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LEGACY 


HISTORICAL    GLEANINGS, 


COMPILED  AND  AREANGED 


MRS.  CATHARINA  V.  R.  BONNEY. 


WITH     ILLUSTRATIONS     AND     AUTOGRAPHS 


IN    TWO    VOLUMES, 

VOLUME  II. 


V 


^> 


ALBANY,  N.  7.: 
J.  MUNSELL  82  STATE  STREET. 

1875. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


South  American  Letters  Continued  :  Thomas  P.  Moore  to  Renss.  Van 
Rensselaer.  Government  Dinner.  Assassination  Story.  Preparations  to  Defend 
the  U.  S.  Legation.  Gen.  Harrison  and  Suite  Leave  Bogota.  Defeat  and  Death  of 
Gen.  Cordova.  Merry  Time  on  River  Magdalena.  Young  Henderson  Carried  off  by 
Alligator.  Arrival  at  Carthagena.  Lodgings  in  Inquisition.  Villainous  Policy 
of  Government.  Van  Rensselaer's  Letter  to  Col.  Moore  and  latter's  Reply.  Sus- 
picion of  People.  Public  Execution.  Slovenly  Butchery.  Scale  City  Wall.  A 
Challenge.  Gen.  Harrison  Prevents  the  Duel.  Gen.  Bolivar  Expected  in  Bogota. 
Triumphal  Arches.     Embarkation  of  Gen.  Harrison.     Visit  to  Chica  Castle, 1 

CHAPTER  n. 

South  American  Letters  Continued  :  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  Visits  Wash- 
ington. T.  K.  Travers  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer.  Arrival  in  New  York.  Gen. 
Harrison  Proceeds  to  Washington.  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Father.  Gen.  Van 
Rensselaer  to  Gen.  Gansevoort.  William  McDonald  to  Van  Rensselaer.  Col. 
Castelli  to  Consul  Gen.  Henderson.  J.  M.  MacPherson  to  Van  Rensselaer.  A 
Clue  to  "  Assassination  Story."  Edward  T.  Tayloe  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Gen.  Harrison  to  same.  T.  K.  Travers  to  same.  Colombia  in  a  State  of  Anarchy. 
Death  of  Carr.  R.  V^an  Rensselaer  to  Gen.  Harrison,  and  latter's  Answer.  Let- 
ters from  Cartagenia.  Gen.  Bolivar  in  Santa  Martha.  Expedition  of  Rio  de  la 
Hache.  General  Flores.  Death  of  Mrs.  Philip  Van*  Rensselaer.  Reminiscences 
of  Old  Lady, 21 

CHAPTER  in. 

NuiiLiFiCATiON  IN  SoUTH  CAROLINA :  Letters  from  South  America.  Death  of 
Gen.  Bolivar.  Gen.  Sucre  at  Barranquilla.  A  Memorable  Dinner.  John  Glen. 
Sucre  Assassinated.  Gen.  Harrison  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Renss.  Van  Rens- 
selaer to  Joel  R.  Poinsett  and  Latter's  Reply.  South  Carolina  to  Nullify  Tariff 
Laws.  Compromise  Act.  A  Year  in  Canada.  Burning  of  Steamboat.  Montreal. 
Beloeil  Mountain.  Chambly.  French  School.  Conventual  Life.  Jour  de  Conge. 
Devout  Student.  Albany  Beef.  Corpus  Christi  Procession.  Frantic  Calf.  Ex- 
citing Affair.  Death  ot  the  Venerable  Superior.  Col.  Van  Schaick  to  Renss.  Van 
Rensselaer.  Gen.  Harrison  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Contemptible  Charges. 
Letter  to  Post  Master  Gen.  Gov.  Morgan  Levds  to  Miss  Van  Rensselaer  and  the 
Reply, 43 

CHAPTER  IV^. 

Narration  of  Facts  Connected  with  the  Canada  Movement  :  Canadian 
Grievances.  Lewiston  News.  A  Sympathizer.  Dr.  Cyrenius  Chapin  to  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Son.  Adeline  Van  Rensselaer  to 
her  Brother.  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Father.  Several  Letters  of  Dr.  Chapin.  Ex- 
citing Meeting  in  Buffalo.  A  Coat  of  Tar  and  Feathers  for  a  British  Spy.  Body 
Guard  for  McKenzie.  Officiial  Letters.  Burning  of  Steamboat  Caroline.  Schlos- 
ser's  Landing.  Immense  Meeting  at  the  Albany  Capitol.  Letters  of  Van  Rens 
selaer  to  his  Father  and  latter's  Reply.  Van  Rensselaer's  Military  Notes.  Col. 
McNab.     A  Ruse, 63 


iv  Contents. 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  Canadian  Patriot  Army  :  The  Buffalo  Committee.  Several  Letters  from 
Dr.  Chapin  and  others.  Colonel  Worth  to  Van  Rensselaer.  Evacuation  of  Navy 
Island.  Military  Notes.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Wm.  L.  McKenzie.  Kingston  News. 
Rev.  H.  A.  Parsons  to  Van  Rensselaer.  His  Account  of  Attack  at  Schlosser's 
Landing.  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Father.  Arrest  at  Syracuse.  McKenzie's 
Letter, 85 

CHAPTER  VL 
Death  op  Mrs.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  :  Capt.  Marryatt's  Unseemly 
Toast.  The  Vice  President  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Proscriptive  Policy.  Renss. 
Van  Rensselaer  to  Col.  Worth  and  the  Reply.  Death  of  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rens- 
selaer. .  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Vice  President.  Richard  M.  Johnson's  Answer. 
Judge  John  Sanders.  Gov.  Seward  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Fire  of  the  Old 
Flint.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  Superseded  by  A.  C.  Flagg.  Samuel  L.  Gouverueur 
to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Judge  John  McLean  to  same.  Trial  of  Renss.  Van 
Rensselaer.  Sentence.  Gen.  Harrison  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Brig.  Gen. 
Mc  Leod  to  Van  Rensselaer.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer 'a  Delegate.  Harrisburg  Con- 
vention. Geu.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Gen.  Harrison  and  the  latter's  Reply.  Samuel 
S.  Lush  to  Van  Rensselaer.  Death  of  Mrs.  Van  Rensselaer.  Noble  Conduct  of 
Henry  B.  Haswell.  Trying  Scenes.  Geu.  Harrison  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Daniel  D.  Barnard  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer.  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Gov. 
Seward  and  latter's  Reply.  President  Van  Buren.  Rescinded  the  Fine.  D.  D. 
Barnard's  Letter , 106 

CHAPTER  VIL 

Tour  to  the  West  :  William  H.  H.  Taylor  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Invita- 
•  tion  to  Public  Dinners.  Presentation  of  Cane.  Gen.  Harrison's  Letter.  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer's  Speech.  Home  Letters.  Trip  through  Pennsylvania.  Fort 
Meigs  Gathering.  Meeting  "  Old  Tip."  Springfield's  Log  Cabin.  Death  of  Gen. 
Harrison's  Son.  Arrival  at  Cincinnati.  Visit  to  North  Bend.  Louisville  Scenes. 
Put-in  Bay  Island.  Queenston  Heights.  Oswego  Whig  Meeting.  Letters  from 
James  Cochran.  Judge  McLean.  Silas  E.  Burrows.  William  L.  Stone.  R.  C. 
Wetmore.    Elbert  Herring, 127 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Inauguration  and  Funeral  :  S.  De  Witt  Bloodgood  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Visit  to  Washington.  Arrival  of  Gen.  Harrison.  Electoral  Votes  Counted. 
Henry  Clay's  Visit.  Dinner  at  Daniel  Webster's.  New  York  Cliques.  Fourth 
of  March.  ll!eremonies  of  Inauguration.  Home  Letters.  Mr.  Bodisco's  Bouquet. 
Inauguration  Ball.  Visit  to  the  White  House.  Presentation  of  Foreign  Ministers. 
Challenge.  Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  King.  Indian  Delegation.  Albany  Post  Office. 
Mrs.  Cochran  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Death  of  Gen.  Harrison.  Funeral.  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer's  Letter.  United  States  Bank.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  President 
Tyler, 153 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Cherry  Hill  Fetes  :  The  Feast  of  Flowers.  Fairy  Queen.  Several  Letters. 
Lyric  about  John  Tyler.  Removal  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Henry  Clay  to  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer.  Silas  E.  Burrows  and  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer's  Statement.  Let- 
ters. Hattie's  Valentine  Fete.  John  A.  Collier  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer  Visits  Washington.  Auditor's  Testimony.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer 
to  Post  Master  Collamer.  John  J.  Slingerland  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  Silas  E. 
Burrows , 176 

CHAPTER  X. 

A  Double  Bereavement  :  K.  H.  Van  Rensselaer's  Letter.  •  H.  V.  R.  Scher- 
merhorn's  Letter.  Political  Clique.  Influence  of  Thurlow  Weed.  System  of 
Espionage.     In  Memoriam  of  John  Tyler.     Gen.  Leavenworth  to  Gen.  Van  Reus- 


Contents.  v 

selaer.  Reply  of  latter.  Colonel  Todd  to  same.  Death  of  Rensselaer  Van  Rens-' 
selaer.  Investigation  and  Verdict.  Death  of  Capt.  Edward  S.  Glen.  The  Young 
Devotee.  Taking  the  Black  Veil.  Letter  from  Sister  St.  Cesaria.  General  Van 
Rensselaer  Visits  Canada.  Meeting  with  Brig.  General  Evans.  Noble  Frankness. 
Reception  at  Quebec.  British  Officers.  Death  of  General  Van  Rensselaer.  Fu- 
neral.    Letters  of  Condolence, , ,  „ 196 

CHAPTER  XI. 

The  Missionary  :  Samuel  W.  Bonney  to  his  Mother  in  1844.  The  Missionary 
fof  China.  Arrival  in  Hong  Kong.  Morrison  School.  Marriage  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Bridgman.  Almost  a  Fatal  Excui'sion.  '  Rev.  William  J.  Pohlman.  Teaching 
a  Boodhist  Priest  to  Sing  "  Old  Hundred."  Room  in  Honam  Temple.  Running 
Qualifications.  Rev.  Walter  M.  Lowery  Drowned.  Murder  of  Six  Young  En- 
glishmen. Harrowing  Details.  Canton  Missionaries.  Birthday's  Review.  Mon- 
key's Bones.  Storm.  Death  of  Rev.  W.  J.  Pohlman.  Boats.  Chinese  Governor 
Visits  Ship.  J.  C.  Beecher.  "  Foreign  Devils. "  Chinese  Archery.  Murder  of 
Governor  Amaral, 216 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Land  op  the  White  Elephant:  Coronation.  Siamese  Vessel.  Three  Let- 
ters from  the  King  of  Siam  to  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney.  Recrowning  of  New  King. 
Deliberation  as  to  Visiting  America.  S.  Wells  Williams.  An  Idol  Procession. 
R.  C.  Morse.  Death  of  Mrs.  Vrooman.  Rebels  Fire  on  American  Flag.  Capt. 
John  Rodgers.  Bands  of  Insurgents.  City  Threatened.  Sabbath  Services  Dis- 
turbed by  Cannon  Firing.  Excursions  with  Mr.  Morse.  Cave  of  Camoens. 
Batavia.  Visit  to  Volcano.  Imperialists  Capture  Shanghai.  Ordinatfon.  Mar- 
riage,      236 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Voyage  to  China  :  A  Mother's  Parting  Advice.  Outward  Bound.  Ocean 
Sights.  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  Java  Head.  Two  Volcanic  Mountains.  Pilot. 
Trouble  in  Canton.  Foreigners  Obliged  to  Flee.  Hongkong.  Sedan  Chairs. 
Strange  Objects.  Murder  of  Howard  Cunningham.  Foochow  Lynch  Law. 
Poisoned  Bread.  Attempts  to  Fire  Settlement.  Sir  Michael  Seymour.  Business 
Suspended.  Viceroy  Yeh.  Foreign  Factories  at  Canton  Destroyed.  Sir  John 
Bowring's  Letter.  Steamer  Queen's  Catastrophe.  Struggle  at  Sarawak.  Murder 
and  Destruction  of  Property.     Sir  James  Brook's  Letter, 254 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

Loss  OP  Steamship  Central  America  :  Commissioner  Keying.  Mongha 
Temple.  Night  Blooming  Cereus.  Protestant  Cemetery  at  Macao.  Graves  of  Dr. 
Morrison.  Hon.  Edmond  Roberts.  Archibald  S.  Campbell.  Casa  Garden. 
Charms  at  Funerals.  White  Ants.  Letters  of  Rev.  Mr.  Bonney  to  Pupils  at  Mt. 
Holyoke  Seminary.  Forms  of  Salutation.  Suffering  in  Canton.  Chinese  Barbers. 
Theatricals.  Dragon  Insignia.  Dr.  Parker's  Fourth  of  July  Dinner.  Capture  of 
Delhi.  Nanl  Sahib.  Death  of  Missionaries.  Lotus  Leaves.  Death  of  John  P. 
Williams.  Steamship  Sprung  a  Leak.  Charles  W.  Van  Rensselaer.  Incidents 
of  the  Steamer, 275 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Bombardment  op  Canton  :  Capture  of  Tartar  General  and  Yeh.  Harry 
S.  Parkes.  Inside  of  City  Walls.  Five  Storied  Pagoda.  Bridal  of  Three 
English  Ladies.  Death  of  Adeline  Van  Rensselaer.  Heads  of  Foreigners  in  De- 
mand. Attack  on  Rev.  Mr.  Louis.  Boxes  from  Home.  Piracy.  Troublous 
Times.  Visit  to  Canton.  Capture  of  Mr.  Cowper.  Chinese  Pagoda.  Chinese 
Dwelling  Houses.  Mission  Life  in  Canton.  Death  of  Missionaries.  Treaties. 
Sugar  Cane  Plantation.  Tea  Shrub.  Green  and  Black  Tea.  Poontinqua's  Garden. 
Street  Shrines.  "Jacob  Bell."  Buddhist  Temple.  Cremation.  Sacred  Hogs. 
Evening  Worship, 296 


vi  Contents. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Conspicuous  Attractions  :  Picnic  to  White  Cloud  Hills.  Prince  of  Wales's 
Birtliday.  Execution.  Gory  Heads.  Chinese  Kings.  Visit  to  Kebel  Camp. 
Macao.  Alarm  at  Shanghai.  Stirring  Incidents.  Escape  of  Boa  Constrictor. 
Serpent  Charmers.  A  Lascar's  danger.  Hot  Springs.  "Ringing  Rocks." 
Japanese  Embassadors.  Steamship  "  Niagara."  Victoria  Peak.  Fruit  Market. 
Chinese  Ingenuity.  Rice  paper.  Indian  Ink.  Officials.  Marriage.  Suicide. 
Visit  to  Chinese  Ladies.  A  New  Scholar.  The  Sabbath  a  Working  day.  Con- 
fucian Temple.  Examination  Hall.  Public  Whipping.  Street  Jugglers.  Temples. 
Casting  Lots, .' 316 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Overland  Trip  to  Nankin  1861 :  The  Three  Travelers.  Coal  Mines.  Scenery. 
Rapids.  Taouist  Temple.  Camphor  Tree.  Undershot  Water  Wheel.  Oonam 
Province.  Mountain  Pass.  Threatning  Words.  Floor  Breaks  Down.  Huts  of 
Clay.  Annoying  Crowd.  Hankow.  "Saginaw."  Camps  of  Imperialists.  Burn- 
ing Hamlets.  Nankin.  Rev.  I.  J.  Roberts.  Kan  Wong.  Tai  Pings.  Porcelain 
Tower.  Patriotic  Letter.  Feast  of  Lanterns.  Dried  Rats.  Choice  Dishes. 
Death  of  Emperor  of  China.  Temple  of  Horrors.  Murder  of  Missionaries.  Evac- 
uation of  Canton.  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney's  Letter.  Death  of  Rev.  Dr.  Bridgman. 
Week  of  Prayer.     Dragon  Festival, 335 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Visit  to  Japan  in  1862  :  Shanghai.  Hospitable  Entertainment  at  Messrs. 
Olyphant&Co.  Wheel  Barrows.  Cangue.  Bishop  Boone.  Cholera.  Outward 
Passage  to  Kanagawa.  Yokohama.  Bettoes.  Letter  from  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney. 
Sail  up  Yedo  Bay.  Hospitality  of  .  Hon.  R.  H.  Pruyn.  Yakonins.  Daimios. 
Funeral.  "  Tommy."  News  of  Typhoon  at  Canton.  Earthquake.  Yedo  Sights. 
Tokaido.  Faithful  Missionaries.  Inland  Sea.  Rescued  Swimmer.  Death  of 
Major  S.  S.  Forman.  Typhoon  Incidents.  Rev.  C.  Gaillard  Killed.  Drill  of 
Chinese  Soldiers.  Brigandage.  Missionary  Tourists.  Itinerant  Preachers.  En- 
counter with  Brigands.  Hard  Usage.  Narrow  Escape.  Lord's  Prayer  on  Bushes. 
Rice  Fields.    Duck  Factory.     Artificial  Hatching.     King  of  Beggars, .'  .356 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Trip  to  Shee-ue  Chow  Foo  :  Consul  and  Mrs  Jones.  Visit  to  Yamuns. 
Mandarin's.  Ladies.  Escort.  Incidents.  Deathof  Mrs.  Richard  Van  Rensselaer. 
Betrothal.  Foochow.  Picturesque  Scenery.  Messrs  Russell  &  Co.  Mission 
Compound.  Marriage  of  Akee-ue.  Kite  Flying.  Mission  Schools.  Patriotic 
Feelings.  French  Roman  Cathedral.  Entertainment  of  Baron  de  Tranquilly. 
Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney  to  China  Mail.  Railroads  for  China.  Death  of  Mrs  S.  W. 
Bonney.  Rev.  William  Bonney.  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney  to  his  Sister.  Presence  of 
Loved  Dead  Ones.  Mrs.  Arthur  Folsom  to  Richard  Van  Rensselaer.  Sickness  of 
Mr.  Bonney, 379 

CHAPTER  XX. 

De.vth  of  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Bonney  :  Letter  of  Rev.  Arthur  Folsom.  Death 
Bed  Incidents.  Rev.  Charles  F.  Preston's  Tribute.  Life  Work.  Faithful  Servant. 
Rev.  John  Chalmers  to  Mrs.  Bonney.  Canton  Missionary  Conference.  Co])y  of 
Resolutions.  Letters  of  Condolence.  Rev.  James  Legge,  D.D.  Rev.  Samuel 
Smith.  Consul  Jones.  "  The  Better  Genius."  Letters  from  Dr.  S.  Wells 
Williams.  Mrs.  E.  C.  Bridgman.  Rev.  Dr.  S.  R.  Brown.  Rev.  Dr.  Ruf  us  Anderson. 
Hon.  Robert  H.  Pruyn.  Noble  Kindness.  Offer  of  Assistance.  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel 
W.  Fisher.  Consul  Oliver  H.  Perry.  Dispatch  from  Washington.  Baptism. 
President  Lincoln's  Tragical  End.  Trip  to  Peking.  Death  of  M.  E.  Van  Rens- 
selaer.    Mission  School, 401 


Contents.  vii 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Discontinuance  of  A.  B.  C.  F.  Mission  at  Canton  :  Homeward  Bound. 
Breaking  Up.  Steamship  Donnai.  Sagoin.  Singapore.  Boys  Diving.  Tropical 
Fruits.  Cemetery.  Convent  at  Singapore.  Point  de  Galle.  Consulate  Home. 
Aden.  Arabs  with  Ostrich  Feathers.  Red  Sea.  Suex.  Cairo.  R'ev.  Dr.  Lans- 
ing. On  Top  of  the  Great  Cheops.  Beauty  and  Beast.  Helioplis.  Alexandria. 
Mediterraneen  Sea.  Pompey's  Pillar.  Prepare  for  Palestine.  Jaffa.  Orange 
Groves.  Cactus.  Plain  of  Sharon.  Sensible  Donkey.  Ramleh  Convent.  Holy 
City.  Solomon's  Temple.  Mosque  of  Omar.  Jews'  Wailing  Place.  Garden 
of  Gethsemane.  Mount  of  Olives.  Pilgrims  from  Turkey.  Bethany.  Bethlehem 
American  Colony, 426 

CHAPTER  XXn. 
Homeward  Route  .  Greek  Monastery.  Storm.  Hazardous  Undertaking. 
Messina.  Carnival.  Naples.  Mount  Vesuvius.  Orange  Groves  at  Sorrento.  Castle 
of  St.  Elmo.  Day  at  Pompeii.  Ascent  of  Vesuvius.  Tiffin  at  Crater.  Hercu- 
laneum.  Cars  for  Rome.  Gen.  Rufus  King.  Rev.  Dr.  James  Lewis.  Policy  of 
Rome.  Threats.  Church  Outside  the  City  Walls.  Leaning  Tower  of  Pisa- 
Florence.  Rev.  Dr.  A.  R.  Van  Nest,  wallery  of  Palazza  Pitti.  Leghorn.  Mar- 
seilles. Paris  Sights.  London.  Crystal  Palace.  Rev.  Mr.  Spurgeon.  •  Hon. 
Hugh  Matheson.  Liverpool.  Steamship  "Cuba."  Halifax.  Boston.  Cherry 
Hill.  Safe  Return.  •  Death  of  General  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer.  The  Last 
Patroon, 450 

CHAPTER   XXin. 

The  Second  Decampment  for  China  :  Bedford.  Woman's  Union  Mission- 
ary Society.  Binghamton  Meeting.  Mrs.  Bonney's  Address.  Review  of  Mis- 
sion Life  in  China.  Female  Agency  Needed.  Steamship  "  Alaska."  Aspinwall. 
By  Rail  across  the  Isthmus.  Panama.  Steam  Ship  "  Colorada."  San  Francisco 
Bishop  Kip.  Traces  of  Earthquake.  Sights.  Steamship  "Japan."  Pacific 
Ocean.  Washington's  Birthday.  Arrival  at  Yokohoma.  Shanghai.  Rev.  E. 
W.  Syle.  Canton.  Death  of  Mrs.  Sherwood.  Pieho  River.  Tientsin.  Native 
Boats.  Tung  Chow.  Approach  to  Peking.  "Peking  Home."  First  Fruits. 
Amah  Baptised.  Completion  of  Pacific  Railroad.  Glance  Around.  Camel 
Trains, 466 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Tientsin  Tragedy  :  The  Lord's  Prayer.  Pekinese  Women.  Decapitated 
Heads  Replaced.  Eclipse  of  Moon.  Chinese  New  Year.  Mongolian  Market, 
Coreans.  Crows  Con  Chinese  Tones.  The  Strong  Arm.  Troubles  at  Yanchow. 
Monthly  Concert.  Great  Bell  Temple.  Lama  Temple.  Confucian  Temple.  Temple 
of  Heaven.  Altar  to  Earth.  Temple  of  Agriculture.  Astronomical  Observatory. 
Marble  Bridge.  Tientsin  Horrific  Event.  Grave  Aspect  of  Affairs.  Incidents  of 
the  Massacre.  Fiendish  Cruelty  to  Sisters  of  Charity.  News  Expressed  to  Pek- 
ing. Sinister  Rumors.  Imperial  Edict.  Children  Removed  from  School.  Stones 
Flung.  Foreign  Ladies  Insulted.  Prince  Kung.  Plucky  Englishman.  Day  for 
Extirpation, 488 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
Decoration  Day  for  our  "Loved  Ones:"  Mrs.  Bonney's  Visit  to  Great 
Wall.  Nankow  Pass.  Ming  Tombs.  Sand  Storms.  Yuen  Ming  Park.  Missiion 
Work  at  a  Stand.  New  Phases  Developed.  Siberian  Overland  Route.  Peking 
to  Tientsin.  Funeral  of  Tientsin  Victims.  Impressive  Spectacle.  Adresses. 
Eurasian  Children.  Great  Success.  Marriage  of  Native  Christians.  Arrival  of 
W.  H.  Seward.  Eurasian  School  Report.  R.  S.  Guudry  to  Mrs.  Bonney.  Severe 
Illness.  Across  the  Pacific.  Cliif  House.  Hii  Sing  Mee.  Pacific  Railroad. 
Albany.  Cannibal  Freemason.  Masonry.  Killian  H.  Van  Rensselaer.  Decora- 
tion of  Soldiers' Graves.  Revolutionary  Patriarchs.  "Our  Soldiers'  Graves,"  . .  .506 


ERRATA. 

Page  3,  line  15  from  the  top,  for  Henderson  read  Harrison. 
16,  line  22  from  the  top  for  Genl.  read  Glen. 

59,  line  3  from  the  top,  for  in  that  read  is  that. 

60,  line  18  from  the  bottom,  for  enalbe  me,  read  enable  me. 
62,  line  16  from  the  top,  for  confidentially,  read  confidently. 

72,  line  6  from  the  top,  for  war,  was  anchored,  read  ivar,  anchored. 

75,  line  17  from  the  bottom,  for  success  of  the  patriots,  read  success  to  the 

patriots. 
143,  line  27  from  the  bottom,  for  Papa  fels,  read  Papa  feels. 
157,  line  22  from  the  top,  for  on  their  trial,  read  on  their  trail. 
174,  line  4  from  the  bottom,  for  Knox,  read  Noxon. 
176,  line  22  from  the  top,  for  1840,  read  1841. 

176,  line  24  from  the  top,  for  Samuel  D.  Forman,  read  Samuel  S.  Forman. 
203,  line  17  from  the  top.  for  1848  read  1840. 
203,  line  11  from  the  bottom,  for  superceded,  read  superseded. 
292,  The  poetry  on  C.  W.  Van  Kensselaer  should  be  reada*  an  extract. 
357,  lines  4  and  5  from  the  top,  for  I  Yokohama,  of  went  ashore,  read  of  Yoko- 

hamn    T  tnent  nshnvc 

377,  line  8  from  the  top,  for  hacthed.  read  hatched. 

403,  line  10  from  the  bottom,  for  destinction,  read  destination . 

412,  line  19  from  the  bottom,  for  Mr.,  read  Mrs.  Williams. 

423,  line  23  from  the  top,  for  untite,  read  unite. 

476,  line  19  from  the  bottom,  for  have  mine,  read  have  been  mine.' 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


CHAPTER  I. 

South  American  Letters  Continued. 

II011.  Thomas  P.  Moore  to  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  Bogota  Oct.  7,  1829. 

I  have  reflected  maturely  upon  the  conversation  had  with  you  on  the 
morning  of  your  departure  for  Ann-Lima,  professions  are  usually  idle  and 
often  insincere,  but  my  own  heart  assures  me,  that  it  would  give  me  sincere 
pleasure  to  serve  you  and  through  you,  your  worthy  and  gallant  father. 
But  circumstances  beyond  my  control  puts  it  out  of  my  power  to  do  so,  in 
a  manner  most  agreeable  to  yourself.  Your  continuance  in  my  family  for 
the  brief  time  desired  would  be  every  way  agreeable  to  me,  if  I  had  not 
sa^zs/iec/ myself  (that  however  unjustly)  it  would  transfer  the  bad  feelings 
manifestly  existing  towards  the  late  Legation  from  the  U.  S.  to  myself 
and  tend  to  weaken  my  exertions  to  serve  those  who  have  deputed  me  to 
this  Government.  Conscious  of  the  responsibility  I  have  incurred  in  ac- 
cepting my  present  station,  I  cannot  take  a  step  calculated  to  lessen  my 
influence  with  the  Government  of  Colombia,  and  I  have  mis-judged  your 
Character,  if  you  can  desire  me  to  do  it.  I  am  fully  aware  of  your  worth, 
and  if  my  unmeasured  declaration  to  that  conviction,  to  our  own  happy 
Government,  can  serve  you,  you  can  promptly  command  it. 

With  unfeigned  regard  and  Esteem. 

To  Mr.  Van  Kensselaer.  *  T.  P.  Moore. 

While  on  a  visit  at  Consul  General  Henderson's  mansion  at  the  village 
of  Anolayma,  Carter  Harrison  was  the  bearer  of  the  above  letter  from  Colonel 
Moore,  in  answer  to  a  question  of  whether  my  services  in  his  family  would  be 
required  for  six  or  eight  months.  Now  this  letter  was  a  regular  poser,  it 
knocked  me  completely  out  of  all  my  calculations  and  changed  my  future 
plans  of  business  arrangements  which  were  nearly  satisfactorily  concluded, 
and  would  now  have  to  be  abandoned.  The  Colonel's  letter  was  an  evident 
insinuation,  that  I  was  to  be  included  in  the  proscription  of  Gen.  Harrison 
and  family,  and  that  my  absence  would  be  required  —  from  the  country 
too  —  he  was  satii^Jied  of  it. 

Those  few  months  which  I  still  wisjied  to  spend  in  the  Capital,  I  fancied 
would  bring  peace  again  to  the  smiling  valley  of  the  Cauca  and  Autioquia, 

II]  1 


2  Legacy  of  Histokical  Gleanings. 

the  projected  scene  of  my  promising  speculation,  then  I  might  safely  en- 
gage in  the  Vanilla  employment.  But  now  those  fond  hopes  are  all 
crushed  by  a  despotic  Grovernment,  and  merely  for  doing  an  act  —  that  duty 
to  General  Harrison  as  an  attache  in  his  family,  friendship  and  honor  pre- 
scribed —  an  act  of  which  I  felt  proud,  and  which  should  be  re-acted 
under  ten  times  the  risk  under  any  circumstances.  The  course  of  Govern- 
ment in  relation  to  myself,  I  considered  a  wanton  piece  of  injustice  —  and 
as  such  I  throbbed  with  intense  desire  to  pay  them  for  it.  Cordova  was 
in  arms  and  he  ever  had  my  best  wishes  for  his  success,  but  now  I  wished 
to  be  with  him.  I  knew  him  by  general  report  to  be  both  brave  and  skill- 
ful—  his  cause  was  as  just  as  any  in  which  man  ever  drew  his  sword. 
His  position  was  strong,  and  no  doubt  was  entertained  but  that  if  he  beat 
the  first  detachment  sent  against  him,  he  would  find  friends  enough  in 
every  province  to  increase  his  forces.  The  only  obstacle  in  the  way,  of 
my  now  joining  Gen.  Cordova,  was  the  fear  of  injuring  Gen.  Harrison  — 
it  might  be  supposed  or  inferred,  that  I  had  been  encouraged  by  him  to 
the  course  I  was  about  to  take.  But  that  could  be  prevented  by  remain- 
ing in  a  country  town  —  if  not  allowed  to  stay  in  the  city  —  till  after  he  had 
left  the  country,  and  so  I  determined  for  the  road  to  Nare,  the  nearest 
post  occupied  by  Cordova,  was  blocked  up  by  O'Leary's  troops.  To  travel 
others  to  Antioquma,  a  passport  was  necessary,  which  in  the  present  state, 
it  was  impossible  to  obtain  under  any  name  or  pretext.  Therefore  I 
resolved  to  wait  patiently  the  result  of  the  first  battle  which  would  either 
again  open  the  road,  or  destroy  the  hopes  of  the  constitutional  army  for 
the  present,  and  then  put  me  to  my  wits  again  for  future  plans.  On  my 
return  from  Anolayma  October  12th  I  found  a  note  with  a  Spanish  direc- 
tion to  me.  The  seal  bore  the  full  impression  of  "  Castillo,"  and  before 
seeing  its  contents,  I  remarked  to  the  Consul,  "  here's  my  passport  too, 
from  the  President  of  the  Supreme  Council ;  "  but  was  quite  surprised  to 
find  it  an  invitation  to  me  as  an  attache  of  Gen.  Harrison's  family —  to  a 
public  dinner  given  Mr.  Moore  the  day  previous.  From  this  we  argued  a 
satisfactory  termination  of  the  misunderstanding  but  it  was  a  vain  hope. 
Gen.  Harrison  had  been  invited  to  this  Government  dinner,  but  knowing 
unofficially  the  steps  which  the  ofiicials  had  in  contemplation  against  him, 
and  their  absurd  suspicions  roused  by  the  word  of  a  mere  adventurer,  felt 
so  indignant  at  their  conduct  that  without  an  apology  from  them,  he  could 
not  accept  of  their  invitation,  but  not  a  word  was  uttered  to  soothe  his 
feelings,  though  Gen.  Urdaneta  (now  the  Supreme  Chief  of  this,  the  Cen- 
tral Department)  had' repeatedly  expressed  the  conviction  he  felt  of  the 
correctness  of  Gen.  Harrison's  public  and  private  conduct,  and  of  course 
he  declined  attending.  A  short  time  previous  to  this  Gen.  Harrison  had 
disposed  of  his  house,  furniture  <fec.,  to  Mr.  Moore,  to  whom  he  was  now 
a  guest;  not  wishing  to  throw  any  obstacle  in  the  new  minister's  way,  to 
interfere  with  the  dinner,  he  sent  word  to  Mr.  Gooding  that  he  and  Tay- 
loe  would  take  '•^ pot-luck^  with  him.  Gooding  made  all  the  preparation 
he  could  for  his  self-invited  guests'  reception  and  entertained  them  as  well 
as  he  could  —  this  was  the  "  front  of  his  oifending."  Albert  Gooding  was 
sent  for  by  Gen.  Herrau,  the  prefect,  and  by  him  charged  with  having 
given  a  dinner  to  Gen.  Harrison,  two  days  previous  in  opposition  to  the 
government  dinner;  (he  also  had  been  on  intimate  terms  with  Gen.  Cor- 
dova.) This  American  citizen  wag  sentenced  by  Herrau  to  leave  the 
country  in  twenty-fuur  hours,  for  his  great  oifence,  and  in  the  meantime 
he  was  ordered  to  prison.     The  main  object  was  to  get  rid  of  Gen.  Harri- 


Legacy  of  HtsTORiCAL  Gleanings.  3 

son  too,  as  speedily  as  possible  without  trouble ;  consequently  Gooding 
was  told  by  the  sapient  and  magnanimous  Dispensers  of  Justice,  that 
although  the  Government  had  nothing  against  him  personally,  they  should 
not  release  him  until  Gen.  Harrison  would  name  the  day  of  his  departure 
from  the  city.  Gooding  was  really  shut  up  in  the  common  apartment, 
with  a  motley,  ragged  collection  of  thieves,  robbers  and  murderers.  From 
this  place  he  sent  me  word,  much  to  my  astonishment  of  his  being  in 
limbo.     I  could  scarcely  credit  it. 

General  Harrison  and  Mr.  Tayloe  the  morning  after  the  dinner  had 
ridden  out  to  the  salt  mines  of  Zipaquira,  Col.  Moore  came  to  me  —  after 
his  return  from  the  Secretary  of  State's  office,  where  he  had  been  requested 
to  call  —  with  his  phiz  twice  its  ordinary  length  and  said  :  "  Well  !  here's 
more  trouble.  The  government  have  received  more  information  to  the 
prejudice  of  the  General  and  Mr.  Henderson;  they  won't  tell  me  the  pur- 
port of  it —  but  have  made  out  Henderson's  passport  to  effect  his  departure 
from  the  capital  in  six  days.  Gooding  will  be  kept  in  prison  until  the 
General  leaves  this,  when  he  will  be  released.  I  have  written  to  the  Gen- 
eral to  that  effect  and  Gooding  has  done  the  same,  but  am  fearful  of  the 
result.  Should  Gen.  Harrison  consider  himself  insulted,  he  may  raise  a 
quarrel  with  government ;  it  will  be  ruinous  to  poor  Gooding,  and  no  bene- 
fit can  arise  from  it.  On  the  contrary  if  he  will  name  a,  speedy  day  of 
departure,  I  can  procure  Gooding's  liberation  and  permission  for  him  to 
remain  here."  1  knew  General  Harrison's  high  feelings  too  well  to  think 
he  would  allow  this  fresh  insult  to  himself —  and  through  him  to  his  coun- 
try—pass in  silence.  I  knew  he  would  resent  it,  as  also  the  injustice 
towards  his  friend.  Of  course  I  myself  felt  all  the  apprehension  for  Good- 
ing that  Mr.  Moore  did.  I  could  advise  nothing  —  yet  felt  pleased  at  the 
General's  absence,  for  now  his  first  feelings  of  resentment  would  have 
time  to  cool.  I  found  Gooding  at  the  grated  door  of  the  prison  on  the 
Pldza  M4yor  (great-square).  Two  or  three  of  his  friends  were  with  him, 
before  whom  he  could  not  express  all  he  felt —  but  his  grinning  teeth  and 
loinking  eyes  told  quite  enough.  The  same  indication  of  a  certain  feeling 
from  me,  perhaps  excited  by  sympathy,  drew  from  him  a  loud  burst  of 
laughter,  and  the  squeeze  he  gave  my  hand  in  his  iron  grasp  — convinced 
me  that  he  had  heard  how  busy  I  had  been  in  his  behalf.  He  told  me  he 
had  written  to  Gen.  Harrison  as  dictated  by  Col.  Moore,  that  if  he  was 
sent  out  of  the  country  it  would  be  his  ruin,  but  says  the  noble  follow 
"Tell  Gen.  Harrison  not  to  compromise  his  honor  for  my  .sake."  It  was 
now  quarter  past  five  —  in  one  quarter  more  the  outer  gates  would  be 
closed  for  the  night  —  and  he  had  not  yet  been  furnished  with  his  dinner  — 
two  persons  who  had  been  sent  off  for  it  an  hour  before,  had  not  yet  re- 
turned, nor  even  been  heard  of,  by  messengers  sent  for  them.  I  therefore 
gave  an  American  shoemaker  money  to  buy  the  best  he  could  in  the  emer- 
gency—  and  to  return  speedily^.  He  did  so,  but  had  hardly  passed  his 
provisions  through  the  door,  before  the  other  two  purveyors  returned  with 
their  supplies ;  one  of  them  ■ — Capt.  Mellen  —  bearing  wine  and  abed; 
thus  the  captive  was  pretty  well  furnished  with  necessaries,  under  all  the 
circumstances.  It  was  quite  amusing  to  see  the  scramble  of  Gooding's 
fellow  prisoners,  to  bear  ofl' some  little  article  of  his  eatables,  to  the  inner 
part  of  the  inclosure,  in  order  to  have  a  claim  upon  him  for  a  share  of  his 
superabundance. 

The  neX't  evening  the  General  returned,  quite  fatigued  with  his  ride, 
he  looked  proudly  indignant,  and  his  saying  he  "  was  in  perfect  good 


4  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

humor,"  astonished  us  all.  However  he  had  had  time  to  reflect  upon  the 
course  he  ought  to  take,  and  now  was  quite  collected,  whatever  humor  he 
might  have  been  in,  when  first  he  heard  of  Gooding's  imprisonment,  and 
when  he  penned  his  strong  protest.  He  now  at  Mr.  Moore's  suggestion 
mollified  it,  and  consented  that  the  Colonel  might  inform  the  government 
of  his  intention  to  leave  the  capital  on  the  next  Monday,  October  19th, 
since  an  understanding  to  that  effect  only,  would  procure  the  release  of  a 
worthy  countryman.  Col.  Moore  did  so,  and  Gooding  was  liberated  j 
through  his  intercession,  also  Madame  Nicholaza  was  permitted  to  remain 
for  the  present  at  Guaduas,  though  an  application  to  dispose  of  her  pro- 
perty had  been  rejected.  The  General  gave  word  that  we  all  should  be 
in  readiness  to  depart  from  Bogota  with  him;  to  me  he  particularly  re- 
marked, that  after  inquiring  he  found  7  would  not  be  permitted  to  remain 
behind  and  must  make  my  preparations  accordingly.  This  was  not  unex- 
pected, but  still  gave  me  a  little  uneasiness,  though  it  determined  me  to 
expedite  my  inquiries  in  relation  to  Cordova  and  to  form  some  plan  for 
joining  his  forces. 

I  called  with  Carter  on  the  Hendersons  to  acquaint  them  with  our  ar- 
rangements. They  were  quite  disappointed,  as  the  early  day  fixed  on 
would  preclude  the  possibility  of  their  leaving  the  city  in  company  and 
of  traveling  with  our  party.  However  it  was  subsequently  arranged  by 
the  General,  that  we  would  wait  their  coming  up.  several  days  at  Guaduas. 
In  the  meantime  they  would  be  able  to  dispose  of  their  furniture  &c.  at 
auction  and  still  go  down  the  river  with  us.  Now  this  arrangement,  of 
waiting  awhile  at  Guaduas,  suited  me  exactly  as  I  might  then  ascertain 
Cordova's  movements.  These  profound  politicians  at  the  head  of  Govern- 
ment, fearing  Gen.  Harrison's  word  might  be  as  little  estimated  by  him- 
self, and  supposing  his  nerves  as  liable  to  be  agitated  as  their  own,  hit 
upon  an  admirable  plan  to  confirm  him  in  his  intention  of  starting  on 
the  appointed  day,  Gooding  was  told,  and  most  consistently  too,  after 
they  had  admitted,  that  there  was  no  charge  against  him,  that  it  was  the 
design  of  Gen.  Harrison  and  Mr.  Henderson  to  assassinate  all  the  Members 
of  the  Supreme  Council ;  M.  DeBresson,  Commisioner  of  France ;  Col. 
Campbell,  H.  B.  M's  Charged'  iVff'aires;  and  others;  that  he  (Gooding) 
was  to  be  the  instrument  to  effect  it;  and  that  the  citizens  were  so  highly 
exasperated  against  the  three,  that  the  Government  would  not  be  answer- 
able for  their  lives  if  Gooding  was  released.  Still  though  all  the  various 
parties  who  were  to  have  been  engaged  in  this  grand  tragedy,  were  now 
at  large,  nothing  more  was  heard  of  it,  until  Saturday  evening  Oct.  17th. 
At  which  time  the  Regulars  on  their  march  for  Antioguia,  had  been  re- 
placed by  thrice  their  number  of  militia  and  new  recruits.  Then  another 
report  was  freely  circulated  in  the  city,  that  O'Leary  with  his  whole  force 
had  been  surprised  and  captured  by  Gen.  Cordova;  the  story  appeared  so 
authentic,  and  the  particulars  so  plausibly  given  that  I  vociferated  in  the 
joy  of  my  heart"  Cordova  forever  —  long  live"  when  Gooding  interrupted 
with,  "  For  God's  sake  stop,  if  you  are  heard,  we'll  all  be  murdered,  let's  go 
to  the  Huerto  and  tell  the  General.  Never  did  a  more  joyful  group  cross 
the  square.  We  found  both  the  Generals  and  Mr.  Moore's  families  at 
home  ;  as  soon  as  the  tidings  were  communicated,  Mr.  Moore  recommended 
a  general  muster  and  armament  of  ^the  household.  For  says  he,  "As 
sure  as  there  is  any  commotion  in  the  city,  in  consequence  of  this  report, 
you  will  have  warm  work  here."  The  General  gave  a  smile  of  iccredulity 
to  this  remark  ;  when  he  was  taken  into  another  room  by  the  new  min- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  5 

ister  and  informed  by  Col.  Moore  of  the  assassination  story ^  and  advised 
to  put  his  house  in  a  state  of  defence,  as  iu  case  of  any  disturbance,  the 
Grovernment  troops  would  attack  him.  On  the  return  of  the  General,  he 
gave  the  word,  "  Young  gentlemen  prepare  your  arms.  "  The  order  was 
obeyed  with  alacrity,  every  gun,  pistol,  dirk  or  sabre  was  brought  out  and 
put  in  fighting  order,  doors  were  barred,  and  every  one  had  his  station 
assigned  him.  We  mustered  twelve  "  good  men  and  true,"  for  even  Moore 
swore  to  stand  by  us,  and  "  share  our  fate."  All  felt  that  in  so  strong  a 
cover,  we  could  make  a  fine  defence  against  our  enemies,  whoever  they 
might  be ;  as  every  thing,  accordingly  had  now  been  put  in  requisition 
to  give  as  welcome  a  reception,  as  a  warm  fire  in  a  cold  night  at  Bogota 
could  alFord.  Cato  was  the  acting  porter  for  the  night,  and  the  household 
were  ordered  to  be  ready  at  any  hour  to  greet  the  expected  visitors.  As 
soon  as  Col.  Moore  saw  our  preparations  all  complete,  he  ordered  his  horse, 
and  said  he  would  go  out  and  inquire  into  the  correctness  of  the  report, 
but  upon  leaving,  he  enjoined  upon  us  "  be  very  watchful."  Though  the 
particulars  of  this  reported  battle  were  very  plausibly  given,  unfortunately 
for  its  credit,  some  long  headed  calculators  made  it  appear,  that  the  troops 
could  not  have  accomplished  more  than  two  thirds  of  their  march  to  the 
scene  of  their  disaster  at  the  time  it  was  said  to  have  taken  place ;  and 
besides  the  story  was  soon  traced  to  a  minion  of  the  government. 

Of  course  none  of  the  anticipated  cries  of  Viva  la  Gonstitucion  de 
Oucuta  were  echoed  through  the  streets,  nor  were  any  of  the  merciful 
adherents  to  "  the  powers  that  be,"  compelled  to  have  their  shining  blades 
corrode  in  the  blood  of  the  turbulent  friends  of  Liberty.  All  was  quiet 
expectation  and  distrust.  If  the  slightest  demonstration  of  joy,  at  the 
reported  victory  of  Cordova,  had  been  manifested,  that  night  would  have 
been  —  in  the  opinion  of  those  well  informed  as  to  passing  events  —  a 
season  of  more  blood  shedding  than  ever  before  witnessed  in  the  city. 
The  specious  tale  was  considered  a  government  ruse  to  discover  its 
opponents,  but  was  so  shallow  a  scheme  that  all  soon  saw  through  it. 

My  first  care  was  to  "  pack  up  ray  tatters ; "  the  smallest  trunk  being 
filled  with  shirts  and  other  light  clothing,  in  order  that  I  might  be  ready  ' 
at  a  moment's  notice  to  slip  away  from  our  traveling  party  and  join 
Cordova's  troops.  The  rest  of  my  baggage  too  was  stowed  away  and 
directions  given  to  Cato  how  to  proceed,  in  case  I  succeeded  in  accomplishing 
a  junction  with  Cordova.  The  Negro  did  not  relish  the  idea  at  all  of  my 
going,  and  much  preferred  to  return  to  the  United  States  with  Gen. 
Harrison,  than  to  mingle  iu  the  dangers  of  the  dreaded  "  battle-field  " 
with  me.  However  I  did  not  oppose  his  wise  choice ;  and  all  my  own 
afi"airs  being  now  settled,  I  had  time  again  to  note  the  complication  of 
general  affairs.  I  found  the  General  was  no  longer  upon  speaking  terms 
with  his  old  friends  De  Bresson,  Martiquez,  Col.  Campbell  and  others  — 
as  they  all  afi'ected  to  believe  the  stories  told  of  his  connivance  in  the  ex- 
isting difficulties  of  Government.  Martiquez  had  publicly  declared  his 
belief  that  the  General  was  the  focus  of  the  discontented.  Campbell  had 
expressed  his  abhorrence  at  what  he  professed  to  believe  the  General's 
conduct  to  get  up  the  "  assassination  plot."  And  as  Gen.  O'Leary  had 
tried  to  impress  the  Government  with  the  idea  that  it  was  "  sitting  on  a 
volcano "  as  long  as  the  persons  denounced  by  Carr  remained  in  the 
country  —  Tayloe,  Carter  and  myself  deemed  it  most  prudent  now,  to 
escort  the  General  whenever  he  walked  out,  in  order  to  guard  him  against 
the  attack  of  any  scoundrels,  who  might  expect  to  gain  the  good  will  of  a 


6  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

suspicious  Government  by  his  murder.  However  we  were  never  obliged 
to  exert  our  prowess  in  his  behalf,  as  no  attempt  of  that  kind  was  made. 

We  left  Bogota  on  the  19th  of  October,  at  which  time  Mr.  Henderson 
was  selling  oiF  his  furniture  and  other  effects  at  auction.  We  safely 
reached  the  hovel,  in  which  I  tarried  a  night  in  coming  up  at  Alto  de 
Gazena,  about  sunset.  Here  we  hung  up  our  hammocks  and  went  to  rest 
without  supper  as  the  old  landlady  had  nothing  to  eat.  The  next  morn 
at  11  oclock  we  had  accomplished  our  tedious  descent  of  5500  feet  from 
the  great  plain  of  Bogota  to  the  village  of  Villeta  where  we  partook  of  a 
hearty  breakfast,  and  then  plodded  away  again  over  the  lofty  "  Alto  de 
trigo  "  to  the  smiling,  peaceful  little  valley  of  Guaduas.  We  encountered 
on  the  route  many  a  subject  for  laughter  in  the  slipping  of  the  mules  and 
in  the  falls  of  their  awkward  riders.  Cato  and  George  were  often  floored, 
on  one  occasion  the  first  broke  a  brandy  bottle  which  grieved  him  more 
than  the  fall  itself.  Ail  were  delighted  with  the  wild  scenery  and  chang- 
ing variety  of  nature's  picturesque  aspect  in  this  day's  travel.  Here  we 
took  up  our  quarters  under  the  hospitable  roof  of  Col.  Acosta  in 
Guaduas,  he  remembered  me  still.  We  remained  in  this  delightful 
climate  about  eight  days  waiting  for  a  boat  to  go  down  the  river.  While 
there  a  Dispatch  passed  through  from  Gen.  O'Leary  to  Gen.  Urdaneta  — 
Minister  of  War;  on  the  back  of  which  was  written  "  Defeat  and  death 
of  Gen.  Cordova."  This  news  on  our  way  down  the  river,  we  learned  to 
be  too  true,  though  we  were  still  in  the  dark  as  to  the  particulars.  Many 
Colombians  express  great  regret  at  the  fate  and  unfortunate  end  of  the 
gallant  fellow ;  he  was  but  twenty-eight  years  old  ;  was  commissioned  a 
Major-General  at  twenty-two.  I  had  heard  so  much  of  him  and  of  his 
chivalrous  exploits  in  defense  of  his  country's  liberty;  struggling  against 
arbitrary  systems  to  establish  South  American  independence  —  that  I  felt 
quite  anxious  to  have  seen  him.  This  pleasure  was  denied  the  General's 
whole  family  as  he  left  Bogota  many  months  before  their  arrival.  This 
sad  news,  that  the  noble  Cordova  had  fallen  in  battle  dissipated  my  fervid 
dreams  of  military  glory  in  Colombia  and  I  was  resigned  to  what  was 
inevitable  —  leaving  the  country.  Accordingly  a  day  or  two  after,  when  it 
was  known  that  Henderson  would  not  be  prepared  to  join  us  in  time  for 
our  vessel,  I  prepared  to  start  on  with  Tayloe  in  advance  of  the  General 
to  see  our  chamjjdn  was  in  readiness.  We  exchanged  adieus  with  the 
kind,  good  Col.  Acosta  on  the  29th  and  set  off  together  for  Honda. 

It  was  a  foggy  morning  when  we  left  Guaduas,  and  the  chilly  effects  of 
the  clouds  through  which  we  passed  in  ascending  the  first  steep  and  rugged 
acclivity,  added  not  a  little  to  the  gloom  of  my  feelings  when  the  thoughts 
of  my  various  disappointments  occurred  to  me.  I  felt  the  inutility  of 
mourning  for  spilled  milk,  and  with  a  heart  felt  sigh  ranted  out  the  ditty 
to  dull  care,  and  thus  lost  in  contemplation  of  the  present  and  future,  the 
pains  and  .pleasures  of  reminiscence.  From  an  elevation  of  5160  feet  at 
the  18th  league  monument,  we  had  a  superb  view  of  the  Magdalena  wind- 
ing in  the  valley  below  us  with  the  llanos  or  level  fields  covered  with 
luxuriant  grass;  and  of  the  snow  capped  Hindui  in  Antioquia,  raising  its 
conical  peak  far  above  the  clouds.  Indeed  the  scene  was  magnificent. 
The  extensive  and  beautiful  view  from  this  locality,  is  conceded  by  every 
one  to  not  oqly  rival  but  excel  all  other  prospects  in  Colombia.  In  our 
progress,  however,  in  the  winding  shaded  way,  its  beauties  were  hidden 
from  us  sometimes  for  miles,  then  conversation  was  again  resorted  to,  in 
passing  the  time  pleasantly.    In  one  of  these,  my  rencontre  with  Saunders 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  7 

at  Barranquilla  was  the  subject.  Tayloe  who  had  never  before  heard  of  it  — 
was  delighted  that  the  puppy  had  beeu  so  justly  punished  ;  and  the  arrange- 
ment was  made  with  him  to  act  as  second  in  case  of  my  being  called  upon 
in  Carthagena  to  fight  the  Sawney.  I  had  been  fearful  that  Tayloe's 
oflScial  station  might  have  induced  him  to  decline  this  act  of  friendship ; 
but  now  I  was  satisfied  to  the  contrary,  and  happy  in  having  so  stanch 
hearted  a  fellow  to  make  the  arrangements.  Though  opposed  to  dueling, 
I  am  more  opposed  to  make  the  apology  which  Saunders  vi%t,st  demand  of 
me.  If  he  will  fight,  I  must  take  my  chance.  If  unhurt  myself  after  the 
first  fire  and  Saunders  is  satisfied  with  at  most,  a  hole  in  his  leg,  it  is  well. 
If  not,  the  second  shot  will  close  the  worldly  account  of  one  or  both.  The 
provocation  I  received  was  canceled  in  my  breast,  by  the  consequent  dis- 
grace I  inflicted  upon  Saunders,  and  therefore  I  have  no  deadly  antipathy 
against  the  man,  nor  can  I  have,  unless  he  insists  upon  a  second  shot. 

We  reached  the  Bodegata  about  3  oclock,  and  leaving  our  horses  here, 
floated  down  the  river  in  a  small  boat,  one  mile  and  landed  on  the  other 
side  in  the  city  of  Honda,  where  the  Greneral  and  Carter  joined  us.  On 
Sunday  November  1st,  we  pushed  off",  from  the  Bodega  de  Honda  and 
gliding  smoothly  down  the  Magdalena  at  such  a  rapid  rate,  night  and  day, 
that  on  the  6th,  we  vvere  in  Mompox.  Here  that  tyrannical,  bloodthirsty 
puppy  Governor  Aldercrutz,  upon  Tayloe  reporting  to  him  General  Har- 
rison's arrival,  insisted  upon  it,  that  the  General  should  call  upon  him ; 
but  the  manly  message  which  the  General  sent  back,  made  him  change 
his  tune.  We  landed  without  asking  his  permission  and  took  possession 
of  Seiior  Piuo's  house  remaining  there  until  the  next  afternoon.  The 
Colombians,  we  found,  shunned  us  as  they  would  have  done  a  contagion, 
they  no  doubt  thought,  that  all  the  rumors  which  had  reached  them  of 
Gen.  Harrison's  participation  in  Cordova's  conspiracy  were  perfectly  true. 
Again  on  the  river  we  passed  down  quickly  with  the  violent  current  and 
on  sundown  of  the  8th  glided  by  Jucal,  the  scene  of  the  premature  death 
of  the  illfated  young  Henderson  an  intelligent  young  man  of  eighteen 
years  of  age.  He  with  an  English  servant  went  into  the  river  to  bathe, 
but  he  was  soon  drawn  down  by  an  alligator  and  was  never  seen  more. 
Half  an  hour  later  we  arrived  at  our  village  of  debarkation. 

Two  leagues  below  Mompox  we  were  detained  an  hour,  after  collecting 
firewood,  in  searching  for  another  runaway  boga,  and  were  obliged  event- 
ually to  come  off  without  him;  and  in  the  afternoon  the  rascally pairoM 
stopped  the  champan  and  sent  his  men  on  shore,  in  order  to  right  and 
clear  another  boat  which  had  been  sunk  by  part  of  the  bank  which  had 
caved  in  and  fallen  down  upon  it.  As  soon  as  the  General  found  out  this 
object,  he  mounted  the  toldo  in  a  great  passion  brandishing  his  case  at 
the  patron  ;  and  in  an  energetic  style  told  him,  "  you  damned  old  rascal, 
\^ you  dont  call  your  people  back  and  go  on,  I'll  break  your  bones  for  you." 
The  poor  patron  was  thunderstruck  —  although  he  could  not  understand 
the  General's  lingo  — he  took  the  sense  of  his  short  speech,  from  the  fire 
of  his  eye,  and  his  tout  ensemble.  And  with  a  tremulous  voice  sung  out 
to  his  men  "  Vengajwr  atrds — venga  muchdcJios ;  el  General esmuy  bravio." 
("  Comeback,  come  boys,  the  general  is  very  fierce  or  mad."~)  The  boys 
however,  who  were  cutting  their  way  through  the  bushes,  did  not  so  sensi- 
bly experience  the  dangers  of  propinquity  to  the  menacing  walking  stick, 
continued  at  iheir  task  maugre  the  patrons  cries.  This  raised  the  Gen- 
eral's ire  to  a  higher  pitch  then  ever.  '•  Did  you  ever  see  such  a  set  of  scoun- 
drels" says  he,  addressing  us.     "  Here  they  are  going  to  detain  us  all  night 


8  .Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

to  get  up  that  champS,n,  when  we  ought  to  be  in  Carthagena  to  meet  the 
Natchez."     Then  turing  to  the  patron,  "  If  you  don't  push  off  immediately, 
I'll  haveyouputin  prison,  as  soon  aswereach  Barrancas  —  so  help  me  God  " 
This  was  explained  to  the  patron  by  Tayloe  —  but  he  could  not  coax  his 
pertinacious  crew  back  to  the  boat.     "  Cast  off  that  line  then,  and  let  the 
damned  rascals  stay  where  they  are."  says  the  General.     The  servants, 
Peter,  George  and.  Cato,  flew  to  the  stern  to  obey  the  order,  when  the 
obstreperous  fellows  on  shore,  thinking  it  better  to  leave  their  task  unfin- 
ished, than  to  remain  in  such  a  wild  spot  without  provisions  &c.,  came  skip- 
ping back,  belter  skelter ;  the  last  just  saving  his  distance  by  the  skin  of 
his  teeth  for  the  boat  was  off.     The  crew  clambered  over  the  tdldo  to  their 
station  in  the  bows,  when  they  found  there  was  no  remedy,  and  taking  up 
their  paddles  as  if  nothing  had  occurred,  worked  away  in  concert  to  their 
cheering  tune  as  usual,  until  they  had  gained  the  proper  distance  from 
the  shore  to  enjoy  the  full  strength  of  the  current,  when  down  went  the 
paddles  and  down  went  the  workers  on  the  bottom  of  the  boat  to  resume 
their  suspended  pastime  of  gambling  for  segars.  '  Such  ebullitions  of  anger 
in  the  General,  I  never  witnessed  without  a  just  cause  —  then  they  were 
always  so  short  lived,  and  succeeded  by  such  a  flow  of  hilarity  that  the 
occurrence  of  them  could  not  give  you  pain.     On  this  occasion  the  happy 
indifference  of  these  poor  natives  afforded  him  a  subject  for  changing  his 
key,  and  the  remainder  of  the  day  was  spent  in  glee  at  our  swift  advance. 
The  next  morning  after  landing,  while  our  mules  and  horses  were  pre- 
paring, I  expressed  a  wish  to  the  General,  to  see  my  old  friends  —  John 
and  Edward  S.  Glen  before  leaving  the  country.     "  Well,"  says  he,  "go, 
it  will  only  take  twenty-four  hours  more  if  you  go  that  way."     So  it  was 
fixed.     They  started  at  10  o'clock  direct  for  Carthagena;  and    I  for  the 
same  place  via  Barranquilla  at  6  P.  M.  where  I  arrived  at  9  o'clock  A.  M. 
of  the  10th  November  after  a  nights    sail   in    a   little    canoe.     I    found 
Travers  there  convalescent  and  all  my  old    friends  well.     The  following 
morning  I  resumed  my  rout  to  the  City,  passing  through  water  and  mud 
but  safely  reached    Carthagena  an   Saturday  November   14th.     Here  I 
found  the  General,  Tayloe  and    Carter,  with    the  servants    and  baggage 
quartered  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Robt.   H.  Bunch  — the    partner  of  Major 
Brush.     There  was  no  room  left  for  me  there,  so    I  was    sent  off  to  the 
Inquisifio7i.     I  no  doubt  would  have  thought  it  a  terrible    affair  to  have 
been  sent  to  this  place  some  twenty  years  before  —  but  now  it  was  private 
property,  and  the  horrid   cruelties  which    had  been   practiced  within  its 
walls,  were  now  only  thought  of  as  "things   long  past."     Of  course  I 
had  no  objections  to  taking  my  lodgings    there,  as    I  was    to  make  one 
more.to  the  number  of  demolishers  to  the  good  things    of  the  General's 
mess.     The  portion  of  this  building  which  had  fallen  into    Mr.  Bunch's 
possession,  by  right  of  purchase,  had  formerly  been    appropriated  to  the 
use  of  the  Iloli/  Fathers   as  a    habitation  only,    consequently  there   was 
nothing  extraordinary  observable  in  the  structure  of  its  extensive  suit  of 
rooms.     The  prison  appertaining  to  it,    is  under    the    same    roof  —  but 
separated  by  a  massive  wall  —  and  retained  still  as  a  prison  by  the  autho- 
rities of  the  place.     I  did  not  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing   the  inside; 
but  am  told  that  many  of  the  infernal  machines    of  torture,  which  were 
used  when  the  inquisition  was  in  being  are  still  to  be  seen    in  its  reposi- 
tories.    To  day  I  received  intelligence  from  Bogota  that  Mr.  Henderson 
intends  remaining  there  until  the  arrival    of  the   new   British  Minister, 
who  is  daily  looked  for  at  this  place.     Col.  Torrens  was  to   have  left  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  9 

Metropolis  on  the  9th  inst.  according  to  my  same  authority  which  is 
Colonel  Moore.  Every  word  of  the  intrigues  at  the  Capital  is  susceptible 
of  the  best  confirmation,  it  is  but  a  hasty  sketch  of  the  late  proceedings. 
If  I  had  time,  I  would  enter  into  further  details  —  but  having  lost  some 
in  going  around  by  Barranquilla  missed  the  regular  packet  for  New  York. 
The  one  by  which  I  send  this,  clears  to  day.  If  any  attack  is  made  upon 
General  Harrison,  through  the  public  prints,  let  my  friend  Rykman  have 
the  above  facts,  to  enable  him  to  defend  one  of  the  most  high  minded 
souls  that  our  Country  ever  produced.  He  shall  be  further  provided 
with  more  materials  to  conduct  the  defence,  as  soon  as  I  have  another 
opportunity  if  it  is  found  necessary. 

The  proceedings  above  given,  of  course  drew  from  Gren.  Harrison  a 
correspondence,  through  the  New  Minister,  with  the  Colombian  Govern- 
ment, during  which  many  facts  came  to  light,  of  which  we  had  not  before 
known.  It  was  ascertained  that  some  of  the  Diplomatic  Agents  of 
Countries  opposed  to  the  Republican  System  of  our  own  happy  Govern- 
ment —  had  been  quite  active  in  exciting  the  jealousy  of  the  Heads  of 
Department  against  General  Harrison,  and  to  forward  their  schemes  many 
preposterous  stories  were  circulated  by  them  —  of  which  more  at  another 
time.  Col.  Moore's  conduct,  as  far  as  my  knowledge  extends,  has  been 
tolerably  fair  on  the  occasion ;  he  told  me  when  about  starting  for  Ano- 
layma,  that  the  entire  correspondence  of  the  family  had  for  weeks  pre- 
vious, been  intercepted,  by  the  Government,  and  that  we  all  were  suspi- 
ciously looked  upon  as  the  fomenters  of  all  the  mischief  then  going  on  in 
Antioquia.  He  was  terribly  at  a  loss  however,  what  course  to  take  at  first, 
but  when  he  saw  me  in  arms  the  evening  before,  and  determined  to  de- 
fend the  house,  (some  of  the  General's  friends  fearing  it  might  be  ran- 
sacked in  his  absence)  he  told  me  to  go  to  bed  quietly,  that  he  would 
stand  by  me  to  the  last ;  and  went  off  to  load  his  fire-arms  to  use  them  in 
case  that  his  official  authority  should  not  be  respected.  He  did  the  same 
when  we  were  all  together  subsequently  on  the  gloomy  night  of  the  story 
of  O'Leary's  defeat,  stating  his  determination  to  share  our  fate.  The  ex- 
citement, which  those  events  gave  rise  to,  is  now  passed.  We  at  present 
can  "laugh  at  dangers  past;"  but  then,  when  all  was  uncertainty  as  to 
what  the  next  moment  might  produce,  when  all  who  had  previously  pre- 
tended the  most  devoted  friendship  for  Gen.  Harrison,  now  kept  aloof; 
and  when  our  little  band  seemed  so  inadequate  to  defend  the  Stripes  and. 
Stars  for  any  time,  then  Moore's  declaration  that  he  would  stand  or  fall 
with  the  Old  Legation,  gave  me  such  a  good  opinion  of  the  man,  which 
more  recent  circumstances  have  confirmed,  that  I  really  regret  he  is  not 
(for  his  own  sake,  as  much  as  for  the  honor  of  his  country),  calculated  for 
the  exalted  situation  he  now  occupies.  His  business  is  entirely  new  to 
him,  and  in  the  alteration  that  will  now  soon  take  place  in  the  form  of 
governing  this  country,  I  fear  he  will  be  utterly  at  a  loss  how  to  act. 
He  will  be  thrown  completely  upon  his  own  resources  and  judgment,  as  it 
is  not  possible  that  his  instructions  have  anticipated  the  change  from  a 
Republic  to  a  Monarchy  —  however,  I  hope  for  the  best,  one  thing  I  think 
is  certain,  they  cannot  drive,  though  they  may  succeed  in  leading  him. 

Bolivar  is  now,  as  Mr.  Moore  writes,  in  Quito  and  does  not  intend  to  be 
present  at  the  Meeting  of  the  Legislative  body  in  January,  which  being 
composed  almost  exclusively  of  his  satellites  —  will  so  far  gratify  his 
known  wishes,  as  to  force  a  Crown  upon  his  unambitious  and  not  aspiring 

II]  2 


10  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

head.  Therefore  the  scene  of  bloodshed  and  disorder  in  this  fine  coiintry 
will  proceed  which  Gen.  Cordova  would  in  a  measure  have  prevented  by 
taking  "  time  by  the  forelock."  This  letter  gives  you  a  statement  of  the 
close  of  my  late  diplomatic  life;  it  was  rather  a  bustling  one,  and  suited 
me  to  a  nicety  —  but  it  is  all  over.  Moore's  letter  to  me  when  in 
Anolayma  gives  you  his  reasons  for  not  retaining  me  in  his  family.  I  am 
certain  from  the  good  opinion  he  has  formed  of  me,  that  he  writes 
sincerely.  I  yesterday  received  another  from  him,  in  answer  to  one 
written  him  from  Guaduas  —  in  which  he  reiterates  his  offer  of  recom- 
mending me  to  Government,  he  says  I  may  command  him  in  procuring  a 
"  consulship  or  in  any  other  way."  But  my  plans  have  all  been  frustrated 
by  my  forced  departure  from  Bogota.  If  I  had  been  suffered  to  remain 
there  —  although  not  in  the  Minister's  family,  I  could  without  doubt  have 
got  along  without  difficulty,  and  that  too,  with  some  hopes  of  effecting 
eventually  the  grand  object  of  my  coming  to  this  country.  If  I  should 
accept  of  Glen's  invitation  to  remain  with  them  ibr  awhile,  I  might  take 
advantage  of  Moore's  offer,  and  accept  a  Consulship,  which  might  yield 
me  a  livelihood  for  the  time  being,  without  a  prospect  —  as  far  as  I  can  yet 
learn  —  of  any  thing  more.  Further  inquiry  on  this  subject  may  lead 
me  to  think  otherwise.  Our  Consul  at  Santa  Martha  will  undoubtedly 
be  removed ;  and  if  I  find  that  the  late  opening  will  be  generally  taken 
advantage  of  by  our  speculators,  for  all  vessels  on  the  Magdalenai  River  by 
the  Government,  and  that  a  Consul  there  stands  any  chance  of  getting 
consignments  in  consequence  of  this  opening,  why,  then,  I  would  like  the 
berth.  If  I  do  conclude  to  take  up  my  quarters  in  St.  Martha,  a  visit 
now  to  the  United  States  may  be  beneficial  in  seeing  the  New  York 
merchants.  The  fate  of  General  Cordova  has  dispelled  many  of  the  fears 
of  the  Government,  and  Moore  tells  me,  that  they  say  they  will  not  molest 
me  "  whether  I  reside  on  or  off  the  coast  of  Colombia."  I  would  there- 
fore have  nothing  to  fear  from  them  even  in  a  private  capacity.  I  will 
know  more  of  the  feasibility  of  this  plan  before  I  leave  these  shores. 

The  day  has  elapsed  on  which  the  "  Natchez  "  was  first  expected  to 
have  been  in  this  part  from  the  south  and  now  we  are  looking  for  her 
every  day.  It  is  Gen.  Harrison's  intention  in  case  she  does  not  make 
her  appearance  by  the  time  that  Burrow's  new  vessel,  the  "  Montillo," 
which  too  is  now  expected  —  is  ready  to  leave,  to  take  passage  in  the  last 
for  New  York.  If  the  National  vessel  is  here  in  time,  he  will  sail  in  her 
for  Norfolk,  Va.  I  shall  expect  to  find  letters  from  home  at  Washington 
City,  if  we  land  at  Norfolk,  also  with  Dr.  Van  Rensselaer  in  New  York. 
The  idea  of  seeing  "  sweet  home  "  so  soon  again  operates  as  a  charm  against 
my  late  disappointment;  but  independent  of  that,  I  am  in  no  way  chop- 
fallen.  Yours  of  Sept.  22nd  was  just  handed  me  from  the  Post  office;  it 
had  been  on  to  Bogota,  the  last  one  from  home  previous  to  this  was  dated 
July  —  so  I  suppose  there  are  more  on  the  road  somewhere,  and  will  come  to 
hand  in  the  U.  S.,  if  they  have  not  like'some  of  mine  been  snapt  up  by 
the  Government  wolves,  in  hopes  of  finding  Treason  in  them.  It  is  grati- 
fying to  learn  you  all  are  quite  well.  The  Glens  are  well  and  as  kind  as 
ever.  Edward  has  been  trying  a  long  time  to  charter  a  vessel  to  take  him 
to  the  United  States  with  a  load  of  produce,  I  would  not  be  at  all  sur- 
prised to  see  him  there  on  my  arrival,  he  is  all  ready  for  a  start  as  soon 
as  a  vessel  can  be  procured.  The  General  regrets  that  the  Sloop  of  War 
is  ordered  to  return  to  Norfolk,  as  landing  there  will  deprive  him  of  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  you.     I  am  quite  sorry,  for  it  might  afford  you  some 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  11' 

gratification  to  fiad'out  personally  the  high  opinion  he  has  formed  of  me, 
however  I  believe  this  is  more  owing  to  his  friendship  for  you  than  any 
thing  else.  These  rascals  did  not  carry  their  high  handed  measures  far 
enough,  to  give  me  a  fair  opportunity  to  show  how  much  I  would  have 
done  to  serve  him.  It  is  very  pleasing  to  know  I  have  at  least  gained  a 
portion  of  his  esteem  by  my  own  conduct,  and  I  repeat  if  it  is  deemed  in 
any  way  advisable  to  give  publicity  to  the  facts  I  have  given  you  for  the 
defence  of  his  character,  that  a  copy  be  given  to  Rykman.  Tayloe  has 
sent  his  statement  home  likewise,  for  the  same  purpose.  The  General 
desired  me  to  give  you  the  facts  above  stated  and  has  had  a  perusal  of  the 
first  part  of  my  letter  to  which  he  ofiiered  no  comment.  He  is  really  stung 
to  the  soul  for  the  indignities  he  has  received  from  these  most  abominable 
wretches;  one  of  my  greatest  pleasures  in  going  home  now,  will  be  to  ex- 
pose their  villainous  policy  to  the  reading  world. 

My  good  grandmother's  second  note  is  another  grateful  evidence  of  the 
interest  she  takes  in  my  welfare  ;  may  she  long  and  happily  live  to  tell  me 
what  my  dear  Mother  confirms,  of  the  good  health  of  all  my  relatives. 
My  Mother  will  see  ere  this,  that  all  her  inquiries  respecting  Edward  S. 
Glen,  Cato's  behaviour  and  my  prospects  have  been  anticipated  in  this  and 
other  letters.  I  hope  Irish  "Mike"  does  well,  for  he  is  as  honest  a 
rogue  as  the  world  contains;  when  at  the  farm  near  Columbia-ville,  he 
would  let  no  one  else  cheat  me  —  but  himself;  that  he  considered  his  pe- 
culiar prerogative,  which  is  saying  a  good  deal  for  a  man  of  this  knavish 
world. 

The  General  desires  to  be  particularly  remembered  to  you.  Give  my  re- 
membrances too,  to  the  Post  Office  "boys  "and  love  to  the  girls,  the 
kisses  I  hope  now  soon  to  give  for  myself. 

Yours  truly,        R.  V.  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany. 

Among  the  official  documents  relative  to  the  suppression  of  General 
Cordova's  rebellion  in  Antioquia  we  find  the  following  communication 
from  General  O'Leary,  dated  Santuario,  Oct.  17th  to  General  Urdaneta, 
Secretary  of  War. 

Sir,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency  that  the  Division 
under  my  command  has  discharged  the  glorious  trust  of  avenging  the 
honor  of  the  Republic.  The  factions  have  been  completely  routed  after 
a  desultory  action  of  two  hours.  Gen.  Cordova  is  in  my  power,  badly 
wounded.  To  morrow  I  will  give  you  the  particulars.  I  shall  proceed 
immediately  with  the  Vanguard  to  Rio  Negro. 

I  am  your  obedient  servant, 

Daniel  F.  O'Leary. 

Note. —  On  the  envelope  of  this  communication  is  written  in  the  hand 
writing  of  General  O'Leary,  "  Defeat  and  death  of  Gen.  Cordova.^'  How 
much  would  have  been  gained  to  the  cause  of  liberty  by  the  success  of 
Cordova,  may  be  inferred  from  the  outlines  of  a  Constitution  which  he 
published  but  a  few  days  before  his  defeat.  According  to  this  instrument, 
the  president  was  to  hold  his  office  for  life,  appoint  his  successor,  com- 
mand the  army,  appoint  the  vice  president,  the  secretaries  of  departments, 
the  senate,  and  all  other  officers,  both  civil  and  military,  leaving  only  the 
representatives  to  be  elected  by  the  Provinces,  in  the  ratio  of  one  for  every 
50,000  souls.     How  much  would  have  been  gained  towards  religious  tolera- 


12  LEaACY  OF  Historical  Gleanings. 

tion,  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact,  that  in  his  proclamation  to  the  inhab- 
itants of  Cauca,  Cordova  complains  that  General  Bolivar  is  not  sufficiently 
zealous  for  the  Catholic  religion.  By  a  decree  of  the  Liberator,  dated 
Quayaquil  August  24,  the  introduction  of  foreign  salt  is  forbidden  in  all 
the  ports  of  the  Kepublic.  The  decree  was  to  take  effect  in  40  days  after 
date. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  to  Col.  Moore. 

My  Dear  Sir,  Guadaus  Oct.  28,  1829. 

In  consequence  of  the  bustle  attending  our  departure  from  Bogota,  sev- 
eral things  of  which  1  intended  to  have  spoken  to  you  were  forgotten;  or 
rather  deferred  until  when  about  leaving  you,  in  this  I  was  disappointed 
by  the  sensitive  humor  of  my  lop-eared  mule  which  carried  me  along  at 
such  a  rate  before  the  rest  of  the  company,  that  before  I  could  stop  her, 
you  and  Mr.  Pickett  were  wending  your  way  back  to  the  city,  and  the 
opportunity  was  lost.  I  therefore  take  this  mode  of  expressing  to  you  my 
sincere  thanks  for  your  kind  favor  of  the  7th  inst.  I  am  as  well  satisfied 
as  yourself,  that  my  continuance  in  your  family,  would  in  some  degree  have 
been  the  cause  of  transferring  "  the  bad  feelings  existing  towards  the  late 
Legation"  to  yourself  and  thus  "  lessen  your  influence  with  the  Colombian 
Govert.,"  and  I  am  happy  to  find  your  opinion  of  my  character  is  such, 
as  to  induce  you  to  believe  I  would  not  desire  it.  It  is  true  that  a  few 
months  longer  residence  in  Bogota,  would  have  been  very  desirable  to  me, 
but  not  at  the  risk  of  destroying  the  usefulness  of  my  country's  represent- 
ative, more  particularly  when  my  premature  departure  can  only  cause 
temporary  inconvenience.  Your  offer  to  mention  me  favorably  .to  our  Go- 
vernment will  long  and  gratefully  be  remembered,  and  if  hereafter  the  occa- 
sion occurs,  it  will  most  assuredly  be  put  in  requisition.  At  present  it  is 
my  intention  to  remain  for  a  time  on  the  sea-coast,  and  as  soon  as  practi- 
cable to  engage  in  business ;  provided  this  Government  do  not  consider 
me  too  dangerous  a  personage  to  be  tolerated  in  their  territories ;  upon 
which  subject,  I  would  be  under  many  obligations  to  find  a  letter  from 
you  at  Carthagena ;  and  likewise  if  you  would  have  the  goodness  to  for- 
ward all  letters,  which  may  come  to  your  bands  for  me,  to  our  Consul  at 
that  place.     Bemember  me  to  Mr.  Pickett. 

I  am  most  Respectfully  your  Obt.  Svrt., 
His  Excellency,  R.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Thomas  P.  Moore,  U.  S.  Minister  Plenipotentiary  at  Bogota. 

Col.  Moore  to  Reus.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  Bogota  Nov.  1,  1829. 

1  received  yours  by  Mr.  Travers  when  on  the  wing  for  Cauna ;  I  have 
but  little  time  to  answer  it.  I  waited  on  the  Government  (rather  a  singu- 
lar expression)  and  they  assured  me  that  you  would  not  be  interrupted 
whether  residing  on  or  off  the  coast  of  Colombia.  Ere  this  you  know  that 
f  Genl.  Cordova  has  been  defeated  and  killed  ;  all  is  quiet  here  and  I  have 
hopes  that  Mr.  Henderson  will  be  permitted  to  remain,  at  least  until  the 
British  Minister  arrives.  I  was  yesterday  to  see  the  Hendersons,  they 
were  manifestly  much  distressed  at  the  fate  of  Cordova,  but  not  a  harsh 
or  indiscreet  expression  escaped  the  lips  of  one  of  them.  I  pity  the  man 
whose  pecuniary  condition  obliges  him  to  keep  such  a  family  in  Bogota. 

In  regard  to  your  selection  of  a  residence,  future  occupation  &c,  please 
advise  me  immediately,  and  if  I  can  further  your  views  you  can  i-eadily 
command   me.     A    Consulship,   or   in   any  other   way.     Recollect   that 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  18 

althougli  young  and  vigorous,  that  you  are  situated  in  a  climate  where 
the  most  inviolable  temperance  in  all  things  is  necessary.  That  rascally 
virtue  "  prudence  "  must  be  strictly  observed.  I  forwarded  a  letter  to 
you  yesterday  which  I  think  was  from  our  Consul  at  Carthagena. 

Col.  Torrens  has  just  left  me,  he  expects  a  decisive  answer  from  this 
Government  to-morrow  in  relation  to  funds,  if  he  gets  a  supply,  he  will 
leave  this  on  Wednesday  4th,  and  endeavor  to  join  Gen.  Harrison.  Say 
to  Mr.  Tayloe  that  his  horse  is  still  lame,  though  thriving  and  that  if  I 
can  sell  my  roan  for  sixty  dollars,  I  will  keep  his  horse  and  remit  him 
Eighty  dollars.  I  shall  be  uneasy  until  I  hear  that  the  General,  &c.,  &c., 
•are  all  safely  on  board  the  Natchez.  I  have  yet  to  receive  the  first  News- 
paper from  the  U.  S.  I  beg  you  to  send  me  all  that  fall  in  your  way.  i 
Torrens  leaves  without  fail  on  Monday  the  9th  inst.  Bolivar  is  in  Quito, 
but  I  am  sorry  to  add  that  it  is  confidently  stated  that  he  will  not  per- 
sonally attend  the  deliberations  of  Congress.  I  wish  to  see  him  take  his 
share  of  responsibility  in  a  manly,  open  manner.  If  you  can  steal  a  little 
black  tea  send  it  to  me  at  any  price.  In  haste,  your  friend, 

To  R.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esqr.,  Carthagena.  T.  P.  Moore. 

Regarding  South  American  emancipation,  President  Jackson  said : 
"  The  Southern  Republics,  of  our  hemisphere,  have  not  yet  realized  all 
the  advantages  for  which  they  have  been  so  long  struggling.  We  trust, 
however,  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant,  when  the  restoration  of  peace  and 
internal  quiet,  under  permanent  systems  of  government,  securing  the 
liberty,  and  promoting  the  happiness  of  the  citizens,  will  crown,  with  com- 
plete success,  their  long  and  arduous  efi'orts  in  the  cause  of  self  govern- 
ment, and  enable  us  to  salute  them  as  friendly  rivals  in  all  that  is  truly 
great  and  glorious.  The  adoption  by  Spain  of  a  pacific  policy  towards  her 
former  colonies,  may  be  most  reasonably  expected." 

'Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ms  Father. 

Dear  Father,  Carthagena,  Dec.  14,  1829. 

My  last  dated  from  this  place  of  the  17th  ult.,  was  sent  home  by  the 
Schooner  Horatio  ;  its  contents  have  probably  led  you  to  expect  my  arrival 
before  this,  but  our  prospect  of  leaving  is  just  as  promising  now,  as  it  was 
on  my  first  arriving  here  from  Barranquilla  which  is  a  month  since.  The 
"Natchez  "  has  not  yet  been  heard  from,  and  the  New  York  packets  so 
irregular  that  no  dependence  can  be  placed  upon  them.  Although  we 
are  in  the  best  of  quarters,  enjoying  the  princely  hospitality  of  Mr. 
Robert  H.  Bunch,  yet  our  stock  of  patience  is  quite  exhausted,  and  each 
day  as  it  closes  without  bringing  in  sight,  from  these  extensive  and  strong 
ramparts,  a  sail  on  the  beautiful  Caribean  Sea,  to  bear  our  party  "  home," 
increases  our  disappointment.  Mr.  E.  T.  Tayloe  leaves  this  tomorrow  in 
a  little  Schooner  of  100  tons,  in  company  with  Count  Ziliskie  who  has 
lately  joined  us,  he  will  be  the  bearer  of  this  to  Baltimore ;  we  would  all 
have  taken  passage  in  the  same  vessel,  but  she  has  no  accommodations  for 
so  large  a  party,  having  only  two  spare  berths.  Mr.  Leidendorf  having 
been  required  to  leave  the  Capital  arrived  in  Carthagena,  but  as  soon  as 
his  entree  in  this  city  was  known  to  Gen.  Montilla,  the  Prefect,  he  was 
immediately  ordered  on  board  the  "  Fortuna,"  and  accordingly  he  goes 
also  a  fellow  passenger  with  Tayloe  and  the  Count ;  the  vessel  left  the 
harbor  that  afternoon  on  Dec.  \lth. 

Jany  31s<,  1820.     I  sent  a  short  letter  by  Tayloe  and  will  now  go  on 


14  Legacy*  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

from  Dec.  14th.  Every  Colombian  appeared  to  view  us  with  an  eye  of 
suspicion,  none  of  them  even  deigned  to  exchange  the  ordinary  salutations 
of  the  country  with  us,  unless  they  happened  to  meet  us  in  some  of  our 
solitary  rides  in  the  environs  of  the  city.  This  completely  disgusted  us, 
and  though  the  Americans  and  English  paid  us  every  attention,  we  all 
evinced  the  same  discontent,  and  coincided  in  the  opinion  that  "  there  is 
no  place  like  home  " —  but,  how  were  we  to  get  there  ?     By  these  two 

;new  comers  from  the  interior,  we  learnt  that  Mrs.  Henderson's  severe  ill- 
ness, prevented  the  Consul  General's  complying  with  the  order  of  Govern- 
ment to  remove  out  of  the  country,  and  that  he  would  probably  be  allowed 
to  remain  until  the  arrival  in  the  capital  of  the  newly  appointed  British  . 

I  Minister.     We  also  were  informed  that  Col.  Torrens,  who  had  received 

:  his  walking-paper  before  we  left,  was  to  be  expected  daily.  We  were  led 
to  believe  too,  that  there  was  no  doubt,  but  that  our  own  Minister  —  Mr. 
Moore,  had  been  guilty  of  some  scurvy  conduct  towards  Gen.  Harrison  in 

'the  course  of  his  late  persecutions.  How  far  he  had  been  engaged  in  the 
intrigue  none  could  tell.  These  intimations  again  set  my  suspicions  at 
work  —  and  I  fancied  I  could  see  in  an  expression  with  which  he  closed 
a  letter  to  me,  (in  answer  to  one  written  him  from  Guaduas  declining  for 
the  present  his  recommendation  to  our  Government)  a  design  to  hasten  the 
General's  departure,  by  again  attempting  to  excite  his  fears.  The  expres- 
sion was  :  "  I  shall  be  uneasy  until  I  hear  that  the  General,  &c,  &c.,  are 
on  board  the  Natchez."     This  letter  I  showed  to  the  General,  but  it  drew 

/  no  other  remark  from  him,  than  "  I  wonder  what  he  means  ?"  High 
minded  and  scrupulously  honourable  himself  in  all  his  transactions,  the 
General  never  could  bring  himself  to  suspect  any  one  of  unfair  dealing 
without  the  most  convicting  testimony ;  for  that  reason  he  silenced  my 
suspicions  against  Moore  when  they  were  imparted  to  him  at  Anolayma. 
He  then  put  more  faith  in  Moore's  profcvssions  than  in  any  circumstantial 
evidence  against  him  ;  but  now  I  discovered  in  some  of  his  casual  re- 
marks, that  his  faith  had  received  a  shock  through  the  reports  of  Leiden- 
dorf  and  the  Count.  It  is  true  owing  to  Mr.  Moore's  interposition,  nothing 
was  rashly  done  by  the  government  in  relation  to  General  Harrison  ;  they 
had  been  satisfied  with  Mr.  Moore's  assertion  that  the  General  and  suite 
would  leave  at  an  early  day.  Mr.  Moore  might  possibly,  even  now,  have 
been  sincere  in  the  expression  quoted  from  his  letter,  as  word  had  reached 
Bogota  at  the  time  of  his  writing  it,  that  Venezuela  had  declared  itself 
dissolved  from  the  Confederation  of  Colombia,  and  Independent  of  the 
Dictator  Bolivar. 

Of  course  a  civil  war  was  to  be  apprehended,  and  Moore  might  have 
supposed  the  General  to  be  in  danger  while  he  remained  in  the  country 
in  consequence  of  the  suspicions  excited  against  him.  It  is  certain  that 
this  movement  in  Venzuela  gave  the  government  extreme  uneasiness  — 
this  fact  —  together  with  the  marked  inattention  with  which  Gen.  Harri- 
son had  been  treated  by  the  Authorities  of  Carthagena,  led  him  to  believe 
that  his  motions  were  watched.  To  ascertain  if  such  was  the  case,  he 
soon  had  an  opportunity  of  addressing  Gen  Montilla  ofiicially  on  the 
occasion  of  his  son  being  prevented,  by  a  sentry  at  the  St.  Domingo  gate, 
from  riding  on  the  sea-beach.  In  answer  to  his  Dispatch,  he  was  told, 
that  the  authorities  had  received  no  instructions  to  circumscribe  his 
movements,  that  the  sentry  had  acted  without  orders,  and  should  be 
punished  for  his  officiousness.  This  satisfied  the  General  for  the  insult 
offered  him,  through  a  member  of  his  family,  and  after  that   the  reserve 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  15 

of  the  natives  in  public  gave  him  no  trouble.  The  affiiirs  of  Venezuela, 
being  now  the  all  absorbing  topic  of  discourse  in  Carthagena,  it  was 
deemed  necessary  by  the  Authorities  in  order  to  divert  public  attention 
from  the  subject,  to  get  up  some  kind  of  an  exhibition  to  amuse  the 
people.  A  company  of  rope  dancers  and  tumblers  were  collected  with 
this  intention,  and  though  they  were  exceedingly  awkward  in  everything 
they  undertook,  it  partially  had  the  desired  effect.  Then  a  public  execu- 
tion was  announced,  but  deferred  from  time  to  time,  till  it  was  thought 
prudent  to  gratify  excited  curiosity  by  immolating  a  poor  culprit,  who 
had  suflSciently  atoned  for  his  offence,  whatever  it  might  have  been,  by 
nearly  three  years  confinement  in  the  truly  noisome  dungeon  of  the  In- 
quisition. He  was  earned  out  of  this  den  of  misery  on  a  mat  by  four 
soldiers,  (he  was  too  weak  to  walk)  and  with  all  the  pageantry  of  military 
and  monkish  pompousness  was  escorted  through  the  principal  streets, 
with  bells  tolling  —  music  playing  —  and  other  mummery  to  the  sea-beach 
under  the  city  walls  at  the  St.  Domingo  gate.  An  upright  post  with  a 
bench  attached  to  it  called  hanquiUo,  was  fixed  in  the  ground  to  sustain 
him.  While  the  troops  were  forming  the  three  sided  square,  the  monks 
were  exhorting  the  prisoner,  and  the  spectators  on  the  battlements  were 
puffing  their  segars  and  cracking  their  jokes  with  as  much  apparent  un- 
concern, as  if  an  ordinary  occurrence  was  about  to  transpire.  When  all 
things  were  ready,  the  file  of  men  drawn  up  in  front  of  the  prisoner,  the 
bandage  tied  over  his  eyes,  his  last  bead  told,  his  last  kiss  given 
to  the  holy  cross,  and  his  final  benediction  received  from  his  ghostly 
comforters,  the  signal  was  given:  hang!  bang!  lohack!  crack!  went 
some  five  muskets  within  ten  feet  of  his  breast,  more  like  a  feu  de  joie 
than  a  regular  volley.  I  do  not  think  more  than  one  bullet  touched  the 
poor  fellow ;  at  all  events  his  white  dress  only  showed  one  spot  tinged 
with  blood,  and  that  above  the  collar-bone.  Every  limb  contracted  with 
agony,  and  his  head  slipped  out  of  the  sling  which  supported  it,  but  this 
was  soon  adjusted;  when  three  more  successive  shots  were  fired,  the  last  of 
which  at  length  terminated  his  earthly  career  and  this  scene  of  slovenly 
butchery. 

In  the  afternoon,  during  the  course  of  our  customary  walk  before  dinner, 
we.  Carter  Harrison  and  myself,  paid  a  visit  to  the  banquillo.  We  found 
it  very  much  slivered  with  old  shot,  but  it  bore  no  indication  of  having 
been  touched  to-day.  While  we  were  examining  it  a  fellow  came  out  with 
a  spade,  dug  it  up  and  carried  it  within  the  walls  for  some  future  ex- 
igency. We  extended  our  walk  along  the  beach,  and  had  not  proceeded  far, 
before  we  heard  the  creaking  of  the  heavy  gates,  and  on  looking  around, 
found  to  our  dismay  that  we  were  locked  out;  this  was  an  adventure  that 
we  did  not  at  all  relish.  We  had  previously  noticed  the  gates  open  till  nearly 
dusk,  and  now  as  the  last  rays  of  the  sun  had  not  quite  yet  disappeared,  we 
justly  considered  it  a  piece  of  mischief  or  malice  in  the  guards.  One  look 
satisfied  us  that  we  could  not  scale  the  walls,  which  at  that  place  are  forty 
feet  high  ;  so  making  a  virtue  of  necessity,  we  very  complacently  marched 
off;  under  them  easterly,  about  half  a  mile,  to  a  place  (which  we  had  before 
designated  as  the  spot  for  storming  the  city,  in  case  that  destiny  should  in 
the  future  place  either  of  us  at  the  head  of  a  force  for  that  purpose) 
where  we  succeeded  without  difficulty.  The  family  were  at  their  dinner, 
when  we  at  last  reached  Bunch's  house,  all  wondering  at  our  strange 
absence.  An  explanation  gave  them  a  hearty  laugh  in  which  we  now  as  cor- 
dially joined,  as  also  in  demolishing  the  good  things  on  the  table,  for  which 


16  LEaACT  OP  Historical  Gleanings. 

last  our  extra  exertions  had  rendered  us  more  keen  than  ever.  Col.  Torrena, 
Charge  d'  Affaires  of  Mexico,  arrived  in  this  the  principal  commercial 
port  and  naval  arsenal  of  Colombia,  about  a  week  after  Tayloe  and  party 
left.  He  brought  nothing  further  new  from  the  interior,  than  we  had 
already  known  regarding  general  matters.  The  Passport  which  he  had 
received  from  the  sapient  Government  intimated,  that  he  should  leave  the 
"  Territory  of  Colombia  tvithin  six  days  !  "  Now,  a  person  can  perform 
the  journey  from  Bogota  to  this  City,  the  nearest  port,  in  twelve  days, 
provided  he  has  relay  horses  on  the  road,  and  a  boat  in  readiness  for  the 
river,  but  a  more  speedy  performance  of  it,  cannot  be  calculated  upon. 
The  Colonel  therefore  very  properly  replied,  that  if  when  the  government 
had  ad-vanced  the  sum  of  money,  which  he  demanded,  and  "  a  pair  of  wings 
were  furnished,  he  would  willingly  comply  with  the  order,  and  not  with- 
out." This  answer  was  indeed  a  spirited  piece ;  it  was  quite  a  dumfounder 
to  the  Government,  and  was  returned  to  Col.  Torrens  upon  the  ground 
that  it,  "  was  not  a  decorous  production."  However,  they  did  not  attempt 
to  enforce  the  order,  and  the  Colonel  took  his  own  time.  His  society  is 
a  great  aquisition  to  the  General.  The  two  X's  were  constantly  together, 
though  the  Colonel's  quarters  were  in  another  part  of  the  town,  and  it 
was  decided  that  we  should  go  in  the  same  vessel  to  the  United  States. 
Colonel  Torrens  appeared  sincerely  attached  to  me,  for  what  he  was  pleased 
to  call,  my  "  intrepid  conduct  at  Bogota."  He  bore  terribly  hard  on  Mr. 
Moore  and  said,  though  General  Harrison  now  would  not  believe  in  the 
perfidy  of  that  man,  he  would  find  him  out  before  a  great  while. 

1  was  very  much  pleased  about  this  time,  at  seeing  my  old  friend  John 
Genl.  He  came  to  this  city  on  mercantile  business,  iiis  time  was  gener- 
ally so  much  occupied  by  day,  that  I  had  but  occasional  opportunities  of 
seeing  him  then  ;  after  dinner  however,  he  was  always  to  be  found  at  Mc 
Farquhars  and  Kensellas  house,  at  the  foot  of  La  Popa,  one  mile  from 
the  city.  I  have  had  many  conversations  with  himself  and  have  also  re- 
ceived several  letters  from  Edward,  they  both  urge  me  to  remain  in  this 
country  and  engage  in  business  at  Santa  Martha  ;  business  there  will  in- 
crease with  the  facilities  of  navigation  on  the  Magdalena.  John  Glen  is 
much  pleased  with  the  idea  and  promises  to  do  his  best  to  assist  me,  he 
says  if  I  am  there  "  we  can  play  into  each  other's  hands.  "  I  could  not 
wish  for  a  better  patron  in  this  country.  My  plans  cannot  be  definitely 
arranged  until  I  see  some  of  the  New  York  merchants — in  accordance 
with  Glen's  advice  — I  will  see  them  and  get  some  consignment  to  bring 
out  with  me.  I  often  would  stroll  out  to  John  Glen's  quarters  for  the  pur- 
pose of  chatting  with  him  and  was  always  accompanied  on  these  occa- 
sions by  some  of  my  newly  made  accquaintauc'es  —  by  Major  Holding  —  a 
Marylander  —  an  old  campaigner  with  the  northern  army  in  the  late  war; 
by  Wm.  McDonald  a  warm  hearted  Scotch  merchant  —  a  musical  love 
sick  swain,  who  used  to  lie  on  his  cot  by  side  of  mine  in  the  Inquisition 
and  dole  forth  his  amorous  ditties  to  his  absent  Isabel  McArcher  of  ''Glas- 
gow city  ;  "  and  sometimes  I  would  ride  with  that  lad  from  Erin, 
Kinsella  himself.  One  evening  I  started  off  with  McDonald  and  was 
joined  on  the  road  by  Maj.  Holding  and  our  Consul,  John  McPherson — a 
brother  of  Major  McPherson  the  Aid  of  Gen.  Montgomery  at  the  assault 
upon   Quebec. 

We  however  arrived  at  the  place  of  rendezvous  before  the  other  couple, 
and  were  chosen  in  a  match  at  quoits,  which  the  party  there  assembled 
had  just  commenced.     As  soon  as  McPherson  appeared,  he  too  was  called 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  17 

to  balance  the  number,  but  as  he  declined  joining  the  game,  the  Major 
took  his  place,  and  at  it  we  went,  while  the  Consul  amused  himself  in 
viewing  the  premises.  Before  our  rub  was  over,  he  became  tired  of  being 
"  in  solitaire,"  and  called  out  to  me  to  go  with  him  to  the  city.  I  refused, 
and  so  did  the  major,  as  also  McDonald  until  one  side  or  the  other  had 
beat.  "Come  along"  says  McPherson,  "I'm  going."  "Let  him  go" 
says  John  Grlen.  "  His  absence  is  better  than  his  company,  he  only  comes 
to  spoil  sport,  because  I'm  here."  The  Consul  replied  to  this,  but  as  both 
speakers  appeared  to  be  perfectly  good  humored,  and  as  I  was  just  then 
engaged  in  conversation  with  another  gentleman,  I  paid  no  attention  to 
them,  until  I  heard  John  Glen  call  the  Consul  "^a  d — d  ungrateful  fellow"  in 
'an  angry  tone.  When  the  answer  was  "  I  am  under  no  obligation  to  you 
Sir."  "  You  are,  and  you  know  it,  you  scoundrel."  "  Do  you  hear  that 
gentlemen  ?  "  says  McPherson,  and  away  he  walked  alone  to  the  city. 
An  explanation  of  the  circumstances  leading  to  this  unlooked  for  mis- 
understanding was  immediately  called  for  and  given  by  Glen.  It  appeared 
that  in  the  course  of  an  intimate  acquaintance  of  twenty  years  standing, 
the  two  parties  had  been  efficiently  useful  to  one  another;  but  the  loss  of 
wealth  had  rendered  MacPherson  so  testy,  that  a  few  weeks  before,  he 
had  taken  so  seriously  an  observation  which  John  Glen  (who  was  always 
scrupulously  neat  in  his  personal  appearance)  had  frivolously  made  of  his 
being  a  "  filthy  fellow,"  that  he  subsequently  would  not  speak  to  him. 
Glen  further  mentioned,  that  when  he  began  the  conversation  as  he  did 
just  before,  it  was  with  the  intention  of  coming  to  a  friendly  understand- 
ing again  with  his  old  friend. 

We  all  knew  MacPherson's  feelings  too  well  to  think  he  would  let  the 
language  he  had  received  pass  without  a  notice,  and  all  feared  the  con- 
sequence of  a  meeting  between  two  such  hot  blooded  fellows,  and  were 
solicitious  to  prevent  it.  I  made  Johu  Glen  promise,  he  would  let  me 
know  if  he  was  challenged;  and  then  hastened  oflF  to  find  McPherson, 
who  was  not  to  be  found  and  I  was  obliged  to  retire  to  my  bed  without 
seeing  him.  The  next  morning  too,  he  so  skillfully  evaded  me,  that  I 
wanted  no  other  proof  that  he  had  sent  a  message  to  Glen.  To  be  thor- 
oughly convinced  however,  I  went  early  to  Kensella's  store  where  T  found 
Dr.  Haney  waiting,  with  whom  I  so  adroitly  entered  into  conversation 
upon  the  subject  of  yesterday's  quarrel,  that  I  understood  from  an  indirect 
admission  that  he  was  a  friend  to  one  of  the  parties.  I  was  now  more 
than  anxious  to  find  McPherson  and  accordingly  started  oif  in  pursuit; 
but  the  first  person  I  met  was  John  Glen.  "  Hollo  !  old  boy,"  says  I  to 
him,  "  you've  got  your  love  letter  have  you?  "  "  Yes,"  he  replied,  "  but 
it  can't  be  help't."  "  It  can't  ?  ha  !  it  can  and  shall  be,  you  shall  not 
fight,"  was  my  answer.  He  quickly  retorted,  "  you  must  not  interfere, 
the  afiair  must  now  go  on."  "  I  will  interfere,  and  you  shall  not  fight  if 
I  can  help  it.  I'm  busy  —  so  ddios."  "  Stop,"  says  Glen  angrily,  "  if 
you  do  any  thing  to  implicate  my  honor  — "  I  interrupted  him  with,  y 
"  nonsense  !  I  understand  that  —  if  I  do,  I  am  answerable,  that's  all,"  and 
away  I  went. 

Major  Holding  was  in  the  Inquisition  square,  as  I  was  crossing  it,  from 
him  I  then  learned,  that  John  Glen  no  doubt  had  selected  Kensella  to 
lefriend  him,  and  that  McPherson  was  in  Folger's  house,  if  not  in  his 
own  office.  After  an  understanding  with  the  Major  to  watch  the 
belligerents^  and  to  prevent  the  duel,  even  if  we  were  obliged  to  resort  to 

II"]  3 


18  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

force  on  the  ground,  I  left  him  for  the  Consul's  office.  Upon  opening  the 
door,  I  saw  a  person  sitting  on  the  sofa  with  his  back  towards  me,  dressed 
in  the  style  of  the  Consul's  dishabille,  whom  I  joyfully  hailed  with,  "  Mac, 
how  are  you."  It  was  General  Harrison,  who  laughed  at  my  mistake,  but 
noticing  my  too  evident  chagrin,  asked,  "  Is  any  thing  the  matter  ?"  I 
hesitated  a  moment,  when  thinking  him  the  most  likely  person  to  arrange 
the  affair,  I  told  him  all.  "  Well !"  said  he,  throwing  down  the  pamphlet 
he  had  been  reading,  and  snatching  up  his  hat  and  cane.  "  It  is  a  pity 
that  two  such  clever  fellows  should  quarrel,  they  shall  not  fight,  at  all 
events.  I'll  put  a  stop  to  it,"  and  away  he  went  to  hunt  up  the  seconds. 
I  now  felt  quite  easy.  I  knew  his  influence  with  the  parties  was  greater 
than  that  of  any  other  person,  and  I  knew  too,  that  his  experience  in  such 
matters  would  enable  him  to  satisfy  them.  Nor  was  I  mistaken.  At  his 
instigation  the  two  seconds  met  before  three  persons  whom  they  chose  as 
Arbitrators  —  viz  :  Gen.  Harrison,  Bunch  and  Fowler;  and  there  it  was 
decided,  that  as  the  words  of  offence  were  given  in  the  heat  of  passion, 
that  the  affair  could  be  dropped  without  discredit  to  either  side,  and  that 
the  principals  should  meet  again  upon  the  same  terms  as  before  the  quarrel. 

I  saw  John  Glen  immediately  after  this  decision  was  made  known  ;  he 
pretended  to  dislike  the  idea  of  my  having  spoken  to  Gen.  Harrison  at 
all,  but  I  laughed  at  him  and  Kensella,  and  remarked  that  I  did  not  care 
a  straw  whether  they  liked  it  or  not,  that  I  had  done  so  of  my  own  accord 
and  upon  my  own  responsibility,  and  that  I  should  have  it  so  understood 
by  every  one.  They  were  upon  the  whole,  contented  with  the  peace- 
able termination  of  the  affair,  and  highly  pleased  with  the  course  of  the 
General,  as  was  every  foreigner  in  Carthagena.  I  saw  the  two  champions 
together  after  this;  but  they  did  not  speak.  John  Glen  went  to  Barran- 
quilla  without  coming  to  an  understanding  with  his  old  friend  ;  for  which 
I  was  extremely  sorry,  as  I  well  knew,  that  each  thought  highly  of  the 
other.  The  conduct  of  these  two  gentlemen,  throughout  the  whole  affair, 
was  such  as  comported  nearly  with  my  own  notions  of  honor  and  chivalry, 
consequently  it  raised  them  higher  in  my  estimation  if  possible  than  ever. 
This  duel  that  might  have  been,  having  now  so  happily  terminated,  I 
suppose  we'll  not  have  a  chance  of  hearing  of  another  during  our  stay  ; 
for  the  two  New  York  packets  Medina  and  Montilla  have  just  come  into 
port.  It  is  therefore  probable  we  will  be  off  in  one  of  them  before  my 
antagonist —  Saunders  —  gets  back  from  Antioquia  where  he  has  been  for 
the  last  three  months,  however,  as  I  am  not  particularly  anxious  to  find 
myself  arrayed  as  a  principal  in  one,  this  event  gives  me  but  little  annoy- 
ance 

We  are  all  well,  the  General  is  in  better  health  than  he  ever  was  in 
Bogota. 

We  have  had  several  letters  from  the  capital,  by  which  it  seems  the 
country  is  quiet  there.  The  authorities  were  making  great  preparations 
to  receive  Gen.  Bolivar.  Triumphal  Arches  &c.  were  erecting,  and  it  is 
probable  that  by  this,  he  has  passed  under  them  ;  his  friends  were  coming 
out  very  explicitly  and  publicly  in  favor  of  a  Monarchy,  but  it  appears 
by  a  coasting  vessel  which  arrived  here  a  few  days  since,  that  the  people 
of  Venezuela  are  opposed  to  such  a  change,  and  have  expressed  their  op- 
position, in  flaming  resolutions  at  a  public  meeting.  This  protestation 
coming  from  the  department  of  Gen.  Paez,  the  man  in  all  Colombia  whom 
.Bolivar  fears  the  most,  may  have  a  good  tendency.  Gen.  O'Leary  has 
returned  to  Bogota,  but  our  hopeful  countryman  Carr  is  left  behind  with 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  19 

his  battalion  in  Antioquia,  a  simple  Lieutenant  still !  So  his  dreams  of 
greatness  are  justly  marred. 

The  moment  General  Harrison  turned  his  back  on  Bogota,  an  attempt 
was  made  on  part  of  the  Colombian  Government  to  excite  Col.  Moore 
against  the  General,  by  telling  him  that  it  was  his  intention  as  soon  as  he 
reached  home  to  open  a  newspaper  warfare  against  him.  Moore  told  his 
informers  that  "  it  was  ad  — d  lie,  he  knew  the  General  had  never  said 
such  a  thing."  Failing  thus  with  Col.  Moore,  th^y  have  by  their  Agents 
endeavored  to  work  up  the  General  actually  to  open  against  Moore,  but 
their  plans  were  too  well  understood.  The  Colombian  Ministers  now  deny 
having  ordered  the  General  off.  I  have  misunderstood  the  Yankee  natioa 
if  the  conduct  of  this  South  American  government  towards  Gen.  Harrison, 
does  not  prove  beneficial  to  him.  Our  joy  at  the  arrival  of  the  American 
packets,  was  not  a  little  alloyed  in  the  knowledge  that  they  could  not  iiiiload 
until  after  New  Years  day.  There  are  now  so  many  vessels  in  port,  which 
will  fully  employ  the  government  lighters  till  Christmas  comes.  Then 
the  Fiestas  commence  and  last  eight  days  when  nothing  is  accomplished 
in  way  of  business.  I  am  not  so  badly  off  as  the  rest  of  our  party  at  the 
wearisome  delay,  for  the  Montillahas  brought  over  a  box  for  me  of  cloth- 
ingj  cakes;  candies;  books  and  letters  from  my  kind-hearted  parents, 
sisters,  friends  and  relatives.  So  what  with  overhauling  the  first,  eating  the 
second,  reading  the  third  and  with  witnessing  and  joining  occasion  dly  in 
the  recreations  of  the  season,  I  was  able  to  vegetate  till  we  were  called  to 
skim  the  deep. 

Christmas,  the  anniversary  of  my  landing  in    Colombia  approached ;  i 
with  it  came  the  usual  routine  of  dancing  —  fire-works,  gambling,  drunk- j 
enness  and  debauchery  of  all  kinds  which  lasted  through  the  second  dayj 
of  the  New  Year.     The  British  frigate  Herald  came  in  port  with  the  long' 
looked  for  new  Minister  Mr.  Turner,  and  the  Brazilian  Minister.     They 
landed  the  day  before  we  embarked,  so  we  had  a  look  at  the  characters, 
as  well  as  of  the  notable  Col.   Wilson,  the  conceited  newspaper  puffer  of 
Simon  Bolivar.     I  announced  their  arrival  to  Consul  General  Henderson 
and  other  friends  in  my  farewell  letters  to  Bogota. 

On  the  9th  of  January  1830  we  bade  farewell  to  the  hospitable,  kind- 
hearted  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bunch  with  other  friends  at  the  bustling  Adudnai 
de  Cartayena  or  Custom  House.  General  Harrison,  Col.  Torrens,  Carter 
Harrison  and  myself  were  rowed  out  in  a  small  boat  to  the  New  York  brig 
"  Montilla"  in  the  harbor ;  we  were  received  with  a  National  salute  from 
the  two  American  vessels.  At  5  oclock  we  weighed  anchor,  our  canvas 
was  then  spread  to  a  light  breeze,  which  in  two  hours  brought  us  to  Boca- 
Chica.  At  this  fort  it  was  necessary  for  the  Captain  (Beekman)  to  land, 
in  order  to  show  the  Commandant  the  clearance  of  his  vessel.  I  availed 
myself  of  the  opportunity  to  see  the  inside  of  the  fort,  and  accompanied 
him  in  his  small  boat.  "  Quien  es  ?  "  (Who  is  it  ?)  hailed  the  sentry  on 
the  dock,  when  we  neared  him.  "  Americans  del  Norte"  I  responded, 
at  the  same  time  jumping  ashore.  "  Halta!  "  says  he.  "  Porque  ?  "  "  What 
for  ?  "  The  only  reply  from  the  sentry  was  another  "  halta"  with  his 
musket  pointed  at  me.  I  then  asked  for  the  Commandant.  The  import- 
ant personage  made  his  appearance  after  a  delay  of  ten  minutes  and  most 
obsequiously  bowed  the  whole  boat's  load  company  within  the  castle,  to 
his  sanctum  sanctorum.  This  was  a  heavily  arched  oblong  room,  one  end 
of  which  was  perforated  by  an  immense  port-hole,  indicating  that  it  had 
once  been  garnished  with  furniture  of  more  substantial  nature  than  the 


20  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

flimsy  cot,  deal  table,  and  three  legged  stools,  now  placed  there  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  woolly-headed  commandant.  The  castle  is  built  in 
the  strongest  possible  manner ;  and  if  it,  as  well  as  the  one  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  entrance  to  the  harbor  were  well  manned,  no  Navy  in  the 
world  could  force  an  entrance.  The  dirty  looking  half  clad,  half  starved 
loungers,  called  a  guard,  were  the  most  miserable  set  I  ever  saw ;  without 
any  other  appearance  of  military  system  than  was  displayed  by  the  solitary 
sentinel,  the  rest  were  oarousing  about  in  squalid  groups,  and  not  a  single 
musket  was  to  be  seen,  save  the  one  pointed  at  me. 

I  acted  as  interpreter  for  our  captain,  and  this  ceremonial  visit  soon 
passed  —  when  being  escorted  to  our  boat,  we  most  cheerfully  responded 
to  the  adios  of  the  polite  officer,  and  shot  ofi"  after  the  brig  which  had 
already  passed  the  Fort.  As  long  as  I  could  distinguish  the  land  through 
the  darkness,  I  remained  pensively  leaning  on  the  taflFrail ;  but  the 
weather  was  hazy  and  I  soon  lost  sight  of  Colombia — perhaps  forever. 
Was  up  the  next  morning  at  daybreak,  found  the  vessel  scudding  along 
with  a  fine  breeze  —  leaving  far  behind  us  a  country  wonderful  for  its 
beauty,  diversity  of  scenery,  and  picturesque  shores.  No  land  was  now 
in  sight  and  all  the  passengers  sick,  servants  alone  excepted  ;  Cato  had  a 
thankful  heart  that  he  was  now  returning  to  an  orthodox  country,  and  his 
reckless  master  not  left  behind  to  be  slaughtered  by  the  tyrannical  Span- 
iards. On  the  12th  we  were  on  San  Pedro's  shoals,  with  Jamaica  in  sight 
all  day  of  the  13th ;  then  a  calm  delayed  us  which  Col.  Torrens  thought 
"  equal  to  the  pangs  of  purgatory,"  it  was  vexatious  enough  in  all  con- 
science to  every  one,  yet  our  sea  sickness  leaves  us.  We  sighted  the 
Isle  of  Pines  in  the  morning  and  the  mountains  of  Cuba  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  18th.  On  the  24th  a  French  Sloop  of  War  passed  us;  and  the 
Mate  —  Tucker —  harpooned  a  porpoise  ;  there  were  plenty  of  the  "  nauti- 
lus" tribe,  or  as  the  sailors  call  them  "Portuguese  men  of  war"  — 
around  us.  The  26th  were  in  sight  of  the  Cape  Florida  and  its  extensive 
reefs  directly  under  us  —  put  about  in  a  hurry.  Came  near  getting  my 
noddle  cracked  by  a  heavy  wedge  which  fell  from .  the  top  mast  to 
deck  just  along  side  of  me.  The  General  thought  me  a  "  queer  one  "  for 
not  jumping  or  even  starting  upon  being  made  aware  of  my  danger.  'Tis 
folly  to  be  frightened  at  "  dangers  past  by." 

This  letter,  as  you  see  by  the  date,  was  commenced  to  send  by  Tayloe ; 
but  his  party  were  hurried  off  so  cavalierly  by  the  authorities —  on  account 
of  Mr.  Leidendorf — and  required  to  sail  the  very  day  of  his  arrival,  that 
I  dispatched  a  shorter  one  by  him,  and  concluded  to  reserve  and  complete 
this  on  the  ocean.  Accordingly,  when  the  fearful  rolling  motion  of  the 
vessel  would  at  times  admit,  I  have  copied  items  from  my  daily  journal  to 
keep  you  advised  of  South  American  affairs.  I  regret  the  possibility  of 
eventually  making  a  fortune  in  that  country  has  been  blighted  in  the  bud, 
I  am  confident  the  prospect  would  have  become  more  and  more  cheering 
as  my  knowledge  of  the  country  increased,  then  with  perseverance,  judg- 
ment and  energetic  exertion,  my  efforts  would  in  due  time  have  been  crowned 
with  success.  Now  I  may  ask  of  the  future  —  "  What  next  !"  It  grati- 
fies me  to  think,  that  the  circumstance  of  the  little  new  comer —  Maria 
Elizabeth  —  possessing  any  of  the  features  of  my  benignant  countenance, 
should  endear  her  so  much  to  the  family.  If  she  takes  after  her  mother  — 
my  dear  sister  Elizabeth,  as  much  in  other  things,  as  she  does  after  me  in 
outward  appearance,  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  call  her  niece  ;  ffor  shall 
Mag's  insinuation,  that  she  is  so  much  handsomer  than  myself,  create  one 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  21 

feeling  of  jealousy.  I  was  going  to  say  —  kiss  and  embrace  — but  not  so 
fast,  I  forgot  that  in  your  country  the  people  are  not  so  polished,  even  if 
they  do  have  Masquerades,  as  to  use  an  embrace  for  a  salutation  ;  but 
never  mind  that,  give  my  best  love  to  all  the  dear  ones  which  will  do  quite 
as  well  —  till  /  can  give  the  embrace.       Truly  Yours, 

Kens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.  Albany,  N.  Y. 


CHAPTER  n. 

South  American  Letters  Continued.  ' 

"  Washington  Dec.  16,  1829.  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  is  in 
this  city,  and  it  was  really  pleasing  to  see  the  universal  respect  paid  to 
his  virtues,  when  he  walked  into  the  House  of  Representatives  a  morning 
or  two  ago.  There  was  scarcely  a  member  of  any  party,  who  had  been  in 
the  House  with  him,  who  did  not  hasten  to  welcome  his  appearance ;  and 
I  never  saw  a  Secretary  in  the  House  with  so  large  and  disinterested  a 
circle  of  friends  about  him.  His  virtues  will  cause  him  to  be  remembered 
and  venerated  when  the  myriads  of  '  ungifted  fools,  that  gallop  after  fame,' 
.shall  have  broken  their  necks  in  the  fruitless  chase,  and  be  lost  in  oblivion." 

Judge  Ambrose  Spencer  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Sir,  ,  Washington,  Dec.  21st,  1829. 

I  have  been  thinking  of  writing  you  for  some  time  past,  but  waited  to 
be  able  to  say  something  worth  a  letter,  &  have  at  last  concluded  that  it 
might  be  a  long  time  before  such  an  event  happened.  I  have  twice  seen 
the  President  &  have  had  the  honor  of  dining  with  him  ;  he  is  as  you  told 
me  a  very  gentlemanly  &  affable  man,  &  I  must  say  treated  me  with  great 
respect.  I  presume  from  what  you  said  to  him,  &  from  the  suggestions 
of  other  friends  he  was  satisfied  that  my  opposition  had  not  been  personal 
nor  malevolent ;  as  yet  however  he  has  not  placed  me  on,such  terms,  that 
I  could  converse  very  freely.  As  regards  your  office  it. would  not  be  ad- 
visable for  me  to  speak,  until  there  be  a  necessity  for  it.  1  have  become 
acquainted  with  your  old  friend  Col.  Johnson  &  took  the  liberty  to  speak 
of  you&  to  present  your  respects  —  he  was  glad  to  hear  from  you,  I  think 
him  an  excellent  hearted  man,  with  pure  and  upright  intentions.  He  is 
chairman  as  you  will  have  seen  of  the  Post  office  &  post-roads  committee. 
Perhaps  a  letter  from  you  to  him,  incidentally  mentioning  Mr.  Isaiah 
Townsend's  petition  for  relief  as  bail  of  Garret  L.  Dox  might  be  useful  — 
the  petition  is  referred  to  that  committee.  It  would  afford  me  great 
satisfaction  to  hear  from  you  occasionally,  I  had  almost  forgotten  to  say 
that  I  have  seen  Maj.  Barry,  &  I  find  him  as  you  described  him  to  me. 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer.  A,  Spencer. 


22  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

T.  K.  Travers  to  Bens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Van,  Bogota,  24th  January,  1830. 

You  have  no  doubt  formed,  ere  this,  an  opinion  that  I  am  a  worthless 
fellow,  and  not  worth  being  numbered  in  your  list  of  friends.  I  must 
acknowledge  that  I  have  in  some  measure  been  negligent,  but  I  am  sure 
when  you  hear  me  out — although  my  apology  may  not  be  a  good  one  — 
you  will  pardon  me.  Soon  after  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  16th  November 
from  Carthagena  Mr.  Brush  had  received  a  letter  from  Bunch  saying 
that  he  must  immediately  come  down  to  Carthagena;  consequently  I  was 
occupied  [as  chief  clerk]  for  some  6  or  8  days  getting  things  in  order  for 
his  departure.  He  left  and  took  his  brother-in-law  with  him,  and  left  me 
as  1/ou  know  alone,  therefore  my  time  has  been  so  much  occupied  in  the 
affairs  of  the  house,  that  I  have  scarcely  had  a  leisure  moment  to  even 
write  to  my  brother ;  vrho  by  the  by  has  returned  again  to  Mompox,  and 
the  last  letter  Irom  him  brought  me  the  good  tidings  of  his  entire  restor- 
ation .to  health.  This  must  do — and  I  will  now  proceed  to  answer  your 
letter  and  give  you  the  news  of  the  day. 

Since  you  left  there  have  been  a  great  many  ups  and  downs.  Poor 
Gooding  has  again  been  pursued,  and  threatened  with  imprisonment  and 
banishment,  but  our  good  little  Minister  protected  him  manfully  and  got 
him  clear.  It  appears  that  Gooding  gave  Mrs.  Urdaneta  a  cross  look  as 
she  passed  by  his  door,  and  she  went  to  Urdaneta  and  said  "  Gooding  was 
conspiring  against  the  Government,  and  that  if  he  did  not  go  to  Vergara 
[Sec.  of  State]  she  would  and  inform  him  of  it.  Gen.  Urdaneta  [Sec.  of 
War]  upon  the  strength  of  this,  wrote  to  Vergara,  and  Vergara  to  Col. 
Moore;  who  immediately  attended  and  requested  him  to  state  the  proofs 
that  he  had  against  Gooding.  The  poor  devil  of  course  could  not  give 
any  ;  and  Moore  told  Vergara  that  if  Gooding  was  sent  out  of  the  country, 
withoutsatisfactory  proof  of  his  being  guilty,  that  the  Government  of  Colom- 
bia would  have  to  answer  to  that  of  the  U.  States  for  such  treatment  of 
her  Citizens.  And  that  he  would  immediately  dispatch  Mr.  Pickett  with 
Gooding,  who  would  take  to  the  Government  'of  the  United  States  a 
statement  of  the  facts  of  this  case,  as  well  as  a  number  of  others.  Don't 
you  say  this  was  bravo  ?  If  he  had  not  acted  in  this  way,  there  is  not  the 
least  doubt  but  Gooding  would  have  been  sent  off  without  having  time 
even  to  say  adios  to  his  friends. 

The  Liberator  entered  this  city  on  the  15th,  and  on  the  18th  he  installed 
the  Congress  :  Suque  was  elected  President  and  Doctor  Estives  the  Arch 
Bishop,  etc.  The  Liberator  after  giving  the  Presidential  chair  to  Suque, 
resigned  the  Supreme  Command;  delivered,  also,  his  Message  —  where-in 
he  says,  he  will  never  again  accept  the  Executive  power.  But  that  if  the 
Country  requires  that  his  sword  should  be  drawn  in  its  defence,  he  will 
draw  with  the  same  Patriotism  that  has  here- to  fore  marked  his  life. 
I  have  sent  his  Proclamation  and  Message  both  to  New  York,  where  no 
doubt  they  will  be  translated  and  published.  You  will  be  pleased  with  them, 
I  am  glad  that  his  sentiments  bespeak  him  the  man  that  I  always  thought 
him. 

The  Congress  are  framing  one  of  the  most  Liberal  Governments  that 
can  be  imagined,  and  you  don't,  now  days,  here  a  whisper  about /?oya%. 
Col.  Moore  gave  a  ministerial  dinner  yesterday,  and  after  it  was  over 
(10  o'clock  at  night)  Gooding  and  myself  went  down  to  hear  how  things 
went  on,  and  to  find  out  what  they  had  been  toasting.     Urdaneta  has  be- 


L:ftGACT  OF  Historical  Gleanings.  23 

come  as  savage  as  a  bull —  and  says  he  has  lost  all  hopes.  Bolivar  is 
furious  with  him  for  his  having  treated  General  Harrison  in  the  manner 
they  did,  he  disapproves  of  the  whole  —  and  says  himself,  that  it  is  a  stain 
upon  the  memory  of  the  Kepublic.  Adieu  my  dear  Van,  and  believe 
me  to  be  always  yours.  Truly  T.    K.  Travers. 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany. 

New  York  Feb.  6,  18.30.  General  Harrison,  late  Minister  of  the  United 
States  to  Colombia,  his  Son,  and  his  Secretary,  Mr.  R.  Van  Rensselaer  of 
Albany,  and  Col.  Torrens  late  Charge  d'  Affaires  of  Mexico  to  the  same 
government  have  arrived  last  evening  (Feb.  5)  in  the  packet  brig  Montilla, 
Capt.  Beekman,  from  Carthagena,  South  x\merica,  having  left  that  port 
the  9th  of  January.  After  a  few  days  of  rest  at  the  City  Hotel,  General 
Harrison  will  proceed  to  the  Seat  of  Government  where  his  reception  will 
be  every  thing  that  he  could  desire,  notwithstanding  his  recall.  Col.  Tor- 
rens was  peremptorily  ordered  to  leave  Colombia  by  General  Bolivar  in 
consequence  of  a  suspicion  that  he  was  inimical  to  the  Imperial  designs  of 
the  Dictator. 

Carthagena,  Feb.  16,  1830. 

Our  political  horizon  bears  the  same  gloomy  aspect,  as  when  I  last  wrote 
you.  The  battalion  de  Bojacca,  Col.  Vargas,  which  left  this  some  weeks 
since  for  Maracaibo,  on  its  march,  robbed  the  treasury  of  Rio  de  la  Hatehe 
01  all  the  tangible,  and  then  joined  the  Venezueleanos.  We  have  not  yet 
heard  how  the  Tiradores  have  atced  except  that  they  are  daily  losing  num- 
bers by  desertion.  Orders  have  been  received  from  head  quarters  not  to  offer 
hostilities,  but  to  remain  for  the  present  very  quiet  —  perfectly  prudent. 
The  renowned  Grand  Marshal  of  Ayacuche  (Gen.  Sucre)  President  of  con- 
gress, proposed  to  that  body  to  grant  the  desires  of  Venezuela,  but  was 
strenuously  opposed  by  Castillo,  when  the  latter  was  sent  for  by  Gen.  Boli- 
var, and  asked  if  it  was  his  intention  to  ruin  the  country,  as  the  measure 
he  objected  to  was  the  only  one  which  could  save  it  from  destruction. 
Subsequently  the  aforesaid  Marshal,  the  Bishop  of  Santa  Martha,  with 
another  person  were  commissioned  to  treat  with  Gen.  Paez  for  a  pacific 
Settement. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ms  Father. 

Dear  Father,  New  York  Sunday  Feb.  7,  1830. 

Before  you  will  have  received  this,  I  presume  the  notice  of  our  arrival 
in  this  port,  will  have  met  your  eye  among  other  notices  of  the  kind  in  the 
Saturday's  papers.  I  should  have  written  you  by  yesterday's  mail,  but 
found  upon  landing  that  I  was  too  late  for  it.  General  Harrison  and  all 
are  now  well,  but  sick  enough  during  our  passage  from  Carthagena.  I 
dined  to  day  with  the  Dr.  Mrs.  Van  Rensselaer,  Mrs.  Visscher  &c  they 
are  well  too,  as  their  letters  of  to  day  will  perhaps  inform  you.  I  there 
had  the  pleasure  of  perusing  a  letter  from  Adeline  to  Mrs.  Visscher  of 
the  1st  inst,  but  was  quite  surprised  at  not  finding  one  for  myself  also  on 
hand.  Our  friends  are  much  pleased  with  Cato ;  Mrs.  Visscher  says: 
"  His  refined  Spanish  manners  did  not  allow  him  to  use  the  old  term  of 
*  Aunti/' — you  know  the  Gentlemen  of  the  South  are  rather  distant!" — 
I  expect  to  close  my  ofiicial  duties  with  the  General  after  partaking  with 
him,  Col.  Torrens  &c  of  an  oyster  supper  at  Mr.  Editor  Kings  to-morrow 
evening.  And  in  the  meantime  satisf'actorilly  to  arrange  my  own  private 
affairs  in  this  place,  that  I  may  then  be  ready  to  leave  this  city  on  Tuesday 
morning  in  the  stage  for  Albany.     If  this  can  be  successfully  effected,  it 


24  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

will  enable  me  to  be  a  guest  (though  an  uninvited  one)  at  your  frolic  on 
next  Thursday  evening.  The  sumptuous  entertainment  you  propose  to 
give  seems  almost  to  have  been  arranged  with  reference  to  and  a  knowledge 
of  my  coming,  as  though  you  had  fathomed  the  secret  of  my  near  approach 
to  America.  It  will  prove  a  joyous  welcome  after  my  stormy  sojourn  in 
the  tropical  clime.  I  wish  the  good  old  General  could  spare  time  to  go 
up  with  me,  but  he  will  hasten  on  to  Washington.  I  bear  Colonel  Moore's 
special  recommendation  to  Mr.  Secretary  Van  Buren  with  me  —  it  was 
received  just  before  our  sailing  from  Colombia.  The  future  seems  to  me 
to  be  closely  enveloped  in  murky  folds.  Kiss  all  the  good  folks  for  me. 
"  Adios  "  —  Yours  truly, 

Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Oen.  Gansevdort. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany  28d  February  1830. 

I  understand  that  some  of  the  members  of  the  Legislature  and  other 
official  characters  have  been  solicited  to  combine  in  an  effort  for  my 
removal  from  office,  as  Post  Master  in  this  city. 

Motives  of  delicacy  do  not  permit  me,  to  advert  to  the  manifest  impro- 
priety of  exercising  a  foreign  influence,  in  reference  to  a  local  station. 

My  public  and  private  life  must  be  familiar  to  you.  It  has  been  my 
ambition,  when  intrusted  with  public  duties,  either  31ilitary  or  Civil  to 
regard  the  just  obligations  that  were  imposed  upon  me.  It  would  be  in- 
delicate for  me,  to  speak,  with  regard  to  my  services  or  character  in  either 
department.  My  name  is,  in  a  measured  degree,  connected  with  the 
Military  transactions  of  the  Country  and  I  am  probably  indebted  to  this 
circumstance  for  much  of  public  favor.  So  far  as  the  duties  confided  to 
my  care  as  Post-Master  of  this  City  are  concerned,  I  think  I  may  with 
confidence,  refer  myself  to  the  public^  in  proof  of  their  Honorable  dis- 
charge. Beyond  this,  it  does  not  become  me  to  speak.  If  aught  is 
expressed  in  your  House  affecting  either  my  honor  as  a  Gentleman  or  my 
proper  observance  of  official  duties,  I  shall  esteem  it  an  act  of  friendship, 
if  you  would  communicate  to  me  the  particulars.  I  am  with  Sentiments 
of  Respect,  your  Obt.  Servt.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

For  Genl.  Peter  Gansevoort,  Member  of  Assembly  for  the  City  of  Albany. 

Wm.  McDonald  to  Bens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Van,  Carthagena,  6th  March,  1830. 

I  am  still  here  in  this  cursed  hole,  dull  indeed  it  is,  but  I  think  it  my 
duty  to  let  you  know  what  is  going  on  here,  so  far  as  I  can  recollect  and 
what  may  be  interesting  to  you,  but  in  the  first  place,  I  hope  you  and 
the  General  arrived  at  your  destination  safe  andy/ee  of  Damage  and  that 
you  found  all  your  friends  in  good  health.  It  is  allotted  that  I  stay  here 
another  Packet,  and  I  think  that  by  the  beginning  of  next  mouth  I  will 
be  on  my  way  to  Porto  Cavello  via  Santa  Martha.  The  disturbance  in 
Venezuela  has  put  them  all  upon  their  Fs  and  Qs  here.  It  appears  that 
Genl.  Paez  is  determined  to  have  a  separate  Government  from  Bogota, 
and  they  say  in  Bo^^ota  that  no  such  separation  shall  take  place,  and  are 
daily  marching  troops  towards  Caraccas.  A  mission,  consisting  of  Genl. 
Sucre  and  one  Bishop  has  left  Bogota  for  Venezuela  to  treat  with  Paez. 
God  only  knows  what  will  be  the  up.shot;  some  say  there  will  be  fighting 
and  others  say  no ;  but  leaving  these  prognostications  aside,  I  can  assure 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  25 

you  that  this  Country  is,  at  present,  in  a  wretched   and  unsettled  state. 
I  wish  my  Fortune  was  made  and  I  was  out  of  it  never  to  return,  but 
"  Oft  in  the  Stilly  night 
Ere  slumber's  chain  hath  bound  me  " 

I  think  of  the  duty  I  have  to  perform,  and  of  her  you  "wot  of"  that's 
"  far  awa."  Silas  E.  Burrows  with  two  gentlemen  left  yesterday  for 
Barranquilla  on  his  way  to  Bogota ;  they  say  he  is  going  to  make  Steam 
rail-roads  from  this  to  the  Metropolis,  we  will  see !  He  got  into  a  sad 
scrape  the  other  day;  he  was  attending  the  '■^fiesta"  at  the  "pie  de  la 
Popa''  drove  out  in  his  carriage,  and  on  its  return  to  Carthagena  the 
horses  took  fright  at  the  musicians.  They  knocked  down  about  half  a 
dozen  of  them,  broke  some  of  their  legs  and  arms,  and  sent  the  instru- 
ments flying  into  the  air;  this  catastrophe  will  help  to  lighten  his  well 
filled  purse  a  little.  I  was  at  Torbaco  last  Sunday  with  Mr.  Fowler,  it 
was  rather  dull  there,  as  scarcely  any  one  was  in  the  place ;  but  I  am 
thinking  to  go  again  and  have  a  peep  at  the  Volcano  there.  You  will  say 
that  it  shows  an  idle  disposition  of  mine,  but  you  know  very  well  I  have 
at  present,  very  little  to  attend  to,  and  that  my  departure  from  this  de- 
pends upon  the  activity  of  others.  Bunch  &  Co.  have  two  vessels  consigned 
them  now  in  the  harbor,  they  are  doing  most  all  the  English  business  in 
the  place. 

Grenl.  Montillo  is  still  here  and  Amador  is  Intendente.  Col.  Rash  left 
this  three  weeks  ago  to  join  the  troops  in  the  interior. 

I  will  now  conclude  with  my  respects  to  Gen.  Harrison,  his  Son,  and 
Mr.   Tayloe.     I  remain  Dear  Van,  Yours  ever, 

Mr.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.        William  McDonald. 

Qen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Wife. 
My  Dear  Harriot,  Washington  March  7,  1830. 

I  wrote  you  of  my  safe  arrival  here  on  Tuesday  the  2nd.  I  then  imme- 
diately called  on  the  Post  Master  General,  he  informed  me  that  two  or 
three  Gentlemen  had  made  inquiry  of  him  whether  there  was  any  prospect 
of  getting  me  removed,  he  told  them  there  was  not  the  remotest;  that  he 
knew  the  President  had  made  up  his  mind  upon  that  subject,  and  unless 
positively  ordered  by  him,  he  would  do  nothing  about-  ifi;  and  they  re- 
marked that  then  they  would  give  themselves  no  further  trouble  about 
the  matter,  so  all  is  safe  here.  I  intended  to  have  left  this  place  to  day, 
but  am  prevailed  upon  to  dine  with  President  Jackson  on  Tuesday,  after 
which,  on  Wednesday  morning,  I  leave  Washington.  General  Harrison 
is  still  at  this  place  and  we  see  each  other  daily.  I  am  kindly  treated  by 
all.  Yours  unalterably  and  truly, 

Mrs.  Van  Rensselaer  Post  Office  Albany.      ^°^-  ^^^  Rensselaer. 

Col.  Castelli  to  Consul  Oenl.  Henderson. 
Republic  of  Colombia. 
Head  Quarters  of  the  Column  of  West  Cazadores,  , 

Mr.  Consul  General.  San  Jose  de  Cucuta,  May  2nd,  1830. 

After  our   departure  for   Antioquia,  I  understood   that  Lieut.  Dabney  ' 
0.  Carr,  of  the  column   under  my  command,  had  officially   carried  many 
stories  to  the  Government,  and  ^iven  a  declaration  against  you,  and  ao-ainst 
his  own  relation  General  Harrison,  Minister  Plenipotentiary  from  the 
II]  4 


26  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

United  States  of  America,  accusing  you  of  being  concerned  in  the  revolu- 
tion of  General  Cordova;  although  we  gave  at  the  time  some  credit  to  his 
Statement  from  not  then  knowing  his  character  well,  he  was  very  soon 
found  out. 

His  conduct  particularly  with  regard  to  the  pacific,  virtuous  and  amiable 
General  Harrison  who  protected  him,  and  who  had  recommended  him  to 
me,  astonished  me  so,  I  never  hesitated  in  considering  him  an  infamous 
fellow,  and  particularly  when  many  officers  informed  me  that  he  gloried 
in  being  capable  of  selling  his  own  father,  if  by  doing  so  he  could  be  ad- 
vanced a  degree.  I  therefore  consider  it  just  to  manifest  to  you  that  I, 
as  well  as  all  the  chiefs  and  officers  of  the  division  abhor  such  conduct  and 
principles.  It  makes  us  blush  to  think  that  we  have  in  our  bosom  a  man 
vile  enough  to  profess  them ;  who  besides  recently  proved  to  us  that  the 
titles  of  spy,  adulator,  traducer  and  false-witness  may  be  considered 
synonymous:  From  his  perfidious  character  which  brought  upon  him 
general  odium  and  from  his  conversations  subversive  of  military  discipline, 
I  sent  from  Ocacia  for  his  passport.  Yielding  afterwards  to  his  supplica- 
tions and  protestations  I  permitted  him  to  continue  in  the  division  ;  but 
his  conduct  becomes  every  day  worse,  and  1  shall  soon  make  him  leave 
the  column  ;  for  besides  what  I  have  told  you  he  does  not  know  his  duties. 
He  applies  himself  to  nothing  but  scandal,  he  has  not  been  of  the  least 
service  in  this,  and  I  do  not  use  spies. 

All  this  I  submit  to  your  knowledge  for  your  satisfaction,  and  that  you 
may  be  convinced  that  the  mode  of  thinking  of  the  Colombians  is  very 
difierent  to  that  of  this  reprobate  in  whom  nobody  now  puts  the  least  faith. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c.  &c.  &c., 
Carlos  Castelli, 
Colonel  Couimandant  in  Chief. 

Mr.  James  Henderson,  Consul  General  from  H.  B.  M.  &c.  &c.  &c. 

"  Recollect  that  history  will  judge  your  fudgmeni^  has  been  too  fre- 
quently reiterated,  by  honorable  and  high  minded  authorities  in  all  ages, 
for  us  not  to  desire  most  earnestly  that  all  these  political  agitations  of  the 
day  shall  soon  have  subsided.  Then  we  may  hope  reason  and  humanity 
■will  again  have  resumed  their  ascendancy  over  the  baser  passions,  and 
that  part  of  the  community,  which  loe  represent,  will  notice  with  expres- 
sions of  deep  regret  and  unqualified  remonstrance,  the  treatment  to  which 
certain  persons  high  in  authority  have  been  subjected.  For  it  is  indeed 
the  exercise  of  a  sacred  right  to  express  their  views,  freely  and  fearlessly, 
in  relation  to  public  measures  which  afiect  the  honor  of  our  country." 

J.  MacpTierson  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Carthagena,  4th  May,  1830. 

I  should  not  have  waited  to  hear  from  you  before  I  wrote  to  you,  if  I 
could  have  found  materials  to  form  a  letter  worthy  of  your  acceptance  and 
perusal.  Carthagena  has  nothing  within  its  walls  worth  noticing.  The 
history  of  one  day  is  the  history  of  a  year.  As  for  the  general  Politics  of 
the  Country,  they  have  assumed  such  a  Protensian  character  (if  I  may 
use  a  word  new  coined  I  believe)  that  I  fancy  the  most  clearsighted  poli- 
tician in  the  World,  would  not  for  two  days  in  succession,  maintain  the 
same  opinion  as  to  the  probable  results  of  the  present  pending  difficulties 
and  perplexities,  into  which  unprincipled  amhition  has  plunged  the 
Country.     I  say  unprincipled  ambition,  for  the  character  of  the  people  is 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  27 

less  turbulent,  tliey  are  less  prone  to  violence,  than  any  other  on  earth. 
Legislators  of  common  honesty,  without  a  grain  of  political  science,  might 
have  ruled  such  a  people  and  led  them  to  prosperity  and  happiness.  But 
this  kindly  trait  of  character  has  been  mistaken  (by  those  who  ought  to 
have  known  it  better)  for  passiveness  and  indifference.  But  ambition 
when  it  takes  possession  of  the  mind  is  blind  to  all  obstacles  that  oppose 
its  gratification,  and  deaf  to  the  voice  of  reason  and  humanity.  The  leader 
or  leaders  of  Colombia,  may  now  be  compared  to  the  thoughtless  boy  who 
withdrew  the  peg  from  the  mile-stone.  When  we  reflect  on  the  dreadful 
scenes  of  blood  in  Mexico,  Buenos  Ayres,  and  Central  America,  we  may 
well  tremble  for  the  fate  of  Colombia.  You  will  be  able  to  appreciate  the 
justness  of  these  apprehensions  when  I  tell  you  that  Casanan  is  in  open 
rebellion.  This  part  of  the  Republic  you  will  see  by  the  Map,  lies  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  Apure,  which  river  divides  Venezuela  from  New 
Grenada.  Reports  say  that  Paez  invaded  it  and  drove  off  large  quantities 
of  mules  and  cattle,  the  property  of  certain  people  in  Bogota. 

Popayan  has  sent  a  Delegation  to  Congress,  in  which  they  say  the 
Congress  is  an  illegal  Body,  in  as  much,  as  it  has  Members  from  Vene- 
zuela, which  forms  at  present,  rio  part  of  Colombia.  They  deny  the 
right  of  coercing  Venezuela  &c.  &c.  In  consequence  of  these  occurrences 
in  Popayan  and  Casanan,  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Ministers  sent  a 
communication  to  Congress,  expressing  his  opinion,  that  in  consequence 
of  the  State  of  Venezuela  under  arms  to  maintain  its  independence,  the 
rebellion  in  the  North,  and  thu  declaration  from  the  South,  a  Congress 
for  New  Grenada  ought  to  forthicith  he  assembled.  This  was  considered 
by  many  in  the  house  (and  no  doubt  was  intended  to  do)  a  dissolution  of 
the  Bond  of  Union  between  New  Grrenada,  Venezuela  and  Quito,  and 
much  violent  debating  was  the  natural  consequence.  The  result  was  not 
known  when  the  mail  left  Bogota,  but  it  appears  that  the  then  resident 
foreign  ministers  sent  in  notes,  in  which  they  declare,  that  as  their  Com- 
missions wefe  directed  to  the  Grovernment  of  Colombia,  their  official 
functions  must  cease  if  a  separate  government  should  be  formed  in 
Bogota.  It  seems  that  Garcia  Del  Rio  and  Juan  Martin  of  this  place 
are  the  most  strenuous  opposers  to  the  President's  communication,  and  in 
consequence  a  hand  Bill  was  sent  out  by  Orbando,  and  another  signed 
"  friends  to  liberty  "  charging  Martin  with  being  an  agent  of  the  King 
of  Spain  and  twitting  Garcia  Del  Rio  with  his  "meditations."  Some  letters 
from  Bogota  say  that  it  is  likely  Bolivar  will  be  named  President; 
others  say  he  certainly  will  leave  the  Country.  He  appears  however 
by  the  Gazette  to  have  solicited  permission  to  have  an  interview  with 
Paez  ! !  Some  letters  from  Bogota  say  that  Paez  was  actually  on  his  way 
at  the  head  of  the  troops  to  the  Capital.  As  you  may  suppose  all  were 
in  dread  and  confusion  —  perhaps  so  intended  to  be,  by  those  who  hope 
to  reap  personal  benefit,  at  the  price  of  blood  and  ruin  of  this 
Country.  I  am  sorry  my  news  is  not  so  patent  as  I  could  wish,  but 
our  Minister  does  not  honor  me  with  his  Correspondence  in  the  slightest, 
which  I  can  only  regret,  but  have  no  right  to  complain. 

All  your  friends  here  are  well  including  Mr.  Glen,  with  whom  I  am 
again  on  good  terms.  Major  Holding  goes  to  Bogota  with  Mr.  Bunch  in 
a  few  days.  Mrs.  Bunch  embarks  by  this  vessel.  The  British  Consul 
General  will  be  down  in  a  few  days,  the  Office  is  done  away  with.  Col 
onel  Campbell  goes  to  England.  Pray  is  nothing  to  be  done  for  the  poor 
Consuls?     General   Harrison,  from   whom  I  have  a  letter  advises  me  to 


28  Legacy  OF  Historical  Gleanings. 

proceed  to  Washington,  when  he  thinks  something  might  be  done  for  me. 
Il  is  however  too  far  to  travel,  for  a  four  years  lease  of  an  office,  the  term 
recommended  by  the  President.  Suppose  this  rule  were  adopted,  and  the 
States  of  the  Union  extended  to  the  Pacific  shores,  what  a  diffusion  of 
patronage  would  be  in  the  hands  of  the  President.  True  policy,  I  should 
rather  think  would  point  out  the  propriety  of  checking  this  increasing 
growth  of  patronage.  In  Great  Britain  the  Icing's  Patronage  is  of  little 
use  to  himself,  and  is  divided  among  the  heads  of  departments  of  govern- 
ment. Not  so  in  the  United  States  :  it  secures  the  President's  powerful 
influence,  and  ought  to  be  kept  down  as  much  as  possible,  for  if  not,  it 
■will  in  time,  prove  dangerous  to  the  Country.  After  all,  the  good  old 
rule  of  holding  office  during  good  behaviour  is  the  best.  It  is  the  best, 
because  the  Country  is  better  served,  men  become  expert  in  their  different 
callings.  Besides  there  is  something  revolting  to  humanity  and  decency 
to  see  a  man  and  his  wife  and  his  children  thrown  out  of  Bread,  merely 
because  he  is  of  certain  politics,  to  make  room  for  another  because  his 
vote  has  been  serviceable  to  a  President,  and  however  the  act  may  be  dis- 
guised, it  is  nothing  more  nor  less  than  downright  bribery  and  corruption, 
as  much  so  as  if  money  had  been  promised  and  paid.  God  knows  there 
is  abundance  of  bad  feeling  brought  into  play  at  our  elections ;  plentiful 
allowance  of  rancor,  divisions  in  families,  broken  friendships,  printed 
slanders  and  abuse  to  degrade  us  in  the  eyes  of  the  world  without  further 
G.VL\\s,\An^  private  feelings  in  the  question  of  who  is  to  be  a  President  or 
Governor.  « 

I  have  spun  out  this  letter  to  a  great'length.  I  have  to  request  that  you 
will  not  mention  my  name  as  authority  for  any  news  from  this  Country. 
Besides  the  danger  it  might  expose  me  to,  I  think  it  unbecoming  my  official 
situation.  I  learn  that  the  Congress  on  the  receipt  of  the  President  of 
the  Council's  Message  "  resolved  that  this  Body  should  proceed  in  the 
consideration  of  a  new  Constitution  without  any  reference  to  the  separa- 
tion of  Venezuela."  The  influence  of  the  foreign  Ministers  may  keep 
things  together,  but  I  think  matters  have  gone  too  far.  Their  advice  will 
not  be  heard  in  Caraccas  or  in  Quito.  It  will  always  give  me  much  pleasure 
to  hear  from  you  and  to  write  to  you.         Yours  truly. 

M.  J.  Macpherson. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  Esq  ,  Albany,  State  of  New  York. 

The  New  York  Commercial  Advertiser's  Comments  on  the  Colombia  News. 

"  The  following  letter  is  from  a  highly  respectable  source,  and  we  an- 
ticipate that  ere  many  mouths,  developments  will  be  made,  which  to 
some  people,  will  be  of  a  startling  character.  Since  the  return  of  Gen. 
Harrison,  the  reader  will  have  seen  that  this  gentleman  has  on  all  occa- 
sions treated  Mr.  Moore,  his  successor,  with  marked  courtesy  and  forbear- 
ance—  nay,  at  the  dinner  given  him  at  Cincinnati,  Gen.  Harrison  had 
the  magnanimity  to  toast  him.  And  yet,  from  the  information  in  our 
possession,  we  entertain  not  a  particle  of  doubt,  that  the  letters  received 
in  this  city,  puffing  Mr.  Moore,  and  casting  aspersions  upon  Gen.  Harrison, 
have  been  written  by,  or  with  the  knowledge  and  sanction  of  Mr.  Moore 
himself: 

Extract  of  a  Letter  dated  Bogota,  14th  May,  1830. 

"  Since  the  election  of  President  and  Vice  President,  Congress  has 
dissolved,  and  its  members  are  returning  to  their  respective  homes.  Gen. 
Bolivar  left  us  on.  the  morning  of  the  8th,  accompanied  by  a  guard.     In 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  29 

his  suite  Canaval,  Grarcia  del  Rio,  Francisco  Martin,  and  lots  of  Generals. 
Those  changes  have  been  the  means  of  bringing  to  lii:ht  more  than  one  | 
vile  intrigue.  Among  others  it  is  currently  reported,  that  here  Gen.  Ur- j 
daneta  not  long  since  sent  for  a  mutual  friend  of  H.  B.  M's  Consul  Gen.j 
Henderson  and  himself,  to  v^hom  he  expressed  his  regret  for  the  harsh! 
measures  he  had  been  induced  to  adopt  to  force  Consul  Gen.  Henderson,  | 
Gen.  Harrison,  &c.,  out  of  the  country.  , 

"  He  attributed  his  proceedings  on  that  occasion  to  Mr.  Moore,  whom  he  j 
gave  as  first  cause  of  suspicions  against  those  gentlemen  of  participation  j 
in  Cordova's  conspiracy  —  and  unequivocally  charged  him  with  the  fabri- j 
cation   of    the    "  assassination  story.'      Those  reports   have   made   your  i 
Minister  very  unpopular  here  as  well   as  De  Bresson  and  Col   Campbell 
who  are  supposed  to  have  been    his  advisers.     There  has  been  a  serious 
misunderstanding  between  the  latter  diplomatist  and  Mr.  Moore  in  conse- 
quence of  this  business.    All  this,  however,  is  most  positively  contradicted 
by  Mr.  Moore.    Be  it  as  it  may,  this  aifair  cannot  now  remain  much  longer 
enveloped  in  mystery.     I  hope  in  a  short  time  to  be  enabled  to  write  you 
more  fully  upon   this   subject.     Col.  Needham  who  has  already  left  this 
for  the  United  States  can  tell  you  more  about  it." 

"  H.  E.  Gen.  Rafael  Urdaneta  informed  Mr.  Agustus  Leland  that  the 
first  person  who  denounced  Gen.  Harrison,  H.  B.  M's  Consul  General, 
and  Mr.  Gooding  as  being  in  communication  with  Cordova  and  as  being 
hostile  to  the  Government  of  Colombia,  was  Leandro  Miranda,  that  the 
Council  told  Miranda,  that  they  could  not  act  unless  he  presented  respecta- 
ble proof  of  his  assertions.  That  the  next  day  when  the  Council  met, 
Mr.  Miranda  was  in  the  chamber  adjoining  the  Council  chamber  with 
Mr.  Moore  the  U.  S  Minister.  Miranda  was  asked  if  he  was  ready  to 
present  proofs,  and  answered  that  it  was  Moore,  who  was  presented  as  such. 
Moore  then  explained  the  charges  made  against  those  gentlemen  and 
Miranda  acted  as  interpreter.  Gen.  Urdaneta  also  observed  to  Mr.  Le- 
land, that  charges  coming  from  so  respectable  a  source  as  a  Min.  Plen  : 
of  the  U.  S.  caused  the  Council  as  well  as  himself  to  pursue  the  steps 
they  had  taken  ;  and  that  he  was  soon  after  convinced  of  their  innocence. 
"  And  that  Moore's  object  could  have  been  no  other  than  to  injure  Gen. 
Harrison,  also  that  the  assassination  story  was  a  fabrication  of  Moore's  to 
ruin  others." 

Edward,  T.  Tayloe  to  Bens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Van,  Washington  July  16th,  1830. 

Yours  of  the  12th  inst.  came  to  hand  yesterday.  It  was  quite  a  pi'opos, 
as  I  had  arrived  that  morning  from  my  farm  in  Virginia.  I  had  been 
prepared  for  the  information  it  contains  by  letters  from  Bogota,  which  I 
found  awaiting  me.  They  all  concur  in  the  statements  of  Moore's  villainy, 
of  which  my  suspicions  have  long  been  awakened  ;  and  circumstances  have 
arisen  to  confirm  them,  though  I  was  always  slow  to  give  them  credence. 
My  information  does  not  difler,  it  appears,  from  what  you  have  received, 
which  saves  me  the  necessity  of  recapitulating  it.  The  developments  have 
been  made  by  Genl.  Urdaneta,  of  whose  integrity  T  have  always  felt  a 
strong  conviction,  however  much  I  condemned  his  measures.  He  would 
have  given  a  certified  statement,  but  Mr.  Turner  —  the  British  Minister  — 
had  demanded  an  investigation  of  the  matter.  Gen.  Urdaneta  thought  it 
better  to  present  his  statement  to  the  Government  itself,  which,  we  are 
assured,  is  prepared  to  do  us  every  justice  in  reparation  of  the  wi'ongs 
inflicted.     Moore's  base  conduct  is  so  well  known  that  all  his  acquaintances 


30  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

have  abandoned  him  —  and  Pickett  and  himself  have  separated.  Travers 
expects  justice  from  Geul.  Jackson.  He  says  that  the  Americans  in 
Bogota,  receiving  no  protection  from  their  Minister,  have  been  compelled 
to  address  a  representation  to  the  Colombian  Government  —  a  copy  of  which 
he  intended  to  send  me,  but  he  seems  to  have  forgotten  to  inclose  it. 
Travers  promises  to  write  me  again  in  a  short  time.  This  letter  is  dated 
May  28.  I  am  going  up  to  Baltimore  to  morrow  morning  and  shall  pro- 
bably go  to  Philadelphia  on  Tuesday  next.  I  shall  lodge  at  the  Mansion 
"House.  My  stay  will  not  be  more  than  one  day  —  perhaps  only  a  night, 
as  I  go  for  a  Sister  who  is  at  school  there,  and  is  desirous  of  visiting  this 
place.  If  you  could  meet  me  there,  I  should  be  delighted  to  see  you  and 
talk  over  our  adventures  by  flood  and  field.  At  a  later  period  I  may  ex- 
tend my  journey  further  to  the  North.  If  you  ever  come  this  way,  you 
must  find  me  out  —  and  I  now  give  you  a  formal  invitation  to  my  farm  on 
the  Rappahannock.  I  expect  to  be  fast  settled  on  it  about  the  first  of 
October  next.  I  shall  always  be  rejoiced  to  meet  my  old  friends,  among 
whom  I  am  proud  to  claim  yourself.  I  have  been  there  a  good  deal  during 
the  Spring  and  Summer  —  and  having  been  appointed  a  Magistrate  by 
my  County  Constituents,  have  now  some  idea  ot  becoming  a  Candidate  to 
represent  King  George  in  our  Legislature.  I  should  feel  more  proud  of 
success  in  being  one  of  the  "  reformed."  I  iiave  not  heard  from  the 
General  since  he  left.  I  remain  Very  truly  Yours, 

Bens.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esqr.,  Albany,  N.  Y.  Ed.  T.  Tayloe. 

"  If  such  oppression  and  outrages  are  to  be  met  by  the  great  body  of 
the  American  people  with  silence  and  tame  submission,  then  I  confess  that 
I  have  been  mistaken  in  the  character  of  the  country  which  has  given  me 
birth.  Is  there  on  the  records  of  diplomacy  such  an  instance  of  ignorance 
and  perfidy,  as  the  successor  of  a  diplomatic  agent  to  denounce  to  the 
government  of  the  country  where  he  resides,  his  predecessor  (whose  cre- 
dentials in  matters  of  trust  and  importance  now  for  the  first  time  had  been 
most  unjustly  sullied)  with  the  evident  design  of  seeing  him  ruined  by 
vile  intrigues  that  are  despicable." 

Oen.  Harrison  to  Bensselaer  Van  Rensselaer. 

My  Dear  Sir,  North  Bend,  Aug.  15,  1830. 

Your  letter  of  the  20lh  Ultimo  reached  me  a  few  days  ago.  That  which 
you  wrote  before  had  previously  been  received  but  the  two  News-papers 
did  not  come  to  hand  until  some  time  after  ;  the  delay  of  all  was  owing 
to  their  being  directed  to  Cincinnati  ofiice  instead  of  Cleves  which  is  on 
my  own  land. 

I  have  received  letters  frequently  of  late  from  Bogota,  viz.,  from  Mr. 

'  Henderson,  Meyers,  and  Gooding  —  also  a  few  days  ago  one  from  Dr. 
Cheyue.  Gooding  openly  denounces  Moore  as  being  the  sole  Author  of 
all  the  Violent  Conduct  of  the  Government  of  Colombia  against  Mr.  Hen- 
derson and  myself.  Cheyne  writes  to  me  as  he  says  at  the  request  of 
Moore  to  induce  me  to  suspend  my  opinion  of  the  latter  until  I  can  see 
the  manner  in  which  he  has  spoken  of  me  in  his  letters  to  the  Govt. 
Cheyne  is  very  bitter  against  Mr.  Henderson.  I  have  however,  heard  and 
seen  enough   to  convince  me   that  Moore   was  really  the  Author  of  the 

,  whole  plot.  Still  /will  not  be  his  accuser.  But  I  will  certainly  leave 
my  friends  to  dct  as  thei/  may  think  best.  I  have  thought  that  the  wisest 
plan  was  to  suffer  the  disclosure  of  his  perfidy  in  my  case  to   grow  out  of 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  31 

the  development  of  his  subsequent  misconduct  to  others.  His  Malignant 
disposition  will  not  suffer  him  to  be  idle  a  Moment,  there  must  be  some 
one  on  whom  to  Visit  his  gall.  It  appears  that  he  has  quarreled  with 
Pickett  as  well  as  Gooding,  and  it  is  asserted  that  he  has  offered  to  pledge 
his  Government  for  the  support  of  Bolivar.  If  this  is  true,  an  inquiry 
will  unquestionably  be  made  by  Congress  and  his  whole  conduct  exposed. 
It  is  better  that  the  accusation  should  be  brought  by  any  one  but  me, 
whether  it  be  the  Public  or  the  National  Legislature  which  is  to  try  him. 
It  would  be  looked  upon  as  the  effect  of  jealousy  and  rivalship,  and  proof 
strong  as  holy  writ  would  not  satisfy  his  party.  At  least,  I  do  not  wish 
to  be  placed  in  that  attitude.  I  look  upon  his  conduct  towards  me,  with 
the  most  perfect  contempt  and  will  not  deign  to  consider  him  as  a  rival.  I 
must  confess  too,  that  I  was  so  far  deceived  by  his  professions  as  to  come 
under  mutual  obligations  of  friendship  with  him.  No  inducement  could 
ever  make  me  the  first  to  violate  engagements  of  this  kind  as  long  as  there 
was  the  least  hope  that  he  had  not  been  treacherous.  He  has  now  through 
Cheyne  requested  a  suspension  of  my  opinion  and  certainly  will  accord  to 
it  so  far  as  not  to  throw  any  influence  I  may  possess  in  bearing  him  down 
until  I  am  possessed  of  the  whole  ground.  However,  his»  conduct  towards 
others  has  been  such  as  to  prevent  my  interference  as  to  them  ;  indeed  as 
I  said  above,  as  to  my  own  affair  with  him,  I  leave  my  friends  to  act  as 
they  may  think  proper  under  the  circumstances  which  may  be  presented 
to  them,  if  they  think  that  my  Defence  against  the  charges  of  his  friends 
can  be  only  made  good  by  carrying  the  war  into  his  quarter,  I  will  oppose 
no  obstacle.  I  saw  a  few  days  since  in  a  late  N.  Y.  Enquirer  a  most  base 
attack  upon  me.  Carter  was  here  yesterday,  but  has  returned  to  College, 
be  desired  to  be  affectionately  remembered  to  you.  I  wish  you  would 
communicate  with  Mr.  Tayloe,  and  whatever  your  joint  counsels  may  de- 
termine to  be  best,  that  do.     My  regards  to  your  father. 

Your  affectionate  friend, 

W.  H.  Harrison. 
Col.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  New  York. 

Thomas  K.  Travers  to  Bens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Van,  Bogota  30  August  1830. 

When  Mr.  Henderson's  family  left  Bogota  I  was  in  Honda,  upon 
business  of  the  house.  Qn  their  arrival  there  I  gave  up  my  house  to  them, 
and  treated  them  as  well  as  my  limited  means  would  allow.  Weo/^made 
a  tour  to  the  Mines  of  Sta  x\una  &c.  To  see  the  girls  dressed  —  in  jacket 
and  trowsers  with  a  flannel  shirt  over  all,  and  a  black  sooty  miners  night 
cap  over  their  heads  —  formed  a  most  laughable  scene.  And  to  conduct 
Miss  Fanny  down  the  subterranean  vaults  of  the  mine,  filled  me  with  such 
a  feeling  that  I  cannot  find  words  adequate  to  express  myself.  We  all 
descended  82  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  earth,  into  dungeons  dark  and 
dismal  where  the  appearance  of  the  black  and  sooty  miners  made  one  be- 
lieve that  he  had  entered  another  world.  After  having  passed  two  days 
with  Capt.  Cheynne  we  returned  to  Honda  ;  they  embarked  the  next  day 
for  Carthagena.  * 

We  have  just  got  over  a  revolution,  with  which  we  have  been  kept  for 
the  last  21  days,  expecting  every  moment  to  be  our  last.  The  Battalion 
of  Callao,  which  marched  from  this  City  on  the  5th  for  Venezuela,  pro- 
ceeded as  far  as  Tepaquine  where  they  were  re-enforced  by  some  150 
peasants  of  the  plains,  and  marched  back  upon  this  City  to  overthrow  the 


32  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Government.  Cols.  Johnston,  Jackson  and  Capt.  MacManus  also  joined 
them  and  succeeded  in  getting  about  100  Cavalry,  under  the  command  of 
the  former.  The  Government  in  consequence  of  having  no  troops  to  sus- 
tain it  was  compelled  to  surrender,  after  having  had  a  most  bloody  battle  in  , 
which  they  lost  near  200  men  killed  and  wounded,  and  over  400  taken 
prisoners,  to  the  rebels.  The  country  at  the  present  time  is  in  a  complete 
state  of  anarchy  ;  both  the  President  and  Vice  President  have  declared 
that  they  will  resign  their  faculties  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels;  if  they 
do  there  is  no  knowing  the  consequences. 

Colombia  is  now  forever  lost,  and  a  scene  of  civil  war  must  inevitably 
be  the  future  fate  of  the  country;  and  I  would  not  at  all  be  surprised  if 
the  people  in  town  arise  and  murder  each  other  at  the  point  of  the  knife. 
Such  is  the  feeling  at  present,  that  no  person  is  seen  in  the  streets  after 
six  o'clock  at  night.  The  only  resource  which  the  Government  have,  is 
from  Paez,  and  many  seem  to  think  that  he  will  immediately  on  hearing 
the  fate  of  Bogota  march  10  or  12000  troops  to  the  assistance  of  the  Gov- 
ernment. Without  it,  the  Country  is  lost,  and  will  be  sacrificed  to  the 
mercy  of  guerrilla  parties,  which  will  form  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  for 
its  destruction.  •  All  my  hopes  of  tranquillity  being  restored  are  now  en- 
tirely at  an  end,  blasted,  and  I  do  not  think  —  with  the  exception  of  Paez, 
or  Bermudas  —  there  is  any  man  in  the  Country  capable  of  sustaining 
order.  As  for  Bolivar,  he  has  had  his  day  —  and  to  replace  him  at  the 
head  would  be  perfect  madness.  He  can  never  retrieve  again  the  good 
name  he  had,  and  the  people  generally  are  so  inveterate  against  him,  that 
I  believe  were  he  again  established  by  the  military  (for  by  them  he  must 
be,  if  he  ever  is)  he  would  be  assassinated  in  less  than  two  weeks.  A  new 
election  of  President  and  Vice  President  takes  place  next  month.  Poor 
Gooding  in  consequence  of  his  enthusiastic  liberality  has  been  compelled 
to  flee  from  Bogota.  I  saw  him  start  this  morning  for  the  village  of  Ca- 
quisa  accompanied  by  Mr.  Secretary  Pickett  and  Leland.  I  have  by  great 
good  luck  and  precaution  managed  to  steer  clear,  and  weather  the  storm. 
This  instance  has  doubly  proved  to  me  the  necessity  of  a  foreigner  keeping 
himself  from  meddling  with  politics  in  this  country,  and  I  now  know  that 
it  is  a  wise  man  who  can  take  care  of  himself. 

Lieut.  I).  0.  Carr,  who  fought  for  the  Government  is  dangerously 
wounded,  having  his  left  thigh  and  arm  broken.  I  think  he  cannot  live 
more  than  a  few  days.  His  bravery  in  this  affair  is  almost  enough  to 
redeem  his  former  bad  conduct,  and  I  felt  so  much  for  his  situation,  that 
I  went  to  see  him  and  offer  my  services  as  far  as  they  extended. 

Sept.  2nd.  To  day  at  half  past  three  o'clock  Geul.  Bolivar  was  pro- 
claimed in  the  Square,  Dictator  of  the  Republic ;  and  a  dispatch  imme- 
diately was  sent  off,  to  call  him  to  the  Capital.  Gen.  Urdaneta  is  left 
supreme  chief,  beside  the  Minister  of  War.  L  lores,  in  the  South,  is  also 
using  all  measures  to  force  himself  upon  the  Capital,  and  it  is  said  he  has 
3000  men  under  his  command.  Pasto  was  by  the  latest  news  from  that 
quarter,  in  a  state  of  great  agitation,  and  has  risen,  no  doubt. 

Sejyt.  27th.  Poor  Carr  died  of  the  wounds  he  received  in  the  battle. 
We  have  received  news  from  Carthdgena  that  the  city  has  pronounced  in 
favor  of  the  Liberator  declaring  him  Generallsimo  de  la  Ri'imbUco  and 
the  same  express  brings  intelligence  that  Venezuela  was  in  a  state  of  re- 
volt. We  are  on  the  very  brink  of  another  contest  in  the  Capital.  Late 
yesterday  evening,  positive  news  was  received  that  Genl.  Lopez  had  ordered 
1500  rations  on  La  Mera  —  a  small  town  about   15  leagues  from  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  33 

Capital  — and  intended  to  proceed  immediately  to  the  plains  of  Bogota  — 
A  bloody  contest  will  inevitably  decide  the  victory.  We  have  dates  from 
the  South  up  to  the  5th  of  August  at  which  time  Grenl.  Flores  was  very  ill 
and  his  army  at  a  stand.  Yours  always,  truly, 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany.  RoLLO. 

C.  B.  Meyers  to  Benss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Sir,  Bogota  Sept  22, 1830. 

I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  much  esteemed  favor  dated 
the  1st  July,  and  have  read  the  contents  with  due  attention.  I  am  happy 
to  hear  that  you  are  well.  I  had  a  letter  from  our  much  esteemed  and 
mutual  friend  General  Harrison,  but  none  from  Mr.  Carter  Harrison  nor 
Mr.  Tayloe  since  14th  May.  Lieut.  0.  Carr  was  in  the  action  on  the  27 
August  on  the  Government  side,  he  was  severely  wounded  and  died  about 
10  days  ago.  We  had  sharp  work  some  times,  and  the  blue  pills  were 
surging  often  over  the  Huerta  de  Jayme.  The  Liberator  General  Bolivar 
is  called  back  again  as  President.  During  the  disturbances,  the  Liberals 
in  town  here,  were  outrageous  against  all  foreigners;  even  foreign  Ministers 
did  not  escape  their  great  rage.  Col.  Moore,  your  Minister  was  publicly 
insulted  in  the  streets,  and  many  other  outrageous  acts  were  committed. 
This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  my  particular  friend  Mr.  John  Sadler,  whom 
I  beg  to  introduce  to  your  acquaintance,  and  all  civilities  you  are  pleased 
to  confer  on  my  friend  shall  be  considered  as  shown  to  myself  Mr  Sadler 
will  be  able  to  tell  you  all  that  has  happened  here  in  the  Political  way 
the  last  few  months.  No  doubt  at  the  arrival  of  the  Hendersons  you  must 
have  been  very  busy  my  dear  fellow,  to  please  the  young  ladies.  Did 
Mr.  Henderson  and  family  go  to  Washington  ?  give  me  a  long  account 
what  they  did  during  their  stay  —  When  did  they  leave  for  England  ? 
God  bless  you  and  let  you  enjoy  prosperity  and  happiness. 

Your  sincere  friend, 
Renss.  Van  Rensselaer  Esq.,  Albany,  N.  Y.  C  B.  Meyers. 

Reus.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Gen.  Harrison. 
My  dear  General,  Albany,  Oct.  9,  1830. 

Your  favor  dated  Aug.  15th,  was  duly  received,  since  which  I  have 
written,  and  received  from  Tayloe.  letters  upon  the  subject  of  which  it 
treated.  I  have  also  consulted  with  our  friends  —  not  only  in  this  quarter, 
but  from  various  parts  of  the  State,  all  agree  that  Mr.  Moore  should  be  i 
exposed,  though  they  differ  as  to  the  time.  Tayloe,  for  instance  who  was  \ 
fearful  that  the  proofs  were  not  strong  enough,  was  for  delaying  until  tj^ey 
could  be  procured  from  Colombia.  Others  thought  the  quarrel  of  too 
much  importance  for  Mr.  Clay's  interest,  to  be  pushed  at  present;  they 
wished  it  to  be  kept  back,  until  a  nearer  approach  to  the  period  of  the 
Presidential  Election  as  the  effect  would  then  be  greatei".  Tayloe,  however, 
has  lately  seen  Mr.  Henderson,  from  whom  he  obtained  the  most  convinc- 
ing proofs  of  Mr.  Moore's  perfidy,  and  is,  as  I  understand  from  Mr.  Hen- 
derson, ready  and  anxious  to  commence  the  exposition  at  once.  I  am 
quite  as  anxious  as  he  can  be,  particularly  as  this  morning  for  the  first,  I 
came  across  the  "  base  attack"  upon  you  in  the  N.  Y.  Courier,  to  which 
you  probably  allude.  That  article  was  the  very  thing  I  wished  for,  and 
courted  at  the  time,  and  I  am  deeply  mortified  at  not  having  seen  it  until 
to  day,  when  looking  over  the  file  of  the  paper  in  question,  with  Mr.  Hen- 

II]  5 


34  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

derson  at  the  Albany  Atheneum.     The  "  attack"  to  which  1  supposed  you 
did  refer  was  the  one  to  which  "  Viator"  was  an  answer.     I  am  now  ap- 
prehensive, that  if  we  commence  until  after  another  arrival  from  Colombia, 
or  until  after  the  departure  of  Mr.  H.  for  England  — it  will  be  considered 
nothing  but  a  manoeuvre  to  benefit  Mr.  Henderson,  of  which  he  himself 
;  is  the  instigator.     This  I  strongly  imagine  would   be  the  case,  as  it  is  so 
I  well  known  that  your  course  is  so  nearly  identified  with  his.     For  that 
'  reason  I  am  happy  that  I  suggested  to  Tayloe,  a  few  days  since,  the  pro- 
priety of  postponing  any  publications  until  we  could  hear  from  you  upon 
the  subject. 

Mr  Henderson  recollects  that  1  mentioned  to  you,  my  suspicions  of  Mr. 
Moore's  agency  in  your  persecutions,  when  at  Anolayma,  and  you  Sir,  may 
remember  the  same.  Yet,  as  you  silenced  me  then,  by  your  seeming  de- 
cisive confidence  in  his  probity,  I  did  not  presume  to  mention  all  the 
grounds  of  those  suspicions.  But  now,  since  it  is  evident,  that  you  were 
deceived  by  Moore's  jJ^o/essions,  I  deem  it  proper  to  give  you  a  candid 
statement  of  the  circumstances  which  then  awakened  my  distrust  of  him. 
After  the  departure  of  yourself,  Tayloe  and  Dr.  Cheyne  for  Anolayma.  I,  as 
his  temporary  host,  had  many  opportunities  of  private  conversation  with 
Moore.  In  one  of  these  he  animadverted  so  wantonly,  as  I  thought,  upon 
your  conduct  and  character,  that  although  I  looked  upon  him  as  my 
future  patron,  I  felt  so  much  provoked  (notwithstanding  his  professions 
of  personal  friendship  for  you),  as  to  decline  consulting  him  upon  the 
course  proper  to  be  pursued  after  the  fact  of  Carr's  deposition  came  to  my 
knowledge,  and  against  the  advice  of  Torrens  and  Leidendorf,  I  took  my 
own  measures  to  inform  you.  That  Mr.  Moore  was  displeased  at  my 
course  was  indicated  in  his  first  exclamation  after  hearing  from  me,  that 
I  had  sent  you  a  letter.  "Why  did  you  not  consult  me  first  ?  "  my  answer 
"  did  not  want  to  trouble  you" — apparently  satisfied  him.  But  when  I 
told  him  Leidendorf's  fears,  that  your  house  would  be  examined  for 
papers  by  the  orders  of  a  desperate  Government,  his  advice  that  I  "should 
put  on  a  bold  front  and  allow  the  examination"  so  thoroughly  excited  my 
indignation,  that  forgetting  the  respect  due  to  his  station,  I  swore,  "  it 
should  never  be  permitted  while  1  lived,"  and  abruptly  left  his  room. 

Such  conduct  satisfied  Mr.  Moore  of  my  will  to  support  your  interests 
and  honor,  and  as  he  knew  that  I  had  left  him  with  an  impression  of  his 
hostilitij  towards  yourself,  he  saw  the  necessity  of  lulling  my  suspicions, 
accordingly  he  followed  me  with  counsel  to  "  keep  cool''  and  he  "would 
go  out  and  inquire  into  the  afifair."  A  variety  of  circumstances,  unne- 
cessary now  to  mention  had  rendered  me  apprehensive  of  a  possibility  of 
truFli  in  Carr's  charges,  of  course,  I,  being  the  only  member  of  your 
family  on  the  ground,  thought  it  my  sacred  duty  to  prevent  an  examination 
of  your  house  for  papers  at  any  hazard,  and  made  every  preparation,  for 
that  purpose,  in  my  power.  You  may  judge  then  of  my  emotions  when, 
Mr.  Moore  entered  my  room  at  mid-night  and  declared  himself  satisfied 
with  the  steps  I  had  taken,  and  his  determination  to  support  you.  I  felt 
as  if  the  burden  of  Atlas  had  been  lifted  from  my  shoulders.  My  doubts 
of  Mr.  Moore  vanished  and  I  willingly  thought  I  had  wronged  him  ;  but 
he  had  not  sufficient  art  to  keep  up  the  new  impression.  In  the  conver- 
sation which  ensued,  he  again  evinced  a  pique  against  you,  and  although 
I  could  not  fathom  his  motive,  I  saw  his  hypocrisy,  and  my  contempt  for 
him  was  heightened  by  the  relation  he  gave  me  of  his  nights  pastime  with 
his  pimp,  the  young  Bolivar.     Notwithstanding  this,  I  now  was  convinced 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  35 

that  he  would  not  dare  to  suifer  the  outrage  which  I  had  dreaded,  con- 
sequently the  next  morning,  after  ascertaining  that  my  messenger  had  been 
frightened  back  to  the  city  with  my  letter,  I,  as  if  fully  depending  upon 
Mr.  Moore's  sincerity,  committed  the  house  to  his  care  and  carried  you 
the  news  myself.  Previous,  however,  to  leaving  the  Huerto  on  this  errand, 
in  the  conversation  had  with  Mr.  Moore,  he  endeavored  to  dissuade  me 
from  going,  by  assurances  that  there  was  no  necessity  for  incurring  the 
risk  —  as  jouv  person  would  be  held  sacred  &c. 

His  repeated  interviews  at  this  time  with  Miranda  I  often  mentioned 
to  you.  His  declaration  that  your  Dispatches  had  been  opened  and  read  — 
that  you  would  have  been  expelled,  if  you  had  not  been  recalled  from  the 
country,  his  desire  to  quiet  you  upon  the  subject  of  Gooding's  imprison- 
ment, and  of  the  indignities  oiFered  yourself — all  evince  foul  play .  Mr, 
Moore  knew  that  I  suspected  as  much,  and  did  all  he  could  to  eradicate 
the  suspicion,  or  at  least  to  prevent  an  expression  of  it.  He  has  sent  me 
several  flattering  letters,  one  of  recommendation  to  Mr.  Van  Buren  for 
the  Consulate  of  Santa  Martha.  They  are  weapons  which  may  be  used 
hereafter  if  necessary,  to  repel  any  attack  he  may  make  upon  my  testimony. 
Facts  have  now  come  to  light  in  consequence  of  the  late  revolution  in 
Colombia  which  have  fully  justified  all  the  suspicions  I  entertained  of  Mr. 
Moore.  I  have  seen  a  letter  for  instance  from  Gen.  Urdaneta  to  Mr.  Hen- 
derson, in  which  he  avers  his  will  and  ability  to  prove  Mr.  Moore  the  in- 
stigator of  all  the  suspicions  which  the  Colombian  Government  entertained 
against  yourself  and  others.  Besides  this,  I  have  certificates  (which  I  in- . 
close)  from  Col.  Hogan,  Tiuoeo.  Leland  and  Gooding,  to  prove  that  Gen-  . 
eral  Urdaneta  ptihllcly  denounced  Mr.  Moore,  as  the  informer  of  your  i 
participation  in  Cordova's  conspiracy,  and  in  the  assassination  plot.  These 
certificates  prove  positively  also,  that  xMr.  Moore  has  not  only  written  home 
himself  to  prejudice  your  own  countrymen  against  you,  but  that  he  has 
employed  others  to  do  the  same.  Under  all  those  circumstances  I  cannot 
conceive  you  bound  to  respect  his  request,  that  you  will  suspend  your 
opinion  of  him,  or  that  yoa  should  restrain  your  friends  from  promptly 
exposing  his  perfidy. 

If  he  has  written  as  favorably  of  you  to  our  Government,  as  he  would 
lead  you  to  infer  —  I  can  only  say  that  it  is  in  accordance  with  his  dupli- 
city of  Character,  and  that  I  have  a  worse  opinion  of  him  for  that  than 
ever.  It  is  an  evidence  of  his  little  cunning,  but  that  will  not  avail  him 
if  we  proceed,  which  I  shall  do  unless  expressly  desired  not  to  do  so  by 
yourself. 

It  appears  that  Mr.  Moore  has  realized  nothing  from  his  fellow  country- 
men resident  at  Bogota  but  their  undisguised  contempt,  for  his  conduct 
to  you,  and  to  punish  them  for  it,  I  have  Mr.  Henderson's  authority 
for  saying,  that  he  denounced  them  likewise,  to  the  Government  for  meet- 
ing at  Traver's  house  for  political  purposes.  This  indeed  was  the  cause 
of  the  difference  between  him  and  Pickett,  who  was  included  in  the  denun- 
ciation. Mr.  Henderson  and  family  sail  for  Europe  on  the  i6th,  they 
desire  to  be  remembered  to  you  as  well  as  to  Carter, 

With  great  respect,  Your  Obt.  Servant. 

Gen.  Wm.  H.  Harrison,  Cincinnati  Ohio.         R.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Mr.  Agustus  Leland  certifies,"  that  Mr.  Moore  declared  that  he  had  / 
sent  an  article  to  Mr.  Ogden  in  New  York  to  be  published  against  Gen.  / 
Harrison  and  Col.  Torrens.     I  likewise  certify  that  Mr.  Moore  said  hsi 


36  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

sent  one  of  the  severest  articles  possible  against  Gen.  Urdaneta,  to  be 
published  in  the  U.  States,  but  that  since  that  General  had  lately  been 
appointed  Commandant  General  he  had  written  to  try  to  prevent  the 
publication  of  the  said  article." 

Oen.  Harrison  to  Bens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

My  dear  Sir,  North  Bend,  4th  Nov.,  1830. 

Your  favors  inclosing  the  copies  of  certain  certificates  in  relation  to  the 
conduct  of  Mr.  Moore  did  not  reach  me  until  a  few  days  ago,  in  conse- 
quence of  their  being  directed  to  Cincinnati  rather  than  Cleves  which  is 
the  post  town  near  to  me.  Ill  health  had  prevented  my  going  to  Cincin- 
nati for  some  weeks,  and  your  letters  remained  in  the  office  there  until 
last  Friday,  when  I  took  them  out.  I  should  have  answered  them  on  the 
succeeding  day,  but  in  the  night  a  Messenger  arrived  to  inform  me  of  the 
extreme  illness  of  my  eldest  Son,  who  lived  in  Kentucky  two  miles  from 
me.  I  barely  arrived  at  his  house  time  enough  to  see  him  expire.  He 
has  left  six  children  who  will  be  in  a  great  degree  dependent  upon  me 
for  education  and  support.  My  son  married  the  daughter  and  only  child 
of  General  Pike,  His  death  is  the  most  severe  affliction  I  have  ever 
experienced. 

'  I  have  not  a  shadow  of  doubt  remaining  as  to  Moore's  guilt  to  the 
utmost  extent  that  the  Certificates  go.  I  have  however  strong  reasons 
for  wishing  to  delay  a  newspaper  discussion  in  relation  to  his  conduct.  I 
will  mention  one  of  them  :  the  Ohio  Elections  have  just  terminated,  and 
it  is  ascertained  that  there  is  a  Majority  of  Anti-Jacksonians  in  the  Legis- 
ture,  but  extremely  small  not  exceeding  two  or  three.  I  shall  be  a  can- 
didate for  the  Senate,  and  I  am  not  certain  that  the  friends  of  Mr.  Clay 
will  not  bring  forward  some  other  person.  In  the  event  of  the  Jackson 
party  perceiving  clearly  that  they  cannot  elect  one  of  themselves,  the 
great  majority,  perhaps  the  whole  will  support  me. 

The  four  elected  from  this  county  and  several  others  in  different  parts 
of  the  State  will  vote  for  me  even  if  they  should  have  a  candidate  of 
their  own  party.  Under  these  circumstances  it  would  be  very  unpleasant 
to  have  the  leading  papers  come  down  upon  me  as  they  certainly  would. 

The  course  that  I  have  thought  of  as  the  best,  I  will  communicate  in 
another  letter.  My  mind  is  at  present  so  very  much  disturbed  that  I  can 
only  request  you  to  give  my  affectionate  regards  to  your  father  and  believe 
me  most  truly  yours  '  W.  H.  Harrison. 

Col.  R.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany  N.  Y. 

Extract  from  Mr.  Henderson's  Memorandum,. 
Consul  General  Henderson  writes  :  "  The  interference  and  intrigues  of 
Mr.  Moore  in  the  affairs  of  Colombia  are  generally  talked  about  and  are 
notorious.  On  the  day  of  Election  for  President  —  when  Carnaval  (who 
was  put  up  as  the  tool  of  Bolivar)  obtained  on  the  first  shew  27  votes, 
Moore  was  seen  by  many  persons,  running  as  if  he  would  have  broken 
his  neck  along  the  gallery  and  down  stairs,  to  communicate  the  favorable 
results  of  the  scheme  in  some  quarter.  This  sort  of  petty  interference  as 
a  Message  Bearer,  may  suit  the  low  groveling  intrigues  of  Mr.  Moore, 
but  it  is  ill  adapted  to  the  dignity  of  a  Minister  of  the  U.  S.  To  effect 
his  diabolical  purpose  of  party  spirit  against  Harrison,  he  recklessly  in- 
volves myself —  with  a  large  family  —  whom  then  he  had  never  seen,  because 
I  was  a  friend  of  Gen.   Harrison.     And  gets   Colonel  Torrens  and  Mr. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  37 

Leidendorf  expelled,  and  his  own  countryman  Gooding  thrown  into  prison. 
That  Moore  was  the  occasion  of  all  this,  General  Urdaneta  has  openly 
declared  in  all  companies.  It  is  well  known  to  the  members  of  Gen. 
Harrison's  family  that  Moore  stated  that  all  their  letters  to  the  U.  S. 
were  opened.  This  is  not  true,  the  Post  Office  opened  no  man's 
dispatch." 

John  M.  Macpherson  to  Bens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Sir,  Carthagena  13th  December  1830. 

Your  letter  of  the  10th  October,  I  duly  received  and  notice  all  you  say 
about  our  Minister.  I  hope  at  some  future  dat/,  the  United  States  will 
have  some  kind  of  diplomatic  school,  where  the  rudiments,  at  least,  of  the 
profession  will  be  taught.  I  fancy  the  selection  of  our  foreign  Agents  are 
made  without  much  scrutiny  into  the  qualificatians  for  filling  the  office 
with  advantage  and  honor  to  the. Country.  The  question  is,  how  do  youi 
vote  ?  and  can  you  throw  much  weight  into  the  next  Presidential  election  ?' 
Now  in  my  humble  mind,  the  questions  ought  to  be :  "  Have  you  received 
the  education  of  a  gentleman,  and  have  you  the  manners  of  a  gentleman, 
and  have  you  improved  your  home  education  by  traveling  and  rubbing  off 
your  prejudices  by  coming  in  contact  with  foreigners,  so  that  when  you 
go  abroad  you  will  not  bore  the  people  to  death  with  your  village  Politics  ; 
and  disgust  them  by  a  want  of  deference  to  their  opinions  of  forms  of 
government;  hinting  that  they  are  Slaves  and  desire  to  be  so,  because 
they  live  under  a  Monarchial  Government.  And  although  I  would  not, 
were  I  President  of  the  United  States,  hurt  a  man's  feelings  by  asking 
him,  if  he  knew  how  to  put  on  his  clothes,  and  keep  himself  clean  ;  yet  I 
would  take  good  care  that  no  Sloven,  should  disgrace  the  Country  abroad. 
By  the  way,  talking  of  dress,  I  consider  that,  as  the  strong  mark  by  which 
we  are  distinguished  from  all  other  civilized  people.  It  is  a  painful  truth, 
but  it  must  be  confessed,  that  we  are  the  most  careless  in  dress  of  any 
people  under  the  sun.  Now  those  who  are  careless  in  dress,  must  be  filthy 
in  their  persons. 

But  it  is  time  I  should  say  something  of  Colombian  affairs.  General 
Bolivar  is  in  Santa  Martha  ;  much  discontent  and  alarm  exists  in  Bogota 
in  consequence  of  his  not  going  there.  The  excuses,  or  rather  the  reason, 
that  he  is  too  unwell  to  travel.  He  was  staying  at  Soledad  waiting,  I 
suppose,  the  success  of  the  expedition  against  Rio  de  la  Hache,  when  he 
became  so  ill  that  an  express  arrived  for  a  vessel  to  proceed  to  Savanillo  to 
bring  him  to  this  place.  There  was  no  Colombian  vessel  here  at  the  time, 
but  the  United  States  Schooner  "  Grampus  "  was  in  port,  and  her  Com- 
mander Mayo,  handsomely  offered  himself  and  vessel  for  the  service,  which 
was  accepted  by  the  Prefect  with  warm  expressions  of  thanks.  Just  how- 
ever as  the  Grampus  reached  Savanilla,  the  Liberator  was  embarking  on 
board  a  vessel  sent  from  Santa  Martha,  to  which  place  the  Grampus  gave 
him  convoy.  I  was  right  glad  one  of  our  officers  had  an  opportunity  of 
shewing  his  high  respect  for  Bolivar  ;  and  the  service  is  appreciated  here, 
and  lam  sure  the  Liberator  will  be  gratified  at  the  mark  of  attention.  It 
will  be  of  sei'vice  to  our  Countrymen.  The  question  here  is,  if  Bolivar 
dies  what  is  to  become  of  the  Country  ?  His  I'riends  say,  Civil  War  to  the 
knife;  his  enemies  say,  things  would  be  better.  My  own  opinion  is,  that 
the  distractions  of  the  country  will  never  cease,  until  it  is  formed  into 
this  or  more  distinct  governments.  The  present  is  an  unfortunate  state  of 
things.      Men  will  not  submit  to  take  justice  in  Bogota  who  live  in  Guay- 


38  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

aquil,  or  in  Panama,  or  at  the  entrance  of  the  Orinoco.  In  Popayan, 
Orbaada  and  Lopez  are  in  arms. 

From  the  South,  (I  mean  from  General  Flores)  we  hear  nothing  certain. 
The  expedition  against  Rio  de  la  Hache  has  proved  fatal  to  most  of  the 
men  by  sickness.  .  This  government  seems  determined  to  reduce  Venezuela 
by  force  of  arms.  The  post  from  Santa  Martha  states  that  no  less  than 
six  General  Officers  have  arrived  there,  banished  by  Paez  from  Venezuela. 
This  does  not  seem  like  any  disposition  on  his  part  to  settle  the  dispute 
amicably ;  a  few  months  will  bring  many  things  to  light  and  work  many 
changes  in  this  unfortunate  Country. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  you  feel  an  interest  in  the  Consular  Question. 
Government  has  my  sentiments  on  the  subject.  Perhaps  it  would  be  as 
well  not  to  write  upon  the  business,  until  the  matter  was  agitated  in  Con- 
gress, then  some  few  clever  things  in  the  papers  would  tell !  Mr.  Musquera 
and  his  brother,  the  General,  go  by  this  conveyance,  and  intend  spending 
some  time  in  the  United  States. 

"  Ath.  We  have  rumors  to  day,  that  General  Bemandos,  is  on  his  way 
from  Venezuela  to  Bogota.  I  think  this  is  likely,  from  the  well  known 
determination  of  the  dominant  party  here  to  coerce  Venzueia  to  join  Co- 
lombia. If  Bemandos  marches  upon  the  Capital  by  the  high  road  from 
Caraccas,  he  will  cause  the  troops  on  the  way  to  Venezuela  to  counter- 
march and  act  on  the  defensive.  Bemandos,  they  say,  was  at  Guta,  a 
small  town  between  Merida  and  Pamplin — if  so  he  must  soon  be  near 
Bogota.     I  have  time  to  say  no  more.  Yours  truly. 

Renss.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany,  N.  Y.      J.  M.  Macpherson. 

The  fiite  of  Gen.  Bolivar's  unfortunate  expedition  against  Rio  de  la 
Hatche  has  at  last  convinced  the  chief  that  he  will  never  again  be  ac- 
ceptable to  the  people  and  is  the  cause  of  his  ill  health.  A  recent  letter* 
speaks  of  his  hopeless  condition  and  says  :  "  I  am  afraid  he  will  go  off, 
but  God  grant  this  may  not  be  the  case,  as  many  ambitious  chiefs  will 
quickly  arise  in  case  he  is. carried  oflF,  by  the  '  King  of  Terrors.'  Simon 
Y.  Ponte  Bolivar  the  liberator  of  Colombia  was  born  at  Caraccas  July  24, 
1783,  and  died  near  Santa  Martha  December  17,  1830.  After  having 
resigned  five  times,  he  again  accepted  the  presidency  in  January  1830 
and  left  Bogota  to  wage  war  on  Paez  in  the  name  of  the  Colombian  con- 
gress. Toward  the  end  of  March  1830  he  advanced  at  the  head  of  8000 
men  and  took  Caracuta,  which  had  revolted  and  then  turned  upon  the 
province  of  Maracaybo  where  Paez  awaited  him  with  12000  men  in  a 
strong  position.     April  27,  1830  he  again  resigned." 

My  maternal  grandmother —  Maria  Sanders,  wife  of  De  Heer  Philip  Van 
Rensselaer  —  died  December  26,  1830,  aged  eighty-one  years,  at  the  resi- 
dence of  my  father  in  Albany  which  had  been  her  home  for  some  time. 
In  consequence  of  the  misfortunes  of  her  sons  she  had  been  deprived  of 
her  once  princely  property  and  left  entirely  dependent  in  her  old  age. 
When  on  that  bed  of  death,  her  grandchildren  had  the  proud  gratifica- 
tion of  hearing  her  attest,  to  the  entire  satisfaction  she  had  ever  felt  in  her 
soldier  son-in-law;  she  did  him  full  justice  for  his  noble  traits.  In  the 
presence  of  Rev.  Dr.  W.  B.  Sprague  and  others,  in  her  dying  moments 
when  giving  her  blessing  and  bidding  him  adieu,  in  a  cheery  voice  she 
emphatically  said :  "  Solomon  you  have  always  been  more  than  kind  to 
me."  The  example  of  our  excellent  grandmama's  truly  moral  and  ex- 
emplary life  as  evinced  by  her  daily  walk  and  conversation  was  a  precious 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  39 

legacy  bequeathed  to  her  descendants.  She  was  the  connecting  link 
to  past  generations,  a  noble  woman  who  would  sacrifice  anytliiug  for 
posterity,  and  in  whom  the  characteristics  of  her  ancestors  were  fully 
developed ;  being  an  industrious,  thrifty,  self-denying  and  active 
Christian  of  rigid  integrity.  Her  trust  in  Christ  as  a  personal  Saviour, 
and  her  devout  communion  with  God  was  particularly  marked  and  con- 
stant, while  her  wrestlings  at  the  throne  of  grace  glowed  with  a  fervid 
eloquence  and  were  transcendent.  The  honor  of  God  was  her  constant 
thought  and  the  "  sustaining  power  beneath  the  beatings  of  every  storm 
that  darkened  her  life."  This  pious  and  consistent  "  Mother  in  Israel  " 
was  a  model  of  singular  excellence,  a  shining  light  in  the  home  circle  and 
a  cheerful  companion  to  old  or  young.  Her  instructions  and  warnings 
were  invested  with  such  peculiar  power,  that  the  gifted  clergymen  of  our 
city  delighted  to  meet  around  her  sanctified  and  happy  sick  couch  ;  they 
said  it  "  was  good  for  them  to  be  there."  She  had  lived  to  a  mature  old 
age  and  now  went  to  her  rest  "  as  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe."  A  few 
scenes  in  earlier  days  loom  up  before  me,  dear  Hattie,  when  your  mother 
and  myself — then  two  little  girls  —  occasionally  visiting  grandmama, 
slept  in  a  trundle  by  her  bed.  Before  the  break  of  day  we  would  hear 
the  old  lady  singing  a  morning  hymn  and  praying  in  audible  tones ;  after 
which  the  call  to  me  was  :  "  Catryntje  are  you  aslaup  ?"  Your  mother 
did  not  at  all  then  relish  having  her  rest  disturbed  at  such  early  and  un- 
seasonable hours,  and  would  give  me  a  gentle  pinch  as  a  warning  that  I 
was  not  to  answer  ;  but  the  venerable  dame  was  not  to  be  silenced.  After 
a  short  pause  the  question  would  be  repeated  with  a  singular  persistence 
there  was  no  evading  :  "  Catryntje  are  you  aslaup  .^"  Then  the  "  Hester 
hinV  was  instr^icted  in  singing  and  prayer,  very  much  to  the  evident 
disapproval  of  my  drowsy  sister,  who  would  sometimes  wonder,  in  a 
momentary  ebullition  of  discontent :  "  If  her  good  Father  above  liad  not 
forgotten  to  send  for  the  old  lady  from  earth."  Daily  we  repeated  "  Show 
pity  Lord,  0  Lord,  forgive."  "  Lord  I  am  vile,  conceived  in  sin."  ''  From 
all  that  dwell  below  the  skies."  "  Most  gracious  Father,  God  of  all.  And 
on  Sabbath  days  we  had  "  Lord  in  the  morning  thou  shalt  hear,"  "  Early 
my  God,  without  delay."  "Begone  unbelief,  my  Saviour  is  near."  These 
and  other  precious  odes  in  honor  of  God,  were  drilled  into  me  from  the 
frequent  recital  at  early  dawn ;  (a  system  of  tutelage,  however,  which  I 
could  not  recommend  as  the  most  judicious,  though  it  comported  with  the 
sterner  measures  of  early  discipline  in  those  ages  of  prudence  and  sanctity 
when  the  "  birchen  rod,"  and  not  "  maple-sugar  government"  was  in  the 
ascendency).  A  favorite  pastime  to  the  aged  saint,  though  to  us  a 
punishment  which  we  much  dreaded,  was  the  study  of  a  page  or  two  in 
the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  with  the  well  digested  inferences  drawn  out. 

Nearly  seventy-six  years  ago,  on  January  '11  ^  1799,  Mrs.  Van  Rensselaer 
was  present  at  the  dedication  of  the  North  Dutch  church  or  "  Schooner 
church"  as  called  by  some  on  account  of  its  two  steeples.  She  occupied 
the  large  square  pew  at  the  south  side  of  the  Dutch  high  circular  pulpit  on 
its  single  pedestal  with  winding  stairs  (it  was  built  in  Holland  in  1656 
and  is  now  in  the  old  consistory  room).  Just  in  front  of  the  pulpit  was 
an  elevated  desk  in  which  the  zealous  young  chorister,  with  his  peculiar 
long  white  cravat,  stood  facing  the  congregation.  "  This  singing  master 
was  himself  a  perfect  curiosity  and  a  study  ;  it  was  a  sight  to  see  him  lead 
the  tune.  He  would  first  handle  his  '  tuning  fork'  (this  had  superseded 
the  '  tooting  weapon'),  which  with  consummate  skill  was  jerked  to  his  ear, 


40  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

to  which  he  listened  with  an  expression  of  intense  anguish,  then  dropping 
his  head,  he  performed  an  unintelligible  solo,  which  sounded  like  a  distant 
caterwaul,  '  to  get  the  pitch.'  Then  gracefully  raising  his  head,  with  a 
countenance  radiant  of  happiness,  he  poured  forth  the  key  note  with  ex- 
emplary vigor,  and  stretching  his  arm  to  its  fullest  extent,  started  on  the 
tune,  in  full  cry,  rising  and  sinking  on  his  toes  with  each  bar,  and  beating 
time  with  great  earnestness  while  leading  the  singing."  There  were  no 
rich-toned  organs  in  those  days,  no  painted  glass  in  gothic  windows,  no 
fresco  ceilings,  no  carpeted  floors,  no  richly  embroidered  hangings  and  vel- 
vet altar  cloth,  no  fancy  baskets  or  cross  of  costly  flowers,  but  there  was 
a  wooden  sand-box  for  each  pew,  in  which  the  tobak  spit  was  most  care- 
fully ejected.  The  large  base  viol  was  the  principal  musical  instrument 
placed  in  the  gallery  just  opposite  the  leader,  and  in  those  primitive  times 
the  congregation  was  proud  of  its  music  and  seemed  to  realize  it  was  their 
high  privilege  to  sing  the  "  Praises  of  Jesus."  Sometimes  my  sister  and 
myself  were  allowed  to  sit  with  grandmama  in  the  large  pew,  where  in  cold 
weather  we  always  found  ready  placed  by  the  attentive  sexton,  the  unique 
"  chaufferpied"  or  little  wooden  foot  stove  lined  with  tin,  having  its  pan 
of  glowing  coals,  for  the  comfort  of  the  old  lady's  feet.  We  enjoyed  the 
seat  because  we  could  have  a  view  of  the  whole  congregation  over  which 
we  kept  a  rigid  surveillance,  It  was,  however,  rather  a  dangerous  field 
as  we  took  keen  delight  in  ever  watching  the  idiosyncrasies  of  the  devo- 
tees; and  were  often  greatly  amused  at  the  somniferous  position  of  not  .a 
few  persistent  ones.  Occasionally  we  would  observe  one  of  the  old  burghers 
(or  even  a  church  warden)  slily  slip  a  huge  quid  of  the  "  tobak"  in  his 
capacious  mouth  and  roll  it  as  a  sweet  morsel  under  the  tongue. 

Or  the  presence  of  the  filthy  weed  betrayed  by  the  protuberance  of 
cheek  as  if  swollen  from  tooth-ache.  Then  too  the  aspect  of  a  bulky 
nose  begrimed  with  snufi",  together  with  our  telegraphic  glances  to  each 
other  conveying  new  items  of  interest,  made  it  a  very  difficult  matter  to 
control  our  risibility.  We  were  required  to  sit  perfectly  still,  rather  an 
onerous  task  for  such  vivacious  youngsters,  and  if  there  were  any  symp- 
toms of  restlessness,  whispering  or  playing,  there  would  soon  be  such  a 
re-action  that  our  nervous  system  would  receive  a  shock.  Indeed  we 
conscience  smitten  children  would  shake  in  our  shoes  when  we  observed 
the  excellent  woman,  whose  ubiquitariness  of  thought  we  never  could 
comprehend,  so  deeply  interested  in  the  good  dominie'^s  sermon,  yet,  look- 
ing sternly  at  us  over  her  gold-brimmed  spectacles.  Then  the  sight  of 
an  uncommonly  "  large  pin,"  taken  with  deliberation,  from  the  exalted 
dame's  drapery,  which  always  seemed  so  handy,  quickly  sobered  and  re- 
called the  reckless  young-ones  to  their  senses  ;  for  it  was  the  precursor  to 
a  punishment  which  if  once  inflicted,  was  never  likely  to  be  forgotten  or 
coveted  for  a  second  trial.  She  was  withal  very  indulgent  to  your  m«)ther 
whom  she  dearly  loved,  and  bore  with  wonderful  equanimity  the  dropping 
of  stitches,  when  the  mischievous  child  pulled  out  all  the  knitting  needles 
from  her  carefully  guarded  stocking. 

To  equivocation  of  any  kind  she  had  an  obvious  aversion  and  it  was  a 
vain  hope  for  the  culprit  to  escape  from  the  rigors  of  a  severe  reproof, 
but  no  one  could  deal  more  leniently  with  a  repentant  wanderer,  stagger- 
ing under  the  load  of  conscious  guilt,  for  she  was  gentle  and  loving  to  all 
in  distress.  She  ever  a  found  a  certain  fascination  in  all  questions  that 
referred  to  duty. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  41 

Oen.  Harrison  to  Bens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Colonel,  Washington,  29  Jany,  1831. 

I  have  been  here  for  twelve  or  fifteen  days  and  almost  every  day  deter- 
mined to  write  to  you  but  (to  me  and  my  family)  all  important  business 
which  I  came  on  has  prevented  me  from  doing  or  even  thinking  of  any- 
thing else.  I  want  much  to  see  you  before  I  go  away  and  must  see  you.  I 
shall  be  here  a  few  days  longer  and  then  if  I  can  get  there,  go  to  Virginia 
to  see  my  relatives  and  return  to  this  place.  The  commissioner  of  the 
Land  Office  said  to  me  a  few  days  ago,  "  What  sort  of  man  is  young  Van 
Rensselaer  who  went  with  you  to  Colombia  ?     You  may  guess  my  answer. 

He  concluded  by  telling  me  that  if  he  had  an  increase  of  Clerks  you 
should  have  a  place;  This  ought  to  bring  you  on  at  any  rate ;  there  is 
much  choice  in  the  situations.  If  you  come,  while  in  New  York,  do  my 
friend,  go  to  see  Mr.  Ogden  and  learn  what  has  become  of  a  large  Box  of 
Books,  which  was  in  his  store  when  we  arrived  last  winter,  and  which  he 
promised  to  send  to  Cincinnati,  but  which  he  has  not  done.  My  affection- 
ate regards  to  your  Father.  '  Yours  truly. 

Col.  Reus.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.  W.  H.  Harrison. 

As  a  patriot,  hero,  and  a  general,  W.  H.  Harrison  had  received  and 
deserved  the  thanks  of  the  nation  ;  but  it  was  in  the  more  intimate  rela- 
tions of  life  that  the  beauty  of  his  character  shone  forth.  His  republican 
simplicity  of  manners  in  private,  his  gentlemanly  deportment  and  truly 
estimable  qualities  secured  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  all  who  were 
privileged  in  knowing  him. 

Benss.  Van  Bensselaer  to  Oen.  Rarrison. 
My  dear  General,  Albany  4th  Feb,  1831. 

Your  gratifying  favor  of  the  29th  ultimo  was  received  yesterday.  It 
took  me  altogether  by  surprise  —  but  notwithstanding  my  engagements 
are  such  as  to  render  my  presence  ii/  Albany  for  some  days  absolutely 
necessary  —  I  will  endeavor  to  put  them  in  such  a  train,  that  I  may  leave 
here  in  season  to  meet  you  at  Washington  on  your  return  from  Virginia; 
and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  I  will  be  able  to  do  so.  I  therefore  hope 
you  will  have  the  goodness  to  inform  me  when  that  will  probably  be,  and 
when  you  leave  Washington  for  Ohio.  My  motions  will  be  governed  by 
yours,  in  case  of  an  answer  to  this  —  but  if  I  do  not  receive  one  by  return 
mail,  I  contemplate  setting  out  immediately  after.  I  am  much  pleased  to 
learn  the  result  of  your  interview  with  Judge  Hayward.  Your  wish  in 
relation  to  your  Box  of  Books  shall  be  attended  to. 

With  great  sincerity  your  ardent  friend  and  Obt.  Servt. 

Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Wm.  H.  Harrison,  Washington  City. 

Benss.  Van  Bensselaer  to  Gen.  Harrison. 
My  dear  General,  Albany  15th  Feb,  1831._ 

When  I  wrote  you  last,  I  did  not  entertain  a  doubt  but  that  my  aifairs 
would  have  admitted  of  my  departure  for  Washington  yesterday  morning, 
but  now  I  find  myself  under  the  painful  necessity  of  saying  it  will  be  com- 
pletely out  of  my  power  to  start  sooner  than  Thursday.  I  hope  the  delay 
will  put  you  to  no  inconvenience,  though  your  letter  of  the  8th  leaves  me 
but  little  room  for  that  hope.     Respectfully  your  Obt.  Servt. 

Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison,  Washington  City. 

II]  6 


42  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


CHAPTER  HI. 

Nullification  in  South  Carolina. 

Bens.  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Father. 

Dear  Father,  Washington  4  March,  1831. 

The  General  Appropriation  bill  has  passed  :  and  now  Judge  Hayward 
has  availed  himself  of  the  allowance  made  him  in  it;  for  extra  work,  to 
give  me  the  promised  situation  worth  ^1000.  This  is  but  a  temporary  berth, 
it  is  true  —  but  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  next  Congress  will  allow 
him  the  number  of  Clerks  that  he  has  asked  for,  and  then  it  will  become 
permanent.  So  I  conbider  myself  a  citizen  of  this  Capital.  My  duties 
commence  as  soon  as  necessary  books,  warrants  &c.  can  be  procured  from 
Philadelphia.  In  the  meantime  your  friend  Larry  is  looking  for  private 
lodgings  for  me,  where  my  writing  is  to  be  done;  both  Mr.  Van  Kleeck 
and  Gen.  Harrison  have  been  indefatigable  in  procuring  my  berth  —  and 
to  both  I  am  most  truly  grateful.  The  General  leaves  this  for  Baltimore 
on  Monday;  he  has  met  with  success  too  in  his  claim.  May  like  success 
attend  every  undertaking  of  his  —  for  he  has  as  pure  a  heart  as  ever  beat 
in  a  human  frame.  He  has  exposed  1/oore's  conduct  to  the  Heads  of 
Department  and  gives  them  till  next  Session  to  act  as  they  may  think 
proper  —  if  nothing  is  done  before  that,  he  will  lay  the  whole  affair  before 
Congress,  and  if  mj/  testimony  is  wanted,  I  am  to  be  called  upon  in  such 
away,  that  I  will  be  compelled  to  give  it.  This  arrangement  meets  my 
views  exactly,  for  I  did  not  intend  to  act  as  a  volunteer  witness,  as,  if  called 
upon,  I  must  black  ball  the  little  Minister  Moore,  in  which  case  my  evi- 
dence otherwise  might  have  affected  more  interests  than  that  of  my  own 
important  self.  You  will  see  by  Dr.  Bradley's  statement  to  Congress  that 
there  are  errors,  at  least,  in  the  G.  P.  0.  I  have  not  yet  ascertained  their 
nature  exactly,  but  many  people  suppose,  that  "  there  is  something  rotten 
in  Denmark."  Yours  truly, 

R.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

J.  M.  Macpherson  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Sir,  Carthagena,  31st  March,  1831. 

The  irregularity  of  what  are  dignified  with  the  name  of  Packets  is  the 
cause  of  the  irregularity  of  my  correspondence  ;  but  another  and  perhaps 
a  better  reason  for  my  seeming  neglect  is  that  the  affairs  of  Colombia,  for 
some  time  past,  have  fallen  into  such  a  mass  of  terrible  confusion,  that  I 
have  found  it  impossible  to  commit  to  paper  any  thing  like  facts,  or  to 
form  an  opinion  founded  upon  any  reasonable  dates  as  to  what  may  be  the 
ultimate  issue  of  the  present  struggle  between  Military  Chiefs.  The  con- 
tention commenced  indeed  long  before  General  Bolivar's  death;  and 
therelore  the  supporters  of  that  mis-called  great  man  cannot  say,  that  the 
present  evils  are  a  consequence  of  his  removal  from  this  scene  of  action. 
The  truth  is,  this  people  have  no  abstract  notions  of  liberty  and  political 
rights  (and  by  the  by,  in  that  respect  they  are  like  the  bulk  of  the  people 
in  most  or  all  countries),  but  they  know  and  feel  that  they  are  miserably 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  43 

oppressed  and  are  therefore  ready  to  enlist  under  the  banner  of  any  Mili- 
tary Chief,  who  promises  to  take  the  burthen  from  their  shoulders.  To 
you,  I  need  not  say,  what  their  burthens  and  oppressions  are  —  but  until 
the  people  are  relieved,  every  unprincipled  scoundrel,  who  has  skill  enough 
to  manoeuvre  a  Battalion,  will  ever  find  recruits.  But  I  must  proceed  to 
give  you  some  idea  of  our  present  affairs.  You  know  of  course,  that 
Flores  in  the  South  set  up  for  himself  and  separated  that  Department  from 
the  General  Grovernment  —  and  you  know  (of  course  also)  that  there  was 
a  reaction  and  that  Flores  went  off  and  is  now  acting  either  with  or  in 
concert  with  Orbando  and  Lopez.  The  last  news  from  Bogota  state  that 
Orbando  had  beaten  the  troops  sent  against  him  from  the  Capital  and  that 
in  consequence  1500  more  had  left  Bogota  to  arrest  his  (Orbando's)  ad- 
vance. Bogota  was  left  without  a  regular  soldier,  and  apprehensions  were 
entertained  that  Orbando  and  Lopez  would  soon  be  with  them. 

In  the  meanwhile  Gen.  Urdaneta  is  acting  with  great  determination 
and  raising  (pressing)  men  in  every  direction  to  keep  up  his  army.  I 
apprehend  however  that  he  will  not  be  able  to  make  good  his  position, 
for  besides  the  North  and  the  South,  and  I  may  add  Panama,  another 
hornet's  nest  has  broken  out  in  this  immediate  neighborhood.  Perhaps 
of  all  the  revolutionary  movements  which  this  devoted  country  has  yet 
witnessed,  the  present,  in  this  Department,  is  the  most  unprincipled  on 
the  part  of  the  chief  actor,  and  shews  in  a  most  striking  light  to  what 
a  state  of  degradation  the  Country  is  reduced.  The  last  vessel  that  sailed 
from  this,  carried  the  accounts  of  a  raising  in  Barranquilla,  and  that  side 
of  the  country.  The  movers  in  this  business  are  said  to  be  several  resi- 
dents in  Carthagena  well  known  to  be  "Liberals;"  they  were  ordered 
off  for  Jamaica  in  four  hours  to  the  number  of  fifteen.  Among  them  Mr 
Nuney,  Mr.  Lopez,  and  the  venerable  and  long  tried  patriot  Rodrequez 
Doct.  of  Laws.  The  very  instant  the  movement  took  place  in  the  country, 
Montilla,  with  that  promptitude  for  which  he  is  remarkable,  sent  General 
Sucre  with  all  the  garrison  that  were  fit  to  march  and  one-half  the 
militia,  to  put  down  the  Insurgents.  Sucre  met  a  body  of  them  four 
or  five  hundred,  and  as  you  may  suppose,  easily  routed  and  dispersed 
them,  and  so  ended  the  fruitless  attempt,  in  which  the  country  proper 
seem  to  have  had  no  leader  to  direct  them.  Sucre,  you  know  was  a  long 
time  an  Aid-de-Camp  of  the  Liberator,  a  favorite  and  as  such  met  with 
rapid  promotion,  which  I  am  told  he  merited  as  far  as  valor  went;  but 
had  no  other  qualification.  He  was  one  of  those  who  had  enlisted  to  the 
full  extent  their  opinions  current  and  received  as  Scripture  at  the  Head- 
quarters of  General  Bolivar,  such  as,  "the  people  were  unfit  to  enjoy 
freedom,  that  they  ignorant  brutes  &c  &c  "  — a  very  convenient  doctrine 
for  these  gentlemen  who  had  monopolized  the  power  of  using  the  poor' 
people  as  tools  to  serve  their  ambitious  purposes.  Such  was  General  Sucre, 
and  avSsuredly  from  my  acquaintance  with  him,  I  believed  him  to  be  the 
last  man  who  would  set  up  for  a  Liberator,  or  that  he  with  his  troops 
would  free  the  party  they  had  put  down,  yet  so  it  has  turned  out.  But 
how  it  came  about  is  the  most  curious  part  of  the  business.  The  follow- 
ing are  pretty  near  the  facts :  Mr.  Glen  of  Barranquilla,  a  friend  of  the 
present  order  of  things,  gave  a  dinner  to  Sucre  and  his  officers,  at  which 
everything  went  on  well,  until  the  wine  began  to  circulate,  when  an  officer 
in  speaking  of  the  services  of  his  Regiment,  said  that  "  they  were  hard 
treated  being  employed  on  all  services,  whilst  another  Regiment  h^d  an 
idle  life  in  Carthagena."     To  this  reflection  an  officer  of  the  re<i"iuicot 


44  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

reflected  upon  replied  that,  "  his  Corps  was  not  to  blame,  they  were  as 
anxious  as  any  other  to  serve  in  the  field."  This  brought  on  a  warm 
dispute,  in  which  others  took  a  part,  when  Genl.  Montillo  was  reflected 
on,  and  abused  by  some;  and  from  one  thing  to  another,  it  was  resolved, 
"  that  General  Montillo  was  unfit  to  be  at  the  head  of  the  Department 
and  General  Sucre  should  be  declared  in  his  place,  which  was  forthwith 
done,  and  the  next  day,  the  people  met  and  gave  sanctity  to  the  act 
and  General  Ignacio  Sucre  was  declared  Protector  of  the  Liberties  of  the 
people.  Sucre  then  marched  against  this  place,  and  has  managed  by  the 
superiority  of  numbers  to  form  a  Complete  Blockade  on  the 'land  side  and 
in  the  harbor,  which  has  of  course  reduced  the  good  people  to  some 
privations.  By  the  aid  of  the  U.  S.  John  Popin  and  afterwards  British 
man  of  War,  the  port  is  kept  open  to  neutral  flags.  The  fate  of  Cartlia- 
gena  will  depend  on  the  feelings  in  the  interim.  If  Sucre  is  attacked  in 
his  rear,  he  must  raise  the  siege;  if  on  the  contrary,  he  is  joined  by  all 
the  other  forces,  I  imagine  the  Town  must  fall,  for  as  you  may  suppose, 
the  people  within  the  walls  cannot  be  depended  on,  for  as  they  say  —  and 
say  justly,  of  what  consequence  is  it  to  them  wlio  rules.  Report  says  that 
Sucre  is  getting  from  Santa  Martha  —  which  place  is  in  his  favor — 24 
one  or  ten  24  Pounders  to  plant  on  the  hill  La  Papa  —  500  feet  above 
the  city.  If  this  is  true  and  he  can  get  them  up  the  steep  mountain, 
there  will  be  no  holding  out.  You  will  hear  more  of  this  through  the 
newspapers,  gleaned  from  the  passengers  in  the  "Medina"  which  takes 
this.     I  must  break  off.     Yours  truly  J.  M.  MacPherson. 

Reus.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany. 

"  General  Sucre  became  a  member  of  the  constituent  congress  of  1830, 
and  while  on  his  return  to  Quito  from  the  session  of  that  body  he  was  as- 
sassinated. The  Republic  of  Colombia  comprised  Venezuela  on  the  north 
east,  of  which  Carraccas  is  the  capital,  and  Gen.  Paez  the  President; 
Neuva  Grenada  in  the  centre,  of  which  Bogota  is  the  capital,  and  the 
late  General  Santander  was  the  President;  and  the  Equador;  (  Equator) 
on  the  south-west  side  of  which  Quito  is  the  capital,  and  Gen.  Flores  the 
President.  The  province  of  Pasto  and  also  the  province  of  Cauca,  were 
originally  a  part  of  Equador ;  but  General  Orbando,  after  the  assassination 
of  General  Sucre,  succeeded  in  detaching  two  provinces  from  Equador, 
and  thus  uniting  Pasto  and  Cauco  to  Neuva  Grenada  of  which  he  had  made 
himself  president.  The  inhabitants,  of  these  two  places,  are  the  most 
hardy  and  warlike  of  South  America.  They  adhered  with  great  obstinacy 
to  the  government  of  old  Spain  and  Ferdinand  VII  and  their  subjection 
cost  much  blood." 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ms  Son. 
Dear  Rensselaer,  Albany  June  4,  1831. 

I  inclose  to  you  the  proceedings  of  the  Clay  meeting  ;  in  point  of  num- 
bers and  respectability  it  was  a  very  powerful  one.  You  see  a  Committee 
waited  upon  the  Patroon,  who  declined  serving.  He  was  hard  pressed  to 
do  so,  but  at  length  he  was  obliged  to  tell  them,  that  he  would  take  no 
active  part  against  the  man  of  honor  who  even  headstrong  as  he  is,  was 
such  a  true  friend  to  me,  and  had  kept  me  in  the  Post  Ofiice.  This  is 
really  more  than  I  expected;  I  did  not  think  the  Patroon  would  have 
thought  of  the  bearing  it  might  have  had,  but  I  feel  truly  grateful  to  him 
for  his  kind  consideration.  This  I  could  wish  President  Jackson,  Mr. 
Livingston  and  Barry  should  know,  though  it  must  not  now  be  made 


Legacy  of  Hibtokical  Gleanings.  45 

public.  He  told  the  Committee  ■withal,  that  he  was  in  favor  of  Mr.  Clay 
as  the  candidate,  and  wished  him  success,  but  he  would  take  no  part  in  the 
election  either  for  or  against  it.  It  is  said  Gen.  Jackson  expects  to  be 
re-elected  to  the  Presidency  for  a  second  term,  but  has  pledged  himself  to 
Van  Buren  not  to  be  a  candidate  against  him  if  V.  B  can  get  the  nomi- 
nation for  1837  for  which  he  will  make  strenuous  exertions  to  be  bolstered 
up.  All  are  well  and  send  their  love  to  you.  Richard  wrote  to  you 
yesterday.  I  inclosed  in  his  a  letter  to  you  for  Mr.  Edward  Livingston  of 
Louisiana  from  myself,  and  also  one  for  him  from  the  Patroon. 

Yours  dear  Rensselaer  in  haste,  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

June  22c?.  Inclosed  my  dear  Brother  is  a  foreign  letter  which  I  imagine 
gives  you  news  from  South  America.  Papa  called  to  see  Mr.  Van  Buren 
on  Monday,  he  was  to  leave  town  yesterday  for  Oswego  to  be  gone  a  week  ; 
was  friendly  and  communicative,  intends  calling  on  his  return.  Papa  said 
he  then  would  be  happy  to  have  him  eat  and  drink  with  him,  which  Mr. 
V.  B.  said  he  would  do  with  pleasure,  so  I  suppose  now  his  Honor  will 
dine  with  us, 

Oen.  Harrison  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  General,  Philadelphia  24th  June,  1832. 

As  soon  as  I  arrived  in  this  City  I  wrote  to  General  Cass  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  a  Military  appointment  for  Rensselaer.  But  I  am  fearful  tnat 
there  is  no  prospect  of  success.  I  met  here  a  young  gentleman  Mr.  E. 
Lytle  who  has  just  returned  from  Washington,  whither  he  had  gone  for 
the  purpose  of  procuring  an  appointment  in  the  newly  raised  Corps,  but 
although  supported  by  all  the  influence  of  the  Ohio  Jackson  party  he 
failed.  They  told  him  that  every  appointment  was  filled  up  though  he 
got  there  only  48  hours  after  the  law  was  passed.  Indeed  I  believe  that 
the  list  had  been  made  out  before  the  law  was  passed.  And  I  have  been 
informed  that  it  had  been  previously  determined  not  to  appoint  any  but 
Western  men.  I  shall  leave  this  city  on  Tuesday  or  Wednesday  for 
Washington  and  will  endeavour  to  get  employment  for  Rensselaer  in  the 
Surveying  business  which  may  perhaps  prove  eventually  better.  My 
best  regards  to  the  Ladie§  and  Rensselaer  as  well  as  to  the  other  branches 
of  your  House.  As  ever — your  friend. 

Gen,  Sol,  Van  Rensselaer,  P,  M,,  Albany,  N.  Y.       W,  H.  Harrison, 

"  In  the  spring  of  1832  a  portion  of  the  Western  Indian  tribes  led  on 
by  Black  Hawk,  a  fiery  Sac  chief,  commenced  a  warfare  upon  the  frontier 
settlements  of  Illinois,  General  Jackson  immediately  sent  out  troops, 
who  subdued  the  Indians  in  August  and  Black  Hawk  was  taken  prisoner. 
Then  came  menaces  of  civil  war  from  South  Carolina,  at  which  time  the 
military  was  re  enforced," 

Bens.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Hon.  Joel  R.  Poinsett. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany  Nov.,  20,  1832. 

Owing  to  the  all  absorbing  excitement  of  a  warmly  contested  election, 
or  to  the  fastidiousness  of  our  northern  presses  touching  the  political 
differences  of  your  section,  we  are  so  lamentably  ignorant  here  of  the  true 
state  of  things  among  you,  and  of  your  prospects,  (that  presuming  upon 
a  partial  acquaintance  commence*!  in  New  York  about  two  years  since  at 
the  table  of  Mr.  Henderson,  H.  B.  M's  Consul  General  from  Colombia) 
I  am  induced  respectfully  to  ask  of  you  an  answer  to  the  following  ques- 


46  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

tions.  1.  Are  the  nullification  partisans  of  South  Carolina  serious  in 
their  demands  for  an  abolition  of  the  Tariif?  2.  If  they  are  not  gratified 
are  they  determined  to  persist  in  their  measures  to  effect  a  dissolution  of 
the  Union  ?  3.  Do  they  hope  to  entice  or  to  force  any  of  the  neighboring 
states  to  co-operate  with  them,  and  if  so,  which  of  those  states  ?  4.  Do 
they  feel  themselves  sufl&ciently  strong  without  aid  from  other  states  suc- 
cessfully to  meet  in  arms  such  a  force  as  the  President  may  have  at  his 
disposal  to  send  against  them  at  present ;  and  will  they,  or  can  they  so 
meet  them  ?  5.  If  they  can,  will  not  the  safety  of  the  prominent  members 
of  the  Union  Party  be  jeopardized,  whether  they  too  shall  have  taken  a 
warlike  stand  or  not?  6.  Have  the  Union  party  resolved  to.  resort  to 
arms  if  necessary  to  the  preservation  of  their  principles,  and  if  they  have, 
will  the  personal  services  of  your  huruble  querist  be  of  any  kind  of  con- 
sequence to  them  ?  To  enable  you  to  answer  the  last,  it  seems  expedient 
to  state  that  I  am  30  years  of  age,  strong,  healthy  and  active  and  rank  as 
Lt.  Colonel  in  the  New  York  State  Militia 

My  Grandfather  —  General  Henry  K.  Van  Rensselaer  —  at  the  head  of 
his  regiment  received  a  wound  that  in  the  end  proved  fatal,  in  arresting  the 
career  of  a  division  of  General  Burgoyne's  army  during  the  revolutionary 
war.  And  my  father.  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  with  whom  I 
believe  you  are  personally  acquainted,  distinguished  as  a  Captain  under 
General  Wayne,  was  wounded  through  the  body  while  charging  the  Indi- 
ans in  1794.  In  1812  he  was  agiiin  in  the  field  and  added  to  his  fame  as 
a  gallant  leader  at  the  storming  of  Queenston  Heights.  I  mention  these 
facts  in  relation  to  my  primogenitors  in  hopes  it  may  be  presumable  that 
the  scion  of  such  a  stock  is  worthy  of  taking  an  early  and  a  conspicuous 
part  with  you  in  case  (as  insinuated  in  a  late  article  from  the  United 
States  Telegraph)  the  Union  Party  call  in  such  allies  as  they  may  find  it 
necessary  to  employ."  It  is  true  I  have  no  record  of  deeds  showing  a 
participation  in  the  chivalrous  spirit  of  my  sires  ;  but  your  old  friend 
General  Harrison,  or  Mr.  Tayloe  if  applied  to,  can  give  such  testimony  to 
the  Jidelif^,  daring,  and  conduct  of  his  late  Attache  (as  displayed  among 
the  intriguers  of  Colombia)  to  satisfy  you  that  I  am  capable  of  making 
myself  useful  in  what  I  deem  a  righteous  cause.  Therefore  as  I  have  no 
occupation  now,  or  any  ties  that  can  interfere,  and  as  I  do  not  purpose 
entering  into  any,  I  hope  you  will  take  into  consideration  the  anxiety  I 
must  necessarily  feel  for  your  answer,  with  any  suggestions  you  may  con- 
fidentially make  —  and  oblige  me  as  soon  as  it  may  suit  your  convenience. 
With  great  respect,  Your  Obt.  Servt. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer. 

Hon.  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  Charleston,  S.  C. 

ITon.  Joel  B.  Poinsett  to  Mens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  8th  Dec,  Charleston,  South  Carolina. 

I  received  your  letter  and  read  it  with  great  pleasure.  It  is  always 
gratifying  to  enlist  the  feelings  and  Sympathies  of  good  and  brave  men. 
You  must  have  seen  the  ordinance  and  the  Governor's  Message,  which 
will  answer  all  your  inquiries.  I  believe  no  state  in  the  union  will  cooperate 
with  South  Carolina  in  her  mad  and  wicked  project  of  dissolving  the 
union.  No  doubt  we  shall  be  in  danger;  but  we  will  bear  ourselves 
through  manfully  and  fearlessly.  Wh^her  the  Union  party  will  resolve 
to  resort  to  arms  for  the  preservation  of  their  principles  is  hard  to  say. 
They  will  defend   their  rights  if  attacked,  I  think  it  will  be  difficult  to 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  47 

avoid  a  civil  war.  We  should  be  glad  to  have  such  men  as  you  are  among 
us ;  but  you  ought  to  come  whenever  the  President  calls  for  volunteers 
and  the  war  is  begun.  I  shall  then  be  most  happy  to  see  you  here.  I 
send  you  two  addresses  written  and  delivered  by  me.  With  cordial  esteem 
I  am,  Dear  Sir,  yours  truly, 
Kenssr.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany,  N.  Y.  J.  R.  Poinsett. 

"  The  constant  complaint  of  South  Carolina  against  the  tariff,  is,  that  it 
checks  importations,  and  disables  foreign  powers  from  purchasing  the 
agricultural  productions  of  the  United  States.  When  the  State  of  South 
Carolina  sought  to  nullify  and  make  void  the  Tariif  laws,  General  Jackson 
issued  a  vigorous  proclamation,  denouncing  the  act  as  rebellious  and 
treasonable.  Gen.  Scott  with  a  force  was  posted  at  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,  and  every  portent  of  a  desperate  and  bloody  struggle  was  visible 
as  General  Jackson  had  declared  that  he  now  should  use  all  the  power 
entrusted  to  him  to  vindicate  the  laws  of  the  Union  and  cause  them  to 
be  respected. 

"  It  was  immediately  after  the  election  of  General  Jackson  to  the  pre- 
sidency for  the  second  term,  in  the  fall  of  1832,  that  the  State  of  South 
Carolina  assumed,  by  the  formal  edict  of  a  regular  convention  of  the 
people,  to  nullify  and  make  void  the  Tariff  laws  of  the  United  States,  on 
the  ground,  beiag  imposed  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  American  manu- 
factures, they  were  unconstitutional  and  invalid.  General  Jackson's 
ijnperious  passions  were  lashed  to  madness  by  the  Carolina  resistance,  and 
the  whole  physical  power  of  the  country  but  awaited  his  nod.  At  this 
crisis  congress  assembled,  and  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Clay  were  promptly 
directed  to  the  devising  and  maturing  of  some  plan  to  prevent  a  collision 
between  the  Union  and  the  nullifyiog  State,  and  spare  the  effusion  of 
blood.  Under  these  circumstances,  Henry  Clay  projected  and  presented 
the  bill  known  as  the  Compromise  Act.  The  nullifiers,  as  the  rebellious 
leaders  were  called,  quailed,  and  gladly  accepted  this  compromise  which 
had  been  so  adroitly  prepared  by  Mr.  Clay  for  the  sake  of  peace.  The 
bill  provided  for  a  gradual  reduction  of  the  obnoxious  duties  and  quiet 
was  restored  when  it  became  a  law  on  March  3, 1833.  John  C.  Calhoun, 
who  had  recently  resigned  the  office  of  vice  president,  and  was  now  a 
member  of  the  United  States  senate,  was  one  of  the  principal  leaders.  If 
he  had  not  veered  off  into  nullification,  he  would  have  continued  one  of 
the  most  able  and  national  statesmen  that  the  South  ever  produced.  He 
possessed  a  lofty  ambition,  but  never  demeaned  himself  as  a  time-server." 

In  the  autumn  of  1832,  our  parents,  dear  Hattie,  decided  that  your 
mother  and  myself  should  spend  a  year  in  Canada,  to  continue  the  study 
of  the  French  language,  under  what  we  supposed  would  be  more  favorable 
auspices  than  could  be  obtained  even  at  our  excellent  "  Albany  Female 
Academy."  The  party  was  augmented  by  the  addition  of  three  other 
young  ladies  intent  upon  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  this  important  branch 
of  a  finished  education.  From  West  Troy  we  proceeded,  in  a  canal  packet 
boat  drawn  by  three  horses  (in  tandem  style  with  the  driver  astride  of 
one,  plying  his  bugle  with  merry  notes  when  we  approached  any  of  the 
stupendous  locks  lowering  the  canal  from,  or  raising  to  a  summit  of  more 
than  fifty  feet),  passing  close  by  Cohoes  Falls  having  "  a  total  descent  of 
78  feet,  and  a  perpendicular  pitch  of  about  40  feet."  There  were  "  spots 
of  deep  historic  charm"  and  objects  of  interest  all  along  our  route  which 
with  the  recital  of  memorable  incidents  caused  the  time  to  pass  swiftly. 


48  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

When  at  night  we  came  into  the  cabin,  a  cosej  little  room  about  six  feet 
high  and  ten  long,  we  had  a  novel  experience  which  was  irresistibly  dis- 
posing us  to  much  noisy  mirth.  There  was  now  a  red  drop  curtain  as  a 
dividing  line  between  the  ladies  and  gentlemen's  apartment.  We  found 
on  either  side  of  this  dormitory  hanging  planks  not  more  than  2  feet  wide 
each  one  supplied  with  mattress,  pillow  and  the  necessary  appendages  to 
make  an  inviting-looking  bed.  Then  there  was  great  labor  bestowed  in 
packing  away  under  seats  innumerable  carpet-bags,  big  box,  little  box, 
band-box  and  all ;  it  was  marvelous  how  so  many  parcels  were  compressed 
in. J  such  an  infinitesimal  of  space.  The  corpulent  ladies  were  humbly 
requested  to  repose  on  the  lower  tier  of  shelves,  which  they  were  only  too 
glad  to  do  after  inspecting,  with  an  askance  look  of  suspicion,  the  slight 
cordage  that  hooked  these  ship-berths  to  the  ceiling.  The  gabblers  were 
only  just  quieted  down  when  there  was  such  a  commotion  on  deck,  together 
with  a  hard'  banging  and  scraping  against  the  sides  of  a  lock  that  the 
entire  company  were  wide  awake  and  greatly  edified  by  the  promiscuous 
ejaculatory  remarks  :  "  Holy  Moses  !  What's  that!"  exclaims  the  fat  old 
lady  snugly  ensconced  on  the  under  settle.  "  We're  going  to  the  bottom 
madam  !"  is  the  response  of  a  wrathy  masculine  voice  from  the  next  divi- 
sion. "  Mamma  am  those  Ingins  V  "  No  child,  no,  go  to  sleep."  Soon 
however  the  flood-gates  were  opened  and  the  boat  glided  safely  through 
into  the  level  canal ;  and  we  were  once  more  lulled  to  forgetfulness  by  the 
rippling  noise  of  water  as  the  tow-rope  strikes  its  surface  and  the  sonorous 
snoring  of  tired  gentlemen. 

In  due  time  our  joyous  party  arrived  at  Whitehall  seventy-three  miles  from 
Albany.  Taking  the  steamboat  "  Burlington,  "  Capt.  liichard  M.  Sher- 
man, we  were  soon  crossing  the'  beautiful  Lake  Champlain.  '  We  were 
greatly  interested  in  the  graphic  account  given  to  us  by  the  Captain  of 
the  burning  of  the  steamboat  "  Phoenix"  near  Plattsburg,  September  5, 
1819,  which  was  at  the  time  under  his  command,  then  a  young  man  only 
twenty-two  years.  "It  was  owing  to  the  energy  and  presencejof  mind, together 
with  the  decision  of  this  young  commander  th.-A.tnot  a  person  loaslost  on  that 
fearful  midnight,  though  the  boat  was  three  miles  from  the  nearest  land. 
Shortly  after  the  fire  was  discovered,  it  raged  with  irresistible  violence. 
The  passengers,  roused  by  the  alarm  from  their  slumbers,  and  waking  to 
a  terrible  sense  of  impending  destruction,  rushed  in  crowds  upon  the  deck 
and  attempted  to  seize  the  small  boats.  Here,  however,  they  were  met  by 
young  Sherman,  who,  having  abandoned  all  hope  of  saving  his  boat,  now 
thought  only  of  saving  his  passengers,  and  stood  by  the  gangway  with  a  pis- 
tol in  each  hand,  determined  to  prevent  any  person  trom  jumping  into 
the  boats  till  lowered  into  the  water.  With  the  utmost  coolness  and  pre- 
sence of  mind  he  superintended  the  necessary  preparations,  and,  in  a  few 
minutes  the  boats  were  properly  lowered  away,  and  the  passengers  re- 
ceived safely  on  board.  They  then  shoved  off  and  pulled  through  the 
darkness  for  the  distant  shore.  As  soon  as  this  was  reached,  and  the 
passengers  landed,  the  boats  returned  to  the  steamboat  and  took  off  the 
crew,  and  as  the  captain  supposed,  every  living  soul  except  himself.  But, 
shortly  after  the  boats  had  left  the  second  time,  he  discovered,  under  a 
settee,  the  chambermaid  of  the  Phcenix,  who,  in  her  fright  and  contusion, 
had  lost  all  consciousness.  Lashing  her  to  the  plank  which  he  had  pre- 
pared for  his  own  escape,  this  gallant  captain  launched  her  towards  the 
shore  ;  and  was  then  left  alone  with  his  vessel,  now  oneburning  pile.  Having 
satisfied  himself  that  no  living  thing  remained  on  board  his  boat,and  with  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  49 

proud  consciousness  that  he  had  saved  every  life  intrusted  to  his  care,  he 
sprung  from  the  burning  wreck  as  it  was  about  to  sink  beneath  the  waters, 
and,  by  tlie  means  of  a  settee,  reached  the  shore  in  safety."  This  simple 
narrative  of  one  of  the  most  heroic  acts  on  record,  I  heard  from  this  noble 
captain's  lips  only  more  minutely  detailed  to  satisfy  the  inquiring  minds 
of  his  young  and  interested  passengers. 

Our  baggage  underwent  a  slight  inspection  by  the  custom-house  officer 
at  St.  Johns,  situated  on  the  river  Richelieu  or  Sorel.  We  had  a  fine 
view  of  the  Military  Station  and  old  fort  all  of  which  were  particularly 
interesting  to  our  dear  father.  The  ride  of  twelve  miles  to  Chambly 
along  by  the  river  was  not  soon  to  be  forgotten,  the  road  was  in  a  misera- 
ble condition,  the  deep  ruts  and  mud  holes  made  it  a  perilous  undertak- 
ing ;  not  more  than  three  or  four  buildings,  made  of  logs  were  to  be  seen 
between  the  two  places.  Finally  we  came  to  the  foaming  rapids  of  the 
Sorel  river,  passed  close  by  the  old  Chambly  Fort,  wound  around  the  cir- 
cular basin  and  were  soon  comfortably  domiciled  with  our  old  friends,  the 
venerable  parents  of  John  and  Edward  S.  Glen.  We  were  charmed  with 
the  picturesque  site  of  the  ancient  town  at  the  foot  of  the  sparkling  rapids, 
on  the  circular  basin  nearly  two  miles  wide,  formed  by  the  expansion  of 
the  River  Sorel,  which  connects  the  River  St  Lawrence  with  Lake  Cham- 
plain.  There  are  two  villages  :  the  French  District,  situated  on  the  basin, 
■which  contains  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  a  large  College  for  young 
men,  the  Female  Academy,  stores  and  French  inhabitants.  The  English 
Canton  consisted  of  an  Episcopal  Church,  the  various  mills  just  above  the 
rapids,  with  a  small  number  of  English  residents  and  officers.  On  the 
Commune,  half  way  between  the  two  settlements  was  the  principal  Hotel. 
In  the  English  village  and  close  to  the  beautiful  rapids  stands  the  famous 
old  strong  Stone  fort  of  Revolutionary  renown,  which  \?as  captured  by 
the  Americans  in  1775  and  over  which  I  loved  to  roam. 

The  Beloeil  mountain  20  miles  distant  on  the  Sorel  was  then  and  in 
subsequent  years  the  scene  of  many  a  delightful  pic-nic.  At  this  our  first 
visit,  only  the  beautiful  bottomless  lake  nearly  at  the  summit  graced  the 
lofty  mountain,  but  "in  1843  a  huge  cross  was  erected,  the  pedestal  of 
which  was  sufficiently  large  to  form  a  chapel  capable  of  containing  fifty 
persons."  Subsequently  when  on  a  visit  in  1847  to  this,  pleasant  place, 
"  during  a  severe  thunder  gust,  the  lightning  and  wind  completely  de- 
molished the  cross  but  spared  the  pedestal  which  being  white  can  be  seen 
at  a  great  distance."  We  made  a  charming  visit  to  Montreal  about  nine- 
teen miles  distant,  with  a  general  intention  of  visiting  the  principal 
objects  of  interest,  so  we  neither  forgot  the  ride  around  the  Royal  Hill 
with  its  view  of  the  great  mountain  wildernes  on  the  north  of  the  city ; 
nor  the  Cathredal  on  Place  d'  Arms  with  its  two  towers  being  225  feet  in 
height.  Within  this  massive  structure,  of  Gothic  style  of  architecture, 
8000  persons  can  easily  be  accommodated.  And  now  having  accomplished 
the  "  sight  seeing,"  'arrangements  were  made  for  the  new  vocation. 

Our  dear  parents  did  not  leave,  till  they  saw  us  pleasantly  established  in 
an  excellent  French  school  instructed  by  nuns  sent  out  from  the  Congre- 
gational Nunnery  of  Montreal,  and  under  the  supervision  of  Rev.  P.  Mig- 
nault,  vicar  general,  the  most  worthy  and  estimable  Roman  Catholic 
priest  of  the  Chambly  Parochial.  Feeling  a  strange  interest  in  our  quaint 
position,  and  fortified  with  the  urbane  promise  of  no  compulsory  obliga- 
tions as  to  religious  instruction;  and  also  that  we  should  be  allowed  each 

II]  7 


50  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Saturday  afternoon  to  visit,  and  continue  till  Monday  morning  at  the  resi- 
dence of  our  friend  Mr.  Glen  ;  with  the  same  privilege  extended  for  the 
holidays  and  Catholic  festivals ;  we  willingly  remained,  but  there  was  a 
shower  of  tears.  This  circumspect  arrangement  V^pt  us  securely  under 
Protestant  influence,  and  each  Saturday  morning  the  Episcopal  clergyman, 
Rev.  Mr.  Braithwaite,  with  the  vigilance  of  a  good  shepherd  insisted  upon 
gathering  together  all  the  Protestant  lambs  of  that  scholastic  flock  into 
the  green  pastures  found  at  one  end  of  the  little  sitting  room  of  our  nun- 
nery. Here  with  great  persistence  he  faithfully  expounded  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  expatiating  fully  on  the  fallacy  of  Catholicism,  entirely  oblivious 
of  the  pertinacious  surveillance  of  the  saintly  nun  who  was  always  present 
at  this  moral  and  religious  training,  but  ostensibly  occupied  with  her 
beautiful  needle  work.  Our  labors  were  not  particularly  oppressive,  as 
French,  music  and  instruction  in  their  exquisite  embroidery,  crochet,  or- 
namental worsteds,  wax-work  and  other  fancy  novelties  comprised  the  ex- 
tent of  our  avocations.  It  is  really  a  pleasant  task  to  review  the  "  lights 
and  shades"  of  those  early  academic  days,  for  there  were  many  intelligent 
and  studious  girls  whom  we  highly  appreciated  and  with  one  or  two  we 
formed  a  life  long  friendship.  There  were  about  fifty  or  sixty  pupils  in 
the  school,  ten  of  whom  were  from  Protestant  families  in  the  States.  The 
too  susceptible  minds  of  three  of  these  young  ladies,  our  fellow-students, 
were  sadly  warped,  "  beguiled  by  sophistries  and  witched  by  a  pretense  of 
truth,  fantastic  as  fiction,"  much  to  our  regret  did  renounce  their  Pro- 
testant faith.  They  found  ready  sympathy  and  encouragement  in  "  the 
powers  that  be,"  and  soon,  with  complete  self-abnegation,  made  their 
decision  to  return  to  the  "  one  early  and  only  true  Church."  They 
made  confession,  were  baptized,  and  anointed  with  the  "holy  oil  of  con- 
firmation on  the  forehead,"  finishing  the  first  act  in  the  drama,  by  receiv- 
ing "  the  Bon  Dieu  "  or  the  "  sacramental  wafer." 

The  rosary  around  the  neck,  rope  girdle,  crucifix  held  between  the 
clasped  hands,  coarse  black  dress,  white  kerchief  about  the  face  or  black 
hood,  accorded  with  their  ideas  of  earthly  rest.  Their  youthful  imagina- 
tions were  charmed  by  the  ''  dramatic  and  pompous  ceremonies  of  the 
Bomish  ritual;"  the  sequence  was  —  they  enthusiastically  embraced  the 
vocation  of  a  religieuse  with  due  solemnity,  fixed  in  the  determination  to 
devote  themselves  to  the  service  of  God ;  to  enter  a  convent  and  in  a  state 
of  holy  seclusion,  by  good  deeds,  prepare  for  heaven  under  the  instruction 
of  their  confessors !  We  cannot  "  draw  a  vivid  picture  of  the  rigorous 
discipline  and  miseries  of  conventual  life  and  the  evils  which  result" 
from  it  for  we  saw  nothing  of  the  kind  detrimental  to  any  person.  On 
the  occasions  of  our  Jour  de  conge,  or  holidays,  we  certainly  had  most  en- 
joyable, merry  times  in  bdiling,  pulling  or  watching  the  making  of  molasses 
candy ;  skimming  ofi'  the  scum,  stirring  it  frequently,  the  flavoring, 
blanching  of  almonds  or  ground-nuts,  and  boiling  sufficiently  that  the 
mixture  might  be  crisp  and  brittle,  were  momentous  episodes  in  the  daily 
routine.  Occasionally  some  of  the  nuns  from  Montreal  would  come  over 
for  a  day  or  two ;  we  much  enjoyed  their  visits  for  they  seemed  so  full  of 
mirth  and  "  perfectly  content  with  the  happiness  of  a  nun's  life"  in  the 
seclusion  of  convent  walls. 

Assuredly  it  is  a  hazardous  experiment  and  of  doubtful  expediency,  if 
not  a  very  serious  responsibility  incurred,  for  parents  and  guardians  to 
send  their  children  from  the  sunshine  and  smiles  of  a  happy  home,  and 
consign  them  to  the  confines  of  a  nunnery.     It  is  impossible  that  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  51 

exiled  child  can  bask  in  the  genial  rays  of  love  as  found  in  the  "  home" 
sanctuary  ;  and  the  excitable,  tender  hearted  might  experience  the  perni- 
cious eifects,  might  be  influenced  by  the  blandishments  which  entangle, 
and  the  subtle  polishing  which  garnish  the  novitiate.  It  was  not  required 
of  MS  —  though  all  the  Canadians  were  obliged  at  certain  times  to  "  dip 
their  fingers  into  the  font  of  holy  water  and  touch  the  water  to  the  breast, 
forehead  and  each  side,  thus  forming  a  cross  and  say  a  short  prayer." 
When  the  cathedral  clock  struck  twelve  the  entire  body  of  students  im- 
mediately arose  and  with  decorous  gravity  repeated  a  prayer ;  soon  after 
which,  we  all  stood  patientlj'  in  wrapt  attention  while  the  "  Benediciti" 
was  pronounced,  and  then  sat  down  to  our  simple  meal  with  as  much  zest 
as  many  do  to  the  most  magnificent  banquet 

Our  lady  superior  was  dignified  and  serious,  a  lady  whom  we  all  re- 
spected and  could  not  fail  but  be  struck  with  her  beautiful  character. 
Sister  Saint  Theresa  was  always  very  pleasant,  and  with  her  winning  smile 
she  seemed  cheerful  and  full  of  gayety  ;  also  most  desirous  to  make  smooth 
like  velvet  the  roughest  places  of  life.  Unfortunately,  however,  this  wise, 
ubiquitous  mentor  had  an  innate  proclivity  for  creeping  very  stealthy 
upon  our  little  coterie,  at  unseasonable  hours,  the  utility  of  which  we  did  not 
at  all  appreciate.  She  was  strongly  suspected  of  prying  into  wardrobe 
minutiae,  as  two  Bibles  were  missing  from  two  separate  trunks.  We  must 
(perhaps)  have  overlooked  them,  for  when  my  sagacious  sister  Harriet  had 
announced  her  determination  of  making  the  loss  known  to  our  friends, 
the  Bibles  were  again  found,  without  difficulty  in  the  respective  trunks, 
which  were  subsequently  kept  locked. 

Vividly  as  though  events  of  but  yesterday,  another  panoramic  view  now 
glides  before  my  mental  vision,  portraying  a  few  incidents  connected  with 
our  conventual  life;  which  not  even  the  waves  of  acute  sorrow  that  have 
been  surging  over  my  head  since  those  times  have  obliterated.  The  school 
regulations  demanded  that  all  pupils  rose,  dressed  and  were  ready  for 
prayers  before  daylight;  we  then,  at  signal  of  bell,  kneeled  on  the  un- 
carpeted  floor,  in  a  double  row  around  the  community-room.  The  Pro- 
testant girls  being  also  required  to  be  present,  availed  themselves  of  that 
opportunity  to  commune  with  the  ever  present  God  in  their  own  private 
morning  devotions,  and  felt  it  an  incomparable  privilege  to  do  so.  On 
kneeling  down,  the. Canadian  suppliants  prostrated  themselves  and  kissed 
the  floor,  after  which  many  devout  ejaculations  enhanced  the  spirituality 
of  the  occasion ;  long  prayers  were  recited,  some  of  them  while  bending 
lowly  over  "  Hail  Mary"  Ave  Marie,  creeds  and  confessions  with  the  Rosary 
or  string  of  heads  used  by  Roman  Catholics  in  counting  prayers;  the  pro- 
tracted length  of  these  exercises,  in  the  kneeling  posture,  were  to  us  ex- 
ceedingly fatiguing  and  the  interest  often  slackened. 

One  memorable  cold  winter's  morning,  all  were  solemnly  engaged  in  the 
oratory  of  the  building ;  the  novices  were  repeating  together  aloud  the 
words  ''  Ora  pro  nobis.  Ora  pro  nobis."  Simultaneously,  to  my  utter 
consternation,  I  heard  —  in  sweet,  plaintive,  clear  accents  close  by  my 
side  :  "  Albany  beef  !  Albany  beef!  "  I  could  not  have  been  more  start- 
led had  the  veritable  sturgeon  from  the  Hudson  or  North  river  splashed 
by  my  side.  While  I  listened  with  fear  and  trembling  for  I  instantly 
recognized  the  tones  of  my  facetious  sister  I  was  really  surprised  to  hear 
how  perfectly  and  harmoniously  she  made  her  words  assimilate  with  their 
peculiar  intonation,  till  certainly  even  I  could  perceive  the  similarity  of 
style,  and  indeed  there  was  a  marvelous  resemblance  between  their  sounds 


52  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

and  her  peccant  imitation.  In  amazement  I  at  once  turned,  and  saw  the 
youthful  devotee  ■'meekly  kneeling  with  inimitable  composure  ;  her  fair 
young  head  erect,  as  "  her  raised  countenance  seemed  appealing  to 
Heaven  for  mercy"  eyes  closed,  clasped  hands  raised  before  her  breast, 
with  a  faultless  manner,  as  though  oblivious  of  her  surroundings,  while 
she  continued  monotonously,  with  a  firm  voice,  to  rehearse  her  strange 
words  !  She  was  a  general  favorite  with  all  her  young  companions,  not  one 
of  them  would  betray  her,  but  the  occasion  was  too  great  a  test  for  their 
risibilty.  Many  of  the  Canadians  understood  a  little  English,  and  after  a 
moment  of  intense  suspense,  during  which,  by  surreptitious  glances,  the 
pupils  seemed  to  comprehend  the  aifair  a  smothered  spurting,  or  suppressed 
giggle  of  a  light  girlish  laugh  would  burst  upon  the  stillness  of  that  cham- 
ber, broken  only  by  the  ceremonies  of  papal  authority.  Nothing,  however, 
seemed  to  disturb  the  equanimity  of  the  devout  proselyte ;  her  attractive 
quietness  was  in  striking  contrast  to  their  levity.  How  she  was  enabled 
to  maintain  such  perfect  composure  under  the  trying  ordeal  I  do  not  know, 
for  the  lynx-eyed  Saint  Theresa  was  quietly  watching  her  every  movement. 

While  kneeling  in  extreme  weariness,  and  striving  to  find  amusement 
for  herself  in  the  dim  lamp-light  during  the  long  dolesome  .service,  her 
sensitiveness  and  inveterate  keenness  of  satirical  perception,  was  on  the 
impulse  of  the  moment,  thus  ludicrously  exercised  by  the  similitude  of 
the  sound,  "  Ora  pro  nobis,  "  as  pronounced  in  the  measured  sing-song 
cadence,  to  the  words  of  ''  Albany  beef  I"  The  temptation  to  indulge  in 
her  peccadilloes,  was  too  strong  to  be  resisted  and  instantly,  on  the  ear, 
without  one  feeling  of  irreverence,  rose  the  abrupt  expressions  as  she 
joined  with  solemn  accents  in  the  inspiring  prayer.  How  the  idea  ever 
struck  her  imaginative  mind,  seemed  a  marvel  to  my  obtuse  sense ;  but 
while  conscious  keen  eyes  were  scrutinizing,  I  could  not  suppress  a  smile 
at  the  novelty  of  the  thing,  yet  I  trembled  for  the  result  to  the  facetious 
recluse,  not  knowing  but  the  severest  penalties  might  be  inflicted. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  matin  exercise,  the  superior  took  her  cus- 
tomary seat  and  with  an  authoritative  voice  said,  "  Mademoiselle  Marie 
venez  id."  You  might  have  heard  a  pin  drop  in  the  hushed  stillness  of 
the  moment  as,  in  anxious  solicitude,  all  her  young  companions  stood 
around  waiting  for  further  developments. 

At  this  peculiar  crisis  the  mischievous  girl,  without  the  slightest  ap- 
pearance of  being  a  culprit,  went  joyously  forward  to  obey  the  summons. 
To  the  question  in  French,  of  what  had  she  been  doing  while  we  knelt  ? 
she  promptly  answered  "  Praying."  In  reply  to  further  inquiries  "  with 
a  ludicrous  elongation  of  her  usually  bright  face,"  she  assumed  a  grieved 
look,  and  expressed  her  surprise  at  the  discourtesy  of  laughing  at  her  feeble 
efi"orts,  and  also  calling  her  to  an  account!  How  could  she  be  censured 
if  unfortunate  in  getting  the  right  tone,  though  it  might  be  a  humiliating 
fact,  did  she  not  come  there  to  learn  ?  The  finale  of  close  investigation 
was  a  loving  smile  of  rare  approval  from  the  credulous  superior,  and  a 
gentle  tap  of  appreciation  on  the  head  of  the  bonyie  en/ant  who  no  doubt 
was  striving  to  be  a  good  Catholic  —  certainly  was  not  guilty  of  a  heinous 
oifence  and  no  penance  was  imposed  !  !  The  demure  faces  of  the  surround- 
ing circle  during  the  rigid  examination,  and  the  bright  smiles  of  relief  at 
the  commendatory  encomiums  for  her  piety,  gave  sufficient  evidence  of 
the  high  esteem  in  which  she  was  universally  held.  "  The  culture  of 
manners  is  a  specialty  at  all  Catholic  schools"  and  it  was  manifested  now 
as  the  most  perfect  decorum  was  observed  during  all  the  proceedings.    An 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  53 

increase  of  kindness  and  good  will  were  plainly  felt  to  be  the  pervading 
influences  among  our  ranks,  and  a  more  "  cheerful  looking  saint"  than 
Mademoiselle  Marie  was  never  seen. 

We  witnessed  a  religious  festival  of  the  church  of  Rome,  that  occurs  on 
the  next  Thursday  after  Trinity  Sunday,  in  June,  "  the  month  of  roses." 
It  was  the  procession  of  La  fete  Dieu  or  Corpus  CJiristi  day,  in  honor  of 
the  eucharist;  it  also  justly  represents  that  God  is  King  of  Armies,  but 
there  were  not  a  few  among  the  illiterate  mass  of  the  people,  who,  not 
having  been  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  the  finer  meshes  of  Catholicism, 
but  really  supposed,  and  told  us,  it  was  to  fire  away  the  devil,  their  com- 
mon enemy  from  the  community.  Eustic  arbors  beautifully  festooned 
with  evergreens  and  flowers,  had  been  erected  at  certain  distances;  the 
inclosures  of  which  were  decorated  with  choice  paintings;  and  carpets 
spread  upon  the  ground.  The  table  in  each  arbor  was  covered  with  an 
altar-cloth  splendidly  embroidered  —  the  handiwork  of  the  nuns  —  on 
which  was  the  crucifix  and  other  customary  paraphernalia.  At  the  hour 
appointed  for  the  ceremonies,  the  military,  in  all  their  polished  equipments, 
were  drawn  up  in  fine  style.  The  vicar-general  carrying  the  consecrated 
wafer,  over  whom  was  upheld  a  handsome  canopy,  with  the  other  high 
dignitaries  of  the  church  clad  in  their  gorgeous  robes ;  the  several  orders 
of  priests  w.ith  their  attendants,  in  white  gowns,  walking  backwards,  some 
of  whom  were  throwing  up  the  burning  incense,  others  scattering  rose 
leaves  and  flowers  in  the  pathway ;  students  from  the  college,  together 
with  the  populace  made  an  immense  concourse  of  people.  The  mellifluous 
chanting  of  the  students,  "  the  charm  of  the  ostentatious  forms,"  and  the 
imposing  lustre  of  Catholicity  was  all  very  captivating  and  made  it  an  im- 
pressive pageant.  As  the  procession  arrived  at  the  difi"erent  arbors,  there 
was  a  general  halt  and  prostration  while  the  reverend  fathers  ofl&ciated 
at  the  altar  and  sprinkled  them  with  holy  water. 

The  largest  and  most  richly  furnished  of  the  arbors  was  directly  be- 
neath our  school-room  windows  close  against  the  building.  While  the 
ceremonies  were  progressing  in  this  little  sanctuary,  and  the  air  heavy  with 
fumes  from  the  burning  incense,  the  people  were  densely  packed  before 
the  house  in  a  posture  of  adoration.  The  hushed  stillness  of  the  motley 
crowd  when  the  host  was  elevated,  the  sonorous  responsal.from  the  stu- 
dents to  prayers  in  the  miniature  chapel,  the  theatrical  display,  and  the 
tout  ensemble  of  this  august  spectacle  seemed  a  most  potent  appliance  both 
to  attract  and  control  in  abject  submission  the  minds  of  that  worshipping 
assemblage.  The  many  windows  of  the  edifice  were  filled  with  pupils  and 
their  friends,  among  others  were  Miss  Glen,  my  sister  and  myself;  while 
directly  around  the  booth,  assembled  many  Catholic  gentlemen  whom  we 
knew.  At  the  conclusion  of  prayers,  while  still  prostrate,  the  military 
fired  a/eu  de  joie,  it  was  a  heavy  volley,  and  simultaneously  with  the 
sudden  blaze  and  crash,  above  all  its  noise  came  the  discordant  bellowing 
of  a  frightened  refractory  calf —  which  with  eyes  widely  distended  till 
only  the  white  seemed  visible  —  manifested  its  alarm  by  terrific  cries. 
With  frantic  leaps  he  dasl)ed  wildly  through  the  startled,  kneeling  multi- 
tude ;  sprang  hither  and  thither  causing  no  small  commotion,  while  the 
throng  of  devotees  rose  simultaneously  from  their  knees  with  wonderful 
agility  and  beat  a  precipitate  retreat ;  indeed  the  grounds  presented  an 
animated  tableau.  At  this  critical  moment  in  the  midst  of  all  the  tumult, 
rose  a  shrill,  piercing  cry  of"  Oh  !  Jane  Anna  !  Jane  Anna  !  See!  see, 
THERE  goes  the  devil  in  the  shape  of  a  calf !  !"     Which  accompanied 


54  Legacy  of  Historical  GiEANnsras. 

with  the  jileeful  clapping  of  her  hands  in  unspeakable  delight  that  knew 
uo  bounds,  quite  electrified  us.  The  scene  seemed  real,  not  illusory,  and 
almost  impressed  you  with  the  idea,  that  the  precocious  enthusiast  rejoiced 
in  the  belief  that  Satan  had  actually  entered  into  the  animal  and  taken  his 
departure.  The  remark  certainly  was  most  apropos,  for  you  could  readily 
imagine  the  furiously  frantic  calf  possessed  with  the  evil  ravings  of  a  de- 
moniac spirit,  and  it  would  not  have  been  surprising  if  the  startling  appa- 
rition had  made  converts  of  many  others  to  the  doctrine  of  transmigration 
on  that  occasion. 

The  friends  aroufld,  however,  were  by  this  time  pretty  well  posted  in  the 
peculiar  proclivities  of  my  fun  loving  sister,  and  I  observed  more  than  one 
highly  amused  gentleman  when  rising  from  his  knees,  shake  his  head  or 
finger  at  the  merry  girl,  as  though  they  considered  her  case  a  hopeless  one 
and  the  incorrigible  Mademoiselle  Marie  impervious  to  reproof 

Previous  to  our  return  home,  our  excellent  lady  superior  sickend  and 
died.  When  the  cold  chill  was  on  her  clammy  brow,  we  knelt  near  her 
bed  side  and  saw  her  receive  the  last  sacrainent.  The  rite  of  extreme  unc- 
tion, "  or  the  application  of  sacred  oil  to  the  head,  the  hands,  and  the  feet 
of  the  dying  saint ;"  together  with  the  consecrated  wafer,  which  was  held 
by  the  priest  between  his  fore-finger  and  thumb  and  then  laid  on  her  tongue  ; 
the  sprinkling  with  holy-water,  burning  incense,  chanting,  and  prayers 
were  solomm  rites,  and  seemed  a  comfort  to  the  good  lady  who  soon  "  passed 
away."  The  host  was  then  borne  in  a  procession  through  the  streets  to 
the  church ;  a  boy  going  before,  dressed  in  white,  rang  a  bell,  at  which 
sound  all  persons  near  prostrated  themselves,  remaining  in  that  position 
till  the  "  Bon  Dieu"  had  passed. 

Col.  Van  Scliaick  to  Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Washington  Jany  2B,  1833. 

You  may  rest  assured  my  dear  Colonel,  that  no  change  will  be  made  in 
the  Post  Office  at  Albany  let  "  the  Regency  "  do  their .  The  de- 
claration of  General  Jackson  that  he  would  not  remove  General  Van 
liensselaer  unless  his  enemies  dare  denounce  and  could  /jroi;e  him  a  de- 
faulter sets  the  question  at  rest  forever.  Besides  I  take  the  liberty  to 
inform  you  that  the  Post  Master  General  has  expressed  himself  so  un- 
qualifiedly delighted  with  a  breakfast,  or  dinner  or  some  visit  of  that  sort 
he  made  at  your  fathers,  that  when  applied  to  he  said,  "  I  have  seen  this 
gallant  soldier  surrounded  by  a  most  amiable  and  charming  family  — 
intelligent,  happy,  delightful;  I  cannot  consent  to  bring  misfortune  into 
such  a  circle  —  I  cannot  consent  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer's  removal." 
Such  I  have  been  well  assured  is  the  substance  and  language  held  by  Mr. 
Barry.  Our  true  policy  is  to  consider'  the  question  of  a  removal  as  a  thing 
not  to  be  discussed,  much  less  to  be  dreaded.  The  effort  to  remove  Gen. 
V.  R.  is  looked  upon  with  abhorrence  by  men  on  both  sides,  and  thousands 
of  Jackson  men  are  glad  that  it  has  been  defeated.  There  is  no  chance 
for  you  in  the  fighting  way  unless  the  whole  nation  is  involved  in  a  civil 
war  —  the  actual  collision  if  there  is  one,  will  be  short.  People  will  soon 
begin  to  inquire,  "  what  are  we  fighting  about?  "  If  you  could  send  me 
a  superfluous  Evening  Journal  or  Microscope  now  and  then  I  should  be 
obliged.     If  I  can  do  any  thing  here  for  you  —  command  me. 

Yours  truly,  J.  B.  Van  Schaick. 

Colonel  Reus.  Van  Rensselaer. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  55 

Hon.  W.  T.  Barry  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Sir,  Washington,  28tli  Jany.,  1833. 

I  have  received  yours  with  the  extract  from  the  Daily  Advertiser. 
What  is  said  of  myself  is  true,  and  I  suppose  it  is  so  as  to  what  the  Presi- 
dent is  represented  to  have  said.  It  is  a  matter  of  no  importance,  and  it 
is  not  necessary  to  trouble  the  President  about  it.  I  owe  you  an  apology 
for  not  answering  your  esteemed  favor,  received  some  time  since,  enclosing 
a  copy  of  your  letter  to  the  President  The  patriotic  tender  of  services 
you  make,  is  in  accordance  with  the  history  of  your  life,  distinguished  by 
acts  of  gallantry  and  bravery.     The  President  appreciates  it  properly. 

Present  me  kindly  to  your  amiable  family  and  believe  me  to  be  —  Sin- 
cerely and  truly  —  yours,  W.  T.  Barry. 

Genl.  Solomon  Van  Ptensselaer,  P.  M.  Albany. 

"The  patriotic  tender  of  service,"  was' on  the  occasion  in  1832  that 
South  Carolina  threatened  to  secede,  on  account  of  the  increased  duties 
on  imported  goods  as  enacted  by  congress.  South  Carolina  opposed  the 
tariff,  insisting  "  that  duties  should  not  be  collected  within  her  borders. 
Jackson  said  he  should  enforce  the  law,  and  took  prompt  measures  for  so 
doing."  The  president  issued  a  proclamation  on  the  occasion,  and  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer  offered  if  necessary  to  go  to  Charleston  in  support  of  the 
constitution  and  the  laws.  "  The  difficulty  was  not  settled  till  congress 
passed  a  bill  introduced  by  Henry  Clay,  providing  for  a  gradual  reduction 
of  the  tariff.  Conrad  Ten  Eyck  and  Charles  B.  Lansing  were  at  this  time 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer's  aids." 

Oen.  Harrison  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Friend,  Cincinnati  15th  Jany.,  1835. 

The  last  correspondence  between  us  was  a  letter  from  you  dated  about 
eighteen  months  ago.  I  did  not  answer  it  —  for  at  the  time  and  long  after, 
I  was  greatly  afflicted  in  mind  and  frequently  so  in  person.  I  could  not 
write  to  you  without  telling  you  all  the  tale  of  my  woes,  and  although  I 
knew  that  from  your  generous  heart  I  should  experience  the  kindest 
sympathy,  I  was  determined  to  suffer  alone  and  not  excite  feelings  in  my 
friends  which  would  distress  them  without  doing  me  any  service.  With- 
out going  into  particulars,  I  can  now  tell  you  that  the  sources  of  my 
misfortunes,  were  pecuniary  embarrassments  produced  in  part  by  the  im- 
prudence of  two  of  my  sons,  but  much  more  by  my  own  folly  in  making 
myself  responsible  for  men  whom  I  took  to  be  honest  upon  their  own  pro- 
fessions. In  the  midst  of  my  difficulties,  however,  I  never  gave  myself 
up  to  despair,  but  resolutely  resolved  to  apply  every  remedy  withiu  my 
reach  to  overcome  what  I  could  overcome  and  palliate  what  I  could  not. 
My  efforts,  if  they  have  not  completely  succeeded,  have  so  far  approached 
towards  success  as,  to  give  me  every  encouragement  to  persevere.  I  am  in 
hopes  to  be  able  to  liquidate  all  the  claims  upon  me  and  still  have  enough 
left  to  support  my  family.  I  am  greatly  aided  by  the  possession  of  an 
office  humble  indeed,  but  still  honorable  and  lucrative.  I  am  the  Clerk 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Hamilton  Countj/  at  your  service.  But 
I  have  news  still  more  strange  to  tell  you  if  you  have  not  already  heard  it. 
Some  folks  are  silly  enough  to  have  formed  a  plan  to  make  a  President  of 
the  United  States  out  of  this  Clerk  and  Clodhopper  !  And  amongst 
other  reasons  they  assign  is,  that  of  my  being  the  only  one  at  all  likely  to 


56  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

overthrow  the  Champion  of  the  Empire  State.  Now  if  he  were  only  a 
Champion,  however  famed  for  deeds  of  noble  daring  in  fair  and  open 
fields,  an  old  Soldier  could  not  well  decline  the  contest.  But  then  he  is 
supposed  to  deal  in  an  Art  which  forms  no  part  of  the  tactics  that  you 
and  I  have  learnt.  But  even  with  this  advantage,  I  will  not  yield  the 
field  to  him  if  I  am  selected  for  the  combat,  but  will  willingly  give  way 
to  either  of  the  more  able  and  experienced  Warriors  that  can  be  selected 
from  the  ranks  in  which  I  am  enrolled.  I  send  you  herewith  two  or 
three  papers  which  contain  Articles  that  may  interest  you. 

My  family  are  not  in  the  City  with  me,  my  Wife  was  too  snug  in  her 
quarters  at  home  to  come  up  here.  But  I  merely  stay  myself  whilst  the 
Court  is  in  Session.  I  have  rooms  in  the  best  hotel.  Present  me  most 
afi'ectionately  to  Mrs.  Rensselaer  and  the  young  ladies  and  to  Rens- 
selaer—  by  no  means  forgetting  the  son-in-law  and  daughter.  Tell  me  in 
your  next  how  my  namesake  '  jjrows  and  whether  the  Mother  and  Grrand- 
mother,  at  least,  do  not  think  him  the  finest  fellow  in  the  world.  Carter 
is  with  me,  he  has  been  studying  Law  for  a  year  past  at  Dayton,  and  is 
now  attending  the  law  lectures  of  King,  Wright  &  Walker. 

Your  afi"ectiouate  friend, 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.       W.  H.  Harrison. 

Gen.  Hanison  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

My  Dear  Friend,  White  Sulphur  Springs,  Va.,  25th  Aug.,  1836. 

Upon  my  ari'ival  here  two  days  ago  I  received  your  letter  urging  me  to 
visit  N.  York.  I  have  duly  weighed  the  proposition  and  have  taken  the 
advice  of  several  of  the  most  talented  men  of  the  State,  who  are  here  and  as 
much  interested  as  you  are  in  the  Cause.  The  opinion  of  all  coincide  &c. 
that  I  should  by  no  means  place  myself  in  an  attitude  which  would  give 
my  opponents  an  opportunity  to  say  with  truth,  that  I  was  traveling  for 
the  purpose  of  Electioneering.  Believing  that  I  would  at  least  lose  as 
much  by  such  a  course  as  I  would  gain  ;  my  position  is  now  one  of  dignity 
at  least.  I  did  not  bring  myself  forward ;  my  friends  did  not  bring  me 
forward  —  I  was  brought  out  by  the  Spontaneous  Will  of  the  People  :  the 
object — to  put  down  Corruption  and  Manceuvi'inj,  to  restore  the  times 
when  the  decision  of  the  people  was  the  result  of  their  judgment,  not 
of  their  passions  inflamed  by  artful  demagogues.  I  am  here  in  a  way  to 
give  cause  for  no  unfavorable  remark.  I  am  on  a  visit  to  near  relatives 
whom  I  have  not  seen  for  several  years.  No  one  can  with  propriety  ob- 
ject to  it;  particularly  as  I  decline  all  public  dinners,  travel  rapidly,  and 
mingle  as  little  as  I  can  do  without  giving  ofi"ence — with  the  people. 
There  is  only  one  reason  connected  with  the  Election  that  would  Aawe  au- 
thorized this  journey,  and  that  is  to  counteract  the  opinion,  which  has 
been  industriously  circulated,  that  I  was  an  old  broken  down  feeble  man. 
Upon  this  subject  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  say  to  you,  as  I  know  it  will  be 
highly  gratifying  to  you,  that  I  was  never  in  better  health  in  my  life. 
You  would  scarcely  know  me,  I  am  so  much  altered  for  the  better  since 
we  two  met.  [The  greater  part  of  the  time  during  his  visit  at  my  father's 
house  in  1832,  he  was  suffering  severely  with  ague  in  his  face.]     I  go 

'  The  little  namesake,  "  Harrison  "  son  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth  V.  R.,  was  born 
June  9,  1832  and  died  July  9, 1833,  aged  13  months. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  57 

from  hence  towards,  the  seaboard  of  the  State  and  shall  be  ia  Baltimore  in 
about  twelve  day's  when  I  sh;ili  expect  a  letter  from  you.. 

My  affectionate  regards  to  the  Ladies  and  Rensselaer. 

Yours  most  truly,  W.  H.  Harrison. 

Genl.  Sol.  Van  Eensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Vice  President  Johnson  said  in  the  house  of  representatives  whilst  a 
member  of  that  body :  "  Of  the  career  of  Gen.  Harrison  I  need  not  speak, 
the  history  of  the  West  is  his  history.  For  forty  years  he  has  been  iden- 
tified with  its  interests,  its  perils  and  its  hopes.  Universally  beloved  in 
the  walks  of  peace,  and  distinguished  by  his  ability  in  the  councils  of  his 
country,  he  has  been  yet  more  illustriously,  distinguished  in  the  field. 
During  the  late  war,  he  was  longer  in  actual  service  than  any  other  gene- 
ral oflScer ;  he  was,  perhaps,  oftener  in  action,  than  any  one  of  them,  and 
never  sustained  a  defeat. 

"  Such  is  the  man  who  still  enjoying  his  untarnished  fame  and  glory, 
and  standing  on  a  proud  and  lofty  eminence,  where  neither  malice  or  envy 
can  assail  him,  is  now  summoned  by  his  grateful  countrymen  to  leave  the 
quiet  walks  of  private  life  to  guide  the  councils  of  the  nation,  and  '  deliver 
the  country  from  the  dangers  which  encompass  it.'  And  he  will  Be 
Her  Deliverer!!  In  January,  1818,  General  Harrison  introduced  a 
resolution,  (when  in  congress  to  which  he  was  elected  in  1816)  in  honor 
of  Kosciusko,  and  supported  it  in  one  of  the  most  feeling,  classical,  and 
eloquent  speeches  ever  delivered  in  the  house  of  representatives." 

Robert  Johnston  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Post  Ofl&ce  Dept.  Appointment  Office, 
Sir,  Washington,  March  15,  1837. 

A  letter  has  been  received  at  the  Department  in  which  it  is  alleged 
that  you  have  for  a  long  time  been  in  the  practice  of  returning  persons 
as  Clerks  in  your  Office  who  have  never  acted  as  such,  and  giving  large 
salaries  to  persons  who  render  but  little  service ;  that  your  Son  E,.  Van 
Rensselaer  was  not  Employed  more  than  a  third  of  the  time  and  that  his 
work  was  wholly  superfluous ;  that  your  daughter,  A.  Van  Rensselaer,  has 
received  a  large  salary  for  two  and  a  half  hours  work  in  a  day  &c.  It  is 
also  alleged  that  you  do  not  personally  attend  to  the  affairs  of  the  Office, 
but  leave  them  wholly  to  the  guidance  of  your  Assistant ;  and  that  for  the 
year  1834  you  obtained  and  returned  the  receipts  of  Clerks  for  $700  each, 
when  in  fact  you  only  paid  them  $600  each. 

I  am  instructed  by  the  Postmaster  General  to  communicate  these  charges 
to  you,  and  request  an  answer  with  such  explanations  as  you  may  think 
proper  to  offer.  Very  respectfully.  Your  Obdt.  Servant, 

Rob.  Johnston,  2d.  Asst.  P.  M.  Genl. 

S.  Van  Rensselaar  Esq.,  P.  M.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

"  Having  been  a  warm  politician  of  the  old  federalist  school.  General 
Van  Rensselaer,  who  was  a  terse,  caustic,  and  accomplished  writer,  wield- 
ing the  pen  with  great  power  and  sometimes  stinging  severity,  became  a 
marked  object  of  displeasure  with  the  democratic  general  government. 
And  now  in  the  renewal  of  the  crusade  against  the  sturdy  veteran,  to  all 
these  intensified  charges,  instigated  by  some  of  their  sycophantic  adherents 
to  democracy,  the  following  reply  was  sent. 

II]  8 


68  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  the  Post  Master  Oejieral. 
Sir,  Albany  March  24,  1837. 

Your  letter  of  15th  iust.  T  received  on  Monday  last.  I  have  been  attend- 
ing Court,  as  a  witness  for  three  days  or  I  would  have  answered  it  before. 
"Who  the  letter  writer  is,  you  mention,  I  cannot  conjecture,  unless  he  be  a 
Clerk  I  dismissed  from  the  Office  for  not  attending  to  his  duties.  I 
should  be  happy  to  see  that  letter  if  it  is  not  contrary  to  the  Rules  of  the 
Department,  I  will  return  it  if  desired. 

As  to  the  Charge  of  my  leaving  all  to  the  management  of  my  Assistant 
is  untrue  ;  he  has  Charge  of  the  Distributing  Department  and  for  which  he 
is  responsible ;  my  private  office  adjoins  the  Post-Office  and  so  situated, 
as  your  Agents  can  tell,  as  to  overlook,  and  hear  what  passes  in  it,  and  I 
superintend  the  whole. 

The  Finance  Department  I  exclusively  attend  to.  I  am  induced  to 
believe  that  the  Office  is  well  managed,  as  I  have  never  heard  of  a  Com- 
plaint here  to  the  contrary  —  and  to  my  proniptness  in  making  my  returns 
and  payments,  the  Post  Master  Genl.  can  best  judge.  When  Genl.  Har- 
rison went  as  Minister  to  Colombia  my  only  )So?i  was  in  his  family,  he  is 
warmly  attached  to  him,  and  out  of  delicacy  to  me  and  of  his  own  accord 
has  withdrawn  from  the  Post  Office  and  has  had  nothing  to  do  with  it 
since  the  30th  June  last.  As  to  my  Daughter,  she  is  unfortunately  Deaf, 
and  has  in  consequence  of  it,  withdrawn  from  company,  and  devotes  her- 
self to  writing  which  greatly  amuses  her,  she  is  very  accurate,  writes  with 
great  facility,  and  I  very  much  doubt  whether  any  Clerk  can  be  found  to 
copy  about  Fifteen  Hundred  pages  of  transcripts  as  she  does  a  quarter; 
the  returns  will  show  the  same,  besides  other  writing  for  me.  Before 
Major  Barry  changed  the  mode  from  quarterly  to  weekly  payments,  the 
accounts  of  the  Office  as  had  been  usual  before  I  took  charge  of  it,  were 
paid  quarterly,  the  consequence  was  that  I  lost  large  sums,  I  do  not  wish 
to  disturb  the  ashes  of  the  Dead  and  therefore  I  shall  avoid  mentioning 
names  unless  it  becomes  necessary,  but  I  lost  by  two  gentlemen,  now  no 
more.  Fifteen  Hundred  Dollars,  whom  I  could  not  possibly  avoid  crediting. 
I  was  at  Washington  and  mentioned  the  thing  to  Colonel  Gardner  and 
asked  him  if  it  was  not  possible  that  the  Post-Master  General  could  allow 
me  for  it,  he  said  he  believed  not,  but  that  I  had  better  speak  to  him.  I 
did  so.  Major  Barry  told  me,  that  he  could  do  nothing,  but  that  it  was  a 
hard  case,  that  these  and  other  unavoidable  losses  should  come  out  of  my 
salary  alone ;  and  that  as  my  Clerks  received  the  balance  of  the  Commis- 
sion, they  ought  to  contribute  their  proportion;  and  advised  me  to  deduct 
a  portion  of  the  amount  from  their  Compensation.  I  accordingly  deducted 
from  five  Clerks  with  their  Consent  One  Hundred  Dollars  Each ;  although 
I  knew  that  I  was  right  in  doing  so,  I  afterwards  regretted  it,  lest  it  might 
give  rise  to  improper  remarks,  and  I  never  attempted  it  afterwards. 

Besides  these,  there  are  several  other  losses  I  sustaip,  the  mails  generally 
arrive  in  the  Evening,  a  great  proportion  of  the  letters  are  delivered  be- 
tween early  candle  light  and  9  o'clock,  until  that  hour  the  delivery  is 
kept  open.  The  consequence  is,  at  those  hours,  good  from  bad  bills 
cannot  as  well  be  distinguished  as  in  the  day  time,  and  many  Counterfeit 
ones  are  taken,  this  too  is  my  loss.  Errors  in  making  change,  in  the 
hurry  of  a  crowd,  upon  letters  and  newspapers.  The  corrections  at  the 
Genl.  Post  Office  of  my  Accounts  &c  all  tend  to  reduce  my  Compensation, 
in  which  I  think  my  Clerks  should  participate,  and  which  I  respectfully 
submit  to  the  decision  of  the  Post  Master  General. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


59 


I  inclose  you  the  oaths  of  office  of  two  new  Clerks,  the  one  is  a  night 
clerk,  and  the  other  for  the  distribution,  in  the  place  of  Perlee  dismissed, 
and  the  other  in  that  of  Martin  whose  names  are  now  on  file  in  the  Greneral 
Post  Office.  Martin  was  one  of  the  night  clerks,  was  tired  of  the  business 
and  resigned.  Indeed  the  duties  of  this  extensive  night  office,  as  I  may 
term  it,  are  very  hard ;  they  commence  half  past  five  in  the  morning,  and 
the  mails  are  not  all  made  up  until  half  past  ten  or  eleven  o'clock  at  night. 
Two  more  Clerks  will  leave  the  office  on  the  first  of  April,  it  takes  two  or 
three  months  before  they  know  their  duty  ;  and  when  the  Contract  with  the 
Rail  Road  Company  commences,  I  shall  require  an  additional  clerk  to  get 
the  Steam  Boat  mails  ready  for  the  Cars  at  11  o''clock,  unless  the  Post 
Master  Genl.  directs  its  departure  at  one  o'clock.  From  this  you  will  be 
enabled  to  judge  of  the  candor  of  the  letter  writer,  and  shall  only  add, 
that  the  Clerks  I  have  in  the  Office  are  very  efficient,  that  they  have  full 
employment  and  that  I  have  only  those  whose  names  are  last  returned  to 
the  Department,  and  the  two  now  mentioned.  It  takes  the  time  of  a 
Clerk  to  distribute  blanks,  twine,  wrapping  paper  &c.,  to  the  different 
Post  Offices,  which  this  Contractor  might  as  well  do  by  appointing  an 
Agent  in  this  City.  Post  Masters  with  the  same  facilities  might  apply 
to  him  as  well  as  to  me,  and  save  the  trouble  of  opening  numerous  letters 
and  drawing  our  attention  from  the  business  of  the  office. 

I  am  with  great  respect  your  Obt  Sevt.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Robert  Johnston,  l^nd  Asst.  Post  Master  General. 

The  above  answer  must  have  been  satisfivctory  as  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer 
was  retained  in  office  until  1839. 


Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 


Morgan  Lewis. 


Gov.  Lems  to  Miss  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Miss  Van  Rensselaer,  New  York,  5th  June,  1837. 

I  do  not  venture  on  your  Christian  name,  though  I  believe  it  to  be 
Adeline.  The  Ear-Trumpet  however,  which  accompanies  it,  will  deter- 
mine, for  which  of  the  Daughters  of  my  friend  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Reus- 


60  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

selaer  it  is  intended.  I  met  with  it  by  accident,  and  believing  it  would 
be  an  acceptable  present  to  you,  though  the  offering  of  an  old  man  and  a 
widower,  I  take  the  Liberty  of  presenting  it  to  you,  with  my  best  wishes 
that  it  may  prove  an  agreeable  companion.  It's  form  will  shew  its  use. 
It  will  be  necessary  for  you  however  to  caution  those  who  speak  to  you 
through  it,  to  speak  low,  slow  and  distinct. 

With  my  affectionate  remembrance  to  your  father,  mother  and  sisters, 
be  pleased  to  place  on  the  list  of  your  friends. 

Your  hbl.  Servt.,  Morgan  Lewis. 

Miss  Van  Rensselaer  —  Care  of  Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany. 

"  The  great  panacea  for  deafness,  the  catholicon  for  the  removal  of  un- 
told human  ills,  both  physical  and  mental,  which  will  make  a  life  a  summer 
sky,  which  will  replace  the  darkest  with  the  gladest  sunshine,  which  will 
put  a  budding  rose  where  first  flourished  the  ragged  thorn,  is  the  blessed 
habit  of  an  implicit  reliance  on  the  wisdopa  and  love  of  Providence  in  every 
occurrence  of  life  ;  of  humble  gratitude  if  it  is  gladsome  ;  of  uncomplain- 
ing resignation  if  it  is  adverse  ;  saying  and  feeling  of  every  deprivation  : 
"  Not  as  I  will,  but  as  Thou  wilt."  This  is  the  balm  of  Gilead ;  it  is  true 
bliss." 

Miss  Van  Rensselaer  to  Gov.  Lewis. 

Dear  General,  Albany,  June  10,  1837. 

Your  present  arrived  safe  and  proves  indeed,  "  an  agreeable  companion." 
It  is  highly  valuable  as  it  enables  me  to  converse  with  ease,  and  I  shall 
prize  it  the  more  as  coming  from  one  who  has  always  been  a  particularly  kind, 
warm  friend  to  my  dear  Parents.  They  have  a  great  and  true  regard 
for  you,  and  they  frequently  speak  of  you  with  interest  and  affection. 
They  also  feel  this  new  instance  of  your  ready,  considerate  kindness  very 
much  indeed  to  their  afflicted  daughter.  I  cannot  express  my  thanks  for 
this  valuable  gift  as  I  could  wish,  but  you  may  rest  assured  dear  General, 
that  I  am  truly  grateful.  It  was  my  intention  to  have  purchased  a  Trum- 
pet, but  put  off  doing  so  until  I  could  go  to  New  York  myself,  that  I  might 
know  at  once  if  the  instrument  would  be  of  use  to  me.  I  fitid  it  very 
pleasant,  on  applying  the  tube  to  my  ear,  to  feel  the  sense  of  hearing  is 
quickened  and  aided  so  much,  as  to  enalbe  me  to  distinguish  the  different 
sounds  quite  readily,  which  without  would  be  at  the  best  but  obscurely 
heard. 

The  incapacity  of  perceiving  sounds  is  a  great  deprivation,  for  deafness  is 
always  liable  to  depress  the  spirits,  and  my  organs  have  been  so  long  im- 
,  paired  that  this  trumpet  is  really  a  comfort.  I  am  exceedingly  glad  to 
have  one  so  much  sooner  than  I  expected  and  return  you  my  thankful  ac- 
knowledgments. Papa,  Mama  and  their  tribe  desire  to  be  kindly  and 
affectionately  remembered  to  you.  Accept  our  esteem  and  best  wishes, 
and  believe  me  sincerely,  your  much  obliged  friend. 

Gen.  Morgan  Lewis,  New  York.  Adeline  Van  Rensselaer. 

General  Lewis  to  General  Van  Rensselaer. 

Bear  Sir,  Staatsberg,  16th  Sept.,  1837. 

Our  Wheat  having  failed  in  this  country  last  season,  I  find  it  difficult 
to  procure  that  which  is  fit  for  sowing.  I  will  be  much  obliged  to  you 
therefore  if  you  will  inquire  whether  I  can  procure  in  Albany  fifty  Bushels 
of  white  flint,  perfectly  clean  and  at  what  price,  and  should  the  latter  not 
be  too  extravagant  I  will  send  my  Overseer  up  to  purchase  it.     I  will 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  61 

thank  you  to  give  me  an  early  answer  as  my  grounds  are  ready  to  receive 
it.  I  should  have  called  to  see  you  on  my  return  from  the  Springs,  but 
arrived  in  Albany  in  the  night,  very  unwell,  and  hastened  home  early  the 
next  morning. 

With  respects  to  the  Ladies  of  your  family,  believe  me  to  be  your  friend 
and  Servant.  M.  Lewis. 

Maj.  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany, 

It  is  an  interesting  episode  in  our  general  history  to  read  such  a  letter 
from- General  Morgan  Lewis;  though  his  services  as  governor,  as  an 
officer,  and  a  gentleman  ranked  among  the  very  first,  yet  he  retained 
his  simple  habits.  His  military  career  was  during  the  stirring  events  of 
early  times,  then  he  served  brilliantly  and  with  patriotic  fidelity.  Now 
we  see,  from  another  bit  of  personal  biography  his  interest  in  agricultural 
improvement.  General  Morgan  Lewis  died  April  7,  1844,  aged  ninety 
years.  "  Land  and  labor  are  the  principal  sources  of  public  and  private 
wealth.  The  more  fertility  we  can  impart  to  the  one,  and  the  more  intel- 
ligence we  can  infuse  into  the  other,  the  greater  will  be  the  returns  they 
make  and  more  happiness." 


CHAPTER  rV. 


Narration  of  Facts  Connected  with  the  Frontier  Move- 
ments OF  the  Patriot  Army  of  Upper  Canada. 

"  The  oppressive  course  of  the  English  government  towards  the  Canadas 
was  the  occasion  of  a  multiplicity  of  unfortunate  events.  In  March,  1837, 
the  Cunstitution  of  Canada  was  violated  by  forcibly  laying  hands  upon  the 
People's  money,  in  opposition  to  a  vote  of  the  Peoples'  Representatives, 
acting  under  the  constitution  solemnly  guaranteed  to  them  by  the  Impe- 
rial Parliament.  This  was  the  source  of  the  subsequent  evils,  one  false 
movement  led  to  an  intricate  train  of  dire  calamities  and  unwonted  in- 
conveniences. The  Reformers  had  taken  great  pains  to  inform  the  British 
Government  of  the  true  state  of  affiiirs  in  Upper  Canada,  and  many  be- 
lieved that  Sir  Francis  Bond  Head  would  do  what  he  could  to  remove  the 
chief  causes  of  discontent,  until  the  proceedings  of  the  Executive  previous 
to  and  at  the  last  general  election  of  a  House  of  Assembly,  convinced 
them  that  nothing  but  a  revolution  would  relieve  the  country.  In  the 
declaration  of  grievances  of  the  31st  of  July,  the  British  Government 
were  distinctly  given  to  understand  that  revolt  might  be  the  consequence 
of  its  base  duplicity.  In  December,  of  the  same  year,  the  sufi'ering  people 
rose  to  vindicate  their  right  to  the  attainment  of  free  institutions  :  but 
after  a  vain  struggle  against  monarchical  oppression,  the  strong  arm  of 
power  hushed  the  Canadian  patriots  into  the  quietus  of  silent  endurance. 
In  this  trying  crisis  many  true  hearted  valorous  Americans  sympathized 
deeply,   and   were   enthusiastically   attached  to    the   cause  of  Canadian 


62  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Liberty  who,  reckless  of  life,  with  a  generous,  noble  daring  and  the  most 
anxious  solicitude  for  its  success,  unmindful  of  penalties  to  self,  volun- 
teered to  assist  their  oppressed  neighbors  in  alleviating  their  many  griev- 
ances and  to  emancipate  their  country.  The  excitement  was  intense,  the 
prevalent  sympathy  at  Buffalo  for  the  Canadian  Patriot  cause  had  exhibited 
itself  in  the  organization  of  a  volunteer  corps.  There  was  great  significance 
in  the  fact  that  a  portion  of  both  Canadian  provinces  were  in  insurrection 
against  the  British  Government. 

"  Among  the  sympathizing  republicans  was  a  true  hearted,  noble  man, 
Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  j  possessing  heroism,  strong  patriotic  en- 
thusiasm, and  generosity;  ever  ready  to  unfurl  the  standard  of  liberty, 
he  unfortunately  was  induced  to  engage  in  the  '  Canada  War '  which  he 
considered  a  just  warfare  as  being  based  on  practical  and  correctly  en- 
lightened principles."  This  enterprise  was  a  great  sorrow  to  both  of  his 
venerable  parents,  it  caused  the  bitterest  anguish  and  disappointment,  for 
they  confidentially  supposed  this  idolized  only  son  to  be  in  Syracuse  with 
his  affianced.  They  had  not  the  slightest  idea  of  an  entanglement,  till 
they  received  letters  from  Buffalo,  and  now  to  them  every  hope  seemed 
blasted  by  this  untoward  espousement  of  Colonial  burdens.  The  climax 
was  reached  when  a  friend  wrote  to  my  father  that  "  General  Rensselaer 
Van  Rensselaer  was  in  command  of  the  Patriot  Army  at  Navy  Island." 
The  head  quarters  were  at  Navy  island  on  the  Niagara  river  just  above 
Fort  Schlosser,  and  here  was  the  rendezvous  for  the  insurgents  of  that 
neighborhood  and  their  American  sympathizers. 

"  Navy  Island  is  at  the  foot  of  Grand  Island,  near  the  Canada  shore  and 
is  considered  a  secure  position.  Recruits  from  both  sides  of  the  river 
are  constantly  joining  the  patriot  standard  there.  The  leader  of  the 
Patriots  who  is  planning  operations  favorable  to  their  cause  is  a  son  of 
General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer.  He  no  doubt  remembers  and  hopes 
to  avenge,  the  blood  his  father  shed  in  the  sacred  cause  of  Liberty  —  that 
cause  in  which  the  patriots  are  now  struggling  near  the  place  of  his  former 
operations." 

Proclamation. 

"  Three  Hundred  Acres  of  the  most  valuable  Land  in  Canada,  will 
be  given  to  each  Volunteer  who  may  join  the  Patriot  Forces  now  en- 
camped on  Navy  Island,  U.  C.  Also  One  Hundred  Dollars  in 
Silver,  payable  on  or  before  the  1st  of  May  next. 

By  order  of  the  Committee  of  the  Provincial  Government. 

W.  L.  Mackenzie,  Chairman  Pro.  Tem." 

Navy  Island,  Tuesday,  Dec  10th  1837. 

"  The  Sj)irit  of  the  Country !  We  give  the  following  extract  from  a 
letter  from  a  gentleman  in  Tompkins  county,  to  a  business  firm  in  Buffalo, 
as  one  among  the  many  which  we  have  seen,  indicating  the  feeling  which 
prevails  all  over  the  country,  in  reference  to  the  cause  of  the  Canadian 
reformers  : 

"Dear  Sirs  —  I  herewith  send  you  a  ten  dollar  bill,  which,  with  my 
respects  and  good  wishes,  please  give  to  my  friend,  W.  L.  McKenzie,  who 
I  discover  by  tlie  papers  is  in  your  city.  If  however,  he  should  have 
previously  left,  give  it  to  some  other  Canadian  Patriot,  and  if  the  cause 
of  freedom  and  disenth raiment  from  petticoat  government  will  be  sub- 
served by  drawing  on  me  for  850  or  $100,  I  shall  he  happy  to  meet  the 
demand.  Yours  respectfully." 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  63 

"Rumor,  regarding  the  War,  is  wide  awake  yet,  with  her  thousand 
tongues.  It  is  certain  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  other  side  are  surround- 
ed with  trouble  and  suspicion.  The  fact  that  the  loyalists,  on  the  Canada 
shore,  near  this  city,  have  destroyed  all  means  of  crossing,  speaks  plainly 
the  fears  they  have  of  their  own  people.  None  are  permitted  to  cross  to 
this  side,  but  sworn  loyalists." 

Dear  Sir,  Lewiston,  Dec.  11,  1837. 

This  section  of  the  country  is  rife  with  rumors  pertaining  to  Canadian 
Affairs ;  but  they  come  with  such  variegated  complexions,  it  is  diflBcult  for 
the  most  discriminating  to  cull  out  the  truth  in  all  cases.  However,  as 
this  is  the  centre  spot  for  news  from  the  Upper  Province,  yesterday  and 
to  day  was  spent  here  to  obtain  the  information  given  below,  which  coming 
from  the  best  of  authorities,  can  be  relied  upon  as  far  as  it  goes,  and 
presents  a  picture  of  the  consternation  that  prevailed  among  the  royalists 
at  Toronto.  .  The  Canadian  papers  however  stigmatizes  the  Patriot  efforts 
at  resistance  as  a  "  pitiful  and  contemptible  conspiracy,"  and  speaks  of 
Mr.  Mackenzie,  who,  they  say  is  at  the  head  of  it,  as  a  "pitiful  and  con- 
temptible demagogue." 

It  appears  a  well  concocted  plan  for  a  general  insurrection  in  the  Upper 
Province  had  been  devised  and  the  day  for  the  carrying  it  into  execution 
appointed.  "  Had  Mackenzie  acted  with  less  precipitancy  and  rashness, 
and  allowed  Dr,  John  Rolph  and  Bidwell  to  mature  their  plans,  the  in- 
surrection would  unquestionably  have  been  more  general  "  G  he  Patriots 
were  secretly  carrying  and  drilling  their  forces  when  Gov.  Sir  Francis 
Head  received  au  intimation  of  the  design  and  immediately  adopted 
measures  to  frustrate  it.  Volunteers  were  called  in  from  the  adjacent 
towns,  and  he  soon  found  himself  sufficiently  strong  to  march  against  the 
Patriots  in  their  principal  rendevous  "  at  Montgomery's  Hotel,  3  miles 
back  of  Toronto  between  6  and  10  at  night,  and  proceed  from  thence  to 
the  city,  join  friends  there,  seize  4000  stands  of  arms,  which  had  been 
placed  by  Sir  Francis  in  the  city  hall,  take  him  into  custody  with  his 
chief  advisers,  place  the  garrison  in  the  hands  of  the  liberals,  declare  the 
province  free,  call  a  convention  together,  to  frame  a  suitable  constitution, 
and  meantime  appoint  Dr.  Rolph,  provincial  administrator  of  the  govern- 
ment." 

Governor  Head  in  his  despatch  says  :  "  I  was  in  bed  and  asleep  when 
Mr.  Alderman  Powell  awakened  me  to  state,  that  in  riding  out  of  the  city 
towards  Montgomerie's  tavern,  he  had  been  arrested  by  Mr.  Mackenzie 
and  another  principal  leader  —  Capt.  Anthony  Anderson;  that  the 
former  had  snapped  a  pistol  at  his  breast;  that  his  (Mr.  Powel's)  pistol 
also  snapped,  but  that  he  fired  a  second,  which,  causing  the  death  of  >Mr. 
Mackenzie's  companion,  had  enabled  him  to  escape."  "  As  soon  as  Mr. 
Powell  reached  'Toronto,  the  alarm-bells  of  the  city  were  rung  —  the 
Governor's  family  were  on  board  a  steam-boat  ready  to  fly,  the  government 
house  abandoned,  and  the  Governor  himself  trembling  in  the  city  hall. 
Colonel  Moodie  of  the  army  had  attempted  to  pass  the  barrier  at  Mont- 
gomery's but  when  warned  by  the  guard,  he  had  persisted  and  fired  a 
pistol  at  them,  on  which  one  of  the  men  leveled  his  rifle  and  shot  him." 
On  the  approach  of  the  Loyalists,  the  Patriot  forces,  about  700  strong, 
under  the  command  of  W.  L.  McKenzie,  fell  back  to  a  piece  of  woods 
where  they  made  a  stand  and  an  action  of  considerable  spirit  ensued. 
The  result  was  a  trifling  loss  of  killed  —  about  three,  and  four  wounded, 


64  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

though  a  larger  number  of  the  enemy  were  both  killed  and  wounded  ; 
both  parties  eventually  fell  back  to  their  respective  strongholds.  The 
Patriots  went  to  Youngstreet  some  ten  or  twelve  miles  north  of  Toronto, 
where  they  are  supposed  to  be  engaged  in  recruiting  forces,  cutting  off 
supplies  from  the  enemy  &c.  The  Loyalists  returned  to  the  city  and  are 
now  occupied  in  fortifying  the  place  ;  in  capturing  or  expelling  the  dis- 
affected. Among  the  expelled  is  Ex-Speaker,  Bidwell,  who  arrived  here 
in  the  government  steamer,  "  Transit,"  yesterday  ;  Dr.  Rolph  and  other 
conspicuous  members  of  the  Provincial  Parliament  have  been  here  some 
days. 

"The  Governor  has  by  proclamation,  which  I  have  seen,  offered  $4000 
reward  for  Wm.  L.  Mc  Kenzie  and  S2000  each  for  some  six  or  eight  of  the 
leading  Patriots.  The  impression  appears  to  be  that  McKenzie  should 
have  marched  upon  the  city  as  soon  as  it  was  ascertained  that  his  designs 
were  suspected.  Then  a  panic  pervaded  all  classes,  he  would  have  met 
with  little  or  no  resistance,  and  the  whole  province  would  have  yielded  to 
him.  But  brave  and  chivalrous  as  he  undoubtedly  is  ;  able  as  he  is  in  the 
editorial  chair;  or  as  a  debater  in  the  legislative  hall  —  he  unfortunately 
has  acquired  but  little  tact  as  a  military  man.  Of  course  he  lacks  that 
confidence  so  necessary  to  be  diffused  among  the  well  wishers  of  his  cause. 
A  proper  military  leader,  however,  will  be  found  and  spite  of  the  partial 
check  sustained,  the  spirit  of  reform  will  yet  burst  forth  and  carry  every- 
thing with  it  in  the  Upper  Province  before  the  Winter  is  ended.  A  wag 
spread  a  report  in  Niagara,  a  day  or  two  ago  that  the  Yankees  were  organiz- 
ing on  the  American  side  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  Fort.  In  conse- 
quence orders  were  issued  to  all  true  and  loyal  subjects  of  her  most  gracious 
Majesty  the  Queen,  to  rise  in  their  might  and  repel  the  puissant  invaders. 
They  did  rise  to  the  number  of  about  1000,  and  are  now  strutting  most 
valiantly  about  the  old  battlements.  They  keep  up  a  strict  guard  at  the 
different  ferries,  where  every  stranger  is  closely  examined  before  he  is 
suffered  to  pass.  Another  wag  propagated  a  story  in  Queenston  that  the 
loyalists  were  coming  over  to  seize  the  person  of  Dr.  Rolph,  on  which  the 
Yankees  brought  out  their  old  muskets  &c  and  stood  prepared  to  do  battle 
in  behalf  of  their  distinguished  guest.  The  excitement  is  intense  on  all 
sides." 

Dr.  Cliapin  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  Buffalo,  Saturday  Dec.  16,  1837. 

I  understand  from  reports,  as  well  as  personal  inspection,  that  your  Son 
is  engaged  in  procuring  volunteers,  for  aiding  the  Patriot  Service  in 
Canada,  in  this  vicinity. 

So  far  as  I  know  and  according  to  the  best  of  my  opinion  and  belief, 
the  Enterprize  is  undertaken,  without  any  System  of  operation  —  without 
Arms  —  and  Munition  of  War,  with  a  few  Adventurers,  some  of  doubtful 
character,  and  at  best,  many  that  have  not  Seen  Service.  I  hope  that  I 
am  Mistaken,  in  my  views  of  the  subject;  but  the  sincere  personal  regard 
I  hold  for  you,  constrains  me,  to  say  to  you  that  I  fear  he  has  not  suffi- 
ciently counted  the  cost,  and  I  am  induced  to  make  this  Communication 
to  you,  in  hopes  that  your  parental  advice,  may  not  be  lost  on  him.  You 
may  perhaps  think  that  I  am  interfering  with  not  strictly  my  business: 
but  I  hope  you  will  receive  this  in  the  Same  Spirit  of  Kindness  in  which 

it  is  sent,  and  believe  me  to  be  unalterably  yours,    ^  ^ 

•^  •'        '    Cyrenius  Chapin. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  65 

This  same  Cyrenius  Chapin,  M.D.,  was  one  of  the  kind-hearfced,  skill- 
ful physicians  who  ia  1812,  with  such  tender  solicitude  dressed  my  father's 
wounds  after  the  battle  of  Queenston.  Though  their  sympathy  for  each 
other,  had  been  unspoken  for  years,  yet  now,  to  alleviate  the  anxiety  of 
my  dear  parents,  the  interesting  accounts  given  by  this  heroic  man,  so 
well  appreciated  in  every  circle  of  benevolence,  were  such  as  to  keep  us 
fully  apprised  of  all  my  brother's  movements  —  as  far  as  known  to  Wm  — 
in  the  struggle  to  acquire  Canadian  liberty. 

Dr.  Chapin  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Friend,  Buffalo  City,  Dec.  23,  1837. 

Your  inestimable  letter  came  duly  to  hand.  I  found  that  your  letter  to 
your  Dear  Son  had  been  by  him  taken  from  the  Post  Office.  It  is  there- 
fore impossible  for  me  to  do  as  you  request.  Before  he  left  this  City  for 
the  Canadian  Service,  I  called  upon  him  —  stated  fully  to  him  my  feelings, 
and  my  views  of  the  whole  matter.  He  seemed  inclined  to  yield  to  my 
suggestions,  to  relinquish  his  ideas  of  joining  the  rebels  in  Canada.  But 
I  soon  after  found  out  that  he  finally  had  embarked  in  the  Service.  He 
sent  for  me  (I  presume  soon  after  he  received  your  letter)  and  I  called 
upon  him.  He  was  surrounded  by  what  we  may  call  a  Mob;  of  course,  he 
made  no  communications  to  me  —  as  to  his  views  —  nor  as  to  the  business 
upon  which  I  was  requested  to  call  upon  him,  and  we  separated.  I  was 
not  then  aware  of  any  letter  from  you  to  him  nor  to  myself.  Upon  the  re- 
ceipt of  your  letter  I  immediately  wrote  him  to  come  to  this  City  to  see 
me  upon  the  business.  My  health  would  not  permit  me  personally  to  go 
to  him.  I  presume  he  will  soon  return  here,  and  either  abandon  the 
Service  or  I  shall  with  the  Co  operation  of  some  of  our  most  worthy  sub- 
stantial and  intelligent  neighbors  and  citizens  endeavor  to  my  utmost  to 
prevail  upon  him  now  at  once  to  abandon  the  enterprize  and  to  complete 
the  business  he  came  here  upon,  and  to  return  as  soon  as  possible  to  his 
Father  and  his  Friends.  Whatever  may  be  the  result  — you  shall  be  im- 
mediately advised  of  it.  Sensible  of,  and  fully  reciprocating  your  feelings 
as  a  Father,  as  well  as  a  man,  a  citizen  and  an  officer  of  the  highest  grade  — 
I  at  once,  but  in  haste  reply,  as  fully  as  I  am  now  able  to  do  to  your  letter. 
No  further  assurance  of  my  prompt  exertions  to  the  utmost  of/  my  power, 
can  be  necessary.  Should  you  find  it  possible  to  be  here  yourself,  I 
should  think  it  advisable.     With  respect  and  Esteem. 

Yours,  &c., 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany.     Cyrenius  Chapin. 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ms  Son. 
Dear  Rensselaer,  Albany,  December  28,  1837. 

Without  my  knowledge  and  in  opposition  to  my  feelings  and  opinions, 
you  have  passed  the  Rubicon  and  there  is  now,  no  returning  with  honor. 
If  your  men  are  true  to  themselves,  I  know  you  will  be  true  to  them  and 
the  trust  reposed  in  you.  Your  position  is  an  admirable  one  for  defence, 
when  at  the  same  time  it  enables  you  to  strike  a  blow  when  you  please 
and  at  any  point,  if  you  should  succeed  in  the  first  Battle,  you  will  sweep 
all  before  you;  if  not,  and  you  should  be  taken,  your  life  is  forfeited  and 
all  the  influence  that  can  be  made  in  your  favor  cannot  save  you,  the 
greater  the  Rank,  the  surer  the  punishment.  Governor  Head,  I  think, 
will  not  venture  to  carry  the  Island,  and  as  to  his  Shells  and  Rockets, 

II]  9 


66  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

they  will  prove  harmless  in  your  situation.  Shells  can  be  seen  coming 
and  are  easily  avoided,  and  if  they  fall  near  you,  drop  flat  on  the  ground, 
and  nine  times  out  often,  they  will  explode  over  you.  If  they  find  that 
Bombarding  you,  don't  answer  their  purpose,  they  may  collect  boats  and 
try  to  carry  your  Post  by  storm  ;  then  will  come  the  tug  of  war.  If  your 
18  and  6  pounders  are  well  managed,  some  of  their  Boats  will  go  over  the 
falls,  and  if  others  land,  the  Musket  and  Bayonet  must  do  the  rest.  Tell 
your  men  from  me,  that  I  know  from  experience,  it  is  much  safer  to  stand 
and  fight  than  to  run.  It  is  the  duty  of  a  Commander  to  think  of  every 
thing  and  provide  as  far  as  he  can  for  every  contingency.  On  the  vigi- 
lance of  the  Guards,  the  safety  of  an  army  depends.  The  Ofiicer  of  the 
day  should  visit  the  Sentinels  between  each  relief  during  the  night,  the 
more  boisterous  the  weather  and  the  darker  tbe  night,  the  greater  the 
necessity,  for  that  is  the  hour  a  vigilant  ofiicer  will  choose  to  surprise  you. 
I  think  your  IS  pounders  will  be  able  to  reach  their  mortars  and  do  exe- 
cutio.n.  How  many  pieces  have  you  in  all  ?  What  number  of  Muskets, 
Bayonets  ?  How  many  men  and  how  organized,  ammunition  &c.  What 
are  your  prospects  of  recruits  ?  Your  cause  is  popular  here,  and  War  with 
England  may  grow  out  of  it. 

When  I  wrote  to  you  that  letter,  the  Commercial  Advertiser  in  BuS'alo, 
mentioned  that  the  Patriots  were  carousing  at  the  Eagle  Tavern,  and  re- 
cruiting, also  that  the  command  which  was  ofiered  to  you,  had  been  accepted. 
I  felt  justly  indignant  at  the  violation  of*our  Laws,  and  the  neutrality  of 
the  Country  and  consequently  wrote  as  I  did.  Now,  however,  the  pos- 
ture of  aff"airs  is  diff'erent,  you  are  in  an  Enemy's  Country  and  the  recruits 
are  coming  to  you,  and  although  my  opinion  is  the  Same,  as  to  its  impru- 
dence, I  do  not  see  how  you  can  retrace  your  steps,  if  your  men  prove 
true  to  you.  Poor  Mary  is  greatly  distressed,  I  have  written  to  Syracuse 
to  Major  Forman  and  made  the  most  of  it.  John  S.  V.  K.  feels  in  high 
spirits  and  says  go  ahead  ;  he  has  your  Newspaper  under  his  management ; 
it  will  do  well.  It  is  said  that  the  District  Attorney  has  issued  warrants 
for  some  of  your  patriots —  look  out.  Do  you  want  any  thing  from  here  ? 
Your  letter  of  15th  postmark  Buffalo  19th,  I  received  last  evening.  The 
other  you  mention  I  have  not  received. 

Yours  aflPectionately. 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Success  attend  you  dearest  Brother,  and  ditto  says  Matilda.  Mary, 
Mag  and  I  have  an  idea  to  join  you  what  say  you  ?  Catharina.  So  the 
Albany  Microscope  advises  the  idlers  of  the  city  to  do  :  "  Follow  the  exam- 
ple of  Van  Rensselaer  who  like  LaFuijette,  has  left  the  luxuries  of  his  home 
to  Join  the  Patriots."     With  a  kiss  from  us  all,  Margaretta. 

Adeline  Van  Rensselaer  to  Iter  BrotJier. 

Albany  Dec.  23,  1837. 
I  said  from  the  first  my  dear  Renss.  that  a  letter  must  be  on  the  way 
for  us,  and  right  glad  am  I  to  say  that  yours  of  the  15th  arrived  yesterday, 
the  post  mark  was  Baff"alo,  19th.  The  first  news  we  had  of  your  engaging 
in  the  cause  of  the  Patriots  was  from  a  letter  and  a  Buflalo  paper,  saying, 
it  was  currently  reported  that  the  command  had  been  off'ered  to  you,  and 
it  was  believed  you  had  accepted.  The  paper  arrived  Sunday  night,  it 
caused  great  and  sore  distress  among  us  all.  Papa  was  in  extreme  agony, 
but  would  not  tell  us  the  cause  of  his  anguish  until  near  twelve  o'clock  on 
Monday.     Just  before  day-light  he  told  Mama,  she  really  forced  it  from 


LEaACY  OF  Historical  Gleanings.  67 

him  by  her  urgent  solicitation;  and  we  could  not  at  all  account  for  her 
tears  and  distress  until  he  handed  me  the  paper.  He  supposed  from  that, 
you  were  recruiting  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  our  country  to  aid  rebels 
and  it  raised  a  storm.  It  seemed  as  though  all  your  prospects  were  blasted 
by  this  imprudence ;  he  was  so  down-hearted  that  I  could  not  bear  to  look 
at  him.  However,  the  news  since  then,  has  cheered  him  a  little,  and  now 
he  knows  you  are  in  for  it  and  cannot  draw  back,  he  tries  to  make  the 
best  of  it,  and  I  am  glad  to  say  he  is  more  reconciled,  and  thinks  if  you 
are  successful  in  the  first  battle,  you  will  do  wonders  for  the  cause  in  this 
third  invasion  of  Canada  1  He  feels  for  the  Tories  just  as  he  did  before, 
though  I  can  see  sometimes  that  his  blood  is  up  for  the  Patriots — in  a  quiet 
way.  I  tell  him  and  Mama  (but  she  does  not  allow  it)  that  both  your 
Grandfathers  were  rebels,  and  it  was  not  any  wonder  you  sympathized 
with,  and  had  joined  to  aid  the  oppressed  in  their  struggles  for  exemp- 
tion from  undue  control  and  abject  surveillance.  La  Fayette  did  the  same 
in  our  revolution  ;  and  you  are  only  following  in  the  footsteps  of  our 
noble  ancestors  who  have  twice  before  this,  with  the  United  States  govern- 
ment, attempted  the  subjugation  of  these  British  Provinces.  And  dear 
Rensselaer,  with  your  enthusiasm,  generosity  and  inborn  command  of 
character,  we  cannot  blame  you  —  however  we  may  deprecate  the  hazard- 
ous undertaking  —  that  you  accepted  the  offered  command,  only  be  wary. 

There  is  a  strong  under-current  at  work  in  our  good  old  City,  and 
vehement  feeling  among  all  classes  —  some  against,  and  others  in  favor  of 
the  cause ;  but  sympathy  for  the  Patriots  certainly  has  the  predominance. 
John  S.  Van  Rensselaer  and  many  staunch  friends  do  not  hesitate  to  say 
openly,  that  their  ideas  about  the  Canada  trouble  are  changed  entirely 
since  you  have  entered  the  list  of  their  defenders.  We  all  are  proud  of 
your  standing  among  them,  hoping  and  trusting  that  good  may  accrue 
from  the  movement.  In  your  own  dear  home  your  loved  ones  talk  and 
try  to  cheer  our  idolized  parents  and  each  other ;  but  how  much 
soever  we  may  take  pride  in  your  position,  the  intense  anxiety  at  heart 
for  your  safety  is  deeply  painful,  and  we  all  feel  alike.  When  the  mail 
arrives,  all  the  papers  are  searched  for  your  name,  so  take  good  care  of 
yourself,  and  do  not  expose  yourself  rashly,  not  only  for  our  sakes  —  but 
your  poor  dear  Mary  has  been  really  wretched,  yet  she  fully  appreciates 
your  noble  and  chivalrous  motives,  she  behaves  beautifully  and  will  stand 
by  you;  both  she  and  her  Father  have  written  to  us.  Papa  sent  a 
very  good  letter  to  Major  Formau,  making  the  best  of  the  present  state  of 
affurs.  He  stated  his  own  views  of  the  position  of  Navy  Island,  and' 
from  what  he  remembered  of  it,  said  the  selection  of  such  a  position 
would  do  credit  to  an  older  and  more  experienced  soldier,  that  a  better 
one  could  not  have  been  found ;  he  pointed  out  the  island,  to  us,  on  his 
map  of  Queenstown. 

We  obtain  all  the  intelligence  that  is  known  about  the  '■'cause"  but 
you  must  find  time  to  write  us  dear  Rensselaer  about  yourself,  it  will  do 
much  to  cheer  and  comfort  us  to  know  even  trivial  circumstances.  We 
have  not  seen  dear  Mama  smile  once  since  the  reception  of  the  unlooked 
for  tidings ;  her  beloved  face  is  now  overshaded  and  almost  paralyzed  with 
anxiety ;  she  says  she  is  wading  through  the  troubled  waters,  and  living 
over  again  the  agony  of  1812  in  her  old  age.  I  feel  so  sorry  for  both  of 
our  dear  parents.  It  is  supposed  by  many  that  in  the  movement  on  the 
Frontier  in  favor  of  the  Patriots  there  is  something  political  at  the  bottom, 
and  that  Van   Buren  is  trying  to  involve  us  in  a  War  with   England. 


68  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Governor  Marcy's  Proclamation  is  considered  a  cold  water  business ;  his 
son,  a  member  of  the  Van  Kensselaer  Guards  is  very  anxious  to  join  the 
rebels.  The  Argus  has  felt  with  them  for  some  time  as  also  a  few  of  the 
Troy  papers.  Weed  came  out  yesterday  with  a  strong,  good  piece  for 
them  and  now  we  are  all  democrats  to  the  back  bone.  Papa  says  he  feels 
for  the  British  as  he  previously  did,  yet  as  unfortunately  you  have  en- 
gaged against  them,  he  knows  you  must  now  go  through  it  with  untarnished 
honor,  as  he  thinks  your  lion  heart  will  sustain  you  in  every  emergency 
to  do  what  is  just  and  proper  —  his  trust  in  your  discretion  is  unbounded. 
It  warms  his  blood  not  a  little  to  hear  the  praises  lavished  on  you  by  our 
friends  ;  he  is  constantly  thinking  of  you  and  your  plans  —  T  vow  I  believe 
my  fearless  soldier  daddy  would  like  to  be  with  you  !  You  have  a  great 
responsibility  on  your  shoulders;  the  people  think  and  say  you  are  "  a 
chip  of  the  old  block" — and  we  hear  of  many  volunteers  who  intend  to 
join  you  after  the  great  initiatory  step  is  taken,  but  coward-like  they  want 
you  first  to  bear  the  brunt,  the  shock  of  the  onset.  After  which  —  if  the 
fierce  bull  dogs  of  government  are  not  at  your  heels  —  they  will  gladly 
flock  to  your  honored  Standard  to  assist  you  in  the  business  of  ingathering, 
and  reaping  of  illustrious  military  distinctions,  that  might  possibly 
encumber  you  or  be  grievous  to  be  borne.  The  tardy  workers  of  the 
"  eleventh  hour  "  will  not  then  object  to  equal  emoluments  of  station  and 
honors,  oh  that  all  would  go  at  once.  God  in  mercy  watch  over  your 
safety  my  beloved  brother,  and  grant  success  to  your  undertaking.  If 
there  is  now  only  a  concert  of  movement  and  readiness,  through  the  British 
colonies,  to  aid,  the  "  cause"  rtiust  triumph.  Then  if  you  should  be  suc- 
cessful and  achieve  with  God's  blessing  the  independence  of  the  Canadas, 
your  position  my  dear  Brother,  will  indeed  be  an  exalted  and  envied  one. 
But  oh  !  if  you  are  check-mated,  the  recoil  will  be  terrible,  disastrous  to 
all  future  pre-eminence,  and  what  a  sad  blow  to  our  noble  venerated 
father !!  Those  adherents  who  now  so  warmly  applaud  will  be  the  very 
first  to  turn  against  and  to  condemn  in  you  what  they  will  then  certainly 
call  an  unwise  step.  Even  the  newspapers  that  now  so  enthusiastically 
and  openly  uphold  the  movement,  will  rant  most  zealously  with  high 
sounding  words  against  your  republican  loyalty.  Political  sycophants 
will  then  be  the  first  to  despise  and  most  eager  to  "  kick  you  to  the  bottom 
of  the  hill."     Your  present  position  is  pregnant  with  "  weal  or  woe." 

With  much  love,  wishing  you  a  "Merry  Christmas  and  "  Happy  New 
Year  "  from  all.  Your  afi"ectionate  sister, 

Adeline  Van  Rensselaer. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Bufi'alo,  N.  Y. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Father. 
Dear  Father,  Navy  Island,  Dec.  25,  1837. 

I  received  a  letter  from  you  a  few  days  since  when  in  Buffalo,  the  tenor 
of  which  is  only  remembered  now,  for  it  was  consigned  to  the  flames  as 
soon  as  read.  Among  my  "  scotmch-el  crew"  we  have  such  things  as  ex- 
members  of  Parliament  and  Gentlemen  of  large  fortunes  who  cheerfully 
perform  the  most  severe  duties  assigned  them.  I  have  also  the 
countenance  of  ninety-nine  out  of  every  hundred  of  your  friends  in  this 
quarter;  even  if  such  manly  editors  as  Stone,  King,  &c.,  choose  to  give 
a  political  turn  to  the  enterprise.  Another  Tory  here,  the  Mayor  of 
Buffalo,  tried  hard  to  nip  it  in  the  bud,  and  it  was  owing  to  the  effect  of 
his  sneaking  manoeuvres  that  I  was  compelled  to  move  before  my  prepar- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  69 

ations   were   complete  and   invade  Canada  with  twenty- eight  -men !  The 
Major  has  been  hooted  out  of  his  office. 

My  position  is  impregnable  —  my  force  in  men  and  arms  has  been 
hourly  augmenting  and  I  will  soon  be  prepared  for  a  sleigh  ride  visit  to 
Sir  Francis  Bond  Head,  Governor  of  the  Canadas.  I  have  counted  the 
cost  of  all  these  matters,  and  am  very  sure  that  I  will  never  regret  the 
course  I  have  or  may  take  to  push  them  ahead.  I  leave  the  world  to 
justify  me  to  my  kindred  and  my  dear  friends,  but  it  matters  not  how  they 
feel  or  act,  I  here-after  will  not  forget  or  discard  them,  or  recede  now.  I, 
as  an  American,  fear  not  the  Red-coats  be  they  few  or  many.  Let  my 
desk  be  sealed  up  and  taken  under  your  own  especial  charge  until  further 
notice.     My  love  to  all.    Niagara  Falls  is  my  nearest  P.  0. 

Happy  Christmas  to  i/ou,  to  my  dear  Mother,  and  to  all, 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany, 

Dr.  Chwpin  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Friend,  Buffalo  City  25  Dec,  1837. 

I  have  been  deceived.  Your  Son  had  proceeded  on  his  way  home  as 
far  as  Lockport,  at  which  place,  I  am  now  informed,  he  met  some  men 
with  a  Field  piece  on  their  way  to  the  Island,  By  them  he  was  induced 
to  return  with  them  and  is  now  upon  Navy  Island  with  others  and  in  serv- 
ice. I  am  unable  myself  to  effect  his  return  or  to  devise  any  measure 
by  which  he  might  be  reclaimed.  I  would  therefore  suggest  to  you  the 
propriety  of  your  personal  presence  at  this  City  or  at  some  place  near  the 
Island,  where  you  might  readily  meet  him,  or  perhaps,  and  as  you  may  de- 
termine, to  put  the  matter  into  the  hands  of  the  Marshal  in  such  manner 
as  you  may  deem  proper  and  the  most  feasible. 

I  remain  Dear  Sir,  Your  Friend  &c.   Cyrenus  Chapin. 

Genl.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M,,  Albany. 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Son. 
Dear  Rensselaer,  Albany  26th  December,  1837. 

Yesterday  morning  a  Letter  from  me  left  this  for  you,  it  went  in  the 
Lewiston  package,  under  cover  to  Mr.  Vaux  the  Post  Master  at  Niagara 
Falls,  and  I  requested  him  to  forward  it  to  you  by  express  without  delay, 
so  if  you  have  not  received  it,  you  will  know  to  inquire  of  those  two  Post- 
Masters.  I  wrote  to  you  in  full,  that  the  steps  you  had  taken  I  entirely 
disapproved  of,  but  that  it  was  then  too  late  to  retire  with  honor,  if  your 
troops  are  true  to  you.  I  have  also  written  to  Dr.  Chapin  to  the  same 
effect. 

There  is  a  wonderful  excitement,  and  great  anxiety  in  the  City  for  your 
success,  and  your  course  becomes  more  and  more  popular,  even  your  dear 
Mother  says  you  cannot  now  retire  with  honor,  while  at  the  same  time  she 
and  all  could  not  even  wish  it  if  by  so  doing  there  must  be  any  compromise 
of  noble  integrity.     An  Officer's  reputation  must  be  unsullied. 

The  Governor  of  LTpper  Canada  sent  a  messenger  with  a  requisition  to 
our  Governor  for  William  L.  McKenzie  a  fugitive  from  justice;  the  de- 
mand was  refused  for  various  reasons,  among  others,  that  he  was  in  the 
British  Dominions  on  Navy  Island.  The  Messenger  left  here  yesterday 
morning;  on  his  return  to  the  Gov.  when  he  arrives,  if  the  attack  on  you 
has  not  already  been  made,  it  will  immediately  take  place.  It  is  not  only 
a  point  of  Honor  with  them  to  drive  you  from  the  Island,  but  necessary  to 


70  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

their  safety  to  destroy   this  rendezvous  which  they  know  will  become 
troublesome. 

You  may  calculate  that  all  the  force  they  can  collect  will  be  employed. 
Do  not  be  deceived  by  their  bombardment  to  screen  their  main  attack, 
which  will  be  made  from  above.  The  boats  from  Fort  Erie  &c.  will  as- 
semble some  miles  above  you,  at  that  point,  their  force  from  above  and 
below  will  collect  at  night  to  conceal  their  movement;  and  the  current 
without  aid  of  oars  will  carry  them  to  (  which  might  disclose  the  move- 
ment) the  point  they  wish  to  attack;  that  point,  I  think,  will  be  the  east 
side  of  the  island.  You  should  have  parties  of  observation  well  up  on 
Grand  Island,  and  on  Buckhorn  Island;  they  possibly  may  land  on  Grand 
Island.  I  throw  out  these  hints  that  you  may  be  prepared  for  every  con- 
tingency, but  above  all  means,  be  not  surprised,  the  darker  the  night,  the 
more  it  snows  or  rains  the  greater  the  necessity  of  being  on  the  alert. 

All  send  their  love  to  you  and  pray  for  your  success. 

Your  aflFeetionate  Father,  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Genl.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Navy  Island. 

"A  requisition  had  been  made  by  Sir  Francis  B.  Head,  lieut.  governor 
of  Upper  Canada,  upon  the  American  authorities  for  the  person  of  Wm. 
L.  McKenzie,  as  a  fugitive  from  justice,  charged  with  certain  felonies. 
Gov.  Marcy  declined  to  comply  with  the  application,  on  the  ground  that 
the  offences  charged  against  Mackenzie,  being  incidents  of  the  revolt, 
were  merged  in  the  higher  crime  imputed  to  him  of  treason,  a  political 
offense,  excepted  by  our  laws  from  those  for  which  fugitives  can  be  sur- 
rended  by  the  Executive.  The  opinion  of  Attorney  General  John  J. 
Crittenton,  given  at  the  request  of  Governor  Marcy  sustained  this  conclu- 
sion. Also  that  the  alleged  "  fugitive's  "  head  quarters  were  at  Navy 
Island  within  the  limits  of  the  province  of  Upper  Canada.  Mr.  McKenzie 
however  had  been, in  a  jeopardous  situation  before  he  reached  the  island, 
but  arriving  at  Buffalo  as  a  Canadian  refugee  he  found  shelter  under  the 
roof  of  a  good  Samaritan.  When  it  was  announced  at  a  public  meeting 
of  citizens  in  Buffalo,  that  Mr.  Mackenzie  and  others  of  his  compatriots 
were  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Cyrenus  Chapin,  the  excitement  was  intense. 
The  meeting  was  held  at  the  Theatre.  Every  foot  of  the  house  from  the 
orchestra  to  the  roof  was  literally  crammed  with  people,  the  pit  was  full, 
the  boxes  were  full,  the  galleries  were  full,  the  lobbies  were  full,  the 
street  was  full,  and  hundreds  were  obliged  to  go  away  without  being  able 
to  gain  admission.  The  venerated  Dr.  Chapin  presided.  Never  saw  we 
such  a  scene,  never  heard  we  such  a  shout  of  exultation.  Such  enthusi- 
asm is  honorable  to  the  feelings  of  our  citizens.  A  price  was  set  on  the 
Patriot's  life  by  the  agents  of  transatlantic  power,  it  was  rumored  that  a 
British  officer  was  in  town  for  the  purpose  of  taking  Mackenzie,  also  that 
there  was  a  coat  of  tar  and  feathers  prepared  for  the  former. 

"  Fellow  citizens,"  continued  the  old  veteran,  his  life  is  in  our  power, 
he  has  thrown  himself  upon  our  protection  —  will  you  protect  him  ?"  "  We 
will  !  we  will  !  Bring  him  out !"  "  Gentlemen,  he  is  too  fatigued,  too  sick, 
to  come  hereto  night.  But  tomorrow  night  he  shall  address  you."  (Cheers.) 
"  I  am  an  old  man,  but  at  the  hazard  of  my  life  will  I  protect  those  who 
throw  themselves  upon  our  hospitality.  If  any  mean  scoundrels,  for  the 
sake  of  the  reward  of  ^4000  which  is  offered  for  him,  should  undertake 
to  get  him,  they  must  first  walk  over  me.  I  am  rather  too  old  to  fight, 
but  I  have  got  a  good  bowie  knife."     (Here  showed  one  of  very  respect- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings,  71 

able  dimensions,  wbich  was  greeted  with  three  loud  cheers.)  "  Now  we 
must  act  with  prudence  and  discretion.  I  want  six  strong,  brave  young 
men,  as  good  sons  as  we  have  got  among  us,  to  go  to  my  house  to  night, 
for  fear  of  any  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  loyalists. "  "  A  hundred  ! " 
"  No,  I  want  only  six  —  who'll  go  ?  "  "  I,  I,  I  "  —  was  heard  all  over  the 
house.  A  dozen  sprang  upon  the  stage.  At  last  the  meeting  formed  a 
procession,  and  marched  to  music  through  the  streets  to  the  residence  of 
Dr.  Chapin,  and  gave  three  cheers  for  Mackenzie  and  his  worthy  host. 
Fears  were  still  entertained  that  the  demand  for  McKenzie  would  have 
to  be  complied  with,  and  the  friends  were  solicitous  that  he  should  be 
placed  entirely  beyond  its  reach.  Reus.  Van  Rensselaer  therefore  took 
him  under  escort  from  his  hiding  place,  at  ten  oclock  at  night,  to  White 
Haven,  on  Grand  Island,  ten  miles  below  the  city,  where  the  Canadian 
refugees  and  volunteers  had  assembled  the  day  before,  for  a  descent  upon 
Navy  Island  which  was  now  accomplished." 

The  District  Attorney  to  Benss.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Sir,  Buffalo  30th  Dec,  1837. 

This  morning  our  city  was  thrown  into  violent  commotion,  in  consequence 
of  a  report  from  the  seat  of  war,  that  an  armed  force  from  Canada  had  then 
recently  landed  upon  Grand  Island  within  the  territory  of  the  United 
States.  Measures  were  immediately  instituted  to  ascertain  the  truth  of 
the  report.  It  turns  out  to  have  been  without  foundation.  A  messenger 
has  been  dispatched  to  Col.  McNab,  with  instructions  to  remonstrate  with 
him  against  such  a  proceeding,  and  the  bearer  —  Mr.  Stephen  C.  Clark,  will 
call  upon  you  clpthed  with  similar  instruction.  The  public  authorities 
on  this  frontier  cannot  and  will  not  remain  inactive  in  case  our  soil  is  made 
the  theatre  of  operations  for  either  of  the  belligerent  armies. 

It  is  the  duty  as  well  as  the  policy  to  maintain  a  strict  neutrality  with 
Great  Britain,  and  no  means  will  be  spared  on  the  part  of  the  public  au- 
thorities to  sustain  and  enforce  the  laws  for  that  object.  If,  therefore, 
you  have  at  any  time  had  it  in  contemplation  to  land  the  forces,  or  any 
part  of  them,  under  your  command  upon  Grand  Island,  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that,  that  project  will  be  at  once  abandoned,  as  the  power  of  this  country 
will  be  called  out  to  repel  such  an  invasion  of  American  soil. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  ob't  serv't. 

H.  W.Rogers, 
Dist.  Atty.  for  Erie  co.  Acting  for  the  U.  S, 

To  Gen.  R.  Van  Rensselaer,  Com'g  at  Navy  Island. 


Rens.  Van  Rensselaer  to  the  District  Attorney. 

Sir,  Head  Quarters,  Navy  Island,  Dec.  30,  1837. 

Your  favor  of  this  day's  date  was  this  moment  received.  In  answer,  I 
have  to  say,  it  never  was  my  intention  to  send  any  armed  force  to  Grand 
Island,  or  any  other  part  of  the  U.  S.  On  the  contrary,  I  have  been  so 
fully  satisfied  that,  that  soil  would  be  held  sacred  by  both  belligerent  par- 
ties, that  I  had  not  even  made  any  preparations  lor  defence  against  that 
quarter  until  yesterday  morning,  when  it  was  reported  to  me  that  an 
armed  force  of  the  enemy  supposed  to  be  100  strong,  was  seen  there  about 
daylight.  How  much  I  have  been  deceived  as  to  the  judgment  I  had 
formed  of  the  good  faith  of  the  enemy,  you  yourself  sir,  may  judge,  when 


72  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

you  shall  have  heard  of  the  bloody  tragedy,  on  board  of  the  U.  S.  Steamer, 
Caroline.  Rens.  Van  Eknsselaer,  Commanding  &c.  &c. 

Henry  W   Rogers  Esq., 

District  Attorney  and  Acting  Attorney  for  the  U.  S. 

The  steamboat  Caroline,  which  had  been  loaded  with  provisions  and 
munitions  of  war,  was  anchored  at  Head  Quarters  and  used  as  a  ferry 
boat  between  the  island  and  Schlosser's  Landing,  was  burut  on  the  night 
of  December  29th  at  the  American  Port  Schlosser,  aud  her  crew  murdered 
oy  a  gang  of  British  cut-throats,  by  orders  from  Col.  McNab.  "  The 
steamer  was  moored  with  chains  to  the  dock  at  Porter's  store  house,  hav- 
ing crossed  the  ferry  several  times  during  the  day.  Several  persons  went 
on  the  boat  and  requested  permission  to  lodge  for  the  night  as  they  were 
unable  to  obtain  quarters  at  the  Tavern.  These  requests  were  acceded  to, 
and  they  retired  to  rest.  At  midnight  several  boats  filled  with  armed 
men  from  the  Canada  shore  boarded  the  Caroline,  rushing  upon  the 
defenceless  crew  and  passengers  with  muskets,  swords  and  bayonets,  ex- 
claiming, '  Cut  them  down  !  give  no  quarter !'  and  chased  the  unarmed 
occupants  astern.  Some  were  severely  injured,  one  man  was  shot  dead 
on  the  wharf,  and  twelve  more  never  heard  of  afterwards.  The  boat  was 
towed  out  into  the  river,  set  on  fire,  and  left  to  the  current  above  the  cata- 
ract. It  sunk  near  Iris  Island,  and  on  the  following  morning  charred  re- 
mains of  the  vessel  were  seen  below  the  Falls.  It  was  supposed  that  more 
than  one  of  the  missing  men  perished  in  the  flames  or  the  turbulent 
waters."  • 

"  The  excitement  amongst  the  soldiers  on  Navy  Island,  on  being 
informed  of  the  savage  butchery  on  board  the  steamboat  Caroline,  was 
tremendous.  A  general  parade  was  ordered,  and  each  soldier  took  an  oath 
'  never  to  sheath  sword  or  bayonet  until  they  had  revenged  the 
outrage'  —  sealing  the  afl&rmation  by  kissing  the  naked  steel.  The 
horrid  butchery  of  oUr  unarmed  citizens  caused  the  most  intense  tumult 
at  Buffalo.  200  Seneca  Indians  from  that  city  were  placed  on  Grand 
Island  to  prevent  the  Canadian  Indians  from  landing  there  should  they 
make  the  attempt.  The  indignation  of  the  people  on  the  frontier  was 
intense.  The  whole  frontier  from  Buffalo  to  Lake  Ontario  now  bristles 
with  bayonets.  The  ferries  are  stopped.  The  citizens  are  all  fearlessly 
preparing,  to  meet  and  punish,  all  attempts  to  repeat  the  atrocities  at 
Schlosser.  The  funeral  of  the  murdered  Durfee  was  held  at  the  Bufi"alo 
Court-house.  After  prayers  and  some  remarks,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hawks  of 
Trinity  church,  the  concourse  of  people  was  addressed  in  a  feeling  and 
patriotic  manner  by  H.  K.  Smith,  Esq.  An  immense  assemblage  attend- 
ed, who  appeared  to  feel  as  one  person,  the  thrilling  interest  of  the  occasion. 
McNah  disclaimed  any  intention  to  violate  neutrality,  by  seizure  of  the 
Caroline,  and  olfers  to  pay  for  the  boat !  !  ! 

"  He  makes  no  attempt  to  atone  for  the  murders  of  American  citizens  ! ! ! 
yet  at  the  same  time  the  flag  of  the  Caroline  hangs  as  a  trophy  in  Toronto. 
After  a  sufficient  time  had  elapsed  to  enable  the  boats  to  reach  the  Canada 
shore,  near  Chippewa  where  beacon  lights  were  placed,  after  their  destruc- 
tive work  on  the  steamer,  loud  and  vociferous  cheering  at  that  point  was 
distinctly  heard  at  Schlo.sser.  The  state  of  increased  excitement  was  so 
extensive  that  General  Scott  was  sent  to  the  frontier.  Subsequently  Col. 
McNab,  who  had  the  cummand  of  the  British  forces,  was  highly  extolled 
by  his  goveruttieut  and  this  cruel  exploit  was  made  the  occasion  to  dub 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  73 

him  a  knight.  The  knighting  of  McNab  by  the  Queen  is  ridiculed  in  the 
city  of  Toronto.  The  affair  of  the  Caroline  was  an  ill-judged  occasion  for 
Victoria  to  exercise  that  function  of  sovereignty  in  America.  At  one  time 
the  diplomatic  correspondence  between  the  two  governments  concerning 
this  invasion  of  our  territory  and  the  horrid  butchery  of  our  unarmed  citi- 
zens on  board  the  steamboat  Caroline  threatened  a  war.  The  British 
government  had  avowed  the  transaction  as  done  under  their  authority,  and 
demanded'the  release  of  Alexander  McLeod  who  subsequently  came  volun- 
tarily into  New  York  and  there  publicly  boasted,  in  a  hotel,  of  his  partici- 
pation in  that  outrage  for  which  he  was  arrested." 

Immense  Meeting  at  the  Gaintol. 

"  On  January  4th,  1838,  the  largest  meeting  ever  held  in  the  city  of 
Albany,  assembled  at  the  Capitol  in  pursuance  of  a  previous  call,  to  sym- 
pathize with  the  oppressed  and  persecuted  Patriots  of  Canada,  and  to 
adopt  such  measures  as  might  be  deemed  necessary  to  afford  relief  and 
mitigate  their  sufferings.  It  is  estimated  that  between  five  and  six 
thousand  persons  were  present.  The  large  hall  of  the  Capitol,  sufficiently 
capacious  to  contain  fifteen  hundred  persons,  was  completely  thronged  an 
hour  before  the  time  designated  in  the  call  for  the  meeting.  Thousands 
were  in  the  park  unable  to  gain  admission.  Seldom  has  a  more  numer- 
ous, and  never  a  more  respectable  public  meeting  been  held  in  this  city, 
than  that  which  assembled  in  the  Capitol  Park  on  Thursday  afternoon  for 
the  purDOse  of  expressing  the  sympathy  which  every  American  citizen 
must  naturally  feel  for  that  portion  of  the  Canadian  people  who  are  now 
attempting  to  free  themselves  from  the  dominion  of  the  British  crown. 
The  proceedings  of  the  meeting  were  characterized  by  the  warmest  enthu- 
siasm, and  at  the  same  time  tempered  by  that  moderation  and  prudence, 
which  is  so  necessary  to  be  preserved  at  the  present  time,  to  avoid  a  vio- 
lation of  those  rules  of  national  comity  due  from  one  people  to  another, 
and  which  the  faith  of  our  own  and  the  British  Govermuent  is  pledged 
by  treaty  to  observe  towards  each  other.  The  resolutions  passed  at  the 
meeting,  are  free  from  any  objection  on  the  above  ground,  and  are  such 
as  must  meet  the  approbation  of  all  friends  of  rational  freedom,  in  every 
country. 

"  At  three  o'clock  the  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Samuel  S.  Lush, 
Esq.,  who  stated  in  a  few  brief  but  eloquent  remarks,  the  object  for  which 
the  meeting  had  assembled.     On  his  motion, 

"His  Honor  Tennis  Van  Vechten,  Mayor  of  the  city  was  appointed  Pre- 
sident; Erastus  Corning,  John  Townsend,  James  Porter,  Ichabod  L. 
Judson,  John  W.  Bay,  Grerrit  Y.  Lansing,  James  Mahar,  James  Robinson, 
John  N.  Quackenbush,  and  Gideon  Hawley  Vice  Presidents;  and  Peter 
Cagger,  Asa  Fassett  and  Charles  S.  Olmsted,  Secretaries. 

"  At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  a  motion  was  made  that  an  adjourn- 
ment be  had  to  the  Park,  and  unanimously  carried.  After  the  meeting 
had  organized  in  the  Park,  the  President,  on  motion  of  Mr.  H.  V.  Hart, 
appointed  the  following  gentlemen  a  committee  to  draft  and  report  resolu- 
tions, viz  :  Samuel  S.  Lush,  Samuel  Beardsley,  Samuel  Stevens,  Dudley 
Burwell  and  S.  DeWitt  Bloodgood.  After  the  resolutions  had  been 
reported,  they  were  unanimously  adopted,  amidst  the  cheers  of  the  assem- 
bled multitude,  then  Samuel  Stevens,  Esq.,  being  loudly  called  for  from 
all  parts  of  the  Park,  ascended  a  platform  raised  at  the  foot  of  the  steps 

III  10 


74  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

of  the  Capitol,  and  addressed  the  meeting  in  an  eloquent  and  spirited 
speech,  during  the  delivery  of  which  he  was  repeatedly  interrupted  by 
loud  bursts  of  applause.  Joshua  A.  Spencer,  of  tjtica,  l)aniel  S.  Dickin- 
son, of  the  Senate,  and  D.  B.  Gaifney,  were  also  loudly  called  for,  and 
severally  addressed  the  meeting  in  a  manner  replete  with  ability  and 
patriotism.  Loud  and  continued  cheering  interrupted  these  gentlemen 
during  the  delivery  of  their  addresses. 

"  Mr.  H.  V.  Hart  oifered  the  following  resolution  which  being  read,  was 
unanimously  adopted  :  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  four  from  each  ward 
be  appointed  to  receive  contributions  fur  the  relief  of  the  Canadians  in 
distress :  After  the  passage  of  the  resolutions,  Mr.  Tracy,  from  Lower 
Canada,  briefly  returned  thanks  to  the  meeting  for  the  sympathy  evinced 
in  behalf  of  his  suffering  countrymen.  The  proceedings  of  the  meeting 
were  signed  by  the  president,  Teunis  Van  Vechten,  vice  president  and 
secretaries." 

Oeti.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ms  Son. 
My  dear  Rensselaer,  Albany  January  5,  1838. 

Your  letters  of  the  29th  and  1st,  I  have  received,  the  former  only  to 
day  from  New  York,  it  must  have  been  put  in  the  N.  Y.  bag  somewhere 
west ;  they  give  us  great  pleasure,  and  the  accounts  I  hear  of  you  from 
Mr.  Bidwell  and  others  adds  greatly  to  that  joy.  The  largest  meetiug 
ever  known  in  this  City  was  held  yesterday  at  2  oclock  in  the  Capitol  Park, 
the  proceedings  you  will  find  in  the  inclosed  paper,  as  well  as  the  move- 
ments of  the  British  troops  below.  The  excitement  among  all  classes  is 
very  great,  and  some  of  those  who  blamed  you  at  first,  now  hope  and  pray 
for  your  success.  I  cannot  point  out  any  particular  course  for  you  to  fol- 
low, because  at  this  distance  I  am  ignorant  of  circumstances  with  which 
of  course  you  are  well  acquainted ;  but,  it  is  always  wise,  never  to  despise 
your  enemy  and  act  with  prudence  and  firmness.  If  it  becomes  necessary 
to  move  your  cannon  on  sleighs,  let  those  in  front  of  your  column  be 
pointed  to  the  front,  and  those  in  the  rear,  in  that  direction,  for  if  the 
attack  is  made  in  front  when  on  your  march,  you  can  not  turn  your  sleighs 
in  time.  In  the  other  case  you  have  only  to  unliitch  your  horses,  and  in 
five  minutes  you  can  open  your  fire  ;  the  same  will  apply  to  the  rear. 
Impress  it  on  the  minds  of  your  men  not  to  fear  the  British  Regulars, 
they  are  but  men.  I  have  beaten  the  best  of  them  —  Brock's  own  —  with 
raw  troops  and  under  every  disadvantage.  Mr.  Papineau,  Speaker  of  the 
House  —  was  here  a  few  days  since  incog,  he  stayed  at  James  Porters; 
he  has  now  gone  to  the  North  to  get  up  a  movement  on  the  borders  of 
Vermont.  Write  as  often  as  you  can,  only  a  few  lines  and  let  me  know 
what  is  passing.     Many  prayers  are  put  up  for  your  success  and  safety. 

Your  aflfec.  Father 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Genl.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  Navy  Island. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Father. 

Head  Quarters. 
Dear  Father,  Navy  Island,  Jany.  8,  1838. 

It  is  now  some  time  since  I  had  leisure  to  write  home  and  no  doubt  you 
are  getting  to  be  somewhat  impatient  to  hear  from  me  again.  It  is  a 
satisfaction  to  know  amidst  my  throng  of  business,  that  if  you  do  not  hear 
directly,  you  do  indirectly,  through  the  various  newspaper  expresses  who 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  75 

are  as  anxiously  watching  our  motions  as  you  could  yourself.  Since  my 
last,  my  force  has  increased  beyond  my  expectations  and  for  several  dajs 
past  I  have  felt  myself  sufficiently  strong  to  make  a  descent  upon  the  main 
shore;  but  the  wane  of  a  Steamboat  —  since  the  destruction  of  the 
Caroline  —  and  the  advice  of  the  Buffalo  Committee,  under  whose 
guidance  1  consider  myself  in  part  —  has  restrained  me.  Meanwhile  the 
enemy  are  ostensibly  making  every  preparation  to  drive  me  from  my  little 
republican  Territory,  but  they  dare  not  try  the  experiment.  They  have 
had  three  Schooners,  several  scows  and  barges  lying  in  sight  above  me  for 
some  days  past  —  but  the  sight  of  my  artillery  grinning  on  my  fortifica- 
tions is  rather  too  much  for  them.  Yesterday  (Sunday)  and  the  day 
before,  they  thought  to  take  a  little  satisfaction  out  of  us  by  means  of  a 
cannonade  from  their  main  shore.  300  or  more  6-9-12-18  and  24  pound 
shot  and  bomb-shells  were  fired  at  us.  One  of  the  last  passed  over  the 
wooded  Island,  lodged  into  the  store-room  attached  to  Head  Quarters,  and 
exploded  with  the  tremendous  effect  of  drawing  the  juice  out  of  a  barrel  of 
sour-krout  and  scattering  a  hex  full  of  peas.  That  was  all  the  damage 
sustained.  Not  a  hide  or  a  hair  was  touched.  The  only  return  they  had 
was  from  the  pocket-pistol  of  one  of  my  saucy  wags.  Their  mortification 
must  be  excessive,  for  McNab  had  boasted  of  his  ability  to  sweep  the  island 
clean  in  30  minutes,  and  had  pledged  himself  to  be  in  possession  by 
Saturday  (last)  night:  At  the  termination  of  another  week  the  gallant 
Colonel  may  land  here  in  perfect  safety,  for  then  in  all  probability  we 
will  be  active  else-where.  We  are  well  fed,  and  if  all  are  not  very 
well  quartered,  we  are  hearty  and  as  patriotic  as  ever.  Thank  Mag  for 
her  letter  and  all  for  their  good  wishes.  I  am  happy  to  hear  that,  that 
dear  good  old  Mother  of  mine  is  becoming  more  reconciled  to  the  idea  that 
her  spoiled  pet  should  play  the  part  of  a  valorous  military  character.  Tell 
her  I  charge  it  all  to  a  contagion  caught  while  traveling,  on  other  business, 
under  a  cloak  belonging  to  my  "  soldier  Daddy;  "  and  that  he  should  be 
more  careful  of  lending  his  apparel  to  others.  That  cloak,  by  the  way, 
was  my  only  wrapper  for  a  long,  while.  At  length,  the  Ladies  of  Buffalo, 
God  bless  them  !  shewing  the  like  patriotic  sympathy  of  earlier  times, 
with  true  practical  ideas  and  great  discrimination  sent  many  comforts  of 
life  as  a  present  to  me.  Among  other  articles  were  warm  blankets  — 
clean  garments  —  woolen  socks  —  stockings  —  a  splendid  buffalo  skin  — 
a  fine  liquor-case  —  cakes  mottoed  "  Success  of  the  Patriots  "  &c.,  &c. 
Now  I  rest  as  «omfortably  as  a  nabob  and  I  never  felt  better. 

My  news  from  my  Second-in-Command  is  of  a  most  cheering  nature. 
He  has  taken  on  100  men  from  Cleveland  and  it  is  said  that  Dr,  Duncombe 
is  in  Maiden  in  great  force.  It  is  said  further,  that  McNab  is  this  morn- 
ing dividing  his  forces  and  sending  off  a  portion  to  watch  Dr.  D.  We 
know  at  all  events  that  there  must  be  some  bobbery  among  them,  for  we 
now  see  them  dis-embarking  from  their  Schooners.  I  forgot  to  say  that 
just  before  daylight  this  morning,  they  opened  again  upon  one  of  our 
fatigue  parties  —  without  doing  any  damage  —  and  that  I  in  turn  poured 
some  shot  into  them,  from  three  of  our  batteries  which  soon  quieted  the 
noisy  operation.  We  have  had  none  hurt  yet.  My  love  to  all.  Let  them 
write  often.  I  shall  do  so  wheii  possible.  Henry  is  very  efficient  and 
vigilant.  [A  son  of  Maj.  Gen.  Henry  K.  V.  E,.]  Preserve  the  inclosed  for 
me.  Yours  truly, 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Sol,  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany. 


76  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer's  Own  Notes  on  his  Military  Life.  ^ 

"  Left  home  the  latter  part  of  November  1837  on  a  tour  West,  for  the 
purpose  of  picking  up  news  and  new  subscribers  for  the  Albany  Daily 
Advertiser,  of  which  Paper  I  was  then  the  Proprietor.  My  avocation 
obliged  me  to  tarry  a  day  or  more,  at  the  different  important  places  on  my 
route  ;  and  I  was  often  thrown  in  the  way  of  hearing  conversations  on  the 
probability  of  a  revolutionary  movement^  in  the  Upper  Province  of  Canada, 
as  the  only  method  to  settle  tlie  protracted  disputes  with  the  Home  Govern- 
ment. As  I  advanced,  I  found  rumor  more  and  more  busy  with  increas- 
ing the  probability  of  such  a  result;  and,  in  consequence — 1  was  de- 
lighted to  find  —  an  interest,  and  a  sympathy  in  behalf  of  the  revolutionary 
party  proportionably  great,  and  at  an  early  day,  I  sent  our  Editor  a  hint, 
that  a  favoring  paragraph  in  his  columns  occasionally  would  aid  me  very 
materially  in  my  labors.  At  Rochester,  I  was  informed  that  messages 
from  the  Canadians,  supplicating  assistance  from  the  Americans  to  enable 
them  to  sliake  off  their  foreign  yoke,  had,  already  been  received.  One 
evening  while  there  I  heard,  the  animating  cheers  which  greeted  a  resolu- 
tion passed  unanimously  at  a  meeting  of  a  military  company  —  the  ''  Irish 
Greens,"  I  believe,  to  respond  in  person  to  the  supplication  whenever  they 
could  do  so  with  effect.  When  about  leaving  Albion,  a  credible  person 
drove  up,  and  gave  information  that,  from  the  mouth  of  Oak  Orchard 
creek,  he  had  just  heard  a  heavy  cannonade  across  Lake  Ontario  in  the 
direction  of  Toronto.  This  report  from  such  a  quarter,  was  received  as 
"good  enough"  proof  that  the  revolution  had  in  xe^Wi^  commenced  — 
that  blood  had  been  shed —  and  the  anxiety  to  knoic  more  was  indescribable. 
At  LoCKPORT  too,  I  found  every  one  yearning  for  news  from  Canada  — 
via  the  Niagara  frontier,  and  I  hastened  on  to  learn  it,  without  waiting  for 
Subscribers  there.  The  prayer  "  God  speed  the  Revolutionists  !  "  was 
almost  universal. 

On  arriving  at  Lewiston  I  was  grievously  mortified,  irritated,  and  dis- 
appointed, at  ascertaining  that  the  Revolutionists  had  been  defeated, 
back  of  Toronto,  in  their  first  effort  for  Independence  on  the  Thursday 
previous  —  Dec.  7th  —  that  the  minions  of  British  power  were  hunting  the 
suspected  Patriots  from  their  homes  in  every  direction  ;  and  many,  it  was 
reported,  had  been  taken  and  incarcerated  with  every  mark  of  insult  and 
cruelty.  A  few  more  fortunate  than  the  rest,  had  already  obtained  a 
refuge  on  our  shores.  I  immediately  sought  an  acquaintaqipe  with  such, 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  correct  news.  But  the  detail  given  by 
them,  of  their  country's  wrongs,  and  their  own;  and  of  their  narrow  es- 
capes, had  the  effect  of  adding,  if  possible,  to  the  excitement  of  my  own 
feelings.  The  Hon.  M.  S.  Bidwell,  Speaker  of  the  P.  Parliament,  had 
just  landed  from  a  steamboat.  Of  the  two  alternatives  so  very  graciously 
allowed  him,  by  Govr.  Sir  Francis  Bond  Head,  he  bad  chosen,  to  come 
here,  rather  than  be  imprisoned  on  the  charge  of  high  treason.  Dr. 
John  Rolph  also — fearing  he  might  not  have  an  option  of  his  own  in  the 
matter — had  fled  from  Toronto,  without  asking  for  leave  or  license,  immedi- 
ately after  the  unfortunate  battle;  and  although  carried  back  several  miles 
on  one  occasion,  his  consummate  address  enabled  him  eventually  to  pass 
all  the  numerous  guards  infesting  the  road,  by  this  time;  and  he  had 
reached  this  village  in  safety  the  previous  evening.  Soon  after  the  arrival 
of  the  last  gentleman,  a  report  was  circulated,  and  believed,  that  a  party  of 
Royalists  had  tracked,  and  were  determined  to  come  over  in  the  night  to 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  77 

kidnap  him  ;  but  the  inhabitants  of  Lewiston  did  not  feel  disposed  to  sub- 
mit quietly  to  such  an  outrage.  They  put  their  arms  —  defensive  and 
offensive  —  in  readiness  for  the  rescue,  and  the  attempt  was  not  made. 
Next  day  I  saw  those  arms  conspiciously  displayed  in  different  quarters  of 
the  village;  and  to  judge  from  the  feeling  evinced  by  the  various  groups 
I  saw  then  too,  the  sympathies  of  the  people  were  already  fairly  enlisted 
in  behalf  of  their  unfortunate  neighbors,  /made  no  attempt  to  resist  the 
contagion.  One  group  stationed  on  the  high  bluff  at  the  ferry,  uttered 
"  curses  both  loud  and  deep  "  at  seeing  the  red  coated  guard  on  the 
Queenston  side  compel  a  traveler,  about  to  cross  over,  to  strip  nearly  naked 
in  the  open  air,  drizzling  and  cold  though  the  weather  happened  to  be, 
that  he  might  search  for  "  treasonable  documents."  This  traveler  proved 
to  be  a  well  known  and  highly  respectable  American  of  the  vicinity.  But 
this  availed  him  not.  All  crossing  there,  were  obliged  to  pass  through 
the  same  ordeal ;  and  afterwards  if  they  expatiated  largely  and  glowingly 
in  public  places  on  the  subject  of  the  indignity  thus  offered  to  them  and 
through  them  to  their  country,  it  is  not  very  surprising. 

The  effect  of  this,  and  indeed  of  almost  every  new  incident,  or  rumor, 
was  to  give  new  fuel  to  the  spreading  excitement;  and  to  keep  it 
spreading  among  all  classes.  I  participated  in  '\\,  fidly  myself.  If  I  had 
possessed  either  the  inclination,  or  the  power  to  have  resisted  it  in  other 
places  —  here  I  must  have  yielded.  The  spot  occupied  by  "  the  red-coated 
guard''  I  remembered  was  once  moistened  by  the  blood  of  mv  gallant 
Father  —  the  enemy  who  shed  that  blood,  wore  the  same  livery  then,  that 
this  fellow  did  now ;  and  it  was  worn  too,  by  the  same  foe,  against  which 
my  brave  old  Grandfather  contended,  when  he  too  was  crippled,  during 
OUR  revolutionary  contest.  "  FoRT  Ann  "  and  "  Queenston  Heights  " 
with  all  their  associations  came  vividly  to  mind ;  and,  if  I  lacked  aught 
of  it  before,  I  now  became  in  every  sense  of  the  word  "  a  sympathizer  " 
for  the  stricken  Canadians;  and  the  honest  truth  is  —  1  did  long  to  see 
^^i\iQ  Vi^V)  CO  Am"  get  yet  another  drubbing.  11th  December  I  passed  on 
towards  Buffalo  by  R.  Road.  At  Niagara  Falls,  where  we  stopped 
awhile  to  change  track  and  train,  it  was  my  fortune  to  be  stowed  in  a 
compartment  of  a  car  occupied  by  two  rank  royalists  just  over,  and  one 
rattling  reformer,  who  afterwards  proved  to  be  an  accredited  Agent  from 
his  party  in  Canada.  We  were  scarcely  under  headway  before  a  warm 
discussion  arose  between  the  two  and  the  one,  on  the  subject  of  their 
domestic  difficulties  —  the  causes  of  them  &c.  Considering  myself  merely 
as  "  a  looker  on  in  Venice  " — or  as  "  a  child  among  them  taking  notes  " — 
and  wishing  light  on  the  topics  which  engaged  their  attention,  I  scarcely 
ever  joined  in  their  conversation,  particularly  so,  as  I  soon  found  the  one 
was  more  than  a  match  for  the  TWO.  However  in  the  course  of  our  ride 
the  taunting  remark  was  made  to  me,  by  one  of  the  irritated  royalists  — 
"  since  you  are  so  partial  to  the  Reformers,  you  had  better  go  over  and 
join  them."  My  reply  —  '■'■It  would  take  but  little  to  coax  me  to  do  so  " — 
was  treasured  up  in  the  memory  of  our  little  traveling  Agent;  and  havino- 
found  out  my  stopping  place  in  Buffalo,  he  called  upon  me  soon  after  dinner 
to  inform  me  that  he  had  very  particular  reasons  for  asking  if  I  had  in- 
tended what  I  had  said.  But  as  he  was  unknown  to  me,  even  by  name  ; 
and  as  he  did  not  feel  disposed  to  give  his  partictdar  reasons,  I  turned 
him  off  rather  unceremoniously,  with  an  evasive  answer,  or  rather  with  a 
jeering  one. 

My  own  proper  business  being  of  such  a  character  as  necessarily  to  put  me 


78  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

in  the  way  of  hearing  all  the  news,  I  soon  ascertained  that  the  utmost 
excitement  pervaded  the  community  at  Buffalo  also  as  well  as  other  places 
along  "  the  lines."  All  were  anxious  to  hear  the  result  of  a  movement, 
which  by  previous  understanding,  was  to  have  been  made  in  the  London 
District,  under  the  guidance  of  Dr.  Duncombe,  simultaneously  with  the 
ill-fated  affair  at  Toronto ;  and  all  were  extremely  solicitous  for  the  safety 
of  Wm.  Lyon  McKenzie,  the  ostensible  leader  at  the  latter  place.  He, 
by  the  way,  though  hotly  pursued,  after  skulking  about  in  the  woods,  and 
among  farm  houses  for  several  days,  with  a  reward  of  $4000  on  his  head, 
and  escaping  many  a  peril ;  finally  succeeded  in  gaining  an  asylum  on 
our  shores,  to  the  manifest  joy  of  every  body.  But  the  excitement  was 
intense.  All,  all  felt  it,  and  the  greater  part  of  all  were  sincerely  disposed 
to  contribute,  to  the  extent  of  their  abilities,  to  make  the  cause  of  it  — 
the  Canadian  rebellion, —  Successful.  Many  a  chivalrous  young  man,  un- 
able perhaps  to  contribute  in  any  other  way,  stood  ready  to  risk  his  life 
and  to  lend  his  personal  services  in  the  field ;  and  1  was  very  much  pleas- 
ed to  learn  that  a  project  was  already  on  foot  to  embody  them  for  that 
purpose. 

In  the  course  of  the  afternoon  a  tall,  hawk  eyed  looking  personage 
called  at  my  room,  and  announced  himself  as  Thomas  Jefferson  Suther- 
land. To  be  thus  particularized  by  one  of  "  the  lions  of  the  day," 
appeared  somewhat  singular ;  for  although  entirely  unacquainted  with 
him,  I  had  heard  his  name  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  project,  above 
alluded  to;  and  I  was  not  a  little  at  a  loss  to  surmise  his  business.  How- 
ever he  soon  dispelled  the  mystery.  After  displaying  an  immense  package, 
letters  of  recommendation  (as  a  collecting  attorney  if  I  recollect  right)  and 
of  introduction  to  every  body, //-o.wi  divers  individuals,  the  Hon.  John  W. 
Taylor,  late  Speaker  among  the  rest,  he  asked  whether  his  vouchers  were  ■ 
sufficient  to  satisfy  me  of  his  standing  and  character.  I  replied,  "  cer- 
tainly, Mr.  Taylor's  letter  is  all-sufficient."  "  Very  well  then.  Colonel 
Van  Rensselaer,"  he  continued — "  I  know  you  well  enough  too,  by  reputa- 
tion, and  there  need  be  no  reserve  between  us.  I  once  kept  a  military 
school  —  I  have  seen  service  in  Brazil,  and  also  under  Bolivar  —  I  have  just 
returned  from  Toronto,  where  unfortunately  I  arrived  too  late  to  be  of  use 
to  the  Patriots  there,  but  I  have  come  off  with  full  authority  to  commis- 
sion officers,  to  enlist  men,  and  to  collect  means  in  the  United  States  for  the 
purpose  of  assisting  them  in  their  struggle.  And  now.  Sir,  having  under- 
stood that  you  have  declared  — '  It  would  take  hut  little  to  coax  you  over 
into  this  service  ' —  I  have  come  to  try  your  sincerity  with  the  offer  of  an 
important  commission."  I  must  admit  that  the  tenor  of  his  conversation 
took  me  completely  by  surprise ;  but,  without  affectation,  I  answered  : 

"It  was  undeniable  that  I  had  used  the  expression  imputed  to  me,  yet 
it  was  made  in  the  heat  of  the  controversy,  when  no  serious  intention  was 
entertained  of  acting  in  accordance  with  it.  My  engagements  were  too 
numerous  already,  and  too  important  to  admit  of  my  ilicurring  more  ;  and 
besides  although  my  best  wishes  were  with  the  cause  he  advocated,  I  did 
not  conceive  my  experience  in  military  matters  sufficient  to  justify  me  in 
the  attempt  to  discharge  —  in  immediate  actual  service  —  the  duties  of 
a  military  command." 

The  more  I  objected,  however,  the  more  urgent  was  he;  and  he  rose 
proportionately  in  the  magnitude  of  the  commission  offered.  First  it 
was  a  Colonels,  then  a  Generals,  his  second  in  rank  ;  and  lastly  he  proposed 
to  resign  his  own  post  of  Commander-in-Chief,  if  I  would  accept  it,  and  he 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  79 

would  act  as  m?/  Second.  All  this  seemed  fair — though  it  might  be  flat- 
tering—  and  much  as  he  may  have  overrated  my  importance,  he  evinced 
an  earnestness  that  elevated  him  greatly  in  my  estimation.  While  I  hesi-  . 
tated  then  for  a  fitting  reply  he  avowed  himself  extremely  anxious  that 
I  should  accept  his  offer,  because  he  knew  the  people  of  Canada  were  ripe 
for  a  revolt  —  that  a  little  assistance  on  the  outset  would  ensure  success, 
that  it  was  the  interest  of  Americans  to  give  this  assistance.  As  a  proof 
of  their  inclination  to  do  so,  he  stated  that  he  had  already  been  presented 
with  a  quantity  of  arms,  and  munitions  of  war  that  he  had  enrolled  400 
men,  with  a  number  of  experienced  officers,  who,  in  conjunction  with  him- 
self would  take  all  my  troublesome  portions  of  duty  on  themselves ;  and 
that  he,  considering  himself  amply  gratified  —  would  lead  my  forlorn 
hopes    and  do  all  my  fighting. 

He  candidly  admitted,  that  it  required  a  person  better  known  than  him- 
self to  impart  a  proper  tone  to  the  enterprize  —  that  there  were  prejudices 
against  him  — for  some  unstated  cause  —  which  miyht  render  all  his  in- 
dividual efforts  nugatory;  and,  he  was  apprehensive  —  from  passing  indi- 
cations —  that  the  enterprize  would  fall  through,  unless  /would  co-operate 
with  him  forthwith.  Full  and  sole  powers  were  to  be  invested  in  me  to  con- 
duet  all  military  operations  in  my  own  way,  and  no  one  allowed  to  interfere. 
Well  !  I  wavered  at  lust,  but  I  required  a  stated  time  for  reflection  before 
my  answer  could  be  given,  but  parted  from  him  then,  with  an  understand- 
ing that  he  should  have  my  definite  reply  at  the  end  of  twelve  hours. 
Pending  this,  the  result  of  my  more  particular  inquiries,  was  a  full  con- 
firmation of  the  opinions  imbibed  from  previous  notice  of  passing  events 
in  the  Canadas,  viz  :  that  the  Canadas  were  only  prevented  by  the  strong 
arm  of  power  from  throwing  off  the  yoke  of  foreign  despots,  and  notwith- 
standing the  unfortunate  issue  of  the  ill-concerted  battle  of  Toronto,  that 
a  vast  majority  of  the  people  were  in  favor  of  a  political  reformation,  that 
there  was  every  encouragement  for  the  belief,  that  if  one  successful  battle 
was  fought  and  a  good  stand  maintained  for  a  short  time,  they  would  con- 
centrate their  forces  and  do  their  own  fighting  afterwards.  With  the 
hope  of  being  instrumental  in  hastening  a  crisis  so  desirable  to  all  the  re- 
publican world  —  my  wish  as  a  Northerner  to  see  the  chivalrous  example 
of  the  South  in  the  case  of  Texag,  emulated  here  my  innate  detestation 
of  tyranny  and  oppresssion  wherever  manifested  made  me  wish  to  act  in 
liberating  the  oppressed  of  Upper  Canada  and  to  establish  a  republican 
form  of"  government  in  the  Province. 

That  same  night  —  Dec.  11th  —  I  attended  a  thronged  meeting  in  the 
Theatre,  under  the  expectation  of  hearing  McKenzie  but  with  many  others 
was  disappointed.  The  privations  and  fatigues  of  his  late  flight  had  inca- 
pacitated him  from  attending.  It  was  announced  however  that  he  would 
appear  the  next  night.  The  announcement  was  received  with  uproarious 
shouts  of  applause,  and  when  a  guard  of  six  was  called  for  to  protect  his 
person  from  kidnappers,  at  least  six  times  six  mounted  the  stage  as  volun- 
teers. A  "  Committee  of  Thirteen"  was  also  appointed,  from  among  the  most 
highly  respectable,  and  influential  citizens,  of  which  Dr.  Ebenr.  Johnson, 
late  Mayor,  was  Chairman,  for  the  object  of  collecting  contributions  for  the 
promotion  of  the  cause  for  which  McKenzie  was  an  exile.  From  such 
indications,  and  from  the  information  I  was  enabled  to  glean  through  the 
inielligeut,  I  became  fully  satisfied  that  all  Sutherland's  positions  were 
right  in  the  main,  and  particularly  so  the  last  one.  There  was  danger 
that  nothing  effectual  would  be  done,  if  he  was  to  be  recognized  as  the 


80  '  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

leader  ;  while  all  those  who  were  confidentially  consulted,  were  decidedly 
of  the  opinion  that  1  could  give  a  proper  tone  and  impetus  to  the  affair. 
.  And  they  solomnly  pledged  themselves  to  sustain  me  in  every  way,  if  / 
would  only  take  that  post,  and  get  up  a  diversion  in  favor  of  poor  Dr.  Dun- 
combe,  who  now  otherwise  unsupported,  would  have  to  encounter  the  whole 
power  of  Gov.  Head.  These  reflections  settled  the  matter ;  and  relying 
on  the  numberless  promises  of  being  upheld  while  trusting  in  the  smiles 
of  Heaven  itself  I  agreed  to  accept  the  office  :  thus  it  was  that  for  the  want 
of  a  better,  I  consented  to  act  as  the  Patriot  Commander-in-Chief  of  Upper 
Canada. 

At  that  dark  period,  when  the  Patriots  were  flying  in  dismay  from  the 
dangers  which  beset  them  at  their  own  firesides ;  and  when  few  indeed 
were  disposed  to  jeopardize  their  lives  and  prospects  to  assist  —  youth  was 
not  to  be  caviled  at.  Thirty-seven  years  then  was  considered  age  sufficient 
to  mature  the  judgment  of  any  one  who  could  resuscitate  their  drooping 
prospects,  and  the  want  of  experience  in  actual  service  was  deemed  of  no 
material  consequence.  Industry,  zeal,  management,  prudence,  and  deter- 
mination were  admitted  to  be  every  qualification  expected. 

Dec,  12th.  Sutherland  called  again  according  to  agreement.  After  re- 
capitulating his  previous  arguments,  he  added  that  he  had  seen  some  of 
the  prominent  Canadians,  since  his  interview  with  me  last  evening,  and 
that  they  were  as  desirous  as  himself  that  I  would  accept  the  proffered 
command.  I  then  informed  lym  I  would  gratify  what  appeared  to  be  the 
universal  wish,  provided  my  acceptance  was  not  made  public  for  a  stated 
time  —  one  or  two  days  I  think  —  that  I  should  not  be  called  upon  to  identify 
myself  with  any  movement  on  the  American  side,  or,  indeed,  to  act  in  any 
way  before  his  troops  were  marshaled  in  Canada.  He  readily  acquiesced 
in  all  this  ;  as  also  did  Dr.  John  Rolph,  President  of  the  Executive  Coun- 
cil, organized  before  the  rising,  near  Toronto,  and  Wm.  Lyon  McKenzie, 
member  of  the  same.  They  were  waiting  in  an  adjoining  room' for  my 
determination,  and  seemed  much  rejoiced  to  find  it  was  favorable  to  their 
wishes.  From  them  1  derived  my  authority  and  with  it  full  power  to  con- 
duct all  military  operations  for  them  at  my  own  discretion.  No  one  —  not 
even  they  themselves  —  was  to  interfere  with  me,  in  any  manner,  or  shape, 
until  the  affairs  of  their  country  were  in  such  a  position,  that  a  civil  power 
might  be  organized,  and  act  with  safety.  This  pledge  o^ non-interference, 
was  both  unasked  and  unexpected  on  my  part;  but  it  was  the  suggestion 
of  Dr.  liolph  given  cheerfully  by  himself,  and  exacted  by  him  from  Mc 
Kenzie,  who  at  first  evinced  somewhat  of  a  nonconcurring  disposition. 
The  remainder  of  that  momentous  day  was  spent  by  me  in  obtaining  all 
the  accessible  information  I  could  for  the  benefit  of  my  new  vocation,  mean- 
while Sutherland  was  so  actively  employed  at  his  rendezvous  and  depot, 
that  I  scarcely  saw  again'  that  day,  nor  did  I  do  any  kind  of  business  with 
him.  At  night  I  attended  the  adjourned  Patriot  meeting  at  the  Theatre, 
when  both  Mc  Kenzie  and  Sutherland  made  speeches.  The  latter  paraded 
his  men  after  the  meeting,  and  sent  a  message  to  me,  to  make  my  Jirst 
appearance  that  evening,  but  I  flatly  refused,  on  the  ground,  that  it  was 
not  in  our  bargain.  He  succeeded  however,  in  making  me  show  myself 
at  last  by  a  rM.se  de  guerre. 

A  Flag  —  the  offering  of  some  zealous  friend  — was  to  be  presented  ; 
he  called  at  my  lodging  with  the  donor,  and  before  I  was  aware  of  his 
object,  he  led  me  into  the  hall,  where  he  presented  me  to  the  cheering 
crowd  as  his  General.     But  in  spite  of  his  solicitations,  I  refused  either 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  81 

to  address  them,  or  to  receive  their  gift.  Sutherland  was  obliged  to  do 
both.  After  this,  Sutherland  marched  off  to  the  arsenal  and  robbed  it  of 
some  hundred  state  arms,  without  any  hint  or  instructions  from  me  to  do 
so,  and  indeed  without  my  knowledge.  This  feat  over  he  moved  off  with 
"  the  spoils"  to  Black  Rock.  •About  3  o'clock  A.  M.,  he  came  back,  and 
routed  me  out  of  my  bed,  to  let  me  know  what  he  had  been  doing,  and  to 
inform  me  that  he  was  fearful  the  Sheriff,  or  Police  Officer  —  Barton  — 
was  after  him  with  a  warrant,  and  he  wished  me  to  go  out  to  Black  Rock 
immediately  to  ascertain  if  such  was  the  fact.  I  did  so,  and  was  told  by 
!Barton,  that  he  had  no  warrant  for  Sutherland,  and  that  he  was  not  under 
orders  to  re-capture  the  stolen  property ;  that  he  was  there  merely  to 
watch  where  it  might  be  taken  to  —  and  he  supposed^  if  the  Sheriff  was 
indemnified  against  any  personal  loss,  the  ensuing  day,  that  no  further  notice 
would  be  taken  of  the  matter.  I  then  returned  to  Buffalo.  A  few  hours 
afterwards,  however,  some  of  those  arms  were  re-captured  by  the  Sheriff, 
Lester  Brace,  in  spite  of  the  opposition  of  McKenzie  and  Sutherland,  who 
were  both  there  at  the  time.  I  was  not.  At  night,  the  same  arms  were 
again  stolen  from  the  authorities,  and  an  attempt  was  made  by  Sutherland 
to  put  them  and  his  men,  on  board  of  a  Schooner  in  the  harbor,  but  he 
was  prevented  by  the  firemen  of  the  city,  who  being  called  out  and  armed, 
beat  him  off  and  seized  his  vessel.  He  then  marched  down  to  Tonewanda, 
10  miles,  and  crossed  over  to  Grand  Island  at  White- Haven.  From  whence 
on  Dec.  14th,  he  sent  me  word  by  express  (Major  Burnham)  that  in  one 
hour  he  would  leave  for  Navy  Island,  and  he  begged  me  to  join  him  there 
with  all  possible  dispatch. 

I  immediately  waited  upon  '^  the  Committee  of  Thirteen"  —  to  make 
them  aware  of  Sutherland's  proceedings.  I  found  them  convened  and  so 
much  disgusted  with  Sutherland's  late  lawless  course,  that  they  were 
about  to  dissolve  as  a  Committee.  This  news,  however,  elated  them  not 
a  little ;  and  they  resolved  to  hold  on  —  to  collect,  and  forward  me  an 
abundance  of  supplies  &c.,  and  they  were  particularly  anxious  that  I  would 
move  off  without  delay,  and  take  McKenzie  with  me  because  Gov.  Head 
had  made  a  requisition  upon  Gov.  Marcy  for  his  person  and  they  wanted , 
me  to  defend  him.  All  this  I  agreed  to  do  ;  and  Dr.  Rolph  promised  vto 
dispatch  a  messenger  to  Dr.  Duucombe  forthwith,  to  let  him  know  what 
I  was  about;  and  to  get  him  to  march  down  to  open  a  landing  for  me  on 
the  main  shore,  in  Chippewa.  I  saw  McKenzie  soon  after  this  interview 
but  he  was  so  much  occupied  in  getting  his  "  Proclamation"  printed  that 
I  could  not  get  him  started  until  9  o'clock  in  the  evening.  By  this  time, 
word  was  brought  me  that  Sutherland  was  still  lying  at  White  Haven, 
and  there  I  found  him  sure  enough.  His  pretext  for  not  being  on  Navy 
Island  was  frivolous  at  best;  but  his  arms  and  stores  were  already  on 
board  of  a  large  scow ;  and  his  men  were  soon  embarked  after  my  arrival, 
and  ordered  to  '■'■push  off."  They  did  so,  but  Col.  Sutherland  and  his 
second,  Maj.  Burnham,  did  not  push  off  with  them.  On  hearing  the 
order  they  suddenly  rfound  themselves  called  away  on  very  important  bu- 
siness. I  helped  to  push  this  boat  off,  and  then  followed  in  a  smaller  one. 
As  soon  as  it  was  light  enough  to  count,  I  found  my  force  all  told  were 
exactly  26  men.  Rather  a  falling  off  from  my  promised  400,  it  must  be 
admitted,  but  I  was  told  that  the  remainder  were  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  that  many  would  join  in  the  course  of  the  day.  I  had  previously  been 
informed,  in  consequence  of  the  unavoidable  delay,  while  making  prepara- 

II]  11 


82  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

tions  for  a  movement,  connected  with  the  difficulties  which  grew  out  of 
the  seizure  of  the  public  arms  at  Buffalo,  that  many  of  the  men  had  re- 
turned to  their  homes,  but  I  was  not  prepared  for  such  an  appalling  falling 
oflE".     However  after  a  little  reflection,  I  resolved  "  to  go  ahead." 

Mr.  McKenzie  on  observing  our  small  number  sunk  inert  and  spirit 
broken,  upon  the  frame  of  a  cannon,  where  he  passively  reclined  until 
aroused  by  a  false  alarm.  The  idea  of  encamping  on  British  territory, 
with  such  a  paltry  force,  seemed  hazardous  enough  to  me,  but  consider- 
ing this  as  the  forlorn  hope  of  the  hunted  Canadian,  when  I  thought  of  his 
pitiable  condition, —  of  the  immense  interests  at  stake,  of  the  unprepared 
state  of  the  enemy,  of  speedy  reinforcements  promised  me,  and  of  the 
mortification  incident  to  a  retrograde  movement  —  trusting  in  the  good  faith 
of  our  friends  and  Providence  we  advanced  When  we  arrived  at  Buckhom 
Island,  about  sunrise  of  the  15th  December,  I  directed  the  lar(je  boat  to 
lay-to,  and  I  passed  over  to  reconnoitre  Navy  Island,  in  the  small  one, 
accompanied  by  three  men.  We  found  no  force  there,  and  the  concerted 
signal  was  given,  which  soon  brought  over  our  Grand  Army,  and  we  took 
formal  possession  —  unoticed  by  the  enemy  —  of  this  portion  of  her  Bri- 
tanic  Majesty's  dominions  without  even  saying  "  by  your  leave,"  and  in 
spite  of  all  that  John  Bull  could  do  we  kept  possession  until  the  14th 
January,  18o8.  Sutherland  and  Burnham  joined  us  just  after  we  had 
landed  the  last  of  our  two  six-pounders  &c.  This  addition  made  our  force 
just  28  men,  but  almost  every  hour  brought  us  new  recruits  and  by  Sun- 
day morning  Dec.  17,  we  mustered  60  good  men  and  true.  The  enemy 
did  not  reconnoitre  the  Island  until  two  days  subsequent  to  our  landing, 
on  this  Sabbath  we  fired  our  first  shot  across  the  bows  of  this  first  British 
observation  boat.  The  effect  was,  to  make  it  steer  "  back  ayain''  with- 
out having  fully  accomplished  its  object  —  and  to  awaken  such- a  cordial 
sympathy  in  our  favor,  that  guns,  men,  arms,  provisions,  ammunition  and 
clothing  were  forwarded  on  to  us  in  the  greatest  abundance.  In  less  than 
a  fortnight  our  force  had  increased  to  200  ;  with  this  augmentation  there 
came  to  me  a  corresponding  addition  of  duty,  fatigue,  anxiety  and  danger, 
but  I  braved  it  all  for  the  sake  of  the  glorious  cause  in  which  I  had  em- 
barked. 

About  the  27th  of  December,  my  spies  brought  me  intelligence,  that 
Dr.  Duncombe's  forces  were  all  disbanded  on  the  approach  of  Col.  Mc- 
Nab ;  and  that  the  Colonel  with  the  provincial  force  he  could  muster 
was  on  the  march  with  the  avowed  threat  of  sweeping  me  oft"  the  Island, 
as  he  said,  "  hi  thirty  minutes  "  after  his  arrival  opposite  me.  Well  ! 
finding  myself  abandoned  thus  by  my  Canadian  friends,  and  that  my  ex- 
pedition was  now  their  only  hope  of  breaking  their  chains,  I  dispatched 
Sutherland  to  Detroit  with  the  rank  of  Brig.  Gen.  and  with  directions  to 
collect  all  the  Refugees  in  that  quarter,  also  such  sympathizers  as  he  might 
find  there,  and  make  a  diversion  in  my  favor  at  Maiden,  or  wherever  else 
he  could  strike  with  effect.  I,  in  turn,  promised  him  that  he  should  be 
sustained  to  the  last,  if  he  did  so  ;  and  that  I  would  keep  the  army  oppo- 
site in  check,  until  I  could  hear  from  him  again  at  any  rate.  All  this 
was  done  with  the  consent,  and  approbation  of  McKenzie.  I  had  proposed 
to  McK.  previously,  that  I  should  go  on  this  expedition  myself;  but  to 
that  he  would  not  agree.  If  /left  the  island,  he  said,  "  he  would  leave 
it  too,"  so  however  poorly  Sutherland  may  have  executed  his  duty,  it  is 
no  fault  of  mine.  He  started  ofi"  with  the  best  prospects  of  success,  and 
failed  in  the  end. 


LEaACY  OF  Historical  Gleanings.  83 

On  Dec.  27th,  Col  McNab  arrived  at  Chippewa  and  forthwith  opened 
his  heavy  thunder  on  my  gaUant  baud,  according  to  promise,  but  with 
little  or  no  effect.  My  boys  thought  less  of  his  shower  of  shells  and  balls, 
than  they  did  of  a  rain  storm.  We  lost  but  one  man.  We  could  always  drive 
McNab  from  his  guns  when  we  tried  it,  and  besides  we  drove  his  three  schoon- 
ers from  their  moorings.  The  play  was  always  in  our  own  hands,  as  long  as  we 
chose  to  remain  on  the  Island.  The  steamboat  Caroline  was  burnt,  Dec.  29th, 
at  the  American  Port  Schlosser,  and  her  crew  murdered  by  a  gang  of  British 
cut  throats,hy  orders  from  Col.  McNab.  After  this,  the  troops  on  either  side 
were  so  rapidly  reinforced,  that  in  a  short  time  McNab  had  some  4  or 
5000,  and  I  some  7  or  800.  But  notwithstanding  the  disparity  in  numbers, 
he  could  not  be  coaxed  to  attack  me.  He  after  several  ineffectual  attempts, 
though  assisted  at  last  by  Grov.  Head,  was  obliged  to  give  up  the  idea  and 
there  he  lay  now  simply  watching  me.  The  newspaper  refers  to  these 
events  thus :  "  Sir  Francis  Head  on  his  arrival  at  Chippewa  severely  cen- 
sured some  of  his  military  officers  resident  in  that  neighborhood  because 
they  had  not  gone  to  Buffalo  and  seized  Mr.  Mackenzie;  and  also  because 
they  had  not  dislodged  the  patriots  from  Navy  Island.  If  Sir  Francis 
wants  Navy  Island,  it  is  there  before  him  !  He  can  take  it  for  himself ! 
In  this  case  he  will  win  all  the  honor;  but  if  the  attempt  be  made  to  take 
any  of  the  patriots  from  our  soil,  who  may  have  fled  hither  for  shelter, 
we  believe  the  governor  himself  would  hardly  be  safe  in  the  midst  of  his 
own  guards." 

The  Governor's  proximity  was  just  what  I  wanted,  for  I  hoped  in  a  very 
few  days  to  hear  Sutherland  attacking  him  in  the  rear.  A  letter  from 
Buffalo  of  Jany.  i,  1838,  says  —  "  To  night's  mail  brings  intelligence  of 
a  large  force  opposite  Deti'oit  co-operating  with  you"  &c.  This  loas  cheer- 
ing news,  but  I  wondered  at  not  hearing  from  Sutherland  direct  —  how- 
ever it  enabled  me  to  allay  the  discontent  which  already  began  to  manifest 
itself  on  the  Island  ;  and  as  we  had  the  promise  of  another  Steamboat,  and 
other  boats  sufficient  to  land  us  on  the  enemy's  shore  whenever  we  felt 
disposed  to  go  —  matters  began  to  look  bright  again.  About  the  9th  of 
January  being  in  momentary  expectation  of  hearing  from  Sutherland  on 
the  other  side,  extensive  arrangements  were  about  being  made  for  separat- 
ing Coi.  McNab's  forces  %  a  ruse,  which  it  was  intended,  would  euable 
me  to  land  on  the  main  shore,  either  with  or  without  a  fight  —  whicliever 
might  be  deemed  most  prudent  —  so  as  to  effect  a  junction  with  Suther- 
land. While  these  arrangements  were  in  progress,  the  Commissary  — 
Genl.  Arcularius  —  demanded  of  me,  by  letter,  the  State  arms,  which  had 
found  their  way  to  Navy  Island  —  and  a  number  of  very  highly  respecta- 
ble gentlemen  of  the  neighborhood,  who  were  with  him  at  an  interview 
subsequently  had,  proposed,  much  to  my  astonishment,  that  I  should 
evacuate  the  Island  for  the  American  shore  and  abandon  the  enterprize. 
To  my  astonishment,  I  say,  for  this  was  the  first  symptom  of  Opposition 
manifested  since  I  first  assumed  the  command  of  the  liberating  army. 
Among  these  gentlemen  were  Judges  A.  Porter,  and  S.  Deveraux  of 
the  Falls,  John  W.  Beals,  Buffalo,  John  Sweeney,  Tonawanda,  Geo. 
Boughton,  H.  Walbridge,  H.  Gardner,  Barrett  and  Ransom  of  Lockport. 
They  used  the  most  potent  arguments  to  induce  me  to  comply  with  their 
propositions.  Situated,  however,  as  I  was,  in  relation  to  Sutherland  in 
the  West,  and  to  another  officer  —  Bill  Johnston  —  whom  I  had  dispatched 
to  the  River  St.  Lawrence  to  get  up  a  diversion  there  too,  I  felt  that  if  T 
did  comply,  I  would  bo  both  dishonored  and  a  deserter  in  my  own  cstima- 


84  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

tion,  I  therefore  broke  up  the  interview  and  went  on  with  my  arrange- 
ments to  bother  John  Bull. 

During  the  period  we  remained  on  the  Island,  of  the  thousands  who 
visited  us,  for  business  or  curiosity,  all  are  witness  of  the  extent  of  the 
duties,  fatigues  and  perils  which  devolved  upon  me.  None  can  say  I 
shrunk  from  any,  or  neglected  any.  On  Wednesday  Jany.  11th  I  had  an 
interview  with  Col.  W.  J.  Worth  on  Navy  Island.  He  came  to  ask  me 
over  to  the  Falls  to  see  Governor  Marcy  and  General  Winfield  Scott. 
The  latter  attempted  to  intimidate.  The  weather,  and  a  law  about  to  be 
passed  by  Congress  he  said,  would  cut  me  off  from  all  supplies  &fe,  and 
beside  the  British  Kegulars  were  coming  up  in  force  from  the  lower 
province  to  dislodge  me,  &c.,  &c. 

Gov.  Marcy,  when  alone  with  me  —  said  he  thought  that  under  all  the 
circumstances  I  was  in  a  very  critical  situation.  He  hoped  therefore  that 
I  would  evacuate  the  Island  for  the  American  shore  ;  and  although  he  knew 
of  wo  law  that  could  prevent  my  marching  a  body  of  armed  men  through 
the  country,  he  hoped  when  I  did  leave  that  I  would  disarm  the  men 
first.  That  interview  too  broke  up  without  any  result.  On  Thursday 
Jany.  1  my  grand  ruse  was  played  off.  A  large  collection  of  wagons  was 
made  in  the  neighborhood  of  "  The  Falls "  near  Schlosser,  and  belief 
thereby  induced  that  I  intended  landing  there  that  night,  for  the  purpose 
of  getting  above  or  below  the  British  forces.  A  show  of  chartering  boats 
too  had  been  made  at  Youngstown  and  at  Buffalo.  This  all  tended  to 
confirm  the  belief  on  both  sides  of  the  river ;  and  all  were  looking  out 
for  me  in  the  very  quarters  where  I  need  not  have  been  expected.  The 
stratagem  took  admirably  well.  Both  friend  and  foe  was  deceived.  The 
regular  and  militia  force  stationed  at  both  points  on  the  American  shore 
were  hastily  called  out,  and  kept  under  arms  for  hours  to  intercept  us.  Her 
Majesty's  troops  were  marched  to  the  neighborhood  of  George  and  Fort 
Erie  to  prevent  our  landing  there,  and  then  my  real  point  of  intended 
attack —  Chippewa  —  was  uncovered,  except  by  perhaps,  150  or  200  men 
left  behind  to  keep  up  their  harmless  roar  of  artillery.  The  intention 
was —  and  every  man  on  the  Island  was  ready  and  eager  for  the  fray  — 
to  have  been  towed  by  a  steamer  in  our  flats  and  yawlboats  across  the 
river  above  their  artillery  —  to  have  forced  a  march  over  it,  down  to  Fort 
George  —  to  have  beaten  the  detachment  of  the  enemy's  army  there,  and 
to  have  taken  passage  in  the  British  Government  Steamer  lying  there 
that  night  for  Toronto  &c  —  but  the  golden  opportunity  for  landing  there 
then  was  lost,  for  my  promised  boats  did  not  come.  The  men  would  not 
hazard  the  passage  of  the  Niagara  without  the  tow  of  the  Steamboat,  and 
although  we  had  the  promise  of  one  ;  although  we  stood  under  arms  from 
sunset  to  midnight,  waiting  for  one;  and  although  I  had  dispatched  three 
different  messages  in  due  season  to  the  proper  sources,  begging  it  to  be 
sent  that  night,  "  For  God's  Sake!  or,  "All  is  Lost" — it  did  not 
appear.  It  is  but  an  act  of  equity,  however,  to  say,  I  have  the  assurance 
of  General  Scott,  that  it  was  not  owing  to  him. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  85 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  Canadian  Patriot  Army. 

Dr.  E.  Johnson  to  Bens.  Van  Bensselaer. 

Sir,  Buffalo,  Jan.  4,  1838. 

The  committee  have  had  in  consideration  your  communication  of  this 
morning,  and  while  they  regret  that  there  is  too  much  truth  in  your  re- 
marks concerning  the  apathy  of  the  Canadians  they  still  think  that  a 
successful  blow  struck  by  you  will  arouse  them.  With  your  own  conduct 
as  the  commander  of  the  forces  at  Navy  Island  you  have  no  reason  to  be 
dissatisfied  whatever  may  be  the  result  of  the  cause  in  which  you  are 
engaged  and  if  on  a  full  view  of  your  situation  you  should  think  it  ex- 
pedient to  retire,  no  one  can  censure  your  conduct. 

Without  some  prospect  of  success,  an  attempt  on  Canada  would  appear 
to  be  wanton  waste  of  life  and  you  may  with  perfect  propriety  retire  if 
you  think  the  cause  entirely  hopeless.  If  the  committee  may  be  allowed 
to  give  you  an  opinion  on  this  subject  they  would  say  —  Do  nothing  pre- 
cipitately especially  as  to  making  an  attack  on  the  Canada  shore  opposite 
you  or  as  to  disbanding  your  forces.  You  can  rely  upon  supplies  of  pro- 
visions from  this  shore  so  long  as  you  remain  at  Navy  Island.  To  this 
the  committee  are  willing  to  pledge  themselves  and  they  do  so  not  relying 
solely  upon  the  resources  of  Buffalo.  There  is  beyond  question  a  growing 
interest  on  this  side  in  your  movements  in  every  city,  village,  and  hamlet 
in  the  State  of  New  York.  Nor  these  only,  the  sound  of  approaching  men 
reaches  us  from  every  quarter  especially  from  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and 
Michigan.  We  have  the  most  encouraging  accounts  from  Cleveland  and 
Detroit.  To  night's  mail  brings  intelligence  of  a  large  force  opposite 
Detroit  co-operating  with  you.  And  there  is  every  disposition  in  all 
places  to  aid  you  with  money.  What  aid  we  have  been  able  to  give  you 
so  far  has  been  done  with  little  effort  and  from  our  own  neighborhood, 
this  we  shall  continue  to  do  until  we  can  obtain  aid  from  other  places, 
especially  from  New  York,  Albany,  Boston  and  other  cities  to  do  which 
we  shall  dispatch  agents.  The  excitement  produced  against  the  Grovern- 
ment  of  Upper  Canada  by  the  murder  committed  at  Schlosser  under  their 
authority  will  aid  your  hand,  and  we  would  advise  you  by  all  means  to 
wait  until  you  hear  the  effect  produced  by  that  diabolical  transaction.  A 
subscription  is  in  progress  for  a  Steamboat  and  you  can  rely  upon  the 
committee  for  an  energetic  action  upon  that  subject  and  we  think  with  a 
fair  prospect  of  success.     I  am  General  —  Your  obdt.  Servt. 

E.  Johnson,  Chairman  of  the  Buffalo  Committee. 

Gen.  Bens.  Van  Bensselaer,  Navy  Island. 

Dr.  William  Hullinger  made  a  noble  offer,  which  is  a  fair  specimen  of 

.the  forethought  and  energetic  impulse  which  led  to  many  similar  instances 

caused  by  the   inspiration  of  the  movement.     "  Having   understood  that 

the  army  on  Navy  Island  is  not  sufficiently  well  supplied  with  Physicians 

and  Surgeons,  I  am  induced  by  various  considerations  to  inform  you  that 


86  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

I  am  at  your  disposal.  If  my  services  are  required  as  assistant  surgeon  I 
am  willinji;  to  enlist  during  the  war,  be  that  longer  or  shorter.  If  success 
crowns  your  noble  efforts,  then  I  would  expect  a  compensation,  but  if  not, 
which  may  God  forbid,  then  I  would  expect  that  a  loss  of  time  on  my 
part,  would  be  a  small  sacrifice  in  comparison  with  the  loss  others  would 
suffer." 

Dr.  CJiapin  to  Mens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  Buffalo,  Jany  10th,  1838. 

In  less  than  five  days,  I  am  of  opinion,  if  this  kind  of  weather  holds, 
that  you  will  be  frozen  up,  on  your  Island.  The  Anchor  iee  will  be  float- 
ing near  your  shore  in  such  quantities,  as  will  prevent  access  to  the  Island. 

I  refer  you  to  the  opinion  of  Judge  Porter,  Benjamin  Barton,  Esq.,  or 
any  old  inhabitant,  for  their  opinions,  in  relation  to  this  subject.  The 
ardor  and  enthusiasm  of  the  Public  will  soon  be  chilled,  in  my  opinion, 
unless  you  make  a  demonstration  of  some  kind.  I  believe  there  are  many 
that  would  join  you,  from  this  side,  if  you  should  land  on  the  Canada 
shore.  If  you  have  only  200  men,  you  can  safely  land  at  some  Point,  in 
the  Province,  and  after  raising  the  Patriot  Standard,  many  would  crowd 
to  it  if  such  a  nucleus  was  formed,  around  which  they  might  gather.  If 
you  dare  risque  it,  send  a  forlorn  hope  of  100  men  across,  opposite  your 
Island  and  supply  or  support  them  as  rapidly  as  possible. 

I  apprehend  that  Gravelly  Bay  is  too  far  up  the  Lake  ^  almost  any  Point, 
between  Navy  Island  and  Fort  Erie,  I  believe  now  to  be  vulnerable,  and  I 
think  can  be  invested  with  your  forces,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  tenable. 

If  you  think  so,  let  50  land  at  Fort  Erie  ;  100  at  Black  Bock;  200 
from  the  head  of  Grand  Island,  and  any  other  disposable  force  as  a  re- 
enforcement  to  cross  below  the  above  mentioned  places.  Or  should  it  be 
thought  better,  send  your  force  to  Schlosser  and  march  to  Youngstown, 
and  have  ready  boats  there  to  cross.  And  to  make  the  work  easy  send  one 
hundred  a  forlorn  hope  to  Fort  Mississagato  be  suddenly  re-enforced  —  as 
occasion  may  require.  This  force  to  be  moved  in  the  fore  part  of  the 
night  so  as  to  be  ready  to  march,  on  the  other  side  of  the  Niagara  River 
by  daylight  in  the  morning.  At  all  events  you  must  leave  the  Island  soon 
for  your  own  personal  safety,  other  wise  I  am  afraid  all  communication 
will  be  cut  off.  Again  I  repeat  it  the  Island  must  be  left.  Accept  from 
me,  my  best  wishes  for  your  success  and  welfare  and  I  beseech  you  to  leave 
the  Island,  for  one  side  or  the  other,  with  all  reasonable  haste.  Your 
friends  here,  join  with  me,  in  our  good  wishes,  &c.  In  the  mean  while 
I  am  very  respectfully  Your  Obdt.  Servt., 

Genl.  K.  Van  Rensselaer,  Navy  Island.  C.  Chapin. 

K.  H.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  Rochester,  Jany  10,  1838. 

Let  me  introduce  to  you  our  friend  Mr.  Huff  of  Meudon.  He  has  a 
few  gentlemen  with  him  for  your  cause,  together  with  some  money,  cloth- 
ing, &c.,  &c.  ;  he  is  warmly  in  favor  of  the  Patriot's  claims.  He  has  also 
One  Hundred  in  money  from  our  Committee,  we  hope  it  will  be  of  service 
to  you.  There  are  about  30  gentlemen  to  leave  in  the  morning  for  your 
camp,  and  the  prospect  of  as  many  more  following  in  their  track.  You 
will  want  to  make  good  arrangevuents  on  our  shore,  so  that  what  means 
we  can  send  will  find  a  safe  harbor,  and  you  be  able  to  receive  them.  How 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  87 

does  Henry  do  '{  remember  me  to  him;     We  are  all  anxious  for  some  news 
oi  blood.     I  heard  Irom  Albany  to  day,  friends  all  well. 

Yours,  K.  H.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Gen.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Navy  Island. 

Thomas  H.  Hyatt  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Schlosser,  Friday  eve.,  Jany.  12,  1838. 

Information  was  brought  to  the  Commissary  General  and  to  Gen.  J. 
Jackson  at  Niagara  Falls,  that  you  were  intending  to  night  to  land  your 
forces,  witli  their  arms,  on  the  American  Frontier,  with  a  view  of  march- 
ing through  a  portion  of  our  territory  to  invade  Canada.  And  as  those 
gentlemen  were  about  making  some  despatches  to  Gov.  Marcy,  now  iu 
Buffalo,  they  proposed  mentioning  the  intelligence  that  they  had  heard 
relative  to  your  landing  with  armed  men  on  our  shores.  Feeling  as  I 
have  from  the  beginning  a  deep  interest  in  the  success  of  your  expedition, 
and  desirous  that  no  impediment  should  be  thrown  in  your  way,  without 
a  cause,  I  interposed,  and  assured  them  that  I  had  good  reason  for  believ- 
ing that  you  had  no  intention  of  so  far  violating  our  laws  as  to  land  an 
armed  force  upon  our  territory.  I  assured  them  that  I  had  been  credibly 
informed  that  when  you  left  your  present  position,  you  would  convey  all 
of  your  arms  and  munitions  of  war  by  water,  and  would  only  permit  your 
men  to  land,  if  they  landed  at  all,  as  other  citizens  have  a  right  to  come 
Tipon  our  territory  without  arms  or  warlike  weapons.  And  my  object  in 
addressing  you  now  is  to  assure  you,  that  although  I.  wish  you  success  in 
your  enterprize,  I  should  extremely  regret  to  have  any  of  your  soldiers 
land  upon  our  shores,  with  implements  of  war,  that  would  expose  them 
to  the  rigors  of  our  laws,  and  be  the  means  of  engendering,  as  it  evidently 
would,  a  severe  collision  between  your  Patriot  band  and  the  authorities 
of  the  United  States.  Should  you  think  proper  to  relieve  the  anxiety  of 
some  of  your  best  friends,  in  relation  to  this  matter  by  addressing  me  a 
line  on  the  subject,  it  will  be  thankfully  received,  and  no  improper  use  or 
advantage  taken  of  it.  Yours  with  Respect, 

Thos.  H.  Hyatt  of  Lockport. 

Gen,  R.  Van  Rensselaer,  Navy  Island. 

Col.  Worth  to  Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  General,  '  Jany  14th,  1838. 

I  will  meet  you  in  your  Camp  with  pleasure,  but  would  prefer  seeing 
you  at  the  House  at  Schlosser,  as  I  am  quite  indisposed  from  excessive 
fatigue.  However,  it  shall  be  as  you  prefer.  I  will  be  at  Schlosser  at  1 
o'clock.  Yours  truly,  W.  J.  Worth, 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  Navy  Island. 

Mortified  as  I  necessarily  was  at  this  failure,  fori  well  knew  the  enemy 
could  not  be  played  with  twice  in  the  same  way,  my  spirits  were  buoyed 
up  the  next  morning  —  Jany  14th  —  h-^  fresh  promises  of  boats,  provided 
I  would  take  my  men  up  to  Buffalo,  and  embark  them  there.  This  I  agreed 
to  do,  particularly  so  since  it  was  said,  that  the  owners  would  not  jeopard 
their  boats,  by  sending  them  to  Navy  Island  under  McNab's  heavy  guns. 

Accordingly  arrangements  for  the  Evacuation  were  all  made  before 
nightfall,  «nd  ag  soon  as  darkness  was  sufficiently  dense  to  cover  our  move- 
ments from  the  enemy,  the  retreat  commenced.  We  were  seven  hours 
getting  all  off.  1  was  the  last  that  left.  My  spare  artillery  was  landed  at 
Schlosser  —  after  much  difficulty  and  danger  to  the  crew  in  charge.    They 


88  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

60  or  80  would  most  probably  have  gone  over  the  Falls  but  for  my  pres- 
ence and  example  in  the  critical  moment.  [  "  These  brave  men  staid  on 
Navy  Island  for  one  month,  and  then,  at  their  own  choice,  left  it,  and  not 
in  fear  of  their  opponents.  Opposite  to  them,  were  assembled  five  thousand 
men,  consisting  of  British  regulars,  incorporated  militia,  and  a  body  of 
Indians.  Batteries  were  erected,  and  balls  and  shells  were,  at  intervals, 
cast  upon  the  island.  The  islanders  were  incessantly  in  a  state  of  danger 
and  alarm ;  yet  they  would,  at  times  provokingly  return  the  fire ;  still  they 
remained  unattacked.  Thus  this  sturdy  band  of  men  —  raw  and  undis- 
ciplined—  in  the  severity  of  winter,  with  no  shelter,  but  such  as  they 
then  constructed,  and  miserably  clad,  set  at  defiance  and  laughed  at  the 
overwhelming  force  which  lay  so  near  watching  all  their  movements."] 

At  this  trying  crisis,  where  was  Wm.  Lyon  McKenzie  ?  He  left  the 
Island  when  the  bombardment  and  cannonading  was  commenced  against 
us  in  real  earnestness,  and  in  spite  of  my  remonstrances  and  entreaties, 
to  the  contrary,  he  pushed  off  for  Buffalo,  where  he  remained  safely 
ensconsed  in  the  house  of  a  friend.  Nothing  was  more  perplexing  than  his 
conduct.  I  had  known  him  long  to  have  the  reputation  of  a  firm  and 
consistent  opposer  of  monarchical  abuses ;  as  such,  I  respected  him  so 
much  that  many  little  disagreements  occurred  between  us  before  my  con- 
fidence in  him  could  be  shaken.  A  breach  however,  eventually  did  occur, 
which  grew  wider  as  my  knowledge  of  his  disposition  and  character  in- 
creased. I  found  him  governed  by  the  impulses  of  the  moment,  fickle, 
arbitrary  and  impatient.  He  would  suggest  fifty  plans  for  effecting  the 
object  in  view,  in  as  many  minutes,  and  abandon  them  as  often,  but  he 
could  fix  upon  no  single  one  and  follow  it  out.  If  I  presumed  to  differ  or 
remind  him  of  his  stipulation,  not  to  interfere,  his  potent  ire  would  im- 
mediately arise  and  a  quarrel  ensue.  On  one  occasion  we  differed  as  to 
the  policy  of  appointing  a  time  and  place  for  two  friends  to  meet  us  with 
100  armed  Canadians  each.  I  wished  them  to  remain  quietly  at-home 
until  they  knew  we  had  landed  on  the  main  shore  of  the  enemy,  partic- 
ularly so,  as  their  march  would  not  be  a  long  one  to  join  us,  and  circum- 
stances might  oblige  us  to  foil  them,  another  time,  about  crossing  over  to 
the  enemy's  camp,  when  they  were  strong  and  we  less  than  200.  He 
offered  then  to  be  one  of  fifty  to  do  so  —  but  I  heard  nothing  more  of  the 
project  after  giving  him  permission  to  get  up  a  party  for  the  purpose. 
The  fears  he  openly  expressed,  in  the  hearing  of  the  troops,  as  the  pro- 
bable effect  upon  the  island,  of  the  enemy's  firing  their  mortars  and  heavy  • 
batteries,  was  very  discouraging,  and  we  quarreled  about  that;  again 
because  he  chose  to  consider  himself  in  the  light  of  a  nonentity,  for  the 
reason  that  I  did  not  deem  it  proper  to  call  him  in  as  a  military  councilor. 
I  should  have  done  this  most  willingly,  if  I  had  not  by  this  time  lost  all 
faith  in  his  qualifications  or  discretion.  I  was  well  aware,  that  with  so 
little  actual  experience  as  I  possessed,  a  trusty  counselor  would  be  a  great 
acquisition.  To  keep  his  restless  spirit  quiet,  however,  while  our  rein- 
forcements were  coming  in,  as  well  as  to  relieve  myself  of  a  most  burden- 
some duty,  the  general  correspondence  was  intrusted  to  his  charge.  How 
well,  or  how  badly  he  has  performed  the  duty,  I  am  not  able  to  judge,  for 
he  scarcely  ever  thought  it  necessary  to  make  any  reports,  and  his  course 
in  this  respect  has  assuredly  been  detrimental  to  the  service.     « 

On  my  arrival  in  Buffalo  after  the  evacuation,  I  understood  he  had  been 
extremely  abusive  towards  every  thing  American,  on  the  occasion  of  his 
arrest  by  the  U.  S.  Marshal,  and  that  he  had  disgusted  all  his  benefactors 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  89 

in  that  quarter  by  his  violent  language.  My  knowledge  of  his  disposition 
induced  me  to  believe  this  most  readily.  I  knew  he  had  previously  made 
some  of  the  most  efficient,  active,  and  influential  Canadian  Reformers  luke- 
warm, if  not  opposed  to  the  cause  by  a  similar  course;  and  my  contempt 
for  the  impolitic  ingrate,  knew  no  bounds  when  he  again  showed  himself — 
among  the  members  of  the  Executive  Committee  whom  I  had  called 
together  to  consult  upon  further  measures  —  and  attempted  to  direct  my 
military  operations.  He  is  a  meddling  little  body  but  fully  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  freedom. 

Dr.  CJtapin  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Buflulo  Jany.  15,  1838,  J  past  9,  p.  M. 

The  Army  on  Navy  Island  evacuated  the  same  last  night,  at  about  12 
o'clock,  and  the  forces  there  collected  have  been  disbanded.  Your  Son 
was  arrested,  for  accepting  a  Commission,  under  a  foreign  Power.  He  gave 
bail  this  Evening  for  $5000  at  the  Eagle  Tavern. 

You  are  doubtless  aware,  that  this  is  not  an  affair  that  can  subject  him 
to  an  ignominious  punishment,  but  it  was  deemed  necessary,  to  keep  up 
the  appearance  of  neutrality,  and  will  probably  end  in  smoke. 

I  advised  him  to  quit  the  Island  as  there  was  danger  of  his  being  block- 
aded with  ice,  in  a  short  time,  and  I  was  satisfied  that  his  party  could  not 
be  kept  together,  without  resorting  to  lying,  begging  or  stealing,  which 
course  could  not  be  approved  by  him  or  the  Public,  and  which  means  are 
not  as  good  as  Treasury  Notes,  which  you  doubtless  know  are  below  par. 

Your  Son  deserves  much  credit  for  sustaining  himself  on  the  Island 
and  keeping  the  whole  Province  of  Upper  Canada  at  bay,  for  more  than 
five  weeks,  with  only  about  510  men.  His  discipline  of  the  men  will  not 
probably  injure  them.  I  hope  he  will  return  home  and  turn  his  attention 
to  something  more  profitable  to  himself  and  his  friends. 

I  remain,  as  ever,  Truly  Yours, 
Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany.  C.  Chapin. 

"  The  patriots  in  Michigan,  deceived  by  a  report  that  Van  Rensselaer 
had  made  a  successful  landing  on  the  main  shore  in  Canada  had  pushed 
down  the  lake  to  join  him,  but  meeting  the  straggling  bands  of  Navy 
Islanders,  and  learning  the  truth,  both  parties  had  disbanded." 

Bens.  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Father. 
Dear  Father,  Buffalo  Jany.  18,  1838. 

Since  my  last,  my  time  has  been  so  fully  taken  up  in  evacuating  my 
late  rendezvous  —  in  baffling  some  of  the  certain  great  and  envious  ones, 
that  you  may  guess  at,  and  in  arranging  for  future  operations  that  I  very 
much  fear  the  family  may  have  been  over  anxious  on  my  account  —  but  you, 
I  trust,  will  let  them  know,  that  no  news  direct  from  me,  is  a  sure  indica- 
tion that  all  is  well.  I  have  got  to  be  so  much  of  a  lion  now,  that  all  my 
movements  are  chronicled  without  a  loss  of  time;  and  when  I  make  none, 
the  disappointed  lying  Tories  coin- them  to  suit  their  own  purpose,  but  in 
spite  of  all  that,  trust  me.  I  feel  the  importance  of  my  situation,  and 
cannot  be  made  to  disgrace  it.  If  policy  or  my  situation  debars  me  from 
rebutting  every  lie  told  of  me  remember  now,  I  tell  you,  that  time  will 
come.  My  men  are  all  disarmed  and  like  good  quiet  fellows  are  on  a 
line  of  march   West  to  get  a  job  at  canal  digginfj. 

They  are  hale,  hearty  and  full  of  confidence  in  themselves  and  in  me. 
I  shall  join  them  before  long,  to  set  them  at  work,  and  I  may  say,  their 

II]  12 


90  Legacy  of  Histohical  Gleanings. 

job  —  if  a  dashing  one  —  will  not  be  over  dangrrons.  Mattersund  tilings 
look  better  and  better  every  day,  1  must  succeed.  Adeline's  of  the  12th 
with  Mag's  postscript  was  forwarded  me  from  Lewiston  and  reached  me  to 
day.  Hereafter  let  the  mdirect  '■'■Care  of  Dr.  U.  Johnsmi  Buffalo.''  Tell 
Adeline  we  are  getting  to  be  rather  cannibalish.  Are  Mrs.  Chrisler, 
Dupuy  and  Powell  young  and  tender  enough  to  make  a  good  fricassee  of? 
Never  mind  though —  I'll  see  and  judge  for  myself  I  promise  you.  Let 
that  dear  Mother  of  mine  and  all  the  rest  of  my  good  friends  be  easy. 
My  duty  now  requires  me  to  be  as  little  exposed  to  danger  as  possible,  and 
let  them  know  I  have  a  great  many  reasons  for  keeping  it  in  my  mind's 
eye  and  that  I  will  do  so.  Be  easy  then  I  say  !  Is  it  not  rather  curious 
that  I,  the  son  of  the  crack  Captain  of  Wayne's  Dragoons,  should  have 
with  me  "  Cornplanter,"  the  son  of  your  old  friend ;  and  that  as  the  son 
of  the  "Hero  of  Queenston,"  I  should  have  with  me  as  my  Adjutant 
General —  McCloud  oithe  Glengary  men  who  behaved  so  bravely  there,  as 
at  the  battle  of  Chippewa  and  Lundy's  Lane  ?  Well !  there  are  many 
changes  in  the  aflfairs  of  this  world.  I'll  make  the  most  out  of  everything  — 
but  the  exiled  Patriots  of  the  Canada's  miist  find  a  way  to  their  home 
again.  Love  to  all.         Yours  truly, 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Kensselaer,  P.  M.  Albany.      Eens.  Van  Eenbselaer. 

Military  Notes  continued. 
"  At  Buffalo,  on  January  18th,  it  was  soon  ascertained  that  General 
Scott's  monry-hags  were  too  heavy  for  us  ;  and  that  he  was  enabled  to  buy 
off  all  the  boats  which  we  spoke  of  chartering,  so  that  I  might  form  a 
junction  with  our  Western  army.  In  consequence  then,  of  a  promise  ex- 
acted from  me  by  Governor  Marcy  — "  That  I  woidd  move  my  men  out  of 
the  State  of  New  York  as  speedily  as  possible"  —  the  Navy  Islanders  were 
ordered  to  foot  it  up  the  Lake  to  Detroit,  or  to  any  other  intermediate 
place,  where  vessels  might  be  found  to  convey  them  over  into  Canada. 
McKeuzie  strenuously  opposed  this  arrangement.  He  in  the  plenitude  of 
his  wisdom,  insisted  that  my  men  —  who  were  quartered  some  two  or 
three  miles  west  of  Buffalo,  under  orders  not  to  march  westward,  until 
boats  could  be  procured  for  their  conveyance  —  should  have  the  order 
countermanded,  and  that  they  should  return  in  battle  array  —  charge  upon 
the  State  and  the  U.  S.  forces  —  seize  Gen.  Scott's  boats  required  to  carry 
them,  the  materia!  &c.  to  the  Canadian  shore  —  and  to  embark  from 
Buffalo  at  every  hazzard.  A  more  violent  altercation  than  any  previous 
one,  ensued  between  us,  and  as  he  persisted,  I  avowed  my  intention  of 
disbanding  my  army  —  of  throwing  up  my  commission,  and  left  the  room 
for  that  purpose.  Shortly  after  the  other  gentlemen  followed  with  assur- 
ances, if  I  only  would  retain  the  command,  that  McKenzie  should  not  in- 
terfere thereafter  with  any  of  my  plans.  Mc  K.  too  again  stipulated  to 
the  same  effect  and  decided  to  domesticate  himself  at  Rochester  to  get  up 
a  new  paper  in  support  of  the  cause.  Having  carried  my  point  and  noth- 
ing loth  to  accede,  for  extensive  systematic  arrangements,  for  the  future, 
were  on  foot  all  along  the  frontier  and  supposing  they  must  terminate  suc- 
cessfully, I  was  anxious  to  participate.  Under  the  renewed  conditions 
then,  1  agreed  to  go  on  and  sent  Br.  General  Mc  Leod  up  in  charge  of 
this  body  of  men  ;  while  I  went  East,  in  the  meanwhile,  to  ascertain  how 
Bill  Johnston  was  progressing.  While  in  Buffalo  1  was  thoroughly 
satisfied  that  the  U.  S.  authorities' would  follow,  and  if  possible,  prevent 
that  detachment  of  my  army  westward  bound,  from  making  a  descent  up- 


Legacy  of  Histokical  Gleanings.  91 

on  tlie  enemy.  I  also  knew  the  British  regulars  —  800  or  1000  strong  — 
sent  up  from  Montreal  to  dislodge  me  from  Navy  Island,  as  also  a  large 
force  of  militia  were  moving  up  to  meet  it  on  the  opposite  side  of  Lake 
Ontario,  therefore  I  determined  to  make  use  of  my  brave  men  as  a  decoy 
for  the  vigilant  of  both  nations,  whilst  another  of  the  detachments  was  to 
be  converted  into  a  forlorn  hope.  A  messenger  was  despatched  to 
Col. who  had  it  in  charge  —  to  make  him  aware  of  the  design. 

Bens.   Van  Rensselaer  to  Wm.  L.  McKenzie. 
Dear  Sir,  Buffalo,  Jan.  21st  1838. 

We  have  had  every  difficulty  to  surmount  since  you  left  this  city,  but 
before  high  Heaven,  I  think  we  will  surmount  them  all.  Then  7iil  des- 
perandum,  but  be  of  good  cheer.  General  Scott  has  given  up  his  system 
of  bullying  and  now  goes  lar^ely  in  the  business  of  buying.  When  he 
ascertained  the  futility  of  trying  to  frighten  us  out  of  the  idea  of  running 
the  New  England  from  this  port,  he  descended  to  the  alternative  of  out- 
bidding our  worthy  committee  some  S500  and  succeeded !  The  conse- 
quence is,  we  can  get  no  conveyance  by  water  from  this  place  ;  but  the 
spirit  of  our  boys  is  goodj  and  they  are  determined  to  foot  it,  if  needs  be, 
to  Detroit,  so  as  to  get  a  passage  over  to  the  other  shore.  Meanwhile,  it  is 
my  purpose  to  make  a  dash  at  another  quarter,  of  which  you  will  hear  in 
due  time.  I  will  drop  you  another  note  before  making  it ;  but  let  me  ask  you 
seriously  to  take  good  care  of  yourself.     I  am  told  —  and  the  bearer, 

Mr. ,  late  student  of  —  will  give  you  the  particulars  —  that  there  are 

a  number  of  desperadoes  now  here  to  assassinate  you.  Look  out  then,  I 
say  look  out.  Yours  truly  and  sincerely, 

Kenss.  Van  Rensselaer,  &c.,  &c. 

Wm.  Lyon  McKenzie,  Esq.,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Major  Gorham  to  Reus.  Van  Renesselaer. 
My  Dear  Sir,  Jany.  23,  1838,  West  Mill  Creek,  Pa. 

Ere  this  I  suppose  you  have  heard  of  G-en  Scott's  most  unwarrantable,  not 
to  say  treacherous  seizure  of  our  arms  at  Fredonia.  I  saw  the  steamboat 
Fulton  at  this  place  and  I  was  aroused  in  the  dead  hour  of  the  night  with 
the  announcement  that  our  long  expected  boat  had  arrived,  but  too  soon 
my  exultation  was  dampened  by  the  intelligence  that  "It  was  the  wrong 
boat."  They  have  landed  a  detachment  of  about  20  volunteer  militia- 
men at  this  place  "  to  preserve  the  neutrality."  This  and  the  affair  at  Fre- 
donia has  aroused  the  feelings  of  this  hitherto  most  supine  place,  and  the 
inhabitants  are  incensed  to  that  degree  that  the  20  men  will  be  a  mere 
cypher,  indeed  it  is  not  impossible  but  that  they  may  some  night  lay  down 

their ,  a  just  retaliation  for  the  Fredonia  affair,  80  m s  and  35 

side  arms,  and  about  40  swords  and  pistols  can  be  had  here  and  if  neces- 
sary a  six  with  her  captain  a  most  resolute  determined  fellow  of  great 

muscular  strength  and  physical  courage.  If  the  affair  is  properly  managed 
to  transport  them  away,  a  part  of  them  are  already  somewhere ;  the  only 
difficulty  lies  in  transporting  them  beyond  the  reach  of  those  who  would 
take  them  from  us.  A  Captain  Douglass  of  this  place  has  in  this  harbor, 
ooe  of  the  best  brigs  on  this  lake  and  says  he  will  sail  when  he  pleases, 
where  he  pleases  and  loith  what  he  pleases  if  he  is  engaged.  I  leave  you 
to  form  your  own  conclusions.  A  Schooner  hove  in  sight  this  afternoon 
and  after  beating  towards  this  fort,  finally  tacked  and  bore  for  Long-point 
on  the  Canada  shore,  I  mention  this  because  not  being  in  the  secret  of 


92  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

this  movement,  I  am  not  aware  but  it  may  be  one  you  should  know  of — if 
it  is  not  already  known.  The  people  of  this  place,  of  course,  think,  many 
of  them,  that  it  is  all  up  now  with  the  Navy  Island  boys,  and  did  I  know 
positively,  one  word  from  me  would  cheer  them  up  and  set  them  to  work, 
and  they  would  do  anything.  I  have  this  moment  received  your  favor 
per  Major  Morgan  and  will  at  once  comply  with  your  orders. 

Yours  forever. 

Nelson  Gorham. 
To  Maj.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  Commanding  &c.,  &c. 

Mens.  Van  Bensselaer  to  Ms  Father. 

Dear  Father,  Syracuse  Jany.  29,  1838. 

Since  I  last  wrote  you,  my  attempt  to  get  upon  the  enemy's  main  shore 
with  my  Division  No.  1  —  the  Navy  Islanders  —  has  turned  out  a  complete 
failure.  The  reasons  are  :  1st,  when  on  the  Island,  although  my  ruse  for 
drawing  the  enemy  away  from  my  real  point  —  Chippewa  —  succeeded  to 
admiration,  the  Steamboat  Barcelona,  did  not  come  to  my  assistance  as 
promised,  and  I  was  obliged  to  forego  the  intention.  In  this  case,  the 
enemy  who  numbered  about  one  third  more  than  myself  were  divided 
between  Waterloo  and  Niagara.  Scarcely  enough  were  left  at  Chippewa 
to  man  their  guns,  above  which  I  intended  to  have  landed,  and  to  have 
forced  a  march  over  them  to  Niagara,  beat  the  militia  there  —  for  they  had 
nothing  but  militia  —  carry  two  steamboats  lying  in  port  and  proceed  to 
Toronto  &c. 

I  could  have  done  this  with  ease,  for  no  one  knew  my  plan,  both  friends 
and  foes  were  humbugged.  I  had  150  teams,  to  carry  out  the  deception, 
at  Schlosser  and  the  Falls,  with  steamboats,  ferry  boats,  and  other  boats 
at  Buffalo  and  Black  Rock.  The  New  York  militia  under  Gen.  John 
Jackson  were  all  under  arms  to  stop  my  passage  at  the  Falls.  Governor 
Marcy  and  General  Scott  at  Black  Rock  to  stop  me  there.  I  knew  well 
after  this,  that  I  could  not  get  up  another  such  a  beautiful  ruse  so  I  was 
fain  obliged  tp  make  a  virtue  of  necessity  and  allow  the  Governor  together 
with  Gen.  Scott  to  coax  me  off  the  Island.  They  pride  themselves  much 
upon  the  success  of  their  prodigious  undertaking;  but  while  they  are 
chuckling  and  amusing  themselves  by  following  up  a  portion  of  my  force 
which  is  no  kind  of  use  to  me  just  now,  I  am  flattering  myself  with  the 
idea  of  making  them  laugh  on  the  other  side  of  face  before  they  are  much 
older. 

I  should  have  gone  to  Detroit  if  they  had  acted  up  to  their  implied 
understanding  —  as  it  is,  I  am  bound  for  the  North  to  morrow  and  will 
write  again  soon.  I  should  have  written  from  here  before,  but  I  came  to 
Syracuse  to  recruit,  yet  since  my  arrival  on  Thursday  evening  last,  have 
been  under  the  Doctor's  hands  and  really  unable  until  this  day  to  do  so, 
owing  to  debility  arising  from  the  effects  of  my  late  excessive  fatigues  in- 
cident to  severe  camp  duty,  bringing  on  dysentery  &c.  Although  I  have 
lost  a  little  flesh  since  I  left  home,  yet  rest  —  good  attention  and  the  kindly 
care  bestowed  on  me  by  mother  Forman  and  my  bonnie  Mary  has  made 
me  almost  as  good  as  new,  and  I  am  getting  stronger  with  every  moment. 

Mary  received  Mag's  letter  this  morning.  I  am  sorry  to  find  by  it,  that 
they  must  be  disappointed  in  not  seeing  me  as  soon  as  lying  rumor  has 
led  them  to  expect.  But  no  matter  —  all  in  good  time.  I  am  running 
into  uo  new  dangers  tell  them.     My  friends  in  the  West  are  as  warm,  as 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  93 

true^  and  as  confident  in  me  as  ever.     I  think  I  can  manage  now  so  as  to 
make  them  do  a  little  of  my  work  for  me.     Love  and  kisses  to  all. 

Yours  truly. 

PtENs.  Van  Rensselaee. 
Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany. 

Militari/  Notes:      "While  at    Syracuse  I  received  a  report  from    Col. 
He  sent  word,  to  my  utter  confusion  and  dismay,  that  McKenzie 


was  in  his  vicinity  as  officiously  busy  as  ever,  and  that  I  must  come  and 
drive  him  away  by  some  means  or  other,  or  his  presence  there  would  ren- 
der the  enemy  suspicious,  and  nothing  could  be  done.  Accordingly,  al- 
though a  fair  subject  for  the  sick-list  still,  I  immediately  started  off'  in  an 
open  sleigh,  and  rode  day  and  night  under  a  fictitious  name,  and  cautiously 
avoided  every  place  where  I  had  reason  to  apprehend  recognition.  "Within 
twenty  four  hours  after  accomplishing  the  journey,  the  Colonel  handed 
me  a  note,  addressed  to  him  by  McKenzie,  in  which,  regardless  of  his  oft- 
told  pledge  of  non-interference,  he  (McK.)  arrogates  to  himself  the  right 
to  direct  the  contemplated  expedition,  and  anxiously  inquires,  if  it  is 
true,  as  he  is  informed,  that  I  am  on -the  field  of  action.  With  the  Colonel's 
concurrence,  I  made  myself  his  substitute  to  reply  as  follows : 

Bens.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Wm.  L.  McKenzie. 

Sir,  February  1st,  1838. 

The  enclosed  was  directed  to  you  the  day  previous  to  my  leaving  Buff"alo, 

by  astudent  of  Dr. ,who  at  Niagara  Falls  handed  it  to  Maj. ,  then 

on  an  express  to  Col. ,  of  this  place.     After  fulfiljing  the  object  of  his 

mission,  Maj. went  on  to  report  himself  to  me  at  Syracuse.     He  then 

confirmed  a  rumor  \}'hich,  to  my  surprise,  had  reached  me  of  your  presence 
in  this  vicinity.  To  my  surprise  I  say,  for  when  we  parted  at  Buffalo,  it 
was  under  the  understanding  that  you  were  to  remain  in  Rochester  for  a 
special  object.  At  every  stopping-place  on  my  way  from  Syracuse  to 
this,  I  heard  of  you,  and  after  passing  through  Sackett's  Harbor,  which  I 
did  well  muffled  up  and  without  stopping,  I  was  followed  bj  two  persons 
in  a  cutter,  whose  sole  object  was  to  get  ''  a  sight  at  McKenzie  ;"  of  course 
they  were    mistaken,    but  recognized    me,    and  it   seems  from    yours  to 

Col. ,  have  reported  my  visits  also  through  the  country.     I  have  no 

doubt  but  that  our  neighbors  will  get  hold  of  it,  and  if  so.  Col. 's  expe- 
dition too  must  prove  a  failure.  To  counteract  this,  and  to  throw  dust 
in  the  eyes  of  the  Royalists,  of  Gen.  Scott  &c.,  I  propose  to  start  openly  from 
Watertown  to-morrow,  and  proceed  openly  through  the  country  to  Buffalo, 
where  I  wish  to  stay  a  short  time  at  any  rate.     I  would  not  have  been 

here  now,  but  for  a  message   from    Col. ,  requiring  my  presence  — 

and  return  privately  in  season  to  particpate  in  the  expedition ;  and  I  pro- 
pose  that  you  start  in  the  same  way  forthwith,  on  an  important  mission  to 
Albany,  which  I  will  mention  when  I  see  you  —  but  avowedly  to  join  the 

L.  C.  Patriots.     If  this  is  done.  Col.  's  object  must  succeed  —  but  he 

ancZ  Ae  a/o?ie" must  make  all  the  preliminary  arrangements;  for  he  alone 
can  make  them  with  effect  and  with  secrecy.  If  you  agree  to  all  this,  it 
is  well  — if  not,  I  must  beg  you  to  make  such  arrangements  as  may  be 
deemed  most  advisable,  without  reference  to  myself;  for  I  have  urgent 
affairs  of  my  own,  which  require  my  attention  elsewhere,  and  I  will  neg- 
lect them  no  longer.  Respectfully  your  ob't  serv't, 

Wm.  Lyon  McKenzie,  Esq.  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer  &c.  &c. 


94  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

In  an  interview,  the  last  one  had  with  McKenzie,  on  the  day  succeeding 
the  date  of  my  hist,  in  the  presence  of  another  Canadian  refugee  —  Mr.  Gib- 
son—  whom  I  always  considered  both  true  and  discreet,  he  readily  agreed  to 
abide  by  the  propositions  made  him,  except  so  far  as  the  trip  to  Albany 
was  concerned.  He  wished,  instead,  to  go  to  the  Lower  Province  in  reality. 
No  objections  being  made,  he  promised  to  start  next  morning.  I  left  almost 
immediately,  to  perform  the  part  his  inconsiderate  course  imposed  on  me ; 
and  thus  an  all  important  period  of  time  for  arranging  matter  for  a  decisive 
stroke,  was  lost :  and  the  abandonment  of  the  late  intended  Patriot  Expedi- 
tion against  Kingston,  was  chargeable  to  no  one  but  Wm.  Lyon  McKenzie 
through  his  further  interference  with  Col. 's  proceedings. 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ms  Son. 
Dear  Rensselaer,  Albany  February  4,  1828. 

I  have  this  evening  received  your  letter  from  French  Creek,  and  hasten 
to  answer  it.  I  think  without  the  necessary  means  at  your  command  to 
carry  on  the  Expedition  you  propose,  it  is  madness  to  think  of  it.  You 
have  gained  more  glory  already,  than  most  men  in  a  long  life  of  military 
pursuits.  It  is  well  known,  and  so  spoken  of  here,  that  if  your  plans  had 
not  been  defeated  by  others,  you  would  in  all  probability  have  been 
successful.  All  think  that  you  can  how  withdraw  with  Honor ^  and  wish 
to  see  you.  I  earnestly  recommend  this  course,  and  that  you  return  home 
and  wait  for  future  events. 

A  similar  letter  I  have  written  to  you  at  Syracuse  and  left  it  open  for- 
Mary  and  her  parents  to  see  I  wish  you  to  return.  Your  Mama,  Sisters  and 
all  join  me  in  this  wish,  and  send  their  love.  In  haste  Dear  Rensselaer, 
your  affectionate  Father  —  SoL.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer,  Buffalo. 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ms  Fatlier. 
Dear  Father,  Buffalo  Feb.  7,  1838. 

I  have  barely  time  to  say  to  you  that,  I  arrived  here  last  evening,  will 
leave  to-morrow,  that  my  health  is  re-established,  the  prospect  of  success 
is  better  and  better,  every  thimj  looks  well.  Tell  the  two  Dr.'s  from  Canada, 
I  will  write  again  in  a  day  or  two  from  the  East.  Addie's  letter  of  the 
23rd  received"  here.  Inclosed  is  the  "  lock  of  Hair"  she  asks  for,  and 
two  pretty  pictures  for  "  Ria  Bittie."     Love  to  all. 

Yours  ever  truly,  Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Rev.  H.  A.  Parsons  to  Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  ,  Feb.  8th,  1838. 

I  take  the  liberty  to  give  you  what  information  I  possess  relative  to  the 
British  outrage  upon  the  Steam  Boat  Caroline  at  Schlosser,  My  residence 
is  at  the  place  where  Old  Fort  Schlosser  once  stood,  very  near  the  bank 
of  the  river,  directly  opposite  Chippewa,  in  full  view  of  two  sides  of  Navy 
'  Island,  and  nearly  half  a  mile  below  the  Stone  house  or  Steam  Boat 
landing.  From  my  proximity  to  the  Store  house  and  Navy  Island,  and 
on  account  of  the  general  excitement  that  prevailed,  and  being  at  leisure, 
I  endeavored,  for  my  own  satisfaction,  to  ascertain  every  thing  that  was 
in  operation  in  relation  to  Navy  Island.  I  accordingly  visited  the  Store 
house  every  day  till  the  Island  was  evacuated.  Soon  after  the  Patriots 
took  possession  of  the  Island,  people  began  to  come  in  great  numbers  from 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  95 

the  neighboring  towns  and  counties,  to  witness  the  attack  upon  the  Island 
by  the  British.  Many  of  them  had  a  great  curiosity  to  visit  the  Island, 
•and  were  willing  to  pay  very  liberally  for  ferriage,  whenever  they  could 
get  an  opportunity  to  go  over  and  return.  At  length  the  importance  of 
a  Steam  Boat  to  accommodate  them  was  talked  of  and  loudly  called  for, 
because  the  small  boats,  that  were  used,  were  occupied  the  whole  of  the 
time  by  the  Patriots. 

On  the  morning  of  December  29,  some  of  the  passengers  in  the  cars 
from  Buifalo  stated  that  the  Caroline  was  on  her  way  down  with  a  large 
number  of  passengers,  and  soon  after  I  saw  her  land  at  Navy  Island. 
After  staying  there  half  an  hour,  she  came  over  to  the  Store-house  with 
a  large  number  of  passengers  on  board.  This  was  about  1  o'clock  p.  M. 
There  were  some  hundreds  of  people  that  day  about  the  Store  house  and 
tavern  near  by,  many  of  whom  were  anxious  to  visit  Navy  Island  and 
return.  Accordingly  the  Boat  made  two  trips  to  the  Island  and  back  that 
afternoon,  carrying  passengers  both  ways,  and  sailing  under  American 
colors.  I  neither  saw  nor  heard  of  any  other  colors  on  board,  though  I 
■went  upon  both  decks  and  into  the  cabins  ;  neither  did  I  see  or  hear  of 
any  arms  or  ammunition  whatever  that  were  carried  over  in  the  Boat  at 
either  trip.  The  second  time  she  went  to  the  Island,  a  few  Canadians  and 
some  half  a  dozen  volunteers  from  the  East  had  arrived,  all  of  whom  went 
over  in  the  Boat  to  stay  upon  the  Island  ;  the  rest  of  the  passengers,  in- 
cluding some  who  landed  upon  the  Island  when  the  Boat  first  came  down, 
returned  to  our  shore  with  the  Boat  about  Sun-set.  The  B^oat  was  then 
made  fast  to  our  wharf,  where  she  lay  till  about  half  past  twelve  o'clock, 
eight  hours. 

The  tavern  near  the  Store-house  had  for  a  week,been  excessively  thronged 
with  strangers,  who  had  come  out  of  curiosity  to  see  what  was  doing.  Un- 
able to  get  lodgings  at  that  tavern  or  in  our  Village,  many  had  come  to  my 
house  from  night  to  night  to  lodge,  and  on  the  morning  above  mentioned, 
I  complied  with  the  request  of  a  number  of  strangers  and  went  with  them 
to  the  Store-house  where  the  Steam  Boat  was  lying  and  staid  there  till  10 
o'clock.  The  flag  of  the  boat  was  lying  upon  deck,  the  flag-staff  having 
been  broken  by  accident  an  hour  or  two  before.  I  saw  no  arms  of  any 
description  on  the  Boat  in  the  evening,  nobody  thought  of  an  attack,  no- 
body seemed  to  apprehend  any  danger. 

When  I  left  the  Store-house,  a  latge  number  of  Gentlemen,  strangers  to 
me,  and  apparently  strangers  to  each  other,  were  enquiring  for  accommoda- 
tions for  the  night;  and  soon  after  I  had  returned  home,  a  number  came 
to  my  house  to  get  lodgings,  who  said  they  had  just  been  to  the  boat  for 
the  same  purpose,  but  that  every  berth  was  full.  Up  to  this  time,  I  state 
from  my  personal  knowledge,  there  had  been  no  guard,  arms  or  ammunition 
kept  at  the  Store-house,  or  the  tavern  —  nobody  seemed  to  dream  of  any 
danger  there.  On  the  night  above  mentioned  about  twenty  men  lodged  at 
my  house,  and  we  retired  about  eleven  o'clock.  About  half  past  twelve, 
I  was  awakened  by  a  bright  light  shining  into  my  room,  I  instantly  rose 
and  discovered  a  very  large  fire  on  the  water  near  the  Store-house.  I 
watched  it  with  intense  anxiety  for  some  time,  unable  to  determine  with 
certainty  what  it  was.  It  would  occasionally  move  a  few  rods  and  then 
stop  ;  at  length  it  began  to  eoitfe  down  stream,  gradually,  and  when  it 
passed  my  house,  it  was  from  15  to  20  rods  from  shore,  burned  entirely  to  the 
water's  edge  with  nothing  above  except  the  boiler  and  some  part  of  the 


96  Leqacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

machinery.     I  continued  to  watcli  it,  till  it  went  down  the  rapids  and 
over  the  falls. 

Soon  after  daylight,  I  was  at  the  Store  house  and  saw  the  dead  and 
wounded,  then  learned  the  particulars  respecting  the  attack.  It  has  since 
been  ascertained  that  nine  were  killed  ;  seven  of  whom  were  left  upon 
the  boat  and  burnt  up.  One  man,  Durfee,  was  left  dead  upon  the  wharf, 
and  a  boy  twelve  years  of  age,  was  run  through,  both  with  a' sword  and 
shot  with  a  pistol,  and  seen  by  a  number  that  escaped  to  fall  into  the 
water,  striking  his  head  in  falling  upon  the  sill  of  the  Store  house. 
I  saw  considerable  blood  at  the  place  on  the  sill  the  next  morning. 
Capt.  Drew,  you  will  observe,  in  his  official  report  of  that  attack  sent  to 
McNab,  states  that  they  killed  six  besides  wounding  others.  As  their 
orders  were  to  give  no  quarters,  they  doubtless  intended  to  kill  as  many 
as  they  could. 

The  people  at  the  Tavern  informed  me  when  I  arrived  there  the  next 
morning,  that  when  the  alarm  reached  the  house,  there  was  a  general  en- 
quiry and  search  for  arms  to  defend  themselves  as  they  then  thought  the 
assailants  would  come  ashore  and  attempt  to  burn  the  tavern,  but  that  noth- 
ing could  be  found  in  or  about  the  house  except  one  old  musket  and  two 
pistols,  which  were  discharged  out  at  the  door,  and  after  that  they  could 
find  no  ammunition  with  which  to  reload  them.  The  next  night  we  had 
guards  at  the  Store-house  and  upon  our  shores,  for  some  distance,  and  a 
number  of  boats  from  Chippewa  came  over  in  the  course  of  the  night  appar- 
ently to  do  gther  mischief,  but  were  deterred  by  our  guards.  Any  other 
particulars  about  which  you  may  wish  to  make  any  inquiries,  I  shall  be 
happy  to  communicate  at  any  time.      I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Sir,  very  respectfully  yours, 

G-en.  Rens.  Van  Eensselaer,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  H.  A.  Parsons. 

'*  A  great  majority  of  the  people  in  Canada  are  in  favor  of  a  reform  ; 
and,  were  there  any  prospect  of  success,  would  join  the  standard  of  the 
patriots,  but  so  long  as  the  ultimate  result  of  the  struggle  is  so  very  doubt- 
ful, they  prefer  to  remain  neutral.  They  know  that  if  they  should  embark 
in  the  cause  of  the  patriots,  and  fail,  their  property,  and  perhaps  their 
lives  would  be  immediately  sacrificed.  Not  less  than  fifty  thousand  dollars 
are  now  offered  in  the  two  provinces  for  traitors,  which  is  the  only  market- 
able cash  article  now  to  be  found  among  the  Canadians." 

Dr.  Ghapin  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Buffalo  City,  Feb.  8,  1838. 

Upon  the  receipt  of  your  last  letter  and  agreeably  to  your  request,  I 
called  upon  your  Son  then  in  this  city,  explained  to  him  fully  the  futility 
of  the  projected  invasion  and  Conquest  of  Canada,  and  I  then  fully  be- 
lieved he  had  concluded  to  leave  this  place  immediately  for  Albany,  and 
that  he  would  soon  be  with  you.  Indeed,  I  for  sometime  supposed  he 
was  there.  Subsequently  I  heard  of  him  at  Oswego  and  at  Syracuse. 
This  day  I  saw  him  in  the  City  and  spoke  with  him.  He  still  persists  in 
going  on  with  the  project  of  revolutionizing  this  Province  of  Upper 
Canada.  Says  he  has  2000  men  now  under  Arms  at  the  West  —  and  that 
he  believes  he  shall  be  able  to,  and  loill  raise  2000  more  at  the  East ; 
with  this  force  he  still  entertains  the  idea  of  efi'ecting  the  conquest  of  the 
Province. 

I  write  merely  to  give  you  such  information  as  I  possess  relative  to  his 


Legacy  of  Histokical  Gleanings.  97 

situation  and  prospects.  I  still  feel  and  am  confident  as  I  have  uni- 
formerly  felt,  that  nothing  can,  at  any  rate,  at  present  be  effected;  all 
projects  of  a  revolution  are  futile — if  not  absolutely  Utopian. 

I  know  of  nothing  new,  that  would  be  beneficial  or  pleasing  to  you,  now 
in  my  power  to  communicate.  Very  Respectfully  Yours,  &c. 

General  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.  Cyreneus  Chapin. 

Military  Notes  :  "  From  the  following  extracts  from  Colonel  Worth's 
dispatch  to  Gen.  Scott,  of  February  9,  the  day  after  I  left  Buffalo  again, 
on  my  return  to  the  East,  the  success  attending  my  visit  may  be  surmised. 
Gen.  Scott,  by  the  way,  having  smothered  the  hydra  of  Patriotism,  in  his 
fancy,  or  reduced  it  at  least  to  a  state  of  profound  quietude,  was  compla- 
cently wending  his  way  on  the  road  to  Washington.  Speaking  of  the 
bonnie,  braw  Navy  Islanders,  who  then  with  unparalleled  perseverance, 
were  plodding  it  knee-deep  through  the  mud  for  the  West  —  "  under  the 
command  of  Mr.  McLeod,  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer's  Adjutant  Gen.,  stated  to 
be  a  man  of  much  energy."  The  Col.  adds  —  "  The  latter  individual  left 
this  place  last  evening  to  join  these  forces.  Information  on  which  I  rely, 
represents  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  as  sanguine  of  making  a  forward  move- 
ment, at  the  head  of  3  or  4000  men."  The  effect  of  this  despatch  was  to 
hurry  Gen.  Scott  back  under  whip  and  spur.  He  scarcely  took  a  breath- 
ing spell  until  brought  up  by  the  city  of  Detroit,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
which  all  the  disposable  forces  of  the  United  States,  as  well  as  of  Her 
Brittanic  Majesty,  it  appears  too,  had  been  hurried  to  dance  attendance 
upon  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  ;  and  a  merry  dance  they  had  of  it.  As  matters 
have  turned  out  since,  I  exceedingly  regret  the  latter  were  disappointed 
in  not  seeing  me,  for  I  religiously  believe  my  followers  would  not  have 
fallen  short  of  the  numbers  stated  by  Col.  Worth,  had  I  deemed  it  expe- 
dient to  act  there  in  person.  All  who  are  acquainted  with  the  strength 
of  parties  in  Canada,  must  acknowledge  that  with  such  a  force  to  begin 
with,  it  would  have  been  a  difficult  matter  to  beat  me.  To  avoid  a  colli- 
sion with  the  United  States  troops,  however,  which  under  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case  —  to  appear  hereafter  —  I  need  not,  in  the  eyes  of  many, 
have  been  so  very  scrupulous  about,  to  spare  an  unnecessary  effusion  of 
blood,  and  to  secure  a  post  which  I  certainly  could  maintain ;  I  had  long 
since  determined  to  act  in  another  quarter. 

The  whole  American  frontier  now,  from  Buffalo  to  Plattsburgh  clear  of 
every  power  to  check  the  substantial  sympathies  of  a  generous  people  —  and 
no  garrison  of  importance  at  auy  place  between  Maiden  and  Montreal  on 
the  British  side  —  it  seemed  to  me  an  easy  task  to  carry  Kingston  by  a  coup 
de  main,  and  compel  the  citizen  soldiers  in  Fort  Henry  to  capitulate  after- 
wards. As  late  as  the  middle  of  February,  the  greatest  number  of  men  in 
arms  reported  to  me,  in  fort  and  town  together,  was  only  300  —  no  regulars 
and  many  of  them  trust- worthy  friends  —  ready  to  co-operate  with  us, 
The  approach  could  be  made  over  the  ice  without  observation,  to  within 
half  a  mile  of  the  fort;  so  could  the  remainder  of  the  distance,  had  the 
preparations  been  conducted  with  the  secrecy  and  promptitude  intended. 
But  Mr.  McKenzie  having  gathered  an  inkling  of  the  desi^  in  the  course 
of  our  last  dispute,  before  he  left  Buffalo,  the  execution  of  it  was  delayed, 
as  before  stated ;  and  soon  it  became  a  matter  of  public  notoriety,  in  spite 
of  all  my  studied  efforts  at  concealment.  On  reaching  French  Creek,  I 
was  astonished  to  hear  of  Mclvenzie's  return  to  Watertown.     The  day  of 

II]  13 


98  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

my  arrival  —  on  the  17th  —  I  read  articles  in  the  papers  that  "  the  connec- 
tion, military  or  political,  between  General  Van  Kensselacr  and  tb>3  Cana- 
dians now  sojouruino;  on  this  frontier  hag  entirely  ceased,  at  his  own 
personal  request,  and  without  the  most  distant  intention,  on  either  side, 
to  renew  it  hereafter."  The  perusal  was  evidence  enough  to  me  of  Mc 
Kenzie's  work  and  determination  to  ruin  the  expedition,  which,  in  its 
incipient  stages  had  been  so  redundant  with  promises  and  feeling  the  most 
anxious  solicitude  for  its  success  I  requested  that  any  other  officer  should 
be  selected  to  command  and  I  would  act  as  his  second.  The  nextday  Mc 
Kenzie — having  an  idea  of  the  impolicy  of  his  course  was  quieted.  At  any 
rate  word  was  sent  me  that  he  should  not  interfere. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Father. 
Dear  Father,  French  Creek,  Feb.  19,  1838. 

Yours  directed  Buffalo  and  its  duplicate  sent  to  Syracuse  have  both 
been  received.  I  am  now  drawing  up  a  statement  of  my  late  military 
operations,  which  will  be  forwarded  to  you  when  done.  A  perusal  will 
satisfy  you  I  have  no  reason  or  apology  for  withdrawing  from  the  service 
I  am  engaged  in,  nor  would  you,  I  therefore  repeat  that  1  go  ahead  in 
spite  of  man  or  devil.  Enclosed  is  a  letter  for  Mr.  Mills,  he  mentions 
having  left  directions  with  you  where  it  may  meet  him.  You  need  have 
no  delicacy  in  telling  him,  you  are  too  much  involved  already  on  my 
account,  if  he  should  ask  you  to  contribute  to  the  Patriot  fund. 

Where  is  Dr.  Rolph  ?     Letters  now  are  addressed  me  to  the  care  of  F. 

W.  White,  Watertown.     Inclosed  are  some  exquisite  pieces  of  poetry  for 

you.     I  am  told  they  have  a  new  piece  of  music  at  Oswego,  called  the 

"  Navy   Island  dance,"  and  another  styled   "  Van   Rensselaer's  Reel." 

My  love  to  all.     Yours  sincerely, 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  FatJier. 
D§ar  Father,  French  Creek,  Feb.  21,  1838,  10  o'clock,  p.  M. 

I  am  off  with  my  advance  guard  in  a  few  moments  to  secure  my  arms 
from  capture  by  our  own  Authorities,  to  be  captured  perhaps  by  the  Au- 
thorities on  the  other  side  —  but  if  they  get  them  on  the  other  side,  they 
will  have  a  pretty  good  job  of  their  own  to  attend  to.  The  main  body  is 
to  join  me  tomorrow  —  and  then  we  go  to  work  in  real  earnestness.  My 
trunk  will  be  found  at  Wm.  Johnstones,  in  this  place,  in  case  an  accident 
should  befall  me.  If  not  it  need  not  be  looked  for  there.  I  have  been 
too  much  engaged  to  finish  a  history  of  my  late  campaign  —  but  the 
honest  part  of  the  world  know,  that  if  I  do  fall,  or  fail,  it  is  owing  to  the 
recklessness  and  folly  of  Wm.  L.  McKenzie ;  and  to  the  faithlessness  of 
Marcy  and  Scott. 

My  best  wishes  for  the  happiness  of  all,  and  love  to  all 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany. 

Military  Notes.  —  Feb.  21  —  It  cannot  be  proved  against  me,  that  I 

f  provided,  or  prepared  the  meansfor  a  military  expedition  "  from  French 

Creek  to  Hickory  i.sZancZ,  unless  the  fact  of  my  sending  Rill  Johnstone ^ 

from  Navy  Island  for  that  purpose,  may  bring  me  under  the  provisions  of 

the  statutes. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings'.  99 

It  might  perhaps  be  proved  though,  that  I  sent  a  person  to  some  Cana- 
dians in  the  neighborhood  to  let  them  know  that  I  was  '■Agoing  home" 
and  that  in  consequence  of  this,  they  came  to  French  Creek,  and  —  al- 
though not  organized  as  a  military  force  on  the  American  soil  —  they  fol- 
lowed me  into  Canada  and  were  seen  on  Hickory  Island  the  next  day. 
With  singular  pertinacity  the  following  letter  was  published. 

^  tJie  Editor  of  the  Jeffersonian. 
Dear  Sir,  Watertown,  22nd  Peby,  1838. 

Allow  me  the  use  of  your  columns  to  state,  with  reference  to  the  extract 
you  published  from  a  letter  of  mine  last  week  that  I  have  neither  seen  nor 
corresponded  with  Mr.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  in  his  recent  movements 
on  this  frontier,  but  have  earnestly  and  invariably  urged  my  friends  to 
withdraw  all  confidence  from  him  in  matters  connected  with  Canada. 
As  to  his  generalship,  I  do  not  pretend  to  judge  of  its  merits.  Others 
will  do  that.  Yours  very  respectfully, 

W.  L.  Mackenzie. 

He  found  by  the  experiment,  however,  that  I  neither  had  lost  the 
confidence  of  the  Canadian  or  American  patriots.  The  effect  upon  them 
was  the  occasion  of  great  injury  to  the  cause;  and  not  only  tampering 
with  an  officer  on  duty,  but  sowing  the  seeds  of  insubordination  in  the 
army.  In  two  different  counties  where  200  volunteers  from  each  were  to 
have  joined  the  expedition,  all  remained  at  home,  upon  being  thus  led  to 
suppose  I  had  abandoned  it,  except  about  fifty.  In  another  county,  out 
of  100,  only  twenty-one  came,  and  so  on.  As  for  Mr.  McK's  sneers  at 
my  generalship,  they  may  pass  for  what  they  are  worth.  Whenever  he, 
himself,  makes  a  better  display  of  generalship  than  manifested  at  the 
battle  of  Toronto,  he  may  "pretend  to  judge"  of  the  merits  of  mine. 
Till  then,  I  am  perfectly  content  to  leave  the  question  for  the  decision  of 
those,  whether  friend  or  foe,  who  have  been  tried  and  not  found  wanting. 
My  object  in  going  to  French  Creek  several  days   before  the  expedition 

was  to  set  out,  was,  at  the  request  of  Col. ,  that  I  might  be  at  hand 

to  advise  with  him,  and  also  to  learn  in  person,  if  all  things  were  properly 
prepared,  but  I  was  at  private  quarters,  invisible  to  all,  except  those  who 
were  to  act  a  part,  until  the  evening  of  the  20th.  A  report  then,  which 
occasioned  considerable  alarm,  was  extensively  circulated  and  believed, 
viz.;  that  the  enemy  were  coming  over  to  burn  the  place;  when,  by 
request,  I  moved  to  one  of  the  taverns,  to  make  ready  for  its  defence. 
With  this  occupation  —  with  watching  and  with  receiving  visitors,  the 
night  passed  over  without  rest.  So  did  the  next.  For  after  a  busy  day 
a  portion  of  which  was  spent  with  the  Colonel  in  reconnoitering  Hickory 
Island  —  finding  it  essential  now  to  have  a  spot  of  our  own,  where  we 
might  organize  the  forces  without  ofi'ence  to  the  American  authorities; 
but  discovering  an  unwillingness  on  part  of  the  officers  to  lead  ofi"  the 
advance  guard,  although  two  of  them  did  ofi'er  to  act  in  the  end,  my 
boding  fears  told  me  that  the  diabolical  purposes  of  Mr.  McKenzie  were 
answered,  and  that  the  spirit  of  distrust  was  abroad.  Determined  to 
counteract  it  if  possible,  I  hastily  wrote  several  farewell  letters  —  a  task 
which  had  been  reserved  for  the  next  day  —  and  started  ofi^  at  two  o'clock, 
A.  M.  of  the  22d,  as  file  leader  of  a  party  of  about  twenty  brave  fellows 
from  Onondaga  county.  Our  route  was  over  a  field  of  slippery  ice,  part 
of  the  way,  the  balance  of  the  distance  of  seven  miles,  was  through  a  bed 


100  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

of  unbroken  snow,  nearly  knee  deep.  Forty  men  came  on  after  us  in 
about  an  hour.  This  was  our  whole  force,  until  after  the  first  muster  at 
sunrise.  Various  other  musters  were  made  in  the  course  of  the  day,  when, 
as  afterwards  sworn  by  a  witness  on  my  examination  in  Auburn,  "  the 
total  number  of  volunteers  appearing  on  parade  at  different  hours  was 
82,  71,  and  51;  the  majority  of  whom  were  Canadians."  This  last  is  a 
fact  of  some  importance,  for  the  British  authorities,  both  civil  and  mili- 
tary, have  endeavored  to  make  it  appear  that  thesei  expeditions  were  got 
up  exclusively  by  Americans  —  but  such  is  not  the  case. 

In  the  course  of  the  day.  while  on  Hickory  Island,  several  messages 
came  to  me  from  diflferent  bodies  of  Canadians,  stating  where  and  when 
they  would  meet  me,  as  per  understanding  between  them  and  McKenzie  ; 
also  giving  me  their  signals  of  recognition,  &c.  No  doubt  2000  would 
have  joined  within  24  hours,  had  we  succeeded  in  the  out-set.  The  ap- 
prehensions that  they  would  be  exposed 'to  the  suspicions  and  fury  of  the 

royalists,  was  one  reason  why  I  was  so  extremely  anxious  to  second  Col. 

in  his  indomitable  efforts  to  make  the  expedition  a  successful  one.  But 
all  our  hopes  were  in  vain,  and  many  of  our  Kingston  friends  who  had 
flown  to  arms,  anticipating  our  coming,  were  taken  and  incarcerated. 

All  that  man  could  do,  in  compliance  with  his  agreement  to  have  all 
things  in  readiness  on  the  22d  was  done  by  the  Colonel.     The  cannon,  . 
small  arms,  fixed  ammunition,  stores  etc.   were  all  on    the  ground  by  4 
o'clock,  P.  M. ;  but  of  the  700  men  who  actually  agreed  to  join  us,  the 
numbers  were  as  already  given. 

The  enemy  on  the  contrary  were  fully  prepared.     They  had  two  com- 
panies at  Gananoque,  two  miles  from  our  camp,  in  addition  to  their  local 
force,  and  a  block-house,  100  at  Kingston  Mills,  six  miles  from  us,  and 
1500  at  Kingston,  twelve  miles  from  us.     But  of  these,  it  was  generally 
conceded,  that  if  we  had  appeared  before  them  with  a   respectable  army, 
one-third  were  with  us;  one-third  luke  warm;  and  the  remainder  decid- 
edly hostile.     Our  men,  however,  heard  of  their  preparations  with  great 
exaggerations,  and  became  discouraged,  so  much  so  that  towards  the  mid- 
dle of  the  afternoon  they  applied  in   squads  of  tens  and   twenties  for  a 
leave  of  absence,  and  on  being  refused,  they  became  absolutely  mutinous, 
threatening  to  force  their  way  home  without  one.     Just  then  assurances 
sent  from  French  Creek  of  a  reinforcement  of  300  men  and  sleighs  enough 
to  carry  the  whole  force,  pacified  them  for  a  while,  but  hour  after  hour 
slipped  by  without  an  appearance  of  either,  and  the  disaffection  became 
greater  than  ever.     Under  these  circumstances  a  council  of  war  was  held, 
and  the  result  of  the  last  muster  given,  when   the  officers  —  among  whom 
were  some  who  would  have  been  an  ornament  to  any  regular  army  —  all 
concurred  in  the  opinion  that  it  would  be  the  height  of  madness  either  to 
attempt  an  offensive  movement,  with  so  small  a  force,  or  remain  where   we 
were.  A  retreat,  therefore,  was  now  deemed  to  be  the  wisest  and  most  pru- 
dent course.  It  was  made  without  loss  at  7  o'clock.  In  my  humble  judgment, 
it  was  well  we  did  so,  for,  the  enemy  were  on  the  Island  before  daylight  next 
morning  3U0  strong.     The  number  of  persons  assembled  at  French  Creek 
that  day  was  variously  estimated  from  1500  to  2500,  same  for  curiosit3',some 
to  oppose  and  some  to  aid  us.      After  the  failure,    the   chagrined   crowd 
poured  all  kinds  of  abuse  upon  my  devoted  head  because  a  few  thought 
McKenzie's  star  the  ascendant,  and  mine  so  low  there  "  was  none  so  poor 
as  to  do  me  homage."     I,  however,  could  have  furnished  no  greater  proof 
of  folly  than  by  invading  Canada  with  fifty-oue  men,  on  faith  of  a  "  god- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  101 

send,"  when  every  thing  there  was  mustered  against  us.  The  above  facts 
of  officious  intermeddling  —  together  with  many  others — fully  show  the 
abandonment  of  the  late  intended  Patriot  Expedition  against  Kingston  was 
chargeable  to  no  one  bat  Wm.  Lyon  McKenzie.  To  him  also  I  am  in- 
debted for  the  bitter  tone  of  public  sentiment  after  the  failure  and  the 
severe  criticisms  on  my  conduct. 

Having  thrown  up  my  commission  in  disgust  at  the  want  of  good  faith, 
and  the  base  ingratitude  of  McKenzie,  my  errors,  whatever  they  may  have 
been,  cannot  be  turned  to  my  own  advantage.  They  may  be  pointed  out  for 
whoever  may  be  selected  to  be  my  successor.  He  may  also  profit  by  the  errors 
of  the  Canadian  Refugees  and  Patriots.  I  embarked  with  them  in  their  per- 
ilous struggle  for  the  dearest  privileges  and  rights  of  man.  When  I  assumed 
the  responsibility  of  the  post  assigned  to  me  by  them,  it  was  under  a  dis- 
trust of  my  own  fitness,  but,  as  I  then  thought,  with  a  full  knowledge  of 
all  the  difficulties  to  be  encountered,  and  they  are  to  judge  whether  the 
account  of  my  stewardship  is  satisfactory  or  not.  All  are  now  aware  that 
there  was  not  only  a  want  of  military  leaders  but  a  total  deficiency  in 
proper  arrangement,  at  the  commencement  of  the  rising;  and  no  concert 
of  action  with  the  frontier  movements  during  the  latter  part  of  the  cam- 
paign. The  Americans  who  agreed  to  sustain  me  on  condition  of  my 
taking  command  of  the  Patriot  forces,  most  nobly  have  redeemed  that 
pledge.  They  armed,  fed,  and  clothed  my  brave  associates  for  months 
with  a  liberality  unsurpassed  in  the  annals  of  history.  The  menials  of 
Great  Britain  no  doubt  will  deign  to  be  satisfied  with  the  truckling  spirit 
displayed  by  the  U.  S  Government  on  the  occasion.  If  no  splendid 
victories  have  ever  crowned  our  circumscribed  efforts  of  last  winter,  we, 
with  but  trifling  loss  of  life  or  treasure,  have  taught  the  enemies  of  our 
institutions  a  lesson  so  severe,  it  will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  You  have 
our  heartfelt  thanks  for  your  kindness,  the  efi"ect  of  which,  "  like  bread 
cast  upon  the  waters,  will  return  after  many  days."  After  the  evacuation 
of  Hickory  Island  ;  according  to  previous  notice  given  Brig.  Gen.  McLeod, 
of  the  Western  division  of  the  Patriot  forces,  in  case  such  a  contingency 
should  occur,  I  intended  to  have  started  off  immediately  for  Detroit, 
though  neafly  worn  out  with  the  incessant  fatigue  of  the  last  fifty  hours, 
together  with  vexation  and  mortification.  But  at  the  request  of  the  citi- 
zens of  French  Creek,  I  remained  over  night  with  cannon  planted,  scouts 
out  and  men  ready,  particularly  those  from  steadfast  Onondaga  county  to 
repel  an  apprehended  attack  from  the  enemy.  No  enemy  came  but  they 
quitted  the  small  island  opposite  Gananoque,  and  returned  to  French 
Creek. 

The  Kingston  Whig  says  :  "  A  prisoner  taken  on  the  island  was  brought 
to  town,  and  underwent  an  examination  in  the  Garrison.  We  learn  that 
he  deposes  to  the  enemy  being  in  number  1000,  and  that  the  invasion  of 
Canada  was  postponed  in  consequence  of  McKenzie's  not  having  fulfilled 
his  engagements.  A  quantity  of  old  iron  to  the  amount  of  nearly  a  ton, 
and  consisting  of  every  kind  of  broken  implement,  to  be  used  as  grape 
shot  was  left  behind  on  the  island  and  taken  possession  of  by  the  British. 
A  specimen  of  the  shot  was  brought  to  town  in  Col.  Bonnycastle's  sleigh. 
There  seems  to  be  considerable  doubt  whether  or  not  Van  Rensselaer  is 
with  the  enemy,  but  no  doubt  exists,  as  to  very  few  Canadians  being  in 
the  gang.  The  honor  and  glory  of  the  enterprise  are  engrossed  solely  by 
American  citizens.  Vive  la  repuhh'que  !  the  only  free  country  on  the 
surface  of  the  globe,  where  liberty  is  crammed  down  one's  throat  whether 


102  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

one' likes  it  or  not."  Intelligence  was  sent  to  me,  not  long  after,  that  an 
action  was  fought  on  February  28th  at  Point  au  Pelee  Island,  in  Lake 
Erie,  Upper  Cauada,  between  the  Patriot  forces  under  command  of  Col. 
B.  D.  Bradley  and  a  detachment  of  about  four  hundred  British  regulars. 
Major  Hoadley  and  Capt.  Henry  H.  Van  Rensselaer  of  the  Artillery  were 
slain.  The  latter  was  a  son  of  Maj.  Gen.  Henry  K.  Van  Rensselaer  and 
half-brother  to  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer.  "  Capt.  Van  Rensselaer 
fought  with  unexampled  bravery  ;  "  he  resided  at  Rochester  and  formerly 
belonged  to  the  United  State  Navy.  This  patriot  officer  born  July  28, 
1806  fell  in  battle  Feb.  28,  1838  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-two  years.  .  His 
brother  Kilian  H.  Van  Rensselaer  —  went  on  immediately  to  Point  au 
Pelee  and  recovered  the  body. 

"  A  large  meeting  was  held  at  Detroit  relative  to  alleged  Canadian  ag- 
gressions. A  committee  appointed  at  a  previous  meeting  to  collect  informa- 
tion, in  reference  to  the  insults  and  outrages  alleged  to  have  been  commited 
by  the  British  authorities  on  the  rights  of  Americans  citizens  reported. 

"  The  committee  had  permission  to  see  and  converse  freely  with  the 
prisoners  that  were  taken  in  the  engagement  at  Point  au  Pellee  islands. 
None  of  the  prisoners  are  citizens  of  Michigan.  Those  that  were  not 
■wounded  are  confined  o'n  board  of  a  schooner  lying  at  the  wharf  at  Maiden. 
They  expressed  themselves  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  treatment  they  had 
received.  The  wounded  prisoners  taken  in  the  same  engagement,  were  in 
a  warm  and  comfortable  room,  and  to  all  appearances,  were  well  provided 
for.  Their  wounds  were  regularly  dressed  twice  a  day  under  the  direc- 
tions of  the  surgeon.  Two  members  of  the  committee,  in  company  with 
three  or  four  of  the  most  respectable  citizens  of  Maiden,  went  down  the 
ice,  to  that  place,  where  Sutherland  and  Spencer  were  taken  prisoners, 
and  from  the  examination  are  satisfied  that  they  were  captured  and  taken 
in  British  waters,  and  consequently  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Canadian 
government"  • 

In  Toronto,  Thos.  J.  Sutherland  stated  to  the  court-martial  that  he  was 
an  American  citizen,  and  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  is  of  Scotch 
extraction.  "  Sentence  of  the  Court  Mcvtial  on  the  Pirate  Sutherland. 
That  the  said  Thomas  J.  Sutherland  be  transported  as  a  felon  to  one  of 
Her  Majesty' s  penal  Colonies  for  the  term  of  his  natural  life."  "  This  sen- 
tence, after  having  been  approved  by  the  governor,  was  read  to  the  prisoner, 
'who  did  not  approve  of  it  at  all,  and  declared  to  a  constable  that  th.ere 
should  be  no  opportunity  of  carrying  it  into  effect.  Will  he  then  open 
more  veins  ? 

"  On  Wednesday  February  28,  1838.  Col.  Levi  Lewis,  Deputy  Marshal, 
arrested  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  at  Syracuse,  and  brought  him  before 
Judge  Conkling  to  be  examined  relative  to  his  violating  the  United  States 
Laws,  in  beginning  and  setting  on  foot,  and  providing  and  preparing  the 
means  for  a  military  expedition  against  a  nation  with  which  the  United 
States  are  at  peace.  For  the  purpose  of  obtaining  witnesses,  the  examination 
was  deferred  until  Monday  of  this  week,  in  the  meantime,  Van  Rensselaer, 
failing  to  give  bail  for  his  appearance,  was  committed  to  jail.  On  Monday 
(March  5th)  morning  the  examination  was  commenced  at  the  Court  House, 
in  this  village  —  three  witnesses  were  examined,  when  the  examiantion 
was  postponed  until  10  o'clock  this  morning  to  wait  the  arrival  of  other 
witnesses.  It  was  proved  on  Monday,  that  Van  Rensselaer  was  at  French 
Creek  with  a  large  armed  force,  on  the  22d  ult.,  that  early  in  the  morn- 
ing he  with  twenty  two  others  passed  over  to  Hickory  Island,  that  during  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  103 

day,  large  numbers  armed  with  muskets,  rifles  and  pikes,  came  on  to  the  Island, 
that  they  had  two  six-pounders,  aad§one|eighteen-pounder,  that  eighty-one 
persons  were  the  highest  No.  he  could  muster,  that  they  all  returned  to 
French  Creek  the  same  day,  and  voluntarily  disbanded.  It  was  also  proved 
that  Van  Rensselaer  was  at  Oswego  two  or  three  weeks  before,  requesting 
men  to  engage  in  an  expedition  against  the  Lower  Province,  that  he  said  '  we 
want  men  and  means  to  go  and  see  Papineau,'  and  that  a  few  pistols,  swords, 
and  cutlasses  were  contributed.  It  was  also  proved  that  Van  Rensselaer 
gave  orders,  after  he  left  Navy  Island,  in  January  to  Sutherland  to  go 
west,  and  that  he  also  gave  orders  to  have  the  forces  moved  west  to  find 
conveyances  across  the  Lake.  The  examination  of  Van  Rensselaer  is  closed, 
and  as  he  declined  to  give  bail,  he  will  be  committed  to  jail  in  Albany  to 
await  his  trial  in  June." 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Cayuga  Patriot. 

Sir,  Having  seen  in  your  last  paper  a  paragraph  .purporting  to  be  an 
expression  of  the  opinion  of  a  Colonel  Woodruff  of  Salina  in  reference  to 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer's  late  movement  on  the  Northern  frontier,  and  in 
which  an  imputation  of  cowardice  is  attempted  to  be  fastened  upon  him. 
I  beg  you  will  allow  me  the  use  of  your  columns  to  state  that  I  have  since 
had  an  interview  with  Col.  \V.,  who  gave  it  to  me  as  his  decided  ojyinion 
that  the  only  prudent  course  Genl.  V.  R.  could  have  adopted  at  the  time 
he  evacuated  Hickory  Island  was  the  one  pursued  by  him,  and  that  to 
have  attempted  to  effect  a  landing  on  the  Canada  shore  at  that  time 
would  have  been  a  rashness  worse  than  madness.  As  a  Canadian  and  as 
a  member  of  the  Provisional  Government  appointed  by  the  Patriots  of 
U.  Canada,  I  deem  it  but  an  act  of  justice  to  Genl.  V.  R.  to  state  that 
he  possesses  my  fullest  confidence,  and  I  also  believe  that  of  a  majority 
of  its  members.  And  I  deeply  regret  the  schism  that  has  been  created 
between  him  and  one  who  ought  never  to  have  been  allowed  to  interfere 
■with  him;  and  whose  prudence  if  not  his  feelings  should  have  prompted 
him  to  sacrifice  every  selfish  consideration  rather  than  to  weaken  by  useless 
broils  and  contentions  the  ranks  of  the  patriot  service,  already  none  too  strong. 
During  all  the  time  that  Genl.  V.  R.  with  his  forces  held  possession  of 
Navy  Island  I  was  with  him,  and  acted  under  him.;  and  I  am  bold  to  say 
that  any  person  who  witnessed  the  coolness,  calmness  and  self  possession 
which  he  then  manifested  in  the  most  trying  times,  even  when  the  hearts 
of  many  of  the  boldest  quailed  within  them ;  as  well  as  the  reckless  daring 
courage  displayed  by  him;  and  the  animating  smile  that  ever  played  upon 
his  countenance  when  exposed  unprotected  and  uncovered  to  the  thickest 
and  heaviest  of  the  enemy's  fire  while  encouraging  and  instructing  his 
men  in  their  duty,  will  know  how  to  treat  such  base  insinuations;  no 
matter  how  often  they  may  be  repeated,  or  from  whatever  source  they 
may  emanate.  Gen.  V.  R's  defense,  against  the  insinuations  and  asper- 
sions of  one  who  instead  of  vilifying  him  should  ever  consider  himself 
under  an  eternal  debt  of  gratitude  to  him,  will  be  presented  to  the  public, 
so  soon  as  it  can  be  done  with  safety  to  others  in  like  manner  implicated, 
and  whose  security  —  he  true  to  his  native  feelings  is  ever  more  considerate 
of,  than  his  own.  Nelson  Gorham. 

Auburn  March  7th,  1838. 

Military  Notes  Continued.  Having  learned  that  the  failure  of  the  en- 
terprise was  by  many  imputed  altogether  to  me,  I  determined  before  going 


104  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

West,  to  give  the  public  a  true  statement  of  facts  in  relation  to  the  matter. 
For  this  purpose,  I  set  out  for  Syracuse  in  the  morning,  and  while  thus 
occupied  there,  was  taken  by  a  U.  S.  Deputy  Marshal  on  the  charge  of 
getting  up  a  military  expedition  against  a  neutral  power.  The  bail  re- 
quired for  my  appearance  in  Court  was  freely  tendered,  by  friends  of  the 
cause  in  the  place ;  but  the  First  Judge  of  the  county,  whose  duty  it  was 
to  make  out  the  bail  bonds,  declined  doing  so,  on  the  ground  that  he  was 
too  much  engaged.  This,  in  connection  with  the  tone  and  manner  of  His 
Honor,  the  tl.  S.  District  Judge  at  Auburn,  before  whom  I  was  conse- 
quently carried — ^  when  he  gave  me  the  gratuitous  information,  that  I 
would  "  have  to  go  to  jail,  unless  I  found  security,"  satisfied  me  that  there 
was  a  preconcerted  plan  to  get  me  among  strangers,  where  the  difficulty 
of  procuring  bail,  would  enable  the  powers  at  hand,  to  sub-serve  the  des- 
picable policy  of  the  Government,  by  putting  me  in  jail /or  effect!  If  a 
similar  course  had  been  previously  adopted  in  similar  cases,  and  with  the 
same  authority,  I  should  have  had  no  feeling  on  the  subject.  As  it  is,  I 
draw  the  contrast  more  in  sorrow,  than  in  anger,  between  the  course 
pursued  in  the  case  of  other  Patriot  officers  and  my  own,  as  contrasted 
with  the  Texan  Officers. 

After  a  confinement  of  a  day  or  two,  I  wrote  to  an  old  family  friend, 
one  of  the  wealthiest  men  in  the  village,  that  I  was  already  under  bonds 
to  the  amount  of  $6,000  to  appear  for  trial  at  the  June  term  in  Albany, 
on  the  charge  of  accepting  a  commission  in  the  Patriot  service  —  that  the 
same  amount  would  probably  be  required  in  my  present  case,  and  I  con- 
cluded by  asking  if  he  would  procure  it  for  me.  His  reply  was,  it  could 
not  be  procured  in  the  place.  In  consequence  of  this,  I  formed  a  resolu- 
tion, as  a  Canadian  Refugee,  to  give  no  one  but  a  known  and  active  friend 
of  our  cause,  another  opportunity  to  refuse  me  a  favor.  I  act  from  princi- 
ple then,  when  I  decline  giving  my  connections  as  bail  now. 
Albany  Jail,  29th  March,  1838.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer. 

In  conclusion  I  have  to  say  that  after  I  became  bound  to  the  Canadian 
Patriot  cause,  I  had  but  one  opportunity  of  withdrawing  with  honor  to 
myself  and  I  was  deprived  of  that  opportunity  by  the  treachery  of  one  of 
Marshall  Benton's  witnesses,  viz.,  Julius  H.  Clark  of  Syracuse.  He  took 
a  letter  out  of  the  Post  office  there  from  Wm.  L.  McKeuzie  to  myself  and 
suppressed,  or  detained  it,  so  that  I  never  got  it  &c.  &c.  If  I  had  got  it  — 
I  would  have  left  the  service  and  this  indictment  would  never  have  been 
found  against  me.  So  good  Mr.  Veto  Clark  —  I  owe  you  one.  Mr.  Mc- 
Kenzie  seems  to  have  been  much  engaged,  as  an  indefeasible  right,  in 
making  searching  inquiry  into  my  habits,  as  seen  by  the  following  extracts, 
and  his  letter  to  me  which  he  subsequently  published.  He  persistingly 
reiterates  :  "  There  never  was  a  harsh  word  or  letter  between  Mr.  V. 
R.  and  me.  He  was  accused  of  habitual  drunkenness.  I  never  echoed 
the  complaint.  He  has  been  accused  of  cowardice ;  but  although  he  lacked 
for  energy  and  decision,  his  whole  conduct  on  Navy  Island,  the  coolness 
with  which  I  saw  him  brave  danger,  satisfied  me  that  he  possessed  the 
bravery  of  his  father.  Aside  from  deficient  skill,  his  worst  failing  must 
have  been  too  apparent  to  every  one  who  knew  him  to  require  remark 
from  me.  We  all  have  failings  of  some  sort.  The  folks  on  the  main 
shore  and  our  own  people,  were  ignorant  of  all  this,  and  the  terror  of  the 
name  '  Van  Rensselaer'  did  much  for  us  in  Canada. 

"  While  on  Navy  Island,  the  General  his  father  wrote  him  often,  and  in 
a  style  so  aftectionate,  sensible,  manly,  and  generous,  that  I  did  feel  regret 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  105 

that  the  Post  master  of  Albany  had  not  the  command  on  Navy  Island,  and 
the  son  the  control  of  the  letter  sorting  mystery."  AH  these  charges  were 
wholly  irrelevant  to  benefit  the  cause,  and  could  not  result  in  amicable 
consultations. 

Wm.  L.  Mackenzie  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Watertown,  Feb.  14,  1838. 

I  find  that  our  previous  conversations  have  left  an  erroneous  impression 
on  your  mind,  which  I  exceedingly  regret,  and  hasten  to  correct.  When 
we  left  Navy  Island,  without  going  into  Canada,  I  possessed  no  power  on 
behalf  of  the  revolted  Canadians,  to  make  a  second  contract  or  agreement 
with  you,  without  violating  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  April,  1818,  of 
which  I  was  entirely  ignorant  until  after  our  first  conversation  at  the 
Eagle  in  Buffalo. 

I  gave  my  opinion  before  leaving  for  Rochester,  that  if  you  wished  to 
continue  to  assist  the  Canadians,  it  might  be  done  by  remaining  with  the 
volunteers  who  had  been  formally  disbanded  to  avoid  difl&culties,  and  ac- 
companying them  into  Canada  wherever  an  entry  could  be  made,  and  with 
the  many  additional  bodies  of  men  whom  we  expected  to  join  our  friends 
during  their  march  westward.  But  you  neither  joined  the  men,  nor,  up 
to  the  end  of  January,  gave  my  friend  31r.  McLeod  any  aid,  counsel  or 
advice  whatever.  On  the  1st  of  this  month  you  wrote  me  that  you  had 
urgent  afi'airs  of  a  private  nature  requiring  your  attention,  and  that  you 
would  neglect  them  no  longer,  if  I  did  not  assent  to  certain  propositions 
contained  in  your  letter.  In  a  conversation  at  Mr.  White's,  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  at  which  Mr.  Gribson  was  present,  I  once  more  recommended  to 
you  to  go  to  the  forces  in  the  West,  if  you  wished  to  serve  us,  and  thus 
draw  the  attention  of  the  Canadian  authorities  towards  Detroit,  and  in- 
formed you  that  I  disagreed  to  the  propositions  above  referred  to.  As 
you  did  not  go  westward,  I  reasonably  concluded  that  you  had  turned 
your  attention  to  those  "  urgent  affairs  "  of  which  you  spoke,  but  on  my 
return  from  Plattsburgh,  found  that  some  misapprehensions  existed,  which 
this  letter  will,  I  trust,  fully  and  finally  remove.  After  acknowledging 
very  respectfully  every  testimonial  of  your  disinterestedness  and  good 
wishes  towards  those  Canadian  exiles  whom  misfortune  has  driven  to  this 
frontier,  and  with  whom  I  am  connected  by  a  common  bond  of  interest,  I 
beg  distinctly  to  state  that  I  consider  all  military  and  political  connection 
between  you  and  us  at  an  end.  I  think  you  cannot  in  any  way  serve  or 
benefit  the  cause  of  Upper  Canada,  except  by  those  kindly  wishes  for  the 
restoration  of  tranquillity  to  the  country,  and  the  attainment  of  free  insti- 
tutions by  the  people,  which  fill  the  breasts  of  many  of  your  many,  noble 
and  generous  countrymen  —  and  I  beg  you  to  contradict  any  false  and 
unfounded  rumors  which  may  reach  your  ear,  to  the  effect  that  you  are 
either  conducting  or  a  party  to  any  expedition  against  the  European 
authorities  in  Upper  Canada,  seeing  that  such  is  not  the  case. 
I  remain,  dear  sir,  Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  serv't, 

Wm.  L.  Mackenzie. 

General  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Syracuse. 


II]  14 


106  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Death  of  Mrs.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer. 

"  At  the  annual  dinner  of  the  St.  George's  Society  given  in  Toronto  on 
April  23,  1838,  the  standing  toast,  '  the  rojal  navy,'  was  given  from  the 
chair,  on  which  Captain  Marryatt,  the  novelist,  rose  and  returned  thanks, 
he  then  proposed  as  a  volunteer  toast,  '  Cajyt.  Drew  and  his  brave  comrades 
who  cut  out  the  Caroline,'  which  was  received  with  loud  acclamations. 

Captain  Macaulay  of  the  British  army  presided  as  chairman,  and  among 
the  company  were  Mr.  Sullivan,  president  of  the  U.  C.  executive  council, 
and  Judge  Powell  of  the  legislative  council,  the  latter  a  native  American. 

"  Snarleyow,  or  the  Dog  Fiend.  Much  just  indignation  has  been  excited 
along  the  frontier  by  Capt.  Marryatt's  mal  a  propos  toast  of  Capt.  Drew 
and  the  brave  {!)  men  who  murdered  Durfee  in  the  dark.  There  was  a 
public  meeting  at  Lewiston  at  which  it  was  resolved  to  collect  all  '  Peter 
Simple's  novels  in  the  town  and  publicly  burn  them.  In  accordance  With 
this  resolve,  all  the  copies  of  Captain  Marryatt's  novels  were  collected, 
taken  down  to  the  river  side  opposite  Queenston,  and  the  title  of  each  hav- 
ing been  told  aloud,  the  whole  were  then  committed  to  the  flames.  We 
believe,  however,  the  better  way  to  punish  the  gallant  captain  for  his  offen- 
sive toasts,  would  be  to  refrain  from  purchasing  his  novels.  This  would 
be  much  more  effectual  than  burning  them  after  they  are  bought.  Daw- 
son, one  of  the  murderous  band  who  burnt  the  Caroline  steamboat,  crossed 
over  to  Youngstown  on  the  17th  ult.  to  get  married  —  was  arrested  as  one 
of  the  murderers  —  and  is  in  jail  in  Lockport.  For  ordering  Dawson  to 
do  as  he  did,  M'Nab  is  knighted !  !  Such  unwise  occurrences  engender 
much  bitter  hostility  and  cause  many  open  revolts  which  might  be  re- 
pressed." 

The  Vice  President  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  Senate  U.  S.  Washington  8  May,  1838. 

I  was  very  happy  to  learn  that  you  had  received  my  continued  good 
wishes  by  our  friend  Judge  Spencer. 

I  hope  you  do  not  deem  it  necessary  for  me  to  receive  any  evidence  be- 
sides your  declaration,  not  even  that,  as  to  your  honorable  course  relative 
to  your  Son's  voluntary  movement  in  relation  to  Canada. 

Sincerely  your  friend, 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  P.  M.,  Albany.  Khd.  Johnson. 

The  Canadian  patriots  having  placed  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  with- 
out solicitation  on  his  part,  in  command  of  their  forces,  a  calumnious 
charge  had  been  brought,  that  General  Van  Rensselaer  was  conniving  at, 
and  abetting  his  sou  in  the  insurrectionary  movement  in  the  provinces,  and 
also  that  Rens>^elaer  Van  Rensselaer  was  then  employed  in  the  Albany  Post 
Office !  !  What  a  terrible  mural  degeneracy  existed  in  those  days,  that 
the  I'utile  effort  should  have  been  made,  by  means  of  many  contemptible 
allegations  against  him,  to  embarrass  the  indomitable  "  Gentleman  of  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  107 

Old  School,"  whose  honor  bright  and  untarnished  their  envenomed  arrows 
could  not  reach  !  Shame  on  the  servile  sycophants  who  wished  to  deprive 
an/old  man  of  his  hard  bought  but  scanty  living!  General  Van  Rensse- 
laer exonerated  himself  from  the  charges  made  and  he  was  allowed  to  re- 
tain his  office  till  the  following  year.  Meanwhile  the  prescriptive  policy 
was  again  making  rapid  strides  in  the  surreptitious  management  of  go- 
vernmental afi'airs;  the  restless  intriguers,  with  the  gall  and  bitterness  of 
disappointment  rankling  in  their  breasts,  were  on  the  qui  vive  to  knead 
up  another  batch  of  sour  bread.  '•  The  cry  of  '  too  old  '  has  been  raised  be- 
fore and  the  people  have  rendered  a  verdict  in  relation  to  that ;  what  is 
to  come  next  ?  " 

Bens.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Col.  Worth. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany  Oct.  2,  1838. 

I  yesterday  received  a  communication  from  Mr.  Denison  of  your  place 
in  which  he  inclosed  an  affidavit  of  having  served  a  subpoena  upon  you  to 
appear  as  a  witness  at  the  next  term  of  the  U.  S.  Court  in  this  City  in  my 
behalf;  and  he  says,  he  is  requested  by  you  to  inform  me  that "  It  will  be 
very  inconvenient,  if  not  almost  impossible  for  you  to  attend."  Now  Sir, 
it  would  be  a  source  of  deep  regret  to  me  to  be  obliged  to  put  any  man, 
whom  I  esteem  as  much  as  yourself,  to  any  unnecessary  inconvenience  — 
but  as  I  have  refrained  from  embarrassing  General  Scott's  present  occupa- 
tion in  not  subpoenaing  him,  on  the  ground  that  your  evidence  in  connec- 
tion with  that  of  Governor  Marcy  —  who  too  is  subpoenaed  —  will  be  all 
sufficient  for  my  purpose. 

I  really  hope  you  will  stretch  a  point  to  oblige  me  by  attending  if  possi- 
ble. If  you  do  so,  I  trust  I  need  not  assure  you,  you  will  lose  not  a  leaf 
from  your  chaplet  by  my  connivance,  even  if  I  had  the  power  to  rob  you. 

Very  respectfully.  Your  obt.  Servt. 

Col.  W.  J.  Worth,  Sacketts  Harbor,  N.  Y.     Henss.Van  Rensselaer. 

Col.  Worth  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Head  Q,  Bks.  S.  Harbor,  Oct.  8th,  1838. 

A  few  days  sicne  I  addressed  a  note  to  Mr.  Yates  seeking  a  withdrawal  of 
the  Subpena  for  my  attendance.  Since  your  letter  has  been  received — ■ 
as  you  seem  to  consider  my  testimony  important —  it  is  my  duty  to  attend 
of  course  unless,  the  summons  is  revoked  and  shall  be  highly  gratified  if 
any  evidence  that  I  can  give  may  be  of  benefit  to  you. 

I  am  Sir,  respty.     Yours, 
R.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esqr.,  Albany.  •  W.  J.  Worth. 

"  General  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  the  Patroon  of  Albany  died 
at  his  residence  in  Albany,  on  Saturday  afternoon,  January  26,  1839, 
aged  74  years. 

''  He  was  at  one  time  an  active  politician  and  efficient  public  man,  was 
elected  Lieutenant  Governor  and  held  the  office  six  consecutive  years,  was 
subsequently  elected  to  the  Legislature,  and  ten  years  was  Chancellor 
of  the  University.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  last  war  with 
England,  he  flew  to  the  defence  of  the  northern  frontier,  there  was  no 
more  patriotic  officer  in  the  service.  He  was  not  fond  of  Military  life 
and  did  not  long  remain  in  the  service;  he  was  convinced  that  the  pro- 
fession of  arms  was  not  the  sphere  in  which  he  would  be  most  useful. 
The  Patroon  was  made  President  of  the  New  York  Agricultural  Society 
when  first  inaugurated  in  1818  and  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  was 


108  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee.  He  was  elected  to  Congress,  as 
the  successor  of  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  and  served  during  two 
conventions  called  to  revise  the  constitution,  he  had  also  been  frequently 
a  member  of  the  New  York  Assembly.  For  the  last  fourteen  years  of  his 
life  he  was  president  of  the  canal  board,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  was 
Chancellor  of  the  University  of  New  York.  He  left  only  one  child  by 
his  first  wife,  Stephen,  who  now  becomes  the  last  Proprietor  of  the  Manor. 
The  second  wife  was  Cornelia  daughter  of  Judge  Patterson  of  New  Jersey, 
by  whom  he  had  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are  living." 

"  This  good  man's  life  was  full  of  beauty,  foremost  in  every  good  work, 
the  friend  of  the  widow  and  the  fatherless,  the  helper  of  the  indigent; 
distinguished  for  his  philanthropy  and  disinterested  benevolence.  He 
was  ever  an  ardent  friend  of  tlie  cause  of  internal  improvements,  and  his 
name  is  identified  with  all  our  principal  public  works.  Respected  for  his 
services;  fortunate  in  his  life;  fortunate  in  his  death;  he  has  left  the 
example  of  his  life  to  be  imitated,  and  his  demise  to  be  regretted  by  all 
who  knew  his  character  and  deplore  his  loss." 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  the  Vice  President. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany  ^eb.  11th,  1836. 

Your  kindness  in  procuring  me  the  appointment  of  Post  Master,  induces 
me  to  address  you  at  this  time.  Another  effort  is  making  to  have  me  re- 
moved, not  from  any  personal  hostility  towards  me  or  for  any  neglect  of 
duty,  but  because  they  want  the  oflBce.  The  advice  of  Mr.  Monroe,  your- 
self and  others,  I  have  followed  up  and  refrained  from  meddling  in  Poli- 
tics. I  am  the  Sub  Treasurer  from  this  and  the  adjoining  Counties, 
large  sums  have  passed  through  my  hands  ;  Every  draft  of  the  Post  Master 
General  —  Amos  Kendall  —  I  have  paid,  and  all  will  be  paid  to  the  extent 
of  the  funds  in  my  hands,  and  rest  assured  that  they  will  not  have  it  in  their 
power  to  say  that  1  was  a  defaulter  to  the  amount  of  a  single  cent.  I  send  you 
my  book,  published  about  a  year  ago,  in  answer  to  Genl.  Armstrong.  With 
these  hasty  remarks  I  shall  close  and  not  further  trespass  on  your  time. 
I  have  the  Honor  to  be  your  obt.  Sevt. 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Col.  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Vice  President. 

The  Vice  President  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Sir,  Senate  Chamber  Feb.  21, 1839. 

I  have  received  your  favor  and  I  return  my  thanks  for  the  Volume  you 
sent  me.  As  far  as  I  can  serve  you  relative  to  your  present  position  and 
office,  it  will  be  done  with  pleasure.     Most  sincerely  your  friend. 

Rhd.  M.  Johnson. 
Genl.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Judge  John  Sanders  in  his  interesting  reminiscences  states  :  "When 
the  great  Northern  boundary  question,  in  1839  regarding  Maine,  was  up 
between  England  and  this  country  of  54-40°  or  fight,  it  was  strongly 
talked  of  by  the  powers  of  this  State,  to  place  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rens- 
selaer in  command  of  its  forces,  and  send  him  with  great  prowess  to  the 
front ;  from  the  current  of  opinion  it  was  then  thought,  the  struggle  and 
appointment  would  certainly  take  place.  He  came  to  see  me  on  the  sub- 
ject, and  in  a  long  conversation  laid  the  whole  matter  in  discussion  before 
me,  and  said  if  he  accepted  the  appointment,  he  wished  me  to  accompany 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  109 

him  as  aid.  This  proposition  may  excite  your  surprise,  as  it  did  mine, 
but  he  was  in  earnest,  and  when  I  remonstrated  as  to  my  inexperience  in 
actual  service,  as  having  only  served  as  judge  advocate  in  militia  service, 
he  replied,  ^tJint  is  nothing.  I  know  of  what  material  you  are  made,  better 
than  you  think  for/  I  replied — '  well  General,  I  prize  the  compliment,  and 
if  your  appointment  is  made,  I  shall  give  the  matter  serious  consideration.' 
"  The  storm,  however,  blew  over,  the  aifair  was  compromised,  and  the  ap- 
pointment, consequently,  was  not  made  and  so  the  matter  ended,  but  my 
impression  is,  that  had  he  been  called  out  —  such  was  my  admiration  of 
his  fearlessness  and  ability,  that  had  the  offer  been  renewed,  I  should 
have  accompanied  him  to  the  front.  In  view  of  his  extraordinary  com- 
binations, from  any  stand  point,  his  most  commanding  aspect  was  his  un- 
questioned fearless  heroism,  and  first  class  military  abilities.  He  was 
without  doubt,  the  Michael  Ney  of  America,  that  man  of  France  who 
Napoleon  remarked  at  St.  Helena,  '  Was  the  bravest  man  he  eve?-  knew.' " 

Gov.  Seward  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  General,  Albany,  March  11th,  1839. 

I  could  neither  throw  the  notice  into  the  Evening  Journal  on  Saturday 
nor  answer  your  note  that  day.  You  will  have  seen  the  notice  in  the 
paper  to  day  and  I  trust  it  will  be  beneficial.  With  sincere  respect  and 
esteem.  I  remain  your  obedient  servant, 

William  H.  Seward. 
Major  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany. 

"  Fire  of  the  Old  Flint. 
"  We  learn  from  the  highest  authority  that  Maj.  Gen.  Solomon  Van 
Rensselaer,  who  was  distinguished  in  the  Indian  war  of  the  last  century, 
and  who  led  the  American  troops  at  the  battle  of  Queenstown,  has  promptly 
tendered  his  services  as  the  senior  major  general  of  New  York  state 
infantry  to  the  commander-in-chief  in  the  event  of  a  war  between  England 
and  America.  This  '  hero  of  two  wars '  therefore  should  his  country 
again  be  compelled  to  'try  conclusions'  with  an  enemy,  will  be  found 
■with  his  '  bruised  arms,'  leading  his  country  men  to  battle  and  to  victory." 

"  There  is  a  store  and  dwelling  in  St.  Regis  (an  Indian  village  lying 
upon  the  boundary  line  between  the  United  States  and  Canada),  on  the 
forty-fifth  parallel  of  north  latitude  which  is  the  dividing  line.  That  line 
passes  through  this  building  so  that,  in  the  same  room,  you  can  step  from 
the  United  States  into  the  dominions  of  Queen  Victoria.  At  certain  in- 
tervals along  that  frontier  line  as  boundary  monuments  are  cast-iron 
obelisks,  three  feet  and  a  half  in  height." 

Proscription  !  Ingratitude  !  ! 
"March  18,  1839  —  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  our  excellent 
and  respected  Post  Master,  has  received  a  Letter  from  Amos  Kendall 
announcing  that  he  has  been  instructed  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  say  that  in  his  judgment  The  Public  Interests  Will  Be  Pro- 
moted By  a  Change  of  Post  Master  At  Albany,"  and  that  such 
change  will  be  made  at  the  close  of  the  present  quarter.  The  efforts  and 
schemes  of  demagogues,  for  the  removal  of  General  Van  Rensselaer  are 
finally  consummated.  While  Gen.  Jackson  was  in  office  these  efforts  were 
unavailing.  The  old  Chief  rejected  with  indignation  every  proposition  to 
remove  this  Veteran.     Wrong  as  Gen.  Jackson  was  in  many  things,  he 


110  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

had  the  generosity  and  patriotism  to  protect  a  gallant  soldier  who  had 
poured  out  his  blood  for  his  country.  '  While  I  am  President,'  said  the 
Hero  of  New  Orleans  to  the  Hero  of  Queenston,  '  and  you  discharge  your 
duty  faithfully,  you  are  safe.'  And  he  kept  his  word.  But  when  the 
Jackal!  crept  into  the  Lion's  seat,  the  reptile  tribe  obtained  their  audience. 
Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  was  a  devoted  and  gallant  soldier.  He  fought 
bravely  through  two  wars.  He  has  with  equal  honor  and  fidelity  dis- 
charged liis  duties  as  Post  Master.  Never  was  the  public  better  accom- 
modated. Never  was  a  public  oflBicer  more  universally  respected.  And 
yet  the  old  Veteran  is  insulted  and  the  whole  city  outraged  by  the  false, 
canting  pretence,  that '  the  public  interests  will  hepromoted'  by  his  removal  I 
The  removal  is  base,  but  the  pretence  for  doing  it  is  villainous.  General 
Van  llensselaer  was  appointed  by  President  Monroe  in  1822  against  the 
strenuous  efforts  of  Martin  Van  Buren  who  wanted  the  office  to  be  in  the 
hands  of  one  of  his  creatures  more  pliable." 

Samuel  L.  Oouverneur  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Sir,  New  York  March  23,  1839. 

I  have  this  moment  received  your  letter  of  the  21st.  I  heard  with 
deep  regret,  but  without  the  least  Surprise,  of  your  removal  from  office. 
The  Circumstances  of  your  appointment,  I  can  never  forget.  Mr.  Meigs 
was  Post  Master  General'at  the  time.  The  right  of  appointment  was,  by 
the  law  vested  in  him,  on  his  direct  responsibility  to  the  President  of  the 
U.  States.  In  all  cases,  and  especially  of  importance,  the  approbation  of 
the  President  preceded  the  issue  of  the  Commission.  Mr.  Meigs  was 
your  friend,  and  disposed  to  appoint  you.  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  others, 
appealed  to  the  President,  and  in  the  most  earnest  terms  to  prevent  it. 
I  have  all  the  letters  and  papers  which  passed  —  but  not  immediately  at 
hand.  They  will  at  a  proper  time,  with  others,  and  on  a  full  view  of  the 
events  of  that  day,  be  submitted  to  the  public.  Every  opportunity  was 
afforded  by  Mr.  Monroe  to  canvass  the  merits  of  your  appointment.  On 
the  express  application  of  Mr.  Van  Buren,  full  time  was  afforded  to  col- 
lect public  sentiment,  and  if  possible  make  it  available  against  you.  The 
principal  charge,  and  I  believe  the  only  one  was,  that  you  were  a  Fede- 
ralist, and  opposed  to  what  they  then  called  the  Republican  party.  Upon 
a  full  consideration  of  the  case,  Mr.  Monroe,  not  only  distinctly  refused 
to  interfere  to  prevent  your  appointment  by  the  then  Post  Master  General ; 
but  I  well  know  it  had  his  decided  approbation.  I  had  frequent  conver- 
sations with  him  during  the  period  of  time  that  the  appointment  was 
pending.  He  expressed  himself  indignantly  at  the  idea,  "  that  a  man  who 
had  fought  and  bled  in  two  wars,  should  be  denounced  as  a  federalist,  and 
on  that  score  alone,  be  totally  excluded  as  unworthy  of  the  patronage  of 
his  Country."  It  was  urged  upon  him  that  you  were  opposed  to  his  admin- 
istration. He  resisted  it  firmly  as  an  objection,  and  particularly  remarked, 
"  that  a  man  who  bore  the  lead  of  the  enemy  in  his  body  had  a  right  to 
think  for  himself."  Mr.  Monroe  is  well  known  on  all  occasions  to  have 
held  the  doctrine,  that  difference  of  political  opinion  alone  was  no  just 
cause  of  exclusion,  or  removal  from  office.  He  always  claimed  to  be  Pre- 
sident of  the  U.  States  and  not  of  a  party.  The  history  of  his  administra- 
tion points  to  many  cases,  which  would  illustrate  these  facts ;  nor  is  it 
defiled  by  a  Single  instance  of  the  removal  from  office  of  a  Citizen  admitted 
by  all,  to  have  faithfully  discharged  the  duties  of  his  Station. 

I  can  say  to  you  Sir,  with  great  sincerity,  that  although  Mr.  Monroe 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  Ill 

did  not  believe  at  the  time  of  your  appoiutment  that  you  were  a  decided 
friend  of  his  administration,  he  not  only,  for  reasons  wliich  I  have  alluded, 
approved  of  your  appointment,  but,  that  believing  you,  to  be  a  highminded 
and  honorable  man,  and  a  gallant  Soldier  in  the  last  wars,  he  took  a  deep 
interest  in  your  welfare  and  happiness,  to  the  latest  day  of  his  life.  I 
have  stated  nothing  in  this  letter,  which  I  do  not  know  to  be  true.  It  is 
due  to  you,  in  reply  to  your  favor  which  I  have  acknowledged.  It  has 
been  my  desire  to  do  justice  to  you,  without  giving  intentional  offense  to 
others.  I  have  every  disposition  to  with-hold  my  name  from  any  dis- 
cussion of  this  character,  but  I  do  not  feel  myself  at  liberty  to  refuse  a 
Statement  of  the  facts  wliich  you  have  requested. 

With  great  respect  and  regard  Your  Obt.  St. 
Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.         Saml.  L.  GtOUVERNEUR. 

["  The  writer  of  this  letter  is  the  Son-in-law  and  was  the  private  Secre- 
tary of  President  Monroe,  at  the  time  of  my  appointment."     S.  V.  H.] 

Azariali  C.  Flagg  to  Gen.   Van  Rensselaer. 
Sir,  Albany,  Mirch  28,  1839. 

On  the  26th  instant  I  received  notice  from  the  Post  Office  Department, 
of  my  appointment  as  Post  Master  at  Albany,  to  take  effect  on  the  first  of 
April.  I  beg  leave  to  enquire  whether  the  building  occupied  is  rented 
for  the  Post  ofiice  for  any  fixed  period,  and  whether  in  relation 
to  that,  or  any  other  matters  coYinected  with  the  office,  there  are  any  pre- 
liminary arrangements  required  to  be  made  by  me  before  the  first  of  April. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be.  With  much  respect,  Your  obt.  Servt. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.  A.  C.  Flagg. 

"  It  is  true  that  Azariah  C.  Flagg  has  received  his  Commision  of  Post 
Master.  We  have  nothing  against  him  personally;  but  we  learn  with  equal 
sorrow  and  surprise  that  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  the  time  worn  veteran, 
whose  blood  flowed  so  freely  for  his  country  on  Queenston  Heights,  is 
to  be  removed  from  the  ofiice  of  Post  Master  in  Albany,  to  make  room 
for  some  hungry  partizan.  We  regret  that  the  '  necessities  and  good  of  the 
Party  required  it,  '  and  that  its  pressing  wants  are  so  great  as  to  demand 
the  expulsion  of  one  whose  hoary  head  and  honorable  scars  proclaim  how 
truly  and  how  long  he  has  served  his  country.  If  the  office  from  which 
he  has  been  now  removed  had  been  made  a  sinecure  and  secured  to  him 
for  life,  it  would  have  been  rendering  but  'faint  quittance'  for  his 
gallant  services.  It  is  a  pity  that  those  in  high  stations  should  forget 
the  dignity  of  their  exalted  positions  and  become  participators  in  such 
nefarious  intrigues." 

John  McLean  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Sir,  Ridgeville  29  March  1839. 

In  the  National  Intelligencer  which  I  have  just  received,  I  observe  with 
very  great  regret,  that  you  have  been  removed  from  office.  Whilst  I  re- 
joice that  this  blow,  which  has  been  apprehended,  has  been  suspended 
longer  than  I  expected,  I  have  not  language  to  ^press  the  detestation  in 
which  I  hold  a  policy  which  regards  neither  merit  qualifications  nor  public 
services,  in  the  advancement  of  party  views.  This  system  which  has  been 
introduced  from  New  York,  into  the  federal  government  will,  I  fear,  fasten 
itself  upon  the  country,  until  the  moral  force  of  our  institutions  shall  be 
utterly  destroyed.     And  when  this  shall  be  the  case,  our  government  will 


112  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

not  be  worth  preserving.  Perhaps  any  form  of  government  is  preferable 
to  that  of  a  republic  which  is  thoroughly  corrupt.  And  this  must  be  the 
inevitable  result  of  a  policy  which  substitutes  party  for  principles,  and 
which  uses  the  patronage  of  the  goverument  to  effectuate  its  objects. 
There  is  nothing  of  a  political  nature  that  I  so  ardently  desire,  as  to  see 
the  better  days  of  the  republic  imitated ;  for  on  this  depends  the  perpetu- 
ity of  our  institutions  and  the  cause  of  free  government.  This  would  be 
to  the  friends  and  advocates  of  free  principles,  a  much  higher  token  of 
triumph  than  was  the  run  of  Austerlitz  to  the  trained  legions  of  Napoleon. 

Your  removal  very  naturally  reminds  me  of  our  association  in  the  public 
service  and  the  recollection  of  which  I  cherish  with  the  greater  pleasure 
from  a  conviction  that  while  it  continued,  you  felt  yourself  safe  in  the 
arduous  discharge  of  your  duties,  from  any  attack  upon  your  official 
character  and  interests.  Very  truly  your  friend, 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.  John  McLean. 

"  J«7y  27,  1839.  Mr.  Van  Buren  visited  New  York  state  in  anticipa- 
tion of  the  election  and  made  a  lengthened  stay  in  New  York  city.  The 
following  appeared  on  the  occasion  of  Mr.  Van  Buren's  visit  to  Albany  : 
"■  Friend  Weed,  Will  you  be  good  enough  just  to  ask  the  State  Printer 
[Mr.  Groswell]  to  as/c  his  'Bepublican  Highness'  whether,  during  his 
sojourn  among  his  '"Democratic  friends'  in  this  city,  he  intends  to  call  on 
the  war-worn  veteran.  Van  Rensselaer,  his  ^federal  enemy,'  whom  he 
turned  out  of  the  office  of  Postmaster,  in  order  to  make  room  for  one  of 
the  '  faithful  ?'  There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  brave  old  Greneral  would 
receive  him  with  feelings  of  the  dee\:)(ist  (jratitude,  and  endeavor  to  recip- 
rocate '  His  Republican  Highness's  generositj  for  '  turning  him  out'  of 
the  office,  as  a  reward  for  the  many  scars  he  received  while  in  the  defence 
of  his  country.  QuEENSTON  Heights." 

"  The  signs  of  the  times  are  all  auspicious.  There  are  openings  in  the 
political  clouds  now  lowering  upon  our  country  through  which  we  can 
discover  a  better  and  a  brighter  future.  There  are  symptoms  of  discord 
and  decay  about  the  dominant  party  which  plainly  foretoken  its  speedy 
dissolution.  With  what  spirit  can  the  friends  of  Martin  Van  Baren  in 
other  states  support  his  pretensions,  when  they  know  that  his  native  state 
rebukes  and  rejects  him  ?  What  better  proof  could  be  required  of  his 
utter  unfitness  for  the  station  in  which  a  series  of  accidents  has  placed 
him  than  the  fact  that  his  fellow-citizens  of  his  own  state,  notwithstanding 
the  powerful  influence  of  state  pride,  notwithstanding  the  strong  induce- 
ment of  personal  friendships,  notwithstanding  the  force  of  early  associa- 
tions have,  and  still  will  express  their  distrust  of  him." 

The  noble  resolution  of  the  Canadian  Patriots  to  resist  oppression  even 
with  the  sacrifice  of  fortune  and  life,  was  generally  approved  of,  even 
by  law  abiding  citizens,  but  they  were  not  willing  to  do  any  thing  which 
would  compromise  our  national  neutrality.  After  a  while,  as  the  legiti- 
mate result  of  the  existing  feeling,  the  Revolutionary  movement  in  Cana- 
da came  to  a  stand  ;  the  rising  seemed  to  be  premature,  independence 
decidedly  impracticable;  and  the  Patriots  were  convinced  they  must  bide 
their  time,  and  persistingly  wait  until  they  could  discern  whether  those 
bright  prospects  were  to  be  realized,  before  another  hostile  step  was  taken. 
Then  the  zealous  minions  of  government  had  showed  their  anxiety  that 
the  majesty  of  law  should  not  be  ignored,  and  with  commendable  alacrity 


LEaACT  OF  Historical  Gleanings.  113 

Mr.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  was  arrested  by  a  United  States  Deputy 
Marshal  and  placed  under  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $6000  to  appear  for  trial. 
"  The  United  States  vs.  Reus.selaer  Van  Rensselaer.  The  trial  of  the 
indictment  in  the  cause  against  the  Defendant  for  violating  the  neutrality 
laws  commenced  Friday,  October  18,  1839,  and  being  convicted  he  was 
sentenced  by  the  District  Court  of  the  U.  S.  to  six  months  imprisonment 
and  to  pay  a  fine  of  S250."  He  was  confined  in  the  jail  of  the  city 
and  county  of  Albany.  His  family  and  friends  saw  that  his  room  was 
provided  with  every  comfort,  even  luxuries  were  not  wanting,  for  his 
friends  were  numerous  and  unwearied  in  their  benefactions.  Time  passed 
rapidly  and  pleasantly;  varied  by  visits  from  his  own  loved  family,  read- 
ing, writing  and  the  evenings  enlivened  by  the  presence  of  many  jovial 
companions.  There  was  no  stigma  afiixed  to  his  name  and  this  was  not 
a  living  grave. 

Oen.  Harrison  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Van  Rensselaer,  North  Bend,  19th  Nov.  1839. 

Your  letter  of  the  9th,  reached  me  two  days  ago.  I  had  the  day  before 
received  information  of  your  triumph  in  the  Empire  State.  What  a  groan 
the  news  must  have  brought  from  the  bosom  of  the  little  man  at  Washing- 
ton. I  must  confess  I  felt  great  apprehensions  from  the  effects  of  his  visit 
and  length  of  stay  in  New  York.  His  having  failed  to  accomplish  the 
object  of  his  visit,  shows  that  the  bonds  with  which  he  had  bound  his 
party  there,  have  been  effectually  broken.  I  hope  you  will  not  fail  to 
carry  your  present  intention  into  effect  of  going  to  Harrisburgh  in  some 
capacity  or  other.  N.  Gr.  Pendleton,  whom  you  know,  goes  from  this  Dis- 
trict accompanied  by  Judge  Burnet  —  the  latter  as  one  of  the  Delegates 
of  the  Stafe  at  large.  I  think  that  there  is  little  doubt  that  with  the  ex- 
ception of  one  Vote,  that  I  shall  have  the  support  of  the  delegation  from 
Illinois,  Indiana  and  Ohio;  the  exception  I  allude  to,  is  the  Delegate  from 
the  Cleveland  District  in  this  State.  They  were  in  that  District  at  first 
in  favor  of  Mr.  Clay,  my  last  information  is  that  they  are  for  Scott.  How- 
ever, I  am  persuaded  that  there  is  not  the  least  danger  to  be  apprehended 
from  him.  I  received  ten  days  ago  a  letter  from  Mr.  Birch  the  Editor  of 
the  Missourian,  who  was  a  member  of  the  State  Whig  Convention  for  the 
appointment  of  Delegates  to  Harrisburgh.  He  says,  of  the  four  chosen, 
one  was  the  friend  of  Mr.  Clay,  one  of  mine,  and  two  had  never  declared 
a  preference  for  either  —  but  in  a  postscript  to  his  letter  he  says  that  he 
had  just  learnt  that  the  two  latter  had  declared  for  me.  He  also  says, 
that  the  friend  of  Mr.  Clay  cannot  vote  for  him  from  the  Unanimous  Adop- 
tion by  the  Convention  of  some  Resolutions  in  relation  to  Pre-emption 
Rights  &c.  Col.  Todd  writes  that  he  had  a  conversation  with  Grov.  Met- 
calf  (one  of  the  Kentucky  Delegates  at  large)  and  with  Mr.  Bullock  who 
goes  from  the  Louisville  and  Shelbyville  District,  and  that  they  both  told 
him  that  they  would  support  the  Candidate  who  could  best  unite  the  op- 
position to  Van  Buren.  Since  the  reception  of  Todd's  letter,  the  District 
has  instructed  Bullock  to  pursue  that  course.  This  was  done  no  doubt 
in  accordance  with  Bullock's  expressed  wishes.  Todd  says  that  even 
Robert  Wickliffe  of  Lexington  will  pursue  the  same  course.  I  knew  that 
he  was  warmly  opposed  to  ."Mr.  Clay's  being  brought  out  upon  the  ground 
that  he  could  not  be  elected  and  that  I  could.  From  these  data  a  tolera- 
ble estimate  may  be  made  of  the  Vote  of  the  West  in  the  Convention. 
Mr.  Clay  will  certainly  get  the  Vote  of  Louisiana  and  of  Mississippi  — 

II]  15 


114  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

should   delegates  be   sent  from   thence.     Neither  Tennessee   nor  North 
Carolina  will,  I  understand,  be  represented. 

A  movement  is  making  for  me  in  the  Upper  part  of  Maryland,  and  the 
highly  talented  McMahon  of  Baltimore  has  openly  declared  for  me,  as  has 
the  great  Democratic  Leader  McCullougb  of  the  same  City  although  he 
voted  the  V.  B.  ticket  at  the  last  election.  There  never  was  a  time  that 
I  could  not  beat  Van  Buren  in  Ohio  and  Indiana.  In  the  latter  I  would 
be  willing  to  put  the  Election  upon  the  decision  of  the  old  Jackson  men 
abstracting  every  real  Whig  vote,  and  I  am  daily  gaining  strength.  The 
fact  is  that  many  of  the  most  zealous  Jackson  men  were  always  amongst 
my  warm  personal  friends.  The  pressure  of  the  times  has  brought  many 
to  believe  that  a  change  of  Rulers  is  necessary,  but  they  will  not  admit 
that  it  is  any  evidence  of  change  of  principle  to  vote  for  me,  as  they  say 
I  have  always  been  on  the  side  of  the  people.  One  of  the  most  violent 
Jackson  men  that  I  ever  met  with,  told  me  lately  that  he  would  not  turn 
on  his  heel  to  determine  which  should  be  President,  V.  Buren  or  myself, 
for,  said  he,  you  are  both  good  Democrats,  but  as  for  Mr.  Clay  he  never 
was  a  Democrat,  or  had  sympathy  for  the  people !  Jupiter  Ammon  !  Van 
Buren  a  Democrat  and  Mr.  Clay  not  one  ! ! 

Your  present  situation,  and  that  in  which  you  were  in,  when  you  last 
wrote  to  me,  is  a  most  forcible  illustration  of  the  instability  of  human 
greatness.  You  then  announced  yourself  as  occupying  the  high  dignity 
of  a  Sub-treasurer.  I  hardly  know  of  such  a  fall  since  the  days  of  Wool- 
sey,  but  I  hope  that  not  like  him  you  will  bid  "  a  long  farewell  to  all  your 
greatness."  You  must  absolutely  go  to  Congress,  I  am  satisfied  that  the 
good  people  of  New  York  must  think  as  I  do  that  you  are  improving  in 
eloquence.  I  cannot  tell  you  how  much  delighted  I  was  at  your  late 
dinner  speech,  but  you  should  think  that  my  opinion  of  it  was  enhanced 
by  the  subject.  I  see  that  the  Caging  of  Rensselaer  does  not  prevent  his 
Crowing,  give  my  affectionate  regards  to  him.  Notwithstanding  the  high 
regard  I  have  for  Genl.  Scott,  I  must  confess  that  I  should  feel  somewhat 
more  than  mortified  if  he  should  be  preferred  to  me  by  the  Convention 
because,  as  he  has  never  served  in  any  Civil  Capacity,  his  Selection  could 
be  placed  on  no  other  ground  than  that  of  his  military  services,  and  it 
would  be  at  once  a  declaration  that  those  services  were  far  moi'e  important 
than  mine.  This  I  am  unwilling  to  admit.  I  will  not  say  that  placed  in 
the  situations  in  which  I  have  been,  he  may  not  have  done  better  than  I 
did,  but  as  he  never  commanded  in  chief  except  for  a  short  time  in 
Florida,  his  talents  to  lead  Armies  under  the  difficult  circumstances  in 
which  I  was  placed  has  never  been  tested.  Can  those  who  urge  Genl. 
Scott  recollect  that  I  was  at  the  head  of  an  Army,  and  at  the  same  time 
at  the  head  of  a  Government  vested  in  both  capacities  with  the  most  ex- 
traordinary powers  whilst  he  was  yet  a  subaltern  ?  That  /  possess  evi- 
dences of  having  given  satisfaction  to  the  Government  as  well  as  to  the 
people,  and  that  their  expectations  were  not  disappointed  —  that  my 
conduct  then  was  the  foundation  of  the  appointment  to  the  Command  of 
another  Army  in  a  period  of  gloom,  distress  and  despondency,  whilst  Genl. 
Scott  was  yet  a  field  ofl&cer.  That  the  Commission  for  that  Command  was 
accompanied  by  a  power  to  exercise  as  to  appointments,  organization,  &c., 
all  the  powers  which  the  President  himself  possessed  (to  be  submitted  of 
course  to  him)  that  the  important  prerogative  of  peace  or  war  as  far  as  it 
regards  the  Indian  tribes  was  also  given  to  me  ?  How  would  they  justify 
to  the  people  my  being  pushed  aside  to  make  room  for  Genl.  Scott  ?     Do 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  115 

they  not  apprehend  that  the  20,000  men  who  served  under  me,  who  if 
they  are  not  all  alive,  are  represented  by  their  Sons  and  Grandsons  (there 
is  something  strange  in  the  fact  that  the  sons  and  grandsons  of  my  soldiers 
are,  if  possible,  more  attached  to  me  than  the  soldiers  themselves,  "  they 
had  heard,"  they  say,  "their  Fathers  talk  about  me  ")  will  suppose  that 
in  this  treatment  of  their  Commander  an  insult  was  offered  to  them  ? 
When  the  pretensions  of  Mr.  Clay  have  been  urged  against  mine,  the 
Strong  Argument  used  by  his  friends  was  that  he  was  a  more  experienced 
Statesman,  and  this  brought  over  to  them  very  many  who  were  personally 
and  warmly  attached  to  me.  You  see  that  I  can  add  no  more,  even  if  1 
had  more  to  say,  than  to  desire  you  to  present  my  affectionate  regards  to 
Mrs.  Van  Rensselaer  and  your  daughters.  Your  friend, 

Genl.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.     W.  H.  Harrison. 

Brig.  Oen.  McLeod  to  Rensselaer'  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Van,  Cleveland  Ohio,  Nov.  20,  1839. 

Yours  of  the  28  ultimo  came  duly  to  hand  late  last  evening.  After 
McKenzie's  sentence,  I  was  not  surprised  on  hearing  your  fate,  but  that 
either  of  you  should  be  imprisoned  and  fined,  for  acting  from  the  impulse 
of  the  finest  and  noblest  feeling  of  the  human  heart  I  must  confess  greatly 
surprises  me.  Like  the  chivalric  La  Fayette  you  sacrificed  your  ease  and 
interest,  and  like  him  gallantly  volunteered  your  service  to  assist  the 
persecuted,  trodden  down  and  oppressed  Canadas  to  break  their  chains, 
assert  their  liberties,  obtain  their  independence  and  take  rank  among  the 
free  nations  of  the  earth.  Your  incarceration,  by  the  United  States  for 
such  heroic  devotion  to  the  cause  of  Canadian  liberty  casts,  in  my  humble 
opinion  a  deep  reflection  upon  the  character  and  principles  of  the  bold  and 
fearless  deliverers  of  their  Country,  the  immortal  patriots  and  heroes  of 
1776.  It  holds  them  up  to  the  world,  as  I  view  the  subject,  as  rebels  who 
ought  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  to  have  been  punished,  as  you  and  Mc 
Kenzie  are,  in  place  of  being  heralded  to  posterity  as  the  avowed  and  suc- 
cessful asserters  of  their  Country's  freedom,  and  rights  of  man.  Tell  it 
in  Washington,  but  "  publish  it  not  in  the  streets"  or  highways  of  the 
benighted  Canadian  Saxons,  lest  the  uncircumcised  helots  of  the  Lady 
Queen  of  the  Isles  rejoice.  This  act  of  the  U.  States  Court  in  whatever 
light  it  may  be  viewed,  appears  to  me,  and  many  others,  as  an  instance  of 
gross  ingratitude  toward  the  memory  of  the  mild,  but  unfortunate  Louis, 
King  of  France,  who  involved  his  country  in  a  war  with  England  in  order 
the  more  effectually  to  assist  the  Colonies  to  obtain  their  independence. 
The  anti-republicanism  and  monstrous  law  on  which  you  and  McKenzie 
were  arraigned  and  convicted,  charges  the  French  government  with  a 
breach  of  treaty  with  England,  and  as  plain  as  any  judicial  act  can,  de- 
clares that  the  noble  and  philanthropic  Lafayette,  ought  to  have  been  fined 
and  imprisoned  instead  of  being  rewarded,  for  presuming  to  aid  the  Colonies 
in  throwing  off  the  "  baneful  domination  of  the  mother  country." 

Let  the  political  sages  of  this  great  Republic,  palliate  or  varnish  over  the 
verdict  of  the  U.  Sr  Court,  as  plausibly  as.  they  please,  yet  the  law  which 
dooms  the  Canadian  patriots  to  fine  and  imprisonment,  is  to  say  the  least, 
a  foul  blot  on  the  pages  of  the  Statute  Book  of  the  Federal  Government ; 
and  a  deep  stain  on  the  formerly  fair  beauties  of  the  National  Constitution. 
This  Sentence,  openly  and  decidedly,  approves  the  invasion  of  your  Coun- 
try, and  murder  of  your  fellow  citizens  at  Schlosser.  Allan  McNab  by 
whose  order  these  murderous  deeds  were  perpetrated,  has  been  KiuyhlcU, 


116  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

by  the  Queen  of  Great  Britain,  as  a  mark  of  the  royal  petticoat  approbation  ; 
as  well  as  for  his  mighty  deeds  of  valor  performed  opposite  Navy  Island, 
in  throwing  a  few  random  bomb-shells  in  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer's  Bean- 
Barrels.  This  conviction  of  the  unfortunate  Canadian  patriots  approves 
also  of  the  murders  committed  by  Prince  at  Windsor,  the  executions  at 
London  U.  C.,  Niagara,  Toronto  and  Kingston.  But  worse  that  all  the 
transportation  of  Free  born  American  Citizens  to  Van  Dienysns  Land  /or 
life.  Your  disinterested  devotion,  without  pay  or  hope  of  reward,  to  the 
cause  of  the  suffering  Canadians,  is  in  its  principle,  the  very  same  which 
actuated  the  heroic  Lafayette  to  embrace  the  cause  of  the  proscribed  Colo- 
nies, although  dis-similar  in  their  results  and  rewards.  He  was  extolled 
and  lauded  to  the  skies  by  his  brave  and  gallant  Countrymen,  and  promoted 
Major  General  in  his  country's  service  for  his  martial  and  brave  conduct 
in  rescuing  America  from  its  ruthless  oppressors. 

You  are  fined  and  imprisoned,  for  attempting  to  do  for  the  descendants 
of  his  Countrymen  in  Canada,  what  he  had  actually  done  for  the  United 
States.  With  the  all  powerful  and  timely  assistance  of  the  French,  Wash- 
ington and  he  proved  successful.  On  the  other  hand,  the  failure  of  the 
Canadian  Patriot  Generals  were  owing  principally  to  the  unexpected  ex- 
ertions and  officiousness  of  the  military  and  civil  officers  of  the  American 
Government.  He  being  successful  was  rewarded.  You  and  Mac  proving 
unsuccessful  in  a  similar  case,  are  punished.  0  tempora !  0  mores  !! 
What  a  happy  precedent  is  your  incarceration  to  the  enemies  of  rational 
liberty  throughout  the  civilized  would.  They  rejoice  that  Republican 
America  gave  the  first  example  of  a  law  which  for  its  despotic  tendency,  is 
unparalleled  in  the  Statute  Books  of  Monarchical  Europe.  In  fact  Sir,  it 
has  become  the  subject  of  general  conversation  in  the  Eastern  and  Western 
Hemispheres.  I  have  just  parted  company  with  a  Scotch  Gentleman  im- 
mediately from  London,  who  states  that  Lord  Brougham,  and  the  Law 
Officers  of  the  Crown,  were  surprised  and  could  not  divine  what  the 
American  Government  meant  by  punishing  the  Patriots  with  fines  and 
imprisonments.  There  is  something  rotten  in  Denmark  !  The  punishment 
of  my  Countryman  and  compatriot  Mr,  Mackenzie  is  cruel  to  an  extreme; 
it  is  extended  to  a  large  and  helpless  family  consisting  of  an  aged  mother 
entering  into   her  hundredth  year,  a  wife  and  five  or  six  lovely  children. 

Adieu,  Yours  &c  &c., 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany,  N.  Y.    Donald  McLeod. 

November  23,  1839.  The  Albany  County  Whig  Convention  which 
met  at  the  City  Hall,  by  a  unanimous  vote  appointed  Gen.  Sol. 
Van  Rensselaer  a  delegate  to  represent  this  District  in  the  Presiden- 
tial Convention  to  be  held  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  on  December  4,  1839. 

To  Oenl.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  Delegate  Elect  to  the  National  Convention 
at  Harrisburg. 

Albany  County  Convention. 
The  delegates  Appointed  by  the  Difi"erent  Wards  and  Towns  Assembled 
in  County  Convention  at  the  City  Hall  on  Saturday  the  23  Inst.,  for  the 
purpose  of  Appointing  a  Delegate  to  the  Whig  National  Convention  to 
Nominate  President  and  Vice  President  of  the  United  States.  The  Meet- 
ing was  called  to  order  by  Lewis  Benedict  Esq.,  upon  whose  motion  John 
Haswell  was  appointed  President  and  Philip  W.  Groot  and  Leonard  G.  Ten 
Eyck  Secretaries.     The  Delegates  appeared  and  took  their  seats. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  117 

On  motion  of  Thomas  McElroy,  Esq.,  the  Convention  proceeded  to  bal- 
lot for  a  Delegate  from  the  10  Congressional  District  to  the  National  Con- 
vention. On  counting  the  Ballots,  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  of  the 
City  of  Albany  was  Unanimously  Elected  such  Delegate. 

On  motion  of  James  Edwards  a  Committee  of  five  was  Appointed  to 
draft  resolutions  expressive  of  the  views  of  this  Convention.  James 
Edwards,  John  W.  Bay,  Levi  Shaw,  ChTistopher  Batterman  and  Westly 
Blaisdell  were  such  Committee.  On  motion  of  Thomas  McElroy  in  case 
of  a  vacancy  that  Friend  Humphry  be  substituted  a  delegate  in  place  of 
Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  Esq.  The  Committee  reported  some  admirable 
Resolutions  which  were  unanimously  Adopted. 

Philip  W.  Groot,  Secretary.  John  Haswell,  President. 

The  Harrisburg  Convention  convened  on  December  4th,  which  resulted 
in  the  nomination  on  Dec.  6th,  of  Wm.  H.  Harrison  for  President  and 
John  Tyler  as  Vice  President. 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Oen.  Harrison. 
My  dear  Harrison,  Albany,  Jany.  8,  1840. 

I  did  not  write  to  you  from  Harrisburg  because  I  knew  you  would  be 
pestered  enough  with  the  news  of  our  glorious  triumph.  I  will  not  even 
say  to  you  that  I  am  gratified  for  you  know  that  is  useless.  That  I  have 
largely  contributed  to  your  success  is  certain,  nay  more,  had  I  not  been 
at  Harrisburg,  it  is  allowed  on  all  hands,  you  would  not  have  succeeded. 
The  office  holders  here,  secretly  made  their  arrangements  and  aided  by 
the  prospect  of  office  in  January  procured  the  appointment  of  a  pack 
Delegation.  After  the  first  vote,  I  stood  alone  among  them,  the  result  of 
each  vote  was  "  Harrison  one,^'  which  occasioned  much  friendly  merri- 
ment. I  met  it  in  the  same  spirit,  and  remarked,  that  before  we  had 
done,  they  would  all  join  me,  but  this  they  could  not  understand.  But 
just  before  the  last  vote  was  taken,  I  called  out  John  A.  King  and  two 
others  and  told  them,  the  time  had  at  length  arrived  for  me  to  speak  and 
to  act.  That  John  C.  Spencer,  Weed  and  a  few  others  at  Albany — to 
answer  their  own  purposes  —  had  thrown  a  fire  brand  in  the  Whig  ranks 
at  the  eleventh  hour,  and  if  it  did  not  scorch  them  I  was  much  mistaken. 
"  If  your  votes  are  cast  for  Scott  upon  this  last  ballot,  the  friends  of 
Harrison  will  elect  Clay."  It  came  like  a  clap  of  thunder  upon  them, 
and  they  eagerly  inquired  whether  "  I  was  serious."  My  reply  was, 
"  never  more  so  in  my  life,  there  stand  my  two  Messengers,  the  one  for 
the  Ohio,  and  the  other  for  the  Pennsylvania  Delegations.  You  have 
brought  about  this  state  of  things  —  the  responsibility  rests  with  you  by 
bringing  forward  Scott.  I  shall  not  recede  a  step,  if  even  the  State  and  its 
office  holders  go  to  —  together."  It  is  needless  to  add  that  they  cast  their 
votes  for  you,  and  decided  the  question. 

It  was  my  good  fortune  to  be  in  the  same  Car  with  the  Massachusetts 
Delegation^  and  a  gentlemanly  set  of  men  they  were.  They  told  me,  that 
they  had  not  made  up  their  minds  how  they  would  vote,  but  would  decide 
after  they  had  procured  all  the  information  they  could,  and  as  they  had 
understood  that  you  and  I  had  served  together,  and  were  very  intimate, 
they  begged  me  to  give  tliem  all  the  information  in  my  power.  Observ- 
ing at  the  same  time  that,  "  although  they  were  not  personally  acquainted 
with  me,  they  knew  my  character  well,  and  should  place  implicit  confidence 
in  what  I  said."     I  did  you  no  more  than  justice  —  and  the  result  of  the 


118  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

conference  was,  that  they  strongly  intimated,  that  they  would  vote  for  you. 
And  during  the  two  days  struggle  at  Flarrisburg,  they  encouraged  me  to 
persevere ;  and  every  effort  that  was  made  to  draw  them  over,  they  resisted, 
and  acted  true  to  me  and  themselves.  The  ofBce  holders  here  are  exceed- 
ingly mortified  that  I  single  handed  among  their  packed  Delegation  have 
foiled  them.  They  say  openly,  if  I  had  not  been  at  Harrisburg,  you 
would  not  have  been  nominated,  but  poor  Devils  !  they  must  work  to  save 
their  own  Bacon  —  and  now  the  State  is  your  own.  The  evening  before 
we  left  Harrisburg  a  fund  of  $6000  was  subscribed  by  the  Pennsylvania 
Delegation  and  other  Citizens  to  establish  a  paper  at  Harrisburg  and  Mr. 
Greely  of  New  York  is  to  edit  it.  When  I  took  leave  of  Governor  Shultz, 
he  shook  me  with  both  hands  and  said,  they  felt  grateful  to  me,  and  as- 
sured me  that  his  State  would  go  for  you.  Mr.  Sprague,  who  was  one  of 
the  Massachusetts  Delegation  (was  a  distinguished  Senator  in  Congress 
from  New  Hampshire  and  now  resides  in  Boston)  expressed  a  wish  that 
you  should  visit  them.  I  told  him,  I  feared  it  would  do  more  injury  than 
good,  for  certain  it  was,  that  Van  Buren  and  Clay  had  gained  nothing  by 
their  visit,  but  if  it  was  his  wish  I  should  communicate  it  to  you.  He 
said  he  would  consult  their  Central  Committee  and  let  me  know;  and 
assured  me  that  their  State  would  give  you  a  large  Majority.  It  is  pro- 
bable that  the  Abolitionists  from  this  Stare  will  address  you,  avoid  to 
answer  them  if  you  can.  I  may  next  summer  take  a  tour  through  the 
western  part  o£  this  state  and  stop  at  Cleveland  &c.  on  my  way  to  you. 
If  you  are  elected,  draw  about  you  the  first  men  of  the  Nation,  and  make 
your  Administration  a  glorious  and  happy  one.  Those  who  love  me,  love 
you,  they  all  desire  to  be  affectionately  remembered  to  you. 

Sincerely  Your  friend, 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison,  North  Bend,  Ohio. 

Hon.  Henry  Clay  said  :  "  The  whigs  of  1840  stand  where  the  republi- 
cans of  1798  stood,  and  where  the  whigs  of  the  revolution  were,  battling 
for  liberty,  for  the  people,  for  free  institutions,  against  power,  against 
corruption,  against  executive  encroachments,  against  monarchy. 

"  I  believed  it  due  to  myself,  to  the  Whig  cause,  and  to  the  country,  to 
announce  to  the  public,  with  perfect  truth  and  sincerity,  and  without  any 
reserve,  my  fixed  determination  to  support  the  nomination  of  William 
Henry  Harrison.  I  now  declare  my  solemn  conviction  that  the 
purity  and  security  of  our  free  institutions,  and  the  prosperity  of  the 
country,  imperatively  demand  the.  election  of  that  citizen  to  the  office 
of  Chief  Magistate  of  the  United  States.  The  present  distressed  state 
of  the  country  may  be  traced  to  the  usurpations  of  the  executive  branch 
of  the  government." 

Gen.  Harrison  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Van  Rensselaer,  North  Bend,  16th  Jany,  1840. 

I  duly  received  your  interesting  letter  to  day,  and  your  piper  with  a 
marginal  note.  The  latter  must  have  been  designedly  detained  for  I  have 
seen  the  proceedings  at  the  meeting  for  more  than  a  week.  I  must  have 
received  at  least  80  letters  within  the  last  week,  most  of  them  from  people 
whom  1  cannot  displease  by  not  answering  —  the  consequence  is  that  I  am 
obliged  to  neglect  my  friends.  For  besides  letter  writing  I  have  to  attend 
to  domestic  matters,  or  I  shall  soon  be  without  the  means  of  supporting 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  119 

the  great  number  of  persons  dependent  upon  me,  viz,  the  families  of  three 
deceased  sons,  and  one  living  one.  A  second  Court  with  concurrent  Civil 
jurisdiction  having  been  established  for  this  County,  my  office  has  become 
of  so  little  value,  that  I  have  given  it  up  entirely  to  a  nephew  who  married 
my  youngest  daughter.  I  returned  a  few  days  ago  from  my. first  visit  to 
Cincinnati  since  the  nomination.  I  found  our  cause  progressing  more 
prosperously  there,  than  I  could  have  believed.  If  the  election  were  to 
take  place  tomorrow,  I  should  have  the  vote  by  15,000  majority  in  this 
State  and  a  larger  one  in  Indiana.  I  have  little  doubt  of  Illinois  or 
Louisiana. 

In  Tennessee  it  is  said  that  we  are  going  ahead  and  have  already  got 
some  recruits.  Two  days  ago  I  received  a  letter  from  Tyler.  He  says 
that  "  several  prominent  men  have  given  in  their  adhesion  in  the  lower 
part  of  Virginia,  who  said  that  they  could  not  have  voted  for  Mr.  Clay 
and  that  his  information  is  still  better  from  West  Virginia." 

I  wish  you  would  "carry  out"  your  design  of  coming  out  here  next 
summer  via  Lake  Erie  ^ — and  bring  Mrs.  R.,  with  you  and  some  of  your 
daughters.  You  would  be  likely  to  see  many  of  your  old  associates  and 
your  correspondents  when  you  were  Adjutant  General.  Although  I  can- 
not write  very  often  to  you,  there  is  no  reason  why  you  should  not  write. 
I  am  in  fine  health  and  my  Wife  as  well  as  usual ;  present  to  your  Wife 
and  daughters  our  best  regards.  Your  afiectionate  friend, 

W.  li.  Harrison. 

General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  New  York. 

Samuel  8.  Lush  to  Bens.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany  Jany.  23,  1840. 

I  have  made  enquiries  at  the  proper  source,  and  have  ascertained,  first, 
that  the  sentence  of  6  months  imprisonment  and  $250  fine  must  be  com- 
plied with  by  confinement  for  the  term,  and  the  payment  of  the  fine  before 
you  can  be  discharged  from  Custody.  As  to  the  second  query,  there  is 
no  disposition  at  present,  nor  is  it  likely  that  you  ever  will  be  called  on 
and  will  be  discharged  on  your  own  bail  unless  some  subsequent  infrac- 
tion of  the  neutrality  law  would  compel  the  Government  to  pursue  it. 
This  you  will  see  depends  on  yourself.  Indeed  I  am  well  satisfied  that 
you  would  not  have  been  tried  on  the  first  Indictment  but  for  that  unfortu- 
nate Statement  published  in  the  Gazette,  which  contained  a  confession  of 
your  infraction  of  the  Law  and  was  deemed  as  putting  at  defiance  the 
powers  of  the  Government.  Truly  Yours 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany,  N.  Y.         Sam.  S.  Lush. 

The  minutiae  of  daily  life  inside  of  prison  walls  can  never  be  very 
attractive ;  but  in  this  instance,  though  the  prisoner  of  state  had  (as 
affirmed  by  the  body-politic)  forfeited  his  freedom,  and  nothing  could  be 
done  to  mitigate  the  penalty  imposed  by  judicial  wisdom,  on  what  was 
technically  styled  legal  guilt,  his  name  was  riot  "  a  stench  in  the  nostrils 
of  his  country."  There  were  myriads  of  friendly  strangers  who  had  quick 
sympathy  with  the  patriot  officer,  and  regretted  that  he  was  the  victim  of 
so  "  tangled  a  web  of  truth  and  falseness."  All  his  "  loved  ones  "  ex- 
perienced great  satisfaction  from  the  restoration  of  his  jaded  physical 
powers,  by  the  cessation  from  the  servile  toil  in  his.military  duties.  Then 
too  the  monotony,  of  what  might  otherwise  have  been  the  dull,  lonely 
hours  of  the  jail-bird,  was  dispelled  by  much  pleasurable  excitement;  and 


120  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

the  sunshine  emanating  from  his  contented  mind  was  greatly  enhanced 
by  the  companionship  of  genial  spirits,  who,  in  little  groups,  assembled 
each  evening  to  while  away  the  time.  There  was  still  a  mournful  lesson 
for  him  to  con,  and  his  state  of  serenity  was  again  quickly  overshadowed 
by  a  heavy  cloud  looming  up  on  the  horizon  of  his  checkered  existence. 
A  "  bitter  cup  "  was  to  be  drained  and  the  holiest  ties  of  "  home  "  to  be 
sundered.  His  idolized  mother  was  taken  ill  —  not  seriously  we  delusively 
thought,  but  soon  her  case  assumed  those  well  defined  symptoms  that 
clearly  intimated  her  work  on  earth  was  nearly  finished.  And  on  Monday, 
February  3,  1840,  after  a  short  illness  of  one  week  she  (in  the  house 
where  she  was  born,  and  in  the  same  room  which  witnessed  her  marriage 
forty-three  years  before),  was  called  to  a  better  world  before  the  great 
white  throne,  aged  sixty-five  years.  Mrs.  Van  Rensselaer  had.  been 
severely  disciplined  in  tbe  school  of  adversity  by  the  wreck  of  many 
youthful  hopes  in  the  early  deaths  of  several  of  her  children  ;  the  tender- 
ness of  wifely  love  for  her  dauntless,  heroic  soldier  —  and  now  again  the 
tension  on  her  feeble  franae  had  been  greatly  tried,  for  her  motherly  heart 
was  constantly  tortured  with  intense  anxiety  during  the  Navy  Island 
affair.  The  sacredness  of  filial  grief  will  scarcely  allow,  even  at  this 
remote  interval,  the  unvailing  of  the  scene  of  that  mother's  death-bed. 
Such  sorrow  and  the  grief  of  that  bereaved  domestic  circle  could  with 
difficulty  be  palliated  by  the  consciousness  that  our  loss  was  her  gain  ; 
but  the  silent  agony  of  that  soldier  husband  was  unendurable.  "  Be  still 
and  know  that  I  am  Gnd  "  fell  on  breaking  hearts.  She  trod  the  mazes 
of  life  as  a  good  daughter,  tender  wife  and  loving  mother,  A  favorite 
niece  of  my  mother,  since  numbered  with  the  dead,  sent  the  following 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  "  loved  one." 

"In  her,  religion,  kindness  and  refinement  were  happily  blended.  Few 
deaths  have  been  more  sincerely  lamented  or  more  deeply  regretted;  yet 
never  were  sorrows  sustained  by  more  assui'ed  hope  of  a  joyful  resurrec- 
tion. Her  life  gave  constant  testimony  of  her  being  a  Christian.  The 
church  to  which  she  belonged  will  long  embalm  her  memory.  The 
vacuum  in  the  hearts  of  those  that  loved  her,  can  only  be  filled  by  the 
grace  of  him  who  has  taken  away  the  treasure  which  he  gave.  Charity 
was  her  delight  and  aim ;  she  did  good  to  all,  but  in  the  sanctuary  of  her 
own  home  that  worth  was  most  apparent.  In  the  immediate  circle  of  her 
relatives,  a  breach  is  made  that  time  itself  cannot  fill.  Revered  by  the 
young  and  esteemed  by  the  old,  her  life  was  spent  in  the  silent,  persevering 
discharge  of  her  duties  which  as  a  well  grounded  Christian  she  loved. 
Blessed  are  they  who  having  lived  now  sleep  in  Jesus." 

Convinced  that  the  shaft  of  death  was  quivering  in  her  heart,  our  vene- 
rated mother  urgently  requested  that:  "  My  son  may  be  allowed  to  come  and 
receive  my  parting  benediction."  Then  came  up  the  weighty  consideration 
of  how  would  such  a  step  comport  with  the  dignity  of  executive  power? 
It  was  "contrary  to  law!"  "Such  a  precedent  would  be  unwise!" 
"  For  one  in  custody  to  have  such  privileges  extended  to  him  might 
have  a  demoralizing  effect  upon  the  community  I  !"  But  could  not  the 
judicatory  cede  to  a  dying  mother  some  of  their  legitimate  rights  ?  Was 
it  possible  that  the  wish  of  this  estimable  lady,  now  writhing  in  the  pangs 
of  death,  had  to  be  disappointed,  were  her  pleadings  to  be  disregarded,  the 
special  prayer  of  her  maternal  affection  to  be  set  aside  ?  No,  such  cruelty 
would  have  been  a  purely  arbitrary  act  and  a  libel  upon  the  highest  spirit 
of  humanity.     To  the  credit  of  our  race  let  it  be  known  that  there  was 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  121 

one  unbiased,  fearless  man  who,  unaffected  by  any  extraneous  causes,  and 
not  responsible  for  collateral  results,  did  not  seek  to  repress  all  the  tender- 
ness of  his  nature,  but  yielded  a  cordial  assent  to  the  motherly  entreaty, 
and  subsequently  could  enjoy  the  proud  satisfaction  of  having  accomplished 
a  purpose  so  great,  so  humane.  The  courteous  treatment,  the  noble  stand 
taken  under  the  existing  circumstances  (admitting  of  no  delay)  by  the 
kind  hearted  and  excellent  Henry  B.  Haswell,  county  clerk,  who,  ever 
desirous  of  relieving  all  when  in  distress;  and  oblivious  of  consequences 
to  himself  in  his  official  relation  (with  the  sheriff,  Michael  Artcher,  being 
cognizant),  took  all  the  responsibility,  and  brought  the  imprisoned  patriot 
officer  down,  late  at  night,  for  a  short  visit  to  that  house  of  sorrow,  with 
the  express  understanding  that  only  the  mother  should  be  seen. 

A  true  and  wise  humanity  pervaded  the  whole  management.  A  horse 
and  sleigh  had  been  securely  fastened  to  a  post  at  the  Jail,  during  the 
evening  —  which  Mr.  Haswell  appropriated  for  the  purpose,  and  in  perfect 
silence  they  quickly  traversed  the  darkened  and  deserted  streets  to  their 
place  of  destination.  On  their  arrival  at  Ch  jrry  Hill  they  found  the  door 
unlocked,  no  person  was  visible,  and  that  agonized  prisoner  was  freely 
permitted  to  enter  the  adjoining  room,  the  door  being  left  open.  His 
mother  was  indeed  dying,  but  recognizing  her  cherished  only  son,,  she 
threw  her  loving  arms  around  his  neck  as  in  untold  anguish  they  wept 
together,  We  heard  her  faint,  low  tones  ;  a  stifled  sob,  then  moans  would 
burst  from  that  manly  heart  overwhelmed  with  grief  as  the  pale  lips  gave 
a  mother's  dying  charge  to  her  darling,  wayward  boy.  Those  were  solemn 
moments  as  struggling  with  the  mysteries  of  death,  she  clung  so  tenaciously 
to  his  last  earthly  embrace  ;  forgetting  self  in  this  secret  mission  of  love. 
Farewell  words  were  spoken  by  the  failing,  faltering  voice ;  and  with  a 
deep  passionate  cry,  wrung  from  his  tortured  heart,  he  pressed  once  more 
the  tremulous  lips  of  his  exhausted,  cherished  mother ;  and  then  in 
mournful  silence  with  great  drops  of  moisture  on  his  pallid,  haggard  brow, 
that  stricken  man  came  forth.  The  sympathizing  friend  took  his  arm 
leading  him  in  his  speechless  woe  to  the  sleigh,  and  they  left  that  house 
of  anguish  for  his  temporary  prison  home. 

The  prayer  for  strength  was  granted  as  in  that  dark  and  painful  hour, 
our  sweet  mother  whispered  words  of  love  to  the  stricken  group  who 
called  her  fainting  spirit  back  from  the  portals  of  the  grave.  She  knew 
us  all.  We  supposed  her  gone,  when  to  our  surprise  she  turned  to  meet 
the  last  kiss  from  her  daughter  Margaretta,  whose  cry  of  sharp  anguish 
seemed  to  keep  the  spirit  back,  and  with  loving  smiles  she  soon  after  gently 
fell  asleep  in  the  bosom  of  Christ,  safe  in  her  Saviour's  arms.  A  melancholy 
void  was  left,  but  oh  !  what  a  holy  spell  still  clings  around'  the  memory 
of  that  hour. 

The  following  night  the  sleigh  was  found  at  the  Jail's  precinct,  and 
once  again  that  dauntless  officer  brought  the  distracted  son  to  Cherry  Hill. 
He  knew  his  mother's  freed  spirit  was  in  Heaven,  but  it  yielded  a  mel- 
ancholy satisfaction  to  be  allowed  to  view  her  much  loved  form  stretched 
on  a  cot  and  was  a  comfort  to  the  bereaved  one.  Her  countenance  was 
fresh  and  fair  •  and.  though  her  marble  brow  was  cold  with  the  chill  of 
death,  she  looked  beautiful  even  in  this  quiet  sleep  ;  for  her  lovely  features 
still  wore  her  pleasant  smile  with  its  sweet  expression.  Oh  !  the  sorrow 
of  that  weeping  mourner,  his  heart-strings  were  tuned  to  its  highest  pitch. 
We  forgot  our  own  grief  in  deep  sympathy  for  this  only  brother,  as  on 

II]  16 


122  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

bended  knee,  with  the  long  wail  of  agony,  he  laid  his  manly  head  on  his 
mother's  icy  breast.  She  had  been  the  idol  of  his  life  !  He  withdrew 
to  the  next  room  closing  the  door;  and  at  this  signal  four  of  his  weeping 
sisters,  having  schooled  our  bleeding,  almost  palsied  hearts  to  endurance 
with  the  calm  resolve  of  desperation,  entered  and  lifting  most  tenderly 
that  precious  form  from  the  cot,  placed  it  in  the  narrow  coffin.  Oh  God  ! 
the  wretchedness  of  that  moment;  that  we,  her  own  daughters,  should 
deposit  our  darling  mother  in  her  last  resting  place.  The  love  of  sisters 
for  our  broken  hearted  brother  hushed  every  feeling,  and  we  could  better 
bear  this  heavy  cross  and  perform  our  sorrowful  duty  than  our  doting 
stricken  father,  for  none  must  know  —  no  one  must  see  the  prisoner  of 
state  out  of  the  Jail ;  and  neither  he  nor  his  humane  keeper  saw  any  per- 
son but  Mrs.  Van  Rensselaer  on  the  occasion  of  either  visit. 

When  all  was  ready  and  the  cot  removed  the  sisters  withdrew,  with  the 
consciousness  that  thoughts  of  duty  had  hushed  to  sudden  peace  the 
troubled  waters  of  their  hearts,  and  contributed  to  the  sad  gratification  of 
a  ''loved  one"  whom  "though  the  whole  world  turn  against  him,"  they 
would  not.  The  closing  of  the  door  gave  intimation,  that  the  suffering 
brother  might  again  venture  into  the  room,  now  prepared  for  the  funeral 
exercises  on  the  succeeding  day.  He  knew  it  was  his  last  opportunity  to 
view  those  loved  lineaments  of  the  dear  form,  now  dressed  in  habiliments 
for  the  dark  grave,  and  his  deep  sobs  were  unendurable.  The  request 
made  to  higher  authority  that  the  prisoner  might  be  permitted  to  attend 
his  mother's  funeral,  had  been  refused.  "It  would  be  impolitic  !  ! "  No 
only  son,  save  in  spirit,  followed  the  precious  remains  to  the  place  for  inter- 
ment of  the  dead.  Subsequently,  when  on  the  mission-field  in  China, 
after  a  lapse  of  more  than  thirty  years  since  that  eventful  period,  I  re- 
ceived tidings  of  the  death  of  that  noble,  benevolent  man,  Henry  B. 
Haswell,  Aug.  10,  1869,  tears  of  sorrow  filled  my  eyes,  and  sure  am  I, 
his  death-bed  was  not  imbittered  by  even  one  feeling  of  remorse  or  any 
regretful  memories  for  that  deed  of  mercy.  His  decease  removes  the  seal 
of  secrecv  from  our  lips.  He  is  now  beyond  judicial  arraignment  or  cen- 
sure ;  and  what  was  never  breathed  while  the  actor  in  that  drama  lived, 
is  now  recorded  as  a  just  tribute  of  praise  to  an  upright  officer  and  a  truly 
philanthropic  gentlemen  whose  brain  was  not  muddled  by  judicial  enact- 
ments. Though  it  was  not  my  privilege  to  lay  a  wreath  or  coronal  of 
choicest  flowers  on  his  casket,  that  matters  little,  for  an  imperishable 
crown  now  decks  his  brow;  while  on  earth  his  laureate  wreath  proclaims 
"  the  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 

Oen.  Harrison  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  friend,  North  Bend,  April  16,  1840. 

You  have  no  relation  who  more  sympathizes  with  you  in  your  irrepa- 
rable loss  than  I  do,  the  event  was  known  to  me  from  the  newspapers 
before  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  I  begofyou,  however,  to  recollect  that 
you  have  others  remaining  who  are  entitled  to  your  assistance  and  that 
for  their  sakes  it  would  be  improper  to  give  yourself  up  to  unavailing 
sorrow.  It  is  not  my  intention  to  leave  Ohio  this  smmer,  except- 
ing perhaps  a  hasty  trip  to  Vincennes  on  business.  I  shall,  however,  go 
on  to  the  Delaware  Spriugs  some  miles  north  of  Columbus.  When  I  go  will 
depend  on  circumstances  which  I  cannot  decide  on.  But  that  will 
make  no  difference.  Come  on  my  friend  and  see  me.  When  you  get  to 
Wheeling  come  on  to  Columbus  in  the  stage,  there  you  will  learn  whether 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  123 

I  am  at  Delaware  or  not.     If  I  am  you  can  join  me  and  we  will  come  to 
North  Bend  together. 

My  best  regards  to  my  friend  De  Witt,  I  have  received  his  kind  letter. 
Present  my  affectionate  regards  to  your  family. 

Your  friend 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.  W.  H.  Harrison. 

"  Sympathy  and  little  acts  of  kindness  with  gentle  words  strew  the  path 
of  life  with  flowers,  soothing  the  bleeding  heart  and  better  fitting  us  to 
brave  the  storm  of  time.  Our  relatives  in  eternity  outnumber  our  rela- 
tives of  time.  The  catalogue  of  the  'loved  ones'  living  becomes  less, 
and  we  see  perpetually  the  lengthening  train  of  the  departed  till  our  affec- 
tions are  less  glued  to  earth,  and  more  allied  to  heaven." 

Renss.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Hon.  Daniel  D.  Barnard. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany  Jail,  April  16,  1840. 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  two  favors  of  the 
10th  and  13th  instant,  the  last  this  day,  and  let  me  assure  you  of  my 
gratitude  for  the  interest  you  have  manifested  in  my  behalf.  When  writ- 
ing you  on  the  31st  ult,  I  hoped  some  arrangement  might  be  made  with- 
out subjecting  myself  to  the  deep  and  lasting  humiliation  of  asking'for  a 
pardon.  Because  while  receiving  my  sentence,  I  was  told  in  substance 
that  —  "  though  it  was  the  policy  of  the  United  States  to  convince  the 
World  of  its  determination  to  enforce  its  Neutrality  Laws,  and  by  punish- 
ing the  infractors  of  the  same,  to  show  that  it  acted  in  good  faith  with 
other  Nations,  still  that  I  was  not  deemed  guilty  of  any  act  of  moral  tur- 
pitiide^  but  rather  that  my  chivalrous  intentions  were  praise-worthy  &c." 

Now  Sir,  I  have  the  modest  assurance  to  tell  you,  I  coincided  with  Judge 
Thompson  in  totum.  I  could  not  have  done  so  had  I  willfully  transgressed 
against  those  laws,  if,  like  othei's  since  my  time,  I  had  made  mad  sacrifices 
of  human  life,  if,  instead  of  saving,  I  had  uselessly  lost  to  the  Country  the 
immense  amount  of  property,  both  public  and  private  which  came  to  my 
hands.  Why  then  should  I  now  whine  outpeccawi,  and  drop  down  on  my 
marrow-bones  for  a  pardon?  I  cannot  do  it.  I  knew  when  entering  the 
service  which  has  brought  me  to  this  strait,  that  a  halter  awaited  me  if 
caught  alive  by  the  enemy,  but  I  know  full  well  that,  that  could  not  have 
made  a  craven  of  me.  At  any  rate,  having  submitted  without  a  murmur 
to  the  imprisonment,  which  I  thought  it  was  the  policy  alone  of  the 
Country  to  impose  upon  me,  I  did  suppose  the  punishment  would  end 
with  that,  and  I  would  not  be  harassed  further  for  a  mne,  which  paltry 
as  it  is,  I  can  neither  pay  myself,  nor  could  I  allow  my  connections  to  do 
so  for  me,  even  were  they  abundantly  able.  If  I  am  prevented  from  going 
into  business  —  which  must  be  the  case,  if  Grovernment  persists,  I  would 
rather  remain  as  I  am  —  a  charge  to  that  Government,  sooner  than  to 
my  family,  until  I  ascertain  the  further  disposition  of  the  Court  on  the 
other  indictment  next  June.  Yet  I  must  confess  that  for  several  import- 
ant reasons  to  myself,  I  would  like  extremely  well  to  have  the  President 
either  directly  or  indirectly  sounded  on  the  subject,  so  that  I  cannot  be 
mistaken  in  future  as  to  his  own  particular  views.  If  it  is  not  asking  too 
much,  you  will  confer  an  additional  obligation,  by  enlightening  me  on 
this  point,  as  soon  as  next  Tuesday  morning,  if  possible.  In  haste. 
Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Servt., 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Hon.  D.  D,  Barnard,  M.  C,  Washington  City. 


124  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

"  We  know  tliat  the  executive  would  be  fully  justified  in  exercising  the 
pardoning;  power  and  the  majesty  of  law  would  be  maintained.  It  was 
natural  for  every  American  patriot  to  sympathize  with  those  who  sought 
to  achieve  their  independence,  and  this  practical  sympathy,  of  aiding  the 
oppressed,  was  the  occasion  of  offense  to  Great  Britain.  The  threatened 
danger  of  a  rupture  of  the  friendship  between  the  United  States  and 
England  has  been  removed  by  the  efiicient  action  of  government,  and  now 
it  could  be  but  an  act  of  simple  justice  to  release  from  any  further  in- 
debtedness those  who  keenly  felt  that  the  failure  was  satisfactory  neither 
to  themselves  or  others." 

Hon.  D.  D.  Barnard  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Washington,  April  20,  1840. 

I  can  understand  very  well,  the  feelings  by  which  you  are  actuated  in 
regard  to  accepting  a  pardon.  But  I  really  cannot  see,  considering  the 
matter  in  a  legal  point  of  view,  how  it  is  possible  for  you  ever  to  be  re- 
lieved from  the  fine  imposed  upon  you,  in  any  other  way  —  except  by 
paying  it.  ,Itis  not  a,  debt  from  which,  as  an  insolvent,  you  might  be 
discharged.  Congress  could  not  relieve  you.  It. is  part  of  a  sentence, 
for  an  alleged  offense  against  the  laws,  and  as  such,  as  I  have  supposed, 
it  can  only  be  remitted  by  a  pardon.  I  write  to  you,  immediately  on  the 
receipt  of  your  letter,  and  without  waiting  for  consultation  with  anybody. 
I  apprehend  it  would  be  utterly  useless  for  me  to  attempt  to  get  at  the 
President's  views  beforehand  in  regard  to  your  case.  His  habitual  caution 
would  scarcely  allow  of  his  committing  himself  on  this  subject  —  at  least 
to  ?ne,  who  have  no  particular  claims  to  his  confidence.  If,  by  any  possi- 
bility, I  hear  anything,  in  any  question  of  interest  touching  your  case,  I 
shall  not  fail  to  advise  you.  Your  Obt.  Servt., 

Renss.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany.  D,  D.  Barnard. 

"  Controversy  avails  nothing,  it  is  far  better  -to  yield  a  little  even  if 
we  think  our  diynlty  xm^it  be  compromised,  than  to  quibble  a  great  deal. 
The  habit  of  standing  up  for  our  rights,  is  one  of  the  most  disagreeable 
and  undignified  in  the  world.  Life  is  too  short  for  the  perpetual  bicker- 
ing which  would  attend  such  a  disposition,  and  unless  in  a  very  moment- 
ous affair,  it  will  in  the  end  be  more  satisfactory  to  yield  to  pressure." 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer  ta  Governor  Seward. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany  Jail,  April  21,  1840. 

In  the  course  of  the  next  24  hours  I  expect  a  letter  from  the  Hon.  D. 
D.  Barnard  on  matters  connected  with  my  imprisonment  here,  after  which 
I  will  be  able  to  judge  of  the  propriety  of  remitting  the  enclosed.  But 
before  I  do  conclude  to  do  so,  I  would  feel  highly  gratified  and  honored 
if  I  could  be  indulged  with  a  few  moments  private  conversation  with 
yourself  on  the  subject  matter  of  the  inclosed..  If  I  may  be  so  indulged, 
the  interview  can  take  place  at  your  own  hour  during  the  course  of  this 
day  or  evening  in  my  jailor's  parlor.  To-morrow  I  may  be  at  large,  but 
as  still  circumstanced  with  the  United  States  Government,  I  cannot  con- 
sider it  etiquette  as  yet  to  pay  you  a  visit  openly;  and  that  is  my  apology 
for  taking  the  present  liberty.  Much  good  may  arise  out  of  such  an  inter- 
view and  that  would  be  an  additional  gratification  to  me,  particularly  so, 
let  me  assure  you  Sir,  ii  it  efl'ects  yourself. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  both  of  us  will  consider  this  communication  as 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  125 

strictly  confidential,  and  after  a  perusal  of  the  within  it  may  either  be  re- 
turned in  person,  or  by  the  bearer. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  &c.  Sincerely  your  friend 
and  Obt.  Servt.  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 

To  Gov.  Wm.  H.  Seward. 

Gov.  Seward  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany,  Tuesday  Morning. 

Every  hour  in  the  day,  for  this  day  is  engaged,  I  will  with  pleaure  call 
at  the  Jail  to-morrow  morning  at  nine  o'clock.     Yours  respectfully, 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany.      William  H.  Seward. 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Hon.  D.  D.  Barnard. 
My  Dear  Sir,  Albany,  April  30  1840. 

I  intended  to  have  replied  to  your  favor  of  the  20th  sooner,  but  the 
diflSculty  to  a  jail-bird  of  bringing  any  outside  business  to  a  focus  has 
interfered  until  now.  Since  the  receipt  of  yours,  all  friends  with  whom 
I  have  consulted,  concur  with  you  in  your  views  as  to  the  course  I  ought 
to  pursue  in  this  matter.  Accordingly  I  have  reconciled  my  conscience, 
pride  or  whatever  —  to  the  task  of  putting  for  the  Petition  — 7iot  for  a 
^'■pardon,"  but  —  for  a  remission  of  the  paltry  fine,  if  this  is  a  distinction 
without  a  difference,  it  matters  not.  I  inclose  you  the  consequence,  and 
since  I  have  done  so,  I  sincerely  hope  it  may  not  be  unavailing.  If  it 
were  thought  necessary  thousands  of  names  from  this  place  alone,  instead 
of  tens,  could  be  attached  to  the  paper,  with  very  little  exertion.  But  I 
trust  those  I  send  will  be  all  sufiicient  for  your  purpose,  particularly  so, 
since  this  case  of  mine  does  not  appear  to  be  a  new  one  to  the  President. 
I  find  it  noticed  in  McKenzie's  Gazette  of  April  18th,  an  Extra  of  which 
I  herewith  transmit,  that  Col.  John  Vreeland,  a  Navy  Islander,  who  was 
confined  in  Detroitybr  a  year,  on  a  similar  charge  with  mine,  has  had  his 
fine  $1,000  remitted.  I  therefore  think  I  have  grounds  for  hope,  but,  let 
me  hear  from  you  on  the  subject  as  soon  as  convenient  I  pray  you.  Hoping 
you  may  have  entirely  recovered  from  the  eff"ects  of  your  late  indisposition. 
I  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  myself  your  obliged 

and  Obt.  Servt. 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Hon.  D.  D.  Barnard,  M.  C,  Washington  City. 

After  the  expiration  of  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer's  six  months  incar- 
ceration in  the  Albany  Jail,  a  Petitionary  epistle  frorn  the  citizens  was 
forwarded  on  April  29,  1840  to  the  city  of  Washington,  through  our 
energetic  member  of  congress  Hon.  D.  D.  Barnard,  recommending  the 
remission  of  the  penalty  of  $2.'^0  to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the 
president  of  the  United  States.  The  sequel  to  this  request  from'  the 
Albanians  was  that  President  Van  Buren  kindly  rescinded  the  pecuniary 
fine  and  the  patriot  soldier  was  free. 

Edwin  Groswell  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Saturday  Morning,  May  9,  1840. 

The  fact  of  y  release  was  received  by  Major  Flagg,  in  reply  to  a  letter 
from  him  to  the  President  in  y  behalf.  You  may  rely  upon  the  inform- 
ation ;  the  papers  will  undoubtedly  be  received  in  the  course  of  a  d.iy 
or  two.  Respectfully  y  obt.  servt.  E.  Croswell. 

To  R.  Van  Rensselaer. 


126  LEGACY  OF  Historical  Gleanings. 

"  May  9,  1840,  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  was  sentenced  to  six  months 
imprisonment  and  fined  $250  to  stand  imprisoned  until  the  fine  be  paid. 
It  having  been  satisfactorily  shown  that  he  is  wholly  unable  to  pay  the 
fine,  the  President  has  remitted  the  same.  Wm.  Lyon  Mackenzie  was 
sentenced  to  18  months  imprisonment,  from  the  20th  of  June,  1839j  and 
$10  fine.     The  residue  of  his  punishment  was  also  remitted." 

Hon.  Daniel  D.  Barnard  to  Renss.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Washington  May  13,  1840. 

I  enclose  you  herewith,  communications  just  now  received  from  the 
Secretary  of  War  [Joel  R.  Poinsett]  — I  perceive,  by  the  Albany  Argus, 
and  was  rejoiced  to  perceive,  that  the  Application  to  the  President  in 
your  behalf  was  successful.  This  was  the  first  intimation  I  had  of  the 
conclusion  to  which  the  President  had  come.  I  did  suppose,  from  what 
he  said  to  me,  that  he  would  have  communicated  directly  with  me,  and 
that  I  should  have  had  the  pleasure  of  forwarding  to  you  his  favorable 
decision.  I  rejoice  however,  that  the  decision  has  been  made,  and  that 
no  time  was  lost  in  making  it  known  to  you. 

Very  truly  and  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Sert.  D.  D.  Barnard. 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany. 

K.  H.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Reus.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Reus,  Rochester,  May,  13, 1840. 

Some  old  writer  says  that  it  is  good  to  be  imprisoned  or  suflFer  for  con- 
science sake.  May  be  it  is,  but  I  believe  in  these  days  of  sunshine  and 
liberty,  man  would  rather  be  outside  of  the  walls  of  a  prison.  I  will  then 
congratulate  you  upon  your  release,  and  pray  that  some  Tory,  may  be  put 
there  in  your  stead.  Soon  after  your  confinement  I  gave  you  a  long  let- 
ter —  by  a  patriot  friend  —  of  some  of  my  travels  &c.  in  the  land  of  prom- 
ise (  Texas  )  but  not  getting  an  answer  from  it,  I  supposed  you  was  0-p-h, 
or  shut  up  from  the  hearing  of  your  friends,  until  Mr.  McKay  (  a  neigh  - 
bor  )  told  me  he  had  seen  you  last  week  in  prison  well  and  in  good  spirts. 
Mr.  McKay  is  lately  from  Canada,he  loves  the  Tories  as  well  as  the  Devil  loves 
a  Christian,  he  is  willing  they  should  have  a  warm  place.  If  you  should 
feel  much  like  moving  about  make  us  a  visit  in  Rochester  this  summer. 
Give  my  love  to  your  Father  and  the  girls,  say  to  them  that  I  truly  feel 
for  their  grievous  loss.  I  did  not  hear  of  it  until  a  short  time  since.  I 
have  been  jumping  about,  since  my  return  from  Texas,  endeavoring  to 
settle  up  my  old  concerns,  so  as  to  carry  a  little  with  me  in  to  the  fairy  land. 
If  you  feel  full  oi'Jight  turn  that  way,  you  will  be  better  received  than  by 
the  Canadians  and  have  more  honorable  foes  (  Mexicans  and  Indians). 
Martha  and  the  children  are  well ;  times  hard,  and  Harrison  Stock  rising. 
Log-Cabins,  Hard  Cider  and  Tipacanoe  Clubs  all  the  go.  If  the  steam  can 
be  kept  up  woe  to  Matty  Van  Buren  and  his  political  friends. 
Remember  me  to  all  the  friends  at  Cherry  Hill. 
Yours  Truly 

Reus.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.       K.  H.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Hon.  Daniel  D.  Barnard  to  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Washington,  May  14,  1840. 

I  wrote  to  you  yesterday,  and,  shortly  after,  received  your  letter  of  the 
11th  May.  As  this  letter  was  dated  at  Cherry  Hill,  it  afforded,  before  it 
was  read,  full  confirmation  of  the  fact  of  your  release  from  durance.     I 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  127 

need  not  say  that  I  heartily  congratulate  you,  and  all  your  friends.  As 
for  the  case  of  Johnson  to  which  you  refer,  and  his  desirS  of  trying  what 
virtue  there  may  be  in  a  Petition  in  his  case,  I  have  to  say,  that  I  should 
much  prefer,  and  should  think  it  much  pi'eferable  for  the  party  himself, 
that  the  Member  of  Congress  from  Mr.  Johnson's  own  District,  should 
be  charged  with  the  care  and  presentation  of  that  Petition.  If  sent  to 
me,  I  will  hand  it  to  Mr.  Thomas  C.  Chittenden,-  who,  I  have  no  doubt, 
would  perform  all  his  duty  in  the  matter. 

Very  truly  and  respectfully  Your  Obt.  Servt., 
Rens^laer  Van  Rensselaer,' Esq.,  Albany,  N.  Y.      D.  D.  Barnard. 

"  All  that  is  wanted  in  Canada  is  the  education  of  self-reliance.  There 
is  in  Canada  industrial  activity  in  abundance,  and  by  the  side  of  it  unde- 
veloped political  capacities  resting  in  a  painful  state  of  dependence.  There 
are  in  Canada  elements  to  form  a  great  people,  and  the  danger  is  that 
comparatively  nothing  will  be  made  of  them.  Canada  is  big  enough,  it 
is  quite  strong  enough,  it  is  intelligent  enough  and  therefore  Canadians 
ought  to  look  after  their  own  business;  and  perhaps  if  she  were  self-de- 
pendent it  would  soon  desire  to  be  annexed  to  the  United  States." 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

Tour  To  The  West. 


Joseph  B.  Boyd  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Respected  Sir,  Cincinnati  June  19,  1840. 

I  take  advantage  of  your  present  visit  to  our  City,  to  drop  you  a  few 
lines,  to  request  the  favor  of  a  short  specimen  of  your  hand  writing,  which 
I  desire  to  add  to  a  large  Collection  of  Autographs  I  have  gathered  of 
distinguished  Soldiers  of  the  Revolution.  If  your  valuable  time  w'.ll  per- 
mit you  to  comply  with  this  request,  you  will  by  so  doing  confer  a  lastino' 
obligation  upon  Yours  Respectfully, 

Gen.  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  Broadway  Hotel.  Joseph  B.  Boyd. 

Wm.  H.  H.  Taylor  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  Cincinnati  20th  June  1840. 

The  "  Citizens  Guards  of  Cincinnati "  will  hold  an  encampment  at  the 
Cincinnati  Race  Course  on  the  1st,  2nd,  3d  and  4th  day,  of  June  1840. 
We  expect  Several  Companies  from  the  interior  of  this  State  and  four 
from  Louisville,  Ky. 

It  will  add  not  a  little  to  our  pleasure  to  be  honored  by  a  Visit  from 
You  at  any  time  most  suitable  to  Your  Convenience.  Our  Company  to  a 
man  have  expressed  a  desire  to  see  upon  our  "  Tented  field  "  the  Soldier 
Statesman,  and  honest  man,  the  largest  portion  of  whose  life  has  been 
spent  in  faithful  Services  to  his  Country. 

And  whose  name  will  be  cherished  by  every  True  American  Citizen, 
to  the  latest  Generation.     With  great  respect  Your  Obedt   Servt 

Wm.  H.  H.  Taylor. 

Chrm.  of  Com.  of  Invitation. 

General  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer  at  Col.  N.  G.  Pendletons. 


128  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Inmtation  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

m 

Pear  Sir,  Cincinnati,  25  June,  1840. 

As  a  Committe  on  behalf  of  a  number  of  Citizens  of  this  City,  we  have 
the  pleasure  to  solicit  the  favor  of  you  to  partake  of  a  public  entertain- 
ment v?hich  they  propose  to  oflPer  to  you  at  the  "  Henrie  House  "  in  this 
City  on  next  Thursday  the  2nd  July.  The  Citizens  of  a  City  which  was 
once  the  Site  of  Fort  Washington,  are  gratified  in  the  opportunity  of  your 
present  visit  to  the  West  to  manifest  their  grateful  sense  of  your  early 
and  bleeding  Sacrifices  in  the  War  terminated  by  the  memorable  Victory 
under  Wayne.  And  they  feel  an  especial  pride  in  asking  you  t©  partake 
of  a  public  Dinner  on  the  very  spot  where  you  were  wont  to  exercise  your 
troop  of  Cavalry  at  a  period  when  the  vast  region  to  the  North  West  was 
the  abode  only  of  the  Untutored  Savage. 

In  this  reference  to  your  early  Career,  we  desire  to  speak  also,  of  the 
grateful  admiration  inspired  by  your  gallant  eflforts  in  another  War  and 
upon  another  theatre. 

The  sacrifices  you  encountered  at  Maumee  were  only  equalled  by  your 
heroic  devotion  on  the  Heights  of  Queenston.     We  hope  it  will  suit  your 
convenience  to  meet  us  at  the  entertainment  proposed  at  the  Henrie  House. 
I  remain  yours  respectfully, 

Saml.  W.  Da  vies,  Chairman. 
John  P.  Gain,  S.  Fales, 

Chas.  S.  Clarkson,     a.  Irwin, 
H.  L.  Salem,  Miles  Greenwood, 

Paul  Anderson,  Wm.  Billings, 

Louis  H.  Shally,        C.  S.  Todd. 
To  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer. 

Inmtation  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Sir,  Greenville  Ohio,  June  27,  1840. 

The  Whigs  of  this  County  have  determined  to  celebrate  the  28th  of 
next  July  —  the  Anniversary  of  the  Indian  Treaty  made  here  in  1814  by 
Gen.  Harrison  ;  and  have  instructed  us  to  solicit  you  to  be  present  on  the 
occasion.  As  the  Soldier  of  Wayne;  as  a  soldier  of  the  late  War;  as  a 
patriot  ever,  connected  for  near  fifty  years,  in  arms  and  in  friendship,  with 
our  own  Harrison,  the  undersigned  pray  you  to  accept  this  invitation  as 
a  small,  but  heartfelt  mark  of  the  high  value  placed  upon  your  Services  by 
the  Whigs  of  the  West.  Come  then,  dear  General,  and  although  you  may 
find  left,  but  few  of  the  traces  of  old  "  Fort  Greenville,"  your  welcome  to 
this  spot,  consecrated  in  Western  history,  shall  not  be  the  less  cordial  — 
not  the  less  interesting  to  you,  and  not  the  less  satisfactory  to  the  many 
of  your  fellow  Citizens  who  will  joyfully  greet  you  with  "  Well  done  good 
and  faithful  servant." 

Respectfully  your  friends  and  fellow  citizens, 

W.  M.  Wilson. 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Cincinnati.  I.  N.  Gard. 

"  Hurrah  for  the  log  cabin  chief  of  our  choice  ! 

For  the  old  Indian  fighter,  liurrali ! 
Hurrah  !  and  from  mountain  to  valley  the  voice 

Of  the  people  re-echoes  hurrah  ! 
Then  come  to  the  ballot-box,  boys,  come  along, 

He  never  lost  battle  for  you  ; 
Let  us  down  with  oppression  and  tyranny's  throng. 

And  up  with  old  Tippecanoe ! " 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  129 

Jno.  P.  Foot  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Cincianati  29th  June,  1840. 

The  Directors  of  the  Ohio  Mechanic's  Institute  respectfully  request 
you  to  honour  their  third  annual  Fair  by  a  visit  to  the  exhibition  at  Hall 
of  the  Institute  on  Third  street.  They  are  desirous,  by  displaying  proofs 
of  the  progress  of  the  arts  of  civilized  life  in  this  region,  rescued  from  the 
occupation  of  the  Savage  by  the  valour  and  labours  of  yourself  and  the 
associates  of  your  early  life,  through  the  blessing  of  Providence,  to  add  to 
the  many  manifestations  which  our  Country  affords  that  the  toils  and  suffer- 
ings you  have  endured  in  her  behalf,  have  not  been  fruitless,  but  have 
largely  contributed  to  the  increase  of  human  happiness  and  to  the  strength 
and  glory  of  our  Union.  Respectfully  Your  Obdt.  Sevrt., 

General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer.  Jno.  P.  Foot,  Prest. 

Presentation  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

The  Directors  of  the  Ohio  Mechanic's  Institute  herewith  request 
General  Van  Rensselaer's  acceptance  of  a  Cane  from  the  battle-ground  of 
Tippecanoe.  They  hope  it  may  serve  occasionally  to  remind  him  of  the 
gratification  afforded  them  by  his  compliance  with  their  request  to  visit 
the  Institution  on  the  site  of  Fort  Washington,  where  his  presence  ia 
1794  increased  the  security,  and  in  1840  added  to  the  pleasure  of  hia 
fellow  citizens  of  the  West.         To  Genl.  Soln.  Van  Rensselaer." 

"  Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison  and  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer. —  These  dis- 
tinguished men  were  companions-in-arms  in  early  life,  and  fast  and  true 
friends  ever  afterwards.  At  the  public  dinner  given  in  Cincinnati  to  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer,  Gen.  Harrison  was  among  the  invited  guests.  He  could 
not  be  present  for  reasons  assigned  in  his  letter  declining  the  invitation. 
Like  every  thing  Gen.  Harrison  wrote,  it  is  remarkable  for  the  classic 
beauty  and  purity  of  its  style.  The  earnest  expression  of  the  warm  feelings 
of  his  heart  which  it  so  forcibly  conveys,  is  also  a  distinctive  trait  of  his 
character.  The  letter  is  valuable  also  on  account  of  the  high  but  justly 
deserved  tribute  it  pays  to  the  military  abilities  and  strict  integrity  of  our 
late  lamented  fellow-citizen  —  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer."  The 
above  eulogistic  and  accurate  words  were  penned  in  1852  after  the  decease 
of  both  those  noble  and  estimable  gentlemen'  who  will  ever  be  held  in  an 
endearing  remembrance.  The  letter,  however,  to  which  allusion  is  made 
was  written  for,  and  read  at  the  dinner  in  Cincinnati. 

Gen.  Harrison  to  S.  W.  Davis,  &c. 
Gentlemen,  North  Bend  1st  July,  1840. 

A  recent  domestic  affliction  in  the  death  of  one  of  my  sons,  and  the  pre- 
sent illness  of  Mrs.  Harrison,  will  prevent  me  from  enjoying  the  great 
pleasure  of  being  present  at  the  dinner  to  be  given  on  Thursday  next  to 
my  beloved  friend  and  old  associate  in  arms,  General  Solomon  Van  Rensse- 
laer. It  is  now  forty-seven  years  since  I  first  met  this  distinguished  sol- 
dier in  the  army  of  General  Wayne  —  he,  in  the  capacity  of  Cornet  of 
Dragoons,  and  I  as  an  Ensign  of  Infantry.  Associated  in  all  the  toils  and 
difficulties  incident  to  a  war  the  theatre  of  which  was  an  unbroken  wilder- 
ness;  of  age  nearly  correspondent;  and  of  dispositions  and  tastes  which 
induced  us  to  seek  the  same  employments,  the  same  amusements,  and  the 
same  fellowships,  our  friendship  thus  formed  by  prepossession  and  knit 
in  common  danger,  could  not  be  ephemeral.     It  was  such  indeed  as  though 

II]  17 


130  Legacy  01*  Historical  Gleanings. 

we  bad  owned  the  same  paternity,  and  had  been  nurtured  at  the  same 
bosom.     x\nd  I  may  say  with  Castalio  of  his  brother  : 

"  When  had  I  friend  that  was  not  Polidore's, 
Or  Polidore  a  foe  that  was  not  mine  ?" 

I  will  not  attempt,  gentlemen,  to  give  you  even  a  summary  of  the  ser- 
vices of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  I  will  not  tell  you  of  the  deep  debt  of 
gratitude  which  is  due  to  him  from  western  men,  of  his  gallant  bearing 
in  the  battle  of  the  Rapids  of  the  Miami,  and  the  blood  which  I  saw  pour- 
ing from  his  manly  bosom  upon  the  soil  of  Ohio,  or  his  still  more  glorious 
achievements  upon  the  heights  of  Queenstown,  ennobled,  like  those  of 
Abraham,  by  the  blood  of  the  contending  heroes.  All  this  you  know. 
It  is  to  be  found  in  the  records  of  your  country,  and  furnishes  some  of  the 
brightest  pages  of  its  history.  But,  for  a  moment,  let  me  ask  your  atten- 
tion to  the  more  recent  history.  Aye,  what  is  he  now  ?  What  and  who 
is  the  hero  of  two  wars,  the  conqueror  of  the  heroic  Bi'ock,  of  him  by 
whose  management,  or  whose  gallantry,  so  deep  a  wound,  had  been  in- 
flicted upon  the  military  character  of  our  country  ?  A  year  ago  I  would 
have  answered  you,  fellow  citizens,  that  he  was  living  in  humble  retirement 
in  the  bosom  of  a  large  and  happy  family,  supported  by  the  emoluments 
of  an  humble  office,  the  gift  of  a  President  who  had  himself  jeopardised 
his  life,  and  shed  his  blood  in  achieving  the  independence  of  his  country, 
and  knew  how  to  appreciate  a  Hero's  services,  and  reward  a  soldier's  toils. 
Such,  gentlemen,  was  the  situation  of  my  friend,  the  defender  of  Ohio 
Cabins  from  the  furious  savage,  the  bearer  in  his  body  of  the  marks  of 
seven  distinct  wounds,  when  the  spoilers  came. 

When  the  disbanded  legions  of  Augustus  were  suffered  to  eject  the  happy 
husbandmen  of  the  fairest  portion  of  Italy,  we  have  reason  to  believe  — 
we  know  indeed  —  that  some  were  spared.  The  ruthless  warrior  was  not 
suffered  to  usurp  the  seat  and  violate  the  groves  which  had  resounded  to 
the  songs  of  the  greatest  of  poets.  We  may  conclude  also,  that  the  scarred 
veterans  of  former  wars  were  exempted  from  the  otherwise  general  pro- 
scription. Indeed  we  must  suppose  that  the  sympathy  naturally  felt  be- 
tween men  of  the  same  profession,  would  have  induced  the  usurpers  to 
spare  the  war-worn  followers  of  the  great  Pompey,  although  they  had 
been  the  soldiers  of  liberty,  and  the  sworn  enemies  of  their  own  faction. 
But,  gentlemen,  let  me  ask  you  now  to  point  to  an  exception  in  the  pro- 
.  scription  which  has  raged  in  our  own  country  for  the  last  twelve  years  ? 
Who  lias  been  spared  that  professed  any  thing  which  could  tempt  the  cu- 
pidity of  the  spoilers  ?  My  friend  is  the  last  victim.  The  reason  of  this 
honorable  distinction  I  could  tell.  It  is  somewhat  different  from  that 
which  induced  the  giant  Polyphemus  to  intend  the  like  honor  to  the 
King  of  Ithica.  But  you  may  perhaps  be  anxious  to  know  the  reasons 
which  have  been  assigned  for  this  outrage  upon  the  feelings  of  the  Ame- 
rican people.  Why,  it  was  precisely  that  which  has  been  given  in  all 
countries  for  all  the  violent  and  unjust  acts  of  tyrants  :  "  The  public  good.'' 
In  this  case,  "  the  advantage  of  the  democracy."  In  the  midst  of  sucli 
abominations,  how  appropriate  is  the  exclamation  of  one  of  the  distin- 
guished victims  of  the  savage  Robespierre,  "  Oh  !  democracy,  how  many 
crimes  are  committed  in  thy  name  !"  It  may  be  proper,  gentlemen,  that  I 
should  add  that  General  Van  Rensselaer  has  accounted  for  every  cent  of 
the  public  money  that  ever  came  into  his  hands,  and  that  he  dares  the 
strictest  investigation  into  his  conduct  as  un  officer.     What  cause  of  deep 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  131 

reflection,  gentlemen,  does  the  case  of  my  friend,  contrasted  witli  .that  of 
others  known  to  be  public  defaulters,  who  have  been  retained  in  office, 
present  to  the  patriot  and  the  friend  of  Republican  government?  I  con- 
clude, gentlemen,  by  offering  you  a  sentiment.  May  Solo'moo  Van  Rens- 
selaer be  the  last  victim  in  our  country  of  party  violence ;  and  may  the 
services  which  are  to  be  the  future  passports  to  office  be  not  those  rendered 
to  a  party,  but  to  the  whole  people.  I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect, 
your  humble  servant,  W.  H.  Harrison. 

To  Samuel  W.  Davis,  &c. 

"  A  public  dinner  has  been  tendered  by  the  citizens  of  Cincinnati  to 
General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  who  is  now  on  a  visit  to  this  city,  in 
testimony  of  their  respect  for  him  as  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier.  The 
dinner  will  be  served  up  at  the  Henri  House  at  three  o'clock  on  Thursday 
July  2d.  This  proposed  public  testimonial  affords  ample  affirmation  in 
proof  of  the  undivided  and  enthusiastic  feeling  in  regard  to  this  mili- 
tary chieftain." 

Public  Dinner  to  Gen. .  Van  Rensselaer. 

The  Cincinnati  RopuMican  contains  an  animated  account  of  the  dinner 
given  Thursday  July  2,  1840,  by  the  citizens  of  that  place  to  GtEN.  Van 
Rensselaer  of  Albany.  This  tribute  of  respect  to  the  gallant  veteran  of 
two  wars  was  as  well  deserved  as  it  seems  to  have  been  freely  and  cordi- 
ally rendered.  Col.  Samuel  W.  Davis,  the  Mayor  of  Cincinnati,  presided 
at  the  Dinner,  assisted  by  Major  Wm.  Oliver,  Jacob  Strader,  and  Anthony 
Harkness,  as  Vice  Presidents.  The  Committee  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose reported  the  following  Toasts,  which  were  drunk  with  great  enthu- 
siasm : 

1.  The  President  of  the  United  States. 

2.  The  next  President  of  the  United  States^  William  Henry  Harrison. 

3.  The  old  Thirteen  States  —  The  mothers  of  the  new  Thirteen ;  cradled, 
themselves,  in  the  principles  of  liberty,  they  cemented  by  their  glorious 
constitution  the  rights  asserted  in  their  revolutionary  struggle. 

4.  The  neio  Thirteen  States  —  The  daughters  of  the  old  Thirteen;  like 
their  mothers  in  days  of  yore,  they  despise  at  once  the  seductions  of  cor- 
rupt influence  and  the  terrors  of  arbitrary  power. 

5.  The  People  of  the  United  States  —  Let  them  "  do  their  own  fighting 
and  their  own  voting"  and  all  will  be  well. 

6.  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  —  Our  distinguished  guest.  His 
wounds  at  Maumee  and  Queenstown  attest  his  valor  in  two  wars.  Ohio  owes 
him  a  deep  debt  of  gratitude  which  we  delight  this  day  to  acknowledge. 

7.  Kentucky  —  The  blood  of  her  sons  was  poured  out  like  water  in  the 
war  to  maintain  the  freedom  of  the  citizens ;  she  will  not  fail  to  honor  the 
noble  and  gallant  chief  who  so  often  led  them  to  victory  and  glory. 

8.  Ohio  —  The  young  giant  of  the  West;  she  too  will  rally  around  the 
standard  of  her  "first  delegate"  who  at  Maumee  and  Fort  Meigs,  signal- 
ized his  own  name  in  the  protection  of  her  frontier. 

9.  Ntvo  York  —  First  in  number,  first  in  wealth,  first  in  enterprise; 
may  she  be  the  first  at  the  polls,  in  November^  in  support  of  sound  prin- 
ciples. 

10.  The  North  Western  Armies  of  1794  anc7  1813 — The  one  closed 
ihe  war  of  the  Revolution  ;  the  other  suffered  and  triumphed  in  the  second 
war  of  Independence. 


132  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

11.  Cincimmti  —  Hhe  site  of  old  Fort  Washington,  now  tLe  seat  of 
industry  and  the  arts  —  her  enterprising  citizens  will  honor,  for  his  civil 
virtues,  the  venerated  chief  whom  her  soldiers,  when  a  frontier  fortress, 
delighted  to  obey. 

12.  Our  Country/  —  Glorious  in  War  —  more  illustrious  in  peace  —  the 
example  and  hope  of  nations  ;  may  her  honor  and  prosperity  be  immortal. 

13.  The  Fair — Their  smiles  the  reward  of  the  Soldier  and  Statesman  j 
their  counsels  the  foundation  of  the  virtue  and  intelligence  of  the  youth 
of  the  nation. 

After  the  sixth  toast  was  read,  General  Van  Rensselaer  returned  his 
thanks  for  the  compliment  by  the  following  remarks ;  which  were  read 
by  his  friend  Col.  Pendleton  : 

Gentlemen  :  I  am  altogether  unaccustomed  to  public  speaking ;  my 
life  has  been  one  of  actions,  rather  than  words  ;  my  hand  more  conversant 
with  the  sword,  than  the  pen.     I  cannot,  however,  suffer  the  sentiment 
which  you   have  just  given,  to  pass,  without  the  expression  of  my  most 
grateful  acknowledgments.     While   that  sentiment,  gentlemen,  received 
with  so  much  cordiality,  is  justly  flattering  to  the  pride  of  an  old  soldier, 
it  recalls   events   and  scenes,  productive   of  other  and  better   emotions. 
Your  allusion  to  the  Maumee,  carries  me  back  to  the  year  1792,  when  a 
youth  of  eighteen  years  of  age,  with  the  commission  of  General  Washing- 
ton in  my  pocket,  and,  I  trust,  some  share  of  his  principles  in  my  bosom, 
I  first  landed  in  Cincinnati ;  and  what  a  mighty  change  has  been  wrought 
in  that  short  period,  what  higher  eulogy  can  be  passed  upon  the  enlightened 
enterprise  of  your  people,  than  the  simple  iact  that  the  humble  individual 
who  now  addresses  you,  saw  the  site  of  your  noble  city,  when  there  were 
no  houses,  but  a  few  rudely  constructed  log  cabins  along  the  bank  of  your 
river,  and  the  challenge  of  the  sentinels  on  the  parapet  of  old  Fort  Wash- 
ington, alone  interrupted   the  universal   silence.     The  line  of  the  canal 
was  then  our  northern  frontier,  beyond  which  the  lurking  Indian  made  it 
unsafe  to  penetrate ;  and  the  pursuit  of  a  stray  horse  among  this  magni- 
ficent amphitheatre   of  hills  surrounding  your  city,  was   conducted  with 
little  of  the  pomp,  to  be  sure,  but  much  of  the  precaution  of  a  military 
incursion.     With  the  exception  of  a  few  old  settlements  on  the  Wabash 
and  Mississippi,  whose  inhabitants  had  become  almost  incorporated  with 
the  surrounding  Indian   tribes,  there   were  no  white  men  in  the  whole 
North  West  Territory,  comprising  now  your  own   great   State,  and  the 
States  of  Indiana,  Illinois,   Michigan,   and   Wisconsin   Territory.     The 
roaming  Indian  alone  possessed  it.     Where  are  they  now  ?     They  are  gone, 
like  the  falling   leaves  of  their  own  boundless   forests;  but  unlike  those 
leaves,  no  reviving  spring  shall  witness  their  return.     Such  was  Cincin- 
nati, what  is  it  now,  after  the  lapse  of  forty-eight  years  ?  I  wi»s  indebted 
to  the  politeness  of  the  directors  of  the  Mechanics'  Institute,  for  an  invita- 
tion to  their  Fair  last  evening,  and  had  I  a  catalogue  of  the  articles  there 
exhibited,  I  would   produce  it  as  the  m^st  eloquent  and  comprehensive 
answer  to  the  interesting  question — "  What  is   Cincinnati  now?"  The 
exquisite  symmetry  and  beauty  of  the  various  articles  bore  ample  testimony 
to  the  skill  of  your  workers   in   wood,  and  in  brass,  and   in  iron ;   while 
nothing   can   exceed  the   good  taste  exhibited   in   the   many  ornamental 
specimens  of  the  Institute.     I  cannot,  however,  omit  to  remark,  and  if  it 
will   not  be  considered   invidious,  to  commend,   the   vast   proportion,  in 
which  the  useful  exceeds  the  merely  ornamental.     The  combined  effect 
of  the  whole  exhibition  forces  upon  the  miud,  the  reflection  that  he  who 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  -      133 

would  discover  the  secret  of  the  unparalleled  growth  of  Cincinnati,  and  its 
comparative  exemption  from  the  general  embarrassment  of  the  times, 
must  seek  it  in  her  workshops  and  in  her  factories. 

From  this  balcony,  fellow-citizens,  my  eye  rests  upon  the  ground  where 
it  was  my  daily  duty  to  manoeuvre  my  troops;  and  when  I  recall  the 
scene,  as  it  then  existed,  and  compare  it  with  what  I  now  see,  it  fills  me 
with  emotions,  which  no  language  is  adequate  to  express.  The  thought- 
less inconsideration  of  youth  is  proverbially  short-sighted ;  but  what 
imagination  could  Jhen  have  bodied  forth  the  grand  realities  which  now 
surround  us  ?  The  inclosures  of  some  dozen  miserable  huts.  Fort 
Washington  and  the  low  grounds,  on  what  is  now  Columbia  street,  then 
called  Hobson's  Choice,  were  the  only  points  which  had  been  cleared  of 
the  forest.  Your  handsome  private  buildings ;  your  noble  public  school- 
houses  ;  your  magnificent  churches  have  succeeded,  and  a  log  cabin  is  not 
to  be  found  within  the  bounds  of  your  fair  city,  except  as  an  appropriate 
emblem  of  the  youthful  ardor,  the  indomitable  spirit,  the  pure  and  disin- 
terested public  virtue,  which,  through  years  of  toil  and  danger,  such  as 
they  only  can  conceive  who  have  felt  them,  have  watched  over  the  infant 
settlement  of  the  great  West,  and  protected  the  log  cabins,  and  their 
hardy  and  adventurous  inmates,  from  the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  of 
the  relentless  savage. 

At  this  period  I  first  become  acquainted  with  Harrison  ;  he  was  nineteen 
year  old,  and  I  one  year  younger.  We  were  for  a  long  time  the  youngest 
officers  in  the  army,  and  I  am  happy  to  say  at  this  distant  period,  that  the 
friendship  thus  formed  upon  youthful  sympathies  and  congenial  disposi- 
tions, proved  too  strong  for  time  and  absence,  and  we  met  in  New  York,  in 
1827,  after  a  separation  of  thirty  years,  the  same  warm  friends  fis  we  had 
parted  on  this  spot  in  1797.  This  period  recalls  to  my  mind,  the  inaugu- 
ration of  the  elder  Adams  [John  Adams]  and  with  it  the  charge  against 
Harrison,  of  ^^  ancient  Federalism."  lam  a  living  witness,  that  at  the 
period  to  which  I  refer,  the  charge  was  without  the  slightest  foundation. 
The  republican  principles  of  Harrison  were  then  as  well  known  as  his 
chivalric  spirit,  he  had  no  superior  in  either.  It  has  been  reserved  for 
the  politicians  of  the  present  day,  even  while  surrounded  by  the  monu- 
ments of  his  civil  and  military  virtues,  to  question  both. 

General  Wayne  was  a  severe  disciplinarian,  as  well  as  an  able  General 
and  gallant  soldier.  He  exacted  the  most  punctilious  conformity  to  all 
the  rules  of  military  life  ;  particularly  did  he  exhibit  himself,  and  require 
his  staff  to  exhibit  a  constant  example  of  the  conduct  he  required  of  others. 
Brave,  temperate  and  laborious  himself,  he  selected  his  stafi"  for  qualities 
similar  to  his  own.  Of  such  a  military  family  thus  organized,  Harrison 
became  a  member,  in  the  confidential  relation  of  aid-de-camp.  The  deli- 
cate duties  of  that  responsible  station,  he  performed,  not  only  with  the 
entire  approbation  of  Wayne,  but  to  the  satisfaction  of  every  officer  of  the 
army,  with  ^hom  its  duties  brought  him  into  almost  daily  intercourse ; 
and  such  was  his  uniform  urbanity  and  kindness  to  the  soldiers,  that  their 
respect  for  him  as  an  officer,  was  only  equalled  by  their  love  for  him  as  a 
man.  The  first  North  Western  army,  while  in  quarters  in  the  wilderness, 
had  few  amusements  to  vary  the  dull  routine  of  camp  duty.  The  conse- 
quence was,  that  habits  of  dissipation  were  acquired  by  many  of  the  offi- 
cers, whose  rank  and  age  made  their  habits  contagious.  Harrison,  though 
of  an  age  peculiarly  weak  against  such  temptations,  Avas  strengthened  to 
successful  resistance,  by  an  unquenchable  thirst  for  knowledge,  both  gen- 


134  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

eral  and  professiooal.  Temperate,  active  and  studious  then,  as  now,  be 
lost  no  time.  Then,  as  now,  the  sun  never  found  him  in  bed;  and  the  in- 
tervals of  military  duty  were  devoted  to  a  course  of  extensive  historical 
reading.  The  battle  of  the  Maumee,  on  20th  August,  179-4  was  fought 
by  the  Indians  with  the  most  desperate  courage.-  There  was  no  point  of 
the  line  at  which  the  danger  was  not  imminent.  As  aid-de-carap,  it  was 
Harrison's  duty  to  carry  the  orders  of  the  General  to  any  part  of  the  army. 
These  orders,  of  course,  were  most  frequent  where  the  fight  was  thickest ,^ 
and  ill  those  parts  of  the  fiijht  I  generally  saw  him  on  that  eventful  day. 

1  can  attest  the  truth  of  the  remark  said  to  be  mad'e  by  General  Wil- 
kinson and  Col.  Shamburgh,  that  Harrison  was  in  the  front  of  the  hottest 
battle  —  his  person  was  exposed  even  from  the  commencement  to  the  close 
of  the  action  —  wherever  duty  called,  he  hastened,  regardless  of  danger, 
and  by  his  efforts  and  examples,  contributed  as  much  to  secure  the  fortune 
of  the  day,  as  any  other  subordinate  to  the  commander-in-chief. 

General  Wayne,  in  his  official  account  of  the  battle,  after  naming  several 
officers  who  distinguished  themselves,  says  :  "  1  must  add  the  names  of 
my  faithful  and  gallant  aids-de-camp,  Captains  De  Butts  and  T.  Lewis 
and  Lieutenant  Harrison,  who,  with  the  adjutant-general,  Major  Mills, 
rendered  the  most  essentia!  service,  by  communicating  my  orders  in  every 
direction,  and  by  their  conduct  and  bravery,  exciting  the  troops  to  press 
for  victory." 

I  was  stationed  with  my  troop  on  the  extreme  left,  and  the  order  to  me 
to  charge,  was  delivered  by  Harrison.  In  that  charge  I  was  severely,  it 
was  thought  mortally  wounded.  Perhaps,  1  owe  my  life  to  the  prompt 
attention  of  my  young  friend,  who  carried  me  to  the  general's  tent,  and 
nursed  and  watched  me  with  the  tenderness  and  affection  of  a  brother. 

Of  the  officers  of  that  army,  so  far  as  my  knowledge  extends,  there  are 
but  four  survivors  —  Generals  Harrison  and  Brady,  and  Major  John  Posey 
of  Kentucky,  who  was  a  Cornet  in  my  troop,  and  myself.  General 
Wayne,  whose  best  eulogy  is  the  grateful,  and  affectionate  remembrance 
of  the  People  of  the  West,  was  wholly  unnoticed  by  Congress,  and  died 
at  a  miserable' hovel  in  Pennsylvania;  and  there,  without  a  stone  to  mark 
the  place,  his  body  was  deposited.  And  now,  when  the  people  are  calling 
your  friend  and  neighbor  from  his  farm,  by  acclamation,  to  redeem  the 
country  from  the  distress  and  degradation  to  which  it  has  been  reduced 
by  a  selfish  and  designing  politician,  the  orders  have  gone  forth  to  charge 
upon  him,  even  upon  him,  whom  the  people  assemble  in  unheard  of  num- 
bers to  honor,  the  most  detestable  crimes,  civil  and  military,  which  the 
wildest  imagination,  unrestrained  by  a  single  moral  sense,  can  conceive  — 
military  crimes,  which  if  true,  would  long  since  have  consigned  his  body 
to  a  felon's  tomb,  and  his  memory  to  general  execration  —  civil  offences 
and  delinquencies,  which  if  true,  think  you  he  would  now  stand  first,  as  he 
does  stand  first,  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen  !  ! 

People  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,  you  who  have  been  the  objects  of  his  civil 
administration,  upon  you,  especially  devolves  the  grateful  task  of  asserting 
the  civil  virtues  of  your  old  and  best  tried  friend  ;  to  raise  his  fair  fame 
far  out  of  the  range  of  the  puny  shafts  of  low  ambition,  and  I  hesitate  not 
to  believe  it  will  be  efficiently  performed.  You  are  now  called  upon  in 
his  old  age  to  repay  that  immense  and  accumulating  debt  of  gratitude, 
which  I,  an  eye-witness,  not  from  hearsay,  now  testify  your  fathers  incurred, 
in  his  early  youth. 

The  inheritance  has   descended  upon  you,  and   I  will  pot  do  you   the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  135 

injustice  to  doubt  that  in  November  next  you  will  entitle  yourselves  to  a 
receipt  in  full  from  my  gallant  old  friend.  Is  this  the  language  of  Gen. 
Harrison  ?  No  !  disinterested  and  generous  as  brave,  he  advances  no  claim 
upon  his  country  for  services  he  has  rendered.  It  is  the  language  of  his 
friend,  and  of  your  friend  — of  one  removed  by  age  far  from  the  tempta- 
tion to  flatter  either  friend  or  foe.  What  shall  1  say  of  charges  against 
liis  military  character?  nothing.  One  old  soldier  cannot  be  brought  to 
vindicate  the  reputation  of  another  old  soldier  from  a  charge  of  cowardice, 
indignation  would  choke  my  utterance.  I  appeal  from  the  living  to  the 
dead  —  I  appeal  from  Van  Buren  and  Kendall  to  Shelby«and  Perry.  I 
thank  you  again,  gentlemen,  for  the  kind  manner  in  which  you  have  been 
pleased  to  rei'er  to  my  early  and  humble  services.  Permit  me  to  propose 
the  following  sentiment : 

The  City  of  Cincinnati  —  The  wonderful  creation  of  virtue,  intelligence 
and  enterprise.  Her  name  associates  in  our  remembrance  the  patriotic 
farmers  of  old  Ronie  and  young  Ohio. 

During  the  entertainment,  a  large  concourse  of  persons  had  collected  in 
the  street  opposite  to  the  Hotel,  and  a  solicitation  being  expressed  to  hear 
addresses  from  the  Balcony,  the  company  adjourned  to  that  place,  when 
a  call  was  made  for  the  reading  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer's  speech.  When 
it  was  concluded.  Governor  Poindexter,  an  invited  guest,  was  called  for 
by  the  crowd,  and  addressed  them  extensively  upon  the  subject  of  general 
politics.  Animated  addresses  were  then  made  by  request,  from  Messrs. 
White  of  Indiana,  Major  ('hambers  and  W.  W.  Southgate,  Esq.  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  Wm.  Johnson,  Esq.  of  Cincinnati  and  Mr.  Turner  of  Baltimore. 
The  dinner  was  prepared  in  a  manner  suitable  to  the  occasion.  The  large 
dining  room  at  the  Henri  House  was  completely  filled,  our  citizens  evinc- 
ing an  anxious  solicitude  to  participate  in  an  entertainment  designed  to 
honor  one  of  the  early  defenders  of  the  West  and  was  a  testimony  of 
respect  to  a  distinguished  veteran  of  two  wars.  This  convivial  entertain- 
ment continued  until  the  approach  of  night,  when  the  crowd  dispersed  in 
great  harmony. 

"  The  signs  of  the  times  are  all  auspicious  ;  in  all  sections  of  the  Union 
the  people  are  responding  heartily  and  joyously  to  the  nomination  of 
William  H.  Harrison.  He  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  signers  of  the  declara- 
tion of  independence,  and  who,  in  the  early  history  of  Virginia  was,  for  a 
long  time,  governor  of  that  state.  The  election  of  Gen.  Harrison  will 
bring  back  the  republic  to  its  original  purity.  Born  and  educated  in  the 
days  of  Washington,  and  in  the  school  too  of  that  great  man,  his  principles 
and  feelings  are  of  that  exalted  character  which  animated  the  statesman 
and  patriot  of  the  revolution.  All  is  joy  and  bustle  of  preparation  for  the 
combat.  At  Cherry  Valley  from  8,0U0  to  10,000  were  present  at  their 
log  cabin  raising. 

"  An  ox  weighing  1000  lbs,  was  admirably  and  skillfully  prepared  and 
roasted  about  eighty  rods  from  the  log  cabin,  and  a  cake  of  ginger  bread 
two  feet  square  was  presented  as  a  gift  from  Glen's  Falls." 

C.  V.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Eenss.  Van  Rensselaer. 

My  Dear  Brother,  North  Bend,  July  4,  1840. 

You  probably  have  read  all  my  letters  home  with  detailed  accounts  of 
matters  and  things,  so  this  will  give  only  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the  subject. 
Since  Papa  and  myself  parted  from  our  "loved  ones"  in  Albany  on  June 
3rd,  our  daily  life  has  been  merged  in  a  constant  vortex  of  pleasurable 


136  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

scenes.  The  entire  jaunt  has  been  attended  with  many  gratifying  inci- 
dents, and  the  one  important  feature  of  the  trip  has  been  genial  sunshine 
and  good  health  to  both.  Indeed  thus  far  nothiog  has  occurred  to  mar 
the  enjoymeot,  "  heads  not  crushed  in  car  or  carriage  nor  blown  oif  on 
steamboats  ;"  we  seem  to  have  been  insured  against  accidents  by  sea  or 
land.  You  will  not  expect  nor  will  I  attempt  descriptive  sketches  of  places 
visited  ;  but  must  say  the  ready  hand  of  welcome  met  our  dear  father  every- 
where. Our  stay  in  the  metropolis  of  the  Empire  State  was  of  course  de- 
lightful ;  how  could  it  be  otherwise  with  places  of  amusement,  plenty  of 
visitors,  walks  and  rides  through  the  fine  avenues  and  promenades;  was 
there  ever  any  lady  who  did  not  find  New  York  attractive  ?  Sailing 
across  the  harbor  to  South  Amboy  was  quite  refreshing  and  then  came 
the  variety  of  cars,  and  steamboat  from  Burlington  to  Philadelphia.  The 
"  City  of  Brotherly  Love  "  was  certainly  enticing,  and  we  had  a  fine  view 
of  it  from  the  nicely  graveled  walks  at  the  Fairmount  Water-works  on 
the  east  bank  of  the  Schuylkill  River  so  celebrated  for  its  scenery  of 
"  sloping  glens  and  silent  shades."  Among  the  many  distinguished  friends 
who  called  on  Papa,  I  was  particularly  pleased  with  brave  Commodore 
Charles  Stewart  of  the  "  Old  Ironsides"  of  1812.  He  is  now  about  55 
years  old,  robust  and  cheerful,  a  polished  "  gentleman  of  the  Old  School." 
After  a  few  days  we  left  Philadelphia  and  in  due  time  reached  Pittsburg 
in  the  dispatch  vessel  called  "  packet-boat  "  drawn  by  three  horses,  plying 
or  flying  on  the  Pennsylvania  Canal  which  for  a  distance  passes  close  to 
the  Susquehanna.  The  bugler  was  seated  at  the  bow  and  announced  the 
near  approach  to  locks  or  thriving  village  by  the  lively  peals  and  merry 
notes  he  sent  forth  from  the  bugle,  when  we  left  our  floating  parlor  for 
the  deck  with  manifest  danger  of  broken  skulls  from  low  bridges. 

At  Harrisburg,  the  capital  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  lovely  Susquehanna, 
there  were  myriads  of  his  old  acquaintances  to  escort  us  to  the  State 
House  and  other  sites  of  interest.  The  scenery  at  the  junction  of  the 
Juniata  with  the  Susquehanna  about  14  miles  beyond  the  city  was  truly 
picturesque,  the  wild  romantic  beauty  of  the  stream  with  the  bold  moun- 
tain background  was  particularly  striking.  We  crossed  the  Alleghanies 
in  stages;  while  on  the  summit  we  took  strolls  around  to  see  the  inclined 
railway  "  upon  which  the  coal-laden  cars  go  down  by  the  force  of  their 
own  gravity."  After  our  speeds/  traveling  on  the  canal  we  did  not  regret 
to  reach  Pittsburg  with  its  hilly  surroundings  of  coal.  I  do  not  think 
my  face  was  clean  above  ten  minutes  at  a  time  in  this  smoky,  dirty  city ;  while 
the  ladies'  white  dresses  were  plentifully  besprinkled  with  soot  from  the 
many  iron  smoke-stacks.  The  place  , however,  was  very  interesting  to  the  old 
soldier  as  the  site  of  Fort  Du  Quesne ;  it  has  altered  greatly  since  the 
time  he  first  rested  there  with  his  command  en  route  to  Fort  Washington, 
then  it  was  mostly  a  wilderness  filled  with  Indians  and  wild  beasts.  The 
iron  rolling  mills  and  manufactory  of  glass  were  to  me  very  curious  and 
instructive.  This  is  a  great  manufacturing  town  and  you  would  suppose 
that  Vulcan,  the  god  of  fire,  resided  here,  from  the  thick  clouds  of  smoke 
and  flame  with  begrimed  faces  on  all  sides.  Our  next  move  was  in  a 
steamer  down  the  Ohio  river  to  Portsmouth,  and  from  thence  by  the  Ohio 
and  Erie  canal,  through  Chillicothe  on  the  Scioto  River,  passing  through 
a  very  rich  country  to  Columbus.  We  were  the  guests  of  Mr.  Kelly  and 
visited  all  places  worthy  of  note  :  the  Capitol  —  Lunatic  Asylum —  Deaf 
and  Dumb  —  Blind  and  the  State  Penitentiary  an  imposing  edifice. 

"  x\t"  the  Fort  Meiys  Gathering  25000  persons   were   present  on  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  137 

battle  ground  to  greet  in  his  old  age  the  veteran  of  Ohio.  Gen  Harrison 
was  dressed  very  plainly,  haviug  on  a  plain  Kentucky  jean  frock  coat, 
bombazine  stock,  black  silk  vest,  and  blue  pantaloons.  His  keen  piercing 
eye  retains  all  the  fire  of  youth  and  is  full  of  elastic  vigor.  When  the 
General  took  his  place  on  the  stand  and  presented  himself  to  his  fellow 
citizens,  he  stood  uncovered  as  the  welcome  was  again  expressed  by  a 
three  times  three.  Thomas  Ewing  was  the  principal  speaker.  A  Music 
wagon  was  drawn  by  four  horses  with  a  streamer  surmounted  by  a  boquet 
of  flowers,  with  names  of  Harrison  and  Tyler.  This  was  followed  by  a 
Log-Cabin  on  wheels  with  a  barrel  labeled  '  Hard  Cider.'  There  were  at 
least  from  4  to  5000  persons  at  the  meeting  in  Cleveland  at  the  dedication 
of  a  Log  Cabin  —  (every  one  that  goes  up  in  the  West  is  an  enigma). 
The  tin  horn  gave  notice  that  dinner  was  ready  as  the  lengthened  pro- 
cession marched  to  the  table,  which  was  calculated  to  accommodate  200  per- 
sons but  would  only  hold  one-fourth  of  the  patriotic  and  happy  guests."  The 
papers  say  :  "  The  meeting  of  Generals  Harrison  and  Van  Rensselaer  at 
Columbus  was  deeply  aifecting.  They  had  been  Captains  under  Wayne  — 
they  fought  together  at  the  memorable  victory  of  the  JVIaumee  and  through- 
out a  long  and  eventful  life  have  been  devoted  friends.  The  gallant  old 
Hero  is  on  a  visit  to  Gen.  Harrison.  They  were  escorted  out  several 
miles  from  Columbus  by  a  large  number  of  friends  on  horseback  —  a  large 
cavalcade  of  citizens ;  and  at  parting  the  Band  struck  up  Hail  Columbia, 
and  with  three  hearty  cheers  their  friends  bade  both  God  speed.  The 
string  of  the  latch  was  not  pulled  in  at  any  place.  Major  Clarkson  and 
Colonel  Todd  the  gallant  aids  of  Gen  Harrison  accompanied  them." 

While  in  the  stage,  after  leaving  Columbus  when  stopping  at  places, 
a  crowd  gathered  around  to  see  "  Old  Tip"  and  then  he  would  introduce 
Papa  :  "  Here  gentlemen,  is  my  old  friend  General  Solomon  Van  Rensse- 
laer, one  to  whom  we  all  are  deeply  indebted."  I  heard  him  frequently 
say  to  the  gentlemen  that  Gen.  V.  R.  had  more  wounds  than  any  man  in 
the  United  States.  When  the  crowds  understood  who  our  dear  father  was, 
they  .seemed  delighted,  some  told  him  they  considered  him  public  property, 
that  he  ought  not  to  refuse  the  honors  ofl'ered  to  him,  for  he  could  better 
persuade  the  public,  by  telling  what  he  knew  and  had  seen  of  Harrison 
than  they  could  by  twenty  speeches ;  it  was  most  gratifying  to  me.  At 
Springfield,  a  beautiful  city  about  84  miles  above  Cincinnati,  there  was 
another  phase  of  this  "  Hard  Cider  Campaign"  and  we  had  a  very  gay 
time.  I  say  we,  because  being  the  only  lady  in  the  electioneering  party 
I  of  course  came  in  for  a  full  share  of  courteous  attention.  Three  miles 
from  the  city  we  found  an  immense  multitude  in  waiting,  gentlemen  either 
in  carriages  or  on  horseback.  Gen.  Harrison,  Papa,  Cols.  Clarkson  and 
Todd  were  invited  to  occupy  an  open  baroucbe,  and  I  had  the  stage  to 
myself  with  a  guard  of  honor  on  either  side.  There  was  a  concourse  of 
many  thousands  forming  a  wonderful  procession  with  many  gay  banners, 
bands  of  music,  military.  Log-cabins  on  a  small  scale  with  the  latch-string 
out,  canoes  of  all  sizes  with  one  or  more  persons  in  them,  one  large  canoe 
filled  with  ladies,  barrels  of  "  Hard  Cider"  with  the  mug  close  by  for  the 
weary  travelers,  one  large  open  wagon  packed  with  girls  prettily  dressed, 
all  was  enlivened  by  shouts,  cheering  and  patriotic  songs  of  "  Tippecanoe 
and  Tyler  too."  Gen.  Harrison  says  these  gatherings  of  the  yeomanry 
compose  "  an  Army  which  Napoleon  would  have  been  proud  to  Command 
in  his  best  days."     After  a  time  as  the  procession  "  dragged  its  slow  length 

II]  18 


138  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

along,"  one  of  the  marshals  rode  up  to  the  coach  and  asked  :  "  Have  I  the 
pleasure  of  addressing  Miss  Van  Rensselaer?"  Being  answered  in  the 
affirmative,  he  informed  me,  Gen.  Harrison  had  directed  him  to  escort  me 
to  Mr.  Warders,  which  in  course  of  time  we  finally  reached.  I  was  deeply 
grieved  to  hear  the  very  sad  tidings,  of  the  death  of  a  Son  of  General 
Harrison,  just  received. 

"  Died  very  suddenly  on  Tuesday  evening  June  9th,  at  the  residence 
of  his  father,  at  North  Bend,  Dr.  Benjamin  Harrison.  He  was  in  the 
34th  year  of  his  age.  His  funeral  took  place  on  Saturday  (13th)  morning 
at  the  Bend.  This  intelligence  will  be  a  very  great  shock  to  the  General, 
as  the  Doctor  was  in  good  health,  when  he  started  to  Fort  Meigs."  This 
gloomy  information  quickly  frustrated  all  the  pre-concerted  arrangements 
for  the  day's  enjoyment  as  the  General  was  really  equal  to  no  further 
effort.  An  elegant  entertainment  was  soon  ready,  and  after  partaking  of 
the  viands  we  bade  our  hospitable  friends  adieu,  and  were  allowed  to  pro- 
ceed on  our  journey,  much  to  the  chagrin  of  the  assembled  hosts.  We 
left  Springfield  in  the  same  order  as  our  entree  —  the  gentlemen  in  an 
open  carriage  while  I  brought  up  the  rear  in  my  stage  with  four  horses 
under  a  gallant  escort.  Our  advance,  through  the  dense  mass  of  human 
beings,  was  so  slow  it  enabled  me  to  see  all  of  the  beautiful  pageant.  In 
the  neighborhood  of  the  Market  House  were  no  less  than  twelve  cabins 
and  some  bark  canoes.  In  front  of  one  cabin  was  a  spear  erect,  labeled 
"Old  Tip's  Tooth  pick"!  !  and  a  cannon  out  of  the  mouth  of  which  : 
"  Harrison's  Thunder  "  was  seen  to  issue.  After  passing  the  immense 
array  of  cabins,  Canoes,  vehicles  of  all  kinds,  and  the  crowd,  our  gentlemen 
returned  to  the  Stage.  The  Cincinnati  paper  says  :  General  Harrison 
arrived  in  this  City  from  his  tour  to  Fort  Meigs  on  Friday  evening  June 
19th.  He  was  accompanied  by  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  of 
Albany,  N.  Y.,  who  met  him  at  Columbus.  Gen.  Harrison  is  in  as  good 
health  as  we  recollect  to  have  seen  him  for  many  years.  He  left  for  North 
Bend  on  Saturday  morning. 

"  General  Van  Rensselaer  remains  at  the  Broadway  Hotel  for  a  few 
days  He  has  received  numerous  calls  from  our  citizens  to  whom  he  has 
been  introduced.  This  is  his  first  visit  to  Cincinnati  since  the  year  1794, 
at  which  time  as  captain  of  a  company  he  marched  his  men  frequently 
through  the  uncultivated  land  which  now  designates  our  beautiful  city. 
General  Van  Rensselaer  is  only  one  year  the  junior  of  General  Harrison, 
and  like  the  latter  in  his  old  age,  retains  the  vivacity  of  youth  to  a  remark- 
able degree.  His  name  is  identified  with  the  history  of  the  country  as 
one  of  her  noble  defenders  ;  and  the  many  scars  he  has  received  are  the 
best  evidences  of  the  perils  encountered  to  secure  the  blessings  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty  which  we  now  enjoy.  May  both  the  time-honored 
patriots  live  to  enjoy  many  years  of  peace  and  witness  the  country  restored 
to  the  healthful  condition  of  other  days."  It  was  startling  to  look  upon 
the  formidable  array  of  letters  which  had  accumulated  during  General 
Harrison's  absence.  The  opening  of  this  multitudinous  correspondence 
was  far  too  oppressive  an  undertaking  for  him  after^the  afilictive  intelli- 
gence just  received,  and  I  wish  you  could  have  seen  the  busy  workers  that 
first  evening  in  Cincinnati.  Cols.  Todd,  Pendleton,  Major  Clarkson  and 
Mr.  Ewing  claimed  the  right  or  privilege  of  dumping  the  contents  of  the 
many  overflowing  bushel  baskets  on  the  floor  after  which  some  few  of 
the  epistles  were  handed  over  to  the  good  General,  but  the  greater  part 
of  the  voluminous  correspondence  was  soon  reduced  to  ashes.     To  open 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  139 

and  read  all  the  letters  would  not  have  been,  to  any  person,  the  office  of 
a  sinecure,  it  was  really  a  tax.  At  the  solicitation  of  Col.  Nathanael  Pen- 
dleton, after  the  departure  of  Gen.  Harrison,  we  became  his  guests,  and 
many  attentions  were  tendered  by  personal  friends  while  distinguished 
honors  flowed  in  upon  dear  papa. 

The  Grand  Raising. 

"  More  than  15,000  freemen  assembled  to  raise  Old  Tip,  a  new  Cabin 
at  Springfield,  Ohio,  on  Thursday  June  18,  1840.  This  Cabin  raising 
in  this  place  was  the  tallest  affair  of  the  kind  by  far,  that  has  ever  yet 
been  held  in  the  Mad  river  Valley,  or  in  the  State  at  large.  From  Fifteen 
to  Twenty  Thousand  persons  were  present  to  cheer  on  the  good  work  of 
Cabin  building  and  Government  Reforming.  Early  on  Wednesday  evening 
buckeye  trees  began  to  be  planted,  and  banners  and  flags  to  be  reared. 
Thursday  morning  brought  us  a  clear  bright  sunshine,  while  Banners, 
Flags,  Canvas,  Mottos,  and  devices  of  all  kinds,  lined  the  main  street  for 
the  space  of  a  mile.  Each  house  seemed  a  fortress  of  freedom,  with  its 
banner  hanging  'on  the  outer  wall.'  Across  the  streets  and  alleys  were 
stretched  great  sheets  of  canvass  with  divers  inscriptions :  '  The  People's 
Candidates.'  '  Keep  the  Ball  Rolling.'  '  Honest  poor  men  better  than 
rich  public  robbers.'  '  Tip,  Tyler  and  the  Wagon  Boy,'  and  many  others. 
Here  stood  a  handsome  Buckeye  and  nailed  to  it  a  finger  board  pointing 
Eastward  '  ig®'  To  Kinderhook  300  miles.'  There  an  old  apron  hung 
out  labeled  '  Hard  Times.'  Among  many  striking  incidents  we  noticed 
the  handsome  sassafras  cabin  filled  with  ladies;  a  noble  canoe  not  less 
than  fifty  feet  long,  hewn  from  a  solid  tree  of  giant  size,  drawn  by  six 
horses,  and  filled  by  men  setting  two  abreast.  They  were  ready  to  paddle 
not  only  old  Tip's  canoe  but  row  Van  Buren  up  Salt  River.  The  Trap- 
pers were  decidedly  in  their  glory.  Their  singular  appearance  attracted 
much  attention  ;  on  each  side  of  their  cabin  was  a  Steel  Trap,  with  a  weasel 
in  his  grip  and  on  one  side  the  words  '  Leg  Treasurers  look  out.'  Squirrels 
and  Coons  alive.  The  whole  mass  of  vehicles  with  a  large  body  of  horse- 
men escorted  by  a  band  of  young  men  with  a  beautiful  blue  silk  banner, 
they  rolled  along  a  huge  ball,  ten  feet  high  covered  with  numerous 
pithy  and  pertinent  devices  and  mottos.  This  large  delegation  was  led  by 
a  large  canoe  which  was  paddled  by  '  a  native.'  About  one  o'clock  we 
rode  out  on  the  National  Road  to  meet  Gen.  Harrison.  Three  miles  from 
town  we  found  a  numberless  multitude,  drawn  up  in  good  order,  awaiting 
the  approach  of  the  Old  Hero.  The  mass  were  literally  covered  with 
brilliant  banners.  A  handsome  carriage  in  which  were  thirty  little  misses, 
bearing  each  the  name  of  one  of  the  states  or  territories,  and  one  the  con- 
federacy, inscribed  on  sky  blue  banners,  made  a  most  elegant  appearance 
among  those  who  had  gone  forth  to  welcome  the  Chief. 

About  half  past  one  the  Columbus  Coach  drove  up,  and  the  General  — 
accompanied  by  that  scarred  Veteran,  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  and 
Colonels  Clarkson  and  Todd  —  took  a  seat  in  an  open  barouche,  and  the 
whole  assembly  proceeded  to  the  village.  It  was  a  beautiful  sight  —  and 
no  doubt  caused  the  heart  of  Harrison  to  swell  with  pleasure  —  on  reach- 
ing the  brow  of  the  hill -east  of  the  village,  to  observe  the  thousands 
assembled  in  the  streets,  and  to  see  the  long  line  of  flags  and  banners 
sti'etching  far  off  in  the  distance.  Up  to  this  moment  all  had  passed 
away  without  anything  to  mar  the  general  good  will,  or  dampen  the  gene- 
ral enthusiasm.     But,  prior  to  making  a  circuit  of  the  village,  and  pro- 


140  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

ceeding  to  the  speaker's  stand  to  address  the  people,  Gen.  Harrison  and 
his  friends  paused  a  &hort  time  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Warder.  Here  a 
letter  was  handed  the  General,  informing  him  of  the  death  of  a  favorite 
son,  the  fourth  he  has  lost  within  a  few  years,  and  of  the  injury  of  a 
grandson  by  the  falling  of  a  tree  1  So  far  as  the  principal  character  was 
concerned,  all  the  pride  of  the  pageantry  was  lost  in  the  feelings  of  the 
bereaved  father.  The  heavy  hand  of  sorrow  has  already  taught  those  who 
have  lost  their  children,  the  disheartening  influence  of  such  news;  and 
those  who  have  not  been  robbed  of  their  offspring  by  death,  cannot  be 
taught,  by  words,  the  depth  of  a  parent's  woe.  As  a  matter  of  course, 
Gen.  Harrison  was  in  no  condition  to  participate  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
occasion,  and  this  circumstance  tended  to  produce  general  depression. 
Anxious  to  return  to  his  suffering  family,  the  General  speedily  resumed 
his  route  to  Dayton.  He  passed  through  the  crowd  in  an  open  barouche. 
Governor  Vance  addressed  the  multitude,  explaining  the  cause  of  the 
unexpected  departure  of  the  people's  favorite.  To  judge  from  the  silence 
which  pervaded  the  twenty  thousand  persons  present,  we  should  suppose 
that  all,  while  they  experienced  keen  disappointment,  yet  entered  into  the 
feelings  of  the  General,  and  acknowledged  that  no  course  would  be  pro- 
per for  him,  other  than  the  one  which  he  had  pursued.  He  passed 
uncovered  through  a  dense  mass,  reaching  from  one  end  of  the  street  to 
the  other,  and  proceeded  on  his  journey  to  North  Bend.  x\fter  the  de- 
parture of  Gen.  Harrison,  the  people  gathered  at  different  points,  and 
spent  the  day  in  listening  to  speeches  and  log  cabin  songs.  Gen.  Charles 
Anthony,  Governor  Vance  and  others  addressed  the  assembly  and  their 
speeches  were  of  the  kind  which  go  home  to  the  good  sense  and  better 
feelings  of  the  people,  but  the  sudden  affliction  and  departure  of  Gen. 

H was  a  source  of  deep  regret." 

Our  time  passed  most  agreeably  while  partaking  the  generous  hospital- 
ities of  Col.  Pendleton's  splendid  mansion.  He  has  a  lovely  family ;  two 
grown  up  daughters  Susan  —  and  Martha,  George  H.,  a  lad  about  sixteen, 
with  three  younger  children;  they  are  surrounded  with  every  luxury  that 
wealth  can  provide.  The  invitations  —  in  every  conceivable  shape  seemed 
unbounded.  Col.  Taylor  with  a  committee  of  officers  waited  on  Papa 
(having  first  sent  him  a  written  invitation)  to  urge  him  to  visit  the  "Tented 
Field"  where  a  number  of  companies  from  Kentucky  were  encamped  ; 
we  therefore  deferred  leaving  Cincinnati  till  afternoon  and  yesterday  morn- 
ning  —  Friday  3d  —  went  out  with  a  large  party  of  ladies  and  gentlemen. 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  was  received  with  military  honors  in  the  presence  of 
an  immense  assemblage.  It  was  a  beautifully  touching  sight  to  see  his  sil- 
very locks  glistening  in  the  sun  as  the  old  hero  stood  uncovered  while 
they  saluted  and  lowered  their  flags  —  (  Three  or  four  horses  were  fright- 
ened and  ran  off  when  the  salutes  were  fired).  He  had  for  his  Staff  besides 
all  the  ladies.  Col.  Todd,  Major  Clarkson,  xMajor  Gwynne  and  Gen.  Tay- 
lor of  Kentucky.  After  Papa  had  been  escorted  to  the  grand  stand,  the 
commanding  officer  returned  for  me  and  I  felt  quite  honored  as  he  gave 
our  party  an  excellent  position.  The  Hero  of  the  day  received  a  most  lovely 
boquet  sent  by  a  very  charming  lady  of  the  "  Queen  City."  We  regretted 
to  decline  the  pressing  invitation  from  Gen.  Taylor  to  become  his  guests  for 
a  few  days,  but  we  left  Cincinnati  in  the  four  o'clock  boat,  Friday  after- 
noon, for  North  Bend  escorted  by  Col,  Todd,  Col.  Taylor  and  Miss  Lucy 
Este,  a  grand-daughter  of  Gen.  Harrison.  Miss  Susan  Pendleton  was  also 
to  have  accompanied  us,  but  she  and  her  father  will  join  us  next  week  in  a 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  141 

trip  to  Louisville.  As  the  steamer  pushed  off,  a  salute  was  fired,  in  Gen. 
V.  R.'s  honor,  from  the  wharf,  which  was  returned  from  our  boat,  the  sur- 
rounding vessels  also  paid  him  the  same  compliment  j  midst  the  firing  of 
cannon  nine  or  ten  times,  ladies  in  the  balconies  waved  their  handkerchief 
to  which  Papa  replied  by  showing  his  uncovered  silvery  head.  When 
about  three  miles  from  the  city  another  cannon  was  fired  from  the  shore. 
We  arrived  at  North  Bend,  sixteen  miles  below  Cincinnati,  in  less  than  two 
hours  and  found  Gren.  Harrison  waiting  for  us  on  the  shore  who  expressed 
great  delight  at  having  us  with  him.  North  Bend  is  a  delightful  spot, 
situated  directly  on  the  Ohio  ;  the  Cabin  stands  back  some  distance ;  a 
beautiful  lawn  slopes  down  to  the  canal  which  runs  between  the  house  and 
river.  This  is  a  spacious  and  convenient  dwelling,  the  original  log  cabin 
stands  in  thecentre  with  wings  on  either  side.  Mrs.  Harrison  is  one  of  the 
handsomest  old  ladies  I  have  ever  seen,  she  is  a  perfect  beauty  and  such  a 
good  person  I  love  her  dearly.  She  asked  me  if  Rensselaer  was  a  cousin  or 
brother ;  she  felt  quite  attached  to  him  as  her  son  Carter  esteemed  him 

so  highly  and  corresponded  with  him.      Mrs.  H does  not  yet  leave 

her  room,  but  is  better.  Gen.  Harrison  says,  "  Your  father  was  a  favorite 
with  Judge  Symmes  and  knew  my  wife  —  then  Anna  Symmes  —  long 
before  I  did." 

To  day  being  Fourth  of  July  a  number  of  gentlemen  arrived,  quite 
unexpectedly,  to  see  Gen.  Harrison  ;  and  then  I  felt  exceedingly  honored 
when  the  dear  good  master  of  the  house  came  to  Mrs.  Harrison's  room  to 
seek  me,  and  ask  if  I  would  "  go  in  the  kitchen  to  superintend  dinner  and 
get  up  some  kind  of  dessert."  There  were  plenty  of  domestics  to  do  the 
drudgery,  and  I  succeeded  admirably  so  that  at  the  dinner  table  the 
gratified  General  gave  me  full  credit.  He  said  the  custards  were  delicious 
and  the  pastry  so  nice  that  when  he  gets  to  the  "  White  House"  in 
Washington  I  shall  be  Queen,  and  all  the  young  aspirants  for  office  shall 
go  to  me  for  a  proper  certificate  before  the  honor  shall  be  conferred. 

The  General  brought  with  him  from  South  America  a  splendid  large 
Macaw,  it  is  a  species  of  parrot;  it  is  quite  tame,  flies  to  the  top  of  the 
lofty  trees  before  the  house,  the  plumage  is  very  brilliant,  but  it  makes  a 
most  unearthly  croaking  noise  or  scream  so  shrill.  I  must  leave  a  little 
space  for  our  dear  father  to  write  a  few  lines. 

With  very  much  love  to  all  affectionately  Yours, 

Catharina  V.  Van  Bensselaer. 

My  dear  Children,  Sunday  Morning  July  5. 

Cuy  has  left  little  for  me  to  say,  indeed  she  must  do  all  the  writing  for 
I  have  enough  to  do  to  answer  the  pressing  invitations  from  all  quarters 
and  to  attend  to  the  calls  which  are  daily  made  upon  me.  The  Kentuck- 
ians  are  urging  me  to  visit  their  State,  and  all  are  anxious  that  I  should 
visit  Benton's  State  ;  [Missouri]  they  say  I  can  do  more  good  than  any 
other  man  ;  among  others,  Harrison  is  decidedly  of  that  opinion.  He 
and  I  visit  Cincinnati  to-morrow  ;  we  I'eturn  in  the  evening  or  the  next 
morning,  when  Col.  Pendleton  and  daughter  will  return  with  us.  I  leave 
this  on  W^ednesday,  and  after  spending  a  day  at  Louisville  (where  they 
wish  to  give  me  a  public  dinner  but  which  I  shall  decline)  I  shall  proceed 
to  St.  Louis,  and  return  by  the  way  of  Chicago,  thence  by  steam  up  Lake 
Michigan  to  Mackinaw,  down  Lake  Huron  to  Detroit.  Cuy  is  delighted 
we  are  going  that  route,  and  it  will  be  very  pleasant.  Let  us  find  a  letter 
at  Detroit.     Harrison  will  have  an  overwhelming  majority  West  of  the 


142  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Mountains,  and  he  is  every  thing  I  could  wish.  He  will  call  about  him 
a  Splendid  Cabinet.  We  are  just  going  to  church  at  Cleves,  a  little  town 
half  a  mile  from  this.     Kiss  each  other  for  me  and  may  God  bless  you  all. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  Esq.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

lnmtatio7i  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Louisville  Ky.,  July  10,  1840.    . 

In  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the  Citizens  of  Louisville,  we  tender  to 
you  congratulations,  and  assurance  of  a  hearty  welcome  to  our  City.  The 
part  which  you  have  borne  in  the  defense  and  honor  of  the  Country,  is 
known  as  well  by  the  testimony  of  many  Citizens  of  Kentucky  who  from 
time  to  time  participated  in  the  toils  and  dangers  in  which  you  had  a  dis- 
tinguished share,  as  by  the  public  Documents  and  History  of  the  Campaign. 
We  desire  that  you  will  favour  us  and  many  others  of  the  Citizens  of 
the  City,  with  an  opportunity  to  tender  personally  our  respects,  by  meet- 
ing us  at  a  public  Dinner  at  the  Gait  House  this  Evening  at  half  after  3 
o'clock.  Geo.  M.  Bibb,  Fr.  Johnson, 

Wm.  Cochran,  Jno.  0.  Cochran, 

J.  E.  Dendergrast,    G.  Washington  Anderson, 

Thos.  Anderson,       Wm.  H.  Field. 

"The  falls  on  the  Ohio  river  at  Louisville  are  very  picturesque  in  ap- 
pearance ;  when  the  river  is  low,  the  whole  width  is  covered  with  foam. 
The  river  is  divided  by  an  island  which  adds  to  the  beauty  of  the  scene. 
To  obviate  the  obstruction  to  the  navigation  caused  by  the  falls,  a  isanal 
two  and  a  half  miles  in  length  has  been  cut  round  them,  to  a  place  called 
Shippingaport.  It  was  a  work  of  immense  labor,  being  for  the  greater 
part  of  its  course  cut  through  the  solid  rock.  The  total  cost  of  the  work 
was  little  short  of  a  million  dollars."  Taking  a  carriage  we  drove  around 
by  the  canal  when  on  stopping.  Porter  the  Kentucky  Giant  came  up  to 
converse  with  us. 

Catharina  V.  Van  Rensselaer  to  her  Sister. 

My  Dear  Margaretta,  Geneva  August  5,  1840. 

The  trip  with  our  dear  Father  over  the  interesting  sites  connected  with 
the  War  of  1812  was  to  me  very  exciting;  a  precious  privilege  to  any 
pei'son,  but  how  much  more  to  be  appreciated  by  his  child.  After  a  very 
enjoyable  visit  at  Buffalo  and  the  recipients  of  much  kindness  from  Dr. 
Charles  VVinne  and  his  estimable  wife,  with  complaisant  attentions  from 
many  well  known  friends,  we  proceeded  from  Niagara  Falls  directly  to 
Lewiston  about  seven  miles  distant.  We  called  on  two  old  and  well  tried 
friends,  one  of  whom  was  very  ill  —  the  other  had  charge  of  the  boat  in 
which  Papa  crossed  on  October  13th.  Both  of  these  men  recognized, 
and  were  really  delighted  to  see  the  brave  old  soldier  who  bore  so  con- 
spicuous a  part  in  that  stirring  time  :  they  thought  his  white  hair  was  the 
greatest  change  about  him.  I  seemed  to  be  treading  on  sacred  ground  in 
a  fairy  land,  and  with  wrapt  attention  eagerly  took  in  the  different  points 
as  our  dear  father,  with  evident  pleasure,  explained  all  that  I  desired  to 
know.  Sending  back  our  luggage  to  the  Falls  by  the  cars,  we  wandered 
around  in  every  direction ;  many  things  recalled  so  forcibly  past  events, 
that  I  almost  expected  to  meet  the  old  Commander  Gen.  Stephen  V.  R., 
and  hear  the  cheery  greeting  of  Major  Lovett.     On  the  summit  of  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  143 

ITeiglits  before  us  stood  the  lofty  Monument;  and  3n)nder  in  full  view 
had  once  passed  the  ill-fated  army  of  General  Hull.  We  lingered  long, 
and  then  walking  down  to  the  river's  edge  crossed  in  a  small  boat  to  the 
other  shore ;  the  passage  was  perfectly  safe,  but  the  great  rapidity  of  the 
current  together  with  the  many  eddies  in  the  stream  made  me  feel  safer 
with  my  hand  clasped  firmly  by  the  "  loved  one"  at  my  side,  l^ewiston 
was  named  in  honor  of  our  old  friend  Gen.  Morgan  Lewis,  but  we  must 
leave  him  for  we  have  now  crossed  the  Niagara  River  and  are  at  Queens- 
town  which  is  delightfully  situated  having  a  fine  view  of  Lake  Ontario. 

The  landlord  at  the  hotel  said,  Papa's  visiting  Queenston  that  day  was 
a  singular  coincident  as  his  name  was  in  the  morning  papers  in  connection 
with  the  great  battle  [it  was  an  extract  from  Gen.  Harrison's  letter  for 
the  Cincinnati  dinner]  After  satisfying  our  curiosity  with  the  village 
and  its  surroundings,  we  took  an  extra  coach  to  ourselves  for  the  Falls 
stopping  at  Brock's  Monument.  Alighting  from  the  vehicle,  we  slowly 
ascended  to  the  site  nearly  370  feet  above  the  river.  When  I  was  here 
in  February,  1836  while  on  my  way  to  Ohio  with  Uncle  Schuyler  Van 
Rensselaer  and  my  sister  Harriet  Maria,  the  monument  was  in  a  perfiect 
condition,  we  went  up  the  winding  stairs  to  the  top  from  the  base  inside; 
the  view  was  magnificent,  but  now  the  spiral  flight  of  steps  is  entirely 
destroyed,  no  part  of  it  remaining  but  a  short  iron  rail  that  is  fastened 
to  the  wall.  We  had  been  told  the  monument  had  crumbled  to  the  ground 
in  pieces ;  it  however  has  not  fallen  but  it  looks  very  much  dilapidated 
and  as  though  it  might  fall  any  moment.  It  is  cracked  from  top  to  base, 
crevices  large  enough  to  put  in  both  hands ;  the  entire  structure  looked 
very  dangerous  and  I  did  not  at  all  regret  to  find  ourselves  again  safe  in 
the  carriage.  Papa  fels  very  indignant  at  this  cowardly  ruin  of  a  tribute 
to  such  a  noble  man  as  Gen.  Brock.  The  Canadians  evince  much  bitter 
feeling  about  this  act  of  vandalism  and  have  come  to  the  very  sage  con- 
clusion that  the  destruction  of  this  memorial  was  sanctioned  by  the 
nation!  "On  the  night  of  April  17,  1840 — only  3j  months  since  — 
some  evil-mj^ded  and  unknown  persons  [Lett]  endeavored  to  blow  up  the 
monument  by  gunpowder.  This  disgraceful  attempt  was  partially  suc- 
cessful ;  the  keystone  over  the  door  was  thrown  out  and  the  structure 
badly  cracked."  After  a  charming  ride  we  reached  the  Falls;  then  went 
on  the  top  of  the  house  for  a  view  and  from  thence  to  Table  Rock  close 
to  the  grand  Horse  Shoe  Fall.  I  had  seen  so  many  gratifying  things  on 
the  Canada  side  I  was  really  loth  to  leave.  Never  again  would  I  stand 
with  our  dear  Father  by  that  noted  rock,  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids  on 
which  he  jumped  from  his  boat  —  never  again  pause  with  him,  in  speaking 
silence  on  that  plateau  where  he  lay,  riddled  with  balls,  among  the  dead, 
dying  and  wounded. 

About  seven  o'clock  we  accompanied  a  party  down  to  the  rushing  water's 
edge,  and  crossed,  safely  in  a  small  boat,  to  the  American  side  and  were 
soon  lodged  at  the  Cataract  House  where  we  found  our  baggage.  General 
Peter  B.  Porter  called  on  Papa  that  same  evening,  and  urged  us  to  remove 
to  his  residence;  the  kind  invitation  being  declined,  he  courteously  in- 
sisted upon  our  being  his  guests  for  the  following  day.  After  an  early 
breakfast  I  was  one  of  a  party  that  visited  Goat  Island,  from  thence  went 
down  the  "  Biddle  Stairway  "  on  the  west  of  Luna  Island,  along  the  rocks 
to  the  edge  of  the  wouderl'ul  falls ;  I  felt  well  repaid,  but  was  not  sorry 
to  find  myself  safe  at  the  top  of  the  spiral  stairs.  We  crossed  the  Terrapin 
bridge  a  "structure  300  feet  in  length,  and  projecting  10  feet  over  the 


144  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

falls,  to  the  stone  tower,  going  up  the  winding  steps  to  the  top,  a  height 
of  45  feet ;"  the  view  was  indeed  sublime.  Navy  Island  came  in  for  a  full 
share  of  deep  interest  and  inspection  as  the  abiding  place  for  a  time  of 
our  much  loved  patriot  brother.  On  our  return  to  the  hotel  we  found 
Gren.  Porter  with  his  estimable  daughter  and  his  son's  wife  had  been  after 
us^  we  went  to  his  pleasant  mansion  and  found  an  elegant  entertainment 
prepared,  with  a  few  gentlemen  guests  to  meet  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  In 
the  afternoon  Gen.  Porter  took  us  for  a  charming  drive  to  their  farm. 
[Gen.  Peter  B.  Porter  died  at  Niagara  Falls,  March  20,  1844,  aged  71 
years.] 

Did  T  write  about  our  charming  visit  to  Philip  on  Put-in-Bay  Island  ? 
While  there  the  Captain  of  a  Revenue  Schooner  invited  us  to  go  in  his 
vessel  to  Sandusky  City;  the  sail  was  delightful  in  this  miniature  Man-of- 
War.  I  regretted  to  leave  the  beautiful  harbor  at  Put-in-Bay  where  once 
was  anchored  the  whole  squadron  of  Commodore  Perry.  Our  dear  father 
finds  pleasant  land  marks  all  over,  and  his  entire  trip  has  been  to  him  ex- 
ceedingly interesting.  The  only  things  left  behind  not  regretted  were  the 
rattlesnakes  ;  the  boys  made  a  thriving  business  in  catching  these  vile 
serpents  at  Rattle  snake  Island,  and  then  selling  them  to  the  passengers 
on  the  steamboats. 

One  afternoon  hearing  a  great -commotion  I  looked  out  of  my  bed-room 
window  which  opened  on  the  narrow  portico ;  four  of  the  young  men  were 
busily  engaged  around  a  large  barrel.  In  answer  to  my  inquiry  of  what 
they  were  doing;  they  very  cautiously  raised  a  heavy  cover  displaying  a 
large  lot  of  Rattlesnakes  of  every  size ;  two  or  three  moved  their  articu- 
lated horny  cells,  with  such  a  vibrating  motion  that  the  rattling  sound 
was  fearful.  I  had  seen  quite  enough,  but  I  closed  the  glass  of  my  win- 
dow very  securely,  yet  I  fancied  all  night  I  heard  them  dartin^against 
the  cover,  much  to  my  disquietude.  We  are  now  the  guests  of  H.  V.  R. 
Schermerhorn,  Esq.,  but  go  often  to  see  Kate  who  is  very  ill,  both  she  and 
Frank  Dwight  urge  us  to  visit  them  but  I  think  she  is  too  unwell.  [Mrs. 
Catharine  V.  R.  Dwight  died  August  20,  1840.]  Aunt  and  Uncle  Scher- 
merhorn are  quite  well.  Mrs.  Gideon  Lee  called  to  see  me  and  invited 
me  to  remain  on  a  visit  to  her  ;  she  sent  her  carriage  for  us  Monday  after- 
noon, we  took  tea  at  Mr.  Lee's  residence  and  had  a  pleasant,  social  time. 
We  had  a  charming  sail  from  Geneva  across  the  lake  to  Jefferson,  and 
all  were  delighted  with  the  wild,  romantic  Glen,  we  enjoyed  the  trip. 
Mr.  Watkins  was  truly  glad  to  eee  Papa.  Seneca  lake  is  very  deep  and 
the  water  n^ver  freezes ;  the  sail  over  this  beautiful  sheet  of  water, 
together  with  the  scenery  about  the  picturesque  ravine  is  well  worth  view- 
ing. 

On  Saturday,  August  1st,  Papa  went  with  Rensselaer  Schermerhorn 
and  Francis  Dwight  to  a  public  meeting  about  30  miles  from  Geneva  to 
Vienna,  which  is  beautifully  situated  at  the  outlet  of  Canandaigua  lake. 
The  band  drawn  by  four  horses  and  followed  by  a  number  of  vehicles  drove 
up  to  Rensselaer's  bouse  and  stopped,  when  three  gentlemen  came  in  for 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  and  led  him  on  the  piazza.  One  of  the  band  rose 
and  said  three  cheers  for  the  "  Hero  of  Queenston  ;  "  the  gentlemen  stand- 
ing in  their  carriages  made  the  welkin  ring  with  their  noise.  The  music  then 
struck  up  a  march  and  Papa  walked  out  to  the  barouche  immediately 
following  the  band  ;  the  other  carriages  formed  in  a  line  behind  and  made 
quite  a  respectable  procession.  They  sent  a  messenger  ahead  to  give 
notice,  and  on  entering  the  village  found  the  men  drawn  up  in  a  double 


Legacy  of  Histokical  Gleanings.  145 

'line  who  gave  hearty  cheers  and  saluted  the  old  Hero  as  he  passed  down 
the  centre  ;  the  party  returned  iu  excellent  spirits  but  wearied.  The  paper 
says  :  "  There  was  a  Great  WhigGratherino;  at  Vienna  in  the  town  of  Phelps. 
As  the  procession  was  forming  a  nuuierou-i  Cavalcade  from  G-eaeva,  Waterloo 
and  Seneca  Falls,  made  its  appearance.  The  procession  was  opened  to 
receive  them,  and  as  they  were  passing  through,  the  venerable  (xENERAL 
Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  was  recognized  in  one  of  the  carriages.  A 
universal  and  spontaneous  shout  of  welcome  arose  from  all  present ;  and 
the  associate  of  Harrison  in  the  hard  fought  battle  of  Miami,  the  time 
honored  and  time  worn  soldier,  was  again  and  again  greeted  with  the  cheers 
and  acclamations  of  the  people."  Sj/raause,  August  Sth.  We  arrived  at 
this  place  on  Thursday  afternoon,  Major  Forman  was  waiting  for  us  at  the 
depot.  Papa  left  %irly  yesterday  morning  for  Oswego  to  return  next 
Monday.  "  G-reat  Whig  Gatherings"  are  very  common  and  he  has  accepted 
an  invitation  to  be  present  at  the  Utica  assembling.  We  are  to  be  guests 
of  Mr.  Devareux.     Papa  joins  me  in  affectionate  love.     Ever  yours. 

Catharina  "V^.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Miss  Margaretta  Van  Rensselaer,  Cherry  Hill. 

Oswego  Gou?ity  Whig  Meeting. 

"  The  arrival  of  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  at  our  Village  on  the 
7th,  on  his  return  from  a  visit  to  his  friend  Gen.  Harrison,  his  compatriot 
in  arms  at  the  battle  of  Miami,  under  Wayne,  afforded  the  citizens  an  op- 
portunity to  pay  the  respect  due  to  him  as  a  soldier,  who  had  on  more 
than  one  occasion  shed  his  blood  in  defence  of  his  Country.  And  yielding 
to  the  solicitation  of  his  friends,  he  consented  to  appear  at  the  Market 
House,  there  to  receive  such  public  demonstrations  which  a  worthy  citizen 
and  gallant  soldier  justly  merited.  Such  was  the  ardor  and  spirit  on  the 
occasion  that  within  a  few  hours  after  notice  was  given  the  large  room  in 
the  Market  House,  on  the  Evening  of  the  8th,  was  filled  to  overflowing  j 
when  immediately  on  the  appointment  of  offigers,  Matthew  McNail,  Esq., 
President,  Messrs.  Cochrane  and  Barnes,  Vice-Presidents,  Messrs.  Isaacs 
and  Van  Schaack,  Secretaries,  and  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  had  taken  his 
seat  on  the  right  of  the  President,  three  cheers  were  given  for  the  Hero  of 
Queenston.  The  meeting  was  then  addressed  by  Mr.  Duer,  fully  answer- 
ing the  expectations  of  those  who  had  heard  him  on  other  like  occasions. 
Animated  by  the  presence  of  him  who  had  fought  side  by  side  with  his 
friend.  Harrison,  he  eloquently  presented  his  History  —  his  appointment 
by  Washington  as  an  officer  of  the  dragoons  at  the  age  of  18  —  his  gallant 
conduct  at  the  Battle  of  Miami,  under  Wayne,  in  1794,  when  he  witnessed 
the  bravery  of  Harrison,  aid  to  the  commander,  in  the  thickest  of  the 
fight  —  his  seven  wounds  —  his  consequent  suffering  from  them  and  the 
many  which  he  received  at  the  Battle  of  Queenston  in  the  War  of 
1812  —  his  subsequent  appointment  of  Post  Master  at  Albany  by  President 
Monroe  and  removal  from  it  for  opinion's  sake  by  (tell  it  not  in  Gath,  nor 
in  the  streets  of  Askelon)  Martin  Van  Buren,  whose  undeserved  elevation 
to  the  office  of  President  was  lamented  by  every  one  capable  of  feeling 
for  the  honor  and  character  of  the  Government.  Mr.  Duer  was  listened 
to  with  deep  interest,  frequently  by  loud  expressions  of  approbation  by 
the  audience.  Mr.  Bond  being  called  upon  to  address  the  meeting,  gave 
a  rapid  but  glowing  sketch  of  the  public  life  and  service  of  Gen.  Harrison 
which  drew  from  the  audience  repeated  acclamations. 

II]  19 


146  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

"  It  was  a  happy  eflPort  upon  the  spur  of  the  occasion,  exhibiting  in  just 
light  the  character  of  him,  who,  in  all  the  stations  he  occupied,  whether 
in  peace  or  in  war,  like  the  Father  of  his  Country,  never  failed  to  do  his 
duty,  and  which  he  did  do  with  an  ability  and  fidelity,  which  entitles  him 
to  the  highest  Honors  a  free  and  magnanimous  people  can  confer.  The 
meeting  then  adjourned  with  cheers  three  times  three  previous  to  which, 
on  motion  of  Mr.  Fitzhugh,  it  was  resolved  that  the  thanks  of  the  meeting 
be  tendered  to  Gen.  S.  Van  Rensselaer  for  his  kind  attendance  and  prompt 
and  fearless  vindication  of  the  character  of  Gen.  Harrison  from  the  foul 
aspersions  of  the  opposition. 

"  Mr.  Monroe,  not  unmindful  of  General  Van  Rensselaer's  services,  dur- 
ing the  last  terra  of  his  presidency,  appointed  him  to  the  oflBce  of  Postmas- 
ter at  Albany.  But  Martin  Van  Buren  incapable  of  any  act  independent 
of  considerations  which  respected  self,  having  always  an  eye  to  the  ways 
and  means  to  promote  his  selfish  purposes,  sees  no  worth  in  any  one  in  the ' 
distribution  of  ofl&ces  unless  he  cafc  procure  him  votes.  Although  Martin's 
evil  genius  accompanied  Gen.  Jackson  in  measures  injurious  to  the  best 
interests  of  the  Country,  yet  the  old  soldier,  when  he  entered  upon  his  office 
as  President,  utterly  refused  to  listen  to  his  application  to  turn  Van  Rens- 
selaer out  of  his  office,  alleging  that  he  had  bravely  faced  the  enemies  of 
his  Country,  and  shed  his  blood  in  its  defence.  The  patience  and  the 
hardships  endured,  and  the  valor  displayed,  afford  fruitful  themes  for  the 
most  brilliant  displays  of  Victory.  A  President  of  generous  feeling  and 
manly  bearing,  who  would  value  ancestral  services,  and  who  knew  that 
the  father  of  General  Van  Rensselaer  had  fought  and  bled  in  the  cause 
which  gave  us  liberty  and  Independence,  would  not,  as  Gen.  Jackson  did 
not,  remove  the  son  from  office  for  mere  opinion's  sake." 

James  Cochran  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  General,  Oswego,  Aug.  15,  1840. 

Accompanying  this  note^jis  a  paper  containing  the  proceedings  of  the 
meeting  you  attended  at  this  place.  It  fell  to  my  lot  to  write  out  the  pro- 
ceedings and  hope  you  will  be  pleased  with  it.  It  no  doubt  would  have 
been  done  better  by  some  other  pen,  but  hurried  as  I  was,  I  did  the  best 
I  could.  Mrs.  Cochran  is  well  and  joins  me  in  best  regards  for  you 
and  your  family.  I  need  not  tell  you,  how  happy  we  would  be  to  see  any 
one  of  your  daughters,  as  well  as  yourself  at  Oswego  to  occupy  rooms  in 
our  house,  in  case  of  a  visit.      With  affectionate  regards.  Your  friend 

Genl.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer.  James  Cochran. 

Judge  McLean  to  Oen. .  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Sir,  '  New  York,  Nov.  19,  1840. 

The  battle  is  won,  and  victory  perches  on  the  brow  of  him  who  cannot 
fail  to  confer  honor  upon  the  Station  to  which  he  has  been  called  by  the 
general  voice  of  his  fellow  citizens.  The  battle  is  won,  but  the  triumph 
must  be  perpetuated.  The  movements  in  this  quarter  touching  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Administration  I  fear  are  premature,  and  unless,  they 
shall  be  arrested,  a  dangerous  issue  may  be  presented  by  our  enemies  in 
1843.  The  old  Hero's  Cabinet  must  be  erected  on  the  Republican  Plat- 
form, if  we  hope  for  the  succession.  All  personal  preferences  must  be 
merged  in  the  great  cause  of  the  country ;  and  the  friends  of  Clay  and 
Webster  must  make  mutual  concessions  for  the  general  good. 

There  are  men  enough  friends  of  both  these  distinguished  Statesmen 


Legacy  of  HtsxoRicAL  Gleanings.  147 

eminently  qualified  to  sustain  the  integrity  of  the  party,  and  discharge  the 
duties  which  might  be  assigned  them  in  the  Cabinet.  The  names  of  Clay- 
ton, Ewing,  Sargent,  Southard,  Crittenden,  Rives,  Davis,  Preston  &c., 
rank  high  in  the  catalogue  of  Statesmen  and  patriots,  and  a  selection  from 
these  and  such  as  these  as  members  of  the  Executive  Council  could  not 
fail  to  secure  the  approbation  of  all  true  hearted  Whigs. 

Let  me  request  your  good  offices  in  adjusting  the  difficulties  which  I 
have  adverted  to,  and  your  friends  will  owe  you  an  additional  debt  of 
gratitude.  faithfully  yours  &c., 

General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.  John  McLean. 

Silas  E.  Burrows  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Sir,  New  York,  Jany.  2,  1841. 

There  is  great  excitement  in  this  City  among  the  various  applicants  for 
the  Collectorship  and  Post  Master's  situations.  No  original  Harrison 
men  are  yet  moving  for  their  prizes,  but 'are  waiting  for  the  4th  of  March 
when  their  old  veteran  General's  Reveille  shall  have  beaten.  We  want 
yoih  to  select  any  situation  in  the  land,  and  rely  on  us  —  to  do  all  in  our 
power  to  gratify  your  wishes,  with  an  assurance  that  nine  tenths,  of  the 
original  friends  of  Geul.  Harrison  will  unite  in  the  same.  With  him  you 
battled  for  our  Country  in  1794,  with  him  you  have  crossed  the  "  wintry 
Alps  and  slept  upon  its  snows,"  and  now  when  victory  has  crowned  your 
labors,  and  a  grateful  Country  looks  to  you  as  brothers  in  arms,  there 
is  nothing  that  the  old  body  guard  of  Harrison  more  desire,  than  to  see 
you  with  him  reap  the  richest  reward  the  Country  can  give  to  gratify 
your  wishes.  The  two  most  prominent  candidates,  and  who  have  knocked 
at  most  men's  doors  to  obtain  their  endorsements,  did  all  in  their  power 
to  prevent  the  election  of  Genl.  Harrison  up  to  the  Harrisburgh  nomina- 
tion, and  one  of  them  played  such  a  card  that  he  nearly  destroyed  us. 
W^e  had  rather  trust  the  present  incumbents  than  such  men  as  these. 
When  at  North  Bend  in  November  I  left  a  request  that  you  should  be 
Secretary  of  War  if  you  would  accept  of  it,  and  very  recently  have  heard 
it  reported,  that  you  preferred  coming  to  this  City.  Do  you  recollect  last 
summer  I  said  to  you  in  Albany,  that  you  must  come  here  and  take  your 
selection  of  the  offices  ?  We  want  to  know  what  your  wishes  are,  and 
we  are  with  you  to  a  man.  There  are  no  duties  in  the  Custom  House  for 
a  Collector  to  perform,  but  what  you  can  do  without  difficulty. 

Do  let  me  hear  from  you  and  believe  me  very  truly  your  sincere  friend 
and  Most  Obt.  Svt.  Silas  E.  Burrows. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer. 

John  S.  Bomron  to  Oen.  Van  Bensselaer. 
My  Dear  Sir,  New  York,  Jany.  20,  1841. 

Your  friends  in  New  York  have  been  mortified  to  see  the  letter  writers 
in  Washington  ascribing  to  you  the  intention  of  being  a  candidate  for 
Collector  &c.  I  have  on  all  occasions  declared  that  you  was  not  a  candi- 
date for  any  office ;  but  that  the  whole  country  expected  and  believed 
that  General  Harrison  would  either  invite  you  into  the  Cabinet,  or  oifer 
you  such  an  office,  as  your  friends  would  consider  due  to  your  eminent 
public  services.  We  are  of  the  opinion  that  much  of  the  matter  in  the 
letters  from  Washington  originates  from  certain  Members  of  Congress.  I 
will  take  this  opportunity  to  state,  that  great  and  universal  dissatisfaction 
prevails  all  over  the  Country,  at  the  bold  attempts  that  are  now  makin"- 


148  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

by  certain  men  at  Washington  to  arrange  appointments  long  before  the 
opinion  of  Gen.  Harrison  is  known  upon  the  subject.  I  have  a  very  high 
opinion  of  many  Members  of  Congress.  But  I  have  a  still  higher  opinion 
of  the  virtue  and  intelligence  of  the  people.  The  recent  glorious  triumph 
is  conclusive  evidence  that  the  people  w^re  better  judges  of  what  the 
country  demanded,  than  our  representatives  in  Congress.  From  the  whole 
history  of  General  Harrison's  life  we  shall  find  that  it  has  been  his  inva- 
riable practice  to  consult  the  will  of  the  people,  this  has  been  the  ground 
of  his  immense  popularity  every  where.  Gen.  Harrison  would  have  been 
triumphantly  elected  in  1836  if  the  politicians,  who  are  now  so  anxious  to 
conti'ol  every  thing,  had  not  prevented.     *     *     *     * 

I  am  most  Respectfully  yours 
General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Washington.    John  S.  Bowron. 

Silas  E.  Burrows  to  Gen.  Van  Bensselaer. 

My  Dear  General,  New  York,  Jany.  21,  1841. 

I  was  detained  in  Washington  till  Tuesday  morning  which  prevented 
my  seeing  you  Monday  evening  at  Philadelphia.  The  public  opinion, 
expressed  by  those  I  saw  on  the  road,  in  relation  to  your  appointment 
as  Collector  was  very  gratifying  to  me.  It  seems  to  be  considered,  an 
acknowledged  right  of  yours,  and  as  one  of  those  appointments  General 
Harrison  will  make  as  a  matter  of  course.  With  him  you  fought,  with 
him  you  have  entwined  wreaths  of  glory  around  the  Standard  of  our 
Country,  and  with  him  we  now  desire  you  to  be  honored,  and  to  receive 
such  an  income  as  shall  make  you  feel  happy  and  independent  as  the 
evening  of  life  approaches. 

1  knoio  you  have  more  personal  influence  and  popularity  in  this  State, 
and  I  think  in  the  United  States  than  Genl.  Scott,  and  I  am  sure  your 
prospects  as  successor  to  Genl.  Harrison  are  better  than  the  hero  of 
Chippeway.  I  assure  you  there  is  no  situation  in  the  U.  States  which 
enables  the  incumbent  to  exert  such  an  influence  (and  at  the  same  time 
do  his  duty)  as  the  Collectorship  of  New  York.  If  you  are  Collector,  you 
can  be  Governor  when  you  please ;  and  I  am  honest  in  saying  I  believe 
sincerely  you  can  be  Tippecanoe's  successor.  Or  should  you  prefer,  can 
give  the  direction  as  to  who  shall  be,  and  that  direction  will  be  pure, 
genuine,  unadulterated  Harrison  influence  which  I  desire  to  see,  feel, 
hear  and  know  pervades  the  entire  land. 

To  support  triumphantly  the  Log-Cabin  interest  I  have  sacrificed  every 
personal  consideration,  and  have  expended  more  time  and  money  than  any 
individual  in  the  U.  States;  and  I  should  be  deeply  ujortified,  and 
desire  to  leave  my  country  forever  if  those  were  appointed  to  the  first 
offices  in  this  City,  who  personally  —  previous  to  the  Harrisburg  Conven- 
tion —  treated  me  with  sneers  and  ridicule  because  my  favorite  candidate 
was  not  of  their  selection.  I  have  suifered  severely  on  a  Polar  expedition  ; 
have  been  for  three  days  and  nights  on  an  Iceberg  without  food  or  sleep, 
but  I  did  not  endure  as  much  as  I  have  from  the  insults  of  individuals, 
during  the  last  year  connected  with  the  Election.  And  some  of  the  same 
individuals  are  now  laying  claim  to  the  best  offices  in  the  land.  If  it  was 
only  money  they  were  to  obtain  it  would  be  difi"erent;  but  with  the  honor, 
their  base  slanders  will  be  confirmed,  and  I,  for  one,  should  wish  to  hide 
my  head  in  their  presence.  Either  give  us  a  representative  of  the  noble 
Harrison,  or  allow  the  present  incumbent  to  remain  in  the  Custom  House. 
On  this  subject  perhaps  I  possess  too  much  warmth  of  feeling,  but  it  is  so 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  149 

intimately  connected  with  the  honor  and  happiness  of  Genl.  Harrison,  and 
of  his  faithful  soldiers,  that  my  course  is  an  uncompromising  one ;  sus- 
tained by  every  principle  of /lis^jce,  honor  and  sound  policy. 

General  Harrison  and  his  friends  are  to  give  the  direction  of  public 
opinion  to  his  successor,  and  when  I  see  you  the  end  shall  be  related, 
of  which  this  is  only  the  beginning.  In  relation  to  the  most  prominent 
candidate  for  the  Collectorship,  I  have  information  sufficient  to  satisfy 
Gen.  Harrison  that  he  should  not  receive  the  appointment.  If  you  desire 
I  will  visit  Washington,  whenever  you  please  and  communicate  with  you 
personally  on  the  subject.     Believe  me  truly  yours  forever 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Washington.  Silas  E.  Burrows. 

William  L.  Stone  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

My  Dear  General,  New  York,  Jany  23,  1841. 

I  intended  to  have  written  you  sooner,  but  it  was  not  until  yesterday 
afternoon  that  I  succeeded  in  all  the  inquiries  that  I  wished  to  make. 

The  Marshall's  office,  on  an  average,  is  worth  about  fifteen  thousand 
dollars  a  year.  It  is  a  very  genteel  office,  and  the  duties  are  nearly  all 
discharged  by  a  Deputy.  The  profits  have  been  as  high  as  Eighteen 
thousand  Dollars.  But  there  is  some  talk  in  Congress  of  cutting  down 
the  fees  to  five  thousand.  If  the  fees  should  not  be  reduced,  this  is  the 
most  desirable  office  in  the  city.  The  regular  proceeds  of  the  Collector's 
office  in  ordinary  times,  and  when  administered  more  with  a  view  to  the 
public  good  than  to  private  Emolument,  I  believe  is  rated  at  an  average 
of  Twelve  Thousand.  But  as  I  said  to  you,  the  income  can  be  largely 
increased  by  the  Storage  System,  as  it  has  been  practiced  by  Mr.  Hoyt. 
He  has  also  been  in  the  practice  of  making  many  Seizures.  In  consequence 
of  these  additions  —  itis  believed  thatHoyt's  incomehas  been  from  17,000  to 
20,000  Dollars  per  Annum.  But  under  the  new  order  of  things  it  will 
probably  fiiU  down  to  Twelve  Thousand.  The  office  of  Collector  is  very 
arduous,  requiring  the  whole  time  of  the  Collector,  and  is  brought  into  con- 
tinual contact  with  the  merchants,  everyday,  upon  nice  legal  points,  and  a 
thousand  vexatious  questions.  The  next  important  Office  is  the  Post 
Office  —  I  have  taken  great  pains  to  ascertain  all  about  this  office,  and  so  • 
has  my  partner  —  Mr.  Hall  —  who  is  also  your  friend.  Mr.  Hall,  you 
know,  has,  all  his  life,  had  a  great  deal  to  do  with  the  Post  Office.  And 
as  it  is  now  conducted,  both  Mr.  Hall  and  myself  think  it  the  very  best 
office  in  the  City.  The  boxes  now  produce  Eight  Thousand  Dollars  per 
annum.  The  Salary  is  Two  Thousand  Dollars.  The  City  Letters  produce' 
an  average  of  One  Thousand  Dollars  a  year.  This  makes  the  clear 
income  Eleven  Thousand  Dollars  per  Annum.  But  this  is  not  the  best 
part  of  it.  There  are  two  Post  Offices.  The  lower  Post  Office  costs  the 
Post  Master  fourteen  hundred  Dollars  a  year,  and  its  clear  income  is  more 
than  ten  thousand  Dollars,  as  I  am  informed.  This,  then,  is  the  best 
office  in  the  City.  With  its  duties  you  are  perfectly  familiar.  The  labor 
can  in  a  great  measure  be  done  by  Deputy.  It  is  a  far  better  office  than 
the  Collectors,  with  not  a  hundredth  part  of  the  labor  and  responsibility. 
I  am,  Dear  Sir  —  Very  truly  Yours  William  L.  Stone. 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany. 

Colonel  Stooe  was  an  honorable  man,  and  a  true  friend  to  General  Van 
Rensselaer ;  his  opinion  so  fully  expressed  was  a  pure  free  will  ofifering'of 
kindness  and  patriotism,  as  such  it  carried  weight.     There  were  others, 


150  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

however,  who  were  playing  an  under  hand  game,  but  the  old  general  wa: 
neither  intimidated  or  hoodwinked  ;  he  was  well  aware  of  the  jealousy  ol 
a  few  politicians  and  had  no  desire  to  fan  the  embers  into  a  prodigious 
flame.  There  was  no  necessity  for  deep  searching  of  motives,  in  reference 
to  all  the  unsolicited  advice,  he  was  constantly  receiving  about  certain 
offices  and  the  contemptible  intriguers  stood  clearly  unveiled  in  their 
duplicity. 

Philip  W.  Groot  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  General,  Albany,  Jany.  23,  1841. 

I  find  by  the  New  York  papers  that  you  left  that  City  on  the  previous 
Monday  for  Washington.  I  perceive  the  N.  Y.  Express  speaks  favorably 
of  your  claim  of  Collector  of  New  York  ;  the  Argus  in  his  comments  upon 
what  the  Express  says  (in  speaking  of  you)  Genl.  Van  Rensselaer  "  who 
resisted  and  defeated  the  efforts  of  Weed  and  the  Junto  to  endorse  a 
selection  of  State  Delegates  in  favor  of  Gen.  Scott,  and  was  no  way  in- 
efficient in  resisting  and  defeating  the  same  influences  at  Harrisburgh  ;  " 
the  general  opinion  pervades  here  and  by  what  some  New  Yorkers,  just 
from  there  say,  that  no  man  living  has  a  stronger  claim,  and  that  would 
give  more  general  satisfaction  to  that  office.  It  is  here  generally  conceded, 
and  talked  of,  that^ow  are  the  man.  Your  family  are  all  well  Charles 
E.  Dudley  is  no  more,  he  left  this  scene  of  action  10  o'clock  this  morning. 
J.  T.  B.  Van  Vechten  is  no  more.  For  your  kindness  to  me,  I  shall  ever 
feel  grateful,  and  believe  me  to  be,  Your  Humble  Servt., 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Washington,  D.  C.       P.  W.  Groot. 

The  Express  of  Tuesday  says  regarding  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  of  Albany  : 
"  This  gentleman  left  the  city  yesterday  for  Washington.  It  is  now  said 
he  is  a  candidate  for  the  New  York  collectorship  and  with  much  ap- 
pearance of  truth,"  The  Argus  comments  :  "  We  are  not  surprised  that 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  should  go  to  Washington  as  a  candidate  for  the 
New  York  collectorship.  Nor  shall  we  be  surprised  if  he  obtains  the  ap-' 
pointment.  He  is  an  old  friend  and  companion  in  arms  of  the  president 
elect ;  was  foremost  among  the  "  Whigs  "  of  the  city  who  resis^ted  and 
defeated  the  efforts  of  Weed  and  the  Junto  to  ensure  a  selection  of  state 
delegates  in  favor  of  Gen.  Scott;  and  was  by  no  means  inefficient  in  re- 
sisting and  defeating  the  influences  at  Harrisburg.  If  Gen.  Van  Rens- 
selaer should  intimate  a  willingness  to  receive  the  appointment,  there  is 
but  little  doubt  that  his  wishes  will  be  gratified." 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  R.  C.  Wetmore. 
My  Dear  Sir,  New  York,  February  3,  1841. 

*  *  *  X  wrote  you  yesterday  a  few  lines  in  which  I  explained  my 
views  and  expressed  my  disapprobation  of  the  covert  and  insidious  attacks 
made  by  the-  newspaper  letter  writers  on  the  character  and  position  of 
General  Van  Rensselaer.  ^ 

I  wrote  that  letter  in  exceeding  haste  and  amidst  numerous  interruptions, 
and  perhaps  did  not  say  as  fully  as  I  intended  to  do,  that  my  feelings 
would  prompt  me  unhesitatingly  and  most  cordially  to  withdraw  my  Claims 
to  the  Collectorship,  in  favour  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  in  the  event  that 
the  President  Elect  should  find  himself  at  all  embarrassed  in  regard  to 
the  selection.  However  much  I  might  be  disposed  to  occupy  the  post, 
wi*h  the  view  to  the  advantages  it  might  enable  me  to  confer  upon  the 
large  body  of  honest  and  hard-working  friends  of  the  true  Whij  parti/  in 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  151 

this  City,  still  I  would  not  for  any  consideration,  certainly  for  none  that 
had  reference  to  my  own  interests  merely,  consent  for  a  moment  to  per- 
sist in  an  application  that  should  present  obstacles  to  the  satisfactory 
arrangements  of  the  subject.  Still  less  could  I  be  induced  to  insist  upon 
any  claim  I  may  be  supposed  to  possess  in  opposition  to  one  whom  I  esteem 
so  highly  as  I  do  the  Grentleman  named,  and  whose  ulterior  political  views 
are  so  entirely  in  accordance  with  my  own.  Should  Genl.  Van  Rensselaer 
prove  the  successful  candidate,  I  must  beg  of  you  to  commend  to  his  favor 
and  consideration  the  portion  of  the  party  in  this  city  who  have  borne  all 
the  burden  and  labour  of  our  past  conflict.  *  *  *  With  my  best  re- 
spects believe  me  your  assured  friend.  E.OBT.  C.  Wefmore. 
J.  N.  Reynolds,  Esq.,  Washington  City. 

Elbert  Herring  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  New  York,  Feb.  1841. 

Since  your  departure,  I  have  thought  and  talked  a  good  deal  on  the 
topic  of  our  late  Conversations,  with  a  view  to  discover  materials,  if  any 
existed,  whereon  to  form  a  new,  or  change  old  opinions.  I  have  judged 
it  not  unadvisable  to  communicate  the  result ;  knowing  that  you  confide 
.  in  my  frankness  and  intelligence,  and  that  I  am  actuated  by  the  sincerest 
desire  to  promote  your  best  interests,  both  by  counsel  and  friendly  acts  to 
the  extent  of  my  ability.  The  contending  claims  for  the  berth  of  Collec- 
torship  of  this  Port  renders  it  certain,  that  dissatisfaction  will  arise  from 
its  allotment  on  mere  political  grounds. 

Mr,  Webster  has  his  protegee,  Mr.  Clay  has  his;  and  their  respective 
adherents  enter  into  the  question  with  opposing  zeal  in  a  manner,  that 
cannot  fail  of  ripening  into  a  feud,  probably  of  ending  in  hostility  in  the 
success  of  either  party.  The  designation  of  a  person,  exempt  from  this 
serious  inconvenience,  would  relieve  Gen.  Harrison  from  embarrassment 
in  a  choice  between  such  delicate  Interests,  and  prevent  a  collision  much 
to  be  deprecated.  And  it  has  always  been  conceded,  that  other  things 
being  equal,  personal  feelings  might  rightfully  influence  the  Executive  in 
the  selection  of  the  Individual  for  whatever  post  he  is  competent  to  fill. 
On  these  grounds,  knowing  the  long-standing  friendship  and  strict  inti- 
macy subsisting  between  the  President  elect  and  yourself,  I  should  not 
hesitate  to  advise  him,  if  I  were  on  terms  of  advice,  to  consult  his  own 
predilection  solely,  and  to  appoint  you  to  the  "place  ofl"  hand,  without  wait- 
ing to  adjust  the  unadjustable  pretensions  of  rival  Candidates.  These 
considerations  address  themselves  more  particularly  to  Gen.  Harrison  as 
the  appointing  power,  but  they  are  not  without  a  bearing  on  yourself,  as 
a  distinguished  partizan,  and  a  firm  supporter  of  his  Administration. 

In  the  rival  contest  between  Clay  and  Webster  for  the  future  Presi- 
dency, you  are  not  supposed  to  have  taken  a  part,  and  of  course  present 
no  obnoxiousness  to  either  Interest.  Let  the  Collectorship  become  a  prize 
for  future  struggle,  rather  than  a  cause  of  present  heartburning  and 
vindictive  strife.  With  respect  to  your  appointment  to  the  office,  my 
dear  Sir,  the  objections  are  all  commonplace,  and  without  positive  cogency. 
You  are  a  younger  Man  by  several  years,  than  David  Gelston  was  while 
he  held  it.  The  duties  are  neither  complex  nor  arduous,  no  ways  as 
onerous  as  those  of  either  of  the  Secretaryships  under  the  Government. 
In  their  discharge,  you  can  properly  and  readily  avail  yourself  *of  the 
services  of  a  tried  deputy  and  experienced  Subordinates,  the  most  useful 
and  worthy  of  whom  might  be  retained  in  their  respective  stations.     The 


152  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

business  would  go  on  regularly  and  without  the  least  impediment  by  virtue 
of  the  existing  organization,  the  machinery  of  which  would  not  be  dis- 
turbed. I  would  as  soon  rely  on  your  Judgment,  as  that  of  any  other 
man  in  disposing  of  whatever  questions  may  arise  j  for  the  law  is  the 
Index  of  decisions  irfaW  cases,  and  its  exposition  would  soon  be  fiimiliar. 
Your  not  being  a  Resident  of  the  City  is  equally  futile.  President  Jeffer- 
son appointed  a  Resident  of  Virginia  to  the  Collectorship  of  New  Orleans. 
President  Madison  appointed  a  Resident  of  Virginia  to  be  Navy  Agent  at 
this  Port.  President  Monroe  appointed  a  Resident  of  this  City  to  be 
Collector  at  St.  Augustine.  Gen.  Jackson  appointed  a  Non  Resident,  the 
present  Collector  of  Boston.  The  objection  on  this  head  is  of  the  meanest 
description  of  Common-place,  and  therefore  not  worth  controverting.  All 
the  ostensible  Candidates  for  the  Collectorship  of  this  Port  are,  in  one 
sense,  Squatters  among  us.  Not  one  from  any  of  the  old  families  in  this 
City,  or  this  State  even,  not  one  a  long  Resident  either  of  the  City  or 
State.  I  have  made  up  my  mind  conclusively,  that  you  ought  on  no  ac- 
count to  allow  yourself  to  be  diverted  from  a  steady  pursuit  and  success- 
ful attainment  of  this  object.  It  is  of  paramount  Interest,  and,  if  obtained, 
of  easy  execution.  It  is  honor  to  yourself —  independence  to  your  family  — 
and  patronage  to  your  friends.  Regard  not,  I  beseech  you,  the  insidious 
schemes  and  pretended  candor  of  those,  who  would  wish  to  supplant  your 
Claims.  They  study  their  own  Interests.  Be  you  equally  tenacious  of 
your  own  and  all  will  be  well. 

With  high  Respect,  Your  Friend  and  Servt., 
Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Washington,  D.C.         Elbert  Herring. 

Feb.  10,  1841. 
A  friend  wrote  :  "  Dear  General,  I  received  a  letter  from  the  city  of 
New  York  and  from  one  who  knows,  and  is  placed  in  a  sphere  to  know 
all  that  is  going  on  among  a  certain  clique  to  operate  unfavorably  against 
you.  The  fact  is  that  class  consists  of  certain  members  of  Congress,  with 
others,  they  are  working  to  secure  unto  themselves  all  the  '  loaves  and 
fishes'  to  suit  themselves  and  to  exclude  you;  or  in  other  words  to  choke 
you  off  they  use  all  kind  of  epithets  as  to  your  claim.  It  is  nothing  strange, 
for  the  same  men  did  so  in  the  Convention  at  Harrisburgh  to  defeat  Gen. 
Harrison's  nomination,  which  if  you  had  acceded  to  their  wishes  would 
have  defeated  Harrison's  nomination  not  only,  but  we  would  have  been 
a  defeated  people  as  far  as*  president  is  concerned.  Look  out  for  there 
are  'breakers'  ahead." 


CHAPTER  Vni. 

Inauguration  and  Funeral. 

8.  Be  Witt  Bloodgood  to  Oen.   Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  General,  Albany  Feb.  15,  1841. 

As  you  may  well  suppose  we  are  all  on  the  qui  vive  as  to  the  movements 
of  our  Chief. 

I  have  one  report  about  the  rumors  received  here.  They  seem  to  indi- 
cate that  Members  of  Congress  are  to  receive  too  many  offices  under  the 
government,  a  bad  principle,  since  it  leads  such  men  to  sacrifice  their 
representative  character  for  mere  selfish  purposes.     In  some  of  the  cases 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  153 

we  hear  of,  the  objection  is  increased  by  the  fact  that  if  they  had  suc- 
ceeded in  their  opposition  to  Gen.  Harrison,  the  Country  ere  this  would 
have  been  ruined.  The  report  that  you  will  resume  the  Post  Office  here, 
gives  general  satisfaction.  Croswell  himself  told  me  this  was  right  and 
proper.  What  is  to  become  of  the  rest  of  us  we  know  not.  I  have  a  con- 
fidence in  Gen.  Harrison  which  leads  me  to  believe,  that  he  will  not  suffer 
me  to  be  broken  down  in  his  cause.  He  will  not  leave  his  wounded  on 
the- field  I  am  sure.  If  he  knew  how  unanimously  public  opinion  assigned 
me  the  position  I  seek  [Consulship  at  Liverpool]  he  would  not  hesitate 
to  put  my  mind  at  ease.  Surely  no  name  that  has  yet  reached  me  should 
outweigh  mine.  Even  Hoffman  told  Col.  Austin  of  Boston  that  '*  if  any 
one  deserved  any  thing  of  the  General  it  was  Mr.  Bloodgood  of  Albany." 
From  the  intimacy  subsisting  between  us  and  the  services  we  were  enabled 
to  render  you,  in  placing  you  at  Harrisburgh,  I  have  no  doubt  you  will 
carry  out  your  former  assurances  to  me  of  your  hearty  assistance  at  Wash- 
ington should  my  position  require  your  aid.     Your  friends  are  well. 

Very  truly  Yours 
Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Washington.  S.  D.  W.  Bloodgood, 

The  same  day  another  letter  was  written  by  Mr.  Bloodgood  to  a  true 
hearted  gentleman,  who  did  not  connive  at  but  exposed  the  dark  under- 
hand manoeuvring.  "  T  am  satisfied  that  demagogues  have  already  got  pos- 
session of  the  power,  and  that  original  Harrison  men  will  have  no  chance. 
Yet  for  all,  1  shall  come  on  and  try  my  hand  and  I  shall  not  be  easily  re- 
pulsed." He  had  previously  written  on  Feb.  5th,  "  Weed  and  Co.  are 
for  Granger  in  the  Cabinet —  this  I  suppose  is  to  get  him  out  of  the  way 
of  Seward  for  the  U.  S,  Senate.  But  it  would  be  far  better  for  them  to 
go  Verplank.  I  am  trying  to  leave  by  the  20th.  There  is  a  good  deal 
of  pulling  and  hauling  here,"  A  few  days  subsequently  a  letter  written 
by  another  person  was  sent  on  to  Washington  :  "  You  must  know  my  dear 
Brother,  that  Bloodgood  of  this  City  has  written  to  Gen.  D not  to  ap- 
prove but  of  the  appointment  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  the  Post  Office  at 
Albany,  and  to  disapprove  of  Mr.  Granger  going  into  the  Cabinet.     It 

would  appear  that  Gen,  D has  shewn  the  letter  to  Gen.  V.  R.  also  to 

Mr.  Granger,,aud  that  they  both  have  copies  of  his  letters."  This  was  all 
very  correct  intelligence ;  and  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  was  also  furnished 
with  copies  of  other  letters  which  proved,  definitely  to  his  wounded  feel- 
ings, that  there  was  very  much  deceit,  and  subtle  artifice  practiced  even 
by  some  wearing  the  mask  of  genuine  friendship,  "  And  that  every  effort 
was  being  made  to  induce  General  Harrison  and  his  friends  to  believe, 
that  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  was  not  an  original  Harrison  man,  but  opposed 
to  him,  that  in  1835-6  he  would  do  nothing,  &c,  &c.  The  wise  men 
are  mum,  although  there  is  an  evident  fluttering  among  the  clique  —  they 
want  to  rise,  but  they  know  not  which  way  to  shape  their  course,  and  will 
probably  remain  in  cover  until  after  the  fourth  of  March.  Seward  shows 
some  restiveness  in  the  harness  of  the  clique  who  are  suspicious  of  John 
C.  Spencer." 

"  Neio  York  Feb.  16,  1841.  General  Van  Rensselaer's  name  forms  an 
exception  to  the  general  rule.  His  name  is  the  property  of  the  Nation, 
at  the  sound  of  which  every  patriotic  American  heart  beats  with  gratitude. 
We  have  considered  he  stood  too  high,  was  too  well  known  to  require  en- 
dorsement, by  an  array  of  names.     We  believed  it  would  be  an  insult  to 

II]  20 


154  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

that  noble  individual  (who  fought  and  bled  with  our  Wayne  and  Harrison 
and  whose  body  was  perforated  with  balls  on  the  heights  of  Queenstown  ; 
who  was  removed  from  an  insignificant  office  at  xVlbany  by  Mr.  Van  Biiren 
because  he  could  not  be  bribed  to  betray  his  native  land;  whose  influence 
accomplished  the  Harrisburg  nomination,  and  who  has  done  more  for  his 
Country,  and  been  worse  paid,  than  any  other  individual  in  the  United 
States)  to  ask  any  persons  to  recommend  him  to  General  Harrison.  If, 
liowever  we  have  erred,  if  names  are  wanted,  we  will  give  not  less  than 
the  Twenty  Thousand  from  New  York  City,  and  will  give  this  number 
without  resorting  to  the  pitiful  course  of  drafting  conscripts!  No  man  is 
better  qualified,  in  every  way,  to  fill  the  station  of  Collector  of  this  Port 
than  Gren.  Van  Rensselaer,  none  can  be  appointed  that  will  be  so  accept- 
able to  the  peoj)le  in  general,  as  they  all  know  with  him,  there  will  be 
no  defalcations ;  and  if  necessary  he  can  obtain  three  times  as  many  names 
as  any  other  candidate.  In  relation  to  the  Collector's  duty  in  this  City, 
no  one  understands  it  better  than  myself,  I  therefore  speak  intelligently 
and  without  fear  of  contradiction,  when  I  say,  that  no  man  can  conduct 
the  business,  as  Collector  of  the  Port  of  New  York,  with  more  honor  both 
to  himself  and  to  the  Administration  or  to  greater  advantage  to  the  People 
than  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer." 

Catharina  V.  Van  Rensselaer  to  her  Brother. 
My  Dear  Brother,  Washington  City  February  18,  1841. 

Your  letter  to  Papa  arrived  this  afternoon.  You  know  I  am  with  him 
in  the  capacity  of  private  secretary,  therefore  he  has  delegated  me  to 
answer  your  inquiries  immediately.  He  desires  me  to  say  that  General 
Harrison  has  refused  to  hear  of  any  applications  for  office  until  after  the 
inauguration,  consequently  our  dear  Father  has  not  spoken  of  an  office 
either  for  himself  or  any  other  person  ;  but  immediately  after  the  General 
is  inducted  into  office  he  will  exert  himself  earnestly  in  your  behalf.  It 
was  only  because  he  could  not  definitely  tell  you  any  thing  that  would  be 
satisfactory  iu  regard  to  your  wishes  that  he  has  not  written.  He  says  Major 
Forman  must  prepare  that  "  Petition"  and  send  it  on  before  the  4th  of 
March,  apid  then  if  he  finds  it  necessary  will  act  upon  it,  if  not  will  keep 
it  back.  At  a  proper  time  he  will  also  attend  to  Uncle  Ki^ian's  business, 
but  at  present  nolliiwj  can  be  accomplished,  and  the  dear  good  man  main- 
tains a  strict  reticence  on  the  subject  of  appointments.  Now  will  you  be 
pleased  to  tell  that  good  Uncle  of  mine,  I  am  deeply  sensible  of  the  honor 
he  puts  on  me ;  and  since  he  so  fully  appreciates  "  the  influence  of  young 
ladies  in  such  matters,"  I  will  also  exert  myself  ibr  his  preferment,  and  shall 
in  return  hold  him  to  his  promise  that  when  Charge  d  'Afi"airs  to  Texas, 
"  he  will  fix  me  a  siinni/  sj)ot  in  that  region  —  all  Jiowers  and  love  —  to 
run  to,  when  the  cold  of  the  North  is  like  to  chill  the  warm  leelings  of 
the  heart."  On  Saturday  the  6th,  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  went  to  Balti- 
more to  meet  the  President  elect ;  and  on  Monday  evening  at  Mrs,  Hill's 
party,  the  Hon.  Frank  Granger  told  me  he  had  seen  in  the  morning  paper 
a  very  pretty  account  of  Papa's  being  in  the  "  Monumental  City"  and 
that  the  honorable  company  were  expected  to  arrive  in  Washington  on 
Tuesday  the  9th  at  eleven  o'clock.  A  gentleman  had  kindly  ofi'ered  to 
escort  us  to  see  the  grand  entree,  therefore  early  on  Tuesday  he  arrived  in 
his  carriage  and  soon  we  wereiu  the  pleasant  parlor  of  Mrs.  Bond —  wife  of 
the  Representative  from  Chillicothe  —  on  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  where 
we  had  a  fine  view  of  the  cortege.     A  very  heavy  wet  snow  was  falling 


I 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  155 

fast,  but  an  immense  concourse  of  people  —  several  thousands  —  together 
with  the  Tippecanoe  clubs  with  their  banners,  were  at  the  depot  when  the 
cars  arrived  at  11  A.  M.  As  the  train  approached  three  guns  were  fired, 
at  which  signal  the  bells  rang  out  a  joyous  peal.  General  Harrison  was 
received  by  the  3Iayor,  W.  Seaton,  and  provided  with  a  pair  of  thick  warm 
overshoes.  Preceded  by  the  Marine  band  playing  stirring  airs,  and  fol- 
lowed by  the  vast  assemblage.  General  Harrison  —  who  was  now  in  the 
"  hands  of  the  city  authorities,"  walked  up  with  hat  off,  to  the  City  Hall 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  the  Mayor  and  another  gentleman.  Gen.  Van 
Rensselaer  came  next  walking  with  a  friend,  Col.  Chambers  and  Col.  Todd  — 
both  Aids  during  the  war  —  accompanied  him.  "  This  loas  General 
Harriaon's  hirlh-dai/,  and  what  a  triumph  for  any  man,  on  such  an  occa- 
sion, to  enter  the  metropolis  of  his  country,  to  be  greeted  by  the  cheers 
of  thousands.  Not  eleven  years  ago  .Gen.  H.  came  quietly  to  Washington, 
as  a  recalled  Minister  from  Colombia ;  removed  by  Gen.  Jackson^  and 
passed  on  with  a  heavy  heart  to  his  home  in  Ohio.  To  day  he  returns 
to  the  same  place,  as  the  President  of  the  United  States,  chosen  by  a 
majority  of  more  than  one  hundred  and  forty  thousand  people." 

The  morning  after  the  arrival,  Papa,  who  was  in  excellent  spirits,  took 
us  down  to  see  the  President  Elect,  and  Mr.  Granger  invited  us  into  his 
parlor  —  which  is  directly  opposite,  as  the  rooms  of  the  great  man  were 
filled.  Presently  the  door  opened  and  General  Harrison  entered  followed 
by  Col.  Todd,  Major  Chambers,  Messrs.  Ewing,  Webster,  Crittenden,  Ed- 
ward Curtiss,  Robert  Wickliffe  and  a  host  of  other  gentlemen.  Honors, 
however,  sat  easily  on  the  great  Chief  for  —  with  a  total  disregard  to  the 
crowd,  and  manifesting  as  much  affection  as  if  he  had  been  at  North  Bend 
be  crossed  the  room  coming  straight  to  where  I  stood,  threw  both  arms 
around  me  and  kissed  me  with  a  father's  tender  love.  But  oh  !  my  New 
York  bonnet !  it  was  all  crushed  out  of  comely  shape  into  innumerable 
angles,  by  the  blunt  old  soldier's  demonstrative  exhibition  of  joy.  I  had 
of  course  to  take  the  unsightly  article  off  my  head,  and  Mr.  Granger  — 
with  his  ever  chivalrous  attention  to  ladies  —  led  me  to  the  mirror  to  re- 
adjust it.  The  General  said,  in  the  Spring  Lucy  Este  was  coming  on  to 
Washington  with  his  Wife,  and  that  I  must  certainly  spend  next  Winter 
with  them  at  the  White  House  ;  and  he  had  not  forgotten  his  promise  that 
I  certainly  was  to  be  Queen.  Some  of  the  gentlemen  remarked:  "  That 
is  coming  to  the  point,"  and  it  really  created  considerable  merriment.  I 
have  heard  from  a  dozen  persons  about  that  kiss  !  It  is  surprising  to  see 
how  the  lightest  words  of  the  General  are  magnified  in  import  by  cringing 
flatterers ! 

Mr.  Webster  shook  hands  and  said,  "  he  had  not  the  pleasure  of  meet- 
ing me  before,  as  when  he  called  I  was  out,  but  he  had  frequently  observed 
me  in  the  gallery  of  the  senate."  That  same  morning,  Wednesday,  '•  Gen. 
Harrison  took  a  carriage  and  went  up  to  the  White  House  to  pay  his  re- 
spects to  Mr.  Van  Buren,  while  Virginia  Smith  and  myself  were  escorted 
to  the  Capitol  to  see  the  electordl  votes  counted  and  hear  the  official  annun- 
ciation of  the  election.  On  being  notified  that :  "  The  house  of  representa- 
tives is  now  ready  to  receive  the  senate,"  the  dignified  senators  filed  into 
the  representative  chamber,  and  when  the  gi'cat  congressional  body  was 
assembled,  the  tellers  proceeded  to  ascertain  the  whole  number  of  votes. 
.The  list  was  then  presented  to  the  president  of  the  senate.  Vice  President 
Richard  M.  Johnson,  whose  voice  really  trembled  while  announcing  that 
Harrison  and  Tyler  were  chosen.     He  declared  :  "  William  Henry  Ilarri- 


156  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

son,  of  Ohio,  duly  elected  president  of  the  United  States,  commencing 
with  the  fourth  day  of  March  next ;  and  John  Tyler,  of  Virginia,  vice 
president  of  the  United  States,  commencing  with  the  fourth  day  of  xMarch. 
next."  On  motion  of  Hon.  Caleb  Gushing,  a  resolution  was  adopted  for 
the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  notify  General  Harrison  of  his  election 
to  the  highest  office  in  the  republic.  The  other  day  we  heard  the  "  old 
man  eloquent,"  Hon.  John  Quincy  Adams  —  and  Mr.  Granger  in  the 
house  of  representatives  on  the  burning  of  the  steamboat  Caroline.  We 
were  also  present  when  the  Hon.  Henry  A.  Wise  and  Mr.  Adams  had  that 
scene  of  disorder  and  confusion  in  the  house,  after  the  recess.  Indeed  we 
frequent  the  Capitol  often,  having  a  rich  treat  in  hearing  the  first  men  of 
our  nation,  from  our  comfortable  seats  in  the  "  light  bronze  gallery  lined 
with  crimson.  There  is  also  a  crimson  drapery  suspended  between  the 
columns,  together  with  gilding  and  •  drapery  over  the  speaker's  chair." 
When  wearied  with  the  debates  we  promenade  in  the  rotunda  viewing  the 
historical  pictures,  which  are  arranged  with  so  much  taste,  not  overlook- 
ing Pocal\ontas. 

We  have  also  visited  all  the  different  Departments  of  our  Government  — 
seen  the  original  Declaration  of  Independence  —  the  archives  —  the  famous 
shawls  and  Turkey  carpet  sent  by  the  sultan  to  President  Van  Buren, 
diamond  and  gold  snuff-box,  Ottar  of  Roses,  elegant  sword,  the  letters 
sent  by  Queen  Victoria  announcing  her  marriage,  also  a  letter  sent  two 
weeks  since  conveying  intelligence  of  the  birth  of  the  Princess.  There 
are  quite  enough  of  autographs  (including  the  Czar  and  Napoleon's)  to 
satisfy  any  one. 

What  a  pity  the  "  diamond  and  gold  snvff  hex  "  had  not  been  sent  to 
Mr.  Clay,  for  he  certainly  would  appreciate  such  a  gift;  I  never 
saw  any  person  use  such  quantities,  he  seems  to  be  an  inveterate  snuffer ; 
even  in  his  "  spirit  stirring  debates "  the  box  is  frequently  tapped  and 
called  into  requisition.  The  day  after  we  arrived  in  Washington,  Papa 
had  left  the  house  but  a  short  time  previous  —  to  attend  to  some  business 
when  the  Hon.  Henry  Clay's  card  was  brought  to  me.  As  I  expressed 
my  regret  at  the  absence  of  our  dear  father,  that  complaisant  gentleman, 
with  courtly  grace  replied  :  "  I  came  down  to  see  Papa's  daughter —  I  met 
and  greeted  the  old  General  down  in  Pennsylvania  Avenue."  I  felt 
highly  honored,  and  had  an  exceedingly  enlivening  call  from  the  great 
American  Senator. 

It  was  my  privilege  to  hear  Mr.  Clay  —  yesterday  — make  a  splendid 
speech  in  the  Supreme  Court  Room  ;  it  was  one  of  his  great  and  noble 
parliamentary  efforts  on  the  subject  of  Slavery,  and  his  persuasive  and  im- 
passioned eloquence  was  indeed  thrilling.  "  Papa's  daughter "  comes 
in  for  many  funny  scenes.  I  was  sitting  next  to  Mrs.  Daniel  Web- 
ster in  the  U.  S.  Court  Room,  when  one  of  the  truly  venerable  Judges 
(in  his  black  silk  robes  —  descended  from  his  elevated  seat,  and  coming 
over  to  me,  with  his  benevolent  smile,  in  a  conciliatory  manner  ),  handed 
me  a  paper  well  filled  with  choice  candy,  saying  he  liked  occasionally  "  to 
roll  a  sweet  morsel  under  his  tongue,"  and  now  came  to  share  some  of  his 
confectionery  with  the  daughter  of  his  old  friend.  The  little  incident 
attracted  attention,  causing  a  general  smile  both  at  the  fatherly  kindness 
of  the  eminent  jurist,  and  my  blushes.  Mrs.  Webster  and  Mrs.  Edward 
Curtis  —  with  the  well  bred  benignity  of  true  ladies,  mirthfully  helped  . 
themselves  from  my  parcel  and  thus  materially  relieved  my  embarrassment 
at  being  brought  so  conspicuously  to  view,  and  I  greatly  enjoyed  the  kind 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  157 

gift.  A  few  mornings  since  Papa  and  myself  with  a  select  company 
breakfasted  with  Mrs.  Webster.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curtis  were  as  usual  very 
pleasant  and  cheery. 

This  "  City  of  Magnificent  Distances  "  is  unusually  gay,  the  people  are 
crowding  in  from  all  quarters ;  there  is  a  constant  round  of  soirees  and 
brilliant  receptions ;  evei-y  body  seems  busy  and  move  along  with  unflag- 
ging spirits.  We  have  already  attended  Parties  —  the  two  Assemblies  — 
and  the  grand  "  Log-Cabin  Ball/'  The  rooms  were  sparkling  —  at  the 
Assemblies  —  with  1800  wax  candles;  and  the  Band  surpassed  any  I  ever 
heard,  they  introduce  sleigh-bells  and  the  Post-Boy  which  sounds  like  the 
snapping  of  a  whip. 

General  Harrison  left  Mrs.  Findley ;  Mrs.  William  Harrison,  bis 
widowed  daughter-in-law  and  Miss  Ramsey,  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Findley's,  at 
Hagers  Town  in  Maryland  ;  they  are  to  remain  there  till  the  General  re- 
turns from  Virginia  —  whither  he  started  from  the  Ball  on  Tuesday  night. 
He  tried  to  get  a  farewell  kiss  but  I  told  him  it  would  not  be  a  decorous 
precedent  for  the  President  Elect  in  a  ball-room,  and  he  left  us  in  a  very 
cheerful  mode.  He  urged  Papa  to  accompany  him  and  take  me  along  but 
he  declined  and  I  was  really  rejoiced  that  he  did  so  ;  for  could  you  see 
the  obsequiousness  of  the  swarms  ("  thicker  than  the  locusts  of  Egypt ") 
of  office-seekers  you  would  be  greatly  amused.  Sorry  indeed  would  I  be 
to  have  our  noble  old  father  even  appear  on  their  trial;  but  with  pleasure 
I  affirm  there  is  no  'cringing,  servile  adulation  on  his  part.  He  is  in 
excellent  bealth  and  spirits,  and  is  every  where  greeted  with  warm  ex- 
pressions of  regard.  He  is  well  aware  that  adroit  and  facile  antagonistic, 
double-faced  demagogues  are  weaving  a  formidable  array  against  him  ; 
that  they  will  oppose  and  defeat  his  wishes  in  all  things  if  possible.  Some 
of  Papa's  friends  say  :  "  General,  you  err  in  not  addressing  yourself  dt 
once  to  the  President  Elect."  But  he  only  holds  his  head  higher,  and  I 
think  his  reticence  is  in  good  taste  for  he  trusts  his  friend. 

I  heard  General  Harrison  say  he  intended  to  stay  with  the  Mayor,  on 
his  return,  till  the  4th.  There  was  considerable  excitement  fearing  a 
duel  between  Mr.  Stanley  and  Pickens,  but  it  is  now  all  adjusted  ;  there 
is  a  great  deal  of  sharp-shooting  in  both  Senate  and  House.  They  were 
discussing  about  cutting  down  the  salaries  of  the  Public  Offices,  which 
they  effected.  Colonel  Stone  called  to  see  Papa,  but  was;  so  lame  could 
scarcely  walk  owing  to  a  bar  of  iron  falling  on  his  feet  at  Baltimore, 
breaking  three  toes,  and  still  very  painful.  I  see  all  kinds  of  stories  about 
Papa  in  the  papers,  one  says :  "  It  is  stated  that  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer 
will  be  the  new  Collector  in  New  York."  Another  correspondent  informs 
the  public  that  :  "  General  Van  Rensselaer  is  chagrined  at  the  story  that 
has  been  put  in  circulation  apparently  by  his  authority  that  he  is  a  can- 
didate for  the  office  of  Collector  of  New  York.  The  old  General  says  no 
man  has  ever  had  any  authority  for  making  such  a  statement.  He  has  a 
very  delicate  and  just  appreciation  of  his  position  and  relation  to  Gen. 
Harrison,  and  with  that  good  sense,  for  which  he  has  6ver  been  distin- 
guished, he  expresses  his  determination  to  ask  no  particular  favor  at  the 
hand  of  his  old  companion  in  arms.  He  submits  every  thing  to  Gen. 
Harrison,  disclaiming. any  wish  to  press  his  own  pretensions,  or  to  em- 
barrass the  administration  by  interfering  with  the  expectations  of  other 
men." 

Some  of  the  good  people  and  wiseacres  have  been  greatly  excited  over 
a  certain  point  of  etiquette  in  the  science  of  Washington  Society;  and  quite 


158  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

nonplussed  that  the  Hon.  Daniel  Webster  should  have  called  on  Papa^rs^. 
The  great  United  States  Senator  has  hitherto  always  been  rather  fastidious, 
and  his  social  privileges  in  the  ceremonial  code  of  polite  society  entitle 
him  to  expect  the  first  visit.  But  with  true  gentlemanly  courtesy  lie  laid 
aside  the  etiquette  of  official  life  and  paid  that  proper  respect  to  the  honored 
old  general  ;  the  Hon.  Henry  Clay  and  others  waived  similar  claims  to 
precedence,  in  his  favor,  which  did  not  at  all  derogate  from  their  high 
position  or  self  respect. 

Hon.  John  C.  Calhoun  of  South  Carolina  still  takes  a  warm  interest 
in  his  old  friend,  and  told  him  he  was  entitled  to  a  good  berth  from 
Government  and  must  have  it.  I  like  Mr.  Calhoun  very  much,  he  is  quite 
agreeable,  and  his  conversation  is  both  animated  and  instructive.  He  is 
tall  and  slender  and  when  he  rises  to  speak  in  the  Senate,  all  listen  with 
breathless  interest  to  his  able  parliamentary  debates,  and  no  one  can  help 
admiring  him  as. a  noble  orator.  His  dark  eyes  flash  as  he  becomes  in- 
terested in  his  subject  and  then  he  speaks  with  rapidity.  You  remember 
the  Miss  Taylor  of  Cincinnati  —  a  distant  relative  of  Gen.  Harrison  — 
who  married  Lieutenant  Montgomery  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  just  after  I 
left.  (She  drove  in  her  carriage  to  the  Broadway  Hotel,  with  Lieut.  Scott, 
a  friend  of  Lieut.  Montgomery,  where  they  found  the  intended  groom 
with  a  clergyman,  who  soon  performed  the  marriage  ceremony,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1840.)  Her  parents  were  not  yet  reconciled  to  this  clandestine  marriage 
when  she  left  with  her  husband  to  join  his  regiment  at  the  far  West. 
Now  comes  the  sad  tidings  of  the  murder  of  Mrs.  Montgomery  by  the 
Indians,  she  was  a  beautiful  girl,  whom  all  loved.  Papa  dined  with  Gen. 
Harrison  and  Suite,  on  Monday,  at  Mr.  Webster's.  The  following  was  the 
note  received : 

Daniel  Webster  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

My  Dear  General,  Washington  Monday  Morning,  Feb.  15,  1841. 

The  President  Elect  has  this  moment  signified  his  pleasure  to  dine  with 
me  to-day  at  4  o'clock.  I  beg  you  to  do  me  the  favor  to  be  of  the  Com- 
pany. Yours  truly 

Geul.  Van  Rensselaer  at  Mr.  T.  L.  Smith's.  Danl.  Webster. 

Gen.  Harrison  called  on  Mr.  Van  Buren  last  week,  some  of  the  friends 
wanted  Papa  to  go  also,  but  he  said  no.  Mr.  Van  Buren  returned  the 
call  and  invited  Gen.  H.  and  Suite  to  dinner  last  Saturday  which  was  ac- 
cepted. Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  was  coming  down  stairs  as  President  Van 
Buren  with  his  Son,  the  Major,  were  going  up  to  call  on  Gen.  H.  They 
met  where  the  stairs  are  narrow,  the  President  said:  "  How  do  you  do 
General."  But  the  soldier,  he  had  so  often  aggrieved,  passed  on  without 
speaking ;  as  though  impressed  with  the  idea  that  to  recognize  this  high 
oflScial  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  so  well  known  to  both  parties, 
would  be  rather  derogatory  to  his  insulted  dignity;  and  there  was  scarcely 
a  respectful  bearing,  at  in  the  circumscribed  space,  their  elbows  rubbed 
quite  roughly.  Several  gentlemen  at  the  head  of  the  stairs  witnessed  the 
whole  transaction.  In  the  evening  some  of  them  came  to  see  Papa;  Mr. 
Granger  and  all  said  he  had  acted  perfectly  right,  and  that  they  had 
never  seen  Mr.  Van  Buren  so  confused ;  usually  he  is  perfectly  com- 
posed under  mal  a  propoa  adventures,  but  then  for  some  moments  seemed 
quite  bewildered.  You  may  be  sure  no  invitation  for  dinner  was  sent  by 
him  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  159 

I  heard  General  Harrison  say  (when  a  gentleman  referred  to  the  meet- 
ing of  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  Papa  on  the  stairs)  "  Yes  Sir,  General  Van 
Rensselaer  has  been  very  badly  treated,  and  before  the  ink  of  the  Post 
Master  General  is  dry,  I  will  give  General  Van  Rensselaer  an  appoint- 
ment." He  did  not  how  ever  say  what,  buti  can  see  a  short  depth  into  a 
mill-stone^  and  I  believe  it  will  be  the  Albany  Post  Office.  I  am  content 
if  the  dear  old  gentleman  only  has  a  competence  and  rest  in  his  declining 
years.  Yet  that  correspondent  affirms  :  "  I  learn  that  General  Solomon 
Van  Rensselaer,  does  not  intend  to  '  hang  up  his  bruised  arms  for  monu- 
ments in  the  post  office  at  Albany  if  he  can  do  better.'  "  The  following 
piece  [  copied  from  a  New  York  paper  written  when  we  were  about 
starting  for  Washington  ;  it  is  dated  January  16,  1864.  "  We  understand 
General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  late  post  master  at  Albany,  and  an  old 
.and  particular  friend  of  Gen.  Harrison,  will  arrive  in  town  to-day  or  to- 
morrow on  his  way  to  Washington,  to  meet  his  old  comrade  in  arms,  at 
his  approaching  inauguration  in  Washington.  Gen.  V.  R.  visits  Wash- 
ington on  the  special  invitation  of  the  President  elect,  who  leaves 
Cincinnati  about  this  time  in  order  to  meet  together  at  Washington,  and 
to  talk  over  affairs,  both  public  and  private.  In  this  city  Gen.  Van 
Rensselaer  will  be  joined  with  a  few  of  the  old  tried  friends  of  Gen.  Har- 
rison, men  who  supported  the  patriot  of  North  Bend  when  the  cliques  of 
Wall  street  were  holding  him  up  to  ridicule  and  sarcasm.  We  understand 
that  a  certain  distinguished  personage  has  sent  his  agent  '  with  a  slate  '  to 
Washington  to  watch  the  movements  of  Gen.  V.  R,  and  to  report  the 
talk  between  him  and  Gen.  H.,  on  the  subject  of  appointments." 
With  much  love  from  Papa  and  myself 

C.  V.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Elbert  Herring  to  Oen.  Van.  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  New  York,  March  1,  1841. 

I  perceive  Congress  has  been  legislating  with  paternal  Care  about  the 
revenues  of  certain  public  offices,  not  a  little  to  their  prejudice ;  and  on 
that  account  I  beg  leave  to  offer  for  your  consideration  the  spontaneous 
suggestions  of  my  Judgment,  supposing  that  your  views  may  be  somewhat 
affected  by  that  procedure.  At  the  same  time  I  feel  that  I  am  jumping 
in  the  dark  with  my  proffered  Counsel,  through  ignorance  of  your  present 
position.  Concluding  however  that  what  has  been  said  of  you,  and  of  ar- 
rangements about  you  in  the  public  press  is  wholly  fictitious  and  unwar- 
ranted, I  proceed  plainly  and  frankly  to  express  my  sentiments  in  the  hope, 
that  they  may  be  favorably  received  and  entertained.  My  original  pre- 
possessions remain  with  undiminished  force  for  your  appointment  as  Col- 
lector of  this  Port,  and  I  urge  you  to  obtain  that  situation  if  practicable. 
The  outgoing  Administration  seems  to  have  sprung  a  Mine  on  the  incom- 
ing one,  by  attempting  to  forestall  the  Office  for  the  next  four  years. 
But  the  trick,  I  conjecture,  will  be  thwarted  by  the  instant  removal  of 
Morgan,  the  new  nominee  of  Mr.  Van' Buren.  Mr.  Morgan  is  your  Senior 
in  age,  and  in  qualification  not  superior.  It  is  possible  that  this  step  of 
Mr.  Van  .Buren  may  be  turned  to  advantage  by  the  equally  prompt  re- 
moval of  his  man,  and  your  appointment  in  his  stead  ;  thus  putting  a  stop 
to  the  embarrassing  conflicts  of  Claims  on  the  part  of  Gen.  Harrison's 
friends.  But  my  dear  Sir,  in  case  you  have  given  up  pursuit  of  that 
office,  I  would  strongly  recommend  the  Post  Office  of  this  City.     It  is  here 


160  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

that  your  Interests  maybe  best  consulted,  and  here  it  is  that  some  of  your 
warmest  friends  wish  you  to  be  located.  I  will  not  enlarge  on  this  topic, 
further  than  to  say,  that  your  sphere  of  usefulness  may  be  greatly  en- 
larged by  your  residence  in  this  City,  and  that  the  political  chances  under 
Gen.  Harrison's  Administration  justify  my  opinion.  Allow  me  to  advert 
once  more  to  my  own  concerns,  in  favor  of  which  I  have  heretofore  be- 
spoken your  friendly  interposition.  You  can  do  for  me  all  that  is 
necessary,  and  I  would  much  rather  owe  it  to  you,  than  any  body  else. 

I  beg  to  say,  I  not  only  wish  to  retain   my  present  office,  but  to  be 
stationed   in  this  City.     My  shattered   health  from   frequent  attacks   of 
Rheumatism  disqualify  me  for  traveling,  or  any  station  but  this  City. 
Very  Respectfully  Your  friend  and  Servt., 

Gen.  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  Washington,  D.  C.         Elbert  Herring. 

A  friend  in  New  York  wrote  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer:  "  I  am  induced 
to  write  again  by  some  disclosui'es  made  to  me  touching  your  position, 
which  if  true  requires  that  you  should  be  cautious  in  acting  on  the  in- 
terested advice  and  misrepresentations  of  persons,  who  think  you  are  in 
their  way.  It  was  mentioned,  that  a  letter  had  been  received  here,  in 
which  you  were  stated  to  have  relinquished  your  primary  object,  and 
wanted  to  be  appointed  Marshal.  None  of  your  opponents  are  idle  I  can 
assure  you,  and  some  who  never  wei-e  in  favor  of  Old  Tip.  are  now  active 
and  efficient  workers  against  his  early  friends.  They  even  boldly  assert 
that  ever  since  the  first  tap  of  the  Harrison  drum  was  heard  in  this  State 
they  have  endeavored  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  good  cause.  These 
however  are  only  the  eleventh  hour  zealots  but  they  seem  to  consider  it 
for  their  own  interest  to  be  very  obsequious  in  their  attentions  to  the 
President  Elect.     Take  care  they  do  not  undermine  your  influence." 

"  March  4,  1841.  This  is  a  memorable  day,  it  dawns  upon  the  eyes  of  a 
mighty  people,  it  is  brilliant  as  the  triumph  they  have  achieved.  Early 
in  the  morning,  long  before  sunrise  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  cars  and  tramp- 
ling of  feet  along  Pennsylvania  avenue  towards  the  hotels  gave  notice  of 
increasing  numbers. 

The  morning  broke  somewhat  cloudily  and  the  horizon  seemed  to  betoken 
snow  or  rain.  At  sunrise  a  salute  of  twenty-six  guns  was  fired.  Soon  after 
ten  o'clock  the  Procession  moved  towards  the  quarters  of  the  President 
elect.  Having  there  received  General  Harrison  attended  by  his  personal 
friends,  moved  down  Pennsylvania  avenue  to  the  eastern  yard  of  the  Cap- 
itol. Ladies  from  windows  on  each  side  of  the  avenue  waved  their  hand- 
kerchiefs .and  the  General  returned  their  smiles  and  greetings  with  rej^eated 
bows.  The  enthusiastic  cheers  of  the  citizens  were  gratifying :  windows 
and  balconies  were  lined,  even  to  the  tops  of  houses. 

At  the  head  of  the  Procession  was  the  Chief  Marshal,  conspicuous  with 
his  rose  of  purple  and  yellow  scarf,  apparently -conscious  of  the  dignity  of 
his  station,  mounted  on  a  fine  horse,  suitably  caparisoned,  as  also  were  his 
two  Aids. 

After  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  fought  under  General  Harrison  came 
the  President  Elect  mounted  on  a  white  charger  and  accompanied  by  his 
Suite  of  personal  friends. 

A  large  Log  Cabin  [the  emblem  of  a  sturdy  yeomanry]  drawn  by  horses, 
attracted  much  attention  ;  the  sides  of  the  Cabin  had  suitable  mottoes  and 
inscriptions,  while  on  its  roof  were  many  white  flags.  On  the  shoulders 
of  each  of  the  leaders  was  a  keg  labeled  "  Hard  Cider."     In  front  of  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  161 

Cabin  on  each  side  of  the  driver  were  two  canoes  with  "  Old  Tip's  Cabin 
is  up. "    The  Military  officers  were  glittering  in  blue  and  gold. 

"  In  the  Senate  Chamber  there  was  a  crowd  at  an  early  hour.  The 
Senate  having  been  called  to  order  by  the  Secretary,  the  oath  of  office  was 
administered  by  Mr.  Clay  to  Mr.  King  of  Alabama,  who  had  been  re-elected 
President  of  the  Senate,  after  which  Mr.  King  [William  R.  King]  then 
resumed  the  Chair  of  the  Senate.  The  Diplomatic  Corps  now  entered  the 
Hall,  a  most  brilliant  appearance  they  made  decorat,ed  as  they  were,  not 
only  with  the  insignia  of  their  various  orders,  but  half  covered  with  the 
richest  embroidery  in  silver  and  gold.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  Chair 
was  the  array  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  their  black  robes 
with  their  grave  intellectual  reflecting  countenances.  The  late  Vice-Pre- 
sident [Richard  M.  Johnson  of  Kentucky]  and  the  Vice-President  Elect 
[John  Tyler  of  Virginia]  advanced  together  to  the  steps  of  the  President's 
chair,  when  Mr.  Tyler,  having  been  presented  to  the  Presiding  officer,  took 
the  oath  of  office  and  then  ascending  to  the  chair,  which  had  been  vacated 
for  his  reception  by  Mr.  King,  delivered  an  address. 

".At  20  minutes  past  12  o'clock,  the  warning  note  was  heard  from  the 
table  of  the  Vice  President,  when  Greneral  Harrison  entered  and  took  the 
seat  prepared  for  him  in  front  of  the  Secretary's  table.  After  retaining 
his  seat  a  few  minutes,  the  procession  formed  the  line  to  the  platform 
prepared  for  the  ceremony  of  the  Inauguration,  erected  over  the  front  steps 
of  the  portico  of  the  east  front  of  the  Capitol.  The  pressure  was  very  great 
and  not  without  great  difficulty  could  the  train  of  persons  pass  out  of  the 
east  door  of  the  Rotunda.  On  the  platform  seats  had  been  provided  for 
the  President  and  the  Chief  Justice  [Roger  B.  Taney]  who  were  placed 
immediately  in  front.  On  their  right,  seats  were  assigned  to  the  Diplo- 
matic Corps.  Behind,  sat  Members  of  both  Houses  of  Congress,  Officers 
of  the  Army  and  Navy,  and  many  distinguished  characters  now  assembled 
in  the  city,  intermingled  with  a  great  company  of  ladies.  The  great  sight 
was  The  People,  there  they  stood,  and  had  stood  for  hours  in  a  solid,  dense 
mass,  estimated  from  fifty  to  sixty  thousand. 

"  On  the  verge  of  the  crowd  were  drawn  up  carriages  filled  with  the 
gentler  sex,  while  here  and  there  perched  up  a  standard.  While  patiently 
waiting  for  the  arrival  of  the  President,  this  mass  of  heads  resembled 
some  placid  lake,  not  a  perfect  calm,  but  gently  rippled  by  a  passing  breeze, 
its  waters  in  perpetual  but  gentle  motion  ;  but  the  instant  he  was  seen 
advancing  from  the  Capitol,  it  suddenly  resembled  the  same  lake  when  a 
blast  from  the  mountain  has  descended.  A  deafening  shout  went  up.  When 
the  uproar  had  subsided,  it  was  succeeded  by  the  deep  stillness  of  expecta- 
tion and  the  new  President  proceeded  to  read  in  accents  loud  and  clear 
his  Address  to  the  Nation.  His  voice  never  flagged,  but  to  the  end 
retained  its  full  and  commanding  tone  which  gained  the  admiration  of  all. 
The  pealing  cannon  announced  to  the  Country  that  it  had  a  new  Chief 
Magistrate ;  and  the  tout  ensemble  was  imposing  and  grand.  The  Pro- 
cession was  again  formed  and  proceeded  to  the  Mansion  of  the  President; 
it  was  an  escort  of  which  he  might  well  be  proud.  In  the  evening  several 
ball  rooms  were  filled  with  crowds  of  ladies  and  gentlemen.  In  the  course 
of  the  evening  the  President  of  the  United  States  paid  a  short  visit  to  each 
of  the  Assemblies  held  in  honor  of  the  Inauguration  and  was  received  with 
the  warmest  demonstration  of  attachment  and  respect.  The  entertain- 
ments passed  oif  most  agreeably  to  the  myriads  of  patriotic  guests  who 

II]  21 


162  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

willinply  joined  in  calling  down  rich  blessings  on  '  Tippecanoe  and  Tyler 
too'  while  bright  visions  were  floating  before  all." 

H.  V.  R.  Schermerhorn  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Uncle,  New  York,  March  15,  1841. 

I  have  written  to  you  so  often,  since  I  bade  you  adieu  last  Thursday 
evening,  that  I  fear  you  will  get  out  of  patience  with  me ;  but  I  must 
needs  trouble  you  again  and  I  am  impelled  to  this  by  the  sincere  desire  T 
feel  to  have  the  relations  between  the  President  and  yourself  placed  on 
the  footing  they  ought  to  be,  and  this  can  qnly  be  done  by  your  talking 
fully  and  freely  with  him.  This  is  due  to  him  as  well  as  to  yourself  and 
friends,  for  his  noble  and  generous  nature  will  not,  I  am  persuaded 
permit  him  to  allow  your  feelings  to  be  wounded,  or  your  rights  to  be 
trampled  upon  with  impunity.  A  wide  spread,  systematic  and  deep  laid 
plan  has  been  in  operation  for  some  time  and  will  doubtless  be  persevered 
in,  to  rob  you  of  all  influence  with  the  President  and  to  poison  his  mind 
against  you.  I  was  told  here  to  day  by  one  of  my  competitors  for  the 
office  of  Marshal  —  and  he  is  a  gentleman  of  honor  and  great  respecta- 
bility, that  he  mentioned  to  some  one,  when  on  his  way  to  Washington, 
that  he  thought  I  would  stand  the  best  chance  of  succeeding,  because  I 
would  have  the  benefit  of  your  influence,  and  the  person  replied,  that  it 
would  he  found  that  YOUR  mfliwnce  woidd  not  amottnt  to  much.  Showing 
the  confidence  which  already  existed  in  the  success  of  the  efi'orts,  made  by 
a  certain  clique,  to  frustrate  you  and  proscribe  all  your  friends  whose 
interests  and  welfare  were  dear  to  your  heart.  Every  body  to  whom  I 
mention  the  fact  of  my  defeat,  expresses  astonishment  that  you  had 
not  influence  sufficient  with  your  old  friend  Gen.  Harrison  to  procure  me 
the  appointment,  and  the  inference  drawn  is,  that  the  President  is  already 
too  much  under  the  control  of  his  cabinet.  As  the  matter  stands  in 
regard  to  myself  I  have  not  only  not  been  benefited  by  your  aid,  but  I  have 
sufi"ered  in  consequence  of  being  your  Nephew.  Was  any  thing  ever  so 
monstrous,  so  outrageous,  so  unnatural  —  and  this  too,  to  occur  within 
the  first  ten  days  of  the  administration  of  the  old  Hero  of  North  Bend, 
with  whom  you  had  fought  and  poured  out  your  blood  in  defence  of  your 
country,  and  for  whom  you  had  fought  and  conquered  in  the  political 
field.  It  is  strange,  passing  strange  and  when  you  have  talked  frankly 
and  plainly  with  the  President,  in  the  manner  that  honest  hearted  old 
soldiers  should  discourse  with  each  other,  and  he  shall  fully  realize  the 
extent  of  the  injury  inflicted  upon  you,  I  have  no  doubt  he  will  open  his 
eyes  to  the  true  state  of  the  case  with  equal  astonishment  and  regret, 
and  at  once  set  about  repairing  the  injury  despite  all  consequences,  even 
that  of  blowing  up  the  whole  Cabinet. 

By  the  way,  there  is  a  belief  very  general  abroad  that  Gen.  Harrison  is 
going  to  allow  himself  to  be  too  much  influenced  by  his  cabinet  —  a  belief, 
an  impression,  which  if  well  founded  and  generally  credited  will  surely  I 
strip  him  of  all  his  popularity,  and  which  will  with  equal  certainty  use  up  ; 
the  gentlemen  of  the  cabinet.  Can  it  be  possible  that  the  President  in- 
tends to  give  you  the  cut  direct,  or  that  he  will  allow  his  honest  old  heart 
to  be  swayed,  and  his  upright  mind  to  be  influenced  by  the  low  and  dirty 
machinations  of  political  whipsters,  toad-eaters  and  liars  who  envy  you 
your  position  and  wish  to  rob  you  of  your  just  and  legitimate  influence? 
Is  it  to  be  credited  for  a  moment,  that  you,  and  your  friends  are  to  be 
proscribed  and  thrust  aside,  because  they,  in  common  with  the  whole 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  163 

American  people  ascribed  to  you  au  influence  with  the  President,  to  which 
all  fair  minded  persons  admit  you  are  justly  entitled  ?     *     *     *     * 

Most  Truly  and  Respectfully  Yours, 
Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Washington.         H.  V.  R.  Schermerhorn. 

CatJiarina  V.  Van  Rensselaer  to  her  Sister. 
My  Dear  Sister,  Washington,  March  16,  1841. 

I  have  just  returned  from  the  White- House  that  we  may  start  from 
Major  Smith's  residence  early  in  the  morning.  I  now  intend  to  finish  up 
the  programme  of  our  sojourn  in  this  Metropolis  of  fashion,  for  we  probably 
will  remain  some  days  in  New  York. 

Gen.  Edmund  P.  and  Mrs.  Gaines  came  to  say  farewell.  She  is  a  warm- 
hearted, wonderful  woman,  and  has  prosecuted  her  claim  to  her  father's 
estate  under  various  discouragements,  with  womanly  persistency  for  many 
years.  In  one  of  Mrs.  Gaine's  visits  to  me,  the  kindly  sympathizing  lady, 
observing  that  our  Father  had  unfortunately  taken  a  severe  cold,  insisted 
upon  prescribing  for  him.  The  following  letter  was  soon  after  received 
accompanied  by  a  parcel  containing  an  Oil  Silk  night  Gap,  tastefully  bound 
with  corn-color  satin  ribbon,  and  beautifully  made  by  the  delicate  hands 
of  the  warm-hearted,  noble  and  enthusiastic  lady. 

Mrs.  General  Gaines  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Washington,  February  25th,  1841, 

Recl'pe  for  a  Gold. —  Quarter  lb.  of  Gum  Arabic,  Quarter  lb.  of  Rock 
candy,  The  juice  of  two  lemons.  Boil  these  together  in  a  quart  of  water 
for  about  twenty  minutes.  When  cool  add  one  ounce  of  Paregoric  and  one 
ounce  of  Syrup  of  Squills.  Take  a  wine  glass  full  whenever  you  feel  a 
disposition  to  cough.  To  effect  a  perfect  cure,  you  are  advised  dear 
General,  to  wear  the  oil  silk  cap  at  night.  It  will  produce  perspiration. 
In  the  morning  rub  the  hair  dry  —  and  then  wash  it  with  spirits.  Hoping 
the  above  may  soon  restore  you  to  health,  I  am  very  respectfully  your 
friend.  Myra  Clark  Gaines. 

To  General  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  at  Major  Smith's. 

On  Sunday  February  2Sth,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cookman  one  of  the  talented 
chaplains  to  Congress,  delivered  his  farewell  sermon  in  the  hall  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  as  he  leaves  in  a  few  days  for  Europe.  [Rev. 
Mr.  Cookman  sailed  from  New  York  in  the  steam-ship  President  but  the 
vessel  was  never  heard  from,  all  lost.]  Papa's  cold  was  better  and  he 
went  to  Annapolis  to  meet  Gen.  Harrison;  the  Ladies  arrived  from 
Hagerstown  in  the  evening  of  Tuesday  March  2nd,  escorted  by  Mr.  Irwing 
to  Gen.  Jessup's  hospitable  mansion.  Papa  and  self  dined  at  General 
John  P.  Van  Ness  that  same  Tuesday  evening  at  half-past  six  o'clock.  It 
was  a  very  brilliant  entertainment  combining  the  complimentary  dinner 
to  the  President  Elect,  and  a  farewell  to  the  one  who  would  soon  be  the 
Ci-devant  President ;  both  of  these  gentlemen  were  present.  The  hospi- 
tality of"  Gen.  Van  Ness  was  unbounded,  and  the  festivities  in  his  banquet 
hall  graced,  not  only  by  all  the  high  functionaries,  arrayed  in  their  best 
holiday  suits,  but  many  brilliant  and  distinguished  ladies,  Parisian  belles, 
and  a  few  more  common  place  like  myself.  One  of  our  Albany  friends, 
Miss  Catharine  Bay,  who  is  a  guest  of  Gen.  V.  N.,  received  the  com- 
pany with  the  other  ladies  of  the  household.  Miss  White  was  arrayed  in 
a  very  beautiful  silk  dress  manufactured  entirely  by  her  own  hands,  for 


164  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

which  many  encomiums  were  justly  lavished  on  her.  This  estimahle  lady 
was  really  one  of  the  silk  growers,  as  she  raised,  and  fed.  the  worms  on 
mulberry  leaves,  watching  them  spin  the  cocoons,  then  reeling  silk  from 
the  cocoons.  This  raw  silk  underwent  all  the  different  operations  till  the 
delicate  fabric  was  completed  and  sported  on  this  auspicious  occasion. 
There  were  myriads  of  dishes,  "  many  of  them  with  unpronounceable 
names."  Late  in  the  evening,  Major  and  Miss  Smith  came  to  escort  me 
to  a  party  at  Mrs.  Cross'  mansion. 

Did  I  tell  you  about  the  triumph  of  another  of  our  Albany  belles  at 
one  of  the  Assemblies  ?  At  a  late  hour,  Mr.  Bodisco,  the  Russian  Minister, 
entered  the  room  holding  conspicuously  in  his  hand  a  very  splendid 
boquet)  artistically  arranged ;  the  fragrance  of  the  flowers  was  delicious. 
Sauntering  leisurely  through  the  immense  crowds,  in  all  varieties  of 
fashionable  costume,  with  a  smile  and  bow  to  his  friends  during  a  pause 
in  the  music,  he  finally  walked  up  to  Miss  Mary  Stanton,  [Wife  of  J).  R. 
Floyd  Jones],  who  was  then  in  a  quadrille,  and  bowing  low  said  he  had 
been  requested  to  present  that  boquet  "to  the  most  lovely  young  lady  in 
the  room,"  and  desired  her  acceptance  of  it ;  the  affair  passed  oft'  with  great 
eclat.  The  naivete,  surprise  and  modesty  of  the  sweet  girl  was  refreshing 
to  behold  and  I  delighted  in  her  unrivaled  success.  At  the  Inauguration 
on  the  4th,  one  of  the  oiBcers  gave  us  seats,  only  a  few  feet  from  the 
General  on  the  prepared  platform,  and  I  heard  distinctly  every  word  he 
said  wheii  delivering  his  address.  The  concourse  of  people  standing  di- 
rectly below  us  and  all  arouud  one  solid  mass  was  a  magnificent  sight. 
The  General  looked  remarkably  well  in  his  black  suit;  immediately  after 
Chief  Justice  Taney  had  administered  the  oath,  a  colored  servant  came  for- 
ward and  put  on  the  President  his  hat  and  cloak  with  great  care.  The  new 
President,  on  reaching  the  White  House  after  the  Inauguration,  received 
the  congratulations  of  his  numerous  friends.  "  The  Balls  on  Thursday 
at  Washington  and  other  'Halls  of  glad  delight'  were  respletident  with 
beauty  and  redolent  of  every  enjoyment.  Tlie  pillars  in  the  lower  dancing 
room  were  twined  with  green  festoons  and  looked  very  pretty,  and  groups  ; 
of  beautiful  girls  were  in  every  niche.  The  room  was  very  crowded, 
nearly  two  thousand  persons,  all  seeming  happy.  Gen.  Scott  in  full  uniform 
with  his  yellow  plumes  —  Mr.  Bodisco,  Mr.  ])e  Bacourtand  Baron  Rocune 
in  their  Court  dress,  indeed  the  entire  diplomatic  corps  in  their  full  dress. 
Mr.  Webster,  Mr.  Clay,  Mr.  Crittenden,  Mr.  Bell  and  the  Cabinet  with 
their  families.  Gen.  Gaines  and  his  lady.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  Gen. 
AVool,  army  and  navy  men  in  their  swords  and  epaulettes.  The  number 
of  beautiful  women  alone,  would  baffle  calculation.  The  Washington  girls 
turned  out  numerously  and  resplendeutly  on  the  occasion  in  honor  of 
Gen.  Harrison.  Among  the  fairest  beauties  from  the  East  was  Mrs.  L. 
of  Boston  in  wreath  of  blue  and  silver.  The  Lady  of  the  Spanish  Minister, 
Madame  D.,  Mrs.  H.  and  daughter  of  Baltimore,  Mrs.  D.  of  Florida,  the 
fair  daughter  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  Miss  C.  of  York,  Penn.,  Miss  H. 
of  Mississippi,  Miss  C.  of  Kentucky,  Miss  P.  of  South  Carolina,  Miss  B. 
of  Delaware,  Miss  B.  of  Louisiana  and  Miss  Y.  of  Nashville,  Tennessee 
shone  in  the  diadems  of  the  Whig  States. 

"  The  coup  d'oeil  of  the  spacious  apartment  was  truly  magnificent,  de- 
corated with  so  many  rich  and  tasty  dresses,  gorgeous  uniforms,  and 
bright,  happy  faces ;  w^th  such  fine  music,  from  the  band,  shed  a  joyous 
influence  over  the  whole  company.  General  Harrison  arrived  at  the  ball 
after  ten  o'clock,  and  after  being  received  by  the  committee  of  reception, 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  165 

promenaded  the  room,  looking  very  liappy  and  not  fjvtigued.  He  was 
dressed  in  a  neat  suit  of  black  with  gloves,  and  now  stepped  about  with 
the  activity  of  a  much  younger  man.  He  went  into  supper  with  the 
ladies,  and  after  remaining  about  half  an  hour  retired.  It  was  a  very 
brilliant  ball,  and  a  decided  success  for  extensive  preparations  had  been 
carefully  made  to  render  complete  both  dancing  and  supper  saloons." 

Mr.  Edward  Curtis  was  very  polite  ;  while  dancing  with  me,  a  gentle- 
man passed  and  said,  "  Good  evening  Mr.  Collector."  We  were  to  have 
gone  to  the  White  House  on  the  5th  to  pay  our  respects  ;  the  gentlemen 
came  in  a  carriage  for  us,  but  Virginia  8mith  and  myself  had  not  yet 
arisen.  The  fatigue  of  ,the  morning  and  ball  was  too  much,  we  were  com- 
pletely worn  out.  Saturday,  however,  we  went.  I  was  delighted  ;  oh  the 
contrast  between  the  log  cabin  with  its  wings,  and  this  republican  palace. 
Yet  the  old  General  walked  round  those  rooms  as  if  he  had  been  always 
accustomed  to  such  grandeur;  "  he  seemed  radiant  with  good  humor  and 
happiness."  "  There  are  several  large  sized  rooms  all  well  furnished  with 
rich  carpets,  mirrors,  satin  curtains,  chairs  all  gilded,  with  blue  satin  me- 
dallion cushions.  The  green  room  has  a  white  spotted  paper  with  gilt 
stars.  The  large  East  lloom,  is  furnished  much  in  the  same  style  as  the 
others,  although  a  little  more  antique.  The  carpet  resembles  a  fine  woven 
tapestry  with  richest  colors,  tasteful  curtains  of  heavy  silk,  chandeliers  and 
other  et  ceteras,  all  elegant  and  costly.  The  mirrors  in  this  saloon  con- 
trive to  give  it  an  air  of  magnificence.  There  are  eight  immense  ones, 
with  broad  carved  frames,  which  rise  nearly  to  the  ceiling  in  various  parts 
of  the  room.  The  President's  house  is  a  long  building  with  a  handsome 
portico  in  front  with  its  white  pillars,  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  park 
covered  with  grass  and  adorned  with  trees.  At  each  end  of  this  enclosure, 
are  situated  the  several  Departments  — handsome  grey  buildings  with  fine 
porticoes,  and  embowered  in  groves  of  trees."  Mrs.  William  Harrison  is 
very  much  fatigued.  The  General  has  many  magnificent  presents,  among 
which  are  a  pair  of  fine  Horses  from  Ohio  and  Carriage  from  Baltimore. 

It  is  amusing  to  see  Papa's  levees,  at  least  fifteen  gentlemen  a  day. 
Mrs.  Smith  says  he  daily  receives  and  dispatches  the  office-seekers,  and 
Virginia  and  myself  the  beaux.  On  Saturday  Papa  dined  at  the  White 
House,  at  which  time  I  there  heard  Mr.  Copeland  of  Cincinnati  tell  him 
that  Gen.  Harrison  had  said,  he  would  not  make  any  appointments  in 
New  York  State  without  consulting  Genl.  Van  Rensselaer.  On  the  8th 
we  had  a  charming  drive  to  Georgetown  and  visited  the  Convent,  "  a  group 
of  large  old  fashioned  brick  buildings.  The  dress  of  each  nun  was  a 
black  bombazet  gown,  having  large  loose  sleeves,  and  from  her  girdle 
hung  a  large  silver  cross;  a  piece  of  white  linen  was  laid  over  the  top  of 
her  head,  brought  down  and  pinned  under  the  chin,  and  fell  over  her 
chest.  Over  this  was  the  fatal  black  veil,  of  the  same  stufi'  as  her  dress  — 
it  was  laid  over  her  head  and  pinned  down  on  each  shoulder,  and  fell  in 
folds  behind  her.  They  genera%  had  pleasing  faces  and  graceful  man- 
ners. The  bed-rooms  were  neat,  floors  scrubbed  white,  and  at  the  head 
of  each  Catholic  bed  hung  a  cross.  The  scholars  are  taught  by  the  nuns 
all  languages,  with  music,  embroidery,  drawing,  and  every  accomplish- 
ment." After  our  return  at  least  ten  gentlemen  came  to  congratulate 
Papa,  some  say  he  is  Collector,  others  Post-Master,  the  Senate  were  to  act 
upon  the  nominations  the  following  day,  but  we  did  not  then  know  what 
it  was  as  Papa  had  not  spoken  of  it.  We  also  went  the  same  day  —  Mon- 
day—  to  the  Supreme  Court — which  was  really  packed  —  to  hear  Mr. 


166  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Webster,  the  Secretary  of  State,  in  one  of  his  ablest  arguments.  "  The 
case  before  the  Court  was  one  of  boundary  in  relation  to  the  States  of 
Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island."  The  speech  was  listened  to  with 
wrapt  attention.     Each  sentence  was  so  perfect  and  beautiful. 

Monday  evening  I  received  a  note  from  Mrs.  Harrison,  informing  me 
that  the  following  morning  the  carriage  Would  come  for  me  at  an  early 
hour  as  the  General  wished  me  to  be  in  the  White  House  at  the  presenta- 
tion of  the  Foreign  Ministers  to  the  President,  after  which  I  must  remain 
and  make  them  a  visit.  Accordingly  Tuesday  morning  March  9th,  the 
carriage  came  and  I  went  accompanied  by  Virginia.  The  members  of  the 
Diplomatic  Body  now  in  Washington  and  accredited  to  the  Government 
of  the  United  States,  were  received  by  the  President  at  two  o'clock.  They 
were  splendidly  dressed  at  this  their  first  official  visit  of  state  ceremony  to 
be  introduced  to  the  new  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United  States.  Mr. 
Webster,  with  courtly  grace,  led  in  the  ladies  of  the  Executive  Mansion. 
"  Mr.  Van  Buren  never  permitted  the  Ladies  of  his  establishment  to  be 
present  on  such  occasions,"  and  he  was  greatly  clisijusted  at  this  strange  in- 
novation, but  we  (jTP.atly  enjoyed  the  courtesy  extended  to  us.  "There 
was  Mr.  Fox,  the  Minister  Plenipotentiary  and  Envoy  Extraordinary  of 
Qneen  Victoria,  Barons,  Counts,  Chevaliers,  all  the  Charges,  the  Secreta- 
ries of  Legation  and  numerous  attaches."  Indeed  the  entire  diplomatic 
corps  in  glittering  state  robes  and  grandeur  was  present,  it  was  a  brilliant 
galaxy.  "  Mr.  Fox,  the  British  Minister,  on  being  presented  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  State,  made  to  the  President  an  appropriate  address.  To  this  the 
President  of  the  United  States  gracefully  replied.  The  other  Ministers 
with  their  Secretaries  and  the  pereons  attached  to  their  respective  Missions 
were  then  successively  presented  to  the  President,  The  Minister  of  Rus- 
sia was  prevented  by  indisposition  from  being  present.  Mr.  Fox  acted  as 
the  organ  of  the  corps  diplomatique  on  this  occasion.  The  Russian  Min- 
ister would  not,  however  consent  to  play  a  second  part  to  the  British,  hence 
a  very  convenient  indisposition  prevented  his  appearance  on  that  day." 

Papa  dined  with  us  that  day,  but  in  the  evening  he  returned  to  Major 
Smith's,  while  I  remained  for  a  few  days  the  guest  of  Mrs.  Harrison  at  the 
Executive  mansion.  The  graceful  hostess  and  courteous  host  were  ever 
on  the  alert  to  make  their  constant  influx  of  visitors  feel  perfectly  at 
home. 

The  same  evening  of  the  presentation,  "  the  city  was  in  a  state  of  great 
excitement  on  account  of  a  fracas  which  had  taken  place  in  the  Senate 
between  Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  King  of  Alabama  on  the  subject  of  dismissing 
Blair  and  Rives.  The  expectation  was  that  a  duel  would  ensue.  The 
authorities  of  the  city  interposed  under  the  duelling  law.  A  challenge 
did  pass.  Mr.  Linn  was  the  friend  of  Mr.  King  and  Mr.  Archer  the 
friend  of  Mr.  Clay.  On  Saturday  March  13th  at  half-past  two  o'clock 
his  Excellency  M.  A.  de  Bodisco,  the  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentary  of  the  Emperor  of  Russia  to  the  United  States,  accom- 
panied by  his  Secretary  of  Legation  M.  de  Stockles,  arrived  at  the  Patri- 
cian Palace  and  was  presented  and  made  a  speech  to  the  President  "  The 
next  day  being  Sabbath  —  President  Harrison,  Mrs.  Findley,  Mrs.  Harri- 
son and  myself  went  in  the  elegant  carriage  which,  with  the  horses  was  a 
gift  to  the  Episcopal  Church.  The  response  of  the  President  was  audi- 
ble and  beseemed  deeply  interested.  The  Rev,  Cortlandt  Van  Rensselaer 
D.l).  supplies  the  pulpit,  at  the  Presbyterian  Church  ;  he  called  to  set 
us  and  seemed  much  pleased  to  meet  Papa,      He  is  always  engaged  in 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  167 

some  good  work,  and  now  exercises  his  ecclesiastical  functions  in  behalf 
of  this  church  freely  without  any  salary  [Dr.  V.  R.  died  at  Burlington, 
N.  J.,  on  July  26,  1860,  aged  52  years.]  He  was  very  laborious  and 
energetic  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Education. 

The  unfortunate  difficulty  between  Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  King  was  amicably 
arranged  yesterday,  March  15th,  in  the  Senate,  through  the  manly  inter- 
vention of  Mr.  Preston.  After  all  was  explained,  Mr.  Preston  quietly 
crossed  over  and  shook  hands  with  Mr.  King,  and  his  example  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  noble-minded,  generous  Henry  Clay.  At  this  exhibition  of 
openness  of  heart  and  kindness  of  disposition  on  the  part  of  that  Great 
American  Statesman,  the  people  in  the  gallery  applauded  with  great  zeal, 
and  so  the  matter  is  happily  ended  without  any  duel.  Ah  !  if  all  would 
discourage  and  put  down  the  practice  of  duelling  it  would  save  much  self- 
recrimination.  A  fiue  picture  of  General  Washington  hangs  in  the 
Senate-chamber,  but  the  room  is  not  sufficiently  large  to  accommodate  all 
the  multitude  that  desire  access  when  any  of  the  favorite  orators  are  ex- 
pected to  speak  on  important  occasions.  Colonel  Todd  is  hoping  to  have 
the  Mission  to  Austria,  but  "  popular  opinion  seems  to  have  settled  down 
on  Mr.  Jennifer."  Every  body  I  believe  is  wild  after  appointments  of 
some  kind.  De  Witt  Bloodgood  was  making  himself  very  agreeable  at 
the  White  House,  he  gave  Mrs.  Harrison  an  elegant  boquet  and  said  he 
would  bring  Johnson's  band  round  to  give  them  a  serenade,  I  too  have 
been  one  of  the  favored  ones  for  delightful  serenades.  General  Harrison 
calls  me  his  daughter  and  told  Papa  I  should  not  return  to  Albany  with 
him,  but  I  told  him  it  was  really  impossible  for  me  to  remain,  not  being 
prepared  for  a  longer  sojourn.  Then  he  said  the  only  condition  on  which 
Lucy  Este  was  to  visit  us  this  summer  rested  on  the  promise  that  I  would 
return  with  her  and  spend  next, winter.  He  inquired  very  particularly 
about  brother  Bensselaer  and  his  wife  ;  he  evidently  regards  him  very 
highly,  and  I  am  sure  will  give  him  a  situation. 

One  morning  while  in  my  room  the  waiter  came  to  tell  me  the  Presi- 
dent wished  to  see  me  in  the  parlor.  On  entering  I  started  back  in 
surprise  at  the  singular  spectacle,  for  there  seated  in  deep  silence  along 
one  side  of  the  apartment,  wrapped  in  their  blankets,  apparently  in  pro- 
found meditation  was  one  of  the  Indian  delegations,  then  on  a  visit  to 
Washington.  The  old  General  had  no  idea  of  my  running  away,  and 
passing  his  arm  around  me  soon  turned,  facing  the  Indians  with  their 
"  reddish  or  copper-colored  complexion  and  straight  black  hair,  while  his 
cheery  voice  rung  out  clear  with  the  question  "  Which  of  these  noble 
Warriors  wants  a  Squaw  ?  II"  There  was  an  expressive  sonorous  but 
musical  grunt  of  ugh  !  which  most  probably  signified  "  good,  a  sign  of  their 
assent."  The  venerable  fathers  maintained  an  imperturbable  gravity,  but 
a  few  of  the  younger  buckish  braves,  decorated  with  beads  and  feathers 
(seemingly  greatly  amused)  glanced  smilingly  at  us.  The  warriors  were 
dressed  in  their  fanciful  costumes  with  leggins  of  scarlet  material  trimmed 
with  fur ;  moccasins  richly  embroidere'd  with  colored  quills  from  the  por- 
cupine, and  gay  bands  around  their  heads,  in  which  were  bunches  of 
feathers.  Some  were  ornamented  by  having  eagle  plumes  stuck  in  their 
hair,  with  bracelets  and  bands  of  fur  on  their  arms.  Subsequently  I  stood 
at  my  window  watching  the  fearless  President  as  with,  majestic  stride,  ha 
preceded  the  Indian  tribe  across  the  beautiful  grounds  to  the  War  De- 
partment. They  followed  in  Indian-file,  with  their  blankets  gracefully 
folded   about   their   powerful   figures.     These   Warriors   were   splendid 


168  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

creatures,  tall,  with  a  noble  look,  and  as  tliey  with  dignified  mien  marched 
in  a  slow  and  solemn  tread,  it  was  an  imposing  scene,  I  almost  expected 
to  hear  them  yelling  out  the  wild  Indian  war  whoop. 

General  Harrison  gave  a  farewell  dinner  this  afternoon  for  our  dear 
father  ;  there  was  a  large  assemblage  of  the  elite  of  Washington  and  every 
thing  passed  oif  pleasantly.  As  I  was  to  return  with  Papa  to  Major 
Smith's,  about  nine  o'clock  we  prepared  to  take  our  departure  before  any 
of  the  guests  had  left.  The  General  was  very  affectionate  and  honored 
me  with  much  attention ;  reminded  me  of  the  promise  to  spend  next 
winter  with  Mrs.  Harrison  and  himself  at  the  White  House,  and  said  his 
grand-daughter,  Lucy  Este,  would  pass  part  of  the  coming  summer  with 
us  at  Cherry  Hill.  He  dispatched  one  of  the  gentlemen  to  the  library 
for  a  designated  parcel,  which,  on  receiving,  he  handed  to  me  as  a  parting 
gift  from  himself:  2  vols,  of  The  Flag  Ship  just  published  which  the 
author  Rev.  Fitch  W.  Taylor  had  presented  only  a  few  days  previous. 
The  arm  of  the  good  President  encircled  me,  while  many  gentlemen  were 
grouped  around  us  talking  about  Papa  and  the  Albany  Post  Office.  At 
some  remark  made,  Gen.  Harrison  chimed  in  with  :  "  Yes  it  was  a  small 
matter  in  Mr.  Van  Buren  to  take  from  General  Van  Rensselaer  that 
jiitlful  office."  To  which  Papa  replied  in  a  stinging,  derisive  tone,  em- 
phasizing every  word  :  "  And  You  have  restored  to  me  that  same  pitiful 
office  !"  There  was  silence  throughout  the  room  that  could  be  felt.  The 
General  seemed  startled,  suddenly  taken  aback  — and  with  a  slight  tremor 
in  his  voice  but  with  loud  cheerful  tones  came  the  meaning  -words  : 
"  Trust  me  General,  Trust  me  General!"  The  noble  frankness  of  a  noble 
and  high  minded  man  deeply  impressed  Gen.  Harrison,  and  he  will  re- 
flect oo  what  Papa  said.  I  could  see  the  remark  produced  a  general  feel- 
ing in  his  favor,  but  I  felt  deeply  for  both  parties  .1  really  believe  the 
President  begins  to  see  the  web,  that  politicians  are  weaving  around  him, 
to  the  detriment  of  our  dear  father  and  other  early  friends,  and  I  hope  so. 
Yes,  it  is  true  that  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  leaves  Washington  with  his 
Commission  as  Post  Master  at  Albany  in  his  pocket,  but  I  do  not  believe 
that  General  Harrison  intends  it  to  be  a  permanent  affair,  something  more 
lucrative  will  yet  be  offered. 

The  sole  object  of  all  these  insidious  attacks,  that  have  been  so  indus- 
triously made  on  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  and  to  weaken  the  ties  of  friendship 
between  him  and  his  old  friend,  was  doubtless  to  prevent  his  having  either 
the  Collectorship  or  the  Post-Office  in  New  York  City,  or  indeed  any 
other  valuable  appointment,  but  simply  the  Albany  Post-Office.  Now 
that  he  has  been  re-instated  by  the  Post  Master  General,  Francis  Granger 
(by  direction  of  the  President),  for  the  term  of  four  years,  it  will  be  much 
to  the  gratification  of  his  enemies,  who  wished  him  to  obtain  nothing  m.ori 
than  he  had  lost  through  his  removal  by  Van  Buren,  as  they  say,  '•'■goo 
enough  for  the  old  man."  I  am  surprised  at  the  admirable  command  over 
his  feelings,  that  the  indignant  and  insulted  noble  old  soldier  maintains, 
after  seeing  some  of  the  scurrilous  letters  sent  on  to  Washington  that 
have  been  shown  to  him.  I  have  exceedingly  enjoyed  every  moment  of 
time  while  at  the  White  House,  where  I  have  been  a  few  days ;  but  I 
really  pity  the  poor  General,  he  is  harassed  to  death  by  the  swarms  cif 
applicants.  More  than  once  he  left  even  the  dinner  table  to  see  perso;i 
who  called.  Mrs.  Findley  and  we  all  tried  to  dissuade  him  from  doin.. 
so,  I  do  not  see  how  he  stands  such  a  constant  strain  on  his  system,  but 
he  does  not  consider  self.     Major  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  been  profuse  in 


I 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  169 

their  unceasing  attentions  to  dear  Papa  and  kindness  to  us  both.  Mrs. 
S.  is  a  lovely  person  and  possesses  some  of  the  sweetest  attributes 
of  woman.     Papa  joins  me  in  love  to  all. 

Yours  affectionately, 

Catharina  V.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Miss  Margaretta  Van  Rensselaer,  Cherry  Hill. 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ids  Son. 
Dear  Rensselaer,  Washington  17th  March,  1841. 

It  is  now  5,  A.  M.  we  start  in  an  hour  for  home,  with  my  old  Post  Master 
Commission  in  my  pocket  and  nothing  more.  Nothing  else  could  be  had, 
for  the  offices  in  New  York,  except  to  a  resident,  are  not  worth  having. 
There  is  a  dreadful  struggle  for  the  Post  Office  in  Syracuse,  but  I  think 
Major  Forman  will  succeed.  Nothing  a^  present  can  be  done  for  youj 
the  Senate,  Genl.  Harrison  told  me,  would  not  confirm  your  nomination 
under  the  present  Canada  excitement ;  and  he  is  right.  I  have  written 
to  Killian  to  take  a  place  in  the  Post  Office  at  Albany.  I  wish  you  also 
to  write  that  he  is  there  by  the  first  of  April.  Congress  will  be  called  the 
last  Tuesday  in  May  or  first  Tuesday  in  June,  in  reference  to  revenue,  and 
financial  afi"airs  in  the  rechartering  of  the  United  States  Bank.  Kiss  Mary 
for  me  and  respects  to  Major  and  Mrs.  Forman,   Yours  aff'ectionately. 

Sol  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  Syracuse  N.  Y. 

At  the  instance  of  General  Harrison  the  Attorney  General,  John  J. 
Crittenden,  went  on  to  New  York  State  in  March  1841  in  regard  to  the 
case  of  Alexander  McLeod  as  connected  with  the  Canadian  troubles.  Mc- 
Leod  had  been  arrested  as  being  concerned  in  the  burning  of  the  steamboat 
Caroline  and  was  then  in  prison.  The  British  Minister  Mr.  Fox,  had 
demanded  the  release  of  McLeod  and  there  was  great  excitement  regarding 
the  matter,  but  he  was  eventually  discharged  from  custody. 

Post  Master  General  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Sir,  Washington  City  20  March  1841. 

Your  Commission  for  the  Albany  Post  Office,  bears  date  the  19th 
March  1841,  and  in  filling  up  your  bond  the  blank  should  be  filled  with 
that  day.     In  great  haste.  Ever  yours  truly 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.  F.  Granger. 

Albany,  March  24,  1841.  Among  the  official  announcements  we  find  : 
"  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  to  be  Deputy  Post  Master  at  Albany,  in  the 
place  of  A.  C.  Flagg,  removed." 

"  There  were  many  strange  movements,  and  very  curious  manoeuvres 
in  reference  to  the  several  offices  in  New  York  city.  Immediately 
after  the  state  elections,  in  the  spring  of  1840,  had  indicated  the  proba- 
bility of  General  Harrison's  success,  Mr.  Wetmore  and  some  others  came 
to  an  understanding  to  play  into  each  others'  hands.  Mr.  Wetmore  was 
to  be  the  Collector  of  New  York,  but  Mr.  Edward  Curtis  has  now 
crowded  out  Mr.  Wetmore,  and  many  a  biter  willyet  he  hit.  On  the  17th 
of  March,  President  Harrison  issued  a  proclamation  calling  an  extraordi- 
nary session  of  Congress  to  commence  at  the  close  of  May,  to  legislate 
upon  the  subject  of  finance  and  revenue.  His  cabinet  officers  are : 
Daniel    Webster,    Secretary   of  State  j    Thomas   Ewing,    Secretary    of 

II]  22 


170  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Treasury;  John  Bell,  Secretary  of  Warj  George  E.  Badger,  Secretary 
of  the  Navy  ;  Francis  Granger,  Post-master  General  ;  and  John  J. 
Crittenden,  Attorney  General.  The  people  now  feel  a  conviction  that 
with  such  an  able  cabinet  a  bright  day  is  about  to  dawn  upon  the  country 
by  a  change  of  policy." 

Mrs.  James  Cochran  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Sir,  Washington  April  2,  1841, 

A  letter  from  Mr.  Cochran  mentions  that  he  intended  applying  to  you 
for  your  interest  with  the  President  for  the  appointment  of  Post  Master 
at  Oswego,  which  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  cheerfully  grant.  I  have  been 
here  about  ten  days  and  have  found  how  disagreeable  and  how  almost  im- 
possible it  is  for  a  Lady  to  succeed  in  such  business.  Will  you  therefore 
oblige  me  by  writing  some  such  letter  to  the  President  as  the  following : 
Mrs.  Cochran  at  Washington  is  endeavoring  to  procure  the  appointment 
of  her  husband  Mr.  James  Cochran  as  Post  Master  at  Oswego.  She  is 
the  daughter  of  General  Philip  Schuyler  of  the  Revolution.  A  Man  of 
whom  I  must  observe  his  bosom  glowed  with  a  patriotic  fervor,  which  not 
the  unjust  suspicions  of  the  public,  the  machinations  of  his  enemies, 
disappointment  of  bis  hopes,  nor  the  loss  of  property  could  in  any  degree 
abate.  From  the  changes  that  are  ever  taking  place  in  our  world,  she 
and  her  husband  are  now  so  much  reduced  in  their  property,  as  to  make 
the  appointment  not  only  desirable  but  necessary  to  their  comfort. 

She  is  besides  a  relative  of  my  own.  The  experience  I  have  had  of 
your  kindness  emboldens  me  to  ask  its  extension  to  this  Lady.  I  assure 
you  Sir,  I  rejoiced  to  hear  that  you  had  been  re- instated  in  your  office 
which  the  gratitude  of  your  (country  had  conferred  upon  you. 

With  great  regard  I  am  Sir,  Very  respectfully  Yours. 

Cath  :  V.  R.  Cochran. 

Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  Esq.,  Post  Master,  Albany. 

This  estimable  lady  was  the  youngest  child  of  General  Schuyler,  she 
died  at  Oswego,  New  York,  on  the  26th  of  August,  1857,  aged  76  years. 

James  Cochran  to  Oen.  Van  Bensselaer. 

My  Dear  Sir,  Schenectady  x\pril  5,   1841. 

Mrs.  Cochran,  who  is  in  the  City  of  Washington,  informs  me  that  her 
interview  with  Mr.  Granger  on  the  subject  of  my  application  for  the  Post 
Office  at  Oswego,  was  such  as  to  induce  her  to  believe,  that  Mr.  Granger 
will  recommend  to  the  President  a  nomination  of  Mr.  Henry  Fitzhugh 
for  that  office.  This  I  all  along  apprehended,  knowing  his  partiality  for 
him,  arising  from  personal  friendships.  Yet  I  think,  if  my  recommenda- 
tions can  meet  the  eye  of  the  President,  he  being  a  stranger  to  the  oppos- 
ing candidate,  he  will  decide  from  other  considerations  than  such  which 
may  be  thus  stated.  That  my  Father  was  at  the  head  of  the  Medical 
Department  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  performing  his  duty  in  the 
language  of  General  Washington  with  attention,  skill  and  fidelity.  That 
my  Wife  is  a  daughter  of  Gen.  Schuyler,  who  was  my  Uncle,  and  of  whom 
history  speaks  most  favorably  as  a  Patriot  distinguished  in  both  Military 
and  Civil  life.  That  both  he  and  my  father  have  made  important  sacri- 
fices of  property  in  defense  of  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  Country.  That 
I  have  expended  a  considerable  sum  of  money  to  bring  about  a  change 
in  the  Administration  of  our  Government.     That  I  have  used  my  pen  in 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  171 

Pamphlet  form,  and  in  the  public  papers  to  produce  this  change.  That 
I  have  never  held  under  the  State  or  General  Grovernment  an  office  of 
profit.  That  I  have  not  income  enough  to  support  my  family  —  and  that 
I  am  advanced  in  years,  too  far  to  engage  in  active  business,  even  had  I 
the  means  for  the  purpose.  As  to  Mr.  Fitzhugh  —  he  is  a  young  man 
not  exceeding  the  age  of  forty,  engaged  in  the  Milling  business,  acting,  as 
a  forwarding  meVchant,  having  interests  in  Steam  Boats,  canal-boats  and 
several  Vessels  on  the  Lakes  —  paying  portage.  Such  the  extensiveness 
of  his  business,  it  brings  him  a  sum  equal  to  about  $250  a  year.  To  such 
a  man  the  office  would  be  exceedingly  convenient  —  and  but  little  more 
than  a  Sinecure  —  for  it  is  well  understood  that  his  occupations  are  such 
as  not  to  permit  him  personally  to  attend  to  the  duties  of  a  Post-Master. 
Need  I  inform  you,  my  good  friend,  of  the  past  misfortunes  of  my  Wife, 
before  I  married  her  —  of  her  sufiferings,  and  her  sacrifices  of  a  large 
estate  inherited  from  her  father,  to  save  her  unfortunate  husband  of  her 
first  marriage  from  imprisonment.  Need  I  remind  you  of  his  well  known 
hnhifs  which  debased  him,  and  which  caused  suiferings  to  his  worthy  and 
amiable  wife  almost  insupportable  ?  If  popularity  in  appointments  were 
to  be  taken  into  consideration,  let  those  who  know  the  candidates,  their 
past  lives  and  conduct  decide.  I  ask  you  therefore  by  the  regard  you  have 
for  Mrs.  Cochran,  and  your  knowledge  of  me,  to  use  your  influence  in  our 
behalf  to  obtain  the  office  so  much  desired,  so  much  needed  to  save  us 
from  poverty  and  want.  The  recommendations  in  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Granger,  are  from  some  of  the  very  first  characters  in  our  State,  and  if 
presented  to  the  eye  of  the  President  (and  I  presume  they  will  be)  I  think 
he  will  not  pass  them  over  unnoticed,  he  will  respect,  in  his  appointment 
to  office  a  son  if  not  unworthy,  the  Revolutionary  services  of  the  Father. 
With  Sincere  regard  and  respect.  Your  Obt.  St. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.  James  Cochran. 

This  letter  was  received  after  the  death  of  Gen.  Harrison,  and  was 
unavailing. 

Death  of  General  Harrison. 
"  City  of  Washington,  April  4,  1841.  An  all-wise  Providence  having 
removed  from  this  life  William  Henry  Harrison,  late  President  of  the 
United  States,  we  have  thought  it  our  duty  in  the  recesss  of  Congress 
and  in  the  absence  of  the  Vice  President  from  the  Seat  of  Government, 
to  make  this  afflicting  bereavement  known  to  the  Country,  by  this  de- 
claration under  our  hands.  He  died  at  the  President's  House,  in  this 
city,  this  fourth  day  of  April  Anno  Domini,  1841,  at  thirty  minutes  before 
one  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  people  of  the  United  States  overwhelmed 
like  ourselves,  by  an  event  so  unexpected  and  so  melancholy,  will  derive 
consolation  from  knowing  that  his  death  was  calm  and  resigned,  as  his 
life  has  been  patriotic,  useful  and  distinguished,  and  that  the  last  utterance 
of  his  lips  expressed  a  fervent  desire  for  the  perpetuity  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  the  preservation  of  its  true  principles.  In  death,  as  in  life,  the 
happiness  of  his  country  was  uppermost  in  his  thoughts. 

Daniel  Webster,  Secretary  of  State. 
Thomas  Ewing,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 
J.  J.  Crittenden,  Attorney  General. 
*  Francis  Granger,  Post  Master  General." 

"  How  sad  the  tidings  '  President  Harrison  is  no  more.'     His  disease 
took  a  change  at  5  p.  m.  on  Saturday,  April  3rd,  and  soon  terminated 


172  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

fatally.  The  members  of  the  Cabinet  were  all  present.  The  best  medical 
skill  of  the  city  with  important  aid  from  Baltimore  had  been  called  into 
requisition,  but  all  in  vain.  General  Harrison's  wife  is  at  the  North 
Bend.  The  blow  will  be  frightful  to  her,  for  her  attachment  to  him  is 
intense,  and  her  health  is  very  feeble.  He  leaves  one  son  and  three 
daughters.  The  ladies  of  the  President's  household  now,  are  Mrs. 
Taylor  of  Va.,  Mrs.  Harrison  [daughter-in-law]  and  Mrs.  Findley,  and  a 
Miss  Clark  of  Baltimore,  the  beloved  daughter  of  a  mother  who  saved  his 
life,  he  thinks,  many  years  since. 

"  The  Vice  President  is  at  his  home  in  Virginia  and  has  been  sent  for. 
The  corpse  lay  in  state  in  the  entry  of  the  President's  House,  during  the 
day,  and  thousands  went  with  melancholy  steps  for  the  last  time  to  view 
the  mortal  remains  of  the  departed  hero  ;  a  glass  covered  the  face.  The 
hall  was  hung  with  black  crape,  and  many  visitors  gave  vent  to  their 
grief  in  tears  and  lamentations.  The  lamented  Harrison,  the  President 
of  the  United  States  paid  the  debt  of  nature  on  the  4th  of  April;  Presi- 
dent Tyler,  who,  as  Vice  President,  succeeded  to  the  duties  of  that  office, 
arrived  in  the  city  of  Washington  on  the  6th  of  that  month.  He  found 
the  whole  metropolis  wrapped  in  gloom,  every  heart  filled  with  sorrow  and 
sadness,  every  eye  streaming  with  tears,  and  the  surrounding  hills  yet 
flinging  back  the  echoes  of  the  bells  which  tolled  on  that  melancholy 
occasion.  On  entering  the  Presidential  mansion  he  contemplated  the  pale 
body  of  his  predecessor  stretched  before  him,  and  clothed  in  the  black 
habiliments  of  death.  At  that  solemn  moment  no  doubt  the  heart  of 
President  Tyler  was  overflowing  with  mingled  emotions  of  grief,  of  patri- 
otism, and  of  gratitude  —  above  all,  of  gratitude  to  that  country  by  a 
majority  of  whose  sufi'rages,  bestowed  at  the  preceding  November,  he  then 
stood  the  most  distinguished,  the  most  elevated,  the  most  honored  of  all 
living  Whigs  of  the  United  States,  apparently  feeling,  as  did  all,  regret 
at  the  loss  of  such  a  great  and  beneficent  man." 

"  The  Funeral  at  Washington  was  on  Wednesday,  April  7th.  For  the 
first  time  the  people  are  called  to  mourn  the  demise  of  the  Chief  Magis- 
trate. The  bells  tolling,  and  the  roar  of  cannon  announce  the  sad  tale. 
Festoons  of  crape  and  other  emblems  of  mourning  are  now  hung  on  every 
house.  The  crowd  assembled  in  Washington  is  immense,  and  the  proces- 
sion was  more  than  two  miles  in  length  comprising  at  least  10,000  persons. 
The  Corpse  was  placed  on  a  magnificent  Funeral  Car  drawn  by  eight  white 
horses,  attended  by  grooms  dressed  in  white.  The  car  was  covered  en- 
tirely with  black  velvet.  The  coffin  was  placed  on  it  covered  also  with  a 
pall  of  black  velvet  embroidered  with  gold.  A  wreath  of  beautiful  flowers 
was  laid  on  the  top  of  the  pall.  Immediately  behind  the  corpse  came  the 
family  of  the  deceased  in  carriages,  and  after  them  President  Tyler  in  a 
carriage  with  Mr.  Webster.  The  other  Heads  of  Department  and  PubHc 
Officers  then  followed,  and  after  them  the  Foreign  Ministers  and  Suites 
in  full  diplomatic  dress  in  their  carriages  of  state.  After  the  corpse  was 
deposited  in  the  Public  Vault,  the  ceremonies  were  closed  by  the  custom- 
ary vollies  from  the  Military.  A  Funeral  procession  was  ha'd  in  all  the 
principal  cities  of  the  Union.  It  was  observed  at  Albany  on  Friday  April 
9th.  At  day  break  a  salute  was  fired  and  bells  tolled  for  half  an  hour. 
Stores  and  all  places  of  business  were  closed.  The  National  Flag^shrouded 
in  black  crape  was  hung  out  from  the  principal  hotels,  and  hoisted  at  half 
mast  from  the  Capitol.  The  Vessels  in  port  were  at  half  mast.  The 
Torch  Light  Procession  was  a  novel  and  most  imposing  part  of  the  obse- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  173 

quies ;  different  companies  in  fireman's  dress  accompanied  by  a  full  Band 
of  Music  and  bearing  the  funeral  Urn  covered  with  its  pall ;  the  whole 
illuminated  by  the  light  of  more  than  600  torches." 

"  The  administration  of  the  much  loved  Hero  of  Tippecanoe  was  of  short 
duration,  for  in  one  month  from  the  time  when  the  shouts  of  thousands 
went  up  at  his  inauguration,  he  was  lying  cold  in  death  in  the  presidential 
mansion.  On  Thursday,  the  25th  of  March,  he  caught  a  slight  cold  from 
undue  exposure,  and  on  the  day  following  was  overtaken  in  a  shower, 
which  increased  the  symptoms.  Continuing  unwell  on  Saturday,  he  was 
prevailed  on  to  send  for  a  physician,  who  prescribed  some  medicine.  On 
Sunday,  his  fever  increased,  accompanied  with  general  symptoms  of  pneu- 
monia. The  disease  now  assumed  an  alarming  character,  and  seemed, 
until  his  death,  to  bid  defiance  to  the  skill  of  his  physicians.  On  Saturday . 
morning  he  felt  somewhat  better,  and  requested  the  103d  Psalm  to  be 
read  ;  when  it  was  concluded,  in  the  presence  of  several  of  his  family,  he 
thanked  the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  seemed  overpowered  with  deep 
emotion.  At  six  o'clock  on  the  same  day,  the  physicians  pronounced  him 
beyond  their  skill.  He  gradually  sunk  into  a  state  of  stupor,  from  which 
he  partially  revived  about  nine  o'clock.  Seeing  his  cabinet  and  his  nearest 
friends  around  his  bed  —  even  in  that  last  hour  of  his  earthly  existence, 
the  welfare  of  his  country  lay  near  his  heart,  and  he  faintly  uttered,  '  I 
wish  you  to  understand  the  true  principles  of  government.  I  wish  them 
carried  out.  I  ask  nothing  more.'  His  breathings  now  became  more 
difficult,  and  about  half  an  hour  after  midnight  on  Sunday  morning,  April 
4th,  without  a  struggle,  his  spirit  passed  away  from  earth.  He  professed 
to  be  a  Christian,  and  his  friends  who  were  acquainted  with  his  life,  and 
knew  his  respect  and  affection  for  the  cause  of  religion,  and  his  intention 
in  a  few  days  of  uniting  with  the  church,  entertained  no  doubt  of  his  sin- 
cerity.     His  remains  were  removed  to  North  Bend. 

"  Death  !  Death  in  the  White  House  !  Ah,  never  before,  trod  his  skele- 
ton foot  on  the  President's  floor  I" 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to 


My  dear  friend,  Washington,  April  14,  1841. 

My  old  brother  soldier  has  fought  his  last  battle,  and  the  nation  mourns 
our  loss  with  all  the  grief  of  kindred  affection,  but  although  Harrison  is 
dead,  yet  Tyler  lives,  and  in  him  a  representative  who  will  faithfully  carry 
out  the  Whig  doctrines  under  which  we  fought  and  conquered.  Allay 
all  your  fears  on  this  subject,  for  be  assured  President  Tyler  does  not 
hesitate  to  express  himself  fully  on  all  the  leading  measures.  Having 
been  in  Congress  with  him  I  am  well  acquainted  with  the  man,  and  from 
my  agency  in  bringing  his  name  forward  at  the  Harrisburg  convention, 
no  disguise  is  practiced  between  us.  On  reaching  this  city,  I  put  up  at 
Mrs.  Kennedy's  in  company  with  Silas  E.  Burrows  of  New  York,  whom 
you  have  often  heard  me  speak  of  as  the  intimate  friend  of  Genl.  Harrison. 
We  called  on  President  Tyler  together,  and  both  of  us  were  delighted 
with  the  interview.  We  learnt  from  the  president  that  the  peculiar  cares 
of  his  new  situation  had  thrown  such  a  load  on  his  mind  as  entirely  to 
prevent  his  sleeping. 

The  subject  of  the  Bank  was  introduced,  and  we  were  gratified  to  find 
that  the  President  had  no  doubts  on  this  subject.  He  desired  to  see  a 
letter  written  from  President  Monroe  to  Mr.  Burrows  in  relation  to  the 
bank,  which  Mr.  B.  produced.     A  few  days  after  this  we  again  called  on 


174  LEaACY  OF  Historical  Gleanings. 

the  President,  wlio  said  that  he  had  been  pleased  on  perusing  the  letter 
of  Mr.  Monroe  who  had  made  a  strong  case  of  it,  but  not  as  strong  as  he 
might  have  made.  He  said  he  paid  great  deference  to  the  opinion  of 
Mr.  Monroe,  whose  situation  in  public  life  had  enabled  him  to  form  very 
just  conclusions  on  this  important  subject.  "  I  consider,"  said  the  Pre- 
sident, "  the  Bank  question  as  settled,  that  it  is  no  longer  an  open  ques- 
tion, and  that  the  only  thing  to  be  determined  is,  as  to  the  time  when  the 
measure  is  to  be  brought  before  Congress."  ''  The  late  United  States 
Bank  of  Pennsylvania,"  continued  he  "  has  done  so  much  mischief  that  it 
is  best  to  give  time  for  this  to  blow  over,  and  it  is  not  best  to  bring  the 
subject  before  the  Extra  Session,  but  to  wait  for  the  Regular  Session  of 
Congress."  "  It  would,"  he  said,  "  be  difficult  to  keep  his  friend  Clay 
still,  but  upon  every  principle  it  would  be  best  to  postpone  it."  You  will 
therefore  see  that  the  President  will  nobly  carry  out  the  principles  of 
President  Harrison,  and  that  although  we  have  lost  him,  still  there  is  left 
a  faithful  representative  of  his  wishes,  and  in  John  Tyler  the  Whig  cause 
is  safe.  The  old  cabinet  will  be  retained  as  the  nearest  representative  to 
our  lamented  Harrison,  and  with  Mr.  Webster  in  the  State  Department, 
I  think  we  have  no  fear  of  a  War  with  England.  I  will  write  you  again 
in  a  day  or  two.  I  remain  respectfully  your  obdt.  svt. 

Solomon  Van  Rensselaer. 

Hon.  Henry  Clay  says  :  "  Candor  and  truth  require  me  to  say,  that,  in  my 
judgment,  while  banks  continue  to  exist  in  the  country,  the  services  of 
a  Bank  of  the  United  States  cannot  be  safely  dispensed  with.  I  think 
that  the  power  to  establish  such  a  bank  is  a  settled  question,  settled  by 
Washington  and  by  Madison,  by  the  people,  by  forty  year's  acquiescence, 
by  the  judiciary,  and  by  both  of  the  great  parties  which  so  long  held  sway 
in  the  country.  Without  banks  I  believe  we  cannot  have  a  sufficient  cur- 
rency ;  without  a  Bank  of  the  United  States,  I  fear  we  cannot  have  a  sound 
currency.  But  it  is  the  end,  that  of  a  sound  and  sufficient  currency,  that 
we  should  engage  the  dispassionate  and  candid  consideration  of  the  whole 
community." 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  the  Post  Master  General. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany  April  21,  1841. 

I  reached  home  last  evening.  I  called  at  your  quarters  on  Saturday 
evening,  but  found  that  you  was  dining  out.  I  wished  to  remind  you  that 
among  the  appointments,  not  one  of  the  original  Harrison  men  in  this 
State  has  been  noticed,  this  they  never  will  submit  to;  the  loss  of  the  elec- 
tion in  the  City  of  New  York,  nearly  the  loss  of  the  election  in  this  city, 
and  the  loss  of  the  election  in  Syracuse  was  owing  to  this  cause.  Last  year 
we  had  all  the  Wards  in  this  city ;  this  year  the  Loco's  have  carried  four 
out  of  the  ten  Wards,  without  any  local  difficulty  to  cause  it.  In  Syra- 
cuse, General  Leavenworth  has  lost  his  election  as  Supervisor  by  a  Majority 
of  166  votes. 

I  ask  the  appointment  of  Major  Forman  as  Post-Master.  If  he  succeeds, 
it  will  be  the  only  one  of  the  recommendations  made  by  me.  From  the 
course  I  have  taken  in  the  Whig  cause,  as  well  as  in  your  own,  I  think  I 
am  at  least  as  much  entitled  to  be  attended  to,  as  Messrs.  Lawrence,  Gran- 
ger, Knox  &c,  all  Scott  men,  and  opposed  to  me  at  Harrisburgh. 

Truly  Yours, 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Hon.  Francis  Granger,  P.  M.  General,  Washington,  D.  C. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  175 

Major  Forman  did  not  obtain  the  appointment  of  post  master  at  Syra- 
cuse ;  it  was  conferred  on  a  cousin  of  the  post  master  general,  Amos  P. 
Granger,  because  "  Mr.  Tyler  held  Whigs  and  Locofocos  equally  as  his 
opponents,  and  reserved  his  favors  and  officers  for  Tyler-'men.  The  little 
corps  of  Tyler-men,  however,  do  not  seem  to  thrive  well,  and  even  they 
do  not  always  conform  to  administration  measures." 

Qen.  Van  Bensselaer  to  his  Son. 

Dear  Rensselaer,  Albany  April  21,  1841.     - 

I  returned  home  from  Washington  last  evening  with  the  day  boat.  I 
have  only  time  to  say  a  few  things,  and  some  of  them  which  transpired  I 
cannot  commit  to  paper,  but  will  tell  you  when  we  meet,  which  I  hope 
will  be  soon  for  I  want  to  see  you  and  Mary. 

President  Tyler  treated  me  with  the  greatest  kindness  and  aifection,  he 
was  at  the  Harrisburgh  convention  and  knew  the  course  I  took  in  regard 
to  Harrison  and  himself.  I  talked  freely  to  him  of  the  appointments  that 
had  taken  place,  and  that  not  a  single  original  Harrison  man  in  this  State 
was  among  the  number.  I  also  sent  a  circular  to  each  of  the  Secretaries 
(except  Granger)  to  the  same  effect,  and  I  told  Webster  that  the  Harrison 
men  would  not  submit  to  such  treatment,  that  the  loss  of  the  election  in 
New  York  City  ;  the  large  change  in  this  city  and  Syracuse  had  grown 
out  of  this  course.  He  told  me  it  must  be  inquired  into.  Governor 
Tyler  told  me  as  much,  as  that.  Major  Forman  would  be  appointed  post 
master  at  Syracuse,  he  evidently  will  act  for  himself  and  not  leave  it 
entirely  to  his  Secretaries,  as  has  been  done  heretofore,  but  say  nothiug 
on  this  subject  to  any  one,  nor  what  Major  Forman's  prospects  are :  it  may 
set  the  politicians  in  motion  anew  in  Syracuse.  I  have  written  a  letter  to 
Granger ;  it  contains  similar  items  of  intelligence  to  that  of  the  circular, 
expressive  of  my  aggravated  feelings  in  regard  to  the  withholding  of 
appointments  from  all  whom  I  have  recommended. 

All  at  home  are  very  well  and  join  with  me  in  love. 

Yours  aflFectionately  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Rens.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

"  In  August  the  bill  which  had  passed  both  Houses  of  Congress,  char- 
tering a  Bank  of  the  United  States,  was  returned  by  President  Tyler  with 
objections  to  its  becoming  a  law,  and  thus  the  United  States  Bank  Bill  is 
vetoed.  If  the  present  state  of  the  fact  could  have  been  anticipated,  if 
at  Harrisburg  or  at  the  polls,  it  had  been  foreseen  that  General  Harrison 
would  die  in  one  short  month  after  the  commencement  of  his  administra- 
tion ;  that  Vice  President  Tyler  would  be  elevated  to  the  Presidential 
chair  J  that  a  bill  passed  by  decisive  majorities  of  the  first  Whig  Congress, 
chartering  a  National  Bank,  would  be  presented  for  his  sanction;  and  that 
he  would  veto  the  bill,  do  I  hazard  any  thing  when  I  express  the  convic- 
tion that  he  would  have  not  received  a  solitary  vote  in  the  nominating  con- 
vention, nor  one  solitary  elector;il  vote  in  any  state  in  the  Union.  The 
Van  Buren  party  in  Kentucky,  announced  that  the  veto  would  come  weeks 
before  it  reached  that  quarter. 

"Tyler,  like  Jackson,  was  opposed  to  a  United  States  Bank.  Gen. 
Jackson  vetoed  a  bill  passed  by  Congress  to  recharter  it,  he  also  drew  out 
the  public  money  from  this  bank,  thinking  it  would  be  safer  in  the  state 
banks.  There  was  a  great  storm  of  excitement  when  he  did  tliis,  but 
Jackson  never  swerved  from  what  he  thought  was  right.    In  like  manner, 


176  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.* 

when  Congress  passed  a  bill,  during  the  administration  of  President  Tyler, 
providing  for  such  an  institution,  he  vetoed  it,  and  thus  made  many  ene- 
mies. The  effect  was  electrical  and  the  ca;binet  was  soon  in  the  process 
of  dissolution.  On  September  11,  1841,  Hon.  John  J.  Crittenden  sent 
his  resignation  as  Attorney  General  of  the  United  States  to  the  President, 
together  with  the  resignations  of  Ewing,  Bell,  Badger  j  these  were  soon 
followed  by  that  of  Granger  so  that  Mr.  Tyler  was  deprived  of  the  whole 
of  his  most  enlightened  and  patriotic  cabinet  except  Mr.  Webster." 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  President  Tyler. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany,  Sept.  3,  1841. 

Will  you  allow  me  to  remind  you  of  what  passed  between  us  about  the 
appointment  of  Major  Samuel  S.  Forman  as  Post  Master  at  Syracuse  in 
this  State  '{  You  will  find  among  your  papers,  my  recommendation  in  favor 
of  him,  with  your  endorsement  upon  it  favorable  to  his  appointment.  In 
addition  to  this,  there  is  a  powerful  recommendation  in  his  favor  in  the 
Post  Office  Department.  It  was  the  intention  of  Genl.  Harrison  that  he 
should  be  appointed,  and  such  would  have  been  the  case,  had  not  the  late 
P.  M.  General  wished  the  appointment  for  a  Cousin  of  his,  of  the  same 
name.  I  have  the  Honor  to  be  your  Obt.  Sevt. 

To  the  President  of  the  United  States.  Sol.  Van  Bensselaer. 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  President  Tyler. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany,  Oct.  20,  1840. 

I  had  the  honor  to  write  to  you,  about  six  weeks  ago,  on  the  subject  of 
the  appointment  of  Major  Samuel  D.  Forman  as  Post  Master  at  Syracuse 
in  this  State.  He  is  a  brother  of  the  gallant  General  Forman  of  the  Jer- 
sey line  in  the  Revolutionary  War  he  is  strongly  recommended  as  will 
be  seen  by  his  papers  in  the  Genl.  Post  Office,  and  is  in  every  respect 
qualified  for  the  appointment. 

My  Son  is  married  to  his  Daughter,  and  to  him  the  appointment  will 
also  be  of  service.  I  pray  that  you  may  think,  that  my  service  to  the 
Whig  party,  and  to  you  personally  at  Harrisburg,  will  entitle  me  to  one 
Solitary  appointment.  •  I  am  your  obedient  servant 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

To  John  Tyler,  President  of  the  United  States. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
Cherry  Hill  Fetes. 


The  Feajst  of  Flowers. 

Mr.  Editor,  .  Albany,  29th  June,  1842. 

If  not  trespassing  too  much  on  your  columns,  you  would  oblige  me  by 
giving  place  to  the  description  of  a  little  fete,  or  Feast  of  Flowers,  that 
I  recently  attended  in  the  vicinity  of  our  city.  I  am  more  especially 
induced  to  make  this  offiering,  as  in  my  opinion,  the  scene  was  evincive 
of  refinement,  cultivation  and  taste ;  and  I  am  gratified  to  see  the  Imagi- 
nation cherished  and  developed;  having  long  regretted   that  the  heart 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  177 

and  imagination  are  not  as  highly  cultivated  as  the  judgment :  believing 
them  to  be  sources  of  great  pleasure,  and  happiness  to  their  possessor. 

As  I  understand  the  matter,  at  the  school  of  Miss  Parsons,  a  young 
lady  from  the  South,  Miss  F.  Thomas,  proposed  this  little  gala ;  all  the 
others  seconding  it  with  a  lively  and  amiable  interest ;  their  teachers 
uniting  in  it,  and  participating  in  its  execution  with  much  labor  and  un- 
tiring kindness.  It  was  originally  designed  that  the  joyous  festival  should 
be  a  May-Day  celebration,  but  the  coldness  of  the  spring  rendered  the 
project  unadvisable.  The  weather,  however,  now  being  propitious  G-ene- 
ral  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  offered,  through  his  grand-daughter  Maria 
Elizabeth  Van  Rensselaer,  then  a  pupil  in  L.  Sprague  Parsons's  establish- 
ment, his  spacious  grounds  for  the  proposed  entertainment.  It  was  a 
lovely  day,  a  crystal  daj,  the  air  was  balmy;  the  Hudson  before  us 
looking  as  a  mirror ;  scarce  a  "  breath  of  air  "  to  ruffle  its  translucent 
surface.  In  front  of  the  ancient  mansion  of  Cherry  Hill,  we  were  politely 
received  by  its  venerable  proprietor,  whose  courteousness  and  benevolent 
hospitality  all  appeared  duly  to  appreciate,  and  gratefully  to  acknowledge  ; 
nor  should  his  amiable  daughters  be  forgotten ;  as  their  skill  and  taste 
were  conspicuous  throughout,  and  their  sweet  urbanity  made  every  one 
feel  at  home.  In  front  of  the  house  was  erected  a  temporary  throne, 
covered  with  flowers.  On  one  side  of  the  lawn  was  a  table,  set  forthwith 
fruits,  cakes,  mottoes,  ice-cream,  and  other  refreshments;  and  a  band  of 
musicians  from  time  to  time  gave  us  lively  and  pleasing  airs.  Whilst 
the  guests  were  grouped  at  the  upper  end  of  the  lawn,  sitting,  standing, 
or  moving  about,  I  saw  not  a  clouded  brow  as  I  moved  along;  but  all  ap- 
peared happy  and  joyous,  determined  to  be  pleased  and  to  act  their  parts 
well.  The  young  ladies  were  generally  attired  in  white,  and  in  chaste 
simplicity;  flowers  and  sashes  being  their  only  ornaments.  They  looked 
charmingly,  and  showed  so  much  "  disinteressment "  in  their  attentions 
to  their  little  "  Queen,"  Miss  Maria  F.  Taylor,  that  they  called  forth 
most  touching  expressions  of  admiration  from  many.  They  formed  a  long 
procession,  with  their  respected  teacher  at  their  head ;  some  very  little 
girls  with  garlands  of  flowers  around  them,  carrying  baskets  full  of  roses 
and  various  flowers  ;  and  some  holding  garlands,  forming  with  them  a  bower 
brilliant  and  beautiful  in  its-various  hues.  The  queen  walked  last,  sup- 
ported by  her  eldest  sister  and  the  young  lady  of  thj  South;  and  on 
arriving  near  the  throne  the  queen  walked  under  the  bower  of  gay  flowers, 
and  took  her  seat,  her  ladies  in  attendance :  when  a  sweet  little  Flora 
appeared  before  her  majesty,  strewing  her  path  with  those  natural  em- 
blems of  youth  and  innocence,  "  flowers,  sweet  flowers,"  and  ingenuously 
wishing  her  every  happiness !  This  little  creature's  name,  most  appro- 
priately, was  Lady  Hope,  Miss  C.  Hilton.  Then  a  young  lady,  another 
elder  sister  —  I  mention  this,  as  I  was  pleased  to  see  there  could  be  a 
"  Cinderella,"  with  two  amiable  sisters,  and  not  as  that  pretty  fairy  tale 
would  imply,  that  only  the  younger  one  in  the  family  was  capable  of  being 
dutiful  and  disinterested  —  curtsied  to  the  queen,  and  afterwards  to  the 
company,  and  with  some  lines  applicable  to  the  occasion,  addressed  her 
and  the  assemblage  at  large.  The  lady  lanthe  —  Miss  F.  Thomas  —  then 
spoke  distinctly  and  sweetly,  and  placed  the  coronet  of  flowers  on  the 
head  of  her  privileged  friend.  Several  others  spoke  some  verses  very 
efficiently ;  the  garland  holders  gracefully  laid  their  wreaths  at  her 
majesty's  feet,  and  the  other  young  ladies  in  attendance,  presented  with 

II]  23 


178  Legacy  of  Histokical  Gleanings. 

a  gracious  mien  and  a  curtsey,  the  sceptre  and  their  bouquets.  After 
which  the  youthful  queen  arose,  and  smiling  sweetly  to  her  friends,  and 
curtseying  lowly  to  all,  repeated  some  verses  written  by  Miss  Parsons  and 
they  were  really  charming.  She  performed  her  part  modestly,  unaffect- 
edly, and  well ;  but  her  moistened  eye  and  trembling  lip,  wben  she 
prayed  that,  in  fairer  and  brighter  regions,  her  young  friends  might  all 
possess  a  more  enduring  crown,  caused  a  thrill  in  many  a  mother's  heart ; 
and  made  me  ask  the  question  :  can  Youth,  Beauty,  Innocence  and  Friend- 
ship all  be  buried  in  the  cold,  cold  grave  ?  This  melancholy  reflection 
was  chased  away  by  the  belief  in  the  promises  of  Him  who  hath  said, 
"  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
Heaven." 

Yes,  Mr.  Editor,  the  scene  was  picturesque,  was  romantic ;  the  guests 
were  numerous;  the  accommodations  capacious;  and  the  tout  ensemble 
almost  sublime,  by  means  of  all  that  nature  and  taste  united  could  devise. 
Some  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  of  the  inhabitants  of  our  city  were 
•present;  together  with  many  happy  mothers  and  fathers.  The  mother 
of  this  little  Queen  of  Flowers  was  pointed  out  to  me,  looking  extremely 
joyous;  and  though  not  her  parent  in  fact,  I  was  told  that  they  possessed 
her  whole  undivided  affection.  There  were  many  of  the  belles  of  the 
city  looking  their  loveliest,  and  many  of  the  beaux  playing  the  most  irre- 
sistible. .  Nor  were  the  younger  portion  of  the  gentlemen  any  way  defi- 
cient; here  and  there  they  were  seen  bowing  and  doffing  their  caps  to  the 
belles  of  their  junior  circle ;  and  that  too  not  ungracefully  :  a  few  flirta- 
tions I  think  I  saw :  a  little  dancing,  n)uch  talking,  gay  spirits,  happy 
laughter,  arid  any  quantity  of  delicious  cakes  with  iced  lemonade,  made 
the  afternoon  pass  off  most  cheerily.  Some  two  or  three  I  saw  curtsey  as 
her  Majesty  passed  in  the  procession;  s/te,  smiling  and  returning  their 
salutation,  and  methinks  I  noticed  a  foreign  gentleman  raise  his  hat  and 
bow  low  !  Indeed,  every  thing  went  off  delightfully ;  and  all  returned 
to  their  homes  sensible  of  the  beautiful  moral  that  might,  and  I  believe, 
was  adduced  from  this  charming  fete  :  that  sweetness  of  disposition  and 
an  abandonment  in  an  eminent  degree,  of  selfishness,  can  greatly  conduce 
to  happiness.  That  you,  Mr.  Editor,  for  whom  I  have  a  sincere  regard, 
may,  together  with  myself,  ever  give  an  evidence  of  this  temper  of  juind, 
I  truly  pray;  remaining  Yours,  as  ever, 

Clio. 

The  interesting  young  lady  who  was  crowned  with  flowers  as  q^ieen  of 
the  "  Feast  of  Flowers"  in  June  1842  at  Cherry  Hill,  is  now  the  highly 
honored  and  attractive  wife  of  Hon.  Ward  Hunt,  associate  judge  of  the 
United  States,  and  independent  of  her  high  position  is  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  women  residing  in  Washington. 

Thomas  L.  Smith  to  Oen.  Dennison. 

Dear  Sir,  •   Washington  City,  Nov.  22,  1842. 

I  received  your  letter  a  few  days  since,  and  feeling  deeply  interested  in 
its  contents,  I  made  every  search  to  find  out  if  there  was  any  truth  in  the 
report,  and  if  it  was  in  my  power  by  any  influence  or  exertion  that  I 
could  use,  to  avoid  the  event.  I  believe  that  there  is  not  a  word  of  truth 
in  the  report;  and  nothing  to  justify  such  an  apprehension.  I  believe 
that  our  friend  Genl.  Van  Rensselaer  is  as  safe  in  his  position  now  as  at 
any  period  of  his  incumbency.     Mr.  Tyler  will   never  touch  him.     He 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  179 

would  rather  spread  velvet  ia  his  pathway,  than  to  put  a  thorn  that  might 
injure  him. 

Be  assured  my  dear  Sir,  that  I  shall  be  ever  sensibly  alive  to  the  in- 
terest and  welfare  of  Genl.  Van  Rensselaer,  he  has  a  warm  place  in  my 
heart  and  his  sincere  friend  I  am  and  always  shall  he.     Present  him  and 
his  daughter  with  my  kindest  regards  and  believe  me  to  be  truly. 
Your  friend  and  Obt.  Servt., 

Gen.  Sam.  Dennison.  T.  L.  Smith. 

Major  Smith's  confidence  was  misplaced  as  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  was 
finally  ejected,  by  President  Tyler  (at  the  solicitation  of  the  faction  which 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  had  defeated  at  Harrisburg)  after  Hon.  John  C. 
Spencer  went  into  his  cabinet.  This  treacherous  act  was  only  in  keeping 
with  the  perfidiousness  of  subsequent  years.  "  Mr.  Tyler's  Administra- 
tion was  distinguished  by  the  return  of  a  South  Sea  exploring  expedition  ; 
the  settlement  of  the  nocth-eastern  boundary  question  and  the  admission 
of  Florida  and  Iowa  into  the  Union." 

D.  0.  Nelson  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Stilwell,  Feb.  25,  1843. 

In  a  controversy  with  one  of  our  public  men,  on  the  subject  of  the 
Washingtonian  Society,  which  lately  occurred,  it  was  publicly  asserted  by 
my  opponent,  that  Hon.  Dewitt  Clinton  died  a  drunkard.  Having  my- 
self been  a  citizeu  of  New  York  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  never  having 
heard  such  a  thing  intimated,  I  took  the  liberty  of  denying  the  truth  of 
the  assertion  predicating  my  denial  upon  that  fact.  Having  no  personal 
acquaintance  in  the  City  of  Albany,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  addressing 
you  this  line  to  know  whether  I,  or  my  opponent  was  right.  There  is  no 
name  in  the  whole  catalogue  of  American  worthies,  which  in  my  mind 
should  rate  above  that  of  Dewitt  Clinton.  It  was  therefore  with  regret, 
that  I  heard  this  stain  thrown  upon  his  character. 

Hoping  Sir,  that  you  will  pardon  the  liberty  I  have  taken  in  thus  ad- 
dressing you,  and  believing  you  will  be  as  happy  in  doing  justice  to  the 
character  of  Dewitt  Clinton  (which  is  indeed  the  duty  of  every  American 
Citizen,  and  in  this  case  especially  of  every  Yorker)  as  your  friend  will 
be  in  seeing  it  done,  I  confidently  hope  you  will,  in  answer  to  this,  com- 
municate the  facts  of  the  case,  and  oblige  your  friend  —  Respectfully. 

Post  Master,  Albany,  N.  Y.  D.  0.  Nelson. 

"  It  was  the  opinion  of  Pythagoras,  that  the  minds  of  slanderers  were 
serpents,  in  a  pre-existent  state,  and  would  in  all  probability  become 
scorpions  after  death,  but  a  defamer  of  character  is  contemptible." 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  D.  0.  Nelson. 
Dear  Sir,  Albany  March  1843. 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  25th  Ult.  In  which  you  say  that 
one  of  your  public  men  made  a  charge  against  the  great  and  good  De  Witt 
Clinton,  that  "  he  was  a  Drunkard."  This  charge  I  declare  to  be  base 
and  false  ! 

For  twenty-two  years  I  was  Adjutant  General  of  the  Militia  of  this  State 
under  Governors  George  Clinton,  John  Jay,  down  to  De  Witt  Clinton  in- 
clusive, in  which  time  I  saw  much  of  the  latter  gentleman.  Indeed  during 
the  last  four  years  of  his  Administration,  my  public  duty  compelled  me  to 


180  Legacy  of  Histokical  Gleanings. 

call  upon  him  almost  every  day,  and  at  different  hours  of  the  day.  I  have 
dined  with  him  at  his  own  house,  and  at  other  places  a  thousand  times. 
I  accompanied  him  in  reviewing  the  Militia,  and  attended  him  when  he 
visited  your  State  [Ohio]  to  celebrate  the  breaking  of  ground  on  your 
Canal.  And  I  can  Solemnly  declare  before  my  God,  that  I  never  saw 
him  intoxicated  with  liquor  in  the  least.  I  should  be  glad  to  know  who 
your  base  informant  is.  Your  Obt,  Svt. 

D.  0.  Nelson,  Esq.,  Stilwell  Ohio.  Sol.  Van  Kensselaer. 

"  In  the  morning  of  life  Governor  Clinton  took  up  the  noble  determina- 
tion to  be  great,  and  to  make  usefulness  the  basis  of  that  greatness.  His 
'  death  has  been  deplored  as  that  of  one  who  died  too  early ;  but  if  the 
prominent  deeds  of  men  are  so  many  mile-stones  on  the  journey  of  life, 
7ms  course  cannot  have  been  short  who  has  set  up  so  many  monuments  as 
lie  traveled  onward  to  eternity.  He  fearlessly  breasted  the  peltings  of 
life's  storm." 

Albany  City  Post  Office. 
Friday  March  24,  1843.  We  had  barely  space  and  time  yesterday,  after 
learning  the  fact,  to  mention,  without  other  remark,  the  change  of  post- 
masters in  this  city.  But  the  character  of  this  change  is  too  peculiar  to 
be  allowed  to  pass  by  without  a  few  words  at  least  of  comment,  however 
unavailing  they  may  be. 

If  distinguished  patriotism  through  life,  and  an  ardent  zeal  for  the 
honor  of  his  country,  manifested  by  the  most  unhesitating,  uncalculating, 
heroic  exposure  of  life  in  its  cause,  combined  with  high  personal  qualities, 
could  found  a  fair  and  honorable  claim  to  the  confidence  and  patronage  of 
the  government,  as  they  have  secured  the  esteem  and  respect  of  the  com- 
munity, then  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  had  a  right  to  expect  better 
things  from  the  President  of  the  United  States  than  to  have  been  ejected 
from  the  Albany  post-office  to  make  room  for  James  D.  Wasson  or  any 
body  else.     Not  that  we  have  any  hostility  to  Mr.  Wasson  personally  or 
as  a  citizen,  for  we  have  none.     But  when  we  consider  that  he  has  ever 
been  one  of  the  most  thorough  going  and  busy  of  the  partizans  of  Mr. 
Van  Buren,  and  has,  in  the  course  of  the  last  twenty  years,  had  as  large 
share  of  the  profits  and  advantages  of  party  patronage  as  any  man  in  the 
community,  probably,  of  similar  qualifications,  and  then  when  we  look  at 
the  services  of  the  man  who  has  been  ousted  to  make  room  for  him,  we 
must  confess  that  we  had  not  expected  such  an  act  even  from  the  present 
acting  President  of  the  United  States.     The  circumstances  of  this  case, 
considering  them  in  all  their  bearings  and  ramifications,  strike  us,  on  the 
whole,  as  furnishing,  to  say  the  least,  one  of  the  strongest  evidences  yet 
presented  by  President  Tyler,  in  the  exercise  of  his  patronage,  of  his  anx- 
iety to  propitiate  the  Loco  Pocos  of  this  quarter  of  the  country.     So  go 
these  mercenary,  heartless,  vindictive  times.     Why,  President  Jackson, 
whose  example  Mr.  Tyler  has  latterly  aff^ected  to  treat  with  so  much  reve- 
rence, refused  to  remove  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  even  at  the  instance  of 
Mr.  Van  Buren." 

It  certainly  is  a  settled  fact  not  to  be  controverted,  that  President  Tyler 
selfishly,  for  his  own  personal  aggrandizement,  perverted  the  powers  and 
advantages  of  his  position,  with  a  view  to  his  re-election.  He  vetoed  the 
the  Bank  bills  for  this  purpose  and  no  other,  and  basely  violated  in  his 
administration,  the  most  important  principles  and  pledges  of  the  party,  to 
whom  he  owed  his  accidental  accession  of  power,  and  thus  traitorously 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


181 


vanquished  the  victory  of  1840.  That  all  his  appointments  and  patronage 
had  a  reference  to  that  sole  aspiration  of  presidential  re-nomination,  his 
interviews  with  our  dear  father,  and  with  Silas  E.  Burrows  a/to-  General 
Harrison's  death  unequivocally  prove,  and  is  an  exemplification  of  the  fact 
that,  with  the  hope  of  propitiating  the  antagonistic  party,  and  thus  secur- 
ing his  position  for  another  term  as  president  of  the  United  States,  friends 
were  remorselessly  sacrificed  and  the  country  was  reduced  to  a  state  of 
discord  and  distress  never  before  known. 

"  To  subserve  the  wicked  and  time-serving  purpose  of  a  corrupt  and 
unscrupulous  demagogue,  the  aged  soldier  and  brave  defender  of  his 
country  in  her  hour  of  peril  is  stripped  of  the  only  reward  ever  reqgived 
for  priceless  services,  and  in  the  place  of  General  Van  Rensselaer  is  in- 
stalled a  pliant  and  supple  tool  of  party  who  has  been  for  twenty  years  in 
the  States  service  as  door  keeper  to  the  senate  and  is  most  willing  to  dis- 
charge such  work  as  the  Kegency  see  fit  to  assign  him."  There  was 
nothing  to  be  said  against  the  appointment  of  James  D.  Wasson,  excepting 
as  it  operated  on  the  old  soldier  saatching  away  from  him  a  simple  compe- 
tence which  he  should  always  have  been  permitted  to  retain. 

From  the  Cincinnati  Times. 

"  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  who  was  recently  removed  from  the 
office  of  Post  Master  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  was  the  companion  in  arms  (under 
Wayne),  of  the  late  President,  Gen,  W.  H.  Harrison,  during  his  cam- 
paigns, in  and  about  the  city  and  county,  when  naught  broke  the  solemn 
stillness  of  the  forests  save  the  warwhoop  of  the  savage.  He  afterwards . 
served  and  was  severely  wounded  in  several  battles  on  the  Northern 
frontier,  during  the  last  war,  when  he  displayed  the  greatest  gallantry 
and  devotion  to  his  country.  On  his  fair  fame  no  tarnish  is  found,  it 
burns  brightly  and  will  descend  with  him  to  a  patriot's  grave  undimmed. 
Yet  ^^r.  Tyler  has  dared,  apparently  reckless  of  those  feelings  which  must 
exist  in  the  heart  of  every  citizen,  to  remove  him  for  factious  and  selfish 
purposes. 

The  following  beautiful  Lyric  is  from  the  pen  of  one  of  our  citizens, 
and  we  doubt  not,  portrays  the  feelings  of  thousands  on  receiving  the 
iutelli2;ence  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer's  dismissal  from  office  : 


John  Tyler,  if  one  blush  of  shame 
Can  stain  thy  brazen  cheek, 
If  virtue  has  not  left  thy  breast 
A  iitter  liome  to  seek  ; 
Behold  the  war-worn  veteran 
Thy  malice  doth  not  spare. 
Go  view  the  scars  upon  his  breast 
And  ask  how  came  they  there  ? 

Methinks  the  answer  giv'n  would  call 

E'en  to  thy  cheek  the  blood. 

From  those  old  scars  his  own  once  gush'd 

A  warm  and  purple  flood, 

In  battle  field  that  old  man  fought 

His  country's  foemen  well. 

How  richly  he  has  been  repaid 

John  Tyler,  thou  can'st  tell. 


He  was  the  bosom  friend  of  one 

Whose  highly  honored  name 

Once  coupled  with  thine  own  was  borne. 

High  by  the  trump  of  fame. 

Of  one  to  whom  thou  owest  all 

Thy  pomp,  thy  power,  thy  state, 

But  for  whose  memory  now  thou  feel'st 

Naught,  naught,  but  bitter  hate. 

How  could'st  thou  dare  to  hurl  thy  scorn 

At  that  old  veteran's  head  ? 

'  Twas  outrage  on  the  country,  man, 

'  Twas  insult  to  the  dead. 

Go  weep  the  deed,  go  hide  thy  head. 

In  penitence  and  prayer, 

Kneel  humbly  at  the  mercy  seat, 

And  ask  forgiveness  there." 


"  The  removal  of  the  able  veteran  of  the  last  war  —  General  Solomon 
Van  Rensselaer  —  from  the  office  given  him  by  President  Monroe  for 
his  invaluable  services  and  heroic  valor,  and  held  by  him  from  that  time 


182  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

until  this,  witb  the  exception  of  one  yeai-  during  the  reign  of  Van  Buren, 
has  very  naturally  excited  the  indignation  of  every  man  acquainted  with 
the  history  of  the  '  Hero  of  Queenstown/  He  was  removed  on  strictly 
political  grounds  by  order  of  John  Tyler^  that  infamous  traitor.  No 
other  pretext  is  set  up,  no  other  reason  is  given.  If  it  was  attempted, 
the  character  of  his  successor  would  give  it  the  lie  direct." 

H.  V.  B.  ScJtermerhorn  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Uncle,  Geneva,  April  1,  1843. 

Your  letter  of  the  22d  ult.,  did  not  reach  me  till  the  28th.  I  had  heard 
the  day  previous  of  your  removal,  and  I  assure  you  the  intelligence  filled 
me  with  astonishment,  indignation  and  regret.  I  had  supposed  you  was 
entirely  safe,  and  could  not  believe  it  possible  that  Captain  Tyler,  mean, 
degraded  and  contemptible  as  he  is,  would  be  guilty  of  such  an  outrage 
upon  you  —  the  great  Whig  party  which  elected  him,  and  the  Country  — 
as  to  deprive  you  of  an  office  which  even  Gen.  Jackson  treated  as  a  sacred 
reward  for  your  public  services.  But  I  suppose  you  are  indebted  to  John 
C.  Spencer  for  this,  and  in  the  end  he  and  his  master  will  be  more 
punished  by  it  than  you.  I  would  advise  your  taking  it  quietly  and 
calmly  — for  good  may  even  come  out  of  it.  I  was  over  at  Canandaigua, 
last  Saturday,  where  my  friend  Judge  Sibly  and  I  were  talking  on  this 
very  subject,  and  both  agreed  that,  if  you  was  removed,  the  Whigs  must 
take  you  as  their  candidate  for  Governor  at  the  next  election,  and  that  we 
should  carry  the  State  by  50.000  majority.  The  28th  I  received  a  letter 
from  Sibly  [Mark]  in  which  he  says  "  So  it  seems  the  brave  old  General 
is  once  more  a  victim  to  the  paltry  contrivances  of  toadying  politicians ! 
was  such  rank  corruption  ever  known  since  the  organization  of  civil 
government  ?  I  think  not."  The  change  to  you  will  be  great ;  but  thank 
God  you  have  enough  to  enable  you  to  live  comfortably,  and  I  trust  and 
hope  you  will  still  live  to  enjoy  a  green  old  age  amidst  the  cheerful  faces 
and  kind  attentions  of  your  affectionate  children.  My  poor  Mother  con- 
tinues very  feeble,  is  almost  helpless,  though  she  is  yet  able  to  keep  about. 
She  feels  very  deep  regret,  and  sorrow  on  account  of  your  removal  —  and 
quite  as  mad  as  it  is  proper  for  an  Old  Lady  to  feel.  She  sends  her  warmest 
love  in  which  we  all  join.  Most  affect.  Yours, 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.  H.  V.  B.  Schermerhorn. 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  the  Post  Master  General. 
Sir,  Albany,  April  6th,  1843. 

My  returns  of  the  Post  Office  in  this  city  are  closed.  If  you  will  fur- 
nish me  an  account  current  with  the  Department,  I  shall  ipimediately  pay 
the  Balance  in  the  Bank  and  forward  to  you  a  Certificate  of  Deposit. 

Your  Obt.  Sevt., 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Hon.  Charles  A.  Wickliffe,  Post  Master  General. 

The  current  account  was  sent  on,  and  General  Van  Rensselaer  deposited 
in  the  Albany  Commercial  Bank  the  required  sum  of  $73.88  to  the  credit 
of  the  Treasurer  of  the  United  States,  lor  the  service  of  the  post  office  de- 
partment. A  duplicate  certificate  was  forwarded  to  Washington.  The 
acknowledgment  was  returned,  on  the  outside  of  which  our  Member  of 
Congress  had  written,  "  Washington,  January  4,  1844.  General  Van 
Rensselaer  will  see  by  the  enclosed  that  his  Account  at  the  Post  Office  is 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  183 

closed  and  so  acknowledged.     The  requisite  authority  and  papers  are  here- 
with furnished  fbr  the  prosecution  of  Beecher. 

Respectfully  &c,,      D.  J).  Barnard. 

TIte  Auditor  Clarke  to  Eon.  Daniel  D.  Barnard. 
Sir,  Auditor's  Office,  P.  0.  D.  Jany.  3,  1844. 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  2d 
inst.  enclosing  on  behalf  of  General  Van  Rensselaer  a  certificate  of  de- 
posit in  the  Commercial  Bank  at  Albany,  for  $73.88  ;  and  to  say,  as  desired, 
that  this  deposit  closes  the  Account  of  General  Van  Rensselaer,  on  the 
Books  of  this  Office,  as  late  P.  M.  at  that  place.     *     *     *     * 

"  Captain  Tyler  and  his  sayings  and  doings  are  rich  themes.  He  is  sup- 
posed to  be  now  pluming  his  wings  for  a  new  flight  of  treachery  and  folly. 
Rumors  of  changes  and  cabinets  and  measures  fill  the  city,  and  are  the  sub- 
jects of  our  conversation  in  all  companies.  I  believe  that  some  such  move- 
ment is  in  contemplation.  Great  public  interests  would  have  sufi"ered  by 
Mr.  Webster's  withdrawal  from  the  Cabinet  when  the  other  Secretaries  did, 
and  he  patriotically  remained  at  his  post.  Abbott  Lawrence  says  '  there 
is  a  sort  of  a  ground  swell  going  on  in  Massachusetts  in  Henry  Clay's 
favor,  and  as  to  the  negotiation  with  Ashburton,  in  which  he  is  engaged 
as  a  sort  of  auxiliary,  he  says  that  though  there  have  been  great  difficulties 
in  the  way  of  the  long  pending  dispute  concerning  the  boundary  between 
Maine  and  New  Brunswick,  he  sees  light  ahead,  and  hopes  for  favorable 
results.  After  which  I  think  Webster  will  retire  from  the  Cabinet." 
["  The  treaty  was  negotiated  at  Washington  City  in  August  1842,  by  Daniel 
Webster  for  the  United  States,  and  Lord  Ashburton  for  England."]  An 
extract  of  General  Van  Rensselaer's  letter  reads  :  "  It  was  my  intention  to 
have  treated  Mr.  Spencer  with  the  utmost  severity,  but  the  public  will 
not  be  edified  by  such  a  course  and  it  will  be  in  bad  taste,  I  therefore  re- 
frain. His  overbearing  and  arbitrary  conduct  will  soon  bring  him  down 
to  his  own  level,  and  they  will  be  as  happy  to  get  rid  of  him  in  Washington, 
as  they  were  rejoiced  in  the  public  offices  in  this  City.  Weed  is  beneath 
my  contempt.  At  a  proper  time  I  will  show,  without  the  fear  of  contra- 
diction, that  Mr.  Tyler  when  he  first  arrived  at  Washington  to  assume 
the  reins  of  Government,  was  decidedly  and  unequivocally  in  favor  of  the 
Charter  of  a  United  States  Bank,  the  proof  of  which  is  in  my  hands.  A 
Statement  of  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Tyler,  on  that  subject,  was  drawn  up  by 
a  Gentleman  now  abroad.  It  was  left  in  my  hands  to  be  used  to  defend 
myself,  or  if  assailed  as  I  have  been  by  the  Acting  President.  But  it  was 
not  to  be  used  upon  any  other  occasion,  for  the  truth  of  that  Statement, 
my  oath  will  be  affixed." 

Henry  Clay  to  Gen.  Van  Bensselaer. 
My  Dear  General,  Ashland,  1st  May  1843. 

Prior  to  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  22  ult.  —  I  had  heard  of  your 
removal  from  the  P.  0.  at  Albany,  and  I  largely  shared  in  the  indignation 
which  that  malevolent  and  wanton  act  of  a  Traitor  and  a  tyrant  excited. 
You  will  bear  it,  I  have  no  doubt,  as  a  Veteran  and  a  Patriot  ought  to  do. 
With  respect  to  the  proper  time  of  laying  before  the  public  tlie  proofs 
which  you  possess  of  the  declared  sentiments  of  Tyler,  in  favor  of  a  Nat. 
•  Bank,  I  think,  whenever  it  suits  your  convenience  to  publish  them,  that 
is  the  proper  time.  The  public  has  already  possession  of  evidence  that 
ought  to  Satisfy  any  unbiased  miud  ;  but  that  which  you  have  may  serve 
to  clench  the  fact.     I  am  glad  to  feel  authorized  to  infer  from  the  tone 


184  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

of  your  recent  letter,  that  your  health  is  good,  and  your  Spirits  unsubdued. 
May  you  live  to  see  our  coiumou  Country  delivered  from  the  base  and 
faithless  hands  that  now  sully  and  dishonor  it !  That  is  the  prayer  of, 

Your  friend  &  Obt.  Servt., 
Genl.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.  H.  Clay. 

After  the  above  letter  of  the  Hon.  Henry  Clay  had  been  received, 
events  developed  themselves  so  rapidly  in  reference  to  President  Tyler, 
that  General  Van  Rensselaer  did  not  obtrude  his  statement  on  the  public. 
The  papers  were  all  carefully  labeled,  and  a  narration  of  the  facts  in  the 
case  annexed,  is  now  for  the  first  time  published.  Mr.  Clay  resigned  his 
seat  in  the  United  States  senate  on  March  31,  1842,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Hon.  John  J.  Crittenden  of  Kentucjjiy. 

President  Tyler's  remarks  about  the  U.  8.  Bank. 
"We  called  on  President  Tyler  two  or  three  days  after  the  funeral  of 
President  Harrison.  Mr.  Tyler  was  stopping  at  Brown's  Hotel,  and  he 
entered  into  conversation  relative  to  the  last  election,  and  among  other 
subjects  the  United  States  Bank,  and  said  he  desired  to  see  the  letter 
written  by  Mr.  Monroe,  former  President,  to  Mr.  Burrows.  Mr.  B.  said 
he  would  place  it*in  his  bauds  Immediately.  -Two  or  three  days  after  this 
we  called  upon  President  Tyler  again,  who  was  still  at  Browns.  He  said 
"  he  was  much  pleased  with  the  letter  of  Mr.  Monroe,  that  although  he 
had  made  a  strong  case  of  it  but  not  near  as  strong  a  case  as  he  might 
have  made."  He  said  that  "  he  considered  the  question  of  the  Bank  as 
settled,  and  the  only  thing  was  as  to  the  time  the  measure  should  be 
brought  forward."  He  said  "  the  late  United  States  Bank  of  Pennsyl- 
vania had  made  so  much  trouble  that  it  would  be  best  to  postpone  the 
subject  to  the  regular  Session  of  Congress."  President  Tyler  said  much 
more  in  relation  to  a  Bank  which  we  cannot  give  in  detail,  but  all  tend- 
ing to  express  his  concurrence  in  the  course  pursued  by  Mr.  Monroe  and 
the  necessity  of  a  National  Bank  without  any  suggestion  as  to  the  consti- 
tutionality of  such  an  Institution,  or  any  dissent  from  the  opinions 
expressed  by  Mr.  Monroe,  and  we  hailed  this  information  from  the  Presi- 
dent with  the  greatest  joy,  as  it  satisfied  us  of  his  concurrence  with  the 
views  of  General  Harrison,  and  that  the  new  President  would  carry  out 
fully  those  views.  Sol,  Van  Rensselaer, 

Silas  E.  Burrows. 

Silas  E.  Burrows  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  General,  Jany.  9th,  1842,  New  York. 

I  wrote  you  a  hurried  letter  last  Evening  at  Philadelphia  on  my  way 
here,  which  you  will  probably  receive  before  this.  You  will  recollect 
that  you  directed  me  to  show  the  letter,  written  to  your  friend  of  April 
14th,  to  Mr.  Webster  and  Robert  Tyler.  On  the  31st  last  month  at 
Washington,  Mr.  Webster  made  the  demand  or  request  of  me  for  a  copy 
of  this  letter,  and  declined  giving  me  my  letters  of  introduction  till  I  had 
complied.  As  I  had  shewn  him  the  original  by  your  direction  (and  which 
you  did  as  a  friend)  I  saw  no  objections  and  complied.  When  I  presented 
it,  Mr  Webster  said,  "  But  you  have  not  added  that  you  heard  all  this,  * 
did  you  not  ?"  I.repliecJ  that,  "  I  was  present  and  heard  all."  To  which 
Mr.  Webster  added,  "  The  President  has  said  every  thing  to  me  also,  as 
narrated  by  General  Van  Rensselaer." 


Legacy  of  HtSTORicAL  Gleanings.  185 

This  you  will  see  makes  the  case  strong  enough  as  our  testimony  is 
supported  by  Mr.  Webster.  I  knew  nothing  of  the  publication  in  the 
Courier  and  Enquirer  of  Tuesday  last,  till  informed  of  it  by  the  President, 
who  was  very  much  ftxcited  and  pressed  me  very  hard  to  give  him  a 
Certificate  explaining  the  thing  aioay. 

I  said  to  him,  "  neither  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  nor  myself  have  done  any 
thing  in  this  business  that  you  can  censure.  Gen,  Van  Rensselaer  wrote 
this  letter  in  April  when  he  supposed  he  was  doing  what  would  please 
you,  and  the  letter  is  full  of  your  praise. 

"  When  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  found  out  what  had  taken  place  and  not 
knowing  how  far  the  letter  had  been  seen  by  others,  he  was  desirous  Mr. 
Webster  and  the  President,  through  his  son,  should  know  all  the  circum- 
stances." The  President  replied  that,  "  he  would  not  censure  you,  but 
that  you  labored  under  a  mistake  as  to  what  he  did  say."  Robert  wished 
to  know  of  him  if  you  were  not  "  an  old  superannuated  man,"  to  which 
the  President  replied  "  no,"  and  I  added,  as  vigorous  in  mind  and  body 
as  when  battling  for  your  Country  you  received  six  British  balls."  Your 
friends  in  the  U.  S.  Senate  are  exceedingly  interested  in  the  business  and 
say,  "  The  old  General  wont  be  driven  from  his  Position,  and  all  he  says 
will  be  believed." 

I  promised  to  write  the  President,  which  I  did  from  Baltimore  on  the 
7th ;  a  copy  of  which  letter  I  give  you  following  :  ^ 

Silas  E.  Burrows  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

My  Dear  Sir,  Baltimore  Jany  7,  1842. 

The  first  intimation  I  had  of  the  piece  in  the  Courier  and  Enquirer  was 
given  me  by  the  President.  From  inquiry  I  find  the  writer  A.  z.  is  a 
Clerk  in  one  of  the  departments,  but  who  he  is,  or  how  he  obtained  his  in- 
formation I  have  no  knowledge.  I  find  that  my  diary  gives  the  conversa- 
tion which  took  place  in  April  to  which  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  alludes  in 
his  letter  of  April  14th,  and  which  will  not  lead  me  into  any  error  of  what 
was  said  at  that  time.  My  opinion  is,  the  public  mind  is  heartily  sick 
and  tired  of  subjects  similar  to  this.  I  am  sincerely  so,  and  desire  to  hear 
no  more  in  relation  to  the  perfidy  and  depravity  of  my  fellow  men,  and  am 
now  going  to  embark  on  a  long  voyage  and  rid  myself  of  scenes  which 
bring  to  my  mind  aggravated  refiections.  As  I  said  to  the  President,  in 
reply  to  his  request  to  give  him  a  Certificate,  I  shall  do  nothing  to  con- 
tradict the  old  brother  in  Arms  of  Genl.  Harrison,  whose  body  is  perforated 
with  six  British  balls.  He  will  say  nothing  but  what  will  be  just  and  true, 
and  as  I  said  to  the  President,  he  is  his  friend.  I  cannot  take  leave  of 
the  President  at  this  time  without  expressing  my  deep  regret  at  the  course 
he  has  pursued  in  driving  from  him  the  old  body  guard  of  Gen.  Harrison. 

Had  Washington  after  his  capture  of  the  Hessians  at  Princeton,  dis- 
missed his  old  faithful  Soldiers  to  starve,  those  who  had  followed  him 
through  New  Jersey  in  the  dead  of  winter  without  shoes  or  clothing,  and 
who  could  be  tracked  by  their  bleeding  feet  through  the  snow,  and  had 
he  substituted  Hessians  in  their  places  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  victory 
it  would  not  have  been  more  ungrateful.  I  will  however,  render  good  for 
evil,  and  will  never  be  one  of  those  who  will  revile  the  President  whilst 
he  fills  that  chair  I  have  done  so  much  to  place  him  in,  but  if  an  oppor- 
tunity offers  to  render  a  benefit  to  him  or  his  family,  be  assured  it  will  be 
gratifying  to  do  so.  Your  Obt.  Servant 

To  the  President  of  the  United  States.  Silas  E.  Burrows. 

II]  24 


186  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

You  will  see  I  have  been  plain,  honest,  and  candid  ;  and  shall  support 
you  in  your  declaration  made,  and  much  more  we  can  add  in  confirmation. 

I  proceed  to  the  River  La  Plata  in  South  America,  and  expect  to  be 
back  in  six  or  eight  months,  probably  six.  Do  write  me  and  remember 
me  to  your  good  family  and  believe  me. 

Truly  Your  Obt.  Servant, 

General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer.  Silas  E.  Burrows. 

If  made  public  now,  they  would  attribute  it  to  my  defeat  of  application 
for  the  Consulate  at  Liverpool,  and  for  every  purpose  of  your  security 
in  case  of  my  death  you  shall  have  the  entire  Statement  but  wait  patiently 
for  events  to  develope.  S.  E.  B. 

Siias  E.  Burrows  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

My  Dear  General,  New  York,  Jany.  19th,  1842. 

Yours  of  the  12th  is  just  received  and  I  wish  instead  of  this  letter 
meeting  you  that  I  could  take  you  by  the  hand.  But  my  health  you 
know  has  been  bad  for  some  time,  and  I  am  just  on  the  point  of  sailing 
for  the  Brazil  and  River  La  Plata,  for  its  benefit,  and  fear  the  efl^ects  of 
the  trip  to  Albany  at  this  inclement  season.  Nevertheless  if  you  demand 
it  I  will  go,  although  my  ship  is  ready  and  waiting  for  me.  I  think 
however  we  can  accomplish  all  through  the  mails.  I  would  not  leave 
without  placing  in  your  possession  the  contents  of  the  enclosed  statement 
taken  from  my  diary,  to  protect  you  in  case  of  my  death.  Now  is  not  the 
time  to  publish  it,  though  it  has  become  public  because  Mr.  Webster  and 
Mr.  Tyler  saw  your  letter.  You  are  my  General  and  I  shall  obey  your 
orders,  but  we  must  now  hold  a  council  of  War.  You  will  seal  up  my 
Statement  for  the  present  and  save  our  powder  for  future  use  when  the 
enemy  is  in  sight.  The  moment  will  come,  must  arrive  when  the  shot 
will  take  between  wind  and  water.  So  long  as  you  delay  the  publication, 
so  long  you  will  have  a  far  greater  influence  at  Washington  with  the  Pre- 
sident than  you  have  ever  had.  Publish  all  the  facts,  and  all  is  lost. 
Am  I  not  exactly  right?  Please  answer  by  return  of  mail  as  I  must  sail 
by  a  week  from  Sunday,  and  I  must  have  your  wishes  gratified  in  every 
respect  before  I  go.  How.  would  your  Son  like  going  to  the  Brazils  and 
take  a  part  in  the  Oriental  Wars  ?  I  have  no  doubt  he  would  greatly 
signalize  himself  and  do  honor  to  his  Country.  Remember  me  to  all  your 
family  and  believe  me  truly  your  sincere  friend. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.  Silas  E.  Burrows. 

Statement  about  the  U.  S.  Bank. 

Washington,  Friday  April  9th,  1841.      ■ 

In  company  with  Genl.  Van  Rensselaer  called  on  President  Tyler  at 
Brown's  hotel,  who  received  us  with  great  friendship  and  courtesy.  I 
was  introduced  to  Mr.  Tyler  at  President  Harrison's  table  March  5th,  but| 
had  no  opportunity  of  conversation,  as  he  came  in  whilst  we  were  at 
dinner  and  remained  only  a  few  moments.  Genl.  Van  Rensselaer  was  a 
Member  in  Congress  with  him  for  several  years,  and  from  Genl.  V.  R's 
activity  in  obtaining  Mr.  Tyler's  nomination  at  Harrisburg,  no  reserve 
existed  between  them,  and  I  have  never  been  more  pleased  with  the 
candor  and  frankness  of  any  man  than  with  the  President. 

He  informed  us  he  had  not  slept  for  the  past  seven  days,  as  he  found 
himself  in  a  situation  so  perfectly  unexpected,  with  cares  and  responsi- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  187 

bilities  of  such  magnitude  to  the-  study  of  which  he  had  not  turned  his 
attention  till  within  a  few  days.  Since  the  election  (he  said)  he  had  been 
attending  -.n  some  degree  to  informing  himself  and  refreshing  his  recollec- 
tion of  the  Vice-President's  duties  as  presiding  officer  of  the  Senate,  and 
his  mind  was  thus  in  part  occupied  when  he  received  the  sad  tidings  of 
Genl.  Harrison's  situation.  The  position  which  he  then  held  though  it 
was  unexpected  to  him,  was  one  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  he  should" 
do  his  duty  to  his  country,  and  that  there  would  be  no  shrinking,  on  his 
part,  from  the  great  responsibilities  which  wei'e  thrown  upon  him.  He 
said  he  was  called  upon  to  take  a  different  view  of  many  subjects  from 
what  he  had  before  done.  He  regretted  the  call  for  the  Kxtra  Session, 
he  wished  it  had  not  been  made,  but  as  Genl.  Harrison  had  thought  differ- 
ently and  made  the  call,  he  would  far  as  was  in  his  power  carry  out  the 
late  President's  intentions,  as  he  was  elected  by  the  people  to  make  many 
reforms. 

He  said  one  of  the  most  important  subjects  which  would  come  before 
Congress  would  be  the  chartering  of  a  U.  S.  Bank,  and  on  this  subject 
he  desired  all  the  information  he  could  obtain  ;  but  that  he  was  decidedly 
opposed  to  the  question  being  acted  upon  at  the  Extra  Session.  The 
Country,  he  said,  was  in  such  a  deplorable  condition  that  something  was 
demanded  to  restore  it  to  its  former  prosperity  in  the  way  of  exchange,* 
&c.,  but  it  was  best  to  let  the  subject  of  the  Bank  rest  till  the  general 
Session  of  Congress. 

I  asked  him  if  he  recollected  the  letter  written  to  me  by  the  late  Pre- 
sident Monroe  in  1831,  in  relation  to  the  United  States  Bank  and  the  only 
written  or  printed  document  shewing  Mr.  Monroe's  opinions  on  this  sub- 
ject. The  President  said  he  had  seen  it  but  so  long  since  that  he  was  very 
desii'ous  to  have  it  as  it  would  be  one  of  those  guides,  which  he  should 
trust  to  the  direction  of,  as  Mr.  Monroe  was  one  of  the  purest  Statesmen 
we  ever  had  in  the  Presidential  chair.  I  agreed  to  furnish  the  President 
with  the  letter. 

The  President  conversed  at  length  with  Genl.  Van  Rensselaer  in  rela- 
tion to  the  Harrisburg  Convention,  and  paid  Mr.  Clay  the  most  marked 
praise.  He  said  Mr.  Clay  was  his  favorite,  and  when  he  left  home 
supposed  Mr.  Clay  would  receive  the  nomination  of  the  Convention.  We 
made  a  long  call  and  on  leaving,  the  President  requested  us  to  come  and 
visit  him  at  all  times  without  restraint,  as  he  was  pleased  to  meet  two  such 
friends  of  Gen.  Harrison. 

Tuesday  13th  April,  called  again  on  the  President  at  Browns  in  com- 
pany with  Genl.  Van  Rensselaer.  The  President  said  he  had  been  much 
pleased  and  gratified  in  reading  the  letter  of  Mr.  Monroe ;  and  that  he 
fully  coincided  with  Mr.  Monroe  in  his  opinions.  Mr.  Monroe,  said  he, 
has  made  a  very  strong  case  of  it,  but  not  near  so  strong  as  he  might  have 
made,  and,  continued  he,  the  Constitutional  points  in  relation  to  a  U.  S. 
Bank  I  consider  as  settled,  that  it  is  no  longer  an  open  question  •  and  the 
only  point  to  be  determined  was,  as  to  the  time  the  bill  for  chartering  a 
United  States  Bank  should  be  brought  before  Congress,  and  the  character 
of  its  charter.  It  would  be  difficult,  he  said,  to  keep  his  friend  Clay  still 
at  the  extra  session ;  but  he  was  sure  upon  every  principle  of  policy,  the 
subject  should  be  postponed  to  the  Winter  Session.  He  said  Mr.  Clay 
was  identified  with  the  Bank  subject,  and  would  be  impatient  to  bring  it 
forward;  but,  continued  the  President,  the  U.  S.  Bank  of  Pennsylvania 
has  given  so  much  dissatisfaction  and  trouble,  it  was  best  to  give  time  for 


188  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

it  to  blow  over,  •which  would  probably  be  the  ease  by  the  regular  Session 
of  Congress.  He  said  it  would  depend  upon  the  details  of  the  Charter  of 
the  Bank,  whether  or  not  it  was  a  united  Whig  measure.  That  generally 
it  would  be  one,  on  which  there  would  be  but  little  diflPerence  of  opinion ; 
but  in  the  details  there  would  be  conflicting  interests,  and  he  should  trust 
these  entirely  with  the  Representatives  of  the  people,  whose  wishes  they 
would  best  understand,  and  whatever  conclusions  were  arrived  at  by  Con- 
gress on  these  points  would  meet  his  approbation.  He  said,  he  was  anxious 
to  see  the  exchanges  regulated  between  the  various  States,  and  be  did  not 
believe  this  could  be  done  without  a  United  States  Bank. 

Still  the  President  was  very  anxious  to  postpone  the  question  and  not 
have  it  brought  forward  at  the  Extra  Session.  Both  Genl.  Van  Rens- 
selaer and  myself  agreed  to  use  our  influence  to  have  his  wishes  on  this 
point  gratified.  We  were  happy  to  find  that  refreshing  sleep  had  at  last 
been  obtained  by  the  President.  Thus  the  interview  ended.  The  fore- 
going Statement  I  leave  with  General  Van  Rensselaer  to  protect  him 
from  any  contradiction  which  may  arise,  and  to  be  used  in  the  event  of 
my  not  living  to  return  to  my  native  land.  I  expect  to  sail  in  three  days 
for  South  America  and  to  be  absent  six  or  eight  months. 

Jany.  19th,  1842.  New  York.  Silas  E.  Burrows. 

• 

"  Gen.  Harrison  had  called  an  extra  session  of  congress,  to  consider  matters 
which  he  believed  to  be  of  vital  importance  to  the  nation.  During  its  ses- 
sion, the  sub-treasury  bill  was  repealed,  and  two  bills'chartering  a  bank  of 
the  United  States  were  vetoed  by  the  president.  As  this  was  one  of  the 
favorite  measures  of  the  whig  party,  the  conduct  of  the  executive  caused  him 
to  be  denounced  by  them  in  no  measured  terms.  His  entire  cabinet  were 
indignant  at  what  they  considered  his  treachery  toward  his  party,  and  with 
one  exception  resigned.  What  a  long  three  months !  Indeed,  it  has  seemed 
to  me  since  the  world  began  Time  never  went  by  so  slowly  as  it  has  since  the 
accession  of  John  Tyler.  Tyler  and  his  cabinet  are  daily  acquiring  more 
and  more  contempt  and  odium.  In  this  month  they  have  committed 
rather  more  than  the  usual  amount  of  meanness.  Removals  and  putting 
in  relatives  and  corrujyt  hacks  are  the  ordei-  of  the  day.  Tyler  cannot  be 
insensible  to  the  impotency  and  degradation  of  his  present  position ;  he 
has  injured  the  Whigs  deeply,  and  therefore  hates  them  deeply,  while 
very  many  patriotic  friends  have  been  cruelly  persecuted  and  proscribed." 

Rattle's  Valentine  Fete. 

In  days  of  Eld,  it  was  the  prerogative  of  the  "  little  people"  —  who  can 
"  flit  unseen  from  the  elfin  court  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic"  — :  to 
enter  unbidden  and  while  away  the  time  as  unseen  guests  in  the  mansions 
of  mortals  and  to  join  the  revels  of  the  merry-making  times,  at  their  will 
and  pleasure.  Whether  under  the  silver  wand  of  the  fairy,  or  in  the  star 
rays  that  shone  from  the  brow  of  the  maid  of  the  mist,  or  by  what  myste- 
rious influence  the  present  lone  remnant  of  a  banished  race  gratified  the 
ancient  passion,  and  recovered  the  ancient  power  of  his  royal  lineagp,  it 
does  not  suit  him  to  say :  but  if,  having  entered  the  charmed  circle,  he 
now  benevolently  endeavors  to  spread  before  the  many,  a  picture  of  the 
fairy  scenes  beheld  by  the  chosen  few,  he  hopes  at  least  to  win  for  his  pro- 
scribed race  the  justice  of  a  better  judgment  than  has  so  generally  asso- 
ciated their  name  with  malevolence  alone.  On  the  stormy  evening  of  St. 
Valentine's  day,  February  14,  1848,  gay  young  creatures  with  beaming 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  189 

eyes  and  rosy  cheeks,  jovial  speech,  exhilerating  laughter  and  hearts  full 
of  the  abounding  happiness  of  childhood,  were  seen  huddled  together  into 
carriages,  party  after  party,  and  rolled  along  through  mud  and  rain,  yet 
conscious  only  of  the  golden  sunshine  of  their  own  imaginations  ;  and, 
party  after  party,  huddled  out  again  at  the  porch  of  the  ancient  and  stately 
old  mansion  at  Cherry  Hill. 

From  this  moment  all  clouds  and  storm  were  excluded,  and  a  flood  of 
light  in  the  brilliantly  illuminated  rooms  and  superb  music  greeted  the 
little  crowds,  while  with  hurrying  steps  they  reached  the  dressing  room, 
whence  after  veils  and  plumes,  wreaths  and  crowns,  had  been  adjusted, 
they  tripped  lightly  down  the  spacious  stairs  to  behold  —  what? 

No  less  a  personage  than  Santa  Claus,  the  veritable  good  St  Nicho- 
las, with  his  aristocratic  long  white  pipe  having  "  Oranje  Boven  "  stream- 
ers, and  square  silver  shoe-buckles,  together  with  his  strings  of  toys  and 
loads  of  presents,  with  which  the  well  filled  stockings  gave  earnest  of  his 
friendly  mission.  (The  warm  buflPalo  robe  around  him,  and  a  jingling  of 
sleigh-bells  whose  merry  clicking  sound  suggested  that  "  prancing  hoofs  " 
might  be  in  waiting  near  the  top  of  that  capacious  ancient  chimney  of  blue 
and  white  porcelain  tiles,  with  which  the  fire-place  was  decorated,  and  on 
which  sundry  passages  of  Scripture  were  portrayed.)  His  head  was  co- 
vered with  smooth  silvery  hair,  while  the  benevolent  face,  looking  out  from 
the  broad,  tri-cornered  antique  cap,  of  the  Gen.  Wayne's  pattern,  was  the 
personification  of  the  beau  ideal  of  the  venerated  and  beloved  Santa  Claus. 
Next  came  the  school-master.  Poor  man,  he  is  lame;  the  urchins  have 
had  the  advantage  of  him  ;  fatigued  and  really  overcome  he  has  fallen 
asleep  in  his  chair.  His  rebellious  subjects  are  enjoying  themselves  in 
their  own  way,  the  Fools-cap  has  been  put  upon  his  head,  and  one  mali- 
cious liliputian  elf  is  holding  up  a  dead  rat  by  the  tail  in  close  proximity 
to  the  open  mouth,  occasionally  bringing  it  so  near  the  master's  nose  that 
his  pleasant  dreams  are  evidently  disturbed  by  the  mischievous  tickling ! 
What  do  we  see  now  ?  An  ancient  Dutch  matron  with  strapped  cap  of 
white  lawn  after  the  most  approved  Holland  construction;  in  "striped 
linsey  petticoat  with  short  gown  of  silk  and  outside  chintz  pocket,"  of  ca- 
pacious depth,  tied  round  the  waist  with  scarlet  ribbon,  high  heeled  scar- 
let cloth  boots,  she  evidently  had  once  been  the  "  greatest  belle  in 
Amsterdam."  This  notable  "  Goede  Vrouw "  was  surrounded  by  her 
interesting  family.  The  baby  in  her  arms  is  a  remarkably  quiet  baby, 
though  some  said  it  was  a  "  crying  baby  "  yet  I  affirm  it  was  a  staid,  dig- 
nified baby,  a  pattern  for  babies,  requiring  no  hint  from  the  switch  with 
which  the  old  lady  occasionally  restores  order  among  the  rest  of  her  little 
restless  vivacious  tribe. 

And  yonder  stands  a  tempting  looking  tree,  standing  too,  in  the  garden 
of  Eden  whose  green  peaked  slats  guarded  from  all  intrusion.  The  tree  is 
sparkling  with  stalactites  which  act  like  prisms  tinting  with  various  bril- 
liant shades.  While  pendent  from  every  bough,  sprig  and  tiny  twig  are 
short  streamers  of  divers  colored  satin  ribbon,  formed  at  the  end  into  a 
small  rosette  with  its  glistening  spangle  attached  to  rainbow  colored  three- 
cornered  missives.  The  coveted  fruit,  however,  is  not  forbidden,  and  each 
little  guest  may  receive  some  (and  more  than  one)  memento  from  St.  Val- 
entine's Tree.  In  the  meantime  what  magic  sounds  issue  from  the  opposite 
parlor  ?  Some  of  the  little  impatients  have  broken  away  from  the  enthral- 
ments  of  these  "  dissolving  views,"  and  joined  the  merry  dancers,  full  of 
innocent  glee.    There,  first,  is  the  mistress  of  the  revels,  the  "  light  of  the 


190  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Harem,"  the  Sultana,  in  a  dress  of  blue  and  lace,  conspicuous  for  her  light 
and  agile  movements.  Here  is  a  Swiss  peasant  girl,  and  there  a  fair 
novice  with  a  veil  and  her  rosaries.  The  Queen  of  May  is  dancing  with 
a  fairy,  while  a  Russian  princess  appears  to  be  in  amicable  discussion  with 
a  little  Turkish  lady.  A  bright  eyed  gypsey  girl  has  so  far  attracted  the 
flitting  "  Maid  of  the  Mist "  that  they  circle  the  room  together  in  the 
mazy  dance ;  and  yonder  the  Piedmontese  flower  girl,  waltzes  with  the 
gypsey  queen.  Here  comes  up  a  whole  troop  of  Highlanders,  perfect  in 
their  equipments;  and  there  a  party  of  military  gentlemen,  of  no  rank  less 
than  a  colonel;  the  former  looking  very  formidable  with  their  pistols; 
the  latter,  with  their  swords.  A  Spanish  don  is  excessively  ferocious  in 
his  whiskers,  his  velvet  cloak,  cap  and  feathers.  A  superb  miniature 
mandarin  with  his  embroidered  satin  robes,  sports  his  fine  Chinese  pointed 
shoes,  his  long  braided  cue  and  delicate  moustaches.  The  many  others 
are  commended  to  the  imagination  of  the  reader,  as  they  dwell  in  the 
memory  of  the  beholder  —  a  brilliaiit,  bewildering  maze  of  fascination, 
fresh  and  fragrant  with  the  spring  time  of  early  youth,  and  musical  with 
the  gushing  melody  of  young  hearts  overflowing  with  innocent  delight 
and  livelfest  enjoyment. 

And  now  the  dancing  and  the  excitement  have  given  our  young  party 
good  appetites,  and  all  are  summoned,  by  the  martial  strains  of  a  march, 
up  stairs  to  the  supper  room  where  an  abundance  of  dainties  awaited  them 
in  profusion  and  excellence  worthy  of  the  hereditary  and  ancient  hospi- 
tality of  the  house,  and  withal  most  judiciously  chosen  and  appropriate  to 
children.  The  first  coup  d  'ocil  of  the  table  was  beautiful  :  a  pyramid  of 
evergreens  with  flowers  and  mottoes  rising  in  the  centre,  soon  however  to 
be  despoiled  of  all  save  its  "  eternal  green."  The  loads  of  delicacies 
quickly  disappeared.  The  little  ones  kept  up  their  dancing  and  pretty 
games  until  a  late  hour,  and  then,  one  by  one,  roll  up  the  carriages  and 
the  tired  guests  are  driven  home,  again  in  storm  and  darkness  and  were 
glad  enough  at  last  to  be  "  put  in  their  little  beds,"  yet  nevertheless  in 
an  encircling  glow  of  sunshine,  kindled  in  their  young  hearts  from  a 
dream  of  delightful  remembrance.  "  It  was  really  an  enjoyable  social 
afiair,  and' presented  a  sight  well  worth  looking  upon,  and  it  was  enjoyed 
by  a  large  concourse  of  friends,  who  exceedingly  delighted  in  seeing  the 
littte  ones,  in  their  fancy  dresses,  going  through  the  quiet  and  graceful 
movements  and  figures  of  the  dance.  It  is  the  hope  of  the  invisible,  that 
the  pleasure  of  those  recollections  will  not  be  alloyed  by  knowing  that  a 
spirit  has  witnessed  and  recorded  the  festal  scenes  which  gave  so  much 
eclat  to  the  pleasant  relaxation  of  St.  Valentine's  night.  The  indulgence 
of  like  social  festivities  even  to  children,  serpe  to  develop  the  afi'ections 
and  foster  kind  feelings. 

"  They  never  see  the  shadows,  that  are  thick'ning  round  their  way, 
To  the  eyes  of  happy  childhood,  it  is  always  dawn  or  day." 

Hon.  John  A.  Collier  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  Sir,  Albany,  18th  Feby.,  1849. 

I  learn  that  you  intend  visiting  Washington  to  be  present  at  the  inau- 
guration of  Gen.  Taylor,  which  I  am  happy  to  hear,  for  I  think  it  will 
not  only  be  a  pleasant  excursion  for  you,  but  I  have  no  doubt  that  Gen. 
Taylor  will  rejoice  to  meet  and  welcome  a  veteran  and  distinguished 
brother  soldier,  whom  he  will  recognize  in  your  well  known  name.  You 
will   also  meet   there  an   old  friend,  Mr.  Clay,  who   like  yourself,  always 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  191 

carries  his  heart  iu  his  hand,  and  will  cordially  ii;reet  you,  as  a  well  re- 
membered gentleman  and  Whig  of  the  Old  school.  I  hope  too  you  will 
not  be  forgotten  in  the  distribution  of  the  offices  and  patronage  of  the  new 
administration.  I  well  remember  the  indignant  sensation  it  created 
through  the  whole  country,  when  you  were  made  the  victim  of  the  pro- 
scriptive  policy  of  our  "  Spoil"  seeking  political  opponents.  It  seems  to 
be  the  fashion  of  the  day  to  forget  those  who  have  spent  a  whole  life  in 
the  vineyard,  and  to  hasten  to  give  not  to  "  every  man  his  penny,"  but 
all  the  pennies  to  those  who  have  come  in  tardily  at  the  eleventh  hour, 
but,  I  trust  that  with  our  new  "  master  of  the  vineyard"  your  claims  and 
services  will  not  be  forgotten  or  unrequited.  Should  you  desire  to  be  re- 
instated in  the  office  of  Post  Master  of  this  City,  from  which  you  were 
most  unjustly  removed,  there  would  I  think  be  a  peculiar  fitness  and  pro- 
priety in  re-appointing  you,  and  you  certainly  have  my  hearty  good  wishes. 

From  my  peculiar  position  in  the  political  world,  and  from  the  multitude 
of  references  and  applications  to  me  by  those  who  are  soliciting  office  under 
the  new  administration,  I  took  early  ground  that  I  would,  for  the  present, 
at  least,  unite  in  no  petition  or  letter  of  recommendation  for  office.  I  have, 
as  you  know,  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  political  movements  of  the 
last  campaign,  and  it  is  because  of  this,  and  my  supposed  claims  upon  the 
administration  and  my  friendly  relations  with  the  Vice  President,  that 
these  pressing  claims  are  made  upon  me,  and  yet  it  is  for  this  very  reason, 
that  I  do  not  intend  to  be  officious  in  meddling  with  the  matter  of  appoint- 
ments to  office.  If  there  is  any  person  in  the  wide  world  for  whom  I 
should  be  induced  to  depart  from  this  my  fixed  purpose,  it  would  be  for 
you,  my  most  excellent  and  venerated  friend.  I  should  be  the  more  ready 
to  do  so  in  relation  to  this  particular  place  of  Post  Master,  if  as  I  under- 
stand the  fact  to  be,  you  are  to  have  as  a  competitor  Mr.  B of  this 

city  —  a  man  whom  I  look  upon  as  unprincipled  and  undeserving.  The 
facts  as  they  have  been  detailed  to  me,  in  relation  to  his  recent  failure, 
and  the  dishonorable  compromise  and  compounding  of  his  debts,  which  it 
is  said  leave  him  with  a  fortune  in  his  hands,  at  the  expense  of  his  credit- 
ors, I  think  ought  to  be  insuperable  objections  to  trusting  him  with  the 
public  money  or  in  any  public  office. 

Independent  of  all  this,,  he  is  a  rough,  dogmatical,  overbearing  man, 
whose  manners  are  every  way  disagreeable  and  forbidding,  and  there 
could  not,  I  think  be  a  more   unpopular  appointment.     Whoever  may  be 

the  successful   applicant,  I    hope   and  trust  it  will  not  be  L B . 

Wishing  you  with  all  my  heart,  a  pleasant  andp/-o.spe7'OMs  journey  —  I  am, 
With  great  regard  and  respect.  Your  sincere  friend  &c.. 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.  John  A.  Collier. 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ricliard  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Richard,  Washington,  Feb.,  24,  1849. 

Soon  after  my  arrival,  yesterday,  at  this  place,  1  called  at  General  Tay« 
lor's  quarters,  and  requested  to  be  shewn  to  his  room ;  this  the  landlord 
refused  to  do,  on  the  grouud  that  he  saw  no  company.  I  then  requested 
that  he  would  take  up  my  card  to  the  General  ;  this  was  also  refused. 

Determined,  however,  not  to  be  foiled,  I  bribed  one  of  the  waiters  to 
take  up  my  card ;  he  returned  immeadiatley  and  requested  me  to  walk  up. 
On  my  entering  his  'room.  General  Taylor  came  forward  and  shook  my 
hand,  with  both  of  his,  in  the  most  friendly  manner  and  said  he  was 
very  happy  to  see  me  once  more.    After  mentioning  my  business  to  him,  he 


192  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

said  it  had  been  his  design  to  give  that  office  [Albany  Post  Office]  to  me, 
and  that  I  should  have  it ;  but  whether  to  do  so  at  once,  or  to  wait  till  the 
present  term  of  the  incumbent  had  expired  was  the  question.  That  mine 
was  a  peculiar  case,  and  that  I  must  remain  in  Washington  until  he  was 
sworn  into  office,  and  he  then  gave  me  a  general  invitation  to  his  quarters. 
This  difficulty,  I  think,  I  will  surmount  without  any  assistance,  but  if  I 
should  require  any,  friends  are  on  the  ground  and  powerful  ones.  Say 
nothing  about  this  matter,  I  shall  remain  here  no  longer  than  necessary 
Send  this  letter  to  the  Girls  at  Cherry  Hill.     In  haste,  truly  your  friend. 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Richard  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Albany,  N,  Y. 

General  Taylor  was  styled  "  Old  Rough-and-Ready ;"  as  the  4th  of  March 
came  on  Sunday,  he  was  inaugurated  President  on  Monday  March  5, 
1849.  He  had  occupied  the  executive  chair  only  one  year  and  four 
months  when  he  died  July  9,  1850. 

I.  0.  Wasliington  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Auditor's  Office,  P.  0.  Dept. 
Sir,  February  24,  1849. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  state  that  by  the  payment  by  you  or  the  30 
December  1843  of  $73.88,  the  balance  due  on  your  Account  as  P.  M.  at 
Albany,  the  said  account  became  exactly  balanced,  and  finally  closed  on 
the  Books  of  this  office.     I  am  Very  Respectfully, 

Your  Obt.  Servant, 

I.  G.  Washington,  Auditor. 
Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  Late  P.  M.  at  Albany,  New  York, 

John  A.  Collier  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Sir,  Albany  27  Feb.  1849. 

******!  now  enclose  a  few  selections  from  the  many  Whig 
papers,  which  at  the  time  were  unanimous  in  the  expression  of  their  just 
indignation  at  your  removal.  ****** 

With  great  regards. 

Yours  very  sincerely, 
Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer.  John  A.  Collier. 

"  Political  life  is  not  very  apt  to  make  saints,  but  be  silent  and  let  your 
friends  pursue  their  course  ;  you  have  a  true  knowledge  of  the  machinations 
of  these  schemers,  yet  the  meritorious  and  great  services  of  your  life,  justly 
claims  a  permanent  compensation  at  the  hands  of  the  country.  Your 
political  opponents  will  bring  down  condemnation  upon  themselves  for  the 
great  duplicity  practiced  towards  an  aged  Veteran,  whom  they  would  will- 
ingly rob  of  his  laurels.  I  am  quite  sure  you  will  not  be  proscribed 
under  the  administration  of  Old  Rough-andReady.'  We  hope  the  pure 
patriotism  of  the  Revolution  will  prevail  in  every  American  heart." 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Ids  Children. 

Washington  March  14,  1849. 
*  *  *  My  appointment  is  certain  ;  but  it  will  be  delayed  for  some 
time  before  the  appointments  of  the  Post  Office  Department  are  taken  up, 
how  long  I  do  not  know.  After  my  case  was  settled,  and  not  known  by 
the  Officers  of  1812,  they  met  and  strongly  urged  my  claim,  in  which  they 
were  supported  by  Governor's  Vance  and  Corwin  of  Ohio,  Governor  Met- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  193 

calf  of  Kentucky,  Judge  Burnet  and  John  C.  Wriglit  of  Cincinnati, 
General  Eaton  who  was  Jackson's  Secretary  of  War,  and  many  others, 
though  their  efforts  were  not  necessary,  yet  it  showed  their  kind  feelings 
to  me.  I  have  ageneVal  invitation  to  the  "  White  House"  and  am  treated 
with  the  greatest  kindness  by  its  Host.  The  election  of  Glen.  Taylor  is  a 
triumphant  rebuke  to  the  late  President  and  his  contemptible  Secretary 
of  War  for  their  dastardly  malice  to  destroy  him  and  his  Gallant  little 
Army  in  Mexico.  He  knows  that  I  was  removed  from  the  Post  office  in 
Albany  because  I  would  not  give  my  Support  to  that  traitor  Tyler  for 
President ;  that  there  was  no  pretence  of  neglect  of  duty  or  defalcation  in 
my  payments  and  that  I  am  poor  and  want  the  office  which  I  hope  to 

2''Gf"i        'K        •?*        -T*        'K 

"  I  have  seen  Whig  and  Democrat  bleed  together  in  the  cause  of  their 
country,  said  General  Taylor  and  if  I  am  President  I  will  proscribe  no 
man  for  difference  of  opinion.  I  think  there  has  been  a  studied  effort  to 
alienate  him  from  his  original  friends  and  time  will  show  that  it  has  been 
eminently  successful.  For  some  reason,  wholly  unaccountable,  to  a  few, 
the  Northern  members  of  the  cabinet  are  universally  odious,  even  to  the 
Northern  Whigs.  Gen.  Taylor  has  come  into  his  high  office  with  the 
avowed  purpose  of  endeavoring  to  carry  out  the  principles  and  policy  of 
Washington." 

Oen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Dr.  Elmendorf. 
Dear  Ed,  Washington,  March  21,  1849. 

My  last  letter  was  when  I  spoke  to  you  about  hanging  up  the  Hams. 
I  wrote  at  the  same  time  to  Mr.  Collier,  inquire  if  he  received  the  letter, 
if  he  has  not,  they  have  intercepted  my  letters  in  the  Albany  P.  0.,  let 
me  know  — ■  the  last  intelligence  from  home  was  Mag's  letter  inclosing  a 
scrap  from  newspaper. 

The  Senate  is  still  in  Session,  I  wish  they  were  off — my  business  will 
not  be  closed  for  some  time  after  they  have  adjourned,  but  I  will  stick  to 
it  until  the  thing  is  finished,  all  appears  well,  but  the  machinations  of 
these  vile  intriguers,  to  prevent  my  appointment,  are  so  unscrupulous  that 
I  sometimes  fear  "  coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before."  For  the 
sake  of  you  all  I  hope  I  may  succeed  in  having  back  my  office,  it  will 
give  me  a  competence. 

If  the  weather  will  permit,  let  Michael  clip  the  hedges  of  prim  up  from 
both  gates  and  in  front  of  the  house ;  those  bushes  of  prim  along  the 
garden,  and  to  the  north  of  the  house  must  not  be  touched.  Let  Teunis 
Van  Vechten  know  when  you  begin  to  trim  as  I  promised  him  cuttings. 
The  Raspberries  and  Gooseberries  should  be  trimmed  well  up  from  ground 
and  the  cuttings  of  the  latter  planted  out,  as  they  are  of  a  very  fine  kind. 

I  am  in  good  health,  I  hope  you  are  all  so  too;  kiss  my  little  rompish 
Hattie  for  me,  tell  her  to  be  a  good  girl  and  learn  fast.  My  love  to  all 
at  home,  also  to  Richard  and  his  family. 

I  am  dear  Ed.,  Yours  Sincerely, 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Peter  E.  Elmendorf,  M.D.,  Cherry  Hill,  Albany. 

In  April  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  returned  home  with  full  belief  the 
office  would  be  his, 

11]  25 


194  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Hon.  1.  Collamer,  Post  Master  General. 

Sir,  Washington,  April  2,  1849. 

The  disgraceful  Charges  brought  against  me,  constrain  me  in  justice  to 
myself,  my  family  and  friends  to  submit  a  plain  and  concise  statement  of 
facts. 

I  joined  the  Army  under  the  Command  of  Major  General  Wayne  as  a 
Cornet  of  Dragoons  before  I  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  was  promoted 
at  nineteen  to  be  Captain  of  Dragoons.  The  General  was  pleased  to  say 
that  I  led  my  Troop  into  action  in  Gallant  Style  in  the  great  Battle  with 
the  Savages  on  the  20th  of  August,  1794  and  was  shot  through  the  lungs, 
which  the  Surgeons  of  the  Army  considered  to  be  mortal,  but  which  my 
youth  and  strong  constitution  enabled  me  to  survive.  How  I  acquitted 
myself  the  Despatches  of  Genl.  Wayne  to  the  War  Department  bear  testi- 
mony and  refer  to  my  Military  career  at  that  day,  and  to  my  conduct  at 
Queenston  in  October,  1812,  where  I  received  six  wounds  in  my  Body 
and  still  carry  one  of  the  Balls;  because  these  events  have  through  the 
lapse  of  time  nearly  escaped  the  public  mind.  When  the  conduct  of 
France  made  it  necessary  for  the  General  Government  to  augment  the 
Army,  and  when  the  Father  of  his  Country,  the  immortal  Washington 
was  again  called  upon  to  place  himself  at  its  head,  he  sent  for  me  and  in 
the  presence  of  Genls.  Hamilton  and  Pinckney  questioned  me  about  the 
State  of  my  wounds  and  soon  after  I  was  appointed  a  Major  of  Dragoons, 
at  the  early  age  of  twenty-four  years.  When  that  Army  was  reduced  I 
immediately  received  the  appointment  of  Adjutant  General  of  the  Militia 
of  the  State  of  New  York  from  that  eminent  Statesman  Governor  Jay 
and  served  as  such  during  his  administration  and  that  of  the  elder  Gov. 
Clinton,  Lewis,  Tompkins  and  the  great  De  Witt  Clinton  for  twenty-one 
years,  without  hearing  the  charge  of  incapacity  or  neglect  of  duty  brought 
against  me. 

The  cold  climate  of  Albany  not  agreeing  with  the  wound  in  my  breast, 
Governor  Clinton  '•  advised  me  to  go  South,  to  take  the  returns  with  me 
to  Washington,  make  them  out  there  and  inclose  them  to  him,  and  he 
would  attend  to  my  other  duties  in  my  absence."  I  took  his  advice  and 
became  a  Candidate  for  Congress  and  was  elected  without  opposition, 
having  been  re-elected  by  a  large  Majority  over  a  Competitor  of  great  in- 
fluence at  a  second  term.  While  attending  Congress,  President  Monroe 
sent  the  Post-Master  General  Governor  Meigs  to  inquire  of  me  whether, 
I  would  accept  of  the  Post  Office  at  Albany,  as  a  small  compensation  for 
my  services.  The  opposition  to  this  appointment  by  Vice  President 
Tompkins  and  by  Senators  King  and  Van  Buren  induced  the  President 
to  submit  the  subject  to  a  Cabinet  Council,  and  the  appointment  was 
unanimously  recommended.  Col.  Johnson  and  nearly  all  the  Members  of 
Congress  from  Kentucky  and  Ohio  having  taken  a  warm  and  active  part 
in  the  matter.  I  served  during  part  of  Mr.  Monroe's  Administration, 
Mr.  Adams  and  General  Jackson's  —  who,  the  day  before  his  term  of 
office  expired,  nominated  me  to  the  Senate  for  four  years  from  the  follow- 
ing Jiily,  and  it  was  unanimously  confirmed. 

In  derogation  of  this  Commission,  I  was  removed  in  less  than  two  years 
by  ttie  procsriptive  policy  of  Mr.  Van  Buren,  but  was  re-instated  in  1841  by 
my  old  associate  in  arms,  the  lamented  President  Harrison.  During  this 
long  period  of  Service,  no  complaint  was  made  against  my  ability  or 
attention  to  my  duty  until  President  Tyler,  who  acknowledged  that  he 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  195 

owed  his  nomination  as  Vice  President  at  Ilarrisburgh  to  me,  induced 
his  friends  in  New  York  to  require  me  to  bring  twenty-three  Post  Masters 
in  the  County  of  Albany  to  his  support. 

This  proposition  was  indignantly  declined,  and  then  the  charges  against 
me  of  inability  and  neglect  of  duty  were  announced,  the  persecution  com- 
menced, I  knew  my  doom  was  sealed,  but  I  preferred  poverty  to  dishonor  ! 
The  Traveling  Agent  of  the  Department,  one  William  Eaton  whom  the 
late  Post-Master  General  Johnson  dismissed  from  service  for  selling  Com- 
missions &c.  had  the  Impudence  to  propose  to  me,  that  "  if  I  took  care  of 
him,  he  would  take  care  of  me ! "  He  is  the  Author  of  the  charges  now 
made  against  me,  and  had  the  Department  at  that  time  called  me  to  an 
account,  I  could  without  difficulty  have  proved  by  my  Assistant  and  the 
other  Clerks  that  no  blame  could  be  attached  to  me  or  others  in  the  office. 
This  is  now  impossible,  my  Assistant  being  dead  and  the  clerks  scattered 
in  every  direction.  The  charge  of  the  reduction  of  the  Surplus  Postage 
is  accounted  for,  by  the  Stagnation  of  business  and  the  scarcity  of  money 
at  the  time.  Merchants  choosing  to  send  by  private  conveyances  rather 
than  deposit  in  the  Post  Office,  for  this  result  no  Post  Master  can  be  re- 
sponsible. In  relation  to  the  employment  of  Clerks,  I  may  add,  that  I 
had  one  Son  and  some  connexions  employed  in  the  office,  but  I  selected 
them  for  their  honesty,  and  my  judgment  was  vindicated  by  the  fact,  that 
not  a  single  letter  was  lost,  nor  a  cent  of  the  vast  sums  which  passed 
through  the  office  during  the  period  I  held  it. 

A  daughter  of  mine,  an  elegant  woman  but  unfortunately  deaf  wishing 
to  occupy  her  pen  as  an  amusement,  did  all  the  transcribing  of  the  Mails. 
She  wrote  a  beautiful  hand  and  prepared  the  accounts  at  my  house  and 
not  in  the  office  as  charged.  Judge  McLean  and  Major  Barry  former 
Post-Master  Generals,  having  seen  her  thus  employed  and  applauded  her 
highly.  The  names  and  ages  of  the  Clerks  were  returned  quarterly  to 
the  General  Post  Office,  without  any  objection  ever  being  made.  My 
predecessor  Mr.  Flagg  had  two  daughters  and  a  Son  employed  in  the  Same, 
way  ;  and  the  present  Post-Master  has  one  or  two  Sons  and  some  connex- 
ions engaged  in  his  office.  The  Post  Master  General  has  furnished  in 
several  instances  a  Precedent  for  the  employment  of  Females  by  their 
appointment  to  the  direction  of  Subordinate  Post  Offices. 

The  reason  of  the  opposition  to  my  present  application  by  Mr.  Senator 
Seward,  Weed  and  the  Albany  Clique  is  to  be  traced  to  their  defeat  at 
Harrisburgh  in  1839,  when  as  the  only  friend  of  Harrison  in  that  Con- 
vention from  New  York,  I  was  instrumental  in  prevailing  upon  our 
Delegates  to  support  my  old  associate  in  Arms,  instead  of  adhering  as 
Seward  and  Weed  wished  them,  to  the  pretensions  of  General  Scott. 
This  is  the  head  and  front  of  my  offending  and  they  cannot  forget  it. 
I  have  the  Honor  to  be. 

With  great  Respect  your  Obt.  Servt, 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

t 

John  I.  Slingerland  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir,  Washington  April  12,  1849. 

I  have  been  here  several  days  and  find  that  General  Taylor  is  disposed 
to  appoint  you  in  case  Weed,  Benedict  and  others  do  not  make  good  their 
charges  against  you.  Some  of  them  are  here  now  and  are  doing  their  ut- 
most to  defeat  you.  If  they  sustain  the  charges  you  cannot  get  the  appoint- 
ment.    I  anj  willing  to  stay  here  and  do  my  utmost  to  prevent  their  designs 


196  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

in  case  you  will  do  as  much  for  me  if  you  get  the  appointment.  You  are 
aware  that  I  have  considerable  influence  which  I  can  bring  to  bear  in  your 
favor,  and  this  with  my  personal  efforts  will  in  all  probability  ensure  you 
the  office  in  spite  of  the  strong  efforts  against  you.  I  have  already  called 
upon  the  President  several  times  and  have  labored  hard  for  you  with  him  ; 
and  by  watching  the  movements  of  the  persons  referred  to,  I  think  I  can 
secure  the  place  for  you.  Let  no  one  read  or  see  this  but  yourself.  An- 
swer this  by  return  mail.  Yours  truly, 

G-eneral  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.         John  I.  Slingerland. 

Never  until  the  day  when  all  human  things  will  be  brought  to  light,  will 
the  secrets  of  the  despicable  conclave,  that  made  such  vigorous  exhibi- 
tions of  human  energy,  to  deprive  a  worn  out  old  warrior  of  his  well-earned 
daily  rations,  be  revealed.  The  statements  they  made,  regarding  Gene- 
ral Van  Rensselaer,  were  perversions  or  misstatements  of  facts  so  dex- 
trously  woven  together  as  to  give  them  a  semblance  of  truth.  "The  benevo- 
lence that  must  exalt  us  as  a  people,  and  which  should  triumph  over  any 
selfishness  and  appeals  to  our  better  nature  and  feelings,"  I  much  fear  was 
greatly  lacking  here. 

Silas  E.  Burrows  to  Gen.  Van  Eensselaer. 
Dear  General,  New  York,  April,  18,  1489. 

I  have  just  had  an  interview  with  a  gentleman  of  high  respectability 
from  Washington  who  has  given  me  the  important  information  that  he 
knows  positively,  that  Weed  and  Benedict  are  at  Washington  arranging 
charges  against  you  of  dishonest  practices  in  the  Post  Office  at  Albany. 
You  had  best  come  immediately  down,  see  this  Gentleman  and  be  pre- 
pared to  act,  to  meet  the  villains. 

You  will  find  your  old  friend,  ever  ready  to  serve  your  interests  and  who 
will  at  all  times  remain  your  Most  obedient  Servant 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer.  Silas  E.  Burrows. 

My  Dear  General,  New  York,  April,  20th,  1849. 

Yours  of  yesterday  is  just  received,  and  I  repeat  it  is  very  important 
you  should  visit  this  City,  have  an  interview  with  the  Member  of  Con- 
gress to  whom  the  Conspirators  at  Washington  disclosed  their  plans,  and 
then  knowing  the  point  of  attack,  be  prepared  to  meet  them. 

I  do  not  think  it  necessary  for  you  to  visit  Washington,  but  it  is  most 
important  for  you  to  visit  this  City,  and  hear  the  report  from  your  friends, 
among  which  you  can  rank  most  truly  Your  obt.  Servant 

Genl.  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.  S.  E.  Burrows. 


CHAPTER  X. 
A  Double  Bereavement. 

K.  H.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  General,  New  York,  April  22,  1849. 

Mr.  A.  M.  Schermerhorn,  the  Member  of  Congress  from  Rochester  — ■ 
called  on  me  yesterday  —  not  being  in,  he  left   word  that  in  a  late  con- 
versation with  Genl.  Taylor,  he  had  informed  Mr.  S.  that  the  matter  of  j 
the  Albany  Post  Office  was  fully  settled,  that  it  was  for  Gen.  Van  Rensse- 
laer —  Mr.  Weed  and  his  friends  must  rest  content. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  197 

Mr.  Schermerhorn  is  not  a  friend  of  Mr.  Weed  or  his  Anti-Masonic 
Clique  —  and  rejoices  greatly  ia  the  result  of  the  matter.  One  of  the 
reasons  given  by  Mr.  Seward's  friends  to  Gen.  Taylor,  why  you  should 
not  have  the  oiEce,  was  that  you  resided  far  from  the  City,  and  conse- 
quently could  not  give  it  your  attention.  Gen.  Taylor  answered  —  that  it 
was  not  expected  —  you  should  always  be  present  or  do  the  work,  others 
were  paid  for  that  duty.  The  above  substance  comes  from  Mr.  S.,  who 
was  in  Washington  on  Friday  last.  I  shall  remain  in  this  City  for  a  week, 
if  you  find  time,  give  me  a  line.  I  am  truly  yours, 

K.  H.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

"  Military  men  are  the  best  judges  of  the  just  recognition  of  the  rights 
of  a  soldier,  they  do  not  impugn  motives ;  they  stand  upon  the  point  of 
honor;  they  are  trained  to  that  sentiment;  they  live  and  die  for  honor, 
and  appreciate,  above  all  other  things,  the  honors  conferred  upon  them 
by  their  country.  "  General  Taylor  is  certainly  a  most  remarkable 
person,  "  I  admire  his  prudence,  judgment  and  modesty  as  much  as  his 
coolness  and  bravery  with  patriotism  of  country  at  all  times." 

My  Dear  General,  New  York,  May  9,  1849. 

Hearing  that  Weed  had  gone  to  the  City  of  Washington  with  charges 
and  a  remonstrance  signed  by  half  of  the  citizens  of  Albany  to  present  to 
Gen.  Taylor,  I  had  a  Masonic  friend  from  Massachusetts,  then  iu  Wash- 
ington, call  on  the  Assistant  P.  M.  General  —  for  the  particulars.  He 
found  some  difficulty  in  the  matter  as  the  Department  did  not  mean  to 
pay  much  regard  to  it  or  Mr.  Weed's  movements.  All  he  could  gather 
was,  that  Mr.  Weed  had  a  remonstrance  with  some  60  or  70  names 
(Democrat  and  Seward  men)  giving  as  reasons,  why  you  should  not  be 
re-appointed,  that  some  letters  were  lost  under  your  administration  and 
that  sufficient  exertion  had  not  been  made  to  find  them,  and  you  was  old 
and  unable  to  attend  to  the  duties  of  the  office.  The  first  was  disposed  of 
by  saying,  that  they  presumed  aff  had  been  done  in  the  matter  that  was 
requisite.  Next,  that  old  or  young,  it  was  not  expected  you  would  per- 
sonally attend  to  the  duties,  others  were  paid  for  that  purpose.  So  much 
for  Weed  !  Mr.  Schermerhorn  returned  again  from  Washington  yesterday. 
I  was  with  him  all  the  evening;  he  confirmed  the  Statement  of  my  friend 
from  Washington  relative  to  Weed,  and  also  says  that  there  cannot  be 
any  doubt  about  the  appointment.  Mr.  Warren  the  Assistant  Post  Master 
General,  told  him  the  papers  would  be  made  out  immediately  for  you.  It 
can  truly  be  said  of  you  as  of  another,  you  need  no  defense,  and  your 
reputation  having  become  part  of  the  country's  fame,  the  country  will  take 
care  of  it  and  your  honor." 

Henry  V.  B.  Schermerliorn  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Uncle,  Geneva,  May  11,  1849. 

When  I  wrote  you  yesterday  I  was  not  aware  that  General  Swift,  who 
has  been  spending  several  weeks  at  Washington,  had  returned  ;  but  being 
in  the  villa";e  this  morning;  and  learninof  from  Judge  Whitincr  that  he  was 
at  home,  I  at  once  called  to  ascertain  whether  he  had  learnt  any  thing 
respecting  your  application  and  prospects.  Much  to  my  delight  I  found 
he  had  conversed  with  Gen.  Taylor  about  you  —  the  General  (Taylor) 


198  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

himself  introducing  the  subject  —  and  that  all  was  right.  Among  other 
things  Genl.  Taylor  told  him  that  he  had  been  waited  on  by  several 
gentlemen  from  Albany,  who  commenced  urging  objections  against  your 
appointment;  that  he  put  a  stop  to  their  stories  by  giving  them  to  un- 
derstand that  he  regarded  your  removal  as  improper  and  that  he  deemed 
it  his  duty  to  re-instate  you ;  and  that  he  thought  "they  might  be  in 
better  business  than  underrating  such  a  man  as  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer." 
Gen.  Swift  is  very  recently  from  Washington  and  feels  satisfied  that 
nothing  can  move  Gen.  Taylor  on  this  subject,  and  that  the  Post  Master 
General  may  delay  but  cannot  possibly  prevent  your  appointment.  Sup- 
posing you  would  like  to  be  apprised  of  these  facts  I  take  pleasure  in 
communicating  them. 

Gen.  Swift  is  decidedly  friendly  to  you  and  seems  anxious  for  your 
success.  *  *  *         Yours  most  Respectfully  and  Affectionately, 

H.  V.  R.  SCHERMERHORN. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

*  *  *  *  Weed,  Benedict  and  Co.  finding  that  they  cannot  prevent 
my  appointment,  have  started  a  Petition  that  no  one  shall  be  appointed 
Post  Master  who  resides  out  of  the  (!ity  of  Albany.  I  reside  just  out  of 
the  City  bounds,  one  measured  Mile  from  the  Post  office.  [The  Municipal 
boundary  line  now  extends  one  mile  beyond  Cherry  Hill  his  former  resi- 
dence.] An  Omnibus  passes  my  door  every  half  hour,  it  is  a  beautiful 
family,  place  but  not  productive.  Here  I  resided  at  the  time  I  held  the 
office  before,  when  Judge  McLean  and  Major  Barry  frequently  declared 
that  this  office  and  the  Boston  office  were  the  best  conducted  of  any  in  the 
United  States.  If  it  be  absolutely  necessary  I  will  move  to  town.  I  am 
just  informed  that  Wasson  says  he  will  not  be  removed  and  is  active  in 
procuring  Signatures  to  the  petition.     I  have  the  Honor  to  be, 

Your  Obt.  Svt. 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

James  D.  Wasson  was  removed  and  Eewis  Benedict  appointed  to  the 
situation  which  justly  should  have  been  returned  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
He  was  amazed  on  seeing  the  published  list  of  successful  petitioners,  to 
learn  the  fate  of  his  own  application.  It  placed  him  "  under  all  the  painful 
and  unprecedented  circumstances  of  a  very  humiliating  position,"  when  he 
had  no  reason  to  expect  such  a  result,  and  filled  his  friends  with  painful 
surprise  that  Gen.  Tavlor  had  not  been  disposed  to  fulfil  the  expectations 
he  had  raised  in  the  noble  old  patriot,  and  had  been  goaded  on  by  design- 
ing politicians  "  to  refuse  so  paltry  a  boon." 

Silas  E.  Burrows  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

My  Dear  General,  New  York,  May  15,  1849. 

I  was  in  tenth  Street  this  evening  and  there  saw  the  Express,  which 
stated  that  Benedict  had  been  appointed  P.  M.at  Albany.  I  assure  you 
it  shocked  me,  and  I  came  immediately  to  the  Herald  office  and  am  here 
told  that  it  is  not  so.  I  will  not  believe  such  an  event  possible,  and  should 
lose  all  confidence  in  man  was  it  to  be  so.  I  feel  confident  you  will  receive 
the  appointment,  and  that  you  have  in  the  President  a  friend  who  will 
never  desert  the  friend  of  Washington,  and  defender  of  his  Country. 
When  I  reached  the  Herald  office,  I  said  to  the  editor  Mr.  Hudson,  "  I  will 
give  you  a  hat,  if  you  will  shew  me,  the  notice  of  Benedict's  appointment 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  199 

is  false,"  which   he    did  at  once,  and  I  have  lost  a  hat  with  the  greatest 
possible  satisfaction.     Please  remember  me  to  jour  family. 

My  Dear  General,  New  York  May  17,  1849. 

When  I  feel  indignant  as  I  do  now,  no  one  ever  sees  or  hears  complaints 
from  my  lips,  or  the  least  expression  of  indignation. 

I  will  not  after  this  confide  in  any  thing  said  to  me  by  others.  I  did 
believe  Gen.  Taylor  would  stand  by  you.  All  to  me  is  perfectly  incompre- 
hensible. I  hope  Sir,  you  will  feel  as  I  do,  that  life  is  worth  nothing,  if 
honor  is  lost.  That  you  have  the  ability  to  disprove  their  accursed  charges, 
and  that  the  day  of  Judgment  shall  soon  overtake  the  villains,  who  have  en- 
deavored to  rob  us  of  one  of  our  proudest  National  Honors,  the  boast  of  all 
Americans,  that  the  friend  and  companion  of  Washington,  from  whom 
he  received  three  Commissions,  whose  body  has  been  pierced  by  Seven 
balls,  in  fighting  the  battles  of  his  Country  was  General  Van  Rensselaer. 

It  is  said  here  that  a  clerk  in  the  Albany  Post  office  made  a  statement 
and  swore  to  it  that  you  charged  items,  when  Post  Mastei-,  against  the 
office  which  were  false,  and  that  this  document  is  at  Washington. 

Was  I  placed  in  your  situation  my  Dear  General,  I  would  either  rescue* 
my  name  from  those  charges  if  they  have  been  made,  cr,  or,  or,  or  —  you 
must  fill  up  the  sentence.  If  I  did  exonerate  myself  as  I  have  no  doubt 
you  can,  then  I  would  make  an  example  of  my  accusers,  in  that  prompt 
manner,  that  history  would  connect  it  with  my  name,  and  warn  the  li- 
beler  that  detraction  of  character  and  honor  was  death. 

I  wrote  you  day  before  yesterday  when  I  did  not  believe  the  report, 
but  alas  it  is  too  well  confirmed,  and  you  know  that  all  I  could  do  for  a 
father  was  done  to  prevent  it.  Do  let  me  hear  from  you  and  remember 
me  to  your  family.  Your  sincere  friend, 

Silas  E.  Burrows. 

My  Dear  friend.  New  York  May  20th,  1849. 

Yours  of  yesterday  is  just  received  *  *  *  *  I  expect  to  leave  the 
United  States  for  Europe  in  the  Canada  the  30th  instant,  and  shall  be 
most  happy  to  see  you,  or  be  of  any  service  to  you,  previous  to  my  depart- 
ure, and  at  all  times  through  life.  Kemember  me  to  your  daughters  and 
believe  me.        Truly  your  sincere  friend  and  most  obedient  Servant, 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany.  Silas  E.  Burrows. 

Dear  General,  New  York,  May  23,  1849. 

Yours  of  the  20th,  came  duly  to  hand  and  confirmed  my  worst  fears. 
I  am  truly  sorry  for  you  !  and  surprised  to  learn  that  Genl.  Taylor  when 
fully  able  to  reinstate  you  in  an  office,  from  which  you  had  been  unjustly 
Expelled  before  your  term  expired,  should  leave  the  matter  for  action  to 
the  management  of  a  political  Cabinet  —  or  Clique  —  that  they  mi<'ht  o^ive 
the  office  to  those  who  had  been  the  sole  cause  of  your  removal,  and  were 
ever  the  strong  opponents  of  General  Taylor,  and  of  General  Harrison  to 
the  Presidency,  of  which  he  and  his  Cabinet  are  well  aware.  Gen.  Taylor 
must  have  known  i\\Vit  your  appointment  would  have  given  general  satis- 
faction to  honest  Whiys  and  Df^mocrats,  and  that  the  giving  of  it  to 
Benedict,  was  solely  to  advance  the  political  end  of  Mr.  Seward  and 
Weed.  *  *  *  The  great  people  of  the  United  States  elected  him 
President,  and  not  his  Cabinet ;  they  expected  his  good  plain  sound  sense 
would  be  brought  to  play  in  the  filling  of  the  offices,  and  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Couutry  —  and  not  to  be  given  up  to  a  clique  of  political 


200  Legacy  OF  Historical  Gleanings. 

managers.  The  people  will  hold  him  responsible  for  all  their  acts.  *  *  * 
General  Jackson  was  truly  President,  and  I  should  think  his  words  and 
acts  regarding  you  would  be  followed,  (for  they  were  fully  approved  by  the 
people,)  "  I  take  the  responsibility,  as  President  of  the  United  States."  I 
send  you  a  Scrip  from  the  .A^e«^;  Yo7-k  Eve.  Post.  If  you  have  not  seen 
it,  it  may  be  gratifying  coming  from  a  Democrat. 

"  Mr.  Benedict  has  been  made  Post  master  of  Albany.  This  is  a  triumph 
of  the  influence  of  Mr.  Weed.  The  opposing  candidate,  whose  claims 
were  considered  almost  irresistible,  was  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer. 
I  stated  to  you,  some  weeks  ago,  that  Gen.  Taylor  voluntarily  assured 
some  person  —  it  was  Hon.  J.J.  Slingerland,  who  was  bespeaking  the 
General's  favor  for  another  candidate  that  he  should  appoint  Mr.  Van 
Rensselaer,  and  that  all  other  competitors  were  but  losing  time  and  breath. 
I  am  sorry  for  this  decision.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  held  the  office  under 
Mr.  Adams,  and  through  Gen.  Jackson's  administration.  He  was  re-ap- 
pointed by  Gen.  Harrison,  and  turned  out  by  John  Tyler.  The  balls  yet 
rattle  in  his  bones,  which  he  received  at  Queenston  heights.  He  is  old, 
poor,  and  heart-worn.  His  case  has  enlisted  heart-felt  sympathies.  He 
ought  to  have  had  the  office. 

"  The  governmetit,  with  the  consent  of  the  whole  cabinet,  except  Craw- 
ford, threw  the  entire  patronage  of  the  North  into  the  hands  of  Seward  and 
his  party.  This  was  done  under  some  foolish  idea  of  Preston's,  that  they 
would  get  rid  of  a  Northern  competition  for  1852,  as  Seward  stood  for 
1856.  The  effect  of  this  was  to  enable  Mr.  Seward  to  take  the  entire 
control  of  the  New  York  organization,  and  force  the  whole  Northern 
Whig  party  into  the  extreme  anti-slavery  position  of  Seward.  My  opinion 
of  General  Taylor  is,  that  he  is  an  honest,  well  meaning  man,  but  that  he 
is  in  very  bad  hands,  and  his  inexperience  in  public  affairs,  and  want  of 
knowledge  of  men,  is  daily  practiced  upon,  and  renders  him  peculiarly 
liable  to  imposition,  with  no  better  prospect  for  the  future. 

"  It  will  be  his  aim  to  soften,  if  he  cannot  extinguish  the  asperities  of 
party  strife,  and  to  make  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  the  true  ex- 
ponent of  the  will  of  their  constituents." 

"  In  the  midst  of  the  criminations  and  recriminations,  the  accusations 
and  investigations,  the  cry  of  every  age  seems  to  be  that  '  political  cor- 
ruption is  becoming  more  rampant.'  The  fact  also  that  the  names  which 
we  now  hold  in  highest  honor  were  most  sweepingly  traduced  in  their 
own  day  ought  to  teach  us  to  make  due  allowance  for  the  recklessness,  the 
eager,  unhallowed  ambition  and  vanity  of  a  '  miserable  clique  caring  for 
nothing  but  the  spoils  of  office  and  to  obtain  some  notoriety.'  The  same 
shafts  of  corruption,  intrigue  and  selfishness  that  were  leveled  at  the 
fathers  are  leveled  at  the  sons  therefore  this  harping  on  political  derange- 
ment avails  not.  We  desire  '  no  invectives  to  be  pronounced,  no  passions 
to  be  aroused,  no  wrongs  to  be  detailed  and  aggravated  over  and  over 
again,'  for  we  wish  our  solemn  duty  to  be  performed  with  the  calm  consi- 
deration it  requires.  I  would  do  full  justice  to  even  Mr.  Thurlow  Weed  — 
who  was  perhaps  the  mainspring  of  that  political  party  —  for  he  has  many 
noble  qualities  and  I  respect  a  self  made  man.  I  would  not  pluck  one 
leaf  from  his  laureate  crown  of  philanthropic  honors,  for  his  truly  genuine 
and  energetic  devotion,  in  furthering  the  interests  of  the  widow  and 
orphan,  are  well  worthy  of  record.  He  has  justly  gained  eclat  and  a 
palatial  residence  —  but  I  would  not  exchange  my  scanty  pittance  for  all 
his  renown  and  splendor  burdened  with  the  recollection  of  the  wrong 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  201 

inflicted  on  that  patriotic,  venerable  soldier !  It  would  have  been  only  a 
just  solace,  had  the  few  remainin<2j  days  of  his  life  flowed  with  a  'golden 
ebb,'  or  at  least  made  much  more  comfortable  by  being  allowed  to  retain 
his  simple  ofiice.  And  his  heroic  heart  cheered  with  the  proud  feelings 
of  triumph  by  the  pleasing  consolation  that  the  Empire  State,  from  her 
abundant  sources,  conferred  on  her  brave  son  the  single  gift  of  legal  com- 
petence which  he  craved  so  earnestly  at  her  hands. 

"  Public  scandal  and  private  fraud  are  very  apt  to  go  hand  in  hand,  and 
both  have  long  meddled  mischievously  in  the  political  atmosphere.  Oc- 
casionally, however  we  meet  with  '  a  clique '  who  have  sharp,  argus 
eyes  and  such  a  greed  of  gold  as  to  systematize  an  unscrupulous  and 
dishonest  plot  to  amass  wealth  for  themselves,  but  possessed  of  an  orthodox 
honoi  peculiar  to  themselves.  They  had  a  feeling  of  '  peace  and  good 
will '  for  those  who  had  been  engaged  in  gallant  achievements  on  the  field 
of  glorious  action.  With  them  it  was  sacrilegious  to  defraud  a  chivalrous 
soldier,  and  their  disinterestedness  in  regard  to  Gen.  Scott  might  have 
been  a  model  to  more  fastidious  cliques  who  "  could  not  compare  in  noble- 
ness and  honesty  with  the  following  fact  regarding  his  property  being 
respected  by  burglars  and  pick-pockets  :  General  Scott's  gold  medal 
chanced  to  be  temporarily  in  the  City  Bank  of  New  York  for  safe-keeping, 
when  two  thieves  in  a  night's  work,  took  from  that  institution  $260,000. 
The  medal  was  lying  in  a  trunk  of  gold.  All  the  coin  was  stolen ;  but 
the  medal,  though  taken  out  of  its  case  (marked  with  the  owner's  name) 
.to  gratify  curiosity,  was  left.  A  few  years  later,  when  the  robbers  had 
served  out  their  sentences  in  the  State  Prison,  or  been  pardoned  by  the 
executive,  Scott  was,  in  a  steamer  on  the  Hudson,  robbed  of  his  purse  by 
pick  pockets  who  did  not  know  him.  The  principal  of  the  bank  robbery, 
hearing  of  the  loss  (S140),  bestirred  himself  among  the  fraternity, 
threatened  to  cause  the  whole  body  to  be  sent  to  the  State  Prison  if  the 
money  was  not  returned,  and  added,  '  When  in  the  City  Bank,  I  saw  the 
medal,  but  was  not  such  a  villain  as  to  roh  a  gallant  soldier.'  In  a  day  or 
two  the  money  was  returned  by  Hays,  the  high  constaWe,  with  that 
report,  received  from  a  third  party.  To  show  that  he  did  not  himself 
pocket  the  money,  Hays  was  required  to  produce  Scott's  written  receipt 
for  its  return,  which  was  given." 

"  No  matter  how  irreproachable  the  conduct  of  a  man,  or  how  distin- 
guished his  services,  he  cannot  hope  to  escape  calumniation  at  the  hands 
of  partizans.  It  is  a  lamentable  fact  that  the  breath  of  calumny  is  ever 
busy  in  politics  ;  and  too  true  that  no  man  who  is  prominent  or  active  can 
hope  to  escape  its  slanders.  Men  of  the  purest  lives,  the  most  exalted 
virtues  and  the  noblest  aims  are  assailed  with  the  same  undiscriminatingr 
virulence.  Partizans  are  not  content  to  condemn  the  principles  and  policy 
of  those  upon  the  other  side,  not  satisfied  with  opposition  to  their  public 
acts,  but  must  poison  every  shaft  with  the  virus  of  private  malignity." 
It  is  the  sad  privilege  of  General  Van  Rensselaer's  daughter  to  stand  up 
in  a  vigorous  vindication  of  her  noble  sire.  And  to  record  that  the 
machinations  of  his  political  foes  to  overleap  all  barriers  and  blast  the 
character  of  one  so  worthy,  whose  undoubted  integrity  could  not  be 
tampered  with,  were  universally  regretted.  At  the  same  time  it  was  fully 
understood  and  conceded  by  the  masses  to  be  simply  owing  to  strong 
party  malevolence.  Happily  the  very  extent  of  this  defamation  counter- 
acts itself  in  a  great  degree.     "  The  people  know  that  much  of  it  is  the 

II]  26 


202  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

mere  oflPspring  of  political  passion,  'without  any  solid  foundation,  and  ttey 
estimate  it  accordingly."  There  are  no  remedies  for  the  past.  The  grave 
imputation  and  specific  charges  against  an  honorable  man  with  these 
aggravated  repetitions  were  not  only  unjust  to  the  proscribed,  but  also  to 
his  equally  innocent  family.  He  was  indeed  too  old  to  enter  again  on  the 
arena  of  public  contest,  but  his  cruel  accusers  well  merited  stern  rebuke 
for  inflicting  such  severe  pain  on  hearts  that  had  not  felt  the  chill  of  age, 
it  was  both  unjust  and  ungenerous !  The  vile  trumpery  of  charges 
brought  against  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  in  1849,  were  but  the  revivification 
of  the  false  imputations,  by  demoralized  opponents  and  party  demagogues  — 
given  with  power  and  most  irresistible  pathos  in  1843,  and  sanctioned  by 
President  John  Tyler. 

(In  Memoriam  of  this  Chief  Magistrate  I  would  state  "  when  the  Great 
Rebellion  rose,  John  Tyler  renounced  his  allegiance  to  the  United  States 
and  joined  the  Confederates.  He  was  chosen  a  member  of  their 
Congress;  and,  while  seeking  to  destroy  the  government  over  which  he 
had  once  presided,  he  was  taken  sick  and  died  January  17,  1864,  '^  and 
Tyler  too'  "  went  to  render  up  his  account  to  the  great  judge  of  all.)  Each  * 
one  of  the  blandly  stated  patchwork  accusations  had  been  successfully  ex- 
plained, and  fully  recognized  as  the  malignant  purpose  and  bold  efforts  of 
selfish,  visionary  politicians  to  mar  the  clean  record  of  a  resolute  and  brave 
"  gentleman  of  the  old  school,  who  was  incapable  of  intentional  misrepre- 
sentation. Now,  when  the  witnesses  had  "  passed  away  "  who  would  fully 
have  corroborated  his  statements  in  the  minutiae  of  the  trivial  details, 
"  these  flaw  hunters,  who  have  a  preternatural  faculty  for  detecting  the 
appearance  of  evil,  in  every  man's  character,"  again  presented  their 
charges.  They  did  so  to  frustrate  the  claims  to  oflBce  of  one  honest  man, 
whose  indignant  countenance  portrayed  the  silent  eloquence  of  a  crushed 
spirit  at  the  ingratitude  of  his  country.  "  This  characteristic  of  politics 
is  not  limited  to  our  day.  It  has  distinguished  all  epochs  of  the  Re- 
public. Washington,  Adams,  Jefi'erson,  Alexander  Hamilton  and  their 
compeers  were  assailed  with  the  same  bitterness  which  is  now  directed 
against  many  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  public  life.  It  is  almost  incon- 
ceivable now  that  language,  which  seems  to  us  so  sacrilegious,  should  ever 
have  been  used  in  regard  to  General  Washington.  Yet  there  are  those 
at  the  present  day  who  indulge  in  similar  bitter  invectives  against  the 
great  and  good,  and  are  guided  by  much  the  same  motives  as  those  of 
yore,  because  "  littleness  is  their  element,  and  they  mar  whatever  they 
touch.'  " 

Oe7i.  Van  Rensselaer  to  Col.  Warren. 

Dear  Sir,  Albany,  21st  August,  1849. 

At  the  time  you  left  Washington  for  the  East  to  visit  your  friends,  I 
wrote  to  you  requesting  you  to  return  to  me  my  papers  as  they  had  not 
been  acted  upon,  this  was  refused,  and  I  now  ask  the  favor  of  you  to 
furnish  me  with  Copies  of  the  affidavits  or  any  other  papers  which  arrived 
after  1  left  you  which  caused  the  Cabinet  to  reject  my  application.  I  also 
wish  Copies  of  the  letters  of  Weed,  Townsend,  Benedict  and  Schoolcraft 
addressed  to  John  C.  Spencer,  which  I  left  in  your  hands,  and  were  Copies 
taken  from  the  originals  in  the  General  Post  Oifice. 

There  is  another  letter  I  wrote  to  the  Post  Master  General  some  years 
ago,  which  has  a  strong  bearing  on  this  Subject.  I  saw  the  letter  when 
Mr.  Granger  was  Post  Master  General,  of  this  too  I  wish  a  Copy.     From 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  203 

your  friendly  Expressions  towards  me,  I  have  no  hesitation  in  believing 
that  you  will  comply  with  my  request  as  soon  as  may  be. 

I  am  with  great  Respect,  Your  Obedt.  Servt., 
Col.  F.  H.  Warren,  SoL.  Van  Rensselaer. 

2d  Asst.  Post  Master  Genl,  Washington,  D.C 

Post  Office  Department. 
Sir,  Appointment  Office,  Aug.  24,  1849. 

Yours  of  the  21st  is  to  hand.  The  Post  Master  General  is  now  absent 
on  a  visit  to  Vermont,  and  I  have  deemed  it  proper  to  submit  your  request 
to  him.  I  expect  to  hear  from  him  in  reply  at  an  early  day,  and  will 
then  communicate  to  you  his  decision. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Very  respectfully,  &c., 

F.  Henry  Warren,  Second  Asst. 
Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Col.  Warren  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Post  Office  Department. 
Sir,  Appointment  Office,  Sept.  6,  1848. 

In  reply  to  yours  of  the  21st  ult.,-  the  Post  Master  General  has  directed 
me  to  inform  you  that  it  is  contrary  to  a  long  and  well  established  rule  of 
the  Department  to  furnish  copies  of  papers  on  file  or  to  permit  original 
papers  to  be  taken  therefrom,  unless  required  in  the  prosecution  or  de- 
fence of  a  legal  proceeding,  and  then  only  upon  the  Certificate  of  Counsel 
that  the  same  are  necessary.  The  papers  you  desire  returned  are  filed 
with  a  case  passed  upon  by  the  President. 

It  may  happen  that  he  would  wish  to  examine  the  same  hereafter,  and 
it  is  therefore  deemed  proper  to  respectfully  decline  acceding  to  your  re- 
quest. I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  &c. 

F.  Henry  Warren. 
Second  Assistant  Post  Master  General. 
Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

A  secret  system  of  espionage  (detraction  and  defamation  of  character 
being  its  basis),  inherent  in  some  Corporate  Bodies  without  souls,  and 
replete  with  all  the  venom  of  vipers  towards  our  father,  was  inaugurated 
under  President  Van  Buren's  administration.  It  extended  through  Mr. 
Tyler's  and  was  again  revived,  upon  the  same  basis,  under  General 
Taylor's  which  unfortunately  nothing  could  counteract.  "  Age,  imbe- 
cility, nepotism,  and  too  great  a  distance  from  the  city  "  were  among  the 
charges.  His  answers  to  his  traducers  were  dictated  in  that  spirit  of 
candor,  sincerity  and  integrity  which  were  inseparable  from  his  estimable 
and  noble  character.  His  old  age  found  him  superceded  by  others  to  an 
office  he  had  a  legitimate  right  to  expect.  Destitute  of  the  pecuniary 
means  which  are  so  indispensable  to  that  step  of  our  pilgrimage,  sufFerino- 
under  mortification,  and  justly  indignant  at  the  base  attempts  made  to 
ruin  and  destroy  him  by  his  malignant,  indefatigable  and  profligate 
enemies,  he  withdrew  from  the  arena  of  public  life.  He  found  a 
panacea  in  the  love  and  devotion  of  his  own  "  home  circle,"  and  sought 
to  forget  the  cruel  wrongs  inflicted  by  his  own  countrymen.  After  his 
rejection,  he  wrote  and  demanded  his  papers,  which  had  been  left  with 
the  honorable  gentlemen  in  reference  to  his  application,  with  what  result 
the  answers  from  the  Department  show. 


204  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

The  unjust  treatment  of  our  dear  father  by  General  Taylor  in  the 
falsification  of  his  word  that  he  "  should  appoint  General  Van  Kensselaer," 
and  that  all  "  other  competitors  were  but  losing  time  and  breath  "  was  an 
event  causing  such  aggravating  reflections  on  the  general's  mind  as  made 
him  nearly  lose  all  confidence  in  man.  He  firmly  believed  that  General 
Taylor  would  protect  him  as  sacredly,  as  he  did  his  little  army  in  the 
Mexican  war.  Our  father's  chivah'ous  sense  of  the  courtesy  due  one 
distinguished  general  from  another — he  required  no  other  guarantee 
(when  being  told  by  General  Taylor  on  his  application  that  he  could 
return  home  for  he  should  have  the  ofl&ce),  made  him  disregard  the  ad- 
monitions of  several  influential  friends  as  unworthy  of  adoption,  to  hasten 
down  immediately  to  Washington  or  he  would  lose  it.  He  would  not 
impugn  the  principle  on  which  the  executive  enforce  and  establish  their 
measure,  for  he  well  knew  that  in  every  political  contest  opponents  were 
animated  and  aggressive.  Yet  conscious  of  his  own  rectitude  and  integ- 
rity, the  insulted  spirit  of  the  aged  veteran  spurned  to  ask  further  aid 
from  his  ungrateful  country,  and  decided  him  to  judge  upon  a  dispassion- 
ate estimate  of  facts.  He  rose  superior  to  all  the  aspersions  of  his 
political  opponents,  yet  their  cruel  enactments  cast  a  shadow  over,  and 
imbittered  his  few  remaining  days.  A  disinterested  friend  was  perfectly 
justified  in  writing :  "  It  is  no  news  to  me  that  General  Van  Rensselaer's 
services  were  never  half  paid,  and  the  thousand  comforts  which  should 
have  cheered  his  old  age  unattainable."  At  the  death  of  this  patriotic 
chieftain,  his  pension  —  the  small  pittance  of  one  dollar  a  day  for  valuable 
services  in  two  wars  —  was  withdrawn  from  his  destitute  family,  and 
although  his  daughters  petitioned  congress,  in  consideration  of  the  labors 
of  their  noble  father,  to  have  it  continued  to  them  during  their  lives,  the 
final  passage  of  the  equitable  act  authorizing  such  a  desirable  measure 
has 'never  been  allowed. 

Oen.  Leavenworth  to  Gen.    Van  Rensselaer. 

Dear  Sir,  Syracuse  Aug.  29th,  1849. 

It  aff"ords  me  great  pleasure  to  communicate  to  you  a  resolution  of  the 
Common  Council,  of  this  City,  by  which  I  been  instructed  to  invite  you 
as  the  Guest  of  the  City  to  attend  the  State  Fair  to  be  held  here  on  the 
11th,  12th  &  13th  days  of  September  next. 

In  thus  extending  the  hospitalities  of  the  City  to  you  Dear  Sir,  we  feel 
that  we  are  but  feebly  expressing  the  debt  of  gratitude  which  is  due  to 
you  from  our  Country  for  your  many  Services  in  its  behalf. 

In  the  hope  that  we  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  you  on  that  in- 
teresting occasion,  at  this  place. 

I  am  Dear  Sir,  your  obt.  Servant, 

E.  W.  Leavenworth. 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.       Mayor  of  the  City  of  Syracuse. 

BeMselaer  Van  Rensselaer  to  his  Father. 
Dear  Father,  Syracuse,  Aug.  30th,  1849. 

You  will  see  by  the  "  Daily  Star  "  which  goes  herewith,  that  our  Com- 
mon Council  have  resolved  to  include  your  nolle  self  among  their  in- 
vited Guests  for  the  Great  State  Fair  —  and  in  due  time,  I  suppose  you 
will  be  officially  notified  of  the  fact.  You  will  come,  of  course,  as  by 
arrangement  in  Mag's  last  letter,  when  we  will  be  most  happy  to  see  and 
ready  to  receive  you  at  the  time  specified.      Can't  it  be  so  arranged  that 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  205 

Mag  can  stay  with  us  a  couple  of  months  or  so  ?  *  *  *Our  Peaches  begin 
to  ripen  —  picked  the  first  to  day,  will  have  varieties  now,  coming  on  in 
succession  during  the  whole  peach  season. 

Oen.  Van  Renssalaer  to  Gen.  Leavenworth. 
Dear  Sir,  Cherry  Hill,  August  30,  1849. 

Your  very  gratifying  letter  was  received  yesterday.  As  I  propose  leav- 
ing home  the  6th  on  a  visit  to  my  son,  it  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to 
protract  my  stay  when  in  your  city,  in  order  to  avail  myself  of  the  cordial 
invitation  of  your  Common  Council,  conveyed  in  so  very  flattering  a  man- 
ner through  its  Chief  Magistrate  to  attend  the  State  Fair,  to  be  there  held 
on  the  11th,  12th,  and  13th  days  of  September  I  am  Dear  Sir,  with  great 
Consideration.  Your  obt.  Servt., 

Sol.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Hon.  E.  W.  Leavenworth,  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Syracuse. 

"  The  grounds  for  the  fair  are  admirably  adapted  for  the  occasion,  beau- 
tifully located  on  the  highest  land  in  the  vicinity,  and  command  a  view 
of  the  city  and  a  large  portion  of  the  surrounding  country.  The  scenery 
is  delightful,  the  ride  to  the  grounds  pleasant  and  agreeable.  Here  at 
the  annual  gathering  of  the  farmers  of  New  York,  all  are  on  equal  footing, 
and  enjoy,  perhaps,  in  an  equal  degree  the  pleasures  of  the  occasion.  We 
are  all  plain  Tarmers,  and  vie  with  each  other  in  the  efi'ort  to  make  this 
meeting  one  of  pleasure  and  profit.  We  shall  not,  however,  be  destitute 
of  great  men  for  Mr.  Clay  arrived  on  the  11th,  a  crowd  collected  at  the 
depot  and  in  the  streets  and  his  reception  by  the  large  concourse  of  friends 
was  highly  flattering.  Many  other  distinguished  gentlemen,  military, 
statesmen  and  politicians,  grace  the  occasion." 

Col.  Todd  to  Oen.  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  dear  General,  Near  Shelbyville,  Ky.,  Sept.  5,  1849. 

There  must  have  been  some  movement  adverse  to  my  wishes  after  you 
left  the  City  of  Washington,  for  I  learned  in  May  that  I  could  not  receive 
the  Mission  to  Russia,  but  the  President  said  some  other  position  that 
would  be  agreeable.  I  came  home  to  await  events,  as  you  did,  though  I 
fear  your  case  is  not  better  than  mine,  as  I  have  not  seen  your  appoint- 
ment announced  and  I  have  nothing  from  Washington,  while  several  pro- 
minent appointments  have  been  made  from  Kentucky.  I  suppose  you  will 
see  the  President  during  his  visit  to  Albany  and  the  Fair  at  Syracuse. 
Could  you  ascertain  what  it  is  in  contemplation  of  the  Administration  to 
off"er  me  ?  Last  week  there  was  a  vacancy  in  the  Governorship  of  Oregon 
and  next  winter  a  New  Territory  will  be  formed  between  the  States  of  Mis- 
souri and  Iowa  and  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Could  you  see  Mr.  Collier  on 
the  subject  ?  With  our  regards  to  your  family  and  every  wish  for  your 
success  and  happiness,  I  remain,  as  Ever,  Yours  truly 

Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer,  Albany,  N.  Y.  C  S.  Todd. 

Colonel  Todd  was  one  of  General  Harrison's  aids-de-camp,  who  remarked, 
"  Colonel  Todd  was  equal  in  bravery  and  superior  in  intelligence  to  any 
officer  of  his  rank  in  the 'army.  In  the  summer  of  1841  he  was  appointed, 
by  Gen.  Harrison,  United  States  Minister  to  Russia,  and  served  his  coun- 
try in  that  capacity  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  both  governments." 


206  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Death  of  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer. 
Died.  On  January  1,  1850  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  Rensselaer  Van  Rens- 
selaer aged  forty-eight  years.  He  was  married  November  11,  1840,  to 
Miss  Mary  Euphemia  daughter  of  Major  S.  S.  Forraan  of  Syracuse.  They 
lost  several  lovely  children  ;  these  repeated  severe  afflictions  were  agonizing 
to  the  tender  hearts  of  both  parents.  And  now  the  electric  wires  paralyze 
our  spirits  with  the  afflictive  news  that  the  fatal  shaft  has  singled  out  this 
"loved  one,"  passing  him  suddenly  from  time  into  Eternity.  It  was  a 
most  mysterious  dispensation,  "  a  calamity  whose  circumstances  are  inex- 
plicable," but  the  decree  was  unalterable,  and  "  tears  were  frozen  in  their 
cells  "  as  a  deep  wave  of  crushing  sorrow  surged  over  his  stricken  widow, 
venerable  father  and  sisters.  A  large  circle  of  deeply  sympathizing  relatives 
and  friends  mourned  his  tragic  and  untimely  end.  Grief  is  ever  sacred, 
silence  its  attribute  and  privilege,  we  would  not  wish  to  unveil  the  an- 
guish of  that  sorely  afflicted  and  awfully  smitten  household  on  this  trying 
occasion.  "  Affliction's  rods  are  made  of  many  keen  twigs,  but  they  are 
all  cut  from  the  tree  of  life."  This  sad  bereavement  to  his  aged  father, 
and  especially  the  peculiar  manner  in  which  the  lamented  deceased  was 
snatched  so  hastily  from  life,  was  a  vei'y  heavy  stroke  —  the  last  extreme 
of  human  wretchedness,  and  he  fully  realized  how  vain  was  the  help  of 
man  in  this  hour  of  greatest  grief.  With  bowed  heart  and  overpowering 
bodily  suffering  he  followed  his  loved  only  son  to  his  last  resting  place. 
His  loss  was  irreparable  and  in  speechless  agony  he  saw  his  dead  en- 
tombed ;  the  impressiveness  of  the  solemn  occasion  was  deeply  felt  by  all 
the  true  sympathizing  friends.  "  Many  truly  good  and  wise  men  have 
desired  and  prayed  i'or,  as  the  best  way  of  escaping  from  earth  to  heaven 
a  sudden  and  unanticipated  departure.  The  good  President  Livingstone 
used  to  pray  for  a  sudden  and  painless  departure,  and  was  at  last  found 
one  morning  in  his  bed  sleeping  in  death.  Henry  Clay,  it  is  said,  always 
declined  to  repeat  the  clause  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  liturgy  against 
sudden  death.  On  the  supposition  that  one  lives  habitually  ready  for 
death  (as  we  all  should),  there  can  hardly  be  a  question  that  a  sudden 
and,  therefore,  comparatively  painless  departure  is  the  true  euthanasy. 
Men  predisposed  to  apoplexy  or  heart  disease  may  then  consider  them- 
selves favored  in  this  respect."  Still  the  painless  departure  of  our  "  loved 
ones"  does  not  lessen  the  sympathetic  agonies  of  the  surviving  members 
of  the  home  circle. 

TJie  Late  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  —  Verdict  of  the  Coroner's  Jury. 

Syracuse,  Jan.  5,  1850. 
"  The  impression  that  the  late  GrEN.  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer 
had  committed  suicide,  having  gained  general  credit  both  at  home  and 
abroad,  I  deem  it  but  an  act  of  justice,  especially  to  the  friends  of  the  de- 
ceased, to  give  a  synopsis  of  the  facts  in  the  case,  as  this  day  elicited 
before  a  Coroner's  Jury,  together  with  the  verdict  rendered.  The  reason 
why  an  inquest  was  not  sooner  had,  is  the  fact  of  my  not  being  at  home. 
The  character  of  the  gentlemen  composing  the  Jury  of  inquest,  must  give 
weight  to  the  verdict,  founded  as  it  is  upon  all  the  evidence  which  could 
be  brought  before  them.  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  made  it  his  home  with 
Major  S.  S.  Forman,  his  father-in-law.  The  entire  household  consisted 
of  Major  Forman,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Rensselaer,  a  male  and  female  do- 
mestic—  David  Corkey  and  Mary  Mulligan. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  207 

January  1,  Major  Forman  and  Mrs.  Vau  Rensselaer  went  to  spend  the 
day  at  Mr.  Graves  —  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  declined  going  on  account  of  a 
slight  indisposition.  All  witnesses  agree  that  the  manner  of  Mr.  Van 
Rensselaer  on  that  day,  or  the  few  previous,  had  not  been  difi'erent  from 
his  ordinary  manner. 

Between  twelve  and  one  o'clock  the  female  domestic  spoke  to  Mr.  V. 
R.  about  dinner,  he  replied  that  none  need  be  got  for  him,  he  would  eat 
bread  and  milk,  and  did  eat  it.  About  one  o'clock,  Mr.  V.  R.  went  into 
the  wood-house,  filled  a  furnace  with  charcoal,  and  set  fire  to  it.  The 
hired  man  went  out  and  assisted  him.  He  told  the  hired  man  that,  as  Major 
Forman  was  gone,  he  was  going  to  try  and  dry  the  walls  of  the  Major's 
room.  [The  room  here  referred  to,  and  in  which  Mr.  V,  R.  was  found, 
is  ofi"  from  the  main  hall,  in  the  north-west  corner  of  the  house,  connected 
with  no  other  room,  no  entrance  to  it  save  from  the  hall,  is  about  eight  by 
fifteen  feet.  Between  two  and  three  months  since  it  was  enlarged,  the 
walls  filled  in  with  brick,  lathed  and  plastered,  and  subsequently  papered. 
It  was  fitted  up  as  a  Library  and  business  room  —  the  books,  &c.,  arranged 
accordingly.  The  walls  not  drying,  a  stove  was  put  in  about  a  month 
since  ;  but  a  sufficient  draft  not  being  obtained,  the  smoke  w;is  intolerable. 
Mr.  V.  R.  then  tried  charcoal  in  the  stove,  getting  it  thoroughly  ignited 
before  putting  in,  but  putting  in  fresh  coal  thereafter  created  as  much 
smoke  as  wood,  and  so  the  stove  was  abandoned,  it  was  removed  from  the 
room  about  the  20th  December.  The  walls  of  the  room  are  still  damp.'\ 
After  the  coal  in  the  furnace  was  thoroughly  on  fire,  Mr.  V,  R.  took  it 
into  the  Library,  remarking  that  he  knew  the  Major  would  be  glad  to 
have  his  room  warm  when  he  come  home.  He  came  out  soon  after  he 
took  in  the  furnace,  and  said  it  smoked,  and  that  he  had  raised  up  the 
windows,  that  the  coal  was  wet  from  the  snow.  He  then  brought  in  the 
pan  of  coals  left  in  the  wood-house,  and  put  it  in  the  oven  of  the  kitchen 
stove  to  dry,  then  went  into  the  sitting  room,  took  no  more  coal  with  him. 
About  a  quarter  of  an  hour  after  this  he  came  into  the  kitchen,  said  it 
was  very  warm ;  and  took  the  pan  of  coals  that  had  been  drying,  and  re- 
turned. Soon  after  this  he  came  out  again  into  the  kitchen  with  a  news- 
paper and  gave  Corkey  to  read ;  said  it  was  of  that  date,  January  1st. 
He  then  left  the  kitchen,  and  was  not  seen  again  till  about  a  quarter  past 
five  P.  M.,  when  the  girl  went  to  call  bim  to  tea. 

She  went  into  the  hall  ;  to  the  door  of  the  Library  ;  the  Library  door 
was  about  one-third  way  open  ;  she  could  see  the  face  of  Mr.  V.  R.  with- 
out pushing  the  door  wider  open  ;  he  was  lying  on  his  back  on  the  settee. 
She  said :  "  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  will  you  come  to  tea;  it  is  ready."  He 
made  no  reply.  She  thought  Mr.  V.  R.  was  sick;  she  had  called  him, 
but  he  did  not  answer.  They  lighted  a  candle,  and  both  went  to  the 
Library  ;  they  both  thought  he  had  fainted.  He  had  vomited  freely. 
Corkey  attempted  to  raise  his  head  to  take  ofi"  his  cravat;  on  touching, 
they  found  him  cold  —  dead.  Frightened,  they  fled  and  gave  the  alarm. 
Both  witnesses  agreed  in  these  particulars.  It  appears  Mr.  V.  R  was 
back  and  forth  several  times.  May  it  not  be  a  fair  supposition  that  the 
last  time  he  entered  that  fatal  room,  gas  had  generated  in  such  quantity 
as  to  affect  him  before  he  could  possibly  return  ;  causing  him  to  fall  in 
the  position  in  which  he  was  found.  Such  was  the  opinion  of  witnesses, 
and  of  the  jury  of  inquest.  I  was  not  able  to  find  any  evidence  going  to 
show  suicide.  I  have  heard  so  many,  and  so  different  versions  of  this 
affair,  both  before  and  since  the  examination  ;  none  of  them  according 


20S  LilGACY  OF  Historical  Gleanings. 

with  the  facts  ;  that  this  brief  synopsis  is  considered  alike  due  to  the  pub- 
lic and  the  friends.  Respectfully, 

F.  A.  Marsh,  Coroner. 

Verdict  of  the  Coroner's  Jury. 

"  Verdict  of  the  Jury  of  Inquest  in  the  case  of  Rensselaer  Van  Rensse- 
laer, held  January  5,  1850  : 

"  That  on  the  first  day  of  January,  instant,  the  said  Rensselaer  Van 
Rensselaer,  at  the  house  of  Samuel  S.  Forman,  in  Syracuse  aforesaid  came 
to  his  death  by  the  accidental  inhalation  of  the  fumes  of  burning  charcoal." 

Francis  A.  Marsh,  Coroner. 

James  R.  Lawrence,  Foreman. —  John  B.  Burnet,  Paul  C.  Russell, 
Proctor  C.  Sam.son,  John  R.  Robertson,  Nathan  F.  Graves." 

Death  of  B.  Van  Rensselaer. 
"  The  verdict  of  a  Coroner's  Inquest  held  upon  the  body  of  Mr.  V.  R. 
on  Saturday,  was  that,  he  came  to  his  death  accidentally.  The  evidence 
given  before  the  Jury  went  strongly  to  show  that  the  deceased  could  not 
have  meditated  self  destruction.  The  verdict  is  in  accordance  with  the 
prevailing  opinion  of  our  citizens,  although  the  first  impression  was  as  has 
been  already  stated." 

"  Thou  art  gone  to  the  grave  !  but  we  still  must  deplore  thee. 
Though  sorrows  and  darkness  encompass  thy  tomb  !  " 

At  Chambly,  Canada  East, on  November  12,  1850,  another  "  loved  one" 
passed  away :  Captain  Edward  S.  Glen,  the  early  friend  and  valued 
companion  of  my  brother  when  in  South  America  in  1828.  John  Glen, 
the  older  brother,  who  there  lived  in  princely  style  has  also  laid  his  armor 
down ;  their  two  loved  sisters  Lady  Wilson  and  Jane  Anna  Glen  have  all 
passed  from  the  stage  of  life.  John  Glen  had  married  a  Spanish  Lady : 
after  her  death  he  brought  his  daughter  and  two  sons  to  Canada  and  sub- 
sequently married  the  widow  of  Lieut.  Col.  De  Salabury.  The  two  young 
Spaniards  soon  wearied  in  the  extreme  cold  of  the  Canadian  climate,  longing 
for  their  own  sunny  climes  and  eventually  returned  to  their  childhood's 
home  and  Spanish  inheritance.  Sofia,  however,  remained  with  her  father's 
relatives.  She  was  a  pretty  young  girl ;  masses  of  clustering  ringlets 
shadowed  a  countenance  where  the  olive  of  Spanish  America  mingled 
with  the  lineaments  of  a  colder  zone.  The  expression  of  her  full  dark 
orbs,  flashing  and  revealing  in  their  clear  depths  an  unutterable  devotion 
of  soul"  was  always  interesting,  as  she  sat  with  her  Spanish  harp  in  hand, 
and  brought  forth  strains  of  music  so  wildly  sweet  and  soft.  She  had  been 
carefully  educated  in  that  country  under  the  climatic  influences  of  the 
church  of  Rome  and  continued  a  bigoted  and  uncompromising  catholic, 
and  withal  possessing  a  nervous  temperament  and  a  girl  of  intensely  sensi- 
tive feelings.  In  her  own  dormitory  was  a  small  alcove  fitted  up  as  an 
oratory  ;  lifting  the  drapery,  you  saw,  a  small  altar  on  which  was  a  cross 
with  an  image  nailed  to  it ;  a  painting  of  the  blessed  virgin  in  a  little  niche 
with  a  taper  burning  before  it. 

It  was  to  me  no  matter  of  surprise  that  the  infatuated  girl  resisted  all 
the  tender  solicitude  of  protestant  friends,  for  their  influence  was  curtailed 
by  the  "  potent  appliance  of  auricular  confession  "  and  as  a  matter  of 
course  she  became  the  canonized  and  holy  Sister  St.  Cesaria.  "  The  black 
veil  is  now  fastened  on  her  head  and  floats  down  the  back  and  shoulders 
over  the  pleated  and  trained  skirt  of  the  black  habit.     From  the  neck  is 


Legacy  of  Historical  GleanIngs.  209 

suspended  a  silver  crucifix,  while  from  the  girdle  hangs  the  rosary." 
When  Sofia  and  myself  were  spending  a  few  days  with  the  estimable 
family  of  Greneral  Evans  in  Montreal  during  the  year  1847,  we  frequently 
visited  the  Congregational  Convent  of  Notre  Dame.  A  niece  of  liev.  Mr. 
Mignault  was  one  of  the  cloistered  nuns,  and  had  been  at  our  school  in 
Chambly.  We  were  promptly  admitted  into  a  large  room  in  which  the 
novices  or  postulantes  were  assembled,  "  each  group  had  the  super- 
vision of  one  of  the  veiled  nuns  of  the  convent."  Their  embroidery, 
painting  and  exquisite  wax-work  were  chief  monopolizers  of  our  atten- 
tion ;  they  also  manifested  great  proficiency  in  the  musical  department 
performing  many  intricate  pieces  on  both  the  piano  and  harp. 

One  morning  we  went  to  see  a  young  lady  take  the  "  black  veil."  She 
was  not  an  impoverished  daughter  but  brought  with  her  a  fine  dowry  and 
her  own  wardrobe ;  she  was  the  younger  of  two  protestant  girls  whose 
parents  being  dead,  they  had  remained  in  the  institution  as  boarders  to 
complete  their  education.  Though  the  elder  was  opposed  not  only  to  her 
sister's  inclination  to  Romanism,  but  decidedly  objected  to  her  being  a 
cloistered  nun,  yet  strengthened  by  imperceptible  influences  and  persua- 
sions which  were  the  subtile  agencies  or  "  bands  of  flowers  thrown  around 
the  youthful  victim  to  draw  her  to  the  altar,"  the  sacrifice  was  consum- 
mated with  the  "  devout  pomps  and  complex  superstitions  "  which  have 
such  an'inexplicable  hold  upon  the  minds  of  the  French  Canadians. 

She  was  baptized,  made  confession  in  the  Romish  church,  and  recom- 
mended to  this  life  on  account  of  her  fitness  as  manifested  by  her  "  piety, 
intelligence  and  exalted  character,"  had  passed  the  required  time  of  postu- 
lance  and  entered  upon  her  novitiate  for  a  silent  and  strictly  cloistered 
existence.  And  at  this  time  we  were  to  witness  the  finale  :  a  relinquish- 
ment of  the  white  veil  for  black,  and  separation  from  the  insnaring  world 
while  she  "  retires  into  a  state  of  holy  seclusion,  where  by  prayer,  self-morti- 
fication, and  good  deeds,  she  prepares  herself  for  heaven."  The  ceremonies 
were  indeed  truly  aflfecting  and  interesting.  As  the  lovely  and  youthful 
novice,  clothed  in  her  rich  white  dress  and  all  the  display  of  tinsel,  the 
necessary  equipments  to  make  a  grand,  elaborate  toilette,  ''  with  knit  brow 
and  compressed  lips"  proceeded  round  the  circle,  followed  by  a  "  procession 
of  nuns  in  a  double  row  with  hands  folded  across  their  breasts  and  con- 
cealed in  the  broad  cufi"sof  the  sleeves,"  every  eye  followed  her  constrained 
movements.  She. embraced  in  a  formal  manner  her  young  companions 
for  the  last  time  ;  then  approaching  her  heretic  sister,  and  hastily  crossing 
herself,  the  same  cold,  heartless  embrace  was  given.  The  distressed  pro- 
testant, who  was  evidently  a  lady  of  culture,  threw  her  arms  frantically 
around  her  misguided  sister  as  with  a  cry  of  acute  anguish  she  clasped  her 
to  an  aching  heart.  The  excitement  was  intense,  the  scene  of  the  bitter- 
ness of  a  separation  was  touching,  it  made  a  stunning  impression  ;  not  au 
eye  was  dry,  and  more  than  one  suppressed  sob  was  heard  among  the  sym- 
pathetic spectators.  A  couple  of  nuns  hastily  advanced,  spoke  a  few  words, 
to  us  inaudible,  when  with  perfect  composure  the  novice  with  their  aid, 
separated  herself  from  her  clinging  sister  and  quietly  passed  on  her  round. 
The  bishop,  robed  in  his  magnificently  embroidered  vestments  and  miter, 
threw  the  vail  over  her  head  as  she  was  kneeling  most  devoutly  at  the 
chancel-rail  holding  a  lighted  candle  in  her  hand ;  she  then  received  the 
sacrament  and  took  her  solemn  vows.  After  laying  aside  her  coronal  of 
flowers  or  "  blazing  crown  of  martyrdom,"  her  long  glossy  hair  cut  off, 

II]-  27 


210  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

changing  her  bridal  robes  for  the  nun's  entire  costume,  and  responding 
to  the  questions  from  the  bishop  of  renunciation  of  all  worldly  pleasures, 
"  she  stepped  into  a  coffin  which  was  placed  in  front  of  the  altar.  A  large 
thick  black  cloth  or  pall  was  then  spread  over  her  and  all  knelt  in  prayer 
while  the  low  chanting  of  Latin  hymns  continued,  after  which  she  received 
the  kiss  and  benediction  of  her  superior."  The  atmosphere  of  the  church 
seemed  oppressive,  full  of  the  "  strong  smell  of  incense,"  and  the  whole 
scene  depressing  in  the  extreme.  Alter  a  moment  the  bishop  addressed 
the  lady  superior,  for  the  covering  had  been  removed  and  the  consecrated 
nun  arose  from  the  darkness  of  the  grave  to  a  new,  a  joyless  life  in  the 
peaceful  asylum,  and  we  doubt  not,  to  a  realization  of  melancholy  dreams 
and  remembrances  of  the  "  noisy  outside  world"  in  the  solitary  and  cheer- 
less refuge  of  the  cloister. 

Amidst  the  splendor  of  the  surroundings  —  the  many  allurements  to 
charm,  with  no  regret  for  needless  longings  after  ephemeral  popularity, 
the  fair  nun  is  now  buoyant  with  the  one  thought  of  duty  quite  fulfilled. 
She  imagines  that  the  tears  shed  at  the  last  earthly  "embrace  of  her  truest 
friends  were  like  the  dew  drops  in  the  chalices  of  the  morning  flowers, 
which  the  first  sunbeam  kisses  away."  Now,  too,  the  sympathetic  nuns 
with  their  gentle  loving  consideration  and  smiling  countenances  applaud 
the  new  made  nun,  yet  "  there  lies  a  shadow  of  melancholy  on  her  pure 
white  forehead  "  —  for  on  sober  reflection  she  will  find  "  her  destiny  to 
be  a  scentless  flower,  blooming,  but  only  to  wither  unbeloved  and  un- 
lamented."  At  the  conclusion  of  the  interesting  ceremonies,  a  sweet, 
trembling  prelude  from  the  organ  was  heard  and  midst  the  exquisite 
chanting  of  sacred  choruses  by  seraphic  voices,  the  melodious  vibrations 
of  the  solemn  accompaniment  to  the  concluding  anthem  were  electrifying. 
"  The  undulating  strains  rolled  and  reverberated  till  the  whole  temple 
was  filled  with  the  waves  of  rich  harmony."  "  The  burden  of  the  anthem 
'  for  ever  and  ever '  was  an  awful  reality  to  the  newly  consecrated  sister 
as  she  left  the  chapel  "  followed  by  the  grave,  sombre  clad  nuns,  who 
walked  two  by  two  in  their  customary  manner,  with  their  hands  folded 
on  their  breasts,  and  their  eyes  cast  down  upon  the  floor.  The  memory 
of  that  day,  would  it  be  "  a  joy  for  ever,"  to  that  young  enthusiast! 
The  mere  contemplation  of  such  a  scene  almost  overcame  me,  but  to  the 
fascinated  Sofia  it  was  all  "  couleur  de  rose."  About  one  year  after  that 
eventful  day,  Sofia  Glen  entered  the  same  convent  and  is  now  clothed  in 
the  garb  of  the  sisterhood ;  seeing  friends  through  a  small  window  or 
grating,  with  a  sliding  shutter.  Her  subsequent  history  we  know  but 
little  about,  though  her  usual  salutation  would  indicate  unalloyed  happi- 
ness beyond  all  cavil,  as  she  is  now  safe  under  the  special  care  and 
protection  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  happy  in  her  unbounded  benevolence  and 
many  good  works.  I  have  now  a  letter  before  me,  which  was  received 
some  years  after  Sofia  Glen  assumed  the  habilliments  of  that  order  of  the 
sisterhood  —  dated : 

"  Congregation  Notre  Dame.        ^ 
Villa  Maria,  May  30th,  1866. 

*  *  *  I  received  your  kind  welcome  letter  which  gave  me  great  plea- 
sure and  to  hear  from  you.  *  *  * 

It  is  impossible  to  express  the  grief  I  felt  on  perusing  your  letter ;  the 
sad  news  of  dear  Mrs.  Richard  Van  Rensselaer's  and  Maria  Elizabeth's 
death,  pained  me  very  much.  I  am  really  surprised  that  Aunt  Dupuy 
never  told  me  any  thing  about  it ;  most  probably  she  thought  I  had  heard 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  211 

it  from  some  other  member  of  the  family.  I  also  have  met  with  very  sad 
losses  —  my  dear  Aunts  Lady  Wilsoa  and  Miss  Grlen,  have  been  taken 
from  me  ;  but  we  must  only  hope  to  meet  all  those  we  so  fondly  cherished 
here  below,  in  a  better  world.  *  *  *  *  Our  old  home  at  Chambly  is 
changed,  everything  changed  so  much  that  it  would  no  longer  look  like 
the  same  dear  spot  to  me,  even  though  I  were  still  living  in  the  world  ; 
but  thank  God,  /  am  not.  I  entered  the  Convent  nearly  nineteen  years 
ago,  and  only  since  then  have  I  tasted  happiness  pure  and  unalloyed.  I 
would  not  change  my  humble  cell  for  a  palace,  nor  my  humble  garb  for 
Royal  Robes.  Aunt  Dupuy  resides  in  Kingston,  she  writes  me  now  and 
again,  and  I  sometimes  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  her.  Once  more  ac-. 
cept  my, thanks  —  give  my  love  to  all  the  family.     Believe  me  to  be. 

Yours  Most  Sincerely, 

Sister  St.  Cesaria. 

The  death  of  a  valued  friend  had  called  me  to  Chambly,  Canada,  where 
I  had  been  staying  some  time,  when  my  dear  father  with  other  members 
of  his  family  as  tourists  and  pleasure-seekers  joined  me  in  July,  1851. 

In  Montreal,  "a  few  weeks  previous,  while  sojourning  at  the  hospitable 
residence  of  Major  General  Evans,  the  honored  host  said  to  me,  "your 
name  takes  me  back  to  the  stirring  scenes  of  early  life,  tell  me,  are  you 
related  -to  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  ? "  When  informed  the 
youngest  daughter  of  that  gentleman  was  a  guest  beneath  his  roof,  his 
surprise  and  joy  was  unbounded.  It  was  a  welcome  cordial  to  witness  his 
satisfaction  when  informed  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer's  contemplated  visit  to 
Canada  that  season  ;  and  to  comply  with  his  urgent  request  to  be  apprised 
of  the  event.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  visited  General  Evans  (once  Major 
Evans,  aid-de-camp  to  General  Sheaffe  in  1812).  The  meeting  between  the 
venerable  and  gallant  soldiers  was  an  impressive  one  :  when  last  they 
conversed  they  were  belligerents  engaged  in  the  final  settlement  and  ces- 
sation of  the  Armistice,  a  few  hours  previous  to  the  great  battle.  They 
were  delighted  to  meet  again  as  friends  and  the  chivalric  spirit  of  early 
times  returned  as  they  lived  over  the  details  of  those  eventful  days. 
Speaking  of  the  past  General  Evans  remarked,  ''  It  was  well  for  the 
British  that  Col.  Van  Rensselaer's  body  had  been  slashed  to  pieces^  but 
for  that,"  said  he  frankly  to  my  father,  ^'- you  would  have  cut  us  up  and 
carried  all  before  you,  your  coolness,  bravery  and  judgment  I  can  never 
forget." 

"  Your  brave  father.  Miss  Van  Rensselaer,  was  a  favorite  with  all  of 
the  young  officers,  he  gained  our  respect  on  the  several  occasions  of  official 
visits  to  the  Canadian  side,  he  was  very  plucky."  General  Evans,  with 
the  liveliest  solicitude  that  his  quondam  foe  should  have  a  brilliant  recep- 
tion at  the  "  old  city  of  the  Dominion,"  notified  the  authorities  of  the  in- 
tended visit.  It  was  August,  1851 — the  last  year  of  his  life  —  that 
General  Van  Rensselaer,  accompanied  by  his  grand-daughter  Maria 
Elizabeth  and  myself,  proceeded  by  steamer  up  the  River  St.  Lawrence, 
to  the  quaint  old  city  of  Quebec,  with  its  magnificent  scenery  nearly  the 
entire  distance.  Having  never  previously  visited  here,  the  ground 
aboundingin  so  many  points  of  historical  interest  was  viewed  with  pleasure, 
and  the  achievement  of  this  long  intended  excursion  "  smoothes  the 
wrinkled  front  of  yveary  care."  The  city  is  surrounded  by  a  high  wall 
with  several  strong  gates.  Our  pleasant  ride  "  to  Spencerwood,  the  resi- 
dence of  the  governor  general,  with  its  magnificent  view  was  not  soon 


212  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

forgotten.  We  lingered  long  on  the  "  Plains  of  Abraham  celebrated  in 
history  as  being  the  death-scene  of  Wolfe  and  Montcalm.  We  could 
picture  the  series  of  actions  :  AVolfe  with  his  5000  men  is  now  found 
to  have  scrambled  up  by  that  woody  neck  in  the  heights,  which  was  not 
quite  precipitous ;  has  trailed  one  cannon  with  him,  the  seamen  busy 
bringing  up  another,  and  by  ten  of  the  clock  stand,  ranked,  ready  at  all 
points  for  Montcalm,  but  refusing  to  be  over-ready.  Montcalm,  on  first 
hearing  of  him,  had  made  haste ;  and  marches  up,  beautifully  skillful, 
neglecting  none  of  his  advantages.  He  has  numerous  Canadian  sharp- 
shooters, preliminary  Indians  in  the  bushes,  with  a  provoking  fire. 
'  Steady!'  orders  Wolfe;  'from  yow,  not  one  shot  till  they  are  within 
thirty  jards.'     Quebec  was  captured,  but  he  died  !  " 

Not  only  Quebec  with  its  antique  architecture  but  the  environs  came 
in  for  a  full  inspection  ;  therefore  another  bright  day  we  went  seven  miles 
below  the  city  to  the  "  Falls  of  Montgomorency,  about  fifty  feet  wide  and 
having  a  height  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  The  sheet  of  water  rushes 
through  a  wild  romantic  gorge  and  then  in  silver  threads  comes  over  the 
high  precipice  in  an  unbroken  mass,  discharging  its  translucent  treasure 
into  a  pool  below,  which  boils  and  foams ;  the  scenery  all  around  was 
very  beautiful  and  impresses  one  with  its  grandeui*."  Our  visit  to  the 
Convents  —  with  letters  of  introduction  from  Rev.  Mr.  Mignault  of  Cham- 
bly —  gained  us  a  speedy  entrance  to  all ;  and  at  the  grand  old  Cathedral 
we  were  favored  with  an  inspection  of  the  magnificent  robes  of  the  hier- 
archal  chief,  and  exquisite  altar-coverings.  The  vesture  of  gold  brocade 
was  gorgeously  embellished  with  a  garland  formed  in  silver  bullion,  the 
flowers  studded  with  choice  gems  as  rubies,  diamonds  and  rare  emeralds. 
There  were  also  velvet  robes  of  crimson,  and  others  of  black,  embroidered 
in  the  richest  style.  The  military  authorities  took  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer 
and  his  party  to  see  the  immense,  almost  impregnable  citadel  upon  the 
heights  with  perhaps  the  strongest  fortifications  in  the  world  :  the  famous 
battlements  and  subterraneous  passages;  and  relics  of  great  antiquities 
with  every  interesting  object  of  historic  fame,  and  paid  him  the  highest 
military  honors.  At  the  grand  inspection  and  review  of  the  troops  ia 
compliment  to  their  distinguished  guest  —  I  remarked  to  a  lady  (one  of 
a  party  of  American  tourists)  standing  near,  the  regret  I  felt  that  they 
would  all  lose  their  dinner,  as  the  steamer  in  which  the}'  were  to  leave 
would  soon  depart.  With  a  bright,  happy  smile  and  great  enthusiasm  she 
replied  :  "  The  dinner  is  of  no  consequence,  we  would  not  on  any  account 
have  missed  the  pleasing  spectacle  of  our  countryman  General  Van  Rens- 
selaer thus  honored  by  British  troops  '  While  at  the  ofiicer's  quarters  we 
saw  many  curious  pets  ;  one  of  the  tame  serpents  wound  itself  round  an 
officer's  arm,  then  colling  up  nestled  quietly  on  his  neck.  Two  bands 
were  ordered  out  at  different  points  for  the  special  benefit  of  the  ladies  and 
discoursed  sweet  music  for  our  listening  ears,  while  their  guest  was  escorted 
to  other  interesting  sites  all  replete  with  intense  interest  as  identified  with 
the  war  fever. 

The  military  authorities  gave  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  a  princely  dinner 
in  their  illuminated  hall.  The  most  attractive  feature  of  this  festivity, 
where  all  was  full  of  life  and  animation,  was,  when  he  expressed  his  thanks 
for.  this  elegant  entertainment  and  for  the  kindness  of  British  officers  to 
him  a  stranger.  Then  the  gallant  knights  replied  \  "  No,  no  !  not  a 
stranger  !"  and  in  a  perfectly  cordial,  friendly  manner  continued,  they  all 
knew  General  Van  Rensselaer  well,  that  he  had  given  the  British  marks 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  213 

enough  by  whicli  to  rememher  him  !  "  In  thus  putting  aside  all  sectional 
differences  and  party  feelings,  and  with  marvelous  tact  giving  such  a  cor- 
dial welcome  to  an  ancient  foe  was  truly  honorable.  This  high  testimonial 
and  generous  treatment  in  Canada  to  him,  who  had  occupied  so  prominent 
a  position  in  the  last  war  as  also  the  connection  of  his  deceased  son  with 
the  Canadian  Patriots,  made  a  favorable  impression  on  that  noble,  warm- 
hearted hero's  admiring  mind ;  and  he  subsequently  frequently  made  it 
the  topic  of  pleasant  conversation.  His  trip  proved  recuperative,  and  had 
a  happy  effect  in  neutralizing  the  sensitiveness  and  morbid  influence 
caused  by  his  political  martyrdom.  ■  The  serious  consequences  entailed, 
through  the  perfidiousness  of  successful  demagogues,  which  his  proud 
spirit  would  not  ignore,  we  fondly  trusted  were  at  length  alleviated,  and 
the  unparalleled  success  attending  this  summer's  tour  would  prove  a  vaula- 
ble  remedy  to  his  disturbed  mind.  Leaving  the  courteous  Canadian  friend, 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  continued  his  delightful  excursion  to  Saratoga  Springs 
meeting  friends  and  invigorated  by  its  medicinal  waters.  The  return  to 
his  "  loved  ones"  at  Cherry  Hill  was  a  season  of  hilarity  and  heartfelt 
rejoicings  to  all  parties. 

Died.  At  Albany  N.  Y.  on  Friday  April  23,  1852. 

The  relatives,  friends  and  acquaintances  of  General  Solomon 
Van  Rensselaer,  deceased,  and  those  of  the  family  are  respectfully  in- 
vited to  attend  his  funeral  This  (Monday)  Afternoon  at  four  o'clock  from 
his  late  residence,  Cherry  Hill.  Carriages  will  be  in  waiting,  on  the 
corner  of  South  Pearl  and  Beaver  streets,  at  3^  o'clock. 

Death  of  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer. 

"  It  will  pain  the  hearts  of  all  our  citizens  to  hear  that,  that  pure  pat- 
riot, that  brave  and  distinguished  soldier,  that  eminent  civilian  and  good 
citizen  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  is  dead.  He  closed  his  long, 
brilliant  and  eventful  career  at  about  1  o'clock  p.  M.,  yesterday  at  his  resi- 
dence on  Cherry  Hill,  near  this  city  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  78  years. 
The  manner  of  his  death  was  sudden  and  unheralded..  Through  the  past 
severe  winter  he  had  felt,  much  more  than  usual,  the  infirmities  of  a  life 
that  had  far  passed  the  point  of  threescore  years  and  ten,  and  had  re- 
mained more  in  the  house  than  he  was  wont  to.  He  arose  yesterday 
morning  in  his  usual  health,  and  about  11  o'clock  in  the  morning  left  the 
house  temporarily.  His  absence  was  so  long  protracted  as  to  occasion 
some  apprehension  on  the  part  of  his  family  and  his  son-in-law.  Dr.  Elmen- 
DORF,  going  out  to  seek  him,  found  him  in  an  out  house,  alive,  but  in- 
sensible. He  was  borne  in,  and  in  a  short  time  breathed  his  last,  with- 
out recovering  speech  or  consciousness.  He  was  stricken  with  apo- 
plexy. 

"This  heavy  blow  has  fallen  with  startling  suddenness  upon  his  family  and 
friends,  and  the  whole  community. 

"To  the  former  he  was  endeared  by  all  the  holiest  and  strongest  affec- 
tions of  the  human  heart  for  those  who  know  him  best  loved  him  most 
for  those  noble  qualities  of  head  and  heart  which  so  eminently  distin- 
guished him  in  all  his  domestic  relations  ;  and  the  latter  remember  him 
for  all  his  brilliant  civil  and  military  services,  and  sincerely  mourn  his 
loss  as  a  public  calamity. 

"Here,  his  worth  as  a  man  has  long  been  known  and  appreciated  ;  but 
his  military  deeds  are  a  part  of  the  imperishable  history  of  the  country 
he  loved  so  well,  served  so  long  and  defended  so  heroically." 


214  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.- 

Funeral  of  Gen.  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer.  . 
The  obsequies  paid  to  the  remains  of  this  distinguished  soldier,  yes- 
terday, were  of  an  impressive  and  fitting  character.  The  funeral  took 
place  at  his  late  beautiful  residence  Cherry  Hill,  and  was  attended  by 
a  great  concourse  of  citizens,  the  Burgesses  Corps,  and  the  several  uni- 
formed companies  attached  to  the  25th  Regiment,  CoL.  Frisby. 

The  services  at  the  house  were  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kennedy, 
assisted  by  the  Rev.  Drs.  Sprague  and  Wyckofp.  Dr.  Kennedy's 
remarks  were  exceedingly  impressive,  appropriate  and  eloquent.  At  their 
close  the  remains  were  carried  out  to  the  hearse  and  there  received  by 
the  bearers,  Gens.  John  F.  Townsend,  John  Groesbeck  and  Samuel 
Stevens,  Col.  R.  E.  Temple  and  Capt.  Walker,  U.  S.  A. 

The  hearse  moved  oflF  and  was  received  in  the  road  in  front  of  the  man- 
sion by  the  military,  there  drawn  up  in  line.  When  all  was  ready,  the 
signal  was  given  and  the  procession  moved  to  tho  solemn  strains  of  funeral 
music  by  the  bands  in  the  following  order  : 

The  Colonel  and  Stafi"  of  25th  Regiment. 

Albany  Emmett  Guards. 

Albany  Burgesses  Corps. 

Washington  Rifle  Corps. 

Albany  Republican  Artillery,  ^ 

Albany  City  Cavalry. 

Two  Brass  Bands. 

The  Hearse. 

The  General's  horse  caparisoned  and  led  by  two  grooms. 

The  Mourners  and  Clergy  in  carriages. 

The  Governor,  members  of  the  State  and  3Iunicipal 

Governments,  and  Citizens  in  carriages. 

The  procession  left  Cherry  Hill  about  5  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  marched  from 
thence  to  South  Pearl  street,  up  Pearl  to  State  street,  up  State  to  Wash- 
ington street,  and  from  thence  to  the  Cemetery  of  the  North  Dutch  Church, 
where  the  remains  were  deposited  in  the  vault  with  the  customary  military 
honors. 

Minute  guns  were  fired  during  the  passage  of  the  cortege  from  Cherry 
Hill  to  the  Cemetery.  Among  the  multitude  who  gathered  to  pay  this 
last  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  one  of  the  bravest  soldiers  our 
country  ever  produced,  and  a  most  venerable  and  estimable  citizen,  we 
noticed  not  only  nearly  all  the  older  and  more  prominent  of  our  citizens, 
but  many  of  the  neighbors  and  friends  of  the  deceased  from  the  neighbor- 
ing country. 

The  military  escort  numbered  upwards  of  two  hundred  men,  and  appeared 
remarkably  well. 

.  James  W.  Beekman  to  Miss  Adeline  Van  Rensselaer. 
My  Dear  Adeline,  New  York,  April  25,  1852. 

This  morning  the  landlord,  of  the  public  house  where  we  are  now  stay- 
ing until  Monday,  sent  up  to  my  room  a  Sunday  Herald,  which  gave  me 
very  Sad  intelligence  indeed,  from  Cherry  Hill.  On  Friday  at  the  very 
hour  we  were  traveling  in  the  Hudson  River  R.  R.  cars  towards  New 
York  (2  p.  M.),  your  noble  old  father  must  have  departed  to  his  rest. 
Nothing  but  my  own  health  prevents  me  from  coming  up  in  the  six  o'clock 
train  to-morrow  to  pay  him  the  last  respect.     I  have,  however,  taken  a 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  215 

cold,   and  many  other  things  conspiring  to  make  my  absence  to-morrow 
extremely  difficult,  it  is  perhaps  my  duty  to  remain  with  my  family. 

There  is  not  now  above  ground  in  the  State  of  New  York  your  father's 
peer.  The  most  inveterate  of  his  old  political  foes  could  only  say,  that 
"  Saulomen  "  was  "  rash."  His  more  modern  opponents  of  the  Weed  and 
Benedict  school  only  did  him  a  favor  by  their  spite,  because  they  never 
attack  any  but  honest  and  worthy  men.  Your  father's  military  reputation 
in  my  judgment  stands  among  the  very  highest.  He  wanted  but  the  op- 
portunity of  still  higher  distinction.  Wherever  his  duty  led  him,  he 
acquitted  himself  perfectly.     Who  could  have  done  more  ? 

I  have  ever  loved,  honored  and  admired  your  departed  father  as  an 
honor  to  his  native  State  and  to  his  friends.  As  to  his  family,  there  is 
no  doubt  in  my  mind  that  he  was  the  foremost  Van  Rensselaer  of  whom 
I  have  any  knowledge.  No  Patroon  or  other  of  the  race  has  come  near 
him  for  nobleness  of  soul,  courage  and  chivalric  deeds.  Your  Grand- 
father (General  Henry  V.  E.),  was  a  brave  soldier  too,  but  "  Solomon  " 
stands  as  pre-eminent  among  Van  Rensselaers  as  his  namesake  of  old  did 
among  the  Kings  of  Israel. 

And  now  my  dear  Kinswoman,  what  comfort  can  I  offer  to  you  in  your 
affliction  ?  Your  father  descends  into  the  Grave  not  untimely  ;  but  in 
the  fulness  of  his  age,  and  in  the  maturity  of  his  reputation.  He  has 
been  long  awaiting  the  change,  and  we  are  privileged  to  believe  that  he 
has  joined  the  redeemed  Spirit  of  your  Mother  and  his  children,  in  a 
world  where  sorrow  and  pain  are  not  known.  Surely  if  one  who  gives  a 
cup  of  cold  water  to  a  disciple  shall  not  lose  his  reward,  your  father's  gene- 
rosity has  mad^  him  a  partaker  of  that  promise  of  happiness  in  Heaven. 
Give  my  heartfelt  condolence  to  the  bereaved  ones  who  like  you  are  now 
sitting  in  tears.  You  mourn  not  without  hope  —  the  children  of  Solo- 
mon Van  Rensselaer  have  inherited  a  fame  not  unable  to  give  con- 
solation. 

My  wife,  who  has  gone  to  Brooklyn  to  see  her  parents  this  afternoon, 
sends  her  affectionate  sympathy  to  you  all.  With  sincere  condolence  I 
am  very  truly  Your  friend  and  Kinsman 

Miss  Adeline  Van  Rensselaer,  James  W.  Beekman. 

Cherry  Hill,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

College  Hill,  Ohio,  April  23,  1853.     The  Anniversary  Day. 
We  Would  Not  Wish  Them  Bach  Again. 

A  year  has  passed  since  cruel  Death, 

Upon  our  hearthstone  trod  ; 
Our  circle  felt  his  chilling  breath 

And  yielded  one  to  God  ; 
Oh  gently  soothe  with  kindly  care, 
The  sorrows  we  were  call'd  to  share. 

We  mourn  our  lov'd  and  noble  Sire  ! 

Sad  mem'ry  brings  us  pain  : 
That  day  of  grief  in  visions  dire 

Recalls  our  loss  again. 
Let  mercy  wreath  the  chast'ning  rod, 
And  gently  draw  our  souls  to  God. 

Father  and  Mother  now  repose. 

In  realms  of  bliss  and  light 
Secure  from  ev'ry  storm  that  blows, 

'Mid  joys  supremely  bright. 
Such  thoughts  as  these  may  soothe  and  dry 
The  throbbing  heart,  the  streaming  eye. 


216  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

We  \vould  not  wisli  them  back  again. 

To  steni  the  flood  of  strife  ; 
Their  pilgrim  days  of  joj^  and  pain, 

Have  merg'd  in  glorious  life. 
But  we  will  tread  the  narrow  way, 
To  rest  with  both  in  endless  day. 

"  What  a  sweet  thought,  that  those  who  have  served  so  well  on  earth 
are  to  serve  forever  in  heaven,  where  their  bliss  will  be  proportionate  to 
their  service." 


CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Missionary. 


Samuel  W.  Bonncy  to  liis  Mother. 

Dear  Mother,  New  York,  Sept.  25,  1844. 

Last  Saturday  I  was  riding  down  Jjroadway  in  an  omnibus  when  a  gen- 
tleman got  in  with  whom  I  was  formerly  acquainted.  After  mutual  in- 
quiries as  to  each  other's  welfare  and  employments  he  said  to  me  :  "  I  have 
just  received  a  letter  from  llev.  S.  K.  Brown  of  China,  urgently  requesting 
an  associate  teacher  to  come  out  to  his  help,  and  you  are  just  the  man  to 
go.  Can  you  and  will  you  go  ?  "  I  replied,  that  I  had  offered  myself  to 
the  American  Board  :  a  station  in  Southern  India  will  probably  be  as- 
signed to  me  but  if  they  would  change  my  destination  from  India  to  China, 
I  would  go  —  I  desired  to  be  guided  by  God's  direction.  *  *  * 

October  4th.  The  American  Board  have  accepted  my  offer  and  appointed 
me  a  missionary  to  India,  but  the  China  business  is  not  yet  definitively 
decided  and  will  not  be  till  the  10th  or  12th  of  the  present  month.  I 
should  prefer  going  to  China  because  I  should  be  in  that  situation  and 
with  that  people  which  would  be  most  agreeable  to  my  feelings.  I  am  ac- 
quainted with  Mr.  Brown  and  have  great  respect  for  him.  Do  you  not 
rejoice  that  I  have  been  prospered  thus  far  in  preparing  myself  to  go  to 
the  degraded  Hindoos  or  superstitious  Chinese  ?  Does  it  not  give  you 
more  real  pleasure  than  if  I  was  worth  $100,000  living  at  my  ease  and 
yourself  in  a  wing  of  my  house  ?  I  presume  it  does  and  that  you  would 
be  the  last  person  to  shed  a  tear  of  anguish  or  feel  sorry  that  I  leave  this 
country.  Mr.  Brown  has  been  in  China  three  years  and  has  a  boarding 
school  of  31  Chinese  boys.  Of  course  I  shall  visit  you  before  I  leave  ; 
be  not  over  anxious  concerning  me.  Your  dutiful  Son, 


Mrs.  Sarah  W.  Bonney. 


<n^ 


I 


■  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  217 

Tlie  Missionary  for  Cliina. 

"  Farewell  to  tliee,  brother !  We  have  met  but  to  part, 
And  sorrow  is  struggling  with  joy  in  each  heart; — 
There  is  grief;  but  there's  hope,  all  its  anguish  to  quell ; 
The  Master  goes  with  thee.  Farewell  I  oh  farewell  1 

Farewell !  Thou  art  leaving  the  home  of  thy  youth, 
The  friends  of  thy  God,  and.  the  temples  of  truth, 
For  the  land  where  is  heard  no  sweet  Sabbath  bell ; 
Yet  the  Master  goes  with  thee.  Farewell !  oh  farewell ! 

Farewell !  For  thou  treadest  the  path  that  he  trod, 
His  God  is  thy  father ;  his  father  thy  God  : 
And  if  ever  with  doubtings  thy  bosom  shall  swell, 
Kemember,  he's  with  thee.  Farewell !  oh  farewell  \ 

Farewell !  And  God  speed  thee  glad  tidings  to  bear, 
To  the  desolate  isles  in  their  night  of  despair  : 
On  the  sea,  on  the  shore,  the  promises  tell, 
His  wings  shall  enfold  thee,  Farewell !  oh  farewell ! 

Farewell !  But  in  spirit  we  often  shall  meet, 
(Though  the  ocean  divide  us,)  at  one  mercy  seat ; 
And  above,  ne'er  to  part,  but  forever  to  dwell 
With  the  Master  in  glory.  Farewell!  oh  farewell. 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  foreio-a 
Missions,  Samuel  William  Bonney  was  appointed  a  missionary  for 
India.  But  at  this  time  there  was  a  call  for  a  teacher  in  connection  with 
the  "  Morrison  Education  Society  "  at  Hong  Kong,  China,  and  an  uro-ent 
solicitous  appeal  was  made  by  a  friend  (Rev.  J.  A.  Gary)  that  Mr.  Bonney 
would  fill  the  vacancy  for  one  year.  With  the  approbation  of  the  Pru- 
dential Committee  and  a  letter  of  instructions  from  them,  that  after  the 
stipulated  time  he  should  enter  their  service  to  labor  amono-  the  Chinese 
instead  of  the  India  field,  he  willingly  consented  to  the  desired  arrano-e- 
ments.  In  consequence  of  the  urgency  of  immediate  departure,  there 
seemed  special  reasons  that  his  ordination  should  be  deferred,  and  the  re- 
quisite minutise  for  sailing  executed.  The  dedicatory  prayer  to  the 
Master  Missionary  had  been  the  seal  of  consecration  ;  and  now  the  parting 
blessing  of  the  aged  widowed  mother  was  given,  and  with  loving  obedience 
the  Christian  workman  turned  to  face  duty,  with  intensified  desires  to 
aid  the  ignorant.  Tuesday  October  29,  1844,  Samuel  W.  Bonney  left 
America  in  the  Ship  "  Huntress,"  Captain  Lovett. 

After  a  passage  of  132  days  around  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  he  safely 
arrived  in  Hong  Kong,  March  10,  1845.  The  following  extract  from  his 
first  letter  is  the  initiatory  to  his  much  loved  mission  work  :  "  March  8 
N.  Lat.  21°,  24',  E.  Long.  119°,  45'.  This  is  the  130th  day  of  our  passage 
and  we  expect  to  arrive  at  Hong  Kong  in  two  or  three  days.  In  review- 
ing the  time  that  I  have  been  on  the  ocean,  there  is  abundant  evidence 
that  God's  providential  care  has  been  over  us  for  good.  No  life  has  been 
lost,  although  several  of  us  have  been  ill,  and  no  serious  disease  has  pre- 
vailed on  board.  Our  property  has  received  no  damage  except  the  usual 
wear  of  such  a  lengthy  voyage.  This  too  is  my  30th  birthday,  yet  I  do 
not  look,  nor  do  I  feel  as  if  thirty  years  had  passed  over  me.  My  work 
seems  as  if  only  ju«t  commencing.  If  God  spares  my  life  for  thirty  years 
to  come,  and  opens  the  way  for  me  to  labor  for  the  religious  instruc- 

II]  28 


218  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

tion  of  the  Chinese,  I  hope  that  I  shall  be  ■willing  to  do  it  with  un- 
wavering steadfastness.  Pray  for  me  dear  Mother,  that  no  trivial  cause 
may  turn  me  from  the  labor  which  I  have  commenced,  and  that  I  may  be 
well  qualified  for  it  by  knowledge  and  heavenly  wisdom  to  its  practical 
development  in  life's  true  duties. 

Morrison  Hill,  Hongkong  March  24,  1845. 

The  "  Huntress"  anchored  in  Horyij  Kong  Harbor  on  the  10th,  at  noon, 
Rev.  Dr.  Bridgman  came  aboard  within  an  hour,  and  soon  after  Rev.  S. 
R.  Brown  ;  we  were  truly  glad  to  see  them  not  only  as  countrymen,  but 
as  Christians  because  we  are  kindred  spirits  engaged  in  the  same  service 
and  glorious  warfare  for  Jesus.  Dr.  Bridgman  invited  me  to  go  ashore 
with  him,  which  I  did  and  remained  at  his  house  over,  night.  The  next 
day  I  removed  my  luggage  from  the  ship  to  the  school  building  on 
Morrison  hill,  two  miles  from  the  town  of  Victoria.  The  "  Morrison 
School "  has  a  very  pleasant  and  healthy  location  overlooking  the  town 
and  the  spacious  harbor  of  Hongkong,  I  have  commenced  teaching 
seventeen  Chinese  boys  and  learning  the  language  in  earnest.  Last  even- 
ing I  heard  Rev.  Dr.  Bridgman  preach ;  he  illustrates  in  his  daily  life  the 
beauty  and  power  of  what  he  teaches.  We  have  religious  exercises  at  the 
school  on  Sabbath  P.  M.,  because  it  is  too  far  to  town  for  the  boys  to  attend 
public  worship.  These  boys  are  from  nine  to  sixteen  years  of  age,  some 
of  them  are  very  intelligent,  desirous  of  learning,  and  have  as  quick  un- 
derstandings as  American  pupils  of  about  similar  ages,  and  do  well.  Rev. 
Dr.  Andrew  Happer,  who  arrived  at  Hongkong  a  week  before  I  sailed 
from  New  York,  has  been  assisting  Mr.  Brown,  and  is  now  about  to  open 
a  school  at  Macao,  he  has  been  promised  eighteen  boys.  Rev.  W.  A. 
Macy  of  New  Haven,  is  coming  to  China  next  fall  and  then  I  shall  at 
once  enter  the  service  of  the  American  Board.  Dr.  Bridgman  is  an  ear- 
nest, instructive  and  excellent  man. 

"  Married  —  in  the  Colonial  Chapel,  on  the  28th  of  June,  1845,  by  the 
Rev.  Vincent  John  Stanton,  chaplain  of  Hongkong,  the  Rev.  Elijah 
Coleman  Bridgman,  D.D.,  to  Miss  P]liza  Jane  Gillett.  The  mar- 
riage took  place  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assembly  of  native  and  foreign 
friends."  On  July  2nd  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bridgman  went  to  Canton,  as  the 
welcome  guests  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Parker  with  whom  they  remained 
till  their  own  house  was  completed.  "  Mrs.  Parker  was  the  first  American 
lady  who  took  up  her  residence  at  Canton  in  November  1842.  Dr.  Parker 
had  been  on  a  visit  to  America  and  returned  married  ;  he  was  ever  dis- 
tinguished by  a  warm  and  tender  spirit  of  benevolence  to  the  cause  where- 
with he  had  bound  up  his  earnest  life."  Hongkong  means  in  English  "  the 
island  of  fragrant  streams"  but  what  a  misnomer  !  It  is  a  superb  pile  of 
granite  hills  and  mountains,  with  only  here  and  there  a  small  brook. 
There  is  granite  enough  here  for  building  purposes  as  long  as  the  world 
stands.  But  if  Hongkong  will  send  forth  "  fragrant  streams"  of  know- 
ledge and  truth,  it  has  been  correctly  named.  The  Morrison  School  is  a 
little  spring  from  which  I  earnestly  hope  streams  will  flow  for  many  years 
to  come  into  the  farthest  province  of  the  empire. 

May  31st,  1846,  Rev.  James  Gr.  Bridgman,  a  cousin  of  the  Dr.'s,  was 
ordained  by  "Rev.  Walter  H.  Medhurst,  I).  D.  Rev.  E.  C  Bridgman, 
D.D.,  and  the  evangelist  Leang-Afah.  It  was  the  first  ordination  of  a 
Protestant  minister  of  Christ  in  China.  The  missionaries  of  Canton 
were  generally  present,  and  the  services  were  peculiarly  solemn  and  im 
pressive." 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  219 


S.  W.  Bonney  to  Ms  Mother. 
My  Dear  Mother,  Canton,  July  29,  1846. 

Last  Saturday  Rev.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bridgman,  Rev.  W.  J.  Pohlman, 
myself  and  my  Chinese  teacher,  wishing  "  to  secure  a  little  relaxation  to 
ourselves,  while  we  might  at  the  same  time  distribute  books  and  converse 
with  the  people,"  hired  a  strongly  built  covered  Chinese  Hong-boat,  to 
take  a  ride.  We  had  six  men  to  row  and  one  to  steer :  We  went  down 
the  river  from  Canton  about  three  miles  and  then  turned  into  a  creek  on 
the  South  side.  On  one  side  of  this  creek,  rice  was  growing  in  the  water 
which  was  a  foot  deep.  On  the  other  side,  the  farmers  were  reaping  and 
thrashing  the  rice.  There  were  also  plantain  trees  and  fish  ponds. 
Up  this  creek  we  rowed  about  half  a  mile  and  then  landed  near  a  stone 
bridge,  to  have  some  exercise  by  walking.  We  went  up  a  hill  and  into 
the  fields  about  half  a  mile,  till  we  came  to  a  splendid  large  semi-circle 
stone  tomb,  "  shaped  like  a  huge  horse-shoe  or  Greek  Omega."  The 
stone  was  granite,  and  must  have  cost  several  hundred  dollars;  it  was 
the  handsomest  Chinese  tomb  that  I  ever  saw.  The  floor  was  so  large 
that  it  was  used  for  thrashing  out  the  rice.  When  returning  to  the 
boat,  we  stopt  at  a  small  hamlet  to  rest,  the  native  woman  was  very  kind 
giving  us  tea  and  cake ;  she  was  much  pleased  with  Mrs.  Bridgman,  who 
conversed  with  her  in  Chinese.  We  gave  to  the  people  presents  of  tracts 
and  portions  of  the  Scriptures.  After  rowing  up  the  creek  about  half  a 
mile  further  we  came  to  a  large  village.  Some  boys  on  perceiving  us, 
began  to  bawl  out  in  a  loud  voice  "/a^i  qioi"  "  foreign  devils,"  other  boys 
hearing  them,  ran  out  to  see  us,  then  some  men,  then  some  women,  until 
finally  both  sides  of  the  creek  were  crowded  with  human  beings.  After 
awhile,  some  wicked,  rude  boys  threw  several  small  stones  at  our  boat. 
This  encouraged  others  to  do  the  same  thing,  and  very  soon  twelve  or 
twenty  with  menacing  language,  were  throwing  stones  at  our  vessel.  The 
oarsmen  told  them  to  stop,  but  this  only  incensed  them  to  fury  and  they 
cast  larger  ones.  We  were  then  obliged  to  go  into  our  small  cabin  of  six 
feet  square,  shut  the  Venetian  blinds  and  the  doors,  to  keep  away  from  the 
stones  and  dirt.  Some  men  now  took  up  stones  weighing  several  pounds, 
which  came  with  hard  thumps  against  the  Venetian  blinds  and  sides  of 
the  boat. 

The  crowd  were  all  the  time  with  savage  yells  hallooing  "  fan  qwi," 
"  ta  fan  qwi,"  "  shat  fan  qwi,"  (foreign  devils,  beat  or  kill  the  foreign 
devils.)  We  all  fully  realized  our  perilous  situation  and  began  to  fear 
for  our  personal  safety,  for  the  creek  was  not  wider  than  a  canal.  There 
were  at  least  200  or  300  in  the  turbulent  crowd  ;  dashing  stones  and  large 
lumps  of  clay  seemed  the  forte  of  their  leaders,  and  these  missiles  were 
constantly  striking  the  boat  and  oarsmen.  Two  of  the  Venetians  were 
broken  and  we  held  up  boards  to  keep  off  the  dangerous  implements. 
Then  two  of  the  oarsmen,  with  heavy  groans,  came  running  into  the  cabin 
badly  hurt,  one  in  the  forehead,  the  other  on  his  hip.  Two  men  swam 
away  from  the  boat,  leaving  only  three  men  to  push  the  vessel  along. 
We  feared  they  also  would  leave  the  boat  and  then  we  would  be  left  to 
the  tender  mercies  of  a  furious  heathen  mob,  and  certainly  it  was  far  from 
being  a  pleasant  thought.  Rev.  Dr.  Bridgman  with  noble  courage  went 
outside  to  try  and  pacify  them  but  it  was  a  useless  exposure  of  a  valuable 
life,  for  they  were  very  violent|in  their  gestures,  rolling  up  their  sleeves 
and  shouting  they  would  kill  us.     There  was  a  high  stone  bridge  just 


220  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

before  us,  under  which  we  must  pass.  It  was  indeed  a  trying  moment, 
and  our  hearts  were  raised  in  earnest  prayer  to  the  great  Helper  as  we 
saw  the  men  running  up  to  this  bridge  with  stones  in  their  hands,  and 
knew  that  we  should  be  in  great  danger  under  the  bridge.  Just  as  the 
bow  of  our  boat  reached  the  structure,  down  came  a  torrent  of  stones, 
large  and  small,  with  bricks  and  clay.     Would  God  forsake  us  ! 

The  largest  stone  fell  on  the  bow,  broke  the  deck  and  a  beam,  but  did 
not  go  through  to  the  bottom  of  the  boat.  The  two  Chinese  oarsmen  were 
very  brave  and  kept  pushing  the  vessel  till  we  had  passed  the  bridge.  The 
"  Hearer  of  Prayer"  was  there,  and  we  were  mercifully  preserved  from 
being  hurt  by  any  of  the  stones,  or  bricks  and  when  once  past  the  bridge 
felt  very  safe,  for  there  was  no  bank  on  which  the  people  could  walk. 
Before  we  reached  the  bridge,  some  men  swam  to  the  vessel  and  stole  three 
of  our  oars,  wishing  to  stop  us  in  the  canal,  rob  and  most  probably  murder 
us.  The  largest  stone  we  brought  home  as  an  evidence  of  the  cruelty  of 
the  people.  It  was  a  granite  stone  2  feet  long,  10  inches  wide  and  5  inches 
thick,  weighing  98  pounds.  Mrs.  Bridgman's  white  dress  was  covered 
with  blood  which  ran  from  the  forehead  of  the  oarsman  who  was  hurt,  while 
she  was  trying  to  stop  it  bleeding.  A  stone  hit  him  in  the  forehead  just 
above  the  nose  and  cut  the  flesh  so  badly  that  the  bone  was  seen.  We  ar- 
rived home  without  the  loss  of  our  lives,  but  with  a  very  narrow  escape. 
The  bravery  of  the  boatmen  and  the  unseen  hand  of  God  gave  us  deliver- 
ance. We  all  felt  very  thankful  that  we  came  home  alive.  [The  Missionary 
Herald  says  :  "  The  motive  that  actuated  our  missionary  friends  in  going, 
was  to  secure  a  little  relaxation  for  themselves,  while  they  might  at  the 
same  time  distribute  books  and  converse  with  the  people.  They  engaged 
a  hong  boat,  rowed  by  sis  men  and  steered  by  a  seventh.  Boats  of  this 
description  are  commonly  used  by  foreigners.  They  are  strongly  built, 
and  in  them  is  a  cabin,  which  is  covered  on  the  top,  with  Venetian  blinds 
on  each  side.  After  our  friends  had  proceeded  down  the  river  in  an  east- 
erly direction,  they  went  on  board  a  large  junk.  This  had  been  struck 
by  lightning  some  time  previously,  and  its  owners  were  now  making  sacrificial 
ofi"erings  on  account  of  its  preservation.  A  few  words  were  addressed  to 
the  principal  persons,  and  books  were  put  into  their  hands  for  themselves 
and  their  friends.  Such  visits  are  found  in  most  cases,  to  be  very  accep- 
table to  the  Chinese.  After  leaving  the  junk,  the  party  went  down  the 
river  three  or  four  miles  till  they  came  to  a  salt  depot.  At  that  point, 
turning  south,  they  entered  a  small  stream,  by  which  they  proposed  to 
return  home,  following  its  course  through  Honan,  as  it  runs  nearly  paral- 
lel to  the  river,  and  enters  its  south  eastern-branch  above  the  factories. 
This  stream  is  probably  less  then  three  miles  long ;  and  being  suflBciently 
broad  and  deep  for  common  sized  boats,  it  is  a  great  thoroughfare."  Rev. 
Dr.  Bridgman  wrote  an  account  of  the  trip  to  the  Herald  and  says  :  "  That 
we  escaped  with  our  lives,  unharmed,  was  owing,  not  to  any  foresight  or 
effort  on  our  part;  not  to  any  lack  of  evil  disposition  or  power  on  the  part 
of  our  assailants,  but  wholly  to  the  merciful  providence  of  Him,  who  can 
say  to  the  angry  multitudes,  as  to  the  raging  waters  of  the  sea,  '  Thus  far 
shalt  thou  come,  and  here  shall  thy  fury  be  stayed."] 

The  Chinese  in  and  near  Canton  hate  foreigners  with  a  bitter  hatred. 
We  had  said  or  done  nothing  to  provoke  the  assault.  The  people,  as  they 
declared,  were  seeking  revenge,  and  were  entirely  ignorant  of  our  char- 
acter, beyond  the  one  fact,  that  we  were  foreigners.  The  furious  mob 
had  called  out  "  the  foreign  devils  have  killed  our  people,  and  we  will 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  221 

kill  you,  and  avenge  our  wrongs.  No  matter  who  you  are  ;  the  blood  of 
our  Chinese  shall  be  avenged."  This  probably  had  reference  to  "  a  riot 
which  had  transpired  a  short  time  previous  in  Canton,  when  nothing  was 
to  be  heard  from  the  incensed  mob  but  '  Shat  fan  qwi ; '  '  ta  fan  qwi.' 
'Kill  the  foreign  devils  ; '  '  beat  the  foreign  devils.'  The  rioters  at  that 
time  made  every  possible  effort  to  set  the  foreign  factories  on  fire,  but  the 
Chinese  authorities  came  at  length  and  dispersed  the  mob.  This  disturbance 
was  caused  by  an  English  gentleman  pushing  one  of  the  idlers  aside  who 
blocked  the  way." 

Canton  Dec.  29,  1846.  The  "  Huntress"  has  arrived  at  Whampoa  with 
Rev.  S.  E..  Brown  and  family  on  board  expecting  to  sail  in  a  few  days  for 
America.  Mrs.  Brown  is  very  unwell  and  I  hope  the  journey  will  do  her 
good.  In  looking  at  a  list  of  the  missionaries  to  China  since  Rev.  Dr. 
R^obert  Morris  came  in  1807,  I  find  that  they  number  83  persons  :  of 
whom  35  have  retired  or  died,  leaving  48  now  in  the  field.  This  does  not 
include  the  ladies.  Twice  this  number  should  be  on  mission  ground  and 
would  find  ample  room  to  exert  their  benevolence,  and  fill  up  the  places 
of  those  who  are  so  frequently  called  to  lay  their  armor  down.  I  asked 
my  teacher  at  ftimily  worship  to  lead  in  prayer  and  he  did  so,  reading  a 
prayer  which  he  had  written  this  evening  in  Chinese.  His  heart  seems 
to  be  affected  with  the  power  of  the  truth  and  inclined  to  obey  it.  Yet 
I  am  afraid  he  lingers  on  his  own  self-righteousness  with  the  "  hope  de- 
ferred" to  another  time. 

Jany.  1,  1847.  Another  happy  new  year  to  you  my  dear  Mother. 
May  it  be  your  happiness  to  enjoy  health,  a  sound  mind,  friendly  neigh- 
bors, communion  with  your  Saviour,  joy  in  God  and  see  his  kingdom 
extending  rapidly.  May  all  your  necessities  be  supplied  and  your  child- 
ren not  remiss  in  filial  duties,  for  you  are  always  looking  forward  hopefully 
to  the  achievement  of  some  coveted  pleasure  for  their  best  good  in  Christ- 
ian holiness.  To  day  I  have  dined  at  Dr.  Bridgman's  where  thirteen  per- 
sons sat  down  to  the  table,  all  members  of  the  mission  families  but  one. 
We  had  a  very  pleasant  and  merry  evening.  It  was  innocent  mirth,  where 
"  the  feast  of  reason  and  flow  of  soul  "  were  certainly  present.  I  left  at 
nine  o'clock  and  walked  home,  my  coolie  carrying  a  light.  On  the  6th 
the  Presbyterian  mission  was  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of  Revs.  Messrs. 
French  and  Speer  with  Revs.  Messrs.  Mattoon  and  House  for  Siam. 

In  the  ferry  boat  this  morning  I  met  a  well  dressed  school  teacher, 
whose  left  hand  had  three  remarkably  long  finger  nails,  which  were  evi- 
dence of  his  gentility  as  not  being  obliged  to  engage  in  manual  labor.  I 
took  the  measure  of  this  eagle  claw  —  he  said  it  was  six  or  seven  years 
growing  to  that  length  —  of  fully  five  inches,  it  was  protected  with  a  silver 
shield.  I  have  been  teaching  some  little  boys  and  a  retired  Boodhist 
priest  to  day  to  sing  "  Old  Hundred,  Balerma,  Wilmot  and  Laban."  The 
boys  having  pliable  voices,  did  pretty  well  as  they  could  regulate  the  tone, 
but  that  of  the  old  priest  was  more  unmanageable  ;  we  trust  however  the 
great  lesson  is  inaugurated  by  these  rudimental  efforts,  of  Praises  to  Jesus. 
At  dinner  I  asked  the  priest  to  read  a  blessing  in  Chinese  which  I  have 
generally  read  myself,  and  he  did  so.  I  am  obliged  to  read  as  yet,  what- 
ever prayers  I  make  in  Chinese,  because  I  cannot  speak  correctly  ex- 
tempore. I  presume  it  was  the  first  time  that  the  priest  asked  a  blessing 
for  Christ's  sake  at  his  meals  in  that  Boodhist  Temple  or  "  Joss-house  " 
which  is  my  present  residence.  To  day  I  dined  at  my  room  in  this  grand 
temple  with  three  Chinamen,  and  happier  tenants  for  the  time  being  you 


222  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

would  not  desire  to  see.  We  had  a  small  square  table,  one  of  us  on  eaeli 
side.  One  of  these  Chinese  guests  has  been  a  priest  and  abbot  of  the 
temple  ;  the  other  two  were  Dr.  Bridgman's  and  my  own  teacher.  We 
used  chop-sticks  and  ate  rice,  greens,  pork  and  beef,  finishing  with  a  drink 
of  tea.  Asa  minor  achievement  whereby  to  conciliate  my  Chinese  neighbors 
I  intend  to  dress  and  eat  in  Chinese  style.  I  have  some  fear  that  the 
"  baser  sort "  may  consider  it  grand  sport  if  they  can  only  trouble  me  ; 
but  if  I  follow  the  guidance  of  God's  Word  the  ever-present  unseen  hand 
will  restrain  evil  men  and  turn  their  hearts. 

I  have  just  finished  my  simple  breakfast,  using  chopsticks,  [chopsticks 
are  small  pieces  of  bamboo,  six  or  eight  inches  long,  and  as  large  as  a 
penholder,  usually  square,  painted  or  unpainted,  used  in  eating  instead  of 
knives  and  forks.  Sometimes  they  are  made  of  ivory  or  bone.  They  are 
held  in  the  right  hand  between  thumb  and  forefinger,]  and  am  now  stand- 
ing at  my  desk,  dressed  in  Chinese  costume  of  blue  cloth.  I  do  these 
things  to  gain  the  Chinamen  and  get  opportunity  to  communicate  truth  to 
their  minds,  and  knowledge  of  their  best  friend  and  only  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.  There  is  nothing  indecent  in  the  Chinese  dress,  although  a  little 
inconvenient  to  a  person  unaccustomed  to  it.  The  long  cue  [braided 
tress  of  long  hair,  fastened  to  the  crown  of  the  head,  and  dangling  down 
the  back,]  and  shorn  head  of  course  /  do  not  adopt,  though  my  hair  is  cut 
short  and  I  wear  the  small  scull  cap.  The.se  are  comparatively  unim- 
portant items,  for  all  "  the  fashions  of  this  world  pass  away  "  but  these 
souls  and  the  word  of  Christ  abide  forever.  Jehovah-Tsidkenu,  Jehovah, 
my  righteousness.  Revds.  Messrs.  Peet  and  H.  A.  Brown  will  dine  with 
me  this  afternoon.  I  have  only  one  fork  and  one  knife  for  them  but 
plenty  of  the  nimble  fingers,  which  no  doubt  they  will  handle  dextrously 
if  they  relish  my  viands  Among  which  will  not  be  found  the  costly  and 
exquisite  bird  nest,  the  best  of  which  are  procured  from  the  high  and 
almost  inaccessible  rocks  near  Java;  these  furnish  the  dissolving  jelly 
which  is  so  voluptuous  a  rarity  to  epicures.  They  are  costly  because .  of 
the  peril  to  life,  and  are  secured  as  soon  as  the  sea  bird  has  completed  her 
work,  before  she  has  occupied  her  gelatin  home.  They  are  a  very  rare 
delicacy  !  On  the  top  of  the  house  in  which  I  live  there  is  a  board  walk 
over  the  ridgepole,  and  the  walk  is  covered  with  a  roof  of  cocoanut  leaves. 
I  went  up  before  breakfast  this  morning  to  walk  ;  a  Chinese  boy  came 
out  on  the  roof  of  the  adjoining  house  and  called  me,  in  a  loud  voice /r/«. 
qwi  lo  (foreign  devil).  I  told  him  he  should  pot  call  me  a  devil,  for  I  was 
a  man  having  head,  hands,  and  feet  which  devils  have  not.  "  Hi-yah,  he 
speaks  Chinese,"  said  the  boy,  much  surprised,  and  showed  a  wish  to  talk 
with  me.  I  did  so,  asking  his  name,  where  he  lived  and  where  he  went 
to  school.  He  asked  if  I  could  write  (Chinese  letters.  I  told  him  I  could, 
and  taking  paper  and  pencil,  I  wrote  the  verse  of  Luke  3,  16,  and  gave 
it  to  him.  He  was  much  pleased  with  it.  I  gave  him  also  copies  of 
Matthew  for  his  friends.  About  five  minutes  afterwards  the  lad  came 
back  on  the  roof  with  a  bowl  of  boiled  rice  and  a  small  cake  for  me,  this 
he  offered  me  with  much  apparent  pleasure. 

I  relate  this  little  circumstance  simply  that  you  may  see  how  a  slight 
kindness  and  condescension  will  change  the  bad  feelings  of  a  person.  He 
began  by  calling  me  a  foreign  devil,  and  ended  by  making  me  a  little 
present  of  such  as  he  was  able  to  give,  it  was  creditable.  I  had  the  plea- 
sure of  pulling  out  of  the  water  yesterday  an  old  Chinaman  eighty-two 
years  of  age.     We  had  crossed  in  the  open  ferry-boat  together  and  I  stept 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  223 

ashore  first.  He  came  after  me  and  missed  his  step  as  he  came  ashore 
and  went  up  to  his  waist  in  the  water,  holding  on  to  the  wharf  with  both 
hands  kept  him  from  sinking.  I  turned  round  and  taking  him  by  the 
arms,  with  the  help  of  a  Chinaman  drew  him  up.  Poor  mau  !  he  was 
dripping  wet,  but  not  hurt  or  bruised.  I  was  truly  glad  of  the  opportunity 
to  show  a  kindness  as  an  evidence  to  him  that  all  foreigners  are  not  de- 
mons. They  returned  thanks  by  calling  me  then  "  a  good  demon."  The 
missionaries  are  reputed  to  be  such.  To  day  I  was  passing  a  place  where 
there  were  collected  a  large  number  of  idle,  ill-disposed  fellows  and  heard 
a  man  give  me  a  new  name,  which  means /orciyn  dog  !  I  passed  along 
without  turning  my  head  or  noticing  it,  as  I  could  not  handle  weapons  of 
that  sort.  Necessity  is  laid  upon  me  to  help  my  fellows  who  have  fallen 
into  Satan's  snare,  and  God  being  my  helper,  I  will  do  it.  I  am  enjoying 
sound  health  and  now  weigh  just  135  pounds.  The  crown  of  my  head  has  a 
thinner  covering  of  hair  than  it  had  ten  years  since  for  the  reason  that 
study  and  a  warm  climate  have  operated  upon  it.  I  am  pretty  strong  in 
the  arm,  so  that  I  can  take  hold  of  a  horizontal  timber  raised  15  inches 
above  my  head,  then  by  mere  strength  of  arm  raise  my  chin  to  it  five 
times  without  touching  my  feet  to  the  ground.  Mr.  Loomis  our  giant  of 
a  Seaman's  Chaplain  cannot  do  it.  He  is  6ft.  3  inches  but  strength  of 
arm  is  not  proportioned  to  his  height  and  size  of  body  ;  this  very  tall  man 
weighs  196  pounds.  I  have  also  a  good  share  of  strength  of  legs  as  to 
walking  and  running,  for  as  to  jumping  I  am  but  a  very  poor  hand.  My 
running  qualifications  were  pretty  fairly  tested  when  I  ran  from  a  murder- 
ous-looking thief  who  attacked  and  closely  chased  me  north  of  Canton  City 
one  day  while  out  for  an  early  morning  walk.  It  was  not  cowardice  but 
discretion  that  induced  me  to  quicken  my  speed  at  that  time  till  it  acquired 
an  almost  incredible  velocity.  I  am  not  deficient  in  courage  but  —  "  dis- 
cretion is  the  better  part  of  valor,"  so  I  preferred  the  very  highest  degree 
of  bravery  by  taking  to  my  heels.  I  disdained  to  contend  with  such  a 
villain,  and  the  grass  did  not  grow  under  my  feet  on  that  notable  occasion. 
The  arm  was  not  paralyzed,  but  it  is  wise  to  aim  at  a  higher  scale  of  pur- 
pose than  to  encounter  even  one  of  the  black  crew  no  matter  what  degree 
of  nerve  and  stout-heartedness  you  may  possess.  The  value  of  forbearance 
and  kindness  would  never  be  appreciated  by  the  vile  one,  no  tampering, 
"  your  life  or  money"  is  his  demand  ! 

"  The  Rev.  Walter  M.  Lowrie  on  the  19th  of  August,  1847,  was 
murdered  by  pirates  ofi"  Chapii.  He  was  one  of  the  missionaries  appointed 
to  meet  at  Shanghai  for  the  revision  of  the  Chinese  version  of  the  New 
Testament,  together  with  Rev.  Dr.  Medhurst,  Bishop  Boone,  Rev.  J. 
Stronach,  of  Amoy  and  Rev.  Dr.  Bridgman,  of  Canton,  as  Delegates. 
Plaving  occasion  to  return  to  his  station  at  Ningpo,  for  a  season,  he  sailed 
in  one  of  the  native  passage  boats.  When  the  boat  had  proceeded  some 
eight  miles,  they  perceived  a  piratical  craft  bearing  down  on  them.  As 
it  approached,  Mr.  Lowrie  took  a  small  American  flag  in  his  hand  and 
went  on  the  bow  of  the  boat.  The  pirates  —  twenty  or  more  with  gingals, 
matchlocks,  spears  and  swords — soon  clearly  manifested  their  intentions 
by  firing  u.pon  the  boat,  and  when  alongside  boarding  it.  Some  words  of 
comfort  addressd  by  Mr.  Lowrie  to  a  passenger  who  had  been  robbed  and 
beaten,  excited  the  pirates'  suspicions,  and  fearing  if  they  spared  the 
foreigner,  he  might  hereafter  appear  against  them,  these  men  with  the 
hearts  of  ferocious  beasts  of  prey  dragged  him  to  the  bow  of  the  boat, 
two  of  the  rufiians  attempted  to  throw  him  overboard,  but  not  being  able 


224  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

to  accomplish  it,  a  third  joined  in  the  murderous  work.  His  presence  of 
mind  still  remained,  and  from  the  high  waves  he  threw  back  his  Bible,  a 
precious  relic  sent  to  his  parents.  With  long  pikes  in  their  hands  the 
pirates  prevented  his  returning  to  the  boat,  but  his  Chinese  servant 
secured  the  cherished  Bible,  it  was  as  a  message  from  the  sea  to  his  afflicted 
relatives,  Mr.  Lowrie  had  freed  his  feet  from  the  incumbratjce  of  shoes, 
but  after  struggling  with  the  fierce  billows  he  soon  sank  to  rise  no  more." 

I  received  an  invitation  yesterday  to  visit  my  august  landlord  this  P. 
M.  The  note  reads  thus :  "  On  Hing's  compliment  to  Bonney  the 
teacher.  On  the  tenth  day  of  spring  the  teacups  will  await  your  bright- 
ness." This  is  the  usual  style  —  very  flattering  indeed.  I  shall  try  to 
reflect  the  "  brightness  "  of  Jesus." 

In  several  of  your  letters  lately  you  refer  to  the  time  when  I  may  possi- 
bly return  to  the  United  States  "  five  years  "  seven  years.  "  I  say  now 
dear  Mother,  that  such  a  step  is  very  far  from  my  thoughts  at  present. 
I  have  but  just  arrived,  and  it  does  not  become  me  to  talk  of  going  home 
so  soon.  I  adopted  China  as  my  home.  And  whilst  I  eajoy  health  and 
strength  to  labor  as  missionary  with  all  my  best  energies,  and  abilities 
being  I  trust  developed  to  that  end — may  God  give  me  a  heart  to /ee^ 
at  Jiome  here,  without  a  single  longing  wish  to  visit  my  native  land.  I 
love  my  relatives  and  friends  and  am  not  destitute  of  natural  aifection  ;  but  I 
am  needed  as  a  teacher  of  the  blessed  Gospel  in  China  and  must  stay  to 
work  in  our  Master's  cause. 

Canton  Oct.  7,  1847.  Yesterday  morning  in  company  with  five  gentle- 
men, I  walked  around  the  city  of  Canton,  about  six  miles,  outside  of  the 
walls.  We  started  from  the  Factories  at  6  o'clock  and  returned  at  9  o'clock 
including  several  stoppages  on  the  way.  In  the  suburbs  many  a  shop  keeper 
was  placing  three  lighted  incense  sticks,  made  from  the  fragrant  sandal- 
wood, in  the  urn  of  the  family  god  atone  side  of  the  threshold  of  the  door. 
We  were  not  molested  —  not  even  pelted  as  usual  with  mud  and  pebbles 
but  gratified  both  the  people  and  ourselves  by  the  sight  of,  and  converse 
with  each  other.  The  five  storied  square  red  pagoda  crowns  the  north 
wall  and  from  the  table  land  of  the  hills  on  the  northern  side  there  is  a 
fine  view  of  the  city  and  river  dotted  with  numberless  junks  and  boats. 
The  wells  are  located  here,  from  which  is  brought  the  fresh  water  to  sup- 
ply the  citizens.  Men  are  constantly  drawing  and  conveying  it  away  in 
pails  ;  each  coolie  carrying  two  pails  filled  with  cool  pure  water,  with  a 
large  leaf  floating  on  the  surface.  On  the  south  side  of  the  city  is  the 
Execution  ground.  Criminals  are  not  hung,  but  beheaded.  They  kneel 
with  their  heads  bowed  to  the  north,  and  the  executioner  with  a  single 
stroke  of  a  heavy  sword  or  knife  severs  the  head  from  the  body.  Frequently 
so  many  wretched  victims  are  to  be  mowed  down  that  the  assistance  of  two 
or  more  persons  is  necessary  to^harpen  still  more  the  keen  edge.  Sometimes 
the  condemned  are  ''hacked  to  pieces"  to  the  great  amusement  of  the  specta- 
tors. [Death  in  China  is  awarded  as  the  punishment  for  the  most  trivial  offen- 
ses, while  at  the  same  time  the  Chinese  are  almost  indifferent  to  the  great 
change.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  they  will  sell  their  lives  in  order  that  the 
may  purchase  the  superior  advantage  of  obsequies.  A  wealthy  man  con- 
demned to  death  will  arrange  with  the  jailor  to  buy  him  a  substitute  for  a  cer- 
tain sum  of  money,  to  be  spent  upon  the  poor  wretch's  interment  and 
support  of  parents,  that,  is,  a  part  is  given  them  in  compensation  for 
their  son's  life.]  There  were  a  dozen  or  more  robbers  executed  here  a  few 
days  since;  we  saw  the  blood  and  skulls  in  this  horrible  spot,  [where 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  225 

hundreds  have  been  butchered  per  diem  during  weeks  together,]  One 
noticeable  feature  of  the  ground  is,  its  being  literally  a  Potter's  field. 
When  there  are  no  executions,  the  yard  is  used  daily  for  drying  pottery 
in  the  sun. 

It  is  now  safer  to  walk  around  the  city  than  six  months  ago  when  the 
popular  feeling  was  bitter  against  all  foreigners.  When  nearly  home  we 
passed  a  procession  of  one  hundred  or  more  Chinese  boys,  all  but  four 
dressed  in  long  blue  gowns,  this  interested  me  more  than  any  other  of  the 
many  sights";  and  as  I  wish  to  seize  all  "  the  salient  features  of  Oriental 
life  for  your  benefit,  I  relate  what  passes  under  my  own  observation  of  the 
customs  or  manners  of  the  Celestials,  as  also  their  prominent  foibles. 
Every  thing  that  tends  to  illustrate  the  character  of  the  people  among 
whom  I  dwell  will  interest  you.  The  three  grea;t  evils  of  Paganism,  (un- 
der three  different  forms,  viz.  the  Confucian,  Boodbist,  and  Taou  sects) 
Popery  and  the  vile  opium  smoking,  seem  to  be  insurmountable  obstacles 
to  the  evangelization  of  China  ;  but  there  are  encouragements  to  hope  and 
labor  for  their  gradual  abolition.  The  Boodbist  and  Taou  sects  are  very 
degraded  and  superstitious ;  they  are  firm  upholders  in  the  transmigration 
of  souls,  which  often  makes  me  wonder  at  their  extreme  cruelty  to  dumb 
animals.  They  cannot  at  all  comprehend  why  foreigners  have  such  a 
sacred  regard  for  human  life,  and  why  a  sum  of  money  will  not  com- 
pensate even  for  the  massacre  of  Europeans,  when  there  surely  "  must  be 
plenty  more  at  home." 

"  On  the  5th  of  December  1847,  a  party  of  six  young  Englishmen  left 
Canton  for  a  pleasure  excursion  on  the  Sabbath  Day.  They  crossed  the 
river  in  a  boat  and  landed  on  the  opposite  side  for  an  enjoyable  walk. 
They  had  not  proceeded  but  a  short  distance  on  their  way  along  the  nar- 
row path  of  a  paddy-field,  when  one  of  the  gentlemen  pushed  against  a 
Chinaman  carrying  a  load  which  was  upset.  The  alarm  was  sounded, 
and  they  were  soon  surrounded  by  a  crowd  of  Chinese  armed  with  divers 
deadly  weapons,  who  attacked  the  unfortunate  young  men  with  great  vio- 
lence, instantly  killing  two  of  their  number.  The  other  four  fled,  and 
were  quickly  pursued  through  the  village,  near  by,  of  Wong-choh-kee  six 
miles  beyond  the  city  of  Canton.  The  anxious  boatmen,  after  waiting  till 
night  fall  were  warned  to  pull  off.  Night  came  on,  and  these  gentlemen 
not  returning,  great  solicitude  was  felt  on  their  account.  The  minds  of 
the  entire  foreign  community  were  filled  with  great  alarm  and  anxiety. 

"  The  boatmen  did  not  reach  Canton  till  the  next  day,  the  tide  was  against 
them  and  they  had  pulled  up  the  river;  one  of  them  having  preceded  the 
others  in  a  small  boat,  which  he  paddled  himself  to  Canton,  and  reported, 
they  were  obliged  to  leave  upon  being  pelted  with  stones  which  broke  the 
Venetian  blinds  of  the  hong  boat.  The  morning  had  come,  but  the  six 
gentlemen  were  still  absent  from  their  several  places  of  business  and  their 
friends  went  in  pursuit.  The  unsuccessful  search  was  continued  three 
days,  when  one  body,  which  had  been  thrown  into  the  river,  was  found 
and  brought  to  the  British  Consulate.  This  led  to  the  discovery  of  the 
others  which  were  all  recognized  and  the  sad  truth  was  at  length  ascer- 
tained that  all  had  been  murdered  and  harrowing  accounts  were  given  as 
to  the  appearance  the  bodies  presented.  The  four  who  had  tried  to  escape, 
were  pursued,  secured  and  imprisoned  until  the  7th  inst,  and  then  babar- 
ously  murdered.  It  was  evident  from  the  marks  upon  their  bodies  that 
they  were  dreadfully  tortured.    One  young  man  offered  §10,000  for  his  life . 

II]  29 


226  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Their  lifeless,  mangled  corpses  were  taken  from  the  river,  and  one 
exhibited  forty  two  wounds.  One  of  them  had  a  brother  in  Canton, 
who  unable  to  bear  his  dreadful  anxiety  proceeded  to  the  place  accom- 
panied by  a  friend  who  remained  in  a  boat,  whilst  Mr.  Kutter  went 
unprotected  in  pursuit  of  the  absent  one,  passing  unmolested  over 
the  same  ground,  where  the  unhappy  victims  met  their  fate.  He 
passed  within  fifty  yards  of  the  place  where  his  brother  was  imprisoned. 
As  he  walked  along,  with  a  large  placard  fastened  on  his  back, 
written  in  Chinese  stating  who  he  was  and  what  brought  him  there, 
begging  for  some  information  regarding  his 'brother,  the  Chinese  who 
respect  such  devotion,  pretended  sympathy  in  his  distress,  but  no  one  was 
willing  or  had  the  moral  courage  to  rescue  the  truly  unhappy  Englishman 
from  his  confinement.  Mr.  llutter  encountered  no  molestation,  but  re- 
turned without  having  obtained  any  intelligence.  Subsequently  the  im- 
prisoned brother  was  brought  out  and  murdered.  The  six  bodies  were 
afterwards  properly  interred  at  Whampoa.  This  cruel  and  blood-thirsty 
instance  of  atrocity  in  the  massacre  of  the  six  gentlemen  filled  the  minds 
of  all  foreigners  with  surprise,  horror  and  alarm.  The  mangled  bodies  of 
the  victims  brought  back  successively  from  the  scene  of  slaughter  has 
made  us  fully  sensible  of  the  awful  wickedness  and  depravity  that  here 
exists." 

Decemher  Sfh,  1847.  Governor  Davis,  the  English  Chief  Magistrate, 
has  come  up  from  Hongkong  to  confer  with  the  Canton  Governor  concern- 
ing the  late  murder  of  the  six  young  Englishmen.  The  afi'air  may  lead 
to  some  more  fighting ;  a  party  of  soldiers  went  up  the  river  to  day 
measuring  the  depth  of  the  river  as  far  as  the  village  of  Wong-choh-kee 
where  the  Englishmen  were  killed.  This  was  done  to  be  ready  to  go  up 
and  attack  the  village  aijd  destroy  it.  On  the  21st  four  young  Chinese 
of  respectable  families  in  that  village  were  beheaded  by  order  of  the 
Governor  in  the  presence  of  the  English  authorities ;  the  decapitation 
took  place  on  the  level  common  before  the  Ancestral  Hall.  These  young 
men  volunteered,  to  save  the  destruction  of  the  village  and  perhaps  a  war 
between  the  Chinese  and  English.  The  parents  of  the  victims  were  pro- 
mised promotion  to  civil  offices  on  account  of  the  sacrifice.  Other  young 
men  were  willing  to  give  themselves  to  the  executioner,  but  these  four 
wei'e  taken  by  lot;  this  instance  shows  how  little  the  Chinese  value  human 
life.  The  English  Government  has  made  a  timely  deuionstratiou  of  its 
strength  which  has  awed  lawless  spirits  ever  ready  for  savage  barbarity." 

My  second  door  neighbor  has  been  —  on  this  Sabbath  day  of  rest  — 
celebrating  the  birth  of  a  son,  by  firing  oiF  powder  crackers,  music  and 
entertainment  of  his  friends,  with  a  baud  of  music,  beating  drums,  pans, 
flutes,  &c. 

Dec.  22nd.  227  years  ago  the  band  of  exiles  landed  on  Plymouth  rock, 
they  were  feeble  and  dejected  but  God  saved  them  from  extinction.  With 
this  premise  I  will  now  describe  for  your  profit  and  pleasure  the  elevea 
missionaries  here  in  Canton,  beginning  with  the  veteran  in  regard  totime| 
and  proceed  in  that  order.  1st.  I  introduce  to  you  IIev.  Elijaei  Coleman 
Bridgman,  D.D.,  "  whose  pious  ancestors  were  among  the  "  Pilgrim 
Fathers ; "  he  came  as  fellow-passenger  to  China  with  Rev.  David  Abeel 
in  1829.  You  see  he  is  a  short  man,  erect  as  an  Indian,  a  Roman  nose, 
dark  hair,  and  a  cast  of  features  that  indicate  firmness  and  decision.  You 
notice  that  he  is  courteous  in  his  manners,  slow  and  deliberate  in  conver- 
sation, "  not  a  fluent  speaker  in  Chinese,  but  a  warm  hearted  friend;", 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  227 

kind  and  attentive  to  others'  wants,  with  "  sober  and  just  views  of  mission 
work."  Here  comes  Rev.  Peter  Parker,  M.D.  Why!  what  a  large 
man  he  is,  and  stoops  a  little,  carries  a  cane  as  if  unwell  or  weak  from 
age.  He  kindly  offers  his  hand,  but  you  can  only  touch  the  two  sides  of 
it  as  it  is  the  largest  hand  in  Canton.  He  is  dressed  neatly  and  with, 
good  taste,  speaks  with  moderation  and  as  if  he  had  a  burden  of  business 
on  his  hands.  He  is  very  tender-hearted- of  others'  feelings,  but  fond  of 
and  very  skillful  in  the  use  of  the  surgeon's  knife.  In  conversation  and 
manners  he  observes  perfect  propriety  and  is  almost  faultless :  "  Suaviler 
in  modo^fortlter  in  re."  ["All  must  recognize  the  peculiar  fitness  to 
him  of  the  Roman  motto:  '  gentle  in  manner,  resolute  in  deed."]  This 
tall  gentleman  wearing  a  black  hat,  and  surtout  thrown  open,  is  Rev. 
Dyer  Ball,  M.D.,  who  sailed  from  Boston  in  1838;  was  for  a  time  at 
Singapore  working  for  the  Master  in  all  good  openings.  He  has  very 
marked  features,  all  large,  you  would  always  remember  them  after  one 
sight.  "  His  medical  services  are  of  great  assistance  in  conciliating  the 
good  will  of  the  people."  He  begins  to  converse  with  you,  speaks  rapidly 
and  is  sure  to  say  something  relating  to  China  or  the  Chinese.  Very 
likely  he  will  tell  you  the  meaning  or  pronunciation  of  some  Chinese 
word.  He  is  fond  of  his  children  and  quite  domestic  in  his  feelings.  As 
a  father  — you  observe  he  is  an  excellent  pattern  to  his  children,  educating 
them  in  the  "  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord."  He  is  very  "  laborious 
in  out-door  work  —  mingling  with  the  people  and  doing  all  the  good  he 
can  both  with  medicine  and  tracts.  But  who  is  that  healthy,  cheerful, 
round-faced  civil  gentleman  ?  It  is  Rev.  Issaohar  J.  Roberts  the 
]^aptist  missionary.  What  a  little  sharp  nose,  small  mouth  and  eyes  he 
has,  also  a  little  bald  on  the  top  of  his  head.  As  soon  as  he  speaks  a  few 
words  you  conclude  that  he  is  a  Western  man  and  so  he  is,  from  Kentucky. 
Very  careful  in  what  he  says,  and  was  never  known  to  be  guilty  of  a 
"  slip  of  the  tongue."  A  short  acquaintance  shows  that  he  is  a  warm- 
hearted Christian  and  spiritual  in  his  feelings.  Having  lived  among  the 
natives  three  years,  he  knows  Chinese  character  pretty  well.  He  is  per- 
severing, patient  and  prudent  in  his  missionary  labors.  Now  I  will  make 
you  acquainted  with  Rev.  James  Gr.  Bridgman.  Dont  be  repulsed  by 
his  dark  face,  frowning  eye-brows  and  black  bristling  hair.  Under  it  is 
concealed  a  noble  generous  heart  that  would  convert  the  whole  Empire 
of  China  at  once.  He  speaks  to  you  carefully  and  his  words  are  weighty, 
sometimes  too  heavy  and  clumsy.  He  is  a  diligent  student,  knows  a  great 
many  Chinese  characters  and  looks  as  if  his  health  was  delicate.  You  set 
him  down  for  a  New  England  man  and  such  he  is,  from  South  Amherst, 
possessed  of  vigorous  intellectual  abilities  and  ardent  devotional  habits. 
["  Rev.  James  Gr.  Bridgman  arrived  in  China  in  1844  and  died  in  1850. 
In  walking  around  the  city  of  Canton,  a  stone,  was  thrown  at  his  head, 
and  no  doubt  produced  serious  injury,  perhaps  contusion  and  in  a  fit  of 
derangement  he  destroyed  himself  by  cutting  his  throat.  He  was  a  man 
of  deep,  sterling  piety."] 

The  next  one  under  inspection,  a  little  farther  on  is  Samuel  W. 
BoNNEY  an  intimate  friend  of  mine.  I  need  not  describe  him,  as  you 
know  him  well.  I  think  he  has  not  changed  much  since  you  saw  him  last 
in  1844.  There  are  five  others  :  three  Presbyteries  and  two  Baptists, 
beside  five  married  ladies  and  Miss  Mary  Ball  whom  we  will  visit  another 
evening  as  it  is  late  now.  My  heart  was  cheered  to  day  dear  Mother, 
by  the  receipt  of  your  welcome  letters.     I  have  been  reflecting  seriously 


228  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

on  the  duty  of  children  to  parents.  However  beautiful  filial  afi'ection  may 
appear,  it  loses  all  its  beauty  when  it  is  placed  above  love  to  Christ.  I  am 
sure  you  do  not  wish  your  children  to  love  you  more  than,  or  as  much  as 
they  ought  to  love  Christ.  For  this  affection  towards  Christ  I  have  been 
praying.  If  I  had  loved  you  more  or  as  much  as  I  sometimes  hope  I  love 
Jesus,  I  would  have  remained  in  the  United  States  and  spent  my  labors 
and  time  to  provide  you  with  every  earthly  comfort  and  most  cheerfully 
contribute  whatever  could  gratify  you.  I,  however,  trust  my  sisters  will 
be  enabled  to  furnish  you  with  an  ample  competence  as  long  as  your 
valuable  and  consecrated  life  shall  be  prolonged  on  earth ;  we  all  are 
stewards  and  servants  and  servants  of  Jesus  Christ  who  is  a  personal 
Saviour  to  each  of  us  —  happy  thought ! 

March  8th.  I  went  with  a  party  who  wished  for  a  nearer  inspection  of 
the  famed  towering  ?iH?e  storied  Payoda  a  short  distance  above  Whampoa. 
It  is  an  octagonal  structure  which  the  Chinese  regard  with  great  reve- 
rence, as  the  mysterious  abode  of  the  god  that  dispenses  good  luck  to  the 
surroundings.  This  is  my  birthday  anniversary,  which  makes  it  a  very 
suitable  time  to  review  the  past  years  and  recall  to  mind  how  they  were 
spent,  and  by  retrospective  experience  endeavor  to  do  better  in  future. 
I  will  write  down  a  synoptical  survey  of  dissolving  views  as  seen  on  the 
vista  of  memory's  avenue  and  if  there  are  any  mistakes  please  let  me  know. 

1  To  my  IGth  year  I  was  under  the  care  and  discipline  of  parents  and 
tutors.  This  period  is  marked  with  much  waywardness,  disobedience, 
indolence  and  sin,  though  memory  fails  to  recall  with  vividness  but  a  very 
few  facts  and  incidents  of  it. 

2.  From  16th  to  21st  year  I  began  to  learn  what  it  was  to  be  without^ 
fond  mothers  and  revered  father's  attention.  I  was  obliged  to  think 
and  act  in  part  for  myself,  then  I  found  the  benefit  of  having  formed  good- 
habits  and  being  favored  with  a  Christian  education.  Among  my  equals 
I  ranked  as  a  moral  youth,  and  indeed  was  very  selfrighteous  also,  without 
a  clear  view  of  personal  responsibility. 

3rd.  From  21st  to  25th  year  I  was  thrown  on  my  own  resources  for 
support  and  began  to  consider  in  earnest  what  to  do  in  life,  whether  to 
live  for  myself,  to  amass  wealth  and  obtain  worldly  distinction  ;  or  to  live 
for  God  and  the  good  of  my  fellow  men.  I  was  finally  led  to  choose  the 
better  portion,  and  say,  "  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do.  Lord  Jesus  ?" 

4  From  my  25th  to  29th  year,  the  time  was  spent  in  studying  literature 
and  sciences  and  receiving  instruction  preparatory  to  the  work  in  which  I 
designed  to  spend  the  remainder  of  my  life  on  earth.  I  was  generally 
diligent  and  docile,  but  might  have  done  better.  I  was  favored  with  able 
and  pious  teachers,  men  who  have  fought  valiantly  for  the  truth  and  love 
it.  Long  may  their  lives  be  spared  and  may  many  more  rise  up  and  fol- 
low their  godly  example.   • 

5th.  From  my  30th  year  to  the  present  day,  the  time  has  been  spent 
in  labors  for  the  intellectual  and  moral  benefit  of  the  Chinese.  I  have 
taught  boys  in  a  school,  distributed  Christian  tracts,  conversed  with  indi- 
viduals, preached  to  small  assemblies  as  I  was  able  to  stammer  a  new 
language  and  teach  my  Master's  words.  Looking  over  these  five  periods 
I  see  that  up  to  my  30th  year  I  was  in  a  good  course  of  preparation  for 
laboring  as  an  introdiScer  of  true  Christian  principles  and  institutions  to 
these  Chinese.  Attending  school,  learning  the  art  of  printing,  book- 
making,  bookselling,  teaching  school  and  then  sitting  at  the  feet  of  my 
revered  teachers  Nitchie,  White,  Frelinghuysen,  Beecher  and  Stowe,  to 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  229 

receive  the  words  of  wisdom  and  grace  which  fell  from  their  lips.  Now 
what  remains  for  me  to  do,  except  to  bestow  freely  upon  these  heathen 
people  where  I  reside,  all  those  good  things  which  have  cost  me  very 
little.  If  I  try  to  use  them  alone  for  myself,  they  are  worse  than  useless  ; 
if  however  I  dispense  them  freely,  they  will  most  certainly  render  many  a 
soul  happy  on  earth,  and  joyful  in  heaven  to  all  eternity.  I  wish  I  had 
more  of  a  holy  missionary  zeal,  but  I  know  that  my  chief  purpose  is  to 
honor  Jesus  Christ  on  earth  and  obtain  eternal  happiness  in  Him.  The 
"Mysteries  of  Providence"  in  my  life  seem  clear;  and  it  is  my  duty 
even  now  to  perform  the  work  in  these  localities  with  an  earnest  desire  to 
redeem  any  past  mis-spent  time  and  advance  God's  cause. 

April  13,  1848.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  James  and  Mr.  Ash  left  Canton  in  a 
schooner,  and  when  in  sight  of  Hongkong,  a  sudden  gust  of  wind  struck 
the  vessel  and  she  went  over  immediately  on  her  side.  In  a  few  seconds  she 
commenced  sinking.  Dr.  James  had  just  left  the  deck  and  was  in  the  cabin 
with  Mrs.  James.  Nothing  was  seen  of  them  afterwards.  Mrs.  James 
was  the  daughter  of  J.  Safford,  Esq.,  of  Salem,  Mass.  —  they  wfire  to  be 
located  in  Shanghai  —  their  career  was  thus  unexpectedly  ended  before 
they  had  been  three  weeks  in  China,  sad  tidings  for  Salem.  I  have  just 
returned  from  a  walk  for  distribution  of  tracts.  By  the  side  of  the  road 
sat  an  obstreperous  quack  surrounded  by  a  small  party,  who  were  listening 
attentively  to  his  learned  lectures  on  the  wonderful  cures  which  monkey 
hones  would  effect.  He  held  up  a  monkey's  skeleton  and  before  him  were 
spread  out  several  other  skeletons.  He  could  speak  the  word  "  monkey," 
in  Chinese  it  is  md-lau.  I  called  at  James  Bridgman's,  read  the  China 
Mail,  and  then  cut  his  hair  for  him;  it  is  black  as  coal  and  quite  thick. 
Dr.  Hobson  (Benjamin)  who  is  married  to  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Dr.  Robert 
Morrison,,  received  from  England  a  Magic  Lantern  with  a  variety  of 
paintings  on  glass.  They  are  astronomical,  anatomical,  birds,  beasts,  and 
landscapes.  It  is  an  excellent  thing  for  the  Chinese,  as  it  combines 
pleasure  and  instruction.  Dr.  Hobson's  first  exhibition  was  attended  by 
nearly  all  our  friends  and  twenty  Chinese,  who  were  much  entertained  by 
it.  Natural  philosophy  and  history  are  in  their  infancy  here  in  China. 
Those  sciences  are  not  studied  as  much  as  in  America  and  England.  You 
know  when  Dr.  Morrison  was  sent  out  in  1807  by  the  London  Missionary 
Society,  the  East  India  Company  would  not  permit  him  to  go  as 
passenger  in  one  of  their  ships ;  he  was  therefore  obliged  to  cross  over 
to  New  York  and  sail  for  Canton  in  an  American  vessel.  The  dau'ghter 
follows  in  his  footsteps. 

September  1,  1848.  There  has  been  a  violent  storm  here  this  morning 
and  much  damage  amongst  the  boats.  Some  large  junks  broke  from  their 
anchorage  and  were  blown  against  the  small  boats.  The  awning  of  heavy 
matting  on  my  house  was  blown  away :  but  worst  of  all  the  new  house  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Happer,  nest  door,  was  blown  down.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Happer  had 
just  stepped  out  and  were  providentially  saved  from  a  sudden  and  dread- 
ful death.  I  assisted  them  to  get  out  furniture,  books  and  valuables  from 
the  mass  of  rubbish.  The  entire  party  breakfasted  in  my  room,  which 
meal  was  prepared  after  the  most  commendatory  style  of  the  "  Yankee 
Bachelor's"  culinary  menage.  I  have  offered  part  of  my  rooms  to  Broth- 
ers French  and  Speer  who  are  now  turned  out  of  house  and  home.  The 
wind  has  now  abated,  but  the  river  is  still  quite  high  ;  there  has  been  much 
property  destroyed. 

Sabbath,  September  17th.     I  have  just  returned  from  the  prayer-meet- 


230  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

ing  at  Rev.  Dr.  Parkers  and  was  introduced  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  W.  Will- 
iams. Dr.  S.  Wells  Williams  came  to  China  in  1833,  but  has  now  just 
returned  from  a  visit  to  his  native  land  accompanied  by  his  estimable  wife, 
a  niece  of  Chancellor  Walworth  of  New  York  State.  After  a  pleasant 
conversation  I  returned  home,  my  boy-coolie  ["  common  house  laborer, 
porter,  or  sedan-bearer.  One  who  does  coarse  and  heavy  work"]  carrying 
a  lantern  before  me.  I  am  about  to  take  up  my  abode  with  the  Boodhist 
priests  in  Honam  temple  for  a  second  time,  but  only  as  a  temporary  thing, 
on  account  of  Brothers  Speer  and  French  being  turned  out  of  house  by 
the  typhoon,  I  gave  up  mine  to  them  and  have  been  searching  in  vain 
for  another  the  last  few  weeks.  Four  houses  for  which  I  had  partly  bar- 
gained, have  slipt  out  of  my  hands  by  the  faithlessness  of  the  owners  or 
opposition  of  the  neighbors.  I  go  to  the  temple  as  a  last  resort  and  pay 
18.00  monthly  rent  for  the  rooms  I  hire ;  but  it  is  my  intention  to  obtain 
a  house  in  a  neighborhood  of  families  as  soon  as  possible,  for  I  am  not 
allowed  to  preach  here. 

Peter  Parker.  —  When  Rev.  Fitch  W.  Taylor  was  visiting  Canton  in 
1835  he  expressed  himself  greatly  interested  in  his  visits  to  the  temples. 
In  company  with  Dr.  Parker  he  visited  the  Temple  of  Longevity.  "  It 
was  inquired  of  the  Abbot  if  there  were  nunneries  embraced  in  their 
system.  He  answered,  No ;  and  I  know  not  the  idea  which  seemed  plea- 
santly to  strike  him,  which  however  led  to  the  remark,  as  he  placed  his 
hand  upon  the  head  of  a  fine  looking  boy  beside  him  some  twelve  or  thir- 
teen years  of  age,  '  Budha  sent  me  down  this  shaver  in  an  egg  about  a 
mouth  since,  which  produced  him'."  "  Dr.  Parker  in  his  benevolent 
practice,  in  connection  with  the  Ophthalmic  Hospital,  has  secured  un- 
bounded confidence  among  the  Chinese  who  look  upon  him  as  something 
superior  to  humanity,  in  connection  with  the  many  cures  he  has  effected, 
and  operations  he  has  performed  so  frequently.  The  ijhinese  think  him, 
said  one  of  the  linguists,  with  a  most  solemn  air,  '  all  same  as  one  Josh,' 
and  he  is  very  popular.  They  crossed  the  river  to  the  Honam  temple  and 
Dr.  Parker  being  pleased  with  the  urbanity  of  the  principal  priest,  de- 
sired his  servant  boy  Ahoy  to  say  to  him,  that  when  he  crossed  the  river 
to  Canton,  he  would  be  pleased  to  see  him.  '  Oh  no,  Meester  Parker,'  re- 
plied A-hoy,  as  he  hesitated  to  interpret  the  courteous  invitation  of  the 
abbot ;  '  you  would  7iever  cease  to  have  him  present,  Meester  Parker,  if 
you  once  invite  him.  Best  first  know  him,  then  invite.'  The  shrewd 
young  Chinese  was  laughed  at,  and  the  invitation  was  turned  into  thanks 
for  the  priest's  politeness,  with  assurances  that  we  had  lieen  greatly  grati- 
fied. The  dark  robed  Budhist  seemed  much  pleased  when  Dr.  Parker 
promised  to  supply  him  with  medicines,  if  needed.  We  returned  to  the 
boat  and  found  that  the  hong  merchant,  whose  politeness  had  furnished 
us  with  his  fine  boat,  had  provided  a  variety  of  fruits  also,  to  await  us  on 
our  return  to  re-occupy  it.  We  ate  of  the  fruits;  and  A-hoy  asked, 
'  Will  you  have  water  now,  gentlemens  ?'  Some  of  the  party  accepted 
the  finger-bowls  and  laved  their  hands.  '  My  master  knows  enough 
of  foreign  manners,'  said  A-hoy,  '  to  get  the  bowls  of  water,  but  I  shall 
have  to  remind  him  the  next  time  of  the  napkins.'  The  not  witless  re- 
mark, in  the  absence  of  the  napkins,  secured  another  approbative  smile  to 
A-hoy,  for  the  penetration  he  showed  on  the  occasion  for  which,  in  this 
one  particular,  by  an  oversight,  he  had  not  provided.  As  Dr.  Parker 
passed  along  the  streets  he  was  afteu  recognized,  and  an  undertone  of  re- 
spect would  now  and  then  be  heard  among  the  crowd,  saying,  '  The  good 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  231 

])eart,'  '  The  doctor  who  cures  blind  eyes,'  '  The  no  cash  doctor.'  And 
the  doctor's  large  hands,  too,  seem  here  to  attract  very  general  and  sur- 
prised attention.  '  What  hands  !'  the  less  instructed  in  decorum,  as  the 
crowd  gathers  around,  sometimes  exclaim,  in  astonishment,  as  if  he  were' 
indeed  of  the  race  of  the  gods  they  worship,  which  are  in  all  their  temples 
represented  in  their  huge  proportions.  And  the  amiable  physician  hesi- 
Hates  not  to  let  them  compare  th^ir  own  tiny  fingers  and  palms  with  his, 
when  their  curiosity  has  surprised  from  them  the  ejaculation.  His  skill 
is  highly  appreciated  by  all.  Family  gatherings  are  constantly  going  on 
and  there  is  nothing  that  a  Chinaman  or  woman  loves  so  well  as  a  gossip 
over  a  pipe  and  a  cup  of  tea.  A  favorite  pastime  is  for  literary  men  to 
meet  at  a  fashionable  restaurant  and  indulge  a  friendly  antagonism  in  the 
composition  of  rhymes,  one  against  the  other,  draughts  of  wine,  Samshu, 
being  the  forfeit  incurred  by  the  least  successful.  The  Chinese  seldom 
seem  to  take  drink  as  a  habit,  flushed  faces  aud  cheerful  clamor  is  gene- 
rally the  extent " 

Another  beloved  brother  has  been  suddenly  called  to  his  long  home  on 
January  5,  1849,  "  the  Rev.  William  J.  Pohlman  of  Amoy  was  drowned 
by  the  capsizing  of  the  boat.  He  left  Amoy  in  December  to  accompany 
his  sister  to  Hongkong  for  a  change  of  air  and  the  improvement  of  her 
health,  intending  to  remain  there  only  a  few  days,  and  return  to  assist  in 
dedicating  the  church  lately  built  by  the  mission.  He  was  on  his  way  back 
to  his  station  from  Hongkong,  when  the  ship  struck  a  rock  and  went  down. 
The  night  was  very  dark,  nothing  could  be  seen  but  the  land  in  the  dis- 
tance,whensuddenly  came  thefatal  shock.  The  Captain,  Mr.  Pohlman, and 
one  of  the  crew  were  lost.  He  was  eminently  fitted  for  his  Station  and 
the  toils  of  missionary  life,  also  extended  usefulness  in  his  field  of  labor. 
His  earnestness  in  making  known  the  messages  of  the  gospel,  his  .pleasant 
vivacity  of  manner  and  disposition,  together  with  his  love  to  the  people, 
were  all  happily  blended  ;  while  his  attainments  in  the  language  enabled 
him  to  speak  readily  and  intelligibly."  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done. 
Warning  upon  warning  comes  to  us  who  are  left.  The  Boodhist  Fathers 
fear  the  Bible  might  disturb  the  repose  of  Budha,  apd  the  priests  were 
suspicious  I  might  try  to  inoculate  the  virus  of  the  new  doctrines  into 
some  of  their  number ;  therefore,  after  a  quiet  residence  of  six  weeks, 
wished  me  to  remove  from  the  Temple  which  I  did,  and  am  now  comfort- 
ably settled  in  a  "  hong"  or  storehouse,  which  is  used  for  storing  tea, 
cotton  bales  and  cinnamon  or  "  cassia"  as  it  is  called  here;  there  are  at 
least  one  hundred  cart  loads  of  it  in  this  place. 

January^  1849.  I  have  been  very  ill  with  fever,  but  my  health  is  so 
far  restored  that  I  can  take  my  customary  meals.  I  am  now  comfortably 
warm  without  a  fire  while  I  wear  a  wadded  cloak.  The  Chinese  masons 
will  not  come  and  put  up  my  much  needed  stove,  because  the  new  year's 
holidays  are  not  past,  during  which  they  will  not  perform  work  for  love 
or  money.  The  Morrison  School  is  about  to  pass  into  the  hands  of  some 
English  missionary  society.  Rev.  Mr.  Brown  is  in  America,  and  Mr. 
Macy  will  either  join  us  here  at  Canton,  or  return  home  this  spring  I  pre- 
sume. He  has  had  to  bear  the  burden  of  its  decline.  Mr.  Brown  left 
just  in  time  to  escape  the  anxiety  of  his  situation.  I  had  a  friendly 
letter  from  him  :  "  Encourage  yourself  dear  Bonney*in  the  Lord  our  God 
and  fear  naught.  He  can  over-rule  and  overturn  and  we  shall  either  in 
the  church  militant,  or  church  triumphant  join  in  the  hallelujah  of  joy  at 
the  complete  vindication  of  his  sovereignty  in  the  world.     Let  us  not  be 


232  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

moved  though  the  terrors  of  men  encompass  us  around.  The  cause  advo- 
cated by  politicians,  soldiers  and  worldly  men  may  fail ;  our  cause  though 
hindered  and  driven  back,  will  go  forward.  We  are  His,  and  know  of 
Him,  and  His  power  never  shall  fail  us.  Love  from  mother  and  myself 
to  you  and  the  brethren.  William  A.  Macy." 

The  large  brick  warehouse  in  which  .1  now  reside  is  situated  on  the 
bank  of  the  Pearl  or  Canton  river ;  from  my  window  there  is  a  fine  view 
of  the  stream  covered  with  boats  of  every  description  passing  up  and 
down,  from  the  tanka  to  the  ornamental  carved-work  flower-boat ;  it  is  a 
busy  scene  of  changing  life.  I  counted  within  half  an  hour's  time,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  boats  which  passed  on  our  side  of  the  river 
within  a  stone's  throw  of  my  window  :  Passenger  row  boats  propelled  by 
forty-one  men,  eighty-six  women,  fourteen  boys,  nine  girls  and  carrying 
one  hundred  and  fifty  passengers  who  here  stood  or  sat  crowded  together  on 
the  deck  as  there  are  no  cabins  below :  Entertainment  boats  with  forty- 
nine  men,  seventeen  women,  one  boy  and  three  girls,  resplendent  at  night 
with  quaint  Chinese  lanterns;  Passage;  Vegetables;  Fish;  Oil;  Tea- 
boats';  Country  Province ;  Revenue  Cutter  ;  Grovernment  Gun-boat  ,*  Police- 
boat  ;  Duck-boat  filled  with  yellow  fledgelings ;  Cargo-boat ;  a  Family 
moving;  Sam-pan;  Tanka  or  Eggshaped-boat ;  Wood-boat;  Another 
Cockle  Shell-boat;  Timber  raft;  Orange-boat  loaded  to  water's  edge  with 
the  yellow  fruit ;  Canoes;  Manure-boat;  Fruit-boats.  These  are  only  a 
few,  you  can  well  "imagine  that  the  number  of  native  craft  on  the  river 
must  be  very  great.  There  are  several  thousands  pass  my  window  every 
day  ;  "  a  fleet  of  about  eighty-four  thousand  boats  float  upon  this  stream, 
the  floating  population  cannot  number  less  than  one  million  of  people." 
The  Chinese  use  oars  and  long  slender  bamboo  poles  which  they  stick  into 
the  mud  and  push  the  boat  along  at  a  pretty  good  rate.  The  river  in 
front  of  Canton  is  not  very  deep,  except  in  the  middle,  and  the  bottom 
can  easily  be  reached  with  a  long  pole.  The  Fish-boats  were  fifty  feet 
long  and  fifteen  broad,  half-filled  with  fresh  water  in  which  quantities  of 
live  fish  were  kept  to  sell.  At  the  side  of  the  vessel  is  a  man  walking  on 
a  wheel  which  turns  a  chain  of  buckets,  dipping  out  the  water  from  the 
boat  on  one  side,  while  a  constant  supply  of  fresh  water  runs  into  a  hole 
on  the  other  side.  The  Chop-boats  frequently  chosen  by  our  wealthy 
foreigners  as  residences  are  furnished  with  every  luxury  similar  to  their 
abodes  on  the  land  ;  the  rooms  are  large  and  airy  and  fitted  up  with  all 
the  necessary  home  comforts.  Many  of  the  women  who  rowed  and  others 
sculling  the  countless  myriads  of  boats  had  a  little  baby  —  pappoose  like  — 
strapped  securely  on  their  backs,  and  when  they  skillfully  pulled  the  oar 
or  propelled  the  boat  by  the  sculled  process,  bending  backwards,  the 
baby's  little  head  would  also  fall  back  with  a  sudden  jerk,  as  if  it  would 
break  its  neck  ;  but  the  mother  with  perfect  indiiference,  kept  rowing 
and  the  baby  tossing  its  head,  as  if  it  was  completely  easy ;  but  it  looked 
barbarous  ;  poor  little  thing  ! 

I  went  down  to  Whampoa  with  some  friends  to  the  American  Ship  "  Ply- 
mouth," to  be  present  at  a  ceremonious  visit  of  the  Chinese  Governor  to 
the  vessel.  We  left  Canton  at  8  o'clock  in  a  small  steamer  in  company 
with  Hon.  J.  E.  Davis ;  Mr.  Paul  Forbes,  the  American  Consul,  Rev. 
Dr.  Parker  and  a  few  residents,  arriving  at  the  "  Plymouth  "  about  11 
o'clock,  wo  were  politely  received  by  Commodore  Geiseuger.  The  ship 
was  tastefully  decorated  with  gay  bunting  and  dressed  with  flags ;  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  233 

American  motto  "  E  Pluribm  Unnm  "  was  very  coasplcuous.  At  12 
o'clock  the  Chinese  Governor  arrived  with  his  suite  of  about  twenty 
persons.  One  of  these  officials  wore  a  long  peacock's  tail  feather  hanging 
from  his  cap  which  was  surmounted  with  a  red  knob  as  a  badge  of  office. 
The  Naval  and  other  officers'  gay  dresses  of  blue,  scarlet  and  gilt,  appeared 
well  by  the  side  of  embroidered  robes  and  bright  crapes  of  the  Chinese. 
One  of  the  attendants  carried  His  Excellency's  fancy  carved  pipe  and  a 
small  brass  basin  for  him  to  wash  his  face  and  hands  in  warm  water  after 
dinner,  as  is  customary.  As  he  came  on  deck,  he  was  introduced  by 
Dr.  Parker  to  the  American  officers  and  Citizens,  in  all  about  forty.  As 
the  Chinese  cannot  easily  say  "  Mister  "  they  address  all  foreign  gentle- 
men "  Missy ;"  so  to  day.  Dr.  Parker  introduced  the  gentlemen  thus  : 
"  Missy  Speer,"  "  Missy  Davis,"  "  Missy  Loomis,"  "  Missy  Bonney." 
After  introduction,  the  Governor  was  conducted  below  deck  to  the  Saloon 
and  entertained  with  a  sumptuous  dinner.  After  the  repast,  he  was  shown 
the  different  parts  of  the  Man-of-War  and  the  mode  of  working  the  guns. 
At  the  request  of  his  Excellency,  several  were  fired  and  the  marines  exer- 
cised in  the  manner  of  repelling  unwise  enemies  who  should  make  the  bold 
attempt  to  come  on  board ;  it  was  a  very  fine  sight.  After  three  hours 
spent  in  social  pleasantness  on  board  the  "  Plymouth,"  he  left  with  his 
retinue  and  returned  to  his  own  barge  ;  the  American  Commodore  saluting 
him  with  firing  seventeen  canon.  All  who  participated  in  the  festivities 
were  pleased. 

Honam  Temple,  July  5,  1849.  Day  before  yesterday  T  was  told,  that 
Mr.  James  C.  Beecher,  the  youngest  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Beecher  was  on  board 
the  Clipper  ship  "  Sam.  Russell  "  at  the  Whampoa  anchorage,  acting  in 
the  capacity  of  a  sailor.  This  was  very  unexpected  news  to  me  and  of 
course  I  determined  to  go  at  once  and  see  him ;  this  was  accomplished  ia 
Mr.  Loomis'  boat,  arriving  at  the  ship  yestei'day  afternoon  about  five  - 
o'clock.  Mr.  Beecher  had  gone  on  shore  with  some  of  the  men  for  a  trip 
to  view  the  surrounding  country ;  so  to  improve  the  time  and  fulfill  one 
part  of  my  religious  duty,  I  took  a  "  sampan  "  or  small  boat  and  visited  a 
village  near  by  for  the  distribution  of  tracts,  was  very  kindly  received  by 
the  villagers  to  whom  I  gave  one  hundred  tracts.  Mr,  Beecher  was 
aboard  when  I  returned,  and  after  a  warm  greeting  I  spent  a  very  pleasant 
evening  with  him,  delighted  to  see  one  who  had  been  a  resident  of  Walnut 
Hills.  When  he  can  have  liberty,  he  intends  coming  up  to  Canton,  spend 
a  day  with  me  and  be  guided  about  to  see  the  wonderful  and  strange 
sights.  *  *  *  Mr.  Beecher  came  up  on  the  17th,  and  we  visited  two 
pagodas.  He  has  a  vein  of  his  father's  versatile  wit  and  good  humor ; 
his  cheery  conversation,  the  fine  morning  air  and  walk  in  the  fields  was 
truly  refreshing.  How  much  good  for  God  he  might  accomplish  with  his 
silver  tongue  if  consecrated  to  such  labor.  I  took  a  walk  with  my  boat- 
man to  the  top  of  a  high  hill  near  by ;  the  view  was  extensive  and 
beautiful.  A  dozen  villages  were  in  sight  f- several  pagodas;  Whampoa 
anchorage ;  the  "Pearl  or  Canton  river  branching  out  on  aJl  sides  and  a 
liill  near  by  was  terraced  completely  to  the  top  fourteen  terraces  in  all 
presenting  a  thrifty  appearance.  A  venerable  and  worthy  gentleman 
asked  me  why  the  foreign  gentlemen  and  ladies  walk  arm  in  arm,  it  did 
not  look  quite  decorous.  I  replied,  the  gentleman  is  the  strongest  and 
wishes  to  help  the  lady  ;  he  answered,  "  We  Chinamen  think  it  is  surely 
because  the  gentleman  is  afraid  his  wife  will  run  away  !  !"     Rev.  Mr. 

II]  30 


234  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Lobscheid  of  the  Elienish  Missionary  Society  was  at  Canton  and  invited 
me  to  return  with  him  to  his  station  fifty  miles  below  this  city  in  Sun  On 
County.  The  village  has  a  population  of  20,0U0  inhabitants ;  there  are 
twenty-one  temples  and  a  Buddhist  nunnery  in  which  are  twenty-one 
nuns.  "  It  is  not  easy  to  dis|inguish  the  monks  from  the  nuns  as  they 
walk  the  streets,  for  both  have  natural  feet,  wear  clumsy  shoes,  long  stock- 
ings drawn  over  full  trowsers,  short  jackets  and  have  bald  pates."  We 
were  kindly  treated,  though  occasionally  would  hear  the  vile  epithet 
'■'■fan  qioi-loio,"  foreign  devil. 

November  \hih.  This  morning  at  six  o'clock,  I  took  a  stroll  around 
the  city  walls  with  the  French  Consul  and  others ;  we  passed  through  a 
large  parade  ground  and  saw  sevei'al  thousand  soldiers  exercising  at 
horsemanship  and  archery.  These  archers  rode  horses  and  shot  their 
arrows  at  a  target,  while  the  horses  were  at  full  gallop.  It  was  the  greatest 
military  display  that  I  have  seen  in  China.  These  soldiers  have  assembled 
from  every  part  of  Canton  Province  to  contest  for  prizes  and  promotion 
in  military  rank.  The  best  horsemen  and  archers  are  promoted.  [  "  The 
bow  is  a  favorite  weapon,  used  more  for  show  in  the  military  examinations, 
than  for  real  service  in  battle.  The  uniform  of  the  different  regiments 
consists  of  a  jacket  of  brown,  yellow,  or  blue,  bordered  with  a  wide  edging 
of  another  color ;  the  trowsers  are  usually  blue.  At  these  military  com- 
petitive examinations,  they  are  first  exercised  in  the  practice  of  archery, 
standing  :  they  are  examined  in  regard  to  their  proficiency  in  shooting 
at  a  rnark,  each  one  shooting  three  arrows.  At  the  second  examination 
before  the  district  magistrate  they  are  exercised  in  the  practice  of  archery 
on  horseback.  In  like  manner  they  are  required  to  shoot  three  arrows  at 
a  mark,  but  while  the  horse  is  running,"  ]  I  inclose  this  strip  of  yellow 
paper,  it  is  an  efficacious  charm  u.sed  by  the  Chinese  to  keep  white  ants 
out  of  their  houses.  It  is  pasted  on  door-posts,  walls,  &c.  A  Chinaman 
told  me  that  if  a  white  ant  was  going  up  a  door-post  and  should  come  to 
that  charm,  he  could  not  pass  by  it  to  his  destructive  career,  but  at  once 
would  turn  to  ashes!  This  is  only  one  of  the  very  many  superstitions  in 
vogue  here.  I  have  just  returned  from  a  trip  across  the  river  and  a  walk  to 
the  Factories.  Distributed  about  forty  tracts,  only  one  man  refused.  The 
first  question  I  was  asked  in  the  boat  was,  "  Are  you  red-haired  or  Jlower- 
Jiagged?"  that  is,  an  Englishman  or  American?  I  replied,  that  there 
was  no  red-haired  country,  but  there  was  an  En<rland.  All  you  Chinamen 
have  hlack  hair,  but  no  one  calls  you  the  black-haired  nation.  I  am  a 
flower  flagged  countryman."  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hobson  (the  eldest  daughter 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Morrison)  and  myself  walked  around  the  city  before  break- 
fast in  25  hours.  We  had  a  pleasant  walk  and  were  well  treated  by  the 
people  we  met,  distributing  200  books  on  our  trip.  On  the  north  side  of 
the  city  some  men  on  the  wall  asked  for  books,  but  the  difliculty  was  how 
shall  I  get  them  up  so  high  as  30  feet !  The  men  brought  a  long  cord 
and  letting  it  down  I  tied  thirty  tracts  to  it,  and  they  were  safely  pulled  up 
over  the  wall  into  the  secluded  city.  Thus  we  can  distribute  tracts  with- 
in the  city,  although  we  are  not  permitted  to  enter  the  gates.  These  are 
sealed  precincts,  but  I  am  persuaded  that  the  reading  of  so  many  Christian 
books  with  the  daily  mode  of  lite  and  conversation  of  the  few  friends  of 
the  Redeemer  here,  cannot  be  in  vain.  These  are  a  part  of  God's 
appointed  means  to  "turn  many  to  righteousness,"  and  true  to  His  word, 
He  will  give  success.  There  is  leaven  in  the  city  of  Canton  that  cannot 
be  smothered,  and,  though  I  may  never  see  it,  this  mass  of  mind  that  is 


Legacy  of  Historical  G-leanings.  235 

now  so  corrupted  with  error,  idolatry  and  superstition,  shall  be  purified 
and  enlightened  by  the  Spirit  and  word  of  our  God  and  their  Grod, 
although  they  now  know  Him  not.  I  went  down  to  Whampoa  with  our 
Chinese  Assistant  Chan  Lysoon  to  see  about  the  building  I  am  to  occupy 
at  Sun  Chow  village,  being  more  accessible  to  the  people.  [This  Chinese 
gentleman  Mr.  Chan  Latsun,  with  his  family,  is  now  in  this  country  at 
Springfield,  Mass.,  having  in  charge  a  party  of  young  Chinese  to  be 
educated.]  The  Chinese  workmen  are  very  slow  and  need  much 
instruction  in  foreigo  building  ;  they  are  very  dilatory  and  irregular. 
It  recalled  a  pleasant  evening  I  spent  with  Rev.  William  Gillespie  at 
Rev.  Mr.  Loomis'  rooms  in  social  and  merry  chat.  Mr.  Loomis  is  the 
Seaman's  Chaplain.  Gillespie  has  been  somewhat  low  spirited  and  it  is 
good  for  his  health  to  indulge  in  innocent  mirth.  He  told  us  many 
entertaining  anecdotes  of  Scotch  and  English  clergymen.  The  Betliel 
is  nearly  finished  which  Mr.  Loomis  is  superintending.  One  of  us  quoted 
•a  remark  of  the  venerable  Rev.  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher  :  "  I  do  not  want  to 
go  to  heaven  to  sit  by  purling  streams,  on  beds  of  roses,  fanned  by  breezes 
and  lulled  to  repose  by  soft  music."  Mr.  Loomis  replied,  "  I  hope  I 
shan't  have  to  build  any  Bethels  in  heaven  if  I  must  superintend  Chinese 
workmen."  One  answered  him,  "  no  fear  of  that,  it  will  be  one  great 
Bethel  there."  Rev.  .Mr.  Loomis  and  wife  are  expecting  to  sail  for 
America  in  a  few  days  on  account  of  illness.  Rev.  Mr.  Gillespie  said  to 
me :  "  Bonney,  I  want  to  procure  one  theological  work  very  much,  and 
perhaps  you  can  help  me  to  get  it."  "  With  pleasure,  if  the  New  York 
or  Boston  bookstores  can  furnish  it.  What  is  it  ?  "  "  It  is  not  a  very 
voluminous  work,  but  it  contains  an  excellent  compendium  of  divinity. 
If  I  recollect  right,  the  title  is,  The  New  England  Primer  J'  I  must 
therefore  beg  of  you  to  send  me  two  or  three  copies  of  that  "  theological 
work"  when*you  can  procure  them. 

"  The  murder  of  Governor  Amaral  on  the  evening  of  August  22, 1849, 
near  the  Barrier  in  Macao  has  greatly  startled  the  foreign  community. 
His  Excellency  was  accompanied  by  his  aid  Lieutenant  Leite,  in  his  usual 
ride  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  two  horsemen  were  at  the  moment  by  them- 
selves though  others  on  horseback  and  carriages  with  ladies  were  driving 
on  the  Course,  several  gentlemen  were  riding  quite  near  the  place  at  the 
time.  Some  boys  came  in  front  of  them  holding  bamboo  poles  in  their 
hands,  with  leaves  tied  to  the  ends,  and  struck  the  governor's  horse  on 
the  head,  while  another  slapped  His  Excellency  in  the  face  with  a  leafy 
branch  tied  to  a  bamboo.  He  immediately  turned  his  bridle  to  punish 
them  for  their  impertinence,  when  eight  men,  also  carrying  bamboos 
rushed  up  before  him,  and  surrounded  his  horse,  two  of  them  directing 
their  attack  on  his  aid.  These  six  miscreants,  throwing  away  the  sticks, 
drew  swords  from  their  sleeves,  and  began  to  strike  their  unhappy  victim, 
who  unarmed  and  having  no  right  hand,  (for  it  had  been  lost  in  battle,) 
could  offer  no  resistance ;  he  was  soon  dragged  from  his  horse,  his  head 
and  hand  cut  off,  and  his  body  shockingly  hacked  by  the  assassins,  who 
then  escaped  through  the  Barrier-gate,  and  got  into  a  boat  lying  near, 
before  any  effectual  pursuit  could  possibly  be  made.  The  Aid  was  thrown 
down,  receiving  two  cuts  on  his  head;  his  horse  fell  upon  him  painfully 
bruising  him,  but  no  further  attack  was  made  upon  him;  he  saw  the  go- 
vernor f^ill  from  his  horse  but  heard  no  cry.  The  dastardly  act  was  soon 
known  in  town,  though  too  late  for  pursuit  and  the  mutilated  corpse  carried 
to  the  palace.    The  tragical  event  cast  a  gloom  of  astonishment  and  sorrow 


236  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

over  the  whole  settlement.  The  Chinese  Authorities  promised,  after 
strenuous  exertions  by  the  Portuguese,  that  the  severed  head  and  hand 
should  be  recovered  and  returned  which  was  eventually  done.  Governor 
Amaral  was  not  less  respected  and  esteemed  by  foreigners  than  by  those 
over  whom  he  ruled.  He  was  a  man  of  great  energy,  and  ambitious  of 
improving  the  town  of  Macao;  but  unfortunately  he  had  the  bitter  indig- 
nation of  the  Chinese  to  cope  with,  and  '  had  received  several  obscure 
hints  to  the  effect  thas  his  life  was  in  danger,  but  paid  little  or  no  attention 
to  them.'  This  Portuguese  governor,  whom  they  considered  arbitrary,  was 
rather  impolitic;  he  had  constructed  splendid  roads,  without  the  Campo 
Gate,  destroying  and  ravaging  graves  —  on  which  account  those  from 
around  conceived  hatred  towards  him.  The  outrage  upon  their  feelings 
caused  by  cutting  these  roads  through  and  over  the  graves  of  their  revered 
ancestors  buried  in  the  lovely  suburbs  of  Macao  was  galling  in  the  extreme. 
Among  the  Chinese,  to  violate  or  dig  up  graves  is  regarded  as  a  deadly 
insult;  the  hatred  among  the  Chinese  on  this  account  might  be  smothered- 
for  a  time,  but  when  it  came  to  the  culminating  point,  and  broke  out, 
not  all  the  power  of  their  authorities  could  effectually  oppose  it.  The 
murder  of  Governor  Amaral  caused  great  indignation  on  the  part  of  the 
Portuguese  who  then  laid  claim  to  the  entire  island  of  Macao." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Land  of  the  "White  Elephant. 

"  On  April  2, 1851,  the  king  of  Siam  died  aged  sixty-three  years.  The 
royal  remains  were  deposited  in  a  golden  receptacle  in  the  palace,  after 
which  his  Royal  Highness  —  the  present  reigningsovereign  —  was  respect- 
fully requested  to  relinquish  his  sacerdotal  station,  assume  the  kingly 
office  and  maintain  the  royal  succession.  The  appointed  season  for  the 
coronation  took  place  on  the  15th  of  May,  and  was  celebrated  with  great 
mao-nificence.  The  usual  processions  took  place  and  the  king  distributed 
gold  and  silver  coins  which  had  been  struck  for  the  occasion.  The  Euro- 
peans were  invited  to  witness  the  ceremony  and  met  with  a  gracious 
reception.  The  dinner  provided  for  them  was  in  European  style,  and 
presents  were  also  bestowed  on  them,  consisting  of  gold  and  silver  flowers 
and  gold  and  silver  coins  of  the  new  issue.  The  prince  that  has  now  been 
raised  to  the  throne  as  monarch,  is  a  man  of  liberal  sentiments,  and  far  in 
advance  of  the  generality  of  his  countrymen;  he  is  liberal  also  to 
foreigners  and  their  trade." 

A  Siamese  vessel  having  anchored  in  Hongkong  harbor,  Rev.  S.  W. 
Bonney  embraced  the  opportunity  to  send  a  letter  and  parcel  to  his  maj- 
esty the  king  "  under  whose  enlightened  administration  of  government, 
and  through  his  wise  and  bold  policy,  the  kingdom  was  thrown  open  to 
foreign  intercourse,  the  science  and  even  the  religion  of  the  western  world 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  287 

accepted  if  not  invited."  An  epistolary  correspondence  was  the  result. 
The  letters  are  "  written  in  the  peculiar  style,  pedantic  and  conceited  by 
which  the  king's  literary  efforts  are  distinouished.  It  is  easy  to  laugh  at 
the  queer  English  which  he  wrote  with  such  reckless  fluency  as  to  philology 
and  bad  spelling,  but  we  respect  him  deeply,  for  "  his  reign  was  for  the 
kingdom  which  he  governed  the  beginning  of  a  new  era.  He  sent  more 
than  one  long  autograph  letter  written  in  pretty  good  English  to  our 
government  during  the  negotiation  of  our  treaty.  His  character  and  his 
history  are  full  of  the  strangest  contrasts."  , 

His  Majesty  the  \st  King  of  Siam  to  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney. 

Siamese  Most  lawful  reigning  Sovereignity  of  Siam  and  its  all  adjacent 
tributary  countries  Cambodia,  Laos,  Annam,  &  some  parts  of  Malay  penin- 
sula.    To  His  American  friend, 

Samuel  W.  Bonney  Esquire  of  Whampoa  China. 
Dated  Royal  audience  hall  grand  palace,  Bangkok,  Siam,  25th  July,  1852. 
Very  Gracious  Sir, 

I  have  the  honour  of  acknowledgement  of  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
addressed  me  under  the  date  of  Whampoa  China  lOtb  January  inst, 
together  the  curious  gift  of  a  Chart  of  various  models  of  national  flags  of 
forty-two  Countries  with  the  Siamese  Royal  Standard  of  Myself  which  was 
just  erected  upon  middle  post  top  of  our  ships  conveyed  our  ambassy  to 
Canton  on  last  year  &  was  as  seen  to  you  as  you  could  adopt  from  it  &  put 
in  Colum  next  of  Siamese  National  flag  and  being  40st  of  those  forty-two 
foresaid,  it  is  beautiful  manufacture  of  the  young  Chinese  man  under  your 
instruction.  I  beg  to  return  you  my  many  sincere  thanks  for  your  plea- 
sant gift.  1  have  put  the  same  in  the  gilded  frame  covered  with  the  glass 
shade  or  sheet  as  large  as  the  sheet  of  paper  &  erected  it  at  the  wall  of 
this  Royal  audience  hall  now,  for  being  looked  by  our  Officers  who  as- 
sembled there  in  every  day  my  audience. 

You  are  seemed  to  be  Christian  religious  Missionary  being  pleased  to 
address  me  for  an  introduction  of  Rev.  Mr.  Wm.  Dean  of  Hongkong  per- 
haps, the  Same  Reverend  is  my  friend  ever  such  me  personally  &  now  my 
continually  correspondent. 

I  shall  glad  to  hear  from  you  whativer  is  your  needable  from  Siam.  I 
shall  gratify  to  you  according  my  Siamese  local  &  Royal  legal  ability. 
Believe  me  I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  friend, 

SoMDETCH  Phra  Paramendr  Maha  Mongkut. 

Reigning  King  of  Siam  whose  Manuscript  &  Manual  Sign  is  this  letter 
written  in  these  two  small  papers  &  whose  Card  form  is  printed  at  bellow, 
with  his  Chinese  name. 

To  Samuel  Bonney,  Esqr. 

An  American  person  of  Whampoa,  China,  Care  of  Wm.  Dean,  Esquire." 

The  Siamese  national  flag  is  a  white  elephant  on  a  red  ground  work. 
The  chart  (which  is  mentioned  by  his  majesty  as  having  been  received 
and  placed  in  the  hall  of  audience  —  eighty  feet  long  and  thirty  feet 
broad  with  a  raised  platform  for  the  king)  was  composed  of  "  National 
Flags  of  forty-two  Countries."  The  flag  of  Siam  was  the  40th 
one  in  order;  it  was  a  fine  piece  of  work  "  hy  Foong  Kong —  Fainter, 
Wamj)oa,  1851,"  painted  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney  when 
residing  at  that  place.  "  The  platform  and  its  railing,  and  the  pillars 
and  walls  of  this  apartment  were  hung  with  crimson  cloth,  at  the  time  of 


238 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


Sir  John  Bowring's  mission  to  China,  the  whole  surface  of  the  floor  was 
covered  with  Siamese  nobles  prostrate  on  the  floor  with  their  hands  di- 
rected to  the  king." 

His  Majesty  the  1st  King  of  8iam  to  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney. 
This  from 


The  Most  lawful  Soveriegn  of  Siam  with  itsadjacient  tributary  countrees 

Laos  &c. 

To  Reverend  Mr.  Samuel  Wm.  Bonney  of  Whampoa,  China. 
Dated  Rajmondirn   house  Royal   residence  grand   palace  Bangkok  Siam 

14th  January,  1853,  which  is  the  2nd  of  My  reign  here. 
Venered  Sir, 

I  have  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  Your  letter  under  the  date  of 
"  Whampoa  China,  November  13th  1852,  and  the  parcil  contains  two 
rolled  Chinese  papers,  one  of  which  is  the  Chart  national  flags  of  Various 
countrees  and  the  other  is  the  view  of  Whampoa  anchorage,  accompanied 
therewith  —  for  which  kind  address  and  presents  from  you  I  beg  to  return 
my  Many  many  Sincere  thanks  &  am  glad  to  hear  that  you  were  surprised 
as  much  for  my  letter  written  you  in  English  language  as  you  stated  that- 
you  had  sent  it  to  your  aged  Mother  in  America,  but  0  ;  Sir  I  most 
ashamed  or  affraid  of  blame  for  my  knowledge  of  the  Same  language  is 
very  as  less  as  I  did  studied  it  occasionally  about  two  years  and  my 
knowledge  of  this  afterward  was  slowly  increased  by  perusal  of  Some  books 
&  news  papers  by  searching  the  translations  &  explanations  of  every  one 
of  hard  words  from  English  dictionary. 

The  pictures  made  by  Chinese  very  worse  for  many  times  than  those 
of  English  &  American.  I  observed  the  national  flags  of  those  countrees 
which  are  the  Shapes  or  pictures  of  animals  &c.,  like  the  White  Eliphant 
of  Siam  &  pie  cock  of  Burmah  &c.,  are  but  in  Manner  of  Chinese  manu- 
factures not  very  resembline  of  those  national  flags,  also  the  ranges  of 
Mountains  &  Shapes  or  pictures  of  trees  in  the  View  of  Whampoa  are 
yet  telling  expressing  that  is  the  manufacture  of  the  boy. 

I  beg  to  present  you  many  thanks  for  your  mental  kindness  &  grace 
upon  me  by  your  prayer  to  your  God  for  me  with  some  texts  or  sentences 
from  your  Holy  Scripture  Sacred  book  Bible.     &  mercy  to  wholy  people 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


239 


of  Siam  by  saying  that  this  country  may  become  Christians  with  the  texts' 
of  the  prediction  of  your  Lord. 

Though  (I  beg  to  say  the  truth  or  truly  pardon  me)  I  do  not  believe 
the  Bible  which  appeared  to  me  as  commen  as  but  Superstiou  of  ancient 
people  of  Jews  like  the  Koran  of  Arbia.  Your  kindness,  grace  toward 
myself  &  your  mercy  upon  the  land  of  Siam  (which  you  might  say  "be- 
nighted land")  according  to  your  faith  exactly  known  by  your  prayer  for 
me  &  whole  people  of  this  Country.  The  kindness,  grace,  mercy,  sincer- 
ity, honesty  &c.,  are  genuent  or  real  mental  merits  for  being  praised  & 
pleased  by  all  learned  persons  of  every  one  of  civil  religious  Systems  of 
the  World  though  their  Statement  or  prediction  for  eternal  life  very  diffe- 
rent &  contrary  to  one  another.  I  doubt  not  for  their  merits.  Regarding 
your  desire  for  some  pictures  books  of  Siam  1  will  endeavour  to  Send  you 
which  my  Ships  go  again  to  China,  but  such  pictures 
tyUAJci,  If— i]  books  in  Siam  are  very  less.  I  beg  to  send  you  here 
U4o  ^  ^  with  two  papers  of  Peguen  Men's  letters  in  which  the 
Buddhist  Sacred  patries  or  hymns  were  published,  these 
papers  for  being  erected  at  the  altar  or  place  of  Wor- 
ship like  "  Hock  "  &  "  Sain"  letters  of  Chinese  and  the 
other  two 'papers  of  the  figuer  of  my  golden  royal  pal- 
lankin  or  moveble  regal  seat  or  carrying  Chair  which  was 
drawed  through  the  Camera  obscure  here  in.  and  the 
full  account  of  my  dearest  lawful  queen  consort,  for 
whose  loss  I  am  now  very  Mournful  widower  Sunk  ia 
deepest  sorrow  &  beg  to  remain  your  faithful  ffiend. 


o 


IBB 


©e 


Siamese  Signature. 


S.  p.  p.  M. 


MONGKUT 

the  kinec  of  Siam. 


Chen  Ming 

Siam  County. 


p.  S.  All  accompanied  papers  were  printed  in  Lithographic  press  which 
was  just  introduced  to  Siam  by  purchasing  from  England  by  myself  *     * 

S.  P.  P.  M  MoNGKUT. 

To  Reverend  Samuel  Wm.  Bbnney. 

of  Whampoa,  China. 

The  broad  black  edged  letter  paper,  with  His  Ma- 
jesty's name  in  Siamese  characters,  was  inclosed  in  a 
yellow  envelope  sprinkled  with  gilt,  and  lined  with 
black.  The  envelope  bore  this  stamp.  It  was  also 
sealed  on  the  outside  with  black  sealing  wax  ;  in  Eng- 
lish letters  was  stamped  with  an  engraven  seal  the 
words  : 

"  The  Queen  of  Siam  died  in  1852,  and  although 
the  king  had  numerous  wives,  yet  after  the  death  of 
her  late  majesty  no  other  was  raised  to  the  rank  of 
queen.  There  are  between  sixty  and  seventy  children, 
who  are  provided  with  an  English  governess,  they 
all  speak  English." 


Chen  Min« 

Siam  Country. 


240 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


His  Majesty  1st  King  of  Siam  to  Rev.  8.  W.  Bonney. 

Rajasuty  house 
grand  palace 
Bangkok-Siam. 
10th  July  1853. 

To  Reverend  Doc- 
tor W.  Samuel  Bon- 
ney of  Whampoa. 

Dear  Sir,  Where 
as  you  had  sug- 
gested me  by  your 
request  put  in  your 
letter  addressed  me 
on  return  of  my 
Ships  conveyed  my 
noble  ambassy  to  China  on  last  year,  that  I  should  send  or  lend  you  some 
Siamese  picture  books,  when  ray  Ship  would  be  sent  again  to  China.  I  am 
sorry  to  say  that  there  are  but  a  few  picture  books  in  this  Country  which 
are  but  painted  or  drawn  not  painted  or  engraved  as  well  as  those  of  Chinese 
European,  and  which,  are  but  ones  &  ones  in  possessors  &  stingy  of  their 
owners  or  possession  so  I  could  not  yet  have  one  or  two  to  be  presented  you 
on  this  occasion. 

I  beg  to  Send  you  but  a  likeness  of  the  curious  colour  of  Eliphant 
which,  is  just  in  My  possession  two  months  ago,  and  the  likeness  of  a 
White  Eliphants  which  were  belonged  to  my  late  Royal  father  "  Phra  lord 
lah"  the  king  of  Siam  &  which  were  all  now  dead.  I  trust  you  will  please 
to  have  your  interesting  with  them.     I  beg  to  remain  your  very  kind  friend. 

S.  P.  P.  M  MONGKUT. 

the  king  of  Siam. 


This  letter  with  the  king's  signature  and  seal  in  red 
ZL-L^u.— ■     .1      Siamese  characters,   was    inclosed  in   an    envelope  of 
^Jo  S   5       yellow  paper  spotted  with  gilt,  lined  with  cherry  color 
and  sealed  on  the  outside  with  red  sealing-wax.     The 
envelope  as  also  the  blue  edged  note  paper  was  stamped 
with   the  Chinese  red  characters   that  are  generally 
found  on  all  of  the  envelopes  of  his  majesty's  corres- 
pondence, namely  the  well  known  Siamese  Signature 
and  Cheng  Ming  —  Siam  Country.  The  letter  inclosed 
in  its  sealed  envelope  was  then  incased  in  an  oblong 
bag,   with  the   sacred   color  of  bright  yellow  satin  ; 
having  paper  glued  on,  with  the  direction  To  Revend 
VVilliam  Samuel  Bonney  —  the  American  Missionary 
of  Canton    or  Whampoa,  China  Care  of  H.  E.   Mr. 
John  Bowring.     H.    D.    K.  C.  B.    the  governer  of 
Hong  Kong.     With  M.  C.  Morrison's  Compts. 
The  representatives  of  European  nations  when  intrusted  with  a  public 
message  to  the  king  of  Siam  have  universally  spoken  of  their  reception, 
"  as  arranged  on  a  scale  of  oriental  magnificence,  and  it  lingers  in  mem- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  241 

ory  like  some  dreamy  recollection  of  the  splendors  of  the  Arabian  Nights. 
When  ushered  into  the  august  presence  of  '  Rex  Supremus  Siamensium' 
it  might  almost  have  been  'the  good  Haroun  Alraschid'  and  'the  great 
pavilion  of  the  caliphat  in  inmost  Bagdad,'  that  we  had  come  to,  it  was 
so  imposing  a  scene,  and  so  characteristically  oriental.  What  I  had  read 
of  in  that  book  of  entertainment,  and  hardly  thought  was  possible  except 
in  such  romantic  stories,  seemed  to  be  realized.  Here  was  a  king  worth 
seeing,  a  real  king,  with  a  real  crown  on,  and  with  real  pomp  of  royalty 
about  him.  His  cap  or  crown  fairly  blazed  with  brilliant  gems,  some  of 
them  of  great  and  costly  value.  There  was  not  wanting  in  his  manner  a 
good  deal  of  natural  dignity  ;  although  it  was  constrained  and  embarrassed. 
He  seemed  burdened  with  the  care  of  government  and  saddened  with  anx- 
iety, and  as  if  he  knew  his  share  of  the  uneasiness  of  '  the  head  that 
wears  a  crown.' " 

"  His  majesty,  Phrabat  Somdetch  Phra  Paramendr  Maha  Mongkut, 
closed  his  remarkable  career  on  the  1st  of  October,  1868,  under  circum- 
stances of  peculiar  interest.  Amid  all  the  cares  and  anxieties  of  govern- 
ment, he  had  never  ceased  to  occupy  himself  with  matters  of  literary  and 
scientific  importance.  The  approach  of  the  great  solar  eclipse  in  August, 
1868,  was  an  event,  the  coming  of  which  he  had  himself  determined  by 
his  own  reckoning,  and  for  which  he  waited  with  an  impatience  half  philo- 
sophic and  half  childish.  A  special  observatory  was  built  for  the  occasion, 
and  an  expedition  of  extraordinary  magnitude  and  on  a  scale  of  great  ex- 
penditure and  pomp  was  equipped  by  the  king's  command  to  accompany 
him  to  the  post  of  observation.  A  great  retinue  both  of  natives  and  of 
foreigners,  including  a  French  scientific  commission,  attended  his  majesty, 
and  were  entertained  at  royal  expense.  And  the  eclipse  was  satisfactorily 
witnessed  to  the  great  delight  of  the  king,  whose  scientific  enthusiasm  found 
abundant  expression  when  his  calculation  was  proved  accurate.  It  was, 
however,  almost  his  last  expedition  of  any  kind.  Even  before  setting  out, 
there  had  been  evident  signs  that  his  health  was  breaking.  And  upon 
his  return  it  was  soon  apparent  that  excitement  and  fatigue  and  the  mala- 
ria of  the  jungle  had  wrought  upon  him  with  fatal  results.  He  died 
calmly,  preserving  to  the  end  that  philosophic  composure  to  which  his 
training  in  the  Buddhist  priesthood  had  accustomed  him.  During  the 
years  of  his  monastic  life  he  grew  to  be  a  thoughtful,  studious  man,  and  he 
brought  to  his  kingly  office  a  singular  gravity,  and  dignity  and  a  wide 
familiarity  with  literature.  But  in  consequence  of  exposure  he  lost  his 
life  and  closed  a  career  of  usefulness  which  entitles  him  to  a  high  place 
among  the  benefactors  of  his  age." 

"  On  November  16,  1873,  the  young  king  of  Siam  was  recrowned,  and 
the  illumination  of  the  city,  the  land  and  water  processions  which  took 
place  within  the  week  drew  many  visitors,  native  and  foreign.  His  Ma- 
jesty WAsJlrst  crowned  Nov.  17,  1868,  being  then  in  his  sixteenth  year. 
After  he  was  twenty  years,  he  donged  the  sacred  yellow  robes,  had  his 
head  and  eyebrows  shaven,  and  entered  as  a  priest,  for  yi/tee/i  days,  into  a 
temple  connected  with  the  royal  palace.  He  was  obliged  to  beg  his  daily 
food,  but  he  sought  it  only  from  the  numerous  ladies  of  his  own  household. 
The  coronation  ceremonies  were  very  splendid.  He  wore  the  decoration 
of  an  Order  newly  instituted.  The  color  of  the  order,  with  the  star 
studded  with  diamonds,  cost  twelve  thousand  dollars.  All  the  Siamese 
present  were  prostrate  on  the  carpeted  floor,  with  bowed  heads  and  palm- 

II]  31 


242  Legacy  of  Histokical  Gleanings. 

joined  hands,  and  did  honor  to  their  youthful  king  by  raising-  themselves 
upon  their  knees  and  bowing  their  faces  three  times  to  the  floor.  This 
has  for  centuries  been  their  mode  of  saluting  superiors.  His  Majesty 
then  read  the  Royal  Edict  that  hereafter,  standing  or  walking  shall  be 
substituted  for  crouching  or  crawling,  and  a  gracelul  bowing  of  the  head 
for  prostration  on  all-fours.  When  he  had  finished  reading,  the  assembled 
Siamese  princes  and  ministers  of  State  and  noblemen,  simultaneously 
bowed  their  faces  to  the  floor,  as  at  first,  and  then  the  prostrate  throng  of 
courtiers  rose  to  their  feet,  and  stood  in  the  presence. of  the  Mng^  for  the 
first  time  in  their  lives.  Every  friend  of  Siam  looked  upon  this  scene 
with  great  delight.  His  Majesty  had  perceived  that  the  old  custom  of 
Siam  was  manifestly  an  oppressive  exaction,  and  it  was  his  royal  purpose 
to  remove  from  the  people  whatever  was  oppressive  and  burdensome," 

I  have  been  turning  over  the  "thought  in  my  mind  dear  Mother,  whe- 
ther filial  duty  did  not  require  me  to  visit  America  merely  to  see  you 
once  more,  or  principally  for  that  purpose.  My  obligations  to  the  Ame- 
rican Board  as  their  delegate,  and  to  Christ  as* His  ambassador  to  the 
heathen  Chinese  are  the  only  apparent  hindrances.  I  know  that  I  love 
you,  and  that  you  have  been  a  good,  loving  and  faithful  mother  to  me. 
What  a  rich  blessing  it  would  be  if  all  children  could  be  favored  with  as 
good  a  mother.  I  praise  God  for  this  great  favor  and  that  you  so  dili- 
gently trained  me  to  be  useful  among  my  fellow  travelers  to  Eternity. 
Yoong  Awing  wrote  me  that  his  mother  has  repeatedly  urged  him  to 
come  home,  "  but  when  I  compare,"  he  says,  "  the  advantages  of  such  an 
education  as  old  Yale  gives  her  sons  with  the  gratification  of  seeing  my 
friends  a  short  time,  the  latter  dwindles  into  nothing."  I  cannot  fully 
adopt  his  language,  for  my  mother  and  friends  are  Christians  while  his 
are  heathen.  He  is  lavish  in  bis  expressions  of  delight  at  his  scholastic 
attainments  and  decides  to  remain  at  his  post,  while  /  am  still  in  great 
doubt  regarding  the  path  of  duty  which  God  designs  me  to  pursue  in  re- 
pect  to  the  visit  to  America.  When  Jonas  King  was  in  Paris  and 
received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Parsons  requesting  Mr.  K.,  to  join  him  as 
missionary  in  Palestine,  he  was  in  doubt  regarding  it.  He  was  then  pre- 
paring for  a  professorship  in  Amherst  College.  A  little  tract  states  that 
he  retired  and  spent  an  hour  in  praijer  for  divine  guidance  in  his  case. 
After  consultation  with  Mr.  Wilder  he  decided  to  go  to  Palestine.  He 
is  now  a  missionary  in  Greece.  His  example  was  good  and  the  true 
course  to  get  light  for  one's  path.  I  have  endeavored  to  bring  my  mind 
and  heart  to  a  full  reliance  on  God  as  to  whether  I  shall  see  you  and  find 
an  earthly  blessing  in  the  person  of  a  partner  for  life. 

8.  W.  Bonney  to  Jds  Mother. 

My  Dear  Mother,  Whampoa  Jany.  30,  1853. 

The  sad  duty  of  aiding  in  consigning  to  the  grave  the  remains  of 
a  brother  missionary  has  devolved  upon  me  this  day.  Four  weeks 
ago  yesterday  Brother  Brewster  sllrived  here  with  his  wife.  Two 
weeks  ago  yesterday  he  was  taken  ill  with  the  small-pox  and  yes- 
terday he  departed  this  life  to  enter  upon  his  eternal  reward.  Revs. 
Dr.  Ball,  Dr.  Happer,  Mr.  S.  W.  Williams,  Revs.  Mr.  Vrooman  and 
Whilden  came  down  with  the  corpse  to  day.  Brother  Brewster  mentioned 
to  me  that  he  saw  you  at  South  Hadley  and  perhaps  you  will  recollect 
him.  On  account  of  his  illness  and  my  duties  keeping  me  pretty  close  at 
Whampoa,  I  have  not  become  much  acquainted  with  him.     Tomorrow  it 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  243 

is  my  iDtentioD  to  go  up  to  Canton  and  learn  the  circumstances  of  his  ill- 
ness and  decease.  Part  of  the  time  he  was  delirious  and  his  throat  was  so 
sore  that  he  could  not  converse  readily.  How  mysterious  are  Grod's  pro- 
vidences. This  one  especially  so.  Why  should  our  brother  be  snatched 
away  after  only  one  month's  residence  at  his  station  ?  When  laborers  in 
this  vineyard  are  so  few,  one  cannot  easily  be  spared.  I  mean  according 
to  human  view  which  of  course  is  limited,  and  liable  to  err.  Yes  it  is 
not  only  liable  but  "  sure  to  err"  as  Cowper  expressess  it :  "  Blind  unbe- 
lief is  sure  to  err  and  scan  his  work  in  vain.  Grod  is  his  own  interpre- 
ter and  he  will  make  it  plain."  I  am  apt,  perhaps  too  apt  to  rely  on 
brethren  for  strength  and  success,  so  that  now  I  feel  weak.  One  of  my 
companions  had  just  put  his  hand  to  the  work  and  behold  he  is  gone. 
Why  is  this  ?  Was  he  not  qualified  ?  For  all  that  I  know  as  well  as  any 
of  us.  Was  it  to  make  room  for  another  ?  There  is  room  for  a  hundred 
more.  The  reason  is  not  evident.  But  there  is  no  better  way  than  to  be 
satisfied  that  it  was  Grod's  holy  and  all  wise  purpose.  Perhaps  he  wishes 
to  show  that  it  is  not  by  great  numbers  of  missionaries  that  Satan's  power 
is  to  be  broken  here.  Gideon  collected  82,000  soldiers  to  battle  with  the 
Midianites,  but  God  would  have  only  300.  China  is  a  vast  empire,  but 
God  by  His  Spirit  can  turn  the  hearts  of  multitudes  without  sending  a 
foreign  missionary  to  every  10,000.  Bro.  Brewster  died  while  engaged 
io  a  good  work,  a  heavenly  employment,  he  was  a  soldier  of  Christ.  Hun- 
dreds of  English  soldiers  have  died  at  Hongkong,  but  how  will  their  ser- 
vice and  motives  compare  with  Bro.  Brewsters  ?  They  are  as  wide  apart 
as  earth  and  heaven.  Let  me  ever  be  in  Christ's  service,  I  cannot  love 
Him  too  much  or  serve  Him  too  faithfully.  Mrs.  Brewster  is  left  a  young 
and  lonely  widow.  She  was  from  Windham,  Connecticut.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Byrne.     W^hether  she  desires  to  return  or  not  I  have  not  heard. 

Some  copies  of  "  Uncle  Tom's  Log  Cabin"  by  Mrs.  Stowe  have  come  out 
here.  I  have  read  a  few  pages,  but  find  exceptionable  paragraphs  already. 
There  is  needless  'profanity  in  it.  This  is  a  great  objection  in  my  mind 
to  the  book  as  far  as  I  have  read.  "  Let  no  corrupt  communication  pro- 
ceed out  of  your  month,"  nor  from  your  pen ^  which  is  the  mouth  of  book- 
makers. I  have  a  large  elephant's  tooth  brought  from  Penang  and  given 
me  by  Capt.  Folger  of  the  American  ship  Flavins.  By  and  by  I  intend 
to  send  it  to  Danbury  as  a  present  to  sister  Lucy.  It  can  be  put  in  her 
cabinet  for  the  inspection  of  the  young  ladies  and  all  other  friends.  It  is 
larger  than  my  two  feet. 

Feb.  Sfh.  Yesterday  I  went  up  to  Canton  to  attend  the  Monthly  Con- 
cert, which  was  conducted  by  Dr.  Hobson.  Returning  from  the  meeting. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vrooman,  Mrs  Brewster  and  Lysoon,  a  Chinese  Christian 
young  man,  took  seats  in  my  boat  to  return  home  two  miles  by  water. 
The  two  ladies  were  dressed  in  mourning  for  Mr.  Brewster.  The  Lord 
and  Giver  of  life  grant  you  every  blessing.  With  love  to  you  and  all 
from,  Samuel  Wm.  Bonney. 

Mrs.  S.  W.  Bonney. 

Wha7npoa,  April  13,  1853.  Mr.  S.  Wells  Williams  has  been  requested 
by  Commodore  Perry  to  accompany  the  .Japan  Expedition  as  interpreter  ; 
he  expects  to  be  absent  sometime,  and  I  have  consented  to  reside  at  Can- 
ton and  superintend  the  Anglo-Chinese  press  which  is  in  his  care.  It 
is  a  great  pleasure  for  me  to  oblige  him.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bridgman  are  delib- 
erating whether  to  go  to  Shanghai  at  once,  or  remain  here  a  few  months, 


244  Legacy  of  'Historical  Gtleanings. 

while  Mr.  Williams  goes  to  Japan.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  bringing  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Bridgman  in  ray  boat  to  Whampoa.  We  visited  the  graves  of  Rev. 
James  G.  Bridgman  and  Rev.  Mr.  Brewster,  then  after  honoring  me  by 
taking  "  tiffin  "  in  my  house  I  escorted  them  safely  to  Canton.  Dr. 
Bridgman's  opinion  is,  that  I  need  to  visit  America  soon,  to  invigorate 
my  constitution  by  breathing  my  native  air  again.  ***** 

It  is  now  nine  and  a  half  years  since  I  left  my  early  home  for  China, 
during  that  time  I  have  not  seen  over  five  of  my  acquaintances  whom  I 
knew  in  America.  In  May,  Revds.  Lord  and  Knowlton  visited  Canton, 
they  spent  the  Sabbath  here  and  we  wei*e  benefitted  by  their  visit.  Mrs. 
Lord  and  Mrs.  Knowlton  did  not  come  up  from  Honkong,  I  therefore 
wrote  the  latter,  who  was  one  of  my  old  friends,  a  letter  of  welcome  to 
missionary  labors  in  China.  Mrs.  Vrooman  of  our  Mission  is  now  at 
Macao  very  ill  and  even  dangerously  so.  Mr.  Williams  is  in  Japan.  Mrs. 
Williams,  her  three  children  and  myself  are  the  only  members  of  our 
Mission  now  in  Canton.  Dr.  Ball  is  on  his  way  to  America  with  his  family. 
Mrs.  Brewster  is  at  Macao  with  Mrs.  Vrooman.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bridgman 
have  gone  to  Shanghai ;  and  the  present  prospect  is  I  shall  go  to  America 
the  end  of  this  year,  if  the  Prudential  Committee  give  their  consent. 
It  will  be  truly  pleasant  to  see  the  members  of  my  own  family,  renew  the 
acquaintance  of  many  friends,  and  after  a  reasonable  time  return  to  re- 
sume my  work  in   China. 

Canton,  April  3,  1854.  To  day  there  has  been  a  great  idol  procession 
with  all  its  attending  excitements,  it  being  considered  the  reputed  birth- 
day of  an  idol  named  the  "  Northern  Ruler."  He  has  many  temples  in 
Canton  and  they  make  joint  contributions  of  men,  banners  and  music  for 
the  pompous  show  made  in  his  honor  at  a  great  expense  of  time  and  money. 
It  passed  directly  in  front  of  my  hong  door,  and  having  never  seen  such 
an  exhibition,  I  took  time  to  go  and  look  at  it  and  noted  down  the  several 
parts  of  the  display;  from  the  second  story  veranda  I  had  a  good  view  of 
the  procession,  which  occupied  one  and  a  quarter  hours  from  1.L5  to  2.30 
o'clock  p.  M.,  in  passing  my  stand  point.  It  was  called  a  grand  Oriental 
pageant.  There  were  two  hundred  and  thirty-nine  Musicians.  Ninety- 
eight  Horses  with  rich  saddle  cloths  well  covered  with  gay  embroidery. 
Twenty-nine  richly  embroidered  Canopies.  High  officers  of  Government 
here  always  have  one  of  these  canopies  carried  in  their  retinue.  Nineteen 
Sedan-Chairs.  All  persons  in  connection  with  the  gorgeous  train  were 
dressed  in  very  showy,  flowery  bright  silk  garments,  especially  the  women 
and  children,  whose  varied  costume  was  exceedingly  elegant  with  sparkling 
jewelry  and  brilliant  flowers.  There  were  innumerable  large  gongs  and 
drums;  girls  on  horseback;  large  gay  colored  Chinese  lanterns  of  elegant 
designs ;  musicians  in  red  coats  and  red  conical  caps  with  instruments ; 
ornamental  carved  signs  of  the  idol;  handsome  silk  banners  carried  by 
boys  in  fancy  costumes;  tables  with  fine  incense  urns;  boys  on  horseback 
gaily  dressed ;  men  in  uniform  carrying  brazen  spears,  swords,  shields  and 
various  military  implements  ;  tables  with  kettle  drums  ;  singular  oriental  cir- 
cular canopies,  mace  bearers  in  blue  dress;  large  pieces  of  tapestry  carried 
by  four  men  ;  boy  on  horseback  wearing  spectacles  ;  painted  images  ;  gilded 
sedan  chair  richly  ornamented ;  brilliant  red  tablets  plenteously  gilded 
with  Chinese  characters ;  men  with  fire-crackers ;  men  and  boys  on  horse- 
back with  hideous  masks  or  painted  faces;  boys  with  gaily  embroidered 
caps  (in d  feathers,  on  horseback  carrying  swords;  Chinese  gentry  and  boys 
on  foot  elaborately  dressed  in  rich  robes ;  tables  covered  with  cakes,  con- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  245 

fectionery,  fruits  and  other  sacrificial  food ;  glass-cases  of  jewelry  and 
choice  Jade  stones  ;  miniature  carved  boats  and  houses ;  red  state  umbrellas  ; 
tables  with  carved  ornaments;  infant  nicely  dressed  on  a  horse;  splendid 
silken  banners;  flowers ;  flags  ;  carved  stones;  Temple  apparatus ;  execu- 
tioners with  swords;  men  and  boys  with  fans  of  various  kinds  and  dimen- 
sions ;  sedan  chair  with  an  uncouth  idol ;  women  occupying  high  settees 
on  platforms  carried  by  four  coolies.  [When  in  Macao,  in  1858  during 
the  ravages  made  by  the  Cholera,  I  witnessed  a  similar  imposing  religious 
procession  "  parading  their  pi'incipa4  gods  about  upon  their  shoulders  with 
hundreds  of  men,  women,  and  children  following  in  the  train."  Also 
"  Gods  made  of  wood  and  mud  richly  dressed,  in  most  magnificent  sedans," 
with  many  honorary  tablets,  lanterns  and  banners,  plenty  of  music  from  wind 
instruments  and  the  crashing  of  gongs,  to  propitiate  the  Gods  that  the  pesti- 
lence might  be  removed.  Throughout  the  whole  showy  pageant,  with  the 
many  gods  so  ostentatiously  elevated  on  platforms,  or  in  elegant  sedan 
chairs,  it  was  to  me  a  curious  and  novel  sight;  and  though  forcibly  struck 
by  all  the  pomp  and  elegance  of  the  lengthy  procession,  it  left  a  sad  im- 
pression. "  It  seemed  as  ludicrous  as  it  was  off"ensive,"  viewing  such 
heathenish  and  idolatrous  delusions  for  they  "  carry  the  idols  to  a  certaii^^ 
place  and  ofi"er  wine  and  food."  The  boys  and  girls,  however,  seemed  to 
have  a  hearty  appreciation  of  its  unmatched  merits.] 

Japan  Treaty  Signed. 

April  4,  1854.  News  from  Japan  came  yesterday  that  a  Treaty  between 
the  Emperor  of  Japan  and  the  United  States  Government  was  to  be  signed 
on  the  27th  of  March.  Two  ports  are  to  be  opened  for  trade,  a  third 
port  is  a  coal  depot  and  a  fourth  at  Loochoo.  The  Commodore  landed 
with  400  men  and  held  his  first  interview  with  the  Japanese  princes  on 
March  8th.  That  was  the  decision  day  for  both  countries,  because  the 
High  Commissioners  of  both  countries  interchanged  friendly  conversation, 
wishes  and  presents  on  that  day.  Japan  is  open,  and  will  soon  be  a 
rich  field  for  Mission  labor.  This  morning  (June  seventeenth)  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  shaking  hands  with  R.  C.  Morse,  Esq.,  one  of  the  proprietors 
of  the  New  York  Observer.  He  has  come  here  via  San  Francisco  in  the 
clipper  "  Flying  Cloud."  His  little  son  Willie  eight  years  of  age  is  with 
him.  I  think  his  example  of  taking  a  trip  to  China,  will  ere  long  be 
followed  by  other  good  men  who  can  aff"ord  the  time  and  money  He 
said,  it  seemed  only  a  little  thing  to  step  over  to  China  now.  He  is  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  shrewdness  combined  with  a  well  organized 
physical  temperament,  and  it  is  pleasant  to  see  such  a  tranquil  spirit  with 
the  law  of  kindness  for  his  great  rule. 

June  20</t.  Our  good  sister  Mrs.  Vrooman  has  closed  her  days  in  peace, 
she  has  left  us  and  joined  the  company  of  the  ransomed  ones.  She  died 
last  Saturday,  June  17th  —  and  her  funeral  was  to  be  attended  yesterday, 
at  Macao.  She  is  the  third  one  of  our  Canton  Mission  who  has  left  us 
since  1850,  to  return  no  more.  May  we  meet  them  among  the  blood 
washed  throng  on  high  around  the  throne  of  God,  to  join  in  endless 
praises.  The  first  intelligence  of  this  departure  will  fall  heavily  on  the 
hearts  of  her  relatives  at  home,  it  will  be  a  sore  bereavement  and  they 
have  the  sympathies  of  all  the  mission  circle  for  Mrs.  Vrooman  was  greatly 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  her. 

Julif  24,  1854.  The  United  States  Vice  Consul  D.  N.  Spooner,  Esq., 
invited  me  to  go  in  the  capacity  of  interpreter  fo.  a   recounoitering  party 


246  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

on  an  excursion  up  the  river  to  the  city  of  Fatshan  about  twelve  miles 
distant,  which  has  been  in  the  possession  of  the  Insurgents  for  two  or 
three  weeks  and  is  now  closely  besieged  by  the  Imperialist  troops.  Two 
boats  of  the  U.  S.  Steamer  "  John  Hancock  "  with  28  men  in  all  and  two 
Chinese  pilots  from  Canton  started  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  last 
Monday,  having  the  American  Flag  waving  over  us.  In  the  gig  were 
Captain  John  Rodgers,  Mr.  Spooner,  the  Consul,  myself,  five  oarsmen, 
two  marines  and  the  Chinese  pilots  in  the  bow  of  the  vessel.  The  sky 
was  cloudy,  and  a  welcome  shower,  abctut  five  o'clock  had  cooled  the  close, 
oppressive  air.  We  had  a  fair  tide,  and  quickly  glided  past  the  Western 
Suburbs,  through  the  Fatee  creek  making  a  favorable  start  for  our  day's 
undertaking.  After  leaving  the  large  village,  named  Eem-Po,  the  land 
on  both  sides  of  the  river  was  found  to  be  level,  and  principally  planted 
with  rice,  though  occasionally  a  grove  of  fruit  trees  was  seen.  These 
fields  of  rice  presented  a  very  pleasant  aspect  so  thickly  coated  with  this 
pure  lively  green  color,  it  was  really  refreshing  to  the  eye  after  the  sight 
of  dusty  city  streets  for  so  long.  Presently  we  overtook  two  shopkeepers 
from  Canton,  in  their  long  grass-cloth  gowns,  who  were  going  to  inquire 
^how  the  battle  went."  They  endeavored  to  dissuade  us  from  advancing 
any  further,  but  the  dauntless  Capt.  Kodgers  and  Consul  Spooner  repu- 
diated the  unsolicited  advice  and  thought  best  to  proceed.  We  heard 
the  constant  firing  of  cannon  at  Fatshan  and  could  see  clouds  of  smoke 
rising  from  burning  buildings;  now  and  then  a  blaze  would  break  out, 
showing  us  that  the  work  of  destruction  was  still  going  on.  The  surface 
of  the  water  had  large  quantities  of  oil  floating  down  upon  it;  for  more 
than  a  mile  we  passed  through  it  and  subsequently  learned  that  the  In- 
surgents had  burnt  an  oil  factory  and  thrown  down  quantities  of  oil  in 
the  streets  to  prevent  the  Imperialist  soldiers  from  marching  into  th^city. 
At  ten  o'clock  we  arrived  within  half  a  mile  of  Fatshan  and  observed  a 
band  of  Insurgents  coming  out  with  a  banner  flying,  the  men  armed  with 
spears,  swords  and  matchlocks.  Some  half  dozen  or  more  ran  on  forward 
of  the  rest  and  came  near  our  boats  ;  we  beckoned  to  them  to  come  down 
to  the  water's  edge.  One  man  came  down  so  near,  that  he  could  look  into 
the  boat,  he  inquired  "  who  are  you  ?"  "  where  are  you  from  ?"  "  what  do 
you  want  ?"  We  told  him  we  came  on  a  peaceful  errand  and  not  to  fight, 
to  ascertain  the  real  state  of  afi'airs  at  Fatshan  and  have  an  interview  with 
the  Commander  of  the  Insurgent  forces;  we  also  expresseda  wish  to  land. 
The  man  replied  very  angrily  and  said  he  would  fight  and  kill  us  if  we 
came  ashore.  For  ten  minutes  we  endeavored  to  persuade  him  to  accept 
our  friendly  ofi'ers.  Capt.  Rodgers  and  the  Consul  seeing  it  was  of  no 
avail,  resolved  to  return  to  Canton.  The  boats  were  turned  and  we  began 
to  pull  back,  but  had  not  gone  more  than  three  rods,  when  Capt.  Rodgers 
looked  to  the  bank  of  the  river  and  said,  "  there's  a  fellow  aiming  at  us," 
I  instinctively  lowered  my  head,  but  Mr.  Spooner  turned  sidewa3's  to  look 
just  as  a  shot  grazed  his  cheek.  Capt.  Rodgers  ordered  the  men  to  drop 
their  oars  and  take  their  guns.  They  did  so,  and  fired  with  eff"ect,  for 
the  Chinamen  who  sent  the  first  shot  at  our  boat,  fell  at  once.  We  then 
pulled  quickly  down  the  river,  for  the  drums  and  gongs  were  beating  to 
call  out  the  Insurgent  soldiers  to  fight :  After  a  couple  of  miles  fast  pulling 
we  reached  the  Imperialist  fleet  at  anchor  and  went  on  board  the  Admiral's 
Junk,  where  he  received  us  courteously  and  friendly,  giving  our  Consul 
all  the  desired  information  concerning  Fatshan  and  the  Insurgents.  At 
12  o'clock  we  went  ashore  at  a  three  story  pagoda  to  eat  our  breakfast, 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  247 

which  Mr.  Spooner  had  brought  with  him.  Our  table  was  the  stone  floor 
or  pedestal  of  the  pagoda  ;  the  small  grove  of  trees  encircling  it,  shielded 
us  from  the  sun.  At  2  o'clock  we  came  up  with  a  Government  Junk  re- 
turning from  the  morning's  fight ;  laden  with  spoils  of  clothing,  furniture, 
flags  and  other  things.  I  am  thankful  that  we  all  returned  safe  to  the 
City,  without  any  harm  either  from  Rebels  or  Imperialists.  The  state  of 
confusion  and  excitement  which  existed  at  Canton  was  very  unfavorable 
to  missionary  operations. 

August  22.  The  city  is  now  threatened  by  two  bands  of  insurgents,  one 
on  the  north  west  corner  of  the  city,  the  other  on  the  north  east  corner. 
'J'he  Government  troops  marched  out,  and  commenced  the  attack  on  the 
rebels  stationed  at  these  places.  The  latter  have  two  or  three  times  com- 
menced the  battle  themselves,  but  have  been  repulsed.  They  are  said  to 
be  more  numerous  than  the  government  troops,  but  not  so  well  provided 
with  arms  and  ammunition.  Yesterday  an  order  was  issued  by  the 
governor  that  all  shops,  houses,  and  buildings  that  adjoined  the  wall 
on  the  out-side  should  be  pulled  down.  This  will  produce  great  dis- 
tress and  inconvenience,  because  hundreds  of  small  shopkeepers  will  be 
thrown  out  of  employment  and  places  of  business.  The  imperialists  are 
guarding  the  city  as  well  as  they  can  ;  but  their  resources  are  failing, 
because  the  country  people  on  every  side  are  rebelling,  and  foreign  trade 
being  checked,  the  usual  receipts  at  the  custom  house  are  very  much 
diminished.  The  imperial  government  is  making  extraordinary  exertions 
to  defend  the  city.  The  walls  and  gates  are  being  repaired,  double- 
guarded  ;  and  every  person  who  enters  the  city  must  have  a  passport  as 
a  precautionary  measure. 

September  9.  The  Insurgents  have  possession  of  a  large  fort  at  Wham- 
poa,  and  seem  to  maintain  their  authority  for  several  miles  around.  They 
are  gaining  adherents  in  the  country  faster  than  in  the  city.  The  go- 
vernment still  holds  the  city  with  a  strong  hand.  Sabbath  services,  how- 
ever, were  continued  at  Rev.  Mr.  Vrooman's  chapel.  The  last  Sabbath  in 
August,  about  forty  persons  were  present,  and  very  attentive.  Six  of 
them  would  be  called  Chinese  gentlemen,  and  last  Sabbath  about  seventy 
attended ;  several  of  them  were  imperialist  soldiers.  All  foreign  ladies 
have  left  Canton,, and  gone  to  Macoa  and  Hongkong  for  safety.  "  Canton 
remains  quiet,  and  the  province  is  apparently  more  tranquil  than  before, 
if  we  may  judge  from  the  safe  transit  of  goods  and  produce  to  and  from 
Canton,  and  the  regular  movements  of  the  large  passage  boats,  which  had 
long  been  disused  on  the  river.  Food  is  plentiful,  and  the  growing  crops 
look  well,  the  weather  being  favorable.  The  crops  of  the  new  season's 
Congous  have  arrived."  A  ship  has  just  come  down  from  Shanghai,  re- 
porting that  the  Japan  Treaty  had  been  signed  and  that  the  Squadron 
under  Commodore  Perry  might  be  expected  down  at  Hongkong  about  the 
middle  of  July.  I  shall  then  be  released  from  the  duties  of  the  Printing 
Oflace,  and  can  prepare  to  sail  for  America. 

Sept.  26.  "  Canton  is  still  held  by  the  Imperialists,  but  constant 
fighting  has  again  been  going  on,  with  varying  success;  it  is  thought, 
however,  that  the  Imperialists  may  be  able  to  retain  the  city.  The 
little  steamer  Queen,  that  has  been  lying  off  the  foreign  factories  at 
Canton  for  the  last  nine  months,  for  the  protection  of  the  lives  and  pro- 
perty of  our  countrymen  resident  there  still  is  at  the  anchorage,  and  a  marine 
force  under  the  command  of  1st  Lieut.  J.  H.  Jones  is  stationed  on  shore  at 
the  consulate.     The  English  residents  are  protected  by  the  presence  of 


248  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

H,  B.  M.  ship  Comus,  sixteen  guns,  Capt.  Fellows.  This  arrangement  has 
been  made  at  the  urgent  solicitation  of  our  countrymen  in  consequence 
of  the  disturbed  state  of  the  river  and  country  adjoining.  The  rebels 
still  hold  Fatshan,  the  twin  city,  as  it  is  called  of  Canton,  some  twelve  miles 
distant.  The  province  was  infested  by  banditti,  acting  in  separate  bodies, 
and  interrupting  all  internal  trade  and  intercourse.  Attempts  were  made 
by  teamen  to  open  communication  with  shipping  places  on  the  river,  but 
without  any  success,  and  very  little  tea  comes  in  from  the  country,  a 
heavy  black  mail  being  demanded  by  the  rebels,  who  occupy  stations 
between  the  tea  districts  and  the  Canton  market.  It  is  said,  however,  an 
arrangement  has  been  entered  into  between  the  producers  and  rebels, 
by  which  it  will  be  permitted  to  come  down  very  shortly.  One  or 
two  chops  have  come  down  and  been  towed  from  Canton  to  Whampoa 
by  the  steamers  that  ply  between  Canton  and  Hongkong.  The  Tartar 
or  Imperial  camp  is  plainly  to  be  seen  on  the  hills  and  occupying  the 
castles  in  the  rear  of  Canton,  and  skirmishes,  in  which  a  great  deal  of 
powder  is  expended,  and  few  are  killed  or  wounded,  are  of  daily  occurrence. 
The  rebels  have  possessed  themselves  of  several  forts  below  Canton, 
between  it  and  Whampo,  and  the  river  is  full  of  pirates,  so  that  it  is 
dangerous  for  an  unarmed  boat  to  pass  between  the  two  places.  This 
unhappy  war,  is  fast  wrecking  this  ancient  empire  by  its  internal  dissen- 
sions." Bayard  Taylor,  Esq.,  who  was  connected  with  Commodore 
Perry's  Expedition  and  had  just  returned  from  Japan  in  the  Flag  Ship, 
was  on  a  visit  in  this  city  to  Mr.  Gideon  Nye,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  being 
his  escort  while  making  the  circuit  of  Canton  walls.  In  company  with 
Dr.  Williams  we  also  visited  the  Honan  Temple,  when  I  introduced  him 
to  my  former  landlord,  the  old  abbot,  who  evidently  was  pleased  and 
treated  our  party  with  courteousness.  Mr.  Taylor  left  us  on  September 
9th,  intending  to  return  to  the  United  States  in  the  fine  clipper  ship 
"  Sea  Serpent." 

October  \st.  This  is  the  Sabbath.  I  was  a  little  disturbed  to-day  during 
the  public  services  at  my  Chinese  meeting  as  I  have  never  been  before; 
it  was  caused  by  the  firing  from  the  forts  north  of  the  city.  From  ten  to 
three  o'clock,  being  five  hours,  there  was  constant  firing.  The  Insurgents 
had  probably  made  another  attack,  which  was  then  being  successfully 
repulsed.  About  300  cannon  were  discharged  every  hour.  As  the 
Chinese  seemed  to  be  quiet  and  unconcerned  about  the  scene  of  war  so 
near  at  hand,  I  thought  it  best  to  be  also  perfectly  composed,  and  proceeded 
with  preaching  and  prayer  as  usual.  And  although  the  sound  of  cannon 
was  crashing  most  unpleasantly  on  my  ear,  the  people  manifested  an 
interest  as  we  earnestly  endeavored  to  tell  them  of  God,  of  Christ  and 
salvation. 

"  About  a  week  since  a  large  force  was  sent  against  Fatshan,  but  the 
expedition  failed  to  retake  the  place;  and  that  important  depot  is  still 
held  by  the  insurgents.  Nothing  was  accomplished  mamly  because  the 
soldiers  are  too  cowardly  to  engage  in  hand  to  hand  combats  with  an 
enemy  of  even  equal  strength.  The  large  mandarin  boats  approached  the 
town  at  high  water,  fired  a  few  guns  and  returned  to  their  own  lines  with 
the  falling  tide.  The  imperial  authority  still  rules  in  the  city  of  Canton 
and  the  defence  appears  to  satisfy  the  authorities,  though  the  chief  magis- 
trate has  been  executed  owing  to  some  treachery  having  been  discovered. 
The  presence  at  Canton  of  a  strong  naval  force,  British  and  American, 
has  apparently  checked  any  active  demonstration  that  might  have  been 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  •       249 

contemplated  by  the  insurgents  against  the  city,  and  the  two  parties  re- 
main relatively  in  the  same  position.  However,  some  desultory  fighting 
has  been  going  on  in  the  river  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  city.  The 
,  military  operations  of  the  Imperialists  are  limited  to  the  defence  of  the 
place,  and  the  Ladrones  (or  rebels)  are  throwing  up  fortifications  a  little 
distance  off,  with  the  view  to  a  prolonged  siege.  Many  of  the  wealthy 
Chinese,  who  left  in  a  panic  in  July,  when  Fatshan  was  taken  by  the  La- 
drones,  have  returned  to  town  from  the  feeling  that  they  are  safer  here 
than  in  the  country.  This  gives  a  local  feeling  of  confidence,  but  the  safety 
of  inland  transit  must  be  established  before  business  can  be  resumed.  The 
piratical  force  in  the  river  and  in  these  Chinese  waters  is  so  alarming  that 
Sir  James  Stirling  represented  the  matter  to  the  Viceroy  of  Canton,  and 
requested  his  cooperation  in  the  destruction  of  these  fleets.  A  ready  assent 
was  given,  and  means  will  be  —  at  the  disposal  of  the  Imperial  Govern- 
ment —  placed  in  readiness  to  proceed  with  any  expedition  that  Admiral 
Stirling  may  undertake." 

October  10,  1854.  I  have  completed  "A  Vocabulary  and  Phrase  Book 
of  the  Canton  Dialect."  There  has  never  been  a  book  exactly  like  it 
published  here,  and  several  persons  are  wishing  to  procure  a  copy.  It  is 
designed  to  assist  missionaries  and  others,  in  acquiring  the  Canton  dialect. 
No  miraculous  gift  of  tongues  in  these  dajs  is  bestowed  on  missionaries, 
but  toil  and  study  must  make  the  acquisition.  Dictionaries,  Phrase-books 
and  Grammars  diminish  the  labor  and  facilitate  the  acquisition.  By 
putting  in  print  what  I  have  acquired  of  the  colloquial,  I  hope  to  aid 
newly  arrived  missionaries  and  those  who  labor  hereafter  among  this 
people. 

Having  now  brought  my  book  to  publication,  I  resolved  to  visit  Macao 
and  Hongkong  before  sailing  for  America  at  an  early  day.  Commodore 
Perry  was  passenger  to  Southampton  in  the  mail  steamer  some  time 
since,  but  I  hope  to  go  via  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  The  steamer  stopt  an 
hour  at  Cumsingmoon  and  took  in  twenty  or  more  boxes  of  the  subtle 
drug  which  is  poisoning  millions  of  the  Chinese  —  Opium  which  finds  a 
too  ready  market  in  this  Empire.  I  arrived  at  Macao  about  four  o'clock 
and  was  kindly  received  by  Mrs.  Williams  and  her  three  active  and  bright 
little  children.  Three  days  since  there  was  a  severe  storm  in  this  region 
which  damaged  property  considerably  both  on  land  and  water.  About 
fifteen  miles  beyond  Macao  we  passed  two  large  Chinese  junks  that  were 
wrecked  during  the  gale.  One  exposed  its  mast  three  fourths  out  of 
water,  and  persons  were  clinging  to  it.  Another  junk,  however,  was 
along  side  to  rescue  them  so  our  Captain  did  not  go  to  them  as  there  was 
no  necessity;  but  we  were  not  sorry  to  be  moored  in  the  harbor,  amid  the 
many  floating  domiciles  stretching  far  away  in  the  anchorage  on  both  sides, 
and  to  meet  the  cheery  greetings  of  numerous  Canton  friends.  I  found 
Richard  0.  Morse,  Esq.,  at  his  desk  surrounded  with  books  and  dipping 
largely  into  Portuguese  poetry;  probably  his  frequent  visits  to  the  Cave 
of  Camoens,  in  the  midst  of  most  romantic  and  picturesque  surroundings, 
had  operated  on  his  poetic  ideas.  We  both  found  much  enjoyment  in 
the  beautiful  cultivated  garden  in  which  the  celebrated  cave  is  situated; 
and  there  our  skeleton  plan  was  definitely  arranged,  and  the  pleasure  was 
mutual  when  the  decision  was  made,  that  we  return  together  to  America 
via  Europe.  It  will  indeed  be  a  rich  treat  for  me.  In  our  daily  pedes- 
trian excursions,  on  one  occasion  I  walked  with  Mr.  Morse  for  two  hours 

II]  32 


250  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

over  the  hills  and  valleys  of  Macao  environs  and  was  much  refreshed  in 
body  and  soul  by  it,  for  such  a  friendly  Christian  man  is  an  excellent 
companion  in  such  a  tramp.  We  inhaled  the  delicious  odor  from  many 
cultivated  shrubs  and  flowers,  as  we  loiterers  advanced  on  our  way ;,  till  , 
finally  we  passed  through  the  front  yard  of  the  large  gray  granite  temple, 
where  Hon.  Caleb  Cushing  drew  up  and  arranged  the  treaty  between 
China  and  the  United  States  in  1844.  It  is  a  retired,  romantic  spot  by 
the  sea-side,  called  the  Mong  ha  temple  ;  the  hideous  gods  are  covered 
with  red  paint  and  heavy  gilding,  but  it  was  not  considered  irreverent  or 
indecorous,  on  the  occasion  of  the  signing  of  the  treaty  —  to  have  all  these 
idols  removed  to  another  part  of  the  building  to  give  more  space  for  the 
assembly.  The  banian  trees — of  more  than  200  years  in  age  —  had 
acquired  a  vast  size,  and  the  branches  or  roots  ,were  closely  interlaced 
giving  a  broad  sombre  shade,  most  acceptable  in  the  burning  heat  of  a 
summer  day.  Ten  or  twelve  priests  reside  in  this  cloistered  abode.  I 
met  two  of  them  and  presented  copies  of  the  Lord's  Prayer  in  Chinese, 
which  they  readily  received  with  bows  and  •' many  thanks  ;"  they  were 
afi"able  and  treated  us  very  courteously.  Not  far  from  the  temple  we  saw 
at  the  road-side,  the  corpse  of  a  young  child  which  had  probably  been 
thrown  out  by  some  inhuman  parent  as  not  worth  the  expense  of  burial. 
Doubtless  you  have  heard  that  cruel  infanticide  is  common  in  China. 
There  are  many  cases  of  it,  but  yet  not  to  so  great  an  extent  as  some 
suppose,  we  however  see  sad  sights  like  this  more  frequently  than  we 
could  desire.  As  we  came  down  to  the  sea  shore  it  was  quite  dark  and 
ourselves  very  weary.  Another  charming  walk  with  Mr.  Morse  was  to 
the  "  Kinging  Rocks  "  in  a  deep  rocky  cleft  between  two  high  hills  ;  when 
the  huge  mass  is  struck  with  metal,  it  gives  forth  a  clear,  sonorous  ring 
that  falls  pleasantly  on  the  ear  in  this  quiet  romantic  little  valley.  Brother 
Vrooman  returned  to  Canton  on  Tuesday,  I  assisted  him  to  pack  and  to 
get  his  things  on  the  steamer.  Mr.  Vrooman  has  been  in  deep  grief  and 
affliction  on  account  of  the  death  of  his  wife.  I  find  that  another  lady — • 
Mrs.  Brewster  — ^  of  our  Mission  has  been  spoken  for  by  Rev.  Charles  F. 
Preston,  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Mission.  She  is  the  third  lady  that 
has  left  our  A.  B.  C.  F.  Mission  to  marry  those  who  belong  to  another 
tribe.  But  they  are  in  and  o/' Israel,  so  that  there  is  no  cause  of  complaint. 
I  suppose  Brother  Pratt  has  received  the  paper  I  sent  him  giving  an  ac- 
count of  the  success  attending  Commodore  Perry's  expedition.  We  are  so 
thankful  that  Japan  can  no  longer  be  an  unknown  country.  The  Chinese 
secretary  or  teacher,  who  accompanied  Dr.  Williams,  has  written  an  in- 
teresting account  of  the  United  States  Japan  expedition,  which  was 
translated  into  English  and  published  in  the  Hong  Kong  Register.  Here 
is  an  innocent  cause  for  joy  and  gladness,  for  we  trust  the  word  of  God 
will  find  a  place  in  that  land. 

Becemher  9,  1854,  I  left  Hongkong  in  the  ship  "  Comet"  with  my 
good  friend  Mr.  Morse  and  Willie  ;  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Happer  with  four  child-  j 
ren.  When  you  have  been  rolled  about,  and  tossed  about  for  many  days  j 
out  of  sight  of  land,  there  is  a  lesson  to  be  learned  in  such  a  situation  that 
can  never  be  learned  on  land.  God's  power  and  majesty  are  impressed 
on  one's  mind;  while  man's  littleness  and  weakness  is  proved  beyond  a 
doubt.  It  is  good  to  my  heart  to  be  assured  that  my  plans,  movements, 
ways  and  even  "  stej^s"  are  regulated  by  an  All  wise  Creator.  It  is  good 
to  know  that  His  powerful  hand  supports  me  in  danger  and  difliculty. 
I  am  but  a  child  before  him.     My  safety  and  pleasure  is  to  hold  fast, 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  251 

keep  close  to  the  side  of  my  heavenly  guide  with  heart  filled  in  ascriptions 
of  praise,  which  I  desire  to  act  upon  the  prosaic  thoughts  and  duties  of 
every-day  life.  The  passengers  have  agreed  to  have  social  worship  in  the 
cabin  morning  and  evening;  Mr.  Morse,  Dr.  Happer,  and  myself  con- 
ducting it  in  turn  and  laboring  for  souls.  The  "  Comet "  anchored  in 
Batavia  Roads  sis  or  eight  miles  from  the  town ;  this  is  one  of  the  finest 
harbors  in  the  world.  The  island  of  Java  belongs  to  the  Dutch  and  is  so 
productive  as  to  be  styled  the  "  Granary  of  the  East."  Batavia  the 
capital  is  the  Queen  of  cities  ;  like  the  towns  of  old  Holland  is  beautiful, 
strong  and  has  fine  canals,  bridges  and  avenues  ;  it  is  well  protected  by 
its  Dutch  garrison.  Nothing  strikes  me  so  forcibly  in  the  brilliancy  of 
the  surroundings  at  Batavia,  of  being  in  a  civilized  country  as  the  rum- 
bling of  carriage  wheels  and  the  crack  of  the  driver's  whip.  Small  pretty 
carriages  are  constantly  passing  drawn  by  one  or  two  small  nimble  ponies. 
The  ship  commences  loading  here  and  then  proceeds  to  Samaraug  to  take 
in  the  balance  of  her  cargo  after  which  we  go  to  Bremen  in  Germany. 
By  this  arrangement  my  route  homewards  will  be  more  circuitous  than  I 
at  first  anticipated  but  I  do  not  regret  the  change.  We  had  a  most  inte- 
resting trip  of  ten  days  to  the  volcano  which  Mr.  Morse  and  myself  much 
enjoyed.  The  ascent  was  made  on  horseback  up  the  steep  sides  of  the 
mountain  to  the  immense  crater.  We  were  filled  with  astonishment  at 
the  spectacle.  The  fumes  of  sulphur  were  oppressive,  but  we  watched 
with  much  interest  for  a  long  time  the  flamy  stream  of  the  combustible 
brimstone  as  with  thick  clouds  of  smoke  it  shot  up  from  its  fiery  bed.  It 
was  strange  to  view  such  a  chaos  around  us  on  the  mountain  summit  from 
the  convulsions  of  Nature,  while  far  below  were  the  thriving  forests  with 
dark  green  glossy  foliage,  with  many  plantations  of  sugar-cane  and  lovely 
villages  in  the  distance.  There  are  thirty-eight  volcanoes  on  the  island 
though  only  a  few  are  in  an  active  state.  Sourabaya  and  Buitenzorg  are 
beautiful  places.  When  we  returned  to  our  temporary  home  we  felt  fully 
recompensed  for  all  our  fatigues  by  the  marvelous  works  of  God  as  seen 
in  the  volcanic  changes.  We  had  never  before  witnessed  such  a  pheno- 
menon as  the  stream  of  burning  sulphur  nor  been  exposed  to  an  atmo- 
sphere so  sufi'ocatiug  with  the  pernicious  odor.  Our  abiding  place  for 
some  time  to  come  is  a  large  clipper  of  1836  tons  ;  her  quarter  deck  is 
one  hundred  and  five  feet  long  which  affords  a  fine  promenade  for  the 
passengers.  Captain  Gardner  is  from  Connecticut,  he  first  came  to  China 
twenty-three  years  ago,  in  1831.  From  Bremen  I  shall  go  to  Hamburg, 
Amsterdam  and  after  a  stay  of  a  few  weeks  in  Holland  I  will  proceed  to 
old  England.  It  will  be  interesting  to  see  the  country  of  dykes,  where 
even  the  "  very  soil  is  disputed  by  the  Ocean  "  though  claimed  by  the 
patient  Dutchmen.  My  health  is  already  much  improved.  We  expect 
oTi  the  whole  to  have  a  pleasant,  prosperous  passage  with  good  cheer  and 
good  company. 

March  1855.  "  You  will  see  by  the  papers  the  account  of  the  taking 
of  Shanghai  by  the  Imperialists.  The  city  fell  into  their  hands  almost 
as  quietly  as  it  did  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels  sixteen  months  before. 
We  were  not  aware  of  the  fact  until  breakfast  time  the  following  morning. 
On  going  towards  the  city  hundreds  of  the  soldiers  might  be  seen  getting 
over  the  walls  as  best  they  could,  laden  with  plunder.  Several  of  the 
rebels  were  caught,  taken  into  the  camp,  immediately  decapitated,  disem- 
boweled, their  livers  sold  for  a  dollar  a  piece,  and  the  heads  sent  down  to 
the  city,  where  they  were  suspended  by  the  hair  and  tail  from  a  bamboo 


252  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

and  served  to  decorate  the  walls.     Can  you  imagine  a  more  brutal  act? 
The  city  itself  presents  a  scene  of  desolation  more  easily  imagined  than 
described.     Toward  the   east  and  north  sides,  the  houses  are  completely 
riddled  by  the  shot  from  the  French  frigate,  and  about  half  of  the  city  is 
burned  to   the  ground   by  the   rebels,  who  had   laid  trains  of  gunpowder 
and  set  fire   to  it  in  several  places   before  they  decamped.     Where   the 
French  had  effected  a  breach  in  the  walls  they  had  made  most  formidable 
preparations  to  receive  the  enemy,  having  fortified  a  large  building  form- 
erly used  as  a  pawnbroker's  shop,  by  piercing  holes  through  the  walls  and 
pasting  white  paper  over  them,  so  that,  to  the  eye,  they  presented  nothing 
but  a  blank  wall.     Between  this  and  the  walls  is  an  open  space,  which 
was  thickly  studded  with  man  traps,  consisting  of  round  wooden  cylinders 
buried  in  the  ground,  having  spikes  of  bamboo  placed  all  around,  pointing 
downward  ;  so  that  when  a  man  got  his  leg  in,  there  was  no  getting  it  out» 
again  —  the  bamboo  bent  to  the  leg  but  prevented  its  retreat.     These  traps 
were  carefully  covered  with  turf.     Around  various  defences  were  built, 
so  that  they  could  have  kept  the  enemy  at  bay  for  a   considerable  time. 
The  Imperialists  owe  the  capture  of  the  city  to  the  French  having  so  ef- 
fectually cut  off  all  supplies,  for  of  themselves  they  never  could  have  ac- 
complished it.     The  troops   are  now  nearly  all   disbanded  or  sent  off  to 
Nankin  and  the  walls  are  dismantled,  every  gun  having  been  taken  away. 
"  It  is  said  that  70,000  rebels  have  been   publicly  executed   at   Canton 
within  a  year.     Torture  and  decapitation  still  proceed  with  fearful  celerity 
at  this  place.     The  Potters'  sheds,  for  many  years  standing  at  the  inland 
entrance  of  the  execution  ground,  have  been  pulled  down,  so  that  it  is  now 
possible  to   place  five    hundred  malefactors  in  rows,  with  sufficient  room 
for  the  headsmen  to  pass  between  each  file  and  perform  their  work  with- 
out incommoding  each  other.     The  crosses  too,  which  used  to  be  put  up 
as  occasion  required,  are  now  fixed  permanently,  in  the  rear  of  the  little 
joss-house  at  the  entrance  of  the  golgotha.     There  was  a  grand  butchery 
last  Sunday,  when  Kana-sien,  said  to  have  been  chief  of  the  besieging  force 
at  the  north  of  the  city  last  year,  was  cut  into  two  hundred  pieces.     They 
commenced  with  the  finger  joints,  the  victim  living  till  his  members  were 
divided  into  numerous  pieces.     Five  hundred  poor  wretches  were  also  de- 
capitated at  the   same'  time.     Kana-sien   was  not  taken  in  arms  :  he  was 
arrested  when  he  was  ploughing  in  a  field,  having  taken  to  labor  of  this 
kind  in  the  hope  of  eluding  his  pursuers,  bent  on  his  capture  by  the  offer 
of  large  rewards.     He  was  carried  to  the  execution  ground  —  after  re- 
freshments had  been  received  —  seated  in  an  elegant  sedan-chair  ;  be  was 
dressed  in  his  richly  embroidered  robes  of  mandarin  splendor.     The  in- 
surrection at  Canton  has  been  virtually  suppressed,  and  trade  at  length  is 
reviving.     There  was  a  great  slaughter  among  Chinese  fleets  in  the  Gulf 
of  Petchelee  by  the  British   government  sloop  of  war.     The  vessels  de- 
stroyed were  pirates  of  the   worst  kind.     Captain   Vansittart,  who  com- 
manded the  expedition,  delivered  over  to  the  Mandarins,  to  certain  torture 
and  death,  forty-six  Chinese  who  surrendered  to  the  British  flag." 

Lane  Seminary,  Ohio,  April  18,  1856. 
*  *  *  *  Twelve  days  have  passed  since  my  ordination  and  the  mild  Spring 
is  advancing  rapidly  here.  It  is  time  for  me  to  turn  my  steps  Eastward  and 
prepare  for  resuming  my  duties  and  pleasant  labors  in  China.  Rev.  Dr. 
Beecher's  youngest  son  James  is  now  appointed  Seaman's  Chaplain  for 
Whampoa,  China.     He  sails  with  his  family  on  the  25th  of  this  month 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  253 

from  New  York  in  the  ship  "Wild  Pigeon  "  owned  by  Messrs  Olyphant 
&  Sons.  This  is  the  seventh  son  of  Dr.  Beecher  who  has  become  a 
preacher  of  the  Gospel.  Dr.  Beecher  said  he  designed  and  dedicated  them 
all  to  that  work  when  they  were  infants.  Rev.  Dr.  Scudder  did  the  same 
with  his  sons.     Would  that  many  more  fathers  would  do  likewise.    *  *  * 

Prayer  for  God's  guidance  in  prospect  of  a  new  relationsJdp  in  life. 

I  thank  Thee  0  Heavenly  Father  for  Thy  kind  care  and  guidance  in 
every  scene  of  my  past  life.  Thou  hast  treated  me  better  than  I  deserved. 
I  thank  Thee  for  the  acquaintance  of  the  lady  whom  I  have  chosen  to  be 
my  wife,  and  who  as  far  as  I  am  able  to  judge  is  a  suitable  companion 
for  me.  Be  pleased  0  Lord  to  bless  her  with  growth  in  piety.  Grant 
her  every  qualification  which  she  needs  as  the  wife  of  a  messenger  for 
Christ  to  the  heathen  people  of  a  foreign  land.  May  her  heart  be  filled 
with  love  to  Jesus,  with  pity  for  the  idolatrous  heathen  and  her  uncon- 
verted acquaintance.  Grant  her  health  and  strength  of  body,  and  direct 
her  what  means  to  use  for  preserving  health  and  prolonging  life.  Free 
her  from  the  power  of  temptations  to  ungodliness,  whether  they  arise  from 
former  habits,  education  or  social  influence.  Enable  her  to  be  prudent 
in  the  management  of  her  afi'airs,  to  maintain  a  filial  fear  of  the  Lord, 
and  practice  all  those  virtues  described  by  Thy  Holy  Spirit  in  Proverbs 
31st  and  other  portions  of  Thy  word  so  applicable  to  her  situation.  May 
she  consecrate  to  Christ  the  talents  of  knowledge,  skill,  acquaintance  and 
opportunities  to  do  "ood  which  Thou  hast  entrusted  to  her.  If  it  please 
Thee  grant  her  a  long  life  to  be  spent  as  a  servant  of  Christ  for  the  Chinese. 
May  Thy  Holy  Spirit  be  ever  granted  her  to  sanctify  her  heart  and  guide 
in  duty.  May  she  constantly  cherish  a  prayerful  mind,  and  unshaken 
trust  in  the  Word  of  God.  May  she  have  joy  and  delight  of  heart  in 
doing  her  share  of  the  labor  to  bring  forward  the  Millennium.  As  to 
myself  grant  0  Heavenly  Father  that  I  may  love  her  as  Christ  loves  his 
church.  Eph.  5,  25.  jMay  I  guard,  defend,  cherish  and  comfort  her  as 
occasion  requires.  May  I  be  kind  and  tender  to  her,  forbearing  all  harsh- 
ness and  prizing  her  as  a  valuable  jewel  entrusted  to  my  care.  May  I 
have  a  kind  regard  and  Christian  aff'ection  for  her  sisters  and  kindred. 
May  her  example  be  such  as  to  encourage  them  in  supreme  love  to  Christ. 
May  our  intimate  relationship  be  only  for  mutual  help  and  not  a  hindrance 
in  the  love  and  service  of  God.  May  it  be  for  the  increase  of  Christ's 
friends  and  decrease  of  the  number  of  his  enemies.  From  all  foolish, 
silly,  unprofitable  and  unholy  conversation,  0  Lord  preserve  us.  From  un- 
wise and  indiscreet  plans,  0  Lord  preserve  us.  From  the  desire  for  a 
great  name  or  the  honor  of  our  fellow-men,  0  keep  us.  From  compliance 
with  any  manners,  fashions  or  customs  which  spring  from  unsanctified 
minds  and  hearts,  0  keep  us.  From  all  sluggishness  in  Thy  service  and 
prayerlessness,  good  Lord  deliver  us.  From  all  inordinate  carnal  aft'ectious 
and  fleshly  lusts,  good  Lord  deliver  us:  Lord  Jesus,  we  present  ourselves 
before  Thee  as  penitent  transgressors.  Take  us  we  beseech  Thee,  and 
ever  lead  us  in  paths  of  wisdom,  peace  and  usefulness.  Let  our  afiections 
be  supremely  and  firmly  turned  to  Thee,  Thy  kingdom  and  eternal  life  in 
mansions  where  Jesus  dwells.  We  know  that  our  bodies  must  die  and 
turn  to  dust.  We  know  that  we  must  give  an  account  to  Thee  each  for 
himself  of  the  deeds  we  do  while  in  the  body.  May  this  thought  keep  us 
humbleminded  and  watchful.  Whether  the  days  Thou  dost  grant  us  here 
on  earth  be  few  or  many  give  us  the  victory  over  sin  and  fear  of  death 


254  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

"  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  Thy  kingdotn  come,  thy  will  be  done 
on  earth  as  in  Heaven.  Grrant  that  while  we  plead  for  others,  we  may 
be  sealed  with  the  King's  own  signet  as  true  servants  of  God,  Grant  us 
the  teachings  of  thy  grace  to  make  us  wise  unto  Salvation  that  we  may 
honor  Thee  with  our  body  and  spirit  which  are  thine.  Let  us  daily  carry 
with  us  enough  of  the  bread  of  life,  in  our  own  souls,  that  we  may  give 
to  those  who  are  in  need  of  divine  food.  And  now  dear  Father,  we  bring 
the  tithes  of  grateful  loving  hearts  into  thy  storehouse  and  look  for  Thy 
blessing.  In  Jesus  name  I  humbly  present  my  petitions.  With  thanks 
for  many  past  mercies  and  trusting  Thee  for  the  future.  0  hear  and 
answer  as  seemeth  good  in  Thy  sight  0  Lord  my  God  —  Amen  and  Amen. 

Cincinnati  June  15th,  1856. 

Married.  On  July  22,  1856,  at  Cherry  Hill,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  by  the 
Rev.  Duncan  Kennedy,  D.D.,  the  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Bonney,  of  Canton, 
China,  to  Miss  Cathariua  Visscher,  youngest  daughter  of  the  late  General 
Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  deceased. 


CHAPTER  Xin. 

Voyage  to  China. 

Mrs.  Bonney' s  (75  years  old)  Parting  Advice  to  her  Children,  Samuel  and  Cathariua. 

Your  Mother  here,  in  much  affection  sends, 
Some  plain  advice  to  her  young  married  friends, 
Should  you  the  friendly  hint  receive,  it  may 
Subserve  your  interest,  in  a  future  day. 
Your  various  duties  learn,  and  always  move 
.  By  rule  —  and  let  your  actions  spring  from  love. 
Yourselves,  your  tempers,  to  each  other  suit, 
And  rather  yield,  than  carry  on  dispute. 
Be  emulous  f  ir  that  exalted  sense, 
Which  fears  to  give,  and  scorns  to  take  offence, 
Should  small  disinates  arise,  in  patience  wait, 
A  little  time  may  set  the  matter  straight. 
If  one  speak  rashly,  in  an  angry  fit. 
The  other  must  be  deaf,  and  silent  sit. 
Never  lose  sig^ht  of  what  the  Scriptures  say, 
The  man  should  rule  in,  love,  the  wife  obey. 
Let  all  dissensions  in  the  closet  end, 
Nor  ever  bring  them  up,  before  a  friend. 
Your  mutual  duties  study,  when  alone, 
And  when  Avith  others,  prove  your  hearts  are  one, 
Your  neighbors  visiting  will  then  perceive. 

How  different  from  the  world  believers  live.  V 

Careful  attend  God's  word,  every  day. 
Nor  suffer  tiifles,  to  create  delay  : 
Duties  performed,  in  proper  time  and  place. 
Add  to  religion,  a  superior  grace. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  255 

Consult  each  other  often,  always  pray, 
What's  best  to  do,  and  what  to  give  away. 

At  meals  some  subject  started,  might  be  well, 
Of  God,  or  Christ,  the  Soul,  of  Heaven,  or  Hell. 
Early  to  sleep  retire,  and  early  rise. 
Lest  you  neglect  your  morning  sacrifice. 
Be  firm,  and  regular,  what  e'er  it  cost. 
Good  works  ill  done,  will  prove  but  labor  lost. 
Be  frugal,  prudent,  yet  not  mean  appear. 
The  Christian  shew,  in  all  you  eat  and  wear. 
At  home,  abroad,  keep  this  in  constant  view. 
Not  what  you  may  ;  but  what  you  ought  to  do. 
Within  thy  compass  live,  this  rule  attend, 
At  first  set  out,  as  you  would  wish  to  end. 
If  children  be  your  portion,  thankful  be, 
They  may  be  blessings,  for  eternity. 
Be  tender,  not  indulgent,  use  the  rod. 
Yet  curb  with  reason,  shew  you're  taught  of  God. 
If  sickness  seem  to  call  them,  don't  refuse, 
What  most  we  give  to  God,  we  best  do  use. 
As  friends  of  Jesus,  show  the  steady  Friend, 
To  souls  and  bodies,  your  assistance  lend. 
Be  such  through-out  thy  course,  as  shall  constrain. 
The  world  to  say,  your  faith  is  not  in  vain. 
May  God  who  first,  the  band  connubial  tied, 
With  providential  blessings,  crown  and  guide 
Your  future  steps,  and  with  supplies  of  Grace 
Your  souls,  your  bodies,  and  your  offspring  bless. 

"  Be  ye  followers  of  God  as  desir  children,  and  walk  in  love."     "  Let 
the  word  of  God  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  wisdom." 

The  kindest  happiest  pair. 
May  find  occasion  to  forbear. 
And  something  every  day  they  live, 
To  pity,  and  perhaps  forgive. 

Grant  now  thy  presence,  gracious  Lord, 
And  hearken  to  our  fervent  prayer ; 
The  nuptial  vow  in  Heaven  record, 
And  bless  the  newly  married  pair 
O,  guide  them  safe,  this  desert  thro  ; 
Mid  all  the  cares  of  life  and  love  ; 
'  At  length  with  joy  thy  face  to  view, 
In  fairer,  better  worlds  above. 


I  therefore  your  aged  Mother,  beseech  you  that  ye  walk  worthy  the 
vocation  wherewith  ye  are  called,  with  all  lowliness  and  meekness,  with 
long  suffering  forbearing  one  another  in  love ;  endeavoring  to  keep  the 
unity,  of  the  spirit,  in  the  bond  of  peace.  There  is  one  body  and  one 
spirit  even  as  ye  are  called  in  one  hope  of  your  calling.  Be  ye  an  example 
to  believers,  in  word  and  conversation,  in  charity  and  spirit,  in  faith  and 
purity.  Keep  yourselves  in  the  love  of  God.  Let  love  be  without 
dissimulation,  abhor  that  which  is  evil,  cleave  to  that  which  is  good. 
Blessed  and  happy  are  all  they,  who  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  they 
have  a  right  to  the  tree  of  life,  and  will  enter  in,  through  the  gates,  into 
the  city. 

The  woman  sure  was  taken,  from  under  Adam's  arm. 
So  she  must  be  protected,  from  injury  and  harm." 


256  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Outward  Bound. 

There  are  moments  ia  life  when  the  heart  is  like  a  smitten  rock  ;  and 
from  its  deep  springs,  emotions  gush  up  with  irresistible-  power  breaking 
away  the  flood-gates  of  memory,  till  the  present  is  obliterated  in  the  re- 
trospective vista  of  by  gone  scenes.     Such  seasons  of  cumulative  excite- 
ment are  not  unfrequent,  when  long  cherished  ties  of  nature  and  affection 
are  to  be  severed ;  it  is   always  difficult  to  analyze  the  spell  which  binds 
our  feelings  at  such  times.     The  parting   of  friends  wakens  the  deepest 
flowing  sympathies,  and  sharp  tugging  at  the  heartstrings  needing  no  spe- 
cial comment.     Though  well  is  it  that  God  in  mercy  dispels  these  shadows 
or  mists,  and  relieves  the  tension  of  mind  by  the  various   details,  which 
contribute  to  dissipate  the  sacred  seclusion  of  anxious  thoughts  —  in  the 
busy  preparation  of  speedy  departure  !     "  The  time  had  come.     The  stern 
clock  struck  the  hour.     Each   long-loved  haunt  had  shared  a  mute  fare- 
well."    The  mystical  vows  had  been  spoken  that  united  my  interest  with 
that  of  a  devoted  Missionary  who  already  had  labored  on  heathen  ground 
for  over  ten  years,  and  now  we  enlisted  for  life  in  our  vocation.     The  last 
farewells  were  given  August  4,  1856  to  our  sympathizing  "  loved  ones  " 
who,  after  singing  a  hymn,  knelt  with  us  while  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wood  com- 
mended the  voyagers  to  the  care  of  the  Almighty  Missionary.     After  the 
first  pang  of  parting  had  subsided,  things  were  settled  in  ship  shape  order, 
and  before  sunset  we  were  out  of  sight  of  land,  in  the  Clipper  Ship,  "  N. 
B.  Palmer,"   ('apt.  Charles   P.  Low,  1500  tons.     The   gallant  vessel  was 
gracefully  gliding  on  her  course,  passing  many  white  sails   both  outward 
and  inward  bound ;  nor   was  it  long  before  we   were  tossed  on   the  surges 
of  the  great    Atlantic  drifting   away  to  our   Asiatic  home.     A   Swedish 
sailor  had  the  delirium  tremens  and  died  a  few  days  after  we  left  port,  a 
victim  to  the  unlawful  gratification  of  appetite.     His  body  had  been  sewed 
up  in  strong  canvas  with  weights  enclosed  to  make  it  sink;  and  now  the 
crew  were  all  assembled  on  deck  near  the  remains.     After  the  solemn  rite 
of  the  burial  service  was  concluded,  the  winding-sheet  bundle  was  placed 
on  a  plank  projecting  through  the  porthole,  and  launched  over  its  strange 
pathway  into  the   fathomless  abyss.     "  To  witness  the  burial  of  the  dead 
is  on  all  occasions  aft'ecting,  but  how  difi"erent  a  funeral  scene  at  sea.     As 
the  waters  open  to  receive  into  their  bosom  the  lifeless  one,  and  the  deep 
blue  waves  rapidly  close,  concealing  him  from  our  longing  gaze,  in  imagina- 
tion we  still   watch    him  sinking  far   down  into  his   deep  and   boundless 
sepulchre  of  waters."     Another  soul  had  gone  to  render  up  its  account, 
while  its  frail  earthly  tenement  was  buried  deep  in  the  "  dark  mysterious 
main."     Its  requiem  was  chanted  by  the  wailing  surge,  with  the  dull  and 
ceaseless  moaning  of  the  white   crested  billows  as  they  rolled  on,  undis- 
turbed by  the  accession  which    had  been  made  to  its   countless  treasures. 
He  was  sleeping  with   thousands  of  lost  mariners  who  have  been   so  fre- 
quently engulfed  by  raging  storms.     Every  day  at  noon,  the  Captain  takes 
''  an  observation''  of  the  sun  and  reckons  his  latitude  and  longitude. 

We  often  watch  them  "  throwing  the  log,"  which  is  simply  a  line, 
runs  ofi"  a  reel,  which  is  held  at  the  stern,  and  from  the  length  it  runs  in 
twenty-eight  seconds,  it  is  easy  to  calculate  the  number  of  knots  or  miles 
in  an  hour.  And  now  we  are  watching  "  a  river  in  the  ocean,"  or  the  current 
of  the  Gulf  Stream  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  wide;  it  is  much  warmer 
than  the  surrounding  water  being  eighty  degrees.  It  is  of  a  bright  indigo 
blue,  so  distinctly  marked  that  the  line  of  junction  with  the  common  sea 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  257 

water  was  traced  by  the  eye.  So  sharp  is  the  line  and  the  want  of  affiaity 
between  these  waters  that  one-half  of  the  vessel  may  be  perceived  floating 
in  the  Gulf-stream  water,  while  the  other  half  is  in  common  water  of  the 
sea;  it  also  modifies  the  climate  over  the  AtKiatic.  The  curious  and  deli- 
cate sea-weed  presented  a  pretty  appearance  gliding  by  in  large  masses, 
some  of  which  in  its  tangled  and  interwoven  clumps  was  drawn  up  on  deck 
for  our  inspection.  Among  the  tendrils  we  found  several  strange  looking 
barnacles,  these  little  shells  were  very  interesting.  We  saw  a  number  of 
Portuguese- man-of-war,  which  is  a  species  of  Nautilus,  "  with  their  blood 
red  sail"  floating  close  to  the  ship.  Mother  Carey's  family,  pretty  little 
birds  about  the  size  of  a  swallow,  skim  over  the  deep  bluish  green  waters 
and  follow  in  our  wake.  The  captain  pointed  out  the  food  of  the  whale 
floating  by ;  it  is  of  a  yellowish  appearance  being  all  animalcule.  The 
whale  has  a  strainer  in  the  mouth,  which  takes  in  a  great  quantity  of  this 
food;  we  often  observe  them  "blowing"  or  throwing  up  the  water  in 
spouts  like  a  column  at  a  distance  from  the  vessel.  Our  pleasant  and  happy 
little  coterie  comprises  Mrs.  Low,  wife  of  the  captain,  Miss  Rebecca  Rawle, 
Mr.  Sidney  E.  Morse,  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonneyand  wife.  We  have  many  mer- 
cies and  blessings  in  religious  privileges,  social  or  literary  intercourse, 
good  cabin  accommodations,  plenty  of  excellent  books,  cheerful  music, 
which  with  the  flute  or  piano  accompaniment  was  a  constant  source  of 
amusement.  Then,  too,  the  luxury  of  an  excellent  table  left  us  perfectly 
contented.  One  morning  we  were  enlivened  by  seeing  three  large  Sharks 
with  Pilot-fish  guiding  them  ;  the  wake  of  the  creatures  was  a  smooth  shoot- 
ing streak  in  the  water  as  they  shot  ahead.  They  hovered  close  by  the 
ship  fore  and  aft ;  they  passed  and  repassed  thus  giving  us  a  fine  opportu- 
nity to  see  this  wished  for  sight.  The  mate  threw  out  a  fish  hook  baited 
with  a  piece  of  pork  at  the  end  of  a  running  bow  line  ;  a  shark  opened 
his  terrific  jaws  and  snapped  up  the  bait,  but  when  about  to  draw  him  on 
deck  the  sagacious  monster  bit  the  rope  and  escaped  with  the  bent  iron 
as  a  trophy. 

A  most  interesting  daily  sight  was  the  watching  of  flying-fish  skimming, 
just  above  the  surface  of  the  water,  in  their  graceful  flight  for  several 
hundred  yards,  trying  to  escape  from  their  merciless  pursuers,  the  dolphins. 
Five  dolphins  were  following  astern  of  us,  and  many  others  around  the 
vessel  glistening  beautifully  in  the  sun,  their  brilliant  coat  appearing  upon 
the  side.  A  large  dolphin  was  caught  by  the  mate  with  a  "  hook  baited 
with  a  small  piece  of  tin  the  glitter  of  which  resembled  the  wings  of  the 
little  flying-fish."  The  meat  is  very  white  and  dry  with  scarcely  any 
bones,  which  we  ate  with  a  relish  for  supper.  It  was  surprising  to  see 
them  spring  after  their  prey,  at  least  nine  or  ten  yards  and  then  glide 
swiftly  through  the  water.  A  Chin-ese  boy  kicked  a  sailor  in  the  face, 
and  in  return  by  way  of  compensation  had  his  foot  very  badly  cut  with 
the  ever  ready  knife.  Last  night  at  midnight,  we  were  awakened  by  the 
heavy  thump  of  something  on  deck;  one  of  the  boys  had  missed  his  hold 
and  fallen  quite  a  distance,  but  was  not  very  seriously  injured  and  soon 
able  to  resume  his  work  to  the  great  delight  of  all  parties.  On  every  side 
we  turn  the  eye,  nothing  is  to  be  seen  but  the  canopy  of  heaven  meeting 
the  board  expanse  of  dark  bluish  green  water,  the  waves  seem  to  sink  into 
the  horizon.  Occasionally  we  see  the  top  mast  of  a  vessel,  then  the  hull 
becomes  visible  and  after  a  little  while  all  recedes  from  view  leaving  only 
a  vast  level. 

II]  33 


258  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Then  iu  fine  ■weather  we  turn  our  attention  to  the  singular  configura- 
tions of  the  clouds;  such  a  variety  of  grotesque  figures  constantly  chang- 
ing their  position,  you  might  fancy  them  what  ever  pleased  you  best  — 
forest —  grottoes  or  castles.  »  There  was  the  "  curling  cloud"  high  up  iu 
the  atmosphere  ;  the  "  flock  of  sheep,  "  "  mackerel-back  sky  ;  "  stormy 
cloud  ^'  and  innumerable  others  moulded  into  every  diversity  of  form 
by  the  aqueous  vapors.  The  weather  now  is  mild  and  the  ocean  has  a 
smooth,  unrufiled  surface;  occasionally  with  adverse  winds,  the  ship's 
track  exhibited  a  tortuous  line  of  zig-zag  courses.  Then  again  a  fine 
breeze  would  carry  us  swiftly  on  our  way  over  the  emerald  color  water, 
varying  in  shade  i'rom  lightest  and  brightest  to  the  darkest  hue.  We  had 
a  rich  feast  in  the  exquisitely  brilliant  sunsets  and  suu-risings,  they  are 
truly  magnificent.  Then  too  the  moon  looking  calmly  down,  shedding 
its  flood  of  golden,  and  often  rosy  light  athwart  the  crested  billows,  or 
throwing  its  varied  coloring  and  fantastic  lines  on  the  fleeting  clouds. 
All  seemed  to  elevate  our  thoughts  to  Plim  who  made  this  world  so  beau- 
tiful, for  the  ocean  was  to  us  a  storehouse  of  fresh  sights.  Sometimes  the 
ship  rolled  and  pitched,  while  occasionally  a  brisk  gale  springing  up  or  a 
fierce  squall  of  wind  and  rain  sends  us  below.  Then  we  listen  anxiously 
to  the  flapping  of  a  wet  sail,  the  cracks  and  bending  of  the  yard  or  groan- 
ing of  the  old  ship  ;  but  all  this  and  even  the  dispiriting,  forlorn  efi"ects  of 
sea  sickness  comes  to  an  end;  while  the  excellent  fare  and  cheerful 
company,  with  Shuffle-board,  hop-scotch  and  sand-bags  causes  our  time  to 
pass  profitably.  This  morning  we  descried  a  sail  near  the  horizon;  we  hoisted 
our  flag  of  "stars  and  stripes,"  which  was  quickly  answered  by  their  run- 
ning up  the  American  flag  to  the  top  gallant-mast  head.  Ours  was  then 
taken  down  and  another  signal  run  up  in  its  place  giving  name  of  ship  ; 
and  one  more  asking  them  to  report  us  to  friends  at  home.  It  is  a 
fine  sight  to  look  at  our  large  ship  with  all  her  canvas  spread,  ploughing 
through  the  briny  waters  and  the  spray  dashing  up  at  each  side  as  she 
shoots  rapidly  along.  When  the  motion  of  the  ship  is  lengthwise,  the 
bow  pitches  down  and  then  rises  up  over  a  wave  ;  if  the  motion  is  from 
side  to  side,  it  is  like  the  rocking  of  a  cradle,  and  occasioned  by  the  ship 
sailing  between  the  waves,  rather  than  across  them  which  I  do  not  like.  I 
devote  a. part  of  each  day  to  the  study  of  Chinese  and  am  progressing 
much  to  my  gratification,  varying  it  by  dipping  into  the  study  of  naviga- 
tion. Mr.  Bonney's  interest  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  laborious 
sailor  has  led  him  to  arrange  the  "  Seaman's  Compass  and  Chart  "  for 
daily  use,  afloat  or  ashore  ;  hoping  with  God's  blessing  to  benefit  those 
who  "  toil  upon  the  deep."  He  is  very  assiduous  in  personal  eff^orts  to 
benefit  these  hardy  tars.  We  are  at  least  500  miles  from  land,  but  three 
swallows  visited  us  to-day,  they  would  fly  off'  for  a  little  time,  then  return 
and  light  on  the  ship  while  we  fed  them  with  crumbs  of  bread  which 
they  soon  picked  up ;  it  is  surprising  they  venture  so  far  from  land. 

We  take  great  delight  in  watching  during  the  dark  nights  the  wonder- 
ful brilliance  of  the  surface  of  the  sea  as  caused  by  electricity;  then  again 
its  sparkling,  beautiful  phosphorescence.  Sparks  of  fire  dash  ofi"  from 
the  sides  of  the  vessel ;  while  at  times  the  rudder  seems  in  a  blaze  of 
phosphoric  light,  which  is  caused  by  putrid  animal  matter.  There  are 
also  myraids  of  small  sea  animals  diffused  in  the  water  emitting  a  shining 
gleam,  which,  blending  with  the  dark  tinted  green  waves  caused  by  marine 
vegetables,  makes  the  ocean  beautiful.  We  drew  up  a  bucket  with  two 
specimens  of  the  species  of  blubber  fish,  three  or  four  inches  long,  half 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  259 

an  inch  in  diameter  and  circulai*.  While  in  a  tumbler  of  water  they 
emmitted  a  most  brilliant  light;  this  "  Medusa  peUucens"  is  peculiar  to 
tropical  climates.  How  wonderful  are  the  works  of  nature,  and  how 
impressive  the  thought  that  among  the  large  army  of  sailors,  an  infidel  is 
seldom  if  ever  found  !  They  cannot  witness  so  frequently  the  powerful 
exhibitions  of  Jehovah  as  seen  on  the  mighty  deep,  contasted  with  puerile 
feebleness  of  man,  and  yet  doubt  there  is  an  unseen  arm  that  directs  and 
controls.  Our  vessel  dashes  swiftly  through  the  water  like  "  a  thing  of 
life."  The  ocean  seems  one  vast  cover  of  foam ;  far  as  the  eye  can  reach 
on  either  side  snowy  peaks  of  miniature  mountains  appear ;  while  the 
spray,  frothy  and  glistening  in  its  silvry  beauty,  presents  a  cheerful 
aspect  which  you  cannot  tire  admiring.  We  stand  in  mute  wonder  watch- 
ing the  majestic  waves  with  their  white  caps  rolling  on  in  solemn  grandeur, 
when  ever  and  anon  up  comes  a  tremendous  billow  at  the  side  of  the  ship, 
frequently  dashing  on  to  the  main  dock  making  you  quickly  retreat  to 
escape  a  shower-bath.  We  all  hive  learned  to  be  very  dexterous  and  agile 
in  our  movements,  and  ready  to  fall  back  with  most  expeditious  dispatch 
at  any  threatening  indications.  It  is  with  great  difficulty  we  can  preserve 
the  centre  of  gravity  while  attempting  to  walk  from  one  place  to  another, 
but  we  have  plenty  of  sea-room  for  our  gallant  bark  and  all  are  happy. 
We  discovered  a  shark  with  six  pilot-fish  swimming  around  the  ship  ;  the 
mate  was  more  successful  this  time,  but  not  till  the  creature  had  bitten  off 
and  swallowed  one  strong  hook  with  a  large  piece  of  pork.  He  must  have 
liked  the  taste  of  swine's  flesh  as  he  soon  returned  for  another  reconnoiter, 
and  after  circling  the  bate  several  times  turned  over  on  his  back  and 
snapped  it  up  between  his  large  jaws,  when  at  the  same  instant  with  a 
sudden  jerk  of  the  hook  he  was  pulled  out  of  water.  It  was  like 
hauling  a  big  log  on  board,  and  when  at  last  deposited  there  the  shark 
was  then  furiously  flouncing  about  the  deck  —  which  he  had  pretty  much 
to  himself  as  all  stood  at  a  respectful  distance  and  gave  him  a  wide  berth. 
After  much  flinging  around  and  making  formidable  battle  with  tail  and 
maw,  the  sailors  ran  an  iron  capstan  bar  partly  down  his  throat,  after 
which  he  was  soon  quieted ;  the^  had  the  choice  pieces  as  a  fine  feast 
for  their  dinner.  The  length  of  the  shark  was  about  eight  and  a  half 
feet ;  several  suckers  were  sticking  fast  to  him,  and  he  was  indeed  a 
dreadful  monster  with  his  double  row  of  broad,  sharp,  long  serrated  teeth. 
"  Eight  bells  "  have  just  struck  which  is  our  time  for  evening  worship. 
We  spent  a  great  part  of  many  mornings  watching  a  school  of  large 
porpoises,  playing  about  full  of  frolic,  close  by  the  ship.  They  came 
under  the  bow,  about  fifty  in  number  (at  the  low  whistle  of  an  officer,  it 
is  said)  one  was  speared,  upon  which  the  others  swam  after  him  to  suck 
his  blood.  They  jumped  out  of  the  water  quite  a  distance  and  performed 
awkward  gambols  in  tumbling  about  and  in  sports  about  the  surface,  the 
heads  bobbing  up  and  down  in  the  water  looking  like  heads  of  black  pigs. 
On  Monday  Sept.  1st,  we  were  in  7°  24'  North  Latitude,  the  weather 
was  very  squally  ;  and  now  in  approaching  the  Equator,  the  sun  was 
almost  directly  overhead,  it  was  quite  amusing  watching  persons  prome- 
nading on  the  deck,  there  was  no  shadow,  only  a  little  shade  under  them. 
The  North  Star  is  now  below'the  horizon  ;  the  weather  is  not  as  warm  as 
I  expected,  the  thermometer  stands  at  80°  this  evening;  and  always  some- 
thing to  interest  us.  A  sailor  at  work  on  the  bow  was  nearly  lost;  he 
was  completely  covered  by  the  dark  waves  as  the  bow  dashed  under  with 


260  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

one  of  those  terrible  plunges,  but  he  held  with  a  tight  grasp  and  was  soon 
rescued  from  the  greedy  ocean. 

We  find  at  times  there  is  scarcely  a  breath  of  air,  our  staterooms  are 
close  and  very  oppressive ;  the  sun  beats  down  with  his  fiercest  rays,  and 
a  new  awning  has  been  put  up,  for  our  comfort,  over  the  three  boats,  that 
are  securely  fastened  on  frames,  over  the  main  deck,  ready  for  any  emer- 
gency. One  of  the  sailors  fell  from  the  main-top  to  the  main  hatchway, 
a  distance  of  fiity  feet,  striking  head  and  shoulder;  he  turned  quite  black 
and  was  insensible  for  a  long  time,  he  remained  in  his  berth  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  voyage  in  a  very  critical  condition. 

September  8th.  the  Equator  was  crossed  at  three  o'clock  p.  M.,  in  West 
Longitude  32°  ;  but  Neptune  being  in  good  humor  permitted  us  to  pass 
over  the  "  Line  "  without  extorting  the  dreaded  tribute.  Two  South 
American  eagles,  called  boobies,  sometimes  lighted  on  the  ship,  then 
went  scaling  in  the  clear  air  slanting  their  graceful  pinions  in  courteous 
welcome  to  the  Northern  strangers.  A  fragment  of  the  wreck  of  some 
vessel  floating  near  us.  recalled  the  sad  loss  of  the  steamer  "  Arctic  " 
freighted  with  so  many  valuable  lives :  Mrs.  Childs  and  daughter,  young 
Taylor  from  Albany,  and  others  immersed  in  the  chill  water.  They  all 
"  reached  Jwme  sooner  than  they  expected,"  and  we  realize  how  frail  is 
any  craft  in  the  midst  of  the  ocean  with  fog  and  night  closing  around  us. 

While  sitting  on  deck  sewing  came  the  cry  of  "  Land  ho  ;"  each  pas- 
senger was  quickly  by  the  captain's  side  to  obtain  a  view  of  such  a  rare 
sight ;  it  was  the  island  of  Fernando  de-Noronha  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty  miles  east  of  South  America  where  ships  touched  for  provisions. 

We  have  taken  great  delight  at  night  in  watching  Orion  and  the  Dipper 
of  the  Northern  Bear ;  but  after  as  good  a  run  as  we  could  wish  through 
the  South  Atlantic,  without  much  baffling,  we  are  now  in  the  Southern 
Hemisphere  ;  and  the  Soutliern  Cro.«s,  composed  of  four  bright  stars,  form- 
ing the  four  sparkling  points  (one  of  the  first  magnitude),  is,  at  present, 
the  great  attraction.  The  "  Magellan  Clouds"  are  our  nightly  delight,  as 
also  Jupiter,  rising  in  the  east,  and  Venus  directly  opposite  in  the  west. 

It  thrills  me  with  terror  and  a  nervous  slmdder  creeps  over,  to  see  thirty 
men  laying  out  upon  the  yards  double  reefing  or  furling  the  sails,  while 
the  vessel  rolls  and  pitches,  with  gigantic  waves  blustering  over  the  bow. 
It  seems  to  us,  landsmen  could  not  possibly  hold  on  in  the  impetuosity  of 
the  gale,  but  much  less  move  so  quickly  from  one  rope  to  another  without 
any  timidity.  The  captain  said  one  day,  "  Mr.  Bonney,  how  long  do  you 
think  it  would  take  you  to  learn  the  names  of  all  these  hed-cords  ?"  He 
replied  :  "  About  seven  years,  I  think.  Sir."  Every  rope  and  sail  on  the 
ship  has  a  different  name  and  must  be  au  fait. 

We  do  not  now  see  the  sea-weed,  though  there  are  two  fields  known  in 
the  Atlantic,  so  thick  as  to  impede  the  progress  of  vessels  ;  some  sea-weed 
grows  to  the  height  of  1000  feet.  Of  the  species  called  rock  weed,  kelp  is 
made,  another  species  is  eaten  as  a  salad.  The  weather  on  the  whole  has 
been  lovely,  but  now  September  20th,  the  captain  informs  us  we  cannot 
expect  any  more  pleasant  weather  till  after  we  have  doubled  Cape  of  Good 
Hope  or  the  "  Cape  of  Storms."  The  wind  is  very  damp  and  every  thing 
on  ship-board  is  as  moist  as  it  would  be  in  ardamp  house  at  home.  By 
mistake,  our  port  window  was  left  open  during  dinner  time,  and  a  large 
"  sea"  took  the  opportunity  to  pour  itself  into  our  room  quite  unceremoni- 
ously.    It  landed  on  the  bed,  ran  into  the  great  drawers  and  along  the  floor  ; 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  261 

no  essential  damage  was  done  except  the  inconvenience  of  changing  the 
bedding  and  drying  clothing. 

We  have  passed  the  Torrid  Zone  with  the  thermometer  at  88°  in  shade, 
and  are  now  refreshed  by  the  cooling  and  strengthening  breezes  of  the 
South  Temperate  Zone.  Sea  gulls  and  a  few  birds  about  the  size  of  a 
common  duck  called  the  "  Cape  Hen"  have  followed  us  for  several  days, 
sometimes  sailing  around  the  ship  like  a  hawk,  at  others  alighting  on  the 
water  and  diving  for  food,  also  a  shoal  of  young  porpoises  came  bouncing 
gaily  through  the  water.  Another  sailor  had  a  terrible  fall  but  was  not 
very  seriously  injured  though  extremely  pale  for  a  long  time.  A  large 
flock  of  sea  gulls  alighted  near  the  ship,  and  did  not  appear  the  least 
frightened  as  they  sat  on  the  water ;  the  waves  tossed  them  up  and  down, 
but  they  rode  with  ease  and  grace  on  the  surface  in  their  pleasure  seeking. 

The  thermometer  stands  to  day,  September  30th,  at  48°  with  every  in- 
dication of  very  stormy  weather  j  last  night  there  was  a  severe  gale,  two 
men  were  at  the  helm  all  the  time,  but  you  cannot  have  much  trust  in  all 
their  nautical  skill,  we  only  remember  that  there  is  an  eye  that  never 
sleeps,  and  trusting  ourselves  to  the  Great  Keeper  we  go  to  our  rest.  The 
waves  seemed  like  mountains  in  every  quarter,  the  staunch  vessel  rolling 
and  tossing  dreadiully  from  side  to  side.  We  were  indeed  rocked  in  the 
cradle  of  the  deep  and  man's  weakness  was  impressively  shown.  Two  or 
three  times  during  the  night,  the  railing  of  the  quarter  deck  was  under 
water.  After  one  fearful  roll  of  the  ship,  I  thought  she  could  scarcely 
rise  again  ;  every  thing  was  upset  and  thrown  into  confusion.  State-room 
drawers  landed  full  length  on  floor  efi'ectually  closing  doors  ;  chaiirs  thrown 
over  and  such  a  crash  of  crockery  in  pantry  was  quite  startling.  •  The 
wind  blowing  strong  and  the  night  dark  ;  that  gust  came  very  suddenly 
which  dipped  the  starboard  rail  in  the  water;  there  was  hard  duty  for  officers 
and  men  the  whole  of  that  tempestuous  night.  The  large  stove  in  the 
kitchen  was  thrown  down  and  floated;  the  noise  of  all  this  and  the  creaking 
of  boards  and  timbers  made  a  confused  sound  that  was  at  the  time  fright- 
ful, but  we  had  no  severe  casualties.  Two  new  visitors  appeared  at  our 
stern,  a  flock  of  Cape  pigeons,  with  beautiful  black  and  white  wings,  and 
the  stately  Albatross,  some  having  dark  bodies  with  white  wings,  others 
all  white,  on  "  trembling  pinions^  soar  ;"  when  stretched  out  fully  measur- 
ing between  tips  of  wings  twelve  or  more  feet.  It  is  the  size  of  a  swan, 
with  neck  shorter  than  a  goose  and  a  large,  broad  bill.  The  movement  of 
the  Albatross  is  very  graceful,  often  floating  on  the  air  without  moving 
wing,  they  are  sometimes  caught  by  passengers,  a  ribbon  tied  round  the 
neck  and  then  set  free.  Mr.  Morse  succeeded  in  capturing  a  splendid 
white  albatross  of  large  size  with  pinkish  bill  and  web  feet;  it  had  a  very 
haughty,  independent  air.  Thirty  or  more  were  hovering  about  and  ac- 
companied the  vessel  for  several  days. 

Among  the  flocks  of  pigeons,  we  saw  one  with  a  thick  long  cord  tied  to 
its  legs,  probably  it  had  been  released  from  some  other  vessel,  they  are 
all  feathers  and  down,  no'  eating  to  them.  The  constant  changes  of  the 
sea  are  very  wonderful ;  now  it  is  in  the  wildest  commotion,  the  air  is 
very  cold  and  there  are  frequeat  heavy  fdiowers.  The  angry  huge  billows 
which  seemed  ready  to  engulf  us  were  truly  grand  and  magnificent.  At 
the  bow  of  the  vessel,  occasionally,  is  a  steep  avalanche  of  dark  rollin"- 
waters  to  all  appearance  ready  to  tumble  down  upon  us.  We  ride  up  to 
such  a  fearful  height  and  then  sink  as  suddenly  down  into  the  dark  abyss, 
while  the  black  waters  look  like  hills  of  craggy  I'ocks  covered  with  glisten- 


262  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

ing  snow  high  above  us  oa  every  side.  The  rolling  and  fantastic  tumbling 
of  these  ocean  waves,  with  the  flying  spray,  and  foaming  crests  glistening 
with  bright  green  colors,  have  been  most  attractive,  for  they  were  for- 
warding to  our  destination.  Our  noble  vessel,  true  to  the  guiding  hands 
at  the  helm,  proudly  climbs  those  threatening  heights,  and  rides  in  safety 
on  the  surging  waves.  Then  came  a  terrible  thunder  storm  with  severe 
sharp  lightning,  a  hard  gale  and  hail  storm  ;  both  watches  were  obliged 
to  be  called  up  for  active  duty  and  often  were  the  poor  fellows  drenched 
with  rain,  but  it  mattered  not. 

One  day  while  wrapped  up  in  furs  and  cloaks^  sitting  on  the  floor  of 
the  quarter  deck  watching  the  proteutous  clouds  which  were  hovering 
round,  the  ofiicer  on  deck  called;  "jump  quick  on  the  sky-light!"  By 
so  doing  and  clinging  to  the  spanker-boom,  we  just  escaped  a  large  wave 
which  dashed  over  with  great  force,  rolling  from  side  to  side,  carrying 
along  the  india-rubber  bag  which  had  been  our  seat.  Our  comical  situa- 
tion was  the  occasion  of  much  diversion  to  our  fellow  passengers  safe  in 
the  cabin.  Notwithstanding  the  severe  gales  and  the  violent  commotion 
of  the  tumultuous  waters,  the  birds  still  continued  to  fly.  We  are  now 
again  having  a  season  of  rest  and  quietly  passing  over  the  "  trackless 
road  "  at  the  rate  of  sixteen  knots  an  hour,  sailing  rapidly  up  the  Indian 
ocean,  watching  the  forms  and  colors  it  takes  when  moved  by  fierce  winds 
or  the  steady  current  of  air.  An  enormous  whale  passed  quite  close  to 
the  ship  ;  his  proximity  was  too  near  an  approach  not  to  cause  a  sudden 
panic;  but  as  the  sun  was  shining  on  him,  it  gave  us  an  excellent 
view  of  the  monster  —  "  the  Leviathan"  of  the  deep,  deep  sea. 

Our  progress  to  day  of  856  miles  in  twenty-four  hours  is  the  largest 
day's  work  we  have  accomplished.  86°  the  highest  and  46°  the  lowest 
temperature  of  air.  The  stars  were  unusually  bright  this  morning  at 
two  o'clock  :  a  clear  silver  glitter  was  upon  them  which  I  never  saw  in 
the  Northern  Hemisphere,  while  in  the  evening  Jupiter  and  Venus  were 
glowing  with  peculiar  brilliancy.  "  The  shooting  stars  and  luminous 
meteors  were  numerous,  moving  with  great  rapidity  and  leaving  a  luminous 
band,  and  in  it  many  of  the  colors  of  the  rainbow  were  distinctly  visible, 
presenting  a  beantiful  sight."  We  are  now  in  the  tropics,  the  birds  have 
left  us,  but  their  place  —  as  a  source  of  jjeasant  observation  —  is  supplied 
by  the  finny  tribe,  the  interesting  flying-fish  and  dolphins  which  are 
sporting  around  the  ship.  We  are  nearing  Java  Head.  Angier  is  a 
point  of  the  Island  of  Java  where  ships  in  the  favorable  monsoons  generally 
take  in  water  and  provisions.  It  is  situated  on  a  large  plain  at  the  foot 
of  the  Island,  about  sixty  miles  from  Batavia  at  the  Straits  of  Suuda,  * 
between  Java  and  Sumatra.  We  have  almost  counted  the  moments  when 
we  should  be  here,  and  now  find  it  is  surrounded  by  extensive  groves  of 
cocoanut  trees,  with  the  truly  enjoyable  Eastern  sights.  Having  passed 
St.  Pauls  it  was  pleasant  watching  Java  Island  on  one  side,  and  Sumatra 
on  the  other  as  we  pass  through  Princes  into  Sunda  Straits.  The  foliage 
of  the  "  great  tall  trees  whose  tops  seemed  to  pierce  the  clouds,"  on  the 
islands,  is  very  luxuriant,  with  shrubs  down  to  the  water's  edge.  The 
approach  to  Java  Head  (or  Thunder  Head  because  of  its  constant  squalls) 
is  very  beautiful,  with  clusters  of  small  islands  on  every  side.  We  were 
greatly  refreshed  by  the  balmy  breeze  and  pleasant  sights  of  terra-firma 
with  its  cheerful  green  fields  after  our  long  sojourn  on  the  "  dashing 
billows."  The  event  of  the  day  has  been  getting  the  anchors  on  the  bow 
and  the  chain  cable   ready  to  drop  anchor  at  Angier;  this  work  for  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  263 

sailors,  and  passengers  preparing  letters  to  post  for  the  United  States  has 
occupied  the  entire  day  and  all  are  very  ciieery. 

Our  vessel  was  constantly  surrounded  by  the  native  boats  manned  by 
Malays.  These  rude  canoes,  shaped  from  a  hollow  tree,  brought  out  poultry, 
yams,  bananas,  cocoanuts,  pine-apples,  birds  and  exquisite  shells.  Their 
"  proas  are  the  most  curious  of  all  water  craft ;  short,  bulky,  with  high  sterns, 
two  masts,  with  a  matting  sail  to  each,  of  singular  shape  and  a  jib  at  the  bow. 
The  natives  were  of  bronze  color  and  savage  looking;  entirely  naked  except  a 
cloth  around  the  waist ;  their  front  teeth  filed  down  in  the  centre  crescent 
shape,  and  stained  black  owing  to  the  universal  practice  of  chewing  betel-nut 
leaf.  The  sirih  or  leaf  of  the  Betel  Pepper  is  "  smeared  with  a  small 
portion  of  the  chunam  of  a  lime  formed  from  calcined  shells  to  draw  forth 
the  taste ;  a  piece  of  the  Areca  nut  is  then  neatly  folded  in  the  leaf,  then 
rolled  up  in  the  shape  of  a  cone"  and  placed  in  the  mouth  with  sometimes 
a  little  tobacco  to  complete  the  "  chew."  They  indulge  in  chewing  this 
fascinating  narcotic  to  a  great  extent;  it  distorts  and  stains  the  lips  red 
and  gives  a  repulsive  appearance  as  if  covered  with  blood,  the  flow  of  the 
saliva  is  greatly  increased,  and  is  red.  As  the  Malays  squatted  on  the 
decks  they  looked  like  baboons.  We  admire  the  truly  wonderful  banyans 
filled  with  mischievous  monkeys;  the  forests  are  very  beautiful  with  the 
luxuriant  verdure,  giving  shelter  to  the  fierce  tigers  which  abound.  "  These 
banyan  trees  attain  to  a  gigantic  size;  when  an  horizontal  branch  has 
put  forth  to  such  a  length  as  to  render  it  difficult  to  maintain  itself  with- 
out breaking,  it 'lowers  down  from  its  end  one  or  more  roots,  which,  enter- 
ing the  ground,  sends  forth  rootlets,  and  themselves  become  new  stems. 
In  due  time  the  horizontal  branches,  which  once  were  in  danger  of  being 
destroyed  by  their  own  weight,  are  as  easily  supported  by  the  pillars  as  a 
bridge  is  by  its  piers.  So  the  process  goes  on.  There  is  a  banyan  in 
Ceylon  which  measures  fifteen  hundred  feet  round  the  extremities  of  the 
branches,  and  is  more  than  one  hundred  feet  high.  The  principal  branch 
is  twenty-eight  feet  in  circumference."  The  bungalos  or  huts  are  all 
one  story  surrounded  by  verandas,  they  are  nearly  concealed  in  clusters 
of  cocoanut  trees,  two  or  three  were  near  the  Light-House.  The  Dutch 
possess  this  charming  island  which  has  all  its  low  ground  covered  with 
rice-fields  looking  rich  and  green.  On  November  3rd,  while  moving 
slowly,  (the  ship  sailing  only  two  knots  an  hour,  though  a  very  strong 
current  was  in  our  favor,  there  was  almost  a  perfect  calm,  scarcely  a  ripple 
on  this  broad  expanse  of  waters,)  the  small  boat  was  lowered  to  take 
soundings  and  ascertain  the  course  and  rate  of  the  current.  When  the 
boat  returned,  the  captain  took  his  passengers  for  a  sail,  the  ladies  were 
separately  "  whipped  out  of  the  ship"  and  it  was  rare  fun  :  seated  in  a 
comfortable  arm-chair  wrapped  up  (all  but-  head)  in  the  flag  of  stars  and 
stripes,  by  means  of  the  tackle  we  were  carefully  lowered  over  the  side  of 
ship  into  the  boat.  We  had  a  charming  sail,  picked  up  cuttle-fish, 
gathered  a  mug  full  of  whale-feed,  with  which  these  waters  are  covered  ; 
we  constantly  saw  water  serpents  passing,  one  of  which  was  caught  by  the 
sailors  and  taken  on  board. 

Tuesday  November  4th  being  the  day  of  election  for  president  in 
United  States,  a  vote  was  also  polled  on  board  the  "  N.  B.  Palmer." 
"  Woman's  Suff'rage  "  was  in  the  ascendancy  and  our  votes  were  humbly 
solicited,  the  result  of  which  was  the  election  of  Millard  Fillmore.  In  the 
evening  several  rochets  were  sent  up  in  honor  of  the  successful  candidate, 
and  our  entertainment  of  the  most  enjoyable  kind  was  pleasant  and  accepta- 


264  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

ble  to  all  the  politicians  of  that  domain  !  We  are  now  sailing  in  the  Ma- 
cassar Straits  with  Borneo  on  one  side  and  Celebes  on  the  other,  passing 
many  of  the  Malay  proas  apparently  well  armed,  and  on  the  alert  to  detect 
the  approach  of  cannibals!  On  November  7th  we  again  crossed  the  equa- 
tor and  having  intensely  hot  weather  we  found  the  sweet  milk  of  the 
young  cocoanut  a  most  cooling  beverage,  and  the  soft. meat  which  we  scoop 
out  of  the  fresh  fruit  very  refreshing.  Another  enormous  whale  passed 
near  by,  giving  us  a  complete  view  of  his  broad  back,  we  saw  it  spout. 

"  The  whale  when  full  grown  is  from  fifty  to  seventy  feet  in  length, 
and  from  thirty  to  forty  feet  in  its  greatest  circumference,  it  is  of  a  rounded 
shape."  At  an  early  hour  this  morning  a  small  boat  was  reported  in  sight, 
which  was  closely  inspected  with  all  the  spy  glasses  at  command.  It 
proved  to  be  one  of  the  native  proas  with  one  man  in  it  who  was  on  his 
knees  to  brandish  his  paddle,  on  the  end  of  which  he  had  fastened  his  red 
Malayan  turban.  Captain  Low  at  once  ordered  a  boat  lowered,  and  while 
the  necessary  preparations  were  being  made,  we  watched  the  lone  stranger 
with  intense  interest.  He  would  frantically  wave  his  signal,  paddle  a  little, 
then  his  hands  would  be  extended  most  imploringly  towards  the  vessel, 
after  a  while  with  an  appearance  of  deep  despair  he  sank  down  and  buried 
his  head  in  his  hands.  Knowing  the  treachery  of  the  Malays  and  fear- 
ing a  suprise  of  others  concealed,  the  officer  in  charge  was  provided  with 
pistols  and  swords. 

As  the  boat  approached  the  proa,  the  exhausted  native  inverted  a  plate 
and  bowl  holding  them  up  to  view,  then  stretched  out  his  hands  and  mo- 
tioned to  his  mouth  ;  the  poor  fellow  was  indeed  literally  starving  !  The  two 
boats  were  lashed  together,  by  the  dexterous  hands  of  willing  sailors,  and 
quickly  guided  to  the  side  of  the  ship.  The  Malay  —  dressed  with  turban, 
jacket  and  loose  robe  —  was  of  a  deep  brown  color,  with  black  teeth  and  red- 
dened lips  ;  his  copious,  clotted  black  hair  hanging  loose  gaveasingular  wild- 
ness  to  his  haggard  mien.  The  gratitude  extravagantly  manifested  when 
he  reached  the  deck  was  touching  :  prostrating  himself  to  the  ground,  he 
kissed  the  Captain's  feet,  embraced  his  leg  with  many  expressions  of  joy 
and  salamed  a  good  deal.  Having  drifted  from  Macassar  seven  hundred 
miles  in  his  open  boat  he  was  very  weak  and  weary  with  hunger,  thirst 
and  rowing.  He  had  been  without  fresh  water  for  ten  days ;  the  horri- 
ble sensation  of  thirst  under  a  vertical  sun  had  only  been  relieved,  by 
wringing  the  few  drops  of  night  dew  moisture  from  a  handkerchief  into 
his  parched  mouth.  The  grateful  native  implored  for  water  as  soon  as 
he  was  on  shipboard  ;  but  it  was  dealt  out  with  a  sparing  hand  and  food 
was  cautiously  given,  for  probably  he  could  not  have  lived  much  longer. 
All  rejoiced  that  the  Malay  was  rescued  from  a  watery  grave  before  the 
severe  squall,  which  came  up  soon  after,  should  have  struck  his  frail  bark. 
There  was  a  melodious  softness  in  his  graceful  language  that  was  quite 
agreeable  ;  and  as  he  seated  himself  on  his  mat,  he  seemed  perfectly 
happy.  In  the  entranee  of  Celebes  sea  to  the  Pacific  ocean,  surrounded 
by  beautiful  islands  we  were  becalmed;  two  volcanic  mountains  1500 
feet  high,  on  small  islands,  smoking  from  the  tops  and  one  from  the  side, 
were  close  by  on  either  side.  These  numerous  islands  have  wild  planta- 
tions of  nutmeg  trees,  and  being  situated  close  to  the  equator  the  weather 
was  very  hot.  As  we  were  drifting  with  current  slowly  through  the 
passage  we  have  an  awning  over  the  quarter  deck,  under  which  we  sit  and 
watch  the  curious  phenomena  of  smoke  rising  suddenly  from  a  crevice,  in 
the  mountain  as  from  a  chimney.     We  could  plainly  see  the  sides  worn 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  265 

into  gullies  and  gorges  by  the  molten  l-.iva,  as  it  once  had  flowed  down  the 
side  from  the  crater  which  was  distinctly  visible.  At  one  time  we  were 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  shore,  all  closely  observing  the  singular  lookin"- 
declivity  of  these  volcanic  mountains  with  intense  interest. 

Tuesday,  November  25.  The  great  event  of  the  day  was  Mr.  Morse 
attaining  his  majority,  twenty-one  years  of  age  ;  it  was  celebrated  by  extra 
exertions  on  the  part  of  the  cook,  and  expressed  wishes  that  he  might 
prove  to  be  a  leader  among  men  of  eminent  ability. 

Out  on  the  broad  Pacific  with  two  more  ravenous  sharks  caught !  The . 
sunsets  are  beautiful  beyond  description ;  th§  western  skv  was  covered 
with  the  most  exquisite  colors  both  light  and  dark.  We  noticed  Venus 
set  at  eight  o'clock  in  a  way  we  never  saw  before,  it  was  visible  until  it  sunk 
below  the  horizon  and  was  watched  with  joy.  The  meteors  or  shooting- 
stars  seem  very  numerous,  they  are  more  like  meteoric  showers.  The  other 
night  there  was  a  splendid  rocket-like  one  of  singular  brilliancy  passing 
rapidly  through  the  atmosphere,  "just  before  it  disappeared,  it  burst 
throwing  out  beautiful  scintillations  of  various  colored  lights  "  flooding 
the  sea  and  sky  with  its  splendor.  Another  was  seen  near  the  zenith 
whose  "  nucleus  was  red  as  fire  while  its  tail  spread  out  dimmer  and  whiter," 
they  both  were  very  startling  sights.  Not  long  after  a  large  ball  of  fire- 
like matter  appeared  on  the  mainmast  head  and  remained  there  for  fifteen 
minutes,  it  then  disappeared;  such  balls  frequently  light  on  ships  at  sea 
when  there  is  much  electricity  in  the  air.  We  all  stood  transfixed  in  con- 
fused excitement  looking  at  it. 

Our  waiter  (who  is  from  Bombay  and  pays  his  passage  by  serving  at  the 
table,  is  a  Parsee,  a  worshipper  of  fire),  came  out  to  day  in  the  Parsee  cos- 
tume which  consisted  of  white  pantaloons,  a  thin  white  muslin  dress  came 
below  the  kneee,  surmounted  by  white  jacket;  a  pretty  scarlet,  spotted 
with  white,  scull  cap  ;  white  stockings  and  black  pumps.  Sometimes  wear- 
ing the  high  chintz  mitre  which  is  peculiar  to  his  sect. 

We  have  come  in  sight  of  the  hills  of  China  and  a  thrill  of  joy,  mingled 
with  pity  for  the  inhabitants,  has  filled  my  heart.  I  most  deeply  realized 
the  importance  of  our  mission  to  this  people,  "  so  wedded  to  their  ancient 
customs,"  while  we  knelt  in  prayer  and  Mr.  Bonney  earnestly  supplicated 
the  help  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  his  blessed  influence  to  direct  pur  hearts, 
making  both  of  us  faithful  messengers  from  the  Master  to  those  among 
whom  we  live.  The  first  indication  of  the  coast  of  China,  was  the  sight 
of  numerous  junks  in  pairs,  with  fishing  net  floating  between  them,  they 
are  pirates,  and  whenever  they  have  opportunity,  attack  and  plunder  the 
smaller  junks  and  lorchas  of  the  coasting  trade.  Another  land  object  that 
met  our  sight,  was  a  remarkable  conical  shaped  white  rock.  As  the  sun 
shone  on  the  side  towards  us  it  looked  more  like  a  ship  under  sail,  or  an 
iceberg  than  a  stationary  rock.  We  could  not  discover  any  vegetation  on 
it.  If  near  the  coast  of  a  Christian  country,  it  would  have  been  the  sure 
foundation  of  a  light  house  as  a  beacon  to  direct  seamen.  The  Chinese 
pilot  from  Hongkong  came  on  board  on  Sunday,  November  30th,  he  re- 
ports that  a  vigorous  war  is  being  carried  on  between  the  Chinese  and  for- 
eigners —  without  any  distinction  as  to  nation  —  with  the  particularly 
distressing  intelligence  that  all  the  missionaries,  merchants  and  many  of 
the  Chinese  have  been  obliged  to  leave  Canton  and  flee  for  safety  to  Hono-- 
kong  and  Macao.  h\\  this  trouble  results  from  the  Chinese  committin'^ 
gross  outrages,  and  not  being  willing  to  apologize :  an  English  vessel  was 
II]  34 


266  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

attacked  and  flag  pulled  down  on  the  lorcba  "  Arrow ;"  also  an  American 
vessel  had  been  fired  on  and  three  men  were  killed.  The  English  and 
American  governments  have  undertaken  to  punish  these  aggressive  move- 
ments and  the  conflict  will  be  fearful  not  only,  but  long  continued.  "  It 
is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps,"  we  look  to  Jesus  as  our 
director. 

We  were  on  deck   at  three  o'clock  at  night  December   1st,  to  see  the 
approach  to  Hongkong.     The  "  familiar   cluster  in   Orion  "   was  in   full 
view  and  "  Sirius,  conspicuously  bright  underneath  ;"  also  the  Great  Bear 
or  Dipper,  with  "  Cynosur^  of  all  eyes,"  the  North  star  for  the  first  time 
in  the   Eastern   Hemisphere   and   it  seemed   fully  as  brilliant  as  we   had 
thought  "  Venus  the  belle  of  the  starry  host  in  the  firmament."     Passing 
Green  Island  we  anchored  at  seven  A.  M.,  opposite  the  town  of  Victoria,  being 
119  days  since  we  left  New  York  with  the  distance  of  18,747  miles  sailed. 
I  look  back  upon  my  ocean   trip  with  great  delight  and   almost  regret  its 
termination.     Oh  1  how   good   God  has  been  to  us  the  last  four  months, 
and  how  pertinent  are  the  lessons  taught  on  the  "  deep  blue  sea"  of  our 
own  impotence.     Yet'  midst  the   turbulence  of  swelling  billows,  we  feel 
ever  composed  for  "my  Father  made  them  all  "  is  the  sweet  quietus,  and 
with  perfect  trust  we  can  realize  that  winds  and  waves  are  but  messengers 
to  do  his  will,  while  we  can  then   have  a  solace  —  the  rest  of  the  soul  in 
God.     The  approach  to  Hongkong,  "  the  island  of  fragrant  streams,"    is 
very  striking  and  pretty,  only  the  sterile  hills  of  sand  on  either  side  mar 
the  scene  for  there  seems  to  be  but  little  of  fertility  in  this  English  colony. 
"  The  island  of  Hongkong  is  thirty  miles  in  circumference.     The  town  is 
built  of  white  granite  laid  out  in  regular  streets  which  rise  in  terraces  one 
above  another  standing  in   bold  relief  against  a  back  ground  of  rugged 
rocks  of  the  lofty  hills  which   environ  this  bay,  and  is   sloping  down  to 
the  waters  edge.     On  the  side  of  this  declivity  the  houses  are  built;  the 
strand  being  faced  by  a  fine  stone  wall  or  quay  for  its  whole  length.  The 
spacious  harbor   is  generally  full   of  shipping;  merchant  vessels   of  all 
nations,  with  French,  English,  American  and  Russian  men  of  war.     Be- 
tween these  glide  all  the  day  long,  boats  of  all  patterns,  junks  and  sampans. 
Chinese  women  with  their  fat,  ruddy   babies  slung  to   their  backs  ever 
sculling.     Parents,  when  not  able  to  support  their  children,  will  cast  the 
female  infant  into  the  river ;  but  they  fasten  a  gourd  to  the  child,  that  it 
may  float  on  the  water  ;  and  there  are  often  compassionate  people  of  fortune, 
who  are  moved  by  the  cries  of  the  children  to  save  them  from  death.  The 
Chinese,  in  their  persons,  are   middle  sized,  their   i'aees  broad,  their  eyes 
black  and   small,  their  noses  rather  short.     The  Tartar  princes   compel 
them  to  cut  off"  the  hair  of  their  heads,  and  to  wear  only  a  lock  on   the 
crown.     They  pluck  up  the  hairs  of  the  lower  part  of  their  faces  by  the 
roots   with   tweezers,  leaving  a  few  straggling    ones  by   way  of  beard. 
The  complexion  is  swarthy,  and  the  fatter  a  man  is,  they  think  him  the 
handsomer  ;  Men  of  quality  and  those  who  are  bred  to  letters  let  the  nails 
of  their  fingers  grow  to  an  enormous  length,  to  show  that  they  are  not 
employed  in  manual  labor." 

A  few  moments  sail  in  a  sampan,  brought  us  to  the  stone  quay,  and  soon 
I  was  seated  in  the  comfortable  sedan  with  green  Venetian  slats  on  either 
side  and  in  front.  ["  Sedan.  A  portable  chair  or  seat,  usually  covered, 
and  borne  on  the  shoulders  of  two  or  more  men  by  means  of  poles  fastened 
to  the  sides."]  "  To  enter  these,  you  pass  through  the  front  shafts,  which 
are  uplifted  for  the  purpose,  the  sedan  remaining  on  the  ground.     When 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  267 

fairly  seated,  the  bearei's  (a  man  at  each  end)  squat  down  under  the  cross- 
bar near  the  ends  of  the. shafts,  and  rising  up,  chair  and  all,  stride  along 
at  a  rapid  pace  up  hill  and  down  dale,  their  sandaled  feet  making  a  loud 
slapping  noise  on  the  road,  they  go  with  a  sturdy  step  and  a  stiif  knee. 
Two  men  are  enough  for  a  sedan  ;  but  if  there  is  a  long  journey  to  make 
two  additional  men  are  added  to  temporary  yokes  lashed  across  the  shafts. 
Thus  reinforced  they  will  run  all  day.  These  chairs  are  sometimes  co.vered 
with  blue  cloth,  or  prettily  painted  and  glazed  with  awning  roofs. 

"  The  main  street  '  Queens  Road,'  running  parallel  to  the  stand  is  hand- 
some and  regular,  with  excellent  shops,  English  and  Chinese.  The  banks, 
counting-houses,  and  a  handsome  club-house  are  on  this  street  which  has 
at  all  times  a  very  busy  air.  The  streets  are  connected  at  right  angles 
by  smaller  ones,  steeply  ascending  the  hill  side,  and  thickly  crowded  with 
shops,  chiefly  Chinese.  Still  higher  up  are  the  pretty  villas  and  semi- 
detached houses  of  the  English  residents.  The  Governor's  house,  a  hand- 
some building,  with  the  fine  public  garden,  the  residence  of  the  General, 
the  barracks  and  the  cathedral.  These  all  communicate  by  excellent 
roads,  bounded  by  neatly  finished  stone  walls,  and  int-^rsyersed  with 
gardens,  flowering  shrubs  and  shady  trees.  From  the  level  of  this 
quarter  extends  a  masnificeut  view  of  the  harbor  and  the  opposite  main- 
land of  Kowloon  with  its  hills  as  a  background.  We  ascended  the  rugged, 
barren  heights  of  this  granite  cliff  above  us  to  the  flag  staff  peak,  nearly 
two  thousand  feet  above  the  sea,  enjoying  the  grand  scene  on  every  side. 
At  the  west  end  of  the  town,  the  level  land  of  the  beach  penetrates  the 
hill,  forming  an  oval-shaped  flat  space  of  meadow  land,  which  has  been 
turned  into  a  very  excellent  race-course  :  the  races  take  place  here  once 
a  year,  and  are  exceedingly  good  (for  the  great  millionaires  spare  no  expense 
in  importing  first  rate  horses)  and  the  place  is  gay  with  the  fashionable 
crowds.  At  the  foot  of  this  hill  is  the  Christian  Cemetery.  The  sides 
of  the  hills  are  here  covered  with  fruit  trees,  and  a  pretty  little  stream 
runs  along  the  bottom  of  this  '  Happy  Valley.'  You  seldom  can  find  any 
spot  lovelier,  especially  if  you  go  there  on  a  bright  evening,  not  too  hot, 
in  the  sweetest  hour  of  all  the  twenty-four,  when  the  West  is  all  golden, 
and  the  East  all  rosy  with  the  changeful  colors  of  the  unseen  setting  aun, 
long  arches  of  deep  violet  trembling  across  the  whole  sky  as  the  tints 
come  out  pale  blue  in  the  zenith,  and  marvelous  green  in  the  horizon. 
Then  the  orange  of  the  Kowloon  hills  has  changed  to  deep  purple,  and 
the  last  crimson  flash  is  lingering  against  its  background  of  amber  light 
on  the  steep  summits  of  the  Southern  mountains.  You  will  delight  to 
sit  there  and  smell  the  fresh  breath  of  the  pines,  and  homelike  odor  of 
the  ferns  —  many  of  them  growing  parasltically  on  trees  —  in  close 
proximity  to  the  quiet  resting  places  of'  them  that  sleep,'  and  the  race- 
course fitted  for  the  principal  amusement  of  foreigners. 
,  "  The  rains  are  short  in  duration,  but  very  violent,  drenching  the 
streets  with  mountain  torrents,  which  the  numerous  and  deep  drains 
cannot  always  contain.  The  summer  is  unpleasantly  hot  only  in  June  and 
July,  and  the  cold  weather  during  which  fires  are  absolutely  necessary, 
lingers  on  till  near  the  middle  of  April,  with  gloomy,  misty  skies  and 
chill  driving  rain,  coming  down  in  uncomfortable  gusts  from  the  high 
hills  above." 

The  pleasant  greetings  to  Mr.  Bonney  as  the  cordial  grasp  of  true 
friendship  is  given,  and  the  many  letters  of  welcome,  show  how  highly 
he  is  appreciated ;  these  little  incidents  are   very   pleasing  to  me.     The 


268  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Missionaries  have  all  suiFered  more  or  less,  some  of  them  have  lost  almost 
every  thin<;-,  their  houses  taking  fire  when  the  forts  were  demolished  and 
the  Chinese  could  not  assist  or  carry  anything  under  penalty  of  death. 
These  are  unenviable  experiences  but  we  are  prepared  with  a  considerable 
stock  of  presence  of  mind  for  any  emergency. 

I  am  beginning  to  feel  at  home  as  the  novelty  of  scenery  and  new  faces 
has  worn  off.  The  Chinamen  with  their  closely  shaven  heads,  long  tails  of 
braided  hair,  and  women  with  little  stumps  for  waddling  and  oblique  eyes, 
do  not  now  seem  particularly  strange  to  me.  Id  our  walks  we  pass  Chinese 
huts  and  see  the  men  squattiug  on  the  ground  eating  with  chop-sticks; 
they  shovel  in  a  vast  quantity  of  rice.  These  men  were  building  a  wall 
of  slate  colored  brick ;  all  the  bricks  here  are  slate  colored  as  they  are  never 
burnt  in  a  kiln.  We  stood  looking  down  on  the  spacious  harbor  covered 
with  the  singular  "sampans"  —  little  row-boats  —  and  clumsy  looking  junks 
with  huge  eyes  painted  on  either  side  of  the  bow.  Of  a  sudden  the  clan- 
gor of  a  gong  and  drum  on  board  of  a  large  junk  broke  the  stillness,  the  beat- 
ing increased  in  rapidity  till  it  seemed  as  if  they  were  infuriated.  It  sounded 
like  the  noige  of  tin  pans  when  bees  are  hived,  interspersed  with  firing  of 
powder  crackers  making  a  very  great  clatter.  It  was  their  evening  wor- 
ship and  they  seemed  in  earnest  about  it.  These  Chinese  sailors  are  cele- 
brated for  their  courage  and  skill  in  handling  their  awkward  looking  craft. 
A  foreigner  the  other  day  said  to  one  of  these  tars  who  speaks  broken 
English,  pointing  to  the  immense  colored  balls  :  "  Johnny,  what  for  you 
makee  alle  same  fashion  boats,  you  tinky  handsome,  first  chop  eh  ?"  To 
this  singular  talk  the  Chinaman  answered  with  imperturbable  gravity  as 
follows  :  "  Yes-ee,  'spose  he  no  hah  eyes  catchee  too  muchee  rocks,  no  can 
see  walkee  proper. !"     So  of  course  we  must  not  object  to  the  queer  eyes  ! 

"  The  foreign  residents  at  Foochow  were  deeply  agitated  by  the  unpro- 
voked murder  of  our  countryman,  Mr.  Howard  Cunningham,  by  an 
infuriated  mob  of  Chinese  on  July  3,  1856.  A  street  fight  was  commenced 
between  some  of  the  Canton  men  belonging  to  an  American  firm,  Messrs. 
Augustine  Heard  &  Co.,  and  the  people  of  the  place.  Mr.  Cunningham 
was  endeavoring  to  quell  the  riot,  and  to  disperse  the  parties  when  he  was 
stabbed,  and  died  that  night.  The  wound  was  inflicted  by  a  broad  knife 
or  spear.  All  his  friends  regret  the  untimely  death  of  one  possessed  of  a 
most  exalted  and  chivalrous  character.  Mr.  Comstock,  the  principal  of 
the  house,  was  also  knocked  down  and  injured  becasse  he  tried  to  prevent 
the  excited  Tokien  men  from  beating  his  servants,  but  it  was  all  in  vain, 
for  between  the  Canton  and  Tokien  clans  an  inveterate  feud  has  for  a  long 
time  existed.  The  people  around  were  emboldened  by  their  success  into 
further  insults  and  menaces,  which  suggested  grave  apprehensions  to  most 
of  the  foreign  residents  as  to  the  future.  The  unexpected  coming  in  of 
a  ship-of-war, '  Levant,'  with  the  United  States  Minister,  Dr.  Peter  Parker 
on  board,  at  a  moment  so  peculiarly  opportune,  was  not  only  met  with  the 
heartiest  welcome  of  our  countrymen,  but  seemed  to  the  Chinese  somewhat 
supernatural ;  so  that  had  oar  Minister,  like  some  of  their  sages,  descended 
the  green  hills  of  Foochow  in  a  yellow  cjiariot  drawn  by  dragons  of  ortho- 
dox size  and  shape,  it  would  have  excited  scarcely  less  sensation  than  the 
Levant.  The  change  in  the  demeanor  of  the  people  was  very  marked  and 
satisfactory.  Some  retribution  was  evidently  expected,  for  shops  were 
closed  and  many  people  left  the  village  where  the  murder  occurred;  and 
those  whom  the  Minister's  party  met,  carried  their  solicitude  so  far  as  to 
check  the  exclamations  of  their  children  and  still  the  barking  of  their  dog 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  269 

as  the  stranger  passed.  When  Dr.  Parker  arrived,  the  Americans  were 
prepared,  of  one  accord,  to  represent  and  did  represent,  that  their  lives 
and  property  were  not  secure  ;  accordingly  our  Minister  hastened  to  com- 
mence his  official  proceedings,  the  evidence  having  been  duly  collected  by 
the  Consul,  Col.  Caleb  Jones,  the  day  before,  who  had  taken  up  the  case 
with  great  feeling  and  energy.  Dr.  Parker  was  formally  received  by  the 
Viceroy  with  all  honors.  The  Viceroy  gave  repeated  and  apparently  sin- 
cere promises  that  he  would  take  the  matter  into  his  own  hands  and  punish 
the  guilty."  "  Another  instance  of  these  unhappy  feuds  was  witnessed 
a  few  months  previous  in  Lynch  Laio  in  the  Foochow  suburbs  :  A  Canton 
man  quarrelled  with  a  Fuh  Chau  man  in  the  street  and  killed  him  on  the 
spot.  He  was  instantly  seized  by  the  mob,  and  with  his  hands  tied  behind 
him,  taken  to  the  top  of  the  hill  back  of  the  foreign  hongs,  and  bound  to 
a  pine  tree.  The  wife  of  the  deceased  coolie  took  a  nail  and  drove  it  into 
the  body,  shoulders,  breast,  temples,  and  eyes  of  the  writhing  culprit, 
aided  and  abetted  by  a  furious  multitude  in  her  bloody  revenge.  The 
man  was  just  alive  at  sundown,  several  hours  after,  when  seen  by  a 
missionary ;  his  head  was  a  perfect  mass  of  gore  and  his  mangled  body 
presented  a  sickening  sight.  The  conduct  of  the  woman  is  highly  ap- 
plauded by  the  natives,  who  will  doubtless  erect  a  monument  of  granite 
to  the  memory  of  her  virtuous  indignation.  The  Mandarins  offered  to 
take  the  offender  into  custody,  but  she  resented  their  interference,  and 
insisted  upon  her  right,  from  immemorial  custom,  to  avenge  her  husband's 
deatfh,  and  boldly  accused  the  officials,  in  the  presence  of  the  crowd,  of 
taking  bribes  and  letting  the  guilty  go  free.  There  are  two  thousand  of 
the  Cantouites  here  greatly  excited  by  this  barbarous  deed  and  they 
threatened  revenge.  A  party  of  marines  was  sent  for,  from  PI.  B.  M. 
ship  of  war  Eace  Horse." 

January  15,  1857  an  attempt  of  a  most  dastardly  comprehensive  scheme 
was  made  to  poison  a  large  portion  of  the  Hongkong  foreign  community, 
arsenic  having  been  mixed  with  the  bread  at  one  of  the  principal  bakeries 
of  this  English  Settlement.  Several  hundred  people  suffered  more  or 
less  from  eating  the  bread ;  many  had  most  narrow  escapes  from  death, 
while  the  sufferings  of  all  were  dreadful.  The  quantity  of  arsenic,  fortu- 
nately was  too  large,  so  that  immediately  after  eating  the  bread,  sickness 
and  nausea  followed,  and  the  vile  poison  was  thus  ejected  from  the  stomach. ' 
The  head  man  of  the  bakery,  known  as  iVllum,  hoping  to  escape  the  ven- 
geance he  well  knew  would  be  inflicted  on  the  miscreant  participators  in 
the  neftirious  project,  left  per  steamer  for  Macao  early  in  the  morning  of 
the  day  the  occurrence  took  place.  To  the  astonishment  of  all  there  was 
some  delay  on  the  part  of  the  English  Government  in  sending  after  him, 
but  a  foreign  gentleman,  a  sufferer  from  the  atrocious  attempt,  chartered 
a  steamer,  and  succeeded  in  capturing  AUum  before  he  got  on  shore  at 
Macao.  He  was  brought  back  to  Hongkong  for  his  trial  and  is  now  in 
'■  durance  vile."  .  It  is  a  significant  fact  that  the  Chinese  steward,  who 
was  on  board  the  river  steamer  "Thistle,"  when  she  was  captured  and 
the  foreigners  murdered,  and  whose  evidence  was  most  conflicting  at  the 
inquest,  was  the  person  employed  to  see  to  the  delivering  of  the  bread 
that  morning  to  the  hongs.  To  the  surprise  of  all,  the  trial  of  Allum  and 
his  fellow  prisoners,  which  extended  over  five  days,  resulted  in  a  verdict 
oi'  '■^  not  guilty ."     His  bakery  was  subsequently  burnt  by  incendiaries. 

Since  then,  as  a  sequence  to  this  leniency,  another  attempt  has  been  made, 
but  on  a  much  more  moderate  scale  through  the  poisoned  oranges,  a  quau- 


270  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

tity  of  wliich,  about  5000  in  number,  was  introduced  into  the  colony.  It 
failed,  however,  in  this  instance,  as  too  little  of  the  poison  had  been  absorbed 
by  the  fruit,  ahhough  two  deaths  took  place,  and  they,  Chinese.  The 
Chinese  have  a  method  of  poisoning  oranges  —  by  piercing  them  in  the 
first  instance,  with  minute  holes,  and  then  placing  them  over  the  vapor  of 
the  poisonous  substance,  which  they  then  cause  them  to  inhale. 

Attempts  have  also  been  made  to  fire  the  settlement.  That  the  Chinese 
are  subtle  enough  to  create  some  great  catastrophe,  is  well  known,  but 
how  or  when,  no  one  can  divine.  The  consequence  is,  that  the  whole 
community  is  living  in  a  state  of  complete  and  most  painful  anxiety  and 
alarm.  There  is  a  large  force  here  afloat  and  ashore.  Still,  the  mode  of 
circumventing  their  enemy,  by  the  Chinese,  is  always  hidden  in  secret; 
and  while  every  street  and  every  pass  is  guarded,  either  poison,  sudden 
kidnapping,  or  assassination,  strikes  terror  throughout.  In  tlie  latter  sin 
the  Chinese  are  great  adepts  not  only  here,  but  all  the  ports  fare  alik. 
The  community  is  on  the  alert,  however,  and  with  the  precautionary 
measures  that  are  in  force,  it  is  to  be  hoped  any  meditated  attack  from 
the  Chinese  fleet  will  be  prevented  as  our  force  in  the  harbor  is  no  doubt 
suflBcient.  In  consequence  of  a  report  brought  in  by  the  American  ship 
Lily,  that  a  number  of  junks  and  snake  boats  were  oft'  Lintin,  and  had 
attempted  to  intercept  her,  the  United  States  steamer  San  Jacinto  had 
gone  out  to  look  after  them.  The  want  of  a  steamer  to  cruise  constantly 
m  the  neighborhood  is  now  much  felt,  there  being  none  available  for  the 
service  at  present.  The  steamer  Sampson  was  on  her  way  up  the  river 
•when  she  fell  in  with  a  large  fleet  of  junks,  which  she  engaged  for  some 
time,  but  could  not  follow  them  up  the  creek. 

"  At  Canton  Admiral  Sir  Michael  Seymour,  owing  to  the  incessant 
demands  made  upon  him  for  the  security  of  Hongkong,  was  really  obliged 
to  withdraw  the  forces  from  the  foreigners  Garden,  the  Dutch  Folly  and 
Bird's  Nest  Fort,  and  opposite  the  Settlement.  He  took  his  position 
about  three  miles  southward  from  the  city  in  a  small  fort  taken  from  the 
Chinese,  built  on  a  rock  in  the  middle  of  the  river  called  the  Macao 
Passage  Fort  —  it  is  circular  with  a  tall  Pagoda  in  its  centre  —  hoping 
to  maintain  this  post,  and  keep  open  the  river,  which  the  Chinese  were 
making  great  efforts  to  block  up.  They  have  a  very  large  fleet  of  war 
junks  and  boats  congregated  on  the  river,  which  are  daily  increasing. 
Before  the  Dutch  Folly  was  evacuated,  the  city  was  very  heavily  bombarded 
from  it  causing  great  destruction  of  life.  On  our  forces  leaving  the 
Garden,  the  Church  and  boat-house  were  at  once  set  fire  to  by  the  Chinese 
resulting  in  the  total  destruction  of  the  foreign  factories,  gradually  com- 
pelling all  foreigners  to  withdraw  from  the  city  and  river.  The  Cantonese 
have  a  great  idea  of  their  own  power  by  their  populousness  alone,  and  it 
•was  not  reassuring  when  one  remarked  to  a  foreigner  :  '  You  are  few  and 
we  are  many.  If  we  Chinamen  were  all  to  get  together,  and  spit  once,  we  . 
could  drown  out  every  Englishman  in  Canton.''  Commissioner  Yeh  has 
addressed  Dr.  Parker,  the  United  States  Minister,  asking  why  he  has  not 
ordered  American  subjects  and  all  American  ships  of  war  away  from 
Hong  Kong  to  be  clear  of  the  present  troubles.  There  was  a  report  from 
Shanghai  that  an  Imperial  Commissioner  from  Pekin  was  expected  to 
come  down  here  shortly  to  arrange  matters  at  Canton.  A  Tartar  general 
with  about  forty  attendants  came  down  i'rom  Shanghai  in  the  steamer,  and 
went  on  at  once  to  Canton  via  Macao  passing  through  Hongkong  unawares 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  271 

to  the  authorities,  this   secrecy  is  characteristic  of  the  people.     The  fnur 
consular  ports  Northward  are  not  to  be  interfered  with. 

"  All  foreign  business  is  not  only  suspended,  but  entirely  at  an  end, 
both  at  Macao,  Hongkong  and  Canton.  The  greater  part  of  the  western 
suburbs  %f  Canton  in  which  were  situated  nearly  all  the  ware  houses, 
shops,  &c.,  concerned  in  foreign  trade  have  been  consumed.  The  Chinese 
compute  their  losses  in  houses,  go-downs,  and  shops  at  over  4000 
buildings,  up  to  the  present  time  (Jany.  29,  1857),  and  in  merchan- 
dise, and  the  value  of  the  above  property,  they  state  their  losses  at 
$10,000,000  —  which  is  probably  not  far  from  the  truth  j  and  they  do  not 
over  estimate  the  loss  of  life,  when  they  state  it  at  70,000  —  of  all  ages 
and  sexes.  Everything  favors  this  calculation,  as  it  is  well  known  that 
the  streets  are  exceedingly  narrow,  the  population  of  great  density,  the 
means  or  the  power  to  move,  within  the  reach  of  comparatively  few  ;  while 
the  custom  of  closing  the  gates  of  every  street,  during  a  period  of  public 
danger,  creates  immense  loss  of  life  —  by  a  sudden  movement  of  the  popu- 
lace. The  interruption  also  to  all  the  daily  avocations  of  the  people  com- 
bined with  other  distresses  are  very  oppressive  in  their  effects.  Still  the 
Chinese  do  not  make  the  slightest  concession.  Armed  bodies  left  the 
ships,  at  Canton  on  Jany.  17th,  at  daylight,  for  the  purpose  of  setting  fire 
to  these  western  suburbs.  The  whole  thing -was  so  unexpected  that  the 
Chinese  found  the  place  in  a  blaze  before  they  could  realize  it. '  Unfortu- 
nately, some  of  the  Fifty-ninth's  party  went  too  far  back,  and  unexpectedly 
found  themselves  assailed  by  stones  and  fire-arms  from  the  city  wall. 
Three  of  our  men  being  knocked  down,  the  braves  rushed  on  them,  and 
in  an  instant  cut  off  the  heads  of  two.  Fortunately,  though  wounded  in 
two  places  and  faint,  the  third  made  a  run  for  it,  and  succeeded  in  escap- 
ing to  the  rest  of  the  party,  five  of  whom,  including  an  ofiicer,  were  also 
wounded,  one  or  two  badly.  The  fire  rose  rapidly,  and  extended  back 
fully  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  thence  scattered  occasionally  by  shot  and  shell 
from  the  ships  and  Dutch  Folly. 

"  The  Viceroy,  Yeh,  in  all  his  ofl&cial  documents,  is  as  firm  at  this 
moment,  as  he  was  when  the  "  Arrow  "  lorcha  was  seized  by  his  ofiicers 
on  October  8,  1856.  The  people,  too  are  even  more  bitter  and  exasperated 
against  the  English,  and  indeed  against  all  foreigners,  and  notwithstand- 
ing their  distress  and  their  sufferings,  their  opposition  to  every  thing  which 
bears  the  appearance  to  reconciliation  or  terms  of  any  kind,  is  greater  than 
ever.  The  Emperor  has  expressed  the  highest  confidence  in  Yeh's  ability 
to  deal  with  foreigners,  and  although  recommending  clemency,  yet  that 
failing,  the  barbarians  are  to  be  driven  into  the  sea.  Under  Yeh's  direc- 
tion the  ploughshare  has  traversed  the  site  of  the  late  factories,  which  the 
commissioner  has  sown  with  salt.-  The  Chinese  take  great  courage  from 
this  act  of  retiring  on  the  part  of  Sir  Michael  Seymour  from  Canton  to 
the  Teetotum  Fort;  it  is  a  circumstance  to  be  regretted,  but  when  the. 
reinforcements  arrive  he  will  teach  them  a  salutary  lesson.  Macao  Fort 
has  been  rendered  impregnable  to  any  assault  from  the  Chinese,  having 
eight  guns  of  heavy  calibre  mounted,  beside  field  pieces,  and  a  strong 
small- arm  party  with  rifle  muskets.  A  few  days  ago  a  shot  was  thrown 
from  one  of  the  guns  in  the  Macao  Fort  at  extreme  range  into  the 
Shameen  Forts,  a  distance  of  3,400  yards.  An  attempt  was  made  by  the 
Chinese  to  burn  her  Majesty's  Ship-of-War  "  Comus  "  by  means  of  fire- 
rafts ;  the  two  large  junks  with  all  kinds  of  inflammable  materials,  well 
saturated  with  oil  and  besprinkled  with  gun  powder  were  hailed  just  in 


272  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

time.  The  Comus's  fore  rigging  has  been  damageil  and  her  forejard  and 
bows  slightly  burnt.  Canton  is  now  in  tbe  bauds  of  the  "  Braves"  7000 
strong,  whose  claim  to  that  honorable  title  consists  in  the  practice  of 
Drutal  murder  and  treacherous  assassination.  They  are  greatly  elated  at 
their  success."  '  • 

,  Sir  Jdlm  Bowring  to  William  Kelly. 

My  Dear  Sir,  Hong  Kong,  Feb.  24,  1857. 

I  doubt  not  that  it  will  be  a  gratification  to  my  Maux  friends  to  hear 
from  the  best  authority,  that  we  are  all  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the 
poison,  of  which  several  hundred  persons  partook  on  the  15th  of  January. 
About  10  lbs  of  arsenic  had  been  mixed  with  a  batch  of  bread  issued  from 
the  largest  Chinese  bakery  in  the  colony,  and  the  excess  of  the  quantity 
led  to  immediate  alarm  —  application  of  emetics  and  speedy  ejection  of 
"  perilous  stuff."  It  left  its  effects  for  some  days  —  in  racking  headaches, 
pains  in  the  limbs  and  bowels,  &c.  In  my  family  my  wife,  daughters, 
three  guests,  my  private  secretary,  and  myself,  besides  several  servants, 
ate  of  the  poisoned  bread.  Lady  Bowriug's  has  been  a  bad  case,  as  it  is 
thought  some  of  the  arsenic  had  got  into  the  lungs  but  danger  is  over  now. 
This  mode  of  warfare  is  hard  to  deal  with,  and  will,  I  am  sure,  excite  a 
general  sympathy  and  indignation.  Large  pi'emiums  have  been  offered 
by  the  mandarins  to  any  who  shall  set  fire  to  our  houses,  kidnap  or  murder 
us;  and  many  unfortunate  wretches  of  all  nations  (as  the  hatred  of  the 
Chinese  is  indiscriminating)  have  been  seized,  decapitated,  and  their  heads 
Lave  been  exposed  on  the  walls  of  Canton,  their  assassins  having  been 
largely  rewarded ;  they  have  even  torn  up  the  bodies  of  Christian  men 
from  their  graves  in  order  to  decapitate  them  and  expose  their  mutilated 
skulls  to  the  public  gaze.  All  this  is  sufficiently  horrible,  but  I  doubt 
not  the  results  will  be  most  beneficial,  for  certainly  we  shall  exact 
indemnities  for  the  past  and  obtain  securities  for  the  future.  We  shall 
not  crouch  before  assassination  and  incendiarism,  you  may  be  assured.  I 
performed  all  that  depended  upon  me  to  promote  conciliation  and  establish 
peace.  This  was  obviously  my  duty,  but  every  effort  I  made  was  treated 
with  scorn  and  repulsion.  The  forbearance  with  which  the  Chinese  have 
been  treated  has  been  wholly  misunderstood  by  them,  and  attributed  to 
our  apprehensions  of  their  great  power  and  awe  of  the  majesty  of  the 
"  Son  of  Heaven."  So  they  have  disregarded  the  most  solemn  engage- 
ments of  treaties,  and  looked  upon  us  as  "  barbarians"  who  in  a  moment 
of  success  imposed  conditions  from  which  they  were  to  escape  when  occa- 
sion offered;  and  when  they  could  (in  their  judgment)  safely  do  so.  I 
doubt  not  that  Government,  Parliament,  and  public  opinion,  will  go  with 
us  in  this  great  struggle,  and  pray  that  my  life  may  have  been  preserved 
for  the  real  and  enduring  benefit  of  my  country  and  mankind. 

Ever  faithfully  yours. 

To  William  Kelly,  Esq.,  Douglas,  Isle  of  Man.         John  Bowring. 

"  These  events  were  carefully  discussed  in  the  British  Parliament,  and 
the  Ministry  appealed  to  the  country  in  the  spring  of  1857,  on  an  adverse 
vote  of  the  Commons  to  carry  on  a  war  with  China  in  consequence;  they 
were  sustained  by  tlie  new  House,  and  decided  to  resort  to  arms.  The 
French  government  also  had  causes  of  grievance,  one  of  which  was  the 
murder  of  Koman  Catholic  missionaries,  under  circumstances  of  peculiar 
barbarity.     Conferences  were  held  between  the  courts  of  London  and  Paris 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  273 

in  reference  to  these  matters,  and  they  agreed  on  an  armed  remonstrance 
with  the  Imperial  government.  The  United  States  and  Russia  were  in- 
vited to  join,  but  declined  furnishing  any  troops,  or  cooperating  in  the 
plan  so  as  to  use  their  forces,  but  the  special  ministers  from  these  four 
powerful  nations  were  to  be  on  hand  in  China  during  the  early  part  of  the 
year  1857  when  the  first  steps  of  the  belligerents  would  be  taken." 

On  March  13,  1857  we  had  another  catastrophe  on  board  the  passenger 
steamer  "  Queen,"  she  left  Hongkong  about  10  A.  M.  for  Macao.  "  There 
was  no  restriction  put  on  the  ten  first  class  Chinese.  No  precautions  appear 
to  have  been  taken,  such  as  might  be  supposed  would  have  been  prompted 
by  recent  sad  experience  in  the  similar  massacre  on  board  the  steamer 
'  Thistle.'  "  When  near  Macao  these  men  got  possession  of  the  chest  with 
arms  while  the  captain  and  others  were  at  dinner,  and  the  first  intimation 
that  any  thing  was  wrong  was  a  volley  being  fired  into  the  cabin.  One  of  the 
passengers,  Mr.  0.  Cleverly  —  the  English  Consul  for  Macao  —  made  a  good 
but  ineffectual  resistance,  and  with  a  revolver  wounded  several  of  the 
Chinese.  The  captain  was  badly  wounded  and  jumped  overboard,  as  also 
did  the  engineer  and  another  European  passenger,  all  of  whom  were  lost. 
Mr.  Cleverly  had  his  thigh  bone  fractured  by  a  ball,  but  threw  a  stool  into 
the  water  and  then  got  overboard.  After  being  sometime  in  the  sea,  he 
was  observed  by  Portuguese  on  a  lorcha,  the  men  succeeded  in  reaching 
him  in  time  and  the  suiferer  was  taken  to  Macao ;  but  most  of  the  wounded 
were  drowned  in  attempting  to  escape.  The  steamer  was  carried  off  and 
ultimately  burnt,  she  had  a  very  valuable  cargo,  which  was  plundered  on 
board  at  the  time  of  the  capture.  The  attack  was  conducted  by  Mandarin 
soldiers  and  ferocious  pirates  who  were  on  board  for  the  purpose.  The 
"  Queen"  was  trading  under  Portuguese  colors ;  the  Governor  of  Macao 
sent  a  representation  to  Commissinor  Yeh  regarding  the  affair  and  demanded 
satisfaction  but  it  was  all  in  vain.  After  this  occurrence,  it  was  discovered 
that  the  guns  on  board  some  of  the  other  steamers  had  been  rendered  use- 
less by  spiking  or  otherwise,  showing  how  extended  the  scheme  was  for 
perpetrating  such  atrocities. 

■"  A  proof  of  the  contagiousness  of  the  Chinese  excitement  has  been 
furnished  by  accounts  of  a  terrible  struggle  at  Sarawak  in  Borneo,  the 
seat  of  Sir  James  Brooke's  Grovernment  over  the  district  conceded  to  him 
by  the  Sultan  of  that  island.  The  Chinese  in  the  neighborhood  numbered 
about  4000  or  5000,  and  at  the  end  of  February  they  organized  a  night 
attack,  which  nearly  proved  fatal  to  Sir  James  and  his  adherents.  He 
contrived,  however,  to  escape  by  swimming  a  creek,  and  having  in  the 
course  of  a  feW  days  collected  a  large  MalayTorce,  the  Chinese  were  routed 
and  driven  to  the  woods,  with  a  loss  estimated  at  2000.  The  origin  of  the 
disturbance  is  said  to  have  been  some  regulations  issued  by  Sir  James 
which  were  calculated  to  affect  the  smuggling  trade  in  opium.  The  de- 
feated native  party  consisted  of  their  picked  men,  and  their  two  great 
leaders  were  killed  in  the  stockade. 

The  following  interesting  letter  from  SiR  James  Brooke,  gives  an  ac- 
count of  the  Insurrection  at  Sarawak,  Borneo. 

Bolidah,  March  15,  1857. 

*  *  *  "  Between  twelve  and  one  o'clock  I  was  awakened  by  yells  and 
shots,  and  seizing  my  sword  and  revolver,  I  opened  a  window  and  saw 
that  the  house  was  surrounded.  The  noise  told  me  it  was  by  Chinese.  I 
opened  door  by  door  in  the  hope  of  finding  means  for  escape,  but  in  vain. 

II]  35 


274  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

I  told  my  native  pervant  Penty,  that  our  deaths  were  at  hand,  and,  aa  the 
last  hope,  went  down  to  the  bathinp;-room.  which  was  under  repair.  The  door 
was  not  fastened.  I  opened  it  gently  and,  seeing  the  way  clear,  ran  across 
the  lawn  to  the  creek  on  the  right  hand  of  the  house,  and  took  the  water 
close  under  the  bows  of  the  boat  which  had  brought  the  murderers  to 
their  bloody  work.  I  carried  my  sword  and  pistol  across  with  me.  Glad 
was  I  to  touch  ground  on  the  far  side,  though  not  above  thirty  yards.  I 
struggled  through  the  deep  mud,  and  lay  down  exhausted  and  panting  in 
the  road.  Recovering  breath,  I  got  to  the  nearest  house,  and  launching 
a  canoe,  pulled  up  to  the  Datoo  Bandars  kampong.  All  was  in  confusion. 
I  was  too  exhausted  to  do  much,  and  even  Hercules  himself  could  not 
have  restored  courage  or  order  to  such  a  panic-stricken  crowd.  Here 
Crookshank  joined  me,  bleeding  from  a  severe  sword  cut  in  the  arm.  He 
believed  his  wife  to  be  dead,  and  we  both  apprehended  that  the  massacre 
would  be  general.  Finding  all  hope  of  restoring  affairs  at  the  Bandars 
gone,  I  pulled  to  the  kampongs  above,  and  persuaded  the  people  to  secure 
their  women  and  valuables  in  prahus,  and  to  cross  to  the  opposite  or  left 
bank  of  the  river,  so  as  to  prevent  the  assailants  from  attacking  them  by 
land.  My  house,  Arthurs,  and  Middleton's  were  long  before  this  in 
flames.  We  got  the  women  and  children  across  the  river,  then  Arthur, 
Crookshank  and  myself  retired  to  the  same  side,  to  the  house  of  Nakodah 
Bryak.  Here  Crymble  joined  us  with  the  intelligence  that  after  an  hour's 
defense  our  fort  or  palisade  had  been  taken,  and  with  it  all  our  guns, 
small  arms,  ammunition,  &c.  The  defenders  were  killed  or  wounded. 
Crymble  himself  had  been  grazed  by  a  spear  in  his  side.  The  bright 
fires  went  out,  and  the  dull  morning  broke  at  length,  but  only  disclosing 
to  us  the  hopeless  state  of  our  affairs.  *  *  *  *  Poor  Harry  Nicholetts 
was  murdered  on  the  grass,  trying  to  reach  my  house.  Crookshank  and 
his  wife  escaped  by  their  bath-room  door.  She  ran  first,  and  he  protected 
her  retreat  with  a  spear  in  his  hand,  but,  in  passing  the  stable,  one  of 
these  villains  rushed  from  the  opposite  side  and  cut  her  down.  Her 
husband  jabbed  his  spear  into  the  miscreant's  back,  but  with  a  twist  of 
his  body,  he  wrenched  it  out,  and  seizing  the  shaft  he  struggled  to  get'the 
spear.  Suddenly,  however,  letting  go  with  his  richt  hand,  in  which  he 
held  a  short  sword,  he  cut  Crookshank  across  the  fleshy  part  of  the  arm. 
Both  staggered,  both  let  go  the  spear,  and  Crookshank,  weak  with  the  loss 
of  blood,  and  believing  his  wife  dead,  staggered  away  and  reached  me. 
She,  young  and  beautiful,  lay  for  twelve  hours  weltering  in  her  blood, 
conscious  and  calm  in  this  extremity.  One  fiend  hacked  at  her  head  till 
he  cut  off  her  long  tresses  which  protected  it;  another  tore  the  rings  from 
her  fingers ;  a  third  —  for  the  sake  of  our  common  nature  let  it  be  told  — 
gave  her  water  to  drink.  By  this  time  the  remainder  of  the  Europeans 
had  been  assured  of  protection  ;  but  when  the  Bishop  asked  the  leader's 
permission  to  ca'rry  her  to  bis  house  he  was  told  that  she  should  be  left  to 
perish.  At  length  the  boon  was  granted  and  she  was  relieved  and  tended, 
and  is  now,  God  be  praised,  recovering.  Middleton's  house  was  attacked 
at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  manner  as  the  others.  He  escaped  with 
great  difficulty.  His  poor  wife  hid  in  a  bakery  till  the  burning  rafters 
fell  about  her,  and,  from  her  concealment,  saw  the  assailants  kicking  about 
the  head  of  her  eldest  child.  The  mother  was  paralyzed ;  she  wished, 
she  said,  to  rush  out,  but  could  not  move.  The  youngest  child  was 
murdered  and  thrown  into  the  flames,  where  poor  Wellington's  remains 
were  likewise  consumed,  his  head  borne  off  in  triumph  alone  attesting 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


275 


his  previous  murder.  *  *  *  *  I  never  knew  the  small  value  of  worldly 
goods  till  I  lost  them.  I  do  not  pretend  to  any  sentimental  cant  over  my 
noble  library,  my  fine  costly  plate,  or  all  the  decorations  and  tokens  of 
honor  which  were  once  showered  upon  me  and  have  been  lost  even  more 
suddenly  than  they  were  acquired.  Man's  happiness  consists  not  in  such 
things.  *  *  The  Chinese  will  play  no  further  treachery  here  for  their 
punishment  has  been  severe,  but  they  are  reduced  to  a  strict  surveillance. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Loss  OF  Steamship  Central  America. 

T  much  enjoy  the  fine  bracing  sea  air  in  this  lovely  Macao,  a  peninsula 
four  miles  long  "  with  its  crescent  shaped  bay  nearly  a  mile  in  length." 


Keying,  Imperial  Commissioner. 


The  town,  thirty  miles  west  of  Hongkong,  is  beautifully  situated  close  to  the 
shining  ocean  ;  surrounded  by  high  hills  some  near,  others  remote  with 
■their  sheltered  valleys;  and  scattered  islands  on  whose  sharp,  rocky  front 


276  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings, 

the  wLite  surf  breaks  presenting  a  most  picturesque  appearance.  There 
are  charming  walks  all  around,  though  foreigners  who  desire  to  retain 
their  heads  do  not  dare  venture  at  present,  beyond  the  protection  afforded 
by  coming  within  range  of  the  Fort's  guns.  In  one  of  our  rambles  we 
visited  the  noted  Buddhist  Temple  at  Mongha,  situated  under  stately  old 
banyan  trees  near  the  ocean,  in  which  my  quondam  friend  at  Washington 
City  in  the  "Harrison  era,"  the  Hon.  Caleb  dishing,  exhibited  his  diplo- 
matic tact  with  the  Commissioner  Keying,  in  connection  with  the 
United  States  Treaty,  which  was  finally  ratified  at  this  romantic  Idol  Joss- 
house.  "  The  prudence  and  vigor  of  Keying  had  great  effect  in  calming 
the  irritation  of  the  people  of  Canton,  he  bore  a  high  character,  as  a 
Chinese  statesman,  for  prudence,  dignity  and  intelligence,  and  his  imperial 
master  reposed  great  confidence  in  him." 

The  Missionaries  have  now  four  chapels  in  Macao  among  the  15000 
Chinese,  where  they  long  and  pray  for  the  "  Blessed  pentecostal  times." 
The  winters  are  delightfully  mild,  though  you  feel  the  sudden  and  fre- 
quent changes  very  sensibly  ;  but  to  me  it  is  an  agreeable  novelty  to  see 
trees  green,  and  flowers  in  bloom  out  of  doors  during  the  whole  winter. 
The  Night  Blooming  Cereus, "  Cereus  grandiflorus"  is  the  scientific  name, 
growing  in  festoons  and  in  enormous  masses  over  our  garden  stone  wall 
fifteen  feet  high,  and  hanging  down  into  the  Cemetery,  has  just  finished 
blooming.  I  never  saw  a  flower  look  so  lovely,  but  its  rare  beauty  is 
evanescent ;  its  floral  emblem  —  "  Transient  Beauty"  —  is  rightly  named  as 
significant  of  its  brief  career.  These  wonderful  blossoms  are  snowy  white, 
of  a  foot  or  more  in  diameter.  At  early  twilight  the  flower  began  slowly 
to  open,  there  were  hundreds  hanging  along  the  two  stone  walls,  the  splen- 
dor of  which  cannot  be  forgotten.  The  next  day  all  the  flowers  which 
were  out  the  previous  evening  in  their  transient  beauty  had  wilted  and 
withered,  "  drooping  from  the  leafy  stem."  When  in  Cincinnati  in  1840, 
Mr.  Nicholas  Lougworth  kindly  sent  me  from  his  unrivaled  garden,  one 
of  these  superb  flowers,  "  we  devoted  a  whole  evening  to  an  observation 
of  its  brief  life  from  the  earliest  opening  of  the  bud  to  the  midnight 
grandeur  of  full  inflorescence  with  the  creamy  white  petals  and  golden 
stamens."  The  flowers  here  are  in  great  variety,  but  very  few  grow  from 
seeds,  either  tuberous,  shrubs  or  trees ;  the  myrtle  tree  filled  with  its 
white  flowers  of  odoriferous  fragrance ;  white  and  pink  oleanders  and 
orange  trees  are  very  beautiful.  Also  the  lagistroemia  with  its  soft 
crape-like  racemes  of  white  or  crimson  ;  but  most  of  the  lovely  flowers 
are  quite  scentless. 

The  Protestant  Cemetery  of  half  an  acre  with  its  terraced  platforms 
filled  with  graves,  from  which  we  are  separated  by  the  stone  wall  covered 
with  the  Queen  of  flowers,  is  the  resting  place  of  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Morri- 
son, an  English  Missionary  who  was  the  first  translator  of  the  Bible  into 
the  Chinese  language.  He  died  in  ]834.  One  monument  bears  this 
inscription  :  "  The  remains  of  Edmond  Roberts,  Esq.,  Special  Diplomatic 
Agent  of  the  IJ.  S.  to  several  Asiatic  Courts,  who  died  at  Macao,  June 
12,  1836,  JEi.  50.  He  devised  and  pxecuted  to  their  end,  under  instruc- 
tions from  his  Government,  Treaties  of  Amity  and  Commerce  between  the 
U.  S.  and  the  Courts  of  Muscat  and  Siam."  Another  monument,  similar 
in  style,  bears  the  following  : 

"  The  remains  of  Archibald  S.  Campbell,  Esq.,  who  died  at  Macao,  in 
command  of  the  U.  S.  schooner  Enterprise,  June  3,  1836,  JE.  46. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  277 

"  Erected  to  the  memory  of  Lieutenant  Commander  A.  S.  C,  by  the 
officers  of  the  U.  &.  ship  Peacock  and  schooner  Enterprise,  1836." 

Many  other  "Americans  are  here  reposing  in  their  last  and  long  sleep 
Here  the  English  residents  and  Protestant  foreigners  are  interred  when 
they  die  in  Macao.  It  is  a  spot  possessing  a  rural  beauty  of  still,  calm, 
and  green  richness  and  softness,  which  makes  you  feel  that  if  you  were 
to  die  abroad  you  would  choose  to  be  placed  in  such  a  spot.  This  rectan- 
gular plot  has  trees  studding  the  end  and  one  side  of  it  and  a  carpet  of 
green  grass  overlaying  the  whole  area."  The  little  Episcopal  Chapel 
stands  here,  with  its  "  PMuha  or  fan  the  length  of  the  room,  suspended 
from  the  ceiling,  a  Chinaman  keeps  it  working  all  through  the  service, 
making  the  room  comfortably  cool" — shaded  by  venerable  trees. 

Our  residence  on  the  San  Antonio  green,  was  pleasantly  located  in  a 
beautiful  part  of  the  town  and  close  to  the  romantic  Casa  Garden  with 
its  pic-nic  party,  rustic  arbors  and  seats  interspersed  with  devious  winding 
paths.  One  of  the  "  proprietors  of  these  noted  grounds  containing  the 
(7flz;e  o/ Ca??uj?7is "  died  during  our  sojourn;  the  younger  Marquise,  a 
Portuguese  gentleman  "  resides  in  a  spacious  mansion  near  the  gate,  em- 
bowered by  the  evergreen  foliage  and  surrounded  by  flowers  and  balmy 
air  and  sunshine."  This  solitude  was  to  us  a  favorite  place  of  resort,  for 
it  was  most  pleasant  to  wander  at  cool  of  day  through  the  wide  walks 
coated  with  chunam,  and  overshadowed  by  the  tangled  tropical  foliage  of 
the  luxuriant  and  venerable  banyans,  with  their  roots  interlaced  over 
rocks,  looking  like  bones  of  a  skeleton  and  other  of  the  roots  reaching  to 
the  earth.  These  serpentine  foot-paths  led  to  four  singular  Temples  on 
eminences  giving  picturesque  views  of  the  surrounding  landscape.  An 
immense  vine  filled  with  the  "  passion  flower  "  grows  over  one  of  the  walls 
and  near  by  is  an  aviary,  with  a  large  dead  tree  but  at  present  it  is  destitute 
of  birds.  There  are  innumerable  grottoes,  artificial  rocks,  orange  and 
many  other  fruit  trees.  Among  which  is  the  curious  looking  Jack-fruit 
or  Jaca  tree,  a  species  of  the  bread-fruit;  "it  is  a  bulky  thing  as  it  is 
sometimes  seen  pendent  from  the  very  twigs  when  young,  but  these  old 
trees  have  it  growing  like  a  great  excrescence  from  the  thick  trunk. 
This  fruit  has  a  green,  rough  and  huge  exterior  weighing  from  thirty  to 
fifty  pounds  and  contains  two  or  three  hundred  seeds,  each  of  them  four 
times  as  large  as  an  almond.  Those  kernels  are  also  eaten  after  being 
roasted  and  have  the  taste  of  chestnuts  ;  when  the  fruit  ripens  a  cloth  is 
thrown  over  it  to  protect  from  birds."  Every  thing  seemed  collected  in  these 
cassa-groves  to  make  a  little  paradise;  the  grounds  are  surrounded  by  high 
stone  walls  with  embowered  Turrets,  enclosing  deep  ravines,  dense  woods 
and  pleasant  vales.  We  frequently  rested  by  Camoen's  old  grotto  of 
granite,  formed  by  singular  shaped  rocks,  it  is  seven  feet  wide  and  open 
on  each  side;  here  he  composed  his  celebrated  Poem,  after  he  was  ban- 
ished from  Portugal  to  Macao  where  he  lived  five  years.  There  is  a 
"  bronze  bust  of  the  poet,  standing  on  a  pedestal  on  which  are  traced  in 
bronze  letters,  some  stanzas  from  the  '  Lusiad.'  "  "  Through  the  gate  of 
San  Antonio,  most  of  the  Chinese  funeral  processions' pass  for  the  inter- 
ment of  the  bodies  among  the  hills,  that  rise  so  majestically  without  the 
walls  of  the  city."  At  every  funeral  we  saw  one  man  with  a  great  parcel 
of  little  pieces  of  red  and  yellow  paper,  which  he  scattered  all  along  the 
road  where  the  procession  passed  ;  these  papers  are  used  at  funerals  by 
worshippers  of  Buddha  to  keep  oif  evil  spirits  from  their  deceased  friend, 
or  calm  and  disperse  them  along  the  road;  they  burn  them  at  the  grave 


278  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

and  in  the  house,  also  "  Peter's-pence  in  the  form  of  silver  paper  money." 
It  is  the  custom  here  to  inclose  the  corpse  in  a  thick  board  air  tight 
coffin,  and  preserve  it  in  the  house  or  a  shed  built  expressly  for  it,  for 
months  and  even  years.  I  have  seen  the  remains  of  the  wife  of  a  wealthy 
Chinaman,  which  had  been  preserved  ten  years  unburied,  "  incense  is 
burned  before  them  morning  and  evening."  When  a  lucky  spot  and  time 
are  found,  the  burial  takes  place  with  great  parade  and  expense,  the 
management  of  which  devolves  on  the  eldest  son.  "  When  the  priests 
come,  the  corpse  is  laid  out  upon  the  floor  in  the  principal  room,  and  a  tablet 
set  up  by  its  side  ;  a  table  is  near,  on  which  are  placed  meats,  lamps  and 
inceuse.  When  the  priests  are  reciting  prayers  to  deliver  the  soul  from 
purgatory  and  hell,  they  occasionally  call  on  all  present  to  weep  and 
lament ;  then  the  wailing  females  of  the  household  are  particularly  clamor- 
ous in  their  shrieks  of  grief,  alternately  uttering  the  most  doleful  accents, 
and  then  tittering  with  some  of  the  new  comers.  The  funeral  procession 
is  generally  headed  by  two  men  carrying  immense  paper  lanterns,  elevated 
on  poles  and  trimmed  with  wJiite,  the  national  symbol  of  mourning.  Then 
bearers  of  bamboo,  long,  flexile,  and  waving,  from  which  depended  grace- 
ful festoons  of  rich  watered  red  silk;  then  two  musicians,  wailing  forth 
at  intervals  most  dismal  strains  from  the  brass  instruments.  The  coffin 
followed,  slung  by  ropes  from  a  large  spar  running  lengthwise  of  it,  and 
supported  by  four  bearers  at  each  end.  Then  came,  as  chief  mourner 
the  eldest  son  in  sackcloth  overalls,  sackcloth  cap,  and- grass  shoes,  carry- 
ing a  white  wand  in  his  hand,  and  supported,  on  either  side,  along  the 
street  to  the  grave,  in  all  the  eloquence  and  attitude  of  drooping  grief. 
The  male  relatives,  dressed  in  sackcloth,  also  wore  a  square  piece  of  white 
cotton  cloth  on  their  heads.  The  women,  robed  in  white,  and  white 
fillets  around  the  head  came  next,  howling  in  shrieks." 

At  Macao  we  enjoy  perfect  security,  but  the  continued  hostilities  are 
likely  to  lead  to  important  results.  The  walls  of  this  secluded  country 
must  soon  fall  ;  and  when  they  do,  we  shall  have  opened  to  us  a  field  of 
labor  sufficient  to  absorb  all  the  resources  of  the  Church,  were  they  ten 
fold  greater  than  they  are.  This  is  the  season  for  the  Ants  to  make  their 
appearance,  and  if  not  guarded  against  are  exceedingly  troublesome;  the 
only  remedy  —  and  it  is  an  effectual  one  — is  to  put  a  small  bowl  of  water 
under  each  of  the  four  legs  of  closet  and  wardrobe.  If  the  vessels  are  kept 
full  of  water  with  no  scum  on  the  surface,  and  the  closet  detached  from 
wall  or  wood  work  you  will  uot  suff"er  from  their  depredations.  We  are  still 
more  seriously  annoyed  by  the  destructive  operations  of  the  little  white  ants, 
"  but  they  are  not  so  large  as  in  Java,  and  tiieir  ruinous  proclivities  less  ex- 
tensive. They  never  work  but  in  the  dark  and  then  in  a  way  peculiarly  their 
own,  forming  passages  under  ground,  and  penetrating  upwards  into  the  wood 
work  of  houses  whenever  it  comes  to  the  earth,  and  the  whole  building  may 
become  infested  with  them  almost  before  their  existence  is  suspected."  The 
very  door-posts,  window-sills,  veranda-pillars  soon  become  mere  shells,  they 
will  attack  even  the  timbers  which  support  the  roof.  Their  destructive 
power  is  astonishing  ;  our  valuable  libraries  become  a  total  wreck  by  these 
pests;  bookcases  with  glass  doors  are  no  protectiou,  and  it  is  distressing 
to  see  our  new  and  rarest  books  gradually  falling  to  pieces ;  the  heap  of 
dust  daily  found  by  the  volume  proves  how  futile  are  your  exertions  to 
gave.  If  we  wish  to  preserve  our  clothing  it  must  be  kept  in  tin  boxes. 
In  the  north  of  China  this  annoyance  does  not  come  into  their  catalogue 
of  troubles  ;  but  while,  with  the  greatest  vigilance,  they  will  clandestinely 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleajtings.  279 

put  to  naught  all  your  circumspection  in  the  southern  sections,  these  little 
creatures  are  far  more  destructive  in  India.  "  The  queen  ant  is  always 
to  be  found  in  the  neighborhood  of  a  house  infested  by  white  ants,  though 
not  under  it,  and  her  destruction  causes  that  of  her  subjects.  Many 
years  ago,  Dr.  Carey  invariably  "dug  up  the  ground  and  killed  the  queen, 
and  the  plan  proved  in  every  instance  successful.  It  has  now  become  so 
well  known,  that  a  general  governmental  order  was  issued  requiring  obe- 
dience to  instructions  given  for  digging  up  the  white  ant  nests  in  the 
neighborhood  of  all  public  buildings,  The  queen  ant  is  like  a  white 
worm,  somewhat  translucent,  and  grows  to  the  enormous  size  of  a  man's 
little  finger.  If  we  dig  into  the  ant  hill,  within  -one  hundred  yards  of 
the  building  —  we  shall  find  many  rooms,  sometimes  hundreds  of  them, 
where  the  ants  make  their  home.  Near  the  centre  we  shall  find  a  room, 
shaped  like  two  saucers  put  together.  Within  this  secluded  spot  of  the 
nest  lies  the  singular  queen  and  to  her  large  body  is  attached  the  natural 
and  small  hand  of  the  small  ant.  All  around  her  room  are  very  small 
entrances  about  the  size  of  a  pin's  head,  and  at  each  of  these  doors  is  sta- 
tioned a  sentinel  to  guard  her  from  any  insect  intruders.  These  sentinels 
are  very  watchful,  and  if  disturbed,  they  show  their  little  nippers,  and  if 
in  their  power  they  will  cut  their  enemy  into  two  parts,  as  with  a  pair  of 
scissors.  The  queen  lies  quiet,  not  being  able  to  move  her  great  body ; 
and  if  she  were,  she  could  not  get  out  of  her  palace.  The  ants  bring  her 
food  and  supply  all  her  wants,  while  she,  month  after  month,  continues 
to  fill  up  her  little  world  with  her  mischievous  little  brood.  During  the 
rainy  season  we  have  another  very  curious  large  winged  ant  which  comes 
out  of  the  ground  in  swarms,  and  at  evening  flies  in  multitudes  into  the 
house.  Happily  the  annoyance  is  soon  ended;  for  a  dish  of  water  near 
the  lamp  will  attract  them  all  in  a  few  minutes  to  a  watery  death.  Those 
that  escape  such  an  end,  shed  their  wings  within  a  day,  and  disappear 
from  the  scene.  There  is  a  superstitious  feeling  in  China  that  flying  in- 
sects cause  leprosy  and  charms  are  placed  to  ward  them  ofi"." 

[The  following  letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Bonney,  addressed  to  a  section  of 
pupils  in  the  Mt.  Holyoke  Female  Seminary  was  dated  :] 

My  Dear  Miss  C :  Macao,  China,  April  13,  1857. 

Your  letter  of  December  13,  1856,  was  received  by  the  last  overland 
mail,  and  for  it  I  thank  you,  although  it  requires  me  to  take  time  from 
duties  here  to  communicate  information  needed  by  friends  of  missions  in 
your  Seminary.  I  will  endeavor  to  give  correct^  though  brief  replies,  to 
the  questions  your  section  has  sent,  and  add  observations  of  my  own,  if 
time  allows  before  the  mail  leaves,  I  will  number  your  questions  as  they 
come. 

1st.     In  what  year  was  the  mission  established  ? 

Ans.  Rev.  Robert  Morrison  was  the  first  Protestant  missionary  in  Can- 
ton, at  which  place  he  arrived  in  1807.  He  was  sent  out  by  the  London 
Missionary  Society,  and  labored  with  remarkable  perseverance  twenty-eight 
years  at  Canton  and  Macao.  He  died  in  1834  having  made  a  large  En- 
glish and  Chinese  Dictionary  of  4600  pages  and  the  first  complete  transla- 
tion of  the  Scriptures  into  the  Chinese  language.  He  also  instructed  a 
few  pupils  but  was  not  allowed  publicly  to  preach  the  Gospel.  Like  Paul, 
in  "  his  own  hired  house,"  he  taught  all  who  came  to  see  him.  One  of 
these  was  Leany  Afali  who  was  hopefully  converted,  and  has  for  the  last 
30  years  been  a  faithful  evangelist.     To  liberate  the  Chinese  from  their 


280  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

heathenish  thraldom  and  qualify  them  to  take  their  place  among  civilized 
nations,  nothing  has  done  more  or  may  be  expected  to  do  so  much,  as  the 
labors  of  Protestant  Missionaries,  with  the  blessing  of  God  on  them.  There 
have  been  thirty-four  ordained,  and  four  medical  missionaries  at  Canton 
from  the  commencement  of  the  mission  to  this  time.  On  account  of  the 
opposition  of  the  Chinese  Government  and  the  war  with  foreigners,  mis- 
sionary labors  at  Canton  have  been  several  times  interrupted,  and  the  mis- 
sionaries been  obUged  to  retire  to  Macao,  Hongkong  or  Singapore.  Still, 
Canton,  the  largest  city  of  Southern  China,  has  been  the  place  in  which 
the  missionaries  have  spent  most  of  their  time  and  labor. 

2nd.     Do  the  missionaries  employ  native  teachers  ? 

Ans.     They  are  obliged  to  do  so  ;  teachers  of  two  descriptions. 

First,  those  who  are  well  versed  in  the  Chinese  language,  oral  and  written, 
to  teach  them  to  speak,  read  and  write.  These  are  emplo-yed  at  least  six 
hours  daily.  The  other  class  of  teachers  are  hopeful  converts,  who,  having 
a  good  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  as  translated,  can  assist  in  explaining 
them,  and  in  preparing  Christian  tracts.  This  last  class  are  generally 
named  "native  assistants." 

Zrd.     Are  the  Chinese  willing  to  receive  missionaries  ? 

Ans.  They  are  now,  in  Macao,  where  there  is  no  war  with  foreigners, 
and  also  at  Hong  Kong,  which  is  an  English  island.  But  on  account  of 
the  war  which  has  recently  broken  out,  their  hostility  towards  foreigners 
makes  no  distinction  between  missionaries  and  merchants.  While  they 
allowed  missionaries  to  live  at  Canton,  they  demanded  very  high  rent  for 
their  houses,  two  or  three  times  as  much  as  a  Chinese  would  pay.  There 
are  individual  cases  of  dislike  and  opposition  to  missions  from  Boodhist, 
and  Touist  priests,  but  the  citizens,  merchants  and  day  laborers  do  not  ob- 
ject to  the  Western  teachers,  if  their  trade  is  not  interrupted. 

4ith.     Is  their  attention  easily  aroused  to  religious  subjects? 

Ans.  I  think  not,  for  the  Chinese  are  an  apathetic,  moderate,  sedate 
people,  and  do  not  generally  exhibit  much  animation.  They  are  eminently 
a  trading,  money  loving  people ;  they  have  a  large  share  of  the  Athenian 
thirst  for  news. 

bth.  How  do  they  receive  the  idea  of  one  Supreme  Being,  and  what 
means  are  used  to  convey  to  their  minds  an  idea  of  God? 

Ans.  The  Chinese  have,  in  their  ancient  classic  books,  the  mention 
of  one  Supreme  Sovereign  or  Ruler  of  heaven  and  earth,  which  they  must 
have  obtained  from  their  own  observation  of  the  works  of  creation,  and 
by  tradition.  But  being  destitute  of  an  authoritative,  written  revelation 
of  the  manifestation  of  God,  in  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ,  they  became 
vain  in  their  imaginations,  and  their  foolish  heart  was  darkened.  They 
changed  the  glory  of  the  incorruptible  God  into  an  image  made  like  to 
corruptible  man,  and  to  birds,  and  four  footed  beasts,  and  creeping  things. 
The  best  means  that  we  have  found  to  convey  to  their  perverted  minds 
correct  ideas  of  God,  are  the  careful  and  repeated  reading  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  ;  especially  the  gospels  which  record  the  life  of  the  only  Saviour 
of  men,  while  he  dwelt  on  earth.  He  is  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life. 
We  find  it  true  here,  that  no  man  can  come  to  the  Father  but  by  Christ. 
They  can  not  have  a  saving  knowledge  of  God  but  by  Christ,  and  the 
Bible  is  the  only  source  from  which  such  knowledge  can  be  obtained,  and 
with  that  the  blessing  of  God  will  come. 

Qth.   What  is  their  religion,   and  what  are  their  customs  of  worship? 

Ans.  There  are  three  religious  sects  in  China;  the  Boodhist,  Confucian, 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  281 

and  Touists.  The  Boodhist  is  an  offshoot  of  Brahminism,  and  was  intro- 
duced into  China  from  lodia,  about  A.  D.  63.  Boodhism  is  the  religion 
of  the  common  people  and  Boodhist  temples  are  found  in  every  part  of 
.  China,  in  which  are  priests  and  nuns,  with  shaven  heads  and  clothing  pe- 
culiar to  their  order.  Its  rites  and  ceremonies  are  observed  by  all  classes 
and  it  allows  many  gods ;  in  one  temple  in  Canton  there  are  500  gods, 
each  one  as  large  as  a  full  grown  man.  About  one-third  of  the  population 
belong  to  this  sect,  it  receives  no  support  from  government,  but  freedom 
of  worship  is  permitted  in  this  hopeless  bondage.  The  Confucians  are 
followers  of  Confucius,  who  lived  about  550  years  before  the  Christain 
era.  The  Confucian  doctrines  are  held  by  most  of  the  literati  and  Govern- 
ment officers.  They  do  not  practice  as  many  ceremonies  as  the  Boodhists, 
but  trust  in  what  thet/  call  good  acts  and  deeds  of  justice,  to  be  accepted 
by  heaven.  Th^  great  principle  of  Confucius  in  his  moral  and  political 
system  was  filial  •bedieuce  and  reverence  for  superiors  in  age  and  rank, 
an  entirely  external,  and  outward  form  is  much  relied  on.-  His  writings 
make  no  mention  of  the  existence  of  God.  Of  the  soul  of  man  and  a 
future  state  of  existence,  they  know,  say,  and  care  very  little,  as  the 
founder  of  the  sect  taught  them. 

The  Touists  though  not  so  numerous  are  the  rationalists  of  China.  Some 
of  their  notions  of  God  and  a  future  state  are  derived  from  their  divine 
Revelation  ;  they  believe  in  a  certain  Power,  very  undefined,  which  formed 
all  things.  Many  of  their  ceremonies  and  worship  resemble  the  Boodhist, 
but  their  images  are  not  so  numerous.  They  worship  they  know  not 
what.  The  priests  of  this  sect  pretend  to  great  wisdom,  they  hold  certain 
false  notions  of  the  origin  of  the  earth,  and  heavens.  All  these  idolatrous 
sects  appear  to  live  in  harmony,  no  one  of  them  being  supported  as  a  State 
Religion,  or  sanctioned  by  legal  enactments.  They  have  no  idea  of  the 
resurrection  of  the  body  but  are  firm  believers  in  the  transmigration  of 
souls.  Our  pity  is  greatly  excited  at  the  sight  of  their  idolatry  and  false 
religions.  The  Chinese  ceremonies  of  worship  are  morning  and  evening, 
burning  three  incense  sticks  at  the  side  of  the  front  door,  or  in  a  little 
shrine  in  some  prominent  place  in  the  front  room.  On  the  1st  and  15th 
of  each  month,  red  gilt  paper  and  red  candles  are  burned,  dishes  of  meat 
and  vegetables  are  offered  to  their  idols,  with  many  prostrations  and  bow- 
ings. On  marriage  and  funeral  occasions  the  same  ceremonies  are  per- 
formed, but  on  a  costlier  scale,  and  accompanied  with  instrumental  music. 
On  other  occasions,  as  going  a  journey,  commencing  business,  building  a 
house,  etc.,  they  also  have  their  many  idolatrous  ceremonies. 

1th.  Do  they  worship  many  gods,  and  has  each  one  a  particular  deity  ? 

Ans.  All  the  unconverted  Chinese  worship  the  departed  spirits  of  their 

ancestors  J  but  I  am  not  aware  that  each  one  has  a  particular  deity.     They 

sometimes  worship  one  idol,  and  sometimes  another,  as  fancy  leads  them. 

They  worship  demons,  devils  and  genii,  in  great  numbers. 

^th.   How  many  missionaries  and  how  many  missions  are  now  in  China  ? 
Ans.  There  are  now  one  hundred  and  one  Protestant  missionaries  in 
China.  One  hundred  and  ninety  have  been  sent  to  China  since  Dr.  Morrison 
came  in  1807.     These  one  hundred  and  one  missionaries  are  the  agents  of 
seventeen  societies  :  English,  European  and  American. 
%th.  How  long  is  required  to  learn  the  Chinese  language  ? 
Ans.  Two  years  are  quite  sufficient    to  learn  to  speak  readily  on  all 
common  subjects ;  but  a  person  of  superior  talents  for  language  and  un- 
II]  30 


282  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

divided  application,  would  acquire  it  in  a  year.  There  have  been  mission- 
aries who  began  to  preach  in  China  within  a  year  after  their  arrival,  Revds. 
Blodget  and  Burns  are  examples.  The  facilities  for  learning  the  language 
are  constantly  increasing  by  the  publication  of  new  lexicons,  dictionaries 
and  vocabularies,  so  that  the  time  of  learning  it  is  shortening.  It  requires 
a  much  longer  time  to  read  Chinese  because  of  the  great  number  and 
variety  of  characters.     The  New  Testament  may  be  mastered  in  four  years. 

lOfh.  What  are  the  greatest  obstacles  in  the  way  of  establishing  a 
mission  there  ? 

Ans.  Heretofore,  the  greatest  obstacle  has  been  the  exclusiveness  and 
debarring  policy  of  the  Chinese  Government  towards  all  foreigners,  espe- 
cially at  Canton.  The  terror  and  power  of  British  arms  first  struck  a 
heavy  but  justly  merited  blow  to  this  policy  in  the  year  1842,  and  opened 
five  seaports  to  foreign  intercourse,  and  of  coui'se  freedon*  for  missionaries 
was  gained.  But  no  admittance  was  granted  for  thenito  proceed  to  the 
interior  and  inland  parts  of  the  empire.  Now,  there  is  a  civil  war  in  the 
Central  part  of  China,  and  the  English  and  French  Governments  are  as- 
sembling their  forces  on  the  seacoast.  We  are  expecting  a  heavy  shock 
will  soon  be  given  to  this  old  Chinese  Empire,  and  new  treaties  framed, 
which  will  open  the  countries  to  missionary  labor  far  and  wide.  The 
attachment  of  the  Chinese  to  their  ancient  customs  is  another  obstacle. 
The  antiquity  and  vast  population  of  China,  has  cherished  in  the  heart 
of  the  Chinese,  a  proud  self  conceit,  which  is  hard  to  remove.  The 
obstacles  to  the  establishment  of  missions  in  those  parts  of  China  that  are 
open  to  foreign  intercourse,  are  not  so  great  as  the  obstacles  to  their  pro- 
gress and  success.  Our  missions  have  met  with  more  success  at  Amoy, 
than  at  any  other  place.  Our  brethren  there  are  faithful  and  zealous,  and 
God  has  given  the  increase.     To  him  be  the  thanks  and  the  praise. 

l\th.   What  is  the  present  prospect  of  this  field  ? 

If  by  this  field  is  meant  Canton  only,  I  would  say  that  on  account  of 
the  war,  all  missionary  work  is  entirely  stopped.  We  have  been  obliged 
to  flee  to  Macao  for  safety.  We  are  glad  to  find  here  at  least  13,000  or 
20,000  Chinese,  for  whose  soul's  salvation  we  can  labor.  Four  preaching 
rooms  are  now  opened  by  the  English  and  American  missionaries,  in  which 
there  is  preaching  every  day.  About  seventy-five  attend  each  meeting. 
Macao  belongs  to  the  Portuguese,  with  whom  the  Chinese  are  at  peace. 
The  missionaries  will  probably  be  detained  here  until  the  war  ceases. 
We  pray  that  this  calamity  may  be  shortened,  for  it  brings  trouble  and 
woes  on  thousands  of  the  Chinese.  A  heavy  scourge  is  apparently  pre- 
paring for  the  Chinese  Government  and  people,  to  oblige  them  to  grant 
to  Western  nations  those  privileges  and  rights  which  every  nation  on  earth 
should  concede  to  others.  If  God  in  his  providence,  orders  that  the 
horrors  of  war  be  brought  upon  this  people  to  humble  them,  his  will 
must  be  done,  and  none  can  gainsay  it.  Our  weapons,  as  heralds  of  the  gos- 
pel, are  only  truth,  love,  good  will  and  prayer,  and  the  Bible.  We  are 
assured  that  the  gospel  shall  prevail  here,  for  our  God  has  said  it. 

It  is  late  at  night,  and  I  must  postpone  answering  the  remainder  of  your 
questions  to  another  time,  perhaps  the  next  overland  mail.  I  see  there 
are  eight  more.  We  request  an  interest  in  your  prayers  to  the  God  of 
missions,  that  he  would  guard,  guide  and  prosper  us  in  our  labors  for  him. 
With  kind  regards  and  best  respects  to  the  members  of  your  section,  I  re- 
main yours,  to  serve  for  Christ  and  China, 

Samuel  W.  Bonney. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  283 

*'  The  inhabitants  of  Christian  lands  were  anxious  to  know  more  about 
the  paradox  involved  in  the  Chinese  character,  for  the  Chinese  undoubt- 
edly have  civil  and  literary  institutions  which  evince  a  high  degree  of  civ- 
ilization. There  are  educated  classes  who  exhibit  a  high  order  of,  polish 
and  genuine  refinement,  though  but  a  small  proportion." 

Second  Letter  from  Rev.  8.  W.  Bonney. 

My  Dear  Miss  C :  Macao,  China,  May  8th,  1857. 

I  proceed  to  answer  the  questions  you  have  sent.  In  my  last  letter  I 
think  the  first  eleven  were  answered. 

The  12,th  question  reads  :   How  many  mission  schools  are  established  ? 

Ans.  In  July  1854,  there  were  fifty-seven  Protestant  mission  schools 
at  all  the  stations  in  China.  I  presume  the  number  is  now  about  the  same, 
for  whatever  increase  there  may  have  been  in  the  Northern  ports  since 
July,  1854,  is  balanced  by  the  closing  of  the  schools  at  Canton  by  the 
present  war.  These  schools  are  principally  for  boys  —  a  few  are  for  girls. 
Mrs.  Bridgman's,  at  Shanghai,  and  Miss  Aldersey's  at  Ningpo,  are  the 
largest. 

Vith.  How  are  they  conducted,  and  what  interest  do  the  natives  show  ? 

Ans.  Most  of  them  are  conducted  wholly  in  the  Chinese  language. 
Half  a  dozen  or  so  include  the  English  language  in  the  course  of  study. 
The  Chinese  books  used  are  the  ancient  classics  of  Confucius,  Mencius, 
and  other  Chinese  sages,  the  Scriptures,  as  now  translated  by  Morrison, 
Medhurst  and  others,  with  treatises  "on  geography,  and  chemistry,  pre- 
pared by  different  missionaries,  in  the  Chinese  language.  Devotional 
exercises  are  conducted  morning  and  evening  by  the  principals,  with  the 
aid  of  Christian  Chinese  assistants.  Singing  of  English  and  American 
tunes  to  psalms  and  hymns,  translated  into  Chinese,  is  also  taught.  The 
interest  manifested  by  the  Chinese  in  the  charity  schools  is  gradually 
increasing,  so  that  offers  of  pupils  are  many  more  than  can  be  accepted. 
The  missionaries  were  obliged  at  first,  to  furnish  food,  clothing,  lodging 
and  tuition  to  the  children  of  parents  who  were  too  poor  to  support  them. 
Now,  children  of  parents  who  are  in  comfortable  circumstances  are  offered, 
and  in  some  cases,  payment  is  made  for  their  food  and  clothing,  though 
not  for  tuition  and  lodging.  I  never  heard  a  Chinese  speak  in  disappro- 
bation of  our  charity  mission  schools.  The  benevolence  and  good  will, 
the  friendship  and  kindness  of  the  very  act,  they  can  not  help  seeing  and 
approving.  The  objection  with  them  is  that  Western  teachers  will  ac- 
company it  with  their  Western  Christian  doctrines,  books  and  worship. 
To  this  they  submit,  for  the  sake  of  their  temporal  benefits.  Mission 
schools  are  only  in  their  infancy  in  China,  although  some  young  ladies  and 
gentlemen  have  already  completed  their  course  of  school  studies,  and  are 
useful  members  of  the  Christian  comipunities.  The  method  of  studying 
Chinese  is  to  read  aloud,  all  the  scholars  at  the  same  time.  They  commitjto 
memory  their  lessons,  and  find  that  viva  voce  is  the  easiest  method. 

The  only  mission  school  now  in  Macao,  is  Mrs.  Bonney's  of  six  little 
girls,  all  under  ten  years  of  age.  They  are  children  of  poor  parents,  and 
are  given  up  for  six  or  eight  years'  instruction.  They  are  taught  to  read 
and  write  Chinese ;  some  knit,  and  make  their  own  clothing,  and  behave 
according  to  Christian  principles. 
'      \itli.  What  is  the  usual  method  of  instruction  ? 

Ans.  In  the  native  schools  throughout  the  Empire,  a  school  has  only 
one  teacher,  and  each  scholar  recites  his  lesson  separately  to  the  teacher. 


284  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

There  is  no  system  of  assistant  teaching,  or  classifying  of  scholars.  In  the 
fore  part  of  the  day,  the  scholars  cottimit  to  memory  their  lessons  in 
ancient  Chinese  books;  in  the  after  part  they  write  or  hear  the  explana- 
tion of  the  books  by  the  teacher.  The  great  deficiency  in  Chinese  schools 
is  the  absence  of  Bible  truths  and  modern  sciences. 

16th.  Are  the  natives  generally  teachable  ? 

Ans.  I  would  say  they  are  more  teachable  than  willing  to  adopt  what 
is  taught  in  their  creed  and  conduct.  The  children  in  the  schools  are 
teachable  and  obedient.  I  think  there  is  less  of  disobedience  and  idleness 
than  I  have  known  in  some  schools  in  the  United  States.  The  Chinese 
are  inquisitive  and  patient.  In  all  my  observation  of  Chinese  children 
and  adult  persons,  I  have  seen  n  docility  and  aptness  to  learn  in  nine- 
tenths  of  them,  when  there  is  an  aptness  to  teach,  and  in  the  teacher. 
When  the  teacher  has  felt,  or  shown  a  contempt  or  superciliousness  to- 
ward the  poor  Chinese,  forgetting  that  pity,  sympathy  and  condescension 
are  due  to  them,  there  has  been  obstinacy,  hatred  and  a  deplorable  degree 
of  self  conceit,  on  the  part  of  the  Chinese.  Yesterday  I  lent  a  deaf  and 
dumb  young  man  a  copy  of  Genesis.  He  returned  it  this  morning,  with 
two  copies  of  the  first  chapter  written  out  in  a  fair  hand.  He  sat  up  till 
after  midnight  reading  it.  He  has  borrowed  many  Chinese  books,  and  is 
passionately  fond  of  reading',  as  the  eye  is  his  principal  source  of  receiving 
knowledge.  Ere  long,  I  hope,  the  Spirit  of  God  will  stir  up  some  bene- 
volent individuals  to  devote  their  strength  to  the  instruction  of  deaf  and 
dumb  Chinese.  Please  suggest  this  mode  of  Christian  benevolence  to 
some  in  your  section  who  would  engage  in  the  glorious  work. 

16fh.  Do  the  Chinese  have  many  schools  independent  of  the  missiona- 
ries ?  Ans.  They  do.  Schools  for  boys  are  opened  in  every  village, 
town  and  city.  Wherever  there  are  a  few  dozen  boys,  a  school  may  be 
found.  Like  all  other  heathen  nations,  the  girls  are  neglected.  Only  a 
very,  very  few,  are  taught  to  read  and  write.  The  poorer  classes  are,  by 
custom,  kept  at  manual  labor  in  the  house,  field  or  boat.  The  wealthy 
class  occupy  their  time  in  painting,  embroidery  and  dress.  I  refer  you  to 
Mrs.  Bridgman's  book,  "  Daughters  of  China,"  for  more  full  information. 
The  Chinese  women  are,  by  their  national  and  ancient  customs,  cruelly 
cramped  in  their  feet,  hearts  and  minds.  Nothing  but  the  liberal  and 
heavenly  principles  of  the  Bible,  difi'used  abroad  here,  will  effect  a  sure 
release.  This  must  be  done  by  Christian  men  and  women  from  the  United 
States,  and  other  Christian  lands.  The  fleets  and  armies  of  foreign  powers 
may  remove  the  hindrances  to  intercourse  with  this  people,  but  can  go  no 
further.  The  Messenger  of  peace,  publishing  peace  on  earth  and  good 
will  to  men,  must  have  a  hearing  and  fishers  for  the  souls  of  men  can 
here  cast  their  nets. 

Third  Letter  from  Eev.  S.  W.  Bonney. 

My  dear  Miss  C :  Macao,  China,  June  1st,  1857. 

\ltli.  Are  the  intellects  of  the  Chinese  capable  of  as  much  improve- 
ment as  the  minds  of  Europeans  ?  Ans.  I  dare  not  say  "  no."  There  is 
now  in  Hong  Kong,  a  Chinese  gentleman.  Dr.  Wong  Fun,  who  was 
educated  and  received  the  degree  of  M.D.,  in  Edinburg  University,  and 
stood  on  an  equality  in  his  attainments,  with  the  Scotch  medical  students. 
W^e  now  hope  that  with  God's  blessing  he  may  be  enabled  to  con^^ecrate 
his  life  to  the  great  and  magnificent  work  of  Christian  Medical  Missions. 
He  has  brought  back  to  hiscouatrymen  a  full  knowledge  of  modern  Euro- 


Legacy  of  Histoeical  Gleanings.  285 

pean  medical  science  to  invest  in  his  future  career  as  a  physician.  I  need 
not  speak  of  Yoong  Awing  who  prosecuted  his  studies  at  Monson  Academy 
and  graduated  with  credit  at  Yale  College  in  1854,  as  some  of  the  young 
ladies  in  your  Seminary  have  seen  him.  [In  1873  Yoong  Awing  was 
appointed  agent  of  the  Imperial  power  for  the  important  purpose  of  edu- 
cating in  this  country,  one  hundred  and  twenty  youth ;  thirty  of  them 
arrived  at  San  Francisco  in  his  charge.  The  Chinese  Government  has 
appropriated  one  million  of  dollars  that  this  movement  may  be  perfected.] 
The  Chinese  people,  for  the  last  two  or  three  thousand  years,  have  been 
under  the  benumbing  influences  of  idolatry,  heathenism,  and  all  the 
wicked  devices  of  Satan.  Release  them,  and  let  them  grow  up  under  the 
healthful  influences  of  the  gospel,  and  they  will  become  a  vastly  different 
people.  Even  now,  they  are  ingenious,  industrious,  economical  people. 
Their  present  grade  of  civilization  has  all  been  of  native  growth,  without 
the  aid  of  foreign  nations.  I  think  they  are  quite  as  good  subjects  for 
Christian  civilization  as  our  barbarian  forefathers,  the  Britons,  Saxons 
and  Normans  of  Old  England.  The  infusion  of  Bible  truth  among  that 
race  has,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  remoulded  them,  and  made  them  more 
like  such  a  people  as  God  designed  they  should  be.  Had  the  gospel,  at 
first,  been  carried  Eastward  from  Judea  to  Tartary  and  China,  while 
Europe  was  left  in  heathenism,  we  might  probably,  at  this  time,  have  the 
question  reversed.  "  Are  the  intellects  of  the  Anglo  Saxon  race,  the 
Goths,  Huns  and  Vandals,  as  capable  of  improvement  as  the  Chinese  ?" 
The  earth  was  built  to  be  inhabited  by  a  race  of  holy  beings,  they  "  fell 
from  the  estate  in  which  they  were  first  created."  A  remedy  has  been 
provided  in  mei'cy.  There  are  three  hundred  millions  waiting,  longing 
and  crying  for  it.  Who  among  you  will  be  moved  to  feel  for  them,  and 
administer  the  heavenly  remedy  ? 

18<7i,  What  is  the  general  character  of  the  people  ? 

Ans.  The  character  of  the  Chinese  is  very  peculiar,  I  mean  their  arti- 
ficial character,  formed  by  long  established  customs  for  many  generations. 
Naturally,  they  are  like  all  heathen  people,  averse  to  goodness  and  to  God. 
A  system  of  morality  devised  by  their  sages  2,000  years  ago,  has  been 
taught  in  all  their  schools,  and  produced  a  formal  politeness,  a  self-right- 
eousness most  shallow  and  useless.  Yet,  they  are  remarkably  respectful 
to  aged  persons,  and  have  great  regard  for  their  parents.  They  are  indus- 
trious, economical,  and  fond  of  trade.  Sociable,  talkative,  good  natured 
and  clannish.  Their  ingenuity  exhibits  itself  perversely  in  low  cunning, 
deceit,  and  a  wily  way  of  action,  most  annoying  to  honest  persons.  The 
stereotype  peculiarities  of  their  character  for  the  few  last  centuries  are  now 
being  broken,  and  a  transition  to  a  better  condition,  I  trust,  is  begun, 
which  God  will  complete  in  his  own  good  time. 

\dtli.  Is  property  equally  or  unequally  divided  among  them  ? 

Ans.  Unequally,  of  course,  and  probably  always  will  be,  as  it  has  been 
in  every  country,  from  the  days  of  Noah  to  this  time. 

At  Canton  there  are  at  the  present  Chinese  millionares,  others  with 
their  hundreds  of  thousands,  then  many  of  those  who  are  neither  poor  nor 
rich,  and  lastly  the  poor,  the  miserable  and  vagabond  beggars.  When 
the  father  of  a  family  dies,  his  property  is  nearly  equally  divided  among 
his  sons,  the  daughters  not  receiving  anything  if  they  are  married.  At 
their  marriage  they  receive  a  dowry  of  household  furniture,  clothing  and 
provision.  Owing  to  the  dense  population,  the  land  is  divided  into  much 
smaller  fields,  (without  any  fences),  than  we  generally  see  in  the  United 


286  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

States,  and  cultivated  with  more  care.  The  Chinese  are  gifted  with  differ- 
ent talents  for  business  and  trade,  which  some  neglect,  others  diligently 
improve.  This,  of  course  results  in  an  inequality  of  gain.  There  is  no 
caste  in  China  which  prevents  persons  born  in  poverty  from  acquiring 
large  property,  and  holding  high  offices  under  Government.  The  road  to 
wealth  and  honor  is  as  free  to  all  men  here  as  in  Europe  or  America. 

20th.     Is  intemperance  common  ? 

Aus.  Not  in  the  use  of  spirituous  liquors.  The  liquor  used  by  Chinese 
is  distilled  from  rice,  called  Sam-shoo,  and  resembles  gin.  They  drink  it 
only  at  their  meals.  They  have  no  custom  like  many  of  the  European  and 
Anglo  Saxon  race,  of  swallowing  large  tumblersful  of  liquor  at  and  between 
their  meals.  But  they  have  a  vile,  a  fashionable,  intemperate  use  of 
opium  quite  as  injurious,  quite  as  deadening  to  the  body  and  soul.  Opium 
is  smoked  by  all  classes  of  the  people,  and  shops  for  retailing  the  article 
are  in  every  city  and  town.  The  Chinese  place  themselves  in  a  reclining 
position  when  they  smoke  it,  swallow  the  smoke  and  puff  it  out  at  the 
mouth  and  nose.  Its  effect  is  to  vitiate  the  appetite,  diminish  the  flesh, 
wither  the  muscles,  and  waste  the  nervous  system.  Opium  is  brought  from 
India  and  is  one  of  the  bad  things  from  foreign  countries  which  the  tolera- 
tion of  intercourse  does  not  forbid.  The  Chinese  resort  to  all  kinds  of  expe- 
dients to  evade  the  duty  !  in  every  steamer  coming  up  to  Canton  you  will 
occasionally  observe  little  parcels  thrown  from  the  steamer's  deck  ;  these 
are  picked  up,  by  the  small  boats  near  at  hand,  and  are  known  to  contain 
the  highly  prized  opium.  Though  free  trade  and  intercourse  is  given  to  the 
servants  of  Satan,  with  it  freedom  and  protection  is  also  given  to  the  heralds 
of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  We  know  who  will  finally  be  victorious.  From 
the  rising  of  the  sun  unto  the  going  down  of  the  same  the  Lord's  name  is 
to  be  praised,  and  holiness  to  the  Lord  shall  yet  be  inscribed  on  all  the  em- 
ployments of  the  Chinese.  I  have  a  small  chapel  which  will  seat  eighty  per- 
sons, and  have  preaching  six  days  in  a  week.  Mrs.  Bonney  has  a  little 
nursery  of  Chinese  girls,  all  under  ten  years  of  age . 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

S.W.  Bonney. 

"  In  the  ceremonial  forms  in  China  ofsalntafion,  the  lowest  order  among 
the  Chinese  is  the  '  joining  of  hands  and  raising  them  before  the  breast.' 
The  next,  more  deferential  mark  of  consideration,  is  a  low  bow,  with  the 
hands  joined  as  before.  The  third,  still  more  deferential,  is  bending  the 
knee,  as  if  about  to  kneel.  The/ourth,  kneeling.  The  Ji/th,  to  kneel  and 
strike  the  head  against  the  ground.  The  sixth,  to  strike  the  head  three 
times  against  the  ground  previous  to  the  rising  from  a  kneeling  position. 
The  seventh,  kneeling  and  striking  the  forehead  three  times,  rising  and 
again  kneeling  and  striking  the  head  yet  further  three  times.  The  climax, 
or  the  eighth  ceremonial,  the  Chinese  call  the  kow-tow,  and  invariably 
practiced  by  the  courtiers  around  the  person  of  his  celestial  majesty.  It 
is  kneeling  three  successive  times,  and  at  each  time  knocking  the  head 
against  the  ground.  Some  of  the  gods  of  China  are  entitled  only  to  the 
sixth  and  seventh  degree  of  veneration.  There  is  a  measured  politeness, 
and  an  ease  too,  with  all  the  grave  etiquette  of  this  people,  that  gives  an 
agreeableness  to  their  manners  and  a  grace  to  their  formality." 

Macao,  May  22, 1857.  A  great  deal  of  misery  in  Canton  as  well  as  other 
places,  and  the  cases  of  distress  are  likely  to  be  far  more  numerous  in  the 
forthcoming  mouths.     Many  of  the  Chinese  have  not  funds  to  provide  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  287 

first  necessaries,  food  and  clothing;  while  famine  on  the  mainland  lasts 
there  will  be  very  many  destitute  sufferers.  In  Canton  boys  from  three 
to  four  years  old  are  selling  for  selling  for  twenty  five  cents ;  and  girls  from 
ten  to  fifteen  years  at  the  rate  of  $4  to  $8 ;  the  younger  ones  can  be  pro- 
cured for  five  or  six  cents  ! 

The  first  walk  I  took  in  Macao  was  rendered  memorable  by  a  horrible 
sight ;  just  outside  the  Campo  gate,  we  all  saw  the  body  of  a  Chinese  child 
lying  on  a  heap  of  rubbish  ;  savage  dogs  were  quarreling  over  and  devour- 
ing it,  also  pulling  in  pieces  its  red  garment.  Infanticide  of  girls  is  a  very 
common  crime  ;  and  as  the  dead  bodies  of  children  are  not  often  buried, 
the  above  sad  sight  would  be  frequently  observed  if  the  bodies  were  not 
taken  ofi"  by  the  carter  and  fed  to  the  greedy  dogs.  It  is  amusing  to  watch 
the  Chinese  barbers  "  who  go  about  ringing  bells  to  get  customers.  They 
carry  with  them  all  the  necessary  implements  as  a  stool,  a  basin  and  a  pot 
containing  fire.  When  any  person  calls  them,  they  run  to  him,  planting 
their  stool  in  a  convenient  place  in  the  street,  shave  the  head,  clean  the 
ears,  dress  the  eye-brows,  and  brush  the  shoulders.  They  then  ring  the 
bell  again  and  start  in  pursuit  of  another  customer. 

The  tonsorial  business  of  the  Orientals  is|quite  an  important  system, 
"  These  barbers  shave  as  if  they  meant  something  by  the  operation,  and 
have  hosts  of  believers  in  the  extraordinary  power  and  great  benefit  to  be 
derived  from  his  energetic  manipulations.  A  victim  gives  a  thrilling 
sketch  of  the  process,  which  was  performed  without  even  lathering  the 
face.  '  After  the  beard  was  taken  off,'  he  says  '  the  barber  took  a  long 
sharp,  needle-shaped  spooon  and  began  to  pierce  my  ears.  He  explored 
every  avenue  and  brought  up,  from  numerous  little  crevices,  bits  of  wax 
and  dirt  that  had  been  accumulating  there  since  my  childhood.  Having 
become  satisfied  with  picking  about  my  ears,  the  barber  suddenly  twisted 
my  neck  to  one  side  in  such  a  manner  that  it  cracked  as  if  the  vertebrae 
had  been  dislocated.  '  Hold  on  !'  I  shouted,  alarmed  for  the  safety  of 
my  neck.  '  All  right,'  replied  the  tonsor,  '  me  no  hurt  you ;'  and  he  con- 
tinued to  jerk  and  twist  my  neck  until  it  was  limber  as  an  old  woman's 
dish-rag.  He  then  fell  to  beating  my  back,  breast,  arms,  and  sides  with 
his  fist,  and  pommeled  the  muscles  until  they  fairly  glowed  with  the  beat- 
ing they  had  received.  He  then  dashed  a  bucket  of  cold  water  over  me, 
and  having  dried  my  skin  with  towels,  declared  that  his  work  was  done.' 
The  head  is  shaved  to  the  crown,  and  the  hair  carefully  braided  in  a 
single  plait  behind.  Laborers  often  wind  it  about  the  head,  or  roll  it  into 
a  ball  behind  out  of  the  way,  when  barebacked  or  at  work.  The  people 
are  vain  of  a  thick  long  cue.  The  headdress  in  winter  consists  of  a  silken 
skull  cap ;  in  summer  they  go  bareheaded,  and  screen  their  eyes  by  a  fan. 
Three  of  the  English  Wesleyan  Missionaries  are  expecting  the  young 
ladies  to  whom  they  were  betrothed  previous  to  their  leaving  England,  in 
the  ship  "Florence  Nightingale; "  we  have  promised  to  receive  them 
into  our  house  till  after  the  marriage  ceremony  and  it  gives  us  pleasure  to 
do  so. 

The  Chinese  have  been  erecting  again  a  very  large  bamboo  theatre  or 
"  Sing-Song  "  just  outside  San  Antonia  Gate,  npt  a  nail  is  in  the  curious 
building  ;  the  poles  are  tied  with  ratau  withes  and  the  whole  structure 
covered  with  matting.  They  keep  up  the  fashionable  performances  with 
an  hour  or  two  of  intermission  both  day  and  night.  The  unearthly  noise 
with  their  barbarous  music  of  most  agonizing  quality — from  gongs, 
drums,  and  tom-toms,  one  would  suppose  sufficient  enjoyment  for  the  most 


288  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

enthusiastic  amateur,  but  when  to  this  is  added  the  shrill  falsetto  it  is 
overpowering  and  a  terrible  ordeal.  "  It  is  simply  odious  and  revolting 
to  every  feeling  of  harmony,  melody,  sympathetic  cadence,  or  dulcet  sound 
of  any  description  suggested  by  musical  nature.  It  is  nasal,  screeching, 
yowling,  mee-mawing,  wailing — every  sound  excruciating  to  ears  refined. 
Two  tom-cats  encountering  on  a  midnight  prowl,  are  faint  though  truthful 
illustrations  of  that  fearful  rending  of  the  air."  Then,  too,  the  constantly 
firing  of  crackers,  probably  mine  is  "  the  unappreciative  foreign  ear." 
We  certainly  have  a  rare  opportunity  to  decide  if  this  is,  or  is  not  a 
nuisance  and  (if  the  discordant  shrill  sounds  do  not  "  make  one's  flesh 
creep  "  as  all  is  performed  close  to  our  dwelling),  in  our  walks  of  witness- 
ing the  heathenish  sport.  The  robes  of  the  actors  are  very  gorgeous  with 
their  brilliant  and  fantastic  masks  and  costumes.  "  Theatricals  are  in- 
timately interwoven  with  festive  observances  among  the  Chinese,  and  with 
the  performance  of  religious  worship  in  the  presence  and  honor  of  the 
gods.  The  people  of  all  classes  are  inordinately  fond  of  the  amusements 
and  the  excitements  connected  with  play  acting.  Every  temple,  with  a 
few  exceptions,  has  a  stage  erected  in 'a  convenient  part  devoted  to  the 
performance  of  theatrical  representations.  The  reputed  birthdays  of  the 
gods  are  almost  invariably  celebrated  by  the  performance  of  plays  before 
their  images,  rendering  thanks  to  the  gods  for  favors  believed  to  have 
been  received  from  them." 

During  our  evening  walks  at  Macao,  we  often  observed  the  Parsees,  in 
their  peculiar  miter  shaped  hat,  crowding  to  an  elevated  part  of  the  hill 
bowing  to  the  ground  to  salute  the  sun  at  its  departure.  "  They  worship 
the  sun,  as  the  representatives  of  Grod,  fire  in  all  its  forms,  and  the  sea. 
In  China  they  have  their  own  pretty  cemeteries,  but  in  their  own  country 
the  dead  are  neither  buried  nor  burned,  but  exposed  to  the  air  within  an 
enclosure  and  are  soon  devoured  by  birds  of  prey.  They  were  exceed- 
ingly munificent  in  their  charities,  duringall  the  troubles, relieving  the  poor 
and  distressed  of  all  nations.  As  we  are  living  at  the  antipodes,  of  course 
we  find  almost  every  thing  the  reverse  of  home  :  The  Chinese  books  begin 
from  the  right  hand;  their  letters  are  placed  in  perpendicular  columns, 
of  which  there  are  generally  ten  in  one  page.  They  read  downwards, 
beginning  from  the  right  hand.  Sometimes  a  title  is  placed  horizon- 
tally, and  this  is  likewise  read  from  the  right  hand.  Another  curious 
thing  is  to  observe  both  foreigners  and  Chinese  with  their  fan,  which  when 
not  using,  the  Chinese  stick  upright  in  back  part  of  neck.  You  can 
scarcely  buy  an  article  but  on  it  you  will  find  the  terrible  looking  Dragon, 
it  is  the  Imperial  coat  of  arms  and  is  also  used  as  an  insignia  of  honor  or 
distinguishing  badge  of  ofiice,  but  as  hideous  an  object  as  you  could  wish 
to  see.  It  has  the  head  of  a  camel,  the  horns  of  a  deer,  eyes  of  a  rabbit, 
ears  of  a  cow,  neck  of  a  snake,  belly  of  a  frog,  scales  of  a  carp,  claws  of  a 
hawk  and  palm  of  a  tiger.  On  each  side  of  the  mouth  are  whiskers,  and  its 
beard  contains  a  bright  pearl.  The  five-clawed  dragon  is  embroidered  on 
every  thing  that  appertains  to  the  emperor  even  to  the  yellow  Imperial 
flag.  This  is  certainly  the  'flowery  land'  in  divers  ways;  the  native 
language  is  exceedingly  flowery  and  great  latitude  of  expression  is  allowed. 
In  a  note  from  a  Chinese  you  will  be  addressed  in  the  most  eulogistic 
manner,  while  they  speak  of  themselves  in  a  very  depreciatory  way." 

July  8,  1857.  Our  venerated  United  States  Minister,  Dr.  Peter  Parker, 
is  to  be  superseded  by  the  Hon.  Wm.  B.  Reed  of  Philadelphia.  Our 
national  anniversary,  July  4th,  was  celebrated  at  his  house  in  a  sumptuous 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  289 

entertainment  to  which  the  Americans  from  Hongkong  and  Macao  were 
the  willing  guests.  The  "  Stars  and  Stripes  "  were  conspicuously  dis- 
played, with  a  due  observance  and  commemoration  of  the  spirit  of  '76. 
The  foreigners  are  very  patriotic  in  China  and  the  national  banner  not 
only  is.  elevated  on  the  flag-staflF,  but  waves  in  graceful  folds  from  many  a 
veranda ;  large  packs  of  fire-crackers  are  exploding  all  around  while  ever 
and  anon  torpedoes,  then  rockets  went  whizzing  up  into  the  air,  and  there 
was  great  excitement  as  we  followed  with  eager  glances  the  fiery  streak 
and  saw  the  shower  of  stars  descend.  The  bon  fires  were  in  order;  the 
Chinese  are  well  versed  in  pyrotechnical  displays,  and  soon  the  ingeniously 
devised  wheel  spurted  and  fizzled  and  whirled  and  banged ;  then  again 
we  would  hear  the  p7«^  .'  pop  !  hang  !  and  our  National  Holiday  was  a 
pleasant  time.  M.  Bourbillon,  the  French  Minister  arrived  some  time 
since  with  the  stately  Madam  Bourbillon,  the  intimate  youthful  friend  of 
the  Empress  of  France  when  she  was  Mademoiselle  Eugenie  de  Montijo, 
Countess  de  Teba.  They  are  now  residing  in  Macao.  Lord  Elgin  has 
also  arrived,  but  sent  troops  from  Singapore  to  India  to  quell  the  dis- 
turbance there.  The  great  topic  of  the  hour  is  the  frightful  accounts 
we  have  from  Calcutta  regarding  the  mutiny  among  the  Sepoys,  who  are 
considered  as  generally  in  a  very  unsettled  state.  The  native  regiments 
were  in  a  state  of  insurrection  from  fanatical  excitement,  consequent  upon 
an  impression  that  some  animal  fat  had  been  used  in  the  preparation  of 
their  cartridges.  Several  native  regiments  have  revolted  and  murdered 
all  their  officers.  The  City  of  Delhi  has  been  captured  and  nearly  every 
European  killed,  under  most  atrocious  and  revolting  circumstances  sparing 
neither  age  nor  sex.  Merut  also  had  fallen,  even  Calcutta  itself  was  in 
great  peril.  Government  had  dispatched  letters  on  May  10th  to  Lord 
Elgin  and  General  Ashburnham  with  the  object  of  obtaining  the  aid  of  the 
troops  destined  for  China.  These  letters  were  forwarded  to  Ceylon  with 
the  view  of  meeting  them  there,  which  fortunately  was  the  case.  This 
will  delay  the  settling  of  the  China  troubles,  but  we  have  reason  to  be 
thankful  that  we  are  all  safe  ;  fears,  however,  are  entertained  that  these 
revolts  will  incite  the  Chinese  to  further  aggressive  movements.  The 
Portuguese  have  a  re-enforcement  of  troops  on  the  way,  from  Lisbon  for 
the  better  protection  of  Macao. 

On  June  4th  a  party  of  Europeans,  among  whom  were  four  of  our  Ame- 
rican Missionary  families,  escaped  in  a  boat  from  Futtehgurh,  sailing 
down  the  River  Ganges,  but  unfortunately  on  June  8th,  the  boat  "  struck 
on  an  island  five  miles  distant  from  Cawnpore.  They  were  soon  captured 
and  three  carriages  sent,  by  that  "  incarnation  of  brutality  and  treachery," 
Ndnd  Sahib,  for  the  ladies,  who  were  unable  to  walk  farther.  At  the 
station  they  were  all  shut  up  for  an  hour  in  a  house  by  themselves.  "  On 
June  i3th,  at  seven  o  clock  in  the  morning,  they  were  released,  marched 
to  the  Cawnpore  parade  ground,  and  ruthlessly  shot.  Their  death  was 
agonizing,  but  not  long  delayed.  Thus  died  those  martyred  missionaries 
the  Freemans,  Campbells,  tfohnsons,  McMuIUhs,  dear  little  Fannie  and 
Willie  Campbell."  This  was  shortly  followed  by  "  the  dishonor  and  mas- 
sacre of  the  sixty  European  ladies,  and  the  seven  hundred  and  fifty  pri- 
soners, who  constituted  the  garrison  of  Cawnpore.  The  record  of  their 
sufferings  was  found  traced  on  the  wall  in  a  lady's  hand,  and  in  pieces  of 
journals  written  on  scraps  of  paper,"  These  victims  also  had  endeavored 
to  escape  down  the  River  Ganges  to  Allahabad,  "  they  were  in  the  very 

II]  37 


290  Legacy  of  IIistorical  Gleanings. 

act  of  embarking  when  by  the  order  of  Nana  Sahib,  a  battery  opened  upon 
them  and  numbers  were  slain.  A  few  boat-loads  hastily  rowed  across  the 
river,  but  they  were  seized  by  the  Sepoys,  the  men  all  sabred,  and  the 
women  and  children  carried  back  to  the  camp  of  the  monster.  For  weeks 
they  were  incarcerated  in  a  building  at  Cawnpore,  where  they  were  sub- 
jected to  the  brutality  of  the  Sepoy  troops.  A  rumor  having  reached  the 
rebels  that  a  military  force  was  on  the  march  from  Allahabad  to  rescue 
the  captives,  an  order  was  given  that  they  should  be  slain  —  not  an  unwel- 
come order  to  those  who  were  suffering  a  thousand  deaths.  At  sunset  on 
the  15th  of  July,  volleys  of  musketry  were  fired  into  the  doors  and  win- 
dows of  the  building,  after  which  the  bayonet  and  the  sword  did  their 
work,  until  all  were  supposed  to  be  dead,  and  the  building  was  closed  for 
the  night.  The  next  morning  it  was  found  that  a  number  were  still  alive, 
who,  upon  being  brought  out,  were  thrown  into  a  large  well  in  the  com- 
pound, with  the  dead  of  the  night  before.  Thus  perished  all  who  had 
survived  the  slaughter  of  the  ghaut,  nearly  two  hundred  in  all.  The  whole 
number  of  victims  at  Cawnpore  was  about  one  thousand.  The  army  under 
Gen.  Havelock  entered  Cawnpore  the  day  after  the  massacre,  driving  out 
the  rebels  before  them  ;  and  when  they  reached  the  building  which  was 
the  scene  of  the  massacre,  found  it  strewed  with  the  relics  of  the  departed 
ones  —  remnants  of  clothing,  ladies,  and  children's  shoes,  locks  of  hair, 
and  other  mementoes  —  and  the  floor  covered  deep  with  their  blood.  The 
brave  soldiers  were  almost  maddened  by  the  sight."  Some  of  the  miscreant 
leaders  were  compelled  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  on  bended  knees  and 
hands,  to  clean  the  floor  of  that  ill-fated  chamber,  by  licking  up  with  their 
tongue,  the  blood  of  those  innocent  victims  ;  thus  losing  caste,  and  dis- 
honored by  this  humiliating  atonement,  previous  to  being  lashed  to  the 
cannon's  mouth  and  sent  into  Eternity.  "  In  Calcutta  a  committee  of 
ladies  was  appointed  to  receive  and  look  after  distressed  ladies  and  women 
who  came  down  from  the  disafiected  districts.  The  torpor-of  death  seems 
to  have  crept  over  those  who  have  escaped.  Young  brides  of  a  few  weeks 
are  grown  into  aged,  grey  haired  widows. 

["  This  bloody  plain  at  Cawnpore,  has  since  that  time,  been  converted 
into  one  of  the  most  beautiful  parks  in  the  East,  laid  out  in  exquisite  taste, 
and  planted  with  trees,  and  shrubbery,  and  ever-blooming  flowers.  In 
the  midst  of  this  park  rise  the  marble  walls  of  a  sacred  inclosure,  in  the 
centre  of  which,  over  the  fatal  well,  stands  a  marble  statue,  an  angel  having 
in  his  arms  the  palm-leaves,  emblematical  of  martyrdom  and  victory. 
This  park  was  laid  out  and  planted  after  the  mutiny,  and  called  the 
Memorial  Garden.  The  pedestal,  on  which  stands  the  angel,  bears  the 
following  inscription  :  "  Sacred  to  the  perpetual  memory  of  a  great  com- 
pany of  Christian  people,  chiefly  women  and  children,  who,  near  this  spot, 
were  cruelly  massacred  by  the  followers  of  the  rebel  Nana  Dhoondopunt 
of  Bithoor,  and  cast,  the  dying  with  the  dead,  into  the  well  below,  on  the 
15th  Day  of  July,  1857.'"] 

"  For  more  than  twelve  months  before  the  outbreak  of  this  Sepoy  re- 
bellion in  India,  lotus  leaves  and  lotus  cakes  were  being  daily  distributed 
among  the  100,000,000  natives  of  that  vast  country.  The  former  meant 
silence,  the  latter  war.  To  civilians  the  leaf  was  given,  to  soldiers  the 
cake.  And  though  this  distribution  through  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
hands  was  going  on  day  by  day,  though  it  was  recognized  both  by  oflacials 
and  privates,  though  every  man,  woman  and  child  of  native  blood,  as  well 
as  house-servants  in  English  families,  as  confidential  clerks  in  English 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  291 

ware-houses,  alike  ia  populous  centres  aud  rural  districts,  rich  and  poor, 
patrician  and  plebeian  castes,  understood  that  the  fulness  of  time  for  India 
had  come,  and  by  tasting  of  cake  or  leaf  had  sworn  secrecy  or  revenge ; 
yet  never  an  Englishman  among  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  residents 
was  told  or  suspected  the  fact.  Even  woman's  wit  for  once  failed,  for  it 
was  not  till  the  day  before  the  revolt  that  the  wife  of  a  missionary  wrote, 
'  A  chowabar  ran  up  to  another  at  Futtyghur  aud  gave  him  two  chapaties.' 
These  are  little  unleavened  cakes,  the  size  and  shape  of  biscuits,  that  are 
the  common  food  of  the  lower  classes.  He  directed  him  to  make  ten 
more,  and  give  two  to  each  of  the  five  nearest  chowabars,  with  the  same 
directions.'  The  native  Christians  of  Allahabad  did,  indeed,  afterwards 
confess  that  they  had  long  been  aware  that  chapaties  were  passing  through 
the  city,  and  that  their  meaning  must  be  important,  but  cast  out  as  they 
(these  Christian  natives)  were  by  friends  and  neighbors,  they  had  no 
means  of  obtaining  the  key  to  the  mystery." 

"  At  Macao  July  25,  John  P.  Williams,  formerly  of  Utica,  New  York, 
aged  31  years;  brother  of  S.  Wells  Williams,  Esqr.,  and  of  Rev.  Frederick 
Williams,  Missionary  at  Mosul.  He  died  at  the  residence  of  his  brother, 
S.  Wells  Williams,  after  an  illness  of  six  weeks  (superinduced  by  eating 
the  poisoned  bread  at  Hongkong  in  December  last,)  which  he  bore  with 
patient  composure.  His  funeral  was  attended  by  all  the  Americans  and 
many  English  and  foreign  residents  in  Macao,  among  whom  were  Dr.  Peter 
Parker,  the  American  Minister,  the  American  and  English  Consuls,  &c. 
The  United  States  ship  Levant  displayed  her  flag  at  half  mast,  in  Hong- 
Kong,  as  did  all  the  American  shipping  there,  on  hearing  th8  next  day  of 
his  demise." 

"  Nothing  whatever  can  be  done  at  Canton ;  the  population  will  never 
be  civil,  and  the  lives  of  the  foreign  residents  never  be  safe,  till  the  invinci- 
ble '  Braves'  have  been  made  to  respect  us.  The  city  is  in  the  hands  of 
these  Braves,  whose  claim  to  that  honorable  title  consists  in  the  practice 
of  brutal  murder  and  treacherous  assassination.  They  are  said  to  be  6,000 
or  7,000  strong,  and  to  be  extremely  elated  by  their  recent  successes,  in. 
which  they  claim  to  have  achieved  a  great  slaughter  of  the  foreigners. 
The  lesson  to  respect  us  can  only  be  impressed  by  the  severest  measures. 
The  more  thoroughly  the  work  is  done  the  better,  not  only  for  ourselves, 
but  for  the  Chinese  themselves,  who  are  in  fact,  kept  in  a  state  of  misery 
and  degradation  by  corrupt  officials  and  a  brutal  soldiery.  We  all  need 
redre.ss.  The  Chinese  have  many  stereotyped  salutations  but  they  never 
make  use  of  the  expressions  when  they  meet  of'  Howd'yedo  ?'  or  '  Good 
morning,'  but  simply  A  bow,  with  the  mute  folding  of  the  hands  together. 
This  is  the  usual  mark  of  recognition  when  friends  encounter  each  other, 
if  any  thing  is  said  it  is  '  Tsing,  Tsing,'  meaning,  '  I  pray  you,  I  pray  you,' 
.which  has  been  barbarized  into  '  Chin-chin.'  The  intention  is  on  either 
part  to  entreat  the  other  to  take  the  precedence." 

Our  last  letters  were  freighted  with  sad  tidings  of  the  loss  of  a  highly 
valued  son  of  John  S.  Van  Bensselaer,  Esq.,  of  Albany.  "  The  gallant 
and  lamented  Charles  W.  Van  Rensselaer,  first  officer  of  the  ill-fated 
steamship  'Central  America,'  William  N.  Herndon,  commander;  the 
vessel  foundered  at  sea  September  12,  1857  between  Havana  and  Norfolk, 
with  a  loss  of  four  hundred  and  twenty-three  lives,  and  bullion  to  the 
value  of  nearly  a  million  and  a  quarter  dollars.  Charles  W.  Van  Renss- 
elaer was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  January  29,  1823,  at  the  time  of  his 
death  he   was  34  years  of  age.       With  a  natural  taste  for  the  sea,  he 


292 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


early  adopted  it  as  a  profession,  and  had  chosen  the  treacherous  element 
as  his  home.  For  a  while  he  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  United  States  Rev- 
enue Service,  but  lost  his  commission  by  the  reduction  of  the  number  of 
officers  in  the  service.  When  on  a  trip  next  preceding  that  sad,  sad  catastro- 
phe he  gathered,  while  at  Havana,  a  number  of  fine  specimens  of  a  gigantic 
grasshopper  or  locust,  which  he  had  frequently  noticed  as  being  quite 
common  at  the  isthmus;  these  he  inclosed  in  a  jar  and  presented  to  the 
State  Agricultural  Society  ;  he  often  contributed  in  this  way  to  scientific 
pursuits.  He  was  a  very  efficient  officer,  and  made  himself  many  sincere 
friends.  He  had  often  crossed  and  recrossed  these  Atlantic  waves  in 
perfect  safety,  but  when  at  last  the  hour  of  danger  did  come,  that 
young  and  heroic  man  was  equal  to  the  emergency,  and  was  constantly 
found  at  his  post  of  duty,  bravely,  faithfully  and  gallantly  exerting  his 
best  energies  during  that  fearful  gale,  in  conjunction  with  the  noble 
Commander,  for  the  preservation  of  the  vessel." 

Charles  W.  Van  Rensselaer, 

FIRST   OFFICER  OF  THE  CENTRAL  AMERICA. 

He  stood  upon  the  wreck, 

By  gallant  Herndon's  side  ; 
Fear  brooded  darkly  o'er  the  deck, 

Death  stalked  upon  the  tide : 
Around  him,  strong  men  wept,  or  cursed 
or  prayed ; 
But  he  \was  one  of  few 
Among  that  fated  crew. 
Who,  to  their  duty  true. 
Felt  not  afraid. 

Whatever  man  could  do, 

He  had  done,  his  ship  to  save  ; 
His  toilsome  labors  now  were  through, 

Beneath  him  yawned  his  grave  : 
There  was  nothing  left  for  him  —  but 
to  die  — 
Yet,  though  all  hope  had  fled, 
Unfaltering  was  his  tread 
Nor  paled  his  face  with  dread. 
Nor  dimmed  his  eye. 

What  thoughts  rose  in  his  breast. 

As  he  stood  and  gazed  below  ; 
What  holy  memories  unrepressed. 

We  now  can  never  know. 
But  that   a    fervent    prayer  he  there 
breathed  out, 
That  heaven  the  hearts  would  cheer, 
And  wipe  away  each  tear. 
Of  all  at  home  most  dear. 
Oh,  who  can  doubt  ? 

There  are  many  here  who  mourn 

That  they  cannot  see  him  more  ; 
They  sadly  weep  that  he  is  gone. 

That  hope  for  him  is  o'er; 
But  midst  their  bitter  tears  they  yet 
can  boast. 
That  no  blush  of  recreant  shame 
Can  sully  his  fair  fame  ; 
For  he.  to  guard  his  name. 
Died  at  his  post. 


CnAELES  W.  VAN  ReNSSBLAEE. 


Though  the  billows  o'er  him  wave, 

And  his  face  is  no  more  seen  ; 
Yet  those  whom  he  has  died  to  save. 

Will  keep  his  memory  green. 
Those  rescued  ones  will  ever  hold  most 
dear 
He  who  midst  storm  and  strife, 
To  succor  child  and  wife. 
Gladly  laid  down  his  life, 
Van  Rensselaer ! 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  293 

"  When  the  hope  of  saving  the  steamer,  had  to  be  abandoned  ;  the  sight 
of  a  vessel  approaching  through  the  angry  waves,  once  more  cheered  their 
despairing  hearts  ;  a  signal  of  distress  was  quickly  raised,  and  oh  !  the 
intense  agony  of  expectation  as  with  strained  gaze,  they  watched  the 
vessel  as  she  rises  on  those  mountain  waves  and  then  disappears  :  will 
she  see  them  !  yes ;  they  are  perceived,  she  comes  to  their  rescue.  Oh  ! 
the  thrilling  ecstasy  that  pervaded  those  anguished  souls  in  this  trying 
exigency. 

"  Then  the  chief  officer  superintended  the  embarkation  of  all  the  de- 
'  fenceless  women  and  children  ;  to  them  he  gave  his  last  labors  and  cares. 
He  cheered  them  with  his  brave  words ;  he  supported  them  with  his 
manly  arm,  he  saw  them  all  safely  borne  away  from  the  sinking  ship,  and 
then  he  turned  with  calm  resolution  to  meet  his  fate.  Fifty-seven  were 
saved;  the  weak  and  helpless  owed  their  escape  to  the  noble  heroism,  and 
generous  humanity  of  those  self-sacrificing,  self-denying  men,  who  in  this 
hour  of  peril  relinquished  with  a  chivalrous  spirit  their  precedence,  and 
yielded  not  only  uncomplainingly,  but  with  cheerful  and  hearty  concur- 
rence this  first  and  only  opportunity  of  salvation.  Many  of  these  men 
had  been  eagerly  pursuing  wealth,  away  from  almost  all  humanizing  and 
restraining  associations  —  too  often  reckless  of  every  thing,  of  life  itself, 
in  their  eager  clutching  of  gold ;  many  of  them  painfully  deficient  in 
morality,  social  amenities  and  human  sympathies,  even  before  they  went 
into  the  rugged  associations  of  the  gold  mines  —  and  all'of  them  now 
almost  within  sight  of  the  homes  and  friends  from  whom  they  had  been 
for  years  absent.  These  men  had  brooked  no  restraint,  and  had  known 
no  argument  but  the  revolver;  yet,  now  these  same  men  manifested  the 
purest  chivalry  and  the  rarest  delicacy  and  generosity,  it  will  always  be  a 
matter  for  wonder,  and  for  grateful  pride  on  the  part  of  their  countrymen. 

"  When  there  was  no  means  of  escape  (as  the  small  boat  which  conveyed 
the  ladies  and  children  to  the  waiting  vessel,  had  not  yet  returned  to  take 
ofi"  the  men)  and  about  to  be  whelmed  in  the  yawning  abyss  of  waters. 
Captain  Herndon  and  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  went  to  their  state-rooms, 
dressed  themselves  in  full  uniform  and  took  their  places  side  by  side  on 
the  paddle  box,  the  officers'  post.  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  then  lighted  a 
cigar  and  was  calmly  smoking  it,  when  the  steamer  reeled  down  beneath 
them  with  a  fearful  plunge  into  the  depths  below.  Mr.  Easton  who 
rose  to  the  surface  with  them,  and  was  picked  up,  says,  '  Mr.  "Van  Rens- 
selaer told  me  in  the  water  that  he  would  not  leave  Captain  Herndon ; ' 
and  thus  they  died  together,  yet  it  was  for  both  a  gallant  death  ;  they 
were  spoken  of  as  calm  and  self-possessed,  and  as  having  borne  themselves 
with  great  courage.  A  lady  who  was  rescued,  speaks  in  the  highest 
terms  of  the  lamented  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer ;  he  aided  her,  with  all  the 
others  in  letting  them  down  from  the  steamer,  holding  the  rope  which 
dropped  them  safely  into  the  life-boat.  The  passengers  seemed  reconciled 
to  their  fate,  and  uttered  no  outcry  when  the  steamer  sank. 

"  Before  this,  however,  most  of  the  passengers  were  praying  to  God  to 
have  mercy  upon  their  souls  ;  while  some  few  cursed  and  swoi'e  horribly  ! 

"  One  lady  secreted  her  Canary  bird  in  her  bosom,  though  no  person  was 
allowed  to  take  the  slightest  luggage.  Yet  while  the  widow  and  the  father- 
less mourn,  and  individuals  and  families  are  overwhelmed  with  grief,  a 
throb  of  grateful  pride  is  felt  through  the  entire  community,  that  their 
Country's  honor  has  not  only  been  untarnished  in  the  calamity,  but  has 


294  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

shone  with  increased  lustre  through  the  ebon  darkness  of  the  trying  events. 
If  the  disaster  to  the  Central  America  has  coffined  her  commander  and 
first  officer  in  uncertain  and  shifting  graves,  it  has  placed  over  them  mon- 
uments which  will  endure  forever.  Their  manhood  in  first  saving  the 
women  and  children  from  the  wreck  will  not  be  forgotten.  It  is  impossible 
to  pursue  the  narrative  of  this  ship  wreck  without  admiring — nay  reverenc- 
ing— the  features  of  nobleness  it  presents  in  the  conduct  of  men  whose  way 
of  life  had  not  been  such  as  to  lead  one  to  expect  the  generous  disinter- 
estedness they  had  displayed.  Such  genuine  heroism,  such  conduct  throws 
a  light  over  that  floating  mass  of  drowning  human  beings,  which  brightens 
even  the  blackness  of  the  waves  and  storm,  and  rises  above  them  from  the 
grave  of  the  ocean  up  to  the  light  of  heaven.'' 

A  Deed  for  all  Time. 

"  A  few  moments  before  the  ill-fated  Central  America  went  down,  and 
when  all  hope  of  rescue  was  abandoned;  the  commander,  Captain  Herndoa 
and  his  first  Lieutenant  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  went  below,  arrayed  them- 
selves in  full  uniform,  and  having  taken  their  accustomed  place  on  the 
quarter-deck,  thus  calmly  and  fittingly  met  their  last  enemy.  There  is  a 
deep  meaning  in  the  act,  y^hich  stamps  it  as  true  Christian  heroism. 

"  It  was  a  fearful  hour  !     The  dark  waves  rolled 
In  awful  majesty  —  that  '  Central '  vessel  lay. 
Like  a  weak  child  upon  the  billowy  main. 
But  there  was  one  amid  that  fated  band, 
Who  with  an  angel  spirit  hovered  there  ! 
His  home  was  in  the  skies  !  and  what  to  him 
Were  the  deep  waters,  lohen  his  soul  was  free  ! 
His  Spirit's  Home  was  in  the  skies !  and  now 
To  lay  his  body  in  the  drowning  waves 
Was  naught  to  him  ;  and  in  the  danger's  midst 
He  sang  '  He  that  in  Jesus  trusts  is  safe. 
E'en  in  the  perils  of  the  raging  sea  !  ' 
And  with  that  song,  his  spirit  passed  to  Heaven  ! " 

"  Last  Sabbath  was  a  day  of  autumnal  beauty.  The  churches  were 
crowded  with  interested  and  sympathizing  hearers.  The  California 
steamer  calamity  was  referred  to  in  almost  every  church,  and  the  financial 
troubles  made  a  fitting  occasion  for  the  application  of  practical  religious  truth. 
It  is  in  seasons  of  calamity  that  the  heart  becomes  tender,  and  the  vanity  of 
earthly  possessions,  to  the  neglect  of  the  heavenly,  is  made  most  apparent. 
At  the  Fourteenth  street  Presbyterian  church  Sunday  evening,  after  the 
pastor.  Dr.  Asa  D.  Smith,  had  alluded  to  the  late  disaster,  he  called  upon 
Mr.  H.  H.  Childs,  one  of  the  survivors  of  the  Central  America,  to  make 
some  remarks.  Mr.  Childs,  who  is  a  member  of  this  church,  briefly  told 
his  story.  One  incident  is  new  and  impressive:  while  he  was  floating  ou 
his  plank  that  awful  night,  and  when  he  thought  he  was  out  of  sight  of 
any,  he  heard  distinctly  recited  by  another  person,  who  evidently  like  him 
thought  himself  alone,  the  Lord's  Prayer.  The  incident  was  touchingly 
told,  and  its  recital  thrilled  the  entire  audience." 

At  eight  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  8th  of  September,  five  hundred  of 
the  passengers  and  crew  ot  the  steamship  "  Central  America"  were  swept 
from  life  and  hope  to  the  dread  abyss  of  ocean  and  eternity  !  "  Save  the 
women  and  children"  was  the  first  order  of  the  noble  Lieut.  Wm.  L.  Hera- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  295 

don  ;  and  shall  American  women  forget  the  gallant,  noble  captain  who, 
'mid  storm,  gloom,  and  desolation,  forgetful  of  himself,  could  think  of  poor 
frail  women  and  helpless  children  ?     Never  !  no,  never. 

The  piercing  shriek  of  woman's  agony  — 
The  plaintive  wail  —  of  helpless  childhood  had 
Fallen  upon  his  ear  :  calmly  and  coldly, 
As  tho'  his  ship  was  sailing  on  a  sea 
Of  glass  —  were  orders  given  —  to  man  the  boats, 
And  quickly  and  heavily  freighted,  with 
Trembling  hearts  —  they  tempt  the  dangerous  deep. 
Through  the  wild  surf,  and  blinding  spray,  they  wildly 
Plunge  —  and  soon  relief  obtain  —  for  God  was  there 
Eis  unseen  arm  upheld  those  boats  so  frail.  • 

Language  fails  to  paint  the  horrors  of  that  night 
Pitch  darkness  —  raging  billows  —  roaring  toinds 
Combine  their  might,  against  the  luckless  ship 
Yet  for  a  few  brief  moments  —  the  tempest 
In  brave  Herndons  breast  was  far  greater  still, 
He  felt  all  hope  was  o'er  —  thoughts  of  Country, 
Home,  wife  and  child,  o'erfiowed  —  and  stung  his  soul. 
With  fluttering  hands  his  watch  he  sought  — 
And  to  another  gave  —  a  last  sad  token 
Of  his  love  for  her  he  valued  much. 
A  message  he  essayed  to  send  — "  tell  her" — 
His  voice  was  hushed  —  and  died  upon  his  lips. 
The  strong  man  faltered  —  bowed  his  head 
And  .wept.  —  The  last  frail  boat  had  left  the  scene 
The  boiling  surge  had  well  nigh  filled  the  ship  \ 
Upon  the  wheel  house  stood  two  gallant  men. 
Bravely  resigned  to  meet  their  coming  fate  ; 
Their  Country's  badge  they  wore  —  a/ew  brief  moments 
And  the  last  quiver  of  the  sinking  ship 
Was  felt.     They  raised  their  caps  —  and  the  gurgling 
Waves  —  received  them  in  their  bosom." 

Incidents  of  the  steamer  Central  America.  The  captain  of  the  Norwe- 
gian barque  "  Ellen"  states  that  when  he  was  twenty  miles  distant  from 
the  Central  America,  a  bird  appeared  on  his  vessel,  and  three  times  flew 
in  his  face  which  caused  him  to  change  his  course  two  points,  and  thus  he 
came  to  the  ill-fated  steamer. 

A  bird  came  out  on  the  stormy  sea  : 
I  stood  at  the  helm  —  it  came  to  me ; 
Thrice  it  flew  in  my  face,  and  then 
Flew  away  in  the  storm  again. 

What  did  the  bird  of  the  stormy  sea, 

What  did  the  bird  portend  to  me  1 
•  Oh  God  !  that  moment,  before  my  barque 

Tossed  on  the  billows  deep  and  dark. 
Hundreds,  hundreds  of  dying  men ! 
Let  me  not  see  such  a  sight  again  ! 

This,  O  bird  of  the  stormy  sea, 

This  didst  thou  portend  to  me  !" 


296  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Bombardment  of  Canton. 

"  His  Excellency  Hon.  William  B.  Read  having  arrived  at  Hongkong 
and  landed  Nov.  7,  1857,  the  special  ministers  of  the  four  powerful 
nations :  English,  French,  Russian  and  American  decided  to  conimeQce, 
with  their  re-enforcements,  belligerent  operations  on  an  advanced  scale. 
The  bombardment  of  Canton  commenced  at  daylight,  on  December  28th 
1857,  and  was  continued 'during  the  whole  of  the  day  and  night. 

"  Gough's  fort  was  taken  at  two  o'clock  and  blown  up.  Captain  Bate  was 
killed  while  superintending  the  placing  of  the  scaling  ladders  against  the 
.city  walls.  This  brave  man  was  ever  found  where  duty  called,  and  while 
volunteering  to  place  the  scaling  ladder  that  the  troops  might  mount  in 
assault,  he  was  shot  from  the  wall  through  the  stomach.  He  died  as  he 
had  lived  a  Christian  hero,  with  the  sounds  of  victory  ringing  in  his  ears. 
The  expedition  could  not  have  sustained  a  greater  loss  than  the  death  of 
this  excellent  officer  on  December  29th. 

"  In  the  end  Peh-kwei,  the  Tartar  General,  and  Yeh  were  taken  prisoners 
on  January  5,  1858.  Yeh  was  taken  in  the  dress  of  a  coolie  and  has  been 
sent  on  board  the  Inflexible  and  remains  a  captive  off  Tiger  Island,  he 
went  on  board  the  war  steamer  on  the  8th, 

"  In  front  of  the  yamun  of  Peh-kwei,  (as  of  all  Chinese  yamuns),  is  a 
dismal  square,  with  a  wall  on  one  side,  where-on  a  gigantic  beast  is  painted  ; 
and  the  vast  doors  of  the  yamun,  (whereon  two  great  figures  like 
Gog  and  Magog  are  daubed),  front  this  monstrous  effigy.  Further  in 
there  are  curtained  portieres  (a  piece  of  tapestry  hung  before  a  door  to 
keep  out  the  wind)  right  and  left,  leading  evidently  to  private  apartments. 
As  the  guard,  sent  by  the  British,  under  Col.  Holloway  advanced,  one  of 
the  portieres  was  raised,  and  an  old  man,  dressed  in  the  ordinary  blue 
Chinese  dress,  but  wearing  a  mandarin's  cap  with  a  red  button,  appeared 
in  the  doorway.  He  had  a  black  moustache,  a  quick  eye,  and  more  intel- 
ligence in  his  face  than  you  usually  see  in  China,  and  he  seemed  to  say 
as  plainly  as  gestures  could  speak: 

"  '  V/^hat  can  all  this  disquietude  be  about?'  Every  one  felt  that  this 
could  be  no  other  than  Peh-kwei  —  the  Governor.  Colonel  ^oUoway 
put  his  hand  upon  his  shoulder,  led  him  gently  back  into  his  apartment, 
seated  him  in  his  chair,  and  put  a  guard  round  him.  The  old  gentle- 
man was  quietly  at  breakfast  when  the  English  Marines  burst  into 
his  sanctum  sanctorum  without  giving  him  notice  of  '  the  good  time 
coming.'  He  seemed  much  aggrieved.  Meanwhile  Captain  Harry  S. 
Parkes  and  his  detachment  were  equally  fortunate.  They  observed  a  fat 
man  dressed  as  a  Chinese  coolie,  contemplating  the  achievement  of  getting 
over  the  wall  at  the  extreme  rear  of  the  yamun.  Capt.  Kelly  took  the 
fat  gentleman  round  the  waist  and  another  twisted  the  august  tail  of  the 
Imperial  Commissioner  round  his  fist,  turning  his  prisoner  to  give  all  a 
view  of  his  features.  There  was  now  no  mistake  —  several  persons  had 
been  previously  seized  —  for  this  apparent  laborer  was  the  veritable  Yeh 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  ■  297 

and  the  happy  tars  tossed  up  their  hats  and  gave  three  rattling  cheers. 
The  distinguished  Imperial  Commissioner  did  not  willingly  succumb  but 
he  proved  himself  destitute  of  the  courage  ascribed  to  him.  He  trembled 
violently  when  he  was  taken,  but  Captain  Parkes  several  times  had  the 
satisfaction  and  triumph  of  assuring  his  old  enemy  of  his  personal  safety 
and  then  he  grew  composed.  Saturday,  Jany.  9th,  was  a  great  day  iu  the 
city  of  Canton,  because  Yeh  was  safely  caged  in  the  "Invincible"  and 
the  authorities  of  the  city  were  prisoners.  The  plenipotentiaries  were 
afraid  that  the  city  would  be  sacked  by  the  populace.  It  was  resolved, 
therefore,  to  reinstate  formally  Pek-kwei  in  his  palace  and  to  assist  him 
with  a  council  of  three,  composed  of  Col.  Holloway,  Capt.  Martineau  and 
Mr.  Parkes." 

Macao,  Feb.  27,  1858.  The  clangor  of  arms  and  aggressive  action  ha% 
at  last  effected  the  opening  of  Canton  which  is  now  under  stern  military 
law,  and  garrisoned  by  foreign  troops,  but  the  people  are  quiet  as  the  Al- 
lies have  installed  a  Chinese  governor.  The  blockade  of  the  river  still 
continues  although  there  is  daily  communication  by  steamer,  but  trade 
will  probably  not  be  resumed  till  the  summer.  This  is  a  new  state  of 
things,  but  so  persistently  have  the  Chinese  trammeled  foreigners  that  Mr. 
Bonney  —  after  residing  here  since  18-15 — is  now  for  the  first  time  zoi^/im  the 
city  walls.  Yesterday  he  visited  the  "  Five-Storied  Pagoda  "  situated 
near  the  north  gate  and  built  upon  the  Canton  Wall ;  he  had  a  very  fine 
view  of  the  city  from  the  upper  room ;  it  is  occupied  by  the  French 
troops.  The  influences  of  this  tower,  as  to  Fung-shui,  according  to  the 
Chinese  superstition,  "  contributed  from  its  eminence  to  the  prosperity 
and  literary  excellence  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city."  From  thence  he 
visited  the  East  gate,  the  Tartar  General's  office  and  the  Examination 
Hall.  He  was  delighted  with  his  trip,  but  fears  it  will  not  be  safe  as  a 
residence  in  Canton  till  after  "  the  treaties  of  amity  and  commerce  are 
made  by  the  Emperor  with  the  respective  foreign  governments,  which 
will  initiate  a  new  and  most  auspicious  era  in  their  intercourse."  The 
suffering  at  Canton  during  the  bombardment  was  terrible.  At  the  Found- 
ling Hospital,  situated  outside  of  the  city,  which  accommodates  two  or 
three  hundred  children,  the  nurses  ran  away  when  the  attack  commenced, 
leaving  all  those  infants  behind.  Rev.  Mr.  Hewlit,  Chaplain  of  the  En- 
glish army,  with  others,  counted  over  500  dead  Chinese  infants  in  that 
one  building,  who  had  died  from  starvation.  There  are  so  many  persons 
literally  starving  that  the  English  have  daily  rice  distributions  in  two 
places  in  the  city.  On  May  20th  an  attack  was  made  by  the  Allied  forces 
at  the  North.  5  or  6  Forts  were  captured  and  110  killed  or  wounded  at 
the  mouth  of  Peiho  river. 

April  9th.  The  "  Florence  Nightingale  "  has  had  a  very  long  passage 
but  at  last,  much  to  the  relief  of  many  anxious  hearts,  the  vessel  is  safely 
anchored  in  the  Hongkong  harbor.  The  English  Wesleyans,  Rev. 
Messrs.  Smith,  Huttou  and  John  Preston,  had  been  there  for  some  days 
watching  for  its  arrival.  The  Macao  steamer  was  detained  by  boisterous 
weather  not  reaching  the  anchorage  till  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  but  we 
gave  the  three  interesting  brides  elect  a  cordial  welcome.  The  polite 
society  of  Macao  was  much  excited  over  the  marriage  of  the  triplet  couples 
under  the  one  ceremony,  for  it  was  no  ordinary  festal  occasion  but  a 
matter  of  general  interest  to  the  foreigners  in  this  far  off  land.  The 
marriage  took  place  on  Thursday  at  half-past  eleven  o'clock  in  the  Epis- 

II]  38 


298  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

copal  church  at  San  Antonia  Green,  by  Riv.  W.  R.  Beach.  The  pro- 
cession was  quite  pompous  ;  the  equipages  for  the  occasion  to  grace  the 
bridal  triumph,  consisted  of  five  sedan  chairs  which  started  from  our  door  — 
I  leading  the  van  followed  by  the  three  young  ladies  while  Mr.  Bonney 
brought  up  the  rear.  At  the  church  portal  stood  the  happy  grooms  with 
a  ministerial  air  which  was  intensified  by  their  white  neckcloths  and  black 
clerical  looking  dress.  They  seemed  fitting  mates  for  those  fair,  graceful 
brides ;  each  claimed  his  own  and  soon  the  couples  were  ranged  around 
the  altar.  The  simplicity  of  the  attire  was  perfect ;  they  were  similarly 
robed  in  spotless  white  and  seemed  to  realize  their  situation  as  they  stood  — 
strangers  in  a  far  land,  away  from  parents  and  home  friends  —  with  simple 
dignity  and  self  respect  —  before  the  surpliced  clergyman  to  pledge  their 
faith  to  those  devoted  missionaries.  "  The  weather  was  fine  and  the 
ceremony  passed  oif  with  considerable  echit,"  while  the  interested  specta- 
tors hailed  with  joy  the  auspicious  nuptials  and  tendered  warmest  con- 
gratulations. 

Macao,  April  28,  1858.  The  day  of  your  deep  grief  at  Cherry  Hill  on 
January  16th,  was  then  unknown  here,  and  the  first  intelligence  of  it  has 
come  to  us  to  day  by  the  newspaper.  Catharine  opened  an  Albany 
Evening  Journal  this  morning  and  at  the  first  glance  under  the  notice  of 
"  Deaths"  that  of  her  sister  Adeline  : 

"  At  Cherry  Hill,  Saturday,  Jan  16,  Adeline  Van  Rensselaer,  eldest 
daughter  of  the  late  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer."  You  can  imagine  what 
a  shock  it  was,  and  how  sorrow  stricken  she  is.  Three  letters  were  sub- 
sequently received  giving  a  full  narrative  of  her  sickness  and  peaceful, 
happy  death.  God  has  done  it.  The  Lord  gave  a  good  and  loving,  noble 
hearted,  true  and  valued  sister ;  the  Lord  has  called  her  away  in  his  own 
best  time.  "Each  trial  has  its  errand  —  and  God,  in  sending,  will  give 
the  needed  strength  to  bear."  But  though  it  is  grievous  and  very  painful 
to  human  affection,  ought  we  not  to  say,  "  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  he  doeth  all  things  right."  Let  it  awaken  in  our  hearts  more  holy 
and  dutiful  affection  to  our  Heavenly  Father  and  to  Jesus  our  Redeemer. 
We  sung  at  family  worship  this  morning  the  soothing  hymn,  "  Jesu- 
lover  of  my  soul."  These  words  seemed  very  timely.  "  How  afi'ectin- 
are  the  changes  that  occur  within  a  single  year,  so  many  removed  by  death, 
others  gradually  sinking  into  that  oblivion  which  the  grave,  the  land  o!' 
forgetfulness  will  soon  complete.  The  dark  and  silent  tomb  soon  will  hide 
us  all,  while  we  will  have  gone  to  our  everlasting  home  on  high."  How 
good  it  is  to  be  able  to  pray  with  sincerity  "  Thi/  wijl  be  done  on  eartl; 
as  in  Heaven."  Those,  who  can  so  yield  their  own  desires  and  thus  pray 
will  be  happier  here  and  better  prepared  to  enjoy  Heaven,  and  when  ii; 
Heaven  will  never  regret  that  they  bowed  in  humble  submission. 
Catharine  goes  to  her  daily  duties  with  a  bleeding  heart,  but  feels  her 
responsible  position  and  tries  to  be  cheerful.  To  day  she  has  received  a 
new  Chinese  scholar  and  has  now  nine  girls." 

'■'■June  1858.  I  arrived  at  Canton  Thursday  evening  and  slept  on  the 
steamer  as  it  was  too  late  to  land.  The  sail  up  the  river  from  the  Bogue 
was  a  stirring  one;  all  my  time  was  absorbed  in  observing  the  havoc  by  the 
disturbing  elements  of  retributive  justice.  Fort  after  fort  we  passed,  the 
defences  all  gone,  the  buildings  demolished  and  broken  to  the  ground  : 
yet  the  views  of  dilapidated  fortress,  together  with  pagodas  and  fine  hills, 
and  the  trees  in  their  full,  rich  clothing  on  either  side  were  very  pic- 
turesque.   It  was  an  eventful  visit  at  an  eventful  time  in  public  matters  here. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  299 

Friday,  Saturday  and  Sunday  I  made  my  home  with  my  friend  Rev.  J. 
Cox.  Sunday  night  we  both  went  on  bo-ard  an  English  ship  of  war  for  our 
safety,  having  been  warned  that  robbers  were  prowling  around  the  house. 
We  slept  comfortably  on  the  floor  of  the  cabin  and  felt  uncommonly  easy 
under  the  protection  of  the  guns.  Monday  and  Tuesday  I  made  the 
American  Consulate  my  home  by  invitation  of  the  Consul,  0.  H.  Perry, 
Esq.,  a  son  of  Commodore  Perry.  Canton  is  now  under  martial  law,  soldiers 
in  every  part  and  the  Chinese  unwilling  subjects  of  a  foreign  power.  It 
was  unsafe  to  walk  the  streets  alone  and  unarmed.  Citizens  who  were 
obliged  to  walk  from  place  to  place  were  accompanied  by  armed  policemen. 
Oq  Monday  forenoon  a  German  missionary.  Rev.  Mr.  Louis,  was  walking 
at  a  slow  pace  along  one  of  the  streets,  when  he  observed  a  woman  standing 
in  a  door  way  start  back  with  an  exclamatory  note  of  terror,  her  eyes 
manifesting  horror  were  looking  past  him.  He  turned  just  in  time  to  save 
his  head  from  being  cut  off,  but  the  knife  severed  an  artery,  he  received 
three  severe  wounds  in*  his  head.  He  only  saved  his  life  by  running  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile  to  the  fort.  I  went  to  see  him  Monday  evening  and 
found  him  on  the  bed  Mr.  Cox  accompanied  me,  protected  by  two  armed 
policemen,  one  at  each  side  of  us.  Mr.  Cox  also  carried  a  pistol  ready  for 
use.  I  had  only  a  heavy  cane.  The  Chinese  mandarins  have  offered  $50, 
for  any  foreigner's  head,  which  has,  of  course,  induced  many  reckless  fellows 
to  lie  in  wait  for  them.  Thursday,  Rev.  Mr.  Louis  came  with  me  to  Hong- 
kong, the  surgeon  thinks  he  will  recover  of  his  wounds  ;  there  have  been 
several  assassinations. 

On  Wednesday  I  went  to  Whampoa  and  visited  Newton  or  SwicJiow, 
where  I  formerly  resided.  Many  old  Chinese  friends  rejoiced  to  see  me. 
I  freely  distributed  tracts  and  spake  peacefully  to  them ;  those  poor 
Chinese  I  am  sure  loved  me  and  trusted  me.  The  three  years  that  I 
resided  among  them  in  doing  them  good,  have  not  been  forgotten  by  the 
fathers.  I  visited  the  foreigners'  cemetery  and  found  that  the  Chinese 
had  in  wanton  recklessness  broken  down  a  dozen  of  the  tomb  stones,  but 
none  of  the  Americans,  except  the  grave  of  a  little  child,  which  they  had 
desecrated  to  get  the  lead  coifin.  The  U.  S.  ship  "  Germantown  "  was 
anchored  there,  and  by  invitation  I  went  aboard.  On  our  arrival  at 
Hongkong,  I  went  to  the  house  of  Messrs  W.  &  E.  Speiden,  U.  S.  Naval 
store  keepers  and  was  hospitably  entertained.  The  ship  "  N.  B.  Palmer  " 
had  just  arrived  from  New  York  with  several  missionaries  on  board  for 
Ningpo,  among  whom  were  Rev.  and-  Mrs.  Rankin  together  with  Mrs. 
Nevius,  it  was  very  pleasant  to  meet  such  good  fellow  laborers  in  the 
cause  of  Christ.  From  the  "Palmer"  I  took  two  large  boxes  that  were 
sent  us  by  our  kind  friends  at  Cherry  Hill.  Nothing  seems  to  have  been 
forgotten,  they  were  truly  thoughtful  of  our  daily  comfort,  and  sent  un- 
told luxuries  to  remind  us  of  our  early  and  distant  home.  A  sermon 
written  by  Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers,  of  Albany,  whose  church  Catharine's 
friends  attend,  was  in  the  box  and  very  interesting.  It  was  an  historical 
discourse  and  with  it  was  a  lithograph  of  the  church  building,  erected 
sixty  years  ago.  Each  of  the  family  down  to  little  Minnie,  a  colored 
servant  girl,  sept  us  mementoes  of  their  love.  We  are  almost  overloaded 
with  good  things  and  having  been  the  happy  recipients  of  much,  we  feel 
it  our  duty  to  give  much.  A  hand-bill  which  was  the  order  of  Exercises 
at  the  Anniversary  of  the  North  Dutch  Church  Sunday  School  was  sent. 
One  of  the  hymns  sung  was  "written  for  the  occasion"  by  niece  Hattie 
Elmeudorf,  and  was  both  good  poetry  and  pious  sentiment,  and  gave  us 


300  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

pleasure.  Niece  Maria  Elizabett  has  also  sent  many  valuable  articles  to 
make  our  hearts  joyous.  Last  Saturday  I  returned  to  my  wife  at  Macao 
in  the  "  Sir  Charles  Forbes  "  steamer.  The  Captain  was  on  deck  attend- 
ing to  his  duties  ;  on  Sabbath  morning  he  was  taken  ill  and  died  at  two 
o'clock  p.  M.  Three  of  the  little  missionary  children  are  now  ill  owing 
to  the  heat  of  summer.  I  have  rented  our  house  till  next  January,  for 
there  is  no  present  prospect  of  peace  being  restored  at  Canton  on  a  firm 
basis  till  that  time.  Every  foreigner  at  Canton  carries  his  weapons  day 
and  night,  they  go  to  Church  with  revolvers  or  pistols  hanging  at  their 
side.  By  this  you  can  imagine  what  an  uncomfortable  state  of  feeling 
there  is  between  Chinese  and  foreigners  at  Canton. 

You  ask  me  dear  Mother,  about  my  chapel  and  parochial  duties.  The 
place  where  my  congregation  is  organized  is  different  from  the  home  sanctu- 
aries ;  it  is  only  a  simple  room  open  to  the  street.  On  the  right  hand  of 
the  platform  for  the  speaker  is  a  card  two  feet  long  and  four  inches  wide 
with  the  day  of  the  week  on  it.  On  the  left  hanS  of  the  speaker  is  a 
map  of  Palestine  three  feet  by  two,  with  the  places  in  Chinese.  Our 
seats  are  bamboo  settees  about  eight  feet  long.  We  do  not  yet  sing  in 
our  meetings  as  the  Chinese  cannot  sing  our  tunes.  Catharine  teaches 
her  scholars  to  sing  night  and  morning. 

In  our  personal  experience  we  have,  of  course,  a  few  trials  in  our  daily 
labors.  Passers-by  come  in  and  go  out  as  they  please ;  some  put  their 
baskets  of  merchandise  on  the  floor,  listen  for  a  while  to  the  new  doctrine 
and  then  leave.  Others  come  up  to  the  desk  and  with  a  beseeching 
manner  ask  for  a  book,  when  I  give  either  one  of  the  Gospels  in  colloquial 
or  a  choice  text.  I  do  not  allow  either  smoking,  or  chewing  of  sugar  cane, 
as  they  leave  the  floor  so  filthy  with  the  refuse,  but  I  cannot  always  pre- 
vent the  pressing,  and  even  climbing  over  the  seats.  All  the  confusion 
is  only  caused  by  their  intense  curiosity  to  hear  foreigners  speak. 

As  nearly  all  the  Chinese  merchants,  who  deal  with  foreigners,  are  now 
living  in  Macao,  we  frequently  inspect  their  matchless  work.  The  exqui- 
site carved  ivory  work  and  silver  filigree  ornaments  are  certainly  wonder- 
ful specimens  of  ingenuity,  but  I  was  greatly  taken  with  the  Lacquered 
ware  in  the  shop  of  "  Old  Siqua."  The  varnish  tree  grows  to  the  heighL 
of  fifteen  feet,  and  when  seven  years  old,  in  the  summer  nights,  incisions 
are  made  in  the  trunk  from  which  the  sap  is  collected.  There  is  a  clari- 
fied juice  obtained  from  a  species  of  sumach,  which  when  mixed  with  lamp- 
black, forms  a  composition  with  which  the  beautiful  lacquered-ware  receives 
its  lustrous  coloring.  The  frame  of  a  required  article  is  wood  partially 
smoothed,  or  pasteboard,  upon  which  two  or  three  coats  of  a  composition 
of  lime,  paper,  and  gum  are  first  laid,  thoroughly  dried  and  rubbed.  The 
surface  of  the  wood  is  also  hardened  by  rubbing  coarse  clay  upon  it,  and 
afterwards  scraping  it  off"  when  dry.  Two  coatings  of  the  lamp  black  and 
varnish,  are  laid  upon  the  prepared  wood,  and  after  drying,  the  clear  var- 
nish is  brushed  on,  one  coating  after  another,  with  the  utmost  care,  in 
close  and  darkened  rooms,  allowing  it  to  dry  well  between  the  several 
coats.  After  the  articles  have  been  painted  and  gilded  a  last  coating  is 
given  them. 

Macao  July  22,  1858.  The  Cholera  is  much  abated  ;  the  mortality 
since  the  commencement  of  the  epidemic  is  estimated  at  about  1300  between 
foreigners  and  Chinese,  a  large  number  for  Macao  of  55000  inhabitants. 
Canton  still  continues  in  an  unquiet  state  ;  fearful  vengeance  has  been 
taken  by  the  French  for  the  murder  of  one  of  their  sailors.     On  July  3rd 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  301 

four  FrencTimen  went  marketing  in  the  city,  they  were  attacked  by  armed 
Chinese  who  succeeded  in  cutting  off  the  head  and  hands  of  one  French- 
man ;  the  rest  cut  their  way  through  to  their  boat.  Immediately  the 
French  captain  sent  ashore  a  body  of  marines,  who  portioned  off  part  of 
the  street  in  which  the  affair  occurred,  stationed  a  guard  at  each  fend  ;  then 
the  men  went  into  eujch  house,  drove  out  every  man,  killed  him  and  then 
cut  his  throat.  Forty-six  Chinese  were  thus  killed.  Sometime  after, 
the  entire  street  was  burnt  down.  A  frightful  case  of  piracy  took  place 
last  week.  A  Spanish  barque  left  here  for  Manilla,  there  were  twenty-one 
Chinese  passengers;  when  just  out  the  harbor  they  suddenly  rose,  killed 
nine  of  the  crew,  wounding  fearfully  the  rest,  but  they  climbed  up  the 
rigging.  A  Chinese  boat  came  along  side,  took  off  the  passengers  and 
plunder,  and  after  setting  fire  to  the  ship  sailed  away.  The  wounded  offi- 
cers and  men  were  brought  to  Macao. 

The  signs  of  disturbance  still  continue  but  the  Portuguese  soldiers  patrol 
in  parties  of  two  for  greater  protection.  His  Excellency  the  Governor  has 
issued  a  proclamation  to  forbid  any  Chinese  beingin  the  streets  after  eight 
o'clock  without  a  lantern.  We  do  not  apprehend  any  trouble  in]Macao,  as 
soon  as  the  Emperor's  Edict  declaring  peace  comes  from  Pekin,  all  will 
go  right.  The  Treaties  with  the  English,  French,  Russians  and  Americans 
are  all  signed,  and  the  four  Bearers  of  the  Dispatches  are  now  at  Hong- 
kong waiting  to  leave  by  the  next  mail.  The  mandarins  have  issued  a 
placard  to  the  effect  of  a  command  that  all  Chinese  servants  immediately 
leave  the  service  of  foreigners;  accordingly  our  table-boy  went,  much  against 
his  own  inclination,  together  with  the  cook  and  finally  the  teacher.  All 
the  washermen  and  bakers  were  also  obliged  to  succumb  to  the  stern  decree, 
thus  nearly  all  Chinese  trading  with  foreigners  or  employed  hy  them 
have  yielded  to  the  strong  measures  of  the  ofiicials  and  returned  to  their 
native  villages.  This  has  put  us  for  two  or  three  weeks  in  rather  an  un- 
quiet state,  some  of  our  friends  have  been  stoned  but  none  were  seriously 
injured  ;  we  were  challenged  last  night  and  the  Portuguese  use  every 
precaution  at  present  as  many  bad  men  from  Canton  are  prowling  about, 
and  it  is  a  relief  tomeet,  every  little  distance  in  each  street,  two  of  the 
armed  police.  It  is  the  Sunkum  (composed  of  three  Imperial  officers  sent 
down  from  Pekin  to  carry  on  hostilities)  that  have  forced  the  authorities 
of  the  various  districts,  to  call  on  all  Chinese  in  Hongkong  and  Macao  to 
return  to  their  homes  under  penalty  of  losing  their  property  or  that  of 
their  relatives ;  death  to  be  inflicted  on  the  parties  themselves,  or  if  not 
found  on  the  relative.  Consequently  the  Chinese  population  have  been 
leaving  Hongkong  and  Macao  in  thousands.  Canton  still  continues  closed 
to  trade,  and  the  little  which  was  developing  itself  at  Hongkong  and 
Macao  has  been  scared  away  by  the  sharp  measures  of  the  mandarins  and 
is  to  be  regretted.  Threats  are  held  out  of  something  indefinite  being 
done  to  the  foreigner^  of  Hongkong.  Macao  was  considered  in  more 
danger,  it  being  said  to  be  threatened  by  a  body  of  about  3000  pirates. 
In  fact,  Macao  is  now  crowded  with  pirates  ;  the  people  fear  something 
like  the  Ningpo  massacre  of  last  year.  Several  robbers  and  pirates  have 
been  captured,  and  now  one  baker  has  been  arrested  for  having  five  flour 
barrels  filled  with  powder  in  his  shop.  Chinamen  have  on  several  occa- 
sions attempted  to  set  the  town  on  fire.  ["  The  scheme  for  the  annihila- 
tion of  foreigners,  was  a  concerted  plan  in  India  and  China,  for  the  lotus 
fruit  is  sacred  alike  to  Musselmen  and  Buddhists,  and  when  sent  from 
hand  to  hand  throughout  the  vast  realms  of  the  East,  became  a  bond  that 


802  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

united  opposino:  religions  in  the  same  cause.  It  was  the  lotus  leaf  and 
the  lotus  cake  that  communicated  the  plan  of  an  universal  revolt."]  There 
is  no  mistake  that  mischief  is  evidently  brewing  —  we  feel  fully  convinced 
they  are  preparing  for  something,  what  may  happen  we  cannot  tell,  but 
we  are  sdfe  under  the  protection  of  the  "  King  of  Kings ;  "  it  would  not 
do  for  us  to  be  panic  stricken  even  in  this  time  of  terror  if  we  should  be 
hemmed  in.  Governor  Guimaraes  has  assumed  the  most  determined  atti- 
tude, armed  several  lorchas  to  protect  the  inner  harbor,  doubled  the  patrols 
and  called  out  the  Militia  ;  500  strong  are  ordered  patrolling  every  night. 
The  inhabitants  also  use  every  precaution  to  defend  themselves.  The 
Governor  has  appointed  places  of  refuge  in  different  parts  of  the  town  in 
case  of  an  outbreak.  The  English,  French,  Americans  and  other  foreigners 
through  their  respective  Consuls  have  offered  their  services  to  the  Go- 
vernor. We  hope  further  trouble  will  be  arrested  by  the  presence  of  H. 
M.  Ship  Acteon  and  two  Gunboats  which  Governor  Bowring  has  sent  over 
in  search  of  seventy  war  junks  which  threatened  the  town  and  intercepted 
the  Market-boats  with  provisions.  Seven  braves  are  arrested  for  trying 
to  seize  some  rich  Chinese  merchants  in  town,  whom  they  would  secrete 
till  an  exorbitant  ransom  was  paid.  Yesterday  about  two  o'clock,  in  the 
narrow  street  directly  before  our  residence,  we  all  saw  three  ferocious- 
looking  pirates  attack  a  respectable  Chinese  merchant  dressed  in  a  figured 
blue  crape  long  robe  ;  the  wretches  quickly  overpowered,  and  grabbed  for 
the  bag  with  seventy  Mexican  dollars  which  they  obtained  when  they 
started  to  run,  but  were  soon  captured  and  put  in  irons.  This  is  the  se- 
cond affray  I  have  seen  under  our  own  windows ;  in  the  other  case  the 
man  was  fortunately  rescued  by  assistance  from  the  Spanish  Consulate 
opposite  to  us,  the  thieves  were  sent  reeling  to  the  ground  but  not  till  after 
he  had  lost  his  hand  and  others  badly  cut.  I  do  not  delight  in  sensational 
descriptions  of  calamities,  crimes  and  abominations  but  we  meet  many  • 
such  scenes  just  now  in  this  unsettled  country. 

A  Dutch  man-of-war  is  also  here  for  the  protection  of  Macao.  If  the 
mandarins  only  saw  fit  to  inform  the  Chinese  of  the  Treaties  all  would 
be  quiet,  but  just  now  a  foreigner  without  his  head  was  found  lying  on 
the  Praya  Grand,  also  three  Malays  with  their  throats  cut.  There  are  so 
many  scenes  of  wholesale  slaughter  now  a  days  as  to  be  quite  appalling. 
"  The  Chinese  undoubtedly  have  civil  and  literary  institutions  which 
evince  a  high  degree  of  civilization.  They  possess  a  code  of  morals  cer- 
tainly of  a  very  elevated  tone,  which  is  professedly  taught  in  their  schools. 
And  yet  these  advantages  and  acquirements,  seem  only  to  intensify  bar- 
barity, savageness  and  inhumanity  as  seen  in  their  cruelties  during  these 
wars." 

"  We  print  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  dated  at  Macao,  China, 
in  October,  inclosing  a  sovereign,  as  payment  lor  a  subscription  to  the 
Christian  Ldelligencer  :  ^ 

Mrs  Bonney  has  been  a  member  of  the  North  Dutch  Church  in  Albany, 
New  York,  for  twenty-four  years,  and  cannot  well  dispense  with  the  Intel- 
ligencer. I  value  it  myself,  not  only  for  the  judicious  selection  of  prose 
articles,  but  the  valuable  original  poetry  I  often  see  in  it.  Pieces  from 
M.  E.  M.,  Hadassah,  Susan  G.  Howe,  Jessie  Glenn,  and  Rev.  E.  Hopper, 
I  have  preserved  for  their  worth.     Too  good  to  be  lost. 

We  are  now  residing  at  Macao,  for  safety  on  account  of  the  war,  but 
hope  to  return  to  Canton   during  the  next  six  months  if  a  new  Treaty 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  303 

should  be  made  with  the  Chinese  Government.     If  I  am  not  at  Canton, 
the  paper  will  be  fuvwarded  to  me  from  Canton  to  i\Iacao. 

Yours  respecttully. 
Saxmuel  W.  Bonney  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 
Editor  of  the  Christian  lutellio-encer. 

Mr.  Bonney  wished  me  to  accompany  him  back  to  Canton  and  see  the 
house  he  had  selected  for  our  residence  before  commencing  the  necessary 
repairs.  You  would  surely  have  laughed  could  you  have  seen  the  medley 
of  articles  when  packing,  it  was  housemoving  on  a  miniature  scale  for 
nothing  could  be  obtained  at  Canton.  We  left  Macao  at  7  o'clock  November 
17,  1858  in  the  little  steamer  Spark  with  Freddy,  Amah  and  the  coolie, 
under  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  The  war-like  appearance  of  the  American 
vessel  was  rather  startling  ;  how  strange  it  seemed  that  the  crowd  of  Chinese 
passengers  were  kept  under  such  careful  surveillance,  restricted  to  one' 
part  of  the  lower  deck  a  chain  drawn  across,  and  armed  sentinels  close  by, 
the  officers  with  'pistols  in  their  belts  and  other  weapons  ready  for  use. 
Swords  suspended  above  the  dining  table  and  guns  stacked  at  both  sides 
of  the  saloon.  These  were  the  precautionary  measures,  necessarily  adopted 
by  all  the  steamers,  which  gave  a  feeling  of  security  and  allowed  me  to 
enjoy  the  charming  sail.  We  passed  through  the  "  Bogue"  or  embouchure 
of  the  river  about  half  a  mile  wide,  which  with  its  interesting  localities 
naturally  elicited  much  attention.  Two  islands  are  quite  near  each  other 
with  fortifications  on  both,  now  entirely  demolished  and  by  the  decree  of 
the  victorious  Allied  powers  are  not  to  be  rebuilt.  We  sail  through  the 
Tiger's  Mouth  between  these  islands,  having  an  excellent  view  of  the  sin- 
gular shaped  rock  resembling  a  Tiger  crouching  on  the  heights,  ready  to 
spring  on  his  prey.  There  were  many  pagodas ;  the  one  beyond  the 
Whampoa  anchorage,  twelve  miles  below  Canton,  is  a  towering  octagonal, 
nine  stories  in  height  beautifully  situated  on  the  top  of  a  knoll  covered  with 
the  verdure  of  a  perpetual  summer,  built  of  redsand  stone.  "  Pagodas  bring 
and  secure  good  luck  to  that  region  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  'foong 
shoo-e'  or  wind  and  water  doctrine ;  they  are  always  an  odd  number  of 
stories,  seldom  less  than  five  or  more  than  eleven." 

The  pagodas  are  residences  of  some  of  the  gods  and  sometimes  they  are 
illuminated  which  makes  them  very  conspicuous  objects.  The  Chinese 
make  for  toys  miniature  pagodas  from  one  to  seven  feet  high  and  de- 
corated in  an  attractive  manner  which  are  very  pretty.  There  was  a 
constant  diversion  of  scene  and  incident  which  made  the  excursion  most 
enjoyable.  Very  many  foreign  ships  were  at  anchor  for  more  than  a 
mile,  and  not  a  few  of  the  clumsy  looking  Chinese  junks,  ostentatiously 
fine  with  flashy  paints,  and  those  great  starers  from  the  prows  in  all  di- 
rections gazing  at  you.  These  are  an  indispensable  part  of  the  vessel : 
"  No  got  eye,  no  can  see ;  how  fashion  can  makee  walkee  ?  "  There  too 
were  the  floating  residences  or  chops  for  foreigners  anchored  firmly  in  the 
river,  being  more  secure  than  on  terra  firma.  The  chief  point  of  interest 
to  me  was  the  pleasant-looking  chop  from  which  old  Mr.  Cowper  wag.  un- 
lawfully seized  by  order  of  Chinese  mandarins,  carried  up  to  Canton  and 
incarcerated  in  sojne  vile  dungeon.  He  was  residing  with  his  family  in 
one  of  these  large,  comfortable  homes  j  one  evening  while  sitting  at  the 
tea  table,  a  boat  came  along  side  with  a  letter  to  be  delivered  into  Mr. 
Cowper's  own  hand.  Fearless  of  consequences,  in  opposition  to  the  wishes 
of  his  family,  he  went  outside  the  cabin  door  to  receive  the  missive.     The 


304  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

first  intimation  he  received  of  danger  was  being  immediately  seized  by 
strong  men  ;  resistance  was  vain  and  he  was  forced  into  the  boat  which 
instantly  pushed  oil'.  His  daughter  witnessed  the  heart  rending  proceed- 
ing which  half  crazed  the  brain  ;  but  her  struggles  —  as  regardless  of  her 
own  safety  — she  clung  to  him  availed  not,  her  defenceless  father  was 
taken  prisoner  !  Then  with  brave  and  heroic  ardor  —  in  the  midst  of 
agonized  wailings,  she  gave  the  alarm  to  the  surrounding  shipping,  by 
sending  up  with  her  own  hands  the  preconcerted  signal  of  "  rockets." 
Boats  were  at  once  sent  from  a  man-of-war  and  other  ships  to  learn  the 
cause  of  trouble ;  they  gave  chase  and  pursued  but  it  was  useless,  the 
wily  natives  frustrated  every  effort  and  fruitless  was  the  search.  There 
was  no  means  of  reaching  any  definite  information,  but  there  were  many 
sad  rumors  of  torture  and  death,  nothing  certain,  however,  could  ever  be 
ascertained  of  the  imprisoned  victim.  This  same  courageous  and  devoted 
daughter,  when  subsequently  my  guest,  related  to  me  the  particulars  of 
the  catastrophe  of  that  sad,  eventful  dark  night.  "  Mr.  Gowper's  fine 
new  house  on  land  had  been  set  on  fire,  and  only  a  portion  of  the  walls 
left  standing.  The  piles  of  the  various  docks  have  been  burnt,  and  every 
vestige  of  the  immense  stock  of  planks  and  spars  removed.  The  stone 
work  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  granite  dock  had  been  dug  up  by  the 
Chinese."  Bamboo  town  remains  untouched,  but  New  Town,  with  all  the 
foreigners  houses,  workshops,  &c.,  on  shore,  have  been  leveled  ;  indeed  the 
destruction  of  property  seems  to  have  been  a  pleasing  diversion,  and 
shows  how  imjilacable  the  Chinese  are  against  foreigners  when  vengeance 
obtains  a  hold  in  their  bosoms.  After  leaving  Whampoa  we  soon  saw 
the  shadowy  tops  of  the  far  famed  "  White  Cloud  Hills  "  in  the  distance  ; 
while  the  low  banks  of  the  Pearl  river  were  covered  with  long  rows  of 
green  lychee-trees  close  to  the  water's  edge,  and  the  "  beaches  fringed  with 
feathery  palms ; "  banana  trees  in  luxuriant  groves  filled  with  the 
"ripening  fruit  in  long  'heavy  clusters;"  while  the  paddy-fields  were 
always  in  sight  —  of  a  beautiful,  bright  green  color  —  for  "  rice,  not 
corn  is  the  staff  of  life  of  the  Chinese.  This  feathery  bamboo  is  of  a 
superior  value  to  the  Chinese  as  the  reed,  in  its  entire  state,  is  formed 
into  stools,  chairs,  tables,  bedsteads,  and  many  other  articles  of  furniture  ; 
masts  and  yards  for  shipping.  When  split  into  laths  and  beaten  into 
fibres,  it  forms  fine  screens  for  ornaments,  ropes  and  twine  for  all  pur- 
poses—  from  the  standing  and  running  rigging  of  a  ship  to  the  wick  of 
a  candle.  "  Woven  it  becomes  a  sail  cloth  ;  and  when  young  it  affords 
a  very  nutritious  article  of  diet,  therefore  these  bamboo  sprouts  are  much 
used.     The  bamboo  becomes  also  the  weapon  of  stern  justice." 

Soon  Canton,  or  the  "  City  of  Rams,"  appeared  in  sight,  after  our  pleas- 
ant sail  of  over  seventy  miles  north  from  Macao.  It  is  about  ninety  miles 
from  Hongkong  in  a  north-westerly  direction  ;  "  the  northern  part  of  the 
city  rests  upon  the  side  of  a  hill  and  has  a  five  storied  pagoda  built  on  the 
northern  wall."  The  stream,  which  is  a  quarter  of  a  mile  wide  opposite 
the  city,  was  crowded  with  sampans,  junks  and  other  boats  moored  near 
the  shore,  side  by  side,  having  an  immense  floating  population.  As  you 
approach,  you  are  struck  with  the  numbers  of  unstable  looking  huts  —  for 
more  than  three  miles  —  built  on  piles  driven  down  deep  in  the  mud.  My 
first  impressions  of  my  future  home  were  certainly  not  particularly  favor- 
able as  the  low  native  houses  hurst  on  my  view,  each  one  of  which  seemed 
surrounded  by  squalid-looking  children,  almost  in  a  state  of  nudity,  with 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  305 

babies  strapped  on  their  backs,  engaged  in  childish  games,  perfectly  reck- 
less as  to  the  safety  of,  and  seemingly  unburdened  by,  their  living  freight. 

The  site  on  which  the  foreign  "  Factories"  or  residences  of  the  merchants 
("  substantial  blocks  of  buildings,  four  stories  high  —  the  botanical  gar- 
den with  the  four  lofty  flag  staffs,  planted  at  regular  intervals,  displaying 
the  colors  of  America,  France,  England  and  Denmark  with  the  neat  Gothic 
Chapel"),  once  stood  is  now  a  desolate  spot  of  smouldering  ruins,  one 
blackened  mass.  Our  steamer  anchored  in  the  middle  of  the  stream  at 
five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  in  one  of  the  nativ8  boats  we  soon  reached 
the  residence  of  Rev.  Issachar  J.  Roberts  a  Baptist  missionary  (he  arrived 
in  1837),  who  kindly  received  us  with  a  warm  welcome.  He  gave  us  the 
*'  prophet's  chamber,"  a  pleasant  room  with  one  chair  and  a  bamboo  settee 
for  bedstead,  which  we  soon  made  very  comfortable  with  the  articles  we 
had  brought  up  from  Macao. 

The  next  morning  we  were  threading  our  way  through  the  tortuous 
streets,  in  quest  of  our  little  domicile;  followed  by  gaping  crowds  of  men 
with  blue  cotton  loose  coats  with  large  open  sleeves,  pantaloons  fastened 
around  the  ancle,  a  cap  covering  only  top  of  head  without  any  brim  to  it, 
braided  cue  reaching  nearly  to  the  ground,  cloth  shoes  with  thick  felt 
soles,  fans  in  their  hands  and  lots  of  children.  I  well  knew  William  had 
procured  the  best  house  he  possibly  could,  therefore  made  up  my  mind  to 
like  it  even  before  seeing;  and  there  was  no  exception  to  the  general  rule, 
all  the  houses  were  equally  insignificant  and  seemed  in  a  toppling  condition. 
It  much  resembles  McOaiFerty's  bake  shop  next  to  Dr.  William  Bay's  re- 
sidence in  Pearl  street  and  not  as  good  as  Cherry  Hill  barn  !  You  would 
say,  how  can  human  beings  live  in  such  filthy  hovels,  the  walls  not  plas- 
tered, the  beams  all  in  view  and  the  whole  structure  is  badly  battered  and 
broken  by  the  cannon  balls.  It  was  formerly  part  of  the  Custom  House 
and  a  sure  mark  during  the  time  of  the  bombardment,  for  it  is  perforated 
with  shot  holes ;  its  broken  walls  and  holes  in  the  roof  prove  that  the 
Allied  Forces  fully  intended  to  riddle  it;  but,  repairs  will  work  a  wonder- 
ful change.  I  like  our  situation  of  southern  frontage  on  the  river,  with 
west  side  of  the  house  on  a  nice  wide  street.  One  of  the  public  stone  land- 
ing wharfs  is  next  to  our  house  on  this  thoroughfare,  and  we  daily  see 
large  baskets  filled  with  luscious  fruits,  for  the  market,  carried  by  from 
this  stone  jetty.  Yes  I  am  perfectly  satisfied  with  my  future  residence, 
and  to-morrow  we  return  to  Macao  to  await  the  alterations  to  be  made  in 
the  house  previous  to  moving  up  our  entire  family. 

Mission  Life  at  Canton. 
Canton  January  11,  1859.  We  left  Macao,  that  place  of  beauutifl  crea- 
tion on  December  31st  and  were  safely  domiciled  in  our  cheerful  little 
home  on  the  last  evening  of  the  old  year  of  1858.  I  am  very  glad  I  saw 
the  house  in  its  rough  state,  shattered  by  balls,  filthy  and  dark,  as  I  can 
better  appreciate  Mr.  Bonney's  patience  and  toil,  in  converting  it  into 
such  a  pleasant  abode.  Our  residence  in  the  suburbs  called  Sun  Sha,  is 
situated  only  a  short  distance  below  the  "  Sea  Pearl  island  or  the  Dutch 
Folly  fort  with  beautiful  old  trees  and  ruins  of  its  fanciful  buildings 
around  which  boats,  of  various  kinds,  are  moored,  several  tiers  thick. 
"  The  part  of  the  city  inclosed  by  walls  is  about  six  miles  in  circumfer- 
ence ;  and  its  whole  circuit,  including  the  suburbs,  is  ten  miles.  The 
wall  is  of  brick  on  sand  stone  foundations,  (there  is  a  partition  wall  run- 

II]  39 


306  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

ning  east  and  west,  which  divides  Canton  into  two  unequal  parts)  and 
varies  from  twenty-five  to  forty  feet  in  height,  having  an  esplanade  on  the 
inside,  and  pathways  leading  to  the  rampart  on  three  sides.  There  are 
twelve  outer  gates,  four  in  the  partition  wall,  and  two  water  gates,  through 
which  boats  pass  from  east  to  west  across  the  new  city.  A  ditch  once  en- 
compassed the  walls,  but  is  now  dry  on  the  northern  side. 

"  The  gates  of  the  city  are  all  shut  at  night,  and  a  guard  is  constantly 
stationed  at  them  to  preserve  order.  These  narrow  streets  are  flagged 
with  large,  flat  granite  blocks  and  present  a  singular  appearance  in  having 
the  floors  of  the  shops  on  a  level  with  the  street,  and  entirely  open." 
Each  shop  has  its  perpendicular  tablets  in  columns  of  letters  written  down- 
wards, or  sign-boards  with  letters  from  right  to  left ;  all  are  richly  varnished 
and  the  Chinese  inscriptions  are  of  bright  red  or  gilt  characters.  "  Often 
a  scroll  of  cloth  also  inscribed  on  both  sides  is  hung  across  the  street 
with  a  notice  of  the  commodities  sold.  "  It  is  the  long  line  of  these  gaudy 
signs,  stretching  overhead  and  on  both  sides,  and  visible  at  times  for  a 
full  mile  or  more,  that  forms  the  very  attractive  vista  as  seen  in  the 'nar- 
rowing perspective  until  your  sight  is  entirely  obstructed  by  these  gor- 
geous signs.  "  Each  shop  assumes  as  its  title  two  words  of  the  most  felicitous 
meaning  as  :  the  shop  of  '  Celestial  affluence.'  '  Perpetual  success,'  '  Over- 
flotcmg  ahunddnce'  etc  ;  and  the  concern  is  thenceforward  known  by  that 
designation,  all  bills,  notes  and  business  documents  being  authenticated 
by  its  employment.  At  New  Year  time  the  sign-boards  are  likewise 
ornamented  with  scarlet  streamers  of  silk  flaunting  loosely,  scarlet  being 
the  festive  color  in  China.  Not  infrequently  coarse  white  cotton  or 
hempeloth  may  be  observed  similarly  mounted,  a  sign  that  death  has  in- 
vaded the  establishment  white  being  the  color  of  mourning." 

"  In  every  street  you  see  idols  —  the  gods  of  the  Chinese  are  number- 
less, they  have  a  deity  for  every  thing  with  printed  prayers  which  are 
burned  at  stated  times.  In  passing  along,  this  seems  to  the  eye  of  a  stranger 
almost  a  city  of  men  because  you  meet  comparatively  so  few  females. 
Chinese  ladies  are  never  seen  on  the  streets,  they  live  perfectly  secluded 
from  the  world  in  ignorance  and  want  of  education ;  they  are  greatly 
tjirannized  over  and  strictly  guarded  in  their  clannish  and  patriarchal 
mode  of  living.  Women's  names  are  mostly  selected  from  amongst  names 
of  gems,  flowers,  virtues,  and  such  like,  and  are  consequently  quite  iu 
keeping  with  the  characteristics  of  the  sex.  In  Canton  and  its  vicinity, 
the  names  are  abbreviated  in  conversation  to  one  character  and  an  A  pre- 
fixed to  it."  Among  my  pupils  there  is  one  young  girl  named  Akee-ue, 
or  Beautiful;  Ayow,  Miss  Have;  Aoot,  Miss  Life;  Achune,  Miss  Revo- 
lution; Jpo,  Miss  Precious;  Fok-kwi,  Miss  Happy  Return;  Aha,  Miss 
Summer  &c.  "  On  marrying,  a  woman  takes  the  surname  of  her  husband, 
as  with  us,  but  the  aflix  which  marks  the  name  of  the  married  woman  is 
placed  after  the  surname.  The  wife  of  Mr.  Palace  would  be  designated 
Kumj  She,  or  Palace  Madam."  A  girl  never  marries  a  man  whose  sur- 
name is  the  same  as  her  own  even  if  he  is  not  at  all  related  to  her.  A 
few  days  since  a  party  of  ofiicers  went  into  the  country  on  a  pic-nic  ex- 
cursion, they  were  fired  upon  by  some  braves  from  one  of  the  villages. 
Accordingly  last  Saturday,  morning,  a  large  body  of  French  and  English 
marched  out,  also  sending  gun-boats  around,  they  have  burned  down  the 
village ;  it  is  reported  one  Sepoy  and  two  English  soldiers  were  killed, 
also  a  mandarin.  We  trust  this  salutary  discipline  will  prove  an  effica- 
cious reminder  to  these  obtuse  Celestials  and  that  it  may  not  disturb  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  307 

peace  of  the  city  any  furtlier.  This  afternoou  Mr.  Bonaey  and  I  walked 
down  to  Rev.  Dr.  Ball's  about  a  mile  below  this  ;  threading  our  way 
through  the  very  narrow,  tortuous  streets  we  came  to^the  Execution  Ground 
where  during  the  political  disturbances  300  and  over  were  decapitated 
weekly  on  this  little  spot  of  ground  300  feet  long  by  forty  feet  wide.  Rev. 
Mr.  Vrooman  saw  on  one  occasion  one  hundred  and  fifty  heads  cut  off  and 
one  man  cut  in  pieces.  While  we  were  walking  down  the  centre  of  the  en- 
closure on  the  paved  path  of  large  blocks  of  stone,  a  crowd  soon  collected ; 
one  man,  who  lived  there,  was  very  communicative  regarding  this  place, 
which  is  now  used  for  drying  furnaces  &c,,  and  is  indeed  a  "  Potter's- 
field  ; "  when  needed  for  retributive  justice  it  is  cleared.  There  were 
many  curious  things  to  be  met  as  we  continued  our  walk  among  which  I 
classed  the  strings  of  coolies  carrying  heavy  burdens. 

There  is  a  fine,  large  old  banyan  tree  in  the  west  side  street,  which  pro- 
jects over  and  shades  our  dwelling,  but  it  needed  trimming ;  no  person 
however  could  be  found  now  to  undertake  the  task  as  it  might  interfere 
with  the  "  Foong-Shooe,"  and  Mr.  Bonney  himself  mounted  the  ladder  to 
perform  the  necessary  work ;  but  a  crowd  soon  collected  and  most  strenu- 
ously objected  to  his  proceeding.  With  firmness,  but  in  a  kind,  conciliatory 
manner,  Mr.  Bonney  explained  to  the  excited  throng,  how  the-roots  were 
breaking  away  the  tiles  from  the  roof  of  his  dwelling-house,  and  inviting 
two  or  three  of  the  leading  men  to  ascend  the  ladder  and  inspect  for  them- 
selves, informed  them  he  should  remove  just  so  much,  of  the  tree,  as  was 
proving  a  serious  detriment.  The  elders  were  convinced  of  the  justness 
of  the  act,  and  they  accordingly  allowed  him  to  do  as  he  wished,  but  to  a 
man  of  less  tact,  this  might  have  proved  an  occasion  of  riotous  tumult  and 
rather  a  dangerous  undertaking.  Very  sad  news  came  from  Shanghai 
that  Rev.  William  A.  Macy  died  there  on  April  9th  of  the  small-pox. 
He  was  in  Rev.  H.  Blodget's  family  ;  every  care  and  attention  was  given 
him,  but  the  shaft  of  the  destroyer  had  sped  on  its  way.  Mr.  Macy  arrived 
in  China  March,  1846,  and  during  the  thirteen  years  he  has  labored  as  a 
missionary  he  aimed  at  a  high  standard  of  piety  ;  he  was  a  patient  and 
faithful  teacher,  a  good  man  who  endeavored  to  be  very  accurate  in  all  his 
statements  and  conversation.  Last  evening  the  Overlands  and  Mails 
brought  us  many  very  pleasant  letters  from  home ;  but  with  these  came 
also  the  sorrowful  intelligence  of  the  decease  of  Rev.  John  B.  French,  one 
of  our  Canton  missionaries.  He  was  on  his  way  to  the  United  States  and 
died,  at  sea,  November  30,  1858,  leaving  a  wife  and  two  children  to  pu!# 
sue  their  lonely  way  over  the  deep  waters  to  the  widowed  mother  of  Mr. 
French.  You  most  probably  have  heard  that  the  Viceroy  Yeh  died  at 
Calcutta  where  he  was  sent  as  a  prisoner  after  his  capture  by  the  British 
on  January  4,  1858.  The  remains  of  Commissioner  Yeh  were  brought  to 
Canton  last  week  and  now  lie  in  state  at  one  of  the  temples.  The  ponder- 
ous and  pompous  coffin  had  the  lid  morticed  on,  it  will  remain  there  some  ^ 
time. 

We  have  also  just  heard  of  the  Christian  liberality  of  Rev.  David  Sande- 
man,  a  Scotch  missionary  at  Amoy.  He  arrived  at  Hongkong  the  same 
day  with  William  and  myself,  together  we  attended  the  Monthly  Concert. 
Last  summer  he  died  of  cholera  at  Amoy  on  July  31,  1858,  aged  32  years. 
He  belonged  to  a  noble  family,  but  gave  up  all  his  possessions  for  Christ's 
cause  in  China  ;  he  supported  himself  and  in  his  will  bequeathed  all  his 
property  to  the  Mission.  The  first  payment  or  portion  of  his  bequest  is 
|20,000.     How  many  more  such  sums  are  to  come  is  not  stated.     Mr. 


308  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

Sandeman  "  had  great  possessions"  but  he  obeyed  when  Jesus  called  him 
and  could  truly  say  "  W  hatever  be  the  will  ofGod  my  soul  is  for  Jesus  only  : 
Jehovah-Tsidkenu,  Jehovah  my  righteousness."     Death  has  called  many 
away. 

Consul  Perry  to  Rev.  8.  W.  Bonney. 

My  dear  Mr.  Bonney,  Canton,  Tuesday  March  22,  1859. 

Fak-kwi  (Governor  General)  and  the  Tartar  General  are  coming  to  call 
on  me  to  day  at  ^past  3  o'olock.  Could  you  make  it  convenient  to  come 
up  ?  If  so  I  will  send  my  boat  for  you  at  J  past  2  o'clock.  Kind  regards 
to  Mrs.  Bonney.  Yours  truly. 

Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney,  Sun  Sha.  Oliver  H.  Perry. 

The  Consulate  was  next  door  to  the  hong  of  Messrs.  Russell  &  Co  ;  and 
from  their  veranda  I  saw  His  Excellency,  the  Governor  General  in  company 
with  the  Tartar  General  and  Hoppo  (Customs  Official)  with  the  usual  large 
train  of  obsequious  attendants  when  on  this  ceremonial  visit  to  our  Consul. 
All  were  elegantly  dressed  in  their  gay  robes  and  finery  used  on  state  oc- 
casions with  every  appliance  that  could  make  a  fine  morning  pageant. 
As  they  landed  from  their  boat  they  received  the  usual  salute.  Not  long 
after  this  spleaded  array  we  heard  of  the  death  of  Pak-kwi. 

On  April  28,  1859,  U.  Seen  Shang,  the  assistant  preacher  of  Mr.  Bon- 
ney was  married  to  a  Chinese  woman,  the  ceremony  was  performed  by  Mr. 
Bonney  in  Chinese  after  the  Christian  form,  in  our  parlor ;  about  fifty 
persons  were  present,  many  of  the  missionaries  also  attended.  The  bride 
has  very  small  feet  and  is  a  suitable  companion  for  him.  We  gave  them 
the  wedding  dinner  at  the  chapel,  forty  men,  most  of  them  Christian 
Chinese,  sat  down  to  the  repast,  which  had  been  prepared  at  the  Chinese 
restaurateur  in  their  most  approved  style,  at  three  o'clock  the  day  of  the 
wedding,  and  the  following  day  was  the  woman's  feast.  My  invitation  to 
the  second  dinner  was  written  on  crimson  paper.  We  went  to  head  quarters 
to  see  the  military  practice  throwing  rockets,  shell-rockets  with  a  spear  at 
the  end,  and  firing  balls  out  of  cannon  at  a  target.  It  was  a  fine  sight  to 
see  shell  burst  ploughing  up  the  ground,  and  a  novel  experience  to  me;  as 
also  to  hear  cannon  balls  whiz  through  the  air  with  such  a  hissing  sound. 
We  became  quite  excited  and  really  oblivious  to  all  danger,  as  from  our 
station  we  were  braving  neither  bayonet  nor  bullet,  but  admiring  the  bold 
adventurous  display,  which  was  watched  by  a  host  of  wondering  Chinese. 
%In  the  early  part  of  April  we  went  out  to  see  the  general  worship  of 
ancestors  at  the  hills.  We  met  groups  of  men,  women,  and  children  repair- 
ing to  their  family  tombs,  carrying  a  tray  containing  the  sacrifice,  and 
libations  for  offering ;  also  the  candles,  large  bundles  of  silver  paper  and 
incense  for  burning.  The  graves  were  carefully  swept  and  repaired ;  at 
the  close  of  ceremonies  and  prayers  with  explosion  of  fire-crackers,  three 
%long  strips  of  red  and  white  paper  are  placed  on  each  grave  fastened  there 
by  three  pieces  of  turf  at  the  front  and  back  of  the  grave.  These  papers 
fluttering  in  the  wind  plainly  show  that  the  accustomed  rites  have  been 
performed ;  for  if  any  grave  has  been  neglected  three  years,  it  is  often 
sold  and  dug  over." 

It  is  a  singular  spectacle  :  the  lighted  candles,  incense  sticks  burning, 
the  altar  on  which  "  are  cups  of  wine  and  tea,  pork,  fish,  fowls,  cake  and 
vegetables.  When  all  is  prepared,  one  by  one,  the  different  members  of 
the  family,  kneel  down,  and  bows  his  head  near  the  ground  three  times. 
The  mock  money  is  -then   burned,  and  fire-crackers  are  exploded ;  the 


Legacy  of  Histoeical  Gleanings.  309 

wine  cups  are  poured  out  on  the  burning  paper;  repeating  the  ceremony 
of  kneeling  and  bowing  from  the  highest  in  rank  to  the  lowest."  This 
"  Festival  of  the  Tombs,  when  the  Chinese  visit  the  graves  of  their 
ancestors  and  present  offerings  before  them,  is  concluded  with  a  family 
meeting  at  a  social  feast."  In  August  we  Irequently  see  paper  garments, 
paper-money  of  silver  and  gilt,  paper  houses  with  its  proper  furniture 
carried  through  the  streets  to  be  burned,  and  this  festival,  like  all  the 
others,  is  attended  with  feasting  and  music.  Mr.  Bonney  has  written  you 
the  sad  news  from  the  Peiho  river,  of  a  victory  of  the  Chinese  over  the 
English  and  French  troops,  who  were  escorting  the  Plenipotentiaries  to 
Pekin.  The  gunboats  and  steamers  were  opposed  by  the  Chinese  not  far 
from  Tientsin,  a  battle  ensued  in  which  478  of  the  English  and  French 
were  killed  and  wounded.  The  battle  continued  from  two  o'clock  p.  M.  to 
midnight,  on  June  25,  1859.  "  The  passage  by  the  Peiho  to  Tientsin 
was  found  to  be  obstructed  at  the  mouth  by  a  barrier  of  beams  and  stakes, 
defended  by  new  forts  on  shore ;  in  endeavoring  to  remove  these 
obstacles,  the  English  and  French  forces  suffered  a  defeat,  which  com- 
pelled them  to  return  to  Shanghai."  The  Chinese  were  dreadfully  cruel 
to  the  captured  foreigners,  cutting  off  legs,  arms,  &e.  Lieut.  Ingliss  was 
taken  after  being  wounded  and  great  apprehensions  are  felt  for  him.  It 
is  fearful  so  many  were  killed.  Rev.  Mr.  Hewlit  we  knew  very  well. 
There  must  still  be  more  fighting,  the  Treaty  is  not  ratified,  and  they  try 
to  keep  the  Forces  from  Pekin. 

"  The  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  the  treaties  was  to  take  place  in 
June,  1859.  Jhe  Hon.  F.  Bruce,  M.  Bourboulon,  and  Hon.  J.  E.  Ward, 
the  English,  French,  and  American  ministers,  met  in  Shanghai  in  thaf 
month.  The  Imperial  Commissioners  had  tarried  there  during  the  win- 
ter, for  the  purpose  of  conferring  with  Mr.  Bruce  upon  some  unsettled 
points.  He  declined  to  see  them,  however,  and  soon  after  all  parties 
proceeded  toward  Peking,  the  Chinese  preferring  to  go  by  land.  The 
American  minister  proceeded  on  to  Peking  by  way  of  Pehtang,  where  he 
arrived  July  28th  and  was  well  received.  A  discussion  there  ensued 
with  Kweiliang  respecting  the  ceremonies  to  be  observed  at  an  audience 
with  the  Emperor,  who  required  the  American  minister  to  '■•tow-how" 
or  kneel  in  his  presence,  knocking  the  head  on  the  floor,  but  this  obei- 
sance being  refused  by  our  Embassy,  the  audience  was  not  granted." 
This  news  will,  of  course,  prevent  the  English  withdrawing  their  forces 
in  August  from  Canton,  as  they  intended  doing,  and  I  am  truly  thankful 
that  they  will  remain  longer.  Europe  too  seems  in  terrible  commotion 
"Wars  and  rumors  of  wars"  are  heard  from  every  quarter  of  the  globe.  Dr. 
"Williams  accompanied  Mr.  Ward  to  Peking  but  it  seems  to  have  been  a 
fruitless  expedition,  but  we  are  glad  our  Embassy  was  firm.  \)x.  Williams 
has  kindly  offered  us  his  house  at  Macao  —  "the  sanitarium  of  south- 
ern China  —  for  three  or  four  months,  and  we  are  only  too  thankful  to 
enjoy  this  privilege  during  the  summer  "inhaling  the  Seabreeze"  and  by 
this  means  invigorated  for  further  duties.  All  my  scholars  and  the  Chinese 
lady  teacher  are  to  acccompany  me,  and  Capt.  John  B.  Endicott,  with 
his  usual  liberality,  gives  my  school  a  free  passage  on  his  steamer  the 
"  Spark." 

In  one  of  our  monthly  boating  trips,  of  recreation  for  the  pupils,  Mr. 
Bonney  took  us  to  a  large  Sugar  Cane  plantation.  The  whole  field  of  Avav- 
ing  cane  strongly  resembled  a  thriving  crop  of  our  Indian  corn.  Each 
plant  had  been  placed  about  three  feet  apart  in  parallel  rows,  and  was  now 


310  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

fully  tea  feet  high  with  two  inches  ia  diameter.  It  is  propagated  by  the 
cuttings  or  slips,  not  the  seeds,  and  cultivated  to  a  great  extent  in  the 
southern  provinces.  The  sugar  cane  (saccharum  officinarura)  is  nourishing 
to  man,  and  the  leaves  and  juicy  stems  with  the  tops  of  the  canes  scarcely 
less  so  for  the  cattle;  the  refuse  of  the  cane  is  dried  and  used  for  fuel. 
When  ripe  the  canes  are  full  of  a  rich,  sweet  juice  ;  they  are  cut  into  small 
sticks  and  found  on  every  huckster's  stand  or  hawked  about  the  streets 
warm,  for  consumption  by  ihe  people  who  are  very  fond  of  chewing,  and 
then  spit  out  the  chaff  along  the  streets  or  on  chapel  floors,  as  may  be. 
When  the  canes  are  in  a  proper  condition  they  are  cut  down  and  violently 
squeezed  in  a  mill,  between  two  upright  cylindrical  bodies,  and  twisted 
like  a  rope  which  causes  a  great  flow  of  the  saccharine  liquor  into  the  re- 
ceiving cistern.  It  is  then  concentrated  by  boiling,  which  expels  the  water. 
"  A  little  lime  water  is  mixed  with  the  liquid,  that  has  run  out  from  the 
canes,  which  helps  to  clarify  it;  when  it  is  clear  then  allowed  to  cool,  it 
settles  down  in  the  form  of  brown  granulated  and  crystallized  sugar,  while 
the  liquor  that  runs  off  is  molasses."  This  raw  brown  sugar  is  sold  in 
small  cakes  and  is  much  like  maple  sugar.  The  heated  liquor  is  still  further 
refined  and  purified  making  light  brown  and  white  sugar.  The  rock  sugar 
candy  is  very  delicious.  Sugar  cane  is  considered  an  omen  of  good  luck,  but 
it  certainly  is  good  eating. 

We  often  visited  the  hongs  to  observe  the  preparation  of  tea  for  the 
foreign  market.  "  The  tea-shrub  resembles  the  low  species  of  whortle- 
berry, the  leaf  is  a  dark  green  color,  of  an  oblong  oval  shape ;  it  blossoms 
about  November,  producing  a  white  flower,  inodorous  and  single,  in  ap- 
pearance and  size  much  like  the  orange  flower.  The  seeds  form  in  a  pod 
like  hazel-nuts  in  size  and  color,  each  pod  or  hard  husk  contains  three 
tea-seeds  about  as  large  as  a  small  bean,  the  oil  obtained  from  them  is 
used  for  several  purposes.  "  The  soil  most  favorable  for  the  growth  of 
tea  is  a  rich  sandy  earth,  with  a  large  proportion  of  vegetable  mould  in 
it,  on  sides  of  hills.  The  seeds  are  thickly  planted  in  nursery  beds  and 
when  about  a  foot  high  they  are  transplanted  into  rows  about  four  feet 
apart;  and  are  allowed  to  grow  about  two  feet  high.  The  leaves  are 
picked  from  the  plant  when  three  years  old,  but  it  does  not  attain  full 
size  before  six  or  seven,  and  thrives  according  to  care  from  fifteen  to 
twenty  years.  Three  crops  of  leaves  are  gathered  during  the  season. 
The  first  picking  is  about  the  middle  of  April,  or  when  the  tender 
leaf-buds  begin  to  open,  this  is  the  best  tea  and  commands  the  highest 
price.  One  pound  of  green  leaves  makes  only  about  three  or  four  ounces 
of  tea.  The  second,  gathering  is  about  the  first  of  May,  when  the  shrubs 
are  covered  with  full  size  leaves.  When  the  proper  time  has  arrived,  *a 
large  number  of  hands  are  needed  to  gather  the  leaves  rapidly,  and  at 
this  period  the  whole  population,  men,  women  and  children,  find  employ- 
ment. The  leaves  are  collected  by  handfuls,  stripping  them  off  the 
branches  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  throwing  them  into  open  baskets, 
slung  around  the  neck,  in  which  they  are  taken  to  the  house  for  curing. 
Each  person  can,  on  an  average,  pick  thirteen  pounds  of  leaves  in  a  day,  for 
which  the  wages  are  about  six  cents.  The  third  crop  is  collected  about  the 
middle  of  July  and  a  gleaning  in  August.  The  quality  of  different  kinds 
of  tea  depends  almost  as  much  upon  the  mode  of  curing  as  upon  the  nature 
of  the  soil  or  age  of  the  leaf.  After  the  leaves  are  gathered  and  housed, 
they  are  carefully  assorted,  the  yellow  and  old  ones  picked  out.  The  re- 
mainder are  thinly  spread  upon  bamboo  trays  and  placed  in  the  wind  upon 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  311 

frames,  where  they  remain  until  the  leaves  begin  to  soften.  While  lying 
upon  the  tray  they  are  gently  rolled  many  times,  after  which  they  are 
ready  for  firing.  The  workman  sprinkles  a  handful  of  leaves  on  a  heated 
iron  pan,  waits  until  each  leaf  pops,  when  he  brushes  them  oif  before  they 
are  charred,  the  fresh  leaves  are  thrown  on  these  hot  pans  and  kept  in 
motion.  They  are  then  placed  upon  trays  for  rolling,  the  workman 
taking  a  handful  of  the  hot  leaves  in  their  hands  roll  them  on  the  table, 
in  a  particular  manner,  by  which  means  they  take  a  round  or  spiral  form; 
this  kneading  also  drives  out  the  oily  green  juice,  which  runs  through  on 
the  floor.  After  the  leaves  are  thus  rolled,  they  are  shaken  out  loosely 
upon  basket  trays,  and  exposed  to  the  air  to  complete  the  drying  in  the' 
gentlest  manner  that  they  may  not  lose  their  brittleness,  nor  become 
crisp  in  the  sun.  The  process  is  occasionally  varied.  After  the  leaves 
have  been  put  into  the  firing  pan  to  be  subjected  to  the  heat,  rolled  upon 
the  table  or  tray,  and  exposed  to  the  sun,  instead  of  being  returned  to  the 
pans,  they  are  scattered  upon  a  fine  sieve  placed  over  the  same  fire,  the 
iron  pan  having  been  taken  out.  This  fire  is  of  charcoal  and  covered  with 
ashes  to  prevent  smoking  the  leaves,  and  while  there  they  are  slowly  turned 
over  uutil  thoroughly  dried.  This  mode  of  drying  gives  the  leaves  a 
greenish  hue,  varying  in  degree  according  to  the  length  of  time  they  are 
exposed  to  the  sun  and  fire.  Both  black  and  green  teas  are  produced  from 
the  same  plant,  the  difference  in  the  color  is  wholly  owing  to  the  mode  of 
preparation. 

"  Green  tea  is  cured  more  rapidly  over  the  fire  than  the  black,  and  not 
dried  in  baskets  afterwards ;  but  throwing  the  leaf  into  red  hot  pans,  and 
subsequently  exposing  it  to  the  sun  and  drying  it  over  a  covered  fire  makes 
it  black.  Green  tea  can  therefore  be  changed  into  black,  but  the  contrary 
cannot  be  done,  because  the  leaf  is  already  black.  Grreen  tea  is  made  by 
simply  drying  the  leaves ;  young  ones  over  a  gentle  heat  and  old  ones 
over  a  hot  fire,  for  about  half  an  hour.  The  difference  in  taste  is  owing 
to  the  greater  proportion  of  oil  which,  from  its  mode  of  drying,  remains 
in  the  green  tea.  There  is  also  an  artificial  coloring  given  to  it  in  order 
to  make  the  lots  present  a  uniform  and  merchantable  color.  The  leaves 
when  in  the  pans  for  the  second  time,  are  sprinkled  with  some  tumeric 
powder  to  give  them  a  yellow  tint,  and  then  with  a  mixture  of  gypsum 
and  Prussian  blue,  or  gypsum  and  indigo  finely  combined,  which  imparts 
the  desired  bloom  to  the  yellowish  leaves  as  they  are  rolled  over  in  the 
heated  pans.  The  safe  guard  against  injury  from  the  coloring  matter,  is 
in  the  minute  proportion  in  which  the  deleterious  substances  are  combined. 
When  over  the  fire  for  the  ultimate  drying,  fresh  flowers  of  the  desired 
fragrance,  as  jessamine,  olea  fragrans,  and  other  plants,  are  placed  between 
the  heated  leaves,  by  putting  one  basket  of  tea  or  cha  over  the  flowers  as 
they  lie  on  the  top  of  an  under  basket,  and  then  stirring  them  a  little. 
Only  the  finer  kinds  of  green  and  black  teas  are  thus  treated  ;  the  scented 
tea  must  be  immediately  packed  to  preserve  the  flavor  thus  given  to  it. 
The  teas  are  packed  in  wooden  chests  lined  with  lead,  trodden  down  by 
barefooted  men.  Countless  numbers  of  men,  women  and  children  find 
constant  occupation  duriug  the  tea  season  in  sifting  and  sorting  the  picked 
leaves,  earning  from  three  to  eight  cents  besides  their  board,  per  day. 
The  ''  Oolongs  are  purchased  in  large  quantities  for  America,  the  "  Flowery 
Pekoes,  Scented  Tea,  Souchongs  and  Congos,  are  the  choice  assortments ; 
the  second  crop  of  which  this  year  was  received  by  the  middle  of  July 
and  the  third  crop  is  expected  to  arrive  the  beginning  of  August. 


312  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

"  Weak,  tepid  tea  without  the  admixture  of  milk  or  sugar  is  the  pre- 
vailing beverage  of  all  classes,  and  teapots  are  placed  within  reach  every 
where  to  gratify  this  habit  at  frequent  intervals  during  the  day.  This  is 
especially  observable  amongst  mechanics,  with  whom,  be  the  circumstan- 
ces what  they  may,  the  tea-pot  may  be  seen  as  a  never-failing  companion. 
Open  tea  houses,  somewhat  on  the  principal  of  the  continental  restaurant, 
abound  in  every  street  and  public  garden,  and  these  are  frequented  not 
only  by  the  thirsty  passers-by  but,  by  persons  wishing  to  have  a  half 
hour's  friendly  or  business  chat.  In  some  of  these  public  readers  or  lec- 
turers may  be  found,  for  the  attraction  or  amusement  of  customers.  In 
'  the  summer  months  wealthy  folk  cause  huge  pans  of  ready-made  tea  to  be 
placed  at  the  corners  of  streets  or  in  crowded  throughfares,  for  the  con- 
venience of  the  poor;  very  much  as  permanent  drinkiug-fountains  are  now 
erected  in  our  cities.  Drunkenness  is  not  a  Chinese  failing;  they  imbibe 
spirituous  liquors  manufactured  out  of  rice  occasionally  on  festivals." 

One  of  our  pleasant  excursions  was,  after  a  short  sail  of  two  miles  up 
the  river,  to  the  beautiful  private  gardens  of  Howqua  and  Poontinqua. 
They  are  inclosed  by  high  granite  walls  having  spacious  walks  hedged 
with  green  porcelain  vases  of  flowers  ;  pretty  lakes  of  water,  spanned  with 
rustic  bridges  ;  lofty  trees,  both  ornamental  and  fruit  —  the  little  kum-qut, 
coolie,  and  large  mandarin  orange  with  its  bright  red  skin,  hung  from 
groves  of  orange  trees;  a  plantation  of  bananas;  splendid  flowering  shrubs 
plants.  Together  with  several  fanciful  palace  like  edifices,  whose  corners  and 
and  ridges  were  ornamented  with  green  and  yellowish  porcelain  figures 
of  dragons,  snakes,  and  fishes,  displaying  the  true  Chinese  architectural 
taste,  but  giving  a  grotesque  appearance  to  the  roof;  the  entire  structure 
is  tent-shaped. 

Poontinqua's  villa  is  in  a  better  state  of  preservation  than  Howqua's 
and  on  a  more  magnificent  scale,  covering  several  acres.  Next  to  the  wall 
are  spacious  covered  promenades  —  over  which  trail  the  twining  shrub 
Wistaria  with  its  bracts  of  blue  flowers  —  leading  to  artificial  rocks  with 
circuitous  paths  to  ascend,  and  the  ponds  of  water  in  which  float  the  gold, 
silver  and  black  fish  with  tufted  fins.  The  extensive  gi'ounds  are  every  where 
intersected  with  pleasant  winding  walks,  one  of  which,  separating  two 
artificial  and  picturesque  lakes  with  the  delicately  tinged  lotus  and  other 
aquatic  plants,  is  shaded  by  the  graceful  foliage  of  the  fir  trees. 

One  of  these  miniature  palaces,  with  costly  furniture,  boudoirs  and  ban- 
queting hall,  is  the  summer  retreat  for  the  family  of  Poontinqua.  On  one 
occasion  we  were  received  by  the  ladies  with  great  courtesy  and  shown  by 
them  the  spacious  theatre  in  the  same  building  for  the  elegant  private 
entertainments.  In  this  aquatic  garden  is  collected  every  requisite 
that  could  add  to  the  attractiveness  of  the  fairy  scene ;  secluded  grottoes 
and  fantastic  bridges  are  seen  in  many  parts,  the  uwe  come  to  the  pretty 
Turkish  kio.sks,  open  on  all  sides  and  surported  by  pillars  around  which 
twined  the  clustering  rose  ;  there,  too,  were  dwarfed  trees  and  shrubs  trim- 
med to  form  animals  in  grotesque  shapes,  with  many  glazed  flower-pots  of 
porcelain  containing  choice  flowers.  We  ascended  to  the  upper  floor  of 
the  three  storied  pagoda,  from  the  windows  of  which  the  whole  surround- 
ing was  beautiful  like  a  picture.  The  apartments  for  smoking  the 
opium-pipe  were  also  here  to  be  seen,  and  the  sickening  perfume  very  per- 
ceptible. There  were  "divans  or  platforms  about  three  feet  high,  covered 
with  fine  matting  and  having  a  cane  or  bamboo  pillows.  The  opium-pipe 
is  a  bamboo  stick,  about  two  feet  long,  having  a  small  drum  inserted  near 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  313 

tlie  end,  with  an  aperture  in  its  centre,  it  rests  on  a  small  table  about 
half  a  foot  high.  A  piece  of  opium,  about  the  size  of  a  pea  is  heated  and 
placed  on  the  drum,  the  pipe  is  then  held  to  the  flame  and  its  exhilarat- 
ing fumes  are  drawn  into  the  lungs." 

I  find  very  much  to  interest  me  in  my  daily  walks  :  the  people  naturally 
manifest  the  greatest  curiosity  to  meet  the  Western  barbarians  inside  of 
the  city  walls  from  which  for  centuries  they  had  been  so  jealously  excluded. 
We  always  have  a  crowd  to  follow;  if  you  enter  a  shop  the  doorway  and 
street  is  immediately  blocked  up  with  a  sea  of  heads ;  but  I  do  not  feel 
timid  in  the  slightest  degree.  There  always  is  an  opportunity  to  give  the 
curious  women  and  children  a  kind  word,  when  even  the  men  smile  ap- 
provingly to  hear  a  foreign  lady  speak  to  them  in  their  own  language. 
Once  when  walking  with  Mr.  Bonney,  two  coarse,  half  grown  men  from 
another  province,  who  probably  had  not  previously  seen  foreigners,  seemed 
greatly  interested,  passed  and  repassed  us,  till  finally  they  ran  on  ahead 
and  stooping  down,  laid  their  heads,  with  earnestness,  close  on  the  pave- 
ment till  we  had  gone  beyond  them  ;  they  evidently  were  trying  to  see  if 
a  ''/an-qwi-paiv's  "  (foreign  devil's  wife)  feet  could  compare  with  those  so 
highly  prized  of  the  "  Flowery-land"  belles.  The  streets  are  paved  with 
slabs  of  stone  and  quite  clean,  for  Canton  is  the  "  Paris"  of  China;  they 
are  very  straight  but  generally  narrow  !  indeed  in  many  of  them,  if  I  stand 
in  the  middle,  can  easily  touch  the  houses  on  either  side  with  my  hands; 
"few  of  them  exceed  ten  or  twelve  feet  and  most  of  them  less  than  eight 
feet.  There  are  many  pretty  buildings  in  the  city  and  great  numbers 
of  triumphal  arches,  and  so  crowded,  that  it  is  difficult  to  walk  in  them." 

An  awning  of  matting  covers  and  completely  shields  you  from  the  rays 
of  the  burning  sun,  shedding  a  sombre  and  pleasant  light;  it  extends 
from  roof  to  roof  across  some  of  the  principal  streetslined  with  diversshops  of 
merchandise,  and  gay  with  brilliantly  painted  sign-boards  and  showy  lan- 
terns. "  Few  of  the  wealthy  Chinese  keep  their  tamilies  in  the  house 
where  they  do  business,  but  either  in  the  city  or  country.  They  have 
such  a  regard  to  privacy  that  no  windows  are  made  toward  the  streets." 
We  see  many  small  shrines  for  the  worship  of  the  local  divinities,  "  these 
shrines  of  the  street  gods  are  usually  located  in  little  niches  in  the  wall, 
sometimes  with  altars  before  them  holding  incense  sticks."  It  was  amus- 
ing to  stop  at  the  little  stall  of  carved  olive  nuts,  beautifully  cut  in  the  most 
grotesque  images.  In  one  of  our  walks  from  the  chapel  of  Mr.  Bonney, 
we  were  so  much  engaged  looking  at  the  curious,  that  we  quite  forgot  that 
the  city  gates  are  closed  at  half  past  six  o'clock  ;  on  our  return  found  we 
were  locked  up  within  the  walls.  We  however  went  to  the  British  Sergeant 
of  the  Police,  who  with  his  own  men  kindly  opened  the  ponderous  gates 
for  our  egress,  and  we  were  permitted  to  return  to  our  little  home,  where 
our  birdlings  had  felt  anxious  at  our  unusual  delay. 

Missionary  Correspondence. 

Macao,  China,  Aug.  9,  1859. 

The  old  and  true  proverb  "  there's  many  a  slip  'twixt  the  cup  and  the 
lip,"  I  fear  has  proved  true,  in  regard  to  the  treaties  of  peace  made 
last  year  with  the  Cliinese  Government.  The  Emperor  has  met  the 
bearers  of  these  treaties  with  war-like  weapons  and  battle. 

The  affair  on  the  Peiho  throws  back  our  political  relations  with  China, 
just  where  they  were  before  the  late  war,  if  not  to  a  worse  condition ;  for 
the  English  and  French  have  both  sent  home  for  reinforcements  to  redeem 

II]  40 


814  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

what  has  heen  lost.  Mrs.  B.  and  myself  are  at  Macao  for  a  short  time,  to 
shield  ourselves  from  the  summer's  heat.  Her  health  is  generally  good. 
She  has  a  girl's  boarding  school  now  of  thirteen,  all  doing  well  and  eager 
to  improve  in  what  will  make  them  happy  in  this  world,  and  in  the  world 
to  come,  for  girls  in  China  are  not  valued  much.  The  attendance  at  my 
Chapel  averages  150.  It  is  safe  at  Canton  now.  The  English  and  French 
garrison  numbers  3000.  \Ye  would  not  feel  secure  without  some  pro- 
tection against  the  banditti  that  infest  the  country  around,  and  the  idle, 
mischief-seeking  fellows  that  harbor  in  the  city.  Two  armed  policemen 
show  themselves  at  our  house  in  Canton  every  day  for  security's  sake. 

There  is  a  very  interesting  work  of  God's  Spirit  going  on  among  the 
English  soldiers  stationed  at  Canton.  They  hold  prayer-meetings  every 
evening  at  the  rooms  of  the  Chaplain.  Last  Wednesday  evening  I  attend- 
ed one  of  the  meetings;  70  were  present.  A  truly  Christian  soldier  'tis 
good  to  see  There  is  such  vigor,  decision,  energy  and  boldness  in  his 
Christian  character  that  all  must  observe  his  good  works.  The  Mission 
circle  is  well.  We  number  twelve  ordained  missionaries  in  Canton.  The 
city  will  probably  be  held  for  two  years  more,  if  not  longer,  as  security 
for  the  good  faith  of  the  Chinese  Government.     Yours  in  Christian  love. 

S.    W.    BONNEY. 

While  in  Macao  the  clipper  ship  "  Surprise  "  arrived  with  our  Mission- 
ary pioneers  of  the  Dutch  Board,  bound  for  Japan  to  establish  a  Mission 
there.  IMiss  Julia  Brown  spent  a  week  with  us;  the  day  she  was  safely 
housed  we  were  convinced  a  typhoon  was  brewing,  it  proved  a  very 
destructive  one,  every  thing  seemed  topsy-turvy ;  debris  of  all  kinds  were 
tangled  together  for  it  was  what  the  Chinese  call  an  "  iron  lohirlwind." 
When  the  gale  had  abated  we  all  returned  to  Canton  on  board  the  little 
steamer  "  Spark."  On  September  22d  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  with  their 
family,  Rev.  and  Mrs.  G.  F.  Varbeck,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Simmons  proceeded 
on  their  way  to  Japan  in  the  "  Surprise ; "  they  will  prove  effective 
laborers  in  this  new  field.  The  topic  of  the  day  with  us  is  —  troops, 
troops,  troops,  they  are  constantly  arriving  from  India  and  there  will  be 
sad  work  at  the  North.  On  the  29th  we  visited  Whampoa  —  the  Yellow 
Anchorage  —  twelve,  miles  below  the  city,  where  all  the  large  ships  lie. 
We  had  a  pleasant  visit  on  board  the  Clipper  "  Jacob  Bell,"  Capt. 
Frisbie.  [The  Jacob  Bell  was  captured  and  burnt,  February  2,  1863, 
when  in  latitude  24°  1'  by  the  pirate  Captain  Maffit  of  the  "  Florida." 
Mrs.  H.  Dwight  Williams  was  a  passenger  on  board,  she  and  others  were 
literally  robbed  of  all  their  personal  effects.]  After  which  we  went  on 
shore  at  French  Island  to  the  foreigner's  Cemetery."  There  was  the 
monument  to  Hon.  Alexander  H.  Everett,  American  Minister  to  China ; 
there  too  were  the  graves  of  Revs.  James  G.  Bridgman,  Mr.  Brewster, 
many  sailors  and  others.  A  deep  feeling  of  solemnity  came  over  me  as  I , 
stood  by  the  six  mounds  of  those  murdered  Englishmen  on  the  green | 
sunny  hills  of  French  Island.  The  Parsees  have  selected  the  high  peak' 
on  Dane  Island  as  a  picturesque  site  for  the  sepulchre  of  their  dead. 

We  have  made  many  visits  to  the  celebrated  Buddhist  temple  of  Honam, 
on  the  river  bank  opposite  the  city,  it  is  the  most  magnificent  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  the  empire  and  has  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  priests.  "  Pass- 
ing up  a  long  avenue,  having  a  pavement  flagged  with  granite  slabs,a 
beneath  stately  old  banyan  trees  whose  overshadowing  branches  are  fillef 
with  cawing  rooks  and  the  resort  for  thousands  of  birds,"  we  turned  firs 


Legacy  of  Historical  G-leanings.  315 

into  the  extensive  grounds  and  large  garden  in  the  rear  of  the  building, 
which  covers  an  area  of  about  eight  acres  and  is  surrounded  by  a  high 
wall.  In  one  corner  of  it  is  the  charnel-house  or  large  furnace  used  for 
burning  the  bodies  of  the  deceased  priests,  if  they  prefer  cremation  to 
burial.  I  took  in  my  hand  the  large  sieve  employed  for  sifting  the  cinders, 
but  soon  put  it  down  with  melaacholy  feelings.  The  ashes  are  then  put  in 
jars  till  the  annual  season  of  opening  the  mausoleum  in  which  is  deposited 
all  that  remains  of  the  burnt  priests,  "  gathered  from  the  funeral  pyre." 
In  another  small  temple  near  by,  were  sixteen  earthen  jars,  from  one  of 
which  we  lifted  the  stone  cover  and  saw  the  preserved  sacred  ashes  together 
with  a  small  remnant  of  the  calcined  bone.  If  a  priest,  previous  to  his 
death,  has  signified  a  desire  not  to  be  interred,  his  corpse  is  dressed  in 
priestly  robes  and  placed  in  a  sitting  posture  in  an  arm  chair,  over  a  hole 
about  two  feet  deep  well  filled  with  combustible  materials.  After  the 
customary  services  the  fire  is  applied  and  quickly  encircles  the  subject, 
but  the  stench  from  the  burning  body  is  almost  insufferable.  Another  of 
the  precious  relics  is  one  of  the  toe-nails  of  Buddha,  preserved  under  a 
small  marble  pagoda.  Bending  our  steps  to  the  piggery,  we  saw  a  dozen 
of  monstrous  fat,  crooked  back,  "  sacred  hogs,"  also  a  henery  filled  with 
fowls,  all  of  which  have  been  presented  by  some  of  the  worshipers,  and 
are  kept  from  the  temple  fund  with  a  sacred  respect  for  their  lives,  good 
health  and  luxurious  living  till  they  die.  These  greedy,  fat,  venerated 
swinish  creatures  were  too  slothful  almost  to  rise  from  wallowing  in  the 
mire,  as  such  round  hundreds  of  fat  on  their  heavy  bodies  could  scarcely 
be  supported  by  their  small,  short  legs.  There  is  also  a  pond  covered  with 
the  leaves  and  flowers  of  a  species  of  the  watdl  lily,  the  sacred  lotus ;  the 
slender  stem  five  feet  in  length  upholds  a  broad  cup  about  eight  inches  in 
diameter  of  the  most  delicate  rosy  tint.  This  temple  is  the  one  in  which 
Mr.  Bonney  resided  for  many  months;  his  old  landlord  was. pleased  to  see 
him  again,  and  greeted  us  with  extravagant  expressions  of  delight ;  after 
being  entertained  with  tea  and  fruits  we  went  the  round  of  inspection. 
As  you  ascend  the  steps  to  the  high  portico  and  enter  the  first  portal  at 
the  outer  court,  of  this  the  wealthiest  temple  in  China,  you  see  two  colossal 
watchers  or  guardians  of  the  edifice,  hideous  looking  demons  some  fifteen 
feet  in  height ;  the  four  custodes  at  the  inner  portal  are  still  more  bulky 
and  huge  statues.  There  are  various  other  images,  fifty  or  sixty  in  num- 
ber, of  six  feet  high,  all  of  them  grotesque  in  shape  and  appearance,  some 
with  black  beards,  some  with  red,  having  instruments  of  war  in  their  hands, 
though  not  very  awe-inspiring. 

This  Hai-chwang  temple  is  a  massive  square  structure  with  the  national 
peaked  roof,  the  main  division  of  which  is  one  hundred  feet  square  and 
about  fifty  feet  high,  surrounded  by  pillars  and  very  gorgeous  in  its  cover- 
ings of  gilt  and  bright  paint,  but  abounds  in  dust  as  do  all  the  public  edi- 
fices. In  this  spacious  apartment  is  the  altar  of  Buddha  with  the  three 
very  large  stately  images  of  the  Past,  the  Present  and  the  Future  Buddha, 
they  all  are  over  twenty-five  feet  high  and  splendid  idols,  made  of  wood 
and  richly'^ilded,  in  a  sitting  posture  surrounded  by  the  sacred  lotus 
flowers,  wit n  joss-sticks  of  sandal  wood  burning  in  front  of  them.  On  the 
altar  were  fruits,  cakes  and  a  pot  of  burning  incense.  The  usual  para- 
phernalia of  the  censer,  the  flower-vase,  and  the  taper-stand  for  the  con- 
suming of  josh-sticks,  holding  the  fading  flowers  and  the  light  from  the 
melting  wax  is  always  found  in  all  these  temples,  arranged  in  front  of  the 
:dol. 


316  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

We  frequently  were  present  at  their  evening  worship  when  a  procession 
of  curious  looking  officiating  priests,  with  closely  shaven  pates,  robed  in 
soiled  long  loose  canonicals,  a  mantle  of  yellow  silk  put  in  folds  like  a 
toga,  over  their  shoulders,  with  downcast  eyes  and  clasped  hands  entered 
in  single  file.     Many  of  the  other  priests  wore  flowing  gray  robes  but  all 
had  square  toes  to  their  clumsy,  thick-soled  shoes.     A  large  flat  drum  or 
tom-tom  was  beat,  with  occasional  ringing  of  a  bell  and  another  person 
"  rattles  a  tattoo  on  a  wooden  fish,"  when  the  priests  with  low  and  mea- 
sured tones  engaged  in  the  "  rehearsal  of  an  unmeaning  liturgy,"  it  was  ; 
solemn  and  monotonous  chant  of  the  sacred  name  of  their  senseless  god 
increasing  in  such  rapidity  of  utterance  as  to  be  unintelligible.     After 
performing  sundry  exercises,  bowing  to  the  floor  and  kissing  the  ground, 
while  some  of  the  number  executed  the  "  tow-kow  "  of  three  times  three 
knockings  of  the  head,  they  bow  to  each  other  and  go  backward  then  for-     «, 
ward  with  deprecatory  shufflings,  having  a  string  of  beads  resting  between     lj 
the  thumbs  and  edges  of  the  hand,  all  the  time  chanting  and  intoning  in     ^ 
a  drawling  and  nasal  tone  of  voice  their  idolatrous  invocations  in  a  series 
of  comic  acts  which  are  painfully  astonishing  !   We  went  to  the  kitchen  to 
see  the  immense  receptacle  for  boiling  rice  and  thence  to  the  dining  room 
in  which  two  hundred  priests  take  their  daily  meals.     Dark,  dark  are 
those  minds  that  inhabit  the  cloisters  of  the  temple  as  to  the  things  of      | 
eternal  life  and  death ;  they  are  a  demure  looking  class  of  puppets,  who       | 
bow  and  kneel,  read  their  sacred  books,  burn  incense  sticks,  set  food  and 
drinks  before  the  idols  day  after  day,  but  it  avails  not,  "  it  is  purely  me-       j 
chanieal,  a  mere  pantomime  ;  gongs,  drums    and  crackers  every  where 
appear  to  be  looked  upon  asnndispensable  elements  for  successful  worship 
in  an  unvarying  course." 

I  inclose  you  the  card  of  the  venerable  Abbot  or  chief  priest  of  the  temple. 
"  These  slips  of  scarlet  paper,  cut  about  twelve  inches  long  and  four  wide, 
single  or  folded  four  or  more  times  according  to  the  quality  of  the  visitor, 
are  the  common  visiting  cards  with  the  name  printed  in  Chinese  characters ;" 
this  was  sent  to  Mr.  Bonney  in  return  for  a  Chinese  Almanac  which  he 
presented  to  him,  it  is  equivalent  to  a  visit.  The  gorgeousness  of  this  and 
indeed  of  all  the  temples  is  indescribable,  abounding  in  gilt,  tinsel  and 
gaudy  trappings  with  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow  in  the  painted  images, 
which  are  grotesque  in  form  and  aspect  as  well  as  perfectly  hideous.  It 
is  appalling  to  think  of  the  myriads  engaged  in  this  deific  homage ! 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


Conspicuous  Attractions. 

On  November  1st,  the  day  being  clear  and  the  weather  delightful,  we 
had  a  most  enjoyable  pic-nic  excursion  to  the  "  White  Cloud  Hill,"  a  low 
line  of  acclivities  eight  miles  north  of  the  city.  The  party  comprised  six 
missionaries,  five  ladies,  three  children  with  their  Amahs ;  there  were 
nine  sedans  and  thirty  coolies.  Our  "chow-chow"  baskets  with  their 
motley  freight  of  provisions  forming  a  load  for  a  few  of  the  coolies,  were 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  317 

under  charge  of  the  well  trained  sprigtly  Canton  "  boy"  in  his  white  sur- 
plice like  jacket,  blue  knickerbockers  and  dandily  gartered  stockings.  It 
was  our  first  visit ;  and  now  that  the  British  power  being  paramount  here, 
has  obliged  rebels  and  robbers  to  retire  to  distant  places,  we  went  without 
any  apprehension  and  had  a  charming  day.  All  the  party  enjoyed  the 
delightful  trip  and  felt  the  better  for  this  little  recreation.  We  were 
treated  very  civilly  by  all  the  Chinese  though  it  was  deemed  prudent  to 
go  before  the  mail  should  arrive  with  news  about  the  war,  for  we  had 
apprehensions  as  to  what  eflFect  it  might  have  on  the  native  mind,  but  we 
hope  there  may  be  no  turning  against  us.  Mr.  Bonney  and  a  few  of  the 
gentlemen  walked  both  going,  and  returning,  protected  by  their  "  white 
umbrellas  and  thick  turbans  wound  around  their  felt  helmets,  from  the  rays 
of  the  sun."  We  passed  the  French  guard  at  the  North  Gate  of  Canton; 
over  the  granite  flag  stones,  through  vast  fields  carpeted  green  with  the 
luxuriant  sugar  cane,  and  flourshing  rice  plants  ;  close  to  a  tea  plantation 
where  we  stopped  to  gather  a  few  leaves,  and  then  halting  in  the  bamboo 
tea-shed  were  refreshed  by  the  hot  beverage  destitute  of  sugar  or  milk 
but  a  very  grateful  drink  notwithstanding.  Here  the  "  coolies  found  time 
to  snatch  a  few  whifi's  from  their  consoling  pipes  and  each  one  goes  into 
driveling  ecstasies  over  the  flavor  of  a  cup  of  tea,"  and  when  refreshed  we 
coiatinued  our  course  over  the  "  granite  bridge  which  spans  a  stream,  " 
having  a  fair  view  of  "the  squalid  life  of  the  Chinese  peasantry —  who, 
though  sometimes  amassing  money,  are  content  with  the  filthiest  of  habi- 
tations and  of  dress."  We  were  greeted  with  the  constant  yelping  of  the 
village  watch  dogs"  with  coarse,  bristling  hair,  and  tails  curling  up  high 
over  their  back  ;  the  curious,  half  naked  children  who  eagerly  scrambled 
for  a  handful  of  cash.  [Chinese  coin  made  of  brass;  it  has  a  square  hole 
in  the  centre,  used  for  stringing  it.]  Then,  too,  we  were  amused  with  the 
feminine  inquisitiveness  in  the  rustic  inhabitants  who  would  cluster  in  a 
gaping  crowd  along  our  path  with  occasionally  a  shrill  cry  of  '•'fon-qwi- 
16"  —  foreign  devils.  Soon  these  petty  annoyances  were  left  in  the  rear 
and  we  were  ascending  the  rugged,  circuitous  path;  the  scenery  was  very 
beautiful.  There  stretched  "  along  the  low  banks  of  the  river  was  the  city 
of  Genii,"  further  away  was  the  yellow  anchorage  or  Whampoa  the  tower- 
ing, nine  storied  pagoda  and  the  country  with  its  thousand  villages  for 
miles  on  every  side.  From  the  top  of  the  "  sky  sweeping  terrace,"  the 
view  is  as  wide  as  the  eye  can  sweep  in  all  directions.  The  climb  up  the 
mountain  is  steep,  yet  the  labor  is  fully  compensated  by  the  exchange  of 
sights  in  narrow,  dirty  Chinese  cities  to  the  view  obtained  from  this 
highest  peak  1200  feet  above  the  water  line.  The  air  was  clear  and  brac- 
ing and  we  looked  with  delight  on  the  wide  rice  fields,  many  villages, 
lofty  mountains,  rocky  precipices  glens,  gorges  and  other  grand  works  of 
the  Almighty. 

We  dined  in  a  very  large  Monastery,  not  far  from  the  summit,  situated 
most  picturesquely  in  a  grove  of  grand  old  trees,  and  were  regaled  with 
spring  water  cold  as  ice  which  was  most  refreshing.  On  our  return,  one 
of  the  sedans,  containing  a  lady,  was  overturned  down  a  steep  bank  of 
twelve  feet  into  a  "  paddy-field,"  she  was  much  frightened  but  not  seri- 
ously hurt.  It  seems  very  singular  to  see  the  Chinese  generally  with 
their  bare  heads  exposed  to  the  mid-day  sun ;  they  wear  no  cap  or  hat 
except  on  oflacial  or  ceremonious  occasions,  the  indispensable  "  fan"  serves 
him  as  he  walks  to  protect  his  eyes  from  the  sun. 

The  dth,  was  the  anniversary  of  the  Prince  of  W^ales's  birthday,  there 


318  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

was  a  grand  review  of  all  the  English  Troops,  over  3000  under  arms,  they 
performed  various  manoeuvres  similar  to  those  made  in  battle.  New 
troops  are  constantly  arriving  ;  both  English  and  French  are  making  pre- 
parations for  their  march  to  Pekin.  A  few  days  since  I  saw  seventy 
Chinese  prisoners  in  charge  of  Chinese  soldiers  with  drawn  swords,  landed 
at  the  public  wharf  next  to  our  house;  they  were  tied  together  in  threes 
and  fours  by  the  long  cue ;  hands  bound  behind  them,  and  a  heavy  iron 
chain  around  the  neck;  two  women  were  among  the  chained  gang.  On 
the  10th  Mr.  Bonney  saw  eighteen  of  these  criminals  beheaded  ;  the 
punishment  was  inflicted  by  order  of  the  mandarins  as  they  had  been  kid- 
napping coolies.  They  all  were  first  cruelly  tortured  in  the  prison,  then 
brought  to  the  Execution  ground  in  baskets,  tied  hands  and  feet,  then 
tumbled  out  on  the  ground  and  made  to  kneel  in  two  rows  of  nine  in  each. 
There  were  two  executioners  and  within  two  minutes  from  coming  in,  all 
were  lifeless  on  the  earth,  it  took  but  one  stroke,  for  each  head,  from  the 
keen  edge  of  the  large  knife.  A  mandarin  sat  by  in  his  chair  of 
state  to  give  the  order;  many  English  and  French  officers  were  also 
present  at  the  appalling  scene.  On  the  12th,  I  walked  down  the  street 
with  part  of  my  family  to  visit  a  sick  missionary  lady ;  passing  the 
ground  —  with  a  spice  of  woman's  curiosity  —  we  entered  the  inclosure 
and  saw  the  eighteen  pools  of  blood  now  quite  black.  While  standing 
still,  one  of  the  coolies  raised  a  piece  of  matting  over  a  little  mound  by 
the  wall,  and  there,  in  stupefied  silence  I  saw,  the  eighteen  gory  heads  ! 
Oh,  terrible  sight !  The  bodies  had  all  been  removed,  but  the  heads 
were  reserved  for  wooden  cages  which  will  be  raised  on  poles  in  their 
native  villages  and  left  standing,  or  to  embellish  the  city  walls.  The 
following  day  the  cages  passed  our  door.  We  received  sometime  since 
the  Kev.  Dr.  Bridgman's  narrative  about  some  fearful  scenes  among  the 
Chinese  Insurgents  in  1856,  of  which  a  synopsis  may  possibly  interest 
you.  "  The  two  chiefs  of  the  insurgent  force  were  Yang,  'the  Eastern 
King'  and  Wei  Changhui,  'the  Northern  King,'  both  of  these  chiefs  are 
now  dead.  Yang  was,  it  seems,  proverbial  for  instigating  the  most  bloody 
massacres  of  all  who  stood  in  the  way  of  his  ambitious  designs',  as  well  as 
for  his  blasphemous  assumptions.  He  had  reached  the  pinnacle  of 
despotic  sway,  and  lived  in  true  oriental  luxury  in  his  palace  at  Nanking, 
He  rarely  went  beyond  the  gates  of  the  city,  but  within  the  walls  was  all 
but  supreme.  One  of  the  leaders  among  the  insurgents,  had  become  ob- 
noxious to  him,  and  Yang  resolved  to  encompass  his  death.  This  design 
he  communicated  to  one  of  his  generals,  who  for  some  reason  not  assigned, 
revealed  the  plot  to  the  intended  victim  (Hung  Sintsinen,  entitled  the 
Celestial  King);  Hung,  who  appears  to  have  been  the  brother  of  the 
Northern  King,  sought  aid  from  him,  and  the  massacre  of  the  Eastern 
King  and  his  followers  was  determined  upon.  The  mode  of  accomplish- 
ing this  was  truly  Chinese.  The  Northern  King,  by  concert  with  the 
Celestial  King  entered  the  city  in  the  dead  of  the  night,  posted  his  followers 
quickly  and  silently  at  every  avenue  to  the  palace  of  the  Eastern  King, 
and  at  a  given  signal  Yang  and  hundreds  of  his  officers  and  people  lay 
weltering  in  their  blood.  Yang's  followers  in  the  city,  however,  were 
counted  by  tens  of  thousands,  and  further  treachery  was  necessary  to 
complete  the  tragedy.  With  the  morning's  dawn  came  the  revelation  of 
the  massacre,  and  the  design  of  Yang  was  announced  as  the  reason  of  it. 
In  order  to  get  more  of  his  followers  into  their  power,  however,  deception 
was  necessary,  and  the  females  of  Hang's  palace  became  a  decoy.     From 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings,  319 

the  balustrades  of  the  palace  they  announced  that  Wei,  the  Northern 
King,  and  his  men,  had  exceeded  their  orders ;  that  as  punishment  Wei 

was  to  be  bastinadoed ;  and  Yang's  surviving  officers,  as  some  'atonement, 
were  invited  to  be  present  at  the  infliction  of  the  punishment.  At  this 
announcement,  the  Northern  King's  followers,  being  previously  instructed 
manifested  the  utmost  sorrow  and  distress.  As  the  second  day  advanced, 
some  of  the  favorites  were  permitted  to  enter  and  rifle  the  palace  of  the 
slaughtered  '  rebel.'  But  the  scene  of  greatest  interest  lay  in  another 
quarter.  In  front  of  Hung's  palace,  in  accordance  with  the  summons  of 
the  previous  day,  multitudes  had  assembled  at  an  early  hour ;  and  there, 
not  many  yards  from  the  tribunal  from  behind  which  decrees  were 
brought  forth  and  proclaimed  aloud  by  his  female  heralds,  the  chastisement 
began,  Wei  and  his  captains  meekly  (and  cunningly)  submitted.  The 
sham  succeeded;  five  or  six  thousand  of  Yang's  troops  —  suspecting  that 
nothing  harder  than  the  bamboo  awaited  them  —  allowed  themselves  to 
be  deprived  of  their  arms  and  placed  for  safe  keeping  in  two  large  build- 
ings, on  or  close  to  their  late  master's  now  desecrated,  palace.  Once  in, 
their  fate  was  sealed;  every  one  of  them  was  put  to  death,  and  not  only 
these,  but  other  thousands  also.  Thus  day  after  day  the  victims  were 
arrested  and  made  to  suff"er.  Even  little  children  were  not  spared. 
When  the  Eastern  King's  plot  was  revealed  to  the  Celestial  King,  the 
latter  summoned  to  Nanking  the  '  Assistant  King,'  Shih  Takhai,  as  well 
as  the  Northern  King,  Wei.     The    Assistant  King,   however,  refused  to 

.obey  the  summons,  he  being  friendly  to  the  Eastern  King,  Yang;  but 
now  he  gathered  his  adherents  and  sent  to  the  Celestial  King  a  demand 
for  Wei's  head,  on  pain  of  an  attack  upon  Nanking  and  its  destruction. 
The  demand  was  complied  with.  The  head  of  the  Northern  King,  Wei, 
was  'taken  off",'  placed  in  a  box  and  sent.  The  far-famed  '  Porcelain 
Tower '  of  Nanking  was  destroyed  soon  after  for  the  great  guns  in  it." 

On  June  21st,  I860,  some  of  the  Shanghai  Missionaries  visited  the  rebels, 
they  were  kindly  received  by  the  insurgent  leaders,  who  welcomed  them 
with  every  appearance  of  sincerity.  They  were  admitted  within  the  gates 
and  allowed  to  traverse  the  city  in  every  direction.  They  went  to  Soo-chow, 
saw  evidences  of  the  fearful  nature  of  the  struggle  going  on  ;  dead  bodies 
were  in  great  numbers,  while  the  whole  air  was  off^ensive  with  the  stench 
of  putrefaction.  Arriving  at  Soochow  the  full  horrors  of  destruction,  by 
fire  and  sword  became  evident.  On  learning  that  the  Missionaries  came 
simply  as  preachers  of  the  Gospel  and  not  as  political  agents,  the  insurgents 
avowed  themselves  to  be  Christians.  They  claimed  to  believe  in  one  God, 
the  Father,  in  his  son  Jesus  Christ  and  in  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  chiefs 
were  kind  and  even  refined  in  their  manner.  No  revengeful  spirit  is  shown, 
but  with  considerable  solemmity  and  as  a  special  department  of  duty  the 
chief  with  his  followers  visits  the  doomed  temple,  which  is  cursed  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  His  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  then  it  is  at  once 
thoroughly  dismantled,  the  idols  being  broken  into  fragments.  The  insur- 
gents observe  the  Christian  Sabbath  and  unite  in  public  worship  on  that 
day.  They  administer  Baptism  after  a  somewhat  obscure  fashion  to  all 
who  join  them.  They  have  printed  forms  of  prayer  which  are  ofi'ered  up 
night  and  morning.  They  say  we  are  brothers.  Through  the  generous 
kindness  of  Capt.  J.  B.  Endicott  we  were  enabled  to  take  my  Chinese 
school  to  Macao  for  the  hot  weather,  giving  a  free  passage  for  all  on  the 
steamboat  "Spark."  [On  August  22,  1874,  the  "  Spark"  was  captured 
by  Chinese  pirates  on  the  Canton  river  a  few  miles  below  Whampoa.     The 


320  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

pirates  came  on  board  disguised  as  native  passengers,  the  lower  deck  was 
confined  exclusively  to  Chinese  passengers,  and  a  winding  staircase  near 
the  stern  led  to  the  quarter  deck,  which  was  for  Europeans.  After  killing 
Captain  Brady,  Purser  Lopex,  the  mate,  and  others,  they  plundered  the 
ship  of  every  thing  valuable,  all  of  which  they  transferred  to  a  junk  which 
came  to  their  aid  and  on  it  made  their  escape.] 

Macao,  Aug.  27,  1860.  What  a  gay  time  you  are  having  in  America ; 
what  with  visits  of  the  Japanese  Embassy  and  the  Prince  of  Wales  you 
will  all  be  quite  satiated  with  sight  seeing.  The  loyal  Canadians  too  are 
making  great  preparations  for  his  reception  and  entertainment.  I  hope 
His  Royal  Highness  will  be  pleased  with  his  visit  to  Canada  and  United 
States.  Our  principal  diversion  during  these  scorching  months  is  in  boat- 
ing. I  inclose  you  a  picture  of  a  Macao  boat  woman  with  her  peculiar 
flat  bamboo  hat  like  an  umbrella  or  basket.  The  news  from  Shanghai  is 
most  alarming.  The  rebel  army  were  in  great  strength,  30,000,  only  five 
miles  off,  they  had  burned  and  destroyed  all  the  villages  near  their  path. 
A  missionary  station  a  little  distance  ofi"  was  not  spared,  the  French  priest 
and  a  number  of  his  scholars  being  savagely  killed.  "  The  insurgents  are 
not  desirous  of  coming  in  collision  with  foreigners,  but  are  anxious  to 
occupy  the  city  of  Shanghai,  now  defended  by  the  allies.  "  They  had  made 
two  attacks  on  the  city  one  at  the  south- east  gate  which  was  guarded  by 
a  strong  detachment  of  French,  also  at  the  west  gate  which  is  guarded  by 
English  troops.  The  French  had  once  sallied  out,  the  eastern  suburb 
was  still  burning  fiercely  when  the  steamer  left.  The  greatest  consterna- 
tion prevailed,  "  most  of  the  ladies  and  children  found  refuge  on  board 
American  ships,  near  by  in  the  river,  while  the  gentlemen  kept  watch, 
ready  to  abandon  their  houses  at  short  notice,  in  case  of  an  attack  in  force. 
Rev.  Dr.  Bridgman  was  one  of  the  very  few  who  would  not  arm.  How- 
ever, on  the  night  patrol,  he  took  his  turn  and  was  prepared,  with  Bishop 
Boone  and  Rev.  M.  S.  Culbertson  to  go  out  with  a  white  flag,  and  meet 
the  insurgent  chiefs  in  case  of  their  near  approach,  and  only  in  such  case." 
The  allied  ministers  it  seems  will  burn  Shanghai  rather  than  the  rebels 
shall  have  it.  They  have  constructed  substantial  barriers  at  the  head  of 
the  streets  that  abut  on  the  Chinese  quarter. 

The  foreignershaveorganizedthemselvesintoa  company  as  volunteers  one 
hundred  and  fifty  in  number  and  the  gettlementis  being  isolated  by  a  ditch. 
This  foreign  settlement  at  Shanghai  is  the  finest  in  China,  the  dwellings  of  the 
merchants  are  elegant  palatial  residences.  About  1300  allied  troops  guard 
the  city  and  the  settlement,  there  being  an  immense  amount  of  foreign 
property  at  stake  in  the  latter.  Assistance  had  been  called  in  from  Chusan 
whence  five  hundred  and  two  gun  boats  had  been  sent,  the  Nimrod  dis- 
patch boat  being  previously  the  only  vessel  of  war  at  Shanghai,  not  an 
American  man  of  war  there  to  protect  all  the  Ahiericans.  On  the  21st  a 
Tai  Ping  Rebel  proclamation  had  been  posted  up  in  various  localities  both 
of  the  foreign  settlement  and  the  native  city  ;  all  were  startled  for  it  was 
a  very  bold  act  done  at  night ;  in  it  he  says,  he  shall  immediately  attack 
Shanghai  and  sends  this  that  they  may  not  say  they  had  no  warning,  but 
he  did  not  want  to  molest  foreigners.  Sir  Frederick  Bruce  received  a  dis- 
patch, saying  he  was  induced  by  Jesus  Christ  to  destroy  Shanghai,  but  he 
is  much  censured  in  the  daily  papers  for  returning  unopened  the  messages 
of  the  Chiefs.  "  The  insurgents  under  Taiping  Wang,  which  have  attained 
to  so  much  notoriety,  commenced  their  career  about  1849.  Their  partial 
adoption  of  Christianity  as  a  principle  of  action  seems  from  the  first  to 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  321 

have  been  subordinate  to  their  political  designs,  and  the  examples  in  the 
Bible  were  regarded  rather  as  countenancing  the  destruction  of  their  ene- 
mies, than  its  tenets  commanding  them  to  do  good.  Their  present  leader 
Hung  Sintsinen  obtained  some  knowledge  of  Christianity  from  tracts  given 
him  in  1833  by  the  native  Evangelist,  Liang  xlfah,  and  increased  it  by 
studying  a  few  months  in  1846  with  Rev.  I.  J,  Roberts,  an  American  Bap- 
tist missionary  in  Canton.  It  seems  probable,  that  as  he  found  his  early 
confused  notions  of  the  Shang-ti  of  the  Confucian  classics  assuming  a 
definite  shape  by  the  perusal  of  the  Bible,  where  that  term  was  employed 
to  designate  the  true  God,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  adopting  it  as  his 
standard  of  authority,  and  following  its  principles  as  far  as  they  would 
further  his  designs.  He  joined  to  himself  several  determined  coad- 
jutors and  went  down  the  Great  river  to  Nankin,  which  fell  into  their 
hands  in  December  1852,  and  has  since  remained  their  head  quarters.  " 
Their  adoption  of  any  feature  of  Christianity,  is  favorable  to  the  reception 
of  a  higher  and  purer  style  of  belief.  If  the  sacred  Scriptures  have  been 
circulated  by  them  for  ten  years,  the  volumes  have  doubtless  attracted  the 
serious  attention  of  thousands  of  the  most  cultivated  minds  among  the 
literary  aristocracy  of  China,  to  a  degree  that  their  mere  distribution  by 
the  hands  of  a  missionary  would  never  have  done  ;  and  the  results  of  such 
a  preparatory  work  must  be  great  and  beneficial,  though  no  estimate  of 
their  extent  or  degree  can  be  made."  The  allied  forces  at  the  North 
have  taken  two  forts  on  August  1st,  and  were  then  preparing  to  attack 
the  Taku  forts.  In  one  of  the  two  forts  a  mine  was  discovered  which  was 
to  have  been  sprung  by  the  action  of  the  feet  of  the  attacking  party.  The 
main  body  of  the  Chinese  forces  were  at  the  head  of  a  causeway  leading 
to  the  Peiho  about  five  miles  from  Pehtang  (where  the  allied  forces  are). 
It  is  believed  the  allies  will  experience  considerable  difficulty,  as  the 
causeway  is  but  a  few  feet  wide,  and  the  country  .on  both  sides  has  a  very  deep 
swamp.  The  allied  force  had  started  to  attack  the  Tartar  encampment 
where  was  a  large  intrenched  camp  of  12000  Tartar  Cavalry,  and  hot  work 
was  expected. 

There  have  been  two  stirring  incidents  in  this  quiet  place  of  Macao, 
that  caused  quite  a  sensation.  One  was  the  landing  of  twenty  Pirates 
one  night  last  week,  on  the  Praya  Grande,  who  broke  open  the  French 
barracoon,  capsized  the  guard  and  liberated  about  thirty  coolies  ;  their 
object  was  to  get  possession  of  $5000  that  had  been  deposited  there  that 
day.  We  heard  the  firing  of  muskets  quite  distinctly,  the  barracoon  being 
just  in  the  rear  of  our  compound,  a  man  and  his  wife  were  very  badly  cut, 
and  another  man  died  from  the  effects  of  his  gaping  wounds.  The  other 
thrilling  event  was  the  escape  of  an  enormous  boa  constrictor  thirty  feet 
long  and  as  broad  as  a  man's  thigh.  Only  a  few  days  previous  when  visit- 
ing at  the  house  of  an  English  merchant  near  us,  this  terrible  snake  was 
shown  to  me,  at  an  auspicious  moment  when  he  was  coiled  up  seemingly 
asleep  in  his  iron  cage.  "  His  long  body  was  covered  with  a  net-work  of 
glittering  scales  girdling  it  round  with  rings  above  rings  and  effectually 
securing  it  against  every  attack.  These  presented  a  yellowish  grey 
appearance,  with  a  large  chestnut  colored  interrupted  chain,  extending 
down  the  back  from  the  head  to  the  tip  of  the  tail  with  trigonal  spots  down 
the  sides." 

I  was  glad  to  turn  away  for  I  felt  uneasy  in  the  presence  of  this  venomous 
reptile.     What  then  was  our  consternation  and  deepest  horror  to  hear 

II]  41 


322  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

he  had  broken  or  removed  some  of  the  iron  bars  of  his  cage  and  could  not 
be  found.  The  serpent  belonged  to  a  captain  of  one  of  Mr.  Alisch's 
ships,  who  had  left  the  terrific  creature  for  safe  keeping  on  the  veranda, 
intending  to  take  him  to  England  on  his  return  voyage.  Two  serpent 
charmers  were  searching,  without  success,  for  a  fortnight  all  over  the 
house  as  also  in  the  neighborhood.  These  men  "are  believed  to  possess 
some  acquired  secret,  which  subjects  the  serpents  in  a  very  peculiar 
manner  to  their  control.  They  employ  charms  and  vocal  sounds  regulat- 
ing the  music  in  whistles ;  and  a  form  of  words  with  flutes  and  pipes  by 
which  they  profess  to  detect  their  retreat  and  draw  them  forth.  But  after 
the  severest  test  and  scrutiny  with  anxious  vigilance,  they  could  not  dis- 
cover the  lurking  place  of  the  huge  snake.  The  most  careful  precautions 
were  taken,  word  was  sent  all  around  to  the  inhabitants  to  be  on  our 
guard ;  the  large  trees,  thick  with  heavy  foliage,  were  searched  but  all  in 
vain,  his  dreaded  snakeship  could  not  be  found  among  the  leafy  canopies. 
At  the  evening  hour  of  recreation  in  our  gardens,  we  closely  scanned  each 
tree  fearing  to  see  it  engaged  in  airy  gambols,  "  swinging  about  as  if  a 
branch  or  pendent  of  the  tree,  ready  to  coil  its  body  spirally  around  an 
unsuspecting  loitering  victim."  Mr.  Alisch  had  eighty  Chinese  packing 
the  fragrant  cassia,  all  night  in  his  spacious  godown  [usually  a  one  storied 
building  where  goods  are  kept]  for  one  of  his  ships  that  was  to  sail  the 
next  day;  this  godown  was  filled  to  the  ceiling  with  bales  of  cassia  and 
other  produce.  One  of  the  coolies  sat  down  on  a  large  bale,  but  quickly 
rose,  with  his  exclamatory  cry  of"  Hi-yah  !"  for  he  found  it  moving  with 
a  slow,  perceptible,  mysterious  vibration.  The  alarm  was  instantly  sounded, 
and  most  fortunately  all  the  men  got  safely  out  of  the  long  apartment  and 
closed  the  strong  door,  without  more  than  the  risk  of  a  painful  tragedy. 
Mr.  Alisch  was  called  at  two  o'clock  in  the  night,  his  wife  accompanying 
him  down  to  view  the  monster.  The  door  was  cautiously  opened  and  three 
separate  volleys  from  their  fire  arms  was  necessary  before  this  python  re- 
ceived the  death  wound.  It  was  a  positive  relief  to  all  the  community  to 
know  he  no  longer  retained  the  power  of  doing  further  mischief,  and  that 
his  constrictive  power  would  not  be  exercised  on  any  of  us  in  being  crushed 
to  death  in  his  treacherous  embrace,  and  covered  with  his  glutinous  saliva 
preparatory  to  the  enjoyment  of  gorging  his  honne  louche.  When  we 
knew  the  monstrous  viper  was  hors  de  combat  we  again  enjoyed  the  "  roman- 
tic retreats  amongst  sylvan  scenery"  with  much  greater  zest.  These  are 
the  largest  of  serpents,  its  average  length  is  thirty  feet,  but  it  sometimes 
attains  to  forty,  fifty  or  even  to  sixty  feet.  A  few  years  since  the  "  captain 
of  a  vessel  sent  a  boat  into  one  of  the  creeks  of  India,  to  obtain  some  fresh 
fruit.  The  crew  moored  the  boat  under  the  bank  and  left  one  of  their 
party  to  take  care  of  her.  During  their  absence,  the  lascar,  overcome  by 
heat,  lay  down  under  the  seats  and  fell  asleep.  When  his  companions 
returned  they  found  an  enormous  boa  constrictor  just  emerged  from  the 
jungle,  was  already  coiling  its  huge  body  round  the  sleeper,  and  in  the 
very  act  of  crushing  him  to  death  when  they  rushed  to  the  rescue.  With 
an  ax  they  severed  a  portion  of  its  tail,  which  so  disabled  it  that  it  no 
longer  retained  the  power  of  doing  mischief.  The  snake  was  then  easily 
dispatched,  and  found  to  measure  sixty-two  feet  and  some  inches  in  length." 
Macao  Sept.  iO,  1860.  "  The  repulse  of  the  English  and  French  forces 
at  Taku  led  those  nations  to  send  out  a  large  allied  force  to  demand  and 
exact  reparation  of  the  emperor.  Their  ultimatum  having  been  refused, 
they  landed  about  eighteen  thousand  men,"  captured  the  Taku  forts  on  the 


Legacy  of  HtSTORicAL  Gleanings.  323 

Pei-ho  after  five  hours  fighting  on  August  21st,  with  a  loss  to  the  allies 
in  killed  and  wounded  two  hundred  and  fifty  men.  Lord  Elgin  and  Baron 
Gros  are  at  Tientsin  with  the  imperial  commissioners  where  negotiations 
are  said  to  be  proceeding  satisfactorily.  The  allied  forces  are  now  on  their 
-march  to  Pekin.  The  English  67th  regiment  was  the  first  to  have  their 
colors  flying  on  the  forts  in  place  of  the  five-clawed  dragon  imperial  yellow 
flag.  The  insurgents  withdrew  their  force  on  the  23d  of  August  from 
before  Shanghai  probably  from  reluctance  to  come  to  a  positive  rupture 
with  foreigners,  so  with  joy  we  hear  the  good  tidings  that  "  the  storm 
which  threatened  that  city,  and  hung  in  the  distance  for  some  days,  passed 
ofi"  without  the  slightest  damage  to  person  or  property  ;  the  alarm  however 
was  truly  great  and  they  were  placed  in  a  very  uncomfortable  situation. 
We  do  not  seem  to  be  exposed  here,  as  foreigners  were,  some  two  years 
ago  in  India,  but  we  may  still  be  called  to  sufi"er  and  are  endeavoring  to 
arrange  for  a  safe  retreat."  Captain  James  B.  Endicott  took  us  on  a  pic- 
nic excursion  by  water  to  the  hot  springs,  twenty-five  miles  from  Macao ; 
there  are  four  or  five  springs  of  different  degrees  of  temperature  indicating 
volcanic  disturbances  in  this  region  of  southern  China.  One  spring  is  ten 
feet  in  diameter,  the  water  is  scalding  hot  and  in  a  constant  state  of  ebulli- 
tion with  smoke  or  vapor  rising  quite  high  emitting  strong  sulphureous 
odors.  We  boiled  eggs  for  our  "  tifiin ;"  bought  a  fine  fat  fowl  from  the 
ready  hucksters,  killed  and  then  dipped  it  in  the  bubbling  water,  the 
feathers  came  off  immediately.  These  springs  are  situated  in  a  large  grove 
of  plantain  or  banana  trees  full  of  delicious  fruit  and  scarlet  flowers  ;  it 
was  indeed  a  charming  excursion  of  an  entire  day.  Another  time,  when 
Mrs.  Matheson  was  my  guest  for  the  day,  Mr,  Gideon  Nye,  our  United 
States  Consul,  took  us  in  his  pretty  boat  —  the  "  Pic-nio"  —  to  the  Ring- 
ing Rocks.  This  collection  of  wonderful  volcanic  rocks  and  trachytic 
boulders  are  piled  one  on  the  other,  by  the  Maker  of  all,  in  a  deep 
and  romantic  dell  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  harbor,  on  Lapa  island. 
There  are  a  few  large  sonorous  rocks,  which,  when  struck  with  an  iron 
implement,  send  out  a  loud,  ringing  sound,  like  bells  chiming  ;  it  is  caused 
by  their  peculiar  position  and  shape.  There  is  a  large  hollow  below  them 
and  by  some  rule  of  acoustics  the  blow  —  varying  with  the  force  struck 
from  a  deep  grave  to  the  acute  —  gives  forth  clear,  musical  silver  tones  j 
the  "  bell  ringers"  probably  could  play  a  tune  on  them  with  great  effect. 
In  this  valley  is  the  most  picturesque  stream  that  I  ever  saw  j  there  are 
three  grist  mills  each  having  an  overshot  water  wheel  with  bamboo  cog, 
or  tooth  of  the  wheel,  and  the  water  is  constantly  passing  through  bamboo 
reeds  of  large  size. 

Rev.  Dr.  Bridgman,  in  Shanghai,  writes  :  With  regard  to  Chinese  affairs 
the  worst  is  yet  to  come, the  progress  is  from  bad  to  worse, this  is  the  inevita- 
ble course  from  the  present  condition  of  both  Imperialists  and  thelnsurgents. 
There  is  little  or  no  hope  for  the  old  dynasty, but  we  must  notabandon  China, 
but  pour  in  the  salt  of  the  Word  till  the  Chinese  are  con  verted, for  God's  hand 
is  in  these  troubles.  We  left  Macao  for  Hongkong  on  October  19th.  Mr. 
William  Speiden,  United  States  Naval  Agent,  was  waiting  for  us  in  his 
pretty  house-boat  with  the  "  Stripes  and  Stars  "  flying  over  his  head,  to 
conduct  us  to  his  hospitable  home.  The  steamship  Niagara  arrived 
on  the  22d  for  coal  from  the  Naval  Depot,  and  we  had  the  pleasure  of 
meeting  many  of  the  officers.  By  invitation  we  visited  this  U.  S.  man- 
of-war  and  soon  there  was  quite  a  concourse  of  Americans,  among  whom 
was  Rev.  James  C.  Beecher,  Chaplain  of  the  Bethel,  all  of  whom  were 


324  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

courteously  received  by  Capt.  McKane  and  his  officers.  The  band  was 
playing  inspiriting  music' and  in  the  midst  of  this  scene  so  full  of  life,  I  felt 
as  light  hearted  as  a  child,  for"  to  a  foreign  land  the  love  of  country,  like 
one's  religion,  becomes  a  sacred  emotion  "  and  I  was  now  on  American 
ground  under  the  protection  of  our  own  "  Star-spangled-Banner."  The  in- 
structive conversation  of  Rev.  C.  Stuart,  and  the  pleasant  chats  with  our 
townsman  Dr.  Woodworth  regarding  dear  Albany  friends  made  the  time 
pass  rapidly.  Our  curiosity,  too,  was  gratified  and  interest  increased  in  the 
returning  Japanese  Embassadors  from  their  visit  to  America.  Japanese 
"Tommy,"  about  whom  I  had  heard  so  much  as  one  of  the  privileged  pet- 
ted ones,  and  of  his  success  in  captivating  the  hearts  of  our  American 
ladies  in  the  beau-monde,  was  very  affable  and  favored  me  with  his  card  : 
"  Jateish,  Onajero,  Tommy."  We  trust  the  visit  of  the  Embassy  will 
hasten  the  progress  of  Japan  toward  Western  civilization.  Rev,  Mr,  Stu- 
art is  to  make  us  a  visit  in  Canton,  on  return  of  ship,  and  see  more  of  the 
Chinese  people. 

My  second  visit  has  been  made  to  the  top  of  Victoria  Peak ;  we  went 
up  this  steep  ascent  of  more  than  1800  feet,  carried  in  sedans  by  four 
coolies,  who  trotted  briskly  along  taking  us  up  in  little  over  an  hour's 
time.  We  were  opportunely  there  to  view  the  signal  flags  run  up  the  flag 
staff  giving  notice  of  the  arrival  of  a  steamer  and  large  ship.  The  wind 
blew  vigorously  on  the  summit,  but  we  greatly  enjoyed  the  extensive  sur- 
vey, and  the  fresh  sea  breeze  was  truly  exhilarating.  "The  project  of  a 
Sanatarium  on  Victoria  Peak  is  to  be  tested  by  actual  experiment;  Go- 
vernment making  the  road,  and  the  military  authorities  raising  the  much 
desired  building." 

This  is  the  season  for  delicious  fruit ;  you  would  be  delighted  to  see 
the  baskets  of  oranges  in  the  Fruit  Market,  which  is  in  the  vicinity  of 
our  residence  ;  such  a  variety  piled  up  as  you  see  bins  of  apples  in  America. 
"It  is  a  beautiful  sight  to  see  piles  of  this  golden  fruit  —  then  the  ex- 
quisite mandarin  orange;  the  skin  is  of  a  cinnabar  red  color,  and  adheres 
to  the  pulp  by  a  few  loose  fibres;  while  in  close  proximity  are  large  tubs 
of  semifluid  lime,  colored  red,  and  the  baskets  of  betel-nut  leaves.  There 
too  is  the  strawberry-like  lichee.  For  patient  and  untiring  industry,  it 
seenrs  to  me  the  Chinese  have  no  equals.  Any  thing  which  needs  great 
labor  and  but  little  skill,  they  can  do  better  than  all  the  world  beside  ; 
there  are  no  more  careful,  thrifty,  economical  tillers  of  the  soil  than  they; 
even  the  steepest  hill  sides  are  redeemed  from  waste  by  narrow  terraces ; 
and  their  broader  fields  are  kept  as  tidily  as  gardens.  They  spare  no  labor 
nor  economy  in  enriching  of  the  soil,  and  work  hour  after  hour  to  irrigate 
it,  carrying  the  water  often  for  considerable  distances  in  buckets  swung 
across  their  shoulders ;  human  industry  and  skill  seem  to  be  ever  busy 
on  their  own  domains.  Although  the  Chinese  are  essentially  defective 
in  the  sciences  and  higher  branches  of  art,  they  are  not  behind  any  nation 
in  practical  ingenuity,  and  in  the  industrial  department  of  the  arts  ;  for  in 
some  branches  of  these,  their  ingenuity,  skill,  perseverance  and  patience 
have  never  been  excelled.  For  who  does  not  admire  their  elaborate  en- 
graving on  ivory,  stone  and  wood,  or  their  manufacture  of  rich  silk  and 
satins,  their  light  and  tastefully  designed  gauzes,  their  splendid  embroider^', 
their  inimitable  porcelain,  their  exquisitely  delicate  filagree  work  in  gold 
and  silver,  which  cannot  be  surpassed  for  delicacy  and  cheapness  by  any 
European  nation  ;  their  large  and  handsome  porcelain  jars,  their  elegant 
flower  stands,  their  smooth  cutting  of  the  hard  and  valuable  jade  stone, 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  325 

their  excellent  lacquered  ware,  their  antique  bronze  vessels  enameled  with 
curious  devices  and  resting  on  richly  carved  pedestals,  also  their  brilliant 
colors,  their  finely  painted  flowers,  costumes,  birds  and  insects,  their 
celebrated  and  inimitable  pith  paper  ?  All  these  and  much  more,  com- 
bine to  show  and  to  impress  upon  us  not  only  their  skill  in  handicraft  and 
exquisite  manipulation,  but  also,  that  they  possess  an  inventive  genius  of  no 
mean  capacity,  for  many  of  these  arts  were  in  existence  andlargely  practiced 
in  China,  when  we  and  other  western  nations  were  in  a  state  of  barbarism. 
Imitation  is  a  remarkable  and  well-known  trait  in  the  Chinese  mind, 
though  invention  is  not  altogether  wanting.  The  paintings  on  pith,  or 
rice  paper,  are  much  sought  after  for  their  splendid  colorings.  This 
substance,  whose  velvety  surface  contrasts  so  admirably  with  brilliant 
colors,  is  a  delicate  vegetable  film,  it  is  obtained  from  a  plant  allied  to  the 
Artocarpus  or  bread-fruit,  it  is  a  water-plant.  The  pith  is  carefully 
taken  out  and  cut  in  sheets  by  running  a  knife  around  it,  and  smoothing 
them  with  an  iron.  When  the  tissue  breaks,  the  fracture  is  connected 
by  a  lamina  of  mica.  An  india-ink  outline  is  first  transferred  by  dampen- 
ing and  pressing  it  upon  the  paper,  when  the  ink  strikes  off  sufiiciently 
to  enable  the  workman  to  fill  up  the  sketch  ;  one  outline  will  serve  for 
limning  several  copies,  and  in  large  establishments  the  separate  colors  are 
laid  on  by  difi'erent  workmen.  The  manufacture  of  these  paintings  at 
Canton  employs  between  two  and  three  thousand  hands.  Another  tissue 
used  by  the  Chinese  for  painting,  remarkable  both  for  its  singularity  and 
elegance,  is  the  reticulated  nerve-work  of  grape  leaves,  the  fleshy  green 
part  of  the  leaf  having  been  removed  by  maceration,  and  the  membrane 
filled  with  isinglass.  The  appearance  of  a  painting  on  this  membrane  or 
transparent  substance  is  pretty,  but  the  colors  do  not  retain  their 
brilliancy."  "  The  India  Ink  is  manufactured  from  lamp-black  and 
gluten,  with  the  addition  of  a  little  musk  to  give  it  a  more  agreeable  odor. 
A  number  of  lighted  wicks  are  put  into  a  vessel  full  of  oil.  Over  this  is 
hung  a  dome  or  funnel  shaped  cover  of  iron  at  such  a  distance  as  to 
receive  the  smoke.  Being  well  coated  with  lamp  black,  this  is  brushed 
off  and  collected  upon  paper.  It  is  then  well  mixed  in  a  mortar  with  a 
solution  of  gum,  or  gluten,  and  when  reduced  to  the  consistency  of  paste, 
it  is  put  into  little  moulds,  where  it  receives  those  shapes  and  impressions 
with  which  it  is  sent  to  foreign  lands.  It  is  occasionally  manufactured  in 
a  great  variety  of  forms  and  sizes,  and  stamped  with  ornamental  devices, 
either  plain  or  in  gold  and  various  colors."  We  would  often  stop  to  see 
them  beat  out  gold  "  into  leaves  about  two  inches  square  for  gilding ;  it 
is  done  by  means  of  a  heavy  hammer  on  a  stone  block,  blow  after  blow, 
till  sufiiciently  thin."  A  coolie  stood  by  with  an  immense  fan  keeping  it 
in  constant  motion  to  cool  the  workmen.  It  was  a  rich  treat  to  visit  the 
street  in  which  the  embroidery  is  made ;  on  both  sides  of  the  road  in  open 
shops  you  see  the  skill  with  which  both  men  and  women  form  the 
beautiful  embroidery  by  means  of  "  the  needle  without  any  aid  from 
machinery ;  the  frame  is  placed  on  pivots,  and  the  pattern  is  marked  out 
upon  the  plain  surface."  The  most  delicate  color  or  even  white  satin  is 
all  worked  in  the  brightest  floss  silk  by  men,  who  finish  the  piece  without 
one  spot  to  mar  its  perfect  appearance.  In  a  narrow  lane  was  a  dirty 
hovel  in  which  I  saw  mere  children  weaving  the  most  exquisite  silks  by 
hand,  using  a  primitive  kind  of  loom  and  shuttle,  while  from  a  dusky 
inner  apartment  out  of  a  drawer  was  taken  a  rich  display  of  splendid  bro- 
cades and  costly  silks. 


326  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

A  short  time  since  I  saw  the  new  "  Hoppo  arrive,  just  from  Peking  with 
a  large  retinue."  The  "  Canton  Customs  office  is  presided  over  by  a  high 
official  specially  appointed  by  the  Kmperor  and  known  by  foreigners  as 
the  Hoppo."  This  was  quite  an  imposing  affair,  the  mandarins  turned 
out  in  full  force  to  greet  him.  They  were  elegantly  dressed  in  the  richest 
furs  and  embroidery  with  their  insignia  of  rank  designated  by  the  fine  pea- 
cock feather  pointed  downwards,  or  as  Sucy-Qua's  card  reads  he  being  a 
"  Member  of  the  Board  of  War  at  Peking  for  Military  Service  Decorated 
by  the  Emperor  with  the  Two  Eyed  Peacock's  feather."  There  were 
buttons  of  different  colors  "  on  the  apex  of  the  cap,  with  a  string  of  amber 
beads  hanging  over  their  epibroidered  tunics."  The  rank  of  some  officers 
may  be  ascertained  by  observing  the  color  and  number  of  flounces  on  the 
umbrellas  which  are  carried  before  them.  "  When  they  leave  their  yamuns 
and  when  they  return  home  three  cannon  are  fired  off  as  a  salute  of  honor. 
The  lictors,  with  whip  in  hand,  go  in  pairs  beating  unceremoniously  any 
one  who  does  not  make  haste  to  comply  with  their  orders  as  they  pass 
swiftly  along  to  clear  the  way,  these  wear  red  and  black  hats  very  tall  made 
of  bamboo  splints.  Four  men  carry  censers  having  burning  incense,  and 
four  carry  swords." 

"  One  man  carries  a  large  official  fan  and  another  a  red  umbrella  of  state, 
while  there  are  four  men  to  steady  the  sedan  of  the  mandarin.  The  .sol- 
diers have  a  round  piece  of  white,  or  red  cloth  upon  their  back  and  upon 
their  breast  with  black  characters  upon  it  indicating  the  company  to  which 
they  belong.  The  different  colored  crape  dresses  of  the  officials  trimmed 
with  rich  furs  were  brilliant  with  gay  embroidery."  "  The  Chinese  marry 
at  an  early  age,  the  transaction  or  sale  is  carried  on  without  the  knowledge 
and  consent  of  the  young  people  who  in  most  cases  do  not  see  each  other 
till  the  day  of  the  ceremony."  We  attended  a  wedding  in  a  wealthy  ftimily 
near  our  residence.  Two  very  large  elegant  red  lanterns  were  suspended 
at  the  portico.  The  youthful  bride  of  sixteen  years  was  elegantly  attired 
in  embroidered  scarlet  robes ;  the  tunic  or  gown  buttoning  close  around 
the  neck  and  down  the  side  reaching  to  the  knee,  with  the  beautiful  petti- 
coat having  each  side  plaited  six  times  with  rich  embroidery  on  the  front 
and  back  pieces.  Her  "hair  no  longer  was  braided,  hanging  down,  but  her 
girlish  tresses  were  drawn  back  from  the  face  and  bound  high  upon  the 
head,  arranged  by  a  matron  with  all  due  formality  and  artistic  skill,  in  an 
oval  formed  knot  with  a  corona  of  rich  materials,  in  which  flowers  and 
jewels  were  placed  with  gold  pins  ;  the  handsome  ear-rings  form  an  import- 
ant item  of  dress.  She  was  enveloped  in  a  large,  red,  mantel-like  veil  or 
cap  which  entirely  concealed  her  features.  As  the  marriage  procession 
was  about  departing  for  her  husband's  house,  the  ci'ies  of  the  bride  were 
really  heartrending,  but  it  was  all  for  effect.  A  long  string  of  fire  crackers 
were  set  off  to  disperse  evil  spirits,  and  dissonant  music  by  the  native 
band  was  discoursed  in  shrill  tones  as  she  took  her  seat  in  the  handsomely 
gilded  and  ornamented  red  sedan  chair ;  the  gratified  mother  then  locked 
the  door,  giving  the  key  in  charge  to  her  brother  who  accompanied  the 
bride.  As  the  sedan  was  raised  by  four  men  and  carried  from  the  recep- 
tion room,  a  shower  of  rice  was  sent  after  her.  She  was  preceded  by  two 
large  lighted  red  lanterns  carried  aloft  in  the  air  by  bearers  at  the  end  of  bam- 
boo poles;  a  red  umbrella  and  a  band  of  native  musicians  in  their  tall  hats 
and  red  jackets,  followed  by  a  long  procession  of  beggars,  equipped  for 
the  occasion,  carrying  idols,  red  tablets,  flags,  embroidered  canopies,  her 
presents, and  trousseau.     These  were  carried  by  men  and  boys,  wearing 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  827 

short  red  robes  and  high  conical  caps  decorated  with  long  tail  feathers  of 
the  pheasant,  in  red  lacquer  boxes  and  trays.  After  the  ceremonies  of 
reception,  at  her  future  home,  the  groom  takes  off  the  red  veil,  having  now 
for  the  first  time  seen  her  face  "  after  which  they  pledge  each  other  in 
wine  ;  the  cups  being  joined  by  a  thread.  The  pledging  of  the  bride  and 
groom  in  a  cup  of  wine  and  their  worship  of  the  ancestral  tablets,  and  in 
some  cases  a  united  prostration  to  his  parents,  constitute  the  important 
ceremonies  of  the  wedding.  Etiquette  requires  that  the  bride  should  fast, 
every  article  is  offered  her  and  she  helps  herself  but  all  is  left  on  her  plate 
untouched.  The  feasts  and  ceremonies  attending  a  marriage  usually  oc- 
cupy two  or  more  days,  the  male  relations  and  friends  being  invited  on  the 
first  day,  while  the  second  is  set  apart  for  the  reception  of  the  female  guests. 

"  Husbands  are  never  seen  with  their  wives  in  public  because  a  strict 
separation  prevails  between  the  male  and  female  branches  of  a  household  ; 
even  brothers  and  sisters  do  not  associate  after  the  boys  commence  their 
studies  as  it  would  be  highly  indecorous  !"  On  the  third  day  after  marri- 
age the  bride  returned  home  for  a  visit  to  her  parents  with  a  cold  roasted 
pig  as  a  present  from  the  groom. 

The  ibllowing  day  I  saw  another  sight:  it'  was  the  body  of  a  young  fe- 
male wrapped  in  matting  being  carried,  by  two  coolies,  past  the  house  to  a 
sampan  at  the  stone  landing,  to  be  deposited  an  uncoffined  corpse  in  the 
river.  The  unfortunate  one  had  committed  suicide  by  taking  opium  on 
account  of  alleged  cruel  treatment  on  the  part  of  one  of  the  higher  wives. 
She  had  been  put  out  in  the  street  to  die,  when  one  of  the  English  Wes- 
leyan  clergymen,  Rev.  George  Piercy,  returning  from  his  chapel,  seeing 
the  poor  woman  in  that  sad  condition  —  like  the  good  Samaritan,  had  com- 
passion on  her,  and  endeavored  to  save  her  life.  The  stomach-pump  was 
applied,  but  in  vain,  she  was  past  human  help  and  soon  went  into  the 
presence  of  her  Judge.  Such  cases  are  not  uncommon,  to  escape  present 
misery,  bjeing  maddened  by  unkindness,  they  proceed  to  take  their  own 
lives. 

"  A  case  occurred  in  Canton  in  1833,  where  a  young  wife  visiting  her 
parents  shortly  after  marriage,  so  feelingly  described  her  suffering  at  the 
hands  of  a,  cruel  husband  to  her  sisters  and  friends,  that  she  and  three  of 
her  auditors  joined  hands  together  and  drowned  themselves  in  a  pond,  she 
to  escape  present  misery,  and  they  to  avoid  its  future  possibility. 

"These  instances  of  suicide  are  but  a  few  of  the  many  evils  resulting  from 
early  betrothment,  even  if  the  lad  grows  up  to  be  a  dissipated,  worthless 
or  cruel  man,  totally  unworthy  of  the  girl ;  still  the  contract  must  be 
fulfilled.  Another  melancholy  instance  occurred  in  Canton  in  1840, 
which  ended  in  the  wife  committing  suicide.  Her  brother  had  been  a 
scholar  of  one  of  the  American  missionaries,  and  took  a  commendable 
pride  in  showing  specimens  of  his  sister's  exquisite  embroidery  and  writing." 

These  instances  show  the  perfect  unconcern  felt  by  Chinese  in  regard 
to  the  phenomenon  of  dissolution,  and  that  frequently  they  compass  their 
own  end  when  life  becomes  wearisome.  A  wife  sometimes  elects  to  follow 
her  husband  on  the  starlit  road  of  death.  An  instance  of  deliberate  sui- 
cide came  under  the  inspection  of  W.  H.  Medhurst,  H.  B.  M.  Consul  at 
Shanghai :  he  received  a  scarlet  card  "  from  a  Chinese  lady,  intimating 
her  intention  to  commit  suicide  at  a  specified  date.  She  was  very  young 
and  attractive,  and  belonged  to  a  wealthy  family.  Unfortunately,  the 
Chinese  gentleman,  to  whom  she  had  been  affianced  from  childhood,  had 
died  just  before  the  date  fixed  upon  for  their  nuptials,  and  she  gave  out 


328  .  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

that  she  deemed  it  her  duty  to  render  her  widowhood  irrevocable  by  dying 
with  her  betrothed.  So  she  sent  cards  round  to  the  neighboring  gentry, 
giving  notice  of  her  purpose.  No  attempt  was  made  by  her  relatives  or 
by  the  local  authorities,  to  frustrate  the  insane  design,  the  general  opinion, 
on  the  contrary,  being  that  she  was  about  to  perform  a  meritorious  act. 
Consul  Medhurst  went  so  far  as  to  appeal  to  the  mandarins  to  put  a  stop 
to  the  proceeding,  but  they  declined,  fearing  that  interference  on  their 
part,  might  lead  to  a  popular  demonstration.  It  seemed  to  them  a  matter 
of  little  moment,  and  they  cannot  comprehend  why  we  should  make  a 
fuss  about  it.  On  the  day  named,  the  woman  did  deliberately  sacrifice 
her  life  in  the  presence  of  thousands.  A  stage  was  erected  in  the  open 
fields,  with  a  tented  frame  over  it,  from  which  was  suspended  a  slip  of 
scarlet  crape  ;  one  end  of  this  she  adjusted  round  her  neck.  She  then 
embraced  her  little  brother,  and  having  let  fall  a  veil  over  her  face,  she 
mounted  a  chair,  and  resolutely  jumped  ofi' it,  her  little  clasped  hands 
saluting  the  assemblage,  as  her  fast-failing  frame  twirled  round  with  the 
tightening  cord.  She  was  not  drugged  and  the  immolation  was  entirely 
a  voluntary  act  on  her  part.     It  was  an  afl^ecting  sight." 

Our  visits  to  the  private  residences  of  Howqua  on  Howqua  street  in  the 
western  suburbs  on  three  separate  occasions;  to  the  Tartar  Grenerals,  and 
once  to  the  Governor  General  of  Canton  were  all  pleasant  episodes  in  the 
monotony  of  our  daily  life,  showing  us  the  diflPerent  phases  of  society. 
Once  I  accompanied  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward  Cunningham  as  interpreter ; 
when  we  arrived  at  the  great  doorway  in  the  wall  surrounding  his  aristo- 
cratic abode,  as  expected  guests,  the  portal  was  instantly  thrown  open  by 
obsequious  attendants,  and  our  sedans  carried  through  a  spacious  vesti- 
bule into  an  inner  area,  and  lowered  to  the  ground.  Howqua  with  a 
pleasant  mien  welcomed  his  guests,  and  as  each  one  stepped  forth,  we  were 
politely  received  with  the  Oriental  salutation  of  bowing  low  with  a  shaky 
motion  of  his  clasped  hands  before  his  breast,  and  then  ushered  into  the 
reception  room.  After  a  few  moments  of  pleasant  inquiries  as  to  our 
wellfare,  the  ladies  were  invited  to  visit  the  secluded  inner  apartments, 
where  we  found  a  group  of  ladies,  amahs  and  children.  We  were  agree- 
ably addressed  with  the  cheerful  greeting  of  "  Tsing,  Tsing  " — "Hail, 
Hail "  as  the  first  wife  shaking  her  left  sleeve  and  with  a  graceful 
courtsey  motioned  us  to  be  seated,  and  the  strict  rules  of  Chinese 
etiquette  being  carefully  observed,  we  were  placed  in  the  seats  of  honor 
on  her  left  hand.  These  rules  require  each  to  entreat  the  other  to  take 
the  precedence.  The  people  have  been  acting  according  to  a  prescribed  code 
of  rules  in  manners  for  centuries,  which  makes  them  the  most  formal  nation 
in  their  habits  of  intercourse  among  themselves  and  with  others,  that 
exist  on  the  face  of  the  earth."  Mrs.  Cunningham's  elegant  and  stylifeh 
costume  immediately  attracted  attention  ;  comments  were  freely  made 
about  each  article,  her  jewelled  fingers  ;  mode  of  hair-dressing ;  fashion 
of  bonnet,  costly  embroidered  handkerchief,  all  underwent  careful  inspec- 
tion, and  they  were  evidently  most  agreeably  impressed  with  the  courteous 
deportment  of  their  guest.  The  Chinese  ladies  were  superbly  arrayed  in 
costly  tunics,  with  long,  wide  sleeves,  over  embroidered  plaited  petticoats 
covering  their  feet  which  were  incased  in  gaily  embroidered  shoes  in  floss 
silk  and  gold  thread  as  fit  coverings  for  their  little  "  golden  lilies."  Their 
bracelets,  bangles  and  ear-rings  were  very  choice  and  expensive  articles  ', 
while  cosmetics,  both  of  white  paint  and  rouge,  had  been  lavishly  used,  as 
both  cheeks  and  lips  were  of  a  bright,  deep  rose  color,  and  the  eye  brows 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


329 


blackened  and  nicely  arched  in  the  most  approved  fashion  now  in  being. 
The  hair  was  tastefully  decked  with  flowers  and  gems.  Trays  filled  with 
candied  fruits,  nuts  and  cakes;  with  delicate  porcelain  covered  cups  of 
steaming  tea  on  metal  saucers,  were  soon  brought  in.  Slight  silver  forks 
with  two  prongs  were  used ;  the  lady  taking  up  a  kumqut  or  something 
else  on  her  own  fork  and  passing  it  to  us ;  which  mark  of  honor  we 
returned  by  selecting  a  choice  bit  and  handing  on  our  fork  to  the  polite 
hostess  who  presided  with  courtly  grace.  We  discussed,  with  gay 
pleasantry,  the  usual  topics  of  age,  number  of  children,  years  in  China, 
size  of  feet,  customs  of  our  country,  and  after  a  most  enjoyable   visit  we 

left  them.  ("  Next  to  being  barren,  the 
greatest  scandal  is  to  bring  females  into  the 
world ;  and  if  a  woman  of  a  poor  family  is 
so  unfortunate  as  to  have  three  or  four 
girls  successively,  it  not  unfrequently  hap- 
pens that  she  will  expose  them  on  the  high 
roads,  or  cast  them  into  a  river.")  la 
the  reception  room  a  very  handsome 
"  tiffin "  had  been  prepared  and  we  sat 
down  to  the  table  with  the  gentlemen,  the 
master  of  the  house  at  the  head  ;  well 
aware  that  we  were  closely  watched  by 
many  bright  eyes  peering  through  the 
pretty  latticed  partitions  from  the  elegant 
inner  suite  of  rooms.  On  another  occa- 
sion, when  there,  little  Freddie  was  with 
us,  and  he  attracted  especial  attention  as 
the  Chinese  are  exceedingly  pleased  with 
foreign  children,  the  amah  (nurse),  was 
plied  with  incessant  questions  by  the  chatty 
ladies  in  their  long  familiar  talks.  This 
immense  establishment  with  its  series 
of  elegantly  furnished  rooms;  boudoirs 
exquisitely  fitted  up  with  costly  fabrics ; 
massive  bedsteads  of  ebony,  elaborately 
carved ;  having  finest  matting  for  a  mattress  and  choice  bamboo  pillows 
for  the  head ;  enclosed  by  silken  curtains  ;  with  collections  of  rarest  articles, 
and  ancient  vases,  has  every  thing  to  gratify  the  most  fastidious  taste 
and  is  a  splendid  palatial  mansion. 

A  poor  girl  seventeen  years  of  age  applied  at  the  dispensary  in  Fatshan  for 
medicine,  she  was  told  that,  to  do  her  any  good,  she  must  go  to  the  hospi- 
tal at  Canton  and  submit  to  an  operation.  She  answered  that  she  had 
neither  money  nor  friends,  and  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  do  so.  As 
there  appeared  to  be  no  doubt  of  the  correctness  of  her  story,  she  was 
told  that  if  she  would  come,  her  wants  would  be  supplied.  In  a  few  days 
she  came  to  the  hospital  and  was  furnished  with  food  and  a  nurse.  Her 
foot  had  been  diseased  for  six  years.  Amputation  was  performed  and  in 
a  few  weeks  the  parts  united  and  formed  an  excellent  stump.  With  her 
shoe  on,  it  cannot  be  noticed  that  there  is  any  diiference  in  her  feet.  After 
her  recovery,  this  girl  was  taken  by  Mrs.  Bonney  into  her  school.  Thus 
her  suflFerings,  which  lasted  for  six  years,  have  been  providentially  re- 
moved, and  have  been  the  cause  of  her  being  placed  under  Christian  in- 
II]  42 


CHINESE  lady's  SMALL  FOOT. 


330  Leoacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

struction,  which,  with  God's  blessing,  may  result  in  the  salvation  of  her 
soul,  and  now  Mrs.  Bonney  say's  of  her  :  ''  Each  day  increases  our  gratitude 
to  God  that  she  has  been  thus  brought  under  our  instruction;  she  endeav- 
ors to  give  satisfaction  and  succeeds  to  our  entire  approbation.  She  is  a 
modest,  quiet,  grateful  girl  of  good  principles,  and  I  trust  God  has  a  bless- 
ing in  store  for  her." 

The  Chinese  have  no  Sabbath,  pursuing  their  avocations  on  that  day  as 
well  as  any  other  and  the  sounds  of  labor  are  constantly  heard,  but  "their 
code  of  morals,  which  consists  of  the  teachings  of  Confucius  and  Mencius,  is 
calculated  to  make  the  people  happy  and  wise.  It  forms  the  first  and  last  les- 
sons of  all  Chinese  schools.  As  the  Confucian  or  state  religon,  is  purely  a 
system  of  ethics,  it  is  the  so-called  religon  of  the  literati.  The  Temples 
of  Confucius  are  destitute  of  all  idols,  but  tablets  dedicated  to  Confucius 
and  other  sages  have  been  presented  to  the  temple  at  Canton  by  different 
emperors;  some  of  them  are  of  a  large  size,  brilliantly  painted  and  highly 
ornamented.  Some  of  the  Confucian  temples  are  built  of  granite  and  the 
roofs  are  very  beautiful  being  covered  with  glazed  green  tiles.  Before  all 
the  Chinese  pavilions  are  usuallyplaced  the  monstrous  porcelain  figures  of 
lions  and  tigers  as  guardians  to  the  entrance.  In  all  the  native  schools  a 
tablet  of  wood  painted  red  or  an  inscription  on  the  wall  dedicated  to  Con- 
fucius and  the  god  of  letters  has  a  place  in  one  corner  and  before  them 
a  censer  with  three  sticks  of  incense  lighted.  When  a  boy  comes  into 
school  in  the  morning,  he  bows  first  before  the  tablet  of  Confucius  as  an 
act  of  worship,  and  then  salutes  his  teacher,  after  which  he  takes  his  seat. 
It  is  remarkable  that  the  writings  of  Confucius  should  continue  to  be  re- 
garded with  such  very  great  reverence.  Closely  connected  with  Confu- 
cian temples  are  the  Halls  for  literary  examinations,  there  being  one  in 
each  of  the  eighteen  provinces.  The  one  at  Canton  is  a  "  very  extensive 
establishment ;  it  has  a  large  open  space  with  the  cells  arranged  around, 
receiving  all  their  light  and  air  from  the  central  area,  and  exposed  to  the 
observation  of  the  soldiers  who  guard  the  place  and  watch  that  no  one  has 
the  least  intercourse  with  the  imprisoned  students.  There  are  nearly 
nine  thousand  cells,  built  of  brick,  where  the  candidates  for  literary  hon- 
ors, from  the  difi"erent  districts  of  this  province  are  confined  while  writing 
their  essays,  previous  to  taking  their  second  literary  degree ;  these,  who 
are  the  gradutaes  of  the  first  degree,  assemble  once  in  every  three  years. 
The  successful  graduates  of  the  second  degree  are  obliged  to  go  to  Peking 
if  they  wish  to  compete  for  the  third  literarj^  degree. 

"  Graduates  of  the  second  and  the  higher  literary  degrees  are  entitled 
to  erect  an  honorary  tablet,  over  the  principal  door  of  their  residence;  and 
another  is  put  in  the  ancestral  hall.  A  student  on  entering  his  cell  for 
three  days  and  nights  is  only  allowed  to  take  with  him  writing  materials, 
light,  water  and  cooking  utensils  for  his  rice,  every  thing  is  carefully  in- 
spected that  no  manuscript  or  books  are  secreted.  These  cells  are  about 
five  feet  in  length,  four  in  width  and  high  enough  to  stand  in,  being  built 
in  parallel  rows,  and  so  arranged  as  to  form  narrow  passages  between.  The 
entrance  to  each  passage  is  guarded  by  a  small  dragon  gate,  upon  which 
the  name  is  traced  in  Chinese  characters.  The  furniture  in  each  cell  con- 
sists of  two  boards,  one  for  sitting,  and  the  other  contrived  to  serve  both  for 
eating-table  and  a  writing  desk,  and  the  planks  being  fixed  in  grooves  in 
the  sides  of  the  cells  serve  for  a  sleeping  place.  The  apartments  fitted  up 
for  the  use  of  the  examining  committees  and  oificial  visitors,  are  ornamen- 
ted with  blue,  red  and  yellow.     At  the  recent  literary  examination  for  Kyu- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  331 

A- 
zhura,  (A.  M.)  in  the  province  of  Shantung  in  1870,  there  w^e  present 

seventeen  candidates  ninety  years  of  age,  and  fifty-three  of  eighty  years 
old,  but  not  one  of  them  succeeded  in  attaining  the  so-long  coveted  degree. 
The  emperor,  however,  on  learning  the  facts,  ordered,  in  accorJiance  with 
Imperial  custom,  that  each  of  those  ninety  years  old  should  receive  a  full 
Kyu-zhun  degree,  while  a/?^,  or  ViceKyCi-zhun  degree  should  be  awarded  to 
those  eighty  years  old.  This  reward  of  perseverance  is  in  their  case  equiva- 
lent to  an  Imperial  pension.  A  feast  at  the  expense  of  the  emperor  is  always 
given  at  Peking  in  honor  of  the  graduate  of  the  third  degree  who  has  lived 
to  the  sixtieth  year  after  he  became  LL.D.  The  Examination  Hall  at 
Canton  is  in  the  south-eastern  corner  of  the  city." 

This  morning  a  man  was  detected  stealing ;  he  was  manacled  and  followed 
by  a  crowd  while  the  sentence  was  executed,  of  publicly  whipping  the 
thief  through  the  streets.  He  passed  by  my  house  ;  "  one  policeman 
/walked  before,  carrying  a  tablet,  on  which  was  written  his  name  and  offence, 
while  another  struck  loudly  on  a  gong;  little  sticks,  having  each  a  small 
flag,  were  thrust  through  his  ears.  The  rap  on  the  gong  was  the  signal 
for  the  whip  to  descend,  a  sad  sight."  We  have  very  expert  thieves  in 
China,  who  manage  their  own  affixirs  in  a  most  dexterous  style  :  "  a  young 
thief  once,  in  pursuit  of  his  business,  crept  into  a  house  which  happened 
to  be  the  residence  of  an  old  thief,  under  whose  bed  the  youngster  lay. 
The  old  thief  caught  sight  of  the  young  one  as  soon  as  he  entered,  but 
pretended  not  to  have  seen  him.  The  old  fellow  remained  in  his  bedroore 
until  far  into  the  night,  when  he  ordered  a  spread  of  good  things,  and 
coolly  asked  the  youngster  to  come  out  and  partake,  which  he  did  in  a  very 
uneasy  way.  In  the  course  of  conversation  the  old  rogue  told  the  young 
one  who  he  was,  and  that  he  had  been  a  thief  all  his  life  and  never  been 
caught  once.  After  a  great  deal  of  good  advice,  the  old  man  asked  his 
new  guest  whether  he  thought  he  could  steal  certain  roasted  ducks, which 
had  been  hanging  before  a  meat  shop  during  the  day.  The  young  fellow 
was  confident  that  he  could,  and  started  off  to  put  the  matter  into  proof, 
but  alas  !  the  shop  was  shut,  there  were  no  ducks  to  be  seen,  and  the  amia- 
ble youth  returned  chop-fallen  and  bemoaning  his  fate,  that  he  could  not 
find  out  where  the  ducks  had  been  put.  The  old  man  at  once  went  out, 
and,  in  a  short  time,  returned  with  the  ducks.  In  reply  to  the  youth's 
eager  inquii'ies,  he  said,  '  When  I  found  that  the  ducks  had  been  put  away, 
I  at  once  began  to  imitate  the  sound  of  rats  biting  boxes.  This  caused 
the  master  of  the  shop  to  ask  his  servants  where  the  ducks  had  been  put. 
and  from  his  reply  I  was  able  to  go  straight  to  them  and  bring  them  away, 
Learn,  Oh  youth  !  to  be  wise  and  cunning,  for  without  wisdom  you  will 
be  certain  to  become  a  gaol  bird  !'  The  youth  was  deeply  impressed, 
and  lost  in  admiration  at  the  prowess  and  learning  of  this  good  old  thief." 

Street  Jugglers  are  to  be  met  with  every  day  in  Canton,  some  of  the 
feats  they  display  are  very  wonderful  and  pleasing.  "  Sword  swallowing 
and  stqne  eating  appear  to  be  their  most  common  operations.  One  clever 
trick  and  difficult  of  detection  was,  borrowing  a  handkerchief  from  one  of 
the  spectators,  the  juggler  took  an  orange,  cut  a  small  hole  in  it,  then 
quickly  squeezed  all  the  juice  out,  and  crammed  the  handkerchief  into  it. 
Griving  the  handkerchief  to  a  bystander  to  hold,  he  caught  up  a  teapot 
and  began  to  pour  a  cup  of  tea  from  it,  when  the  spout  became  clogged. 
Looking  into  the  pot,  apparently  for  the  purpose  of  detecting  what  was 
the  matter,  he  pulled  out  the  handkerchief,  and  returned  it  to  the 
surprised  owner.     He  next  took  the  orange  from  the  bystander  and  cut  it 


332  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

open,  when  it  was  found  to  be  full  of  rice.  This  juggler  would  sometimes 
station  himself  in  the  centre  of  the  street,  and  having  blown  a  blast  upon 
a  bugle  to  give  warning  that  he  was  about  to  begin  his  entertainment,  he 
took  a  small  lemon  or  orange  tree,  which  was  covered  with  fruit,  and 
balanced  it  upon  his  head.  He  then  blew  a  sort  of  chirruping  whistle, 
•when  immediately  a  number  of  rice  birds  came  from  every  direction  and 
settled  upon  the  boughs  of  the  bush  he  balanced,  or  fluttered  about  his 
bead.  He  then  took  a  cup  in  his  hand  and  began  to  rattle  some  seed  in 
it,  when  the  birds  disappeared.  Taking  a  small  bamboo  tube,  he  next 
took  the  seeds,  and  putting  one  in  blew  it  at  one  of  the  fruit,  when  it 
opened,  and  out  flew  one  of  the  birds,  which  fluttered  about  the  circle 
surrounding  the  performer.  He  continued  to  shoot  his  seeds  at  the 
oranges  until  nearly  a  dozen  birds  were  released.  He  then  removed  the 
tree  from  his  forehead,  and  setting  it  down  took  up  a  dish,  which  he  held 
above  his  head,  when  all  the  birds  flew  into  it.  He  then  covered  it  over 
with  a  cover,  and  giving  it  a  whirl  or  two  about  his  head,  opened  it  and 
displayed  a  quantity  of  eggs,  the  shells  of  which  he  broke  with  a  little 
stick,  releasing  a  bird  from  each  shell.  These  jugglers  make  their  living 
by  performing  such  wonderful  tricks  for  the  amusement  of  others. 
Frequently  they  snatch  from  the  ground  a  handful  of  slips  of  paper, 
which  they  cram  in  the  mouth  until  the  cheeks  protrude,  and  he  is  unable 
to  articulate  distinctly.  He  now  places  his  hands  on  his  hips,  and  pretends 
to  be  causing  his  breath  to  pass  through  the  mass  of  paper  in  his  mouth. 
In  a  few  moments  a  small  stream  of  smoke  proceeds  from  his  mouth,  the 
spectators  can  see  the  fire  in  his  mouth,  as  the  dense  stream  of  smoke 
pours  forth." 

Canton,  March  23,  1861.  Mr.  Bonney  has  been  on  a  visit  up  in  the 
country,  eighty-five  miles  from  the  city,  with  six  English  ofl&cers,  they 
were  gone  eight  days,  having  had  a  charming  trip  to  Shee-ue  Hing.  About 
"  five  miles  of  their  sailing  was  through  a  mountain  pass,  like  the  Hudson 
river  highlands,  grand,  picturesque,  and  perpendicular  heights,  where  the 
scenery  is  truly  enchanting."  There  is  a  monastery  with  over  one  hundred 
monks,  halfway  up  the  rugged  mountain,  where  they  dined,  it  was  found 
to  be  in  poor  repair.  They  explored  the  Dark  Cavern,  with  torches  in 
hand,  and  found  the  principal  object  of  curiosity  to  the  Chinese,  to  be, 
what  is  called  a  Stone  Dragon.  At  the  extreme  end  is  a  large  shelf  of 
rock,  which  is  called  the  Dragon's  Bed.  They  also  visited  the  Seven 
Stars,  or  seven  hills  of  white  marble,  which  rise  abruptly  from  the  plain 
about  three  miles  from  the  river,  in  the  rear  of  the  town  ;  passing  by  the 
ruins  of  the  old  palace,  where  the  governor  general  formerly  held  his  court, 
but  there  was  little  left,  to  show  what  it  once  was.  Rev.  E,.  H.  Graves, 
a  Baptist  missionary,  has  here  a  flourishing  mission  station.  On  their 
route  was  a  large  pawnbroker's  estabhshment,  built  in  a  pond,  and  fortified 
to  such  purpose  that  when  the  place  was  attacked  by  the  rebels,  the  inmates 
were  able  to  hold  out  for  seven  days,  until  the  rebels  resorted  to  the  plan 
of  torturing  gentry  and  old  men,  when  this  stronghold  of  the  people's 
wealth  was  opened,  and  the  precious  deposits  removed  in  the  interest  of 
the  great  rebellion.  They  saw  many  evidences  of  the  unsettled  state  of 
society.  Some  large  buildings  were  pointed  out  on  the  summits  of  several 
of  the  highest  hills.  They  were  said  to  be  places  of  refuge,  strongly  for- 
tified, for  the  people  of  the  surrounding  country,  when  fearing  attacks 
from  robbers ;  these  were  proofs  of  the  violence  and  rapine,  that  required 
such  preparations  to  guard  against.     In  a  beautiful  pass  between  high 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  333 

hills,  are  two  fine  shrines  on  opposite  sides  of  the  river,  erected  to  two 
fairies,  the  legend,  in  regard  to  which,  is  a  frequent  subject  of  theatrical 
representation. 

Two  school  children  studied  together  three  years,  sleeping  and  eating 
together,  one  of  whom  was  a  girl  in  disguise.  When  they  came  to  separate 
and  go  to  their  respective  homes,  the  girl  had  many  kind  and  loving  words 
for  the  boy,  urging  him  most  earnestly  to  come  to  her  home  before  many 
days  as  she  had  a  dear  sister  to  give  him  for  a  wife,  really  meaning  herself, 
she  being  all  this  time  deeply  in  love  with  him.  The  boy  not  suspecting 
any  thing  of  the  kind,  delayed  too  long  to  make  the  promised  visit,  for 
when  he  fulfilled  his  agreement,  and  went  to  the  house  of  her  parents, 
he  found  the  young  lady  had  been  betrothed  to  another,  on  account  of 
which  reflection  upon  his  own  remissness,  he  was  taken  sick  and  died. 
Before  her  marriage  she  begged  to  goto  his  grave  to  mourn,  when,  strange 
to  relate,  the  grave  opened  and  the  boy  carried  ofi'his  beloved  one  to  regions 
below,  for  whom  strict  search  was  made  in  vain ;  they  say  the  girl  was 
very  wise,  but  the  boy  was  foolish.  Some  hills  of  cassia  trees  were  seen 
in  the  distance,  but  the  party  enjoyed  pleasant  walks  under  the  fine  large 
camphor  wood  trees  along  the  high  banks  of  the  river. 

I  am  sorry  to  say  the  "Edwin  Forest"  is  quite  given  up  as  lost, 
most  probably  struck  by  one  of  those  immense  Icebei'gs ;  she  was  just 
in  their  track  and  no  sailing  vessel  could  tack  with  sufficient  speed  to 
avoid  the  floating  mountain  of  ice.  How  sad  to  think  of  those  devoted 
missionaries  who  went  down  in  her !  How  tender  our  sympathy  for  the 
relatives  of  the  deceased  ones  snatched  suddenly  from  life  when  pleasant- 
ness and  joy  marked  their  path,  but  their  marble  remains  are  safely  en- 
tombed with  the  unknown  dead  and  a  record  was  made  in  Heaven  of  the 
spot.  I  regret  my  own  loss  of  the  "  home  box  "  with  the  book  of  photo- 
graphs ;  then  too  the  box  we  sent  you  by  the  ship  "  Intrepid  "  is  gone,  as 
the  vessel  was  lost  in  Gasper  Straits. 

While  Mrs.  Matheson  was  staying  with  us,  we  went  to  the  celebrated 
"  Temple  of  Longevity"  a  Buddhist  temple  with  very  many  priests.  We 
were  obliged  to  remain  there  more  than  an  hour  on  account  of  a  severe 
thunder  storm.  The  Abbot  is  a  gentlemanly  old  man,  very  courteous 
and  aft'able,  entertaining  us  with  tea  destitute  of  cream  and  sugar,  dried 
lichees,  melon  seeds,  dates,  sweetmeats  and  cakes.  From  the  u]|per  piazza 
we  had  an  extenJed  view  of  the  suburbs.  In  one  of  the  temple  rooms 
are  twenty-four  gilded  idols  as  large  as  a  full  grown  man,  independent  of 
old  Buddha,  resting  on  her  leaves  of  lotus.  There  in  "  a  recess  guarded 
by  bars  are  four  statues,  two  on  either  side,  larger  than  life ;  one  is  sitting 
with  one  foot  elevated,  while  on  the  toe  are  displayed  a  number  of  Chinese 
labels.  In  the  principal  hall  of  the  floor-rooms,  the  god  elevated  on  an 
altar,  some  feet  from  the  floor,  was  gaily  canopied  around  by  the  usual 
fixtures,  with  openings  for  the  exposure  of  his  most  comfortable  and 
gilded  person  on  the  four  sides  of  the  altar.  Incense,  urns,  artificial 
flower-stands,  and  taper-supporters,  occupied  the  front  of  the  altar  where 
the  josh-sticks  are  burned,  the  flowers  placed  and  the  tapers  lighted  and 
melted  away."  A  Chinaman  was  devoutly  kneeling  before  one  of  those 
hideous  gods  with  his  sticks  for  casting  lots  ;  while  near  by  priests  served 
at  other  altars,  throwing  the  tablets  for  the  worshipper*  and  divining 
with  their  bamboo  labels  and  sibyl  leaves.  The  ponds  were  filled  with 
gold,  silver,  and  jet  black  fishes  having  "  tails  and  other  fins  tufted  and 
lobed  into  three  divisions;  they  present  a  singular  appearance  with  the 


334 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


eyes  projecting  beyond  the  socket  like  gogles."  The  large  and  small  ones 
were  swimming  among  the  pretty  artificial  rocks  covered  with  moss,  and 
close  by  stood  the  immense  jars  of  glazed  porcelain  with  the  "gorgeously 
decked  and  sacred  water  lily." 


Casting  Lots. 


We  did  not  pass  over  the  "  Temple  of  the  five-hundred  Gods"  in  the 
Western  suburbs,  they  are  all  in  one  spacious  room  arranged  around  it  ia« 
rows.  They  are  large,  carved  and  gilded  idols  in  different  positions,  as 
brilliant  as  gilt,  paint  and  bronze  could  make  them.  The  burning  of  in- 
cense joss-sticks  (sandal-wood)  and  offerings  are  constantly  going  on,  by 
some  devotee  to  a  favorite  god,  at  all  hours.  Although  ancestral  worship 
is  the  chief  idolatry  of  the  masses  in  China,  the  Buddhists,  by  incorporating 
this  superstition  into  their  own  heathen  rites,  as  a  species  of  gambling, 
have  gained  almost  unlimited  power  over  the  people,  and  it  is  the  religion 
of  the  common  class.  On  entering  the  large  hall  we  first  see  two  gigantic 
gilded  images  elevated  on  high  pedestals,  and  placed  one  on  each  side  of 
the  door.  They  are  fat  and  right  jolly  in  appearance,  and  sitting  in  a  half 
reclining  posture,  are  playing  with  little  children,  the  laughing  face  of  one 
is  quite  irresistible.  Merry  little  children  in  all  kinds  of  baby  attitudes, 
are  sitting  upon  his  knees  and  also  standing  upon  his  feet  and  arms  or  climb- 
ing upon  his  shoulders.  These  gods  are  doubtless  intended  to  set  forth 
the  happiness  of  a  parent,  as  to  be  childless  is  regarded  by  the  Chinese  as 
the  greatest  of  all  misfortunes.  The  idols  are  placed  on  shelves  eight  or 
ten  feet  in  height,  and  arranged  in  a  sitting  posture,  facing  each  other, 
with  long  passages  between,  some  have  six  or  eight  arms,  and  one  has  five 
eyes ;"  they  represent  all  nations,  even  to  a  European  sailor  with  his  low 
crown  hat,  and  a  very  black  negro. 

We  have  had  another  tragedy  :  the  taking  of  the  steamer  "  Meelee"  by 
Chinese  pirates,  killing  the  Captain  and  Mr.  Coits,  who  is  the  son  of  an 
Episcopal  clergyman  in  Providence  Rhode  Island.  They  were  but  a 
few  miles  below  Whampoa ;  it  was  the  work  of  only  a  few  moments.  Mr. 
Coits  was  on  deck,  leaning  ou  the  railing,  looking  into  the  water,  when 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  335 

he  was  hurried  into  Eternity,  thus  in  the  midst  of  life,  well  and  happy,  we 
may  be  stricken  down  when  we  least  expect.  This  blow  will  fall  heav- 
ily on  his  afflicted  relatives  when  the  next  mail  takes  them  the  first  intel- 
ligence of  their  sad  bereavement.  How  many  fond  hopes,  both  in  England 
and  America,  have  been  crushed  by  the  heart-rending  intelligence  which 
has  been  forwarded  from  China  and  India  during  the  serious  troubles  in 
the  East.  Many  "  loved  ones  "  whose  speedy  return  was  looked  for,  can  re- 
turn no  more. 


CHAPTER  XVn. 

Overland  Trip  to  I^ankin,  in  1861. 

U.  S.  Steamer  "  Saginaw, "  Yangtsz  River, 

30  miles  East  of  Nankin,  May,  24th,  1861. 

It  has  been  my  [Rev.  Mr.  Bonney]  privilege  to  make  a  short  visit  to 
that  ancient  capital,  and  renowned  city,  which  stands  on  the  south  bank 
of  this  river.  It  may  be  called  the  Nineveh  of  China,  although  it  has  not 
yet,  like  the  Assyrian  capital,  become  a  heap  of  ruins.  On  March  31st, 
1853,  this  city  was  taken  by  the  Tai  Pings,  and  has  been  in  their  posses- 
sion ever  since. 

Before  describing  my  short  visit  to  Nankin,  we  will  go  back  to  Canton, 
if  you  please,  and  see  how  I  came  here.  With  three  friends-  a  physician, 
a  merchant  and  a  clergyman,  two  of  them  Scotchmen,  the  other  an  Eng- 
lishman, I  started  on  April  11th,  to  make  with  them,  an  exploratory  tour 
of  an  interior  part  of  China,  that  has  never  been  visited  by  white  men. 
By  treaty,  the  whole  Empire  is  now  open  to  foreign  missionaries,  merch- 
ants and  travelers.  Our  course  was  due  North  from  Canton  to  Hankow 
on  the  Yangtsz  river.  We  traveled  the  whole  distance,  1143,  miles,  in 
thifty-nine  days  in  Chinese  boats,  except  two  days  travel  of  thirty  miles 
over  the  mountains,  which  divide  Canton  and  the  Hunan  Provinces. 
Starting  from  Canton,  as  a  pioneering  party  of  explorers  in  one  of  the  Chi- 
nese cargo  boats  usually  called  "  Lo  Loong  Shiine,"  (it  is  about  one  hun- 
dred feet  in  length,  and  worked  by  thirty  men,)  after  a  hard  pull  against 
wind  and  current  we  pulled  and  poled  up  the  North  river,  against  a  most 
rapid  stream,  257  miles  to  Ee  Chay-ung.  Our  boat  anchors  at  night  and 
makes  progress  during  the  day  at  the  rate  of  twenty  miles,  which  is  rather 
slow  for  persons  accustomed  to  be  carried  along  on  steamers  and  railcars. 
With  twenty-five  men  on  shore  tugging  at  a  tow  rope,  and  four  or  six 
men  on  board  pushing  with  bamboo  poles,  we  managed  to  make  headway. 
We  passed  or  visited  walled  Country  towns  and  Department  cities.  Ham- 
lets and  villages  in  great  numbers  are  scattered  along  on  both  shores. 
Officials  come  on  board  dressed  in  yellow  robes  and  spectacles,  to  whom 
we  shewed  the  Governor's  Documents  and  passports.  Our  canal  boat 
speed  allows  us  to  walk  ashore  daily  for  exercise  and  close  observation. 
We  walked  twenty-two  miles  to  visit  the  coal  mines  of  Shce-ue  Chow  Foo. 


336  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

The  coal  is  brought  to  the  river  in  os'carts  over  a  road  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet  wide. 

The  natural  scenery  that  we  have  passed  by  is  of  every  variety,  from 
the  broad  and  level  rice-fields  to  the  bold,  rocky  bluflf  and  lofty  mountain, 
with  perpendicular  sides  peering  up  a  thousand  feet  above  us.  Several 
places  of  great  interest  on  the  route  will  of  themseles  repay  a  visit,  although 
it  may  require  roughing  it  in  a  healthy  way  on  board  a  Chinese  cargo-boat 
for  a  fortnight.  We  passed  extensive  sugar-cane  fields  with  a  cactus  hedge ; 
a  nine  storied  pagoda  near  Tsing-une-tap.  Went  ashore  and  climbed  a  steep 
mountain,  crossed  twelve  narrow  arched  bridges  and  two  of  long  granite 
slabs.  There  is  a  luxury  to  be  enjoyed  in  traveling  the  unexplored  rivers 
of  Canton  province,  that  keepers  at  home  cannot  understand  unless  they 
seek  it  by  personal  efi"ort.  Two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  miles  above 
Canton  we  came  to  Shee-ue-Chow  Department  city,  built  on  the  tongue  of 
land  where  the  East  and  West  branches  unite  to  form  the  North  Kiver. 
A  bridge  of  boats  crosses  both  the  East  and  West  branches  for  the  con- 
venience of  foot  passengers  to  the  mainland,  and  the  great  mconvenience 
of  boats  and  junks  on  the  river.  The  bridges  are  opened  only  once  a  day 
at  8  A.  M.,  for  boats  to  pass.  We  were  informed  that  a  bridge  of  boats  was 
preferred  as  a  good  preventive  to  smuggling.  Not  wishing  to  be  detained, 
we  called  on  the  Taoutai  and  got  a  permit  to  open  the  bridge  of  boats.  In 
walkino-  through  several  streets  and  on  the  top  of  the  East  and  North 
wall  we  were  followed  closely  by  crowds  pushing  and  rushing  to  get  a  sight 
of  the  white  men  from  afar,  but  we  had  no  cause  to  complain  of  rude  treat- 
ment. Through  the  whole  route,  except  in  a  few  instances  too  trifling  to 
mention,  the  people  have  been  civil  and  quite  friendly.  Being  the  first 
foreigners  who  have  traveled  up  this  West  branch  in  our  own  national 
costume,  intense  curiosity  is  naturally  excited  among  the  natives.  The 
British  flag  is  now  being  carried  where  we  hope  it  will  continue  to  float, 
'till  steam  paddles'and  screw  propellers  shall  banish  track-ropes  and  bamboo 
poles  from  this  truly  beautiful  river.  Excellent  fresh  fish  can  be  caught 
on  the  river  at  all  hours  with  a  siYwer  bait.  The  banks  of  these  three  long 
rivers  so  little  known  are  dotted  with  towns  and  villages,  their  waters  bear 
alono-  thousands  of  boats  and  junks  laden  with  their  produce  and  passengers 
from  the  other  Provinces.  The  varied  natural  scenery  is  charming  to  the 
eye. 

At  Lawk-Chay-ung  the  charter  of  the  Canton  boat  ended;  we  now 
contracted  for  the  hire  of  three  boats  about  twice  the  size  of  a  nice 
Whampoa  sampan,  with  a  crew  of  six  men  and  two  women  to  each  boat. 
They  were  built  of  light  wood,  sharp-pointed  at  each  end,  flat-bottomed, 
and  well  adapted  for  navigating  the  rSipid  stream  we  were  now  to  pull  up. 
After  a  visit  to  the  District  Magistrate  in  the  city  we  started,  having  two 
nn  at  the  bow  with  bamboo  poles,  a  woman  at  the  helm,  and  four  or  five 
men  at  the  track-rope  on  shore,  these  managed  to  get  the  boat  along  at  a 
moderate  pace.  The  Rapids  in  the  river  are  many,  some  of  them  very 
steep  and  dangerous  of  passing  in  descent.  On  the  27th  inst.,  we  come 
over  no  less  then  twenty-one  distinct  rapids,  the  water  boiling  and  rushing 
over  the  rocks  most  furiously.  If  the. Chinese  generally  are  a  tame  and 
timid  people,  these  Lawk-Chay-ung  boatmen  are  exceptions,  for  it  requires 
no  little  daring  and  dexterous  skill  to  shoot  down  these  dangerous  rapids 
as  they  are  daily  doing  by  hundreds.  Wrecks,  however,  are  frequent; 
our  captain  told  us  that  more  than  one  hundred  of  these  native  craft  are 
every  year  broken  to  pieces  on  the  rocks.     We  were  two  days  and  a 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  337 

half  making  only  sixty  miles,  but  this  rapid  traveling  was  not  wearisome 
to  us,  as  the  lofty  mountai»s  and  rocky  cliffs  on  both  banks  were   a  rich 
feast  to  the  eye.     This  bold  and  mountainous  scenery  continued  till  with- 
in two  miles  of  Ping  Shek,  where  the  hills  have  a  smoother  surface  and 
less  hight.     Two   very  remarkable   hills   are  within   six  miles  of   Ping 
Shek  :  the  514  Leng,  on  the  left  hand  as  you  go  up  the  river,  being  four 
hundred  feet  high  and  has  been  worn  into  a  form   similar   to   a  horse's 
head,  neck  and  body.     The  Ki  Koong  hill,  which  is  much  the  largest  of 
the  two,  stands  on  the  right  hand  of  the  river.     It  is  a  bluif  of  red  sand- 
stone, eight  hundred  feet  high,  of  circular  formation  like  towers,  battle- 
ments, and  round   forts.     Enlarge   Windsor  Castle  ten   times   on    every 
side  •;— even  twenty  times  is  not  exaggerating  —  and  you  may  have  some 
idea  of  this  beautiful  rock.     About  the  centre,  on  the  top,  is  a  mammoth 
figure   of  a  fowl   in   a  sitting  posture.      The  resemblance  is  almost  as 
correct  to  nature  as  a  sculptor's  chisel   could  form   it.     There   are   many 
other  immense  boulders.     One  boat  we  passed  was  laden  with  thirty-^ight 
boxes  of  Oopek  teas.     The  Taouist  temple  built  on  the  left  hand,  twenty 
miles  below  Ping  Shek,  is  much  frequented  by  boatmen,  and  filled  with 
most  hideous  images,    begrimed    with  smoke  and  soot.     The  old  priest 
received  us  kindly,  off'eriiig  cups  of  tea  and  pipes  according  to  Chinese 
custom.     Yesterday  at  noon,  we  arrived  at  Ping  Shek,  the  most  northern 
town  in  Canton  province  of  any  note  on  this  route.     It  has  a  pretty  situa» 
tion  dlong  the  bank  of  the  river,  a  street  of  shops  and  hongs.     Only  three 
weeks  previous,  a  baud  of  rebels  or  robbers  had  possession  of  this  place, 
for  two  days  and  two  nights,  they  drove  out  the  inhabitants,  burnt  one 
hundred  buildings,  plundering  whatever  was  valuable  ;   they  were  driven 
out  by  the  mandarin  soldiers.     We  were  received   by    the   Kwun  Loong 
Hong,  who  immediately  engaged,  according  to  our  request,  four  small 
boats,  to  take  us  to  Ee  Chayung  in  Oonan  province,  and  althou2;h  an  im- 
mense crowd  collected  to  look  at  us,  no  rudeness  or  inci  ility  was  shown, 
even  by  the  frolicsome  boys.     After  taking  "tiffin"  with  the  headman  of 
the  Hong,  we  started  at  2.30  p.  M.  ;  two  travelers  in  each  of  two  boats, 
one  boat  with  the  cook,  boy  and  provisions,  and  the  fourth  with  two  boys 
and  luggage.     Our  boats  are  an   improvement  on   the   North   American 
Indian  canoe,  being  six  feet  wide  and  forty  feet  long.     About  twenty  feet 
in  the  middle,  is  covered  with  a  bent  bamboo  awning,  under  which  we 
sit,  sleep  and  dine,  but  can  hardly  stand  erect.     The  boats  are  flat-bottomect, 
drawing  from  six  to  eight  inches  of  water ;  with  a  man  at  the  bow  and 
another  at  the  stern,  pushing  the  boat  up  stream  with  short  bamboo  poles. 
This  they  do,  at  times  standing  inside  the  boat,  at  other  times,  wading  in 
the  shallow  water  at  the  side  of  the  boat ;  Jiundreds  of  these  little  boats 
have  swiftly  glided  past  us,  bound  for  the  lower  countries.     The  principal 
trees  on  the  bank  are  camphor,   and  fir,  whose    branches  often  brush  the 
top  of  our  bamboo  awning.     "This  stupendous  laurel — the  camphor -"•' 
which  often  adorns  the  banks  of  the  rivers,  was  in   several  places  abovfe' 
fifty  feet  high,  with  its  stem  twenty  feet  in  circumference,  and  with  branches 
not  less  than  nine  feet  in  circumference.     The  Chinese  affirm  that  it  some- 
« times  attains  the  height  of  more  than  three  hundred  feet.     Camphor  is 
obtained  from  the  branches,  by  steeping  them,  while  fresh'  cut,  in  water 
for  two  or  three  days,  and  then  boiling  them  till  the  gum,  in  the  form  of 
a  white  jelly,  adheres  to  a  stick,  which  is  used  in  constantly  stirring  the 
branches.     The  fluid  is  then  poured  into  a  glazed  vessel,  where  it  concretes 
II]  43 


338  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

in  a  few  hours  and  is  then  purified,   and  becomes  a  whitish,  translucent 
substance,  with  fragrant  smell,  ready  for  the  market." 

Chinese  ingenuity  is  here  seen  in  the  use  of  the  undershot  water  wheel, 
for  watering  the  rice-fields  along  the  banks.  The  wheel  is  eighteen  or  twenty 
feet  in  diameter,  made  entirely  of  bamboo,  except  the  axle  and  posts 
for  supports.  It  turns  with  a  slow  and  stately  motion  by  the  current  of 
the  river,  emptying  from  its  small  buckets,  the  water  into  a.  trough  at  its 
side,  from  which  it  is  led  off  to  the  rice  fields.  We  have  already  now 
passed  twenty-five  of  these  water  wheels  on  the  bank  of  the  river  this  side 
of  Ping  Shek,  most  of  which  were  in  motion.  This  morning  we  passed  a 
beautiful  three-arched  bridge  of  red-sandstone,  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
two  feet  long  and  twenty-four  feet  wide.  The  sides  were  ornamented  with 
a  vine  bearing  white  flowers,  overhanging  the  I'iver,  forming  a  pretty  con- 
trast to  the  solid  structure  which  supported  it.  The  villagers  were  quite 
indifferent  to  the  approach  of  foreigners.  Yesterday  afternoon  we  landed 
and  walked  by  a  red  sandstone  slab  pathway  over  the  hill,  and  saw  sin- 
gular sugar-loaf  tombs  of  brick,  six  feet  high.  At  7.30  P.  M.,  we  anchored 
for  the  night,  and  dined  al  fresco,  ham-squat,  wigwam  style.  Our 
boatman's  hats  have  horizontal  brims  and  tea  cup  tops,  and  in  rainy 
weather  they  wear  the  fanciful  straw  cloak  that  sheds  all  rain.  In  Oonam 
province  we  find  barren  red  sand  stone  hills  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  At 
^.10  P.  M.,  our  boats  were  lifted  over  a  dam  two  feet  high  and  soon  after 
arrived  at  a  seven-storied  Pagoda  built  in  Kee- long's  time,  ninety  years 
since,  with  circular  stairs  to  the  top.  After  a  halt  at  the  Custom  House 
and  showing  our  cards  we  arrived  at  Ee  Chay-ung  on  April  30th  ;  but 
our  Chinese  inn  was  deficient  in  "two  articles  considered  necessary  in  Eu- 
ropean inns,  viz,  window-glass  and  brooms.  We  walked  on  top  of  the 
walls,  finding  the  town  not  a  half  mile  in  circumference  and  that  the 
Yamen  had  been  bui'ned  by  the  Rebels,  and  then  visited  an  ancient  tomb 
of  the  Ming  dynasty  300  years  old  ;  crossed  a  bridge  at  the  entrance  of 
the  town  which  was  a  fine  stone  structure  of  a  single  arch  forty  feet  diame- 
ter of  the  span.  I  here  employed  a  tailor  to  make  an  American  flag. 
The  landlord  of  our  inn  was  civil,  but  the  people  were  clamorous,  and 
rabble  boys  flung  stones  at  our  upper  windows,  though  several  polite  young 
gentlemen  visited  us  and  we  had  been  all  well  received  by  the  magis- 
trate. 

On  the  morning  of  May  2d,  we  started  to  cross  the  pass,  in  the  range  of 
mountains  that  divides  the  waters  which  flow  southward  to  Canton,  from 
those  which  run  northward  to  the  Yang-tsz.  We  hired  bamboo  mountain 
chairs,  carried  by  two  slow-paced  bearers.  This  road  is  ten  feet  wide, 
paved  with  thick  slabs,  which'are  much  worn  by  the  constant  tread  of 
coolies  and  iron-shod  mules.  Thousands  of  mules  are  used  on  this  road, 
carrying  immense  quantities  of  merchandise  between  the  two  provinces. 
The  coolies  are  almost  innumerable;  between  nine  and  eleven  A.  M.,  we 
passed  five  hundred  and  fifty  mules,  laden  with  produce  from  the  northern 
and  western  provinces.  We  were  greatly  amused  in  watching  a  fractious  mule, 
which  after  succeeding  in  loosening  and  throwing  off  his  heavy  burden, 
kicked  it  two  or  three  times  in  a  most  wicked  and  spitefid  manner,  and' 
then  stood  still,  regarding  it  with  apparent  satisfaction  You  must  not 
suppose  that  this  mountain  pass  is  a  rugged  up-hill  road  or  fifteen  miles, 
and  then  a  long  steep  descent  on  the  other  side,  of  fifteen  miles ;  as  it  is 
for  the  most  part  level,  having  only  a  few  short  ascents  and  descents.  It 
follows  a  richly  watered  and  cultivated  valley,  from  quarter  to  half  a  mile 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  339 

wide.  Civil  engineers  coiild  with  ease  lay  out  the  line  of  a  rail  road  along 
the  valley.  The  workmen  to  build  it,  are  to  be  had  in  the  thousands  of 
coolies,  now  employed  in  trudging  the  paved  road  from  end  to  end.  The 
road  runs  through  a  most  beautiful  valley,  walled  in  by  very  high  mount- 
ains ;  the  muleteer,  chanting  as  he  jogs  along,  gives  a  cheerful  echo, 
pausing  for  us  to  inspect  a  large  marble  filial  tablet  of  a  round  shape. 
We  made  the  trip  through  the  pass  in  a  day  and  a  half,  stopping  over 
night  at  a  Chinese  inn,  at  the  half-way  station,  in  the  town  of  Lay-ung 
Teen.  ■  The  crowd  collected,  (a  soldier  having  cried  out  as  we  passed,  "the 
Faukwis,  foreign  devils,  from  Canton  have  come,")  and  invested  the  hotel 
uttering  threatening  words  of  "  shat,"  kill.  Some  officials  called  and 
asked  a  few  questions,  after  which,  the  landlord  aided  in  driving  away 
the  mob,  though  one  soldier  drew  his  knife,  with  hurtful  intent,  but  was 
disarmed. 

The  crowd  collected  to  see  the  new  comers,  in  such  numbers,  that  the 
weakjtimbers  of  one  of  the  rooms  was  not  able  to  support.  While  they 
were  gazing  with  wonder  and  surprise,  down  went  the  floor  with  a  crash, 
fifty  or  sixty  persons  with  it  were  tumbled  up  in  one  heap,  but  fortunately 
none  were  killed  and  no  bones  broken  !  Only  half  a  dozen  were  slightly 
bruised,  and  a  boy  scalded  by  the  upsetting  of  a  tea  pot,  which  gave  an 
opportunity  for  the  exercise  of  the  medical  skill  of  our  party.  It  had  one 
good  effect,  as  the  crowd  immediately  dispersed,  as  if  the  genuine  "  kwi" 
were  at  their  heels.  The  next  day  at  Chun  Chow,  thirteen  miles  further 
on,  the  crowd  at  once  gathered,  and  rushed  pell  mell  into  the  hong,  and 
there  was  so  much  danger  of  the  upper  floor  giving  way  under  the  weight 
of  the  multitude,  that  it  was  thought  best  to  clear  the  building.  Bjgeatle 
persuasions  and  decided  action  on  the  part  of  ourselves  and  landlords  it 
was  done,  and  the  doors  barricaded  with  timbers  ten  feet  in  length,  but 
the  populace  would  not  thus  be  balked,  and  assaulted  the  door.  After 
a  while  it  was  neccessary  to  open  the  doors  to  bring  in  the  luggage,  when 
this  opportunity  was  improved  for  another  rush  and  the  strong  soldiers 
stationed  to  keep  the  peace  were  overpowered  !  For  the  next  five  hours 
our  party  were  obliged  to  submit  to  the  familiar  and  unpleasant  personal 
inspection  of  the  curious  populace.  There  were  a  few  squabbles  among 
the  diftereut  companies  of  soldiers,  and  between  the  people  and  soldiers. 
Short  swords  were  drawn,  thrusts  made,  pails  of  cold  water  thrown  on  the 
crowd,  and  sundry  other  inconveniences  occurred  incident  to  such  occasions. 
Thankful  we  were  that  the  melee  did  not  grow  into  a  murderous  row,  and 
that  darkness  brought  us  some  little  respite,  for  by  nine  P.M.,  we  were 
relieved  from  the  pressure  of  a  Chinese  mob.  The  door  of  our  room  had 
been  broken  down,  a  knife  had  been  drawn  on  Mr.  Thorburn,  which  he 
seized,  we  therefore  thought  best  to  rest  on  our  arms  and  be  quizzed  by 
the  rude  Chinese  soldiers,  but  as  we  lay  down  on  the  boards  there  was  no 
sleep,  for  many  persons  came  in  with  lanterns  to  look  at  us. 

Next  morning  at  daylight  we  went  on  boai'd  two  small,  boats  which  had 
been  engaged  over  night  to  take  us  down  the  river  thirty  miles.  We  were 
delayed  three  and  a  half  hours  at  the  Custom  House  below  the  town,  for 
the  removal  of  the  chain  across  the  river,  but  once  started,  our  boats 
swiftly  glided  down  the  stream,  which  winds  through  a  mountainous, 
rocky  country,  covered  with  rich  vegetation.  The  banks  of  the  river  are 
most  charming  to  the  traveler,  who  has  an  eye  for  the  ever  varying  beau- 
ties of  natural  scenery  ;  high  mountains  of  red  sandstone,  perpendicular 
bluffs,  and  yawning  caves,  where  the  eagle  builds  her  nest,  abound  at  every 


840  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

turn  of  the  river.     At  Nga  Ping,  while  larger-  boats  were  being  prepared 
for  us,  we  took  a  stroll  on  shore  and  visited  the  town  of  two  hundred  shops ; 
here,  as  at  other  towns,  our  reception  was  a  friendly  welcome,  the  people 
turned  out  en  masse,  appearing  delighted  with  the  arrival  of  foreigners  j 
and  at  all  the  diflferent  points  portions  of  the  Scripture!  and  the  Lord's 
Prayer  were  given  away.     We  visited  pagodas,  a  temple  for  the  Dragon 
King,  a  marble  tablet  to   commemorate  some   daughter's  filial   piety  and 
public  buildings.     During  the  day   we  passed   several  small  hamlets  on 
either  side  of  the  river,  and  a  yawning  cave,  with  a  hut  in  the  mouth  of  it, 
occupied  by  a  family;  also  three  monster  red  sandstone  singular  mounds, 
four  hundred  feet  high,  which  were  magnificent  works  of  nature,  resem- 
bling petrified  snow  banks.     When  the  heat  of  the   sun  had   abated,  we 
went  on  shore  for  a  stroll,  keepitig  up  with  the  boat  going  down  stream, 
at  the  rate  of  four  miles  an   hour.     Our  path  was  through  paddy-fields, 
with  here  and  there  a  farm  house,  the  walls  made  of  square  lumps  of  clay, 
dried  in  the  sun,  with  roofs  of  thatch  ;  we  picked  wild  raspberries,  till 
finally  the  boat  stops  for  the  gentlemen  to  have  a  bath  in  the  river.     When 
custom  house  ofiicials  come  off  they  are  greatly  startled  at  the  appearance 
of  foreigners,  and  we  always  have  a  curious  crowd  around  us,  when  at  an- 
chor near  a  village  ;  this  morning,  Dr    Dickson  had  numerous  admirers 
of  his  toilette  and  shaving,  and  we  took  our  breakfast  in  the  presence  of 
one  hundred  pairs  of  eyes,   but  the  people  were  civil  and  well  behaved. 
The  river  makes  a  great  bend  among  paddy-flats,  a  city  is  seen  on  the  left 
in  a  wide  plain,  with  a  pagoda  half  black  and  half  white.     We  visited  an 
acade|py  on  the  hill,  having  a  suite  of  five  buildings,  and  two  teachers  with 
ten  pupils,  to  whona  we  gave  books,  among  whom  was  a  Chinese  Albino, 
seventeen  years  of  age.     Being  followed  by  an  annoying  crowd,  some  of 
whom  were  fighting,  the  Tepo  presented  a  petition  that  the  travelers  would 
leave,  as  he  was  fearful  of  a  tumult.     We  saw  a  Roman  Catholic  priest 
in  the  distance,  and  on  our  way  to  the  boat  passed  hemp  and  the  tea  oil 
plant.     Many  soldiers  visited  our  boat  making  free  with  private  property, 
but»at  the  firing  of  a  pistol  near  them,  they  quickly  left  the  boat.      We 
gave  away  twenty-five  Lord's  Prayer,  sixty  large  books  and  thirty  on  vac- 
cination, at  this  place.     Further  on   we   visited  a  temple  of  Confucius, 
built  in  Keenlooug's  50th  year,  in  which  is  much  white  marble  sculpture 
of  elephants,  cows,  camels,  sheep  and  birds.     After  passing  an  eight-storied 
pagoda  built  of  granite,  we  entered  the  Tong-Ting   lake,  the  largest  in 
China.     Between  Canton  and  Hankow,  1  distributed  four  thousand  tracts 
and  portions  of  the  scriptures,  they  were  eagerly  sought  for,  but  having 
only  a  small  number  of  books,  it  was  necessary  to  give  them  out  judiciously 
and  only  to  those  who  were  good  readers.     The  next  person  who  goes  that 
route  had  better  take  forty  or  fifty  thousand,  which  will  be  few  enough. 
Dr.  Livingston  remarks,  "  it  is  safer  for  the  missionary  explorer  to  go 
away  leaving  the  Bible  behind  him,  and  the  faculty  of  reading  it,  and 
trusting  God  alone  for  the  issue,  than  to  watch  and  tend  one  corner  too 
narrowly,  while  another  still  lies  waste."     What  a  vast  field  we  have  in 
China  for  missionary  colporteurs. 

Last  Monday  May  20th,  at  twelve  M.  our  party  arrived  at  Hankow.  Right 
glad  was  I  to  see  the  American  flag  flying  on  two  steamers  in  the  harbor. 
Coming  along  side  the  nearest,  we  found  it  to  be  the  "  Saginaw,"  Capt. 
Schenck.  Capt.  S.,  an  Ohio  man  of  Dayton,  informed  me  that  he  was  under 
orders  for  Shanghai,  and  would  start  in  two  hours.  He  most  generously 
ofi'ered  myself  and  Rev.  Mr  Beach  (our  other  friends  wished  to  remain), 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  341 

my  traveling  companion,  a  passage  to  Shanghai.  We  seized  the  oppor- 
tunity, transferring  our  trunks  and  blankets  from  a  little  Chinese  boat,  to 
the  prim  and  fleet  Saginaw.  We  bad  an  hour's  time  to  run  ashore  at 
Hankow,  calling  on  the  American  and  English  Consuls,  and  expending  a 
few  shillings  for  articles  which  friends  would  value  as  coming  from  this 
city  in  the  heart  of  China.  Hankow  is  one  of  the  new  ports  opened  to 
foreign  trade  and  Christian  labors  in  1861,  under  the  late  treaty.  It  is  built 
on  the  low  ground  between  the  river  Han  and  the  Yangtsz,  and  is  often 
overflowed.  On  the  opposite  bank  of  the  Yangtsz,  stands  Wuchang,  the 
capital  of  Hupeh  province.  We  found  several  thousand  imperial  troops 
collected  there,  with  armed  junks,  and  munitions  of  war,  preparing  to  at- 
tack the  Tai  Pings,  forty  milesdown  the  river.  Five  or  six  commercial 
firms  have  already  established  themselves  in  this  beautiful  concession. 
The  dialect  of  Hankow  diff'ers  from  those  of  the  other  ports,  and  for  that 
reason,  it  is  desirable  that  new  missionaries  just  arrived,  should  take  this 
eligible  station  for  mission  work.  ' 

Leaving  Hankow  at  two  P.  M.,  a  salute  of  seven  guns  to  the  Chinese  go- 
vernor was  given.  Between  here  and  Nankin,  we  passed  three  foreign 
steamers  and  a  barque,  on  their  way  up  the  river  to  Hankow.  Nganking, 
the  capital  of  Nganhwui  province,  we  reached  on  Wednesday,  the  22d 
inst.,  it  is  a  walled  city  and  is  now  held  by  the  Tai-pings.  It  is,  however, 
closely  beseiged  by  the  imperialists  on  land  and  river,  completely  hemming 
in  the  rebel  Tai-pings  who  must  soon  be  starved  out,  if  relief  is  not  brought. 
The  imperialists  have  thrown  up  an  earth  wall  for  six  or  eight  miles,  en- 
circling three  sides  of  the  city,  they  have  an  immense  force  in  the  vicinity. 
Desolation  and  ruin  mark  the  neighborhood  ;  we  passed  a  cave  filled  with 
men  and  women ;  they  had  no  boat  and  no  way  of  escape. 

Our  trip  on  the  river  was  very  interesting ;  we  passed  several  im- 
mense camps  of  Imperialists ;  lime-stone  quarries ;  terraced  hills ;  large 
lime  stone  rock  300  feet  high  ;  and  now  a  conical  rock  rising  from  mid- 
dle of  the  river  named  "  Orphan  Boy.  "  There  are  many  fields  of  reed 
on  the  left,  the  poor  people  live  in  reed  huts.  The  desolations  of  civil 
war,  appeared  along  the  whole  course  of  our  passage,  and  in  two  places  we  no- 
ticed the  smoke  and  flames  of  burning  hamlets.  The  rule  of  Chinese 
warfare  is,  to  destroy,  kill  and  burn  the  enemy,  men,  women  and  children. 
Yesterday,  at  two  p.  ?.t.  the  Saginaw  dropped  her  anchor  ofi"Nankin,  with- 
in a  stones  throw  of  the  shore.  As  our  stay  would  be  short.  Rev.  Mr. 
Beach  and  myself  immediately  obtained  by  the  aid  of  Dr.  McCartee,  U. 
S.  Interpreter,  a  permit  from  the  Custom  House  to  visit  the  city.  The 
official  was  dressed  in  a  long,  yellow  silk  robe  wearing  a  gaudy  and  fantas- 
tic-shaped gilt  hat  or  crown.  The  city  gate  is  five  miles  from  the  shore, 
therefore  with  quick  step  we  passed  over  the  muddy  road.  On  entering 
the  large,  heavy,  iron-plated  gate,  fifteen  feet  wide,  and  twenty  feet  hi^,  we 
inquired  for  the  mansion  of  Kun  Wong,  or  the  Shield  Prince,  where  the 
.Rev.  I.  J.  Roberts,  an  American  Baptist  missionary,  resides,  and  found  it 
without  difficulty,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  gate.  The  •'  mansion,  "  so 
called  is  a  large  Chinese  building  of  common  appearence.  On  the  wall, 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  there  is  a  large  tablet,  ten  feet  wide  and 
fifteen  feet  high ;'  the  lower  three-fourths  of  it  has  in  blazing  gilt,  the 
Chinese  character  for  happiness  ;  pronounced  in  the  mandarin  dialect  Foo. 
The  upper  fourth  of  the  tablet,  was  inscribed  in  smaller  characters,  with 
the  opening  words  of  our  Lord's  sermon  on  the  Mount,  Matt.  v.  2-12 
verses;  I  could  not  well  resist  the  impulse  to  stand  and  read  it  aloud 


342  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

finding  it  openly  set  forth  in  such  a  conspicuous  place  in  Royal  precincts. 
Oilv  arrival  was  quite  unexpected  to  Mr.  Roberts;  we  sent  in  our  cards  and  the 
welcome  was  most  cordial.  The  xealous  missionary  was  dressed  in  Chinese 
costume,  having  a  long,  yellowish  brown  silk  Chinese  coat,  but  wearing 
no  braided  tail  of  hair,  only  the  little  scull  cap.  Our  principal  object  in 
visiting  Nankin,  was  to  obtain  from  Mr.  Roberts,  who  has  been  residing 
there  the  last  seven  months,  correct  accounts  of  the  Tai  Pings,  and  were 
glad  to  find  him  in  good  health.  We  saw  Kan  Wang's  son,  "  Hoong  Sow, " 
fifteen  years  of  age,  he  was  dressed  in  a  yellow  silk  robe  and  a  turban  ;  also 
several  of  the  high  officers.  "Kan  Wang  "  had  gone  to  Cheet  Kawng  Pro- 
vince with  10,000  soldiers  to  Sun  Une  on  one  of  his  military  expeditions. 
We  partook  of  a  Chinese  dinner  prepared  with  much  style  and  dined  on 
rice,  duck,  duck-eggs,  three  sorts  of  vegetables  in  fine  order,  using  sil- 
ver chopsticks ;  our  walk  had  sharpened  our  appetite. 

Our  pleasant  interview  with  Mr.  Roberts  lasted  more  than  an  hour  and 
a  half;  he  conversed  fi-eely  of  his  situation,  labor  and  prospects.  He  is 
permitted  to  exercise  his  ministry  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel,  but  no 
chapel  is  yet  built  in  the  city.  He  however  practices  open  air,  street 
preaching,  and  goes  out  daily  for  this  purpose  but  with  what  success  is 
known  only  to  the  Great  Missionary  who  gave  the  command  to  preach 
every  where.  Yesterday  Mr.  Roberts  had  an  audience  of  one  hundred, 
but  as  he  speaks  the  Canton  dialect,  and  only  a  small  minority  of  the 
Nankin  people  are  Cantonese,  his  hearers  are  few.  His  statements  of  the 
condition  of  the  Rebel  Authorities  and  their  religious  character  was  not  so 
pleasing  as  we  had  hoped  to  find,  not  the  lustre  of  a  bright  living  flame. 
Mr.  Roberts  is  a  firm  Baptist  and  has  had  a  warm  dispute  with  the  Shield 
King  concerning  the  mode  of  baptism. 

I  deeply  regret  this,  Christian  ministers  in  China  must  stand  on  a  com- 
mon form  —  one  platform  —  not  Paul,  not  Peter,  but  Jesus  Christ.  Reli- 
gious toleration  must  be  allowed  by  the  Rebel  Authorities,  else  they  cannot 
live  in  the  presence  of  Western  Powers,  life  is  too  short  for  qmbbles.  [Rev. 
I.  J.  Roberts  died  in  America  during  the  year  1873.  By  the  last  will  of 
Mr.  Roberts,  deceased,  his  property  in  Canton,  China,  consisting  of  a 
chapel  and  residence,  valued  at  some  ^2500  or  ^oOOO,  is  bequeathed  in 
trust  to  the  senior  missionary  of  this  mission  and  to  his  successors.]  There 
is  no  worship  of  idols,  nor  any  idol  temple  in  the  city.  I  was  told  by  one 
of  the  head  Tai  Pings,  that  death  was  the  punishment  for  idolatry,  but 
the  chiefs  and  officers  have  a  daily  religious  service  of  their  own.  The 
power  of  life  and  death  is  intrusted  to  twelve  or  fifteen  chiefs  in  the  city, 
each  of  whom,  on  his  own  responsibility,  without  even  consulting  his  com- 
peers may  inflict  capital  punishment  ;  and  for  crimes  that  we  should  de- 
signate small,  life  is  summarily  taken.  The  Tai  Ping  En)peror  conforms 
to  the  ancient  Chinese  Imperial  custom  of  withdrawing  from  the  public 
eye*  and  secluding  himself  in  his  palace  ;  he  is  also  a  polygamist  and  main- 
tains a  large  harem.  His  knowledge  of  Scripture  truths,  is  mingled  with 
his  own  wild  visions  and  imaginations,  to  which  he  gives  equal  credit 
and  authority.  Such  being  the  views  and  conduct  of  the  present  leader 
of  the  Tai  Pings,  we  cannot  expect  to  find  his  people  any  better,  for  al- 
though the  outward  forms  of  idolatry  are  removed,  there  is  no  efi"ort  to 
furnish  in  their  stead  Christian  churches  and  institutions,  nor  are  there 
any  schools  in  the  city  for  the  Christian  education  of  the  boys  and  girls. 
The  appearance  of  the  streets  through  which  we  passed  was  ruinous  ; 
sadly  so  —  broken  walls,  and  broken  pavements ;  but  few  shops,  and  only 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  343 

a  few  buildings  repairing,  gave  sure  tokens  of  the  heavy  scourge  of  war. 
The  city  walls  remain  unbroken,  and  inclose  a  wide  territory  with  several 
high  hills  and  cultivated-fields  for  miles.     The  height  of  the  wall  varies 
from  thirty-five  to  sixty  feet ;  the  gateway  under  the  wall  is  dark  and  long, 
more  like  a  short  railroad  tunnel  than  anything  else, having  two  smaller  gates 
besides  the  massive  one.   I  obtained  two  bricks  or  slabs  covered  with  glazed 
porcelain  from  the  ruins  of  the  celebrated  octagonal  Porcelain  Tower  of  nine 
stories  and  covered  with  slabs  of  glazed  porcelain  of  white,  green,  red,  and 
yellow.    [The  Prussian  Consul  'desired  one  of  these  bricks  to  send  to  Prus- 
sia, the  other  one  I  brought  with  me  to  America  as  a  pleasant  memento 
of  the  Nankin  visit.]     With  regret  we  bade  "  good  bye  "  to  our  patient  . 
and  persevering  Christian  brother,  Kev.  Mr.  Roberts,  leaving  his  residence 
with  three  Chinese  servants  for  guides,  and  rode  back  to  our  steamer  on 
Chinese  ponies  with  saddle-seats  of  yellow  silk,  a  ride  of  seven    miles 
through  one  long  street  in  Nankin  paved  with  stone  slabs  8X4  feet,  ar- 
riving at  y  p.  M.     The  ride  by  moonlight,  Under  the  high  city  walls,  and 
the  present  condition  of  this  great  and  ancient  capital  were  very  impres- 
sive.    Desolation  and  decay  of  the  works  of  men,  with  poverty,  misery 
and  idleness  of  the  inhabitants,  awoke  sad  feelings.     This  morning  we  bade 
farewell  to  Nankin,  which  may  ere  long  feel  the  scourge  of  war  in  a 
tenfold  degree,  as  the  contest  between  the  Imperialists  and  Tai  Pings,  is 
yet  of  doubtful  issue.     Nankin  has  been  in  the  possession  of  the  Kebels 
since  the  year  1853.   ["At  the  taking  of  Nankin  by  the  'long-haired  rebels,'* 
the  city  was  given  up  to  sack    and  slaughter,  during  three  days,  and 
20,000  Tartars-^  men,  women  and  children  were  massacred.     The  Viceroy 
was  quartered  and  his  remains  nailed  to  the  four  gates  of  the  city.     Pre- 
vious to  his  death  his  veins  were  opened  and  his  blood  made  to  flow  into 
a  large  vessel  of  water,  which  the  conquerors  drank.     His  daughter,  a  girl 
of  nineteen,  was  stripped  in  the  public  square,  bound  upon  a  cross,  and 
her  heart  cut  out.     Many  of  the  Tartar  oificers  were' thrown  into  boiling 
oil,  or  tied  to  stakes  surrounded  with  bundles  of  oiled  straw  and  slowly 
roasted  to  death."    The  demolition  of  the  Porcelain  Tower  was  connected 
with  the  overthrow  of  the  Northern  King  Wei,  in  1856  when  "  a  feud 
arose  among  the  leaders  which  resulted  in  the  destruction  of  ail  the  Kings 
except  Shih  Takhai  the  'Assistant  King.' "]     Two  other  extensive  rebel- 
lions have  broken  out  in  the  Northern  Provinces,  under  leaders  not  con- 
nected with  the  Nankin  Chief.     There  is  a  falling  to  pieces  of  the  etupire, 
preparatory  to  the  formation  and  growth  of  si  different  kingdom,  whose 
"  king  shall  reign  in  righteousness."     Now  the  word  is,  "  overturn,  over- 
turn, overturn,  till  he  shall  come,"  whose  is  the  right  to  order  all  things 
accoi'ding  to  his  most  holy  will.     At  the  cities  of  Hankow,  Yokchow, 
and  Say-ung-taou,  all  in  the  very  heart  of  China,  are  millions  of  people 
waiting  for  preachers  of  the  gospel.     Happy  will  he  be  whose  heart  im- 
pels him  to  spend  his  lil'e,  and  be  spent,  in  planting  the  seeds  of  God's  word 
in  those  parts.     I  am  confident  that  I  speak  the  truth,  when  I  say  that 
the  destitution  of  my  native  land,  the  United  States,  is  not  a  thousandth 
part  of  that  in  China.     The  inhabitants  here  are  starving  for  lack  of  the 
'"  Bread  of  Life."     On  American  Christian  men  and  women,  is  the  duty 
laid  of  giving  it  to  them.     The  thermometer  stands  at  72°,  a  fair  clear 
morning,  the  Saginaw  started  at  10.10  A.  M.       On  the  left  is  the  Rebel 
fleet  of  200  junks,  and  houses  burning  near  by.      Pass  Golden  island  on 
the  right,  also  a  cone  shaped  rugged  rock,  surmounted  with  a  white  seven- 
storied  pagoda  with  batteries  around  the  island.     Further  on  the  Imperial 


344  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

fleet  is  at  anchor,  gay  with  hundreds  of  flags  and  banners.  A  large  Im- 
perial camp  is  in  and  around  the  town  of  Chin-kee-ang.  Silver  island 
is  on  the  left,  a  picturesque  spot;  groves  of  dark  green  trees  and  shrubs 
cover  it,  a  two  story  pavilion  on  the  top  with  a  foreigner  at  the  door ;  a 
pathway  leads  up  the  hill  side,  while  hundreds  of  Chinese  line  the  shore. 
The  English  gun  boat  No.  9l)  is  anchored  near  and  is  dressed  in  banners 
for  Queen  Victoria's  forty-second  birthday  anniversary.  At  9.20,  the  Flag 
ship  "  Hartford  "  signals  two  blue,  one  red  and  one  blue  light,  to  anchor  for 
the  night,  which  order  is  obeyed.  On  Sunday  May  26th  the  Saginaw  an- 
chored at  Shanghai  and  Mr.  Bonney  went  ashore  to  Rev.  Dr.  Bridgman's. 

A  Patriotic  Letter  from  an  American,  in  China. 

Rev.  E.  Hopper,  Canton,  China,  July  8,  1861, 

Dear  Brother  and  Countryman:  I  have  just  read,  in  the  Christian  In- 
telligencer, your  lines,  headed,  "  The  Old  Flag,"  and  yield  to  the  impulse 
of  my  heart,  to  thank  you  for  them.  My  heart  responds  to  every  word 
of  the  seven  verses.  Why  seven  verses?  Was  each  verse  meant  as  a 
shot  at  each  of  the  seceding  conventions  ?  May  it  be  so,  and  strike  dead 
the  foolish,  wicked  course  pursued  by  them.  .  I  have  lately  made  a  tour 
through  the  interior  of  China,  from  Canton  to  Hankow,  by  Chinese  boats, 
in  forty  days.  It  was  through  a  portion  of  the  empire,  never  before  trav- 
eled by  white  men.  The  distance  was  twelve  hundred  miles  from  Canton 
to  Hankow,  the  newly  opened  port  on  the  Yangtse  river.  I  was  accom- 
panied by  two  Scotchmen  and  one  Englishman.  We  carried  the  British 
flag  at  the  stern  of  our  Chinese  boats,  as  often  as  we  changed  boats.  When 
we  entered  Oonam  province,  with  the  assistance  of  a  Chinese  tailor,  I 
made  an  American  flag,  -and  hoisted  it  at  the  bow  of  our  boats.  It  is  the 
first  American  flag  that  has  been  carried  through  that  part  of  China,  and 
come  into  Hankow  from  the  south.  Have  not  American  missionaries  the 
right  to  carry  their  country's  flag,  wherever  they  go  ?  Who  dare  deny 
it? 

"  Flag  of  great  Washington ! 

Flag  of  brave  Anderson  ! 

Flag  of  each  mother's  son 
Who  dares  be  free  !" 

It  is  the  symbol  of  the  most  Christian  nation  on  the  face  of  the  earth, 
with  all  due  respect  to  Victoria,  "  Defender  of  the  Faith."  Under  its 
wings  dwell  a  people  whosehlaws  and  institutions  are  more  in  accordance 
with  the  spirit  of  the  Bible,  than  any  other  people.  African  slavery  at 
the  South,  was  an  anomaly,  an  ingredient  in  the  body  politic,  that  could 
not  coalesce.  Now  it  must  efi'ervesce.  What  a  boiling  it  makes,  I  hope, 
the  boiling  will  cause  the  scum  to  rise  to  the  surface,  and  those  who  tend 
the  caldron  do  theif  duty  in  skimming  it  off.  Then  shall  there'come  forth 
fine  gold  and  silver  fit  for  the  Master's  use.  This  war  is  evidently  a  chas- 
tisement on  both  parts  of  our  country  for  not  "coming  up  to  the  help  of 
the  Lord,  against  the  mighty."  Why  have  not  the  Northern  Christians 
done  more  in  aid  of  sending  the  gospel  to  heathen  foreign  nations  ?  More 
men,  more  material  support,  more  funds  to  give  God's  revealed  word  to 
millions  "  perishing  for  lack  of  knowledge  !"  Gold,  silver,  and  products 
of  the  sea  and  earth,  have  been  flowing  into  the  land  for  the  last  fifteen 
years  in  great  abundance.  Have  the  tithes  been  brought  into  the  store- 
house or  treasury  of  the  Lord  and  Master  and  Owner  of  all  ?  Now  it  is 
wrenched  from  them  by  an  iron  rod  held  over  them.     Rather,  they  give 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  345 

willingly  to  preserve  their  lives  and  homes,  and  that,  too,  by  naillions  rather 
than  by  thousands.  When  the  rod  is  withdrawn,  may  there  be  seen  the 
peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness  and  peace.  On  the  other  hand,  have  not 
the  Southern  Christiana  been  neoligent  of'theirduty  to  the  African  slaves, 
to  give  them  good  religious  teaching  ?  Now  a  tide  of  ungodliness  sweeps 
over  them,  and  almost  consumes  them.  But  this  struggle  cannot  continue 
long.  America  has  not  been  raised  up  to  be  torn  in  pieces  by  this  rebel- 
lion. It  is  a  test  and  purifier,  applied  by  Him  who  is  Governor  among 
the  nations.  He  desires  our  nation  to  be  more  thankful  for  the  blessings 
he  has  bestowed,  "  to  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteousness ;" 
to  exalt  his  name  glorious  in  all  the  earth.  I  think  that  I  will  present 
you  with  the  identical  flag  that  I  carried  at  the  bow  of  our  Chinese  boat, 
from  Canton  province  to  Hankow.  I  will  put  it  up,  and  send  it  by  ship, 
by  and  by,  to  the  Christian  Intelligencer  office,  to  be  forwarded  to  you. 
May  the  Spirit  of  God  arouse  the  young  men  of  America  to  enlist  as  sol- 
diers of  Christ,  as  they  are  now  doing  for  their  country  and  capital.  When 
Israel  forsook  God,  he  gave  them  over  to  their  enemies,  who  "  mightily 
oppressed  them."  When  they  honored  and  obeyed  him,  they  were  at 
peace,  and  enjoyed  prosperity.  May  the  Lord  Jehovah  turn  us  !  "  Turn 
us,  0  God  of  our  salvation,  and  cause  thine  anger  towards  us  to  cease." 
"  Mercy  and  truth  a^re  met  together;  righteousness  and  peace  have  kissed 
each  other."(Ps.  LXXXV.)  So  may  it  be  in  the  land  of  Washington,  ere 
these  lines  reach  you.  But  if  not  so,  God's  will  be  done.  His  set  time 
is  best.  .  Yours  for  God  and  our  fatherland, 

Samuel  W.  Bonney. 

Canton,  Sept.  30,  1861.  God  in  his  providence  has  come  very  near 
us,  here  in  Canton  lately,  by  taking  to  himself  an  English  officer,  Lieut. 
Sandwith,  of  the  3d  Bombay  Infantry.  He  has  been  in  Canton  two 
years,  sustained  the  character  of  a  faithful  Christian  in  the  face  of  many 
ungodly  associates.  He  attended  our  prayer  meetings  and  took  a  part  in 
them.  Often  he  came  and  took  tea  with  us  and  spent  the  evening.  A 
week  ago  last  evening,  he  had  agreed  to  take  tea  with  us,  but  while  riding 
at  six  p.  M.,  to  attend  to  some  duty  of  his  regiment,  a  boy's  kite,  flying 
overhead,  got  loose  and  dropped  down  on  the  horse's  head.  The  horse  sud- 
denly shied  one  side  and  threw  Lieut.  Sandwith  headlong  on  the  ground  ; 
he  struck  on  his  forehead,  producing  instant  concussion  gf  the  brain.  Al- 
though he  breathed  for  six  hours,  he  was  unconscious,  and  never  spoke. 
His  death  is  much  lamented  by  missionaries  and  the  soldiers  ;  he  was  only 
twenty-five  years  of  age ;  in  the  flower  of  youth  he  is  transferred  to  the 
land  of  the  holy  and  blest. 

On  September  19th,  was  the  Chinese  "  Feast  op  Lanterns."  If  you 
only  divest  yourself  of  the  idea  that  all  you  see  is  sad  idolatry,  you  would 
indeed  call  it  a  very  beautiful  sight.  It  was  a  bright  moonlight  night ; 
every  householder  and  boatman,  raises  a  couple  of  very  pretty  colored  lan- 
terns, brilliantly  illuminated,  of  different  forms  and  materials,  or  colored 
glass  lamps,  before  each  door,  upon  the  top  of  a  high  pole  from  the  most 
elevated  part  of  his  house  or  vessel ;  there  is  also  a  fine  display  of  fireworks. 
The  boats  moving  up  and  down  the  river  "  exhibiting  colored  glass  lamps 
arranged  in  various  ways,  are  extremely  beautiful."  "  One  of  the  prettiest 
shows  of  lanterns,  is  seen  in  a  festival  observed  in  the  spring  or  autumn, 
by  fishermen,  to  propitiate  the  spirits  of  the  waters.     A  dragon,  fifty  feet 

II]  '     44 


346  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

or  more  long,  made  of  light  bamboo  frames,  of  the  size  and  shape  of  a 
barrel  covered  with  strips  of  colored  cotton  or  silk,  and  so  arranged  that 
it  can  be  lighted  in  the  inside,  has  the  extremities  to  represent  the  gaping 
head  and  frisking  tail.  This  monster  is  carried  through  the  streets  by 
men,  who  elevate  it  several  feet  above  their  heads,  by  holding  each  joint 
upon  poles,  and  as  they  walk  they  give  the  body  a  wriggling,  waving  mo- 
tion. It  is  called  manoeuvering  or  playing  with  the  dragon.  Huge  figures 
offish,  similarly  lighted,  precede  the  dragon,  with  music  and  fireworks  — 
the  never-failing  warning  to  way-side  demons  to  keep  out  of  the  way  — 
accompany  the  procession,  which  presents  a  very  brilliant  sight,  as  it  winds 
its  way  through  the  dark  streets."  These  sports  and  processions  give 
idolatry  its  hold  upon  a  people ;  and  although  none  of  them  are  required 
or  patronized  by  government,  still  in  China,  as  in  other  heathen  countries, 
most  of  the  scenes  and  games  which  please  the  people,  are  recommended 
by  connecting  with  them  the  observances  or  hopes  of  religion,  and  the 
merry  making  of  the  festive  board.  "  In  the  manufacture  of  lanterns, 
the  Chinese  excel  all  other  people;  tnl  variety  of  their  forms,  their  ele- 
gant carving,  gilding,  and  coloring,  and  the  laborious  ingenuity  and  taste 
displayed  in  their  construction,  render  them  among  the  prettiest  ornaments 
of  their  dwellings.  They  are  made  of  paper,  silk,  cloth,  horn,  basket  work 
and  bamboo,  of  various  sizes." 

October  3,  1861.  We  often  have  severe  thunder  storms  in  the  early 
part  of  the  summer  :  during  one  of  unusual  violence,  a  woman  living  near 
us  was  struck  by  the  terrific  lightning  and  instantly  killed. 

During  the  rainy  season,  we  had  great  rains  falling  in  such  torrents  as 
we  never  see  in  America,  which  together  with  the  high  tides  caused  the 
water  to  be  very  deep  in  our  "  houg,  "  and  out  of  school  hours  it  is  a 
source  of  great  diversion  to  the  girls  who  have  fine  fun  waddling  and  play- 
ing in  it.  On  one  such  occasion,  there  was  a  general  shout  of  "  16  shill" 
•"  a  rat !  "  a  large  fat  specimen,  that  evidently  had  been  a  frequent  visitor  to 
some  of  our  larders  was  seen  clinging  to  the  side  of  the  wall,  in  great  dan- 
ger of  being  drowned.  He,  however,  was  soon  captured  by  one  of  the  larger 
girls  and  carried  to  the  river  gate,  what  then?  thrown  into  the  river? 
No  indeed,  but  given  into  the  extended  waiting  hands  of  an  old  woman, 
whose  white  locks  claimed  for  her  preeminence  over  others  in  the  many 
"  sam-pans "  crowded  round  our  door.  She  received  it  with  grateful 
thanks,  then  introduced  it  into  her  boat  cuisine  and  soon,  with  her  child- 
ren, relished  it  as  a'sweet  morsel.  The  boat  women  frequently,  during 
the  high  tides,  have  asked  permission  to  come  within  our  inclosure  to 
secure  the  rats,  which  were  driven  out  of  their  holes  by  the  water,  as  they 
were  held  in  high  estimation  as  palatable  food.  Mr.  Bonney  and  myself  one 
day  priced  dried  rats,  large  quanities  of  which  were  hanging  up  in  shops; 
the  price  was  forty  cents  for  one  catty,  one  and  one  third  pounds.  We  con- 
stantly, in  our  walks,  saw  these  small  quadrupeds  exposed  for  sale,  in  the 
market  stalls  ;  either  skinned  ready  for  cooking ;  others  alive,  suspended  by 
the  tail  struggling  to  be  free,  or  dried,  hanging  side  by  side  with  dried 
ducks,  poultry  and  quarters  of  lamb,  also  fine  dogs  and  cats  in  abundance. 
Another  classical  and  popular  dish,  for  the  poor,  of  like  delicate  flavor  as 
the  rodent  mammals,  which  is  equally  acceptable,  is  a  specimen  of  the  ge- 
nus Felis.  A  fine  large  cat,  having  strayed  from  its  home,  was  unfor- 
tunatley  captured  in  my  garden  by  the  coolie,  without  my  knowledge,  and 
after  sundry  arrangements  given  to  a  younger  boatwoman.  A  few  hours 
subsequently  while  standing  at  the  veranda  window,  I  saw  the  coolie  com- 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  347 

ing  througli  the  river  gate  with  a  good  sized  bowl  of  soup  in  his  hand 
which  he  was  eating  with  avidity  and  great  gusto.  The  amah  called  my 
attention  to  it  and  told  me,  the  boatwoman  had  given  the  coolie  his  share 
of  poor  pussy  ! 

Commodore  Engle  and  two  other  officers  accompanied  William  around 
the  city;  on  their  return,  the  Commodore  told  me,  the  funniest  sight,  and 
the  one  he  would  not  have  missed  seeing,  was  a  fine  fat  puppy  skinned 
and  dressed,  being  weighed  ;  a  nice  dinner  for  some  family  who  from  stern 
persuasion  would  greedily  devour  a  slice  of  this  geuus  Canis.  We  often 
see  hucksters,  with  basket  cages,  slung  at  either  end  of  a  bamboo  pole, 
taking  live  cats  to  the  market,  and  on  the  stone  steps  of  the  public  landing 
by  our  house,  more  tljan  one  fat  dog,  I  have  seen  taken  to  be  prepared 
for  the  taste  of  the.  celestial  epicure,  they  have  the  appearance  of  young 
pigs. 

The  EiMPEROR  OF  China,  Hien  Fung  is  dead,  what  will  be  the  policy 
of  his  successor  towards  foreigners  remains  to  be  seen,  there  maybe  good 
will  or  there  may  be  fresh  troubles.  "  He  died  in  Tartary  on  the  22d  of 
August  1861,  whither  he  had  fled  in  October  of  the  previous  year,  not  long 
antecedent  to  the  destruction  of  his  summer  palace  by  the  allied  English 
and  French  troops."  The  courier  bringing  an  official  dispatch  from  Peking 
with  a  blue  seal  on  it,  arrived  a  few  days  since.  Orders  have  been  issued 
for  a  national  mourning  for  the  Emperor's  death,  all  the  official  documents 
to  Consul  Perry  are  sent  forth  under  the  blue  seal!  blue  being  the  color 
used  for  imperial  mourning,  as  white  is  that  of  the  people.  Red  paper  is 
not  now  used  and  even  the  sign  boards  are  put  in  mourning.  We  went 
to  see  the  "  Temple  of  Mars  which  was  draped  with  white,  the  floor  was 
also  covered  with  white  calico.  Here,  the  high  officials  and  military  men 
repair,  and  for  three  days,  bowing  and  prostrating  themselves  before  an 
empty  throne,  mourn  and  bewail  the  dead.  An  appointed  groaner  leads 
in  these  wails  and  prostrations;  and  when  the  mourners  have  assumed  the 
attitude  of  humble  grief,  a  signal  is  given,  and  the  yellow  silk  curtains  in 
front  of  the  throne  being  drawn  around  them,  they  are  left  to  their  sorrow." 
The  entrance  to  this  building  is  guarded  by  fierce  looking  lions.  Marriage 
processions  are  not  allowed  to  pass  through  the  streets  for  one  hundred 
days;  the  Chinese  are  all  required  to  mourn,  even  the  mandarins  remove 
their  buttons  from  their  caps."  The  "  Temple  OF  Horrors  '  is  another 
of  the  noteworthy  edifices  visited  by  the  curious.  It  is  dedicated  to  the 
god  of  the  city,  and  is  a  place  of  general  resort  for  the  inhabitants,  the 
square  is  always  densely  crowded  with  all  classes.  Gramblers  are  sitting  at 
small  tables ;  jugglers  with  their  practices  of  legerdemain  ;  fortune-tellers ; 
scores  of  beggars  shivering  in  their  filthy  rags  if  it  should  be  a  damp,  cold 
day;  and  some  wise  doctor  discoursing  about  the  virtue  of  monkey's 
bones.  You  never  can  look  with  indifl'erence  on  these  frightful  representa- 
tions of  the  torments  of  purgatory  and  varied  tortures  of  hell  ''awaiting 
the  wicked"  in  the  next  world.  Almost  daily  you  will  see  one  (or  more) 
earnest  devotees,  even  the  most  respectable  Chinese  women  with  little  ,feet, 
her  amah  close  by  her  —  "  kneeling  on  a  mat  before  an  altar,  consulting 
the  gods  about  some  aiFair  of  interest  to  her.  While  prostrate  she  touches 
the  floor,  with  her  forehead  three  times ;  then  taking  from  a  jar  a  number 
of  bamboo  sticks,  each  having  a  figure  inscribed  on  it,  shakes  the  holding 
box  till  a  stick  falls  out,  this  is  handed  to  the  waiting  priest,  who  gravely 
consults  the  sacred  book,  and  tells  the  petitioner  the  answer  to  her  prayer; 
this  concluded  she  rises  and  burns  incense  sticks  before  the  image."     In 


348  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

one  division  of  the  spacious  Temple  you  see  tlie  punishments  of  the  future 
state,  accordinn:  to  the  Tauist  Sect  in  the  Chinese  Hades.  The  King  of 
the  Infernal  Regions  sits  in  his  palace  as  Judge  and  condemns  for  mis- 
demeanors to  ten  different  degrees.  He  has  sentenced  some  criminals 
to  be  transformed  into  birds,  beasts,  or  oxen  and  they  are  to  be  seen  in 
the  successive  stages  :  a  boy  is  changing  to  a  dog  ;  a  man  has  horns  growing 
from  his  forehead,  his  feet  and  hands  are  changing  to  hoofs,  a  tail  is 
sprouting  from  his  back  ;  another  is  changing  into  an  ass,  others  into  hogs. 
These  victims  are  represented  undergoing  the  many  changes  of  transmigra- 
tion to  animals  as  punishments  for  crimes  committed  during  life-time  on 
earth.  "  The  devils  have  a  grist  mill  in  which  they  grind  up  the  wicked  ; 
one  sinner  has  been  put  in  head  foremost,  and  we  see  only  his  feet  sticking 
out  of  the  hopper;  another  is  placed  between  two  planks  of  wood  bound 
closely  together  and  is  being  sawn  longitudinally  in  two  parts,  the  blood 
flowing  out  all  around.  One  is  thrown  into  a  caldron  of  boiling  oil  and  is 
partially  stewed  ;  others  devoured  by  serpents  and  beasts  ;  another  to  be 
hung  up  and  flayed  alive;  some  beaten  to  death,  or  cut  in  various  ways 
and  others  are  beheaded.  One  poor  wretch  is  condemned  to  suffer  endless 
hunger  and  when  the  dogs  come  to  eat  his  raw-boned  frame,  the  demons  drive 
them  away.  These  figures  are  made  of  clay  and  wood,  representing  the 
condemned  victims  as  coming  out  in  the  shape  of  hideous  wild  animals" 
and  are  certainly  fitting  scenes  for  this  horrible  chamber.  A  few  of  the 
celestial  spirits  are  on  high  rocks  looking  down,  with  great  complacency, 
on  the  various  tortures  of  the  lower  regions  as  inflicted  by  the  King  of 
Hades.  A  grinning,  savage  demon  in  one  corner  is  paying  his  respects  to 
a  woman  who  cut  out  a  piece  of  her  own  flesh  and  gave  it  to  her  mother 
to  eat  which  cured  the  disease,  it  represents  her  filial  affection.  The  In- 
fernal Judge  sentences  all  robbers  of  tombs  to  be  put  in  the  caldron.  All 
termagants  to  be  ground  up  in  a  mortar.  Gamblers  to  be  beheaded. 
Those  who  wasted  grain  and  rice  are  transformed  to  birds  and  beasts. 
Extortioners  to  be  hung  up  and  flayed  alive.  All  the  atheists  to  be  sawn 
asunder.  Each  human  being,  after  having  endured  the  proper  degree  of 
punishment  for  sins  committed  during  life  on  earth  in  each  of  the  ten 
principal  departments  of  the  Tauist's  hell  ("The  doctrine  of  the  Metem- 
psychosis, or  transmigration  of  souls,  seemed  to  be  firmly  believed  by  all 
classes  of  the  Chinese")  is  doomed  to  be  born  again  into  the  world  as  a 
man  or  a  woman,  or  an  insect,  bird  or  beast  all  in  accordance  with  perfect 
justice." 

The  terrible  rumor  that  reached  us  has  become  a  certainty  of  the  mur- 
der of  two  failhful  missionaries  at  the  North  of  China.  "  Rev.  Messrs. 
Parker  and  Holmes  in  Shantung  were  cut' down  by  the  hand  of  violence, 
in  youthlvil  prime.  They  went  out  to  meet  the  advancing  rebels  and 
never  returned,  their  dead  bodies  were  found  on  October  15th  some  thirty 
miles  from  Chefoo.  The  murderers  of  these  missionaries  were  the  Shan- 
tung Rebels,  they  are  a  large  predatory  gang  whose  only  object  is  blood- 
shed and  spoil ;  they  are  a  thorough  scourge  to  the  districts  they  visit. 
"  These  local  filchers  had  for  some  weeks  been  in  the  distance  and  on 
Sunday  about  noon  the  two  friends  on  horseback,  and  armed  each  with  a 
revolver,  started  to  meet  them,  expecting  to  return  in  a  day  or  two.  On 
Tuesday  reports  came  that  they  had  been  killed;  but  this  was  not  known 
to  be  the  fact  until  their  bodies  were  found.  "  There  is  nothing  in  the 
present  aspect  of  affairs  which  promises  the  dawning  of  a  more  peaceful 
day  upon  this  distracted  land.     China  is  what  she  has  ever  been  —  slow, 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  349 

stolid,  stagnant.  The  central  government  shows  utter  impotence  to  cope 
with  the  evils  and  extensive  disorder  in  the  surrounding  provinces.  The 
mandarins  v?ell  know  that  these  fearful  filchers  aim  at  plunder,  taking  a 
place  they  remain  in  it  as  long  as  it  affords  them  the  means  of  subsistence, 
and,  when  thoroughly  exhausted,  they  bid  it  a  temporary  farewell.  The 
mandarins  do  not  wish  to  come  in  collision  with  them,  and  they  are  sure 
to  go  out  one  gate  as  the  desperate  filchers  enter  another.  It  was  supposed 
that  this  party  of  rebels  or  banditti  had  some  connection  with  those  at 
Nankin,  who  had  thus  far  shown  some  deference  to  foreigners,  and  the 
two  missionaries  went  without  any  fear  to  them." 

The  city  of  Canton  was  evacuated,  on  October  21,  1861,  by  the  allied 
forces,  and  as  a  consequence  the  vessels  were  gaily  dressed  in  bunting, 
flags  floated  with  the  breeze,  and  many  salutes  were  fired.  The  Chinese 
imperial  yellow  flag,  with  the  emblem  of  power,  as  seen  in  the  five-clawed 
dragon,  is  now  flying  where  the  French  and  English  standard  so  lately 
claimed  precedence.  Previous  to  leaving  Canton,  GtEN.  Sir  Charles 
Straubenzie,  commander  of  the  English  troops,  made  a  farewell  visit  to 
the  Chinese  General-in-Chief,  Tseang  Reun,  mandarin  of  the  first  class 
or  Red  Button,  called  the  Tartar  general,  and  was  received  with  great 
kindness.  This  afternoon  we  repaired  to  the  military  landing,  to  take  our 
favorite  ramble  on  the  city  walls,  but  a  wonderful  transformation  has 
already  been  effected,  giving  to  the  surroundings  a  dreary  and  desolate 
look.  Our  last  stroll  has  been  taken  there,  as  the  Chinese  have  cut  a  very 
deep  trench  across  that  wide  and  beautifully  macadamized  road  made  by  the 
allies.  They  intend  blocking  entirely  up  with  a  high  barricade,  so  that 
there  will  be  no  possible  entrance,  but  through  the  city  gates,  which  are 
well  guarded.  "  This  fine  military  road  was  made  for  the  transfer  of  sup- 
plies of  food  and  ammunition,  to  the  troops  stationed  on  the  heights,  at 
the  north  part  of  the  town."  Their  removal  is  an  experiment,  to  see  how 
foreigners  will  be  treated,  and  whether  the  late  transactions  will  prove  a 
salutary  restraint,  but  no  trouble  is  anticipated.  We  often  had  walked  on 
the  massive  wall,  gathering  pretty  ferns  and  flowers,  to  the  pagoda  citadel 
built  over  the  "  deep  and  lofty  arch  of  one  of  the  double  gates,  with  its 
outside  bastions,  now  occupied  by  Chinese  soldiers,  stationed  there  as  a 
guard  ;  once  this  walk  was  inaccessible  to  European  feet,  but  now  we  may 
go  as  we  please." 

Rev.  J.  W.  Mears  : 

My  Dear  Sir  :  I  subscribed  for  the  American  Preshyterian,  three  years 
ago,  and  sent  the  money  by  a  friend  going  to  America,  but  it  was  stolen 
from  him,  and  I  have  never  received  the  paper.  I  have  occasionally  met 
with  a  number,  which  I  have  read  with  much  pleasure.  I  do  not  wish 
to  be  without  the  paper  any  longer,  and  think  I  can  afford  to  pay  for  it. 
I  would  rather  diminish  my  customary  daily  food,  than  be  deprived  of  the 
healthy  mental  and  spiritual  nutriment  which  I  have  found,  and  expect  to 
find  in  the  columns  of  your  valuable  paper.  I  wish,  also,  that  the  Quarterli/ 
Review  of  our  church,  be  sent  to  me.  I  have  never  taken  it,  but  must 
now  delay  no  longer.  In  these  times  of  reviving  loyalty  and  patriotism, 
it  becomes  every  Christian  to  renew  his  loyalty,  to  whatever  regiment  of 
King  Immanuel's  army  he  belongs.  The  good  providence  of  God,  brought 
the  gospel  with  power,  to  my  heart,  while  attending  the  stated  services  in 
Allen  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  New  York.  Lane  Seminary  is  my 
Alma  Mater,  as  a  "  school  of  the  prophets."     Now  being  placed  here 


350  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

among  a  heathen  and  idolatrous  people,  to  proclaim  the  terms  of  pardon, 
peace,  and  eternal  life  to  rebel  men,  I  cannot  but  desire  the  occasional 
treat  of  reading  the  accounts  of  the  doings  of  my  fellow  soldiers,  in  my 
dear  native  laud.  God  has  greatly  blessed  her.  He  will,  I  am  persuaded, 
continue  to  bless  her.  This  present  chastisement  is  sent  in  love  and  wis- 
dom, to  purge  her  of  iniquity  and  ungodliness. 

"I  will  chastise  him  with  the  rod  of  men,  and  with  the  stripes  of  the 
children  of  men ;  but  my  mercy  shall  not  depart  away  from  him,"  saith 
the  Lord  of  David.  So  it  is  with  the  United  States  of  America.  God 
grant  that  all  his  people  there,  may  see  the  hand  of  a  kind  Father,  in  the 
infliction  of  this  scourge,  repent  of  their  lukewarmness  and  return  to  their 
first  love.  "  Will  a  man  rob  God  ?  yet  ye  have  robbed  me.  But  ye  say, 
Wherein  have  we  robbed  thee?  In  tithes  and  offerings.  Ye  are  cursed 
with  a  curse,  for  ye  have  robbed  me,  even  tlie  whole  nation.  Bring  ye 
all  the  tithes  into  the  store-house,  and  prove  me  now  herewith,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts,  if  I  will  not  open  you  the  windows  of  heaven,  and  pour  you 
out  a  blessing  that  there  shall  not  be  room  enough  to  receive  it."  The 
third  chapter  of  Malachi  is  very  applicable  to  the  present  condition  of  our 
country.  The  "  oiferings  "  which  have  heretofore  been  given  in  the  United 
States,  for  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missions,  seem  but  a  "  tithe  of  mint,  anise 
and  cummin,"  when  compared  with  the  millions  of  money  and  thousands 
of  men,  now  furnished  for  the  support  of  the  government.  When  Britain 
was  slow  to  give  the  gospel  to  her  Indian  subjects,  a  mutiny  was  allowed 
to  spring  up.  to  quicken  her  to  duty.  When  the  United  States  were  slack 
in  efforts  to  diffuse  the  gospel  of  peace  and  love  at  home  and  abroad,  a 
spirit  of  discord,  was  permitted  to  ripen  into  armed  rebellion.  Soon  may 
the  people  of  the  Lord  come  up  to  his  help  against  the  mighty  hosts  of 
Satan,  as  they  now  do  for  the  defence  of  their  government  against  treason, 
rebellion,  and  downright  mutiny.  Tithes,  and  more  than  tithes,  are 
freely  offered  for  the  defence  of  our  national  government.  When  the 
present  exigency  is  passed,  will  not  the  claims  of  Him  who  is  "  Governor 
among  the  nations,"  be  regarded  ?  '•'•Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  andpi-each 
the  gospel,  to  every  creature."  Let  prompt  and  general  obedience  be  given 
to  this  great  command  of  the  new  dispensation,  and  our  land  will  be  the 
glory  and  delight  of  all  lands.  "  Our  God  will  bless  us,  and  the  land  will 
yield  her  increase."     So  may  it  be.  Yours  very  truly, 

S.   W.  BONNEY. 

One  of  the  veteran  missionaries  in  China  left  us  on  November  2d,  18G1, 
and  went  to  his  eternal  reward,  "  after  a  long  and  honorable  life  of  useful- 
ness." It  was  Rev.  E.  C  Bridgman,  D.D.,  of  the  Amer.  Board's  Mis- 
sion at  Shanghai.  He  came  to  China  in  1830  and  had  been  absent  from 
China  only  one  year  since  that  time.  He  has  been  a  diligent  fiithful,  and 
wise  servant  of  Jesus  in  this  part  of  the  great  field. 

iNIr  Bonny  knew  him  well  and  had  resided  in  his  house  for  seven  months, 
"  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints."  On 
Monday  before  the  interment,  there  came  a  note  accompanied  with  a  cross 
beautifully  embroidered  with  pure  white  natural  fluwers,  with  this  re- 
quest to  the  bereaved  and  sorrowing  widow  :  "  Will  you  allow  me  the  privi- 
lege of  laying  these  flowers  by  one  whose  memory  we  value  so  deeply  ? 

With  sincere  sympathy  —  F.  C." 

The  "  ChristmasTree,"  with  its  emblematic  evergreen,  whose  top  reached 
to  the  ceiling,  has  budded  and  blossomed.     On  December  25th,  the  fruit 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  351 

was  all  plucked  from  its  heavily  ladened  branches,  much  to  the  gratifica- 
tion and  delight  of  the  little  folks  whose  "bright  eyes  often  would  turn 
wistfully  toward  the  locked  door,  and  long  to  take  a  peep,"  the  secrecy 
and  mystery  of  its  preparation  has  been  tantalizing  to  them.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Williams  with  their  children  came  up  from  Macao,  the  previous  week  to 
be  our  guests ;  they  assisted  to  "  arrange  artistically  the  baubles  which  link 
home  centre  with  loving  remembrances.  The  beautiful  gifts  sent  last 
year  by  Lady  Parks,  together  with  the  box  from  Albany  were  great  ac- 
quisitions, we  had  also  baskets  of  refreshments  from  Mrs.  Hunter  and  Mr. 
Nye,  with  innumerable  gifts  from  other  friends. 

One  pretty  incident,  which  touched  the  hearts  of  all  present,  was  con- 
nected with  this  occasion  :  early  in  the  morning  I  received  a  letter  and 
parcel  enclosing  a  purse  of  money,  from  the  English  Wesleyan  mission- 
aries of  Canton,  directed  to  one  belonging  to  the  Southern  Baptist  Board. 
Owing  to  the  embarrassed  condition  of  our  poor  unsettled  native  country 
the  remittance  of  necessary  funds,  had  been  withheld,  causing  great  distress 
to  his  excellent  brother  family.  The  purse,  from  these  kind  sympathizing 
friends,  was  hung  in  a  conspicuous  place  on  the  tree,  and  in  the  midst  of 
our  festivities  Mr.  Bonney  cut  down  and  handed  the  welcome  godsend 
to  the  worthy  recipient  designated  for  this  courteous  benevolence. 

January  13,  1862.  This  is  the  "  Week  of  Prayer;"  we  have  religious 
meetings  every  day  and  evening,  they  are  most  precious  seasons,  oh,  that 
Grod's  blessing  may  rest  upon  us  all,  here  and  in  our  native  land.  Our 
poor  distracted,  dear  Country,  "  with  the  dark  banners  of  disunion  float- 
ing over  the  entire  South,  and  covering  it  with  black  clouds,"  has  been 
the  subject  of  earnest  prayer  at  our  missionary  meetings.  How  she  suf- 
fers !  If  I  was  at  home,  and  had  nine  grown  up  sons,  I  would  give  them 
all  to  God  and  for  their  Country,  to  protect  and  defend  the  "  Star-spangled 
Banner."  Oh,  that  you  could  find  every  Northern  Traitor,  to  put  them 
at  the  cannon's  mouth  and  blow  them  south;  it  is  not  only  a  crime  against 
the  country,  but  against  God. 

How  many  homes  are  made  desolate,  and  many,  many  hearts  broken, 
but  it  must  be  so,  "Our  Flag"  must  not  be  stricken  down.  What  sad, 
sad  havoc,  yet  I  do  not  want  to  hear  of  peace  till  Rebellion  is  extirpated 
and  the  United  States  Grovernment  triumphant;  for  God  will  there  rule. 
I  grieve  to  see  advertisements  for  Balls  and  Concerts,  what  perverted 
taste  !  Who  can  have  the  heart  to  attend  a  party,  when  thousands  of  our 
noble  young  men  are  bleediog  to  preserve  your  very  homes  to  you.  There 
is  every  probability,  that  the  United  States  Government  will  be  sustained 
in  its  authority  and  maintained  in  its  integrity  over  the  thirty-four  States. 
Rebellion,  and  mutiny  will  be  suppressed  ;  although  it  may  be  by  a  death 
struggle.  "  The  paths  of  peace,  are  the  only  paths  of  pleasantness  for  En- 
gland and  America." 

Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney  to  Mrs.  Elmendorf. 
My  dear  Mrs  Elmendorf,  Canton  February  22d,  1862. 

Several  days  since,  Catharine  notified  me  that  this  day  was  near  at  hand. 
Here  it  is,  bright,  warm  and  clear,  demanding  of  me  a  remembrance  of 
your  birth-day.  But  alas  for  the  birthday  of  Washington  this  year.  If 
he  could,  or  if  he  does,  look  down  on  the  country  of  which  he  has  been 
styled  "  the  Father,"  what  grief  must  he  feel  to  see  the  nation  for  which 
he  toiled  many  a  year,  torn  by  fratricidal  wars.  Its  citizens  arrayed  in 
hostile  arms  against  each  other,  because  one  portion  is  determined  to  tighten 


352  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

the  cords  of  Slavery,  and  the  other  portion  desire  to  loosen  them.    The  foul 
ingredient  of  African  slavery  in  the  organization  of  our  nation,  has  grown  to  an 
immense  ulcer.     But  now  we  must  make  the  best  of  it  we  can,  and  support 
the  good  civil  Government  that  lawless  men  would  destroy.     The  very 
heart  and  soul  of  the  Southern  Rebellion  seems  tome  to  be  injustice  and 
unholy  ambition.     I  cannot  do  any  thing  in  person  to  suppress  it,  while 
1  am  here  at  the  antipodes,  but  I  can  pray,  and  will  pray  to  Him  who  is 
Governor  over  all  the  nations  of  the  earth,*that  he  would  scatter  those  who 
join  in  a  wicked  rebellion,  and  delight  in  war,  for  war's  sake.     Did  not 
Southerners  begin  the  war  and  boast  of  their  prowess  ?  May  the  Union 
men  and  troops  trust  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  at  all  times,  stand  up  strong  for 
the  right,  and  the  venerable  institutions  of  our  land  that  have  grown  better 
by  age.     Now  they  are  put  to  the  test  of  their  value.     The  souls  of  freemen 
are  tried  as  to  their  fidelity  and  loyalty.     When  I  wrote  you  last  year,  little 
did  I  expect  such  a  fearful  and  widespread  contest  in  the  U.  States  as  now 
rages.     We  read  the  papers  from  America  with  eagerness,  but  find  it 
necessary  to  sift  the  contents  ;  to  separate  the  true  from  the  probable, 
or  the  false.     Every  American  missionary  in  foreign  countries  will  be  more 
or  less  affected  by  this  rebellion.     The  contributions  for  their  support  will 
be  and  are  even  now  diminished.     Probably  the  leaders  and  instigators  of  the 
Rebellion  neither  think  nor  care  for  that.     Have  they  been  among  the  true 
and  constant  supporters  of  foreign  missions  heretofore  ?  A  good  part  of 
our  daily  thoughts  are  of  our  dear  native  land  and  its  present  deplorable 
condition.     Ungodliness  has  been  festering  for  a  long  time,  and  now  it 
breaks  forth  in  a  torrent.     It  seems  at  times  as  if  it  would  cool  our  ardor 
in  the  duties  of  our  station  which  are,  to  teach  the  Gospel  to  as  many 
Chinese  as  we  can.     This  is  the  one  great  and  good  object  for  whicl%  we 
are  living  here,  instead  of  remainiug  in  the  land  of  our  birth.     lam  fully 
persuaded  that  if  this  object  and  enterprise  had  taken  a  deeper  hold  of  the 
churches  in  the  United  States  for  the  last  ten  years,  than  it  has,  (to  that 
extent  that  a  correct  standai'd  of  Christian  benevolence  requires,)  our 
country  would  have  been  saved  from  this  present  calamity.     Every  tenth 
theological  student,  every  tenth  dollar  of  a  Christian's  income,  may  justly 
and  with  perfect  propriety  be  consecrated  to  this  service.     When  this  is 
done  from  the  pure  motive  of  love  to  Christ,  there  are  a  thousand  blessings 
flowing  from  it.     To  my  eye,  the  foreign  missionary  cause  is  the  central 
balance  wheel  of  all  associated  benevolent  labors.     The  greater  the  power 
that  is  put  upon  it  to  carry  it  on  speedily,  the  greater  the  effect  on  all 
endeavors  to  establish  truth  and  holiness  in  our  own  home  territory.     A  zeal- 
ous attachment  to  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  in  heathen  lands,  would  neutralize 
many  narrow-minded  notions  of  Christian  duty,  that  grow  up  in  churches 
who  seek  only  their  own  support  at  home.     The  generation  of  one  idea, 
furious,  fiery,  ultra  abolitionists  would  never  have  existed,  had  the  command, 
"  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,"  been 
complied  with  as  it  ought.     A  holy  zeal  for  Christ,  his  name  and  praise, 
would  have  set  aside  every  thing  that  disagreed  with  it.     The  spirit  of 
good  will,  sympathy  and  love  would  never  have  aroused  the  angry  resent- 
ment of  Southern  slaveholders.     They  would  also  have  regarded  the  Afri- 
can population  with  more  commiseration  and  humane  care.     The  benefits 
of  Christian  instruction  and  reading  the  Bible  would  have  been  extended 
to  all  the  colored  population.     The  selfish  and  unseemly  boasting  of  our 
national  advantages,  would  have  been  restrained  by  thankful  acknowledg- 
ments to  the  Giver  of  all  s?ood.     Notwithstanding  the  dark  cloud  of  desola- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  353 

tion  and  violence,  I  hope  for  its  dispersion  and  try  to  "  wait  patiently  for 
the  Salvation  of  God,"  He  only  can  give  victory.  Let  us  seek  it  from 
Him.  He  is  the  Disposer  of  men,  as  well  as  their  Creator  and  Preserver. 
All  power  belongeth  to  him.  "  He  putteth  down  one  and  setteth  up 
another."  If  our  countrymen  will  only  acknowledge  their  forgetfulness 
of  Him  and  return  to  righteousness,  our  God  will  exalt  them  and  give  pros- 
perity. But  woe  to  them  who  strive  with  their  Maker.  An  unholy 
national  pride  and  haughty  spirit  have  brought  our  people  and  Government 
very  near  destruction.  To  whom  can  we  go  for  rescue  but  to  Him  who 
has  led  us  along  these  eighty  years,  and  brought  us  up  to  manhood  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth  ? 

Since  your  last  birthday,  Catharine  and  myself  have  been  favored  with 
general  good  health,  and  also  our  family  of  Chinese  girls.  Freddy  has 
been  returned  to  his  parents  in  good  health  and  spirits.  Catharine  has 
taken  four  new  scholars  into  her  school.  I  have  made  a  trip  to  Hankow 
and  back  safely,  together  with  several  shorter  ones  in  this  Province.  My 
Chapel  has  been  fully  attended.  My  free  day  school  for  boys  has  been 
supported  by  friends  here.  It  costs  about  $150  a  year.  While  I  was 
absent  at  Hankow  Catharine  went  up  twice  a  week  to  my  Chapel,  inside 
of  the  City  walls,  to  sing  with  my  boys  and  see  that  all  went  right.  For 
a  few  days  there  was  a  great  freshet;  the  water  rose  suddenly  and  was 
two  feet  deep  in  our  house,  the  girls  had  to  wade  through  to  get  to  the 
school  room.  The  first  day  of  the  flood  Catharine  had  a  comical  experi- 
ence, but  she  was  equal  to  the  emergency  and  bore  it  bravely.  She  went 
up  early  in  the  morning  (seated  in  a  sedan  with  Freddy  on  her  lap  and 
Amah  walking)  to  the  boys'  school.  On  her  return  the  chair-bearers  put 
down  the  sedan,  quite  a  distance  from  the  dwelling,  telling  her  of  the 
high  tide  and  that  they  could  go  no  farther  but  would  carry  her  on  their 
back.  She  however  had  no  idea  of  that,  and  insisted  they  should  proceed 
or  they  should  not  have  any  pay.  By  this  time  a  large  crowd  had  assem- 
bled to  see  how  the  "  Sz  Nai "  (Teacher's  Wife)  would  reach  her  house. 
After  much  grumbling,  finding  the  lady  resolute,  the  coolies  raised  the 
sedan-chair  and  waded  through  the  wafer,  holding  it  above  while  Amah 
took  Freddy.  The  girls  and  servants  brought  stools  and  chairs  to  make 
a  dry  road  from  the  Sedan.  With  their  assistance  she  stept  from  the  ele- 
vated conveyance  on  a  stool,  then  another  and  had  nearly  reached  the 
door  when  one  turned  and  down  she  went  into  the  deep  water.  No  harm 
done,  she  soon  changed  her  apparel  and  the  mishap  was  fun  for  all.  The 
Chinese  are  friendly  to  us  and  no  opposition  is  openly  made  to  the  preach- 
ing and  teaching  of  the  Gospel.  As  individuals,  as  a  family,  as  Christian 
missionaries,  as  foreigners  dwelling  among  a  people  of  another  race  we 
have  a  thousand  occasions  for  thanks  to  God  the  Giver  of  all  good.  Two 
of  Catharine's  Canada  friends,  Lady  Wilson  and  Miss  Glen,  have  gone  to 
their  last  abode  and  the  Judge  of  all.  Every  month  we  are  here  warned 
to  "  watch  and  be  ready  "  for  our  own  summons.  I  congratulate  you  on 
the  return  of  your  birthday  and  the  blessings  of  the  past  year  on  your 
household.  My  kindest  regards  to  Dr.  Elmendorfand  niece  Hattie.  May 
love  to  God  and  the  Saviour  daily  fill  her  heart  with  joy.  Catharine  sends 
her  best  love.     Good  night.  Yours  affectionately, 

S.  W.  BONNEY. 

May  12,  1862.  Our  Missionaries  are  ever  active  in  their  itinerant  labors  ; 
a  photograph  was  sent  to  me  which  I  enclose,  showing  the  earnestness  of 

45 


% 


354  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Rev.  Mr.  Preston.  While  the  coolies  are  resting,  the  good  missionary  is 
telling  them  of  Jesus.  Seated  on  the  grass  are  two  native  preachers, 
fans  in  their  hands,  and  green  goggles  to  protect  their  eyes.  There  are 
three  sedan-chairs  in  the  rear.     Some  of  the  coolies  have  gone  for  tea. 

Another  steamer  tragedy  occurred  last  week  between  Macao  and 
Hongkong,  reminding  us  of  the  times  in  1857  and  1858  when  the  war 
was  raging.  The  steamer  "  Iron  Prince  "  left  Hongkong  at  eleven  A.  M. 
for  Macao,  thirty-five  miles  distant.  When  two  hourssail  from  Hongkong  six 
teen  of  the  Chinese  passengers  made  an  attack  on  the  captain  and  officers 
with  an  intent  to  kill.  Captain  Harris,  and  first  mate  and  four  European  pas- 
sengers defended  themselves  bravely  with  weapons,  and  finally  overpowered 
the  river  pirates,  killing  sixteen  of  them.  The  first  mate  and  pilot  were 
killed,  and  all  the  others  more  or  less  wounded.  A  lady  passenger  — 
Mrs.  Dunn  —  behaved  most  courageously,  helping  the  captain  to  load  the 
muskets  and  passing  the  loaded  oaes  through  a  window,  to  the  Europeans, 
receiving  the  discharged  ones  in  return.  There  were  ^40,000  in  specie, 
on  board  the  steamer,  which  was  the  prize  desired  by  the  remorseless 
pirates,  who  were  well  posted  about  the  boxes  of  treasure,  and  came  on 
board  to  murder  and  pillage.  "  Grovernor  Guimaraes,  of  Macao,  has  just 
returned  from  the  North,  he  was  received  by  the  authorities  and  people 
with  a  hearty  welcome.  The  officials  in  their  uniforms  were  all  in  attend- 
ance, and  His  Excellency  lauded  under  a  salute  of  twenty-one  guns,  from 
the  San  Francisco  and  Monte  forts.  Over  the  landing  place,  was  reared  a 
triumphal  arch,  and  in  front  of  the  Grovernment  House,  was  an  ornamental 
structure,  under  which  the  band  was  placed.  On  Wednesday,  a  Te  Deum 
was  performed  in  the  Cathedral,  and  along  the  road  leading  to  it,  from  the 
governor's  residence,  floral  arches  were  erected.  In  the  evening  the  town 
also  was  brilliantly  illuminated."  The  weather  is  very  warm  in  the  day 
time,  but  cool  at  night. 

June  \Oth.  We  have  word  from  Shanghai,  that  war  and  the  cholera 
are  scourging  the  inhabitants.  Cholera  among  the  foreign  soldiers,  and 
war  with  the  rebels,  who  are  determined  to  take  Shanghai  if  possible.  The 
country  people  are  fleeing  by  ten^  of  thousands  to  the  protection  of  the 
foreigners  at  Shanghai.  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Rev.  Edward  Hop- 
per of  Sag  Harbor,  thanking  me  in  warm  language  for  the  American  flag 
I  sent  him.  It  was  the  flag  I  carried  to  Hankow,  at  the  bow  of  our  Chinese 
boat.  As  soon  as  it  came  into  the  house,  his  wife  counted  the  stars  I  had 
sewed  on  and  said,  •'  the  stars  are  all  there.'^  Mr.  Hopper  writes,  her 
words  are  the  theme  of  another  poem  he  is  writing,  which  I  am  sure  will 
equal  his  other  productions.  "  Not  long  since  an  examination  was  held 
at  Nan  Chang,  the  provincial  capital  of  Kiangsi.  The  English,  French, 
and  Russians,  were  the  themes.  The  examination  was  concluded,  by  a 
combined  assault  on  the  Roman  Catholic  establishment.  The  life  of  the 
foreign  priest  was  sought,  but  he  managed  to  escape,  and  afterwards  to 
reach  Kin-Kiang  in  safety.  This  was  done  under  the  immediate  notice 
of  the  great  officers  of  government,  and  doubtless  with  their  tacit  consent. 
Placards  have  been  posted  up  in  difi"erent  parts  of  the  province,  denounc- 
ing our  aggressive  policy,  exposing  our  excessive  barbarism,  and  explain- 
ing our  recent  proceedings  against  the  rebels,  as  an  atonement  to  the 
Chinese  government  for  our  past  ofi'ences.  In  the  province  of  Kwei  Chow, 
a  foreign  priest  has  just  been  executed  by  orders  of  the  local  mandarin, 
notwithstanding  his  passport,  under  circumstances  of  peculiar  barbarity, 
and  there  will  be  more  trouble." 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


355 


The  Dragon  Festival  was  celebrated,  June  17th,  and  is  one  of  the 
gayest  holidays,  being  one  of  the  four  great  feast  days,  which  are  annually 
observed.  The  incessant  racket  is  a  severe  trial  for  weak  nerves ;  there 
was  firing  of  crackers,  beating  of  drums,  raising  of  flags  and  boat  racing. 
"  The  boats  are  long  and  narrow,  about  one  hundred  feet  in  length,  by 
only  thirty-two  inches  in  width,  terminating  in  a  point  at  both  ends.  They 
are  brilliantly  painted  and  have,  their  bows  ornamented  with  dragons,  re- 
sembling the  nondescript  sea-serpent.  Each  boat  is  bedecked  with  flags 
and  gay  streamers  ;  and  contains  sixty  or  eighty  men,  who,  sitting  quietly, 
paddle  their  craft  to  the  time  produced  by  the  rude  music  of  gongs,  drums 
and  the  jingling  of  copper  pans.  The  boats,  when  under  full  headway, 
being  in  appearance  not  unlike  huge  centipedes  in  motion.  A  man  stands 
near  the  helm,  constantly  waving  a  fancy  flag  ;  while  two  men,  who  played 
a  drum,  elevated  in  the  middle  of  the  boat,  led  the  band,  keeping  time 
with  the  stroke  of  the  oar.  As  the  speed  of  the  boat  and  the  din  of  the 
music,  culminated,  the  'dragon's  voice  seemed  like  the  jingling  of  copper 
pans,'  then  the  excitement  of  the  musicians,  exhibited  itself  in  various 
frantic  gestures.  In  consequence  of  the  very  slight  construction  of  these 
boats,  many  lives  are  often  lost,  by  their  breaking  in  two,  Pairs  of  these 
long,  narrow  dragon  boats,  race  up  £»nd  down  the  rivers  with  huge  clamor, 
as  if  searching  for  some  one  who  had  been  drowned."  One  of  these  dra- 
gon boats,  Mr.  Bonney  saw  upset,  by  a  gale  of  wind,  and  thirty  men 
drowned ;  there  were  eighty  men  in  the  boat ;  the  under  current  was  very 
strong  at  that  spot. 


Public  Whipping.    (See  page  331.) 


356  LEGAcy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


CHAPTER  XVni. 
t 

Visit  to  Japan  in  1862. 

Sliangliai,  July  4,  1862.  This  memorable  day,  has  opened  bright  and 
clear,  but  there  are  only  a  few  Americans  here,  and  no  public  demonstra- 
tion is  to  be  made  of  American  patriotism.  I  have  sent  the  American 
Consul  here,  Mr.  Geo.  H.  Seward,  a  copy  of  the  song  "  The  Old  Flag," 
written  by  my  friend  Rev.  Edward  Hopper  of  Sag  Harbor.  Yesterday  after- 
noon, Catherine  felt  so  strong,  that  she  ventured  out  to  call  on  Mrs.  Bridg- 
man,  and  visit  the  graves  of  Rev.  Dr.  Bridgman  and  Rev.  W.  A.  Macy. 
She  receives  every  care  and  attention  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tyers,  with  whom 
we  are  staying,  at  the  hospitable  mansion  of  Messrs  Olyphant  &  Co.,  and 
at  times  we  think  her  better  for  the  trip  from  Hongkong.  Another  day, 
we  took  sedans  and  went  beyond  the  svxburbs,  meeting  many  persons,  com- 
fortably seated  on  icheel  harrows ;  thousands  are  daily  plying  about  the 
city,  used  for  carrying  the  natives.  They  are  "  seated  sideways,  with  legs 
dangling  below  or  drawn  up,  while  his  baggage,  or  another  passenger,  is 
placed  on  the  opposite  side  to  trim  the  vehicle.  This  is  the  national  convey- 
ance at  this  place.  We  saw  '  this  one-horse  wheel  barrow,  propelled  by  a 
stout  coolie,  with  a  strap  over  his  shoulders,  which  made  a  doleful  creak- 
ing as  it  passed  close  by  us.'  In  the  filthy  Chinese  city,  we  saw  men  with 
the  cangue,  which  is  a  very  heavy  wooden  square  board  collar,  having  a 
hole  in  the  centre,  for  the  neck  of  the  culprit,  it  is  locked  on.  It  projects 
outwards  so  for  three  or  four  feet,  that  he  cannot  touch  his  head  with  his 
hands  and  will  starve  unless  his  friends  or  relatives  feed  him."  The 
sights  of  abject  poverty  and  misery,  which  we  beheld  were  most  pitiable 
and  horrifying.  Persons  lying  beside  the  public  road,  starving  to  death  ; 
old  women  with  white  hair,  begging  ;  sickly  children  crawling  along,  cry- 
ing most  despairingly,  and  we  passed  more  than  one  dead  body. 

There  is  a  custom  of  the  Shanghai  Chinese  that  does  not  exist  at  Can- 
ton, of  placing  the  cofl&ns  of  the  dead  on  the  top  of  the  ground  and  letting 
them  remain  there  to  rot  and  corrupt.  Some  are  covered  with  mats,  some 
with  a  single  layer  of  earth,  others  with  brick  ;  it  is  a  strange  respect  for 
the  dead  which  is  injurious  and  disgusting  to  the  living  as  the  effluvia  is 
offensive  and  unhealthy:  "The  country,  far  and  wide,  is  dotted  with  little 
mounds  of  earth — the  graves  of  former  generations,  they  are  scattered 
over  the  fields  and  gardens  in  a  most  remarkable  manner."  Mr.  Tyers 
took  us  for  a  charming  drive  of  ten  miles  circuit  through  the  surrounding 
country  over  beautiful  hard  roads,  we  saw  many  curious  spectacles.  One 
day  was  spent  at  Bishop  Boone's  residence  enjoying  his  pleasant  hospi- 
tality, and  attending  worship  with  the  native  girls'  school  under  the  care  of 
Miss  Jones.  The  cholera  is  raging  fearfully  at  Slsanghai  and  has  carried  off 
many  victims  during  the  months  of  June  and  July.  Rebellion  and  piracy 
are  the  two  departments  of  lawlessness  prevalent  in  every  part  of  China. 
In  Hunan,  a  regular  system  of  persecution  has  been  going  on  for  some 
time.  Chapels  have  been  pulled  down,  also  the  houses  of  converts  have 
been  broken  into,  and  their  property  confiscated.  The  mandarins  are 
either  unable  or  unwilling  to  do  anything  in  the  matter  of  these  gloomy 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  357 

surroundings.  In  Peking,  the  Protestant  religion  is  prohibited,  but  mis- 
sionaries have  visited  the  surrounding  towns  and  cities,  and  have  found 
the  people  remarkably  well  disposed  to  foreigners. 

The  "  Lanrick  "  dropped  anchor  July  29  in  the  harbor  I  Yokohama,  of 
went  ashore  to  the  American  Consulate  and  reported  myself  as  an  "Amer- 
ican citizen."  Mr.  Geo.  C.  Fisher,  the  Consul,  took  me  in  his  covered 
boat  across  the  harbor  to  Kanagawa  where  I  found  the  missionaries,  Rev. 
S.  R.  Brown  and  Ballagh  of  the  Dutch  Board  and  Hepburn  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Board,  residing  in  separate  temples  though  in  the  same  com- 
pound. These  low  houses,  with  sliding-screens  of  paper  for  partitions, 
had  been  made  quite  comfortable  by  slight  repairs.  Arrangements  had 
already  been  made  to  receive  and  entertain  us  at  Dr.  Hepburn's.  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  Brown  returned  with  me  to  the  brig  and  we  brought  Catharine 
ashore  before  dark,  and  we  are  now  the  guests  of  Dr.  Hepburn  at  Kana- 
gawa, his  house  adjoins  Rev.  Mr.  Brown's,  Gen.  Pruyn  is  up  at  Yedo, 
eighteen  miles  distant;  we  had  a  kind  note  from  him,  he  will  be  down  to- 
morrow and  expects  us  to  go  up  and  visit  him.  A  letter  has  been  for- 
warded from  Canton,  and  just  received,  written  by  Mr.  Pruyn,  telling  of  his 
arrival  at  Yedo,  concluding  with  an  invitation  for  us  to  come  on  to  Ja- 
pan. 

Dr.  W.  Dickson,  my  fellow  traveler  to  Hankow,  has  been  my  escort 
through  Yokohama.  The  roads  are  laid  out  at  right  angles  with  each  other, 
wide  and  level,  the  buildings  are  only  one  story  high,  on  account  of  the 
frequent  earthquakes  —  built  of  stone  or  wood,  all  have  gardens  and  front 
yards.  One  quarter  of  the  town  is  occupied  by  the  Japanese  shops  and 
stores  with  open  fronts  displaying  all  the  variety  of  pretty  Japanese  wares; 
these  are  very  neat  establishments.  We  saw  a  party  taking  their  morning 
repast  "  seated  a  la  Turk  around  the  table  cloth  made  of  woven  straw  and 
spread  upon  the  floor  matting."  In  the  centre  was  a  large  bowl  of  lac- 
quered wood,  containing  rice,  from  which  common  supply  each  person 
had  heaped  up  a  porcelain  bowl,  which  he  put  to  his  lips  and  shoveled  in 
with  his  fingers  in  most  dexterous  style.  They  were  furnished  with  pieces 
of  meats,  vegetables,  hot  tea  and  saki,  different  dainties  which  do  not  in- 
jure the  health  made  up  their  meal. 

We  greatly  enjoyed  our  daily  rides,  on  the  nimble  ponies,  through 
fields  richly  carpeted  with  choicest  flowers  and  through  the  higways  bor- 
dered with  fine  tall  hedges  and  magnificent  shrubbery.  The  forests  and 
hills  were  dotted  with  the  lovely  white  lilies,  roses  of  innumerable  vari- 
ety, while  the  camelia  japonica  with  its  elegant  flowers  seemed  to  be  ex- 
tensively cultivated  and  in  dazzling  beauty  was  seen  on  every  side.  We 
passed  often  through  "  little  villages  with  their  low  dwellings  and  thatched 
roofs  looking  lovely  and  romantic."  Each  pony  had  a  curious  appendage 
in  the  shape  of  a  man  called  "  bettoe  "  or  groom  ;  his  whole  body  was 
covered  with  fanciful  figures  pricked  and  stained  on  his  skin,  presenting  a 
very  grotesque  appearance,  tattoed  with  difi"erent  shades  of  blue  and  red  col- 
ors. "  This  is  dbne  by  puncturing  the  skin,  and  inserting  a  mineral  liquid, 
giving  a  similar  eifect  to  that  which  is  often  observed  upon  the  arms  and 
bodies  of  sailors."  It  mattered  not  if  we  traveled  slow  or  fast,  his  pace 
was  equal  to  it ;  he  showed  no  sign  of  weariness  but  went  ever  ambling  fleetly 
by  our  side.  Besides  this  custom  of  tattoed  nudity*  they  have  a  strip  of 
cloth  around  the  loins  and  then  are  prepared  to  surprise  us  by  their  power 
of  endurance. 
Their  excellent  health  and  robust  appearance  does  not  in  the  least  degree 


358  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

indicate  any  of  the  enervating  effects  vrbich  luxurious  tables  are  said  to 
have,  for  by  their  abstemious  habits  they  are  quite  able  to  vie  with  the 
swiftness  of  the  race  horses.  1  iorgot  to  mention  that  Eev.  M.  B.  Baily, 
chaplain  to  the  English  residents  at  Yokohama,  with  his  family  from 
London,  came  over  with  us. 

A  Letter  from  Japan. 
My  dear  Sir,  Yokohama,  Japan,  August  11,  1862. 

Some  of  your  readers  have  visited  this  far-off  place,  newly  opened  for 
the  residence  and  trade  of  Western  men  ;  others  have  read  or  heard  descrip- 
tions of  it ;  while  to  many,  it  is  probably  an  almost  unknown  land.  Hav- 
ing a  few  leisure  moments,  I  will  attempt  to  give  you  a  brief  sketch. 

The  town  is  built  on  a  low,  flat  piece  of  ground,  situated  on  the  west 
side  of  Y^edo  bay,  which  is  twenty  miles  across,  at  its  mouth.  The  eastern 
part,  is  occupied  by  foreign  residents,  the  western,  by  Japanese  shops, 
stores,  and  hongs.  The  dwellings  of  the  foreigners,  are  in  the  bungalow 
style,  with  spacious  yards  and  grounds  around  them.  The  Japanese  build- 
ings are  low  dwellings  of  one,  or  one  and  a  half  story  high,  of  wood  frames 
and  walls,  with  tile  or  thatched  roofs.  Here  and  there  you  will  see  scat- 
tered among  them  fire-proof  buildings,  some  covered  with  white  plaster, 
others  with  black  lacquer,  to  which,  in  case  of  a  conflagration,  the  neigh- 
bors remove  their  goods  for  safety.  The  streets  are  admirable  for  their 
regularity  and  width,  the  narrowest  being  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet,  the 
largest  fifty  or  sixty  feet  wide.  Every  variety  of  Japanese  ware,  trinkets, 
toys,  fans,  curious  and  useful  articles,  are  displayed  in  the  open  front  of 
the  shops.  The  floor  of  a  Japanese  shop  is  raised  about  fifteen  inches 
from  the  ground,  on  which  are  spread  out,  closely  woven  straw  mats,  three 
inches  thick,  brushed  and  wiped  clean  as  a  Dutch  housewife's  pantry. 
The  shopmen  you  will  see  sitting  in  oriental  fashion  behind  a  counter,  or 
in  a  corner,  keeping  accounts  and  waiting  the  entrance  of  a  customer. 
Nothing  can  exceed  the  neatness  of  some  of  the  Japanese  shops  in  Yoko- 
hama, far  different  from  the  filth  and  carelessness  too  often  seen  among 
the  Chinese.  Neatness  in  their  dwellings,  is  a  national  trait,  very  com- 
mendable in  this  island  people.  Y'okohama  has  a  Custom-House,  two 
weekly  Newspapers,  a  convenient  stone  Landing,  Hotel,  Parsonage  and 
Church  edifice,  now  building.  The  chaplain.  Rev.  M.  B.  Bailey,  has  lately 
arrived,  and  conducted  divine  service  for  the  first  time,  last  Sabbath  at 
the  English  consulate.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Bailey  has  had  charge  of  a  parish 
in  England  for  seven  years,  previous  to  his  appointment  to  this  chaplaincy. 
He  comes  with  high  recommendations,  as  an  able  and  well-qualified  clergy- 
man of  the  Church  of  England.  Yokohama  has  now  one  of  the  essential 
requisites  to  the  prosperity  of  a  new  settlement,  namely,  a  devoted  and 
experienced  Christian  pastor. 

But  what  of  the  Japanese  ?  you  will  say.  My  first  impressions  of  them 
were  quite  favorable.  They  appear  to  be  a  people  of  more  intelligent  dis- 
position, more  frankness  and  good  nature,  than  the  Chinese.  They  are 
exceedingly  polite  to  each  other,  in  manners  and  daily  intercourse.  The 
first  word  you  will  need  to  learn,  when  you  come  here,  will  be,  "  Ohi-o," 
answering  to  the  English  "  Good  morning."  The  Japanese  word  ''  s^-o- 
nd-rd"  answers  to  "  good  bye."  The  sounds  of  the  Japanese  language 
strike  the  ear  pleasantly,  it  being  much  easier  to  learn  to  speak  than  the 
Chinese.  The  foreign  residents  acquire  it  easily,  and  are  soon  able  to  use 
it  for  all  common   purposes. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  359 

Yedo,  Japan,  August  13th,  J862. 
I  am  here  with  Mrs.  Boaney,  by  the  kind  invitation  of  the  Flon.  R.  H. 
Pruyn,  United  States  Minister  to  Japan  ;    we  are   enabled   to  visit  this 
greatest  of  Eastern  cities,  through   his   courteousness.     We   came   up  to 
day  from  Kanagawa  in  a  covered  Japanese  boat,  in  six  hours,  the  distance 
being  eighteen  miles.     Kanagawa  is  one  of  the  ports  opened  by  treaty,  to 
foreign  trade  and  intercourse,  or  rather  Yokohama,  which  is   opposite   to 
it.     An  unfavorable  wind  prolonged  the   passage.     On  the  way  up   we 
passed  many  small  fishing  boats,  four  or  five  men  in  each,  "  sculling  and 
keeping  time  with  a  wild  sort  of  a  song,  destitute  of  clothing  excepting  a 
narrow  piece  of  cloth  around  their  loins."     Large  numbers  of  wild  ducks 
were  flying  about,  or  skimming  over  the  surface  of  the  water,  in  search  of 
food.     As  we  approached  Yedo,  we  saw  anchored  in  the   roadstead,   five 
miles  from  shore,  several  square  rigged  vessels.     One  was  an  English  gun 
boat,  the  others  were  Japanese  vessels  and  steamers.     About  a  mile  from 
the  city  front  were  built,  at  convenient  distances  from  each  other,  four  or 
five  good-sized  forts,  which  commanded  the  approach.     The  river  front 
of  the  city,  has  not  the  crowd  of  boats  and  junks,  which  a  Western  man 
would  expect  to  find  at  the  wharves.     The  appearance  of  Yedo  city,  with 
its  population  of  2,000,000,  as  one  approaches  it  from  the  bay,  has  a  ming- 
ling of  town  and  country.     Many  large  trees,  green-clad  hills  and  gardens, 
are  interspersed  along  the  continuous  line  of  low  buildings  ;  the  hills  here 
are  also  beautifully  terraced.     On  landing,  we  were  met  by  Mr.  Robert  C. 
Pruyn,  a  son  of  the  minister,  who  conducted  us  on  horseback,  with  a  squad 
of  twelve  mounted  Japanese  soldiers  or  Yakonias,  to  the  United  States 
Legation,  a  mile  distant.     The  rooms  of  the  Legation,  are  in  a  large  Bood- 
hist  temple,  within  an  enclosure  of  nearly  twenty  acres.     Seventeen  priests   , 
still  remain  in  the  temple  in  buildings  not  occupied  by  the  Legation.     The 
walls  of  these  rooms,  as  of  all  Japanese  houses,  are  merely  sliding  doors, 
covered  with  thin  paper,  which  admits  a  dim  light,  if  only  of  one  thick- 
ness. Between  a  suite  of  rooms,  double  thicknesses  of  paper  are  used,  which 
exclude  the  light,  but  not  the  sound  of  the  voice.     The  floors  are  covered 
with  straw  mats,  each  mat  being  six  by  three  feet,  and  two  or  three  inches 
thick..     The  most  remarkable  feature  of  the  residence  of  the  United  States 
Legation,  is  the  maintenance  of  a  guard  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-four 
soldiers  around  it  and  on  the  premises.     This  is  wholly  at  the  expense  of 
the  Japanese  government,  who  desire  to  protect  the  representatives  of  for- 
eign countries,  from  injury  by  lawless  persons,  who   would  willingly  em- 
broil their  own  country  and  other  nations  in  trouble  and  strife.     Besides 
the  day  gunrd,  there  is  a  night  guard  of  Japanese  soldiers  in  every  part 
of  the  grounds,  each  carrying  two  swords  and  a  lantern.     They  are  sta- 
tioned along  the  halls,  as  well  as  at  the  doors  —  even  our  bed  room  —  of 
the  Legation  apartments.    The  sentinels  do  not  pace  to  and  fro,  in  Western 
military  style,  but  sit  in  Turkish    fashion,  fanning  away  the  musquitoes, 
or  smoking  their  miniature  pipes.     These  peculiarities  may  at  first  appear 
strange  to  us  plain  republicans,  but  they  are  such  as  the  established  cus- 
toms of  the  country  and   the   Japanese  government  require.     There  are 
several  ponds  for  gold  fish  on  the  premises.     A  large  one  in  the  'rear  — 
forty  feet  in  diameter,  and  five  in  depth  —  has  upwards  of  a  hundred  gold 
and  silver  fish  of  the  largest  size,  from  six  inches  to  two  feet  in  length,  the 
three  lobed  tail  and  fins  of  many  are   tufted  and  very  beautiful.     The 
grounds  around  are  planted  with  fine  stately  trees  and  shrubs,  both  of  the 
tropical  and  temperate  zones.     Pine,  cedar,  fir,  oak,  chestnut,  bamboo, 


360  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

box,  plum,  and  the  lotus  flourish  side  by  side  in  profusion.  At  this  time 
of  year  the  foliage  is  of  the  deepest  green,  most  refreshing  to  the  weary 
eye. 

August  14.  At  five  o'clock  this  morning  I  was  wakened  by  the  beat- 
ing of  a  great  drum  in  a  side  building  of  the  temple,  to  call  the  Boodhist 
priests  to  their  morning  worship.  In  a  few  minutes  we  heard  them  reciting, 
in  a  most  rapid  and  monotonous  manner,  their  invocations  to  Amida  Boo- 
dha,  vain  repetitions  of  his  name,  offering  supplications  and  worship  to  a  non- 
existence, a  creature  of  man's  imagination.  After  ten  or  fifteen  minutes 
of  these  rattling  sounds,  when  the  priests  seemed  to  be  out  of  breath,  they 
fell  off'  into  a  long,  drawling  tone  most  offensive  to  the  ear,  well  denoting 
the  sleepy  effect  which  Boodhism  has  on  its  votaries.  Its  tendency  is  to 
stupify  men  in  body  and  soul.  It  is  a  sad  thought  that  in  this  great  city 
of  one  or  two  millions  of  immortal  souls,  there  is  not  one  Japanese  who  is 
a  believing  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  But  there  is  encouraging 
hope  that  the  Gospel  will  be  made  known  to  them  ere  long,  for  there  is 
a  small  but  delightful  band  of  Christ's  messengers  at  Kanagawa,  preparing 
themselves  to  proclaim  the  truth  in  God's  Word  as  soon  as  He  opens  the 
way  for  them.  Many  Christians  in  the  United  States  also  cease  not  to 
offer  prayers  for  this  object.  This  afternoon  we  took  a  ride  with  three 
friends  and  our  guard  of  Yakonins  around  the  citadel  of  Yedo,  which  is 
the  residence  of  the  Tycoon,  or  Temporal  Emperor  of  Japan,  as  he  is  termed 
by  some.  It  is  an  extensive  inclosure,  situated  on  one  of  the  highest  hills 
in  the  centre  of  Yedo,  surrounded  by  a  heavy  white  wall,  twenty  feet  high, 
of  hewn  stone.  Outside  of  this  stone  wall  is  a  moat  one  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  wide,  half  filled  with  running  water,  and  many  acres  of  the 
magnificent  lotus  leaves  and  its  delicately  pinkish  tinged  flowers  floating 
on  its  surface. 

The  roads  through  which  we  passed  in  the  vicinity  of  the  citadel  are 
sixty  feet  wide,  smooth,  graveled,  with  fine  stone  built  ditches  on  either 
side.  The  gateways  are  massive  structures,  bound  together  with  copper 
bolts  and  clamps,  the  gates  swung  on  hinges  of  the  same  material,  copper 
being  almost  as  abundant  in  this  country  as  iron.  We  passed  ten  or  more 
spacious  residences  of  the  Daimios  or  hereditary  nobles,  each  including 
acres  of  ground,  ornamented  with  gardens  and  shrubbery.  Over  each 
gateway  was  exhibited  the  coat-of-arms  of  the  resident  prince  or  noble. 

The  prettiest  place  we  saw  was  a  tea-garden,  on  the  top  of  a  high  hill, 
ffoni  which  we  had  an  extensive  view  of  Yedo  in  one  direction  for  five  miles 
thickly  set  with  buildings.  We  have  looked  over  New  York  from  the  top 
of  the  Bible  House  in  Astor  Place,  and  over  London  from  th^  ball  above 
the  dome  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  but  the  vast  expanse  of  buildings  in  Yedo, 
exceeds,  in  our  estimation,  the  view  of  either  place.  This  tea-garden  is 
not  for  the  growth  of  the  tea-plant,  but  for  travelers  and  weary  persons  to 
refresh  themselves  with  the  genuine  extract  of  the  leaf,  unmixed  with  su- 
gar or  milk.  The  Japanese  tea,  to  my  taste,  is  purer  and  sweeter  than 
the  Chinese  leaf.  The  difference  of  soil  and  climate  will  of  necessity  give 
another  flavor  to  the  plant.  The  immense  walls  of  hewn  stone  on  the  sides 
of  the  ifioats  around  the  Tycoon's  Palace,  the  ornamented  banks  and  ter- 
races, the  beautiful  wide  and  macadamized  avenues,  the  immense  and  firm 
gateways  in  front  of  the  Daimios'  (nobles)  palaces,  all  show  a  combination 
of  skill  and  strength  on  the  part  of  the  Japanese  builders  that  I  did  not  ex- 
pect to  find.  They  would  do  credit  to  any  European  or  American  builder. 
As  we  passed  on  through  the  streets,  there  was  not  seen  the  busy,  bust- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gtleanings.  361 

ling  throng  of  Western  cities,  but  a  quiet  people  moving  about  their  several 
occupations  in  no  hurry.  Nearly  every  man  had  his  sword  or  swords 
girded  by  his  side.  Even  boys  of  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age  were  seen 
wearing  two  heavy  swords.  A  people  thus  accustomed  from  their  child- 
hood to  bear  the  sword  must  have  some  of  the  old  Roman  disposition  in 
their  character.  A  stranger  passing  through  the  streets  of  Yedo  for 
only  half  a  day,  will  notice  an  open  and  manly  bearing  of  many  Japanese 
that  is  not  generally  seen  among  the  Chinese. 

•  August  15th.  The  Japanese  Grovernment  has  shown  its  desire  to  cul- 
tivate friendly  intercourse  with  foreigners  by  laying  out  a  large  piece  of 
ground,  forty  acres  or  more,  for  the  residences  of  the  Ambassadors  of  for- 
eign nations  with  whom  they  have  treaties  —  the  United  States,  England, 
France,  and  Holland.  The  site  selected  is  most  beautifully  located  on  a 
high  bank  south  of  the  city,  overlooking  Yedo  Bay,  It  is  to  be  sur- 
rounded with  a  moat  and  palisade  fence.  The  buildings  for  the  English 
Legation  will  be  ready  for  occupation  in  a  few  weeks.  The  plans  for  the 
buildings  of  the  American  Legation  have  been  given  to  the  Japanese 
builders;  the  ground  has  been  leveled,  but  the  timbers  are  not  yet  laid. 
The  buildings  for  the  French  and  Dutch  Legations  will  soon  be  taken  in 
hand.  Where  is  the  Government  that  has  been  so  generous  and  mag- 
nanimous in  this  matter  as  the  Japanese  ? 

Considering  the  depressing  influence  of  their  long  seclusion  on  the 
national  character,  they  have  thus  far  done  nobly.  It  is  unjust  to  expect 
them  to  equal  those  nations  which  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  have 
enjoyed  the  advantages  of  a  Christian  civilization. 

This  afternoon  we  visited  this  spot  of  ground,  which  is  three  miles  from 
the  present  residence  of  the  American  Legation.  The  palace  of  an  ancient 
Emperor  of  Japan,  occupied  this  site,  but  it  has  now  entirely  disappeared, 
and  only  a  large  Daimio  building  remains.  The  road  leading  to  it  is  lined 
with  pine,  fir,  and  ciiestnut  trees,  while  at  every  short  distance,  you  pass 
neatly  trimmed  hedges  of  oak,  pine,  cedar  and  box-wood,  six  or  eight  feet 
high,  inclosing  the  gardens  and  parks  of  the  wealthier  class.  On  our  re- 
turn, we  met  a  funeral  procession,  the  first  I  had  seen  in  Yedo.  The 
corpse  was  inclosed  in  a  square  box,  its  dimensions  being  about  two  and 
a  half  cubic  feet.  It  was  covered  with  snow  white  cloth,  a  branch  of 
some  evergreen,  fastened  at  each  corner,  and  placed  on  a  bier,  borne  by 
four  men.  A  priest  and  the  mourners  walked  in  procession  before  the 
bier,  others  followed,  all  in  silence,  without  wailing  or  instrumental  music, 
which  is  different  from  the  Chinese  custom.  We  paused  with  sad  feelings 
at  the  spot  near  a  bridge,  where  Mr.  Hewskin  —  one  of  the  interpreters 
for  the  United  States  Legation  —  was  killed  last  January.  He  was  return- 
ing from  the  Russian  Legation,  late  at  night,  accompanied  by  his  escort 
of  mounted  yakonins  and  men  with  lighted  lanterns,  when  he  was  attacked. 
He  was  carried  to  the  Legation,  but  soon  expired,  he  had  been  associated 
with  Mr.  Harris,  the  predecessor  of  Mr.  Pruyn,  during  his  stay  in  Japan. 

When  the  Japanese  Ambassadors  visited  the  United  States  in  1860, 
there  was  an  attache  of  the  Embassy,  who  went  by  the  name  of  "  Tommy," 
but  whose  real  name  is  0-naj-e-ro.  He  is  now  connected  with  the 
American  Legation,  together  with  Mr.  Portman,  as  an  interpreter.  To 
day  he  asked  me  to  explain  some  difficult  sentences  in  President  Woolsey's 
"  International  Law,"  which  he  is  reading  in  course.  When  I  first 
arrived,  he  remembered  having  seen  us  at  Hongkong  on  the  Niagara,  and 

II]  46 


862  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

requested  that  I  would  assist  him  iu  his  English  studies  while  I  am  here, 
to  which  I  readily  asseuted.  He  now  spends  an  hour  with  me  in  the 
morning  and  afternoon,  studying  President  Woolsey's  "  International  Law" 
and  King  Solomon's  Proverbs.  May  the  time  not  be  far  distant,  when 
all  the  rulers  and  nobles  of  this  interesting  people,  shall  also  have  access 
to,  and  with  "  all  readiness  of  mind"  become  humble  students  of  the  Pro- 
verbs of  Solomon,  thereby  learning^  to  "  do  justice,  love  mercy,  and  walk 
humbly  with  God." 

August  16.  Sad  news  was  received  here  to  day  from  Canton,  that  a 
terrific  typhoon  had  swept  over  that  city,  Macao  and  the  vicinity,  on  July 
27th.  .  More  than  sixty  thousand'lives  were  cut  short  by  it,  and  the  destruc- 
tion of  boats,  buildings  and  junks  immense.  None  equal  to  it  in  violence 
has  been  known  for  forty  years.  One  of  the  Canton  missionaries,  Rev. 
Chas.  W.  Gaillard,  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Board,  was  killed  by  the  fall- 
ing of  his  house.  My  own  house,  with  a  valuable  library,  winter  clothing, 
papers,  letters,  account  books  and  furniture,  have  been  destroyed.  The 
river  rose  so  high  that  the  water  was  five  feet  deep  in  the  lower  story  of 
my  house.  Revs.  Smith  and  Piercy,  of  the  English  Wesleyan  Mission, 
have  lost  their  dwelling  houses  also,  by  a  large  junk  being  driven  into 
the  veranda  and  parlors,  across  the  front  yards.  They  were  my  nearest 
missionary  neighbors.  No  word  has  yet  come,  whether  the  lives  of  our 
family  are  safe,  but  I  hope  to  hear  in  a  few  days  further  particulars.  This 
news  came  at  breakfast  time,  impressing  us  deeply  with  God's  mighty 
power  in  using  the  winds  and  waters  as  his  servants  to  destroy  man  and 
bis  works  on  the  surface  of  the  earth.  This  evening,  at  supper  time,  the 
house  suddenly  shook,  the  beams  creaked,  the  lamp  glasses  rattled,  the 
chairs  in  which  we  were  sitting  became  unsteady.  It  was  two  successive 
shocks  of  an  earthquake,  which  made  us  feel  Our  weakness  and  littleness 
before  Him,  who  "  taketh  up  the  isles  as  a  very  little  thing,"  and  re- 
gardeth  the  nations  as  but  "  a  drop  of  the  bucket."  For  a  moment  it 
was  not  terra  firina  beneath  our  feet,  but  teira  infirma.  Who  would 
not  stand  in  awe  and  fear  to  displease  the  great  and  terrible  God,  vs'ho 
gives  constant  proof  how  frail  is  his  creature  man,  and  how  impotent  his 
opposition  to  the  Almighty  ? 

Ampist  2t\?,i.  The  rain  has  kept  us  within  doors  for  two  days;  but 
having  ceased  this  forenoon,  we  went  this  afternoon  to  visit  a  noted  tem- 
ple of  the  goddess,  Koon  Yum,  seven  miles  distant.  It  is 'in  a  district  of 
the  city  called  0-sac  a-sa.  Our  way  led  through  one  of  the  most  busy 
parts  of  the  city.  One  street  was  a  mile  long  and  sixty  feet  wide,  lined 
with  stores  and  shops  of  every  description,  and  many  fire-proof  buildings, 
some  of  the  doors  and  windows  being  lined  with  copper.  This  temple,  in 
the  north-east  part  of  the  city,  has  spacious  grounds,  gardens  and  shows 
within  its  precincts.  Several  buildings  were  appropriated  to  archery  as 
an  amusement.  Bows  of  two  feet,  and  arrows  a  foot  in  length  were  used, 
the  archers  sittwQ,  and  shooting  at  a  target  about  forty  feet  distant.  This 
is  a  favorite  pastime,  with  the  Japanese,  as  foot-shuttle-cock  is  with  the 
Chinese.  A  crowd  collected  at  the  temple  to  see  the  foreign  visitors, 
gazing  in  wonder  at  them,  but  not  a  word  was  uttered,  nor  any  incivility 
expressed.  On  leaving  Isaid  to  them,  Sy-a-naa-ra,  which  in  Japanese  is  equiv- 
alent to  "  Good-bye."  It  was  responded  to  by  the  crowd  in  a  cheerful 
manner,  and  we  parted  on  good  terms.  Our  return  ride  was  for  two  miles 
along  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  which  runs  through  Yedo.  It  is  said  to 
be  the  largest  river  in  Japan,  and,  at  the  place  we  crossed,  is  about  four 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  363 

hundred  yards  wide.  The  fine  bridges  which  span  it,  are  of  large  timbers, 
strongly  bound  with  iron  clamps  and  spikes.  In  strength  and  convenience 
these  bridges  equal  many  European  works  of  the  kind.  A  visitor  to 
Yedo,  will  notice  the  many  fine  loells  at  the  side  of  the  streets.  In  front 
of  nearly  every  tenth  house  or  store,  there  is  a  well  of  excellent  water, 
cool  and  clear.  The  sides  of  the  wells  are  made  by  several  timber  cylin- 
ders, resembling  hogsheads,  being  inserted  one  into  another,  the  lowest 
being  three  feet  in  diameter  and  six  in  height.  Another  thing  you  will 
notice  will  be  the  great  number  of  crows,  and  their  remarkable  taraeness. 
They  fly  about  the  houses,  alighting  in  the  yards  and  streets  as  freely  as 
house  pigeons  and  sparrows  in  America. 

August  22d.  This  has  been  a  very  warm  day,  yet  Mrs.  Bonney  and  my- 
self have  improved  the  latter  part  of  the  afternoon  to  visit  the  western 
suburbs  and  fields  beyond.  The  Japanese  came  out  in  small  crowds  to 
see  the  foreign  lady  on  horseback,  an  unusual  sight  in  Yedo  or  any  where 
in  Japan.  Our  road  lay  through  groves  of  pine,  fir,  and  cedar,  some  of  forest 
tree  dimensions,  others  dwarfed  and  trimmed  as  hedges  for  gardens  at  the 
side  of  the  highway.  We  passed  fields  of  wheat,  beans,  sweet-potatoes, 
egg-plant,  corn,  and  broom-corn,  growing  luxuriantly  on  a  rich  black  loam 
soil.  We  were  overtaken  by  a  shower,  and  were  securely  sheltered  under  the 
shade  of  an  immense  westeria  vine  which  completely  protected  our  entire 
party.  We  observed  one  of  the  Yakonins  making  a  minute  of  our  long 
halt,  in  his  note-book  for  a  close  system  of  espionage  is  carried  on,  and  re- 
ported to  head-quarters. 

August  2Qth.  Left  Yedo  at  two  P.  M.,  on  horseback,  arriving  at  Kana- 
gawa  at  five  and  a  half  p.  M.,  including  a  stoppage  of  half-an-hour  at  a 
tea  house.  The  road  runs  along  the  shore  of  the  Bay,  and  is  called  the 
"  Eastern  Sea  Road,"  it  being  the  "  Tokaido"  or  great  national  road  that 
runs  through  the  Empire  from  north  to  south.  Mr.  William  Kip,  Sec- 
retary of  Legation  ;  Mr.  R.  C.  Pruyn  and  Mr.  Portman,  Interpreter,  ac- 
companied us  part  of  the  way.  Eight  mounted  Yakonins  [Japanese 
soldiers]  also  went  with  us  as  an  escort,  provided  by  the  Grovernment,  to 
Kanagawa.  In  all  our  rides  we  have  had  their  protection,  and  even  in 
our  walks  through  the  Legation  grounds,  they  accompanied  us.  We  parted 
with  deep  regret  from  our  excellent  Minister,  who  had  courteously  re- 
ceived and  entertained  us,  at  his  pleasant  mansion  with  that  splendid  hos- 
pitality so  proverbial  to  the  East.  He  will,  however,  be  with  us  again 
next  Sabbath  at  Kanagawa.  The  travelers  you  meet  on  this  "  tokaido" 
are  many,  both  on  foot,  horseback  and  in  sedans  or  norimon.  The 
Japanese  cover  their  horses'  feet  with  shoes  of  braided  straw,  which  soon 
wear  out,  and  are  thrown  away  at  the  roadside,  a  supply  of  new  ones 
being  carried  by  the  traveler.  A  stranger  seeing  the  Japanese  vicious 
pack-horses  on  this  road,  shod  with  these  curious  shoes,  would  say  that 
the  Japanese  are  very  tender  of  their  horses.  One  would  suppose  they 
mufiled  their  horses'  hoofs  to  prevent  the  clattering  noise  on  the  road. 
The  tokaido  literally  seemed  strewed  with  the  dilapidated  straw  shoes  of 
those  refractory  Japanese  ponies.  Foreign  residents,  who  own  horses, 
have  introduced  iron  horse-shoes,  which  have  been  adopted  by  the  Yedo 
Government,  "  Horse-Guards."  A  volume  might  be  written,  descriptive 
of  the  wonders  and  strange  sights  in  Yedo,  its  vicinity,  and  the  weird-like 
beauty  of  the  hoary  Fusiyama  with  its  snow  clad  apex.  They  are  well 
worth  a  visit  and  no  hindrance  is  made  on  the  part  of  the  Yedoans,  who 
are  civil  to  foreigners,  and  in  some  localities,  much  pleased  to  meet  thern. 


364  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

If  you  want  a  most  delightful  summer  trip,  come  to  Japan  ;  if  you  want 
to  breathe  a  pure,  healthy,  bracing  mountain  air,  come  up  to  Japan;  if 
you  want  a  view  of  something  like  English  country  scenery,  richly  culti- 
vated fields,  fertile  soil,  without  disagreeable  fogs  and  mists,  come  up  to 
Japan  ;  if  you  wish  to  see  the  people  which  of  all  the  Eastern  Asiatic  na- 
tions bids  fair  to  make  rapid  progress  and  take  their  stand  as  an  independ- 
ent, civilized  Christian  nation,  then  come  up  and  look  at  this  people  of 
the  "  Rising  Sun."  The  great  multitude  of  immortal  souls  in  the  dark- 
ness of  heathenism  and  practice  of  idolatrous  lollies,  call  loudly  on  every 
Christian  to  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  send  forth  willing  and  able 
laborers  into  this  vineyard.  Eev.  S.  R.  Brown,  Rev.  J.  H.  Ballagh,  and  Dr. 
J.  C.  Hepburn  in  Kanagawa  with  Rev.  G.  F.  Verbeck  at  Nagasaki  are 
faithful  laborers  for  their  Master  here,  doing  with  diligence  and  persever- 
ance the  work  of  pioneers.  The  good  work  has  commenced  and  shall  it 
cease  ?  We  believe  not.  God  will  stir  up  the  hearts  of  his  people  to 
grant  everything  needful,  and  awaken  hearts  touched  with  love  to  Jesus 
to  volunteer  in  the  service.  I  must  now  hasten  my  return  to  Canton  to 
look  after  our  scattered  household  and  ruined  house.  We  are  very  thankfu 
that  the  lives  of  all  in  the. house  have  been  preserved.  May  this  calamity 
be  laid  to  heart  by  each  one,  God  be  praised  for  His  mercy,  pardon  of 
transgression  sought,  and  Jesus  received  as  Redeemer  and  Lord.  My 
neighbor,  Rev.  C.  F.  Preston,  writes  :  "  If  you  could  see  the  destruction 
in  the  city,  you  would  take  your  own  losses  with  thanktulness.  It  is  a 
great  mercy  that  no  lives  were  lost  in  your  house." 

Rev.  D.  Vrooman  writes  :  "  Your  house  and  all  its  contents  are 
knocked  into  mince  pie."  Yours  in  Christian  bonds, 

S.    W.    BONNEY. 

On  Sunday  September  14,  1862,  Mr.  Richardson  was  murdered  by  Sat- 
suma's  retainers.  In  the  steamer  St.  Louis  we  sailed  for  Shanghai  via 
the  beautiful  Inland  Sea  of  Japan  dotted  with  its  picturesque  three  thou- 
sand islands  covered  with  emerald  green  foliage.  We  cast  a  lingering 
glance  on  ''  the  bold  head  of  the  hoary  and  symmetrical  Fusiyama  rising 
over  14000  feet  above  the  sea,"  that  sacred  volcanic  mountain  sixty  miles 
distant,  its  summit  covered  with  snow  as  it  loomed  up,  most  distinctly  in 
the  rear,  out  of  a  circle  of  rosy  mist,  and  then  turned  to  watch  the  "  coast 
so  strangely  broken  into  hill  and  valley,  magnificently  covered  with  bril- 
liant evergreens  of  light  and  dark  foliage  lining  the  shores.  The  terraces, 
tilled  with  elaborate  care,  rose  one  above  another,  tier  over  tier,  up  the  steepest 
acclivities  of  the  hills,"  and  the  singular  square-sailed  fishing  boats  with 
which  the  whole  bay  was  covered  were  soon  all  left  behind.  Two  native 
Japanese  pilots  were  taken  on  board  and  we  were  slowly  wending  our  way 
between  the  green  islands.  Among  our  passengers  was  a  young  German 
gentleman  of  Shanghai  who  was  returning  to  his  post.  Early  in  the  morn- 
ing he  started  from  his  couch  for  a  morning  bath  in  the  refreshing  water, 
previous  to  the  steamer's  starting,  supposing  she  was  still  at  anchor.  He 
rushed  on  deck  and,  without  a  look,  gave  a  leap  into  the  deep  sea,  and  then 
for  the  first  was  aware  that  the  vessel  was  already  under  way,  with  a  fine 
breeze  propelling  her  at  a  rapid  speed.  We  were  standing  looking  out  of 
our  window  near  the  stern,  as  he  floated  past  with  extended  hands  and 
heard  his  cry  for  help.  Fortunately,  also,  a  party  of  gentlemen  smoking 
on  the  upper  deck  saw  him  and  immediately  gave  the  alarm  ;  life-buoys 
were  thrown  but  fell  short.  Instantly  the  steamer  hove  to,  a  boat  was 
lowered   and  the  mate    went  to  his  rescue.     The  noble  seamen  pulled 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  365 

steadily ;  with  the  glass  we  could  see  he  was  floating  quietly,  without  any 
struggle  for  life,  and  with  intense  joy  at  last  we  saw  him  clutched  by  the 
officer  and  knew  he  was  saved. 

"  Died.  At  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  on  Saturday  August  16,  1862,  Major 
Samuel  S.  Forman  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-seven  years. 

"  It  is  a  labor  of  love  to  talk  or  write  about  a  good  man,  especially 
one  who  reached  his  ninety-seventh  year,  and  whose  interourse  with 
the  world  had  not  changed  the  tone  of  his  holier  feeling,  or  broken 
those  musical  chords  of  the  heart,  whose  vibrations  are  so  melo- 
dious, so  tender  and  touching  in  the  evening  of  age.  Major  Samuel  S. 
Forman  was  the  third  son  of  Samuel  and  Helena  (Denise)  Forman,  and 
born  at  Middletown  Point,  New  Jersey,  on  the  :ilst  day  of  July,  1765.  It 
is  not  my  purpose  to  record  every  incident  which  transpired  in  the  major's 
long  and  eventful  life,  as  they  would  furnish  material  for  a  large  sized 
volume;  but  merely  to  detail  the  most  important  circumstances  in  his 
career,  which  may  interest.  His  father  was  in  mercantile  co-partnership 
with  his  uncle,  Joseph  Forman,  at  Middletown  Point,  but  soon  after  dis- 
solved, and  continued  alone  in  the  trade  until  the  commencement  of  the 
Revolutionary  Viar.  The  major's  eldest  brother,  Jonathan  (grand-father 
to  Governor  Seymour  of  this  State)  graduated  at  Princeton  College,  and 
at  once  entered  the  ranks  of  the  "  Six  Months'  Soldiers,"  which  company 
at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  proceeded  from  their  head  quarters 
at  Middletown  Point,  and  joined  General  Washington,  on  Long  Island, 
where  the  American  army  was  stationed.  Jonathan  was  subsequently 
appointed  captain  in  General  Sullivan's  division,  and  ordered  against  the 
Indians  in  New  York  State  who  were  'desolating  many  homes  with  fire 
and  tomahawk,  and  the  war  whoop  waked  the  sleep  of  the  cradle.'  After 
the  Indians  were  subdued,  Jonathan,  by  his  valor  displayed  in  subduing 
the  savages,  was  appointed  to  the  rank  of  major,  placed  in  Gen.  La  Fayette's 
division  of  light  infantry,  and  soon  after  received  the  rank  of  lieutenant  colo- 
nel, which  latter  position  he  held  with  credit  in  the  American  army  until 
peace  was  restored. 

"  Another  brother,  Denise,  shouldered  his  firelock  at  the  age  of  sixteen, 
entered  Gen.  David  Forman's  Jersey  Brigade,  and,  with  fourteen  mem- 
bers of  the  Forman  family,  assisted  in  fighting  the  battle  of  Germautown. 

"  A  cousin  of  the  major's,  named  Tunis  .Forman,  in  the  war,  captured 
alone,  by  stratagem,  two  '  Pine  Robbers,'  drove  them  several  miles  before 
him  and  lodged  them  in  jail. 

"  Maj.  Lee  of  the  Virginia  Light  Dragoons,  being  present  at  the  incar- 
ceration of  the  robbers,  inquired  of  Tunis  how  he  contrived  to  catch  the 
villains,  when  he  answered,  after  the  manner  of  the  Irishman,  '  Och,  and 
sure  I  surrounded  '  em.'  The  major  being  only  eleven  years  of  age,  of 
course  was  unable  to  do  service  for  his  country  in  the  Revolution,  but  to 
the  honor  of  his  family,  nearly  all  of  his  relatives,  paternal  and  maternal, 
of  suitable  age  to  bear  arms,  were  engaged  in  that  sanguinary  struggle 
against  British  tyranny.  Maj.  John  Burrows  left  the  army  after  Gen. 
Sullivan  drove  the  Indians  out  of  New  York  State,  and  settled  at  Free- 
hold, succeeded  Gen.  Sullivan  as  sheriff,  and  occupied  a  farm,  being  part 
of  the  Monmouth  battle-ground. 

"  At  the  request  of  Maj.  Burrows  (brother-in-law  to  the  hero  of  our 
sketch),  the  major  not  yet  being  very  robust,  boarded  with  Mr.  Burrows 
and  attended  a  Latin  school  until  the  war  ceased.  The  major,  on  the 
25th  day  of  November,  1783,  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  British  forces 


366  Legacy  of  Histoiiical  Gleanings. 

evacuate  the  city  of  New  York.  He  strolled  up  Bowery  Lane  till  he  met 
the  American  and  British  armies  on  a  stand  —  the  British  in  front,  the 
Americans  about  one  hundred  feet  in  the  rear.  Being  inexperienced,  he 
hurried  by  the  red  coats,  but  felt  secure  as  he  stepped  in  front  and  near 
the  blue  coats.  An  American  officer,  observing  the  major's  youthful 
timidity,  stepped  forward,  took  hold  of  his  hand  and  said  :  "  Don't  be 
afraid,  Sammy,  I  know  you  and  your  brother  Jonathan,  who  is  a  lieuten- 
ant colonel  with  me  in  the  same  division  ;  I  am  Col.  Cummins."  The 
officer  held  the  major's  hand  until  general  orders  were  given,  "  forward, 
march,"  when  the  British  wheeled  off  to  the  left  and  embarked  on  board 
of  their  fleet  lying  at  the  East  river,  while  the  Americans  wended  their 
way  down  Queen  (now  Kearl)  street,  and  to  Fort  George  at  the  Battery. 
When  Gen.  Washington  took  leave  of  his  officers  on  that  day,  it  was  truly 
an  affecting  scene.  He  requested  his  officers  to  meet  him  at  twelve  o'clock 
M,  at  Sam  Francis'  Hotel.  At  the  appointed  time,  when  the  heroes  were 
assembled,  filling  a  glass  with  wine,  he  turned  to  them  and  bade  them 
farewell.  Having  drank,  he  requested  that  each  one  would  take  him  by 
the  hand.  Gen.  Knox  being  the  highest  in  rank,  advanced  to  take  leave 
of  the  'Father  of  his  country.'  Gen.  Washington  embraced  him  and  the 
rest  of  his  officers,  without  uttering  a  word,  but  amid  burning  tears  trick- 
ling copiously  down  their  cheeks. 

"  After  the  affecting  ceremony  was  over,  the  general  left  the  room,  ac- 
companied by  his  officers,  and  proceeded  to  Whitehall  wharf,  where  a 
barge  was  elegantly  equipped,  manned  by  sea  captains,  in  white  frocks, 
waiting  to  row  him  to  Elizabeth-town  Point,  or  Paulu's  Hook,  to  take  the 
stage,  on  his  way  to  where  Congress  was  sitting.  As  the  little  vessel 
shoved  off  from  the  wharf,  the  general  waived  a  farewell  to  his  brave  com- 
rades, who  heartily  and  affectionately  responded,  then  retraced  their  steps 
saddened  to  tears.  The  major  saw  Gen.  Washington  at  Philadelphia,  in 
the  Convention  which  assembled  to  adopt  the  United  States  Constitution. 
The  general  was  attired  in  citizens'  dress,  blue  coat,  cocked  hat,  his  hair 
in  cue  and  crossed  and  powdered.  He  walked  alone,  and  seemed  borne 
down  in  thought.  He  presided  over  the  Convention,  which  was  held  in 
the  State  House.  A  few  moments  previous  to  General  Washington  tak- 
ing his  seat  on  the  rostrum,  the  venerable  Dr.  Franklin,  a  member  of  the 
Convention,  was  brought  forward  by  a  posse  of  men,  in  his  sedan,  and 
helped  into  the  hall,  he  being  severely  afflicted  with  the  palsy.  After  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution,  the  major  had  the  pleasure  of  witnessing  the 
great  celebration,  in  New  York  City,  in  commemoration  of  that  solemn 
event.  A  large  procession  was  formed,  composed  of  men  of  every  avoca- 
tion, and  marched  through  the  streets  with  banners,  national  flags  and 
music.  A  full  rigged  ship,  called  the  '  Federal  Ship  Hamilton,'  was 
drawn  in  the  procession,  and  located  in  Bowling  Green,  where  it  remained 
until  it  fell  to  pieces  by  age.  The  major  spent  the  winters  of  1792,  3  in 
Philadelphia,  and  on  the  4th  day  of  March  1793,  he  witnessed  the  inau- 
guration of  Gen.  Washington  at  the  commencement  of  his  second  term  of 
office.  The  inauguration  took  place  in  the  State  House,  and  the  major 
stood  within  six  feet  of  the  president  elect  while  he  took  his  oath  of  office. 

"  In  1789,  General  Forman  fitted  out  his  brother  Ezekiel,to  settle  at 
Natchez,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  all  of  that  section  then  belonging  to 
Spain  and  was  called  Louisiana.  A  proposition  was  made  by  the  general 
to  the  major  to  accompany  Ezekiel  and  superintend  his  business.  Accord- 
ingly the  party  with  about  sixty  slaves  of  the  general  were  mounted  on  horse- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  367 

back,  bound  for  Natchez,  to  settle  there,  cultivate  tobacco  and  carry  on  the 
mercantile  trade.  After  residing  here  a  few  years,  the  major  fell  in  with 
Messrs.  Cazenove  and  Lincklaen,  agents  of  the  Holland  Land  Company,  and 
engaged  with  them  to  assist  in  settling  and  disposing  of  land  for  the  Com- 
pany, the  amount  of  which  extended  over  an  area  of  about  120,000  acres, 
lying  near  the  centre  of  New  York  State.  The  major  arrived  at  Cazenovia 
lake  May  8,  1793,  and  soon  commenced  felling  trees  to  open  a  settlement 
which  he  called  Cazenovia,  in  honor  of  Mr.  Cazenove,  one  of  the  agents 
of  the  company.  The  Cazenovia  lake  had  hitherto  borne  the  name  of  Wash- 
gehiga,'  given  it  by  the  Indians,  which  term  signifies  '  yellow  perch,'  on 
account  of  the  immense  number  of  that  kind  offish  in  the  lake.  The  elder 
brother,  Lieut.  Col.  Jonathan  Forman,  being  in  poorhealth,and  pecuniarily 
embarrassed,  the  major  magnanimously  sent  for  him  and  his  family,  with 
whom  they  lived  many  years.  Jonathan  soon  after  arriving  at  Cazenovia 
was  elected  supervisor  ;  subsequently  a  member  of  Assembly,  and  received 
a  brigadier  general's  Commission.  The  remains  of  this  distinguished  revo- 
lutionary officer  are  deposited  in  the  Cazenovia  Cemetery.  The  major  was 
married  March  21st,  1808,  to  Miss  Sarah  McCarty  an  accomplished  young 
lady  of  eighteen  summers.  Their  daughter  Mary  Euphomia  married 
Rensselaer  Van  Eensselaer,  son  of  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer." 

Canton^  A^ow,  13,  1862.  During  the  re-building  of  our  dilapidated  dwell- 
ing in  Sun  Sh4,  we  are  pleasantly  situated  on  the  Honam  side  of  the  river 
next  to  the  great  Buddhist  Temple  with  its  spacious  inwalled  area;  the 
garden  is  very  attractive  to  us  in  warm  weather.  The  large  junk  that 
was  driven  during  the  typhoon,  with  terrific  violence,  into  the  residences 
of  the  English  Wesleyan  Mission  could  not  be  removed  under  a  fortnight. 
After  the  water  had  subsided  the  vessel  was  left  high  and  dry  with  its  bow 
in  the  parlor ;  all  the  cannon  had  to  be  taken  out  and  a  channel  dug  to 
get  her  off  at  high  tides;  she  had  broken  down  the  high  brick  wall  of 
yard.  Another  one  of  these  war-junks  came  with  such  incredible  velocity 
as  to  shatter  at  the  first  blow  our  dear  little  home  into  fragments,  and  was 
our  unwelcome  guest  long  enough  to  render  our  whole  family  houseless. 
The  lower  story  of  both  dwellings  is  filled  with  thick  mud  and  debris  of 
all  kinds,  but  we  can  "rough  it"  with  cheerful  hearts  of  thankfulness; 
yet  such  a  scene  of  devastation,  on  every  side,  I  never  saw;  it  is  almost  in- 
credible, yet  we  do  not  know  even  half  the  misery  around,  but  we  see  plenty 
of  wrecks  of  all  kinds.  The  terrible  typhoon  occurred  on  Sabbath  day 
July  27.  "  For  a  day  or  two  signs  of  atmospheric  disturbance  had  been 
noticed,  and  the  dawn  of  the  27th  was  ushered  in  with  heavy  gales,  violent 
gusts  of  wind  and  rain  ;  these  increased  in  violence,  until  a  hurricane  with 
its  fearful  roar  was  established.  Notwithstanding  precautions  taken,  the 
river,  which  was  unusually  crowded  with  Chinese  shipping,  soon  became 
a  scene  of  terrible  wreck  and  sad  ruins.  The  fine  new  fleet  of  forty  Im- 
perial war-junks  intended  for  the  Yang-tszkiang  has  been  totally  destroyed. 
Some  two  or  three  hundred  feet  of  the  granite  wall  at  Shameen,  notwith- 
standing the  extreme  solidity  with  which  it  is  built,  has  been  washed  away 
by  the  furious  flood,  and  blocks  of  granite  were  tossed  about  as  if  they  had 
been  billets  of  wood.  Houses  in  the  city  were  blown  down,  almost  all  the 
trees  that  formed  a  day  or  two  ago  the  pride  of  Canton,  have  been  either 
uprooted  or  stripped  of  their  branches,  blocking  up  several  streets.  Many 
vessels,  freighted  with  human  beings,  have  been  driven  away  and  lost  in 
the  overwhelming  torrents ;  others  were  seen  striking  the  beacons  or  on 
the  craggy  rocks  near  Dutch  Folly  and  instantly  broken  to  pieces;  while 


368  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

some  have  foundered  at  sea.  Several  chops  (floating  dwellings  of  foreign- 
ers) sunk,  and  five  of  the  foreign  Customs  Inspectors  were  drowned.  Many 
junks  at  Whampo  went  down  with  all  hands,  the  under  current  was  so  strong 
it  drew  them  in.  Bamboo  Town  (occupied  by  fishermen)  is  entirely  des- 
troyed by  this  river  catastrophe,  the  water  having  flooded  it  with  such 
fearful  rapidity  to  the  depth  of  six  feet,  as  to  have  swept  ofi"  a  very  great 
number  of  its  inhabitants.  This  formidable  cyclone  rushed  with  unusual 
violence  over  Canton  destroying  at  least  60,000  lives,  and  property  without 
measure;  indeed  the  immense  power  of  the  water  was  so  terrific  that  total 
damage  can  only  be  estimated  in  millions  of  dollars,  the  destruction  of  life 
and  property  is  appalling.  Myriads  of  corpses  were  seen  along  the  shore 
down  to  Wliampoa,  and  no  fewer  than  sixty  of  these  dead  bodies  were  lying 
next  morning  on  the  bank  immediately  opposite  Mr.  Cowper's  chop  ;  many 
of  them  were  imbedded  in  the  sand,  and  numerous  others  floating  about. 
The  Chinese  seem  quite  paralyzed  at  this  terrible  disaster  and  it  gives  a 
thrill  of  horror  to  all  of  us,  for  it  is  impossible  to  alleviate  one-tenth  of 
the  suffering  that  comes  under  your  own  observation.  Two  Chinese  men 
at  our  front  door,  and  four  in  the  Custom-House  that  fell  over  on  our  middle 
building,  were  instantly  killed. 

There  were  twenty-nine  persons,  belonging  to  our  family,  in  our  house, 
but  thanks  to  our  merciful  Father  in  Heaven,  all  were  saved.  Even  our 
little,  pet  Manilla  dog,  "  Lilly,"  was  rescued  ;  but  two  Canary  birds  which 
sang  so  sweetly  at  night,  were  carried  under  the  ruins  with  the  veranda. 
When  it  was  observed  that  the  front  building  was  likely  to  be  struck  by 
the  approaching  junk,  immediately  our  entire  family  were  gathered  in  the 
dining  room  of  the  middle  house.  But  it  was  only  the  kind  care  of  our 
Heavenly  Father,  that  preserved  them,  for  in  a  few  moments,  with  a  fresh 
gust  of  wind,  over  toppled  the  brick  Custom  House,  crushing  in  the  side 
wall  of  our  second  building. 

Emma,  a  little  child  of  two  summers,  was  asleep  in  her  crib  in  the 
adjoining  room,  both  rooms  were  now  open  to  the  street,  with  the  rain 
dashing  in,  yet  all  were  safe;  not  a  brick  or  timber  struck  her,  or  either 
of  the  group  there  collected,  and  the  part  of  the  floor,  on  which  they  were 
huddled  in  appalling  terror,  did  not  go  down.  It  seemed  a  most  miracu- 
lous preservation,  for  the  entire  pantry,  chairs,  book  cases,  tables,  trunks, 
bureaus,  all,  lay  one  heap  of  ruins  in  the  rushing  waters  below,  which 
now  flooded  the  streets  for  blocks.  The  new  brick  dwelling  on  the  east 
side,  sustained  our  one  wall,  otherwise  the  entire  structure  would  have 
gone  over, and  with  it  a  fearful  loss  of  life. 

Large  branches  of  the  banyan  tree  (now  thoroughly  trimmed  without 
the  permission  of  officials)  almost  blocked  up  the  street.  Kev.  Mr.  Condit 
went  to  see  if  there  was  any  avenue  of  escape,  and  as  he  opened  the  gate 
into  the  street,  he  saw  one  poor  Chinaman,  covered  with  blood,  vainly 
trying  to  rise  up  from  the  ruins  ;  but  it  was  no  time  then  to  pause,  the 
safety  of  his  entire  household  was  at  stake.  It  was  a  most  wonderful, 
providential  escape.  Among  my  pupils  were  some,  who  seemed  to  put 
aside  all  fear,  wading  out  into  the  water  to  save  what  they  could,  others 
were  palsied  with  fright,  but  when  Mrs.  Condit  said  God  would  take  care 
of  them,  they  did  not  scream  or  make  any  confusion,  but  followed  as 
directed.  The  lady  teacher  seated  herself  on  a  cross  beam,  close  under 
the  roof  of  the  furthest  tap,  and  would  not  leave  it.  No  time  was  now  to 
be  lost,  without  hat,  shawl,  or  anything  in  their  hands.  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Condit,  followed  by  the  family,  ran  down  stairs,  and  through  pouring  rain^ 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  369 

climbed  over  broken  wajls,  timbers,  and  branches  of  trees,  through  the 
deep  water,  "  we  took  no  thought  of  our  treasures,  when  our  lives  were  at 
stake,"  to  the  Wesleyan  chapel.  Here  they  found  the  families  of  Revs. 
Piercy-  and  Smith,  whose  residences  had  shared  a  similar  disaster.  "  Amah 
brought  Emma  on  her  back  safe  and  dry."  Some  bread  was  procured  by 
Mr.  Smith,  for  the  scholars  and  Amah,  who  slept  that  night  ip  the  chapel, 
with  the  floor  covered  with  water.  The  following  day,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Vroo- 
man  took  our  entire  family  to  his  house,  where  we  found  them  on  our 
return ;  as  also  the  bereaved  widow  and  child  of  Rev.  Mr.  Glaillard,  who 
was  crushed  to  death  under  the  ruins  of  his  own  dwelling.  His  poor  wife 
saw  him  just  as  the  roof  gave  way.  When  foreign  aid  arrived,  this  noble 
woman  was  found  in  the  vvater,  trying  to  remove  the  bricks  and  timbers, 
but  as  soon  as  a  portion  of  his  body  was  discovered  (it  was  hoped  he  had 
escaped  to  a  boat)  she  was  removed  while  the  corpse  was  exhumed.  In 
the  pantry  which  was  "  knocked  into  mince  pie"  was  the  pretty  tea-set  of 
white  metal  —  one  of  my  wedding  gifts  — which  went  down  in  the  rubbish 
and  water.  I  supposed  it  gone,  but  about  a  week  after  our  return  from 
the  north,  the  five  pieces  were  brought  to  me  by  Mr.  Bouney's  teacher ; 
they  were  very  much  broken,  but  he  had  picked  them  up  out  of  the  water, 
and  secreted  them  at  his  house ;  it  was  indeed  a  creditable  surprise. 

The  same  day  of  the  typhoon  at  Canton  on  July  27,  the  steamer  "  Grolden 
Gate"  was  burned  near  San  Francisco  and  Rev.  Mr.  Keith  of  Shanghai 
was  lost  on  her.  The  Chinese  soldiers  are  being  drilled  by  English  officers 
on  the  Heights  in  Canton.  It  is  a  highly  interesting  spectacle.  We  went 
"on  the  occasion  of  a  review  of  the  Chinese  and  Tartar  troops,  which 
have  been  drilled  as  infantry  and  artillery,  for  upwards  of  three  years 
past,  by  British  officers.  About  four  hundred  picked  men  of  the  Tartar 
garrison,  have  been  instructed  in  the  artillery  exercise,  and  some  sis 
hundred  of  the  Chinese  force,  have  been  similarly  drilled,  in  the  use  of 
the  musket,  and  in  simple  infantry  manoeuvres.  The  inspection  took 
place,  at  the  especial  desire  of  the  governor  general,  who  manifests  a 
strong  interest  in  the  efficiency  of  these  troops.  The  parade  ground,  lying 
a  few  hundred  yards  outside  the  north-east  gate  of  Canton,  was  chosen  as 
oifering  the  greatest  facilities  for  the  review,  and  here  the  Chinese  drilled 
troops  were  drawn  up  under ,  the  command  of  their  respective  British 
officers. 

"The  Tartar  Artillery  at  once  attracted  attention  by  their  superior  size 
and  more  soldierly  bearing,  no  less  than  by  the  diversity  uf  their  uniforms 
which  consist  of  jackets  either  of  white,  yellow,  blue,  or  red,  according 
to  the  color  of  the  "  Banner  "  beneath  which  each  of  these  hereditary 
soldiers  is  born.  White  leggings  tucked  into  boots  reaching  to  the  knee, 
and  hats  similar  to  those  worn  by  mandarins  in  winter,  but  decorated  with  two 
fox-tails  behind,  complete  the  Tartar  uniform. 

The  Chinese  troops,  on  the  other  hand,  might  at  a  distance  be  mistaken 
for  sepoys,  their  dress  consisting  of  red  jackets  turned  up  with  white, 
with  light  leggings  worn  knickerbocker  fashion.  Their  head-dress  is  the 
ordinai'y  conical  bamboo  hat,  which  is  perhaps  as  light  and  sensible  a 
covering  as  could  be  devised.  A  large  pavilion  had  been  erected  facing 
the  Parade-ground,  in  which  the  Governor  Gleneral.  Grovernor,  Super- 
intendent of  Customs,  two  Tartar  Major  Generals  and  a  crowd  of  subor- 
dinate functionaries  were  assembled,  the  higher  officials  occupying  elabor- 
ate seats  of  honor  together  with  Her  Majesty's  Consul,  D.  .B.  Robertson, 

II  "  47 


370  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Esq.,  C.  B.  and  others.  A  o;eneral  salute  having  been  given  by  the 
troops  in  line,  a  march  past  succeeded,  in  slow  and  quick  time,  the  native 
officers  saluting  as  they  passed  at  the  head  of  the  companies,  after  which 
some  artillery  manoeuvres  were  executed  by  the  battery  comprising  six 
field  pieces  and  served  by  some  seventy  officers  and  men.  Thirty  rounds 
of  solid  shot  were  next  fired  at  a  range  of  500  yards,  with  an  accuracy 
which  surprised  all  spectators,  both  Chinese  and  foreign.  The  target  was 
struck  by  a  majority  of  these  shots,  whilst  all  were  very  creditably  deliv- 
ered. The  guns  were  wholly  served  and  laid  by  the  native  artillerymen, 
whose  proficiency  in  the  use  of  the  English  words  of  command  is  especi- 
ally remarkable.  The  firing  w:is  succeeded  by  some  infantry  evolutions, 
the  most  prominent  among  which  were  forming  squares  and  throwing  out 
skirmishers.  The  latter  manoeuvre  attracted  the  special  attention  of  the 
Chinese  magnates  who  were  also  much  impressed  with  the  bayonet  exer- 
cise. The  entire  proceedings  were  viewed  with  great  interest  by  a  num- 
ber of  the  foreign  residents,  including  several  ladies.  Rewards  were  dis- 
tributed among  the  native  officers  and  men." 

Brigandage  —  Notes  of  an  overland  Tn2)  into  the  Interior  of  Canton  Province  — 
Encounter  with  Brigands,  hard  usage  and  narrow  escape. 

On  Friday  December  5th,  1862,  a  party  consisting  of  the  Rev.  J.  H. 
Gray,  English  Consular  Chaplain  at  Canton ;  Rev.  John  Preston  of  the 
English  Wesleyan  Mission  and  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney  commenced  a  trip  for 
the  purpose  of  preaching  the  Gospel,  and  distributing  New  Testaments 
with  religious  tracts.  The  distance  traveled  was  from  one  hundred  and 
fifty  to  two  hundred  miles ;  the  districts  visited  were  Poon-ii,  Tsung-fa, 
Lung-moon  and  Tsang-shing ;  the  time  spent  was  fourteen  days.  These 
gentlemen  left  the  Old  Factory  site  in  Canton  at  8.30  A.  M.  with  twenty- 
five  Chinese  servants  and  coolies  who  went  to  carry  books,  food  and  other 
requisites  :  "  We  took  with  us  five  horses  and  one  mountain  chair.  Our 
route  to  day  led  us  by  or  through  villages  and  market  towns  in  the  Poon-ii 
district.  The  chief  products  of  the  ground  seen  by  us  were  wheat,  peas, 
ginger,  sweet  potatoes,  sugar-cane  and  ground-nuts. 

"  At  4.20  P.  M.,  we  reached  a  market  town  and  put  up  at  the  academy, 
having  traveled  thirty  miles  during  the  day.  On  Saturday  Dec.  6th,  at 
9.30,  we  proceeded  on  our  journey  ;  the  country  t'lrough  which  we  passed 
was  most  lovely  ;  our  path  in  the  afternoon  was  skirted  with  gently  rising 
mountains,  adorned  with  innumerable  young  fir  trees  At  1  P.  M.,  we 
took  tiffin,  after  which,  from  a  spot  in  the  vicinity,  we  had  a  good  sight  of 
the  noble  river  on  which  the  district  city  of  Tsung-fa  is  built,  an  admira- 
ble situation  for  a  traveler's  bungalow.  When  within  a  mile  of  the  dis- 
trict city  we  passed  a  seven-storied  pagoda,  which  we  had  eyed  with  interest 
for  many  a  mile,  knowing  it  to  be  our  halting-place  for  the  night.  We 
entered  the  south  gate  of  the  district  city  at  4.35  P.  M.  A  large  Examin- 
ation Hall  outside  the  north  gate  affiirded  abundant  accommodation  for 
ourselves  and  Chinese  attendants.  The  military  officer  who  has  charge 
of  the  city  gates,  cnlled  upon  us,  exchanging  cards  and  left  with  us  two 
watchmen,  who  assisted  our  servants  in  purchasing  such  things  as  we 
needed  during  our  stay  here.  Sunddi/,  Dec.  7th.  Ourselves  and  servants 
enjoyed  the  rest  from  travel  which  the  Sabbath  gave.  We  had  hoped  .to 
spQud  a  great  part  of  it  in  preaching  to  the  people  of  Tsung-fa  the  '  glori- 
ous gospel  of  the  blessed  God  ;'  we  were  not  able,  however,  to  do  this  in 
their  st/eets  and  temples  in  consequence  of  the  day  being  rainy.     But  our 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  371 

preaching  was  not  altogether  set  aside,  for  from  10  A.M.,  until  5  p.m.,  many 
people  came  from  the  city,  for  New  Testaments  and  religious  tracts,  to 
whom,  in  numbers  of  from  five  to  twenty,  we  several  times  proclaimed  the 
wonders  of  redeeming  love  and  God's  method  of  saving  sinful  men,  through 
the  atonement.  In  the  former  part  of  the  day,  some  time  was  spent  in  a 
short  English  service  for  ourselves;  and  another  in  Chinese,  for  our  attend- 
ants, and  a  few  people  from  the  city,  who  happened  to  be  there  at  the 
time.  Thus  '  as  wayside  preachers,  we  are  sowing  broadcast  to  the  hear- 
ers as  they  come  and  go,  sit  or  stand,  listen  or  gaze,  are  silent  or  interro- 
gate, as  they  please  in  our  informal  services.'  After  this  interesting 
sojourn,  we  left  Tsung-fa  on  Monday,  at  10.15  A.  M.  Before  our  depart- 
ure, the  magistrate  supplied  us  with  two  guides,  as  we  were  ignorant  of 
the  road  we  wished  to  travel.  Thus  far  we  have  abundant  occasion  for 
praise  and  thankfulness  to  Grod  our  Preserver  and  good  Gruide,  no  harm 
has  befallen  us  or  our  attendants.  The  official  expressed  a  wish,  that  we 
would  turn  to  the  Fa-iin  district,  instead  of  proceeding,  as  we  wished, 
stating  as  a  reason,  that  the  road  to  the  latter  place  was  rugged  and  moun- 
tainous. We  cared  not  for  the  ruggedness  of  the  way,  and  therefore  bent 
our  steps  for  the  up  hill  path  we  had  previously  determined  on.  We  had 
now  entered  a  large  plain,  the  soil  of  which,  was  poor  and  sandy,  proceed- 
ing on  our  course,  the  ride  was  along  the  valley,  near  the  east  bank  of  a 
beautiful  clear  stream,  a  branch  of  the  North  river.  Cargo-boats  were 
frequently  in  view,  with  peanuts  and  sugar  cane  on  all  sides.  A  number 
of  under-shot  water  wheels  were  on  the  river  side,  used  for  the  purpose 
of  irrigation,  in  the  extensive  rice  fields.  At  5.30  P.  M.,  we  arrived  at 
Leung-how,  and  passed  the  night  in  a  filthy  Examination  Hall ;  the  officer 
of  the  place  —  who  seemed  heartily  ashamed  of  the  plight  in  which  we 
found  the  surroundings  —  most  kindly  furnished  us  with  a  table  and  three 
chairs,  to  add  to  our  comfort. 

On  Tuesday  at  9.45  we  were  again  on  our  way.  Before  leaving,  the 
mandarin  supplied  us  with  another  escort,  the  two  from  Tsung-fa  not  being 
sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  road  we  wished  to  travel.  The  path  to 
day  for  the  most  part  was  through  a  valley  terminating  in  ravines,  the  lofty 
and  almost  perpendicular  mountains  on  all  sides  were  beautified  with  trees 
arrayed  in  every  autumnal  tint  to  be  seen  in  the  forests  of  western  lands 
from  the  golden  yellow,  red  and  brown  to  all  the  varied  shades  of  dark  and 
brio'ht  o;reen.  Then  too  from  the  summits,  as  also  the  sides  of  these  mountains 
fell  sparkling  cascades  of  various  dimensions,  formAga  nverat  their  base 
in  the  bed  of  the  ravine.  These  cascades,  during  the  rainy  season,  would 
well  repay  a  trip  purposely  undertaken  to  see  them.  During  our  march 
to  day,  and  many  a  day  beside,  for  the  whole  country  we  traversed  teemed 
with  beauty,  the  well  know  lines  of  Bishop  Heber  : 

'  Tlio'  every  prospect  pleases. 
And  only  man  is  vile/ 

again  and  again  rose  spontaneously  to  our  lips.  As  we  journeyed  along 
we  left  a  neat  village  on  our  left  hand,  the  inhabitants  of  which  came  out, 
attired  in  their  best  to  meet  us  and  treated  us  with  great  civility.  They 
were  glad  to  receive  the  copies  of  God's  Holy  Word  and  the  Lord's  prayer 
which  we  gave  to  them.  By  the  roadside  on  our  right  hand  were  three 
mills  employed  in  pounding  incense.  The  pounding  is  done  by  the  force  of 
water  turning  an  overshot  wheel  to  which  are  attached  triphammers.  A 
hundred  weight  of  incense  per  day  is  pounded  by  each  of  these  wheels. 


372  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Several  of  the  private  houses  seen  had  a  fortress  or  tower  attached  to  them 
for  protection  in  case  of  an  attack  by  robbers,  and  from  which  muskets 
and  matchlocks  could  be  used  with  considerable  advantage  to  keep  the 
enemy  at  bay.  At  4.15  P.  M.,  we  reached  the  village  of  Kooteen,  near 
to  which  is  an  iron  foundry,  formerly  superintended  by  a  Mr.  Soo.  This 
gentleman  gave  us  a  friendly  reception,  and  offered  us  his  house  as  a  shelter. 
After  breakfast  the  next  morning,  before  recommencing  our  journey,  ac- 
compained  by  our  host,  we  inspected  an  iron  mine  in  the  neighborhood. 
This  mine  has  been  worked  for  upwards  of  two  hundred  years.  In  the  first 
instance  there  was  ahill  seventy  feet  high,  that  has  been  cut  away,  and  the 
mine  is  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  deep.  In  consequence  of  Mr.  Soo's  be- 
coming bankrupt  last  year,  mining  operations  have  ceased  and  the  excavation 
is  filled  with  water.  To  recommence  the  work,  will  require,  as  he  was  careful 
to  impress  on  our  minds,  a  thousand  dollars.  This  mine  and  the  adjacent 
foundry,  gave  employment  to  one  hundred  people,  who  now  have  no  means 
of  gaining  a  livelihood,  and  the  village,  in  consequence,  is  one  of  the  poorest 
we  saw  in  all  our  trip.  It  is  situated  about  ninety  miles  from  Canton  in 
a  northeasterly  direction  from  the  district  city  of  Tsung-fa.  On  our  way 
to  examine  the  mine,  we  saw  a  number  of  Chinamen  fishing  in  a  pond  by 
means  of  cormorants,  the  neck  of  each  bird  being  bound  with  straw  to  pre- 
vent its  swallowing  the  fish.  We  also  saw  part  of  the  process  of  paper 
making  from  bamboo.  At  11.  50  a.m.,  we  left  the  residence  of  Mr.  Soo, 
whose  kindness  and  hospitality  we  can  scarcely  overrate,  and  which  we 
shall  long  remember,  and  resumed  our  journey,  arriving  at  the  market 
town  of  Loong-teen  at  3  P.  M.  We  lodged  in  the  Examination  Hall, 
which  was  remarkably  neat  and  clean.  In  the  evening  we  called  on  the 
military  ofl&cer,  Chan-foo-yee,  at  his  white  tower  residence,  and  stated  to 
him  our  wish  to  go  to  Cheung  Ning.  After  some  time  he  returned  the 
call,  and  brought  with  him  a  red  card„ containing  our  line  of  march  for 
the  morrow.  The  last  place  named  in  the  card  was  a  market  town  in  the 
district  of  Lung  Moon  whence,  as  he  informed  us,  we  could  proceed  to 
the  district  city,  or  pass  over  into,  the  region  of  Cheung  Ning,  At  8.o0 
the  succeeding  day  we  started  forward,  the  oflicer  in  charge  supplying  us 
with  two  new  escorts  to  guide  us  on  our  way,  passing  villages  and  several 
towns,  before  reaching  our  halting  place  for  the  night.  Our  route  now 
led  us  by  a  town,  in  which  was  gathered  together,  a  large  concourse  of 
people  for  the  purpose  of  attending  a  theatre,  which  is  ever  to  the  Chinese 
a  source  of  great  pleasure.  As  we  approached,  the  theatre  was  soon  emp- 
tied, and  three  hundred  or  four  hundred  excited  people  ran  pell  mell 
across  the  rice  fields,  to  see  the  foreigners  walk  along  by  the  bill  side. 
The  villagers  along  our  course  have  been  civil  and  pleased  with  our  com- 
ing among  them.  We  continually  drop  "  kind  words"  all  along  the  way, 
which  we  trust  will  not  be  forgotten;  we  thus  pave  the  way  for  those 
who  come  after  us,  as  blessed  Gospel  teachers ;  our  pioneer  books  and 
tracts,  will  be  read  by  very  many  natives  we  could  not  reach.  About  3 
p.  M.  we  came  to  a  hamlet  called  Ma-tee-tow.  The  elders  received  us 
very  cordially,  allowed  us  to  put  up  in  the  school  house,  which  would 
afford  sulficient  accommodation  for  so  large  a  party,  and  after  dinner  called 
upon  us.  We  spent  a  very  pleasant  evening,  conversing  with  them,  and 
.some  of  the  villagers  who  came  in,  and  there  were  opium  smokers  among 
the  number,  on  the  great  and  sublime  truths  of  our  holy  Christianity. 
The  eldest  of  the  elders  was  quite  interested  while  we  spoke  of  that  Name 
which  is  above  every  name,  and  at  which  every  knee  shall  yet  bow.     Before 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  373 

leaving  us  for  the  nisjht,  they  assured  us  we  need  be  under  no  apprehen- 
sion of  danger,  as  their  people  were  honest  and  industrious. 

"  Friday,  December  12th,  we  arose  early  and  prepared  for  a  speedy  depar- 
ture ;  while  we  sat  at  breakfast,  the  elders  called  in  again,  bringing  their 
visiting  cards,  and  sundry  little  presents,  to  help  us  on  our  way.  We 
parted  very  good  friends,  and  at  7.30  A.  M.,  were  en  route  to  Cheung-Ning. 
The  morning  was  cloudy,  but  we  had  not  proceeded  far,  before  the  sun 
began  to  break  through  the  clouds,  and  this,  together  with  the  mist  rising 
up  the  forest  side,  gave  intense  beauty,  to  a  scene  lovely  to  gaze  upon  at 
all  seasons.  We  were  all  in  good  spirits,  especially  the  coolies,  as  we  had 
already  promised  them,  that  if  we  made  Cheung  Ning  that  day,  they 
should  have  a  rest  for  two  whole  days.  Our  path  led  us  through  two 
villages  in  a  valley ;  the  valley  terminated  in  another  defile,  which  was 
flanked  with  high  mountains. 

"  At  8.15,  we  met  a  train  of  coolies  from  Cheung  Ning,  bringing  earthen 
ware  to  the  market,  at  which  we  called  yesterday.  Continuing  still  in 
the  highway  to  the  city  of  our  destination,  we  came  to  a  ravine  on  the 
rising  banks  of  which  grew  thick  brushwood  and  long  grass.  It  so  hap- 
pened that  at  this  point,  one  of  our  escorts  was  in  advance,  and  the  other 
brought  up  the  rear,  I  was  the  next  behind  the  guide  ;  and  when  he,  my- 
self, and  two-thirds  of  the  coolies  had  passed  into  the  ravine,  we  heard  a 
great  shout,  on  looking  up  we  saw  a  number  of  men,  sheltered  in  the  grass 
which  was  very  high,  leveling  their  matchlocks  at  us,  and  others  brandish- 
ing their  glistening  spears.  The  swordmen  and  spearmen  were  soon 
on  the  highw;iy  in  hostile  attitude,  the  riflemen  remaining  in  the  long 
grass  for  a  time,  to  cover  the  menacing  party,  in  any  attack  they  might 
make  upon  us.  The  brigands,  before  coming  out  in  force,  inquired 
anxiously  of  the  coolies,  whether  we  had  foreign  fire-arms,  their  pieces  mean- 
while being  leveled  at  our  heads.  In  a  few  moments,  my  fellow  travelers, 
who  had  been  riding  behind,  and  one  or  both  of  whom  might  have  made 
their  escape,  came  up  to  my  help  when  they  heard  the  outcry,  prepared 
if  necessary,  to  mingle  their  blood  with  mine.  The  whole  number  of  out- 
laws were  s^n  down  upon  us,  and  in  a  few  minutes  we  were  stripped  of 
all  our  outer  garments ;  nothing  being  left  upon  us,  except  shirt  and 
trowsers.  To  prevent  any  opposition  to  their  wishes,  three  or  four 
matchlocks  were  repeatedly  leveled  at  each  of  the  foreign  gentlemen,  or  a 
couple  of  spears  or  tridents  were  placed  in  close  proximity  to  their  face  or 
heart.  We  saw  resistance  was  useless,  and  immediate  death  would  doubt- 
less have  been  our  lot,  had  we  opposed  them.  The  banditti,  for  such 
they  proved  to  be,  were  twenty-five  in  number;  their  thorough  organiza- 
tion, the  wisely  chosen  place  of  attack,  their  perfect  accoutrement  with 
weapons  of  death,  made  any,  the  slightest  adverse  movement  on  our  part, 
quite  out  of  the  question.  It  was  not  a  new  game  they  were  playing,  but 
one  in  which  they  had  long  practice.  We  had  no  fire-arms  in  our  posses- 
sion, and  it  was  well  we  had  none,  for  if  they  had  been  used  by  us,  the 
issue  must  have  been  instant  death,  we  would  not  have  returned  to  tell 
the  story  of  our  disaster.  We  had  many  a  time  before,  read  the  command, 
'  Trust  ye  in  the  Lord  Jehovah,  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah,  is  everlasting 
strength  ;'  we  did  not  trust  in  '  works  and  arts  of  men's  device,'  but  in 
the  arm  which  built  the  skies,  and  in  this  time  of  our  distress  and  calamity 
were  not  disappointed,  but  were  safe.  These  Hak-ka  robbers,  after  they 
had  plundered  us,  led  us  and  our  horses  a  distance  of  three  or  four  miles 


374  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

among  the  mountains,  and  we  quite  expected  either  to  be  murdered,  or 
to  be  held  for  ransom. 

"  Thirst  for  human  blood  seemed  written  on  almost  every  face,  the  scowl- 
ing brows  of  these  petty  tyrants  betokened  no  good  and  we  fully  supposed 
our  final  hour  was  come.  Hoping  for  nothing  from  them,  we  had  recourse 
to  prayer  as  we  walked  up  the  precipitous  mountain ;  and  the  burden 
of  it  was,  that  the  Almighty  would  either  restrain  them  by  his  power  or, 
if  our  end  was  nigh,  he  would  strengthea  us  to  meet  the  final  foe,  and  then 
receive  us  to  himself  The  chiefs  mounted  the  horses  and  with  mus- 
kets pointed  at  the  foreign  gentlemen  walking  by  their  side,  compelled 
them  to  guide  slowly  the  animals  along  the  rugged,  narrow  paths  of  the 
steep  acclivities  of  that  mountainous  region." 

Mr.  Bonney  held  the  bridle  of  his  own  horse  and  led  him  with  scrupu- 
lous care  around  the  immense  boulders,  rocks  and  various  impediments, 
while  the  bandit  chief  seemed  very  proud,  as  with  a  considerable  amount 
of  supercilious  pretension  and  display  he  took  his  seat  on  a  foreign  saddle. 
the  stirrup  was  a  new  affair  to  these  bandits,  but  they  seeemed  quite 
pleased,  when  the  obedient  captives  in  the  new  capacity  of  hostlers,  with 
meek  courtesy,  though  without  a  tinge  of  servility  to  "  the  powers  that 
be,"  placed  the  foot  of  their  custodial  official  in  the  unknown  contrivance, 
voluntarily  adjusting  it  to  the  proper  length.  Probably  this  conciliatory 
manner,  instead  of  wanton  disrespect,  disarmed  the  feeling  of  hostility 
and  callousness  of  Chinese  character  in  these  banded  robbers.  It  was  the 
main  spring  under  God  of  effecting  the  escape  of  these  Protestant  mis- 
sionaries from  being  victims  of  horrible  bai-barity,  as  often  evinced  in  the 
deadliest  hatred  toward  foreigners.  This  is  proved  by  the  fact  that,  these 
fierce  privileged  riders  were  the  only  ones  who,  in  a  subsequent  consulta- 
tion, objected  to  the  prisoners  being  put  to  death.  Justly  supposing  their 
moments  were  numbered  and  Time  with  them  would  soon  be  merged  into 
Eternity,  Rev.  Mr.  Gray,  with  a  brief  exhortation  to  his  fellow  captives, 
that  the  moment  of  dissolution  "  would  not  be  succeeded  by  a  dreary  des- 
olate blank"  saying,  "if  this  cup  may  not  pass  from  us,  thy  will  be  done," 
commenced  repeating  in  an  audible  voice  with  perfect  resignati^  the  beauti- 
ful Burial  service  of  the  Episcopal  church.  His  two  companions  joined 
in  the  solemn  requiem  and  how  truthfully  they  could  say,  "And  now, 
Lord;  what  is  my  hope  ?  Truly  my  hope  is  even  in  thee."  There  was  no 
pusillanimous  cowardice,  but  the  firm  trust  of  the  helpless  ones  as  "  out  of 
the  depth  of  the  soul  they  cried  to  the  Helper."  Skeptics  would  have 
stood  aghast  at  the  noble  spectacle.  "  They  would  not  allow  us  a  moment's 
rest,  but  drove  us  upward  ;  as  we  reached  the  summit  of  the  mountain, 
the  leader  of  the  banditti  called  aloud  to  some  people  in  the  distance, 
who  were  running,  not  to  be  afraid.  These  were,  doubtless,  scouts  of  the 
robbers,  who  were  either  on  the  lookout  for  other  prey,  or  were  watching 
against  a  sudden  surprisal  of  their  '  den  of  thieves. '  The  appearance 
of  a  cavalcade  of  fifty  men  and  five  horses  so  near  at  hand  alarmed  them 
and  occasioned  their  flight.  One  of  these  scouts,  after  regaining  self  pos- 
session, stood  on  the  road  side  along  which  we  were  driven,  and  leveled 
his  matchlock  to  shoot  Mr.  Gray  and  myself  as  we  drew  near  to  him  ;  the 
malevolence  depicted  on  his  countenance  was  marked  as  on  many  of  those 
into  whose  hands  we  had"  fallen.  From  the  summit  of  this  mountain, 
they  led  us  into  a  remote  valley;  again  searched  our  persons  to  be  certain 
nothing  valuable  was  left  in  our  possession  ;  after  which,  at  the  earnest 
request   of  our    coolies,    they  returned  a  coat   to  each  one  to  keep  us 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  375 

from  the  cold.  To  our  extreme  amazement,  immediately  afterwards,  some 
led  away  the  horses  in  great  haste,  and  others  carried  off  our  boxes  with  other 
effects,  leaving  us  to  find  our  way  back  to  the  main  road  as  we  best  might ! 
We  reascended  the  mountain,  but  had  not  done  so  long  befor^  we  heard 
a  loud  war-whoop,  and  fearing  that  another  bandit,  as  they  permanently 
infest  these  parts,  might  be  on  the  lookout  to  capture  our  persons,  made 
all  possible  haste  back  again  to  the  place  from  which  we  started  in  the 
morning.  Among  these  banditti  were  two,  more  humane  than  the  rest, 
and  speaking  of  them  afterwards,  we  styled  them  amiable  robbers,  to  whom 
we  owe,  under  God,  the  preservation  of  our  lives ;  these  had  been  propi- 
tiated by  kind  acts  of  courtesy. 

"The  danger  we  were  in  of  losing  our  lives  while  under  the  power  of 
these  brigands,  may  be  somewhat  realized  when  I  state  that  they  came 
very  near  having  a  quarrel  among  themselves ;  and  several  times  they 
were  seen,  while  disputing  about  the  booty,  to  present  a  spear  or  rake  at 
each  other's  hearts.  Our  Chinese  attendants  behaved  well,  not  unfre- 
quently  turning  aside  the  muzzle  of  a  matchlock,  or  the  point  of  a  spear 
from  the  breast  of  their  masters.  One  of  the  party  believes  that  his  life 
was  more  than  once  spared  through  the  timely  interference  of  a  chair  coo- 
lie named  Awa." 

After  the  mysterious  disappearence  of  their  captors,  the  little  band 
were  uncertain  which  direction  to  take,  but  they  pursued  their  deviatino" 
course  without  a  sound,  though  with  anxious  hearts;  in  the  gloomy  recess 
of  the  rugged  fastness,  weary  and  faint.  While  penetrating  a  mountain 
region  never  before  explored  by  Europeans,  they  could  only  gaze  in  speech- 
less wonder  from  the  splendid  views  of  immense  extent  and  beauty  out- 
stretched before  them  to  their  uncertain  path  with  its  devious  windino-s. 
In  the  midst  of  their  perplexity  they  came  across  a  small  piece  of  paper 
lodged  in  one  of  the  bushes,  it  was  an  auspicious  omen,  a  copy  of  the  "Lord's 
Prayer  "  in  Chinese  which  had  been  dropped  by  one  of  the  free  hooters, 
while  pilfering  their  baggage.  Was  not  this  God's  finger,  pointing  out 
their  road  ?  With  swelling  hearts  of  gratitude  they  recognized  it  as  such. 
Subsequently  a  bottle  of  wine  was  found  saved  in  some  marvelous  manner 
with  which  they  refreshed  their  exhausted  systems;  then  the  Note-book 
of  Mr.  Bonney  was  picked  up,  having  been  thrown  away  as  useless  to 
them,  being  in  English  ;  with  exhilarated  spirits  and  quickened  steps  they 
soon  arrived  at  a  haven  of  safety.  Reaching  the  place  they  had  left  in 
the  morning,  the  travelers  were  kindly  received. 

"  Before  retiring  to  rest  that  night,  we  determined,  in  our  destitute  con- 
dition, deprived  of  necessaries,  to  return  to  Canton  with  all  speed  by  way 
of  Lung-moon.  The  District  Magistrate  was  from  home;  but  his  as- 
sistant Chan-low-ye  was  exceeding  kind  to  us,  he  was  indeed  every  thino- 
his  superior  ofiicer-could  possibly  have  been.  The  courteous  and  affable 
manner  in  which  he  treated  us,  is  one  of  the  'sunny  memories,'  of  our 
late  disastrous  trip.  We  lodged  in  the  Shing  Wong  Mee-ue  or  Temple 
sleeping  one  night  on  a  platform  close  to  the  feet  of  a  colossal  Idol,  our 
rest,  however,  was  not  disturbed  ;  we  were  too  weary  from  our  late  attack 
and  plunder  of  all  our  valuables  to  heed  present  surroundings.  We  were 
safe  under  the  care  of  the  Municipal  authorities,  who  had  given  us  these 
comfortable  quarters  for  the  night  and  provided  us  with  dinner  in  the 
Yamoon  :  also  promised  to  hire  boats  on  the  following  day  for  our  safe  con- 
duct to  the  district  city  of  Tsun^-shing  on  our  way  home.  Each  of  us  was 
furnished  with  a  coverlet  for  the  night  and  a  waistcoat  to  keep  us  from 


376  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

shivering,  'v^itli  sufficient  money  for  our  daily  wants.  In  the  morning  after 
the  boats  were  ready,  we  went  to  take  leave  of  our  friend  Mr.  Chan.  As 
we  walked  from  the  temple  to  the  Yamoon  and  thence  to  the  boats,  the  mob 
surrounded  us  ;  they  were  very  rude  and  unmannerly.  We  got  under  way 
about  mid-day.  On  the  banks  of  the  river  great  crowds  of  people  were 
gathered  to  seethe  foreigners;  and  many  came  into  the  water  to  have  a 
nearer  inspection  of  us,  as  we  glided  quietly  down  the  stream,  which  is 
very  clear,  not  deep,  and  abounds  in  rapids.  We  cast  anchor  at  dark. 
Before  sunrise  our  boat  people  were  astir.  I  employed  an  hour  before 
breakfast  in  speaking  of  the  atonement  and  the  way  to  heaven,  our  escort 
listened  attentively,  this  Mr.  So,  is  a  brother  of  our  good  host  on  the  day 
of  our  calamity.  About  eight  o'clock,  we  passed  Lungwa,  our  servants  or 
boat-men  wishing  to  buy  tire-wood,  we  anchored  for  a  short  time  at  the 
wharf.  Before  we  could  start,  a  crowd,  collected  and  our  boat  was 
stoned  ;  we  at  once  made  oflf  and  avoided  what  might  have  been  a  serious 
collision  ;  at  dark  casting  anchor  for  the  night  under  the  shelter  of  a  hill, 
and  to  avoid  further  danger  had  no  lights.  The  following  morning  found 
us  early  on  the  way  ;  we  called  on  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  large  town. 
He  was  kind  and  gentlemanly,  inquired  the  nature  of  our  misfortune,  the 
place  in  which  it  occurred,  and  the  losses  we  had  sustained.  Having 
made -all  necessary  investigations,  he  gave  orders  to  four  policemen  to 
accompany  us  to  Tsuug  Shing  district  city,  and  gave  us  a  number  of 
presents  in  the  shape  of  food,  for  our  passage.  At  Tsung  Shing  the 
Magistrate  was  sick,  but  his  Secretary  provided  two  larger  boats  to  take 
us  to  the  City  Provincial,  and  supplied  more  cash.  The  crowds  which 
thronged  us  at  this  district  city  were  very  uncivil ;  the  underlings  were 
disposed  to  snub  us,  and  the  crowd  ready  to  stone  us ;  but  we  met  with 
uniform  kindness  from  those  high  in  office,  the  mandarins  had  provided 
for  our  wants  since  the  day  of  the  robbery.  We  passed  many  fine  rapids 
and  for  two  days  we  seemed  as  though  gliding  gently  down  a  mountain 
slope.  On  Thursday  December  18th,  we  arrived  safely  and  in  health,  cast- 
ing anchor  at  Canton  at  seven  p.  M." 

•In  Mr.  Bonney's  Port  Folio,  on  the  cover,  I  find  a  card  on  which  is 
written  "December  12th,  1862,  Mountains  of  Chay-ung  Ning  District. 
"  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble.  Therefore 
Will  Not  we  fear. —  Psalm  xlvi.  1,2." 

Canton,  June  9,  1863.  Yesterday  we  crossed  the  river  to  the  opposite 
banks  for  a  little  walk  along  the  narrow  path  with  rice  fields  looking 
beautifully  green  on  both  sides,  the  rice  is  just  heading  and  waves  grace- 
fully in  the  wind.  These  rice  fields  are  from  half  an  acre  to  five  acres 
in  size,  surrounded  by  imbankments  over  five  feet  high,  with  a  foot-path 
of  about  two  or  three  feet  in  width,  a  field  on  either  side  of  the  narrow 
path.  Half-way  up  the  bank  are  fruit  trees  closely  planted ;  frequently 
we  had  to  stoop  in  passing  under  the  brandies  of  lichee,  peach  and  orange 
trees,  now  full  of  green  fruit.  "  Rice  is  the  staff  of  life  in  China  and  is 
cultivated  on  terraces  or  low  lands,  wherever  the  water  so  necessary  to  its 
growth  can  be  obtained." 

"After  the  ground  has  been  suitably  ploughed  by  means  of  the  hairless 
buifalo,  or  water  ox,  (a  most  clumsy  looking  beast  of  a  light  black  color ; 
each  horn  is  nearly  semicircular  and  bends  downwards,  while  the  head  is 
turned  up  so  much  that  the  nose  is  nearly  horizontal.  They  have  a  great 
antipathy  to  foreigners  and  we  gladly  give  them  a  wide  berth),  working  knee 
deep  in  water.     It  is  then  broken  by  mattocks  and  leveled  by  a  cylinder 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  377 

or  a  flat  bo.ard  in  order  that  the  water  may  flow  equally  over  every  part  of 
it.  The  rice  is  at  first  thrown  irregularly  into  the  earth,  but  when  it  has 
grown  to  the  height  of  a  foot  or  a  little  more,  it  is  plucked  up  and  care- 
fully transplanted  in  small  sheaves  and  in  straight  lines.  Rice  straw  is 
made  into  brooms  and  brushes.  The  ripe  grain  is  cut  with  bill-hooks  or 
pulled  up  by  the  roots. 

I  wish  you  could  have  accompanied  us  in  our  visits  to  the  Duck  fac- 
tory or  duck-boat.  The  ducks  and  chickens  are  hacthed  artificially  : 
eggs  are  brought  here  by  the  farmers,  and  at  the  end  of  twenty-nine  days, 
the  young  ducks  are  returned  to  them  at  the  cost  of  two  dollars  for  hatch- 
ing out  1000.  I  saw  them  in  all  the  difi"erent  stages  ;  first  put  on  shelves 
in  a  closet  for  two  days,  on  the  floor  of  which  is  charcoal  in  pans  and  an 
equal  temperature  maintained  of  100°  Fahrenheit.  Then  laid  down  in 
barrels  sixty  eggs  in  each  layer,  6000  eggs  being  in  a  barrel.  The  barrel  is 
lined  with  braided  straw,  and  between  each  layer  is  a  sheet  of  thick  paper. 
Twenty-five  days  they  remain  in  the  barrels  and  are  then  transferred 
to  a  large  wooden  repository,  two  layers  in  each  bin  and  then  covered 
with  cotton.  3000  eggs  remain  in  each  department  for  two  days,  when 
the  eggs  crack  and  out  comes  the  young  duckling.  They  hatch  out  at 
one  time  50,000.  It  is  an  interesting  sight  and  full  of  merriment  to 
watch  the  shallow  bins  full  of  eggs  all  moving  with  life.  Emma  was  quite 
delighted  when  one  of  the  soft  little  yellow  ducklings  was  put  in  her  hands 
to  carry  home.  "  The  duck-boats  in  which  those  birds  are  hatched  and 
reared  are  carried  up  and  down  the  river  seeking  for  pasture  along  its 
muddy  banks.  The  ducks  are  trained  to  walk  the  plank  to  and  from  the 
shore  at  the  will  of  their  keeper."  At  the  stern  of  nearly  every  sam-pan 
an  oblong  basket  cage  is  secured  on  the  outside  containing  a  number  of 
ducks  or  chickens;  the  birds  are  sent  on  shore  early  each  morning  to 
provide  for  themselves.  At  sunset,  or  the  approach  of  a  storm,  I  have 
frequently  heard  the  chirping  shrill  calls  of  the  boatwomen  to  their  respect- 
ive little  broods ;  and  from  my  veranda  would  watch  with  great  interest, 
the  sprightly  flocks  lightly  skimming,  even  almost  flying  over  the  muddy 
shore,  iu  their  eager  haste  to  reach  the  proper  boat.  I  could  not  but  pity 
the  unfortunate  laggards,  for  the  last  one  was  invariably  taken  up  and  re- 
ceived judicious  chastisement,  the  benefit  of  which  was  observed  the  fol- 
lowing night  as  the  present  loiterer  would  surely  be  in  good  season.  It 
was  a  marvel  to  me  how  they  recognize  their  own  home,  and  how  the  owner 
knew  her  peculiar  property,  but  they  seemed  as  well  able  to  distinguish 
as  the  faces  of  their  children,  for  indeed  the  feathered  tribe  received 
quite  as  much  of  the  good  dame's  daily  attention. 

"The  beggars  of  Canton,  lank,  lean  and  haggard,  are  a  peculiar  set;  they 
emerge  from  their  dens  each  morning,  fully  prepared  for  the  duties  of  the 
day.  Under  their  outside  mantle  of  rags,  they  carry  a  wallet,  fit  for  the 
reception  of  rice,  cotton,  coal,  firewood,  and  every  other  commodity  likely 
to  fall  in  their  way.  We  watched  with  surprise,  the  gradual  diminution 
of  a  bale  of  cotton  which,  broken  probably  by  accident,  afi"orded  a  most 
tempting  opportunity  to  the  beggar  women  and  children,  who  infest  the 
streets.  The  coolies  who  carry  the  goods  which  are  thus  diminished,  do 
not  interfere.  Their  countrymen  and  countrywomen  are  spoiling  the 
Egyptians,  their  common  enemy,  the  foreigner.  More  dreadfully  loath- 
some objects,  than  Chinese  beggars,  cannot  be  imagined,  and  often  to  beg- 
gary they  add  theft.  Blind  beggars  often  pass  through  streets  in  single 
II]  48 


378  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

file,  by  compaaies,  led  by  one  wbo  can  see.  The  front  one  of  the  blind 
beggars,  places  a  hand  on  one  of  the  shoulders  of  the  leader,  the  second 
one  places  a  hand  on  the  shoulder  of  his  preceding  companion,  and  so  on 
through  the  whole  company,  marching  leisurely  along.  Groups  of  these 
squalid,  shivering,  hungry  beggars,  nestling  together  in  their  rags  for 
mutual  warmth,  intent  upon  the  destruction  of  the  animated  nature  that 
infests  their  miserable  garments  ;  or  searching  keenly  through  each  other's 
coarse  tangled  hair,  with  Cannibalish  taste,  transferring  the  vermin  to 
their  mouths,  are  seen  crouching  at  every  vacant  spot  along  the  streets 
and  alcoves,  or  portico  of  the  temples  in  both  the  city  and  its  suburbs. 
Some  of  the  poor  lepers  also,  may  be  daily  seen  in  the  public  streets,  they 
are  most  pitiable  objects.  These  beggars  are  all  governed  and  under  the 
care  of  a  headman,  who  with  the  advice  of  the  elders  and  constables,  appor- 
tion them  in  the  separate  neighborhoods.  They  take  their  stations  in 
front  of  the  shops,  or  enter  and  squat  on  the  floor,  a  group  of  four  or  five, 
and  supplicate  with  a  loud,  whining  voice,  pounding  on  the  floor  or  counter, 
sometimes  making  a  deafening  noise  with  gongs,  drowning  all  conversation 
till  the  occupant  purchases  their  departure  by  the  giving  of  cash.  They 
are  protected  by  the  law  in  their  avocation,  and  no  man  dare  drive  them 
forcibly  from  his  door.  There  is  a  species  of  corruption,  connected  even 
with  this,  for  increasing  the  revenue  of  the  public  oiEcials  for  they  would 
pocket  a  good  slice  of  the  immunity  money.  Some  beggars  carry  a  tame 
snake  with  them,  coiled  about  their  persons,  or  held  in  their  hands.  If 
a  foreigner  enters  the  store  they  howl  the  more  pertinaciously,  a  piercing, 
monotonous  wail  of '  chinchin-a-a-a  !  poor  man-a-a-a  !  how  kin-do  a-a-a  !' 
The  wealthy  merchants  pay  annually  a  stipulated  sum  to  the  '  King  of  the 
Beggars,'  to  purchase  their  exemption  from  the  daily  importunity,  then  a 
paper  is  pasted  up  as  a  notice  which  is  obeyed.  In  the  small  area  of  one 
of  the  temple  squares  at  Canton,  of  some  two  hundred  feet  square,  on  the 
hard  flagging  in  difi"erent  parts,  you  may  daily  see  prostrated  different 
objects  of  commiseration.  Some  are  in  groups,  standing;  others  are  beneath 
a  little  matting,  which  is  sufficiently  elevated  on  sticks  to  enable  two  or 
three  to  gather  under,  to  shelter  them  from  the  sun  at  mid-day.  Another 
is  stretched  speechless  on  the  hard  stone,  with  his  head  pressing  on  his 
emaciated  hand,  but  on  the  approach  of  a  foreigner,  as  if  by  instinct,  he 
seizes  his  basket  and  extends  it  with  his  skeleton  arm,  for  cash.  Another 
is  dying,  as  he  lays  with  his  head  against  the  side  wall,  down  which  is 
led  a  gutter,  as  if  in  his  last  extremity  he  had  rolled  his  head  there,  to 
catch  a  drop  of  water.  Here  are  the  houseless,  dying  and  naked,  while 
the  smiling  populace  pass  by." 


LEaACY  OF  Historical  Gleanings.  379 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Trip  to  Shee-ue  Chow  Foo. 

August  22,  -1863. 
Canton  Province,  200  miles  North  of  Canton. 
On  August  11th  W.  P.  Jones,  U.  S.  Consul  at  Macao,  with  Mrs.  Jones 
and  two  children  came  up  to  us ;  the  next  morning  we  embarked  on  board 
this  "  Hawtow-Shune,"  [a  Chinese  boat,]  and  after  sundry  consultations, 
that  no  requisite  appurtenance  was  left  behind,  and  the  "  good  bye  "  being 
spoken,  we  started  for  a  little  trip  of  three  or  four  weeks  up  the  North 
river,  equal  in  importance  to  us  as  to  you  would  be  an  Atlantic  one  !  We 
were  quite  drooping  with  the  scorching,  stifling  heat  of  summer  and  much 
needed  this  healthy  roughing  by  way  of  recreation  and  a  total  change. 
The  empty  boat  had  been  anchored  at  our  front  door  the  previous  day 
that  we  might  prepare  our  floating  habitation  in  a  suitable  manner  for  the 
aquatic  pic-nic  excursion.  It  had  been  a  busy  time  in  arranging  for  my 
scholars  during  my  absence,  all  but  one  of  whom  I  left  under  the  care  of 
the  Chinese  lady  teacher.  Then  too  the  task  in  collecting  together  and 
adjusting  the  necessary  trappings  for  housekeeping  on  a  limited  scale, 
bedding,  clothing,  and  laying  in  a  sufiicient  supply  of  edibles  to  last  dur- 
ing our  miniature  voyage.  The  one  ofiice  of  caterer  was  not  a  sinecure 
by  any  means,  but  buoyed  up  by  the  prospective  remuneration  in  store, 
we  cheerfully  accomplished  our  duties  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  con- 
cerned, but  we  leave  all  minor  details  untilyou  join  us  on  a  similar  excur- 
sion. The  party  consists  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones;  their  Lillie' Jones,  four 
years  old  ;  Willie  Jones  aged  two  years;  Rev.  George  Piercy,  an  English 
Wesleyan ;  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney  and  Mrs.  B.  with  our  bright  little  Emma 
Catharine  of  three  summers  ;  Akee-ue ;  the  Chinese  preacher  and  servants. 
With  commendable  patriotic  zeal,  Mr.  Bonney  procured  an  American  flag 
at  Messrs.  Russell  &  Co.  to  float  over  "  the  bonny  boat."  Our  crew  con- 
sists of  eighteen  men  to  work  the  boat  which  is  sixty-five  feet  long  and 
fifteen  feet  wide,  divided  into  three  compartments  for  passengers,  with  a 
small  room  at  bow  for  the  boatmen  and  one  at  the  stern  for  culinary  pm-- 
poses.  Next  to  it  is  my  temporary  domicile,  seven  by  fifteen  feet ;  the  din- 
ing-room is  fifteen  feet  square,  and  at  night  is  converted  into  a  dormitory 
for  our  good  Brother  Piercy  ;  Mrs.  Jones  has  a  cosey  apartment  of  ten  by 
fifteen  feet.  The  little  white  dog  "  Lilly"  from  Manilla  was  not  forgotten 
and  much  enjoys  our  pleasant  afternoon  walks.  Our  "  Ark  "  is  such  as  is 
generally  used  by  the  mandarins  when  traveliog  to  difi"erent  parts  of  the 
country  on  either  of  the  three  great  rivers  of  Canton  Province  :  the  North, 
West  and  East  rivers.  According  to  agreement  made  with  the  boatmen 
befoi'e  starting,  "  it  will  be  anchored  every  night  and  on  Sabbaths.  Our 
passage  up,  although  slow,  is  pleasant  and  comfortable ;  we  all  hope  to 
become  more  vigorous  with  the  fresh  country  air  and  constantly  changing 
scene.  It  is  amusing  occasionally  to  listen  to  the  boatmen's  tramp  along 
the  deck,  impelling  the  boat  by  poling,  accompanied  with  most  excruciating 
groans ;  but  sometimes  they  use  the  track-line  on  the  tow. path  which  is 


380  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

a  relief.  After  leaving  Fatshan,  twelve  miles  above  Canton,  a  Leper- 
village  was  seen,  then  a  hamlet  with  many  grave  hillocks  of  a  conical 
shape  and  a  large  flock  of  geese  feeding  near  by ;  the  bank  was  high  and 
hard  for  the  trackers,  the  current  too  was  very  rapid  but  our  boat  safely 
passed  between  the  bank  and  a  rock.  Further  on  was  another  cluster  of 
conical  graves  on  the  hill  side,  pointed  out  to  us  by  the  native  preacher 
with  an  air  that  showed  the  "  singular  reverence  they  have  fbr  the  tombs 
and  for  the  memorials  of  their  ancestors,"  and  close  by  was  a  picturesque 
village  on  an  island  in  a  lake.  The  mountainous  region  now  commences; 
hills  of  various  altitude,  with  lovely  wild  flowers  sprinkled  here  and  there, 
though  generally  the  hills  in  China  are  beautifully  terraced  to  their  sum- 
mit and  every  available  inch  of  ground  under  cultivation.  One  hill  was 
at  least  six  hundred  feet  high  with  deep  gorges,  and  groves  of  fir  trees  ; 
several  timber-rafts  were  in  the  vicinity  and  three  pagodas  not  far  distant. 

On  our  route  we  frequently  observed  that  many  rocks  were  thrown  to- 
gether in  most  singular  and  fantastic  forms,  with  precipitous  descents  and 
craggy  bluffs.  Perhaps  these  freaks  of  nature  served  as  models  in  form- 
ing the  national  taste,  as  exhibited  in  their  training  and  forcing  trees  or 
shrubs  to  assume  grotesque  forms  representing  animals  and  birds.  We 
saw  many  pagodas,  some  of  them  nine  stories  high  with  winding  stairs  to 
the  top,  affording  the  weary  climber  full  compensation  by  the  expansive 
view  thus -obtained*.  Extensive  sugar-cane  plantations  with  cactus  hedge, 
and  rice-plots  with  the  cheerful  bright  green  were  before  us,  but  there 
are  no  fences  in  China  to  enclose  such  fertile  spots.  Kich  fields  of  mul- 
berry trees,  with  their  large,  luxuriant  green  leaves  were  observed  on 
either  bank,  reminding  us  of  silk  districts.  These  leaves  are  picked  four 
or  six  times  a  year  and  sold  from  $1.50  to  $2.00  per  piculs  (1  J  pounds). 
There  were  groves  of  bamboo  with  its  light  feathery  foliage  waving  so 
gracefully  in  the  breeze,  and  numbers  of  the  cormorants  standing  in  the 
water  with  their  long  necks  bended,  ready  to  seize  the  luckess  fishes  they 
were  watching.  The  boat  moved  from  a  river  over  a  mile  wide  with  low 
banks,  when  about  ten  miles  above  Tsing  Unecity,  through  a  small  open- 
ino'  called  the  Tsing  Une  Pass ;  we  entered  the  narrows  where  the  river 
runs  six  miles  in  a  very  swift  current,  the  water  is  about  two  hundred  feet 
deep  ;  on  either  side  of  this  passage  are  high  and  rocky  mountains  from 
1500  to  2000  feet  in  height.  At  seven  p.  M.,  we  anchored  for  the  night 
midway  of  the  Pass  close  to  a  large  Boodhist  Monastery  named  "  Fee 
Loy  Tsz,"  built  during  the  Laung  Dynasty  on  the  west  bank.  It  is  situ- 
ated in  a  most  romantic  and  picturesque  spot,  embosomed  in  lovely  groves 
of  dense  foliage  and  forest  trees  of  large  growth.  It  is  a  singular  coin- 
cidence that  with  great  characteristic  good  taste  the  priests  in  every  part 
of  China  are  peculiarly  fortunate  in  selecting  the  most  healthy,  command- 
ino-  and  lovely  sites  for  their  Temples  and  Monasteries.  A  government 
o-un-boat  was  stationed  opposite  to  the  Monastery  for  its  protection ;  the 
ofl&cers  sent  to  know  if  we  would  like  them  to  anchor  close  to  our  boat 
that  night  to  guard  against  robbers,  but  we  had  no  fear  and  did  not  avail 
ourselves  of  their  proffered  civility.  After  dark  the  District  Magistrate 
sent  us  his  Chinese  card  being  a  slip  of  bright  red  paper  eight  inches  long 
and  three  wide  with  Chinese  characters  printed  on  it;  we  returned 
the  compliment  by  sending  ours  to  his  Honor.  "  These  visiting  cards  are 
of  scarlet  paper,  either  single,  or  folded  four  or  more  times  according  to 
the  rank  of  the  visitor." 

The  following  morning  we  all  went  ashore,  spending  more  than   half 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  381 

a  day  in  exploring  the  charming  nooks  and  rocky  recesses,  also  in  ram- 
bling through  the  inviting  groves  of  diversified  shrubbery  around  the 
Monastery.  We  were  delighted  with  a  mountain  torrent  which  pours 
down  its  cool,  fresh  waters  alongside  the  temples  in  beautiful  cascades  and 
waterfalls  of  forty  feet,  and  constantly  replenishing  a  stream  of  pure  water 
which  flowed  into  the  Pass.  The  deliriously  cool  beverage  was  richly 
enjoyed,  contrasting  so  forcibly  with  the  luke-warm  liquid  of  our  boats. 
There  are  twenty  priests  in  the  monastery,  who  are  civil  and  polite  to 
visitors.  In  the  fourth  year  of  Hienfoong's  reign,  the  temple  was  pillaged 
by  the  rebels.  Pak-kwif  the  late  lieutenant  governor  of  Canton  contributed 
one  thousand  taels  towards  repairing  it.  Workmen  are  still  busy  refitting 
the  broken  idols  and  walls.  The  priests  would  be  glad  to  rent  their 
rooms  to  any  foreigners  who  might  wish  to  occupy  them  a  few  weeks  or 
months  for  recreation,  and  a  retreat  from  summer  heat.  After  having 
climbed  up  the  tortuous  footpath  of  a  high  rocky  eminence  to  another 
temple  almost  hidden  by  the  luxuriant  shrubbery,  we  partook  of  our 
"  tiffin  "  with  a  keen  relish  in  one  of  the  shady  bowers.  Nothing  could 
surpass  the  charming  beauty  of  these  sequestered  spots  with  rare  shrubs 
and  plants,  together  with  famous  dwarf  trees. 

The  fish  ponds  had  large  pieces  of  rocks  cemented  together,  and  firmly 
bound  with  a  strong  wire,  looking  like  a  rocky  islet,  from  the  crevices  of 
which  came   exquisite  flowers   and  creepers ;   some   formed   an  artificial 
grotto  and  cave  in  the  centre  of  the  miniature  lake.     In  these  excavations 
were  many  gold,  silver  and  black  fishes  with  tails  of  three  lobes  and  tufted 
fins,  they  were  very  beautiful  though  the  "  eyes  projected  to  an  extraordi- 
nary degree  ;"  they  seemed  to  enjoy  gliding  below  the  artificial  rock  covered 
with   moss  in  the  ponds  or  in  jars.     Grods  were  not  wanting  here,  some 
of  them  were  "  seated  in  a  cool  niche  in  the  temple."     "  Sometimes  de- 
votees become  irritated  against  the  gods  ;  and  resort  to  summary  means  to 
force  them  to  hear  their  petitions.     It  is  said  that  the  Governor  having 
gone  repeatedly  in  a  time  of  great  drought  to  the  temple  of  the  god  of 
Eain  in  Canton  dressed  in  his  burdensome  robes,  through  the  heat  of  a 
tropical  sun,  on  one  of  his  visits  said,  '  The  god  supposes  I  am  lying  when 
I  beseech  his  aid  ;  for  how  can  he  know,  seated  in  his  cool  niche  in  the 
temple,  that  the  ground  is  parched  and  the  sky  hot?'  Whereupon  he 
ordered  his  attendants  to  put  a  rope  around  his  neck  and  haul  his  godship 
out  of  doors,  that  he  might  see  and  feel  the  state  of  the  weather  for  him- 
self; after  his  Excellency  had  become  cooler  in  the  temple,  the  idol  was 
I'cinstated  in  its  shrine,  and  the  good  eff"ects  of  this  treatment  considered 
to   be  fully  proved  by  the  copious  showers  which  soon   after  fell."     We 
purchased  some   beautiful  canes,  the  heads  of  which  are  grotesque  figures 
of  birds  or  animals  carved  with  great  skill  by  the  priests,  being  one  of  the 
many  expedients  resorted  to  as  an  employment  to  increase  their  incomes. 
When  ready  for  a  start,  we  replenished  our  jars  from  the  large  stream  of 
cool,  refreshing  water  and  returned  to  our  boats  in  the  best  of  humors  from 
the  exhilarating  exercise  we  had  enjoyed.     The  Government  has  built  a 
good  tow-path  for  boatmen  on  the  side  of  the  mountain  along  which  are 
fifteen  good   stone  bridges  either  arched   or  of  horizontal  slabs.     Fifty 
miles  above  Tsing  Une  Pass,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  Canton, 
is  the  Mang  Tsz  Pass  in  Ying  Tuk  County.     This  Pass  is  much  shorter 
and  narrower,  yet  exceeds  the  Tsing  Une  Pass  in  rocky  grandeur  and 
craggy  bluflFs.     We   all   enjoyed  the  Echo  in  this  Pass,  it  was  clear  and 
loud  and  returned  our  calls  with  distinctness,  even  the  explosion  of  small 


382  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Chinese  crackers  equals  the  report  of  a  musket  fire.  Four  miles  below 
Ying  Tuk  county  city,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  is  a  lofty  sugar-loaf 
shaped  mountain  named  Man  Tow  Shiin.  It  presents  a  perpendicular 
front  to  the  river  of  four  hundred  feet,  the  water  washing  its  base.  At 
the  side  of  this  mountain  are  extensive  limestone  quarries,  the  stone  yield- 
ing when  burnt  two  tenths  of  lime.  The  quarrymen  are  paid  the  small 
wages  of  ^1.80  and  their  food  per  mouth. 

We  passed  groves  of  bamboos  lining  the  shores;  observed  of  the 
feathered  tribe  white  paddy  birds,  wild  partridges,  quails  and  pigeons. 
This  morning  we  saw  many  tame,  large  black  cormorants  resting  on  a 
forked  bamboo  pole,  some  ten  feet  long,  near  a  fisherman's  boat,  they  ap- 
peared to  be  the  size  of  a  turkey  ;  these  birds  are  often  trained  to  assist 
their  owner  in  his  fishing.  ["  At  a  signal  from  the  headman,  the  cormo- 
rants plunge  into  the  water  and  search  for  fish,  each  bird,  as  fast  as  he 
catches  one  in  his  beak,  rises  to  the  surface.  The  fisherman  then  hooks 
the  bird's  float  with  his  stick  and  draws  it  towards  him,  taking  the  fish 
away  from  the  cormorant  as  soon  as  it  comes  within  reach  of  his  arm. 
When  the  fish  is  very  large  and  weighs  seven  or  eight  pounds  the  cormo- 
rants will  assist  each  other,  one  catching  the  fish  by  the  tail,  another  by 
the  head,  etc.  They  rarely  catch  any  thing  weighing  less  than  a  quarter 
of  a  pound.  After  every  captui-e  a  small  bit  of  fish  is  thrown  to  the  bird 
as  a  reward,  the  piece  being  sufiiciently  little  for  it  to  swallow  in  spite  of 
its  collar.  Chinese  fishermen  keep  their  feathered  assistants  at  work  as 
long  as  daylight  lasts.  Occasionally  the  birds  become  tired,  and  refuse 
to  dive,  a  proceeding  which  occasions  a  series  of  frightful  yells  and  beating 
of  the  water  with  a  stick  by  their  master,  which  frightens  them  to  such 
an  extent  that  they  resume  labor  instantly.  A  single  boatman  can  easily 
oversee  twelve  or  fifteen  of  these  birds,  and  although  hundreds  may  be 
out  upon  the  water,  each  one  knows  its  own  master.  The  birds  are  fed 
on  bean-curd,  and  eels  or  fish.  They  lay  eggs  when  three  years  old,  whicb 
are  often  hatched  under  barn  yard  hens.  The  price  of  a  pair  varies  from 
$5  to  $8.  This  mode  of  fishing,  which  is  not  interrupted  efen  by  severe 
cold,  is  quite  lucrative,  as  twenty  or  thirty  birds  can  readily  catch  about 
a  dollar  and  a  half  worth  offish  per  day.  Oil  of  sesame  is  said  to  be  the 
panacea  for  all  ills  of  the  cormorant,  which  continues  its  career  of  active 
work  until  about  ten  years  of  age."] 

The  right  hand  shore  is  quite  flat,  the  plain  planted  to  profusion  with 
barley  and  other  cereals.  The  gentlemen  are  constantly  engaged  dis- 
tributing tracts  and  portions  of  God's  word,  also  preaching  to  the  people ; 
they  "  sow  beside  all  waters,"  and  "  scatter  the  seed  of  Life  broadcast 
through  the  land."  About  fifty  miles  above  the  Pass  in  Ying  Tuk  District, 
on  the  west  shore,  is  the  most  remarkable  mountain  that  has  been  seen  on 
the  route.  It  is  a  bold  rocky  bluff,  overhanging  the  river,  at  least  500 
feet  high.  At  the  foot  of  it  is  a  large  cave  fitted  up  as  a  Temple  for 
Koon  Yum,  the  Goddess  of  Mercy.  The  temple  has  been  occupied  by 
priests  for  200  years,  three  of  these  fathers  and  a  flock  of  tame  pigeons 
are  the  tenants  of  this  most  wonderful  and  romantic  place.  Yesterday 
morning  we  went  ashore  to  visit  the  noted  spot;  the  temple  is  three  stories 
in  heigbt,  from  the  topmost  window  in  the  rock-covered  with  mosses  and 
other  small  cryptogamic  plants  —  was  sixty  feet  to  the  water.  Many  parts 
of  the  temple  were  in  a  dilapidated  state,  all  things  seemed  huddled  to- 
gether. We  found  several  parties  of  Chinese  feasting  in  the  rooms  ;  but 
the  priests,  with  their  shaven  heads  and  long  gray  robes,  were  particularly 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  383 

civil,  offeriug  tea  and  pipes  according  to  Chinese  custom,  but  neither  the 
betel-nut  or  fruits  looked  in  the  least  inviting.  Their  "  Tsing,  tsing" 
which  simply  means  "  I  pray  you,  I  pray  you  "  is  in  the  place  of  "  How 
d^ye  do?"  —  was  repeated  many  times  with  the  bow  and  shaking  of  their 
own  folded  hands.  Then  there  was  "  a  sort  of  friendly  antagonism  "  be- 
tween the  priests  and  guests  "  as  to  which  should  be  seated  or  lift  the  cup 
of  tea,  because  inattention  to  this  formality  is  regarded  as  a  discourtesy 
and  would  stamp  the  offender  as  a  boor  and  unacquainted  with  the  com- 
monest rules  of  polite  society."  Our  party  wrote  their  names  in  the  same 
"  Company  Book  "  in  which  we  found  the  autographs  of  Mr.  Bonney  and 
his  friends,  as  inscribed  when  on  their  way  to  Hankow  two  years  and  four 
months  prior  to  this  day.  A  few  rods  north  of  the  cave,  on  a  projecting 
part  of  the  mountain,  are  built  two  quite  pretty  pavilions  in  Chinese  archi- 
tecture. Over  the  doors  of  one  is  the  tablet  of  "  The  Pavilion  of  Charity 
and  Wisdom."  On  either  side  of  the  door  is  this  couplet,  which  in  a  free 
English  translation  would  read  : 

Ten  thousand  miles  no  clouds  appear, 
Ten  thousand  miles  the  skies  are  clear. 
From  thousand  streams  the  waters  meet. 
The  Queen  of  Night  makes  this  her  seat. 

As  we  stand  looking  up  and  down  the  stream  we  see  many  perpendicular 
crags  300  feet  high ;  isolated  and  lofty  rocky  hills  with  sharp  pointed  tops 
covered  with  a  deep  green  vegetation  pass  before  our  view,  and  many  rafts 
laden  with  coal  in  baskets  bound  for  the  lower  districts.  Then  we  turn 
to  look  at  the  black  crows  with  singular  white  ring  about  their  necks 
seeming  to  be  in  great  numbers,  they  are  regarded  as  a  sacred  bird  and 
were  very  tame.  What  with  the  gray  walls  damp,  mouldy  together  with 
the  smoky,  dingy,  and  mottled  appearance  of  the  surroundings,  we 
were  only  too  thankful  to  leave  the  cheerless  structure  for  our  own  tem- 
porary little  home.  Mrs.  Jones  and  myself  are  the  first  foreign  ladies,  and 
I  am  the  first  missionary  lady  who  had  ever  been  up  this  river;  we  are  of 
course  objects  of  eager  curiosity,  but  are  treated  with  the  greatest  consid- 
eration and  kindness  so  that  the  excurs'ionists  enjoy  every  moment.  Our 
entire  party  went  ashore  for  a  ramble  on  the  sunny  slopes  carpeted  with 
showy  flowers,  and  in  passing  through  a  village  had  the  whole  popultftion 
after  us;  men,  women,  children  and  barking  curs;  even  the  silly  geese 
stretched  out  their  long  necks  to  hiss  at  the  strangers.  The  villagers  were 
probably  as  much  amused  at  us,  as  we  with  all  the  eye  could  take  in; 
their  evident  thought  of  "  what  queer  creatures  "  was  on  our  part  fully  re- 
ciprocated. One  poor  woman  held  up  her  infant  for  me  to  buy !  But  we 
gave  them  books,  pleasant  words,  and  cheery  smiles.  On  our  return  to  boat 
we  had  a  new  experience  which  vividly  comes  to  mind ;  we  were  rather 
startled  to  find  we  had  to  cross  some  sand-bars  and  small  streams  about 
forty  feet  wide  but  not  deep.  We  were,  however,  enabled  to  adapt  our- 
selves to  existing  circumstances,  shoes  and  stockings  were  useless  appen- 
dages, there  was  no  help  for  it ;  so  imagine  your  dignified  ''  Aunty " 
wading  through  sand  and  water  considerably  above  the  ankle ;  but  it  was 
rare  fun  and  we  enjoyed  it  as  a  frolic  of  younger  days.  The  children  and 
"  Lily"  were  carried,  and  the  whole  party  reached  the  boat  in  safety  with 
merry  hearts.  On  several  occasions  the  gentlemen  have  been  aroused,  at 
night  with  tidings  of  robbers  and  pirates,  the  boatmen  were  busy  getting 
their  arms  and  ammunition  ready,  but  so  far  they  have  been  false  alarms. 

The  men  are  now  poling  with  bamboo  poles  at  each  side  of  our  boat 


384  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

over  the  rapids,  this  is  varied  by  use  of  sails  and  tracking.  We  passed 
many  cactus  trees  twenty  feet  high  and  a  temple  that  had  been  much 
injured  by  the  rebels,  stone  pillars  broken.  A  Custom  House  official  just 
came  to  inspect  our  boat.  "  We  anchored  under  the  east  walls  of  Shee-ue 
Chow  Foo  city  at  four  p.  M.,  near  the  south  gate.  A  few  moments  after- 
wards, a  clerk  of  the  district  magistrate  came  on  board  with  his  superior's 
card,  and  an  invitation  for  our  party  to  visit  him  the  following  day  at  the 
Yamun.  We  gladly  accepted  the  invitation,  and  appointed  nine  A.  M.,  as 
the  hour.  He  also  proposed  that  we  should  pay  our  respects  to  the  other 
principal  mandarins  of  the  city  and  department.  We  assented,  and  left 
the  matter  with  him'to  arrange.  This  morning  a  constable  called  ibr  our 
cards  according  to  Chinese  custom,  and  took  them  to  the  two  highest 
military  and  three  civil  mandarins  resident  in  the  city.  At  nine  a.  m.,  our 
friend  Mr.  Eep  came  with  six  covered  sedans  to  conduct  us  to  the  several 
officers,  and  our  party  went  on  their  round  of  visits  to  General  Lak,  Major 
Tuk,  Judge  Fong,  Itistrict  Magistrate  Chu,  and  Hon.  Mr.  Shum,  prefect 
of  department,  all  being  officers  of  the  highest  rank  in  Shee-ue  Chow  Foo. 
The  general  and  major  are  Tartars,  the  other  three  are  Chinese.  Our 
visits  occupied  from  nine  A.  M.,  to  three  P.  M.  3  the  streets  through  which 
we  passed  from  Yamun  to  Yamun  [official's  palace]  were  crowded  with 
curious  lookers-on,  foreign  ladies  having  never  before  visited  the  city. 
In  justice  to  the  officers  to  whom  we  paid  our  respects,  it  must  be  said  that 
they  treated  us  most  courteously  and  kindly  We  could  not  desire  better 
treatment,  for  they  evidently  did  their  best  at  the  short  notice  which  they 
had  of  our  arrival.  We  were  offered  tea,  cakes,  and  fruits  of  various 
kinds,  both  fresh  and  preserved.  The  ladies  of  our  company  were  also 
handsomely  and  most  kindly  welcomed  by  the  high  ladies  of  the  several 
mandarins,  of  course  in  Chinese  and  Manchoo  style."  We  were  received 
in  the  inner  apartments,  exclusively  appropriated  to  the  ladies  of  the 
yamun  ;  the  first  wife  was  standing  near  the  door,  with  many  sunny-faced 
attendants  ranged  around  her.  We  were  courteously  welcomed  with  seve- 
ral polite  bows  and  shaking  of  their  own  clasped  hands,  while  the 
"  Nini  "  — or  number  one  wife  —-  favored  us  with  a  graceful  courtesy  and 
shaking  of  her  own  left  sleeve.  After  being  conducted  to  the  covered 
dais,  and  invited  to  the  post  of  honor  on  the  left  we  were  seated  in  the 
chairs  of  state ;  all  this  display  of  Chinese  etiquette  was  a  novel  experi- 
ence to  one  of  our  party.  The  ladies  were  tastefully  dressed  in  their 
richly  embroidered  oriental  costume  of  silken  robes  in  various  gay  colors, 
and  occasionally  displaying  with  a  coquettish  air  their  pretty  little  feet, 
not  three  inches  long,  encased  in  shoes  covered  with  embroidery  of  gold 
and  silver  thread.  Silver  bangles  were  around  the  ankles  of  the  children, 
while  pretty  amulets  were  worn  by  all  with  quantities  of  jewelry^  which 
they  certainly  did  not  prize  as  much  as  the  extravagantly  long  finger 
nails,  but  little  shorter  than  the  finger.  The  black  hair,  which  is  the 
special  pride  of  Chinese  women,  was  very  glossy  and  smooth  from  the  use 
of  resinous  shavings  moistened  in  hot  water ;  it  was  elaborately  and  ele- 
gantly arranged  with  studied  exactness,  and  fancifully  decorated  with 
beads  and  pretty  flowers.  One  or  two  of  the  ladies  wore  costly  golden 
filagree  ornaments  with  the  enamelled  lustrous  blue  feathers,  from  the 
breast  of  the  king-fisher  bird.  Cosmetics  are  never  sparingly  used  by 
the  Celestials;  the  faces  were  bedaubed  with  white  paint  giving  a  pallid- 
ness, while  the  cheeks  and  lips,  too  deeply  rouged  with  carmine  for 
beauty,  gave  an  unpleasant  effect  to  the  whole.    With  the  aid  of  "  charred. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  385 

sticks  "  the  eyebi'ows  had  been  blackened  into  an  arched  form,  to  set  off 
to  advantage  their  "  almond  shaped  eyes  ;  "  much  care  had  evidently  been 
bestowed  on  their  toilet.  The  Tartar  ladies  had  not  cramped  feet,  but  wore 
silk  shoes  witH  thick  felt  soles,  they  were  equally  well  dressed,  with 
flowers  and  silver  ornaments ;  and  of  a  more  dignified  carriage  than  the 
Chinese,  being  larger  in  size  and  possessing  much  more  muscular  power. 
After  a  while  we  were  requested  to  partake  of  the  quickly  prepared 
entertainment  consisting  of  different  kinds  of  cakes  arranged  to  form  pyra- 
mids, quantities  of  fresh  and  candied  fruits,  preserves,  nuts  and  water- 
melon seeds.  We  were  furnished  with  small  two  pronged  silver  forks, 
though  chop-sticks  were  also  there  if  preferred  ;  each  different  kind  of 
the  luxuries  on  small  saucers  were  nicely  arranged  on  a  large  red  lacquer 
tray.  Fancy  pipes  filled  with  tobacco  were  offered,  but  declined.  We 
were  then  regaled  with  the  exquisitely  flavored  steaming  tea,  without 
sugar  or  milk,  which  was  served  up  from  very  delicate  porcelain  cups  with 
pretty  covers  to  match,  on  metal  saucers  or  stands.  During  this  ceremo- 
nious feasting,  which  occupied  some  time,  the  Amahs  were  engaged  in 
fanning  us,  while  the  ladies  taking  up  some  candied  fruit  on  their  forks 
would  pass  it  to  us  as  a  token  of  peculiar  favor.  After  this  preliminary, 
came  the  stereotype  questions  to  be  answered :  "  What  is  your  honorable 
age  ?  How  many  sons  have  you  ?  How  long  have  you  been  in  the 
flowery  land  V  During  which,  midst  the  fluttering  of  fans,  we  underwent 
a  critical  inspection  from  head  to  foot,  with  running  comments  in  audible 
tones,  and  sundry  exclamations  of  surprise  or  pleasure,  with  occasionally 
a  merry  peal  of  laughter.  "  Did  we  wea7-  chicken  coops  beneath  our  dresses  ?" 
(meaning  our  crinoline  skirts  which  they  fancied  bore  a  resemblance). 
The  conversation  seemed  general,  even  servants  were  allowed  to  express 
their  opinion.  The  children  of  our  party  attracted  especial  attention  ; 
they  were  presented  with  divers  gifts  ;  as  little  embroidered  shoes,  fancy 
aromatic  bags  with  small  pieces  of  Sycee-s'ilver  in  them,  in  two  of  the 
pretty  satin  pockets  were  miniature  shoes  of  8ycee  and  Chinese  felicitous 
charms.  Our  visit  was  full  of  interest  to  both  parties,  and  their  urbanity 
with  the  cordial  greetings  enhanced  the  pleasure  of  our  enjoyment.  I 
will  now  let  Mr.  Bonney  continue  his  account  of  the  many  attractive 
villages  we  passed  at  short  intervals. 

Our  party  had  supplied  themselves  before  leaving  Canton  ^ith  a  quantity 
of  Christian  books,  and  many  copies  of  the  New  Testament  in  Chinese 
for  gratuitous  distribution  as  opportunity  afforded.  These  were  given  to 
each  of  the  officers  we  visited,  and  accepted  by  them  with  many  thanks. 
One  of  the  officials  —  I  think  it  was  the  General,  remarked,  that  the 
books  were  good  for  the  people,  and  should  be  circulated  widely,  but  how 
much  sincerity  there  was  in  his  unsolicited  opinion  I  cannot  pretend  to 
judge.  On  our  return  to  the  boat  we  remained  till  6  p.m.  making  pre- 
parations for  the  homeward  trip  —  purchasing  rice,  fowls  and  other  pro- 
visions needed.  A  crowd  of  several  hundreds  collected  on  the  shore 
during  this  time,  delighting  their  eyes  with  a  view  of  the  strangers  from 
afar,  the  like  of  whom  they  had  never  seen,  especially  the  three  little 
children  of  the  party  elicited  wonderful  remarks.  At  6  p.m.  we  raised 
anchor  and  dropt  down  the  river  a  mile  or  two,  where  we  remained  till 
morning. 

The  Magistrate  of  this  district  which  is  Kok  Kong,  has  unsolicited  by 
us,  sent  a  gun  boat  welh  manned  by  eighteen  men  to  escort  us  down  the 

II]  49 


386  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

river  to  Ying  Tuk  the  next  district  below.  He  has  also  sent  us  two  bushel 
baskets  of  fruit.  The  air  in  this  part  of  the  river  is  pure,  cool,  and  very 
refreshing  for  the  season.  We  started  from  our  anchorage  at  seven  this 
morning  with  fifteen  oars  at  work,  mast  and  sails  taken  (fown,  folded  up, 
and  packed  away  as  useless  for  the  return  trip  with  the  South  wind  ahead. 
The  boatmen's  oars  and  the  river's  current  will  be  the  propelling  power. 
The  width  of  the  river  varies  from  a  quarter  to  one  third  of  a  mile.  The 
waters  being  high,  they  are  of  that  muddy,  yellowish  color  so  common  on 
(yhinese  rivers.  The  banks  on  either  side  are  high,  smooth  surfaced  hills, 
covered  with  a  short  growth  of  grass  and  shrubbery.  But  few  human 
dwellings  are  seen.  Here  and  there  a  hamlet  of  a  dozen  mud  houses  meet 
the  eye,  surrounded  by  a  grove  of  banyans.  As  we  enter  Ying  Tuk  the 
banks  become  more  rocky  and  bold  in  shape,  with  barren  sides  of  hard 
limestone  ready  for  the  quarrymen's  chisel  and  wedge.  The  •'  Tan  Tsz 
Kee"  rears  its  lofty  head  over  its  almost  perpendicular  sides  400  feet  high, 
standing  alone  as  a  sentinel  guarding  the  passage  of  the  river.  At  a  re- 
spectful distance  scattered  around  stand  a  score  or  more  of  lesser  hilh, 
two  or  three  hundred  feet  high,  assuming  every  imaginable  shape  of  hay- 
cocks, huts,  volcano-craters  and  sugarloaf  The  river  washes  the  base  of 
this  singular  rock,  boats  passing  within  a  few  yards  of  it.  The  composi- 
tion of  the  rock  is  blue  limestone.  We  have  come  down  the  river  to  day 
at  a  steady  pace  making  sixty  miles  towards  Canton.  The  weather  has 
been  fair,  a  warm  sun  shining  over  us,  tempered  by  the  cool  South  mon- 
soon. The  gunboat  despatched  to  escort  us,  has  kept  in  our  wake  or  near 
us  during  the  whole  day  and  night.  We  visited  two  villages,  one  of  which 
has  a  Custom  House  Ofiice  for  inspecting  salt-boats.  Woe  be  to  the  salt 
smuggler  who  falls  into  the  hands  of  these  agents  of  the  Salt  Commis- 
sioner ;  he  is  not  only  deprived  of  his  salt,  but  his  boat,  and  all  appertain- 
ing to  it  are  forfeited  to  Government  as  a  punishment  for  his  bold 
disregard  of  the  national  laws.  We  were  shown  a  large  cargo-boat  filled 
with  bags  of  salt  seized  from  smugglers  on  the  river;  the  principal  officer 
received  us  quite  friendly  and  politely. 

Oo  Shek  is  a  Market-town ;  the  people  ran  together  in  crowds  as  we 
landed,  and  as  in  most  Chinese  market  towns,  were  more  free  in  their 
manners  than  in  the  counti-y  towns  of  family  residences.  Wood  fuel  being 
cheaper  here  j;han  at  Canton,  our  boatmen  laid  in  a  stock  for  their  use. 
A  beautiful  little  red  fawn  caught  on  the  hills  at  the  back  of  the  town  was 
bought  by  one  of  our  party,  and  a  quantity  of  bamboo  chairs  at  about 
half  the  Canton  prices.  One  of  our  party  is  laying  down  the  correct  course 
of  the  river  by  compass  and  rule,  with  the  towns  and  villages  on  the  banks, 
and  distances  between  each.  We  have  also  a  "  special  artist"  who  is 
sketching  with  a  skillful  hand  the  lofty  and  curiously  shaped  mountains 
and  rocks,  seemingly  thrown  together  in  the  wildest  confusion,  that  peer 
up  before  us  every  few  miles  with  the  valleys,  romantic  chasms,  and  gloomy 
ravines.  We  halted  two  hours  at  the  limestone  quarries  to  visit  the  large 
cave  of  Pik  Lawk  Ngam,  and  the  picturesque  natural  rock  bridge  over  it. 
The  singularly  dismal  cave  is  full  250  feet  long,  100  feet  wide  and  75 
feet  high ;  the  walls  and  roof  are  of  solid  stone,  ornamented  with  stalac- 
tites of  every  shape  and  size  from  one  to  ten  feet  in  length.  Through  it 
flows  a  large,  deep  stream,  which  under  the  roof  of  the  cave  is  impassable 
except  by  a  canoe  or  bridge,  neither  of  which  the  Chinese  have  furnished. 
A  small  h'oodhist  temple  stands  at  its  entrance  tenanted  by  three  priests. 
They  told  us  that  we  were  the  first  foreigners  who  had  ever  visited  this 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  387 

hollow  den.  The  quarry  workmen  furnished  us  with  several  fine  speci- 
mens of  rock  crystals  in  exchange  for  a  few  hundred  cash. 

Towards  evening  at  six  o'clock,  we  entered  the  Mang-tsz  pass  or  Narrows 
in  the  river,  on  each  side  of  which  lofty  crags  and  perpendicular  bluffs 
rise  more  than  a  thousand  feet.  This  truly  strange  wild  gorge  cut  in  the 
mountain  will  average  three  hundred  yards  in  width.  For  want  of  a  lead 
line  we  were  unable  to  take  its  depth.  We  were  forty-five  minutes  pass- 
ing from  the  upper  to  the  lower  end  of  the  Narrows,  at  the  rate  of  seven 
miles  an  hour.  Here  again  the  echo  phantom  was  tested,  at  a  point 
where  the  stupendous  mountains  were  towering  upwards  in  almost  per- 
pendicular slopes,  and  the  repetitions  of  sounds  given  by  us,  were  not  only 
wonderful  but  startling.  If  was  weird  like  in  this  lonely  place,  to  hear 
our  words  come  bounding  back  from  every  point,  in  such  rapid  succession  ; 
and  when  we  laughed,  back  cam^wild  shouts  of  revelry,  and  the  effect 
was  marvelous  and  electrical  in  the  extreme.  While  admiring  the  grand 
views  in  this  place,  it  was  gratifying  to  reflect  that  these  mountains  would 
stand  as  long  as  the  world  stands,  with  the  same  sublime  and  magnificent 
scenery,  unmarred  by  the  skill  or  power  of  man. 

As  Christianity  and  modern  civilization  advance  among  the  native 
Chinese,  the  almost  invisible  thread  line  of  a  railway,  may  run  along  their 
base,  but  still  they  will  remain  unmoved,  as  silent  monitors  of  the  might 
and  majesty  of  their  Creator  to  every  succeeding  generation  ;  they  cannot 
be  cut  down  nor  overturned  any  easier,  than  Victoria  Peak  from  summit 
to  base  can  be  rolled  over  into  Hongkong  harbor.  Directly  on  our  arrival 
at  Ying  Tuk  city,  we  sent  our  cards,  written  on  crimson  paper  in  Chinese 
characters,  to  the  chief  magistrate.  In  a  few  minutes  he  returned  his 
own,  with  an  invitation  for  all.our  party,  ladies,  gentlemen  and  children, 
to  call  on  him  at  his  yamun.  Sedans  had  been  sent  and  we  immediately 
went  ashore  escorted  to  the  yamun  by  an  eager  crowd  of  men  and  boys. 
His  Excellency  Foong  was  in  waiting  at  the  door  for  us,  with  his  yamun 
clerks  and  attandants.  He  received  us  with  evident  pleasure,  apologizing 
for  the  poor  fare  and  mean  condition  of  the  place.  His  Excellency  stated 
that  Chekiang  was  his  native  province,  but  for  the  last  twenty  years  he 
had  been  a  resident  of  Canton  province,  and  the  magistrate  of  three  differ- 
ent districts.  He  had  lately  returned  from  Pekin,  and  been  in  office  at 
Ying  Tuk  only  a  month.  Hongkong  he  had  visited,  and  showed  no  little 
satisfaction  in  being  able  to  speak  a  few  words  of  what  he  called  the  Eng- 
lish language,  but  which  we  at  once  recognized  as  common  phrases  of  the 
"  Canton  pidgin  English."  To  the  chair  bearer  he  said  :  "  So  fashion 
walkee.  Hiyah  !  chop-chop."  "  That  one  piecee  coolie  too  muchee  quick." 
"  One  piecee  chilo  alia  same."  "  My  no  wan  tehee."  "  My  olo  fader  hab 
makee  die."  "  How  many  wifoo  alia  same  hab  got  ?"  with  similar  expres- 
sions in  this  "  barbarous  lingo,"  of  which  you  will  not  desire  a  more  ex- 
tended graphic  description.  We  were  treated  to  fruit,  cakes  and  excel- 
lent tea.  The  ladies  and  children  of  our  party  were  entertained  in  sepa- 
rate apartments  of  Mr.  Foong's  family.  On  taking  leave,  he  ordered  the 
sedan  bearers  to  take  us  through  some  of  the  principal  streets  that  we 
might  have  a  peep  at  the  city,  and  thence  to  our  boat.  Mr.  Foong  in- 
formed us  that  he  would  direct  a  small  police  boat  to  attend  us  down  the 
river,  to  guard  and  aid  in  any  difficulty  that  might  arise.  We  declined 
the  kind  offer,  not  wishing  to  trouble  him,  and  considering  it  unnecessary. 
But  he  would  not  accept  a  refusal,  saying  it  was  no  trouble.  Two  police 
boats  were  anchored  at  the  landing  place,  one  of  which  set  sail  and  kept 


388  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

close  in  our  rear  during  the  day,  and  dropped  anchor  near  us  at  night.  Ying 
Tuk  (Jity  is  a  neat  looking  place  for  a  Chinese  city,  and  has  several  nicely 
carved  monumental  tablets  in  honor  of  dutiful  children,  or  widows  who 
devoted  themselves  to  an  unmarried  life.  The  streets  are  mostly  paved 
with  slabs  of  limestone  or  large  round  stones  from  the  river  bed ;  alto- 
gether we  were  favorably  impressed  with  the  place  and  our  kind  reception. 
We  halted  nearly  two  hours  at  the  Boodhist  temple  at  Tsing  Une  Pass, 
finding  the  cascades  and  mountain  streams  fuller  than  usual  owing  to  the 
late  rains.  The  river  also  had  risen  two  or  three  feet  since  we  passed  up 
ten  days  ago.  Our  boat  took  in  a  fresh  supply  of  the  excellent  spring 
water  which  constantly  flows  from  the  rocky  reservoirs  in  the  rear  of  the 
temple.  After  gratifying  ourselves  with  a  stroll  up  the  mountain's  side, 
and  feasting  our  eyes  with  the  surrounding  wild  scenery,  we  joyfully  re- 
turned to  our  boat  and  proceeded  on  oitr  way. 

That  we  might  reach  Canton  to-night,  we  turned  ofi"  at  Loopon  from 
the  usual  route,  and  entered  a  stream  running  south  east,  which  shortened 
the  distance  thirty  miles.  The  usual  course  is  by  Fat-shan,  this  shorter 
route  can  be  taken  by  cargo-boats,  only  when  the  river  is  at  a  high  stage. 
It  passes  through  a  richly  cultivated  country,  with  broad  fields  of  rice, 
sugarcane,  vegetables,  and  many  a  terraced  hill.  We  observed  to-day 
more  cattle  grazing  than  all  we  have  seen  in  the  other  places  during  our 
trip.  Passed  a  large  market  town  with  a  fine  row  of  Ancestral  Halls  and 
Academies,  and  Poontinqua's  Garden  with  the  White  Cloud  Hills  in  view. 
This  day,  Saturday,  August  29,  has  brought  us  to  the  termination  of  our 
excursion  to  Sheue-e  Chou  Foo  and  back.  Our  party  returned  well  pleased 
with  the  change  they  had  enjoyed  from  the  city  to  country  and  mountain 
air ;  the  discoveries  they  had  made  ;  and  the  more  than  expected  kind 
and  courteous  treatment  from  the  Chinese  people  and  officials.  We  en- 
deavored to  make  our  visit  to  the  places  along  the  river  subserve  the  ex- 
tension of  Christian  truth  and  knowledge  by  a  free  gift  of  copies  of  the 
New  Testament  and  Christian  books  in  Chinese  language.  We  found  that 
it  promoted  our  friendly  reception  by  the  people  rather  than  otherwise. 

The  Hong  Kong  paper  says  :  "  From  Canton  we  hear  of  repeated  and 
long  trips  into  the  interior  by  boats,  for  missionary  and  recreation  purposes. 
Eev.  S.  W.  Bonney,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  several  other  foreigners, 
has  been  up  the  North  river  to  the  distance  of  230  miles  from  Canton. 
It  required  some  thirteen  days  to  go  that  distance  including  two  Sabbaths, 
during  which  time  the  boat  was  at  anchor.  The  party  were  treated  civilly 
by  the  people  and  by  mandarins."  Many,  exceedingly  many  trips  must 
be  made  before  China  is  evangelized.  Books  were  distributed  at  various 
places  on  the  route. 

This  novel  trip  has  been  to  us  a  most  refreshing  occupation.  The 
weather  is  warm  in  the  day-time,  buticool  at  night;  and  we  are  anticipating 
with  pleasure  the  speedy  approach  of  the  delightful  cold  season."  On 
our  return  to  Canton  we  found  the  "  white  winged  messengers  "  from  home, 
giving  the  particulars  of  our  deceased  sister  Matilda's  happy  release  from 
sickness  on  May  9,  1863.  Her  cup  of  joy  was  full  to  overflowing  with 
the  sweet  gushings  of  bliss  by  the  presence  of  Jesus  giving  her  peace.  I 
wrote  to  dear  M.  Elizabeth  on  July  21,  after  we  heard  of  the  death  of  her 
mother.  This  is  the  second  loved  sister  that  has  sickened  and  died  since 
my  sojourn  in  China.  Sorrow  gnaws  at  my  heart  strings,  but  their  agony 
is  over,  "  the  gloom  and  dread  of  the  grave  was  dispelled  by  the  blessed 
assurance  of  bliss  in  heaven.    "  Death  wears  the  same  vesture  everywhere," 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  389 

and  though  his  icy  fingers  have  changed  those  precious  lineaments  and 
earthly  forms  to  marble  rigidness,  their  happy  disenthralled  spirits  have 
crossed  the  swollen  stream  and  gone  to  the  everlasting  bright  home. 
Disease  makes  sad  ravages,  but  it  is  safe  in  life  or  death  to  feel  we  are  in 
God's  hands.  "  There  is  peace  in  Christ  which  the  world  cannot  give  and 
it  sustains  and  comforts  the  soul." 

Marriage  of  Ahee-tie. 

Akee-ue  otie  of  my  elder  pupils  was  betrothed  to  a  native  helper  con- 
nected with  the  American  mission  at  Foochow.  I  had  been  the  match- 
maker or  go-between  ;  presents  had  been  exchanged  including  photo- 
graphs, and  all  the  principal  formalities  of  the  nuptials  had  been  arranged. 
As  the  time  had  arrived  for  the  marriage  consummation,  it  was  proper  I 
should  be  her  escort.  Mr.  Bonney  could  not  leave  his  work  and  sent  his 
regret  in  answer  to  the  large  red  card  of  invitation  to  the  "  wedding  feast," 
but  saw  us  safe  on  the  steamer  at  Hongkong. 

Foochow,  October  16, 1863.  Akee-ue,  Emma  and  myself  left  Hongkong 
in  the  "  Fokhein  "  last  Wednesday  afternoon  Oct.  7.  Passing  "  the  White 
Dogs,"  two  islands  just  outside,  we  anchored  in  the  harbor  at  the  Pagoda 
Islands,  ten  miles  below  the-  city  at  six  o'clock  on  Friday  evening.  It 
was  quite  rough  coming  up,  much  wind  and  high  sea,  but  still  to  me,  even 
this  was  a  pleasant  change  from  school  duties.  My  little  sensitive  plant, 
Akee-ue,  the  bride  elect,  was  sea-sick  all  the  way,  and  did  not  leave 
her  berth  till  we  reached  the  Pagoda  anchorage.  The  scenery  around  Foo- 
chow is  magnificent ;  "  hills  and  dales,  grassy  plains,  high  black  mountains, 
the  rairro.r-like  river,  roaring  water  falls,  pagodas  and  villages  are  all  blended 
in  the  most  admirable  manner.  It  has  been  thought  lay  some  European 
travelers  to  resemble  the  scenery  of  Switzerland  in  its  picturesqueness 
and  grandeur.  Americans  are  more  frequently  reminded  by  it  of  the 
Highlands  of  the  Hudson.  The  entrance  to  the  River  Minn  is  marked 
by  bold  peaks  and  high  land,  and  about  thirty-five  miles  from  its  mouth 
the  'Happy  Region''  or  city  is  situated."  The  following  morning  we  went 
up  the  river  in  Messrs.  Russell  &  Co.'s  comfortable  "  House  Boat."  Mr. 
Clark  gave  us  a  friendly  reception,  and  after  partaking  of  a  luxurious 
breakfast  at  twelve  M.,  kindly  furnished  his  handsome  house  sedans  to 
take  us  to  the  "  Mission  Coiupound,  "  in  which  were  the  bungalows, 
with  large  verandas  and  green  blinds,  "  the  residences  of  Revs.  Peat, 
Baldwin  and  Doolittle.  My  reception  by  the  mission  families  was  all 
I  could  desire,  of  warm  sisterly  affection. 

Th*e  marriage  of  Akee-ue  to  "  Nga  Seen  Shang  "  was  celebrated  on  the 
14th,  in  the  brick  mission  chapel  of  the  A.  B  C.  F.  M.,  called  the  "  church 
of  the  Saviour."  Rev.  C.Baldwin  performed  the  ceremony  in  a  very 
impressive  manner.  The  church  was  crowded  with  missionaries  of  all 
denominations,  native  Christians  and  outsiders.  It  was  a  novel  and  in- 
teresting sight,  to  see  these  two  natives  standing  up  to  be  united  in 
marriage  with  Christian  ceremonies.  It  is  a  great  triumph  that  they  are 
thus  able  to  overcome  "  the  established  social  customs  of  their  countrymen." 
Akee-ue's  toilet  was  superintended  by  a  Chinese  matron,  who  arranged 
her  hair  after  the  Foochow  style,  it  proved  to  be  quite  becoming,  and  when 
arrayed  in  her  pretty  wedding  garments  she  looked  quite  captivating. 
The  bride,  bridegroom,  missionaries  and  native  Christians,  fifty  in  number, 
were  handsomely  entertained  with  a  reception  at  the  residence  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Baldwin.     K  bountiful  tiffin  had  been  prepared  in   the  best  possible 


390  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

manner  by  the  American  ladies.  The  long  table  was  beautifully  decorated 
with  flowers  and  greens,  and  the  assembled  guests  sat  down  to  a  banquet 
of  every  thing  calculated  to  tempt  the  most  fastidious  appetite.  The  bride 
was  seated  next  to  me  in  silence,  dignified  and  composed,  but  did  not  eat 
any  thing  ;  she  acted  according  to  Chinese  etiquette,  and  deported  herself 
admirably  throughout  the  trying  ordeal.  After  this  fete,  we  escorted  the 
bride  to  her  new  home.  We  crossed  the  monster  bridge  of  one  hundred 
arches,  built  more  than  eight  hundred  years  ago,  about  one  quarter  of  a  mile 
long,  and  fourteen  feet  wide.  It 'has  forty  solid  buttresses  built  of  hewn 
granite.  The  sleepers  are  immense  stones  three  feet  square,  and  forty-five 
feet  long.  Above  the  stone  sleepers  a  granite  platform  is  made,  with  strong 
stone  railings.  There  is  a  small  island  densely  populated  on  which  part  of 
the  bridge  rests,  connecting  the  city  of  Foochow  with  the  European  settle- 
ment. The  sedans  were  quickly  carried  through  the  narrow  streets,  into  the 
suburbs  and  pleasant  fields  covered  with  tiny  blossoms,  till  we  drew  up  to  the 
door  and  were  ushered  into  the  residence  of  the  groom,  where  in  accord- 
ance with  established  custom  he  had  a  great  feast  prepared.  The  marriage 
festivities  were  conducted  with  proper  decorum  and  order,  giving  pleasure 
to  all.  The  young  couple  are  comfortably  settled,  seem  contented  and 
very  happy,  for  all  of  which  T  am  truly  thankful,  for  I  feel  sure  God  has 
blessed  and  prospered  my  mission  to  Foochow.  Most  earnestly  do  I  pray 
that  my  remaining  pupils  may  marry,  with  similar  auspicious  prospects, 
good  Christian  men.  With  a  party  of  the  missionaries  we  went  to  the 
top  of  the  highest  hill  to  observe  the  annual  custom  of  Kite-flying.  It 
is  a  national  pastime  and  proved  to  be  a  general  holiday  for  the  natives, 
both  old  and  young.  Every  person  had  a  kite  and  all  seemed  to  partici- 
pate in  this  curious  and  most  amusing  festival.  The  afternoon  being  very 
fine,  the  hill  was  covered  with  thousands  of  people.  "  A  petty  mandarin, 
with  a  large  staff  of  armed  policemen,  was  stationed  there  for  the  purpose 
of  keeping  the  peace  and  quelling  the  disturbance,  should  any  arise."  We 
were  greatly  interested  watching  the  boyish  glee  of  the  Chinese  while  in- 
dulging in  the  amusement,  and  listening  to  the  loud  humming  noises  in 
the  air  which  were  constantly  heard  overhead.  There  was  a  "  centipede 
twenty  feet  long  wriggling ;  then  an  enormous  bird  with  outspread  wings 
of  red  and  gold  is  soaring  directly  over  our  heads ;  then  a  mandarin, 
seven  yards  in  circumference,  lighted,  in  his  robes  of  state,  making  his 
airy  ko-tows  or  salutations  to  the  gazers  below;  now  a  fanciful  dragon 
shoots  hither  and  thither;  then  the  head  of  a  tiger  gaudily  painted;  a 
flying  eagle ;  a  group  of  large  hawks,  five  or  more  in  number,  all  controlled 
by  one  strong  cord  are  seen  hovering  around  a  common  centre."  The  sport 
was  continued  till  dark  night  with  much  gratification  to  Emma  and  my- 
self The  Chinese  "  construct  these  wonderful  things  without  tails,  a  pecu- 
liarity which  implies  extraordinary  art ;  and  so  dexterously  manage  their 
equilibrium  that  they  rise  calmly,  steadily,  without  any  of  the  jerks  of  our 
kite  flying,  and  float,  glittering  like  stars,  vertically  above  the  head  of  the 
cord  holder.  They  fit  a  kind  of  iEolian  apparatus  to  them,  almost  imper- 
ceptibly small,  which  imitates  the  songs  of  birds  or  the  voices  of  men,  and 
when  the  air  is  crowded  with  kites  produces  a  tremendous  noise ;  and  they 
send  messengers  up  the  cords  with  an  incomprehensible  dexterity.  It  is 
certainly  perfectly  wonderful  and  interesting  to  see  to  what  a  pitch  of 
perfection  the  manufacture  of  this  familiar  toy  has  been  carried  by  this 
people." 

After  a  most  charming  visit  in  Foochow,  receiving  kind  attentions  from 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  391 

all  the  different  mission  families,  seeing  the  working  of  the  admirable 
schools  under  the  care  of  our  own  board,  as  also  the  mission  school  over 
which  the  Misses  "Wolverton  have  the  supervision,  we  prepared  for  a 
return  to  our  own  duties  at  Canton.  Our  home  letters  are  filled  with  sad 
accounts  of  the  fratricidal  war,  "  the  whole  country  seems  suddenly  trans- 
formed into  one  vast  camp;  "  when  will  it  end,  and  "Our  Flag"  wave, 
with  God's  blessing  over  a  tinited  people.  Oh  !  that  he  will  preserve  our 
Union  and  bring  those  deluded  rebels  to  submission.  Notwithstanding 
all  this  sorrow,  I  feel  justly  proud  of  my  country,  noble  America!  of 
both  sections,  the  North  and  South  !  They  have  proved  to  the  world  there 
are  no  cowards  in  that  free  land.  From  this  far  off  stand-point  we  can 
look  more  dispassionately  on  the  issue  of  events,  doing  but  justice  to  both 
sides.  Yes,  it  is  brother  fighting  against  brother.  Let  the  old  world 
pause  awhile  before  she  or  any  part  of  her  venture  to  commit  aggressive 
enchoachments  on  Brother  Jonathan,  for  then  Firm,  tmited  we  shall  be. 
The  heroic  volunteers  from  Albany  city  and  county  ^have  greatly  dis- 
tinguished themselves,  but  God  help  the  broken  hearts  of  many  a  home 
circle.  The  Great  Captain  will  bring  our  sunny  South  to  its  sense  ,  after 
the  North  has  been  sufiiciently  punished  for  so  greatly  forgetting  Him 
in  the  full  enjoyment  of  unnumbered  blessings,  then  we  will  again  be 
onepeople,  under  that  dear  Old  Flag.  I  often  feel  very  belligerent  towards 
our  good  mother  country,  because  she  is  jealous  of  her  prosperous  child. 
We  all  certainly  felt  very  indignant  when  the  war  steamer  Saginaw  was 
ordered  out  of  the  harbor  of  Hongkong,  and  rather  feared  for  the  safety 
of  the  United  States  Naval  depot  "  because  many  of  the  colonists  believed 
that  a  serious  collision  was  inevitable."  Not  a  Northern  man  would  submit 
to  lower  his  colors  except  from  a  compulsory  power,  but  the  excitement 
was  very  great  by  the  rumors  of  a  war  between  England  and  America. 

A  large  parcel  of  ground  in  Canton,  formerly  used  as  the  site  of  the 
Governor's  palace  which  was  burnt  in  1857,  has  been  taken  by  the  French 
Roman  Catholic  priests,  under  the  pretext  it  was  to  indemnify  them  for 
persecutions  and  confiscations  of  the  property  of  their  native  converts,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years  ago,  and  a  Cathedral  of  magnificent  dimensions 
with  the  usual  accompanying  buildings,  is  now  going  up.  On  December 
8,  1863,  Mr.  Bonney  and  myself  were  invited  guests  at  the  layino-  of  the 
corner-stone  of  this  new  Roman  Catholic  Cathedral ;  we  received  an  invi- 
tation from  the  bishop  written  in  French.  All  the  high  Chinese  Mandarins 
were  present  in  their  gorgeous  array  of  brightly  embroidered  robes  at- 
tended by  a  numerous'  retinue.  Foreign  Consuls  in  varied  uniforms^f 
blue,  scarlet  and  gold  with  all  the  insignia  of  their  orders  and  stars  upon 
their  breasts.  Officers  in  glittering  uniforms  —  ladies  suitably  at- 
tired according  to  their  rank  and  position  —  gentlemen  in  the  black 
clerical-looking  dress  and  a  sea  of  human  heads  all  around.  After  the 
prolonged  exercises  of  the  religious  rites,  accompanied  with  fine  chantino- 
which  sounded  beautifully  in  the  open  air,  as  the  procession  marched 
around  the  immense  compound  —  were  concluded  by  being  sprinkled  by 
the  bishop  with  holy  water,  a  bountiful  and  luxurious  tiffin  was  served. 
The  French  Consul,  the  Baron  de  Tranquilly,  the  same  evening  o-ave  a 
grand  dinner ;  we,  with  the  other  invited  foreign  guests,  sat  down  to  the 
sumptuous  entertainment  at  10  p.  M.  and  returned  home  at  2  o'clock  iu 
the  morning.  This  was  an  unusual  occurrence  and  the  only  time  we 
kept  such  unreasonable  hours.  This  spot  now  occupied  by  the  Consul 
was  formerly  the  yamun   or  residence  of  the  Imperial  Treasurer  of  the 


392  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

province.  The  aveuue  was  bordered  with  ancient  banyans,  and  in  a  large 
park  deer  were  often  seen  grazing.  The  grounds  were  ornamented  with 
arches,  rock-work,  little  fancy  buildings  and  pretty  flftwer  gardens,  all  of 
which  were  brilliantly  lighted  with  Chinese  lamps  of  various  colors  and 
shapes.  Large  sculptured  lions,  of  fierce  aspect,  stood  guard  at  the  outer 
gate,  and  the  French  flag  waves  over  this  little  paradise  now  so  well 
garrisoned.  The  body  of  a  boy  about  twelve  or  fourteen  years  of  age  was 
drifted  by  the  high  tide  close  to  our  ho'use  ;  his  hands  were  tightly  bound 
behind  with  strong  cords,  showing  his  death  had  not  been  accidental. 
Chinese  parents  sometimes  get  rid  of  disobedient  children  in  that  way. 
Several  times  I  have  seen  the  boat  women  tie  their  children  hands  and 
feet,  with  the  pretense  of  throwing  them  into  the  water ;  unfortunatly 
often  it  is  reality.  Sometime  since,  hearing  a  great  hubbub  in  our  street, 
Mr.  Bonney  went  out  to  ascertain  the  cause.  A  similar  scene  was  being 
enacted  ;  he  however  persuaded  our  neighbor  a  Custom  House  official  to 
forgive  and  release  his  son  —  a  young  man  of  twenty  years  —  whom  he 
was  dragging,  bound  hand  and  foot,  to  the  river.  The  son  was  a  bad  boy 
and  a  great  gambler.  If  Mr.  Bonney  had  not  gone  out,  no  doubt  this 
wayward  youth  would  soon  have  been  drowned ;  as  the  Chinese  never  in- 
terfere, and  would  not  have  dared  to  rescue  him  from  the  water  without 
the  father's  consent.  Yesterday  we  received  a  red  card  saying,  if  con- 
venient the  wives  of  a  Chinese  friend  would  call  on  me.  Accordingly  to 
day  my  parlor  was  quite  filled  with  small  footed  Chinese  ladies.  Tliey 
had  a  host  of  Amahs  and  other  attendants;  were  dressed  elegantly  in  their 
richly  embroidered  silks,  ornaments  of  jade  stone  and  pretty  flowers  in 
their  elaborately  arranged  hair.  Cosmetics  had  been  lavishly  used,  the 
centre  of  the  lip  was  daubed  with  deep  carmine  ;  their  small  hands  covered 
with  rings  and  their  oblique  black  eyes  sparkling  with  pleasure.  We 
sent  out  to  a  restaurant  for  trays,  divided  into  little  compartments,  filled  with 
cakes,  fruits,  and  nuts,  giving  them  an  agreeable  entertainment  according 
to  Chinese  style.  After  the  guests  left,  the  man  came  for  the  trays ;  he 
had  counted  every  cake,  fruit  and  all,  you  pay  only  for  what  is  eaten ; 
thus  at  a  trifling  expense  you  can  have  a  pretty  entertainment. 

January  9,  1864.  The  exercises  for  the  week  of  united  prayer  for  the 
conversion  of  the  world,  closed  to  day,  and  I  think  all  who  have  joined  in 
them  can  say,  it  has  been  good,  very  good,  that  we  have  engaged  in  them, 
and  devoted  this  first  week  of  the  year  to  prayer  and  supplication,  earnest 
and  importunate.  It  has  been  a  profitable  season  and  a  precious  week  of 
iq^ense  interest.  "  The-  value  of  the  week  of  prayer  can  especially  be 
fully  realized  on  missionary  ground,  where  the  dependency  on  the  minis-. 
tration  of  the  Spirit  is  most  deeply  felt." '  The  Chinese  Christians  with 
their  families,  and  the  mission  schools,  have  also  held  union  meetings 
daily.  I  trust  that  we  shall  all  be  enabled  to  proceed  in  our  work,  with 
more  courage,  vigor  of  heart,  and  trust  in  God  for  aid  and  guidance,  in 
all  things,  for  it  is  an  honor  and  great  privilege.  Mr.  Bonney  in  writing 
to  the  Board  at  Boston  in  February,  respecting  the  visit  of  Mr.  Grulick, 
from  the  Sandwich  Islands  to  Japan,  and  his  readiness,  as  also  that  of 
Mr.  Thompson  to  enter  upon  missionary  efi'ort  there,  expresses  his  own 
views  as  to  the  opening  of  Japan  for  missionary  eifort  as  follows  :  "  Japan 
is  opened,  and  there  is  not  the  least  proba'bility  that  it  will  be  shut  again, 
but  rather  opened  more  and  more  widely  every  year.  Nor  will  this  be 
done  at  the  slow  rate  at  which  China  has  been  opened  to  foreign  inter- 
course.    Both  the  Japanese  and  foreigners  are  agreed  as  to  this.     Even 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  393 

since  Mr.  Grulick  left  Yokohama,  our  United  States  minister,  Hon.  R.  H. 
Pruyn,  that  truly  Christian  man,  has  obtained  from  the  Japanese  Govern- 
ment a  lot  of  ground  suificient  for  building  a  mission  church,  a  dwell- 
ing house  for  the  mission  family,  and  a  large  lot  besides.  It  is  an 
excellent  location,  including  the  very  spot  of  ground  where  Commodore 
Perry  made  the  treaty  for  the  United  States,  with  the  Japanese  govern- 
ment. The-  treaties  they  have  made  with  the  United  States,  England, 
France  and  Holland,  will  not  be  a  dead  letter,  but  carried  out  to  their  full 
extent.  Another  government  embassy  of  eleven  persons,  is  now  starting 
from  Japan  for  Europe.  They  go  by  the  French  steamer,  and  p;iy  their 
own  expenses.  There  are  many  indications  that  the  Japanese  will  pass 
ahead  of  the  Chinese  in  admitting  and  even  welcoming  foreigners  to  their 
shores.  The  dawning  light  of  gospel  truth  and  salvation  has  there  ap- 
peared, and  is  spreading,  although  without  much  observation.  Can  it  for 
a  moment  be  believed,  that  the  '  Land  of  the  Rising  Sun '  will  have  the 
pall  of  darkness  and  ignorance  drawn  over  her  again  ?  I  do  not  so  read 
the  '  signs  of  the  times.'  Nor  do  the  missionaries  now  there,  Messrs. 
Hepburn,  Ballagh,  Brown  andVerbeck,  so  view  it."  The  Japanese  Dai- 
mios  managed  to  obstruct  the  progress  of  foreign  interests  for  a  consider- 
able time.  Disputes  among  themselves  kept  the  interests  of  western 
nations  in  abeyance  for  years  but  the  Japanese  are  a  chivalrous,  proud 
people,  who  respect  the  very  foe  that  defeats  them.  They  seem  sensible 
that  friendly  relations  with  foreigners  is  the  better  course  for  them. 

Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney  to  the  Editor  of  the  China  Mail. 
Dear  Sir,  Canton,  March  4,  1864. 

Your  last  issue  gave,  in  mournful  numbers,  the  lamentations  of  some 
"  Old  Cantoner,"  for  the  desolations  of  this  city,  and  the  decline  of  trade. 
Yet  there  was  a  beam  of  cheerful  content  and  loving  attachment  to  this 
ancient  settlement  glimmering  through  them  which  was  commendable. 
In  another  column  of  the  same  paper  which  contains  the  poetical  lamenta- 
tions over  Canton's  departed  glory,  are  editorial  remarks  concerning  a 
railway  from  Canton  to  Hankow.  Although  but  a  few  lines  are  devoted 
to  the  subject,  they  are  true  and  timely.  It  is  an  object  deserving  the 
attention  of  both  Chinese  and  Foreign  Grovernments,  the  Chinese  people 
and  foreign  residents.  Ihe  first  question  which  suggests  itself  is  this. 
Is  it  practicable  to  construct  a  railway  on  the  proposed  route  ?  Are  there 
no  insuperable  obstacles  of  mountain  ranges,  rivers  or  yearly  freshets  ? 
From  personal  observation  I  can  assure  you  that  there  are  none.  It  has 
been  supposed  that  the  mountain  range  running  east  and  west  between 
Canton  and  Hunan  provinces  was  a  barrier  that  would  effectually  prevent 
all  attempts  to  connect  the  two  provinces  by  a  railway.  I  am  happy  to 
inform  you  that  such  is  not  the  case.  The  Pass  or  Crap  in  the  mountain 
range  named  See-ue  Leng,  is  only  twenty-eight  miles  in  length  from  the 
head  waters  of  Canton  North  River,  to  the  head  of  boat  navigation  on  the 
Say-ung  River,  which  empties  into  Kong  Teng  Lake  not  far  south  of 
Hankow.  This  Pass  has  a  gradual  ascent  on  the  north  and  south  sides, 
but  so  low  that  small  streams  flow  parallel  with  the  stone-paved  road  which 
runs  through  it.  The  grade  is  much  less  than  of  many  hills  in  England 
and  America,  which  have  been  levelled  by  railway  engineers.  Second. 
Will  the  road  pay  after  it  is  built  ?  This  question  is  much  more  problem- 
atical than  the  first.  But  if  the  num'ber  of  travelers  up  and  down  the 
route,  the  produce  that  would  be  exported,  and  the  goods  imported  by  it, 

II]  50 


394  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

should  be  only  what  are  now  carried  in  Chinese  boats,  I  am  confident  ii 
would  paj  the  outlay  and  expenses.  The  actual  existence  of  such  an  un- 
heard of,  safe  and  speedy  communication  between  Hankow  and  Canton, 
including  all  the  intermediate  places,  would  open  new  streams  of  trade, 
develop  more  largely  the  resources  of  the  country,  and  induce  many  a 
villager  and  mountain  peasant  to  purchase  a  railway  ticket.  TJiird.  Whr 
shall  build  the  railway?  Chinese  coolies  and  workmen,  of  course,  superin- 
tended by  foreign  engineers  and  interpreters.  Who  built  Shameen,  and 
changed  a  mud  flat  into  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  healthy  places  in 
China  for  the  residences  of  foreigners?  Thousands  of  poor  Chinese  day- 
laborers  were  delighted  to  have  a  share  in  that  job  for  a  few  pennies  a  day. 
Thanks  to  the  zeal,  skill  and  energy  of  Sir  Harry  Parkes,  Carl  Brunstedt. 
Esqr.,  and  their  associates,  who  planned  and  carried  out  the  work  to  com- 
pletion. Who  have  built  the  fine  granite  docks  at  Whampoa  and  Hong- 
kong ?  Who  have  built  the  roads,  bridges,  and  princely  dwellings  on  the 
hill-sides  of  Victoria  ?  Chinese  workmen,  taught  and  directed  by  foreign 
overseers.  In  like  manner  can  it  be  with  this  railway  from  Canton  to 
Hankow.  No  want  of  laborers  and  diggers.  Thousands  would  rush  for 
employment  as  they  were  needed.  Enlist  the  favor  of  the  Imperial  Go- 
vernmetit  for  the  scheme.  Let  Prince  Kung  and  the  Imperial  Board  ol' 
Foreign  Affairs  authorize  the  undertaking  and  require  the  provincial  au- 
thorities to  give  their  auxiliary  aid.  We  could  not  expect  our  wealthy 
Shanghai  friends  to  do  much  in  its  favor.  What  has  been  fine  sport  to 
them  for  the  last  five  years  has  been  death  to  us.  If  a  project  that  will 
restore  commercial  life  to  Canton  should  diminish  the  profits  and  prices 
which  they  have  monopolized  for  some  time,  let  them  be  content  with  past 
gains,  for  the  opening  of  this  road  would  develop  new  resources,  giving 
suflScient  trade  for  both  places.  Canton  by  priority  has  the  right  to  the 
Hankow  trade.  War  suddenly  snapped  the  chain  which  linked  the  trade 
and  commerce  of  Hunan  province  to  Canton.  Why  may  not  that  chain 
be  now  repaired  by  more  peaceful  operations,  more  attractive,  more  en- 
livening, more  consonant  to  the  principles  of  Christian  civilization?  I  am 
fully  persuaded  that  the  project  is  practicable,  will  be  profitable  to  the 
proprietors,  and  as  regards  the  promotion  of  the  peace  and  prosperity  of 
the  Chinese  in  Canton  and  Hunan  provinces,  a  most  desirable,  a  most 
praiseworthy  object.  What  we  have  now  between  Canton  and  Hongkong 
for  the  transfer  of  passengers  and  produce  are  several  fine  steamers  for 
passengers,  species,  silks,  and  other  valuable  merchandise ;  while  a  dozen 
or  twenty  Chinese  cargo-boats  transport  the  heavier  goods,  rice,  fuel,  and 
lumber.  On  this  railway  there  would  be  the  crowded  passenger  cars  and 
heavily  loaded  freight  trains.  A  happy  day  will  it  be  for  Canton  when 
the  first  spade  is  struck  in  the  ground  to  begin  the  proposed  railway. 
Happy  day  for  all  the  inhabitants  two  hundred  miles  on  either  side  of  the 
route,  eight  or  nine  hundred  miles  to  Hankow.  Idlers  and  half-starved 
coolies  would  find  constant  employment  and  good  wages.  The  day  of 
mandarin  tyranny  over  foreigners  in  Canton  has  passed  away.  The  Can- 
tonese of  to-day  are  not  the  same  as  those  of  1854.  They  are  willing  to 
listen  to  propositions  for  improvement,  although  they  do  not  always  see 
the  best  way  to  adopt  them.  The  mention  of  the  subject  in  your  paper 
gives  me  pleasure,  and  I  trust  it  will  be  taken  up  and  carried  by  those 
versed  in  such  matters.  There  is  not  a  single  railway  in  China.  Canton 
needs  it  quite  as  much  or  more  than  Shanghai.  The  Yang-tsze  may  suf- 
fice for  her  great  highway  and  commercial  avenue.  Those  mammoth 
steamers  plying  to  and  fro  on  its  waters  have  stolen  from  Canton  her  ancient 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  395 

rights  and  possessions.  They  must  be  regained  by  the  swifter  locomotive, 
which  shall  draw  back  to  their  former  outlet  the  productions  of  Hunan, 
Hupeh,  and  Sz-chuen  provinces.  Would  it  not  be  a  great  loss  to  Canton  and 
Hongkong  if  the  present  steam  communication  between  them  was  cut  off? 
The  advantages  to  all  concerned  are  too  many  to  be  given  up.  And  have 
they  not  been  increasing  every  season,  notwithstanding  the  Hankow  com- 
petition ?  Let  the  rapid  increase  of  the  Chinese  population  of  Hongkong 
answer.  Now  is  the  time  for  Canton  and  Hongkong  to  take  hold  of  this 
matter  in  earnest,  and  not  let  it  cease  till  it  has  become  a  substantial  bona 
fide  railway.  Deliberate,  consult,  organize,  talk,  "  proceed  to  business," 
and  push  on  the  work  until  we  see  in  the  advertising  columns  of  the  Hong- 
kong Dailies  a  notice  somewhat  like  this  : 

Canton  and  Honkow  Railway  Co.  Until  further  notice,  the  Express 
Trains  for  Hankow  will  leave  the  Depot  at  the  North  City  Gate  punctually 
at  8.30.  A.M.,  and  5  p.m.,  stopping  half-an  hour  at  every  District  and  De- 
partment City  on  the  route.  Through  Tickets  may  be  purchased  at  the 
Office  in  New  China  Street  (Old  Factory  site),  or  at  the  Superintendent's 
office  in  Hongkong,  Passengers'  luggage  will  be  in  charge  of  the  baggage 
master,  who  will  furnish  a  ticket  in  exchange  for  each  article  put  under 
his  charge.  Freight  trains  leave  at  6  a.m.,  and  6  P.M.  Refreshments 
provided  at  the  stopping  places  of  the  Express  train. 

By  Order  of  the  Directors, 

Chun  Awing  Agent  for  Canton. 

Now,  Mr.  Editor,  do  not  smile  at  this,  and  call  it  "  a  castle  in  the  air," 
a  visionary  sqiieme,  or  some  other  derogatory  epithet.  There  is  no  law  of 
nature  or  human  governments  prohibiting  railways  to  be  built  in  China. 
They  are  not  "  contraband  "  articles,  and  I  presume  never  will  be,  although 
the  Viceroy  Keying  once  put  his  veto  on  steamers  coming  to  Canton, 
during  Sir  John  Davis's  administration.  There  are  plenty  of  workmen 
to  build  this  railway.  There  are  foreign  engineers  and  surveyors  who 
would  gladly  be  employed  in  such  a  work.  There  are  skillful  financiers 
in  Canton  and  Hongkong  who  can  estimate  the  cost,  and  put  down  the 
capital  needed  to  begin  the  work.  Japan  is  spending  her  millions  for 
foreign  vessels  and  steamers  to  anchor  in  her  harbors  as  Government  toys. 
Let  us  show  the  Chinese  how  they  may  spend  their  capital  so  as  to  receive 
daily  benefit  from  it,  and  give  employment  to  thousands  of  starving  poor. 
Doubtless  the  Imperial  Government  will  readily  sanction  the  undertaking, 
and  the  people  along  the  whole  route,  with  few  exceptions,  would  favor  its 
construction.  It  may  appear  to  some  persons  almost  too  great  a  work  to  un- 
dertake. But  surely  it  is  not  an  impracticable  work  when  we  consider  how 
many  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of  laborers  stand  ready  to  give  a  help- 
ing hand.  They  would  more  cheerfully  labor  as  coolies  on  such  a  work  in 
their  native  land  than  emigrate  to  foreign  countries  for  a  term  of  years. 
Canton  has  been  obliged  to  bear  the  severe  penalty  for  sins  of  the  Imperial 
Government.  The  blows  that  have  fallen  upon  her  have  been  heard  to  the 
farthest  frontier  of  the  Empire.  The  bursting  open  of  her  long-barred 
gates  by  the  Western  "  barbarians,"  and  planting  their  banners  in  the 
very  centre  of  the  city,  has  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  inhabitants  of 
Canton  city.  Canton  province,  and  the  whole  Empire,  which  will  not  soon 
be  forgotten.  It  was  the  death-blow  to  the  ancient  law  of  exclusion  to  all 
Western  nations.  "Old  Custom"  was  obliged  to  flee  before  the  new  and 
better  regime.  There  has  been  a  yielding  and  respect  given  to  many  pe- 
culiarities of  Western  civilization,  which  evinces  a  willingness  to  be  led 


396  Legacy  of  Histoeical  Gleanings. 

still  farther  along  in  a  better  way.  Canton  people  have  suffered  quite 
enough  for  their  contempt  and  ill-treatment  of  foreigners  in  former  times. 
They  cursed  us,  and  used  us  despitefully.  Now,  like  Christian  men,  let 
us  blpss  them  with  the  comforts  and  conveniences,  the  profits  and  pleasures 
of  a  railway  up  the  banks  of  the  North  River  to  Ee  Chay-ung  district  city ; 
then  through  the  mountain  pass  into  Hunan  province;  down  the  banks  of 
the  Say-ung  River  to  Hankow,  the  very  heart  of  China.  The  mountains 
can  be  leveled,  the  valleys  filled  up,  "  the  crooked  made  straight,  and  the 
rough  places  plain."  A  highway  may  be  prepared  on  which  "  many  shall 
run  to  and  fro."  They  "  shall  come  from  far,  from  the  North  and  from 
the  West;  and  these  from  the  Land  of  Sinim."  Truly  Yours, 
To  the  Editor  of  the  "  China  Mail."  S.  W.  Bonney. 

Rev.  S.   W.  Bonnet/  to  the  CMna  Mail. 

Dear  Sir,  Canton,  March  4,  1864. 

******  Your  plan  of  fow  long  railways  is  a  broad  and  large  one, 
very  comprehensive,  but  also  a  selection  of  the  best  points  and  centres  of 
any  in  the  empire.  The  road  between  Canton  and  Hankow  and  the  one 
between  Pekin  and  the  Yangtze  appear  to  me  the  most  needed  and  easiest 
of  construction.  It  is  nineteen  years  yesterday  since  I  arrived  in  China, 
and  wondrous  changes  have  I  seen  here  since  then,  all  tending  to  remove 
the  ancient  stereotyped  heathenism,  barbarous  habits,  and  half-civilized 
manners  of  the  people.  I  welcome  this  proposition  for  a  railway  with  de- 
light. S.  W.  "Bonney. 

"  The  subject  has  been  taken  up  by  Sir  Macdonald  Stepjieson,  who  is 
prevented  by  ill-health  from  proceeding  as  he  intended  to  Shanghai  and 
Peking,  but  the  first  steps  have  been  taken  to  impress  the  imperial  au- 
thorities with  the  value  of  this  project.  The  prospect  of  railway  commu- 
nication being  introduced  into  China  is  regarded  with  especial  favor  by 
all  classes,  and  the  period  for  making  a  commencement  is  more  opportune 
than  might  be  supposed.  It  is  more  than  two  years  since  the  design  of 
a  railway  between  Peking  and  Tientsin  was  first  mooted,  but  it  is  shelved 
for  a  time." 

31(1^  9,  ISQ4.  One  whole  year  has  gone,  since  another  of  our  family 
circle,  dear,  sister  Matilda  — "  passed  away,"  and  now  by  the  last  mail, 
with  painful  surprise,  came  the  sad  tidings  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Bonuey's 
truly  excellent  mother.  She  had  completed  two  pages  of  a  letter  to  her 
"  darling  children  in  China,"  part  was  written  the  very  day  she  was  taken 
ill.  Her  long  interesting  epistles  were  always  welcome,  she  "  held  the  pen 
of  a  ready  writer."  One  of  the  last  duties  at  night,  for  Mr.  Bonney,  was 
to  "  write  a  few  lines  to  mother." 

"  Died.  In  Danbury,  Conn.,  February  19th,  1864,  Mrs.  Sarah  Ware 
Bonney,  aged  81  years  and  10  months.  This  widely- known  and  justly 
esteemed  Christian  lady  who  died  Friday  evening  at  the  residence  of  her 
daughter  Mrs.  L.  A.  Sherwood  on  Deer  Hill  is  well  deserving  of  an  ex- 
tended biographical  notice.  Though  so  advanced  in  years,  Mrs.  Bonney 
preserved  unimpaired  her  mental  faculties,  and,  to  a  good  degree  also,  her 
health,  to  the  last  week  of  her  life.  She  was  remarkable  for  the  intelli- 
gence she  manifested  in  all  subjects  pertaining  to  the  affairs  of  the  nation, 
and  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom.  She  was  a  steady  attendant  in  the 
house  of  God,  whose  ordinances  she  loved  and  prized  above  her  highest 
joy.  She  was  present  at  the  stated  evening  lecture  of  the  church,  just 
preceding  her  last  illness.     Her  sickness  was  short  and  did  not  cloud  her 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  397 

mind  in  the  least.  All  the  patience,  gentleness  and  Christ-like  devotion 
of  her  previous  life  were  exhibited  most  sweetly  upon  her  death -bed. 
Her  departure  seemed  but  a  serene  transition  from  her  Christian  friends 
on  earth  to  the  company  of  the  redeemed  in  heaven.  Her  life  and  her 
death  alike  testified  to  the  power  of.  divine  grace,  and  her  memory  will  be 
precious  to  all  who  were  privileged  with  her  acquaintance.  '  Those  that 
be  planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our 
Grod.  They  shall  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age.'  Her  identification  with 
every  good  work  in  our  community,  and  the  sense  of  loss  which  a  numer- 
ous circle  of  friends  will  deeply  feel,  render  a  passing  tribute  to  her  memory 
appropriate.  The  closing  up  of  a  life  so  long  (eighty-two  years)  embracing 
observation  so  wide,  and  experiences  so  varied,  is  in  itself  an  event  to  be 
noticed.  Mrs.  Bonney  has  been  an  intelligent  witness,  and,  in  her  sphere, 
an  humble  participant  in  the  events  of  the  present  century.  With  the 
characters  who  were  upon  the  stage  of  action  immediately  subsequent  to 
the  American  Revolution,  she  was  very  familiar,  and  able  to  reproduce 
the  life  of  that  period  with  great  clearness  and  interest.  She  was  herself 
an  excellent  representative  of  the  cultivated  women  of  the  past  generation. 
She  brought  into  the  scenes  of  the  present,  the  calm  and  modest  dignity 
of  the  elder  day,  with  its  perhaps  purer  refinement,  and  more  ardent  and 
sacrificing  devotion  to  principle.  Her  gentleness  and  her  decision  of 
character  were  alike  the  fruit  of  the  grace  of  God.  The  Christian  element 
in  her  character  was  indeed  its  most  marked  feature.  She  was,  during  a 
long  life,  an  active  worker  in  the  church  of  Christ,  from  simple  love  to  the 
service.  It  gratified  her  as  truly  to  be  useful  in  honoring  Christ  by  doing 
good,  as  it  does  the  miser  to  increase  his  gold,  or  the  ambitious  man  to 
advance  his  interests.  Thus  while  others  had  their  periods  of  alternate 
zeal  and  coldness,  her  life,  hid  in  the  love  of  Christ,  kept  on  its  steady 
flow,  until  the  stream  was  lost  in  the  sea,  whose  waters  wash  time's  shore, 
but  are  themselves  Eternity.  She  could  not  be  otherwise  than  active. 
It  was  her  business  and  her  joy.  She  believed  that  saying  of  our  Lord's, 
in  which  he  informs  us  that  what  we  do  for  the  least  of  His  brethren  is 
done  unto  Himself.  On  her  errands  to  the  poor  she  went  as  one  who  was 
going  to  serve  her  Saviour  in  poverty,  or  sickness,  or  distress.  A  numerous 
procession  of  such  would  rise  up,  if  summoned,  "to  call' her  blessed." 
Her  catliolic  spirit,  as  a  Christian,  deserves  special  mention.  Though 
educated  in  a  period  when  denominational  lines  were  far  more  strictly 
drawn  than  now,  she  caught  the  spirit  of  the  time  and  the  spirit  of  Christ, 
in  embracing  all  who  love  Him  in  truth  as  brethren.  Indeed  she  lived  on 
that  upper  plane  where  lines  and  bounds  are  lost,  so  far  as  the  children 
of  God  are  concerned.  About  her  death-bed  were  representatives  of 
several  difl'erent  denominations,  as  forgetful  as  she  of  any  name  save  the 
Christian.  The  promise  made  to  the  Christian,  of  peace  in  his  end,  was 
verified  to  her.  Her  sun  went  down  naturally  at  the  close  of  the  day 
without  clouds  and  left  the  horizon  golden  with  reflected  light.  May 
our  Father  grant  to  all  who  knew  her  a  life  thus  well  lived,  and  thus 
serenely  and  beautifully  closed, 

"  Rev.  William  Bonney,  the  husband  of  our  deceased  mother,  was  or- 
dained pastor  of  the  church  in  New  Canaan,  February  10th,  1808.  He 
was  a  native  of  Cornwall,  Ct.,  born  April  6th,  1779,  was  graduated  at 
Williams  College,  1805 ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Ashael  Hooker,  of 
Goshen,  father  of  Rev.  Dr.  Edward  Hooker,  of  East  Windsor.  Mr. 
Bonney,  having  at  this  private  '  school  of  the  pi'ophets'  completed  the 
prescribed  course  of  preparatory  study,  was  examined  and  licensed  to 


398  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

preach  the  gospel  by  the  Association  of  Litchfield  North,  June  9th,  1807. 
He  commenced  preaching  at  New  Canaan,  in  September,  continued  labor- 
ing there  as  a  devoted,  diligent,  constant  and  faithful  pastor  to  the  close 
of  August,  1831.  Nor  were  his  labors  without  the  appropriate  fruits  of 
the  Evangelical  ministry.  The  spirit  once  and  again  descended,  and  the 
church  received  a  proportionate  increase.  Mr.  Bonney  was  justly  held 
in  high  estimation  to  the  last.  He  was  dismissed  at  his  own  request,  on 
account  of  feeble  health.  Kecruited  by  a  partial  suspension  of  study  for 
a  season,  he  resumed  his  labors  in  full  at  Nelson,  Portage  county,  Ohio, 
and  continued  officiating  indefatigably  in  the  Congregational  church  in 
that  place  to  the  very  day  of  his  death,  November  26th,  1839.  There, 
having  '  served  his  own  generation  by  the  will  of  God'  —  having  toiled 
one-third  of  a  century  in  the  vineyard  of  his  Lord,  he  fell  asleep  and 
rested  from  his  labors.  His  death  was  more  than  peaceful,  it  was 
triumphant!  Mr.  Bonney's  widow,  a  daughter  of  Doctor  Samuel  Ware, 
of  Conway,  Mass.,  survived  her  husband  nearly  twenty-six  years,  residing 
at  Danbury,  Ct. 

"  Mrs.  Bonney  was  indeed  a  fitting  help-meet,  assisting  her  husland  in 
the  duties  of  holy  life  —  as  exemplified  in  an  interesting  fact  connected 
with  the  early  childhood  of  the  late  Rev.  W.  B.  Weed,  of  Norwalk,  Conn., 
'  illustrative  of  that  astonishing  memory  for  which  he  was  so  distinguished, 
in  subsequent  life.  One  Saturday  afternoon,  the  wife  of  his  pastor  [Rev. 
William  Bonney  of  New  Canaan,  Conn.]  gave  him  a  copy  of  Watts's 
Divine  Songs,  with  the  request  that  when  he  had  committed  them  to 
memory  he  would  come  to  her  and  recite  them.  He  attended  to  the 
duties  of  the  Sabbath  as  usual,  and  repeated  the  whole  book  to  her  on 
Monday  morning.'  This  devoted  couple  drank  at  the  fountain  of  blessed- 
ness, and  wished  all  to  participate  with  them.  It  was  the  constant  efi'ort 
of  this  good  man  to  make  his  own  family  the  abode  of  peace  and  love ; 
maintainino-  order  and  good_  government  by  the  most  mild  and  rational 
means.  When  discipline  was  necessary  it  was  accompanied  with  prayer 
and  the  subjects  knew  that  their  own  happiness  was  the  object.  When- 
ever he  was  induced  to  reprove  hastily,  which  seldom  occurred,  he  would 
afterwards  say,  '  I  am  sorry,  my  dear,  that  I  spoke  to  you  as  I  did  :  I 
believe  I  was  mistaken ; '  and  then  proceed  to  look  up  every  apology  for 
the  misconduct  which  the  case  would  admit.  This  condescension  was  at- 
tended with  the  most  happy  effect." 

Rev.  8.  W.  Bonney  to  Ms  Sister. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary,  Canton,  May  10,  1864. 

Your  welcome  letter  of  Feb'y  25th  arrived  on  the  7th  inst.  Many 
thanks  for  its  full  account  of  mother's  last  six  hours  on  earth,  and  the  few 
words  of  love  she  spoke.  Her  heart  surely  yearned  for  union  to  Jesus, 
and  sincere  love  to  her  relatives,  family,  and  friends,  could  not  but  show 
itself  even  in  broken  accents.  What  a  tender  heart  for  little  "  Lizzie  " 
even  when  she  could  hardly  breathe.  Did  she  remember  her  two  children 
in  Canton,  or  were  her  thoughts  so  absorbed  with  persons  and  scenes  imme- 
diately around  her,  and  her  disease  so  painful,  that  we  were  for  the  moment 
forgotten  ?  If  she  did  say  any  word  of  us  or  for  us,  we  will  be  most  glad 
to  know  it.  Her  advanced  age  had  admonished  me  that  her  departure 
might  be  near,  but  her  temperance  and  care  of  herself  encouraged  me  that 
her  constitution  might  hold  out  several  years  more.  Did  not  ''  zeal  for 
God's  house '"  lead  her  to  expose  herself  too  much  in  going  to  evening 
meetings  from  February   7  to  February  13th  ?  It  may  have   produced  a 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  399 

chillness  which  she  did  not  notice  till  it  grew  to  an  ague  prolonged.  Ten 
thousand  are  the  ills  which  flesh  is  heir  to,  and  if  she  had  escaped  this 
one  another  might  have  cut  the  cord  of  life.  1  have  the  very  last  letter 
she  wrote,  I  presume,  as  it  is  dated  Saturday,  February  13th,  but  is  un- 
finished. I  prize  it  highly.  What  a  void  it  will  make  in  all  our  hearts. 
She  was  the  keystone,  the  corner  stone,  the  remaining  bond  of  father's 
family.  One  generation  goeth  —  mother  and  father  and  most  of  their 
companions  have  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth.  I  shall  miss  her  most 
loving  and  excellent  letters.  The  last  letter  which  I  have  written  to  her 
will  go  with  this.  It  is  the  ninety-ninth  which  I  have  written  to  her  since  I 
came  back  to  China  in  1856.  She  has  been  to  me  a  faithful  Christian 
mother,  and  no  fault  have  I  to  find  in  her  or  of  her.  Since  I  have  been 
absent  from  my  father's  house,  I  have  appreciated  her  goodness  and 
worth  more  than  in  my  wayward  boyhood  and  have  endeavored  to  redeem 
the  time  by  more  fidelity  as  a  son.  "  Ye  must  be  born  again  "  is  her  counsel 
or  rather  instruction.  My  trust  is  in  Grod,  for  purifying  my  heart  and 
leading  me  to  His  holy  hill,  the  eternal  dwelling-place  of  Jesus  faithful 
followers.     My  love  to  Mr.  Pratt,  Mary,  Lizzie  and  Hattie  Pratt. 

Affectionately  Your  brother, 
Mrs,  K.  R.  Pratt,  West  Cornwall,  Conn.      Samuel  William  Bonney. 

"  Who  can  say  that  '■our  loved  ones^  are  wholly  separated  from  us  ?  We 
see  not  their  forms  it  is  true.  We  hear  not  their  voices.  Yet  they  may 
be  at  our  side;  we  may /eel  their  presence  —  in  some  moment  of  sudden 
temptation,  encouraging  us  to  resistance,  and  when  desolating  grief  broods 
over  us,  softly  whispering  peace.  Then  let  us  wipe  away  our  tears,  and 
bow  down  in  adoring  gratitude  for  this  higher,  this  glorious  life  of  the  re- 
deemed spirit.  Let  us  lift  up  our  anthems  of  praise  that  God  has  created 
such  a  glorious  world   as   the  eternal   home  of  his  children  —  a  world 

'  Holy  with  consecration, 
From  all  tears  and  tribulation, 
From  all  crime  and  grief  and  care, 
To  all  uses  good  and  fair,'  " 

Mrs.  Arthur  Folsom  to  Bicliard  Van  Rensselaer. 
Dear  Sir:  Canton  China,  July  9,  1864. 

It  is  my  painful  privilege,  in  behalf  of  our  loved  Sister,  Rev.  Mrs.  Bon- 
ney, to  break  your  present  suspense,  with  tidings  which  must  engender 
grief.  We  sorrow  with  you.  Five  weeks  ago  to  day,  good  Mr.  Bonney, 
was  prostrated  by  an  apparently  mild  attack  of  Bilious,  Remittent  Fever. 
After  some  days  the  disease  was  subdued ;  but  leaving  the  afilicted  one, 
greatly  and  unaccountably  prostrated,  much  feebler,  than  the  mildness  of 
the  Fever  could  induce.  Since  then,  though  worthy  and  intelligent  effort 
to  assist,  has  been  constantly  made,  he  has  failed  to  rally ;  hovering  ever 
close  to  the  coufioes  of  the  Vale  of  Shadows.  Now  they  lengthen,  and 
we  fear  shortly,  our  Brother,  will  be  hid  from  our  sight.  Not  that  he  is 
yet  beyond  hope,  or  that  he  may  not  be  restored,  but  seemingly,  he  wanes 
away  ;  each  day  more  weary  ;  each  hour  with  less  recuperative  force.  To 
day  his  release  may  come,  and  he  be  present  with  the  Lord,  We  have 
waited  for  the  herald  angels,  wondering  why  they  tarried  ;  while  our  uni- 
ted prayer  has  been,  "  Spare  thy  servant,  for  the  work  is  great,  and  we 
are  few  !  "  Throughout  this  illness,  Mr.  Bonney  has  received  the  best 
services  of  Dr.  Kerr,  and  enjoyed  the  loving  ministrations  of  the  Breth- 
ren, of  the  Mission  circle,  both  day  and  night.  Nothing  coaducive  to 
his  comfort  or  restoration  has  been  omitted,  or  withheld,  Mr.  Bonney's 


400 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


Merchant  friends  joining  in  this  generous  rivalry.  Occasionally  Dr.  Kerr 
has  consulted  with  the  other  resident  Physicians  of  Canton,and  received  their 
cordial  response.  Mr.  Bonney  has  enjoyed  almost  uninterrupted  mental 
control,  and  is  conscious  of  his  physical  condition  ;  while  he  desires 
lengthened  days,  wherein  to  do  the  work  of  the  Lord  amongst  this  perish- 
ing people  ;  he  experiences  peace,  and  expresses  resignation  to  whatever 
may  be  the  Divine  Will.     He  yet  has  hope  of  recovery. 

Our  dear  Mrs.  Bonney  —  for  a  few  days  it  was  her  privilege,  as  her 
joy  to  attend  upon  her  husband;  then, to  mental  pain,  was  added  physical 
anguish.  Confined  to  her  couch  sufi'ering  severely  from  chronic  disease, 
aggravated  by  overexertion  —  apart  from  her  husband  — 0  'twas  pitiful ! 
But  she  is  better  now,  able  again  to  move  cautiously  about,  to  watch  the 
countenance  of  him  she  so  tenderly  loves,  from  a  iouage  placed  in  his 
room.  She  is  hoping  against  hope,  and  battling  sternly  with  despair. 
What  her  eye  tells  her,  she  allows  not  her  heart  to  believe.  Still  Jesus 
is  manifestly  present  with  her,  soothing,  strengthening,  comforting.  Her 
spirit  shrank  from  imparting  to  you  its  woe,  and  then,  she  is  physically 
inadequate.  She  bade  me  transmit  gushing  love  and  warm,  to  the  loved 
ones  at  home,  Sisters,  Brothers,  Nieces,  all.  In  this  hour  of  darkness, 
her  heart  goes  out  so  yearningly,  to  you.  She  asks  your  prayers.  She 
would  desire  you  to  forward  this  missive,  to  Mr.  Bonney's  dear  Sisters, 
that  they  also  may  know  of  this  visitation  :  that  they  too  may  girdle  her 
with  prayer  that  the  oil  of  joy  may  anoint  the  stricken  ones,  to  whom  this 
added  sorrow  shall  come,  through  my  pen  ;  proffering  tenderest  sympathy, 
and  uniting  in  your  supplications,  to  the  God  of  all  grace  and  consolation. 
1  would  remain,  Dear  Sir,  truly  Yours,  Mary  A.  T.  Folsom. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  *   401 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Death  of  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Bonney. 

The  late  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney,  Missionary.  We  are  permitted  to  take 
from  a  private  letter,  written  by  Rev.  Arthur  Folsom,  the  following  ex- 
tract relating  to  the  closing  scenes  of  the  life  of  this  beloved  and  faithful 
missionary.  -  Canton,  China,  July  27,  1864. 

"  So  lie  giveth  his  beloved  sleep." 

You  are,  no  doubt,  expecting  to  hear  of  tlie  fall  of  our  veteran  brother, 
the  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney,  of  the  American  Board.  He  fell  asleep  in  Jesus 
at  If  o'clock  this  morning,  and  the  scene  being  such  a  joyous  one,  I  must 
try  to  give  you  a  glimpse  of  it  by  this  mail;  which  leaves  to-morrow  morning. 

Grod's  design  in  his  protracted  illness  has  long  been  manifest,  to  prepare 
him  to  give  a  living  testimony  in  death  for  Christ;  and  this  testimony  he 
did  give  in  all  his  sickness,  as  well  as  in  his  life-work  here.  About  nine 
weeks  ago,  he  received  his  ninety-ninth  letter  from  his  aged  mother,  written 
a  short  time  before  her  death,  the  announcement  of  which  was  a  severe 
shock  to  him,  for  he  loved  his  mother.  On  that  day,  Saturday,  he  re- 
ceived a  request  to  supply  the  pulpit  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gray,  English 
chaplain  in  this  place.  Mrs.  Bonney  said  to  him,  "  You  will  not  think  of 
going,"  observing  that  he  was  well-uigh  overcome  with  grief  But  he 
replied,  "  Because  my  mother  has  gone  to  her  Saviour,  shall  I  cease  to 
work  for  my  Master  ?"  But  it  was  his  last  sermon.  He  kept  about  until 
the  next  Sabbath,  when  he  was  taken  down  with  fever.  The  fever  was 
subdued,  but  it  was  followed  by  a  prostration  from  which  he  did  not  rally. 
After  three  or  four  weeks  he  seemed  to  be  gaining  slowly,  when  a  little 
over-exertion  brought  on  a  relapse  of  the  fever,  which  was  followed  by 
dysentery.  It  was  generally  my  turn  to  attend  upon  him  in  the  early 
morning;  so  he  often  requested  me  to  conduct  his  morning  worship. 
One. morning  I  prayed  for  sundry  other  things,  but  did  not  pray  directly 
for  his  recovery ;  whereupon  he  said,  "  Won't  you  please  pray  that  I  may 
recover,  and  be  more  faithful  in  God's  service  than  I  have  heretofore 
been  ?"  His  decline  had  been  latterly  so  gradual  that  we  could  not  per- 
ceive it  from  day  to  day.  His  business  arrangements  had  been  completed 
some  weeks,  and  at  any  time  he  would  speak  of  death  with  perfect  com- 
posure, saying,  that  he  had  no  fear  of  death,  while,  yet,  he  would  not  yield 
the  hope  of  being  again  permitted  to  work  for  Christ,  until  nearly  the 
last.  Some  weeks  ago,  he  said  to  me  :  "  These  Chinese  around  me  (and 
he  providentially  had  a  school  of  some  twenty-three  girls  in  his  family) 
have  an  example  of  Christian  kindness  such  as  they  have  never  seen  be- 
fore ;  and  is  not  this  one  reason  why  God  is  keeping  me  sick  so  long,  that 
they  may  see  religion  in  its  practical  workings  ?"  Day  before  yesterday 
morning  he  manifested  symptoms  which  in  other  cases  would  indicate 
speedy  dissolution .  his  lirnbs  became  cold  and  his  pulse  increased  to  170 
in  a  minute  !  On  intimation  of  our  feeling  that  death  was  near,  he  replied, 
"  The  God  of  salvation  is  my  strength  and  shield.  He  has  been  merciful 
to  me  in  life,  and  he  will  not  forsake  me  in  death."  I  asked  him  if  he 
had  his  worldly  affairs  arranged  as  he  would  have  them  left.  "  Yes ;  but 
they  are   the  smallest  of  my  concerns  now."     "  You  love  to  think  of 

II  61 


402' 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


heavenly  things  ?"  "Yes;  mortality  is  swallowed  up  of  life."  I  said, 
"  From  your  view  of  heaven,  what  testimony  may  we  give  from  you  to  the 
heathen  ?"  ''  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  cast  away  your  idols,  and 
serve  God,  and  he  will  give  you  peace  and  joy  here,  and  glory  hereafter." 
He  gave  a  message  for  his  friends  in  America,  mentioning  several  names. 
"  Tell  them  to  be  faithful  to  God,  and  spend  their  talents  in  promoting 
the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  At  this  time  (on  Monday  morn- 
ing), Mrs.  Bonney  introducing  another  topic,  he  replied,  "  but  we  are 
both  yet  living,"  speaking  in  a  manner  which  indicated  that  he  still  hoped 
to  recover.  This  tenacity  of  hope  he  manifested  until  a  few  hours  before 
his  death,  as  he  said  to  an  attendant  when  taking  food,  "  Don't  you  think 
I  take  too  much  food  for  one  who  is  recovering?"  It  seemed  remarkable 
that  he  should  cling  to  life  %o,  while  he  was  so  willing  to  die;  it  was  only 
that  he  might  work  for  his  Master.  Tuesday  was  not  marked  by  any 
special  change.  Two  hours  before  his  departure  he  recognized  the  pre- 
sence of  the  messenger  whom  Jesus  had  sent  to  bear  him  to  his  arms.  He 
requested  a  hymn  to  be  sung,  and  one  verse  of  "  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul  " 
was  sung,  but  he  said,  "  Sing  the  whole  hymn,"  and  he  joined  with  a  clear 
voice.  He  then  requested  the  Scriptures  to  be  read,  and  prayer  to  be  offered; 
then  another  hymn  to  be  sung,  "  Rock  of  Ages."  In  this  hymn  also  he  uni- 
ted with  audible  voice,  but  he  was  much  exhausted.  After  a  few  minutes, 
however,  he  aroused,  and  exclaimed,  "  I  want  to  hear  the  praises  of  God  ;  I 
want  to  hear  the  praises  of  God,"  when  those  present  began  to  sing, 
"  Gently,  Lord,  oh  !  gently  lead  us,"  but  his  voice  could  be  heard  only  in 
the  first  verse.  To  Mrs.  Bonney  he  answered  a  question,  but  without  a 
sound.  He  breathed  his  last  without  a  struggle.  Funeral  services  were  in 
the  Wesleyan  chapel  this  afternoon  atthree  o'clock.  Appropriate  addresses, 
were  made;  one  in  English,  by  Bev.  C.  F.  Preston,  and  one  in  Chinese, 
by  Rev.  Samuel  Smith,  (Wesleyan.)  The  hymn,  "  Why  do  we  mourn 
departing  friends  V  was  sung  in  Chinese  and  English  together.  At  the 
grave  a  very  happy  address  was  given  by  the  Bev.  Mr.  Gray,  in  whose 
pulpit  Mr.  Bonney  preached  his  last  sermon.  It  has  been  a  trying  day, 
but  the  blessed  Comforter,  from  the  Father  and  Jesus  hath  been  near. 
God  be  magnified  by  his  grace  and  by  his  providence  !  It  is  hard  but 
sweet  to  say  at  all  times,  "  Thy  will  be  done."  Who  will  take  Mr. 
Bonney's  place  in  the  mission  work  at  Canton  ? 


"Died,  At  Canton,  China,  on  Wednesday,  27th  July,  1864,  after  J 
lingering  illness  of  two  months,  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney  aged  forty-nine  years 
and  four  months. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  403 

"  We  deeply  regret  to  record  the  death,  on  the  27th  instant,  of  the  Rev. 
S.  W.  BoNNEY,  who  has  been  for  many  years  a  missionary  at  Canton  in 
connection  with  an  American  Society.  He  was  a  hard-working,  pious, 
and  devoted  man,  and  his  place  will  not  be  easily  filled.  In  fact,  he  was 
a  model  to  missionaries  in  China. 

We  willingly  give  insertion  to  the  annexed  notice  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
W.  Bonney  of  Canton.  He  has  often  contributed  to  our  own  columns, 
and  it  is  fitting  that  we  should  be  the  medium  of  a  parting  notice  of  tbe 
good  contributor." —  China  Mail. 

The  missionaries  of  Canton,  China,  mourn  the  loss  of  one  of  their  num- 
ber, the  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Bonney,  who  died  after  a  protracted  illness* 
of  two  months,  of  bilious  fever  and  diarrhea,  in  the  early  morning  of  the 
27th  July,  1864.  The  discourse  pronounced  at  his  funeral  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  same  day,  founded  on  Psalm  xxxvii,  37,  furnished  a  brief 
sketch  of  his  life  as  a  fitting  illustration  of  the  character  of  the  class  re- 
ferred to  in  the  text.  In  the  sense  of  the  Psalmist,  rightly  understood, 
he  was  a  "a  perfect  man,"  and  "  upright;"  and  as  a  man  of  peace,  there 
was  accorded  to  him  an  end  in  strikino;  contrast  with  that  of  the  world. 

Mr.  Bonney  was  born  in  New  Canaan,  Connecticut,  on  the  8th  March, 
1815.  His  father,  the  Rev.  William  Bonney,  was  an  esteemed. preacher 
of  the  gospel,  whose  ministry  was  exercised  in  Connecticut  and  Ohio,  and 
was  closed  by  death  in  Nelson,  Ohio,  in  1839.  Mr.  Bonney  was  early 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources  in  obtaining  an  education.  In  the  year 
1832,  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Messrs.  Merriam,  publishers  of  Web- 
ster s  Dicttonari/,  Springfield,  Massachusetts.  It  was  in  the  performance 
of  his  duties  there  that  he  read  the  dictionary  through,  a  fact  which  his 
friends  have  often  heard  him  relate  with  quiet  humor.  A  fine  copy  of 
the  illustrated  edition  was  sent  to  him  by  the  publishers  as  a  memento  of 
his  youthful  labors  in  the  ofiice.  In  the  year  1837,  he  was  engaged  in 
Poughkeepsie,  teaching.  This  same  year  he  was  converted  to  God,  and 
on  the  28th  January,  1838,  he  joined  the  Allen  street  church.  The  year 
1840,  found  him  a  student  in  the  New  York  University,  but  in  the  next 
year  he  removed  to  Lane  Seminary,  Ohio.  He  was  befriended  by  Rev. 
Dr,  Beecher,  whose  memory  he  cherished,  and  whom  he  greatly  honored. 
Being  assisted  by  kind  friends  he  was  able  to  continue  his  studies  without 
interruption  until  1844.  As  he  was  about  finishing  his  course  of  study, 
he  received  an  appointment  by  the  American  board  as  a  missionary  to 
India.  His  destinction  to  that  field  was  changed  by  meeting  an  acquaint- 
ance, "the  Rev.  J.  Addison  Cary  of  the  institution  for  deaf  and  dumb, 
casually  in  the  Broadway  cars,  who  read  him  a  letter  in  re'gard  to  the 
want  of  a  teacher  for  the  Morrison  Education  Society's  School  at  Hong- 
kong, China.  The  Rev.  W.  A.  Masy  had  been  engaged  as  an  assistant 
of  the  Rev.  S.  R.  Brown,  now  of  Japan,  but  was  not  able  to  go  for  a  year. 
It  was  arranged  that  Mr.  Bonney  should  take  the  situation  in  the  mean- 
time, with  the  understanding  that  subsequently  he  should  act  as  a  mis- 
sionary of  the  American  Board  in  China.  It  was  with  much  misgiving 
that  he  parted  from  his  widowed  mother  and  three  sisters;  being  an  only 
son,  and  their  natural  guardian.  His  mother  was  a  remarkable  woman, 
and  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  a  widow  of  twenty-five  years.  She  was  called 
home  on  the  19th  February,  of  the  present  year,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-one  years  and  ten  months.  She  kept  up  a  voluminous  correspond- 
ence with  her  son  to  the  very  last,  her  letters  being  for  such  an  aged  per- 
son a  wonder  of  penmanship  and  composition.     She  was  indeed  a  "  mother 


404  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

in  Israel,"  retaining  an  intellifrent  interest  in  passing  events,  especially 
as  affecting  the  progress  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  the  struggle 
for  national  life  in  the  work  of  subduing  the  great  rebellion  ;  her  inte- 
rest in  the  latter  perhaps  was  intensified  by  vivid  recollections  of  other 
critical  periods  in  her  country's  history.  Her  observations  upon  men  and 
things  were  characterized  by  great  shrewdness  and  acuteness  of  percep- 
tion. Her  character  was  impressed  upon  her  son  to  a  degree,  their 
mutual  love  was  kept  fresh  to  the  last.  He  was  much  affected  by  the 
intelligence  of  her  death,  which  reached  him  but  a  short  time  before  he 
himself  was  attacked  by  the  disease  which  proved  the  summons  to  follow. 
'  Mr.  Bonney  left  New  York  in  October,  1844,  and  after  a  passage  of 
one  hundred  and  thirty-two  days  arrived  at  Hongkong  on  lOth  March, 
1845.  His  connection  with  the  school  of  the  Morrison  Education  Society 
being  only  temporary,  we  find  him  in  1847  at  Canton,  striving  to  obtain  a 
residence  outside  the  foreign  factories.  In  1848,  was  living  in  the  Honam 
Temple  or  Buddhist  Monastery.  For  some  reason,  perhaps  the  jealousy 
of  the  Chinese  government,  or  fears  of  the  priests,  he  was  not  permitted 
to  remain,  and  the  next  year  his  perseverance  was  shown  in  occupying 
rooms  in  the  hong  of  a  native  merchant  on  Honam,  where  the  foreign 
merchants  have  resided  since  the  war.  At  a  subsequent  time  he  rented 
a  house  below  Dutch  Folly  on  the  Canton  side.  For  sometime  he  dressed 
in  Chinese  costume,  with  the  exception  of  shaving  his  head  and  cue,  in 
order  to  move  about  with  less  observation  and  try  to  identify  himself  with 
the  people  at  a  period  when  there  was  a  bitter  feeling  against  foreigners. 
Between  the  years  1850  and  1853,  he  lived  at  Whampoa  and  Newtown, 
where  he  labored  for  the  good  of  all  as  he  had  opportunity.  He  was  es- 
pecially interested  in  those  "  who  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships."  He  made 
the  acquaintance  of  many  seamen.  He  often  spoke  of  his  interviews  with 
the  Italian  patriot  Garibaldi,  when  he  was  in  China,  master  of  a  merchant 
vessel.  He  had  heard  of  the  expulsion  of  a  Komish  priest  from  the  ship. 
Mr.  Bonney  at  once  determined  to  take  some  tracts  and  books  aboard. 
Upon  being  introduced  into  the  cabin,  he  found  the  captain  busily  en- 
gaged writing.  As  soon  as  Mr.  Bonney  told  his  errand  and  presented  his 
packet,  the  captain  suddenly  started  to  his  feet,  in  great  excitement  of 
manner,  striking  his  hand  on  his  own  breast,  and  with  his  eyes  flashing 
with  indignation,  in  broken  English  said,  "  No  priest,  no  minister,  no 
dervish  shall  ever  come  between  my  soul  and  God  !  "  After  a  little  satis- 
factory conversation  assuring  him  of  agreement,  Mr.  Bonney  left,  with 
the  promise  that  the  books  and  tracts  should  be  examined.  Mr.  Bonney 
published  a  manual  for  sailors,  called"  The  Seaman  s  Compass  and  Chart, 
for  daily  use  afloat  or  ashore,"  in  Hongkong  in  1861.  It  proved  so  accepta- 
ble to  the  class  for  which  it  was  designed  that  it  was  transferred  to  the 
"  American  Seaman's  Friend  Society,"  and  published  by  the  cooperation 
of  the  American  Tract  Society. 

Mr.  Bonney  visited  very  extensively,  and  in  order,  the  Chinese  villages 
in  the  region  of  Whampoa,  where  he  will  be  long  remembered  for  his 
labors  of  love,  which  could  hardly  fail  to  be  appreciated ;  for  the  world 
over,  one  who  seeks  to  do  good,  as  the  great  object  of  life,  will  have  a 
reward,  in  being  esteemed  a  kind  benefactor  and  iViend,  and  the  memory 
of  such  is  precious.  In  1854,  Mr.  Bonney  returned  to  Canton  to  take 
temporary  charge  of  the  press  of  the  American  Board,  during  the  absence 
of  Dr.  S.  Wells  Williams,  he  having  joined  the  Japanese  expedition  under 
Commodore  Perry.     He  published  at  this  time  his  Book  of  Phras&s,  in 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  405 

the  Canton  dialect.  At  the  close  of  this  year,  Mr.  Bonney  determined 
to  make  a  visit  to  his  native  land.  Owing  to  a  change  in  the  destination 
of  the  ship,  in  which  he  with  other  missionaries  were  to  sail  direct  to 
New  York,  he  was  enabled  to  visit  by  the  way,  Java,  Germany,  and  Eng- 
land. Several  gentlemen  having  provided  him  with  a  purse  for  private 
use,  he  embraced  the  opportunity  to  travel  to  some  extent  in  the  countries 
he  visited.  Christian  people  and  Christian  works  were  what  he  most 
wished  to  see,  and  many  things  he  saw  in  Germany  and  England  were 
often  subjects  of  conversation  in  his  subsequent  life.  The  time  of  his 
visit  to  the  United  States,  was  spent  mostly  in  reviewing  his  theological 
studies  in  preparation  for  his  ordination  to  the  Gospel  ministry,  providen- 
tial circumstances  having  prevented  the  performance  of  the  rite  previous 
to  his  leaving  his  native  land  in  the  first  instance. 

Mr.  Bonney  was  married  July  22,  1856,  at  Albany,  New  York,  to  a 
most  estimable  Christian  lady,  Miss  Catharine  Visscher  Van  Rensselaer, 
daughter  of  the  late  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer;  and  the  next 
month  left  again  for  China,  where  he  arrived  as  he  had  purposed  within 
two  years  from  leaping.  After  a  residence  of  nearly  two  years  at  Macao, 
where  his  fellow-missionaries  were  exiled  during  the  war,  he  with  others 
returned  to  Canton  at  the  close  of  the  year  1858,  to  commence  again  his 
labors,  preaching  and  superintending  schools.  His  soul  was  in  his  humble 
daily  duties.  The  schools  under  his  charge  were  his  pride  and  joy.  He 
took  an  individual  interest  in  the  scholars,  rewarding  diligence  and  pro- 
gress in  study  with  careful  discrimination.  It  was  his  custom  to  take 
the  schools  at  stated  intervals  upon  excursions  for  recreation,  seeking  at 
the  same  time  by  this  means  to  gain  their  attention  and  affection,  and  he 
succeeded  to  a  remarkable  degree.  He  translated  a  number  of  favorite 
hymns  into  Chinese,  which  with  much  labor  the  scholars  of  the  schools 
were  taught  to  sing  with  commendable  accuracy  of  time,  and  much  plea- 
sure to  themselves.  He  was  indefatigable  in  the  performance  of  his  min- 
istry, thinking  indeed  too  little  of  his  own  comfort  and  health.  He  was 
extremely  fond  of  going  into  the  country,  especially  if  there  was  hope  of 
doing  missionary  work  or  obtaining  important  information  that  might 
tend  to  the  good  of  the  people.  In  1854,  when  the  rebels  were  in  posses- 
sion of  Whampoa,  and  threatening  Canton,  he  visited  them  repeatedly. 
The  same  year  he  went  with  a  party  of  gentlemen  to  Fatshan,  when  the 
rebels  were  approaching  Canton  from  that  quarter,  and  there  was  great 
anxiety  to  know  their  intentions ;  the  boat  was  fired  upon  and  compelled 
to  return  without  any  result.  In  the  year  1861,  contrary  to  the  warnings 
of  the  over-cautious,  in  company  with  the  Rev.  W.  R.  Beach,  Dr.  Dickson, 
and  Mr.  Thornburn,  he  made  the  overland  trip  to  Hankow  through  Hu- 
nam,  returning  by  way  of  Shanghai.  In  1862,  he  made  a  visit  to  Japan 
with  Mrs.  Bonney,  on  account  of  her  health;  and  while  absent,  his  house 
was  destroyed  by  the  great  typhoon  which  visited  Canton  that  year.  In 
December  of  the  same  year  he  made  a  trip  in  the  country,  in  company 
with  the  Revs.  Messrs.  Gray  and  John  Preston,  to  the  district  of  Cheoing 
Ning,  where  they  were  attacked  by  a  band  of  robbers  and  deprived  of 
their  clothes,  horses,  and  baggage  ;  and  the  Chinese  kindly  provided  them 
means  to  return.  In  this  way  some  interesting  acquaintances  were  made 
and  friendships  formed.  Adversity  has  great  power  to  call  forth  sympa- 
thy even  in  China.  In  1863,  in  company  with  Consul  W.  P.  Jones,  Rev. 
George  Piercy,  Mrs.  Jones  and  Mrs.  Bonney,  he  made  a  second  trip  up 
the  North  river,  as  far  as  Shiu  Kwan.     In  all  his  trips,  pleasure  was  not 


406  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

his  principal  object;  he  did  aot  fail  to  enjoy  the  fine  air  and  scenery  cer- 
tainly, or  the  society  of  friends,  but  his  great  desire  was  to  make  known 
the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  "  regions  beyond." 

Mr.  Bonney  was  known  to  a  large  number  of  casual  visitors  to  Canton, 
who  were  glad  to  bespeak  his  good  offices  in  an  introduction  to  the  people 
and  sights  of  the  "  City  of  Rams."  His  kindness  of  heart  and  urbanity 
of  manner  were  evident  to  all,  and  those  who  knew  him  casually  even, 
were  convinced  that  he  was  a  faithful  missionary  and  consistent  Christian. 
He  was  a  pure  minded  man  and  abhorred  vice.  It  was  evident  that  the 
profanity  of  nominal  Christians  as  well  as  the  abominations  of  the  heathen, 
were  a  continual  grief  to  him.  His  soul,  like  that  of  just  Lot,"  was  vexed 
with  filthy  conversation  of  the  wicked.''  A  tender  regard  for  the  honor 
of  his  Saviour  was  the  ruling  motive  of  his  life.  He  was  considered  pre- 
cise, but  it  was  caused  by  his  exceeding  conscientiousness.  He  was  a  good 
neighbor  and  very  particular  *to  take  his  share,  in  social  duties.  He  read 
a  carefully  prepared  paper  before  the  "  Canton  Missionary  Conference  " 
on  the  question,  "  Is  preaching  in  the  streets  and  temples  advisable  ?  " 
only  a  few  days  before  he  was  taken  sick.  He  was  much  interested  in  the 
children,  and  was  accustomed  to  remember  their  birthdays,  and  make 
many  hearts  happy,  both  parents  and  children,  by  pleasant  rhymes  and 
presents.  It  was  to  his  honor  that  he  was  a  true  patriot,  and  in  the  time 
of  his  country's  fiery  trial,  he  was  always  ready  to  stand  up  for  her  de- 
fence. For  some  time  he  gave  material  assistance  in  translating  and  in- 
terpreting for  the  United  States  Consulate.  In  his  last  sickness  he  was 
supported  by  the  consolations  of  the  gospel  of  which  he  was  made  a  minister. 
He  wished  to  live,  and  repeatedly  desired  his  friends  to  pray  for  his  re- 
covery. He  claimed  it  even  as  a  duty  from  them.  It  was  from  no  fear 
of  death,  for  he  was  resigned  and  submissive,  committing  himself  to  the 
will  of  God.  If  he  desired  life,  it  was  that  he  might  serve  his  master. 
From  the  first  he  was  much  prostrated  and  could  not  endure  continuous 
mental  exertion,  a  passage  of  holy  writ,  and  some  sweet  hymn  were  his 
daily  food.  Some  of  the  Scripture  mottoes  were  refreshing  to  him.  "  The 
eternal  God  is  thy  refuge,  and  underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms."  "  He 
is  my  Rock."  "  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake,  thee."  '*  Lord,  it  is 
nothing  with  thee  to  help,  whether  with  many,  or  with  them  that  have 
no  power."  Christian  lyrics  had  been  a  favorite  study,  and  very  many 
hymns  were  stored  in  his  memory,  and  it  was  his  delight  •  to  repeat  them. 
He  continued  an  active  interest  in  his  work  to  the  last,  and  sought  the 
salvation  of  souls  as  the  ruling  passion.  The  day  before  his  death,  he 
called  some  of  the  Chinese  in  his  employ,  and  some  of  the  scholars  of  the 
school  and  addressed  them  as  follows :  "  It  is  probably  the  will  of  Jesus 
that  I  shall  not  recover,  but  that  I  shall  die.  My  heart  is  content.  I 
trust  in  the  great  merits  of  Jesus.  I  shall  go  to  heaven,  and  enjoy  eternal 
happiness.  I  wish  you  to  trust  in  the  great  merits  of  Jesus,  that  when 
you  come  to  die  you  may  likewise  go  to  heaven,  to  enjoy  eternal  happiness." 
These  words  were  repeated  in  Chinese  with  a  firm  voice  to  several,  until 
exhausted  with  the  exertion,  he  could  only  repeat  the  principal  sentence, 
"  I  trust  in  the  great  merits  of  Jesus."  On  the  night  of  his  death,-  when 
the  end  seemed  near,  he  was  aroused  and  asked,  "  If  he  was  going  to 
Jesus  ?"  He  replied,  "  If  he  will  receive  me."  This  answer  was  charac- 
teristic. He  could  not  endure  the  suggestion  of  personal  merit,  or  sufl'er 
a  word  of  praise.  It  was  an  evangelical  distrust  of  self  which  made  his 
faith  in  Christ  all  the  more  satisfactory.     He  often  said  he  felt  submissive 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  407 

and  his  mind  peaceful,  but  not  triumphant ;  and  his  friends  were  led  to 
pray  for  triumph.  It  is  believed  these  prayers  were  answered.  Before 
the  end  he  asked  for  singing.  When  "  Jesus  lover  of  my  soul  "  was  sung, 
he  joined  with  a  firm  voice  and  repeatedly  remarked,  "  yes,"  in  approba- 
tion of  the  sentiment  as  suited  to  his  case.  "Rock  of  ages"  was  sung 
with  a  like  effect.  He  several  times  repeated  parts  of  the  psalm  "  God 
my  supporter  and  my  hope."  After  one  had  prayed  at  Mr.  Bonney's 
request,  he  aeked  for  still  another  hymn,  ["  Gently  Lord  0  gently  lead 
us"]  saying  "  I  want  to  hear  the  praises  of  God."  These  were  his  last 
words,  showing  the  condition  of  his  soul  when  sinking  beneath  the  waves 
of  death.  He  was  longing  to  hear  the  praise  of  God  ;  he  was  triumphing 
over  the  last  enemy  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  How  assuring  the 
words  of  the  Saviour,  "  Him  that  cometh  unto  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast 
out."  May  we  not  believe  that  the  prayer  was  answered,  and  his  desire 
gratified  ?  Doubtless,  a  chorus  of  heavenly  harmony  greeted  him  at  the 
moment  his  spirit  was  disengaged  from  its  tenement  of  clay,  and  that  he 
at  once  took  part  with  the  redeemed  throng,  in  singing  "  the  song  of 
Moses  and  the  Lamb."  The  supposition  does  no  violence  to  faith  founded 
upon  the  Word  of  God.  C.  F.  P. 

The  Rev.  Charles  F.  Preston  preached  the  funeral  discourse  and  pre- 
pared the  above  narrative  which  was  also  read  by  him  before  the  "  Can- 
ton Missionary  Conference." 

Rev.  John  Chalmers  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 
My  dear  Mrs.  Bonney  :  Canton,  4th  Aug.,  1864. 

In  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  the  Canton  Missionary  Conference. 
"  That  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  relating  to  Mr.  Bonney  be  sent  to  Mrs. 
Bonney  by  the  Secretary,"  I  send  you  the  enclosed.  It  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  say  how  entirely  I  sympathize  with  the  sentiments  expressed 
in  the  resolutions.  I  felt  it  a  special  privilege  to  be  with  him  on  his 
death-bed,  and  to  follow  him  in  spirit  to  the  gates  of  the  heavenly  Jerusa- 
lem of  which  he  loved  to  sing,  and  where  he  is  now  a  welcome  inhabitant. 
Mrs.  Chalmers  regrets  having  been  obliged  by  domestic  cares  to  defer 
paying  you  a  visit  for  so  long,  but  she  will  do  so  before  much  more  time 
has  elapsed.  We  often  think  and  speak  of  you  and  your  dear  departed 
husband.  Believe  me,  yours  very  sincerely, 

John  Chalmers. 

(Rev.  John  Chalmers,  A.M.,  is  a  member  of  the  London  Missionary 
Society  established  in  1807  at  Canton  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Morrison,  D.D., 
who  was  the  first  Protestant  missionary  to  China.  Dr.  Morrison  came 
by  way  of  New  York,  because  the  East  India  Company  refused  all  mis- 
sionaries passages  in  their  ships  to  China  and  India.  Rev.  Mr.  .and  Mrs. 
Chalmers  arrived  in  China  in  the  year  1852.) 

Copy  of  Resolutions  adopted  at  the  Meeting  of  the  Canton  Missionary  Conference 
held  on  the  'M  of  August  18G4. 

"  Whereas,  in  the  all-wise  providence  of  God,  the  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney, 
missionary  of  the  American  Board,  and  a  member  of  this  Conference,  has 
been  removed  by  death  from  his  labors  on  earth  to  the  higher  service  of 
the  heavenly  state,  It  is  resolved 

"  That  we  acquiesce  with  unfeigned  grief  in  this  dispensation,  deeply 
feeling  the  loss  of  a  fellow-laborer  and  Christian,  friend. 


408  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

"  That  we  sympathize  most  sincerely  with  the  afflicted  Widow  of  the 
deceased,  earnestly  praying  that  she  may  be  sustained  in  her  affliction  and 
directed  aright  in  her  future  course,  as  heretofore  to  the  glory  of  God. 

"That  while  we  mourn  our  loss,  it  is  felt  that  the  life  and  death  of  our 
brother  give  abundant  cause  of  thankfulness  to  our  Lord  and  Saviour  for 
the  grace  given  him  in  the  fulfilment  of  his  ministry  and  in  his  dying 
testimony." 

"  Safe  at  home  !  Safe  at  home  ! 
Oh  let  the  echo  go, 
To  soothe  the  hearts  that  mourn  me  yet, 

In  that  first  home  below. 
For  His  dear  arms  are  round  me  now, 

Who  was  for  sinners  slain. 
Through  Him  I've  won  eternal  life. 
For  me  to  die  was  gain." 

Rev.  Dr.  Legge  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Bonney:  Hongkong,  3d  August,  1864. 

My  first  impulse  on  hearing  last  week  of  the  death  of  your  dear  husband 
was  to  write  to  you.  Then  I  thought  that  I  would  not  immediately  intrude 
upon  your  grief.  But  I  cannot  any  longer  refrain.  No  one  has  sustained 
so  great  a  loss  as  you,  but  there  are  many  who  feel  that  their  loss  also  is 
not  small.  We  are  common  sufferers.  It  is  our  duty  and  privilege  to 
comfort  one  another.  Mr.  Bonney  stands  out  very  distinctly  in  my  mind's 
eye  as  I  saw  him  on  the  evening  of  the  day  when  he  first  arrived  in  Hong- 
Kong.  I  liked  him  from  the  first;  and  I  learned  on  closer  acquaintance  to 
love  him.  In  former  years  this  house  was  his  frequent  home,  and  I  spent 
many  days  with  him  in  different  places.  How  cheerful  and  cheery,  how 
innocently  happy  he  was.  And  his  religion  was  inwoven  into  his  whole 
nature.  He  was  a  truly  good,  loving  and  lovable  man.  I  feel  as  if  the 
world  were  less  bright,  because  his  presence  is  withdrawn  from  it.  But 
all  that  makes  us  regret  his  being  taken  away  becomes  ground  of  consola- 
tion and  even  matter  of  joy.  Is  it  not  well  that  he  has  entered  into  his 
rest  ?  He  has  gone  where  his  heart  was.  He  has  entered  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  whom  he  served.  .  He  has  got  home,  leaving  the  place  of  our  pilgrim- 
age, and  of  yours,  especially,  difi'erent  from  what  it  was;  but  we  can  say, 
"  Even  so,  0  father."  I  know  how  much  you  will  miss  him;  that  you 
will  often  feel  desolate  and  very  solitary.  But  you  will  have  solace  in 
thinking  of  him  as  he  was,  and  as  he  is.  And  the  trial  will  operate  in 
drawing  you  nearer  to  God  and  the  Saviour.  You  will  find  that  there 
was  mercy  and  kindness  in  it  even  to  yourself  May  the  God  of  our  Sal- 
vation give  you  to  experience  that  He,  the  eternal  One,  is  your  refuge, 
and  that  underneath  you  are  the  everlasting  arms  !  May  He  also  guide 
and  direct  and  sustain  you  in  all  your  future  course. 

Mrs.  Legge  desires  to  unite  with  me  in  the  expression  of  our  deep  sym- 
pathy. She  would  have  written  to  you  herself,  but  she  has  been  a  great 
sulFerer  for  many  weeks,  and  cannot  hold  a  pen.  Believe  me  to  be —  My 
dear  Mrs.  Bonney.  Yours  very  sincerely, 

James  Legge. 

Rev.  Samuel  Smith  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Bonney,  Canton,  August  18,  1864. 

I  beg  to  acknowlege  the  receipt  of  the  books  you  have  selected  for  me 
and  my  Brethren  (at  the   request  of  Mr.  Bonney)  in  each  of  which  one, 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  409 

Love  will  inscribe  "  In  Memoriam."  I  shall  always  value  mine  as  a  sacred 
Mementoof  him  whose  triumphant  flight  from  "Calvary's  to  Zion's  height" 
'  I  was  privileged  to  witness.  The  inclosed  sprig  of  cypress  I  took  from 
the  wreath  after  I  had  placed  it  upon  your  husband's  heart,  and  which  I 
intended  to  keep ;  but  I  feel  you  have  a  greater  right  to  it  than  I  have, 
and  therefore  I  beg  your  acceptance  of  it,  and  Believe  me,  my  dear  Mrs. 
Bonney.  Yours  Very  Sincerely, "  g^^^^^  g^^^^^ 

"  The  beaming  countenance,  the  burning  heart,  the  buoyant  spirit,  told 
what  he  had  been  and  helped  to  conceal  the  insidious  progress  which  the 
fatal  malady  was  making.  He  desired  to  see  still  greater  length  of  days 
and  yet  '  to  die  was  gain.'  Not  weary  of  his  work  but  often  weary  in  it, 
he  was  permitted  to  enter  into  his  rest.  Never  was  protracted  death-bed 
more  characteristic.  The  same  cheerful  countenance  that  he  ever  had, 
the  same  interest  in  all  around  marked  him  to  the  last." 

"  No  !  No !  It  is  not  dying 

With  lordly  glory  crowned. 

To  join  in  the  thanksgiving 

To  Him,  the  ever  living. 

With  which  the  heavens  resound." 

Consul  W.  P.  Jones  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 
My  Dear  Mrs.  Bonney,  Macao,  China,  Aug.  19,  1864. 

It  is  with, a  sad  pleasure  I  receive,  the  beautiful  volume  sent  me  as  a 
token  of  the  never  ceasing  love  our  sainted  Mr.  Bonney  exercised  towards 
all  his  friends,  even  the  humblest,  and  that  to  the  very  last  of  his  useful 
and  lovely  life.  I  shall  treasure  his  gift  beyond  price  [Mr.  Bonney  re- 
quested a  Book  from  his  Library  should  be  given  to  friends.]  Permit 
me  to  hand  you,  in  further  acknowledgment,  the  inclosed  lines;  which  I 
had  already  put  in  the  form  you  now  see,  when  the  above,  valued  favor 
came  to  hand,  an  hour  or  more  ago.  You  will  perceive  that  they  are 
written  not  simply  as  a  tribute  to  the  memory  of  him  we  so  loved  and 
honored,  but  with  some  purpose  to  improve  our  sad  bereavement  for  the 
rebuke  of  those  who  deceive  themselves  and  insult  Christianity  by  un- 
dervaluing the  Missionary  cause  and  its  Ministers.  If  agreeable  there- 
fore to  the  wishes  of  yourself  and  Mr.  Preston  I  will  provide  a  copy  for 
publication,  making  such  emendations  as  you  may  suggest.  I  am  not 
vain  enough  to  presume  that  this  little  poem  would  even  be  read,  except 
for  the  character  its  lines  feebly  delineate.  This,  however,  may  both  gain 
them  a  place  in  certain  columns  and  render  them  profitable  —  and  it  is 
this  last  mentioned  expectation  which  renders  me  disposed  to  lay  them 
upon  the  press. 

Please  express  your  wi.shes  fully  touching  this  subject,  and  believe  me, 
with  kindest  love,  and  sympathy  from   Mrs.  Jones  and  self. 

Yours  most  Sincerely,  W.  P.  Jones. 

The  Better  Genius. 
Lines  upon  the  death  of  Rev.  8.  W.  Bonney  of  Am.  B.  C.  F.  Mission  Canton. 

There  is  a  genius,  that  the  carnal  world 
Confess  not —  a  rich,  peculiar  wealth 
Of  moral  worth  and  intellectual  power, 
The  birth  sublime  of  nature  and  of  grace, 

II]  52 


410  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Wliicli  so  o'ertops  the  plain  of  common  tliouglit 

And  Fame's  small  hills,  that  Appetite  and  Ease 

And  human  praise  and  power  allure  it  not. 

What  men  call  "  rank"  and  "  opulence"  and  "  name," 

And  serve  and  worship  rather  than  their  God, 

Such  Genius  sees,  with  Reason's  rarest  ken. 

As  gilded  baits  on  wily  Satan's  hook 

To  tempt  mankind  from  Wisdom's  element 

Of  Godlike  truth,  and  liberty  divine. 

To  servitude  of  selfish,  brutal  lusts. 

To  know  thyself  and  know  and  serve  thy  God 
Is  learning's  sim,  and  should  be  life's  pursuit ; 
Which  some  may  gain  and  sit  on  shining  thrones. 
And  others  at  their  desks  or  ploughs  or  looms ; 
But  he  whom  God  most  dearly  loves  and  trusts, 
Adj  udges  greatest  and  commissions  first, 
Is  one  with  talents  for  Apostleship, — 
Courage  sublime,  grand  concentrativeness. 
Clear  consciousness,  perceptiveness  acute. 
With  ardor,  patience,  diligence,  and  love. 
That  laugh  at  toil  and  never  knoio  despair. 
To  overthrow  a  vain  philosophy. 
Or  meet  wild  tribes  and  tame  them  into  states. 
All  unsustained  by  armies,  fleets,  or  bribes. 
What  man  would  venture  but  such  man  as  this  ? 
Nor  he,  I  ween,  till  Heaven  itsetf  hath  said, 
"  Go  forth  !  Go  forth  ;  with  thee  my  angels  go, 
"  And  thou  art  sealed  an  Envoy  from  the  skies." 

Such  genius,  and  such  honored  ministers, 
I've  seen  passed  by,  with  most  contemptuous  slight, 
By  men  like  Dives,  who,  were  they  not  blind, 
Might  see  such  gulf  between  themselves  and  them 
As  Abraham  pointed  to  their  sire  of  old  : 
Yea  double  gulf —  in  intellect  and  heart. 
To  shame  such  men,  and  even  Christians  too. 
Who  sometimes  prate  in  strange  disparagement 
Of  Paul's  successors  and  the  work  of  Christ, 
I'd  fain  transcribe  some  little  of  the  life 
Of  one  just  gone  to  yield  his  embassage. 

In  manhood's  op'ning  morn, 
When  young  Ambition  held  the  glass  of  Hope 
And  showed  full  near  Fame's  shining  temple-cope. 

And  Pleasure's  bugle  horn 
Rang  shrill  and  clear,  and  Appetite  was  strong. 
He  saw,  he  heard,  but  went  not  with  the  throng. 

Above  the  world's  loud  strife 
He  heard  that  men  were  dying  for  the  bread 
Sent  down  from  heaven,  whereon  himself  had  fed, 

Receiving  thence  new  life. 
And  he  resolved  to  count  all  loss  as  gain. 
To  be  like  Christ,  and  bid  men  live  again. 

The  thrilling  chords  of  love, 
A  home  most  dear,  a  doting  mother's  spell. 
All  drew  him  back  ;  he  felt  their  power  full  well. 

But  round  the  throne  above 
He  coiled,  them  all,  as  other  ties  to  heaven. 
And  with  the  tide  sailed  out  the  sacred  leaven. 

That  leaven  was  the  "  Word." 
To  make  it  known  in  heathen  hearts  and  homes. 
And  send  it  forth  wherever  heathen  roams, 

'Till  all  mankind  have  heard. 
He  deemed  the  work  most  godlike  man  can  do  ; 
And  to  his /«4^/i  maintained  a  jjraetice  tT\xG. 

Through  many  a  lonesome  year. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  411 

In  foreign  dress,  those  foreign  hordes  among. 
He  toiled  and  strove  for  their  outlandish  tongue, 

While  ached  his  weary  ear. 
For  one  home  tone  to  reach  his  garret  damp, 
But  heard  it  not,  heard  only  heathen's  tramp. 

A  weaker  mind  had  sunk, 
And  let  his  hope  and  let  his  faith  grow  dim. 
Gone  crazed,  with  thought  that  no  one  cared  for  him. 

So  we  perhaps,  had  shrunk, 
But  he,  brave  soul,  all  lonely,  kept  his  aim. 
For  years,  and  years,  till  worthy  helpmates  came. 

Thenceforth  with  fourfold  strength 
He  smote  the  bars  of  Superstition's  doors. 
Until  (with  help  of  brothers  on  those  shores) 

He  saw  them  move  at  length. 
And,  through  the  rusty  gratings  forced  ajar. 
Heard  tread  of  new-born  millions  from  afar. 

Then  came  his  time  to  rest. 
To  die  was  nothing ;  he  had  worn  his  life 
Like  some  loose  cloak,  that  in  this  heathen  strife 

Each  passing  crowd  might  wrest : 
Yet  was  he  loth  to  take  his  robes  of  light, 
Ere  brighter  dawn  had  broke  on  China's  night. 

But  when  God's  will  shone  clear. 
Smiling  assent,  he  bade  the  angel  hail. 
Leaned  on  his  "  Staff"  and  entered  down  "  the  vail," 

E'en  then  he  summoned  near 
His  little  flock,  that  his  last  whispered  breath. 
Might  ^^rowe  his  faith  and  preach  it  sweet  in  death. 

U  sermon  most  sublime  ! 
Those  witnesses,  'till  taught  by  him  of  late. 
Had  learned  but  this  :  To  yield  to  death  s.s  fate  : 

And  trust  the  after-time, 
As  one  perchance  proportioned  to  their  deeds. 
Or  something  that  from  Fate  alone  proceeds. 

A  doctrine  strangely  new 
Had  come  to  them  ;  and  now  its  teacher  lay 
With  bloodless  lips  whence  life  had  ebbed  away, 

And  still  he  lisped  it  true : 
"  I  trust  in  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ  alone, 
"  The  Truth!  the  Life!  "  —  a  sermon  in  a  tone. 

Then  as  he  passed  along, 
Deep  in  the  vale,  his  brothers  heard  him  say : 
"0  sing  God's  praises  !  "  —  and  he  passed  away 

While  joining  in  their  song  ; 

Like  some  sweet  anthem  fading  in  the  sky. 

Which  does  not  cease,  but  simply  mounts  on  high 
So  passed  from  earth  a  faithful  minister 
From  God  to  man  ;  whom  none  could  truly  know 
And  fail  to  love.     Now  whether  he  were  ' '  great " 
In  your  esteem  or  mine  it  matters  not, 
Save  as  it  shows  how  far  owr  judgment  errs 
From  Ood  an'd  Angels  !  yet  I  loathe  to  hear 
A  poor,  mean  soul,  whose  only  creed  is  "  Oain, " 
With  Gold  for  God  and  Gold  for  decalogue. 
Discourse  of  "  talents  "  and  "  distinguished  gifts" 
As  if  his  pate  their  very  essence  held. 
Then  turn  and  say  :  "  all  these  are  Common  men  I " 
What,  "  common  men  ?  "  Indeed  I  wish  'twere  true ; 
Then  were  it  time  to  gird  our  white  robes  on 
And  cry  ;  "  The  Advent !  Ho  the  AdmnVs  nigh ! " 

W.  P.  Jones. 

Another  beloved  laborer  had  been  removed  from  the  mission  field  in 
the  vigor  of  life.    "  These  afflictive  providences,  and  these  untoward  events, 


412  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

it  may  not  be  possible  for  us  fully  to  understand ;  but  what  we  know  not 
now,  we  shall  know  in  God's  good  time.  He  does  all  things  well,  is  his 
own  interpreter,  and  in  his  own  best  method  will  lead  his  elect  to  honor, 
and  endless  blessedness.  Out  of  all  these  dark  clouds  He  will  cause 
light  to  break  forth,  and  bring  forth  good  from  what  now  seems  sad  and 
disastrous.  The  day  of  China's  redemption  draws  nigh.  The  laborers 
are  few  but  the  day  is  not  very  distant  when  China  shall  be  opened  in 
good  faith  and  the  Chinese  come  to  Jesus." 

Dr.  8.    Wells  Williams  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Bonney,  Peking  Aug.  27,  1864. 

How  sad  was  the  look  of  the  newspaper  which  1  opened  last  night  on 
returning  from  the  visit  we  have  had  at  the  Hills,  after  I  read  in  it  that  my 
long  tried  friend  had  gone  !  The  bare  announcement  that  Mr.  Bonney 
died  on  the  27th  of  July,  told  all :  your  desolation  and  grief  at  the  re- 
moval of  your  best  earthly  friend,  the  loss  the  mission  work  at  Canton  had 
sustained  in  the  suspension  of  his  earnest  labors,  and  the  sorrow  of  his 
co-laborers  and  friends  and  relatives  were  all  contained  in  these  few  lines. 
The  rupture  of  years  of  uninterrupted  pleasant  intercourse  from  the  day  I 
saw  him  in  Sept.  1848  on  my  return  from  America  till  now,  has  been  a 
sad  thought  to  me  to  day ;  for  all  those  days  have  themselves  been 
recalled  to  pass  in  review  before  memory,  and  be  asked  their  report.  Au 
acquaintance  of  sixteen  years  is  a  long  one  in  this  life,  especially  of  a  life  in 
China,  and  of  a  life  spent  in  mission  work,  above  either,  where  the  dis- 
cussion of  plans  and  people  and  other  things  connected  with  all  our  com- 
mon object  involved  differences  of  opinion  and  action.  Yet  during  the 
nine  years  that  your  husband  and  I  were  together,  much  as  we  might  dif- 
fer in  some  trifling,  things,  was  there  nothin^r  to  separate  us  from  that 
confidence  in  each  other's  intentions  and  efforts.  During  that  dismal 
week  when  James  Bridgman  lay  languishing  and  gasping,  we  had  much 
talk  with  each  other  and  talked  of  early  days  and  how  we  had 
passed  them.  His  kindness  in  taking  care  of  my  printing  office  while  I 
was  absent  in  Japan,  was  a  favor  I  have  always  regarded  very  deeply. 
But  these  are  only  a  few  of  my  obligations  to  this  departed  friend,  and  I 
need  not  say  how  much  Mr.  Williams  and  I  grieve  for  your  loneliness  and 
sorrow.  I  cannot  fix  my  mind  on  anything,  for  his  voice  and  form  come 
up  before  it  to  intercept  other  thoughts.  If  we  had  not  Grod's  promises  to 
trust  to  and  draw  comfort  from  his  presence  to  support  and  cheer  us,  and 
Himself  to  be  our  own  everlasting  reward,  what  blackness  would  oppress 
when  the  grave  hides  our  beloved  ones  from  us.  Kitty's  last  words  have 
greatly  refreshed  me  during  the  last  few  weeks,  "  I  love  Jesus,  and  Jesus 
loves  me,  why  should  I  fear  ?  "  and  what  more  do  you  want  ?  The  Holy 
Spirit  will  not  depart  from  such,  as  can  cry,  with  Thomas,  "  My  Lord 
and  my  God."  We  pray  for  you  and  all  those  at  Canton,  and  humbly 
hope  for  other  laboi'ers  to  come  to  take  the  places  of  Bridgman,  Boone, 
Bonney,  Genachr  and  others  who  have  finished  their  day's  work  in  this 
vineyard.  Life  is  like  going  through  a  forest,  and  I  begin  to  see  the 
clearing  beyond  it;  the  trees  are  thinning  out,  my  friends  and  early  asso- 
ciates are  rapidly  disappearing,  and  I  will  ere  long  get  through  too.  I 
have  time  to  write  no  more  just  now,  and  send  you  our  tenderest  sympathy, 
praying  that  God  will  strengthen  you  in  your  heart  and  soul  and  mind 
with  the  abundant  grace  which  he  pours  in  the  wounds  he  opens. 

S.  Wells  Williams. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  413 

Mrs.  E.  C.  Bridgman  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Bonney,  Peking,  August  27,  1864. 

I  just  heard  last  evening  of  your  great  bereavement,  and  treading  as  I 
am  the  same  thorny  path,  I  feel  called  upon  to  write  you  a  few  words  of 
condolence.  This  morning  I  have  read  the  account  in  the  China  Mail 
of  your  dear  husband's  long  sickness  and  happy  departure  to  his  heavenly 
home  ;  it  tore  open  my  own  unhealed  wounds,  and  I  wept  freely,  both 
for  your  loss  and  my  own  as  well  as  that  of  the  church  of  Christ.  Widow- 
hood is  a  bitter  cup,  and  we  must  drink  it,  because  presented  to  our  lips 
by  him  whose  sufferings  and  cruel  desertion  in  the  hour  of  sorrow  was 
more  bitter  than  anything  we  can  endure.  I  know  God  has  been  with 
you  through  these  deep  waters  and  said,  "  It  is  I  be  not  afraid,"  yet  you 
will  grieve  for  that  loving  heart  that  can  answer  you  no  more ;  but  when 
you  consider  his  pure  and  spotless  life,  filled  up  to  the  last  with  his 
Master's  work,  your  soul  will  quiet  itself  in  God,  and  you  will  kiss  the 
hand  that  has  inflicted  the  blow.  Mr.  Bonney's  friends  here  heard  of 
his  severe  illness  and  were  afraid  of  the  result.  Of  yours  too,  that  you 
were  sick  in  the  same  room,  and  unable  to  assist  him.  Oh  how  I  felt  for 
you,  we  prayed  for  you  and  I  rejoiced  to  know  that  you  were  surrounded 
by  kind  friends,  God's  children,  who  would  do  all  they  could  to  alleviate 
your  husband's  sufferings  and  your  keen  sorrow.  God  provides  for  the 
extremity  of  trial,  he  has  done  so  in  my  case.  This  stroke  upon  you  and 
upon  us  all,  in  addition  to  the  death  of  my  dear  friend  Bishop  Boone  so 
recently,  makes  me  feel  that  I  hold  life  by  such  an  uncertain  tenure  that 
I  don't  proceed  to  make  arrangements  with  that  interest  that  I  desire  to 
feel.  I  arrived  in  Peking  the  1st  of  July  and  have  spent  the  warm  months 
in  this  dusty  hot  city  studying  this  dialect  with  a  Tartar  woman.  Mr. 
Blodget  desired  me  to  stay  and  help  establish  this  mission.  On  account 
of  the  healthiness  of  this  place,  he  wishes  you  were  here  to  join  us,  but  I 
said  I  supposed  nothing  would  induce  you  to  leave  the  interesting  school 
you  have  gathered.  May  your  life  and  health  long  be  spared  to  labor  in 
China  in  the  cause  you  and  your  dear  departed  one  loved  so  well.  I  have 
been  trying  to  do  something  among  women,  and  have  one  little  pupil,  but 
the  sorrows  of  widowhood  have  pressed  heavily  upon  me  since  my  return 
desolate,  and  it  is  difficult  for  me  to  pitch  my  tent  again.  My  health 
however  has  improved.  Mr.  Blodget  is  not  very  well,  he  desires  his 
sympathizing  Christian  regards  to  you  in  your  sorrow.  The  Lord  will  be 
with  you  my  dear  friend,  and  comfort  you  heart  with  his  presence,  and 
this  light  affliction  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  will  work  out  for  you  an 
eternal  weight  of  glory!  Affectionately  yours, 

,  Eliza  I.  Bridgman. 

Rev.  S.  B.  Brown,  D.D. ,  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Bonney,  Yokohama,  21  Oct.,  1864. 

I  received  a  copy  of  the  notice  of  Mr.  Bonney's  life  and  decease  a  short 
time  since,  for  which  please  accept  our  thanks.  We  were  greatly  sur- 
prised to  hear  of  his  death,  not  having  even  heard  of  his  being  ill.  His 
death  takes  from  this  world  another  of  my  old  fellow  travelers  in  this 
pilgrimage,  whose  memory  is  associated  with  our  years  of  sojourn  in 
China  from  1839  to  1847.  I  have  watched  with  interest  Mr.  Bonney's 
ever  brightening  course,  in  which  he  gradually  worked  himself  up  to  a 
position  of  great  influence  and  usefulness  among  the  Chinese.     His  amia- 


414  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

bility  of  disposition,  his  apparently  imperturbable  equanimity,  bis  per- 
severance under  all  difficulties,  his  hopefulness,  and  benevolence,  could 
not  fail  to  impress  all  who  knew  him.  I  think  I  have  rarely  known  a 
man  in  whom  these  traits  were  more  observable.  They  may  have  been 
and  probably  were  constitutional  qualities  with  him,  but  they  were  not 
the  less  improvable  and  improved  by  divine  grace.  His  consistent  and 
simple  faith  in  Jesus  made  him  after  all,  the  man  that  he  was,  a  man  to 
be  beloved  in  life,  and  whose  memory  will  be  cherished  now  that  he  has 
gone  to  his  rest.  Since  his  death,  my  old  friend  Bishop  Boone  has  also 
sweetly  slept  in  Jesus.  He  was  another  whom  I  loved  and  admired  and 
whose  friendship  has  cheered  and  comforted  me  and  mine  for  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century. 

"  So  friend  after  friend  departs 

Who  hath  not  lost  a  friend  ?  " 

To  you  more  than  any  one  else,  Mr.  Bonney's  death  is  a  grief,  no  doubt, 
hard  to  be  borne.  But  you  know  that  God  has  graciously  called  himself 
"  the  God  of  the  widoxo,  and  the  fatherless."  By  what  endearing,  pre- 
cious names  does  our  Father  designate  himself  when  he  seeks  to  win  our 
hearts,  and  gain  our  entire  trust !  I  doubt  not  your  heart  reverts  to  Him, 
for  solace,  and  comfort  in  your  lonely  life.  To  Him  we  commend  you  in 
our  prayers.  I  hope,  if  it  be  God's  will,  you  may  be  able  to  keep  your 
school  at  Canton,  and  I  am  disposed  to  think  you  will. 

Mr.  Pruyn  told  me  a  day  or  two  ago,  that  he  had  written  to  Messrs. 
Russell  &  Co.,  to  advance  you  what  funds  you  might  need  in  any  emer- 
gency. Then  if  there  should  on  account  of  required  formalities  be  any 
difficulty  about  getting  your  support  and  as  Mr.  Bonney  was  Treasurer  of 
the  Mission,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  his  signature  should  be  necessary 
to  a  Draft,  or  Bill  of  Exchange,  and  you  should  thereby  be  embarrassed, 
Mr.  Pruyn's  provision  will  relieve  the  embarrassment.  I  have  found  Mr. 
Pruyn.  a  true  Christian  friend,  and  fellow  helper  to  the  cause  of  Christ 
here.  I  think  his  position  in  our  little  Church  and  the  responsibility  it 
devolves  on  him,  have  been  the  means  of  personal  benefit  to  himself  I 
regret  that  he  will  probably  leave  us  next  Spring,  perhaps  in  February. 
Prospects  brighten  very  much  in  this  country.  Please  remember  us  to 
all  our  Canton  friends.  We  ai'e  expecting  our  elder  son  Robert  Morrison 
here,  in  december  by  the  new  Japanese  gunboat  "  Fuzigama."  What  he 
will  do  on  his  arrival  is  as  yet  uncertaiji.  I  hope  he  will  make  a  man 
useful  in  our  cause  in  Japan.  Mrs.  Brown  joins  me  in  the  kindest 
sympathies  with  you  in  your  affliction.  We  are  now  most  comfortably 
settled  in  our  new  house  and  as  it  is  our  own  we  are  likely  to  keep  it  and 
remain  stationary.     Yours  in  the  bonds  of  Christ,  S.  R.  Brown. 

R&o.  Eufus  Anderson,  D.  D.,  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 
My  Dear  Madam,  Missionary  House,  Boston,  Oct.  24,  1864. 

Your  letter  of  Augt.  10th,  giving  us  the  painful  tidings  of  your  dear 
husband's  'death,  was  received  a  few  days  since.  A  previous  letter  from 
Mr.  Vrooman  had  awakened  our  apprehension  of  this  result,  but  while 
there  is  life  there  is  hope.  I  enter  into  your  feeling  of  bereavement  and 
sorrow,  as  far  as  one  can  do  it,  who  has  not  been  called  to  pass  through 
the  like  affliction,  but  I  am  persuaded  it  is  a  bereavement  which  one  must 
need  experience,  in  order  to  realize  its  nature  fully.  Lover  and  friend 
the  Lord  has  been  pleased  to  put  far  from  you.     This  is  only  saying,  that 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  415 

lie  has  admitted  him  into  his  own  blissful  presence,  and  you  would  deem 
it  a  cruelty  to  call  him  back.  Blessed  change  to  the  departed  sainc, 
though  an  occasion  of  sorrow  to  those  who  survive.  And  the  LoriJ  hath 
done  it,  blessed  be  his  name.  He  says  to  you,  "What  I  have  done  thou 
knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter."  Our  divine  Lord  as- 
sumes to  you  now  a  new  relation,  a  "widow's  God  and  Judge."  Our 
spiritual  consolations  are  often  in  proportion  to  the  absence  of  our  creature 
comforts.  God  careth  for  his  people,  and  will  not  leave  them  comfort- 
less. And  you  may  expect  much  in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  your  de- 
parted husband  while  he  was  yet  with  you.  The  annual  appropriations 
are  to  be  made  out  within  a  fortnight,  and  then  I  can  tell  you  definitely 
what  will  be  allowed  to  enable  you  to  continue  your  school.  I  know  of  no 
reason  why  your  wish  to  continue  in  the  field  should  not  be  gratified.  You 
will  hear  from  me  again  when  I  write  on  the  appropriations  for  1865.  Mrs. 
Anderson  desires  me  to  assure  you  of  her  deep  sympathy  in  vietf  of  your 
great  afiliction.  You,  and  also  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vrooman,  deprived  of  their  only 
son,  and  now  of  this  beloved  brother,  have  the  sympathy  of  us  all.  I  shall 
write  Mr.  Vrooman  as  soon  as  the  appropriations  are  arranged. 
Meanwhile  I  am,  dear  Madam, 

as  ever,  respectfully  and  very  truly  yours, 

R.  Anderson, 
For"  Secy  of  the  Board. 

I  had  a  letter  a  short  time  since  from  Robert  H.  Pruyn,  our  United 
States  Minister  in  Japan,  saying  that  perhaps  our  remittances  might  be 
withheld  on  account  of  the  American  war,  or  if  I  wished  to  go  home,  to 
draw  upon  him  for  any  amount  needed  ;  that  he  had  directed  Messrs.  Rus- 
sell &  Co.  to  pay  any  demand  I  might  make  upon  them.  I  received  also 
a  letter  from  Mr.  Delano,  head  partner  of  Messrs.  Russell  &  Co.,  notifying 
me,  they  were  ready  to  accede  to  Mr.  Pruyn's  request,  and  would  furnish 
me  with  any  sum  desired.  Now,  this  I  call  truly  noble  and  kind  in  our 
worthy  minister  to  an  old  friend  and  his  countrywoman.  It  is  only  what 
you  might  expect  from  his  kind  Christian  heart,  but,  which  will  not  be 
overlooked  by  the  Heavenly  Eye  ;  he  will  be  richly  blest  in  financial  voca- 
tion and  climb  still  higher  on  the  ladder  of  fame.  Our  remittances,  how- 
ever, have  not  failed  thus  far,  and  duty  bids  me  remain  at  my  post, 
therefore  I  have  gratefully  declined  his  offer  of  assistance.  I  love  my 
mission  work  and  must  stay  while  God  gives  me  strength. 

Rev.  Samuel  W.  Fisher,  D.D.,  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 
My  dear  Cousin,  Hamilton  College,  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  26,  1865. 
■  As  soon  as  the  sad  news  reached  us  of  your  great  loss,  I  designed  to 
write  you,  but  one  thing  after  another  led  me  to  defer  it.  Meanwhile  the 
sickness  and  death  of  a  very  dear  Sister  of  Mrs.  Fisher  —  Mrs.  Armstrong 
of  Newark,  N.  J. —  occurred,  occupying  our  thoughts  and  causing  us  to 
visit  New  Jersey  twice.  To  day  as  my  eye  fell  on  Samuel's  and  your 
likeness  amidst  your  group  of  scholars  as  it  hangs  in  our  parlor,  reminded 
me,  that  I  had  not  yet  fulfilled  my  cherished  purpose.  Samuel  and  my- 
self were  intimate  as  boys.  We  roomed  and  slept  together  at  his  father's 
in  New  Canaan  where  I  was  fitting  for  College.  He  was  then  very  re- 
tiring, but  an  uncommonly  good  scholar.  I  was  more  bold  and  decided, 
and  early  made  up  my  mind  to  professional  life.  Neither  of  us  were  then 
pious,  and  he  felt  that  he  had  not  the  confidence  to  be  a  lawyer,  the  piety 


416  Legacy  of  Histokical  Gleanings. 

for  a  minister,  or  the  liking  for  a  physician's  life.  He  concluded  that 
his  only  path  was  that  of  business.  In  vain  I  argued  with  him,  that 
if  he* once  possessed  a  thorough  collegiate  education,  he  would  be  better 
prepared  to  decide  upon  his  future.  But  God  was  leading  him  in  a 
way  he  knew  not.  and  preparing  him  to  do  a  peculiar  work  for  him. 
It  was  to  me  a  matter  of  great  joy  when  years  after  I  heard  of  his  con- 
version and  his  preparation  for  the  University.  Our  friendship  was  never 
interrupted  for  an  hour  — knowing  his  real  worth  I  was  sure  he  would  be 
useful  wherever  God  should  call  him  to  labor  for  Jesus.  His  short  resi- 
dence at  Cincinnati  after  his  return,  was  a  great  gratification  to  us,  and 
your  marriage,  knowing  you  both  so  well,  was  a  source  of  much  joy.  My 
father,  left  an  orphan  by  the  death  of  my  grandfather  in  the  War  of  the 
Revolution,  was  an  inmate  of  his  grandfather  Ware's  house  until  he  en- 
tered college  at  eighteen  years  of  age.  I  bear  that  grandfather's  name. 
Although  we  had  been  Separated  widely  for  years,  yet  the  old  feeling  al- 
ways remained.  I  had  anticipated  for  him  another  score  of  years  for 
labor  in  China.  His  death  fell  sadly  upon  us.  But  there  was  no  sadness 
in  it  for  him.  His  toil  is  past,  his  crown  is  won,  the  immortal  wreath  is 
all  his  own.  I  seem  to  hear  the  chant  begun  of  joy  amid  the  eternal 
throne.  But  to  you  my  dear  Cousin,  there  are  precious  memories  ming- 
ling with  your  sadness  and  relieving  yet  enhancing  your  loneliness./ 
Surely  our  Saviour  will  not  forsake  you ;  now  you  will  be  able  to  realize 
the  comfort  of  some  promises  that  heretofore  have  been  only  matters  of 
imagination.  To  be  associated  with  such  a  saint  and  noble  Christian  life 
in  such  intimate  communion  for  years,  is  surely  in  itself  a  privilege  greater 
than  the  vain  possessor  of  worldly  ease  and  luxury  ever  knew.  In  your 
heart  there  will  remain  the  vacant  place  filled  with  the  dear  image ;  but 
with  this  Christ  will  come,  I  doubt  not,  has  already  come  to  give  you  the 
full  experience  of  his  love.  We  know  not  the  future,  just  when,  just 
where,  just  how  the  loved  ones  may  leave  us  ;  another,  who  loves  them 
deeply,  must  determine.  But  if  they  are  his,  then  while  we  know  all  is 
well,  we  can  anticipate  with  profound  joy  a  future  re-union  with  them  in 
a  world  where  all  tears  shall  be  wiped  from  their  eyes  and  from  ours. 
Cousin  Lucy  sent  us  for  perusal  your  deeply  interesting  letters  written 
after  his  death. 

My  dear  wife  feels  for  you  and  our  prayer  for  you  has  been  that  while 
far  away  from  so  many  of  your  friends  and  your  early  home,  you  might 
be  sustained  by  the  smiles  of  Jesus  and  the  presence  of  the  Comforter. 
She  says  she  will  shortly  write  you  herself. 

This  evening,  in  taking  up  the  Evening  Journal  (Albany),  I  am  pained 
to  see  a  notice  of  the  sudden  death  of  my  Cousin  Dr.  Mason  F.  Cogswell, 
whom  you  probably  remember.  Thus  star  by  star  declines ;  and  soon  we 
shall  have  joined  the  great  army  that  has  passed  from  the  church  militant 
to  the  chiirch  triumphant.  That  God  will  keep  and  bless  you  is  my  earnest 
prayer.  If  you  can  find  the  time  to  write  me  a  line  I  shall  be  rejoiced  to 
receive  it.     Mrs.  Fisher  joins  with  me  in  love  and  sympathy. 

Your  aflfec.  Cousin, 

Samuel  W.  Fisher. 

[Rev.  Samuel  W.  Fisher,  D.D.,  suddenly  passed  away  on  Sunday  Jan- 
uary 18,  1874.  His  death  was  the  result  of  apoplexy.  .  It  occurred  at 
his  residence  on  College  Hill,  Ohio.  A  memorial  service  was  held  in 
Hamilton  College  chapel,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  commemorative  of 


Legacy  op  HtsTORicAL  Gleanings,  417 

the  late  Dr.  Fisher,  who  was  President  of  that  institution  from  1855  to 
1866.  In  May,  1870,  his  excessive  labors  caused  a  prostration  from  which 
he  never  fully  recovered  the  shock  to  his  system.] 

Consul  Perry  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Bonney,      ,  Canton,  March  6th,  65. 

I  am  sure  you  will  be  pleased  to  receive  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  dispatch 
from  the  State  Department,  received  by  the  last  mail.  It  is  a  just  tribute 
to  a  true  and  worthy  servant.  Yours  most  truly, 

Oliver  H.  Perry. 

No.  36,  Department  of  State,  Washington  November  26,  1864. 

O.  H.  Perry  Esq.,  U.  S.  Consul,  Canton. 

Sir  :  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  dispatch  No.  6,  dated 
August  2d,  1864,  making  known  the  death  of  Mr.  S.  W.  Bonney,  Inter- 
preter to  the  Consulate. 

Mr.  Bonney  was  a  faithful,  capable  and  experienced  officer,  and  the 
Department  sincerely  regret  his  loss. 

I  am  Sir,  Your  obedient  servant, 
(Sg'')         F.  W.  Seward,  Assistant  Secretary. 

Mr.  Oliver  H.  Perry,  a  son  of  Commodore  M.  C.  Perry,  United  States 
Navy,  accompanied   his  father,  as   Secretary  in   the  Expedition  to  Japan 
,  and  the  China  Seas  in  1852,  1853  and  1854.     He  was  U.  S.  Consul  in 
Canton,  and  died  in  New  York. 

Last  Sabbath  afternoon,  March  12,  1865,  the  Chinese  lady  teacher 
who  has  been  with  me  nearly  eight  years,  and  four  of  my  older  scholars  ^ 

were  baptized  by  Rev.   Mr.  Vrooman.      My  parlor  was  full,  many  of  the  # 

Chinese  Christians  being  present  and  greatly  interested.  After  the  bap- 
tism we  gratefully  partook  of  the  Lord's  supper.  One  of  the  beautiful  ^ 
hymns  sung  to  Chinese  words  was,  "  Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea." 
The  weeping  eye  and  trembling  voice  told  of  deep  emotion.  God  was 
with  us  in  that  upper  room,  and  we  had  a  happy  meeting.  My  own 
heart  was  full  of  joy  and  gratitude  that  I  had  been  instrumental  in  leading 
them  to  Jesus,  In  May  we  had  many  deaths  by  cholera,  four  of  my  pu- 
pila  were  ill ;  one  bright  girl  of  thirteen  years  died  after  only  twelve  hours 
sickness.  She  was  at  prayers  one  evening  and  sung  the  concluding  hymn 
of ''  Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep,"  also  playing  in  the  front  yard,  but  the 
next  night  before  prayer  time  she  was  in  her  grave.  Those  were  sad, 
trying  scenes.  Then  the  reverse  side  of  the  picture  was  a  great  display 
of  much  gay  bunting  on  the  steamer  that  brought  up  the  news  of  the  taking 
of  Richmond,  the  flags  were  all  hoisted  and  the  vessel  beautifully  fes- 
tooned. We  missionaries  are  very  patriotic  and  trust  God  will  protect  our 
country ;  those  who  were  the  fortunate  owners  of  the  "  star-spangled  ban- 
ners" set  them  floating  in  the  breeze  from  the  verandas  at  their  residences. 
In  the  midst  of  all  our  rejoicing  a  sad  sight  came  under  our  observation, 
for  sixteen  ferocious  Pirates  were  carried  in  separate  cages,  past  our  house, 
to  the  execution  ground  and  beheaded ;  each  cage  was  carried  by  two  men 
with  poles. 

Accepting  the  kind  invitation  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  in  company 
with  Emma  I  -left  my  little  flock  of  forty  souls  at  Canton  June  7,  1865, 
for  a  visit  to  Pekin.   A  free  passage  for  both  ways  had  been  offered  me  by 

II]  53 


418  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

the  kind  Christian  and  philanthropic  Capt.  Quirk  of  the  English    steamer 
"  Gerard." 

While  in  Shanghai  under  the  hospitable  roof  of  Mr.  Tyson,  of  Messrs. 
Russell  &  Co.,  came  the  fearful  and  heavy  tidings  of  the  assassination  of 
President  Lincoln  and  cruel  butchery  of  Secretary  Seward  on  April  14th, 
our  hearts  are  bowed  down,  but  God  lives  and  can  guard  our  beloved 
country  even  in  this  strait. 

After  passing  the  lofty  promontory  of  Shantung  in  the  Gulf  of  Pechelee, 
the  easternmost  point  of  China,  we  soon  arrived  at  Chefoo.  Rev.  Alex. 
Williamson  came  on  board  and  escorted  us  to  his  house  ;  we  were  carried 
through  the  surf  to  the  shore  by  coolies.  Rev.  Mr.  Williamson  mounted 
on  the  back  of  one  coolie  for  his  ride,  but  being  a  much  larger  man  than 
his  bearer  I  expected  to  see  both  topple  over.  Two  of  the  boatmen  made 
a  chair  of  their  hands  as  I  directed,  and  safely  bore  me  to  the  land  where 
I  found  Emma  and  our  friends.  Mrs.  James  Williamson  was  on  a  visit 
at  Chefoo  and  now  returned  with  us  to  Tientsin.  The  place  where  the 
storming  party  landed  in  May  1858,  at  the  Taku  Forts  was  pointed  out ; 
we  found  quite  a  large  village  here  at  the  mouth  of  a  turbid  stream  —  the 
Peiho  river  which  is  not  wide  but  has  many  circuitous  turns.  The  en- 
gine was  frequently  stopped  while  the  steamer  was  turned  round  the  abrupt 
curves  by  ropes  fastened  to  stakes.  During  my  stay  in  Tientsin  I  was  the 
guest  of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  James  Williamson.  Leaving  Tientsin  Tuesday 
July  4,  at  6  a.m.,  Emma  with  me  in  one  cart,  and  the  Chinese  preacher 
as  my  escort  in  his  own  —  we  started  on  a  novel  ride;  shake,  shake! 
thump,  thump  !  till  I  certainly  feared  every  bone  in  my  body  would  be 
out  of  place  and  my  head  mashed  to  a  jelly.  It  was  a  new  experience, 
sleeping  at  Chinese  inns,  but  a  positive  relief  to  stretch  my  weary,  bruised 
limbs  on  the  stone  "  kang."  We  were  called  at  3  A.M.,  and  rode  on  in  a 
hard  rain,  much  water  on  the  road,  and  deep  ruts  which  frequently  came 
near  landing  us  over  into  a  bed  of  mud.  It  was  slow  going,  and  a  heavy 
thunder  storm  compelled  us  to  stop  for  a  second  night.  There  is  a  cer- 
tain peculiarity  about  this  mode  of  traveling,  when  the  roads  are  in  a 
proper  condition  after  hard  rains,  that  each  tourist  must  test  for  himself, 
in  order  to  appreciate  fully,  when  he  will  be  convinced  not  the  half  was 
told.  The  patient  horse  next  to  the  singular  "  band-box  cart,"  and  the 
donkey,  tandem-style,  with  its  laughable  antics  greatly  amused  Emma. 
The  heavy  rains  during  the  night  had  not  improved  the  road  for  the  better, 
and  now  the  ruts  were  two  feet  deep  ;  down  we  would  go  to  the  hub  of 
wheel,  till  more  than  once  we  came  very  near  a  capsize  into  the  bed  of 
liquid  mud.  There  are  no  roads  in  China  and  our  cautious  creeping 
through  marshy  fields  was  a  thing  to  be  remembered.  The  carter,  in  the 
morning,  had  urged  me  not  to  proceed,  but  that  I  would  not  for  a  moment 
consider  ;  anything  was  preferable  to  remaining  a  third  consecutive  night 
in  those  native  inns,  lam  the^iys^  foreign  lady  that  has  come  all  the  way 
hy  cart  from  Tientsin  ;  travelers  generally  go  by  water  to  Tungchow,  thir- 
teen miles  from  the  capital. 

Thursday  6th,  at  10  A.M.,  after  passing  by  a  bridge  of  stone  over  a  deep 
ditch,  we  finally  arrived  to  the  heavy  massive  wall  fifty  feet  high  and  came 
to  Peking  which  is  four  sided  and  faces  the  four  points  of  compass.  After 
being  delayed  half  an  hour  at  the  arch  way  of  the  outer  gate  with  inspec- 
tion of  Passport  we  were  permitted  to  enter  into  the  courtyard,  inside  the 
"  semicircular  bastion  having  a  huge  square  tower  of  several  stories,  pierced 
with  four  rows  of  loop-holes  one  over  the  other,  and  twelve  in  each  row 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  419 

and  surmounted  by  that  peculiar  pagoda-like  roof  which  the  willow-pattern 
plate  has  made  us  all  familiar.  Here  was  a  secoud  archway  in  the  city 
wall  facing  the  tower  and  this  gate  is  also  surmounted  by  a  tower  similar 
to  the  first."  We  were  required  to  pr^ent  our  Passport  three  separate 
times  :  at  the  outer  wall,  inner  wall  and  inside  the  city,  after  which  we 
proceeded  to  Kev.  W,  H.  Collins  of  "  English  Church  Missionary  Society" 
through  a  broad  street  running  north  and  south ;  the  smaller  streets  along 
the  foot  of  the  wall  are  at  right  angles  to  it.  We  walked  on  the  city  walls 
which  are  fifty-five  feet  thick  at  top,  and  battlemented  with  embrasures, 
having  square  bastions  at  intervals. 

The  first  evening  of  our  arrival  we  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  Rev, 
William  G.  Burns  of  the  "  English  Presbyterian  Mission  "  conduct  the 
union  mission  meeting.  He  wore  the  "  full  Chinese  blue  dress  and  tail," 
he  was  both  a  distinguished  scholar  and  earnest  missionary.  Mr.  Burns 
was  born  in  Scotland  April  1,  1815,  arrived  in  China  November,  1847, 
and  left  x\moy  for  Peking  1863.  He  had  many  thrilling  adventures  to 
face  during  his  inland  itinerary  life.  On  one  occasion  he  proceeded  west- 
ward beyond  the  range  of  his  first  labors,  without  any  clear  indication  of 
the  Master's  will.  At  night  he  had  lain  long  awake  in  anxious  and  pen- 
sive questionings  when  he  became  suddenly  aware  of  the  presence  of 
robbers  in  his  chamber.  With  great  presence  of  mind  he  sat  up  in  bed 
as  two  of  the  muffled  figures  approached  with  stealthy  step  and  blackened 
faces  to  his  bed  side  and  stood  over  him  with  naked  swords  held  to  his 
breast.  "  Do  no  violence,  my  friends,"  he  said  calmly,  "  and  you  shall 
have  all  my  things."  "  His  pleading  for  the  Bible  of  his  Mother  was  not 
in  vain,  but  the  thieves  broke  open  bis  trunk,  and  in  his  presence  helped 
themselves  to  books,  clothes  and  money  as  they  pleased.  One  fellow  had 
his  hone,  and  being  puzzled  to  know  its  use,  brought  it  to  Mr.  Burns  to 
learn  what  it  was  fit  for,  and  was  patiently  taught  the  mode  of  sharpening 
a  razor  or  knife  on  it.  When  his  landlord  came  in  to  condole  with  his 
guest  on  his  loss,  '  Poor  fellows,'  said  he,  '  let  us  pray  for  them,'  but  he 
was  obliged  to  remain  patiently  in  bed,  on  the  mainland  opposite  Hong 
Kong,  until  the  return  of  a  messenger  he  had  dispatched  to  his  friends  in 
the  English  colony,  supplied  him  with  the  necessary  articles  for  appear- 
ing in  the  street  in  an  appropriate  garb.  In  August,  1856,  he  was  seized 
by  the  Imperialists  and  brought  to  Canton  over  four  hundred  miles  from 
near  Swatow  in  the  capacity  of  a  criminal ;  his  situation  was  trying,  but  on 
his  arrival  at  the  Provincial  city  he  was  speedily  released  from  his  truly 
unpleasant  vile  durance.  Two  Chinese  Christian  colporteurs  arrested  at 
the  time  were  subsequently  liberated  and  returned  to  Hong  Kong.  The 
Pilgrim's  Progress  was  translated  into  Chinese  by  Mr.  Burns  and 
printed  on  smooth  yellow  paper  manufactured  from  rice  straw.  It  is  not 
printed  with  types,  but  each  page  is  engraved  on  wooden  blocks,  which 
form  a  cheap  and  convenient  stereotype.  On  account  of  the  mass  of  popu- 
lation in  China,  the  wages  are  extremely  low,  and  this  is  evidenced  by  the 
price  of  the  book,  which  costs  about  four  pence  per  copy.  It  is  embel- 
lished by  a  number  of  illustrations  remarkably  well  executed.  A  young 
Dutch  gentleman  entered  the  sitting-room  of  a  friend  in  Hongkong  and  saw 
one  in  Chinese  garb,  and  really  marveled  what  Chinese  could  be  reading 
The  London  Times.  It  turned  out  to  be  the  missionary  W.  C.  Burns. 
Soon  after,  he  went  to  hear  Mr.  B.  preach,  and  never  could  forget  the 
expression  he  used  in  preaching,  '  My  dear  fellow  sinners  !  '  and  it  resulted 
in   his   conversion.      Mr.   Burns  was  one  of  the  most   remarkable  mis- 


420  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

sionaries  of  modern   times,  a  man  of  truly  apostolic  spirit.     He  liad  a 
wonderful  facility  in  acquiring  languages  and  dialects,  and  he   has  sown 
seed  probably  in  many  districts  tbrough  which  he  traveled,  the  springing 
up  of  which  to  life   will  be  heard  of  in  after  days.     [Since  my  pleasant 
visit,  Mr.  Burns  has  passed  away  from  his  labors.     He  died  at  the  Port  of 
Nieu-chwang  April  4,  1868,  worn  out  by  privation  and  persevering  toil."] 
On  Saturday,  passing  through   clouds  of  black  dust  in  the  streets,  we 
rode  fourteen  miles  north-west  of  Pekin  in  a  cart,  over   very  stony  roads, 
meeting  eighty-five  shagged  camels   loaded  with  bags  of  coal  from   the 
mines — up  rocky  hills   to  the  "  Tremont  Temple"   occupied  by  Dr.  S. 
Wells  Williams  dicing  the  summer  months.     Here  I  found   Mrs.  Bridg- 
man,  who  with  myself  were  the  welcome  guests;  we  daily  had  delightful 
rides  on  horseback  enjoying  the  country  scenes  'and  soon  feeling  the  re- 
cuperative influence  of  the  trip.     Other  temples  near  us  were  occupied  by 
missionaries  ;  the  Russian  and  French  Legations  also   have  fine  temples. 
They  are  very  fortunate  in  having  the  mules  and  ponies  of  northern  China 
to  climb  these  tortuous  paths  for  no  English  horse  could  surmount  all  the 
difficulties   to  be   encountered  here.     These  animals  are  fed  on  chopped 
straw  and  bran  yet  they  will  on  a  journey,  tire  out  the   stoutest  avei'age 
English  horse,  and  after  an  hour  or  two's  rest  set  to  work  again  as  if  only 
that  moment  fresh   from  his  own   stable.     The  ponies  and  mules  of  the 
northern  Chinese  are  shod  with  a  sort  of  rude  imitation  of  the  European 
horse-shoe.     The  frog  is  not  cut  away,  but  allowed  to  vest  on  the  ground. 
Owing   possibly  to   this   practice,  it  is  difficult  to   meet  with  an  animal 
whose  hoofs  are  perfectly  sound.     The  farriers  generally  find  it  necessary 
to  tie  them  up  in  a  shoeing  frame  to  shoe  them,  as  they  kick  most  vigor- 
ously if  their  legs  are  free  while  undergoing  the   operation.     Beyond  the 
Tremont  Temple  the  road  is  impracticable  for  any  wheeled  vehicle,  all  the 
necessary  stores  have  to  be  taken  up  on  the  back  of  the  patient  mules,  for 
this  part  of  the  world  is   entirely  destitute  of  the  ordinary  traveling  ap- 
pliances of  civilized  countries,  which  would  be  most  acceptable  here.     Dr. 
Williams  is  laboring  with  indefatigable  industry  on  his  valuable  Dictionary 
of  the  Chinese.  Language,  he   and  others  of  the  permanent  residents  are 
fortunate  to  be  able  to  secure   such  delightful  places  of  resort  during  the 
hot  weather,  with  spacious  and  beautiful  courts  containing  lofty  trees,  rare 
flowers  and  fish  ponds.     On  Sabbath  evening  the  foreigners  assemble  for 
religious  worship  at   the   residence  of  Dr.  Williams.     These  hills  seem 
covered  with   temples,  and   the  reverend  fathers  are  only  too  willing   to 
vacate  a  few  for  money.     In   one   part  of  the    "  Tremont  Temple  "   the 
priests  daily  put  fresh  incense  sticks,  in  the  jar  before  the  gods,  and  strike 
a  few  times  on  the  gong  each  afternoon,  beyond  this  no  further  annoyance 
is  given  to  the  tenants.     A  short  distance  further  up  the  steep  acclivity 
is  a  large   Imperial  temple   300   years   old  of  eight  buildings,  each  two 
stories  with  roofs  of  yellow  tiles;  each  temple   has  spacious  courtyards 
attached  to  it.     One  of  the  former  Emperors  (Keinlung)  repaired  to  this 
fine  sequestered  situation,  during  the  summer  months,  it  was  greatly  en- 
riched by  his  giving  grants  of  land,  and  constantly  repairing  the  premises. 
The  stately  trees  are   particularly   beautiful ;  and   an   inviting  aspect  is 
given  to  the  premises  by  the  many  glazed  porcelain   pots  of  rare  plants 
distributed  ai'ound.     Each   temple  in   the  extensive  inclosures  is   higher 
than  the  other  on   terraced  platforms.     Nine  gods  were  on  either  side  of 
the  room,  with  three  immense  images  glittering  with  tinsel  in  the  centre, 
each  seated  cross-legged  on  a  lotus  leaf.     A  fine  view  of  Peking  is  had 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  421 

from  this  elevated  site.  At  a  temple  below  Dr.  Williams,  we  saw  three 
very  large  and  lofty  pine  trees  from  300  to  500  years  old ;  at  a  little  dis- 
tance the  bark  had  the  appearance  of  being  covered  with  many  thick  coat- 
ings of  white-wash.  Snakes  flourish  in  safety  on  these  hills,  for  the  priests 
do  not  like  to  have  them  destroyed.  There  were  quantities  of  grand  old 
trees  loaded  with  mammoth  nuts  —  a  great  extent  of  Althea  shrubbery, 
and  the  exquisite  Crimp  myrtle  in  full  bloom  with  its  copious  racemes  of 
bright  pink  flowers.  The  water  melons  of  bright  yellow  pulp  are  very 
juicy  and  delicious,  they  ai'e  diSerent  from  the  Canton  melons  which  have 
red  and  white  pulps. 

August  3d,  in  company  with  Rev.  Mr.  Blodget,  we  returned  by  boat 
from  Tung  Chow  to  Tientsin,  staying  at  the  mission  premises  in  the  native 
city  with  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Chapin.  The  spot  was  pointed  out,  on  our  way 
down,  where  Rev.  William  Aitchison,  reclining  in  his  palanquin,  "  closed 
his  eyes  in  death  "  near  the  town  of  Pehtang,  not  far  from  the  banks  of 
the  Peiho,  August  15,  1859.  The  warm  weather  did  not  permit  his  re- 
mains being  taken  to  Shanghai,  they  were  obliged  to  lower  his  strong 
Chinese  coffin  into  the  unfolding  waves  of  the  Gulf  of  Pichili,  a  part  of 
the  China  Sea,  there  to  rest  until  the  sea  shall  give  up  its  dead.  On  our 
arrival  at  Tientsin  we  were  pleased  to  welcome  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Chauncey 
Goodrich  who  had  just  arrived  fr'om  America  en  route  to  the  imperial  cap- 
ital. We  had  a  charming  pic-nic  excursion  up  the  "  grand  canal" 
which  joins  the  Peiho  at  Tientsin,  and  is  navigable  for  many  miles  beyond 
the  southern  limits  of  this  province.  Centuries  have  elapsed  since  this 
great  work  was  completed  and  it  is  still  in  good  working  order  throughout 
its  whole  extent.  Excessive  steepness  characterizes  most  of  the  bridges 
over  this  great  canal,  they  are  also  very  narrow.  Our  pleasant  sail  was 
continued  seven  or  eight  miles  to  a  fine  roomy  temple  where  we  took  our 
refreshments  under  the  shady  foliage  in  the  spacious  court.  [Rev.  and 
Mrs.  James  Williamson  were  part  of  our  happy  party,  how  little  we  real- 
ized that  in  this  same  Grand  Canal,  Mr.  Williamson  would  subsequently 
lose  his  life  through  Chinese  violence.]  We  went  to  the  Tientsin  ceme- 
tery, it  seemed  full  of  graves,  all  were  foreigners,  many  of  them  soldiers 
who  were  killed  in  the  battles  at  Taku.  Not  one  blade  of  grass  or  fragrant 
flower  was  to  be  seen,  each  narrow  mound  looked  as  though  it  had  been 
covered  with  mud  now  dried,  it  was  to  me  a  singular  and  melancholy  scene. 
There  is  too  much  niter  or  salt  peter  in  the  ground,  nothing  will  grow. 
The  soldiers  sunk  hogshead  and  barrels  with  good  rich  earth  at  little  dis- 
tances and  planted  trees,  though  only  a  few  of  them  lived  and  it  seemed 
a  barren  site.  Finding  the  steamer  would  not  sail  for  nearly  a  month, 
Emma  and  myself  returned  to  Peking  for  the  second  time.  Arrangements 
were  again  efl'ected  for  our  proceeding  the  whole  distance  by  carts,  with- 
out an  escort  which  I  decided  was  quite  unnecessary.  The  roads  were 
in  a  good  condition  so  that  we  were  detained  only  one  night  at  Chinese 
inns.  We  had  no  rain  but  plenty  of  dust.  Our  facetious  "  muleteer 
was  seated  in  the  front  of  the  cart  with  his  feet  dangling  down  almost  to 
the  ground,  busily  occupied  in  beating  his  team  or  shouting  at  them,  flour- 
ishing a  whip  with  a  handle  at  least  five  feet  long  and  a  lash  to  corres- 
pond." We  safely  arrived  just  before  nightfall  at  the  American  Mission 
premises  at "  Tung  Shee  Cow."  We  were  surprised  at  the  number  of 
temples,  "  in  each  street,  there  are  on  an  average  two  or  three  temples  or 
places  of  worship,  or  burning  incense  ;  about  one  hundred  of  these  temples 
have  female  priests  dressed  in  male  habiliments."      After  returning  to 


422  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Tientsin  with  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Stanley  we  visited  the  temple  about  two 
miles  from  the  settlement  where  the  treaty  with  China  was  finally  signed 
in  1860.  "  The  foreign  port  of  Tientsin  is  called  '  Tzuchulin  '  (red  bam- 
boo grove)  and  is  situated  about  tw^o  miles  below  the  walled  city  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  river ;  within  the  native  city  are  the  mission  premises 
of  the  American  Board."  There  is  a  plot  of  ground  set  apart  for  the  occu- 
pation of  subjects  of  the  United  States,  which  as  yet  is  unoccupied,  except 
by  the  primitive  mud  huts  of  its  original  inhabitants.  The  American 
mission,  however,  intend  to  erect  comfortable  houses  here  in  the  settlement. 

"  The  very  startling  theory  was  broached  the  other  day,  that  Christianity 
and  cholera  were  intimately  connected  together  in  the  relation  of  cause 
and  efi'ect.  They  showed  from  history  that  cholera  had  no  existence  in 
the  world  before  the  Christian  era  j  that  with  the  introduction  of  Chris- 
tianity into  any  quarter  of  the  globe,  came  cholera,  following  after  at  a 
decent  interval.  China  and  Japan  were  cited  as  cases  in  point.  Arguing 
a  priori^  it  was  asserted  that  the  miasma  arising  from  grave-yards  and 
burial  places  is  and  must  be  a  fruitful  source  of  disease,  and  especially  of 
disease  in  its  most  deadly  form,  cholera ;  that  the  practice  of  committing 
the  bodies  of  the  dead  to  their  mother  earth  is  essentially  a  Christian 
practice,  resulting  from  the  doctrine  of  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  which 
rendered  it  sacrilege  in  the  eyes  of  the  Church  to  burn  or  otherwise 
destroy  the  prison-house  of  the  soul,  as  was  the  custom  among  the  ancients; 
that  cholera  originated  therefore,  in  the  crowded  cemeteries  of  densely- 
populated  countries.  The  conclusion  drawn  from  the  premises  is  that  we 
should  return  to  the  ancient  practice  of  cremation,  because  the  soil  is 
already  rich  with  the  relics  of  many  generations." 

In  October  we  received  at  Canton  the  news  of  "  the  invasion  through 
the  Great  Wall,  of  a  band  of  armed  Manchurian  cavalry,  who  before  they 
were  driven  from  the  country,  ravaged  an  extensive  district  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Peking.  Several  oflScers  have  been  denounced  for  permitting  the 
post  at  the  Great  Wall  to  be  forced.  Gangs  of  robbers  prowl  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  capital  with  the  design  of  robbing  the  ancestral  tombs 
of  wealthy  families.  Several  magnificent  mausoleums  have  been  violated, 
the  coffins  broken  open,  the  ashes  of  the  dead  scattered  about,  and  the 
grave  clothes  and  rich  ornaments  and  buried  jewelry  carried  off.  Amongst 
the  tombs  which  have  been  thus  desecrated  is  that  of  a  princess,  aunt  of 
the  present  sovereign." 

Died.  At  Albany,  N.  Y.,  on  Wednesday  evening  December  6,  1865, 
Maria  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Richard  Van  Rensselaer.  She  was  the  sole 
survivor  of  four  lovely  children,  the  idolized,  petted  daughter  of  her  fond 
father. 

With  a  superior  education,  constitutionally  gay  and  happy,  hers  was  a 
reliable  character  ;  our  precious  one  was  an  humble  but  energetic  Christian 
engaged  in  many  benevolent  efforts  to  elevate  the  poor  and  degraded. 
She  attended  to  her  unobstrusive  round  of  engagements  with  a  brightness 
and  alacrity  which  gained  her  unnumbered  indulgent  friends.  Blessed 
with  wealth  and  surrounded  with  every  comfort  to  make  life  very  bright 
and  desirable,  with  all  the  choice  delights  of  social  intercourse  and  a 
singular  elasticity  of  spirit,  she  still  retained  a  simple  unsophisticated 
taste  for  the  daily  routine  of  home  duties.  Her  one  great  aim  was  to 
contribute  to  the  happiness  of  her  father,  and  most  tenderly  did  she  watch 
to  enhance  his  pleasure,  comfort  and  enjoyment.  His  interests  seemed  to 
constitute  the  whole  and  entire  happiness  of  her  earthly  being ;  any  thing 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  423 

inimical  to  his  welfare  could  not  tempt  that  faithful  daughter  to  desert 
her  post  of  duty.  It  was  a  beautiful  feature  of  her  lovely  character  —  that 
entire  singleness  of  devotion  to  her  afflicted  parent.  She  indeed  was  one 
of  the  "  loved  ones,"  and  to  my  partial  eye  a  beauteous  type  of  her  sainted 
mother.  How  mysterious  are  the  ways  of  God,  that  one  apparently  so 
much  needed,  so  well  qualified  for  every  emergency  in  social  life  ;  the  stay 
and  solace  of  tlie  stricken  heart  of  her  desolate  sire,  should  be  called  away 
leaving  his  home  quenched  of  light  and  joy.  This  to  me  is  a  great  per- 
sonal bereavement  but  we  stand  speechless,  palsied  before  an  awful  fact ! 
She  "  was  stricken  down  by  the  hand  of  God  in  the  morning  of  her  gayety  " 
and  usefulness;  the  hour  of  sickness  came,  her  sufi'erings  and  paroxysms 
of  pain  were  great,  but  she  was  prepared  to  die.  In  early  youth  she  had 
"  cast  herself  into  the  arms  of  rich  and  sovereign  mercy,  was  thoroughly 
imbued  with  firm  and  undoubtiug  Christian  principle,"  and  now  the  re- 
linquishment of  life  at  her  Saviour's  call  was  divested  of  all  anguish. 
She  was  perfectly  resigned,  a  child-like  submission,  and  with  unfettered 
wings  entered  into  the  enjoyment  of  an  unfading  Inheritance. 

In  1847  when  there  was  an  urgent  call  to  aid  destitute  Sabbath  Schools 
in  the  far  West,  a  "  Sewing  Society  "  was  formed  in  my  Sabbath  School 
Class  of  which  Maria  Elizabeth  was  a  promising  member.  It  soon  grew 
in  favor  and  other  classes  asked  to  join  our  little  circle,  till  finally  nearly 
all  the  school  wished  to  untite,  and  at  the  request  of  the  Principal  I  con- 
sented to  extend  the  charge  of  the  undertaking.  The  discipline  of  Miss 
Van  Rensselaer  in  life's  duties  had  commenced  at  that  early  period,  she 
knew  how  to  practice  self  denial  and  for  an  entire  year  she  labored  most 
faithfully,  patiently,  and  perseveringly  in  this  work  of  love.  If  at  any 
time  there  was  a  lack  of  funds,  she  ever  stood  ready  to  bridge  the  difficulty 
and  appropriated  nearly  all  her  "  pin  money  "  to  buy  necessary  articles. 
As  the  time  for  sale  of  the  goods  approached,  the  church  became  greatly 
interested,  extended  the  helping  hand  and  contributed  nearly  all  the  re- 
quired refreshments.  Bleecker  Hall,  with  lights  and  fuel,  was  also  do- 
nated for  three  successive  evenings.  The  Sunday  School  Agent  from 
Philadelphia  was  on  a  visit  at  Albany  and  present  on  the  occasion  with 
our  pastor  .Rev.  Duncan  Kennedy,  D.D.  The  undertaking  had  been 
blessed  of  God,  and  it  proved  a  great  success.  I  had  the  happiness  of 
paying  over  into  the  hands  of  the  Agent,  the  sum  of  seven  hundred 
dollars  from  the  Sabbath  School  of  the  North  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
for  the  benefit  of  the  needy  Sabbath  Schools  at  the  West,  being  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  "  Fair "  over  and  above  all  expenses.  The  Agent  was  so 
much  gratified  he  presented  to  Maria  Elizabeth  and  myself  each,  a  copy 
of  the  Wai/  of  Life  and  shortly  after  we  received  from  Philadelphia, 
Certificates  of  Life  Membership  of  the  "  American  Sunday  School  Union." 
Her  Sabbath  School  scholars,  the  Ragged  School,  the  sick,  the  poor,  all 
miss  her  gentle  ministrations  and  instructive  exercises,  for  she  was  par- 
ticularly zealous  in  the  mission  work.  We  would  desire  to  render  a  fitting 
tribute  to  one  so  worthy  but  we  can  "  only  let  the  curtain  hang  as  God 
hath  let  it  fall."     She  rests  from  her  earthly  labors. 

"  Bring  flowers,  pale  flowers,  o'er  the  bier  to  shed, 
A  crown  for  the  brow  of  the  early  dead  ! 
For  this  through  its  leaves  hath  the  white  rose  burst, 
For  this  in  the  woods  was  the  violet  nursed. 
Though  they  smile  in  vain  for  what  once  was  ours, 
They  are  love's  last  gift,  bring  ye  flowers,  pale  flowers  !  " 


.  424  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

"  The  usual  Thanksgiving  dinner,  for  the  children  of  the  '  Ragged 
School,'  together  with  the  Christmas  bags,  presented  by  the  Sabbath  School 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  have  made  glad  the  hearts  of  these  little 
ones,  whose  ordinary  life  is  so  full  of  privation  and  suffering.  And  while 
enumerating  the  blessings  of  the  year,  we  must  pause  to  offer  our  tribute 
of  sincere  praise  to  the  memory  of  one  among  our  friends,  Miss  M.  E.  Van 
Rensselaer,  who  has  gone  to  her  reward.  Her  self  denying  exertions, 
from  the  commencement  of  our  enterprise,  her  unflagging  energy  and  de- 
votion to  the  cause,  had  won  for  her  the  respect  and'  affection  of  all  con- 
nected with  it,  and  made  her  loss  deeply  felt;  but  we  sorrow  not  as  those 
without  hope,  knowing  that  our  loss  is  her  exceeding  gain." 

"  Four  of  the  girls  in  Mrs.  Bonney's  school  were  baptized  and  admitted 
to  the  church  in  January,  1866.  In  the  absence  of  Rev.  Mr  Vrooman, 
Rev.  J.  C.  .Nevin,  of  the  United  Presbyterian  mission,  administer  the 
ordinances  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper.  Mrs.  Bonney  has  forty-three 
pupils  in  the  school." 

"  On  March  27th,  Rev.  Dr.  Dyer  Ball  fell  sleep  in  Jesus  at  the  age 
of  nearly  seventy,  having  been  a  missionary  for  twenty-eight  years  ;  he  was 
an  excellent  man,  a  devoted  and  humble  Christian,  a  long-tried  and  faith- 
ful servant  of  the  American  Board  in  China.  He  has  soon  followed  his 
much  loved  daughter.  [Mrs.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Rev.  A.  P.  Happer,  D. 
D.,  who  died  at  Canton,  Dec.  29,  1865.]  Before  his  death  he  was  con- 
fined to  his  house,  and  mostly  to  his  bed,  for  about  four  months,  never 
complaining,  but  always  ready  to  greet  his  friends  with  a  cheerful  smile 
and  pleasant  conversation.  I  have  never  witnessed  anything  so  touchingly 
devoted  and  so  thoroughly  unostentatious  as  the  latter  labors  of  this  servant 
of  God.  During  the  last  seven  years,  the  old  man,  bowed  down  with  his  in- 
firmities and  leaning  upon  his  cane,  when  not  actually  confined  to  his  couch, 
would  slowly  work  his  way  down  stairs  and  totter  out  to  his  little  chapel, 
which  opened  on  the  street,  and  there,  seated  in  an  arm-chair,  would  dis- 
tribute tracts  and  address  a  few  words  of  exhortation  to  casual  passers-by, 
who  might  drop  in  to  look  upon  his  gray  hairs,  to  see  what  he  was  doing, 
or  to  hear  what  he  might  say ;  for  the  Chinese  venerate  old  age.  Not 
only  once,  but  often  twice  a  day,  might  he  be  found  there,  wit^  a  cheerful 
countenance,  working  according  to  his  strength.  It  was  a  sublime  spec- 
tacle of  Christian  love,  zeal  and  devotion." 

With  a  profound  feeling  of  sorrow  and  of  sympathy  we  received  intel- 
ligence of  the  sudden  death  of  an  Albanian,  Commander  Robert  Townsend 
of  the  U.  S.  Steamer  "  Wachusett."  He  died  at  Hankow  on  August  14, 
1.866,  from  exposure  to  the  sun  on  the  12th.  Our  venerated  and 
noble  friend  Dr.  William  Bay  has  also  fallen  at  his  post  at  the  age  of 
ninety-two  years. 

"  Aoot "  was  married  April  26th  at  Foochow  by  Rev.  S.  L.  Baldwin  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Mission  in  his  chapel.  He  writes  :  "  Her  hair 
was  done  up  in  Foochow  style  *  *  *  as  she  came  down  to  enter  the 
bridal-chair,  she  seemed  really  quite  pretty.  I  united  them  in  marriage 
in  presence  of  a  considerable  audience  of  foreigners  and  natives  at  my 
church.  At  the  close,  the  audience  sang  '  The  year  of  jubilee  has  come.' 
They  sat  down  to  a  repast  with  the  bride,  bridegroom  and  others.  After  this 
was  finished,  the  newly  married  pair  proceeded  to  their  residence  at  the  East 
Street  Church  in  the  city,  where  a  sumptuous  native  repast  was  in  course 
of  preparation  for  the  relatives  and  friends  of  the  bridegroom,  who  at- 
tended in  large  numbers,  they  are  all  delighted  with  Aoot."     It  was 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  425 

indeed  a  joyous  meeting  for  the  two  old  schoolmates,  Akeeue  and  Aoot,  as 
also  a  matter  of  sincere  rejoicing  to  me  that  two  of  my  first  pupils  are 
married  so  well  to  native  preachers.  God  has  been  very  good  to  me  and 
blessed  me  in  ray  school.  Oh  !  that  I  may  meet  all  my  girls  in  Heaven ; 
my  labor  here  for  them  is  nearly  finished.  I  feel  strong  at  heart  to  labor 
with  my  school  twenty  years  longer,  only  this  weak,  frail  body  says  no, 
and  so  I  go  on  preparing  to  return  to  the  United  States. 

Kev.  and  Mrs.  Vrooman  with  her  sister  will  sail  from  San  Francisco  for 
Canton  in  August,  so  I  will  see  them  again  at  work  before  I  leave.  I  am 
now  the  only  representative  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  Mission  in  this  field,  and 
could  not  think  of  leaving  till  after  their  return.  Our  force  is  infinitely 
small  but  I  have  a  grateful  remembrance  that  the  almost  impassable  bar- 
riers are  breaking  away.  "  In  all  cases,  even  when  unusually  burdened 
with  cares  and  sorrows,  it  is  in  the  quiet,  unassuming  ^ro.sec««<io?i  of  daily 
duty  by  which  we  best  fulfil  the  purpose,  to"  which  the  Almighty  has 
appointed  for  our  particular  sphere  as  long  as  He  shall  deem  our  instru- 
mentality useful,  and  we  must  persevere."  Anxious  hearts  are  strongly 
exercised  over  the  gloomy  tiding  lately  received  about  dear  Mrs.  Vrooman, 
how  can  we  bear  more  discipline  !  Rev.  D.  Vrooman  writes :  '•  She 
seems  to  be  sinking  rapidly  "  They  are  in  San  Francisco,  where  betook 
his  gentle  wife  hoping  with  her  genial  and  ardent  temperament  this  recrea- 
tian  might  work  a  favorable  turn  in  her  disease,  and  she  gain  new  strength 
for  coming  toil. 

Died.  At  Brooklyn,  California,  on  August  29,  1866,  Mrs.  Maria  W. 
Vrooman,  the  beloved  wife  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Vrooman,  of  Canton,  China, 
in  the  thirty-first  year  of  her  age.  Mrs.  Vrooman  was  a  cheerful  Christ- 
ian of  unclouded  faith,  she  loved  this  beautiful  world  as  she  delighted-  to 
call  it,  but  was  ready,  at  her  Father's  call,  to  stay,  or  go  to  what  she  was 
assured  was  a  more  beautiful  world  in  heaven,  implicitly  trusting  herself 
and  hers  to  an  unfailing  God.  She  was  educated  at  Oberlin,  Ohio,  and 
married  in  the  year  1858.  As  a  missionary  she  was  zealous  and  untiring 
in  her  labor  for  those  to  whose  salvation  she  had  devoted  her  entire  life. 
After  six  years  of  earnest  toiling,  her  health  began  to  fail.  Her  husband 
went  with  her  to  California  but  the  change  was  not  ultimately  beneficial. 
Her  sick  room  was  a  pleasant  place,  always  lighted  by  her  happy  smile. 
She  gave  the  care  of  China  back  to  God,  and  calmly  awaited  the  hour  of 
her  departure,  saying,  "  Into  thy  hand,  I  commit  my  spirit."  She  was 
conscious  to  the  last,  and  the  dark  valley  was  made  luminous  with  divine 
love  and  then  she  quietly  passed  on  her  journey.  Mrs.  Vrooman  will 
meet  her  children  gone  before  on  the  other  shore ;  she  leaves  behind  one. 
little  girl  called  after  me  and  baptized  by  Mr.  Bonney  at  the  missionary 
concert  in  Canton.  This  sad  loss  falls  heavily  on  our  mission  circle,  and 
more  hearts  are  crushed  as  the  shadow  creeps  over  the  hearth-stone  of 
another  stricken  home. 

The  'Missionary  Her  aid  o^  Boston  has  :  "  A  letter  from  Mrs.  Bonney  of 
Dec.  15,  1866,  announced  her  expectation  to  leave  Canton,  on  her  way  to 
the  United  States,  on  the  25th  of  that  month.  Reviewing  her  missionary 
life  of  ten  years  in  that  city,  she  states,  that  in  her  girl's  boarding  school, 
which  she  commenced  very  soon  after  her  arrival,  she  has  had  sixty-seven 
girls  under  her  care,  all  from  the  poorer  classes  of  the  Chinese.  Her 
native  teacher  and  twelve  of  the  pupils  have  been  baptized  and  admitted 
to  church  fellowship,  two  pupils  have  died,  one  was  dismissed  for  improper 

II]  54 


426  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

conduct,  and  four  have  become  the  wives  of  native  preachers.  Mrs. 
Bonney  closed  her  school  on  the  15th  of  October,  1866,  commending  the 
pupils,  and  especially  those  who  had  been  admitted  to  church  fellowship, 
to  the  care  of  the  English  Wesleyan  mission,  and  on  the  28th  of  December 
she  left  China,  on  her  return  to  the  United  States.  The  American  Board 
no  longer  has  a  Mission  at  Canton.  For  more  than  a  year  Mrs.  Bonney 
has  been  the  only  member  of  the  American  Board  in  this  field.  The 
Mission  was  established  by  Rev.  Dr.  E.  C.  Bridgman  in  1829,  and  for 
many  years  the  city  of  Canton  was  one  of  the  most  unpromising  fields  for 
missionary  labors,  arising  in  a  degree  from  the  turbulent  populace.  A 
Christian  church  was  formed  at  Canton  in  1835,  the  first  Protestant  one 
in  China,  and  the  work  is  now  carried  on  by  other  societies.  "  [We  are 
now  on  the  eve  of  departure  for  our  native  land,  but  grieve  to  leave  our 
adopted  country  —  yet  we  will  not  profane  God's  blessed  sunshine  with 
melancholy,  and  repining  over  the  vacancy  and  saddened  aspect  of  our 
blighted  home.  The  "  Mystery  of  Chastisement "  will  not  be  made  fully 
known  till  we  sing  the  "  song  of  the  Redeemed,"  therefore  placing  our 
hand  in  that  of  the  Holy  Comforter  we  will  strive  after  cheerfulness  and 
not  be  sorrow-stricken  with  life's  changes.] 


CHAPTE*R  XXI. 
Discontinuance  of  A.  B.  C.  F.  Mission  at  Canton. 

Messageries  Imperials  Steam-Ship  "  Donnai." 
Singapore,  January  5,  1867. 
The  sun  was  shedding  a  mellowed  softness  as  its  beams  fell  on  the  range 
of  terraced,  green  carpeted  hills  that  marks  the  quiet  nook  where  so  many 
"  loved  ones  "  of  our  missionary  circle  "  sleep  their  last  sleep  "  in  the 
Protestant  rural  Cemetery,  four  miles  from  the  city.  Then  it  was  our 
last  visit  was  made  to  the  sweet  seclusion  of  this  beautiful  retreat.  Ah  ! 
that  was  a  sad  "  breaking  up  "  with  the  sinking  feeling  of  a  bereaved,  bleed- 
ing heart  that  had  "  traveled  past  the  line  of  day,"  but  still  clung  to  the 
promise  "  Peace  I  give  you."  As  in  the  depths  of  grief  I  turned  from  the 
little  cluster  of  bamboo  with  its  feathery  top,  that  gently  swayed  in  the 
passing  breeze  over  the  grave  of  one  devoted  missionary,  as  a  banner  of 
the  dead  and  left  the  scene,  it  seemed  like  breaking  anew  the  "  golden 
chain  that  clasps  wedded  hearts."  It  was  a  heavy  trial  and  a  heavy 
burden.  Moving  down  the  gentle  declivity  and  in  silent  helplessness 
looking  back  through  the  vista  of  years,  my  "  cup  of  sorrows  "  appeared 
full  with  the  commingling  of  the  memories  of  the  past,"  but  now  to  brave 
alone  all  life's  vicissitudes  we  will  nestle  under  the  shadow  of  God's  wings. 
My  physical  endurance  had  been  taxed  to  the  utmost  limit,  and  conse- 
quently changes  had  necessarily  been  made  with  the  hope  of  recuperative 
benefit,  but  they  all  had  proved  inefi'ectual;  and  the  final  result  of  medical 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  427 

consultation  regarding  my  serious  case  was,  tbat^tbe  only  hope  of  pro- 
longing life  would  be  a  removal  from  my  scene  of  labor.  It  was  a  sad 
struj^gle  to  tread  the  patb  of  perisbed  bopes,  like  a  "  dismissal  from  my 
cberisbed  work  "  of  Christian  usefulness  in  giving  up  my  truly  interesting 
charge,  but  it  seemed  the  only  feasible  line  of  duty.  Though  all  is  en- 
veloped in  mystery  and  we  cannot  discern  the  wluj  and  wherefore^  yet  we 
know  that  even  in  this  emergency  we  can  rejoice  in  the  succor  and  shelter 
of  the  great  rock. 

Emma  and  I  left  Canton  on  December  20th  followed  by  the  kind  adieus 
of  sympathizing  Christian  friends,  but  it  was  a  day  of  sore  trial.  My 
heart  was  distressed  as  with  longings  and  prayers  I  walked  through  the 
rows  of  my  Chinese  scholars  —  for  whose  spiritual  salvation  I  had  so 
earnestly  labored ;  their  sad  countenances  portrayed  the  gratitude  which 
filled  their  hearts,  and  many  tears  were  shed  by  all.  There  stood  the 
Chinese  women  and  native  attendants  with  pitying  eyes  ;  some  of  the  weep- 
ing group  accompanied  us  to  the  steamboat,  speaking  loving  words  of  com- 
fort. There  was  a  waving  of  handkerchiefs  from  the  shepherdless 
assemblage  of  pupils  on  the  veranda  as  our  vessel  glided  past  my  own 
pleasant  missionary  home.  Then  a  final  glance  was  given  to  the  "  White 
Cloud  Hills"  with  its  melancholy  charm,  as  the  towering  Moimment  for 
the  Cemetery  lying  close  at  the  base  of  those  northern  bills.  And  then 
as  we  gave  back  the  ten  talents  intrusted  to  our  care,  the  divine  presence 
was  signally  manifested  by  the  peace  in  my  own  heart ;  for  though  my 
aid  was  not  needed,  Grod  would  raise  up  and  send  other  laborers,  for 
Canton  belongs  to  Him.  The  hospitality  of  the  Hongkong  community  is 
proverbial  and  they  provided  me  with  adequate  comforts  and  luxuries,  not 
forgetting  a  large  hamper  of  the  delicious  oranges  from  Canton.  An  old 
friend,  Captain  James  B.  Endicott,  saw  me  safe  on  the  "  Donnai"  under 
the  care  of  an  experienced  surgeon ;  after  which,  on  December  28tli,  we 
were  soon  steaming  away  from  the  "  Flowery  Land."  The  delicious,  re- 
freshing sea  breeze  and  "  crisp  freshness  of  the  air  were  exhilarating" 
soon  causing  me  to  grow  stronger  despite  depressive  sea-sickness.  . 

From  Canton  to  Alexandria. 
There  are  many  European  gentlemen,  and  nine  Japanese  on  board 
going  to  France  with  fabrics  for  the  Paris  Exposition  ;  but  I  was  the  only 
lady  from  Hongkong  to  the  French  port  of  Saigon  on  this  elegant  vessel 
of  500  horse  power.  I  suppose  there  is  not  a  steamer  that  leaves  the 
East  but  carries  its  own  Menagerie,  certainly  ours  is  well  freighted  with 
animals  of  all  kinds;  there  is  quite  an  extensive  collection  of  monkeys, 
paroquets,  cockatoos,  large  and  small  parrots  and  a  spacious  poultry-yard. 
The  family  of  monkeys  with  their  comical  evolutions  cause  much  amuse- 
ment. On  New  Years  Day,  the  "  Native  Band"  at  six  o'clock  saluted  the 
Captain  and  oflficers  at  their  state-room  doors ;  and  as  a  representative  of 
the  "  fair  sex"  I  was  favored  in  like  manner.  It  was  so  many  years  since 
I  had  been  serenaded,  that  I  could  scarcely  realize  such  a  pleasant  treat 
was  extended  to  me.  But  as  they  stood  close  to  my  door  and  sweetly 
played  familiar  and  electrifying  strains  it  recalled  youthful  days,  and  I 
was  glad  to  be  a  participant  with  honored  ones.  After  breakfast  we  went 
ashore  to  the  lively,  progressive  and  thrifty  town  of  Saigon,  and  accom- 
panied a  genial  party  of  friends  in  a  charming  drive,  full  of  interesting 
experience,  over  the  fine  wide  roads  made  by  the  French.  The  weather 
was  brilliantly  clear,  and  we  much  enjoyed  our  ride  through  this  beautiful 


428  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

domain  bordering  on  sparkling  streams,  and  green  plains  dotted  with  gay 
flowers,  without  seeing  one  of  those  ferocious  tigers  which  abound  in  those 
parts  killing  natives  every  day.  Saigon  is  an  important  river  port  but 
not  healthy ;  a  sanitarium  could  not  be  located  at  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
on  account  of  the  number  of  fierce  and  rapacious  animals  which  come  out 
of  the  jungleon  either  side.  As  our, steamer  slowly  glided  up  this  notable 
stream,  I  was  peering  with  curious  gaze  into  the  tangled  brushwood  and 
dense  thicket  for  the  glittering  eyes  of  the  prowling  savage  beast,  but 
in  vain. 

A  visit  was  made  to  the  Convent.  "  La  Superieure  des  soeurs  de  Saint' 
Paul"  received  us  with  great  suavity  and  courtesy,  allowing  a  full  inspec- 
tion of  the  buildings.  The  chapel  with  its  embroidery  of  chalice  covers 
and  altar-cloths  and  gorgeously  painted  windows,  was  a  bower  of  beauty, 
chaste  and  very  pretty.  The  decorations  as  used  for  Christmas  were  still 
up  ;  the  evergreens  were  fancifully  festooned,  and  all  around  you  observed 
very  many  simple  "  devices  to  please  the  eye."  In  one  corner  near  the 
altar  was  a  grotto  of  artificial  rocks  covered  with  lovely  moss  and  delicate 
flowers ;  close  by  in  a  small  alcove  was  a  perfect  life-size  figure  of  a  new 
born  infant  lying  on  the  rich  green  grass  —  a  miniature  manger  at  Beth- 
lehem. The  child  with  its  lighted  countenance,  seemed  well  pleased;  its 
little  hands  were  raised  in  benediction,  and  the  adoring  attendants  jubi- 
lant with  ecstatic  joy.  The  convent  buildings  are  not  yet  entirely  com- 
pleted ;  the  grounds  are  extensive  and  tastefully  laid  out,  also  abundantly 
stocked  with  all  the  choice  fruits  and  foliage  of  matchless  beauty  found 
only  in  the  tropics,  and  the  entire  structure  will  be  a  remarkably  hand- 
some establishment.  There  was  much  apprehension  on  shore  of  expected 
trouble  with  the  natives,  and  the  one  great  topic  of  conversation  was  the 
recent  tragic  death  of  a  French  gentleman,  married  only  four  months. 
His  accomplished,  young  widowed  bride  was  in  her  palatial  residence 
which  we  passed.  The  natives  of  Anuam  committed  this  terrible  murder 
by  cutting  off"  his  head,  hands  and  feet,  after  which  they  were  elevated  on 
bamboo  poles.  The  entire  community  manifested  a  profound  feeling  of 
sorrow  and  sympathy.  We  were  invited  guests  to  the  brilliant  "  New 
Year's  Ball"  at  the  Government  House;  it  was  to  be  a  grand  aff"air  where 
every  thing  would  be  arranged  with  elegance  and  artistic  skill.  It  was  a 
great  deprivation  to  the  chivalrous  officers,  but  soon  again  we  were  "  far 
at  sea."  Ail  seemed  "  cowfofr  de  rose"  for  with  the  submissive  feeling 
"  It  is  well,"  and  a  contented  happy  frame  of  mind  which  together  with 
all  the  luxuries  friends  had  provided,  left  me  no  reason  to  grumble  even 
when  in  going  over  the  cross  sea  of  Siam's  gulf,  the  change  of  motion 
made  much  commotion  on  board.  There  is  not  certainly  much  poetry  at 
any  time  in  the  forlorn  feeling  of  sea-sickness,  but  with  that  as  every 
thing  else  to  be  vanquished,  struggle  on.  struggle  on  !  "  Heart  varnish 
will  cover  up  innumerable  evils  and  defects,  look  at  the  good  things." 
The  "  good  things"  in  my  case  are  :  such  an  alleviation  of  alarming  symp- 
toms and  consequently  a  light-heartedness  that  I  hope  and  feel,  the  fears 
of  my  kind  physician  friends  will  be  groundless.  With  gratitude  I  intend 
to  identify  my  whole  journey  with  pleasant  associations,  not  brooding  over 
trials  which  only  make  them  more  severe  and  unbearable.  January  4th, 
just  one  week  from  Hongkong  we  enjoyed  the  approach  to  the  harbor  of 
picturesque  Singapore  with  its  surrounding  beautiful  scenery.  "  We 
drifted  quietly  along  through  placid  waters,  under  the  lee  of  noble  moun- 
tains clothed  with  heavy  foliage  to  the  very  tops,  and  within  sight  of  sandy 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  429 

beaches  fringed  witli  feathery  palms  of  a  light  bluish-green  color,  and  all 
the  scenery  was  drawn  in  curving  lines  oi'  grace,  and  painted  with  the 
warmest  shades  of  the  drowsy  tropics  ;  while  every  influence  of  earth  and 
air  and  sea,  made  captive  all  our  senses."  We  passed  close  to,  and  be- 
tween little  islands  with  small  hills  clad  in  the  luxuriant  beauty  of  the 
verdant  forests,  and  others  "  covered  with  turf  as  fresh  and  green  as  that 
of  England,  for  the  vegetation  is  kept  constantly  fresh  and  luxuriant  by 
frequent  showers.  The  depredations  committed  by  tigers  are  frightful, 
since  in  spite  of  a  government  bounty  for  their  destruction  two  or  three 
hundred  persons  are  annually  devoured  by  them."  It  was  amusing  to 
watch  the  fish  "  of  gorgeous  hues  and  fantastic  shapes"  gliding  along  in 
the  transparent  water;  then  swarms  of  naked  Malay  men  and  boys  with 
vociferous  outcries  would  dive  down  into  the  deep  clear  water,  to  catch 
the  pieces  of  money  thrown  over  by  the  amused  passengers ;  each  coin 
when  secured  was  hid  away  in  the  cheek,  and  after  resting  a  moment  in 
their  boats,  these  amphibious  beggars  were  ready  to  dive  again  for  the 
silver  bait.  Emma  was  delighted  with  the  fleet  of  tiny  canoes  about  the 
size  of  a  tub,  with  one  nude  boy  in  each,  paddling  along  ready  for  the 
plunge.  Among  the  attractive  objects  we  would  class  the  many  shell- 
boats,  which  are  entirely  filled  with  exquisite  shells  arranged  so  tastefully 
with  the  most  lovely  specimens,  of  every  species,  that  even  a  captious  con- 
chologist  would  be  only  too  delighted  if  they  could  grace  his  cabinet. 
The  view  of  the  harbor  from  the  deck  was  fine  and  there  was  quite  "  a 
little  fleet  of  vessels  lying  near  us.  All  shipping  lie  moored  by  their 
anchors  in  these  eastern  ports  —  the  surf  and  the  exposure  of  the  winds 
being  too  great  to  admit  of  the  construction  and  use  of  docks."  Many 
Chinese  junks,  Indian  proas  and  vessels  bearing  the  flags  of  all  civilized 
nations  dotted  the  whole  sheet  of  beautiful  water.  "  The  appearance  of 
the  town  of  Singapore  in  its  inviting  position  is  picturesque.  The  hills  of 
unequal  elevations  and  crowned  with  respectable  dwelling  houses  rise  above 
the  buildings  located  on  the  plain  ;  and  the  whole  scene  is  mellowed  by 
the  relief  of  the  grassy  hill-side  with  banana  and  the  areca  palm,  inter- 
spersed with  trees  and  shrubs  in  long  belts  of  verdure.  It  is  from  the 
areca  palm  that  the  betel-nut  is  obtained,  and  forms  an  important  article 
for  the  market ;  "  it  is  the  fruit  of  the  tree,  and  is  called  hetel-nut  because 
it  is  chewed  with  the  leaf  of  the  betel-pepper  as  a  masticatory.  The  teeth 
become  dark  red  from  using  it,  but  the  Chinese  are  careful  to  remove 
this  stain,  which  the  Malays  regard  as  beautiful.  These  nuts  axe  largely 
exported  to  China."   ■ 

The  twenty-four  hours  occupied  in  coaling  we  spent  on  shore,  though 
it  was  rather  a  difiicult  undertaking  to  get  there  ;  but  with  assistance  we 
safely  passed  among  the  merchandise  of  monkeys,  paraquets,  birds  of  par- 
adise, tempting  fruits  and  curioes.  I  took  a  palanquin  carriage  drawn  by 
a  small  Burmah  poney,  and  driven  by  a  half-naked  Madras  man  with  a  gay 
crimson  scarf  wound  around  his  head  ;  he  could  not  speak  a  word  of  En- 
glish nor  I  of  Malay.  Directions,  however,  had  been  given  by  a  respon- 
sible person  to  the  native,  and  on  we  went  over  a  fine  but  dusty  road  past 
mangrove  trees,  pretty  bungalows,  hedges  of  dwarf  bamboo,  beautiful  trees 
and  gay  flowers  two  miles  in  the  country  to  the  residence  of  Rev.  B.  P. 
Keasbury,  who  was  formerly  an  assistant  of  Rev.  Dr.  Medhurst.  He  was 
also  well  acquainted  with  Rev.  William  A.  Pohlman  and  the  company  of 
missionaries  who  landed  and  remained  at  Singapore  till  they  could  pro- 
ceed to  China.     This  excellent  missionary  has  resided  here  thirty-five  years 


430  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

engaged  in  arduous  labor  for  benefiting  the  Malays.  I  was  relieved  frona 
all  distrust  and  anxiety  when  the  poor  native  pointed  to  a  site  we  were 
approaching  and  said  '■'■Padra"  (priest)  then  turned  into  the  lovely  com- 
pound of  fourteen  acres,  covered  with  rare  fruits  and  spice  trees  which  gave 
forth  delicious  odors.  I  was  an  expected  guest  and  received  a  hearty 
welcome  to  that  hospitable  abode.  All  that  met  my  view  in  this  little 
paradise  gave  rapturous  enjoyment:  such  a  quantity  of  pine  apples  in  the 
different  stages  of  growth,  ripe  and  unripe ;  orange  trees;  bread  fruit; 
chocolate  ;  cocoanut;  cinnamon  ;  pepper-vine  trees  with  their  knotted  stem 
and  deep  green  pungent  leaves  of  heart  shape,  pointed,  with  small  white 
flowers.  "  The  fruit  of  this  tree  hangs  on  the  vine  in  long  clusters  of 
some  thirty  or  fifty  grains,  each  grain  adhering  to  the  stalk,  resembling 
some  kinds  of  the  smallest  wild  grapes,  which  when  ripe  is  of  a  bright 
red  color.  The  bunches  are  then  collected  in  baskets,  and  spread  upon 
mats  in  the  sun  to  dry ;  the  berries  soon  turn  black,  become  shriveled  and 
are  the  black  pepper  of  commerce.  The  white  pepper  is  the  same  article 
with  the  black  pepper  but  goes  through  a  different  operation  in  its  curing." 
There  too  were  groves  of  aromatic  nutmeg  trees  ;  cloves  in  large  clusters 
at  the  end  of  the  branches  and  other  tropical  products.  Emma  was  so 
happy  watching  a  covey  of  rare  rabbits,  white  as  snow  with  long  silky  pink 
ears,  feeding  on  green  clover ;  listening  to  the  incessant  chattering  of 
monkeys  and  parrots  of  brilliant  plumage  near  to  the  pretty  bungalow,  a 
short  distance  from  the  main  building,  in  which  we  slept.  This  was  the 
guest  chamber,  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  spacious  garden,  surrounded 
with  exquisite  flowers,  and  shrubs  with  gaudy  blossoms.  The  quiet  rest. 
on  shore  in  this  little  Eden  after  all  our  tossing  on  the  deep,  together 
with  the  balmy  breeze  of  evening  was  truly  invigorating.  I  visited  both 
of  the  mission  schools,  one  for  Malay  girls,  the  other  for  boys ;  also  the 
printing  establishment.  Mrs.  Keasbury,  with  great  self  devotion,  in- 
structs the  school  in  the  morning  in  English  and  Sheikh,  in  the  afternoon 
in  Malay."  The  following  morning  Rev.  Mr.  Keasbury  took  us  to  the 
lovely  little  rural  cemetery  inclosed  with  a  bamboo  hedge  and  shaded 
with  soft  green  foliage,  to  visit  the  grave  of  Rev.  George  W.  Wood's  first 
wife,  a  gentle  and  devoted  missionary  only  twenty-one  years  of  age.  The 
monumental  slab  was  erected  by  the  officers  of  the  U.  S.  Ship  "  John 
Adams,"  that  vessel  was  in  port  at  the  time  of  her  death,  and  the  Chaplain 
Rev.  Pitch  W.  Taylor,  performed  the  burial  service.  Commodore  Read 
and  all  the  officers  of  the  squadron  attended  the  funeral. 

"  Little  feathered  songsters  were  singing  a  requiem  over  her  grave," 
and  many  another  grassy  heap  and  uninscribed  neglected  spot.  As  Singa- 
pore is  only  one  degree  north  from  the  equator,  they  have  a  continual 
summer ;  and  this  was  certainly  a  very  hot  day,  but  we  did  not  suffer 
from  the  oppressive  heat  as  at  Canton,  for  here  is  always  a  moistness  in 
the  air  and  a  fine  sea  breeze  from  the  ocean.  We  made  a  call  at  the  Con- 
vent and  saw  a  dear  friend  Miss  Spooner,  who  formerly  resided  in  Canton, 
the  meeting  was  a  mutual  pleasure  to  both.  Miss  Spooner  took  the  black  veil 
many  years  ago,  renouncing  Protestantism  to  the  deep  regret  of  her  numer- 
ous friends.  This  devoted  nun  had  just  received  intelligence  of  the  death 
of  her  mother  in  Boston  ;  she  was  in  deep  sorrow  and  I  parted  from  her 
with  regret.  Our  drive  was  indeed  a  charming  one,  and  we  enjoyed  the 
universal  beauty  and  diversity  of  scenery  on  every  side  ;  the  rich  perfume 
from  the  many  acres  of  spice  trees  was  delicious,  and  here  too  were  ponds 
filled  with  the  sacred  pink  lotus.     The  luxuriance  of  tropical  productions 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  431 

and  vegetation  was  in  opening  bloom  on  all  our  route.  "  The  gardens  are 
exceedingly  tasteful  and  kept  in  admirable  order  and  the  roads,  shaded 
by  neat  hedges  of  the  China  or  dwarf  bamboo  and  trees  of  elegant  and 
and  vavied  foliage,  are  kept  in  the  best  repair.  A  large  body  of  the  con- 
victs, some  three  thousand  in  number,  enables  the  municipality  to  preserve 
the  roads  throughout  the  station  in  thorough  order.  This  strand  road  is 
bordered  inland  by  a  strip  of  lawn,  planted  with  flowering  shrubs,  forming 
a  pleasant  promenade  and  play-ground  for  children."  I  was  much  inte- 
rested in  the  palm  tree  with  its  very  curious  leaves,  and  the  aromatic  nut- 
megs which  have  dark  green  glossy  leaves.  We  procured  a  quantity  of 
the  nutmegs  to  examine  at  our  leisure  when  on  the  steamer.  "  Removing 
the  thick  rough  outer  yellow  tegument  with  its  pearl  white  interior,  we 
found  a  bright  scarlet  like  net  work  of  mace,  inclosing  an  inner  polished 
nut,  black  as  ebony,  the  kernel  of  which  is  the  nutmeg  of  commerce." 
We  were  also  well  supplied  with  enormous  cocoanuts ;  the  delicate  and 
delicious  mangostein  with  its  white  pulp  inclosed  in  its  "  roseate  scalloped 
capsule,  its  refined  delicacy  of  flavor  is  unsurpassed,  and  for  beauty  of 
appearance,  when  opened,  it  is  unrivaled.  An  outer  shell  inclose  five  or 
seven  pits  of  a  snow  white  color,  which  forms  a  beautiful  contrast  with 
the  rich  red  of  the  shell.  The  dhurieu  is  of  a  large  size  and  disgusting 
odor,  that  of  sulphurated  hydrogen.  It  is  of  a  rich  creamy  consistence  ; 
but  the  odor  is  so  repulsive,  that  only  long  perseverance  can  make  one 
appreciate  and  like  this  pear-shaped  fruit  of  five  by  nine  inches,  which 
grows  on  a  tree  seventy  to  eighty  feet  high."  The  luscious  custard-apple 
and  deliciously  sweet  pine  apples,  with  many  other  kinds,  were  sent  by 
our  true  friends,  nor  did  they  forget  bunches  of  "  cinnamon  with  its  beau- 
tiful white  blossom  and  its  red  tipped  leaves." 

The  amused  passengers  were  all  occupied  watching  the  crowded  wharf 
filled  with  beings  from  so  many  nations  in  gay  and  f^inciful  costumes  and 
red  turbans  down  to  the  Chinaman  "  with  his  large  loose  trowsers,  varying 
in  colors  some  of  black  glazed  grass  cloth,  others  of  blue  nankeen,  and 
still  others  of  white  cotton.  To  this  is  added  a  frock  or  shirt  generally 
white,  made  in  the  style  of  the  sack  pattern,  hanging  loosely,  some  with 
large  open  sleeves,  and  others  no  sleeves.  A  few  had  the  garments  worn 
on  the  lower  extremities,  contracted  near  the  feet.  Their  shaven  sculls, 
however,  attract  the  attention  as  being  most  particularly  characteristic 
with  their  long  queue  hanging  down  in  its  braid,  and  composed  of  the 
gathered  hair  growing  in  a  circular  patch,  as  large  as  the  hand  would 
cover,  from  the  crown  of  the  head.  This  hair  is  braided  in  a  piece  of  tape 
or  hank  of  coarse  black  sewing  silk  and  falls  nearly  to  the  heels  of  the 
celestials,  with  their  toes  incased  in  their  thick,  heavy  leather  soled  and 
turn-up  toed  shoes  made  of  cloth.  They  pass  with  a  quick  step  ;  and  their 
loose  sleeves  and  trowsers  flutter  in  the  gale  they  create  in  their  passage, 
with  nothing  upon  their  shaven  heads  but  the  tuft- knot  upon  the  crown,  and 
sometimes  the  long  braid  curled  in  a  plait  around  it.  Indeed  there  was 
a  perfect  medley  of  men,  birds  and  animals.  Our  noble  steamer  was^oon 
again  standing  out  from  the  harbor  of  Singapore,  with  its  scorching 
tropical  sky;  we  saw  the  "Government  House  an  imposing  edifice  in 
beautiful  trrouuds,  crowning  the  end  of  the  high  laudj  and  a  strip  of 
silver  beach  along  the  shore,  divided  the  pale  emerald  of  the  sea,  a  hue 
which  betrays  a  floor  of  coral,  from  the  darker  tint  of  the  forests  of  cocoa 
palm,  which  rose  behind,  and  we  bade  a  lung  farewell  to  the  sunny  gardens 
and  spicy  breezes  of  the  town  now  "  left  in  the  blue  distance."    The  com- 


432  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

pany  on  board  is  increased  by  three  families  of  Dutchmen  from  Batavia. 
going  back  to  Holhind  with  independent  fortunes  to  educate  their  children. 
After  leaving  the  Straits  of  Malacca  with  its  continuous  sight  of  dark 
green  heavy  foliage  and  beds  of  coral,  we  were  crossing  the  broad  Bay  of 
Bengal  with  very  rough  weather.  As  we  had  a  number  of  young  ladies 
on  board,  every  effort  was  made,  when  weather  permitted,  by  the  genial 
French  officers  so  well  posted  in  making  the  time  pass  agreeably  to  the 
fair  passengers,  and  a  series  of  impromptu  entertainments  were  arranged. 
There  were  the  musical  soirees,  and  a  dancing  party  twice  a  week ;  the  upper 
deck  was  inclosed  with  flags  and  finely  decorated  with  Chinese  lanterns, 
the  band  discoursed  sweet  or  gay  music  while  the  piano  was  upstairs  ready 
for  gentle  fingers.  We  reached  Point  de  Galle  on  the  Island  of  Ceylon. 
At  an  early  hour  the  gun  was  discharged  and  its  "  thousand  crashing 
thunders  shake  the  earth  beneath  the  avalanche  of  sound  "  as  a  signal  of 
arrival,  soon  after  this  Mr.  Prescott  the  United  States  Consul  came  on 
board  for  me. 

llev.  William  Howland  —  a  missionary  at  JaflPna  and  cousin  of  Mr. 
Bonney  —  had  notified  the  Consul  of  my  probable  arrival  from  China  by 
this  mail's  steamer,  and  he  courteously  extended  to  me  the  civilities  of  his 
pleasant  Consulate  home  in  this  little  Eastern  paradise.  Emma  and  I 
were  conveyed  ashore  in  his  large  boat  with  the  United  States  Flag  as  the 
insignia  floating  in  the  breeze.  We  were  truly  glad  not  to  be  obliged  to 
go  in  the  native  craft,  which  are  very  long  and  narrow  —  only  the  width 
of  an  Indian  Canoe  with  pieces  of  plank  projecting  over  the  water  —  on 
which  high  seats  the  passengers  are  placed.  On  one  side  of  the  clumsy- 
looking  strong  boats  is  a  contrivance  of  timbers  floating  about  four  feet 
from  the  vessel  to  prevent  its  upsetting,  and  the  expert  boatmen  are  ever 
on  the  alert  in  their  perilous  duty.  A  French  nian-of  war  had  just  come 
in  and  saluted  the  , English  flag  which  was  returned  from  the  fort,  the 
booming  of  which  made  a  discordant  tumult  In  its  marvelous  repetitions. 
Landing  at  the  jetty  in  safety  through  the  furious  surf  which  beats  with 
great  force  against  the  rocks,  and  taking  a  carriage  we  passed  through 
crowds  of  the  half  naked  Cinghalese  natives  with  large  shell  combs  in 
their  black  hair  —  such  a  curious  fancy  for  men  —  were  soon  at  the 
United  States  Consulate.  From  the  flag-staff"  floated,  in  the  sweet  scented 
breeze,  the  "  broad  folds  of  the  American  ensign  ; "  at  the  door  Mrs. 
Prescott  received  us  with  a  warm  motherly  welcome,  and  a  cheery  greeting 
was  extended  to  us  from  their  daughter  Mrs.  Belknap,  a  bride  of  a  month 
and  wife  of  the  gallant  Captain  of  the  United  States  Steamer  "  Shenen- 
doah."  After  being  refreshed  with  one  of  those  bountiful  Eastern 
tiffins  and  being  regaled  with  a  draught  of  fresh  cocoa  milk  and  the 
choicest  of  tropical  fruits,  we  had  a  charming  and  extremely  romantic 
drive  to  the  Wesleyan  Mission  Compound  ;  on  a  most  eligible  site  of  rugged 
magnificence  and  Elysian  beauty,  commanding  a  fine  view  of  the  ocean 
and  still  embowered  in  groves  of  stately  trees  with  cultivated  garden 
spots.  We  visited  their  flourishing  native  schools  passing  the  rows  of  tall 
cocoanut  trees,  one  hundred,  and  eighty,  and  sixty  feet  high,  in  stately 
beauty  on  both  sides  of  the  road,  a  perfect  forest  of  cocoanuts  and  spice 
trees.  The  cocoa  furnishes  the  populace  with  food,  clothing  and  other 
useful  articles /the  fibres  and  leaves  are  used  for  thatching  their  huts,  and 
from  different  parts  of  the  tree  sundry  necessaries  are  obtained  and  in- 
genious things  constructed.  The  natives  at  Ceylon  and  Singapore  dye 
their  teeth  perfectly  black,  which  gives  them  a  filthy,  disgusting  look  ; 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  433 

which  with  the  blood-colored  saliva  is  all  caused  by  their  chewing  so  con- 
stantly the  preparation  from  betel-nut.  You  are  at  first  quite  startled  and 
grieved  by  seeing  so  many  of  the  poor  creatures  spitting  blood,  as  you 
naturally  suppose,  but  it  is  wasted  sympathy.  This  visit  in  Ceylon  was 
full  of  interest  and  a  pleasant  episode  in  the  changeless  round  of  a  pro- 
tracted sea  voyage. 

"  What  thouajli  the  spicy  breezes 
Blow  soft  o'er  Ceylon's  isle ; 

Though  every  prospect  pleases, 
Here  man  is  surely  vile." 

We  visited  the  celebrated  Buddhist  temple  of  "  great  antiquity,  and  so 
much  venerated  as  to  attract  votaries  from  various  parts  of  India,"  but  did 
not  however  see  that  precious  relic  "  the  tooth  of  Buddha  so  highly  revered 
by  the  Cingalese  !  "  but  we  did  see  very  many  things  equally  worthy  of 
admiration. 

Our  steamer  left  at  nine  o'clock  p.  M.  ;  fires  were  lighted  on  the  very 
dangerous  rocks  near  coral  reefs  just  before  we  started.     The  changeful, 
fitful  glare  in   the  darkness,  gave  a  weirdish  charm  to  the  surrounding 
scenery  and  we  naturally  looked  to  see  the  strange  "  little  people"  with 
the  green  sea-weed  in  their  flowing  tresses,  dancing  on  the  rocks.     Whe- 
ther according  to   the  native  legends  the   fragrant  water-lilies  were  not 
sufiiciently  opened  to  allow  the  fairies  an  exit,  or  whether  they  were  still 
asleep  in  their  golden  palaces  under  the  deep  water,  we  were  not  favored 
with  a  sight  of  their  marvelous   beauty.     The   port  holes  were  soon   all 
closed  for  the  Arabian  sea,  which  is  always  a  dangerous  element  in  the 
south  monsoon  was  very  boisterous.     When  able  to  be  on  deck  there  was 
a  fund  of  amusement  in  watching  the  many  flying-fish  as  they  skim  over 
the  surface,  the  sun's  rays  giving  them  a  brilliant  "  coat  of  many  colors  " 
and  frequently  they  lighted  on   the  deck.     At   Galle  several  parties  of 
English  officers  with  their  families  came  on  board  from  Calcutta  on  their 
way  home.     Some  of  the  ladies  had  just  left  Cawnpore   and  gave  me  a 
thrilling  account  of  occurrences  at  the   time  of  the  great  insurrection  in 
India  during  the  eventful  year  1857.     There  is  to  be  a  Memorial  Garden 
arranged  inclosing  the  ?<?e// that  sepulchre  of  many  precious  "  loved  ones." 
It  was  nearly  night  when  we  reached   the  rocky   heights  of  Aden  and 
passed  in  close  proximity  to  reefs  and  shoals  as  indicated  by  the  pale  green 
water.     The  main  land  of  Arabia  presents  a  level  sandy  coast,  with  few 
indentations,  and   the  Bay  of  Aden  is  formed  by  two  narrow   peninsulas 
which  project  from  it  at  right  angles,  their  extremities  shooting  up  sud- 
denly into  clusters  of  black,  ragged  volcanic  cones,   about  1,500   feet  in 
height;  these  mountains  are  very  sterile."     The  anchorage  is  a  great  dis- 
tance from  the  shore  and  the  disembarking  or  embarking  is  an  event  in 
which  no  one  delights.     As  soon  as  the  gun  was  tired  and  anchors  dropped 
our  steamer  was  surrounded  by  the  native  small  boats.     The  next  morn- 
ing with  a  large  party  we  went  on  shore,  it  was  rather  a  difficult  under- 
taking to  land  for  the  sea  was  very  rough,  but  we  were  not  lacking  courage. 
Our  native  vessel  was  of  good  size  and  manned  by  experienced  Arabs, 
who  were  very  black  with   beautiful  teeth  and  glossy  black  curling  hair. 
Our  steersman  dropped  his  clumsy  oar,  and  in  reaching  for  it  lost  his  own 
balance  plumping  down  into  the  seething  waters  ;  he  swam  a  long  distance, 
rising  on  the  summit  of  wave  after  wave  before  reaching  the  boat,  but  did 
not  seem  at  all  discomposed  by  his  luckless  adventure.     We  met  on  the 
II]  55 


434  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

sandy  beach  a  drove  of  ungainly  camels  driven  by  an  Arab  with  his  kind 
of  blue  shirt,  tied  about  him  with  a  white  sash  or  girdle  and  a  turbaned 
head.  There  were  strings  of  donkeys,  each  of  them  laden  with  six  or 
eight  bags  of  skins  containing  water.  This  country  is  never  refreshed  by 
rain  unless  sometimes  at  the  equinoxes,  and  there  are  no  wells,  conse- 
quently the  water  is  distilled  from  the  ocean.  During  the  rainy  season 
once  a  year  in  Aden,  large  quantities  of  rain-water  is  collected  and  kept 
in  tanks  excavated  out.ol'  the  rocks  close  by  the  cantonments  for  the 
English  soldiers.  The  place  presents  a  dreary  aspect;  no  trees,  no  grass, 
no  flowers,  but  plenty  of  high,  sun-scorched,  mossy  rocks.  We  walked 
through  the  hot  sun  and  heavy  blistering  sand  three-fourths  of  a  mile  to 
the  Cemetery  and  amid  numerous  mounds  found  the  grave  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Krone  from  Germany,  one  of  our  Canton  missionaries.  It  was  in  good 
order;  he  died  at  this  bleak  and  cheerless  post,  "where  all  the  gloomy 
solitude  of  desolation  lives  and  reigns,"  when  on  his  return  to  China  with 
his  family.  Arabs  in  their  Oriental  costume,  with  sandals  laced  on  their 
naked  feet,  brought  for  sale  quantities  of  exquisitely  beautiful  wavy  plumes 
of  the  ostrich  so  ornamental  and  showy  for  dress.  We  found  here  as  at 
Singapore  many  expert  swimmers  and  divers  for  coin  who  kept  up  a  con- 
stant puffing  and  blowing.  One  of  the  pet  monkeys,  a  large,  vicious 
animal,  got  overboard  among  the  bulwarks;  but  after  playing  awhile  the 
wily  creature  went  to  the  steward's  room,  got  his  comb  and  brush,  then 
ran  quickly  to  the  railing  and  threw  both  over  into  the  sea ;  expressing 
great  displeasure  by  chattering  and  showing  his  teeth  if  approached  by 
any  person.  His  antics  created  quite  a  stock  of  entertainment  to  the 
passengers,  for  he  would  jabber  his  inarticulate  sounds,  and  grin  with 
every  expression  of  joy  when  he  succeeded  in  any  mischief. 

We  are  through  the  Straits  of  Babel-Maudel  and  steaming  up  the  long, 
narrow  Red  Sea  with  its  intricate  navigation  mid  coral  reefs  and  a  vast 
ledge  of  rocks.  There  looms  up  before  my  vision  an  envelop  of  one  of 
my  home  letters,  which  friends  received  defaced  by  water  and  almost 
illegible,  stamped  :  "  Saved  from  the  wreck  of  the  Colombo,"  will  such  be 
our  experience  ?  There  is  positive  enjoyment  in  watching  the  usual 
miscellaneous  crowds  and  motley  group  congregated  on  the  steamer's  deck, 
or  in  the  magnificent  saloon.  Every  thing  in  their  daily  Hie  is  as  real 
and  as  prosaic  as  could  be  desired,  interspersed  with  childish  arrogance, 
grumblings,  turmoils  and  excitements  while  gay  conversation  enlivens  the 
scene.  The  captious  cynic  is  found  in  close  proximity  with  the  cheery, 
contented  mind;  lackadaisical  young  ladies  and  sentimental  young  men 
in  ludicrous  contrast  with  austere  moralists  ;  the  genial  and  accomplished 
gentleman  neighbor  to  one  whose  brogue  is  decidedly  peculiar;  venerable 
"  old  men  whose  heads,  blossoming  like  the  almond  tree  "  whitens  our 
assemblage  of  travelers  and  figures  by  the  side  of  sporting  children  and 
hopeful  hearts  in  the  freshness  of  early  life.  The  ingenious  game  of  chess, 
back-gammon  and  smoki-ng-rooms,  a  rubber  of  whist,  dancing,  cheerful 
music,  or  conversation,  afforded  ample  amusement  during  the  evenings, 
allowing  great  latitude  to  the  caprice  of  individual  fancy.  We  were  highly 
favored  in  having  cool,  enjoyable  weather,  but  after  a  few  days  came  high 
winds  and  sea.  All  the  windows  and  port-holes  closed  ;  racks  arranged  on 
the  table  for  meals,  which  "  was  abundantly  supplied  with  every  thing 
necessary  to  the  comfort  of  the  inner  man  "  if  it  could  be  enjoyed.  The 
captain  said,  he  had  seldom  seen  such  tremendous  seas  on  this  sheet  of 
water.     One  afternoon  the  vessel  shipped  a  very  large  wave  on  the  upper 


Legacy  op  Historical  GtLeanings.  435 

deck  aft,  washing  the  floor  and  dashing  two  or  three  lady  passengers, 
chairs'and  all,  with  great  force  against  the  side  railing.  Two  ladies  were 
hurt  and  one  sailor  knocked  down.  The  deck  happened  at  this  time  to 
be  filled  with  passengers,  reclining  in  their  chairs,  and  when  the  sudden 
shock  came,  for  a  moment  it  caused  great  commotion  as  to  the  perils  of 
our  voyage,  happily,  however,  no  material  damage  was  sustained.  After 
sailing  over  the  spot  crossed  by  the  Israelites  and  seeing  Asia  on  one  side 
of  the  gulf  and  Africa  on  the  other,  at  the  end  of  six  days'  passage  up  the 
Red  Sea,  our  noble  steamer  came  to  its  anchorage.  Passengers  and  luggage 
were  transferred  to  a  lighter  for  the  remaining  five  miles,  and  the  entire 
company  were  soon  safely  landed  at.Suez  and  walking  on  "  Afric's  sunny 
soil."  There  was  perfect  enjoyment  in  our  first  sleep  on  terra  firma,  and 
it  was  very  refreshing  after  the  long  sea  voyage.  Mrs.  Boone,  wife  of 
Bishop  Boone  of  the  China  Episcopal  Mission,  here  died  among  strangers 
on  her  way  home.  The  sensation  of  riding  in  the  cars,  after  an  interval 
of  more  than  tea  years,  was  peculiar,  but  the  optical  illusions  caused  by  the 
shifting  sand  of  the  desert  never  wearied,  and  our  ride  of  about  four  hours 
from  8uez  to  Cairo,  was  full  of  attractions.  One  of  the  most  pleasing 
and  desirable  incidents  of  our  visit  in  this  peculiarly  Oriental  city  of 
Cairo,  occurred  on  the  following  morning  after  our  arrival,  wlien  a 
gentleman  of  benevolent  aspect,  wearing  a  red  fex  or  one  of  the  Egyptian 
tasseled  caps,  entered  the  hotel  parlor,  and  after  a  few  words  with  the 
landlord,  walked  up  to  me  pleasantly  saying  "  Do  I  see  Mrs.  Bonney  ?" 
On  being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  extending  his  hand  with  great  cor- 
diality he  exclaimed,  "  I  am  your  Dutch  cousin  from  Albany,  Rev.  Gulian 
Lansing,  and  my  wife  has  sent  me  to  bring  you  to  our  house,  we  claim  you 
.  as  our  guest."  This  pleasant,  aff"ectionate  greeting  to  a  lone  stranger 
gave  unmingled  feelings  of  heartfelt  pleasure;  his  particularly  amiable 
looking  face  was  a  sufficient  guaranty,  and  we  joyfully  became  participants 
of  his  generous  hospitality.  This  arrangement  was  eminently  satisfactory, 
their  kindness  was  "  the  hidden  sunshine  which  gives  to  the  darkest  cloud 
its  silver  lining "  by  the  attainment  of  some  fancied  good.  Rev.  Mr. 
Lansing  is  connected  with  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  having  a  large 
mission  establishment  at  Cairo,  Alexandria,  Mansoura  and  Osiout.  Rev. 
J.  C.  Nevin  of  Canton,  belonging  to  the  American  United  Presbyterian 
Mission,  had  written  to  these  kind  friends  that  I  would  arrive  in  Cairo 
by  this  last  steamer. 

Our  United  States  Consul,  Mr.  Hale,  related  to  me  the  arrest  of  John  H. 
Surratt,  who  was  to  be  sent  on  to  Washington  in  one  of  the  vessels  belonging 
to  the  fleet  under  Admiral  Groldsborough,  as  one  of  the  persons  implicated 
in  President  Lincoln's  death  and  other  evils.  I  was  greatly  interested  in 
Mrs.  Lansing's  school  of  seventy-five  Egyptian  girls,  having  been  present 
at  their  recitations  in  Arabic  and  had  pleasant  interviews  with  them. 
Their  manner  of  salutation  difi'ered  from  the  Chinese ;  they  kissed  your 
hand  and  pressed  it  to  their  heart  and  forehead.  Mrs.  L.  favored  me 
with  a  particularly  pleasing  account  regarding  one  of  her  earliest  pupils 
of  this  flourishing  school.  It  was  the  early  history  of  a  very  poor  native 
girl  who  became  a  most  exemplary  Christian  and  was  married  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Lansing  to  His  Highness  Prince  Maha  Rajah  Duleep  Singh,  who  was 
born  at  Futtehgurh  and  was  the  first  Christian  Prince  of  India.  They 
now  reside  near  London.  Mrs.  Lansing  had  visited  them  in  their  elegant 
palace  and  received  the  greatest  love  and  attention  from  both.  "  Upon 
each  returning  anniversary  of  his  marriage  in  June,  Prince  Duleep  Singh 


436  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

confers  a  signal  benefit  upon  the  mission  in  Egypt  by  presenting  as  a 
thank  offering  the  munificent  gift  of  $5000  in  gold."  There  was  also 
"  an  educational  seminary  presided  over  by  Miss  Whately,  daughter  of 
the  late  Archbishop  of  Dublin.  Here  a  boys  and  girls'  school  for  Mos- 
lems and  Christians,  indiscriminately,  is  carried  on  with  great  energy; 
nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  thaformer  and  "^ver  fifty  of  the  latter 
being  in  daily  attendance  ;  while  by  the  distribution  of  books  and  other 
humble  labors  of  one  or  two  lay  agents,  a  considerable  amount  of  religious 
and  moral  light  is  disseminated." 

We  had  an  interesting  ride  to  the  Greek  Monastery  built  over  the  site 
of  Joseph  and  Mary's  residence  in  dingy  looking  old  Cairo  three  miles 
distant,  when  they  fled  with  the  "young  child  into  Egypt."  Pharaoh  lived 
here,  as  also  Joseph  when  he  received  and  fed  his  brethren.  With  a 
party  we  visited  some  few  of  the  400  Mosques.  A  large  and  very  ancient 
one  was  in  ruins,  it  was  built  before  the  Christian  era,  is  of  Assyrian 
origin,  the  "  Tayloon  or  citadel  of  the  ram."  Tradition  says  the  ram  was 
here  sacrificed  by  Abraham  and  Noah's  ark  rested  on  this  spot. 

Cairo,  Egypt,  Jamiary  29,  1867.  The  time  has  passed  so  pleasantly, 
I  can  scarcely  realize  a  week  has  already  been  spent  in  this  interesting 
place.  The  foreigners  attend  service  on  Sabbaths  at  the  Missionary  chapel 
at  eleven  o'clock,  but  I  went  earlier  to  hear  the  Turkish  service,  and 
Arabic.  The  English  was  conducted  by  Rev..  Mr.  Pinkerton,  whose  dis- 
course "  If  a  man  die,  shall  he  live  again?"  Job  14,  14,  was  very  im- 
pressive. I  was  particularly  gratified  at  meeting  a  large  party  of  Albany 
friends ;  it  is  now  decided  that  I  accompany  them  to  Jerusalem.  To  have 
such  genial  companions  is  indeed  pleasant  to  me,  as  I  had  expected  to 
proceed  alone,  having  letters  to  friends  at  that  place.  This  arrangement 
gives  me  a  fortnight  longer  for  Cairo  and  its  vicinity.  I  enjoy  my  stay 
exceedingly  as  the  climate  of  Egypt  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year 
is  remarkably  salubrious  and  delightful ;  but  the  fleas,  which  "  breed  in  the 
dust "  and  are  excessively  numerous,  and  intolerable  must  be  the  residue 
of  the  plagues.  There  are  crowds  of  travelers  here  and  of  course  many 
are  Americans.  "  Cairo  occupies  a  space  of  about  three  square  miles.  It 
is  surrounded  by  a  wall,  the  gates  of  which  are  shut  at  night  and  is  com- 
manded by  a  large  citadel  situated  near  a  point  of  the  mountain.  The  streets 
are  unpaved  and  most  of  them  but  narrow  irregular  lanes."  How  gratified 
I  feel  to  give  the  cheering  intelligence  that  I  have  visited  the  Pyramids 
and  been  on  top  of  the  Great  Cheops  "  that  vast  mass  of  rock  piled  up, 
by  hands  that  have  been,  probably  for  more  than  4000  years  dissolved  into 
dust."  I  bad  the  indomitable  courage  actually  to  go  up  to  the  summit; 
but  nothing  would  tempt  me  to  repeat  the  experiment.  Mrs.  Lansing, 
however,  has  been  sufficiently  brave  to  make  the  ascent  three  separate 
times.  I  have  not  ventured  to  enter  the  underground  chambers.  There 
is  now  at  the  hotel  a  young  man  lying  dangerously  ill ;  he  rashly  pene- 
trated into  the  cavern,  and  was  punished  for  his  temerity  in  going  without 
a  guide,  by  falling  down  into  one  of  these  dark  chambers.  The  Arabs 
wanted  to  carry  up  Emma,  but  that  I  would  not  allow,  though  children 
are  frequently  taken  up,  she  remained  quietly  below  with  Mr.  Lansing's 
son  watching  my  progress. 

Last  Saturday  being  a  delightfully  cool  morning  we  took  an  early  start 
for  our  interesting  excursion,  a  ride  of  about  twelve  miles,  all  mounted 
on  donkeys.  Emma  had  one  of  the  little  creatures  to  herself  with  an 
Arab  walking  by  her  side.    One  of  the  first  spectacles  to  rivet  our  attention 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  437 

as  they  jostled  against  us,  was  a  curious  "  group  of  women  wearing  the 
wimple  or  long  wrapper  closely  veiling  all  but  eyes,  mounted  on  donkeys, 
under  the  escort  of  a  tall  eunuch."  We  passed  through  many  large  groves 
of  the  beautiful  date  palm  tree.  "  The  stem  shoots  up  in  one  cylindrical 
column  to  the  height  of  eighty  or  one  hundred  feet  high,  tall  and  very 
straight,  with  the  same  thickness  through  its  whole  length.  From  the 
summit  of  this  majestic  trunk  it  throws  out  a  magnificent  crown  of  leaves 
which  are  equally  graceful  in  their  formation  and  arrangements.  There 
are  no  branches  or  divisions."  Droves  of  slothful  camels  and  goats  under 
the  charge  of  "  dusky  Egyptians  "  were  passed,  and  then  coming  to  the 
muddy  River  Nile  we  dismounted  to  cross  the  stream.  Passengers,  men, 
donkeys  and  dogs  go  over  in  the  same  open  boat,  making  quite  a  promis- 
cuous medley !  The  spot  is  pointed  out  where  the  infant  5loses  was  hid 
in  the  long  bulrushes  which  abound,  though  the  island  is  covered  with 
fruit.  One  thing  however  is  certain,  this  is  the  identical  river,  the  water 
of  which  was  transformed  into  blood,  and  subjected  to  so  many  visible, 
miraculous  changes.  The  same  beautiful  Nile  with  its  vestiges  of  ancient 
grandeur  from  primeval  ages,  dotting  its  classic  banks  and  teeming  with 
interesting  and  sacred  associations.  We  crossed  close  by  the  island  of 
Roda  with  its  thousand  year  old  Nilometer,  from  which  the  rise  and  fall 
of  the  Nile  is  annually  measured,  by  means  of  this  ancient  graduated 
pillar  about  forty  feet  in  height  rising  out  of  a  deep  well.  "  The  Egyptians 
depend  entirely  upon  their  river  for  the  fertilization  of  the  soil ;  rain  being 
a  very  rare  phenomenon  in  their  country ;  excepting  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  Mediterranean.  By  the  autumnal  equinox  the  river  attains  its 
greatest  height ;  which  is  always  sufficient  to  fill  the  canals  by  which  the 
fields  are  irrigated,  and  inundate  large  portions  of  the  cultivable  land 
which  is  impregnated  with  the  rich  soil  washed  down  from  the  mountains." 

Our  route  was  over  open  fields  and  in  some  waste  places  we  had  a  mere 
foot  path  for  a  road  ;  then  through  the  well  watered  valley  with  its  rich 
carpet  of  bright  green.  On  approaching  the  Pyramids  standing  on  the 
brink  of  the  desert,  I  was  amazed  to  find  they  looked  grand  but  no  larger 
than  when  seen  from  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  my  first  impression  was 
disappointment  at  what  seemed  the  diminutive  bulk.  Though  Cheops  or 
the  Great  Pyramid  is  really  "  five  hundred  feet  high  and  covers  thirteen 
acres  of  ground,"  having  subterranean  chambers  as  sepulchres  of  kings, 
and  a  well  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  feet  deep.  The  hill  on  which 
these  truly  mysterious  structures  and  imperishable  monuments  are  built, 
is  one  hundred  feet  high,  surrounded  by  sand  on  every  side,  it  is  covered 
with  lentils,  so  common  in  Africa.  "  The  Pyramids  were  built,  not  only 
to  serve  the  purposes  of  tombs,  but  also  for  astronomical  observation. 
They  stand  exactly  due  north  and  south,  and  are  built  of  blocks  of  stone." 

There  happened,  at  the  moment  of  my  arrival,  to  be  no  other  visitors; 
with  the  utmost  obsequiousness  five  Arabs  lazily  accompanied  me  to  the 
top,  but  what  for,  I  could  not  discover,  excepting  the  hope  of  backsheesh, 
which  they  vainly  tried  to  procure.  Mr.  Lansing,  however,  had  made  all 
the  necessary  arrangements  with  the  stately  Sheik,  for  three  guides,  and 
warned  me  against  their  importunities.  Having  intentionally  left  both 
watch  and  purse  at  home  there  was  nothing  to  fear,  for  I  had  too  good  an 
opinion  of  mankind  to  believe  they  would  throw  a  lady  ofi^  the  pyramid, 
and  my  equanimity  disarmed  their  avariciousness.  ^J'he  selected  guides 
proved  very  efficient  and  kind,  especially  one  who  was  well  versed  in  all 
the  modern  languages,  and  spoke  English  particularly  well.     Either  hand 


438  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

was  firmly  held  by  nimble  Arabs  and  a  third,  who  carried  my  cloak, 
would  occasionally  steady  me.  One  of  the  supernumeraries  officiously 
took  my  opera  glass  from  his  hand,  and  still  another  insisted  upon  taking 
up  a  bottle  of  water  and  a  fan,  for  both  of  which  I  was  truly  grateful. 
The  ascending  was  to  me  a  very  laborious  task  as  each  of  the  stone  blocks 
are  thirty  inches  or  two  and  a  half  feet  in  height,  and  my  power  of  endur- 
ance was  fully  called  in  requisition,  indeed  nothing  but  the  kind  encour- 
agement of  the  Arabs  prevented  me  several  times  from  retracing  my  steps. 
About  half  an  hour  was  occupied  in  the  ascent  of  this  stupendous  structure, 
as  they  allowed  me  to  sit  down  on  little  projections  and  rest  as  long  as  I 
pleased.  When  half  way  up  I  sat  down  in  a  diminutive  cavity,  and  for 
the  first  time  ventured  to  look,  when  little  Emma  with  her  party  most 
anxiously  regarding  me,  met  my  gaze.  With  persistent  tenacity  I  clung 
to  the  guides  till  we  reached  the  apex,  when  I  stood  there  for  a  little  time 
alone,  surrounded  by  five  Arabs  in  their  native  costume,  without  one  fear. 
When  seated  on  the  summit,  which  is  a  space  of  about  thirty-two  feet 
square,  more  visitors  were  discerned  in  the  distance  approaching,  and  it 
was  amusing  to  see  how  quickly  their  tender  interest  in  my  welfare  was 
forgotten  by  the  two  superfluous  guides,  in  their  anxiety  to  assist  the  new 
comers ;  and  they  made  a  most  precipitant  descent,  much  to  my  relief. 
After  their  departure  I  wrote  that  little  note  to  you,  and  also  one  to  Mr. 
Bonney's  sister,  the  first,  I  venture  to  say,  you  ever  received  written  from 
the  summit  of  "  Cheops  or  the  Great  Pyramid."  I  traced  my  name  in 
pencil  marks,  after  which  one  of  the  Arabs  with  his  knife  carved  it  into 
the  stone  ;  among  many  others  I  saw  the  name  of  Jenny  Liud.  How  I 
should  like  to  have  heard  one  of  her  bird-like  melodious  songs  from  this 
elevation,  as  she  looked  on  the  rich  green  of  the  open  country  on  one  side 
contrasted  with  the  dazzling  sand  on  the  other.  When  sufficiently  rested 
to  enjoy  the  view  from  this  dizzy  height,  the  spectacle  that  burst  upon 
my  entranced  gaze  was  truly  grand,  and  so  wonderfully  impressive  that  it 
can  never  be  forgotten. 

"  The  impression  of  the  solemn  grandeur  of  that  monument  so  full  of 
mystery  "  was  vivid ;  and  as  from  its  summit  I  gazed  on  those  magnificent 
scenes,  stretching  out  on  every  side  as  they  were  successively  dasruerreo- 
typed  on  my  mind,  in  silence,  the  appreciative  heart  rose  "  from  Nature 
up  to  Nature's  God."  There  in  the  Delta,  or  triangular  tract  of  land  was 
the  Nile  "  gleaming  with  silvery  brightness  "  trailing  along  in  its  circuitous 
course  through  its  fertile  valley  of  smiling  meadows  ;  a  charming  bird's 
eye  view  of  Cairo,  which  is  divided  into  two  towns,  the  old  and  the  new, 
with  its  citadel ;  sacred  mosques  with  their  graceful  minarets,  (from  the 
most  lofty  turret  of  which  at  certain  hours,  five  times  a  day,  the  crier 
ascends  and  gives  the  invitation  to  prayer  in  the  name  of  God  and  the 
prophet ;)  the  Great  Desert  of  Sahara,  with  its  yellow  sand  of  hill  and 
dale  shifting  in  fantastic  shapes,  was  regarded  with  more  than  usual 
interest ;  site  of  ancient  Memphis,  pyramids  at  a  distance  ;  extensive 
groves  of  dense  luxuriant  foliage;  and  sights  innumerable  were  objects 
of  visible  attraction  till  the  wearied  eye  longs  to  rest.  We  were  about 
ten  minutes  in  descending,  meeting  the  new  party  at  the  half  way  cosey 
little  nook.  I  was  indeed  truly  thankful  when  with  little  Emma  in  my 
arms  1  could  "  thank  God  that  He  had  safely  led  me  through  this  terrible 
ordeal."  We  walked  around  the  three  great  pyramids  and  six  small  ones, 
"  the  stones  with  which  the  enormous  edifice  is  built  are  thirty  feet  in 
length  "  —  passing  over  heaps  of  ruins  and  among  the  Catacombs.     Caution 


I 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  439 

was  necessary  to  avoid  falling  down  into  the  deep,  gloomy  holes  or  cham- 
bers for  the  dead,  in  which  we  often  saw  a  stone-case  or  sarcophagus 
covered  with  hieroglyphics.  "  The  art  of  preparing  the  mummies  is  now 
lost,  but  some  of  the  embalmed  bodies  are  perfect  and  distinct  at  this  day, 
though  buried  3000  years  ago."  Purchases  were  made  of  little  green 
images  representing  them  and  coins  from  an  Arab  guide,  which  had  been 
found  quite  lately  in  a  stone  coffin.  The  walk  was  continued  to  the 
colossal  Sphinx,  which  "  is  no  more  than  the  head  and  part  of  the  shoul- 
ders of  a  woman  hewn  out  of  solid  rock,  and  about  thirty  feet  high."  It 
certainl}'^  was  human  in  appearance  ;  a  large  part  of  it  is  deeply  imbedded 
in  sand  and  greatly  mutilated.  The  antique  fable  of  "beauty  and  the 
beast"  so  clearly  combined  in  this  image  instinctively  came  to  mind.  We 
left  the  elfish  monster  with  its  "  sad  tranquil  mein"  to  the  tender  admira- 
tion of  some  other  more  enthusiastically  appreciative  beauty  "  claiming  a 
juvenility  we  do  not  possess"  with  the  feeling  that  "  the  pyramids  of 
Egypt  are  not  only  the  most  stupendous,  but  to  appearance,  the  most  use- 
less structures  that  ever  were  raised  by  the  hands  of  men."  There  was 
a  joyful  excitement  and  a  consciousness  that  the  fatigue  was  not  commen- 
surate with  the  compensation,  but  still  we  were  quite  willing  to  rest  awhile 
after  this  exhausting  excursion. 

Sight  seeing  of  some  kind  was  accomplished  each  day,  for  Egypt  abounds 
in  curiosities  and  antiquities.  On  one  occasion  we  had  a  pleasant  ride  on 
our  donkeys,  of  two  hours,  over  a  fertile  country  to  Heliopolis  where 
Joseph  got  his  wife.  There  is  now  nothing  left  amid  the  scattered  ruins 
of  the  small  city  but  one  obelisk  still  standing  with  hieroglyphics  inscribed 
on  it,  but  so  defaced  as  to  be  almost  illegible  and  secured  from  intruders 
by  swarms  of  wasps  to  whom  we  gave  a  wide  berth  after  they  made  us 
aware  of  their  presence,  for  they  quickly  caused  a  pretty  general  exodus 
and  kept  us  at  a  safe  distance.  The  column  was  put  up  by  Pharaoh  at 
the  entrance  of  the  "  temple  of  the  Sun  "  in  a  garden,  it  is  more  than  sixty- 
three  feet  high ;  there  must  have  been  another  obelisk  as  the  ancients 
always  put  one  on  either  side  of  the  entrance.  It  is  said  Cleopatra  brought 
rare  plants  from  Judea  to  this  spot  now  so  barren  and  desolate  ;  the  mounds 
of  broken  bricks  and  rubbish  of  the  walls  are  still  there  and  mark  the  site 
of  this  once  famous  but  small  city.  Close  to  Heliopolis  is  the  very  large 
and  ancient  sycamore-tree,  covered  with  the  names  of  tourists,  under 
which  the  Virgin  and  Joseph  rested.  The  Holy  Family  were  very  tired 
and  thirsty ;  and  as  they  here  tarried  at  the  time  of  the  flight  into 
^SyP^'  —  a  well  of  fresh  water  sprung  up  for  Mary's  benefit.  There  was 
the  old  tree  and  "  Virgin's  Well "  from  which  we  too  were  refreshed  with 
water,  as  also  regaled  after  our  long,  dusty  and  warm  ride,  with  some  of 
the  fine  fruit  that  was  taken  from  the  grove  of  tall  lemon  trees  near  it. 
The  view  from  the  platform  at  the  citadel  was  both  grand  and  extensive, 
"a  magnificent  panorama j"  the  roofs  of  the  houses  are  far  below,  the 
slender  and  picturesque  minarets  of  the  Mohammedan  houses  of  worship 
being  conspicuous  on  every  side.  The  Mosque  in  the  citadel  is  a  new 
edifice  of  vast  extent  and  very  superb,  it  has  four  tall  minarets  and  one 
high  pulpit  but  without  seats  or  altars.  The  arches  are  fine,  giving  a 
curious  efi"ect,  but  the  columns  and  most  of  the  inside  is  of  Oriental 
alabaster ;  and  with  the  dense  mass  of  people,  ingress  or  egress  through 
the  packed  aisles  is  almost  impossible.  We  all  were  obliged  to  put  on 
red  cloth  shoes  before  they  would  allow  us  to  enter  any  of  the  mosques, 
each  one  of  which  has  a  fountain  "  where  the  devout  Moslem  performs 


440  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

his  ablutions  previous  to  prayer,  and  removes  his  shoes,  but  keeps  his 
head  covered."  Within  the  citadel's  inclosure  is  the  viceroy's  or  pacha's 
palace,  the  rooms  of  which  are  elaborately  furnished  and  with  its  beautiful 
crimson  tapestry  are  very  handsome.  There  was  the  large  throne ;  I  sat 
in  the  state  chair  and  counted  the  jewels;  rubies  —  emeralds  —  pearls 
both  large  and  small  — with  much  gold-thread  and  embroidery.  Joseph's 
Well  at  the  citadel  was  a  great  curiosity;  it  is  level  with  the  bed  of  the 
river  and  consists  of  two  parts,  with  a  winding  staircase  to  the  bottom, 
being  about  260  feet  deep ;  two  mules  were  turning  the  wheel  which 
raised  jugs  of  water.  We  then  went  into  the  enclosure  of  sacrilegous 
character  "  where  the  sheik  on  horseback  rides  over  the  prostrate  forms 
of  the  pilgrims  after  their  return  from  Mecca,  the  wounded  victims  in 
their  frenzied  excitement  believing  the  more  they  suffer  the  more  blessed 
they  are."  Thence  to  see  the  frightful  declivity  where  Emin  Bey  escaped 
on  horseback,  March  1,  1811,  by  leaping  his  charger  over  a  gap  in  the 
stone  wall  down  a  steep  descent  ''  upon  a  pile  of  rubbish  thirty  or  more 
feet  below.  The  horse  was  killed,  but  the  rider  was  not  hurt.  It  was  on 
the  occasion  of  the  massacre  of  all  the  other  chief  Mamelukes  who  had 
been  invited  guests  to  the  citadel  before  leaving  on  an  expedition  to 
Arabia.  After  the  ceremony  of  investing  the  son  of  the  pacha  of  Egypt 
with  command  of  the  army,  the  guests,  who  came  in  their  richest  suits  — 
mounted  their  horses  to  return  to  their  homes,  but  on  reaching  the  gates, 
they  found  them  closed.  A  suspicion  of  treachery  immediately  flashed 
across  their  minds,  which  was  confirmed  by  a  shower  of  balls  from  behind 
the  ramparts.  With  the  single  exception  of  Emin  Bey  who  took  the 
fearful  leap,  every  soul  perished."  This  wholesale  murder  was  caused  by 
jealousy  and  fear  of  the  Mamelukes. 

I  was  greatly  interested  in  seeing  the  veiled  Egyptian  women  and  girls 
with  antique-like  jars  on  their  heads  filled  with  water,  men  peddling  the 
same  "  in  the  well  prepared  goat  skins,  slung  to  the  back,  the  neck  (brought 
under  the  arm  and  compressed  by  the  hand)  serving  as  the  mouth  of  this 
curious  but  exceedingly  useful  vessel,  and  hearing  these  Oriental  water- 
carriers  crying  Moi,  Moi,  water  !  water  !  Persons  of  larger  dealings  had 
an  ass  which  carries  two  skins  at  once,  borne  like  panniers,"  also  carts 
constantly  passing  with  leather  water  bottles  filled  at  the  Nile  with  its 
muddy  water.  There  too  were  the  turbaned  long-bearded  Mussulmea 
riding  on  little  donkeys  with  the  inevitable  donkey-boy,  in  the  rear, 
soundly  belaboring  the  rather  handsome  animal ;  men  having  loose 
breeches  and  flowing  robes ;  then  to  the  spacious  and  gay  bazaars  with 
many  other  curious  sights.  "  The  streets  of  Cairo  are  pestered  with  the 
jugglers  and  fortune  tellers.  One  of  the  favorite  exhibitions  is  their 
dancing  camels,  which,  when  young,  they  place  upon  a  large  heated  floor  : 
the  intense  heat  makes  the  poor  creatures  caper,  and  being  plied  all  the 
time  with  the  sound  of  drums,  the  noise  of  that  instrument  sets  them  a 
dancing  all  their  lives  after.  It  is  said  the  camel  is  fond  of  music,  and 
has  a  very  correct  idea  of  time.  When  the  conductor  wishes  them  to  per- 
form extraordinary  journeys,  instead  of  chastising,  he  encourages  them 
with  a  song,  then  although  they  had  stopped,  and  refused  to  proceed  any 
farther,  they  will  go  on  very  cheerfully,  and  much  quicker  than  a  horse, 
when  pushed  by  the  spur."  That  is  an  item  worth  the  attention  of  the 
special  detectives  whose  office  is  to  inspect  cruelty  to  animals  and  arrest 
the  inhuman  oflender. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  441 

Our  excursion  to  the  "garden  of  Shooba  "  four  miles  distant  was  re- 
plete with  delight.  Over  a  wide  carriage  road  parallel  with  the  Nile, 
lined  with  acacia  trees  on  either  side,  interspersed  occasionally  with  a 
sycamore  having  its  broad  leaf  and  low  trunk  reminding  us  of  Zaecheus, 
we  entered  a  spacious  and  elegant  garden.  It  was  filled  with  magnificent 
specimens  of  the  cho,icest  flowers,  fruits  and  spice  trees  with  its  grounds 
most  tastefully  laid  out.  In  the  centre  is  a  marble  paved  corridor  with 
marble  balustrades  around  a  large  square  in  which  are  thirty-five  or  more 
marble  alligators ;  the  water  gushes  from  their  mouths  making  a  lovely 
fountain.  We  rested  in  the  luxurious  parlor  situated  on  one  corner  of 
the  large  inclosure  ;  then  the  dining-room  occupies  another  corner,  the 
billiard-room  a  third  and  soldiers  had  the  fourth.  There  was  a  charming 
display  on  every  side  of  this  little  paradise,  with  its  palatial  residences 
and  gardens  making  a  scene  of  marvelous  beauty,  A  visit  to  the  Museum 
was  a  source  of  intense  gratification  as  the  cabinet  of  curiosities  was  novel 
and  full  of  antiquarian  relics.  Mummies  were  on  every  side,  many  of 
them  in  an  upright  position.  In  some  cases  the  cloth  coverings  were  worn 
off"  and  we  saw  part  of  the  human  body,  a  remnant  of  antiquity,  that  had 
been  embalmed  for  preservation  by  the  Egyptians  perhaps  more  than  thirty 
centuries  ago.  There  were  many  gold  and  silver  ornaments,  also  costly 
jewels  which  had  been  taken  from  different  sarcophagi.  Hieroglyphics 
were  on  covers  of  the  massive  stone  coffins  which  had  been  raised  from 
the  squares  holes  in  the  extensive  vaults.  Probably  from  one  of  these 
mummies  had  come  the  grain  regarding  which  we  have  heard  "  of  the 
marvelous  vitality  of  wheat  growing  when  planted  after  it  had  been 
clasped  for  thousands  of  years  in  the  hands  of  a  mummy."  A  gigantic 
statue  of  Pharaoh  stood  in  pompous  stateliness  and  many  remnants  of 
oriental  grandeur. 

While  promenading  the  busy  streets,  we  were  often  startled  by  the 
shrill  yell  of  an  Arab  with  an  elevated  "  baton  of  wood  "  running  before 
the  horses  of  some  splendid  barouche  filled  with  the  gentry.  He  is 
"  dressed  in  a  loose  white  robe  girdled  at  the  waist  with  an  Indian  scarf, 
having  full  sleeves  drawn  up  by  crimson  cords  which  pass  round  each 
shoulder  and  cross  behind  where  they  are  tied  fast  in  a  knot.  He  wears  a 
turban  composed  of  a  white,  red  or  yellow  woolen  shawl  wound  round,  or 
sometimes  a  red  cap  and  black  tassel,  but  no  shoes ;  his  business  is  to 
clear  the  way  for  the  carriages  to  pass."  One  of  the  many  "  interesting 
excursions  in  the  vicinity  of  Cairo  "  is  to  the  petrified  forests  sis  miles 
distant,  from  which  we  obtained  fine  specimens  of  the  stony  wood. 

On  January  .30th,  we  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  Egyptian  troops, 
with  their  fine  horses;  there  was  a  great  display  of  oriental  grandeur  as 
the  English  Admiral  presented  to  the  viceroy  an  "  Order"  from  Queen 
Victoria. 

Alexandria^  Egi/pt^  Feb.  7,  1867.  We  parted  from  our  kind  friends 
with  deep  regret  and  bade  farewell  to  Cairo,  which  "  in  winter  is  one  of 
the  most  delightful  cities  in  the  world."  The  days  of  its  picturesque 
beauty,  however,  are  numbered  :  the  superb  mosques  are  falling  to  decay, 
the  exquisite  lattice  windows  are  rotting  away,  only  the  people  and  the 
government  remain  unchanged."  Taking  the  early  morning  train,  we 
gave  a  final  look  at  the  two  principal  '•  pyramids  now  looming  larije  and 
blue  far  away  over  the  city"  and  proceeded  on  our  journey  through  the 
"  trackless  expanse  of  white  burning  sand."  This  mode  of  traveling  in 
the  desert  from  Suez  to  Cairo  and  thence  to  Alexandria,  was  a  decided 
II]  56 


442  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

iruproveinent  on  the  caravans  :  "  long  strings  of  camels  laden  with  baggage 
and  the  thirty  or  more  rude  omnibus  vans,  formerly  used,  which  moving 
out  of  Cairo  and  along  a  road  of  hard  beaten  sand,  in  whiteness  resembling 
those  in  Italy  —  occasionally  would  come  to  a  halt  in  a  streak  of  deep 
sand."  These  camels,  each  well  laden,  pacing  steadily  and  so  softly  along, 
frequently  drop  down  under  its  load  and  is  left  to  die^  yet  its  eyes  wistfully 
look  after  the  departing  van.  Yet  on  such  a  "  clear,  balmy  Egyptian 
morning,"  we  could  scarcely  have  regretted  to  go  in  one.  After  a  ride 
of  seven  hours  we  arrived  safely  at  Alexandria,  that  "  mart  of  active  com- 
merce," with  its  palms,  orange  trees  and  bananas.  The  view  from  the 
flat-roof  of  Rev.  A.  Watson's  residence  is  very  extensive.  Here  we  go 
"  to  enjoy  the  cool  of  the  evenings"  and  then  had  my  first  sight  of  the 
Mediterranean  Sea  with  its  sparkling  waters  looking  so  beautifully  blue 
and  calm.  On  a  small  eminence  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  Alex- 
andria, stands  "  Pompey's  Pillar"  about  which  very  little  is  known.  As 
you  '•  approach  the  level  shores  of  Egypt  it  rises  up  out  of  the  sea,  and 
stands  upon  the  horizon,  faintly  marked  against  the  liquid  sky"  as  one  of 
the  ancient  landmarks.  It  is  a  "  tall  red  granite  column,  with  shaft  highly 
polished,  of  elegant  structure  on  a  square  block  of  sienite  rock  sixteen 
feet  square.  It  is  of  Corinthian  order,  with  capital  carved  to  represent 
palm  leaves  not  indented.  The  monument  was  erected  by  Publius  after 
he  had  been  appointed  prefect  of  Egypt."  The  redish  granite  four-square 
pyramids  called  "  Cleopatra's  Needles,"  one  of  which  is  imbedded  in  the 
sand.  ("These  obelisks,  covered  with  hieroglyphics,  are  about  sixty  feet 
high,  and  consist  each  of  a  single  stone,  seven  feet  square  at  the  base,") 
and  the  ancient  desolate  tombs  of  sepulchre  are  the  great  monuments 
which  sound  a  dirge  to  the  eminence  and  prosperity  of  past  generations. 
Here  as  in  Cairo  there  was  "great  amusement  to  be  found  in  the  novelty 
and  drollery  of  the  scene  around  you  amongst  such  a  mixed  population. 
Amidst  the  trees  are  seen  the  rich  turbans  and  dresses  of  Turks,  and 
Arabians,  male  and  female.  On  the  outskirts,  and  along  the  roads  leading 
to  the  bazaar,  was  a  promiscuous  crowd  of  horsemen  in  white  linen,  with 
sun-hats  made  of  the  pith  of  a  tree,  helmet  shaped,  with  a  veil  fastened 
round  the  rim.  "  Here  an  old  Turk,  fat  and  shaky,  seated  on  an 
Egyptian  donkey  of  four  feet  in  height,  his  feet  reaching  to  within  six 
inches  of  the  ground,  went  trotting  across  the  square;  there  half  a  dozen 
half  naked  boys,  each  perched  between  two  goat-skins  of  water.  "  Four 
or  five  English  sailors,  full  of  wonderment  at  the  novel  mode  of  travel, 
were  plunging  along  at  a  fast  gallop  ;  al'ter  each  was  the  donkey  boy  in- 
geniously poking  him  in  the  ribs  or  under  the  saddle  strap.  "  A  row  of 
camels  stalked  slowly  by  and  looked  with  quiet  eyes  at  passing  scenes. 
Dragomans  —  black,  yellow,  and  white,  splendidly  dressed  in  loose  breeches 
and  flowing  robes,  silk  and  satin  vests,  some  of  them  with  embroidered 
jackets,  and  immense  gay  colored  turbans  wound  around,  are  quarreling 
with  the  donkey  owners.  Here  too  comes  a  dog  playing  circus  with  a 
monkey  on  his  back."     Now  for  a  pilgrimage  to  the  "  Blessed  City." 

Jerusalem  to  Naples. 
Jerusalem.,  Palestine.,  February  15,  1867.  With  a  large  and  pleasant 
party,  we  left  Alexandria  on  the  8th  in  a  French  steamer.  On  our 
arrival  at  Jafi'a,  we  found  "  the  entrance  to  the  harbor  was  through  such 
a  narrow,  rocky  passage  with  such  dangerous  waves,  that  often  it  is  utterly 
impossible  to  make  a  landing  and  the  passengers  from  the  steamships  have 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  443 

to  be  carried  on  to  Beyrout."  It  was  raining  and  the  sea  rather  tem- 
pestuous, many  doubted  if  we  could  land,  but  we  did  not  at  all  relish  the 
idea  of  proceeding  on  any  further ;  however,  the  Captain  hurried  passen- 
gers ashore.  Crowds  of  native  boats  were  around  and  the  Arabs  impatient 
to  start,  as  in  half  an  hour's  time  the  increasing  storm  and  rough  weather 
would  not  allow  us  to  venture.  We  were  indeed  thankful  to  touch  the 
shore  in  safety  and  not  oae  moment  too  soon.  The  peril  from  wind  and 
wave  was  great  as  the  billows  in  their  turbulence,  were  dashing  along 
furiously  with  unabated  violence,  and  the  rain  descended  in  torrents. 
Then  came  Custom  House  inspection,  after  which  the  difficult  task  of 
climbing  those  slippery,  filthy  stone  steps.  The  whole  party  were  pretty 
well  exhausted  when  the  feat  was  accomplished ;  and  as  we  trudged  on 
regardless  of  the  weather,  there  certainly  was  no  lack  of  laughable  inci- 
dents. Our  dragoman  saved  us  from  the  cupidity  of  the  exacting  Arabs 
who  required  "  backsheesh"  for  the  slightest  service.  Only  part  of  our 
number  could  be  accommodated  at  the  Hotel  which  was  already  well  filled. 
Our  experience  on  that  dark  stormy  night,  was  a  succession  of  rare  scenes 
of  annoyance  and  fun,  till  we  were  finally  relieved,  after  tracing  our  weary 
steps,  by  being  safely  domiciled  in  our  temporary  abode  at  the  Latin 
Monastery  and  were  well  pleased  with  the  generous  hospitality  of  the 
fathers.  The  early  morning  found  us  on  the  "  flat  roofs"  to  "  catch 
echoes"  from  the  past  as  we  stood  looking  over  the  now  placid  Mediter- 
ranean Sea  with  its  engaging  reminiscences  vividly  rising  to  mind.  It 
still  retained  the  same  matchless  beauty  as  in  the  days  when  Simon  Peter 
was  sent  on  his  mission  to  Joppa.  The  sparkling  of  its  fathomless  blue 
waters  tempered  our  excited  feelings,  and  the  sacred  recollections,  that 
filled  our  minds,  raised  our  hearts  to  heaven  with  gratitude  at  the  realiza- 
tion of  a  visit  to  the  Holy  Land.  As  far  as  regards  any  charms  to  be 
found  in  Jaffa  they  exist  only  in  association,  and  the  facts  of  its  being 
the  "  oldest  port  in  the  world,  where  Noah  built  his  ark,  and  Hiram 
brought  the  cedars  for  the  Temple  ;  but  we  reserved  all  the  historical 
sites  for  inspection  till  our  return  from  Jerusalem.  In  fine  spirits  we 
rode  out  on  horseback  — a  few  of  the  ladies  on  side-saddles,  others  astride, 
past  "  the  tall  hedges  and  impenetrable  thickets  of  cactus,"  these  are  the 
only  fences  and  are  higher  than  a  man  on  horseback.  For  some  time  we 
were  slowly  moving  "  through  those  shady  fragrant  orchards"  of  orange 
and  lemon  trees  bending  to  the  ground  with  the  weight  of  the  deliciously 
ripe  golden  fruit  of  immense  size  regaling  us  with  "  scented  breezes." 
Emma  rode  the  whole  distance  of  thirty-six  miles  on  a  diminutive  donkey, 
with  a  muscular  Arab  of  six  feet  in  height  walking  by  her  side.  We  had 
an  amusing  adventure  with  this  brawny  native.  When  cantering  over 
"  the  beautiful  plains  of  Sharon  decked  with  a  profusion  of  wild  fiowers," 
he  seemed  to  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  riding  would  be  preferable 
to  using  his  own  locomotive  powers.  He  therefore  threw  his  herculean 
limbs  over  the  little  animal's  back,  with  his  feet  almost  touching  the  ground. 
Emma  was  sitting  in  front  of  him  and  carpet  bags  in  the  rear.  This 
manoeuvre  was  no  sooner  accomplished,  and  we  again  on  our  way,  when 
the  sensible  donkey,  feeling  no  desire  to  be  thus  hampered,  in  an  instant, 
most  unexpectedly,  with  a  very  sudden  jerk,  skillfully  tossed  the  Arab, 
Emma,  and  saddle-bags  directly  over  his  head  into  the  soft  sand,  then  stood 
quietly  and  looked  at  them.  Neither  were  injured  in  the  fall  and  it  was 
indescribably  ludicrous  to  see  this  strong  man  sprawling  on  the  ground; 
there  was  a  general  halt  and  a  spontaneous  outbursting  of  noisy  merriment 


444  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

over  this  spectacle  of  fallen  greatness.  The  Arab  in  good  humor  took  the 
hint  given  Ijini  with  such  demonstrative  expulsive  power,  and  with  comical 
manner  re-adjusted  saddle  and  bags)  placing  Emma  once  more  nicely  on 
the  wily  beast  and  then  walking  by  her  side,  terminated  all  the  trouble. 

We  remained  one  night  in  Kamleh,  which  "  is  distinguished  for  its 
chaiTuing  situation,  two  Turkish  mosques  and  three  convents,  at  the  Latin 
convent  making  an  early  start  the  following  morning  at  three  o'clock. 
It  rained  nearly  the  whole  of  this  day,  "and  the  clouds  chased  along  by 
the  wind,  threw  a  mournful  obscurity  over  every  object ;  "  umbrellas  were 
broken  to  pieces  by  the  cold  wind  which  "howled  fearfully  among  the 
rocks,  and  thrown  away  as  perfectly  useless  ;  but  blanket-shawls  being  ad- 
justed over  our  heads  we  proceeded.  After  a  substantial  "  tiffin,"  we 
entered  a  "  gorge  or  valley  and  ibllowed  this  till  near  Jerusalem  which 
is  on  high  ground  and  the  roads  to  it  ascending  a  good  deal  from  every 
direction  proving  the  applicability  of  the  phrase  "  going  up  to  Jerusalem." 
It  would  be  impossible  for  any  but  horses  well  accustomed  to  the  road,  to 
pass  over  in  safety  to  the  rider.  It  was  narrow,  rocky  in  ledges,  and 
broken  fragments,  often  precipitous  and  winding  amongst  the  lofty  hills 
which  rose  abruptly  on  both  sides."  On  the  summit  of  one  hill,  the  view 
was  extensive  and  charming  with  a  sight  of  the  Mediterranean  sea.  After 
a  time  we  went  down  into  a  valley  having  many  fig  and  olive  trees. 
[•'  The  olives  are  chiefly  cultivated  for  the  sake  of  the  oil  that  they  pro- 
duce which  forms  a  principal  article  of  food  to  the  inhabitants.  This  oil 
is  contained  in  the  pulp  only,  but  not  other  fruits  in  the  nut  as  kernel  ; 
it  is  obtained  by  simple  pressure  after  the  olives  are  bruised  by  a  mill- 
stone."] 

Then  another  long,  rocky,  steep  hill  was  ascended  and  soon  we  paused 
with  full  hearts,  while  the  unbidden  tears  would  fall.  In  full  view,  we 
beheld  the  Holy  City,  (with  the  gray  walls  twenty-five  feet  high,  and 
flanked  with  square  "  out-bulging  towers  every  few  rods  "  and  the  tops  of 
a  few  gray  buildings  of  stone  surmounted  by  domes  of  the  same  material 
give  to  the  whole  a  sombre  appearance  at  first),  surrounded  by  lofty  hills. 
At  five  o'clock  p.  M.,  we  entered  the  gate  with  excited  feelings,  and  as 
"  the  hor.se's  hoofs  gave  forth  a  ringing  sound  on  the  stones  of  the  streets 
of  Jerusalem "  we  scarcely  noticed  "how  narrow  and  deserted  "they 
appeared.  The  consequence  of  that  long,  hardy,  wet  ride  on  my  debilitated 
system  was  severe  illness  that  night  and  following  day.  The  surroundings, 
however,  tended  to  invigorate  the  recuperative  powers  and  expedite  con- 
valescence, and  we  can  now  forget  those  rough,  stony  paths  and  roads  with 
the  frightful  ravines  and  trifling  annoyances,  remembering  only  with 
gratitude  and  awakened  enthusiasm  that  we  were  permitted  to  visit  Jeru- 
salem. It  had  been  the  desire  of  my  heart  from  childhood,  "  one  of  the 
great  expectancies  of  life  ;  it  had  been  thought  of  by  day,  and  dreamed  of 
by  night,"  and  to  me  the  reality  was  no  disappointment.  We  inspected 
all  the  deeply  interesting  localities ;  and  what  had  been  "  glad  anticipa- 
tions of  the  future,  were  now  not  deficient  in  the  present  accomplish- 
ment," for  we  felt  thoroughly  qualified  to  appreciate  the  highest  results, 
with  a  chastened  and  subdued  spirit  as  successively  exemplified  by  our 
visits  to  every  available  spot  in  this  "  consecrated  Palestine."  The  gold 
of  our  party  obtained  us  entrance  within  the  "  sacred  precincts  "  of  the 
Temple  Area;  the  Mussulmans  have  only  lately  allowed  Christians  to  enter 
this  site  of  high  reverence.  My  feelings  were  very  tender  and  solemn, 
for  certainly  here  Jesus  walked.     Particular  spots  were  pointed  out,  and 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  445 

places  assigned  for  everything  you  wished  to  see  in  Jerusalem,  but  we 
saw  many  defects  in  the  rendition  and  were  skeptical  on  divers  points,  as 
we  Protestants  have  a  translation  from  a  higher' authority,  "  There  shall 
not  be  left  here  one  stone  upon  another,  that  shall  not  be  thrown  down," 
with  "  desolation  and  woe  written  on  every  side."  The  striking  features, 
however,  were  the  same  and  we  saw  sufficient  without  caviling,  to  which 
no  exception  could  be  taken,  to  make  our  visit  intensely  interesting  and 
conducive  of  unbounded  satisfaction  ;  a  gratification  to  be  carried  through 
life,  which  we  would  not  willingly  have  foregone. 

After  walking  through  the  spacious  grounds  with  reverential  awe, 
we  ascended  the  "  flights  of  steps  terraced "  to  the  marble  platform 
on  which  the  octagon  shaped  famous  Mosque  of  Omar  is  built,  with  "  its 
immense  beautiful  dome  and  its  Turkish  standard  —  the  golden  Crescent  — 
on  the  summit  of  Mount  Moriah,  the  site  of  Solomon's  Temple."  We 
touched  the  Rock,  below  the  dome,  on  which  "  Abraham  was  about  offer- 
ing his  beloved  Isaac;"  over  this  rock  was  a  canopy  of  gay  colored  dusty 
silks.  After  viewing  the  hole  or  cave  below,  we  passed  on  to  see  the 
"  heavy  masonry  at  the  Beautiful  Gate."  "  One  of  the  singular  pro- 
perties of  this  mosque  consists  in  the  fact  that  it  is  constantly,,  through 
the  day,  when  the  sun  is  shining,  changing  color.  Being  shingled  over 
with  red,  green,  blue,  yellow,  orange  and  indigo-colored  tiles,  eight-sided 
walls  are  all  the  time  varying  in  hue,  like  changeable  silk,  from  sunrise  to 
twilight.  This  is  contemplated  by  the  admiring  Moslem  spectators  as  a 
perpetual  miracle."  Within  the  inclosure  of  this  Ottoman  temple  you  see 
here  and  there  a  solitary,  indolent  Turk,  in  scanty  garments  tight  about 
his  person,  arid  turbaned  head,  smoking  his  long  pipe ;  quiescent  all  day 
long  as  he,  cross  legged  upon  his  mat,  sits  in  peace.  On  Friday  we  went 
to  the  Temple  wall  to  the  "  Jew's  wailing  place,"  and  found  the  small  spot 
filled  with  "  men,  women  and  children  of  all  ages  and  condition  in  life, 
without  shoes,  reading  Hebrew  prayers  or  weeping,  some  lying  flat  on  the 
ground,  others  with  faces  close  to  the  stones,  many  of  which  are  worn 
smooth  with  their  kisses ;  tears  fell  fast ;  it  was  sad  to  hear  their  moans 
and  prayers,  .and  a  touching  sight  to  see  them  weeping  over  the  destruction 
of  their '•  Beautiful  Temple.''  Strange  that  they  never  think  of  those 
awful  words:  Let  "his  blood  be  on  us,  and  our  children  I"  The  Jews 
are  never  allowed  by  their  "  Moslem  masters"  to  enter  the  Temple  Area 
with  its  beautiful  cypresses  and  palms,  but  they  approach  as  near  as  they 
can  to  some  immense  blocks  of  stone  of  the  inner  wall,  quite  different  from 
the  others  and  probably  have  been  once  used  as  forming  a  part  of  Solo- 
mon's Temple. 

The  door  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre  faces  a  large  open  court; 
we  could  purchase  relics  in  the  form  of  crucifixes,  carved  shells,  beads, 
&c.,  all  of  which  are  exposed  for  sale  by  the  venders  seated  on  the  ground, 
beside  their  mats  filled  with  the  precious  wares  on  the  brick  pavements 
in  front  of  the  building.  There  are  many  holes  worn  in  the  stones  from 
the  constant  treading  of  such  a  multitude  of  feet.  Turkish  guards  were 
seated  on  a  divan  at  the  entrance  who  like  to  exact  a  tribute  from  visitors. 
We  went  up  a  flight  of  steps  to  the  top  of  Calvary,  and  "  saw  under  a 
marble  altar  a  hole,  two  leet  deep  and  six  or  eight  inches  square  covered 
with  a  golden  plate,  supposed  to  be  the  socket  of  the  cross  "  It  made  me 
shudder  to  put  my  fingers  in  the  wide  fissure  of  an  immense  solid  rock 
rent  in  two  pieces  by  an  earthquake  ;  there  was  no  fiction  in  that  !  The 
Greeks  have  one  side  and  the  Latins  the  other  of  a  spot  where  the  cross 


446  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

is  said  to  have  stood ;  each  vie  with  the  other  as  to  the  most  costly  and 
elegant  jewels  around  the  consecrated  precinet.  "  Helena,  mother  of  Con- 
stantino, excavated  and  found,  it  is  said,  the  cross  in  what  is  now  a  dark 
subterranean  room  with  an  altar  and  lamp  perpetually  burning,  called  the 
Chapel  of  St.  Helena;  the  cross  was  sent  to  Rome."  The  Chapel  was 
splendidly  ornamented  with  the  hanging  lamps  of  gold  and  silver.  By 
stooping  we  went  into  the  Sepulchre  through  a  small  door  ;  this  is  held 
in  common  by  the  Greeks,  Latins  and  Turks,  who  have  their  different  sets 
of  costly  lamps  suspended  over  a  yellowish  white  marble  slab.  We  counted 
forty  of  these  gold  and  silver  lamps  which  are  always  burning,  and  on  the 
altar  were  arranged  many  precious  jewels  from  the  Sovereigns  of  Europe. 
It  was  a  singular  spectacle  tf)  observe  the  jealous  custodials,  from  diff"erent 
nations,  thus  standing  guard  over  their  particular  section  of  the  grave, 
while  many  devout  pilgrims  were  kneeling  and  kissing  the  white  marble. 
The  Greek  church  has  for  her  great  patron  the  Emperor  of  Russia. 
The  French  Empress  Eugenie  had  given  a  large  sum  of  money  for  repair- 
ing the  Temple,  and  different  kinds  of  workmen  were  busily  engaged  in 
their  own  particular  craft,  and  scaffolding  was  in  various  parts  of  the 
building.  The  incessant  sound  of  hammers,  and  the  noisy  stirring  scene 
with  the  present  dilapidated  condition  was  jarring  to  my  feelings  ;  and 
especially  in  that  consecrated  edifice  with  its  inviolably  sacred  associations, 
was  it  exceedingly  repulsive  to  be  in  the  midst  of  such  a  din  of  turmoil. 
Passing  through  the  stone  battlemented  walls  at  St.  Stephen's  gate,  where 
the  martyr  made  his  happy  exit,  we  saw  before  us  the  Mount  of  Olives, 
Valley  of  Jehoshaphat  which  separates  it  from  the  city,  and  the  surround- 
ing scenery  of  ancient  hills  and  vales  dotted  with  the  traditional  sites. 
We  descended  the  rough  and  rocky  road  to  the  brook  of  Kedron  which 
was  perfectly  dry,  and  then  were  in  close  proximity  to  a  sacred  locality, 
for  just  at  the  base  of  the  hill  is  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane.  Though  it 
was  not  in  the  isolated  position  I  had  pictured,  yet  even  the  supposition 
that  it  possibly  might  be  the  scene  of  our  Saviour's  agony,  caused  a 
shrinking  and  sensitive  reverence  in  approaching  the  opening  to  what 
might  or  might  not  be  the  identical  and  interesting  spot.  This  was  a 
square  plot  that  occupied  less  than  an  acre  of  ground  inclosed  by  a  low, 
rough  stone  wall  and  now  belongs  to  the  Latin  Convent.  A  flower  garden 
has  been  formed  from  part  of  the  land,  and  pretty  bouquets  were  soon  pre- 
sented by  the  friar  for  us  to  purchase.  I  counted  eight  olive  trees  appar- 
ently of  great  antiquity  that  overshadowed  the  inclosure  ;  "  they  were  of 
enormous  size  and  of  immense  girt ;  and  having  become  splintered  and 
shriveled  with  age  were  certainly  great  curiosities  as  vegetable  produc- 
tions." The  shade  must  be  perfect  when  the  trees  are  covered  with  their 
summer  foliage,  though  some  were  quite  hollow  and  supported  by  props. 
We  seated  ourselves  on  a  few  of  the  many  immense  gnarled  roots  far  above 
the  ground  and  thanked  God  for  that  great  contest.  How  vividly  the 
past  came  to  mind,  how  near  Heaven  seemed  as  we  stood  face  to  face  in 
long,  earnest  conference  with  the  Hearer  of  Prayer  !  After  exploring 
every  nook  and  crevice  with  deepest  interest,  yet  with  a  feeling  of  great 
depression,  we  finally  turned  with  more  certainty  to  "  follow  the  traces  of 
our  Saviour  "  as  we  climbed  the  ancient  road  leading  from  Jerusalem  to 
the  Mount  of  Olives.  We  traversed  the  very  same  steep  path  so  often 
trod  by  holy  feet  which  ascends  from  the  bed  of  the  brook  Kedron.  It 
was  a  precipitous,  liard  ascent  which  enabled  us  frequently  to  turn  and 
look  at  the  city  ;  but  from   the  top  of  the  mosque  on  the  summit  of  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  447 

mount,  the  supposed  site  of  the  ascension,  we  had  a  grand  bird's  eye  view 
of  the  entire  consecrated  ground.  "  Numerous  olive  trees  were  scattered 
along  the  sides  of  the  declivity  and  on  the  eminence." 

Having  climbed  the  craggy  eminence  to  the  summit  of  Olivet,  being 
three  hundred  feet  above  the  temple  area,  one  looks  directly  down  upon 
the  city  which  is  spread  out  before  him  like  a  map,  every  building  and 
every  locality  can  be  distinguished.  The  scene  was  certainly  very  impos- 
ing and  the  appearance  of  the  city,  with  its  long  line  of  battlemented 
walls  with  their  towers  and  gates,  the  domes  and  cupolas  and  the  minarets 
of  the  mosques,  formed  a  magnificent  panoramic  view.  We  had  a  clear 
survey  of  the  Dead  Sea,  twenty  miles  distant,  and  "  the  region  round  about 
Jordan,"  also  the  "Wilderness  of  Judea  and  the  peculiar  features  of  a 
smiling  country  for  miles  around.  Six  pilgrims  from  Turkey,  in  the  usual 
costume  with  a  palmer's  staff  in  hand,  sandals  on  feet  and  broad-brimmed 
bats,  arrived  while  we  were  in  the  little  chapel ;  they  prostrated  themselves 
to  kiss  what  they  supposed  the  footprints  of  the  Saviour  in  the  rock.  Our 
horses  and  donkeys  were  sent  along  the  rocky  mule-tracks  to  meet  us  at 
Bethany,  while  we  walked  from  the  Mount  of  Olives  along  the  same  road 
our  Saviour  and  his  disciples  so  often  trod,  to  that  little  village  two  miles 
distant.  The  beautiful  full  double  Rose  of  Sharon  —  "  celebrated  as  the 
queen-flower"  —  was  not  in  bloom,. but  we  found  a  few  old  fashioned  red 
poppies,  of  tiny  size,  looking  cheerful  and  pretty  imbedded  in  the  green 
grass.  Soon,  however,  the  dismantled  beauty  of  these  fields  would  be 
restored,  when  the  plain  of  Sharon  also  would  be  "  covered  with  a  profusion 
of  roses,  the  white  and  red  narcissus,  white  and  orange  lily  which  with 
its  tulips  in  such  a  variety  of  colors  form  a  lovely  parterre."  It  was  a 
pleasant,  reflective  walk,  for  we  beheld  the  same  beautiful  views  our  dear 
Jesus  had  so  frequently  gazed  upon,  and  we  repeatedly  rested,  sitting  under 
the  shade  of  an  olive  tree,  to  cast  a  look  over  the  sunny  hills.  After  go- 
ing a  short  distance  down  the  stony  road  towards  Jericho,  being  the  one 
that  Jesus  traveled  to  heal  Lazarus,  we  turned  and  looked  down  into  the 
damp,  gloomy  tomb  of  Lazarus  cut  out  of  a  rock  with  twenty-five  stone 
steps  to  descend.  To  obtain  a  good  view  of  the  small,  dilapidated  village 
of  Bethany,  we  went  on  a  broken  rock,  part  of  the  ruins  of  an  old  watch 
house  and  sat  down  on  a  grassy  mound.  The  miserable  tenement  of  Mary 
and  Martha  had  been  purchased  by  an  English  lady,  who  had  put  a  high 
fence  around  it.  The  view  of  Jerusalem  is  perfectly  grand  on  both  the 
roads  from  Bethany,  and  calls  up  a  "  vista  of  the  past  with  its  scenes  of 
peace  and  turmoil,  freedom  and  bondage."  We  saw  the  tomb  of  the 
kings  ;  the  Jewish  cemetery,  and  at  Absalom's  tomb  while  we  stood  gaz- 
ing, some  Jews  passed  and  threw  stones  at  it.  Their  peculiar  manner 
caused  an  enquiry  to  be  made,  and  we  found  it  was  their  custom ;  "  it  is 
completely  surrounded  by  small  stones  to  a  considerable  depth,  thrown  by 
the  Jews  from  time  immemorial  to  show  their  contempt  for  his  conduct." 
The  women  clothed  in  white  at  the  Mohammedan  tombs  attracted  our  atten- 
tion, we  then  returned  through  the  Zion  gate;  here  were  many  lepers  with 
crooked  hands,  sores  and  lumps,  swollen,  distorted  faces,  a  frightful  and 
"  pitiable  sight."  Among  the  sites  visited,  were  the  pool  of  Hezekiah, 
pool  of  Siloam  and  other  "  traditional  stations  ;"  we  looked  over  the 
broken  stone  walls  of  the  pool  of  Bethesda,  down  into  its  almost  dry 
depths,  of  seventy-five  feet  deep,  three  hundred  and  sixty  feet  long,  and 
one  hundred  and  thirty  wide. 

Another  day  we  passed  through  the  Jaffa  gate,  down  the  steep  descent 


448  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

for  Bstlileliem,  and  much  enjoyed  the  ride  of  six  miles  in  two  hours  over 
barren  hills.     At  the  Greek  convent  "a  depression  is  shown  in  the  rock, 
said  to  be  made  by  the  form  of  Elijah,  who  here  lay,  weary  and  hungry 
when    he   was  fed  by  an   angel,"   a  good  view  also  of  the  Dead  Sea  was 
obtained.     "  As  we  approached  Bethlehem,  the  valleys  grew  more  fertile, 
sides  of  the  hills  were  cultivated  in  terraces  which  support  the  olive  trees 
and  the  vineyards."     After  passing  fields  of  fig  and  olive  groves,  when 
about  a  mile  from   Bethlehem  a  green  valley  was  pointed  out  where  the 
shepherds  watched   their  flocks.     "  A  large  monastery  consisting  of  the 
Latin,  Greek  and  Armenian  convents  surround  the  church  used  in  common 
which  stands  over  the  cave  of  the  Nativity."     After  a  tiffin  at  the  Latin 
convent  we  went  to  see  the  sacred  sites  of  stable  and  manger.     "  In  the 
aisles  of  the  fine  large  church,  built  in  shape  of  a  Latin  cross,  were  forty- 
eight  superb  marble  columns."     The  star  on  the  marble  floor  marked  the 
spot  over  which  the   heaven^s   star  stood  still.     Going  down  a  flight  of 
fifteen  steps   we   came   to  the   chapel  of  the   Nativity,  it  was  brilliantly 
lighted  with  gold  and  silver  lamps ;  the  floor  was  inlaid  with  marble.     On 
the  east  side  was  a  white  marble  slab  with  a  silver  sun  to  mark  the  birth- 
spot  ;  here  were  sixteen  silver  lamps.     On  the  west  of  it  is  the  manger 
with  a  marble  floor ;  over  the  rock  splendid  curtains  were  suspended  and 
the   place   brilliantly    illuminated.     As    we    were    passing   on,  prostrate 
pilgrims  were  kissing  the  silver  birth  spot  with  reverential  awe  and  it  did 
not  seem  unbecoming ;  far  better  thus  than  the  levity  manifested  by  the 
skeptical  exceptioner,  for  it   "  stands  first  among  the    holiest  places   on 
earth."     There  too  was   the  tomb  of  the  2,00U  Innocents   massacred  by 
th^  order  of  King  Herod.     "  In  Rama  was  there  a  voice  heard,  lamenta- 
tion, and  weeping,  and  great  mourning,  Kacbel  weeping  for  her  children, 
and    would    not    be    comforted,  because    they    are    not."     We    procured 
beautiful  crosses  of  pearl  and  various  sorts  of  other  trinkets  of  shell  work 
"  made  from  the  shell  of  the  pearl   oyster."     These  are  the  speciality  of 
Bethlehem,  which   "•  the  purchaser  takes   with   him   into  the  church   of 
the  Holy  Sepulchre  to  be  blessed  by  laying  on  the  tomb  or  in  the  socket 
of  the  cross."     We  halted  at  Kachel's  Muslim  tomb  not  far  from  Bethle- 
hem, it  is  a  small,  square  yellowish  house  with  very  ancient  looking  round 
dome.     Too  rapidly  came  the  time  for  our  return,  it  was  a  cool, 'pleasant 
day  and  after  lingering  on  a  lofty  hill  to  take  our  last  look  at  the  earthly 
Jerusalem  "  filled  with  holy  memories,"  as  it  was  then  "  glittering  in  the 
sun's  rays  which  shone  with  inconceivable  splendor  on  towers  and  domes," 
we  proceeded  on  our  way  fanned  by  the  exhilarating  breezes  and  much 
enjoyed  our  ride.     I,  as  also  the  majority  of  the  ladies  of  our  party,  as  a 
matter  of  preference,  rode  in  masculine  style,  cavalier  fashion,  astride  on 
horseback  and  found    it  a  much   safer  mode  than  riding  sideways.     We 
could  with  greater  ease  maintain  the  necessary  equilibrium  going  through 
those    difficult   stony    ravines,  or    down    the    narrow,   rough,   dangerous 
precipitous  descents  and  gorges.     There  was  a  marked  difference  return- 
ing, both  as  to  our  comfort,  and  ease  of  management  to  that  of  going,  quite 
sufficient  to  silence  any  caviling  at  want  of  delicacy.     Field  after  field  of 
olive  and  fig   trees   gave  a  freshness  and  interest  to  our  excursion.     We 
slept  again  at  Ramleh  in  the  Russian  convent,  and  went  on  the  terraced 
roof  for  a  view  of  the  country  ;  as  we  stood  there  the  call  from  the  minaret 
sounded  on  our  ears  for  it  was  the  hour  of  prayer. 

The  following  day,  after  a  charming  ride,  we  reached  Jaffa  in  safety 
and  then  commenced  the  usual  mishaps:  the  hotel  was  full,   the  Latin 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  419 

convent  was  full,  but  the  American  Consul  as  a  dernier  resort  kindly  es- 
corted us  to  the  Greek  monastery  and  at  his  request  we  were  accommo- 
dated with  delightful  rooms.  We  visited  the  house  of  Simon  the  tanner, 
went  out  and  sat  for  a  long  time  on  the  flat  roof  where  Peter  had  his 
trance,  or  had  not,  it  mattered  but  little  as  to  the  exact  spot,  we  could 
not  be  far  from  it.  This  was  a  very  old  building,  on  part  of  one  roof  they 
have  placed  a  light  house-  for  ships  at  sea.  We  walked  through  a  few  of 
the  many  fields  of  orange  and  lemon  trees,  the  size  of  our  largest  apple 
trees,  all  filled  with  the  ripe,  delicious  golden  fruit,  such  a  beautiful  sight. 
It  was  a  privilege  to  be  allowed,  in  return  for  a  small  sum,  to  select  fine 
twigs  with  several  enormous  luscious  oranges  on  them.  The  trees  were 
much  too  closely  laced  together  for  our  comfort  as  they  impeded  our  loco- 
motion ;  the  heavy  fruit  weighing  the  branches  to  the  ground  made  our 
progress  through  the  scented  groves  rather  a  difficult  task.  We  went  out- 
side the  gates  to  visit  the  Settlement  of  the  American  Colony  of  about 
fifty  families  not  far  from  the  walls,  and  found  the  men  occupied  in  putting 
up  some  comfortable  frame  residences.  These  travelers  had  suffered 
severely  from  sickness  by  living  in  tents ;  their  encampment  during  the 
rainy  season  was  on  the  low  ground  near  the  sea.  About  one-third  of 
the  company  are  dissatisfied,  they  have  "  fallen  into  serious  dissensions, 
and  are  divided  into  two  factions,  one  for  and  the  other  against  Mr.  Adams, 
The  practices  of  the  colonists  are  of  the  most  varied  and  inharmonious 
character,  "  they  do  not  agree  even  in  religious  matters.  Perhaps  the 
saddest  feature  of  all  is,  that  the  great  body  of  those  who  stand  by  Mr. 
Adams  are  industrious,  well-meaning  New  England  men,  who  sincerely 
believed  that  they  would  better  their  condition  by  coming  to  this  land ;  it 
has  been  truly  to  them  a  bitter  and  crushing  disappointment."  The 
Consul  has  written  to  the  United  States  for  a  ship  to  take  home  such  as 
desire  to  return  and  many  expect  to  leave  for  America.  They  do  not 
come  out  as  missionaries  according  to  my  idea,  but  believe  the  curse  is 
now  to  be  removed  from  Palestine  and  then  they  would  have  eligible  homes 
in  this  country.  They  are  quite  a  different  people  from  what  I  expected  to 
welcome  on  a  mission  field ;  there  was  much  to  admire  and  not  a  little  to 
condemn  ;  "  their  godlike  trust  and  faith  "  had  too  much  the  semblance 
of  being  absorbed  in  temporal  aggrandizement. 

Our  entire  party  excepting  myself  went  in  the  French  steamer  to  Bey- 
rout.  My  passage  was  also  paid  to  the  same  port,  but  as  unfortunately 
the  baggage  was  left  at  Alexandria,  Emma  and  myself  are  necessitated  to 
remain  patiently  in  Jaffa  for  a  return  vessel  to  take  us  to  that  place. 
•'  Jafta,  the  ancient  Joppa,  rises  in  the  form  of  an  amphitheatre,  and  is 
surmounted  on  the  top  by  a  round  castle  ;  it  contains  a  population  of  5000, 
of  which  1000  are  Christians.  The  port,  which  is  defended  by  two  bat- 
teries, is  so  choked  up  with  sand  that  none  but  small  vessels  can  approach 
the  shore.  The  houses  are  principally  built  of  stone;  the  streets  are 
narrow,  dirty  and  badly  paved.  The  town,  however,  looks  well  at  a  dis- 
tance, surrounded  as  it  is  by  beautiful  orchards  of  orange  and  lemon  trees 
and  tall  waving  cypresses.  "  It  was  from  Jaffa  Jonah  embarked  ;  and  here 
Peter  recalled  Tabitha  to  life.  It  was  fortified  by  Louis  IX  of  France,  in 
the  13th  century.  In  1799  Jaffa  was  taken  by  Napoleon  after  an  obstinate 
and  murderous  siege.  4000  Turkisli  soldiers  were  inhumanly  butchered  _ 
by  the  order  of  Napoleon  after  they  had  capitulated  with  the  express  under- 
standing that  their  lives  should  be  spared.  Just  before  his  retreat  across 
the  Desert  to  Egypt  he  ordered  500  disabled  soldiers  to  be  poisoned  !" 

II]  57 


450  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Homeward  Route. 

Mes^sinn^  Sicili/.  We  are  now  snugly  domiciled  in  the  hotel  "  Trinacria," 
but  will  if  you  please  retrace  our  steps  to  the  Greek  monastery  where  we 
last  communed.  You  remember  "  Jaffa  has  no  harbor,  no  safe  anchorage, 
and  vessels  lie  a  mile  from  the  shore."  It  was  raining  when  our  friends  left 
for  Beyrout,  and  appearances  indicated  very  threatening  weather  ^nd  soon 
the  heavens  were  overspread  with  black  clouds.  The  storm  increased 
and  was  so  violent  that  for  several  days  after  their  departure  the  steam- 
ships could  not  stop.  I  had  the  mortification  of  a  much  longer  detention 
than  was  desirable,  and  tantalized  with  seeing  at  intervals  one  vessel  and 
then  another  in  the  horizon,  only  to  have  my  excess  of  joy  soon  changed 
into  despair  as  it  was  sailing  away.  We  had  a  fine,  large  comfortable 
room  with  its  pleasant  wide  terrace  facing  the  Mediterranean,  and  shall 
ever  bear  a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  courtesy  of  the  good  monks.  I 
was,  however,  very  weary  remaining  so  long  at  the  Greek  monastery  when 
one  morning  early,  much  to  my  delight  a  steamship  hove  in  sight.  The 
Consul  and  his  family  thought  it  the  height  of  temerity  for  me  to  attempt 
to  go  on  board.  Not  a  boat  put  off.  I  was  not  to  be  dissuaded,  but  de- 
cided to  make  an  effort  to  reach  the  steamer  bound  for  Alexandria,  not 
sufiiciently  realizing  the  inexcusable  recklessness  of  so  doing.  The  Con- 
sul kindly  sent  his  clerk  as  my  escort;  and  after  much  debate  finally  suc- 
ceeded in  securing  the  crew,  of  one  strong,  large,  open  boat  willing  to  make 
the  hazardous  experiment,  for  the  storm  raged  most  violently.  The  monks 
shook  their  heads  at  the  audacious  attempt  and  told  me  even  when  in  the 
boat,  not  to  go  ;  but  tumultuous  weather  for  many  more  days  was  predicted 
and  I  could  not  remain.  , 

The  stern  looking  Arab  boatmen  with  their  "  turbans  and  dark  faces" 
.seated  the  clerk,  Emma  and  myself  at  the  bottom  of  the  boat  with  strict 
directions  not  to  move  ;  and  then,  with  extreme  caution,  rowed  with  great 
speed,  and  soon  we  were  upon  the  stormy,  perilous  sea.  The  steamer  see- 
ing the  approach  of  a  boat  laid  to;  yet  very  faint,  I  afterwards  found, 
were  the  expectations  of  any  persons  on  board  that  our  frail  bark  could 
ever  reach  her.  Captain,  passengers  and  crew  stood  watching,  for  they  saw 
our  critical  situation  as  we  were  breasting  the  storm,  and  shot  away  through 
the  surging* waves,  which  drenched  us  with  sea  water.  The  gale  was 
fearful,  rain  falling  fast,  wind  very  high  and  sea  boisterous;  it  was  a 
formidable  undertaking,  and  probably  the  prime  motive  inducing  these 
Arabs  to  take  me  out,  was  to  show  their  superior  skill  over  the  rival  boat- 
men ;  for  they  said  truly  that  no  passengers  would  be  allowed  to  leave  the 
steamer  that  day  to  land  at  Jaffa.  The  howling  of  the  tempest  was  terrific  ; 
the  sea  would  make  seemingly  a  complete  breach  over  the  tiny  craft  that 
wreathed  as  if  breaking,  and  several  times  we  were  almost  swamped  as  we 
pitched  down  with  violence  into  the  deep  trough  or  fathomless  valleys  of 
the  sea.  With  the  high  walls  of  w^ter  on  either  side,  it  seemed  as  though 
we  could  never  rise,  and  only  with  the  greatest  diificulty  could  these  ex- 
•perienced  sailors  thus  "struggling  with  the  merciless  elements,"  guide 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  451 

her  aright  to  hold  against  the  force  of  the  wave.  The  foam  dashed  in 
our  faces;  but  terror-stricken,  in  speechless  stupor  I  sat  with  Emma  in 
my  lap,  watching  the  further  progress  of  plunging,  tossing  and  dashing  — 
reflecting  on  the  small  chance  we  had  of  being  saved.  The  paroxysm  of 
my  rash  folly  in  this  jeopardy  to  so  many  lives  was,  now  when  too  late, 
bitterly  regretted,  causing  my  heart  to  go  up  in  supplication  to  the  Great 
Keeper,  who  could  still  the  "  apparently  infuriated  elements,"  and  hold 
even  those  raging  billows  in  his  hand;  and  I  was  peaceful.  The  rocks 
were- many  with  the  surf  breaking  over  in  white  foam;  the  boat-steeret- 
took  circuitous  routes,  and  most  skillfully  avoided  the  danger  of  being 
dashed  on  the  ledge  and  capsized  or  our  boat  stove  in.  The  gale  was  in- 
creasing, but  at  last  we  drew  near  the  steamship ;  I  saw  the  Captain  on 
the  wheel-house  bridge;  orders  were  given  by  the  officers;  the  stairs  had 
been  lowered,  and  sailors  stationed  down  the  steps  to  the  last  one ;  on  the 
deck  stood  men  holding  ropes  ready  to  throw.  With  tremendous  force 
waves  dashed  us  up  against  the  side  of  the  steamer,  and  the  boat  was  nearly 
upset  as  we  reeled  with  the  shock  and  bounded  back  far  off  from  the 
vessel.  With  the  returning  wave  ropes  were  thrown  but  could  not  be 
caught ;  the  Arabs  tried  to  hook  on  with  their  long  implements  but  all  in 
vain  ;  one  man  lost  his  balance  and  fell  into  the  boisterous  sea  but  held  on 
to  his  boat-hook  and  was  rescued.  '  In  this  perilous  predicament  amid  un- 
availing exertions  of  aid  from  the  steamer  came  two  or  three  such  fearful 
thumps  in  quick  succession,  "  which  threatned  to  dash  us  into  fragments 
at  every  shock." 

Then  the  head  boatman — who  seemed  well  fitted  for  his  perilous 
duty  —  leaned  forward  and  in  Arabic  —  which  was  briefly  interpreted 
by  the  clerk,  said :  "  give  me  the  child,"  with  a  peremptory  tone,  an 
unmistakable  manner  that  admitted  not  a  word  of  remonstrance,  for  it 
was  our  last  hope.  Whispering  a  few  words  to  Emma  I  relinquished  my 
grasp  in  hopeless  agony  as  the  sturdy,  powerful  Arab  took  the  child  in 
his  arms;  there  was  a  sublimity  in  his  demeanor  as  bracing  himself 
firmly,  with  a  gallant  bearing  he  held  her  aloft.  In  speechless  silence 
I  watched  his  every  movement  with  a  basilisk  fascination.  Then  another 
furious  wave  lifted  up  and  dashed  the  boat  towards  the  steamer ;  but  as 
we  approached  —  with  one  strong  eff"ort  he  flung  that  precious  one  from 
him,  through  the  space  between  the  two  vessels,  over  that  deep  black, 
foaming  abyss  !  Oh  God  !  What  a  second  I  Even  now  I  shudder  in 
nervous  horror  at  the  recollection  of  that  thrilling  experience;  but 
she  went  straight  as  an  arrow  into  the  outstretched,  brawny  arms  of 
the  noble  seaman  who  caught  the  gentle  and  bewildered  child.  She  was 
dexterously  passed  from  man  to  man  till  placed  in  the  care  of  one  on 
deck.  The  dreadful  scene,  agonizing  beyond  description,  passed  like  a 
frightful  dream !  but  I  knew  she  was  saved  and  I  thanked  God  for  such 
a  relief.  I  heard  a  confused  noise  and  shrieks  as  again  with  a  terrible 
crash  we  struck  with  a  force  that  nearly  engulfed  us,  and  our  peril  was 
extreme  as  with  a  recoil  we  bounded  ofi".  As  once  more  we  were  raised 
on  another  billow  and  neared  the  ship,  two  Arabs  resolutely  seized  and 
lifting  me  as  though  but  a  feather,  said  something.  I  was  powerless  and 
stood  aghast;  there  seemed  a  blank  —  but  amid  the  din  I  was  conscious 
of  being  held  by  the  sailors  on  the  steps;  then  the  cheerful  words  of  an 
officer:  "Now  madam,  you  are  safe"  —  fell  like  music  on  my  ear  as  they 
bore  me  to  the  cabin.  I  was  subsequently  informed  by  the  Captain  and 
others,  that  all  on   board   were  terrified  as  the   danger  was  imminent  of 


452  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

beiug  lost,  it  seemed  almost  a  hopeless  case  and  tliat  our  "  uarrow  escape 
from  death  was  highly  providential."  When  I  revive  the  awe-inspir- 
ing memories  of  that  eventful  day,  and  of  the  portentous  dark  cloud 
which  loomed  up  before  the  "Valley  of  the  Shadow  of  Death,"  I  feel 
with  gratitude  and  unspeakable  joy  that  God  alone  averted  the  fatal  blow 
that  mitiht  have  proved  disastrous  to  so  many.  His  protecting  care  was 
made  manifest  in  relieving  of  thrilling  apprehension,  guiding  the  frail 
craft  "over  the  foamy  crested  billows"  and  then  ultimately  allowing  us 
to  arrive  in  safety  at  Alexandria  without  any  untoward  accident  further 
than  a  stormy  passage.  When  the  crashing  sound  of  the  cannon 
announced  the  arrival  of  our  staunch  little  steamer  it  brought  back  the 
scenes  of  peaceful  lil'e  to  every  heart. 

After  being  snugly  settled  on  board  a  French  steamer  of  the  "  Com- 
pagnie  des  Messageries  Maritimes,"  we  were  pleased  to  meet  with  friends 
from  Canton  on  their  homeward  route  to  England.  As  our  fine  steamer 
glided  majestically  through  the  blue  sparkling  water  with  its  musical 
rippling  we  were  charmed  with  the  changing  view,  such  a  diversity  of 
scenery  unrivalled  in  beauty,  backed  with  its  mountain  range  and  Mount 
Etna  at  a  distance.  The  approach  to  Messina  is  very  beautiful;  the 
straits  in  some  parts  not  more  than  two  miles  wide,  and  at  times  we  were 
quite  near  the  banks  covered  with  luxuriant  verdure.  The  hills  are 
beautifully  terraced  to  the  summit  with  olive  and  fig  trees.  It  was  to  us 
a  season  of  inefi'able  delight,  inhaling  the  scented  breezes  from  the  slopes 
and  valleys  of  the  vine-clad  shores  of  sunny  Italy  on  one  side,  and  the 
classical  islands  of  beautiful  Sicily,  separated  by  only  this  narrow  strait. 
"  Sitting  on  the  upper  deck  we  get  a  fine  view  of  the  scenery  along  the 
shores,  which  is  grand  and  picturesque,  con.sisting  of  a  succession  of 
hills  which  sweep  far  back  from  the  water  in  graceful  undulating  lines, 
with  occasionally  dark  ravines  nestling  between  them."  We  watched  a 
locomotive  with  its  train  of  cars  as  it  dashed  swiftly  along  through  the 
green  meadows.  The  white  stone  houses  gave  a  cheerful  aspect  as  we 
approache'd  the  crescent  shaped  Messina,  with  its  exquisite  scenery  of 
picturesque  views  and  charming  localities ;  that  city  soon  became  the  one 
engrossing  object  of  interest.  Presently  we  were  in  the  friendly  shelter 
of  the  fine  commodious  harbor,  when  the  anchor  was  dropped.  It  was 
indeed  a  relief,  when  having  passed  safely  from  the  tender  mercy  of 
Custom  House  officials,  unscrupulous  boatmen,  and  the  importunity  of 
hackmen  we  finally  were  enscoused  in  the  "  Trinacria,"  and  most  refresh- 
ing it  was  to  have  the  luxury  of  a  quiet,  comfortable  room  after  our  long 
sea  voyage. 

How  strangely  the  streets  looked,  lighted  so  brilliantly  with  gas,  while 
the  incessant  rumbling  of  carriage  wheels  over  the  singular  square  blocks 
ot  lava  used  as  street  pavements  till  the  midnight  hour,  was  conclusive 
evidence  we  were  not  then  in  China.  The  following  day  was  the  Sabbath, 
but  it  was  far  from  being  a  season  of  rest  in  Messina.  It  was  the  "  Car- 
nival"  and  a  gay  time  they  made  it,  being  one  of  the  "out-of-door  dis- 
plays." From  the  pleasant  balconies  we  had  a  full  view  of  all  the 
brilliant  processions.  Such  crowds  of  people  in  masks,  many  of  them 
hideous ;  some  elegantly  dressed  in  velvets  of  the  most  gorgeous  colors 
dashed  past  in  handsome  equipages;  rich  embroidery  and  satins  covered 
many  forms  ;  and  others  were  decked  out  grotesquely  in  all  kind  of  fancy 
costumes.  His  Satanic  Majesty's  horned  head  was  very  conspicuous  as 
his  cloven  foot  with  demonstrative  force  succeeded  in   removing  all  ob- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  453 

structions  to  his  progress,  and  woe  to  the  luckless  sprite  who  had  the 
temerity  to  cross  his  path.  Harlequins  with  their  droll  buffoonery  vigo- 
rously vied  with  each  other ;  indeed  the  hotel  front  seemed  to  be  a 
rendezvous  for  all  the  merry-andrews,  mountebanks  and  masquerading, 
such  a  motley  assemblage  I  never  before  beheld.  The  streets  were  lite- 
rally packed,  except  one  line  kept  open  by  the  constant  passing  of  elegant 
carriages  filled  with  the  nobility,  gentry  and  officials  in  brilliant  court 
costume.  A  practice  of  close  espionage  and  interest  for  the  public  welfare 
was  plainly  observable,  though  all  seemed  in  good  humor,  full  of  vivacity, 
and  ready  participators  for  any  farce,  yet  a  suspicious  eye  was  kept  on  all 
movements,  nothing,  however,  marred  the  mirth,  still  the  carnival  pro- 
ceeded gayly.  We  were  invited  to  join  a  party  of  travelers  to  make  the 
ascent  of  Mt.  Etna  about  forty  miles  distant ;  the  railway  was  completed 
to  the  pretty  city  of  Catania  at  the  base  of  the  mountain,  but  we  declined 
to  make  the  attempt.  The  coral  ornaments  were  most  exquisite  and  far 
more  reasonable  in  regard  to  price  than  in  Italy.  After  a  reconnoitre  of 
available  sites  as  far  as  practicable,  viewing  the  curiosities  and  supplying 
ourselves  abundantly  with  the  delicious  fruits  of  Sicily  we  prepared  with- 
out regret  to  leave  the  invigorating,  salubrious  climate  of  this  celebrated 
island  with  its  volcanic  region. 

We  left  Messina  one  cloudy  afternoon  at  four  o'clock  in  a  miserable 
little  steamer  that  did  not  pi-esent  a  cheering  aspect  in  case  of  a  gale. 
Though  once  or  twice  I  was  needlessly  alarmed  in  supposing  we  were 
going  to  the  bottom,  yet  all  these  imaginary  troubles  were  effaced  as  in 
the  cool  of  the  early  morniug  we  steamed  up  the  lovely  Bay  of  Naples. 
How  forcibly  its  horse-shoe  form  reminded  me  of  sunny  crescent  shaped 
Macao,  and  with  fresh  delight  we  observed  the  beautiful  approach  to  this 
attractive  city.  The  first  point  of  attraction  was  Mount  Vesuvius  so  con- 
spicuous in  its  lone  sublimity  "  clothed  in  its  drapery  of  eternal  winter," 
on  which  the  eye  rested  with  serious  perplexity.  The  pure  white  snow 
on  its  sides  presented  a  singular  and  welcome  sight,  not  having  'seen  any 
for  years.  Emma  had  never  beheld  snow  and  with  surprise  asked  what 
it  was.  Then  the  beds  of  ashes,  and  the  black  streams  marking  the  course 
taken  by  the  molten  lava,  in  its  great  current  down  the  craggy  descent 
were  topics  of  wonderful  interest.  The  "  magnificent  villas  "  so  beauti- 
fully embowered  in  luxuriant  groves  or  fruitful  gardens,  came  in  for  a 
full  share  of  admiration.  In  all  the  surroundings  there  was  a  fascinating, 
a  most  transcendent  beauty.  I  never  wearied  of  the  strikingly  beautiful 
and  picturesque  scenery  ;  it  was  well  adapted  to  excite  intense  emotion  as 
connected  with  antecedent  events  of  traditional  lore.  We  were  gazing  in 
mute  awe  at  the  prominent,  solitary,  mountain  citadel  in  its  towering 
strength  and  defiance ;  so  commanding  in  its  position  and  intrenchment 
over  every  avenue  of  approach  to  the  classical  Emporium.  The  luminous 
blue  smoke  was  curling  up  in  fantastic  wreathy  convolutions  as  it  issued 
from  the  crater  at  the  summit,  or  open  chinks  on  its  abrupt  sides.  It 
seemed  to  be  well  provided  with  powerful  artillery,  and  all  necessary 
munitions  for  destruction  within  its  own  strong-hold,  for  hurling  devasta- 
tion and  making  desolate  those  charming  environs  of  luxury  and  enjoyment. 

Our  temporary  resting-place  was  the  Flotel  Des  Etrangers,  beautifully 
situated  on  the  Bay  with  Vesuvius  in  full  view  directly  across  the  broad 
expanse  of  water.  The  following  day  Rev.  Mr.  Buscarlet,  Presbyterian 
clergyman  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  extended  to  us  the  hospitalities  of 
his   pleasant,  genial   Christian  home.     Here  we  found  not  only  rest  and 


454  'Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

shelter,  but  a  beneficial  influence  was  imparted  to  both  mind  and  wearied 
body;  we  also  had  here  the  pleasure  of  meeting  the  Waldensian  pastor, 
Rev.  Greorge  Appia  and  his  estimable  wife.  'A  day  of  rich  enjoyment  was 
passed  at  Sorrento  :  starting  in  an  early  train  we  went  by  railroad  in  the 
luxurious  drawing-room  car  to  Castellamare,  a  watering  place  with  its 
sulphurous  springs  "  beautifully  situated  on  the  spacious  bay  at  the  foot 
of  a  wooded  hill."  From  thence  it  was  a  charming  carriage  drive  to 
"  Sorrento  the  birth-place  of  Tasso,"  with  its  flower  scented  atmosphere 
and  exquisite  pedestrian  excursions  in  the  classic  neighborhood.  It  was 
a  treat  to  ramble  through  the  seductively  tempting  groves  of  orange  and 
lemon  trees  with  the  ripe,  luscious  yellow  fruits  pendant  from  the  over- 
loaded branches,  inhaling  the  gi'ateful  and  pleasant  aromatic  odors.  The 
curious  specimens  of  wood-work  here  manufactured  for  sale,  with  pleasant 
excursions  to  the  usually  frequented  haunts  were  exceedingly  interesting. 
The  houses  of  Naples,  five  and  six  stories  in  height,  having  flat  roofs 
covered  with  boxes  of  earth  or  vases  containing  flowers  had  a  gay  aspect. 
"  The  streets  that  lie  open  to  the  bay  were  beautiful  and  straight,  all  being 
paved  with  square  blocks  of  lava  laid  in  mortar."  The  picturesque  beauty 
of  the  fine  view  from  the  Castle  of  St.  Elmo  on  the  hill  behind  the  city 
could  scarcely  be  equaled;  the  fertile  and  handsome  hills  of  the  environs 
were  covered  with  rich  contents;  and  visits  to  the  Cathedral  with  its  bap- 
tismal font,  an  antique  vase,  all  were  full  of  interest. 

In  all  the  churches  we  saw  very  beautiful,  rich  paintings,  frescoes, 
and  precious  marbles.  It  would  be  difficult  to  eradicate  from  mind  the 
exquisitely  sculptured  white  figure,  so  delicate  and  life-like  of  Oriental 
alabaster,  designated  the  Veiled  Christy  seen  in  the  chapel  of  Santa  Maria 
by  descending  a  few  steps  into  a  lower  apartment;  it  is  a  remarkable  piece 
of  statuary.  It  requires  weeks  to  go  understandingly  through  the  Museo 
Nazionale  at  Naples  having  its  many  extensive  sections  filled  with  ancient 
treasures,  obtained  in  the  excavations  from  Pompeii  and  Herculaueum. 
The  large  picture  gallery  ;  pieces  of  statuary  both  of  bronze  and  marble, 
from  colossal  size  to  the  most  diminutive,  were  conspicuously  arranged ; 
frescoes,  mosaics,  vases,  gems,  gold  and  silver  ornaments  of  all  kinds,  the 
utensils  of  various  craft,  fruits,  nuts,  bread  and  antiquities  of  every  descrip- 
tion. In  glass  cases  were  the  forms  of  persons  exhumed  from  the  ashy 
ruins.  "  These  ruins  possess  a  peculiar  power  for  the  fate  of  the  Pom- 
peians  must  have  been  dreadful.  Pliny  the  younger  who  was  an  eye-witness 
of  the  memorable  explosion  of  Vesuvius  by  which  Pompeii  was  over- 
whelmed says  :  "  A  darkness  suddenly  overspread  the  country,  like  that 
of  a  closed  room,  in  which  the  light  is  on  a  sudden  extinguished.  Women 
screamed,  children  moaned,  men  cried,  a  rain  of  ashes  buried  them  alive 
by  degrees  !" 

The  entire  day  of  Friday  March  8th  was  spent  at  Pompeii,  that  "  City 
of  the  Dead  "  the  greater  and  most  splendid  part  of  which  still  remains 
buried  in  ashes  at  least  fifteen  feet  deep.  "  The  streets  which  have  been 
uncovered  evidently  contained  the  habitations  of  common  citizens"  but 
new  excavations  discover  greater  wonders.  My  mind  was  thoroughly  im- 
pressed with  the  quiet  influences  of  the  place,  not  a  sound  to  break  the 
solemn  stillness.  A  person  possessing  a  nervous  temperament  might  not 
be  materially  benefitted,  if  his  summer  recreation  was  to  be  obtained  in 
the  sun-illumined  landscapes  of  Pompeii.  The  excavations  through  ashes 
and  pumice  are  still  going  on  bringing  to  light  hidden  treasures  which 
lay  entombed  IGOO  years.     The  particular  part  that  is  now  being  opened, 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  455 

has  been  inclosed  to  debar  all  antiquarians  till  the  relics  have  been  re- 
moved. An  intelligefit  soldier-guide  escorted  us  to  the  various  localities, 
that  we  could  understand  the  actual  mode  of  life  and  customs  of  the  in- 
habitants. We  traversed  those  deserted  streets  with  intense  interest ; 
they  are  well  paved  with  the  same  kind  of  stone  of  which  the  ancient  roads 
are  made,  and  narrow  causeways  are  raised  a  foot  and  a  half  on  each  side 
for  the  convenience  of  foot  passengers.  The  street  is  narrow  with  houses 
on  each  side  and  the  traces  of  deep  ruts  in  those  pavements  show  what  a 
constant  passing  of  vehicles  had  once  been.  Houses  were  entered  un- 
bidden whose  floors  were  paved  with  mosaics ;  the  walls  of  many  being 
elegantly  adorned  with  fresco  paintings  representing  ancient  scenes.  At 
the  doorway  was  the  word  "  Salve,"  a  welcome  carved  in  the  mosaic ; 
at  the  entrance  of  another  residence  a  caution  to  beware  of  the  dog  : 
"  Cave  Canem  "  was  inscribed  on  the  floor  in  mosaic  below  the  figure  of 
a  fierce  chained  dog.  We  rested  on  broken  pillars  of  colonnades  mid 
ruins  of  grand  edifices ;  walked  through  flower  gardens  with  a  tripod  here 
and  there ;  "  marble  dolphins  sending  forth  clear  water  from  their  mouths  " 
into  the  prettty  fountain.  With  tearful  eyes  we  scanned  those  skeletons, 
and  forms  in  various  striking  attitudes  under  glass  cases,  with  terror,  agony 
or  tragic  horror  depicted  on  the  countenance.  What  a  day  that  was  to 
be  stamped  on  the  tablets  of  memory,  such  a  season  of  gratification  with 
its  historical  associations,  connected  with  scores  of  little  incidents  conspi- 
cuous as  mental  landmarks.  At  the  abrupt  termination  of  a  street  was  a 
high  hill  covered  with  large  trees  rising  from  its  grassy  bed,  which  I  quite 
naturally  supposed  was  solid  ground,  but  the  guide  with  a  stick  loosened 
sufficient  of  the  debris  which  was  at  least  fifteen  feet  above  my  head,  to 
convince  me  that  brick  walls  and  broken  columns  were  there  ready  for 
the  inspection  of  government  officials ;  and  that  massive  ruins  were  still 
to  be  uncovered  to  the  development  of  perhaps  increased  resources,  for 
probably  the  most  splendid  streets  are  as  yet  concealed  underneath  this 
heavy  rain  of  ashes  and  fragments  of  rock. 

We  roved  about  as  excursionists  know  how,  with  a  zest  and  perfect 
satisfaction  in  the  daring  enterprise  of  inspecting  close  neighborhoods,  free 
from  all  bickerings,  whose  surroundings  expressed  only  sunny  cheerfulness 
till  nightfall,  when  we  turned  from  this  quiet  tableau.  Another  day  was 
devoted  to  Mt.  Vesuvius:  having  eager  anticipations  and  indefatigable 
perseverance,  with  a  determination  of  carrying  into  execution  my  desire 
to  make  the  ascent,  we  were  equipped  for  starting  at  an  early  hour.  By 
rail-road  to  Portici,  passing  through  K.esina  four  miles  from  Naples  en 
route  to  Vesuvius,  we  could  scarcely  realize  that  this  city  is  built  over 
entombed  Herculaneum.  Visitors  were  going  and  returning  at  all  hours. 
Rev.  A.  M.  Buscarlet  procured  me  a  trustworthy  and  efficient  guide  of  his 
acquaintance,  and  with  irrepressible  courage  I  started  alone  with  the 
Italian  guide  for  the  intended  goal.  "The  declivity  of  Mount  Vesuvius 
towards  the  sea,  is  every  where  planted  with  vines  and  fruit  trees,  and  is 
equally  fertile  towards  the  bottom.  The  south  and  west  sides  are  covered 
with  black  cinders  and  stones."  It  was  a  truly  novel  horseback  ride ; 
through  black  and  dreary  fields  of  lava,  with  massive  blocks  piled  in  your 
way  over  which  the  patient  and  educated  horse  must  climb  or  stumble. 
The  peculiar  duty  of  the  rider  is  to  maintain  a  firm  seat  and  hold ;  but 
not  to  guide  the  horse  In  his  progress  over  this  rough,  desolate,  chaotic 
region  with  dismal  blackness  on  every  side  as  the  trained  beast  well  knows 
the  road,  and  the  guide  walks  by  his  side.     All  the  valleys  were  filled  by 


456  ■  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

solid  masses  of  scoria,,  and  beds  of  lava  rocks  ejected  from  the  crater  which 
was  once  a  liquid  matter,  "  a  fiery  tide  of  lava,"  flowing  from  the  volcano, 
that  spared  nothing  in  its  progress.  Sometimes  the  hoof  of  the  horse 
would  strike  the  rocks  of  lava,  giving  forth  a  ringing  sound  of  metallic 
clinking.  At  ten  o'clock  I  dismounted  from  my  horse  and  —  having 
neither  the  strength  or  inclination  to  climb  —  seated  myself  in  one  of 
those  mountain  chairs  always  ready  at  the  base  of  the  cone.  Four  men 
raised  it,  and  being  carried  with  slow  but  sure  progress,  I  was  safely  de- 
posited on  the  summit  of  Mt.  Vesuvius  with  its  volcano  3948  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea.  It  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  unspeakable  joy  ex- 
perienced in  looking  down  on  the  beautiful  Bay  of  Naples,  those  waters 
of  twinkling  brightness,  while  a  semblance  of  sparks  floated  before  my 
vision  as  if  emitted  from  its  blue  bosom.  Only  a  few  days  previous  I  had 
looked  up  to  that  wonderful  conical  mount  with  many  apprehensions  that 
I  would  not  accomplish  its  ascent,  but  the  difficulties  were  overcome. 
When  the  chair  was  put  down,  I  was  soon  stepping  over  ashes,  pumice, 
sandy  earth  and  lava  "  like  the  scoria  of  an  iron  furnace,"  in  fast  progress 
to  the  crater  investigating  its  wonders.  Leaning  over  the  edge  of  the 
yawning  chasm,  looking  down  the  immense  opening  of  the  deep  funnel 
shaped  ugly  hole,  I  gazed  distrustfully  into  the  aperture  or  mouth  of  the 
volcano,  but  could  only  see  gray  ashes  and  cinders  filled  to  within  a  few 
feet  of  the  surface  of  this  wonderful  natural  curiosity  of  Italy,  but  the  hot 
sulphurous  vapor  was  stifling,  bringing  on  a  severe  paroxysm  of  coughing. 
Close  to  the  crater  of  half  a  mile  wide  which  so  often  had  emitted  fire,  I 
picked  up  choice  specimens  of  lava  covered  with  effloreseuces  of  sulphur. 
The  mountain  now  seemed  a  thing  of  life  full  of  mysterious  sounds,  sub- 
terranean thunder  and  rumbling  noises  beneath  us.  The  guide  said,  as 
the  opening  was  so  nearly  full,  these  internal  convulsions  and  subterranean 
tumults  indicated  an  eruption  could  not  be  far  distant.  [He  was  correct 
in  his  surmise  and  premonitions  of  a  catastrophe,  and  his  terrifying  pre- 
dictions were  verified  ;  for  shortly  after  my  return  to  America,  Vesuvius 
again  broke  out  with  accumulated  fury  and  sent  forth  desolation,  in  its 
fearful  activity,  as  a  vast  quantity  of  melted  matter  ran  down  its  sides  like 
a  river.]  The  ground  in  many  places  was  uncomfortably  hot  from  the 
hidden  fires;  in  one  spot  my  foot  rested  for  a  second  to  be  quickly  drawn 
back,  as  the  heat  was  intense,  causing  the  leather  of  my  shoe  to  be  quite 
scorched  and  drawn  up.  Hot  fumes,  sulphurous  vapor  and  smoke  con- 
stantly issued  forth  from  crevices  in  every  direction  ;  in  these  small  fissures 
eggs  were  roasted  and  paper  lighted. 

On  the  apex  of  this  mountain  as  near  to  the  crater  as  I  could  conven- 
iently sit,  without  increased  alarm  of  peril,  I  partook  with  great  satisfiic- 
tion  of  the  bountiful  lunch  prepared  by  my  kind  friends  and  regaled  with 
bunches  of  choice  luscious  grapes.  After  which  I  could  better  appreciate 
the  grand  and  captivating  scene  of  the  splendid  panorama  of  rare  loveli- 
ness on  every  side  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  with  its  grouping  of  cities; 
numerous  villages  ;  palatial  residences  ;  mountains  thrown  together,  resem- 
bling castellated  forts;  the  crescent  bay  with  its  silver  glitter  on  the 
"  smooth  and  glassy  surface ;"  the  crystalline  rivers  in  winding  course, 
with  every  thing  to  please  the  eye.  Those  inward  convulsions  did  not 
abate,  which  with  the  nauseous  sulphury  fumes  and  curling  up  of  the 
smoke,  in  fleecy  clouds  from  a  seam  in  the  crust  of  the  earth  close  by  my 
side,  satisfied  me  this  was  not  a  perfectly  safe  time  for  the  ascent  of  Vesu- 
vius.    If  there  was  uoutterable  terror  it  was  hushed  into  reverence,  for  it 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  457 

was  a  time  of  anxious  experience  to  be  near  a  volcano  that  dated  beyond 
the  reach  of  history  or  tradition,  whose  fatal  shocks  proved  how  unstable 
was  the  foundation  of  the  neighboring  cities.  Our  descent  was  very  rapid. 
I  had  declined  the  use  of  the  chair  ;  and  now  partly  stepping,  partly  sliding 
down  the  precipitous  cone,  nearly  knee  deep  in  the  ashes,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  the  guide  I  was  quickly  at  the  base  without  a  single  fall  or  mishap 
of  any  kind.  A  party  of  travelers  who  had  nearly  reached  the  summit, 
greeted  me  with  a  waving  of  handkerchiefs.  There  was  considerable  of 
self  complacency  and  rejoicing  in  having  achieved  this  feat,  with  a  deter- 
mined cheerfulness  that  did  not  allow  of"  getting  flurried,  or  smothered 
in  the  dust  of  defeat."  Mounting  my  horse  for  a  return  over  what  might 
be  fabled  Tartarus  domains  and  shades  of  Hades,  we  paused  for  a  time  to 
listen  to  the  witching  echo  near  the  cone,  as  the  reverberations  from  the 
solid  hill  are  very  fine.  After  a  rest  at  the  half-way  house,  we  proceeded 
to  Resina  and  were  soon  at  the  entry  to  Herculaneum  where  no  excavations 
are  now  going  on  but  an  inexhaustible  mine  of  curiosities  is  yet  to  be  dug 
out  of  these  subterraneous  ruins.  We  found  quite  a  party  ready  for  the 
exploration  ;  each  traveler  being  provided  with  a  lighted  candle  we  went 
down  the  stone  steps  under  the  city  into  those  dark,  damp  rooms  of  this 
wonderful  excavation,  with  the  knowledge  and  peculiar  feeling  that  the 
debris  is  eighty  feet  deep  over  head.  The  sombre,  glimmering  light 
from  the  candles  overspread  with  gloom  the  recesses  in  this  humid,  cheer- ' 
less,  subterranean  city,  that  we  did  not  relish  traversing  the  circuitous 
passage,  and  were  impressed  with  the  death  like  silence.  Herculaneum 
was  destroyed  by  "  torrents  of  volcanic  mud  and  wet  ashes."  "  The  rock 
in  which  the  ruins  are  imbedded  and  buried  is  indurated  ashes,"  which 
ran  into  every  crevasse,  making  all  like  solid  stone ;  thus  rendering  it  an 
impossibility  to  excavate  with  the  expedition  displayed  at  Pompeii,  which 
was  only  covered  by  the  "  showers  of  dry  ashes,  pumice  and  stones,  so 
that  only  the  ground  floors  of  the  houses  were  filled."  The  circular  tiers 
of  the  large  theatre  with  adjacent  parts  and  a  large  deep  well  are  about 
the  extent  of  the  excavations.  We. saw  deeply  imbedded  in  the  wall  of 
lava,  the  perfect  cast  of  a  human  foce  most  strongly  marked.  I  returned 
to  my  friends  well  satisfied  with  the  exploit  in  its  flashes  of  adventurous- 
ness  and  never  regretting  the  sacrifice  of  time  or  the  amount  of  trouble. 

My  visit  in  Naples  with  its  lofty  houses,  narrow  streets  and  the  scenic 
beauty  of  its  environs  was  a  charming  one,  replete  with  pleasant  relaxations 
and  many  "  a  vivid  picture  of  perilous  times  and  scenes,"  are  often  re- 
called to  mind.  I  much  enjoyed  the  Sabbath  services  in  the  chaste  little 
Chapel  in  Palazzo  5  bis  Chiatamone,  and  was  pleased  to  see  such  a  goodly 
number  of  Americans  present  to  hear  that  faithful  ambassador  for  Christ 
expound  the  truths  of  the  Holy  Gospel. 

Naples  to  Cherry  Hill. 

Rome,  Italy,  March,  20, 1867.  Gen.  Rufus  King,  our  United  States  Min- 
ister, sent  me  a  permit  for  my  luggage  to  pass  the  Roman  frontier  unopened 
which  relieved  me  from  all  annoyance  on  the  part  of  officials. 

The  whistle  of  the  early  train  sounded  a  shrill  blast  as  we  bade  adieu  to 
our  courteous  entertainers,  and  soon  we  were  rapidly  leaving  the  great 
Emporium  of  Southern  Italy,  and  passing  through  a  luxuriant  land  of 
vineyards,  orchards  of  olives,  with  many  beautiful  flowers,  catching 
glimpses   of  sott   Italian   views  and  magnificent  scenery.      South  Italy 

II]  58 


458  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

seemed  to  be  one  great  grapery.  The  cultivation  of  vegetables  and  till- 
age of  the  earth  generally,  was  apparently  the  sphere  for  female  labor  ;  the 
peasants  in  their  picturesque  costume  drew  my  attention.  As  we  saw 
many  more  women  than  men  engaged  in  field  labor,  they  probably  are 
supporters  of  Woman  sufi'rage  ;  and  being  the  representatives  of"  Woman's 
Rights"  they  take  precedence,  in  a  life  monotonous  drudgery  of  agri- 
cultural affairs. 

^V'e  were  looking  for  the  seven  hills  as  we  neared  the  Capital  of  the 
"  Papal  States  "  and  the  river  "  Tiber  which  divides  the  city  into  two 
unequal  parts ;  "  the  scenery  as  we  went  whirling  along  was  lovely  and 
everything  seemed  fresh.  Rome,  the  "  Eternal  City "  was  entered  at 
dusk,  but  the  bright  gas  light  soon  revealed  to  us  kind  friends  who  were 
in  waiting.  With  gratitude  we  accepted  the  proffered  invitation  of  Rev. 
Dr.  James  Lewis  and  wife,  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  church,  to  make 
their  home  our  abode  while  we  remained  in  Rome  and  we  again  became 
the  recipients  of  generous  hospitality.  Gen.  and  Mrs.  King  also  were 
not  oblivious  of  early  friendship  but  extended  to  us  much  kindness,  and 
every  moment  of  time  has  been  agreeably  occupied  in  "  sightseeing,"  with 
untiring  admiration,  till  I  am  perfectly  exhausted.  The  "  home  letters" 
which  General  King  handed  to  us,  gave  indescribable  joy  and  "  brought 
a  great  wave  of  gratitude  to  my  lips." 

After  a  little  respite,  with  remarkable  buoyancy  we  take  a  fresh  start 
to  the  Galleries  of  Paintings,  where  we  study  the  great  master-pieces  in 
art.  The  scenes  portrayed  by  Michael  x\ngelo  ("  who  united  in  his  own 
person  painting,  sculpture,  and  architecture,")  and  his  "  sublime  frescoes  " 
make  us  stand  in  awe  before  them.  Raphael's,  also,  "  who  from  his  own 
ideas  struck  out  a  new  creation  with  his  pencil,  and  still  stands  at  the  head 
of  the  art  of  painting,"  together  with  tlie  efforts  of  other  artists  are  viewed 
with  pleasurable  sensations,  and  we  felt  well  remunerated  for  all  our  toil. 
At  Naples  we  had  been  captivated  with  the  rare  painting  by  Guido,  of 
the  "  famous  portrait"  of  the  beautiful  Beatrice  Cenci,  and  grieved  for 
her  tragical  fate  in  being  executed  for  the  murder  of  her  father  ;  and  now 
hours  were  spent  in  the  extensive  galleries  of  Statuary  with  the  Cupids 
and  Psyches  and  other  wonderful  productions.  ''  The  Italian  painters, 
sculptors,  architects,  and  musicians,  are  unrivaled,  not  only  in  their 
numbers,  but  their  excellencies,"  and  here  certainly  is  the  magic  place  for 
the  artist  to  receive  a  finished  education  of  finest  culture,  with  a  fair  pro- 
mise of  more  than  ephemeral  distinction  in  the  fine  arts.  "  Italy  is  the 
native  country  of  all  that  is  stupendous,  great  or  beautiful,  either  in  ancient 
or  modern  times."  Among  the  sites  innumerable  which  came  in  for  a  full 
share  of  inspection  were  :  the  Capitol  —  Palais  des  Cesars  —  Forum  with 
the  remembrance  of  the  mournful  end  of  the  daughter  of  Virginius  — 
Pantheon  now  converted  into  a  modern  church  with  its  large  antique 
vase  of  Numidian  marble,  its  immense  bronze  doors  and  the  burial  place 
of  Raphael  —  Vatican  in  "  its  identification  with  all  ecclesiastical  history," 
in  its  excommunications  and  anathemas  as  the  ''  thunder  of  the  Vatican 
which  made  emperors  and  kings  tremble  on  their  thrones,"  palaces — and 
lavishly  decorated  churches.  Mr.  King  procured  me  an  order  to  visit  the 
Mosaic  manufactory  of  the  Vatican  and  Cupola  of  St.  Peters.  Emma  was 
much  pleased  with  the  different  colored  enamels,  used  in  mosaic  work,  of 
which  many  specimens  were  given  to  her.  An  interesting  spot  to  me  was 
the  Colosseum,  an  enormous  structure,  once  used  as  an  Amphitheatre,  of 
striking  magnificence.     "  The  architecture  is  perfectly  light,  and  its  pro- 


Legacy  of  HtsTORicAL  Gleanings.  459 

portions  are  so  just,  that  it  does  not  appear  near  so  large  as  it  really  is. 
But  it  has  been  stripped  of  all  its  magnificent  pillars  and  ornaments  at 
various  times,  and  now  one  side  of  it  is  a  heap  of  ruins.  The  Romans 
assembled  here  to  witness  public  spectacles,  such  as  horse  races  —  com- 
bats of  wild  beasts,  &c.  Twelve  thousand  Jewish  captives  were  employed 
by  Vespasian  in  building  the  structure  which  is  capable  of  containing 
eighty-seven  thousand  spectators  seated,  and  twenty  thousand  standing." 
I  sat  down  on  the  steps  in  the  arena,  and  thought  of  the  blood  of  the 
martyrs  in  that  soil  (when  the  many  tiers  in  that  circular  building  were 
filled  with  delighted  gazers,  as  the  "  5000  wild  animals  "  were  let  loose 
from  those  deep  pits  upon  the  '•  10,000  captives,"  who  had  been  confined 
in  similar  dark  and  dismal  dens).  We  traversed  those  narrow  and  crooked 
streets  with  great  diligence,  always  pleased  to  come  to  an  open  square 
with  its  ancient  Egyptian  obelisks,  often  covered  with  hieroglyphics,  and 
splendid  "  silver  fountains,  that  throw  hitijh  in  the  air  their  glittering 
showers  within  the  grand  colonnade  of  St.  Peters,"  but  fountains  less  pre- 
tending were  found  in  all  the  squares  making  the  air  delightfully  cool. 

Friday  we  went  to  St.  Peters  ;  it  was  the  occasion  of  a  solemn  fete  and 
there  was  a  large  assemblage  of  dignitaries  and  worshipers.  The  infallible 
Pope  Pius  IX  came  into  the  church  exactly  at  twelve  o'clock,  he  was 
dressed  in  white  robes  with  scarlet  vestment;  his  hair  is  silvery. white. 
He  is  a  fine  looking  venerable  man  who  seemingly  was  enjoying  a  cheer- 
ful old  age,  notwithstanding  the  trying  vicissitudes  through  which  he  has 
passed.  When  not  wearing  his  red  cap  it  was  held  on  a  cushion,  by  one 
of  the  cardinals,  as  a  precious  treasure.  Oui*  party  made  at  once  for  the 
celebrated  colossal  bronze  statue  of  Saint  Peter,  sitting  with  magisterial 
dignity  in  a  fine  marble  chair  elevated  a  few  feet  from  the  floor,  giving 
me  a  position  close  to  the  image.  Presently  the  Holy  Father  arrived  with 
all  his  body  guard ;  the  zouaves  in  their  fanciful  costume  presented  a 
showy  appearance.  Cardinals  with  red  cassock,  short  purple  mantle  and 
a  red  hat ;  Archbishops  ;  Canons  in  copes  and  surplices  ;  Acolytes  ;  Mili- 
tary and  nobles  with  spur  and  swords  forming  a  grand  and  gorgeous  pro- 
cession. Prayer  was  oflFered  at  one  or  two  of  the  numerous  altars,  during 
which  the  vast  concourse,  midst  the  clattering  of  swords  kneeled  on  the 
cold  marble  floor.  His  Holiness  then  proceeded  to  the  bronze  statue,  re- 
moved his  cap,  wiped  off"  with  his  vesture  "  whatever  the  last  worshipper 
may  have  left  on  the  foot"  and  reverently  kissed  the  Apostolic  great  toe  ; 
after  which  he  put  his  venerable  head  under  the  whole  foot  which  projected 
some  little  distance.  The  solemnity  of  the  complete  scene  was  really  quite 
impressive.  His  march  was  then  resumed  to  another  altar  close  by,  giving 
me  an  opportunity  of  hearing  his  voice  while  officiating,  as. well  as  the 
excellent  view  already  obtained  when  at  St.  Peter's  side.  After  the  cere- 
monies and  exercises  were  finished,  I  at  once  went  to  inspect  and  found 
that  "  devotees  have  kissed  this  foot,  and  pressed  their  foreheads  on  it  so 
much,  that  the  great  toe  is  worn  away  almost  to  the  first  joint."  For  a 
long  time  we  watched  the  surging  crowd  as  it  came  to  the  statue ;  "  to 
one  unused  to  such  things,  it  seems  strange  to  see  old  men,  whose  backs 
are  so  bent  with  age  that  they  can  barely  get  their  lips  and  foreheads  high 
enough  to  reach  the  saint's  toe,  come  tremblingly  up,  cane  in  hand,  take 
their  coat-sleeves  to  wipe  oiF  whatever  the  last  worshipper  may  have  left 
on  the  foot,  and,  with  an  efi"ort,  raise  their  tottering  old  heads  up,  and 
reverently  kiss  the  toe,  and  tenderly  lay  their  wrinkled  foreheads  on  it. 
Mothers  would  lead  their  little  ones  up  to  the  place  where  the  bronze 


460  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

figure  sits,  kiss  Jjnd  press  the  toe  themselves,  and  then  touch  the  sinless 
lips  of  childhood  to  the  cold  metal,  honest  homage  of  honest  hearts.  Even 
the  stalwart  soldiers,  booted  and  spurred,  with  their  swords  rattling  over 
the  marble  floor,  march  up  to  the  old  saint's  statue,  cross  themselveS;  kneel 
on  the  hard,  cold  marble,  repeat  their  prayers,  rise  up  and  kiss  the  vene- 
rated old  foot  most  lovingly."  All  gaze  with  wonder  at  such  audacious 
heretics  as  ourselves  who  had  no  homage  to  bestow,  but  we  found  very 
much  to  interest  us  in  this  "  great  marvel  of  Christian  Home,"  the  mag- 
nificent tombs  and  monuments  could  not  fail  to  please  any  one.  I  arrived 
in  the  city  at  the  startling  and  agitating  time  when  the  policy  of  Rome 
was  exhibited  by  the  recent  expulsion  of  Protesant  churches  from  the 
limits  of  the  Papal  capital.  The  Americans  and  Scotch  Presbyterians 
had  to  their  surprise,  just  been  prohibited  the  free  exercise  of  the  Pro- 
testant Cliristian  religion  and  had  also  been  sternly  warned  from  holding 
religious  services,  within  the  city,  by  the  infallible  "  old  man  of  the  Va- 
tican" who  having  a  "  claim  to  the  whole  earth  as  the  Vicar  of  Christ," 
manifested  the  desire  to  revive  the  "  persecuting  spirit  of  the  dark  ages." 
Eev.  Dr.  James  Lewis  minister  of  the  Scotch  Free  Church  received  a 
theatening  communication  saying,  he  had  placed  himself  in  the  Power  of 
the  Inquisition.  Only  a  week  previous  to  my  visit  this  earnest  standard 
bearer  Jiad  hired  an  unpretending  looking  house,  just  outside  the  city 
walls,  in  the  street  Via  de  Babuino  at  the  Popolo  gate. 

On  the  following  Sabbath,  I  walked  with  his  family  through  the  gate 
and  worshiped  with  that  band  of  devoted  Christians  under  the  care  of 
"  that  faithful  preacher  of  the  Gospel."  The  two  parlors  were  filled  with 
strangers  from  the  hotels  who  "  resorted  to  his  services,  where  they  found 
substantial  food  and  a  catholic  spirit,  "  in  this  simple  little  Chapel.  Rome 
was  unusually  full  of  people  and  this  was  a  Union  Church.  General  King 
allowed  the  American  Episcopal  service  to  be  held  at  his  official  residence. 
It  amused  us  to  see  the  officials  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  engaged  in  their 
system  of  espionage,  stationed  at  the  gates  asking  cognizance  of  every 
person  who  passed  to  the  Chapel.  [Diphtheria  removed  this  excellent 
man  from  his  labors  a  few  years  subsequently.  He  was  "  Taken  so  sud- 
denly, for  only  a  week  before  his  death,  he  stood  in  his  pulpit  holding 
forth  the  word  of  life."     The  news  of  his  death  saddened  many  hearts.] 

"  Rome  is  a  quiet  city  with  very  much  of  a  New  England  look  in  its 
order  and  solemnity.  There  is  little  noise,  no  show  of  drunkenness  or 
licentiousness,  and  on  Sundays  it  is  very  pleasant  to  see  stores  shut  and 
the  people  going  to  church.  Among  other  singular  sights  was  a  large 
funeral  procession,"  the  magnificent  hearse  was  preceded  by  a  number 
of  men  in  the  costume  of  the  Misericordia  which  aims  to  make  a  mere 
bag  of  a  man,  with  only  his  feet  appearing,  and  his  eyes  peering  above 
through  two  small  holes.  Some  of  the  richest  and  noblest  men  of  Rome 
belong  to  this  order,  and  do  periodical  duty,  going  about  alone  asking 
money  for  charity,  which  is  given  to  them.  At  length  satiated  with  "  sight 
seeing,"  and  anxious  to  proceed  homeward,  I  bade  adieu  to  the  pleasant 
household  circle  with  their  generous  hospitality,  and  departed  from  the 
"  Holy  City"  without  any  Apostolic  Benediction  from  the  grand  Pontifi", 
who  has  nearly  reached  his  eightieth  year.  By  railway  we  journeyed  to 
the  celebrated  Leaning  Tower  of  Pisa  about  sixty-one  miles  from  Flor- 
ence. "  Pisa  is  one  of  the  most  ancient  and  beautiful  cities  of  Italy, 
situated  in  a  fertile  plain,  about  five  miles  from  the  entrance  of  the  river 
Arno  into  the  sea.     The  special  object  of  interest  to  be  found  here  is  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  461 

Tower  which  was  built  in  the  twelfth  century  ;  "  it  is  one  hundred  and 
ninety  feet  high,  having  eight  stories,  with  outside  galleries  projecting  about 
seven  feet.  The  topmost  story,  overhanging  the  base  on  one  side  about  fifteen 
feet,  is  perfectly  secure,  the  centre  of  gravity  being  ten  feet  within  the 
base.  The  ascent  is  made  by  two  hundred  and  ninety-five  steps  and  the 
view  from  the  top  is  extensive  and  beautiful,  but  awfully  grand  and 
terrific.  "Proceeding  onwards,  Florence  "the  fairest  city  of  the  earth" 
with  its  beautiful  gardens  and  trees  full  of  the  "  hooting  owl  "  was  reached, 
and  we  soon  under  the  loving  care  of  our  early  friend  Rev.  Dr.  A.  R.Van 
Nest  and  his  estimable  wife. 

The  general  aspect  of  Florence  and  the  remarkable  beauty  of  its  site 
must  be  seen  to  be  appreciated.  We  enjoyed  our  rides  over  the  "  excel- 
lent pavement,  which  consists  of  large  square  stones  fitted  together  like 
masonry,  with  close  joints,  and  the  speed  with  which  the  carriages  whirl 
through  the  clean  streets  "  enhanced  the  gratification.  From  "  the  plea- 
sure grounds  for  riding,  we  had  a  fine  view  of  the  Appenines,  whose  snow 
capped  peaks  always  give  a  cool  breeze  even  in  the  warmest  days  of  sum- 
mer." "  In  general,  the  streets  are  narrow,  its  palaces  are  noble  in  their 
architectural  beauty,  grand  design  and  exquisite  execution  ;  the  picturesque 
grandeur  of  its  buildings  can  be  seen  to  great  advantage  from  the  Boboli 
gardens,  as  also  the  river  Arno  sweeping  quietly  through  the  fertile  plain. 
We  visited  the  grand  old  Cathedral,  the  walls  of  which  are  cased  with 
black  and  white  marble;  the  cupola  served  Michael  Angelo  as  a  model 
for  St.  Peter's.  The  small  dimensions  of  the  w:indows,  and  the  rich  colors 
of  the  glass  cause  the  interior  to  look  sombre  and  gloomy.  The  pave- 
ment is  tesselated  with  rich  variegated*  marbles,  red,  blue  and  white, 
disposed  in  a  beautiful  manner;  and  both  within  and  without  the  walls 
are  adorned  with  numerous  statues."  The  tomb  of  Michael  Angelo,  the 
library,  the  gallery  in  Ufi'izi,  the  gallery  of  the  Palazzo  Pitti  with  the 
wonderful  collection  of  statues  and  pictures,  the  richest  and  most  cele- 
brated in  the  world,  all  conspire  to  render  Florence  a  most  attractive  resi- 
dence. Dr.  Van  Nest  has  charge  of  the  American  chapel,  the  services  of 
which  included  the  Liturgy  of  the  Episcopal  church. 

Again  the  "  good-bye  "  was  said  to  valued  friends  and  taking  the  cars, 
ere  long  we  arrived  at  the  salubrious  town  of  Leghorn  where  we  found 
"  vessels  gay  with  the  flags  of  almost  every  nation  of  the  globe  lying  off 
in  the  bay."  After  admiring  the  "  marble  group  of  statuary  on  the  quay  " 
(and  "  beautiful  marble  of  all  kinds  is  one  of  the  chief  productions  of 
Italy  ")  on  the  blue  waters  of  the  Mediterranean,  we  richly  enjoyed  the 
beauty  of  an  Italian  sunset  as  we  went  out  to  the  steamer  bound  for  Mar- 
seilles. The  vessel  stopped  for  a  few  hours  at  the  "  superb  city  of  Genoa 
which  contains  some  very  magnificent  palaces,"  and  is  the  birth  place  of 
Christopher  Columbus.  It  is  a  picturesque  port  on  the  Mediterranean 
sea,  the  "  beautiful  villas  covering  the  hills  were  seen  to  greatest  advan- 
tage on  entrance  to  the  harbor."  The  arched  promenade  along  the  quay 
with  all  its  marble  was  wonderful,  as  also  the  truly  exquisite  filagree 
silver  and  gold  articles. 

The  steamer,^ in  safety  reached  the  ''astonishing  natural  and  artificial 
harbor  of  Marseilles.  It  is  considered  one  of  the  finest  cities  of  France, 
and  the  various  approaches  to  it  are  lined  with  trees  and  well-built  houses." 
The  new  Zoological  Gardens  are  among  the  recent  improvements.  The 
journey  from  Marseilles  to  Paris  was  through  a  most  beautiful  country 
embracing  the  finest  scenery  in  France  ;  there  were  many  vineyards  ob- 


462  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

served  as  we  went  whirling  albng  over  many  bridges  and  through  tunnels. 
("  Few  countries,  except  Italy,  can  boast  of  more  valuable  remains  of 
antiquity  than  France  ;  one  of  which,  a  round  buckler  of  massy  silver,  was 
taken  out  of  the  river  Khone  in  1665,  being  twenty  inches  in  diameter, 
and  weighing  twenty-one  pounds,  containing  the  story  of  Scipio's  conti- 
nence, and  is  thought  to  be  coeval  with  that  general.") 

Stopping  at  Lyons,  the  chief  manufacturing  city  of  France,  pleasantly 
located  at  the  junction  of  the  Rhone  and  Saone.  One  of  its  magnificent 
squares  is  adorned  with  fine  large  lime  trees  and  an  equestrian  statue  of 
Louis  XIV.  Fontaiuebleau  is  forty-two  miles  from  Paris.  Its  chief 
object  of  attraction  is  its  fine  chateau,  a  palace  whose  historical  interest 
recommends  it  to  all.  The  divorce  between  Napoleon  and  the  Empress 
Josephine  was  decided  here.  In  the  centre  of  the  floor,  next  to  the 
throne  room,  is  the  cipher  of  Maria  Antoinette;  this  boudoir 'was  once 
occupied  by  the  unfortunate  queen.  The  apartments  are  very  magnifi- 
cent, and  the  paintings  have  all  been  chosen  for  the  allegorical  reference 
to  the  lifeof  Frangoisl.  A  military  band  plays  twice  a  week  in  the  garden 
during  the  summer.  "  The  environs  of  Paris  are  very  pleasant,  and  contain 
a  number  of  fine  seats;  the  city  itself  is  said  to  be  the  paradise  of  splendor 
and  dissipation.  This  cheerful  and  gay  Metropolis,  situated  on  the  Seine 
was  finally  approached,  and  glad  were  we  to  reach  our  abiding-place  close 
to  the  Champa  Elysees  with  its  magnificent  trees,  sumptuous  equipages 
going  and  coming,  with  everything  to  make  it  enchanting.  We  often 
passed  the  Obelisk  of  Luxor  from  Egypt  which  marks  the  spot  of  the 
guillotine  on  which  perished  Louis  XVI  and  his  unfortunate  Marie  An- 
toinette and  many  others,  including  Robespierre  himself.  I  am  under  the 
greatest  obligation  to  Rev.  Dr.  Eldridge  —  of  the  American  Chapel  in 
Paris  —  for  his  generous  hospitality  and  unwearied  efi"orts  in  making  my 
visit  pleasant.  Versailles  is  celebrated  for  its  elegant  and  luxurious 
palace,  fountains  of  crystal-like  water,  cascades,  the  Historical  Museum 
and  the  many  adornments  of  the  pleasure  grounds.  These  have  peculiar 
beauties  for  entertainment  and  could  be  frequented  with  increasing 
interest  many  times,  and  being  only  half-an-hour's  ride  by  railway  from 
Paris  are  constantly  visited.  The  two  daughters  of  our  old  friend  at 
Macao,  Capt.  J.  B.  Endicott,  are  attending  school  at  Versailles. 

The  Exposition  was  inaugurated  by  the  emperor,  a  few  days  after  my 
arrival,  and  the  time  spent  there  was  one  of  my  grandest  fetes  as  we 
always  encountered  throngs  of  pleasant  people,  indeed  few  places  were 
more  attractive.  There  was  something  marvelous  in  such  a  display  of 
rare  specimens  of  the  products,  industry,  manufactures  and  enterprise  of 
all  nations,  in  their  "  cunningly  devised  wares,"  which  were  receiving 
high  encomiums  from  all.  This  Exposition  of  1867,  was  of  world-wide 
notoriety,  and  quite  sufficient  in  itself  to  satisfy  you  with  Paris  ;  and  all 
strangers  considered  it  a  special  privilege  to  be  there  at  that  interesting 
period.  In  the  museum  of  the  Exposition  were  many  "  idols  from 
difi'erent  pagan  lands,  sent  by  missionary  societies  with  a  condensed  table 
of  statistics  of  the  operations  furnished  by  the  American  Board."  Among 
the  enjoyable  sites  giving  pleasure  to  both  Emma  and  myself  was  the 
Jardiu  desPlantes;  the  grounds  were  beautifully  decorated  with  fount- 
ains, flower-beds,  grass-plots,  winding  roads  and  "  pretty  paths  encircling 
the  enclosures,  in  which  animals  from  all  parts  of  the  world  are  kept,  and 
the  little  cottages,  which  are  really  stables,  though  you  would  never 
suspect  it."     We  were  delighted   with   the  aviaries  of  rare   birds  —  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  463 

exquisite  flowers  and  extensive  menagerie,  including  the  family  of 
monkeys  very  busy  with  their  comical  evolutions.  One  little  carriage 
was  filled  with  grinning  children  being  drawn  by  a  splendid  large  ostrich, 
with  a  man  walking  at  the  head  of  the  proud  bird  to  regulate  its  speed. 
The  beautifully-striped  Bengal  tiger  —  the  leopard  with  its  yellow  fur 
and  black  clusters  of  spots,  lions  and  all  had  a  share  of  attention. 

There  was  a  deplorable  desecration  of  the  Sabbath,  but  probably  not 
greater  than  in  other  equally  large  cities.  We  do  not  class  among  the 
"  flaw  hunters,"  therefore  could  not  detect  any  "  spots  in  the  sun  "  of  the 
French  metropolis,  and  every  moment  of  the  time  was  truly  enjoyable. 
Without  regard  to  any  expense  of  money  or  time,  under  the  guidance  of 
judicious  friends,  opportunities  were  afforded  me  of  novel  and  comprehen- 
sive views  of  this  magical  city.  The  many  places  of  historic  renown  and 
objects  of  curiosity  which  had  interested  our  youthful  days,  here  took  a 
tangible  form  ;  and  fully  appreciating  the  benefits  conferred  we  made  the 
most  of  our  facilities.  The  Palace  of  the  Tuileries,  was  visited,  with  its 
pleasant  and  magnificent  garden  adorned  with  statues,  vases  and  superb 
fountains ;  the  splendid  picture  gallery  of  the  Louvre  in  which  we  found 
many  a  copyist,  both  male  and  young  female  artists,  industriously  at  work 
before  some  ancient  model.  After  exploring  its  extensive  Museum  of 
Antiquities  we  went  over  the  Seine  to  the  grand  old  Cathedral  of  Notre 
Dame  "  where  all  the  Kings  of  France  have  been  crowned  and  buried.  It 
has  two  majestic  towers;  the  floor  is  of  marble  and  the  altar  is  most 
magnificently  carved.  In  a  niche  there  is  a  beautiful  marble  group,  repre- 
senting the  Descent  from  the  cross."  The  treasure  at  Notre  Dame  was 
opened ;  and  then  the  costumes  and  precious  jewels  of  the  kings  elicited 
great  admiration.  Thence  to  "  the  church  of  St.  Germain,  opposite  to 
the  old  Louvre,  the  sounding  of  whose  bell  was  the  preconcerted  signal 
for  the  indiscriminate  massacre  of  100,000  unsuspecting  Huguenots  on 
St.  Bartholomew's  eve,  when  Charles  IX,  from  a  window  of  the  Louvre, 
fired  on  the  victims.  The  magnificent  Tomb  of  Napoleon  I,  stands  under 
the  beautiful  dome  of  the  church  near  the  Hotel  des  Invalides.  "  The 
tomb  is  one  immense  pillar  of  porphyry  ;  the  sarcophagus  is  a  single  block, 
twelve  ftet  long  and  six  broad,  resting  on  a  pedestal  of  green  granite. 
"  A  winding  staircase  on  each  side  of  the  high  altar  in  the  church  leads 
to  the  crypt  containing  this  tomb  ;  the  pavement  of  the  crypt  is  beautifully 
decorated  with  a  crown  of  laurels  in  mosaic."  In  the  recess  adjoining  the 
crypt  stands  the  statue  of  the  emperor,  dressed  in  his  imperial  robes'. 
"  Here,  also,  is  the  crown  of  gold  voted  by  the  town  of  Cherbourg;  the 
insignia  he  wore  on  state  occasions,  and  the  sword  that  he  wore  at  the 
battle  of  Austerlitz."  In  the  magnificent  court-yard  of  the  Hotel  des 
Invalides  were  seen  many  aged  and  infirm  soldiers  surrounded  with  every 
comfort;  "  The  object  of  this  vast  and  splendid  establishment  is  to  main- 
tain at  the  expense  of  the  nation  the  worn  out  soldiers  of  France,  giving 
them  the  comforts  of  a  home  in  their  declining  days." 

Another  lovely  spot  was  the  Place  Vendome  with  its  triumphal  column 
"  surmounted  by  the  colossal  bronze  statue  of  Napoleon  I,  eleven  feet  high." 
The  exquisite  Tapestry  portraying  scenes  and  Gobelin  carpets  in  the 
Tuileries,  for  "  fineness  and  strength  of  their  texture  and  brilliancy  of  the 
colors  were  unrivaled  productions  of  ingenious  dexterity.  It  was  a  rich 
treat  to  visit  the  establishment  of  the  Compagnie  des  Indes  inspecting 
exquisite  lace  fabrics,  and  the  Cachemire  shawls  from  India,  all  of  which 
are  made  from  minute   pieces  neatly  joined  together.     lu  the  American 


464  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Chapel  on  Rue  de  Berri,  we  attended  the  ministrations  of  Rev.  Dr.  El- 
dridge;  the  building  is  of  Gothic  style  and  the  interior  was  of  solid  oak 
carved. 

Another  season  of  rare  enjoyment  awaited  me  in  old  London,  so  full  of 
historical  reminiscences ;  the  metropolis  of  the  British  empire  situated 
on  the  banks  of  the  Thames,  a  river,  which  though  not  the  largest,  is  the 
richest  and  most  commodious  for  commerce  in  the  world.  A  day  was 
devoted  to  the  Crystal  Palace,  Park  and  Fountains  not  far  from  Syden- 
ham. At  this  fairy-like  structure  all  the  works  of  diiferent  nations  were 
brought  in  close  proximity,  every  kind  of  product  was  here  in  rich  display. 
We  could  almost  have  fancied  ourselves  once  more  in  China  as  we  felt 
the  tropical  heat,  and  viewed  the  productions  of  palms;  bananas  with 
their  shioiug,  long,  broad  leaves  ;  gigantic  ferns ;  bamboo  with  its  feathery 
tufts;  sugarcane;  bread  fruit;  with  the  sacred  lotus,  all  of  which  were 
here  in  great  perfection.  It  was  delightful  to  stroll  around  and  inspect 
the  interesting  collection.  We  entered  the  avenue  of  lions  to  the  Egypt- 
ian Court  with  its  Colonnade  ;  the  Greek  court  of  statues  and  a  model  of 
the  Parthenon  ;  the  Roman  Court  having  one  of  its  ancient  citizens  dressed 
in  the  Toga ;  the  Colosseum  or  spacious  amphitheatre ;  the  Moorish  or 
Alhambra  court  in  which  a  sweet  bloom  is  spread  over  all,  its  many 
lovely  colors  bright  and  gay  were  so  blended  that  none  predominated ; 
there  too  were  the  golden  pillars  and  tiled  roofs.  The  shrubs  and  flowers 
of  its  garden  were  perfect  with  its  marble  fountain.  The  sixteen-sided 
dome  is  formed  by  gradual  transition  out  of  the  four-sided  room  with 
stalactites,  which  add  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  roof  and  are  peculiar  to 
Mahometan  architecture.  "  The  eflFect  on  the  interior  of  this  dome,  when 
the  sun  shines  through  the  colored  windows  in  the  top  is  perfectly  en- 
chanting." These  courts  are  only  a  few  out  of  many,  each  one  replete 
with  rare  curiosities,  having  its  own  peculiar  style  of  architecture,  ancient 
or  modern,  and  ornamented  in  the  richest  manner. 

The  garden  with  many  colored  flowers,  "  water  temples  with  a  series  of 
twelve  cascades  ;"  groups  of  marble  statuary,  urns  and  flower  vases,  beside 
many  other  special  objects.  There  too  was  a  wonderful  island  composed 
of  various  strata,  on  each  of  which  was  seen  the  animals  peculiar  to  that 
stratum.  "  It  was  an  extremely  picturesque  panorama  of  most  beautiful 
rural  scenery,  foreign  productions  and  an  endless  variety  of  artistic  com- 
binations, the  result  of  the  taste  and  genius  of  man."  [''  Queen  Victoria 
resided  at  Buckingham,  when  in  town,  since  1837,  up  to  the  death  of  the 
Prince  Coosort."]  The  metropolis  of  Great  Britain  seemed  packed  with 
people  intent  on  business.  We  were  fortunate  in  having  the  company  of 
friends  well  posted  in  "  sight  seeing  "  and  for  many  days  we  went  the 
round  of  inspection  :  to  the  Thames  Tunnel  and  river  "  with  all  its  ever 
changing  life,"  noble  Parks  having  close-cut  lawn  and  "  turf  constantly 
rolled  and  kept  in  the  best  order,"  houses  of  parliament,  palaces,  blue-coat 
school,  horticultural  gardens,  and  other  attractive  localities.  We  attended 
service  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  witk  its  lofty  dome  on  the  summit  of  which 
is  a  gigantic  statue  of  the  Apostle  Paul ;  this  edifice  was  interesting  for  its 
vast  interior  capable  of  seating  14000  persons,  and  its  marvel  of  a  whis- 
pering gallery.  Emma  was  delighted  also  with  the  Zoological  Gardens  ia 
the  Regent's  park,  seeing  the  unrivaled  collection  of  rare  animals  and 
those  sharp-eyed  little  monkeys  who  were  teasing  each  other  in  their 
spacious  wire  chamber.  Then  a  tremendous  aff"air  was  her  ride,  seated 
in  a  howdah  (a  small  car  or  pavilion  with  crimson  trappings  on  the  back 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  465 

of  a  huge  elephant)  with  otiier  merry  little  ones  who  mounted  to  their 
lofty  seat  by  means  of  a  ladder.  "  The  fat,  clumsy  bears  came  in  for  a  large 
share  of  attention.  In  the  centre  of  their  domain  was  a  high  pole.  Three 
or  four  bears  were  tumbling  about  on  the  pavement  in  rough,  good  natured 
play,  keeping  each  an  eye  on  the  parapet  above  to  see  if  there  was  any 
chance  for  buns;  and  the  minute  they  spy  a  visitor  it  is  a  race  which 
shall  get  to  the  pole  first,  and  then  the  lucky  one  climbs  up,  and,  drawing 
his  four  feet  together,  plants  himself  on  the  ball  at  the  top,  and  stretches 
his  head  out  as  far  as  possible  with  wide  open  mouth,  ready  to  catch  the 
bun  or  cake,  which  somebody  on  the  parapet  holds  out  temptingly  over 
the  railing."     We  passed  a  happy  day  in  that  garden. 

It  was  my  privilege  to  hear  Rev.  Mr.  Spurgeon  preach  to  a  crowd  of 
five  thousand  people,  but  I  was  in  a  state  of  fear  and  trepidation  from  the 
excessively  crowded  galleries  in  the  hall,  well  knowing  if  a  panic  should 
arise  there  would  be  a  great  sacrifice  of  life.  When  the  doors  were  opened 
the  patient  crowd  that  had  waited  for  hours,  made  a  terrific  rush  with 
overwhelming  pressure  up  the  grand  walk  to  the  body  of  the  hall,  others 
ascended  the  circular  stair-case  to  the  galleries  if  happily  they  could  obtain 
a  seat.  All  were  soon  tranquilized  with  the  solemnity  of  the  opening  ser- 
vices and  the  exquisite  choral  chants.  The  thrilling  eifect  of  congre- 
gational singing  of  the  hymu,  as  chanted  by  that  vast  multitude  in  the 
union  of  full  chorus,  was  overpowering  and  impressive,  far  more  to  my 
taste  than  the  artistic  performances  of  the  most  elaborate  choir.  With 
the  most  intense  interest  all  were  soon  eagerly  hanging  upon  the  lucid  and 
powerful  statements  of  the  great,  celebrated  and  impressive  preacher.  One 
of  the  pleasing  incidents  connected  with  London  was  the  generous  and 
noble  conduct  of  an  old  friend  of  my  deceased  husband  which  affected  me 
much.  Learning  from  Rev.  Mr.  Beauscarlet  of  Naples  my  arrival  in  the 
city,  Hon.  Hugh  Matheson,  M.P.,  with  a  delicacy  that  admitted  of  no  re- 
fusal presented  Emma  and  myself  "  tickets  for  the  steamer  Cuba."  To 
hear  the  words  :  "  he  considered  it  a  great  privilege  to  be  permitted  to  do 
this  little  for  the  widow  of  such  a  faithful,  devoted  missionary"  was  to  me 
a  "  cup  of  cold  water"  from  a  Christian  gentleman  and  a  pleasing,  grateful 
and  precious  tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  just  man.  We  enjoyed  all  the 
facilities  of  speed  and  comfort  as  the  train  almost  flew  over  the  fine  road 
to  Liverpool ;  passing  many  country  seats  of  England's  nobility  and  gentry 
with  the  perfectly  trimmed  hedge-rows  intersecting  rich  corn  fields,  a 
magnificent  expanse  of  dark  green  foliage,  and  velvety  meadows  filled 
with  herds  of  fine  cattle.  Then  a  rapid  transit  through  the  long  tunnel 
till  finally  we  were  stationary  in  the  depot  and  soon  comfortably  settled 
at  the  Queen's  Hotel.  After  a  few  pleasant  days  in  Liverpool  we  embarked 
one  cloudless  morning  on  board  the  "  Cuba"  for  ''  the  land  of  the  free." 
We  were  detained  some  hours  when  near  the  rock  bound  coast  of  New 
Foundland  by  a  very  heavy  fog,  and  our  joy  at  nearinghome  was  suddenly 
dampened.  It  was  not  satisftictory  to  know  there  was  occasion  for  the 
steam-whistle  constantly  sounding  its  yarning  note,  and  the  bell  tolling 
its  lulling  monotone  which  might  be  a  sad  dirge ;  for  a  thick  curtain  of 
mist  veiled  from  us  the  region  beyond  and  enveloped  the  steamer.  Not 
far  from  here  the  ''  Arctic"  with  its  precious  freight'  of  human  beings, 
among  whom  were  valued  personal  friends,  went  down  to  the  bottom  of 
the  ocean.  Those  were  to  all  the  excited  passengers  shadowy  hours  for  a 
great  calamity  was  feared,  but  "  God's  sovereignty  controls,"  and  there 
II]  59 


466  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

was  no  terrible  collision  with  vessels,  or  crashing  on  rocks,  no  stupendous 
catastrophe  followed  ;  but  after  several  successive  attempts  to  advance  we 
at  last  were  safely  anchored  at  the  dock  in  Halifax,  and  then  enjoying  a 
trip  on  solid  land.  In  due  time  our  splendid  vessel  entered  Massachusetts 
Bay  and  after  a  brief  sojourn  in  Boston,  proceeded  along  as  fast  as  the 
iron  horse  would  take  us  till  we  came  in  sight  of  our  native  hills,  and  the 
climax  of  joy  was  reached  when  clasped  in  the  arms  of  "  loved  ones"  at 
the  Old  Homestead,  Cherry  Hill. 

May  25,  1868.  Another  citizen  of  Albany  has  been  called  away  by  the 
summons  of  death  whose  loss  is  deeply  lamented  in  this  community,  and 
by  his  bereaved  domestic  circle.  General  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer, 
(the  Young  Patroon  as  he  was  designated  to  distinguish  him  from  his 
father)  married  Harriet  E.  Bayard.  "  The  entail  of  the  manorial  pro- 
perty ceased  with  the  death  of  his  father,  and  is  now  divided  among  his 
widow  and  surviving  six  children.  The  Manor  House  was  always  the 
home  of  an  elegant  and  refined  hospitality ;  he  was  liberal  in  his  benefac- 
tions, and  dispensed  his  wealth  freely  to  all  charitable  objects,  also  to  the 
church  of  which  he  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  memtjer  and    officer. 

"Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  never  sought  official  honors,  but  lived  a  quiet  and 
unobtrusive  life ;  he  leaves  behind  him  an  enviable  reputation  for  the 
sterling  virtues  which  distinguished  the  race  from  which  he  was  descended. 
The  remains  were  enclosed  in  a  solid  mahogany  casket,  covered  with  black 
broadcloth,  ornamented  with  a  narrow  silver  band  forming  a  panel  on  each 
side,  end  and  top.  The  plate  was  in  solid  silver  in  the  form  of  a  shield, 
bearing  the  following  inscription  in  old  English  :  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer, 
born  March  27th,  1789,  died  May  25th  1868.  The  remains  were  con- 
veyed to  the  family  plot  in  the  Albany  Rural  Cemetery.  The  attendants 
filled  thirty  carriages. 

"This  closes  the  authentic  register  of  the  last  of  the  Patroons,  having 
held  that  title  in  America  for  two  hundred  and  thirty-eight  years,  with 
all  the  appliances  of  wealth  to  gratify  his  own  tastes  and  feelings." 


CHAPTER  XXni. 

The  Second  Decampment  for  China. 

After  a  year  occupied  in  teaching  young  ladies  at  Bedford,  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  call  as  an  aid  in  mission  work  for  China  met  a  ready  response 
and  I  cheerfully  engaged  as  a  teacher  for  heathen  lands,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  "  Woman's  Union  Missionary  Society." 
_  A  special  request  having  been  made  that  I  should  visit  a  few  designated 
cities  previous  to  sailing,  it  gave  me  sincere  pleasure  to  accede  to  this  ex- 
pression of  desire,  willing  to  further  any  plan  that  was  deemed  advisable 
for  an  increased  interest  in  the  Cause  of  Christ.  One  of  the  places  visited 
was  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  46T 


"  Woman's  Mission  to  Woman." 

"  A  very  interesting  meeting  was  held  in  the  prayer  room  of  the  Cen- 
tenary Methodist  E.  Church,  yesterday  afternoon.*  The  meeting  was 
especially  a  Woman's  Meeting,  the  work  in  which  it  was  called  being 
"woman's  work  —  yet  gentlemen  were  not  debarred,  and  quite  a  number 
were  present.  The  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Board- 
man,  after  which  he  read  a  letter  from  the  officers  of  the  Woman's  Mission 
Band  —  the  '  Lily  of  the  Valley' — stating  the  objects  of  the  association 
fully  and  containing  endorsements  of  their  work  by  Rev.  Dr.  Storrs,  Rev. 
Dr.  Scudder  and  other  eminent  clergymen.  Dr.  Boardman  then  presented 
little  Emma  Catharine  Bonney,  who  recited  the  Lord's  Prayer  in  the 
Chinese  language.  The  peculiar  sing-song  intonation,  was  given  with  a 
very  natural  effect. 

"Mrs.  Bonney,  who  has  spent  a  great  many  years  in  China  as  a  mission- 
ary among  the  Chinese  women,  addressed  the  meeting  for  about  half  an 
hour.  Her  address  alluded  to  the  Woman's  Missionary  Society,  its  objects 
and  the  measures  that  have  been  used  in  reaching  it,  and  besides  contained 
an  extensive  account  of  her  own  ten  years'  experience  as  a  missionary 
among  the  women  of  China.  The  address  was  exceedingly  interesting,  and 
contained  not  only  a  narrative  of  Mrs.  Bonney's  experience  as  a  teacher 
among  the  neglected  women  of  China,  but  also  many  interesting  facts  con- 
cerning the  customs  of  that  wonderful  people.  The  work  in  which  Mrs. 
Bonney  and  the  ladies  of  the  several  mission  bands  are  engaged,  is  one  of 
the  greatest  importance,  and  should  receive  the  aid  of  all  persons." 

Having  been  requested  to  give  a  little  sketch  of  my  mission  work,  I 
think  a  summary  from  my  private  daily  journal  written  in  China  will  be 
most  effective  :  I  have  frequently  been  asked  "  Are  missionaries  happy  ?  " 
Those  missionaries  who  do  their  work  heaj-tily,  I  would  venture  to  say 
are  as  happy  as  any  persons,  supporters  of  good  works,  can  be.  If  God, 
Christ  and  holy  angels  are  happy,  then  sure.ly  those  who  are  engaged 
in  the  same  employment  that  God  is  doing  on  earth  may  "sing  for  joy." 
If  they  go  out  with  the  determination  to  be  happy  and  contented,  it  is  not 
unsafe  to  predict  they  will  not  fall  far  short,  and  yet  there  is  no  romance  in 
the  minutiae  of  every  day  missionary  life.  "  The  emotional  nature  of  woman 
is  swayed  by  the  great  events  which  take  place  around  her,  and  she  comes 
forward  among  the  noblest  advocates  of  good  will  to  mankind."  She  is 
still  a  missionary  whether  her  beneficiary  resides  near,  or  at  a  great 
distance,  whether  she  goes  to  those  in  her  native  land  or  in  a  foreign  land, 
and  it  is  the  duty  of  every  persoq  to  labor  in  their  own  peculiar  mission 
field  as  much  as  to  be  a  Christian.  One  who  goes  as  a  messenger  for  God 
and  Christ  to  give  the  Gospel  .to  those  who  are  destitute  of  it  and  by  a 
thousand  little  incidents  manifest  the  perfect  satisfaction  derived  by  making 
others  the  recipients  of  sunny  cheerfulness  occupies  an  exalted  station. 
It  is  woman's  province  and  her  especial  privilege  to  preach  that  blessed 
doctrine  by  her  Christian  example  of  patience  and  forbearance,  nor  need 
she  apprehend  any  impeachment  if  inducted  into  thin  branch  of  "  Woman's 
Rights,"  for  her  benevolent  and  high-minded  position  in  filling  this  office 
will  be  unexceptionable.  We  want  American  girls  to  realize  their  honored 
position  their  exalted  privileges  ;  that  no  obstacles  are  placed  in  the  way  of. 
their  high  preferment  to  "  cultivate  moral  advancement."  We  want  them 
with  grateful,  willing  hearts  to  show  the  potency  of  woman  to  extend  the 
same,  and  as  friends  of  the  great  model  missionary  when  their  path  of  duty  is 


468  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

made  plain,  to  circulate  the  blessed  effects  of  Gospel  teaching  and  Christian 
example  among  the  less  favored  heathen  sisters  in  their  severe  privations. 
It  will  be  a  happy  resolve  if  the  women  of  America  persevere  heroically 
and  cheerfully  to  obtain  "  moral  emancipation,"  and  thus  labor  for  God  in 
tvoman's  department.  Our  kindness  should  begin  and  be  nourished  at 
home,  but,  it  should  not  stay  there,  "  but  develop  as  a  t7-ue  missionary  under 
the  right  kind  of  surroundings."  Some  years  ago  feeling  as  I  do  now  the 
need  of  sin(jle  wovian's  agency,  I  applied  to  the  American  Board  for  per- 
mission to  go  out  as  a  teacher  to  one  of  our  foreign  mission  stations,  but 
tlien  it  was  not  deemed  advisable  to  send  unmarried  ladies  ;  now  however 
the  aspect  of  affairs  is  entirely  altered.  God's  hand  has  cleared  the  way 
and  the  Christian  church  have  still  a  work  to  do. 

It  is  now  sixteen  years  since  I  began  my  missionary  work,  it  was  im- 
mediately after  the  death  of  my  dear  and  honoi'ed  father  in  1852,  my 
mother  then  being  dead  twelve  years.  I  was  one  of  the  principal  teachers 
four  and  one-half  years  in  the  "  Ohio  Female  College  "  near  Cincinnati 
on  College  Hill.  Teachers  were  greatly  needed  among  the  Choctaw  Indians 
and  the  "  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  missions,"  would 
have  sent  me  there,  but  I  was  reserved  for  another  field.  It  was  my  happy 
privilege  to  labor  on  mission  ground  in  China  for  ten  years,  and  my  husband 
for  nearly  twenty  years  before  he  went  to  his  reward  on  high.  Twelve 
of  my  own  immediate  family  went  to  New  York  to  be  present  at  my  de- 
parture. As  the  steam-tug  was  floating  our  vessel  down  the  beautiful 
bay,  and  my  own  heart  nearly  bursting  with  anguish,  I  was  startled  by 
hearing  my  husband  say,  "  I  am  thankful  this  is  all  over,  for  I  am  so  glad 
to  return  to  my  Chinese  home. 

'  Home  !  the  Missionary's  home 
Is  where  the  fields  are  white.' 

"  Those  lines  speak  with  force  to  me,  my  home  is  there  till  labor  on 
earth  shall  be  exchanged  for  praise  in  heaven."  He  was  an  only  son  and 
had  just  parted  with  his  aged  widowed  mother  and  sisters  never  to  meet  again 
on  earth.  I  can  now  fully  understand  and  appreciate  the  feelings  of  that 
faithful  missionary.  After  a  short  passage  of  one  hundred  and  nineteen 
days  around  the  Cape  of  Good  H(ipe,  we  safely  reached  Honkong.  It  was 
the  first  day  of  the  month,  and  my  first  evening  in  China  was  at  the 
monthly  concert.  My  heart  was  throbbing  to  hear  the  voices  of  twenty- 
four  boys  and  girls  singing  the  praises  of  Jesus.  The  first  Sabbath  in 
China,  I  had  the  happiness  of  partaking  of  the  Lord's  Supper  with  the 
foreign  residents,  missionaries  and  tlurtij  Chinese  in  the  "  upper  room  " 
of  the  London  Mission  House.  The  services  being  conducted  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Legge  who  welcomed  the  three  missionaries,  arrived  that  day  :  Rev. 
David  Sandeman  from  England,  Rev.  S.  W.  Bonney  and  myself. 

The  Taiping  rebellion  was  causing  great  consternation  ;  SI 50  was 
offered  by  the  government  for  every  foreigner's  head  ;  the  foreign  resi- 
dences at  Canton  were  burned  a  few  days  after  my  arrival ;  all  the  mis- 
sion schools  broken  up  and  foreigners  compelled  to  seek  safety  in  Macao 
and  Hongkong.  A  blockade  was  placed  in  the  river  of  Canton  and  bom- 
barded by  the  English  ;"  fully  half  a  million  of  Chinese  perished.  This  fear- 
ful rebellion  was  only  quelled  after  80,000  were  beheaded  "  or  cut  in  thirty- 
six  pieces  in  the  city,  on  the  execution  ground  not  far  from  our  house. 
The  Chinese  insurrection  lessened  the  contempt  of  government  for 
foreigners.     We  were  obliged  to  remain  two  years  in   Macao.     Two  and 


( 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  469 

one  half  months  from  the  day  of  landing,  I  began  my  "  Chinese  girl's 
boarding  school,"  with  the  full  consent  and  approbation  of  Mr.  Bonney, 
though  the  other  missionaries  thought  it  unwise,  as  we  were  likely  any 
moment  to  be  driven  from  Macao.  The  first  year  my  school  of  nine 
girls  were  supported  entirely  from  our  own  private  resources,  with  the 
exception  of  such  donations  as  generous  friends  sometimes  contributed. 
The  girls  were  all  from  the  poorer  classes  ;  we  clothed,  fed  and  educated 
them  free  of  all  expense  to  themselves;  they  lived  in  our  house  and  were 
my  children. 

When  received  they  were  poorly  clad,  and  we  were  often  very  glad 
to  throw  the  filthy  clothes  away.  Two  pieces  of  fine  shirting  brought 
from  America  for  my  own  use  were  made  into  undergarments  for  them. 
We  were  very  economical,  but  once  when  the  rice  was  nearly  gone  and 
our  quarterly  allowance  not  yet  due,  scarcely  knowing  how  to  obtain  re- 
lief I  went  and  told  Jesus.  I  now  fortunately  remembered  among  my 
bridal  presents  were  three  or  four  elegantly  embroidered  handkerchiefs,  two 
of  them  valued  gifts  from  dear  Albany  friends.  I  wrote  a  note  to  the  wife 
of  an  English  merchant,  and  she  gladly  took  all  of  them,  paying  me  an  equiv- 
alent sum.  Thus  the  cloud  was  dispelled,  the  rice  bought  and  I  never 
gave  the  handkerchiefs  another  thought,  except  to  fear  the  donors  might 
not  have  been  pleased,  had  they  known  I  had  so  disposed  of  their  tribute 
of  affection,  but  the  act  brought  sunshine  in  that  missionary  household. 

One  day  when  calling  to  see  a  friend  about  re'turning  to  England,  at 
the  door  we  were  greeted  by  a  pleasant  looking  Chinese  girl  often  years ; 
she  had  been  bought  for  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  from  very  poor  parents, 
to  play  with  the  child  of  this  merchant.  The  lady  was  a  Christian  woman, 
and  felt  anxious  as  to  the  future  fate  of  the  girl,  for  several  Chinese 
wished  to  purchase  her  ;  but  as  soon  as  she  knew  that  I  intended  to  have 
a  school,  she  gave  the  girl  to  me,  with  a  complete  outfit  for  a  year,  and 
every  succeediog  year  sent  me  thirty-five  dollars  in  gold.  We  were  living 
in  a  part  of  the  town  called  the  "  Dove's  Nest,''  and  Akee-ue  was  my 
"  nest-egg."  In  after  years  she  became  a  sincere  Christian,  was  baptized 
by  Mr.  Bonney  and  admitted  a  communicant  to  the  Lord's  Supper.  At 
nineteen  years  of  age  she  was  married  to  the  native  preacher.  Rev.  C. 
C.  Baldwin  of  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  at  Foochow ;  has 
now  two  children,  assists  in  the  mission  school,  and  is  loved  by  all.  When 
I  was  coming  home,  she  and  her  husband  sent  me  a  family  photograph,  and 
also  a  pair  of  very  handsome,  large,  soapstone  Pagodas  as  a  token  of  their 
love  and  gratitude.  Two  years  after  I  had  taken  x\kee-ue,  her  mother, 
living  many  miles  away  in  the  country,  having  heard  she  was  in  school 
at  Canton;  brought  the  only  remaining  daughter,  a  bright  sunny  face, 
the  image  of  her  sister,  and  urged  me  to  buy  this  child.  Missionaries 
are  under  certain  restrictions  and  do  not  traffic  in  human  beings ;  but 
though  we  endeavored  in  every  consistent  manner  to  obtain  possession  of 
the  girl  for  our  school  the  efforts  were  fruitless.  Earnestness  of  appeal, 
in  this  case,  availed  nothing,  that  heathen  mother  was  obdurate,  and  for 
a  few  dollars  sold  the  dear  child  to  a  Chinese  man.  Ah  !  what  a  very 
different  complexion  would  her  lot  have  assumed  had  she  been  given  in 
our  custody. 

While  in  Macao  a  wild  looking,  ragged,  filthy  child  in  boy's  clothes, 
came  with  the  mother,  which  I  declined  to  receive,  as  the  school  was  not 
for  boys.  The  poor  woman  explained  the  matter  :  she  went  out  for  daily 
work,  and  dressed  her  only  daughter  in  this  style,  to  play  in  the  streets 


470  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

till  her  return  at  night.  After  much  solicitation  I  took  this  unpromising 
specimen  of  humanity,  which  proved  a  rich  investment  in  the  Bank  of 
Heaven  and  repayment  was  made  with  compound  interest.  She  turned 
out  a  superior  girl,  joined  the  band  of  Christians,  and  at  eighteen  years 
of  age  was  married  by  Rev,  S.  L.  Baldwin  of  the  American  Methodist 
Episcopal  Mission  at  Foochow,  to  his  native  pastor,  Hii  Sing  Mee. 

My  school  prospered  ;  we  had  applications  constantly  to  receive  girls. 
I  took  from  time  to  time  more  scholars  than  my  funds  from  the  Board 
would  warrant,  it  was  so  hard  to  refuse,  but  I  worked  by  faith  ;  often 
donations  came  in  just  when  most  needed,  from  sources  not  expected.  I 
remember  when  speaking  to  Mr.  Bonney  if  we  should  not  try  to  lay  by  a 
little  of  our  small  pittance  for  Emma,  he  replied,  with  that  beautiful  spirit 
of  self-denial  so  proverbially  his,  "  we  have  as  many  if  not  more  calls  for 
objects  of  charity,  than  in  America  —  have  more  trust,  that  God  will  pro- 
vide for  her ;"  and  so  I  increased  my  girls,  and  he  the  boy's  school  at  his 
chapel.  For  our  process  of  moulding  we  invariably  selected  the  brightest 
specimens  of  the  crude  material  as  the  recipients  of  gratuitous  preferment, 
those  free  from  all  disease.  We  had  to  be  very  careful  and  judicious  in 
our  "  patronizing,"  that  no  lepers  were  admitted  into  our  little  community; 
for  the  loathsome  disease  frequently  does  not  show  itself  till  the  child  is 
twelve  or  thirteen  years  of  age.  My  heart  often  ached  in  passing  the  leper 
village  between  the  city  walls  and  rural  cemetery,  when  the  crowds  of  out- 
cast children,  in  the  various  stages  of  the  disgusting  distemper,  flocked 
down  to  see  the  foreign  lady  and  child.  We  were  not  annoyed  by  coming 
in  contact  with  the  curious  crowd,  they  could  not  touch  us  as  we  were  in 
a  covered  sedan  carried  by  three  men.  The  Chinese  law  requires  lepers 
to  live  in  a  separate  locality  by  themselves,  for  it  is  a  horrible  spectacle, 
to  see  the  bloated,  disfigured,  miserable  objects,  causing  a  nervous  shudder. 
I  had  a  very  fine  school  of  forty-three  Chinese  girls  ;  but  sixty-seven  have 
been  under  my  instruction.  To  develop  the  faculties  and  prepare  my 
pupils  for  future  usefulness  on  their  own  responsibility,  I  required  the 
advanced  class  to  assist  in  the  instruction  of  the  day  scholars.  Each  one 
labored  in  turn  for  a  month  and  I  paid  them  for  this  extra  service,  the 
two  schools  being  in  separate  buildings,  but  both  under  my  own  supervi- 
sion. 'The  pupils  of  the  boarding  school,  forty-three  in  number,  were 
bound  to  me  for  a  term  of  years,  according  to  their  age,  and  never  went 
home  unless  for  a  death  or  marriage,  when  I  always  accompanied  them 
and  brought  them  back.  I  have  the  gratification  of  knowing  that  a  mis- 
sionary of  another  denomination  wrote  to  our  Board  at  Boston  that  Mrs. 
Bonney  had  one  of  the  best  schools  in  China.  The  Chinese  method  of 
learning  was  to  me  at  first,  very  singular  and  amusing,  as  in  studying  all 
the  scholars  read  aloud  at  the  same  time  in  a  humdrum,  monotonous  tone, 
as  this  is  to  them  the  easiest  method  to  commit  their  lessons  to  memory. 
One  pupil  at  a  time  comes  up  to  recite  or  hack  his  lesson  ;  he  makes  his 
obeisance,  then  turns  his  hack  to  the  teacher  and  repeats  his  lesson  ;  this 
behavior,  though  unpleasant  to  us,  is  here  considered  perfectly  respectful. 

Explanation  of  Photograph. 

-n     .      .        X  .1     1  p^  1      J  Canton,  Julu  22,  1861. 

Beginning  at  the  left  hand.  ^       j       ^ 

No,.  1.  Akee  ue  or  Miss  Beautiful,  standing  with  a  fan  in  her  hand  and 

cue  thrown  over  her  left  shoulder.     She  was  Mrs.  Bonney's  first  scholar 

in  February  1857.     Her  parents  were  very  poor  and  had  sold  her  to  be 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  471 

a  servant  maid  for  ten  dollars.  An  English  lady  redeemed  her,  and  when 
returning  to  England  gave  her  to  Mrs.  Bonney  as  her  daughter  to  educate. 
She  is  a  little  mother  to  the  other  girls. 

No.  2.  A//OW,  Miss  Rave,  standing  next,  her  hands  folded,  a  well  be- 
haved girl,  but  dull  in  mind  and  slow  in  feeling. 

No.  3.  Achiine,  Miss  Revolution,  sitting  on  the  floor  with  a  palm  leaf 
fan  laying  in  front  of  her.  A  quick  moving,  sprightly,  good  natured, 
frank  little  girl. 

No.  4.  Aoot,  Miss  Life,  standing  in  the  rear,  her  head  and  dark  face 
only  seen.  An  ingenious  and  witty  little  girl,  the  only  daughter  of  her 
widowed  mother. 

No  5.  Layuirg  Seen  Sluing.  The  Chinese  female  teacher  of  the  school, 
with  a  fan  in  her  hand  and  wearing  the  grave  expression  of  a  Chinese 
schoolmistress.  She  is  fifty  years  of  age  and  a  grandmother.  The  "  golden 
lillies"  on  which  she  slowly  totters  about,  are  visible. 

No.  6.  Standing  behind  the  teacher  is  a  middle  aged  woman,  who  has 
been  Freddie's  nurse  for  two  and  a  half  years.  We  call  her  "  Amah. " 
She  is  a  trusty  woman,  but  rarely  laughs  and  never  eats  beef  or  butter. 

No.  7.  Apo,  Miss  Precious,  standing  in  the  rear  between  the  female 
teacher  and  a  foreign  lady.  A  precious  little  girl  of  very  tender  feelings, 
nice  perceptions,  superior  intellect  and  superior  memory.  Her  mother  is 
a  widow  and  lives  in  Hongkong. 

No.  8.  A  lady  in  European  dress,  who  needs  no  introduction  or  com- 
mendation from  me.  She  is  a  woman  who  "  feareth  the  Lord  "  and  "  her 
own  works  praise  her  in  the  gates."  She  remembers  too  the  motto  on 
the  escutcheon  of  her  ancestors  who  came  from  Holland.  "  Niemand 
Zorider. " 

No.  9.  Fok  kwi,,  Miss  Happy  Honorahle,  sitting  on  the  floor  at  the 
feet  of  the  lady  in  European  dress.  She  has  a  fan  in  her  hand  and  is  a 
nice  little  girl.  She  came  to  the  school  with  bound  and  cramped  feet, 
but  her  mother  removed  the  bands  a  few  months  since,  and  now  she  re- 
joices in  wearing  heavy  Chinese  dumpers. 

No.  10.  Aha,  Miss  Summer  standing  in  the  rear,  between  the  foreign 
gentleman  and  lady.  She  holds  a  fan  in  her  hand  and  wears  a  sunny, 
summery  expression.  A  noble  girl,  she  is  sixteen  summers.  Her  father 
is  a  sedan  bearer. 

No.  11.  A  gentleman  in  Eiyopean  dress.  If  you  recognize  him,  no 
description  is  needed  ;  if  you  don't,  I  will  merely  say  that  he  is  a  highly 
esteemed  friend  of  the  lady  at  his  right  hand. 

No.  12.  Soontsoy,  Miss  Agreeable  Ekgance,  sitting  on  the  floor  between 
the  gentleman's  feet.  She  is  the  youngest  girl  of  the  company.  Her  poor 
father  sold  her  last  year  (August,  1860),  for  $5.00  to  be  a  house-maid 
servant,  he  being  in  extreme  poverty.  A  Chinese  woman  redeemed  her 
and  put  her  in  Mrs   Bonney's  school  for  eight  years, 

No.  13.  A  bright  little  boy  sitting  on  the  gentleman's  knee.  His  name 
is  Freddie  Bonney  for  the  present.  When  his  own  parents  return  to 
China,  his  name  will  be  changed  to  Freddie  Williams.  A  bonnie  little 
fellow,  he  is  of  three  and  a  half  years  of  age. 

No.  14.  Atsoi/,  Miss  Wealth,  an  orphan  girl  of  sixteen  years.  She  was 
cast  out  of  house  and  home  into  the  street  in  the  city  of  Futshan,  by  those 
who  should  have  been  her  protectors.  Her  inability  to  do  much  house- 
work on  account  of  lameness,  caused  the  cruel  treatment.  She  is  a  modest, 
tender-hearted  girl. 


472  Legacy  of  Histokical  Gleanings. 

No.  15.  Alio,  Miss  Good,  Lower  of  stature  than  No.  14,  witli  an  open 
fan  in  her  hand,  lips  compressed.  A  stout,  hearty  girl  of  medium  mental 
faculties,  but  dutiful  and  obedient. 

No.  16.  Apa,  Miss  Guitar.  Sitting  with  a  fan  in  her  hand  and  white 
kerchief  in  her  left.  A  graceful  little  lady,  with  an  expression  similar  to 
some  of  the  engraved  likenesses  I  have  seen  of  Mrs.  H.  B.  Stowe.  She 
is  the  daughter  of  Freddie's  nurse. 

No.  17.  AsJuim,  the  school  girl's  matron,  standing  in  the  rear,  dark 
face  and  African  look. 

No.  18.  Ao!/,  Miss  Love,  standing  in  front  of  the  African  looking 
woman.  The  most  tender  hearted  girl  of  the  group.  She  has  a  loving 
and  pleasant  disposition. 

No.  19.  AsJiaty-img,  Miss  Tivin,  sitting  on  the  floor  in  front  of  No.  18, 
and  a  younger  sister  of  Miss  Love.  A  short,  sturdy  little  girl.  Her 
head-dress  is  a  bouquet  of  flowers,  according  to  Chinese  fashion. 

No.  20.  Koonho,  Miss  Goodlooking,  sitting  in  a  chair  on  the  extreme 
right,  a  fan  in  her  hand,  long  face,  but  pleasant  expression. 

No.  21.  Aee,  Miss  Thoughtful  standing  behind  with  a  head-dress  of 
flowers,  plump  cheeks  and  the  fattest,  most  contented,  self-satisfied  of  the 
group.  She  is  the  daughter  of  a  poor  widow  in  Macao.  Last  spring  her 
mother  wished  to  take  her  out  of  the  school  and  sell  her  for  $30.00  but 
Mrs.  Bonney  would  not  allow  her  to  sacrifice  the  girl.  These  are  only  a 
part  of  the  school,  but  we  pray  that  they  all  may  be  gathered  into  the  fold 
of  Christ  and  drink  of  living  waters.  Now  here  goes  your  "  Aunt  Cuy" 
with  all  her  little  ones  and  large  ones  back  to  Cherry  Hill.  Can  you  find 
room  for  them  all  ?  Have  you  rice  and  chopsticks  for  them  all  ?  Have  you 
Chinese  books  and  pens  for  each?  They  can't  speak  English,  can  you 
speak  with  them  in  Chinese  ?  I  don't  doubt  your  hospitality,  but  fear 
that  they  would  not  feel  at  home  on  Cherry  Hill.  Their  shadows  must 
be  sent  as  substitutes  and  their  Shepherdess  must  remain  with  her  little 
flock  of  lambs.  Daily  Christian  instruction  in  the  school  cannot  fail  to 
produce  large  and  good  results  sooner  or  later.  The  portions  of  Scripture 
and  the  Christian  hymns  committed  to  memory  cannot  be  forgotten. 

Yours  most  truly. 

S.  W.  Bonney. 

Mothers  were  allowed  to  come  once  a  month  to  visit  their  children 
and  welcomed  every  week  to  the  precious  prayer- meeting.  During  the 
time  of  their  engagement  to  me  if  I  could  betroth  them  to  any  Christian 
Chinese,  it  was  my  conceded  right  to  do  so ;  but  the  day  their  time  of 
pupilage  expired,  the  power  of  making  the  marriage  contract  was  alone 
in  the  parent's  hands.  Consequently  it  occasioned  great  anxiety,  watch-, 
fulness  and  circumspection  to  the  missionary  "  as  the  ofiice  of  matchmaker 
is  considered  honorable  in  nuptial  negotiations,"  that  the  Christian  pupils 
should  be  provided  for  in  due  season.  Children  have  no  voice  in  the 
matter.  A  girl  never  sees  the  groom  till  after  the  mariage  rite,  and  it  is 
to  them  a  hazardous  lottery  as,  notwithstanding  the  rich,  gorgeous  apparel, 
she  is  too  often  a  most  unhappy  creature.  When  betrothed  by  mission- 
aries, we  bring  the  parties  together,  if  practicable,  previous  to  that  cere- 
mony. We  desire  that  our  pupils  should  marry  the  young  men  educated 
in  mission  schools. 

Daughters  are  considered  as  belonging  to  the  families  into  which  they 
marry.     One  of  llev.  S.  L.  Baldwin's  native  preachers  desired   to   have 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  473 

for  his  wife  my  bright-eyed,  smiling  "Aee,"  aged  sixteen  years,  who  had 
been  with  me  for  nine  years.  As  her  time  of  indenture  had  unfortunately 
expired  some  months  previous,  her  mother  came  up  from  Macao,  and 
absolutely  objected ;  she  now  intended  to  betroth  Aee  to  a  friend  who 
had  loaned  her  thirty-five  dollars.  Once  before  she  tried  to  sell  her 
daughter  for  thirty  dollars,  but  I  would  not  give  her  up,  and  now  this 
obstreperous  woman  was  bent  on  having  her  own  way.  Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin 
sent  down  from  Foochow  an  order  for  the  thirty-five  dollars  to  pay  the 
debt;  but  no,  the  debt  had  increased  to  over  fifty  dollars,  the  interest  had 
been  forgotten  !  The  poor  girl  cried  bitterly  as  she  wished  to  marry  the 
Christian  man.  We  all  interceded  with  the  heathen  mother  —  but  in 
vain  !  My  gentle  pupil  was  subsequently  married  to  the  creditor,  to  the 
deep  regret  of  all ;  this  was  a  grievous  heart  trial,  difficult  to  varnish 
over. 

Chinese  parents  are  anxious  to  have  children  to  leave  behind  them  to 
worship  at  their  graves  that  their  ghosts  may  not  be  utterly  destitute, 
for  "  filial  respect  and  devotion  is  the  great  Chinese  virtue  and  religious 
precept,  in  which  they  rarely  fail."  This  ancestral  worship  prevails 
through  all  classes.  "  The  hall  of  ancestors  is  always  found  in  the  house 
of  the  eldest  son.  In  rich  families  it  is  a  separate  building ;  in  others  a 
room  set  apart  for  the  purpose,  and  in  many  a  mere  shelf  or  shrine." 
Once  a  year  during  the  spring  months,  the  old  and,  young  repair  to 
the  tombs  or  graves  of  their  deceased  ancestors  for  worship  and  offering 
prayer  to  them.  Various  kinds  of  food  are  spread  out  before  the  tomb 
with  lighted  tapers.  I  have  seen  them  take  large  hogs  roasted  whole. 
Clothing  and  household  furniture  made  of  paper  and  beautifully  decorated 
with  gilt,  and  gayly-ccHored  papers  are  burnt  at  the  tomb,  as  also  paper 
money.  The  worshipers  suppose  that  they  certainly  go  into  the  world 
of  spirits,  and  are  used  by  their  ancestors.  This  popular  custom  is  a  con- 
vincing proof  that  the  Chinese  believe  in  the  existence  of  the  human 
spirit  after  its  separation  from  the  body,  although  not  made  certain  to 
them  by  a  divine  written  revelation. 

With  the  poor,  marriage  is  a  measure  of  prudence,  because  the  children, 
and  especially  the  sons,  are  bound  to  maintain,  or  invariably  help  to 
support  their  parents.  Families  live  together  in  clans,  and  the  younger 
members  owe  subjection  to  the  head,  and  they  rule  over  youthful  wives 
with  inflexible  rigor. 

The  lady  teacher  and  twelve  of  my  girls  became  Christians.  Ah4,  one 
of  this  number,  was  married  to  a  native  assistant  of  the  English  Wesleyan 
Missibn  at  Canton.  All  my  older  pupils  are  married,  four  of  them  to 
Christian  pastors;  these  are,  we  hope,  triumphs  of  grace  and  they  are 
putting  in  practice  the  instructions  received.  Thus  we  educate  the 
mothers  of  China,  and  with  Grod's  blessing  the  leaven  of  Christianity 
permeates  the  family  circle.  A  Chinese  writer  says  :  "  No  one  teaches 
like  a  mother,"  and  in  educating  the  girls  of  the  present  generation  we 
are  securing  the  best  teachers  for  the  next.  On  our  way  to  evening 
service  we  often  saw  a  mother  in  the  street  at  one  of  the  shrines;  arran- 
ged in  a  niche  of  a  stone  wall,  with  red  candles  lighted  and  burning  three 
incense  sticks,  teaching  her  litttle  son,  of  four  or  five  years,  to  worship  with 
many  prostrations  and  bowings,  the  gaudy  idol  with  its  gilded  trappings; 
while  not  frequently  several  little  dishes  of  candied  fruits  and  cakes 
would  be  placed  as  an  off'ering.  How  sad  to  us  were  all  these  idolatrous 
ceremonies. 

II]  60 


474  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Only  two  deaths  and  one  dismissal  for  improper  conduct  have  occurred 
in  the  school.  One  Chinese  infant  only  just  born,  was  picked  up  not  lar 
from  my  house,  which  had  been  deposited  in  one  of  the  deep,  dry  and 
dilapidated  drains.  It  was  a  bleak  day  in  March,  and  the  child  had  taken 
cold  from  exposure.  The  Chinese  women  thought  there  was  no  use  to 
try  to  save  it,  "  for  parents  will  destroy  their  offsprings  in  times  of  famine 
and  great  distress  rather  than  allow  them  to  suffer."  So  I  washed  and 
dressed  it  in  foreign  clothes,  brought  it  up  with  a  bottle  and  it  slept  in 
my  bosom.  We  called  it  "  Sarah  "  after  Mr.  Bonney's  mother.  It  was 
a  dear  little  winning  thing  and  lived  several  months,  paying  with  love  for 
all  the  assiduous  care  bestowed  on  it.  We  placed  the  little  coffin  on  the 
melodeon  and  put  sweet  flowers  around  it.  The  missionaries  came  to  the 
funeral,  and  Mr.  Bonney  with  two  of  the  English  police  as  his  guard 
took  the  little  body  beyond  the  city  walls  and  gave  it  a  Christian  burial. 
At  that  time  it  was  unsafe  to  go  around  without  an  armed  escort,  but 
often  since  then  have  I  been  over  the  same  ground  with  only  my  little 
Emma,  and  never  molested.  A  poor  Chinese  woman  nearly  starved  came 
for  me  to  take  her  almost  famishing  daughter  of  ten  years  in  the  school, 
which  of  course  I  did.  Her  baby  girl  of  six  months  she  begged  me  to 
accept ;  she  said  she  must  give  it  to  some  one,  could  not  support  it,  and  did 
not  want  it,  for  her  husband  was  sick  and  blind.  To  save  the  infant's 
life  I  took  it,  and  engaged  the  mother  as  wet  nurse  and  to  assist  in  keep- 
ing my  many  girls  clean.  When  leaving  China  I  gave  her  back  the  two 
children  and  procured  a  good  home  for  them.  Many  of  the  mothers 
came  each  Wednesday  morning  to  the  girls'  prayer  meeting,  they  were 
always  attentive  and  asked  many  questions.  The  Christian  girls  and 
Chinese  lady  teacher  never  refused  to  pray  wheu'I  called  on  them.  It 
was  deeply  affecting  to  hear  them  sing  so  sweetly  the  same  little  songs  so 
familiar  to  all  our  Sabbath  scholars ;  such  as  "  Happy  Land,"  "  I  want  to 
be  like  Jesus."  Mr.  Bonney  translated  for  the  use  of  my  school  forty- 
seven  hymns.  When  the  girls  were  ranged  around  the  melodeon,  I  often 
wished  our  Sabbath  schools  could  see  them.  It  was  a  pretty  sight,  their 
ages  varied  from  seven  to  twenty-three  years.  About  half  of  my  girls 
had  little  feet ;  the  lady  teacher,  a  grandmother  of  sixty-five,  had  feet 
only  a  little  over  two  inches  in  length.  "  they  appear  as  if  the  fore-part 
of  the  foot  had  been  accidentally  cut  off.  The  bandages  are  generally  put 
on  as  soon  as  the  child  is  able  to  walk,  but  sometimes  not  till  five  or  six 
years  old,  and  then  they  suffer  intensely,  yet,  "  these  compresses  are  con- 
stantly and  carefully  kept  on."  The  feet  are  put  in  very  hot  water,  a 
piece  of  burnt  linen  is  placed  on  the  sole  to  prevent  mortification ; 
then  the  four  toes  on  each  foot  are  bent  completely  under,  as  if  buried  in 
the  sole,  leaving  only  the  big  toe.  "  After  which  a  long  fold  of  bandage 
is  put  on,  which  is  tightened  every  three  or  four  days  till  the  pain  is  very 
severe."  This  is  continued  for  three  years  when  the  bones  have  become 
dislocated,  producing  a  distorted  foot,  which  when  walking  gives  the  pos- 
sessor a  singular  waddling  gait.  Still  there  is  always  a  rivalry  as  to  this 
fashionable  deformity,  for  the  smallest  feet  are  considered  a  mark  of  high 
social  position  and  a  standard  of  beauty.  The  great  reason  why  this 
practice  is  continued  rests  upon  the  fact,  that  a  small  footed  girl  is  always 
selected  for  the  Jirst  wife  by  the  go-between.  They  wear  no  stockings, 
but  bind  the  thick,  swelled  ankle  with  a  colored  bandage  ;  green,  purple 
or  crimson  crape  are  the  favored  selections,  and  blue  or  white  for  mourn- 
ine;  badges.     The  great  toe  enters  the  little  shoe  while  the  remainder  of 


I 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  475 

the  foot  rests  where  the  heel  should  have  been.  The  ladies  spend  much 
time  in  embroidering  little  shoes,  playing  cards  and  smoking  ;  the  blessed 
effects  of  early  culture  to  restrain  and  guide  are  not  visible  in  them.  I 
have  frequently  seen  the  ladies  at  the  public  gardens,  carried  from  their 
boats  on  the  Amah  or  nurse's  back.  Only  three  of  my  pupils  could  be 
prevailed  upon  to  unbind  their  feet ;  one  of  these  became  a  Christian  and 
developed  into  a  noble  woman. 

At  Dr.  Kerr's  hospital,  on  his  prescribing  days,  the  rooms  are  filled  with 
the  maimed,  ophthalmic  cases,  and  others  waiting  their  turn  for  medical 
relief  which  is  gratutiously  bestowed  by  the  skillful  doctor.  On  one  oc- 
casion, when  the  patients  had  all  gone,  they  found  a  girl  of  five  or  sis  years 
lying  on  the  stone  floor  abandoned  by  her  friends,  she  seemed  in  great 
agony  and  complained  of  her  feet.  The  good  doctor  unbound  the  bandages, 
when  one  foot  fell  off  on  the  floor,  and  the  other  hung  by  a  tendon ;  they 
had  been  bound  too  tightly  and  from  need  of  proper  care  had  rotted  off. 
After  the  feet  stumps  were  healed  Mrs.  Kerr  wished  me  to  take  the  poor 
child  in  my  school,  but  this  humane  appeal  met  with  no  generous  response 
for  I  could  not  do  that.  She  would  have  been  too  great  a  care  for  me,  and 
my  vocation  was  to  educate  girls  to  fill  spheres  of  usefulness ;  she  was 
still  in  the  hospital  when  I  left. 

One  day  an  old  woman  came  with  three  intelligent  looking  girls,  two 
of  them  cousins  of  fifteen  and  sixteen  years  of  age,  the  other  about  fourteen 
years  old.  There  was  no  misunderstanding  the  anxious,  speaking  ex- 
pression, the  pleading  look  of  mute  entreaty  !  I  knew  part  of  their  errand 
ere  a  word  was  spoken,  and  my  heart  was  at  ease  with  a  latent  joy,  for  I 
pictured  a  warm  welcome  would  soon  bring  sunny  smiles  to  their  glad 
faces,  and  it  was  a  sweet  solace.  They  were  from  one  of  the  adjacent 
provinces.  The  rebels  had  been  in  a  large  body  to  their  native  village 
and  relentlessly  slaughtered  all  the  men,  boys  and  old  women.  The  young 
girls  over  fourteen  were  reserved  for  the  soldiers  and  to  sell ;  these  poor 
children  saw  all  their  friends  and  kindred  killed  !  What  a  terrific  scene ! 
how  horror-stricken  they  must  have  been,  and  for  what- were  they  saved  ! 
The  husband  of  this  old  woman  was  near  the  place  and  as  a  matter  of 
speculation  bought  these  three  captives  from  the  robbers.  The  price  they 
wished  me  to  pay  was  forty  dollars  for  the  younger,  and  sixty  dollars  for 
each  of  the  older  ones.  My  larger  pupils  who  knew  what  would  be  the 
sad  fate  of  these  pretty  girls,  entreated  me  to  buy.  I  endeavored  to  pre- 
vail on  the  woman  to  let  me  have  them,  pointed  out  the  beneficial  results, 
the  happiness  conferred,  but  all  in  vain  she  spurned  every  offer. 

I  then  sent  for  Rev.  C.  F.  Preston  and  Dr.  Kerr,  of  the  Presbyterian 
Board,  and  asked  them  if.in  this  trying  emergency  it  would  be  wrong  to 
purchase  these  girls.  If  they  could  only  consent,  I  should  immediately 
send  to  our  consul,  Oliver  H.  Perry,  Esqr.,  or  to  some  of  our  generous 
and  noble  hearted  merchants  for  the  money ;  but  with  tears  in  their  eyes 
they  said  it  would  never  do,  they  were  consistent  Christian  men  and  they 
remained  firm  in  their  strict  view  of  duty.  They  told  me  what  I  well 
knew,  that  Mr.  Bonney  if  living,  and  none  of  the  American  Boards  would 
alloiv  me  to  buy  them.  That  the  American  and  English  churches  would 
consider  it  only  slavery,  they  might  not  fully  understand  the  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances. They  sent  for  the  husband  and  did  all  they  could  to  make 
the  man  and  woman  leave  the  girls  with  me.  I  would  clothe,  feed  and 
educate  them  •  but  no,  in  vain  were  all  our  united  appeals;  they  had  paid 
money,  and  money  they  would  have.     It  was  agonizing  to  see  the  glisten- 


476  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

ing  eyes,  that  had  been  beamiog  with  pleasure  and  relief  at  their  surround- 
ings, now  clouded  with  sorrow  and  disappointment;  the  change  was  not 
only  manifested  in  the  three  victims  but  also  my  own  girls  were  sadly 
disquieted.  What  a  contrast !  They  being  led  to  the  Saviour,  and  these 
poor  children  to  be  worse  than  slaves.  Oh,  how  I  wished  that  I  was  rich, 
for  money  of  my  own.  I  would  have  taken  the  responsibility  and  bought 
those  bright,  pretty  girls  and  placed  them  in  an  enjoyable  atmosphere  not 
as  slaves,  but  to  make  them  free  for  Jesus.  I  gave  them  "  a  cup  of  cold 
water  "  in  the  shape  of  their  dinner  and  wai-m  tea  ;  and  when  after  further 
unavailing,  strenuous  exertions  in  their  behalf,  I  saw  them  led  off  by  the 
man  and  woman,  I  wept  like  a  child.  They  were  sold  before  night  to  one 
of  the  disreputable  boats,  and  I  never  saw  them  more.  They  were  our 
sisters,  and  such  might  have  been  the  fate  of  our  own  sex  in  this  happy, 
highly  favored  land  but  for  the  Gospel,  and  yet  I  have  heard  there  is  icork 
enough  in  our  own  country  ! 

I  went  to  China  with  a  heart  consecrated  to  do  God's  work 
as  a  life  loork  ;  not  to  repine  and  sigh  for  the  loved  ones  in  my  early 
home,  no  thought  of  regret  to  nullify  my  happiness.  There  was  enough 
to  do  also  in  China  witb  its  population  of  400,000,000,  and  I  had  no  time 
to  be  lonesome.  Could  I  live  my  life  over  would  this  still  be  our  path  ? 
oh  yes,  but  I  would  go  in  the  freshness  of  youth  with  greater  energy  and 
perseverance  to  achieve  much  in  the  foreign  department  of  Christian  ef- 
fort. Whatever  good  I  may  have  been  permitted  to  accomplish,  to  God 
alone  belong  all  the  praises,  it  was  not  of  myself.  I  have  labored  with 
the  pupils  and  women  under  _my  care  assiduously,  earnestly,  and  feel  sure 
that  God's  blessing  has  certainly  been  on  those  feeble  efforts,  and  "  some 
droppings  of  His  grace  fell  on  me,  even  me."  Mr.  Bonney  said  "those 
girls  are  all  in  His  hand,  never  fear,  trust  in  God  ;  those  prayers,  instruc- 
tions, and  godly  example  for  these  many  years,  will  not  be  lost;  they  can 
never  be  forgotten  even  when  the  girls  return  to  their  own  native  homes  ; 
leave  all  with  God  "  and  so  I  do.  Strikingly  pleasant  has  been  my  sojourn 
in  China,  very  sweet  and  cheerful  has  been  the  inner  circle  of  my  mis- 
sion life.  True,  bitter  very  bitter  crushing  trials,  wailing  in  spirit,  and  the 
sorrows  of  a  blighted  home  have  mine;  but  not  one  too  many  —  not  half 
what  I  deserve.  God's  hand  held  the  key  and  he  locked  out  chastisement 
and   admitted  succor  when  he  saw  best  : 

"  After  a  while  earth's  rush  will  cease. 
And  a  wearied  heart  find  sweet  release." 

All  my  life  has  been  crowned  with  mercies  ;  for  one  hour  of  sickness 
or  heavy  woe  I  have  enjoyed  days  of  unclouded  bliss  and  happiness. 
During  the  ten  years  it  was  my  privilege  to  have  a  residence  in  China, 
God  saw  fit  to  call  me  to  "pass  under  the  rod."  Mr.  Bonney's  aged 
mother,  two  of  my  cherished  sisters,  a  darling  niece,  and  my  own  idolized 
husband,  were  removed  from  earth  to  heavenly  mansions  in  the  new  Je- 
rusalem. But  with  loving  obedience  I  kept  on  with  my  boarding  school  of 
forty-three  girls,  two  years  and  a  half  after  Mr.  Bonney's  decease.  I  was 
the  only  foreigner  in  my  household  of  fifty-six  Chinese ;  and  as  Rev.  D. 
Vrooman  was  in  California,  it  left  me  for  one  year  and  a  half,  the  only 
and  last  member  on  the  field  of  the  Canton  mission,  belonging  to  the 
American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

The  day  I  left  China,  the  physicians  thought  it  doubtful  if  I  ever 
reached  America  alive.     I  am  now  fully  restored.     It  was  two  years  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  477 

26th  of  December  since  I  left  Hongkong,  and  with  God's  blessing  and 
grace  to  "sustain  me  in  my  work  for  Christ,  I  trust  the  coming  March  will 
find  me  again  on  mission  ground.  I  go  out  under  the  auspices  of  the 
"  Woman's  Union  Missionary  Society."  In  the  first  pamphlet  issued  by 
them  called  "  Woman's  Mission  to  Woman "  is  found  the  promise : 
"  Wherever  God  in  his  providence  opens  to  them  a  door  they  will  seek 
to  enter  and  do  his  work."  For  eight  years  they  have  earnestly  and 
faithfully  labored  for  India  and  now  comes  the  call  from  China,  which 
thirty-eight  years  ago  was  started  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Abeel  and  I  go  out 
as  your  representative  to  establish  a  "  Home  "  in  China  similar  to  the  one 
in  India.  We  desire  if  possible  to  labor  among  the  higher  classes,  and 
have  chosen  Peking  the  Capital  of  China  as  the  most  eligible  location. 
It  is  very  desirable  for  the  "  Home,  "  as  being  even  more  healthy  than 
at  Canton  ;  it  is  said  to  be  the  most  healthy  mission  field  in  Eastern  Asia. 
I  spent  one  summer  in  Peking,  the  latitude  is  the  same  as  Philadelphia, 
and  the  weather  is  much  like  that  of  Boston;  while  Canton  temperature 
more  nearly  resembles  that  of  New  Orleans.  The  thermometer  in  Canton 
stands  on  an  average  in  July  and  August  at  80°  and  88°  ;  in  January 
and  February  50°  to  60°.  At  Peking  from  10°  to  25°  in  December  or 
March,  but  in  summer  usually  from  75°  to  90°. 

Ours  is  a  Union  Society  to  labor  for  the  amelioration  and  elevation  of 
woman;  we  belong  to  all  evangelical  denominations  and  we  all  rejoice  as 
with  one  heart  that  our  China  mission  is  re-consecrated  during  this  Week 
of  Prayer.  Though  we  are  feeble  and  weak,  the  prayers  of  Christians 
will  prevail  with  God  to  make  us  more  worthy  of  our  high  vocation  and 
instrumental  in  accomplishing  much  good.  Christian  women  in  every 
land  should  feel  an  interest  in  China.  '■'■  Future  xoork  must  be  left  to  Christ 
the  First  Missionary  and  Chief  Director  of  all  missionary  labor ;  it  will 
take  shape  from  our  surroundings  and  will  rapidly  develop  as  it  is  pursued 
under  God's  blessing." 

If  God  permits  an  American  lady  to  establish  this  much  wished  for 
"  Home  "  in  China,  the  American  churches  should  earnestly  with  pride 
and  pleasure  be  more  than  willing  to  stand  by  her. 

In  almost  every  particular  "  the  Chinese  custom  is  the  very  reverse  of 
that  which  prevails  amongst  ourselves,"  but  in  nothing  is  it  more  lament- 
ably manifested  than  in  regai'd  to  the  female  sex. 

The  women  of  China  are  not  sunk  as  low,  not  as  degraded  as  their  sisters 
in  maay  heathen  lands.  They  are  always  cheerful  and  courteous  in  their 
manners,  glad  to  welcome  any  of  our  sex  as  visitors,  and  as  soon  as  their 
childish  curiosity  is  gratified  ready  to  listen  respectfully  to  any  thing  we 
may  wish  to  say.  I  have  occasionally  visited  some  of  the  higher  classes 
in  Canton  and  was  always  well  received.  .There  are  at  least  200,000,000 
women  and  girls  in  China,  and  they  can  be  ever  reached  only  by  female 
agency.  One  of  the  worst  features  of  the  Chinese  system  is  the  degraded 
condition  which  it  assigns  to  woman.  Confucius  says  :  "  women  are  not 
a  free  agBnt."  Indeed,  "  women  are  hardly  accounted  of  in  China  until 
they  become  mothers,  but  from  that  time  they  are  supposed  to  exercise 
in  their  peculiar  relation  great  infiuence  on  the  welfare  of  the  state ;  and 
so  they  do,  if  not  always  living,  at  least  when  dead."  The  Chinese  court 
regime  makes  it  imperative  even  for  a  high  ofiicer  to  retire  from  public 
life  for  three  years  at  the  decease  of  an  aged  mother.  It  is  God  alone 
makes  us  to  difier ;  the  brightest  intellect,  youth,  beauty  is  not  Loo  costly 
a  gift  for  God's  altar. 


478  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

The  higher  class  of  females  are  not  oftea  met  excepting  on  festival  sea- 
sons when  visiting  the  Ancestral  Hall,  or  public  gardens.  Canton,  Peking 
and  other  places  in  China  seem  to  be  "  cities  of  men,"  occasionally  you 
meet  a  women,  but  she  is  of  the  lower  class,  very  few  of  them  can  read. 
Yet  with  all  this  multitude  there  is  no  confusion  about  relationship,  for 
it  is  a  "  rule  in  China  that  persons  of  the  same  clan  name  shall  not  inter- 
marry; Miss  Lee  cannot  become  the  wife  of  any  man  bearing  the  name 
of  Lee.  The  missionary  can  never  reach  the  secluded  women,  and  the 
missionary  wife  has  sufficient  cares,  her  first  duty  is  to  her  husband  to 
render  her  own  home  happy,  and  she  must  be  ten  times  more  a  mother  in 
China  than  here  if  she  would  keep  her  children  pure.  She  should  not  be 
trammeled  with  these  extra  toils;  already  too  many  of  our  devoted  mis- 
sionary wives  are  quietly  resting  in  their  graves  simply  from  over  exer- 
tion. There  is  not  a  missionary  wife  in  China  but  feels  anxious  to  reach 
her  own  sex,  and  they  greet  with  great  delight  the  "  Woman's  Mission  "  to 
China.  It  is  the  one  missing  link  so  much  needed  to  facilitate  the  mission- 
ary operations.  The  language  need  not  be  such  an  obstacle  ;  "where  there  is 
the  will  there  is  a  way."  True,  there  are  about  80,000  characters,  4,000 
in  the  Bible,  but  we  do  not  need  to  study  all  the  written  characters  before 
we  can  impart  instruction,  we  can  soon  pick  up  sufficient  of  the  colloquial 
to  make  ourselves  understood.  People  die  here  as  well  as  the7'e,  none  are 
exempt,  but  Heaven  is  as  near  China  as  America. 

One  thing  strikingly  suggestive  of  success  in  China  is  the  beautiful 
trait  of  union  christians,  we  all  labor  for  the  same  great  object;  denomi- 
national differences  are  but  little  observed.  There  is  no  time  for  those 
minor  distinctions,  and  the  energetic  effort  of  concentrated  work  for  Jesus 
forms  a  closer  union  among  the  various  sects,  thus  giving  greater  efficiency 
to  woman's  assistance  at  work  which  can  be  fitly  accomplished  only  by 
her.  We  will  never  regret  either  giving  ourselves  or  our  money  to  ad- 
vance the  heathen  women  to  the  high  privileges  and  elevated  position  we 
occupy ;  the  more  we  give  for  Jesus,  the  more  we  are  sure  to  receive. 
When  I  left  China  in  1866  the  statistics  of  the  stations  showed  in  Pekin 
of  all  Societies  nine  missionaries  and  ten  missionary  ladies.  In  Canton 
were  thirteen  missionaries,  ten  missionary  ladies,  twenty-eight  native 
helpers,  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  Chinese  members.  Total  in  China  : 
ordained  missionaries  97  ;  lay  missionaries  14 ;  missionary  ladies  93 ; 
whole  number  of  missionaries  204;  number  native  helpers  206;  number 
of  members  received  in  1865  282.  Whole  number  of  the  native  members 
3142. 

"  Notice.  A  public  meeting  for  the  Woman's  Union  Missionary  Society 
of  America,  will  be  held  Sabbath  night  Jan.  3,  at  the  Reformed  Church 
on  the  Heights,  (Dr.  Eddy's).  Additional  interest  will  be  given  to  the 
meeting  as  it  will  be  a  farewell  for  three  ladies  who  will  sail  for  China 
Jan,  9,  as  missionaries  under  the  auspices  of  the  Society.  Addresses  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Storrs,  Dr.  N.  Schenck  and  others.  Services  will  commence  at 
7?  o'clock."  On  Jamiary  9,  1869,  Emma  and  I  with  two  young  ladies 
sailed  from  New  York  for  China  in  the  California  steamship  "  Alaska." 
January  29.  The  passage  thus  far  has  been  charming,  although  our  party 
has  more  or  less  succumbed  to  sea-sickness.  On  the  Atlantic  side  we  had 
a  rough  but  not  boisterous  passage,  and  were  able  to  have  service  oa 
Sabbath,  which  was  conducted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Williams  of  San  Francisco  in 
the  Episcopal  form.  Two  clergymen  are  with  us  from  that  city  and  one 
from  Oregon,  Rev.   Dr.  Atkinson;  The  captain  has  allowed  us  to  have 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  479 

evening  prayers  in  the  saloon,  which  many  passengers  attend.  One  of 
our  young  ladies  makes  herself  useful  in  leading  our  singing  with  the 
piano.  "  We  passed  in  sight  of  the  green  hills  of  Cuba  and  Hayti  and 
the  blue  mountains  of  Jamaica."  As  we  approached  Aspinwall,  the  foliage 
on  the  beautiful  hills  looked  quite  refreshing.  We  anchored  on  Sabbath 
afternoon  at  four  o'clock  "  at  the  dock  of  Aspinwall  the  Atlantic  terminus 
of  the  Panama  Railway."  There  were  a  few  scattered  buildings  gay  with 
white  paint  and  green  blinds.  "  Many  negroes  were  sitting  smoking  their 
pipes  while  half  naked  grinning,  coal-black  negresses  were  hucksters  with 
baskets  of  fruits  and  small  wares  on  their  head;  all  of  them  were  most 
loosely  attired  in  white  muslin  or  calico  with  short  sleeves  and  very  low 
necks." 

The  following  morning  by  six  o'clock  all  the  passengers  were  seated  in 
the  cars.  Our  ride  of  forty-nine  miles  across  the  Isthmus  of  Panama 
from  ocean  to  ocean  was  very  pleasant.  "  Here,  rising  in  all  their  state- 
liness,  the  classic  sheaves  of  the  royal  palm  shed  an  air  of  oriental  beauty 
over  the  landscape."  Then  too  the  cocoanut  and  orange  trees  loaded  with 
fruit,  together  with  the  "  graceful  bamboo  waving  over  the  water  its 
feathery  top"  reminded  me  of  my  Eastern  home.  "The  road  passes 
through  a  deep  marsh,  built  on  piles  driven  down  firmly  into  the  spongy 
soil  and  the  foundation  covered  with  earth.  There  were  dense  groves 
of  high  shrubs  and  Mangroves  rising  out  of  the  almost  unfathomable 
marshes  with  other  gigantic  trees."  We  were  not  so  fortunate,  while 
crossing  the  Mindee  River  as  to  see  any  of  its  enormous  aligators,  but  the 
iron  bridge  over  the  Chagres  was  greatly  admired.  "  To  the  west  looms 
up  the  Cierro  Gigante,  the  loftiest  summit  upon  the  Isthmus  whence 
Balboa  saw  at  a  glance  the  bright  waters  of  the  two  oceans.  The  summit 
of  the  line  is  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  Pacific."  We  passed 
many  native  settlements  from  the  thatched  huts  of  which  the  ladies  issued 
and  gathered  in  groups;  the  gentlemen  in  the  cars  acknowledged  the 
compliment  of  their  presence  by  a  wave  of  the  hand  or  a  handkerchief. 
Although  there  were  several  hours  to  spare  at  Panama  before  the  steamer 
"  Colorado"  left,  but  few  persons  ventured  to  visit  the  old  Spanish  town 
as  small-pox  and  yellow-fever  were  at  this  time  quite  prevalent.  We 
therefore  contented  ourselves  with  looking  at  the  beautiful  harbor,  hav- 
ing also  a  fine  view  of  the  old  ramparts,  the  cathedral  and  houses.  They 
have  taken  on  board  a  number  of  "  huge  green  turtles  weighing  not  less 
than  two  hundred  or  three  hundred  pounds  ;  they  are  held  in  high  repute 
by  epicures  and  are  found  in  great  numbers  along  the  coast."  The 
weather  has  been  fine,  the  bay  of  Tehuantepec  was  crossed  without  much 
disturbance.  The  steamer  was  detained  four  or  five  hours  at  Acapulco 
"  for  the  purpose  of  coaling."  The  scenery  around  this  Mexican  port  was 
diversified  :  the  low  sandy  sea  coast,  the  splendid  harbor  and  the  great 
chain  of  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains  with  its  lofty  peaks  and  "hills  that 
smoke. "  "  Acapulco  is  the  chief  city  of  Mexico  on  the  Pacific  coast." 
On  Monday  we  were  three  or  four  hours  at  Manzanillo,  at  which  place 
three  men  were  put  ashore  in  irons,  they  had  secreted  themselves  on  the 
vessel.  There  had  previously  to  this  been  quite  an  exciting  time,  doors 
were  locked  and  each  passenger  required  to  show  his  ticket.  It  was 
rather  rough  crossing  the  gulf  of  California  but  when  past  Cape  St.  Lucas 
there  was  a  sudden  and  perceptible  change  in  the  weather ;  our  tropical 
clothing  was  gladly  changed  for  the  thick  garments  with  which  we  left 
New  York,     Our  sail  up  the  Pacific  has  been  delightful,  the  shore  in 


480  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

sight  most  of  the  way  witli  ranges  of  the  Coast  mountains,  interspersed 
occasionally  with  a  volcano  smoking  in  the  distance.  The  "  Colorada  " 
steamed  proudly  from  the  ocean  through  "  Grolden  Gate  "entrance  into 
San  Francisco  Bay,  and  safely  anchored  on  February  1st  soon  ailer  day- 
light close  to  the  steamship  "Japan"  which  is  to  sail  on  Thursday  noon. 
After  placing  all  my  baggage  in  my  state-room  on  the  "  Japan"  we  went 
to  the  Occidental  hotel  which  is  "  one  of  the  finest  buildings  in  the  city." 
The  first  person  I  saw  on  alighting  from  the  coach  was  Bishop  Kip  ;  it 
was  a'happy  meeting  with  himself  and  family. 

In  our  rambles  over  this  beautiful  city  we  saw  the  effects  of  the  late 
Earthquake,  many  houses  were  being  repaired.  The  leading  thoroughfares 
were  thronged  with  pedestrians,  we  passed  many  fine  gardens  with  flowers  in 
full  bloom.  Oakland,  where  Mrs.  Vrooman  died,  "  lies  across  the  bay  eight 
miles  distant"  and  has  many  elegant  residences.  Throughout  our  journey 
we  have  received  much  kindness,  and  have  reason  for  gi'atitude  to  Grod  for 
the  manifestations  of  his  goodness.  The  prayers  which  we  are  sure  have 
been  off"ered  for  us  have  been  abundantly  answered,  and  we  feel  greatly 
refreshed  in  this  climate  which  is  "  unsurpassed  for  salubrity."  Taking 
up  one  of  the  papers  I  found  this  :  "  Mrs.  Bonney,  widow  of  the  late  Rev. 
S.  W.  Bonney  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  Mission  at  Canton,  returns  to  China  in 
the  service  of  the  "  Ladies'  Union  Missionary  Society,"  to  labor  chiefly 
among  and  for  females.  It  is  to  establish  the  "  Zendna"  work  i-n  China, 
which  has  been  so  successful  in  India.  Miss  Douw  and  Miss  Adams 
are  to  be  associated  as  helpers  or  teachers  with  Mrs.  Bonney.  Peking  is 
to  be  their  present  field  of  labor.  This  missionary  band  have  won  the 
love  of  Christians  and  the  esteem  of  all  classes  on  the  voyage  thus  far,  and 
they  are  cordially  commended  to  the  Divine  care  as  they  embark  on  the 
Japan  for  their  voyage  across  the  Pacific." 

Leaving  San  Francisco  Thursday  February  4th,  sailing  down  the  un- 
rivaled harbor  and  through  the  Golden  Gate  we  were  once  more  launched 
on  the  great  ocean.  Under  the  skillful  guidance  of  a  Divine  Pilot  with 
unlimited  power  we  were  taken  safely  over  the  blue  Pacific,  though  it 
was  not  then  pacific  but  very  restless  and  turbulent  with  its  "  foam  crested 
billows."  There  was  an  ever  unfailing  source  of  delight  in  watching  the 
"  night  brilliants"  above  us  which  sparkled  in  unequaled  luster,  or  the 
rolling  beneath  us  of  the  fathomless  ocean,  these  never  could  satiate  or 
weary.  An  incident  of  great  interest  was  our  losing  a  precious  day  on 
our  way  ;  "  the  shadow  of  the  dial  seemed  to  be  going  backward,"  and 
we  could  exclaim  as  once  did  a  noble  Roman  "  I  have  lost  a  day."  It 
seemed  a  singular  paradox  to  go  to  bed  Saturday  night  and  rise  up  the 
next  morning  to  find  we  had  no  Sunday  ;  it  was  Monday  February  22d, 
"  Washington's  Birthday."  The  splendid  "  Japan"  had  during  the  night 
passed  the  180°  of  longitude  the  top  of  the  hill  opposite  Greenwich,  and 
was  then  going  down  the  contrary  side  dropping  a  day  to  be  picked  up 
when  the  steamer  returned.  In  traveling  westward  the  entire  time  has 
really  been  consumed  in  the  increased  lengthening  of  each  consecutive 
day.  In  order  to  regulate  which  nautical  men  have  agreed  to  make  the 
necessary  change  at  the  prime  meridian  of  180°.  The  dinner  table  that 
day  was  decorated  with  "  American  flags  ;"  several  tiny  ones  were  floating 
emblems  over  the  saltcellars.  After  a  boisterous  passage  it  was  a  welcome 
event  to  the  tempest-tossed  when  we  anchored  at  Yokohama,  Japan,  on 
March  4th.  Since  our  visit  in  18(32  a  new  conveyance  has  been  started 
called    Ginrackashas  — "  they  are  like  baby  carriages  on  a  large  scale, 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  481 

each  is  drawn  by  a  half-naked  Japanese."  On  March  14th  we  safely  ar- 
rived at  Shanghai,  making  just  nine  weeks  since  we  left  New  York  city, 
and  were  received  by  Rev.  E.  W.  Syle.  Emma  and  I  had  a  charming 
visit  of  a  f^  days  in  Canton  which  was  truly  refreshing  and  comforting 
as  with  all  my  "  feelings  on  tiptoe  I  reveled  in  all  the  rewards  of  the 
meritoriousness  of  absence."  The  bright  smiles  and  glad  words  and  strong 
grasp  of  welcome  from  so  many,  assured  me  I  was  not  forgotten  but  held 
in  affectionate  remembrance  by  those  beloved  friends.  "  After  a  thousand 
questions  are  asked  on  both  sides,  delightful  memories  brought  up,  and 
others  that  will  not  bear  touching  upon  spared,  the  most  good  natured 
person  in  the  company  exclaims  ;  '  Bless  me  !  you  are  not  at  all  changed.'  " 
We  were  guests  of  Rev.  C.  F.  Preston  the  tried  friend  of  other  days. 
The  cordial  greetings  and  courtesies  of  social  life  were  not  confined  to 
missionary  families  and  other  foreigaers,  but  the  crowning  act  of  kindness 
and  a  greater  surprise  was  the  grateful  memory  of  the  Chinese.  The 
Chinese  lady  teacher  formerly  connected  with  my  school  together  with 
many  of  my  old  pupils  came,  bringing  their  husbands  and  babies,  to  see 
me,  with  joy  depicted  on  their  countenance.  The  meeting  with  Anna, 
now  the  wife  of  Rev.  D.  Vrooman  with  her  three  children  ;  and  Aha  wife 
of  a  native  assistant  belonging  to  the  English  Wesleyan  Mission  with  her 
husband  and  chubby  boy  were  charming  re-unions.  The  whole  visit  was 
fruitful  with  unexpected  testimonials  of  esteem  and  affection  for  one  who 
"  had  been  in  the  furnace  of  affliction."  This  was  the  beautiful  season  of 
green  leaves,  violets  and  daisies;  and  the  morning  sun  poured  brightness 
over  the  landscape  as  we  stood  near  the  fresh  bamboo  groves  and  saw  many 
more  death-rows  and  grassy  mounds  within  the  cemetery  grounds  than 
when  we  last  stood  there.  The  grave  under  the  small  cluster  of  waving 
bamboo  was  in  perfect  order  and  the  country  had  lost  none  of  its  pristine 
beauty.  And  now  again  our  home  letters  bring  the  sad  tidings  of  the 
death  of  another  "  loved  one,"  Mrs.  Sherwood,  the  eldest  sister  of  Mr. 
Bonney. 

Establishinent  of  the  "Peking  Home." 
April  9th  Pieho  River.  We  are  now  anchored  close  to  the  "Bar" 
waiting  for  the  tide  to  carry  us  over,  when  we  enter  the  river  an-d  after 
sailing  sixty-two  miles  hope  to  reach  Tientsin  this  afternoon.  "  The  banks 
present  no  striking  scenery,  being  an  uninterrupted  plain,  but  the  many 
peach  and  apple  orchards,  each  tree  loaded  with  its  delicate  blossom,  pre- 
sents a  refreshing  sight  to  the  eye.  At  the  south  of  China  they  have  a 
superstitious  notion  that  the  blossoming  of  the  peach  tree,  at  the  time  of 
their  New  Year  festival,  betokens  good  luck  and  prosperity  for  the  coming 
year,  and  they  have  a  way  of  forcing  that  tree  to  bloom  for  the  occasion, 
and  then  have  a  branch  of  it  in  their  houses  brilliant  with  flowers.  Paddy 
and  grain  abound,  as  in  other  cultivated  parts  of  China,  and  several 
magnificent  trees  are  to  be  seen  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  The  large 
number  of  junks  hinder  the  navigation  of  our  bulky  steamers.  The  most 
difficult  portion  of  the  passage  is  about  twenty  miles  below  Tientsin,  vessels 
are  often  stuck  fast  and  frequently  have  to  discharge  the  cargo  to  lighten 
the  vessel."  This  stage  completes  our  voyages  of  three  months  since  we 
left  New  York.  What  abundant  reason  we  have  for  thanksgiving  :  we 
have  been  kept  from  serious  ill ;  no  accident  has  befallen  us  these  many 
thousand  miles,  for  God's  tender  care  has  been  over  us  until  we  have  in 
safety  nearly  reached  the  end  of  our  journey.     There  are  no  rail  roads 

II  61 


482  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

in  China,  and  to  proceed  to  the  capital  of  the  "Celestial  Empire"  after 
leaving  steamers  we  took  two  clumsy  old  native  craft  which  travel  at 
canal-boat  speed.  They  have  a  narrow  space  on  both  sides  the  length  of 
boat  for  the  men  when  poling,  with  movable  masts  to  be  put  up  or  taken 
down  as  required.  These  boats  are  destitute  of  every  comfort,  ami  if  you 
would  not  perish  with  hunger,  ham-sandwiches  for  food,  and  blankets  for 
chilly  nights  must  not  be  forgotten  as  each  traveler  provides  his  own 
rations  and  other  requisites.  These  boats  have  no  windows  or  doors  only 
movable  partitions  ;  one  long  narrow  room  with  a  raised  platform  which 
answers  for  bed  and  seats ;  boards  are  taken  out  for  windows  to  suit  your 
convenience.  One  smaller  room  in  the  rear  is  for  the  boatmen.  There 
was  a  primitive  simplicity  in  all  our  surroundings  ;  but  there  was  a  luxury 
in  the  quiet  rest  and  short  respite  from  all  care,  recruiting  exhausted 
energies  which  would  not  allow  us  to  call  it  a  tedious  passage.  Sometimes 
there  was  a  hard  pull  against  wind  and  current  when  a  number  of  men 
were  employed  tracking  the  boat;  they  were  on  shore  tugging  at  a  tow- 
rope,  while  three  or  four  on  board  are  pushing  with  bamboo  poles  to  make 
headway.  The  water  being  at  a  low  stage  we  were  several  times  aground. 
"The  salt-mounds  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river  are  like  a  range  of  low 
hills  ;  immense  mounds  of  salt  are  stored  by  government  under  mat  cover- 
ings, and  Tientsin  is  perhaps  the  largest  storehouse  of  this  commodity  in 
the  empire.  The  salt  trade  is  strictly  a  government  monopoly.  The 
French  consulate  is  situated  on  the  bank  of  the  river  opposite  the  town, 
just  at  its  junction  with  the  grand  canal.  It  was  formerly  one  of  the 
imperial  resting  places,  and  is  perhaps  the  most  picturesque  and  striking 
looking  building  in  the  neighborhood.  One  half  of  the  original  enclos- 
ure is  now  occupied  by  the  Roman  Catholic  Mission." 

Notwithstanding  the  slowness  of  our  progress  after  being  accustomed 
to  be  carried  along  on  steamers  and  rail  cars,  it  was  counterbalanced  by 
many  objects  of  interest  which  well  repaid  and  served  to  vary  the 
monotony  although  it  required  "  roughing  it  in  a  healthy  way  on  board  a 
Chinese  boat "  four  days.  "  Millet  is  very  extensively  cultivated  in  this 
district  and  the  poor  people  live  on  it  to  a  large  extent."  The  hamlets 
seen  were  few  and  those  of  the  poorer  sort,  with  mud  walled  houses.  In 
passing  any  village,  men,  women,  children  and  barking  curs  came  out  in 
crowds  to  see  the  novel  sight  of  foreign  ladies.  Our  boats  anchored  at 
night  when  the  two  were  lashed  together  that  we  could  easily  step  from 
one  to  the  other ;  it  was  a  pleasant  re-union  as  the  two  young  ladies  oc- 
cupied one  vessel,  Emma  and  myself  the  other.  When  within  thirteen 
miles  of  the  Imperial  city,  at  Tung-chow  boats  are  left  for  the  famous 
two  wheeled  carts  which  must  be  tried  before  they  can  be  duly  estimated. 
They  are  oblong  boxes  about  "  two  and  a  half  feet  wide,  four  feet  high 
and  three  and  a  half  feet  long,  covered  over  by  a  frame  work  with  cloth 
to  protect  from  the  sun  and  dust ;  an  open  space  of  a  foot  square  is  left 
at  each  side  for  windows.  You  crawl  in  and  out  from  the  front, 
there  are  no  seats ;  you  make  yourself  as  comfortable  as  you  can  in 
a  cramped  position  of  body  "  seated  on  the  matted  floor,  guarded  at 
either  side  by  innumerable  bundles  and  cushions  to  save  a  fractured 
head  or  arm  over  these  notable  roads.  The  carters  who  ply  between 
Tientsin  and  Peking  are  a  distinct  class  of  men,  somewhat  like  the  carriers 
in  remote  parts  of  England  in  the  good  old  times,  before  steam  had  rendered 
communication  between  various  parts  of  the  country  so  easy  as  we  find  it 
at  present.     "  On  meeting  another  vehicle  he  turns  to  the  left  instead  of 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  483 

right,  sometimes  jumping  down  and  running  by  the  side  of  the  cart  for  a  few 
paces  to  show  particular  respect  to  his  acquaintance.  There  are  no  springs 
which  with  cramped  position,  and  constant  jolting  over  large  stones  was 
something  fearful.  The  roads  often  pass  through  fields  of  grain  and  corn 
where  "  an  ordinary  street  carter  would  probably  lose  his  way."  A  few 
years  previous  when  passing  over  this  same  road  at  a  later  season,  I  saw 
boys,  women  and  girls  busily  engaged  picking  cotton  and  filling  their 
baskets  with  the  beautifully  white  down.  The  same  field  having  the 
pretty,  showy  yellow  flower,  the  pure  white  cotton  bursting  forth  from  the 
ripe  pods,  and  the  seeds  involved  in  the  cotton.  "  Oil  is  expressed  from 
the  seeds  of  the  cotton  plant ;  and  the  capsules  or  pods,  being  hard  they 
burn  as  "fire-wood,  while  the  leaves  are  given  to  their  cattle.  The  roads 
are  really  intolerable  '*  badly  constructed,  in  fact  the  high  road  between 
Tientsin  and  Peking  is  after  all  only  a  wide  track,  having  numerous  ruts 
and  deep  holes  made  by  the  sharp  wheeled  native  carts,  and  after  a  few 
hours  rain  the  road  becomes  all  but  impassable.  When  you  arrive  at  your 
journey's  end  you  feel  very  much  as  if  you  had  been  tossed  up  in  a  blanket 
faced  with  deal  boards,"  The  fatigue  incurred  ascending  Cheops  or  the 
Great  Pyramid  is  not  an  instance  compared  to  this,  joints  are  nearly  dis- 
located, yet  we  may  chance  to  survive  the  contusions  which  are  the  luck 
of  all.  The  climax  is  reached  in  passing  the  gates  of  Peking;  the  roads 
here  have  massive  blocks  of  granite  which  by  the  immense  travel  have  in 
many  places  holes  worn  two  feet  deep.  Cushions  avail  not  then,  and  in 
vigilant  silence  the  wary  traveler's  great  aim  is  to  guard  the  head  as  much 
as  possible  from  these  terrible  thumps,  by  the  tossing  first  on  one  side 
then  the  other.  He  remembers  the  old  adage  "  a  burnt  child  dreads  the 
fire "  and  a  fractured  skull  or  serious  contusions  will  certainly  be  the 
result  of  a  moment's  inattention.  These  are  the  only  vehicles  used  in 
Peking,  carriages  are  never  seen  and  sedans  but  seldom  ;  the  mandarin's 
carts,  however,  are  handsome  and  well  padded  but  without  springs  or  seats  ; 
though  the  wheels  being  placed  farther  back,  than  in  the  ordinary  carts, 
make  a  more  comfortable  conveyance. 

"  The  approach  to  Peking  for  two  miles  outside  the  city  walls  is  a  fine  road 
one  hundred  yards  wide,  paved  with  granite  stones  from  six  to  sixteen 
feet  in  length,  with  shops  un  both  sides  of  the  spacious  avenue.  You 
have  no  distant  view  of  the  city  as  it  is  situated  on  a  large  sandy  plain  and 
presents  no  imposing  appearance,  so  that  the  traveler  finds  himself  within 
five  hundred  yards  of  th-e  southern  wall  with  only  a  glimpse  of  the  gate 
pagoda  of  the  Tartar  city.  The  houses  are  all  one  story,  having  no  cellars 
or  attics  ;  there  are  no  spires  of  any  kind  ;  "  towers,  domes  or  great  public 
buildings  towering  above  the  rest"  only  the 'pagodas.  There  is  "  not 
even  a  chimney  to  break  the  uniformity  of  the  house-tops,  whicli  being 
nearly  uniform  in  height,  and  the  streets  laid  out  in  straight  lines,  give 
the  city  the  appearance  of  a  vast  encampment  or  assemblage  of  canvas- 
tents,  which  would  be  complete  if  the  roofs  were  painted  white  instead 
of  red,  blue  and  other  colors."  These  many  colored,  thin  brick  tiles  with 
which  roofs  of  houses  are  covered  give  it  a  gay  aspect  at  sunset  from  the 
city  walls. 

Our  "  passports"  were  taken  at  the  city  gates  by  a  ragged  looking  offi- 
cial, but  we  were  subjected  to  a  second  and  third  stoppage  or  examination. 
We  were  struck  with  the  deep,  high  arches  at  all  the  gates  and  double 
gateways,  the  arches  were  built  of  marble  ;  these  gates  are  closed  at  sunset, 
and  if  unfortunate   enough  to  arrive  after  that  time  you  must  spend  the 


484  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

night  in  your  cart  outside  the  walls  which  would  not  be  at  all  very  de- 
sirable. "  These  walls  are  built  of  sun  dried  large  brick  of  a  blue  color, 
cemented  with  excellent  mortar,  resting  on  a  foundation  of  blocks  of 
granite  ;"  these  solid  massive  walls,  which  hide  the  whole  city,  are  fifty 
feet  high,  from  forty  to  fifty-five  feet  wide,  wider  than  many  streets,  with 
a  parapet  on  the  top  and  nicely  paved.  "  The  earth  to  fill  in  the  wall  was 
taken  from  the  deep  ditch  which  surrounds  the  city.  "  Over  each  gate- 
way is  a  long,  three-storied  pagoda  built  of  wood,  and  owning  an  infinitude 
of  port  holes  for  cannon,  through  which  (in  peace  time  at  all  events)  a  lot 
of  wooden  guns,  quakers,  bid  a  very  mild  defiance  to  anybody  who  might 
take  a  fancy  to  attack  one  of  the  pagodas."  Foreigners  are  allowed  to 
promenade  on  the  walls,  though  doing  so  does  not  give  satisfaction,  it  is  a 
grudged  toleration ;  few  Chinese  men  presume  to  venture  there  and  a 
Chinese  woman  is  not  permitted  to  go  on  the  wall.  The  avenues  across 
from  one  gate  to  the  other  are  more  than  one  hundred  feet  wide,  all  un- 
paved  and  in  rainy  weather  almost  impassable.  We  heard  of  two  or  three 
deaths  of  Chinese  drowning  in  these  very  avenues  from  the  capsizing  of 
their  carts  into  those  deep  ruts  on  either  side.  "  Now  and  then  a  child 
is  deposited  by  poor  people  in  one  of  the  deep,  dry  and  dilapidated  drains 
which  are  seen  every  where  in  the  city,  and  there  we  occasionally  find 
dogs  and  swine." 

We  arrived  at  Peking,  April  16th  ;  for  a  few  days  we  were  most  hospi- 
tably entertained  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  S.  Wells  Williams,  until  the  "  Home" 
was  arranged  for  our  comfort.     Our  healthful  location  is  a  short  distance 
from  the  U.  S.  Legation  which  will  be  a  protection  to  us  should  such  be 
needed.     The  wall  of  the  city  is  near  us  which   is  a   suitable  place  for 
exercise.     Our  separate  verandas    have  mat  awnings,  suspended  from  the 
roofs,  which  aie  lowered  during  the  heat  of  the  day,  these  I  have  had  put 
up.     The  fronts  of  our  buildings  are  similar  to  all  Chinese  houses  having 
a  fanciful  net-work  of  wood  covered  with  a  peculiar  kind  of  white  paper 
which  is  impervious  to  wind.     The  lower  section  in  the  houses  of  foreign- 
ers has  given  place  to  glass;  as  the   cold  weather  approached  I  had  an 
extra  thickness  of  paper  put  on.     Our  ceilings  are  not  plastered  as    at 
home,  but  white  paper  is  pasted  over  the  lathing  of  reeds  through  which 
the  rain  and  rats  frequently  make  large  holes.     I  have  had  some  of  the 
bricks  removed  from  our  spacious  court  yards  to  make  place  for  pretty 
flower  beds  to  cheer  us  with  their  charming  associations,  and  we  now  have 
the  pomegranate   with  its  "  burning  scarlet  blossom,"  and   other  choice 
flowers  which  dazzle  with  their  brilliancy.     We  all  have  commenced  the 
study  of  the  language,  while  I  have  just  finished  reading  the  Gospel  of 
St.  John,  and  find  my  acquaintance  with  the  written  character   is  a  great 
help  to  me.     In  a  conversation  lately  held  with  the  missionary  physican  of 
the  English  Hospital,  I  have  been  confirmed   in   my   opinion   of  the  im- 
portance of  securing  suitable  lady  physicians  for  our  work.     A  medical  man 
is  often  called  in  to  prescribe  for  Chinese  women,  though  is  never  allowed 
to  see  the  patient  5  but  a  woman  fully   educated  for  this   department  of 
usefulness  would  have  incalculable    advantages.     To  her  services  there 
could  be  no  practical  objection,  to  her  might  be  assigned  the  medical  care 
of  the  sick  poor  of  her  own  sex,  and  then  she  soon  would  have  access  to 
the  women  even  of  higher  classes.     When  once  known,  there  would  be  for 
her  such  a  welcome  as  none  other  could  expect,  and  "  it  is  hoped  that  the 
benevolent  healing  of  the  sick,  will,  in  many  cases,  recommend  the  Christ- 
ian religion  to  such  as  are  brought  under  its  influence  by  the  desire  of 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  485 

being  relieved  of  some  troublesome  disease."  Our  custom  is  to  have 
evening  worship  immediately  after  tea.  One  evening  a  servant  came  in 
as  I  was  reading.  As  we  knelt  in  prayer,  feeling  that  one  was  present 
who  could  not  understand,  I  concluded  by  repeating  for  the  first  time  in 
the  Peking  colloquial  the  '"  Lord's  Prayer."  When  I  rose  from  my 
knees,  I  saw  the  woman,  after  walking  the  whole  length  of  the  large 
room,  had  of  her  own  accord  knelt  down  by  Emma's  side,  taking  that 
child's  hand  and  clasping  it  close  in  her  own  and  thus  remained  on  her 
knees  till  the  end.  After  rising  up  she  came  to  me  and  asked  if  I  would 
teach  her  that  prayer.  My  heart  almost  stopped  beating  with  gratitude. 
I  did  teach  her  and  she  continued  to  attend  oyr  family  devotions.  [Sub- 
sequently this  Amah  was  baptized  by  Rev.  C.  Goodrich,  of  the  American 
Board,  and  I  had  the  privilege  of  sitting  nest  to  her  at  the  Lord's  table.] 
I  have  great  faith  in  teaching  the  "  Lord's  Prayer  "  to  those  who  come 
under  our  care.  Another  incident  in  connection  with  this  was  observed 
in  the  Chinese  female  prayer  meeting,  at  Canton,  to  which  many  of  the 
mothers  and  friends  of  the  pupils  came.  The  lady  teacher,  a  woman  of 
sixty-five  years,  and  four  of  the  scholars  had  for  some  time  been  deeply 
impressed  with  the  wickedness  of  idolatry  and  wished  to  serve  Jesus. 

One  morning  just  at  the  hour  of  meeting,  I  was  talking  with  them 
about  their  duty  of  public  prayer.  They  seemed  willing  to  testify  for 
Jesus,  but  did  not  know  what  to  say.  I  replied,  "  You  all  know  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  God  wants  nothing  better."  During  the  meeting,  at  which  there 
were  about  ybr^y  persons  from  outside,  I  called  on  the  teacher  to  pray. 
We  all  knelt ;  and  she  did  repeat  with  deep  solemnity  that  very  prayer. 
The  four  girls  with  trembling  voices,  followed  her  example.  It  brought 
tears  to  my  eyes.  That  prayer  repeated  Jive  times  was  not  tedious.  Their 
open  testimony  before  their  heathen  friends  did  much  good.  Mr,  Bonney 
then  prepared  Chinese  prayers  for  them  which  I  subsequently  revised 
for  the  Peking  colloquial. 

Glad  tidings  have  been  received  of  the  completion  of  the  Pacific  rail- 
way. "  A  railroad  across  the  continent,  to  unite  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific 
coast,  to  open  more  rapid  means  of  communication.  The  construction  of 
such  a  line  was  so  vast  an  undertaking,  and  the  difiiculties  connected  with 
it  so  great,  that  even  the  most  sanguine,  hardly  expected  it  would  be  com- 
pleted in  their  day.  An  act  was  passed  by  Congress,  and  approved  by 
President  Lincoln  on  the  1st  day  of  July  1862,  sanctioning  the  undertak- 
ing. The  work  of  construction  did  not  actually  commence  tiill  the  8th  of 
January,  1863,  when  the  ground  was  first  broken  at  Sacramento,  Califor- 
nia. The  laying  of  the  last  rail  on  the  10^/i  of  May  1869,  was  celebrated 
with  imposing  ceremonies  in  the  presence  of  an  assemblage  of  thousands  of 
persons.  It  was  a  scene  of  thrilling  interest,  made  glad  by  the  enthusi- 
astic people  who  were  jubilant  at  the  completion  of  the  great  railroad 
enterprise,  and  made  the  grand  old  mountains  ring  with  shouts  of  triumph 
and  hymns  of  joy.  The  east  and  west  shook  hands,  where  the  junction 
between  the  roads  was  effected,  where  the  last  tie  was  laid,  and  from  which, 
as  a  centre,  the  telegraph  wires  communicated  the  great  intelligence  that 
the  last  spike  was  driven,  and  the  American  continent  was  girdled  with 
an  iron  band.  After  fitting  acknowledgments  by  Governor  Stanford  of 
presents  received  :  as  laurel  tie,  gold  and  silver  spikes,  &c.,  the  crowd 
falls  back,  and  there  is  an  open  space  with  two  engines  confronting  each 
other.  The  last  blow  is  now  about  to  be  struck,  they  uncover  their  heads, 
and  a  venerable  man  stands  forward  and  in  an  impressive  voice  offers  up 


486  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

aa  earnest  prayer.  After  which  the  sledge  descends,  once,  twice,  thrice  ! 
The  intelligence  is  transmitted,  when  the  alarm  bells  of"  all  the  principal 
cities  and  the  crash  of  cannon  announce  the  tidings  It  is  done  !  The  two 
locomotives  move  up  till  their  pilots  (guards)  rub  together,  as  if  to  greet 
each  other  in  a  lasting  friendship.  The  chimes  of  Old  Trinity,  in  New 
York  city,  rang  cheerily  as  though  rejoicing,  while  the  church  beneath 
was  filled  with  a  multitude  who  rendered  thanks  to  God  for  the  comple- 
tion of  this  gigantic  work." 

At  the  united  Missionary  Conference,  recently  held,  I  was  much  grati- 
fied by  some  remarks  of  Kev.  L.  N.  Wheeler  of  the  American  Methodist 
Episcopal  Mission  who  formerly  resided  in  Foochow.  Allusion  was  made 
to  one  of  my  former  scholars  at  Canton,  "  Aoot,"  who  was  married  to  a 
native  preacher  at  Foochow,  "  Hu  Si'nj  Mee,"  as  an  "  interesting  Christian 
woman  who  was  doing  a  good  work  for  the  Master."  When  the  proposi- 
tion was  made  that  she  and  her  husband  should  join  the  Rev.  0.  Gibson 
in  his  missionary  work  at  San  Francisco,  she  meekly  replied,  she  "  would 
take  three  days  to  pray  over  it."  This  was  done,  and  the  young  couple 
are  now  laboring  at  that  place.  Such  news  is  encouraging  to  any  heart 
and  if  we  as  teachers  earnestly  endeavor  to  do  our  entire  duty  God  will 
bless  our  labors  and  class  us  among  the  greatest.  Dr.  Channing  says : 
"  The  greatest  man  is  he  who  chooses  the  right  with  invincible  resolution  ; 
who  resists  the  sorest  temptations  from  within  and  from  without;  who 
bears  the  heaviest  burdens  cheerfully ;  who  is  the  calmest  in  storms;  and 
most  fearless  under  menaces  and  frowns;  whose  reliance  on  truth,  on 
virtue,  on  God  is  most  unfaltering." 

There  are  three  cities  within  Peking :  the  Chinese,  Tartar,  and  Pro- 
hibited city,  each  with  its  own  glazed  walls  thirty  feet  high  all  enclosed 
by  outer  walls.  In  the  Chinese  city  a  few  inns  are  to  be  found  "  consist- 
ing of  one  or  two  wretched  rooms  furnished  with  a  matted  kang  or  stove 
bed,  a  chair  and  table,  but  peopled  with  an  infinity  of  fleas,  &c.  The 
Prohibited  city  in  which  the  emperor  resides  is  never  entered  by  foreign- 
ers, it  is  two  miles  in  circumference.  From  the  outer  wall  you  have  a 
distant  view  of  a  few  of  the  .royal  residences,  the  roofs  of  which  arc  all 
covered  with  yellow  varnished  tiles,  as  is  also  the  wall  of  the  Prohibited 
city.  Foreigners  mostly  live  in  the  Tartar  city.  "  This  oblong  square 
of  Peking  was  formerly  divided  only  into  two  cities  :  That  which  contains 
the  emperor's  palace  is  called  the  Tartar  city,  because  the  houses  were 
given  to  the  Tartars  when  the  present  family  came  to  the  throne;  and 
they  refusing  to  suffer  the  Chinese  to  inhabit  it,  forced  them  to  live  with- 
out the  walls,  where  they  in  a  short  time  built  a  new  city  ;  which  by  being 
joined  to  the  other,  renders  the  whole  of  an  irregular  form."  Subse- 
quently pav<  of  the  Tartar  was  made  the  Prohibited  city.  Our  residence, 
which  was  obtained  through  the  kind  services  of  Dr.  Williams,  is  close  to 
an  esplanade  of  the  city  wall  and  near  the  south  gate.  ("  These  slopes 
within  the  city  are  of  considerable  length,  by  which  horsemen  may  ascend 
the  walls.")  This  gate  "  is  larger  than  any  of  the  other  nine  gates,  and 
is  the  only  one  with  three  entrances,  the  central  gate  being  for  the  use 
of  the  Emperor,  or  his  family  alone.  "  These  gates  are  neither  embel- 
lished with  statues,  nor  other  carving,  all  their  beauty  consisting  in  their 
prodigious  height,  which  at  a  great  distance  gives  them  a  noble  appear- 
ance," There  are  also  walls  around  the  better  class  of  residences  with  a 
very  unpretending  looking  gate  way  always  guarded,  having  a  small  wall 
or  screen  before  the  portal  inside,  which  completely  shuts  out  a  survey  of 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  487 

the  premises  if  the  gate  is  inadvertently  left  open  for  a  moment.  The 
Chinese  have  many  things  strikingly  curious.  "  The  gay  shops  have 
their  wares  displayed  in  full  view  with  splendid  sign-posts  standing  before 
them  ornamented  with  painted  and  gilded  inscriptions,  also  entwined  with 
silken  ribbons  and  flags  or  streamers  of  every  possible  color  from  top  to 
bottom.  These  boards  are  about  twenty-feet  high  and  brightly  varnished 
(on  which  are  the  large  characters  telling  of  the  several  commodities  for 
sale)  raised  on  a  small  kind  of  pedestal  placed  in  the  street  before  his 
door.  All  shops  are  closed  at  night.  Even  the  streets  are  not  lighted, 
and  no  person  ventures  out  after  dark  but  carries  a  lantern.  It  is  an  odd 
sight  to  see  these  paper  lanterns  of  different  sizes  and  shapes  gorgeously 
painted  fastened  to  the  shaft  of  each  cart.  There  is  also  the  greatest  show 
of  coffins  for  the  dead  exposed  for  sale.  "  The  Chinese  often  expend  large 
sums  in  the  purchase  and  preparation  of  a  coffin  during  their  lifetime ; 
the  cheapest  are  from  five  to  ten  dollars,  and  upwards  to  five  hundred 
dollars,  and  even  one  or  two  thousand  according  to  the  materials  and 
ornamenting.  In  1835,  at  Canton  the  coffin  used  for  Mowqua  cost  three 
hundred  and  seventy  dollars.  The  form  of  a  Chinese  coffin  resembles 
the  trunk  of  a  tree  ;  the  boards  are  three  or  four  inches  thick,  and  rounded 
on  top.  The  bier  in  their  funeral  processions  is  covered  with  canopies  of 
silk  and  form  a  splendid  portion  of  the  moving  picture,  then  too  the 
sumptuous  gilded  sedan  chairs  have  their  canopiesof  embroideries  and  silk." 
One  singular  contrivance  in  general  use  at  the  North  of  China  is  their 
conspicuous  ^^Kdng"  or  stove-bed,  which  contributes  not  a  little  to  their 
happiness  and  they  would  hoot  at  any  thought  of  innovation.  It  is  built 
the  width  of  the  room,  of  brick,  is  two  feet  high  and  six  feet  wide;  on 
the  top  large  bricks  a  foot  or  more  square  are  masoned  making  an  even 
surface,  eight  persons  can  easily  sleep  on  the  smaller  size,  it  is  the  only 
bed  for  a  whole  family.  From  a  small  opening  below  in  which  the  fire  is 
placed  are  flues  as  a  passage  for  smoke  and  heat  under  the  upper  brick 
floor ;  the  bamboo  pillow  and  the  bedding  is  placed  on  this  matted  warm 
platform.  Accidents  occasionally  occur  from  heating  with  charcoal;  the 
fuel  used  is  Millet  oi  Sorghum  stalks  dried,  coal  and  weeds.  School 
rooms  are  also  heated  in  the  same  manner,  the  "  kang"  being  used  as 
seats  for  the  pupils.  I  have  seen  no  chimneys  in  Peking  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  residences  of  foreigners. 

There  is  also  a  queer  looking  kind  of  a  stove  without  pipe,  that  can  be 
placed  in  any  part  of  a  room  giving  you  the  full  benefit  of  smoke  as  well 
as  heat,  and  not  at  all  desirable  as  I  soon  found  out  the  other  day  when  on 
a  visit  to  one  of  the  mission  schools  ;  the  room  was  so  full  of  smoke  I 
could  scarcely  breath.  Emma  wants  me  to  tell  you  about  the  "  Camels  " 
which  interest  her  greatly.  It  is  a  striking  and  novel  sight  to  see  troops 
of  Dromedaries  having  occasionally  quite  a  young  one  in  their  company, 
every  day  passing  through  the  streets  laden  with  bags  of  coal  from  the 
mines.  We  counted  two  hundred  and  ten  within  the  distance  of  half  a 
mile  which  passed  us,  and  more  were  in  sight,  there  are  generally  ten  or 
more  in  separate  companies  They  have  a  sort  of  tweak  passed  through 
the  nose  with  a  thin  string  attached  connecting  one  to  the  other  in  Indian 
file;  the  first  animal  is  led  and  the  last  is  honored  with  a  tinkling  bell 
which  reminds  you  of  the  cows  going  home  at  sun-down.  These  camels 
are  dirty  looking  in  their  shaggy  coat,  which  with  their  monotonous,  awk- 
ward, shambling  gait  soon  coase  to  excite  your  wonder  and  admiration. 
We  constantly  see — and  at  first  thought  it  very  comical  —  eight  or  ten 


488  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

of  these  meek-eyed  creatures  lying  down  quietly  chewing  their  cud  wait- 
ing for  their  return  load  of  produce;  almost  blocking  up  the  passage,  and 
looking  with  perfect  indiflference  at  the  passers  by.  When  their  burden 
is  ready  and  strapped  on,  then  being  required  to  rise,  these  camels  give 
the  most  discontented,  distressing  groanings,  and  grumble  the  most  un- 
utterable reproaches  imaginable.  You  would  really  suppose  they  were 
being  injured,  but  all  go  through  the  same  exercise,  even  if  a  person  is  on 
their  back  without  any  other  burden.  These  animals  are  indeed  appro- 
priately called  "  the  ship  of  the  desert,"  and  are  used  in  great  numbers 
for  crossing  the  Desert  of  Gobi  from  Kalgan  to  Kiakhta  en  route  to 
Russia.     They  not  only  carry  great  weight,  but  can  sustain  much  fatigue. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Tientsin  Tragedy. 


My  native  school  for  girls  is  now  well  started,  oh  that  it  may  grow  and 
develop  under  the  fostering  care  of  the  Great  Teacher,  and  that  the  leaven 
of  Christian  truth  which  we  try  to  impart,  may  pervade  the  hearts  of 
many  children  and  families.  I  feel  so  happy  in  my  work,  and  my  great 
anxiety  is  to  bring  the  pupils  and  all  my  household  to  the  feet  of  Jesus, 
We  are  not,  however,  without  occasions  of  great  rejoicing,  one  of  which 
was  the  decision  of  my  Amah  to  come  out  on  the  Lord's  side.  When  she 
came  to  me  not  a  single  character  did  she  know,  but  now  reads  her  verse 
at  prayers,  and  can  repeat  also  the  Lord's  Prayer,  Ten  Commandments  and 
Creed  which  is  very  gratifying.  What  a  joyless  life  the  Chinese  girls  do 
have.  No  education  for  them  and  consequently  no  aspiring  youth ;  it  is 
only  a  period  of  bondage  with  a  hungry  striving  for  human  gain,  early 
marriage  and  fritting  away  of  time  in  tedious  ceremonials  !  It  is  very 
difficult  readily  to  gain  access  to  these  northern  Chinese  homes  which  are 
so  sedulously  guarded  from  intrusion.  We  do  not,  however,  look  upon 
the  "  shady  side,"  for  our  Jesus  is  ever  with  us  and  we  have  a  sunshine 
of  soul  that  makes  a  Christian  happy  anywhere  if  he  can  labor  for  his 
Master.  In  God's  own  time  the  barriers  to  religious  instruction  for 
Chinese  females,  will  all  be  removed.  In  the  meanwhile  let  us  labor  feel- 
ing "  the  conscious  presence  of  God  ;  having  faltli  in  his  interest  in  us  ; 
confidence  that  he  so  administers  the  world  that  it  is  not  a  vain  thing  to 
pray  to  him ;  and  that  when  cares  and  troubles  come  we  need  not  be  over- 
whelmed or  discouraged."  "  The  sedentary  habits  of  the  Pekinese  women, 
the  small  and  badly  ventilated  houses  make  many  invalids,"  but  we  trust 
yet  to  reach  them  in  their  impoverished  home-prisons  with  the  assistance 
of  our  female  physicians,  who  will  not  be  out  of  place  for  tliey  are  greatly 
needed.  With  these  harmonious  influences  we  will  sow  the  seeds  of  social 
reform,  relieve  much  of  their  sufferings,  and  alleviate  their  burdens  of 
life  by  "  the  great  teachings  of  Jesus."    Not  long  since  there  was  a  public 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  489 

execution  of  thirty-six  Chinese.  A  missionary  who  was  present  was  telling 
me  of  the  perfect  indifference  manifested.  The  prisoners  were  bound, 
kneeling  with  face  towards  the  Emperor's  palace  as  if  to  thank  him  for 
his  clemency,  one  behind  the  other,  thus  having  a  full  view  as  the  head 
in  front  of  him,  with  a  single  blow  is  struck  off  and  falls  on  one  side. 
"  All  these  executions  take  place  in  the  street  which  is  quite  narrow, 
swarming  with  life,  the  ever  passing  crowd  seem  totally  unconscious  of 
what  is  being  enacted  close  by  them.  Outside  the  Western  South  gate 
of  the  Tartar  city,  you  will  come  across  a  number  of  wooden  cages,  con- 
taining human  heads  in  a  more  or  less  advanced  state  of  decomposition, 
elevated  a  few  feet  from  the  street ;  they  remain  there  for  a  couple  of 
months  when  the  cage  is  broken,  and  the  head  rolls  out  for  the  hungry 
dogs." 

"  The  Chinese  have  a  strong  national  feeling  that  the  body  must  not 
be  disfigured,  but  buried  complete,  no  mutilations;  to  injure  intentionally 
their  own  persons  or  allow  others  to  maim  it,  is  considered  one  of  the  sins 
of  filial  impiety.  It  is  thought  dishonorable  to  be  beheaded  therefore 
when  not  designed  for  the  cage,  often  the  executioner  is  bribed  to  have 
the  head  sewed  to  the  body ;  which  is  actually  done  by  stitching  the  head 
to  the  neck  in  three  places,  with  the  face  backwards;  it  is  then  twisted 
round  and  remains  in  its  place  and  is  then  buried  by  friends.  In  the 
case  of  the  condemned  to  suffer  '  cutting  into  ten  thousand  pieces,'  a  rude 
cross  is  erected  and  the  unhappy  object  is  firmly  lashed  thereto,  his  pigtail 
being  used  to  draw  his  head  into  an  upright  position ;  but  strangling  or 
poison  is  preferred  as  the  most  honorable." 

On  January  17,  1870,  we  had  an  eclipse  of  the  moon.  The  Chinese 
made  a  fearful  noise  with  their  gongs,  kettles,  crackers,  drums  and  pans 
"  to  raise  a  din  and  frighten  away  the  dragon  of  the  sky  from  his  hideous 
feast."  It  was  certainly  a  "  a  most  heathenish  racket  "  for  even  Chinese 
worship,  and  as  a  fortunate  result  the  moon  was  not  demolished  by  the 
heavenly  serpent.  The  festivities  of  the  Chinese  New  Year  are  just  over, 
their  New  Year's  day  was  our  thirty-first  of  January.  On  the  evening 
of  which  one  of  the  English  missionary  ladies,  who  had  just  received  a 
box  from  England  for  that  purpose,  gladdened  the  hearts  of  many  by  a 
very  beautiful  "  Christmas  Tree."  Forty  Chinese  girls  from  the  mission 
schools,  native-helpers,  teachers  and  most  of  the  missionary  families  were 
present.  The  singing  by  the  native  girls  was  very  sweet  and  effective, 
they  received  pretty  gifts  to  take  to  their  homes  during  the  vacation  and 
the  occasion  passed  off  pleasantly  giving  general  satisfaction. 

All  necessary  provisions  must  previously  be  procured  as  on  that  day 
not  an  article  can  be  bought;  it  is  a  season  of  geaeral  holiday  to  all 
classes;  business  is  entirely  suspended  for  a  week  or  more,  and  if  obliged 
to  hire  you  are  expected  to  pay  two  or  three  times  the  usual  sum.  When 
in  Canton,  Mr.  Bonney  after  much  trouble  and  at  an  exorbitant  price 
obtained  a  sedan  chair,  and  took  me  around  through  the  principal 
thoroughfares,  that  I  might  see  the  customary  festivities  of  our  adopted  • 
nation.  A  few  days  previous  there  is  a  general  washing  and  scrubbing 
of  every  thing;  red  and  gilt  papers  are  pasted  anew  on  doors,  boats  and 
signposts;  if  there  has  been  a  death  in  the  family  during  the  year  instead 
of  red  and  scarlet  sprinkled  with  gilt,  you  will  see  hlue  paper  on  the  door 
and  blue  lanterns.  One  of  my  scholars,  in  mourning  for  her  mother  wore 
shoes  covered  with  white  cloth,  white  cord  to  tie  and  braid  in  her  cue 
II]  62 


490  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

with  white  ear-rings.  The  same  detail  is  observable  in  the  streets  of 
Peking  as  in  Canton ;  they  were  crowded  with  people  in  richest  attire, 
garments  of  fur  and  embroidery  —  attending  with  punctilious  decorum  to 
that  most  important  item,  making  New  Years  calls.  "  The  wealthy 
Oriental  comes  out  in  his  best  and  stands  upon  ceremony,  his  dress  is 
gorgeous,  his  salutation  such  as  none  but  an  Oriental  can  give."  It  is 
funny  to  see  them  "  ko-tow,"  shaking  their  own  clasped  hands  in  front  of 
their  breasts  with  a  peculiar  shaky  motion,  and  bowing  profoundly  nearly 
to  the  ground.  One.  was  "  dressed  in  robes  or  long  tunics  of  blue  silk 
gauze ;  another  had  a  long  tunic  of  rich  stiff  silk  embroidered  with  the 
insignia  of  his  office,  belted  at  the  waist  and  buckled  in  with  costly  morsels 
of  sculptured  jade  —  their  handsomely  embroidered  facings  indicative  of 
rank,  with  their  neat  accoutrements  of  fan,  pipe  and  watch-cases  dependent 
from  their  belts.  One  wore  a  cap  with  the  single  peacock's  feather  and 
a  red  coral  button  as  a  mandarin  of  the  second  rank,  and  "  robe  em- 
bi'oidered  with  a  golden  pheasant.  Gentlemen  of  high  position  were  being 
carried  in  handsome  Sedans,  with  their  clerk  by  the  side  of  the  chair  carry- 
ing the  scarlet  visiting  cards.  In  Peking,  however,  the  mandarins  are  not 
allowed  to  use  sedan-chairs  without  a  special  permit  from  the  Emperor. 
"  The  choicest  flowers  are  profusely  displayed  at  their  residences,  and  on 
those  occasions  the  Chinese  appear  to  move  with  peculiar  ease  and  dignity." 
The  most  fearful  discordant  noises  in  their  religious  exercises  of  firing 
crackers,  cannon,  and  sending  up  rockets  is  the  order  of  the  evenings  and 
night.  Red  candles  are  used  in  common  ;  tea,  cakes,  candies,  tobacco, 
and  water-melon  seeds  are  never  forgotten  being  one  of  the  luxuries  of 
the  season  ;  and  all  is  hilarity  and  amusements.  "  The  Chinese  have  a 
praiseworthv  custom  at  this  season  of  settling  accounts  and  paying  debts." 
The  Mongolians  with  their  fur  caps  and  sheep-skin  coats  arrived  late 
in  the  autumn,  as  also  the  Coreans,  being  the  annual  embassy  bearing 
tribute  to  the  Emperor  in  the  shape  of  paper,  ginseng,  cloths,  satin  and 
medicines.  The  dress  of  the  Coreans,  which  is  usually  white  or  ptije  blue, 
with  their  very  peculiar  hats,  long-pipes,  and  top  knotted  hair  renders 
them  very  conspicuous  objects  when  met  in  the  streets.  We  went  this 
morning  through  the  Mongolian  market,  it  presented  a  gay  scene.  The 
sun  was  shining  on  the  brilliant  plumage  of  great  quantities  of  pheasants 
hung  up  along  the  stalls,  the  lustre  of  their  plumage  which  gleams  with 
green  and  blue  and  gold  ;  together  with  the  golden  pheasant  delighted 
us  with  the  richness  of  their  yellow  and  red  tints,  which  contrast  admira- 
bly with  each  other.  "  The  females  were  attired  in  a  sober  dress  of 
brown  exquisitely  penciled  with  spots  and  zigzag  lines  but  totally  destitute 
of  the  brilliant  hues  which  glisten  in  the  males."  There  were  partridges 
in  large  heaps  and  venison  enough  to  supply  all  the  epicures  of  Albany. 
The  Mongolians  were  full  of  child-like  curiosity  in  crowding  close  to  us, 
but  very  courteous;  the  women  were  masculine  looking  and  decorated 
with  silver  ear-rings  and  other  ornaments.  I  have  not  yet  become  accus- 
■tomed  to  a  singular  musical  invention,  which  the  fanciful  Chinese  have 
"  had  in  operation  for  a  thousand  years.  "  Of  fastening  a  peculiar  light 
reed  whistle  near  the  tail,  "  to  the  two  central  feathers"  of  a  few  of  their 
numerous  ring-doves  and  pigeons,  to  protect  these  and  smaller  birds  from 
their  large  persecutors,  the  voracious  vultures,  "  which  swoop  in  ominous 
flocks  around."  This  contrivance  is  like  "  a  tiny  ^olian  harp  hardly 
heavier  than  a  soap-bubble,  but  beautifully  worked  ;  as  the  birds  strike 
the  air,  it  resounds  through  their  harps,  loudly  or  pathetically,  according 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  491 

to  the  speed  of  their  flight."  From  early  in  the  morning  a  shrill  whistle, 
like  the  steam-pipe  on  a  boat  or  the  cars,  startles  you  as  the  birds  fly  over 
your  head  high  up  in  the  air,  and  naturally  looking  around,  or  up  you 
see,  not  a  train  of  cars,  but  a  large  flock  of  birds  enjoying  the  pleasant 
morning  air,  secured  from  the  hooked  claws  (by  the  shrieking  noise)  of 
the  frightened  rapacious  enemies,  hovering  around,  to  whom  otherwise 
they  would  fall  a  prey.  The  large  crows  are  very  tame,  and,  not  being 
disliked,  take  especial  delight  in  remaining  near  residences ;  caw,  caw, 
caw  !  is  the' almost  incessant  din  that  reaches  our  ears  ;  the  young  ladies 
insist  they  talk  Chinese  and  are  solemnly  conning  over  "  the  tones.  "  I 
saw  one  fly  down  and  take  a  drink  of  water  while  the  flowers  were  being 
watered.  The  other  day  two  crows  attacked  a  large  cat  on  the  roof  which 
had  evidently  been  too  near  their  nest  in  the  high  tree  and  drove  her 
from  their  domain.  Another  crow  stands  every  Sabbath  on  the  roof  of 
the  (English  Legation  Chapel  and  acts  as  "  clerk, "  fgr  he  certainly  re- 
sponds in  a  croaking  and  most  sonorous  manner  during  the  service,  they 
are  really  provokingly  bold. 

March  30th,  was  just  one  year  since  one  of  our  "  loved  ones',"  sister 
Lucy,  went  to  heaven.  What  an  experience  has  been  hers  at  home  in  the 
regions  of  Eternity,  no  more  partings,  no  heart  strings  are  broken  there, 
all  is  peace  and  joy  for  ever,  face  to  face  with  her  Saviour  in  absolute 
certainty.  More  than  a  year  has  passed  into  the  abyss  of  Eternity  since 
we  parted,  and  from  this  fiir  off  stand  point  in  regions  of  the  "  flowery 
land"  I  send  you  my  afi"ectionate  greeting  redolent  with  pleasant  reminis- 
cences of  the  two  years  sojourn  in  America.  •!  linger  lovingly  over  those 
home-scenes,  and  the  heart  truly  throbs  with  warmest  appeciation  of  those 
"  sweet  influences."  These  life  trials  matter  little,  we  take  them  with  us 
while  we  "  go  and  tell  Jesus"  and  then  we  are  no  longer  encumbered  by 
them,  passing  all  over  to  His  keeping,  therefore  we  are  not  dependent 
upon  extraneous  circumstances,  as  our  Saviour  is  ever  enshrined  in  our 
hearts.  Each  of  us  have  a  life-work  which  we  can  make  a  congenial  pur- 
suit, if  with  a  quiet  tenacity  we  take  a  "  sunward  sweep,  caroling  of  patient 
continuance  in  well  doing."  A  transition  state  is  passing  over  the  Em- 
pire and  we  work  or  wait  as  God  directs.  May  our  Lord  and  Master  show 
each  of  us  what  we  can  do  to  aid  in  making  China  a  Christian  nation  and 
give  us  willing  hearts  to  do  it  with  zeal  and  perseverance.  We  do  not 
expect  that  America  will  at  present  be  electrified  by  missionary  success 
in  China,  but  there  is  an  under-current,  strong  but'silent  that  works  an 
essential  change.  Let  our  activity,  pious  zeal  and  liberality  only  be  com- 
mensurate-with  the  widening  sphere  for  Christian  influence  and  soon  the 
idolatrous  Chinese  will  see  they  can  have  no  other  Guide  to  Heaven  but 
the  Holy  Bible  and  no  other  Redeemer  but  Jesus.  We  with  other  mis- 
sionaries have  been  "  working  in  the  sterile  soil  of  heathen  homes,  on  a 
compact  mass  of  idolatry  and  paganism  that  does  not  yield  to  any  soft  or 
light  strokes."  We  by  our  silent  influence  in  conjunction  with  the 
preacher,  are  undermining  an  Empire  of  mental  and  moral  darkness,  by 
sending  streams  of  light  and  truth  around  it  and  through  it.  Assisted  by 
your  kindness  we  show  them  the  beauty  of  a  Christian  Home  and  you 
work  throu2;h  us.  It  is  only  eight  years  since  mission  work  in  Peking 
was  commenced,  and  although  progress  has  been  slow  in  appearance,  it  is 
not  really  so  when  we  look  at  the  obstacles  in  our  way.  Idolatry,  igno- 
rance and  superstition  have  grown  mountain  high  in  China,  by  centuries 
of  habit  and  cherished  veneration  for  antiquity.     The  Chinese  do  not  dis- 


492  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

like  us  as  missionaries,  as  foreigners  we  come  in  for  a  full  share  of  their 
enmity,  but  we  are  to  live  down  their  prejudice,  while  with  steady  purpose 
we  teach  them  the  new  religion  which  will  alone  make  them  happy.  If  in 
improving  their  social  condition  we  succeed  in  impressing  on  their  minds 
that  the,  luxury  of  cleanliness  is  next  to  godliness  we  will  have  made  a 
great  advance. 

You  must  not  be  disheartened  because  we  cannot  at  once  send  you 
"  good  tidings,"  you  must  "  hold  up  our  hands  "  by  your  prayers  and  bene- 
ficence ;  faint  not  for  God  means  what  he  says  "  oh  woman  great  is  thy 
faith  be  it  even  as  thou  wilt."  Yes,  the  women  of  China  will  yet  praise 
God  and  then  when  you  and  I  have  gone  to  our  rest,  some  one  else  will 
send  to  America  the  "  photographs  of  Pekin  Bible  Eeaders,"  which  I  can 
not  do  at  present  simply  because  there  are  none.  We  are  to  labor,  sow 
the  seed  with  diligence,  God  stands  close  behind  us  He  will  do  the  water- 
ing. He  does  not  need  our  help,  but  having  sent  us  to  work  in  his  vineyard 
he  will  bless  even  oiir  feeble  eflPorts  and  great  will  be  the  result.  I  cannot 
even  at  this  late  date  gladden  your  heart  by  details  of  any  unwonted  event. 
We  have  had  no  stirring  scenes  to  encounter,  but  in  all  the  rollings  and 
pitchings  of  life  have  ever  clung  to  the  "  Strong  Arm"  and  we  fully  con- 
cur in  saying  that "  the  best  way  to  bear  even  little  crosses  is  to  conse- 
crate them  all  to  God."  Our  heaviest  cross  of  course  is  in  common  with 
all  missionaries  that  we  see  so  little  fruit  as  yet  after  all  our  toil.  The 
record  of  our  vigilance  is  kept  on  high,  and  the  sphere  of  usefulness  now 
open  to  us  is  conclusive  proof  that  we  are  to  persevere  in  fearless  reliance 
on  God.  We  are  convinceciyour  fervent  prayers  will  constantly  ascend 
that  our  hearts  may  never  play  truant,  but  with  unwearied  zeal  press 
steadily  forward  toward  the  "  glimmer  of  light,"  and  labor  earnestly  with 
the  rainbow  on  our  hearts  till  we  realize  that  the  Sun  of  Kighteousness 
will  flood  even  China  with  His  Glory. 

The  impression  at  home  seems  to  be,  it  is  only  necessary  to  raise  money, 
send  the  missionary  and  immediately  expect  the  cheering  news  of  "  Veni, 
vidi,  vici,"  "  I  came,  I  saw,  1  conquered."  Our  Leader  and  Captain  is 
Almighty,  but  he  will  have  the  co-operation  of  his  army  in  the  conquest 
of  these  nations  to  himself  and  we  are  not  to  advance  faster  than  he  sees 
fit,  it  is  "  not  ?»v/  will  but  thine  0  God  be  done."  It  is  only  by  "line 
upon  line,"  "  precept  upon  precept "  that  we  proceed.  Within  a  short 
period  missionary  zeal  in  China  has  had  a  few  rebufis,  but  adverse  cir- 
cumstances seem  only  to  carry  them  cheerfully  onward  conscious  all  is  of 
God  or  they  would  not  occur.  The  controling  motive  is  to  be  serviceable 
to  this  deluded  people  and  lead  them  to  the  Cross  of  our  Redeemer  the 
magnet  to  Christians  of  all  denominations.  "There  had  been  consider- 
able sickness  in  the  foundling  hospital  of  the  Romish  Mission  in  Yanchow; 
and  many  of  the  children  had  died.  A  man  having  been  detected  at  one 
of  the  City  gates,  in  carrying  out  a  child  covered  up  in  a  basket,  to  bury 
it  in  the  Roman  Catholic  burying  ground,  so  great  an  excitement  was 
awakened  that  the  district  Magistrate  of  Yanchow  caused  some  eighteen 
of  the  graves  of  the  little  children  who  had  died  in  the  hospital  to  be 
opened  and  their  corpses  examined,  to  ascertain  whether  they  had  been 
mutilated  or  not.  The  scooping  out  of  the  eyes  and  lungs  and  livers  for 
medicine  was  and  still  is  the  standing  charge  against  Missionaries. 

In  August,  18G8,  two  foreigners  from  Chinkiang,  one  of  these  a  United 
States  Consul,  paid  a  visit  to  Yangchow  passing  quietly  through  the 
streets  looking  at  any  curiosity  they  might  find,  and  also  called  on  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  493 

Missionaries.     In  the  afternoon  they  returned   to   Chinkiang.     Immedi- 
ately the  report  was  circulated  that  "  twenty  children  were  missing,  who 
were  taken  away  to  be  cooked  and  eaten  3"  upon  this  the  excitement  burst 
into  a  flame,  the  mob  was  called  out,  to  the  serious  injury  of  Rev.    Mr. 
Taylor,  and  party.     The  Chinese  officials  secretly  connived  at  their   pro- 
ceedings.    Last   December   3d,  there   was   another  disturbance.     "  The 
Missionaries  at  Gan  King  the  capital  of  Gan  Hwng  province   had   their 
property  and  Mission  premises  totally  destroyed.     Rev.  Mr.  Meadows  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Williamson  barely  escaped  with   their   lives.     Mrs.  Meadow's 
little   baby's  glass  tube  for  receiving   nourishment   was   taken   from  it. 
Mrs.  Meadow's  wedding  ring  torn  off,  and  nearly  every  thing   about  her 
person  stolen.     She  had  no  covering  for  her  head  and  no  proper  clothing 
for  her  infant;  for  nearly  six  days  the  entire  party  were  in    native   boats 
going    to    Kinkiang,    and  the   weather  exceedingly   cold.     When   Mrs. 
Meadows  escaped  from  the  mission,  their  house  was  being  torn   down   by 
the  mob."     Now,  these  are  a  few  pictures  of  the  darker  shading,  it  is  not 
often  thus.     You  would  have  been  greatly  interested  could  you  have  been 
present  at  our  last  Monthly  Concert.    These  social  gatherings  have  always 
seemed  to  me  next  to  the   Sabbath   in   importance,   but  especially  is  the 
monthly  concert  of  ii}issionaries   intensely  impressive   to   me,   there  is  a 
sunshine  of  hearts  at  their  union  meetings.     "  Nothing  in  missionary  life 
is  more  delightful  or  so  prophetic  of  the  everlasting  home  as  the  way  in 
which  the  rivalry  and  war  of  sects  is  forgotten."     Each  of  those   earnest 
devoted    men   from   all   denominations   and    countries,   after    exhausting 
labors  day  by  day  in  their  respective  chapels   with   the  benighted   souls, 
gathered  to  worship  in  the  evening  harmoniously,  as   one   family,  in  the 
missionary's  little  parlor  prostrate  before  one  common  altar.     An  account 
was  given  of  the  baptism  of  the  Queen  of  Madagascar  by  a  native  preacher 
and  the  burning  of  all  the  idols  at  her  command.     Also  of  the  Japanese 
Christians  menaced  by  storms  that  will  but    usher  in    brighter  days,  for 
they  were  equal  to  the  emergency  and  prove  them  the  brave   pioneers  of 
Christian  liberty.     It  created  intense  feeling  and  drew  us   very   near  the 
throne  of  the  God  of  gods,  for  we  felt  ive  could  not  be  passed  by  without 
a  blessing.     If  Christians  at  home  would  only  realize  how  the  missionary 
heart  is  strengthened  by  the  thought  that  on  the   first   Monday   evening 
of  each  month,  while  they  are  low  before  the  mercy  seat  the  churches  at 
home  are  not  forgetting  the  absent  ones,  but  that  earnest  prayer  is  at  the 
same  moment  spanning  the  globe,  it  would  cause  a  deeper   interest  to  be 
taken  in  the  home  monthly  concert.     Torpor  would  yield  to  quickening 
influences;  as  a  sequence  probably   "  the  windows  of  Heaven   would   be 
opened  "  for  a  copious  rain  of  heavenly  blessing  on  China. 

The  natives  suppose  that  their  country  is  situated  in  the  middle  of  the 
world  and  having  this  notion  they  call  it  the  "  Middle  Kingdom."  Dur- 
ing a  residence  of  nearly  sixteen  months  in  Peking,  I  was  enabled  at  differ- 
ent times  and  seasons,  as  opportunities  presented,  to  visit  the  temples, 
"  chiefly  remarkable  for  the  disagreeable  taste  in  which  they  are  built, 
for  their  capaciousness,  their  whimsical  ornaments,  and  the  ugliness  of  the 
idols  they  contain  "  —  old  Portuguese  burying  ground,  and  other  sites. 
The  Great  Bell  Temple,  is  situated  three  miles  north  of  the  city  gate,  and 
we  were  nearly  smothered  with  dust  before  arriving  at  the  building.  "  The 
bell  whence  the  temple  derives  its  name  and  fame  is  said  to  be  the  largest 
hung  in  existence,  being  eighteen  feet  in  height  and  about  fifteen  in  dia- 
meter.    It  weighs  112,000  pounds  and  is  covered,  both  loithln  and  without, 


494  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

with  perfectly  formed  Chinese  characters.  In  the  top  is  a  round  hole 
and  standing  on  a  gallery,  which  surrounds  the  huge  casting,  visitors 
amuse  themselves  with  pitching  down  copper  cash  to  the  ragged  crowd 
below  which  never  fails  to  collect  when  '  foreign  devils  '  (who  are  free 
with  their  cash)  are  present.  It  was  a  saying  that  those  who  really  suc- 
ceeded in  throwing  their  coins  through  the  orifice  would  certainly  succeed 
in  their  pursuits  in  life.  A  large  number  of  the  coin  was  lying  about  on 
the  ground  under  the  wonderful  bell,  the  top  of  which  is  reached  by  a 
staircase;  it  was  made  before  1643;  the  coin  is  considered  as  belonging 
to  the  temple,  to  be  spent  in  buying  incense  and  caudles  for  use  in  it. 
"  The  priests  who  are  as  ragged  as  the  others  generally  speaking,  have  a 
dislike  to  allowing  the  bell  to  be  struck  as  the  attention  of  the  rain-god 
is  supposed  to  be  attracted  thereby.  A  few  tias,  however,  generally  over- 
come their  scruples,  though  a  remarkable  coincidence  occurred  not  long 
since ;  some  Europeans  being  requested  to  desist  as  they  would  bring 
down  rain,  pooh  poohed  the  idea  and  let  fly  the  immense  battering  ram, 
used  to  strike  the  bell,  heedless  of  the  priest's  remonstrances.  The 
moment  it  was  struck,  a  sharp  shower  of  rain  came  down,  and  the  party 
had  to  acknowledge  for  once  that  Buddhism  was  triumphant."  The  Lama 
temples  were  erected  when  "  the  Power  of  the  Griiud  Lama  of  Thibet 
had  reached  an  extent  which  made  him  a  formidable  rival."  In  one  of 
these  beautiful  temples  is  an  immense  image  of  Buddha,  some  sixty  feet 
in  height,  which  is  composed  of  wood  and  clay,  and  has  an  elegantly 
smooth  bronzed  surface ;  it  is  the  largest  idol  in  China,  perhaps  in  the 
world.  The  priests  wore  very  ample  breeches  of  a  deep  red  color,  and 
instead  of  a  coat,  had  something  like  a  red  blanket  thrown  over  their 
shoulders.  Some  of  them  were  engaged  in  gambling  with  the  large 
Peking  cash.  Many  of  the  Mongol  priests  had  on  ash-colored  clothing. 
It  is  currently  believed  that  these  Lama  establishments  are  principally 
supported  by  moneys  received  from  government.  One  of  the  Lama  tem- 
ples contains  a  colossal  monument  made  out  of  white  marble  and  is  covered 
with  images  of  Buddha;  at  its  four  corners  are  four  white  marble  pagodas, 
one  pagoda  at  each  corner,  four  or  five  stories  high,  having  also  carved 
upon  them  numerous  images  of  Buddha."  "  In  the  Confucian  temple, 
the  Emperor  worships  the  great  sage  once  a  year,  without  the  medium  of 
paintings  or  images,  only  a  tablet  to  represent  him.  The  temple  proper 
is  not  very  large,  but  the  abundance  of  gilding,  imperial  yellow  tiling, 
yellow  painting  and  yellow  bricks  connected  with  it,  the  pavilions  and  the 
out  buildings  combine  to  give  the  premises,  devoted  to  the  worship  and 
honor  of  Confucius,  a  splendid  and  magnificent  appearance.  In  the  court 
yard  there  are  a  number  of  pine  trees,  said  to  have  been  planted  during 
the  reign  of  the  Mongol  dynasty,  more  than  five  hundred  years  ago.  The 
yard  is  adorned  by  a  variety  of  stone  sculptures,  the  gifts  of  successive 
emperors  and  dynasties.  The  temple  contains  a  number  of  stone  tablets, 
on  which  are  engraved  the  records  of  honors  conferred  on  literary  men, 
and  to  obtain  a  place  here  is  the  acme  of  the  ambition  of  Chinese  scholars. 
There  are  also  some  very  curious  old  stones,  drumshaped,  dated  from  800 
years  B.  C,  the  writing  is  mostly  obliterated.  In  the  imperial  pavilion 
is  a  throne  from  which  the  emperor  is  accustomed  to  confer  certain  honors 
upon  certain  competitors  who  have  successfully  striven  for  literary  rank 
and  fame.  The  table  before  the  throne  was  covered  with  dust  nearly  one- 
eighth  of  an  inch.     At  a  little  distance  from  the  pavilion  stands  a  trium- 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  495 

phal  arch,  massive  and  elegant.  The  marble  terrace  is  broad,  with  very 
handsome  balustrades  of  the  same  material." 

Our  party  were  detained  for  a  long  time  at  the  entrance  gate  to  the 
"  Temple  of  Heaven  "  but  finally,  to  our  great  delight,  succeeded  in 
gaining  admission  and  spent  several  hours  there.  The  walk  of  three  miles 
through  the  beautiful  park  filled  with  venerable  trees  did  not  weary.  The 
buildings  are  situated  in  this  spacious  oval  enclosure  of  upwards  of  two 
miles  in  circumference.  The  central  building  or  pavilion  to  Heaven 
which  no  one  has  been  allowed  to  enter  except  those  who  are  of  Royal 
blood  or  do  duty  within  the  enclosure,  has  a  lofty  circular  dome  in  imita- 
tion of  the  vault  of  Heaven  is  ninety-nine  feet  high  consisting  of  three 
stories.  It  is  roofed  with  blue  tiles,  surmounted  with  a  gilt  ball ;  and  is 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  specimens  of  native  architecture  in  the  North  of 
China.  In  the  interior  of  this  pavilion  a  small  tablet  having  inscriptions 
upon  it  in  large  gilt  characters  is  placed  in  a  chair  standing  on  a  throne 
erected  at  the  north  end.  On  the  right  and  on  the  left  sides  of  the  room 
are  placed  seven  or  eight  large  and  elegantly  carved  chairs  which  are  used 
to  hold  tablets  representing  the  deceased  emperors.  In  these  chairs  and 
seated  on  the  throne  we  rested  ourselves  for  some  little  time  without  any 
opposition  to  our  quiet  enjoyment.  This  circular  building  is  erected  on 
the  centre  of  a  magnificent  platform,  constructed  of  white  marble,  thirty 
feet  high,  surrounded  by  three  terraces,  each  about  ten  feet  high  and 
respectively  one  hundred  and  twenty,  ninety  and  sixty  feet  in  diameter. 
"  The  top  of  the  platform  is  reached  by  ascending  three  flights  of  marble 
steps  from  any  one  of  four  sides,  corresponding  to  the  four  cardinal  points 
and  protected  by  balustrades  of  the  same  material  elaborately  if  not  ele- 
gantly carved."  When  the  Emperor  visits  the  temple  his  carriage  is  drawn 
by  white  elephants  when  they  can  be  obtained.  After  burning  incense 
in  the  chapel  with  the  usual  prostrations,  he  kneels  on  the  upper  platform 
with  his  officers  according  to  their  rank  kneeling  on  the  steps  and  terraces 
around  him.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  exercises  his  prayer  which  is  written 
on  yellow  silk  is  burnt  in  one  of  the  open  iron  urns.  The  outside  of  the 
pavilion  and  the  tiling  on  its  top,  of  a  deep  blue  color  aiming  at  resem- 
blance of  the  azure  arched  expanse  above,  are  inimitaMy  beautiful. 
Various  other  buildings  surround  this,  some  of  which  are  devoted  to  lodg- 
ing the  Emperor  and  his  retinue  when  the  annual  visit  is  paid  for  sacrific- 
ing on  the  altar  which  gives  its  name  to  the  place  ;  there  is  also  the 
palace  of  abstinence,  where  he  fasts  three  days  preparatory  to. oifering  the 
annual  sacrifice. 

"  The  yearly  immolation  consists  of  eleven  bullocks,  twelve  rams,  three 
swine,  two  deers,  and  twelve  hares ;  these  are  fed  in  the  spaciouB  park. 
Near  by  is  an  immense  furnace,  in  which  the  carcass  of  a  bullock  is 
consumed  as  a  kind  of  burnt  offering  while  the  others  are  being  offered 
whole  as  sacrifices.  There  are  ten  immense  iron  open-work  censers  or 
furnaces,  each  large  enough  to  hold  several  barrels,  where  mock  money 
was  bufnt  in  large  quantities.  The  Altar  to  Heaven  is  located  some  little 
distance  to  the  south  of  the  Blue  Dome.  It  is  also  circular,  having  two 
terraces,  each  reached  by  flights  of  nine  marble  steps,  and  surrounded  by 
white  marble  balustrades.  There  is,  however,  no  pavilion  or  building  on 
its  top  ;  it  is  level  and  entirely  open  to  the  heavens  ;  this  platform  is 
smaller  than  the  other.  Near  it  is  an  immense  furnace  for  consuming  a 
whole  bullock,  and  twelve  large,  coarsely-made  open-work  iron  censers  for 
holding  mock  money  while  burning. .    There  are  also  several  magnificent 


496  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

large  copper  censers,  used  for  containing  incense.  We  went  through  the 
arched  passages  to  the  paved,  walled  vaults  in  which  all  the  victims  for 
immolation  are  kept  and  slaughtered.  The  altar  is  surrounded  by  four 
walls ;  the  innermost  one  is  circular  and  the  others  square  surmounted  by 
blue  tiles.  In  the  openings  of  the  inner  walls  there  is  a  splendid  lofty 
arch  or  portal  of  white  marble,  elaborately  carved,  making  twenty-four 
arches  in  all.  "  The  bricks  used  about  the  altar  and  the  walls  are  glazed 
and  colored  ;  the  yellow  color  predominates."  No  priests  live  in  the  en- 
closure, only  the  keepers  ;  the  whole  place  including  the  extensive  park 
is  kept  in  very  good  repair. 

The  other  great  altar  next  in  magnificence  to  the  Altar  of  Heaven  is 
located  not  far  from  one  of  the  gates  of  the  northern  wall  called  the 
"  Altar  to  Earth."  It  consists  of  two  terraces,  one  built  upon  the 
other.  The  topmost  one  is  reached  by  two  flights  of  steps,  each  flight  is 
about  six  feet  high.  '•  The  terraces  are  faced  on  the  sides  with  yellow 
glazed  brick."  This  altar  or  temple  outside  of  the  north  wall  has  spa- 
cious premises,  and  is  kept  in  good  order ;  there  are  many  large  trees 
planted  in  regular  rows.  Sacrifices  to  earth  aremade  once  a  year  by  the 
emperor,  using  one  deer,  two  hares,  nine  bullocks,  six  sheep,  and  six  swine. 
"  The  Temple  op  Agriculture  is  situated  opposite  to  the  Temple  of 
Heaven  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  the  southern  city.  This  altar  stands 
in  an  enclosure  abou^two  miles  in  circumference,  and  has  four  separate 
altars  ;  it  is  square  and  one  story.  On  it  and  near  by  are  eight  immense 
brazen  censers,  of  most  excellent  workmanship.  There  too  was  the 
butchery,  where  six  bullocks,  sis  swine  and  five  sheep  are  slaughtered. 
The  Imperial  plow,  seed-planter,  rake  and  bucket,  implements  actually 
devoted  to  the  exclusive  use  of  the  emperor  himself,  were  of  a  bright 
yellow  color,  while  those  used  by  the  princes  of  the  empire  on  the  occa- 
sion were  of  a  bright  red  color.  The  two  plots  of  ground  where  the 
emperor  and  his  princes  engage  in  the  rural  employments  of  plowing, 
planting,  sowing  in  the  presence  of  the  grandees  of  the  empire  are  situated 
near  to  the  altar  of  Agriculture,  where  sacrifices  are  ofi'ered.  The  worship 
at  this  altar  is  performed  at  the  vernal  equinox  at  which  time  after  a 
solemn  ofi"ering  to  the  God  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  the  ceremony  of  plow- 
ing a  few  ridges  of  land  in  the  enclosure,  and  casting  in  the  fructifying 
seed  is  performed  by  the  Emperor  assisted  by  members  of  the  Board  of 
Rites." 

In  the  Tartar  city  is  the  Astronomical  Observatory  of  Peking ;  we 
ascend  one  of  the  slopes  leading  from  the  roadway  within  the  walls  to 
the  summit ;  it  is  a  square  tower  abutting  on  the  inner  face  of  the  wall 
and  some  twelve  feet  higher.  "  This  observatory,  built  by  Kanghsi  and 
furnished  with  instruments  constructed  under  the  direction  of  Ricci  and 
other  Roman  Catholic  Missionaries,  is  a  stone  building  of  two  stories. 
The  upper  and  exposed  portion,  contains  the  frame  works  of  the  magni- 
ficent instruments  originally  placed  there.  The  courtyard  attached  to  the 
observatory  contains  two  planispheres,  each  supported  on  cast  ^jronze 
dragons  of  exquisite  workmanship,  inferior  to  nothing  producible  in 
Europe.  The  instruments  on  the  summit  consist  of  a  celestial  globe,  on 
which  are  laid  down  all  the  principal  stars  visible  in  the  latitude  of  Peking. 
The  globe  is  made  of  copper,  and  is  about  seven  feet  in  diameter,  and  is 
mounted  on  a  fine  standard  or  frame  work  of  copper.  There  are  also 
various  quadrants,  and  other  instruments  for  determining  altitudes  with 
a  species  of  transit  instrument.     The  growth  of  weeds  and  the  dilapida- 


i 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  497 

tioa  caused  by  time  show  great  want  of  care.  Near  to  the  observatory  is 
the  Examination  Hall  of  the  vast  number  of  the  literary  candidates  who 
resort  to  the  annual  examination.  It  contains  an  enormous  number  of 
cells^  ten  thousand  is  the  usual  Chinese  statement."  We  often  crossed 
the  magnificent  white  marble  bridge  of  nine  arches  elaborately  ornamented 
over  a  stream  with  its  banks  shaded  by  groves  of  trees,  under  which  are 
paved  walks.  This  bridge  of  extraordinary  beauty  is  the  only  public  road 
for  crossing  the  Imperial  grounds  when  desirous  of  passing  from  on^s  side 
of  the  city  to  the  other.  Standing  on  this  bridge,  we  see  the  beautiful 
artificial  lakes  two  and  a  half  miles  in  circumference  whose  surface  is 
overspread  with  the  large  green  leaves  of  the  lotus  resembling  our  broad 
leaved  water  lily.  This  splendid  flower  is  celebrated  for  its  beauty  by 
the  Chinese  poets ;  its  tulip-like  blossoms  of  many  petals,  tinted  with  the 
most  delicate  rose  pink,  hung  over  its  fan-like  leaves  floating  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  water.  We  have  here  a  charming  view  of  pagodas  and  tem- 
ples whose  brightly  colored  roofs  set  off  by  the  endless  tints  of  the 
surrounding  foliage,  present  on  a  sunny  day,  an  appearance  more  resem- 
bling the  dreams  of  the  oriental  splendor,  which  those  who  have  never 
left  their  own  homes  are  apt  to  form  than  a  sober  reality,  you  can  scarcely 
conceive  the  beautiful  eQ"ect  produced.  On  the  eastern  bank  of  the  lake 
is  a  large  white  Pagoda,  built  in  Indian  style  and  strongly  resemblino-  an 
inverted  pepper-box.  It  is  said  to  be  built  on  the  hill  where  the  last  of 
the  Ming  Emperors,  with  the  flames  of  his  burning  palace  in  view,  hanged 
himself  to  avoid,  the  degradation)  of  falling  alive  into  the  hands  of  his  con- 
querors. In  full  view  is  the  artificial  mountain  composed  of  coal  brought 
from  the  mines  to  the  northward  of  the  province.  This  remarkable  mound 
is  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high  and  is  covered  with  earth,  in  which  a 
number  of  trees  and  shrubs  are  planted,  which  line  the  paths  to  the  sum- 
mit and  border  the  base  of  the  hill.  The  top  is  crowned  with  several 
pavilions  at  different  elevations,  presenting  a  most  picturesque  view,  , 
while  animals  and  birds  in  great  numbers  occupy  and  enliven  the  whole 
enclosure.  Its  height  allows  the  spectator  to  overlook  the  whole  city  while, 
too,  it  is  itself  a  conspicuous  object  from  every  direction.  The  earth  and 
stone  to  erect  this  mountain  were  taken  from  the  ditches  and  pools  dug  in 
and  around  the  city,  and  near  the  base  are  many  tanks  of  picturesque 
shape  and  appearance,  so  that  altogether  it  forms  a  great  ornament  to  the 
city." 

We  passed  to  the  French  Ecclesiastical  Mission  grounds  within  the 
walls  of  the  Imperial  City  ;  they  have  a  fine  new  Cathedral,  "  its  spire  over- 
tops the  loftiest  of  the  palaces  which  .stand  at  no  great  distance  from  it, 
separated  by  another  wall. "  •  A  valuable  museum,  belongs  to  it,  contain- 
ing specimens  of  the  natural  history  and  geology  of  Peichili.  We  re- 
mained a  long  time  looking  with  deep  interest  at  this  superb  collection, 
assisted  in  our  researches  by  a  gentlemanly  priest  in  his  church  robes,  but 
his  long  cue  and  black  silk  shoes  with  thick  felt  soles  (the  head  bein"- 
shaved  to  the  crown  and  the  braided  plait  behind)  were  in  Chinese  style. 
Our  visit  to  the  convent  near  by  was  very  pleasant ;  the  sisters  of  charity 
among  whom  was  an  English  nun  "  Sister  Louise"  received  us  kindly, 
showing  us  over  their  fine  large  establishment.  The  children  were  all 
busily  occupied  with  weaving,  knitting  and  embroidery.  "  The  excite- 
ment which  culminated  in  the  shocking  massacre  at  Tientsin  bean  at 
Canton  many  months  previous,  whan  inflammatory  placards  were  posted 
II]  63 


498  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

throughout  the  whole  region  about  that  city  stating  that  foreigners,  among 
whom  the  French  were  named,  had  imported  a  large  quantity  of  Shan- 
sin-/an,  which  was  a  subtle  poison.  That  the  '  foreign  devils'  with  '  sly 
venom'  had  hired  vagabond  Chinese  to  distribute  it  among  the  people  to 
ruin  them  ;  that  only  foreigners  knew  the  antidote  to  this  poison  and  that 
they  would  give  it  only  for  large  sums  of  money,  or  to  converts  to  their 
religion,  and  if  these  were  women,  only  for  the  vilest  purposes.  These 
placards  produced  intense  excitement  among  the  natives  of  the  Canton 
district.  -Thence  it  spread  to  other  places,  three-fourths  of  the  people 
believed  these  statements.  The  indignation  against  foreigner^  and  native 
Christians  was  such  that  mobs  gathered,  strangers  were  arrested  as  pri- 
soners, Chinese  converts  and  preachers  were  beaten,  lives  in  danger,  and 
whole  communities  were  in  secret  terror.  In  some  places  wells  were 
fenced  in,  and  put  under  lock  and  cover  ;  and  water  buckets,  when  carried 
in  the  streets,  were  covered  to  guard  against  the  dreaded  poison  being 
thrown  into  them  by  skillful  hands.  The  consequences  were  most  appall- 
ing and  there  arose  such  a  mingled  tempest  of  alarm  and  rage  as  has  not 
before  occurred  within  the  experience  of  the  oldest  missionaries  in  China. 
Some  desperate  fellows,  who  were  willing  to  sell  their  lives'  for  money  paid 
to  their  families,  had  even  been  detected  throwing  Shan-sin-fan  into  wells. 
This  atrocious  movement  is  traceable  directly  to  the  Mandarins,  and  was 
fostered  by  the  treachery  of  Chinese  diplomacy,  it  was  first  occasioned  by  a 
retrograde  policy  of  the  imperial  government  in  regard  to  all  foreigners, 
and  not  by  the  hostility  to  missions  alone.  Their  troubles  arose  and  their 
hostility  was  also  greatly  stimulated  by  the  knowledge  that  foreigners 
would  soon  claim  a  revision  of  the  treaty." 

"  In  June,  1870,  the  foreign  communities  in  China  were  startled  by 
the  news  of  unparalled  atrocities  committed  by  officially  organized  bands 
at  Tientsin,  on  the  persons  of  twenty-one  Europeans:  French,  Belgian, 
Italian,  Russian,  and  at  least  one  British.  There  is  good  reason  to  believe 
that  the  Tientsin  tragedy  is  part  of  a  general  plan  for  the  expulsion  of 
all  foreigners  from  the  country,  a  plan  which  has  been  frustrated  in  other 
places.  "  The  causes  of  the  recent  outbreak  and  the  Tientsin  massacre, 
which  occurred  about  two  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  June  21,  1870,  are 
found  to  be  connected  with  outrages  in  other  parts  of  the  Empire.  The 
same  preliminary  troubles  as  moved  the  populace  of  Nankin,  vague  but 
horrible  suspicious  about  foreigners  had  taken  possession  of  the  minds  of 
the  ignorant  people  ;  of  kidnapping  children,  of  the  missionaries  purchas- 
ing them  and  taking  out  their  eyes  for  medicine,  &c;  the  same  knowledge 
of  the  authorities  of  what  was  going  on,  the  same  apparent  indifference 
"on  their  part  to  the  probable  consequences  were  conspicuously  displayed  in 
Tientsin  some  time  before  the  massacre,  while  the  mandarins  and  the 
literati  committed  the  wrong  of  spreading  these  calumnies,  instead  of 
opposing  to  them  from  the  first  a  formal  denial.  The  evidences  of  hos- 
tility towards  foreigners  acquired  such  a  marked  virulence  that  Mr.  Lay, 
the  British  Consul  felt  called  on  to  bring  the  threatening  aspect  of  affairs 
under  the  notice  of  Chung  How,  who,  as  superintendent  of  the  Northern 
Ports,  having  been  ten  years  at  the  head  of  the  executive,  civil  and  mili- 
tary has,  nominally  at  least,  almost  absolute  control  over  Tientsin  and  its 
neighborhood.  But  with  an  indifference  which  is  equally  inexcusable 
and  suspicious,  his  Excellency  paid  no  attention  to  Mr.  Lay's  thrice- 
repeated  representations,  the  last  made  only  two  hours  before  the  attack. 
The  apparent  failure  in  Nankin  was  due  to  the  defective  organization  of 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  499 

the  conspirators  and  the  vigor  of  the  responsible  authorities.  The  noto- 
rious Cheng-Kwo-shwai  after  this  tumult  was  quelled;  formed  a  pretext 
for  his  journey  to  visit  the  grave  of  his  great  foster-father  the  noted 
Sanko-lin-Sin,  whose  grave  is  at  Tientsin.  His  incendiary  effusions 
fiinned  the  popular  excitement.  A  clue  to  the  origin  of  the  troubles  is 
found  in  the  fact  that  before  the  riot  there  had  been  a  meeting  of  some 
literary  men,  at  the  yamen  connected  with  the  temple  of  Confucius,  when 
a  paper  was  prepared  having  reference  to  the  yamen,  and  presented  to 
the  mandarins.  The  lioman  Catholics  had  erected  their  large  cathedral 
and  hospital  upon  sites  the  most  conspicuous  to  be  found  about  the  city  — 
the  buildings  themselves  towering  above,  and  far  surpassing  any  native 
structure  seemed  as  a  triumph  over  the  ancient  and  revered  systems  of 
China.  The  people  felt  it  deeply.  When  the  severe  drought  came,  they 
were  easily  made  the  dupes  of  designing  men,  and  led  to  ascribe  this, 
with  the  crimes  of  sorcery  and  diabolical  cruelty,  to  the  representatives 
of  the  new  religion.  Threateuings  of  evil  had  become  so  frequent  that 
to  a  certain  extent,  they  came  to  be  treated  like  the  cry  of  Wolf!  Wolf! 
in  the  fable,  so  that  when  the  sad  reality  did  come,  no  onetwas  at  all 
prepared.  The  first  intimation  we  had  Of  trouble  to  our  friends  in  the 
city,  was  the  sight  of  fire,  which  proved  to  be  caused  by  the  burning  of 
the  French  Cathedral  and  Consulate  adjoining,  and  the  premises  of  the 
Sisters  of  Mercy,  some  half  mile  nearer  the  foreign  settlement.  Almost 
immediately  after,  news  reached  us  of  the  cruel  and  barbarous  murder  of 
three  foreigners.  The  .organized  band  of  the  fire  guilds,  headed  by  their 
well  known  registered  officials,  and  assisted  by  many  regular  Chinese 
troops  (and  in  one  part  of  their  deadly  work  led  on  by  the  notorious 
Chen-Kwo-shwai),  rose  in  thousands  against  the  French  Cathedral  and 
Consulate,  and  murdered  their  inmates.  Soon  we  heard  of  the  terrible 
deaths  of  no  less  than  nineteen  Europeans,  including  the  French  Consul,  M. 
Fontanier  ;  Mons.  and  Madame  Thomassin,  who  had  only  arrived  the  day 
previous  in  the  steamer  from  Shanghai ;  the  Chancellor,  M.  Simon  ;  a 
Jesuit  father,  M.  Chevrier,  and  saddest  of  all,  the  cruel  butchery  of  the 
poor  Sisters  of  Mercy,  nine  in  number.  To  them  indeed  no  mercy  was 
shown ;  they  were  cut  to  pieces  by  a  fanatical  mob,  who  not  content  to 
kill  and  destroy,  wished,  if  possible,  to  add  to  the  enormity  of  their 
crime  by  venting  their  fury  on  dead  bodies.  The  cruel  outrages 
upon  them  are  horrible  even  to  relate  :  their  clothing  were  torn  off  them 
and  they  were  ravished;  then  impaled  alive  with  heads  downwards; 
their  bodies  stabbed  and  ripped  open ;  their  breasts  cut  ofl";  hands 
cut  off;  and  thrown  into  the  fire  their  eyes  dug  out;  while  some  were 
still  alive.  All  that  is  left  of  those  devoted  women  are  two  charred 
masses,  some  distance  apart,  and  quite  impossible  to  be  recognized  !  Truly 
a  crown  of  martyrdom  have  they  received  from  the  ungrateful  people 
in  whose  service,  and  for  whose  welfare  their  lives  were  being  spent  here. 
Three  Russian  subjects  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Protopopofi"  whose  wedding  had 
been  celebrated  less  than  a  week  ago,  amid  great  rejoicings,  and  Mr.^ 
Basoff,  were  taken  out  of  the  river  quite  fresh.  The  bodies  had  been 
stripped  and  the  young  wife,  only  about  sixteen,  had  her  arm  broken, 
cuts  on  face,  and  her  body  literally  covered  with  sword  cuts  and  spear 
wounds ;  three  fingers  cut  off  apparently  for  the  sake  of  the  rings.  The 
freshness  of  these  bodies  is  supposed  to  be  due  to  their  contact  with  the 
salt  stacks  where  they  were  killed.  These  were  in  sedan-chairs  being 
hurriedly  borne  in  the  direction  of  the  foreign  settlement,  when  the  mob 


500  Legacy  of  Histojiical  Gleanings. 

madly  rushing  towards  the  three  chairs  with  the  deafening  cry  '  Here 
are  foreigners  I  kill  the  foreigners  !'  The  rabble  began  to  strike  the  chairs, 
and  the  poor  Russians,  who  were  the  occupants,  jumped  out  exclaiming 
'  We  are  not  French,  we  are  English.'  The  reply  was  '  That  does  not 
matter,  we  will  kill  you.'  The  rioters  seized  the  foreign  lady,  and 
struck  her  with  their  swords,  the  two  foreign  gentlemen  attempted  to 
rescue  her,  but  they  were  immediately  struck  down  with  swords  and  spears 
being  instantly  killed.  The  lady  was  then  subjected  to  brutal  indignities, 
her  person  also  was  mutilated  and  all  three  were  thrown  into  the  river. 

M.  Thomassin  of  the  French  legation  who  with  his  young  wife  had  only 
just  arrived  from  France  came  up  in  the  steamer  '  Manchu '  from  Shanghai 
en  route  for  Peking  and  were  to  be  the  guests  a  short  time  of  the  French 
Consul,  they  were  killed  inside  of  the  consulate.  M.  Chalmaison  was 
killed  in  his  door  way  as  he  was  coming  out.  Madame  Chalmaison  got 
on  her  horse  and  escaped,  but  she  returned  to  the  house  in  the  evening 
in  Chinese  dress,  but  it  seems  the  omission  to  change  her  foreign  boots  led 
to  her  detection,  and  she  was  slaughtered  in  the  street.  Most  of  the  bodies 
were  in  an  advanced  stage  of  decomposition,  having  been  probably  a  good 
deal  exposed  to  the  sun  on  the  ba"bks  of  the  river,  other  bodies  taken  from 
the  water  could  not  be  recognized.  "  When  the  attack  was  commenced 
the  French  Consul,  M.  Fontanier,  with  his  guests  were  seated  at  breakfast; 
he  rose  from  the  table,  arrayed  himself  in  his  full  dress  Consular  uniform 
and  then  went  with  his  chancellor  M.  Simon  to  Chung-How's  Yamen  to 
seek  assistance  and  protection ;  he  sought  in  vain  to  induce  Chung  How 
to  accompany  him  to  the  consulate.  He  might  perhaps  have  been  able 
to  save-  his  life,  but  preferred  to  die  in  the  place  where  his  duty  called 
him.  When  the  French  Consul  was  leaving  Chunghow's  Yamen  to  meet 
his  death  at  his  post,  the  Chihsien  excited  the  people  againt  him,  crying 
'  Pursue  him,  pursue  him.'  It  was  then  that  the  unfortunate  M.  Fontanier, 
already  wounded,  fired  a  shot  from  his  revolver  which  did  not  reach  the 
one  for  whom  it  was  intended.  A  new  disturbance  arose  close  to  the 
Cathedral  when  the  mob  rose  and  cut  the  Consul  down  killing  him  on  the 
spot,  his  body  was  recovered  from  the  river,  stripped  of  his  consular  uniform, 
his  head  and  face  cloven  to  pieces  with  sword  cuts,  one  spear  wound 
through  the  chest  with  part  of  one  hand  cut  ofi",  but  his  socks  were  on  and 
bore  the  initials  H.  F.  When  taken  out  of  the  water,  it,  with  seven  other 
bodies  rescued  at  the  same  time,  were  put  in  coflBns  to  be  kept  until  the 
arrival  of  the  French  authorities  from  Peking,  expected  soon.  Mr.  Simon 
was  so  savagely  hacked  as  to  be  hardly  recognizable.  The  whole  transac- 
tion was  disgraceful  in  the  extreme  and  would  have  been  dishonorable 
and  base  even  in  the  most  savage  country  on  earth.  .  During  the  whole 
continuance  of  the  riot,  the  mob  were  engaged  in  robbing,  while  the  au- 
thorities witnessed  the  pillage  and  destruction  going  on,  without  making 
an  efl'ort  to  prevent  it.  It  was  an  indiscriminate  massacre  and  pillage  of 
defenceless  strangers  and  helpless  women,  who  received  no  mercy  but 
were  murdered  in  cold  blood  even  while  on  their  knees  suj)plicating  for 
clemency.  The  Chinese  government  will  be  held  responsible  for  the 
murders  and  outrages  committed  on  this  occasion.  It  matters  not  whether 
the  disturbance  originated  with  one  party  or  the  other,  it  is  sufficient  that 
a  serious  disturbance  existed,  and  it  became  the  duty  of  the  authorities  to 
exert  their  influence  to  quell  it."  One  of  the  murdered  Sisters  of  Mercy 
was  a  British  subject.  "  Sister  Louise  "  was  a  very  lovely  being  in  gentle- 
ness of  disposition,  only  a  few  weeks  previous  she  left  her  post  at  Peking 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  501 

to  engage  in  like  charitable  employment  at  the  Tientsin  convent  where 
she  met  her  horrible  fate.  On  his  return  to  his  Yamen,  the  Chihsien 
found  there  the  children  collected  by  the  Sisters.  Shortly  afterwards 
bleeding  trophies  were  brought  on  the  points  of  pikes.  Among  these 
trophies  were  the  hands  of  one  of  the  Sisters;  under  the  eyes  of  the 
Chihsien,  one  of  the  satellites  struck  with  them  the  cheek  of  one  of  the 
children  saying  '  There's  a  box  on  the  ear  from  your  aunt !'  "  The  Chihsein 
appeared  to  enjoy  this  spectacle,  and  listened  complacently  to  the  recital 
of  violation,  torture  and  mutilations,  on  which  the  soldiers  were  glorifying 
themselves.  About  thirty  children,  who  in  their  fright  at  the  bloody 
sight •  and  fire,  ran  down  to  hide  themselves  in  the  vaults,  were  found 
smothered;  about  fifty  or  sixty  people  must  have  perished  in  the  Sisters 
places  alone. 

"  The  Sisters  of  Mercy  were  often  among  us  and  were  highly  respected 
by  all  who  knew  them  for  their  good  deeds  and  self  sacrificing  labors; 
much  deep  sympathy  is  felt  for  them  and  for  their  friends;  we  have  al- 
ways revered  their  beneficent  activity  and  their  zeal,  regardless  of  sacri- 
fice. The  native  Christian  converts,  received  most  cruel  treatment  from 
the  Mandarins  at  Tientsin,  being  tortured  in  prison  ;  they  presented  a 
ghastly  spectacle  when  released  from  imprisonment.  Their  ears  squeezed 
to  pieces  between  slips  of  bamboo;  beards  plucked  out,  their  eyelashes 
cut  ofi",  their  knees  dislocated ;  their  whole  body  bearing  evidence  of  the 
fiendish  ingenuity  and  cruelty  that  had  been  used  to  wring  from  them 
something  to  support  the  anti-foreign  mania  of  their  persecutors.  The 
gate-keeper  of  the  Sisters,  was  badly  beaten,  dragged  through  the  dirt, 
and  flung  into  the  river,  whence  he  was  taken  to  the  Yamen  and  put  in 
irons  without  respect  to  his  old  age.  After  the  lapse  of  a  month,  running 
sores  were  caused  by  the  chains,  A  Christian  from  the  country,  who  had 
arrived  on  the  morning  of  the  21st  of  June,  having  boldly  confessed  his 
faith,  was  put  on  the  rack,  made  to  kneel  on  chains,  received  two  hundred 
blows  of  the  bamboo  and  was  finally  burnt  on  the  back  with  red  hot  irons, 

A  widow  of  thirty-five  was  cruelly  beaten  and  thrown  into  a  dungeon. 
Five  young  native  Christian  girls  of  eighteen  to  twenty-two  years,  were 
led  to  another  place  called  Shoo-fan.  Alas  I  it  is  known  too  surely  that 
place  had  more  horrors  for  them  than  the  prison  itself,  and  that  they  there, 
lost  by  force  what  was  dearer  to  them  than  life  itself. 

"  At  the  request  of  the  French  Minister  four  Roman  Catholic  converts 
have  been  removed  from  the  yamen  to  the  foreign  settlement.  One  is  an 
old  man  over  sixty  years.  They  have  all  been  more  or  less  tortured  in 
various  ways,  and  present  a  perfectly  horrible  appearance;  their  bodies 
fearfully  emaciated  and  covered  with  gangrenous  sores,  filled  with  maggots. 
One  man  has  been  placed  on  a  rack,  and  all  his  joints  cracked.  Another 
has  been  beaten  so  severely  on  the  hands  and  feet  that  the  tendons  are  ex- 
posed. One  of  the  female  converts  has  had  needles  driven  underneath 
her  finger  nails,  and  her  body  sprinkled  over  with/lrops  of  boiling  oil. 
Another,  a  young  girl  aged  sixteen  years,  has  had  all  her  fingers 
chopped  ofi"  by  small  pieces.  As  to  the  practice  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy 
in  regard  to  receiving-children,  three  foreign  gentlemen  who  had  visited 
the  Sister's  establishment  only  a  few  days  before  the  massacre  report  the 
Sisters  informed  them,  they  never  paid  a  cash  for  a  child,  and  that  they 
could  fill  their  place  twice  over  with  children  that  were  off'ered  to  them. 
Another  Sister  mentioned  that  parents  frequently  brought  children  de- 
claring that  if  the  Sisters  would  not  receive  them,  it  would  be  necessary 


502  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

to  drown  them,  as  the  parents  were  too  poor  to  support  them.  The 
Sisters  had  often  taken  in  children  under  such  circumstances  even  when 
properly  they  had  no  room  for  them.  The  parents  of  the  children  had 
always  access  to  them,  and  the  sisters  had  occasionally  given  a  few  cash  to 
support  the  parents  when  poor.  The  gentlemen  saw  the  children  at  play, 
neat  and  clean,  apparently  as  happy  and  contented  as  most  children  gene- 
rally are.  One  gentleman  had  also  frequently  seen  as  many  as  forty  or 
fifty  women  there  on  Sunday,  the  mothers  of  the  children  who  had  come 
to  visit  them.  The  Si.sters  allowed  men  from  the  turbulent  crowd  the 
week  before  the  dreadful  massacre,  to  enter  the  premises  and  examine  for 
themselves ;  the  French  Consul,  M.  Fontanier,  rebuked  the  Sisters  for  it, 
and  expelled  the  Chih-hsien  and  the  Fu  on  Monday  when  they  called  at 
the  Consulate  and  demanded  an  official  examination. 

"  There  had  been  many  rumors  that  the  Catholic  premises  were  to  be 
burnt  and  the  foreigners  slain,  but  on  Saturday  afternoon  Sister  LouLsa 
said  she  did  not  believe  a  word  of  it.  However,  the  fire  guilds  banded 
together  for  mischief  were  called  together  by  the  sound  of  gongs  all  over 
the  city.  On  arriving  at  the  bridge  of  boats  they  were  met  by  the  Hsien, 
who  under  orders  from  Chung-How  endeavored  to  prevent  the  guilds 
south  of  the  river  from  crossing,  and  the  bridge  began  to  be  opened,  just 
as  General  Cheng-kwo-Shwai  —  a  military  officer,  came  up,  made  himself 
known  and  wished  to  pass.  According  to  Chinese  custom  this  was  at  once 
permitted,  on  his  own  private  authority,  and  the  guilds  crossed  with  the 
officers,  the  general  shouting  '  Good  young  folks,  be  brave  and  pass  on.' 
'  Burn,  burn,  I  am  with  you,  let  us  destroy  the  foreigners  and  their  es- 
tablishments !  The  guilds  north  of  the  river  had,  however,  finished  the 
work  of  slaughter,  and  nothing  remained  but  to  fire  the  buildings.  Re- 
turning, the  mob  rushed  ofi"  to  the  convent  and  began  their  diabolical 
work  on  'the  helpless  and  devoted  Sisters.  The  Fire  Brigade  are  the 
parties  who  had  the  management  of  setting  the  buildings  on  fire  having 
the  mob  perfectly  under  control,  calling  them  away  when  finished  by  the 
sound  of  a  bell. 

"  On  the  first  news  of  the  massacre  reaching  Peking,  the  ministers  from 
Foreign  Courts  wrote  to  the  Tsung-U-yamen  (Board  of  Foreign  affairs) 
that  they  would  bring  foreign  troops  into  the  city  :  they  were  implored 
not  to  do  so,  and  a  guarantee  given  that  all  would  be  settled ;  so  they 
promised  that  no  troops  should  be  landed.  Couriers  with  despatches  for 
Foreign  Ministers  at  Peking  were  not  allowed  to  enter  the  city  for  many 
hours  after  the  occurrence.  Sinister  rumors  were  current  in  the  capital  im- 
mediately after  the  massacre  of  Tientsin,  but  the  appearance  of  the  Im- 
perial Edict  ordering  an  investigation  into  the  Tientsin  business  had  a 
^reat  efi'ect  in  allaying  public  anxiety.  The  copious  rain  that  had  fallen 
is  also  supposed  to  have  had  a  great  efi'ect  on  the  native  mind.  There 
appears  to  be  a  deep  rooted  superstition  among  the  Pekingese  that  the 
spires  of  Pe-tang  (Ca4;holic  church)  being  higher  than  the  Imperial  palace 
and  all  the  temples,  draws  away  the  luck  from  the  Chinese  to  foreigners, 
and  is  a  great  cause  of  drought  and  famine,  also  that  the  beneficial  courses 
of  the  '  Foong  Shoo-e  '  are  seriously  obstructed  by  its  existence.  This 
idea  is  said  to  have  gained  a  certain  currency  in  the  neighboring  pro- 
vinces. The  populace  of  Peking,  though  free  from  any  ill-feeling  against 
foreigners,  might  easily  be  excited  to  commit  atrocities  by  a  judicious  use 
being  made  of  these  superstitious  by  the  authorities.  The  many  rumors 
current  in  Peking,  however  absurd  in  themselves,  are  important  as  showing 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


503 


the  way  the  wind  blows.  The  idea  that  runs  through  the  minds  of  the 
Cliinese  is  that  foreigners  are  to  be  got  rid  of,  by  craft  and  force.  I  am 
not  an  alarmist,  but  I  do  now  most  deliberately  say  that  things  are  about 
as  gloomy  as  they  can  well  be.  Our  native  helpers  are  much  alarmed. 
The  Roman  Catholic  priests  are  believed  to  have  left  town.  The  children 
have  left  the  Sisters  in  Peking,  but  the  Mandarins  have  assured  the  Sisters 
that  they  are  specially  charged  to  keep  th-em  safe  from  harm  and  that 
they  are.  safe. 

"  Let  the  panic  become  a  little  stronger  and  all  the  missionary  ladies 
anB  children  will  be  sent  to  Tientsin.  The  excitement  among  the  people 
i»  Peking  on  Monday  27,  was  increasing  but  no  immediate  danger  was 
apprehended.  The"  Chinese  ministers  say  there  is  nothing  to  fear  ;  2000 
troops  were  reported  to  be  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Cathedral  as  a  guard,' 
though  we  believe  that  the  arch-conspirator  Chun-kwo-jue  brought  them 

north  as  his  escort  for  our  ex- 
termination. All  the  foreign 
ministers  in  town  have  sent  a 
note  to  Prince  Kung,  the 
Regent,  declaring  that  this 
Tientsin  massacre  will  outrage 
the  whole  civilized  world. 
While  the  excitement  was 
highest  many  children  were 
taken  from  Protestant  schools 
in  fright,  several  teachers  ran 
away  and  rumors  were  rife 
that  the  English  legation  was 
sealed  wp  by  the  officials. 
Stones  were  flung  at  one  for- 
eign lady ;  another  was  de- 
tained by  a  crowd  in  front  of 
the  Cathedral  and  refused 
passage  except  on  payment 
of  cash,  and  then  was  followed 
with  hootings.  We  came  very 
near  repeating  the  sad  Tient- 
sin programme.  6000  troops 
have  returned  from  the  camp  a  few  miles  out  of  the  city,  and  are  now  in 
their  homes,  subject  to  the  call  of  the  moment.  A  well  known  English- 
man was  accosted  the  other  day  by  the  soldiers  on  their  camp-ground 
outside  the  west  gate  :  '  We  are  going  to  kill  you,'  said  they.  '  Why  don't 
you  begin  then  V  replied  English  pluck.  As  an  incitement  to  co-opera- 
tion, the  braves  remind  the  people  that  the  deeds  of  the  21st  of  June 
were  followed  by  needed  and  abundant  rain,  and  that  this  circumstance 
clearly  indicates  the  will  of  Heaven  to  have  them  prosecute  to  its  consum- 
mation the  object  on  which  they  have  set  their  hearts,  The  Chinese 
believe  that  France  will  be  afraid  to  declare  war  on  account  of  the  risk  in 
which  it  would  involve  the  300  French  priests  in  China.  A  friend  was 
nearly  involved  in  serious  consequences;  he  was  passing  quietly  along  the 
street  when  a  child  accidentally  followed  in  his  track,  which  being  ob- 
served by  the  natives,  they  made  a  tumultuous  rush  to  the  child's  rescue, 
believing  he  was  to  be  kidnapped,  '  led  away'  by  the  foreigners.  For  to 
the  disturbed  imaginations  of  an  ignorant  people,  plied  with  mischievous 


r 


Prince  Kxjng. 


504  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings, 

rumors,  and  proclamations,  the  sight  near  a  foreign  quarter,  of  a  foreigner 
closely  followed  by  a  Chinese  young  person,  is  proof  positive  of  a  case  of 
kidnapping.  Yesterday  a  boy  belonging  to  Rev.  Mr.  Edkin's  mission  was 
taken  to  the  Yamen  as  a  kidnapper.  Mr.  Welmann  went  to  watch  the 
case.  After  a  night's  detention  he  was  released,  it  being  found  that  his 
crime  had  consisted  in  playing  at  kidnapping  with  another  child  in  a  mud 
puddle,  with  a  basket  of  tea  in  his  hand  to  represent  the  dreade'd  philter  ! 
Fresh  excitement  was  caused  about  July  25th  by  the  insertion  in  the 
Peking  Gazette  of  a  new  case  of  kidnapping,  and  proclamations  founded 
thereon  have  been  circulated  widely,  though  not  generally  placarded  in 
the  street.  These  proclamations  call  on  the  people  to  '  seize  the  kidnap- 
pers at  sight'  or  as  the  natives  say  '  let  not  the  kidnappers  still  remain  in 
the  city.'  The  interest  we  have  in  all  this  is  that  it  is  foreigners  who  are 
really  aimed  at  over  the  shoulders  of  the  alleged  native  kidnappers.  On 
the  25th  July  the  English  cemetery  was  visited  by  oflficials.  in  the  same 
way  as  another  Protestant  Chapel  had  been.  This  also  is  attributed  to 
over  anxiety  of  the  authorities  for  the  safety  of  foreigners  and  there  are 
now  night  watchmen  to  protect  them.  Disquieting  rumors  are  still  very 
prevalent,  one  was  to  the  effect  that  the  25th  July,  was  the  day  fixed  by 
a  band  of  cut-throats  for  exterminating  the  foreigners  in  Peking.  This 
had  been  talked  of  for  weeks  previously  and  the  Imperial  Edict  of  the 
24th  was  instrumental  in  preventing  the  outbreak.  A  native  assistant  is 
fearfully  excited  by  the  threats  of  the  troops  just  outside  the  east  gate  of 
the  Tartar  city  who  have  been  bragging  of  what  they  will  do.  A  singular 
body  of  troops  they  truly  are.  With  their  uniforms  on  they  are  brave 
enough  to  attack  defenceless  women.  Stripped  of  their  uniforms  they  are 
vile  cut-throat  brigands  along  the  river,  such  as  murdered  the  missionary, 
poor  Rev.  James  Williamson,  at  midnight  on  board  his  boat  on  the  Grand 
Canal  near  Tientsin. 

There  are  present  here  some  of  the  '  T'on  Muh'  '  heads  and  eyes'  of  the 
Tientsin  massacre  who  are  now  in  the  outer  city  close  to  where  Chun-kwo- 
jueor  Cheng-kwo-Shwai  is  residing,  where  they  are  displaying  as  a  trophy 
a  fine  linen  table  cloth  clotted  with  blood  and  boasting  of  their  exploits 
in  connection  with  it.  This  they  do  openly,  yet  while  the  mandarins, 
and  the  foreign  ministers  who  support  them,  declare  their  desire  to  pun- 
ish those  who  are  proved  to  have  taken  part  in  the  bloody  outrage,  no  one 
seizes  these  men,  or  even  tries.  They  also  assert  that  the  Tientsin 
magistrates  guaranteed  their  safety,  and  even  promised  them  promotion  if 
they  managed  the  massacre  adroitly  and  successfully.  Contemporary 
with  their  arrival  and  no  doubt,  as  a  consequence  of  it,  new  rumors  have 
now^  arisen  of  a  design  to  destroy  the  Catholic  establishments  here  for 
alleged  complicity  in  child-stealing.  There  are  no  doubt  plenty  of  the 
'  long  knife  in  strong  sleeve'  bravos  here  in  the  Chinese  and  Tartar 
quarters,  quite  ready  to  carry  out  with  cruel  deliberation  such  a  design, 
if  the  public  sentiment  can  only  be  lashed  up  to  the  requisite  pitch  of 
superstitious  apprehension,  and  great  efiorts  are  being  made  to  accomplish 
their  wished  for  malignant  desires.  The  numbering  of  each  house  in 
Peking  is  actually  going  on  to  see  where  there  are  Christians  to  be  killed, 
this  is  certainly  not  a  very  pleasant  item  of  intelligence,  but  the  '  Angel 
of  the  Covenant'  was  near.  The  French  have  issued  a  proclamation  de- 
claring that  such  menaces  must  be  aimed  only  at  them  as  they  alone  here 
take  care  of  children,  and  giving  an  utterdenial  to  their  alleged  ill-treat- 
ment of  children.     The  country  people  argue  that  the  massacre  must  have 


Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings.  505 

been  an  official  affair  as  no  one  was  punished  for  it :  '  let  us  therefore  follow 
out  the  imperial  will  and  kill  all  Christians.'  " 

At  Shanghai  an  address  of  sympathy  was  sent  to  the  reverend  fathers 
of  the  society  of  Jesus,  of  the  order  of  Lazarus,  and  of  the  Board  of  For- 
eign Missions,  by  the  Protestant  Clergy  and  Missionaries  residing  in  the 
settlement,  A  reply  was  also  addressed  by  the  French  Missionaries  to 
the  letter  of  condolence.  "The  funeral  service,  at  Shanghai,  for  the  vic- 
tims of  the  Tientsin  massacre  was  held  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  July 
at  nine  o'clock  in  the  French  church.  The  building  was  hung  with  black 
and  a  large  catafalque  draped  with  crape  erected  in  the  centre  aisle.  The 
regular  church  service  was  performed  :  High  mass  for  the  dead  with  the  ab- 
solution. It  began  with  the  '  Dies  irae^  dies  ilia ) '  after  mass  a  procession 
was  formed  round  the  catafalque  after  which  were  sung  as  is  customary 
Libera  nos  Doviine  de  morte  oeterna,  and  the  Kyrie  Eleison.  On  the 
black  hanging  in  front  of  the  organ  gallery  was  the  motto  Hodie  Mihi, 
Cras  Tihi.  The  only  specialties  were  the  catafalque  and  black.  The 
priest  who  said  mass  was  Father  Delia  Cortes,  Superior  General  of  the 
mission  of  Kiangnan.  A  body  of  sailors  from  the  French  men-of-war  now  in 
the  harbor  were  drawn  up  in  the  center  aisle,  and  were  supported  by  a  large 
detachment  of  Mounted  Police.  The  attendance  on  this  occasion  was  very 
numerous,  and  indicated  unmistakably  the  very  deep  sympathy  which  the 
tragical  event  has  called  forth  in  men  of  all  creeds  and  nationalities. 
Nearly  all  the  consuls  for  the  various  European  nations  and  the  acting  consul 
for  the  United  States,  [Consul  Greorge  F.  Seward  was  in  the  United  States] 
the  Assistant  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  and  other  officials  were  present. 
The  Municipal  Council  attended  in  a  body,  and  several  of  the  resident 
Protestant  Clergy,  testified  their  respect  for  the  outraged  feelings  of  their 
Roman  Catholic  brethren  by  being  in  attendance,  and  all  were  sorrowful. 
The  flags  of  all  the  ships  in  harbor  and  also  of  the  various  consulates  were 
half  mast  high." 

"  A  Protestant  Mission  Chapel  outside  the  Ping-tzu-men  was,  about 
midnight  August  1st,  assailed  by  Chinese  soldiers  searching  for  foreigners. 
The  commanding  officer  explained  that  he  did  so  in  obedience  to  orders 
from  the  Ti-tu's  yamen.  On  investigation  the  explanation  given  was  that 
the  search  was  with  a  view  to  the  foreigner's  safety  !  The  progress  of  the 
Mahomedan  rebellion  is  causing  some  anxiety  and  may  be  a  check  on 
further  hostile  movements  from  the  Chinese  upon  foreigners.  The  Ma- 
homedans  are  fighting  and  slaughtering  fearfully  in  the  west.  From  a 
late  arrival  we  hear  of  cities  taken  and  put  to  the  sword,  soldiers  and 
rebels  sometimes  forced  to  feed  on  their  mules,  and,  when  mule's  flesh 
fails,  to  kill  their  adversaries  or  prisoners  and  eat  them.  For  drink  ex- 
tremity drives  them  to  even  more  disgusting  expedients.  Mutilations  of 
the  body  are  said  to  be  fearfully  prevalent.  The  rebels  are  eight-tenths 
Mahomedans,  and  two-tenths  '  Chang-maon-tsei.'  They  are  reported  to 
have  many  foreign  arms,  and  to  number  300,000.  They  force  into  their 
ranks  those  who  prefer  that  to  death.  They  are  making  for  the  east  and 
south-east,  that  is  advancing  on  Chih-li,  and  the  Imperialists  have  their 
hands  full  in  keeping  them  at  bay.  Daily  fights  occur."  [Chung  How 
has  been  acquitted  of  all  complicity  in  the  Tientsin  tragedy  and  has  been 
appointed  on  a  mission  to  Europe  as  Ambassador  to  France  to  which  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  at  Shanghai  took  exception  and  sent  a  letter  to  the 
Home  Grovernment  disapproving  of  the  appointment.  Some  of  the  ac- 
cused were  banished  for  life.] 

II]  64 


506  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Decoration  Day  for  Our  "  Loved  Ones." 

Notwithstanding  passing  events  showed  every  indication  that  the  peo- 
ple were  rife  for  commencing  another  general  war,  I  determined  to  profit 
by  the  present  cessation  from  school  duties  and  missionary  labor,  to  put 
into  execution  the  long  purposed  plan  of  a  visit  to  the  Great  Wall  and 
Ming  Tombs  or  the  Imperial  Cemetery.  Friends  endeavored  to  dissuade 
against  the  undertaking,  "it  was  rash,"  "the  acme  of  temerity,"  but 
"  pinning  my  faith  to  the  sleeve  of  Minister  Low  and  Dr.  Williams"  I 
was  brave  enough  to  have  blind  confidence  in  Chinese  friendship.  More- 
over I  had  no  idea  of  returning  to  the  south  of  China  without  that  end 
being  achieved.  The  weather  was  very  warm  but  though  "  the  heat  is 
great  in  the  summer  months,  it  is  not  so  difiicult  to  bear  as  the  same  de- 
gree of  heat  in  a  moist  climate  for  it  is  here  dry  in  the  extreme."  Ac- 
cordingly having  made  the  preliminary  arrangements  and  provided  all  the 
necessaries  for  our  comfort,  with  Emma  and  one  intelligentChinese servant, 
the  "  head  boy  "  of  our  establishment,  as  my  trustworthy  escort,  we  started 
from  Peking  on  Monday  afternoon  July  4th,  in  two  native  springless  carts. 
We  were  scarcely  fairly  on  our  way  when  the  uupropitious  drizzling  rain 
made  the  prospect  of  not  very  pleasant  weather,  rather  discouraging  to  the 
maturing  of  my  present  scheme.  However  we  were  ready  to  endure  dis- 
comforts, and  exerted  our  eneigies  to  meet  whatever  might  be  before  us. 
"  The  principal  rains  fall  in  Peking  during  the  summer  months,  then  we 
have  very  heavy  showers,  but  not  long  storms  and  misty  weather."  Before 
reaching  Sha-ho,  twenty  miles  distant,  the  rain  had  ceased  and  after  our 
simple  evening  meal  we  enjoyed  refreshing  sleep  on  the  "  matted  kang  or 
stove-bed  "  notwithstanding  its  being  "  peopled  with  an  infinity  of  fleas." 
The  early  morning  found  us  traversing  the  exceedingly  rough  and  stony 
road  to  Nankow  but  soon  we  crossed  "  a  bridge  of  stately  dimensions  con- 
structed of  granite  most  beautifully  hewn,  its  splendid  arches,  seventeen 
in  number  are  almost  perfectly  level. 

The  people  of  this  district  are  mainly  employed  in  agricultural  pursuits  ; 
there  were  no  manufactures,  trees  very  scarce,  cultivation  disappeared 
rapidly,  plenty  of  rocks,  and  the  population  very  poor.  The  day  was 
beautifully  clear  and  after  innumerable  severe  thumps,  bruises  and  "dis- 
tressing'concussions  from  which  no  amount  of  cushions  could  save  us  "  we 
were  comfortably  lodged  in  a  native  Inn  at  Nankow  —  the  entrance  to  the 
Southern  Pass  —  the  small  apartment  of  which  had  table,  stools  and 
broken  window.  Leaving  the  carts  and  mounting  mules,  we  rode  en 
Cavalier  style  five  miles  to  the  triumphal  nrch  a  "  quaint  old  structure 
covered  with  carved  Indian  figures  "  and  inscriptions  in  Chinese,  as  also 
other  characters.  Near  by  was  a  spur  of  the  great  wall  which  we  climbed 
to  gather  a  few  flowers  from  its  jagged  clefts,  aiid  viewed  with  delight  the 
magnificent  scenery  of  this  wild  defile.  We  saw  several  of  these  spurs 
built  alony;  the  edges  of  steep  precipices,  rising  from  peak  to  peak  "  built 
in  most  useless  situations  as  neither  horsemen  nor  foot  soldiers  on  the  march 
could  possibly  manage  to  get  over  the  precipices  they  guard.     The  wall 


i 

I 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  507 

appears  to  be  about  thirty-two  feet  in  height  at  the  level  parts,  decreasing 
to  ten  or  twelve  feet  when  fronting  a  precipice.  The  further  entrance  to 
the  pass  is  composed  of  lower  cherty  limestone  strata  which  form  the  east- 
ern declivity  of  these  mountains  and  dip  towards  the  plain  of  Peking; 
this  continues  till  we  come  to  this  great  arch  outlying  a  spur  of  the  great 
wall.  "  Here  it  is  succeeded  by  the  axial  granite  which  continues  to  the 
end  of  the  pass  at  Shatow.  The  rise  from  Nankow  is  very  gradual,  the 
whole  length  of  the  pass  being  about  fifteen  miles,  at  that  point  we  emerge 
upon  a  large  alluvial  plain  which  is  about  1,500  feet  above  the  level  of 
Peking."  We  could  find  no  date  on  the  mysterious  great  arch  as  many 
of  the  characters  were  obliterated  by  age,  and  about  dusk  we  returned  to 
the  inn  quite  tired.  Our  bedding  was  again  spread  on  our  stone  dais  in 
close  proximity  to  the  restless,  neighing  donkeys  and  fractious  mules. 
We  were  soon  regaled  with  the  "  smoking  draughts  of  the  fragrant  herb  " 
and  viands  served  up  by  the  invaluable  chef  de  cuisine^  while  a  host  of 
men,  women  and  children  peered  curiously  through  the  broken  panes. 
They  were  very  peaceable  and  amused  as  between  their  smoking  and  chat- 
tering we  finally  distributed  Chinese  books  and  the  Lord's  Prayer,  happy 
in  being  privileged  to  speak  a  few  words  for  Jesus  and  sow  the  "  mustard 
seed  "  even  in  that  sterile  soil.  Presently  the  landlord  at  the  suggestion 
of  the  "  Boy"  dispersed  the  loiterers  by  mildness  and  suavity;  thus  we 
found  that  the  old  adage  "  civility  begets  civility "  was  true  there  as 
elsewhere,  and  soon  we  were  enjoying  sweet  slumbers.  There  is  no  doubt 
but  that  crowd  were  well  posted  as  to  the  late  events  at  Tientsin;  our 
servant  was  also  questioned  as  to  our  intentions  regarding  this  excursion, 
but  I  did  not  observe  one  dark  look  or  hostile  action,  neither  did  I  feel 
particularly  timid.  The  following  morning,  mounted  on  mules  with  an 
extra  guide,  we  took  an  early  start  for  the  '.'  Shin-san-ling  "  or  thirteen 
tombs  of  the  Ming  Emperors,  situated  about  ten  miles  from  the  walls  of 
Peking.  These  thirteen  gigantic  tombs,  surrounded  by  ever-greens,  form 
a  semi-circle  at  the  feet  of  an  amphitheater  of  high  mountains  by  which 
the  long  sandy  valley  is  encircled.  Our  road  lay  through  a  very  pleasant 
country  but  over  rough  ground.  "Each  tomb  is.  a  temple  of  vast  size,  built 
of  red  and  white  marble  or  porphyry.  The  largest  and  most  celebrated  of 
the  sepulchral  monuments  is  that  of  Tsu-wen.  The  shrine  is  in  the 
centre  of  an  immense  hall  two  hundred  and  twenty  feet  long,  and  ninety- 
three  feet  broad,  supported  by  thirty-two  teak-wood  pillars,  nine  centuries 
old  (exclusive  of  those  in  the  walls).  Each  pillar  is  nearly  twelve  feet  in 
circumference  and  the  centre  ones  are  about  sixty  feet  high  to  the  ceiling 
which  is  in  good  preservation. 

"  A  second  building  containing  the  coffin  of  the  deceased  Emperor  stands 
behind  the  great  hall ;  it  is  built  on  an  immense  brick  mound  pierced  by 
a  long  slanting  tunnel  which  has  a  most  remarkable  echo  and  is  moreover 
a  '  whispering  gallery.'  "  After  an  inspection  of  the  hall,  courts  of  various 
dimensions,  three-storied  pagoda  and  altars,  we  went  up  an  inclined  plane 
to  the  second  story  of  the  splendid  mausoleum  and  sitting  down  on  the 
upper  open  portico  enjoyed  our  tiffin  under  the  shade  of  ancient  trees. 

"  Thus  in  solitary  and  solemn  magnificence  the  thirteen  emperors  of  the 
'  bright '  Ming  dynasty  sleep  in  their  grand  palaces  of  death."  These 
tombs  were  repaired  by  Chien  Lung,  and  an  inscription  near  the  entrance 
states  the  fact ;  they  are  well  worth  a  visit.  The  white  marble  gateway, 
of  five  divisions  with  its  many  squares  of  elaborately  carved  flowers,  was 
an  imposing  entrance  to   the  long,  broad   avenue   two-thirds  of  a  mile  in 


508  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

length  formed  with  white  marble  columns.  There  are  two  lines  of  sculp- 
tured figures  of  colossal  size  cut  from  a  whitish  blue  marble  about  fifty 
yards  distance  from  each  other;  near  the  opening  were  gigantic  statues  of 
twelve  emperors  three  times  the  size  of  life  in  full  oriental  robes  wearing 
helmet  and  cuirass ;  six  being  arranged  standing  on  either  side  of  the 
avenue  vis-a-vis  to  each  other ;  then  two  pairs  of  huge  horses,  one  pair 
frisky  the  other  pair  half  erect;  two  pairs  of  bulky,  elephants  more  than 
twelve  feet  high  and  seven  feet  broad,  upright  and  recumbent;  two  pairs 
of  immense  camels  standing  and  resting ;  four  majestic  lions,  one  pair 
proudly  erect  and  the  other  pair  sleeping;  bufifalos ;  mules;  and  rhi- 
noceros or  the  one  horned  unicorn  ;  each  kind  of  animal  in  two  pairs  erect 
or  sitting  on  either  side  of  the  spacious  road  with  handsome  arches  at  the 
end  of  it.  From  the  entrance  gate  of  the  valley  to  the  tomb  of  the  first 
emperor  is  a  distance  of  about  three  miles  and  there  are  three  detached 
gateways. 

Returning  to  Nankow  by  a  diiferent  route  from  that  taken  in  the  morn- 
ing, our  landlord  informed  us  that  Rev.  John  T.  Gulick  and  his  wife  with 
their  little  Chinese  girl  —  whom  we  left  in  Peking  —  had  rested  at  the 
inn  for  two  or  three  hours  and  then  proceeded  on  their  way  to  resume 
work  in  Kalgan,  their  mission  station.  It  was  quite  a  disappointment 
that  we  should  have  missed  seeing  each  other. 

The  following  morning  before  break  of  day  we  were  fully  equipped  for 
the  serious  work  to  go  through  this  defile  which  the  waters  of  many  ages 
have  cut  through  high  granite  mountains.  It  is  quite  "  surrounded  with 
a  continuous  line  of  fortifications  in  all  directions,  but  now  going  to  decay, 
which  climbs  from  peak  to  peak  till  it  traverses  the  whole  length  of  the 
range,  through  a  circuit  of  thousands  of  miles  for  protection  against  the 
Tartars.  We  well  knew  it  would  be  impossible  to  make  a  rapid  transit, 
and  wishing  to  see  the  country  had  declined  the  easy  mule-litter  as  being 
too  much  closed  up  for  my  present  purpose.  A  side-saddle  here  would 
have  been  very  unsafe,  for  it  required  a  strong  grip  to  maintain  your  seat 
even  when  riding  astride.  Our  mules  were  very  sure-footed,  and  selected 
their  own  path  between  huge  boulders,  and  through  mountain  streams, 
leaping  over  rocky  beds  with  an  easy  motion  while  the  tinkling  of  their 
bells  gave  a  pleasant  sound.  The  scenery  is  very  magnificent  to  look  at 
but  the  road  is  entirely  impracticable  for  any  wheeled  vehicle.  Carts  are 
passed  over  by  having  their  wheels  taken  ofi",  and  being  then  slung  between 
two  mules."  We  again  paused  to  have  aflother  look  at  the  triumphal  arch 
and  wondered  about  the  inscription  in  an  ancient  alphabetic  character  now 
entirely  lost;  but  we  left  this  behind  and  soon  passed  several  spurs  of  the 
inner  wall  as  we  progressed  over  the  rocky  pass. 

My  trusty  servant's  mule,  after  scrambling  over  the  scraggy  pointed 
rocks,  fell  on  the  slippery  stones  sending  the  rider  over  his  head,  which 
was  the  only  mishap.  We  met  several  times  a  company  of  well  laden 
camels,  with  produce  from  Russia  via  the  Desert  of  Kobi,  pacing  steadily 
and  softly  along  each  one  was  "the  ship  of  the  desert."  Then  came  droves  of 
shaggy  sheep,  unnumbered  mules  or  donkeys  with  panniers  filled  with 
various  kinds  of  productions,  and  quite  a  number  of  peculiar  looking 
black  hogs.  The  grand  and  sublime  scenery  was  a  constant  changing 
panorama  in  our  onward  route  on  the  ascent.  The  wild  flowers  in  cre- 
vices of  rocks  and  sides  of  the  mountain  pass  were  in  great  numbers  and 
very  beautiful ;  in  our  mammoth  bouquet  was  a  commingling  of  many 
varieties  and  colors,  some  of  which  would  have  proved  choice  gems  for  a 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  509 

home  conservatory.  The  rarefied  condition  of  the  atmosphere  was  indeed 
refreshing,  and  we  inhaled  the  pure  mountain  air,  as  our  patient  animals 
were  slowly  climbing  the  rocky  height,  with  eye  ever  wandering  to  that 
splendid  gigantic  wall  "  separating  China  from  Tartary,  to  prevent  the 
incursions  of  the  Tartars."  It  is  one  of  the  stupendous  artificial  curiosi- 
ties of  China.  "  The  beginning  of  this  wall  is  a  large  bulwark  of  stone 
raised  in  the  sea,  in  the  province  of  Petcheli,  to  the  east  of  Peking."  In 
many  places  it  is  carried  over  the  tops  of  the  highest  and  most  rugged 
rocks ;  "  it  seems  incomprehensible  to  understand  how  bricks  and  stones 
could  be  taken  to  such  places  reaching  to  the  sky  as  it  crosses  the  lofty 
mountain  ridges  and  up  their  crests,  and  is  indeed  an  extraordinary  achiev- 
ment  of  human  skill.  The  avei'age  height  is  about  thirty  feet  with  a 
crenate  parapet  on  the  top;  the  breadth  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  feet, 
paved  wide  enough  for  six  hosemen  to  travel  abreast  with  ease.  At  dif- 
ferent intervals  are  brick  towers  forty  feet  high,  and  forty  feet  square  at 
the  bi^se,  dimiflishing  to  thirty  at  the  top,  not  built  upon  the  wall  but 
independent  structures  ;  some  are  two  stories  and  fifty  feet  high.  The 
GfTcuit  Wall  was  begun  by  the  first  Emperor  of  China  about  B.  C.  220  and 
completed  in  ten  years,  is  upwards  of  3000  miles  in  length.  Every 
sixth  man  was  obliged  to  engage  in  its  erection  or  send  a  substitute. 
This  wall  is  composed  of  a  mound  of  earth  and  pebbles  faced  with  masonry 
supported  on  a  coping  of  stone.  Away  from  the  neighborhood  of  the 
passes,  the  proper  Great  Wall  is  simply  a  huge  rubble  fence  about  sixteen 
feet  high  by  twelve  feet  in  width  at  the  bottom,  sloping  up  to  two  or  three 
feet  at  the  top.  The  wall  could  keep  black  cattle  out  of  China  indifi'er- 
ently  well,  but  it  never  could  keep  and  never  has  kept  the  Tartars 
out.  Nevertheless  the  wall  is  venerable,  even  in  its  dilapidated  state,  stand- 
ing alone  on  its  stern  granite  hills,  gray  with  the  hoar  of  twenty  centuries. 
Its  age  touches  our  sympathies,  and  blinds  our  eyes  to  its  esential  pal- 
triness and  inutility,  yet  it  is  but  little  decayed  for  such  a  long  period." 

On  the  top  of  a  mountain,  standing  at  the  gate  of  a  small  building  was 
a  little  Chinese  girl  whom  Emma  immediately  recognized  as  the  protegee 
of  Mrs.  Grulick.  The  cheerful  voice  of  Rev.  Mr.  Gulick  responded  to  our 
call ;  he  soon  dismounted  the  weary  travelers  and  the  meeting  was  a 
mutual  surprise  and  pleasure  to  all  parties.  Mrs.  Gulick  was  not  well  and 
had  decided  to  stay  till  the  following  day  in  the  odd  but  quiet  hut.  After 
tiflin  we  parted  from  our  kind  entertainers  and  continued  our  route 
greatly  exhilarated  by  the  singular  encounter  on  the  rocky  and  desolate 
looking  mountain  peak.  It  was  an  event  second  only  to  the  refreshing  sound 
of"  Ship  ahoy  !  "  when  two  steamers  meet  on  the  broad  Pacific,  and  was  a 
particularlj/  bright  oasis  to  be  remembered  with  pleasure.  At  last  we 
came  to  the  great  arched  double  gateway,  gloomy  looking  "through  which 
passes  the  traffic  constantly  going  on  with  Russia,  and  a  large  part  of  that 
with  Mongolia  and  Manchuria." 

Dismounting  from  our  animals  we  climbed  up  over  broken  stones  and 
fragments  of  rock,  till  finally,  despite  all  danger,  the  "  end  achieved  "  was 
to  me  a  sincere  gratification.  We  walked  on  top  of  the  Great  Wall,  from 
one  tower  to  another,  plucking  the  little  daisy  which  grew  on  the  rampart, 
and  collecting  specimens  of  wall-brick  to  carry  away  among  our  curios. 
We  stood  and  looked  upon  Mongolia  utterly  isolated,  then  seated  ourselves 
and  enjoyed  our  lunch  with  much  gusto,  on  top  of  the  Great  Wall  of 
China.  This  finished,  we  proceeded  through  the  gate  into  Mongolia,  to 
add  more  trophies  to  our  collection.     "  There  are  numerous  coal  mines  be- 


510  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

yond  the  iilner  Great  Wall,  the  coal  is  of  a  very  fair  quality,  but  the  mining 
operations  are  conducted  very  sluggishly  and  unscientifically."  On  our 
return  over  the  plain  towards  Peking,  we  encountered  one  of  those  fearful 
dust  storms,  the  "  sand  penetrated  into  our  hair,  eyes  and  mouth.  These 
sand  storms  are  most  violent  in  March  and  April,  the  dust  pervades  every 
thing.  The  natives  retire  before  it  as  before  a  storm  of  rain.  Cases  of 
death  of  persons  overtaken  in  the  open  sandy  plain  by  dust  storms  are  not 
infrequent.  Vast  mounds  of  sand  are  piled  up  against  the  city  wall  on 
the  outside,  whose  tops  are  only  some  twenty  feet  below  the  wall."  "  At 
the  entrance  gate  of  the  Yuen  Ming  Yuen  park,  six  miles  from  the  city, 
were  two  magnificent  bronze  lions,  perfectly  polished,  but  beyond  that  all 
had  been  successfully  shorn  of  its  grandeur.  The  far-famed  Summer 
Palace  of  the  emperor  is  now  a  heap  of  ruins,  but  enough  is  left  to  show 
what  must  have  been  the  magnificence  of  those  now  desolate  halls.  Over 
the  large  extent  of  ground,  about  twelve  square  miles,  were  a  succession 
of  palaces,  the  various  imperial  residences  with  yellow  tiled  roofs  ;  temples 
and  pagodas  on  artificial  hills,  some  of  them  three  hundred  or  four  hun- 
dred feet  in  height  ;  its  noble  park  full  of  artificial  lakes,  canals,  an  ele- 
gant bridge  and  fairy-like  summer  houses,  with  its  marble  halls  and 
terraces  magnificent  even  in  their  ruin,  its  gorgeous  furniture,  elaborate 
carvings,  all  had  been  totally  destroyed,  and  the  palace  burned,  as  being 
the  spot  where  the  cruelties  to  the  prisoners  first  commenced.  This  retal- 
iatory measure  was  taken  in  October,  1860,  by  the  French  and  English 
"  to  avenge  the  death  by  torture  of  so  many  British  officers  and  soldiers 
captured  by  the  Manchus,  in  the  Peking  campaign."  "  These  prisoners 
were  captured  at  the  ambuscade,  laid  for  Lord  Elgin  and  all  his  stafi". 
Mr.  Harry  Parkes,  Mr.  Bowlby,  the  y<'me.s  correspondent,  Mr.  Loch,  Lord 
Elgin's  private  secretary,  Capt.  Brabazon  of  the  Royal  Artillery,  Sikhs 
and  others  were  all  treated  with  the  utmost  barbarity.  They  were  taken 
tightly  bound  hand  and  foot,  from  village  to  village;  in  some  cases  put 
through  the  ceremony  of  mock  decapitation  for  the  amusement  of  the 
assembled  crowds.  Were  made  to  kneel  before  every  Mandarin,  however 
petty,  their  faces  rubbed  in  the  dust  and  beaten.  Capt.  Brabazon  and 
Mr.  Bowlby  were  beheaded  and  the  rest  placed  in  a  dungeon.  ^  Messrs. 
Parkes  and  Loch,  were  given  up  after  a  few  days  of  cruel  treatment,  and 
restored  to  their  friends,  the  Mandarins  in  the  city  being  induced  thereto 
by  a  threat  of  sack  and  pillage  of  the  city  and  palace  of  Peking,  after  which 
the  palace  of  Yuen-ming-Yuen  was  destroyed. 

When  in  Canton  I  saw  many  valuable  articles,  and  antique  curios  in 
possession  of  both  officers  and  soldiers  after  their  return  from  the  north  ; 
it  is  reported  that  they  pillaged  valuables  to  the  amount  of  ten  millions 
of  dollars.  I  heard  them  recount  with  evident  satisfaction,  that  when 
they  had  secured  all  the  trophies  that  were  desired,  the  men  were  allowed 
to  go  around  smashing  mirrors,  windows,  breaking  up  furniture  and  doing 
all  the  mischief  they  possibly  could  to  avenge  their  comrades.  The  British 
and  French  had  fought  their  way  to  the  capital,  but  valuable  lives  were 
lost  and  this  beautiful  palace  sacked  ;  but  the  Plenipotentiaries  could  not 
gain  admission  to  the  presence  of  the  "  Supreme  Sovereign  of  the  Earth" 
without  the  indispensable  homage  of  "  Ko-tow."  [Since  that  time  "  the 
youthful  Emperor  of  China  actually  consented,  in  the  summer  of  1873, 
to  receive  the  Foreign  Ministers  at  a  special  audience,  without  exacting 
the  performance  of  the  usual  ceremony  of  '  Ko-tow.'  This  is  really  much 
more  surprising  than  the  late  reception  by  the  Tycoon  and  his  bride  of 


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Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  513 

the  wives  of  the  American  and  Russian  Ambassadors.  The  formal  waiving 
of  '  Ko-tow'  is  an  act  of  great  importance."]  In  the  cemetery  at  Peking 
"a  small  plain  monument"  tells  the  tale.  "  Sacred  to  the  memory''  of 
Captain  Brabazon,  Lieutenant  Anderson,  and  eleven  others,  who,  with  a 
number  of  soldiers,  were  treacherously  taken  prisoners  by  the  Chinese 
while  under  the  protection  of  a  flag  of  truce,  on  the  18th  day  of  September, 
1860.  "  These  subsequently  sank  under  the  cruel  tortures  to  which  they 
were  subjected  by  the  native  authorities  into  whose  hands  they  fell.  In 
front  of  the  monument  are  five  small  mounds,  which  indicate  the  graves 
of  those  whose  bodies  were  recovered  after  the  surrender  of  Peking  to  the 
allied  English  and  French  forces."  The  thorough  demolition  efi"ected  by 
the  troops  impresses  you  painfully  as  you  witness  this  gigantic  memorial 
of  Chinese  perfidy.  It  will  require  the  work  of  a  lifetime  to  restore  this 
once  magnificent  palace  to  its  former  grandeur.  "  The  Coup  d'oeil  however, 
from  the  top  of  the  hill  is  perhaps  as  beautiful  as  ever,  and  is  well  worth 
the  toil  of  the  ascent.  The  road  from  Yuen  Ming  Yuen  is  very  pleasant, 
but  the  whole  neighborhood  teems  with  the  ruins  of  what  formerly  were 
temples,  palaces,  and  villages.  Nothing  has  been  done  towards  rebuilding, 
and  all  stand  as  melancholy  examples  of  the  devastating  influence  of  war." 
We  passed  over  solid  slabs  of  granite,  each  slab  fully  ten  feet  long  with 
which  the  highway  is  paved  to  Peking.  The  impressions  received  through- 
out this  entire  trip  have  been  decidedly  pleasing,  and  I  am  thankful  for 
the  courage  that  would  not  allow  me  to  shrink  from  the  undertaking, 
which  has  resulted  so  successfully  in  the  prosecution  of  a  desirable  wish 
to  visit  the  various  places  of  interest,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  capital. 
I  can  now  modestly  tell  the  story  of  my  heroic  endeavors  for  out-of-door 
delights  without  troubling  others.  It  is  needless  to  say  how  warmly  my 
safe  return  was  welcomed  as  a  triumphal  arch  was  almost  reared  for  me 
to  pass  under. 

The  "  Peking  Home  "  was  with  Grod's  blessing  now  firmly  established 
on  as  good  a  basis  as  any  other  society  in  the  capital  and  recognized  by 
them  as  their  compeer.  All  mission  work  in  these  localities  was  for  the 
present  interrupted  as  there  seemed  no  prospect  of  a  temporary  cessation 
of  hostilities;  and  having  dissolved  my  connection  with  the  "  Woman's 
Union  Missionary  Society,"  I  decided  to  return  to  the  south  of  China. 
I  desired  no  disruption  of  friendly  relations,  it  was  therefore  fully  my 
intention  to  have  remained  at  my  post  as  guard  to  the  premises,  till  the 
arrival  of  the  yoiing  ladies  to  take  possession  of  the  "  Home,"  but  some 
new  phases  were  developed  that  could  not  be  ignored.  It  is  a  good  rule 
never  to  say  anything  which  afterward  we  may  wish  unsaid  ;  therefore 
having  in  my  hand-  the  sacred  calumet  of  peace  I  forbear  making  strict- 
ures, and  without  controversy  or  chronic  exasperation  yield  the  necessary 
deference  to  suitable  authority  and  arbitrary  decisions,  because  there  is 
far  more  true  dignity  in  forbearance  than  in  defiance.  The  heart,  how- 
ever, has  a  secret  treasury  and  the  latent  joy  garnered  there  is,  that  in 
all  things  I  have  struggled  successfully  and  faithfully,  conscientiously  as 
in  God's  immediate  presence ;  truly  endeavored  to  discharge  my  duty  to 
the  society  and  advance  their  best  interests  in  every  possible  way.  My 
sympathy  and  interest  in  the  "  Peking  Home  "  has  not  abated  in  its  in- 
tensity, the  current  of  kind  feeling  will  ever  flow  to  the  good  cause  in 
which  I  so  cheerfully  enlisted,  and  I  sincerely  trust  God's  richest  blessing* 
may  ever  follow  the  eff"orts  made  to  advance  his  cause  in  this  "  Home" 
making  them  eminently  successful  in  winning  souls  to  Jesus. 

II]  65 


514  LEaACY  OF  Historical  Gleanings. 

Last  Saturday,  July  23,  I  gave  over  all  the  keys  to  the  lady  delei^ated 
to  receive  them;  then  went  the  round  with  Inventory  of  Ilovie,  and 
"  list  of  my  outfit"  in  hand  to  count,  and  gave  them  over  in  her  charge. 
]5esides  the  "  outfit,"  among  my  own  private  eflFects  which  I  voluntarily 
left  for  the  "  Home  "  were  Grover  and  Baker's  sewing  machine,  melodeoa 
and  stool,  and  camphor-wood  bureau.  From  recent  letters  we  find  that 
Shanghai  friends  think  it  very  unwise  for  the  ladies  lately  arrived  from 
America,  to  come  north  during  the  present  disturbances  and  probably 
they  now  would  remain  all  winter  in  Shanghai.  For  greater  protection 
the  remaining  lady  member  was  to  reside  at  the  mission  premises  of  the 
American  board,  closing  up  the  "  Home  "  till  re-inforced  by  the  arrival 
of  the  others  with  safer  times.  The  society  had  sent  the  re-enforcement, 
but  on  account  of  troublous  times  it  would  not  be  in  Peking  for  months. 
Measureless  mischief  might  be  the  result  at  any  attempt,  of  "  efi"ort  how- 
ever slight  and  unsatisfactory,"  to  persist  in  teaching,  for  prudence 
required  us  to  desist,  and  with  this  enforced  inaction  there  was  now  really 
nothing  to  detain  me  at  the  "  Peking  Home."  "  The  thread,  from  the 
spools  and  flosses  of  sorrows,  burdens,  disappointments  and  chagrins,  was 
spun  and  had  been  woven  into  the  very  fabric  of  my  life,"  yet  the  texture 
formed  by  the  intermixture  of  these  threads  was  firm,  therefore  with  nerve 
and  stout-heartedness  I  had  almost  definitively  decided  to  have  proceeded 
in  an  adventurous  march  from  Asia  to  Europe  via  the  Siberian  overland 
route.  We  are  not  inclined  to  cast  our  eyes  upon  the  dark  side  of  a  pic- 
ture and  keep  them  there,  but  "  looking  at  the  diff'erent  phases  of  expe- 
rience "  we  see  the  bright  light  that  shines  beyond  all,  and  can  face  the 
storms.  By  mule-litters  we  should  have  gone  to  Kalgan  to  remain  a  short 
time  with  friends  of  the  American  board  at  this  place.  My  revered 
friend  Rev.  J.  T.  Gulick,  for  the  long  journey,  had  provided  me  with  a 
very  trusty  escort  in  the  person  of  his  native  helper,  who  would  accom- 
pany Emma  and  myself  across  the  plains  of  Mongolia  and  desert  of  Gobi 
to  Kiachta  in  carts  drawn  by  camels.  A  letter  recently  received  from 
Captain  Grant,  an  English  resident  in  the  "  hospitable  east,"  invites 
me  to  remain  some  weeks  in  Kiachta  with  Mrs.  Grant  and  himself,  after 
which  he  will  find  me  proper  protection  to  Nijni  Novgorod  and  thence  by 
rail-road  to  Moscow  and  St.  Petersburg. 

We  had  promised  ourselves  much  pleasure  in  traversing  this  unfre- 
quented route  of  countless  leagues,  but  earth  is  full  of  disappointments, 
there  were  new  complications  in  an  unexpected  quarter.  The  Mahome- 
dans  and  Chinese  have  assumed  belligerent  positions  towards  each  other 
and  from  their  predatory  invasions  making  it  extremely  hazardous  for 
travelers  by  that  route,  and  subsequent  events  altered  my  plan  from  this 
cherished  purpose.  The  propitious  season  in  which  to  leave  Peking  for 
this  northern  journey  is  as  early  as  the  month  of  May.  the  time  for  richest 
verdure.  Then  the  sand  hills  are  covered,  for  a  wide  circuit  with  a  luxu- 
riant flora  of  gorgeous  colors,  and  the  landscapes  are  embellished  with 
enchanting  beauty  ;  then  too  you  avoid  the  intense  cold  of  Siberia  and 
dangerous  traveling  at  this  late  season  of  the  year.  The  American 
Minister,  Mr.  Low,  and  Dr.  Williams  considered  it  "  perfectly  safe  "  for 
me  to  go  South  ;  all  necessary  arrangements  were  completed  for  an  early 
start  on  the  following  morning,  when  much  to  my  chagrin  I  received  a 
note  from  R.  Conolly,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  English  Legation,  regarding 
this  ideal  tranquility  —  that  Mr.  Wade  the  acting  British  Minister  had 
information  which  called  him  immediately  to  Tientsin,  that  he  considered 


Lega,cy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  515 

it  very  unsafe  for  me  to  proceed  thither  at  present,  and  "  in  the  absence 
of  the  United  States  Minister  at  the  Hills"  he  directed  me  to  remain  in 
Peking  till  I  heard  further  from  him,  and  ended  with  the  intelligence  that  my 
conveyance  had  been  countermanded  !  I  regretted  exceedingly  to  trespass 
any  longer  on  the  aggressor's  premises,  but  there  was  simply  nothing  for 
me  to  do  but  obey  the  mandate  received  from  the  Legation.  There  are 
many  rumors  afloat  of  new  troubles  and  further  outrages,  but  while  we 
all  feel  a  little  shaky,  it  is  beautiful  to  see  the  trust  and  composure  of  the 
missionaries,  who  go  on  preaching  in  their  chapels  as  though  there  was  no 
danger.  Only  yesterday  one  of  the  native  preachers  was  often  interrupted 
during  service,  and  a  man  in  the  crowd  with  hostile  intent  said  the 
preacher's  head  was  not  safe  on  his  shoulders,  as  they  meant  to  exterminate 
all  foreigners.  On  the  27th  our  next  neighbor  Rev.  J.  S.  Burden,  came 
in  to  tell  me  he  has  opened  a  private  door  that  we  may  get  to  his  house 
without  going  into  the  street.  The  Belgium  minister  resides  next  to  Mr. 
Burdon,  he  is  wide  awake  and  well  posted  in  passing  events ;  in  case  of 
necessity  he  will  inform  in  time,  and  then  we  are  to  make  a  precipitate 
flight  taking  refuge  at  the  English  Legation  near  by.  The  general  im- 
pression is  that  in  case  of  further  trouble,  foreigners  will  either  be  held 
as  hostages,  or  else  will  be  sent  under  a  Chinese  escort  to  Tientsin.  The 
gentlemen  say,  in  that  case  a  "  bee-line  out  of  Peking"  will  be  formed 
and  a  halt  made  outside  the  city  walls  till  they  are  sure  every  foreign 
man,  woman  and  child  are  among  the  number.  My  servants  are  all  faith- 
ful, but  they  will  share  our  fate  if  there  is  a  rising  in  the  capital.  You 
must  not  feel  troubled  about  us.  Grod  has  our  lives  in  his  keeping  and 
we  are  safe  if  He  sees  best.  At  the  expiration  of  a  week  a  note  from  Mr. 
Conolly  gave  the  desired  information  that  all  was  quiet  at  Tientsin  and  I 
might  proceed  on  my  journey  without  any  further  delay.  I  left  Peking 
on  Tuesday  August  2,  1870,  with  Emma  in  a  "  mule-litter,  "  which  is  a 
kind  of  covered  sedan-chair  about  five  feet  long  carried  by  two  mules  ; 
one  is  harnessed  before  the  litter  between  bamboo  shafts,  and  the  other 
behind.  Two  of  my  faithful  men  servants  accompanied  us.  The  motion 
of  our  vehicle  was  not  unpleasant  though  the  progress  made  was  not  more 
than  three  miles  an  hour.  We  met  a  large  number  of  Chinese  troops 
dribbling  along  the  road,  also  many  heavy  packages  from  the  Arsenal  for 
the  capital.  At  ^Tung-Chow  we  embarked  on  board  a  native  boat,  sur- 
rounded of  course  by  a  crowd  but  met  with  no  impediments,  and  in  pass- 
ing villages  the  servants  were  very  careful  to  keep  the  foreign  lady  entirely 
out  of  sight.  At  the  notable  "  bridge  of  boats  "  they  refused  to  let  us 
pass,  and  we  were  detained  more  than  two  long,  anxious,  weary  hours. 
Sad  recollections  obtruded  as  the  dense  crowd  packed  closely  around,  ask- 
ing many  questions  in  a  loud  and  violent  manner  regarding  the  occupants 
of  the  boat.  The  captain,  however,  was  friendly  and  favored  me  all  in  his 
power;  the  evident  anxiety  of  the  two  men-servants  as  they  firmly  stood 
outside  the  slight  barrier  —  a  thick  curtain  which  they  had  closely  drawn 
across  the  opening  —  conspired  to  make  me  feel  how  insecure  was  my  posi- 
tion. During  the  entire  route  these  servants  had  faithfully  followed  the 
instructions  given  them  at  Peking  by  Rev.  Dr.  W.  A.  P.  Martin,  Rev.  J. 
S.  Burdon  and  others.  As  .1  sat  on  that  dais  in  the  dark  cabin,  with 
Emma  on  my  lap,  close  to  the  boarded  window,  our  situation  was  both 
painful  and  dangerous ;  but  I  felt  safe  under  the  protecting  care  of  an 
ever  present  Heavenly  Father.  Between  the  cracks  I  could  see  those 
blood-thirsty,  ferocious  men  in  theirblind  credulity  close  to  the  boards  and 


516  Legacy  of  Historical  GLEA*riNGS. 

once  or  twice  my  heart  beat  very  quickly.  How  they  settled  matters  I 
scarcely  knew  for  there  were  many  searching  enquiries,  but  after  much 
noisy  dispute  and  perverseness  which  I  feared  would  foment  trouble,  the 
bridge  began  slowly  to  open  and  I  drew  a  sigh  of  relief  as  one  of  my  men 
cautiously  drew  back  the  curtain  a  little  space  to  whisper  there  was  now 
no  fear.  Ah  !  what  a  sad  spectacle  was  presented  as  we  passed  close  by 
tfce  site  of  the  fearful  massacre  !  *"  The  walls  and  tower  of  the  Cathedral 
were  standing  as  also  the  Cross  at  the  apex  of  the  roof, "  but  only  a 
blackened  mass  of  broken  bricks  and  ruins  marked  the  Consulate  and  Con- 
vent. I  fervently  rejoiced  as  we  anchored  close  to  a  French  man-of  war, 
and  one  of  the  French  officers  sent  a  note  to  the  house  of  Messrs.  Russell 
&  Co.  Mr.  Charles  Gr.  Beebe  immediately  came  down  with  sedans  and 
soon  we  were  comfortably  housed  under  that  hospitable  roof  having  arrived 
safely  at  Tientsin  eighty  miles  south-east  of  Peking.  It  was  a  pleasant 
re-union  also  with  our  missionary  friends,  and  with  them  we  lived  over 
again  our  sorrow  as  they  related  anew  the  acts  in  the  terrible  drama  of 
June  21st. 

Funeral  of  the  Tientsin  Victims. 

August  6fh,  1870.  The  event  of  the  week  has  been  the  removal  of  the 
bodies  of  the  French  victims   in  the  late  massacre  to  their   final  resting- 
place,  within  the  grounds  of  the  site  of  the  former  old  French  Consulate 
in  the  city.     The  corpses  recovered  subsequently  to  the  terrible  21st  of 
June,  were  taken  charge  of  by  H.  B.  M.  Consul,  W.  H.  Lay,  Esqr.,  who 
saw  that  they  were  properly  coffined  and  buried  provisionally  in  the  ceme- 
tery at  Tsz-chu-lin.     Not  a  few  of  our  little  commuuity  would  have  been 
pleased  to  hear  that  they  were  not  to  be  again  disturbed.     Englishmen 
everywhere  would  have  felt  pride  in  learning  that  the  honored  bones  of 
these  martyred  victims  of  political  fanaticism  and  bigotry,  lay  side  by  side 
with  those  of  many  of  their  own  countrymen.     The  French  judged  it  best 
to  take  another  course.     It  seemed  fitting  that  the  scene  of  the  outrage  on 
their  national  honor  should  become, "in  some  sense  at  least,  memorable  as 
the  scene  of  its  vindication.     It  was  evident  that  the  sacred  duty  to  honor 
the  memory  of   the  faithful  dead  could  be  discharged  nowhere  so  im- 
pressively, as  upon  the  spot  where  some  of  them  fell,  and  it  was  plainly  a 
righteous,  however  severe  and  cutting  a  retribution,  to  require  that  the 
nation  which  had  slain  them  should  itself  prepare  their  sepulchres  and 
erect  over  their  remains  a  monument  which  should,  to  all  coming  time, 
proclaim  their  innocence  and  the  perfidious  cruelty  of  their  murderers. 
Still,  there  were  those  who  doubted  whether  the  time  had  come  for  such 
a  ceremonial.     In  accordance  with  native  custom,  the  burial  of  the  dead 
is  always  the  last  act  in  such  a  drama  as  that  which  is  now  being  enacted 
in  this  city.     The  judicial  investigation,  the  punishment  of  the  offenders, 
and  the  compensation  of  survivors,  ought  all  to  be  secured  before  the 
silent,  but  eloquent,  witnesses,  who  were  the  victims  of  the  crime,  are  con- 
signed to  the  darkness  of  the  tomb.     Otherwise  the  matter  is  considered 
to  be  at  an  end  :  justice  will  rarely  be  obtained  afterwards,  the  immunity 
which  attended  the  perpetrators  of  such  unexampled  outrages,  causes  the 
feeling  among  the  natives  that  such  violence  upon  Europeans  would  not 
meet  with  prompt  retribution,  and  were  calculated  to  invite  further  attacks 
of  the  anti-foreign  party  and   give  rise  to  much  uneasiness.     After  the 
murder  of  the  Rev.  James  Williamson  last  year,  it  was  found  to  be  im- 
possible to  yield  to  the  urgent  entreaties  of  the  native  Christians,  who 
knew  the  customs  of  their  country,  that  his  body  should  remain  unburied 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  617 

until  the  murderers  had  been  secured.  But  the  sequel  proved  that  they 
were  right,  for  to  this  day  his  murderers  are  at  large,  and  thus  the  lives 
of  foreigners  are  felt  to  be  of  little  value.  However  all  these  considera- 
tions had  been  weighed  by  His  Excellency  the  Count  Rochechouart  and 
his  advisers.  The  presence  of  H.  B.  M.  Charge  d' Affaires,  and  of  the 
English  and  French  Admirals,  appeared  to  render  the  present  opportunity 
to  have  a  grand  ceremony  a  suitable  one  for  the  performance  of  those  last 
sad  rites  in  which  they,  in  common  with  all  feeling  Christian  hearts,  must 
have  felt  an  overwhelming  interest.  Accordingly  on  Tuesday,  the  2d  Au- 
gust, the  mournful  preparations  began.  The  strong  coffins  previously  used, 
some  of  which  are  nine  feet  long  and  four  feet  broad  and  high,  were  en- 
cased in  boxes  of  still  greater  strength  and  thickness.  These  were  there- 
fore provided  by  the  native  authorities,  and  sent  down  to  the  foreign 
cemetery  at  Tsz-chu-lin.  The  task  of  disinterment,  the  enclosure  in  these 
huge  wooden  shells,  and  their  transportation  to  the  river  must  have  been 
one  of  no  ordinary  difficulty.  It  proceeded  all  through  the  night,  and 
the  noise  made  by  the  large  number  of  men  emploved  reminded  us  only 
too  vividly  of  the  howling  shouts,  which  but  a  few  short  weeks  since,  pro- 
claimed the  near  presence  of  a  blood  thirsty  mob.  As  they  successively 
reached  the  jetty  they  were  placed  upon  separate  lighters  and  sent  up  the 
river.  It  was  about  5  A.M.  when  in  company  with  other  residents  we 
found  our  way  to  the  bund.  It  had  been  arranged  that  the  French  gun- 
boat 'Aspic'  should  convey  the  Ministers  and  Naval  and  Consular  staffs, 
while  the  steamer '  Scorpion'  was  kindly  placed  at  the  disposal  of  foreigners 
generally.  Mr.  Wade,  the  English  Charge  d'Affaires,  however,  preferred 
to  ride.  As  we  passed  up  the  well  known  banks  of  the  river,  the  scene 
was  sufficiently  exciting.  As  usual,  at  this  season,  there  were  a  consider- 
able number  of  junks  at  anchor,  and  the  deck  of  each  was  covered  as  soon 
as  the  steamers  appeared,  with  groups  of  eager  gazers.  All  were  quiet 
enough,  for  of  course,  strict  orders  had  been  issued  by  the  mandarins  to 
prevent  disturbance,  and  it  would  have  been  madness  to  act  otherwise.  I 
did  not  hear  a  single  offensive  word,  but  there  was  no  mistaking  the  ex- 
pression of  many  a  face,  with  such  a  number  of  repulsive,  hate-speaking 
countenances,  and  it  would  be  hard  to  describe  the  sickened  feeling  with 
which  we  looked  upon  some,  of  whose  share  in  the  late  atrocities  there 
could  be  no  rational  doubt.  The  Hwen-hsing-tsz  were  there  in  great 
strength,  and  are  the  dread,  not  merely  of  foreigners,  but  of  their  more 
peaceable  neighbors. 

There  is  an  open  expanse  of  water  at  the  point  of  junction  of  the  Peiho 
and  the  Grand  canal.  The  two  streams  do  not  form  an  angle,  but  actually 
meet,  their  united  stream  then  flowing  at  right  angles  to  both  of  them 
towards  the  sea.  The  French  Consulate  and  Cathedral  occupied  a  com- 
manding position,  looking  straight  down  the  river.  Upon  the  memorable 
21st  of  June,  the  spectacle  from  this  point  must  have  been  fearfully  impres- 
sive. From  this,  the  centre  of  the  converging  lines,  the  banks  of  all  three 
streams  are  visible  for  a  considerable  distance,  and  they  were  then  crowded, 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  by  countless  thousands,  while  from  every  voice 
there  rose  the  cry  of  '  Kill.'  But  now,  as  we  neared  the  neat  stone  bund 
in  front  of  the  Consulate,  the  banks  were  all  but  deserted.  On  one  side, 
Chung-how's  foreign  drilled  troops  were  placed  as  guards,  at  intervals  of 
two  or  three  yards  apart.  On  the  other,  Tseng-k  wo -fan's  wild-looking 
spear-men,  most  of  them  probably  old  rebels,  did  similar  duty.  Here 
and  there  curious  spectators  were  seen  peering  over  a  wall,  or  round 


518  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

some  street  corner,  but  they  were  urged  back,  and  in  no  sense  could  it  be 
said  that  the  ceremonial  was  witnessed  by  the  people.  There  was  a  curious 
mins^ling  of  the  foreign  and  Chinese  formalities  usual  on  such  occasions. 
A  number  of  mat-sheds  were  ranged  upon  the  bund,  and  here,  separated 
one  from  the  other,  lay  the  coffins.  Each  was  covered  with  a  large,  plain 
black  pall,  to  which  a  white  cross  was  loosely  attached.  Close  by  the 
doorway  stood  a  native  hearse,  gorgeous  in  green  and  gold  embroidery ; 
while  scattered  over  the  ground  in  groups,  were  numbers  of  the  strange 
wild  men  and  boys  with  their  conical  scarlet  caps  always  seen  at  native 
funerals,  each  bearing  some  fantastic  gaudy  emblem.  The  vessels  were 
hardly  moored  before  Chung-how  and  his  brother  officials  appeared.  They 
had  probably  been  waiting  some  time.  Their  presence  was  not  demanded, 
but  they  had  been  invited  by  the  priests,  and  doubtless  thought  it  best 
to  put  in  an  appearance.  Their  plain  undress  contrasted  strongly  with 
the  brilliant  uniforms  of  the  foreign  officials,  and  were  the  subject  of  some 
adverse  comment;  but  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  no  Chinese  would 
wear  official  robes  at  such  a  time,  and  that  their  dress  was  therefore  in 
accordance  with  national  usage.  The  mandarins  mustered  in  force,  the 
only  one  of  rank  absent  was  Tseng-kwo-fau,  who  was  reported  to  be  sick. 

On  entering  the  Consular  garden,  the  arrangements  in  progress  for  carry- 
ing out  the  idea  of  a  memorial  were  easily  understood.  The  ground  had 
been  carefully  leveled,  and  prepared  for  its  new  use  by  laying  out  a  broad 
path  from  end  to  end.  On  either  side  of  this  path  were  the  graves,  large 
brick  vaults  thirteen  in  number,  over  which  it  is  intended  to  place  suitable 
stones,  while  at  the  further  end  stood  a  mat  pavilion,  to  be  replaced  here- 
after by  a  monument  in  the  clear  open  space  which  may  be  seen  in  all 
coming  time  and  which  shall  tell  to  future  ages  the  story  of  the  tragedy. 
It  was  said  that  the  general  plan  had  been  copied  from  the  Jesuits'  cemetery 
in  Peking  and  that  it  would  be  completed  in  a  similar  manner.  After  a 
few  minutes  delay,  during  which  several  of  the  bodies  were  deposited  in 
the  vaults  and  other  preliminaries  adjusted,  the  religious  portion  of  the 
ceremonial  began.  This  was  conducted  in  the  absence  of  the  Bishop  who 
is  now  at  Rome  by  M.  Thierry,  the  Vicar  Apostolic,  assisted  by  two  others 
and  attended  also  by  one  or  two  natives,  one  of  whom  carried  a  large 
silver  crucifix.  At  this  moment,  and  while  the  fathers  passed  from  grave 
to  grave,  incensing  each  in  turn  and  chanting  the  service  of  their  church, 
the  coup  iToeil  was  very  striking.  The  open  space  with  its  gaping  sepul- 
chres, the  glittering  uniforms  of  the  Consular  and  Naval  officers,  the  more 
sober  but  not  less  effective  robes  of  the  ecclesiastics,  the  little  group  of 
eager  and  sympathizing  foreigners  and  curiously  impassive  Chinese,  the 
singular  native  ornaments  in  the  background,  with  the  charred  ruins  of  the 
cathedral,  wall,  tower  and  cross,  towering  over  all,  made  up  a  scene,  which, 
aided  by  the  recollections  filling  the  minds  of  all  present,  will  never  be  for- 
gotten. 

The  graves  were  sprinkled  with  holy  water  and  incense  burned  over 
them.  The  religious  service  over,  feeling  addresses  were  delivered  by  the 
French  Minister  Compte  Rochechouart,  who  spoke  low,  with  deep  sorrowful 
tones;  the  vibratory  motion  of  which  touched  every  heart;  Admiral 
Dupre's  was  bold  and  war-like,  full  of  sad  regrets  with  a  leaning  towards 
retributive  justice  :  The  Bishop  M.  Thierry  discoursed  on  religion  ;  while 
Mr.  Wade,  English  Charge  d'  AflPaires,  who  spoke  with  deep  emotion, 
more  especially  addressed  his  own  countrymen.  The  addresses  produced 
a  profound  sensation  among  those  who  heard  them ;   but  the  unyielding 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  519 

Celestials  still  felt  "  that  Christianity  was  not  their  best  guide  and  help 
in  all  the  relations  of  life,  and  that  such  daring  innovators  ought  to  be 
promptly  resisted  and  put  down." 

Pathetic  remonstrance  avails  not  witli  this  irrepressible  people,  nothing 
but  the  strong  arm  of  power  keeps  them  from  outbreaks.  Soldiers  guarded 
both  banks  of  the  river  ;>nd  of  the  Grand  Canal,  which  were  crowded  with 
people.  Mow-chang-shi,  a  member  of  the  Great  Council  and  spokesman 
of  the  war,  or  anti  foreign,  party  is  in  Tientsin  for  the  purpose  of  assisting 
Tseng-kwo-fan  who  keeps  out  of  the  way.  Count  Rochechouart  stated, 
returning  from  the  funeral  in  the  steamer,  that  the  Central  government 
had  promised  the  heads  of  the  mandarins  he  had  asked  for,  and  he  thought 
the  matter  might  be  got  over  without  fighting,  though  it  would  be  wise  to 
be  prepared  for  any  emergency;  as  the  literati,  husbandmen,  tradesmen 
and  others  were  ever  ready  to  draw  the  sword  against  the  so  styled  common 
enemy. 

Count  RocJiechouai't' s  Address. 

Gentlemen, —  One  in  vain  searches  history  to  find  occurrences  so  execra-  ' 
ble,  as  those  of  which  this  city  was  the  scene  on  the  21st  June,  last. 
Seventeen  French  subjects,  twelve  of  them  ill-fated  women,  were  masa- 
cred  —  what  do  I  say  ?  were  cut  to  pieces,  by  a  fanatical  mob,  who  not 
content  to  kill  and  to  destroy,  wished,  if  possible,  to  add  to  the  enormity 
of  their  crime,  by  venting  their  fury  on  the  dead  bodies.  My  tongue 
refuses  to  recite  the  details  of  these  horrors,  but  I  cannot  pass  over  in 
silence  the  sublime  behavior  of  the  Sister  Elizabeth.  A  crowd,  vast, 
hideous,  bloody,  has  already  surrounded  the  Convent,  beats  in  the  gates, 
and  prepares  to  glut  its  hatred  j  then  does  that  saintly  woman  come 
forward  to  the  front  of  her  offices  : 

"You  wish  to  kill  the  Europeans,"  she  says;  "there  are  ten  of  us: 
my  companions  are  in  the  Chapel  ready  like  me  for  the  sacrifice;  come 
then,  but  spare  the  Chinese  who  surround  us." 

Thus  indeed  it  well  became  those  women  to  die,  whose  charity,  devo- 
tion and  piety  are  known  to  all.  Who  among  us,  gentlemen,  con- 
demned to  live  away  from  our  own  country,  far  from  the  domestic 
hearth,  has  not  been  glad  to  experience  in  times  of  sickness,  the  care  and 
the  consolations  of  these  holy  ladies  who  seem  to  know  only  the  sorrows 
of  others.  You  have  been  good  enough,  in  two  addresses,  to  express  to 
me  the  sympathy  with  which  these  noble  victims  have  inspired  you,  and 
to  pronounce  deserved  praises  on  the  courage  of  our  unfortunate  Consul, 
who  perhaps  might  have  been  able  to  save  his  life,  but  who  preferred  to 
die  in  the  place  where  his  duty  called  him.  Thanks,  gentlemen,  for  that 
sympathy;  thanks  also  for  that  claim  to  unity  with  us  which  you  make; 
in  China  foreigners  all  are  one  family. 

The  forwardness  of  the  Chinese  authorities  to  be  present  at  this  sad 
ceremony,  is  to  me  a  sure  guarantee  (at  least  I  wish  to  believe  it  so),  of 
the  good  faith  of  Prince  Kung.  When  His  Imperial  Highness  has  written 
me  "  the  guilty,  whatever  their  rank,  will  be  punished,"  it  is  impossible 
to  forget  these  words  after  they  have  been  written,  and  for  myself  in  spite 
of  sad  forebodings  I  wish  to  believe  them ;  for  the  interest  of  the 
Chinese  Government  which  would  not  wish  by  a  culpable  leniency,  to 
expose  itself  to  the  just  resentment  of  a  nation  like  France.  In  the 
presence  of  these  still  open  graves,  enclosing  the  friends,  the  colleagues 
of  yesterday,  full  of  the  future  and  of  health,  and  some  of  whom  had 
known  only  the  roses  of  life ;  I  feel  emotion  overpowering  me  and  sobs 


520  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

stifling  my  voice.  Farewell  then,  my  friends ;  you  have  given  us  good 
examples  to  follow  in  the  performance  of  our  duty.  May  we  be  able  like 
you  to  die  without  weakness,  surrounded  by  regrets  and  regards. 

Address  of  the  Admiral  of  the  Imperial  Navy. 

Gentlemen, —  Afflicting  as  may  be  the  sad  ceremony  which  has  brought 
us  together  around  these  coffins,  I  congratulate  myself  that  I  am  able  to 
be  present,  and  to  say  boldly  on  this  the  very  theatre  of  the  massacre, 
that  my  entire  sympathy  is  for  those  who  have  been  the  innocent  victims  of 
it ;  that  my  utter  horror  is  for  the  sanguinary  beasts  who  have  been  its 
instruments,  and  above  all,  for  the  wretches  who  have  been  its  cowardly 
instigators. 

These  sentiments  are  shared  by  my  brave  comrades,  the  sailors  of  Great 
Britain  and  of  the  American  Union,  whom  I  thank  for  their  kindness  in 
joining  us  in  this  demonstration  of  our  sad  regret;  of  our  intense  indig- 
nation. 

The  remains  of  these  unfortunate  victims  of  duty  and  of  charity,  still, 
gentlemen,  call  for  justice.  The  forwardness  of  the  Chinese  Goverment 
to  render  them  the  last  honors  should  make  us  hope  that,  yielding  to 
the  counsels  of  reason  and  of  justice,  it  will  make  haste  to  chastise  the 
principal  instigators  and  agents  of  this  unexampled  outrage,  and  to  give, 
by  its  firm  decision,  guarantees  which  have  become  indispensible  to 
all  the  foreign  communities  without  distinction. 

I  cannot  believe  that  it  will  be  so  ill-disposed  or  advised  as  to  refuse  to 
chastise  those  who,  before  God  and  man,  are  responsible  for  the  blood 
shed;  that  it  will  cast  itself  violently  back  from  the  paths  (of  progress) 
on  which  it  had  entered  ;  that  it  will  give  way  to  barbarism ;  that  it  will 
wantonly  summon  against  its  multitudinous  subjects  innocent  of  this  crime, 
foreign  arms  which  have  already  proved  so  fatal  to  it. 

But  I  can  assure  you  that  if,  which  God  forbid,  the  terrible  duty  of 
chastisement  is  imposed  on  us  by  France,  shuddering  at  the  sight  of  one 
of  her  Consuls  murdered,  of  her  priests  murdered,  of  her  holy  daughters, 
of  all  these  defenceless  women  cowardly  murdered,  we  shall  know,  my 
companions  and  I,  to  fulfill  it,  without  cruelty,  I  hope,  but  with  all  the 
energy,  and  with  all  the  severity  which  the  failure  to  punish  such  a  ghastly 
atrocity  would  demand. 

Address  of  M.  Thierry,  Apostolic  pro- Vicar,  Superior  of  the  Pekin  Mission. 

Gentlemen.-  In  the  adresses  which  you  have  just  heard,  the  kindness  of 
the  Charge  d'Aff'aires  and  of  the  Admiral  has  led  them  to  dwell  especially 
on  the  horrible  massacre  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity.  For  us.  Gentlemen, 
their  death  cannot  be  regarded  as  a  subject  of  sorrow.  They  and  our 
lamented  fellow-laborerers  have  reaped  in  heaven  what  they  had  sown  on 
earth ;  so  far  as  they  are  concerned,  their  death  is  gain.  Coming  to 
China  with  the  hope  of  the  martyr,  they  have  obtained  their  dearest 
wish,  to  give  their  life  for  Christ. 

Permit  us  rather  to  deplore  with  you  the  death  of  our  much  loved 
Consul,  M.  Fontanier,  defender  of  Missionaries,  protector  of  the  Christian 
religion,  he  has  died  nobly  at  his  post,  for  it  and  for  us.  Permit  us  also 
to  join  in  the  general  grief  in  regard  to  M.  Thomassin  ;  he  came  to  China 
for  the  same  object,  with  his  young  wife,  and  so  prematurely  elevated 
now  to  universal  afi"ectioa  and  esteem. 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  521 

It  is  these  and  the  other  Frenchmen  fallen  victims  to  the  impious 
hatred  of  the  Chinese  against  religion ;  it  is  these  gentlemen,  who  should 
be  mourned  over.  For  ours,  no  tears,  no  vengeance ;  the  Missionaries, 
servants  of  the  God  of  Peace ;  the  Sisters,  daughters  of  the  Charity  of 
Jesus  Christ,  can  do  nothing  but  pardon  their  enemies  and  pray  for  Grod's 
mercy  on  their  persecutors. 

Mr.  Wade's  Address. 

Mr.  Wade  said  that  he  spoke  only  in  answer  to  an  appeal.  It  was 
scarcely  necessary  to  assure  those  more  directly  interested  in  the  sad 
spectacle  at  which  they  were  assisting,  of  his  own  sympathy  and  that  of 
his  countrymen,  of  the  sincerity  of  their  compassion  for  the  fate  of  their 
fellow-Christians,  whom  they  were  met  to  honor  ;  in  particular  for  the 
fate  of  the  unfortunate  Sisters  of  Charity.  One  of  these  was  his  own 
country-woman.  He  had  seen  her  but  a  few  months  past  a.t  Peking,  en- 
gaged in  her  charitable  work.  It  was  indeed  fearful  to  think  that  women 
whose  lives  were  thus  devoted  to  the  best  of  good  works,  should  have 
fallen  victims  to  brutal  ignorance.  They  had  been  happily  reminded  by 
the  Abbe  Thierry  that  to  the  Sisters  at  least,  to  die  as  they  had  died  "  was 
gain."  It  was  Mr.  Wade's  humble  conviction  that  no  one  who  succumbed 
in  the  honest  discharge  of  duty  would  fail  to  gain  a  reward. 

Beyond  the  necessary  punishment  he  would  not  speak  of  vengeance. 
He  would  but  add,  what  he  believed  and  trusted,  as  he  could  not  doubt, 
every  Christian  present  wished,  that  out  of  this  great  calamity  great  good 
would  be  produced. 

"  It  seems  likely  that  Rochechouart's  visit  to  Tientsin  has  quickened 
Tseng-kwo-^n's  Report.  He  has  written  a  letter  to  Chung-How  express- 
ing in  the  strongest  manner  his  belief  that  the  Missionaries  were  innocent 
of  the  charges  laid  against  them,  and  that  the  Magistrates  were  guilty  in 
not  restraining  the  outbreak.  He  had  thoroughly  investigated  the  matter 
and  found  it  so.  In  effect  he  says  that  there  is  not  a  shadow  of  a  founda- 
tion for  the  stories  injurious  to  the  Catholics,  and  that  as  the  Chifu  and  the 
Chi-hsien  (Chang-Kwang-Tsa  and  Liu-Chieh)  did  not  show  proper  dili- 
gence in  repressing  the  disturbance,  they  should  be  stripped  of  rank  and 
handed  over  to  the  Hsing-pu  (Board  of  Punishments)  to  be  dealt  with  as 
they  deserve.  Possibly  now  the  people  will  leave  off  maintaining  that 
some  children's  bodies  loere  found  with  hearts  plucked  away  and  eyes 
gouged  out.  Cheng-Kuo-Shwai's  motive  is  clearer  now.  He  is  no  Mo- 
hamedan,  but  he  is  the  mandarin  whom  Rochechouart  procured  to  be  de- 
graded on  the  Yangtse,  last  winter.  Tseng  has  written  to  the  Emperor 
to  the  effect,  that  the  French  are  implacable,  and  that  there  is  no  chance 
of  getting  on  with  them,  by  any  peaceable  means,  as  they  are  evidently 
determined  to  have  war.  The  Emperor's  reply  has  come  holding  Tseng 
responsible  for  the  situation.  Most  of  the  Chinese  agree  that  Cheug-Kwo- 
Shwai  for  one  cannot  be  touched,  without  creating  war.  All  the  better  say 
I.  Off  with  his  head  then,  French  Provost  Marshal,  and  give  him  the 
due  attendance  of  those  mandarins,  whatever  their  rank,  who  executed  his 
bloody  work,  while  they  still  kept  up  towards  foreigners  the  same  kitten 
and  lamb-like  demeanor  as  did  our  boys  in  Hongkong  when  they  were 
conspiring  to  poison  us.  And  when  this  act  of  justice  has  been  done, 
we  may  begin  to  look  for  a  regenerated  China." 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt  at  all  about  the  connivance  of  the  authorities 

[II  66 


522  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

at  this  dreadful  massacre,  for  even  if  it  did  not  originate  with  them,  it 
was  perfectly  within  their  power  to  put  down  all  display  of  bad  feeling 
when  they  were  first  requested  to  do  so.  They  did  not  choose  to  move  a 
finger  in  this  direction,  but  treated  the  urgent  appeals  of  the  British  Con- 
sul with  supercilious  contempt.  Eight  Protestant  Chapels,  in  and  about 
the  city  were  looted,  sixteen  places  of  worship  in  all  have  been  destroyed." 
Among  the  rest  are  the  premises  of  the  American  Board  in  the  native 
city,  where  Emma  and  I  spent  a  few  pleasant  days  both  with^Rev.  Charles 
A.  Stanley  and  wife  and  Rev.  L.  D.  Chapin  and  wife.  It  was  indeed  a 
most  fortunate  circumstance  that  subsequently  Rev.  Mr.  Chapin  moved 
his  family  to  Tung  Chow,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Stanley  resided  at  the  time  of  the 
outbreak  not  in  the  native  city,  but  in  the  foreign  settlement.  "  Many 
Roman  Catholic  Christians  were  murdered  and  thrown  into  the  riven;  we 
have  seen  a  good  many  bodies  floating  down  with  the  tide.  No  Protest- 
ant converts  have  been  killed,  but  tortured  and  badly  beaten.  Of  course 
no  one  here,  native  or  foreigner,  believes  the  ofiicials  will  be  given  up  or 
punished  for  the  massacre.  [The  Chinese  Government  subsequently  be- 
headed eighteen  persons  and  paid  six  hundred  thousand  taels  as  an  in- 
demnity fund.]  An  ex-ofiicial,  who  is  considered  to  be  a  reliable  man, 
states  that  a  general  rising  against  foreigners  is  being  planned  throughout 
the  Empire  without  distinction  of  nationality.  This  is  from  a  man  who 
has  no  particular  connection  with  foreigners."  Later  in  the  season  the 
Imperial  proclamation,  announcing  the  settlement  of  the  Tientsin  difficulty, 
had  been  received  in  Shanghai  through  the  present  Acting  Viceroy,  and 
made  public  by  the  Toutai.  Copies  estimated  at  about  four  hundred  in 
number,  are  now  posted  on  every  gate,  street  and  lane,  and  ev.ery  eflfort 
seems  to  have  been  u.?ed  at  this  place  to  give  it  the  greatest»circulation. 
"The  Emperor  calls  upon  the  people  to  tremble  and  obey,  and  emphasizes 
the  order  by  threatening  disobedience  with  a  fate  similar  to  that  of  the 
actors  in  the  tragedy  at  Tientsin.  The  past  year  has  been  an  eventful 
one  in  China  from  the  unfriendly  bearing  of  the  governing  class  of  the 
country  towards  all  foreigners." 

When  a  guest  at  the  residence  of  J.  G-.  Burdon,  Esq.,  at  Shanghai, 
through  the  persuasions  of  Mrs.  E.  J.  Bridgnian,  and  Rev.  E.  W.  Syle 
I  was  induced  to  accede  to  the  request  of  many  friends  to  start  a  school 
for  Eurasian  children,  which  accordingly  I  did  and  it  was  eminently  suc- 
cessful as  also  widely  welcomed.  The  North  China  Herald  says  :  "  We 
are  glad  to  point  to  an  advertisement  on  our  front  page  announcing  the 
institution  of  a  school  which  has  been  long  wanted  in  Shanghai.  The 
only  means  of  education  for  Eurasian  children  in  China  have  been, 
hitherto,  the  mission  schools  in  Hongkong.  For  many  reasons,  these  had 
not  been  largely  availed  of  in  China;  and  we  believe  the  school  which 
Mrs.  Bonney  has  now  opened,  in  Hongkew,  will  give  great  satisfaction. 
We  have  strong  hopes  of  seeing  the  school  shortly  with  a  habitation  of  its 
own,  like  the  large  Eurasian  schools  of  Calcutta  and  Lucknow."  "  We  had 
much  pleasure  on  Friday,  December  23d,  instant,  in  hearing  an  examina- 
tion of  the  pupils  attending  Mrs.  Bonney's  Eurasian  school  in  Hongkew 
previous  to  breaking  up  for  Christmas  holidays.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  this  school  has  been  in  existence  now  only  about  four  months,  hardly 
more  than  enough,  we  should  have  thought,  for  Mrs.  Bonney  to  introduce 
some  order  and  organization  among  her  pupils.  It  is  creditable  to  both 
teacher  and  her  pupils,  that  their  progress  has  been  such  during  this  short 
space  of  time,  as  to  surprise  as  much  as  gratify  the  parents  and  friends  of 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  523 

the  children  attending  the  institution.  We  were  pleased  to  find  that  even 
those  who  had  come  there  not  knowing  a  word  of  English,  had  surmounted 
the  first  difiiculties  of  reading  and  writing,  and  were  able  to  speak  a  little 
with  a  very  fair  accent,  and  to  understand  a  great  deal.  And,  what  is 
quite  as  important,  all  seemed  to  be  happy,  and  on  a  thoroughly  good 
understanding  with  their  '  mamma.'  The  care  and  attention  displayed  in 
the  management  of  the  institution  seems  all  that  could  be  desired.  The 
distribution  of  gifts  from  a  '  Christmas  tree,'  at  the  close  of  the  examina- 
tion, sent  all  the  little  folks  away  for  their  holidays,  burdened  with  trea- 
sures, and  looking  happy  as  only  children  know  how  to  look.  We  very, 
warmly  repeat  the  congratulations  which  were  addressed  to  Mrs.  Bonney 
by  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  were  present,  and  are  more  than  ever 
confirmed  in  the  opinion  we  expressed  at  the  outset  that  the  utility  and 
success  of  the  school  will  increase,  as  its  existence  and  its  character  become 
more  widely  known  lo  the  commuoity  at  large.  An  event  of  unusual 
interest  to  the  native  Christians  transpired  not  long  since,  viz  :  The  mar- 
riage of  Mr.  E.  C.  Marshall,  alias  Dzan-tsg  sell,  a  student  helper  in  con- 
nection with  the  American  Methodist  Church,  to  Miss  Yen,  sister  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Yen  Yung-King  of  the  American  Protestant  Episcopal  Mission.  The 
ceremony  was  performed  in  the  Honkew  Church  by  the  Rev.  R.  Nelson, 
the  pastor  who  used  the  foreign  service  translated  into  Chinese.  Both  the 
parties  were  brought  up  under  foreign  influence,  the  young  man  having 
been  educated  in  America,  and  the  young  lady  at  one  of  the  mission 
schools.  The  most  interesting  scene  perhaps  was  that  of  the  unveiling, 
for  up  to  that  moment  the  bridegroom,  though  in  possession  of  a  wife,  had 
never  seen  her  face,  but  thanks  to  photography  he  had  not  made  a  leap 
altogether  in  the  dark.  The  public  attendance  at  church,  both  foreign 
and  native  friends,  was  very  large  on  the  occasion.  After  the  marriage  a 
reception  was  held  and  a  feast  prepared  for  the  specially  invited." 

"  The  great  event  of  the  past  month  has  certainly  been  the  visit  at  Pe- 
king of  the  Hon.  W.  H.  Seward  and  Admiral  John  Rodgers  ;  the  former 
of  whom  came  all  the  way  from  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  to'look  at  this  Chinese 
puzzle  of  ours,  while  the  latter,  not  to  be  behind  hand  in  doing  the  honors 
of  his  China  station  to  the  venerable  and  historic  old  statesman  of  America, 
rendered  such  valuable  aid  in  the  way  of  an  escort,  as  to  put  the  visit  on 
a  semi-official  footing,  and  caused  it  to  be  long  remembered  by  the  thou- 
sand and  one  Chinese  who  daily  thronged  the  approaches  to  the  American 
and  Russian  Legations.  '  Music  by  the  band'  might  have  been  item  No. 
1  for  those  who  had  ears  to  hear,  but  the  gay  and  festive  array  of  gold 
lace  and  blue  jackets  gathered  under  the  banners  of  the  two  most  power- 
ful and  independent  powers  of  the  world,  must  have  awakened  some  strange 
and  odd  conceits  in  the  wise  heads  of  the  Tsung-le-Yamen.  Prince  Kung 
had  a  colic  of  course,  and  could  not  see  China's  best  friend  and  treaty- 
maker,  W.  H.  Seward  ;  so  the  party  of  Americans  went  their  way  to  the 
Great  Wall,  and  drew  higher  inspiration  from  that  limitless  work  of  ages, 
than  from  the  confined  halls  of  the  Yamen.  On  the  ground  that  this 
was  a  surprise  party.  Prince  Kung  might  well  have  pleaded  illness ;  how- 
ever, when  next  the  slippery,  sloppy  and  siimy  streets  of  Pekin  were 
re-entered,  and  the  most  hospitable  mansion  of  Minister  Low  again  received 
his  august  friends,  the  Chinese  minister  and  his  co-adjutants  were  only 
too  happy  to  make  Mr.  Seward  and  Admiral  Rodgers  welcome  to  Pekin. 
A  note  from  Prince  Kung  expressed  his  intention  of  calling  on  Mr.  Seward 
which  he  did,  in  company  with  other  officials  at  the  United  States  Lega- 


524  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

tion,  and  very  valuable  gifts  were  sent  to  the  honored  jjuest.  A  regular 
Chinese  banquet  was  also  given  him,  by  the  mandarins,  even  to  shark's 
fins,  bird's  nest  and  &c.  &c.  Mr.  Seward  and  party  left  Shanghai,  Dec. 
22 ;  a  public  reception  was  given  him  at  Hongkong." 

First  Yearly  Beport  of  the  Shanghai  Eurasian  School. 

There  are  many  reasons  for  dealing  with  Eurasian  children  as  a  class 
by  themselves,  at  least  during  the  earlier  years  of  their  education  ;  and  it 
has  always  been  felt  that,  wherever  such  children  exist  in  considerable 
numbers,  schools  for  them  are  a  necessity.  The  splendid  charities  at  Cal- 
cutta and  Lucknow,  founded  by  and  named  after  General  Martin,  are  the 
most  prominent  instances  in  point.  Hongkong  possesses  more  than  one 
school  at  which  education  is  given,  free,  or  at  a  small  charge  to  Eurasians; 
and  very  recently  a  movement  has  been  made  to  establish  a  school  for  the 
same  purpose  in  Japan.  It  is  consistent,  therefore,  with  what  has  taken 
place  in  India  and  elsewhere,  that  a  school  of  the  kind  should  be  wanted 
in  Shanghai ;  and  the  need  has  been  keenly  felt  for  some  years  past. 
Two  difficulties  occur  in  founding  such  an  institution ;  one  the  need  for 
charitable  aid,  as  it  is  unlikely  to  prove  self-supportina;  at  the  onset;  ano- 
ther, the  difficulty  of  meeting  with  a  suitable  person,  willing  to  undertake 
the  great  trouble  of  commencing  it,  of  gathering  the  children,  and  making 
preliminary  arrangements.  It  was  not  till  the  summer  of  last  year,  1870, 
that  Mrs.  Bonney's  consent  to  undertake  the  management,  the  task  of 
forming  a  school,  encouraged  a  serious  attempt  for  its  inauguration  ;  when 
it  was  understood  that  this  obstacle  had  been  overcome,  a  few  gentlemen 
willingly  responded  to  applications  made  to  them  by  a  member  of  the  pre- 
sent Committee,  and  subscribed  an  amount  sufficient  to  justify  a  commence- 
ment being  made.  Mr.  John  Gr.  Purdon  kindly  acted  as  Treasurer  for 
the  sum  thus  raised,  and  Mr.  Hanbury  gave  most  effective  aid  by  pro- 
viding a  house,  rent  free.  The  success  which  attended  this  experiment ; 
the  readiness  with  which  it  was  availed  of,  and  the  progress  made  during 
the  year,  encouraged  a  further  effort  in  the  spring  of  this  year,  to  place 
the  institution  on  a  permanent  basis ;  and  the  Committee  have  pleasure  in 
saying  that  this  object  has  been  fairly  attained.  A  wider  appeal  for  sub- 
scriptions was  made ;  and  the  same  gentleman  who  had  given  house-room 
at  the  outset  generously  undertook  to  build  new  premises  specially  for  its 
accommodation ;  sufficient  has  been  raised  to  defray  the  cost  of  furniture 
and  other  incidental  expenses ;  and  the  new  house,  which  is  situated  near 
the  Hongkew  church,  is  all  but  completed,  and  will  be  ready  for  occupa- 
tion by  the  1st  of  November.  Looking  over  the  brief  record  of  what  has 
been  done  thus  far,  we  find  that  the  first  boarder  entered  the  school  on 
the  19th  of  September,  1870;  and  from  that  time  continuously,  pupils 
were  added  from  week  to  week,  until  there  have  been  in  all  twelve  boarders 
and  twenty  day  scholars  placed  under  the  care  of  Mrs.  Bonney ;  and  the 
committee  feel  constrained  to  say  that  care  more  unremitting,  attention 
more  devoted,  they  have  never  witnessed,  and  we  can  personally  testify 
to  the  care  and  success  with  which  they  have  been  instructed.  The  con- 
sequent progress  of  the  children  as  shown  at  the  examination,  has  been 
very  satisfactory,  indeed  surprising  if  we  consider  the  great  difficulties 
whice  attended  the  first  attempts  at  instruction.  And  in  paying  this 
tribute  to  the  care  shown  by  Mrs.  Bonney  for  the  welfare  of  the  children 
placedunder  her  care,  the  Committee  must  add  that  it  has  been  given, 
hitherto  entirely  without  remuneration.  *  *  *  *     Looking  to  the  future 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  525 

there  is  a  reasonable  prospect  that,  in  due  time,  the  school  will  be  self- 
supporting,  as  will  appear  from  the  statement  of  income  and  outlay.  *  *  * 
The  Committee  cannot  conclude  their  report  without  expressing  their 
warm  acknowledgments  to  Dr,  A.  Jamieson,  who  has  gratuitously -given 
his  professional  advice  and  care  to  the  children,  during  the  year  under 
review.  *  *  *  The  Trustees  regret  very  much  to  say  that  sudden  and 
severe  illness  has  made  it  necessary  for  Mrs.  Bonney  to  return  at  once  to 
the  United  States ;  and  has  laid  on  them  the  obligation  of  providing  a 
successor  to  her,  in  the  management  of  the  Institution  which  she  has  so 
successfully  inaugurated.  *  *  *  A  very  satisfactory  arrangement  has 
been  made,  under  which  the  services  of  Mrs.  Gill  have  been  secured ;  so 
that  the  work  of  the  school  will  be  continued  without  delay. 

Trustees  and  Commi'tee. — John  Markham,  Esq.,  H.  B.  M.  Consul, 
Chairman;  R.  S.  Gundry,  Esq.,  Secretary;  E.  Iveson,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer ;  Rev.  E.  W.  Syle,  A.  J.  Little,  Esq." 

B.  S.  Gundry  to  Mrs.  Bonney. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Bonney,  Shanghai,  September..l9,  '71. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Eurasian  School  desire  me  to  express  to  you  the 
very  great  regret  with  which  they  have  learned  that  your  health  obliges 
you  to  give  up  charge  of  the  school  at  a  time  when  the  difficulties  attend- 
ing its  foundation  have  been  succesfully  overcome  and  its  future  appears 
so  promising. 

The  Trustees  cannot  allow  you  to  leave  without  expressing  their  warm 
acknowledgment  of  the  care  and  success  with  which  you  have  managed 
the  school  during  the  past  year  ;  and  wish  me  to  convey  to  you  their  sin- 
cere good  wishes  for  your  renewed  health,  and  that  j%\x  may  have  a  pleas- 
ant and  prosperous  voyage  home.  It  will  be  gratifying  to  you  to  know 
that  the  school  in  which  you  have  taken  so  much  interest  will  fall  into 
good  hands,  Mrs.  Gill  having  kindly  consented  to  assume  the  mangement 
until  permanent  arrangements  can  be  made. 

With  Very  kind  regards,  Believe  me,  My  dear  Mrs.  Bonney, 

Yours  Sincerely, 

R.  S.  Gundry, 

Mrs,  Bonney,  Shanghai.  Hon.  Sec.  Eur.  Sch.  Committee. 

Having  been  prostrated  for  many  weeks  with  serious  illness,  the  physi- 
cians considered  the  only  hope  of  restoration  of  strength  lay  in  a  sea- 
voyage  ;  friends  packed  my  trunks  and  from  what  had  well  nigh  proved 
a  bed  of  death,  I  was  removed  on  October  12,  1871,  to  the  Pacific  mail 
steamer  "  New  York,"  Captain  Furber,  and  with  my  little  Emma  once 
more  bade  adieu  to  the  "  Flowery  Land  "  so  full  of  eventful  recollections. 
Though  confined  to  my  berth  during  the  entire  route  I  could  occasionally 
catch  a  glimpse  of  the  green  shores  and  steep  mountain  slopes  with  all 
the  chromatic  beauties,  while  passing  through  the  charming  inland  sea 
and  I  was  slowly  improving.  But  being  obliged  so  unexpectedly  to  leave 
my  school,  now  nicely  started,  was  a  sore  grievance  to  me,  and  most  mys- 
terious did  the  workiogs  of  God's  providence  appear  in  this  event.  I  had 
not.,  however,  "  lost  my  reckoning,"  fov  though  the  cloud  was  dark  I  well 
knew  God's  sunshine  was  behind  it,  and  in  His  own  good  time  all  would 
be  made  clear.  Friends  came  on  board  at  Nagasaki,  Hioga,  and  Yoko- 
hama wishing  to  remove  me  to  their  houses  on  the  shore.  I  much 
regretted  it  was  not  practicable  to  accept  the  kind  hospitality  proffered  by 


526  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Mrs.  Pruyn  who  was  one  of  the  considerate  number,  but  when  finally  at 
rest  on  the  stately  steamer  "  Japan  "  as  she  moved  grandly  on  her  way, 
there  was  a  material  change  for  the  better.  ["  The  steamer  Japan  was 
burned  at  midnight  on  December  17th,  1874,  when  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  from  Hong  Kong.  The  fire  was  discovered  over  the 
boilers,  at  eleven  o'clock  Thursday  evening.  After  two  hours  spent  in 
fruitless  efforts  to  get  the  fire  under  control,  Capt.  Freeman  abandoned 
the  steamer  at  one  o'clock."]  Invigorated  by  the  "  health-inspiring 
breezes  and  fresh  sights  of  the  deep  blue  Pacific,"  before  we  passed 
through  the  "  Golden  gate"  into  the  beautiful  bay  of  San  Francisco  I  had 
recruited  wonderfully.  And  now  the  soft  and  soothing  echoes  of"  Home 
sweet  Home  "  came  in  gentle  whispers  from  beyond  the  towering  preci- 
pices of  the  Rocky  mountains.  There  were  on  board,  as  first  class  pas- 
sengers, a  number  of  young  Japanese  ;  part  of  the  tourists  to  remain  in 
America  and  the  residue  bound  for  London  to  engage  in  a  course  of  study 
preparatory  for  college  or  business  life.  Rev.  I.  M.  Condit  telegraphed 
to  my  sisters  of  our  safe  arrival  at  San  Francisco ;  it  was  to  them  a  plea- 
sant surprise  as  they  were  daily  expecting  to  hear  of  my  decease.  We 
remained  some  days  at  the  "  Lick  House  "  to  recruit,  and  gain  a  greater 
power  of  endurance  by  the  bracing,  fresh,  balmy  air  of  California  with  its 
serene  sky  of  beauty. 

One  day,  much  to  my  great  delight,  Hu  Sing  Mee  and  his  wife  Aoot 
came  to  see  us  and  a  happy  meeting  it  was.  Hu  Sing  Mee  is  a  native 
preacher  connected  with  the  Rev.  Otis  Gibson's  Methodist  Episcopal  Mis- 
sion at  San  Francisco,  and  Aoot  was  the  second  scholar  received  in  my 
school  in  1857  at  Macao,  China.  In  her  case  at  least  the  "  eastern  pro- 
blem" is  solved  fortihe  "  patient  waiting  and  perseverance"  is  now  meet- 
ing with  success  in  this  native  Christian  woman.  The  hours  of  one  entire 
day  were  profitably  and  pleasantly  spent  at  Woodward's  Gardens,  as  we 
sauntered  leisurely  along.  The  birds  were  chirping  and  singing,  full  of 
happiness  in  the  cheerful  sunshine  that  flooded  the  landscape  with  its 
golden  light;  a  little  grey  rabbit  squatted  on  his  hind  legs  holding  a  nut 
gracefully  in  its  fore  feet  and  at  our  approach  bouaded  away  into  the  thick 
bushes ;  butterflies  skimming  from  flower  to  flower  ;  dogs  frisking  around  ; 
flowers  in  open  beds  unsurpassed  either  for  brilliancy  or  diversity  of  colors  ; 
ornamental  climbers;  conservatories  filled  with  fragrant  flowered  species 
of  superb  plants,  unrivaled  for  richness  of  color  and  delicious  perfume ; 
the  menagerie  composed  of  rare  animals;  with  a  fine  museum.  Another 
day  was  devoted  to  the  "  Cliff  House,"  built  on  the  edge  of  rugged,  almost 
perpendicular  cliffs  with  its  noted  "  Seal  Rock,"  seven  miles  from  the 
"  Metropolis  of  the  Pacific  Coast,"  inhaling  the  balmy  breeze  of  the  ocean, 
and  seeing  the  seals  gambling  in  the  surf  and  on  the  rocks.  We  could 
distinctly  hear  their  fierce  growls  and  barks,  and  remained  for  hours 
watching  the  climbing.  "  About  three  hundred  yards  from  the  land  two 
rugged  rocks  rise  abruptly  out  of  the  water,  to  the  height  of  seventy-five 
feet,  covering  an  area  of  perhaps  an  acre  each.  These  rocks  are  the  pro- 
perty and  the  habitations  of  an  immense  colony  of  sea-lions,  as  they  are 
called,  or  seals,  who  hold  undisturbed  possession,  and  who  are  protected 
in  their  right  of  property  and  from  all  injury  by  statute  law.  Some  of 
these  sea-lions  are  of  enormous  size ;  and  it  is  an  amusing  sight,  which 
never  loses  its  interest,  to  watch  them  in  their  clumsy  efforts  to  climb  to 
the  very  pinnacles  of  the  rocks  by  means  of  their  fios  and  tails." 

We  richly  enjoyed  every  moment  of  time  while  passing  over  the  Central 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  527 

and  Union  Pacific  Railroad  with  its  rapidly  shifting  scene.  The  "  tiffin 
basket "  was  well  supplied  with  varieties  of  delicious  fruits,  and  in  the 
luxurious  "  Palace  Sleeping  Car  "  we  had  "  every  appliance  for  comfort." 
The  snow  sheds,  with  long  icicles  suspended  from  them,  were  truly  an  an- 
noyance shutting  out  the  charming  views  for  about  forty  miles.  We 
could,  however,  "  catch  occasional  glimpses  of  the  scenery  that  is  at  once 
grand  and  beautiful "  notwithstanding  the  long  tunnels  and  snow-sheds. 
We  were  just  in  season  for  snow  blockades;  our  train  was  detained  twice, 
the  snow  shovelers  were  working  vigorously  in  the  coldest  weather  day 
and  night.  We  met  one  snow  bound  train  which  had  been  delayed  twenty- 
seven  hours  behind  time,  away  from  any  station.  Their  "  Express  car  " 
was  opened  and  oysters  furnished  to  the  passengers.  The  diffieulty  and 
delay  was  caused  by  the  drifting  snow  ;  the  snow  fences  afforded  no  pro- 
tection being  insufficient  to  arrest  the  shifting  mass,  and  snow-ploughs 
were  in  constant  use.  Passenger  trains  had  to  be  preceded  by  a  snow 
train  to  insure  safety. 

We  were  not  sorry  when  we  had  safely  passed  "  Cape  Horn  "  with  the 
road  on  the  verge  of  the  precipice,  looking  down  on  the  magnificence  of 
the  valley  scene  2000  feet  below,  and  now  we  come  to  another  startling 
feature  of  the  route.  The  gigantic  walls  of  rock  called  the  Palisades  were 
very  wonderful,  "  rising  on  both  sides  of  the  Humboldt  river  to  a  height 
of  about  1,500  feet,  and  only  three  hundred  and  fifty  feet  apart."  When 
we  look  at  their  overhanging  and  seemingly  shattered  cliffs  with  the 
cracks  and  fissures  in  the  masses  of  rock  high  above  us,  our  minds  are 
inspired  with  awe,  and  we  wonder  the  shaking  of  the  ground  by  the  pass- 
ing train  does  not  hurl  them  down  on  our  defenceless  head.  "  There  were 
gigantic  rocks  rising  abruptly  from  their  beds  without  a  particle  of  soil 
adhering  to  their  almost  perpendicular  sides,  or  a  spear  of  grass  adorning 
them  ;  but  now  the  aspect  of  the  country  has  completely  changed.  In- 
stead of  black  frowning  cliffs,  whose  rugged  sides  spoke  of  sterility  and 
barrenness  we  came  to  the  rolling  prairie  bedecked  with  many  flowers  in 
summer  time.  Nine  miles  from  Antelope  for  miles  along  the  line  of  the 
railroad,  cities  or  settlements  of  the  lively  \itt\e  pj'm'rie  dog  were  seen  on 
both  sides  of  the  road,  and  he  standing  up  at  the  mouth  of  his  burrow  to 
gaze  on  us  as  we  passed.  It  is  about  the  size  of  a  guinea  pig,  is  of  a  light 
brown  color,  being  very  active  in  its  habits,  and  graceful  in  appearance. 
When  it  is  alarmed  it  immediately  scampers  off  to  its  burrow.  Here  it 
stops,  perches  itself  upon  its  hind  quarters,  and  awaits  further  develop- 
ments. Its  burrow  is  dug  in  a  spiral  form  of  about  three  inches  in  dia- 
meter. Owls  and  rattle-snakes  are  their  close  companions,  almost  every 
burrow  is  occupied  by  a  prairie  dog,  an  owl,  and  a  rattle  snake.  They 
do  not  quarrel,  and  are  really  a  happy  family.  Their  cities  frequently 
cover  a  space  of  from  two  to  three  miles  square,  these  singular  burrows 
have  subterranean  connections."  At  other  points  we  had  seen  droves  of 
the  huge  buffalo  pacing  up  and  down  on  their  wide  domain  of  American 
prairie,  or  grazing  in  their  boundless  freedom  quietly  along  the  grassy 
slopes.  Then  again  the  graceful  antelope  cropping  the  herbage,  in 
peaceful  serenity,  would  scamper  away,  or  standing  at  a  safe  distance 
herds  of  them  would  be  seen  watching  our  progress.  These  gentle  crea- 
tures were  a  striking  contrast  to  the  fierce  and  ugly-looking  wild  bison 
bellowing  with  such  a  hollow,  roaring  sound  as  it  tossed  up  its  short,  black, 
rounded  horns. 

At  Omaha  we  were  detained   many  hours  by  the   floating  ice   in  the 


528  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

Missouri  river,  but  at  last  the  steamer  safely  crossed  the  "  rapid,  turbid 
stream."  Leaving  Council  Bluffs,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Missouri,  we 
had  a  fine  view  of  the  pneumatic  bridge  now  building,  and  soon  we  were 
ascending  the  Missouri  slope  of  Iowa  where  the  prairies  roll  in  every 
curve  of  beauty.  The  streams  —  one  of  which  we  cross  six  times  —  are 
numerous,  meandering,,  and  all  skirted  by  trees.  At  Burlington  we  crossed 
the  Iron  Draw  Bridge  over  the  Mississippi  river,  2,200  feet  long,  with 
a  draw  360  feet,  opens  and  shuts  by  steam ;  crosses  the  river  on  nine 
piers  and  cost  a  million  and  a  half.  Now  we  enter  the  garden  of  Illinois, 
and  through  Riverside  with  its  suburban  residences,  are  quickly  at  rest 
in  the  famed  city  of  Chicago,  There  was  no  depot,  for  that,  with  many 
of  the  palatial  mansions,  dry  goods  palaces,  banks,  churches,  hotels  and 
whole  blocks  of  magnificent  edifices  have  fallen  a  prey  to  the  Fire  King; 
sad  devastation  on  every  side,  blackened  ruins ! 

On  the  Michigan  Central  and  Great  Western  rail  road,  we  continued 
our  route  to  Detroit;  through  part  of  Canada,  across  the  Suspension 
Bridge  to  the  Empire  State.  Before  long  the  "iron  horse"  entered  the 
Albany  depot  and  from  thence  •'  loved  ones,"  in  waiting,  carried  us  to  the 
dear  "  Old  Homestead  "  at  Cherry  Hill. 

A  Cannibal  Freemason. 

In  1807  Dr.  George  Cook,  the  celebrated  surgeon  of  the  British  man-of- 
war  "  Belcher,"  which  was  cruising  off  the  Tonga  islands,  went  ashore  with 
twelve  of  the  crew  to  gather  herbs  for  medical  purposes.  They  were  all 
captured  by  the  natives,  who  proved  to  be  cannibals.  They  were  imme- 
diately bound  with  strips  of  bark  and  thrown  into  a  sort  of  hole  or  cave  in 
the  side  of  a  hill  and  kept  there  until  the  next  morning.  During  the  night 
the  unfortunate  victims  heard  the  hellish  yells  of  the  savages,  who  were 
preparing  for  the  horrible  feast  of  the  morrow.  In  the  morning  they  were 
brought  out  into  the  light;  unbound,  stripped  entirely  naked,  again  firmly 
bandaged,  trussed  and  laid  upon  their  faces  on  the  ground  in  two  rooms 
and  about  four  feet  apart.  The  male  savages,  who  had  assembled  from 
the  surrounding  islands  in  large  numbers,  formed  a  circle,  the  inner  diameter 
of  which  was  about  sixty  feet,  and  the  women  and  children  were  placed  in- 
side the  circle.  The  latter  beat  tom-toms  and  yelled  in  fiendish  chorus, 
while  the  males  performed  a  devil's  dance  for  fully  an  hour.  This  done, 
twenty-six  brawny  and  naked  savages  — the  whole  gathering  of  demons, 
old  and  young,  male  and  female  were  perfectly  nude  —  twenty-six  power- 
ful savages  advanced  ;  two  of  whom  seized  each  of  the  victims  by  the  hair 
and  dragged  them  about  two  thousand  feet  to  a  sandy  beach,  upon  which 
the  copper  colored  sun  sent  down  its  fierce,  quivering,  broiling  and  unob- 
structed rays.  Here  was  gathered  wood  in  thirteen  piles  —  one  for  each 
victim —  and  the  savages  were  seating  themselves  in  groups  around  each 
pile.  Another  ring  was  formed  around  Dr.  Cooke  and  his  companions,  and 
a  short  dance  was  performed,  when  at  some  signal  from  the  chief —  a  magni- 
ficent brute,  nearly  eight  feet  tall  and  made  in  proportion  —  there  was  dead 
silence.  The  hungry  looking. savages  sank  on  their  haunches  upon  the 
sand,  licking  their  chops  like  famished  wolves.  The  chief  then  approached 
the  helpless  victims,  and  began  a  critical  examination  of  the  physical  con- 
dition of  each.  He  lifted  their  upper  and  lower  lips  —  examined  their 
teeth  ;  drove  his  powerful  thumb  into  their  armpits ;  pressed  his  hand 
upon  their  ribs  ;  felt  of  their  legs  and  arms,  all  the  while  wearing  the  expres- 
sion of  a  bloated  epicure.     During  the  progress  of  this  examination,  the 


I 


Legacy  of  Historical  GLBANmas.  529 

thirteen  fires  were  lighted  and  added   their  heat  to  that  of  the  relentless 
sun.    The  chief  finally  approached  Dr.  Cooke,  turned  him  upon  his  back, 
wreathed  his  hand  into  his  hair,  and  lifted  him  upon  his  feet.    The  savage 
marked  with  his  finger  upon  the  loins  of  the  trembling  doctor  the  portion 
of  the  carcass  he  had  selected  for  himself     As  he  did  this,  the  eyes  of 
the  savage  and  his  dinner  met.     The  doctor  inadvertently,  and  more  by  a 
spasmodic   action   of  the   muscles  than   otherwise,  gave   a   semi-masonic 
sign.     The  chief  started  and  gazed  fixedly  upon  the  doctor's  face.     The 
doctor  repeated  the  sign.    The  chief  answered  it,  and  immediately  uttered 
a  cry  of  amazement  followed   by  some  gibberish,  which  was  received  with 
a   yell    of  disappointment   from    the   whole    gathering  of   demons,  who 
sprang   to  their  feet   and   rushed  upon   the  pale   Christians.     The   chief 
swung   his    tremendous    war   club    and    plastered    the    bound    bodies   of 
the    Englishmen    with    the   brains   of  a   score    of  the   heathen    devils, 
before  you  could  articulate    Jack  Robinson.    He   then   gave  a  command 
to   a  subordinate,  who   came   up   and  with   a  sharp  flint  cut  the   bonds 
of  the  white  men,  and  they  were  free  to  their  unspeakable  delight.     The 
bodies  of  the  savages  just  killed  were  stewed  down   in  six  potash  kettles 
which   had   been   cast  ashore  from   a  wrecked   vessel   in   1804,   and  the 
horrible  wretches  glutted  themselves  upon  the  bodies  of  their  late  comrades. 
Dr.  Cooke  and  his  man  stayed  upon  the  island  four  days,  during  which  time 
they  were  guarded  with  great  care  by  the  chief  whom   the  doctor  christ- 
ened Chul  Chug,  which  is  cannibal  for  life  preserver.    They  were  treated 
with  great  hospitality,  and  escorted  by  a  long  procession  of  savages  to  the 
beach  where  their  boat  lay  when  they  took  their  departure."     "  It  seems 
that  some  five  years  before  the  date  of  this  narrative,  an  English  captain 
was  cast  ashore  from  a  wreck,  he  being  the  only  soul  saved.     He  managed 
to  get  into  the  good  graces  of  Chul  Chug,  and  gave  him  the  first  two  de- 
grees of  Masonry.     During  the  four  days  that  Dr.  Cooke  remained  on  the 
island   he  gave   '  Chul '  five   more  degrees   in  consideration  of   which  the 
'  heathen  savage  '  was  overcome  with   gratitude.     The  doctor  returned   to 
the  island  in  1809  and  found  there  a  large  and  flourishing  Masonic  lodge. 
Dr.  George  Cooke  was  born  in  1781  ;  he  came  to  this  country  in  1812,  as 
surgeon  of  a  British  war  ship  ;  he  attained  both  wealth  and  fame,  and  died 
in  Albany  January  12,  1873.     He  was  a  very  eccentric  person,  and  being 
possessed  of  a  fine  wardrobe,  he  was  seen  every  day  walking  on  Broadway 
attired  in  knee  breeches,  silk  stockings  and  shoes  with  gold  buckles',  his 
hair  white  and  flowing,  the  observed  of  all  observers.     His  last  attack  by 
chronic  rheumatism  was  brought  on   by  an   attempt  of  the  old  man  to 
assume   his  former  gorgeousness  of  apparel  and   appear  on   the  street  in 
silk  breeches'and  low  shoes.    The  old  gentleman  of  92  years  said  whenever 
his  mind  recurred  to  that  fearful  scene  on  the  sandy  beach,  he  could  feel 
the  stubby  finger  of  the  giant  savage  tracing  the  choice  parts  on  his  body. 
At  the   battle  of  the  Cedars  in  1776,  Capt.  McKinstry,  of  Livingston's 
Manor  was  rescued  from  the  stake  by  the  personal  exertions  of  the  Indian 
Chief,  Brant,  who  found  out  he  was  a  Freemason. 

"  It  is  now  nearly  three  thousand  years  since  the  foundation  of  Masonry, 
and  as  yet,  it  has  resisted  the  destroying  hand  of  Time,  and  is  gaining  new 
strength  every  day,  not  only  in  America,  but  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe. 
In  Shanghai,  China,  Masonic  Lodges  are  also  to  be  found,  and  an  instance 
of  the  universal  kindness  of  the  Masons  came  under  my  own  observation, 
which  was  only  one  out  of  many  similar  acts  ;  one  of  the  Shanghai  Pilots 

II]  67 


530  Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings. 

who  was  a  mason,  had  been  ill  for  montl\s  and  finally  died,  leaving  a  young 
wife  totally  destitute  of  means  for  subsistence,  without  a  single  relative  in 
that  far  off  land.     The  fraternity  had  not  only  secured  the  best  medical 
attendance  for  the  invalid  during  his  long  sickness;  alleviating  his  distress 
by  providing  every  available  luxury ;  assuming  all  the  funeral  expenses ; 
liquidating  other  debts,  but  furthermore  paid  the  board  of  this  lone  widow 
in  one  of  the  mission   families,   and  after  the  birth  of  her  child,  she  was 
made  the  recipient  of  a  very  handsome  sum  of  money  and  a  free  passage 
to  her  childhood's  home  in  the  West  Indies.     The  workings  of  masonry 
in  such  cases  could  be  open  to  no  theoretical  objection,  it  is  a  useful  bond 
between  men  who  might,  without  its  friendly  offices,  continue  strangers 
all  their  lives."     Nobles,  princes  and  kings  were  initiated  into  the  mys- 
teries of  the  order,  and  paid  allegiance  to  its  authority  as  early  as  in  the 
8th  century  and  from  that  time  to  the  present,  the  proudest  names  adorn 
the  masonic  annals.     The  following  tribute   of  respect  is   conferred  on 
Major   Killian  H.  Van   Rensselaer  son   of  Gen.   Henry   Van   Rensselaer 
of  revolutionary  renown  who  was  an  active  master  mason,  and  member 
of  the  Ancient   Accepted  Scottish   Masonic   Rite   of  1769,  as   also    his 
son    Solomon    who    was    a    worthy    member   of  the   Order   during  life. 
Major  Killian   H.   Van  Rensselaer   was    made    a    mason    in    1822,    and 
now  fills  with  honor  stations  in  the   several   bodies  of  the  order,  from 
the  lowest  to  that  of  Sovereign   Inspector  General  of  the  33d   Degree, 
and  Most  Pious  Sovereign  Grand   Commander  of  the  Supreme   Council 
of  Sovereign   Inspector  General  of  the   (Northern  Jurisdiction)  of  the 
United    States  of  the   Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  ■  Rite.     The  proceed- 
ings of  the  Supreme  Council  when   Major  Van  Rensselaer  resigned  his ' 
office  wei'e   very  interesting.     It    was  voted   that  an  elegant   sword  "  be 
presented  to  Illustrious  Brother  Van,  and  a  committee  waited  on  him  to 
request  him  to  sit  for  a  portrait  to  be  taken  by  one  of  the  first  artists  of 
the  day."     "  Father  Van  Rensselaer,  or  '  Brotlaer  Van,'  as  he  is  familiarly 
called  by  his  companions  in  the  rite,  the  venerable  patriarch  of  the  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite  In  the  Northern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States, 
while  on  his  way  from  his  home  to  Chicago,  received  the  attentions  of  an 
enterprising  pickpocket  who  relieved  him  of  his  watch.     His  friends  here, 
having  learned  of  this  fact  volunteered  to  make  up  the  loss,  and  a  costly, 
handsome  gold   watch,   appropriately   inscribed,  with   a  rich   gold  chain 
attached  was   presented   to   him  by  the  Sublime  Princes   of  Occidental 
Sovereign   Consistory  with  many  complimentary   remarks.     In  response 
'  Brother  Van  '  made  a  few  appropriate  and  feeling  observations  and  con- 
cluded by  saying  :  '  The   toils  and 'cares  of  life,  the  wars  through  which 
we  have  passed,  the  whirlwind  of  Anti-Masonic  fanaticism,  although  they 
have    temporarily  retarded,   have    not  prevented   the  spread,  continued 
prosperity  and  increase  of  the  Rite.'  " 

The  Annual  Decoration  of  Soldiers'  Graves  has  again  come  round 
and  Flowers  for  the  Brave  will  be  brought  by  stricken  hearts  and 
loving  hands.  "  There  is  no  need  to  recount  the  causes  of  the  war  in 
which  many  loved  ones  fell.  If  our  fathers  erred,  as  err  they  sadly  did 
in  their  oppression  of  the  lowly )  if  they  erred,  as  err  they  weakly  did,  in 
sorry  compromises  of  the  right  for  sake  of  gain  or  ease  of  power,  the^i  and 
we  have  sorely  paid  the  inevitable  penalty.  Standing  among  the  graves 
of  our  heroes,  with  bowed  heads,  we  can  recall  the  unselfish  devotion  of 
the  men  who  I'ell  that  liberty  might  live,  and  that  the  government,  be- 
queathed as  a  heritage  by  our  patriot  fathers,  might  not  perish  from  the 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  531 

earth.  When  from  out  the  Southern  sky  flashed  the  red  flames  of  civil 
war,  We  shuddered  at  the  perils  which  threatened  the  '  Land  of  the  Free.' 
The  Old  Flag  had  been  fired  upon.  Fratricidal  hands  sought  to  pull 
down  the  emblem  of  the  Nation's  sovereignty  and  power.  It  could  not  be. 
It  had  been  borne  to  triumph  by  stout  hearts  and  willing  hands,  on  many 
a  bloody  field.  It  had  waved  the  banner  of  the  free  in  every  clime. 
Stricken  and  down-trodden  men,  in  every  land,  had  turned  to  its  bright 
stars  and  gleaming  stripes,  as  the  symbols  of  a  new  life  and  a  political 
salvation.  And  so  it  was  that  the  laborer  paused  in  his  toil ;  the  farmer 
left  the  plough  in  the  furrow;  the  artizan  laid  down  his  tools  ;  the  mer- 
chant closed  his  ledger ;  the  lawyer  left  the  scenes  of  legal  strife,  and  the 
student  cast  down  his  books,  to  take  up  arms  for  freedom  and  for  the 
Union.  Four  long  and  tedious  years,  the  tide  of  battle  surged  backward 
and  forward,  with  its  alternate  gloom  and  brightness,  until,  under  the 
blessing  of  God,  victory  rested  with  the  old  flag,  and  the  nation  arose 
from  its  baptism  of  blood,  in  the  resurrection  of  a  new  life.  But  by  what 
sufferings  and  perils  it  was  won  !  !  In  every  grave-yard  throughout  our 
Northern  States,  lie  the  dead  heroes  of  America,  who  perished  in  the  con- 
test. Then  too  with  a  splendid  courage  and  endurance  the  South  followed 
their  disunion  flag  to  wounds  and  death.  We  are  one  race  and  strew  the 
graves  of  all  with  choicest  flowers.  " 

Albany,  May  30,  1874.  On  this  "  Decoration  Day  "  while  "  from  the  At- 
lantic to  the  Pacific  coasts,  thousands  will  wend  their  way  to  the  quiet 
city  of  the  dead,  and  in  accordance  with  a  time  honored  custom  decorate 
the  graves  of  those  brave  soldiers  now  calmly  sleeping  the  sleep  that  knows 
no  waking;"  we  bring  garlands  as  a  Tribute  of  Respect  for  other  departed 
friends  who  have  "  passed  away  "  and  now  come  in  for  a  full  share  of  our 
remembrance.  "  We  can  tender  sympathies,  but  they  are  always  inade- 
quate to  express  our  sorrow  for  the  vacancy  which  the  death  of  '  loved  ones 
make  in  the  social  circle.  The  '  Okl  Mansion  '  on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson 
at  Greenbush  which  dates  from  the  earliest  period  of  our  national  history 
and  thus  has  been  a  silent  witness  of  varying  human  events  for  more  than 
two  hundred  years,"  has  the  flag  of  mourning  waving  over  its  ancient 
embrasures.  "  Within  its  time  honored  walls  "  was  the  birth  place  of 
noble  hearts  —  brothers  and  sisters  of  the  Van  Rensselaer  family.  "In 
childhood  and  youth  they  walked  side  by  side,  and  waked  life's  early 
morn  together,  but  one  by  one  they  all  have  gone  [the  three  brothers  in 
quick  succession  during  the  year  1871,]  borne  on  the  resistless  waves  of 
the  voiceless  stream,  they  have  reached  that  mysterious  shore  whence  are 
echoed  no  tidings."  Shortly  after  our  return  a  letter  from  China  was 
freighted  with  the  sad  intelligence  :  "  Mrs,  E.  J.  Bridgman  rests  from 
her  faithful  labors.  She  died  at  Shanghai  November  10,  1871.  Her 
mind  seemed  clear,  she  spoke  collectedly  of  death,  and  her  last  connected 
sentence  was  :  '  Yes,  I  will  cling  to  the  Saviour.'  With  this  on  her  lips 
she  passed  into  the  land  where  '  the  day  dawns  and  the  shadows  flee 
away,'  and  her  body  rests  by  the  side  of  her  husband  in  the  old  ceme- 
tery." The  Hon.  William  H.  Seward,  too,  having  successfully  completed 
his  tour  round  the  world  and  given  a  record  of  the  wonderful  journey  was 
soon  after  prostrated  by  disease  and  died  at  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  October  10, 1872. 

There  are  precious  and  holy  memories  connected  with  the  early  de- 
parture of  a  dear  niece,  Mary  Pratt,  while  attending  to  her  academical 
studies ;  and  many  hopes  were  quenched  in  the  unexpected  blighting  of 
other  early  cherished  blossoms,  leaving  a  sad  void  in  loving  hearts.  The 


532  Legacy  op  Historical  Gleanings. 

great  Gleaner  has  gathered  another  and  still  another  valuable  trophy  to  his 
harvest  home.  In  one  case  a  mother  and  daughter  with  but  a  short  inter- 
val completed  an  entire  family  in  Heaven  !  He  touched  many  "  Men  of 
Mark''  who  have  greatly  benefited  mankind  either  as  discoverers  or  in- 
ventors and  whose  loss  has  been  mourned  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe. 
He  has  thrilled  communities  by  the  harrowing  and  distressing  accounts  of 
the  many  ocean  disasters,  nor  did  he  forget  either  the  great  Statesmen 
or  the  devoted  Clergymen  gone  to  their  rest  as  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe, 
and  leaving  behind  the  fragrance  of  a  good  name  and  the  example  of  a 
long  and  useful  life.  Slowly  but  surely  our  beautiful  and  attractive 
Rural  Cemeteries  are  being  filled  by  "  the  reaper  whose  name  is  Death." 
His  sharp  and  busy  scythe  is  ever  swinging  to  advantage  ;  in  some  victims 
the  chord  snapped  suddenly  and  then  came  the  repose  of  the  silent  grave. 
"  One  after  another  of  the  ancient  men  who  are  associated  in  the  memories 
of  past  generations  as  the  standard  bearers  of  science  —  the  venerated 
and  eloquent  preachers  —  pure  patriots  —  the  blossoms  of  many  a  home  — 
the  young  and  old  are  garnered  in  the  great  charnel  house.  All  are  re- 
posing among  the  crags  —  woods  —  meadows  and  valleys  where  the  happy 
birds  twitter  their  cheerful  lays,  while  the  lark  and  nightingale  have  both 
a  morning  carol  and  a  vesper  song  which  trills  with  amazing  sweetness, 
a  requiem  for  our  entombed  ones  —  loved  but  not  lost  even  though  that 
requiem  is  chanted  by  the  moaning  billows  —  for  we  are  assured  that  our 
separation  from  those  we  hold  most  dear  is  but  short,  and  that  those  whom 
the  great '  I  am  '  loveth  he  chasteneth." 

Having  now  brought  the  Biographical  Gleanings  of  our  "  Loved  Ones," 
who  have  passed  on  to  the  Spirit  Land,  to  a  close,  we  would  desire  to  be 
invested  with  the  power  of  ubiquity  that  after  placing  sweet  floral  offer- 
ings, our  memorial  tribute,  on  the  unpretending  grassy  mounds  of  Christian 
heroes  on  heathen  soil,  who  laid  down  their  lives  in  the  Master's  cause,  we 
might  again  be  permitted  to  fall  in  these  ranks  to  day.  As  the  marching 
lines  passed  Grace  church,  in  New  York  city,  the  chimes  rang  out  '  Ame- 
rica 'tis  of  thee."  When  the  grand  procession  reached  old  St.  Paul's,  a 
stoppage  was  made  for  the  purpose  of  placing  a  beautiful  wreath  of  flowers 
a  present  from  a  lady  of  that  city  —  on  the  grave  of  Maj  .Gen.  Montgomery, 
who  fell  leading  an  assault  upon  Quebec.  The  Montgomery  monument, 
and  also  the  Worth  monument  on  3Iadison  square  were  beautifully  deco- 
rated by  sunrise.  Lincoln's  monument  in  Union  Square  was  most  gorge- 
ously decorated,  one  side  having  a  floral  inscription  of  "  Charity  to  all." 
Another  stoppage  was  made  at  Trinity  church  yard,  where  a  number  of 
graves  also  were  profusely  decorated.  True  it  is  that  loving  hearts  would 
hold  these  dead  heroes  in  affectionate  remembrance,  and  that  friendly 
hands  would  decorate  their  graves,  even  if  those  who  were  their  comrades 
in  the  field  were  to  forget  them.  But  it  is  impossible  to  forget  those  who 
were  brave  in  a  noble  cause,  and  whose  deeds  will  be  emblazoned  on  the 
historic  page  causing  them  to  be  revered  by  all.  Our  deceased  heroes  of 
Albany  —  the  soldier  as  well  as  the  officer  —  who  fell  in  the  defense  of 
his  country  and  his  country's  flag  —  were  not  forgotten.  Their  comrades 
came  freighted  with  rare  tributes  of  respect  and  affection,  and  faithfully 
discharged  a  sacred  duty  to  the  memory  of  those  brave  men  whose  lives 
were  offered  up  as  an  atonement  for  national  sin.  To  day  the  nation's  an- 
nual floral  offering  has  been  laid  upon  the  thousands  of  green-sward  altars, 
beneath  which  repose  as  consecrated  relics  the  remains  of  those  of  her  sons 
who  with  heroic  fortitude,  and  instigated  by  the  highest  sense  of  patriot- 


\ 


Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings.  533 

ism  laid  down  their  lives  that  they  might  preserve  to  us  and  posterity  the 
union  of  these  states,  a  sacred  heritage  received  as  a  priceless  gift  from 
our  revolutionary  sires." 

Those  Revolutionary  patriarchs  too  were  properly  cared  for  in  the  truly 
"  sad  but  grateful  duty  of  the  year ;"  and  there  was  a  special  charm  con- 
nected with  the  act  of  strewing  fragrant  flowers  over  the  graves  of  our 
"  home  circle"  in  that  sequestered  "  Albany  Rural  Cemetery." 

While  standing  by  our  honored  dead,  I  saw  you,  Dear  Hattie,  draw 
forth  two  pretty  flags  of  "  stars  and  stripes,"  placing  one  on  the  grave  of 
your  Gi'eat  Grandfather,  Major  General  Henry  K.  Van  Rensselaer,  and 
the  other  floating  over  the  precious  dust  of  his  equally  valorous  son, 
Major  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer.  It  was  a  fitting  homage  :  crown- 
ing with  high  honor,  and  wreathing  fresh  laurels  to  adorn  the  cherished 
memory  of  those  intrepid  warriors. 

It  was  also  a  peculiarly  appropriate  finale  to  the  Historical  Legacy  and 
Memorial  of  Loved  Ones  which  I  now  bequeath  to  your  loving  care. 


"  Our  Soldiers'  Graves. 

"Twine  lovely  wreaths  to  deck  the  honored  graves 

Where  sleep  the  ashes  of  our  noble  dead  ; 
Wreath  the  dark  laurel,  green  as  ocean  waves, 

With  reverence  place  them  o'er  each  patriots'  head. 
Bring  our  loved  ensign,  o'er  them  let  it  wave, 

The  dear  'old  flag'  beneath  whose  folds  they  fell ; 
Long  may  the  nation  live  they  died  to  save, 

Bright  be  their  memory  who  died  so  well. 
Eest,  saviour  patriots,  in  your  narrow  beds. 

While  all  around  you  Nature's  voices  ring, 
Far  brighter  crowns  await  your  noble  heads 

Than  the  sweet  tributes  which  we  hither  bring." 


END. 


INDEX. 


Abeel,  D.,226. 

A  challenge,  18,  19. 

Achune,  471. 

Acosta,  Col.,  6. 

Adams,  J.,  2,  133,  156. 

Adams,  Mr.,  194,  449. 

Aee,  472. 

Afah,  Leang,  279. 

Aha,  471. 

Aho.  472. 

Aitchisou,  W.,  421. 

Akee-ue,  379, 389, 425;  marriage 

of,  389. 
Albany,  107,  119,  123,  138,  164, 

183,  291,  302,  405,  422,  435, 

466. 
Albany  beef  in  prayer,  51,  52. 
Albany    city    post    office,    a 

change  of  postmasters  at, 

180. 
Albany  county  convention,  116. 
Aldercrutz,  7. 
Aldersey,  Miss.,  283. 
Alexandria,  427,  435,  441,  450, 

452. 
Alisch,  Mr.,  322. 
Allahabad,  290. 
Altar  to  Earth,  496. 
Alto  de  Gazeua,  6. 
Amah,  471 . 

Amaral,   Gov.,  235,  236;  mur- 
der of,  235. 
Americans,  the  place  of  inter- 
ment of,  277. 
Amoy,  231,  307,  419. 
Amsterdam,  251. 
Anderson,  A.,  63. 
Anderson,  G.  W.,  142. 
Anderson,  Lieut.,  513. 
Anderson,  P.,  128. 
Anderson,  R.,  414. 
Anderson,  Rev.  Rufus,  to  Mrs. 

Bonuey,  414.. 
Anderson,  T.,  142. 
Augier,  262. 
Annapolis,  163. 
Ann-Lima,  1. 
Anolayma,  1,  2,  10,  14,  34. 
Anthony,  Gen.  C,  140. 
Antioquia,  1,  4,  25. 
Antioquma,  2. 
Antipodes,  and  the  reverse  of 

things  generally,  288. 
Ants,        white,       destructive 

powers  of,  278. 
Aoot,  425,  471 ;    marriage  of, 

424. 
Aoy,  472. 
Apa,  472. 

A  pitiful  office,  168. 
Apo,  471. 
Appiii,  G.,  454. 
Archer,  Mr.,  166. 
Arcularius,  Gehl.,  83. 
Arsenic,  the  use  of  in  a  batch 

of  bread,  272. 
Artcher,  M.,  121. 
Ashay-uug,  472. 
Ashburnham,  Gen.,  289. 


Ashburton,  Lord,  183. 

Ash,  Mr.,  229. 

Ash,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  drowned, 
229. 

Ashum,  472. 

Assassination  story,  4,  5;  a 
clue  to  unravel  the,  29. 

Atsoy,  471 . 

Attractions,  conspicuous,  316. 

Auburn,  104,  523,  531. 

Augustus,  130. 

Auspicious  signs,  135. 

Awing,  Chung,  395. 

Awingi  Yoong,  242,  285;  ap- 
pointed agent  for  educa- 
tion, 285. 

Ayow,  471. 


Badger,  G.  E.,  170,176. 

Baldwin,  C,  389. 

Baldwin,  C.  C,  469. 

Baldwin,  S.  L.,  424,  470,  472. 

Baily,  M.  B.,  358. 

Ball.  Rev.  Dr.  D.,  227,  242,  307, 

424 ;  death  of,  424. 
Ball,  Mary,  227. 
Ballagh,  Mr.,393. 
Ballagh,  J.  H.,  364. 
Baltimore,  30,  42,  114,  165. 
Bamboo  Town,  368. 
Bangkok,  237,  240. 
Barbers,  their  peculiar  mode 

of  business,  287. 
Barnard,  D.  D.,   123,  124,  126, 

127,    183;    to    Rensselaer 

Van  Rensselaer,  124,  126. 
Barnes,  Mr.,  145. 
Barrancas,  8. 

Barrauquilla,  7,  8.  9,  25,  43. 
Barton,  B.,S6. 
Barry,  Maj.,  21,  195,  198. 
Barry,  W.  T.,  54,  55;  to  Gen. 

Van  Rensselaer,  55. 
Basoff,  Mr.,  499. 
Batavia,  251. 
Bate,  Capt.,  296. 
Battermau,  C,  117. 
Bay,  Dr.  W.,  305,  424. 
Bay,  J.  W.,  73,  117. 
Bay,  Miss  Catharine,  163. 
Bayard,  H.  E.,  466. 
Beach,  Rev.  Mr.,  341. 
Beach,  W.  R.,  298. 
Besas,  J.  W.,83. 
Beardslcy,  S.,  73. 
Beauscarlet,  Mr.,  465. 
Bedford,  466. 
Beebe,  C.  G.,  516. 
Beecher,  J.  C,  233,323. 
Beecher,  L.,  235. 
Beecher,  Rev.  Dr.,  252. 
Beecher,  James  C.,  on  board 

ship  "Sam  Russel,"  233. 
Beekman,  Capt.,  19,  23. 
Beekmau,    James     W.,     214, 

215 ;    to  Miss  Adeline  Van 

Rensselaer,  214. 
Bell,  J.,  170,  176,  314. 


Bell,  Mr.,  164. 

Beloeil  mountain,  the,  49. 

Benedict,  L.,  116,  198. 

Benedict,  Mr.,  200. 

Ben  tons,  M.,  104. 

Bereavement,  a  double,  196. 

Bemandos,  Gen.,  38. 

Bethany,  447. 

Bethlehem,  448. 

Better  Genius,  the,  lines  upon 
the  death  of  Rev.  S.  W. 
Bonney,  409,  411. 

Bey,  Emin,  440. 

Beyrout,  449,  450. 

Bib,  M.,  142. 

Bidwell,  Mr.,  63,  64. 

Bidwell,  M.  S.,  74,  76. 

Billings,  W.,  128. 

Binghamton,  466. 

Birch,  113. 

Black  Hawk  taken  prisoner, 
45. 

Black  Rock,  92. 

Blaisdell,  W.,117. 

Blodget,  H.,  307. 

Blodget,  Mr.,  413,  421. 

Bloodgood,  D.  W.,  73, 152, 167 ; 
to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer, 
152. 

Boardman,  Rev.  Dr.,  467. 

Bodega,  de  Honda,  7. 

Bodegata,  7. 

Bodisco,  Mr.,  164. 

Bogota,  1,  3,  5,  6,  8,  10,  12,  16, 
18,  22,  24,  28,  30.  31,  32,  33, 
35,  37,  38,  43,  44. 

Bolidah,  273. 

Bolivar,  Gen.,  9,  12,  18,  23,  27, 
28,31,32,  37,  38,  43;  de- 
clared dictator,  32;  in 
Santa  Martha,  37 ;  personal 
sketch  of,  38;  death  of,  42; 
recalled  as  president,  33. 

Bolivar,  Simon  Y.  Ponte,  38. 

Bond,  Mr.,  145. 

Bond,  Mrs.,  154. 

Bonuey,  E.  C,  467. 

Bonney,  Mrs.,  254,  302,  329, 
330.  359,  363,  413,  409,  425, 
426,  432  435,  471,  472,  522, 
525. 

Bonuey,  Mrs.,  with  little 
Emma  leave  for  home, 
sweet  home,  525,  526 ;  her 
expectation  to  leave  China, 
425,  426 ;  parting  advice 
of,  254,  255. 

Bonney,  Mrs.  S.  W.,  216,  243, 
283. 

Bonuey,  Mrs.  Sarah  Ware, 
death  of,  396;  her  lovely 
character.  397,  .398. 

Bonney,  S.  W.,  216,  217,  219, 
227,  236,  237,  238,  239,  240, 
242,  243,  254,  257,  260,  267, 
279,  282,  283,  284,  286,  303, 
305,  307,  308,  314,  317,  318, 
335,  345,  346,  350,  351,  353, 
355,  364,  370,  379,   383,  391, 


536 


Index. 


Bonney,  S.  W.,  continued  — 
392,  393,  396,  397,  398,  399, 

401,  402,  403,  404,  405,  407, 
409,  468,  472,  489;  ac- 
cepted as  a  missiouary  to 
China,  216;  autograph  of, 
216 ;  greetings  from 
friends,  267 ;  his  voyage  to 
China,  27 ;  arrival  of,  at 
Hongkong,  218:  marriage 
of,  254  ;  portrait  of.  216  ;  to 
the  editor  of  the  Chinese 
Mail,  393,  396  ;  prostrated 
by  billious  fever,  399; 
death  of,  401,  402,  403  ;  his 
hopeful  and  joyous  words, 

402,  406,  his  monument, 
illustrated,  402 ;  con- 
version of,  402;  his  early 
years  402;  his  labors  as 
missionary  403,  404,  405  ; 
his  marriage,  405 ;  his 
schools  a  pride  and  joy, 
405  ;  funeral  discourse  on, 
407;  to  his  mother,  216, 
219,  242  ;  to  Ms  sister,  ;398 ; 
Mt.  Holyoke  Seminary, 
296,  283,  284;  to  Mrs. 
Elmendori;351. 

Bonnycastle,  Col.,  101. 

Boone,  Bishop,  223,  256,  435. 

Boone,  Mrs.,  435. 

Boston,  392. 

BourbilUou,  M.,   the   French 

minister,  arrival  of,  289. 
Bowlby,  Mr.,  .510. 
Bo  wring.  Gov.,  302. 
Bowring,  J.,  240,  372. 
Bowring,  Sir  John  to  William 

Kelly,  272. 
Boughton,  G.,  83. 
Bowron,  J.  S.,  147,  148. 
Boyd,  Joseph  B.,  to  Gen.  Van 

Rensselaer,  127. 
Brabazpu,  Capt.,  510,  513. 
Brady,  Capt.,  320. 
Brady,  Gen.,  134. 
Bradley,  Col.  E.  D.,  102. 
Bradley,  Dr.,  42. 
Braithwaite,  Ilev.,  50. 
Brant,  Chief,  529. 
Bremen,  251. 
Brewster,  Mr.,  342,   243,    244, 

314. 
Brewster,  Bro.,  death  of,  243. 
Bride,  a  youthful.  .326. 
Bridge  of  boats,  336. 
Bridgman,  Dr.,  343. 
Bridgman,  E.  J.,  522. 
Bridiiman,  Eliza  I.,  413. 
Bridgman,  J.,  229,  412. 
Bridgman,  Rev.  J.  G.,  218,  244, 

314,  317,  320,  227. 
Bridgman,  Mrs.,  283,  284,  356. 
Bridgman,  Mrs.  E.  J.,  531. 
Bridgman,  Rev.  D.,  323,  344. 
Bridgman,  Rev.    E.    C,    218, 

226, 350,  356, 413, 426;  death 

of,  350. 
Bridgman,     Elijah    Coleman, 

marriage  of,  218. 
Bridgman,  Mrs.  E.  C,  to  Mrs. 

Bonney,  413. 
Brigands,  encounter  with,  370- 

376. 
British    parliament,    Chinese 

affairs  discussed  in,    272; 

decision    of  to  resort    to 

arms,  272. 
Brock,  Gen.,  143. 
Brock's    monument     defaced 

and  ruined,  143. 
Brooke,  Sir  James,  his  account 

of    the     insurrection     at 

Sarawak,  273. 


Brooklyn,  215,  425. 

Brown,  H.  A.,  222. 

Brown,  Mr.,  231,  393. 

Brown,  Rev.  S.   R.,  216,  218, 

221,  257,    264,  403,  413;  to 

Mrs.  Bonney,  413. 
Bruce,  P.,  309. 
Brunstedt,  394. 
Brush,  32. 
Brush,  Maj.,  8. 
Buddhist    temples,    314,    315; 

priests  of,  315,  316. 
Buffalo,  64,  73,  87,  90,  91,  93, 

94,  96,  97,  98,  105,  142. 
Buitenzorg,  251. 
Bullock,  Mr.,  113. 
Bunch,  Mr.,  18,  22,  27. 
Bunch,  R.  H.,  8,  13. 
Burdon,  J.  S.,  514,522. 
Burdon,  J.  G.,  522. 
Burgoyne,  Gen.,  46. 
Burlington,  136,  167. 
Burnet,  J.  B.,  208. 
Burnet,  Judge,  293. 
Burnham,  Muj.,  81. 
Burns,    William    C,    419;    is 

visited    by   robbers,   416 ; 

his   patience   and  power, 

419. 
Burrows,  S.  E.,  25,  147,   148, 

149,  173,  181,  184,  185,  186, 

188,  195,  198,  199. 
Burrows,  J.,  365. 
Burrows,  John  S.,  to  Gen.  Van 

Rensselaer,  147. 
Burrows,  Silas  E.,  to  Gen.  Van 

Rensselaer,   147,  148,  184, 

186,   190,   198,   199;  to  the 

president   of   the   United 

States,  185. 
Burwell,  D.,  73. 
Buscarlet,  A.  M . ,  455. 
Byrne,  Mrs.,  243. 


Cabinet  officers,  169. 

Cagger,  P.,  73. 

Cairo,  4:35,  436,  441,  442 ;  sight 
seeing  around,  4.36-441. 

Calcutta,  289,  290,  301. 

Calcutta,  rumors  from,  of  In- 
dian mutiny,  289. 

Calf,  a  frantic,  53. 

Calhoun,  J.  C,  47,  138. 

Callao,  31. 

Camoens  Cave,  249. 

Campbell,  A.  S.,  276. 

Campbell,  Archibald  S.,  re- 
mains of,  shipped,  376. 

Campbell,  Col.,  4,  5,  27,  29. 

Campbell,  Willie,  289. 

Canada,  going  to  school  in,  47. 

Canadian  grievances,  61 . 

Canadian  patriot  army,  85. 

Canadian  patriot  cause,  62 ;  a 
sympathizer  of,  62  ;  Rens- 
selaer Van  Rensselaer  in 
command  of  an  army  for, 
62;  spirit  of  the  country 
in  regard  to,  62  ;  a  general 
insurrection  devised,  63- 
volunteers  for,  63;  reward 
offered  for  leaders  of,  64 ; 
anxiety  of  the  friend#of, 
67,  68,  69;  the  rubicon 
passed,  65 ;  action  of  Ame- 
ricans in  regard  to,  67,  68  ; 
the  high  character  of  those 
engaged  in,  6S ;  efforts  of 
Gov.  Head  to  suppress, 
69,  70 ;  the  Navy  island  en- 
campment. 72 ;  excitement 
on  the  island  regarding  the 
butchery  on  steamer  Caro- 
line, 72 ;  meeting  at  Albany 


Canadian,  continued  — 

in  favor  of,  73 ;  defeat  in 
the  first  battle  for  the,  76 ; 
meeting  at  the  theatre,  80 ; 
presentation  of  a  flag,  80  ; 
precarious  position  of,  84  ; 
failure  of  contemplated 
attack,  86,  87 ;  collapsing 
of,  87,  88 ;  its  army  evacu- 
ates Navy  island,  89 ;  nU 
desperandum,  91 ;  final 
collapse,  101 ;  arrest  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  89. 

Canada,  Upper,  patriot  army 
in,  61. 

Canal,  a  trip  on  the,  48. 

Canal  boat  traveling,  336,  341 . 

Canandaigua,  182.    ■ 

Cancan,  243. 

Canton,  218,  219,  220,  224,  225, 
226,  229,  230,  233,  234,  310, 
243,  244.  245,  246,  347,  248, 
249,  250,  252,  254,  368, 
269,  270,  271,  272,  279,  380, 
283,  285,  286,  291,  396,  397, 
398.  .301,  302,  303,  305,  306, 
314,  317,  321,  .327,  328,  331, 
a32,  335,  336,  338,  343,  344, 
345,  351.  302,  367,  375,  376, 
377,  380,  381,  386,  388,  391, 
393,  395,  399,  400,  401,  402, 
404,  405,  414,  417,  419,  421, 
423,  434,  435,  436,  427,  430, 
468,  469,  470,  489,  490,  497, 
510;  and  Hunan,  possi- 
bility of  a  rail  roadlsetween 
393,  396.;  beggars,  377,  378  ; 
bombardment  of,  296  ;  dis- 
quietude felt  at,  296 ;  dia- 
lect, phrase  book  of,  249 ; 
discontinuance  of  the  Ame- 
rican mission  at,  426 ;  in 
the  hands  of  the  braves, 
272;  mission  life  at,  305; 
to  Alexandria,  437-442 ; 
threatened  by  the  rebels, 
247;  extraordinary  exer- 
tions to  defend,  247. 

Capitol,  meeting  at  the,  73. 

Caquisa,  32. 

Caraccas,  24,28,  38,  44. 

Caracuta,  38. 

Carey,  Dr.,  279. 

Carr,'  Lieut.  D.  O.,  25,32,  33; 

mortally     wounded,     32 ; 

death  of,  32. 
Carter,  4,  5,  6,  8,  56. 
Carthagena,  7,  8,  12, 13,  15, 18, 

33,  33,  34.  32,  37,  42,  43. 
Cary,  J.  A.,  217,  403. 
Casauan,  27. 
Casenove,  Mr.,  367. 
Cass,  Gen.,  45. 
Castalio.  130. 
Castelli,  Col.,  to  Consul  Genl. 

Henderson,  25. 
Castillo,  2,  2:3. 

Casting  lots,  illustrated,  334. 
Cato,  5,  6,  2.3. 
(^'auca,  1,  12,  44. 
Cave  of  Camoens,  death  of  the 

proprietor  of,  277. 
Cawnpore,    289;     the    bloody 

plain  of,  290. 
Cayuga  Patriot,  letter   to  the 

editor  of,  103. 
Central  America,   loss  of  the 

steamship,  275. 
Ceremony,  an  affecting,  366. 
Chalmaison,  M.,  500. 
Chalmers,  J.,  407. 
Chalmers,  Rev.  John,  to  Mrs. 

Bonney,  407. 
Chambers,  Col.,  155. 


Index. 


537 


Chambers,  Maj.,  135. 

Chambly,  211,  212. 

Chang,  Mr.,  37fi. 

Chanffhni,  Wei,  318. 

Chapin,  Cyrenlus,  to  Gen.  Van 
Rensselaer,  64,  65,  69,  86, 
89,  96. 

Chapin, Dr.  C,  64,  65,  69,  70, 
86,  89,  96,  97,  421. 

Chapin,  L.  D.,  522. 

Chau-foo-yee,  372. 

Chefoo,  418. 

Cherbourg,  463. 

Cherished  blossoms,  the 
blighting  of,  531 . 

Cherry  Hill,  121,  135,  168,  177, 
178,  189,  192,  198,  205,  212, 
213,  214,  215,  254,  298,  299, 
305,  466,  457, 472,  528 ;  fetes 
at,  176. 

Cherry  Valley,  log  cabin  rais- 
ing at,  1.35. 

Cheung  Wing,  373. 

Chevrier,  Mr.,  499. 

Cheynne  Capt.,  31 . 

Cheyne,  Dr.,  30,31,  M. 

Chicago,  528. 

Chien,  Lung,  507. 

Cbilds,  H.3.,294. 

Childs,  Mrs.,  260. 

China,  a  sight  of  the  hills  of, 
265;  number  of  protestant 
mission  scliools  in,  283; 
method  of  instruction  in, 
283 ;  docility  of  nitives 
of,  284;  numbers  of 
independent  schools, 

284  ;  the  great  evils  of,  225. 

Chinese  erapreor  expressed 
confldcuce  in  Yeh,  271. 

Chinese  home,  a  visit  to  a, 
384;  pilot  on  board,  265; 
boats,  peculiar  fashion  of, 
268 ;  the  general  character 
of,  285  ;  unequal  division 
of  property  among,  285; 
not  drunkards,  286;  intem- 
perate in  the  use  of  opium , 
286;  their  belief  as  to  a 
Supreme  Being,  280 ; 
their  religious  sects,  280  ; 
their  ceremonies  and  cus- 
toms, 281 ;  worship  of  dead 
ancestors,  281 ;  their  idols, 
281  ;  facilities  for  learning 
their  language,  282 ; 
obstacles  to  missions,  282 ; 
prospect  for  missions,  282. 

Chinkiang,  492. 

Chippewa,  83,  92.     . 

Chopsticks,  use  of,  222. 

Chrisler,  Mrs . ,  90. 

Christianity  of  the  Chinese 
rebels,  342. 

Christmas  tree,  the,  350,  351. 

Chu,Mr.,  384. 

Chun  Chow,  339. 

Chung-How,  498,  500. 

Cincinnati,  36,  127,  128,  129, 
131,  132,  141,  159,  165,  254. 

Cincinnati  Times,  ^poetical 
strictures  in,  181. 

Civil  officers,  326. 

Clark,  Auditor,  183  ;  to  Daniel 
D.  Barnard,  183. 

Clark,  H.,  71. 

Clark,  J.  H.,  104. 

Clark,  Miss.,  172. 

Clarksou,  C.  S.,  128. 

Clarkson,  Maj.,  137,  138,  140. 

Clay,  H.,  33,  36,  45,  47,  54,  55, 
113,  114, 118,  151,  156,  158, 
161,  183,  184,  187,  190,  205, 
206. 

Clay,  Mr.,  164,  166,  167,  174. 


Clay,  Henry,  his  compromise 
act,  47 ;  to  Gen.  Van  Rens- 
selaer. 183. 

Clayton,  Mr.,  147. 

Cleopatra,  439. 

Cleveland,  115. 

Cleverly,  O.,  272. 

Clinton,  D.,  179. 

Clinton,  G..  179. 

Clinton,  Gov.,  194. 

Cochran,  Cath.  Van  Rens- 
selaer, to  Gen.  Van  Rens- 
selaer, 170. 

Cochran,  Cath.  Van  Rens- 
selaer, death  of,  170. 

Cochran  J.,  146,  170. 

Cochran,  Jo.,  142. 

Cochran,  James  to  Gen .  Van 
Rensselaer,  146,   170. 

Cochran,  Mrs.  J.,  170. 

Cochran,  Mr.,  145. 

Cochran.  W.,142. 

Cohoes  Palls,  47. 

Coits,  Mr.,  murder  of,  334. 

Collier,  J.  A.,  190,191, 192,  193. 

Collier,  John  A.  to  Gen.  Van 
Rensselaer,  190,  192. 

Collins,  W.  H.,419. 

Collamer,  J.,  194. 

Colombia,  6;  in  a  state  of 
anarchy,  .32. 

Columbiaville,  11. 

Columbus,  137. 

Commercial  Advertiser,  com- 
ments on  Colombian  news, 
28 

Comstock,  Mr.,  268. 

Condit,  J.  M.,  526. 

Coudit,  Mr.,  368. 

Conferences  between  London 
and  Paris  on  Chinese 
matters,  272.  • 

Confucius,  283,  330,  340. 

Conkling,  Judge,  102. 

Conolly,  R.,  .514. 

Consternation,  the  missiona- 
ries as  patrols,  .320. 

Convent  at  Georgetown,  165. 

Convent  life,  50. 

Conway,  398. 

Cookiiian,  Rev.  Mr.,  163. 

Cooke,  Dr.,  528. 

Copeland,  Mr.,  165. 

Cortes,  D.,  505. 

Cornwall,  397. 

Cordova,  Gen.,  2,  4,  5,  0,  7,  10, 
11,12,29. 

Cordova,  defeat  and  death  of, 
6,11. 

Corkey,  D  ,  206,  207. 

Corning,  E.,  73. 

Corpus  Christi,  feast  and  pro- 
cession of,  53. 

Cortlandt,  Rev.,  KiO. 

Corwiu,  Gov.,  192. 

Courtesy  and  politeness,  328. 

Covvper,  Mr., 243,  303,304,  368. 

Cox,  J..  299. 

Crawford,  Mr.,  200. 

Crittenden,  J.  J.,  170,  171,  176, 
184. 

Crittenden,  Mr.,  147,  164. 

Cross,  Mrs.,  164. 

Croswell,  E.,  125. 

Croswell,  Edwin  to  Rensselaer 
Van  Rensselaer,  125. 

Croswell,  Mr.,  112. 

Croswell,  Mr.,  153. 

Culbertsou,  M.  S.,  320. 

Cunningham,  E.,  :S28. 

Cunningham,  H.,  268. 

Cummins,  Col.,  366. 

Curtis,  Mr.  E.,  1.56,  16.5,  169. 

Curtis,  Mrs.  E.,  156. 

Gushing,  C,  250,  276. 

68 


Banbury,  243,  396. 

Davies,  S.  W.,  128,  129,  131. 

Davis,  Gov.,  226. 

Davis,  J.  E.,232. 

Davis,  Mr.,  147. 

Dawson,  106. 

Dayton,  140,  340. 

Dean,  W.,  2:^7. 

Death  in  the  White  House,  173. 

Death  of  a  lady  superior,  54. 

De  Bacourt,'  164. 

De  Bresson,  M.,  4,  5,  29. 

De  Butts,  Capt.,  134. 

Decoration  Day,  506-533. 

Delano,  M.,  415. 

Delhi,  289. 

Del  Rio,  Garcia,  27,  29. 

Deudergrast,  J.  E.,«142. 

Denison,  Mr.,  107. 

Dennison,  Gen.  S.,  178.  179. 

De  Salabury,  Lieut.  Col.,  208. 

Detroit,  90,  92,  102,  105,  141. 

Deveraux,  S.,  83. 

Dickson,  Dr.,  340. 

Dickson,  Dr.  W.,  357. 

Dickenson,  D.  S.,  74. 

Dissolving  views,    synoptical 

survey  of,  228. 
District  attorney  to  Rensselaer 

Van  Rensselaer,  71. 
Document,  official,  11. 
Doolittle,  389. 
Douglas,  Mr.,  272. 
Douglass,  Capt.,  21. 
Dragon  festival,  the,  355. 
Drew,  Capt.,  96,- 106. 
Dublin,  436. 
Duck  factory,  the,  377. 
Duer,  M.,  145. 
Duncombe,  Dr  ,  78,  81. 
Dunn,  Mr.,  354. 
Durfee,  106.    ' 
Dwight,  P.,  144. 
Dvvight,  Mrs.,  144. 
Dying  mother,  a,  and  son,  121. 


Eaton,  Gen.,  193. 

Eaton,  Mr.,  293. 

Eaton,  Wm.,  195. 

Edinburg,  284. 

Edkins,  Rev.  Mr.,  504. 

Edwards,  J.,  117. 

Be  Chayung,  337. 

Eem-Po,  246. 

Eep,  Mr.,  384. 

Egypt,  the  pyramids  of,  437. 

Elephant,  land  of  the  white, 
2^36. 

Elgin,  Lord,  289,  323,  510. 

Elmendorf,  Dr.,  193,  212,  353. 

Elmendorf,  Hattie,  299. 

Elmendorf,  Mrs.,  351. 

Eldridge,  Dr.,  462,  464. 

Endicott,  J.  B.,  309,319,  427, 
46S. 

Engle,  Com.,  347. 

Epicurean  tastes,  346,  347. 

E  plui-ibus  unum  in  China,  233. 

Este,  Lucy,  140,  155,  167,  168. 

Eslives,  Dr.,  22. 

Euphemia,  Mary,  206. 

Evans,  Maj.  Gen.,  211. 

Everett,  A.  H.,  814. 

Ewing,  Mr.,  138,147. 

Ewing,  T.,  169,  171,  176. 

Execution,  of  criminals,  de- 
scription of,  224;  a  pub- 
lie,  and  butchery,  15; 
wholesale,  of  rebels  at  Can- 
ton, 252. 


Pales,  S.,  128. 
Farewell  dinner,  a,  1(>8. 


538 


Index. 


Fassett,  A.,  73. 

Patshan,    24(;,    248,  249,  .380; 

int^m-geiitu  at,  247. 
Fearful  slauiihter,  318,  319. 
Feast,  of  flowers,  176,  177, 178 ; 

queun,  of,  178;  of  Lanterns, 

345,  34(i. 
Fellows,  Capt.,  248. 
Fernando     de   Noronha,    the 

island  of,  260. 
Festival  of  the  tombs,  308,  309. 
Field,  W.  H.,  142. 
Findley.  Mrs.,  157,  166,  172. 
Fines  and  imprisonment,  115, 

116. 
Fire,  attempt  to  destroy   the 

settlement  with,  270. 
Fire  of  the  old  flint,  109. 
Fisher,  Geo.  C,  357. 
Fisher,   S.  W.,  415,  416,  417  ; 

to  Mrs.  Bouuey,  415. 
Fitzhugh,  Mr.,  145,  146. 
Fitzhiigh,  H.,  170,  171. 
Flagg,  A    C,  111,  169;  post- 
master at  Albany  removed, 

169 ;  to  Gen.  Van  Rensse- 
laer. 111. 
Flagg,  Maj.,  125. 
Flagg,  Mr.,  195. 
Florence,  461. 
Flores,  43,  44. 
Flores,  Gen.,  .32,  a3,  38. 
Fok  kwi.,  471. 
Folger,  Capt.,  243. 
Folsom,  A.,  399. 
Folsom,  Mary  A.  T.,400. 
Folsom.  Mrs.   Arthur,  to  Rich- 
ard Van  Rensselaer,  399. 
Fing,  Judge,  384. 
Fontanier,    Mr..  499,   500,  502, 

620.    • 
Foochou,  268,  269,  389,  390,  424, 

470. 
Foong,  Mr.,  .386. 
Foot,  Jno.   P.,    to  Geu.  Van 

Rensselaer,  129. 
Forbes,  C,  300. 
Forbes,  P.,  223. 
Foreign  devils,  219. 
Forman,Col.  J.,  367. 
Formal),  D.,  .365. 
Forman,  Gen.,  176,. 366. 
Forman,  Mr.,  154. 
Forman,  Maj.,  66,  67,  169.  174, 

175,  176.  206,  207,  208. 
Forman,  Samuel  S.,  death  of, 

365 ;  family  of,  366. 
Forman,  S.,  365. 
Forman,  T.,  365. 
Fort  Ann,  77. 
Fort  Du  Quesne,  1.30. 
Fort  Henry,  97. 
Fort  Meigs,  1:36,  138. 
Fort  Washington,  128, 132, 136. 
Fowler,  18. 
Fowler,  M.,  25. 
Fox,  Mr.,  166,  169. 
Franklin,  Dr.,  366. 
Freeman,  Capt.,  526. 
Freemason,a  cannibal,  52S,  529. 
Fremasonary,  growth  of,  529, 

530. 
Frencli    and    English  defeat, 

309 ;  cruelty  of  the  victors, 

309. 
French  creek,  98,  99, 101,  102, 

103. 
French,  J.  B.,  307. 
French,  Rev.  John  B.,   death 

of,    307. 
French  school,  and    the  nun 

teachers,  49. 
Frisbie,  Capt.,  314. 
Frisby,  Col.,  214. 
Furber,  Capt.,  525. 


Funeral,  a,  at  sea,  2.56. 
Funeral,  ceremonies  at,  278. 
Funeral   of   the  Tientsin   vic- 
tims, 516,  521. 
Fung,  Hien,  .347. 
Fun  Wong.  284. 
Fusivama,  364. 
Futtehgurh,  289,  435. 


Gaft'ney,  J.  A.,  74. 
Gaillard,  C.  W.,  360,  362. 
Gain,  J.  P.,  128. 
Gaines,  Gen.  E.  P.,  163,  164. 
Gaines,  Mrs.  M.  C.  163. 
Gaines,  Myra    Clark  to  Gen. 

Van  Rensselaer,  163. 
Galle,  433. 
Gananoque,  100. 
Gansevoort,  Geu.  P.,  24. 
Gard,  W.,  128. 
Gardner,  Capt.,  251. 
Gardner,  Col.,  58. 
Gardner,  H.,  83. 
Geiseuger,  Com.,  2:32. 
Gelston,  D.,  151. 
Geneva,  144. 
Georgetown,  165. 
Gibson,  Mrs.,  94,  105. 
Gideon,  243. 
Gill,  Mrs.,  525. 
Gillespie,  W..  235. 
Gillett,     Miss     Eliza     Jane, 

marriage  of,  218. 
Glen,  49,  50. 
Glen,  Capt.  E.  S.,  20S. 
Glen,  E.  S.,  8   10,  11. 
Glen,  J.,  8,  10,  16,  17,-18,  208. 
Glen,  Jane  A.,  208. 
Glen,  Jessie,  :302. 
Glen,  Mr.,  4:3. 
Gteu,  Mr.,  27. 
Glen,  Mrs.,  353. 
Glen,  Sophia,  210. 
Glen's  Falls,  1.35. 
Gooding.  29,  :30,  :32. 
Gooding.  A.,  2.  .3,  4. 
Gooding,  Mr.,  22. 
Goodrich,  C,  421. 
Gorham,  Maj.  N.,  91,  92,  103. 
Gorham,  Nelson  to  Rensselaer 

Van  Rensselaer,  91. 
Gouverneur,  S.  L.,  110,   111. 
Gouverneur,    Bamuel    L..    to 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  110. 
Granger,  P.,  153,  155,  169.  170, 

171,  174. 
Granger,  Mr..  158,  202. 
Grant,  Mrs.,  514. 
Graves,  Mr.,  207. 
Graves,  N.  F.,  208. 
Graves,  our  soldiers,  a  poem, 

533. 
Gray,  J.  H.,  .370. 
Gray,  Mr.,  374,  401,  402,  405. 
Great  wall  of  China,  illustrated, 

510. 
Greeley,  Mr.,  118. 
Green.  San  Antonia,  297. 
Greenville,  128. 
Greenwood,  M.,  128. 
Groesbeck,  J.,  214. 
Groot,  P.  W.,  116. 
Groot,  Philip  W.,  to  Gen.  Van 

Rensselaer,  150. 
Gros.  Baron,  327. 
Guaduas,  4,  6,  10,  14. 
Guayaquil,  37. 
Guiinariics,  Gov..  302,  .354. 
Gulick,  J.  T.,.508,  514. 
Gulick,  Mr.,  .393. 
Gulick,  Mrs.,  509. 
Gundry,  R.  S.  to  Mrs.  Bonney, 

525. 
G Wynne,  Maj.,  140. 


Hadassah,  M.  E.  M.,  302. 

Hagarstowii,  157,  163. 

Hale,  Mr.,  435. 

Hall,  Mr.,  149. 

Hamburg,  251. 

Hamilton,  Geu..  194. 

Hanbury,  Mr.,  .534. 

Hancock.  J.,  246. 

Haney,  Dr.,  17. 

Hankow,  3.35, 341,  343,  345,  353, 
tion  to  partake  of  a  public 
354,  3a3,  393,  423,  424; 
arrival  at,  340. 

Happer,  A., 

Happer,  A.  P.,  424. 

Happer,  Dr.,  229,  242,  250,  251. 

Happer,  E.,  354,  356. 

Harkness,  A.,  131. 

Harrisburg,  11:3,  116,  117,  136, 
1.50,  174,  17.5,  186,  195. 

Harris,  Capt.,  ;354. 

Harris,  Mr.,  361. 

Harrison,Carter,  1,  45, 1,  19,  33. 

Harrison,  Dr.  Benjamin,  death 
of,  138. 

Harrison,  Gen.  W.  H.,  2,  3,  4, 
5,  7,  9,  10,  13,  18,  19,  2.3,  25, 
27.  28,  29,  30,  .35,  :36,  :37,  41, 
45,  55,  56.  57,  113,  115,  117, 
118,  119,  123,  129,  131,  135, 
137,  138,  139,  140,  141,  142, 
145,  146,  147,  148,  151.  152, 
153,  154,  155,  156,  1,57,  160, 
•161,  162,  163,  164,  165,  166, 
167,  168,  169,  172,  175,  180, 
181,  185,  186,  187,  188  ;  and 
suite  leave  Bogota,  (i ;  em- 
barkation of,  19  ;  and  suite 
arrive  in  New  York,  23 ; 
leaves  for  Washington,  23. 

Harrison,  W.  H.,  will  not  ac- 
cuse Moore  of  perfidy, 
30 ;  to  Rensselaer  ■  Van 
Rensselaer,  30.  36,  41; 
to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer, 
45,  55,  56,  113,  118,  122;  to 
S.  W.  Davis,  129;  nomi- 
nated for  president,  117; 
inauguration  of,  152 ;  an- 
nounced president  of  the 
United  States,  156;  inau- 
guration as  president,  160, 
161 ;  death  of,  171 ;  the 
melancholy  announce- 
ment. 171 ;  funeral  of,  at 
Washington,  172 :  funeral 
at  all  the  principal  cities, 
172;  last  hours  of,  173  ;  his 
remains  removed  to  North 
Bend,  173. 

Harrison,  Lieut.,  134. 

Harrison.  Mrs.  W.,  129,  141, 
157,  165,  166. 

Harrison,  President,  194,  205. 

Hart.  H.  V.,  73,74. 

Haswell,  Henrv  B.,  noble  con- 
duct of,  121 ;  death  of,  122. 

Haswell,  J.,  116,  117. 

Hattie's  Valentine  fete,  188, 
189,  I'M.  , 

Havana,  291,  292. 

Hawks,  Rev.,  72. 

Hawley,  G.,  73. 

Hays,  Mr.,  201. 

Haywood,  Judge,  41. 

Head,  F.,  83. 

Head,  F.  B.,  61,  6.3,  65,  69,  70. 

Head,  F.  S.,76,  80.  81. 

Heard,  A.,  268. 

Henderson,  Consul  Gcnl.,  1,  3, 
4,8. 

Henderson,  3,  6,  7,  12,  25,  26, 
•   .30,  31,  .33,  35,  36,  45. 

Henderson,  extract  from  mem- 
orandum of,  :36. 


Index. 


539 


Henderson,  young,  carried  off 
an  aligator,  7. 

Hepburn,  Dr.,  357. 

Hepbtini,  J.  C,  304. 

ne])l)iirn,  IVlr.,393. 

Hemdoii,  W.  N.,.a91,  202,  204. 

Herrau,  2. 

Herring,  E.,  151,  152,  159,  160. 

Herring,  Elbert,  to  Gen.  Van 
Rensselaer,  151,  159. 

Hewlit,  Mr.,  297,  309. 

Hewskiii,  Mr.,  3G1. 

Hien  Fiinu-,  Emperor  of  Cliina, 
death  of,  .347. 

Hilton,  Miss  C,  177. 

Hioga,  525. 

Hoadley,  Maj.,  102. 

Hobson,  Dr.  B.,  229,  234. 

Hobson,  Mr.,  243. 

Hudson,  Mr.,  198. 

Hogan,  Col.,  35. 

Holden,  Maj.,  16,  17,  27. 

Hollo  way.  Col.,  296. 

Holmes,  Rev.  Mr.,  348. 

Houam,  404. 

Honda,  7,  31. 

Hongkew,  522. 

Hong  kong,  217,  226,  229,  231, 
236,  237,  244,  247,  248,  250. 
265,  266,  270,  271,  273,  '275, 
280.  284,  289,  291,  301,  323, 
354,  356,  361,  388,  389,  .394, 
395,  408.  427.  521,  522,  524 ; 
landing  at,  265 ;  the  streets 
of,  267. 

Hooker,  A.,  397. 

Hoong  Sow,  342. 

Hopper,  E.,  344. 

Horrible  atrocities  of  Cliinese 
warfare,  343. 

Howqua,  302,  328. 

Howland,  W.,  432. 

Hubb,  Mr.,  86. 

Hull,  Gen.,  143. 

Hullinger,  W.,  85. 

Hunan,  356. 

Hung  Sintsinen,  321. 

Hunt,  W..  128. 

Hunter,  Mrs.,  351. 

Huntress,  the  arrival  of,  at 
VVhampoa,  221. 

Hu  Sing  Mee,  470. 

Hutton,  Mr.,  297. 

Hyatt,  Thomas  H.,  87;  to 
Rensselaer  Van  Rens- 
selaer, 87 . 


Indian  treaty,  anniversary  of, 
at  Greenville,  Ohio,  128. 

Inauguration  ball,  165. 

InglisB,  309. 

Ingratitude,  109. 

Inquisition,  lodgings  in,  8. 

Introduction  to  wild  Indians, 
167. 

Irwin,  A.,  128. 

Irwing,  Mr.,  163. 

Isaacs,  Mr.,  145. 

Iverson,  E.,  525. 


Jackson,  Gen.  J.,  .32,44,  45,  47, 
87,  92,  109,  146,  152,  155, 
194,  200 ;  expects  a  second 
presidential  term,  45. 

Jackson,  President,  13,  180, 
182. 

Jacob  Bell,  the  clipper  ship, 
captured  bv  pirates,  314. 

Jaffa,  449. 

Jamaica,  20,  43. 

Janueson,  A.,  525. 


James,  Mr.,  229. 

Japan    missionary    pioneers, 

314;    treaty    s'igned,    245; 

visit  to,  356. 
Japanese,  houses   and  shops, 

358 ;  people,  358. 
Jay.  Gov.,  194. 
Jay,  J.,  179. 

Jefferson,  President,  152. 
Jeffersonian,  letter  to  editor  of 

the,  99. 
Jericho,  447. 
Jerusalem,  442,  444,  447,   448  ; 

to  Naples,  442-457. 
Jennifer,  Mr.,  167. 
Jessup,  Gen.,  163. 
Johnson,  B.,S3.  98. 
Johnson,  Col.,  21,  32,  194. 
Johnson,  Dr.  E.,  79,85. 
Johnson,  P  ,  142. 
Johnson,  Gen.,  195. 
Johnston.  R.,  57,  59. 
Johnson;  R.  M.,  106,  108,  1,55, 

161. 
Johnson,  Vice  President,  57 ; 

to  Gen.   Van  Rensselaer, 

106,  108. 
Johnson,  W.,  135. 
Johnston,   E.,    to    Rensselaer 

Van  Rensselaer,  85. 
Johnston,  Robert  to  Gen.  Van 

Rensselaer,  ,57. 
Jones,  Consul  W.  P.,  to  Mrs. 

Bonney,  409. 
Jones,  Col.  C,  267. 
Jones,  D.  R.  P.,  164. 
Jones,  J.  H.,  247. 
Jones,  Miss,  356. 
Jones,  W.  P.,  379,  405,409,  411. 
Joppa,  443. 
Judson,  J.  L.,  73. 
Jupiter,  620. 


Kanagawa,  .357,  359,  363,  364. 

Kana-sien,  252. 

Kan  Wang,  341.  342. 

Kanghsi,  496. 

Keasbury,  B.  P.,  429,  430, 

Keith,  Mr.,  319. 

Kelly,  Capt.,  296. 

Kelley,  Mr.,130. 

Kelly,  W.,  272. 

Kendall,  A.,  109,  135. 

Kennedy,  Dr.,  214,  254. 

Kerr,  Dr  ,  309. 

Keying,  the  Chinese  imperial 
commissioner,  275,  276 ; 
portrait  of,  275. 

Kiachta,  514. 

Kiangsi,  354. 

King',  J.,  242. 

King  J.  A.,  117. 

King,  Mr.,  167,  167,  194. 

Kiukiang,  354,  403. 

King  of  Siam,  to  S.  W. Bonney, 
237,  238,  239,  240;  auto- 
graphs of,  237,  238,  239, 
240. 

King,  R.,  457,  458. 

King,  W.R.,  161. 

Kingston,  97,  100,116,211. 

Kip,  W.,  363. 

Kiss,  importance  of  a,  magni- 
fied, 155. 

Knowlton,  Rev.  Mr.,  244. 

Knox,  Gen.,  366. 

Knox,  Mr.,  174. 

Koonho,  472. 

Kong  Poong,  236. 

Kosciusko,  speech  in  honor  of, 
57. 

Krone,  Rev.  Mr.,  4.34. 

Kung,  Prince,  494,  519,  523. 


Laisun,  Chan,  235. 

Lak,  Gen.,  .384. 

La  Mera,  32. 

Lansins,  C.  B.,  .55. 

Lansing,  G  ,  435. 

Lansing,  G.  Y.,  73. 

Lawrence,  A.,  183. 

Lawrence,  J.  R.,  208. 

Lawrence,  Mr.,  174. 

Lay,  Mr.,  498. 

Layuug.  471. 

Layung,  Teen,  339. 

Lay,  W.  H.,  516. 

Leavenworth,  E.  W.  to  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer,  204. 

Leavenworth,  Gen.  B.  W.,  174. 
204,  205. 

Lee,  Maj.,  365. 

Lee,  Mr.,  144. 

Lee,  Mrs.  G.,  144. 

Legge,  J.,  408. 

Legge,  Rev.  Dr.  James  to 
Mrs.  Bonnev,  408. 

Leidendorf,  14,  34,  37. 

Lelte.  Lieut..  2^5. 

Leland,  A.,  29,  35, 

Lett,  Mr.,  143. 

Letter  from  an  American  in 
China,  .344. 

Letter  from  Bogota,  28 . 

Lewis,  Gov.  Morgan,  59,  60, 
61,  143. 

Lewis,  J.,  475. 

Lewis,  L.,  102. 

Lewis.  Morgan,  portrait  of, 
59';  to  Gen.  Van  Rensse- 
laer, 61 ;  death  of,  61. 

Lewis,  T.,  134. 

Lewiston,  63,  77,  142,  14:5. 

Lewiston,  letter  from,  63. 

Lexington,  113. 

Liang  Afah,  321. 

Lincklaen,  Mr  ,  .367. 

Lind,  Jennie,  438. 

Linn,  Mr.,  166. 

Lisl)on,289. 

Livingston,  E.,  45. 

Little,  A.  J.,  525. 

Livingston,  President,  206. 

Lobscheid,  Rev.  Mr.,  234. 

Loch,  Mr.,  510. 

Lockport,  106. 

Log  cabin  poetry,  128 ;  raising, 
fjrand,  139. 

Loudon,  its  celebrities  visited, 
464,  465. 

London,  272,  464. 

Lougvvorth,  N.,  276. 

Loochoo,  245. 

Loomis,  Mr.,  2.33  235. 

Loong-teen,  372. 

Lopex,  Purser,  320. 

Lopez,  Gen.,  32,  38,  43. 

Lord,  Rev.  Mr.,  214. 

Lotus  leaves,  and  their  Hindoo 
signification,  290,  291. 

Loudon,  U.  C,  116. 

Louisville,  11.3,  140,  141,  142. 

Louisville,  extends  invitation 
to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  for 
a  public  dinner,  142. 

Lovett,  Capt.,  217. 

Lovett,  Maj.,  142. 

Low,  Capt.,  264. 

Low,  C.  P.,  2,56. 

Low,  Mr.,  506. 

Low,  Mrs.,  2.57,  514. 

Lowrie,  Rev.  Walter  M.,  mur- 
der of,  by  pirates,  223. 

Lncknow,  524. 

Lush,  S.  S.,  73,  119. 
Lush,  Samuel    S.  to  Rensse- 
laer Van  Rensselaer,  119. 
Lyons,  462. 
Lysoou,  243. 


540 

Lysoou,  Chan,  285. 
Lytle,  E.,  45. 


Macao,  218.   2-35,  236,  245,  247, 
249,  265,  269,  270,  275,  276, 
279,  283.  284,  286,  287,  288, 
289,  298,  300,  301,  302,  304, 
305,  313,  314,  319,  320,  321, 
322.  32:3,  351,  354,   379,  405, 
409,  462,468,469. 
Macaiiley.  Capt.,  106. 
Mac  Keuzie,  Mr.,  116. 
Mac  Kenzie,  W.  L.,  62,  63,  64, 

69,  79. 
Mac  Kenzie,   W.     L.,     issues 
proclamation  .  tor     volun- 
teers for  the  patriot  rising 
in  Canada,  62. 
MacMaiius,  Capt.,'32. 
Macpherson,  J .,  26. 
Macpherson,  J.  M.,  37,  38,  42, 

44. 
Macphcrson,     John     M.,     to 
Rensselaer    Van    Rensse- 
laer, 26,  37,  42. 
Macpherson,  M.  J.,  28. 
Macy,   Rev.   W.  A.,  218,  231, 
232,  307,  356  ;  death  of,  307. 
Madison,  President,  152. 
Maflit,  3H. 
Magdalena  liver,  voyage  down 

Ihe,  7,  8,  10. 
Mahomedan  rebellion,  fearful 

atrocities  of,  505. 
Maher,  J.,  73. 
Malays,  native,  263. 
Malder,  82. 102. 
Manilla,  301. 
Mansoura,  4.35. 
Manufactures  of  China,  .325. 
Maracaibo,  23. 
Maracaybo.  .38. 
Marcv,"68,    81,"  84,  87,  90,  92, 

107. 
Markhani.  .!.,  525. 
Marriage,  triple,  297,  298. 
Marryatt,  Capt.,  gives  a  toast, 

100. 
Marsh,  F.  A.,  208. 
Marshall,  E.  C,  523. 
Martin,  Francisco,  29. 
Martin,  Gen.,  524. 
Martin,  Juan,  27. 
Martin,  W.  A.  P.,  515. 
Martineau,  Capt.,  297. 
Martiquez,  5. 

Massacre  of  Englishmen,  225. 
Masy,  VV .  A.,  403.     . 
Matheson,  Mrs.,  323,  333,  465. 
Maumee,  134. 
Mayo,  Commander,  .37. 
McCartee,  Dr..  341. 
McCarty,  Sarah,  367. 
McCullough,  114. 
McDonald,  W..  16.  17,  24,  25. 
McElroy,  T.,  117. 
McKane,  Capt.,  324. 
McKay,  Mr.,  126. 
McKenzie,  W.   L.,  78,   80,  81, 
82,  83,  88.  90,  91,  93,  94,  97, 
99,  100,  101,  104,  105.  115. 
McKenzie,  ^^'m.  Lyon,  his  tine 
and      imprisonment      re- 
mitted, 126 ;  to  Geu.  Van 
Rensselaer,  105. 
McKinstry,  Capt.,  529. 
McLean,  John,    to  G^.   Van 

Rensselaer,  111,  146. 
McLean,  Judge,  111,  112,  146, 

147,  195,  198. 
McLeod,  Mr.,  169. 
McLeod,  A.,  73. 
McLeod,  D.,  116. 


Index. 


McLeod,  Bri^r.  Genl.,  90,  97, 
101,  105,  115. 

McLeod,  Donald,  to  Rensselaer 
Van  Rennsseiaer,  115. 

McMahon,  Mr.,  114. 

McNab,  82,  83,  86,  87,  90,  106. 

McNab.  A.,  115. 

McNab,  Col.,  72,73. 

McNab,  Gen.,  knighted,  106. 

McNail,  M.,145. 

McPhersou,  J.,  16,  17. 

McPherson,  Mai,,  16. 

Meadows,  Mr.,  493. 

M ears,  J.  W.,  349. 

Mecca,  440. 

Medhurst,  283. 

Medhurst,  Rev.  Dr.,  429. 

Medhurst.  W.  H.,  218,  223, 
327. 

MeiL's,  Gov.,  194. 

Meigs,  Mr.,  110. 

Mel  en,  Capt.,  3. 

Mencius,  283. 

Mendon,  8(5. 

Merriam,  Mr.,  403. 

Messina,  450,  452. 

Metcalf,  Gov.,  192. 

Meyers,  C  B.,  to  Rensselaer 
Van  Rensselaer,  33. 

Meyers,  Mr.,  30. 

Middletown  Point,  365. 

Mignault,  Rev.  Mr.,  209.  212. 

JMilitary  notes,  90,  103. 

Mills,  Maj.,  134. 

Mills,  Mr.,  98. 

Ming  Cheng,  240. 

Jliranda,  Leandro,  29. 

Mission  work  of  Mrs.  Bouney, 
a  retrospect,  467. 

Missionaries,  murder  of  two, 
.348;  number  of  in  Canton, 
280;  employnative  teachers, 
260 ;  willingness  of  the 
Chinese  to  receive,  280; 
personal  sketches  of,  227. 

Missionary  conference,  resolu- 
tions adopted  by,  407 ; 
correspondence,  313 ;  the, 
216. 

Misunderstanding,  a,  and  what 
came  of  it,  17,  18. 

Mongkut,  S.  P.  P.  M.,  237, 
238,  239,  240,  241. 

Mompox.  7. 

Monroe,  Mr.,  146,  152,  184, 187, 
194. 

Monroe,  Prest.,  110,111. 

Montgomery,  Lieut.,  lS8. 

Montgomery,  Maj.,  532. 

Monthly  boating  trips,  309. 

Montilla,  Gen  ,  13,  14,  43,  44. 

Montillo,  Gen.,  25. 

Montijo,  Eugenie  de,  289. 

Montreal,  49,  211. 

Monuments  to  the  noble  dead, 
532,  533. 

Moodie,  Col.,  63. 

Moore,  Col.,  T.  P.,  1, 3.  4.'9,  10, 
12,  .13,  14,22.  24,28,  29,  .30, 
33,  34,  35,  36 ;  publicly  de- 
nounced, 35  ;  foul  play  of, 
35;  U.  S.  minister  publicly 
insulted,  33  ;  to  Rensselaer 
Van  Rensselaer,  1, 12. 

Morgan,  Mr.,  159. 

Morris,  R.,  221. 
Morrison,  M.  C,  240. 

Morrison,  Dr.  R.,  229,2.34,  276, 
279,  281, 407 ;  Robert,  death 
of,  276. 

Morrison,  Robert,  the  first 
protestant  missionary  in 
Canton.  279;  death  of  279; 
writes  Chinese  dictionary, 
279. 


Morse,  Mr.,  250,  251,  261,  265. 
Morse,  245,  249,  250. 
Morse,  S.  E.,  257. 
Moscow.  514. 
Mosul,  291. 
Mt.  Holyoke,  279. 
IMulligau,  Mary,  206. 
Musquera,  Mr.,  38. 


Nagasaki.  364.525. 

Nankin,  252,  319,  3:35,  .341,  343, 
349,  497,  498  ;  overland  trip 
to,  335. 

Nan  Chang,  354. 

Nankow,  506,  507,  508. 

Naples,  442,  457. 

Naples  to  Cherry  Hill,  457-466. 

Nare,  2. 

Natchez,  366,  367. 

Needham,  Col.,  29. 

Nelson,  Mr.,  .398. 

Nelson,  D.  O.,  179,  180;  to 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  179. 

Nelson,  R.,  523. 

Nevin,  J.  C,  424,  435. 

Newark,  415 . 

New  Canaan,  397,  398,  403,  415. 

New  Haven.  918. 

Newtown,  304.  404. 

New  York,  10, 160,  175.  205. 

Ney,  M.,  109. 

Ngauking,  .341. 

Nga  Ping,  340. 

Nga  Seen  Shang  marriage  ot, 
389. 

Niagara,  116. 

Nic'holett,  H.,  274. 

Nightblooming  cercus,  276. 

Ningpo.  223,  283. 

North  Bend,  30,  36,  113,  118, 
122,  129,  135,  138,  139,  140, 
147,  162,  172,  173. 

Norfolk,  291. 

Norwalk,  ,398.  . 

Norwegian  barque  Ellen  to  the 
rescue,  295 ;  remarkable  in- 
cident to  the  captain  of, 
295. 

Nullilication  in  South  Caro- 
lina, 46,  47. 

Nunez,  Mr.,  43. 

Nursery  of  Chinese  girls,  286. 

Nye,  G.,  248,  323,  351. 


Oberlin,  425. 

Ocacia,  26. 

Ogden,35. 

O'Leary,  Mr.,  2,  4,  5,  6,  11. 

O'Leary,  D.  F.,  11. 

O'Learv.  Gen..  18. 

Oliver,"  W.,  131. 

Olmsted,  C.  S.,  73. 

Olyphant,  Mr.,  253,  356. 

Omaha,  527. 

O-naj-e-ro,  361. 

Onondaga,  101. 

Oo  Shek,  386. 

Orbanda,  38. 

Orbando,  Gen.,  27,  43,  44. 

Ordination,  the  first  in  China, 

218. 
Osac-a-sa,  362. 
Osiout,  435. 

Oswego,  96,  103,  146,  170. 
Oswego  county  whig  meeting, 

145. 
Our   house  compared  with  a 

Pearl  street  residence,  305. 
Outward  bound,  256. 
Overland  malls  and  pleasant 

letters,  307. 


Index. 


641 


Paez,  Gen.,23,  24,  27,  32,  38, 

44. 
Pak-kwi,  death  of,  308. 
Pak-  kwif,  381. 
Palestine,  242,  300. 
Palmer,  N.  B.,  256,  263,  299. 
Panama,  38,  43. 
Papineau,  Mr., 74. 
Paris,  242,  276;    a  glance    at 

462,  463. 
Parker,  Rev.   Dr.    Peter,  218, 

227.  230,  232,  268,  269,   270, 

288,     291,     348;     U.      S. 

raiiiisrer,  superseded,  288. 
Parkes,  H.,  394,510. 
Parlios,  H.  S.,  296.297. 
Parochial  duties,  300. 
Parsons,  Rev.  H.  A.  94,  96. 
Parsons,  11.  A.   to  Rensselaer 

Van  Rensselaer,  94 . 
Parsons,  L,  S.,  177. 
Parsons,  Mr.,  242. 
Parsons.  Miss,  177. 
Pasco.  32. 

Patterson,  Cornelia,  107. 
Patterson,  Judge,- 107. 
Peat,  Rev.  Mr.,  389. 
Peet,  Rev.  Mr.,  222. 
Pehtaug,  421. 
Peiho.  309. 
Peking,  270,  301,  309,  347,   357, 

396,  412,  413,  417.  418,  419, 

420,  490,  496.  500,   502,   503, 

504,  506,  508,  509,  513,   514, 

516,521,523. 
Peking  home,  the    establish- 
ment of,  481,  513. 
Pek-kwei,  297. 
Pendleton,  Col.   N.   G.,   113, 

127,  139,  140,  141 . 
Pendleton,  Susan,  140. 
Penty,  273. 
Perry,  Com.,  135,  144,  247,  248, 

249,  250. 
Perry,  Consul  O.  H.,  299,  308, 

347,    39.3,    417;    to    Mrs. 

Bonney,  417;   to   Rev.    S. 

W.  Bonney,  .308. 
Perry,  M.  C,  417. 
Peter's  Pence,  custom  of,  278. 
Phelps,  145. 
Philadelphia,  30,  41,  136,  148, 

2SS. 
Philip,  144. 
Photograph   of    pupils,    with 

personal  sketches,  470, 472. 
Pickens,  Mr.,  157. 
Pickett.  Mr.,  12,  22,  30,  31,  32. 
Piercy,  Rev.,  363,  369. 
Piercy,  G.,  379,405. 
Pigeon  English,  specimens  of, 

387. 
Pike,  Gen.,  36. 
Pinckney,  Gen.,  194. 
Ping,  Shek,  337. 
Pino,  7 . 
Pittsburg,  136. 
Planets  and  the  southern  cross, 

260. 
Plattsburgh,  48,  97. 
Pocahontas,  156. 
Poem,     The     Missionary    to 

China,  217  ;  We  would  not 

wish  them  back  again,  215. 
Pohlman,  Rev .  W.  J.,  219,  232 ; 

drowned,  231. 
Pohlman,  W.  A.,  429. 
Poindexter,  Gov.,  135. 
Poinsett,  J.  R.,  45,  47,  126;  to 

Rensselaer     Van       Rens- 
selaer, 46. 
Poison,  comprehensive  scheme 

to,  269. 
Policy,  of  the  government,  9, 

10,  11. 


Pompeii,  4,'i4. 

Pompey,  130. 

Popayan,  27,  38. 

Porter,  Mr.,  142. 

Porter.  A.,  .3.3,  86. 

Porter,  J.,  73. 

Porter,  Gen.  P.  B.,  143,  144. 

Portman,  361,  363. 

Porto  Cavello,  24. 

Portsmouth,  136. 

Posey,  Maj.  J.,  134. 

Porpoises,  a  large  school  of, 
259. 

Postmaster  Gen.  to  Gen.  Van 
Rensselaer,  169. 

Powell,  Judge,  106. 

Powell,  Mr.,  63. 

Pratt,  Mr..  250. 

Pratt,  R.  R.,  399. 

Pratt,  Mary,  531 . 

Prayer  lor  God's  guidance,  253. 

Precautions  to  avoid  Chinese 
mobs,  515 . 

Presbyterian  mission  rein- 
forced, 221 . 

Preston,  167. 

Preston,  C.  P.,  250, 364,  402, 407. 

Preston,  J.,  270,  297.405. 

Preston,  Mr.,  147,  200. 

Preston,  Rev.  Mr.,  354. 

Princeton,  185. 

Prince  Kung,  portrait  of,  503. 

Proclamation  of  bounty,  62. 

Proscription,  109. 

Protopopoff,  Mr.,  499. 

Providence,  334. 

Pruyn,  Gen.,  357 

Pruyn,  R.  C.,-359,  363. 

Pruyn.R.  H.,  393,  415;  gener- 
ous offer  of,  415  ;  U.  S,  min- 
ister to  Japan,  359  ;  invita- 
tion from  359 ;  his  court- 
eousness,  359. 

Pruyn,  Mr.,  361,  414. 

Pruyn,  Mrs.,  525. 

Public  whipping,  331 ;  illustra- 
tion, .355. 

Punishments,  severe,  348. 

Purdon,  J.  G.,  524. 


Quackenbush,  J.  N.,  73. 
Qu  .yaquil,  13. 
Quebec,  211,  212,  532. 
Queenston  Heiahts,  76,  77, 112, 
Queenstown,  67,  109,  110,   130, 

143. 
Queenstown   Heights,  makes 

a  request,  112. 
Quito,  9,  28,  44. 


Ramleh,  444. 

Rankin,  Mr.,  299 

Rash,  Col.,  25. 

Rattlesnake  island,  144. 

Rawle,  Rebecca,  257. 

Read,  W.  B.,  296. 

Receipt,  old  fashioned,  for  a 
cold,  163. 

Reed,  Wm.  B.,  288;  appointed 
U.  S.  minister,  288. 

Reminiscences  of  an  old  fash- 
ioned lady,  .38,  39,  40. 

Rescue  of  a  Malay  from  an  open 
boat,  264. 

Retrospect  of  the  American 
rebelli(m,  351,  352. 

Reun,  Tseang.  349. 

Reynolds,  J.N. ,  151. 

Ricci,  496. 

Richardson,  Mr.,  364. 

Ridgeville,  111. 

Rio  de  la  Hache,  expedition 
against,  37,38. 


Rives,  Mr.,  147. 
Roasting  an  ox,  135. 
Roberts,  I.  J.,  227,  321,   .341, 

342,  343. 
Robertson,  D.  B.,  369. 
Robertson,  J.  R.,  208. 
Robinson,  J.,  73. 
Rochechouart,     Count,     518 ; 

address  of,  519. 
Rochester,    90,    102,  105,   120, 

190. 
Rocune,  Baron,  164. 
Rodgers,  Capt.  J.,  246,  523. 
Rodger,  Rev.  Dr.,  299. 
Rodrequez,  43. 
Rogers,  H.W.,  71. 
Rolph,  J.,  63,  64,  76,  80,  98. 
Rome,  446,  451 ;  reminiscences 

of.  457,461. 
Rowe,  S.  C.,302. 
Russell,  Mr.,  308. 
Russell,  P.  C.,208. 
Rutter,  Mr.,  226. 
Rykman,  9,  11. 


Sacketts  Harbor,  101. 

Sadler,  J.,  .33. 

Saflbrd,  J.,  229. 

Sag  Harbor,  354,  356. 

Sahib  Nana,  an  incarnation  of 
brutality,  289. 

Saigon,  427. 

Salem,  229. 

Salem,  H    L.,  128. 

Salina,  103. 

Samarang,  251. 

Samson,  P.  C.,208. 

Sandeman,  D.,  308. 

Sandeman,  Rev.  David,  death 
of,  307 ;  his  munificent 
bequest,  307. 

Sanders,  J.,  108. 

Sandusky,  144. 

Saudwith,  Lieut.,  fatal  acci- 
dent to,  345. 

San  Francisco,  245,  425,  526. 

San  Jose  de  Cucuta,  25. 

Santa  Martha,  10,  23,  24,  35,  37, 
38,  44. 

Santander,  44. 

Santuario,  11. 

Spencer,  J.  C,  153. 

Saratoga,  212. 

Sarawak,  insurrection  at,  273, 
274. 

Sargent,  Mr.,  147r 

Saunders,  7. 

Saunders,  Maria,  death  of,  38  ; 
a  Christian  of  rigid  integ- 
rity, .39 ;  a  connecting  link 
between  the  ancient  and 
modern  austerities,  40. 

Savanillo.  37. 

Say-ung-tam,  343. 

Schenck,  Capt.,  340. 

Schermerhorn,  A.  M.,  196, 
197. 

Schemerhorn,  H.  V.  R.,  144, 
162,  163,  182,  197,  198:  to 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  162, 
182,  197. 

Schlosser,  87. 

Scholar,  a  devout,  51 . 

Schuyler,  P.,  170. 

Scott,  Genl.,47,  90  91,  92,  97, 
107, 114,  148, 164,  201 

Scott,  W.,  84. 

Scudder,  Dr..  253,  467. 

Seaton,  W.,  154. 

Seaman's  compass  and  chart, 
2.58. 

Second  departure  for  China, 
466. 

Seneca  lake,  144 . 


542 


Index. 


Serpent,  a  huge,  escape  and 
death, 322. 

Seward,  F.  W.,  417. 

Seward,  G.  P.,  505. 

Seward,  G.  H.,  3.5B. 

Seward,  Mr.,  195, 19T,  199,  200, 
524. 

Seward.  W.  H.,  109,  124,  531 ; 
to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer, 
109;  to  Rensselaer  Van 
Rensselaer,  125 ;  visits  Pe- 
km,  523. 

Seymour,  Gov.,  365. 

Seymour,  M.,  270,  271. 

Shally,  L.  H..  128. 

Slmiig.  U.  S.,  308. 

Shanghai,  229,  244,  247,  270, 
283,  307,  309,  320,  323.  327, 
340,  341,  344,  354,  356,  309, 
394,  396,  418.  499,  500,  505, 
522.  524,  .525.  .529,  531 ;  Eu- 
rasian school,  524  ;  passage 
to.  in  the  Saginaw.  340,  .341; 
taking  of,  by  the  imperial- 
ists, 251. 

Shamhurgh,  Col*.,  134. 

Shameen,  .394. 

Shantung.  348 

Shark,  capture  of  a,  259. 

Shaw.  L..  111. 

Sheaffe,  Gen.,  211. 

Shee-ue  Chow  Foo,  trip  to,  379. 

Shelby,  135. 

Shelbyville,  205. 

Sherwood,  L.  A.,  396. 

Shipboard,  a  pleasant  com- 
pany, on,  257. 

Shultz,  Gov.,  118. 

Sherman,  Capt.  R.  M.,  48. 

Shun,  M.,  384. 

Siam,  236.  337,  240. 

Siamese  national  flag,  237, 

Simons,  Mrs..  -314. 

Simon,  Mr.,  499,  .500. 

Singapore.  227,  280,  389,  428. 

Singh,  Maha  Rajah,  Duleep, 
435. 

Sintsinen,  Hung,  318. 

Slingerland,  J.  I..  135,  196,  200. 
to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer, 
195. 

Small  foot,  illustrated,  .327. 

Smith,  A.  D.,  294. 

Smith,  H.  K..72. 

Smith,  Maj.,  164.166,  108. 

Smith,  Mr.,  297.  369. 

Smith,  Miss,  164. 

Smith,  Rev.,  3(i2. 

Smith,  Rev.  Samuel  to  Mrs. 
Bonney,  408. 

Smith,  S..  402,  409. 

Smith.  Thomas  L.,  158,  178, 
179 ;  to  Gen.  Dennisou,  178. 

Smith,  Virginia,  165. 

Soledad,  37. 

So,  Mr.,  376. 

Soo,  Mr.,  372. 

Soochow,  319. 

Sooutsoy,  471. 

South  Amljoy,  136. 

Southampton,  249. 

South  American  letters  con- 
tinued, 21. 

Southard,  Mr  ,  147. 

South  Carolina,  nullification 
in,  42;  threatens  to  secede, 
55. 

Southgate,  W.  W.,  135. 

South  Hadley,  242. 

Sourabaya,  251. 

Speiden,  W.,32.3. 

Speidcn,  W.   &  E.,  299. 

Spencer,  Ambrose  to  Gen.  Van 
Rensselaer,  2) . 

Spencer,  J.  A.,  74. 


Spencer,  J.  C,  117,   179,   182, 

183. 
Spencer,  Judge.  106. 
Spooner,  Mr.,  246. 
Spooner,  Mrs.,  4.30. 
Sprague.  Mr..  118. 
Sprague,  Rev.  Dr.,  214. 
Sprague,  Rev.  W.  B.,  38. 
Springfield,  137, 138,  139. 
Spurgeon,  Mr.,  465. 
Stanley,  C.  A.,  522. 
Stanley,  Rev.  Mr.,  422. 
Stanley,  Mr.,  137. 
Stanton,  Miss  Mary,  164. 
Stanton,  Rev.  V.  J.,  21S. 
Starvation,  horrible,  297. 
Statement   in  regard    of   the 

United  States  Bank,  186. 
St.  Augustine,  152. 
Stephenson,  M.,  396. 
Stevens,  S.,  73.  214. 
Stewart,  C,  136. 
St.  Helena,  109. 
Stinging  rebuke,  168. 
St.  Johns,  49. 
St.  Louis,  141. 
Stockles.Mr.,  166. 
Stone,  Col.,  157. 
Stone,  W.  L.,  149. 
Stone,  William  L.  to  Gen.  Van 

Rensselaer,  149. 
Storm,  violent  and  destructive, 

229. 
Stowe,'Mr8.,  343. 
St.  Peti  rsburg,  514. 
Strader,  J.,  131. 
Straubenzie,  C . ,  349. 
Street  gods,  313: 
St.  Regis,  109. 
Stronach,  Rev.  J.,  323. 
Stuart,  C,  324. 
Students  and  their   mode    of 

study,  330,  331 . 
Sucre,  Gen,  23,  34. 
Sucre,  Gen.  Ignacio,  43,  44. 
Sucre,  Gen.  atBarranquilla,  43 ; 

assasination  of,  44. 
Suez,  435. 
Suicides,  their  frequency,  327, 

338 
Sullivan,  Mr,  106,  365. 
Sun  Chow  village,  335. 
Suque,  22. 
Surratt,  J.  H.,  435. 
Sutherland,  Mr.,  81. 
Sutherland,  T.  J.,  78,  103. 
Sweeney,  J.,  S3. 
Swilt,  Gen.,  197, 198. 
Sydenham,  464. 
Syle,  E.  W.,  522,  595. 
Symmes,  Anna,  141. 
Symmes,  Judge,  141 . 
Syracuse,  93,  96,  98,  104,  169, 

174,  175,  205,  206,  207. 


Takhai  Shib,  319. 

Taiping  Wang,  :320. 

Taney,  Justice,  104. 

Taney,  R.  B.,  161. 

Tayloe,  Edward  T.,  2,  3,  5,  6, 
8,11,  13,25,29,30,  33.  34; 
to  Rensselaer  Van  Rens- 
selaer, 29. 

Taylor,  Bayard,  a  walk  with, 
248. 

Taylor,  F.  W..330,  430. 

Taylor,  Gen..  140, 190. 191, 193, 
193,  196,  197,  199.  200,  204. 

Taylor,  Maria  F,,  177. 

Taylor,  Miss,  158. 

Taylor,  Mr.,  78,  243. 

Taylor,  Mrs.,  172. 

Taylor,  Rev.  Mr.,  493. 


Taylor,  W.  H.  H.,  127;  to  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer,  127. 

Tea.  its  cultivation  and  prepa- 
ration for  market.  310,  311. 

Teba,  Countess  de,  289. 

Temple,  a  residence  in  the,  230. 

Temple,  Col.  R.  E.,  214. 

Temple  of  Heaven,  495. 

Temples  and  gods,  244,  245. 

Ten  Eyck,  C,  55. 

TenEyck,  L.  G.,  116. 

Tepaquine,  .31. 

Theatricals,  287,  288. 

Thierry,  Abbe,  521 . 

Thierry,  M.,  518,  520;  apost- 
los  vicar,  address  of,  ,530. 

Thieves  and  jugglers,  331,  333. 

Thomas,  Miss  P..  177. 

Thomassin,  M..  499,  500,  530. 

Thompson,  Judge,  133. 

Thompson,  Mr..  392. 

Thorburn,  Mr.,  339. 

Tientsin,  .309,  333,  431,497.  498, 
499,  500,  501,  503,  504,  515, 
521,  552;  tragedy,  488,  498, 
499.  500,  SOI,  502,  503,  504. 

Todd,  C.  S.,  113,  128.  137,  138, 
140,  155,167,  305;  to  Gen. 
Van  Renselaer,  305. 

Tokier,  308. 

Tommy,  the  Japanese,  361. 

Tompkins,  Mr.,  194. 

Ttmwanda,  81,  83. 

Torbace,  25. 

Toronto,  63,  64,  79, 102, 106, 116. 

Torrens,  Col.,  8,  13,  14,  19,  33, 
.35.  36. 

Tour  to  the  west,  127. 

Townsend,  Isaiali,  21. 

Townseud,  J.,  73. 

Townsend,  J.  P.,  214. 

Townsend,  R.,  434. 

Tracy,  Mr.,  74. 

Traveling  by  cart,  418. 

Travers,  8,  12,  22,  23.  30,  31 . 

Travers,  T.  K.,  to  Rensselaer 
Van  Rensselaer.  22,  31. 

Tribute,  a,  from  the  depart- 
ment of  state  to  Mr.  Bon- 
ney, 417. 

Triumph  of  Albany  belle,  164. 

Troubles,  serious,  in  the  for- 
eign settlements,  279. 

Tseang  Reun,  349. 

Tsiug'Une,  380. 

Tsung-fe,  373. 

TsungShiug,  376. 

Tuk,Maj.,  .384. 

Tung  Chow,  321,  515,  522. 

Turbulent  mob,  a,  219. 

Turner,  Mr.,  19,  29,  135. 

Tyers.Mr.,356. 

Tyler,  John,  117,  119,  155,  161, 
182,  183,  184,  186,  188,  194, 
200,  201 ;  announced  vice 
piesident  of  the  United 
States,  156  ;  nominated  for 
vice  president,  117;  presi- 
dent, 174;  promises  to 
carry  out  certain  policies, 
173, 174 ;  his  remarks  about 
the  U.  S.  banks  of,  184. 

Tyler,  President,  172,  175,  176, 
178,  180,  181,  182.     • 

Tyler,  R.,  184. 

Typhoon,  terrific,  362,  367,  368, 
369. 

Tyson,  Mr.,  418. 


Union  Pacific  railroad  scenes, 
527,  528. 

United  States  legation,  359, 
361 ;  preparations  to  de- 
fend, 5. 


Index. 


543 


TJrdaneta,  Gen.,  2,  6,  11,  23,  29, 

33,  35.  36,  37,  43. 
U.  Seen  Shang.  as  a  preacher, 

308 ;  marriage  of,  308. 
Utica,  291. 


Van  Buren,  Mr.,  24,  35,  45,  110, 
112,  113,  114,  .lis,  125,  185, 
145.  14fl,  154,  155,  156,  158, 
159, 108, 175, 182, 194 ;  visits 
Albany,  112. 

Van  Buren,  President,  remits 
fine  of  Rensselaer  Van 
Rensselaer,  125. 

Van  Buren,  Senator,  194. 

Vance,  Gov.,  140,  192. 

Van  Kleeck,  Mr.,  42. 

Van  Nest,  A.  R.,  461. 

Van  Ness,  J.  P.,  163. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Adeline,  59, 
60,  66,  68,  214,  215,  298; 
death  of,  298;  to  her 
brother,  66;  to  Gov.  Mor- 
gan   Lewis,  60. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Capt.  H.  H., 
102. 

Van  Rensselaer,  C.  V.,  135, 
141,  142,  145,  154,  159,  163, 
169,  405. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Catharina 
Visscher.  marriage  ol,  254  ; 
to  her  brother,  1.54:  intro- 
duction of  to  Daniel  Web- 
ster, 154 ;  to  her  sister, 
142;  to  her  sister,  163;  to 
Rensselaer  Van  Rensslaer, 
135. 

Van  Rensselaer,  C.  W.,  291, 
292;  news  of  the  death  of, 
291 ;  portrait  of,  291 ;  poem 
in  memorj'  of,  291  ;  hiseelf 
abandonment,  291 ;  his 
noble  efforts,  291 ;  .  eroic 
deeds  and  death  of,  391, 
292. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Mrs.,  death 
of,  120. 

Van  Rensselaer,  De  Heer 
Philip,  38. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Dr.,  10. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Mrs.  Dr.,  23. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Gen.  H.,  215. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Gen.  Stephen, 
107,  142,  466;  the  young 
patroon,  death  of,  466 ; 
funeral  of,  466;  the  patroon, 
death  of,  107. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Gen.,  to  his 
wife,  25. 

Van  Rensselaer,  H.,  530. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Harriet,  25. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Harriet  M., 
143. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Harrison,  56. 

Van  Rensselaer,  H.  K.,  46, 102, 
533. 

Van  Rensselaer,  J.  S.,  66. 

Van  Rensselaer,  K.  H.,  86,  87, 
102,  126,  196,  197,  530 ;  to 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  196  ; 
to  Rensselaer  Van  Rensse- 
laer, 86,  126. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Margaretta, 
145, 169. 

Van  Rensselaer.  Maria  Eliza- 
beth, 177,  422;  death  of, 
422 ;  her  Ohristian  resig- 
nation, 423;  her  labor  in 
the  Sunday  School,  423, 
424. 

V'an  Reuj^selaer,  Miss,  138. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Mrs.,  39,  56, 
120,  122. 


Van  Rensselaer,  Mrs.  Richard, 
210. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Mrs.  S.,  106. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Mrs.  Sol., 
death  of,  106. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Rensselaer,  1, 
13,  13,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26, 
28,  29,  30,  31,  33,  35,  36,  37, 
38,  40,  41,  42,  44,  45,  46,  47, 

54,  57,  62,  65,  68,  69,  70,  71, 
72,  74,  75,  85.  86,  87,  89,  90, 
91,  92,  93,  94,  96,  98,  102, 
103,  104,  105,  106,  107,  113, 
115,  116,  119,  123,  124,  125, 
126,  128.  159,  169,  174,  206, 
207,  208,  367,  399;  death 
of,  206  ;  verdict  of  the  jury 
on,  206,  208 ;  his  notes  on 
military  life,  76 ;  notes  of 
the  cause  of,  acceptance  of 
command  in  the  Canada  re- 
bellion, 17,  68,  79  ;  to  Col. 
Worth,  107;  to  Daniel  D. 
Barnard,  12:3, 125;  to  Gov. 
Seward,  125  ;  to  his  iather, 
13,  68,  74,  89,  92,  94,  98,  204; 
to  Gen.  Harrison,  33,  41 ; 
to  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  45 ; 
to  the  district  attorney,  71; 
to  Wm.  L.  McKenzie,  91, 
93. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Richard,  191, 

192,  422. 
Van  Rensselaer,  R.  V.,  11. 
Van  Rensselaer,  Solomon,   11, 

21,  24,  35,  42,  44. 45,  46,  54, 

55,  56,  57,  58,  59,  60,  61,  62, 
64,  65,  66,  69,  74,  89,  90,  93, 
94,  97,  98,  102,  108,  109,  111, 
112.  115,  116,  117,  118,  119. 
12;^;  127,  128,  129,  131,  137, 
138,  139,  142,  144,  145,  146, 
147,  148,  149,  150,  151,  152, 
153,  158,  159,  163,  164,  169, 
170,  174,  176,  177,  178,  180, 
181,  182,  18.3,  184,  185,  187, 
190,  191,  192,  193,  194,  195, 
196,  197,  198,  199,  200,  301, 
203,  204,  305,  211,  212,  313, 
315,  354,  398,  405,  5.33;  a 
delegate  to  national  con- 
vention at  Harrisburg,  116; 
appointed  dep.  postmaster 
at  Albany,  169 ;  death  of, 
213;  funeral  of,  214;  in- 
vited to  attend  Greenville 
anniversary,  128 ;  invita- 
tion to  partake  of  a  public 
entertainment,  at  Cincin- 
nati, 128 ;  portrait  of, 
59 ;  presentation  of  cane 
to,  129;  public  dinner  in 
honor  of,  1.31,  1.35;  to  Col. 
Warren,  202  ;  to  D.  O. 
Nelson,  179 ;  to  Dr.  Elmeu- 
dorf,  193;  to  Gen.  Gause- 
voort,  24  ;  to  Gen.  Harri- 
son, 117 ;  to  Gen.  Leaven- 
worth, 205;  to  Hon.  I. 
Collamer,  194 ;  to  '  his 
children.   192 ;   to  his  son, 

'44,66,  69,  74,  94,  169,  175; 
to  Richard  Van  Rens- 
selaer, 191 ;  to  the  post- 
master general,  58,  174, 
182;  to  the  vice  president, 
108;  visits  Washington,  21. 

Van  Schaick,  J.  B.,  to  Rens- 
selaer Van  Rensselaer,  54. 

Van  Schaack,  Mr.,  145. 

Vansittart,  Capt.,  252. 

Van  Vechteu,  T.  73,  193. 

Varbeck,  G.  F.,  314. 

Vargas,  Col.,  23. 

Verbeck,  G.  F.,  364. 


Verbeck,  Mr.,  393. 
Vesuvius,  456. 
Victoria,  266. 
Victoria  peak,  .324 . 
Victoria,  Queen,  160. 
Vienna,  144. 
Visscher,  Adeline, 23. 
Visscher,  Catharine,  254. 
Visscher,  Mrs.,  23. 
Vreeland,  Col.  J.,  135. 
Vrooman,  D.,  364. 
Vrooman,  Maria  W.,  435. 
Vrooman,   Mr  ,  343,  243,  307, 

369, 414,  424,  425. 
Vrooman,  Mrs.,  244,  345  ;  death 

and  funeral  of,  245. 
Vrooman,     Mrs.    Maria    W., 

death  of,  425 ;  her  labors 

for  Christ,  425. 
Vrooman, Mr.,  what  he  saw,307. 
Vrooman,  Rev.  D.,  425. 
Vroman,  Rev.  Mr.,  247,250. 


Wade,  Mr.,  517,  518,521. 
Wade,  Mr.,  address  of,  521. 
Walbridge,  H.,  83. 
Walker,  Capt..  214. 
Walnut  Hills;  2.33. 
Walworth,  Chancellor,  330. 
Wampoa,  240,  243,  243,  ^8,  252, 

304,  314. 
Warren,  Col.,  202. 
Warren,  F.  H.,  203. 
Warren,    Henry   F.,  to  Gen. 

Van  Rensselaer,  203. 
Ward,  J.  E.,  309. 
Warden,  Mr.,  138,  140. 
Ware,  S.,  .398. 
Warships,  247,  248. 
Washington  city,  10,  21.  2.5,  28, 

41,    124,  147,   148,  159,  182, 

183,  184,  190,  191,  192,  196, 

197,  199,  435. 
Washington,  Gen.  132, 167,  202, 

366. 
Washington,    I.   G.,    to  Gen. 

Van  Rensselaer,  92. 
Wassou,  J.  D.,  ISO,  190. 
Watertown,  97,  98,  99,  105. 
Watkins,  Mr.,  144. 
M^atson,  A.,  442. 
Wayne,  Gen.,  46,   129, 133, 1.34, 

145,  189,  194. 
Webster,  Daniel,  to  Gen.  Van 

Rensselaer,  158. 
Webster,  Mr.,  164, 166,183, 186. 
Webster,  Mr.  D.,  151,  155,  158, 

169,  171. 
Webster,  Mrs.  D.,  156. 
Webster,    Mrs.,    a   brealifast 

with,  157. 
Weed,  Mr.,  190,  197. 
Weed,  .3,  200. 
Weed,  W.  B.,  398. 
Week  of  prayer,  351. 
Wei.  .318,  319,  343. 
Welmann,  Mr.,  504. 
Wetmore,  Mr.,  169. 
Wetmore,  R.   C.,150;  extract 

from  a  letter  of.  150. 
Whampoa,  221,  326,  228,  232, 

333,  335,  337,  238,  239,  368, 

394,  404. 
Whale,  view  of  an  enormous, 

264. 
Whately,  Mrs.,  436. 
Whildeu,Mr.,242. 
White  ants,  Chinese  metliod 

of  destroying,  234. 
While,  P.  W.,  98. 
Whitehall,  48. 
White,  Miss..  163. 
White,  Mr.,  105, 135. 


544 


Index. 


Whltins;,  Judge,  197. 
Wicklifie,  C.  A.,  189. 
Wickliffe,  R.,  113. 
Wilkinson,  Gen.,  134. 
Williams,  Dr.,  250,  309,  351, 

420,  421,  500,  514. 
Williams,  Dr.  Wells  S.,  to  Mrs. 

Bonney,  412. 
Williams,  F.,  291. 
Williams,,!.  P.,  291. 
Williams,  Mr.,  244. 
Williams,  S.  W.,  230,  242,  291, 

412. 
Williamson,  A.,  418. 
Williamson,  J.,  504,  516. 
Williamson,  Mr.,  493. 
Williamson,  Mrs.  J.,  418,  421. 
Wilson,  Lady,  908,  353. 
Wilson,  Col.,  19. 
Wilson,  W.  M.,  128. 


Windham,  243. 
Windsor,  11  fi. 
Winne,  C,  142. 
Wise,  H.  A.,  156. 
Woolsey,  President,  .361. 
Woman's  mission  to  woman, 

467. 
Woug-choh-kee,  225. 
Wood,  G.  W.,430. 
Wood,  Rev.  Dr.,  256. 
Woodruff,  Col.,  103. 
Woodworth,  Dr.,  .324. 
Wool,  Gen.,  164. 
Worth,  W.  J.,  84,  87,  97,  107. 
Worth,  W.  J.,  to  Rensselaer 

Van  Rensselaer,  107. 
Wright,  J.  C,  193. 
Wuchang,  341 . 
Wyckoff,  Rev.  Dr.,  214. 


Yang,  .318,  319. 

Yangchow,  492. 

Yates,  Mr.,  107. 

Yedo,  357,  359,  360,  361,  363 ; 
arrival  at,  359,  361 ;  pecu- 
liarities of,  359 ;  clirsory 
description  of,  359,  361. 

Yeh,  Commissioner,  270,  271, 
273,  296  ;  death  of,  307  ;  to 
Dr.  Parker,  270. 

Yeh,  Viceroy,  307. 

Yen,  Miss,  523. 

Yokchow,  343. 

Yokohama,  357,  358,  359,  413, 
525  ;  anaits  environs,  357 

Youngston,  106. 


Ziliskie,  Count,  13,  14. 
Zipaqiiira,  3. 


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