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The resentment and confusion of your enemies, will point out to you the ideas you should entertain of the magnanimity and consummate wisdom of hist most Christian majesty on this occasion.

portions of happiness, his majesty perceived the modation, with respectful addresses, to that once attainment of these views to be founded on the despised body, the congress, whose humble supsingle proposition of a separation between America plications, ONLY for peace, liberty and safety, they and Great Britain. had contemptuously rejected, under pretence of its being an unconstitutional assembly. Nay more; desirous of seducing you into a deviation from the paths of rectitude, from which they had so far and so rashly wandered, they made most specious offers to tempt you into a violation of your faith given to your illustrious ally.-Teir arts were They perceive, that selecting this grand and just idea from all those specious ones that might have as unavailing as their arms. ————Foiled again, and stung with rage, embittered by envy, they confused or misled inferior judgment or virtue, and had no alternative, but to renounce the inglorious satisfied with the advantages which must result and ruinous controversy, or to resume their former from that event alone, he has cemented the harmony between himself and these states, not only modes of prosecuting it. They chose the latter. by establishing a reciprocity of benefits, but by Again the savages are stimulated to horrid massacres of women and children, and domestics to the eradicating every cause of jealousy and suspicion. They also perceive, with similar emotions, that the murder of their masters. Again our brave and unhappy brethren are doomed to miserable deaths moderation of our ally, in not desiring an acquisiin gaols and prison-ships. To complete the tion of dominion on this continent, or an exclusion of other nations from a share of its commercial sanguinary system, all the "EXTREMITIES of war" advantages, so useful to them, has given no alarmare, by authority, denounced against you.

to those nations, but, in fact, has INTERESTED them Piously endeavor to derive this consolation from in the accomplishment of his generous undertaking, to dissolve the monopoly thereof by Great Britain, which has already contributed to elevate her to her present power and haughtiness, and threatened, if continued, to raise both to a height insupportable to the rest of Europe.

their remorseless fury, that "the Father of Mercies" looks down with disapprobation on such audacious defiances of his holy laws; and be further comforted with recollecting, that the arms assumed by you, in your righteous cause, have not been sullied by any unjustifiable severities.

In short, their own best informed statesmen and Your enemies, despairing however, as it seems, writers confess, that your cause is exceedingly of the success of their united forces against our favored by courts and people in that quarter of the main army, have divided them, as if their design world, while that of your adversaries is equally was to harass you by predatory, desultory operareprobated; and from thence draw ominous and tions. If you are assiduous in improving opportuniwell-grounded conclusions, that the final event ties, Saratoga may not be the only spot on this must prove unfortunate to the latter. Indeed, we continent to give a new denomination to the baffled have the BEST reason to believe that we shall soon troops of a nation, impiously priding herself in noform other alliances, and on principles honorable tions of her omnipotence. and beneficial to these states.

Infatuated as your enemies have been from the beginning of this contest, do you imagine they can now flatter themselves with a hope of conquering you, unless you are false to yourselves?

Rouse yourselves, therefore, that this campaign may finish the great work you have so nobly carried What nation ever on for several years past. engaged in such a contest under such a complica. tion of disadvantages; so soon surmounted many of them, and in so short a period of time had so When unprepared, undisciplined, and unsupport- certain a prospect of a speedy and happy coned, you opposed their fleets and armies in full clusion? We will venture to pronounce, that so conjoined force: then, if at any time, was conquest remarkable an instance exists not in the annals to be apprehended. Yet, what progress towards of mankind. We well remember what you said it have their violent and incessant efforts made? at the commencement of this war. You saw the Judge from their own conduct. Having devoted immense difference between your circumstances you to bondage, and, after vainly wasting their and those of your enemies, and you knew the blood and treasure in the dishonorable enterprise, quarrel must decide on no less than your lives, they deigned, at length, to offer terms of accom- liberties and estates. All these you greatly put

to every hazard, resolving rather to die freemen | by fatal experience, that force and artifice alone than to live slaves; and justice will oblige the will never subdue the stubborn spirit of liberty, impartial world to confess you have uniformly have long depended on the failure of our public acted on the same generous principle. Consider how much you have done, how comparatively little remains to be done, to crown you with success. Persevere, and you ensure peace, freedom, safety, glory, sovereignty, and felicity to yourselves, your children, and your childrens' children.

Encouraged by favors already received from infinite goodness, gratefully acknowledging them, earnestly imploring their continuance, constantly endeavoring to draw them down on your heads by

an amendment of your lives, and a conformity to the Divine Will, humbly confiding in the protection so often and wonderfully experienced, vigorously employ the means placed by Providence in your hands, for completing your labors.

credit to accomplish their views of conquest: the rapid depreciation of our paper currency, principally owing to the not imposing taxes in due time, as somewhat adequate to the public demands, and the abilities of the people to pay, had given foundation to the opinion, that these states, from the want of money to support the war, would at length give up the contest, and bend to the galling yoke of Britain. The event, however, we trust will discover this opinion to be as vain and delusive, The congress has recommended to the states a as many others entertained by our inveterate foe. plan for calling in their bills of credit, by taxes or otherwise, which has been adopted by this and several other of the states. Taxes, equally laid, quickly collected, and faithfully applied, are necessary to give efficacy to the plan, and to restore, and when restored, to preserve public credit.— Experience has taught us the necessity of taxation:

portance of victory, on which their liberty depends, needs no exhortation to submit, even with cheerfulness, to the heaviest taxes: reflect, that these

Fill up your battalions-be prepared in every part to repel the incursions of your enemies-place your several quotas in the continental treasurylend money for public uses-sink the emissions a free people, seeing that necessity, and the imof your respective states-provide effectually for expediting the conveyance of supplies for your armies and fleets, and for your allies-prevent the produce of the country from being monopolized-will be but temporary, and the benefits resulteffectually superintend the behavior of public officers-diligently promote piety, virtue, brotherly love, learning, frugality, and moderation-and may you be approved before Almighty God worthy of those blessings we devoutly wish you to enjoy.

Done in congress, by unanimous consent, this twenty-sixth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine.

ATTEST.

JOHN JAY, president.

CHARLES THOMSON, secretary.

ANNAPOLIS, July 7, 1780.

ing from them most extensive and permament; if adequate and timely exertions are made, the war, probably, may be speedily ended, and will not leave us incumbered with a load of debt, under which the present and future generations must otherwise inevitably labor: by timely and due exertions we shall avoid the evils inseparable from a great national debt. The taxes hitherto imposed cannot be complained of as very burthensone: our present debt, when compared with our probable resources in peace, is far from being alarming; a lingering war, however, besides consuming our inhabitants, wasting our resources, accumulating expense, will subject our country to the cruel and Friends and countrymen! A free people, from wanton devastations of an enemy, who never yet whom the trust and powers of government are used even transient victories with moderation. delegated to a representative council, for the What strong incentives to the most vigorous and better management of the public interests, have spirited efforts are deducible from these refleca right to be informed at all times, but more tions! Rise then into action with that ardor which, especially in great emergencies, of the true situa- despising, overcomes all difficulties, and which tion of their affairs. Duty, therefore, as well as led you, destitute of money, of allies, of arms and inclination, prompts us to lay before you the soldiers, to encounter one of the most powerful exigencies and the danger of this, in common nations in Europe. Single, and unsupported, raw with our sister states; to disclose our wants, our and undisciplined, you baffled for three succesive resources, and the means of calling them forth in years the repeated attacks of numerous and veteran support of the justest cause and noblest ends a bands. Shall we now, when strengthened by a people can contend for. The enemy, convinced mighty alliance, droop and desert the field, to ́

TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

which honor, the stongest ties, the dearest interests, battalion should not be raised in time, we have of humanity, point; to which victory itself invites directed the militia to be called out in classes, to us? A warlike, potent, and magnanimous nation, supply the place of regular troops: your duty, has espoused our cause with all that warmth of your interest, and no doubt your inclination, will friendship, and is determined to yield us power. impel you to second the views of your representaful aid, a respectable land and naval force may be tives; without your co-operation, in vain may we daily expected on our coast from France, ready to make laws, or concert plans for the general cause; act under the orders of our patriotic general. How these must remain as dead letters, unless inspiritdisgraceful would it be to this state, were it any ed by your zeal and activity. We have the honor ways accessary in laying that great, and good man, to represent men who, sensible of the blessings of under the humiliating necessity of avowing to our liberty, must know, that the continuance of them allies an inability to undertake any enterprise of con rests altogether on the successful issue of this war. sequence against the common enemy; particularly, You feel not, indeed, at present, those distresses, if that weakness should proceed, not from the real which our brethren, whose country is the immeinability of this, and the other states, but from diate scene of action, are exposed to; their calamithe supineness, or the want of spirit in their peo ties, therefore, possibly may make a lighter iraple! We have hitherto done our duty, the gene- pression on your minds. Contemplate, we beseech ral has acknowledged our exertions, and we entreat you, the ravages committed by the British forces on you, by all that is dear to freemen, not to forfeit the plains of Jersey; behold the dwellings of the the reputation you have so justly acquired; let us poor and rich in flames, or reduced to ashes; the set an example of fortitude, perseverance and disfruits of a long and laborious industry swept ininterestedness: these virtues form the character of stantly away as by a torrent; view the helpless true republicans: beware, lest an inordinate love infant, the aged parent, the tender virgin, victims of riches should mark too strongly ours; remem-to the savage fury, and unbridled lusts of an ber, that you entered upon this war, not through insolent soldiery; view these scenes of horror and choice, but necessity; not to acquire wealth, or dismay; rouse, and revenge these wrongs, for these power, but to preserve liberty and property: re-we too in our turn shall feel, if we refuse our aid member, that your cause is righteous, that you to drive these spoilers and invaders from our land: had not recourse to arms, until the bayonet uplifted emulate the conduct of the brave militia of our to your breasts, a discretionary surrender of all that sister states; the proofs of courage and patriotism, is valuable to man, was demanded with menaces of which they have exhibited, you cannot but applaud, hostile force, and with all the insolence of conscious and therefore must wish to imitate, and, if possipower: remember too, that you have pledged to ble, surpass. each other your lives, your fortunes, and your sacred honor, in defence of those rights, without the enjoyment of which, life is but misery, and go

vernment a curse.

The general has called upon us to complete our battalions, and for a reinforcement of 2205 militia, to join him with all expedition. Considering the approach of harvest, and attentive to your ease and convenience, we have offered to raise an additional battalion, in lieu of the militia, and we have the satisfaction to inform you, that the general has approved the offer, on condition that this battalion be ready at the place of rendezvous by the last of this month at farthest. By the law, printed for your information, and with which we intreat your ready compliance, you will perceive that we have held out the most liberal encouragment for recruits, upon principles of equality and justice. If, from negligence, indifference, or the dread of danger and fatigue, motives too degrading to be imputed to freemen, or from any other cause, this

The prize we are contending for is inestimable; the blood of those heroes, which has been shed in this just and glorious cause, the inviolable ties of plighted faith, the necessity of conquering, gratitude to our illustrious general, and to the brave men under his command, all, conspiring, call aloud for our redoubled efforts. Our army is weak, and reinforced it must be, to act on the defensive, or offensively, as circumstances may require; reinforcements, proportionable to those demanded from this, are to be furnished by the other states. The fall of Charlestown, and the distress of our brave friends in that quarter, have infused fresh vigour into the councils of America; let us, like the Romans of old, draw new resources and an increase of courage, even from defeats, and manifest to the world, that we are then most to be dreaded, when most depressed.

By order of the general assembly,

DAN. of St. THO. JENIFER, Pres. Sen.
JOSIAS BEALL, Spr. Ho. Del.

COMMODORE TUCKER.

Maine, of Dec. 12, 1820.

the army. It was deposited by the Dutch mer

From the Eastern Argus, published at Portland. chants in Eustatia, and put on board a fleet of merchantmen to be transported to our ports. ComIt is with great satisfaction that we have it in modore Tucker was ordered to sail with the Bes our power to state, that the venerable commodore ton frigate and Confederacy, to meet this fleet and TUCKER has been appointed, by the unanimous convoy it safe, at all events, into port., The salvavotes of the electoral college of this state, a spe- tion of the army and of the country, depended on cial messenger to carry the votes for president and the safe arrival of these supplies, the soldiers bevice president to the seat of government. And aing not only without pay, but destitute of clothgratifying event it must be to this war-worn vete-ing, and, as soldiers always will be in such cases, ran, now in the seventy-fourth year of his age, to irritated, refractory, and mutinous. The moment be the bearer of the unbought suffrages of a free of the commodore's meeting this fleet was most people for another revolutionary worthy to fill the critical. Two British frigates were then in the highest office in their gift. Commodore Tucker pursuit, and were now within gun-shot of the hind. was among the most distinguished naval comman ermost vessels, when two strange sail were seen ders in the war of the revolution. Though it is not bearing down upon them directly ahead. A sig. our intention, at this time, to give an outline of the nal was made for the fleet to disperse, and soon interesting adventures of this officer through our after, Tucker having come within hailing distance eight years struggle for independence, it may not of one of the foremost vessels, discovered that it be unacceptable to our readers to be reminded of was the fleet of which he was in the pursuit. He some of the important benefits which our country instantly made a signal for the Confederacy to bear derived from his skill and courage in the time of down upon and attack the windward sail, while he her greatest need. We are apt, in the unbroken flow of prosperity, to forget the merits and achieve ments of those to whom we are indebted for it.

country.

wore ship and prepared to engage the vessels at the leeward. The enemy, however, though supe rior in force, declined meeting him. He fled to New-York, where the commander, after a sham In March, 1776, after the British army had been trial, was acquitted on the excuse that his crew driven from Boston in shameful flight, and were was mutinous; and the American commodore led lying with the fleet at Long Island point, a trans- his fleet in triumph into the harbor of Philadel port, loaded with powder, for the use of the troops, phia, without the loss of a ship. The safe arrival was captured by a vessel under the orders of com- of this fleet was a most important event to the modore Tucker, and commanded by one of his officers, just before she arrived within the protection of the British guns. The merits of the arrange. Soon after, the British commander fitted out a ments for the capture belonged to the commodore, vessel for the express purpose of cruising for Tuck. and he received, if we are not mistaken, the thanks er, and bringing the rebel into the harbor of New. of general Washington. Though Boston was then York. His ship was again somewhat superior to evacuated, it will be recollected by those who are the Boston, and manned with fifty chosen men, in conversant with that period of our history, that the addition to the usual crew. He soon had the good enemy had been driven from his post by a band of or ill fortune to meet with Tucker. Such was the freemen, armed only with fowling pieces, and with- skill and adroitness with which the American comout powder or ball. The ammunition at the dispo-mander manœuvred, that he brought his ship withsal of the American commander at one time, was in half pistol shot under the quarters of the British not more than sufficient to furnish his army with vessel, before the captain discovered that it was more than four or five rounds to each man. The an enemy, the commodore having English colors capture of this vessel, though not an event calcu. flying. He then sent up the stars and stripes, and lated to attract attention by the dazzling lustre of military glory, was, in fact, one of the most important naval occurrences of the war.

Another event, of superior interest, and which displayed the gallantry of the commodore in a stronger light, was the preservation of the Eustatia fleet in 1779. The American agents had contracted in Holland for a large quantity of clothing for

summoned the enemy to surrender. Such was the commanding position that the American frigate had obtained, that the British captain thought it prudent to surrender before a gun was fired on either side.

Commodore Tucker's enterprise and naval talents were in constant requisition, and he was in active service during the whole war. He took from

the enemy seventy five prizes, and more than six I heartily wish captain Tucker success; and beg HUNDRED AND FIFTY mounted cannon, a greater the favor of you, sir, to communicate to any comnumber, we believe, than was captured by any other mittee, who may be charged with the examination naval commander. of his application, this letter from your friend and humble servant,

Hon. Mr. Crowninshield,

JOHN ADAMS.

Secretary of the navy of the U. S.

The foregoing is a true copy of the original now in my possession.

When the venerable patriot arrived at Washington with the electoral votes, it was contemplat ed to pass a resolution to admit him within the bar of the house of representatives. But it is a standing rule of the house, that all persons to whom a vote of thanks has been passed, may use that privilege, and it was found that commodore Tucker might claim it from a vote of the old congress- Connected with this letter is an anecdote of the and the house had too much sensibility on the sub-now venerable writer, which we do not recollect ject, in any manner to depreciate so honorable a to have before seen in print. From the unaffected claim, by acting on the case, except to permit him simplicity with which the letter is written, it would to take a seat as a matter of right.

MARK L. HILL.

not appear that Mr. Adams was on board the ves

His presence at Washington gave rise to a pub-sel commanded by captain Tucker, in the cruise of lication of the following correspondencewhich he speaks; but this was the fact. Captain Tucker then commanded the Boston frigate, and QUINCY, January 18, 1816. SIR-Samuel Tucker, esq. a member of our Mas- was charged with the important duty, at that diffisachusetts legislature, has a petition to govern. cult time, of carrying Mr. Adams out as ambassament for justice or customary favor to meritorious dor to France. About fifteen days before their ar officers, which will be explained before the proper rival at Bordeaux, there hove in sight a large Engjudges. I cannot refuse his request to certify what lish ship, showing a tier of guns. Tucker immeI know of his character and history. My acquain-diately held a conversation with Mr. Adams, assurtance with him commenced early in the year 1776, ed him he could take her, and wished to obtain his when he was first appointed to a command in the navy, in which he served with reputation and without reproach, to the end of the year 1783.

consent to run down for her; this was granted.— The Boston bore down: Mr. Adams being a noncombatant, was desired to retire into the cock pit, below water. He descended, at this request, into His biographhy would make a conspicuous figure the cabin. Tucker returned immediately to his even at this day, in the naval annals of the United duty, and in fifteen minutes the Boston was within States. I can be particular only in one instance. hail of the English ship, which proved to be the In 1778, he was ordered to France in the Boston Martha, and had been lying too to meet her enefrigate. He sailed in February, and soon fell in my. Upon Tucker's hailing the British ship, she with three British frigates, sent from Rhode Island answered by a broadside, which shot away a piece expressly to intercept him. Fighting of one against of the mizen yard of the Boston, which fell upon three was out of the question. In a chase of three Tucker's shoulder, and brought him flat on the days and three nights, he baffled all the inventions, and defeated all the manœuvres of the enemy, and was separated from him, at last, in the Gulph Stream by a furious hurricane, which, for three days more, threatened him with immediate destruction. Nor was this his last danger from seas or from ene mies. He had two other storms, and two other detachments of British men of war to encounter; one in the English channel, and another in the Bay of Biscay. He arrived in Bordeaux in April.

Nothing but vigilance, patience, and perseverance, added to consummate nautical skill, could have preserved that ship through so many dangers at that equinoxial season, and such a succession of irresistible enemies.

deck. This, for a moment, prevented the order to return the fire; but as he leaped from the deck and gained his legs, he found the colors of the Martha hauled down; and looking forward, observed Mr. Adams among the marines, with a musket in his hand, having privately applied to the officer of the marines for a gun, and taken his station among them. At this sight, captain Tucker became alarmed; for he was responsible for the safety of Mr. Adams; and walking up to the ambassador, desired to know how he came there? upon which the other smiled, gave up his gun, and went immediately below.

COMMODORE BARNEY.

By a misprint, we presume, the late commodore Barry was said to have captured the British ship

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