewis and Clark Expedition Over the Rocky
Mountains in their Unparalleled Journey into the Mysteries of the Western World
— Recognition of Sacajawea as the Woman who Guided the Explorers to the New
Golden Empire — With nine reproductions from sculpture and rare prints
By Grace Raymond Hebard, Ph.D., of the University of Wyoming 467
THE NOBLER RACE— Poem .................................. By Frank P. Foster, Jr. 484
LIFE ON AN AMERICAN TRADING VESSEL— Adventures on the High Seas in the
First Days of American Commerce when Privateering was a Prosperous Occupa-
tion and Daring Men Chose the Hazards of Seamanship — Journal of Samuel Hoyt,
an Early American Sea Captain, Born in 1744 — Transcribed by Julius Walter Pease 485
IN THE FIRST HOMES IN AMERICA— With reproductions of antique furniture
By Clara Emerson Bickford 494
SECRET SERVICE OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION— Incidents in which Imminent De-
feat was turned to Glorious Victory — Repressing the Ravagers of Property on the
Outskirts of the Army — Anecdotes of Colonel Henry Ludington, Born 1739, and the
Heroism of his Daughters who Saved him from Capture and Execution — Related
by .............................................................. Louis S. Patrick 497
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO KING GEORGE III— Sworn to by Colonel Henry Luding-
ton on March 12, 1763, in Dutchess County in the Province of New York, before
being allowed to take office as Sub-Sheriff — Accurate Transcript .................. 501
AN AMERICAN'S OATH OF ABJURATION IN 1763— Sworn to by Colonel Henry Lud-
ington when appointed to the office of Sub-Sheriff — Accurate Transcript from
originals in collection of Poughkeepsie, New York Literary Club .................. 501
PLEDGE OF THE PATRIOTS TO FREE AMERICA— Signed by Americans in 1776 —
Transcript from Original in Possession of the Misses Patterson of Patterson,
New York — Colonel Henry Ludington Renounced his former oaths and signed this
document at the beginning of the American Revolution .......................... 503
PLEA FOR PROTECTION FROM THE ENEMY— Accurate Transcript from Original
letter written by Colonel Henry Ludington after he had espoused the cause of
American Independence and his oaths to the King ................................ 503
HERITAGE OF YEARS — Poem ............................ By Howard Arnold Walter 508
WILLIAM PYNCHON — An Immigrant to the New World in 1630 — An Oxford Graduate
who came to the Western Continent as an Indian Trader and settled on the trail
— He accumulated wealth and founded a family which has contributed liberally
to American Progress — Nathaniel Hawthorne's Controversy with the Pynchon
family over his novel — Heirlooms of the early American pioneers — Described by
Blanche Nichols Hill 509
BOOK PLATE OF REVEREND THOMAS RUGGLES PYNCHON, President of Trinity
College, Hartford, Connecticut — Descendant of William Pynchon, 1630 ............ 516
It?
frnm Anrunt inrumntta
.Ifl.V AUGUST HBPTEUHKH
This opportunity is taken to thank the many eminent scholars
from both Continents who have so kindly sent expressions of
appreciation to this new American journal. The generous
sentiments of Americans, and its immediate recognition by the
leading American and foreign libraries, is most gratifying
CONCLUSION OF INDEX
PROGENY OF SAXON KINGS IN AMERICA— Unbroken Line of Descent from Egbert.
First King: of all England — 800-838, to William Tracy of Hayles Abbey who came
to America in 1620 — Royal Lineage Sustained through Thomas Tracy of Connecti-
cut, 1636 — Illustrated with eighteen Rare Reproductions from Ancient Documents
Dwight Tracy. M.D., D.D.S. 517
FATHER OF BIBLICAL CULTURE IN AMERICA— Reminiscences of the First Ameri-
can Blblicist who found Religious Thought under Dominion of Iron-Bound Meta-
physics and Disenthralled it from its Slavery — First Contributions to Biblical
Literature and First School for Education to Ministry — Life of Moses Stuart —
Born 1780 By John Gaylord Davenport, D.D. 545
REMINISCENCES OF MOSES STUART— Born in 1780— By his daughter
Mrs. Sarah Robbins, Newton Highlands, Massachusetts 557
PERSONAL LETTERS OF PIONEER AMERICANS — Glimpses into Time-stained and
almost indecipherable Correspondence Revealing the Strong Character, Conscien-
tious Lives, Domestic Customs, Business Integrity and Courageous Hardihood of
First Citizens of the Republic — Contributed by Miss C. C. Thacher 559
FIRST NEWS OF AN AMERICAN VICTORY— This is an account of the Joy that
reigned throughout America on the news of victory, told by an eye-witness, Stan-
ton Sholes, who was born March 14, 1772, married Abigail Avery on March 14, 1793,
and died February 7, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio, in his ninety-third year — Accurate
transcript from Original Manuscript — Contributed by
Sarah Elizabeth Sholes Nighman, great-granddaughter of the narrator
Bayonne, New Jersey 563
LIFE STORIES OF GALLANT AMERICANS — The Lanes — Cavaliers of the South— In
the Wars of Early America. . .By Mrs. Louisa Kendall Rogers, Barnesvllle, Georgia 565
THE HISTORIAN— Poem By Herbert Hughes 567
FAIR, COOLING SPRAY. O LOVELY SEA! By Dr. Frederick H. Williams 568
ON THE HILLTOPS By Josephine Canning 568
COUNTRY LIFE IN AMERICA — Series of blue-prints of summer landscape views 569
ESTATE OF "A WELL-TO-DO" VIRGINIAN IN 1674— Transcribed from the Original
by Dr. Joseph Lyon Miller, grandson of the Seventh Generation. Thomas, West
Virginia 578
CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT IN AMERICA— The Press of the Republic is the
Moulder of Public Opinion — the Leader and Educator 575
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE MUST LEAD VAN OF PROGRESS — Editorial writer In the
"Denver Republican" 576
CIVILIZATION'S GREAT WORK IS IN ITS BEGINNING — Editorial writer In the
"Toledo Blade" 675
AN ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE RIDDLE OF THE PLANETS — Editorial writer in the
"Philadelphia Inquirer" 576
AMERICAN SCIENTISTS BELIEVE JAPANESE ARE CAUCASIANS — Editorial writer
in the "Indianapolis Star" 67«
WILL MAN HARNESS POWERS OF SUN. MOON AND TIDE?— Editorial writer in
the "Baltimore Sun" 577
UTILIZATION OF INVENTION OF GENIUS OF MAN— Editorial writer in the "Pater-
son Morning Call" 577
THE LAST LEAF— Editorial Comment 578
Journal
VOLUME I NUMBER III
EDITKD BT FKAMCIJS TBKVKLTAK MH.LKK
XIlfKTKKJT 8KVK2T THIBD Qt'AMTK*
to Ammratta
BT
JUDGE DANIEL, J. DONAHOE
PAUSE, Omy Brothers, in your maddening strife;
Pause, and behold the folly of your haste!
The voice that ye have honored as of God,
And in your anxious fear, strive to obey, —
The master who hath stamped upon your souls
As holy doctrine that outworn decree,
"Each for himself," is false to God and you.
Cease from your strife, and lift your souls aloft
Among the sunny clouds, where the sweet air
Shall fill your lives with joy and deathless truth.
Behold, O Toilers, all this beauteous world,
That, with the air and ocean, comes to you,
Children of love, free as the spacious heavens,
The gift of everlasting Charity!
See how it lies before you, all unmarred
By evil or by foul deformity,
A wondrous gift from God, your generous Sire,
To you, O Brothers, children of His love.
The concave heaven, where all night long the stars
Move with calm faces, and all day the clouds
Are blown in ever-changing loveliness;
The pulsing ocean, kissing the white beach
With ever-rolling billows; and the earth
With her wide inland seas, her flooding ways,
And roaring mountain torrents, — these are yours;
Yours — and the voice that dares deny your claim
Shall fall dishonored by the works of God.
Pause, listen and behold! The skies proclaim
Man's majesty; the air bows to his rule;
Earth with her mountain floods, forest and mines,
Stoops to his conquering might ; and ocean's waves
Bend in fierce storms obedient to his will.
Yea! unto you, Majestic Brotherhood,
The everlasting Love hath given the rein
O'er nature's wondrous forces.
Not to one,
Nor to a few, nor the surviving fit, —
Detested word, meet but for murder's tongue, —
Are God's great mercies measured ; but to all,
To each and all, one general Brotherhood,
He giveth of His everlasting love
In everlasting measure; to man's race
He giveth soul and sense ami a sweet home,
Wherein to live and love and bless His name.
Yours is the air, with all its wondrous powers;
Yours is the earth, with all its teeming wealth;
Yours is the water; flowing round the globe;
And yours the power to curb and conquer all.
But yours must be the might that bindeth fast
Each unto each ; for every man shall know
His brother's welfare and his own is one;
Shall feel forevermore, o'er all the earth,
The gentle love that sees a Fatherhood
In God's all-powerful being, and in Man
The sweetness of one general Brotherhood.
Such love will fill your souls with wisdom's might;
Will show the vanity of selfish strife,
And the sweet joy of one united will.
The cruelty and greed of natural man
Shall thaw and melt away in its mild warmth,
And grace shall rule the heart with serene power.
Hark to the message, while the morn is young!
Lift up your souls unto the sunny clouds,
And learn the living wisdom of God's love.
of Ammnm (Eommme
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C. SEYMOUR BULLOCK
AUTHOR or "Tax MIUACLB or TUB FIBST STEAMBOAT," " FIRST STEAMSHIPS TO Cno»s THE OCEAN," AXD A
RKCOOMZKD AUTHORITT ON TUB SUBJECT or STEAX NAVIGATION
^^^^HIS is the three hundredth
y anniversary of the build-
* ing of the first ship on
All. the American continent,
^^^^Jr and the one hundredth
anniversary of the first
practical steamboat in the
world. The former will be observed
in Maine where the little two-masted
bark, "Virginia," was built on the
Kennebec river in 1607 — the birth of
the American merchant marine. The
latter will be celebrated throughout
the civilized world, receiving special
recognition in France and America.
The Americans are preparing to
pay the tribute of a loving people to
one of their own fellowmen who gave
to all races and all nations the secret
of the world's material progress,
commerce. When the "Clermont"
steamed up the Hudson river on that
day in August, 1807, the people
laughed it to scorn as "Fulton's
Folly." The legislature could not be
impressed with the sincerity of its
promoters and ridiculed the petitions
for exclusive right of navigating
steam vessels in the waters of New
York.
A few days ago, one hundred years
having intervened, the legislators of
this same commonwealth conferred a
rich grant at the gate of the Western
Continent, covering two blocks in the
345
harbor of the American metropolis,
extending from One Hundred and
Fourteenth street to One Hundred
and Eighteenth street, New York,
and extending to a depth of forty feet
in the Hudson river. Here will be
constructed a water-gate, through
which all the ships of the world may
approach, a magnificent memorial to
the memory of Robert Fulton — a
treasure-house of all that pertains to
steam navigation, containing a mu-
seum and reception hall. The rela-
tives of Robert Fulton have granted
permission to remove his remains
from the present resting-place in the
Livingston vault in Trinity church-
yard to this place of state overlooking
the river which he loved and on which
he endowed mankind with his genius.
One hundred years ago this strug-
gling inventor roamed two continents
to find a few paltry dollars with which
to improve the navigation of the seas
and revolutionize the world's trade.
To-day more than a half million dol-
lars are willingly and lovingly offered
as tribute to his memory by a grateful
people. It is the wonderful story of
his struggles that is here told, taking
one back through the century to the
man himself and that August day
when the world was awakened from
its slumbers by the dawn of a new
epoch.
Ififlf— ukr-Qfctttenarg nf Ammran Qfommm*
® world absolutely re-
fused to accept the theory
that ships could be pro-
pelled against wind and
tide by a subtle power
known as steam. The
men who tried to per-
suade the people of several nations to
give them an opportunity to prove it
is a list of fatalities — of tragedies.
Jonathan Hulls, the Englishman, and
John Fitch and James Rumsey, Amer-
icans, offered the great secret to their
fellowmen only to receive their re-
buffs and ridicule. Other men with
ideas founded upon the theories of
these first martyrs to invention
stepped into the same pit of public
disapproval until at last there came
one, Robert Fulton, a persistent,
prodigious, indomitable man, who
forced the world to listen. It is on
this hundredth anniversary of his
achievement that I ask the respectful
hearing of all Americans.
Wearied with his uneven fight
against the prejudices and the indif-
ference of a world to whose service he
had thought to bridle the very waters
of the sea, John Fitch had retired to
his lands in Kentucky and there, after
an illness of many weeks, died. A
short time before his death he wrote
to Dr. William Thornton, whose
friendship for Fitch and confidence in
the practicability of his ideas seems
never to have wavered, the following
pathetic letter:
BARDSTOWN, NELSON COUNTY, IST, FEBY,
1798.
"My WORTHY FRIEND
I am going fast to my mother clay. Yes-
terday I executed my last will which I ever
mean to make. My property hear will be
much more than I ever expected. . . .
Address letter for me to Mr. John Rowan,
Bardstown. If I am hear I can pay the
postage, if not he will have enough in his
hands. I shall transact no more business
of myself but leave it altogether to him.
my worthy friend I have many more
things to inform you and Mr. Vail but be-
ing fatigued shall only say
that I am
and shall die
a friend to both of you
JOHN FITCH
DR. WILLIAM THORNTON, ESQ.
P S if possible let me receive one letter
more from you J F"
Fitch had but recently returned
from his fruitless trip to England and
France, where it was hoped to build
a larger boat than any that had been
attempted on the Delaware, but
France had just put to her best life
the knife of suicide and the people
were too busy thinking out schemes
for getting rid of one another to con-
cern themselves in the plans of any
stranger with a project for utilizing
the untried force of steam. After a
brief stay with the United States' Min-
ister Vail at L'Orient, Fitch, in spite
of his earlier leanings toward skepti-
cism, turned his back upon the people
who were wearing miniature guillo-
tines about the neck just as beauty now
adorns itself with chain and locket,
and started for London where he
sought out his friend Leslie, of Phila-
delphia, through whom he was intro-
duced to the Earl of Stanhope, one of
the most eminent engineers of the day,
and to William Symington, builder of
the "Charlotte Dundas," England's
first successful steamboat, which was
launched in 1801 and used to tow
boats upon the canal in 1802. It was
laid aside after the death of the Duke
of Bridgewater, which caused a lack
of funds necessary to make changes
so that the waves caused by the boat
would not wash down the banks on
either side. This was in 1793 and
from this time dates the first corre-
spondence between these early investi-
gators and experimentors and Robert
Fulton upon which it is thought to
base a claim for priority of sugges-
tion in the use of steam for naviga-
tion.
"Sir: I have received yours of the 30th
of September, in which you propose to
communicate to me the principles of an in-
vention which you say yo» have discov-
ered, respecting the moving of ships by
means of steam. It is a subject on which
I have made important discoveries. I shall
be glad to receive the communication
which you intend, as I have made the
principles of mechanics my particular
study." * * *
306
nf
^J&OJTT *-«i
ACENTORYS
. 1807; 133 TEET
PROGRESS
IN
HUDSON
18OJBET
5TEAMBOJSI
con-
, 1856. 203TEET
SIWTION
DHNIEL XKETW. ISfeO. 251 F££T
ALBANY. 18?1. 325 FEET
WIVYOFK. 18 8 r, J50TEET
HBNDRICK HUDSON. 1906. 4-00 FEET
DESIGN BY "THE NAUTICAL GAZETTE,"
the Authoritative Journal of Navigation In America
When Fitch left France for Eng-
land all the drawings and specifica-
tions that he had taken with him from
397
this country were left in the hands of
the United States Minister, who had
been a member of the original com-
pany for building steamboats on the
Delaware with the hope that he would
be able to interest the French engi-
neers in the project after they had
taken time to investigate it more fully.
The flag, too, that Governor Mifflin
of Pennsylvania had placed on the
original boat was left with him.
Later on these drawings were turned
over to Chancellor Livingston, and
became the basis for his more intelli-
gent study of a theme to which he had
already given considerable attention
and in which he had made a number
of fruitless experiments. The Chan-
cellor then urged Fulton to take up
the project of steamboats, which he
seems to have dropped after his cor-
respondence in 1793. In this he was
seconded by Joel Barlow, who, after
the expiration of his term of sen-ice
as consul, had taken up his home in
Paris. The flag was afterward given
into the keeping of General Pinkney,
then minister of the Court of St.
James, and through him it came into
the hands of Rufus King, his succes-
sor at the court, by whom it was re-
turned to this country.
I have already written fully, in the
pages of this most valued journal, of
the pioneer John Fitch and would not
abate one word of the praise given
him, but I would not, even for his
sake, take one leaf from the crown
with which the years have honored
Robert Fulton for his part in the de-
velopment of that one force which,
more than all others, has been potent
in changing the trend of civilization.
To Robert Fulton belongs the glory
of having built and navigated the first
steamboat on the Hudson, the boat
from which has been developed those
magnificent floating palaces, i:ne-
qualled in grace of line, point of com-
fort, attainment of speed, or reliabil-
ity of service by the water-craft of
any other country in the world.
Ififlf— 3ter-<Jktttenarg vf Ammran (Enmmm?
Who was this man who rose from
the multitude and opened the door of
a new epoch, greater than the world
could conceive, and the prophecy of
which it repudiated as the folly of a
dreamer? In searching through the
British Records I find a Reve-
rend Dr. Robert Fulton of Scot-
land, who was appointed by the Privy
Council September 8, 1614, to serve
as chaplain to the Lady Arabella
Stuart, first cousin of King James the
First of England. The Lady Ara-
bella was at that time imprisoned in
the Tower of London for having
assisted her husband, William Sey-
mour, afterward first Marquis of
Hertford, in his escape to France.
There is romance and chivalry in
this story that I would like to narrate,
but I must here confine myself to that
which relates only to the progenitor
of commerce. In conversing a few
days ago with the descendants of this
Dr. Fulton, they assured me that the
American genius of steam navigation
13 in lineal descent from this friend
and spiritual adviser of the unfortu-
nate Lady Stuart. Dr. Fulton settled
in Kilkenny, Ireland, in the time of
Cromwell and several of his descend-
ants came to America. One of them,
bearing his name, Robert, settled in
Philadelphia. It is in this city at this
same time that a tailor of the same
name resided and it is claimed that he
was the American heir of Dr. Fulton
of Kilkenny.
This Philadelphia tailor, who had
married Mary Smith, by some of Ful-
ton's biographers said to have been
the daughter of a respected Pennsyl-
vania family, and by others conceded
to be an open question with no way of
deciding whether or not the marriage
occurred in Scotland, moved into
Lancaster township, where, in 1759,
they bought a home which was sold
six years later, and on the same day
they purchased a farm in Little Britain
township. It was on this farm that
Robert Fulton, destined to revolution-
ize the world's trade, was born in
I765-
Some of his biographers have said
that the date of his birth was not re-
corded, but as I find it mentioned
in one of his letters that he wanted
to be with certain friends on the
fourteenth of November, his "birth-
day," it is hard to see why there should
be raised any question as to the date.
Two girls had already come to
the Fulton home, and after the
coming of Robert, another girl and
a boy arrived to complete the
family circle. In 1766, this farm was
sold to the Swifts and the family once
more moved back to Lancaster where
the father died and was buried with-
in the wall-encircled burying-ground
near the little, old, limestone church
that he had helped to build, helping
also to organize its society, of which
he was one of the deacons. Among
the slender marble slabs and the crum-
bling red sandstone panels that marked
the resting-places of the dead, all of
which were removed a few years ago
to make room for a new building, there
probably stood one that told where
the first of the Fulton family in Amer-
ica found a sleeping-place till the
"morn breaketh and the shadows flee
away."
The boy, Robert Fulton, mastered
his "three R's" at home and then took
up his other studies at a school kept by
a Quaker in a building that stood on
the northeast corner of East King
street and the center "Square" in Lan-
caster. A schoolmate of those early
days wrote :
"His mother was a widow in strait-
ened circumstances. I had a brother who
was fond of painting. The Revolutionary
war made it difficult to obtain materials
from abroad, and the arts were at a low
ebb in the country. My brother conse-
quently prepared and mixed colors for him-
self, which he usually displayed on mussel
shells. His cast-off brushes and shells fell
to my lot, some of which I occasionally
carried to school. Fulton craved a part
and I divided my treasure. He soon from
this beginning so shamed my performance
by his superiority, that I voluntarily sur-
rendered the heirship of all that came into
my possession. Henceforth his book was
neglected and he was often severely chas-
tised by the schoolmaster for his inatten-
PAINTING BY ROBERT FULTON
The subject is Pulton's fellow aesthete and
utilitarian, Joel Barlow the poet and diplomat who was
Fulton's most intimate friend when the inventor proposed to
Napoleon the power of steam as a destroyer of the navies of the world
but met with rebuff —Original is now in possession of the Barlow family in New
York and a replica is owned by Fulton's grandson, Robert Fulton Ludlow of Clavermck, New York
of
tion. His friends removed him to Phila-
delphia where he was apprenticed to a sil-
versmith; but his mind was not in his
trade and in his eighteenth year he estab-
lished himself as a painter in that city."
Fulton was apprenticed to a silver-
smith, and for some time followed
that vocation. Later he turned to
miniature painting and in 1785-6
when John Fitch put his first success-
ful steamboat on the Delaware, Fulton
had a studio at the corner of Second
and Walnut streets, Philadelphia.
It was while returning to Philadel-
phia from a visit to his mother that he
met at the warm springs of Pennsyl-
vania the friends who chanced to see
some of his paintings and advised him
to go to London and complete his art
studies under Benjamin West, who
had already gained some celebrity and
was then on the way to fame. Both
Fulton and West were born in the
wilds of Pennsylvania, and their fath-
ers were well acquainted.
In speaking of this beginning of
American art which seems to be con-
temporary with American commerce,
I must say that had not Fulton's abili-
ties been turned to more material
things American art would have been
the richer to-day. To some extent
this is also true of his friend, West,
who was tainted by patronage. Unfor-
tunately for him and for the world,
West became a favorite of George III,
to whom he had been presented by the
Archbishop of York, and painted, to
the infinite satisfaction of the king, an
almost endless list of historical and
classical pictures — stiff, forced and
formal, each a little lower in merit
than the one that had preceded it, and
all marking a line of sharp retrogres-
sion from the "Departure of Regulus"
to the "Fall of Wolfe." Evidence of
a new start when, after the illness of
the king, he was thrown again upon
his own resources and was once more
free to follow his own inspirations, is
shown in his "Christ Healing the
Sick" and his "Death on the Pale
Horse," which are still valued for
more than respectable coloring and
clever drawing. Through the ad-
390
mirable foresight of Robert Fulton,
who purchased several of his choicest
pieces, we now have in the United
States the most praiseworthy of his
productions.
Fulton was received with open arms
by West and for several years was as
one of the family in this delightful
home. West painted a portrait of his
friend, Fulton, which is possibly the
height of his genius as a portrait
painter. A few days ago, at the home
of Fulton's grandson, Robert Fulton
Ludlow, I looked upon the rich can-
vas, and felt the full power of these
two strong men.
Fulton later spent two years in
Devonshire, near Exeter, where he
met the Duke of Bridgewater, famous
for his interest in canals, and Lord
Stanhope, celebrated for his love uf
science, especially along mechanical
lines. It is claimed by some of his
biographers that Fulton at this time
met James Watt, the eminent engi-
neer. But a letter from Joel Barlow
to Dr. William Thornton, which is
here printed for the first time, shows
that this is not so. Dr. Thornton
purposed visiting England. He had
written Fitch (February 21, 1794) :
"Let me advise you to get no steam en-
gine made except by Watt and Boulton
and with a copper boiler without any wood
round it and very strong copper, "it will
never be a loss, for when worn out it will
sell."
He now proposed a personal visit
and wrote for a letter of introduction
to which he was given the following
answer :
DEAR SIR :
Mr. Fulton informs me that he does not
know either Mr. Watt or Mr. Bovilton,
that when he purchased the Steam engine
he dealt with their agent in London, which
I now recollect was the case.
I should suppose that no letter of rec-
ommendation to them can be necessary
for you — your name and character are too
well known as a mechanician and architect,
as well as for general science, that it is
impossible it should be unknown to them.
Yr fd
servt
J. BARLOW.
TO DOCTOR THORNTON.
nf American (ftummm?
However, Fulton had visited the
works of Boulton and Watt, for in his
diary, now in the possession of Mr.
Robert Fulton Ludlow, his grandson;
we find an entry as follows :
Feby the 5, 1804 travelling from London
to Birmingham and back again to
order the Steam Engine £8.0.0
Farther on we read :
Jan. 21, 1805 To Messrs Boulton Watt &
Co. for cylinder and parts of the
engine £548.0.0
March the i8th To Messes Cave and Son
for copper boiler weighing 4399 Ibs, at
25. 2d. the £476.11.2.
There is another entry in the diary
that we must include with these, all of
which now appears in print for the
first time, as it throws light on the de-
bated question as to how Fulton got
the engine out of England. Under
the date of March 22d, 1805, he
writes :
Fee at the Treasury on receiving permis-
sion to ship the Engine to Amer-
ica £2, 145, 6d
I have found few instances in the
world's work where an intense artistic
temperament is almost instantane-
ously transformed into practical me-
chanics. Fulton, however, either by
foresight or intuition looked into the
centuries and discerned the power
that was to revolutionize the earth.
When twenty-nine years of age, in
1794, he obtained a patent for a
double inclined plane, to be used
in connection with canals, and for sev-
eral years thereafter he was actively
engaged in projects for the improve-
ment of inland navigation. In 1794,
he submitted to the British Society for
the Promotion of Arts and Commerce
a new method for sawing marble, for
which the society gave him a vote of
thanks and an honorary medal, and
some time later he patented devices
for spinning flax and for making rope.
Several contrivances for digging ca-
nals and aqueducts were brought out
by him at this time, besides an iron
bridge built upon new lines, and there-
after he proclaimed himself a civil en-
gineer, under which title he produced
his work on canals and published sev-
eral articles in the London Morning
Star. In 1796, he published his
"Treatise on the Improvement of Ca-
nal Navigation," copies of which were
sent to the governor of Pennsylvania
and to General George Washington,
from whom he received a very flatter-
ing acknowledgment.
With a greater civilizer in his grasp
than the planet had yet seen, the
young inventor naturally turned
toward the center of civilization.
America was a struggling, bankrupt
republic, experimenting with the the-
ory of self-government. England
was occupied with problems that in-
volved her future as an empire.
France, the gathering-place of art
and letters and science, dreamed of
days when she would be the diadem
in the crown of the world's powers —
when England and America and half
the civilized globe would bow to her
mandates. Like many another youth
before and since, Fulton went to
France to introduce his improvements
in canal transportation. The French
people had not been long enough
freed from the madness in which
they had thought to dethrone God by
vote, and rule Him out of His own uni-
verse, to care much more for improve-
ments in canals than they had previ-
ously cared for steam navigation
when suggested by John Fitch. But
when Fulton proposed a panorama,
the first that had ever been seen
in Paris, he was hailed as a public
benefactor, for here was something
that might deepen the dimple of a
smile in which could be caught the
tear of a never absent though re-
pressed sorrow.
France will be France as long as
the world lasts! The same versatile,
blase, gala-day nation that Napoleon
wooed — this is the France that Ful-
ton found — a people trying to forget
the cares of life, ever willing to be en-
tertained and eager to applaud. It
brought him back to his first love —
Art. He knelt again at her feet and
worshiped. Aesthete that he was,
psychologist that he must have been,
0f Steam Nautgatinn— 1907
he lifted the veil and beneath it he
found the tear-stains and the laughing
eyes still wet with weeping.
Life among the French so im-
pressed Fulton that he turned to the
study of political economy and pub-
lished a treatise addressed to "The
Friends of Mankind" in which he
pointed out the effect that education
and internal improvements must have
upon the happiness of a nation. He
wished not only for a free and speedy
communication between the different
parts of a large country, but a univer-
sal free trade between all nations. In
one of his phrases he coined into beau-
tiful English one of the most impor-
tant truths ever expressed in litera-
ture: ''The liberty of the seas will be
the happiness of the earth." It was
about this time that he met Joel Bar-
Icw, who had but recently returned
from Algeria, to which country he
had been appointed by Washington in
J795 to redeem the captives taken by
pirates and to negotiate a treaty of
peace. Barlow was not only a diplo-
mat but a poet. He, too, had become
imbued with the French spirit and
was a rollicking litterateur, especially
skilful with the mighty sword of
satire. Withal, Barlow was well-bal-
anced and he was as adept with the
bludgeon of Mammon as he was with
the needle point of literary irony.
He had succeeded. Reaching Paris,
after some successful speculations that
yielded large returns, he purchased
the hotel of Count Clermont de Ton-
nerre where he lived as was becoming
to his wealth. Fulton was introduced
to him and in a few weeks became a
member of his household as he had
formerly been a member of West's
home-circle in London and for a short
time returned to his art, painting easel
pictures. Here were two men of con-
genial minds and they at once began
experimenting with a machine that
Fulton devised for exploding a large
quantity of gun-powder under water.
It was the very thing that David
Bushnell, of New London, Connecti-
cut, had proposed when scarce
401
through his course at Yale College,
twenty years before. With Bushnell
it was a success — destroyingone of the
tenders of the British frigate "Cer-
berus" as it lay in Long Island Sound,
but with Fulton and Barlow it was a
failure. However, when the device
was more perfectly worked out, Ful-
ton appealed to the French Directory
for aid and was at first given to un-
derstand that the aid sought would
be forthcoming but later he was told
that his plans had been totally reject-
ed. Nothing daunted, Fulton pre-
pared a model of his invention and
when the kaleidoscope of the ever-
changing French people again showed
a new list of directors, he presented
them with a memorial, seeking, a sec-
ond time, their investigation. Another
commission was appointed and after
three months more of waiting Fulton
was told that his plans had been again
rejected.
But the hour-glass turned again.
Napoleon was made First Consul. It
was on the eve of his great dream
when his mighty hand should sway
the peoples of the earth and he should
sit enthroned over the Old World
with a New World as plaything to be
tossed about at will and ultimately
proclaimed as his own. Sporting
with thrones and powers as a child
plays with the petals of a broken
flower, all men were to him but pup-
pets and if this young visionist from
the coveted America could be but an
atom in the Great Scheme, Napoleon
would give him heed. Fulton at once
waited upon him and so won his inter-
est that a committee was appointed
from the Academy of Sciences to ex-
amine into the merits of the new in-
vention. Upon their report a grant
was made by which Fulton was ena-
bled to put some of his ideas into
actual practice.
In the spring of 1801 Fulton re-
paired to Brest where he experiment-
ed with a diving boat constructed the
preceding winter, a crude affair as all
first attempts must necessarily be, but
the demonstration was pronounced a
Ififlf— ufcr-Qfctttnrarg nf Amrriran (Enmmm?
success and was so reported by the
committee appointed to follow his ex-
periments. Through July and Au-
gust Fulton continued his work in a
vain hope that some of the English
ships just off the coast would come
in near enough to allow him to show
exactly what could be done in the way
of destruction by a submarine mine.
The sailing of the fleet carried with
it Fulton's opportunity and the
French officials refused to make any
further advances for such a mode of
warfare.
The British government had some
intimation as to what Fulton was do-
ing, and at the suggestion of the Earl
of Stanhope, it was decided to induce
him to leave France, if possible, and
continue his investigations and experi-
ments in England. The correspond-
ence that followed had its desired
effect and in May, 1804, Fulton ar-
rived in London and was at once
given an audience with Mr. Pitt and
Lord Melville. Both men saw the
value of such an engine of destruction
and when, on October 15, 1805, Ful-
ton blew up the strongly-built Danish
brig of two hundred tons that had
been provided for the occasion, there
was no longer any question as to its
possibilities. But the British govern-
ment had no real intention of adopting
his plans, it was rather a ruse to keep
him from the service of France and
when the purpose had fulfilled itself,
Fulton was quietly allowed to drop
out of their consideration. Here was
a youth with a knowledge of a power
that could cause the rise and fall of
nations — a knowledge shared by other
young Americans — but neither the
foresight of a Napoleon nor the
shrewdness of a Nelson could com-
prehend it.
Some of the correspondence that
had passed between Fulton and the
representatives of the French govern-
ment seems to show that it was Ful-
tcn's plan to build a powerful steam-
propelled boat that could tow barges
upon which the French army could be
loaded and ferried across the channel.
A still, calm night was to be chosen,
when the fleet of Nelson would be
powerless to interfere, and the invin-
cible French were to land on the
shores of England. Had such a pro-
ject met with approval all the history
of the last hundred years might have
been written differently. If it had
been possible, as is often claimed by
Fulton biographers, for Napoleon to
have seen from the isle of his banish-
ment a steamship sailing against both
wind and wave he must have realized
the folly that led him to listen to the
opinions of others and thrust from
him the service of that potent force by
which he might have changed the face
of the then known world. But why
deal in conjectures? The "Savan-
nah" did not cross the ocean till 1819
and the "Royal William" did not sail
upon her trans-Atlantic trip till more
than twelve years had passed and it
was seven years more before any
other steamcraft ventured far from
shore. It is not at all probable then,
Fulton's biographers to the contrary,
that Napoleon in his wisdom ever
saw a steamship, for death came to
bring him release in 1822, years be-
fore a steamship went near to the isle
of St. Helena.
While Fulton was absorbed in the
science of dynamics he turned always
to Art for his recreation.
Before Fulton left France it had
been decided that Barlow would
bring out a new edition of his "Vis-
ion of Columbus" and that it should
be illustrated with drawings suggested
and superintended by Fulton. Bar-
low did not remain long in Paris and
soon after his return to this country,
the poem, enlarged and re-christened
"The Columbiad," was brought out in
sumptious style in Philadelphia — a
quarto with plates designed by the
English artist, Smuke, and executed
by the best English engravers. The
subjects for the designs were all
pointed out by Fulton, who had the
costly engravings made at his own
expense. A painting of Barlow by
Fulton added to the value of the work.
BIRTHPLACE OF ROBERT FULTON
Fulton Farm in Little Britain township in the dense forests
of Pennsylvania, where, in 1756, the lad was born who was destined to
revolutionize the world's trade— From an old print designed by Reigart, one of Fulton's biographers
PULTON'S GIFT TO HIS MOTHER
Homestead in Washington County, Pennsylvania, which Pulton
purchased for his widowed mother and sisters on his twenty-first birthday with money be
had accumulated in Philadelphia by painting portraits and landscapes, and making drawings of machinery
TO DESTROY THE NAVIES OF THE WORLD
When the European Continent was under the spell of the Great Napoleon,
the young Fulton devised a torpedo which would annihilate the fleet of the enemy—
In 1805 he demonstrated its possibilities by blowing up a strongly-built Danish brig— From an old print
EARLY DAYS ON THE HUDSON RIVER
Society gathered near Peekskill to witness the shell-boat regattas
•which have since been adopted by American Universities and have become
annual events in this country— This old print by Whitefield shows the first steamboats on the gala course
of &feam Namgation-lHflr
This painting is now in possession of
the Barlow family in New York city
and a replica is owned by Fulton's
grandson at Claverack, New York.
From Fulton's will it is seen that
the engravings and the press-work
cost $5,000, mention of which he nec-
essarily makes in resigning all his
property rights in the production to
the widow of his friend who survived
her husband some six years. The
will also disposes of his valuable col-
lection of paintings, including West's
"Ophelia" and "King Lear," which
are now in the Boston Athenaeum.
The arrival of Chancellor Living-
ston in Paris, 1802, as Minister of the
United States, turned Fulton's inter-
ests toward steamboat building, to
which he had before given but little if
any thought. Chancellor Livingston
had sailed from New York to Green-
wich upon Samuel Morey's steamboat
on Long Island Sound and was on the
boat that John Fitch sailed about the
Collect Pond, where the Tombs Prison
and adjacent buildings now stand,
using both paddle-wheels and screw-
propeller, and besides this had spent
no little money and given no small
share of his time to experimenting
with a horizontal wheel under the bot-
tom of a boat, an Englishman named
Nesbit co-operating, so that he was
full of enthusiasm on the subject. The
plans were all worked out together and
in 1802 Fulton left Paris for the vil-
lage of Plombieres, through which
there runs a little stream, and contin-
ued his experiments which resulted in
the building during the next winter of
a steamboat. Just as it was proposed to
test the strange thing, one of the watch-
men who had been left to guard it,
came rushing in with the news that
she had broken in two in the middle
and sunk to the bottom of the stream.
Nothing daunted Fulton began at
once upon a new hull and within a few
weeks he addressed a letter to the
French National Institute, inviting
them to witness a trial of his boat and
this time the trial proved to be a suc-
cess. It is hard to see why Fulton,
after his trial of a boat at Plombieres
built on the lines of other boats,
should have adopted the crude wedge-
shape hull that he ordered for the
"Clermont." It is also hard to under-
stand why John Fitch, after having
used the paddle-wheels suspended
over the sides of a boat, should have
given away to the arguments of others
and incorporated a series of swinging
paddles along the sides as a method of
propulsion.
It is because of this anticipatory
steamboat that the French people are
having now at Bordeaux a Fulton
centennial to which the maritime in-
terests of the world have contributed,
our own government sending models
of early boats.
Barlow wrote to Fulton while he
was at Plombieres:
... "I had a great talk with Living-
ston. He says he is perfectly satisfied with
your experiments and calculations, but is
always suspicious that the engine beating
up and down will break the boat to pieces.
He seems to be for trying the horizontal
cylinder, or for returning to his mercurial
engine. I see his mind is not settled, and
he promises now to write you, which he
says he should have done long ago, but he
thought you were to be back every fort-
night He thinks the scale you talk of go-
ing on is much too large, and especially
that part which respects the money. You
converted him as to the preference of the
wheels above all other modes, but he says
they cannot be patented in America because
a man (I forget his name) has proposed
the same thing there. You will soon get
his letter. Parker is highly gratified with
your experiments; he wishes, however,
something further to remove his doubts —
about keeping the proportions and as to the
loss of power in different velocities. He
wishes to have another barrelier made, four
times as strong as this or thereabouts, to
see whether the proportional velocity would
be the same when moving by the paddles
as when moving by the fixture on shore
I should like to see this top. If you de-
sire it, I can take this barrelier to Cala and
see whether he can make another of the
same volume four times as strong, and
know what it will cost The relative veloc-
ities can be tried in Perrier's pond on the
hill."
In another letter to Fulton Barlow
wrote that he had just visited the Na-
tional Depot of Machines and had
405
100r—
Ammran (Enmmm?
seen there the model of a new steam-
boat. Continuing, he says:
"In all its parts and principals a very
elegant model. It contains your wheel-
oars precisely as you have placed them ex-
cept that it has four wheels on each side
to guide round the endless chain instead of
two. The two upper wheels seem to be
only to support the chain; perhaps it is an
improvement. The model of the steam-
engine is in its place, with a wooden boiler,
cylinder placed horizontal, everything com-
plete. I never saw a neater model. It be-
longs to a company at Lyons, who got out
a patent three months ago. I shall say
nothing to Livingston about this model."
It became apparent to Fulton that
the center of civilization was chang-
ing, that America was to be the pivot
rather than the Old World nations.
Invention was receiving the patronage
in America while France and England
were indifferent to mechanical pur-
suits. America was in itself an in-
novation. Americans were origina-
tors and disdained imitation of the
older civilization. It was a new land
with new ideas and new impulses.
Fulton realized that the great future
of invention was in the hands of the
western civilization ; that it was a
world of opportunity.
Having demonstrated to his own
satisfaction, and to the satisfaction of
both Chancellor Livingston and Joel
Barlow, that a steamboat could be so
built as to be usable, Fulton was anx-
ious to get back to his own land and
claim the benefits given to Chancellor
Livingston by the legislature of New
York; he accordingly left France for
England where he was to order the
engine for a boat that should be built
at once for the Hudson. Barlow
wrote him while yet at Plombieres :
"Your reasoning is perfectly right about
inventions and the spirit of the patent laws,
and I have no doubt it may be secured in
America. . . . My project would be
that you should pass directly over to Eng-
land, silent and steady, make Chapman con-
struct an engine of twelve inches, while you
are building a boat of a proportionate size.
Make the experiments on that scale, all
quiet and quick. If it answers, put the ma-
chinery on board a vessel and go directly
to New York (ordering another engine as
large as you please to follow you), then
secure your patent and begin your opera-
tion, first small and then large. I think
I will find you the funds without any noise
for the first operation in England, and if
it promises well you will get as many funds
and friends in America as you want. I
should suggest a small operation first, for
several reasons : it can be made without
noise. There must be imperfections in the
first trial which you can remedy without
disgrace if done without noise; you can
easier find funds for a small experiment,
etc. ... I have talked with P. on your
observations about great boats with mer-
chandise."
In September, Fulton, then in Lon-
don, wrote to Barlow who had sailed
for America, November 2, 1804, and
arrived in New York after a passage
of fifty-two days (Livingston follow-
ing soon after), that he was about
ready to start for America, stating
that he had an income of £500 sterling
a year, with a steam engine and pic-
tures worth £2000; and in October,
1806, he found shipping by the
way of Halifax. While the ship
on which he was a passenger lay
at the dock there Fulton painted
the portraits of some natives who
crowded about for barter. These pic-
tures are also now in the possession of
his grandson at Claverack, New York,
whose home is a veritable Fulton mu-
seum.
Fulton went at once to Kalorama,
the home of Joel Barlow, near Wash-
ington, and began experimenting with
a small engine which he had brought
with him from England on the
waters of Rock Creek, at a point
designated now by a government me-
morial, with different shapes and sizes
of wooden blocks to determine just
what shape and what proportions
would offer the least resistance when
drawn through the water. The data
of Bouyfoy was used in these experi-
ments and was included later by Ful-
tcn in his application for a patent.
It was from Kalorama that Fulton
wrote to Dr. William Thornton the
letter which is here produced for the
first time in fac-simile questioning the
possibility of ever building a steam-
boat that could travel six miles an
hour, although in one of his letters to
FIRST STEAMBOAT IN THE WORLD TO ESTABLISH PERMANENT TRAFFIC-Model of the
"Clermont" in the National Museum at Washington showing a craft totally dissimilar to the accepted illustra-
tions of this historic vessel— This model repudiates the prints in nearly all the histories of steam navigation
but Is absolutely correct according to the descriptions left by Fulton and his colleagues— This reproduction
is from a plate loaned by the courtesy of Samuel Ward Stanton, an authority on marine architecture
coMl'ASS L'SKD BY PILOT ACKER O^ THE "CLERMOXT" IN IHOT-It came into the possession of
Christian Cooper through Mrs. Acker and was presented by the latter, April 8ind, 1891, to Robert Pulton
Ludlow, grandson of inventor of the "Clermont"— The compass bears the name of its maker, John H. Wheeler
FIRST STEAM FERRIES IN WATERS OF NEW YORK
The "Brooklyn" built after plans by Robert Fulton and running across the East River
HARBOR OF AMERICA'S METROPOLIS ABOUT 1807
Old print— A remarkable contrast with the scenes about New York to-day
THE AMERICAN RHINE -THE HISTORIC HUDSON
Old Engraving of beautiful waterway through which the "Clermont" sailed in 1807
OLD NEW YORK AS ROBERT FULTON KNEW IT
Rare Engraving of Broadway at City Hall Park about one hundred years ago
STEAM BOAT
Designed by Robert Futfon
1308
12315 10 15 20 25 25 20 15 10 5*32 1
Model in the National Museum at Washington
Model of the engine of the "Clermont" of 1807
Now in National Museum at Washington
Plates loaned by the Nautical Gazette
nf &i*am
Barlow while they were in France, he
had predicted a speed of sixteen miles
an hour, to which Barlow had an-
swered: "I see without consulting
Parker you are mad."
All along historians have said that
Chancellor Livingston was the pocket-
book of the enterprise. What if it
should turn out that the money that
went into the "Clermont" came from
Barlow instead?
I merely give this as a hint. HiV
tory has done more strange things and
not the strangest is its inclination to
give credit where credit does not be-
long and to obstinately refuse to give
credit where credit does belong. I
might mention a hundred instances,
and it is a pleasure to find that many
of the wrongs are being righted in the
pages of this journal.
The engine for the proposed boat
lay six months in the Custom House
till the necessary money could be got-
ten together to pay what charges had
been made against it, and during this
time Fulton endeavored to lessen his
share of the burden by offering one-
third of the rights in the boat for a
proportionate contribution to the ex-
pense. It was generally known that
this offer was made but no one was
willing to put any money into such a
fool undertaking.
The difficulties with which Fulton
contended do not speak well for the
far-sightedness of capital. As a pro-
moter he had many of the dire experi-
ences of his predecessor, John Fitch.
Fulton, however, was a promoter,
while Fitch was but an inventor with
a characteristic incapacity for organi-
zation. A few years ago I heard an
anecdote regarding Fulton which
later appeared in the New York
Times. It was told by an old gentle-
man who was born in the first decade
of the first century of steam naviga-
tion which is about to be celebrated.
He said :
"My father and Fulton were intimate.
Fulton was in the habit of coming to see
my father, and, having steamboat on the
brain, he probably talked my father, John
McKesson, to death. It was always end-
less chains or something or other. My
father was a patient listener, and that's a
talent One day during office hours Fulton
came to see my father.
"'John,' said he, 'I have got it sure. I
can make her go.'
"'I am too busy to listen to you now,
Fulton. I tell you what you do, come
round to my house to-night
"'I can't,' said Fulton. 'What I want
to see you about is this: I must have
$1,000.'
"'Well, I have n't got it to give you.
But anyhow, come to the house all the
same. You can take tea with us. Then
you can talk with me up to ten o'clock at
night; then if you are not through I shall
go to sleep. I always go to bed at ten.'
"Fulton seemed to hesitate for a while,
and at last said he would come. Fulton
did come round, and took tea with father.
Fulton told him about the paddle-wheel.
Father thought that a paddle-wheel would
never do. You see, in those times they
were cocksure that the power used to lift
up the water by the wheel would about
neutralize the propelling force. Ha! ha!
those old fellows were smart We always
are in our generation.
"'Well,' father said. 'Robert Fulton, your
wheel is no good. It would never work.
You talk abou^ making the boat go four
miles an hour! That's an unheard of
speed. No, sir. With a wheel on your
boat she'd stand stock still.'
"Then Robert Fulton argued it out with
father, and ten o'clock came, and father
was getting sleepy. Just then maybe Ful-
ton got more excited, or father more atten-
tive, and it was eleven o'clock and they
were talking over it still.
"'It is time for you to go home, Robert,'
said my father, 'unless you would like to
have a bed here, and you might as well do
that.'
'"If I do,' answered Fulton, 'I only ad-
journ the talk until to-morrow, for you
must get me the $1.000.' Maybe Fulton
buttonholed father before breakfast Any-
how, Fulton's persuasive powers overcame
father's doubts, and he agreed that he
would do his best to raise the $1,000 for
Fulton. Right after breakfast father went
out, and the first man he met was Robert
Lenox. 'See here, Mr. Lenox,' said father.
'I want some money from you to help one
of Fulton's schemes. You may not believe
it ever will be done, but the man fancies
that he can make a boat go four miles an
hour. I think he intends using steam, and
a wheel, or something. I am going to let
him have $100. Would you mind putting
down your name for the same sum?'
"'It seems quite preposterous,' said Mr.
Lenox to my father, 'and I have no reason
to belive that Mr. Fulton's boat will ever
accomplish what he thinks it will. Still, if
IBflf—
of Ammran (£0mmm?
your name is down, you may let him have
$100 from me.'
"'Then,' said my father, 'I will write
down "Robert Lenox, $100."'
"'No, no,' answered Mr. Lenox, 'just
put down the $100 with no name to it, be-
cause I shouldn't like the people who come
after me to learn that I was such a dunce
as to think that Fulton or anybody else
ever could make a boat go with steam or
wheels four miles an hour/
"That's the story my father told me.
You never can exactly tell what does come
from an invention. I wonder what Fulton
would have to say could he learn how those
rocks at Hell Gate had to be blown up be-
cause they bothered that fleet of steamers
which had to pass there every day."
The hull of the "Clermont," which
was ordered soon afterward, differing
from everything that was ever called
a boat, was built by Charles Brownne
whose ship-yard was at Corlears
Hook on the East River. Two hun-
dred years had gone by since the first
boat of any size built in the New
World was launched at Popham
Beach, Maine, at the mouth of the
Kennebec, of which event the people
of that state are so proud, and justly,
that they are now making prepara-
tions to celebrate its three hundredth
anniversary. This first boat was
named the "Virginia" and the materi-
als for its construction were shipped
over from England with the colonists
on "The Gift of God" and "The Mary
and John," sailing from Plymouth,
England, June I, 1607, and arriv-
ing August 19 of the same year.
Work was begun on the boat the next
day after the arrival of the settlers.
The builder was a Mr. Digby, a mas-
ter shipbuilder of London. The
launching took place the following
spring. The boat was a pinnace of
thirty tons, navigated with oars and
two small sails. Light of draft and
easy to handle it was of great service
to the colonists in exploring the neigh-
boring waterways and trading with
the Indians. Besides its many expedi-
tions of this kind it made two trips
across the ocean, going to England
with the colonists when they aban-
doned the settlement in the autumn of
1608, and returning with Sir George
Somers' expedition in 1609. This lit-
tle craft which seems insignificant to
us in this day of floating palaces and
colossal freighters, compared favora-
bly in size with the vessels built in
that day.
The launching of the "Clermont,"
just one hundred years ago this sum-
mer, was the third important event in
the annals of the American Republic.
The Declaration of Independence pro-
claimed the birth of a new people ; the
Constitution established a new politi-
cal power ; the inauguration of steam
navigation threw wide open the gates
of the world and linked the races and
climates and products of the earth
into a great and practical whole. And
yet it hardly created honorable atten-
tion. It aroused nothing more than
curiosity. Men of acknowledged bus-
iness-standing looked upon it as the
awe-inspiring feat of some foolhardy
adventurer who prized notoriety as
dearer to him than the safety of life.
The only ones who seemed to have
noticed the boat at all were the up-
river packet-men who, as if under
some premonition as to what her
building really meant to them, tried
repeatedly to destroy her. Twice
during the June following her launch-
ing Fulton wrote of this in his diary :
June 7: To the Men For Guarding the
boat two nights and a day after the
vessel ran against her $4
June 13: Pay to the men who guard the
boat $20.00
I have looked through the files of
the newspapers of one hundred years
ago, preserved by the New York His-
torical Society, and in the Lenox
Library, to ascertain just what im-
pression the beginning of the world's
commerce made upon the press and
the public. Although the population
of New York numbered upwards of
eighty-three thousand and there were
more than twenty papers published,
half of them having daily editions, be-
sides several weekly and monthly mag-
azines, there is no mention of it and
when the boat really began to run upon
her route regularly the only account
FIRST STEAMBOAT PAINTINGS IN THE WORLD
Reproductions from rare canvases by James Bard, the marine painter
whose brush perpetuated the architecture of the first boat to be propelled by
steam — Bard's painting of the "North American," a marvel of the Hudson River
"WHY SLEEP ON THE EDGE OP A VOLCANO"
This was the advertisement introducing the "Commerce," which
towed barges containing sleeping apartments for its passengers— This boat was
designed for rich travelers on the Hudson who desired to avoid the danger of sleeping over steam
boilers— Reproduction from canvas by James Bard and believed to the oldest steamboat painting in the world
FIRST BOAT BUILT FOR HUDSON RIVER DAY LINE SERVICE
The "City of Albany" reproduced from the original Bard canvas painted for Commodore Van
Sanvoord, a leading personality in the first years of steam navigation following its inauguration by Fulton
FIRST FOUR-PIPE STEAMBOAT IN THE WORLD
The "Champlain" of 1828 from rare canvas owned by Captain Roe
of Albany. New York, who for more than sixty years was a prominent figure
on the Hudson river and whose family Is one of the oldest in river navigation
— Qfctttomtal
Jfamgaium— 19flr
given of her, or of her performances,
is to be found in the paid advertise-
ments of the company or in personal
letters written either by Fulton him-
self or by friends on board.
The initial trip was made from
Paulus Hook Ferry, now Barclay
street (by some confounded with
Paulus Hook itself, now known as
Jersey City), on Monday, August 17,
from a ferry-house that was but re-
cently removed in numbered sections
and set up on Starin's Glen Island in
Long Island Sound. The first trip is
described by Fulton in a letter to Joel
Barlow and in another to the Citizen.
In the former he said :
"My steamboat voyage to Albany and
back has turned out rather more favorable
than I had calculated. The distance from
New York to Albany is one hundred and
fifty miles : I ran it up in thirty-two hours,
and down in thirty. I had a light breeze
against me the whole way, both going and
coming, and the voyage has been per-
formed wholly by the power of the steam-
engine. I overtook many sloops and
schooners beating to windward, and parted
with them as if they had been at anchor.
"The power of propelling boats by steam
is now fully proved. The morning I left
New York, there were .not perhaps thirty
persons in the city who believed that the
boat would ever move one mile an hour, or
be of the least utility; and while we were
putting off from the wharf, which was
crowded with spectators, I heard a number
of sarcastic remarks. This is the way in
which ignorant men compliment what they
call philosophers and projectors.
"Having employed much time, money,
and zeal, in accomplishing this work, it
gives me, as it will you, great pleasure to
see it fully answer my expectations. It
will give a cheap and quick conveyance to
the merchandise on the Mississippi, Mis-
souri, and other great rivers, which are
now laying open their treasures to the en-
terprise of our countrymen ; and although
the prospect of personal emolument has
been some inducement to me, yet I feel in-
finitely more pleasure in reflecting on the
immense advantage my country will derive
from the invention," etc.
The letter in the Citizen is very lit-
tle different from what he had written
to Barlow :
"To THE EDITOR or THE 'AMERICAN CIT-
IZEN;
"Sra:— I arrived this afternoon, at four
o'clock, in the steamboat from Albany. As
the success of my experiment gives me
great hopes that such boats may be ren-
dered of great importance to my country,
to prevent erroneous opinions and give
some satisfaction to the friends of useful
improvements, you will have the goodness
to publish the following statement of facts :
"I left New York on Monday at one
o'clock, and arrived at Clermont, the seat
of Chancellor Livingston, at one o'clock on
Tuesday — time, twenty-four hours, dis-
tance, one hundred and ten miles. On
Wednesday, I departed from the Chancel-
lor's at nine in the morning, and arrived at
Albany at five in the afternoon — distance,
forty miles, time, eight hours. The sum
is one hundred and fifty miles in thirty-
two hours, equal to near five miles an hour.
"On Thursday, at nine o'clock in the
morning, I left Albany, and arrived at the
Chancellor's at six in the evening: I started
from thence at seven, and arrived at New
York at four in the afternoon— time, thirty
hours, space run through, one hundred and
fifty miles, equal to five miles an hour.
Throughout my whole way, both going and
returning, the wind was ahead; no advan-
tage could be derived from my sails : the
whole has, therefore, been performed by
the power of the steam-engine.
"I am, sir, your obedient servant,
ROBERT FULTON."
In the correspondence of a gentle-
man from South Carolina there is a
letter published in the British Naval
Chronicle dated September 8, 1807,
descriptive of the trip and stating that
"on the nineteenth of August" he
"was invited to go from Clermont to
Albany on the boat which had come
up in twenty-four hours from New
York." Prior to this trip of the
steamboat the distance covered re-
quired from four days to a full week
on the sloops and packets that sailed
between the two cities.
This date would agree with Ful-
ton's account and may be accepted as
correct, although there are as many
dates given for the first trip as there
are differing pictures of the true and
accurate lines of the boat itself. I
have made a life-long study of the de-
velopment of steam navigation, inves-
tigating the mechanical evolution as
thoroughly as the historical, and I re-
gret the necessity of here stating that
all the pictures of Fulton steamboats
presented in two of his most widely
accepted biographies are absolutely
untrustworthy. They represent either
Ififlf— 2fcr-QInttetuirg of American Qlnmmm?
the imagination or the misunderstand-
ing of the artist rather than anything
that Fulton ever planned. I doubt if
he would be able to recognize them as
his own "children." It is unfortu-
nate that these spurious pictures are
used in nearly all the books that
occupy positions of authority in our
public libraries.
Possibly the dropping of the fig-
ure "one" before the "seven" in tran-
scribing the account has led to the
naming of "August 7" as the date of
the first trip, and the careless omission
of the hook from the top of the figure
"seven" in transcribing some other
account has led to setting the time on
the "eleventh." Let us then, for the
sake of posterity, settle down upon
the fact that the boat left New York
Monday afternoon, August 17, 1807,
at one o'clock, having on board a party
of invited guests, among whom was
the Dean of Ripon, England, and ar-
rived at Clermont, the home of Chan-
cellor Livingston, Tuesday afternoon,
where she remained until Wednesday
morning at nine o'clock, when she left
for Albany, arriving there at five
o'clock, having made the longest con-
tinuous trip of any steamboat in the
world. Later Fulton wrote to Chan-
cellor Livingston:
"NEW YORK,
"SATURDAY, THE 2QTH OF AUGUST, 1807.
"DEAR SIR: — On Saturday I wrote you
that I arrived here on Friday at four
o'clock, which made my voyage from
Albany exactly thirty hours. We had a
little wind on Friday morning, but no
waves which produced any effect. I have
been making every exertion to get off on
Monday morning, but there has been much
work to do — boarding all the sides, deck-
ing over the boiler and works, finishing
each cabin with twelve berths to make them
comfortable, and strengthening many parts
of the iron work. So much to do, and the
rain, which delays the caulkers, will, I
fear, not let me off till Wednesday morn-
ing. Then, however, the boat will be as
complete as she can be made — all strong
and in good order and the men well organ-
ized, and I hope, nothing to do but to run
her for six weeks or two months. The
first week, that is if she starts on Wednes-
day, she will make one trip to Albany and
back. Every succeeding week she will run
three trips— that is, two to Albany and one
to New York, or two to New York and one
to Albany always having Sunday and four
nights for rest to the crew. By carrying
for the usual price there can be no doubt
but the steamboat will have the preference
because of the certainty and agreeable
movements. I have seen the captain of the
fine sloop from Hudson. He says the aver-
age of his passages have been forty-eight
hours. For the steamboat it would have
been thirty certain. The persons who came
down with me were so much pleased that
they said were she established to run peri-
odically they never would go in any thing
else. I will have her registered and every
thing done which I can recollect. Every
thing looks well and I have no doubt will
be very producive.
"Yours truly,
"ROBERT FULTON."
It is due time that an accurate his-
torical record be made of the "Cler-
mont," the first steamboat in the world
to enter into the trade of carrying pas-
sengers as a practical and permanent
business. It is of further importance
that publishers of books of educa-
tional and historical purport present
accurate reproductions of the "Cler-
mont" and this applies also to all other
prints relating to the vital events of
our national life.
As shown first in the Connecticut
Magazine, the "Clermont" was a
wedge-shaped boat, with two masts
and no bow-sprit or figure head.
According to Fulton's own state-
ment, and certainly he knew the
dimensions of his first steamboat, she
was one hundred and fifty feet long,
thirteen feet wide and seven feet deep.
Being flat-bottomed she carried two
"lee-boards" to use as adjuncts for
416
of Steam
steering when the sails were set, to
prevent making leeway; the bottom
was a transverse platform and mould-
ed out with batten and nails. The
shape of the bottom being thus formed,
the floors of oak and spruce were
placed across the bottom; the spruce
floors being four by eight inches and
two feet apart; the oak floors being
reserved for the ends; the oak floors
both sided and moulded eight inches.
Her top timbers (which were of
spruce, and extended from a log that
formed the bridge to the deck) were
sided six inches and moulded at heel,
and both sided and moulded four
inches at the head. Her draught of
water was twenty-eight inches. She
had a copper boiler weighing 4,399
pounds, entirely encased with brick,
the whole being twenty feet long,
seven feet deep, and eight feet wide,
above which there towered a twenty-
five foot chimney made of sheet iron
bought of Mr. Jackson for $26.25 ;
her cylinder was twenty-four inches
in diameter, with four feet stroke ; her
wheels, made of planks bought
of John Cunningham- for $23.43,
were fifteen feet in diameter, with
eight arms; the buckets or paddles
having a thirty-inch face and two
feet dip; her shaft was of cast iron,
four and a half inches in diameter, un-
der the deck, and had a fly-wheel of
ten feet diameter outside of the boat ;
the arms of the wheel extended below
the bottom, and were the source of
great inconvenience in shoal water.
In the Albany Gazette of September
2, 1807, there is an "ad" reading as
follows :
"The North-River Steamboat will leave
Pauler's Hook Ferry on Friday, the 4th of
September, at 9 in the morning, and arrive
at Albany on Saturday at 9 in the after-
noon. Provisions, good berths, and ac-
commodations are provided.
"The charge to each passenger is as fol-
lows:
To Newburg dols. 3, time, 14 hours.
To Poughkeepsie "4, 17
To Esopus " 5, " 20
To Hudson " sX, " 3<> "
To Albany " 7, " 36 "
"For places apply to William Vander-
voort, No. 48 Courtlandt Street, on the
corner of Greenwich Street"
The Connecticut Herald, of Octo-
ber 9, 1807, has a letter from New
York, dated October 3, in which the
writer says :
"Mr. Fulton's steamboat is handsomely
fitted for the conveyance of passengers be-
tween this city and Albany. She left here
yesterday with ninety passengers."
On October 13, 1807, a second let-
ter is printed in which the writer
states :
"Mr. Fulton's new invented steam Boat,
which is fitted up in a neat style for pas-
sengers and is intended to run from New
York to Albany as a packet, left here yes-
terday with 90 passengers, against a strong
wind and tide. Notwithstanding which it
was judged she moved through the water
at the rate of six miles an hour. Yester-
day she came in from Albany in 28 hours
with 60 passengers. Quere; Would it not
be well if she contract with the Post-roaster
General to carry the mail from this city to
Albany ?"
A letter from John Lambert, an
Englishman traveling in this country
in 1807-8, has an excellent reference
to the "Clermont," although the
writer was slightly mixed as to the
time of her building; the letter reads
as follows:
"We were very desirous of seeing the
construction of the steamboat, which trav-
els at the rate of five miles an hour against
wind and tide. It was built about four years
ago, under the direction of Mr. Fulton, an
Ainerican gentleman of great mechanical
abilities. . . . The machine which moves
her wheels is called a twenty-horse ma-
chine, or equal to the power of so many
horses, and is kept in motion by steam
from a copper boiler eight or ten feet in
length. The wheels at either side are sim-
ilar to those of water-mills, and are under
cover, they are moved backward or for-
ward, separately or together, at pleasure.(?)
Her principal advantage is in calms or
against head-winds. When the wind is
fair, light square sails, etc., are employed
to increase her speed. Her accommoda-
tions include fifty-two berths besides sofas,
and are said to be equal, if not superior, to
any vessel that sails on the river. They
are necessarily extensive, as all the space
unoccupied by the machinery is fitted up in
a convenient and elegant manner.' Her
route between Albany and New York is a
distance of 160 miles, which she performs
regularly twice a week, sometimes in the
Ififlf— Skr-Gknterarg nf Ammratt (Enmmm?
short period of thirty-two hours, exclusive
of the detention by taking in and landing
passengers. She carries from 100 to 120
people. The fare from New York to
Albany is seven dollars."
This harmonizes perfectly with the
description of the boat as published in
the Hudson Bee in 1808, after the
boat had undergone extensive altera-
tions in shape and proportions. Speak-
ing of the wheels, which at first were
not covered but were later enclosed in
wheel-boxes, the Bee says :
"They are moved backward or forward
separately or together at pleasure. The
machine which moves the wheels is called,
we believe, a twenty horse-power machine,
and is kept in motion by steam from a
copper boiler 8 or 12 feet long. She sails
at the rate of 4 miles an hour."
We have Fulton's personal state-
ment as to the size of the boat (given
above) and also his notations on the
back of a patent specification intended
for John Stevens, of Hoboken, that
the bow and the stern were sharpened
to angles of sixty degrees. With this
agrees the statement of Professor
Renwick in his letter to Captain Ed-
ward Sabine, R. A., Secretary of the
Royal Society in England, which was
written about 1829-30:
"Mr. Fulton, in his earlier boats, had
employed flat bottoms and prows nearly of
the shape of a wedge, with plane surfaces.
I recollect, even at that early date, haying
combated the propriety of this plan in a
conversation I had with him. The changes
that he and his imitators subsequently made
were, however, rather grounded upon the
necessity of increasing the strength of the
vessels by regular curves in their molds,
than from a conviction of the error in the
principle. The last boats built under his
own directions resembled in form vessels
intended to be propelled by sails, but of a
small draught of water."
During the winter of 1807-8 the
"Clermont" was so thoroughly
changed that one would have been
safe in declaring that, except in en-
gine and purpose, she was not the
same boat at all. Professor Renwick
says (though he is mistaken about the
name being "Clermont") :
. . . "The winter of 1807-8 was occupied
in remodeling and rebuilding the vessel,
to which the name of 'Clermont' was now
given. The guards and housings for the
wheels, which had been but temporary
structures, applied as their value was point-
ed out by experience, became solid and
essential parts of the boat For a rudder of
the ordinary form, one of surface much
more extended in its horizontal dimensions,
was substituted. This, instead of being
moved by a tiller, was acted upon by ropes
applied to its extremity, and these ropes
were adapted to a steering wheel, which
was raised aloft towards the bow of the
vessel. . . . The 'Clermont,' thus con-
verted into a floating palace, gay with orna-
mental painting, gilding and polished
woods, commenced her course of passages
for the second year in the month of April."
So extensive were the changes
made that a new registration at the
custom-house was- necessary. This
registration, which was transcribed by
Mr. John Morrison for his "History
of American Steam Navigation," is as
follows :
"No. 108.
"Enrollment in conformity to an Act of
the Congress of the United States of Amer-
ica entitled 'An Act for enrolling and
licensing ships or vessels to be employed
in the coasting trade and fisheries, and for
regulating the same.'
"Robert R. Livingston, of Clermont,
"Columbia County, State of New York,
"having taken and subscribed to the oath
required by the said Act and having sworn
that he together with Robert Fulton of the
City of New York, are citizens of the
United States, and sole owners of the ship
or vessel called the North River Steam-
boat of Clermont, whereof Samuel Wiswall
is at present master, and as he hath sworn
he is a citizen of the United States, and
that the said ship or vessel was built in the
City of New York, in the year 1807, as per
enrollment 173 issued at this port on the
3d day of September, 1807, now given up,
the vessel being enlarged. And Peter A.
Schenck, Surveyor of the Port, having cer-
tified that the said ship or vessel has one
deck and two masts, and that her length
is 149 ft; breadth, 17 ft II in.; depth, 7
ft., and that she measures 182-48-95 tons.
That she is a square-sterned boat has
square tuck; no quarter galleries and no
figure-head. Hands and Seals, May 14,
1808."
On May 13, 1810, the Hudson Bee,
which, more than any of the other pa-
pers of the time, seems to have fol-
lowed the movements of the steam-
boat, says:
"The North River Steamboat (which is
believed to have been the first one built on
413
IN MEMORY OF AMERICA'S GREATEST LEGEND
The "Rip Van Winkle, M an early steamboat that carried the beloved name of the sage
of the Catskills and sailed the historic river made famous in American literature by Washington Irving
ONE OF THE FIRST STEAMBOATS TO UNDERTAKE A LONG Rt'N
The " Fanny," a staunch little craft under command of Captain David Tremper of Roundout,
New York, one of the most popular men that ever captained a ship— In 1840, after long service, the
" Fanny'' was offered for sale as "built of locust and live oak and Jersey plank, thoroughly coppered'
SPEEDIEST RIVER BOATS OF THE EARLY DAYS
The "Oseola," a swift little craft that ran to Poughkeepsie in ,843— Reproduction
from original painting by Bard for Captain Allen Degroot, an old-time captain of the Hudson River
ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR STEAMBOATS OF HER TIME
The "Alida," which for many years carried distinguished travelers along the "American
Rhine" — Reproduction from old canvas painted by Bard for Commodore Van Sanvoord of New York
of
Natrigatum-19Dr
the river and has lately been known by the
name of 'Clermont,' that is in the books)
Captain Wiswall, arrived at this port yes-
terday afternoon at 5 o'clock, (Sunday,
May 13, 1810) being the shortest trip she
has ever made. But for the necessary de-
tention in the way of landing passengers, it
would have been performed in 19 hours."
During the fall of that year some
of the citizens of Albany appealed to
the press to enter their protest against
the cutting of wood on the city com-
mons for use on the steamboat with-
out paying anything for the privilege.
It is figured out in the papers that the
boat carried on an average, eighty
passengers each way per trip. "At
seven dollars each," says the writer,
"the income of the company was up-
wards of $80,000 and if we deduct
one-quarter for expenses, there yet re-
mains $60,000 profits. Isn't that
enough to allow something for the
wood used as fuel ?"
The success of the great invention
was speedily followed, January 7th,
1808, by Robert Fulton's marriage to
Miss Harriet Livingston, the daughter
of Walter Livingston, Esquire, of
Tiviotdale, Livingston Manor. It is
related that the engage'ment was for-
mally announced by Chancellor Liv-
ingston, upon the deck of the "Cler-
mont," during the interesting hours of
her first successful voyage. In a
graceful speech telling of the be-
trothal, the Chancellor prophesied that
"the name of the inventor will de-
scend to posterity as that of a bene-
factor to the world, and that it is not
impossible that before the close of the
present century, vessels might even be
able to make the voyage to Europe
without other motive power than
steam."
When the business world saw the
Fulton theory of steam navigation de-
velop into a great and strong business
enterprise, there was an immediate
rush of capital into its promotion.
The business world is imitative. It
lacks courage for the initiative. It
waits for someone else to take the risk
and then jostles and grasps for a
handful of the emoluments.
In 1811 an opposition line, with the
"Hope" and the "Perseverance," un-
der Captains Sherman and Bunker,
was announced as ready for patron-
age. These boats were swifter and
better in every way than the "Cler-
mont," even after the extensive alter-
ations that entitled her to the appella-
tion: "floating palace, gay with orna-
mental painting, gilding and polished
woods." Captain Bunker had just
given up his sailing packet, which, on
April 14, 1808, had been advertised as
sailing between New York and Hud-
son. "This," says the New York
Press, in a retrospective edition some
years after, "was the first packet
run on the river and as an in-
ducement to travelers, it was an-
nounced that bed and bedding would
be provided for passengers going that
way. Prior to this travelers had to
furnish themselves with such com-
forts."
The "Hope" was launched Tuesday
evening, March 19, 1811, and on the
trip down the river, July 27, was
challenged by the "Clermont" for
a race. This was the first steamboat
race in history. Both boats left
Albany at nine o'clock in the morning,
with the "Hope" a little in the lead.
This position was held until "the
boats were about two miles above
Hudson when the old boat, by reason
of her lighter draught, took advan-
tage of the shallow and tried to pass
while the "Hope" kept to the channel.
The result was a collision in which
neither boat was at all injured. Cap-
tain Bartholomew on the "North
River" (or "Clermont"), at once chal-
lenged the doughty Bunker to race for
$2,000 for any number of miles but
the latter refused in a proper spirit.
Either boat ran to New York in
twenty-nine or thirty hours.
Competition was keen and the mat-
ter soon found its way into the courts
where, after a long, legal wrangle, the
two boats of the monopoly breakers
were confiscated to the original com-
pany and destroyed at Albany in the
presence of their builders.
— Qkr-Gkntetarg 0f Ammran Gtommm?
At this time Fulton had only the
one boat running on the Hudson, but
he soon added the "Car of Neptune"
and the "Paragon," both of which
were in every way better than his ear-
lier efforts — the "Raritan" was at this
time on the Raritan river. These
two boats had high poop decks, four
feet above the main deck, and the en-
trance to the cabin was by the old-
fashioned companionway, not by a
house on deck. They each carried
two masts. On the foremast was a
square sail, two topsails and a jib, and
on the main mast each carried a
spanker and a topsail. The foremast
was hinged by a heel and trunnions
so that it could be lowered when the
wind was ahead. When the weather
was favorable everybody, passengers
and crew alike, were summoned to
raise the mast and hoist sail. When
making a landing the pilot blew a
great tin horn, some five feet long, in-
stead of ringing a bell, the bell being
used only to announce meals, which
were always included in the cost of the
ticket.
Writing to Captain Brink, who
commanded the "North River" the
second year, Fulton says :
CAPTAIN BRINK
SIR: Inclosed is the number of voyages
which it is intended the boat should run
this season. You may have them pub-
lished in the Albany papers. As she is
strongly made, and every one, except Jack-
son, under your command, you must insist
on each one doing his duty, or turn him
on shore and put another in his place.
Everything must be kept in order — every-
thing in its place, and all parts of the boat
scoured and cleaned. It is not sufficient to
tell men to do a thing, but stand over them
and make them do it. One pair of good
eyes is worth six pairs of hands in a com-
mander. If the boat is dirty or out of
order, the fault should be yours. Let no
man be idle when there is the least thing
to do; and move quickly.
Run no risque of any kind; when you
meet or overtake vessels beating or cross-
ing your way, always run under their stern,
if there be the least doubt that you cannot
clear their head by fifty yards or more.
Give the amount of receipts and expenses
every week to the Chancellor.
Your Most Obedient
ROBERT FULTON.
A few items here from Fulton's
diary may add to the interest of the
story. Under the date of August 10,
1807, he writes :
To a North River man for the lease of an
anchor $2
For dishes and plates $4
2 Water Casks $3
and under the fifteenth, when the fin-
ishing touches were given, he enters :
Wine, sugar brandy $3
Mr. Johnson, the mason $40 (for bricking
in the boiler which had been put in
place by Mr. Maxwell)
To a harpoon gun $20. Lead for Bullets
$12.
In October, among other entries,
we find the following :
Richards, for table $12
Jacob Winkle for mattresses $64.88
As there are no original plans of
the first boat, the illustration used here
being a picture of the model in the
National Museum in Washington,
which, while agreeing as to general
outline to the descriptions given to the
writer by two persons who sailed
upon her on the first trip up the river,
gives an exaggerated idea as to the
extreme length of the boat, it will
be worth while to produce the plans of
the "Raritan," designed by Robert
Fulton in October, 1807. It will be
seen that at this early date he had dis-
covered the necessity of changing the
lines of the hull, going back to those
of the boat he had built in France,
although he wrote to Stevens, of Ho-
boken, in 1808, that "the bows and
stern (of a boat) should be sharp to
angles of at least sixty degrees. The
bow should not be full like sloops, for
two reasons : that being long they can-
not rise on the waves like sloops but
must cut through them and being
sharp the resistance is less." This
would lead us to conclude, as seems
to be intimated by Professor Renwick,
that the change in shape was not
wholly of his own deductions, but
rather in deference to the opinion of
others.
But new claimants were coming
up all the while, or new men with old
claims, and Fulton was harassed on
A CENTURY OF STEAM NAVIGATION
MI:«\IS TO SAIL INLAND WATKHM FROM NEW YORK CITY
II
DEVELOPMENT OK THE F"IRST CENTURY OF STEAM
ON THE HISTORIC HUDSON — MAGNIFICENT NEW STEEL
STEAMER -HENDRICK HUDSON." PLYING BETWEEN
NEW YORK AND ALBANY ON THE HUDSON
RIVER DAY LINE AND LICENSED
TO CARRY FIVE THOUSAND
P ASSENG ERS
A CENTURY OF STEAM NAVIGATION
KAI.'i: PRINTS OF SOMK OF TIIK FIRST STEAMBOATS ON THE HUDSON RIVER
— Qfcnteimial nf Steam Natrigatum-lflflr
every hand. In a letter to Eli Whit-
ney, relative to securing injunctions
against those who were invading his
rights, he writes of his steamboats
that he has
"proved their practicability and utility
to the world and accommodating the pub-
lic with a conveyance from New York to
Albany, which for elegance, convenience
and rapidity is superior to any conveyance
in this globe" (April 4, 1811).
The original Fitch patents had
come into the hands of Governor Og-
den, of New Jersey, and a line of
boats was put into operation between
New York and Elizabethport, New
Jersey, in defiance of Fulton's exclu-
sive charter for navigating boats pro-
pelled by steam on any water within
the limits of New York state. Ogden
appealed to the legislature of the pro-
hibiting state, but before a decision
had been given by that body a com-
promise was made between the con-
tending parties and Ogden was given
permission to run his boats for a pe-
riod of ten years under the Fulton-
Livingston franchise. There was a
partner, however, Thomas Gibbons, of
Georgia, who later built the "Olive
Branch," the "United States" and
other boats, and he refused to be
bound by the terms of the agreement.
Counting on the testimony of Dr. Wil-
liam Thornton, the first United States
commissioner of patents, he pre-
pared for a fight. Thornton seems
always to have been a thorn in Ful-
ton's flesh. Writing to Monroe, Sec-
retary of State under Madison, in re-
lation to his patents he says :
"The case of Dr. Thornton is very sim-
ple, if he is an inventor, a genius who can
live by his talents, let him do so, but while
he is a Clerk in the office of the Secretary
of State and paid by the public for his ser-
vices, he should be forbid to deal in patents,
and thereby torment patentees, involving
them in vexatious suits, he should have his
choice to quit the office or his pernicious
practices.
My good Sir, I expect this of you.
I am, with sincere regards
ROBERT FULTON.
DECEMBER 27, 1814."
It will be remembered that during
October, 1802, Dr. Thornton had pro-
4>7
posed to Major Clayborn, of Wash-
ington, that a joint concern be ar-
ranged to build steamboats that would
use Thornton's boilers, Clayborn's pad-
dle-wheels and Isaac Brigg's engines.
In the following December, Fulver
Skipworth received a letter in answer
to one sent to Fulton in Paris, con-
taining the following suggestion :
"My advice, therefore, is that Mr. Clai-
born should make a small model, four feet
long and one foot wide and about four
inches deep, flat on the ends or pointed to
sixty degrees. In such he can place a
strong clock spring which by multiplied
wheels will turn a crank and give motion to
the paddles."
ROBERT FULTON.
PARIS, 12 DECEMBER, 1802."
A recollection of this letter, taken in
connection with the activities of
Thornton in the patents of Fitch,
which seem to have come into his
hands, may have led to the writing of
the letter quoted above.
While Ogden was yet running the
"Sea Horse," a lever-beam-engine
boat, seventy-five feet long and four-
teen feet wide, between New York
and Elizabethtown, Gibbons put on
two boats, the "Bellona" and the
"Stoudinger," to run from the adja-
cent ferry-slip in opposition. This
was the first entry of Commodore
Vanderbilt into the steamboat enter-
prise of which he afterward became
the supreme dictator. In Longworth's
New York Directory for 1819 one
may see the advertisement of this new
line of boats bidding for patronage :
"The Old Union Line for Philadelphia
via New Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton,
and Bristol 35 miles land carriage. Fare
through, 5 Dollars; the Vice President's
[Daniel D. Tompkins] Steamboat Nauti-
lus, Captain Deforest, will leave New York
every day (Sundays excepted) from
Whitehall Wharf, at II o'clock A.M. for
Staten Island. From her the passengers
will be received without delay into the su-
perior and fast sailing steamboat Bellona,
Captain Vanderbelt, for Brunswick; from
thence — Post Chaises to Trenton, where
we lodge, and arrive next morning at 9
o'clock in Philadelphia with the commo-
dious and fast sailing steamboat Philadel-
phia, Captain Jenkins, in time to take the
Old Union Line Baltimore Steamboat."
Ififlf— JJter-ffletttntarg of Am?riran (Unmrnm?
When Vanderbilt asked for the
loan of ten dollars to purchase a boat
for his proposed ferry-line, his mother
made the loan conditional on his
planting the hardest piece of the farm
land with potatoes within a prescribed
time. When the day arrived, the
potatoes were all in the ground and
the boy was demanding his money.
Later he was asked by Gibbons to
take command of the "Bellona" and
after several years in this relation,
when he had decided to withdraw and
organize a line of his own, Gibbon in-
sisted that he become a partner, or if
not, that he should buy out his entire
interest and run the line personally.
The "Stoudinger" above mentioned
and the "Bellona" then became his
property, the former being re-named
"Mouse-in-the-Mountain."
During the time of Vanderbilt
the question of exclusive rights for
the use of steam on the waters of
New York was taken into court
and upon an adverse decision was
carried to the Supreme Court of
the United States and the famous de-
cision of Chief Justice Marshall was
rendered by which the monopoly of
seventeen years was destroyed.
The full list of steamboats enrolled
at the New York customhouse be-
tween 1808, the second enrollment of
the "Clermont," and 1820, covers but
six vessels, viz: "North River of
Clermont," May 14, 1808; "Car of
Neptune," 1808, one hundred and sev-
enty-five feet by twenty-four feet by
eight feet; "Paragon," November
9, 1811, one hundred and sixty-seven
feet by twenty-six feet and ten inches
by seven feet and nine inches; "Fire
Fly," September, 1812, eighty-one
feet by fourteen feet by four feet and
five inches ; "Richmond," July 6, 1814,
one hundred and fifty-four feet by
twenty-eight feet and nine inches ;
"Chancellor Livingston," March 29,
1817, one hundred and fifty-seven feet
by thirty-three and a half feet by ten
feet. With the exception of the
"Chancellor Livingston" the hulls of
these vessels, which all belonged to
the North River Steamboat Company,
were built by Charles Brownne. Evi-
dently the "Fulton" and the "Rari-
tan" must have been enrolled else-
where. The "Fulton" was designed
by Captain Bunker, who seems soon
after the confiscation of the "Hope"
and the "Perseverance" to have come
into the employ of the North River
Steamboat Company, and was looked
upon by Fulton almost as incredu-
lously as the people of 1807 had
looked upon his strange craft. More
than a hundred times he reiterated to
Cadwaller Colden, whose entire for-
tune was involved in her building, the
lines being drawn by Elihu Bunker
who had full authority as to the ar-
rangement of every little detail, that
the boat would be a total failure.
(See Doc. 21, House of Represen-
tatives, twenty-fifth session, page
104.) When she finally proved to be
a success the name of "Fulton" was
painted across the stern and a bust in
his honor was carried as a figure-head
at the bow.
For the "Raritan" there are signed
plans by Fulton and a letter as fol-
lows:
"As you will have more and greater
waves than the North River boat, the
wheel guards must be so constructed that
the head of the wave shall not strike under
them as here delineated; they are 4 ft.
from the water; AA, keelsons for the
boiler, 8 ft. 6 in. from outside to outside;
BB, keelsons for the machinery, 7 ft from
outside to outside ; C, hatchway to let in the
boilers, 8 ft. 4 in. wide, 21 ft. long. See
Figure the ist.
"ROBT. FULTON.
"John R. Livingston, Esq., Oct. 22, 1807."
The "Chancellor Livingston" was
built from designs by Stoudinger,
who succeeded Fulton as engineer of
the first steam frigate-of-war, after
the death of the latter in 1815. Ful-
ton had been attending court at Tren-
ton in reference to his claims as the
original inventor of steamboats and in
returning to his home at No. I State
street, New York city, contracted a
severe cold from which he died within
a few days.
FORERUNNER OP COMFORT IN TRAVEL BY WATER
The " Fulton" of 1814, the first scheduled steamboat on Long Island Sound— At her bow she
carried a bust of Fulton and with flags flying she steamed out of Kew York, applauded by the onlookers
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OP STEAM NAVIGATION
The "C. W. Morse," which is now running on the night route from New York
up the Hudson River, ia a magnificent specimen of marine architecture at the beginning of
this second century of steam navigation — Photographed for The Journal of American History
BURIAL PLACE OF ROBERT FULTON, PROMOTER OF STEAM NAVIGATION
Old Engraving of Trinity Church, New York , where Fulton's remains were placed in the Livingston vault
shortly after his death in 1815— They will be removed to the magnificent mausoleum to be erected in his honor
lB0r— Gfcntamtal 0f
Nairigaium-19flr
We have, then, but the "Clermont,"
"Car of Neptune," "Paragon," "Rar-
itan," "Fire Fly," "Lady Richmond,"
"Washington," and a small steam
ferry-boat and the "Demologos," be-
sides the "New Orleans" and the
"Vesuvius" on the Ohio river as
having come direct from Robert Ful-
ton. The "Emperor of Russia," which
subsequently became the "Connecti-
cut," was not built until a year after
his death, which occurred February
24, 1815. It is possible that Fulton
may have worked on the plans for
this boat which was one hundred and
thirty-four feet long, thirty feet wide
and nine and a half feet deep. She
carried three boilers and had an en-
gine with a thirty-six inch cylinder
and a five foot stroke. Her wheels
were sixteen feet in diameter with
buckets four feet ten inches wide that
had a dip of two and a half feet.
The "North River," or "Clermont,"
ran until 1814, when she was super-
seded by the "Lady Richmond," but
was not broken up till some time dur-
ing 1825 ; the "Car of Neptune" was
broken up after years of faithful ser-
vice; the "Paragon," which had been
used to tow the "Demologos" from
the dock where she was built to Jersey
City, struck on a rock while going up
the river in 1820 and was so badly
damaged that she had to be aban-
doned ; the "Raritan" wore herself out
on the river whose name she bore ; the
"Fire Fly" went onto Long Island
Sound and was worn out in service
around Providence; the "Lady Rich-
mond" came into the possession of
Captain Wiswall and ran for years ad-
vertised as "Slow but Sure;" the
"Washington" was broken up on the
Potomac and the "Demologos" was
destroyed by an explosion on board
at the Brooklyn navy yard, June 4,
1829, causing the death of twenty-five
persons.
When the "Chancellor Livingston,"
of which we gave a picture in the last
number of the JOURNAL OF AMERICAN
HISTORY, copied from a rare litho-
graph of 1824, now owned by Mr. E.
E. Olcott, president of the Hudson
River Day Line, came upon the
Hudson it was expected that she
would make marvelous time, but
in this her builders were disap-
pointed. On her trial trip, March
29, 1817, she ran to Newburgh in a
"few minutes less than nine hours, of
which time the tide was in her favor
only three hours. In returning the
same distance was run in eight hours
and fifteen minutes — the greater part
of the time against a flood-tide and a
head-wind." It was calculated that
she would go to Albany in twenty
hours and she did actually succeed in
making the trip, December 5, 1817, in
eighteen hours. She ran upon the
Hudson till 1824 when she was refit-
ted for service on the Sound and later
went to the coast of Maine.
While the "Chancellor Livingston"
and the "Lady Richmond" were run-
ning as the only boats on the line of
the North River Steamboat Company
some question came up with the Post
Office officials relative to the carrying
of mail and a notice appeared in the
papers stating that "The Post-Master-
General, having declined sending mail
by the North River Steamboats, ex-
cepting to West Point, Newburgh
and Hudson, letters and papers will
be received on board the boats for
Albany and the different places to
which the mails were formerly car-
ried. Boxes are provided on board
of each boat for the reception of let-
ter, etc., etc."
This was practically the dawning of
a new era. That matchless family of
engineers at Hoboken had, for per-
sonal reasons, refused to enter into
competition with the North River
Steamboat Company, Chancellor Liv-
ingston and Colonel Stevens having
been brought into relationship by mar-
riage, but as soon as the old company
had been dissolved, they brought onto
the river one of their best boats from
the Delaware river. It would not be
possible to follow the story from this
time on to the present in a single arti-
cle and this must be reserved for
lB0r— efcr-Qkntenarg nf Ammratt (Enmmm*
another time, but the progress that
has been made from the time that the
"Clermont" started out with a capac-
ity of not more than a hundred pas-
sengers and a speed of not more than
four, or possibly, five miles an hour,
and the days of the "Commerce" and
the "Fanny," or the even later, larger
and faster '"Champlain" may be
judged by glancing at the new magni-
ficent "Hendrick Hudson" of the
Albany day line or the stately "C. W.
Morse" of the People's Line of night
boats to-day running between New
York and Abany, shown here that it
may be seen what progress marks the
century of steam navigation.
To show the evolution of the Hud-
son river day boat a list giving the
sizes of prominent steamers built for
the business of carrying passengers
between New York and Albany since
the day of the "Clermont" is herewith
appended :
Year Length
Built. Name of Vessel. Feet.
1807— Clermont 133
1816 — Chancellor Livingston 154
1832— Erie 180
1836— Rochester 209
1860— Daniel Drew 251
1864— Chauncey Vibbard 281
1881— Albany 325
1887— New York 350
1506 — Hendrick Hudson 400
Early in the nineteenth century the
Hudson river set the pace for speedy
and magnificent steamboats. Follow-
ing the advent of the crudely con-
structed "Clermont," the first vessel to
be elaborately fitted was the "Chan-
cellor Livingston," which appeared on
the river in 1816, being the last steam-
boat designed by Fulton. Since that
day the owners of each successive
steamer have seemed to vie with one
another to produce something greater
and grander than the predecessors.
Some of these early vessels would be
called freaks nowadays. For instance,
the "Erie" and "Champlain," built in
1832 for the day line between New
York and Albany, were each propelled
by two beam engines and carried four
boilers and smoke pipes, two on each
guard. Despite this apparent super-
fluity of power they were not as
speedy as some of the contemporary
steamers built some years before their
advent.
To-day — at the close of the first
century of steam navigation we find
on the same "American Rhine" the
most palatial river palaces that the
world has ever known. Fulton, in
his wildest dreams, never conceived
such magnificent floating temples, one
alone of which could carry away the
entire population of any one of a
greater proportion of the American
communities. Along the deck of a
modern steamer, plying the river
where Fulton inaugurated steam navi-
gation one hundred years ago, three
"Clermonts" could be placed stem to
stern, and five "Clermonts" easily
carried side by side — fifteen "Cler-
monts" on its spacious deck.
There are yet so many things to be
said of even the early boats and such
an undeveloped field of history in the
boats of more recent, years that
I shall not attempt to touch upon
the story until some later oppor-
tunity when I hope to trace more in
detail the several steps by which the
original little craft, scarce larger than
the railroad coach of to-day, has be-
come the acme of all that is luxurious,
safe and convenient as a mode of
travel.
The story of ocean navigation,
which I outlined in the preceding
issue of this journal, is a later-day de-
velopment from this same "Clermont"
and is in itself a chapter of even
greater marvels.
At this time when the world is pay-
ing homage to Robert Fulton, and
through him to the several men who
laid the foundation upon which he
builded, I cannot refrain from tossing
back at the populace the jibe which it
threw at steam navigation an hundred
years ago:
Jonathan Hulls
With his patent skulls
Invented a machine
To go against wind with steam
But he being an ass
Couldn't bring it to pass
And so was afraid to be seen.
in % ifflt&M?
Tinier of tljr JJruplr an ExprraariJ
from thr (Sunmtoru of Ihr Amrrican (Cominuuuirallha
TO
THE JOURNAL OF AMERICAN H1STOHV
BT
GOVERNOR OF IOWA
3~ • T is believed that Father
Jacques Marquette, the
French missionary, and
Louis Joliet, the French
explorer, in their famous
expedition into the far
West, first entered the
Mississippi river at a point nearly op-
posite the town of McGregor, on the
seventeenth day of June, 1673, and it
was then that the eyes of white men
first fell upon the shores of the terri-
tory now called Iowa. They floated
down the Mississippi nearly the whole
width of the state, making frequent
landings upon the western bank. They
did not, however, found any perma-
nent settlements. Between 1673 a°d
1784, many white hunters, trappers
and explorers made journeys along the
Mississippi river, occasionally pene-
trating a short distance into the inte-
rior, but the first settlement within the
state of Iowa was made, in 1784, by a
Frenchman named Julien Dubuque.
There was little growth, however, for
many years, and it was not until in
1832 that the rapid and continuous in-
flow of white settlers began. When
civil government was first extended
433
over Iowa, it was as a part of Michi-
gan Territory. It shortly after became
a part of the Territory of Wisconsin,
and in 1838 the Territory of Iowa was
established.
The Territory of Iowa became a
state on the twenty-eighth day of De-
cember, 1846.
According to a careful census taken
in 1905, the population was 2,210,050.
It is believed that the present popula-
tion is substantially that shown by the
census of 1905. The chief occupa-
tion of the people and dominant inter-
est of the state is agriculture.
At the present time, Iowa is not
getting many immigrants, compara-
tively speaking. In the earlier years
of the state, when land was cheap,
Iowa received a great body of immi-
grants, mainly Germans, Swedes, and
Norwegians. Almost invariably, they
became farmers. It is, of course,
true that we received many of other
nationalities, — Irish, Bohemians, with
a sprinkling of Englishmen, Irishmen,
Frenchmen and Swiss. They are dif-
fused, generally, through the various
occupations. Within the last few
years, we have received some Italians
3mua by
QIummtuH
and Russians, who live mainly in
cities and towns.
Taking the immigration into Iowa
a.s a whole, its effect has been highly
beneficial, and the standard of our
citizenship has not been lowered by
these recruits of industry.
Corporal punishment is not forbid-
den by law, but rarely, if ever, in-
flicted.
Necessarily, Iowa is making the
most progress in the development of
her agricultural interests. The won-
derful growth in the science of agri-
culture in the last few years has revo-
lutionized Iowa, and inasmuch as
there is no other state in the Union
that can compare with her in the pro-
portion of good land to the whole
area, she has no equal in the produc-
tions of agriculture. It follows that
Iowa is prosperous, and it may be
fairly said that she has always been
prosperous.
It is difficult to call the complete
roll of those who have been promi-
nent in the several pursuits of life, and
it would be invidious to present a par-
tial one ; therefore I shall not attempt
a reply to this question, further than
to say that the history of the country
will bear witness to the part that Iowa
has borne in the drama of national
life.
Iowa's need is the nation's need.
Nature has given us the richest dowry
ever bestowed upon organized hu-
manity. Our greatest need in the
past has been, at the present is, and
in the future will be, strong, good men
and women. We have been espe-
cially fortunate in the number of such
men and women, and all that we need
to do in order to accomplish the des-
tiny of the Republic and the state is
to maintain the standard.
It is enough to say that patriotism
is not waning. When we remember
the unselfish devotion of our people
in all the days of peril, it is difficult to
say that our patriotism can increase.
What does the future of the Nation
portend? If by this question you
mean to ask what the future of the
Nation will be, my answer must be a
mere prediction. I believe that the
United States will be the exemplar of
the whole world, and that in govern-
ment, in morals, in wealth, in the lives
of our men and women, in the volume
of business done, and in the extent of
the things we create, it will lead the
march of nations.
"WE WANT PATRIOTS IN EVERY DAY LIFE"
EXCERPT FROM
HONORABLE CHARLES E. HUGHES. GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK
We are too often content with a
vague notion of duty to country.
Some who would give their lives for
their country in time of war are satis-
fied in time of peace with any con-
duct promoting their own benefit
which comes close enough to the line
of rectitude to keep them out of jail.
They may have patriotism which is
useful in a great national emergency,
but at other times they constitute a
menace to the country which they pro-
fess to love. The man who regards
with sullen indifference the congested
life in our great city, who is content
to pleasantly wrap himself in the gar-
ments of prosperity and think of his
fellow creatures as ignorant and dis-
orderly masses with whom he has
nothing in common, has small right to
pride himself upon the valor of his
Revolutionary ancestors or talk of his
patriotic devotion to his country. He
who in ostentatious parade, in idle in-
difference to all that makes for better
living, in disregard of opportunity to
serve his fellow men, turns a deaf ear
to the voice of entreaty which comes
from his struggling brother, does not
know for what our fathers died and
has yet to learn why this Union should
be preserved. The man who by the
inflation of values seeks to compel an
exaggerated return for public service,
does not appreciate the meaning of the
battle of Lexington. We want patri-
ots in finance ; we want patriots in the
organization of our corporations ; we
want patriots in the management of
our public utilities.
434
Amrriran |Ir0gr?HB in tlf? <&r?at
HONORABLE THOMAS M. CAMPBELL,. GOVERNOR OF TEXAS
HE first settlement of Euro-
peans within the bounds
of the territory now called
ll Texas was made by Rob-
ert Cavelier Sieur de La
Salle at a point named by
him Fort Saint Louis, on
the Lavaca river near Matagorda bay,
in the year 1685. Tnis> the cradle of
European civilization, was also the
grave of the first settlement. Yet its
brief existence was sufficient to alarm
the jealous Spaniard, who also
claimed Texas, and to cause him to
attempt the settlement of this region.
In 1689 and 1690, expeditions pene-
tiated from Northern Mexico far into
the interior of Texas, and the second
expedition left behind it a small es-
tablishment, near the Trinity river, in
Eastern Texas, called Mision de los
Tejas. This settlement was almost as
short-lived as that at Fort Saint
Louis; its results were the origin of
the name Texas and renewed attempts
on the part of the padres to occupy
Texas permanently to do missionary
work among the docile tribes. About
1715 they returned, and thenceforth
the presence of Spanish settlers in
Texas has been continuous. For
another century, however, this beauti-
ful country with its unsurpassed fer-
tility of soil and unbounded natural
resources remained practically undis-
turbed ; the thralldom of the Spanish
regime was a blight to the minds and
spirits of all. With the advent of the
nineteenth century, Texas for the first
time came into the foreground, and
the role she was destined to play dur-
435
ing the next thirty years is phenome-
nal. "But her elevation was not due
to internal development. It was the
effect of external influences and the
advent of another race of men ; the
Anglo-American element gained for
her a name in the history of the New
World."
After winning her independence
from Mexico and successfully main-
taining the same for ten years, Texas
was admitted to the American Union
on December 29, 1845. ^n tne terms
of annexation, Texas reserved the
ownership of her public lands. Her
public domain has since enabled her to
pay off her public debt, to endow her
educational and eleemosynary institu-
tions, to attract immigration, and to
promote the building of many miles
of railroads. The total population in
1847 was 142,000; her present popu-
lation is twenty-five times thatf num-
ber, or about 3,600,000; yet there are
less than eleven persons to the square
mile. Of this total population "all
but 650,000 live on farms and in
small villages. Eighty per cent of the
values produced in Texas annually
come direct from the farms, while
ninety per cent relate to this source
directly or indirectly."
Texas is receiving a large number
of new settlers. The great majority
of them are from the wheat-growing
states of the Union. Some immigra-
tion from Europe (German, Bohe-
mian, etc.), and from Mexico also
flows in this direction. The greater
portion of this addition to our popula-
tion finds lodgment directly upon the
from
fag (Snuernnr (Eamphell
farm. The effects of immigration
upon the citizenship of the state is
imperceptible.
While not forbidden by law, cor-
poral punishment is rarely resorted to
in our public schools. The same can
be said of capital punishment as dealt
out by our courts of justice. The
state has not abolished capital punish-
ment, and it is invoked in extreme
cases. The governor has the consti-
tutional power to commute death sen-
tences.
Texas is enjoying a season of pros-
perity never before equaled in our his-
tory. It would be too tedious to at-
tempt an exhaustive enumeration of
the various lines of progress. Suffice
it to say that the farmer is enjoying a
goodly portion of present prosperity.
Naturally, all associated with him are
reaping a portion of the benefits.
Banks are growing in number, capi-
tal, and deposits; railroads are ex-
tending their lines and adding to their
rolling stock; manufactories of vari-
ous kinds are springing up and farms
are being pushed into areas that have
never before felt the civilizing influ-
ences of the plow.
Progress in the field of literature,
arts and science is more difficult to de-
fine. Here activity is not subject to
geographical areas or limited by nat-
ural boundaries. Therefore, it is not
surprising to find the sons of Texas
members of the faculties of the prin-
cipal universities of the land. Works
of Texan artists adorn the principal
galleries of art in Europe and Amer-
ica. Texan scientists and engineers
are found the world over. In busi-
ness Texans are found among the
leading factors in the trade centers of
our country. As politicians and
men her sons command respect in
counsels where wisdom has weight
and the public welfare is the rule of
conduct. As soldiers, the descend-
ants of the brave defenders of the
Alamo have not suffered their reputa-
tion for gallant courage to be tar-
nished either in the Mexican War;
Civil War, or the late war with Spain.
The greatest need of Texas to-day,
as well as of the nation, to conserve
the blessings enjoyed, is the presence
of an honest and enlightened citizen-
ship— a citizenship that feels its re-
sponsibilities and maintains a public
sentiment that will make the perform-
ance of duty and the enforcement of
law speedy and natural.
There is much in the past history
of Texas that is powerful for good in
accomplishing this end, Every child
that attends the public schools of
Texas is directly indebted to and bene-
fitted by the unselfish and far-sight-
ed statesmanship of the founders of
the Republic. Patriotism is not, and
will not decrease so long as the stir-
ring deeds of our forefathers are re-
counted. The teaching of Texas his-
tory in the public schools is required
by law.
The future portends a broader love
of humanity, a deeper public philan-
thropy, and the most wonderful prog-
ress in the essentials of an ideal civ-
ilization the world has ever witnessed.
THE MmLENIUM OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP
BY
HONORABLE CURTIS GUILD, JR., GOTERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS
The ideal citizenship, the ideal com-
monwealth, cannot be built by educa-
tional laws alone. The millennium
of American citizenship will only
come when an aroused public con-
science had educated the educated.
There must be something more than
the education as taught in the schools.
The press, the pulpit, and above all,
the home, must furnish supplementary
education, not of the hand nor of the
brain, but of the soul and of the con-
science, without which educated
brain and hand may be even more
dangerous to society than unintelli-
gent ignorance.
Sowtdlraa Strips 0f tlj? Ammratt Jntmor
BT
HONORABLE GEORGE L. SHELDON. GOVERNOR OF NEBRASKA
first permanent settle-
ment in Nebraska was at
Bellevue, on the Missouri
ll river, eight miles below
Omaha, about the year
1810. It was a fur trad-
ing post in charge of a
Frenchman from St. Louis and was
for many years the rendezvous of
white explorers; Catlin, Prince Maxi-
milian and John C. Fremont found
hospitable shelter there.
The presence of white men upon
Nebraska's plains dates back forty-six
years before the first English settle-
ment at Jamestown. Francis Vas-
ques Coronado, a Spanish knight,
with seventy horsemen, in the summer
of 1541 made the long march across
the plains from the valley of the Rio
Grande to the kingdom of Quivira in
Kansas and Nebraska, reaching the
fortieth degree of latitude according
to their observations and record.
This Spanish army found a soil "very
fat and black, with abundance of
plums and nuts and very good, sweet
grapes and mulberries," but three
hundred years more were required
before the people were ready to accept
the truth of this early Spanish story
and make homes upon the rich prai-
ries of Nebraska.
The earliest record of French ex-
ploration of Nebraska is about 1/05,
when a trapper named Laurain came
down the Missouri with two canoes
loaded with furs. The first men to
thoroughly explore Nebraska were
the Mallet brothers, Frenchmen, who,
in 1739-40, wintered with the Pawnee
Indians and journeyed the entire
length of the Platte Valley.
437
In 1803, Nebraska became a part of
the United States and in 1804 the first
council between the United States and
the Indian tribes of the Louisiana
Purchase was held by Lewis and
Clark at what is now the village of
Fort Calhoun, eighteen miles north of
Omaha. The site of the council is now
marked with a large glacial boulder
with the dates "1804-1904" cut there-
on. The steam navigation of Nebraska
waters dates from the year 1819 when
the steamboat "Western Engineer" ar-
rived near the present city of Omaha
with the scientific expedition of Major
Long. The first wagon trail across
the state was made in 1832-34 by Cap-
tain Bonneville and Wyeth. This
afterward became the "Oregon Trail,"
ever which hundreds of thousands of
people and wagons passed in the
thirty years following. It may yet be
traced in some places to-day.
The first mention of the name "Ne-
braska," as applied to this region is in
the report of Secretary of War Wil-
kins, November 30, 1844. The first
bill to organize the territory of Ne-
braska was introduced by Stephen A.
Douglas of Illinois in the House of
Representatives, December 17, 1844.
Nebraska became a territory May 30,
1854, and a state March i, 1867.
The present population of the state
is about 1,250.000, the majority of
whom gain a living directly from the
"fat, black soil" seen by the Spaniards
almost four hundred years ago, either
by farming, fruit growing or cattle
raising.
A large part of the recent immigra-
tion to this state has been from
farmers in states east of us who have
frnm -NVbraaka bg (Snwrttnr
sold their lands at a high price and
bought better land in Nebraska.
There is still room for more of these
under "intensive farming now being
introduced. There are large colonies
of Germans, Swedes, Bohemians, Hol-
anders, Russians, Poles and Irish lo-
cated in various Nebraska counties.
Most of them are engaged in farming,
are very prosperous and are among
our most desirable citizens. The chil-
dren of these immigrants from the
old world seek eagerly the best educa-
tion the state can give, take active
part in all the social movements and
are thoroughly American in spirit.
Nebraska has the lowest percentage
of illiteracy of any state in the Union
and corporal punishment has become
practically unknown in our schools.
The children of Nebraska learn
willingly and without force. The
law of Nebraska still permits capital
punishment for murder, although
every recent session of the legislature
has witnessed a vigorous effort to re-
peal the law. At present, capital pun-
ishment can take place only in the
state penitentiary and in the presence
of a limited number of people. Two
persons have been thus executed.
The greatest material progress now
being made in this state is in the direc-
tion of scientific farming and agricul-
tural education. Farm life is being
made attractive by telephone lines and
rural free delivery which brings the
farmer into contact daily and hourly
with the rest of the world. The great-
est political progress is being made in
the direction of public control of cor-
porations and democratization of gov-
ernment through the direct primary.
The past ten years have been years of
great prosperity to the farmer and all
other classes have shared in his abun-
dance.
Nebraska's greatest need is the firm
and popular establishment of a merit
system of unselfishness, inventive de-
votion to duty in all branches of the
public service, both state and local.
The greatest need of America is Ne-
braska's greatest need multiplied by
forty-eight.
Patriotism is growing. It is no
longer expressed by the ambition to
kill other human beings. It means
the courage to face opposition in be-
half of honest government, better
ideals of citizenship, better distribu-
tion of social blessings and a wider
and warmer fraternity between men.
The future of America is the promise
of a spread of democracy throughout
all the nations of the world and for
union in a world's federation of peace
and progress.
THE RISE OF THE BOUNTEOUS SOUTH
EXCERPT FROM
HONORABLE CLAUDE A, SWANSON, GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA
In three centuries the one hundred
and five colonists who settled at
Jamestown in 1607 have grown into
almost as many millions. From petty
and despised dependants, vainly peti-
tioning parliament and kings we have
become a great power, most potential
in the affairs of the world, courted
and respected by all. We have be-
come strong enough to announce and
maintain the great Monroe doctrine,
which extends our protection to the
Western Hemisphere and defends it
from foreign aggression and con-
quest. When this colony was planted
here Spain ruled with an iron hand
more than half the world. But a few
years ago this nation, which grew
from this small beginning, drove
Spain from the Western world and
destroyed her colonial empire. The
history of this nation from Jamestown
to the walls of Pekin in China indi-
cate an heroic achievement, a growth
in greatness and power, unexcelled.
From suffering and poverty we have
grown to comfort and wealth. Our
wealth to-day is greater than that of
any other nation.
438
Ammran Spirit in % UJwatHatppt
HV
HONORABLE JOSEPH W. FOLK, GOVERNOR OF MISSOURI
E oldest settlement in
Missouri is the town of
Ste. Genevieve, which
il was founded in 1735. At
an earlier date (1719)
the French established
Fort Orleans, on the Mis-
souri river above the mouth of the
Osage, but this place was afterwards
destroyed by the Indians. Daniel
Boone was the first American to come
to Missouri, he having emigrated to
this state from Kentucky in 1795.
There were no American settlements
in the territory prior to the Revolution-
ary War, and the American migration
did not begin until after that war ; but
the French and Spanish, before the
American advent, bad established
missions at New Madrid, Ste. Gene-
vieve and St. Louis. Missouri was
admitted into the Union August 10,
1821.
The present population of Missouri
is conservatively estimated at four
millions.
The chief occupations of the people
are manufacturing, mining and agri-
culture.
Foreign immigration into Missouri
is estimated at about fourteen thou-
sand per year. They are chiefly Ger-
mans, Irish, Greeks, Italians, Austri-
ans and Swiss, in the order named.
The Greeks and Italians usually be-
come day laborers ; the Irish and Ger-
mans enter the trades and professions ;
the Austrians are about equally divid-
ed between the trades and day labor,
and the Swiss engage chiefly in dairy-
ing and cheese-making. They exert
no appreciable effect upon the general
character of our citizenship.
439
Corporal punishment is practiced in
cur schools, but the practice is not so
general as it formerly was. and is
steadily diminishing.
Capital punishment is practiced in
Missouri, but the last regular session
of the legislature passed a law giv-
ing to the trial juries in murder
cases the option as to whether the
death penalty or life imprisonment
shall be imposed in cases of murder
in the first degree.
Missouri is progressing rapidly,
and in about the same proportion, in
poultry and stock raising, manufac-
turing and mining, the mining inter-
ests alone being now valued at about
thirty-five millions. The state is
more prosperous than ever before in
its history.
Missouri claims Mark Twain, Eu-
gene Field and Winston Churchill as
part of her contribution to the litera-
ture of the nation. In journalism
she has produced George Horace
Lorimer, editor Saturday Evening
Post; Joseph Pulitzer of the Neiv
York World and St. Louis Post-Dis-
patch; the late Joseph B. McCullough,
formerly editor of the St. Louis
Globe-Democrat, who invented the
newspaper interview, and also one of
the owners of Puck.
To art Missouri has given George
C. Bingham and his famous painting,
"Order Number Eleven."
To science Missouri has contribu-
ted Dr. T. J. J. See, discoverer of the
binary stars, and one of the world's
greatest astronomers; Dr. Jackson,
who established the first railway hos-
pital system in the world ; Dr. Beverly
Gallaway, who discovered the process
from HJtsanurt bg (Srwernnr Jfalk
of immunizing Northern cattle from
"Texas Fever;" Eads, the builder of
the famous Eads bridge at St. Louis,
and Henry Johnson, builder of the
Galveston sea-wall.
Missouri has given to the Union
many prominent business men, among
them Benjamin F. Winchell, the pres-
ent head of the Rock Island railway
system; Henry Miller, general man-
ager of the Wabash railway system;
A. D. Brown, one of the leading shoe
manufacturers of the world; N. O.
Nelson, one of the nation's most
piominent iron manufacturers, and
Adolphus Busch, who has built up in
St. Louis the largest establishment of
its kind in the world.
Many of the country's greatest
statesmen have been Missourians,
among them Senator Thomas H. Ben-
ton, "Old Bullion;" B. Granz Brown,
a former governor of the state, who
was prominent in national politics ;
Senator Frank P. Blair, Senator
George G. West, Carl Schurtz, who
was a United States senator from the
state ; Richard P. Bland, father of the
"free silver" issue in American poli-
tics ; President Ulysses S. Grant ; for-
mer Senator Cockrell, who is now a
member of the Interstate Commerce
Commission; William T. Harris, for-
merly United States Commissioner of
Education. Missouri has also given
to the Union four cabinet ministers:
Edward Bates, who was one of Lin-
coln's attorney-generals; D. R. Fran-
cis, John W. Noble and E. A. Hitch-
cock, all of whom served in the office
of Secretary of the Interior. Among
Missourians known to fame for their
military genius may be mentioned
General Sterling Price, General Jos-
eph Shelby, General A. W. Doniphan
and General Stephen W. Kearney.
Missouri's greatest material needs
to-day are better country roads, im-
provement of the Mississippi and Mis-
souri rivers and more railroads.
Fruit-growers and dairymen are need-
ed for the Ozark region.
America's greatest need to-day is
the removal of all unnecessary restric-
tions upon trade and the attendant
expansion of industrial opportunity
and a strict enforcement of the laws.
There are now signs of a revival of
patriotism throughout the country.
TRADE OF A MULATTO BOY IN 1765
Accurate Transcript of Original Document in Possession cf
MARY R. WOODRUFF, Orange, Connecticut
Know all men by these presents that I Zachariah Thomlinson, of Stratford in the
County of fairfield and Colony of Connecticut innevvengland, for the Consideration
of eight barrils of good merchantable pork allready in hand Reed of Joseph Wood-
ruff of Milford which is to my full satisfaction and contentment, Do relinquish,
release and pass over unto him the Sd Joseph Woodruff and to his heirs and assigns
forever, all my right, title and Interest in, and unto the Servitude of one Certain
malatto boy namedj ob, aged nine years, born of an Indian woman named Nab, to
have and to hold Sd Malatto boy free and clear from all Claims and Demands made
by me or my heirs and further I the Sd Zachah Thomlinson Do for my Self and my heirs
Covenant with him the Sd Jos. Woodruff and his heirs that he and they Shall
Quietly and peaceably possess and enjoy Said Malatto boy Job without the Least
Interruption or molestation from by or under me or my heirs forever. In witness
whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Ssal, this zist Day of May Anno Dom.
1765. Signed, sealed and Delivered
In presence of
ABNKR JUDSON (Signed) ZACH: TOMLINSON.
WILLIAM PIXLEK
An Ammratt'0 lExprnrnr* in
Irtttaly Anmj
fflannurript of (Kolonrl &trptpn 3anris. Surti in 1750.
Sruraluui ihr Cifr of tb.r Eottaliata who
to aUnounr* tb.ftr AUrgtanrr to in.* ICtng anil
to &aur iljr UJratrrn Continrnt to thr Srttiah. Emjrtr*
ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT NOW IN POSSESSION OF
HONORABLE CHARLES MAPLES JARVIS
DESCENDANT or COLONEL JABVIS AND MEMBBII OF MANY AMERICAN LEARNED AMD PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES
HIS remarkable manuscript,
recently rescued from ob-
livion, is undoubtedly the
ll most important documen-
tary evidence of its kind
in existence. In it is re-
vealed the tragedy of an
American who for the sake of family
and principle took up arms against his
fellow Americans an^ met them in
deadly conflict on the firing line. It
is the story of a man who withstood
the rebuffs, taunts, and insults of his
closest friends, who suffered terrible
privations, jeopardized his life, and
was finally driven from his home to
seek refuge on British soil. Withal
it is one of the most intense stories of
patriotism, of fidelity to family and
loyalty to the Mother Country.
When the Americans, through their
misunderstandings and differences
with Great Britain, proposed the
stroke for Independence there were
many conservative and influential
men who considered the action
too radical. They looked upon Eng-
land as their homeland; their blood
was British and there was a filial love
for the British Empire. While they
were willing to join in urgent ap-
peal to the crown and to respectfully
demand redress for existing griev-
ances, they were unwilling to become
a party to the proposed Declaration of
Independence and stoutly refused to
join any revolutionary movement.
These loyalists came from every rank
in society, and "being actuated by
conscientious motives, command our
thorough respect."
When the Revolutionists began to
arm themselves for the Great Strug-
gle many of these conservatives
offered their services to the King, re-
mained loyal through the conflict, and
"suffered severely in exile when the
contest was ended."
This ancient manuscript, now
almost illegible, is written by one of
them. It uncovers many secrets. It
reveals the contentions, despairs and
almost insufferable hardships of the
defenders of the crown. It passes
the scouting line, penetrates the ranks
of the red-coats and takes one into the
heart of the British Army. It is a
revelation of the life of the men who
fought and died for the King in try-
ing to save the Western Continent to
the British Empire.
The writer of this remarkable man-
uscript is one Stephen Jarvis. He
was born November 6, 1756, in
Danbury, Connecticut, and died in
Toronto, Canada, in 1840, at the age
of eighty-four years.
iEmwarript nf Gtahmri SartriB — Unnt in IHifi
Relating the remarkable experiences as a recruit in the lines of
the British army — Accurate transcript from the original manuscript
which was lost for many years and has been recently recovered
,Y father was one of
those persons called
lorries. He lived in
the Colony of Con-
necticut, his disposi-
tion was more for
making a comfortable
living for his family than giving
his children a liberal education. My
advantages were thereby confined to
what was necessary for a farmer,
which I followed until I was at the
Age of Eighteen years, when hostili-
ties commenced between Great Britain
and her Colonies.
It cannot be expected that I should
give a minute detail of every circum-
stance of my eventful life, as I kept
no regular journal, and have to re-
fresh my memory from public docu-
ments for the last fifty years.
Son of a Loyalist in Ranks
of the American Revolutionists
Some time in the month of April,
I775> when the first blood was shed at
Lexington, I became acquainted with
a Lady to whom I paid my address,
and who I afterwards married; this
attachment was disapproved of by my
father, who carried his displeasure to
great lengths, and I was under the
necessity of visiting the Lady only by
stealth. Soon after the Battle of
Bunker Hill, and about the time that
the British Army Evacuated Boston,
there was a draft of the Militia of
Connecticut to garrison New York,
and I was drafted as one; my father
would readily have got a substitute
for me, but as he had so strenuously
opposed my suit, I was obstinate and
declared my intentions of going as a
soldier, — for this declaration he took
me by the arm and thrust me out of
the door; during the evening, how-
ever, I went to my room and went to
bed. The next day was Sunday and
I kept out of sight, the next morning
we were to march, a Brother of my
Mother was the officer commanding.
On leaving the house I passed my
father and wished him "good-bye,"
he made me no reply, and I passed on
to the house of my uncle, the place of
rendezvous, but before the Troops
marched my father so far relented as
to come to me and after giving me a
severe reproof, ordered me a horse to
ride, gave me some money, and I set
off. We arrived in New York the
next day, and my uncle took up his
quarters at Peck Slip, and took me
into his house. He had a son with
him, a little younger than myself, with
whom I spent my time very agreea-
ble.
Repents when He Sees Father's
Displeasure and Joins British
During my short stay in New
York, which was only about a fort-
night,— during that time, however,
the Americans broke ground on Gov-
ernor's Island. My uncle was one of
the officers for that duty. The Brit-
ish Man of War (the Asia) was lying
off Staten Island at the time, and I
had an inclination to get on board of
her; I, therefore, went to the Island
with my uncle and remained there all
night, and part of the next day, when
we were relieved by another party,
and returned to the City. Having
had no rest during the night, I lay
down and went to sleep. I was awoke
by my Cousin; the streets were filled
with soldiers, part of the American
Army from Boston. The next morn-
ing the Militia was dismissed, and I
returned to my family; I represented
to my father that I was very sinable,
that I had done wrong in espousing a
Cause so repugnant to his feelings,
and contrary to my own opinion also.
Asked his forgiveness, and went even
so far as to promise that I would give
up my suit with Miss Glover, for that
44»
An Ammran's Experonr* tn
tBfy Anttg
was the Lady's name. On this prom-
ise, I was again taken into favor — but
I only kept this promise but for a few
days, — as soon as I had replenished
my wardrobe, I immediately set off to
visit Miss Glover, and before we part-
ed, we renewed our vows of love and
constancy. My reception the next
morning was everything but pleasant.
I continued, however, to visit her as
often as I could. After the British
Army had taken New York, the Mili-
tia was again called out, and I was
again drafted, but I refused to serve ;
about this time three Torries who had
been confined in Symsbury Mines,
had made their escape, and was, by
the assistance of the Loyalists, inabled
to join the British Army; — many of
the Loyalists also joined them and
went with them, and among the rest
myself, and this with the consent of
my father, as I had been instrumental
in making provision for the three men
who had escaped from Prison.
Recruiting American Soldiers
for Service in England's Army
I left Danbury in the middle of the
day, armed Capa-pie under pretense
of joining the Americans then lying
at Horse Neck, — and went forward to
make provision for those who were
to follow me at night. I passed on as
far as Norwalk, where I was directed
to call on certain persons, Loyalists,
for advice and assistance in executing
our plan. The first one I called upon
informed me "that our plans were dis-
covered, that the whole coast was
guarded, and that if we proceeded we
would all be taken prisoners, and ad-
vised me by all means to return home
again with the best excuse I could
make for doing so." I took his ad-
vice, and after refreshing myself and
horse, I retraced my steps to Wilton,
and called on a Mr. B s, his house
was the place of rendezvous for the
whole party; — I had a wish to see
what reception I would meet with as
an American soldier. I, therefore,
feigned myself much hurt from the
443
fall of my horse, told him a long cock
and bull story of my going to join the
American Army, and said everything
to excite his compassion, and to be
allowed to sleep by his fire during the
night; this he refused, but offered to
assist me to the Public House, where
I could be comfortably provided for ;
— finding nothing would prevail, I
then asked him if his name was not
B s. He with some surprise, an-
swered "Yes and what then," his wife
and two fine daughters who were sit-
ting in the room viewed each other
with much uneasiness. I desired to
speak to Mr. B. in private. We
walked into another room; I asked
him if he knew Mr. J of Dan-
bury, and he replied, "that he did."
I told him I was his son, com-
municated to him the commission I
was entrusted with, gave him the in-
formation I had received at Norwalk
— and the necessity there was for find-
ing a place of safety for the three
men. One of them was a Mr. Mc-
Neal. The other persons names I
have forgot. Mr. B. then took me by
the hand, introduced me to his wife
and daughters, ordered refreshments
to be got ready as soon as possible,
for that I was very tired and hungry.
My lameness was set aside for the
night and he set about preparing a
hiding place for the three men and
getting sustenance for their support.
I then suggested the necessity of as
many of us as possibly could, should
reach home before daylight, gave him
the countersign, whereby he could
make himself known if he met any of
our party, and turn them back ; sent a
message to my father in what manner
I should return the next day. He set
off and after proceeding a few miles,
stopt in a wood by the side of the
road. He soon saw two men ap-
proaching, gave the countersign,
which was answered. They were
two young men from Danbury, he de-
livered my message to them ; they re-
turned home, and he returned to his
house. Before his return, however,
nf (Enlnttel Slamis — Inrtt tn If5fi
the party had arrived to the amount
of seventy persons. A man by the
name of Barnum, who had been with
the British, and returned for recruits
conducted the party, he was no way
discouraged from my information and
urged me to proceed with them, this,
however, I declined, he however pre-
vailed on Mr. B. to try and overtake
the two men he had turned home-
wards, but after he had pursued them
near to Danbury, he was obliged to
return without them, and he hardly
reached his home before daylight. I
met him afterwards a Major in the
British Army. Mr. Barnum and his
party pursued their route and got safe
to the British.
Americans Fleeing from being
Drafted by Revolutionists
The next morning, after breakfast,
I took leave of this kind family, bound
up my knee in a piece of old blanket,
assumed my lameness, was helped on
my horse, and set off for home. Many
questions were asked me on my route,
and many foolish answers were given
as to my late disaster. Suffice it to say
that when I reached home I found my
father had received my message, and
had a surgeon, whom he could trust
to attend me. I was helped off my
horse, carried into the house, my knee
which he declared to be dislocated,
again placed into the socket, the ban-
dages filled with the spirits of turpen-
tine, and in this manner I walked
with crutches for ten days ; this lulled
all suspicion ; even my mother was
deceived, for she had no idea that my
intentions were that of going to the
British.
For the rest part of the sum-
mer I remained quietly, until the Au-
tumn, when I again joined another
party of Loyalists, and proceed to the
waterside, but the vessel which we
expected to take us on board not
arriving, and my father hearing of the
situation in which I was placed, sent
a person for me and I returned home
the second time. On my afrival I
found my father's house filled with
American soldiers, my father intro-
duced me to the officers as returning
from a visit to see my friends, and all
went on very well, until the first day
of January, 1777 — it being New
Year's day — I rose very early in the
morning, and in opening the door I
discovered a large body of horsemen
armed, with a number of prisoners,
and some of them, those I had a short
time before left at the Seaside. I
must leave the reader to judge of my
feelings for I cannot describe them.
I remained quiet during the day,
but I was lead to believe that I
should not continue so during the
night, and therefore kept a sharp
lookout ; I came very nigh falling into
their hands. The day had been
stormy, both snow and rain, and the
roads very sloppy. I had prepared a
horse with intentions to ride out of
town. I had set down to supper,
when one of the Committee of Safety
(as they were called) came in; my
father urged him to take supper, this
he declined, and after making some
excuse for calling, he left the house.
I immediately got up from the table,
went to the door, the night was very
dark. My brother had gone out to do
an errand for one of the prisoners and
as I stepped on the threshold of the
door I heard him call to one of the
prisoners. "Stop" said a person close
by me.
Tory Boy Escapes on Horseback
as Patriots Search Father's Home
I gave a spring and in a moment
I was on horseback in full speed
down the street. I made a halt at a
friend's house for a few moments,
when my sister with another young
lady came in, saying "Brother, the
soldiers are searching the house for
you." I immediately set off again
and took shelter in a house where
there was two British prisoners of
War. One part of the house was
occupied by soldiers from the East-
ward going to join the Army of the
An Ammran'fi £xp?ranr* in ify? SrittBlj Armg
Americans, then lying near White
Plains. I remained in the quarters
of the British prisoners until the sol-
diers were asleep. I was then con-
veyed to a small room in the garret
with some provisions for the twenty-
four hours. Here I remained until
the next evening, when I met my
father in the field back of the town.
He had a shift of clothes for me and
some money — here we parted, and I
set off for the house of a Brother-in-
law of Miss Glover who was a Loyal-
ist, and where I knew I should find
safe quarters. The late rain had
flooded the banks of the Rivers, and
had overflowed the road in two places,
so that I was obliged to wade to my
hips in water. The weather very
cold, my clothes became very stiff
with ice. I could with difficulty
travel ; I however made out to reach
a friend's house, about five miles from
my father's; Here again I was en-
countered with another band of sol-
diers (strangers). I pretended as
coming from the next house, and
crossing a small stream on a log had
tumbled into the water, and begged
my friend to give me a shift of
clothes.
I was taken into a small room,
where there was a good fire, dried
my clothes, got some refreshment,
and after the soldiers had got
asleep, a young man of the house con-
veyed me to the stable, took a horse
and carried me five miles farther, to
the house of Mr. Hawleys whose wife
was Miss Glover's sister; — the young
man remained with me until after
breakfast the next morning, and then
returned to his father. He was the
same day taken up and carried to
Gaol, for what crime I never learn't,
— the day after my arrival, Mr. H.
sent and fetched Miss Glover to his
house and the pleasure I spent in her
society surely can be better imagined
than described. At the end of a fort-
night a Mr. T s., who had mar-
ried another sister of Miss Glover's,
came to take her to his house (he was
a Republican and I dare not see him).
He arrived in the evening, it was a
moonshine night, and Miss G. pre-
tended that it would be some time in
the evening before she would be ready
to set out, left him and visited me in
my apartment. In this manner we
kept him until a late hour, when we
at last took leave of each other, and
she set off with her brother Mr. T.
Driven into Hiding for
Refusing to Denounce the King
The next night I set off from Mr.
H 's (I dare not travel in the day)
and went to Norwalk where my father
had two brothers, and where his
father was also living — with them I
remained for sometime, but hearing
that there was an opportunity that
probably I might have in getting over
to Long Island from Stamford, I re-
paired thither, where my father had
another brother whose four sons were
already with the British, two of which
had entered the Army. Here again
I was disappointed — no opportunity
offered of getting away. It was
agreed at last, as the best mode of
safety, and as the smallpox was in the
place, I had better get Enoculated and
that his young son should also. He
sent for the surgeon of the Hospital,
a Doctor W. and we were Enoculated.
We remained at my Uncle's until a
few days before we broke out, and
then was removed to the Hospital.
We both had the disease favorable,
and about the first of March I ven-
tured to pay a visit to my father's,
taking the night for performing the
journey. I arrived at his house about
midnight, called at the windows of
his bedroom, he awoke, knew my
voice, and let me in. I remained with
the family only two days and then for
the last time I bid them good-bye for
seven years, and returned again to
Norwalk, from thence to Stamford,
to Greenwich, and so back and fourth
until the British Army made an ex-
cursion to Danbury. The day the
fleet sailed up the sound I was at the
0f (EnlnnH Slamis — itant in ITSfi
village of Greenwich, and remained
there until the British Army had
marched to Danbury, and had again
re-imbarked for New York. In this
expedition Munson Jarvis and Wil-
liam Jarvis were with the British and
slept at my father's house the night
they were in Danbury. On the 28
of April, 1777, at night I prevailed on
a person to set me across to Long
Island, there was a skiff and a canoe
loaded with potatoes and two or three
calves.
Crossing Long Island Sound in
Canoe to Join the Redcoats
We set off about 10 o'clock at
night, and got out of the river un-
discovered and steered our course for
Long Island. In the morning we
found ourselves under the Long
Island shore, the wind was strong
from the Eastward — our log canoe
was swamped in running ashore, but
no lives lost ; after hard rowing, we at
last reached the Harbour of Hunting-
ton, went on board the Guard Ship in
the Harbour, where I was obliged to
remain until report was made to the
Commanding Officer at that place; I
then was permitted to land, here I
met with several persons I know, and
I was strongly urged to join the
Army. This I declined and the next
day set off for New York in company
with a Mr. Booth, a native of New-
town in Connecticut. On my arrival
in New York I found many persons
from Danbury, who were made pris-
oners. They informed me that after
the British Army had left Danbury,
the Americans had killed my father.
(This was not true, they only plun-
dered him).
This melancholy news determined
me for a Military life. I therefore
took the first opportunity of intro-
ducing myself to an officer, that
first fell in my way. It was with a
Captain Lockwood, who piloted the
British Army to Danbury. I told
him what I had just heard relative to
the fate of my father, and my deter-
mination of entering the Service; —
He replied "That he was raising a
Company for a Corpse that was to be
commanded by a Major Starks, and
that if I would join his Company, he
would procure me a commission, and
as his company was about to march to
Kingsbridge, where the Regiment
to be organized, and if I would con-
sent to act as Sergeant in his com-
pany until he could join the Regiment
— with my commission he would be
very glad, and in the meantime he
would be glad that I would assist him
in making out a statement of his Com-
pany." This I assented to, and be-
ing ignorant of the consequences that
would result, suffered myself to be set
down as Sergeant, for the present un-
til my commission could be procured.
American Lad under English Ensign
Marching against His Countrymen
The next day the Company marched
to Kingsbridge under the command
of a Lieutenant Close, where we
joined the rest of the Regiment, but
so small were our numbers, that I
have no recollection who was the
commanding officer; — the day after
our arrival at our Incampment there
was an order for each Company to
give in a Morning Report ; of what a
Morning Report was, neither Mr.
Close or myself knew anything about
more than we did of the Longitude,
and I was sensible that I was the best
scholar of the two, and being second
in command, thought I was of equal
rank with him, and without consult-
ing him on the subject, I walked over
to the tent of my relation, whose Reg-
iment had taken up their ground on
the left of our small (for it was a very
small) Regiment to attain the infor-
mation necessary to comply with the
order.
My friend gave me a number
of printed copies that had been given
him for his guide, — to wit — fit for
duty — sick— on duty, etc., etc. I re-
turn to my tent, and return the whole
fit for duty, although we had neither
446
An Ammran'fi £xp*ri*ttr* in tty Brtttalf Armg
arms, clothing or ammunition ; the re-
sult of which was that there was on
order for our Regiment to parade so
many men for piquet. This put me
to my wits end, to parade men with-
out arms was ridiculous, but there
was no time to be lost; I therefore
went from one tent to another (for
some of the Companies had received
arms) got a stand of arms from one
Company, a sick man's arms from
another, until I had completed the
whole with arms and marched them
off for to this parade. Behold me
then, for the first time in my life, a
soldier in the British Army, com-
manding an out piquet, in the face of
the Rebel Army. One material cir-
cumstance happened during the night.
I had forgot the most essential part,
the Parole and Countersign, which,
when the officer of the night came
around to visit the piquet, and if there
had not been a more attentive mem-
ory in my Corporal, I should have
made a most lamentable figure. How-
ever, all things passed on very well,
and in the morning I marched off my
men to their tents, not a little proud
of my night's duty.
British Soldiers look with
Impunity on their Yankee Recruits
The same routine went on for sev-
eral days, until I began to be tired of
this fatigue, and I applied to Mr.
Close to procure clothing, and arms
for the men, stating the danger we
run of being fired on as Rebels in our
Country Clothes; he hem'd and har'd
for some time until my patience was
quite exhausted, and I said to him,
"Sir, you command a Company in the
British Army, you are not fit to com-
mand an English waggon." In short
I said so much that if he or myself
had known anything of military duty,
I must have have been shot, agreeably
to the Articles of War. I however
soon learned better, as the secret will
show.
One day as I was walking past
the officers mess, (for I had already
447
learned so much of my duty as
to find I was not yet to be admit-
ted into the society of the commis-
sioned officers) I heard them Huzza
for the Second Battallion of Queen's
Rangers; I had heard much of the
Regiment as a fighting corpse, and I
did not much like the sound. I made
up my mind, if possible, to change
into the Regiment with my relations,
lying along side of us, and the morn-
ing we were ordered for marching I
left my tent for the purpose of mak-
ing the application, and had got part
of the way to my friend's tent, when,
I beheld the Col. of that Regiment
mount his horse and begin to belay
the Sentinel at his Marque, over the
head and shoulders of the man, with
great violence. I looked with aston-
ishment for a short time, marched
back to my tent, and when the orders
were given to march, I threw my
knapsack on my back and marched,
thanking my stars that I had escaped
falling under the discipline of such a
savage in the shape of a Colonel of a
British Regiment. The Regiment
marched to New York and went im-
mediately on board ship. Here I had
for the last time a sight of Captain
Lock wood.
I remonstrated with him, but
he replied, "That all was going on
well, that he should be with the Regi-
ment in a few days, and bring my
commission with him." I had not a
moment longer to spare, was hurried
on board, we sailed, and the next
morning landed at Amboy, marched
out to a place called Strawberry Hill,
our small Regiment was drawn up in
front of the Encampment of the
Queen's Rangers, the Non-Commis-
sioners in front of the men, and a gen-
eral selection took place, those fit for
grenadiers, were set apart for the
Grenadier Company, then the Light
Infantry, then a Company was select-
ed for a Highland Company. The
officers were Captain McAlpine, Lieu-
tenant Close, Simpson, and Ensign
Shaw. (Afterwards General Shaw of
iflmuiampt 0f
3lanrifi— $0rn in IfSfi
Upper Canada) The rest of the offi-
cers were placed on half pay — or
joined other Regiments; — After the
officers by Seniority, had made a se-
lection of the Non-Commissioned
Officers, a Captain McKay came up
to me, asked my name, age, etc., and
if / could write. I happened to have
a roll of Captain Lockwood's Com-
pany in my pocket, which I took and
handed him, after examining it, he
folded it up, handed it me back, called
a "Sergeant Purday to show me his
Tent."
Experiences of an American
inside the British Lines
Here all my hopes of a Com-
mission was at an end. I was a per-
fect stranger to every individual
around me, not a friend to advise, or
ask council of, no money in my
pocket, the most inexperienced, either
of men or manners, of any almost in
existence. Think what my feelings
were at this time. I have often won-
dered how I survived the disappoint-
ment. I however, made up my mind
that if I ever had an opportunity to
meet the enemy — that I would merit
a Commission, and I applied myself
strictly to my duty, and soon merited
the notice of my officers who placed
confidence in me. A few days after
there was a great desertion of the
Non-Commissioners, and amongst the
rest Sergeant Purday of our Com-
pany. From this circumstance, all
the duty of the Company devolved
upon me, such as making out returns
for provisions, clothing, morning re-
ports, master rolls, etc., as the other
Sergeant was a drunken useless fel-
low, who, by the by, I recognized as
once having seen him in Danbury a
recruiting for the American Army.
There is one circumstance I cannot
avoid mentioning, as it mortified my
pride exceedingly. I had been on
duty during the night, and as the duty
was arduous, I came off duty very
much fatigued. I called at Captain
McKay's tent to have him sign some
return, I did expect he would have
asked me to sit down, I waited some
time and then sat down. I had not
sat long before Captain McKay said
in a mild tone of voice, "Sergeant Jar-
vis, it is very improper for you to sit
in the presence of your officer, with-
out you are desired to do so." I must
leave the reader to judge of my feel-
ings at this rebuke, altho so mildly
given, I arose from my seat and re-
plied, Sir, I am a young soldier, and
I am very tired, having been on duty
all night. I was in hopes you would
have desired me to sit doivn, but as
you did not, I was in some measure
under the necessity, but I shall know
better in future; — he signed the re-
turn and I returned to my tent. In a
few days there was an order for
marching with four days' provisions
for each man. The Army marched
into the country. We fell in with the
enemy on our route, and a partial en-
gagement took place, and we had one
man killed; — and I had a narrow es-
cape myself. I was standing in the
angle of the fence, a rifleman was in
the opposite field on horseback, at the
time we were forming along the
fence. He dismounted, placed his
rifle across his horse, fired. The ball
struck direct in the angle of the fence
opposite my face, and the splinters
flew about my head and eyes. The
Army marched to Brunswick and
then returned again to our old quar-
ters.
On the British Firing Line in
the Battle of Brandy wine
There was nothing of moment
after this movement until we em-
barked for an expedition — the fleet
sailed, as it appeared afterwards for
the Chesapeake and about the middle
of August we landed at the head of
Elk River, where the Army encamped
for some days, and here was my first
exploit. I commanded the out piquet,
and at daylight in the morning a body
of American horse charged my
Piquet. I repulsed them and took
448
An Am*riran'a £;xp?ranr* in tty Urittfilj Army
one Dragoon, which I secured as well
as his horse, and which I took to
camp with me when relieved. I was
sent with my prisoner to General
Howe's quarters, when the prisoner
was sent to the Provost, the horse and
appointments given to me, which I
took back to the Regiment and which
I was soon relieved of by Captain
McKay taking to himself. This was
an act of injustice which I did not
much like but thought best to put up
with it. There was little to notice
after this until the action at Brandy-
wine; The Queen's Rangers led the
Division of General Kuephausen.
We came in sight of the enemy at
sunrise. The first discharge of the
enemy killed the horse of Major
Grymes, who was leading the column,
and wounded two men in the Division
directly in my front, and in a few
moments the Regiment became warm-
ly engaged and several of our officers
were badly wounded. None but the
Rangers and Ferguson's Riflemen,
were as yet engaged ; the enemy re-
tired, and there was a cessation for a
short time, to reconnoiter the enemy,
who had taken up their position in a
wood which skirted the road that led
down to the River. The Rangers
were ordered to advance, and drive
the enemy from that position. We
marched from the right of Companys,
by files, entered the wood, and drove
the enemy from it, into an open field
where there was a large body of the
enemy formed. Major Wymes, who
commanded the Rangers, ordered the
Regiment to halt and cover them-
selves behind the trees, but the right
of the Regiment was hotly engaged
with the enemy, and Captain Dunlap
came to Major Wymes, and requested
him to let the Regiment charge or the
two Companies would be cut off. The
Major then ordered the Adjutant
(Ormand) who was very glad of the
opportunity, to desire the troops in
our rear to support him, ordered the
Regiment to charge. At this instant,
my pantaloons received a wound, and
I don't hesitate to say that I should
been very well pleased to have seen
a little blood also. The enemy stood
until we came near to bayonet points,
then gave us a volley and retired
across the Brandywine. Captain Wil-
liams and Captain Murden were
killed, and many of the officers were
wounded in this conflict. The Brandy-
wine on each side was skirted with
wood, in which the Rangers took shel-
ter, whilst our artillery were playing
upon a half moon battery on the other
side of the River which guarded the
only fording place where our Army
could cross. In this position we re-
mained waiting for General Howe to
commence his attack on the right
flank of General Washington's main
Army.
Whilst in this situation Captain
Agnew was wounded, of which
wound he was ever after a cripple.
Several other men were also wounded
by the riflemen from the other side.
Captain Agnew (he was only Lieu-
tenant at this time) had behaved very
gallantly when we drove the enemy.
I saw him plunge his bayonet into the
fellow who had killed Captain Mur-
den the minute before. General
Howe commenced his attack late in
the afternoon, and this was the signal
for our Division to advance. The
Fourth Regiment led the Column,
and the Queen's Rangers followed,
the battery playing upon us with
grape shot, which did much execu-
tion. The water took us up to our
breasts, and was much stained with
blood, before the battery was carried
and the guns turned upon the enemy.
Immediately after our Regiment had
crossed, two Companies (the Gren-
adiers and Capt. McKay's) was or-
dered to move to the left and take
possession of a hill which the enemy
was retiring from, and wait there un-
til further orders. From the emi-
nence we had a most extensive view
of the American Army, and we saw
our brave comrades cutting them up
in great style. The battle lasted until
iimtu0rrijrt nf
SfartriB — Inm in 1756
dark, when the enemy retreated and
left us masters of the field. We were
then ordered to leave our position
and join our Regiment. We did so
and took up our night's lodgings on
the field of the battle, which was
strewed with dead bodies of the en-
emy.
Fighting at Qermantown under
the Colors of the King
In this day's hard fought action, the
Queen's Rangers' loss in killed and
wounded were seventy-five out of
two hundred fifty rank and file which
composed our strength in the morn-
ing. Why the army did not the next
day pursue the enemy, and bring
them to action, I must leave to wiser
heads than mine, to give a reason, but
so it was. We remained encamped
the whole of the next day, and gave
the enemy an opportunity to rally his
forces, get re-inforcements and take
up a position to attack us, which they
did, at Germantown, where our Army
had encamped, sending our sick and
wounded into Philadelphia. At this
battle the enemy were again defeated,
and left us in possession of the field.
On the morning of this action, I was
under a course of physic, and was
ordered to remain in camp, and had
not the honor of sharing in the vic-
tory of this day's battle ; I was so re-
duced from fatigue that I was re-
turned, unfit for duty, and was or-
dered to the Hospital, and the next
day took my quarters at the Hospital
in Philadelphia. I was not so ill but
that I could walk about, and the Doc-
tors allowed me to take a walk about
the City every day. Whether they
had any orders from my officers on
that behalf I know not. but so it was
when others had not the same indul-
gence. I remained in the Hospital
until I thought I was able to undergo
the fatigue of duty and join my Regi-
ment.
A few days after joining the
Regiment, made an excurtion into the
Jerseys, as far as Hattenfield, but it
was ordered that I should remain at
the quarters of the Regiment, which
was at Kingsonton. The next day
Captain Dunlap returned to the quar-
ters ordering every man that was
able to march to join the Regiment,
and myself among the rest. It was
near dark when we got to the Regi-
ment. I was most dreadfully fa-
tigued, and lay down to rest. I had
hardly time to take my refreshment
before the Regiment was ordered un-
der arms, where we remained for sev-
eral hours in a storm of hail and
snow, and at last ordered to retrace
our steps towards Philadelphia. I
had marched but a few miles before a
pain attacked my limbs, to that de-
gree, that I could with difficulty walk,
and soon fell in the rear of the Regi-
ment, expecting every minute to fall
into the hands of the enemy. I had
the good luck to get up with the Regi-
ment, who had encamped at a planta-
tion on the banks of the Delaware.
More dead than alive, the ground cov-
ered with snow, I scrambled to the
barn, got into a large mow of straw,
covered myself up with straw, and fell
asleep and did not wake until daylight
in the morning. On awaking, I
heard Major Simcoe (who had a
short time before, and while I was in
the Hospital) succeeded Major
Wymes in the command of the Regi-
ment, and some of the officers in
another part of the barn, but hid from
my sight. They soon left the barn,
and left standing on a beam within
my reach a bottle partly filled with
good madeira. I soon demolished
the contents and set the bottle up as
before, left the barn also, and joined
my Company. In the course of the
day the Americans attacked us, and
we had a smart brush with them, had
a Sergeant (McPherson of the Grena-
diers) and several men wounded. In
the evening we crossed over to Ken-
sington and took up our old quarters.
Intimate Insight into Life
in the British Army in America
I had forgot to mention one circum-
stance, which happened at Brandy-
450
An Ammran'fi $Exp*ranr? in tlj? Urittalf Armg
wine, after the Regiment had crossed
and was charging with enemy, Lieu-
tenant Close found it more safe to
take shelter under the walls of the
battery, where he fell asleep until he
was discovered by the Provost Mar-
shal, and reported to the Regiment as
killed. A party was sent out to bring
him to camp, who awoke him from
his slumbers. He came to the Regi-
ment, but was obliged to leave it. He
never did duty again in the Regiment.
Captain McAlpine also left the Regi-
ment for some cause, — a change took
place in the Companies, Captain
McKay took command of the High-
land Company, Captain Stephenson of
the Light Infantry. After the death
of Captain Williams, Lieutenant
McGill was promoted to Captain
(now at York, U. C.) and took com-
mand of McKay's Company. Lt.
Shank Captain of Captain Murden's
Company; Lt. Agnew to be Captain,
but did no duty. The Regiment dur-
ing the winter had severe duty once
or twice every week to cover the mar-
ket people coming to market, and
often we had long marches and fre-
quent skirmishes with the enemy, and
took a good many prisoners during
the winter. I found Captain McGill
the same indulgent commanding offi-
cer as I found in Captain McKay, and
I found my situation as pleasant as I
could have expected, according to the
discipline of the Army, and I looked
forward for more favorable prospects
in the future. It would be endless to
enumerate the different actions which
took place, but there were too many,
in which the Regiment gained great
applause at White Marsh, and after-
wards at Parker's Bridge, at both of
which places we took and killed a
good many.
Accuses General Howe of Responsi-
bility for England's Downfall
In short we were continually en-
gaged with the enemy more or less,
and had General Howe during the
winter, instead of gambling with
45 1
the officers every night, to the utter
ruin of many of them, attacked
General Washington at the Valley
Forge, where he might have done,
the event of the War would have
been very different, but I am only
relating of those actions in which
I was personally concerned. During
the winter Major Simcoe was pro-
moted to the rank of Lieutenant Colo-
nel, and a Major Ross joined the Reg-
iment. The news of General Bur-
goyne's capture gave great energy to
the enemy. The French also form-
ing an alliance with the Americans,
and sending troops to America put a
different face on things. General
Howe, after making a great display
in Philadelphia, resigned the com-
mand and went home and Sir Henry
Clinton took the Command in Chief,
and began to make preparations for
evacuating Philadelphia and march-
ing the Army through the Jerseys up
to New York, and on i8th day of
June 1778, the British Army crossed
the Delaware and commenced their
route, the Queen's Rangers always in
the rear of the line of march. I have
omitted to state that before we left
Philadelphia a Troop of Horse was
added to the Regiment. The officers
were Captain Wickham, Lieut. McKab
(late of York in Upper Canada) and
a Cornet Spencer from the I7th
Dragoons.
Nothing of moment took place
on our route until we came to
Monmouth, where on the morning of
the 28th of June, the Queen's Rangers
met at daylight the advance army of
the Americans under the command of
General Lee. We had a smart brush,
and Col. Simcoe was wounded. We
took some prisoners and returned and
joined the Army at Monmouth Court
House, — Sir Henry Clinton, with five
thousand of his Army attacked Lee
and drove him the whole day — took
and killed a great many of his men
until we fell in with General Wash-
ington's whole Army, when we re-
treated, leaving our wounded in the
fi — Itorn in 17 56
enemies' hands. On commencing our
retreat we had to oppose a large body
of the enemy, and one of our field
pieces was abandoned, and the enemy
gave a shout. Lieutenant Shaw with
the Highland Company wheeled
about, charged the enemy, and
brought off the cannon, which was
ever after attached to the Regiment.
Retreating with King George's
Men and Dissension in the Ranks
We continued our retreat during
the whole night and came up with the
main Army at Middletown, where we
halted to refresh ourselves for the
first time in twenty-four hours. The
day of the battle was one of the hot-
test days I ever felt, and we lost more
men by drinking cold water than were
killed by the enemy. I bore the fa-
tigue of the day very well with only
having again a shot through my pan-
taloons, leaving the mark of the ball
on the skin, or rather the powder
without drawing blood. The Army
continued its march, the Rangers
bringing up the rear. The Army
crossed over on a pontoon bridge to
the lighthouse island, the Queen's
Rangers embarked in flatboats and
rowed up to New York and landed at
Bloomingdale above New York,
where we remained for some time
and then crossed over to Long Island
and took up our quarters at Oyster
Bay. Another change had taken
place in the Regiment. Major Ross
had left the Regiment. Captain Arm-
strong promoted to the Majority, Cap-
tain McGill went to the Grenadiers
and Captain Agnew got his company
soon after we came to Oyster Bay.
Two of the Sergeants of the Horse
(Kelly and Johnson) were convicted
of plundering some of the inhabitants,
was took and flogged and I was trans-
ferred from the Infantry and to the
Calvary. I had for my associates a
Sergeant Prior and a Sergeant Mc-
Laughlin, — from this moment I be-
came a great favorite with Col. Sim-
coe, as well as all the other officers,
except Captain Wickham who became
my professed enemy, and who tried
to find me guilty of some neglect that
he might try me by a Court Martial,
but I had now learned my duty, and I
put him to defiance, and the only way
he had to annoy me was to keep my
pay back. However, always having
a good supply of necessaries, I did not
want much money. Our duty during
the winter was not very severe, the
harbor afforded plenty of oysters. I
became a favorite with some of the
principal inhabitants, and if I some-
times had scanty allowance at my
barracks, I knew where to go to get
the best the house afforded. Here a
Mr. Moffet from the I5th Regiment
joined as Quarter Master, a rough,
boisterous Irishman, but I knew how
to humor him and we agreed very
well together, — I spent the winter
very pleasant. Our food was for
some time rather coarse, our bread
oatmeal biscuit full of magots. Early
in the Spring of 1779 the Regiment
left Oyster Bay and took up our en-
campment above Kingsbridge, where
we remained the greater part of the
summer, making several excursions
up the North River, as also to the
Eastward.
Under Fire with the Enemy
within Ten Miles of His Own Home
At one time the I7th Dragoons
and the troop of Queen's Rangers
went as far as Pound Ridge, within
ten miles of my father's house to
surprise a Regiment of Dragoons,
which we effected and made great
havoc amongst them, and took a great
many prisoners. I was ordered to
flank the party, and in doing so I had
in one instance to divide my party.
There was a lagoon surrounded with
bushes. I took one rout and part of
my men the other. When I came in
sight of them, I saw them cutting and
slashing at a single man with a female
standing by his side. I wrode up in
time to save the man from much in-
jury. I afterwards brought him and
An Amfriran'fl lExperonr* in % IritisI?
his wife, for the female appeared to
be so, and as he had no arms about
him, I did not think proper to detain
him a prisoner. I ordered him to re-
main in his house and left him. (I
shall have reason to speak of this man
again.)
We returned to our quarters again
at Kingsbridge. A few days after
this a young man by the name of
Vincent gave information that a
party of the enemy were at West
Chester, that he had narrowly es-
caped being taken prisoner. Col.
Simcoe with the mounted Legion, and
the Rangers passed, ordering the In-
fantry to follow. We came up with
the enemy, we were ordered to form
for the charge. In the meantime as
the front Division were wheeling up
I saw an American Dragoon dis-
charge his pistol; my horse's head at
that moment covered my body — the
ball entered his nostril, and into his
mouth. The blood spouted a stream,
and my horse sank upon his haunches.
Col. Simcoe ordered me to the rear,
and gave the word to- charge ; the en-
emy had taken post behind a stone
wall, I mean their Infantry, and when
our Troops came abreast, gave us a
very galling fire, and Captain Wick-
ham wheeled his horse about and put
the whole in disorder, the sequence of
which was that the enemy got off
safe and we suffered severely, both in
killed and wounded. We pursued
the enemy afterwards, as far as By-
ram River, and here a curious cir-
cumstance happened — there was a
very deep hole in the river, near the
fording place, and the trumpeter of
the enemy had got into it and was
hanging bv his horse's mane. I
plunged in after him when my horse
and self were several feet under
water, and when I made my appear-
ance several shots were fired at me,
without effect, and the Trumpetor es-
caped my grasp, as there was a large
body on Infantry on the top of the
hill, we found it necessary to retire.
Destroying American Property
with the Queen's Rangers
Soon after this a large body of the
Army marched towards the White
Plains. I was with a division of the
Cavalry, leading the Column — Lord
Cornwallis and Col. Simcoe came up
to the front, and I heard Col. Simcoe
say to his Lordship, "There is a fine
young lad who knows Danbury well."
From this I took it for granted we
were going there. We, however,
soon took a turn to the Saw Pits in
Horse Neck and back again to our
old quarters without falling in with
any of the enemy. Soon after Col.
Simcoe took the route up the North
River, where we fell in with a party
at a place, I think called Kingsferry —
when we came nigh the place I re-
ceived orders to charge and I fol-
lowed the enemy for some distance,
and altho I did not myself take any of
the enemy, I cut off the retreat of a
good many, which were made prison-
ers.
We returned to our camp in this
manner. Much of our time was
taken up during the summer, and in
the Autumn we were moved to Staten
Island, and took up our winter quar-
ters at Richmond. Soon after our
arrival at this place a quarrel ensued
between Mr. Moffet, now an Ensign
in the Regiment, as well as Quarter-
Master of the Horse, with a Lieuten-
ant (Mr. Lawrence died in Upper
Canada) Lawrence. A duel ensued
and Moffet was killed. Col. Simcoe
was so enraged that he would not let
him be buried with the honors of war.
Lieutenant Lawrence was tried by a
Court Martiall and Honorably Ac-
quitted. Soon after our arrival at
Staten Island an expedition was
planned for destroying a number of
boats that had been built for the ex-
press purpose of landing the French
Army, which the Americans were ex-
pecting to arrive daily. It was com-
posed of the Cavalry of the Queen's
Rangers, the Buck's County Volun-
teers, and the Jersey Ds; the Buck's
453
4fianu0rripi nf
3fartriB — Unrn in 1756
commanded by Captain Sanford, the
others by Captain Stewart, all under
the command of Col. Simcoe. The
Infantry of the Rangers were to
march into the country to cover our
retreat. We landed at Perth Amboy,
and we were to return by South Am-
boy.
The Troops were to have been
landed by ten o'clock at night, for
which purpose we left Richmond for
Billip's Point so as to reach that place
soon after dark. From some cause
or other it was near daylight before
we landed at Amboy, and we had to
perform the whole journey almost the
whole way by daylight. In passing
through a small village, as the sun
was rising, a few men with knap-
sacks came out of a house and our
men took them for soldiers and com-
menced an attack, and this gave the
alarm ; we however proceeded on our
route. We had a Frenchman in our
Troop, who from his broken English
said that we were French Cavalry
after the boats to land the French
Army. By this means we procured
guides who conveyed us to where the
boats were, and we had collected a
good number on our way, all of which
we made prisoners as soon as we
came to the boats and began to de-
stroy them. There were twenty-five
beautiful barges all fixed upon car-
riages ready to be conveyed to any
place where they would be wanted.
Terrific Conflict in which
Officers almost Lose their Reason
In a few minutes the boats were in
flames, and the wheels of the car-
riages cut to pieces, to the great dis-
may of the guides who had conduct-
ed us to them. We then proceeded
to a place called Millstone, where we
burnt a large quantity of forage, pa-
rolled several American officers which
fell into our hands; burnt the goal
and relieved several of our prisoners
who had been confined in goal, and
then commenced our retreat, and a
hazardous one it was, for by this time
the whole country was alarmed, and
from every house and corpse of wood
we were fired upon, and at last we
fell into an ambuscade, where we lost
Col. Simcoe and several of our men.
I had, a few moments before, been
sent to Captain Sanford who formed
our rear guard, with orders, when I
heard the firing commence, and on
my return I had to charge through
the enemy ; few of their pieces had got
reloaded and I escaped unhurt. I
pursued as fast as my horse would
carry me to the front to make my re-
port, but I could see nothing of Col.
Simcoe. I rode back and forth en-
quiring for the Colonel. At last the
Surgeon said, "He is dead." Dead
said I, and are we going to leave him
in the hands of the enemy, and I tried
to get the men to turn about for the
purpose of bringing him off, but I
could not succeed. My gallant Cap-
tain Wickham was riding about like a
mad man, had lost his helmet and
seemed to have lost his reason alto-
gether.
By this time Captain Sanford
had assumed the command, and
we had got into some degree of order
— we had by this time reached Bruns-
wick Plains, and the enemy had nearly
surrounded us — was enclosing us fast
— Captain Stewart, our principal
guide, had received a slight wound in
the hand, had got confused; our men
every moment falling, and as it was
announced that the road to South
Amboy was our route, no person
could show us the way. I had already
taken charge of Captain Wickham's
Division. The Surgeon got fright-
ened, leaped off his horse, put his
white handkerchief on the point of
his sword, and ran towards the en-
emy, and a Sergeant Carhart fol-
lowed him. In a few minutes we
saw him returning and calling to Cap-
tain Sanford. We ordered a halt.
He came up and said to Captain San-
ford, "Sir, the enemy will receive the
flag, but insist that you go back to the
454
An Amfriran'0 Experonr* in % SrittBlj Artng
ground from which I left you." Pray
Sir, says Captain Sanford, who or-
dered you to go with a flag, go back
Sir to the enemy, and make your own
terms. I shall have nothing to do
with you." By this time we had little
space to act upon. I saw the situa-
tion in which we were placed, and I
sent Sergeant McLaughlin to tell
Captain Sanford that if he did not
allow us to charge the enemy, we
should all be prisoners in ten minutes.
Cutting through the American
Ranks in Reckless Onslaught
The word was given and we cut our
way thro the enemy and in doing so
we fell upon the road we had been
seeking for and we pushed forward.
In pursuing our route we fell in with
two men armed; one fired and killed
a Corporal Maloy, of our Troop.
The man was immediately killed —
the other taken prisoner and ordered
to run alongside the horses. I was
ordered to bring up the rear. One
of Captain Stewart's Dragoons had
his thigh broken by a shot, and it was
difficult for him to keep up with the
Troops, who were making the best of
their way. He was fearful of falling
into the hands of the enemy, and
begged of me not to leave him. I
then put the prisoner behind him on
his horse, and remained with them
until our Troops were long out of
sight. I then told the wounded man
that I would stay with him no longer.
You have got your pistol and can de-
fend yourself if the prisoner should
make any attempt to resist you, and
overtake us as fast as you can. I then
left them, and before I had overtaken
the Troops they had come up with
the Infantry and made a halt — the
wounded man also soon came up, but
the prisoner had made his escape. It
is impossible to describe the dismay
of our Troops when they found we
had returned without our Colonel.
455
Narrow Escape from Americans
and Dreary Journey to Safety
On our arrival at the place for em-
barking we found the boats ready.
I was ordered to see all the horses on
board, and I did not attempt embark-
ing my own horse until the last boat,
when he refused to leap into the boat.
I gave the bridle to a sailor and
jumped into the water, to urge the
horse in. At that moment order was
given to push off and wait 'for no
man. The sailor dropped the bridle,
took to his oar — the boat rowed away
leaving myself and horse standing in
the water — the enemy marching down
to the shore. I mounted my horse
with the intent to swim him after
the boat, but I saw one boat yet at
the shore. I rode to it, threw my sad-
dle and bridle into the boat, and
jumped on board, and had the morti-
fication to see the enemy take posses-
sion of the animal that had so many
times carried me through great dan-
ger and difficulties. I was happy in-
deed to have escaped myself. We
landed at Billip's Point, and we had
a dreary and melancholy night's walk
to Richmond — and took up our old
quarters. The day after we got to
Richmond, a man came from the en-
emy and brought intelligence that Col.
Simcoe was alive, his horse having
fell on him and stunted him. This
was joyful news to all the Regiment
His servant, McGill (died in Upper
Canada a Captain in the Army) went
out and took care of him while a pris-
oner. They confined him in goal,
where Col. Billip. a Loyalist was
chained to the floor. Sir Henry
Clinton with a part of the Army em-
barked for Charlestown, as it after-
wards appeared, and the Infantry of
the Rangers were also in orders, and
the baggage was on board — but they
were ordered to be re-landed, and the
fleet sailed without them, and the
Regiment remained at Richmond all
winter. Col. Simcoe was soon ex-
changed, and joined the Regiment.
The morning after his arrival he
i$amt0rripi 0f Qtalmtri SartrtB — Sorn tn ITSfi
came down to where the Cavalry was
quartered — some of the officers with
him — he said to me, "Jarvis, come to
my quarters at 12:00 o'clock." I
accordingly was there at the time.
He then walked out of the Fort into
the open field, out of hearing of any
person, and began questioning me as
to all circumstances which took place
after he fell. To all of his questions I
gave as correct account as I possibly
could, and quite to his satisfaction,
and then he said, "Jarvis, how did the
officers behave?" I answered, as offi-
cers ought to on such occasions.
"Well, but Jarvis, how did Captain
Wickham behave?" Very well, said
I "Did he, Jarvis, did he?" Colo-
nel, said I, do you think it possible
that an officer of the Rangers can be-
have ill? He looked at me with his
piercing eyes and said, "You Yankey
dog, you Yankey dog." After a
short pause he clapped his hand on
my shoulder saying, "You are right,
you are right, my good fellow. Take
care of yourself, you are a brave fel-
low." He then dismissed me and I
returned to my quarters.
Dragging Cannon Across
New York Harbor on Ice in 1780
After Mr. Moffet had obtained his
Ensigney in the Regiment I was
allowed to do the duty of Quarter-
Master, for which Mr. Moffet allowed
me a shilling a day, besides my other
pay, and I still continued to do that
duty. My friend Wickham one day
sent for me, and said, "Jarvis, if you
will draw a petition to the Colonel for
the appointment of QuarterMaster, I
and Mr. McNab will recommend you
for it." This was so extraordinary a
circumstance that I hardly thought
him sincere, yet I lost not a moment,
and after he had done as he promised,
I waited on the Colonel and presented
it. He read it with great attention,
for in my petition I had stated the cir-
cumstance of my joining the British
Army, the loyalty of my family, and
the promise and expectation made me
when I first joined. After some little
hesitating he said, "Jarvis, I have
long had it in contemplation of giv-
ing you promotion, and I am sorry
that I cannot do so now, but I have
promised it to McGill. His late con-
duct towards me when in goal, and
his long services with me, has induced
me to do so, but you may rest assured
that I will take the first opportunity
in providing for you." This was
rather a disappointment that I did not
look for, but I bore it with fortitude.
Ever after this Captain Wickham
appeared to be a very sincere friend,
made me a companion more than any-
thing else, ever after so long as I re-
mained in the Regiment. The winter
of 1780 was a most severe one; the
harbor of New York was even so fro-
zen that cannon were brought from
New York to Staten Island upon the
ice, and during the winter a body of
the enemy crossed from the Jerseys
to Staten Island and invested our
post. At the Narrows the cold was
intense, and after remaining two
nights and losing about forty men
frozen to death, they returned to the
Jerseys. Our Regiment from Rich-
mond pursued them and took some
prisoners. Whilst the enemy re-
mained on the Island we were en-
tirely cut off from any assistance
from the rest of our forces, and were
obliged to make such arrangements
best calculated for our defence.
The enemy thought best however
not to approach us. Soon after this,
a plan was formed to take General
Washington, who lay some distance
from New York, and rather attacked
from his Army so as to make the
attempt practicable. The i7th Light
Horse and the Cavalry of the Queen's
Rangers were designed for this ser-
vice, and we marched from Staten
Island to New York upon the ice, and
took up our quarters at the Bull's
Head, which at that time was quite
out of the City. The time arrived
and we crossed over to Elizabethtown
Point, and after marching some dis-
456
An Amfriran'a £xp?rwtr? in % Srittelf Army
tance in the country, returned back
without making any attempt, and thus
the affair ended, much to my disap-
pointment, for I had set my heart on
this expedition, as I was to have
taken charge of the General after he
had fallen into our hands. We re-
mained at the Bull's head for several
weeks, until the harbor opened so as
to return to Staten Island by water,
during which time our Dragoons did
much injury to the inhabitants, but I
generally found out the perpetrators,
and had them punished. One rob-
bery they committed is of so singular
a nature that I cannot avoid mention-
ing it.
With British Cavalry in
the Surrender of Charlestown
They went one Sunday to some
Dutch parson's house, and finding
nothing that suited them, they stole
a stove and carried it off, for which
the Commander-in-chief made Mr.
McNab, the Commanding Officer
(for my friend Wickham was not
with us) pay for the stove, which he
did before we were allowed to join
the Regiment, which we did some
time in the latter month of March.
Soon after our joining, I was sent for
to the Colonel's quarters, when I was
informed that the Regiment were go-
ing to embark; the Cavalry were to
remain behind. He then asked me,
"if I had any inclination to go with
the Regiment." I expressed a desire
to go. He said, "Well, my boy, 3*01*
shall go, and you shall have a com-
mand. You shall have fourteen men ;
those you shall chose out of the whole
Troop, and I will place Sergeant Mc-
Pherson (this was the Brother of the
one that was killed before we left
Philadelphia) with fourteen rifle men
to act in conjunction with you," and
he ordered me at the same time to
make out a list of the men I chose to
take with me. I did so and gave it to
him. He examined it and said, "You
have made a very good choice; you
have left out Maloy, I thought he
457
would have been your first choice."
So he would, Sir, if we should be
fighting the whole time, but he will
always be getting into some scrape
and disgrace me and my party. How-
ever I found it was the wish of the
Colonel and I at last consented.
We soon embarked, me with my
men, saddles and appointments, and
after a passage of fourteen or fifteen
days, we arrived at Charlestown. We
landed on James Island, crossed over
above the City, and took up our quar-
ters at the Quarter House six miles
from Charlestown. I lost no time in
procuring such horses as fell in my
way, and had my men mounted and
our business was to make patrols into
the country, but we never came in
contact with any of the enemy during
the siege, which continued until the
1 2th of May. After the town surren-
dered, the Rangers marched into the
country as far as Four Hole, when
the Infantry halted and Captain Saun-
ders, with my Cavalry, pushed con-
siderable farther and passed for
Americans, being dressed in green.
At one Plantation we took a number
of horses, and among the rest a very
fine stud horse, which I mounted and
rode for a few miles, when he at once
halted and I could hardly get him
along. He had not been rode for
many years, and I foundered him,
and was obliged to take to my former
horse. There was little to excite the
attention of the reader during our
stay.
We took up our quarters at Dor-
chester for some time. The people
from the back country coming in
daily and taking the Oath of Allegi-
ance, and before we left Charlestown
it was again to appearance a British
Colony. We soon left Charlestown
and sailed for New York. During
the passage I discovered there was a
negro man and woman on board, and
when we came to Staten Island I
landed with my men and horses whilst
the Regiment proceeded on and
joined Colonel Kuephausen, who was
4Hmtu0rripi nf <E0l0tt?l 3larma — Jtorn in 1T56
in the Jerseys, and during the ab-
sence of the Regiment, two men, who
it appeared had a claim on them for
their support at least, came to me and
said there was a man who wished to
purchase the negroes. My answer
was not to do anything without the
approbation of Mr. McGill, who was
the only officer then in the Garrison.
They obtained his approbation, and
they sold them, and the only hand I
had in the matter was to divide the
money between them, and I thought
nothing more of the matter for some
time.
British Soldiers Search for
Hidden Money on American Estates
During the forepart of the sea-
son we were incamped at Kings-
bridge, at a place called Odle's Hill,
where one day some of the soldiers in
finding a mouse under a stone they
were induced to search for more. At
last they undertook to turn over a
large one, and at last succeeded, when
there was the greatest shout and
scrabbling imaginable. There was a
deposit of money to the amount of
many hundreds of dollars, which was
soon distributed among the soldiers
according to their good fortune in
collecting what came within his grasp.
The money was claimed by Mr. Odle,
the proprietor of the farm, but he
got no satisfaction. Col. Simcoe
however told him if he had any more
money out of doors to bring it into
the house and it should be safe. He
went and pulled down a place in the
stone fence, and took out a jar full of
gold, the consequence of which was
that he had hardly a rod of stone wall
about his farm that was not examined
before daylight the next morning.
We remained in this situation until
the fate of Major Andre, where we
were waiting until his return to take
possession of the Fort at West Point,
when we were removed on to Long
Island, which we traversed from New
York until we arrived at East Hamp-
ton. Here we remained until our
Army evacuated Rhode Island, after
the French Fleet had returned from
that place, when the Queen's Rangers
retired as far as Oyster Bay ; the Cav-
alry remained at Satauket, under the
commanding of the Commanding
Officer of the 17th Dragoons. Here
again I met with the most discourag-
ing circumstances, and it was a won-
der how I escaped. I had been tak-
ing orders, and, as is the custom, was
proceeding to my officer's quarters to
show him the orders, when, after go-
ing some distance on my way, I heard
some person calling after me. I
turned around and saw an officer and
two men following me, and as they
came up to me the Officer said, "Is
this the man?" They replied "Yes,"
and without giving me time to reply.
Jealous English Officers Cause
Court Martial of American Recruit
I was ordered to the Guard House,
where I remained all night. How-
ever, I was released the next morn-
ing— thro the interference of my Offi-
cer. Some person had killed a hog
belonging to a Colonel Floid, and
these two men declared that I was the
person. I applied for a Court Mar-
tial to prove my innocence, but this I
did not obtain. Soon after we were
ordered to join the Regiment, and as
we came near the town of Oyster Bay,
I was sent forward to announce their
approach. As I entered the town, I
was congratulated by all the Officers
on my promotion. "I was not in or-
ders," they said, "but no doubt I
should be the next day, as they had
seen the orders from Headquarters."
I therefore proceeded to Colonel's
quarters with a delightful sensation,
expecting the same congratulation
from him, but alas it was quite a dif-
ferent reception that I met with, for
after I had delivered my message, he
with a stern countenance said to me,
"Young man, what is this you have
been doing? I understand you have
been selling negroes." Indeed, Sir, I
have not, I replied. Some of the men
458
An Am*riran'H
in % Inttalf Armg
have, not me, I assure you Sir. His
only reply was, "Go to your Troop,
Sir." I obeyed. The Cavalry was
camped at a village about two miles
from Oyster Bay. Imagine what my
feelings must have been at this mo-
ment, but I had yet a much greater
mortification still. The next day
there was a Court of Enquiry, a
Captain and two Subalterns. I was
examined; I told my story, as it hap-
pened, except how far Mr. McGill
was concerned, but one of the men
flatly told the Court that McGill had
given them leave to sell the negroes.
I was then again called and exam-
ined as to that fact. To this I refused
to answer. Whatever I have done I
must be the sufferer, for I would say
nothing that would in the least in-
jure Mr. McGill. "Captain Shank,
who was President of the Court,
urged me to say how far the story
given by the men was correct, for it
might do away with the charge
against myself, otherwise he feared it
would be the means of my losing my
promotion." I replied that I had
already said what I should say, let the
consequence be what it would. On
this the Court broke up, and what re-
port they made I never knew, but I
rather suspect that McGill must have
been examined, and denied giving any
such leave from what took place after-
wards. The next morning after the
men were assembled for the morning
parade, Colonel Simcoe called me to
him, and laying his head down on the
neck of his horse gave me one of the
most severe reprimands I believe man
ever received, and told me decidedly
"that I had lost my promotion and his
countenance forever. Go Sir and
join your Troop." I returned to my
duty more dead than alive. One of
the Officers, I think it was Mr. Mc-
Nab, was going to New York the
next day, and I took the opportunity
of writing my relation, a Mr. Jarvis
who was in the Commissarist, and in
my letter gave him a true statement of
facts, enjoining him to secrecy; that
he was not to divulge it until after my
death — for I determined the first ac-
tion that gave me opportunity, either
to sacrifice my life or retrieve my
character — at all events I do not think
I should long have survived. I lost
my appetite, and my sleep went from
me; my frame decayed, and in a few
days I was a complete skeleton.
One evening after parade was dis-
missed, both Mr. McGill and myself
were desired to attend the Colonel,
and after all the officers had retired,
he then taxed McGill of giving the
men liberty to sell the negroes, which
he denied. The Colonel then turned
to me and said, "Jarvis, did he not
give them leave?" I replied, No Sir.
He gave me one of those stem looks,
which spoke volumes, taking a letter
fiom his pocket handed it to me say-
ing, "Is not that your handwriting?"
I was thunderstruck, and it was some
time before I could answer. "Speak
Sir, speak, is that your letter?" and
"Is what you have stated true?" I
then answered, Sir it is my letter, and
since I must answer, the contents are
true, but Sir give me leave to say that
if I could have imagined that my
friend would have betrayed me and
the confidence that I had placed in
him, I would have suffered death be-
fore I would have wrote that letter
now in my hands. "Go to your
Troop," was his reply. What he said
to Mr. McGill I forbear mentioning.
Defeat of Conspiracy and
Promotion of American Soldier
Not long after this I was one even-
ing ruminating over my misfortunes,
in a retired part of our quarters, seat-
ed upon a stone in the dusk of the
evening, when I was accosted by a
voice familiar to me, and embracing
me round the neck at the same time,
saying, "Dear Jarvis, all is well again,
I am sent as a messenger of peace to
you, but you must keep it secret that
I give you the information. Captain
McKay has sent me to say to you that
your promotion will take place". I
459
0f (EnUwl Sfartrta — IStorn tn 1756
was so much overcome that it was
some time before I could speak, and
when I did, I said to McPherson.
don't sport with my wounded feel-
ings, I have already received my sen-
tence, and I shall not long survive it.
"I tell you Jarvis I have said noth-
ing but the truth." "Mind what I
have said, don't let it be known that
I gave you the good news." He then
left me and returned to his Company.
In a few days the Regiment again
marched and crossed over to Staten
Island, and took up our old quarters
at Richmond. The next morning I
saw my name in the orderly book as
QuarterMaster in Captain Saunders'
Troops, with orders for embarkation.
An expedition was formed under
General Leslie, of Virginia, and
amongst the Troops that composed
the Army was one Troop of the i/th
Light Dragoons, Captain Saunders,
Lieutenant Wellson, Cornet Merritt,
QuarterMaster Jarvis and a few men
of the old Troop of the Queen's Ran-
gers. Captain Saunders was former-
ly from Virginia and he went to that
place for the purpose of recruiting;
clothing, saddles and appointment
were placed under my care for the
completion of a full Troop of fifty
strong. We soon sailed and Captain
Saunders with the other Officers and
men landed at Norfolk, and marched
to that part of the country where he
had formerly resided. I was ordered
to remain with the baggage until fur-
ther orders. Captain Saunders, after
traversing the country, and procur-
ing a number of very fine horses, took
up his quarters at Kemp's Landing,
to which place I was ordered with the
baggage and stores. I had hardly
got into good quarters before we were
again ordered to march and we sup-
posed for, a short expedition only —
and a Company took possession of my
quarters in my absence, but was to
surrender them on my return, which
however never took place. We em-
barked for Charlestown, myself, men,
stores and horses in one vessel and the
Officers in another. On our leaving
Norfolk Captain Saunders had plun-
dered more horses than he was
allowed to put on board. He, there-
fore, distrubted them to his Officers
and among the rest, gave me a very
fine horse.
At sea we had very boisterous
weather, our vessel sprang a leak —
never so crazy a vessel went to sea.
To save our lives, I threw thirty
fine horses overboard, but saved every
Officer a horse. With great diffi-
culty we got safe into port; every
person was down working at the
pumps, and had it not been for a for-
tunate circumstance of having several
green ox hides on board, which we
cut up in strips, and the Captain lash-
ing himself over-board and nailing
the strips over the seams of the vessel,
by which means with great exertion
we could keep the water under, we
would have been lost. We arrived
safe at Charlestown, when Captain
Saunders with what men he had was
ordered to Georgetown. I was or-
dered to remain with the Stores, set
the sailors at work making new cloth-
ing for recruits and also to recruit,
but left no money with me to recruit
with. The consequence was, I never
recruited a man for him whilst I re-
mained in the Troop. He also took
the horse from me, with a promise to
give me another when I joined him
again, but as that was not the case I
lost my horse. About the time that
Captain Saunders went to George-
town, a party of Americans dashed
into the town, and made Colonel
Campbell of the King's American
Regiment, who quartered outside the
Garrison, a prisoner, and paroled him,
and retired without any other person
falling into their hands. There was
at the time a Captain Campbell who
was recruiting a Troop of Dragoons
at Georgetown, and who brought the
news of Colonel Campbell's capttare
to Charlestown. He wished to re-
main at Charlestown in some busi-
ness.
An Am*riran'fi
in % Srittalj Artng
He procured an order for me
to proceed to Georgetown, with the
orders vesting Captain Saunders with
the Command of the Garrison, and
giving Major Grant of the King's
Americans leave of absence. Captain
Campbell kept one horse, and sent his
servant with one as a guide. I pro-
ceeded on and met an escort at the
Santee, who conducted me to George-
town, where I delivered my dispatches
to Captain Saunders, and the next
morning returned in company with
Colonel Campbell and Major Grant
under an escort as far as the Santee
on our return. After our arrival at
Charlestown, Major Grant made me
a present of a little horse, of little
value, which I afterwards exchanged
with a Hessian Officer for a very
smart white pony. This enabled me
to ride about the country and amuse
myself, overseeing my squad of Tail-
ors at work, and at the same time in-
structing them in the carbine exer-
cise.
Experiences In Charge of
Uniforms of King's Fighters
Soon after this Captain Camp-
bell made another visit to Charles-
town, and was to take back with him
several suits of clothing, saddles and
appointments for some recruit Cap-
tain Saunders had obtained. They
were to go part of the way by water,
and I had them put on board for that
purpose, and called on Captain Camp-
bell to sign a voucher for them. He
flew in a violent passion, swore bit-
terly that he would do no such thing.
You won't Sir was my only reply, I
shall order them on shore again, and
left him for that purpose, but when
the men came on shore, and before the
things were landed, Captain Campbell
came down to the shore in company
with some of the Officers of the 7ist
Regiment, and I heard Captain Camp-
bell say to them that there was the
most obstinate fellow (meaning me)
he ever saw in his life, and mentioned
the circumstance. One of the gentle-
men replied in these words, "I'll tell
you what Campbell, the young gentle-
man knows his duty. Suppose on the
way, those appointments, etc. should
fall into the hands of the enemy, and
he should be called upon for a state-
ment of the stores in his charge, and
he could procure no vouchers, the
consequence would be that he would
be broke and dismissed the service."
After some explanation and a prom-
ise to indemnify me in case they
should be lost and to get Captain
Saunders' certificate and send me, I
ordered them on board the vessel
again, and I soon received Captain
Saunder's certificate of his receiving
them, and all was well. A short time
after this I was one day taking my
usual ride, I fell in with a Major Fra-
ser (he had formerly belonged to the
Rangers) who after the usual saluta-
tions said, "Jarvis, I am glad to fall
in with you. I have been wishing to
see you for some days." I wish I had
known it Major, I hope it was noth-
ing disagreeable, for of late I have
only got out on one difficulty to fall
into another." "No, I assure you."
he said. "It was on a subject I hope
much to your advantage." I am hap-
py to hear it I replied, as I have been
a useless animal for this some time
past, and I should like for some em-
ployment for the good of the service
than I am now engaged in. He then
said, "Captain Campbell has been
speaking with me, and requested me
to solicit you to accept a Lieutenancy
in his Troop."
Commanding Cavalry and procuring
Sheep for British Soldiers
This was a matter so unexpected
that I could hardly think him in
earnest, and then mentioned the
circumstance which happened at our
last interview. "Perhaps that is
the very cause why he is so desirous
for you to join him." After some
enquiry on what establishment his
Troop was raised, and his advice how
he thought I should act on a matter
0f Ofolmtri Slanrta— Inrn tn
of such consequence, he "advised me
to write to my Commanding Officer,
who no doubt would give me such ad-
vice as would be acceptable to me,"
and if he gives you leave, I advise you
by all means to accept of Captain
Campbell's offer." I wrote to Cap-
tain Saunders, received a favorable
answer, called on Captain Campbell,
who went with me to the Inspector
General's office, had my warrant
made out and put in General orders
until the Commander-in-Chief should
signify his pleasure, to whom a rec-
ommendation was sent, and which
was by him confirmed. Captain
Campbell furnished me with plenty of
money, and I earnestly set about re-
cruiting, and in a short time we mus-
tered twenty-six Dragoons with
which number we were ordered to
take the field, after procuring horses
and appointments. This was at the
time that Lord Rawden fought the
Americans and defeated them at Cam-
den, and the first service I performed
was to escort Colonel Balfour to the
Santee where we met Lord Rawden.
After having an interview with his
and after having an interview with his
Lordship, we returned to Charlestown
and his Lordship, after disposing of
his sick and wounded, proceeded with
the Army to relieve our post at
Ninety-Six which was closely be-
seiged by the Americans. In the
meantime, a re-inforcement of three
Regiments arrived from England, the
3rd, iqth and 3Oth Regiments. The
1 9th Regiment, Captain Saunders'
Troop, which had been removed from
Georgetown, and Captain Campbell's
Troop were ordered to Monks' Cor-
ner to relieve the Garrison there, who
went on to join Lord Rawden. At
this point the Commissary, who
wished to join his Lordship, invested
me as Commissary, and gave me pos-
session of the Stores, and for some
time I was both Commissary and
Commanding Officer of the Cavalry,
and during that period I marched into
the country and procured a large
drove of beefs and sheep for the
Army, which so pleased General
Coats who commanded, that he urged
me strongly to take a commission in
his Regiment, but for sundry motives,
not worth mentioning here, I de-
clined. I continued for some weeks
to perform this double duty, but
found too fatiguing to discharge both.
I wrote to the Commissary General
to send a person to relieve me. At
this time we were re-inforced with
the South Carolina Regiment, who
for their gallant conduct at Camden,
were made Cavalry. This re-inforce-
ment made the Cavalry of great con-
sequence at this post, and we had
soon an opportunity to try our mettle.
Scouting with Redcoat Dragoons
on Trail of Americans
General Coats had received intelli-
gence that the enemy intended an
attack upon our position at two places
at the same time, and in a very short
period. I was sent for by the Gen-
eral, who directed me to take four
Dragoons and a few Militia and pro-
ceed on the road that lead to Charles -
town, and go until I should fall in
with the enemy, if they were between
Monks' Corner and Goose Creek. I
set off a little before sunset in a heavy
shower of rain, and before I had pro-
ceeded far found that my Militia men
had left me, and I was reduced to my
four Dragoons, but as my object was
intelligence more than fighting I pro-
ceeded on. I soon discovered six or
eight men advancing towards me,
and when they came to a certain dis-
tance, challenged me. I said a friend.
"What friend?" To the King. At
this declaration one of them dis-
mounted and placed his rifle across
his horse. I charged, his rifle missed
fire. He mounted and with his com-
rades dashed into the woods. I soon
came up with him, and by a well di-
rected stroke laid him in the dust. I
ordered my man to secure him, and
push forward after the rest. I had
nearly overtaken another, when my
462
An Ammran'a
in tip Iritialf Army.
horse, unfortunately, got entangled in
a grape vine, and the man escaped ; as
the day was so far spent, I could not
see to pursue the enemy any further.
I set to camp with my prisoner, and
gave him up to the General. He con-
firmed the information before re-
ceived. It was my turn for duty that
night, and my orders were to patrol
on the road leading to the Santee, and
I did so, but discovered none of the
enemy during the night, but in the
morning about sunrise I discovered
that a large body of men had ap-
proached near the Garrison, and had
taken off the road to gain our right
flank. I galloped back as fast as I
could, but before I reached the Camp
the enemy had drove in our Sentinels,
and were destroying the bridge to
prevent our retreat on that route, and
then they retraced their steps and
took up their position on the road that
lead to the Santee. We remained
idle during the fore part of the day,
but hearing that the American Horse
were at a plantation, and their horses
were running loose about the field,
Major Fraser, of the. South Carolina
Dragoons, was ordered with the
whole Cavalry to proceed and recon-
noiter the Troop. I commanded (for
Captain Campbell was absent) led,
except the advance guard commanded
by an Officer. We soon came in
sight of the enemy and charged. The
Officer with the advance — his horse
fell and threw his rider — I said to
Major Fraser, I'll take charge of the
advance, did not wait to hear any
reply, but set off. I rode a very fleet
horse and soon gained the advance,
and pressed hard on the enemy, who
left the road and took the woods. I
soon came up with one, and my Cor-
poral on the other side, and we both
made a blow at the same time and
gave the fellow his quarters. I heard
a shout in my rear, looked round, and
found myself in the rear of a large
body of the enemy. In wheeling my
horse round I broke my stirrup
leather and came to the ground.
463
Encounter with Revolutionists
and a Flag of Truce
However I recovered my seat and
then pressed to regain the front of the
enemy, or I must be taken prisoner,
and I was indebted to the fleetness of
my horse for my escape. I had nearly
gained the front of the enemy before
they discovered me, and they called
me to surrender; not yet, thinks I, a
little more running first. I found I
gained fast upon our Troops, who
were retreating in good order. I re-
covered the roads a few rods in front
of the enemy. They fired several
shots after me without injury. We
met our Infantry with a piece of ord-
nance. We wheeled about and
checked the enemy, and then retired
to Camp. By this time our piquet at
the bridge leading to Charlestown
were attacked, and I was ordered to
direct Captain Bell, who commanded,
to retire, which he did with no other
loss than one of his Officers slightly
wounded in the arm, which he was
very fond of carrying in a sling for a
long time after. We remained until
night, when we burned our stores, and
commenced our retreat through a bye
road that the enemy had no knowl-
edge of. During the night the
Troops got separated, and the wag-
gons which were heavily loaded broke
down one after the other. Captain
Campbell, Paymaster of the iQth Reg-
iment, with the Military chest fell into
the enemy's hands, with all the heavy
baggage of the Regiment. We pro-
ceeded on until daylight, when we
took up a position at a plantation,
flanked by a navigable stream, over
which there was a bridge which we
passed, and placed a piece of cannon
to guard the bridge. The Cavalry
had unbridled their horses at the plan-
tation, and the Infantry began to
cook their breakfast. The enemy
charged over the bridge and cut the
sentry at the cannon down, and then
dashed into the wood. The igth fell
in, some without their coats; great
confusion ensued, and they began to
nf
Sarute — Horn m IfSfi
give ground. The Cavalry mounted
and really forced them to face the en-
emy. Major Eraser then had some
consultation with General Coats, took
advantage of a high field of corn, and
set off and left the igth to their fate,
and pushed for Charlestown, got a
re-inforcement and returned to look
after the iQth Regiment, who after we
left them General Coats drew up his
men in the open field, and waited for
the enemy, who came on and were re-
pulsed several times, and at last re-
treated over the bridge, and sent a
flag of truce for leave to bury their
dead. Had the Cavalry been with
the General, on the retreat of the en-
emy, we might no doubt have made a
glorious day of it, but so it was — they
lost all their baggage, but had gained
their credit, which in some measure
they had tarnished in the morning.
I had made up my mind that they
would all have been taken prisoners.
A Loyalist and a Patriot
in Death Duel on Battlefield
We all marched to Charlestown and
in a few days Captain Campbell's
Troop were drafted into the South
Carolina Regiment, but before this
took place, the Regiment had taken
a Colonel Haines, who was executed
as a traitor. Captain Saunders also
with his and Captain Campbell's
Troop made an excursion into the
country and attacked a body of the
enemy at Snipe's Plantation — we ap-
proached the place at sunrise in the
morning, found the gate leading to
the house secured with a large ox
chain, and the fences each side made
very strong, which it took some time
to demolish under a heavy fire from
the enemy. We at last succeeded,
and the enemy retreated back into a
large rice field, where they were over-
taken and very few of them escaped
with their lives, and only one man
taken prisoner, who was so shame-
fully mangled that we could not bring
him away — one of the enemy, who
had nearly gained a wood, discovered
that no person was following him but
myself, waited for me, and when I
had got at a certain distance, levelled
his rifle. I expected at least he would
have killed my horse. To turn from
him was to me certain death. I
therefore dashed towards him. He
fired and missed me and my horse,
and before he could raise his rifle he
was a dead man. We returned to
our quarters with a few horses which
we had taken. We were now sta-
tioned at Dorchester, twenty miles
from Charlestown, with some Troops
of Infantry. Captain Campbell's
Troop now became a part of the
South Carolina Regiment and we
with some Hessian Troops and the
3<Dth Regiment formed a body of
Troops for an expedition towards.
Georgia.
The remaining pages of this re-
markable manuscript reveal an aston-
ishing story of conditions in the Brit-
ish Army, and relate many incidents
hitherto unknown to American his-
tory. The experiences of Colonel
Jarvis of Connecticut as a fighter in
the King's ranks against his own
countrymen, for the sake of his fath-
er's principles and his own, is one ^f
the most important documents of the
period. Its closing pages will be re-
corded in another chapter.
SONNET BY HORACE HOLLEY
Covertly in music is a cry
And hidden in the slow fine toil of brush
A stifled eagerness, an untaught rush
Of soul to voice a passion and to die;
Unsought, unbid, an outlawed legacy,
A sudden shriek that stabs the brooding hush
But slinks away at its own nudity
And chokes the fountain's fierce extorted gush.
Toe like a lonely warrior on the field
Who seeks a fair opponent for his lance,
But finds all knights are stooping in a dance
And stilled the ancient sturdy clang of shield.
So as his untamed sword will never tame
Undrawn he bears it from their sluggard shame.
464
PILOT OF FIRST WHITE iMEN TO CROSS AMERICAN
•CONTINENT— STATI-K or *ACAJAWEA BY
BRUNO Louis Zixx, SCTLITOR
INDIAN GIRL GUIDING EXPLORERS OVER ROCKY
MOUNTAINS— SACAJAWEA AND HER PAPOOSE
BAPTISTE— BY BRDNO Louis ZIMM
Pilot flf 3tet Htfit? Mm to
tlje Ammratt OJntttttumt
J&rntifiraticn
nt' llir jluiiiau o'url mlm Crb
ihr Cruna auii (Clark txyrfiitum onrr
iljr Rorkg fflmmtaina in Ihrtr llnparallrlrfc Knurnry
into tljr ffiijatrrira nf Ihr Ulratrrn HSnrlb ^ Hrrnnnition 0f
aa ttfr Wuman uilin (Buifcrb thr Explurrra tn tltr Nrui (Solftrn tutpirr
BY
GRACE RAYMOND HEBARD. PH.D.
LIBRARIAN OF THK UNIVERSITY OP WYOMINO
MEMBER OP WYOMING HISTORICAL SOCIETY
MEMBER op THE WYOMING BAR
most hazardous and the
JL most significant journey
ever made on the West-
W I ern Continent — a journey
that rivals in daring and
exceeds in importance the
expeditions of Stanley
and Livingstone in the wilds of Africa
— a journey that resulted in the great-
est real estate transaction ever record-
ed in history and gaVe to the world a
riches beyond comprehension — was
piloted by a woman.
It was an epoch-making journey ; a
journey that moved the world along;
that pushed the boundary of the
United States from the Mississippi
river to the Pacific ; that gave us the
breadth of the hemisphere from ocean
to ocean ; the command of its rivers
and harbors ; the wealth of its moun-
tains and plains and valleys — a do-
minion vast and rich enough for the
ambition of kings.
When this woman led those first
hardy explorers into the wonders of
an unknown realm its solitudes were
unbroken, except by the war-whoop
of the savage and the growl of wild
beasts echoing through the forests.
The buffalo and wild horse roamed at
will over its vast prairies — the stately
elk, the timid deer, and the sprightly
antelope. The bear and the wolf
were monarchs of the forest. Its
M rnery is the grandest on earth : IN
natural curiosities the most remarka-
ble in existence, and its river courses
tlu- longest in the world.
In honor of this Indian girl, Saca-
467
jawea, the only woman who accom-
panied the Lewis and Clark expedi-
tion into the northwest an hundred
years ago, memorials are being
erected. A bill was introduced in the
Wyoming Legislature in February,
1907, carrying with it an appropria-
tion of $500 for the erection of a mon-
ument to mark the last resting-place
of this woman pilot, the amount asked
for purposely corresponding to the
amount given Charboneau by Lewis
and Clark, at Mandan in 1806. The
Legislature of Xorth Dakota has re-
cently, 1907, appropriated the sum of
$15,000.00 for a foundation and ped-
estal for a Sacajawean statue to be
made by Mr. Leonard Crunelle. This
is to be erected at Bismark. There is,
also, a project on foot in Montana to
erect a monument at Three Forks in
memory of this woman. Although
the governor of Wyoming earnestly
recommended to the Legislature in his
message an appropriation, the meas-
ure failed to become a law, due doubt-
less to the fact that sentiment for the
measure had not been sufficiently
aroused and a keen enough interest in
the subject awakened. When the
measure was presented for passage, it
developed that one member of the
Legislature had known not only the
children of Sacajawea but also their
mother.
The grave of Sacajawea has re-
cently been found, and her identity
is established by newlv discovered evi-
dence herein recorded :
Woman
to
®O have one's deeds ex-
tolled after a century has
passed, when they were
hardly recognized when
executed, has been the
common fate particularly
of that class of individu-
als known as explorers ; for the ser-
vice rendered must be subjected to the
test of time and the benefits derived
as a result of the exploration must be
carefully weighed before applause
may be adequately given.
The only woman who accompanied
Lewis and Clark across the Continent
to the Pacific Coast during the sea-
sons of 1804-6, did not in her life time
icceive any personal recognition of
the services she rendered these ex-
plorers during their unparalleled
journey to the then unknown great
Northwest. But the century that has
passed since that event has brought a
keener appreciation of her services
from those who have taken interest to
examine and unravel records of her
deeds as a genius of a guide. This
woman was a Shoshone Indian who
wras known by the name of Saca-
jawea.1 As she was a wife of a French
interpreter, Touissant Charboneau,
conventionality might demand that
she be known as Mrs. Charboneau ;
but we prefer to call her more famil-
iarly by her tribal name, because it
was her native instincts and intelli-
gence that gave her a place in history
lather than that she was the wife of
an interpreter. The story of the part
that Sacajawea played in this conti-
nental expedition is as fascinating as
a piece of knighthood fiction ; that it
is history adds to the charm.
Wyoming was not traversed by
these explorers either on the journey
to the coast or on the return, yet it
claims the distinction of having had
this Indian woman guide a resident
within its borders for many years and
i. Reverend John Roberts, missionary
to Shoshone Indians. Wyoming, for
twenty-five years, gives the pronunciation
as Sak-a-jawe. The a as in far. Last a
silent.
holds now all that is mortal of this
"native born American." The facts
leading to the establishment beyond
doubt of the identity of the Wyoming
woman with that of the woman guide
are presented in detail now for the
first time. This statement of identity
has been met with ridicule, doubt, sus-
picion, denial. Ridicule has been
turned to consideration ; doubt to be-
lief ; suspicion to admission ; denial to
acceptance for fact after fact has been
presented and corroborated by those
of unquestioned integrity.
Sacajawea's life has two periods:
that about which we know ; that about
which nothing can be learned. It is
this latter period that has been the
stumbling block, "the winter of our
discontent." We see her in the vigor
of her splendid young womanhood ;
she disappears as mysteriously as she
appeared ; when she again is visible
it is as the aged Sacajawea, white-
haired and well preserved, whose fatal
ailment could only be attributed to
"old age."
When Lewis and Clark with their
party of men. in the fall of 1804,
reached the Mandan Indian Villages,
not far from the present site of Bis-
mark, North Dakota, they engaged
an Indian interpreter who was to
accompany them in the spring on their
farther western voyage. This French
Canadian interpreter, Charboneau,
had at that time at least two wives,
Sacajawea, the younger, having been
sold to him as a slave when she was a
child of five years. When he made
her his wife she was about fourteen
years old. The following year, Feb-
ruary nth, 1805, she gave birth to a
son who was destined to occupy a
unique position in the expedition
which continued its western journey
on the seventh of April of that same
year. Sacajawea strapped her little
papoose, not yet two months old, on
her back and' practically carried him
in this cuddled position, with his view
of the surrounding country limited to
what he could see from over his moth-
er's shoulder, to the coast and return,
pint of 3firsi Mljite Mm to (EroHa Amerira
a distance of over 5,000 miles. This
youthful traveler has been known as
"Little Touissant," "Little Charbo-
neau," but he was called "Baptiste"
by Clark and also at various other
times when, grown older, he in his
turn acted as guide, for he possessed
the native instincts and cleverness
characteristic of his mother. It is as
"Baptiste" that he was known at the
time of his death and his children have
taken this as their family name.
A century ago the Shoshone In-
dians made their home around and
along the Snake river in Idaho, just
west of the Bitter Root Mountains,
or, as they are now called, the Rock-
ies. It was in this locality that the
Minnetarees, or Blackfeet, swept
clown and, in mighty battle, slew many
of the Shoshones, taking others into
captivity. At this time Sacajawea,
with a girl friend, was stolen and
taken over the mountains toward the
East. The girl friend escaped but
Sacajawea was forced to the Mandan
Village and sold. In journeying
west with Lewis and Clark from the
Mandans, in the spring of 1805, Saca-
jawea became more and more con-
scious that the country over which
they were going was that over which
she had been taken when in captivity
five years previous, and when, after
traveling many days, no one of the
expedition knew where he was or the
true direction to pursue, the party de-
pended entirely upon the instincts and
guidance of the Indian woman. The
homing bird knew the direction was
right, but intelligence had not yet
awakened.
At this time Sacajawea was not
only helpful as a guide, but also ren-
dered invaluable service on May four-
teenth, when her husband, through
his clumsiness, turned over the canoe
containing all of the papers, instru-
ments, medicine and almost every
other article indispensable to the jour-
ney, without which it would have
Uvn impossible to proceed. Had
these properties been lost it would
have been necessary to retrace three
469
PURE TYPE OF THE SHOSHONE GIRL
Virginia Grant, a pupil at the Carlisle Indian
School in Pennsylvania, posing for Sculptor
Zitnm's statue of Sacajawea— The papoose on
Sacajawea's back is modelled from the child
of William Sitting Bull, son of the Sioux chief
thousand miles in order to replenish
the destroyed goods, which require-
ment in itself would have postponed
the journey for at least a year. At
the risk of her own life and that of
her child, Sacajawea plunged into the
stream, righted the boat, rescued the
papers and packages that already
were floating down the stream. Sev-
eral days after this when a new river
was discovered, Lewis and Clark
named it after her. It is now known
as Crooked Creek.2
In the summer of 1805 the party
camped on the exact spot, the junc-
tion of the Jefferson, Madison and
Gallatin rivers, where Sacajawea had
been captured.3 From this point on she
2. Montana.
3. Gass' Journal, page 114 (Hosmer's
Edition).
Woman WIn IGro
to (Soloen W?st
recognized familiar landmarks and
the path to the West became more and
more a matter of memory rather than
of instinct. She found for Clark the
pass in the mountain through which
the party went, on the other side en-
countering what threatened to be hos-
tile Indians. These Indians, the Sho-
shones. thought their old enemy, the
IMuckfeet, had returned to renew their
war. Lewis advanced on horseback
alone, having discovered an Indian
chief with bow and arrows on an ele-
gant horse without saddle. This In-
dian proved to be a Cameahwait, the
chief of the Shoshone tribe. Lewis
took his blanket which he had in his
knapsack and after holding it up with
both hands by two corners, threw it
over his head unfolded so to appear
as if he were trying to spread it on the
ground. This was a signal of peace
to signify that it was to serve as a seat
for a distinguished guest and is the
usual sign of friendliness among In-
dians of the West. At the same time
Lewis kept calling "tabba bone,"4
which, as taught to them by Saca-
jawea, signifies "white man." While
doing these things he rolled up his
sleeves to show the white skin of his
arms, for the many months of sun and
weather had tanned both face and
hands to the color of an Indian.
A few days after this event Clark,
who with Charboneau and Sacajawea
had explored another region, made his
appearance ; upon his approach
toward the Indians Sacajawea com-
menced to dance with joy and excite-
ment and sucked her ringers which
was to indicate that the warriors in
place of being hostile were of her own
tribe. She at once discovered her
treasured girl friend whom she em-
braced with the most "tender affec-
tion" and to her infinite delight recog-
nized in the chief her long-lost
brother. The Lewis and Clark Jour-
nals speak of the most ardent manner
in which the feelings of the brother
4. Lewis and Clark Journals, Volume
I, page 379 (Hosmer's Edition).
and sister were expressed. Saca-
jawea threw her blanket over him and
with her head on his shoulder "wept
profusely." Here she learned that all
of her family had died except two
brothers and a son of her eldest sis-
ter, "a small boy, who was immedi-
ately adopted by her:' This last
fact, insignificant as it may appear,
proves a strong point in establishing
Sacajawea's identity. There is no
record to show what became of this
boy after adoption, whether he went
en with the party or whether on its
return he went with his adopted
mother to the Mandan Villages. Xo
record can be traced of him from that
time until recent years when we find
him living as the brother of Baptiste
and son of Sacajawea, he being
known as Bazil.
Sacajawea was home again, not to
stay, however, for she never hesitated
in her choice to continue with the
white man's party rather than to be
reunited with her tribe. The expedi-
tion at this point purchased horses
which were absolutely necessary for
the continuance of the journey, as the
canoes which had done service to this
point now had to be abandoned and
the journey made overland until the
waters of the Columbia became navi-
gable. Sacajawea discovered a plot
which was to drive the horses away
that had been purchased from her
brother and leave the expedition
stranded, with the alternate of having
to return by boat or press forward on
foot, an impossible task owing to the
scarcity of food. Here again she
made herself valuable by giving infor-
mation to Lewis and Clark, even
though she had to testify to the
treachery of her own brother and his
people.
Charboneau was the interpreter, she
the guide, though many times she had
to come to his rescue. One interest-
ing circumstance will illustrate this
important service. There was a con-
5. Lewis and Clark Journals, Volume
I, page 408 (Hosmer's Edition).
470
plot 0f 3Btr0t MIftte Mm 10 (ErnBH Ammra
troversy in which two chiefs were im-
plicated over some horses, at a time
when the possession of horses meant
success or failure. These chiefs,
Twisted-Hair and Xeeshnepahkeeook
(Cut Nose), were of the Chopunn
tribe. One of Lewis and Clark's men
took the wording of the trial in Fng-
lish and turned the English into
French for Charboneau. who trans-
lated this French into Ilidatsa for
Sacajawea, while Sacajawea gave
this Hidatsa in Shoshonc to the Sho-
shone prisoner, who in turn adapted
this Shoshone to Chopunnish for the
contesting Indian chiefs. A recital
of all of the service that this Indian
woman rendered to the expedition
would require a daily extract from the
Lewis and Clark Journals, for it was
as constant as it was unselfish.
How Lewis and Clark who selected
all of the men who were to accompany
them for varied and special qualifica-
tions which would best and most mis-
cellaneously serve the expedition,
failed to include some one of the med-
ical profession or one skilled in surgi-
cal science is a matter quite beyond
comprehension. Along these lines,
however, Sacajawea added to her
value, for her native and secret
knowledge of medicinal herbs and
plants and their curative properties
was of extreme worth in time of sick-
ness. Again it is difficult to imagine
when starvation seemed to be the only
outcome what would have been the
result if she had not concocted messes
made from seeds and plants and had
not known of the riches stored away
in the prairie dog holes where were
found artichokes as valuable as pota-
toes. The coast was finally reached
December 7, 1805, where the party
made winter quarters at Clatsop. four
thousand, one hundred and thirty-five
miles from St. Louis, the starting
point.
March, 1806, found the party ready
to retrace the many weary miles.
The entire party that left Mandan
reached that point in August of this
same year. At this point we must
GREAT - GREAT - GRANDDAUGHTER OF
SACAJAWEA — Indian Woman, Eunice Bazil,
photographed in her native costume on the Sho-
shone Reservation for Dr. Hebard's identification
of the Lost Pilot of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
into the Unknown Northwestern American Frontier
abandon the exploring party and con-
fine ourselves to the movements of the
actors who are most vitally connected
with the history of our Indian Prin-
cess, for such a title she could have
rightfully claimed through her royal
blood. Charboneau received from
Lewis and Clark for his services the
sum of $500 and a few odd cents.
There is no record to show that Saca-
jawea received any compensation by
gift or word. It is true we find the
following in the journal : "This man
(Charboneau) has been very service-
Unman
tn
able to us, and his wife particularly
useful among the Shoshones. Indeed
she has borne with a patience truly
admirable the fatigues of so long a
route incumbered with the charge of
an infant, who is even now only nine-
teen months old. She was very ob-
servant. She had a good memory,
remembering locations not seen since
her childhood. In trouble she was
full of resources, plucky and deter-
mined. With her helpless infant she
rode with the men, guiding us unerr-
ingly through mountain passes and
lonely places. Intelligent, cheerful,
resourceful, tireless, faithful, she in-
spired us all."
The finding of letters written a
hundred years ago shows that Saca-
jawea was more keenly appreciated
than we had been led to believe. This
evidence was first made public by an
article in the Century Magazine,6 the
letter having been written August 20,
1806, by Clark on his voyage down
the river after leaving Mandan.
"CHARBONO:7
You have been a long time with me
and have conducted yourself in such a man-
ner as to gain my friendship. Your woman
who accompanied you that long, dangerous
and fatiguing rout to the Pacific Ocean
and back diserved a greater reward for her
attention and services on the rout than we
had in our power to give her at the Alan-
dans."
No further attention was paid to
this woman, not even in the accounts
that have been published by those who
made the journey, until the time of
the St. Louis Fair, called the Louisi-
ana Purchase Exposition, in 1904;
and later at the Lewis and Clark Ex-
positon in 1905, at Portland, Oregon.
Mrs. Eva Emery Dye attracted atten-
tion to this pilot of the West in her
book, "The Conquest," in which she
has extolled not unduly the devotion
of the little woman to the cause of
Lewis and Clark on their marvelous
trip. Mr. Bruno Louis Zimm, the
New York sculptor, in his preparation
for the modelling of a statue for the
St. Louis Fair spent a year in study-
ing the literature and ethnology in-
volved in this subject. When the
time came for him to procure a model
typical of the woman of the Shoshone
tribe he was instructed to correspond
with Reverend John Roberts of the
Shoshone Reservation in Wyoming
where he had preached and worked as
a missionary for a quarter of a cen-
tury. This reservation is located in
the center of the state, having been
the home of Indians for many genera-
tions. Mr. Roberts directed Mr.
Zimm's attention to one of the young
Shoshone women, Virginia Grant,
who was at that time and is at pres-
ent a student at the Carlisle Indian
School. She is pronounced to be de-
cidedly typical of this tribe.
6. Volume LXVIII, page 876.
7. Captain Clark not only spelled pho-
netically, but evidently early anticipated the
spelling reform movement.
DESCENDANTS OF THE INDIAN PILOT—
The four in the back row from left to right are
Maggie Meyers, daughter of Baptiste, the son of
Sacajawea— Charlie Meyers, son of Maggie Meyers
—Charlie Meyers' wife who is not a blood relative
of Sacajawea— George Bazil (We-to-gan), son of
Baptiste — The front row from left to right are
Nannie Bazil, daughter of George Bazil— Fannie
Meyers, daughter of Charles Meyers— Willie Bazil,
son of George Bazil -Little Bessie and Oro Meyers,
the daughter and young son of Charles Meyers
of Jfftrat Mljto Men to (Urnaa Ammra
In the correspondence incident to
obtaining the desired information Mr
Roberts in a personal interview with
the author of this article imparted
long-sought information which car-
ries with it substantial evidence of its
authenticity. After Mr. Roberts had
been informed that the purpose of this
photograph of Virginia Grant was to
assist in modelling a statue of the
woman who gave Lewis and Clark
guidance across the mountains it
freshened his memory to the extent
that he remembered burying a very
old Indian woman during the first
years in his field of labor in Wyom-
ing. Upon examination of his parish
records, which he had carefully kept
since assuming his duties with the
Shoshone Indians, he found this nota-
tion under date of 1884, April 9,
"Bazil's mother, Shoshone, one
hundred years, residence Shoshone
Agency, cause of death, old age, place
of burial, Burial Ground Shoshone
Agency." Mr. Roberts on January 8,
1906, while attending a funeral of one
of Chief Washakie's grandsons, heard
a great wailing as .is the Shoshone
custom, for they mourn with a great
and very sore lamentation, and ob-
served one of Sacajawea's grand-
daughters standing over her grave
"giving away to her grief in great
wailing." This cemetery or burial
ground is a forty-acre tract fenced in
with a very strong and lasting fence
of cedar posts and twisted barbed
wire on either side of the posts and
twisted together between posts. Only
a slight slab marks Sacajawea's grave.
The proper marking of this grave
should have immediate attention while
he who buried her can identify the ex-
GREAT - GREAT - GRANDCHILDREN OF
SACAJAWEA— These photographs were recently
taken on the Shoshone Reservation during Dr.
Hebard's investigations and they picture the des-
cendants of the Indian Guide in native life— The
older Indian woman on the left is Mrs Charles
Meyers and to the right is Eunice Bazil— The three
little ones on the left are Fannie, Bessie and Oro
Meyers-The boy and girl at the right are Willie
and Nannie Bazil, children of George Bazil
473
act locality. This woman was known
in the Shoshone valley as Sacajawea
and had two sons called Bazil and
Baptiste, both of whom were person-
ally known by Reverend Roberts.
Old Indians now living testified to
him that in her earlier life Sacajawea
was "very nice looking ;" short of
stature, spare of figure, very intelli-
gent and quick in her movements.
Reverend Roberts stated that Saca-
jawea in 1883 was wonderfully active
and intelligent considering her great
age. She walked alone and was
bright to the last. She had no sick-
ness but was found dead one morning
April 9, 1884, on her "shake-down"
of blankets and quilts in her tepee.
In the afternoon of the same day she
received a Christian burial. This
woman was illiterate, but spoke
French as well as did her two sons.
Although Shoshones claim nephews
as sons and will not admit any adop-
tion, yet, for thirty-four years at least
there had been a rumor, amounting to
a statement of facts, that Bazil was
not Sacajawea's own son but was a
nephew and had been adopted. This
is a crucial point in the case because
it was a puzzling fact that this son
Bazil should be older than Baptiste
(Bat-tees as pronounced by the In-
dian) who was the child carried on the
ffl0man
tn
mother's back during the journey to
the coast, Baptiste being then her only
son, hence the oldest. We must refer
again to the Lewis and Clark Jour-
nals, page 408, Volume I, to that sin-
gle line — "a son of her eldest sister, a
small boy. who was immediately
adopted by her." Had the child been
a baby, or papoose he would not have
been a "small boy." These few words
furnish convincing explanation why
the older son was not the one Saca-
jawea took with her and why there
was a family tradition that Bazil was
adopted. Bazil and Baptiste both
told Mr. Roberts that Baptiste was the
child that was carried to the coast.
This isolated piece of evidence about
the adoption and the child so adopted
being older than her own child is not
one generally remembered or noticed.
As it appears in the Journal it has no
significance and that child is never
mentioned again so far as can be as-
certained.
Again, the name of "Baptiste" has
been a stumbling block, because the
little papoose was known in history
for a century as "Little Touissant,"
or "Touissiant Charboneau" or "Lit-
tle Charboneau," and so that when
we introduce into the romantic his-
tory an aged man with an entirely
new and foreign name there is cer-
tainly a demand for an explanation
and a reconciliation of facts. If we
will go back to the spring of 1805,
Sunday, April 7, when Lewis and
Clark engaged their additional men at
the Mandan Village we find the name
Baptiste Lapage.8 This man at that
time was living at the locality where
Charboneau and Sacajawea made
their home or headquarters. As they
were friends and companions it is not
improbable or unlikely that his first
name was given the first child of the
French Canadian interpreter. There
is no mention of this child's name in
all of the journals and accounts that
have been printed about the journey.
But in going over the private papers
8. Lewis and Clark Journals. Volume
I. page 190.
of Captain Clark the letter before
mentioned contains more valuable in-
formation than that before cited. A
portion reads as follows:
"As to your little son (my boy Pomp)
you well know my fondness for him and
my anxiety to take and raise him as my
own child. I once more tell you if you
will bring your son Bapticst, 1 will educate
him, etc." . . . "with anxious expecta-
tions of seeing my little dancing boy Bap-
tiest, I remain your friend.
WILLIAM CLARK."
This letter was written in 1806 and
never was known to the public until
1904, yet for thirty-five years at the
least prior to the latter date. Saca-
jawea's own son was known as Bap-
tiste. Incredibility cannot attach to
this point in the evidence, for the facts
are substantiated by a hundred living
witnesses as to the name by which the
son had been called by his mother, for
thirty or thirty-five years. Documen-
tary evidence shows further that Cap-
tain Clark was true to his promise and
had little Touissant Charboneau and
Sacajawea come to St. Louis where
the boy was placed in a Catholic
school, the teaching being in French,
the language of his father. We find
in Captain Clark's account as Indian
Commissioner, to which office he was
appointed by the president after his
return from the West, items under
date of 1820, covering expenses for
school books, shoes and other things
for a boy. This account appears in
the name of Touissant Charboneau,
doubtless our interpreter rather than
the son. His boy was born in 1805,
hence was fifteen years old at this
period of his education. Baptiste and
Bazil, we must remember, spoke Sho-
shone, French and English.
The descendants of Bazil scorn the
idea of having any French blood in
them and claim onlv the blue blood of
the American Indian and there is
strong evidence that they are right in
their assertion. There is nothing to
show that Sacajawea's sister, the
mother of Bazil, ever saw a man other
than the Indian. The descendants of
Baptiste look like mixed blood and
plot nf First Wljite Ufon In (Etnas Ammra
THE RESTING PLACE OF THE BRAVE INDIAN GIRL PILOT
Photograph taken at the grave of Sacajawea in the Shoshone Indian Agency cemetery at Wind River,
Wyoming, for Dr Hebard's investigations— The older girl is Eunice Bazil, great-granddaughter of Bazil,
and she is standing at the head of the grave which is marked only by a short stick and low mound— The
smaller girl is Bessie Meyers, great-great-granddaughter of Sacajawea and she stands at foot of grave
act as such, associating more with
whites than Indians usually do. They
have acted as guides in earlier days
and as United States police later, in-
termixing with whites and Mexicans.
A son of Baptiste told Mr. Roberts
that his father often told him that his
grandmother had carried his father
(Baptiste) when a babe on her back
at the time she showed the way to
"The first Washington" across the
Crow Indian Country to the "Big
Water toward the Setting Sun :" that
I'.aptiste's father (Charboneau) died
"long ag<>" near the site of the present
White Rocks Ute-Agency, Utah, and
that he had a lot of papers that were
burnt at his funeral.
The name Sacajawea, according to
Reverend Roberts, who has made a
careful study of the Shoshone lan-
guage for the quarter of a century he
has worked with this tribe, is derived
from Sac — canoe or boat or raft ; a —
the, jaii'e — launcher. It is a pure
Shoshone name. Had the word been
spelt sac-a-dza-we-a ( pronunciation
almost identical with the former
word), it would have meant, if a Sho-
shone word. Sac, which one? a, the,
</C(j. good, TC't'd. gap, or mountain, or
pass, "which one is the good pass?"
The oldest Shoshone and also Saca-
jawea's descendants state that her
name was "\Vadze-wipe" (Lost
Woman), Bah-ribo, (Water-White
Unman
tn
Man) and Boo-e-nive, (Grass Maid-
en). Most Shoshones have several
names. If it be true that the name
Sacajawea is not Shoshone, and
should be spelled Sakakawea, or "Bird
Woman," as is stated by some who
have made a study of Indian lan-
guages, and affirm the word is Hi-
datsa, this would account for the fact
that she was not known by that name
among these Shoshones.
Perhaps even more valuable than all
of this information is the evidence
submitted by Mr. James I. Patten, a
resident of Wyoming, who in a per-
sonal interview told a similar narra-
tive. Mr. Patten came to Wyoming
in 1871 when the one railroad in the
then Territory of Wyoming only
reached to Laramie, a point about
sixty miles west of the Eastern State
line. From this point he went to the
Shoshone Valley by prairie schooner
and by broncho before there was even
a wagon road, only a trail serving as
a guide. Mr. Patten had been sent
into this locality by the Episcopalian
denomination to teach and to convert
the Indians to Christianity. His duty
was to prepare Indians and others for
baptism, which ritual was performed
"by the Bishop at stated intervals. He
continued in this work until 1880.
He first saw Sacajawea in the fall
of 1871. She was then very old.
She was pointed out to him as the
squaw who had accompanied Lewis
and Clark. Mr. Patten had read the
Journals of Lewis and Clark before
coming to this valley and at that time.
1871, was wholly convinced from the
information he gleaned that the Saca-
jswea of Wyoming was the Saca-
jawea of the Lewis and Clark expe-
dition. Dr. Irwin, whose place Rev-
erend Roberts commenced to occupy
in 1883, talked to Mr. Patten about
the matter and said that he had col-
lected from her and from her son a
good deal of material about this jour-
ney which he intended to publish :
that, after carefully reading Lewis
and Clark's Journals he was con-
vinced that the two Sacajaweas were
one and the same. Dr. Irwin has
been dead many years and it is feared
his notes have been destroyed,
although an active search is being
made for them. It is difficult to tell
the exact age of Indians, but Bazil
and Baptiste were old men when first
seen by Mr. Patten. He knew them
both and talked with them about their
mother and her trip. Both of these
men spoke the three languages, Sho-
shone, French and English, their de-
gree of proficiency being in the order
named. Bazil, when he found Mr.
Patten was learning their dialect, took
a great deal of interest in telling him
of his mother and her service as a
guide to Lewis and Clark. It is dif-
ficult to get any information from a
Shoshone Indian when he is conscious
one is trying to extract facts. They
cannot be drawn out of him ; he must
volunteer the information. Once,
however, get an Indian interested in
the subject at hand and then uncon-
sciously he will impart the desired in-
formation. Aged Indians are very
superstitious and exceedingly secre-
tive, being reluctant to converse with
white people on certain topics, more
particularly if they refer to their fam-
ily or tribal movements. Sacajawea
at this time conversed with few. She
lived in a tepee by herself, but her
two sons looked after her very care-
fully and tenderly, the special atten-
tion coming from Bazil who appar-
ently was slightly the older, although
the two men seemed to be so near of
an age that it was impossible to say
which one was the older. Bazil was
the owner of an Indian dwelling situ-
ated near the Agency. The most
marked characteristic of the Shoshone
Indian is that his tribal ties are even
stronger than his family ties. A Sho-
shone woman will leave her husband
and even small children to return to
her tribe. This powerful instinct or
trait is unquestionably the one that
brought Sacajawea with her two sons
down from Mandan to the new region
selected by her tribe.
476
plot of Jfftrat
Mm ta (trass America
In 1871, when this tribe was prepar-
ing to go forth on its annual hunt.
Bazil brought his mother up near the
government house and pitched her
tepee there, saying to Mr. Patten:
"This old aged woman is my mother
and I want to leave her at the Agency
when we are on our hunt." At this
time he made a statement as to her
age and while he did not exactly know
what it was he thought she must be
nearly one hundred years old ; he
slated that she went to the place of
"much water" (the ocean) for the
"Great Washington" (the govern-
ment is always Washington to these
Indians) and that the men she went
with were the first white men who
ever crossed the country. He did not
then mention the names of Lewis and
Clark until they were spoken by Dr.
Irwin and Mr. Patten. Indians do
not remember exact dates or names
readily, although events are accu-
rately reproduced. Sacajawca stated
to both Dr. Irwin and Mr. Patten that
she had made the voyage and she
talked of the "Big Waters beyond the
Shining (snowy) Mountains." Wit-
to-gan, the son of old Baptiste, told
Mr. Patten that his father had often
told him that his mother acted as a
pilot to "A-va-je-me-ar" (the first
Washington).
Once she came to the Agency when
Mr Patten was there, at the time of
the drawing of rations, to draw hers ;
he told Bazil that she was too old to
carry these provisions. "Yes," said
Bazi'l, "pretty old ; pretty old." Bazil
was particularly devoted to her and
looked after her with great care and
consideration. This attention is usual
among the Shoshones who take good
care of their old people. Baptiste was
always attentive but had no charge of
IRT as she always had her tepee nearer
the house of Bazil. "Bazil's mother,"
— she was commonly known by this
name — always wore the Indian cos-
tume with blankets and moccasins and
her hair down her back. While Bazil
and Baptiste wore the Indian costume.
they always wore a hat and negligee
SURVIVAL OF AN EARLY EXPEDITION TO
WYOMING— Captain William Clark Kennerly of
St. Louis, Missouri, who went to Wyoming in 1842
and who conversed with Sacajawea's son at Fort
Laramie— Captain Clark is named after his dis-
tinguished uncle of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
of 1806 - He testifies that Baptiste recognized Jeffer-
son Clark, the son of Captain Clark, from his mem-
ory of the features of his father, the explorer
shirt in addition to the blanket. Their
children wear the native costume.
Thirty-six years ago Sacajawca
looked as if she might have been a
pretty plump, good-looking woman of
medium size. The true Shoshone
type is one of robustness and short in
stature. Mr. Patten not only knew
Sacajawea and her sons, but knew the
grandchildren and prepared them for
baptism when they embraced our reli-
gion, in as far as they could under-
stand it. When the Bishop (George
Maxwell Randall) baptized them they
were given Christian names, the chil-
dren taking their father's names as
their last name. Bazil and Baptiste
and their descendants seemed to feel
it a great honor that their mother had
been allowed to accompany the "Great
Father," which deed gave to them an
•BJnman
In OfoUten
inheritance that was akin to an aris-
tocracy. Mr. Patten never heard of
Sacajawea having any husband other
than Charboneau, and she was known
also by the name of "Lost Woman."
Chief' Washakie, (Was-a-kie, the
lightning striker — he kills him run-
ning) who made the treaty at Bridger
in 1868 with our government for the
reservation in the center of Wyoming,
in a conversation with Air. Patten,
mentioned Sacajawea as the woman
who accompanied the white people
who went to the Great Water.
In order to obtain favor from the
Indians they knew they were to en-
counter, Lewis and Clark carried with
them many bright trinkets and gor-
geous presents. These were given to
the ordinary Indians, but to the chiefs
they presented medals. These were
of three grades. To the chief of
chiefs they gave a medal with the like-
ness of the president of the United
States (Jefferson) on one face; to
chiefs of a -secondary order a medal
decorated with some kind of a domes-
tic animal ; and to the third chiefs a
medal with the imprint of a farmer
sowing grain. The chiefs wore these
medals suspended on a cord around
their necks. The brothers of Saca-
jawea each received one of these med-
als.9 On state occasions Bazil wore a
medal suspended from his neck which
he said his father (Sacajawea's hus-
band) had given him. Charboneau
said Lewis and Clark had given the
medal to him. Reverend Roberts and
Mr. Patten have both seen this medal,
the former saying that Bazil was
buried with this silver medal or scarf
protector, while the latter affirming it
was about as big as a silver dollar.
To strengthen the foregoing state-
ments there has been added the verbal
information from Mr. Richard A.
Morse, who was a government black-
smith on the reservation from 1882 to
1890 and had often seen Sacajawea.
When he first saw her she was an old,
9. Lewis and Clark Journals, Volume
I, page 409.
old woman, with white hair and no
teeth, but even with this defect was
nice-looking. For a woman of her
age she was remarkably straight. She
was short and heavy and was a "reg-
ular, genuine Shoshone woman."
People in 1882 knew of her trip and
talked to him about her and it. He
had seen her any number of times
picking sagebrush and packing it on
her back to her tepee to burn. The
sons were very strong in their family
relations and were short, straight and
stout.
In a conversation with Mr. H. E.
Wadsworth, the United States Indian
agent at Shoshone or Wind river, he
stated that Sacajawea had died before
he entered upon his duties at this
reservation over twenty years ago.
but she had repeatedly been spoken of
by those who had known her as one
under-sized, but very straight. He
did not know her sons, but knew her
grandchildren and great-grandchil-
dren and great-great-grandchildren,
all of whom were or had been at the
agency school, and one at least at the
Carlisle Indian School. The grave in
which lies all that is mortal of Saca-
jawea is situated about sixteen miles
northwest of Landar (the county seat
of Fremont County), and two miles
west of the Shoshone Indian Agency.
The location of the cemetery is bleak,
situated on a hill without surrounding
trees or grass, in the center of a for-
mer hunting-ground. Mr. Wads-
worth corroborated the statement that
the Indian woman was known as
IVad-zc-u'ip and that Sacajawea is de-
rived from two pure Shoshone words,
"boat" and "to push."
Mr. Lahoe, the government inter-
preter for the Shoshone Reservation,
whose mother is a Shoshone Indian,
added interesting information to the
effect that he had personally known
both Bazil and Baptiste and knew
where they were buried, having helped
in the burial of Bazil. Baptiste is
buried up in the mountains, his body
having been taken there by a few In-
dians and dropped down between two
$JUni nf Jfftrst Hljtte HJptt to Qknaa Ammra
crags, about forty feet deep. After
the body had been let down by a rope.
a few rocks were thrown upon him,
one striking his head and crushing his
brain. Bazil was also buried after the
Indian custom. Wrapped in a sheet
and blanket he was taken by a few In-
dians up to Mill Creek and placed in
a new gulch which was dug into the
bank and allowed to cave down and
cover him. At the time he was buried
he had a silver medal upon his neck.
Bazil was a powerful man, a warrior
and one of the bravest men among
Indians. He was also a hunter and
ttapper, Indian Doctor and Medicine
Man. Baptiste was a guide, not as
civilized as Bazil, having all of the In-
dian beliefs which Bazil did not have.
Bazil's oldest son was known as Edde-
to-que (Ed.). His next child is Ni-
be-chee (Ellen), followed by Ando,
known as (Andrew Bazil), and Mag-
gie. The last three are living and on
the reservation. Maggie Bazil has
nine children : Charles, Xettie, Kittie.
\Yillie, Ellen, Leddie, Freddie, Roy
and Lawrence. (This generation
makes no claim to-. Indian names.)
Baptiste had three wives who were
sisters ; his children are : Barbara, An-
tyne. Jim and George Bazil (We-to-
gan). Barbara married a man by the
name of Meyer, whose son, Charles
Meyer, at one time attended the Car-
lisle School and now acts in the capac-
ity of a herder. This son has seen
the medal around his grand-uncle's
neck and was present at his burial.
He has three children, all of whom
appear in the picture. George Bazil
Baptiste (We-to-gan) has two chil-
dren, Willie and Annie or Nannie.
(One cannot help deploring the dis-
appearance of the liquid Indian names
which are fast being supplanted by
most ordinary ones).
Having proved Sacajawea's iden-
tity, established beyond a question of
a doubt her home and the location of
her grave, explained the seeming dis-
crepancy in the age of her children,
and fitted the name of Baptiste to the
little papoose journeying on his moth-
er's back, the next step is to substan-
tiate these statements by showing that,
prior to 1871, the earliest date which
we have thus far fixed as the home of
Sacajawea in Wyoming, the son of
Charboneau was seen and known as
his son in the neighborhood of the
present Shoshone Indian Reservation.
In 1811, Brackinridge states that
Sacajawea and Charboneau were seen
on the Missouri river. Maximilian's
writings make frequent mention of
"Charboneau" working up and down
the Missouri. We also find evidence
that he served as an interpreter for
Sublette and Campbell who explored
and traded in Wyoming 1826-32. In
1838, last mention is made of him by
Larpenteur10 as "old Mr. Charbo-
neau." Sacajawea \vas many years
younger than her husband and it
would be natural if she followed her
sons after his death. It is positively
known that Sacajawea's Baptiste was
with James Bridger at Fort Bridger
(where the now abandoned fort was
situated in the southwest corner of
Wyoming), in 1832, acting as a guide
and mountain explorer. He is men-
tioned in Wyeth's Journal, in Bonne-
ville, 1832-5, and in Fremont 1842-3,
both of whom were in Wyoming at
the dates indicated. The most trust-
worthy information, however, that
Baptiste was in Wyoming and on the
Overland Trail which passed just
south of the Shoshone Reservation, is
given by Captain William Clark Ken-
nedy, at present a resident of St. Louis.
Mr. Kennerly imparts the following
authentic information in a letter of
December, 1906. In 1842, Sir Wil-
liam Drummond Stewart organized a
party to hunt buffalo and other game ;
among others engaged to assist was
one "Baptiste Charboneau" who acted
in the capacity of a driver of one of
the carts. Mr. Kennerly. named after
his uncle by marriage. Captain Wil-
liam Clark of the Lewis and (.'lark ex-
pedition, was one of this party. Cap-
10. Wheeler. O. D.. The Lewis and
Clark Trail. Volume I. page 130-4.
THE WOMAN WHO LED THE WAY TO THK GOLDEN EMI
OF WESTERN AMERICA- STATUE TO SACAJAWEA
AND BAPTISTS ERECTED BY THE WOMEN OF
OREUON AT PORTLAND — Miss
ALICE COOPER, SCULPTOR
of
iflru to CL'nuui Anu-rtra
tain Clark's son, Jefferson Kennedy
Clark, a cousin of Captain Kennerly,
was also one of this hunting party.
This expedition, which consisted of
eighty members, including guides,
drivers and hunters, came into Wyom-
ing as far north as Fort Laramie,
which was on the old Overland Trail,
and where there were fifty or sixty
lodges of the Sioux Indians. This
Baptiste, when he saw young Clark,
at once "welcomed him as the son of
his old guardian." Some of the Sioux
chiefs immediately recognized Jeffer-
son Clark from his strong resemblance
to his father who became known to
them on the Pacific Expedition, and
called him at once "son of redheaded
father," that being the name by which
Clark was known to the Sioux In-
dians, the color of the hair of father
and son being identical and of a strik-
ing hue. St. Louis was always called
by these Indians "Redhair's town."
Captain Kennerly is the only one of
this party now living. In this Indian,
Baptiste Charboneau, we find one who
not only bears the name of Saca-
jawea's husband, but who also has a
given name that, until 1904, was never
known to have been associated with
that of Charboneau. Further, if the
Sioux Indians in their hunts came as
far south as Fort Laramie it would
be possible for Sacajawea also to have
come that distance to be with her son,
who was familiar with the land
around this locality.
An analytical examination of the
pictures, paintings and statuary cre-
ated to represent Sacajawea has de-
veloped the fact that there existed an
exceeding diversified interpretation of
the character of this Indian woman.
If we examine the painting by Mr.
Paxson11 we measure her as tall, raw-
bcned and angular. Miss Alice
Cooper's noble and graceful statue at
Portland, erected by the women of
Oregon at a cost of $7.000, represents
an ideal type of an Indian woman.
IT. Wheeler, O. D., The Trail of Lewis
and Clark, Volume I, page 126.
The statue made by Mr. Zimm which
stood at the end of one of the espla-
nades, between the Liberal Arts and
Manufacturers' buildings at the St.
Louis Fair not only portrayed the
true type of a Shoshone woman, but
also mirrors our heroine's nature.
Accordingly with the assistance of
this sculptor and the writings of Lewis
and Clark we are able to grasp and
realize to a great degree what was the
character thus delineated and why our
guide is entitled to be classed as noble.
Lewis wrote on July 28, 1805: "She
does not, however, show any distress
at these recollections, nor any joy at
the prospect of being restored to her
country; for she seems to possess the
folly or the philosophy of not suffer-
ing her feelings to extend beyond the
anxiety of having plenty to eat and a
few trinkets to wear." This mood of
Sacajawea, that most familiar to the
explorers, seems to be a striking char-
acteristic of the Indian. That they
are capable of real feeling, those who
have studied the subject the most em-
phatically affirm. This manifested it-
self in Sacajawea's case to such a de-
gree that it astonished Lewis and
Clark when she met her brother, the
Shoshone chief, on August 17, 1805.
These exhibitions of real feelings are
sc seldom that they challenge the av-
erage observer to represent them as a
common trait of the Indian. The
characteristic of the Indian women
seems to have been their stoical obedi-
ence to their condition of servitude.
This quality was not foreign to Saca-
jawea's people. We remember the
calm resignation of the Shoshone
women when Lewis surprised them
when he came through the pass ap-
proaching their valley.1* No cry nor
sound passed their lips ; they sat with
bowed heads expecting death and
waited for a fatal blow. That Saca-
jawea was not devoid of this senti-
ment the records of the journals give
ample illustrations. This stoicism
12. Lewis and Gark Journals, Volume
I, page 387.
(Snlten
was the foundation of Mr. Zimm's
conception of the heroine and ex-
plained to him her fortitude, her calm
endurance and patient suffering.
There was a certain amount of natural
and legitimate curiosity in her nature,
however, as borne witness to by Cap-
tain Clark after she had pleaded to
be allowed to accompany them from
their inland camp to the ocean's beach.
"The poor woman stated very ear-
nestly that she had traveled a great
way with us to see the great water, yet
she had never been down to the coast
and now that this monstrous fish was
also to be seen, it seemed hard she
should not be permitted to see neither
the ocean nor whale, so reasonable a
request could not be denied." This,
then, is what we see in Mr. Zimm's
statue: "a stoical, patient figure, on
its face an expression of searching
curiosity." The sculptor obtained a
pure type for his model, Virginia
Grant, who, not particularly anxious
after her contact with civilized life to
part her hair and have it fall down her
back, brought the pompadour down
reluctantly. Her dress is patterned
after the Minnetance by whom Saca-
jawea was so long kept in captivity.
The papoose on Sacajawea's back is
modelled after the child of William
Sitting Bull, son of the great Sioux
chief.
Thus we have Sacajawea represent-
ed in her true character, the patient,
plodding type looking ever westward
toward the goal of the expedition.
To recapitulate in the briefest pos-
sible terms commensurate with clear-
ness, the preponderance of evidence
establishes the fact that the Sacajawea
who lived on the Wind river, or Sho-
shone Reservation in Wyoming is the
Indian woman Sacajawea who acted
in the capacity of pilot, guide and in-
terpreter to Lewis and Clark in
1805-6.
In the years, even the generations,
that have become history since the
performance of these services for
Lewis and Clark, no one has offered
herself in evidence as this "Lost Wo-
man;" there is no record of any per-
son endeavoring on the behalf of Sac-
ajawea to advance the claim of any
other Indian woman for this enviable
position; repeated and continual
efforts have been made by a host of
interested and enthusiastic investiga-
tors to obtain a clew which would ulti-
mately lead to this identity and yet no
one, impostor or otherwise, has made
a claim for this recognition, excepting
in the case at hand of this heroine of
the Shoshone Valley.
If our Sacajawea is the Sacajawea,
why did she fail to herald the truth
which her third and fourth genera-
tions now relate with pride? Was it
a matter over which an Indian would
be anxious to proclaim that she was
instrumental in leading into the In-
dians' territory the first white men
who, with their civilization, eventually
would occupy and possess the hunting
grounds and force the red man to
other fields? Even if the act were
one of extreme bravery and worthy of
praise, would not the perpetrator for
this reason be silent before her tribe,
only dreaming of the past, occasion-
ally reciting the incidents of the deed
to her children and thus by word of
mouth transmitting a mighty inheri-
tance to her children's children and
only upon interrogation imparting the
facts to the white man? Sacajawea
never volunteered information on the
subject as all of the evidence distinctly
exhibits. Again, the white man
would be equally tardy in admitting
that it was only through the efforts of
a red woman that the expedition was
a possibility. Thus viewed from
either side we have good and suffi-
cient reason for silence.
Captain Clark, with his erratic re-
gard for phonetic spelling wrote the
name Sacajawea and Sarcargarwea,
never Sakagawea or Sakakawea.
The author of the "Conquest" at the
time of the unveiling of the statue at
Portland, in 1906, learned from a per-
sonal interview with Judge W. R.
Shannon of California, whose father
was one of the Lewis and Clark party,
of 3firat
to fflroaa Ammra
that the Wyoming pronunciation of
the word agrees exactly with that of
the Sacajawea his father many, many
times had pronounced when telling
about the trip. He strongly and im-
movably asserted that the name should
be SacsJAlVea., and was so persistent
in his statements, which certainly
bore authenticity, that this pronuncia-
tion was finally accepted by the Port-
land people.
The finding of the letter from Cap-
tain Clark to Charboneau written
almost immediately after their separa-
tion, a century after it was written,
furnishes the strongest link in the
chain of evidence. Here for the first
time we can associate the name of
Sacajawea's son of the reservation
with that of the child carried on her
back to the coast; again, this "Bap-
tiste" was in St. Louis as Sacajawea's
son in 1820; this same Baptiste was
seen and known as Charboneau's son
as Baptiste in Wyoming where he was
with James Bridger and acting as a
guide and explorer. Wyeth and Bon-
neville in 1832-5, and Fremont in
1842-3 corroborates this statement.
The strongest direct testimony,
however, is that given by Captain
Kennedy who saw "Baptiste Char-
boneau" at Fort Laramie in 1842."
The recognition at once of Captain
Kennedy's cousin by "Baptiste Char-
boneau" as being the son of his guar-
dian, Captain Clark, must be carefully
considered ; the Sioux chiefs greeting
young Clark as the son of their "Red
Hair Chief" must not go unnoticed;
the fact that these Indians had been
hundreds of miles from Fort Laramie
when they encountered Lewis and
Clark must be accepted. If these In-
dians could have wandered so far
South on their hunts it would not
have made it impossible for Saca-
jawea to have also come that distance,
either then, before, or afterwards;
13. Fort Laramie is on the old Overland
Trail situated a few days' travel east of the
Shoshone Valley where this tribe of In-
dians then as now lived.
483
and further, the fact that Sacajawea,
being much younger than her hus-
band, would after his death desire to
make her home with her son. This
all must be taken into consideration
and form a bulwark of evidence which
it is difficult to successfully assault.
That the newly discovered Saca-
jawea had an older son than Baptiste,
this in place of refuting the claim to
be established has only strengthened
the case in controversy.
The statements presented by Dr.
Irwin who knew Sacajawea on the
reservation in the sixties and at that
time believed the two Sacajaweas to
be the same, is strong testimony, for
not only was Dr. Irwin a man of edu-
cation, but one of unquestioned integ-
rity. This was at a period when the
expedition did not particularly engage
the attention of the public ; it was too
long from the time of the journey and
too far from the period when interest
had become renewed (incident to the
expositions to celebrate the expedi-
tion). Dr. Irwin was isolated from
the outside world and drew these con-
clusions unaided except from the
reading of the Lewis and Clark Jour-
nals before coming to Wyoming and
the direct evidence obtained from
Sacajawea by him. Mr. Patten not
only corroborates this statement,
which was also given by Reverend
Roberts, but he himself had come to
this same conclusion in 1872.
These three men, Irwin, Patten and
Roberts, must, through the important
positions they occupied, be classed as
intelligent, accurate, trustworthy and
capable of arriving at results without
jumping at hasty conclusions, of
which an ordinary traveler might be
accused. They all three lived among
these Shoshones for years, working
with them in the endeavor for their
betterment spiritually, mentally and
domestically.
The last arguments, not the most
conclusive however, are that there are
scores of inhabitants of Wyoming,
living or having lived in this beautiful
and fertile valley14 who have not only
Unman
iff? Hag tn % Ofolten
heard Sacajawea tell of her mountain,
plain and coast adventures, but her
sons have recited the story as told by
the mother, that the children's chil-
dren have this history sacredly stored
in their hearts and that the fourth and
fifth generations of our patient, stoic,
unselfish and unerring guide are
learning of this journey which, to
them as to those who have read of it,
seems as yet a myth, an act perpe-
trated on "the happy hunting
grounds."
14. This is the reservation which in
part was thrown open to settlement in 1906.
Many of the Indians opposed this sale to
the government and as a consequence there
has been engendered a bad feeling between
those who favored the segregation and
those who opposed the movement. In Jan-
uary, 1907, some of these disgruntled In-
dians lay in ambush to murder Reverend
Roberts on his return from a county fune-
ral. His long acquaintance with the move-
ments of the Indians prevented a fatal dis-
aster. After observing their actions he
changed his direction and reached the flats
where the Indians did not dare pursue.
THE NOBLER RACE— BY FRANK P. FOSTER, JR.
HAIL to the honor of woman, Out in the open we battle,
Sisters and mothers and wives, Free, where the sun shines clear.
Hail! to the name of the nobler race We do not watch and wait at home,
That leads the nobler lives. Haunted with nameless fear.
Where is there faith like a woman's —
Purer than beaten gold —
Or courage to enter the shadow of death,
Are there men with hearts so bold ?
She cannot fight in the open,
Free, where the sun shines clear,
She wrestles with foes far greater than ours,
She conquers the awful fear.
We have read of the courage of heroes
Who follow at Duty's call,
Who face the fight with power and might,
Soldiers and sailors and all —
We honor the man of strenuous life,
We place him above the rest,
But what of the woman of womanly ways,
Whose fortitude is the best?
Then take this word to our women,
Sisters and mothers and wives,
Take this word to the nobler race,
That leads the nobler lives.
Men, when you enter the battle,
Free, where the sun shines clear,
Pray God for a woman's courage
To suffer and conquer fear.
484
f&tfr on att Ammnm Storing 11*00*1
Abttrntarra
on thr IjUjli &raa in ihr
3Firnt Day a of Autrrirau (Tnm mrrrr o*
WIjFn IJrtuatrrrtng nmfi a ilriiHprroua (Prrnpation
anil Baring «*n OHinac ty* ^azarba nf fcramatuiljti! j* Journal
nf fcamnrl Ifogt, an Carlu Amrrlran &r a Ckqrtatn. Sorn in 1 744 J* ®ranflrrih»H
BY
JULIUS WALTER PEASE
Now iif His Nnnrnr-THiRD YEAR AND A GRANDSON OF CAFTAIN SAXUKL HOTT
the courtesy of Mr. Julius Walter
Pease, of New Britain, Connecticut,
who is the grandson of the writer of
the manuscript, in his ninety-third
year. He recalls hearing his mother,
who was the daughter of the narrator,
tell of her father's experiences much
the same as here recorded, and also of
hearing her tell of scenes in the Amer-
ican Revolution.
On the Sloop " Dove" bound
for the far Mediterranean
"In less than one month after my
arrival, I again embarked on board of
the sloop 'Dove,' Captain Meigs,
bound to Italia. In about eight or
ten days after our departure we ob-
served a heavy rolling sea, which ap-
peared very singular, as we had but
very moderate weather for three or
four days previous to our observing
this strange tumult in the watery ele-
ment. This weather continued until
about one of the clock the next day,
when a heavy gale of wind set in from
the southward and westward. Every
exertion to save the vessel proving
useless, we gave ourselves up for lost.
The vessel soon after upset. Captain
Meigs being in the cabin at the time
was with much difficulty saved from
drowning. We, however, made a
shift to hang on to the upper gunnel
for the span of ten hours, which
brought night, but gave us no encour-
agement, as the storm continued to in-
crease. The vessel being laden with
live stock on deck and lumber in the
hold, with some barrels of flour, kept
adventures of an
early American sea-cap-
tain relate experiences in
IL the first days of the
American Republic that
are fully as interesting as
the pages of the ancient
journal which told of life on the high
seas off the American coast in the pre-
revolutionary days, fugitive wander-
ings along the desolate Atlantic shore,
adrift on the ocean in a storm, and
the seafarer's home-coming after
many tragedies at sea.
After fully recovering from his ex-
posures and terrible sufferings, Cap-
tain Samuel Hoyt again set sail. He
here relates this voyage and his sub-
sequent experiences in the days closely
preceding, during and following the
War for Independence.
The adventures of Captain Samuel
Hoyt as related in his own journal
and published in these pages, created
wide interest, not only as an historical
contribution showing the indomitable
courage of the pioneer Americans and
their hardships and sufferings, but as
a narrative of the sea. An eminent
reviewer pronounced it "a true sea
story more fascinating than fiction."
This new chapter of the ancient man-
uscript has been transcribed and is
here recorded from the original now
in possession of Mr. Henry Stone of
Madison, Connecticut, who is the son
of Stephen Stone, the stepson of the
rugged seaman who inscribed the nar-
rative, and is now in his ninety-first
year. The transcription is through
485
Slmmral nf (Eapiatn
ijngt — Innt in 1744
her on the surface of the water,
although filled.
"Soon after she upset we ob-
served the boat (to our great sat-
isfaction) was lashed to the wind-
ward gunnel, and of course was out of
water. Upon my observing the lash-
ing to be out of water, I made a shift
to get to it, and cut the boat loose with
a small knife I had saved in the gen-
eral consternation. We all being
without clothes, except trousers (our
hats having been washed overboard
some time before night) we had no
knife excepting the one just men-
tioned, this being too small for a sail-
or's use, yet notwithstanding by care-
ful management it proved a means in
the hand of Providence of saving the
whole crew from a watery grave.
Soon after the boat was cut loose by
this small knife, we made a shift to
get her into the water the leeward side
of the wreck.
"After trying some time to free her
from the water which was in her,
without success, we, however, suc-
ceeded at length in clearing the coat
of water, and by giving her a large
scope of rigging for a painter, we suc-
ceeded in keeping her above water.
We now began to consider what
would be the best means possible for
our preservation. After reflecting
upon this subject a short time, we
unanimously agreed (as we had no
provision or anything to support na-
ture, except about one gallon of rum
which we found washed out of the
cabin in a small keg) as soon as day-
light appeared to risque ourselves in
the long-boat, in hopesof falling in with
some vessel. For the purpose of put-
ting our plan in execution, we hauled
alongside of the wreck, and found
means of getting the topsail, which lay
in the buckets. We next undertook
to get into our possession the topsail-
yard, which with much difficulty we at
length effected. After much labor
we succeeded in cutting the yard in
two, and making a mast for the yawl ;
the topsail with a slight alteration
answered for a sail. All this was
accomplished before daylight, a small
penknife being the only tool we had to
perform our night's job with.
Wrecked on the Atlantic Ocean
and Adrift in the Storm
"When daylight appeared we cast
off from the wreck and commending
ourselves to the care of Providence,
bore away before the wind. One man
was stationed at the helm to steer with
a broken arm, a second stood on his
knees to bail, while the two others
were forced to lie in the bottom of the
boat for ballast ; and this was our con-
stant situation while we remained in
it. For the space of three days we
were driven before the wind without
any cessation from our labor of steer-
ing and hauling as the storm appeared
to increase. Neither sun, moon nor
stars appeared, and exhausted nature
almost sunk under the severe suffer-
ings we were obliged to encounter.
The fourth day the gale broke and the
weather cleared up, the wind blowing
as near as we could guess from the
northwest The sun continued to
shine through the whole day, and at
night set in a cloudless sky. Night
coming on we observed a heavy black
cloud arise out of the southwest; a
storm of thunder ensued. As soon as
the thunder and lightning ceased a
violent gale of wind set in from the
southwest. Every ray of hope seemed
to vanish and we expected no other
than that one hour, or even half an
hour, longer to live, would be the
utmost of our probationary time.
When daylight appeared we discov-
ered a large breaker some distance
astern and concluded among ourselves
that the moment of our dissolution
was at hand, when we should be
buried in a watery grave. When the
breaker overtook us we were for a
while buried beneath the surface of
the water. The wave, however, left
us in a much better situation than we
could possibly have imagined. Upon
our wiping the water from our eyes,
0n an Ammran QlraMng Uraatl
we again beheld each other with emo-
tions of joy and surprise. We imme-
diately set ourselves to work clearing
the boat of water, it being almost even
full, (having had forethought suffi-
cient to lash the bucket to the boat be-
fore the wave overtook us).
"We soon cleared the boat of water
and again secured the bucket as be-
fore. We had but just time to secure
ourselves and bucket before a sec-
ond wave, similar to the first,
broke over us with great furry.
We, however, continued to stick
to the boat until this wave had
subsided, when, quitting our holds, we
again succeeded in freeing the boat
from water; the wave ensuing, being
the third, was more moderate, and we
were again relieved from the fear of
immediate destruction. We remained
in this perilous situation until the next
day, when the captain, worn down
with fatigue and trouble, sank under
hardships too great for human nature
to bear. Nature appeared exhausted,
and, unable to support himself longer
in an upright position, he fell down
into the bottom of tlje boat unable to
help himself in the least. One man
by the name of Hand (it seems but a
tribute of justice to the memory of
William Hand to remark that he, un-
der God, was the means of our preser-
vation. During the whole time of
our continuance in the boat he was re-
markable for calmness, judgment and
perseverance, and after the captain
was deprived both of strength and
reason, Hand's courage and patience
were not exhausted in the least), was
the only person able to steer the boat.
"About the middle of the day the
sun made its appearance through the
clouds, which, excepting one day, had
been hidden from our sight by clouds
and darkness ever since we were ship-
wrecked. During the whole period
we had never discovered a vessel and
all hopes of life seemed to be taken
away; but that ever gracious Being,
who hears the cry of the raven and
condescends to regard the minutest
487
occurrences of life, saw all our afflic-
tion and had determined to grant
them relief. About three of the clock,
as near as we could judge, we espied
a lofty ship, but as she was plying to
the windward and we were obliged
to sail before the wind, the probabil-
ity of our being discovered by the ship
was so small that we in a measure
gave up all hopes of being saved. Yet
was the hand of Providence visible -it
this time, it being about four o'clock
when we passed the ship. We had
but just passed her, when the watch
on board of her being called, the man
who was going to take the helm,
stepped forward to take an observa-
tion of the weather, and looking
around, observed our boat at a dis-
tance, but could not ascertain what it
was, as it instantly disappeared in the
hollow of a sea. He stood till it arose
to his sight the second time, when, be-
ing convinced it was in reality a boat,
he cried out to the officer of the
watch: 'A boat! A boat!'
Heroic Struggle Against the
Elements — and a Rescue at Sea
"The ship's courses were immedi-
ately hauled up in compliance (as we
afterwards learned) with the orders
of the chief officer on deck. They
soon gave her stern way, by throw-
ing her topsail aback (the wind
blowing too fresh to admit of
their heaving about, and standing
down for the purpose of catching
us) and proceeded down for us;
after coming within hail, an offi-
cer on board of the ship called out *o
us to be of good courage, saying at
the same time to his men on board:
'Get a line ready, my boys, we will
soon catch them.' When the ship
came alongside of us, the first mate
(to whose generous exertions we
were at this time indebted) asked us
if we could hold on to a rope. We
replied that we thought ourselves too
much exhausted by long abstinence
and fatigue to perform any service
that required much bodily strength.
Slmtnral nf (Eaptein
ijmjt — Unrtt in 1744
He then directed us to fasten it to the
boat by taking two or three turns
round the forethought after having
passed it through the ringbolt. A
rope was then thrown us, and, we
obeying the mate's directions, were
soon alongside of the ship. We were,
however, so much exhausted that we
found it impossible to gain the ship's
deck without assistance. The mate
seeing the condition we were in, com-
manded some of his men to jump into
the boat and assist us in getting on
board.
"When we found ourselves once
more out of immediate danger our
happiness was indescribable. The
mate then desired us to make our-
selves as comfortable as possible while
he secured the boat (it being a very
handsome yawl). Captain Meigs was
too far gone to realize what had
passed, and was laid gentle on the
deck, while the mate was hoisting the
boat on board. The captain of the
ship now made his appearance on deck
for the purpose (as it appeared) of
inquiring how long we had been in
the boat and whether we had lived
without food for any length of time.
Upon his being answered in the
affirmative, he replied: 'And what
would have become of you if it had
not been for me?' We remarked for
answer that we must soon have per-
ished. The captain then turned and
went below where he remained until
the Sabbath ensuing. We were then
taken to a fire and stripped of our re-
maining clothes (which were shirts
and trousers) as they had not been
dry a single moment since our ship-
wreck. Upon the mate's inquiring
which we stood most in need of, vict-
uals or drink, we informed him that
our thirst was the most distressing.
Accordingly he made us some weak
sling, and after a short time he gave
us a small quantity of boiled rice to-
gether with a small piece of bread and
cheese, which seemed more like
aggravating when relieving our en-
raged appetites. His precaution was
undoubtedly the most safe method he
could devise for those incapable of
using judgment for themselves. After
we had supped we were removed to
another apartment and furnished with
a comfortable field bed, and as we had
been for a long time a stranger to
'Nature's kind restorer, balmy sleep,'
my companions soon fell into a sound
sleep, which I found impossible to do,
without first satisfying in some degree
my enraged appetite.
At the Mercy of a Strange
Crew after Long Suffering
"I had not remained long in this
situation before several of the ship's
crew came down for the purpose of
getting a bite of cold- junk (as they
termed it). Unfortunately for me,
they supped in the same room where I
lay. I lay all the time they were at
supper entirely still, not making the
least noise for fear of being noticed,
wishing to keep them in entire igno-
rance of my voracious appetite keep-
ing me awake while my companions
were asleep. After they had finished
their repast, they, laying aside their
victuals and drink, returned on deck.
As soon as they were gone I crept off
from my bed, and being too feeble to
walk, I made the best of my way
toward the place in which I saw the
sailors deposit their victuals, on my
hands and knees. Having arrived, I
loaded my hands with meat and bread,
and leaving: the locker, I crept to a
large can filled with water, with a full
determination to drink only three
swallows; but, alas! how feeble are
our resolutions when crazed by en-
raged appetites ! I put it to my mouth
and before my judgment could come
to my assistance, I had almost emptied
the can. I now undertook to crawl
back to my bed. I had not proceeded
half way before I was taken suddenly
ill and remained where I was, being
totally unable to proceed farther. I
remained in this situation during the
remainder of the night, being racked
0n an Amfriran Srafcing
with the most excruciating pains that
man ever suffered by imprudence.
"Having no one to blame except
myself, I determined, if I must die by
my own hand, to leave the world in
ignorance of the nature of my com-
plaint. A little before day, oppressed
nature seemed to exert itself to her
utmost, and after having discharged
the contents of my stomach, I felt
myself so much relieved that I was
enabled to regain my bed. In the
morning the mate came down to
see how we fared, and when he
learnt what I had been about
through the night, he exclaimed:
Thank God that you are still
alive.' In consequence of the hu-
mane attentions of our new friends,
Captain Meigs and crew gradually re-
gained their health. I remained ill
much longer than any of my compan-
ions on account of my imprudent con-
duct. The Sabbath morning after we
had been taken on board the ship, the
boatswain, who had charge of Captain
Warner's watch, had the politeness at
eight of the clock to go down and in-
form him of the time, that he might
as usual give orders to call another
watch. The captain replied that he
would tell him whether it were eight
o'clock or not. He then took a quad-
rant and came up with a disturbed air,
and after looking some time at the
sun, said : 'It is not eight yet.' After
this his manners continued to be very
singular during the forenoon, and his
motions were unusually precipitant.
Sad Fate of Ship's Captain who
Loses his Life in Delirium
"At twelve o'clock the mate took his
observation and went below to per-
form his necessary labor of naviga-
tion. In the meantime the captain
was on deck, and after advancing to
the side of the ship, took a handker-
chief from his pocket and applied it to
his eyes. He then (after taking It
away from his eyes) looked around to
see if anyone observed him, and,
thinking himself unnoticed, actually
489
proceeded to tie it over his face. The
man at the helm had narrowly
watched all his strange manoeuvres,
and instantly cried out: The captain
is going overboard!' The mate then
ran from the cabin, seized hold of his
clothes just as he was plunging over
the side of the ship and pulled him in
with such fury that they both fell
backwards on deck. After strug-
gling a few moments, he disengaged
himself from the mate and ran up to
the forecastle, and made a second
attempt to leap overboard, being pre-
vented by some of the sailors; he
seemed to be more calm; while the
officers held a consultation for the
purpose of determining what was best
to be done with Captain Warner. As
they considered it to be a hazardous
thing to put their commander under
close confinement, they chose rather
to watch him on deck. They accord-
ingly placed him aft, where he contin-
ued walking the remainder of the. day.
He soon after became agitated and
often prayed earnestly with an audible
voice. At the close of his prayers he
would exclaim with much emphasis:
'Oh, if I must be buffeted, I must be !'
Towards night his agony appeared to
increase and he prayed with greater
frequency and earnestness. In the
evening a light being placed in the
binnacle, as the captain walked past
it, the light discovered to us large
drops of sweat standing upon his
•forehead.
"Not long after he imagined that he
saw a fire-ship and directed the
helmsman to change his course. The
mate (by the name of Se wards) en-
deavored to pacify him, and ordered
the man at helm to steer, as he had
done before. The captain insisted
that it was a fire-ship and that it was
making towards them very fast. He
then ran to the helm and placing it
hard up, ordered the yards to be
quared immediately, apparently with a
view to our preservation; yet after
some time Mr. Sewards prevailed on
him to let him take it, and in order, if
Hountal nf Captain &atra»l ingt— lorn in If44
possible, to divert him, called out:
'Boys, get up the guns on deck ; it is
the devil that Captain Warner sees;
silver will kill him. We will put all
the money we have into the guns and
shoot him.' But the captain's mind
was too gloomy to be amused by this
stratagem. Shortly after, he remarked
that the ship was near at hand and
took a speaking trumpet and hailed
her. He then applied it to his ear as
if to hear the reply.
"After listening a while he again
put the trumpet to his mouth and
cried out: 'Oh! Do spare me a
little longer!' After again wait-
ing as if to know the result, he
mournfully exclaimed: 'Oh! if I am
to be buffeted, I must be!' He then
observed that the boat was coming
from the fire-ship, and said: 'Boys,
man the sides.' Accordingly, two
men descended to the side of the ship
with their hats under their arms.
This was only customary civility and
performed to honor gentlemen when
entering and returning from a ship.
He then made the compliments which
are usual when gentlemen of distinc-
tion came on board, and said: 'Sir,
will you please to walk below?' and
immediately repaired below into the
cabin, where he continued fifteen or
twenty minutes. So novel and sur-
prising was the same that not a loud
word was spoken on deck during the
whole time.
"When Captain Warner again came
on deck he seemed to compliment a
departing stranger, and gave orders
to man the sides. His orders were
immediately obeyed and two men de-
scended as before. He next made a
short prayer, and afterwards took a
gold watch from his pocket and
offered it to the mate. 'Here,' said
he, 'Mr. Sewards is my watch; keep
it to remember me, for I have not long
to stay without.' 'I don't know what
you mean, Captain Warner,' rejoined
Mr. S , 'by not having long to
stay; I don't want your watch, for I
have one of my own.' The captain
then laid it on the binnacle, and Mr.
Sewards, thinking it unsafe to have
him remain longer on deck, prevailed
on him to go below. Having occa-
sion shortly after to leave the cabin,
he directed one of the people to re-
main in it, and if anything happened
to call for help. It was not long be-
fore the man cried out, and when Mr.
Sewards came to his assistance he
found Captain Warner suspended out
of the cabin window. They both suc-
ceeded in drawing him in, and after
shutting the windows, Mr. Sewards
stationed three men before each win-
dow to guard them.
"After this Captain Warner con-
tinued walking for a few minutes.
All on a sudden (to the astonish-
ment of the whole) he seemed
actuated by supernatural springs, for
turning upon his heel (as he was
walking from the windows) he ap-
peared to spring at least the distance
of eighteen or twenty feet, passing out
of the window head first, and carrying
it together with the frame and case-
ment along with him. Mr. Sewards
then hastened on deck, and, bursting
into tears, gave orders to have the
ship immediately put in stays. He
then repaired aft and called out : 'Cap-
tain Warner! Captain Warner!' with
a loud voice, but received no answer.
After they had made two unsuccess-
ful attempts to heave the vessel in
stays, he (the mate) ordered to have
the boat immediately cleared.
At Leeward Islands after
Several Tragedies at Sea
"After the men had obeyed their
officer's commands in clearing the
boat, they inquired if it were best to
throw the boat over, as nothing was to
be seen or heard of the captain. Mr.
Sewards made answer that he thought
it would be entirely useless to throw
the boat over, adding that the captain
went off very strangely without leav-
ing any wake on the surface of the
water, which was discernible to any
man aboard, or even without leaving
490
0n an Amtrtratt SraMtuj
them any room to conjecture what
had become of him. The former
mate (now master) of the ship then
gave orders to have the light sails all
taken in and the others closely reefed,
and continued them in a similar situa-
tion, (notwithstanding the lightness
of the breeze) until the next day,
when his men enquired the reason of
his shortening sail, as the captain was
irrecoverably lost. He replied that
the ship and cargo were Captain
Warner's and that if the devil had
such power over him, he knew not
how much he might have over his
property. Mr. Sewards continued to
prosecute his voyage, and thirty-seven
days after arrived at Antigua. Just
at evening we approached the mouth
of Param Harbour, where we an-
chored during the night.
"In the morning we were much sur-
prised to find that Mr. Boling, our
then chief mate, did not as usual make
his appearance. After waiting im-
patiently for some time Captain Sew-
ards sent to his stateroom and ex-
pected to be informed that he was
within sick or dead, but upon investi-
gation it was found that neither he
nor anything belonging to him was on
board. We afterwards learned that
the night preceding his elopement he
had privately hailed a boat of negroes
and prevailed on them to convey him
to one of His Majesty's ships-of-war,
choosing rather to be anywhere than
in that melancholy place (as he
termed it.) After sailing up the Har-
bour Captain Sewards landed us in
the same destitute circumstance of
money and clothes as we were when
taken on board the ship. A number
of gentlemen soon collected on shore
and inquired of Captain Sewards
where he was from. 'Portsmouth,
N. H.,' was his reply. They then
asked him what news he brought. He
answered that it was very bad, and
proceeded to inform them of our hav-
ing been taken up by him when almost
famished for the want of food and
rest. He then proceeded to inform
them of the awful event which had de-
prived him of his captain.
"As soon as Mr. Sewards had
finished his narrative these humane
gentlemen gave us an invitation
to walk uo with them to a Public
House, which stood near by, and
after feeding and clothing us, had
a subscription made up for the
purpose of alleviating our pecuniary
wants for the present. We had been
in port but a few days when to our
great joy we learned that Captain Vail
(one of our former acquaintances)
was just arrived at the port of St.
Johns in the same Island. All of
us (except Capt. Meigs) repaired
thither immediately, where we met
with a kind reception from our old
friend, Captain Vail. About eight or
ten days after we arrived, Captain
Meigs made his appearance laden
with presents which he had received
from his truly noble and disinterested
patron in Param.
The Sea-farer's Home-coming
Back in old New England
"Soon after I embarked on board a
vessel bound for New London in
North America, which was short of
hands, and after a passage of four-
teen days (having been about three
months) arrived safe in New London,
and from thence proceeded home by
land ; found my friends well at Guil-
ford and pleased at my return. They
were, however, much surprised at my
coming home alone, and still more
were they surprised by hearing the re-
cital of my voyage. Captain Meigs
and one of my brothers in tribulation
had the happiness of reaching home
the same evening on which I arrived.
Next day, being Sabbath, Captain
Meigs, myself and the sailor who
accompanied the Captain home, at-
tended Divine Service and jointly
offered up a tribute of Gratitude and
Praise to our Almighty Preserver and
Benefactor, who had saved us amidst
the furious Seas ! In the interval be-
tween the meetings Wm. Hand
3J0urtral of (Eapiatn Samuel ifngt — Snm in 1744
arrived. He attended public worship
in the afternoon and returned public
and hearty thanks to Him, whom the
winds and seas obey, for his safe re-
turn to his family and friends.
"After a sufficient length of time
had elapsed since my arrival I
inquired of every person which I
thought likely to be able to give
me any information about Captain
Seward, but without any success,
until near three years afterwards,
when I saw the former boatswain
of the ship and learned from him
that after we left the ship the
hands became frightened and would
continue in her no longer; that Cap-
tain Seward offered to advance him
to the office of Chief Mate if he would
remain with him, but that he (the
boatswain) was unable to reconcile
his mind to the idea of staying, and
consequently obtained a dismission;
that the Captain shipped another crew,
but they also became timid and de-
serted the ship.
"After Captain S had dis-
charged his cargo he took a freight
of sugar for London, but was
forced to hire laborers by the day to
load the vessel. He was then obliged
to contract with a ship's crew only for
the run, and when he reached London
was again left alone. And being very
much discouraged he sold the ship
and cargo to free himself from any
further embarrassment, and had never
(to his knowledge) made any returns
of the voyage previous to that period.
But to return to my narrative.
A Voyage on the Brig « Delight "
to Barbadoes in 1763
"Near the close of the year 1763 I
again embarked on board a brig,
called the 'Delight,' bound to Barba-
does. The repeated losses which I
had sustained sat heavy on my mind
and I resolved once more to attempt
repairing them. I shall omit men-
tioning particulars for fear of tres-
passing upon the patience of my
reader, and only observe that after a
quick and pleasant passage we arrived
at our destined port in high spirits and
good health. Soon after our arrival
at Barbadoes we landed our cargo,
and leaving the captain to dispose of
the property (the Mate taking charge
of the Brig) proceeded to Salt
Tudas (?) for the purpose of procur-
ing a load of salt. When we arrived
at that place we found ourselves un-
der the necessity of transporting the
salt the distance of one mile by land
over a rough and almost barren coun-
try. This so much impeded our
progress that fourteen days elapsed
before we had finished loading the
Brig. During this time a great part
of our provisions being exhausted,
and the Island without inhabitants, we
could obtain no provisions to recruit
our almost exhausted stores without
endangering our lives and property,
as Great Britain and Spain were at
open hostilities and we on a Spanish
coast surrounded by enemies; we
were obliged to proceed on. Not-
withstanding our scanty allowance,
ten days after we left the Island, our
small store of provision being divided
we found to our sorrow that twenty
biscuits and four pounds of meat per
man was all we had to depend upon
during the remainder of our voyage,
which proved very long.
"Thirty days elapsed before we
were able to obtain a fresh supply.
In the meantime, after our provisions
were exhausted, we betook ourselves
to a new occupation, even that of
catching rats, which was all we had
to subsist on for the space of five days.
Even these animals were so embold-
ened by hunger that they frequently
sallied forth from the scaling of the
vessel and attacked us when asleep.
Several of our people were badly bit-
ten by them, losing large pieces of
flesh from our hands and feet. Dur-
ing the passage we had never spoken
a vessel, and as we had often experi-
enced contrary winds, hope the only
friend of the unfortunate, had almost
taken his flight from on board our
nn an Am*riran ©racing
famished ship. Just as the time that
we made the N. American Coast we
fell in with a vessel bound to the West
Indies, of whom we obtained some
fresh supplies of provision, which so
much enlivened the ship's crew that
joy was perspicuous in every counte-
nance, and every eye sparkled with
hope of soon again beholding their
beloved friends. Soon after we part-
ed with the vessel that supplied us ; a
favorable breeze sprang up, and in the
space of four days we arrived in Guil-
ford, found our friends all in good
health and pleased at our safe return,
after an absence of five months and
ten days.
Bound for the Island of
Jamaica, West Indies, in 1764
"In June 1764, I again shipped on
board the same Brig and set sail for
Jamaica. Fortune at length, seeming
tired of opposing one who had so long
been her sport, made some amends by
giving us fair winds and a quick mar-
ket. Soon after we arrived in port
one of the mates sickened and died.
We soon accomplished our business
in port and set out on our return
home. Not long after we left Jamaica
we were overtaken by a terrible hurri-
cane, which carried our mast by the
board, and left us a complete wreck,
for the winds and seas to toss us
wherever Providence saw fit. Through
the protecting hand of Heaven our
lives were preserved, but at the close
of the hurricane our vessel presented
us with a dreary prospect, not having
a strand of rigging on deck except the
main ropes. We, however, by un-
wearied exertions, erected jury masts,
which in seventeen days (the weather
being good) brought us to our de-
sired haven, viz. : Guilford.
"After remaining with my friends a
short time I again made a voyage to
Jamaica. It proved to be fortunate,
and no unusual event occurred during
my absence from Guilford. Subse-
quent to my return I continued at
Guilford several months, and was
busily employed in repairing a small
house, which I had just purchased.
Not long after I engaged another trip
for the West Indies, but was pre-
vented by a fall from my house, which
at first I looked upon as a severe mis-
fortune, but Providence meant it for
my good. The vessel in which I had
designed to sail was (owing to con-
trary winds) sixty days on her home-
ward bound passage without being
able to reach the American coast dur-
ing which time the person who sailed
in my room was lost overboard, and
they were finally obliged to return to
the West Indies before they could ter-
minate the voyage."
The journal of Captain Hoyt now
enters upon a narration of his experi-
ences in the years just before and
during the American Revolution.
His thrilling story of adventures in
these "knighthood days in America"
make another interesting chapter.
3tet llamas tit Ammra
Br CLARA EMERSON BICKFORD
BROUGHT TO AMERICA FROM PARIS BY PRESIDENT MONROE
Purchased by Judge Philip Norbonne Nicholas of Richmond, Virginia, from President Monroe, and now
belonging to Miss Elizabeth Byrd Nicholas of Washington. Wood is hard, yellow, picked out with gold and
female figure and scroll-work in bronze; covering sky-blue satin with yellow cording around cushions
CENTURIES before the
Christian era the Egyp-
tians had chairs of wood
with cane seats and large
and easy arm-chairs
with cushioned seats
and beautiful decorated
couches and wall hangings. This was
an age of magnificent leisure, and the
Egyptian physical civilization seems
to have been as carefully organized
as that of modern Europe and was
maintained for a time, which dwarfs
by comparison all the epochs of Eu-
rope. The Assyrians are shown in
their bas-reliefs seated on couches and
thrones, with bedside tables and
stools, vases and dishes of varied
form. The tables are lower than the
couches, as would be more convenient.
The ancient Persians and the people
of Asia Minor had rich furniture.
The people of India have been makers
of magnificent articles of mingled use
and beauty from time immemorial.
The great Empire of China is rich in
the history of decoration and furni-
ture, combined with custom, tradi-
tion, and strong family and ancestral
feeling, prolonged through untold
centuries. From Greek and Roman
antiquity come the marble tables and
lamp-stands. The bronze articles of
utility Pompeii has preserved for
modern times, but little else has been
learned with any certainty. Small ta-
bles were brought to the distinguished
guests in Homeric times, one for each
guest. The custom of removing the
tables with all on them and bringing
others, was also a later Greek prac-
tice. In the Roman triclinia or din-
ing-rooms the whole table was re-
movable at one time, and at a later
494
3n tlj?
FROM LIBRARY OF NAPOLEON I
At Malroaison, and given by Louis Philippe to
Marquis De Marginy of New Orleans. This model
is mahogany and has survived for many years
time, the leg or upright of the table
was made permanent, and only the
top movable, and intended to be
changed with the changing services.
Tablecloths came in with the Em-
peror Tiberius.
In America the well-to-do cavaliers
who came to Jamestown in 1607 were
lovers of comfort and art and it was
not long before they began to import
rich furniture from Europe. The
next century was one of magnificence
and many of the homes along the At-
lantic coast were abodes of ease and
elegance.
An American antiquarian, Esther
Singleton, has made an exhaustive
study of the evolution of household
decoration in the New World, and
finds that America is to-day a treas-
ure-house of magnificent heirlooms,
40$
m*a in America
many of which have descended nine
generations. The drawings here
shown are from originals found in
American homes by Miss Singleton
and recorded in her book by Double-
day, Page and Company of New
York. The history of furniture is so
closely related to intellectual develop-
ment that through it may be reflected
a composite of a people's culture.
BROUGHT
1633
The first comers to America brought many oak
chairs with rich earrings - This is a specimen of the
beautifully carved oak chairs of a later period
EARLY COLONIAL MAHOGANY CHAIRS IN AMERICA
The chair on the left is similar to the model in South Kensington, dated 1732— The one on the right resembles
the models dated about 1750 — Drawings from originals by Doubleday, Page and Company of New York
BROUGHT TO AMERICA BY THE ENGLISH SETTLERS FROM LEYDEN
Rush-bottomed and caned-seat chairs were universally used during the seventeenth century. These
specimens are in the possession of The Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut
£>ttwt &?nwr of Ammran Uruohrtum
in
which Jmtntnrnt Drfrat uutr.
litrurit In Ojlnrioua Utrtortj J* Srprrastng
tt|r Hauagrra of Jlropr rtg an lh,r (Dntakirta of the Artmj j*
Anrrootra of (Colonrl ^rur£ HuiUugton. Horn 1733. atto the ijrroiain
of ^ia Saagbtrra urfjo fcawa ^ira from (Eaptarr anu Exrrution >
BY
Louis S. PATRICK
MARINKTTE, WISCONSIN
\Viio HAS MADE AN EXHAUSTIVE STUDY or Tata PHASE OP TUB AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HE American Revolution
made many strong men —
daring fighters who were
il willing to lay down their
lives for their cause.
There is another type of
strong manhood that took
an important part in the American
triumph — men whose wit and in-
vention thwarted the plans of the en-
emy and turned imminent defeat into
glorious victory.
This is a true story of what might
be termed the "secret service." It re-
lates the life of a man of whom little
is recorded but whose services to his
country were such that justice should
be done his character.
There was a band of "lurking mis-
creants, not properly enrolled, who
stayed chiefly at Westchester, New
York, from whence they infested the
country between the two armies, pil-
laged the cattle and carried off the
peaceful inhabitants. The Whig in-
habitants on the edge of our lines, and
still lower down, who had been plun-
dered in a merciless manner, delayed
not to strip the Tories in return. Peo-
ple, most nearly connected, allied fre-
quently, became the most exasperated
and inveterate in malice. Then the
ties of friendship were broken, then
friendship itself being soured to en-
mity, the mind readily gave way to
private revenge, uncontrolled retalia-
tion and all the deforming passions
that disgrace humanity. Enormities
almost without name, were perpetra-
ted, at the description of which, the
bosom, not frozen to apathy, must
glow with a mixture of pity and in-
dignation."
This is the narrative of a man who
undertook the breaking up of these
marauders and incurred their direst
enmity ; a price was placed on his head
and several spies sought his capture
and the reward. The story of his ex-
perience is most entertaining.
Whether his early life brought him
any material advantages over his asso-
ciates, or that he enjoyed greater
privileges or opportunities more than
parents of ordinary means and culture
could give, there appears to be no sub-
stantial evidence. However, traits of
character indicative of the future man
became manifest at an early age. The
beginning of the French and Indian
War found him ready and willing to
enter the military service, and inspired
by the love of adventure, having a
fearless and independent nature, a
resolute character coupled with a mili-
tary spirit, at the age of seventeen, he
enlisted under the King's proclama-
tion and marched to the frontier where
he saw service and gallantly and cred-
itably participated in three campaigns,
and remained in the service until
nearly the close of the war. He was
present and took part in the battle of
Lake George, where he saw his uncle
killed and a cousin mortally wounded.
It is the story of an heroic American
youth.
nf (Eoton*! fiubtngton — $0nt in 1T39
OLONEL HENRY LUD-
INGTON was born in
1739 and his experiences
were those known only
to the founders of the
nation. While a mere
boy, he was detailed to
escort a company of invalid soldiers
from Canada to Boston. This peril-
ous duty and journey through the wil-
derness, undertaken in the dead of
winter was one of almost incredible
hardship and suffering. At times,
compelled to subsist upon the twigs
of the trees and with no protection at
night but their blankets to shelter
them from the inclemency of the
weather, the gallant young leader
braved the dangers and privations of
the march and successfully accom-
plished the duty assigned.
The young soldier possessed a
genial and a companionable disposi-
tion. Military life and discipline,
and the toil and hardship of the cam-
paign were not sufficient to hold in
check his buoyant nature or to re-
press his indomitable spirit. He
loved practical jokes and was always
fond of putting them into execution.
On the march to Canada, he was
ordered with other men under the
command of a sergeant to proceed to
cut out a road for the army through
the wilderness, a task not to his lik-
ing. In order to avoid this duty, he
cautiously sought his tent, disguised
himself and soon after joined the com-
pany, which had already taken up the
line of march. As he came up with
them, he ordered the sergeant into
the ranks and took command himself.
The sergeant was inclined to dispute
his authority and to resist, but of no
avail. The self-constituted officer
threatened to report him if he did not
obey and promptly and quietly yield.
The ruse and the disguise was so
complete that no one recognized him
or even suspected his authority.
AVhen the detail returned to the camp,
quickly and unobserved he reached
his tent, resumed his ordinary dress,
having to all intents and purposes
obeyed the order of his superior offi-
cer and performed his full share of
the work ordered. Not so with the
yielding sergeant; he was court-mar-
tialled and punished. The young sol-
dier's superior tact and naivete saved
him.
Soon after his Canadian cam-
paigns, young Ludington married his
cousin, Abigail Ludington, a daughter
of Elisha Ludington of Branford,
Connecticut. This event occurred
May first, 1760. The young couple,
with their parents and the members
of their families, left Branford and
sought a new home to the westward.
This they found within the limits of
the Phillips Patent which afterwards
became Fredericksburgh Precinct,
Dutchess County, New York, and
later by enactment in 1812, the town
of Kent, Putnam County, New York.
The location of their home was on the
north end of Lot Number Six of the
Phillips Patent. Only one other set-
tler had preceded them^ and the whole
country about them was a dense wil-
derness. Family tradition alone ex-
plains why this selection was made.
The lands were fertile and cheap, the
pasture for the stock abundant and
easily obtained, the water good, the
place healthy and pleasant and free
from many of the ills pertaining to
new settlements. However encour-
aging and alluring the inducements
were for settlement, the rocky and
rugged hills and the valleys of this
region had obstacles not so easily
overcome. To till them and to bring
them into cultivation required pa-
tience and industry. The young pio-
neer was neither discouraged nor dis-
mayed by his surroundings. He
planned and wrought on a broad scale.
Fertile acres were developed and his
enterprise and industry were reward-
ed by large possessions. Nor was
this all ; his address, capability and in-
tegrity brought him influence and au-
thority.
Soon after Ludington's entry into
Dutchess County in the Province of
New York, he was appointed a sub-
498
nf Ammran
sheriff. He took the oaths of office
March twelfth, 1763; one of abjura-
tion and the other of fealty to the Sov-
ereign, which were prescribed for offi-
cers on the accession of George the
Third to the throne of England.
These oaths are quaint relics of a by-
gone custom and authority.
His oath of abjuration declared his
belief "that there was no transubstan-
tiation of the elements of the bread
and wine into the body and blood of
Christ at or after the consecration by
any person whatsoever." His decla-
ration of loyalty to the King by the
second oath was of no uncertain char-
acter. By it he pledged himself to
remain faithful to the King and to
defend him against all traitorous con-
spiracies and attempts against his per-
son, crown and dignity to the utmost
of his power, and particularly to up-
hold the succession of the crown
against the claims of the pretended
Prince of Wales, who had styled him-
self King of England under the name
of James the Third.
At this time, the ominous signs of
the coming storm, the 'American Rev-
olution, were visible. Events, particu-
larly in the New England colonies,
were such as to give strength and
power to sentiment of open rebellion,
yet it is evident that his loyalty to the
government had not been disturbed,
nor had the culminating events
swerved him from his adhesion to his
oath, neither had his obligations weak-
ened to his Sovereign from the char-
acter and nature of these oaths. His
fidelity remained unquestioned and
William Tryon, the captain-general
and governor of the Province of New
York, under the forms of issuing
commissions, "reposing especial trust
and confidence, as well in the care and
diligence, as in the loyalty and readi-
ness to do his Majesty good and faith-
ful service," appointed him captain of
the fifth company of the second bat-
tallion of the Fredericksburgh Regi-
ment of Militia in Dutchess County.
Captain Ludington's commission was
given in the city of New York on the
thirteenth day of February, 1773, and
on the second day of April, 1773,
Henry Rosenkranz certified : "that the
within Henry Ludington had taken
the oaths as by law appointed and the
oaths of his office." He retained this
command until the commencement of
the Revolution.
However loyal Sheriff Ludington
may have been in his allegiance to the
authority of George the Third, when
the fires of patriotism were awakened
by the signal guns at Lexington, then
self-interest and fidelity to the King
was forgotten. He espoused the
cause of the colonists with alacrity.
The time for action found him vigi-
lant, aggressive, ready to meet arbi-
trary power and armed operations.
His patriotic zeal made him an unhes-
itating, energetic, open patriot. Once
within the patriots' ranks, his ardor,
military experience and judgment
gave the cause of independence a zeal-
ous defender and a conspicuous advo-
cate. He recognized the importance
of prompt action, believing that de-
lays were fraught with danger.
Early in the struggle, he took decisive
and vigorous measures to sustain the
Provincial authorities of New York.
In conjunction with Joseph Crane,
Jr., Jonathan Paddock and Elisha
Townsend, Jr., who were leading
men and influential persons in his
county, he addressed a letter to the
Honorable Council of Safety of the
State, defining the action they had
taken at the universal call of the peo-
ple to prevent the removal of flour
from that part of the state and to
effect the detention of one Helmes
who had been purchasing wheat and
flour and was then moving it from
Fishkill towards Newark. This
man's presence with them was of
doubtful character and his conversa-
tion was of a "disaffected nature."
The well "effected people" were uni-
versally displeased at this state of
affairs. "Nothing," said they, "but
the strongest necessity could induce
us to trouble you with an application
of so extraordinary a nature, but, if
nf (Ealnnel iCuMngian — itorn m 1733
we are esteemed worthy of your con-
fidence as friends of our struggling
country, our sincerity will atone for
what in common cases might appear
indecent." "Our invaded state," they
said, "has not only been an object of
special designs of our common enemy
but was obnoxious to the wicked mer-
cenary intrigues of a number of jock-
ies, who had drained that part of the
State of the article of bread to that
extent that they had reasons to fear
there was not enough left to support
the people."
In the organization of the Dutchess
County Militia for the Revolutionary
service, previous training and services
gave Colonel Ludington conspicuous
prominence. During the winter of
1775-6 he was appointed a second
major in Colonel Jacobus Swartout's
Regiment of minute-men in Dutchess
County, and when its first major,
Malcolm Morrison, resigned, Luding-
ton was appointed in his place March
tenth, 1776.
The next command to which he was
nominated was that of lieutenant
colonel. The general committee of
the county decided on May sixth,
1776, to divide and reorganize the
southern regiment of militia into two
regiments. The regiment of which
he was to be the lieutenant colonel
included all the militia in the Fred-
ericksburgh Precinct (except the mid-
dle and north short lots), and all the
militia in the Phillips Precinct in
Dutchess County. The regiment was
to remain unregimented until the offi-
cers received their commissions, but
the Provincial Congress of the Colony
of New York commissioned him colo-
nel in June, 1776, his command being
as already described. This commis-
sion was superseded by another grant-
ed to him by Governor George Clin-
ton, the first governor of the State of
New York, issued at Poughkeepsie,
May twenty-eighth, 1778, ordering
him to take command of the regiment
hithertofore commanded by him.
This rank he held throughout the war
and for many years afterwards.
The locality in New York in which
Colonel Ludington lived, and to
which his regiment belonged, was in
close proximity to the Neutral Ground
of New York. It was the shortest
route to New York and the most di-
rect line to Connecticut and other
points in the farther East. The im-
portant post of West Point was only
twenty miles away, while to the west,
three miles, rose the crest of the
Highlands of the Hudson, overlook-
ing Fishkill and Newburg in the val-
ley below. Owing to the directness
of the route, this locality became
strategic and advantageous to direct
the movement and concentration of
troops in any direction whenever an
emergency required. The ease and
readiness by which his command
could be diverted and concentrated,
brought Colonel Ludington's Regi-
ment into active and constant service
in the counties of Dutchess and West-
chester, either to assist the regular
troops or to quell the turbulent Tory
spirit of that section, or to repress the
vicious and exasperating conduct of
the "Cowboys and Skinners," who in-
fested the Neutral Ground.
"In this section," says one record,
"the condition of affairs was truly de-
plorable. Small parties of volunteers
on the one side, and parties of Royal-
ists and Tories on the other, constant-
ly harassed the inhabitants and plun-
dered without mercy friend and foe
alike. To guard against surprise re-
quired the utmost vigilance. Within
this territory resided many friends of
the American cause, whose situation
exposed them to continual ravages by
the Tories, horse-thieves and cow-
boys, who robbed them indiscrimi-
nately and mercilessly, while the per-
sonal abuse and punishment were
almost incredible."
From this section and by the aid
and co-operation of these lawless
gangs, General Howe, the com-
mander of the British forces in and
around New York, obtained largely
his supplies of cattle and grain.
Colonel Ludington's activity and vigi-
50°
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO KING GEORGE III
Sworn to by Colonel Henry Ludington on March ti, 1763, In Dutchess County in the Province
of New York, before he was allowed to take office as a sub-sheriff— Accurate Transcript
I do Sincerely Promise & Swear, that I will be faithful and bear true
Allegiance to his Majesty King George the Third, and I do Swear, that I do from
my heart, Abhor, Detest, and Abjure, as Impious and Heritical, that Damnable
Doctrine and Position, that Princes Excommunicated and Deprived by the Pope,
or Any Authority of the See of Rome, may be Deposed by their Subjects or any
other Whatsoever, and I do Declare that no Foreign Prince, Person, Prelate State
or Potentate, hath or ought to have, any Jurisdiction, Power, Superiority, Pre-
eminence, or Authority Eclesiastical or Spiritual Within this Realm, and I do,
Truly and Sincerely acknowledge and profess, Testify and Declare, in my Con-
science, before God and the World, That our Sovereign Lord King George the
Third, is Lawful and Rightful! King of this Realm, and all other Dominions and
Countrys Thereunto Belonging, and I do Solemnly and Sincerely Declare, that I
do believe in my Conscience, that the person pretended to be Prince of Wales,
During the Life of the Late King James the Second, and Since his Decease, Pre-
tending to be, and Takeing upon himself, the Stile and Title of King of England,
by the name of James the Third, or of Scotland by the name of James the Eight, or
the Stile and Title of King of Great Britain, hath not any right or Title Whatso-
ever, to the Crown of this Realm or any other the Dominions Thereunto Belong-
ing, and I do Renounce, Refuse and Abjure, any Aligence or Obedience to him
and I do Swear, That I will bear Faith, and true Alegiance to his Majesty King
George the Third, and will him Defend, to the Utmost of my Power, against all
Traiterous Conspiracies and Attempts Whatsoever, Which Shall be made, Against
his Person, Crown or Dignity, and I will do my Utmost Endeavors, to Disclose and
Make Known, to his Majesty and his Successors, all Treasons and Traiterous
Conspiracies, Which I shall know to be against him, or any of them, and I do faith-
fully promise to the Utmost of my Power to Support Maintain and Defend, the
Successors of the Crown, against him the said James, and all other Persons What-
soever, Which Succession, by an Act Entitled an Act for the further Limitation of
the Crown and better Securing the Rights and Liberties of the Subjects is and
Stands Limited to the Late Princess Sophia, Electress and Dutchess Dowager of
Hanover, and the Heirs of her Body, being Protestants, and all these things I do
Plainly and Sincerely Acknowledge and Swear according to the Express words
by me Spoken, and According to the Plain and Common Sence and Understand-
ing of the Same Words, Without any Equivocation, Mental Evasion, or Senister
Reservation Whatsoever, and I do make this Recognition, Acknowledgement,
Abjuration, Renunciation and Promise, heartily, Willingly and Truly, upon the
True Faith of a Christian — So help me God.
AN AMERICAN'S OATH OF ABJURATION IN 1763
Sworn to by Colonel Henry Ludington when appointed to the office of sub-sheriff —Accurate
Transcript from Originals in the Collection of the Poughkeepsie, New York Literary Club
I Do Solemnly and Sincerely, in the Presence of God, Profess, Testify
and Declare, That I do Believe, that in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper there
is not any Transubstantiation, of the Elements of Bread and Wine, into the Body
and Blood of Christ, at or After the Consecration Thereof, by any person what-
soever, And that the Invocation, or Adoration of the Virgin Mary, or Any Other
Saint, And the Sacrifice of Mass, as they are Now Used in the Church of Rome,
Are Superstitious and Idolatrous, and I do Solemnly in the presence of God, Pro-
fess, Testify and Declare, that I do make this Declaration, and Every Part
Thereof, in the Plain and Ordinary Sence, of the Words read to me, as they are
Commonly Understood, by English Protestants, Without Any Evasion, Equivoca-
tion, or Mental Reservation Whatsoever, and Without any Dispensation, Already
Granted me for this purpose, by the Pope, or any Other Authonty Whatsoever, or
Without Thinking, that I am or Can be Acquitted, before God or Man, or Absolved
of this Declaration, or any Part Thereof, Although the Pope, or any other Person
or Persons, or Power Whatsoever, Should Dispence with, or Annul the same, and
Declare that it was Null and Void, from the Beginning.
501
0f American iktmUtttntt
lance frequently thwarted the designs
of these foes, broke up their combina-
tions, secured the capture of their
leaders and his continual activity
and effective operations against these
marauders and their allies incurred
the displeasure of General Howe who
aroused an energetic hostility towards
Colonel Ludington. To effect the
capture of the untiring and zealous
officer, dead or alive, a large reward
was offered by the British officer.
Inspired by this incentive, many at-
tempts were made to capture Colonel
Ludington. None were, however,
successful.
The most signal attempt to capture
the brave colonel and the nearest to
success, was undertaken by a notori-
ous Tory named Prosser, whose
headquarters were in the vicinity of
Quaker Hill, Dutchess County, New
York. This leader, while on his way
to New York with a large band of his
followers to join the British forces,
marching in the night time, surround-
ed Colonel Ludington's house and but
for their timely discovery by his
daughters, Sibbell and Rebecca, would
have captured him. These fearless
girls, with guns in their hands, were
acting as sentinels, pacing the piazza
to and fro in true military style and
spirit to guard their father against
surprise and to give him warning of
any approaching danger. They dis-
covered Prosser and his men and gave
the alarm. In a flash, candles were
lighted in every room of the house,
and then the few occupants marched
and counter-marched before the win-
dows and from this simple and clever
ruse Prosser was led to believe that
the house was strongly guarded and
did not dare to make an attack. He
kept his men concealed behind the
trees and fences until daybreak, when
with yells they resumed their march
and hastened southwards towards
New York, ignorant of how they had
been foiled by clever girls. A pecu-
liar incident in later years is that
after Prosser escaped banishment he
returned at the close of the war and
settled near Colonel Ludington.
Colonel Ludington's life was in
danger at another time and by the
merest incident he narrowly escaped
instant death. A slight noise attract-
ed attention, while he was eating his
evening meal, and this slight warning
was the means of saving his life. The
open shutters were instantly closed
and protected him from his assassins.
This incident was related to him after
the war by one of his neighbors, who
was a member of the party, and re-
marked: "Oh, it is too bad to shoot
him while he is eating."
The colonel's most vigilant and
watchful companion was his sentinel
daughter, Sibbell. Her constant care
and thoughtfulness, combined with
fortuitous circumstances, prevented
the fruition of many an intrigue
against his life and his capture.
As unremitting as Colonel Luding-
ton's efforts were, the Tories re-
mained diligent in collecting and drill-
ing bands of men for actual service in
the Royal Army. Captain Joshua
Nickerson, a noted Tory, collected a
large force of men over the swamp in
the eastern part of the precinct for
this purpose and thorough prepara-
tions were made to take them to New
York. Colonel Ludington, having
been apprised of Captain Nickerson's
intention and having obtained accu-
rate information as to the place of
rendezvous and their numbers,
through a tenant who had enlisted
with Nickerson, marched a sufficient
force at night and captured the entire
number and lodged them in jail at
Poughkeepsie. The tenant was sub-
sequently released.
Captain John Holmes was another
of the active Tories in this section.
His occupation, that of a horse racer,
gave him some opportunities and he
was the most wary of them all. The
British authorities supplied him with
money to use as a bounty for recruits.
He gathered privately a large number
of men and concealed them in a scrub
oak field in Fishkill Plain. Colonel
PLEDGE OF THE PATRIOTS TO FREE AMERICA
Signed by Americans in 1776 — Accurate Transcript from Original in Possession of the
Misses Patterson of Patterson, New York— Colonel Henry Ludington renounced his former
oaths and signed this document at the Beginning of the American Revolution
Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depend,
under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants in a vigorous prosecution of the
measures necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of preventing
anarchy and confusion which attend a dissolution of the powers of government,
WE, THE FREEDMEN, FREEHOLDERS, and INHABITANTS of DUTCHESS, being greatly
alarmed at the avowed design of the Ministry to raise a revenue in America, and
shocked by the bloody scene now acting in Massachusetts Bay, do in the most sol-
emn manner resolve never to become slaves, and do associate, under all the ties of
religion, honor, and love to our country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into exe-
cution whatsoever measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress, or
resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, for the purpose of preserving our
constitution and of opposing the several arbitrary acts of the British Parliament,
until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, on constitutional
principles (which we most ardently desire) can be obtained; and that we will in all
things follow the advice of our General Committee respecting the purposes afore-
said, the preservation of peace and good order and the safety of individuals and
property.
PLEA FOR PROTECTION FROM THE ENEMY
Accurate Transcript from Original Letter Written by Colonel Henry Ludington after he
had espoused the cause of American Independence and his oaths to the King
DUTCHESS COUNTY, 30, DECEMBER, 1776.
GENTN. —
Nothing but the strongest necessity could induce us to trouble you with an
application of so extraordinary a nature, but if we are esteemed worthy your con-
fidence as friends to our struggling country our sincerity will atone for what in
common cases might appear indecent Our invaded State has not only been an
object of the especial designs of our common enemy, but obnoxious to the wicked,
mercenary intrigues of a number of engrossing jockies who have drained this part
of the State of the article of bread to such a degree that we have reason to fear
there is not enough left for the support of the inhabitants. We have for some
months past heard of one Helms who has been purchasing wheat and flour in these
parts, with which the well affected are universally dissuited.
This man with us is of doubtful character, his conversations are of the dis-
affected sort entirely. He has now moving from Fishkill toward Newark we think
not less than one hundred barrels of flour, for which he says he has your permit,
the which we have not seen. — However, we have, at the universal call of the people,
"concluded to stop the flour and Helms himself until this express may return. We
ourselves think from the conduct of this man that his designs are bad.
We have the honor to be your humble servts.
HENRY LUDINGTON.
JOSEPH CRANE JR.
JONATHAN PADDOCK.
ELIJAH TOWNSEND.
To the Honorable the Council of Safety for the State of New York.
503
0f (EnUmel ffiubmgtnn — Itora in 1733
Ludington, learning of the secret
gathering, moved at night with a
strong attachment of men, surrounded
Holmes and succeeded in capturing
him and his troop after a severe strug-
gle. They were taken to Poughkeep-
sie and imprisoned. Holmes would
have been hanged for his traitorous
conduct but for the personal exertions
of his captor who pleaded in his be-
half with Governor Clinton.
Colonel Ludington was closely
identified with the first secret service.
The home and the labors of the fam-
ous Revolutionary spy, Enoch Crosby,
the original of Cooper's "Harvey
Birch," were in the territory com-
manded by Colonel Ludington. This
humble individual, a shoemaker by
occupation, while traveling about the
country pursuing his occupation
among the people, obtained informa-
tion of the utmost importance to
Washington. Colonel Ludington
knew his secret and his object and
aided him and sheltered him in the
performance of his delicate and haz-
ardous mission. To further prose-
cute this service, Colonel Ludington
furnished numerous successful spies
from his own regiment, and with
Washington planned many enter-
prises to obtain definite and trustwor-
thy information concerning the move-
ments, numbers and intentions of the
British forces. His services also ex-
tended to the Commissary Depart-
ment in purchasing supplies for the
use of the army. Entries in an old
account book show transactions at
Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also
at Annapolis, Maryland.
New York was slow to formulate
a state and it was among the last to
act. When the time for action came,
however, it perfected an organization
famed for its liberality, effectiveness
and ample provisions. Every de-
partment was admirably officered and
every possible precaution was taken
to enforce and execute the laws and
to punish the enemies of the state.
The legislature appointed commis-
sioners to quell and subdue insurrec-
tion and disaffection in the counties
of Dutchess and Westchester. These
commissioners, Colonel Henry Lud-
ington, John Jay and Colonel Thomas,
were directed to co-operate with a
similar one in the Manor of Living-
ston and were authorized to call in
the aid of the militia if necessary, and
commanded to use every reasonable
means to effect the detection and cap-
ture of spies and the secret agents of
the enemy.
An instance of Colonel Ludington's
experiences is the case of Malcolm
Morrison, at one time a first major in
a regiment of minute-men, who was
charged with accepting the protection
of the British government and with
raising a company of soldiers for its
service. The charge was sustained
by the oaths of several witnesses.
The committee resolved to commit
him to the Ulster County jail Janu-
ary fourth, 1777, there to remain,
awaiting the pleasure of the commit-
tee or such order as the future legis-
lature of the state might make con-
cerning him. While in Kingston jail,
Morrison on February nineteenth,
1777, petitioned the representatives of
the state in convention assembled,
stating that he had always been ready
in advising and assisting both officers
and soldiers in the public business,
and in a most generous manner had
advanced them cash for their relief
and was a considerable amount out of
pocket on that account, none of which
had been paid back, except the £6 lent
Colonel Ludington and William Grif-
fin to enable them to find out the per-
nicious plot of John Miller and Con-
stant Nickerson. The power and the
authority that Colonel Ludington had
in these matters appears in the testi-
mony of Matthew Patterson, an affi-
ant before the Committee on Conspir-
acies, who testified that there was a
man in the room, meaning Colonel
Ludington, who if he knew what At-
kins, another affiant, had said, would
immediately send him to Congress,
but he did' not deem it expedient to
50+
garret &mrir? nf tlj? Am*riran firoalutum
mention it to him (Colonel Luding-
ington).
Washington selected Colonel Lud-
ington as an aid-de-camp at the battle
of White Plains and afterwards com-
plimented him for his meritorious ser-
vice, gallant conduct and soldierly
bearing. The expedition, consisting
of two thousand men, sent out to de-
stroy the stores and munitions of war
collected at Danbury, Connecticut,
under the command of General
Tryon, reached that place Saturday,
April twenty-sixth, 1777. The guard,
too small for protection and too weak
for effective resistance, withdrew.
Preparations were immediately made
to harass the enemy. A messenger
was dispatched to Colonel Ludington
to summon him to aid in the defence
of the place. He arrived in the even-
ing of that day. The members of
Colonel Ludington's regiment were at
their homes which were miles apart
and scattered over a wide territory.
To summon them was no easy task.
There was no one ready to do it.
Sibbell,the young daughter of Colonel
Ludington, a girl of- sixteen, volun-
teered to do this service. She mount-
ed her horse, equipped with a man's
saddle (some members of the family
say without saddle or bridle), and
galloped off on the road in the dead
of night to perform this courageous
service. The next morning by break-
fast time, the regiment had taken up
the line of march and was in rapid
motion towards Danbury, twenty
miles distant. The British were in
full retreat, but in such force as to
prevent an open attack by the forces
under the command of Silliman,
Wooster and Arnold, who pursued
them until they escaped to their boats
at the Sound. The expedition was a
costly one to them. The loss as esti-
mated was from three hundred to
four hundred men — more extensive
than Lexington in comparison to the
numbers engaged.
The British in the campaign of
1777 had a grand object in view.
They intended to penetrate New York
505
and to dismember the colonies. To
execute this plan, Burgoyne and
others were to proceed from the
northward and westward to meet at
Albany and proceed down the river
until they formed a junction with the
forces under Clinton from the south-
ward, and by this masterly stroke to
obtain possession of the commanding
points of the state and to effect the
isolation of the New England Colo-
nies. Unexpected difficulties, numer-
ous delays and the rapid augumenta-
tion of the American Army prevented
Burgoyne from accomplishing his
part of the project. Messengers were
dispatched to Sir Henry Clinton to in-
form him of the circumstances of
Burgoyne and to urge him to make a
diversion in his favor and with such
force as to scatter the half-disciplined
provincials. Clinton, eager to com-
ply, was waiting reinforcements.
Washington had drawn a large force
from Putnam in the Highlands to aid
operations elsewhere and left him
with a force composed principally of
militia from New York and Connect-
icut. Putnam, apprehending no
movement up the river, had dis-
charged nearly ten hundred of these,
leaving his effective force only fifteen
hundred men. Clinton, on the arrival
of reinforcements, organized an ex-
pedition, the chief object of which
was to create a diversion in favor of
Burgoyne. On Saturday, October
fourth, 1777, the expedition proceed-
ed up the river with a force of fifty
hundred men and landed at Tarry-
town. At this point, under orders
from Putnam, Colonel Ludington was
stationed with five hundred men.
Clinton sent a flag of truce with a
peremptory demand to surrender
themselves as prisoners of war. While
parleying with the flag, the enemy en-
deavored to surround the militia and
effect their capture, but Colonel Lud-
ington, perceiving the object of Clin-
ton, ordered a retreat and withdrew
to a place of safety. The British then
withdrew.
Colonel Ludington's report of this
0f
— itorn in 1T39
affair to General Putnam was made
during the afternoon of the fourth of
October, and after detailing the condi-
tions in the vicinity and describing
the arrival, landing and force of the
British in this undertaking, he re-
reported :
That under command of Governor
Tryon, they immediately took the heights
above Tarrytown, and from thence kept the
heights until they thought they had got
above our little party, but luckily we had
got above them and paused at Mr. Young's,
where we thought best to move towards
them, where we were in open view of
them, and found them to be vastly superior
to us in numbers, and moved off to
Wright's Mills. Having no assistance
more than our little party belonging to our
regiment, I found on our retreat, before
we got back to Young's, they had sent for-
ward a flag, but found it was in view of
trapping us, as they had flanking parties,
who we discovered, in order to surround
us, but after clearing the regiment, I rode
back and met the flag within a quarter of
a mile of their main body. The purport of
his errand was that Governor Tryon had
sent him to acquaint me, if we would give
up our arms and submit, they would show
us mercy or otherways, they were deter-
mined to take us and strip the country.
Sent in answer: That as long as I had a
man alive, I was determined to oppose
them and they might come on as soon as
they pleased. We have not lost a- man
and the last move of the enemy was from
Young's towards the Plains.
The exigencies of the situation
brought Colonel Ludington into ser-
vices other than the purely military.
The Continental Army had purchased
large supplies of grain and hay in
Eastern Dutchess County, New York,
and Western Connecticut. In order
to transport it rapidly and to other-
wise facilitate the movement of these
supplies, it became necessary to im-
prove the roads. William Duer on
behalf of General Mifflin, the Quarter-
master General of the Continental
Army, informed the committee that it
was necessary that the roads toward
North Castle and Rize's Ridge in
New York should be repaired. The
committee, acting promptly on this
matter, ordered the repairs to be made
and directed that Colonel Ludington
should detach one hundred men from
his command and assign them to this
duty. It was also important that the
roads and bridges should be in good
condition on account of the move-
ments of the British from the north-
ward. Washington also had these
matters under his personal attention,
and to meet any emergency that might
arise, he ordered three brigades of
troops into the Fredericksburgh pre-
cinct. On their march these troops
encamped on the meadow near Colo-
nel Ludington's house and remained
over night.
While Washington was in the
Fredericksburgh precinct in 1778, he
was on several occasions a guest at
the house of Colonel Ludington and
once in the company of Count Ro-
chambeau. Other distinguished men
of the period enjoyed the hospitality
of Colonel Ludington. Among these
were William Ellery, a member of
Congress from Massachusetts, who
on the twentieth day. of October
mounted his horse at Dighton, pro-
posing to ride to York, Pennsylvania,
five hundred miles distant, where he
was to resume his congressional du-
ties. He was accompanied by Fran-
cis Dana and his servant. A sketch
of his trip has been preserved, relat-
ing the incidents of his journey. On
the fifth of November they left Litch-
field, Connecticut, intending to reach
Peekskill, but when they arrived at
Danbury they were persuaded to
abandon the route because of the To-
ries and horse thieves and the impos-
sibility of reaching Peekskill that
night. Unable to secure lodgings in
Danbury, the Fishkill route was
taken, and they reached the house ^i
Colonel Ludington where they re-
mained over night.
Ellery describes his experience at
this place and the state of affairs in
the immediate vicinity:
"Here, mens meminisse horret," we were
told by our landlady that the Colonel had
gone to New Windsor, that there was a
guard on the road between Fishkill and
Peeksskill and one of the guard had been
killed about 6 miles off, and that a man
506
§>errrt Satiric? nf tlj? Amfriratt
not long before had been shot on the road
to Fishkill not more than three miles from
their house and a guard had been placed
there for sometime past and had been dis-
missed only three days. We were in a
doleful pickle, not a male in the house but
Francis Dana and his man and William
Ellery, and no lodging for the first and the
last but in a lower room, without shutters
to the windows or locks to the door. What
was to be done? In the first place, we
fortified our stomachs with beefsteak and
strong drink (grogg) and then went to
work to fortify ourselves against attack.
Dana asked whether there were any guns
in the house, two were produced. One of
these in good order. Nails were fixed over
the windows, the gun placed in the corner,
a pistol under each of our pillows and the
hanger against the bed-post Thus accou-
tred and prepared at all points, our heroes
went to bed. Whether Francis Dana slept
William Ellery cannot say for he was so
overcomed with fatigue and his animal
spirits with beef etc., that every trace of
fear was utterly erased from his imagina-
tion and he slept soundly until morning
without any interruption save that at mid-
night as he fancieth, he was awakened by
his companion with the interesting ques-
tion, deliverd in a tremulous voice, "what
noise is that?" He listened and soon dis-
covered that the noise was occassioned by
some rats gnawing the head of a bread
cask. After satisfying the knight about the
noise, he took his second and finishing nap.
The next day it snowed and rained. We
continued at Colonel Ludington's until
afternoon, when the fire-wood being gone,
we mounted and set off.
Colonel Ludington's residence was
built prior to the Revolution and in
style similar to almost every house of
the period, two stories in front and
one in the rear. Huge doors divided
in the middle with ponderous latches
gave entrance. The front was orna-
mented by a piazza, within large
and spacious rooms, their ceilings low
and the floors nicely sanded. Wide
halls divided the rooms, a massive
stairway led up to the commodious
chambers. Immense chimneys rose
within the structures, each with wide
fire-places and large ovens. While
many happy incidents are inseparately
connected with this house, it pos-
sessed historic interest from its asso-
ciations and for the many plans pro-
posed and developed to bring success
to the patriots' cause and arms. Its
good cheer to the way-faring man
and the hospitality to its guests made
it famous far and wide during the
early period of the country's history.
Long after its owners had passed
from life, it was remembered by those
who had been sheltered within its
walls. It remained standing until
1838 when it was torn down.
Many places of trust and honor in
civil life, both public and private,
were held by Colonel Ludington. In
1772, he was the assessor of the Fred-
ricksburgh precinct and was the su-
pervisor in 1777-1778. He was a
member of the legislature of New
York, having been chosen for the
third session, meeting at Kingston
first, then at Albany, and closing its
proceedings at its third meeting at
Kingston, ending July second, 1780.
He was also a member of the fourth
session, meeting at Poughkeepsie,
September seventh, 1780, and ending
its second meeting at Albany, March
thirty-first, 1781 ; and afterwards a
member of the ninth session conven-
ing in New York, January twelfth,
and adjourning May fifth, 1786. He
was elected the fourth and last time
as a member of the legislature for the
tenth session, which body met in New
York, January twelfth, and finished
its labors April twenty-first, 1787.
His votes are recorded with the ma-
jority vote. By a commission dated
March twenty-sixth, 1804, he was ap-
pointed a justice-of-the-peace for the
town of Frederick, Dutchess County.
This office he held for many years and
administered its duties with dignity.
His equitable decisions, on common
sense principles were seldom reversed.
It is related of him by those who knew
him intimately that when he was first
appointed, and for several years there-
after, he had no law books and that
he made his decisions without prece-
dent, but they were almost invariably
sustained by the higher courts. The
idea of holding courts without the
statutes was considered preposterous
by his neighbors and at length he was
prevailed upon to send to Poughkeep-
in 173$
sie to make a purchase of a set of
books in order to make his decisions
in accordance with the statutes. The
books were purchased and judgment
rendered, but it was not long before
an appeal was taken and his decision
was not upheld by the higher court.
The reversal settled the question of
books with him conclusively. From
this time he laid them aside and de-
clared he would never make another
decision from them — and he did not.
Multifarious and constant as were
his public and private duties, his in-
terest in other affairs was not ob-
scured nor lessened. When the first
academy was erected in Patterson,
Putnam County, New York, a school
which obtained considerable impor-
tance during its time, he contributed
the timber for its construction. He
built and operated a saw and a grist
mill, — the first one built in that sec-
tion. It was erected during the Rev-
olution and was known as the "Lud-
dinton Mill." Its reputation gave it
great custom and it enjoyed a unique
reputation from the fact that the
structure was raised almost solely by
women, the men being absent in the
military service of the country. The
building is yet standing and with
some alterations and improvements
the wheels go merrily round as in the
days of yore, but the old saw mill has
long since passed out of existence,
hardly a memory of it remaining.
Colonel Ludington in personal ap-
pearance was a man of commanding
presence. He was above the medium
height, erect of figure, with prominent
features and had blue eyes. His con-
victions were sincere and resolute.
He was irreproachable in character
and determined in purpose. His bus-
iness capacity was evidenced by the
successful manner by which he con-
ducted his private affairs. The farm,
the mills and the inn, while demand-
ing a large share of his attention, did
not prevent him giving thoughtful
care towards the performance of his
public duties.
Colonel Henry Ludington was the
oldest son of William and Mary
(Knowles) Ludington of Branford,
Connecticut, where he was born May
twenty-fifth, 1739. His ancestor, Wil-
liam Ludington and his wife Ellen
were of English origin and settled in
Charlestown, Massachusetts, about
1632, afterwards removing to New
Haven about 1660, and it is recorded
that he died at the East Haven Iron
Works in 1663. His grandfather,
William Ludington, was a prominent
and an influential man among the
New Haven colonists, both in church
and political affairs. His parents
were of the intelligent farmers of the
New Haven Colony.
Colonel Ludington died January
twenty-fourth, 1817. The end came
suddenly — almost without warning.
In the village churchyard adjacent to
the Presbyterian church at Patterson,
Putnam County, New York, lies his
remains, suitably marked and where
also are interred several members of
his family.
HERITAGE OF YEARS— BY HOWARD ARNOLD WALTER
Swift phantom strokes, borne from a distant bell
Peal sweetly— as the shadowy clock of Time
Numbers the years in soft, melodious chime.
Truthful the tale their brazen voices tell
Of many summers spent, or ill or well.
Of sorrows mingling thick with Joys sublime,
Angelic deeds with whisperings of crime,
And marriage music merged in funeral knell.
The time for preparation overpast,
Behold the heritage the years have given !
A vision broad, to view and understand,
A courage brave to face a work so vast,
A willing hand to lift earth nearer Heaven,
Broad mind, brave heart, and ever-ready hand.
508
Mttltam Jgn4ott— An immigrant to
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an Jnftian JUrafcrr anil fcrttUfc an tiff Erail J* ^* Arnmuilairl>
Wralttj anb 3famtiir& a Jamtta tntjirlf faa
Eton-aUg to Am*rtran f rngrrBB j* Natlfanlrl
(Enntrowrag tottlj ttf* JJgnrlfnn 3Familg ourr ^tfi Nowl ^
nf ll|? tarlg Attwrlrau Pwnprrfl •* Brarrihrb
BY
BLANCHE NICHOLS HILL
OP NEW YORK
HEN America's great-
est novelist, Nathaniel
Hawthorne, wrote
"The House of the
Seven Gables" the
Pynchon family pro-
tested against what
they considered an unwarranted use
of the family name in the story.
One of the novelist's strongest char-
acters was stern old Colonel Pyncheon
— Hawthorne spelled the name with
"e," but the Pynchon family invaria-
bly omitted it. Another of his char-
acters was Hepzibah Pyncheon and
her heroic, self-sacrificing love for her
brother Clifford, — and there was little
Phoebe Pyncheon, the only illuminat-
ing ray in the decaying old house.
Hawthorne, when informed of the
disfavor of the Pynchon family in be-
ing incorporated into his admirable
picture of the dignified and austere
Puritan period, made an apology.
The family in its sense of dignified re-
pose and propriety considered that the
celebrity of the novel brought them
into an undesired notoriety which to
them was offensive.
The Pynchon family treasures
among its heirlooms the letter of apol-
ogy from the distinguished American
novelist, and Hawthorne refers to the
incident in a letter to his sister Louisa,
dated Lenox, May 20, 1851 :
HAWTHORNE'S TROUBLES EXPLAINED IN LETTER TO HIS SISTER
"How do you like 'The House of the Seven Gables?' Not so well as 'The Scarlet Letter,' I judge
from your saying nothing about it. I receive very complimentary letters from poets and prosers,
and adoring ones from young ladles; and I have almost a challenge from a gentleman who com-
plains of my Introducing his grandfather, Judge Pyncheon. It seems that there was really a Pyn-
cheon family, formerly resident in Salem and one of them bore the title of Judge and was a Tory at
the time of the Revolution, — with which facts I was entirely unacquainted. I pacified the gentle-
man by a letter."
•Ptiitam IJgnrlfnn — Smmtgnmt tn Ammra, Ifi3fl
No apology was really necessary,
Hawthorne having really written
from his own experience rather than
from his imagination, for in another
letter he refers to the curse which,
according to those who knew him
best, oppressed and affected him, and
was brought upon the family by
Judge Hawthorne of Salem, the
aforesaid malediction having been in-
voked by Rebekah Nurse, who was
condemned to death by the judge in
his official capacity. Matthew Maule
was Hawthorne, and Phoebe was in-
spired by Hawthorne's wife. The
episode of the Pyncheon deed, which
was lost and restored after it was
valueless, was suggested by similar
facts in the Hawthorne history.
It is of this Pynchon family that I
shall here relate: While doubtless
there have been members of the Pyn-
chon family, who with Yankee fore-
sight, accumulated their share of this
world's goods, they possessed another
equally strong New England charac-
teristic, for the American branch of
the Pynchon family has been more or
less identified with the intellectual and
scholastic life of the country rather
than with the commercial world, as
the Hawthorne view implied, the
English members claiming Oxford for
their Alma Mater and the American
Pynchons matriculating at Harvard,
Trinity or Yale.
The name is one of the oldest in
England and as far back as 1277-8, in
the sixth year of King Edward First,
Richard Pinchon, a citizen of Lon-
don, bequeaths his property to his
daughter Agnes. Many of these old
wills are very quaint. That of
Nichas Pynchon, citizen and "bocker"
of London, indicates that he was a de-
vout believer, for he says, February
15, 1528: "I bequeath and recom-
mend my soul unto Almighty God,
my maker and my redeemer and to
the most glorious Virgin his mother,
our lady Saint Mary, and to all 'tholy
and Blissid company of Saintes in
hevin.'" After carefully providing
for his family and his church, he
leaves among other charities "ten
pounds to be applied in buying coals
in the Winter season, in ten years next
after my decease, to be distributed
amongst the most needy poor of St.
Nichas."
Another member of the same fam-
ily, Wyllyam Pynchon, bequeaths
"twenty shirts and twenty smocks and
forty bushels of wheat to be given and
divided amongst the poor folk in
Writtle and Roxwell, and that the
same may be done by the church war-
dens and two or three honest men of
the parish," thus in his last moments
showing a shrewd estimate of frail
human nature.
A common legacy in those wills
were rings of remembrance, often "of
gold of weight of 40 shillings," or
"of the weight of 3 pounds 5 shillings
and 8 pence," and the scale varies in
different wills according to the degree
of friendship or obligation. In many,
"a black cloak" or "a black gown" is
bequeathed, that the beneficiary may
show that proper respect for the dead
that still has such a firm hold on Eng-
lish customs.
Wyllyam Pynchon was buried at
Writtle, and the chancel of the beau-
tiful little church there is nearly filled
with the monuments and memorial
tablets of the Pynchon family. In the
church in Springfield, England, not
far from Writtle, there is a tablet on
the wall of the vestry room with the
name of William Pynchon inscribed
on it as one of the church wardens,
dated 1624. This is the William
Pynchon who was one of the original
patentees of the Massachusetts Bay
Colony, and who six years later assist-
ed in bringing that charter to Amer-
ica. He was educated at Oxford,
matriculating at Hart Hall, after-
wards Hertford College, October 14,
1596, when he was but eleven years
old. It was in 1630 that he brought
over the charter in a fleet of three ves-
sels. In the same year he founded
Roxbury and six years later Spring-
510
Jnwtter nf
Famtlg in Am*rira
field, Massachusetts. This last named
was on the direct Indian trail leading
from the Narragansett and Pequot
country by way of the Westfield River
to the Mohawk country above Albany,
so that parties of Indians were con-
stantly passing his door in every di-
rection. He accumulated wealth by
trading, and Warehouse Point, Con-
necticut, just below Springfield, re-
ceived its name from John Pynchon's
warehouse situated there. So great
was William Pynchon's influence
among the Indians of the West as
those of New England, that the Mo-
hawks used to call New Englanders
"Pynchon's men."
He also indulged in the literary
bent of the family, publishing a book
entitled, "The Meritorious Price of
Our Redemption," which being anti-
Calvinistic in its views so stirred up
the colony that the book was ordered
to be burned and the author cited to
appear before the general court.
After being summoned to court a sec-
ond time, he left the colony in Sep-
tember, 1652, and returned to Eng-
land. Two copies of this work are
extant. One is at the Lenox library
and the other is owned by the present
head of the family. His only son,
John Pynchon, remained in New
England, and from him are descended
all who bear the name in America.
One of the most illustrious of his
descendants was Rev. Thomas Rug-
gles Pynchon, who from 1874 to 1883
was president of Trinity College and
was a most potent agent in extending
the influence of the college as well as
adding more buildings. But from the
time he entered college as a student
until his death in October, 1904, he
was closely identified with the work
and power of that institution. He
was ordained at Trinity Church, Bos-
ton, and from 1849 to 1&5S nac^ charge
of churches in Stockbridge and
Lenox, Massachusetts. He held the
degree of D.D. from Stevens College,
and LL.D. from Columbia. After his
death a large part of the old family
$n
possessions came into the hands of
their present owner, the eighth in de-
scent from William Pynchon, the
founder of the American branch of
the family.
Most of the furniture is very old
and of that severely plain and massive
type so long associated with our Puri-
tan ancestors. Exquisite housekeep-
ers were those female members of the
family, for few marks of time mar the
softly glowing mahogany. One of
the most interesting pieces is a clothes
press with deep shelves behind two
large single-paneled doors. Below
are three drawers, with brass handles,
the design showing a lion's head with
a ring in his mouth. A similar
"Cloaths Prefs" but with another style
of feet, is shown in the book of
Thomas Chippendale, who thus naively
expresses himself on the title page:
"The gentleman and cabinet mak-
er's director : Being a large collection
of the most elegant and useful designs
of household furniture in the most
fashionable taste."
The mahogany bed is handsomely
carved at the corners of the head and
foot boards, just enough for ornament
but not enough to mar the beautiful
grain of the wood. A plain massive
bureau of the same red mahogany and
with severely plain wooden knobs, is
filled to bursting with hand-woven
linen. There are huge linen sheets
and pillow slips, with knitted linen
lace. There are bedquilts and testers
and curtains, and a beautiful hand-
made tufted spread, woven double,
with the pattern picked up on the right
side, the design beinga six-pointed star
in the center with a Greek key pattern
around the edge above the twisted
fringe. The latter bears in precise
cross-stitch the initials of Alicia Van
Epps Murdoch, a daughter of Mis-
tress Murdoch, through whom the
Pynchon's became allied to the Hales.
For she had two daughters, one of
whom married William Henry Rug-
gles Pynchon, of Connecticut, and the
other Dr. Enoch Hale, of Boston, who
•PUUam
— Jfmmtgrant to Ammra, 1B3II
was an uncle of Edward Everett Hale
and a nephew of the young patriot,
Nathan Hale.
There is her portrait, framed in a
band of dull gold. What a sweet
strong face it is under the white cap
and framed by the folds of the white
shawl, with its narrow border, a gay
note of bright cherry relieving the de-
mure Quakerish effect of the costume.
Ah, Polly Miller, more than your
pointed bowl silver spoons, marked
with flamboyant capitals, and your pa-
tiently woven linen sheets and baby
garments, filmy and fine enough for a
royal infant, is the legacy of the char-
acter you left behind you and which
reflects itself in those who revere your
memory.
There is another quaint bed, a
"bachelor bed," as they called single
beds in those days. It has four slen-
der posts and is the prized possession
of the little daughter of the family.
Whether pride of race is dormant in
children at an early age, no one can
tell, but she is very proud of the little
bed. Environment plays its part in
the development of children and the
practical methods of modern life ap-
peal to her just as strongly, even
though she be but six years old. For
example, when taken recently to visit
a grand-aunt, whose home has no
modern innovations, and at bed-time
her mother told her to mount the steps
to get into the huge four-poster bed,
with its well-shaken feather-bed, she
objected, wailing:
"Oh, mama, I don't want to sleep
on a big fat stomach."
So her little bed has been fitted with
a modern spring and mattress.
One of the most attractive pieces of
furniture is the old mahogany desk
that for many years was used by Dr.
Enoch Hale in his office in Boston and
later was used by President Pynchon
at Trinity. If it could speak, what a
host of memories the solid, substan-
tial, respectable piece of wood could
give forth. It has the indescribable
velvety look that only the cabinet-fin-
isher, Time, can give to mahogany.
The Hales have always been college
bred and with literary proclivities no
matter what profession they followed.
Enoch's father was the first minister
of Westhampton, and his uncle Na-
than, the father of Edward Everett
Hale, was a journalist. Enoch was
educated at Harvard but decided to
minister to bodies instead of souls.
In spite of the demands made on the
busy physician, he found time to write
various pamphlets and treatises rela-
tive to his profession. In view of the
recent conflicting opinions among
medical authorities regarding the
cause and cure of cerebro-spinal men-
ingitis, it is interesting to note that
one of the earliest of these pamphlets,
published when he was but twenty-
four years old and in the first year of
his practice, is called "The History
and Description of the Spotted Fever,
Which Prevailed in Gardiner, Maine,
in 1814." And after nearly an hun-
dred years, the problem has not even
yet been satisfactorily solved.
On the left side of the desk is an
octagonal mat worked by Enoch
Hale's wife. It is in cross-stitch in
wool and silk. The greens and blues
are softened by age. It serves as a
mat for a quaint urn-shaped inkwell
of dull bronze, exquisitely modeled in
detail, with places for quill pens and
a tiny seal. Another inkstand of the
same dull bronze is more modern in
appearance, with its inkwell at either
end and a tray for pens, but it was evi-
dently in use long before envelopes
were employed, for the center space is
occupied by a small candlestick, the
tiny snuffer hanging by a wire hook
through a hole in the side of the can-
dlestick, to snuff the candle when the
wax had been melted and the missive
sealed. A rack for letters or papers
of the same bronze is an artistic de-
sign formed of a branching spray of
holly.
There are two Davenports, and
nine open, low-backed chairs, uphol-
stered in haircloth. These are asso-
Oak Cradle made about 1660 and imported to America from an old Worcestershire minor house— It hat
incised panels and border*, with a panel hood at the head— The rockers arr curved at the tops and
are held in the very ends of the corner posts — The cushions inside are covered with figured vellet— This
photograph is from the original cradle and was taken for Miss Esther Singleton's volume on "The Furniture
of Our Forefathers" and here presented by courtesy of Doubleday, Page and Company of New York
jfcnmtor nf % Pgnrtpm Sfamilg in Amertra
ciatccl particularly with the home of
Thomas Pynchon, in whose parlor
they stood for many years.
There is a graceful Hepplewhite
table, with folded top and slender
legs inlaid with a beautiful pattern in
satinwood. The old sideboard is
massive and plain, following the gen-
eral style of the desk and clothes
press. Furniture was built for use in
the early struggling days of the colo-
nies. But only great care and careful
handling could have preserved the
wine and spirit glasses, the heavy gob-
lets, the slender decanters and the ex-
quisite china. One member of the
family owns a complete set of old blue
and white Canton china, of that dull
soft blue that is so beloved by collect-
ors and is valued at $1,500. But if
collectors should ever have an oppor-
tunity to bid for it, which is unlikely,
there is no knowing to what high fig-
tires it would go.
Quite in contrast to the highly pol-
ished glass is a pitcher, which will
belong to the ninth generation of
Pynchons, coming through the moth-
er's side of the family. It is espec-
ially interesting for it is a piece of the
first glass made in the colonies. But
whether it all came from Jamestown
in 1607 or came from the factory in
Salem, Massachusetts, which was
started in 1629, no one knows. But it
is very old and the edges of the handle
are rough and the glass is crude in-
deed when placed beside two beauti-
ful fruit dishes, one high and one low,
•of the old English cut glass. The
•edges of these are scalloped and an
-engraved pattern of grape leaves
makes the high polish of the plain
portion but shine the more.
There is old china, curious pitchers
of graceful shape, bits of pewter and
old plate. There was a plate-warmer
of china, with two handles and made
exactly like a pewter one that came
from the Cogswell family, another of
historic prominence, but it has become
broken or lost. There is an interest-
ing story connected with the pewter
one. It was kept for one member of
the family who was always late to
meals. What an intimate view that
chance phrase gives of the mother of
the household — tender and indulgent
and with a proper pride that her culi-
nary art should not be spoiled by the
laggard. But imagination can only
finish out the picture and whether the
late-comer was the staid and dignified
head of the family, busied with many
cares, or a handsome lad with impet-
uous way, full of the many interests
and subject to the allurements that
appeal to us when we are young, or a
little beauty who had but to smile and
the rest of the family obeyed her bid-
ding, no record remains.
Even some of the children's play-
things have been preserved. There is
a much worn miniature bed with four
posts. It is almost gone now, but no
wonder, considering how many gene-
rations of young mothers have put
their dollies to bed in it. Speaking
of dolls, there are two treasured care-
fully for many years. Both are very
small and made of wood, their feat-
ures carved and painted. One of
them is brave in a frock of buff cotton
with pantalets of the same, and her
muttonleg sleeves shirred at the inner
arm would serve as a model for the
present mode. The paint on her
cheeks is still fresh and her carved
comb is a good imitation of shell.
The other doll is an inch taller and
represents a bride. Her veil, falling
over her modest face is hanging in
shreds and tatters, and the sight
brings sadness, so emblematic is it of
life and those other brides whose
heart illusions have faded away long
before their veils had lost their pris-
tine freshness.
There are heavy curtains of curious
colors. There is an old blue and
white Staffordshire washbowl and
pitcher. There is a curious brazier
and a low silver candlestick with
carved ornament around the edge, and
the handle is twisted into a graceful
curve, and many other quaint and in-
Htlliam $Iyudf0n — 3mmujrattt in Ammra, 1H30
teresting objects, each with its hidden
history and clustering memories.
There are old books and old letters
and papers which have come down
through the centuries. Among them
is a letter from William Pynchon to
Governor Winthrop, bearing the en-
dorsement of the latter. A piece is
torn from the blank space of the last
page and tradition has it that the gov-
ernor with true Yankee thrift, saved
the scrap for future use. Paper was
a valuable commodity in the early
days of the Massachusetts Bay Col-
ony. The original seal of the family
is not in existence, but there are seve-
ral old seals of later date.
Among his other classmates were
Sylvanus Griswold of Lyme ; Daniel
Humphreys, G. S. Hobart, judge of
the United States District Court and
United States Senator from Xew
York ; Sir Edmund Fanning, lieu-
tenant-governor of Xova Scotia and
governor of Prince Edward's Island ;
Rev. Dr. Abraham Beach ; Rev. James
Srovill; Rev. Samuel A. Peters.
Joseph Pynchon's name stands sixth
on the roll of the class, of which the
membership was forty.
He married Sarah Ruggles, the
onlv child of Rev. Thomas and Re-
NEW HAVEN, Sept. a, 1757-
DEAR SIR:
Yesterday I arrived at Old Yale; find all things in good order; all things prepared for com-
mencement, except gowning, which we are at a loss where to get. Therefore, if you light on any
at Guilford should be glad if you would engage it, and send word as soon as possible.
Sir, we are all well, and want nothing but your good company, which we all insist on having
this week or the beginning of the next at the farthest. We are in great eipectations that the com-
mencement will be private, and that it will be on Friday or Saturday of next week— the reason of
this conjecture is considerably from the president's proposing to give all liberty to go home on next
Saturday that shall make application to him or the Tutors therefor. Pray, Sir, direct a letter to
Sir Griswold, engaging him to call jou in his way to New Haven, on the beginning of the next
week. If you want tbe opportunity, pray come yourself without fail. Please excuse the incon-
gruity of this epistle since it comes from one whose mind is continually harassed and perplexed with
the thought of the inevitable ruin and destruction that is impending and just at hand upon himself
and country. Give proper regards to all friends, from your ever sincere
& affectionate friend & servant,
JOSEPH PYXCHOX.
P. S. Chandler & Prynde send compliments.
Another branch of the family in-
cludes the Gilmans, also among the
foremost in the educational life of the
country.
Among the many interesting letters
that are yellowed with time, folded
with precision, and fastened with
seals, is one written by Joseph Pyn-
chon, great-great-grandson of Wil-
liam Pynchon of Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, to his classmate Nathaniel
Caldwell of Guilford, Connecticut, in
1757< from Xew Haven, where he \vu-
awaiting the Yale College commence-
ment of that year.
tecca Ruggles, the minister of Guil-
ford, Connecticut. He was a loyal-
ist, and passed the whole period of the
Revolutionary War in the city of Xew
York. At the close of the war in
1782-3 he became the leader of the
famous Loyalist emigraticn to Xova
Scotia. He returned to Connecticut
in 1784 and died at Guilford, Xovem-
ber 23, 1794.
There is a letter of Madame Pyn-
chon of Springfield. Massachusetts
written to her son at Cambridge, and
his reply, both of which are charac-
teristic of mothers and sons of every
period.
of tlj? ipgnrtpm Sfamtlg in America
SPRINGFIELD, June 26, 1743.
Dear Son Billy, having but a few minutes just to inform you of our welfare and our friends. I
have not heard from you since you first went down. Would be glad to hear of your circumstances.
I have just sent by Capt. Colton a pair of yarn stockings, which would sent 6 weeks sooner if I had
opportunity. Hope now will come safe. Would just inform you that Cos. Charles Wimick departed
this life yesterday was 6 months sick. Give my dear Regards to all friends at Cambridge & Boston.
Brothers and sisters send their love. Accept of mine from your loving mother,
KATHERINE PYNCHON.
This lady was the daughter of Rev.
David Brown of Springfield and at
this time was a widow.
We know that Captain Colton de-
livered the yarn stockings and the let-
ter safely to "Mr. William Pynchon
in Cambridge," for this is his reply :
"These must all be kept for the
children," she said. "Some one of
them will care for and appreciate
them."
Which will it be? The eldest son
of the family, who at present is as full
of pranks and falls into as many ex-
Honored Madam July 18, 1743.
I believe I shall not come home by water, but have determined unless some very convenient op-
portunity happens so that I can ride up by horse, to tarry here the vacancy. Madam Larrabee, and m
Betty is indisposed, very much, and the Capt. also. I invited them up toComtbut they not being able
to come I saved my money and crtdit too. I am in health, have gained flesh I find since I came down,
have nothing now to tell you off
But am your dutiful son WILLIAM PYNCHON JR.
Human nature is the same in all
generations and in spite of the stately
form of expression this is just like the
letters of hundreds of college lads the
land over.
Fortunately all these interesting
possessions have fallen into a home
where they will be cherished. A
neighbor who had seen the wonderful
linen and testers suggested what
beautiful frocks they would make for
the children. The mother of the ris-
ing generation of young Pynchons
was aghast.
citing escapades as a healthy nine-
year-old is capable ; or the little lady
with brown curls, who loves her
great-grandfather's bachelor bed ; or
her younger sister, too young to
appreciate anything but the quaint
wooden dolls ; or the chubby baby
whose crib lies so close to the old
carved bed that his fat toes may touch
its sacred wood ? However it be, for-
tunate it is that these heirlooms are
cherished, not for their value in the
antique mart, but for the memories
they bring of maids and men who
lived in days that are no more.
Book Plate of Reverend Thomas Ruggles Pynchon
President of Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut
Descendant of William Pynchon, 1630
nf £>ax0tt Kittga in Ammra
llnbrokrn Einr
lit' Drarrnt frum £iUu-rt
ihr JFirst Hi HIM IT h of all £nglano in ihr
\h\ir iztnht iJiniuVrfc to William OJrarg of ijau,lr0 Abbrtj who
rnmr to Amrrira in Hi -il anb Jnurstrb ton; tutirr jFortunr in "Hunuuu ,*
of onr of tb.r J^iret }J nuuntrrr. in the Nrro 9orl& ••* Cinragr t-.-.t .1 liltr.hr f»
BT
I) WIGHT TRACY, M.D., D.D.S.
CAMBRIDUE. MASSACHUSETTS
NEW YORK GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY — NEW ENULANU HISTORIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETT
MEMIIKK OF- TUE SONS OP AMERICAS REVOLUTION
SHIS is the tragedy of a
scion of one of the noblest
families of Europe, who,
reared in an ancient pal-
ace and inheriting one of
the oldest estates, became
imbued with the spirit of
the Xew World, invested his property
in vast tracts of its savage lands, came
to America to enter into its develop-
ment, lost his entire fortune and died
broken-hearted.
It is the story of a man's faith in
the ultimate greatness, of the Western
Continent ; his belief that it would
arise as one of the world's richest do-
mains — a confidence in its future that
led him to abandon a life of Old
World luxury and ease to cast his lot
against fate on the unknown hem-
isphere. As far as his knowledge of
it is concerned his conjectures were
wrong. The realization of his dreams
never came to him in his brief day.
He lived only to see his visions dissi-
pated, to find his dreams were mir-
ages, to discover that the soil on
which he stood was a quicksand that
carried him to misfortune.
This is one of the anomalies of his-
tory. In the very moment of failure
the embryo of success was unfolding
— a success so full, so prodigal, so
stupendous that more than a million
of the peoples of the earth are coming
in annual pilgrimages to partake of
its abundance.
This son of the Saxon kings was
right! His prophetic visions were all
too true. From his own financial
ruins has risen a great nation and a
great race to which he contributed
Saxon energy, Saxon indomitability,
Saxon valor, Saxon integrity. His
loss was gain ; his failure was tri-
umph.
While this heroic sacrifice lends ro-
mance to the drama of American his-
tory, its real significance is in the
proof that the best blood of the Old
World was interested and actively en-
gaged in laying the foundation upon
which the greatest Republic of the
earth has been built. It is of especial
interest on this occasion of the ter-
centenary of the first permanent Eng-
lish settlement in America as it is at
this shrine that its first scenes were
enacted. As a contribution to the lit-
erature of the exposition it is of much
value.
The discoveries herein related are
of so real import to American gene-
alogical literature that brochures
have been prepared for public libraries
and private distribution by the author.
Dr. Tracy in a letter preliminary to its
publication says: "In my investiga-
tions I have not found a town under
the American flag on this continent
but has descendants of this Saxon
blood. I have found it in far-away
Australia and Honolulu, and have
traced it into most of the civilized
countries."
S'7
nf S>axott iinnarrlja in Amerira
» i i- jr * t
.«.«.* • L I* *••» » fl •'•
ANCIENT OLD WORLD MANOR OF THE FIRST TRACYS IN AMERICA
Exhibit i— The birthplace of William Tracy who came to Virginia in 1620 — At the time
of the Domesday Survey it was occupied by the great-grandson of King Ethelred
— Print from rare engraving in 1712 when the estate was in possession of William
Tracy, a cousin of the William Tracy who had come to America ninety-two years before
OME years ago I heard
the tradition that the an-
cient Tracys in America
were of royal descent ;
that the blood in the
veins of these first
American settlers was
that of the old Saxon kings. Dur-
ing my long life I have listened to
countless narratives pertaining to
the Tracys, and for a generation I
have given heed to them all and have
followed every clue to its minutest
•detail.
It is a matter of much import and
its revelations are vital to the entire
American people, for it is in the se-
crecy of the home that all real history
is begun. Only through the study of
the family groups can be traced the
development of great deeds or the ev-
olution of government. The power
behind the throne in all nations is the
family circle which is molding the
character of its citizenship and mark-
ing the path for its future.
One of the earliest traditions that
came to me was that the Lieutenant
Thomas Tracy, who appears first in
the records of Salem, Massachusetts,
Hi
Inbrnknt ffitn* nf Imrni frnm ICtttg
in 1636-7, and died at Xorwich, Con-
necticut, on November 7, 1685, was of
noble birth and that his ancestors
lived on the Toddington estate in
Gloucestershire, England. Although
this tradition was wholly unsupport-
ed by evidence, I took up the clue and
began a systematic research. I found
it frequently stated that Thomas
Tracy was the pioneer of the Tracy
family in America, but early discov-
eries led me to believe that his father
came with him to the New World.
After thirteen years of continuous
investigation, during which I have
devoted my entire labors to establish
the Tracy lineage, I am here pre-
pared to state that the Tracys are of
royal descent and that their blood is
one of the noblest strains of the Old
World.
I shall here lay before you my
proof — not mere inferences but gene-
alogical evidence supported by exact
transcripts and facsimiles from an-
cient records and documents. As my
investigations completely upset the
voluminous genealogical dicta re-
garding the Tracys in England, and
wholly disagree with the mass of ma-
terial that has been collected and pub-
lished on the subject, I realize the ne-
cessity of establishing my contention
beyond doubt. This I shall do with
photographs of original letters, docu-
mentary proof from official records,
corroborated by sundry testimonies
from authoritative sources, establish-
ing the genealogical fact that the
aforementioned Thomas Tracy who
died at Norwich, Connecticut, was
born in Gloucestershire, England ;
that he was the son of \Villiam Tracy,
esquire, of Hayles Abbey, and his
wife Mary Con way of Arrow, War-
wickshire ; that this William Tracy
was the third son of Sir John Tracy,
the knight of Toddington castle, and
his wife Anne Throckmorton. With
this established, the line runs back in
unbroken succession to Egbert, the
first Saxon king of all England.
TODDINGTON IX i8ag— XEARLY FIVE HUNDRED YEARS THE SEAT OF THE TRACYS
Le Sire de Tract, a Norman Baron, went to England with William the Conqueror and
fought in the Battle of Hastings in 1066— His granddaughter, Grace de Tract, married
Lord Sudeley, John de Maiftne. son of the Lord of Toddington, connected with the
royal line of Saxon kings— Rare print from an engraving made in 1840 in London
A THOUSAND YEARS OF LINEAGE FROM SAXON KINGS
Connecting with the Tracys in America through William Tracy of Virginia
in 1620 and Thomas Tracy of Massachusetts and Connecticut in 1636
i. Egbert, first King of all England, reigned 800-838, his son
2.. Ethelwolf, 839-854, his fourth son
3. Alfred the Great, 871-901, his second son
4. Edward the Elder, 901-925, his second son
5. Edmund I, 941-946, his second
6. Edgar, 951-975, his first son by second wife
7. Ethelred, 978-1015, his youngest daughter Princess
8. Goda, married first Walter de Maigne, (de Medantine, de Man-
tese, etc.) a Norman Nobleman.
9. Rudolph de Maigne, Earl of Hereford.
10. Harold de Maigne, Lord of Sudeley and Toddington.
11. John de Maigne, Lord Sudeley, married Grace de Traci, dau. of
Henry de Traci, feudal Lord of Barnstaple and grandau. of Le Sire de
Traci a Norman Baron who went to England with William the Conqueror
and was in the battle of Hastings, 1066: his name is in the roll of Battle
Abbey.
12. Sir William de Traci, son of aforementioned John de Maigne and
Grace de Traci, who assumed his mother's name of Traci ; High Sheriff,
1269; Knight, 1289.
13. Sir William de Traci, High Sheriff, 1319.
14. Sir Henry de Tracy.
15. Sir Henry de Tracy.
1 6. Sir John Tracy, High Sheriff, 1359 to 1362.
17. Sir John Tracy, High Sheriff, 1363-8-70; Knight of the Shire,
32-37~4O-and 43 of Edward III.
18. Henry Tracy, Esquire.
19. Sir John Tracy, High Sheriff, 1379.
20. Sir William Tracy, High Sheriff, 1416; m. Alice de la Spine.
21. Sir William Tracy, High Sheriff, 1442-3.
22. Sir William Tracy, High Sheriff, died ante 21 Henry VII, High
Sheriff 1513, m. Margery Pauncefort 1449.
23. Sir Henry Tracy, High Sheriff, m. Alice Baldington.
24. Sir William Tracy, Knight, m. Margaret Throckmorton.
25. Sir William Tracy, m. Agnes Digby.
26. Sir Henry Tracy, m. Elizabeth Bridges. Will proved Sept., 1557.
27. Sir John Tracy, Knight, m. Anne Throckmorton. Knighted 1574.
28. Gov. William Tracy, of Hayles Abbey m. Mary Conway. He
qualifies for the Societies of Americans of Royal Descent and Colonial
Governors. Immigrated to Virginia in 1620.
29. Lt. Thomas Tracy, of Massachusetts and Connecticut, m. three
times. Children all by first wife, whose name is unknown.
From this progenitor is infused the blood of the Saxon Kings into the American Race— Its descendants are
tcattered throughout the Nation and the world — Nearly every English-speaking municipality in the United
States has this Saxon blood in its composite citizenship — It has been traced from America to the Orient, to
Australia and Honolulu, and to most of toe civilized countries, and has built a strong race of men
•Hnbrnlmt Slitt? nf irsmtt frnm 2Cmg Egbert
In proof of the unbroken chain
from Egbert, the first Saxon king,
down twenty-eight generations to Wil-
liam Tracy (28) of Hayles Abbey,
who married Mary, the daughter of
Sir John Conway, of Arrow, County
of Warwick, sister of Lord Conway, I
present a photographic reproduction
of the two pages from Britton's Tod-
dington, published in 1840, and an
English authority. In investigating
these lines I find that the gene-
alogists have disaereed on certain
points ; but the main contention is so
well established that these exhibits are
conclusive proof. (Exhibits 2 and 3.)
The Tracy lineage, as given by
former genealogists of the family,
was substantially correct, down to the
children of Sir William Tracy,
Knight (24), who married Margaret
Throckmorton. They (the genealo-
gists), assumed that the line from this
Sir William (24) was through his
J1"? T?™"1™0*' or T«»c» FAMILY, U defended, on the paternal tide, from Ethelred, who* daughter, God.. married Walter.
r .Mauntz, a noble Norman. From thU marriage came Ralph, who wai created Earl of Hen-ford by hi. uncle, Edward
thr Cuntoor. Harold, «on of Halph, married Maud, daughter of Hugh Lupua, Earl of Chester, and nephew to William the
Coaqwtar. rm Harold, who Kittled at Sudeley aad Toddingtoo, bad two »ona, Halph and John; thr Utter of whom married
Grace, daughter of William de Traci, natural son of King Henry the Firit, Their offspring were Ralph and William: lh* la»t
assumed hit mother's name of THACI, and retained the family arm» of Sudtloy, with an e*calop-«heli for difference.
GO»A.
•f
RALPH, Earl of llcrrfurd, lired In U>« reign of King Edward Uie Cauftvor.
T
IlAioLn,* Huron of Sudeley.
Jail* DcSfDCLEV, Lori nfS,,drlry7G«ACE,datighwr of William deTrarr.orTrari. Baron of Barnua|.le.
Lrii, HAROS or Si nn rv, fuunHnl the Priory
of E«n«i »v, in ih« c.mnty of Warwick.
f'vr ttut PfUiyrtt, vttte pagt v.
WILLIAM De TIACI. UU Toddinirini., A.C. of Lit Btoilm Ralph,
by tlit irrt i« <>f one ki.i,:lii-i t<t. ua-.f. Henry II t
Oi.ivru T«ArY, 1201, paid wuugetkt 2d of King John, H one of the Kuighu »f 'tloiimicnliirr.
Mil Win IAM TIACV. IJtt); made High Sheriff of thr Cmnty of (ilnicrtur hy the Ba
Unailr. » Kicn.li knight, «hu wu put int., that otfiit hy th« kin'u't pai
uu.lrr Edward the Kirn, whittle* he wa> aramlpanictl hy hit ki
of lh* Earl of Lricriirr'l
rtCTtlrr't party, in oppotition 1
nf the Kniichti of CiUmcr»tmhire. ISHO; cmnaiinJtJ la
n, Ralph dt iMidrley ; and wai tbru-r High >hrnff uf UUMcatmliirr.
; Will MJI TRACY, granted in ward, tn tjanmirr Trr«ham. 129ft. w.it pmrnt at thr t.nirnaiiHrnt Wld
at Barntlaplr by Edward thr Smmd ; made High Sheriff of the I'.mniy of ti:.,ntr»lrr. 1:110.
T
Hrxnv T»AIY. .Marger)-— J.4inAnrhrr.ofrml«r»Ua».
•P
lltx»v TIACY.
TIIO>IA< TIACY, Uigh Sheriff of Olounwenhlr. fr..m ISM to l:i...'
y
SIB J,.n« T«AIY, Knirht. lli«h Shniff.if theC.mnlynf Olnumirr. I .W..1. 1.8. 7» : Kni,fl.l of the Shirr. M. 37. <0. «i.d 13d of Edward I II . l.r wK
w»t knightrrf. and app.nulrd t.i M«urr the low Un.li brtwern Bri.U-1 and Oh«icntrr. He gar» the advuwMu «f T.AIii.gton to the AM»v .< l
•J7il. Edwari III.
y
HEXIY TBACT.
y
Jon, TaaCY, High SlMruT of the County of Oloucvur, 1379.
WILLIAM T.ACT, Hlgk Sheriff of the County of Ol«ice.irr. ISoi.
LINEAGE OF THE TRACYS IX ENGLAND FROM ROYAL LINE OP SAXON KIN<;s
Exhibit j- Photographic Reproduction from Genealogical Chart by J. Brltton of London in 1840
nf
in
i nj-lne, who piarncd the daughur and . . :,i.,n : wbe
of Uc U S|,iur and Coiignbtn.
i.f tin- realm. 1418; married Ali«, toightar
e tht Trtcyi bare • right to quarter the arnu
WILLIAM TIACT, Ili^h Sheriff <if the Cot
of UU-ucntcr. lU-'a,..! 1443.
WiLi.iAicTjucT, High Sh«r!ff=>MA»omv. d»ug»n
Alice— Hllgli C.-Ur.of Mol.nd,
Co. ol I
>,. WILLIAM T
mi. of the Hrtl ..-I
Kit will, directii-i.
th. err.: • .•!' ,,f lion,-. !„•
.idered by P.rker, I l,am--ll,.r „( \C.
hi. body wan ,,r,lrr,il to I* exhunvd and bul
this Pa'rke- <va> diimilted, ai.fl fiut-d £400.
r -Al.tri, •laii(!liler and n-helr of Tliomai Baldingt
of Adderbury. C.,,,nly ,,l Dxiin.
in, Richard Tracy,
Jl HrnryVII.
Sheriff of (V.'iic. 1J13. wa
raced the ref.-rn,, i
he .)!., l;.l b- |.,|i •
t^pMAHOABCT.d.nsl.t-r Richard Trncv,
' ..r,«-k.
Ralpli Tracy,
. a.M,,nk,lnn:icd
UToMlBftOD.
EliM'*th,
' tiiar.J.-lm
1. , 1 IB
Annl
\Vitli
, 1
1
I
M'ILLI»M TMACT
U'm.(i.,<vrr, K«<|. t,i Wo- l(arlur.i, ila. ',,f Sir
of \Vone.ler. ( i,»rlu,le. By will,
he |>,,»M*»H*>d ttie pru-
dated 6th Feb. !.*<;;
t J.-liM Brunei, fir-t I.,,r,l
'4-
proTed .N-pl. I.',',;.
I Midrley.
Ilivt. rvtr fiwttiv.
[
1 I.I'
|
Si« Jo
IIS THACT, Kiii«hle.l-A
N- x , daughter of Sir Tl,,>m»»
Oilet Tracy, 2d .on, Edward. Franci.. Nicholaa Tr.
vv. l>;,ii.,r. mar.
1 V C^U,
ren KliMl.lh, l,"4! I'
hrm kn,.,rt,,n. ,,J Co, •
II,.:. (...thl-llliF Pick-
,\:,ll vK,i,«
IliRli >
Wiitr of <)!<». IS/8: ' C
hunt, and bird at
tin,. 1
He^rtsp
Wth. (
nleJ ditto, 20th KlitA.
Hi. 1W1; bur. atT.-d.
Naui.Mn.
gu.uii.gion.
dingtnn
•
Sin JOHN TBACY, lullght«d->>Ai
by Jamea I. UKin
Olo.. wroe n
I I II
Sir Thomas William Trarv, Anth.mv Tia
Tracy. Kl. Ob. mar. Blarv, <l'a. <)>.. f-.l%
inl^ndonjS.P. ofSirJ.-lniC.m. Il.>::n •!•.„•
««¥, ,,f Arrow, Oli.: ST. li.'.
County ot War.
othy, niairird K.I.
l.d. f'lle,t IVI1 Of Sir
«r1 Bray. 2dlv
l.,rd
of
wny.
.•\Nrv,in»rricdl«.Sir'
\Vm'. H-.'.v; L'.l. Sir
II.,,:,-,,, Veil-, Baron
i,f Tilbury, by whom
the hud S dauchteri.
colicireun.
•+• -
LINEAGE FROM SAXON ROYALTY TO FIRST TRACY TO IMMIGRATE TO AMERICA
Exhibit 3 -Continuation of Chart from preceding page, completing record of William Tracy, who married
Mary, daughter of Sir John Conway, of Arrow, County of Warwick, sister of Lord Conway —The record
stating that he died without issue is disproved in exhibits on following pages, and this William Tracy
of Hayles, who came to Virginia in 1620, is proved to have had a son Thomas Tracy with him in America
third son Richard, down to a
Thomas ; and that this Thomas was
the Thomas Tracy who was on rec-
ord, first in Salem, Massachusetts,
1636-7, etc.
My discoveries prove that the line
continued from this Sir William
(24), not through Richard, but
through his (Richard's) eldest
brother, Sir William (25), the heir to
the Toddington and Sudeley estates ;
and so on down through the eldest
sons to William Tracy, Esquire (28),
the third son of Sir John Tracy,
Knight (27), who married Anne
Throckmorton ; and that this William
Tracy (28) came to Virginia Sep-
tember, 1620, in the ship "Supply"
with his young son Thomas (29),
etc., where he was a Councillor of
State and Governor of Berkeley Col-
ony or Hundred. He arrived in Vir-
ginia, before the Pilgrims landed in
Plymouth.
This line, from Sir William
Tracy, Knight (24), down to Lieu-
tenant Thomas (29) of Norwich,
Connecticut, constitutes the "missing
link" in the line which has been so
long sought, and which completes the
pedigree chain, -and indissolubly con-
nects the descendants in America of
this Governor William Tracy (28)
and his only son Thomas (29), later
Lieutenant in Norwich, Connecticut,
with their Royal ancestors, the SAXON-
KINGS OF ENGLAND.
Britten, in his Toddington chart, in
the account of the children of Sir
John Tracy, Knight, (Xo. 27 in this
paper) records that William Tracy
(28) (brother of Sir Thomas Tracy,
Knight) married Mary Conway, etc.,
and died s. p., that is, without issue.
•Hnbrnlum
nf iment frnm King
RICH DRAWING ROOM IN ANCIENT TODDINGTON— THE HOUSE OF THE TRACYS
Print from engraving made in 1840 when the estate was in possession of Lord
Sudeley who was Charles Hanbury Tracy, descendant of the ancient Saxon Rulers
This "without issue" statement is
proved to be an error by the records
of the Virginia Company (Exhibit 7)
which show that the William Tracy
(28) who went to Virginia in 1620
was a brother of Sir Thomas Tracy,
Knight (Exhibit n) and that he took
with him in the ship "Supply" his
wife Mary, daughter Joyce and
son Thomas (29) and this Todding-
ton chart of Britton's shows that the
parents of these two brothers — Sir
Thomas, Knight, and William (28)
who married Mary Conway, etc.,
\\cre Sir John Tracy, Knight, and
Anne Throckmorton his wife.
William Tracy, Esquire, (28) w •
born in the Toddington Manor-house,
\\here his ancestors had lived for
more than four hundred years.
Sir Robert Atkyns, in his history
of Gloucestershire written in 1712,
gives the following interesting ac-
count of Toddington, on page 409
and a picture of the Manor-house, as
it was in 1712 (See Exhibit i) :
This parish lies in the lower part of
Kiftsgate hundred, six miles distant north-
east from Tewksbury, four miles north
from Winchcourt. and fourteen miles
north-east from Glocester. Earl Randulfe
held Todintun in the reign of King Wil-
liam the Conqueror, his son held it in the
same reign. It was taxed at ten hides;
there were twenty-one plow-tillages,
whereof three were in demean; there were
two water-mills, and fifty measures of salt
belonging to the manor. This together
with the manor of Sudeley. paid a yearly
rent of 40! (pounds) in King Edward's
reign. The manor of Todington, at the
Norman conquest was held of the manor
of Sudeley. The abbe of Tewksbury had
a grant of Court-lest. waifs and felons
goods, in the reign of King William the
Second, and their grant was allowed in a
writ of Quo Warranto brought against
them 15 Ed. I.
The family of the Tracy? have been very
anciently lords of this manor, and is de-
scended from the blood royal of the Saxon
kings of England. Ethelred. son of Kiii«
Edgar, obtained the crown of England at
rngemj nf S>a#mt JHnnardfH in Ammra
MONASTERY FOUNDED IN 1246 BY EARL OP CORNWALL, LATER KING OP THE ROMANS
Exhibit 4— Hayles Abbey became part of Toddington in 1357, and was occupied by William
Tracy when he became interested in New World exploitations which resulted in his
financial ruin and the establishment of the Tracys in America — Rare print in 1712
twelve years of age, 979. His reign was
remarkable for his long and bloody wars
with the Danes, and for the general mas-
sacre of them in the year 1002. He died
1016 and left eight sons and four daugh-
ters. GODA, the youngest of king Ethel -
red's daughters was married to Walter de
Maigne (or de Mantine or de Mantes or
de Mantz etc.) a nobleman in Normandy.
RALPH (Rudolph etc.) son of GODA and
Walter de Maigne was Earl of Hereford.
HAROLD son of Ralph was lord of Sudeley;
and the Tracys do now give the same arms
as this lord Sudeley gave, only with an
escollup shell for difference. JOHN the son
of Harold married Grace the daughter of
(Henry de) Traci, lord of Barnstaple in
Devonshire. WILLIAM TRACI, second son
of John, lived in the reign of King Henry
the Second, and took his mother's name
Traci. He held lands of his brother Ralph
de Sudeley by one knight's fee, and was of
the same name (de Maigne) and is sup-
posed by some to be one of the four
knights who murdered Thomas Becket
archbishop of Canterbury. OLIVER TRACY,
son of William, lived in the second year
of King John, and had issue SIR WILLIAM
TRACI of Todington, who lived in 17 Ed. I.
and was granted in wardship of Lawrence
Fresham 1298. He was high-sheriff of
Gloucestershire 1319. John Archer son of
John of the ancient family of Archers in
Warwickshire married Margaret daughter
of this Sir William Tracy of Todington, in
the reign of Edward the Second.
In the preceding evidence appears
the statement that "the abbey of
Hayles was presented to Toddington,
1357." As it is in the record of this
abbey that I shall begin to establish
the relations which connect this line
of nobility with the American Tracys,
I here present my investigations of
Hayles Abbey. (See Exhibit 4.) Sir
Robert Atkyns, on page 246 of his
"History of Gloucestershire," pub-
5*4
Inbrnkftt
nf i?ar?ni frnm King
lished in 1712, makes this record and
gives a picture of the Abbey as it was
at that date:
This parish lies in the lower part of
Kiftsgate hundred, two miles distant north-
east from Winchcomb. and seven miles
east of Tewksbury, and thirteen miles
north-east from Glocester. It is so called
from Haly, which is Saxon for Holy.
This manor, at the Norman conquest, fared
like the rest of England. It was taken
from a Saxon proprietor and given to a
Norman. ... It afterwards came to
the crown, and the inhabitants thereof
were then discharged from the hundred of
Winchcomb, 10 Hen. III. King Henry the
Third granted it to his brother Richard
earl of Cornwall, who in this place founded
the famous monestery of Hayles 30 Hen.
III. in the year 1246. This great earl was
elected king of the Romans. He had es-
caped a shipwreck ; and in performance of
a vow made in the extremity of danger he
erected this monestery, and placed therein
twenty Cistertian Monks, and ten converts,
which he brought fromBeaylieu in France:
ii was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and
All Saints, by the bishop of Worcester, the
fifth of November in the year 1251. in the
presence of the King Henry the Third, the
queen, thirteen bishops, many noblemen
and three hundred knights. This great
carl and his wife were buried here. He
died 1271 ; she died in the year 1261 ; so
that the church of Hayles contains the
ashes of an emperor and- .an empress. Ed-
ward earl of Cornwall, son of the founder,
was likewise buried in this church,
whose burial was performed with great
solemnity in the year 1300; King Edward
the First, and a great concourse of noble-
men, attending at the funeral. The church
and most of the buildings was consumed
by fire in the year 1271, which was but
twenty years after the first foundation ; yet
the loss was estimated at 8000 marks. . . .
The abbot and convent of Hayies paid an
annual rent of i6/. i6s. lod. Y2 for Pinnock-
shire, 27 Ed. I. which rent was the same
year settled by the king on queen Margaret
as part of her dowry. The abbot of
Hayles was made a mitered abbot and
summoned to parliament 1294. Adam le
Hunt grants twenty solidates of land in
Hayles to the abbey thereof 13 Ed. II.
The abbot of this monestery took part
against King Henry the Fourth, and was
hanged. Abbot Whaley was the last
abbot, who in hopes of a pension, surren-
dered it to the king Henry the Eighth the
twenty-fourth of December, 31 Hen. VIII.
This monestery was valued at Disolution
at 357/. 7s. Sd l/2. Edmond. the son of the
founder, gave some of Christs Blood to
the abbey; and at the Disolution it was dis-
covered to be the blood of a duck; which
was weekly renewed. This forged miracle
had been practiced in this monestery for
many ages ; and it was affirmed of it, that,
if a man was in mortal sin and not ab-
solved, he could not see the blood ; but as
soon as he was absolved, he might plainly
discern it. The priest shewed it in a cab-
inet of crystal, richly adorned ; both sides
whereof seemed alike, yet one side was
composed of thicker crystal than the other;
and until the penitent had paid for as many
masses as the priest thought fit, he pre-
sented towards him that part of the cabi-
net with the thicker crystal, when nothing
could be seen ; but when he paid well, then
the thin and transparent side was turned
towards him, and then to his great joy he
could discern the blood. This miracle had
much enriched the monestery. One of the
cloisters is yet remaining (1712). After
the disolution of the abbey, the scite of the
monestery. with the manor, Hailes wood
Pinnock's wood, and Hailes park, were
granted to sir Thomas Seimore I Ed. VI.
who being attainted, the scite of the mon-
estery, with the rest of the lands, was
granted to William, marquis of Northamp-
ton. The manor afterward came to Wil-
liam Hobbey. esq. [He was the first hus-
band of William Tracy's youngest sister
Mary Tracy] who built a little chapel not
far distant from the abbey, wherein he lies
buried ; he died 1603 aged 103. The
Tracys soon after became lords of this
manor. William Tracy, esq. was lord of
this manor in the year 1608.
\Yith the family seat established at
Toddington, I now turn again to \Yil-
liam Tracy, of the twenty-eighth gen-
eration, who was born at Toddington,
and emigrated to America in 1620.
The first record of him in Hayles is
from "The Names and Surnames of
all the Able and Sufficient Men in
Body fit for His Majesty's Service in
the \Yars within the County of
Gloucester." compiled by John Smith,
in August, 1608. in the sixth year of
the reign of James the First, giving
his servants and retainers on pages
84-85: Hayles
William Tracy Esqr.
Charles Townsend gent.
John Rawles
John Hicks Sen-ants to the said
John Staube William Tracy, Esqr.
John Worley
Henry Carnall
William Carnall
Thomas Jeffrey
William Sexton
5*5
cf S>axnn iinnarrfya in Ammra
Sir Horatio Vere Knight hath one
launce. one light horse, two Corslets, three '
muskets and two Calyv's furnished.
Britton's chart shows that Wil-
liam Tracy's youngest sister mar-
ried this distinguished General Hora-
tio, Lord Yere of Tilbury (See Ex-
hibit 3), and the paragraph given
above shows that William Tracy was
not the owner but a resident of
Hayles. The form of ownership in
all the records of that period expli-
citly states the ownership. I do not
know of an instance where it is omit-
ted. If \Villiam Tracy had been the
owner, as stated in one of the preced-
ing quotations from an eminent his-
torian, which I am inclined to believe
was merely a hasty conclusion with-
out proof, the record of Hayles would
read : "Hayles, of which William
Tracy, esq.., is Lord." This fact
i* fails to state. When William
Tracy was married, his father, Sir
John Tracy, knight, gave him Hayles
not in fee, but as a residence, and
there he lived until he went to Vir-
ginia in September, 1620, and in the
usual course of events his children
were born in Hayles. The ownership
of Hayles fell to his oldest brother.
Sir John Tracy, Viscount of Rath-
coole (See Exhibit 3), who had sev-
eral children.
\Villiam Tracy, Esquire, (28) was
one of the first of those of gentle
blood to become interested in the de-
velopment of the New World, and he
became actively engaged in promot-
ing the settlement of Virginia. In
the "Records of the Virginia Com-
pany," January 26, 1619, now pre-
served in the Library of Congress,
volume I, appear these entries:
At a Great and General Quarter Count
Holden for Virginia at Sr Edward Sandys
House neer Aldensgate the Second of Feb-
ruary 1619 (page 303).
3 GRANTS OF LAND
The Third of Grants of Land he ac-
quainted them of fower sen-all paire of
Indentures lying all ingrossed before them
granted one to Mr Robert Heath Recorder
of London and his Associates, the s'cond
4 PAIRE OF INDENTURES ALLOWED
to Doctor Bohune, James Swift and their
Associates for Transportation of 300 Per-
sons. The Third to William Tracy esquire
and his Associates for Transportation of
500 Persons. . . .
28 Junij (June) 1620: William Tracy of
Hayles Esqr. to be Councell of Estate in
Virginia.
SUPPLY OF COUNCELLORS IN VIRGINIA
Vppon notice from Sr George Yeardley
yt the Councells in Virginia must needs be
supplied, the Court hath now chosen mr
Thorpe, mr Nuse, mr Pountus. mr Tracy,
mr Daved Middleton, and mr Bluett to be
of the Councell of Estate in Virginia (page
379)-
Sir Edwin Sandys further signified that
itt was then allso taken into their consid-
eracon and thought fitt that the Counscll
of State in Virginia should assemble fower
times a year each Quarter once for one
wholl weeke together to advise and con-
sult upon matter Counsell and State and of
the generall affairs of the Colony and as
there shall come to order and determine
the greater matters of controversee grow-
inge and arising between the Plantations
there being now added a good number of
new Counsell rs to the former, namely, (as
before specified) (page 479).
Whereas Credible information hath been
given of the Death of Doctor Bohune mr
Ouldsworth. and mr Tracy late chosen to be
of Counsell of State in Virginia, . . .
(page 520).
At a Court Held ye 24th October 1621 :
mr John Smith moved that whereas mr
William Tracye afore his goinge over to
Virginia mas arrested 2Ooli (pounds) prin-
cipall debt for well he put in bayle wch
suit hath since proceeded and bine psecuted
soe as the said cause was ready for
judgment whereof stay was made vntill
some witnesses might be brought in to
certify of the said mr Tracycs death. In
respect whereof and for that hee hath re-
ceaved information by tres that the said
William Tracye dyed in Afrill last hee
desires, notice of such as came lately from
Virginia that may be ready vppon occa-
sion to witness the death of the said gen-
tleman touching wch the Company prom-
esed to procure him as many as they could
hereof, (page 535).
Evidence of the intimate relations
of William Tracy of Hayles with the
0f 9m?nt frnm King
Virginia promotion, his ultimate im-
migration into America, and his influ-
ence as a counsellor and finally gov-
ernor of the first permanent English
settlement on the Western Hemis-
phere, is conclusive in the ancient let-
ters in his own handwriting and
almost indecipherable documents in
which he is frequently mentioned.
The originals are deposited in the
Lenox Library in New York in charge
of Mr. \Vilberforce Eames, Librarian,
to whom I am much indebted for the
privilege of taking photographic cop-
ies. Many of the letters are nearly
past translation and to preserve their
contents as a contribution to early
American history they have been
transcribed and published in the Bul-
letin of the New York Public Library.
The first one which I shall introduce
is a letter written on April 15, 1620,
by William Tracy to John Smith in
which it appears that Smith had ad-
vised Tracy to buy Throckmorton's
share in the Virginia colony of Berke-
ley Hundred and showing that he
(Tracy) was acting on his (Smith's)
advice :
Sr
_I was glad of yor letter & ye good nues
of Virginia, but sori ye ship is not re-
torned god send her a hapi Coming & all
ouer bisnes hapili to go on to gods glori
and ouer good there is a gust Caues yt I
<anot met at gloster. as yo lone me Con-
dem me not so do I intret my Cosin barkli
what so ever yo to agre on I will Con-
sent vnto be Caues I am asured yo will
do nothing vnfitting yo selves Yf I may
Icnow wher to met my cousin barkli ye
first nite I will not fayle & it may be goe
a long wi'th him to london Yf not with
yo yf yo go from ouer parts, but at lon-
don there shall we haue tim suffisient to
determen all I am now binding my men
I haue at lest 20 promised me ye most part
I am suer of. there is no dout of more
then wee men at this to Cari. ti all of
yousefull trads so yt we may leaue those
yt ar of lest imployment tel ye next going
•do as you plese with Sr William Throk-
mortun I will do nothing but as yo aduiso
me Yf I proue not ferm & faythful let
me not be held worthi ye nam of a Cris-
tion this hoping this may geve yo satis-
factione I rest
Yors in all asurance
15 Aprill 1620 WILLI TRACY.
[Addressed:] To my worthi frind Mr
John Smith this nibli
[ Endorsed :] Mr Tracys letter 1620
That William Tracy of Hayles did
purchase Sir William Throckmorton's
share in the Berkeley Hundred Plan-
tation in Virginia in 1620, for which
he paid £75, is witnessed by the fol-
lowing accurate transcript from the
original indenture:
This Indenture made the seventh day of
May, 1620, in the xviijth yeare of the
rr.igne of our soiuraigne lord king James
of England ff ranee and Ireland and of
Scotland the liijth Betwene Sr Willm
Throkmorton of Clowerwall in the County
of Gloucester knight and baronet of the
one />arte And ]Villm Tracy of Hayles in
the said county Esq; of the other /»arte.
\Yhcras the said Sr Willm Throkmorton
Sr George Yardley knight Richard Berk-
ley Esq; George Thorpe Esq; and John
Smyth gen. did procure from the Trcas-
orer and company of Adventurers and
planters of the city of London for the first
Collony in Virginia by the advise and con-
sent of the Counsell of the same One In-
denture of Covenants and grants sealed
with their Comon scale bearinge date the
third day of fTebruary in the xvjth yeare of
his maties said raigne of England and of
Scotland the lijth for their better enablinge
and incouragcment for plantacon in Vir-
ginia aforesaid And for dyu^rs other
causes purposes and intents As in and by
the same Indenture more at large it doth
and may appeare. . . . Nowe this In-
denture witnesseth that the said Sr Willm
Throkmorton for and in Consideracon of
the some of 75li of lawfull mony of Eng-
land well and truly before hand payd by
the said Willm Tracy . . . hath given
granted assigned and set over . . .
vnto the said Willm Tracy his executors
administrators and assignes All and singu-
ler the interest benefit property and advan-
tage whatsoever w/n'ch he the said Sr
Willm Throkmorton nowe hath or by anv
waves or mcanes whatsoever shall or mav
have or make of from by or by reason of
the said Indenture or of any grant clause
covenant sentence or agreement therein
contayned eyther for the present or here-
after to come.
Early in 1620 William Tracy was
granted a Captain's commission for
"a voyag intended to Virginia :"
WHKREAS wee the Treasurer Counccll and
Company for Virginia for the better ad-
vauncenifM/ and supporte of that Planta-
con haue given leaue vnto such as shall
in Ammra
furnish out our good Shipp of Bristoll
called the supply of the burden of Three-
score and Tenn Tuns or thereabouts to
passe with all convenient expedicon vnto
Virginia, William Tracy Esquire beinge
ordained to be the master and Captaine
therof and to Comaund and governe the
said Shipp and Marryners and alsoe all the
passengers put abord for the said voyage
to be landed in Virginia for a particular
plantacon beinge to the number of sixty
five persons or thereabouts w//h all such
necessary provisions as are shiped for their
vse and necessary releife We doe there-
fore hereby Charge and Comaund him to
take his direct course accordinge to his
best skill and knowledge vnto the said
plantacon in Virginia and there to land
and put on shore all the said persons and
goods soe shipped of what kind soeiurr.
Straightley chargeinge and Comaundinge
the said William Tracy to sett saile from
England with the first oportunyty of wind
and to make all possible speed he may to
the port intended and not to Interupt any
shipinge of the subjects of any of his
Maty ffrends or allies or any other who-
soeucr duringe his said voyage. . . .
Iq wittnesse whereof wee haue herevnto
annexed our Comon Scale. Dated by or-
der of a generall Court houlden for Vir-
ginia the twelfth day of July in the yeare
of our lord God .1620. And in the eigh-
teenth yeare of the kings Maties raigne of
England fraunce and Ireland And of Scot-
land the three and ffiftieth.
Sealed in presence of.
Fra : Carter
Sr Consider I haue manie bisnesis. & non
to helpe me. . . .
[Addressed:] To my asured frind mr
John Smithe at ye blue lion in Chan-
ceri lane this.
[Endorsed by J. Smith:] Mr. Traceys \ettre
about his dispatch into Virgynia, June
.1620. .18. Jac. sent mee to London.
It is evident that William Tracy of
Hayles invested heavily in the devel-
opment of the Xew World, for nearly
all of his letters are of a business na-
ture regarding Virginia investments
and bespeak his honor and financi..!
integrity in meeting all obligations
promptly. This transcript from a let-
ter in 1620 upholds this contention :
tomorrow by gods leaue shall I pave yo a
looli at leste before at seuerall times 95 ye
rest wzth all spede shall be sent in as I
haue agred with yor man. so yt within 10
dayes I hope to pay vnto yo sooli with vt
allredi payd . . . Yf yo all will Con-
sent I doute not but yt yo will take paines
& Car for oner bisnes & I will requit yo
with my paines in Virginia & so will rest
in all asuranc
Yor ever WILLI TRACY
I canot her whether my cosin barkli haue
taken a ship or not Yt Care must be on
yo to my bisnes will not suffer me to seke
after on & without on all is nothing good
It is in a letter written by William
Tracy just before sailing for America
in 1620 that he mentions his family,
"my wife & dauter & sun." It is this
"sun" that I prove to have been Lieu-
tenant Thomas Tracy of Massachu-
setts and Connecticut. Therefore I
call especial attention to Exhibit 6,
which is an exact'photographic repro-
duction from the original letter. Ow-
ing to its eccentric orthography it is
here translated according to accepted
version of handwriting experts in the
service of the Lenox Library at New
York. I contend that the mention of
the "dauter" first, giving her preced-
ence over the "sun," is a positive indi-
cation that she was the older. It was
the irrevocable custom of the period to
give the sons precedence. Under a
monarchal system in which heredity is
law and the lines of descent are estab-
lished through the males, the daugh-
ters were never mentioned first ex-
cept through a distinct superiority of
age. In an instance of this kind it is
definite proof that the daughter must
have reached maturity while the
"sun" must be still in childhood ;
otherwise this precedence of female
over male could not have occurred in
a family bound fast to the laws of
heredity and cherishing as sacred
their descent from the Saxon Kings.
While nothing has been found that
gives the dates of birth of either
of William Tracy's children, I shall
continually corroborate, this statement
that the "sun" was in his childhood
when his father came to America in
1620, and the daughter had reached
maturity. This is the translation of
the letter that establishes their exist-
ence:
non more glad of yor recoveri then I
god Continue ye increse & Continuanc of
s'8
Inbrofom
0f
frnm King
*<5#£/2
Mti&fet*
.
AUTOGRAPH LETTER OF WILLIAM TRACY OF HAYLES AS HE LEAVES FOR VIRGINIA IN ifeo
Exhibit 5— Written to John Smyth, inviting his friends to dine with him and looking
forward to an opportunity of entertaining th«m in Virginia — Original from which
this almost indecipherable letter is taken is in archives of Lenox Library at New York
2%
nf S>a*mt JUonarrlfB in Ammra
AUTOGRAPH PROOF OF WILLIAM TRACY OF HAYLES BRINGING HIS SON TO AMERICA
Exhibit 6— Postscript to letter written to his intimate friend, John Smyth, first
day of September, 1620, in which he enumerates his family accompanying him on
his departure for Virginia— Original in the archives of Lenox Library, New York
all helth & hapenes to yo I will say
litell becaues I hope god will bring yo
spedili hether wher yo will find gret
necleckte hath bine such as will hould vs
her 12 dayes at lest, such things as yo
writ to haue baut shale be I haue retorned
yo ye boke & 2 writings receued of yo
I shall be glad to se yo knowing then mi
despach will be much ye soner w/zich is yt
I most desier so hasting to rest with
god send yo well so do I bid yo god nite
euer being Yors in all loue
WILLI TRACY
r. September
1620
Commend me to mrs. smith & ye rest &
tell them yf I must eate shepes mogets
with them a bord at bristoll thay shall
eate at land in Virginia pocahikiti with me
in ernest they shall be wellcom & wee will
part goyfulli
I haue in my Compani 4 maid saruants 3
maried wiues & 2 young Children my wife
& dauter & JMH remem mr Portar & Con-
sider ouer ship will hould but 45 men
men being ye mor excelent & yousefull
Cretuers twer 111 to Chauing for wemen
ther Cannot be Convenientsi of rome for
all thes a suer yor selfe mr palet I hop
will be with mi sune.
[Addressed:] To mi asured frind mr
John Smith this.
[Endorsed:] mr Traceys l?//re 2. sept.
1620. from Bristoll.
To still further corroborate the con-
tention that the order of precedence
could not have been carelessness, es-
pecially with a man in whom the laws
of heredity were religiously observed
as sacred and in whose veins flowed a
blood that for twenty-eight genera-
tions had held its nobility through
these laws, I introduce an accurate
transcript from another letter written
at another date in which William
Tracy observes the same form of pre-
cedence "my ivife, dauter & sune:"
. . . my howsold will be my wife
dauter & sune 4 mayd saruants & 6 men
so then for ye rest as mani or as fewe as
yo will mr palet & mr gilfort must be to
more of my Compani so I shall be .16.
parsuns at lest, my mening is all these
shall be Imployed in ye Comon bisnes
twer good to make them 30. I haue sente
yo letters to Consider of so leaueing yo to
god Yor ever asured
WILLI TRACY.
I would Cari .10. or 12 dogs yt would be
of gret youse to vs. let me know yf thay
will let vs Cari them.
5 Juli .1620.
[Addressed:] To my asured worthi good
frind. mr John Smith this.
[Endorsed:] . . . July .1620.
530
Inbrnten
of
frnm King
IDENTIFICATION OF THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM TRACY OF HAYLES IN AMERICA
Exhibit 7— Record of his death, April 8, 1621; the marriage of his daughter, Joyce,
and her tragic death; and the return of his son, Thomas Tracy, to England— The
marginal notes are in the handwriting of John Smyth— Original in Lenox Library
The arrival of William Tracy of
Hayles, and his wife, daughter and
son, in America is evidenced in the
photograph of a portion of a page of
the record of the Virginia Company
preserved by John Smith. I call
your attention to Exhibit 7, which
is the original list of "men nowe
sent for plantacon in Virginia," and
is dated "3 September 1620." In
this document the names of the chil-
dren are revealed. The marginal
notes, recording deaths, are in the
handwriting of John Smyth :
3 September A list of men nowe sent for
1620. plantacon in Virginia.
Willm Tracy Esqr
(dead .8. Apr. 1621.)
Mary Tracy his wife
[slayne and dead written by Smyth in
the margin and then stricken
through]
Thomas Tracy their sonne
(returned for Engl.)
Joyce Tracy their daughter
(married to Capt. Nath. Powell, both
slayne)
The investments of William Tracy
in Virginia proved financially disas-
trous. He was continually called upon
for funds in promoting the colony and
pathetic appeals show that his entire
estate was consumed in the Xew
World speculation which proved a to-
tal financial loss. Consequently the
son, Thomas, recorded in Exhibit 7,
was ultimately left destitute in Amer-
ica, as witnessed by letters. This is
a translation of Exhibit 8 :
I woulfd] say mor but know not what
my wif is ouer whelme with grefe at bris-
toll we onli haue this vn sarten hop yt ye
fayer will fornish vs with a ship, mr barkli
laves all ye fait on yo but all ye burden
lieth on me. yo haue nibli he hath stok I
haue nothing but verginia & yt am I held
from to Hue in shame & disgrase in Eing-
land for gods loue howld mr felgate sarten
to go wi/h vs & yf we must go from bris-
toll w/Jich is my desier mak hast doune &
help me a man by all menes & by gods
help it will be for ouer good I hau to hun-
dered & od pounds & ye 3 in mr Webbes
hand this will I ingage for to furnish &
forward this Jorni leaue me not I will
neuer leaue yo but be as I ought & so will
iv -t Yors WILI.I TRACY
14 Juli. .1620.
[Addressed:] To I hope my frind yt will
not leaue me mr John Smith this
So serious became the financial
straits of William Tracy through his
53'
QJIt? Jfrngnttj nf l^axnn iHnnarrlfa in Ammra
--3<frt
^jg-dfa-^y?- ^
PATHETIC LETTER OF WILLIAM TRACY OF HAYLES CONFIDING HIS LOSSES IN AMERICA
Exhibit 8— Written to John Smyth on July 14, 1620, when in despair because of
his financial embarrassment from the unprofitable investment of his entire estate
in Virginia which left his family destitute— Original in Lenox Library, New York
Unbroken
of iment frnm King
Virginia exploitation that he became
involved in debts which resulted in
much humiliation. In a letter written
to him by Timothy Gate, a kinsman, in
1620, these facts are made plain :
Good cosyn I bcare a parte in my mind of
your, vnhappines I receued a \cttre from
my brother Cuynter which my cosyn
Bridges brought me vnto Ockle the con-
Unts was that I should take such security
for his mony as I thought fitting from
thence I went with him vnto Cleeue from
thence to Beckford vnto mr Wakemans
house and there I toocke all his part of
tobacco assigned vr.der hand and scale
before Wittnesses with mr Wakemans
consent, my brother vpon my knoledg
was content to take 2000 pound of his to-
bacco, he hath formely told me soe and
writt soe vnto me my cosyn was content
to passe his corne or any thing he had for
your releaf but I thought that sufficient
and that yt would content him I am hartily
sorry he should deale thus cruelly with
you I writt vnto my brother what I had
donne and that he would release you ac-
cording vnto his lettre for my cosyn Rob
Bridges he is soe sensible of your hin-
derance and his owne discredit! by your
Arrest that he seemeth vnto me as I pro-
test vnto you infinitely perplexed in his
mind he hath travelled twise vnto my
brother and backe agayne little meats and
rest serveth his turne. he would doe any
thing in his power to free you he yowcth
vnto me and I am confident he will per-
forme yt if you can procure any suerties
he will with all speed possibly he can se
them discharged. If he should be slack I
will remember him but he is as carefull of
you as he can be and would vndergoe any
losse or paynes to free you but vpon the
suddayne he cannot doe what he would or
should doe herin if you will write vnto
me to speake vnto any frend you haue here
If my payns care and best furtherance
shall not be wanting for I desyre god to
bleshe me and myne as I wishe your well-
fayre I hope the Sea wilbe more mercifull
vnto you then your frends are hire I hope
after this storme you shall have fayer
weather my prayers and best endevors
shalbe for you
I rest
your kinsman
in affection
TIM GATE
Ockle Sept 22th
[Addressed:] To my worthie good cosyn
mr Willia Tracy att Bristol these.
[Endorsed:] mr gates lettre to mr wyntour
The burdened state of mind and the
embarrassment which William Tracy
of Hayles suffered because of his ven-
ture in financing the American expedi-
tion is confessed in a letter which he
wrote to his friend, John Smith, in
which he feared that he might be
forced to remain in England in want
and gave way to his discouragement
with the words: "When all is gone I
cannot live."
SR
Yf yor help be not more then mr barklis I
am vndon piti my destresed Case, & sum-
thing yor own Credit is Ingaged to se me
prouided to go & those ther releued. my
trust is in yo and out of ye trust in yo did
I prosed, in much grefe do I writ ease
my lievi hart or kill it outrit. let me go on
ani condisions I veld to yor desier thoth
\nfit I should run so gret a daingcr & yo
go on sartenties do yor will so I may not
stay to want at home mr barkli will not
send but by ye poule & tun & is of yor
mind yt I should hier ye ship by ye moneth
to tari her will be mor lose therefor helpe
yf yo Can posibel mr barkli will Consent
but to Cari 20 men do yor best to get me
& 10 parsunes or as mani or as few as yo
Can or think fit When all is gon I Can-
not line therefor send me whcr I must
leue my trust is in yo fayle me not I
Can say nomore but leaue all to yor des-
cresion & rest
Yors
WILLI TRACY
14. Juli. 1620.
I leaue much to mr felgat to discorse who
sawe mr bark[I]ies carig.
We lose all ouer men yf we go not nowe
besids putting thcfm] out of work & me
out of crfdift.
[Addressed:] To my worth good frind mr
John Smith this.
[Endorsed:] ... 14 July 1620 by
Toby felgate.
William Tracy was held for a debt
of 200 pounds incurred in fitting the
ship "Supply" for the voyage to
America. Placing this responsibility
on William Tracy was unjust as the
debt was contracted for the company
and not for the personal advantage
of William Tracy. There was an
agreement that certain amounts should
be paid by certain persons in furnish-
ing the ship which was sent out from
Bristol in September, 1620, under the
command of William Tracy. This
transcription from the original books
of the company at that date proves
that William Tracy had paid his
share :
r0gmj of
Sent to mr Tracy vpon
his lr//res after I
was come to Nibley
to be supplyed,
whilst he lay for
wynd at Crockampil
with all his company
&c xli
Smo total of this
w h o 1 1 charge
disbursed till this
ships departure
.18. Sept. 1620. 702! i us 6d
Wherof 4th part is i/5li 125 lod ob.
Of which iiijta pars of
I75li I2s lod ob. mr
Berkeley and his
partners have payd
but 5oli
The residue beinge
125! I2s lod ob. is to
be cast upon mr
Tracy by agreement.
Of which 4ta pars of
I75li I2s lod ob. mr
Smyth hath payd the
wholl for mr Thorpe.
Of which 4ta pars of
I75li I2s lod ob. mr
Tracy hath payd the
wholl by the hands
of mr. Smyth.
Almost driven to desperation by his
financial encumbrances, William
Tracy pleaded with his worthy friend,
John Smith of Nibley: "Send me
away and by God's leave your good
shall be equal with mine. ... I
have put myself out of all means to
live here :"
SR
My estat is such yt I must stir yo on be
yond good mannars, neuer mor I hop to be
trobelsum but euer laboring to make satis-
faksion. send me away & by gods leaue
yor good shall be equall with mine, in
god my Chefe trust is nex yo as his Chefe
instrument to finish this work as yo loue
me youes all menes to take a ship tel yt be
don I shall not be meri. blam me not for I
haue put my selfe out of all menes to Hue
here & am dayli in extrem expensis which
wekneth my to wek purse for so gret a bis-
nes good Sr haue a felow feling with me
by this yo may se my longing hart to be
gon to ye plase wher my bisnes is. I know
you vnderstand faythfullness & Constanci
is such yt I ned say no mor so will refer
to yor best Car all this gret bisnes & euer
rest Yors to comand
2 August 1620. WILLI TRACY.
[Addressed:] To my worthi good frind Mr
John Smith of nibley this. .
[Endorsed:] Mr Tracyes If/tre .Aug. .1620.
iHnnardfs in Amerira
In the midst of the financial diffi-
culties of William Tracy, one John
Bridges writes a letter to John Smyth
in which he speaks of William Tracy
as his cousin and offers financial
assistance. It must here be noted
that in Exhibit 3 it is shown that the
grandfather of William Tracy mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of John
Bruges or Bridges, first Lord Chan-
dos of Sudeley. It is through them
that I shall later produce corrobora-
tive evidence that Thomas Tracy of
Massachusetts and Connecticut was
the son of William Tracy and Mary
Conway left destitute in Virginia.
The following letter and Exhibit 9
are here presented to still further
vouch for the relationship of William
Tracy, of Hayles and Virginia, and
the Bridges :
SR
Nidinge to send these letters to my
cosine Tracy, I spake with mr Thorne, who
tould me that by Sr Willm Throkmorton,
and your selfe my cosin Tracy was sett at
libertie — which did not a little reioyse me:
I will not trouble you with many lines in
this letter, by cause yf my cosine Tracy be
gon, I desire you to opene his letter, yf he
be with you I knowe he will acquaint you
with what I haue writ : I desire that you
will directe me what course to take for
the remouinge of the action into the Chan-
sery, and I will followe it with all speed,
or yf your selfe will be pleased to followe
it, all chardges shallbe mine, thus beinge
sorry for the wronge dune unto my cosine
Tracy by that basse extorcioner winter, I
desire to heere from you and will ever rest
your assured louinge ffrend
Jo : BRIDGES
Castlett the 23th
of Sept. 1620
[Addressed:] To my mutch respected
ff rind John Smith, esqr. : at nibley be
these deliured.
[Endorsed:] mr Bridges .1. lettre to mee
Sept .1620. [with seal]
The confidence which the Virginian
investors reposed in William Tracy is
demonstrated by his appointment as
governor. The original document
addressed to George Thorpe, Mr.
Tracy's coadjutor, and signed by
Richard Berkeley and John Smyth, is
preserved at the Lenox Library, and
a photographic reproduction of a por-
534
•Hnbrnknt Kin? of Iment frnm King lEgbrrt
J L. .~ —r7i/t> •»••.*'
T^/
t&t Zti- ~H
~-rfi*+i~ri*~* s si - i • % *u*<x..»4>£A"~<:&Z+»t7 *~^~r
*#*+yf<~?- , ^^JJT^.,
J. A • ,. •/ ^ /./^ . ^ «c-^f-^«- H--. ^ I'^yTT-^Tf
^'z£$~M
u^Z. ^J^/xV ^tf-^
ST. <^1M^ ***** +~? £-/t
AUTOGRAPH PROOF OF FINANCIAL EMBARRASSMENT OF WILLIAM TRACY IN VIRGINIA
Exhibit g— John Bridges to John Smyth, September 23, 1620, in which he
speaks of William Tracy of Hayles as his cousin and offers financial assistance—
This letter also helps to identify Thomas Tracy of New England in 163688
the lost son of William Tracy of Hayles and Virginia— Original in Lenox Library
tion of it is here presented in Exhibit
10:
[After our very harty comendacj'ons : wee
send herewith vnto you, a Comission to
discharge the governem<*«/ and authority,
w/tich last yeare was by vs and yourselfe
conferred vpon Captayne Woodleefe wher-
to your ownee hand and scale is to be
affixed, if you have cause to niake vse
therof, w/n'ch we leave to the wisdome of
yourselfe and Mr Tracy we have conferred
the wholl gourniem^nf of all our people
and affayres ioyntly by one other Comis-
sion vpon yourselfe and Mr Tracy accord-
inge to the tenor of the former to cap-
tayne Woodleefe] makinge noe doubt of
your prudent vsage therof, profitably also
for yourselves and v$. . . . With our
affectionate comendac/ons we bid you har-
tely farewell and rest
Yor assured loving frends
RICH. BERKELEY. JOHN SMYTH.
Stoke Saturday
10 Sept. 1620.
The financial misfortunes of Wil-
liam Tracy of Hayles did not shake
the faith of his colleagues, who held
him in high esteem for his services to
the first permanent English settlement
in America when it was in dire need
and about ready to abandon the conti-
nent and return home after years of
poverty, famine and massacre. This
is shown by the agreement between
Richard Berkeley, George Thorpe,
\Yilliam Tracy and John Smyth, in
which Thorpe and Tracy are selected
as governors of the colony on August
28, 1620:
Itm> it is further agreed that for the bet-
ter augmentacon of the number of their
said servants and collony already in Vir-
ginia That another ship called the supply
shall in the month of September nowe next
followinge be sent from the said port of
Bristoll furnished at their like equall costs
and charges in all things with .540. persons
or therabouts. And that the authority and
governemen/ of the said men and all others
eyther already in Virginia or hereafter to
nf §>axmt UlnnanrljjS in Ammra
u
^^^^^"^^^^^ fy*"^.*^ ,.,
,^u 5%^^^^^^u^^t^ xr
*X^ ^ — 3 n^fl^-^nr* ^^^SL-f. 4^K2r
"^^•^-irv** 'l*^ '^^ r"01* a ^ ^ VW^. »f *?*»»* M?^6 ^-A £-»
«^ %/. frf»— f, ^^ >*^ twU u %.- ^.J,; c^cLAA «& ^^^ ,
v».trv
AUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT APPOINTING WILLIAM TRACY OF HAYLES GOVERNOR IN VIRGINIA
Exhibit 10 — Instructions from Richard Berkeley and John Smyth to George Thorpe,
September 10, 1620 — This document qualifies for membership in Society of Colonial
Governors— The original is now in the archives of the Lenox Library in New York
be sent and of all other their affayres in
Virginia shall be in the said George Thorpe
and Willm Tracy Joyntly as sole goucrn-
ors and directors of all manner of busi-
nesses there soe longe as they two shall
agree in one and not be divided in opyn-
ion.
of them shall agree vnto and deter-
myne of in wrytinge, wherto they the
said Rich Berkeley and John Smyth
fayth fully promise to submit themselves
without longer contradiccon argument
or gaynsayinge. Given Enterchangeablv
vnder their hands and seales the day and
IDENTIFICATION OF WILLIAM TRACY OF VIRGINIA AS SCION OF TODDINGTON MANOR
Exhibit ii— Written August 28, 1620, appointing William Tracy a Governor in Virginia
and mentioning him as brother of Sir Thomas Tracy, Knight of Toddington, and son
of Sir John Tracy of Toddington, direct descendant of Saxon Kings -Lenox Library
In concluding this agreement a
record is made of the relationship of
William Tracy and Sir Thomas Tracy,
knight, as brothers. See Exhibit n
in which these lines appear :
[In case of disagreement is is agreed
. . . ] that the resolucon determynacon
and proceedinge shall be as Sr Willm
Throkmorton knight and baronet Sr Tho :
Roe knight and Sr Tho : Tracy knight
brother of the said Willm or any two
yeare first above written. (August 28,
1620.)
This foregoing record corroborates
the pedigree in the chart offered as
Exhibit 3 at the beginning of this
argument, in which William Tracy
of Hayles and Virginia (cousin
of John Bridges) who married
Mary, daughter of Sir John Conway,
of Arrow, County of Warwick, sister
536
Unbrnken Sine nf
frnm 2£tug lEgbrrt
of Lord Conway, is proved to be a
direct descendant in unbroken line of
succession to Egbert the first Saxon
King of all England. Dritton's chart
records William Tracy as dying with-
out issue. I have proven this errone-
ous by William Tracy's own hand-
writing and by the records of Vir-
ginia. He had a son and his name
was Thomas as witnessed in Exhibit
7-
In this same Exhibit 7 it will be
found that John Smyth in his own
handwriting entered a record of Wil-
liam Tracy's death on April 8, 1621, in
the midst of his financial misfortunes
in Virginia; that his wife, Mary (Con-
way) Tracy, was "slayne and dead,"
but these words are stricken out ; that
his daughter, Joyce, married Captain
Nath. Powell, and both were slain ;
and finally that the son, Thomas
Tracy, "returned for England."
With this tragical ending of the
American speculations of a scion of
the House of Ethelred, thr. Saxon
King, I rest this first part of my argu-
ment and turn to Lieutenant Thomas
Tracy of Massachusetts and Connecti-
cut, from whom a large part of the
Tracys in America descend, inasmuch
as it is proven that the Tracy expedi-
tion to Virginia not only proved a
financial disaster, but ended in a
tragedy.
The words "slayne and dead" writ-
ten by John Smyth alongside of the
mother's name show conclusively that
she was not in Virginia and that her
whereabouts was unknown by her late
husband's associates. It is evident
that John Smyth, who was one of the
closest friends of her husband, had
heard that she was "slayne and dead ;"
but the crossing out of the line signi-
fies that he later found that she was
living and therefore obliterated the
entry. If she had been living in Vir-
ginia, John Smvth would have known
it. It is a safe conjecture that she
had gone back to England after her
husband's death, where in the usual
course of events she would have re-
turned to her kin at Arrow in War-
wickshire.
Be this as it may, the record expli-
citly states "Thomas Tracy their
sonne returned for England." Ex-
haustive searches in the ancient rec-
ords of England, in parish books,
courts of chancery, English grave-
yards, and fugitive papers and letters
in antiquarian archives, have failed to
give one word that even mentions his
return to England. Eminent Ameri-
can and British genealogists have
gleaned the country to find an entry
that would throw any light upon the
existence of Thomas Tracy in Eng-
land after he had departed from Vir-
ginia and "returned for England."
In 1636, there entered the town of
Salem, Massachusetts, an Englishman
by the name of Thomas Tracy. He
had been in Watertown, Massachu-
setts, and came to Salem with refer-
ences from citizens of Watertown. I
here present Exhibit 12, which is a
photograph of a portion of the book
of the Salem. Massachusetts, Records,
and contains this entry :
By the Towne represent. 2cl of the first
mo. "1636-7. p 38.
Tho : Trace Reed for Ihahitant vpon
a Certificate from diners of water Towne.
And is to have 5 acres of Land, [which he
may haue laid out when he hath a ticket
from me that he hath paid me.] In short
hand by the Town Clerk, pp 40-81.
De Lands or By the Towan repre-
rec. in inhabitants sentative the 23th
of the nth mo.
Anno 1636
Mathew Waller Receiued for an Inhabi-
tant fr a Certifficate from mr Atherton
haugh. pp. 40-81.
Thomas Trace ship Carpenter reffered to
Certifficate. pp 40-81.
erased
[40 Die mensis [*g*] 10 1637. p 60.
It is agreed that the marsh & meadow
Lands that haue formerly laved in comon
to this Town shall now be appropriated to
the Inhabitants of Salem, proportioned out
vnto them according to the heads of their
families. To those that haue the greatest
number an acre thereof & to those that
haue the least not aboue haue an acre. &
JJrngmj nf §>a*ntt iJlnnardfa in Amertra
IDENTIFICATION OF THOMAS TRACY IN AMERICA IN 1636
Exhibit 12— From Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts, in which his name is enrolled
as an inhabitant— This document with much corroborative evidence discovers the missing
son of William Tracy, who returned to England after his father's death in Virginia
to those that are between both 3 q'ters of
an acre, etc.
When the. list of those receiued allot-
ments was written by Roger Conant he
placed first the figure denoting the number
in the family and then the name of the
head of the family . . . the figures fol-
lowing the names denote the allotment.
Thomas Tracy receiued 2 (quarters) or
half an acre, p 101.
This Thomas Tracy, a ship carpen-
ter, was received in Salem upon the
"certificate of divers of Watertown."
The fact that he was accepted shows
that his sponsors were responsible
parties. Who were some of the lead-
ing residents of Watertown at that
date? In 1636-7 we find among the
estimable citizens one John Bridge ;
his wife, Elizabeth ; his son, Matthew
Bridge ; another William Bridges ; one
John Smith, senior, John Smith, jun-
ior, Francis Smith, and a Thomas
Smith — all well-bred Englishmen,
J f
RECORD OF THOMAS TRACY AS A SHIP CARPENTER IN AMERICA IN 1636
Exhibit 13— From the Town Records at Salem, Massachusetts, and confirming the records
that William Tracy of Hayles lost his entire estate In Virginia — His son, Thomas,
was apprenticed as a ship carpenter with members of the Smyth family in New England
538
Htn? nf iramti frnm 2Ctng Egbert
prominent in the community. The
Smiths were wealthy shipbuilders and
large land owners. John Bridge
was the first deacon of the first church
in Watertown and was a leader in the
administration of public affairs.
The names Bridges and Smith have
been frequently mentioned in the nar-
ration of the experiences of William
Tracy of Hayles and Virginia. In
Exhibit 3, it is shown that his grand-
father, Sir Henry Tracy, married
Elizabeth Bruges, also written Brugge,
Bridge, Bridges, Brydge and Brydges,
who was the daughter of John Bruges,
the first Lord Chandos of Sudeley.
In Exhibit 9, one John Bridges, a
wealthy descendant of this old Eng-
lish family, offers aid to William
Tracy about to sail for Virginia in his
financial difficulties and speaks of him
as his cousin. Throughout the entire
financial embarrassment of William
Tracy, in promoting his American in-
terests, we find his "worthy" and
"good" friend is John Smith or Smyth
with whom he conducts a confidential
correspondence. Exjiibits 5, 6, 8, 9,
10, all show the close relations of
the Tracys and Smiths. In Exhibit
7. it will be noted that it was John
Smith who recorded the death of Wil-
liam Tracy, his daughter, the record
of his wife, and the record "Thomas
Tracy their sonne returned for Eng-
land."
Then comes the silence of the Eng-
lish records in which Thomas, this
young gentleman, is never mentioned,
until in 1636 there appears in Amer-
ica one Thomas Tracy in a com-
munity with the Bridges and Smiths,
persons of influence and wealth. The
Smiths are rich shipbuilders ; this
Thomas Tracy is a ship carpenter.
(See Exhibit 13.)
The genealogical evidence seems to
me complete. Thomas Tracy of
Wntertnwn ami Salem, is the missing
son of William Tracy of Hayles and
Virginia. The proof is much more
conclusive than that required in many
cases at law where circumstantial evi-
539
dence with less documentary proof
frequently sends a man to his death.
The identification is so strong that
eminent genealogists and lawyers to
whom I have referred my exhibits
pronounce it conclusive.
By unimpeachable exhibits, many of
which are in the handwriting of the
parties in question, it is proven that
William Tracy of Hayles and Vir-
ginia did not die without issue; that
his son was in childhood : that his
daughter was in maturity when
through financial disaster and death
of father and sister the boy was left
destitute and "returned for England."
That he did not remain in England
is shown by the failure of the British
records to mention him either in par-
ish or politics, in property interests
or trade, in marriage or death — not
a word testifying to his existence in
England, and this, coupled with the
fact that he was the grandson of an
honored knight, is evidence that he
could not have remained in England.
About fifteen years after the death
of William Tracy in Virginia there
appears the record of a youth who has
just learned the trade of ship carpen-
ter in Watertown where the Smiths
are wealthy shipbuilders, and where
the 1 'ridges are an influential family.
Weighing the facts carefully, consid-
ering all the elements of the narrative,
can there be any more reasonable con-
duct on the part of Thomas Tracy,
who had been left destitute as the son
of William Tracy who had lost all in
the Virginia promotion, than to turn-
to his father's friends for assistance?*
These Smiths and Bridges in Massa-
chusetts, branches of the old English
families of friends and relatives of his.
dead father, knowing of the boy's
plight, send for him to come there,
and assist him to become self-support-
ing by teaching him the trade of ship
carpenter in their own shipbuilding
yards, and vouch for him when he
starts out to make his own way in the
world and goes first to Salem. The
fact of his being a ship carpenter has
nf j^axntt IHnnarrtjH m Ammra
by some been considered to militate
against tbe claim of his being of gen-
tle birth ; but with the explanation of
the circumstances attending his early
life it strengthens his identity and ac-
centuates his independence of charac-
ter and shows an honorable ambition
to work out his own destiny as the true
son of a true father. His second com-
ing to America under the circum-
stances is very much to his credit.
Instead of settling down at his home
in the position of the "poor relative"
he chose to give up the luxurious sur-
roundings to which he was born and
brave the privations and dangers of a
pioneer in the new world, of which he
must have had a very vivid recollec-
tion.
It is significant that the disappear-
ance of the young son of William
Tracy of Hayles and Virginia, is sim-
ilar to the still more mysterious com-
ing of the young man Thomas Tracy
to Massachusetts, and these mysteries
both occupy the same period of years.
This period must be the connecting
link that makes the boy the man. Ex-
haustive searches in Watertown and
Salem, Massachusetts, and in Weth-
ersfield, Saybrook and Norwich, Con-
necticut, prove that there is abso-
lutely nothing in his American public
record which taken by itself gives any
clue to the place of his nativity, or
•whence or when he came to America.
Many searches have been made in
England and America without posi-
tive results.
The movements of Thomas Tracy
after he became an inhabitant of Sa-
lem are clear. That he became a man
of strong character and a substantial
citizen is shown by his long life of
activity. The record of the division
of the swamp lands in Salem (see Ex-
hibit 14) show that Thomas Tracy
was a single man in 1637, for it re-
cords him as a family of "i." He
removed to Wethersfield, Connecti-
cut, and came into the possession of
land. He next removed to Saybrook,
Connecticut, and shared in the first
division of land there about 1639, and
in the second division he was granted
land adjoining his house. The name
of his first wife, the mother of all of
his children, is not known. He was
probably married about the time he
settled in Saybrook, where all of his
children were undoubtedly born. The
list of their births, if there was one,
has not been found. He removed to
Norwich, Connecticut, in 1660, with
his seven children. As his wife is
not mentioned it is probable that she
had died. After his final settlement
in Norwich, Connecticut, he was con-
stantly employed in the public affairs.
He was one of the first Deputies to
the General Court and served twenty-
seven sessions ; he was Lieutenant of
2 •*•
RECORD SHOWING THOMAS TRACY AS A LAND OWNER IN AMERICA IN 1637
Exhibit 14— From the Town Records in Salem, Massachusetts, in which Thomas
Tracy is granted two quarters of an acre as an unmarried man's share In the allotment
liubrnlmt iCine nf irsmtt frnm King
Dragoons and Commissary, etc., and
his services qualify his descendants
for the Societies of the Colonial Wars
and Colonial Dames. While neither
he or any of his descendants occupied
the position of the chief corner-stone
in the new nation, he and they did
form a substantial part of the founda-
tion and superstructure of the Con-
necticut facade.
Thomas Tracy married three times,
for the record is given of his third
wife. Mary (Foote) (Stoddard)
Goodrich. She was the widow first
of John Stoddard and second of John
Goodrich of Wethersfield, Connecti-
cut. Goodrich, as an inducement for
Widow Stoddard to marry him, made
an ante-nuptial agreement with her
binding his heirs, if she survived him,
to pay her four pounds per year dur-
ing her life. She outlived him five
years and the heirs forgot their obli-
gations. There was a lawyer named
Pitkin living in Hartford at the time
and Thomas Tracy was a Deputy to
the General Court there from Nor-
wich. Connecticut. A letter indicates
Tracy had a personal, interview with
Pitkin and engaged him to collect the
claim and agreed to write him a state-
ment of the claim. Pitkin brought a
suit for the amount of the claim with
interest and got judgment against the
Goodrich estate and levied on a piece
of land in Wethersfield which the
Court ordered the Sheriff to deed to
Tracy, which he received in satisfac-
tion of all claims, September 2, 1685.
Mr Pitkin that which my wife haue re-
seaud of her legacy that her hushand
Goodrich Gave her dureng her life the
first year shee resued fower pound the sec-
ond year shee rescued two pound Eighteen
shillings and that is all that hau ben re-
scued. Thomas Tracy.
Dyed Aprill, 1680. 5 years 20-00-0
6-18
13-2
This is the only sample of Thomas
Tracy's writing extant.
He died in Norwich. Novem-
ber 7, 1685. His age at death is not
given, and no record has been discov-
ered that gives any clue to the date
541
of his birth. His children who shared
in the distribution of his estate, were :
John. (Serg.) b. about 1642; m. Mary
Winslow Jun 17, 1670.
Thomas, (Serg.) b. about 1645; m. Sa-
rah ?
Jonathan. (Lieut.) b. about 1648; m.
Mary Griswold Jul 1 1, 1672.
Miriam, b. about 1649; m. Ens. Thomas
Waterman Xov — , 1668.
Solomon, (Dr.) b. about 1650; m. 1st Lydia
Huntington Xov 23, 1676.
Solomon (Dr.) m. 2nd Sarah (Bliss) Slu-
man Apr. 8. 1686.
Daniel, b. about 1652; m. ist Abigail Ad-
gate Sep 19, 1682.
Daniel, m. 2nd Hannah (Backus) Bing-
ham Xov 4. 1712.
Samuel, b. about 1654; unm. d. in Xor-
wich. Conn Jan n, 1693.
John Tracy was the richest of the
family and a very large landholder in
New London and Windham Counties,
Connecticut. He inherited his father's
carpenter's tools, which indicates that
he was a builder. He did not take a
very active part in the management
of public affairs. Thomas and Jona-
than settled in Preston, Connecticut,
on land given them by their father,
which was granted him by the General
Court for assisting Uncas when he
was besieged in his fort by the Naran-
sets. They both took an active part
in the town and church affairs, and
Jonathan was town recorder and clerk
from the organization of the town till
his death. 1711. Solomon was the
second doctor in the town and a lieu-
tenant of the first train band. and Dan-
iel was the Beau Brummel of the fam-
ily— twenty-three ruffled shirts were
enumerated in his inventory, and a
sword and belt. As he did not belong
to the train band, he must have used it
as a dress adjunct and the insignia of
the gentleman. The boy, Samuel,
died young.
The American records of the early
Tracys are voluminous and fairly
complete ; they present no perplexing
problems and the lines are intact, but
eminent genealogists have been at a
loss to account for the boyhood of
Lieutenant Thomas Tracy of Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut, the forbear
of a widespread American family.
nf S>axntt UlnnarrlfH in America
The most notable of the exhaustive in-
vestigations in England was made by
Judge Frederick Palmer Tracy of
San Francisco, California, the first
genealogist of the Tracy family.
The eminent jurist was also a clergy-
man, and while preaching in Wil-
liamstown, Massachusetts, in 1844,
his eyesight failed and he went
abroad. When in England he vis-
ited Toddington and was received
with all the courtesies due kin-
ship by Lord Sudeley, the Right
Honourable Charles Hanbury Tracy,
ARMS OF LORD SUDELEY IN 1838
Lord Sudeley was Charles Hanbury Tracy and in-
herited the heraldry of the royal line — Sir Thomas
Tracy, Knight, inherited the shield and mask, front
view and crest— William Tracy, Esquire, of Virginia
1620, from whom the Tracys in America descend,
has inherited the shield, mask, profile and crest
Lord of Toddington Manor. In his
searches there he did find a Thomas
Tracy, a younger son of the same gen-
eral family of Tracys, who wras unac-
counted for, and who was evidently of
the same generation as our Lieutenant
Thomas Tracy and a descendant of
the Toddington family. As there
was nothing to conflict with the as-
sumption that he was the Thomas
Tracy who came to America he
thought he was very probably the
same person. Judge Tracy communi-
cated the result of his researches to
Chancellor Wai worth, who was then
compiling his notable "Genealogy of
the Hyde Family," and he was so im-
pressed with its importance that he
presented the matter in full. From
Ethelred down to and including Sir
William Tracy, knight (24), who was
one of the first of the gentry to adopt
the reformed religion and willed his
soul to God without the intervention
of a priest, the line has not been
broken, but from him down to Lieu-
tenant Thomas Tracy it is erroneous
and disproven.
The reason Judge Tracy could not
find the right Thomas Tracy was be-
cause Thomas's father, William
Tracy, left England without having
either the births or baptisms of
his children recorded in the local
public records. The identification
must be by circumstances, condi-
tions, events, and irrefutable evi-
dences that connect the boy with the
man. The absence of this birth rec-
ord led Britton in his account of Tod-
dington to say that the William Tracy
who married Mary Conway died s. p.
(without issue), which misled the
searchers by its falsity as a record.
This book, "Historical and Descrip-
tive Accounts of Toddington, Glouces-
tershire (England), the Seat of Lord
Sudeley," by John Britton, F. S. A.,
1840, dedicated to "The Right Hon-
ourable the Baron Sudeley" (Charles
Hanbury Tracy), contains the sub-
stantially true lineage from Ethelred
down to Lieutenant Thomas Tracy.
The statement that William Traci was
a natural son of King Edward is not
confirmed by earlier and later authori-
ties. There are other minor discrep-
ancies.
The direct evidence, with its docu-
mentary bearings, its cumulative cir-
cumstances, and the mass of collateral
and corroborative records, proves con-
clusively that the missing period in the
lives of Thomas Tracy, son of Wil-
liam Tracy of Hayles and Virginia,
and Thomas Tracy of Massachusetts
and Connecticut, links them as one •
and the same person, connecting the
54*
Unbroken iCine of Hearent from SCtng Egbert
strange disappearance of the boy with
the stranger appearance of the man.
To weld these links in the chain still
more firmly it is well to finally con-
sider the narrative chronologically
from its approximate dates.
In 1620, when William Tracy pro-
moted the Virginia adventure his son
was a mere child. It has been shown
that if he had been far advanced in
boyhood his father would have given
him the male's precedence over his
sister. It is not probable that he was
more than ten years of age, and it is
more probable that he was younger.
To find a working basis for this chron-
ological test an approximate may be
placed at eight years of age.
It required from five to seven years'
apprenticeship to learn the trade of
ship carpentry, and it generally began
as soon as the boy could prepare lum-
ber and understand the construction of
sea-faring vessels. If the eight-year-
old missing Virginia boy was appren-
ticed to the trade he would have be-
gun at about sixteen or seventeen
years of age, and when he completed
his time would have been about
twenty- four years old. In 1636,
Thomas Tracy, the ship carpenter at
Salem, was an unmarried youth and
must have been about twenty-four
years of age, which is proven by the
complete records of his later years.
In 1637, when, according to the rec-
ords, he was unmarried, he would
have been twenty-five years of age.
In 1639 (twenty-seven years of age),
he was living in Saybrook, Connecti-
cut, was married, and shared in the
division of land. In 1660 (forty-
eight years of age), he was in Nor-
wich, Connecticut, and had seven
children. He served twenty-seven
terms in the General Assembly (there
were two sessions per year), and died
at seventy-three years of age in 1685.
If Thomas Tracy, the missing Vir-
ginia boy and scion of a gentle family,
was eight years of age when his father
promoted Virginia in 1620. he would
have been just seventy-three years of
age in 1685, the recorded date and the
approximate age of Lieutenant Thom-
as Tracy, the ship carpenter of Mas-
sachusetts and legislator of Connecti-
cut, at the time of his death.
Choose your own approximate
dates, based on the facts, and make
your own computations from any con-
clusions you may find in the evidence,
and the result is equally convincing.
I apply this chronological test to
ascertain whether or not it will agree
with the established facts. It proves
them so mathematically accurate that
all possibility of coincidence is re-
moved. The genealogical link is
welded. The chain from the Saxon
Kings through \Yilliam Tracy, gov-
ernor of Virginia, and his son, Thomas
Tracy of Virginia, Massachusetts. and
Connecticut, is complete, and the de-
scendants of Thomas Tracy in Amer-
ica are the progeny of the Saxon
kings.
The lineage is supported by proof
more tangible than that of many
accepted assumptions of science. It
has a greater preponderance of docu-
irentary evidence and relies less on
faith and suppositions than much
which we are required to accept from
therapeutics, astronomy, dynamics,
and even theology. I believe that in
the days to come genealogy will be-
come an established study in the
science of heredity, but it cannot de-
mand more formidable proof than the
established sciences on which life it-
self depends.
With the lineage of Lieutenant
Thomas Tracy, who died at Norwich,
Connecticut, in 1685, established, and
the mystery of his early life cleared, it
is apropos in way of recapitulation to
recall some of the near kinsfolk :
His Grandparents: Sir John Tracy.
Knight. Lord of Toddington and Haylo-;
Abbey; Anna Throckmorton, daughter of
Sir Thomas Throckmorton.
His Parents: William Tracy. Esquire, of
Haylfs Abbey. Councillor of State for
Virginia and Governor of Berkeley Hun-
dred ; Anne Conway, daughter of Sir
flragettg nf
fUnnardja in Amertra
John Conway and sister of Lord Viscount
Conway.
His Uncles: The Right Honourable, John
Tracy, First Baron of Rathcoole; Sir
Thomas Tracy, Grand Usher to the Queen ;
The Right Honourable, Edward Conway,
First Lord Viscount of Conway Castle,
"Lord President of His Majesty's Most
Honourable Privy Council ;" Sir Edward
Bray; Sir William Hobby.
His First Cousins:
The Right Honourable, Robert Tracy,
Second Baron of Rathcole, M. P. ; The
Right Honourable, Edward Conway, Sec-
ond Baron of Conway Castle, M. P. ; Sir
Thomas Conway, Lieutenant Colonel in
the Army; Frances Conway, married Sir
William Pelham, Knight; Brilliana Con-
way, married Sir Robert Harley, Knight;
Heligawarth Conway, married Sir Wil-
liam Smith, Knight.
He had no Brothers; his only sister;
Joyce Tracy, married in Virginia, Captain
Nathaniel Powell, "a man of culture who
kept an account of the occurrences in the
Colony which were freely used by Cap-
tain Smith in his History of Virginia."
The royal lines from the Tracys,
Conways and the Bridges shoot out
into so many directions that the blood
is found in many of the first fam-
ilies of Great Britain and Amer-
ica. It is a blood that has produced
men in all lines of the world's activity,
that has been the maker of kings of
an empire and conscientious citizens
of a republic.
In using the term "Tracys in
America" I refer of course to' those
who are descended from the first im-
migration. Other branches from im-
migrations later than those of William
Tracy of Virginia in 1620 are not nec-
essarily included in my discussion.
For instance, there was one, Stephen
Tracy, who came to Plymouth, Mas-
sachusetts, in the ship "Ann" in 1623,
who has distinguished descendants
through America, among them being
General Benjamin Franklin Tracy,
former Secretary of the Navy of the
United States. It may be possible
that there is a relationshio, but my in-
vestigations have not yet allowed me
to definitely settle this matter.
I inscribe these words to all those
who are "looking forward to poster-
ity with a knowledge gained in look-
ing backward to ancestry," with the
admonition of the great Edmund
Burke who once remarked : "Those
who do not treasure up the memory
of their ancestors do not deserve to be
remembered by posterity."
ONLY SPECIMEN OF LIEUTENANT THOMAS TRACY'S HANDWRITING EXTANT
nf libitral (Eultttre tn Ammra
Urtmntarptura
of tljr tftrat Ainwiran SlhUrtet
uiljo Jounb £r Ugtatui £h.ougb.t unfcrr fioratnUm
of 3nm-Sounb fHctapljgairB an& Btarntljrallr& it fram
Ufl IMaurrtt •* 3FirBt (Cuntributtnna to Bthltral Sttrratttrc and
JItrBt fcrljool for Btoratton to ^Jiniatrg ^ Sitfr of fflosiMi fctnart, Sorn IfBfl
BY
JOHN GAYLORD DAVEXPORT, D.D.
DEPUTY QOVERNOB or TUK OUDER OP FOUNDERS AND PATRIOTS AND MEMBER OP MANY LEARNED SOCIETIES
.HEN I was a very
small boy I was driv-
ing with my father
one day over the pic-
turesque hills of his-
toric Southern New
England. As we ap-
proached a modest farmhouse, sit-
uated upon an elevation from which
it commanded a broad view of
the surrounding country, its front
opening toward the sun-rising, there
came from it a little old lady of thin
face and bowed form who greeted us
cordially and conversed with us in
what we imagine to have been the
characteristic language and tone of the
rural New England of seventy-five or
a hundred years ago. As we passed on
I asked: "Who is that old lady?"
"That is Aunt Betty Stuart," was the
reply; "the sister of Moses Stuart."
The answer was not especially illumi-
nating, as I was as ignorant of
"Moses Stuart" as of his sister,
"Betty." It was the first time that I
had heard the name which is now
honored in the theological world as
one of its choicest inheritances; a
name that deserves to be perpetuated
among those of all the pioneers who
have led on to the light and culture
of our advanced civilization.
First Stuarts in America and
their Intellectual Attitude
A question of deep interest, long
discussed but not yet answered, is
how to account for the appearance of
545
men of unusual brilliancy and force
of mind under conditions where
neither heredity nor environment had
seemed to lend any special aid.
Moses Stuart's ancestors, for several
generations at least, had been honest,
God-fearing tillers of the soil, with
apparently no broader outlook or
clearer insight into truth than ordi-
narily pertained to those thus occu-
pied. The family was probably of
Scottish descent. Moses' great-great-
grandfather, Robert Stuart, appears
in Connecticut about 1660, where he
married in 1661 Bethia Rumble of
Stratford, and a few years afterward
purchased one of the "home lots" that
were laid out a little north of Long
Island Sound. For a hundred and
forty years their descendants seem to
have remained for the most part
within the limits of the town, where
some of them are probably to be
found to-day. Their great-grandson,
Moses' father, Isaac Stuart, removed
to the upper parish of the town, then
and now known as "Wilton." On
Christmas day, 1771, he was married
to Olive Morehouse, and in 1773 they
joined the Wilton Church. They
occupied the then low-roofed, un-
painted, shingle-covered farmhouse
already alluded to, from which he
went forth to serve the colonies in the
War of the Revolution. He died in
1820, aged seventy-one. Mrs. Stuart
survived him for twenty years, dying
in 1840, aged ninety years, eight
months and four days. Her grand-
£tttmtrfprtfam :nf Iteligtmia
in, Am*rint
children regarded her as a remarkable
woman. "She never seemed to grow
old, even after she had passed eighty.
Her senses were alert. There was no
infirmity of years in her quick, keen
intellect or her manner of expres-
sion."
Prospects of a Boy Born
in America in 1780
To these worthy people were born
four children, three of them girls.
There was great joy in the father's
heart, when, March 26, 1780, his son,
Moses, was placed in his arms. He
dreamed for him what seemed the
noblest things. He would grow up
to be his helper on the farm. The
broad acres that he had wearily culti-
vated would become broader still and
more fruitful. He would take his
place in the church, and act his part
with the freemen of the town, and be
esteemed and honored as Christian
and citizen as his predecessors had
been. He had for him no higher am-
bition than that he follow the foot-
steps of his fathers, inheriting at the
last his own worthy position and per-
haps ennobling it by greater diligence
and success.
But the father soon found that in
this boy from whom he had hoped so
much were elements which he had
not anticipated and with which he
scarcely knew how to deal. This
modern Moses seemed likely to be
anything but a "proper child," as
judged by his father's ideals. There
early developed in him an amazing
and unaccountable fondness for
books. The library of the farmhouse,
carefully kept upon a shelf over the
ample fireplace, comprised the stand-
ard works usually to be found under
such circumstances among the clos-
ing decades of the eighteenth century.
There was King James' version of the
Bible, Baxter's "Saints' Rest," Dod-
dridge's "Rise and Progress," the
"Farmer's Almanac," and a few
weekly newspapers. Somewhere in
the house, possibly hidden away as
not quite in keeping with the religious
conceptions of the day, was a book of
ballads, the authorship of which is not
recorded. Probably it was some col-
lection of the "folk songs" of Scot-
land or of England, those charming
utterances which, as has been said,
"spring from the very heart of the
people, and flit from age to age, from
lip to lip of shepherds, peasants,
nurses, of all the class that continues
nearest to the state of natural men."
Very likely the book had been handed
down from generation to generation
of the Stuart family. Whatever its
exact character, it was found and
appropriated by the boy, Moses, when
he was but four years old, and read
and re-read by him until he had every
ballad by heart. The other books of
the family were likewise mastered at
a very early date by this precocious
child, as were all the books of the
neighborhood that could be borrowed.
In one respect young Stuart fell be-
hind the usual record of precocity.
He did not undertake "Edwards on
the Will," until he was twelve years
old, but then he read it, acording to
Dr. Sprague, "intelligently and with
the deepest interest." We hear no
complaint from the father, but it must
have been a disappointment and a
grief to him to find that the son from
whose co-operation he had hoped so
much sadly lacked interest in the
farm and its cultivation ; that when
he sent him out to plow, he would
find him with the reins about the
neck, a book in his hands and his
mind upon the book, while the plough-
ing was left largely to the discretion
of the horse! Or that when he had
directed him to rid a field of its weeds,
he would hours afterward discover a
few of the more prominent offenders
laid low, while the boy was comfort-
ably curled in some shaded spot ab-
sorbed in the volume which he had
carried with him to his task ! In his
father's dooryard, on the north side
of the house, was a large rock upon
which the youth is said to have been
in the habit of studying in the early
summer mornings. This is now sev-
Rrmuttamtrra nf
Stuart — Snm ut 1780
eral inches below the sod, and reveals
its location only in a time of drought,
when the grass above it withers away
for lack of earth !
Home-Life when the United
States first became a Nation
Before, with young Stuart, we
leave the old home, allow me to say a
few words regarding it and to quote
some of the traditions reported by
aged residents of the town. The in-
terior of the house is much the same
as when he lived here, including the
room in which he was born. The
old stone chimney so familiar to him
still stands, and several of the fire-
places remain as they were when the
house was built. A maple tree, south
of the house, that was planted by his
father, still grows green in the early
spring and wraps itself in varied
splendor in the autumn. The old
well from whose "moss covered
bucket" the boy drank is still in ex-
istence although unused. The oldest
inhabitant of Wilton now living re-
members distinctly the Stuart family.
He states that Moses' mother enjoyed
a great local reputation as a cook.
Among her other achievements was
that of making a famous Indian pud-
ding every day. This she set over
the fire on the hearth the first thing in
the morning, and "it boiled and boiled
until it was as light as a puff ! When
placed on the dinner table," as he re-
lates, it "trembled all over from top to
bottom." Perhaps this was from the
well-grounded fear of being immedi-
ately devoured.
He relates that a man working on
the farm once addressed Moses
Stuart rather familiarly, after he had
come into prominence. The mother
rebuked him by saying, "Eben, honor
to whom honor is due!" These
glimpses of life in the long ago are
interesting though homely. The man
of whom we speak looked back to his
early days in this old home as in many
ways charming, and as having nur-
tured within him some of his most
healthful tastes. His mother lived
$47
until he was sixty years old and was
always the recipient of his warm and
reverent affection.
Educating an American Youth
in Early Days of Republic
The afterward famous Wilton
Academy, established by Hawley
Olmstead of New Haven, had not as
yet been opened, and the boy having
exhausted the advantages of the dis-
trict school was in his fifteenth year
sent to Norwalk, where he enjoyed
the instructions of Roger Minot Sher-
man, so noted in subsequent years as
a jurist. The first intention was that
he should simply perfect himself in
English studies. But at once his
teacher saw in him indications of un-
usual ability and advised him to pre-
pare for college. "He began his
Latin grammar," writes Professor
Park, "with a characteristic impetus.
In one evening he learned the four
conjugations of verbs. In another
evening he mastered the sixty rules of
syntax. In three days the principles
of the whole grammar were in his
mind, and he found himself a member
of a class which had devoted several
months to the language. While pur-
suing the Latin and Greek classics, he
attended also to the French language
and literature. Several of his older
schoolmates had devoted many weeks
to the study of Telemachus. They
ridiculed him for his attempt to re-
cite with them at the very beginning
of his study. He remained with
them a day and a half, and was then
transferred to a higher class !"
In May, 1797, he entered the class
in Yale that was just completing it*
Sophomore year, he being seventeen
years old. At this time he was espe-
cially fond of mathematics, but was
neglectful of no part of his course.
He showed then, as afterwards, an
unusual eagerness for learning in its
every department. He graduated in
1799, and a classmate writes: "At
our commencement he had the saluta-
tory oration, which was considered at
that time the first appointment, and I
lEmanrtpattnn 0f SMtgumis
in Am^rira
do not suppose that a single individ-
ual of the class thought this distinc-
tion unmerited." During the year
after his graduation he taught the
academy on Greenfield Hill that was
founded by Dr. Dwight when there
pastor. Later he served as principal
of the high school in Danbury where
he began the study of law. Soon
giving up teaching he devoted his en-
tire time to preparation for his chosen
profession, the law, studying in the
office of Judge Chapman of New-
town. In 1802, at Danbury, he was
admitted to the bar. It was felt by
those who knew him that he was emi-
nently adapted to win success and dis-
tinction in the legal profession. His
mind was keen and logical, his mem-
ory of precedents unfailing, while his
constructive imagination enabled him
to set an idea or an event before
others in such a vivid light that they
could but see its character and its
bearing! His manner of speaking
is said to have been such as to "give
even common things the air of novel-
ties." To the practice of law he
looked forward with the utmost
eagerness and enthusiasm.
However, one week before his ad-
mission to the bar, he was elected a
tutor in Yale College. "My love of
study," he wrote, "induced me to
accept the office." He held it for two
years, making his stay at Yale mem-
orable for the enthusiasm with which
he inspired his pupils. "His great
power," said another member of the
faculty, "was in making a class feel
that something was to be done. Even
Dr. Dwight, whose influence in this
way was wonderful, did not in this
particular surpass Mr. Stuart." Mean-
while his devotion to the legal profes-
sion did not diminish. He was con-
tinually looking for light upon its ob-
jects and methods. His favorite
books were biographies of eminent
jurists, and histories of great legal
contests. But it was not among mat-
ters of this sort that he was to find his
life work.
Choosing a Profession more
than One Hundred Years Ago
If the origin of great minds in ob-
scure places surprises us, the seem-
ing insignificance of that upon which
as a pivot such a soul may turn all its
forces into new directions, is equally
surprising. It was a time of peculiar
interest at Yale. The preceding col-
lege year, that of 1801-2, had wit-
nessed there a remarkable religious
movement, such as had largely
changed the spirit of the institution.
At least one-third of the two hundred
and thirty students had come to a
new recognition of moral responsi-
bility. And although the force of the
movement had in a measure passed
by, the atmosphere was still electric
with spiritual vitality. This Moses
Stuart may have felt, but as yet he
gave no sign.
One day, very likely under the in-
fluence of the strict instruction of his
home regarding the Sabbath, he
called upon President Dwight and
asked to borrow some book that
would be suitable for him to read
upon the holy day. The president
gave him McKnight on the Epistles.
At first he read it merely for its lit-
erary excellence, but as he went on he
became, absorbed in its religious in-
structions. It threw a light upon his
motives and revealed them in such an
aspect as was to him altogether new.
From it a radiance emanated which
seemed to bring into clearest relief
the character of Him who is "God
over all, blessed forever." He felt a
new influence stealing into his soul,
which his first impulse was to resist.
That struggle for the supremacy of a
human spirit, which is as old as the
human consciousness, had been awak-
ened within him. It continued for
many days. But at length it ended
in the complete surrender of himself,
and enthusiasms, to Him whose right
to rule he thus joyfully acknowl-
edged. Of such a change the world
takes little note, but doubtless it is
that for whose sake all changes of
£rmititu»tu»B of
g>tuart— lorn in 178Q
earth and sky, of time and circum-
stance occur.
Young Stuart at once looked out
upon the world with anointed eyes
and saw its affairs in new relations to
privilege and duty. He loved the
law, and it seemed to him scarcely
less attractive now than before. In
fact he spoke of it all his life as "a
noble science." But in his horizon
loomed that which seemed to him still
nobler, in fact, so beautiful and glori-
ous, that he felt that to it he must give
his life. Theology rather than law
should receive the unqualified devo-
tion of his powers. With character-
istic eagerness he set himself at prep-
aration for the ministry, under the
direction of President Dwight.
"After reading," he says, "Dr. Hop-
kins' System of Divinity, a number of
President Edwards' Treatises, several
of Andrew Fuller's, a part of
Ridgely's "Body of Divinity," and
some of Mosheim's Ecclesiastical
History, and a part of Prideaux's
Connection, I was examined and
licensed to preach by the neighboring
Association of Ministers." He re-
ceived his license from New Haven
East Association in 1804. He had
united with the college church in
1803. When I licensed, he had writ-
ten but one sermon, a metaphysical
dissertation to which a verse of script-
ure had been prefixed. With much
care he wrote another, from the text.
"My father, my father, the chariot of
Israel with the horsemen thereof,"
and went forth into the world as a
preacher of the gospel. His special
equipment seems to us exceedingly
small and inadequate, but back of the
limited preparation was a great, glow-
ing soul, eager to win dominion for
its Lord. He traveled in Vermont,
and having preached several times in
the Church at Middlebury was invited
to become its pastor. This invita-
tion he decl'ned. For a little he sup-
plied to great acceptance the church
of Dr. Rogers in New York city.
Intellectual Poise of the
Scholar of the Last Century
In 1805, Rev. Dr. James Dana of
the First Church in New Haven was
temporarily disabled by the fracture
of a limb, and Mr. Stuart was invited
to fill the vacancy for a few weeks.
Dr. Dana was a minister of the old
school, refined, polished, classical in
style, conservative, feeling it his duty,
and his whole duty, to keep things
as they were, content if the world
grew no worse; a man who appreci-
ated to the fullest extent the dignity
of the ministry, and who bore his
great office with exceptional stateli-
ness and grace. He was a man of
much ability, had graduated at Har-
vard at the age of eighteen and re-
ceived a doctorate from the Univer-
sity of Edinburgh ; was the man who
forty-seven years before had been
settled at Wallingford by the "old
lights" of that day, and as a conse-
quence the church, pastor, and all had
been excommunicated by the ''new
lights" of the consociation. He had
opposed revivals of religion, and with
all his heart had protested against
that so-called "New Divinity," the
system of theological thought which
now quietly reposes upon the top
shelves of our libraries, like fossils in
their cases, of interest to the student
of progressive thought and a wonder
to the curious. He repudiated the
alleged "improvements" upon Ed-
wards' theology, made by his succes-
sors. While in Wallingford he was
so closely watched, lest his ortho-
doxy might be questioned, that he had
acquired the habit of speaking with
something of vagueness upon doc-
trinal points and apparently upon
every point. He did not believe in
the natural ability of men to repent
under the preaching of the Gospel,
and his sermons were not calculated
to bring them to repentance. During
his ministry of sixteen and a half
years, five or six was the average
annual addition to his church.
It is scarcely possible to think of a
lunanripation nf SMtgunta
in Am^rira
greater contrast to him than was pre-
sented by Mr. Stuart. He despised
the old-time ideas of ministerial dress
and solemnity of speech and de-
meanor. He sympathized with the
progressive ideas of the new school
of theological thought. There was in
him the impulsiveness of the re-
former. Regardless of externals
and of unessentials, he desired to do
what he could to make the world bet-
ter. Inspired by a forceful love for
Christ and humanity, he poured out
his soul in a simple and earnest elo-
quence which strangely touched and
moved. He did not speculate and
question; he knew! All vagueness
had flown from the pulpit of the
First Church, and the most positive
statement had taken its place. Re-
ligion, as he set it forth, was seen to
be a living thing, and not the mere
acceptance of a s}rstem of meta-
physico-theological dogmas. His ser-
mons grasped men's minds and filled
them with new aspirations and a new
realization of the importance of soul
harmony with the spiritual universe.
Dawn of the New Thought and
its Conflict with Conservatism
Many of the people of the First
Church at once desired to secure him
as an associate pastor; especially the
younger portion of the congregation.
But to this Dr. Dana very naturally
objected. How could he consent to
have at his side a man who ignored
the things that with him had received
the devotion of a life-time; whose
views regarding the objects and
methods of the ministry were entirely
at variance with his own? In defer-
ence to the pastor's feeling Mr. Stuart
refused the preferred position. But
the matter turned out as those things
are wont to do. Youth and vigor
triumphed over age and conservatism.
Dr. Dana's resignation was virtually
sent in by the church ; Mr. Stuart was
called to the pastorate, and March 5,
1806, just as he was completing his
twenty-sixth year, he was ordained
pastor of the First Church in New
Haven. Dr. Dana, deeply wounded
at heart, never entered the house of
worship where for seventeen years he
had officiated, during the pastorate of
his successor. But he was present at
the installation of Dr. Taylor who
followed him and by special invitation
of the society worshipped with the
church during the remainder of his
life.
Mr. Stuart's accession marked a
new era in the history of the church.
The petrified state of affairs that had
existed for t seventy years was effec-
tually broken up. It was the dawn of
springtime after a long and dreary
winter. New life and beauty burst
into view, and the air was filled with
joy and song. Meetings for free
conference and prayer that had been
almost unknown became frequent.
Even services by candle-light, which
had been considered almost a scandal,
were largely attended. Many who
had thought that a decent morality
with a regular attendance at church
was all that could be expected of
them, awoke to a new recognition of
the reality and nearness of the spir-
itual world, and of the obligations
which it laid upon them. Mr. Stuart's
manner of preaching was solemn and
impassioned. His clear, sympathetic
voice arrested and held the attention
of all, while his forceful language, his
vivid illustrations, his sustained earn-
estness impressed every listener. His
enthusiasm was communicated to his
audience. He was what would be
called in our day "a revival preacher."
The common people and the learned
alike hung with delight upon his
words.
Dr. Porter, of Andover, Massachu-
setts, after hearing him, said: "This
is preaching the glorious gospel of
the blessed God." It is related that
upon sacramental occasions his emo-
tion often choked his utterance and
his heart expressed itself in silent
tears. During his pastorate of three
years and ten months, two hundred
persons were received into the com-
munion of the church, only twenty-
nf
Stuart — SJnra in 17 BO
eight of them by letter from other
churches. There was evidently in
him that force of intellect and depth
of emotion whose combination is
essential to the most effective preacher.
As a pastor he seems to have been a
model, devoting every afternoon of
the week to his people. Professor
Park relates that speaking of a negro
once purchased as a slave by Presi-
dent Stiles, Mr. Stuart remarked :
"That negro was the sexton of my
church, and the most happy man, on
account of his piety, whom I ever
knew. I used to call on him oftener
than on any man in my congregation,
and it did me more good to hear him
converse on his religious experience
than any other man." The words
are very suggestive as to the pastor's
sympathy with humanity and willing-
ness to be taught by the humblest.
If he had remained in the pastorate,
as some of his admirers thought it his
duty to do, his course would evidently
have been full of joy to others and of
blessing to the church of God. But
what may perhaps be a broader work
awaited him, and for it these New
Haven experiences were a part of his
training.
Beginning of Attack on
Dogmas of Several Centuries
Until something less than a hun-
dred years ago there was no oppor-
tunity in this country for specific and
thorough preparation for the gospel
ministry. Candidates for the sacred
office, after taking a collegiate course,
studied for a time with some more or
less noted divine, reading under his
direction, imbibing his theological
opinions, constructing sermons for
his criticism, undertaking something
of pastoral work in a kind of appren-
tice way, under his supervision, and
then, after receiving the "approba-
tion" of the associated ministers go-
ing forth to the duties of their chosen
profession. It was thus that Moses
Stuart studied with Dr. Timothy
Dwight; that many another studied
with Dr. Bellamy up among the hills
of Litchfield County; that many a
humble parsonage became a diminu-
tive "school of the prophets." The
method had its advantages, and also
its evident defects. About the middle
of the first decade of the nineteenth
century it was felt by many broad-
minded men that the demand of the
times was for something more sys-
tematic in the training of ministers.
In the great development of theo-
logical speculation in the preceding
century the tendency had been to drift
away from the Bible as the only ade-
quate source of religious truth. There
was too great a fondness for accept-
ing some dogmatic system, and then
turning to the Bible to secure proof-
texts for its maintenance and to force
into the worthy service such as
seemed reluctant to perform this
duty. If a scripture passage ventured
to stand squarely in the way by which
a theologian would go, and obstruct
his progress, he assailed it with the
valor of a knight of old and if he suc-
ceeded in unhorsing it and leaving it
helpless by the wayside, he marched
on from the scene of conflict an
acknowledged and applauded victor.
But a new spirit was coming into the
world of thought. The inductive
philosophy was making its way. In
the realm of natural science men were
beginning to observe before theoriz-
ing. The phenomena of mind were
being studied with a view to ascertain
the principles that they embodied.
Some dimly felt that the old methods
in theology were outgrown and must
be superseded. A greater effort must
be made to know just the teaching of
the Bible itself. 'Thus it might be
possible to stem more effectively the
tide which, in eastern Massachusetts,
at least, was already setting strongly
toward Unitarianism. The need of
better rhetoric and more impressive
elocution in the pulpit may have been
recognized. The ministry must in all
ways be better equipped if the Xew
England churches were to maintain
their ancient prestige.
lEmattripatum 0f SUlujuma
in Am^rira
First School in America for
Education for the Ministry
As a result of much thought and
prayer and effort Andover Theologi-
cal Seminary was established. It
opened September 28.. 1808, with four
professors and thirty-five students,
Dr. Timothy Dwight of Yale preach-
ing the initial sermon. After one
year the Reverend Eliphalet Pearson,
LL.D., having resigned the chair of
Biblical Literature, Moses Stuart was
invited to fill it. The church in New
Haven objected. "He cannot be
spared," they exclaimed with one
voice. "We do not want a man that
can be spared," answered Dr. Spring
of Newburyport. Mr. Stuart had
read nothing of Greek but the New
Testament and a few books of Ho-
mer's "Iliad." His knowledge of
Hebrew was confined to that of a half
dozen chapters of Genesis which he
had painfully studied out without use
of the vowel points. His fitness for
the place was by no means technical.
It consisted in his enthusiastic love
for the Scriptures, his habit of whole-
souled devotion to whatever task he
set himself, and his ability so to teach
as to inspire others with his glowing
and tireless zeal. Conscious of his
qualifications and of his deficiencies,
he felt impelled to accept the position,
and was inaugurated professor Feb-
ruary 28, 1810. Although he was
not yet quite thirty years of age, he
had already chosen first the law, then
the ministry. Both these had had
their share in preparing him for that
great work of his life upon which he
now entered. In 1806 he had mar-
ried Abigail, daughter of James and
Hannah (Stoddard) Clark of Dan-
bury.
Mrs. Stuart often, it is said,
spoke of the contrast between New
Haven, with its beautiful streets, its
devoted church and circle of friends,
and its literary opportunities, and
Andover Hill as they went to it in the
winter of 1810. It was bleak and
desolate enough. A few wooden
houses had been built, but piles of
debris and of building materials lay
along the streets, and its theological
professors and students were for the
most part strangers and as yet uncon-
genial. She felt keenly the change.
But her husband was too busy to be
homesick. With characteristic en-
ergy -he took in hand the work of his
professorship. He found that for the
study of Hebrew there were no facili-
ties available. Himself mastering
the subject as best he might, he wrote
out lessons in the ancient tongue for
his pupils, and lent them the manu-
scripts. In these the Hebrew charac-
ters were unpointed. Having pur-
sued this method for a time, he deter-
mined that he must, should and would
secure a printing press. This he did
by personal solicitation. But when
he had obtained it, there was no one
who could so manage the Hebrew let-
ters as to set the type, and although
he taught the printers he was obliged
to do a large amount of the work
with his own hands.
First Hebrew Text Book
Printed in America in 1813
In this manner he was able in
1813, three years after going to
Andover, to publish a grammar of
the Hebrew language, without vowel
points, which was the first volume
issued from that Andover press
which has since been so fruitful and
has become so famous. Of course
it was the first book of the sort pub-
lished in America. Not satisfied with
it, he two years later published a sec-
ond edition. Then he anew investi-
gated its contents, and as he says,
wrote "some of it three, four, and a
small part seven and eight times
over," and published the third edition.
This attracted the attention of schol-
ars across the sea. Professor Lee, of
Cambridge University, said: "The
industry of its author is a new matter
for my admiration of him." In 1829
he had at his command fonts of type
for eleven Oriental languages and
dialects.
ss*
j&?mtttt0mttt0 of
Stuart — Sent in 17 BQ
When commencing his work in An-
dover he often consulted Schleusner's
Greek-Latin Lexicon, and in it fre-
quently encountered German words
which puzzled him. There was no
one at Andover who could explain
them. At that time scarcely more
Americans studied German than now
study Russian or Chinese. But Mr.
Stuart felt himself challenged by the
unfamiliar tongue to make himself its
master. And so at no small expense
he purchased an outfit for the study
of German and giving himself to it
with his accustomed enthusiasm, he
made such progress that in a single
fortnight he read the entire Gospel of
John in that language. Some one
presented him with a copy of Seiler's
"Biblische Hermeneutic/'and through
this he was introduced to the whole
range of German theological litera-
ture. He made a thorough study of
the profound investigations of the
German universities, and made use of
them so far as they had a bearing
upon his department. But more than
this, he caught the free spirit of the
German investigators, and while
always reverent toward the Scrip-
tures, he encouraged himself and his
pupils in the most thorough and com-
prehensive examination of their teach-
ings. Exegesis thus came to have a
new meaning and a new importance.
Certain texts which from time im-
memorial had been quoted in support
of some dogma, were now shown to
have no reference to the theme. The
modern tendency to treat the Bible as
literature was already in its inception.
The movement had begun which was
so materially to change the face of
the theological world. And although
Moses Stuart did not carry the matter
to its broadest conclusions, there can
be no question that he set it well on
its way. "Before I obtained Seiler,"
he writes, "I did not know enough to
believe that I yet knew nothing in
sacred criticism." He often said in
later years that he did not know how
to begin the study of the Bible until
he was forty years old.
553
Influence of German Philosophy
on Religious Thought in America
But now there came to him a
strange experience. Germany had
been considered the favorite abiding-
place of infidelity. While our minis-
ters for the most part were ignorant
of the exact results there arrived at,
imagination pictured them as some-
thing entirely destructive of their sa-
cred beliefs. And so when it was
learned that Professor Stuart had be-
come familiar with the works of Ger-
man theologians and that his teach-
ings in the seminary were imbued
with the German spirit and moulded
by German thought, considerable
alarm was felt among the churches.
It was believed that no good could
possibly come from such contact with
dreamy and vague theological think-
ing, evolved amid clouds of tobacco
smoke under the stimulating influence
of Germany's favorite beverage. A
storm of censure and reproach swept
over the conscientious teacher, and
he was keenly alive to its force.
"Unsupported," he says, "without
sympathy, suspected, the whole coun-
try either inclined to take part against
me or else to look with pity on the
supposed ill-judged direction of my
studies, many a sleepless night have I
passed, and many a dark and dis-
tressing day, when some new effusion
of suspicion or reproof had been
poured upon me." But he wrote : "It
is of little consequence what becomes
of me if the teachings of the glorious
gospel of the blessed God may come
in its simplicity, power and authority
before the public in a manner that will
attract attention."
While the attacks were most severe
an event occurred which entirely
changed the situation. In May, 1819,
Dr. Channing, in a sermon at the ordi-
nation of Mr. Sparks, afterwards
president of Harvard, delivered in a
Unitarian church in Baltimore, in his
fascinating and powerful style set
forth the claims of Unitarians in a
manner to dishearten the timid, and
?Emanripatt0n nf
in
virtually challenged orthodoxy to de-
fend itself. The sermon was imme-
diately published and was widely read
and greatly admired. And the ques-
tion was: Who in the name of the
Lord of hosts could assail this intel-
lectual giant and destroy his power?
Moses Stuart stepped forth and by
the aid of weapons imported from the
land of the Teutons succeeded in
crippling his strength. His published
''Letters to Channing" greatly modi-
fied the sentiment in favor of Unita-
rianism that had been gaining ground.
Downfall of Prejudice and
Bigotry after Hard Struggle
It is said that Dr. Lyman Beecher
of Litchfield had prepared a sermon
against the dangerous tendency of
familiarity with German commenta-
tors and philologists, and was on his
way to Anclover with the intention of
preaching it in the seminary chapel,
when the "Letters" that had just been
published, fell in his way. The con-
sequence of reading them was that
the well-meant sermon was consigned
to the flames. And Dr. Beecher
shouted, while he wept, "Thanks to
God for the keen and powerful
weapon Moses Stuart has been wield-
ing." Those who had most severely
criticised him acknowledged his learn-
ing. Those who had thought him
mistaken in his devotion to German
literature admitted their error. Pro-
fessor Porter, who had not been alto-
gether pleased with his course, said
to him: "No, you could not have
written that volume without your
German aid. You are in the right in
this matter, and your friends are in
the wrong: take your own way for
the future." Thus did Stuart win,
though at great cost to himself, the
liberty which his successors have so
much appreciated and enjoyed. By
his persistence in spite of the assaults
of enemies and the frowns of friends
he broke down the barriers of preju-
dice and gave to the American min-
istry all that was best in the results of
German thought and research.
Through his influence Andover
Seminary secured for its library a
complete set of the works which have
brought new and broader methods of
study to American theologians. And
yet it should be said that after the
struggle he had made for light from
across the sea, he was disappointed at
finding in the writings of noted Ger-
man authors so much with which he
was out of sympathy, and which he
regarded as destructive of the faith.
To a friend he wrote: "Who is to
stay the German flood that is coming
in upon us, not through neology
alone, but through such men as Tho-
li-ck, Neander and the like cast?
Both of these have pronounced
against the authoritative inspiration.
Tholuck has written three articles
against it, and Neander has aban-
doned it in his 'Life of Jesus.' What
way is there to defend the Bible and
make it understood again?" He
sought to do it through the elaborate
commentaries that he penned, upon
the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Epis-
tle to the Romans, the Apocalypse,
the book of Daniel, the book of Eccle-
siastes and the book of Proverbs, as
well as by his daily teachings in the
class-room.
After completing one of his vol-
umes he wrote: "My little book
on the interpretation of the prophe-
cies is finished. I shall doubtless see
a shower of arrows before long aimed
at me by the prophetic romancers.
No matter. My shield is thicker
than that of Ajax for this combat.
It is an eternal truth that a revelation
from God must be intelligible, and
must be vindicated from the abuses of
those who make it the sport of fancy
and wild imaginations. I have a
piece now printinsr in the 'Bible-
otheca' on some difficult passages in
the Psalms. I have undertaken to
bring before our public the half neo-
logical views of Hengstenburg, Ne-
ander and even Tholuck on Messianic
prophecies and inspiration, and this
has led me to say we must have our
own commentators and theologians.
554
of iloaw &iuari — Sara in 17 SO
We must not, cannot depend on Ger-
man manufactories. I say nothing
of John Bull, for there is nothing to
make a say out of it."
America's First Contributions
to Biblical Literature
The publication of his books
brought him into correspondence
with Bible students in Germany,
in Scotland, in England, and else-
where, so that although he re-
mained at home he lived the larger
life which comes through contact
with great souls in all the world.
There is not time to follow this busy
scholar through his years of toil. But
his energy and devotion to his work
knew no holiday. Between the years
1810 and 1852, besides many articles
in the Bib. Rep. and Bib. Sac., he
published some thirty volumes, mostly
of his own composition, a few of them
translations from the Latin or Ger-
man. These included the six com-
mentaries already alluded to, Greek
and Hebrew grammars, "Elements of
Interpretation," "Rules for Greek
Accent and Quantity," essays on
"Future Punishment," "Mode of
Baptism," "Immortality," "The Sa-
bellian and Athanasian Methods of
Representing the Doctrine of a Trin-
ity in the Godhead," "Modern Doc-
trines of Geology," "The Old Testa-
ment Canon," "Conscience and the
Constitution," and so forth.
The new light that has broken from
the Word of God during the last half
century has of course largely de-
stroyed the value of some of these
discussions. Some of Mr. Stuart's
positions regarding inspiration and
his estimate of the object and scope
of some of the books of the Bible are
not those of the theological profes-
sors of to-day. But to read one of
his volumes is to be impressed with
the extent of his research, and with
the amount of erudition shown. One
feels regarding Professor Stuart
somewhat as he feels respecting Dr.
Bushnell, a kind of pity that while in
his eagerness for knowledge he came
so very near the modern conception
of things, he yet just missed it. He
must have possessed "the pen of a
ready writer," or he could not have
accomplished so much. Nothing that
I have seen of his impresses one as
written carelessly or without much
thought and study. When sixty-
seven years old he read all the trage-
dies of Aeschylus that he might find
possible idioms and allusions throw-
ing light upon the Bible. As a
teacher he was pre-eminent. He
touched and kindled the souls of his
pupils with a sort of inspiration, stir-
ring within them something of the
enthusiasm which moved his own
soul. Fifteen hundred came under
his influence, and it is said that in a
remarkable degree he stamped his
own image upon them. His pupils
found their place not only in the pul-
pit, but in many a literary institution
at home and abroad. And thus his
influence became world-wide.
Establishment of tbe Modern
Conception of Moral Conduct
Professor Park, who knew him in-
timately, says: "The great work of
Mr. Stuart may be summed up in a
few words. He found theology un-
der the dominion of an iron-handed
metaphysics. For ages had the old
scholastic philosophy pressed down
the free meaning of inspiration. His
first and last aim was to disenthrall
the word of life from its slavery to
an artificial logic. He made no words
more familiar to his pupils than The
Bible is the only and sufficient rule of
faith and practice.' In his creed the
Bible was first, midst, last, highest,
deepest, broadest. He spoke some-
times in terms too disparaging of the-
ological systems. But it was for the
sake of exalting above them the doc-
trines of John and Paul. He read
the scholastic divines, but he studied
the prophets and apostles. He intro-
duced among us a new era of Bibli-
cal interpretation. The Puritan fath-
ers of New England were familiar
with the Greek and Hebrew tongues;
555
£mattritratt0tt nf itetigtmtfi
in Am^rira
but they never devoted themselves to
the original Scriptures with that
freshness of interest which he ex-
hibited, that vividness of biographi-
cal and geographical detail, that sym-
pathy with the personal and domestic
life of inspired men, that ideal pres-
ence of the scenes once honored by
our Redeemer, that freedom from the
trammels of a prescriptive philosophy
or immemorial custom. Because he
had done so much and suffered so
much in persuading men to interpret
the Bible, not according to the letter,
but the spirit, not in subjection to hu-
man standards, but in compliance
with its own analogies, not by conjec-
tures of what it ought to mean, but by
grammatical and historical proofs of
what it does mean, he has received
and deserved the name of our patri-
arch in sacred philology."
"His mission," says Professor
Park, "was to be a pioneer, to break
up a hard soil, to do a rough work, to
introduce other laborers into the vine-
yard which he had made ready. It is
no common virtue which is honored
in every farmer's cottage of the
town where he has lived for two
and forty years, and which is ven-
erated by missionaries of the cross
on Lebanon and at Damascus. I
have heard him praised by Tholuck
and Neander and Henderson and
Chalmers, and by an Irish laborer,
and a servant boy and by the fam-
ilies before whose windows he has
taken his daily walks for almost half
a century. His influence as a divine
is to be widened and prolonged by
the fact that on the hills and in the
valleys around his dwelling, there is
neither man, woman, nor child who
has known him, who does not feel
that he was an honest Christian man,
an Israelite indeed in whom was no
guile."
It is interesting to know the per-
sonal habits of a great man, and Mr.
Stuart's daughter, Mrs. Sarah Stuart
Robbins, now living, revered and be-
loved at Newton Highlands, has con-
tributed some facts in this connec-
tion which we are grateful to learn.
Of his personal appearance Dr.
Wendell Holmes wrote: "Of the
noted men in Andover, the one I re-
member best was Professor Moses
Stuart. His house was nearly oppo-
site the one in which I resided, and I
often met him and listened to him in
the chapel of the seminary. I have
seen few more striking figures in my
life than his, as I remember it; tall,
lean, with strong, bold features, a
keen, scholarly, accipitrine nose ; thin,
expressive lips; great solemnity and
expressiveness of voice and manner,
he was my early model of a classic
orator. His air was Roman, his neck
Icng and bare like Cicero's, and his
toga, that is, his broadcloth cloak, was
carried on his arm, whatever might
have been the weather, with such a
statue-like grace that he might have
been turned into marble where he
stood, and looked noble beside any
statue in the Vatican."
It was a fractured bone that
brought Mr. Stuart to the pastorate
of the First Church in New Haven.
It was another fractured bone, this
time his own, that took him out of the
earthly life. Slipping upon the ice he
broke his arm and the strain upon his
slender vitality was so great that he
survived the accident but a few
weeks. When he heard the hope ex-
pressed that his last sickness was unto
life and not unto death, he replied:
"Unto the glory of God, but unto
death. I am prepared to die. O
God, my spirit is in Thy hand. Have
mercy, but Thy will be done."
On Sunday evening, January 4,
1852, while a severe storm was rag-
ing about his dwelling, he fell asleep.
He was seventy-one years, nine
months and nine days old. He had
been a preacher forty-seven years, a
teacher forty-one years, a theological'
professor thirty-eight years.
S5&-
nf
Stuart — Itorn in ITBfl
BY HIS DAUGHTER
MRS. SARAH STUART BOBBINS
NEWTON HIGHLANDS. MASSACHUSETTS
,Y father brought into
his daily life many of
the habits acquired
when he was a farm-
er's boy. He felt
that every moment
passed in sleep, after
the most rigorous demands of na-
ture were satisfied, was lost time.
In summer at four, and in winter
at five, he was astir, and the occu-
pations of the day began. In sum-
mer his garden was his delight.
To this he went when Andover Hill
was still wrapped in sleep. To bring
in the earliest flowers for the break-
fast table, to surprise his family with
some fine home-grown fruit gave him
keen pleasure. Breakfast was often
a silent meal. Then followed family
prayers, and from family prayers he
went directly to his study. When
the door of this study was shut, the
room was set apart from the sur-
rounding world. Immediately every
member of the family began to move
about on tiptoe, and whatever words
were spoken were uttered in subdued
tones.
Out from this closed room came
first the voice of prayer. Rising
and swelling, often broken by emo-
tion, there was a pleading, wailing
cadence in his voice, touching to
listen to, tender to remember. Then
followed intoning passages from the
Hebrew Psalms, and here the heart,
mellowed and comforted by near in-
tercourse with the Hebrews' God,
found full utterance. Into every
room of that still house, the jubilant
words came ringing with their sol-
emn joy. From the time this chant-
ing ceased until eleven it must be a
matter of the utmost importance that
allowed a knock upon the study door.
Visitors, no matter from what dis-
tance, or of what social or literary
standing, were all denied admittance.
557
Two friends of long standing desired
him to marry them, and he agreed to
do so provided the hour were after
half-past eleven. They desired to be
married at ten. "But that is in my
study hour!" and neither love nor
money could induce him to comply
with their request, and another min-
ister was secured.
He often repeated the sentiment of
Heinsius: "I no sooner come into my
library than I bolt the door after me,
excluding ambition, avarice, and all
such vices, and in the very lap of
eternity, amidst so many divine souls,
I take my seat with so lofty a spirit
and such sweet content, that I pity all
the great and rich who know not this
happiness."
Even the ordinary housekeeping
sounds must be made under pro-
test. An unlucky fall, the slam-
ming of a blind, loud voices, all were
received with a warning thump from
the study, or a pull at its bell. "I
must not be disturbed."
Precisely as the clock struck eleven,
there came an energetic pushing back
of the chair and footstool, and the
whole family drew a long breath of
relief. Coming out of his room with
a pale, weary face, the professor went
at once to his customary exercise,
never failing to be on the instant
ready for his half-past twelve dinner
with his family gathered about him.
After dinner came the social hour of
the day. If we had any request to
make, any plans to proffer now was
the time. Indeed it was the only
time when home and its needs seemed
to have any place in the professor's
thoughts. Then a newspaper, a re-
view or some book not connected
with his work, was in his hand. Gen-
erally the reading continued until his
lecture, which was delivered in the
afternoon arid occupied about an
hour.
lEmattripatum nf JMtgtmta Gtynuglji in Am^rira
This duty over, came the exercise
again, the early tea, family prayers,
and the evening was entered upon at
the first approach of twilight. Study
was never severe during these hours.
Now he was willing to be interrupted,
and often hailed the visit of an
acquaintance as a godsend. Nothing
gave him greater pleasure than to dis-
cuss with one of congenial taste the
work upon which he was then en-
gaged.
This until nine o'clock, but the mo-
ment the clock struch that hour, night
with the time for needed rest had
come. No guest who understood the
regime of the student's life lingered
after that hour, until the professor
became old and feeble. Then it was
a great delight to him to have one of
the students of the seminary come in
and read to him, and the hour was
often forgotten in the interest of the
book. Light literature for the first
time in his life he indulged in freely.
With all his devotion to his specific
themes he was keenly alive to every
scientific discovery, and every ad-
vance in the political and literary
affairs of the world. When the first
train of cars passed through the
meadows back of his house, he started
from his seat at the dinner table, and
clasping his hands together as if in
prayer, said fervently: "Thank God!
Thank God!"
In the cemetery at Andover, Mas-
sachusetts, where so much of sacred
dust reposes, his body was laid to rest.
Near him lies all that was mortal of
Professor Phelps, who has indeed
found 'The Still Hour;" of Mrs.
Phelps, his own daughter, who now
knows life's "Sunny Side;" of Har-
riet Beecher Stowe; Dr. Leonard
Woods, the long-time champion of
orthodoxy; Professor Egbert C.
Smyth, whose newly-made grave is
grieved over by hundreds; and many
another whose name is widely known.
Upon a square prism of white marble,
surmounted by a Greek vase, "erected
in grateful remembrance by the
alumni of the Theological Seminary,"
is this epitaph:
"A meek and earnest disciple; a
fervid and eloquent preacher; a gen-
erous and cordial friend; a lover of
all good learning ; versatile in genius ;
adventurous in research; quick in
acquisition; an enthusiastic and
attractive teacher; devoting himself
with patient and successful toil to the
revival and cultivation of sacred lit-
erature; he is justly entitled to be
called among the scholars of his na-
tive country, The Father of Biblical
Science. The Word which he loved
in life was his light in death. He
now sees face to face."
Professor Stuart was the father of
seven children, three sons and four
daughters. The three sons gradu-
ated at Yale. One of them, Isaac
William, became a professor in Co-
lumbia, South Carolina, but spent the
latter years of his life in Hartford.
He married a daughter of Stephen
Bulkley of Hartford, and through her
inherited the "Charter Oak" estate.
The daughters were all well educated,
two of them in New Haven, a third in
Jacob Abbott's school in Boston, and
the fourth in New Jersey.
Two of these daughters married
Professor Austin Phelps, one of
whom, Elizabeth, attained great pop-
ularity by her sketches of New Eng-
land life. One of her books reached
a sale of one hundred thousand
copies in a single year. Her daugh-
ter, Mrs. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
Ward, has evidently inherited from
her illustrious predecessors the men-:
tal keenness and brilliancy which
gave them prominence and power.
Jkramtal ICrtfrra of {ftmtwr Ammnms
a into £tmr-ataiurb anil altnnat ^ubrriphrrablr (Corrrapimiifurr
UruraUmj Ihr Strong C£ lutrar trr . (£ mu.drutuiufl Eiura. Bumratir (CttBUiraB. Suai-
nraa 3Jntrn.rttg and ttattragrons if arbtbnnb of Jurat (Ctttzrna of Ihr Republic
This is an account of a tragedy in Early America written by Anthony Thacher of
Massachusetts in 1635 to his brother, Reverend Peter Tbacher of St. Edmonds, Salis-
bury, England. Both were sons of the elder Reverend Peter Thacher of Queen's
Camel, Somersetshire, England, and contemplated coming to the New America, but the
death of the wife of Reverend Peter Thacher, Junior, caused his change of plans so he
sent his fifteen year-old boy, Thomas Thacher, in his stead. The uncle and iiephew
landed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, and in 1644, Thomas Thacher was ordained into the
ministry at Wey mouth where he was pastor for more than twenty years and later in-
stalled as the first pastor of the historic Old South Church at Boston, Massachusetts
CONTHIBTTTBD BY
Miss C. C. THACHER OF ATTLEBORO. MASSACHUSETTS
ACCURATE TRANSCRIPT FROM ORIGINAL, LETTER
3— • must turn my drowned pen
and shaking hand to in-
dite the story of such sad
news as never before this
happened to New Eng-
land. There was a league
of perpetual friendship
between my cousin Avery and myself,
never to forsake each other to the
death, but to be partakers of each
other's misery or welfare, as also of
habitation in the same place. Now
upon our arrival at New England,
there was an offer made unto us. My
cousin Avery was invited to Marble-
head to be their pastor in due time;
there being no church planted there
as yet, but a town appointed to set up
the trade of fishing. Because many
there (the most being fishermen)
were something loose and remiss in
their behavior, my cousin Avery was
unwilling to go thither, and so refus-
ing, we went to Newbury, intending
there to sit down. But being solici-
ted so often, both by the men of the
place and the magistrates, and by Mr.
Cotton, and most of the ministers,
who alleged what a benefit we might
be to the people there, and also to the
5W
country and commonwealth, at length
we embraced it, and thither consent-
ed to go. We embarked at Ipswich,
August n, 1635, with our families
and substance, bound for Marble-
head, we being in all twenty-three
souls, viz : eleven in my cousin's fam-
ily, seven in mine, and one Mr. Wil-
liam Ellior sometime of New Barum,
and four mariners.
The next morning, having com-
mended ourselves to God with cheer-
ful hearts, we hoisted sail; but the
Lord suddenly turned our cheerful-
ness into mourning and lamentations,
for, on the fourteenth of August,
1635, about ten at night, having a
fresh gale of wind, our sails being
old and done, were split, the mariners,
because that it was night, would not
put to her new sails, but resolved to
cast anchor till the morning. But
before daylight it pleased the Lord to
send so mighty a storm as the like
was never known in New England
since the English came, nor in the
memory of any of the Indians. It
was so furious that our anchor came
home, whereupon the mariners let out
more cable, which slipped away.
An Arnwnt 0f a Srage&g in Am^rira in 1H35
Then our sailors knew not what to
do; but we were driven before the
wind and waves.
My cousin and I perceived our dan-
ger, and solemnly recommended our-
selves to God, the Lord both of earth
and seas, expecting with every wave
to be swallowed up and drenched in
the deep; and as my cousin, his wife,
and my tender babes sat comforting
and cheering one the other in the
Lord against ghastly death, which
every moment stared us in the face,
and sat triumphing upon each one's
forehead, we were, by the violence of
the waves and the fury of the winds
(by the Lord's permission), lifted up
upon a rock, between two high rocks,
yet all was one rock, but it raged
with the stroke which came into the
pinnace, so as we were presently up
to our middles in water as we sat.
The waves came furiously and vio-
lently over us and against us, but by
reason of the rock's position could
not lift us off, but beat her all to
pieces.
Now look with me on our distress
and consider of my misery, who be-
held the ship broken and the water in
her, and violently overwhelming us;
my goods and provisions swimming
in the seas, my friends almost
drowned, and mine own poor children
so untimely (if I may so term it with-
out offence), before mine eyes
drowned and ready to be swallowed
up and dashed to pieces against the
rocks by the merciless waves, and
myself ready to accompany them.
But I must go on to an end of this
woeful relation. In the same room
whereat he sat, the master of the pin-
nace not knowing what to do, our
foremast was cut down, our main-
mast broken in three pieces, the fore
part of the pinnace beat away, our
goods swimming about the seas, my
children bewailing me as not pitying
themselves and myself bemoaning
them, poor souls, whom I had occa-
sioned to such an end in their tender
years, when as they could scarce be
sensible of death. And so likewise
my cousin, his wife and his children,
and both of us bewailing each other,
in our Lord and only Savior, Jesus
Christ, in whom only we had com-
fort and cheerfulness, insomuch that
from the greatest to the least of us,
there was not one screech or outcry
made, but all as silent sheep, were
contentedly resolved to die together
lovingly, as since our acquaintance
we had lived together friendly.
Now as I was sitting in the cabin
room door, with my body in the room,
when lo, one of the sailors by a wave,
being washed out of the pinnace was
gotten in again, and coming into the
cabin room over my back cried out,
"We are all cast away, the Lord have
mercy upon us. I have been washed
overboard into the sea and gotten in
again."
His speech made me look forth and
looking towards the sea, and seeing
how we were, I turned myself to my
cousin and the rest, and spake these
words — "Oh, cousin, it hath pleased
God to cast us here between two
rocks, the shore not far off from us,
for I saw the tops of trees when I
looked forth." Whereupon the mas-
ter of the pinnace, looking up to the
scuttle-hole of the quarter deck, went
out at it, but I never saw him after-
ward. Then he that had been in the
sea went out again by me and leaped
overboard towards the rocks, whom
afterwards also I could not see.
Now none were left in the barque that
I knew or saw, but my cousin, his
wife and children, myself and mine
and his maid servant. But my cousin
thought I would have fled from him,
and said unto me, "Oh cousin, leave
me not, let us die together," and
reached forth his hand unto me.
Then I, letting go my son Peter's
hand, took him by the hand and said :
"Cousin, I purpose it not; whither
shall I go? I am willing and ready
here to die with you and my poor
children. God be merciful to us and
receive us to himself," adding these
words : "The Lord is able and willing-
to help and deliver us."
560
nf
Ammrana
He replied, saying, "True cousin,
but what His pleasure is, we know
not ; I fear we have been too unthank-
ful for former deliverances, but he
hath promised to deliver us from sin
and condemnation, and bring us safe
to Heaven, through the all-sufficient
satisfaction of Jesus Christ; this
therefore we may challenge of him."
To which I, replying, said, "That is
all the deliverance I now desire and
expect," which words I no sooner
said, but by a mighty wave I was
with a piece of the barque, washed
out upon part of the rock where the
wave left me, almost drowned; but
recovering my feet, I saw above me
on the rock, my daughter Mary, to
whom I had no sooner gotten, but
my cousin Avery and his eldest son
came to us, being all four washed out
by one and the same wave.
We went all to a small hole on the
top of the rock, whence we called, to
those in the pinnace to come unto us,
supposing we had been in more safety
then than they were in. My wife
seeing us there crept up into the scut-
tle of the quarter deck to come unto
us ; but presently came another wave,
and dashing with the greater part of
the quarter-deck unto the shore,
where she was cast safely, but her
legs were something bruised, and
much timber of the vessell being
there also cast, she was sometime be-
fore she could get away, being
washed by the waves. All the rest
that were in the barque were drowned
by the merciless seas.
We four by that wave were clean
swept away from off the rock also
into the sea, the Lord in one instant
of time disposing of fifteen sould of
us according to his good pleasure and
will. His pleasure and wonderful
great mercy to me was thus: stand-
ing on the rock as before you heard,
with my eldest daughter, my cousin
and his eldest son, looking upon and
talking to them in the barque, when —
as we were by that merciless wave
washed off the rock, as before you
heard, God in his mercy caused me to
fall by the stroke of the wave, flat
561
on my face, for my face was towards
the sea, insomuch that I was sliding
off the rock into the sea, the Lord
directed my toes into a joint of the
rock's sides, as also the tops of some
of my fingers, with my right hand,
by means whereof, the wave leaving
me I remained so, having in the rock
only my head above the water, when
on the left hand I expied a board or
plank of the pinnace. And as I was
reaching out my left hand to lay hold
on it, by another coming over the
top of the rock, I was washed away
from the rock, and by the violence of
the waves was driven hither and
thither in the seas a great while, and
had many dashes against the rocks.
At length, past hopes of life, and
wearied in body and spirit, I even
gave over to nature, and being ready
to receive in the waters of death, I
lifted up both my heart and hand to
the God of Heaven (for note), I had
my senses remaining perfect with me
all the time that I was under and in
the water, who at that instant lifted
my head above the top of the water
that so I might breathe without any
hindrance by the waters.
I stood bolt upright as I had stood
upon my feet, but I felt no bottom,
nor had any footing for to stand
upon, but the waters. While I was
thus above the water, I saw by me a
piece of the mast, as I suppose, about
three feet long, which I labored to
catch into my arms. But suddenly I
was overwhelmed with water and
driven to and fro again, and at last I
felt the ground under my right foot,
when immediately, whilst I was thus
groveling on my face, I presently, re-
covering my feet was in the water up
to my breast, and through God's
great mercy, had mv face unto the
shore, and not to the sea. I made
haste to get out but was thrown down
on my hands with the waves, and so
with safety crept to the dry shore,
where, blessing God. I turned about
to look for my children and friends,
but saw neither nor any part of the
pinnace where I left them as I sup-
posed. But I saw my wife about a
An Arrnnnt of a
in Amerira in 1635
butt length from me getting herself
forth from amongst the timber of the
broken barq'ue. But before I could
get to her she was gotten to the shore.
I was in the water after I was washed
from the rock before I came to the
shore, a quarter of an hour at least.
When we were come each to the
other we went and sat down on the
bank. But fear of the seas' rolling
and our coldness, would not suffer us
there to remain. But we went up
into the land and sat us down under
a cedar tree, which the wind had
thrown down, where we sat about an
hour almost dead with cold. But
now the storm was broken up, and
the wind vjas calm, but the sea re-
mained rough and fearful to us. My
legs were much bruised, and so my
head was ; other hurt I had none,
neither had I taken in much quantity
of water, but my heart would not let
me sit still any longer, but I would go
to see if any more were gotten to the
land in safety, especially hoping to
have met some of my own poor chil-
dren; but I could find none, neither
dead nor yet living.
You condole with me my miseries
who now begin to consider of my
losses. Now came to my remem-
brance the time and manner how and
when I last saw and left my children
and friends. One was severed from
me sitting on the rock at my feet, the
other three in the pinnace. My little
babe (ah, poor Peter) sitting in his
sister Edith's arms, who to the ut-
most of her power sheltered him from
the waters. My poor William, stand-
ing close unto them, all three of them
looking ruefully on me, on the rock,
their very countenances calling unto
me to help them, whom I could not go
unto, neither could they come at me,
neither would the merciless waves
afford me space of time to use any
means at all, either to help them or
myself. Oh, I yet see their cheeks,
poor silent lambs, plead pity and help
at my hands. Then on the other
side to consider the loss of my dear
friends, with the spoiling and loss of
all our goods and provisions; myself
cast upon an unknown land in a wil-
derness, I knew not where nor how
to get thence. Then it came to my
mind how I had occasioned the death
of my children, who caused them to
leave their native land, who might
have left them there, yea and might
have sent some back again and cost
me nothing; these and such like
thoughts do press down my heavy
heart very much.
But I must let this pass, and will
proceed on in the relation of God's
goodness unto me in that desolate
island on which I was cast. I and
my wife were almost naked both of
us, and wet and cold even unto death.
I found a knapsack cast on the shore
in which I had a steel and flint and
powder horn. Going further I found
a drowned goat; then I found a hat
and my son William's coat, both of
which I put on.
My wife found one of her petti-
coats, which she put on. I found
also two cheeses and some butter
driven ashore. Thus the Lord sent
us some clothes to put on and food to
sustain our new lives, which we had
lately given unto us, and means also
to make a fire, for in an hour I had
some gunpowder which to mine own
(and since to other men's) admira-
tion was dry. So taking a piece of
my wife's neckcloth, which I dried in
the sun, I struck a fire, and so dried
and warmed our wet bodies, and then
skinned the goat, and having found a
small brass pot we boiled some of her.
Our drink was brackish water, bread,
we had none.
There we remained until Monday
following, when about three of the
clock in the afternoon, in a boat that
came that way, we went off that des-
olate island, which I named after my
name, Thacher's Woe, and the rock
Avery, his fall, to the end that their
fall and loss and mine own, might be
had in perpetual remembrance. In
the isle lieth buried the body of mv
cousin's eldest daughter, whom I
found dead on the shore. On Tues-
day following, in the afternoon, we
arrived at Marblehead.
JUrat 5foroa of an Ammratt Utriorg
This is an account of the joy that reigned throughout America on the news
of victory, told by an eye-witness, Stanton Sholes, who was born March 14, 1772,
married Abigail Avery on March 14, 1793, and died February 7, 1865, at Columbus,
Ohio, in his ninety-third year— Accurate transcript from Original Manuscript
CONTRIBUTED BY
SARAH ELIZABETH SHOLES NIGHMAN
GREAT-GRANDDAUOHTER OF THE NARRATOR
Bayonne, New Jersey
SHE writer of this short
Sketch was born in one of
the British North Ameri-
can Colinies (as his fath-
ers were) some years be-
fore the Revolutionary
War Commenced and
slept in Juvenile darkness till the
thunder of the Revolution burst on
the young mind and called him to
his feet in 1775 so that his first view on
the elements of time were crimsoned
with the commencement of the Revo-
lutionary War. For me at this time
to commence my worlds tour when
the elements of nature were lighted
up by the torch of a bloody war and
the voice of distant thunder rolling
over these young Colinies but we
had a Washington and a Franklin
that could call down fire from heaven
to consume the sacrifice.
Wonderful age this for the young
stranger to shape his future course.
Dark were the elements that covered
the path of the young, but goodness
and mercy by the hand and as years
passed away his mind expanded more
to the cause of the war and this
bloody strife. My Father and four
brothers older than myself all warmly
engaged in this war. The town of
Groton my birthplace and New Lon-
don had been suffered to remain in
peace till the sixth day of Sept. 1781
when at daylight there was discovered
twenty four British anchored at the
mouth of the river three miles below
the city. They soon landed eight
hundred troops on each side of the
river. Arnold commanded one di-
vision and led them to the City and
burned it. The other division marched
upon Groton side of the river to
attach Ft. Griswold on Groton
Heights. This bloody strife and
massacre of the garrison of Ft. Gris-
wold was in sight of my home, there
my eyes saw and my ears heard the
death strife and struggle of that ill-
fated garrison.
I will not attempt a description of
the next days scene, it was awful
to all that could stand within hear-
ing of this slaughter house. The
town that gave the young stranger
being and opened its arms to re-
ceive him to its bosom is now in
lamentation and mourning and sack-
cloth its daily uniform. I had one
brother in the Fort he was one
of the few that escaped with life.
At this time my Father was in the
army and two Brothers and one in a
priviteer at Sea. This sixth day of
Sept. 1781 was a dark day for Groton
more than forty widows and two hun-
dred orphans were left in a few
hours to mourn the loss of husbands
and fathers. The writer had two
Uncles and seven Cousins killed in
the Fort.
In October was heralded to us the
joyful news of the surrender of Lord
Cornwallis and his whole army to the
combined armies of America and
France. Oh! how my young heart
leaped for joy. In spring of 1782 Sir
Guy Carleton arrived in New York
bringing the cheering news of the
nf
Btrtnrg in IT B2
probability of a peace being soon re-
stored between the two countries.
When Sir Guy arrived with his news
the people were filled with great joy
some sang, some cried, some danced,
some prayed, and others drowned sor-
rows with a good mug of flip. It
was a mighty great joy in our own
way so that 1782 passed away with
but little blood shed and the year
rolled away in much quiet. In the
spring of 1783 intelligence arrived
that articles of peace had been signed
by Great Britain.
In the independence of the United
States, in the general joy all party
animosity seemed to be forgotten and
mingled in one exultation. Through-
out the country all was cheer and
good feeling toward each other, and
when they met they met on a level,
and as freemen and a heavenly joy
beaming in every face. How beau-
teous nature now at the end of the
war and how dark and gloomy be-
fore. With heavenly joy they met the
change and natures God adored in
high praises.
Now peace reigns over the land
everyone commences as if he had be-
gun in a new state or some new in-
heritance gained, but in great peace
and love did the young nation com-
mence its proud stand beside the na-
tions of the earth. In Novr. of this
year the British troops left New
York for Great Britain. In June of
this year 1783 my Father returned
from the Army and in Oct. two
Brothers all poor and destitute.
These three served in the Revolu-
tionary War over eleven years. My
Father had served several years in
the British army aginst the French
and Indians before and at the time
Buebeck fell into the hands of the
British. The fourth of Oct. 1789,
My Father died and now with the
consent of my mother I commenced
the sea faring business and in this
I continued for many years. It was
a hard life to manage yet I was very
fortunate in all I undertook.
In all this I must acknowledge
God's guardian care over me in all
my wanderings by land and sea not
to make mention of his mercy and
goodness in the special providence of
God in the saving of my life and
while I followed the sea. I contin-
ued the Sea faring business till 1803
at that time the war between Great
Britain and France almost swept the
American Commerce from the sea,
for this cause I quit the Sea and re-
turned back into the State of New
York and after a few years moved
into the state of Pennsylvania and
bought a farm on the Ohio river
twenty two miles below Pittsburg;
here I remained till 1812. I was
then commissioned a Captain in the
U. S. Artillery and soon entered the
service of my country and remained in
its service till July 1814. I then set
tied up with my government and in a
year or two entered trade and in this
business, continued many years and
was extremely fortunate in my trade.
In 1836 I wound up my business
and then rambled about till 1842 then
settled down in the city of Columbus,
Ohio, where we now live in great
peace and love up to this 1859. Now
what watchfulness my heavenly
Father has had over me in all my
rambling by Sea and land. In my
early life He took me up and bare me
on his hands through the war or the
scene of the Revolution, and through
the dangers of the sea my life boat,
and in war my shield and safeguard.
Oh! wonderful Providence! When
He first called me to light there was
no nationality to this great people but
now in this my day and time have
stretched their arms like seas and be-
come a mighty nation all in my day
or single lifetime. Oh, the wonder-
ful improvements! A few brave
squatters combined to draft a Consti-
tution that should bind these thirteen
Colinies under one government and
laws was no small work in these
days.
g>ioru»0 of Gallant Ammnms
IGanea—
nf
£>nutlf
3n thr Ware of Earlg Atnrrira
BT
MRS. LOUISA KENDALL, ROGERS
Barnesville, Georgia
is the story of one of
the most distinguished
and influential of the
early settlers of Virginia,
Maryland and the Caro-
linas.
The family is said to be
collaterally descended from Sir Ralph
Lane who sailed from Plymouth, Eng-
land, in one of the vessels fitted up by
Sir Walter Raleigh in 1585. Captain
Lane was a brave, daring young cava-
lier, the son of Sir Ralph Lane of Or-
lingbury, whose wife, nee Parr, was
first cousin of Catherine Parr, the fav-
ored queen of Henry VII. Sir Ralph
Lane, junior, was the first colonial
governor appointed on "American soil.
Although history asserts that the col-
ony was broken up by the Croatan In-
dians at Roanoke, it is generally be-
lieved some of the party drifted into
North Carolina and assisted greatly
toward building up the commonwealth
of the state. Sir Ralph Lane died in
1604, while on a visit to Ireland, so it
is not positively known how long he
remained in America.
During the summer of 1618, two
years before the Pilgrims and Puri-
tans landed in America, Joseph Lane
(supposed to be a descendant of Sir
Ralph Lane) came from England to
Jamestown, Virginia, which was set-
tled in 1607 by Captain John Smith
and his London Company, who estab-
lished a code of laws for the colony.
From there this family of Lanes
found their way to Roanoke and Hal-
ifax, North Carolina. There was
born Joseph Lane, junior, the true
lineal ancestor of a noted family of
American patriots whose descendants
are scattered throughout all the states,
from the storm-washed coast of the
Atlantic to the middle Pacific and
from the great lakes to the Gulf of
Mexico. The old family records
handed down for many generations
have grown to vast proportions, and
several volumes might be filled with
thrilling accounts of their daring ex-
ploits during the Revolution, the Mex-
ican War, The War between the
States, and the late Spanish War.
Joseph Lane of 1710 married Pa-
tience McKinne, daughter of a
wealthy Scotch immigrant who owned
vast quantities of land in what was
then known as the Caledonian re-
gions. Their sons were Joel, Jesse
and Joseph Lane. They moved from
the vicinity of Halifax on the Roa-
noke to a comparative wilderness in
Johnson County where Raleigh, the
capital of North Carolina, now stands.
Colonel Joel Lane was a statesman
"to the manner born," and during the
War for Independence was at onetime
its presiding Justice.* Throughout
the entire conflict with Great Britain
he served with fidelity in many impor-
tant civil stations. He not only repre-
sented his county as senator for four-
teen years, but his name appears in
"Colonial Records" as Lieutenant
Colonel, 1772. His dwelling still
stands, a landmark of the Revolution,
and was considered at the time a rare
specimen of architectural elegance.
He was a member of the first Provi-
sional Congress which met at Hills-
*See Court Records of Wake County.
— <Eatialt?r0 nf tlj?
borough twenty-first of August, 17/5,
in defiance of the proclamation of
Governor Martin, issued twelve days
in advance, forbidding such an assem-
blage.
Governor Martin accused them of
being "rebels and traitors," against
the king and his government, denounc-
ing the resolves of a set of people
styling themselves a "Committee of
the County of Mechlenburg," who
traitorously declared the dissolution
of the laws, government and constitu-
tion of the country, the preposterous
enormity of which cannot be ade-
quately described and abhorred.
At any rate, in defiance of this libel-
ous proclamation, the brave and pa-
triotic convention was determined to
build up a republic in America. Con-
sequently, the General Assembly of
this "most rebellious of provinces,"
amidst the darkest hours of the Revo-
lution, met at the house of Joel Lane
in June, 1781, and elected Thomas
Burke, one of the most eminent of the
men of revolutionary renown, the
third governor of the state, Colonel
Lane at the time being senator of
Wake. Wishing to establish the cap-
itol in his own vicinity, on the fourth
of April, 1792, he conveyed to the
state one thousand acres of land.
Subsequent to this arrangement for
Raleigh, he presented six hundred
acres for the site of the University, as
an inducement to locate the institu-
tion near the capitol. Thus did this
grand old patriot lend his wealth and
influence toward the upbuilding of the
American Republic, well deserving a
monument to his memory, although it
has never been reared.
His sons served their country, and
at the present day one of his great,
great granddaughters is State Regent
of the Daughters of the American
Revolution of Tennessee.
Joseph Lane, the second brother,
was a member of the Tribunal of the
First Court in North Carolina, which
was held fourth of June, 1771. He
married Ferebe Hunter, reared a large
family and died 1798. One of this
family, Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph
Lane, received large grants of land
for his services during the Revolution
and is mentioned in history.
Jesse Lane, the third brother, was
born 1733, married Winefred Hycock
and reared a happy household of fif-
teen children, all of whom lived to a
good old age, contributing of their
"basket and store" to the formation of
a permanent government. He is the
ancestor of thousands of America's
noblest men and women, among them
General Joseph Lane of Oregon,
called "The Marion of the War with
Mexico," who was candidate for vice-
president of the United States, gov-
ernor of Oregon, and senator eight
years.
Jesse Lane served his country with
the Third North Carolina Continen-
tals and with his sons bravely fought
in the battles of Guilford Court
House, Cowpens, and King's Moun-
tain.
General Ferguson of the British
Army was a brave, fearless officer and
at first eyed the motley crowd of
American "rebels" with scorn, not
deigning to think that they reallv
meant to attack him, but when his
practiced eye reconnoitered the situa-
tion he chafed like a lion at bay.
The Americans were divided into
three sections, Campbell and Shelby
leading the center, Sevier and McDow-
ell the right, and Cleveland and Wil-
liams the left. Ferguson met the
attack with the bayonet, and as there
was not a bayonet among the poorly
equipped Americans, they were at first
repulsed. Soon the British were at-
tacked from another quarter, and
Ferguson's fury knew no bounds
when he saw that the party he had
driven down the hill with the bayonet
were renewing the attack with more
vigor than before. He rode from
point to point, leading his men with
desperate bravery, but soon fell to the
ground pierced by a well-aimed rifle
ball.
The American loss was only about
thirty men, while the British lost one
see
of
Am^rtrana
hundred and fifty killed and nine hun-
dred prisoners. At this battle of the
mountain, Jesse Lane, his son John
(who was father of General Joseph
Lane of Oregon), Charles Lane,
another son, and his sons-in-law, gal-
lantly threw their whole strength into
their efforts for independence, so that
the battle of King's Mountain, not-
withstanding the smallness of the
numbers engaged, put a new phase on
the struggles of the South. When the
news of the entire destruction of Fer-
guson's army reached Cornwallis he
was made to tremble for his own
safety. The heroes of King's Moun-
tain having so well accomplished their
plans, returned in triumph to their
homes and delighted in handing down
to their descendants a true history of
their victories. They scarcely real-
ized the immense service they had
rendered the United States, but the
value of that service was soon to be
realized by General Greene who had
been appointed commander at the
South, and who, whether fighting or
retreating, was to justify the confi-
dence by which he had been chosen
for this post by General Washington.
The little town of Halifax is one of
the oldest in North Carolina, and not
only its first settlers, the Lanes, were
brave and courageous, but all of its
whole population. It was the first to
celebrate the Declaration of Independ-
ence after it was signed in Philadel-
phia, and it was there Cornwallis and
his army were quartered several
months, as was also General Tarleton.
William Hooper, one of the signers of
the Declaration, though put down as
a delegate from Wake, came from the
eastern part of the state.
A late historian who had occasion
to refer to the history of Raleigh in
connection with the triumphant march
and occupancy of the city by Sher-
man's army, speaks of Colonel Joel
Lane as the progenitor of the notori-
ous "Jim Lane" of Kansas. This is
a mistake. They are not of the same
family. General Joseph Lane, who
won fame and renown in Mexico,
Governor Henry S. Lane of Indiana,
General Alfred H. Colquitt of
Georgia, "The Hero of Olustee,"
Lieutenant-Governor Robertson of
North Carolina, Governor David
Swain of Chapel Hill, and Honorable
George W. Lane of Alabama, District
Judge of the United States, were all
ccusins, great nephews of Colonel
Joel Lane, and grandsons of Jesse
Lane. The latter moved to Elbert
County, Georgia, in 1786, and died in
Missouri, 1806, leaving descendants
throughout all the states of the union,
who, like the three brothers, are noted
for their uprightness, patriotism and
intesritv of character.
THE HISTORIAN
BT
HERBERT HUGHES
Gait, Ontario, Canada
Into dim and dusty archives of the past,
In buried cities, 'mongst rude pictured
stones,
'Mid ruined temples and long-mouldered
bones,
He delves, nor shudders at the problem
vast.
He hears the ancient warrior's trumpet
blast,
He mounts the mediaeval monarchs'
thrones.
567
He spans all ages and surveys all zones.
He sees the Then and Now, the First and
Last.
And, comprehending all, he weighs, divides,
Unraveling myths and fables from their
maze, —
Between conflicting annals he decides ;
Traditions melt before his searching
gaze.
And then he paints the picture of the tides
Of all past life, for this and future days.
FAIR COOLING SPRAY, O LOVELY SEA!
BT
DR. FREDERICK H, WILLIAMS
Fair, cooling spray, oh, lovely sea !
How maiden coy thy changing mood;
To-night thou'rt sweet with smiles for me,
Scarce yestertide I vainly wooed
Thy fretful features for a smile,
Naught could for me one thought beguile.
Yet must I love thee, soft-eyed sea,
Whate'er may be thy changing mood;
Or hast thou smiles or frowns for me,
Forever am I strangely wooed
To cast me by thy pulsing side,
Wistful to wait thy changing tide.
But when thou donn'st thy garments blue
To bask beneath yon sunlit sky;
When lace-white clouds flit over you
And bright-hued birds amid them fly;
Thou turn'st on me thy sweetest smile
And all thy ways my thoughts beguile.
Or when, come eve, the god of day
Stoops low to wreathe his hairs with
thine,
Swift raptures o'er thy ripples play,
Thy wanton waters blush like wine:
While waving willows by thy side
Waft love-soft whispers o'er thy tide.
When night her dusky mantle sends,
As sleep sows silence o'er the sea;
When distance into presence blends
All things commingling magicly,
I see thy spirit, yearning rise
Communing with the bending skies.
Yes, must I love thee, blue-eyed sea !
Whate'er may be thy changing mood;
Thy wondrous self constraineth me,
And all that mighty brotherhood
Of life, thou broodest on thy breast
Impelleth me to love and rest.
ON THE HILLTOPS-BY JOSEPHINE CANNING
I close fast the portals behind me
Where dwelleth contention and strife;
Where trouble embitters the fountains
That spring from the rivers of life.
I close fast the portals behind me
And wander in spirit afar
To hills standing blue in the distance,
With naught that can hinder or mar.
How cool the fresh air on the uplands;
How bright the blue sky overhead ;
How fragrant the pine and the balsam,
Whose odors like incense are shed.
How restful the sound of the brooklet
That, murmuring, runs to the sea;
How wondrous the gift of God's blessings
So bountifully given and free.
Thus, unto the soul that is weary
With conflict and question and doubt,
How sweet is the peace on the hilltops
And all the fair country about.
Alone on the heights where God dwelleth
So close to the heavens above,
There only do war and dissension
Give place to the Angel of Love.
568
Country life
in Bmertca
ALONG THE ROCK-BOUND COAST
THOUSANDS OF LAKES LIKE MIRRORS
REFLECT THE NOONDAY SUN
ntrg lite
Imerica
THE RUSH OF THE RIVERS TO THE SEA
Country life
in Bmcrica
FROM THE FOREST-CLAD HILLS
Country Xlfe
in Bmcrfca
•
ft
SUMMERTIME IN THE LAND OF REST
ESTATE OF A WELL-TO-DO" VIRGINIAN IN 1674
THA NSC HI It i: 1> FROM THE ORIGINAL BT
DR. JOSEPH LYON MILLER.
GRANDSON or THE SEVENTH GENERATION
Thomas, West Virginia
"AN INVENTORY OF ALL & SINGULAR TIIE GOODS AND CHAT-
TELS OF MR. AMBROSE FFEILDING GENT: OF WICKOCOMOCO
HALLDEC'D. APPRAYSED & VALUED UPON OATHE BY US THE
SUBSCRIBERS BY VERTUE OF AN ORDER OF NORTHUMBER-
LAND COUNTY COURT DATED YE 17TH DAY OF MARCH 1674"
YE SERVANTS
£ s d
i Servt man — \Vm Farecloth 3 yeares to serve 6 oo oo
I Do Thos: Holmes 2 Do Do ,£5 i Servt Boy John Sonpin 7 yrs. £(>. . . 12 oo oo
i Do maide Jane Farecloth 3 Do Do £2 i Do Maide Jane Cooper 2 Do
£l..IO 3 I0 °°
i Negro man Ned £15, i Do Symon .£20 i Do Boy Chubb £7 42 oo oo
i Do woman Jude ,£io. i Do girl Prosee £s i Do Boy Ran £10 25 co oo
YE STOCK
i"Black Cow & Caff 24/1 pyde cow & Caff 24/ 2 red Cows 407 i Bull 22/ 5 10 oo
i White Do i8/ i Red Do 20 i Pr Oxn 48 / 4 06 oo
5 Yearling hey ffers £2. .16 7 Do Steeres £3. .04 6 oo oo
4 two Yr old steers 4 i old mare 40 / i bay mare 85/1 white horse 70 / . . 13 15 oo
i black Horse 4&/ i <wo yr. old filly 50/2 yerlings att iS/ 5 05 oo
30 Hogges & pigs £6. .4 All the whole Stock of Fowls i8/ 7 02 oo
YK HALL PARLOUR
i Ovell Tabel 12/1 turkey Worke Carpet 18/5 pictures io/ a oo oo
7 Turkey worke Chears 3O\ 3 Rusha leather Do 22 / 2 12 oo
4 Family portraits unpraysed. i Tapstry Couch 17 \ 17 oo
i Court Cubbard io/ A pcell of old small Bookes 28 / i 08 oo
A pcell of old large bookes 33/1 large Bibel 18 / a n oo
i ould Silke Cheare 8/ i Dutch Carved Chare io/ i pr brass And
Irons 13 / i it oo
i pr. old Silver Candle Stickes 47 / i small tabel 3/ a io oo
YK PARLOUR CHAMBER
i ould Leather Cheare 8/ i ould silke do ?/ 15 oo
i Greate Bedd & cord wth Curtaines & Vallaines lines wth Silke, teasters,
& Damaske & Silke Counterpayne io 13 oo
i Feather bedd, bowlsters, pillows & two blankettes 4 io oo
1 Carved Chest wth locks and keys 25 / i 05 oo
2 pr. Linnen Sheetes 1 8 / 3 Do Pillowbers 6 / i 04 oo
2 pr Canvis Do 8/ a Do Canvis Do 2/ io oo
i pewter Bason Ewer & Chamber pott 5/6 05 06
i Looking Glass 3/6 i brass Candelstick a / 05 06
i Wanning pann 1/2 i Ivory Combe / io i Cloath brush / 5 oa 06
573
YK GREAT ROOME £ s d
i Long Dining Tabel I?/ i small Tabel 2/8 i Serving Do/ 5 i oo 08
14 Rush Chears 14/1 Large ould bottle Case & bottles 3/8 17 08
i Ould chest 4/ i small Dos/ i pr. and Irons io/ , 17 oo
i Large Damaske Tabel Cloath & 22 Napkins 2 io oo
3 Ould canvis Do 6/ 13 Do Do 4/ io oo
4 New towelles 4/ 7 ould Do 2 / 06 oo
i Cubbard 7/ All ye Earth i/ Glasse Ware 15/4 i 02 oo
31 old pewter ware att sd p. p. 101/2 new Do att i2d p. p i 03 oo
i Silver Tankard wth ye Ffeilding Armes on it 5 07 oo
i Do small Do markt "A. F." 38/ i Silver bowle 40 / 3 18 oo
i Do Dram Cupp s/ i Do Sacke Do io/ i Do Tumblr mkt wth ye
Armes 12 / i 07 oo
n Large Silver Spoones 22 / 8 small Do Do 8 / i Silver Salt 5/ i 15 oo
21 Alchimy Do 2/7 17 Quart bottles 2/8 05 03
3 brasse Candl stks 3/1 brass kittle 7 / io oo
1 old Fowling Peace 9 / i muskt \i / 2 Pistolls i2/ i 19 oo
2 Rapere i / 1 hanger 12/1 brass morter & pestil 4/4 i 16 oo
YE CHAMBER OVER YE HALL PARLOUR
i Leather Trunk 5/1 Chest 7/ i ould Do wth locke %/ 17 oo
i beddstid cord Curtains, Vallaines, blanket & Rugge 3 18 oo
i Feather bedd, bowlster & pillowes 3 14 oo
i small tabel 1/3 2 rush chears 2/1 ould Chamber pott 03 n
Looking Glasse 2/82 home combes 3d i ink horn $d 03 04
i pr Canvis sheetes 6/ 2 pr pillowbers 1/5 ould sheetes 7/ & pillowbers
2/ 09 05
i pr Virga. Shewes 1/3 i pr Rusha Leather shewes 2/8 i pr Gloves 1/2 04 n
1 Broad cloath Gt Coat iS/ i Do short lind wth silk i4/ i ould cloath
suit is/ 2 07 oo
2 pr britches 7/ i pr silk Stuckings 2/3 2 pr Cotton Do 1/3 i peri-
wigge is/ i 05 oo
i ould hatt wth a hole in it 2 /2 3 shirts and a pcell of ribband 4/ 06 02
i pr Silver buckls 2 pr Do Buttons i Do Watch & scale i Do Tobaky box. . 3 15 oo
i plaine gold Ringe i Sealed Do Do 2 mourning Do 2 02 oo
YK CHAMBER OVER YE PARLOUR CHAMBER
i Bedd, cord, feather bedd & furniture 82/1 other Do., Do. Do. 78 / 8 oo oo
i ould trunk $/ i ould Chest a,/ 1 Tabel lod 3 stools i/ i pcell old
Cloatbes & other trumpery S/ 18 io
YE OUTE KlTCHIN AND SHRVTS RoOME
i pr. and Irons z/ i Large Iron pott -j/ i small Do g/ i other Do 3/ i
old Do r/3 18 oo
3 pr pott Racks 5/ 2 Do lids i/ i flesh fork 6d 4 spitts 3/4 09 io
3 ould Tubbes 1/6 2 new Do 2/ 5 Cyder casks io/ 2 Cow belles 1/2.. . . 14 08
i Ox Chaine & rings 2/10 a pcell old Iron trumpery 1/8 04 06
a pcell ould Carps & Coopers tooles 6/ a pcell old bottles 2/8 08 08
i Create Kittle to containe 40 Gals. i8/ i small brass Do i/ 05 oo
i Drip pan i/ 3 ould tin pannes 1/6 4 frying panns 2 ould 2 new 5/ 06 06
1 pr Stillards 4/ i brass skimer i/ i ould tabel & form 08 oo
2 Sad Irons 1/8 2 old Spinnying wheeles S/ a pcell old Rugges &
blanketts 5 / 14 08
^222 05 05
The remainder of this inventory is missing, but probably listed the supply of grain ,
hay, etc., on hand and the plantation tools kept in out-buildings
(Emtfrmporarg Sfyaugljt in Ammra
" Qttp Jlrrea of thr iRruublir IB llir ffloiilorr of
?ttblU ©pinion — tlje Craorr anb tboralor**
COLORADO
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE MUST
LEAD VAN OF PROGRESS
• DITOHTAX. YVBITCK
I« THK DKITVEB BBPVBLICAV
Statistics printed by the department of
commerce and labor covering the period in
the history of this country from 1800 to
the present time, reveal the wonderful
growth which the United States has made ;
and from the information thus presented
one may form an idea of the conditions ex-
isting at the beginning of the last century,
when the country was young, although it
had already attained respectable rank
among the nations of the world. The fact
that the population per square mile is
nearly twenty-eight at the present time,
whereas in 1800 it was only six and a half,
is in itself remarkable, but the extent of
this growth will be more fully appreciated
when it is considered that the area, ex-
clusive of Alaska and the island posses-
sions, is nearly three and a half times as
great now as it was in 1800. The
American people have not only made
many inventions in which the world
at large has sharedv but they have
developed a wonderful capacity to utilize
their own devices as well as those of other
countries. What the future has in store no
man can conjecture, but we know that the
productive power is increasing in an accel-
erating ratio. Every decade reveals a re-
markable advance over the one next pre-
ceding, and we have every reason to be-
lieve that the century upon which we have
entered will witness a more remarkable
growth than the one just closed. The
enormous increase during the last one hun-
dred years of the per capita wealth is evi-
dence of rapidly improving conditions for
the people, which we have no reason to
question will continue. The fact that the
per capita wealth is nearly four times as
great now as it was in 1850 is an indica-
tion of this growth. Apart from the indi-
vidual possession of wealth, the condition
of the people has been most wonderfully
improved through improvements affecting
the manner of living, especially in urban
communities. Systems of public water
works, lighting systems, facilities of trans-
portation, and greatly improved sanitation
have made the lives of people of moderate
means more luxurious in many respects
than those kings and princes a hundred
years ago. In all this the American peo-
ple have shared to a more remarkable de-
gree than the inhabitants of any other part
of the world.
OHIO
CIVILIZATION'S GREAT WORK IS
IN ITS BEGINNING
KIMTOKIAI. WHITKV
I* THK TOLKDO BLADK
"Of approximately one hundred million
horses in the world," says O. P. Austin,
of commerce and labor, "eighty million are
found in the temperate zone, and nearly all
among Occidental people, while the re-
maining twenty million, scattered princi-
pally throughout the tropics, are largely
employed in service of temperate zone visi-
tors or residents, and are but feeble repre-
sentatives of that noble animal as he is
known to the people of Europe and Amer-
ica.
"The United States and Canada have
one horse for every three and a half
persons ; in South America, one for every
seven; in Mexico, one for every twelve;
in Japan, one for every thirty-three; in
Turkey, one for every forty; in the Phil-
ippines, one for every fifty; in Africa, one
for every one hundred and fifty, and in
India and in China, probably one for every
two hundred. Throughout the tropics and
the Orient are scattered approximately
three million camels, ten million donkeys
and twenty million water buffalos, or car-
abao, with oxen utilized to some extent
almost everywhere and millions of men, es-
pecially in the Far East, doing the work of
the horse. The freight motor vehicle is
being used successfully in New Mexico and
Arizona, Porto Rico, Central and South
America, Egypt, Turkey, India, Japan,
South Africa and almost all other coun-
tries, in many of which, with the thermom-
eter well above the one hundred mark, the
horse cannot live, but where the heavy
freight motor can pull its string of trailers
with almost the capacity of a small rail-
road train. The tropics," said Mr.
Austin, "and the Orient are the great un-
developed sections of the world. Within
the tropics are millions of square miles of
productive land and billions of dollars'
worth of products for which the temperate
zones are calling loudly. In the Orient
are hundreds of millions of patient workers
and for their products the Occident is in-
creasing its demands. The inability of
each of these sections to respond to our
demands has been because of the absence
of some available method of transporta-
tion."
®I?nugI?t tn Amerua
PENNSYLVANIA
INDIANA
AN ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE
RIDDLE OF THE PLANETS
MDITOHIA.L, -WRITKR
TKK PHILADELPHIA
Thirty years ago it was generally assumed
that the planets were inhabited by beings
similar to ourselves, and this largely be-
cause of the popular book written by Rich-
ard Proctor. The book was not intended
to be conclusive; in fact, only opened the
question, and before his lamented death the
author felt that he had proved nothing.
In the storm of disapproval which came
from astronomers popular opinion veered
to the other side, and it has for some time
been held that there is no evidence that the
planets are occupied.
Then came Dr. Wallace, the co-discov-
erer with Darwin of the principle of nat-
ural selection as the prime factor in evolu-
tion, and one of the most honored
scientific men of the day. who still
survives. He wrote a book to prove
not only that our planets were not
inhabited, but that all the available evi-
dence went to show that of the hundred
millions or more of suns which we call
stars, and which may have planets, not one
of the latter could be populated by human
beings. He held that the earth was at or
near the center of the universe, and the
sole abode of animal life, in which he curi-
ously agreed with the ancient Greek philos-
ophers and the medieval, as well as some
modern theologians. Professor Percival
Lowell showed by careful observations con-
ducted in Arizona that the "canals" of Mars
not only exist, but give evidence of design.
Last year he published a book in which he
thought he had substantially proved that
the canals were artificial, and that life on
Mars was proved as clearly as anything so
practically undemonstrable could be. This
deduction was not entirely satisfactory,
and the new expedition sets forth in the
hope of securing better observations from
the summit of the Andes.
In viewing the planets it is not so much
a large telescope as clear atmosphere that
is needed, since the largest telescopes mag-
nify the variations of the atmosphere and
becloud the objective. It is hoped that
from the height of some fifteen thousand
feet an almost undisturbed vision can be
procured. Lowell holds that the laws of
chance are totally against any such acciden-
tal arrangements of canals as he has found.
If his expedition confirms his views, a
great gain will be accomplished.
AMERICAN SCIENTISTS BELIEVE
JAPANESE ARE CAUCASIANS
EDITORIAL WKITKH IIS
THE I V I>I A ,\ A I'Ol.l > STAR
The basic stock of the Japanese is Ainiu,
or Aino, aboriginal in the north and east
of the islands; the secondary stock, the
Yamatos, were not pure Mongolians, but,
on the contrary, of Caucasian origin, and
the comparatively recent Mongolian im-
portations have affected but slightly the
national type according to Dr. N. Gordon
Monro, who has been studying the terra
cotta figures recovered by excavation in
Japan from a remote antiquity. He has
devoted many years to this work, and finds
that these figures, in general, exhibit a dis-
tinctly Caucasian appearance, and the aris-
tocratic type of Japanese preserves these
features to this day. The beau ideal of the
artists and poets of Japan indicates a pro-
totype of Iranian (Persian) or other
Semitic affinity. "The Mongolian element
in Japan," says Dr. Monro, "was an im-
ported, not an original stock." He also
declares that "the leaven of Ainu," that is,
of white blood, "is present in the Japanese
composite to a greater degree than is appar-
ent" Of the Caucasian origin of this
basis stock there is no doubt whatever. It
is well known that the Ainu people, of
whom some thirty thousand are now left in
the northern island of Hokkaido, are white
men, in essential respects similar to the
people of Southern Russia. Their lan-
guage is also related to the people of the
Asiatic Aryan group, the successors to the
ancient Sanscrit, from which the Greek is
also derived. Dr. Monro shows that the
Yamato people, the parents of modern Ja-
pan, were also partly or wholly of white
origin. Dr. David Starr Jordan, formerly
of Indiana, but long the famous president
of Stanford University, gives his full ad-
herence to Dr. Monro's opinions. The
conclusion of science seems to be,
therefore, that the Japanese race is prim-
itively one of the white races allied to the
Persians and the Hebrews and not to the
Chinese. To the military, economic and
industrial aspect of American relations
with Japan the fact is not, perhaps, impor-
tant; but it certainly deserves emphasis
among that large element of our popula-
tion who rely upon color and other racial
peculiarities to determine the worth of a
man to the world and his right to the earth
and air.
C0nt?mpnrarg
in Am?rtra
MARYLAND
NEW JERSEY
WILL, MAN HARNESS POWERS
OF SUN. MOON AND TIDE
KDITOKXAX. •VTXITH IV
THK BALTIMO«» 8TJIC
Perennial interest attaches to the idea of
utilizing tides as sources of electric power,
and the Electrical Review mentions some
promising enterprises. One of these is
based on the plan of creating two reser-
voirs or basins which communicate with
the sea by means of control valves. One
of these basins is filled at high tide and
the other emptied at low tide. The water
is allowed to flow from one to the other,
driving turbines connected to generators.
A study of the tides has shown that in this
way continuous power can be depended
upon for about ten hours a day.
In England three important installations
are now being considered. One of these is
at Chichester. where the estuary may be
easily divided into two basins approxi-
mately equal in area. It is estimated that
under ordinary tides about 6,800 horse-
power may be obtained, and under unusu-
ally high tides, 13,800 horse-power, for ten
hours a day. At Menai strait a dividing
dam will give power, owing to the differ-
ence in time for the tides at the two ends
of the strait and to the difference of twenty-
eight feet in the height 'of the tides at the
two ends. At Bristol, by having two reser-
voirs, a fall of thirty feet will be obtained,
giving two hundred and forty thousand
horse-power. On the coast of Brittany and
Normandy the difference between high and
low tide is 4.0 feet. In the bay of Fundy,
on this continent the rise and fall are still
greater. The pull of the moon on the sea
produces immense effect, measured in
horse-power, and it naturally vexes this
utilitarian age to see so much power
•wasted. The same may be said of the
daily waste of the sun's heat, especially in
rainless countries. By the time our forests
are consumed and our coal mines are ex-
hausted— as they must be after a while —
inventive jrenius will doubtless have found
a way of harnessing the neglected powers
of the sun and moon.
Twenty American institutions of learn-
ing, from the Smithsonian Institution
down, have been granted rights under the
act of Congress of June 8, 1906, to make
archaeological investigations in this country,
provided they conform to reasonable regu-
lations as to the use of such antiquities as
they discover, and aid the government in
saving valuable ruins from vandals. Bos-
ton Herald.
UTILIZATION OF INVENTION OF
GENIUS OF MAN
• DITOMIAX, WHIT*» IK
TH» PATKKHOV MOBJTIVO CALX.
In five Eastern states, with Illinois, Ohio
and Indiana, is manufactured more than
ninety per cent of all the electrical appar-
atus turned out in the United States.
These states are New Jersey, Pennsylva-
nia, Connecticut, Masachusetts and New
York. According to a bulletin issued by
the Census Bureau last week the growth
of this business in the five year period from
1900 has been remarkable. In 1905 there
were seven hundred and eighty-four es-
tablishments engaged in the manufacture of
electrical machinery, apparatus and sup-
plies, with a capital of $174.066,026. Of
these seven hundred and eighty-four estab-
lishments, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Con-
necticut, Massachusetts, New York, Illi-
nois, Ohio and Indiana reported six hun-
dred and thirty-one. The figures in total
capital was greatest in Pennsylvania, and
the capital and value of products of the
other eastern states follow : New Jersey —
capital, $18.457,821, and products, $13,803,-
476; Massachusetts— capital, $12.735.427,
and products, $15,882,216; New York —
capital, $30,643,167, and products. $35-348,-
276. The remarkable growth in the use of
the telephone is illustrated by the fact that
in 1905 the value of telephonic apparatus
manufactured was nearly $16.000,000 as
compared with approximately $10.500.000
in 1900. Illinois was the great center of
this industry more than one-half of the
total products being from that state.
Theoretically at least, arbitration as a
means of settling international disputes is
no new thing. In 1623 Emeric Cruce sug-
gested an international tribute at Venice —
a court that should be world-wide. China
and other Eastern nations were to be rep-
resented in like manner as China and
Japan are represented at The Hague at the
present time. Even in the twelfth cen-
tury the learned Grotius had in his mind
a forecast of the present conference. He
advocated the utility and necessity of the
Powers forming some kind of a body in
whose assembly the quarrels of each might
be terminated by the judgment of others
not interested. New York Press.
577
THE LAST LEAF
The key of Yesterday
I threw away,
And now, too late,
Before tomorrow's close-
locked gate
Helpless I stand— in vain to
pray!
In vain to sorrow!
Only the key of Yesterday
Unlocks tomorrow!
K I11TOHIAI. CO.MM KN T
This last page of the book brings us
again to retrospect. We are in a world of
books, and crowding upon us from every
direction, rising from beneath and falling
from above — it is books, books, books !
There are books philosophic, books pole-
mic, books psychologic, books didactic, and
books pedantic. We are living in a great
democracy of books in which the renegat
of liberty-loving print and the highest lit-
erary morals jostle one another in the pub-
lic mart; where direst literary poverty lies
down with intellectual riches. And each
finds its affinity in the hearts and minds
of men ; there is not one but finds some
day and somewhere a loyal friend in man-
kind. Good Dr. Van Dyke says that Art
for Art's sake is heartless, and soon grows
artless; Art for the public market is not
Art at all, but commerce; Art for the peo-
ple's service, for the diffusion "of joy in
widest commonality spread" is a noble,
vital, permanent element in life. This
is the heart and soul of these pages —
public service; "seeking to strengthen,
deepen and improve the relations of Amer-
ican literature to the American people,
that it may really enrich the common life,
promote the liberty of the individual from
the slavery of the superficial, and wisely
guide and forward men in the pursuit of
happiness."
Literature has never before meant so
much as it does in this democratic age,
when education is being widely diffused
and the struggle between good and bad
reading, between great books and trivial,
has become a question of serious discre-
tion. It takes all kinds of books to make
a world just as it takes all kinds of men —
and as books, like men, have characters
there is nothing within the range of hu-
man strength and human frailty that will
not be boldly reflected upon their pages.
Every man owes it to himself to drink into
his life the purest and sweetest that the
earth can offer him. Dr. Channing once
remarked that there is but a very minute
portion of the creation which we can turn
into food and clothes, or gratification for
the body, but the whole creation may be
used to minister to the sense of beauty —
the ocean, the mountains, the clouds, the
heavens, the stars, the rising and setting
sun, all overflow with beauty; the universe
is its temple, and those men who are alive
to it cannot lift their eyes without feeling
themselves encompassed with it on every
side. When men discover beauty it will
radiate through their entire lives, in their
deeds and in their leisure, in their busi-
ness and in the home, and more than all, in
the books which they invite into their
homes.
There is an inclination among the fel-
lowmen of the older civilizations to look
upon the Western Continent as grossly
material. It is charged against us that the
greed for gold has stunted the higher
growth and blinded our eyes to nobler pur-
suits. A few days ago an eminent Amer-
ican journalist remarked that it is quite the
custom among foreign peoples to refer to
this great republic as a "dollar-worshiping
nation." During the present month a Jap-
anese statesman said : "America is essen-
tially a commercial nation," meaning that
money value here rises above other con-
siderations. The journalist took a true
American's exception to the Oriental esti-
mate of our motives and morals and re-
plied : "We respectfully submit that the
American record is all to the contrary."
Industry may be the dominant note in
American character but it is not selfish-
ness. The peoples of the earth have
reaped the fruits of America's restless en-
ergy. It is a nation of builders and there
will come a day when from the ranks of
the workers there will rise poets and
aesthetes, such as the world has never yet
seen. The epoch of science and scholar-
ship has dawned and we are on the thresh-
old of the most beautiful revelations.
There is much truth in the philosopher's
remark that every time every book we take
up without a purpose is an opportunity
lost of taking up a book with a purpose. It
was Milton who charged that one might
almost as well kill a man as kill a good
book. The eminent Frederick Harrison
truly said that the difficulties of literature
are in their way as great as those of the
world and that true books are not easier to
find than true men ; those who are on good
terms with the first book they meet run as
much risk as those who become friends of
the first man that passes in the street; a
man aimlessly wandering about in a
crowded city is of all men the most lonely,
so he who takes up only the books that he
"comes across" is pretty certain to meet
but few that are worth knowing. In this
day of books, and books again, one of the
first marks of a man's quality is his ability
to choose the printed pages with which he
wishes to associate. His culture is meas-
ured by his reading table; a man is known
by the books he reads. This book comes
to you as one who knocks at your door and
seeks entrance into your home. It
does not come to you with the pretense
of being a perfect book, but it does come
to you true to its purpose, noble in its im-
pulses, and staunchly American.
578
Journal *f
Amrriran
Journal rf
Jjiatorj
iCtfr ^taron nf 4H?n
tljat Ijaw ^nter^ft tntn
nf ttj^ Utea&rtt
REPRODUCTIONS FROM RARE
PRINTS AND WORKS OF ART
(AMERICANA)
Original Rrerarrl|rg into Atrtl|nritatiw £nnrrr 3 — Am^riran. Sritialf ani
turnpran Arrl]iuro — Jlriuatr Snurualn. Siarira anb
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JFolklnre
nf Am^riran
by tlir Aa0oriat*fl ^nbUabrra of Amrriran Krrorba. 3nr.
in tljr Anr trnt fKuictripality of Nrui fcjaurn. (Commnmnralth, of (Eon.
nrrtirnt, in (fhtartr rig Art tuitions, fonr hooka to ilir voluinr
at QJ wo Sollara annually. 3Fif ty (£ rnta a ropy o& (C n mp t Ir &
in (Collaboration uuth thr (Tounrrtirut ilagazin^
flrototea b^ ropgrinht anb ^rintri from prraa
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IJahliratton rntrrrii at iljr
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of tl|g Anntttgrgarg Number
FIRST VOLUME FOURTH NUMBER
This book marks the close of the first year of the institution of a
Periodical of Patriotism in America, inculcating the principles
of American Citizenship, and narrating the Deeds of Honor
and Achievement that are so true to American Character — This
Anniversary Number is Dedicated to all Loyal Americans
HERALDIC ILLUMINATION — Coat-of-armB of Mary Ball, the Mother of the First
President of the First Republic In the World — Emblazoned In gold, silver and
colors by Charles L. N. Camp
TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF THE MOTHER OF WASH-
INGTON— Ancient Engraving Dedicated to her Memory — The Original Is In the
Collection of John M. Crampton, and Is known as "Washington's Last Interview
with his Mother"
THE GREETING TO THE NATIONS — AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY— 1607— 1907— Words
of Wisdom spoken by the Man who has been chosen by the People of our United
States of America as their Leader — Excerpt from the Speech of the President at
the opening of the Jamestown Exposition — Autograph copy kindly presented to
"The Journal of American History" by Theodore Roosevelt 681
AN ODE TO AMERICA— THE BUILDERS OF THE REPUBLIC— Poem by Judge Daniel
J. Donahoe, Author of "A Message to Americans" in the preceding issue of "The
Journal of American History" 589
"THE PASSING OF THE DAY OF GREED" — Symbolic Photograph by John Gudebrod,
of New York — Taken In the Early Evening at Castle Craig on the Peaks of
Meriden
SCULPTURE IN AMERICA — A Symposium of the Finest Pieces of Sculpture erected
during the year of 1907 697
TO THE MEMORY OF THE HEART OF THE SOUTH— An Allegorical Figure bearing
a Palm of Peace and Branch of Laurel covering the Sword, an Emblem of Glory
For erection at Houston, Texas By Louis Amateis, Sculptor 697
A TRIBUTE TO PEACE — Lunette on McKinley Memorial at Canton, Ohio
By Charles H. Nlehaus, Sculptor 699
PROSPERITY — Pediment for Kentucky State Capitol.. By Charles H. Niehaus, Sculptor 699
TO THE MEMORY OF A GREAT AMERICAN MATERIALIST— Colonel John A. Roeb-
llng, First Engineer of Brooklyn Bridge — Builder of the Great Span across Niagara
Falls — For erection at Trenton, New Jersey By William Couper. Sculptor 600
TO THE MEMORY OF A GERMAN-AMERICAN SOLDIER— General Franz Sigel— For
Riverside Drive, New York City By Karl Bitter, Sculptor 601
TO THE MEMORY OF THE TEXAS RANGERS — Erected at the State House in Austin.
Texas By Pompeo Copplnl, Sculptor 602
TO THE MEMORY OF AMERICAN SACRIFICE — Erected at the old Andersonvllle
Prison Grounds, In Georgia By Bela Lyon Pratt, Sculptor 603
TO THE MEMORY OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER — For the monument to Soldiers and
Sailors at Webster. Massachusetts By Finn H. Frolich, Sculptor 604
TO THE MEMORY OF THE AMERICAN SAILOR— For the monument to Soldiers and
Sailors at Webster, Massachusetts By Finn H. Frolich. Sculptor 605
TO THE MEMORY OF AN AMERICAN WARRIOR— General George Brinton McClellan
Erected at Washington. District of Columbia.. By Frederick MacMonnles. Sculptor 606
TO THE MEMORY OF THE DISPATCH RIDER OF THE WAR FOR AMERICAN
INDEPENDENCE — Erected at Orange, New Jersey
By Frank Edwin Elwell, Sculptor 607
TO THE MEMORY OF THE FIRST FALLEN IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR—
Ensign Worth Bagley, U. S. N., the only Naval Officer killed during that war —
Erected in Capitol Square, Raleigh, North Carolina By F. H. Packer, Sculptor 608
TO THE MEMORY OF A SOUTHERN WARRIOR — General John B. Gordon— Erected
at State Capitol Grounds at Atlanta, Georgia By Solon H. Borglum, Sculptor 609
TO THE MEMORY OF THE MARTYRED PRESIDENT— WILLIAM McKINLEY—
Erected In bronze in front of the National Memorial at Canton, Ohio
By Charles H. Niehaus, Sculptor 610
INDEX CONTINUED (OVER)
untfr JEngrautnga an&
FOURTH QUA.KTEH NINETEEN SEVEN
Chronicles of Those Who Have Done a Good Day's Work —
Rich in Information upon Which May Be Based Accurate
Economic and Sociologic Studies and of Eminent Value to
Private and Public Libraries — Beautified by Reproductions of
Ancient Subjects through the Modern Processes of American Art
CONTINUATION OF INDEX
TO THE MEMORY OF A ROUGH RIDER WITH ROOSEVELT AT SANTIAGO— Cap-
tain "Buckey" O'Neill, killed in battle — Erected at Prescott, Arizona
By Solon H. Borglum, Sculptor 611
TO THE MEMORY OF THE FIRST AMERICANS — Statue of the Indian Chief, Mahaska
Now being exhibited in the Salon at Paris — To be erected at Oskaloosa, Iowa
By S. E. Fry, Sculptor 612
ANNIVERSARIES OF THE AMERICANS — One Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of
Whittier the Poet — Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of the Mother of
"Washington — One Hundredth Anniversary of Washington Irving's "Salmagundi"
and William Cullen Bryant's "Embargo" — The Half Century Anniversary of the
"Atlantic Monthly" .............................................................. 613
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE "SALMAGUNDI"
IN 1807 — Reproduction from an Old Engraving of Washington Irving, after a
painting by Alonzo Chappel — Likeness from a daguerreotype in possession of the
family of the distinguished litterateur ........................................... 615
PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION OF THE TITLE-PAGE OF FAMOUS OLD
"BISHOP'S BIBLE" — Published in 1584, and still in possession of the Seymour
Family in America — A survival of the earliest book-making ...................... 616
ACROSS THE AMERICAN CONTINENT IN A CARAVAN— REMINISCENCES OF CAP-
TAIN JOSEPH ARAM — Recollections of a Journey from New York through the
Western Wilderness and over the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific in 1846 — Adven-
tures with the Indians — First discovery of gold — First white child born in Cali-
fornia — Early days on the Pacific Coast — Experiences of Captain Joseph Aram —
Transcript from the Original now in Possession of His Children in California
By Colonel James Tompkins Watson, of Clinton, New York 617
FOUR HUNDRED YEARS OF THE PANAMA CANAL— First White Man to Cross the
Isthmus from the Atlantic to the Pacific — Futile attempts to find a Natural Water-
way Connecting the two Great Oceans — First Plans ever made to sever the Ameri-
cas with an artificial strait by Cortez in 1529 — Investigations by Dr. Willis
Fletcher Johnson, of the "New York Tribune" — Resume from his researches
recently presented after more than twenty-five years' study of South American
affairs and Isthmian Canal Transit in his book "Four Hundred Years of Panama,"
published by Henry Holt and Company of New York ............................. 633
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CONTROL OF AMERICA — THE GREAT STORY OF THE
CARIBBEAN SEA — Ambition of the European Powers to add the Western Conti-
nent to their Empires — America's fate in the balance during the Great Battles on
the Spanish Main — Daring adventures of the Great Admirals of the Caribbean Sea —
Researches by Franklin Russell Hart, Member of many learned societies and
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain — Copyright assigned
to the author ................................................................... 64°
AN EARLY AMERICAN FINANCIER— General Robert Patterson of Philadelphia-
Born in 1792 — He was prominent in the development of the Sugar Industry of
Louisiana and the Cotton Mills of the South — An organizer of Railroad Communi-
cation with Baltimore, a Financier of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Steamship
Transportation with the Southern ports and Europe — Portrait in possession of
his granddaughter, Mrs. Lindsay Patterson of North Carolina .................... C52
OBSERVATIONS OF AN EARLY AMERICAN CAPITALIST— "HE WAS BORN A
KING"— An Early Journey in the Mississippi Valley— Accurate Transcript from
(Srangrrtptg jffrom Anmttt Borumgntg
OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Collecting the Various Phases of History, Art, Literature,
Science, Industry, and Such as Pertains to the Moral, Intellectual
and Political Uplift of the American Nation — Inspiring Nobility
of Home and State — Testimonial of the Marked Individuality
and Strong Character of the Builders of the American Republic
CONTINUATION OF INDEX
Journal of General Robert Patterson, born In 1792 — An intimate friend of all the
Presidents from Jefferson to Garfleld, and one of the greatest merchant-magnates
of his generation — Eminent Americans and Europeans gathered at his mansion In
Philadelphia — Original diary in possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. Lindsay
Patterson, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina 653
HIEROGLYPHIC NARRATIVE OF THE CAREER OF GENERAL ROBERT PATTER-
SON— Reproduction from original made by his son, Colonel William Houston Pat-
terson, in Imitation of the character writing of the American aborigines 660
THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN NAVY— JOHN BARRY— First commander of the
first vessel to fight under the American Flag — The "Lexington," named after the
first battle in the American Revolution, captured the first British ship in the strug-
gle for Independence — The story of Commodore John Barry, Born in 1745
By Richard M. Reilly, Member of the Pennsylvania Bar 669
THE RISE OF A NEW SURGICAL SCIENCE — Evolution of a Personal Adornment into
the Self-Protection of the Human Race — Uplift of a Menial Trade to a Great
American Profession which now bears the "Hall Mark" of Culture and has become
a part of the American Educational System — The birth of Dental surgery
By Dr. James McManus,
Author of a Treatise on "History of Anaesthesia,"
and a Dean of American Dentistry 675
CENTENNIAL OF THE SAVINGS BANK— One hundred years ago the modern sys-
tem was first outlined in the House of Commons — Duke of Wellington remarked
that if men had money to spare it was time to reduce their pay — First savings
banks in America and their marvelous effect on Industry and Thrift
By Honorable Norman White 685
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN FINANCE— Its moral effect on American citi-
zenship— Liberty and the mighty economic problem — The democracy of negotiable
securities — The Ten Commandments in business — By the Editor of the "Wall Street
Journal" Sereno D. Pratt 687
FIRST PAPER MONEY IN AMERICA IN 1690 — Actual facsimile of the First Paper
Money In America, which eventually led to the American Banking System — First
authorized to meet the necessities of the Colonial Treasuries to wage war, and
soon became generally established in relieving commercial and financial embar-
rassment By Henry Russell Drowne,
Of the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society 693
LETTERS OF EARLY AMERICAN WARRIORS — Correspondence of the first citizens
of the Nation, revealing their Personalities and Private Lives — A Romance of the
North and South more than a century ago — Intimate friendships of distinguished
Americans — Social relations of the families of Officers in the early wars — Cut of
Powder Horn presented to General Jackson in 1782 for his Bravery in the Ameri-
can Revolution — From original leters now in possession of Charles Eben Jackson,
a descendant of General Michael Jackson By Mabel Cassine Holman 697
ANCIENT MINIATURE OF EBENEZER JACKSON. SENIOR. A GENTLEMAN OF THE
FIRST DAYS OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC— Original in the possession of Mr.
Charles Eben Jackson 698
ANCIENT MINIATURE OF CHARLOTTE FENWICK— A BEAUTY OF THE REVOLU-
TIONARY PERIOD IN AMERICA— Original in the possession of Mr. Charles Eben
Jackson 708
INDEX CONTINUED (OVER)
(gotuluHton of tfrg jffttBt
FRANCIS T. KILLER EDWARD O. DOHMAN MAHLETTE GROUSE
PHBHIDESTT H K OR E T A H T TBEASUBRK
In presenting this last number of the First Year of "The Journal
of American History" the publishers take pleasure in making
public recognition of the eminent services of the writers who
have appeared in the initial volume — It is only through them
that the periodical has become notable in American Letters
CONCLUSION OF INDEX
AMERICA'S TRIBUTE TO FRANCE— A Centennial Ode to Comte de Rochambeau
By John Gaylord Davenport, D.D. 712
AN ANECDOTE OF COUNT ROCHAMBEAU IN AMERICA— "Come, Haste to the Wed-
ding"— An Old Song — By the granddaughter of the heroine of this incident
Susan E. M. Jocelyn 713
EXPERIENCES OF AN AMERICAN EDUCATOR IN FIRST TEARS OF THE REPUB-
LIC— Manuscript of James Morris, born in 1752, in which he tells of being charged
with violation of Christian peace and placed on trial for conducting a private
school and instructing young women in higher education — Personal narrative of
an early lecturer on public morals — Original manuscript in possession of Mrs.
Washington Choate, great-granddaughter of James Morris — Sketches by Florence
E. D. Muzzy 717
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK — Rare old print made in 1840— The Lan-
caster Monitorial School, an educational idea imported from England 718
OLD PRINT OF AN INFANT SCHOOL IN NEW YORK IN 1825 718
AN AMERICAN'S EXPERIENCE IN THE BRITISH ARMY— Manuscript of Colonel
Stephen Jarvis, born in 1756, revealing the life of the Loyalists who refused to
renounce their allegiance to the king and fought to save the Western Continent
to the British Empire — Relating the remarkable experiences as a recruit in the
lines of the British army — Accurate transcript from the original manuscript which
was lost for many years and has been recently recovered now in possession of
Honorable Charles Maples Jarvis, Descendant of Colonel Jarvis and Member of
many American learned and patriotic societies 727
NATURE'S GRANDEUR IN AMERICA — The Monarch Niagara — Four Reproductions
from Nature Illustrations 741
FIRST FORTUNES IN AMERICAN REPUBLIC — Letters of a Banker who helped to
Establish the Credit of American Business Houses in the European Market —
Great Commercial Ventures In the Tropics — Trading Voyages to China — Opening
Traffic on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario — Founding a Fortune in
America one hundred years ago — Correspondence of David Parish and Joseph
Rosseel By Frank R. Rosseel, Buffalo, New York
Grandson of Joseph Rosseel, the Financial Agent of the Parish Estate 745
CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT IN AMERICA — "The Press of the Republic is the
Moulder of Public Opinion, the Leader and Educator" 762
Americanism calls for the good in man, not the bad — Editorial writer in the
"Atlanta Constitution" 762
An American view of the future of South Africa — Editorial writer in the "New
Orleans Picayune" 762
America's greatest political Idol and his failure — Editorial writer in the "Indian-
apolis Journal" 763
America should lead world to universal peace — Editorial writer in the Lincoln
"Commoner" 763
World's upbuilding is in need of more money — Editorial writer in the "Seattle
Post-Intelligencer" 764
Tremendous power held by one American financier — Editorial writer In the "St
Louis Globe-Democrat" 764
AMERICANA DUBIA— MOOTED QUESTIONS IN HISTORY— Opem Discussions 765
THE LAST LEAF — Editorial Comment 766
On this Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of the Mother of Washington, this Ancient Engraving
Heated to Her Memory-The Original is in the Collection of John M. Crampton,
a is known as " Washington's Last Interview with His Mother."
Journal
Ainpriran Jjtstorii
VOLUME I M'MHKRIV
l HI I I.I. BV I M VNI-I- THEVKLVAN- Mil. I I I.
XIXFTBIC.V BEVKX KOUHTH QUAHTKH
in tlje Natuma
IBflr-Amertra'a $t
A he outset I wish to say a word of special greeting to
the representatives of the foreign governments.
They have coir.e to assist us in celebrating what
was in very truth the birthday of this nation, for it
was here that the colonists first settled, whose
incoming, whose growth from their own loins and
by the addition of newcomers from abroad, was to
make the people which one hundred and sixty-nine years later
assumed the solemn responsibilities and weighty duties of com-
plete independence.
In welcoming all of you I must say a special word, first to the
representative of the people of Great liritain and Ireland. The
fact that so many of our people, of whom as it happens I myself
am one, have but a very small portion of English blood in our
veins, in no way alters the other fact that this nation was founded
by Englishmen, by die Cavalier and the Puritan. Their tongue,
law, literature, the fund of their common thought, made an inher-
itance which all of us >h.ur. and marked deep the lines along
which we have developed. It was the men of English stock who
did most in casting the mold into which our national character
was run.
me furthermore greet all of you, the representa-
tives of the people of continental Europe. From
almost every nation of Europe we have drawn some
part of our blood, some part of our traits. This
mixture of blood has gone on from the beginning,
and with it has gone on a kind of development unex-
ampled among peoples of the stocks from which we
spring; and hence to-day we differ sharply from, and yet in some
ways are fundamentally akin to, all of the nations of Europe.
Again, let me bid you welcome, representatives of our sister
Republics of this continent. In the larger aspect, your interests
and ours are identical. Your problems and ours are in large
part the same ; and as we strive to settle them, I pledge you here-
with on the part of this nation the heartiest friendship and good-
will.
Finally, let me say a special word of greeting to those repre-
sentatives of the Asiatic nations who make up that newest East
which is yet the most ancient East, the East of time immemorial.
In particular, let me express a word of hearty welcome to the
representative of the mighty island empire of Japan ; that empire,
which, in learning from the West, has shown that it had so much,
so very much, to teach the West in return.
To all of you here gathered I express my thanks for your
coming, and I extend to you my earnest wishes for the welfare
of your several nations. The world has moved so far that it is
no longer necessary to believe that one nation can rise only by
thrusting another down. All far-sighted statesmen, all true
patriots, now earnestly wish that the leading nations of mankind,
as in their several ways they struggle constantly toward a higher
civilization, a higher humanity, may advance hand in hand, united
only in a generous rivalry to see which can best do its allotted
work in the world. I believe that there is a rising tide in human
thought which tends for righteous international peace ; a tide
which it behooves us to guide through rational channels to sane
conclusions ; and all of us here present can well afford to take to
heart St. Paul's counsel : "If it be possible, as much lieth in you,
live peaceably with all men."
We have met ... to celebrate the . . . Exposi-
tion which itself commemorates the first permanent settlement
of men of our stock in Virginia, the first beginning of what has
since become this mighty Republic. Three hundred years ago
a handful of English adventurers, who had crossed the ocean in
what we should now call cockle-boats, as clumsy as they were
frail, landed in the great wooded wilderness, the Indian-haunted
waste, which then stretched down to the water's edge along the
entire Atlantic coast. They were not the first men of European
race to settle in what is now the United States, for there were
already Spanish settlements in Florida and on the headwaters of
the Rio Grande; and the French, who at almost the same time
were struggling up the St. Lawrence, were likewise destined to
form permanent settlements on the Great Lakes and in the vallev
of the mighty Mississippi before the people of English stock
went westward of the Alleghenies.
582
OkEOVER, both the Dutch and the Swedes were"
shortly to found colonies between the two sets of
English colonies, those that grew up around the
Potomac and those that grew up on what is now
the New England coast. Nevertheless, this land-
ing at Jamestown possesses for us of the United
States an altogether peculiar significance, and this
without regard to our several origins. The men who landed at
Jamestown find those who, thirteen years later, landed at
Plymouth, all of English stock, and their fellow-settlers who
during the next few decades streamed in after them, were those
who took the lead in shaping the life history of this people in the
colonial and revolutionary days. It was they who bent into defi-
nite shape our nation while it was still young enough most easily,
most readily, tp take on the characteristics which were to become
part of its permanent life habit.
Yet let us remember that while this early English colonial
stock has left deeper than all others upon our national life the
mark of its strpng twin individualities, the mark of the Cavalier
and of the Puritan — nevertheless, this stock, not only from its
environment bu.t also from the presence with it of other stocks,
almost from the beginning began to be differentiated strongly
from any European people. As I have already said, about the
time the first English settlers landed here, the Frenchman and
the Spaniard, the Swede and the Dutchman, also came hither as
permanent dwellers, who left their seed behind them to help
shape and partially to inherit our national life. The German, the
Irishman and the Scotchman came later, but still in colonial times.
Before the outbreak of the Revolution the American people, not
only because of their surroundings, physical and spiritual, but
because of the mixture of blood that had already begun to take
place, represented a new and distinct ethnic type. This type has
never been fixed in blood. All through the colonial days new-
waves of immigration from time to time swept hither across the
ocean, now fropi one country, now from another. The same
thing has gone on ever since our birth as a nation ; and for the
last sixty years the tide of immigration has been at the full. The
newcomers are soon absorbed into our eager national life, and
are radically and profoundly changed thereby, the rapidity of
their assimilation being marvelous. But each group of new-
comers, as it a<Jds its blood to the life, also changes it somewhat,
and this change and growth and development have gone on
steadily, generation by generation, throughout three centuries.
The pioneefs of our people who first landed on these shores
on that eventful day three centuries ago, had before them a task
which during the early years was of heartbreaking danger and
difficulty. The conquest of a new continent is iron work. Peo-
ple who dwell in old civilizations and find that therein so much
of humanity's lot is hard, are apt to complain against the condi-
tions as being solely due to man and to speak as if life could be
made easy pmd simple if there were but a virgin continent in
which to work.
583
jj^^s T is true that the pioneer life was simpler, but it was
^ • certainly not easier. As a matter of fact, the first
^^ work ot the pioneers in taking possession of a lonely
^B wilderness is so rough, so hard, so dangerous that all
J I but the strongest spirits fail. The early iron days of
^^±^r such a conquest search out alike the weak in body and
the weak in soul. In the warfare against the rugged
sternness of primeval Nature, only those can conquer who are
themselves unconquerable, it is not until the first bitter years
have passed that the life becomes easy enough to invite a mass
of newcomers, and so great are the risk, hardship, and toil of the
early years that there always exists a threat of lapsing back from
civilization.
The history of the pioneers of Jamestown, of the founders of
Virginia, illustrates the truth of all this. Famine and pestilence
and war menaced the little band of daring men who had planted
themselves alone on the edge of a frowning continent. More-
over, as men ever find, whether in the tiniest frontier community
or in the vastest and most highly organized and complex civilized
society, their worst foes were in their own bosoms. Dissension,
distrust, the inability of some to work and the unwillingness of
others, jealousy, arrogance and envy, folly and laziness — in short,
all the shortcomings with which we have to grapple now, were
faced by those pioneers, and at moments threatened their whole
enterprise with absolute ruin, it was some time before the
ground on which they had landed supported them, in spite. of its
potential fertility, and they looked across the sea for supplies.
At one moment so hopeless did they become that the whole colony
embarked, and was only saved from abandoning the country by
the opportune arrival of help from abroad.
At last they took root in the land, and were already prospering
when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. In a few years a great
inflow of settlers began. Four of the present states of New Eng-
land were founded. Virginia waxed apace. The Carolinas grew
up to the south of it, and Maryland to the north of it. The
Dutch colonies between, which had already absorbed the Swedish,
were in their turn absorbed by the English. Pennsylvania was
founded and, later still, Georgia. There were many wars with
the Indians and with the dauntless captains whose banners bore
the lilies of France. At last the British flag flew without a rival
in all eastern North America. Then came the successful strug-
gle for national independence.
For half a century after we became a separate nation there
was comparatively little immigration to this country. Then the
tide once again set hither, and has flowed in ever-increasing size
until in each of the last three years a greater number of people
came to these shores than had landed on them during the entire
colonial period. Generation by generation these people have been
absorbed into the national life. Generally their sons, almost
always their grandsons, are indistinguishable from one another
and from their fellow-Americans descended from the colonial
stock.
584
t^&7^&{ *R a'l alike the problems of our existence are funda-
^ m mentally the same, and for all alike these problems
0m KJ change from generation to generation. In the colo-
nial period, and for at least a century after its close,
mW m I the conquest of the continent, the expansion of our
^^^^ people westward, to the Alleghenies. then to the
Mississippi, then to the Pacific, was always
one of the most important tasks, and sometimes the most
important, in our national life. Behind the first settlers
the conditions grew easier, and in the older-settled regions
of all the colonies life speedily assumed much of comfort and
something of luxury : and though generally it was on a much
more democratic basis than life in the Old World, it was by no
means democratic when judged by our modern standards : and
here and there, as in the tide-water regions of Virginia a genuine
aristocracy grew and flourished. Rut the men who first broke
ground in the virgin wilderness, whether on the Atlantic coast,
or in the interior, fought hard for mere life. In the early stages
the frontiersman had to battle with the savage, and when the
savage was vanquished there remained the harder strain of war
with the hostile forces of soil and climate, with flood, fever, and
famine. There was sickness, and bitter weather ; there were no
roads : there was a complete lack of all but the very roughest and
most absolute necessaries. Under such circumstances the men
and women who made ready the continent for civilization were
able themselves to spend but little time in doing aught but the
rough work which was to make smooth the ways of their suc-
cessors. In consequence, observers whose insight was spoiled by
lack of sympathy always found both the settlers and their lives
unattractive and repellant. Tti Martin Chuzzlewit the descrip-
tion of America, culminating in the description of the frontier
town of Eden, was true and lifelike from the standpoint of one
content to look merely at the outer shell : and yet it was a com-
munity like Eden that gave birth to Abraham Lincoln ; it was
men such as were therein described from whose loins Andrew
"Jackson sprang. Each generation has had its allotted task,
now heavier, now lighter. In the Revolutionary War the busi-
ness was to achieve independence. Immediately afterwards there
was an even more momentous task ; that to achieve the national
unity and the capacity for orderly development, without which
our liberty, our independence, would have been a curse and not a
blessing. In each of these two contests, while there were many
great leaders from many different states, it is but fair to say that
the foremost place was taken by the soldiers and the statesmen of
Virginia : and to Virginia was reserved the honor of producing
the hero of both movements, the hero of the war. and of the
peace that made good the results of the war — George Washing-
ton : while the two great political tendencies of the time can be
symbolized by the names of two other great Virginians — Jeffer-
son and Marshall — from one of whom we inherit the abiding
trust in the people which is the foundation stone of dem<>crac\ .
and from the other the power to develop on behalf of the people
a coherent, powerful government, a representative nationality.
^ * generations passed before the second great
crisis of our history had to be faced. Then came the
Civil War, terrible and bitter in itself and in its after-
math, but a struggle from which the Nation finally
emerged united in fact as well as in name, united for-
ever. Oh, my hearers, my fellow countrymen, great
indeed has been our good fortune ; for as time clears
away the mists that once shrouded brother from brother and made
each look "as through a glass darkly" at the other, we can all feel
the same pride in the valor, the devotion and the fealty toward the
right as it was given to each to see the right, shown alike by the
men who wore the blue and by the men who wore the gray.
Rich and prosperous though we are as a people, the proudest
heritage that each of us has, no matter where he may dwell, North
or South, East or West, is the immaterial heritage of feeling,
the right to claim as his own all the valor and all the steadfast
devotion to duty shown by the men of both the great armies,
of the soldiers whose leader was (irant and the soldiers
whose leader was Lee. The men and the women of the
Civil War did their duty bravely and well in the days that were
dark and terrible and splendid. We, their descendants, who pay
proud homage to their memories, and glory in the feats of might
of one side no less than of the other, need to keep steadily in
mind that the homage which counts is the homage of heart and
of hand, and not of the lips, the homage of deeds and not of
words only. We, too, in our turn, must prove our truth by our
endeavor. We must show ourselves worthy sons of the men of
the mighty days by the way in which we meet the problems of
our own time. We carry our heads high because our fathers did
well in the years that tried men's souls ; and we must in our turn
so bear ourselves that the children who come after us may feel
that we too have done our duty.
We cannot afford to forget the maxim upon which Washing-
ton insisted, that the surest way to avert war is to be prepared
to meet it. Nevertheless, the duties that most concern us of this
generation are not military, but social and industrial. Each com-
munity must always dread the evils which spring up as attendant
upon the very qualities which give it success. We of this mighty
western Republic have to grapple with the dangers that spring
from popular self-government tried on a scale incomparably
vaster than ever before in the history of mankind, and from an
abounding material prosperity greater also than anything which
the world has hitherto seen.
As regards the first set of dangers, it behooves us to remem-
ber that men can never escape being governed. Either they must
govern themselves or they must submit to being governed by
others. If from lawlessness or fickleness, from folly or self-
indulgence, they refuse to govern themselves, then most assur-
edly in the end they will have to be governed from the outside.
They can prevent the need of government from without only by
showing that they possess the power of government from within.
586
SOVEREIGN cannot make excuses for his failures; a
sovereign must accept the responsibility for the
exercise of the power that inheres in him ; and
where, as is true in our Republic, the people are
sovereign, then the people must show a sober
understanding and a sane and steadfast purpose
if they are to preserve that orderly liberty upon
which as a foundation every republic must rest.
In industrial matters our enormous prosperity has brought
with it certain grave evils. It is our duty to try to cut out these
evils without at the same time destroying our well-being itself.
This is an era of combination alike in the world of capital and in
the world of labor. Kach kind of combination can do good, and
yet each, however powerful, must be opposed when it does ill.
At the moment the greatest problem before us is how to exercise
such control over the business use of vast wealth, individual, but
especially corporate, as will insure its not being used against the
interest of the public, while yet permitting such ample legitimate
profits as will encourage individual initiative. It is our business
to put a stop to abuses and to prevent their recurrence, without
showing a spirit of mere vindictiveness for what has been done in
the past. In John Morley's brilliant sketch of lUirke he lays espe-
cial stress upon the fact that Uurke more than almost any other
thinker or politician of his time realized the profound lesson that
in politics we are concerned not with barren rights but with
duties; not with abstract truth, but with practical morality. lie
especially eulogizes the way in which in his efforts for economic
reform. liurke combined unshakable resolution in pressing the
reform with a profound temperateness of spirit which made him.
while bent on the extirpation of the evil system, refuse to cherish
an unreasoning and vindictive ill-will toward the men who had
benefited by it. Said Uurke, "If 1 cannot reform with equity I
will not reform at all. * * * (There is) a state to preserve
as well as a state to reform."
This is the exact spirit in which this country should move to
the reform of abuses of corporate wealth. The wrong-doer, the
man who swindles and cheats, whether on a big scale or a little
one, shall receive at our hands mercy as scant as if he committed
crimes of violence or brutality. We are unalterably determined
to prevent wrongdoing in the future; we have no intention of
trying to wreak such an indiscriminate vengeance for wrongs
done in the past as would confound the innocent with the guilty.
( )ur purpose is to build up rather than to tear down. We show
ourselves the truest friends of property when we make it evident
that we will not tolerate the abuses of property. We are steadily
bent on preserving the institution of private property; we combat
every tendency toward reducing the people to economic servi-
tude ; and we care not whether the tendency is due to a sinister
agitation directed against all property, or whether it is due to the
.utiims of those members of the predatory classes whose anti-
social power is immeasurably increased because of the very fact
that they jxissess wealth.
587
]>OVE all, we insist that while facing changed condi-
tions and new problems, we must face them in the
spirit which our forefathers showed when they
founded and preserved this Republic. The corner-
stone of the Republic lies in our treating each man
on his worth as a man, paying no heed to his
creed, his birthplace, or his occupation, asking not
whether he is rich or poor, whether he labors with head or
hand ; asking only whether he acts decently and honorably
in the various relations of his life, whether he behaves
well to his family, to his neighbors, to the state. We base
our regard for each man on the essentials and not the acci-
dents. We judge him not by his profession, but by his deeds ; by
his conduct, not by what he has acquired of this world's goods.
Other republics have fallen, because the citizens gradually grew
to consider the interests of a class before the interests of the
whole ; for when such was the case it mattered little whether it
was the poor who plundered the rich or the rich who exploited
the poor ; in either event the end of the Republic was at hand.
We are resolute in our purpose not to fall into such a pit. This
great Republic of ours shall never become the government of a
plutocracy, and it shall never become the government of a mob.
God willing, it shall remain what our fathers who founded it
meant it to be — a government in which each man stands on his
worth as a man, where each is given the largest personal liberty
consistent with securing the well-being of the whole, and where,
so far as in us lies, we strive continually to secure for each man
such equality of opportunity that in the strife of life he may have
a fair chance to show the stuff that is in him. We are proud of
our schools and of the trained intelligence they give our children
the opportunity to acquire. But what we care for most is the
character of the average man ; for we believe that if the average
of character in the individual citizen is sufficiently high, if he
possesses those qualities which make him worthy of respect in his
family life and in his work outside, as well as the qualities which
fit him for success in the hard struggle of actual existence — that
if such is the character of our individual citizenship, there is liter-
ally no height of triumph unattainable in this vast experiment of
government by, of, and for a free people.
These Words of Wisdom from the Man who has been chosen by the People of the
First Republic in the World as their Leader, mark an Epoch in the annals of Mankind -
Spoken at the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the First Permanent English Settle-
ment in America, the observance of which is now drawing to a close at Jamestown,
Virginia, they are emblazoned on these pages as a significant contribution to American
historical literature -This publication, with the permission of the President, is from an
autograph copy kindly presented by Mr. Roosevelt to The Journal of American History
588
of tljr
An ®&e tn Amprira
HY
JUDGE DANIEL, j. DONAIIOE
AUTHOR OF "A MKSXAI.K T<> AMERICANS" IN THK ruetKniM. mure or
TIIK JOURNAL OK AMERICAN HIMTORY
®IIK bloom of summer shines upon the world
In changing glory; over field and grove
Floats a soft breathing, and a voice of joy
Rises from hill and valley. Every stream
Mirrors the beauty both of earth and sky,
And, murmurous of music, runneth on
Above the shallows; while against the sun.
Silent and broad, the curving river gleams
Like a great saber, from some giant hand
Cast, 'mid the cloven hills, and flashing lies.
A symbol of eternal power and peace.
But not alone the granite hills that stand
Against the ocean, and the river's flood
Moving in majesty, make manifest
The power that guards the nation. On each hand
Our eyes are blessed with marvels that bespeak
Man's greatness, and the sovereignty he bears
O'er nature's forces. Like a willing slave.
The fettered lightning bows unto his needs,
And trained to harmless toil, obeys his will.
The streams that leap in laughter down the hills
Are caught and harnessed to the restless wheels
That sing in ceaseless industry ; while clouds,
Rising above the myriad-windowed mills
In folds of light, show where the strength of steam
Makes great the cities with the night of toil.
Thus is the power of labor multiplied,
And thus unto the toiler's hand brings home,
As guerdon of his skill, unbounded wealth,
And opportunity wide as the stars ;
While peace, with shining footsteps, through the land
Walks, where a thousand farmsteads, rich with meads,
Pastures and fields of tilth, drink in the rays
Of the new morn that rises with the light
Of prophecy, and promises to all
A golden harvest.
Sutlers
of %
S^titbltr
OUND each village spire,
That, pointing starward, speaks eternal truths,
Cluster a group of cottages with lawns
Wide to the street. These are the glad abodes
Of labor, culture, love and liberty.
Here nought of evil on the surface shows,
Nor cloud of sorrow darkens ; but where'er
The gazer turns, such happiness as blessed
The primal Eden seems to fill the land.
Long on these grateful scenes we turn our eyes,
Drinking unto our souls dreams of delight;
And backward glancing, lift our heads aloft
With a broad meaning ; for we see how broad
Have been the strides of progress since the bell
From Independence Hall startled the world
And thrilled the people with new life and hope.
Nor shall the present and the past suffice ;
But down the shining slope of future years
We peer with souls high-swelling, and descry
The vision of the wonders yet to be.
But let nor pride nor hope our souls deceive
And soothe us with a false security ;
Nay, let us pause amid our sunny dreams
And pierce with searching eye the golden veil
That covers o'er with splendor all the land,
Yet hides, perchance, some foul or evil blight
That worketh waste or woe. Sharp scrutiny
Must needs be made of license and of law
By men who love their country and would keep
Her strength and honor safe. This wisdom wills,
Lest all too confident, in strength assured,
Our souls become elate and filled with pride
Of past achievements, both in peace and war.
Of foolish dreams of greatness, that may well
Betray us, while corruption threatens death.
Neither by day nor night may rest be ours ;
But care and watching shall our duty be,
For we are toilers still. Our work remains
All unaccomplished, while a flaw abides,
Or chance of danger. Perfect government
In town and state and nation, this must be
Our dear ambition.
And though hero souls
Are ours, and ours the age of heroes, God
Demands our best of labor. Serious thought,
Not overweening boasts, will satisfy
The everlasting Justice. Bowed in soul,
True servants, we must look for Heaven's behest,
And with the light that shineth from the Throne,
Bend to achieve the glory of His will.
590
( )I< may we our stern duty minimize:
As men of might, within our hand is placed
A sacred charge requiring holiest care,
A trust that brooks no faltering in faith.
We are the nation's builders. If we strive
With heart and hand and brain to raise the walls
And glorify the temple, we but yield
To conscience that, with unrelenting voice,
Guides us to justice ; and the house we build
Must be the house of justice. Light and law
Shall shine within its portals. Let it be
A palace worthy of the Lord, whose love
Smiles on no worthless effort. And unless
Me build with us our labor is but vain ;
And our achievements, howsoever brave,
Are like the splendors of a sunset cloud;
And howsoever high the house we build,
And bright with grandeur, 'tis a Babel Tower.
A monument of folly and of shame.
But where shall we find justice? Who shall guide
Our footsteps lest we stumble in the dark?
Masked in the garb of wisdom, danger walks.
Lighting false beacons, that may lead to death.
While boasting of supremacy and power.
Let us beware. This increase manifold
Of labor's gain from nature's mastered powers. —
Where shall it go? Shall men, who worship wealth.
Make for themselves a privilege and hold
The ninety parts and nine, while labor's host.
The mighty army that has made the wealth.
Takes but the single unit as its wage?
Shall the rich revel in wild luxury,
While, as in France of old. the poor attempt
To quell their hunger with the grass, like beasts?
1 f men are thus oppressed what power can save
The nation from disgrace? Xo wrong can live,
But ruin, soon or late, avenging comes
To blaze a road for justice. Then, beware!
Xot for the money-changer is the house
Of honor builded. but for men whose souls
Look heavenward and seek the things of God.
Yet in our temple we behold, even now,
The holy place proclaimed as Mammon's throne ;
The worshipers of wealth its walls profane,
And on its altars raise a golden calf.
Scorning the broader Brotherhood of Christ,
And swollen with privilege, in robes of gold,
The priest of Mammon lifts his impious face.
And sends hi> proud voice echoing through the skies:
lUir
of
of
God of the golden horn,
Bright in thy golden rays;
God from whose hand is born
All that our lives adorn, —
God of the golden horn,
Thee we adore and praise.
Thou that art proud and great,
Honor the great and proud;
Lift up our souls elate ;
Keep us to rule the state!
Thou that art proud and great,
Hear us; our heads are bowed.
Ruler of ivcalth and ease,
Keep us in ease and wealth;
Poverty, toil, disease ; —
Save us from ills like these ;
Ruler of wealth and case,
Bless us with peace and health.
God of the golden horn,
Thee w>e adore and praise;
Safe on thy strength upborne,
Lead us from need and scorn;
God of the golden horn,
Guide us through golden days.
OR comes less danger from the wretch, whose
fare ^n • \ v
Is with the beast. The innocent toiler, stung
By hunger's fangs, may grow more ravenous
Than tiger in the jungle. In his soul
The wrong may rankle, and break forth in fire
Whose flame shall scorch the heavens. When the cry
Rose from the rabid masses in the streets
Of Paris, reason slept; and nought could save
The crown of privilege from the guillotine.
How shall injustice thrive more safely here.
And walk with steps impune upon the neck
Of prostrate industry? Beware! the hour
Of reckoning comes and danger's signal flies !
Have ye not heard the shout of wild despair
That rises from the slums? Your hand can save
Only by lifting up with tenderness
And weighing in the balances of Right
The portion due to labor.
All too long
Justice has been delayed. The dens of crime.
Where day is turned to night, and sin Incomes
The stay of hunger, threaten to destroy
The glory of your building. If unmoved
By reason and pure justice, let your fear
Arouse your souls to honor. Moloch's sons.
A hideous host, are in your temple now,
And loud in adoration. Hear their hymn !
593
ijgmu of ilj?
MS, O Goo1 o/ Shame,
Moloch! we call thy name,
And seek thy evil service, poiver divine!
To thee we bend the knee ;
We look for help to thee;
Crushed in the mire of sin, our souls are thine.
Thou baneful deity,
We sacrifice to thee
Our children; soul and body they arc thine!
Through long and iveary years,
Through misery and tears,
They bow beneath thy influence unbenign.
What boots it, loathsome god,
To feel the cruel rod,
Unless we gain the pleasures that ive seek?
'Mid drudgery and grime
We find our good in crime,
With flinty hearts and bloody hands that reek.
594
OT out of gilded palaces shall come
Abiding righteousness ; nor shall we seek
An uplift from the rotting tenements.
These are alike sure tokens of disease
01 tll£ That warn the nation of impending death.
-0 - - » Not out of these our dreams of grandeur come ;
J\l JJIUHU put from trie farmsteads and the toilers' homes,
Scattered like new-blown roses o'er the hills,
And through the sounding valleys, where the streams
Roar through their channels, loud with cheerful toil.
< ! . : i i , : . .
Out of such homes may wisdom hear the voice
Of freedom chanting hymns of sacred peace ;
Out of such homes alone the call shall lead
To honor's court, where even-handed right
Demands that crime, in hovel or in hall,
Shall suffer equal shame. The hour requires
Strong men, brave men of wisdom and of will
To break the sleep of justice. Let her rise
And render unto every man his due.
Both interest and wages, while the land,
With all the unbought gifts of bounteous heaven,
Shall bear the nation's burden.
This must come ;
For only by its coming may we hope
To build aright our temple's holy walls
And rear its hallowed altars ; only thus
The law of love shall fill its ample space
With such effulgence as can never pale.
-d
labor shall uplift a thousand homes,
True shrines of godliness and liberty,
Where now the castle of the millionaire
^^ ^J Usurps with gorgeous insolence the land,
And holds wide acres in dead idleness.
Out of the slums pale children shall be brought
To rise and run in new-found life and joy,
To play like the young lambs among the fields,
And sing like birds under the blue heaven.
The haunts of pestilence and poverty,
Where beggared merit oft in hunger weeps,
With dens of degradation, sin and death,
Like the rich robber's hold shall be brought low
And the pure winds of heaven shall breathe thereon.
The city streets and the wide country-side
Shall sweeten like flower-gardens in God's air ;
And men shall lift their faces to the stars,
Unscathed by wrong, guiltless of infamy.
Then shall our hearts be lifted up to heaven
When we behold the bloom upon the hills ;
And to the voice of gladness from the vales
Our souls shall swell in answer. Evermore
The river in its silent course shall gleam,
Like a great saber, flashing to the skies,
A symbol of eternal power and peace.
Then from the earth shall rise, in thunder-tones,
The blessings of the ransomed multitudes ;
Forever swell along the echoing skies,
The song of neither arrogance nor shame,
But a true hymn of glory unto God,
From souls strong with the brotherhood of love.
596
'THE PASSING OF THE DAY OF GREED"
Symbolic Photograph by John Gudebrod of
New York
Taken in the Early Evening at Castle Craig on the
Peaks of Meriden
TO THE MEMORY OP THE HEART OP THE SOUTH-An Allegorial Pigure
bearing a Palm of Peace and Kranch of Laurel covering the Sword,
an Emblem of Glory— By Louis Ainateis, Sculptor—
For Erection at Houston, Texas
'' 1
tt of tfjr
O God of life and lore and light,
U Y send our voice in song to thee;
Thy hand Iiath led us through the night,
T/iy power Iiath raised and made its free.
Be still our guide, our strength, our stay;
Blest by Thy name from shore to shore,
To Thee we turn both night and day,
From humbled hearts thy graee implore.
Let justice, truth and love abound;
Keep us as brothers, hand in hand;
Be neither fear nor falsehood found,
Nor greed nor hunger mar the land.
A ransomed nation, strong and free,
Let grateful lore our aims upraise;
God of our fathers, unto Thee
We send our songs in holy praise.
A TRIBUTE TO 1'E ACS— Lunette on McKinley Memorial at Canton, Ohio Central figure of "Peace" hearing the ancient breast-
plate designating the protection, wisdom, fame and guardian peace which distinguished McKinley's administration— The two figures
under her mantle are "War," a youth full of ardor laying down his arms at her feet, and "Industry"— By C. H. Xk-haus. Sculptor
i>ntl;pture in Ammra
MKRICA is witnessing the
dawn of* its Age of
Art. The foundation
has been strongly laid
for its magnificent ma-
terial upbuilding: the
ugly lines in its struct-
ure of finance are being remodelled
and its great pillars of civic purity are
re-set on solid rock. It is the begin-
ning of an epoch of poets who will
sing of strength of American man-
hood : of nainters whose brushes will
tell the story of American virtue; of
sculptors whose genius will create
from stone tributes to Fidelity, to
Truth, and to justice — to all lives
consecrated to the service of God and
Man. Americans are feeling the in-
spiration of Art. The voice of the
people — Xorth. South, East and West
— is calling upon the genius of the
sculptor to idealize their conception
of courage and daring and achieve-
ment. The year now closing has
given truer encouragement to sculp-
ture than any other twelve-month in
American life. In recognition of this
new a?stheticism, especially as it re-
lates to men and events of historic
eminence, reproductions of some of
the year's work of sculpture in Amer-
ica are presented in these pages and
dedicated to the mission of Art.
PROSPERITY— Pediment by C. H. Niehaus at Kentucky State Capitol
TO THE MEMORY OF A GREAT AMERICAN M ATERIALIST-Coloncl John A.
Roebling, First Engineer of Brooklyn Bridge— Builder of the Great Span
across Niagara Falls— By William Couper, Sculptor—
For Erection at Trenton, New Jersey
TO THE MEMORY OF A GERMAN -AMKK1CAN SOLDIER- General Franz Sigel-
By Karl Bitter, Sculptor -For Riverside Drive, New York City
TO THE MEMORY OP THE TEXAS RANGERS— By Pompeo Coppini, Sculptor-
Erected at the State House in Austin, Texas
TO THE MEMORY OP AMERICAN SACRIFICE-By Bela Lyon Pratt,
Sculptor— Erected at the old Andersonville Prison
grounds in Georgia
TO THE MEMORY OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER
By Finn H. Prolich, Sculptor— For the Monument
to Soldiers and Sailors at Webster,
Massachusetts
TO THE MEMORY OP THE AMERICAN SAILOR-
By Finn H. Krolich, Sculptor— For the Monument
to Soldiers and Sailors at Webster,
Massachusetts
TO THE MEMORY OF AN AMERICAN WARRIOR-General George Brinton McClellan-
By Frederick MacMonnies, Sculptor— Erected at Washington, District of Columbia
TO THE MEMORY OP THE DISPATCH RIDER OF THE WAR FOR AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE—
By Prank Edwin Elwell, Sculptor— Erected at Orange, New Jersey
TO THE MEMORY OP THE FIRST FALLEN IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR—
Ensign Worth Bagley, U. S. N., the only Naval Officer killed during
that war— By F. H. Packer. Sculptor— Erected in
Capitol Square, Raleigh, North Carolina
TO THE MEMORY OF A SOUTHERN WARRIOR -General John B. Gordon-By Solon H.
Borglum, Sculptor— Erected at State Capitol Grounds at Atlanta, Georgia
TO THE MEMORY OF THE MARTYRED PRESIDENT— William McKinley-
By Charles H. Niehaus, Sculptor— Erected in bronze in front
of the National Memorial at Canton, Ohio
TO THE MEMORY OF A KOTdH KIDKK WITH ROOSEVELT AT
SANTIAGO -Captain "Huckey" o'Xrill— Killed In
Battle— By Solon H. Borglum, Sculptor-
Erected at Prescott. Arizona
TO THE MEMORY OF THE FIRST AMERICANS-Statue of the Indian Chief,
Mahaska-By S. E. Fry, Sculptor— Now being exhibited In the Salon
at I'aris— To be erected at Oskaloosa, Iowa .
Atttttw?r0art?H of ify* Ammrana
(Dnr Sfimftrriitlj Annitirraarg of Hjr Virib. of Wljtttlrr
thr Part -* tZtoa Ijuu&rrotli Ammirruaru, of Strth;
of tljr IHnthrr of 9aBtfinoyton J* (Dne
Auninrrcarij of UlaBljtngton 3mtno/0 " fc
anb William QJullrn Srgant'a " umbargu "
(Crntunj Aiuunrraant of thr "Atlantic
IS is the one hundredth
^ anniversary of the found-
ing1 of one of the first lit-
I L erary periodicals in the
American Republic, by
one who is frequently
considered the first great
American of letters. One hundred
years ago, Washington Irving, a
youth of twenty-four, established, in
1807, the "Salmagundi" along the
lines developed by Addison's "Specta-
tor." Associated with him were his
brother, William Irving, and James
K. Paulding, who was a facile essay-
ist and humorist. Literature did not
prove a profitable trade in America
and the journal was short-lived. Irv-
ing abandoned intellectual pursuits,
but, after failures in the mercantile
world, returned to literature when it
had become more acceptable to the
American people. One hundred
years ago, there were but few period-
icals in America, and they were
struggling for a bare existence. The
first attempt to establish an English
newspaper in America was intended
as a monthly, in Boston, in 1690. It
carried the dignified title of Publick
Occurrences, both Foreign and Do-
mcstick, and was immediately sup-
pressed by the authorities. The first
weekly newspaper printed in North
America was the Boston Neivs Letter,
which appeared in 1704. The first
daily newspaper in America was The
American Daily Advertiser, pub-
lished in Philadelphia in 1784. The
first American literary periodical was
The American Magazine in 1741.
Three days later, Franklin issued his
General Mazazine. Both publications
were destined to become early failures.
6,3
This is the one hundredth anniver-
sary of the birth of the American
poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. The
centenary will be observed by the
literary culture of America on
the seventeenth of this December.
Whittier was born at Haverhill, Mas-
sachusetts. His parents were Quak-
ers, and he was reared on a farm un-
til his eighteenth year. When
twenty-two years of age he became
editor of The American Manufactu-
rer at Boston, but one year later,
accepted the editorship of the Con-
necticut Mirror at Hartford. It was
here that he began the culture of his
poetic genius, and entered the hearts
of the American people. The be-
loved poet died at the grand old age
of eighty-five years, at Hampden
Falls, New Hampshire. Shortly be-
fore his death, he told a friend that
he had written about five hundred
poems. The first collected edition of
Whittier's poems was published just
fifty years ago. To his memory
these lines from his own pen are re-
called :
44 But still I wait with ear and eye
For something gone which should be nigh,
A loss in all familiar things,
In flower that blooms and bird that sings.
And yet, dear heart! remembering thee,
Am I not richer than of old ?
Safe in thy immortality.
What change can reach the wealth I hold ?
What chance can mar the pearl and gold 'f
Thy love hath left jn trust with me ?
And while in life's late afternoon,
Where cool and long the shadows grow,
I walk to meet the night that soon
Shall shape and shadow overflow.
I cannot feel that them art far,
Since near at need the angels are ;
And when the sunset gates unbar,
Shall I not see thee waiting stand,
And white against the evening star,
The welcome of thy beckonmg hand ? "
Ameriran Ifenpl* — 1911?
is the two hundredth
^ anniversary of the birth
of the mother of "The
il Father of Our Country,"
George Washington, the
first president of the
United States. The bi-
centennial is observed by the first fam-
ilies of the South who treasure the
memory of this good woman. Mary
Ball was born in Virginia in 1707.
At twenty-three years of age, she
became the second wife of Augustin
Washington, whom she married in
1730. She was left a widow with six
children in her thirty-sixth year. In
prudence and tenderness she led
them to the beauty of maturity. Her
great mother-heart returned to its
Creator in the joy of having lived to
know the fullest blessings of life — the
mother's joy of knowing that her chil-
dren are living in honor and venera-
tion. She died in the splendor of her
eighty-second year, having witnessed
a few months previously the magni-
ficent spectacle of her oldest son
chosen as the first great leader of the
world's first republic. There is an in-
teresting story that may be appropri-
ately related at this time: Mother
Washington, when her son George
was fourteen years of age, consented
to his joining the English Navy. The
boy's baggage was actually put on
board of one of the king's ships, an-
chored on the Potomac, when the
mother's heart failed her, and she
plead with him to remain on Ameri-
can soil. It is interesting to conjec-
ture what might have resulted if her
counsel had not prevailed. It is very
probable that the environment and
friendship of the English Navy would
have made him as loyal to the crown
as he later proved to American lib-
erty. It is even possible that as an
English naval officer he might have
fought under the king's colors in the
American Revolution. Another in-
teresting bi-centennial anecdote was
brought to light a few days ago. It
relates to the first public recognition
of George Washington, and was writ-
ten by an English army officer under
the ill-starred General Braddock. The
appreciation was published in Scot's
Magazine of Edinburgh, in 1757, a
year after the famous defeat. The
officer who wrote the letter said that
the entire command would have been
annihilated if it had not been for the
bravery and sagacity of Major George
Washington and Captain Stephen
Rozzell Donohoe, of the Alexandria
rifles. A faded copy of this maga-
zine is exhibited with pardonable
pride by the seventh Stephen Rozzell
Donohoe, who is now the editor of
the county paper at Fairfax Court
House, Virginia. The greatness of
Washington was due largely to the
strong character molded by his beau-
tiful mother. In recognition of this
devoted American woman, the Amer-
ican people bow in reverence on this
bi-centennial of her birth.
One hundred years ago, the Ameri-
can poet, William Cullen Bryant, first
won distinction by his poem "The
Embargo." The year 1807 was one
of political turmoil. The victories of
Napoleon were threatening the future
of the Western Continent. It was
generally believed that he intended to
force America to bow to his sover-
eignty. Aaron Burr was indicted for
treason and it was freely predicted
that the end of the American Repub-
lic was near. Bryant, then a boy of
but thirteen years, caught the spirit of
the times, and won his first distinction.
Twenty one years later, he became
the editor-in-chief of the New York
Evening Post, which for fifty years
he endowed with the literary individ-
uality which it still maintains.
This is also the fiftieth anniversary
of America's minister of literary cul-
ture, the Atlantic Monthly, which was
established in the fall of 1857. Dur-
ing the last half century, the vene-
rated Atlantic has gathered about it
the literary genius of the epoch and
has done distinguished service to
American letters and intellectuality.
ONB HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE POUNDING OF THE "SALMAGUNDI," in 1807- One of the first
literary periodicals in the American Republic, modelled upon Addison's "Spectator,*1 under the editorship of Washing-
ton Irving who gathered about him the literary culture of the Nation — Reproduction from an old engraving after a paint-
ing by Alonzo Chappel— Likeness from a daguerreotype in the possession of the family of the distinguished litterateur
WE'T
(lament of qur Sauiour
lefus Christ.
ROT*.;.
^T I am not afhamcd o/rhe Gofpel of
Chrift , bccaufe it is the ppwer of
God vnto faluation to au that bc-
lecue»
M m m.iiii.
PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION OF THE TITLE-PAGE OF FAMOUS OLD "BISHOP'S BIBLE"—
Published la 1584, and still in possession of Seymour Family in America— A survival of earliest book-making
Olnntw^nt t« a (Oarmron
HrrullrrtUmfi
n f a Jimrnrg from IXrui
fork Hjronglj tlj* WraUrn Htlomtwa ani
nu*r tlje Rorkg IHoutitaina lu tlj* farifir tn 104fi J*
Aourntnrrfl nrttlj tiff Jnotana •* JFlrBl BtBnrorru. cf (Sola J* 3Flrat
miiitr <£t|U& Burn tn California •.* Exprrirnrro of (Captatu 3Juurph Aram
BY
COLONEL JAMES TOMPKINS WATSON
CLINTON, N«w YORK
MEXBER or THE AMERICA* HUTOBICAI. Soonrrr— THB NBW YORK STATB HISTORICAL SOCIETY— THB OixntA
HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT UTICA
has been my fortune to
know personally some of
the first Americans to
cross the continent and
lay the foundation for the
wonderful building of the
Golden West. Among
my acquaintances is the first white
child born in California; also one of
the first pupils in the first American
school on the Pacific coast. It is to
the memory of his father, who was
the first signer of the old constitution
of California and a member of the
first legislature, that these incidents
are related.
The first American emigrant
wagon -train reached California
eighty-one years ago, and there are
but few living who remember it It
was not until the discovery of gold
some twenty years later that the Land
of Sunshine claimed the full attention
of the world. There are a few pa-
triarchs still living who crossed the
continent in the gold craze of 1849.
It was three years before this that the
man of whom I now write, Captain
Joseph Aram, undertook the hazard-
ous journey with his family. Reach-
ing California in September, 1846, he
camped near the Yalu river, and his
wife, while engaged in doing the fam-
ily washing at the river-bank, picked
up some thin scales of gold the size of
a ten cent silver coin. This was the
first discovery of gold.
The country was being harassed
from Mexico. There were rumors
that it was to be seized by England.
Fremont was in command of the
Americans who had proclaimed a re-
public. Pioneer Aram was stationed
as a captain at Fort Santa Clara and
here, on January 26, 1848, was born
the first American child in California
— Eugene Aram, who has since been
identified with the development of
Arizona and legal practice on the
Pacific coast.
With Captain Aram's expedition,
in crossing the plains, was Dr. Isbell
and his wife, "Aunt Olive," who
gathered the children of the wilder-
ness under her care and, without
books, instructed them by writing the
letters of the alphabet with a pencil
on the backs of their hands. This
was the beginning of the first Amer-
ican school on the Pacific coast. It
is a far cry from the first small be-
ginning of our American schools in
California to Stanford University
and the State University at Berkeley,
and yet one woman's life, and she not
aged, and still wearing her years
lightly, has spanned the entire devel-
opment and growth of the school sys-
tem of the state. Mrs. Sarah M.
Cool, now residing in Los Angeles,
is the daughter of Captain Aram, and
as a child of ten years was a pupil in
the first California school.
Mrs. Cool often recalls her experi-
ences as a ten-year-old girl in passing
through the wilds of Middle and
Western America from New York to
California in 1846, her acquaintance
ilf* Ammran (Enntttmtt in a (Earanan
with Fremont, and the memory of her
father's planting the first nursery in
the land now known world-wide for
its wonders in horticulture.
In recently speaking of these pio-
neer days she said that when they
arrived at the Old Mission they were
welcomed by most of the ills that flesh
is heir to. The floors were of earth
and the fires were built in the corners
of the rooms. They suffered much
sickness during the first winter and
were kept in a state of constant alarm
by their Mexican neighbors. All
JOSEPH
ARAM was born in
1810, in New York
state, in a large two-
story house built by his
father on the south side
of the old Senaca Turn-
pike leading from Utica to Buffalo,
about five miles west of Utica, and a
short distance west of the village of
New Hartford, which at that time was
a strong competitor of Utica in the
race for supremacy. The house has
recently been renovated and is a fine
mansion to-day. A large meadow
directly across the pike was used for
the annual parade and drill of the
state militia. His father, Captain
Matthias Aram, who had been con-
nected with the English soldiery in
England before he emigrated to
America, was skilled in army tactics
and acted as drillmaster. Captain
Aram's ancestry were English and
Scotch. His father was a recent
arrival. On his mother's side the
Tompkin's branch took grants of land
in Ireland under Oliver Cromwell.
The Hanna branch came to Ireland in
the time of King James First and set-
tled in the north part of the island in
and near Londonderry and were in
that city when it was besieged by
James the Second and suffered great
hardships. The Hanna family later
located in Kings County, of which
the Honorable Nathaniel Hanna was
sheriff about 1760 to 1770. The un-
doors and windows were closed at
nightfall, and all callers were refused
entrance. Good bread was a luxury.
The only means to crush the wheat
and corn was by a hand mill or stones.
Wild cattle covered the plains. A
fat steer cost three dollars and you
could get one dollar for the hide.
It is of her father, one of the first
citizens of California, that I now re-
late. My life has been largely spent
in the vicinity of his birth and the
scenes of his boyhood days are all
familiar to me.
settled condition of the country led
them to consider discretion the better
part of valor and about 1770 the sev-
eral branches of the family joined Sir
William Johnson's Colony at and near
Johnstown. Captain Aram's branch,
led by his great-grandfather, the ex-
sheriff, joined the Colony of Bishop
Emburg and settled in Cambridge,
Washington County, in 1770. At the
little hamlet of Ash-Grave they built
their church in 1788, which was the
second Methodist Church built in
America.
They came to a country just enter-
ing into the throes of a bloody Civil
War. Like all other families, they
were divided in their ideas of loyalty
to king or colony. I find it a difficult
matter to trace the war record of the
family during the Revolution. I do
not find that any of them disting-
uished themselves by acts of valor on
either side. A few of them found it
expedient to move to Canada, but I
think the greater part kept quiet as
possible or "sat on the fence." They
were too recent arrivals to have very
much sympathy with, or for the
Dutch settlers of the Mohawk Valley.
Mrs. Sara Tompkins, daughter of
Nathaniel Hanna, esquire, and grand-
mother of Captain Joseph Aram, was
born in Ireland, 1759, died in West-
moreland, New York, 1847. She
lived a long and useful life and left
six gray-headed sons and daughters
to mourn her loss. She was truly a
618
OLD PRAIRIE SCHOONER AND STAGE COACH OF FIRST DAYS IN THE WEST- Photograph
taken of two ancient relics of early American pioneer life— Originals are at Sutler's Port in Sacramento,
California, which is maintained as a museum by the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West— The
stage coach is riddled with bullets through its encounters with early outlaws and pioneer highwaymen
faithful and true American mother.
The boyhood of Joseph Aram was
much like that of your father's and
mine. There was the post-rider and
the stage ; the grist-mill was the pivot
of industry; the tavern. and meeting-
house were the social centers. The
savage West was more impenetrable
than the Africa of to-day, but young
Aram had a longing to blaze his way
through its wilds, and laid prepara-
tions for the hazardous undertaking.
It was on the first day of May, 1846,
that he joined his little company of
friends at a place called Independ-
ence, on the same side of the river, to
prepare for their long and hazardous
trip. They lost but little time in mak-
ing the necessary preparations for an
early start on the long journey. Here
they were joined by two men by the
name of Taggart who accompanied
them to California. Captain Aram
spared no pains in rigging his wagon
to make it as comfortable as possible ;
by extending the wagon bed one foot
over the sides to give more room, he
procured bows of a proper shape for
forming the cover, which was over-
laid with half inch lumber nicely fitted
over the bows, and then covered with
oilcloth, making the top water-tight;
the sides were covered with heavy
canvas that could be tightly fitted
down to exclude the night air when
desirable. He had a small cooking-
stove in the rear end of the wagon
which answered a good purpose by
keeping everything dry in the wagon,
as they had much rain during the
month of May. In traveling through
Iowa they pursued a southwesterly
course, as they intended to cross the
Missouri river at St. Jo. After trav-
eling a few weeks they struck the
Mormon trail. It will be recollected
that the people of Illinois had become
so dissatisfied with the Mormons at
Nativoo that they gave them notice
that they must leave by the twenty-
second of February or take the conse-
quences that might follow should they
not heed the warning. The Mormons
left, perhaps thinking that discretion
was the better part of valor. They
soon struck their trail ; they had cut
up the road in a horrible condition,
making it almost impossible for the
company to follow as the road was so
deeply rutted; they soon found the
camp where the Mormons had re-
mained as long as their teams could
find anything to subsist upon ; many
trees were cut down to furnish browse
Ammran (Ennitami in a (Earmrati
FIRST SIGNER OF FIRST CONSTITUTION
OF CALIFORNIA— Captain Joseph Aram, leader of
the Aram expedition over the continent from New
York to California in 1846— Portrait taken when he
was sixty years old — Now in possession of his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Sarah M. Cool of Los Angeles, California
for the cattle; the horses had been
tied to trees until they had eaten the
bark from them as high as they could
reach.
In traveling in their wake they
found it unpleasant as the inhabitants
looked upon them as Mormons and
would decline selling them such arti-
cles as they needed for their teams.
On denying being Mormons, "Oh, you
all say so," was their reply. But when
told that they had money to pay for
what the party needed, they would re-
ply that the Mormons had no money
and it looked as though they were tell-
ing the truth, for the Mormons always
wanted to work for what they got.
Aram's party were several days fol-
lowing their trail before they reached
the great camp. They were quite sur-
prised to find such a large body of
people with their hundreds of wagons
and the quantity of horses and cattle
scattered over the broad prairie trying
to find a little grass, as the season was
quite backward. Aram and his party
passed by seemingly unobserved ; as
they mingled in the great throng they
doubtless supposed they were a part
of the great company that had just
arrived ; it was a matter of much re-
lief to be well clear of the Mormons.
And they were careful that they
should not know that they were not of
their kind of people. The Mormons
had brought with them cannons and
a large quantity of small arms. It
was thought it would have been better
to have brought more flour for their
starving children in the place of can-
nons. The Mormons remained where
they were in Western Iowa and raised
crops that year and did not reach Salt
Lake until 1847. The. rains had been
very heavy, which made traveling
quite slow. The Aram party soon
joined with other emigrants, Dr. I. C.
Isbel and family, James Isbel and
family; soon after, a man by the
name of Savage with a large family.
Passing through the northern part of
the state of Missouri they had several
acquisitions to their company, num-
bering in all about twenty wagons.
They found the streams very hieh ;
coming to a small river with full
banks and with no ferry, it looked as
though they would be obliged to wait
for the water to fall. The stream ran
through a very narrow channel, with
heavy timber on both sides. They hit
upon a plan of falling two quite large
trees across the stream, about twelve
feet apart, then cut poles and bridge
the stream. The oxen were forced to
swim over, and by the help of a long
rope that they had brought with them,
making it fast to the tongues of the
wagons, with the help of the oxen on
the opposite bank and with the help of
the men to steady the wagon on the
tottering bridge were enabled to get
all safely over. It was a tedious job,
620
tl|P Sorkg Mountains In tljf JJartftr
but better than to wait for the water
to fall. They then took the road lead-
ing to the Missouri river. Arriving
at the crossing at St. Jo, they laid in
their last supply of provisions. The
next day they ferried across the Mis-
souri river and commenced their long
journey through the Indian Territory.
It seemed a wild country to them as
they could see nothing but Indians,
and fell in with a large party of
Sioux and Foxes, Blackhavvk's men.
Charles Imus, who had been in the
Blackhawk War, had quite a chat
with them, as some of them spoke
good English. They were mounted
on ponies with fine trappings. A few
days after that the party struck the
Platt river, and had no sooner got
settled in camp than a band of about
fifty Pawnee Indians, that had been
out on a buffalo hunt, came and
pitched their tents near them ; the
party was not pleased with their com-
pany. The Indians came to camp,
bringing dried buffalo meat as a pres-
ent to them, but they failed to relish
the present after its being handled bv
those dirty-looking creatures. Aram
gave his share to the dog. That even-
ing the Indians came to their camp
and gave a war dance, accompanied
by their kind of music : they were con-
tinually begging. The emigrants
immediately began to pack up every-
thing for an early start ; to their great
surprise many articles were missing.
They well knew that the Indians must
have taken them. The old chief was
in camp begging as usual ; they told
him that many articles had been stolen
by his men ; he stoutly denied it.
Aram had a Frenchman with him that
could speak their language ; he de-
manded of the chief that the stolen
property should be returned, which he
positively refused ; finally he said that
if they would give him a quantity of
flour, indicating with his hands how
large a pile would do, he would try
and make the boys bring the propertv
back. Roubedou, the Frenchman,
advised them to make a prisoner of
the chief and to threaten to turn him
in
WOMAN WHO KIRS I" DISCOVERED GOLD IN
CALIFORNIA- Mrs. Sarah Ann Aram, wife of Cap-
tain Joseph Aram, who with her ten year old
daughter pursued th» hazardous journey with her
husband— Mother of first American child born in
California— Portrait taken when fifty-nine years old
over to the Sioux, as they were at war
with that tribe. The party took his
advice and seized the old chief and
pinioned his arms behind him. The
old fellow began to think that he had
got into a tight place ; he sang out at
the top of his voice for his men to
bring everything back, and in less
than five minutes every stolen article
was returned. He was given his lib-
erty and the party were soon on their
way.
I will now leave the narrative of
the journey to Captain Aram, who in
his own journal relates many inter-
esting anecdotes. The ancient man-
uscript is still preserved by his chil-
dren, and it is with their permission
that this transcript is taken :
WHERE COMMODORE SLOAT FIRST RAISED THE AMERICAN FLAG OVER CALIFORNIA-
Old Custom House at Monterey where the Constitution of California was formulated and the Stars and Stripes
proclaimed it to the world as the Golden Gate to the American Republic as related in Captain Aram's journal
WHERE JOHN MARSHALL IN 1848 BROUGHT THE NEWS THAT HE HAD DISCOVERED GOLD
IN CALIFORNIA— Historic Sutler's Fort, in Sacramento, California, before its recent restoration by the
Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West who have now transformed it into a museum of relics
pertaining to the history of Western America— Captain Aram tells of this old fort in his historic journal
itemitttemtraa of (Eapfctut Aram
Cife &tnry of a y tourer at llir (Srrat IDrat aa 2Ulai?a
fcljortlg «rfor? ^ta Heath., in Ifia £toj|tt*tb. ?rar ^ Arruralr
uraiuirnut front the Journal Norn in ]Io<i amount of Ijia
(£hiloren in California J* jEarlg Saga on tb.e JJartfir (£oaat
FTER describing the details
connected with the or-
ganization of the jour-
ney from New York
to California in 1846,
and the adventures
through the Middle
West until their approach to the In-
dian Territory, Captain Aram makes
these notes in his journal. The an-
cient manuscript is a valuable contri-
bution not only to the historical lit-
erature of the West but of the entire
American Continent, for in it are the
keen observations of a man who led
the way to the Pacific, who knew
personally many of the pioneers, and
who lent his hand, heart and head to
the establishment of a great Western
Nation :
Our company was getting to be
quite large, where there are many
men there is apt to be many minds.
It became necessary to elect a man to
take the command of the company,
they elected Charles Imus as their
captain, he having had some experi-
ence with the Indians in the Black-
hawk war. His services proved to be
of much value to the company. We
fell in with an old mountaineer, Kit
Carson, that had spent most of his
life with the Indians, he offered to
pilot us to California for a nominal
sum of money and a stipulated
amount of provisions, he being famil-
iar with the whole country through
which we had to pass, we closed the
bargain with him which proved to be
of great service to the company. On
arriving at Laramie fork of the Platt
river which we found rather high for
the wagon beds, we found that by
blocking up about one foot we could
pass over without damaging our
goods. To test the depth of the water
one of the company rode through the
river on horseback. As soon as over
the stream we were in the vicinity of
Fort Laramie, where we found a large
body of Sioux Indians in camp. They
seemed to be very friendly and were
the best behaved Indians that we
found on the whole journey, during
the time that we were cooking and
eating our meals, a man would come
through the camp and drive all the
women and children away; the chief
told us that the women could come
and trade with us as much as they
pleased, but they were not allowed to
hang around our camp while we were
cooking and eating ; but how different
we found it with other tribes, for
even the chiefs would come about and
beg for something to eat. The cap-
tain of Fort Laramie told us that it
would be a good plan to give them a
treat of coffee and biscuit. It would
secure their friendship. Every fam-
ily set to work to make preparations
for it. When all was in readiness, the
ladies spread their table cloths in a
long line on the grass sufficient to en-
tertain the number reported. The
food was spread on the cloth, and at
a signal given the Indians took their
places ; there were about two hundred
of them at the table. To our sur-
prise every tenth man helped the nine
sitting at his left, no one offered to
help himself but was waited upon by
the appointed one. They drank about
two cups of coffee apiece and ate gen-
erally not more than two biscuits each.
Then the women and children came
forward and cleaned up what was left.
That evening the young men and
women came to our camp dressed in
their gayest attire and gave a splendid
dance. With their music and sing-
ing, there was some degree of refine-
ment in it all, which was more than
we expected to find amongst Indians.
The next day we moved forward
tlj? Ammran OInttttttttti tn a (Eanroatt
toward the Black Hills. The country
was swarming with countless herds of
buffalo, all seemed to be wending
their way northward. Sometimes it
was difficult to keep out of their way.
They always seemed intent on pursu-
ing their own course, regardless of
any obstruction that might lie in their
way. The bulls always travel in front
of the band, the cows next, with the
calves in the rear. When we would
camp for a day or two we would kill
a few of them and dry the most suit-
able part of the meat for our use. It
was much relished by us all. On
reaching the waters of the south Platt
river we found the waters rather deep
for our wagon beds so we were
obliged to block them up sufficiently
high to save our goods. We crossed
with but little difficulty. Found buf-
faloes in great abundance. After we
left the river some three or four miles,
we discovered a great band of buffalo
running toward us in great fury. We
lost no time in unhitching our teams
and getting them on the opposite side
of the wagons. They rushed by us
but generally between the wagons.
One very large bull ran his head un-
der the wagon of Mr. Hecox and
raised it off of the ground, and when
it fell it came down with such force
as to break the hind axletree. We
managed to kill two buffaloes before
they all got away from us. On
account of the accident the company
came to a halt, and had to go several
miles to get a pole to put under the
axle, that the wagon might be hauled
along until timber could be found to
make a new axletree, the other wag-
ons took on most of his load so that
we could move on. Buffalo was in
sight in every direction. We occa-
sionally would kill them when we
needed fresh meat, but not for sport
as many have done. We passed over
a beautiful country mostly prairie un-
til we reached the north Platt which
we forded without difficulty. Then
we commenced the ascent of the
Rocky Mountains. It was a gradual
rise for several day's travel. When
we reached the summit we found a
crest of rocks about eight rods in
width, with sharp edges standing up-
wards. We looked out for the best
place for crossing, and by using our
picks and axes we smoothed them
down a little, but it was rough work
for the oxen's feet and the wagon
tires but we got over without much
difficulty or damage. We then de-
scended into the Sweet-water coun-
try. Found plenty of buffalo there
but was told by our pilot that we
would not find any after leaving the
Sweet-water. We concluded to make
a halt for a short time in order to
kill and dry what meat we needed.
In the stream we found an abundance
of mountain trout. We feasted on
them for a change of diet. We then
commenced to kill and dry our meat.
We built scaffolds of willow poles,
with a fire under them and with the
benefit of the sun it was dried suffi-
ciently to keep, in two or three days
time. Then we pushed forward, and
occasionally we found long drives
without water. In such cases when
there was a moon we would drive bv
night. The teams could endure the
thirst better than in the day time, as
the sun and dust was almost unbear-
able while crossing the alkali plains.
After leaving a stream known as Big
Blue, and learning that we were to
have a long drive without water, we
remained at the stream until about
three o'clock in the afternoon, when
we started for the geysers or hot
wells, arriving there about daylight in
the morning. They consisted of five
flowing wells, throwing out quite a
large stream of boiling water, at times
they would throw the water fifteen
feet high, at other times they would
be quite calm. We took breakfast
there using the water for cooking
purposes. The flow of water was
sufficient to form quite a large stream.
It was so hot that we were obliged to
drive two miles down stream before
we could venture to cross it on
account of the intense heat, fearing
that it would injure the oxen's feet.
624
FIRST BRICK HOUSE IN CALIFORNIA AND OLD WHALING STATION
I I I
III
AMERICAN FLAG ON THE FIRST CAPITOL OF CALIFORNIA— Col ton Hall at Monterey where
Constitutional Convention was held that made California a free state-Captain Joseph Aram, writer of
the journal herein recorded was a member of the Convention and the first signer of the Constitution
FAMOUS OLD CARMEL MISSION BUILT IN 1770 AT MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA— This was one of the
first places where Captain Aram visited on his expedition across America as recorded in his entertaining journal
FIRST THEATER BUILDING IN CALIFORNIA-A type of the ancient adobe structure in old Monterey-
It !• said that the famous Jenny Llnd on her first tour to the Pacific Coast in the fifties sang in this structure
of (ttaptaht
Aram
We then passed on to a broad plain.
During that day we saw a large num-
ber of Indians on horse back, about
two hundred coming towards us at
full speed and yelling loudly. We in-
stantly formed a circle with the wag-
ons as a breast work. As they came
near Captain Imus advanced a few
rods in front of us, with rifle in hand,
motioned for them to halt. They
obeyed instantly, he motioned for the
chief to advance. He came a few
steps forward, the captain laid down
his gun, then motioned for the chief
to do the same. They advanced until
they met, then shook hands. The
chief told him all they wanted was to
purchase guns. He was told to bring
ten men to our camp and no more.
He brought the men. Our captain
placed a strong guard in front of our
wagons. There was but little doubt
at the time, that the prompt action of
our captain saved us trouble. They
were of the Bannock tribe. We were
very glad to get rid of their company.
A few days later we fell in with a
large party of Cheyennes. They
were carrying the United States flag.
We thought it looked a little like civ-
ilization. We came in sight of the
Chimney Rock, a tall spire that could
be seen at a great distance in that
transparent atmosphere. In that vi-
cinity we found a large quantity of
wild currants. We gathered all that
we needed, they were quite a treat to
us. They were found on the creek
bottom. The Indians were quite
friendly. We were told by our pilot
that a long drive without water would
reach Green river. We drove in the
night but did not reach the river until
nearly noon next day. Our oxen
were so famished with thirst that they
would have rushed into the water,
wagons and all if they had not been
prevented. Here we waited a few
days. While there several emigrants
arrived ; the Donner party was
amongst them. While there Captain
Hastings arrived from California by
way of Salt Lake. He advised us by
all means to go that way, assuring us
that we would save a month's travel,
but our old pilot, Greenwood, who
was familiar with the country, told us
that it would be much safer to go by
Fort Hall. After much talk many of
the emigrants took Hasting's advice,
particularly the Donner party. It
was a fatal mistake for them. We
had a very good road to Fort Hall, it
being the advice of our pilot Green-
wood. From there we passed to the
head waters of Goose creek. In that
vicinity we came to the forks of the
road. One leading to Oregon and
the other to California. Many of our
company turned toward Oregon, leav-
ing us only about twelve wagons.
In passing down Goose creek we
came to the Thousand Springs valley.
It is well entitled to the name. There
are more hot springs than we could
stop to count. There is a lime deposit
that forms a hard crust. In walking
over it, it sounds as if it was hollow
beneath. Those springs all come to-
gether forming quite a stream. Then
we were guided to the head of the
Humboldt, and followed it with little
variation with the exception of cut-
ting down the river banks, until reach-
ing the sink of the stream. There
are many Indians living near that
stream. They are of a very low order
of humanity, the most so of any we
had met with. They would often
come to our camp in a perfectly nude
state. We found sugar-cane in large
quantities on the swampy lands of the
stream. The Indian's mode of ob-
taining sugar was quite simple. They
would split the canes and lay them in
the sun to crystallize the sap, then
scrape out the pith or pulp, then rub
it between the hands and gather it on
skins. This work was performed by
the squaws. When we arrived at the
point where the Hastings road would
meet ours, as we were told by our
pilot, we made a halt as there was
plenty of grass. We rode one day's
ride to see if we could learn anything
of the Hasting's party. All the intel-
ligence we could eret was from the In-
dians. They told us by signs that
tlf* Ammran (Enntttwit tn a (Harauan
they were a. long way off, and that
they had lost many cattle. We came
to an Indian village, they came out in
strong force but finding us friendly,
they treated us kindly. They were
digging roots on a creek bottom.
They looked like a small red carrot.
They gave us some that were cooked,
they tasted like a sweet potato. They
also offered us some dried crickets
but those we declined, thinking they
would not relish well with us.
We then proceeded to the sink of
the Humboldt. We remained there
three days on account of the abun-
dance of grass, being told that it
would be altogether a mountain coun-
try where feed would be scarce. The
Indians there were known as Truckee.
Pilot Greenwood left us there. A
chief "Truckee" was anxious to pilot
us into California. We agreed to
accept his services. A brother of his
went along with him. Chief Truckee
was of much service to us as he had
been in California. The last night
that we remained in that camp the In-
dians stole five of our oxen which
was a great loss to us at that time.
We pursued the trail where they had
been driven until we found where the
oxen had been killed. As we ap-
proached the Indian village the in-
habitants fled and hid in the tules.
To get even with them we set fire to
their houses and returned to camp.
The next thing was to make up our
teams for a start. To do so we had
to yoke up some cows. Those used
were quite large ones, they performed
remarkably well. Old Truckee de-
nied that they were his Indians that
stole them, but said they were Sho-
shonees. We then proceeded on the
road to the Truckee river. Some part
of it was hard on the teams as there
was little or no grass and the road
was of deep, soft sand, which seemed
to exhaust the teams very much. On
reaching the river we let the teams
rest for a day there being an abun-
dance of feed there. In traveling up
the river, we were obliged to cross it
several times in one day. The stream
was filled with smooth boulders mak-
ing it very difficult for the oxen to
travel.
After leaving the Truckee we took
the trail leading to the Sierra Nevada
mountains. We had brought a num-
ber of^ young cattle, thinking that we
might need them for meat. We
killed one and divided it with the com-
pany. The two Indians begged the
offal of the beef, the head, hide, and
entrails. They built a good fire,
cooked and ate seemingly all night.
The offal had all disappeared except
the horns and bones of the head. The
Indians had quite a bloated appear-
ance the next morning. If I had not
seen it with my own eyes, I could
scarcely have believed what I here
saw for a fact.
The next day we reached the
Sierra Nevada Mountains. We spent
three days there exploring the moun-
tains to find a pass where we
might make a crossing. A party
of us took our horses and went to the
summit, and traced it both ways and
finally decided on the place to make
the crossing. It was quite an under-
taking to get our wagons up. We
put about five yoke on a wagon, and
had as many men with it as was nec-
essary to keep it from sliding side-
ways. Then with five yoke on the
summit letting down our long one
hundred and fifty feet rope, and
hitched it with the leaders that were
on the wagon, by this process, we
succeeded in getting all the wagons
up safely, and was soon ready to push
ahead on our journey. Here we re-
ceived the first intelligence of the
Mexican War, by two young men that
had been as far as Sutter's Fort. We
then pushed on as fast as possible for
the Sacramento valley.
Just before we reached the Yuba
river the mountains became very
steep, so much so that in one instance
we were obliged to lower the wagons
down by locking all four wheels and
taking a turn around a tree with the
rope, we were able to keep the wagons
from ending over on the oxen, but we
618
nf (Eapiaht
Aram
succeeded in getting down safely.
The next night the Indians stole an ox
from the company. Some of the men
followed by the aid of old Truckee,
but when found the Indians had the
ox killed already, and being discov-
ered they fled in all directions. The
next day brought us to the Yuba
river. There being plenty of grass
we concluded to remain a day for the
teams to rest. While there we found
much bear signs, so we concluded to
take a hunt. Captain Imus, Dr. Isbel
and myself formed one of the hunting
parties. In passing along the ridge
of the mountain through the brush, a
large bear charge on us. We set the
dogs after him. Dr. Isbel discharged
his rifle at him which seemed to make
him run the faster. He soon disap-
peared in the brush. Not long after
our dogs found two half grown bears,
they seemed inclined to stay together.
When they would run our little cur
dogs would nip their heels as they
ran. they would turn on the dogs bel-
le-wing like a bull. Eventually they
separated, then the dogs had only one
to attend to. They kept him at bav
until I got up with him. My mastiff
seeing me so close seemed to give him
courage. He seized the bear by the
throat, he would have been crushed
very soon by the grip of the bear. I
hurried up and placed the gun so close
that the powder burned his hair. The
next thing was what to do with our
game. We concluded to make him as
little as possible. We took out his en-
trails, and succeeded in hauling him
to the foot of the mountain. We left
him, marking the place well, and went
to our camp, got several young men
with poles and rones to go and bring
him to camp. We dressed and divided
the meat with every mess in camp. It
was fat and most delicious. It was
relished by all of the company.
While staying in camp our women
went to the river to do a little wash-
ing, while there my wife picked up a
piece of gold about the size of a ten
cent piece of silver. [This was a dis-
covery of gold ante-dating that of
6*9
Marshall's. But nothing was said
about it, though the specimen was
thoroughly tested at the time. — ED.]
We then proceeded on our journey.
In about two days we reached John-
son's ranch on Bear creek. Just be-
fore entering the valley, John Kear-
ney and myself took our horses and
rode ahead of the company, to engaere
beef and have it ready by the time the
company arrived, just before get-
ting into the plains we discovered
some hogs, which to us looked more
like civilization than anything we had
seen for five months past. We arrived
at that point on the first day of Octo-
ber. After resting two days we pro-
ceeded to Suiter's Fort. We received
a very warm reception from Captain
Sutter. He inquired if he could do
anything for us. "Should you need
any beef, just go and help yourselves
to as much you want, and anything
else that I have is at your service."
We next found Fremont camped on
the American river. He informed us
of the state of affairs that then existed
in California. He told us that we had
better push forward as fast as possi-
ble, as the Spaniards were unfriendly
toward the Americans. He advised
us to go to Santa Clara and take pos-
session of the mission buildings. And
as soon as a sufficient number of men
arrived to organize a company for our
own protection, elect officers to whom
he would give commissions, and for
us to appoint a suitable person as com-
missary and he would give him a let-
ter of credit that would enable him to
obtain such groceries as we would
need from the government stores in
San Francisco.
We then pushed on towards San
Jose, but before we had got half way
there, we met a courier from San
Jose, advising us to make all possi-
ble haste, fearing the Mexicans would
give us trouble, but we arrived there
without molestation. As we arrived
in San Jose the people looked upon us
with as much surprise as if we had
dropped from the moon. After rest-
ing for a time, Mrs. Captain Hanks
Arraaa itf* Ammran Qlnntin^nt in a Qlarauatt
presented each family with a loaf of
bread. We then proceeded to Santa
Clara, where we found the mission
buildings in a very dilapidated condi-
tion as well as filthy. Seeing no other
alternative, we set ourselves to work
cleaning the buildings, in order to
make them as comfortable as possible
for our families. The rooms having
nothing but earth floors and no chim-
neys, we generally built the fire in one
corner of the room, and let the smoke
find its way up and through the tile
roof as best it could. In consequence
of the heavy fall of rain that winter,
the buildings became quite damp
causing much sickness to the families
and many deaths. The commissary
was only able to obtain a scant supply
of groceries, flour or bread was almost
out of the question. But there was
plenty of wheat in the country. A
Spaniard by the name of Alviso, liv-
ing in Santa Clara, who was friendly
to the Americans, and really rejoiced
in the prospect of California becom-
ing a part of the American Govern-
ment, came nobly forward and fur-
nished wheat for the benefit of the
families. They procured a large steel
coffee mill to grind the wheat with.
The sound of the mill could be heard
almost all day and night, as there was
over thirty families dependent upon
the use of the mill for their bread,
unbolted as it was but they were but
thankful to get even such.
After the menacing of the Span-
iards became alarming, the men held
a meeting for the purpose of organiz-
ing a company for mutual protection.
There were about thirty-three men
signed the roll. The next thing was
to elect officers. The result was as
follows: Joseph Aram, Captain;
Steven A. Wright, First Lieutenant;
G. D. Dickenson, Second Lieutenant;
N. B. Smith, First Sergeant. As
soon as the organization was com-
plete, it soon became evident that
some kind of barricade was necessary
to prevent the enemy from charging
immediately on the mission buildings.
Being in full command of the place, I
set the men immediately at work. to
fortify the place, by cutting and haul-
ing logs about ten feet in length.
They were placed in a ditch about
three feet deep, forming a breast work
seven feet high. We felt that such a
fence was sufficient to prevent the
ingress of the enemy. The very wet
winter was hard on many of the fam-
ilies. There was over thirty of them
crowded into too close quarters for
comfort. The next thing was to get
meat for such a number of people.
The Spaniards taking good care to
keep their cattle out of our way. I
had offered to buy beef of them but
to no avail, I offered to pay the usual
price in money but yet they refused to
sell me anything. They seemed to
think the easiest way to get rid of us,
was by stopping or cutting off our
supplies and starving us out. But
men who had just crossed the plains
could not be bluffed off so easy. I
immediately resolved on a more
effective expedient to procure beef.
I gave orders to the sergeant to take
ten men with a wagon and go to the
timber south of Santa Clara, where
he would find plenty of cattle, to
shoot down one of the fattest animals
that he could find, dress it and bring
it in. The men returned with a lot
of fine fat beef. The next day the
Spaniards came to make a complaint
that my men had killed one of their
best tame cows. I told them that we
must have meat and as they refused
to sell, that I had ordered my men to
go and bring in beef, that the families
could have something to eat. The
only way to avoid a similar occur-
rence, would be for them to agree to
deliver to us a certain amount of cat-
tle on certain days in each week.
Hereafter the Spaniard agreed to my
proposition and filled his part of the
contract faithfully, by delivering to
us two good beeves per week during
that dreary and wet winter of 1846
and 7.
Captain Sanchez had an organized
company of about one hundred and
fifty men and was generally hovering
630
2UmitttBmtr?H nf (Eaptatn
Aram
about Santa Clara and San Jose.
Provender for our horses was not to
be had. We were obliged to picket
our horses out in the mustard to get
a little grass. There was scarcely a
day but a horse would be stolen, which
crippled our company very much.
Captain Sanchez having a superior
force as to number, kept my force of
thirty-five men and Captain Weber
with his twenty men continually on
the alert. Many attempts were made
by the Spaniards to force a way into
the mission, but they were foiled in
every attempt. About the sixth of
January, 1847, Captain Marsten of
the United States Navy with a com-
pany of marines and a small cannon,
came in order to assist the small
forces of San Jose and Santa Clara.
Sanchez had taken several prisoners.
Whenever he found a small party of
Americans he would make prisoners
of them. Lieutenant Bartlett, Martin
Corcoran and several others were in
his possession when the battle of
Santa Clara took place. As Captain
Marsten approached within a few
miles of Santa Clara, Sanchez made
an attempt to dispute his advance, fir-
ing commenced about 9 o'clock A. M.
and lasted until near night. The
Spaniards having superior horses
were enabled to hover about the
Americans at their will, but were
very careful to keep well deployed as
they soon discovered that the Amer-
icans did not fire at random, while the
fire of the Spaniards was always very
high and had but little effect. The
tendency of both parties was to beat
towards Santa Clara, which enabled
my men to participate in the fight.
But as our horses had already been
stolen, we had to take the field on foot,
and as we advanced towards the en-
emy one division of them was ordered
to charge on us, they came at full
speed as if they intended to ride over
us. Our men stood their ground not
daunted, were prepared to give them
a warm reception. A volley from our
rifles caused a sudden change in their
movements, a hasty retreat was the
63«
result. They rallied again for another
charge, which was not as fearless as
the first charge. As soon as near
enough we gave them another volley,
they beat a hasty retreat and we saw
nothing more of them.
During the battle the main force
of the enemy was contending with
the forces commanded by Captain
Marsten and Captain Charles Weber.
But at no time during the battle could
the Spaniards be drawn into a close
engagement. They preferred to fight
at a good distance from our lines,
they seemed to dread the whizzing of
our bullets. The Americans were
cool and determined and anxious to
get as near the enemy as possible for
they always fired over our heads. As
night drew near the firing ceased.
The Americans withdrew from the
field and camped at Santa Clara, while
the enemy retired to the timber south
of town. Early the next morning a
flag of truce was sent from Captain
Sanchez asking for an armistice. He
was told that the only condition that
would be granted, would be a surren-
der of all their arms. Captain San-
chez replied that he would rather die
than submit to such dishonorable
terms, but said he, "if Captain Hull of
Yerba Buena says so, I will submit."
An armistice of three days was grant-
ed on condition that they should not
leave their camp during that time.
A courier was dispatched to Captain
Hull for his decision, he being the
Military Governor of Upper Califor-
nia at the time, but he was inexorable.
His reply was that they must submit
to the terms exacted or fight on.
On the arrival of the courier the
officers were notified to meet the
American officers at a certain hour at
the place appointed to hear the de-
cision. As soon as the meeting was
arranged, the decision was read and
interpreted to them by Alexander
Forbes. The Spaniards reluctantly
agreed to the conditions, which were
as above stated, an entire surrender of
all their arms. The next day at nine
o'clock A. M. was the hour appointed
ilj? Ammran {Eanttttfttt in a (Eanroatt
for receiving them on the same
ground then occupied by the officers.
At the hour appointed the entire
American force was there and formed
a double line. The Spaniards march-
ing in single file between them and
deposited their arms as they passed.
It was certainly a very humiliating
sight to see one hundred and fifty
well mounted men surrender their
arms to less than one hundred Amer-
icans, that were very poorly mounted
and many of them on foot. I made
a demand on Captain Sanchez for the
return of our horses which had been
stolen from us. His men cheerfully
assisted in lassoing the horses. We
got nearly all of them back. From
this time forward the Spaniards
seemed anxious to cultivate a friendly
feeling with the Americans. Receiv-
ing advice from Colonel Fremont, I
was advised to disband my company
as their services were not needed any
longer, and on the first of March,
1847, I gave them their discharge
from further service and shortly
afterwards took my family to Mon-
terey, with several others proceeded
to Santa Cruz, stopped on the way at
Sequel. While there overnight, my-
self and family made our beds and
slept in a large, hollow red-wood tree
that we found at that place. There
was an abundance of room for us,
and fortunately for us there was quite
a drizzling rain that night and those
that slept on the ground found their
bed coverings were covered with frost
the next morning. We remained at
Santa Cruz about one month. Being
very dull there, we concluded to go
to Monterey as business seemed to
be more lively in that place, it being
the headquarters for both the army
and navy. I helped to build the fort
which afforded considerable business
for all there that wished to work.
I remained in Monterey about two
years. The gold mines of California
was discovered in the year 1848.
Like many others, as soon as I dis-
covered that the mines were a reality,
I joined a company of men and went
to the reported gold fields. We took
with us a quantity of goods and gro-
ceries, which we found a ready sale
for. We also worked in the mines
with tolerably good success. Our op-
eration that year was mostly at a place
now called Placerville. I also spent
the summer of 1849 m Tuolumne
mines. In the fall of that year I re-
turned to San Jose where I was mak-
ing my home with my family. On
my return I was solicited by friends
to allow my name to be put on a ticket
as a candidate for delegate to the Con-
stitutional Convention to be held in
Monterey in September of that year.
I was one of the successful candidates
for that position. I had the pleasure
of assisting in forming the first con-
stitution of the State of California.
After the Convention adjourned I
returned to San Jose, where I was
immediately solicited to run as a can-
didate for the legislature to be held
under the new constitution and was
elected to fill that position, wherein
an entire code of laws had to be
formed for the State of California.
Was elected to a seat in the City
Council of San Jose in 1850. And
was elected to that office for the next
three succeeding years. Was elected
as trustee of the University of the
Pacific at its first organization and re-
mained as a member of that body un-
til 1873. My wife died on the first
of March of that year. I visited the
Atlantic States, that I might once
more see the land of my early boyhood
associations. In 1876 I again vis-
ited the Eastern States, and while
there married my present wife and
companion of my old age, and while
there we both visited the Centennial
Exposition at Philadelphia and now
in the year 1896 having passed my
86th birthday at the time of the writ-
ing of this narrative, am now resting
with my abiding hope of a future im-
mortality beyond this life.
JOSEPH ARAM.
Jfatur
?ara nf anama total
Wljttr J8an
to (£rmi8 Ihr 3lathmua from
tn.r Atlantic to thr Pacific J* JFuttlr
Attrmuta to JFtnfc a Natural 18atm»ag Connecting
tlir (Emu (Srrat OOcrana J* 3Firat Jllatta Hurr fflafcr to &rurr the
Amrricaa witty an Artificial fctratt bg <Bort*5 tn 1523 ^
BT
DR. WILLIS FLETCHER JOHNSON
Or THM "N«w YORK TRIBUNB"
RESUME' FBOK His RESEARCHED RECENTLY PRESENTED AFTER MORE THAW Twwrrr-FiY» TEARS' STTOT or
BOOTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS AND ISTHMIAN CANAL TRANSIT IN His BOOK "FOUR HUNDRED
YEARS OF PANAMA, PUBLISHED BT HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY OF NEW YORK
Bastidas, who came, to what is now
known as Panama, two years before
Columbus. He likewise was in search
of the fabled strait. The reason these
mighty men pursued this myth so
strenuously was because there were
innumerable legends among the na-
tives concerning a strait which con-
nected the two great oceans. For
that matter I have myself heard
among the ferocious Indians of San
Bias, who are natives in the Isthmian
valley of Atrato, very confident re-
ports of the existence of this mythical
strait. Is it, then, surprising that
these early Spanish pioneers should
have prosecuted the search so long?
It was Balboa, another of the great
explorers, who, on September 29,
1513, first crossed the isthmus, luckily
at its narrowest part. He is the first
white man who saw the American
shores lapped by the waves of the
Pacific, and the place where he strode
into the water to take possession of it
in the name of the king of Spain is
still called by the appellation he gave
it: Golfo de San Miguel. There are
many illustrious names mentioned in
the quest of the mysterious strait,
among them De Soto, the discoverer
of the Mississippi ; indeed, had it not
been for the search, there might have
been no French colony planted in Can-
ada. It was with instructions to find
the shortest route to Cathay that
France sent its pioneers. Cartier and
Verrazzano. In 1529, Cortez, having
lost faith in the existence of the strait,
3T is singular that people
generally believe the ca-
nal project was conceived
only shortly before the
time of de Lesseps. The
first record that I can find
of the proposal to build
a canal was made by Hernando Cor-
tez, the great Spanish Conqueror,
early in the sixteenth century. This
restless genius, an impoverished no-
bleman, after conquering Mexico and
Central America, was directed by
Charles V to find "the strait." This
strait, you know, was supposed to be
a stream of water bisecting the isth-
mus somewhere which would enable
the voyagers to find that route to the
Indies in quest of which Columbus
came when he unwittingly stumbled
upon the new continent. It is famil-
iar history that for many, many years
the explorers, after Columbus, sup-
posed that if they could discover the
strait they would be able to find the
main coast of India right on the other
side. The lands upon which they car-
ried on their operations were for years
supposed to be nothing but islands.
These delusions were augmented by
willing misapprehension of the infor-
mation given by the natives. Colum-
bus supposed that if he could find the
strait he would be able to pass through
it, reach the Pacific ocean and thus
eventually circumnavigate the earth
when he returned home. The real
pioneer of Isthmian exploration was
a conquistador named Rodrigo de
«33
?arjs nf tip Jlattama (Eattal
prepared the first plans ever made to
cut through the isthmus with an artifi-
cial strait and was about to lay them
before the king, when he died. After
this, four different routes for the pro-
posed canal were planned and perma-
nent overland transportation was es-
tablished by a tyrant who decimated
the native population of South Amer-
ica from 2,000,000 to 200,000. But
the canal theory was temporarily
abandoned in the reign of Phillip I,
about the end of the sixteenth century,
because the king was convinced by a
Jesuit historian that it was contrary
to the Divine will to unite two oceans
which the Creator has separated.
Not only did he abandon the project,
but he imposed the penalty of death
on all who attempted to project such
plans or should attempt to seek a bet-
ter route across the isthmus. Here-
upon follows that period of those des-
perate English buccaneers like the
Welshman Sir Henry Morgan, who
ravaged the Spanish cities upon the
isthmus and the adjoining territory
with unparalleled ferocity. He sacked
Porto Bello and did his infernal work
at the old city of Panama so effectively
that it never was rebuilt. The only
thing now standing is an old tower,
the ruins of perhaps a mission.
The English likewise had realized
the importance of this artificial water-
way if it could be constructed and
made desperate efforts to gain a firm
foothold in Nicaragua. In a few
years they practically laid waste to all
the civilization in Central America and
utterly destroyed its commerce. With
one of these dastardly crews came a
man named Lionel Wafer who pro-
claimed that it would be the easiest
thing in the world to make the canal.
This assertion was used as a basis for
an ambitious scheme by the founder
of the Bank of England, William Pat-
terson, of Scotland. He attempted to
found a colony on the isthmus, but it
failed. England and Scotland had
not at that time united. It is prob-
able if they had, that a canal would
have been dug under English direction
generations ago. After this there was
a lapse of a century during which
nothing worthy of comment was done.
With the coming of that great scien-
tific genius, Alexander von Humboldt,
in the early years of the nineteenth
century, a new era in canal schemes
dawned. He considered no fewer
than nine distinct routes. Practical
steps were taken when the South
American people themselves felt the
quickening influences of the early part
of the nineteenth century which were
changing the destinies of nations.
Under the leadership of Miranda and
Bolivar in 1811, the various Central
and South American provinces of
Spain shook off the frayed strings that
bound them, and in 1821 their efforts
were completely crowned with suc-
cess. In 1825, these confederacies in-
vited the United States to participate
in the building of a canal. Our gov-
ernment feared to commit itself, being
occupied with many troubles of its
own and even declined to be specially
represented at the first Pan-American
Congress which occurred at Panama
in 1826. It was believed that the
question of human slavery might be
considered and resolutions of emanci-
pation might be adopted. As a result
of this conference the Congress of the
United States of Central America or-
dered the construction of a canal at
Nicaragua, for which a concession
eventually passed into the hands of an
American company in which partici-
pated DeWitt Clinton, builder of the
Erie canal, and other very notable
men. After this followed numerous
schemes, all of which were widely dis-
cussed at the time, and are interest-
ing for the additional light they throw
on the development of the idea, but
which came to naught. One of the
curious features of early canal history
is that the United States, though pal-
pably most vitally concerned, repeat-
edly withdrew from some definite con-
tract at the critical moment. Emi-
nent engineers were sent by the gov-
ernment to survey the territory and
made favorable reports, but capital
634
JirHt Attempt tn 8>?tiFr tlj* Ammraa
seems to have been frightened off by
the savage and unsettled condition of
the country. The South Americans
themselves even tried to interest the
pope at Rome in their scheme. Ef-
forts were made to interest foreign
countries and some South Americans
even went so far as to ask France to
establish a protectorate over the cha-
otic confederacy so that the canal
might be dug. In 1844, the third Na-
poleon then languishing in jail took
such an interest in the scheme that he
promised to leave France forever, if
the government would release him, in
order that he might go to South
America. Possibly he might have
prosecuted his purpose after his es-
cape if the Revolution had not put him
on the throne.
In order to thoroughly understand
the subsequent history of the efforts
to dig the canal, it is necessary that
you understand the circumstances and
main features of that contract known
as the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. And
in order to understand that, you must
know some of the very early history
of British land-grabbing on the Cen-
tral and South American continent.
You will recall that I spoke of the
English freebooters who left a high-
water mark for all time in the name-
less atrocity of their performances on
the isthmus. Later they sailed down
at Nicaragua and Honduras and in
order to gain the protection of their
government became bona fide colo-
nists. They developed an admirable
trade in the splendid lumbers that
abound and dye woods. In the course
of time, England gained a more or
less valid title to the territory it had
occupied, though the Spanish declined
to admit that England was entitled to
anything on the mainland.
Early in the seventeenth century
there had formed in a locality on the
Nicaraguan coast a hybrid race com-
posed largely of Indians known as
Moscoes, some English pirates and a
strain of negro blood from the refu-
gees of a Dutch slave-ship which was
wrecked off the coast. In the course
635
of time, this race was known as the
Mosquito Indians with whom we are
more or less familiar in these days.
English settlers came to their country
and were welcomed ; urged by the ties
of blood, they begged for the protec-
tion of England. In short, for all
these various reasons the British gov-
ernment felt that it had a claim on
that part of Nicaragua and Honduras
originally settled by its sparse groups
of pirates, and in 1835 called it "Brit-
ish Honduras," taking advantage of
the internecine strife among the mem-
bers of the Central and South Ameri-
can federation. It also demanded
that Mosquitia, as it was then known,
should be recognized as a natives'
kingdom under British protection.
With the seizure of Tigre Island off
the Pacific coast, British domination
and control of the Nicaragua isthmus
was complete. The United States
had its own little game to play in the
spoliation of Mexico, so that it did not
apparently notice the action of the
English government to the South.
What you must particularly remem-
ber is that England controlled the
Nicaragua isthmus, one of the future
territories for the canal. What scared
America was its awakening conscious-
ness that it needed a line of communi-
cation across the isthmus of Panama
for intercourse with the Pacific coast
territories it had wrested from Mex-
ico.
In 1846, our government made a
treaty with the republic of New Gran-
ada (now known as Colombia) in
which it secured the exclusive line of
transit across the isthmus of Panama
including quite a stretch of country.
In return it undertook to maintain the
neutrality of such territory and any
lines of traffic that might be estab-
lished, and guaranteed the sovereignty
of the Isthmian territory against any
attack by alien powers. In anticipa-
tion of the tremendous traffic which
developed after the discovery of gold
in California, American capitalists
built the Panama railroad which was
finished in 1855, operating from Colon
Jfaur ijmtinrrin f?ara nf
ttama Glanal
(then known as Aspinwall) to Pan-
ama, the present capital of the repub-
lic of that name. Other Americans
attempted to build a canal in the Nica-
ragua territory and a company, of
which Cornelius Vanderbilt was the
head, built a transit route across this
path, utilizing steamboats on rivers
and lakes and coaches and trucks for
the remainder of the way. This con-
tinued to be a very popular means of
travel until the superior facilities of
the Panama Railroad utterly destroyed
it. Naturally the domination of Brit-
ish sovereignty was regarded as a
very menacing situation, and popular
indignation in this country was great.
After a twiddling-twaddling period
of negotiations in which the envoys of
the United States gained laurels, but
the home government made a record
for pusillanimity, there was concluded
one of the most famous and most crit-
icised treaties in our history. Secre-
tary of State John M. Clayton and Sir
Henry Bulwer (of the Bulwer-Lytton
family) agreed that neither the United
States nor Great Britain should exclu-
sively control the Nicaragua canal nor
build any fortifications along it; in
short, they agreed on absolute neutral-
ity regarding all matters concerning
any means of transportation over any
route on the isthmus. This would
have been very fair except that Eng-
land insisted this agreement did not
apply to any territory it claimed in
Central or South America, which
made matters a little worse than they
were before. In this Clayton acqui-
esced and the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
became the law of the land on July 5,
1850. Then followed many schemes
for the building of canals over the
various routes, accompanied by much
wrangling with England ; almost, at
various times, precipitating war over
interpretations of the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty; for obvious reasons the vari-
ous administrations never had suffi-
cient courage to abrogate this treaty
which was so very irksome and ob-
structive. When Walker the filibus-
ter was at his nefarious work, affairs
in South America became chaotic and
England seized the opportunity to
arouse prejudice against the United
States and to do much intriguing. In
the end she gained practically what
she wanted, which was an acknowl-
edgment from the South American
confederacies concerning the validity
of her claim to the entire Mosquito
coast.
In 1868 the United States made a
treaty with Nicaragua securing the
right of way for a canal across that
country. This is known as the Dick-
inson-Ayon Treaty and will recur
during the Roosevelt negotiations.
There had been much indefinite talk
and abortive efforts by American and
foreign promoters and capitalists to
commence the building of a canal at
various places; but finally the true
and ultimate American doctrine was
enunciated by President Grant: "I
commend an American canal, on
American soil, to the American peo-
ple." But after ineffectual attempts
to secure an abrogation of the Clay-
ton-Bulwer treaty all American pro-
jects were permitted to lapse, and —
then came de Lesseps!
An adventurer named Gorgoza se-
cured a concession for a canal over
Panama which, in 1876, he took to
Paris. He interested the "Old Im-
perialists'" party, including Ferdi-
nand de Lesseps, a nobleman just
fresh from his splendid triumph over
almost incredible obstacles in the
building of the canal at Suez. After
the meeting of the International En-
gineering or Scientific Congress
which was called at Paris on May 15,
1879, presided over by de Lesseps
himself, it was decided to build a
canal in the Panama territory. It
has since developed that this "Con-
gress" was nothing but a speculative
scheme and was "packed" by the de
Lesseps faction for the purpose of
giving the project grand eclat. The
foreigners, invited to attend the con-
ference under the impression that it
was called for scientific purposes,
left in disgust, and the bankers, pro-
636
Attempt 10
Ammraa
moters and stock-jobbers controlled
the meetings. The Universal Inter-
oceanic Canal Company was the re-
sult, organized and incorporated by
de Lesseps. As American apprehen-
sion and resentment was aroused by
this apparent infringement of the
Monroe Doctrine, President Ruther-
ford B. Hayes sent an admirable mes-
sage to Congress proposing a canal
under sole and exclusive American
control, no European power to be ad-
mitted to even the smallest share.
Any money invested by European
capitalists must look to the United
States alone for protection. De Les-
seps tried to induce Colombia to abro-
gate the treaty of '46 with the United
States, but the South American coun-
try was informed very emphatically
that she would not be permitted to
exercise her sovereignty in any way
displeasing to this government.
Thereupon de Lesseps established an
American committee composed of
men conspicuous in many important
affairs and embarked in a most
astounding and preposterously im-
pertinent attempt to - bribe national
legislators, newspapers and every tool
that might be of assistance in mold-
ing public opinion to a favorable view
of the abrogation of our treaty with
Colombia. There were also legions
of lobbyists at work all over the land
to defeat a counter-proposition to
build a canal under American domin-
ion by the way of the Nicaragua
route.
In 1880, Captain James B. Eads,
the great engineer who built the won-
derful steel bridge over the Missis-
sippi and the system of jetties at the
mouth of the same stream, tried to in-
duce the government to guarantee
him financial aid in his scheme to
build a ship railroad over the Mexi-
can isthmus known as the Tehuante-
pec route. It was his purpose, at a
cost of $18,750,000, to build a road
by the means of which the largest
ship afloat could be loaded upon a
monster train of cars at the Atlantic
terminal and with its complete cargo
637
conveyed into the ocean at the Pacific
terminal. In a lesser degree this
idea has been developed by Sir Weet-
man Pearson, whose railroad across
this route bids fair to be no mean
rival to our great canal.
In 1 88 1, de Lesseps began actual
work upon his undertaking, the issue
of an American canal by American
people having been hopelessly be-
fogged by a series of inept attempts
by Secretary Elaine and others to
abrogate the Clayton-Bulwer treaty.
The work was begun with a perform-
ance by Sarah Bernhardt in the
wretched little Panama theater.
While $60,000,000 subscriptions had
been asked for, almost $121,000,000
were promptly offered. The French
people, tens of thousands, no, even
perhaps hundreds of thousands, were
women who held the stock in small
lots. The total amount of money
subscribed at various times was
$393,505,100. Consider these figures
that follow, which you will find ana-
lyzed more thoroughly in my book
and you will understand why the
French failed to build that canal.
The Director-General's palace cost
more than $100,000. His summer
house at La Boca cost $150,000. His
salary was $50,000 a year. And they
gave him fifty dollars extra for every
day or fraction of a day that he trav-
eled along the line in the sumptuous
private car that had been provided at
a cost of $42,000. The stables cost
$600,000; the hospitals at Ancon
$5,600.000 and at Colon $1400,000.
All these things were needed, truly,
but the trouble was that where a
$50,000 building was needed a $100,-
ooo building was put up and when it
was finished the "rake-offs" brought
it to $200,000. In one place I saw
where there had been stored thou-
sands of snow-shovels — in Panama!
In another there were stored 15,000
torches to use in the grand celebra-
tion to occur when the canal was fin-
ished! It is impossible to cite all
the evidences of the extravagant folly
of the French. As someone said to
Jnur ifuttfcrefc
nf
anama Qlanal
me recently: "It was forty-seven
miles of graft." Also the Colom-
bians simply plundered the Canal
Company right and left ; and the com-
pany was unfortunate in not having
begun in the time when such progress
in matters of hygiene had been made
as at the present. Their faults were
as grave as their misfortunes. They
entirely neglected to renovate the
isthmus and were content to go on
with the unspeakably vile conditions
then prevailing.
It is futile in a small way to say
more. I have gone into this pretty
thoroughly in my book. The conse-
quence of delirious, extravagant folly
must be ruin. This is what happened
to the French enterprise. The stretch
of time between the occasion when
Gambetta hailed de Lesseps as "The
Grand Frenchman" with the assist-
ance of Victor Hugo and Ernest
Renan to the moment when the
wretched man sat in the prisoner's
dock and heard a sentence of five
years' imprisonment pronounced over
him, was only nine years. He never
served the sentence as he was men-
tally and physically a wreck. This
great man, whose name will live for
all time by his achievement at Suez,
probably never fully realized what
had happened.
After the de Lesseps smash the
French company reorganized in order
to save what was of value in the
wreck. Another concession was ob-
tained from the Colombian govern-
ment for a substantial consideration.
In the meantime, work actually had
begun at Grey town on a Nicaraguan
canal to be constructed under Amer-
ican auspices. It would possibly
have been finished but the financial
stringency and the consequent depres-
sion of 1893 caused the company to
go into the hands of a receiver. The
great voyage of the battleship "Ore-
gon" during the Spanish-American
War gave an impetus to canal matters
in the United States in 1898. It was
determined that if this government
could prevent it there should never
again be occasion for our battleships
to make that long and perilous jour-
ney around by the straits of Magellan
in order to reach the other side of our
coast in the time of need. Therefore,
after one fruitless attempt at treaty-
making, the old Clayton-Bulwer treaty
was finally superseded in 1901 by the
second Hay-Pauncefote treaty which
practically gives the United States a
free-hand over the canal and all the
adjacent territory at all times.
Then followed that exciting duel
between the United States and the
government of Colombia, in the
course of which the "graft" govern-
ment tried to prolong the negotiations
by very obvious means so as to nul-
lify its concession to the French com-
pany, which expired the next year,
1904. The object, of course, was to
get the $40,000,000 which the United
States had agreed to pay the French
company for its concession and all
the debris on the isthmus. The gov-
ernment of Colombia at Bogota was
a pure and simple graft proposition.
The men who guided its destinies ex-
ploited it for the fattening of their
own pocketbooks. Under the terms
offered by our government, Colombia
was to receive only $10,000,000 and
an annuity of $100,000 a year after
nine years. This was definitely re-
refused by the Colombians after they
had made every effort to induce our
Commission to select the Panama
route. The United States, under the
option of the so-called Spooner act
which directed the president to build
the canal, was about to open negotia-
tions with Nicaragua when the com-
plexion of affairs was changed by the
revolution of Panama. It is a mis-
take to believe that our government
festered and brought about the revo-
lution. It was fostered by the Co-
lumbian government and brought
about by the Panamans themselves.
Until the regimen of the highly dic-
tatorial governments of the last few
years, Panama had been a self-re-
specting state in the Colombian fed-
eration. It had, in fact, been the
638
Jtrat Attempt tn
tlj? Ammraa
most prosperous and desirable divi-
sion of the group. It had the most
to gain and the most to lose by the
failure of the negotiations with the
United States. In political vernacu-
lar the government at Bogota was
trying to use the free state of Panama
to make money for what we could
call the Ring. Panama remonstrated
without avail.
The revolution was organized, and
with the assistance of Bunau-Varrilla,
a wealthy French engineer, was con-
summated. The manner of its devel-
opment is highly interesting. You
will find the exact facts concerning
the so-called interference of Mr.
Roosevelt in my book. There was
absolutely no interference. In 1903
the Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty was
consummated. For the sum origi-
nally offered to the government of
Colombia, Panama gave to the United
States in perpetuity the use, occupa-
tion and control of a strip ten miles
wide and extending three nautical
miles into the sea at either terminus.
The United States assumes the sani-
tation of the cities of Panama and
Colon and the maintenance of order
if need be.
The Republic of Panama has now
been recognized by all the nations of
the earth. It is about the same size
as the state of Maine. It has a splen-
did administration, a really fine con-
stitution and is a beautiful country.
The stuff that you may have read
about its swampy jungles and its mal-
adorous condition is generally the re-
sult either of malice or misinforma-
tion. It is not affected by earth-
quakes, has an average temperature
of seventy-nine degrees Fahrenheit
and never goes to 100 degrees Fah-
renheit, which is common in New
York and other parts of the Temper-
ate zone. The humidity is very
great. The winds of course are
steady, being in the range of the trade
current, and the rainfall is heavy in
season. October is the rainiest
month. Panama is the capital city.
To me it is by far more cosmopolitan
than any city except, perhaps, two we
have in the United States — and I
don't include New York among the
two. I am sorry I can't tell you more
about the city and the people and the
country. It is all exceedingly worth
while. The canal itself is being dug
through a route on which at no point
the mountains are three hundred feet
above sea level. This mountain is
where the famous Culebra cut is be-
ing scooped out. This is the crux of
the work. The earth taken out here
is conveyed to Colon which needs
building up and is being used to ele-
vate that city. After the various
confusing episodes that have occurred
since we have undertaken the canal,
I think we are getting along splen-
didly. The matter of sea-level and
lock canal has not been definitely set-
tled for all time and many authori-
ties think that we will have to adopt
the sea-level because of the geological
constitution of the soil. You know
there is no rocky mountain where we
are building the canal. The hills are
practically nothing but a friable earth.
The so-called backbone of North and
South America does not extend
across the isthmus. The rock in the
soil at the cut at Culebra has been
found at a depth of two hundred and
fifty feet. This is the plain record of
the principal facts regarding the con-
struction of the Panama Canal.
"God to the human soul,
And all the spheres that roll
Wrapped by her spirit in their robes of light,
Hath said: 'The primal plan
Of all the world and man
Is Forward! Progress is your law, your right!"'
639
fnr (Eontrfll nf Ammnt
Ambition of
tlir turnurau fhunrra
to Aoo Ihr ttlfiiimt (Continent to
QUjrir Eraairra & Amrrtra'a 3Fat* in ttjp Balanr*
During ilir (6rrat Battlra on lljr Spanish iHatu ^ Baring
Aavrntnrra of tn.r (Srrat Aomirala of Ihr (Caribbean g>ra
FRANCIS RUSSELL HART, F. R. Q. S.
MEMBER or MANY LEARNED AMERICAN SOCIETIES AND FELLOW OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
OF GREAT BRITAIN— COPYRIGHT ASSIGNED TO THE AUTHOR
Ere men the virtue of the magnet found,
The ocean scarcely heard a human sound,
For western suns were deemed to shine in
vain,
Or only light the monsters of the main.
The seas were narrow which the boldest
crost,
And numbers trembled if the shore were
lost.
Now a far world incites the liquid race,
And oceans vast our intercourse increase.
The use we know, but haply ne'er shall find
Whence to the pole the magnet is inclined;
How a dark, heavy stone the earth supplies,
great story of the Car-
ibbean Sea has as yet
been only half written.
il The story of discovery,
of conquest, of struggle
over the keeping, — a
story in which kings be-
came pirates and in which pirates be-
came almost kings, and in which the
destinies of the countries of the Old
World became singularly entwined
with the destinies of those of the New.
The motive of the struggles was gold,
not lands nor men.
The country of the North had later
its wars of conquest and of settlement,
but the plunder was land and great
rivers and not the storehouses of other
men. In a fragmentary way this
great romantic story has been written,
partly in the books of students of
history and part remaining in the
archives of the descendants of the
conquistadores. Some day the great
historian must come who will do for
the waters and shores of the great
Caribbean what Prescott and Park-
man have done for the North. The
Maintains a correspondence with the skies;
How it imparts to steel the art it knows,
Yet keeps entire the virtue it bestows:
Long may the needle feel the art divine,
To show the pathless way and wat'ry line;
Pointing the steersman straight o'er con-
vex seas,
Whose mere extent were else a clueless
maze;
For, foam the ship tow'rds tropic, line or
pole,
The compass seems her brain, tho' art's her
soul.
— J. KlRKPATRICK IN 1750.
preparation of these few monographs
has been due to a desire on the part of
the author to put in convenient form
for the future historian the story of
certain great battles and events in a
part of the Spanish Main with which
the author through several years' resi-
dence is most familiar.
For the most part the original rec-
ords and reports of those engaged in
the expeditions have been the sources
of information, the stories of both the
attacked and attacker being carefully
compared and each interpreted with
proper regard to local, physical and
other conditions personally observed
by the author.
By themselves these accounts
show a few characteristic events out
of the three centuries of struggles
during which Spain both reached and
fell from the zenith of her power in
both the Old and New Worlds.
This first monograph, with its rare
prints, tells the fascinating story of
that great -admiral, Drake, and his ad-
ventures on the Spanish Main from
1567 to 1596.
640
(great £>inrg nf tlf* (Caribbean
URING the last quarter of
the sixteenth century
Spain was the strongest
of European powers, and
Philip the most powerful
of monarchs. In the New
World, Spanish rule was
absolute from Florida to the Rio de la
Plata on the Atlantic coast, and from
the Isthmus south on the Western
coast of South America; in fact, a
papal grant had conveyed the whole
of America to the Spanish Crown.
A small French settlement on the St.
Lawrence in the North, and an expe-
dition to Labrador by Frobisher, un-
der the patronage of Queen Elizabeth,
showed that the somewhat arrogant
claim of Spain to the whole of Amer-
ica was not uncontested.
Protestant England under Eliza-
beth longed not only for a share of the
rich plunder which the exploitation of
the New World was gaining for
Spain, but also for an opportunity to
cross swords with Catholicism. On
both sides the adventurous spirit was
strangely mixed with religious enthu-
siasm. Prayers and. piracy were
closely, and often with sincerity,
blended. The fact that no commerce
except with Spain was permitted in
the New World made trade by English
ships and men possible only when car-
ried on by privateers or armed vessels.
The inevitable result of these condi-
tions was that English ships ostensibly
fitted for trade turned to plundering
the rich galleons of Spain, giving rise
to reprisals with terrible excesses on
both sides.
The story of the great seamen of
Elizabeth's reign — Drake, Hawkins
and Frobisher, is almost the history of
the England of their day; a story re-
plete with the romance of dangerous
adventure, reckless courage, cruelty
and craft, but none the less the story
of brave and gallant men who fought
battles not only for their own but for
succeeding generations.
Upon Drake's return from his great
voyage around the world, begun in
1577 and ended in 1580, he was re-
ceived with great enthusiasm by both
queen and country. On this voyage
he had sacked the unguarded coast
towns of Peru and Chili, and it is said
returned with over half a million ster-
ling of treasure taken chiefly from the
Spanish possessions. That Drake
himself was knighted and his com-
pany feted by all England, was not un-
naturally received as an insult by
Philip, and added fuel to the flames
of war already kindled. There could
be now no further question of concili-
ating Spain, and every effort was
made by Elizabeth and her sailor coun-
sellors to build up a naval establish-
ment of a strength equal to that of
Philip, his naval power having been
almost doubled through the acquisi-
tion of Portugal by the failure of its
royal line. To make havoc with the
Spanish possessions in the New World
appealed to both the political sagacity
of the queen and to the business-like
judgment of those imbued with the
buccaneer spirit of the age.
It has been necessary to touch thus
briefly on the general conditions
affecting Eneland and Spain at the
time of the expedition against Carta-
gena and other towns of the Spanish
Main, in order to more justly con-
ceive the true value and motives of an
attack which has been variously de-
scribed as a great legitimate naval ex-
pedition and as a series of wanton
piratical seizures. To more ade-
quately gain a proper perspective it
will be necessary to also touch briefly
on the earlier history of Drake.
Few men whose deeds have played
such an important and forceful part in
actual events, have had associated with
their names so much of almost legend-
ary romanticism as has that of Fran-
cis Drake. Knighted and made an
admiral by Elizabeth, and dubbed a
pirate by the Spaniards, he was in
truth a mixture of the great soldier-
admiral and the adventurous bucca-
neer. His father, Edmund Drake, is
said to have been at one time a sailor,
but be this as it may, he had become
vicar of Upchurch, living near Tavis-
nf tlj?
tock, under the patronage of the Earl
of Bedford. It was the earl's son,
Francis Russell, who endowed the son
born to Edmund Drake with his own
name.
Francis Drake was born about 1545.
His early associations were strongly
anti-Catholic. As a boy he was ap-
prenticed to the master and owner of
a small channel coasting vessel, and
appears to have been treated as a son
by the master, who upon his death not
very long after left the vessel to him.
Sir John Hawkins, said by some to
have been a kinsman of Drake, had
been early engaged in the slave-trade
and in trading expeditions to the West
Indies and Spanish Main. In 1567
he visited the Spanish Main, and only
succeeded in landing and selling his
negroes at Rio de la Hacha after over-
coming armed resistance. He finally
at Cartagena abandoned this com-
merce. This voyage was in many re-
spects unfortunate, and it was also
alleged that many acts of bad faith on
the part of the Spaniards brought
great hardships, sufferings and death
to many of Hawkins' unhappy com-
panions. Hawkins himself says in his
account of the expedition : "If all the
miseries and troublesome affairs of
this sorrowful voyage should be per-
fectly and thoroughly written, there
should need a painful man with his
pen, and as great a time as he had that
wrote the lives and deaths of the mar-
tyrs."
Great indignation was felt in Eng-
land over the mishaps of this voyage
and the treatment of the voyagers by
the Spaniards. Drake had taken part
in this expedition in command of the
"Judith," having previously sold his
own little coaster and used the pro-
ceeds, with his other earnings, for the
proper outfitting for this voyage with
Hawkins. Having lost everything in
this unhappy venture, from which he
barely escaped with his life, Drake be-
came an ardent supporter of the doc-
trine, soon popular in England, that
it was lawful to recover from the
Spaniards that which their treachery
had taken from the English traders.
In 1570 Drake again went to the
West Indies, this time with two ships,
the "Dragon" and the "Swan," and
again in 1571 with the "Swan" alone.
These voyages appear to have been
mainly for acquiring information, or
at least, that appears to have been their
chief result. With the experience
gained by these two voyages and the
previous one with Hawkins, he sailed
from Plymouth in May, 1572, with the
"Pacha" of seventy tons, and "Swan"
of twenty-five tons, with total crews of
seventy-three men and boys. By the
end of July he reached Nombre de
Dios, and after a sharp but brief en-
gagement, in which he himself was
wounded, captured the town. From
Nombre de Dios he sailed along the
coast towards Cartagena, capturing
several well-laden vessels on the way,
but making no stop of consequence un-
til arriving at the Isthmus of Darien.
There he found settlements of the
Cimarrones (or Maroons), negroes
who had escaped from slavery, with
whom he entered into intercourse and
by the chief of whom he was shown
from a "goodly and great high tree"
on a commanding height a sight of the
Pacific ocean. Drake is reported to
have "besought Almighty God of his
goodness to give him life and leave to
sail in an English ship on that sea."
This same chief guided and helped in
an expedition overland to intercept the
trains of mules which brought treas-
ure from Panama to Nombre de Dios.
Beyond taking possession of a small
town on the road and destroying some
property the expedition appears to
have been fruitless, and it was only
after great hardships and dangers that
Drake and his men regained their
ships. He returned to Plymouth
from this voyage on August 9, 1573,
somewhat enriched, but with his am-
bition in no way satisfied. A val-
orous and venturesome seaman
named John Oxenham, whose name
is closely associated with the stir-
ring events of that day in the Carib-
bean littoral, had served under Drake
642
&truggl? far ttft (Enntrnl of Ammra
in this expedition. About two years
later Oxenham, with one ship and sev-
enty men, retraced the course of Drake
to Darien with the object of inter-
cepting one of the richly laden mule
trains from Panama. Being informed
by the Cimarrones that the trains were
now accompanied by a strong guard,
he abandoned this plan and, helped by
a few of the Cimarrones, marched to
the Pacific side, built himself a small
pinnace, and gained the distinction
of being the first Englishman to sail
upon the Pacific ocean. In December,
1577, Drake started on his great trip
of circumnavigation, already referred
to, with a fleet consisting of the "Peli-
can" and four smaller vessels, having
a total complement of one hundred and
sixty-four men. That the plans for
this voyage had the full, if secret, con-
currence of the queen there seems little
doubt, notwithstanding the fact that
one of its real if not avowed ob-
jects was to prey upon the colonies of
a nation with which technical peace
existed. The story of this voyage has
no place here, but its great success
from both a naval and "profit-sharing"
standpoint, and the enthusiasm with
which the voyagers were received on
their return in September, 1580,
"richly fraught with gold, silver, silk,
pearls and precious stones," added
greatly to the prestige of Drake.
For the next four years Drake re-
mained in England, becoming mayor
of Plymouth for a brief period and
then entering Parliament as member
for Bossiney.
Early in 1585, Elizabeth could no
longer blind herself to the certainty
of the intention of Spain to attack
England. A fleet of English ships
laden with corn had been unfairly
seized, and swift retribution was
planned. Under letters of marque
Drake gathered about him at Ply-
mouth the most formidable squadron
of privateers ever gotten together,
consisting of twenty-five ships with a
total of twenty-three hundred sailors
and soldiers. His vice-admiral was
the doughty Martin Frobisher; his
643
rear-admiral, Francis Knollys, and
Lieutenant-General Christopher Car-
leill was in command of the ten com-
panies of land troops included in the
complement.
The fleet sailed from Plymouth on
the twelfth of September, 1585. After
threatening Bayona and Vigo, and by
his promptness and courage doing
much to injure the morale of the
Spanish naval defences, Drake pro-
ceeded to the Cape de Verde Islands,
taking almost unopposed possession
of the chief town, Santiago, and plun-
dering the islands for provisions and
anything of value. From there he
began his voyage towards the West
Indies with the greatest armament
which had ever crossed the Atlantic.
His plan was to weaken Spain by cut-
ting off the chief sources of her
wealth in the New World and to
strengthen England by obtaining the
mastery of the rich Caribbean ports
from which it seemed a limitless
stream of gold could be made to flow
into the Old World.
During the voyage to the West In-
dies the men suffered severe losses
from deaths due to an infectious sick-
ness, and the squadron arrived some-
what weakened in consequence at the
Island of Dominica. This island is
described by Thomas Gates, one of
the company officers who wrote a
complete account in Hakluyt's Voy-
ages, as inhabited by "savage people,
which goe all naked, their skinne col-
oured with some painting of a reddish
tawny, very personable and handsome
strong men." From thence the
squadron proceeded towards Hispani-
ola (San Domingo), spending Christ-
mas (1585) at anchor at the Island
of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) where
no people were found.
The city of San Domingo in His-
paniola was one of the chief strong-
holds of the Spaniards in the West
Indies, and so strongly built and for-
tified that no serious attack had previ-
ously been attempted upon it. It was
surrounded by walls and batteries of
some strength and reputed to be gar-
Extract from account published by M. Thomas Gates (V. Hakluyt's Voyages), entitled:
"A sr\IM \UM: AND TRUK DISCOURSE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE'S
WEST INDIAN VOYAGE. BEGUN IN THE TEERE
This worthy knight for the service of his Prince and countrey having prepared
his whole fleete, and gotten them down to Plimmouth in Devonshire, to the number
of five and twenty saile of ships and pinnesses, and having assembled of souldiers
and mariners, to the number of 2300 in the whole, embarked them and himself e at
Plimmouth aforesaid, the 12 day of September 1585, being accompanied with these
men of name and charge, which hereafter follow :
Master Christopher Carleil Lieutenant General, a man of long experience in the
warres as well by sea as land, who had formerly carried high offices in both kindes in
many fights, which he discharged alwaies very happily, and with great good reputation.
Anthonie Powel Sergeant Major.
Captaine Matthew Morgan, and Captaine John Sampson, Corporals of the field.
These officers had commandement over the rest of the land-Captaines, whose
names hereafter follow :
Captaine Anthony Plat, Captaine John Merchant,
Captaine Edward Winter, Captaine William Cecill,
Captaine John Goring, Captaine Walter Bigs,
Captaine Robert Pew, Captaine John Hannam,
Captaine George Barton, Captaine Richard Stanton.
Captaine Martine Frobisher Viceadmirall, a man of great experience in sea-faring
actions, who had carried the chiefe charge of many ships himselfe, in sundry voyages
before, being now shipped in the Primrose.
Captaine Francis Knolles, Reereadmirall in the Galeon Leicester.
Master Thomas Vennor, Captaine in the Elizabeth Bonadventure under the
Generall.
Master Edward Winter, Captaine in the Aide.
Master Christopher Carleil the Lieutenant generall, Captaine of the Tygar.
Henry White, Captaine of the sea Dragon.
Thomas Drake, Captaine of the Thomas.
Thomas Seelie, Captaine of the Minion.
Baily, Captaine of the Barke Talbot.
Robert Crosse, Captaine of the Bark Bond.
George Fortescue, Captaine of the Barke Bonner.
Edward Carelesse, Captaine of the Hope.
James Erizo, Captaine of the White Lyon.
Thomas Moone, Captaine of the Vantage.
John Vaughan, Captaine of the Drake.
John Varney, Captaine of the George.
John Martin, Captaine of the Benjamin.
Edward Gilman, Captaine of the Skout.
Richard Hawkins, Captaine of the Galiot called the Ducke.
Bitfield, Captaine of the Swallow.
risoned by a powerful force, although
the Spanish accounts state that about
2,000 only of the 8,000 inhabitants
were capable only of bearing arms
and that in the actual defense of the
city a few hundred only participated.
Gates refers to the "glorious fame
of the citie of S. Domingo, be-
ing the ancientest and chiefe inhab-
ited place in all the tract of country
thereabouts."
The squadron arrived at a safe
landing-place about ten miles from
the city, on New Year's day,
1586, and notwithstanding the com-
motion created in the city by
the approach of the large flotilla,
the troops were secretly landed with-
out molestation under cover of the
night. In the morning following,
Drake made a feint at landing on the
opposite side towards which Carleill
with the men already landed was ap-
proaching. The advantage gained by
this manoeuvre was pushed home, and
after a short engagement in the streets
and market-place the victory was
won.
The town being rather large for
complete occupancy by the small num-
ber of troops under Carleill, he was
directed by Drake to intrench himself
in the most important part of the town,
the Spanish troops being then divided
644
t RAN CIS
Q
CA?c/tt/V rvaj taken from an
bu tht Hon
Original
Sr Phillin SudcnJiam Bast Kn? of y /Jure for
Struggle fnr tlj? (Ennirnl 0f Am^rira
into two divisions, one which had fled
to safety well outside of the city, and
the other remaining in that part not
invested by the English forces.
Drake now demanded a large ran-
som for the release of the town.
During the negotiations he sent a
negro boy with a flag of truce to the
Spanish camp; the boy being met by
a few Spanish officers was so wound-
ed by one of them that he could barely
crawl back within his own lines to
die. This so inflamed the natural
anger of Drake that in the first burst
of his fury he had hanged, on the spot
of the boy's death, two friars who
were among the prisoners, and de-
clared that until the cowardly Span-
iard who killed the boy was publicly
executed two more prisoners would
be hanged daily. This demand was
quickly met. The amount of the ran-
som which the city, even with diffi-
culty, could pay, was not so great as
Drake had expected, and he had to be
contented with twenty-five thousand
ducats, probably equivalent to about
sixty thousand dollars of American
money. In addition, all valuable
property of a shape to permit of re-
moval was taken aboard the ships, in-
cluding from two to three hundred
guns and ample stores of provisions.
A few of the better vessels in the har-
bor were taken and the remainder de-
stroyed.
Exhilarated by victory, and with his
squadron in reinforced condition,
Drake sailed the middle of February
for Cartagena on the Spanish Main.
It was now that the experience which
lit had gained in his earlier voyages
stood him in good stead, for he could
approach this difficult shore and har-
bor with the confidence of an experi-
enced pilot.
The town of Cartagena had been
founded a little more than fifty years
before Drake's attack, and was
already well fortified, although its sys-
tem of walls and fortifications which
were afterwards intended to make it
impregnable, were not then wholly
completed. The town is situated at
the eastern extremity of the harbor or
Bay of Cartagena, on low level land
While its southwestern side faces the
harbor, its northwestern face is actu-
ally on the open sea itself and the
surf breaks near the base of strong
walls on that side. The remaining
boundary is largely made up of a
great shallow lagoon almost connect-
ing with the sea on the one side, and
connecting with the harbor on the
other. The harbor itself is made
nearly a closed basin by the Island of
Tierra Bomba, at each end of which
in Drake's time was an entrance for
ships, the larger called Boca Grande
being nearer the city, and the smaller
and more difficult called Boca Chica
being near the western end of the bay.
The Boca Grande entrance was
subsequently closed by artificial
means, which, when once effected,
was greatly helped by the natural
drift of the sands. It has now been
closed for all but the smallest boats
for over two centuries.
Cartagena, by reason of its magnifi-
cent harbor and its nearness to the
great river Magdalena, which led
down from the rich country in the in-
terior, had become the storehouse
of Spain in the New World, and the
headquarters of all Spanish com-
merce. Relying upon the reputation
of Cartagena for strength to keep it-
self from being attacked and having
no conception that such an audacious
attack upon his American possessions
would be made, Philip had not had
time to send out in advance of Drake's
arrival any reinforcements. So that,
although warned in advance of the
impending visit of Drake with his
formidable squadron, the governor of
Cartagena, Pedro Yique. could not
depend on more than eleven or twelve
hundred men all told for the defence
of his city. This force was made up
of fifty lancers, four hundred and fifty
harquebussiers, one hundred pikemen,
twenty negro musketeers, four hun-
dred India bowmen and one hundred
and fiftv harquebussiers who manned
two galleys in the harbor.
646
tlf?
The entrance to the inner harbor
was defended by a fort at the place
now called Pastelillo, but otherwise
there were no fortifications except
those surrounding the city itself.
The approach to the inner harbor was
further protected by chains, and the
narrow neck of land reaching from
the city to Boca Grande was defended
by a stone breastwork armed with a
few guns and several hundred men.
Drake entered through Boca
Grande between three and four in the
afternoon without resistance. At
nightfall he landed the troops under
the command of Carleill close to Boca
Grande. About midnight, having
failed to find paths through the thick
growth which covered the neck of
land, they marched along the beach
on the side towards the sea, meeting
only the slight resistance offered by a
small body of horsemen who retired
at the first volley.
The sound of this slight engage-
ment was a signal to Drake to order
the carrying out of a pre-arranged
plan, by which the ships attacked the
fort at the entrance te the inner har-
bor. This attack was a diversion and
was not pressed to a successful con-
clusion, as indeed would have been
difficult in view of the narrowness of
channel, the chains, and the well-sus-
tained gun fire from the fort.
During this attack by the ships the
troops pressed forward against the
breastworks, which consisted of a
well-built stone wall with a ditch with-
out and Bankings covering every part.
A small passing space was protected
by wine-butts filled with earth, the
whole mounted with six guns and fur-
ther protected by drawing into the
harbor shore the two large galleys.
Carleill forced the attack on the
space protected bv the wine-butts, and
largely through the superiority of the
English pikes and armour a breach
\\a^ made and quickly carried by
storm. The defenders were forced
into the city, where the streets were
strongly barricaded. The Indians
rendered active help to the Spaniards.
647
fighting with poisoned arrows and
with small sharp poisoned sticks about
eighteen inches long, and so placed in
the ground that contact with the poi-
soned ends was difficult to avoid.
Many of the Spanish leaders were
killed and Drake was soon in posses-
sion of the city. While Drake's idea
had been to permanently hold Carta-
gena and use it for a base from which
to attack the other-Spanish settlements,
the reduction which he had already
suffered in his forces and the persist-
ence of yellow fever among his men.
changed his plans and he determined
to exact the largest possible ransom
and leave the place. At a general
council of land captains held at Car-
tagena on the twenty-seventh of Feb-
ruary, it was resolved that it was in-
expedient to proceed with the intended
capture of Panama and it was re-
solved to proceed home by the way of
Florida.
Drake demanded a ransom of £100,-
ooo, but this sum was declared by the
Spaniards impossible to be gotten to-
gether and paid, and an amount equiv-
alent to about £28.000 was tendered.
In the meantime, notwithstanding va-
rious courtesies exchanged between
the higher officers on each side,
much irritation appears to have
arisen over the matter of the ransom,
and a considerable part of the city
was burned. Finally a ransom stated
by Cates to have been 110,000 ducats,
and by Spanish authorities to have
been $400.000. was paid and the Eng-
lish troops evacuated. Drake, how-
ever, after leaving the city, insisted
that an abbey or priory just outside
had not been included in the terms of
settlement, and continued to hold it
until an additional sum of i.ooo
crowns was paid.
Altogether the fleet had remained
at Cartagena six weeks when it finally
set sail the last of March, and was
even then delayed by leaky vessels
and did not arrive off Cape Anthony
on the eastern end of Cuba until the
twenty-seventh of April. Here the
fleet took water and proceeded to the
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Struggle for th? (Huntrnl nf Ammra
coast of Florida, where St. Augustine
and various smaller and less impor-
tant places were captured. The fleet
then sailed for Plymouth and arrived
there the twenty-eighth of July, 1586.
There were on this voyage a total
of seven hundred and fifty men lost
from all causes, the greater number
being from disease.
The total value of the booty gained
was about £60,000, not counting some
two hundred and forty pieces of ord-
nance, of which about two hundred
pieces were of brass, including sixty-
three from Cartagena.
Drake had ably and bravely exe-
cuted the task which had been given
him and returned home with increased
popularity and prestige. The actual
injury to the king of Spain by the ex-
pedition was less than the harm done
to individuals in the Spanish posses-
sions, a fact which served to create a
hatred of the English which survived
for generations.
In the following year, 1587, when
an invasion of England was agiin
feared by Elizabeth, Drake was ap-
pointed to command the English fleet
which was immediately formed to pre-
vent the "joining together of the king
of Spain's fleet out of their several
ports." He attacked Cadiz, where he
destroyed thirty-three vessels and car-
ried away others. After several other
captures he returned to England, to
be sent out again in July, 1588, as
vice-admiral, under Lord Howard, of
the fleet sent to intercept the "Spanish
Armada," the history of which is too
well-known to need repetition here.
The next year Drake was in com-
mand of an expedition to invade Spain
and Portugal. After his return from
this service he again served in Parlia-
ment, but the sea once more claimed
him in August, 1595, when he sailed,
on what was to be his last voyage, for
the West Indies with Sir John Hawk-
ins as his vice-admiral. Hawkins died
off Puerto Rico in November, and on
the twenty-eighth of January, 1596,
Drake himself died on board of his
ship when off Nombre de Dios after a
fortnight's illness in his cabin.
"TRVALL OF OUR FORTUNE" IN AMERICA IN 1585
Accurate Transcript from "a resolution of the Land-captaines, what course they think most expedi-
ent to bee taken. Given at Cartagena the xxvij.
of Februarie, 1585"
Whereas it hath pleased the Generall to demaund the opinions of his Captaines
what course they thinke most expedient to be now undertaken, the Land-captaines
being asembled by themselves together, and having advised hereupon, doe in three
points deliver the same.
The first, touching the keeping of the towne against the force of the enemie, either
that which is present, or that which may come out of Spaine, is answered thus :
We holder opinion, that which this troope of men which we have presently with
us in land-service, being victualled and munitioned, wee may well keepe the towne.
albeit that of men able to answere present service, we have not above 700. The
residue being some 150 men by reason of their hurts and sicknesse are altogether
unable to stand us in anystead ; wherefore hereupon the Sea-captaines are likewise to
give their resolution, how they will undertake the safetie and service of the Shippes
upon the arrival! of any Spanish Fleete.
The second poynt we make to be this, whether it bee meete to goe presently home-
ward, or els to continue further tryall of our fortune in undertaking such like enter-
prises as we have done already, and thereby to seeke after that bountifull masse of
treasure for recompence of our travailes, which was generally expected at our comming
forth of England : wherein we answere :
That it is well knowen how both we and the souldiers are entred into this action
as voluntarie men, without any imprest or gage from her Majestic or any body els.
and forasmuch as we have hitherto discharged the parts of honest men. so that now
650
(Srrat £>tnrij nf tlj? (Earibbrau
by the great blessing and favour of our good God there have bin taken three such
notable townes, wherein by the estimation of all men would have been found some
very great treasures, knowing that S. lapo was the chiefe citie of all the
Islands and traffiques thereabouts. S. Domingo the chiefe citie of Hispaniola. and the
head government not only of that Hand, but also of Cuba, and of all the Hands about
it. as also of such inhabitations of the tirme land, as were next unto it. & a place that
is both magnificently builded, and interteineth great trades of merchandise; and now
lastly the citie of Cartagena, which cannot be denied to be one of the chiefe places of
most especiall importance to the Spaniard of all the cities which be on this side of the
West India; we doe therefore consider, that since all these cities, with their goods and
prisoners taken in them, and the ransoms of the said cities being all put together, are
found farre short to satisfic that expectation which by the generality of the enterprisers
was first conceived : And being further advised of the slendernesse of our strengthe.
whereunto we be now reduced, as well in respect of the small number of able bodies,
as also not a little in regard of the slacke disposition of the greater part of those which
remaine. very many of the better mindes and men being either consumed by death, or
weakened by sicknes and hurts : And lastly, since that as yet there is not laid downe
to our knowledge any such enterprise as may seeme convenient to be undertaken with
such few as we are presently able to make, and withall of such certaine likelihoode. as
with Gods good successe which it may please him to bestow upon us. the same may
promise to yeeld us any sufficient contentment : We doe therefore conclude hereupon,
that it is better to hold sure as we may the honour already gotten, and with the same
to returne towards our gracious Soveraigne and Countrey, from whenece if it shall
please her Majestic to set us foorth againe with her orderly meanes and intertainment.
we are most ready and willing to goe through with anything that the uttermost of our
strength and indevour shall be able to reach unto; but therewithal we doc advise, and
protest that it is farre from our thoughts, either to refuse, or so much as to seeme
to be wearie of any thing, which for the present shalbe further required or directed
to be done by us from our Generall.
The third and last poynt is concerning the ransome of this citie of Cartagena, for
the which, before it was touched with any fire, there was made an offer of some xxviij.
thousand pounds sterling.
Thus much we utter herein as our opinions agreeing (so it be done in good sort)
to accept this offer aforesayde^ rather then to break off by standing still upon our
demaunds of one hundred thousand poundes, which seemes a matter impossible to bee
performed for the present by them, and to say trueth. wee may now with much honour
and reputation better be satisfied with that summe offered by them at the first (if they
will now bee contented to give it) then we might at that time with a great deale more,
inasmuch as we have taken our full pleasure both in the uttermost sacking and spoyling
of all their householde goods and merchandize, as also in that we have consumed and
ruined a great part of their Tpwne with fire. And thus much further is considered
herein by us, that as there bee in the Voyage a great many poore men. who have will-
ingly adventured their lives and travailes, and divers amongst them having spent their
apparell and such other little provisions as their small meanes might have given them
leave to prepare, which being done upon such good and allowable intention as this
action hath alwayes caried with it. meaning, against the Spanyard our greatest and
most dangerous enemie : so surely we cannot but have an inward regardes so farre as
may lye in us, to helpe either in all good sort towards the satisfaction of this their
expectation, and by procuring them some little benefite to incourage them and to nour-
ish this readie and willing disposition of theirs both in them and in others by their
example against any other time of like occasion. But because it may bee supposed
that herein wee fprgette not the private benefite of our selves, and are thereby the
rather mooved to incline our selves to this composition, wee doe therefore thinke good
for the clearing of ourselves of all such suspition. to declare heereby, that what part
oi portion soever it bee of this ransome or composition for Cartagena, which should
come unto us, wee doe freely give and bestowe the same wholy upon the poore men.
who have remayned with us in the Voyage, meaning as well the Sayler as the Souldier.
wishing with all our hearts it were such or MI much as might seeme a sufficient
rewarde fcr their painefull indevour. And for the tirme confirmation thereof, we have
thought nu-ete to sul signe these presents with our owne hands in the p!:u-e and time
aforesayd. Captaine Christopher Carleill Lieutenant Generall.
Captaine Goring.
Captaine Sampson. Captaine Powell &c.
AN EARLY AMERICAN FINANCIER
General Robert Patterson of Philadelphia— Born in irga— He was prominent in
the Development of the Sugar Industry of Louisiana and the Cotton
Mills of the South— An Organizer of Railroad Communica-
tion with Baltimore, a Financier of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad, and Steamship
Transportation with the
Southern ports
and Europe
Portrait in Possession of His Grand Daughter
(§b0prtratt0tt0 nf an iEarln. Anwriran
(EapitaltHt-"tSf? uia0 Unrn a King"
of
}.KiUri -.mi ••*
Sorn in 1T92 > An Jniimatr Jfrtrnh nf
All tiff ilrraiarnta from irffrraan ta (Sarfirlu. ana
(Dnp of th.r (Srratfat fflmljant fHagnatra of ilia (Srurralton j*
tmtnrnt Amrrirana anb Europrana (fcafyrrrfc at Ijia fflanaUm in
ORIUINAL DIARY IX POSSKSH1ON OK
MRS. LINDSAY PATTERSON
WIXSTOS-SALKJI, NORTH CAROLINA
GKAXIJ DACUHTEK or GENEIIAL KIIHEKT I'ATTEIHON
manuscript is from a
diary kept by General
• Robert Patterson of Phil-
^ adelphia when on a jour-
ney in 1835 from that
town to the upper Mis-
sissippi. In two volumes
he described minutely the people, cus-
toms, towns, hotels, crops, politics,
and more especially,. the early history
of each section visited. Written in his
illegible chirography. it was copied by
his son, the late Colonel William
Houston Patterson, who added many
explanatory notes, as at the age of
eleven he was taken by his father over
the same route. After Colonel Pat-
terson's death, the diary came into
the possession of his daughter. Mrs.
Lindsay Patterson of North Carolina.
General Patterson's route lay
through Virginia, following the old
Wilderness Road through East Ten-
nessee into Kentucky, down the Ohio
and up the Mississippi, through Iowa,
thence returning by the Great Lakes,
New York State, Hudson river, and
home again. He traveled by "rail-
car," stage, canal-boat, steam-boat
and horseback.
General Patterson was a man of
whom his contemporaries spoke in
terms of greatest praise.
The statesman. John Sherman, in
speaking of him. once remarked : "He
653
was a born king and the only man I
ever knew who would have graced
any throne in Europe."
General W infield Scott Hancock
said: "Having served through three
wars, that of 1812, the Mexican and
Civil War, General Paterson has had
a wider experience with men and
events than usually falls to the life of
one man, for in his time he has been
a successful planter, merchant and
manufacturer on grand scales, as well
as a distinguished soldier. Even at
this day. in his eighty-eighth year, he
controls the details of great manu-
factories, employing five thousand
operators."
General Joseph Eggleston John-
ston, the Confederate warrior, once
exclaimed: "For thirty years I have
admired General Patterson as a sol-
dier, patriot and gentleman."
General William Tecumseh Sher-
man, the Federal warrior, once paid
this tribute : "He is in history a strong
link between the men who built up
this government and those who saved
it, in the cruel Civil \Var. He does
possess and enjoy at this moment
more of the respect and affection of
his fellow-citizens than any living
n:an."
General Towne spoke of General
Patterson as the merchant magnate
of Philadelphia, and added: "His life
nf (ffottmil Sobrrt JJattrrann— Unrtt 1T92
is an illustration of eminent citizen-
ship in peace and honored soldiership
in war."
The beautiful Elizabeth Patterson,
of Baltimore, who married Jerome
Bonaparte, king of Westphalia, and
youngest brother of Napoleon, was a
cousin of General Patterson, the
writer of the diary here recorded.
The general always visited her once
a year. Just before her death she
sent for him in great haste. They
were closeted together for hours, but
he could never be induced to tell
what the conversation was about, and
many were the family speculations on
the subject.
Elizabeth Patterson was considered
the "handsomest woman in America."
Her romance with the brother of the
emperor has become history. They
were married with all the requisite
legal formalities, in 1803, by Arch-
bishop Carroll. She sailed for Eu-
rope in 1805 to meet the royal family
but the opposition of Napoleon pre-
vented her from landing and she fled
to England for refuge. The emperor
declared her marriage with his
brother annulled, through his council
of state, and, in 1807, just one hun-
dred years ago, her former husband
was made king of Westphalia, and
commanded a division at Waterloo,
only to be finally exiled with the
downfall of his brother.
A brother-in-law of Elizabeth Pat-
terson, through her royal marriage,
was Joseph Bonaparte, the elder
brother of Napoleon, who was made
king of Spain, in 1808, just one hun-
dred years ago next year. After the
defeat at Waterloo, he fled to America
and lived at Bordentown, New Jersey,
where he became intimate with the
Pattersons of Baltimore and Philadel-
phia. While the former king of
Spain was living at Bordentown, he
was a frequent visitor at General Pat-
terson's home in Philadelphia. The
tall candelabra now in the Blue Room
of the White House were originally
presented by Napoleon to Joseph
when he was made king of Spain.
When he fled to this country, he gave
them to General Patterson, who, feel-
ing that such historic treasures should
belong to the nation, gave them to the
White House when his friend, Gen-
eral Jackson, was made president.
The smaller candelabra to match are
still in the family. At the sale of the
Bonaparte effects, General Patterson
bought the dinner service of royal
Sevres. Each plate is decorated with
scenes from Napoleon's battles. They
are now on exhibition at the Exposi-
tion in Virginia, under the loan of
General Patterson's granddaughter,
Mrs. Lindsay Patterson, who is chair-
man of the North Carolina historical
commission, and who transcribes the
portions of her distinguished grand-
father's diary for these pages.
William Perrine, in relating the
lives of distinguished Americans in
"Old Philadelphia" gives this emi-
nence to General Patterson : He was
a Philadelphia!! whom few men
equalled in the impress he made upon
that city throughout an unusually
long life. As a merchant, a man of
affairs, a millionaire capitalist, a club-
man, a promoter, a veteran of the
War of 1812, the Mexican and Civil
War ; a host under whose roof-tree
gathered the army, the navy, the vol-
unteer service, the political, scientific,
pioneer and social life not only of
this country but of Europe, there was
no phase in Philadelphia activity in
which he did not play a part. From
youth to old age there were few civic
occasions of note, and certainly no
military ones, in which he was not
foremost among the leaders. In his
strong face, his keen eyes, his pene-
trating voice, his firm mouth and
erect figure there was the manner of
natural leadership and command
Long after he was past eighty years
of age he might be seen every morn-
ing in his little counting-room on
Chestnut street, the busiest man in the
establishment, often before his clerks
had rubbed the sleep out of their eyes.
Then it was that the venerable gen-
tleman received his visitors in a dress-
654
ODbBmtatuntB nf an Early Ammratt (Eapttaltfit
ing gown, and on his head a Scotch
cap — you imagined a cross between a
Carlyle and a von Moltke — but with
all that Kent read in the eyes of old
Lear, authority and distinction. At
one moment he might burst forth with
a torrent of irascible eloquence, such
a.", Kent's royal master could hardly
have exceeded in its majestic rage ;
and when it was all over, he might be
seen shaking the contents of the coal
scuttle into the office stove and then
turning to transactions involving mil-
lions of dollars.
His hard-headed common-sense, his
incisivcness of speech, his well-disci-
plined methods in the mastery of de-
tails, his tremendous capacity for
work, first exhibited in the drudgery
of the counting-rooms in his China
and East India trade early in the cen-
tury, his indomitable civic spirit and
the social quality in his virile fibre
brought him success as a man of
affairs in Philadelphia before he was
hardly more than thirty years of age.
A captain in the War of 1812, he
there acquired the lifelong friendship
of such subsequently distinguished
soldiers as Scott, (Saines, Zachary
Taylor, Leaven worth, Dearborn,
Riley, Croghan and others. Resign-
ing from the army in 1815, he wrent in-
to business on High street, and this
business afterwards developed into
many ramifications. The wholesale
purchase of sugar led him into the
sugar-growing districts of the South,
first as a buyer and then as a planter
on his own account. Pattersonville,
Louisiana, where he owned large es-
tates, was named for him. In time
his attention was directed to the cot-
ton trade in which he became a
grower in the South and a manufac-
turer in the North. During one
period of his life he was the owner
or the operator of not fewer than
thirty cotton mills. Time and again
he was called upon to give his aid to
the big enterprises that developed
Philadelphia from 1825 to 1860.
Sixty years ago he was at the head of
the company which opened railroad
«ss
COLONEL WILLIAM HOUSTON PATTERSON
—Son of the Philadelphia Financier who tran-
scribed His Father's Journal, and from whose
collection of rare prints, letters, photographs and
memoirs, this sketch is compiled by his daughter
communications with Baltimore ; one
of his chief functions was as a mem-
ber of the Board of Canal Commis-
sioners ; much of his money, together
with that of his younger brother, Wil-
liam C. Patterson, who was president
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany, in its infancy, went into the
construction of that road, and he was
one of the first to take part in intro-
ducing steamships into our commerce
with the South and with Europe. Eor
many years he was at the head of the
cotton mill industry.
General Patterson had the unique
experience of having been twice ap-
pointed president of the board of visi-
tors to West Point, being appointed
the first time by General Jackson in
1835, and again by President Hayes
after an interval of fifty years. The
ovation given him on the latter occa-
sion by the enthusiastic corps of
cadets is said to have been unequalled
in the history of the Academy.
The civic honor that he most appre-
ciated was upon the critical political
occasion of the contested electoral
iiary nf (irneral Sober! $IatterHrm— Snrn 1T92
vote which was decided in favor of
Hayes. President Grant called Gen-
eral Patterson to Washington to medi-
ate with the Southern members of
Congress. During his stay in Wash-
ington he was introduced to the Sen-
ate, upon the floor of the Senate
Chamber, by John Sherman, and the
Senate rose as one man to receive
him.
The "little white marble palace," as
the Patterson mansion at Thirteenth
and Locust streets was called, has
been torn down to make room for
"modern improvements." There prob-
ably is not another house in Phil-
adelphia in which so many distin-
guished Americans of the last three
generations have been gathered as
within the walls of this mansion.
General Patterson knew all, and cer-
tainly entertained most of, the presi-
dents of the United States, from Jef-
ferson to Garfield. He was still a
ycung man when he took part here in
receiving Lafayette, and later Mon-
roe, on that famous journey which be-
gan the short-lived era of good feel-
ing. Indeed, the soundness of the
general's intellect in his advancing
years caused him to be called the
"evergreen of the old men of Phila-
delphia"— paralleled by only a fe\v
such instances as Horace Binney,
Francis Gurney Smith. Thomas
Sully, William Henry Furness and
Frederick Fraley. In the prime
of his life he stood by the side
of Andrew Jackson on the day
when the Philadelphia democracy
threw open the town to "Old Hick-
ory ;" and when James K. Polk
came to the city, while president,
the dinner and great ball at the
Patterson mansion closed the festal
tributes to the Tennessee statesman.
In the conversations of his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Louise H. Lynde, and in the
memoirs of his son, Colonel William
Houston Patterson, both of whom
have since "fallen asleep," frequent
allusions were made to the most inter-
esting of the many visitors who were
entertained by General Patterson:
Lafayette, the Duke of Saxe-Weimar,
Keokuk and Black Hawk, chiefs of
the Sac and Fox nations, and fifty of
their warriors ; Joseph Bonaparte,
Captain Francis Marryatt, G. P. R.
James. Cass, Marcy, Gaines, Breck-
in ridge, Stockton. Charles Dickens,
Sam Houston, Henry Schoolcraft
and his gentle Indian wife, Major
Croghan, the hero of Fort Sandusky ;
Thomas H. Benton, du Chaillu ; \Veb-
ster, Henry Clay, Tupper, Lord
Houghton, General Sir Charles
Wyndham, the hero of the Crimea ;
Mrs. Chase, the heroine of Tampico;
Generals Scott and Taylor, Jesse D.
Elliott, "that human naval cyclone
whose controversy with Captain
Perry shook the navy department to
its center;" Seth Williams, "Prince
John" Magruder, "Gettysburg" Pick-
et!, Grant, Fitz John Porter, "the
martyr of the Civil War ;" John
Mercer Brooke, the planner of the
Confederate ram, "Merrimac." The
list is almost endless.
Robert Patterson was born in the
town of Strabane, County Tyrone,
Ireland, on the twelfth day of Janu-
ary, 1792, and passed away at his
home in Philadelphia on the eleventh
of August, 1 88 1, in the ninetieth year
of his age. He was the eldest son of
Francis Patterson and Ann Graham.
His paternal grandparents were Rob-
ert Patterson and Ann Fullerton ;
(maternal) Thomas Graham and
Jean McBeth. Of the family history
in Ireland little has been retained,
save the tombs in the Strabane
church-yard, which testify, in their
inscriptions and surmounting repro-
ductions of family coats of arms, that
Robert Patterson was of gentle blood.
Francis Patterson with his bosom
friends, Wolfe Tone and Robert
Emmett, had plunged, as an "United
Man," into the Irish troubles of 1798,.
had become seriously involved there-
in ; was arrested by the English gov-
ernment, tried after the peculiar
methods of the period, and sentenced
to be hanged. The loyalty of the
Grahams to the Crown and the influ-
656
ODbsrruatiuns 0f an Uarlg Amrrtrau fflapttaltat
GENERAL PATTERSON EN.TERTAINING DISTINGUISHED AMERICANS AT HIS PHILADEL-
PHIA MANSION— Members and Guests of the Aztec Club at an anniversary dinner given by General
Robert Patterson, president of the club— This rare photograph was taken as the celebrities were gathered on
the veranda overlooking the flower garden— At the left of General Patterson is General Grant— The other
guests are General George A. H. Blake. General Z. B. Town, General J. J. Abercrombie, General C. E. Bab-
cock, General William F. Barry, General Cadmus M. Wilcox, General Fitzjohn Porter, General I. G. Barnard,
General O. L. Shepherd, General William H. French, Governor M. L. Gonham, Colonel Charles I. Biddle, Sur-
geon John M. Cuyler, Major-General T. L. Alexander, Lieutenant-Colonel Fred D. Grant, Captain E. L. F.
Hardcastle, Captain Henry Coppee— Richar 1 Harding Davis in his novel. "Captain Macklln," describes this
dinner, usinur this photograph for the basis of his description of the men there gathered— The original is in the
collection of the late Colonel William Houston Patterson, and is loaned for this reproduction by his daughter
ence of the Marquis of Abercorn
(whose sister had married one of the
Grahams), induced the British gov-
ernment to commute the death sen-
tence of Francis Patterson and re-
mould his punishment to perpetual
banishment from his native land.
With his family he reached America
in the autumn of 1798, settling in Del-
aware County, Pennsylvania. His
son, Robert, at the age of fifteen, en-
tered the counting-room of a Mr.
Thompson, in the East India trade,
retiring at the age of eighteen to take
part in the \\ ;ir of 1812.
In 1817. he married Sarah Fugle,
of Germantown. Pennsylvania, a
65?
Quaker beauty, a gifted musician, a
brilliantly intellectual woman, whose
love for society and gracious charm
of manner rendered her a fit help-
meet for her distinguished husband.
She was very fond of Scott's poems,
and when bed-time came, put her
children to sleep reciting cantos of
"Lady of the Lake." Just before her
death, when both paralyzed and blind,
a loved one was grieving over her
condition. Her answer was never
forgotten :
The soul's dark cottage, battered and de-
cayed.
I.rt- in new light through chinks that time
has
An Early 3Jiwrnnj in ttt?
Arruratr Qlranarript from liarg of (irnrral Sobrrt iluttrnum nf
JJltilabrliJlna. fcrarrihing Ma QJn«r ttfnmgtf Hirciima.
iKniturlqi. Uu% oMun anb iHiaaiaBtppi Hinrra and ihr (irrat
mo.
J**,. •
<a*re/,a»ci*C 4^ &J^ I *4 &*rJrraAr SacsJ, cml/ jte
Jr.pJ. i-S
a
Transcribed by his son, the late Colonel William Houston Patterson, of Philadelphia
63»
QDhamiati0nH 0f an lEarlg Ammran (Hapttaltst
"OLD WILDERNESS ROAD" AT CUMBERLAND GAP IN EAST TENNESSEE
It was through this Gap that Daniel Boone passed on his first journey to Kentucky in i76g— General Patterson
passed through it in his early journeys described in his diary— This rare photograph is loaned from the
collection of the late Colonel William Houston Patterson, of Philadelphia, son of General Patterson
AY 23. Left Philadel-
phia in the six o'clock
boat. The morning1
was clear and brac-
ing but very cold for
the season. The
steamboat was crowd-
ed, having on board the cabin passen-
gers of the Packet ship "Susquehan-
nah" about to sail for England, and
from the period of leaving the wharf
at Chestnut street until we arrived
at Newcastle, there was a continuous
•M-c'iie of shaking hands, bidding fare-
well, wishing a pleasant voyage, etc..
etc., with here and there a sprinkling
of tears and red eyes. Quite a num-
ber of the mourners supposed that \\ <.•
;il>o were going to England, and
\\hen told our destination was the
West and Falls of St. Anthony, were
surprised at our hardihood and want
of taste. Arrived at Newcastle. We
took the cars over the Newcastle and
659
Frenchtown R. Road, a single track,
seventeen miles in length and nearly
parallel with the Delaware and Chesa-
peake Canal to Frenchtown. At the
latter place again took the steamboat
and passed down the Elk river and
GATHERING PLACE OP MANY NOTABLES
Old Patterson Mansion in Philadelphia- The mirrors
in the drawing room once belonged to Washington
—The marble mantles were once owned by Joseph
Bonaparte, the brother of the Emperor Napoleon
HIEROGLYPHIC NARRATIVE OF CAREER OF GENERAL ROBERT PATTERSON
Reproduction trom Original made by his son, Colonel William Houston Patterson, in imitation of the character
writing of the American aborigines -Interpretation: the shamrock and thistle denote Scotch-Irish ancestry;
pelican and scallop shell represent Patterson and Graham coats-of-arm; buffalo, deer and wild fowl signify
his love of hunting; the scalps, his prowess as a warrior — Beginning in the lower left corner these events are
typified: General Patterson capturing British in War of i8ia; his reception to Lafayette; trip west in a canal
boat; reception to Keokuk, Black Hawk and the Indian warriors; camping in Iowa in the early part of last
century; the ''Buckshot War:" reception to President Polk; dinner to officers of the Coldstream Guards;
"native American riots" and burning of Catholic churches In Philadelphia; experiences in Mexican War and
peace treaty; development of sugar and cotton trade in the South; Civil War in the United States; his closing
career as financier in industry, transportation and commerce in first days of the American Nation
660
QDbamratumH nf an lEarlg Am*riran (Capitalist
Chesapeake bay and up the Patapsco
river to Baltimore, sixty miles, where
we arrived about 3 o'clock.
May 24th. Left Baltimore at 9
o'clock for Washington, where we
arrived a little after 2 o'clock. In the
afternoon I called on the president
(Gen. Jackson) and had a long con-
versation with him, during which he
evinced his usual decision and judg-
ment. He invited the ladies and my-
self to dine with him at four o'clock
on the following day.
May 25th. At four o'clock we
went to the President's. The party
was small, comprising only the Gen-
eral's family and ourselves. The din-
ner was very neat and served in ex-
cellent taste, while the wines were of
the choicest qualities. The President
himself dined on the simplest fare —
bread and milk and a few vegetables.
After dinner we took a walk through
the grounds about the White House,
which are laid out with much neatness
and order and filled with shrubs and
flowers.
The President's mansion is an ele-
gant but not imposing edifice, built of
freestone painted white. . . .
After spending some time in conver-
sation we returned to our hotel.
The president is one of the most
agreeable and polished gentlemen I
ever knew. In his home he shows
the open-hearted and kind friend,
while on his face candor and decis-
ion are strongly marked. Locks that
are becoming silvery with age give
him a venerable appearance, while the
arm once so nobly wielded in defence
of his country is reduced to a mere
shadow and his bodily strength much
enervated. In one who has been
taught to look upon the hero of New
Orleans with a reverence only
equalled by that entertained for the
memory of the Father of his Country,
these mute witnesses of advancing
years serve but to make the sentiment
tenfold stronger. (The journal does
not mention the incident, but this was
probably the time when General Pat-
terson presented to the White House
the gilded bronze candelabra, now in
the Blue Room. They were origi-
nally given by Napoleon to his
brother Joseph, and by him to Gen-
eral Patterson, who, in turn, feeling
that such historic treasures should
belong to the Nation, presented them
to the White House.
May 26th. Left Washington about
daylight on the steamboat "Cham-
pion," a very swift boat, for Fred-
ericksburg. We had on board a large
number of the Virginia and North
Carolina delegates returning from the
Baltimore Convention and in no very
good humor at the defeat of Rives
who appears to be very popular.
Passed Fort Washington, a place
that appears to be strongly defended
by nature and art. Nearly opposite
on the western shore is Mt. Vernon,
sacred as the home and tomb of
Washington. It is now owned by
Judge Washington, the General's
nephew. . . .
From the Potoma<. landing to Fred-
ericksburg, we passed innumerable
quantities of flowers. It was in the
vicinity of Fredericksburg that Wash-
ington was born and here he passed
his early years, and here, too, repose,
beneath an unfinished monument, the
remains of his honored mother. The
birthplace of the" Father of his Coun-
try is about half a mile from the junc-
tion of Pope's Creek with the Poto-
mac in Westmoreland County. It is
upon the Wakefield estate.
The house in which the great
patriot was born was destroyed be-
fore the revolution. It was a plain
Virginia farmhouse of the better
class, with four rooms and an enor-
mous chimney on the outside, at each
end. The spot where it once stood
is now marked by a slab of freestone,
which was deposited by Geo. W. P.
Curtis, Esq., in the presence of other
gentlemen in June 1815. "Desirous"
says Mr. Curtis, in a letter on the sub-
ject to Mr. Lossing, "of making the
ceremonial of depositing the stone, as
imposing as circumstances would per-
mit, we enveloped it in the Star Span-
661
Starg nf
Unhurt
— $nrn 1732
gled Banner of our country and it
was borne to its resting place, in the
arms of the descendants of four pa-
triots and soldiers. We gathered
together the bricks of the ancient
chimney, which once formed the
hearth around which Washington in
his infancy had played, and construct-
ed a rude kind of pedestal, on which
we reverently placed the first stone,
commending it to the respect and pro-
tection of the American people in gen-
eral and those of Westmoreland in
particular. On the tallest is the sim-
plest inscription: "Here the nth of
February (O. S.) 1732, George
Washington was born." The mother
of Washington resided, during the
latter part of her life, in Fredericks-
burg near the spot where she now
lies buried, and which she herself,
years before her death, selected for
her grave, and to which she was wont
to retire for private and devotional
thought. It is marked by an unfin-
ished monument, the corner stone of
which was laid by our present Chief
Magistrate on the 7th May, 1833, m
the presence of a great concourse, and
with most solemn ceremonial. The
house of her abode is on the corner
of Charles and Lewis Streets. It was
here that her last interview with her
illustrious son took place when she
was bowed down with age and dis-
ease.
Left Fredericksburg at 12 o'clock
and dined at the first change of
horses, ten miles beyond. Our ride
this afternoon was through an unin-
teresting country. Five miles from
Orange C. H. were detained more
than an hour as our driver was igno-
rant of the road and fearful of washes
and apprehensive of danger. About
9 o'clock we reached Orange C. H.
and were comfortably accommodated
for the night.
May 27th. Started in the stage be-
fore day and rode thirteen miles be-
fore breakfast. Our meal was served
in a room used in winter for corn and
in summer for an eating room.
Breakfast concluded, we moved on.
The day was pleasant and we had a
delightful drive through a rich and
highly cultivated country. Passed
Monticello, the late residence of Mr.
Jefferson, also the seats of Mr. Madi-
son, P. P., Mr. James Barbour, Mr.
Rives, and others.
Monticello, once the beautiful home
and now the tomb of Jefferson, is sit-
uated about four miles east of Char-
lottesville, upon an eminence, with
many aspen trees around it, and com-
mands a view of the Blue Ridge for
one hundred and fifty miles on one
side and on the other one of the most
beautiful and extensive landscapes in
the world. . . .
Monticello was a point of great
attraction to the learned of all lands,
when traveling in this country while
Jefferson lived. His writings made
him favorably known as a scholar and
his public position made him honored
by the nations. Wirt, writing of the
interior arrangements of the house,
during Mr. Jefferson's life time, re-
cords that in the spacious and lofty
hall which opens to the visitors in en-
tering, he "marks no tawdy and un-
meaning ornaments, but before, on
the right, on the left, all around, the
eye is struck and gratified by objects
of science and taste so classed and
arranged as to produce the finest
effect. On one side specimens of
sculpture, set out in such order as to
exhibit at a coup d'ceil, the historic
progress of the art, from the first
rude attempt of the aborigines of the
country, up to that exquisite and fin-
ished bust of the great patriot himself
from the master hand of Carrachi.
"On the other side the visitor sees
displayed a vast collection of the spec-
imens of the Indian art, their paint-
ings, weapons, ornaments and manu-
factures ; on another an array of fos-
sils of our country, mineral and ani-
mal; the petrified remains of those
colossal monsters which once trod our
forests and are no more ; and a varie-
gated display of the branching honors
of the monarchs of the waste that still
people the wilds of the American
66*
Oi)bB?nmti0ttH of an Earlij Amfriran (EapitaltBt
continent." Wirt tells of being "in
a large room, with exquisite pro-
ductions of the painted art, and
from its windows opened a view of
the surrounding country that no
painting could imitate. Here too
were medallions and engravings in
great profusion."
Changed stages at Charlottesville ;
took a view of the town and Univer-
sity and set off again on our road
toward Lynchburg. The University
of Virginia is one of the most dis-
tinguished of the colleges of the
United States. ... It was founded
in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson and so
great was his interest in its success
and his estimate of its importance,
that in his epitaph, found among his
papers, he ranked his share in its
foundation, third among the achieve-
ments and honors of his life — the
authorship of the Declaration of In-
dependence being the first, and of the
Virginia statute for Religious Free-
dom, the second.
The University is controlled and
endowed by the State.
Crossed in our afternoon drive the
Rockfish river in several places. The
scenery all along its banks is wild and
very beautiful. The ivy, or moun-
tain laurel, the magnolia and fringe
were all in full bloom. The mag-
nolia clustered all along the banks,
with the ivy and fringe crowning the
magnolia, and the whole o'ershad-
owed by the forest trees, presented a
rich effect. Shortly after dark, we
arrived at Nelson C. H. and put up at
an excellent tavern for the night.
May 28. Left Nelson C. H. about
2 o'clock in the morning and rode to
New Glasgow to breakfast stopping
at a mean tavern to obtain a meaner
meal. I omitted yesterday to men-
tion that at our dining place, we met
Mr. Rives and had a long conversa-
tion with him, the driver of the stage
being kind enough to wait until it
suited our convenience to go on.
Mr. Rives was returning from an
Episcopal convention at Lynchburg
and learned from us the result of the
663
nomination at Baltimore. I was
struck with his temper and modera-
tion. To Lynchburg to dinner. It is
not a handsome town but does a con-
siderable business, being the center of
the tobacco trade for several counties
and ought to do a large forwarding
business for western Virginia. We
travelled late in the day and it was 10
o'clock before we got to our journey's
end.
May 29th. Started a little before
dawn, having been detained some
time by a magpie in petticoats who
had joined us at Lynchburg and to
our great annoyance was to be our
travelling companion as far as Chris-
tianburg. Rode fourteen miles to
breakfast. Changed stages and com-
menced crossing the Blue Ridge. On
the Ridge the ivy was very thick,
both slopes were covered, forming a
beautiful contrast \vith the tulip tree
which bears a deep orange and yellow
cup-shaped flower.
Passed Big Lick and dined at Sa-
lem. . . . Reached the latter place
in time to connect with the Lexington
line of stages and were fortunate
enough to secure good seats. The
Lynchburg route is pleasanter than
the one by Lexington, the roads being
much easier. Left Salem at 12
o'clock for Christianburg where we
were to stay all night. The Alle-
gheny is full of the locust and fringe
trees, and close to them grows a wild
flock and a small shrub of a different
class, the flower of which resembles
that of the geranium in form and
color, while the leaf is very different,
being sharp and pointed and growing
in a single stalk a foot in height.
During the afternoon crossed the
Roanoke nine times. . . .
May 31. Left at daybreak, and
went to Lexington C. H. to breakfast.
Crossed and forded the Holston
several times. Along its bank were
clustered the black haw and haw-
thorne in great abundance. . . .
At the ford of the north fork of the
Holston, a main tributary of the Ten-
nessee, there is a fine bottom land
Itarg nf (Sktwral Soterl
— Inrn 1752
which is very productive, yielding
eighty bushels of maize to the acre.
This valuable estate belongs to Gen-
eral Preston, father to the distin-
guished senator from So. Carolina,
Col. Preston. Gen. Preston is a person
of the highest respectability and has
always been distinguished for great
energy of character, without which,
no man under the circumstances of
the period when he first came here,
would have advanced into so unset-
tled a wilderness as this was. He is
now a very opulent land holder and
can count one hundred and sixty two
descendants.
June ist. Having disposed of our
breakfast we left Abingdon about 9
o'clock. It being Sunday morning,
and the stage going but half the dis-
tance, we did not start as early as
usual, and then moved leisurely on to
Blountville. . . .
About four o'clock in the afternoon
a funeral passed through the town.
The corpse was in a wagon, covered
with a counterpane. Part of the
mourners were in carriages, the re-
mainder were on horseback. There
was no attempt at solemnity in the
proceedings.
June 2. Started at I o'clock and
went eleven miles to breakfast. The
roads being bad made slow driving
and were nearly upsetting several
times. Passed Kingsport (the boat
yard) on the Holston. The river at
this place is very broad and deep.
Although a number of boats are load-
ed between this place and the mouth
of the Watauga, yet it is considered
the head of navigation. . . .
Dined at Rogersville, the seat of
justice of Hawkins Co. On the 5th
day of November 1791 a printing
press was established at this place by
a Mr. Roulstone and a paper issued
entitled the Knoxville Gazette, being
the first paper ever printed in the ter-
ritory. In 1833, Rogersville con-
tained 300 inhabitants, four lawyers,
two doctors, one academy, seven
stores, three taverns, six blacksmiths,
three bricklayers, four carpenters,
four cabinet makers, two painters,
two hatters, four tailors, four shoe-
makers, two saddlers, one silver
smith, three tanners, one tinker and
four wagon makers.
Two and a half miles east of North
Rogersville is a hill composed wholly
of marble, white, gray and some-
times red. There is a similar hill on
the road eight miles west of the town.
Reached Bean's station, where we
staid all night.
June 3rd. Rose at 3 o'clock and
riding to the foot of Clinch Mountain
(about a mile) commenced the ascent.
As the baggage was heavy the gentle-
men agreeed to walk and . . .
Along the northern slope of this
mountain a vein of gray and varie-
gated marble extends for fifty miles.
About a mile beyond the Clinch ford
my brother James met us with horses
and about 10 o'clock, we arrived in
Tazewell, where we had the pleasure
of finding our friends and relatives all
in good health.
June nth. Went over to my fath-
er's place on Sycamore and had the
satisfaction of once more embracing
my good and venerable parents. . . .
June i /th. Left Tazewell ; my
father and Dr. Fulkerson accompa-
nied me, the former about six miles
when we urged him to return, fear-
ing the long ride would do him no
service. Our emotions at parting
were most painful. My father was
far advanced in years, becoming fee-
ble, and could not, in the course of
nature, last much longer, while I was
going on a long journey in search of
health I might not find. Both felt as
if we were looking on the other for the
last time, and as we embraced, neither
could speak. A long time will elapse
ere the parting scene will be effaced
from my memory. After we had
separated I could observe my father
looking after us as long as we could
be seen. Dr. Fulkerson continued
with me until we reached the foot of
Cumberland Mountain, when he also
took leave and I pursued my solitary
way across the mountains into Ken-
nf an Earlg Am^riran (ttapitaltst
tucky. The scenery at the Gap is
magnificent. On the one side, spread
out at your feet is the rich valley of
Kentucky, stretching away as far as
the eye will reach, while on the other
are the hills and valleys of East Ten-
nessee. It was through this gap that
Daniel Boone passed on his, first visit
to Kentucky and one can but echo his
expression when looking for the first
time on the scene of his triumph, that
it was a country worth fighting for.
The first visit of Boone to the wilder-
ness of Kentucky was about the year
1769 at which period he and his hardy
companions made the earliest settle-
ment at Boonesborough. In 1774
Harrodsburg was begun and Lexing-
ton a year or two afterwards. . . .
A memorable battle was fought near
the Bluelick Springs August iQth,
1782, between the Kentuckians and
the Indians. An unequal and disas-
trous conflict in which the colonists
were routed with a loss of sixty men,
among them a son of the gallant
Boone. ... In the Gap, near the
point where the road dips to descend
the mountain, and on the verge of the
road itself, is a huge isolated rock to
which tradition has imparted an in-
terest not shared by its larger and
smaller brethren in the neighborhood.
\Yhen this entire country was a wil-
derness of forests and the pioneers
were guided in their movements by
their knowledge of woodcraft alone,
with not even a sheep track to guide
their steps, this rock was selected by
the savages as a favorite position to
waylay the unsuspecting woodsman
on his journey across the mountain.
Many are said to have fallen victims
by that fatal rock and it was not until
the country became cleared and a
road opened exposing the ground
around this death pass, that the spot
ceased to be an object of dread. Its
singular formation, being cleft in the
center, rendered the position pecu-
liarly favorable for the purpose for
which the natives had selected it.
Tradition further says that two of the
victims (white men) were buried be-
neath the rock. (One was Elkanah
Bramlette, from Bedford County,
Virginia.) . . . Crossing the
Cumberland river at a point some
fifteen miles above Barboursville,
1 kept along its margin until I
reached that town. It had not been
my intention to travel so far that day
but being mounted on Messenger, a
blooded mare of my brother's that
walked faster than any animal I had
ever ridden, I felt some curiosity to
try her power. I left Tazewell at 7
o'clock and reached Barboursville at
25 minutes after 6 o'clock, accom-
plishing without feeding or going out
of a walk, 44 miles in eleven hours,
less five minutes, crossing on the
route Cumberland Mountain and
some difficult hills. . . . There
were immense cane brakes in this sec-
tion in former times but they have
been destroyed by the cattle of the
settlers. In places inaccessible to cat-
tle, the cane is still found. This is
the "old wilderness road" the country
between Cumberland and the Crab
Orchard still bearing the name, being
thickly settled and abounding in
game. It is said that there are more
deer in this region than in any section
of the Union.
June i8th. Left Barboursville for
Williamsburg. . . . The greater
portion of the road was nothing but
a bridle path. Would never have
found my way but for the guidance of
the mail carrier. The timber through
which we passed was very heavy and
in some places so dense as to exclude
the sun. Had again to ford the Cum-
berland which was so deep as to wet
our saddle bags. Reached Williams-
burg at 3 o'clock. . . . While
there I received some singular illus-
trations of the ridiculous extent to
which so called mail facilities have
been carried in the West.
A mail from Barboursville to Mon-
ticello, passes through Williamsburg
twice a week — once each way. The
annual carriage amounts to about
one hundred letters, while the Gov-
ernment pays the contractor $600.
iiarg of <$?ti?rgl Unhurt
— Hunt 1?92
There is also a cross mail running to
a certain Martin Beatty's (a member
of Congress) over which route the
mail-rider told me a letter had not
passed for three months. He also in-
formed me that there was not a house
within eleven miles of the office, and
to the best of his knowledge and be-
lief there had never been a letter or
paper taken there for any other per-
son than Martin Beatty or some one
in his employ, so that it would ap-
pear as if the office had been estab-
lished and the contract given for the
exclusive benefit of Mr. Beatty, who
is thus paid a commission for receiv-
ing his own letters.
On my arrival at Williamsburg, I
sent for Judge Eve who was holding
court there. He came immediately
and after some conversation, agreed
to adjourn court and go with me next
morning to the mouth of Rock Castle,
where at the coal banks, I expected to
find General . Our road today
led through a wilderness — we saw
but one house in 35 miles. . . .
In crossing Laurel, we missed the
trail and had to break our way over
and around stumps and fallen trees,
scramble up one ravine and down
another, climbing up and sliding
down rocks until our horses, although
first rate animals, were completely
worn out. At last we reached the
mouth of Rock Castle. Found Gen-
eral at a saw mill he had erected
some miles above the coal banks.
His establishment presented an odd
mixture of pride and poverty, extrav-
agance and meanness ; himself attired
in a good suit of blue cloth, his wife
in a handsome chintz, while his little
son was dressed in a full city suit and
sported a polished leather belt with a
gilt buckle, while the trio resided in a
slab cabin with a superior mud floor.
Two negroes waited on them. At the
saw mill the General had three men
to help him do work that in Pennsyl-
vania would have been undertaken
by one individual. During the even-
ing and on the following morning
every effort was made by Judge Eve
and myself to produce from General
— money or property for the debt
he owed me, but in vain. All we
could get was a judgment. During
the night a violent storm of rain and
hail arose, the rain beat in through
the slabs, the atmosphere changed
from extreme heat to extreme cold
and our situation became anything
but a comfortable one.
June 20. After breakfast left Rock
Castle to return to Barboursville fully
impressed with the conviction that in
the year 1835, there was not a greater
scoundrel in Kentucky than General
. After riding about 20 or 30
miles we came to a farm house and
alighted to get some refreshment for
ourselves and horses. I was amused
with the judge's dexterity in bed
making; a bear skin spread on the
floor with his saddle for a pillow con-
stituted a pallet on which we took a
comfortable rest, while the good lady
of the house broiled some chicken,
with ham and eggs on which we made
a comfortable dinner, closing with a
dessert of cherry pie, honey and
sweet milk, after which we mounted
our nags and resumed our journey
towards Barboursville, where we
arrived about dark.
Judge Eve insisted that during my
stay I should consider his house my
home, and I accepted the invitation.
Mrs. Eve I found a very ladylike
woman and a good housekeeper.
Everything was done to render my
stay agreeable, and while in Barbours-
ville, I was the recipient of the most
attentive kindness from Judge and
Mrs. Eve and from every member of
their connection.
June 2 1 st. The day was so cold
we had fires and wore great coats.
There was no church and the day was
spent as most Sundays are under the
circumstances — in walking about and
talking politics. There was service
about five miles off, but I was too
much fatigued with the exertions of
the previous day to attend. A num-
ber of the gentlemen of Barboursville
called and invited me to their houses.
666
nf an lEarlg Am*rtran (SaptialtBt
June 22nd. Was the first clay of
court-week, and as customary all the
surrounding country came to town.
Most of the lawyers I had met at Wil-
liamsburg. As I had nothing to do,
the Judge invited me to come to court
and take a seat on the bench, to which
I acceded, knowing the scene in the
court would afford me both amuse-
ment and instruction. The Bar was
composed of intelligent, common-
sense men, possessing a great deal of
tact and judgment. The Judge pre-
sided with ability and despatched bus-
iness promptly and correctly.
June 23rd. Following yesterday's
programme, went to court. While in
the court house could not help but
recall Mrs. Trollope's tirade on to-
bacco chewing. Here every one
chews, and the floor was reeking with
little pools of tobacco juice, or "am-
beer" as the natives called it. While
the court was in session a fight was
improvised at the door. I was desir-
ous of seeing a real knock-down, drag
out, bite and gouge Kentucky fight,
but the Judge was not disposed to en-
courage such "gentle passages of
arms" and sent some officers to bring
the combatants into court. When, to
his astonishment, he learned that one
of them was his particular friend, Col.
Garrard, who had dined with us the
day before, and was withal the favor-
ite candidate of the Judge for Con-
gress. The quarrel originated in pol-
itics. When the participants were
brought in, covered with dirt and
scratches they looked somewhat furi-
ous, but were evidently ashamed. The
Judge reprimanded them and charged
each ten dollars when they left the
court.
In the afternoon I took leave of my
friends and after tea, conveyed my
baggage and myself to the stage
house. The stage arrived about mid-
night. . . . Reached Crab Or-
chard about dusk and put up at most
excellent house. . . . The place
derives its name from the number of
wild crab apple trees that were found
in the vicinity at the period of its first
settlement. Immense thickets are
still found in the neighborhood. . . .
We crossed today the Rockcastle
river, the shores of which were cov-
ered with water laurel and wild cu-
cumber. The latter grows to a tree
of considerable size bearing a very
large white flower.
June 25th. . . . Reached Lan-
caster about 12 o'clock. The macad-
amized road from thence to Louis-
ville may revive the place. This road
is graded as far as Lancaster but the
stone has not been laid.
Rode to Smith's beyond Lancaster
to dinner, the only one that reminded
one of a Pennsylvania farmer. The
place was in excellent order, and
marked by a neatness entirely differ-
ent from all other farms I had seen.
June 26th. . . . Left Nicholas-
ville about 2 o'clock and arrived at
Lexington about 5 o'clock. The
country through which we passed was
a perfect Paradise, especially as we
approached Lexington, everything in-
dicated fine farms and fine farmers.
The grass fields and hemp meadows
were luxuriant while the woodlands
were free from undergrowth and be-
neath was a rich carpet of the famed
blue grass, the whole fenced in to pre-
serve the pasture. Here and there
under the trees, noble cattle were lei-
surely cropping the grass; occasion-
ally one would look up and stupidly
gaze at us over his moist nose, as we
passed. . . . On our return to
the hotel about dusk, met Gen. Combs
who was very glad to see me and
wished me to stay and dine with him
but being fearful of losing the boat
for the upper Mississippi, I was
obliged to decline. . . .
June 27th. Left Lexington about
sunrise by rail-car for Frankfort
where we arrived about 8^2 o'clock,
and took breakfast. Would have pre-
ferred the stage as enabling us to re-
mark the country through which we
passed, more at leisure, but could not
have reached Frankfort by that route
in time to connect with the Louis-
ville stage. The view from the hills
itarg of
Hntert
— Unrtt 1?92
ere you enter the town is beautiful.
. . . At Frankfort we resumed the
stage. . . . Our road towards
Louisville lay through a beautiful
country over a good macadamized
turnpike. . . . Arrived at Louis-
ville in the afternoon sufficiently early
to take a walk through the town and
look at the steamboats which lined the
river front.
It is a well laid out town advanta-
geously placed on the south bank of
the Ohio and accessible to the portly
steamers that constantly resort to it.
. . . The channel of the river
where the water is low, is near the
north bank, on the shore of the state
of Indiana and at such times you can
walk with great security to a few
islands which are between it and the
city. . . . On one of these islands
is a surprising abundance of fossils,
many of which I had never seen be-
fore, and of which I made a rich col-
lection. Most of the beds pf lime-
stone are bituminous and the smell in
some of them amounts to fetor. Pe-
troleum is found in many cavities and
I was informed that where they were
engaged in blasting the beds for con-
structing the canal, they came to
places where a gallon of the mineral
oil could be collected during the
twenty-four hours. The frequency
of this phenomenon has led some per-
sons to suppose that all the deposits of
bituminous coal are not of vegetable
origin. Upon the whole Louisville
is a prosperous and agreeable place,
and appears to be under government
of judicious magistrates. It was laid
off by Capt. Thos. Bullitt of Virginia,
in August 1773, but no settlement was
made until 1778 when a small party
arrived here with George Rogers
Clark and settled on what is now
known as Corn Island, close to the
Kentucky shore. After the posts
occupied by the British on the
Wabash had been taken by General
Clark, they removed to the spot on
which Louisville now stands, in the
fall of the same year. They built a
block house here which was subse-
quently removed and a large fort
erected in 1782, called Fort Nelson.
In 1780, the town was established by
an act of the Legislature of Virginia
under whose jurisdiction Kentucky
then was. At this time the popula-
tion was only thirty. The Kentucki-
ans are an enterprising, industrious
and united people; they inhabit a
beautiful country and cultivated a
generous soil. With a magnificent
river upon their frontier, they can
convey their tobacco, pork, corn, and
their other various productions to
every part of the earth. They seem
to have all the elements within them-
selves of permanent prosperity. Their
acknowledged leader is Henry Clay;
his name which is so well known
throughout the United States operates
as a talisman in Kentucky. He is the
most extensive farmer, the most spir-
ited, improver of all the breeds of cat-
tle, horses and mules ; the most affable
of men to all classes. He has never
been known to do a mean action either
in his public or private capacity. . . .
June 28th. Sunday. After break-
fast got a carriage and rode around
town and down to Shippings Port to
see the Louisville and Portland Canal.
This canal was a bold undertaking, in
length for about two miles ; the exca-
vation for a greater portion of that
distance being made through solid
rock. It is in some places forty feet
deep and of sufficient width to pass
steamboats through. The canal is
owned by an incorporated company,
the General Government holding
nearly one half the stock. . . .
Little regard seemed to be paid to the
day, the greater portion of the stores
being open and business transacted as
on week days. Engaged a passage
on the "Velocipede" for St. Louis
and was fortunate enough to secure a
passage for each of our company.
Here the old journal begins its in-
teresting narrative of the journey on
the Mississippi river, in which is re-
lated many incidents of life along
America's great way in last century.
668
(Sty Fatter of % Ammran
(Cnmmaubrr
of tyr Jlrat Braarl to
5finlit Hnbrr thr Atnrriran 5fluu ^ u/hr
" trxtngton." natnri) after tl|r ilrat llattlr tn tJfr
Amrrtran Rrnolutton, (Captnrrb ty* JirBt *r«tBl| &l|tp tn tljp
&trugglr for Jnor^nornrr > Gty* frtorg of dommooor? Jolyn Sarrg, Som tn 1 745
BT
RICHARD M. REILLT
MXMBKK Or THB PENNSYLVANIA BAR
3N the War of the Revolu-
tion some men made
reputations over night.
Like the fabled goddess
who sprang full-fledged
from the foam of the sea,
they leaped into promi-
nence by a single act. Others did
yeoman service throughout that mem-
orable campaign, but lacked the trum-
peter to sound their praises, and were
quite content to play their brave parts,
rewarded by the consciousness of
work well done, and little recking of
the verdict of posterity. True worth
is always modest and self-effacing.
Therefore is it that the chronicler
finds his task a pleasing one to piece
together the fragments of one of
these noble and unassuming lives into
a mosaic worthy to hold an honored
place in a picture of the period.
Of this type of modest heroes was
the subject of this sketch, John Barry,
born in Ballysampson, County Wex-
ford, Ireland, in 1745. His family
name, de Barry, suggestive of Nor-
mandy origin, is found in Wexford
as early as the fourteenth century.
Brought up with the salt air in his
nostrils, it is easy to understand how,
as a lad of fifteen years, he found a
place with his uncle, master of a ves-
sel trading out of Wexford. His sea
journeys brought him often to Phila-
delphia, and he is found in his early
years in the employ of the merchant
princes of their time, the Willings, the
Merediths and Cadwalladers, sailing
on their vessels in varied capacities.
The first record of him as a sea cap-
669
tain occurs on October 2, 1766, when
he became at twenty-one master of a
vessel that traded with the Barbadoes
Islands. His life on the ocean wave
was probably uneventful for the next
eight years or more, but when he ar-
rived in Philadelphia, on October 13,
1775, in command of the "Black
Prince," much history had been made
since his departure the year before.
"The embattled farmers of Lexing-
ton" had "fired the shot heard 'round
the world." Ticonderoga had fallen,
Bunker Hill had been fought, and
Washington had assumed the com-
mand of the Continental Army und-T
the shade of the stately elm in Cam-
bridge.
Barry's arrival in Philadelphia was
opportune, the Continental Congress
having authorized the purchase and
fitting out of two armed cruisers with
authority to capture vessels bringing
supplies to the British Army. Cap-
tain Barry was appointed to the com-
mand of one of them, the "Lexing-
ton," named after the place of the first
land battle. His commission was the
first issued by the Marine Committee
of Congress, and attests the high
reputation that he enjoyed for cour-
age, skill and experience. Much is
contained in the simple record that
he was the first officer appointed to
the first vessel purchased, named after
the place of the first battle. He was
soon to add again to his record of
initiative by reporting to the Marine
Committee of Congress the first cap-
ture of a British vessel. This was on
April 7, 1776, when off the Capes of
Ammran
— intjn Harrg
Virginia, the "Lexington," after a
fierce engagement, caused the "Ed-
ward" to strike its colors. Philadel-
phia acclaimed the Irish sea-dog
when he brought his prize up the bay
four days later. John Adams wrote
of it : "We begin to make some figure
here in the navy way." And Richard
Henry Lee, in a letter describing the
event, narrated that the enemy did not
submit until he was near sinking.
Barry's report of the victory is em-
braced in a few lines giving the bare
details, and concluding, "I have the
happiness to acquaint you that all our
people behaved with much courage."
In the lower Delaware, Barry hov-
ered with his good ship, lending his
aid to protect the merchantmen arriv-
ing with supplies on Congress'
account from the assaults of the Brit-
ish men-of-war. When this work
was scarce, he kept himself and crew
from stagnating by sallying out to the
capture of ocean prizes. In August,
1776, the "Lady Susan" and the
"Betsy," manned by the loyalist Good-
riches, of Virginia, fell into his hands,
and the proceedings of their con-
demnation as prizes may be read
in the records of Congress of
November 7, 1776. We next find
our hero in command of the "Effing-
ham," one of the new vessels author-
ized by Congress. On the day that
Captain Barry received his assign-
ment, October 10, 1776, the rank
of the officers of the new Continental
Navy was fixed, Barry ranking sev-
enth. Captain John Paul Jones was
eighteenth on the list, to his extreme
chagrin. But Barry and Jones were
real sea-fighters, and they were soon
to show by their careers of successful
daring how impotent is a Congress
committee to keep down men of na-
tive force and genius.
And now we come to a picturesque
event in Barry's career. It is the
winter month of December, 1776,
when Washington, having been
forced out of New York, is making
his weary retreat across New Jersey,
seeking to put the Delaware between
himself and the British foe. Sad-
dened by the treachery of Lee, who
should have co-operated with him, in-
dignant at the Jerseymen, who, in-
stead of flying to his standard, were
going over to the Crown, his soldiers,
ragged and forlorn — at no time dur-
ing the war was the situation so des-
perate for the American cause. The
world still wonders at the masterly
way in which Washington retrieved
the situation, crossing the Delaware
on Christmas night amid the floating
ice with his little force of 2,500 men,
stealing around the enemy's outposts,
and in quick succession winning the
battles of Trenton and Princeton.
Thus was safety plucked from the
nettle danger in the most critical stage
of the conflict. The English his-
torian, Trevelyan, says of it: "It may
be doubted whether so small a number
of men ever employed so short a
space of time with greater or more
lasting results upon the history of the
world." In this momentous struggle,
Captain Barry bore a noble part.
Though a sailor and a commissioned
captain, he organized a company of
volunteers and aided in the transport
of the troops across the icy waters,
and was in the thick of the strife at
Trenton and Princeton. Thus ably
did he sustain the Father of His
Country in his and its greatest trial.
We next find Barry after the Tren-
ton campaign engaged in protecting
Philadelphia by defensive naval op-
erations. When in September, 1777,
the British army entered Philadelphia
and Congress fled to Lancaster,
Barry, in his vessel, the "Effingham,"
went down the Delaware to take
charge of the business of preventing
British vessels from coming up the
river. Fierce river fighting followed
for the next two months, until the
position growing untenable, the
American fleet under cover of night,
passed up the river in front of the
city, losing several of their vessels in
the venture. To Barry, who was
now in the upper Delaware, is given
the credit of projecting the plan for
(Enmmtmter of 3FttBt
in JtrBt Jffi
destroying the enemy's vessels in the
river by floating down machines re-
sembling ship's buoys filled with pow-
der. It failed of its purpose, but the
consternation of the British and the
fierce cannonading to which the pow-
der kegs were exposed gave rise to
the humorous ditty, "The Battle of
the Kegs." There was a good laugh at
the British expense, as will be seenbya
sample verse from the satirical story:
"From morn to night these men of might
Displayed amazing courage;
And when the sun was fairly down,
Retired to eat their porridge."
Barry's restless spirit ill-brooked
the inaction to which he was con-
demned in the Upper Delaware, and
he is found in the early part of 1778
inducing the Supreme Executive
Council of Pennsylvania, then in
Lancaster, to aid the Continental navy
in harassing or destroying the British
supply vessels coming up the Lower
Delaware. On a night in February,
he came down with twenty-seven
men, in four row-boats, passed Phil-
adelphia unobserved, and captured
the British ten-gun ship, the "Alert,"
with two supply ships', the "Mer-
maid" and the "Kitty." The daunt-
less Barry, with only a few more than
a score of followers, leaped over the
rail of the "Alert," cutlass in hand,
and succeeded in capturing the entire
crew of one hundred and sixteen men.
The fame of this exploit, together
with the masterly style in which,
against great odds, he avoided the re-
capture of the "Alert" by a British
sloop-of-war, added new laurels to the
intrepid sea captain. It is said that
as a result of it, Sir William Howe,
then Commander-in-Chief of the Brit-
ish forces in America, offered Barry
20,000 guineas and the command of a
British frigate, if he would go over to
the English service. Barry's reply
was brief and patriotic: "Not the
value and command of the whole
British fleet can seduce me from the
cause of my country." Washington,
at Valley Forge, was a close observer
of Barry's work at this time, as he
received much forage and supplies
from him for his army. Under date
of March 12, 1778, he thus writes our
hero: "I ... congratulate you
on the success which has crowned
your gallantry and address in the late
attack upon the enemy's ships. Al-
though circumstances have prevented
you from reaping the full benefit of
your conquests, yet there is ample
consolation in the degree of glory
which you have acquired."
Barry's next adventure, while not
successful, showed him a genuine
specimen of the fighting race. He
had been appointed to the command
of the "Raleigh," of thirty-two guns,
in September, 1778, and within a few
hours after sailing was in a fierce
fight with two English ships, one be-
ing of sixty-four guns. The conflict
kept up until midnight, and Barry
was compelled to set fire to his ship,
himself and the greater part of his
crew escaping to an island of the Pcn-
obscot. It was a brave fight against
heavy odds, and the Marine Commit-
tee of Congress publicly compliment-
ed him for his "great gallantry."
We next see him directed by Con-
gress to take command of an expedi-
tion against East Florida, where dis-
affection had been spreading. But
the sailing of Sir Henry Clinton's fleet
southward from New York, with
reinforcements, caused a change in
the plans, and the proposed expedi-
tion was abandoned. For the greater
part of the year 1779, he commanded
the letter of marque brig, the "Dela-
ware," capturing a man-of-war and
several merchantmen. The treaty of
alliance with France in February.
1778, gave its name to Barry's next
command, the "Alliance," which was
the largest and best of the vessels of
the Continental navy. We are tempt-
ed to smile just a little at this eulogy
of her by Philip Freneau, the poet of
the Revolution:
"See how she mounts the foaming wave.
Where other ships would find a grave;
Majestic, awful and serene.
She walks the ocean like its queen."
nf % Ammratt Naug — Slnlpt Sarnj
Barry's command of the "Alli-
ance" continued until the close of the
war, and he was devotedly attached to
her. She enjoyed the unusual dis-
tinction of being the only frigate to
escape capture or destruction, was in
many important engagements, always
coming off victorious, and was the
fastest sailer in the navy. She bore
across the seas Colonel John Laurens
when he went to France for funds to
move the French army from Rhode
Island to Yorktown. On this voyage
Barry gave our British cousins a les-
son in international law, when, in the
capture of a privateer of the enemy,
he at once released a Venetian ship
taken by the privateer. He held the
capture to be contrary to the law of
nations, which respects the property
of neutrals. For this he was thanked
by a resolution of Congress. Frank-
lin wrote of it in a letter from Paris
on November 5th, 1781, to the Presi-
dent of Congress: "The Ambassador
of Venice told me that he was charged
by the Senate to express to me their
grateful sense of the friendly behav-
ior of Captain Barry, commander of
the 'Alliance,' in rescuing one of the
ships of their state from an English
privateer and setting her at liberty."
The next brilliant performance of
our hero was the capture, in April,
1781, of two English brigs, the
"Mars" and "Minerva," after subdu-
ing a mutiny on his vessel that seri-
ously impaired his fighting force. A
month later he fought and captured
the armed ship, the "Atalanta," and
the brig "Trepassy," in a memorable
engagement. Barry was wounded in
the shoulder by a grape-shot, and
from loss of blood was compelled to
go below. The colors of the "Alli-
ance" had been shot away, the rig-
ging was badly cut and the ship was
greatly damaged. The first officer,
feeling that all was lost, went to
Barry to ask leave to surrender.
Barry's answer was a defiant "No"
and an order to be brought on deck,
where he soon had the happy satis-
faction of seeing the enemy lower
their colors. Frost's "Naval Biogra-
phy" says of this engagement: "It
was considered a most brilliant ex-
ploit and an unequivocal evidence of
the unconquerable firmness and in-
trepidity of the victor." It induced
William Collins to ride his Pegasus in
this martial fashion:
"In the brave old ship 'Alliance,'
We sailed from sea to sea;
Our proud flag in defiance
Still floating fair and free;
We met the foe and beat him,
As we often did before;
And ne'er afraid to meet him
Was our brave old Commodore."
In 1781 the entire navy of the
United States consisted of the "Alli-
ance" and the "Deane," and Barry
was placed in command of this squad-
ron of two by Robert Morris, Super-
visor of Finances, the Admiralty and
Naval Boards having been abolished.
It will be thus seen that from seventh
in rank he had arrived at the top of
the list. He was chosen for the im-
portant work of transporting Lafay-
ette to France after the battle of
Yorktown, a mission to which Wash-
ington attached the highest impor-
tance, and out of which came influ-
ences that hastened the ending of the
war. A warm friendship was estab-
lished between Barry and Lafayette,
as may be seen by Barry's letter to the
great Frenchman on November 17,
1782, wherein he writes: "You say
you are going to America. I envy
the captain who is to take you. I
wish I was in his place, but, although
I am deprived of that happiness at
present, I hope to have the pleasure
to command the ship that conveys you
to your native country."
Peace between the United States
and England was agreed upon on
February 3, 1783, while Barry was at
sea on the "Alliance." He had sailed
from Havana on March 7, accompa-
nied by the Continental ship "Lu-
zerne," the two vessels having on
board about $200,000 of specie for
Congress. Three days later they fell
in with three British frigates, two of
which Barry engaged and beat off.
3i tr0t (Enmmanter af First
in Jffirat 3f igljt
One of these was the "Sybille," which
was silenced after the "Alliance" lost
eleven men. This was the last naval
battle of the war, and it was fitting
that it should be fought by the na-
tion's greatest sea warrior. Of this
battle, a good story is extant, which,
however, has no authority to support
it. It was said that Barry, when
hailed on this occasion by the enemy,
answered: "The United States ship
'Alliance,' saucy Jack Barry — half
Irishman, half Yankee — who are
you?" From what we know of
Barry's modesty, the note of bombast
in this greeting is somewhat jarring.
But perhaps it is not well to examine
historical yarns of this type closely.
When the war was ended, Barry
joined the merchant service, and he
does not again become a national fig-
ure until on March 19, 1794, we find
him offering his services to President
Washington to command the squad-
ron against the Algerines, those Cor-
sairs of the African coast having
caused much havoc to the commerce
of the United States. From this
grew the present American Navy.
The records of the War Department
of June 5, 1794, show that Washing-
ton appointed Barry as the ranking
commander of the new naval arma-
ment ordered to be built by Congress.
The commission was signed by Wash-
ington on his birthday, on February
22, 1797, and is marked "No. One."
The appointment was well received
in the country. Cooper's "History of
the Navy" says: "Captain Barry was
the only one of the six surviving Cap-
tains of the Revolutionary War who
was not born in America, but he had
passed nearly all his life in it, and was
thoroughly identified with his adopted
countrymen in interest and feeling.
He had often distinguished himself
during the Revolution, and, perhaps,
of all the naval captains that re-
mained, he was the one who pos-
sessed a greater reputation for expe-
rience, conduct and skill. His ap-
pointment met with general approba-
tion, nor did anything ever occur to
673
give the government reason to regret
its selection."
Barry's first task at the head of the
young navy was the superintending
of the building of the frigate, the
"United States," the first vessel of the
present navy, which was launched in
Philadelphia on May 10, 1797, amid
great popular rejoicing. Miss Eleanor
Donnelly's spirited poem, commemo-
rative of the occasion, thus begins:
"A May-day sun — a noon-day tide —
And a warm west wind for the ladies
fair!
A hundred craft at anchor ride,
Their bright flags gemming the Dela-
ware.
"Ten thousand freemen crowd the quay,
The housetops other thousands hold;
All Philadelphia throngs to see
The launch of Barry s frigate bold.
"The gallant ship, 'United States.'
First of our navy's valiant fleet —
A nation's fame on her future waits,
A nation's hopes in her present meet"
Two noted American seamen began
their careers with Barry on the
"United States:" Stephen Decatur,
who was to become famous in the War
with Tripoli and with Great Britain,
and Charles Stewart, the grandfather
of Charles Stewart Parnell. Service
under Barry was eagerly sought, as,
while a strict disciplinarian, he was
eminently just and considerate. It
was Barry who, in a letter of January
8, 1798, suggested the creation of a
navy department, and also that navy
yards should be located for ships and
supplies. The organization of the
navy into a separate department fol-
lowed three months later. In the dif-
ficulties that arose with France, and
in command of the American fleet in
the West Indies, he served with dis-
tinction. When peace came in 1801,
Barry was retained in the service.
The remainder of his life-story may
be briefly summed up. His health,
broken by his many arduous cam-
paigns, began to fail, and at his coun-
try seat, at Strawberry Hill, near
Philadelphia, he gently drifted into
the Valley of the Shadow. He died
on September 13, 1803. In its notice
of his death, the Pennsylvania Ga-
nf ftj? Ammran Naug — ilnltu Sarrg
zettc thus feelingly refers to his life
and services: "His naval achieve-
ments would of themselves have re-
flected much honor on his memory,
but those could not have endeared it
to his fellow-citizens had he wanted
those gentle and amiable virtues
which embellish the gentlemen and
ennoble the soldier." He had been
twice married, but, like Washington,
was childless. It has been beautifully
said of Washington that under the
Divine plan he was to be childless
that a nation might call him Father.
May not in a lesser degree the same
sentiment hold good for the Father
of the American Navy?
The record of this remarkable man
will not be found in the recognized
histories of the Revolutionary period.
The friend of Washington and Lafay-
ette, who was twice thanked by Con-
gress, who was in command of the
Continental sea forces when Corn-
wallis surrendered, who suggested
the creation of the Navy Department
and held its first commission, seems to
have been strangely ignored. Vainly
is Bancroft and McMaster searched
for some light on his career. The
newer histories of Higginson, Wilson
and Garner and Lodge make no allu-
sion to him. Larned's "History for
Ready Reference" omits him. Win-
sor's "Narrative and Critical History
of America" simply alludes to Barry's
loss of the "Raleigh" without com-
ment. It remained for Martin I. J.
Griffin, of Philadelphia, a painstaking
and faithful historian, to dig into the
records of a century or more ago and
bring to light the salient facts in the
life of this great sea captain. From
his book, "Commodore John Barry,"
printed by subscription a few years
ago, were obtained the data for this
paper. The book is a valuable con-
tribution to the history of the coun-
try, which has so long permitted one
of its truest heroes to remain in com-
parative obscurity. An instalment of
justice was obtained four years ago,
when the torpedo boat destroyer
"Barry" was launched, and the wrong
of a century will be partially righted
if Congress passes the bill now pend-
ing in the House appropriating
$25,000 to erect in Washington a
monument inscribed: "John Barry,
the Father of the American Navy."
He sleeps the dreamless sleep of the
dead in old St. Mary's Cemetery, on
Fourth street, above Spruce street,
Philadelphia, near to the lordly waters
of the Delaware that had borne him
so often to and from the sea. Until
1876 no marble shaft reared its height
to heaven to recall his life and ser-
vices, but in that Centennial year the
Catholic Total Abstinence Union of
America placed his statue on their
fountain in Fairmount Park, at the
foot of George's Hill. That same
year his grave in St. Mary's Cemetery
was marked by his friends and fellow
churchmen with a tomb, the inscrip-
tion on which was composed in part
by his friend, Dr. Benjamin Rush, one
of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence. This brief sketch of
the life of a great and good man may
fitly end with an extract from the mes-
sage on the sculptured marble:
"Sacred to the memory of
COMMODORE JOHN BARRY,
Father of the American Navy.
Let the Christian, Patriot and Soldier
who visits these mansions of the
dead view this monument with
respect and veneration.
Beneath it rest the remains of JOHN
BARRY, who was born in County
Wexford, Ireland, in the year 1745.
America was the object of his patriot-
ism and the aim of his useful-
ness and ambition.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary
War he held the commission of
Captain in the then limited
Navy of the Colonies.
His achievements in battle and his re-
nowned naval tactics merited for him
the position of Commodore, and to be
justly regarded as the father of the
American navy.
He fought often and bled in the cause
of freedom, but his deeds of valor
did not diminish in him the vir-
tues which adorn his private life.
He was eminently gentle, kind, just
and charitable, and no less beloved
by his family and friends than
by his grateful country."
674
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Uplift of a fHrutal fcraftr to a (£rr at Amrrlran
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BT
DR. JAMES MCMANUS
AUTHOB or A TREATISE OH "HI8TOKT OF AxKSTHKHlV AM) A
DKAM or AMERICAN DENTISTRY
sidered
ated by
evolution of a new sur-
gical science that has be-
come an important ele-
ment in the uplift of the
human race is here told.
Not many years ago
this science was con-
foppery and was repudi-
American educators. To-
day it stands as one of the great
American professions and is accepted
as a "hall mark" of culture. It is one
of those interesting instances where
personal adornment has led to self-
protection and even longevity.
Not until the present generation
has medical science and education
acknowledged dentistry. The Mary-
land University, in 1839, refused to
add a dental department to its medical
school on the ground that "dentistry
is of no consequence." Twenty-
seven years later, in 1866, Yale Col-
lege considered the project unfavora-
ble, and a year later Harvard gave it
position. That was forty years ago.
Now, in 1907, there are twenty-one
independent dental colleges; ten den-
tal departments connected with medi-
cal colleges and twenty dental de-
partments connected with universities
throughout the United States. From
these fifty-one institutions in the past
sixty-seven years there has been grad-
uated probably over twenty-five thou-
sand doctors of dental surgery. The
record tells of how "much conse-
quence" civilized people consider
dentistry to-day.
675
America has led the world in surgi-
cal surprises and the marvelous ope-
rations by surgeons all over the
world have been made possible only
by the discovery and demonstration
of the "Mastery of Pain" by Horace
Wells, whose "anaesthesia" has been
possibly the most practical blessing
bestowed on mankind.
The American people cannot forget
to pay honor to the memory of their
benefactors and those who have given
valuable service to the country or to
the cause of science.
Dr. McManus here contributes to
American historical records his re-
searches into the development of this
surgical science of dentistry. There
is no authority in America more capa-
ble of presenting the subject. He is
not only a thorough scholar, but his
services to the profession and its ele-
vation as a science have been recog-
nized throughout the United States
and Europe. His lectures in this
country and abroad have been impor-
tant factors in the development of
dental surgery.
This article is of especial interest
in connection with the story of "The
First Physicians in America" by Dr.
Steiner in the second number of this
first volume of THE JOURNAL OF
AMERICAN HISTORY. It is the intent
of these pages to record from time to
time just such articles of practical
value to the public-at-large, told en-
tertainingly, and showing the begin-
nings of the works of mankind.
a
A NT years ago, when
I was young and
credulous, I listened
with great interest
and pleasure to Wen-
dell Phillips deliver
his celebrated lecture
on the "Lost Arts." He told of many
things as facts that I could readily
believe, but when he stated that gold
fillings had been found in the teeth
of mummies over three thousand
years old, the germ of doubt found
lodgment and my faith and belief in
the eloquent orator weakened.
In a paper before the American
Dental Society of Europe at Geneva,
Switzerland, in 1905, by Dr. W. J.
Younger, formerly of California, now
of Paris, France, he told of his mak-
ing a study of mummies in the mu-
seum of Cairo, Egypt, under the su-
pervision and intelligent assistance of
the doctor in charge, G. Elliott Smith,
and after critical examination of
many subjects, some dating seven
thousand years B.C., in none did they
find any trace of dental art. We
have, however, evidence that gold leaf
was used by Italian dentists previous
to 1450, as stated by Giovani de Arcoli
in a work on medicine that he pub-
lished in 1450 in which were several
chapters on dental medicine.
Ancient Origin of Surgical
Science of Dentistry in 1850
While it is believed that dentistry
had its origin in ancient Egypt,
coming down through Greece, Italy,
Germany, France and England, and,
while some of the medical writers
of those countries as early as the
thirteenth century gave some atten-
tion to the teeth, it was not until
1700 in France that one desiring
to pass examination before an ex-
amining board, and in 1728 Pierre
Fauchard, a dentist in Paris, after
many years' practice, published a
work on dentistry which to-day is
held in high estimation for its ad-
vanced and valuable teachings.
The student of early history can
find little information in the records
as to the methods of treating the
mouth. Substitutes for lost teeth
were worn by the wealthy. The
pieces of fine gold metal work
to hold such in place in the mouth
that may be seen in several of
the museums of Europe prove conclu-
sively that there were artisans in the
dental prosthetic line several hundred
years before the Christian era.
To-day the science is known as the
"American profession." It is dis-
tinctively a development of American
culture, and yet it was but a few years
ago that educational institutions in
America refused to acknowledge it as
a science. In 1866, when Dr. Asa
Hill of Norwalk petitioned the medi-
cal faculty and corporation of Yale
for the addition of a dental depart-
ment there was opposition among the
scholars. The Maryland University
in 1839 refused to add to its medical
school a dental department on the
ground that "dentistry was of no con-
sequence," and the faculty and corpo-
ration of Yale College when asked to
add a dental department, twenty-
seven years later, refused.
First Medical School in America to
Recognize Dentistry \\as Harvard
Harvard University was asked later
that year, and a quick response was
given and a dental school was estab-
ished there in 1867. In 1907, there
are twenty-one independent dental
colleges; ten dental departments con-
nected with medical colleges and
twenty dental departments connected
with universities throughout the
United States. From these fifty-one
institutions in the past sixty-seven
years there has been graduated prob-
ably over twenty-five thousand doc-
tcrs of dental surgery. The record
tells of how "much consequence" civ-
ilized people consider dentistry, and
how much they value and appreciate
the services of educated and skilful
surgeons.
It is within the past one hundred
years that surgery and surgeons have
66
An £i*m*nt in Uplift nf iff* ijnman
commanded respect and professional
rank, as the early records tell that
surgeons were generally held in con-
tempt and operations given over to
barbers or "Menial Servants" of phy-
sicians to be performed under their
direction. The surgeons were just
tolerated at the time when their ser-
vices were in demand, but of little im-
portance after the operations were
performed. As many of the minor
operations, such as bleeding, cup-
ping, dressing wounds and extract-
ing teeth fell to the care of the
barbers, they were incorporated into
a common company with the surgeons
in London in 1308, but the name or
title Surgeon Dentist was not known
until 1622.
First Dentists in America were
at New York and Boston in 1766-68
The first qualified dentist on record
in the United States was an English-
man named Robert Woffendale, who
practiced in New York in 1766.
There was a Mr. John Baker in Bos-
ton in 1768, who had as a pupil that
Boston celebrity and patriot of revo-
lutionary fame, Paul Revere, who,
it would seem, was "Jack-at-all-
Trades." During the War of the
Revolution there came, with the
French soldiers under the Count de
Rochambeau, a young officer named
Joseph Lemaire, who, previous to his
joining the Army, had been a practic-
ing dentist in Paris. While the
French and American soldiers were in
winter quarters near Providence,
Rhode Island, in 1781-84, Lemaire
gave his services to the officers and
others who were in need of dental
operations and also gave instructions
in dentistry to Josiah Flagg, the first
native American to take up dentistry
exclusively for a business. There
was also with the French fleet, a sur-
geon by the name of James Gardette,
who had, as required by the French
service, received instruction in dentis-
try. He later resigned from the ser-
vice and located in Philadelphia where
67?
he practiced dentistry for forty-five
years.
From 1 790, and for years following,
many men handy with tools and suffi-
cient assurance to offer their services
were classed as dentists. The "Hall
Mark" of ability and respectability
was conferred on John Greenwood of
New York city by President Wash-
ington, who wrote to him from Mount
Vernon, New York, in 1795, saying:
"I shall always prefer your services
to those of any other in the line of
your present profession."
First Skilled Foreign
Dentists in Philadelphia in 1803
The dentist whom tradition holds
in highest esteem as an educated, cul-
tivated, skilful dental practitioner is
the Irishman, Edward Hudson, who
practiced in Philadelphia from 1803
for many years. The Army and
Navy standing of the Frenchmen,
Lemaire and Gardette, and the experi-
ence of the Irishman, Hudson, in the
office of his uncle, a dentist of reputa-
tion in Dublin, Ireland, with the so-
cial and educational advantages they
possessed, enabled these foreigners to
offer assurances to the public that
they would give intelligent and com-
petent service. Their success was an
object-lesson and they opened up a
new and attractive field for Americans
to enter. Previous to 1840, there
were a few graduates in medicine
who turned their attention success-
fully to dental work, but for twenty
years later to 1860 the large majority
were men who had been employed in
some kind of mechanical work, such
as wood and ivory workers, tool-mak-
ers, engravers and jewelers; and the
transition from bench-work to office
workers was often quickly effected by
giving a few weeks' time in looking
on, and practicing in the office of a
dentist who had attained reputation
and success on as little previous prep-
aration. There were few text-books;
the French and German works were
not then translated and the few Eng-
lish books were expensive and not in
a
the American market. Dentistry then
was in this country a possible artistic
trade, and those following it could
expect no more cordial recognition
from the medical men than the sur-
geons received fifty years earlier.
Among the few, early in 1800, who
chose dentistry as their calling after
spending years in other and varied
avocations, was a man named Horace
H. Hayden, who was born in Wind-
sor, Connecticut, October 13, 1769.
His name and fame as the Father of
American Professional Dentistry is
known not only in the United States
but is universally acknowledged in all
civilized countries.
William Hayden is mentioned in
colonial history as early as 1630, and
in 1637, his name as a soldier is spe-
cially mentioned for bravery in the
report of Captain John Mason, whose
life he saved in the Pequot War.
William Hayden bought and secured
land from the Colony of Connecticut
for military services in the Pequot
War and settled in the valley of
Windsor in 1642. His eldest son,
Daniel, was a lieutenant in the Colo-
nial Service and an influential member
of the General Court, and his eld-
est son was also a member of the Gen-
eral Court. The third Daniel was a
lieutenant in the French and Indian
War, and was considered a rich man.
The third lieutenant, Daniel Hayden's
eldest son, Thomas Hayden, was the
father of Dr. Horace H. Hayden.
The Revolutionary War Record of
Thomas Hayden reads as Sergeant in
the Army at the alarm at Lexington
in 1775 and later as Sergeant Major,
Second Lieutenant and Adjutant in
the Revolutionary War until 1783.
Previous to his military service his
business was an architect and builder,
which he resumed after the close of
the war. The wife of Thomas Hay-
den, Abigail Parsons, had an ances-
tral record, equally honorable as a
descendant from families noted for
their intellectual and scholarly at-
tainments.
Father of Professional
Dentistry in America
Horace H. Hayden was born
in ancient Windsor, October 13,
1769, with the Hayden inheritance,
and a mother's record, as de-
scendant of one of the brainiest fami-
lies in New England; the legend may
well be accepted that the boy learned
to read as soon as he could talk ; that
he early loved to tramp in the woods ;
his later botanical and geological
writings and the first book published
on geology in the country, written by
him, and his discovery of a mineral
which was named "Haydenite" after
him, proved that his love of nature
studies was an early development.
At fourteen years of age he made
two trips on a brig, working his pas-
sage to the West Indies. On his re-
turn, he went to school until he was
sixteen, when he learned the trade of
a carpenter of his father and later
studied architecture. At twenty-one
he sailed again to the West Indies, but
his stay was short on account of an
attack of fever, returning the next
year and again forced home on
account of the unhealthy condition of
the island. For several years he con-
tinued his studies in architecture and
at twenty-four years of age he went
to New York, remaining a few
months, but not meeting with suc-
cess he returned to his home and
taught school one winter near Hart-
ford. His ability as a teacher was
recognized and he was advised to fol-
low that calling, but while on a visit
to New York he called for dental
work on a Mr. John Greenwood, Pres-
ident Washington's favorite dentist,
and, while under his care, he became
so much interested in the man, his
methods and his skill, that he decided
that he would like to be a dentist.
The manual ability acquired, as a
boy and man, in the different lines of
work he had followed, his studies,
travels, and the few months' experi-
ence as a school teacher, well fitted him
to take up the study and practice of
An Hilmtnt in Uplift of tlf? ^mnan
dentistry, with, it is told, only one or
two books and pamphlets on dentistry,
a few instruments, such as he could
procure, depending on the instruction
that Greenwood was able to give him,
in the short time he was with him, with
little money and no friends, he opened
an office in Baltimore, Maryland, in
1800. While he was fairly success-
ful from the start, he wasted no time
but took up the study of medicine and
surgery, and by his zeal in his studies
and close attention to his business, he
soon gained the confidence of the pub-
lic and the esteem of many of the
medical profession. When the British
attacked Baltimore in 1814, Hayden's
military inheritance broke out, and he
enisted as a sergeant; but, as medical
men and surgeons were in demand,
General Smith, who knew his skill,
assigned him to an hospital, as an
assistant surgeon, where he remained
as long as the sick and wounded need-
ed his care. To his dental and medi-
cal studies he added the studies of
botany and geology and, in 1810, pub-
lished a geological sketch of Balti-
more. It was near that city that he
discovered a form of "Chabazite" to
which Professor Silliman gave the
name "Haydenite." Dr. Hayden,
early in his practice, felt the need of,
and realized in part what might be
gained, if dentists were to meet fre-
quently in convention. After years of
thought he started a movement in
1817 to call in convention the leading
dentists of the country. The effort
was unsuccessful.
First Book on Geology in America
Written by Dentist in 1812
The great interest taken to-day, by
professional men, in post graduate
schools, and the great benefit they, as
well as the country, gained by these
meetings, tell how far-seeing and edu-
cational were the aims and ideas of
Dr. Hayden as early as 1817. His
love for the study of geology and the
difficulty of finding works on the sub-
ject in Engish forced him to learn to
read and translate French, as the best
works on the subject were in that lan-
guage, and in 1812 he published a vol-
ume of four hundred pages entitled
"Geological Essays," the first work on
that subject published in the United
States. He had for the time a valu-
able collection of American minerals,
which are now a part of the collection
of Roanoke College, Virginia. His
reputation as a dentist and a student,
his fame as a professional and scien-
tific writer and his success as a teacher
gained for him the compliment, the
first of the kind ever paid to a den-
tist, of an invitation to give a course
of lectures on dentistry before the
Medical Class in the University of
Maryland in 1825, and in 1837 the
honorary medical degree was con-
ferred on him by both the University
of Maryland and the Jefferson Med-
ical School of Philadelphia. From
1817, when the effort made by Dr.
Hayden to organize a dental society
failed, until 1840, dental progress
was of the individual go-as-you-please
order.
First Dental Society in America
Organized in New York in 1840
Dr. Hayden's many years of daily
office work, and his habits of study
had convinced him that dentistry
meant more than how to fill teeth and
make artificial ones; and, that one
attempting to practice dentistry should
have a knowledge of medicine. With
settled belief that through associated
efforts great good would speedily re-
sult, he again invited a few of the
leading dentists of the country to
meet in New York City, August 18,
1840, when the American Society of
Dental Surgeons was organized. Dr.
Hayden was then elected president,
continuing in that office four years,
until his death. Many scientific men
from all the states in the West and
South soon became interested in the
new organization.
The first serious public move-
ment made towards elevating the call-
ing of dentistry, quickly led to the
project of publishing a journal. The
Eooluitnn of a
Dental, Medical, Scientific and other
papers, written by Drs. Hayden, Har-
ris, Hudson and many others in the
country, were at the mercy of the
medical publishers, and at the second
meeting of the society, it was decided
to institute a journal, the first devoted
to dentistry ever published, to be
known as the American Journal of
Dental Science, and Dr. Hayden was
a frequent contributor to this journal.
The last, and without doubt, most
important step was the establishing of
a school for dental instruction. From
the early years of his practice, Dr.
Hayden felt the need of a properly
equipped dental school, and with his
friends, both dental and medical, it
was a subject frequently talked over,
with the hope of inspiring them with
the high professional ideas that col-
lege instruction should foster. One
of Dr. Hayden's former students
named Chapin A. Harris, was not
only an enthusiastic admirer but was
in full sympathy with his ideas. As
to the necessity for an advanced sys-
tem of dental education, as also an
energetic, practical, intelligent worker,
they both had presented their views
and hopes to men connected with the
Maryland University, and urged the
advisability of their adding a dental
department to the Medical School.
The faculty, like others of later years,
were blind to their best interests, and
gave as an excuse for rejecting the
proposition "that dentistry was of no
consequence." This refusal forced
them to think of organizing an inde-
pendent dental school, and, acting on
the advice of Dr. Hayden, the work
preparatory to applying to the Legis-
lature for a charter, was mainly done
by Dr. Harris. He was successful in
getting influential citizens to favor the
movement, and February I, 1840, the
Maryland Legislature granted a char-
ter incorporating the Baltimore Col-
lege of Dental Surgery.
First Dental College in the World
Instituted at Baltimore in 1840
In the Articles of Incorporation, I
section two, were appointed and con-
stituted as professors of said college
Horace H. Hayden, M.D., to be pro-
fessor of Dental Pathology and Physi-
ology; Chapin A. Harris, M.D., to
be professor of Practical Dentistry;
Thomas E. Bond, junior, M.D., to be
professor of Special Dental Pathol-
ogy and Therapeutics, and H. Willis
Baxter, M.D., to be professor of
Special Dental Anatomy and Physi-
ology. A meeting of the faculty was
held in the house of Dr. H. H. Hay-
den, February 3, 1840, and H. H.
Hayden, M.D., was elected president
and Chapin A. Harris, M.D., was
elected dean. The long wished for
dental college was incorporated, a
faculty appointed and ready to re-
ceive students. At the second faculty
meeting arrangements were made to
advertise in several of the leading
newspapers of the country and in the
American Journal of Dental Science
and the Maryland Medical and Surgi-
cal Journal. The first annual an-
nouncement stated that the desire
of the faculty was to offer to stu-
dents a course of instruction in the-
oretical and practical dentistry, and
told of the advantages the college
already possessed in the cabinet of
anatomical and physiological speci-
mens of Professor Baxter and the val-
uable pathological specimens collected
during many years of extensive prac-
tice by Professor Hayden. The college
opened its first course in the winter of
1840 and 1841 with five students. A
small room in a good locality was tem-
porarily engaged for a lecture hall, but
for the teaching of anatomy and dis-
section a private and secluded stable
loft was deemed the most prudent
quarters for the student to occupy.
From the introductory lecture to
the students and friends, delivered
November 3, 1840, by Professor Chapin
A. Harris, a few quotations will be of
interest: "Accessible as has been the
calling of the dentist to all that were
disposed to engage in it, and that, too,
without regard to qualification, it has
been resorted to by the ignorant and
680
An m?m?nt in Uplift of tlf? ijuman
illiterate and I am sorry to say, in too
many instances, by unprincipled indi-
viduals until it now numbers in the
United States about twelve hundred,
and of which I think it may be safely
asserted that not more than one-sixth
possess any just claims to a correct
or thorough knowledge of the pursuit,
— a little mechanical tact or dexterity
is thought by some to be all that is
requisite to a practitioner of dental
surgery, and that this could be ob-
tained in, at most, a few weeks,— ele-
vate the standard of the qualifications
of the dental surgeon to a level with
those of a medical practitioner, and
the results of his practice will be
always beneficial, which at present
are frequently the reverse. Require
of the practitioner of dental surgery
to be educated in the collateral
sciences of anatomical and physiologi-
cal surgery, pathology and therapeu-
tics and the sphere of his usefulness
and his respectability will be increased,
— aware of the responsibility that rests
upon them ; the faculty will spare no
efforts to make it creditable to the
state that created it and -beneficial to
the public, — in short, they are deter-
mined that no reproach shall rest
upon them for fixing a standard of
qualification that shall not at once te
respectable, and entitle those coming
up to it to the confidence of an en-
lightened community."
Dr. Harris, in his introductory lec-
ture to students, tells "that in 1840,
there were twelve hundred dentists in
this country,and not over two hundred
of them possessed any just claim to
correct or thorough knowledge of the
calling they pursued." The aim of the
professor of the Baltimore Dental
College was to teach students scienti-
fic and practical dentistry. At the
first commencement exercises in the
Assembly Hall, Baltimore, March 9,
1841, Professor Bond in his valedic-
tory address tells the friends and stu-
dents gathered there what has been
taught to them during the course of
instruction, and what they ought, or
were believed to know. "You have
MI
been taught that dental surgery is not
a mere art, separate from, and inde-
pendent of general medicine, but that
it is an important branch of the
science of cure. Your knowledge has
been based on extensive and accurate
anatomical investigation. You have
seen and traced out the exquisitely
beautiful machinery, by which the or-
ganism is everywhere knit together.
You have learned the secrets of ner-
vous communication and studied the
simple, yet admirable, arrangements by
which nutrition is drawn by each part
from the common receptacle of
strength. You have also carefully ex-
amined the phenomena of health and
disease, as they are manifested in the
dental arch, its connections and rela-
tions. Your attention has been partic-
ularly directed to the effect of irrita-
tion on the general health, and you
have seen how readily organs appar-
ently unconnected and independent
may be involved in mutual disease.
You have been taught to regard the
human body as a complete whole,
united in all its parts and pervaded
everywhere by strong and active sym-
pathies, and your principles of practice
have been carefully formed on a sound
knowledge of general medicine."
First Degree Granted by
the Legislature of Maryland
This instruction from November
3, 1840, to the day of the valedictory
address by Professor Bond at the
commencement exercises and the con-
ferring of the degree of Doctor of
Dental Surgery upon two students
who had passed a satisfactory exami-
nation, Robert Arthur and R. Coving-
ton Mackall, by the president of the
college, Horace H. Hayden, M.D.,
incidentally proclaimed to the world
that the trade or calling of dentistry
had, by virtue of an act of incorpo-
ration granted by the Legislature of
the State of Maryland, been changed
to the profession of dentistry and ad-
mitted to the rank with the learned
professions. One of the provisions of
the charter allowed the conferring of
Uunluttatt of a
the honorary degree on any dentist
who had distinguished himself in his
profession. Any reputable dentist,
who had not obtained an honorary de-
gree, could apply for an examination
and if, after the presentation of a
thesis, showing specimens of me-
chanical work and demonstrating his
ability to operate skilfully in the
mouth, he could pass a satisfactory
oral examination before each member
of the faculty, the degree of Doctor
of Dental Surgery might be con-
ferred. During the early years of the
college this power was judiciously
exercised for the records of the col-
lege show that not all who applied
were successful in gaining the cov-
eted degree ; after the first session the
faculty conferred the honorary de-
gree on a number of worthy dentists
in this country, Canada, England,
Scotland and France. There were
two graduates the first year, three the
second, and the third year, six. The
fourth year the president, Dr. Hayden,
died January 26, 1844, aged 75. The
college that was "opposed by many,
and a short life predicted," he lived
to see firmly established and in charge
of earnest men on the road to assured
success. In 1846, a suitable building
was secured that gave ample facilities
for both theoretical and practical in-
struction and for the establishment of
a dental infirmary and operating
room. In 1846, Cyrenus O. Cone,
M.D., D.D.S., was appointed pro-
fessor of mechanical dentistry in the
first dental college in the world.
Earliest Dental Colleges in Ohio,
Kentucky, Missouri and Louisiana
The marked success of the Balti-
more College led to the establishment
of the Ohio Dental College, which was
chartered in 1845 an^ commenced its
sessions that year in the city of Cin-
cinnati. Soon followed the establish-
ment of dental colleges in Kentucky,
New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri,
Louisiana and Massachusetts. Har-
vard University in 1867 was the first
to add a dental department to its Med-
ical School, and the Boston Dental
College was established in 1868. The
Baltimore Dental College commenced
in 1840 with four professors, and in
1855 there were added five, making
nine. Harvard University opened a
dental school twenty-seven years later,
1867, with a teaching faculty of ten
professors. The medical and dental
schools then required students to
attend two full courses of lectures
before examination for graduation.
The courses of instruction were
mainly alike, the dental having addi-
tional studies in metallurgy and me-
chanical and manipulative training
in place of general surgery and ob-
stetrics. In the lecture room students
were taught the use of the microscope
and dental histology, anatomy — hu-
man and comparative — physiology,
pathology, therapeutics, materia med-
ica, chemistry, anaesthesia, general
and oral surgery, bacteriology and
orthodenthia. In the laboratory, met-
allurgy was scientifically and practi-
cally taught, with special reference to
the working of lead, zinc, tin, silver,
gold and platina ; also vulcanite. The
student was taught to make and artis-
tically adjust artificial teeth, to make
continuous gum work, make crowns,
bridges and porcelain inlays. He
was taught to treat and master cleft
palate deformities, make and adjust
splints for broken jaws and restore
portions of the jaws when lost, either
by accident or disease. These include
the scientific, artistic, mechanical and
practical teaching that is given by
the professors and demonstrators in
dental colleges.
In the first twenty-five years of
the nineteenth century there were
twelve books published by American
authors on dental subjects. A "Sys-
tem of Dental Surgery" was published
by Samuel Sheldon Fitch, M.D., sur-
geon dentist, New York, 1829. This
v/ork was not claimed by its author
to be more than an extended com-
pilation. "Dentalogia," a poem on dis-
eases of the teeth and their proper
remedies, in five cantos, was published
68*
An Element in Uplift nf iff* ijnman
by Solyman Brown, A.M., New York,
1835, a°d another poem, "Dental
Hygeia," 1838. The year the Balti-
more College was organized, Chapin
A. Harris, M.D., surgeon dentist, Bal-
timore, 1839, published "The Dental
Art," a practical treatise on dental
surgery. This was the first entirely
original work published in this country
for the use of the profession exclu-
sively. In 1845, a second edition, en-
larged and revised, appeared under
the title of "The Principles and Prac-
tice of Dental Surgery." This work
was generally acknowledged to be the
best practical treatise on dental sur-
gery that had ever appeared in any
language. There have been many
editions of this work since and it still
is a standard text-book in the dental
colleges of the world.
More than a century and a quarter
ago, human teeth were used to replace
lost front teeth. An advertisement of
M. Lemaire, dentist, in a Philadelphia
paper, offering two guineas each for
front teeth, tells that they were so
used in 1784, and have been occasion-
ally ever since. Those wanting a
partial or full upper or lower set of
teeth had to take what the dentist
could best make for them, using either
the teeth of cattle, sheep, or teeth
carved from hippopotamus ivory or
elephants' tusks, until about 1825,
when porcelain teeth were introduced
from France. The improvements
over the French formula for making
porcelain teeth by Americans were
many. The most successful were those
made by Samuel S. White, who
opened a manufactory in Philadelphia,
in 1844, for making porcelain teeth for
dentists. That establishment has
since grown to be the largest and
most successful manufactory of arti-
ficial teeth in the world. Only the
well-to-do could afford artificial teeth
on gold, platinum or silver; cheaper
metals had been experimented with
and were failures. The poor had lit-
tle show for looks or comfort until
after the invention and introduction
of vulcanite by Nelson Goodyear in
1851 and 1855, enabling dentists to
make artistic and serviceable artifi-
cial teeth that are within the reach of
the poor.
The Drs. Hayden, Harris, and
all associated with them, were desir-
ous that dental students should be
given as good opportunities to acquire
education as the student at medical
colleges, and the standard in the col-
leges to-day are no higher than the
one set by Professor Harris in his in-
troductory lecture, and Professor
Bond in his valedictory to the stu-
dents in the Baltimore Dental Col-
lege in 1841. Medical colleges send
out graduates, as physicians and sur-
geons, and it is well known that a
large majority never practice either
general nor special surgery. Dental
practitioners have to do daily more
or less surgery and many have at-
tained high rank in that most delicate,
difficult and dangerous specialty, oral
surgery. These are from choice —
surgeon dentists and mechanical den-
tists. The degree of the medical and
dental colleges alike confers on all
graduates professional rank.
First Legislature to Regulate Prac-
tice o! Dentistry was in Alabama
It is interesting to note that the
Legislature of Alabama passed an
act to regulate the practice of den-
tistry in 1841, the year the Baltimore
Dental College held its first session.
The gift of foresight surely impelled
the few dentists of that state to be the
first to procure by legislative enact-
ment professional and legal standing
for dentistry.
In the last half century nearly every
commonwealth in the United States
has contributed to the advancement of
the new surgical science, but it is a
curious historical fact that the prog-
ress emanated from New England and
one of the smallest states in the Union
was one of the largest, most liberal
contributors to the profession. That
the upward development of the calling
of dentistry along scientific and pro-
0f a
fessional lines was largely the work of
a clique of men, will be seen when the
names are chronologically noted with
the character of their work. Horace
H. Hayden, M.D., born in Windsor,
Connecticut, October 13, 1769, archi-
tect and builder, dentist, army surgeon,
geologist, the organizer of the first
dental college in the world, its first
president and first professor of the
principles and practice of dental
science, a voluminous writer on den-
tal and scientific subjects, was one of
the organizers of the first dental soci-
ety and the first dental journal of the
world. Solyman Brown, A.M., D.D .
M.D., D,D.S., born in Litchfieldj
Connecticut, November 17, 1790, a
dental writer, dental poet, teacher, was
first secretary of the first dental or-
ganization and one of the organizers
of the first dental journal. Dr. J.
Smith Dodge, born in Connecticut,
1806, writer, teacher, was one of the
organizers of the first dental society.
J. M. Riggs, born in Seymour, Con-
necticut, October 25, 1810, was a
student with Dr. Horace Wells. On
the eleventh of December, 1844, he
extracted a tooth for Dr. Wells while
he was under the influence of nitrous
oxide gas administered by Professor
G. Q. Colton. This was the first ap-
plication of anaesthesia in surgery, an-
tedating by nearly two years Dr. Mor-
ton's use of sulphuric ether. Dr.
Riggs gave a clinic at Northampton,
Massachusetts, in June, 1867, and also
gave a description of his method of
treating and operating for the condi-
tions now known as Pyorrhoea Alve-
volaris, but which for a time was
called by his name "Rigg's Disease."
Dr. John S. Clark, born in Brooklyn,
Connecticut, 1813, practiced for sev-
eral years in St. Louis and in New
Orleans. In that city, 1850, he pub-
lished a magazine called "The Dental
Obturator." Dr. Asa Hill, born in
Norwalk, Connecticut, November 20,
1816, a man of fine literary attain-
ments and a frequent contributor to
the periodicals, and associate editor
of several dental journals, invented
the valuable temporary filling ma-
terial known as "Hill's Stopping."
He was also a member of the Con-
necticut State Legislature, 1856. Dr.
C. A. Kingsbury, born in East Wind-
sor, Connecticut, 1819, writer, teacher,
was for many years a professor of the
Philadelphia Dental College. Cyre-
nus O. Cone, M.D., D.D.S., born in
East Haddam, September 20, 1820,
was pioneer professor of mechanical
dentistry in the Baltimore Dental Col-
lege.
First Manufacturers of Dental
Instruments in America
Dr. Horace Wells, writer on den-
tal subjects, was the discoverer and
demonstrator of the anaesthetic prop-
erties of nitrous oxide or laughing
gas, December n, 1844. The first
one to manufacture gold foil in this
country was Marcus Bull of Hartford,
Connecticut, in 1812. Levi Gilbert, a
confectioner in New Haven, Connect-
icut, in 1848, obtained a patent for
cavity plates, the first application of
the principles of atmospheric pressure
in dentistry — a most important part
of mechanical dentistry. Nelson
Goodyear of New Haven, Connecti-
cut, in 1851 invented a process of
making hard rubber or vulcanite,
which has since been so successfully
used for making artificial dentures,
obturators, dental splints, and regulat-
ing appliances and in many and vari-
ous ways has proved of great value to
mankind.
The American profession is now es-
tablished for all ages. It has become
a notable element in civilization and a
mark of culture. Great credit is due
to the men who lifted it from an ob-
scure and menial trade to a position
of dignity and achievement, doing its
part toward the higher uplift of the
human race, and to the men who to-
day are upholding its honor ; that they,
too, may contribute to the history of
human endeavor for the good of man.
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BT
HONORABLE NORMAN WHITE
MEMBER or THE STATE LEGISLATURE or MASSACHUSETTS
HOME or TOE FIRST AMERICAN SAVINGS BANK
is the centennial year
of the savings banks. In
one hundred years a sys-
tern has been built up
that throughout the
world is notable for sta-
bility and conservatism.
The Duke of Wellington once said
when somebody proposed a savings
bank plan for the British Army that
if Tommy Atkins had money to spare
it was time to reduce his pay. But
that was not the sentiment of ad-
vanced people of his day. The be-
ginnings of the savings banks is a
story of humanitarian efforts. Rev-
erend Joseph Smith, in 1/98, with the
support of two wealthy parishioners
at Wendover, started a system of re-
ceiving from members of his congre-
gation any sum from twopence up, to
be returned at Christmas with one-
third of the whole added as interest.
Mrs. Priscilla Wakefield started in
1799, her famous scheme for the ben-
efit of women and children in the vil-
lage of Tottenham, which was after-
ward regularly organized under the
name of the Charitable Bank.
Just loo years ago this winter, the
whole plan of the modern savings
bank was outlined in a speech in the
House of Commons by a Mr. Whit-
bread. His clear-sighted formulation
began the system of which we know.
America was not far behind Eng-
land in the development of the benefi-
cent scheme. If 1907 marks the one
hundredth anniversary of modern
savings, it is also the ninetieth anni-
versary of the opening for business of
the earliest American savings bank.
The Provident Institution for Sav-
ings, Boston, was incorporated De-
cember 13, 1816, and began to receive
accounts a few weeks later.
From then on one finds an interest-
ing story of the devotion and self-sac-
rifice by busy Americans, who have
voluntarily taken charge of funds
which they have, save in the most ex-
ceptional instances, regarded as a
trust rather than as an investment.
In one of the first advertisements of
the Provident Institution for Savings
it is stated : "The trustees will take no
emolument or pay for their services,
having undertaken solely to premote
the interest of the city and of the per-
sons above described who may put
their money therein." That has been
the prevailing spirit in savings bank
management down to this day.
After the immediate success of the
Provident was assured numerous
other institutions of the same kind
were started in New England. Most
of these have continued in their hon-
orable career down to this time.
Among those that soonest opened
their doors to depositors were: Insti-
tution for Savings in the town of
Portland and vicinity, 1819, not or-
ganized; Savings Bank of Newport,
Rhode Island, 1819; Providence,
Rhode Island, Institution for Savings,
1819; Society for Savings, Hartford,
Connecticut, 1819; Institution for
lEffrri nn Ammran
Savings in Newburyport, 1820;
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Sav-
ings Bank, 1823; Institution for Sav-
ings in Roxbury, 1825; New Bed-
ford Institution for Savings, 1825 ;
Lynn Institution for Savings, 1826;
Provident Institution for Savings in
Taunton, 1827; Springfield Institu-
tion for Savings, 1827; Institution for
Savings in Haverhill, 1828; Worces-
ter County Institution for Savings,
1828; Provident Institution for Sav-
ings, Salisbury and Amesbury, 1828;
Fall River Institution for Savings,
1828; Plymouth Institution for Sav-
ings, 1829; Provident Institution for
Savings, Gloucester, 1831 ; Institu-
tion for Savings, Fairhaven, 1832 ;
Windham, Vermont, Provident Insti-
tution for Savings, 1846.
An ingenious example of the adver-
tising of the early nineteenth century
is to be found in a little drama, a copy
of which is one of the treasures of the
Boston Public Library, called "The
Brothers, or Consequences; A Story
of What Happens Every Day." It
was designed, as the name indicates,
to be acted in the Village Lyceum or
Town Hall. By showing what hap-
pened to the family of the unthrifty
brother it was supposed to induce peo-
ple to make regular deposits with
the Provident Institution for Savings.
With the safeguarding exercised by
the law, and the personal devotion dis-
played by trustees who receive no
compensation for their services, no
department of modern finance has
been freer from suspicion or reproach.
Even in the early decades of the nine-
teenth century the savings banks were
noted for their safe and conservative
management. Savings banks, while
needing supervision, have never had
to be drastically reformed.
Some of the banks were hard hit
by the panic of 1837-8, but as an
institution they had become firmly
established. Along about 1850 most
of the "five cent savings banks,"
which are now a feature in nearly
every American municipality, were
organized. The idea of so low a min-
imum was to induce minors to start
deposits which would grow later.
The first hundred years of the sav-
ings bank has made it a mighty factor
in civilization. Through it the labors
of mankind have garnered the har-
vest until in every enlightened nation
to-day savings banks are the greatest
arbiters of industry.
The first century of the savings
bank finds more than eight millions
of the American people with nearly
four billions of dollars safely guarded
in these institutions. New York,
last year, brought seventy millions
to the savings banks, which is alone
"greater than the total savings in the
banks of Japan or Canada and almost
as much as the total of rich Holland."
On this centennial it is interesting
to observe that the savings in New
York are more than one-third of those
of the entire United States — more
than those of thrifty New England,
with Pennsylvania added; more than
those of any nation and even the Ger-
man empire cannot double the depos-
its of one American commonwealth.
In reflecting on the significance of
this anniversary an observer remarks
that the savings banks deposits of
New York overtop those of all France
by $500,000,000; those of Great
Britain by $360,000,000. These de-
posits are $514 for each depositor
and $170 for each inhabitant of the
state. No other state in the Union
equals the latter proportions, only
California and Rhode Island reach
the former. The German average
deposit is $150, the average for each
German inhabitant is forty dollars.
Denmark, Switzerland and New Zea-
land have the highest of the foreign
savings bank deposits in proportion
to population — respectively, seventy-
eight, sixty-two, forty-nine dollars.
It is a wonderful story of progress
and prosperity. Never before in
human history has there been such
astounding material advance, and
through the savings bank, on this, its
one hundredth birthday, pulsates the
life-blood of industry and thrift.
686
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fHnral Eflfrrt on American Citornaljtp j* Cibrrtg ana
llir fflinhhi €ronomir |Iroblrm J* ilhr Drmurrar ;i of Nr0o-
liablr ^rruritira J* QHj* CTm (Comtnanatnrnta in SuBinraa
BT
SERENO D. PRATT
EDITOR or "Tan WALL STRICT JOURNAL"
N this centennial of
the financial system,
through which the sav-
ings of the American
people have been safe-
guarded, it is well to
consider the outcome
of this first epoch, viewing its moral
effects on American citizenship. In
speaking of America's amazing ad-
vance, an economist recently re-
marked: "Until we learn to think in
billions we cannot measure the ma-
terial development of the United
States; much less can we mentally
grasp the potentialities which the
coming years have in store for us.
Our progress, however, has only
been the pioneering work of clearing
the wilderness, of ploughing and
planting amid the stumps which mark
the new land of the settler. Not yet
have we had time to pull the stumps
ANKS and stock ex-
changes were born at
the very time when the
world, shaking off the
shackles of the old
feudal system, leaped
into the modern con-
ception of liberty. With national
wealth represented by ownership of
land there was aristocracy. With
national wealth represented by own-
ership of negotiable securities there
is democracy. Dean Swift, writing
at the time of the South Sea bubble,
lamented the fact that owners of the
land no longer had their old authority
over the government. The commer-
cial class, the bankers, the merchants,
the speculators and promoters began
to take the lead in the affairs of state.
687
and drain the swamps. What we
have been doing is like sowing by
hand and gathering our harvest with
the old sickle as compared with what
we are now preparing to do." The
material development of the United
States is an impelling factor in the
history of our growth as a Nation ;
from it will ultimately arise the age
of Arts and Science. It is, there-
fore, critically essential that the in-
tegrity of American finance be pro-
tected and that demagogues be not
allowed to undermine the faith of the
American people in either labor or
capital, the two elements on which the
history of the future must be made.
This, then, is an appropriate time and
place to moralize on the modern econ-
omic problems, especially the moral
principles that are involved in true
American business development.
The aristocracy of birth and land be-
gan to give way to the democracy of
trade and the money market.
Thus the history of banks, corpo-
rations and stock exchanges which
are the mightiest financial products of
modern civilization, is closely allied to
the growth of republican political in-
stitutions; and it is noteworthy that
the two nations — England and the
United States — where popular repre-
sentative government is most ad-
vanced, have developed to the highest
degree of efficiency the systems of
credit and investment.
Is there anything more democratic
in form at least than the stock corpo-
ration? Its ownership is represented
by shares of stock that may be held by
hundreds and in some cases are held
Amrrtran
by thousands of persons. These
stockholders are like the citizens of a
little republic. They vote — or have
the right to vote — for a Board of Di-
rectors which is the congress of the
republic. These directors elect a
president who is the chief executive
of the republic. The parallelism be-
tween the corporation and the form
of our government is absolute. Those
who attack our corporations are apt
to overlook this fact. In attacking
the corporation they are, in a meas-
ure, indicting the nature of the very
government under which they live.
Banks and stock markets are im-
portant branches of the immense sys-
tem of transportation by which the
world is being unified, by which
boundary lines and race distinctions
are made to appear less vital and by
which peace is promoted, trade inter-
nationalized, tyranny overthrown and
liberty crowned. The stock market
is the freest thing in the world to en-
ter, though it may be costly to get
out. It is a great leveller. It widens
opportunity and gives the common
man the same chance for development
that formerly was monopolized by the
landed aristocrat.
But as it has been an unending
struggle to preserve our republican
institutions, as our political history
has been a record of contest with cor-
ruption, of battles against bosses who
have attempted to seize the machinery
of liberty to use it for tyranny and
graft, so the history of corporations —
these myriad republics of trade has
become a record of struggle against
financial bosses and financial graft.
What the people of the United States
are now trying to do is not to destroy
the corporations. As well admit that
republican government is a failure and
go back to absolutism. What they
are trying to do is to rescue the cor-
porations for liberty and fair dealing.
It is important at this time to make
this distinction. The great mass of
the business men of the country are
honest. The great majority of the
men in control of the corporations are
honest. What has taken place has
been an unconscious drift toward ab-
solutism in the control of corpora-
tions. Stockholders who were indif-
ferent to their rights, and directors
who did not direct, have developed a
class of financial bosses in this coun-
try. These bosses have been some of
them constructive and some of them
destructive, some builders of the na-
tion, some violators of law, bribers
of legislators, manipulators of the
markets and monopolizers of the
sources of supplies.
The mighty economic movement of
to-day is a call to liberty. Its aim
is to make the corporations demo-
cratic in fact as in form. Could any
instrument be invented that is better
adapted to secure a wide distribution
of wealth than the stock company?
Could anything better promote in-
vestment in securities by which that
distribution is brought about than a
free stock market? During the past
eighteen years the New York Stock
Exchange alone has listed over
$20,000,000,000 of stocks and bonds,
and through the agency of its market
these securities have been distributed
among millions of investors. Could
anything be more wholesome ? Could
anything contribute more to national
strength and patriotism than the fact
that the ownership of our banks, our
railroads and our industries are
widely distributed among the actual
producers and wage earners of the
country? This is the best kind of
socialism, the only kind that will be
permitted in this country, a socialism
without confiscation, a socialism that
does not overthrow the principles of
individualism and the rights of prop-
erty.
We are rapidly reaching toward a
wider distribution of wealth. The
next problem is to promote a greater
democracy in the control of wealth.
We want to dethrone financial boss-
ism and establish financial leadership.
We want to inspire greater vigilance
688
3ta 4H0nii Effort ntt Ammrart <Ettt2*ttHlftp
among stockholders. We want,
above all, a higher sense of responsi-
bility among trustees, for it is prob-
ably fair to estimate that at least one-
half of the enormous wealth of the
United States which has in this year
reached the amazing total of $115,-
ocx>,ooo,ooo is in the hands of trustees.
Probably few appreciate the ser-
vice speculation has performed in this
process of distributing the wealth of
the country. But at the same time it
has made possible the financial olig-
archy reaching for the government of
this wealth.
Speculation has its good and its bad
side. It has a philosophic as well as
a financial meaning. In philosophy it
implies mental contemplation of data,
examination of reasons and argu-
ments. In finance it means the tak-
ing of greater or less risks. Both
meanings may be and should be
united in order to form any proper
conception of the nature of stock spec-
ulation. To speculate is to take risks
after an examination of all known
fact. Such speculation is entirely
legitimate and beneficent. Undoubt-
edly stock speculation enormously
promotes the enterprise of the coun-
try. Those who decry Wall street as
the American "Monte Carlo" and the
stock exchange as a den of thieves,
and regard the broker, to use a defini-
tion attributed to Dr. Samuel John-
son, as "a negotiator between two
parties who contrives to cheat both,"
should pause for a moment and con-
sider what this country would be
without the stock exchange.
The facilities of credit and specula-
tion have enabled the world, in two
centuries, to accomplish the work of
ten centuries. The stock market
serves to mobilize capital, enabling it
to be quickly massed for great enter-
prises, too large to be undertaken ex-
cept by collective effort. It serves
also to equalize prices, to prevent an
over-supply at one time and a short-
age at another. Conant says that the
stock market is the great governor of
689
values, the determinant of the rela-
tionship between production and con-
sumption, the guide which points the
finger as to where capital is needed
and where it has ceased to exist.
Even the room traders, apparently
the most useless body of men in the
world and who in a sense "toil not,
neither do they spin," who produce no
wealth, aid largely in the service
which speculation performs for the
country. These men, whose opera-
tions represent about one-third of the
stock exchange transactions, simply
trade on their own account and are in
and out the market, it may be, a dozen
times a day. They are at one mo-
ment bulls and the next bears. They
are ever after the one-eighth or one-
fourth profit to be made in the buying
and selling of stocks on the floor.
And yet these men who make specula-
tion their constant business serve to
maintain a constant market. It is the
existence of these room traders that
makes it possible at all times to estab-
lish quotations to affect sales and to
have a place where you can always
dispose of your securities at the price.
Thus it is that even this class of spec-
ulators hold no inconsiderable a place
in economics.
Moreover the same may be said of
the whole body of margin operations,
although a very small proportion of
them can be considered as speculative
in the highest sense. They enable the
real financial builders oftentimes to
perform their constructive work the
easier in that the speculation facili-
tates the distribution of stocks.
Unquestionably a large proportion
of the stock market transactions are
gambling. At the bottom there is in-
vestment. Resting on this is a broader
body of speculation, and above this,
making a sort of inverted pyramid, is
a great mass of gambling, that is to
say, transactions which do not repre-
sent either investment for income or
intelligent purchases for sale at profit,
but more or less blind dependence
upon chance.
nf Ameruatt
President Hadley of Yale Univer-
sity recently made an excellent dis-
tinction between the different kinds of
speculation. "Much of the present-
day speculation," he said, "is bad but
side by side with the bad there is
much that is good and indeed neces-
sary. The first essential in right
speculation is that a man must be
really able to make good his guaran-
tee as to the future. In other words,
he must be risking his own money.
If he is making contracts for future
delivery on the basis of other people's
money, whether through actual bor-
rowings or through inflated credit,
this is not trade but gambling with
loaded dice."
W. R. Lawson, the English econo-
mist, in his latest work says that
wherever there is business there must
be speculation for the one grows out
of the other, but legitimate trading
rests upon a substantial basis of bona
fide business while a stock gamble
may be a mere fooling with market
prices. He adds that the United
States has had much experience of
both these kinds of speculation. It
has had its substantial El Dorados in
the West and its fictitious El Dorados
in New York, and he thinks that a
safe guide of an American boom is
the proportion of Western solidity
there may be in it as compared with
the Wall street gas.
The country is apt to think of Wall
street as the richest place in the world.
So it is from one point of view. But
did you ever think of Wall street as
the biggest borrower in the country?
That is what it is, and the great mass
of the transactions of the stock mar-
ket are conducted on borrowed
money. It is of interest to consider
this point in connection with Presi-
dent Hadley's statement, that the first
essential in right speculation is that a
man must be risking his own, and not
borrowed, money. The speculator
puts up ten per cent of cash and bor-
rows ninety per cent from his broker.
The broker puts up ten per cent more
and borrows eighty per cent more
from the banks. And the banks?
Well, a great part of the money which
they loan out on call to support the
stock market is borrowed from the
country banks for their deposits paid
for by two per cent interest must be
regarded substantially as borrowed
money. In addition to the hundreds
of millions of out-of-town deposits in
the New York banks there is at this
time between $300,000,000 and $400,-
000,000 of loans on call in the stock
market made directly by banks and
trust companies in the interior, and
this makes a body of credit which is
used almost exclusively for specula-
tive purposes. The interest paid on
the deposits of out-of-town banks and
the direct loans made by out-of-town
banks in Wall street constitute a real
menace to the financial situation. If,
then, speculation has become a na-
tional evil, it is largely due to the fact
that the country itself is lending the
money to the speculators to carry it
on.
For reasons which I have already
tried to indicate, it would be the
height of folly to attempt to suppress
speculation and close the stock ex-
change, but something might be done
to keep speculation from overstep-
ping the boundaries of moderation.
If the line between gambling and
legitimate speculation is the ability of
the speculator to make good his guar-
antee as to the future, might it not be
wise to apply this principle so as to
reduce the volume of stock gambling
and at the same time give ample op-
portunity for legitimate speculation?
As a mere suggestion along this line
would it not be well to increase the
margin required in stock operation?
If the broker would demand more
margin from his customer and the
bank more margin from the broker,
the number of people who enter the
stock market with insufficient capital
would be immensely reduced and the
security of stock operations im-
mensely increased.
3la floral
nn Ammratt <Etttz*ttjalftp
I have gone into this matter some-
what at length because it serves to
emphasize the main point wfcich I de-
sire to make, namely, that all these
great tools of modern business are
capable of being used for mighty con-
structive enterprises and at the same
time of being misused for immoral
and destructive ends. In so far as
they have failed of the highest
achievements it is because, to use the
recent language of President Schur-
man of Cornell University, "the moral
nature of man has not developed as
rapidly as his economic and financial
capacities." In other words, we have
failed in part at least to make a moral
use of these mighty instruments of
credit, of investment and of specula-
tion. The most optimistic feature of
the present day is the fact that we
have awakened to this situation and
are endeavoring to find out the ethical
basis of business.
Let us test this whole matter by
applying that simple but sublime code
of morals — the ten commandments —
to the business conditions of to-day.
You may remember Speaker Reed's
cynical description of Theodore
Roosevelt as a man who had "discov-
ered the ten commandments." I do
riot pretend to have discovered the ten
commandments, but perhaps I am en-
titled to the distinction of first putting
them in double harness with the stock
market. Take up the commandments
one by one and see their economic
significance :
"Thou shalt have none other gods
but me."
It is time that we found out ex-
actly where we stand on the question
of religious faith. Accompanying the
radical attack on wealth is a radical
attack on the belief in God and the
eternal life. All socialists are not
atheists nor are all atheists socialists,
but it is true that the radical type of
socialist believes that it is essential
to the establishment of his economic
philosophy that God and marriage, re-
691
ligion and the home, should be legis-
lated out of existence. Apart from
this, moreover, there are many evi-
dences, although I admit that they
may be superficial, of a decline in the
faith that lays hold on etenial life.
This is a matter of most serious im-
portance. I am speaking now not
from the standpoint of religion but
from that of business. If it be true
that faith is declining then that means
enormous economic readjustments.
I can imagine nothing more deplor-
able, more destructive of values and
of national lasting prosperity than
that. If it be true, then the seeds of
national deterioration are being sown.
Nothing would be more wholesome,
more inspiring, more helpful to na-
tional prosperity than a revival of re-
ligious faith and observance, and bus-
iness men could make no better in-
vestment of their money and time
than to push such a movement along.
"Thou shalt not make to thyselves
any graven images."
How about the worship of the gold-
en calf of wealth and luxury? Per-
haps there is no more of this than for-
merly. One of the most respected
business men of Hartford wrote to
me the other day that luxury was a
good thing for the country, that the
expenditure of money upon other
things kept money in circulation, men
employed and trade active. In like
manner it might be said that wars,
earthquakes and fires were good be-
cause they created new demands. Su-
perficially, this is true. Actually lux-
ury, that is to say, excessive expen-
ditures of money on things that are
not necessary, is, like war, destructive.
More than that, it is demoralizing.
Russell Sage, with all his penurious-
ness, was a better example to our
young men than some of our new rich
men with their lavish display of lux-
ury. I may add that at this time one
of the features of the business situa-
tion to be deplored and feared is the
fact that, owing to this growing love
of luxury which is spreading through
all grades of society, we are spending
so much and saving so little.
Why is it that France, with only
207,000 square miles of territory and
thirty-nine millions of population is
such a stupendous financial power,
and is able at all times to command
such immense investing resources?
It is because every man, woman and
child in the country saves something
out of his income. Saving is the key-
note of French industry. In this
country the waste of national re-
sources has been shameful.
"Thou shalt not take the name of
the Lord thy God in vain."
No one who goes to our great cities
can have failed to notice a marked de-
cline in profanity in the past few
years. Whatever may be in our hearts
our lips are at least cleaner. It is be-
ginning to be recognized that profan-
ity and obscenity are unmanly.
"Remember that Thou keep holy
the Sabbath day."
There has been a marvelous change
in the observance of Sunday in the
United States during the past genera-
tion. From the strictness of Puritan
observance we are rapidly swinging
to the opposite extreme. The only
safe and reasonable position is be-
tween these two extremes. France
is as far removed from Puritanism as
it is possible to be and yet it is one of
the significant events of the present
year that in France, and apparently
strictly upon economic grounds, there
has been enacted there a law making
one day's rest out of seven compul-
sory. It is a fair question to ask
whether in this country we are not
drifting too far away from that rule.
It seems to me that some of our rich
men are setting a bad example in this
respect and need to be called into
account for it. They are compelling
a great many people to work on Sun-
day for their pleasure and instead of
making the day one of rest, they are
occupying it to a very large extent, if
not in business and conference, then
in conspicuous pleasure. The intro-
duction of the automobile, beneficent
as it has been in many other respects,
is responsible not a little for the mis-
use of the Sabbath.
"Honor thy father and thy mother."
Perhaps it would be too sweeping
a generalization to say that reverence
has about died out in the United
States, but it is a fact to be noted by
everybody that it is certainly at low
ebb. This fact is responsible in no
small measure for that indifference to
law, that contempt of authority which
is making for anarchy alike in high
and low places. No share of stock,
no bond, no business contract has any
value except it be safeguarded by re-
spect for law and authority.
"Thou shalt do no murd'er."
Human life has a value which it
never possessed before and we are
certainly doing much by police pro-
tection, health laws, sanitation and
otherwise to protect it. We owe a
stupendous debt of . gratitude to the
medical profession for having low-
ered the mortality rate in so many
of our crowded cities. Nevertheless,
I would call on you to witness the
lynchings, the labor riots, and the
railroad accidents ; all of which tes-
tify loudly to the fact that human life
is still held in low esteem by many
people. The fact that in 1895 the
number of passengers carried upon
the railways of the country to every
one passenger killed was 2,984,832,
while in 1905 the number of passen-
gers carried for every one killed was
1,375,856 shows a condition of in-
creasing carelessness to human life
that is not altogether flattering to the
United States. We are so eager for
results that we are not always careful
about means and we are in so much
of a hurry that we pay too little atten-
tion to safety.
"Thou shalt not commit adultery."
The home is or should be the cen-
ter of civilization. Shall we permit it
to be destroyed? What answer do
you make to this question ? Certainly
e<ju*lto money Stfllltte -arc rr
Trreafu/teT a/r\d
tokvtn vrv all PA lick pay -m
al
. Bollon i/ru /N/*w-Lngl*i\cL»
tke tKircb IQOcoBy
t U C^i e/r al C?
FIRST PAPER MONEY IN AMERICA IN 169O
BY HENRY RUSSELL DROWNB
of th: American N'umUm itic aid Arch* logic il Society
This is an actual fa .•simile of the First Paper Money in America, which eventually
led to the founding of thi A n -ricai binlcin< system Tne A-n :rican Colonists prior
to the reign of William and Marv were prohibited frou coiaiag m >ney. In 1693. the
Colonists of tiiv England and Mew York sent an expedition against Canada, which
wn u wucceiiful. Oa ttie return of the troopt from B>*ton there wi< ao m >ney
with which to pay th;m. The saldier* cUm jred for pavm.-nt and were on the verge
of mutiny when it WAJ resolved to resort to Paper Mine/ and a Com nittee WAS
empowered to isiue £7.00 In bills from five jhillln<-» to fi/e PJJ nl«. Thas was Paper
Money introduced by M tssachusetts ii 16} >. Carol! ta followed In 1701, in conse-
quence of an Ill-advised expedition to St. Augustine, Florida, watch entailed a debt
of ,£5,o DO. In IT<X), New Y >rk and Connecticut first lsiu:d b.Ha of credit a id the
othir Colonies followed in due course. Georgia being the last. Paper Money, which
had been first auth >rizid to m:et the necessities of Colonial Treasuries to wage war,
soon became generally established In relie/in< c im n::cial aid financial embarrass-
ment, and ontinued in ms until after the close of the Revolutionary War and in
fact until the establishment of the United S;ates Mint at Phllalelp'ili m
Amrriratt
the growth of divorces in this country
is something which business men sim-
ply from purely business motives
should take measures to check. Dr.
Dix in Trinity Church, which stands
at the head of Wall street, only a few
days ago said that in the past twenty
years there have been 500,000 di-
vorces in the United States against
214,000 in Europe, although Europe
has five times the population of the
United States. Our material pros-
perity can have no permanency if
accompanied by moral deterioration.
'Thou shalt not steal."
This opens a wide subject. On the
one hand there is to be witnessed a
wonderful increase in honesty and on
the other a most shameful lack of it.
One of the most magnificent specta-
cles which this country of enormous
wealth presents is the scrupulous care
which is exercised by the great body
of our people in the actual handling
of money. Our inland trade amount-
ing to at least $22,000,000,000 a year
is carried on with an infinitesimal loss
caused by actual theft. The great
body of our servants in the banks and
public institutions through which mil-
lions of money pass every week
account for every penny of it.
The enormous bulk of Wall street
transactions require no written con-
tract. In the stock exchange mil-
lions upon millions of property are
transferred every day simply by the
nod of a head and the raising of a fin-
ger. The oral promise has all the
force of the written bond. This is
certainly a splendid spectacle of hon-
esty. I think few people appreciate
the full significance of this fact and
give Wall street the credit which it
deserves in this respect. The world
has gained much in having gained
this.
But there are other forms of steal-
ing than actually putting one's hands
into the till and filling one's pockets
with the contents thereof. There a
other kinds of stealing than going
back upon one's contract and refusing
to fulfill one's promises. In the pres-
ent transition age .of American busi-
ness, at this time when we are apply-
ing upon a colossal scale the mechan-
ism of corporations and syndicates
and promotion, new forms of stealing
have developed, to a large extent, let
it be admitted, unconsciously ; so that
people are actually robbing their
neighbors oftentimes under the very
forms of law. There has, therefore,
developed what President Roosevelt
calls a "law honesty," which in effect
is criminal dishonesty.
Suppose we apply this command-
ment, "Thou shalt not steal," to the
stock market and to some of the ope-
rations of modern business and see
what becomes of it.
A corporation by clever bookkeep-
ing covers up essential facts as to its
financial condition and thus leads in-
vestors astray.
Is that stealing?
A director by reason of his confi-
dential position gains advance knowl-
edge of a coming dividend and uses
this knowledge so as to speculate with
absolute certainty in the stock market,
thereby profiting at the expense of
others and perhaps of some of the
very stockholders of whom he is the
trustee.
Is that stealing?
A financier by his control of banks
and corporations and the mechanism
of the markets r-o manipulates prices
as to give a fictitious appearance of
prosperity and then proceeds to un-
load his securities on the public.
Is that stealing?
A trust resorts to oppressive meth-
ods of destroying competition.
Is that stealing?
A railroad grants and a favored
shipper accepts rebates or other forms
of discrimination by which the latter
gets control of the trade.
Is that stealing?
A public service corporation unable
to get a franchise in any other way
buys a board of aldermen.
Is that stealing?
694
3ta Ifinral lEflfrrt nn Ammratt
A professional operator "washes
sales" on the curb in order to sell a
mining prospect of no or of doubtful
value to the public at grossly inflated
prices.
Is that stealing?
A promoter makes a present of a
"call" on a newspaper reporter in
order to get an alluring but deceitful
paragraph before the public.
Is that stealing?
A corporation hires the smartest
lawyer in the country to tell it how
near it can get to the edge of illegality
and of even criminal conduct and yet
escape any penalty or violation.
Is that stealing?
A bank refuses information on the
pretense that it is private business,
although such refusal obscures the
whole financial situation and puts
thousands of investors in peril.
Is that stealing?
We need, do we not, to give a wider
interpretation to this commandment
so that it shall apply as well to the
new conditions of modern trade as to
the old forms and practices ?
The London Times recently com-
plained of "window dressing" by
British banks. What is it? Simply
making a special showing of strength,
particularly in reserve, for the period-
ical public reports and then, after
their publication, going back to the
old condition of low reserves and ex-
panded credits.
Is that strictly honest ?
The world is to-day prosperous as
never before. Russia is the only sore
spot in the international situation.
But this prosperity is accompanied by
an overstraining of bank credits.
Wastes by war, earthquake and fire,
marvelous enterprise in every part
of the globe, $15,000,000,000 of new
securities issued in the principal coun-
tries in the past four years, great in-
dustrial and commercial activity ac-
companied by extensive land and
stock speculation in the United States,
England and Germany, — these have
piled up credit liabilities on a dimin-
693
ishing percentage of reserves, and this
fact more than any political disturb-
ance menaces the business situation.
Under such conditions as these sup-
pose that some one undertakes to ma-
nipulate the call money rate on the
floor of the stock exchange in order
to influence the course of the stock
market, thereby striking directly at
public confidence.
Would that be honest ?
Let us not do the injustice to sup-
pose that all the stealing is in these
regions of finance and speculation.
The other day I stood at the Brook-
lyn end of the Williamsburg Bridge
and saw scores of men and women
getting off Manhattan cars and push-
ing into the crowds around the Brook-
lyn cars, secure transfers to the latter
for which they are not entitled ; in
other words, stealing five cent rides
from an unpopular corporation.
In plain truth, is there not to-day
a good deal of downright dishonesty
by the people in dealing with the cor-
porations. A gentleman told me the
other day that a man in his town
burned his house in order to get the
insurance. One jury sent the incen-
diary to jail but another jury decided
that the insurance company must pay
the amount of the insurance to the
wife of the incendiary ; in other
words, there was no particular con-
science in stealing from a rich corpo-
ration in order to enrich a neighbor.
In contrast to this and in order to
show that high finance with all its
ethical shortcomings is capable of pre-
senting a splendid example of hon-
esty, witness James J. Hill's distribu-
tion of the profits of the iron ore deal
to the stockholders of the Great
Northern Railroad. Can any doubt
that Mr. Hill with the resources at
his command might have been able to
reserve this rich melon for himself
and his few wealthy associates? In-
stead of that he carved it up equitably.
In this transaction at least he has
coupled financial square dealing with
magnificent material achievement.
nf Amrruan
These are some of the questions
which the people are considering at
this time, and the fact that they are
asking them is evidence of a moral
awakening which to me is the best
possible proof that the world is grow-
ing better instead of worse.
"Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbor."
No other branch of business has
had a more wonderful growth during
the past generation than the news-
paper business, and it seems to me as
if this commandment is at this time
especially applicable to that particu-
lar business. By and by the people
will take up newspaper reform just
as they have taken up insurance re-
form and will insist upon the estab-
lishment of higher moral standards in
the conduct of the newspaper press
I am not going to say anything in de-
preciation of the profession to which
I belong, especially as I believe that
on the whole it compares favorably
with any other department of human
endeavor, and I ask you in all fairness
whether you would like to live in
San Francisco, or in the city of New
York, or in the United States if you
were deprived of the protection
afforded by our free press. Never-
theless there are two classes of news-
papers which are bearing false wit-
ness. One class we call the yellow
journalism. The other class may be
called the court circular journalism.
The former bears false witness by ex-
aggeration, by sensation, by innuendo,
by inspiring hopes of general equality
of condition which can never be real-
ized, by inspiring false doctrine and
class hatreds. Court journalism, on
the other hand, bears false witness by
serving as servile organs of political
or financial interests, by concealing
the truth and by defending wrong.
"Thou shalt not covet."
A part at least of the social unrest
of to-day is due to covetousness, to
envy of the rich. And while we may
properly legislate for fairer methods
in the accumulation and distribution
of wealth, we should take care to
guard zealously the rights of property
and permit no greed, no false philos-
ophy to overthrow that great principle
upon which our social order rests.
The Greek philosophers were also
the Greek economists. It is essential
that ethics and economics should go
together, for political economy which
is not based upon morality means sim-
ply brute force, while a morality
which cannot be applied practically to
everyday business is simply a useless
idealism. It is for this reason that I
have this evening endeavored in this
superficial and crude way to link some
of the business conditions of to-day
to the sublime principles of the moral
code.
I would not leave the impression
that I am a pessimist. I am emphat-
ically an optimist. The very fact that
people are so universally talking about
these ethical phases of business is of
itself a conclusive proof of progress.
We cannot tell what the next day, or
the next year may bring forth, but in
a great measure we can tell what the
next ten years will bring forth for this
nation. There is not unlikely to be
serious disturbance and a grave crisis
or two in the meantime, for it always
seems that as the richest soil is often
on the side of a volcano so under our
national prosperity are always burn-
ing the fires of possible financial up-
heaval. But there is an absolute cer-
tainty of a great development of
American citizenship and American
wealth in the coming ten-year period.
In spite of tyranny in high finance
and anarchy in low places, in spite of
criticism just and unjust, in spite of
condemnation and denunciation and
investigation, the people of this coun-
try now, and in the years to come,
will stand up and vote and fight for
liberty and justice, and the rights of
property, and for equal opportunity
under the law to work out their high
destiny.
696
nf lEarlg Ammratt Harriots
(Cnrrraumtornrr
nf thr 3Firat (Citizrna nf thr
Natintt. il\ rural iu it llirir |Irrannalitira anb
JJritmtr Ciura o* A finmanrr nf tl]r Nnrlb, anb &nnth,
mnrr Hum a (i'ruturu Aiin <+ Jlutinuitr 3Frlrnbah,ips nf Diatinijiniahrb
An'.rrtrana ^ &nrial Srlatinna nf th.r ^Familira nf COffirrra tn thr Early IHara
BT
MABEL. CASSIXE UOLMAN
FROM OKIKINAI. LETTEIIS Now IN POSSESSION OF CIIAHI.ES EBKN JACKSON,
A DESCENDANT OF (II:NERAL MICH ATI. JArKrox
Powder Horn presented to Colonel M chael Jpckfon in 1782 for his bravery in the American Revolution
discovery of these old
letters, rich in their side-
lights on the personali-
ties of many of the dis-
J tinguished Americans of
the first days of the Re-
public, is of especial
value to the historical literature.
Not long ago I became acquainted
with a wealth of ancient documents
that had been secreted for several
generations in the privacy of one
of our oldest homes. I was fav-
ored with the permission to delve
among them. In them I found re-
vealed much that had hitherto been
unknown to me and through them I
gained a clear knowledge of the early
American character.
The frankness of these time-wont
letters, inscribed by hands that have
long since left the affairs of state to
other generations, was such that I
felt an intimate acquaintance with the
writers, and I sought the privilege of
bringing them before the public.
In introducing them I wish to make
public recognition of the courtesies
extended me by Mr. Charles Eben
Jackson, a descendant of General
Michael Jackson, in whose possession
the treasured originals now remain.
Ancient Miniature of
Ebenezer Jackson, Senior,
a Gentleman of the
First Days of the American Republic
Original in Possession of
Mr. Charles Eben Jackson
3ttttmat?
0f First Ammran <Etit??n0
The Ancient Jackson Estate, "Walnut Grove"— The names of Washington and Lafayette are carved on
one of the trees-It was to the hollow trunk of one of these "button ball" trees that the Indian Chief,
"Mamoosa," according to one of the old legends, escaped after killing a fellow tribesman about 1650
ORE than a hundred
years ago there came
from -Savannah,
Georgia, a gentleman
looking for a sum-
mer home in the
north, and being di-
rected by friends to Newport, Rhode
Island, or to Middletown, Connecti-
cut, his choice fell upon the latter
place, where he purchased one of the
famous Wetmore houses, built as the
houses were in those days to with-
stand the ravages of time, a fine ram-
bling brick structure, with heavy dog-
tooth cornices running around the
ceilings, and quaint sliding shutters
at the windows. The wide colonial
fireplaces were decorated in figures
and garlands of high relief. The
grounds, shaded by stately trees slop-
ing to the banks of the Arawana
stream.
It was here, in 1801, that Ebenezer
Jackson, the third son of General
Michael Jackson, of Newton, Massa-
chusetts, accompanied by his charm-
ing Southern wife, and children,
699
made his Northern home, which is
known as "Walnut Grove," and still
occupied by his descendants. Some
years before this, Ebenezer Jackson
had been sent by the government to
establish the border-line between Vir-
ginia and North Carolina, meeting in
Savannah, Charlotte Fenwick Pierce,
the widow of Major William Leigh
Pierce ; he surrendered his heart and
they were married in Savannah July
25, 1792. Mrs. Jackson was a daugh-
ter of Edward Fenwick and Mary
Drayton of Charleston, South Car-
olina, and a relative of George Fen-
wick, an agent of the Warwick pat-
ent, who, with his wife, Lady Alice
Fenwick, were among the first set-
tlers of Saybrook, Connecticut.
Brought up in a true Southern home
in the midst of wealth and refinement,
Charlotte Fenwick developed early
into a beautiful woman. When fif-
teen years old, during the absence of
her mother in England, she was
placed at school. As the English
army approached Charleston the
school disbanded, and the teachers
(H0m0p0ttteni:e of Earlg Ammran
fled. Charlotte took refuge with her
sister, Harriette, the wife of Josiah
Tatnell, afterward Governor of
Georgia (their son gave the beauti-
ful cemetery, Bonaventure, to the
city of Savannah. A daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Jackson,
Harriette Fenwick Jackson, married
her cousin, the famous Commodore
Josiah Tatnell of Savannah, who was
the originator of the phrase, "Blood
is thicker than water") ; here she met
Major Pierce, and soon after became
betrothed to him. The following de-
scription of Miss Fenwick at this time
is taken from a letter written to
Major Pierce by a friend, July 10,
1783:
"DEAR PIERCE :
Last evening for the first time in my life
I saw Miss Charlotte Fenwick. She sang
'Return enraptured hours' most divinely.
She is rather pretty than handsome. She
is lively, facitious and I think abominably
clever. The whole town say you are en-
gaged to her — its taken for granted — and
now you are ranked on the list of a North-
ern Gentlemen marrying a Southern
Lady."
The writer adds :
"I am a little in love — not much."
Mrs. Fenwick, upon receiving
word of the trouble in Charleston
at once hastened home to find her
daughter Charlotte married to a
stranger. Highly indignant, Mrs.
Fenwick addressed her: "And who
is this Major Pierce?" "A gentle-
man, Madam," Mrs. Pierce replied,
haughtily. "Go to your room,
Madam, and stay there the rest of the
day," which the young bride did.
Major Pierce was born in Virginia
about 1740; he engaged in the Revo-
lutionary War and was commis-
sioned a captain in the First Conti-
nental Artillery, becoming an aide to
General Green. After the battle of
Eutaw Springs, Major Pierce bore
the general's dispatches with the news
of the victory to Congress at Phila-
delphia. On October 29, 1781, Con-
gress resolved "that a sword be pre-
sented to Captain Pierce." This
sword suitably inscribed is now
owned by a grandson of Mrs.
Pierce. In 1786, Major Pierce was
elected to the Continental Con-
gress from Georgia for one year.
Among many valuable documents in
the possession of the Jackson family
is a small book bound in red morocco
EARLY COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE— WETMORE HOMESTEAD BUILT IN i746-Erected by
one of the first families settling near the Jackson Ancestral Estate in the old Colony of Connecticut
700
Knttmai?
0f
Ammran <E
RARE MINIATURE OF MRS. COMFORT
SAGE— After Arnold's treason, she sheltered and
concealed the traitor's two little sons in her home
and lettered, "Pierces* Reliques," con-
taining the notes taken by Major
Pierce while attending the conven-
tion, and several interesting anec-
dotes. A memorandum in Wash-
ington Irving's handwriting, pasted
within, shows the book to have been
borrowed by him. He derived from
it the following anecdote for his "Life
of Washington:" "When the Con-
vention first opened at Philadelphia,
there were a number of propositions
brought forward as great leading
principles for the new Government to
be established for the United States.
A copy of these propositions was
given to each Member with an injunc-
tion to keep everything a profound
secret. One morning, by accident,
one of the Members dropt his copy of
the propositions, which being luckily
picked up by General Mifflin was pre-
sented to General Washington, our
President, who put it in his pocket.
After the debates of the Day were
over, and the question for adjourn-
ment was called for, the General
arose from his seat, and previous to
his putting the question addressed the
701
PAINTING OF GENERAL COMFORT SAGE
—He was at Valley Forge with Washington-
While ill in 1789. Washington sat at his bedside
Convention in the following man-
ner,—
GENTLEMEN :
I am sorry to find that some one Mem-
ber of this Body, has been so neglectful of
the secrets of the Convention as to drop in
the State House a copy of their proceed-
ings, which by accident was picked up and
delivered to me this Morning, I must en-
treat Gentlemen to be more careful, least
our transactions get into the News Papers,
and disturb the public repose by premature
speculations. I know not whose paper it
is, but there it is (throwing it down on the
table), let him who owns it take it.
At the same time he bowed, picked
up his Hat and quitted the room with
a dignity so severe that every Person
seemed alarmed ; for my part I was
extremely so, for putting my hand in
my pocket I missed my copy of the
same Paper, but advancing up to the
Table my fears soon dissipated; I
found it to be the handwriting of
another Person. When I went to my
lodgings at the Indian Queen, I found
my copy in a pocket which I had
pulled off that Morning. It is some-
thing remarkable that no Person ever
owned the Paper."
PERSONAL NOTES FROM A WARRIOR'S DIARY
Accurate Transcripts from Journal of Major William Leigh Pierce, a Member of the First
Continental Congress from Georgia, describing the " Characters in the
Convention of the States at Philadelphia, May, 1787"
General George Washington of
Virginia — Politician and Statesman
Genl Washington is well known as the
Commander in chief of the late American
Army. Having conducted these States to
independence and peace, he now appears
to assist in framing a Government to make
the People happy. Like Gustavus Vasa,
he may be said to be the deliverer of his
country; — like Peter the great he appears
as the politician and the States-man; and
like Cincinnatus he returned to his farm
perfectly contented with being only a plain
Citizen, after enjoying the highest honor
of the confederacy, — and now only seeks
for the approbation of his Country — men
bj being virtuous and useful. The Gen-
eral was conducted to the Chair as Presi-
dent of the Convention by the unanimous
voice of its Members. He is in the 52d
year of his age.
Colonel Alexander Hamilton of
New York — a Finished Scholar
Col. Hamilton is deservedly celebrated
for his talents. He is a practitioner of the
Law, and reputed to be a finished Scholar.
To a clear and strong judgment he unites
the ornaments of fancy, and whilst he is
able, convincing, and engaging in his elo-
quence the Heart and Head svmnathize in
approving him. Yet there is something
too feeble in his voice to be equal to the
strains of oratory; — it is my opinion that
he is rather a convincing Speaker, than a
blazing Orator. Col. Hamilton requires
time to think, — he enquires into every part
of his subject with the searchings of
phylosophy, and when he comes forward
he comes highly charged with interesting
matter, there is no skimming over the sur-
face of a subject with him, he must sink
to the bottom to see what foundation it
rests on. — His language is not always
equal, sometimes didactic like Boling-
broke's, at others light and tripping like
Stern's. His eloquence is not so defusive
as to trifle with the senses, but he rambles
just enough to strike and keep up the
attention. He is about 33 years, of small
stature, and lean. His manners are tinc-
tured with stiffness, and sometimes with a
degree of vanity that is highly disagree-
able.
Judge Oliver Ellsworth of Supreme
Court — Respected for Integrity
Mr. Elsworth is a Judge of the Supreme
Court in Connecticut; — he is a Gentlemen
of a clear, deep, and copious understand-
ing; eloquent, and connected in public de-
bate; and always attentive to his duty. He
is quick in a reply, and choice in selecting
such parts of his adversary's arguments as
he finds make the strongest impressions, —
in order to take off the force of them, so
as to admit the power of his own. Mr.
Elsworth is about 37 years of age, a Man
much respected for his integrity, and ven-
erated for his abilities.
Roger Sherman — " No Man has a
Better Heart or a Clearer Head"
Mr. Sherman
exhibits the oddest-shaped character I ever
remember to have met with. He is
awkward, un-meaning, and unaccountably
strange in his manner. But in his train of
thinking there is something regular, deep,
and comprehensive; yet the oddity of his
address, the vulgarisms that accompany his
public speaking, and that strange new Eng-
land cant which runs through his public as
his private speaking make everything that
is connected with him grotesque and laugh-
able;— and yet he deserves infinite praise,
— no Man has a better Heart or a clearer
Head. If he cannot embellish he can fur-
nish thoughts that are wise and useful.
He is an able politician, and extremely
artful jn accomplishing any particular ob-
ject;— it is remarked that he seldom fails.
I am told he sits on the Bench in Connect-
icut and is very correct in the discharge of
his Judicial functions. In the early part
of his life he was a Shoemaker ;— but de-
spising the lowness of his condition, he
turned Almanack maker, and so pro-
gressed upwards to a Judge. He has been
several years a Member of Congress, and
discharged the duties of his Office with
honor and credit to himself, and advan-
tage to the State he represented. He is
about 60.
jot
44 Dr. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania
—The Greatest Philosopher of His Age"
Dr. Franklin is well known to be the
greatest phylosopher of the present age; —
all the operations of nature he seems to
understand, — the very heavens obey him,
and the Clouds yeild up their Lightning to
be imprisoned in his rod. But what claim
he has to the politician, posterity must de-
termine. It is certain that he does not
shine much in public Council ; — he is no
Speaker, nor does he seem to let politics
engage his attention. He is, however, a
most extraordinary Man, and tells a story
in a style more engaging than anything
I ever heard. Let his Biographer finish
his character. He is 82 years old, and
possesses an activity of mind equal to a
youth of 25 years of age.
"When I was in Philadelphia attending the
federal convention June 1787, I waited on
Dr. Franklin one morning to pay my re-
spects to him and after some little conver-
sation which was of a gay and cheerful
kind he gave me an opportunity to ask him
his age, when he informed me he was 82
years old. to which he observed that he
had 'lived long enough to intrude himself
on posterity,' and a few words concerning
General Green,— After the raising of the
seige of Ninety six in So. Carolina when
the American Army were retrenching, in
officer of high rank persuaded Gen Green
to abondone the States, and to go into Vir-
ginia, on which the general replied — 'no
Sir I will conquer this Country or die in
the attempt."
4 Dr. Samuel Johnson— One of the First Classicists
in America — Eloquent and Clear"
Dr. Johnson is a character much cele-
brated for his legal knowledge; he is said
to be one of the first classics in America,
and certainly possesses a very strong and
enlightened understanding. As an Orator
in my opinion, there is nothing in him
that warrants the high reputation which
he has for public speaking. There is
something in the tone of his voice not
pleasing to the Ear, — but he is eloquent
and clear, — always abounding with infor-
mation and instruction. He was once em-
ployed as an Agent for the State of Con-
necticut to state her claims to certain
landed territory before the British House
of Commons ; this Office he discharged
with so much dignity, and made such an
ingenious display of his powers, that he
laid the foundation of a reputation which
will probably last much longer than his
own life. Dr. Johnson is about sixty
years of age, possesses the manners of a
Gentlemen, and engages the Hearts of
Men by the sweetness with which he
accosts his acquaintance.
Major Pierce died December loth,
1789, and three years later Mrs.
Pierce became the wife of Ebenezer
Jackson.
After buying "Walnut Grove" Mr.
Jackson greatly improved and beauti-
fied the old mansion. The walks
winding in and out among the an-
cient trees and terraced lawns were
bordered with boxes of orange and
lemon trees Mrs. Jackson sent from
the South. The gentle murmur of
the stream, with the sounds of child-
ish laughter, and the patter of little
feet guarded by colored mammies
made it an ideal home. Mr. and
Mrs. Jackson usually made the jour-
neys between Middletown and Savan-
nah by water, until their lives were
endangered by a severe storm, during
which one of their slaves who was
very ill and frightened, begged the
captain to put her ashore and "let her
walk home." After this the trips
were accomplished by carriage, the
journey taking five or six weeks.
Occasionally a winter was passed in
Middletown, and "Walnut Grove" be-
came the scene of many social gath-
erings. The table is still there on
which Major Andre took tea. Mr.
Jackson owned the irst carriage in
Middletown, and frequently Mrs.
Jackson would send the carriage for
her friends that they might enjoy a
game of cards to white away the long
winter evenings.
After some years Mr. and Mrs.
Jnttmate
of
Ammran (Ettt^nta
Jackson decided to locate perma-
nently in the North. Great was the
grief of the slaves who with tears in
their eyes begged to be taken north
with master and mistress. They were
not separated but all found a home
with a relative of the family. Mrs.
Jackson died in Savannah, April 4th,
1819, where she is buried. Ebenezer
Jackson spent his last days in Middle-
town, where he died in 1836, and was
buried in Indian Hill Cemetery.
It was at "Walnut Grove" that
Ruth Parker Jackson, the widow of
that grand soldier, General Michael
Jackson, passed her last days. Mrs.
Jackson was a true soldier's wife ; not
only did she bravely see her husband
depart to lay down his life if need be,
for the freedom of the new country,
but with him served their five sons.
General Jackson was a descendant of
Edward Jackson, a nailer of London,
who settled at Cambridge, Mass., in
1643. General Jackson was born in
Newton, December i8th, 1735. And
it is a very strange coincidence that
his son Ebenezer, was born on the
same date. His great-great-grand-
son, born December i8th, graduated
from West Point in 1900, and en-
tered the army ; and another great-
great-grandson, born on the same
date, desired to enter West Point, but
was unable to get an appointment.
Every member of the family born on
December i8th either follow, or de-
sire to follow, a military life. Gen-
eral Jackson served from the battle
of Lexington to the close of the Revo-
lutionary War with his five sons, all
officers of the Continental Line —
Michael, jr., Simon, Ebenezer, Amasa
and Charles. Four brothers of Gen-
eral Jackson enlisted for three years
of the war, and two more brothers
served as volunteers from time to
time.
General Michael Jackson and his
five sons were all members of the So-
ciety of Cincinnati. When raising
his famous 8th Massachusetts Regi-
ment, he tried to have his five sons
mustered in, the three youngest were
rejected as too young, but he finally
succeeded with another muster-mas-
ter in having them accepted as drum-
mers and fifers, and maintained that
boys were better than men for that
service. The eldest of the three,
Ebenezer, was but thirteen, and the
youngest, Charles, only ten. General
Jackson first served in the Colonial
army during the French War, and
was present at the siege of Louisburg,
and later was assigned to the com-
mand of a company of Minute Men.
Before the Battle of Lexington while
on his way to Boston on horseback
one morning before day light, with his
panniers filled with "garden sauce,"
the Sergeant of the minute company
at Cambridge, Major Timothy Jack-
son, met a man coming from the city
to inform them of the British having
started for Lexington and Concord.
He immediately turned back and dis-
mounting at the Meeting house, the
rendezvous of the company, rang the
bell. By sunrise the whole company
was present with the exception of the
Captain, who sent an excuse of ill-
ness. Michael Jackson was nomi-
nated and unanimously chosen to fill
his place. Wasting no time in re-
turning thanks, he at once marched
his men to the regimental muster
ground, and found the officers of cer-
tain companies in council deliberating
as to further plans. As soon as Gen-
eral Jackson had an opportunity to
speak, he told them no brave men
would stop to deliberate, all they
needed to do was to pursue the en-
emy to Lexington, and no time was
to be lost. The council broke up and
all proceeded to Lexington, where
they arrived in time to engage the
enemy, until they re-entered Boston.
The following letter, written from
Savannah, in 1823, from Ebenezer
Jackson, to his son, Ebenezer, jr. con-
cerning his grandfather's brilliant
service during the Revolutionary
War, pictures the scenes as nothing
else can do.
704
nf 3:arUj Ammran Warrinra
PORTRAIT OF A REVOLUTIONARY MATRON
—Mary Wright, Daughter of Captain Wright, a friend of
the Jacksons— She married Richard AIsop, merchant, ship
owuer, and successful Wrst Indian trader — After her
husband's drath she took the management of the business
and became an importer of sugar, mo'asses and mahogany
SAVANNAH, MAY 7™, 1823.
MY DEAR SON:
With respect to the history of my late
father's life, my recollections are imper-
fect. I believe the date of his age and
death is recorded in his family Bible now
at Middletown. When quite a young man
he was appointed a subaltern officer and
was attached to one of the Massachusetts
Provincial Regiments. I do not recollect
to have heard him say what services he
performed. I think he marched to join
Gen. Amerst at Ticonderoga or Ft. Ed-
ward. On his return from this tour of
duty to the Westward, he engaged and
went with the Provincial Troops as a sub-
altern at the taking of the Island of Cane
Breton where he saw some service. He
was one of those who under a disguise of
Indian dress destroyed the tea in Boston
at the commencement of the Revolution.
At the early commencement of the trou-
bles between England and her colonies,
when the people in the different towns in
New England began to prepare an opposi-
tion to the Mother Country by raising
Minute Companies to be ready at a mo-
mcnt's call, and to be better disciplined
than the common Militia, a company was
raised in Newton, and the command
assigned to Capt. Michael Jackson, in con-
sequence of his former military experi-
ences, and the high opinion they enter-
tained of his courage and personal firm-
ness. This Company he lead into the
memorable first battle of Lexington, at
which time all the officers were armed with
guns, and my father who was a firstrate
shot, informed me that he had 32 thirtv-
two very fair and deliberate shots at the
enemy on that day. Soon after this battle,
Captain Michael Jackson was promoted to
the rank of Major in the Regiment com-
manded by Col. Gardner, who afterwards
lost his life from wounds received in the
Battle of Blinker Hill. At the Battle of
Bunker's Hill, Major Michael Jackson
acted in the most spirited manner during
the whole of that action, and informed me
repeatedly that on that day he had forty-
two very fair shots at the enemy, many of
which were deliberately fired as near a
Eleven to Thirty yards distance, and I
think he said his piece was loaded with a
ball and 3 buckshot. He informed me
RARE PAINTING OF A REVOLUTIONARY
MOTH ER— Mrs. Wright, wife cf Captain Wright— Her
ancient home was built of the first bricks that were ever
made in her State, and probably in all New England
705
3nttmate
of SUral Ammran (Etttjnts
ANCIENT CANVAS OF FIRST MAYOR OF AN OLD AMERICAN MUNICIPALITY-Colonel Jabez
Hamlin, a politician of the Revolutionary period, a friend of the family of General Jackson, and first Mayor of
Middletown— His love affairs are an interesting story— When a student at Yale he stood on the dock one Com-
mencement Day looking out into Long Island Sound through a field glass— In a sloop he spied a girl
— Young Hamlin exclaimed '• That girl sh*ll 02 my wife," and ths wedding occurred a few weeks later
that the day was so very hot that he threw
away his coat and on the retreat near the
margin of Bunker's Hill towards Cam-
bridge, he rallied about twenty-five men,
all he could collect, and made a stand,
which checked the advance of the British,
as they suspected some kind of an ambush,
that he and his little party stood their
ground until they had discharged ten or
twelve rounds, and often within twelve
yards of each other, that in the last skir-
mish, while taking aim at the enemy, he
received a ball through his Bayonet Belt
which passed through his jacket and shirt,
just drawing blood from the side of his
ribs, and passed through the other side of
his Bayonet Belt, so that to see him after
the action, it would appear that the ball
must have passed through his body. What
saved his life on that occasion was the
attitude in which he threw his body while
taking aim at the enemy. It was acknowl-
edged by all his acquaintances that Major
Michael Jackson has performed most dis-
tinguished and gallant services to his coun-
try on that memorable day. Major
Michael Jackson was immediately after
promoted to the rank of Lieut. Colonel in
one of the Regiments of the Massachusetts
Line, which was ordered on in the year
1776 to the defence of New York. This
Regiment was stationed at Hell Gate, be-
fore which the British opened several
heavy batteries of cannon and Mortars,
and during eight days the cannonading and
bombarding was continued mostly day and
night until all our great guns were dis-
mounted and incapable of further use.
About this time or a few days after, the
action of York Island took place. Col.
Michael Jackson was in the hottest of this
action, and a ball from the enemy carried
706
nf lEarlg Ammran Jiarrtnra
away a part of the smaller part of the
breach of his musket, and cut his fingers
slightly. Soon after the Americans re-
treated from York Island, with the excep-
tion of Fort Washington. While the Regi-
ment to which Col. Michael Jackson was
attached lay a little above King's Bridge,
General Health projected an expedition to
capture an Island, called Montresor's on
the East River, where there were about 80
British Troops, with fifty or sixty officers
belonging to the British Army. The com-
mand was given to Col. Jackson, allowing
him to take 260 men as volunteers. They
went in 5 boats, and passing down the
Harlem River, the American sentinels fre-
quently fired upon the boats, and gave the
alarm to the British on the Island. On
Col. Jackson's arrival at the mouth of the
Harlem River, he reported to General
Scott then commanding on the spot, and
asked his orders, what he should do. Gen.
Scott replied that Col. Jackson might do
as he pleased. His reply then was, "I
must go on, but must proceed under every
disadvantage." Accordingly he arranged
his plans, so that one boat with 60 men.
commanded by a Captain, should advance
on the right, and another boat of equal
force to advance on his left, and with
three boats he would lead the van in the
centre. His own leading boat was the
smallest with only 42 men. Commenced
their approaches to the Island. There
was no means of chaining the boats to-
gether, so that as the leading boat ad-
vanced, the British in perfect order hailed
the van boat and ordered them to lay on
their oars. Col. Jackson told them not to
fire, and pushed forward his boat for the
shore. The British commenced a heavy
fire on the boats, and all the boats fled with
the exception of the one in which Col.
Jackson was, who effected their landing,
charged and drove the British, expecting
to be instantly seconded by the troops in
his four other boats. The British seeing
the party so small renewed the attack.
Major Hendly, an aid of Genl. Heath, who
had volunteered his services was killed,
the Major who was second in command
was badly wounded, and a Captain of the
British Navy who had taken part with the
Americans and volunteered his services on
this occasion, fell dead, and Col. Jackson
received an ounce ball about 2 inches be-
low the right knee, which split one bone
and broke the other bone of the leg. So
severe was the shock, not more than 12
yards off, that he fell to the ground. His
men came to his assistance, and told
him he was deserted by all his other boats,
and they urged him to allow them to assist
him to the boat, and endeavor to effect
their retreat, which they did under a most
galling fire. The whole party of 42 was
killed or wounded, with the exception
of 8, and there were counted 32 ball holes
TOT
through the sides of the boat on her
arrival back. Several captains were broke
for cowardice, and Col. Jackson languished
for eighteen months before the ball could
be extracted, and I have it in my posses-
sion, being so bruised by the bones that it
measured I-J4 inches in length and ^ inc.
in width.* In the organization of the
army at the commencement of the year
'777. Col. Jackson was promoted to com-
mand of the 8th Massachusetts Regiment,
and as soon as he had sufficiently recov-
ered from his wounds, he took the com-
mande of his Regiment, and continued
that command until he was promoted to
the rank of Brevet Brigadier General, and
in November 1783, with the rest of the
Revolutionary Army, honorably disbanded,
and retired to private life.
I have written the foregoing in great
haste, and from my best recollection.
When you write it over again, do not say
too much, but try to imitate Facities of
whom Pliny said everything he wrote
would be immortal. How interesting is a
plain, simple and well told story or narra-
tive. Your ever effectionate father,
E. JACKSON.
An interesting incident related by
General Jackson during the Battle of
Bunker Hill is that on the retreat he
met quite an aged man standing by a
stone wall armed with a musket
which he was loading with swan shot
from his hat that lay on the ground
between his feet ; to the urgent ad-
vice of Major Jackson that he should
leave the field, he replied: "I must
have one shot more," and curiosity
detained the major long enough to
see what the effect would be of am-
munition. When the charge struck
the British line, one man fell, and
others were evidently wounded, but
Major Jackson was never able to
learn who the brave old patriot was,
or what was his fate. Perhaps the
nearest of General Jackson's personal
fiiends was a man of whom every
patriotic American should justly be
proud, although for many years,
through the force of circumstances,
his name rested under a cloud, only
*This bullet is now in the possession of
the New England Genealogical & Histori-
cal Society.
Ancient Miniature of
Charlotte Fenwick
a Beauty of the Revolutionary Period
in America
Original in Possession of
Mr. Charles Eben Jackson
Jnttmai* Jblaiuma of JtrHl Ammratt (Ettt
in the end to shine clearly and truly.
This man was General William Hull.
In the following words he informed
one of General Jackson's sons of the
death of his father, General Hull be-
ing one of the executors of his will.
NEWTON, ZOTH APRIL, 1801.
DEAR FRIEND:
Before this reaches you, you probably
will have heard of the death of your
Father. On the I4th inst, his funeral was
attended with all the honors which possi-
bly could have been conferred on him.
For a particular account of it, I refer you
to your brother Ebenezer. He died as he
lived, firm, dignified, and satisfied. En-
closed is a copy of his will. He men-
tioned you in his last moments with tender
affection. I was with him when he ex-
pired, and he was easy and tranquil. I
hope your health is restored, and shall
have the pleasure of seeing you this Sum-
mer. It would be a happiness inexpressi-
ble to your mother.
I am very sincerely your friend.
WILLIAM HULL.
This friendship continued not only
during the life of General Jackson,
but into the lives of his children and
grandchildren. In 1824, when Gen-
eral Hull first published the accounts
of his campaign in the War of 1812,
he wrote several letters to Ebenezer
Jackson, junior. The following two
are of the greatest interest, showing
his strength of character and deep
feeling.
NEWTON, 27. JANUARY 1824.
DEAR SIR:
I have received of the lost, and we were
highly gratified with the account you gave
of our children at Augusta, particularly of
the character you gave of our dear Grand-
daughter Sarah — I took the liberty, a few
days ago to prepare a sketch of my revo-
lutionary services, with a number of docu-
ments, to substantiate the facts stated
which I enclosed and sent you. I did it
at the earnest request of Mr. and Mrs.
Campbell, who wrote to me that they con-
versed with you on the subject, and you
was so kind as to say you would arrange
from such documents, and select such as
would arrange from such documents, and
select such as would be suitable to present
to Mr. Walsh, I likewise enclose letters
to my friends Messrs. Binny and Sergeant
on the subject, as it is a large packet I left
it with Dr Qark of Boston, to be sent by
a private conveyance. My time, this win-
ter, has been employed in writing memo-
709
ries of my unfortunate campaign of 1812-
6 have nearly completed them, Mr. Ben-
jamine Russell Esqr, the printer of the
Columbian Centinel, has read a few of the
numbers, and is very desirous of publish-
ing them in his paper — He offers to begin
where I am prepared. He does it gratis,
and presses me very hard for the privi-
lege, as he calls it. Perhaps when it is
published Mr. Walsh may be desirous of
examining it— it will be founded on
authentic documents, principally from the
records of the Government And, certi-
fied by the present Secretary of War, — the
former Secretaries refused them to me. I
do not know that Dr. Qark has as yet, had
a "private opportunity to send you the
packet to which I alluded if not it shall
be sent on. In looking over my old papers
I found the account which I wrote of your
Grandfather's funeral which was printed.
I do myself the pleasure of sending you
the original. With very great respects,
and with strong wishes for your prosperity
and Happiness.
I am your Friend, and.,
Most O. B. S.
WILLIAM HULL.
P. S. As it may be a satisfaction to you.
I enclose a small lock of your Grandfath-
er's hair which we have preserved, from
our high respect to his memory.
Three months later General Hull
writes :
NEWTON, ITTH APRIL 1824.
DEAR SIR :
Next Monday, the igth inst, the first
number of my memours will be published
in the Statesman, a republican paper . . .
it will likewise be published in a daily
paper, edited by Mr. Buckingham and
probably a considerable part of the first
number, and the others will be copied in
the Sentinel. . . . The first is merely
an introductory address — The whole will
contain about 35 numbers, and two will be
published every week, until the whole are
finished. .... Mr. Walsh will have an
opportunity of seeing them and by the
documents and evidence which will be pub-
lished in support of the facts, and be able
to form an opinion on that of our History.
From what I know of his character, I feel
confident, truth alone will be his motive.
When I was ordered to Philadelphia for
my trial, I reed, great attention: and lib-
erality and candour were manifested. . . .
All I can now wish is, that the subject
may excite inquiry, and the facts may be
known, as thus alone I depend for the vin-
dication of my honour, and the rectitude
of my conduct ... all my statements
are proven by the records of the Govern-
ment, and the best evidence the nature of
the case will admit The Administrator
0f lutrlg Am^rtran Harrtars
OLD PRINT OF ONE OF THE FIRST MEETING HOUSES IN AMERICA-The first church was twenty
feet square and surrounded by palisades. The congregation was summoned to meeting by the tap of a drum,
presented to the town by Giles Hamlin. A guard of eight men and a corporal were kept outside during service.
This meeting house was located in the ancient community of Middletown in the Colony of Connecticut
Genl. Dearborn, the Court Martial, and
other officers will be deeply implicated.
There will be powerful opposition to my
attempt to exhibit the truth of the events
which then took place. . . . Many
characers who now have great influence
will be brought into view in a manner not
pleasant to themselves, or friends. . . .
Fearless of any consequences I shall tell
the truth, and produce evidence in support
of it ... If there is any action of my
life, on which I reflect with pleasure un-
mixed with any alloy, it is my conduct for
which I have been condemned — Nothing
influenced me but a sense of duty, and my
strong wish is to show that even my judge-
ment did not deceive me, and that I faith-
fully performed my duty. . . . I hope
you will receive the papers in which the
History of these events will be published,
and I have no other request but that my
fellow sitizens, will form an opinion of the
facts, which will be proven. Mr. and Mrs.
Campbell will be in Phil, probably in May.
. . . In conformity to their opinion I
have published the History of my cam-
paign in the republican paper. It has
already excited much attention here, and
probably will be published in many papers.
With true friendship, it is a happiness to
me to subscribe myself.
Your very sincere and effectionate
friend.
WILLIAM HULL.
PS. I sympathize most sincerely with
your family in the death of so admirable a
character and so useful a citizen as your
uncle Amasa. I hope you will not come to
M without visiting this part of the
country and viewing the spot, which was
the residence of your venerable ancestor,
and the Tomb where his remains rest, and
making my house your home — in such a
visit, I think you would find an interest
and it at least would make us happy.
Mrs. Ruth Parker Jackson often
tcld many thrilling stories of the
events that occurred while she was
with her husband at Washington's
headquarters. Here she nursed the
sick and cared for the wounded sol-
diers, often feeling that she was need-
ed at home, and must go. General
Washington would urge her to re-
main. The late Governor Eustis, who
had been a surgeon in General Jack-
son's regiment, said: "I remember of
meeting him once at General Wash-
ington's table at West Point, and
after the cloth had been removed, the
General beckoned to Colonel Jackson
to come and take a seat by him, and
unbent himself more than I ever saw
him do to anyone." The following
letter written to Ebenezer Jackson,
junior, January n, 1841, brings to
light some additional facts concern-
ing this time :
Snttmafr
of Jtrat Amrriran (Ettt
MR. JACKSON:
Thinking you might be pleased as I was
to see your Grandfather's name and
weight, with men of such weight of char-
acter) and supposing you might not see
the Observer, I transcribe it for you. Do
you remember your Grandmother? She
was an excellent woman, hours have I lis-
tened to her account of events that oc-
curred while she was with her Husband at
the headquarters of Gen. Washington —
Sometimes she said when she talked of
leaving for her home where she was much
wanted — General Washington would say —
"do not leave us Mrs. Jackson, I would
sooner spare any General officer of the
Army." The soldiers she said called her
Mother, and were so grateful for hei*
attentions to them when sick or wounded,
that it repaid her for all that she did — She
gave me a detailed account of the dreadful
scenes of the poor wounded soldiers who
attempted to scale Stony point— and her
manner of treating them — administering at
the same time, spiritual comfort to them —
Indeed Sir, she was an excellent woman,
and deserves a monument to her memory
far more than many that receive at this
time these marks of late approbation. But
the extract:
The following memorandum was found
a number of years ago in the pocket-book
of an officer of the Massachusetts Line:
WEIGHT OF MILITARY MEN
August 19, 1783.
Weighed at the scales at West Point.
X General Washington 209 Ibs
X General Lincoln 224 "
X General Knox 280 "
General Huntington 132 '
General Greaton 166 '
Colonel Swift 219 "
" M. Jackson 252 "
" H. Jackson 238 "
X Lt Colonel Huntington 232 "
" Cobb 186 "
X " " Humphreys 221 "
Five of the gentlemen named I have
seen, with three was well acquainted —
This record proves them men of weight,
and most fine looking men was those I
have marked — Col. Huntington was among
the handsomest men of his time, and that
is saying much — for this State had some of
the finest looking men at that period that
ever appeared probably in our world —
Ogden Merely, Pierpont Edwards, John
Williams, Donnal Mitchel, Gideon Granger,
Enoch Huntington of this town, the two
Hosmers — were all handsome men — Gen.
Knox and Col. Humphreys were fine per-
sons and well looking.
This memorandum pleased me, I hope
it will you, Sir. My compliments to the
ladies of your family.
H. WHITTELSEY.
JANUARY n, 1841.
7"
Mrs. Benedict Arnold drank tea
with Mrs. Jackson at the latter's home
or quarters the night of the trea-
son, and remembered perfectly that
Arnold would not sit down but with
teacup in hand stood by the window
looking across the river, as later facts
proved, watching for the signal that
the boat was ready to take him to the
enemy's camp. And it is remarkable
that Mrs. Jackson's grandson mar-
ried a granddaughter of Mrs. Com-
fort Sage, wife of General Sage,
of Middletown, who, after Arnold
burned New London, and the mas-
sacre of Fort Griswold, for a time
sheltered and cared for his two young
sons, and when he was burned in
effigy in Middletown and the streets
were filled with a mob, drew the win-
dow shutters closely and passed an
anxious night lest the children should
learn the cause of the uproar. Some
years later, when a young man, one
of these boys called upon Mrs. Sage
in Montreal to express the gratitude
he should always feel for the kind-
ness shown him by the wife of Gen-
eral Sage.
After General Jackson, under the
disguise of Indian dress, helped to
destroy the tea in Boston harbor, he
forbade the use of it in his house un-
til the tax should be removed, but
Mrs. Jackson, who had melted her
teaspoons into bullets for her hus-
band, could not forego so delicious a
concoction, and often, during the
General's absence, brewed for her
friends a cup while they chatted over
their knitting; if her husband came
home unexpectedly, the teapot was
quietly placed in the deep drawer of
Mrs. Jackson's tea table and the con-
versation moved on as before. When
the fire burns low on the hearth at
"Walnut Grove" and the evening
shadows come and go, again, to fu-
ture generations shall these tales be
told with increasing pride.
Ammra'a ®rthiit? to
A (Trutrnntal (Oiir to (Lamlt &* iiurhautbrau
BT
JOHN GAYLORD DAVENPORT, D.D.
SHIS is the centenary of the
death of Jean Baptiste
Donation de Vineure,the
gallant Count de Roch-
ambeau, who, when
America declared her In-
dependence from Mother England,
became inspired with liberty and
came to this country in 1780 in com-
mand of a considerable force of his
fellow countrymen to enter the con-
flict for the American people. He
fixed his headquarters at Newport
and, having concerted his plans with
General Washington, he marched to
the neighborhood of New York in the
summer of 1781, effected a junction
with his ally, and the two moved rap-
idly southward toward Yorktown.
Rochambeau conducted courageous
assaults on the town and was one of
the great factors in its ultimate cap-
ture. He returned to France in 1783
and later became a field marshal, but
was inconspicuous in the French Rev-
olution. He died in 1807 at the age
of eighty-two years. During his
long life he served in the War of the
Austrian Succession and the Seven
Years' War. With Lafayette, he was
the principal French military figure
in the great American Revolution.
Soldiers of long ago,
Who with brave Rochambeau,
Here came to stand for liberty and right,
Across the flood of years
Your noble course appears,
Dimming our eyes with tears,
Waking our eager cheers,
And sphering you in an immortal light.
Your valor we recall,
Your sacrifice, and all
The struggle fierce you made for us and
ours.
The ceaseless flight of time
But speaks your act sublime;
The hurrying centuries chime
In grand, heroic rhyme,
This noble consecration of your powers.
Ah, we can ne'er forget
The princely Lafayette
Who came to aid us in our time of need ;
Nor gallant Rochambeau
And Count de Grasse, whose blow
Routed our mighty foe
That all the world might know
America from bonds forever freed!
And many another came
In Liberty's great name
Inspiring us to valor in the fight.
O France, thou radiant land,
By Freedom's fervor fanned,
'Twas thine with us to stand •
Thrilling our feeble band
To tireless struggle here for manhood's
right !
A <E?nt?nntal ©b? tn (Enuttt U0rljamb*au
We love to tell the tale,
Our "Benefactor" hail,
And bless the great Republic o'er the sea,
Long may the triple hue.
The red, the white, the blue.
The strong, the pure, the true,
Its shining way pursue,
A morning star that lights to liberty !
Lies
In glorious slumber deep
Our Lafayette asleep
» 'neath its folds, his form a priceless
trust;
And there the men that pressed
This daisied soil found rest.
Their memory fondly blessed
By millions of the West,
Who love the land that holds their sacred
dust
This humble ode we rear
To sons of France who here
Or elsewhere stood for us in distant days.
To every passer-by,
As years and decades fly,
Its willing lips will cry
The tale that must not die,
And yield our noble helpers deathless
praise. >•>
God of the Nations, now
Beneath thy heavens we bow
And own Thy grace and majesty supreme.
Long as these hills shall stand.
The glory of our land,
May all the service grand
Wrought by the noble band
That came to aid us, be the patriot's theme !
We humbly pray Thee, keep,
Whether we wake or sleep,
The monument that tells the noble tale!
Shield it when tempests lower
From their destructive power,
And in the fateful hour,
When timid mortals cower,
Let lightning's flash nor earthquake shock
assail !
While morn with rose-red hue
This column shall imbue,
And noon its white and eve its blue shall
shed,
May the dear flags that tell
Of those who nobly fell
While nations tolled their knell
Both sides the ocean's swell.
Still float in splendor, blue and white and
red!
An Attwto? of (tent
in Ammra
BT
SUSAN E. M. JOCELYN
GRAXD DAUGHTER or THK HKROINK or THIS INCIDENT
narrative of Count
Rochambeau's romantic
experience in America
is absolutely true, even
to the remark of Roch-
ambeau concerning the
heroine, and repeated by Aunt Sary,
Luciannah Smith before marriage.
She was the daughter of Lieutenant
James Smith and mother of Nathaniel
Jocelyn, the distinguished American
portrait painter. The author is a
daughter of Nathaniel Jocelyn and
the facts here related have come
down through her family and are
now recorded * historical anecdote.
713
"(Ham
la
Sarah, whose fin-
£ers had for an hour
plied wearily through
monotonous exercises,
Save a sigh of relief
when the clock struck
five.
Jerking the old green instruction
book from the piano rack and compla-
cently spreading in its place her first
sheet music, she gave sundry prelim-
inary twitches at her pink gingham
skirt, a final painstaking adjustment
of her weight on the piano-stool, then
braced herself for a fresh start, and
brisk little notes came twinkling from
rosy finger-tips.
Sarah played them well, bringing
gay dancers to the mind's eye as she
dashed along, the melody floating out
through the open window to the
piazza, where the grandmother in a
shaded corner made a perfect picture
of peace and beauty in old age.
In an old-fashioned rocker, straight
and regal she sat, the soft folds of her
black dress falling in pleasing curves
about her, and the white kerchief gen-
tly outlining her bust and shoulders.
A widow's cap with its band of black
brought into strong relief the bur-
nished silver of her hair, shading a
brow of marked smoothness, and the
eyes of that unusual shade of blue,
matching the sea, still retained their
sparkle, and deepened the roses which
the suns of many summers had "set"
in her cheeks.
When the bright quick notes fell
upon her ear, the rocker ceased for a
moment its gentle sway, and a new
ripple of light came into the blue eyes.
Swift-flying needles grew quiet and
the half-formed stocking dropped un-
heeded in her lap; then bending for-
ward to listen, she caught the time of
the swift swinging measures, and her
head nodded in unison through all
the quick turns.
"Sary," she called when the last
note was sounded.
"Yes, grandma," answered the
young musician.
"What was that tune you were
playing, child?" and Grandma's voice
had a tone indicating more than pass-
ing interest.
"'Come, Haste to the Wedding/
grandma; pretty, isn't it?" and young
Sarah parted the muslin curtains and
sprang through the long windows to
her grandmother's side. "You must
have heard it before this, grandma,"
she said. "It is an old song, pub-
lished in England almost a hundred
years ago, so my teacher says."
"It was new to me when I heard it,
'way back in 1781. I danced to that
tune with " and Grandma hesi-
tated, then added in a slightly exult-
ant tone, "with Rochambeau, Sary."
"Grandma !" exclaimed Sarah,
"you don't mean the Count de Roch-
ambeau in my history, do you ?"
Grandma nodded smiling assent
and her granddaughter, a-tilt with in-
terest, clamored for details.
"Wait till I run and call Margaret,"
she said, and springing down the
piazza steps and racing over the lawn
she called in a high treble: "Marga-
ret! Margaret! Come in and hear
about grandma and the Count de
Rochambeau. Grandma knew him
and danced with him, and she's going
to tell us all about him. Come in!
Come in!"
Then little Sarah, repetitious and
emphatic, led her somewhat incredu-
lous sister to the piazza..
"Grandma, what fairy tale is this?"
asked Margaret, and grandma, for
7«4
An
nf (Enwtt Hnrfyamteau ttt Ammra
answer, drew both of the girls down
on the seat beside her. Closing her
eyes, she sat for a moment in silence,
then, with a far-away look into the
past, she said :
"One July day, just about sun-
down, Sister Sary and I were busy
putting away the tea-things, when
Sylvy Hart came in. She was full of
talk and laugh about the French sol-
diers who were in camp near the
town. The spot has been called
Trench Hill' ever since. They had
marched from Rhode Island to Con-
necticut and were on their way to
meet Washington in New York. It
was a great thing for Southin'ton
folks to have those thousands of sol-
diers, in their gay coats, let right
down in the town, all of a sudden.
All day they had been straying
around, and Sylvy Hart said that two
of them stopped at her house for a
drink of water and her father invited
them in to tea.
"Now Sylvy was a great mimic
and she showed us just how one of
them made his manners when she
passed his cup to him. She put her
hand on her heart and made a low
bow, saying: 'Pretty Polly, pretty
Polly!' in a queer little choppy voice,
which she said was just like his. 'It
was his way of giving a compliment,'
she tittered. 'So,' said she, 'I made
a curtsy and he made another bow,
jumping up from the table every
time. Oh, Luciannah Smith !' she
said, 'I wish Harvey Upson would
act like that.' She married Harvey
in the fall, but he never learned to bow
and scrape and say 'Pretty Polly !'
"Well, while she was talking,
Daddy came 'round to the back steps.
'Come, Luciannah,' said he, 'you and
Sary had better smart yourselves up
a bit and go along with me. There's
a-goin' to be a dance for the soldiers
up by the French camp. It's no more
than right that we should make things
sort o' pleasant for them.'
"Sylvy started right off for home
to put herself into trim and Sary and
I got out of our short gowns and pet-
ticoats in no time. Mother had gone
out visiting, so I dared put on my
best white dimity and red shoes, and
we wore white gauze scarfs around
our shoulders. Behind Daddy we
walked up the road, hardly daring to
lift our eyes to the beautiful soldiers
who peered at us from every side;
the green seemed to be covered with
them and the colors of their uniforms
looked in the distance like bright po-
sies growing there.
"Pretty soon we met Sylvy and
Harvey Upson. She was talking and
giggling about her Frenchman, which
gave Harvey a pretty dark face, and
it looked blacker still when the young
soldier, along with a comrade, came
sidling up, and with his hand on his
heart, took 'Pretty Polly' off to the
dance ground. Sister Sary followed
with the comrade, leaving me with
Harvey Upson, who wasn't very good
company just then.
"After a while he said in a crusty
sort of a tone: 'It's only the low-
grade officers who dance with the
girls. There's the general, the Count
Rochambeau, he isn't dancing. I
don't believe he'd take any of these
girls for a partner. See him over
there? Don't he look fine?'
"I felt my color a-risin' and I guess
I must have cast a pretty animated
glance in the direction marked by
Harvey's thumb, for in a minute I
saw that the general was staring
straight at me. He was standing a
little apart from the others, with his
arms folded, and was a smallish sort
of a man, but was as straight as an
arrow. His long, dark-blue cloth
coat was faced with red and white,
and his cocked hat bore the same
colors. He had dreadful piercing
eyes and I felt pretty uncomfortable
and turned and looked the other way
and fidgeted, tying and untying my
scarf; then I thought, how foolish I
am; 'tisn't likely he was noticing me
at all ; so I slyly gave another little
peep at the red and white cocked hat
r«5
An Atitttat* nf (Ennnt
in Am?rtra
and the next minute called upon the
hills to cover me, for lo, and behold!
he was a-crossing right over towards
me, cocked hat in hand, and a smile
on his face. Then he stopped short,
sort o' military-like, made a low bow,
and said: 'Madamoiselle?' as though
he was asking a question, and held
out his hand for a partner."
"Had he been introduced?" inter-
rupted young Margaret, whose ideas
of propriety were at that early age
well-formed.
"Introduced ? No," explained
grandma. "It was war times, you
know, Margaret, and this was a great
general, who had come 'way across
the water to help us beat the British.
That was introduction enough, child;
so I just made my prettiest curtsy,
put my hand in his, and with a glance
at Harvey, which meant, 'What do
you say now?' I went skipping off
into the reel with the Count.
"He was not young (fifty years old
they said he was), but oh, how beau-
tifully he danced! I had no fear of
making mistakes with such a partner.
I suppose that was the way he led his
troops. Whirling and whirling, this
way and that way, forward and back-
ward we went, while the fiddles were
spinning over and over the pretty
tune that Sary just played. I have
never heard it since till to-day.
"You want to know how he talked
and what he said? Well, I guess I
did most of the talking. He could
understand me better than I could
him. I don't believe I had ever heard
any but Southin'ton folks talk before
that I think I must have been
pretty bright or pretty foolish, for he
seemed a good deal amused by my
talk, and once he clapped his hands
and said some funny French words.
I didn't know what they meant, un-
less they were for me to go on danc-
ing, so, as I was serving my country
according to my gifts, we danced till
the moon came out. Then, when the
music stopped, the Count led me to
my father, and said some beautiful
sounding words, kalf English and
half French I took it that he was
thanking me for my company, so I
said: 'Thank you, Sir,' and dropped
a curtsy and he made a low bow, hat
in hand, and walked away. In a mo-
ment he turned, looked back, lifted
his hat once more and smiled. I can
see him now, just as he looked then,"
and grandma sat smiling reflectively.
"You haven't told all he said, Luci-
annah," laughed great-aunt Sary
from behind the window-curtain,
where she had been living over her
own little part in the play of long ago.
"Why, children," she continued, quite
regardless of grandma's protesting
hand, "he told lots of folks that your
grandmother was the most beautiful
girl that he had seen in America."
"He hadn't been here long, chil-
dren," was the modest rejoinder, "and
sister, you shouldn't "
"Was Rochambeau anything like
grandpa?" interrupted little Sarah,
thus early in life recognizing cause
and effect.
"Not at all," laughed grandma.
"I wasn't thinking of Rochambeau,
child, when I said 'yes' to grandpa.
Sylvy Hart and I were not much
alike." Then, leading back again in-
to the past, she said: "Why, let me
think, children. I believe it's just
sixty-five years ago to-day that all
this happened. Honeysuckles were
in bloom then ; the air was sweet with
them, just as it is now. I wore some
in my belt. Sary, go play that tune
once more," and grandma, in the
"vision splendid," again tripped
lightly through the merry dance with
the Count.
And Rochambeau, did ever there
come to him again in life
"A lovely apparition, sent
To be a moment's ornament —
A dancing shape, an image gay,
To haunt, to startle, and waylay?"
7.6
of an Amrrtran
in Jtrat $?ar0 nf tly? ifojmhlir
of
3amra fflorria, Vorn in 1752
in uiljirli iff Girlie of bring Qtyargrb roith
Violation of <Cb.riHttan Jlrarr anb flarrb on erial for
Qlonbnrttng a Jlrtoatr ^r^ool anb JnBtrnrting f onng ffiomrn in
Qighrr Eboratiuu J* |Jrraunal Narratitir of an Early Crrturrr on iluhlir iflorala
ORIGINAL. KANUSCRIPT IN POSSESSION OF
MRS. WASHINGTON CHOATE
OBKAT-GBJLND-DAUOHTXR or JAMES MOBBU
SKETCHES BT FLOBXNCX E. D. MUZZY
wholly unfitted them for the duties of
the home.
The public school system which had
been in crude operation in America
from the first days of the Dutch in
New Netherlands and the English
settlements was practically abandoned
during the American Revolution.
Those who had instructed the youth
in the rudiments of practical knowl-
edge were engaged in the fight for In-
dependence. As a result a generation
was rising that verged on illiteracy.
This life story of a man who en-
deavored to re-establish it on a higher
plane is of vital interest. James Mor-
ris, the author of this diary, was born
in Litchfield, Connecticut, in 1752,
and died in Goshen in 1820. He ren-
dered distinguished and patriotic ser-
vice in the Revolutionary War. In
recent years the vicinity in which he
was born has become the town of
Morris, in his memory. Mr. Morris
continued his work of teaching for
twenty years, supplementing it with a
weekly lecture on morals. He thus
became a pioneer in the advanced edu-
cation of women. The original man-
uscript is here transcribed just as he
wrote it, and in it is woven the testi-
mony of a man who participated in
the War for American Independence.
^g^M^HIS is the experience of an
y educator in the first days
m of the American Repub-
M I I lie. It tells of the perse-
^^^^Jr cution that he met in at-
tempting to establish a
private school for the in-
struction of young ladies when the
Nation was in its beginning. The
public was scandalized by such a pro-
ject and the instructor was charged
with a breach of Christian peace.
The accusations were based largely
on the questions of morality. It was
alleged that society was endangered
by allowing girls of an impressionable
age to be taken from their homes and
congregate under the influence of a
male instructor. It was argued that
such a system threatened to under-
mine the virtue of the home and the
race ; that it gave opportunity for irre-
sponsible men to subject maturing
womanhood to their wiles and author-
ity, and that the weakness of all hu-
man nature was such that it would be
a reproach to the public conscience.
There was considerable doubt as
to the morality of education as applied
to woman. There was a general
feeling that it destroyed domesticity;
that it unveiled to them questionable
avenues of thought, and that it
7«7
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK
RARE OLD PRINT MADE IN 1840. THE LANCASTER MONITORIAL SCHOOL— An educational idea
imported from England, in which a thousand pupils sat in one great room under the control of one teacher,
assisted by monitors who passed up and down the aisles to maintain order. There was no Public School sys-
tem, supported by taxation, in America's greatest metropolis, New York, until 1844. As early as 1805, a system
of non-sectarian schools was established and amalgamated with the Public School system in 1853
PRINT OF AN INFANT SCHOOL IN NEW YORK IN ilaj— The Infanta sat on a flight of wide stairs on
the plan of the ancient amphitheaters. The teacher stood on the floor below and taught by word of mouth.
The pupils were marched to and from the school room in lockstep with much formality and rigid discipline.
These schools were conducted by a charitable organization which was known as the Infant School Society
718
nf
JEnrria — Snnt in
N looking back to my early
childhood I can well re-
member that I was very
much attached to books.
I learned to read when I
was four years old and I
plead with my father to
get me a new Bible. My father
told me I might read in his Bible
and when I had read it through
he would get me a new one. I then
applied myself to reading and had
read his Bible through by the time I
was six years old. He then gave me
a new Bible. My father lived three
miles from the Bethlehem meeting-
house and six or seven from Litch-
field. On any Sabbath that I did not
remember the text I was made to sit
down on a small bench or form, and
there to sit till sundown, which I
found to be a great punishment, es-
pecially in the summer time when the
days were very long.
In my youthful days I had an
ardent desire to have a public educa-
tion and to become a minister. But
being the only son of my father, he
could not brook the idea of my leav-
ing him for that purpose. My father
had a right in the Public Library in
Bethlehem and the books he drew
from time to time I was fond of read-
ing. I was particularly fond of
"Watts on the Mind."' When I
found a sentence of Latin in any book
I was exceedingly desirous of know-
ing the meaning of it. I had often
solicited my father to let me go to
college and the winter I was eighteen
he told me that if I would go and
sled home a quantity of wood, I might
try what I could do in the study of
Latin.
In three weeks I had sledded horns
sixty boards of wood, loading and
unloading the same myself. I then
went to live with Dr. Bellamy and
was put under the tuition of Mr.
Thomas Miner, who was studying
divinity with Dr. Bellamy. I studied
Lilly's Latin Grammar, no English
word being in the book. I under-
stood nothing and I used to study
and cry because I got no ideas. But
I used to look at my instructor and
hear him talk, and I finally concluded
that I had as much sense as Thomas
Miner and if he had learned Latin
and gone through college then cer-
tainly I could. I would then plod
away again. In the spring of 1770 I
returned to my father. It was his
idea that I remain at home and study
with Rev. Mr. Herbert who was
preaching in the place. I madi
however little progress. It was
"James, you must bring in some
wood." "James, you must draw some
water and bring it in." "James, you
must harness the old mare, your maj-
ter wants to ride." When haying and
harvest came on my father said,
"Well, James, I think you must lay
aside your studies till after harvest.
Help is hard to get and we cannot
afford to lose our crops." So I shuf-
fled from pillar to post till in the fall
I went to Mr. Brinsmade's in New
Washington. Mr. Nathan Hale,
afterwards Judge Hale of Goshen,
was studying theology with Mr.
Brinsmade. I had for company, pur-
suing the same studies, Adoniram
Judson and David Judson. In Octo-
ber, 1771, I entered Yale college after
passing a good examination. I passed
through college, having my share of
honorary appointments, and in 1775 I
graduated and returned to my father
determined to make theology my
study. I went in the fall for that
purpose to live with Dr. Bellamy
with three of my college friends, Da-
vid Fuller, Seth Swift and Adoniram
Judson. I had during my college life
many serious impulses and many stir-
rings of peace. I was disposed to
quarrel with the doctrines of election,
divine decrees, fore-ordination and
free agency. I prayed for divine di-
rection. The study of theology was
my delight but I thought my heart
was not right. In the midst of these
conflicting feelings, I had an invita-
tion to teach the grammar school in
0f an lEarlg Ammran Uittratnr
THE SCHOOLHOUSE OF A GENERATION AGO
my native town. I had an offer of
handsome wages. I consulted my
father, who had been at some consid-
erable expense in my education and
felt himself straightened. The Revo-
lutionary war had commenced. The
British were in possession of Boston.
My father thought I had better un-
dertake to teach the school and
accordingly I began in the winter of
1776 and kept the school till some
time in the following May. There,
unthought of and unsolicited, I hal
an ensign's commission sent to me
from the Legislature of the State to
go on a tour for six months to New
York. This appointment threw me
into a painful situation. I still meant
to pursue the study of divinity. I
asked Dr. Bellamy's advice and he
said that our country was in peril and
my father had property to defend.
It was a dull time for preachers. We
were all in an uproar. The doctor
told me that his son, Jonathan, my
friend and companion in college was
going, and I had better accompany
him. I accordingly followed his ad-
vice, with the consent of my father,
meaning to resume my studies the en-
suing fall if I lived to return.
I went to New York with a com-
pany of men, was in the battle of
Long Island on the 27th of August,
was in the retreat from Long Island
in the night, when our army made a
safe retreat to New York. Was in
the battle of York Island the I5th of
September. Was in the battle of
White Plains. The captain and lieu-
tenant of the company to which I be-
longed were taken sick and the com-
mand of the company devolved upon
me. The army retreated from White
Plains to Newcastle and General
Washington crossed the North River
into New Jersey. My time of en-
gagement expired in December but a
commission of a second lieutenancy
had been sent me from Congress.
The soldiers told me that if I would
accept they would enlist. On the
first day of January I had a commis-
sion sent me of a first lieutenancy. I
finally consented to enter service dur-
ing the war and I enlisted between
thirty and forty men, more than half
the company. During the winter of
1777 I lived in Litchfield in the re-
cruiting service and received an or-
der to superintend the hospital in the
town for the inoculation of all the
720
ifr §>torg nf 3Jam*H
?Bnm in 1T52
soldiers who had not previously had
small pox. Nearly two hundred of
them were inoculated. In June, 1777,
I marched with the men I had en-
listed and joined the army at Peeks-
kill. In September, General Wash-
ington moved the army into Pennsyl-
vania, and on October 3rd the army
had orders to march to Germantown.
I left my baggage and my Bible,
which my father bought for me when
I was six years old, in my trunk. I
marched with only my military suit
and my implements of war, without
even a blanket. The memorable
battle of Germantown began on the
morning of October 4th. Our army
was apparently successful, but by the
misconduct of General Stephens the
success of the day turned against us.
I was in the first column at the head
of our company. What began the
attack on the enemy was accordingly
the last to retreat. I marched with
a few men nearly ten miles but was
finally captured. I was left without
refreshments from break of day till
night. Then I was taken back to
Germantown after performing a
march of nearly forty miles from the
evening before at six o'clock. I
reached Germantown a prisoner of
war and much exhausted. I was the
last officer captured. After sundown
I asked if I might see the commander
of the regiment. The sergeant es-
corted me to the house where the
commander was quartered and after
waiting about fifteen minutes the
Colonel came out and asked me many
questions respecting my motives go-
ing to war, rising in rebellion against
my lawful sovereign. I answered
him pleasantly and as evasively as I
could with decency. He asked me
what I wanted. I told him I had no
blanket. I wished for liberty to sleep
in the house and that I stood in need
of food. The colonel ordered his
servants to get me some victuals.
They politely spread a table, set on
some good old spirits and a broiled
chicken with excellent bread and but-
ter. This was really the best meal of
victuals I ever ate in my life. I was
told that I must sleep under the eye
of the guard. I then asked if I could
have a blanket and a large, clean one
was given to me. I went out into the
field and lay down among the sol-
diers who were prisoners. The ser-
geant observed that I had a watch
and silver knee buckles. He said if
I would give them to him he would
return them to me for the soldiers of
the guard would probably rob me. I
accordingly committed them to him
and he very honorable returned them
in the morning. Near the setting of
the sun on the 5th of October the
prisoners were ordered to Philadel-
phia, a distance of about six miles.
We were taken to the new jail and I
was locked in a cold room destitute
of everything but cold stone walls
and a bare floor. Not a seat to sit
on, not a morsel to eat or water to
drink. I groped about my cell and
found two or three persons asleep on
the floor. I stood on my feet and
leaned my back against the wall and
sometimes moved about the room.
Then, to change my position, I sat
down on the floor. It was a long and
dreary and most gloomy night. I re-
flected on the miseries of the damned
in that eternal prison of despair. But
still Hope hovered around my soul
that I should see another morning.
Morning at length arrived and we
were furnished with some hard sea
bread and salt pork and given some
water to drink. Being without money
I could purchase nothing for my com-
fort. I soon sold my watch for half
its value. With this money I was
able to purchase some food pleasant
to my taste. At this time seven hun-
dred prisoners of war were in the jail.
A few small rooms were sequestered
for the officers. Each room must
contain sixteen men. We fully cov-
ered the floor where we lay down to
rest and the poor soldiers were shut
into rooms of the same magnitude
with double the number. The sol-
nf an lEarlg Am^riran l&nratnr
THE SCHOOLROOM OF THE LAST GENERATION
diers were soon seized with jail fever,
and in the course of three months it
swept off four hundred men who were
all buried in one continuous grave
without coffins. Such a scene of
mortality I never witnessed before.
Death was so frequent that it ceased
to terrify; it ceased to warn; it
ceased to alarm survivors. I made
a contract with a family in Philadel-
phia to furnish me two meals a day at
$2.00 per week, and by the means of
this good family I obtained the priv-
ileges of the public library in the city.
My time was devoted to reading and
thus I endeavored to prevent my
mind becoming soured by the severi-
ties of misfortune. When the British
left Philadelphia I was put on board
a vessel and sailed to New York.
Being put on my parole of honor I
boarded with a Dutch family at the
west end of Long Island. At Flat-
bush I became acquainted with a Mr.
Clarke who owned the most extensive
library I had ever known in the
United States. Mr. Clarke made me
a welcome visitor to his home and
gave me access to his library. In the
two years and six months that I was
a prisoner at Flatbush I completed a
course in ancient and modern history.
My exercise was hard labor and
walking. I was treated with great
kindness by the family and endeav-
ored to be always on the pleasant
side with them. Here I learned that
the little nameless civilities and atten-
tions were worth a great deal more
than they cost. The 3rd of January,
1781, after a captivity of three years
and three months, I was taken to
Elizabeth, New Jersey, and there set
at liberty. I procured assistance to
carry me and my baggage to Peekskill
and from there I marched to the
Highlands to join the army. In 1778
I was appointed Captain. I directed
four men to procure a band and take
me down the river to Peekskill where
I had left my chest of clothing. The
river was frozen near the banks. I
landed on a very dark evening and
by making a misstep near the shore,
where the ice had been cut away for
the boat to enter, I fell into the river
and could find no bottom. I seized
the edge of the ice, calling for help,
till the men came to my assistance.
A few seconds more would have land-
ed me in eternity.
In the forepart of the campaign of
1781 the army was stationed near
White Plains. Several companies
had skirmishes with the enemy near
Kingsbriclge. I was personally in
721
of
iHnrria — Snm in 1T52
several severe actions, but still I was
preserved.
Near the close of the month of
August our regiment received orders
to march to Virginia. I marched
with the regiment at the head of my
company to the head of Chesapeake
Bay. We sailed down the bay and
landed at Williamsburg. Here Gen-
eral Washington with his army en-
camped a few days. From there we
marched to Yorktown. On the i6th,
at evening, the light infantry was or-
dered to take a fort by storm, which
was situated near the mouth of York
River. I had command of the first
company at the head of the column
which supported the forlorn hope.
Not a man was killed in the forlorn
hope. They were so near the enemy
before they were discovered that the
enemy overshot them. The forlorn
hope commanded by Colonel Alexan-
der Hamilton were successful in tak-
ing the fort. The French army made
an attack on a fort on our left at the
same time we made an attack on the
fort on the bank of York River.
When we had possession of these
forts we had possession of the guard
overlooking Yorktown. Our artil-
lery began their play upon the town.
On the 1 7th the British requested a
cessation of hostilities for twenty-four
hours. General Washington replied
that he would grant them two hours
only. The moment the two hours
expired the whole artillery of our
Army and of the French discharged
upon Yorktown. Before another dis-
charge could be made the British sent
another request that articles of capit-
ulation for a surrender might be
agreed upon.
On the i8th our soldiers were or-
dered to wash and appear clean the
MILL AND SCHOOLHOUSE HAVE DEVELOPED SIMULTANEOUSLY
7»3
nf an lEarlg Amrriran Simratar
next day. On the iQth our army
assembled on the right and the French
army on the left, each line reaching
more than a mile on an extended
plain. The British army marched
out between our two armies, with
colors muffled, and after passing in
review they piled their arms on the
field of submission and returned back
in the same manner with Yorktown.
On the 2Oth General Washington
issued his orders for a general par-
don for all culprits of the army. He
ordered the army to assemble for
divine service and give thanks to God
for our success, chaplains to do their
duty praying and preaching to their
several brigades discources suitable
to the occassion. Here General
Washington's character shone with
true lustre in giving God the glory.
After this I marched with my men to
the Highlands on the east side of the
Hudson in New York. In December
I received a furlough for a few weeks'
visit in Litchfield. While on this fur-
lough I married Elizabeth Hubbard
of Middletown. I returned to the
army and continued with it until No-
vember, 1782, when I was released
from service.
At this time I was thirty years of
age. I felt a desire to resume my
studies in theology and pondered on
the subject. My father had become
infirm from a wound he had received
from an axe. My mother was sev-
enty years old and sunk down in her
dotage. My parents were both un-
willing that I should leave them and
I myself was still doubting and fear-
ing my heart was not right with God.
I lived with my parents during the
winter of 1782-3 attending to their
domestic concerns. My friends and
neighbors united in saying that ^1
must live in South Farms and be their
Justice of the Peace. In May, 1783,
I was appointed to this office and
chosen by the people as selectman.
Thus situated, and notwithstanding
my heart had from early youth de-
vised the way to be a minister of the
Gospel, yet God designed it should
not be so, but had otherwise directed
my steps. In May, 1783, I moved
my wife from Middletown and set
up housekeeping in my father's house.
I repaired the house and barn and as
the saying is, I slicked up the place.
In my office of Justice of the Peace I
was often called on to do business.
Courts were often held. Sometimes
large numbers of people would attend
and we often had company to visit us.
My parents chose retirement. My
mother could not be broken of her
rest. Our visitors would sometimes
stay till after nine o'clock and some
noise would be made in conversation
or when they bid us good-night. In
the morning my mother would com-
plain that I should send off my com-
pany before nine o'clock. I finally
consulted with my father and with
his consent decided to purchase the
house and land where I now live.
At the same time he informed me
that I must pay for it myself, as he
had no loose money to spare. Every-
thing respecting the purchase was di-
rected by a kind providence, and the
bargain was made in December, 1784.
I was elated with the idea that in the
spring I should set up housekeeping
in my present home. But God did
not design that I should have alto-
gether so smooth a passage. At the
end of February I was cast on a bed
of severe sickness with the bilious
colic. I was seriously ill for thirty
days and my life was despaired of.
But by this sickness and distress the
door was opened for the people to
show me kindness and they became
friendly to me. Hence the way was
opened for what God had designed I
should do for this people. About
1780 Sabbath breaking, profanity and
drunkenness were not uncommon
among professors of religion. The
young children were ignorant and
uncivil. In 1783 and 1784 they were
taught by ambitious teachers with
whom I soon became acquainted. It
was agreed that at the close of the
schools in spring that the children
should gather at the meeting house
iCtfr S>t0rg nf 3lam*0
— Born in 1T52
SCHOOLROOM IN MIDDLE OF LAST CENTURY
and that the eight scholars in each
school who performed the best should
have a book. I procured two dozen
of Webster's new spelling books, the
first that were introduced into this
society, and presented them to the
scholars as proposed. From this
time forward I occasionally visited
the schools. I exerted myself to se-
cure able teachers, and I found there
was a promising class of youth com-
ing forward. At this juncture the
news spread that the officers of the
army had a commutation of five years
pay for service during the Revolu-
tionary War. This fired the minds
of the community and I became ob-
noxious to the mass of people because
I was an officer of the number.
When I had any severe sickness they
hoped I would die. One noisy old
man said he hoped I would die and
that they would take my skin for a
drum head to drum other officers out
of town.
In June 1789 my dear father died.
A considerable sum of money and
cattle was placed in my hands by
which I was able to free myself from
debt. I was at this time thirty eight
years old. During my early life I
had adopted a variety of maxims,
such as these. Never to be wanting
in integrity; never to contend in
things unessential; adopt an inde-
pendent mode of thinking; never
promise more than I can perform ;
honor and please the aged. As to
my head I was a Christian while my
heart was estranged from holiness.
My mind was anxiously impressed
with the idea that soon I should be
forty years old, and if I sinned away
the day of grace till after that period,
my crime would be sealed in the book
of God against me. On November
7th, 1790, I made a public profession
of religion and joined the church in
this place. About this time the chil-
dren to whom I had presented books
in 1783-4 began to look to me for
further instruction. I gave them
access to my library and the best ad-
vice I could as to what line of con-
duct it was best for them to pursue.
I informed them I would give them
instruction in grammar and geogra-
phy if they would attend to it. I
took more pains with the young ladies
in the outsetting than I did with the
others, for experience has taught me
that in every place where there was a
chaste and virtuous set of young
ladies there was a decent class of
young men. It was a new thing for
ladies to have any more education
than could be obtained in the public
schools. Reading, writing and spell-
ing were taught. It was often said
girls need not learn to write. It was
sufficient if they could ^write their
own names. The mode of instruc-
tion I employed with the young peo-
ple met with opposition. It was said
I was making an innovation on the
manners and customs of youth. I was
nf an lEarlg Am^rtran
blowing up their pride. A stop must
be put to it. In January 1793 I was
made a deacon in this Church. The
opposition to me increased and I hes-
itated whether I should take upon
myself so important an office. But
after consulting with friends and tak-
ing the subject into prayerful consid-
eration I accepted the office, I hope
with meekness and fear. But the op-
position to my school increased.
Some men were envious because I
was appointed Justice of the Peace at
the age of thirty and deacon at the
age of forty. Religion was made
the shouting horn. I was disturbing
the peace of the church. I was too
familiar with the ladies in my school.
A church meeting was held in July
1794 and a committee was appointed
to look into the reports respecting
me. One of the brethren of the
church charged me with a violation of
the Christian peace and enumerated
sundry items of my conduct to that
effect. It was unanimously agreed
to refer the complaints to a church
council. The churches of South-
bury, Woodbury, Bethlehem, Judea
and Warren were sent to for their
minister and delegate and on August
27th, 1794, I had a public hearing. A
great collection of people assembled
as the hue and cry was to see the vil-
lain fall. I viewed this trial as a
chastisement in the Providence of
God to prepare me for what he would
have me do. After a long hearing
and mature deliberation the council
decided that the complaint brought
against me by the church was by no
means supported. The church was
then asked whether it would abide
the decision of the council and voted
in the affirmative. The question was
then put to me and I said I would
acquiesce. My persecutors were ex-
ceedingly appalled. Some of them
soon moved out of the Society, some
were taken away by the immediate
hand of God, and one of the brethren
who was violently opposed to me
joined the Episcopalians and was
finally excommunicated.
All this persecution turned out to
my advantage. My school had hith-
erto been confined mostly to the youth
of this society, but from 1794 to 1803
I had as many pupils as I could at-
tend to, summer and winter. In 1803
sundry good people united and built a
large school house and called it the
Academy. In November 1804 I pro-
cured an assistant. More than 1500
pupils have attended the school com-
ing from all the New England states
excepting Rhode Island, also from
New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania, Maryland, Virginia, South
Carolina. Georgia and from the
islands of St. Thomas and Bermuda.
Soon after I began to teach my
school in 1790 I began a course of
lectures on morals which I delivered
weekly for twenty years. Thus God
in His providence has directed me to
spend my life in the place of my na-
tivity. If I have ever done any good
to my fellow men, let the praise be
to Him who hath directed my steps.
I have held an office of one kind or
another in the gift of the town, for
thirty one years. Twenty nine years
I have held an office in the gift of the
Society. Thirty years I have held an
office in the gift of the State. In the
year 1798 I was chosen representative
from the town to the General Assem-
bly and continued to represent the
town for the greater part of the time
till 1806. I then declined election.
I have had my share of worldly hon-
ors. I have had my share of happi-
ness in domestic life. I have been
blessed with obedient and affection-
ate children. I have had a numerous
circle of friends and have shared
largely in the affections of my pu-
pils. I have many times been ready
to exclaim, Why have I been made
the subject of so much goodness from
the hand of God?
In September 1814 my wife Eliza-
beth died. Her funeral sermon was
preached by Rev. Mr. Lyman Beecher
from Job 14, 14. In 1815 I married
Rhoda Farnum a lady possessing all
qualities to make domestic life happy.
7*6
An Ammran'H H-xprronr? in
Armg
AatraBrript of (Cnlonrl &trubrn lamia, Vortt in 1756.
Urnruluw Ihr £it> of the Cogaiista uihn ftrftiBrfc
to Urmuuirr thrir Allrgiaurr to the lung anb 3FonoJ|t
to &aw tiff ttrBtrrn (Eotttinrnt to tyr British tnuiirr
ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT NOW IN POSSESSION OF
HONORABLE CHARLES MAPLES JARVIS
DESCENDANT or COLONEL JARVI* AND MEMBER or MANY AMERICAN LEARNED AND PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES
ton, "do you ever take a morning
'bitter'?"
"No," replied the colonel, "not
as a regular thing, but on this par-
ticular occasion I shall be gratified
to join my esteemed cousin in a
friendly libation."
Noah led him into the parlor.
Hanging between the windows, in
the place of honor on the wall, ele-
gantly framed and in large, bold
letters was the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. Pointing his finger at it
he chuckled: "There, my royal
cousin, I think is a dram bitter
enough for you!"
The colonel looked at it and then
retorted: "You rebel.'"
Colonel Jarvis' manuscript, as
stated in the introductory to the
first installment, is the remarkable
story of an American in the British
ranks during the American Revolu-
tion and is probably the most im-
portant documentary evidence of its
kind in existence. The first part
was presented in the preceding issue
of this journal and covered the first
years of the Revolution, leaving
on beme "rebels." Jarvis near Charleston (which he fre-
quently writes Charlestown), South
Carolina. The great story is con-
cluded in these pages, just as he
told it, preserving his quaint orthog-
raphy.
are many interest-
ing anecdotes told of the
Americans who, while
devoted to their country,
were opposed to the
Declaration of Independ-
ence, and believed that
this country could not exist without
the protection of the British Crown.
It was the first great political prob-
lem in America, and divided many
families. The Jarvis family in New
England differed in their opinions
but their sense of justice and loyalty
to kin as well as country was such
that they did not allow it to disrupt
their domestic harmony.
Colonel Stephen Jarvis, whose re-
markable life story has recently been
discovered in manuscript, and is be-
ing presented in these pages, disa-
greed with some of his relatives as
to the holiness of the American Rev-
olution. After seven years' service
in the King's army, he preferred not
to remain in the new Republic, and re-
moved to Canada. The colonel fre-
quently visited his relatives in the
United States and good-naturedly
taunted them on being "rebels."
While the guest of his cousin, Noah
Jarvis, he arose early one morning
and began his good-natured banter.
"Colonel," interrupted Noah, who
was almost an idolater of Washing-
727
af
SfartrtB — Itont in 1756
Relating the remarkable experiences as a recruit In the lines of
the British army — Accurate transcript from the original manuscript
which was lost for many years and has been recently recovered
proceeded as far as
the Combahee (South
Carolina) River.
This was a foraging
party to procure rice,
etc., for the hospitals,
and after completing
the object intended we commenced
our march back and we halted at Colo-
nel Haines' Plantation the night after
he was brought home and buried in
his garden. I saw his grave. In the
afternoon of the next day we left his
plantation, and as we had got intelli-
gence that General Marion was col-
lecting a body of Troops to give us
annoyance on our route, the order
of march was changed, the Infantry
and Artillery in front, and the
Cavalry in the rear. We marched
in this order until we came to a long
swamp, a mile or so from Parker's
Ferry, when we heard some few shots
in front, and Major Fraser ordered the
Cavalry to advance, and seeing some
Troops at a long distance off, and
supposing them to be the enemy,
charged over this long causeway and
fell into an ambuscade, laid by the en-
emy, and we received the most gall-
ing fire ever Troops experienced.
An American Fighting His
Brothers for Conscience' Sake
We only saw the flash of the pieces
the enemy was so complete hid from
our view, and we had only to push
forward men and horses falling be-
fore and behind. We lost one hun-
dred twenty-five killed and a great
many wounded, and the enemy re-
tired without the loss of a man. All
our Artillery were killed or wounded
before they could bring their guns to
bear upon the enemy — we halted at
Parker's Ferry that night, dropped
our wounded, and the next morning
collected our dead and buried them,
and then proceeded on our route until
we reached Dorchester without any
molestation from the enemy.
The day after our arrival at
Dorchester, Major Fraser went to
Charleston, South Carolina, to make
a report of our sad disaster, and he
returned at midnight with the news of
the battle at the Eretan Springs, and
we were ordered immediately to
mount and march. We passed
Monks' Corner during the day, and
after marching all night came up with
the Army, where they had made a
halt after burrying their dead at the
Eretans. The Army retired as far as
Monks' Corner for some time send-
ing out patrols far beyond the Ere-
tans. The Americans, after the Brit-
ish retired from the field of battle,
came and buried their dead and then
retired to invest one other outpost,
but our people had abandoned it, and
joined the Army, which became so
reduced that we were obliged to re-
treat, and in moving from Monks'
Corner and crossing Goose Creek we
took the route to Dorchester, and en-
camped at Sir James Wright's Planta-
tion, a few miles this side of Dorches-
ter. We had a few Militia quartered
in Dorchester. We had hardly taken
up our ground before some of our
Militia from Dorchester came run-
ning into Camp, some of them much
wounded. A large body of the en-
emy had charged into Dorchester and
surprised the Militia and retired
again some miles from Dorchester.
Waging the Revolution in
the States of the South
The Cavalry was ordered to march,
and we proceeded to Dorchester. I
was ordered with two Dragoons and
a few Militia forward in order to
decoy the enemy, and bring them on,
whilst Major Fraser, with the Cav-
alry well disposed for an attack, kept
some distance in my rear. The Amer-
7a8
An Ammran'fi lExprranr* in % Unite!? Armg
icans, who were ignorant of our
Army being in that neighborhood,
had the same design with myself, and
made several feint charges, and then
retired until they had drawn me a
sufficient distance to make a succes-
ful charge. They had a body of In-
fantry in their rear. They at last
charged me in earnest. I retreated
and made the signal to Major Eraser.
He advanced and met the enemy, who
pulled up their horses within a very
short distance, when Major Eraser
gave the word and we dashed in
among them, and slashing work we
made great havoc amongst them, cut-
ting them down and taking many
prisoners — an Officer in his retreat
took a foot-path that foot-passengers
use in that hot country, and there is
a row of trees between that and the
main road. I pursued this Officer
and had got so near as to touch his
horse with the point of my sword. I
saw their Infantry with trailed arms
endeavoring to flank us. I wheeled
about and called to Major Fraser,
giving him this information, who or-
dered the Troops to retire, which we
did with the loss of only one man, he,
poor fellow, was hung the next morn-
ing as a deserter from their Army.
As we had no Infantry to support us,
we were obliged to retire, which we
did with a good many prisoners — how
many we killed is uncertain — cer-
tainly several.
Cavalry Charge against Fellow
Countrymen as •'Enemies"
The next day the Army retired
below the Quarter House, and this
was our outpost. In a short time
after this a Captain Armstrong of
the American Army, took a Cap-
tain Keen of ours with his whole
Patrol. This gave him a degree
of temerity, and caused him to
fall into our hands. He one day
drove in our Sentinels at our out
piquet. Major Coffin, who had been
attached to our Regiment, with his
mounted Infantry of the York Volun-
teers, was on this day our Command-
ing Officer — we pursued the enemy
for some time on the Dorchester road,
but not falling in with them, we
crossed the country over the road
leading to Goose Creek. The Troops
commanded by Captain Campbell was
in the rear, and observing some
Troops following our track, and
dressed in dark jackets, like those of
the York Volunteers, I rode forward
and asked Major Coffin if he had de-
tached any of his Troops from the
squadron. He replied, "No." Then
Sir it is the enemy, and they are close
by in our rear. We wheeled about
and this brought Captain Campbell's
Troop in front of the squadron. The
enemy formed and for a few seconds
seemed disposed to give battle, but
soon wheeled and fled. We pursued
them in full charge ; we had them be-
tween us and Charleston, on a fine
level road that would admit of about
eight horses abreast. We charged the
best horse foremost, and I soon led
the charge, no horse could run with
mine.
"If You Touch this Prisoner
I'll Blow Your Brains Out!"
In the distance of about a mile the
Commanding Officer of the enemy's
(Armstrong) horse plunging into a
stone in the middle of the road fell
and threw his rider over his head. I
had hold of him in an instant, he
asked quarters; I gave it him, and
asked his name. He said, "Arm-
strong.'' Give me your hand Cap-
tain Armstrong, I'll protect you, and
took him back to the rear. Some of
our men made a blow at him, and one
came near taking off his scalp. I
drew my pistol and said, "If you
touch the prisoner I'll blow your
brains out." I took him and deliv-
ered him to the Officer of the rear
guard, and reported him to Major
Coffin, and then again pursued the
enemy, and soon gained the head of
our Troops. By this time the enemy
had taken the woods and endeavored
of GUtlmttl Marina — Hunt in 175K
to gain the road to Dorchester, sep-
arating themselves as much as possi-
ble from each other. I saw two
Dragoons at some distance in front,
and I said to Captain Campbell,
"Now, Sir, if your horse can run with
mine, and he holds his speed, we will
take those two fellows," and we set
off in full speed, and I soon left him
in the rear, and did not halt until I
had taken one of the two. The others
made their escape, and here we gave
up the chase, and returned to Camp
with our prisoners. I think alto-
gether eight, and one was killed by
an Officer, whose name was Walker
of the New York Volunteers, after he
had been made prisoner by one of our
Regiment, and gave in charge to his
servant. We proceeded to our sta-
tion and took Captain Armstrong to
our mess for refreshment — by the
time we had arrived at our quarters,
the enemy had escaped had reached
their encampment, for at this time the
Armies were not a great distance
apart, and the American Officers in
making their report to their Com-
manding Officer, represented that
Captain Armstrong, when he fell into
our hands was treated in the most
cruel manner, and described the Offi-
cer so very distinctly that Captain
Keen of ours, then a prisoner and
dining at the table, knew it was me
who they had described and who said,
"he was sure there must be some mis-
take as he knew the Officer they had
described was too much of a soldier
and a man of honor to be guilty of so
base a transaction." They still per-
sisted that they saw it, and vouched
for the truth of their assertion. The
result was that a flag of truce was dis-
patched immediately to enquire of
Captain Armstrong himself the truth
of their assertion, and this flag and a
letter to Captain Armstrong was
handed to him before we had dined,
and as he read the contents smiled,
which induced us, or some of us to
ask if he was so soon to be ex-
changed. "Not such good luck, but
as it is in some measure concerning
the officer who took me prisoner, I
will read the communication," which
was similar as above stated, and to
which he sent the following answer,
which he read before he closed his
letter. "Sir, it has become my mis-
fortune this day to become a prisoner
to the British arms, and I am indebted
to the Officer who made me prisoner
for my life, and I am not a little as-
tonished that those gentlemen should
have presumed to have given you any
correct information, as they were so
far out of the line of their duty as to
know anything of the circumstance."
Exchanging Captured Officers
under a Flag of Truce
In a short time there was an ex-
change between Captain Keen and
Captain Armstrong and they returned
each to their respective Armies. Cap-
tain Keen's account of the matter after
Captain Armstrong's letter was read
in the American Camp, I shall forbear
to mention, and I regret being obliged
to say so much of myself in relating
this transaction. The next time our
Regiment was engaged, Captain
Campbell was killed, and it was said
purposely threw away his life in this
action. I was not with the Regiment.
I was detached on James Island with
a Troop of Dragoons, under the com-
mand of Major Craig. (Afterwards
Sir James Craig.)
After I again joined the Regi-
ment, we had another brush with
the Americans at Monks' Corner,
where we got completely defeated.
It was an attempt to surprise a
party at this post, but they got
intelligence of our approach, and gave
us a complete drubbing. We lost one
Captain killed, one Captain, two Sub-
alterns and several men wounded,
without injuring a single man of the
enemy. They had so completely for-
tified themselves that having no In-
fantry with us we could not approach
them and had to receive their fire
without being able to return it, and
we returned to our encampment not
730
An Am*rtran'0 Expmenr* in % SrittHlf Armg
very well satisfied with our defeat,
altho no disgrace to either Officer or
soldier.
Plundering Rich Plantations
in the Southern States
About this time a Colonel Thomp-
son (afterwards Count Rumford)
arrived from England on his way to
join1 his Regiment at New York. He
was ordered to take command of the
whole Cavalry, and we had one severe
brush with the enemy under his com-
mand. We surprised a party in the
evening, killed and took a good many
prisoners, and the next morning fell
in with another large body of the en-
emy, which we defeated, and drove
many of them into the Santee, where
both men and horses were drowned.
We returned to Camp with (I think)
upwards of seventy prisoners. I do
not again recollect of being engaged
with the enemy during the war. We
did indeed after make excursions into
the country for the purpose of plun-
dering the plantations of those rich
planters, who, after Charleston fell
into our hands, had received their
Oath of Allegiance, and again had
joined the American Army.
Difficulties of British Soldiers
in Getting their Pay
Our Regiment had been now nearly
a year on actual service without re-
ceiving any pay, and those of Captain
Campbell's Troop had not received all
their bounty, and consequently it fell
to my lot to make out the Abstract of
the Troop, receive the money and set-
tle with the men, some of which were
much in my debt for necessaries
found them, as Captain Campbell in
his lifetime imposed that duty on me.
Major Fraser, who was a knowing
chap, was sensible that from death
and other casualties, there would be a
good deal of pukings (an Army
phrase) and he was resolved to take
that himself, and had given orders to
Paymaster Hatton to pay Officers
commanding Troops agreeable to
their present strength only. Hatton
and myself were on the best footing
and he gave me this information, con-
trary to the directions he had received
from Major Fraser. I only request-
ed of Hatton to let me know when he
went to the pay office for the money,
and not to go when I was on duty, so
as not to be able to attend him imme-
diately on his return with the money.
This he did, and immediately on his
arrival, and before the Major got in-
telligence of it I had my Abstract
ready and as Commanding Officer
and Paymaster of the Troop demand-
ed the amount of the whole Abstract,
and as he knew it was my right, paid
me the whole amount, which I took
and secured in my trunk. I soon had
a visit from the Major, but as he
found I was as old a soldier as him-
self, and knew how far I could resist
a claim that would not expose me to
Military control, he left me to my re-
pose and contented himself in duping
the rest of the Officers in what was
their right, and robbing them of about
;£8oo. We were not so good friends
after, altho he did not show any great
resentment.
I should be glad that I could throw
a veil over the rest of my Military ca-
reer, but justice demands that I
should give a minute detail of all my
future transactions. Know then, that
I fell into all kinds of dissipation,
gambling the most prominent, and I
continued in that dissipated course of
life as long as my money lasted, which
amounted to upwards of three hun-
dred guineas. I was left at the close
of the war as destitute of money as
when I entered the Army, except my
half pay, at the reduction of the Regi-
ment in 1783. Towards the end of
1782 the South Carolina, the North
Carolina and Georgia Regiments were
ordered to Saint Augustine in East
Florida to garrison that place and to
release a Battalion of the 6oth Regi-
JHanuarrqrt 0f QUtkmcl Sarufe — Unrtt in 1T5B
ment, and soon after our arrival I, as
the eldest subaltern of our Regiment,
and as our Regiment was first for a
Command, I was ordered by General
McArthur to take possession of a
small fort twenty miles from St.
Augustine, and to defend it to the last
moment if I should be attacked by
the Spaniards, as was expected at that
time. I took three pieces of ord-
nance with me, with Artillery men
sufficient to man them, with the assist-
ance of the soldiers of the Regiment,
which amounted to twenty-five rank
and file, two officers, who were pris-
oners on parole, a Lieutenant Corn-
well of our Regiment, and a Lieuten-
ant Campbell (afterwards Fort Major
at Niagara) went with me as compan-
ions. I found some difficulty in
mounting my cannon for the want of
spars, and finding two old masts on
the shore, I made use of them, and
mounted my cannon, and finding they
were private property I returned them
to the place I found them, and re-
mained satisfied that I had done noth-
ing wrong. The two gentlemen re-
mained with me for a fortnight, and
we spend the time very agreeably un-
til one morning in our sporting Lieu-
tenant Campbell received a wound
from a fish called Simgarie, some-
thing like a turtle, except a long tail,
the end of which is barbed, and you
often find many of these at low water.
Mr Campbell placed his foot on one
of them, when he received a wound in
the ankle bone from a stroke of this
fish, and the barb remained in his an-
kle, by which he was a long time con-
fined.
Warriors Fishing In Florida
while Revolution waged in North
I remained at this post for a
month, when I was relieved and
joined my Regiment, at St. Augus-
tine, where the morning after my
arrival I had a visit from the Sheriff
in an action of damages for taking the
spars as above related. The Owner,
however, did not think proper to pur-
sue his action and I heard nothing of
it afterwards. During the rest of my
stay in this garrison our duty was
light, and balls, plays and gallanting
the ladies took up the greatest part
of my time, for I had to live very eco-
nomically to refund the money I had
spent belonging to the soldiers in
gambling. This I succeeded in do-
ing, but it left me moneyless at the
close of the war. In the month of
April, 1783, peace was declared, at
St. Augustine, and I obtained a leave
of absence and sailed for New York,
where I arrived on the Qth of May,
and made application to Commander-
in-Chief (now Lord Dorchester) to
visit my friends in Danbury, and to
fulfill my engagement with Miss
Glover, which had been unavoidably
prevented for the last seven years.
His Lordship refused me leave until
I could obtain permission from the
American government, as some of our
Officers had gone into the country,
and had been very injuriously treated.
I, therefore, wrote to my Father, who
made application, and obtained a per-
mit for me, which was signed by all
the respectable inhabitants of Dan-
bury, and one of my Brothers came to
New York for the purpose of accom-
panying me back. Our meeting was
such as you may conceive between
Brothers who had been separated for
so many years. We left New York
and arrived at my Father's on the
2Oth of April, 1783, Danbury, Con-
necticut. It is impossible to de-
scribe my feelings on again embrac-
ing those who had always been so
dear to me. Immediately on my
arrival, my Father sent for Miss
Glover, who happened to be in town.
Soldier's Joy when the
War is Over— Going Home
I shall leave the reader to judge of
the extacy and the joy that filled our
breasts. Immediately preparations
were set on foot for our marriage.
We were to have been united at the
altar of an Episcopal Church, by a
An Am*riran'0
in % Srittalf Armg
clergyman of that Church, an Uncle
of my Mother's, but in this we were
disappointed, for the next day all our
happiness was marred. The day
after my arrival an old servant of my
Father's, who in my youth had la-
bored in the fields with me (he was a
warmhearted Irishman) his name was
Wilson; he came to inform me that
a body of men were coming to mob
me, and urged me to be on my guard.
I treated this information lightly,
but soon after an American soldier re-
quested to see me and gave the same
account. This alarmed me a little,
and I began to think of the best mode
of defending myself. At this mo-
ment another person announced him-
self as the Brother of a Lieutenant
Hunt of our Army, and wished me to
convey a letter to his Brother of my
return to New York. Nothing could
be more pleasing to me; Lieutenant
Hunt was a particular friend of mine.
We had fought in the same field to-
gether, and we had spent many pleas-
ant hours with each other. I was all
politeness to this stranger, shook him
cordially by the hand, asked him to
take a glass of wine (we had dined).
He then asked me if I did not remem-
ber him. I answered in the negative.
He said that he had been my prisoner ;
I asked him where. He said at
Pound Ridge at such a time and place.
I replied, yes, I remember, I came up
at a critical moment. "Yes, you no
doubt saved my life, but your men
had robbed him of his baggage, and I
expect you to pay me for it." Oh.
your most obedient, I find your rela-
tionship to my friend Lieutenant Hunt
(which you say is your name)
amounts only to the price of your
baggage. Good-bye to you Sir, I am
much engaged, you will excuse me,
and left the room, and retired to mine
above stairs, and began to prepare
for action. Whilst I was engaged
with Hunt, my Father had walked
out into the street. It was a day of
muster day with the Militia, who were
just dismissed. My Father soon re-
turned much agitated, and said, "Son,
they are really coming and God knows
what will be the result." I then de-
sired every person to leave the room.
Miss Glover, good-bye, I can die — in
no place more honorably than this —
you shall see that I can die bravely;
I have lived honorably and I will die
gloriously; remember me to my
Brother Officers. I thrust them all
out of the room and shut the door.
Home-coming of American who
Fought in the British Lines
In a moment the house was filled
with armed men, who demanded to see
me. They said, "they did not intend
injurying me," but I must "show my-
self." This was joy to my family.and
one of my sisters ran to my room (now
Mrs. Hitchcock) desiring me to come
down. I desired her to retire and
leave me — during this bustle and con-
fusion my Brother had informed a
Colonel Jamison (he had a squadron
of Dragoons under his command) of
the perilous situation in which I was
placed, but in the meantime I had
complied with the request of my
family and went down amongst the
assembled mob, some of which spoke
in mild and peacable language ; others
in a very threatening and hostile man-
ner. I however showed a determined
and resolute spirit and replied to their
demands, that from their declaration
I had placed myself in their hands,
and that I was now in their power,
and if they presumed to injure me
that a tenfold retaliation would be
made on some of their friends who
were then in New York enjoying the
protection of the British Army, and
pursueing their private business
agreeable to the Treaty of Peace, and
under the Treaty I demanded the
same protection from them. By this
time Colonel Jamison had sent a Sar-
geant and twelve Dragoons with or-
ders to protect me from every insult.
733
iiHanu0rript nf (Eohmtl Slanrta — IBnrn in 175&
Loyalist Mobbed by Townsmen
on Night of His Wedding
This circumstance rather checked
their hostile disposition, and the au-
thority arriving, I was under no ap-
prehension of immediate danger, yet
nothing would satisfy them but an
immediate departure from the town,
and if I remained during the night I
must abide the consequence. The
greatest part of the rabble left the
house, yet there was several who
seemed determined to watch my
movements, as if determined to do me
some injury. It was at last proposed
to my Father that the best mode to
quell the mob would be to have our
marriage take place that evening, and
after some urgency with Miss Glover,
she at last consented. A clergyman
was sent for, we retired to a room
with a select party of our friends, and
we were united, after which the mob
dispersed and had left us (with our
guard of honor) to our night's repose.
In the morning however I was again
disturbed by a visit from the Sheriff.
Hunt had procured a warrant against
me for the price of his portmanteau,
and the Sheriff had made a forcible
entry into my bedchamber. I met
him with such a determined and
threatening attitude that in his retreat
he tumbled from the head of the
staircase to the bottom. He then se-
lected a posse — and surrounded the
house. My guard had after daylight,
returned to their quarters, but were
ordered again to return but they
again assumed their" station inside the
house at a proper time for rising. I
made my appearance at the window of
my bedchamber, spoke to the persons
outside, who seemed to look rather ill-
natured. I threw them a dollar, de-
sired they would get something to
drink the Bride's health, which they
did, and before they had finished the
bottle I had won them all to my side.
Quelling Irate Patriots by
Drinking Health to Bride
"I was a d — d cleaver fellow; I had
got one of the best of women for a
wife in the world ; that I was deserv-
ing of her, and that they would de-
fend us as long as they had a drop of
blood in their veins." Mr. Sheriff
seeing this, retired and left me in
peace, and we sat comfortably down
to our breakfast; soon, however, the
mob began to collect in the lower part
of the street, and it was advisable that
I should leave the place. I, therefore,
exchanged my uniform coat for one
of my Brother's, stepped out of the
back door, crossed the field, where
my Brother met me with a horse,
which I mounted and rode out of
town, and proceeded to the house
where I had parted from Miss Glover
seven years before, and where she
joined me the next day. I remained
here but a short time, and then re-
turned to New York, and made my
report in writing to his Aid-de-Camp.
Assaults Upon British Sympa-
thizers in First Days of Republic
Soon after this a party of friends
from Stamford, Connecticut, and a
few in New York, agreed to meet on
one of the Islands between those
places and spend the day. It con-
sisted of ladies and gentlemen from
both places, and myself among the
number. We were conveyed in one
of our whale boats commanded by
a Captain Hubbell; we met our
friends, and after spending the
day, we were prevailed on to go
to Stamford for the night, assuring
us that we should not be molested,
but in the morning a mob collected,
fell upon our boat's crew, beat them
unmercifully, and threatened us also,
and particularly Mr. William Jarvis
(late Secretary of Upper Canada)
who was a native of that place. As
I was a stranger to them I took the
task of appeasing their wrath, and to
allow us to go off peaceably, as it was
the fault of the people of the place
that we had visited them, and particu-
larly as the ladies were much alarmed,
and one of them in fits. Our crew had
fell down to the mouth of the harbor
734
An Am*riran'0 3Exp?rfettr? in ilje SrtttBlj Armg
and we were obliged to walk, and in
many places to carry the ladies in our
arms, sometimes in mud and water up
to our knees. Soon after we had left
the town, they found out that my
name was Jarvis also, and Cousin to
the other Jarvis, and they swore ven-
geance at me and set off after us.
We saw them coming; we placed the
ladies on a dry piece of ground, and
prepared for battle. There were five
gentlemen of us, Captain Hubbell,
two British Officers besides my
Cousin and myself. We drew up in
battle array and waited the attack.
They came within about one hundred
yards, when their hearts failed them
and they retired. We gained our
boat and after being out all night
reached New York the next morning
at sunrise, but we took care not to let
this be known at Headquarters.
An American Soldier's Farewell
to his Comrades off for England
In a few weeks after this my
wife joined me, and I got quar-
ters in a house at Brushwick,
where we remained for about three
weeks. I applied for my rations,
but as that was contrary to the
established rules of the Army, and
not receiving any letters from the
Paymaster of the Regiment as to how
I should draw on him for my pay, I
made up my mind to join my Regi-
ment. My wife wished me to take
her with me, but I had witnessed too
much distress of other Officer's wives,
and however painful it was to again
be separated, I positively refused. I
wrote to my Father, who came down
to New York and took her home un-
der his care, and I embarked for St.
Augustine. Had I remained one
week longer I might have saved my-
self the trouble and expense of a very
long and boisterous voyage, as a gen-
tleman arrived at New York with my
despatches necessary for every pur-
pose which was contemplated on my
leaving the Regiment. After a pas-
sage of five weeks, and the whole time
735
a gale of wind — I had only to encoun-
ter the danger of the sea — I was the
only passenger on board. The Mas-
ter was a very pleasant fellow and the
ship was well found, and we weath-
ered the gale, and at last got safe on
shore, and when I landed the fleet
was in sight to take the Troops on
board, as by the Treaty of Peace, St.
Augustine was to be given up to the
Spaniards. Every preparation was
now making for our departure, and
about the beginning of October we
sailed for Halifax in Nova Scotia,
where we arrived after a passage of
fifteen days; boisterous weather the
whole passage. Here the Regiment
was disbanded and their place of des-
tination for the Regiment was Coun-
try Harbour, to the Eastward of Hal-
ifax, somewhere in the Girt of Canso.
Here I took leave of a set of as brave
fellows as ever existed, which I had
led in many hard fought battles, and
who were as much attached to me as
children to their Father. So much so
when I left them they carried me in
their arms to the vessel in which I
took my passage for New York.
A British Adherent's Interview
With Washington after the War
I arrived at Sandy Hook the day
the British Army left New York. The
question with me was, shall I, or shall
I not proceed; or shall I go back to
Halifax? At last I determined to
proceed ; I must go some time and the
sooner the better. So I proceeded to
the City and made my appearance at
General Washington's Headquarters,
and reported myself to General Ham-
ilton. I was directed to call the next
morning at nine o'clock. I then be-
gan to look out for some of my old
acquaintances, but none could I find.
All were gone. I at last however fell
in with two ladies of my acquaintance,
one of them a relation, and after I
had engaged quarters for the night, I
went and spent the evening with them,
and returned to the lodging house,
where I found a whole room of mer-
iHmm0rnjrt xrf
iartrtH — Snm in If5fi
chants and other persons from the
country. I took a chair arid sat down
amongst them. They were comment-
ing on the late war, the conduct of
their several Generals, and frequently
referred to me. I gave my opinion
candidly, which by their reply did not
accord with their sentiments. I soon
called for a servant to light me to bed,
and in leaving the room I said, "Gen-
tlemen, I believe you have mistaken
my character, I am a British Officer
instead of an American!! Good-
night," and left the room and retired
to my chamber; there were two beds
and I made choice of one, and went to
bed. I had not fallen asleep, when
the door opened and two men in earn-
est conversation entered, one saying
to the other, "d — n the fellow, how he
twiged us; who the devil thought
him a British Officer ; how he got into
all our secrets." "Hush!" said the
other, pointing to my uniform at the
head of my bed. They blew out the
candle and went to bed in the dark —
never spoke again to my hearing dur-
ing the night, and in the morning left
the room before I was awake — I
never saw them after. The next
morning at the hour stated I made my
appearance, and was introduced to
the Great General Washington. He
asked me many questions and re-
turned mine with great civility. I
asked him for a passport to go into
the country. This he refused, having
the day before given up his command,
but gave me advice how to proceed —
I made my bow and retired.
Strong Feeling of Animosity against
those who Opposed Independence
After a day or two residence in New
York, where I was saluted by the sol-
diers as some General Officer of theirs,
and supplying myself with a stock of
tea and sugar for the winter, I left
New York and proceeded into the
country, and at Reading in Connecti-
cut I found my wife, who had been on
a visit at my Brother's for some time.
I found her "as women wish to be
who love their Lord." After a short
stay, we went to Danbury, where I
took up my quarters for the winter.
Early in the spring I was again threat-
ened. I took horse and rode to Mid-
dletown to see my Uncle, the late
Bishop of Connecticut, where I re-
mained for a few days and then re-
turned, but kept myself rather con-
fined. I paid a visit with my Mother
to a Brother of hers, a Clergyman of
the Presbyterian persuasion. Here
we stayed for some time and then
returned. I was discovered return-
ing to my Father's and in the evening
I got an order sent me in writing to
depart or abide the consequence. A
few days afterwards a Cousin, also a
British Officer, came to pay a visit at
my Father's and he was imprudent to
appear in his full uniform. We
walked out to see a Sister of mine,
and after dinner he took his depart-
ure. That night my Father's house
was attacked, and forcibly entered.
I rose from my bed, got my drawers
and one stocking on, when I heard the
front door give way. I took my pis-
tols and took my stand in the middle
of the floor, determined to kill the first
man that should approach us. My
Father begged of me to flee. I had
no time to lose. I flew from one
room to another, found all the win-
dows guarded. They had entered
the house. They met my Father,
knocked him down, flew to my bed-
room, turned my wife out of bed, and
much injured her. I had no place
left but the cellar for safety ; to this I
fled. My Father recovered his feet,
and ran into the Street, he one way
and my Sister another, calling out
Murder!! Soon the town was
alarmed and relief obtained. The
Magistrates and others assembled,
and after remaining some time in the
cellar, the mob dispersed, and I was
relieved from my unpleasant situation.
My Mother and Wife suffered much
in defending the cellar door before
relief arrived. They were black and
blue from the blows they received. I
dressed myself and went to a friend's
736
An Am*rtran'fi
in % Srittali Armg
house and went to bed. I was much
indebted to a Major Lawrence for my
safety. He came armed, brought
some others with him, and he had the
influence to draw off the mob, and
afterwards would not go to his house
until he found where I had retired to,
and having heard where I had spent
the evening, he repaired to the house
and found me in a comfortable repose
— he then left me. I remained there
the whole day, and the next night
slept at a neighbor's house a few
doors from my Father, and the evening
following moved out of town, and
took lodgings once more at the place
where I fled to the year before, and
here I remained until after my wife
was confined with her first child, now
Mrs. Phillips. It was several months
before my wife recovered in con-
sequence of the injury sustained by
the mob. She came very near losing
her life during her illness.
Encounters with Revengeful
Countrymen after Close of War
I used frequently to ride over to my
Father's in the night arid ride back the
next evening after dark, and one even-
ing returning I had an opportunity of
revenging myself on one of those fel-
lows who had, during the war, abused
my Father. I rode alongside of him
and with a good hunting whip lashed
him every step to his door, and then
rode on. He never knew who was
the person, neither did I mention it
until twenty years after, when I paid
a visit to Danbury, and passing
through the street saw him and men-
tioned the circumstance to my
Brother. As soon as my wife had so
far recovered as to be removed, I
took her to my Father's house, where
I left her and set off for Long Island.
Landed at Cold Spring, where I wait-
ed for some days for the arrival of a
vessel from New York for St. John,
New Brunswick, on board of which I
took passage. We put in to Annapo-
lis to land a Mr. Young and his fam-
ily; stayed two days and then sailed
over to St. John, where the Loyalists
737
had already thickly hutted themselves,
and here I met with many of my old
acquaintances which I had left at
Charleston when I left there for
St. Augustine, and here again I met
the Officers of the Queen's Rangers,
who were about to take up their land
above Fredericton, eighty miles up the
St. John River, to which place I re-
paired the first opportunity, which
was by a boat belonging to Captain
Whillock, of the Rangers, who had
taken up his residence at Gage Town,
thirty miles below Fredericton, from
this I travelled by land most of the
way in company with a Mr. Simmons
from Staten Island. On our arrival
at Fredericton we put up at a small
Inn, kept by one Berts, and in the
evening two officers came in and re-
mained until a late hour. Mr. Sim-
mons and myself ordered supper and
something to drink. We had some
moose stake which we found very pal-
atable, and went to bed. The next
morning the landlord presented us
with a bill, charging us with the sup-
per for the two others, besides all that
was drunk, and gave a reason that we
had ordered supper and called for
spirits, etc. which was drunk. We
paid the bill and left his house; be-
fore leaving St. John a Lieutenant
Hoyt, one of my old Carolina ac-
quaintances, had given me the keys
to his house, and desired me to take
possession, and remain there until his
arrival. I did so, and in a day or two
he arrived; with him I stayed until I
left Fredericton. I then set about
procuring a town lot, and engaged a
person to build me a house, and have
it ready against the next spring. I
then returned to St. John where I re-
mained for some time, and whilst
there assisted my relation Mr. Jarvis
(who had a hardware store) until my
departure. In the meantime, I drew
for the first time my half-pay bill,
which I got cashed, allowing a dis-
count, of I think, nine per cent. As
this was the first period, the mer-
chants were loth to pay cash for half-
pay bills.
nf Qtohmri Slartris — IBorn tn 1755
Loyalists flee to Canada to
Escape Taunts and Assaults
Mr. Jarvis and his Brother Sam-
uel had a vessel going to New
York, and after purchasing a few
quintals of codfish I embarked on
board of this vessel and sailed, and in
passing through Long Island the ves-
sel came to anchor, and landed me
and my baggage at Stamford. We
had made a short stay at Rhode Island
on our way. I landed early in the
morning, and after breakfast hired a
horse and set off to find my wife. I
had got in a short distance of my
Brother's when my horse fell and
broke his shoulder blade. I took off
my saddle and bridle after turning
him into a field by the permission of
the Owner; took my saddle on my
back until I could procure another
horse, then rode to my Brother's,
changed horses with him and rode on
to Newtown, where I had the happi-
ness of finding both wife and daugh-
ter in good health. After visiting our
friends at Newtown, and paying a
short visit at Danbury, I took up my
winter quarters at my Brother's in
Reading. Here I was very politely
visited by all the most respectable peo-
ple on the place, and amused myself
by riding about the country during
the winter when I could leave home.
In the Autumn both myself, wife and
young infant were nearly blind with
inflammation in our eyes for a long
time, which made our situation ex-
ceedingly unpleasant, having no ser-
vants to attend us. In this manner
we worried through the winter, and
when the spring commenced began to
make preparations for removing to
New Brunswick, and about the ist of
May embarked on board a vessel
called the Sholdram, with several
other families for the same place.
Some of the passengers made it very
unpleasant, but as this is not very in-
teresting to the reader, I shall avoid
mentioning them, and confine myself
to such matters as concern myself and
family. On the i5th of June, 1785, I
landed at Fredericton with a wife,
one child and a guinea only in my
pocket, with one year's half-pay to
draw for, and with this I had pro-
vided for our future existence. Gov-
ernment allowed the soldiers and
refugees three years' rations, and
even with the bounty many families
suffered greatly for the want of pro-
visions, and had not the forests
abounded with moose, many families
would have perished. I took with
me from St. John a small assortment
of goods advanced me by my friend
Mr. Jarvis, with which I commenced
business, and with this small supply
I arrived at Fredericton, but found
that the timber of which my house
was to have been built was still grow-
ing. This put us to great inconven-
ience, and I was obliged to hire a
small hovel, for which I gave ten
pounds rent, but here we found it
impossible to remain, for the proprie-
tor had during the proceeding winter
made a ceiling of slabs and bark over-
laid with plaster of mortar or clay,
and which he had disturbed in the
spring so that every wind that blew
our floor was covered with dirt. In
this situation we were obliged to live
for several weeks before I could pos-
sibly find another place to shelter us
from the heat. The only difference
in the two houses was that we could
eat our food without quite so much
dirt as in our first habitation. I com-
menced building, and in October we
got into our new house, and thought
ourselves as happy as princes.
Life of Exiled Americans
under Flag of British Empire
Nothing of any particular interest
happened for many years. I went on
a progressive way, building and add-
ing to my convenience. I was of an
ambitious disposition and fond of Mil-
itary life, and held during the time I
remained in the Providence, from the
year 1785 until the year 1809, the fol-
lowing commissions in the Militia,
viz., Captain, Major, Major of Bri-
738
An Ammran'a iExperonr* in % Sritislf Armg
gade, Deputy Adjutant General, and
Lieutenant Colonel, independent of
the office of Postmaster, and for six-
teen years the great part of the sum-
mer was employed in disciplining the
Militia of the county, without any
other remuneration than the thanks
of the Governor, with great promises,
but his leaving the Province all those
expectations failed, and altho I made
a good deal of money and acquired
some considerable property, I left the
Province with the loss of about
£3,000, and only brought to Upper
Canada a little upwards of Seven
Hundred Pounds, with a family of a
wife and six children. About the
year 1807 an action took place be-
tween one of our ships of war and the
American ship Chesapeake, and it ap-
peared to me that war would ensue
between the two Governments, and I
offered my services in case the Militia
should be called into actual service,
which offer was thankfully accepted,
but when it was found necessary to
embody the Militia, the command was
given to another person. This so far
excited my resentment that I immedi-
ately made up my mind to quit the
Province, and made a visit to Upper
Canada. I was well received by the
Governor and such promises held out
to me that I returned to New Bruns-
wick and commenced closing my ac-
counts and settling my affairs in order
for removal the next spring. It was
with some difficulty that I could pre-
vail upon my family to consent to
emigrate, but after some negotiations
between the Secretary of the Province
and myself, at the directions of the
Lieutenant Governor (Gore) they at
last consented and we left Fredericton
on the 3<Dth of June, 1809.
We traversed the waters of the St.
John in birch canoes, lying on the
beach where there were no inhabitants,
much disturbed with gnats and mos-
quitoes at night, and crossing the
portage from the waters of St. John to
the St. Lawrence, thirty-six miles,
most up to our knees, and black flies
739
to annoy us. We at last encountered
all our difficulties, and reached Quebec
all in good health, except one daugh-
ter who had become the wife of Major
Maule of the 104 Regiment, whom I
had left behind ; after remaining a
week, we proceeded to Montreal
where we remained one week longer,
providing ourselves with such neces-
saries as would be necessary for com-
mencing housekeeping. We again set
off in a battcase for Kingston. We
were fourteen days on our passage to
Kingston. I applied to the Quarter-
Master General and was ordered a pas-
sage in one of his Majesty's armed
vessels, and arrived at New York on
the 28th of August, and took posses-
sion of a house which had already been
purchased for me, and began to make
ourselves comfortable. I engaged a
public office at £100 per annum until I
could look about, and get a location
of land, for myself 1200 acres, and for
my son, the only one of age, 400, on
which he began to improve. The pur-
chase of my house and furniture and
the payment of fees for our land had
exhausted all my ready money, and I
had only my £100 and my half-pay for
the support of my family until the
Americans declared war against the
British Government and invaded Can-
ada.
Experiences during the Second
War with England in 1812
There was a young man by the
name of Thomas (I dined with him in
New York in August 1830) who had
been at York for two or three years as
a merchant, and who wished to accept
of General Brock's proclamation and
return to the States. I was recom-
mended to him as a fit person to take
charge of his property, for which he
was to allow me £125 out of the pro-
ceeds, and with which and the other
commission business I was enabled to
support my family comfortably dur-
ing the war. I was again appointed
Adjutant General of the Militia, and
JHanuarrtjrt of (EnlnnH Sarma — Bunt ftt 1T5G
was employed as such until York was
taken by the enemy. A
were also in the service, one\ volun-
teer in the 4yth and the othe^ at
head of the Waggu^
The volunteer was taken prisoner a
the battle of Queciistown, where
lal Brock fell. My son was ex-
changed in a few days and soon afier
cUained- his commission in the
Regiment, in which he served during
the war. Went home with the Regi-
ment and was reduced to half-pay.
He was afterwards placed on full pay
in r"du^.i to half-pay. He is
wver and settled at Con
sioa. . . anajru^nted my income to
»X»Ai ^&<; r,:.«- youngest son
got into the Secretary's Office at £100
afterwa
5gi per annum,
r a little more
than £300 per annum. He purchased
fcw&i tot and built a comfortable
ind we lived together until the
when his health became
_ and it became neces-
sary that he .should change a mode of
fc. I, therefore, consented to re-
f^ my office in his favor, but this
was objected to, and^ie afw^
J
of Ameri
I r« "iy officeand my son
After York was taken and.
<"«or,er, I was dismissed'
Military duty and applied myself to
i tiiiness as a
iii this I succt <>x " ' 'V7"wcnramJ "fiat
[ continued in that busit
!?'d have done verysiv svf
ing myself in possession of £500
money, I was advised to go
treal and open corresp»
commence business on my own ac-
count, and if the war had ;cd I
should have done well. ^
tainct! a credit for any,^^^
should order. The Peace oTi£i5 left
a very large^ supply of eoodsjan hand,
and i
was obliged to sell my
house a; if} all my real properg^^gf^
and at the close of war I
was rcchvc'l to my half-pay only for
;>ort of my large family. At
the de-pa i
the Province, Cofoner'Sfnim; an ol
friend d ;me to '
t ration of ; \^^
Registry of t ^fr
acant, he gav* me the commij
o a worthy
arge family. My
is now with her
France. Her
Brother, the Sheriff, allows her the
self% Rse i arried a
\coit; \ \ v
V$yw » sv«Xv^ ^\ v>
J
to a; • \ ^ 'r w^ a
s^S^N^^WoitwKSnd alth,
and I hope mak; for
another and !••
There my f^r^> T\v ^iave R^ven
Si^S <-U^Wteti«SWn c&liwjventful life,
\\ \ \ \ WYVxC >^.
. nf miglit r
many circumstances .which were very
ttfetciftafeRg jb WJ^Qilf, bui in which
you would take no interest, and I
your patience will be exh.,
you get through
••N
'v %. th>s in
A
Nature's dratthrur in Ammra
THE MONARCH "NIAGARA1
Natnrr'a (Sranfrrur in
Amrrtra— Niagara
Naturr'a C&ran&rur in
Amrrira— Niagara
•Xatnrr'a (Sran&r nr in
America — Niagara
Jfftrat 3farttm*0 in Ammran
Crttrra of a
Sankrr mlin Ijrlprb to Establish
ihr <£r*btt of Antrrtrau Suaturaa ^auara in lljr
fflarkrt J* OJrrat (Cummrrr ial Uruturra in tb. f JTroptra J*
Unuanra ll1 Cijina -* @p*ntng traffic mt thr &t. Hatorrnrr
Hiurr and Calir (Ontario -•* (itirrrouuiuVurr of Damb pariah, and laarpif Eoaarrl
BT
FRANK R. ROSSBEL
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
GRANDSON or JOSEPH ROMEKL, THE FINANCIAL AGENT OP THE PARISH ESTATE
3N March, 1906, a large col-
lection of old letters, of
great historic value, was
found stored away in a
chest in the attic of the
library building in Og-
densburg, New York.
They were written from 1805 to 1865,
but chiefly from 1807 to 1816, and
tell of adventures by land and sea; of
wars on both sides of the Atlantic;
of great commercial ventures in the
Tropics; of trading voyages to China
in 1807 and to the West Indies and
France in 1808; of pirates and ship-
wreck and capture at sea. They tell
of the opening up and settlement of
Northern New York and the starting
of the tides of commerce on Lake On-
tario and the River St. Lawrence,
when Utica was a village on the out-
skirts of civilization and all north of
it a vast wilderness. They all bear
on the history of David Parish, the
founder of the great Parish estate in
northern New York, of whom little is
known in the United States to-day,
although he was a prominent figure
in the American financial and social
world in the early part of the past
century. He was an associate of
Gouverneur Morris, General Stephen
Van Rensselaer, "the Patroon," John
Randolph of Roanoke, Albert Galla-
tin, General Jean Victor Moreau,
Archibald Gracie, the New York
banker, and Alexander Baring, of the
great English banking house of Bar-
745
ing Brothers & Company. He repre-
sented both Baring Brothers and
Hope & Company of Amsterdam, Hol-
land, in the handling of business of
vast importance in the Western Hem-
isphere. He entertained and was en-
tertained by Joseph Bonaparte, ex-
king of Spain ; he was one of the
largest subscribers to the United
States government loan of sixteen
million dollars in 1813, along with
Stephen Girard and John Jacob Astor,
who shared seven million dollars.
These recently discovered letters
reveal the secrets of the men who
helped to establish the credit of
American business houses in the
European markets. They are also
of timely interest in comparing the
methods of establishing the first for-
tunes in America with the financial
conditions of just one century later.
The Parish family was a prominent
one in Europe when David Parish
came to this country in 1806 and took
up his residence in Philadelphia,
where he was at once recognized as a
man of influence and ability. He was
then head of the banking and com-
mission house of David Parish &
Company of Antwerp and closely re-
lated to Parish & Company of Ham-
burg, Germany, a house established
many years previously by his father,
John Parish, an Englishman, who, in
1806, was retired and living luxuri-
ously in a beautiful homestead in
Neuensteddin, a suburb of Hamburg.
nf
Ammran
The ample means at David's com-
mand and his connection with the
great banking houses of Europe, en-
abled him to go into large ventures,
and these, owing to his sagacity and
attention to business, proved success-
ful, adding greatly to his wealth and
reputation. Mr. Parish's father was
the first American Consul at Ham-
burg. Three of David's brothers
were associated in the Hamburg
house. One of their sisters was mar-
ried to Hercules Ross, of Rossie Cas-
tle, in Scotland. All these men were
in daily touch with people high in the
service of various European govern-
ments and all were excellent corre-
spondents. From them came several
hundred of the old letters. They
gave David prompt and remarkably
full details of every political and mil-
itary move made in Europe during the
Napoleonic wars. Most of them suf-
fered in their own fortunes, and some
of them in their own persons, the
losses and privations of those trying
days, for the Parish family fled in
haste from Hamburg on the sudden
appearance of the French Army in
November, 1806, and the business of
the house was, for a time, paralyzed.
Difficulties of First American
Financiers in Europe
The war measures of first one na-
tion and then another prevented ships
with American cargoes from entering
Hamburg, and for some time the busi-
ness of the house was done at Heligo-
land, from which place his brother
Charles wrote David, August 19,
1809, saying: "I have been here since
March and pretty busily employed.
American ships come in by droves
and which, through your and Baring's
interest, mostly are to our consign-
ment."
As the agent of Hope & Company,
David Parish managed the difficult
enterprise of transferring a large
amount of credits to Europe from
Spanish colonies in Mexico. The
European wars and the consequent
restrictions upon commerce which
then existed rendered the navigation
of the Atlantic, with valuable cargoes
from Spanish or French possessions
in the Western Hemisphere, destined
to European ports on the continent,
extremely perilous. American car-
goes, however, could cross the sea
and enter certain ports with little
danger. The European credits were
brought to the United States in Span-
ish coin and here invested in Amer-
ican produce and shipped to Europe.
A pood share of these cargoes appear
to have found their way to the Euro-
pean markets through the house of
Parish & Company. This business
necessitated the securing of the specie
from blockaded ports by means of
smart ships and plucky crews.
In the enterprises in which he co-
operated with Baring Brothers &
Company, a different course seems to
have been pursued, the specie being
transferred to England in British
frigates. An idea of. these operations
may be obtained from the following
extracts from correspondence ad-
dressed to David Parish :
From Baring Brothers & Company,
London, 7th of March, 1807.
The "Resistance" frigate arrived safe at
Portsmouth on the 26th of February, bring-
ing, it is said, four millions of dollars, ob-
tained under the license granted to Messrs.
Gordon and Murphy.
Private letter from Alexander Bar-
ing, May 1 8th, 1807.
I enclose a letter from our mutual
friends, Messrs. Hope & Company, cover-
ing another for Mr. Villa Nueva at the
Vera Cruz, to both of which I request your
particular attention, as also to ours to the
same gentleman, which I likewise enclose.
. . . It is our present intention to effect
the extraction of the sum ceded to us by
British ships of war in the same manner
as was done by "The Resistance." . . .
It has occurred to me that a couple of
your fast sailing vessels may be useful to
us in our correspondence between Jamaica
and the Spanish ports, and that perhaps
they may be useless to you, or at least, that
you can spare them for some time. If so,
you will send them to our friends, Atkin-
sons, Hambury & Company at Kingston.
I sincerely congratulate you, my dear sir,
on your success. You have certainly been
746
a 3utrtwt? in Ammra inn $?ars Agn
fortunate, but good fortune in this in-
stance, as it almost always does, accompa-
nied sound judgment and intelligent meas-
ures. ... At present, we are going on
with the receipt of American remittances
in defiance of decrees.
From Alexander Baring, London,
May 8th, 1807.
We are now completely ready with our
operations and expect to start in about a
week. My cousin, Mr. Charles Baring,
junior, goes out in the vessel. ... I
confirm my request that you will write to
him and give him any information you
may think of service, without, however,
scattering over the seas any useless corre-
spondence.
Magnitude of American Business
Abroad a Century Ago
He then refers again to the sailing
vessels to assist in the operations and
to the necessity for greatest care
and secrecy in handling the matter.
Referring to the magnitude of the
American business, he says he hardly
knows of any house but his own "at
present equal to transacting with ease
the large American operations."
A suggestion of Mr. Parish's part
in this particular matter is given in
two letters, written evidently by him
though unsigned. They are on large
sheets of coarse paper, written in a
sprawling hand, with great pen eras-
ures, dated Philadelphia, July iQth,
1807, and plainly addressed, one to
Atkinson's, Hamburg & Company,
Kingston, Jamaica, and the other to
Charles Baring, junior, esquire, at the
same place, advising both that the
"pilot boat schooner 'Champlin,' by
the hand of whose captain the letters
would be delivered, was at Mr. Bar-
ing's service, by order of her owner,
Mr. Archibald Gracie, of New York,
and that another vessel of the same
class, 'The Brothers,' Captain Smith,
would promptly follow." He advised
Charles Baring of the fact that the
"Thames" frigate had not been
allowed to remain in Vera Cruz, but
was to return next month, "when the
bills of which she is the bearer fall
due," and suggests that Mr. Baring
keep his frigate away from Vera Cruz
747
until his bills fall due, when she would
appear off the port, relying upon the
pilot boats to bring the specie out to
her. He also says that "R. and I. Oli-
ver of Baltimore may direct Mr. Villa
Nueva to ship a considerable sum of
money at the same time, provided Mr.
Baring is at liberty to receive it
aboard the frigate."
Alexander Baring wrote a long
private letter to David Parish from
the Isle of Wight, dated September
9, 1809, in the course of which he
says:
I should have expressed to you earlier,
my dear sir, my sense of the very masterly
manner in which the whole of this busi-
ness appears to have been conducted . . .
and I can assure you that my experience of
the past will always make me see with
great satisfaction every opportunity of re-
newing and extending my connections with
you.
Fortunes Founded in Early
Real Estate Transactions in America
Soon after his arrival in America
Mr. Parish began to consider the pur-
chase and development of a large
tract of wild land. The proprietor-
ship of a large landed estate was then
thought by many to carry with it more
honor than the possession of an equal
fortune invested in manufacturing or
other commercial business. Wealthy
and titled Frenchmen, who had fled
from France during the Revolution,
had taken up an immense tract in St.
Lawrence and Jefferson counties in
northern New York, with the inten-
tion of building there beautiful homes
for themselves. One of the earliest
of these was James Le Ray, Comte
de Chaumont, known as Le Ray de
Chaumont, whose place was in Jeffer-
son county, near Chaumont Bay, at
the eastern end of Lake Ontario.
Gouverneur Morris and his nephew,
General Lewis R. Morris, and the
Ogden family were among those ear-
liest interested in northern New York
lands. Gouverneur Morris was agent
for the Antwerp Company in 1800, a
company controlling an immense
acreage, and the general purchased
nf 3ftr0i Ammran
50,000 acres in 1804. The home of
the latter was in Springfield, Windsor
county, Vermont, near the Connecti-
cut river, and his villa on the northern
New York property was at the Ox
Bow on the Oswegatchie river in St.
Lawrence county. Joseph Bonaparte
purchased 150,000 acres in 1818 and
began to clear for an establishment.
In 1807, Joseph Rosseel, then
twenty-five years of age, left his na-
tive town of Ghent, Belgium, and
came to America, bearing letters of
introduction and credit from Hope &
Company to prominent people in this
country, among whom was David
Parish. He appeared on the scene
just when Mr. Parish needed a young
man of character and intelligence,
who was able and willing to endure
the hardships incident to exploring
the wilderness of Pennsylvania and
New York on horseback, on foot and
by canoe, and make thereon reports
that would enable him to compare one
section with another and determine
where to establish his estate.
Sixty-Six Days Crossing the
Atlantic in Coming to America
Rosseel's journal shows that he ar-
rived in Baltimore and put up at Foul-
ton's Globe Inn, July 30, 1807, after
sixty-six days on the ship, which had
been held up three times by British
men of war. Ten days later he went
to Philadelphia and put up at the
Mansion House, kept by Renshaw, re-
moving later to Mrs. Kamerer's, 104
Arch street. He said five thousand
people were afflicted with influenza in
Philadelphia. He seems to have been
kindly received and entertained there,
meeting David Parish, esquire, among
others, on September 26. They soon
entered into an agreement whereby
Mr. Rosseel undertook to explore the
"back country," as he expressed it, in
Mr. Parish's interest. The coming
of these two men to the United States,
their meeting and the interesting parts
they bore in the development of the
country, are all told most entertain-
ingly in the old letters to which refer-
ence has been made, supplemented by
the journal of Joseph Rosseel. Some
four hundred of these letters were
written by Mr. Rosseel to Mr. Parish,
covering the explorations and his in-
tercourse with prominent men of the
day incident thereto, and the succeed-
ing years when, as Mr. Parish's trust-
ed agent and highly esteemed friend,
he managed the latter's affairs in
northern New York, from the time of
the first purchase of land in 1808 and
the establishment of the commercial
house of Joseph Rosseel & Company
on the River St. Lawrence at Ogdens-
burg.
Exploring Wilds of Pennsylvania
on Horseback in 1807
Mr. Rosseel started out from Phila-
delphia on his first tour of explora-
tion December 27, 1807, on horse-
back, riding in company with Dr.
Robert H. Rose, who about that time
purchased 120,000 acres of wild land
in what was then a part of Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, now included
hi Susquehanna county — a prominent
man who did much for the develop-
ment of that part of the state. This
Dr. Rose and Joseph Dennie, editor of
"The Portfolio," were fellow-board-
ers at Mrs. Kamerer's. This trip car-
ried him through eastern Pennsylva-
nia, as far north as Wilkesbarre,
where deep snow turned him back.
On the first of February, 1808, Mr.
Parish wrote to Mr. Rosseel, enclos-
ing a letter of introduction to Gouv-
erneur Morris and requesting him to
call at the Morris Castle, Morrisiania,
just north of New York, where he
said he would spend a few days with
pleasure and profit and meet the gov-
ernor's nephew, General Morris, who
had lands for sale in northern New
York. Mr. Rosseel's journal for
February 9 says: "Crossed Hudson's
river and landed in New York. Took
the stage for Harlem Bridge; pro-
ceeded to Morrisiania, the seat of
Gouverneur Morris. . . . Delivered
my credentials. . . . Introduced
to James Le Ray de Chaumont and
74«
Iff 0mti>tng a Sfartim* in Ammra Iflfl $?ar0 Agn
his son Mr. Vincent Le Ray; likewise
to the General Morris a nephew of the
governor's — his style of living — ro-
mantic ideas which haunted my imag-
ination on my approach of his castle."
Referring to this visit, Mr Rosseel
wrote: "I was honored with attention
from all. I took notice of the furni-
ture of the castle — rooms lined from
top to bottom with expensive glass
and a profusion of costly chairs, all
French articles, and more especially
the plate, on which I noticed the arms
of the 'Ferme de Paris.' Someone
to whom I related what I saw at Mor-
risiania remarked in explanation that
the proprietor of that chateau, who
was embassador at Paris in the time of
Terror, had placed in his care for refu-
gees most of their valuables and the
owners thereof suffered the guillotine."
He left the castle on the twelfth and
after three days in New York started
north with General Morris on a long
tour, which took him to the lands of
Mr. Le Ray as well as to those of the
general in northern New York and to
the estate of the latter in Vermont,
where he was entertained for ten days.
Mr. Moss Kent of Albany and Mr.
Egbert Ten Eyck of Watertown trav-
eled with them from Albany to Cham-
pion, north of Utica. Mr. Rosseel's
comments on people, customs, towns,
taverns and scenery are very enter-
taining. Of Poughkeepsie, he said:
"A little town of five hundred houses,
fiv thousand inhabitants; very thriv-
ing; supplies this state with East and
West India produce." In Utica he
"dined with Mr. Van Rennselaer, in
1790 the only habitation in the vil-
lage. Trade of Utica in European
and India goods alone is $200,000 per
annum." Deerfield, Massachusetts,
was "neatly cultivated, almost in the
European style."
Traveler's Comments on American
Cities One Hundred Years Ajro
A fellow-traveler, to whom he re-
fers as "a polite gentleman," said of
Washington: "The city has the ap-
pearance of poverty and misery and
T49
Congress there does not contain one
single man qualified for the seat he
holds."
In July he started north again from
Philadelphia for the Oswegatchie
country, swinging a bit to the west on
the way. He met Dr. Rose in the
wilderness of eastern Pennsylvania
and inspected a portion of the doctor's
lands. Mr. Rosseel's native tongue
was French and while he had gained
the ability to express himself quite
freely in English with the pen, he still
spoke the language with hesitation
and uncertainty. Regarding this trip,
Mr. Rosseel wrote: "Dr. Rose be-
came very taciturn. His horse had
lost a shoe and he rode miles without
saying a word. I had learned to keep
silence, too, when he was in such a
mood, finding that to be a sort of look-
ing-glass for him to see himself and
turn away. We ever rode Indian file
and he led. The way he would break
the silence was often thus: 'Rosseel,
do you see those brakes? Well, they
indicate cold, strong soil.' And anon
he was as amiable and communicative
as ever. We parted at Tioga Point
and now I reduced to practice his in-
structions about making inquiries, be-
ing frequently at a loss which way to
or what distance from such a spot in
the woods. Generally, I dismounted,
hitched Bonaparte to the fence and
walked up to the log cabin, arranging
as I went the order of words in which
I should inquire the road or distance,
which I had stereotyped thus: 'Mad-
ame, will you be so kind to tell me
which is the road to ... ?'
These words I uttered the moment I
passed the threshold of the cabin.
The woman stares at me and says,
'Eh?' So I had to go over all those
words again — to me a mountain in
those days. Dr. Rose, to whom I re-
lated it, said: 'Rosseel, always go in
and walk up to the fireplace without
saying: a word to anyone there, wait-
ing till they begin to stare at you and
there is perfect silence in the room.
Then say, Madame, which is the
road to ' ?'"
Ammratt
Experiences on a Trip Through £ jj
New York State in 1807
Not far from Ithaca, New York, he
was lost in the woods and overtaken
by a hurricane that uprooted the larg-
est trees. Of Ithaca, he said: "This
village contains but a small number of
houses, in the building of which noth-
ing has been omitted but the com-
fortable and the agreeable." The fol-
lowing description of a stretch of
country between Ithaca and Milton
of the "Ferme de Paris." Someone
shows that the "back country," even
in 1808, was not all wilderness. "I
now traveled on the highlands, com-
manding two fine prospects of a very
extensive wild, intersected with a few
clearings to the east, the levelness of
which is like the surface of the lake
to the west. The highlands are beau-
tiful, rich and healthy, along the very
best of roads. There is hardly an
acre of unimproved land visible. It
is but one continual garden. Noth-
ing is to be seen here but fields of
every kind of grain the earth pro-
duces; fine farms succeeding each
other verv closely, well-stocked with
cattle, horses and pigs, besides fine
and large orchards of fruit and nu-
merous springs of delectable water
are scattered along the way." There
is no mention of a village called Syra-
cuse, but he describes the pumping
and evaporation of salt water at the
"Salina," and says the product was
exported "even to Pittsburg." A
three hundred pound barrel sold at
the works for two dollars. The bar-
rel cost half a dollar and the state
collected four cents per bushel. It
seems that there were times when he
could not say "No," for he writes : "I
stopped at Oneida Castle and was
much annoyed by the Indians. They
would have me drink whiskey and gin
with them, nor was it in my power to
deny them." There was but one
white family who entertained travel-
ers. Having supped with them, Mr.
Rosseel sat beside the door smoking
his pipe, when a circle of Indians and
squaws gathered about him talking
loudly. After his host had explained
what they said, he handed over his
pipe, which was passed around the cir-
cle, each one taking a few puffs. It
was then that they would have him
drink with them. From August 8 to
September 18, he was inspecting the
north country, sometimes alone and
sometimes with a guide. A Dr.
Townsend owned the village of Gouv-
erneur in St. Lawrence County, where
he resided. Having a severe tooth-
ache and there being no other physi-
cian nearer than Sackett's Harbor or
the Garrison (Ogdensburg),Mr. Ros-
seel went to Gouverneur, meeting the
doctor about a mile from the village,
carrying a log chain on his shoulders.
His appearance and his awkwardness
in handling the forceps, when they
arrived at his house, were anything
but inspiring, and when, after a sav-
age pull, the tooth broke, Mr. Rosseel
fainted. The doctor then "killed the
marrow" with oil of vitriol, the pain
from which was "indescribably acute
for a time," but which effectually pre-
vented further trouble.
Society in America in the
First Years of the Republic
The Morrises, the Ogdens, Mr.
Constable and Mr. Pierpont were all
in that country, hovering between
Le Ray's place and General Morris's.
Mr. Parish, who had been on a trip
to Niagara Falls, with his friend,
General Moreau, arrived on Septem-
ber 7. Several days were then de-
voted to entertainment, hunting and
racing, with music and fireworks at
night. Mr. Le Ray's wife and daugh-
ter and General Morris's wife contrib-
uted to the pleasure of these festivi-
ties. Mr. Rosseel participated in the
entertainment but did hard woods
work also, as the following quota-
tions from his journal will show:
"September I5th took my old guide,
Mr. Rockwell, and started in the
woods again exploring Indian River.
1 6th, built a raft; crossed the river;
difficulties; encamped; out of bread;
Jtauttittttg a JFnriun* in Ammra 10fl frara Agn
no water ; collecting of the rain ; three
times our fire extinguished ; cold un-
comfortable night; sat squatted under
my blanket; i/th, hungry, thirsty,
cold and wet; proceed in the explora-
tion; fell in with an immense swamp;
every step knee deep; the weather
still boisterous with heavy rain. At
2 in the afternoon came to a camp;
found bread but no water; proceeded
much annoyed with thorns and briars ;
made a creek; arrived at Morristown
(10 miles above Ogdensburg on the
St. Lawrence) and met Mr. Parish
who was on a hunting trip." The
next day Mr. Parish and Mr. Ros-
seel visited Ogdensburg, accompa-
nied by the two Morrises, and tenta-
tive plans were made for an establish-
ment there.
First Land Speculations
Along American Frontier
Mr. Parish purchased large tracts
of land in St. Lawrence and Jefferson
Counties from Mr. Le Ray and Gen-
eral Morris in the fall of 1808, to
which he later added other tracts.
One of the first purchases was 72,000
acres at one dollar and fifty cents per
acre. Final arrangements were made
between Mr. Parish and Mr. Rosseel
at the Tontine Coffee House, in
New York, October 24, 1808, for an
"establishment" at Ogdensburg. Mr.
Rosseel and his partner, Mr. David
M. Lewis, had David Parish's back-
ing in the commercial house of Joseph
Rosseel & Company. To bring their
large stock of goods from "civiliza-
tion" was no light matter, and the
"no-intercourse" acts, which preceded
by several years the War of 1812, cut
off their trade with Canada. The
lands had to be inspected and sur-
veyed; there were roads and bridges
and saw and grist mills to be built
and the mills to be operated; but the
plans, to the execution of which Mr.
Parish requested Mr. Rosseel to give
his first and chief attention, were the
building at Ogdensburg of a large
mansion for himself, a large store and
warehouse and two schooners to ply
on Lake Ontario. New York, Phila-
delphia, Albany, Utica and Montreal
were searched for mechanics and
laborers to go to Ogdensburg. Un-
der date of May 15, 1809, Mr. Ros-
seel said in a letter to Mr. Parish:
"We have to make great allowances
for the novelty of a colony where
erecting buildings is like creating a
new world, where workmen are desti-
tute of tools and the country devoid
of materials."
Overland Transportation to
Canada— «• Every Man for Himself"
From New York men and materials
could come to Albany by water.
From there a stage ran to Utica, in
which one might ride if he secured
passage in time; but from Utica,
north, it was "Every man for him-
self," through forests and streams, by
crude roads, often all but impassable.
It was probably well on to one hun-
dred and fifty miles from Utica to
Ogdensburg by the land routes then
followed. Freight usually went to
Oswego and thence to Ogdensburg
by water. Mr. Rosseel made two
trips to Montreal for laborers, going
once in December, 1808, by sleigh,
down the frozen river, making the
one hundred and twenty miles in three
days. At another time, he sent
twelve laborers from Montreal to
Ogdensburg in a boat purchased for
the purpose. They were to receive
$13.50 a month and a blanket. When
ready to return from Montreal, he
was fortunate enough to receive an
invitation from a "gentleman of the
Northwest Company" who was "on
his departure for Michillimacinac" to
accompany him in his canoe as far as
Ogdensburg. The woods were
scoured for miles about Ogdensburg
for timber for the schooners. None
but the best was to be used and many
trees were felled before satisfactory
material in sufficient quantities could
be accumulated. Good red cedar for
planking was found among the Thou-
sand Islands and rafted down to
Ogdensburg. If Joseph Rosseel did
0f Jtrai Ammratt
not lose his temper while these build-
ing operations were on, he must have
had remarkable self-control. His
laborers left him for the lumber
woods in Canada; a great gale, with
unprecedented high water, flooded the
foundation trenches for the big ware-
house, and he wrote on the fifteenth of
May, 1809: "They are now busy in
boiling the planks for the vessels. I
am sorry to say that he who sawed
these planks, although the best mill
attendant, understand the business
not very perfectly. The dimensions
are very irregular. Some planks are
three inches, while others are but one
and one-half inches thick." These
are but samples of the difficulties by
which he was beset on every hand.
Establishing an American
Fortune on Northeast Borders
After unnumbered trials and delays,
the mansion was built of brick, made
for the purpose in the village, and the
large store and warehouse was con-
structed of stone on the bank of the
Oswegatchie, where it empties into
the St. Lawrence. The sails and rig-
ging for the schooners, costing thirty-
six hundred dollars, were brought
from New York. The large one,
called "The Experiment," was of fifty
tons, six and one-half feet draught;
the other, "The Collector," of forty-
four tons. The "Experiment" was
finished first and her launch was one
of the features of the Fourth of July
celebration in Ogdensburg in 1809.
First Commercial Enterprises
Along the St. Lawrence River
The following is Mr Rosseel's report
to Mr. Parish of the events of the
day: "The anniversary of the Fourth
of July was celebrated with much
more spirited rejoicings and diver-
sions of every description, more bril-
liancy, and above all, more decorum,
than ever was before. You will no
doubt hear of it before long, for the
gentlemen of the committee have re-
solved on giving all publicity to the
celebration. On that day your vessel,
the 'Experiment,' was launched with
unexpected success. It was a beauti-
ful launch, witnessed by upwards of
fcur hundred spectators. There was
a public dinner to which ninety-six
persons sat down. The Honorable
Judge's voluntary toast was: 'David
Parish, esquire. May his commer-
cial enterprises be as successful on the
St. Lawrence as they were on the
ocean.' Three cheers and a salute.
I happened to visit this table with
some of our Canadian friends, when
General Lewis R. Morris, who was
one of this convivial party, gave the
following toast: 'Our neighbors of
Canada. Under the liberty of a mild
government, may our friendship with
them last as long as the St. Law-
rence.'"
Early in 1809, Mr. Parish pur-
chased the village of Ogdensburg
from David B. Ogden for eight thou-
sand dollars. Only thirty-eight lots
therein had been sold .up to that time.
Smuggling operations, when success-
fully carried out, were very remuner-
ative and the Collector of the Port
of Oswego, in which district Ogdens-
burg was included, was suspicious
that Joseph Rosseel & Company in-
tended to break the law. He held
up a shipment of three hundred and
fifty barrels of salt for them until Mr.
Gallatin wrote him, at Mr. Parish's
request. The latter soon succeeded
in getting Ogdensburg made a port
of entry.
Development of Traffic on
the Great Lakes
Other schooners, built a little later
in Ogdensburg, joined the "Experi-
ment" and "Collector" in the traffic
with Lake Ontario ports, encounter-
ing the opposition of vessels owned in
Kingston, at the foot of the lake on
the Canadian side, and others owned
by Porter, Barton & Company of
Lewiston on Niagara river. Those
of the last-mentioned firm would
carry one thousand barrels each.
Ogdensburg was the foot of naviga-
75«
3Fnmtbtttg a 3f attune in Amrrira 100 $eara Agn
A PIONEER IN TRADE WITH CANADA-
Joseph Rosseel who came to America from Belgium
in 1807 and became one of the leading Business
Men of the New Republic -Old Photograph now in
possession of his descendant. Frank K. Rosseel of
Buffalo, New York— Reproduced by permission
tion for lake vessels and produce was
there transferred to smaller vessels,
"scows" or "arks," for shipment to
Montreal. In 1810, freight was one
dollar per barrel on flour from any
Lake Ontario port to Montreal.
Early in 1809, Mr. Rosseel began
to report on the scarcity of flour,
wheat and other agricultural prod-
ucts, the settlers having neglected
agriculture to make staves and potash
for the Montreal market. In No-
vember of that year, the situation had
grown serious. Winter had shut in
unusually early and severe and Og-
densburg and all the surrounding
country was in a state of famine.
The schooner "Experiment" was
known to be on her way down Lake
Ontario loaded with provisions for
Ogdensburg. On November 24, Mr.
Rosseel wrote : "\Ye have no wheat at
all. Most people live on Indian corn.
Should the schooner now be
taken on the ice in some bay or harbor
on the Ontario, and not be able to
proceed with her cargo to this place,
in that case Ogdensburg and its vi-
cinity will, during this rude winter,
offer a dismal picture of human mis-
eries. People now come twenty and
thirty miles after flour, wheat and
pork. All the stores are unsupplied
and the barns empty. They all de-
pend on the schooner for their sup-
plies.
Money also was scarce and Mr.
Rosseel was considering a horseback
trip to Albany for a supply. His
funds often came to him from Mr.
Parish in Bridgeport bank notes, by
the hands of whatever trustworthy
person happened to be coming North
recently. To add to the misery of
the people, "the worst storm ever
known on the St. Lawrence" visited
them early in December. It is safe
to say that the "Experiment" received
a hearty welcome when she arrived
December 22d.
The country settled slowly. In
November, 1809, there were five reg-
AN EARLY AMERICAS BANKER -David Par-
ish who came to America from Antwerp in 1806 and
established a great foreign trade with the New
American Republic- Minature painted on Ivory
by Spornberg tn Cheltenham, Ei. gland during 1810
nf Jftrat American
George Parish, the second, afterwards Baron Von
Senftenbersr of Austria, who occupied the Parish
Mansion in America— Photograph presented bv the
baron to an intimate friend residing in New York
ularly established stores in Ogclens-
burg. In July of the next year, eight
new houses were building there, be-
sides Mr. Parish's mansion, and in
May, 1811, the number of houses in
the village did not exceed fifty.
Other villages, Antwerp, Parish-
ville, Rossie, developing on Mr. Par-
ish's land, necessitated the appoint-
ment of sub-agents, responsible to
Mr. Rosseel. At Parishville a sheep-
farm was established, where merino
sheep were tried in 1813 and 1814.
Iron ore had been found on Mr. Par-
ish's land and a furnace started at
Rossie under the supervision of Wil-
liam Benbow, in time to make it pos-
sible for Mr. Parish to bid on cannon
balls for use in the War of 1812-14.
Mr. Parish had furnished the money
to start the firm of Borrekens & Hoy-
larts in Sodus, on the southern shore
of Lake Ontario, expecting they
would work in conjunction with the
Ogdensburg house.
The Canadian side of the St. Law-
rence, opposite New York state, had
been settled by Tories from the states
previous to the settlement of the
south shore. When the first Ameri-
cans came they were welcomed by
their neighbors across the river and
the best of feeling existed when the
hostilities of 1812 began. The war
was unpopular along the river. Some
of the troops sent to Ogdensburg
were of such a character that the in-
habitants feared and hated them
almost as much as they did the Indian
allies of the British, who, while doing
sentry duty on the frozen St. Law-
rence between the villages, frequently
landed on the American side, com-
mitting depredations and keeping the
women in a state of panic. Ogdens-
burg people felt relieved when the
American soldiers departed and when
more appeared a large part of the
population always prepared to "take
to the woods." In a letter written
in April, 1809, Mr. Rosseel referred to
the troops then in Ogdensburg as "a
banditti of rapscallions, who, by noc-
turnal excursions in our village, carry
off pigs, geese, chickens, potatoes,
onions and every other eatable they
can come at." This garrison con-
sisted of two companies sent there to
enforce the embargo law. When
they left town for another station, the
villagers were so delighted that they
saw them away with tin horns and
cowbells, and a free fight was nar-
rowly averted.
A party from Ogdensburg raided
the Canadian village of Brockville,
twelve miles up the St. Lawrence, on
the night of February 6, 1813, for
the purpose of releasing prisoners.
In retaliation, seven hundred British
troops attacked Ogdensburg a few
days later, crossing the St. Lawrence
on the ice, early in the morning from
Prescott. They captured Fort
Rensselaer easily and drove the ill-
disciplined little garrison back
through the village. About the close
of the fight, Indians and roughs ran-
MANSION BUILT IN THE "WILDERNESS" OF NEW YORK IN iSop-Built at Ogdensburg by Joseph
Rosseel f >r David Parish- Ancient photograph shows George Parish, md at the left, talking with John F.
Rosseel, financial agent, and Judge William C. Brown- The (Id gentleman with the tall white hat is Ed ward
Beaty, the mansion cook, conversing with William Houston, gardener— Original owned by Prank R. Rosseel
sacked all houses from which the
owners had fled. Mr. Rosseel and a
few others sent their families away
but stayed by their homes. The
marauder's seized some of Mr. Ros-
seel's property and were dragging
him away when a British officer with
whom he was acquainted came along
and released him. All the public
property was taken. Many houses
were badly shattered ; the barracks,
the old garrison, the vessels in the
harbor burned and Fort Rensselaer
was destroyed. Comparatively few
lives were lost. Mr. Parish's prop-
erty was not molested but all the win-
dows in the mansion were broken by
concussion. This little unpleasant-
ness did not interfere with the
"neighboring" of old friends and
acquaintances across the river and
the British officers spent considerable
money in Ogdensburg stores.
Early in November, 1813, the
American army composing Wilken-
son's expedition against Montreal
passed down the St. Lawrence. On
account of the danger of passing Fort
Wellington in Prescott, the men were
landed about three miles above Og-
densburg and marched to a point
about the same distance below, in the
night, the ammunition and other sup-
plies going in wagons. Meanwhile,
the three hundred boats were silently
slipping by in single file, and although
discovered by the enemy and sub-
jected to a furious cannonade, little
or no damage was done to the flotilla.
During the war Ogdensburg was
shelled several times. Mr. Parish's
influence was always exerted in the
direction of maintaining good rela-
tions with the opposite shore and he
bitterly opposed the petty raiding and
what he considered rash conduct of
some of the American officers.
In 1812 Mr. Parish sent Mr. John
Ross, a nephew, to live for a time in
Ogdensburg. Ross brought with
753
ONE OF FIRST WAREHOUSES ON ST. LAWRENCE RIVER— Constructed by the Pioneer Joseph Rosseel for
the shipping interests of David Parish— Old Lithograph in possession of the descendants— The ancient "stone store" is
still conducting trade with Lake Ontario and Montreal — Reproduced by permission of Frank R. Rosseel, Buffalo, N. Y.
HOMESTEAD OF A PIONEER ON THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER— Built by Joseph Rossee), the financial
a*ent of David Parish whose mansion stord on the opposite side of old Washington Street in Ogdenburg, New York-
Painting by Frank R. Rosseel, grandson of the builder— 1 his *iews shows the back piazza which faced the St. Lawrence
75«
Jnunbtng a Jnrtmt* in Ammra Iflfl f ears Arjn
him from Philadelphia a blooded
mare of Mr. Parish's, riding the ani-
mal from Philadelphia to New York
and from Albany to Ogdensburg.
He had an eye over Mr. Parish's do-
mestic affairs, his horses and dogs;
but I suspect his chief duties were of
a secret and quite different character.
At any rate, he was a diplomat. He
secured the confidence and good-will
of the British Colonel MacDonnell,
in command across the river, and
often dined with him, meeting other
officers, all of whom he cultivated.
Mr. Parish gradually came into the
acquaintance and soon they could
ask favors of the British officers with
an assurance of their being granted.
It all led up to the protection of Mr.
Parish's property from British attack.
That favors were asked and granted
in return is shown by the following
extract from one of Mr. Ross' letters
to Mr. Parish: "General Drummond
sends his compliments and will
acknowledge it a very particular favor
if you will exert your powerful influ-
ence with the government to get his
aide-de-camp, Captain Loring, re-
leased, exchanged or paroled." Very
soon thereafter Lieutenant Webster, a
severely wounded American officer,
on his way to Quebec as a prisoner of
war, was voluntarily sent across the
St. Lawrence to Ogdensburg, on
parole, until authority could be ob-
tained to do more, as a token of appre-
ciation of Mr. Parish's kindness.
Many of the American vessels on
Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence
river were bought by the American
government, armed and re-named and
put into active service as war vessels.
Among them were the "Experiment"
and "Collector," re-named "Growler"
and "Pert."
Mr. Parish visited Ogdensburg fre-
quently, spending considerable time
there and living in grand style, with
many servants, horses and dogs; but
continued his headquarters in Phila-
delphia, which, in 1808, were at 153
Walnut street. Here Joseph Rosseel
visited him in the spring of that year,
757
Mr. Parish making his stay very
pleasant. Writing of it, Mr. Rosseel
said Mr. Parish took him to Mr.
Hamilton's on the Schuylkill, where
he and the elite of the city were in the
habit of dining on certain days of the
week. In January, 1812, Mr. Parish
wrote from Albany that he was so far
on his way to Ogdensburg, coming in
a sleigh behind his own horses, accorrr
panied by a friend and two servants.
In his story of that north country in
1813, entitled "Dri and I," Mr. Irving
Bacheller tells of David Parish's driv-
ing through that region at high speed
with frequent relays of horses.
A billiard table arrived in Ogdens-
burg for Mr. Parish in 1815 and Mr.
Rosseel was compelled to send to
Montreal, one hundred and twenty
miles, for a man to set it up.
Strong Character of an
Early American Money-maker
About a hundred letters were from
David Parish himself to Joseph Ros-
seel. They show he possessed a thor-
ough knowledge of all that transpired
in the development of his affairs on
the St. Lawrence and that he took a
keen and kindly interest in the wel-
fare of all of his employees and set-
tlers, advising, commending, encour-
aging, advancing money and extend-
ing time to those overtaken by misfor-
tune, though not easily imposed upon,
patient when the execution of his
plans were delayed or foiled by the in-
numerable difficulties under which Mr.
Rosseel labored, liberal in his contri-
butions for the public good; keenly
interested in the development of the
country and quick to see and take ad-
vantage of the course of events politi-
cal and commercial. Through his
letters to Joseph Rosseel the inhabi-
tants of Ogdensburg received their
first news of many of the important
political moves on both sides of the
Atlantic. In many ways he was a
father to the north country and as
such was held in high esteem. He
was a broad-gauge, kind-hearted, lov-
able man, evidently possessing great
0f
Ammratt
business capacity and keenly enjoying
the making of money ; but his wealth,
power and influence did not make him
hard-hearted or grasping or indiffer-
ent. With all his vast interests he
found time continually to do favors
both great and small for all kinds of
people. His employees loved and re-
spected him; his younger sister idol-
ized him and with him his dear old
father shared all his confidences, ad-
dressing him, "My dear and ever
dearest David."
Diplomatic Society in
National Capital at Washington
Mr. Parish had many acquaintances
among public men in Washington,
where his influence was very great.
For many months during the years
1813-4-5, Edward Ross, a wide-awake
and winning, but at times dissipated
young friend of Mr. Parish's, resided
in Washington and kept David contin-
ually informed regarding what was
transpiring. He was very intimate
with General Armstrong and Colonel
Monroe while each was in turn Sec-
retary of War; also with Secretary
Dallas and with the families of all.
He acted as private secretary to Gen-
eral Armstrong and dined daily with
senators and congressmen. He had,
and conveyed promptly to Mr. Parish,
advance and private information of
many important matters. Mr. Par-
ish's letters to him were eagerly read
by members of the cabinet, who de-
pended much upon them for the lat-
est and most reliable news from the
north and from Europe. He was
"one of the family" wherever he chose
to be in Washington. Even Presi-
dent Madison's wife interested herself
to secure for him a commission in the
army. He was a younger brother of
John Ross, "the diplomat" at Ogdens-
burg. In 1807-8 he acted as super-
cargo on ships trading from the
United States to China and to Euro-
pean and West Indian ports and from
him came the letters telling of
"pirates, shipwreck and capture at
sea." This was in the days when lit-
tle sailing vessels cruised half-way
round the world, carrying a fortune
in gold or silver coin, with which to
purchase a return cargo of teas, silks,
nankeens and other interesting prod-
ucts of the far East. They were all
armed, but trusted chiefly to speed and
good seamanship to escape pirates and
vessels of war. I give below extracts
from a few of the letters written by
Mr. Parish from Philadelphia to Mr.
Rosseel in Ogdensburg.
January 2, 1810.
You will be astonished to hear that our
friend, Mr. Gouveneur Morris was mar-
ried on Sunday to Miss Randolph of Vir-
ginia, who had lived in his house for eight
months in the ' capacity of housekeeper.
She is of a very respectable family and I
sincerely wish he may enjoy every domes-
tic happiness and comfort
January 29, 1810.
I understand from Mr. D. B. Ogden, who
is now in this place, that the Federalists
will have a majority in the council of
appointment and that it is their intention
to elect Colonel Troup. mayor of the city
of New York, an office now worth fifteen
to twenty thousand dollars per annum.
April 7, 1813.
Mr. Gallatin has been here for some days
past and I yesterday made an arrangement
with him for the balance of the loan, being
between seven and eight million dollars.
If I had not calculated on an adjustment
with England I should not have entered
into this operation.
He said in the same letter that by
order of the Secretary of the Treas-
ury he had written Commodore
Chauncey at Sackett's Harbor, offer-
ing to deliver a few hundred tons of
cannon balls at Ogdensburg at eighty-
five dollars per ton.
April 15, 1812.
Have been for last week and continue to
be engaged in important business at court
in an action brought against me by Ferdi-
nand the 7th, as King of Spain, claiming
a large sum of money for duties on ex-
portations to South America.
May 3rd, 1816, he wrote :
The Spanish suit was decided in my
favor two days ago after a most able
charge to the jury by Judge Washington.
The claim made by the King of Spain
amounted to upwards of a million dollars.
73»
Jnmt&tttg a Ifartun* in Amerira mil feara Agn
In 1810 Mr. Parish returned to
Europe, remaining several months.
In Amsterdam and Antwerp he met
Mr. Le Ray and they held earn-
est discussions on the subject of road
building in northern New York. It
was while visiting his father in Chel-
tenham, England, on this trip that the
miniature reproduced on another page
was painted.
The following letter was received
by Mr. Parish in 1809:
SIR:
PARIS, 14 APRIL, 1809.
I take the liberty of introducing to your
acquaintance the Chevalier de Dashkoff,
Charge d'affairs and Consul General of His
Majesty, the Emperor of All the Rus-
sias for the United States. He proposes
residing at Philadelphia with his amiable
family. His rank and situation and diplo-
matic character, and above all, his excel-
lent qualities and great merit are sure to
gain him the esteem and friendship of all
those who have the satisfaction of becom-
ing acquainted with him. I take, there-
fore, a peculiar pleasure in recommending
him to your particular notice and civilities,
persuaded that Mr. Dashkoff will be kindly
and hospitably received.
I should be extremely happy if I could
be of any use to you in this country and
beg of you to dispose of 'me in whatever
shape you may think proper.
I have the honor to be with great es-
teem, Sir,
Your obedient humble servant,
HENRY ESCHER.
DAVID PARISH, ESQ.,
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Personal Confidence of the
First Prominent Americans
David's brother, John, said in the
course of a letter dated Senftenberg
Castle, 10 September, 1815: "I have
become the proprietor of a principal-
ity of considerable extent and which
henceforth will have my undivided
attention an time to make it in some
measure what it is capable of becom-
ing. ... I have a town and
twenty villages, with about fifteen
thousand subjects."
This was in Bohemia, Austria.
Mr. Parish's young friend, Edward
Ross, had relatives among the wealthy
Virginia planters. The following ex-
tract is from one of his letters to Mr.
759
Parish while living among them. It
was written from Mount Ida, near
New Canton, Buckingham County,
November 23, 1813.
I have to acknowledge receipt of your
much esteemed favor of 1st instant I
would most certainly have answered the
same much sooner, but this letter was kept
here with several others until my return
from Monticello, where I have been for
some time, and was much delighted with
the very friendly 'and hospitable reception
I met with from Mr. Jefferson. What
strong impression his amiable granddaugh-
ter, Miss Randolph, has made upon my
heart is impossible to describe, and between
you and me, I have some reason to believe
that she is not altogether indifferent to
what regards me. I shall follow your good
advice, discard all foolish ideas of Clara,
of returning to Philadelphia and upon my
honor will entirely mend and turn my mind
to more useful occupations. I shall
neither for the future trouble you any more
with these nonsensical details of my hunt-
ing parties, feastings etc., for I have given
all this up and my hounds run about in the
yard neglected, my horns hang on the wall
without being touched and even Powhattan
I have not rode ever since my return from
Monticello, where I intend very soon mak-
ing another long visit, as Mr. Jefferson
particularly begged me to do so and ap-
peared to have taken a great liking to me,
for he did ride every day out with me, did
show me all his mills, farms, machineries,
curiosities, &c. He conversed with me
about politicks all day long and about
Europe and many other countries.
In these days of stenographers and
typewriters, of haste and rush in cor-
respondence, it is a treat to read the
letters exchanged by Mr. Parish and
Mr. Rosseel almost a hundred years
ago, personal letters written with quill
pens on generous sheets of paper. As
a sample, one of Mr. Parish's opens:
"Since writing to you on the 2d in-
stant, my dear sir, I am deprived of
the pleasure of hearing from you,"
and closes, "I am always, with true
attachment, my dear sir, Yours sin-
cerely, David Parish." The follow-
ing quotation from one of Mr. Ros-
seel's to Mr. Parish might be consid-
ered "a special effort." It closed a
particularly interesting, descriptive
letter, written at Montreal, December
30, 1808:
On the occasion of the renewal of the
year, I offer my compliments by anticipa-
nf 3Ftr0t Ammratt
tion, that it may be for you, dear sir, happy
and prosperous, is the object of my un-
feigned wishes, and to find out the oppor-
tunity of rendering my existence subser-
vient to your interests is the object of my
solicitude. I remain unreservedly and re-
spectfully, Dear Sir, your most devoted,
faithful servant, Joseph Rosseel.
His next letter from Ogdensburg
closed :
I have not time to say more. Judge and
Major Ford present their respects to you.
Accept of mine with the assurance of my
attachment. Your faithful servant, Joseph
Rosseel.
Mail Service in America
One Hundred Years ago
And the mail service of those days
was most remarkable. In 1809 tne
government mails were four weeks in
going from Philadelphia to Ogdens-
burg, and the carrier started back in
two hours. There does not appear to
have been any regularly established
public trans-Atlantic mail service.
In May, 1810, Mr. Parish, who was
on the eve of departure for a trip to
Europe, wrote Mr. Rosseel, saying
that he would expect him to write
once a month, addressing him care of
Baring Bros, and Company, London;
"originals" to go to Messrs. Archi-
bald Gracie & Co. New York, and
"duplicates" to Mr. George Harrison
in Philadelphia, "opportunities for
England being frequent in both
places." In other words, the letters
were to be sent by government mail to
Mr. Parish's friends in New York
and Philadelphia who would find
some private opportunities to get them
to London. Letters were written to
friends across the water and held in
readiness to be entrusted to the care
of the first traveler about to cross the
sea. It is probable that most mer-
chant vessels carried a mail bag for
the accommodation of friends of her
owners. Letters were written in du-
plicate always and sometimes in tripli-
cate, each being dispatched by a dif-
ferent opportunity. One letter from
his relatives in Scotland to John Ross
in Ogdensburg was nine months on
the way, passing from hand to hand.
David's father would write him, send-
ing a copy of the letter to another son,
who would add a few lines and for-
ward. If one letter failed to reach
destination, better fortune might at-
tend the other. Neither envelopes
nor postage stamps were then in use.
Difficulties of
Communications in 1807
Letters were folded snugly with one
end slipped into the other, to about
three by five inches and sealed with
wax. These passing through the
United States government mails bore
a postmark as now, and the amount
prepaid for carriage was marked on
with a pen. Twelve and a half cents
seems to have been the minimum
postage, as ours is now two cents, and
it often ran up to two and three times
that amount.
The isolation felt by the residents
of the St. Lawrence may be imagined
from the fact of their referring to the
cities on the sea board as "in the
states."
April 19, 1816, Mr. Parish wrote to
Joseph Rosseel:
Having entered into an arrangement
with my brother George, by which he be-
comes interested in all my land concerns,
he will take up his residence at Ogdens-
burg and have the general superintendence
of all my business in the state of New
York. Your agency will continue, if you
are so disposed and I have no doubt the
same harmony and good understanding will
exist between you and him as has hitherto
prevailed between you and me.
David Parish died ten years after
he returned to Europe, that is, in 1826,
and the following year his brother,
George, came into possession of the
entire estate which he retained until
his death in 1838 or 1839. Joseph
Rosseel was the sole executor of his
will. In 1839 the estate was pur-
chased by the "2d George Parish," a
nephew of the former proprietor, for
two hundred and twenty-nine thou-
sand dollars. He was the son of
Richard Parish and an Austrian
baron. All three of the Parish pro-
prietors were bachelors.
Jnunbing a Jfarimt* in Ammra Iflfl f rare Agn
Joseph Rosseel continued to act as
agent for the Parish estate until re-
tired with full pay for the balance of
his life by the "26 George" in 1859,
when he was nearly eighty years of
age.
Discovery of the Ancient
Manuscript in Old Mansion
The Ogdensburg Library, in the
attic of which I found the old letters,
stands on the foundations of the Ros-
seel homestead, built by Joseph Ros-
seel ; an old-fashioned, wide-spread-
ing house with white, rough-cast
walls. Deeply recessed piazzas, front
and back, with high Grecian columns,
were connected by a wide hallway.
One faced the St. Lawrence, here a
mile in width, and commanded an un-
obstructed view of seven miles of the
Canadian shore, the grassy walls of
old Fort Wellington being directly
opposite. The other looked out upon
the Parish mansion across the way.
A fountain played in the front yard
among syringas and honeysuckles.
Locusts and horse-chestnuts shaded
the house and the sidewalks in front.
Carefully tended flower and vegetable
gardens and vine-clad arbors lay be-
tween the house and the river. Here
Joseph Rosseel died in 1863.
Up to about 1880, when the rem-
nants of the estate were sold, the Par-
ish mansion remained much as it was
when occupied by the "2d George," a
large, three-story brick structure,
painted a deep-red, standing in a lit-
tle forest of trees surrounded by high
walls and fences and facing upon a
circular grass-plot in the middle, with
its back turned to the people of Og-
densburg.
The Home of One of
America's Early Financiers
Thus I recall it when, as a boy, I
was on special occasions allowed to
wander through the darkened rooms,
over thick velvety carpets, while the
caretaker opened here and there a
shutter, letting the sunlight stream
over costly furniture and rich hang-
ings. The "2d George" paid his last
visit to it about 1865.
The Rosseel homestead, full of dig-
nity and hospitality, is gone, and with
it the rows of locusts, the syringas and
honeysuckles, the fountain and the
vine-clad arbors. Across the street,
the little forest of trees, the high walls
and fences have long since disap-
peared, but the Parish mansion, some-
what remodeled, still stands and shel-
ters one of Ogdensburg's most prom-
inent citizens, who also occupies the
"old sfone store" on the river-bank for
the transaction of a forwarding busi-
ness, his fleets sailing on Lake Ontario
and away north to Montreal as did the
tiny schooners and the "arks" of 1810.
r
'Here is the place; right over the hill
Runs the path I took;
You can see the gap in the old wall still
And the stepping stones in the shallow brook.
* * * *
And the same rose blows, and the same sun glows,
And the same brook sings as in years ago."
OHpntgl|t iti Ammra
of % Ikjmbltr 10 % Gutter of
•|JubUr ©pinion — % Crater anil
GEORGIA
LOUISIANA
AMERICANISM CALLS FOR THE
GOOD IN MAN-NOT THE BAD
AN AMERICAN VIEW OF THE
FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA
KDITORIA.L -WXITEX IX
THB ATLANTA. OONSTITTTTIOH'
The barricades of tradition and the stone
walls of revenge oppose no insuperable
obstacle to the present-day iconoclast or
the muck-raker. The dour-faced knights
of either of these tribes will seek to lessen
our faith in the Scriptures with as blithe
a spirit as they tilt against the unhealthy
methods of Packingtown or breathe to us
softly of the iniquities of Standard Oil.
Now they have even gone after George
Washington, "the father of his country."
There is produced what seems tolerably
a tax dodger, that the cherry tree inci-
dent has been created out of the whole
cloth, and that he freely used intoxicating
liquors in influencing the votes of the
bibulous in an election for burgess. Youth
is cynical nowadays. Much reading and a
spirit of inordinate curiosity and incredu-
lity have bred skepticism which extends
even to the lisper in the Sabbath school
kindergarten. So that there is no spirit-
ual lese maieste in stating that the men
and women of to-day, not to speak of im-
mature students, do not cherish the fond
notion that Washington or any other of
the pre-eminent figures of his day were
metre than human. We are quite sure they
had faults. We are only glad that we are
not sufficiently near them to bear witness
to these faults. And we are also con-
vinced that whatever their shortcomings,
their virtues, especially in the case of
Washington, overbalance far on the other
side. That is one of the happiest and one
of the most inevitable tricks of time. The
dross in a great man's composition is
burned away in the furnace of the years,
and what stands forth for the inspection
of posterity is pure gold. Of what use,
then, is the activity of the jackanapes icon-
oclast? We willingly concede that the
men who loom large in American history
are linked to us by the flaws inseparable
from flesh and blood. But we do not care
to be reminded of those flaws. What we
do need in an age given over to encroach-
ing materialism is an abundant supply of
high ideals. Woe be to the peering and
ruthless ghoul of history who neglects
more immediate and healthful demands for
his activities to bring up smut out of the
graves of illustrious men.
K IMTOKI A i, \\-HITKK IN
THE NEW OHLKAXS PICAY17XE
Although defeated by the British in
South Africa and compelled to accept the
position of subjects of the British Empire,
the Boers are in a fair way to accomplish
by peaceable and even constitutional means
what they failed to effect by force of arms.
It is well known, despite the sympathy felt
for the Boers during the war in the Trans-
vaal several years ago, that the outbreak
was the result of a well-planned scheme to
establish an independent Boer confedera-
tion in South Africa, to include all that
portion of the Dark Continent now known
as British South Africa. Although the
Orange Free State and the Transvaal Re-
public were independent as far as their
internal administration was concerned,
they still remained under British suze-
rainty. It is true that President Kruger
and President Stein made light of the Brit-
ish pretensions, but the London govern-
ment never failed to constantly assert them
and always resented any attempt on the
part of the Boer republics to hold rela-
tions with foreign countries except through
the British authorities. Confident of the
success of their schemes, the Boer leaders
had everything ready for a successful ris-
ing in Cape Colony, and had the Boers
succeeded in driving out the British and
making secure the footing they obtained
early in the war in Natal it is absolutely
certain that they proposed to proclaim the
independence of both Natal and Cape Col-
ony and organize a greater Boer Republic
to include the whole of South Africa.
While the dream of independence has been
dispelled, the Boers have not given
up hope of eventually creating a South
African dominion as an integral part of
the British Empire, but still under the Boer
control as far as administration is con-
cerned. After several years' tenure of
office, Dr. Jameson, the Premier of Cape
Colony, has been forced to dissolve the
Cape parliament owing to a legislative
deadlock and appeal to the electors. With
the Boer element firmly established in the
Transvaal and in the Orange River col-
ony as well as at the Cape, the task of re-
establishing Boer rule in South Africa will
be practically accomplished with much bet-
ter chances of permanency than had
Kruger succeeded in the recent war.
in Amrrira
INDIANA
NEBRASKA
AMERICA'S GREATEST POLITI-
CAL. IDOL AND HIS FAILURE
IT 1)1 TOHI A I. VTKITKX iv
THM miA.XA.fOL.im JOUHKAL
The greatest popular idol in a political
sense the country has ever known was
Henry Clay. Only one other American
statesman ever possessed the quality
called personal magnetism to the same ex-
tent that he did, and no other ever had a
more enthusiastic personal following. He
was an aspirant for president from 1824 to
1848, but never reached the goal. He re-
ceived thirty-seven electoral votes in 1824,
forty-nine in 1832 and one hundred and
five in 1844, but never enough to elect him.
Clay was elected speaker of the house of
representatives on the first day of his
term in that body and was five times re-
elected. He was twice elected United
States senator, once unanimously by the
Kentucky legislature, and held several
other high offices. If there was ever a
popular idol in the politics of this country,
it was Henry Clay, but he could not be
elected president
Oklahoma will be the first American
state to have at its beginning any large
part of its voters of a race other than the
Caucasian. The fact that Indians with full
rights of citizenship are a large element in
Oklahoma's population has given its organ-
ization as a state an unwonted interest
How would the Indians, there given for
the first time a powerful voice in govern-
ment use their power? The record of
Oklahoma's constitutional convention
shows that the Indians there need no tu-
toring in politics. They proved that they
knew what they wanted and how to get it.
They showed political efficiency at every
step along the road. The Indian delegates
controlled the convention, shaped its work,
and made the constitution, which it has
submitted to the people. The Indian com-
munities of Oklahoma seem to have been
very much more alive than the white to the
importance of the convention. All the
newspaper correspondents agree that the
Indian delegates averaged higher than the
whites. Most of the white communities
seem to have sent to the convention men of
the mediocre grade that gets elected to
state legislatures in "off" years. The In-
dian communities sent their best men,
those most highly educated and experi-
enced in affairs. The Indian delegates
were strictly up-to-date in their political
ideas. The constitution they framed calls
for about all the "reform" ideas.
7«3
AMERICA SHOULD LEAD WORLD
TO UNIVERSAL PEACE
EIMTOKIAI. WKITiru IV
THB I.IVCOX.V COMMOVKB
The Hague Peace Conference has not
accomplished as much as the friends of
peace had hoped. The nations represented
wanted peace but each one was anxious
that it should be secured without any sacri-
fice on its own part Some of the nations
wanted to discontinue the use of navies in
the collection of private debts, and this
would have been a long step in advance,
but other nations objected on the theory
that they might want to collect the debts
due some of their citizens. Various prop-
ositions were presented, and some of them
received considerable support, but the final
outcome is a disappointment It is hard
to secure peace by agreement when so
many nations are to be consulted and so
many conflicting interests are to be har-
monized. The peace movement will make
progress but that progress is not as rapid
as it ought to be. But why should the
United States wait for an agreement with
other nations? It has it within its sphere
to promote peace at once. It can announce
its own policy and thus set an example to
other nations. This example may not be
followed at once but it will give the friends
of peace in other nations something to
work for and an argument to use. For in-
stance, our nation could announce — and it
should do so— its determination not to use
the navy for the collection of private debts.
This would be a beginning. Other nations
would, one after another, follow its exam-
ple, and a public opinion would be formed
which would in time compel all nations to
abstain from wars for the collection of
private debts. There is another thing
which our nation should do, and it should
do it at once, namely, announce its willing-
ness to enter into an agreement providing
for the submission to an impartial tribunal,
before the commencement of hostilities and
the declaration of war, of all disputes
which defy diplomatic settlement If it
will announce such a policy, it will find a
number of other nations willing to make
such an agreement, and these will set the
pattern for the rest of the world. The
failure of the Hague Conference to accom-
plish what it ought to have accomplished
gives our nation an opportunity to lead the
way and become the dominating factor in
the promotion of peace.
<E0ni*mji0rarg
in Amertra
WASHINGTON
MISSOURI
WORLD'S UPBUILDING IS IN
NEED OF MORE MONEY
KDITOJIIAL WHITER TS
TH* SEATTLE: POST-INTELLIGENCER
M. Leroy-Beaulieu, in Economiste Fran-
cois, explains at some length and with
great lucidity the financial condition of the
world, causing the present money strin-
gency, which is felt elsewhere to precisely
the same extent as it is in this country.
The explanation of this distinguished
writer on economic topics is precisely iden-
tical with that which has been given by
well-informed writers in this country, with
the addition that the French writer makes
a fair attempt at giving the figures of the
capital needed, and the available supply.
He estimates, for example, that the savings
in France — the new capital available for in-
vestment— reaches the amount of $300,-
000,000 one year with another. In a con-
jectural way, he estimates that Germany,
which is rapidly becoming rich, has an
amount of savings annually for investment
equal to those of France, and that the
United States annually accumulates capital
for investment equal to the combined sav-
ings of Germany and France. Other fig-
ures for all of the other countries of the
world are estimated in a similar manner,
with the conclusion that the total new capi-
tal of the world available for investment
reaches an amount annually between
$2,200,000,000 and $2,800,000,000, the latter
being the extreme outside figure. As
against this, during 1906 the demands for
capital to be invested in new securities
reached an aggregate of not less than
$3.250,000,000, and promises to be very
much larger during 1907. This is the situ-
ation in a nutshell. The demands for cap-
ital exceeded the supply, and the point has
been reached where the undertakings of
the world must be limited until more capi-
tal becomes available. On the figures, the
prospects seem good for high interest rates
for at least two years, and possibly longer.
The savage, many generations ago, saw
the wind blow, felt the force of the air. In
course of time, after many experiments, the
power of the air was harnessed to sails
and the art of navigation was developed.
Consider, then, the power of this earth
current which makes the needle of the
compass move. Suppose that an investi-
gator along this line solves the secret of
the power; that he or another man find the
means of harnessing that power to human
use. I believe this power can yet be con-
trolled by man. — New York World.
TREMENDOUS POWER HELD BY
ONE AMERICAN FINANCIER
KDITORIAL -WHITKR IN
TUB St. LOUIS OLOBE-DEMOOBAT
The railroad and steamboat conquests
of a single American capitalist to-day
cover a large part of North America, and
stretch themselves off to the hemisphere
of Asia. The map which traces the course
of his steamboat lines makes the Pacific
look, not like a Japanese or an American
sea, but like a Harriman lake. . . .
Mr. Harriman may journey by steamship
from New York to New Orleans, thence
by rail to San Francisco, thence across the
Pacific to China. And, returning by
another route to the United States, he may
go to Ogden, by any one of three rail lines,
and thence to Kansas City or Omaha,
without leaving the deck or platform of
any carrier which he controls, and without
duplicating any part of his journey. This
looks like expansive language, but it does
not soar nearly as much as it could, while
still sticking to facts, for by Harriman's
community-of-interest pacts he can ride
across the continent to New York by either
one of two rail routes without getting out
of cars which obey his orders.
Texas is the biggest state in the Union.
. . . The upper part of the Pan Handle
of Texas is nearer to Chicago than it is to
Galveston. Texas is as wide as the dis-
tance from Chicago to Boston, or from St.
Louis to New York City. That is to say
that from Texarkana to El Paso it is 1,100
miles. Texas has 3,000,000 folks, 10,000,-
ooo cattle, 12,000,000 sheep and 3,000,000
horses. One horse, you see, for every man,
woman and child in the state. People who
have not seen the Southwest during the
past five years cannot by any description
realize its progress. What is known as
"the Santa Fe country" can feed the world.
Six years ago you could buy in Texas
1,000 sheep for $1,000. Now 1,000 sheep
will cost you $8,000. The real crop in
Texas, however, is not wool, but cotton.
The cotton crop in Texas for the year 1906
was worth over $200,000,000 in cold cash.
They raise a bale of cotton on an acre, and
a bale of cotton is worth $60. Texas has
the second most important shipping port
in America, and if things continue going as
they have for the past five years, in ten
years more the shipments from Galveston
will exceed in value the combined exports
of Boston and New York.
764
nf tlj* Jfirfit Unlum* — fHrmuit
A CENTURY OF STEAM NAVIGATION — A series of sixteen of the first steamboats to
sail Inland waters from the port of New York — With double-page natural-color
reproduction of the modern "Hendrlck Hudson" 428
ACROSS THE AMERICAN CONTINENT IN A CARAVAN— REMINISCENCES OF CAP-
TAIN JOSEPH ARAM — Recollections of a Journey from New York through the
Western Wilderness and over the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific In 1846 — Adven-
tures with the Indians — First discovery of gold — First white child born In Cali-
fornia— Early days on the Pacific Coast — Experiences of Captain Joseph Aram —
Transcript from the Original now In Possession of His Children In California
By Colonel James Tompklns Watson, of Clinton. New York 617
ADVENTURES IN THE AMERICAN NORTHWEST Life story of a Pioneer Fur
Trader and his experiences In the remote parts of the New World — How Amer-
ican business Instinct led the way for civilization — Accurate transcript from an
almost Indecipherable manuscript recently discovered By Sir Peter Pond S57
ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN SEAMAN— Journal of Captain Samuel Hoyt, Born
in 1744. and Followed the Roving Life of His Generation — On a Fighting Ship off
Havana, Cuba, in 1762 — Experiences as a Prisoner on a Privateer — Wanderings
as a Fugitive along the American Coast — Contributed By Julius Walter Pease
In His Ninety-Third Year 81
A MAN OF THE SOUTHWEST— Poem By John Vance Cheney. Chicago, Illinois 290
AMERICANA DUBIA— MOOTED QUESTIONS IN HISTORY — Open Discussions 765
AMERICAN CIVILIZATION IN THE GREATER ANTILLES
By Honorable Beekman Wlnthrop, Governor of Porto Rico 232
AMERICAN FLAG — THE EMBLEM OF LIBERTY— Story of Its Evolution from the
Discovery of the New World to the Present Age when the Sun Never Sets on the
Stars and Stripes — Accompanied by a Silk Memorial Flag made by the Cheney
Mills at South Manchester, Connecticut, and seven Silk Tissue reproductions In
Original Colors Mrs. Henry Champion 9
AMERICAN PROGRESS IN THE GREAT SOUTHWEST .. By Hon. Thomas M. Campbell
Governor of Texas 435
AMERICAN PROGRESS IN THE MIDDLE WEST— Voice of the people as expressed
through the Governors of the American Commonwealth and "The Journal of Amer-
ican History" By Honorable Albert B. Cummins, Governor of Iowa 433
AMERICAN PROGRESS ON THE PACIFIC COAST— Voice of the people as expressed
through the Governors of the American Commonwealth to "The Journal of Ameri-
can History" ^ By Honorable Albert E. Mead
Governor of Washington 226
AMERICAN SCIENTISTS BELIEVE JAPANESE ARE CAUCASIANS— Editorial writer
in the "Indianapolis Star" 676
AMERICANS — OUR FUTURE CIVILIZATION— Excerpt from Recent Public Utterance
By Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, Cover
AMERICA— THE RISE OF A STRONG PEOPLF — Nine hundredth anniversary of
Thorflnn's Discovery of the Western Continent — Four hundredth anniversary of
the Christening of the New World as America — Three hundredth anniversary of
the Call of the Wilds to the Anglo-Saxons and the daring men who heard 201
AMERICA'S TRIBUTE TO FRANCE — A Centennial Ode to Comte de Rochambeau
By John Oaylord Davenport, D.D. 712
A MOTHER'S LETTER TO HER SON IN 1789— Transcribed from Original In Posses-
sion of Joseph Alsop, Descendant of Correspondent 96
AN AMERICAN'S EXPERIENCE IN THE BRITISH ARMY— Manuscript of Colonel
Stephen Jarvls, Born In 1756 In Danbury, Connecticut, Revealing the life of the
Loyalists who refused to renounce allegiance to the King and fought to save the
Western Continent to the British Empire — Original Manuscript now in possession
of Honorable Charles M. Jarvls, New Britain, Connecticut 441
AN AMERICAN'S EXPERIENCE IN THE BRITISH ARMY— Manuscript of Colonel
Stephen Jarvis, born in 1756, revealing the life of the Loyalists who refused to
renounce their allegiance to the king and fought to save the Western Continent
to the British Empire — Relating the remarkable experiences as a recruit in the
lines of the British army — Accurate transcript from the original manuscript which
was lost for many years and has been recently recovered now in possession of
Honorable Charles Maples Jarvis. Descendant of Colonel Jarvis and Member of
many American learned and patriotic societies 727
AN AMERICAN'S OATH OF ABJURATION IN 1763 — Sworn to by Colonel Henry Lud-
ington when appointed to the office of Sub-Sheriff — Accurate Transcript from
originals in collection of Poughkeepsie, New York Literary Club 501
tuttlf iEngrautnga
ANCIENT MINIATURE OP EBENEZER JACKSON, SENIOR, A GENTLEMAN OP THE
FIRST DAYS OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC — Original in the possession of Mr.
Charles Eben Jackson ........................................................... 698
ANCIENT MINIATURE OF CHARLOTTE FENWICK — A BEAUTY OF THE REVOLU-
TIONARY PERIOD IN AMERICA — Original in the possession of Mr. Charles Eben
Jackson ...................................................................... 70S
AN ANECDOTE OF COUNT ROCHAMBEAU IN AMERICA— "Come, Haste to the Wed-
ding" — An Old Song — By the granddaughter of the heroine of this incident
Susan E. M. Jocelyn 71S
AN ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE RIDDLE OF THE PLANETS— Editorial writer In the
"Philadelphia Inquirer" ......................................................... 676
ANCIENT AMERICAN LANDMARKS — Two Illustrations of the first days of Amer-
ican industry ................................................................... 331
ANCIENT AMERICAN LANDMARKS — Two Photo-Engravings ....................... 1«2
ANCIENT ENGRAVINGS OF EARLY AMERICA — Prints from quaint pictures of the
adventures of John Smith from 1697 to 1629 in green tint on Imitation parchment 193
AN EARLY AMERICAN FINANCIER — General Robert Patterson of Philadelphia —
Born in 1792 — He was prominent in the development of the Sugar Industry of
Louisiana and the Cotton Mills of the South — An organizer of Railroad Communi-
cation with Baltimore, a Financier of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Steamship
Transportation with the Southern ports and Europe — Portrait in possession of
his granddaughter, Mrs. Lindsay Patterson of North Carolina .................... 652
ANECDOTE OF AN AMERICAN REVOLUTIONIST ............. By Mrs. J. R. Cozart
Lamar, Arkansas 72
AN INDIAN LEGEND — "The Flight of Red Bird" ........................ By Joe Cone 333
ANNIVERSARIES OF THE AMERICANS — One Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of
Whittier the Poet — Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of the Mother of
Washington — One Hundredth Anniversary of Washington Irving's "Salmagundi"
and William Cullen Bryant's "Embargo" — The Half Century Anniversary of the
"Atlantic Monthly" .............................................................. «18
AN ODE TO AMERICA— THE BUILDERS OF THE REPUBLIC— Poem by Judge Daniel
J. Donahoe, Author of "A Message to Americans" in the preceding issue of "The
Journal of American History" ........................................ ........... 589
AN OLD ENGLISH PLAY ON AMERICA— The New World in 1607 was the Talk of the
Taverns in the Old World and Playwrights Introduced it Into their dramas —
Extract from "Westward Hoe" .................................................. 219
AN OLD TAVERN SONG — Transcript from Fugitive Paper ........................... 79
ARMS CONFERRED FOR CHIVALRY — Accurate Translations of Latin Memorials
Issued to John Smith for his heroism in the Wars of Hungary In 1603 — Embellished
with reproductions of the heraldic order ......................................... 205
A TRIBUTE TO PEACE — Lunette on McKinley Memorial at Canton, Ohio
By Charles H. Niehaus, Sculptor 599
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN SMITH — His Own Story of His Birth, Apprenticeship and
Youth — Embellished with family arms .......................................... 204
A WEDDING SUIT IN 1756 — Trancribed from Ancient Memorandum
By Fannie M. Hackett, Biddeford, Maine 60
BAS-RELIEF OF CHARLES BROCKDEN BROWN, Father of Literary Trade in Amer-
ica .......................... By Dr. R. Tait McKenzie, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 240
BEGINNINGS OF AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE— Six Photo-Engravings of Ancient
Structures ...................................................................... H7
BILL OF SALE OF A NORTHERN SLAVE IN 1721— Transcribed from Original
By Eliza Comstock, Descendant of Slave-Holder 94
BOOK-LOVERS OF 1738— ONE OF THE FIRST LIBRARIES IN AMERICA— The Lit-
erary Inclinations of Early Americans — The Books They Read and Their Learned
Discussions in Matters Intellectual and Moral — A Treatise on "Physick" was the
Foundation of Literary Culture in the Discriminating Judgments of these First
American Bibliophiles — with Portrait of the First Librarian of the Phllogram-
matican Library ................................ By Mrs. Martha Williams Hooker
Great-Granddaughter of the Founder 177
BOOK PLATE OF REVEREND THOMAS RUGGLES PYNCHON, President of Trinity
College, Hartford, Connecticut — Descendant of William Pynchon, 1630 ............ 516
BOUNDLESS RICHES OF THE AMERICAN INTERIOR ____ By Hon. George L. Sheldon
Governor of Nebraska 437
CENTENARY OF GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE— His Last Portrait taken on His Old
War Horse "Traveller" — Excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt's Writing by His
Special Permission .................................................. Supplement 80
from Attmnt inrum*ttt0
CENTENNIAL OF THE SAVINGS BANK— One hundred years ago the modern «ys-
tem was first outlined In the House of Commons — Duke of Wellington remarked
that If men had money to spare It was time to reduce their pay— First savings
banks In America and their marvelous effect on Industry and Thrift
By Honorable Norman White 685
CIVILIZATION'S GREAT WORK IS IN ITS BEGINNING— Editorial writer In the
"Toledo Blade" ................................................................ 576
COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING IN AMERICA— Accurate transcript from origi-
nal order Issued In New England In 1766 and contributed ..... By Benjamin C. Lum 110
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POETRY— An Ode to Niagara Falls— With Four Photo
Art Engravings ..... By Hon. Henry Taylor Blake, Now In His Seventy-Ninth Year 141
CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT IN AMERICA— "The Press of the Republic Is the
Moulder of Public Opinion — the Leader and Educator" ...........................
American Municipalities of the Future ---- By T. E. Stafford In "Dally Oklahoman" 186
Progress la Adjusting the Race Problem ...................... By Frank Johnston
In Jackson (Mississippi) "Evening News" 186
Marriage and Divorce are Subject to Evolution .................... By J. W. Spear
In Arizona "Republican" 187
Will American Republic Outgrow State Lines? ................ By Gilbert D. Paine
In Memphis (Tennessee) "News Scimitar" 187
American Constitution Is in Advance of Times ............ By Horatio W. Seymour
In Chicago (Illinois) "Chronicle" 18S
Shall America Limit Private Fortunes? .......................... By W. H. Merrell
In Boston (Massachusetts) "Herald" 1S8
American Purpose is Common Good ...... Editorial Writer in New York "Tribune" 189
America Must Save Lives of its Children
Editorial Writer in Houston (Texas) "Chronicle" 189
America Extends Freedom to all Religions
Editorial Writer in Montgomery (Alabama) "Advertiser" 190
Conquest for Pacific Must Not Come
Editorial Writer In Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) "Inquirer" 190
CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT IN AMERICA— "The Press of the Republic Is the
Moulder of Public Opinion — the Leader and Educator" ............................ 379
Must American Prosperity be Retarded ......................... By John P. Young
In San Francisco (California) "Chronicle" 379
Are These America's Needs? — A Great Problem .............. By George W. Norton
In Portland (Maine) "Evening Express" 379
Omens of the Fiercest Conflict Known to History —
In Louisville (Kentucky) "Herald" 3*0
North and South are United Forever
In Richmond (Virginia) "Times-Dispatch" SSO
Human Brotherhood — Hands Across the Sea
In Charleston (South Carolina) "News and Courier" 381
Man's Ambition — Quest of the North Pole
In Washington (District of Columbia) "Post" 381
CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT IN AMERICA— The Press of the Republic Is the
Moulder of Public Opinion — the Leader and Educator ............................. 575
CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT IN AMERICA— "The Press of the Republic is the
Moulder of Public Opinion, the Leader and Educator" ............................. 762
Americanism calls for the good in man. not the bad — Editorial writer In the
"Atlanta Constitution" .......................................................... 762
An American view of the future of South Africa — Editorial writer In the "New
Orleans Picayune" .............................................................. 762
America's greatest political idol and his failure — Editorial writer in the "Indian-
apolis Journal" ................................................................. 763
America should lead world to universal peace — Editorial writer in the Lincoln
"Commoner" .................................................................... 763
World's upbuilding is In need of more money — Editorial writer In the "Seattle
Post-Intelligencer" .............................................................. 764
Tremendous power held by one American financier — Editorial writer In the
Louis Globe-Democrat" .......................................................... 764
COUNTRY LIFE IN AMERICA— Series of blue-prints of summer landscape views ...... 569
<E0ttt*ttia tuttlf 2En0rautttgH anii
COUNTRY LIFE IN AMERICA — Six Nature Reproductions 129
Path Through the Wood — Drawing by Daniel F. Wentworth 129
Moonlight — Drawing by Daniel F. Wentworth 130
The Road Home — Sun Gravure by George C. Atwell 131
The Old Mill — Sun Gravure by George C. Atwell 13 J
The Meadows — Drawing by Daniel F. Wentworth 133
The Brook — Sun Gravure by George C. Atwell 134
DAVID NOBLE — PATRIOT OF PITTSFIELD — He gave his wealth and then his life to
the cause of American Independence By Mrs. Sara B. Francis
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 376
DAWN OF THE NEW WORLD — First Permanent English Settlement in America —
Foundation of the people who in three hundred years have stretched over domin-
ions and millions across the continent and whose influence permeates the earth —
The Nations of the World extend tribute on this ter-centennlal — With ten repro-
ductions of rare engravings and paintings Honorable H. St. George Tucker
President of the Jamestown Exposition 209
ESTATE OF A PROSPEROUS AMERICAN IN 1684— "Inventory of Lewis Jones, lately
deceased, of goods and chattel taken by us whose names are now written this
twentieth day of April, 1684" — Transcript from original By Walter E. Jones
of Waitsfleld, Vermont, a descendant of the legator 366
ESTATE OF A "WELL-TO-DO" AMERICAN IN 1689— Transcribed
By M. Augusta Holman, Leominster, Massachusetts 80
ESTATE OF "A WELL-TO-DO" VIRGINIAN IN 1674— Transcribed from the Original
by Dr. Joseph Lyon Miller, grandson of the Seventh Generation, Thomas, West
Virginia 573
EX LIBRIS — American adaptation of the old art of Book Heraldry that originated
within half a century of the invention of printing — Reproductions of book plates
of William Penn of Pennsylvania and Paul Revere of Massachusetts 304
EXPERIENCES IN EARLY WARS IN AMERICA— Life Story of an Ambitious Ameri-
can Youth who at Sixteen Years of Age was Fired with the Spirit of Patriotism
and against the Will of his Parents Marched to the Battle Line in Defense of His
Country — Original Journal of Peter Pond, Born in 1740 — Transcribed
By Mrs. Nathan Gillette Pond, an Eminent Genealogist 89
EXPERIENCES OF AN AMERICAN EDUCATOR IN FIRST YEARS OF THE REPUB-
LIC— Manuscript of James Morris, born in 1752, in which he tells of being charged
with violation of Christian peace and placed on trial for conducting a private
school and instructing young women in higher education — Personal narrative of
an early lecturer on public morals — Original manuscript in possession of Mrs.
Washington Choate, great-granddaughter of James Morris — Sketches by Florence
E. D. Muzzy 717
FACSIMILE OF LETTER WRITTEN BY ROBERT FULTON in which he confided his
doubts in the problem of steam navigation — Original in the archives of Lenox
Library, in New York 433
FAIR, COOLING SPRAY, O LOVELY SEA! By Dr. Frederick H. Williams 568
FATHER OF BIBLICAL CULTURE IN AMERICA — Reminiscences of the First Ameri-
can Blblicist who found Religious Thought under Dominion of Iron-Bound Meta-
physics and Disenthralled it from its Slavery — First Contributions to Biblical
Literature and First School for Education to Ministry — Life of Moses Stuart —
Born 1780 By John Gaylord Davenport, D.D. 545
FIRST AMERICAN'S GREETING TO THE WHITE MAN— Sculpture
By Herman Atkins McNeil, National Society of Sculpture 144
FIRST CHAMPION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE — Memories and Anecdotes of Elihu Burritt,
an American Farmer-lad who Rose from a Blacksmith Forge and Through Self-
Instruction Acquired the Tongues of Fifty Nations — He Appealed to Christendom
to Cease Warfare and Became Honored by the Master Minds of the Old World —
With Prophecy of Victor Hugo and Last Portrait of Elihu Burritt
By Hon. David Nelson Camp, M.A., Department of Education at Washington in 1867 151
FIRST COLLECTION OF STEAMBOAT PAINTINGS IN THE WORLD— Blue-print
reproductions of James Bard's Famous Canvasses of Early American Marine Archi-
tecture 413
(ErattBrrtptH frnm Anmttt inriim*tttB
FIRST FORTUNES IN AMERICAN REPUBLIC— Letters of a Banker who helped to
Establish the Credit of American Business Houses In the European Market —
Great Commercial Ventures In the Tropics — Trading Voyages to China — Opening
Traffic on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario — Founding a Fortune in
America one hundred years ago — Correspondence of David Parish and Joseph
Rosseel By Frank R. Rosseel. Buffalo. New York
Grandson of Joseph Rosseel. the Financial Agent of the Parish Estate 745
FIRST NEWS OF AN AMERICAN VICTORY— This is an account of the Joy that
reigned throughout America on the news of victory, told by an eye-witness. Stan-
ton Sholes, who was born March 14. 1772, married Abigail Avery on March 14. 1793.
and died February 7, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio, in his ninety-third year — Accurate
transcript from Original Manuscript — Contributed by
Sarah Elizabeth Sholes Nlghman, great-granddaughter of the narrator
Bayonne, New Jersey 563
FIRST PAPER MONEY IN AMERICA IN 1690 — Actual facsimile of the First Paper
Money in America, which eventually led to the American Banking System — First
authorized to meet the necessities of the Colonial Treasuries to wage war, and
soon became generally established In relieving commercial and financial embar-
rassment By Henry Russell Drowne.
Of the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society 693
FIRST PATENT IN AMERICA — Granted in 1646 to the Inventor of "an engine of mills
to go by water" and recorded as "Jenkes Mopolye". .. .By Kmellne Jenks Crampton
Lineal Descendant of the Patentee 334
FIRST PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA — Customs and practices of early Doctors as
revealed In correspondence of John Wlnthrop, born in 1606 — Dutch, Quakers and
Puritans consulted him regarding their physical ills — The New World is full of his
praises — Beginning of American medicine — With eleven transcripts of ancient let-
ters, and reproduction of oil portrait of John Wlnthrop
By Walter R. Stelner, M.A., M.D. 241
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK— Rare old print made in 1840— The Lan-
caster Monitorial School, an educational idea Imported from England 718
FIRST SILHOUETTISTS IN AMERICA — Earliest extant type of Pictoriology — Brown's
notable collection of portraits of distinguished Americans — With reproductions
from Original Silhouettes of Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, Andrew Jackson
of South Carolina.. John Randolph of Virginia, Bishop William White of Pennsyl-
vania By Howard Marshall 367
FOUR HUNDRED YEARS OF THE PANAMA CANAL— First White Man to Cross the
Isthmus from the Atlantic to the Pacific — Futile attempts to find a Natural Water-
way Connecting the two Great Oceans — First Plans ever made to sever the Ameri-
cas with an artificial strait by Cortez In 1529 — Investigations by Dr. Willis
Fletcher Johnson, of the "New York Tribune" — Resume from his researches
recently presented after more than twenty-five years' study of South American
affairs and Isthmian Canal Transit in his book "Four Hundred Years of Panama."
published by Henry Holt and Company of New York 633
GREAT HEART OF THE AMERICAN DOMINION— Narrative of Journey In the wilder-
ness of the Mississippi Valley In 17S9-1790 — The experiences in the Vast Region
that is gaining control of the American nation and now contains twenty-two of the
forty-five United States — Travel In early days of American Republic — With repro-
ductions and prints By Major Samuel S. Forman 337
HERALDIC ILLUMINATION — Coat-of-arms of Mary Ball, the Mother of the First
President of the First Republic in the World — Emblazoned In gold, silver and
colors by Charles L. N. Camp
HERALDIC ILLUMINATION— Coat-of-arms in use by the Hooker Family in America
as descendants of Thomas Hooker, emigrant in 1633, and author of the First
Written Constitution in the World, creating a government — Emblazoned In six
colors by Charles L. N. Camp
HERALDIC ILLUMINATION — Coat-of-arms of Captain John Smith, of the first perma-
nent English settlement In America — The three Turks' heads were conferred upon
him by Siglsmundus Bathor, Duke of Transylvania, for bravery In the Wars of
Hungary — Emblazoned In six colors By Charles L. N. Camp
HERALDIC ILLUMINATION — Coat-of-arms of the Fulton Family In America— Illumi-
nated especially as a Memorial to Robert Fulton, the promoter of steam naviga-
tion, on this Centenary of his achievement — Emblazoned In six colors
By Charles L. N. Camp
until Engratnttga att&
HERE LET ME DWELL — A Poem By Frederic E. Snow, B.D. 145
HERITAGE OF TEARS — Poem By Howard Arnold Walter 508
HIEROGLYPHIC NARRATIVE OF THE CAREER OF GENERAL ROBERT PATTER-
SON— Reproduction from original made by his son, Colonel William Houston Pat-
terson, in imitation of the character writing of the American aborigines 660
HOME LIFE IN OLD AMERICA — Eight reproductions of Ancient Estates in photo-
tone 325
IN HONOR OF A VALIANT ADVENTURER — Loving lines inscribed to gallant John
Smith by Compeers — Ter-centenary statue to be unveiled in September on the scene
of the American explorations By William Couper, New York City 225
IMMUTABILITY — An Illustrated Poem By Frank Burnham Bagley 175
IN THE FIRST HOMES OF AMERICA— With four exhibitions of antique furniture
By Clara Emerson Bickford 328
IN THE FIRST HOMES IN AMERICA— With reproductions of antique furniture
By Clara Emerson Bickford 494
I WHO HAVE DRUNK THE WATER BITTER SWEET— A Sonnet.. By Horace Holley 166
LAST LEAF— EDITORIAL COMMENT
LETTERS OF A SERGEANT IN WAR OF 1812— Romance of John Burt, First Battalion
Artillery, and Persis Meacham — With Transcripts from Correspondence and two
Ancient Silhouettes By William Burt Harlow, Ph.D., Now In the Bermudas 147
LETTERS OF EARLY AMERICAN WARRIORS — Correspondence of the first citizens
of the Nation, revealing their Personalities and Private Lives — A Romance of the
North and South more than a century ago — Intimate friendships of distinguished
Americans — Social relations of the families of Officers in the early wars — Cut of
Powder Horn presented to General Jackson in 1782 for his Bravery In the Ameri-
can Revolution — From original leters now in possession of Charles Eben Jackson,
a descendant of General Michael Jackson By Mabel Cassine Holman 697
LIFE ON AN AMERICAN TRADING VESSEL— Adventures on the High Seas In the
First Days of American Commerce when Privateering was a Prosperous Occupa-
tion and Daring Men Chose the Hazards of Seamanship — Journal of Samuel Hoyt,
an Early American Sea Captain, Born in 1744 — Transcribed by Julius Walter Pease 485
LIFE ON GREAT AMERICAN PRAIRIES A GENERATION AGO— Two prints from "In
the Valley of the Mississippi" By Wm. H. Milburn 336
LIFE STORIES OF GALLANT AMERICANS— John Thomas— Colonel of Spartanburg
and Jane Thomas' Famous Ride By Mrs. Robert J. Herndon 373
LIFE STORIES OF GALLANT AMERICANS 73
John Moor — The Knight of Derryfield — Contributed. By Mrs. Lina Moore McKenney
Madison, Maine 73
James Caldwell — Hero of Elizabethtown — Contributed. By Mrs. Hiram Price Dillon
Topeka, Kansas 76
LIFE STORIES OF GALLANT AMERICANS — The Lanes— Cavaliers of the South— In
the Wars of Early America... By Mrs. Louisa Kendall Rogers, Barnesville, Georgia 565
MAP OF NEW YORK A CENTURY AGO when first successful steamboat in the world,
the "Clermont," sailed up the Hudson river — The city then had about 83,000
inhabitants and was concentrated below Spruce Street — It was then planned to
preserve a system of boulevards along the water-front and construct harbors
rather than piers for shipping purposes — Modern commerce made this aestheticism
impractical and the rise of steam navigation sacrificed municipal art to the greater
demand of public utility 416
MARRIAGE CONTRACT IN AMERICA IN 1675 — Transcribed from original
By Mary R. Woodruff 320
MEMOIRS OF A SOUTHERN CONGRESSMAN — Ranging the Borderlands with Daniel
Boone — Encounters with the Cherokees In Command of the Light Dragoons —
Electioneering In American Politics a Hundred Years Ago — On the Floor of Con-
gress during the Monroe Administration — Old Manuscript left . By Hon. Felix Walker
Born in Virginia in 1753 49
MODERN AMERICAN SCULPTURE — The "Aztecs" By Louis A. Gudebrod
Member of the National Sculpture Society 332
MUSIC IN AMERICA — The Struggle* of the First Composers against Public Condem-
nation . . By Clara Emerson 178
from Attmnt iorum^nta
NATURE'S GRANDEUR IN AMERICA— The Monarch Niagara— Four Reproductions
from Nature Illustrations 741
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO KINO GEORGE III— Sworn to by Colonel Henry Ludlng-
ton on March 12. 1768, in Dutches* County in the Province of New York, before
being allowed to take office as Sub-Sheriff — Accurate Transcript SOI
OBSERVATIONS OF AN EARLY AMERICAN CAPITALIST— "HE WAS BORN A
KING" — An Early Journey In the Mississippi Valley — Accurate Transcript from
Journal of General Robert Patterson, born in 1792 — An intimate friend of all the
Presidents from Jefferson to Garfleld, and one of the greatest merchant-magnates
of his generation — Eminent Americans and Europeans gathered at his mansion in
Philadelphia — Original diary in possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. Lindsay
Patterson, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina 653
ODD TO AMERICA By Donald Lines Jacobus 297
OLD PRINT OF AN INFANT SCHOOL IN NEW YORK IN 1825 718
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE "SALMAGUNDI"
IN 1807 — Reproduction from an Old Engraving of Washington Irving, after a
painting by Alonzo Chappel — Likeness from a daguerreotype in possession of the
family of the distinguished litterateur 615
ONE OF THE FIRST INSTANCES OF BOYCOTT IN AMERICA— Transcript from Orig-
inal Document By Ella S. Duncan, Keokuk, Iowa 88
ON THE HILLTOPS By Josephine Canning 568
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN BORDERLAND By Honorable E. Y. Sarles
Governor of North Dakota 236
PAINTING IN AMERICA— The First Artists and Their Experiences on the Western
Continent — With three Reproductions from Rare Paintings By Stuart Copley 169
PAINTING OF ROBERT FULTON— By his intimate friend and fellow-artist, Benjamin
West — Original now In the possession of Fulton's grandson, Robert Fulton Ludlow,
of Claverack, New York — Centenary reproduction In sepia-tone in "The Journal of
American History" by permission of Fulton family 392
PERSONAL LETTERS OF PIONEER AMERICANS — Glimpses Into Time-stained and
almost indecipherable Correspondence Revealing the Strong Character, Conscien-
tious Lives, Domestic Customs, Business Integrity and Courageous Hardihood of
First Citizens of the Republic — Contributed by Miss C. C. Thacher 559
PERSONAL LETTERS OF PIONEER AMERICANS — Glimpses Into Time-stained and
almost Indecipherable Correspondence Revealing the Strong Character, Conscien-
tious Lives, Business Integrity and Hardihood of the First Citizens of the Republic SI
Letter Sent by Post-boy from William Prentlss, during the Plague in Philadel-
phia, to Dr. Jeremiah Barker, Fallmouth, Casco Bay, Massachusetts, In 1793 —
Transcribed from Original By Abble F. Carpenter, Portland, Maine 61
Letter Written to Reverend Chandler Robblns of Plymouth, Massachusetts, by
Reverend Little In Birmingham, England, Discussing the Moral Problems in 1797 —
Transcribed from Original By Mrs. Lydla J. Knowles, Bangor, Maine 62
Letter Sent by George Washington, in 1797, to Honorable Oliver Ellsworth, a
Framer of the Constitution, Minister to France, and Chief Justice of the United
States — Transcribed from Original By Adaline B. Ellsworth Roberts
Ollana, Illinois 61
PHINEAS SLAYTON — The Venerable Volunteer — He Fought In the American Revolu-
tion and had to be "Coaxed to go home" in the War of 1812 — Anecdote contributed
By Carrie J. Doane of Arlington, Iowa 378
PHILOSOPHY OF DEATH IN EARLY AMERICA— Manuscript by the Reverend Joseph
Webb, Born in 1666, and an Intellectual and Moral Leader of His Times — Occa-
sioned by the Demise of Major Nathan Gold, In 1693, who was Foremost in Politi-
cal, Military and Ecclesiastical Affairs— Original Sermon Transcribed
By Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbell Schenck, Washington, District of Columbia 65
PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION OF THE TITLE-PAGE OF FAMOUS OLD
"BISHOP'S BIBLE" — Published In 1584, and still in possession of the Seymour
Family In America — A survival of the earliest book-making 616
PILOT OF FIRST WHITE MEN TO CROSS THE AMERICAN CONTINENT— Identifica-
tion of the Indian Girl who Led the Lewis and Clark Expedition Over the Rocky
Mountains In their Unparalleled Journey into the Mysteries of the Western World
— Recognition of Sacajawea as the Woman who Guided the Explorers to the New
Golden Empire — With nine reproductions from sculpture and rare prints
By Grace Raymond Hebard, Ph.D., of the University of Wyoming 467
TV-
<E0nt?tti0 rotilf Ettgrautnga anb
PIONEER LIFE ON AMERICAN FRONTIER— Experiences of a Federal Justice on the
Trail of the Prairie Schooners — Carrying the Law Into the Western Wilderness —
Treaties with the Indians and the Establishment of Courts in a New Land of Gold
and silver — The Birth of the Rich West — Several Illustrations bearing the lines
"Old Prints In Possession of Judge Munson" should be credited to Hon. William
Henry Milburn's work "In the Valley of the Mississippi." Judge Munson wishes
it fully understood that these illustrations are from Mr. Milburn's original work, a
copy of which was presented to a member of his family by the author. The work
la published by the N. D. Thompson Publishing Company of New York and St.
Louis and should be read by all who are interested in American pioneer life.
Judge Lyman E. Munson
United States District Court of Montana in 1865 97
PLEA FOR PROTECTION FROM THE ENEMY — Accurate Transcript from Original
letter written by Colonel Henry Ludington after he had espoused the cause of
American Independence and his oaths to the King 503
PLEDGE OF THE PATRIOTS TO FREE AMERICA — Signed by Americans In 1776 —
Transcript from Original in Possession of the Misses Patterson of Patterson,
New York — Colonel Henry Ludington Renounced his former oaths and signed this
document at the beginning of the American Revolution 603
PRIVATE LETTER WRITTEN BY GEORGE WASHINGTON, Father of the American
Republic, to an Intimate friend in which ho warns against impending dangers ... Cover
PROGENY OF SAXON KINGS IN AMERICA— Unbroken Line of Descent from Egbert,
First King of all England — 800-838, to William Tracy of Hayles Abbey who came
to America in 1620 — Royal Lineage Sustained through Thomas Tracy of Connecti-
cut, 1636 — Illustrated with eighteen Rare Reproductions from Ancient Documents
Dwight Tracy, M.D., D.D.S. 617
PROSPERITY — Pediment for Kentucky State Capitol.. By Charles H. Nlehaus, Sculptor 599
PUBLIC CARE OF THE POOR IN EARLY AMERICA— Accurate transcript from rec-
ords of Watertown. Massachusetts By M. Augusta Holman
Leominster, Massachusetts 233
QUAINT WILL OF A NEGRO SLAVE IN 1773— Transcribed from Original
By Eliza Comstock 95
REMINISCENCES OF MOSES STUART— Born In 1780— By his daughter
Mrs. Sarah Robbins, Newton Highlands, Massachusetts 557
RESOURCES OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST By Honorable Joseph K. Toole
Governor of Montana 234
ROBERT FULTON AS AN ARTIST — Reproduction in sepia-tone of his painting of Joel
Barlow, the poet and diplomat, who was Fulton's most intimate friend when the
inventor proposed to Napoleon the power of steam as a destroyer of the navies of
the world but met with rebuff — Original Is now in possession of the Barlow family
In New York and a replica Is owned by Fulton's grandson, Robert Fulton Ludlow
of Claverack, New York 401
SCULPTURE IN AMERICA — A Symposium of the Finest Pieces of Sculpture erected
during the year of 1907 697
SCULPTURE IN AMERICA— The First Sculptors and Their Hardships in the New
World — With two Reproductions from Early Sculpture By Bickford Cooper 163
SECRET SERVICE OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION— Incidents in which Imminent De-
feat was turned to Glorious Victory — Repressing the Ravagers of Property on the
Outskirts of the Army — Anecdotes of Colonel Henry Ludington, Born 1739, and the
Heroism of his Daughters who Saved him from Capture and Execution — Related
by Louis S. Patrick 497
SONNET — "Oh Ye That Keep the Rule of Modern Town" By Horace Holley 366
SONNET By Horace Holley 464
STRUGGLES OF THE FIRST CITIZENS IN AMERICA— True Record from the time of
departure from England In 1606, to the arrival in Virginia in 1607 and the hazard-
ous beginnings of a World Power — From the Journal of William Simons, "doc-
tour of divlnltle" 206
TAVERN AND POST ROAD — With three illustrations By Norman Talcott 321
frnm Anrtrtit
THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN IMMORTALS— The Hall of Fame .................... 135
Bronze Medallion of George Washington. First President of United State* ........ IS!
Bronse Medallion of Abraham Lincoln — First Great American Liberator ........... 1ST
Bronie Medallion of Daniel Webster, First Great American Statesman ............ 138
Bronze Medallion of Benjamin Franklin, First Great American Diplomat .......... lit
THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN IMMORTALS— The Hall of Fame .................... 101
Bronze Medallion of Nathaniel Hawthorne — American Novelist .................... SOS
Bronze Medallion of Washington Irving — An American Litterateur ............... SOS
Bronze Medallion of Ralph Waldo Emerson — American Philosopher ............... SOS
Bronze Medallion of Samuel Flnley Breese Morse— American Inventor ............ SOS
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE MUST LEAD VAN OF PROGRESS— Editorial writer in the
"Denver Republican" ............................................................ 676
THE AMERICAN SPIRIT IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ..... By Hon. Joseph W. Folk
Governor of Missouri 439
THE ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN COMMERCE — Ter-Centenary of the building
of the "Virginia," the First Ship Constructed on the Western Continent — Centen-
nial of the "Clermont," First Steamboat in the World — The Rise of the American
Merchant Marine and the Development of a Century of Navigation since Robert
Fulton — Illustrated with many rare blue-prints and engravings
By C. Seymour Bullock 395
THE CENTENARY OF AN AMERICAN POET— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow— Born
at Portland, Maine, February 27, 1807 — Died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, March
24, 1882 — Four Sonnets inscribed to His Memory and Centennial Bas Relief
By Louis A. Gudebrod, National Society of Sculpture 84
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN FINANCE— Its moral effect on American citi-
zenship — Liberty and the mighty economic problem — The democracy of negotiable
securities — The Ten Commandments in business — By the Editor of the "Wall Street
Journal" ......................................................... Sereno D. Pratt 687
THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN NAVY— JOHN BARRY— First commander of the
first vessel to fight under the American Flag — The "Lexington," named after the
first battle in the American Revolution, captured the first British ship In the strug-
gle for Independence — The story of Commodore John Barry, Born In 1745
By Richard M. Rellly, Member of the Pennsylvania Bar 689
THE FIRST AMERICAN NOVELIST— Experiences of the first writer in the New World
to make literature . his sole pursuit and to earn a livelihood by Pen — The first
American Fiction to create a Literary market was "Wieland," the tale of mys-
tery — Career of Charles Brockden Brown — By permission of the author from his
Literary History of Philadelphia .............. By Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer, Ph.D.,
University of Pennsylvania 236
THE FIRST AMERICAN SOLDIERS — Call "To Arms" began with Arrival of First
White Men in the New World — Footmen with Musket and Pike — Horsemen with
Pistol and Carbine — Military Force Blazed Path for Civilization — Heroic "Trained
Bands" and the Organization of the Continental Army.. .By Hon. Spencer P. Mead
Of the New York Bar ISO
THE FIRST ROMANCE IN AMERICA— The story of the heroism and fortitude of Poca-
hontas — Her marriage to John Rolfe, the first union of the Western Continent and
the Eastern Hemisphere — With six reproductions from rare engravings and paint-
ings ............................................................................ SSI
THE FIRST STEAMSHIPS TO CROSS THE OCEAN— Recollections of men who partici-
pated in first futile attempts to Interest capital in the Possibilities of Communica-
tion between the Continents by Steam — Opening the Gateways of the World — His-
toric Voyages — Beginning of Commerce — With transcript of log of the Savannah
and twenty-nine rare prints of the development of steam navigation
By C Seymour Bullock SCI
THE GREETING TO THE NATIONS — AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY— 1607— 1907— Words
of Wisdom spoken by the Man who has been chosen by the People of our United
States of America as their Leader — Excerpt from the Speech of the President at
the opening of the Jamestown Exposition — Autograph copy kindly presented to
"The Journal of American History" by ........................ Theodore Roosevelt 581
THE HISTORIAN— Poem ....................................... By Herbert Hughes 667
THE HOME OF MY CHILDHOOD — Illustrated poem .............. By Anna J. Granniss S8t
THE LAST LEAF— Editorial Comment ....................................... 882, 678. 766
®ranarrtpi0 from Attmnt Snrum^nta
THE MESSAGE TO THE AMERICANS — Poem By Judge Daniel J. Donahoe 393
THE "MIRACLE" OF THE FIRST STEAMBOAT — Tragedy of an American Genius who
was Publicly Ridiculed as a "Fanatic" for Proposing: the Propulsion of Vessels by
Steam against Wind and Tide — The Idea was Pronounced "Impracticable" and to
Risk Life In Its Undertaking: "Foolhardy" — Eleven Reproductions from Rare
Prints By Seymour Bullock 33
THE MILLENIUM OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP By Hon. Curtis Guild, Jr.
Governor of Massachusetts 436
THE NOBLER RACE — Poem By Frank P. Foster, Jr. 484
"THE PASSING OF THE DAY OF GREED" — Symbolic Photograph by John Gudebrod,
of New York — Taken In the Early Evening at Castle Craig on the Peaks of
Meriden
THE RISE OF A NEW SURGICAL SCIENCE — Evolution of a Personal Adornment Into
the Self-Protection of the Human Race — Uplift of a Menial Trade to a Great
American Profession which now bears the "Hall Mark" of Culture and has become
a part of the American Educational System — The birth of Dental surgery
By Dr. James McManus,
Author of a Treatise on "History of Anaesthesia,"
and a Dean of American Dentistry 675
THE RISE OF THE BOUNTEOUS SOUTH — Excerpt from speech by
Honorable Claude A, Swanson, Governor of Virginia 438
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CONTROL OF AMERICA — THE GREAT STORY OF THE
CARIBBEAN SEA — Ambition of the European Powers to add the Western Conti-
nent to their Empires — America's fate in the balance during the Great Battles on
the Spanish Main — Daring adventures of the Great Admirals of the Caribbean Sea —
Researches by Franklin Russell Hart, Member of many learned societies and
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain — Copyright assigned
to the author 640
TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE — THE VOICE OF THE STATES — Expressed in Per-
sonal Messages from the Governors to "The Journal of American History"
"America's Greatest Need Is Civic Virtue" Honorable George E. Chamberlain
Governor of Oregon 17
"Higher Standards of Public Service". .Hon. George R. Carter, Governor of Hawaii 18
"Future Mastery of the Pacific Ocean" Hon. George C. Pardee
Governor of California 21
"An Inspiration for Worthy Work". . .Hon. Fred M. Warner, Governor of Michigan 23
"Strong, New Blood Elevates Citizenship" Hon. Bryant B. Brooks
Governor of Wyoming 24
"The Native Honesty of the Nation" Hon. John C. Cutler, Governor of Utah 25
"American In Spirit and in Aspiration". .Hon. Andrew L. Harris, Governor of Ohio 26
"Wholesome Immigration Is a Builder". Hon. J. O. Davidson, Governor of Wisconsin 27
"Commercialism Must Not Dominate America" Hon. Joseph M. Terrell
Governor of Georgia 29
"The Spirit of Patriotism Still Lives" Hon. Wm. T. Cobb, Governor of Maine 81
TO THE MEMORY OF A GERMAN-AMERICAN SOLDIER— General Franz Sigel— For
Riverside Drive, New York City By Karl Bitter, Sculptor 601
TO THE MEMORY OF A GREAT AMERICAN MATERIALIST — Colonel John A. Roeb-
ling, First Engineer of Brooklyn Bridge — Builder of the Great Span across Niagara
Falls — For erection at Trenton, New Jersey By William Couper, Sculptor 600
TO THE MEMORY OF AMERICAN SACRIFICE— Erected at the old Andersonville
Prison Grounds, In Georgia By Bela Lyon Pratt, Sculptor 603
TO THE MEMORY OF AN AMERICAN WARRIOR — General George Brinton McClellan
Erected at Washington, District of Columbia. .By Frederick MacMonnies, Sculptor 606
TO THE MEMORY OF A ROUGH RIDER WITH ROOSEVELT AT SANTIAGO— Cap-
tain "Buckey" O'Neill, killed In battle — Erected at Prescott, Arizona
By Solon H. Borglum, Sculptor 611
TO THE MEMORY OF A SOUTHERN WARRIOR — General John B. Gordon — Erected
at State Capitol Grounds at Atlanta, Georgia By Solon H. Borglum, Sculptor 609
TO THE MEMORY OF THE AMERICAN SAILOR — For the monument to Soldiers and
Sailors at Webster, Massachusetts By Finn H. Frolich, Sculptor 605
TO THE MEMORY OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER— For the monument to Soldiers and
Sailors at Webster, Massachusetts By Finn H. Frolich, Sculptor 604
tottlf
TO THE MEMORY OF THE DISPATCH RIDER OF THE WAR FOR AMERICAN
INDEPENDENCE — Erected at Orange, New Jersey
By Frank Edwin Elwell, Sculptor C07
TO THE MEMORY OF THE FIRST AMERICANS — Statue of the Indian Chief. Mahaska
Now being exhibited in the Salon at Paris — To be erected at Oskaloosa, Iowa
By S. E. Fry, Sculptor 612
TO THE MEMORY OF THE FIRST FALLEN IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR—
Ensign Worth Bagley, U. S. N., the only Naval Officer killed during that war —
Erected in Capitol Square, Raleigh, North Carolina ...... By F. H. Packer, Sculptor 608
TO THE MEMORY OF THE HEART OF THE SOUTH — An Allegorical Figure bearing
a Palm of Peace and Branch of Laurel covering the Sword, an Emblem of Glory
For erection at Houston, Texas ........................ By Louis Amatels, Sculptor 697
TO THE MEMORY OF THE MARTYRED PRESIDENT— WILLIAM McKINLEY—
Erected in bronze in front of the National Memorial at Canton, Ohio
By Charles H. Nlehaus. Sculptor 610
TO THE MEMORY OF THE TEXAS RANGERS— Erected at the State House In Austin,
Texas ............................................... By Pompeo Copplni, Sculptor 602
TRADE OF A MULATTO BOY IN 1766 — Accurate Transcript from Original Document
in Possession of ........................... Mary R. Woodruff, Orange, Connecticut 440
TRAVEL IN AMERICA — Excerpt by Roland D. Grant, an American traveler — With
four nature illustrations in photo-tone .......................................... 292
TRIALS IN EARLY JUSTICE COURTS IN AMERICA — Court record of Justice Jabez
Brainerd, 1773-1776 — Serious crimes included "Profane cursing and swalrlng" —
The "Gilty" were sentenced to stock and whipping-post — Debtors frequently
bound over to their creditors in servitude — Beginning of American law
By Reverend Bert Francis Case 284
TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF THE MOTHER OF WASH-
INGTON — Ancient Engraving Dedicated to her Memory — The Original Is in the
Collection of John M. Crampton, and Is known as "Washington's Last Interview
with his Mother" ...............................................................
UNTOLD RICHES OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS ..... By Honorable Frank R. Goodlng
Governor of Idaho 2S1
UTILIZATION OF INVENTION OF GENIUS OF MAN— Editorial writer In the "Pater-
son Morning Call" ............................................................... 677
VOYAGES OF AN OLD SEA CAPTAIN— Adventures In South America and in the ports
of the Old World during the first years of the American Republic — An American
citizen impressed into the British service — His daring escape after years of cap-
tivity and conflict — Autobiography .................. By Captain Jeremiah Holmes 305
VOTE TO PROSECUTE NON- CHURCH GOERS IN 1664— .............. By S. L. Griffith
of Danby, Vermont S6S
•WE WANT PATRIOTS IN EVERY-DAY LIFE"— Excerpt from speech made by
Honorable Charles E. Hughes, Governor of New York 434
WHEN DAYLIGHT DIES — An Evening Pastoral — With four nature illustrations In
photo-tone ...................... By John H. Guernsey, Government Postal Service 299
WHEN SORROW BECKONS AT THY DOOR— A Poem ......... Howard Arnold Walter
Now in the Orient 128
WILLIAM PYNCHON— An Immigrant to the New World In 1630 — An Oxford Graduate
who came to the Western Continent as an Indian Trader and settled on the trail
— He accumulated wealth and founded a family which has contributed liberally
to American Progress — Nathaniel Hawthorne's Controversy with the Pynchon
family over his novel — Heirlooms of the early American pioneers — Described by
Blanche Nichols Hill 609
WILL MAN HARNESS POWERS OF SUN, MOON AND TIDE?— Editorial writer In
the "Baltimore Sun" ............................................................. 677
WILL OF MARY WASHINGTON IN 1788— Mother of the first President of the United
States — Transcribed from Clerk's office at Frederlcksburg, Virginia
By Mrs. Helen Cook Porter of Baltimore, Maryland 871
Americana lufaia —
in
History is largely a matter of viewpoint.
The man on the mountains and the man in
the valley may gaze upon the passing pano-
rama and both will see an entirely different
picture. It has been the desire of these
pages to allow observers to tell of events
as they have seen them, without doubt or
questioning, restricting only passions and
prejudices. I recall James Anthony Froude,
the eminent historian, in speaking of the
varying viewpoints of history, once re-
marking that Tacitus and Thucydides were
perhaps the ablest men who ever gave them-
selves to writing history, and also the most
incapable of conscious falsehood; yet even
now, after all these centuries, the truth of
what they relate is called in question. "So
at least it seems to me," added Froude,
"wherever possible, let us not be told about
this man or that. Let us hear the man
himself speak, let us see him act, and let
us be left to form our own opinions about
him." This is just what has been done in
these pages, "wherever possible." Many
interesting discussions have developed, and
in frequent instances the disputant has been
introduced to the narrator and both have
entered into a friendly search for the truth.
Strange as it may seem, the American
Flag itself is a mooted question. Mrs.
Champion's article on its evolution has
taken her onto debatable ground. Charles
C. Hall, of Berkeley, California, presents
evidence that the Stars and Stripes were
made from the military cloak of Captain
Swartout, near Ticonderoga, and that the
claims of Betsey Ross of Philadelphia, are
at least open to comment. Mr. Hall's wife
is a descendant of Captain Swartout.
D. M.Willers, of Fayette, Seneca County,
New York, offers this suggestion: "Mrs.
Champion, in speaking of naval battles of
the War of 1812, says that not once was the
flag of fifteen stars and fifteen stripes low-
ered in token of surrender. I wish to ask
if there was not a flag on the Chespeake
when James Lawrence surrendered it to the
British frigate ' Shannon,' in June, 1813.
Was there no flag lowered when the Ameri-
can brig ' Argus ' surrendered to the Brit-
ish sloop 'Pelican' in August, 1813 ?"
Mrs. William Dutcher, of 525 Manhattan
Avenue, New York, adds the testimony that
the Stars and Stripes were first proposed by
General Israel Putnam, who was a cousin
to her grandmother.
Honorable John H. Loomis, of the Board
of Education of Chicago, in adding to Mrs.
Champion's valuable information, calls at-
tention to the fact that the war fund voted
to President McKinley by Congress, of
which she speaks, was fifty million dollars,
and that the Puritans, whom she men-
tioned, were in Holland eleven years before
coming to America.
Dr. G. Totten McMaster, a retired sur-
geon in the United States Navy, does not
agree with Mrs. Champion on some of her
investigations into the Spanish-American
War. He denies any suggestion of credit to
the army in the naval conflict off Santiago,
and remarks that the " Oregon " did not fly
the "homeward-bound flag" in her wonder-
ful run around Cape Horn from the Pacific.
That grand old hero, Admiral W. S.
Schley, of the United States Navy, who is
now passing his well-earned rest in Washing-
ton, honored by the American people, in
speaking of Mrs. Champion's article, gives
this valued information from his own experi-
ences: "There never was a balloon in the
fleet before Santiago in 1898. There may
have been land balloons in the army. Cer-
vera's fleet was discovered by my ship on
the morning of May 28th, 1898, and it was
so reported to Washington on the following
day, May 2gth. The church pennant was
not hoisted on the ' New York' on July 3rd,
as that cruiser was at Siboney, eleven
miles east of Santiago, at 9:35 on that morn-
ing when Cervera's fleet came out of San-
tiago harbor. The natural inference from
Mrs. Champion's mention of the church
pennant would be that the ' New York ' was
present in the fight that day, which is his-
torically untrue. I do not care for myself,
but I think it is a wrong to the officers and
men of my flagship, the cruiser ' Brooklyn,'
who did such sterling service to our country
on that July day. As she was an import-
ant factor in the great events of that great
day, I claim for her officers and men that
credit which the Government acknowl-
edged in advancing a number of them for
'conspicuous conduct in battle.' It is not
my purpose to enter into any controversy
over the honors of that day, but I must in-
sist that history cannot omit the ' Brook-
lyn's ' conspicuous part in the great naval
engagement of that splendid July day in
1898 when the flag of Spain was driven for-
ever from the waters of this Western Con-
tinent."
A controversy has arisen over the remin-
iscences of Judge Munson, who was sent
by President Lincoln to sit on the bench of
the first United States District Court with-
in a thousand miles of the Rocky Moun-
tains. This controversy is interesting as
Judge Munson's judicial decisions were im-
portant factors in the moulding of law and
order in Western America.
A well-known army officer, W. H. Keel-
ing, of Falls City, Nebraska, says: "Being
one of the first army officers to be stationed
in Montana about the time of which Judge
Munson writes, I am of the opinion that
Colonel Reeve was not at Fort Rice in 1865.
If my memory is right, he was thousands of
miles away from there at that time. I do
iitbta — 4Hnntefc
in
not think that Malcolm Clark was a grad-
uate of West Point. I remember talking
with him about it and he said he was not.
Neither do the records affirm that he was-
His daughter has been superintendent of
public instruction in Lewis and Clark
County, Montana, and has been holding re-
sponsible positions under the direction of
the Commissioner of Indian affairs. She
might decide this matter."
Many venerable pioneers have offered
their testimonies on several points, and
each one of them differs in detail. Pioneers
whom Judge Munson has not seen for fifty
years have written to him recalling their
acquaintance with him. Many of them cor-
roborate his anecdotes, and an occasional
one differs with him. E. Marshall of Man-
chester, Tennessee, who helped to blaze the
trail for civilization in the Great West, does
not believe that the Sioux Indians ever
used poisoned arrows. He says :
"I was at the site of Ft. Rice from which
he writes, before Ft. Rice was located in
July, 1864, and again about the time when
Judge Munson was there in 1865. I was in
the battle of Ta-ha-kuta in July, 1864, when
General Alf Sully defeated the combined
force of the whole Sioux nation and made
the route to Montana safe for more than
ten years. I carry the scars of arrow wounds
received there and have seen many arrow
wounds both before and since that time.
I have been intimate for years with men
who had lived amongst these Indians and
spoke their language fluently, and I never
have seen or heard anything which made
me suppose for a moment that poisoned ar-
rows were in use, nor have I ever heard any
person whom I believed was familiar with
the facts, assert that such arrows were in
use. Judge Munson saw an arrow which
was alleged to have killed a man who died
in great pain ; well, arrow wounds are pain-
ful and many men have been killed by them
but not by poison. The Sioux was treach-
erous, bloodthirsty and dangerous. The
truth will paint him in sufficiently repulsive
colors without the exaggeration of poisoned
arrows."
The Fulton centenary and the story of
the development of American commerce
through steam as the power of propulsion,
has brought out several claimants. The
Fitch patriots question the justice of the
recent centennial tributes to Fulton. To
protect the accuracy of historical state-
ment, several of these letters, that bear
directly upon the truth, are here recorded.
That esteemed man of letters, Frank H.
Vizetelly, whose criticisms are always help-
ful, does not concede to the "Savannah"
the honor of being the first to cross the
Atlantic ocean. He says: " Inasmuch as
this vessel sailed from Savannah May 22,
1819, on her voyage across the Atlantic,
and that in the year 1818, a British steam-
ship, the 'Rising Sun,' built by Lord
Cochrane, crossed the Atlantic, it is evi-
dent that the ' Savannah ' was not the
first steamship to cross, and the ' British
Queen' was not the first vessel built for
trans-oceanic service in Great Britain. If
you will consult Haydn's ' Dictionary of
Dates.' page 647, you will find authority for
this statement."
Through decades of eminent service to
American letters, "The Century" is one of
the most respected American institutions.
It is an authority on all that pertains to
America. William W. Ellsworth, who has
been one of the strong factors in the build-
ing of "The Century," in speaking of Presi-
dent Tucker's article on the "Tercentenary
of the First Permanent English Settlement
in America. "calls attention to the old Eng-
lish play, "Westward Hoe" as being written
by Webster and Dekker in 1607, that it may
not be confounded with "Eastward Hoe,"
written by Jonson, Chapman and Marston.
In speaking of Simon de Passe's portrait of
Poeahontas, and the statement that there
is another portrait representing Poeahontas
in native costume, seated, with her only
child standing at her side, Mr. Ellsworth
gives this information: "I have a photo-
graph of it. It shows a conventional Indian
squaw with a child of at least four years of
age standing by her side, and as Poeahontas
died when her baby was not two years old,
it could not have been painted from life.
Moreover, the member or the Rolfe family,
living in Heacham Hall, who sent me the
photograph, wrote that no claim was made
by the family that it was a portrait of Po-
cohantas, but was simply a picture of an
Indian woman wearing such ear-rings as
she wore, and had been bought about twenty
years before (this was five years ago). The
child of Rolfe and Poeahontas was named
Thomas and not John. I have often won-
dered why the inscription under this por-
trait calls John Rolfe 'Thomas,' and the
same name occurs on the tablet at Graves-
end. Last names may be spelled many dif-
ferent ways, 'Rolff,' 'Wroth,' etc.. but there
is no question of spelling over Thomas and
John. I dare say the matter could be ex-
plained and perhaps it has been."
In the making of an historical magazine,
there is a multitude of opportunities for the
types to defeat an author's intention. While
this is a common heritage of the printer's
art, the absolute accuracy which this publi-
cation requires, leads it to call attention to
instances where the truth of a statement is
injured. This is especially so in the first
number, on page 36, where Mr. Bullock in-
tended to speak of Northampton County,
Pennsylvania.
THE LAST LEAF
The key of Yesterday
I threw away,
And now, too late,
Before tomorrow's cloae-
locked gate
Helpless I stand— in vain
to pray!
In Tain to sorrow!
Only the key of yesterday
Unlocks tomorrow!
•DXTOXIAXl COMMENT
This last leaf in this last book of the
year leaves us at the end of the first jour-
ney along the road of American civili-
zation, and into the by-paths of our na-
tional life. The journey has been one of
ever-increasing pleasures and the fellow-
travelers that we have met along the way
have strengthened our faith in the patriot-
heart of America. A good doctor of let-
ters early sent us this eulogium: "As Car-
lyle said of Schiller, you may pass your
pages in the contemplation of ideal
grandeur; you may 'live among the glories
and solemnities of universal Nature;' your
'thoughts may be of sages and heroes;'
but 'you will find no rest, no peace,' for
they are only ghosts." To this kind lit-
terateur I recall at this time the further
words of Carlyle: "Foolish Doctor! Did
he ever, with the mind's eye, as well as
the body's, look round him into that full
tide of human life he so loved ? The good
doctor is a ghost, as actual and as authen-
tic as heart could wish; sweep away the
illusions of Time; compress the three-
score years into three minutes," and we
are all ghosts. "What else is he? What
else are we? We start out of nothing-
ness, take figure and are apparitions;
round us as round the veriest specter, is
Eternity; — and to Eternity minutes are
as years and aeons. . . . Ghosts !"
The American People have much for
which to feel proud, and little to regret, in
the Book of Life that they have written
and are writing. It is frequent for those
who are now making History to denounce
the age in which they are working. Man-
kind has always done so. I read a few
days ago in an American newspaper: "It
requires more energy for a man to suc-
ceed to-day than it required twenty years
ago; more talent, more capital of brains
and faculty; the competition is keener, the
race is swifter, the life is faster. Hence
the list of sacrifices to the Moloch of over-
work." It is the plaint that has come
down from the beginning. Baltasar Gra-
cian, a learned Spaniard, far back in
1637, wrote: "Everything is at its acme,
especially the art of making one's way in
the world. There is more required nowa-
days to make a single wise man than for-
merly to make Seven Sages, and more is
needed nowadays to deal with a single per-
son than was required to deal with a whole
people in former times." The truth is that
the world, in its wonderful plan of evolu-
tion, is growing better all the time. The
Infinite Idea knows no retrogression. It
is always upward, onward. The pages of
History are illumined by this truth. His-
tory is always Optimistic. It is the only
true support man finds in the long journey.
My learned friends believe that His-
tory is the story of Ghosts! It is! Just
as that master analyst, Carlyle, said that
you and I are now but moving specters.
"This stormy Force, this Life-blood with its
burning passion — they are all but dust and
shadow. That warrior on his strong war-
horse: fire flashes through his eyes; Force
dwells in his arm and heart; but warrior
and war-horse are a Vision — a revealed
Force — nothing more. Stately they tread
the Earth as if it were a firm substance.
Fool! the Earth is but a film; it cracks
in twain, and warrior and war-horse sink
beyond plummet's sounding. A little while
ago we were not; a little while and we
are not. So it has been from the begin-
ning; so it will be to the end. Genera-
tion after generation takes to itself the
form of a body. . . . What Force and
Fire is in each he expends; one grinding
in the mill of industry; one, hunter-like,
climbing the Alpine heights of science;
one madly dashing in pieces on the rocks
of strife, in war with his fellow. . . .
There are now a thousand million walk-
ing the earth openly at noontide; some
half hundred have vanished from it, some
half hundred have risen in it, ere thy watch
ticks once," and every one of them is mak-
ing History, which, according to its influ-
ence on the Great Whole, is narrative for
these pages — this record of man's work.
History may be the story of ghosts !
But it is not a "ghost story." It is a stern
reality. It is all there is of man that lives
to inhabit this great world more than a
short span of years. You pass; I pass;
even the towering structures that you may
erect must crumble and fall. A flash of
Time and there will be nothing left but the
story of it all — and that story is History.
"Like a God-created, fire-breathing Spirit-
host, we emerge from the inane. Earth's
mountains are leveled and her seas filled
up in our passage. On the hardest ada-
mant some imprint of us is stamped in;
the last rear of the Host will read traces
of the earliest Van." These are the foot-
prints that are now being followed in these
pages. Show me a man who says that he
does not like History and I will show you
a man whose character is doubtful ; a man
who is trying to take all he can out of life
and has no intention of leaving anything
worth while in it; a man who dislikes the
written leaves of men because he knows
that his own life story will pollute them.
There is a moral force in History that
holds men to their deeds and it is as
relentless as it is eternal — there is no es-
cape from it. Every man is inscribing his
own leaf in the great volume of mankind.
You will remember why good old
Abou Ben Adhem's name "led all the rest."
.
£
171
J86
v.l
The Journal of American
history
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