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"General Monk," in 1782. The error brought (tunate-when we were about to engage, it was the forth, in the Washington City Gazette, of June opinion of myself, as well as my crew, that she

-, 1820, the following explanation and remarks, in a letter addressed to the editor:

would have blown us to atoms; but we were determined she should gain her victory dearly. One of the wounded British sailors observed-"Yes, sir, captain Rogers observed to our crew, a little before the action commenced, 'Now, my boys, we shall have the Yankee ship in five minutes;' and so

I have observed in your Gazette, taken from a Philadelphia paper, an account of a gallant action performed by the late commodore Barney, during the revolutionary war. I allude to the action bewe all thought, but here we are."--You will find, by tween the American vessel Hyder Ally, captain a recurrence to the journals of the old congress, Barney, and his Britannic Majesty's sloop of war that a sword was voted to captain Joshua Barney, General Monk, captain Rogers, in 1782.-"Honor for the gallantry displayed in the action with his Brito the brave." My only object in addressing you tannic Majesty's ship General Monk.

successful

this letter, is to correct an error as to the name of the commander of the Hyder Ally. It was not I can readily account why the name of captain captain Barry, as is erroneously stated in the pa Barry should have been inserted instead of captain pers. It was the late commodore Barney who com- Barney.-Capt. Barry, about the same time, commanded the Hyder Ally; the same who received a manded a brig of 16 six pounders, called the Hisevere wound at the battle of Bladensburg, and bernia, and was fortunate in capturing several Briwho lately died at Pittsburg, in Pennsylvania. Itish armed vessels. He afterwards commanded the was then in Philadelphia, quite a lad, when the ac- frigate United States, now in our service, and then -tion took place. Both ships arrived at the lower on the West India station, and was very part of the city with a leading wind, immediately after the action, bringing with them all their killed and wounded. Attracted to the wharf by the salute which the Hyder Ally fired, of thirteen guns, which was then the custom, (one for each state) I saw the two ships lying in the stream, anchored near each other. In a short time, however, they warped into the wharf to land their killed and wounded, and curiosity induced me, as well as many others, to go on board each vessel. The Hyder ONE OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEAlly was, as stated, a small ship of 16 six pound

ers.

during our short war with the French republic.--
He died in Philadelphia in 1803. I feel the more
disposed to set this matter right, as commodore
Barney was an intimate friend of mine. If you think
these items of information worthy of insertion in
your Gazette, they are at your service.
I am, respectfully, yours, &c.

WILLIAM ELLERY,

PENDENCE,

Co.

The Monk, a king's ship of large dimensions, Extract of a letter, dated Newport, R. I. March 14,

1820.

"Old Mr. Ellery died like a philosopher. In truth, death, in its common form, never came near him. His strength wasted gradually for the last

of 18 nine pounders. The difference in the size. and equipments of the two ships was matter of astonishment to all the beholders. The Gen. Monk's decks were, in every direction, besmeared with blood, covered with the dead and wounded, and resembled a charnel house. Several of her bowyear, until he had not enough left to draw in his ports were knocked into one-a plain evidence of the well directed fire of the Hyder Ally. She was a king's ship, a very superior vessel, a fast sailer, and coppered to the bends. I was on board during the time they carried on shore the killed and wounded, which they did in hammocks.

breath, and so he ceased to breathe. The day on which he died he got up as usual and dressed himself, took his old flag bottomed chair, without arms, in which he had sat for more than half a century, and was reading Tully's Offices, in the Latin, without glasses, though the print was as fine as that of the smallest pocket bible. Dr. W. I was present at a conversation which took place stopped in on his way to the hospital, as he usually on the quarter deck of the General Monk, between did; and, on perceiving the old gentleman could captain Barney and several merchants in Philadel scarcely raise his eyelids to look at him, took his phia. I remember one of them observing, "why, hand, and found that his pulse was gone. After captain Barney, you have been truly fortunate in drinking a little wine and water, Dr. W. told him capturing this vessel, considering she is so far su- his pulse beat stronger. "O yes, doctor, I have a perior to you in point of size, guns, men and me- charming pulse." But, he continued, "it is idle to tal." Yes sir, he replied, I do consider myself for. talk to me in this way. I am going off the stage

ment commenced, and left com. Whaley alone to contend with five British barges, fuil manned.— Com. W. had on board his barge 69 men, princi

of life, and it is a great blessing that I go free Chesapeake B y, against five Briusi bar, under from sickness, pain and sorrow." Some time after, the command of com. Perry. At the commencehis daughter, finding him become extremely weak, ment of this engagement, there were attached to wished him to be put to bed, which he at first com. Whaley's squadron three other American objected to, saying he felt no pain, and there was barges, all of which ran off as soon as the engage. no occasion for his going to bed. Presently after, however, fearing he might possibly fall out of his chair, he told them they might get him upright in the bed, so that be could continue to read. pally citizens of the counties of Accomack and They did so, and he continued reading Cicero very quietly for some time; presently they looked at him and found him dead, sitting in the same posture, with the book under his chin, as a man who become drowsy and goes to sleep.”

GENERAL CROPPER.

Northampton. About the middle of the engagement, com. W's magazine took fire, at which time several of his men were overboard hanging by the rigging-29 men out of 69 were killed on board com. W's barge, together with the commodore himself. In this engagement, general Cropper bad to contend with two white men and one negro, all DIED-At his seat on Bowman's Folly, at sixteen armed with cutlasses and boarding pikes, and deminutes past two o'clock on the morning of Mon- fended himself with a musket and bayonet.-0ɛe day, 15th of January, 1821, general John Cropper, of the general's antagonists struck him with a in the 66th year of his age, after an illness of eleven cutlass on the head, which nearly brought him days. He embarked early in the cause of his coun- down. In the middle of this individual conflict, try, and was chosen a captain in the 9th Virginia the negro discovering his young master to be the regiment on continental establishment, when only person with whom he and the two white men were nineteen or twenty years of age, and marched in engaged, cried out, "Save him-he is my young December, 1776, to the north to join the army un-master!"-Gen. Cropper afterwards set this faithder the command of the illustrious Washington. ful man free, and settled him in the city of BaltiGeneral Cropper was promoted from a captaincy more.-General John Cropper was in the service of in the 9th Virginia regiment to a major in the 5th his beloved country about 45 years. Those who Virginia regiment. Gen C. was at the battle of were acquainted with him, know how he dischargBrandywine, when the 5th Virginia regiment was ed his duty in every station in which he was placed. nearly cut to pieces, and from which, during the Gen. C. retained to the last hour of his life thereneraaction, his colonel and lieutenant colonel both tion and love he bore for the illustrious Waskingranaway. Gen. C. then retreated with the remain-son, the saviour of his country. He tried to imitate der of the regiment, and lay concealed in some him in his conduct as a soldier and citizen. The bushes on the battle ground, until near day-break deeds of this great, good, and illustrious Ameriof the same night of the engagement-between can was the theme of general Cropper at all mid-night and day-break, he stole off and marched times. He could not bear to hear the least whisper to Chester, with a red handkerchief lashed to a derogatory to the character of the best of menramrod for colors. On Chester Bridge, general C. and more than once has gen. Cropper been perwas met by the illustrious George Washington and sonally engaged to defend his fame. Gen. C. had general Woodford. The latter alighted from his the honor to die possessed with a written document, horse, embraced gen. Cropper, and pressed him from the pen of this illustrious personage, which to his bosom and said, "He whom we thought was evidenced the high opmion he entertained of the lost, is found."-Gen. C. was then promoted to a worth of the deceased as an officer. This doculieutenant colonel in the 7th Virginia regiment, ment was treasured up as a miser would treasure and was at the battles of Germantown and Mon-is gold, and but few persons were permitted to mouth Courthouse. From the 7th Virginia regi-read it, or hear it read. It was the more highly ment he was promoted to the command of the prized, because this illustrious general and stateseleventh Virginia regiment, by the Marquis De La man was cautious in discovering his opinions, er Fayette, which regiment he commanded until his shewing his attachment to individuals-Gen. Cropreturn to Virginia, on the 30th of November, 1782. per was the soldier's friend.-The deceased has The day on which the preliminary articles of peace left a widow and seven children, and ten grand were signed at Paris, gen. Cropper was engaged children, to deplore his loss. The writer of this with com. Whaley, in the barge Victory, in the is one who was well acquainted with the deceased.

FEMALE PENSIONER.

doubt. There are many living wit: esses in this county, who recognized her on her appearance at We often hear of such heroines in other countries, the court, and were ready to attest to her services. but this is an instance in our own country and with. in the circle of our acquaintance.

TREASON.

what shall be treason, and for punishing the same, and other crimes and practices against the state.

Be it therefore ordained and

From the Dedham (Mass.) Register of Dec. 1820. We were much gratified to learn that during the sitting of the court in this town the past week, Mrs. Gannett, of Sharon, in this county, presented for renewal, her claims for services rendered her country as a soldier in the revolutionary army. The following brief sketch, it is presumed, will not be An ordinance of the state of Pennsy’vania, declaring uninteresting. This extraordinary woman is now in the 62d year of her age; she possesses a clear understanding, and a general knowledge of passing events; fluent in speech, and delivers her sentiWhereas, government ought at all times, to take ments in correct language, with deliberate and the most effectual measures for the safety and semeasured accent; easy in her deportment, affable curity of the state. in her manners, robust and masculine in her ap. declared, and it is hereby ordained and declared, pearance. She was about eighteen years of age, by the representatives of the freemen of the state when our revolutionary struggle commenced. The of Pennsylvania, in general convention met. patriotic sentiments which inspired the heroes of those days and urged them to battle, found their way to a female bosom. The news of the carnage which had taken place on the plains of Lexington had reached her dwelling-the sound of the can. non at the battle of Bunker Hill, had vibrated on her ears; yet instead of diminishing her ardor, it And be it further ordained, by the authority only served to increase her enthusiasm in the aforesaid, That all and every such person and persacred cause of liberty, in which cause she beheld sons, so owing allegiance to the state of Pennsylher country engaged. She privately quitted her vania, who, from and after the publication hereof, peaceful home and the habiliments of her sex, and shall levy war against this state, or be adherent to appeared at the head quarters of the American the king of Great Britain, or others

army as a young man, anxious to join his efforts

That

all and every person and persons, (except prisoners of war) now inhabiting or residing within the limits of the state of Pennsylvania, or that shall voluntarily come into the same hereafter, to inhabit or sojourn, do, and shall owe and pay allegiance to the state of Pennsylvania.

or to the enemies

state, or elsewhere, and shall be thereof duly convicted in any court of oyer and terminer hereafter to be erected, according to law, shall be adjuged guilty of high treason, and forfeit his lands, tenements, goods and chattles, to the use of the state, and be imprisoned any term not exceeding the duration of the present war with Great Britain, at the discretion of the judge or judges.

to those of his countrymen, in their endeavors to of the United States of America, by giving him or oppose the inroads and encroachments of the com- them aid or assistance within the limits of this mon enemy. She was received and enrolled in the army by the name of Robert Shurtliffe. For the space of three years she performed the duties and endured the hardships and fatigues of a soldier; during which time, she gained the confidence of her officers by her expertness and precision in the manuel exercise, and by her exemplary conduct. She was a volunteer in several hazardous enterprises, and was twice wounded by musket balls. So well did she contrive to conceal her sex, that And be it farther ordained and declared, by the her companions in arms had not the least suspicion authority aforesaid, That any person or persons that the "blooming soldier" fighting by their sides (except as before excepted) residing, inhabiting, was a female; till, at length, a severe wound, which or sojourning in this state, who shall hereafter she received in battle, and which had well nigh know of such treason, and conceal the same, or closed her earthly campaign, occasioned the dis- that shall receive or assist such traitor, knowing covery. On her recovery she quitted the army and him to be such, and shall be thereof duly convict. became intimate in the families of gen. Washinged, as aforesaid, shall be adjudged guilty of mis. ton, and other distinguished officers of the revolu- prison of treason, and suffer the forfeiture of one A few years afterwards she was married to third of his goods and chattels, lands and tene her present husband, and is now the mother of ments, to the use of the state, and be imprisoned zeveral children. Of these facts there can be no any term not exceeding the duration of the pres

tion.

And be it further ordained and declared, That in all convictions for high treason, the judge or judges, before whom the trial is had, may, out of the estate forfeited by virtue of this act, make! such provision for the wife or children, if any, of ́the criminal, as he or they, in his or their discre. tion may deem necessary.

sent war with Great Britain, at the discretion of province of Pennsylvania will follow their example the judge or judges. in a few weeks. Our militia will amount to not less than 60,000 men. Nothing but a total repeal of the acts of parliament of which we complain, can prevent a civil war in America. Our opposi tion has now risen to desperation. It would be as easy to allay a storm in the ocean, by a single word, as to subdue the free spirit of Americans, without a total redress of their grievances. May a spirit of wisdom descend at last upon our ministry, and rescue the British empire from destruction! We tremble at the thoughts of a separation from Great Britain. All our glory and happiness have been derived from you. But we are in danger of being shipwrecked upon your rocks, To avoid these,

And be it farther ordained and declared, That this ordinance shall be in force, till the end of the first session of the first assembly that shall meet under the new constitution of this state, and no longer. Passed in convention, September 5, 1776, and we are willing to be tossed, without a compass or signed by their order.

ATTEST.

B. FRANKLIN, President.

JOHN MORRIS, Jun. Sec.

MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.

FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

guide, for a while, upon an ocean of blood. "Wishing you success in your disinterested labours to promote the happiness of this country, I am, sir, with much esteem for your firmness, your most obedient humble servant."

[Aimon's Remembrancer.

JANUARY 21, 1775.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 24, 1774. A letter from a gentleman in the province of Massa

The following letters from a gentleman in Ame. rica, to a member of the British parliament, may be depended upon as authentic:

chusetts, to his friend in London.

"You have, no doubt, long before this time, heard the particulars of the general congress, and that the court and the country have digested their thoughts upon them, if not adopted their conse. quent plans of conduct. God grant that the nation and parliament may think favorably of them, and grant the prayer of our petition to the king.—

"The proclamation forbidding the exportation of gunpowder and fire arms to America, seems intended to take away from the colonies the power of defending themselves by force. I think it my duty to inform you, that the said proclamation will be rendered ineffectual by a manufactory of gunpowder, which has lately been set on foot in this province, the materials of which may be procured in great perfection among ourselves, and at an easier rate than they can be imported from Great Britain. There are moreover gun-smiths enough in this province, to make one hundred thousand stand of arms in one year, at 28 s. sterling a-piece, if they should be wanted. It may not be amiss to make this intelligence as public as possible, that our rulers may see the impossibility of enforcing the late acts of parliament by arms. Such is the wonderful martial spirit which is enkindled among us, that we begin to think the whole force of Britain could not subdue us. We trust no less to the natural advantages of our country than to our num. bers, and military preparations, in the confidence and security of which we boast. The four New England colonies, together with Virginia and Mary- "The congress have drawn a line by the banks land, are completely armed and disciplined. The of the ocean. They have claimed their own exclu

Britain and America are made to be friends; and it is the most unnatural, detestable quarrel between them that ever happened in the world. Britons and Americans may write or say what they will, but this quarrel never will, and never can be made up, but by restoring us to the state we were in, in 1763. It is as certain as that London or Boston exist, that no other plan or scheme of policy that ever can be invented, will keep the two countries together, but that which nature dictated, and which experience found useful for 150 years. It is ia vain, it is delirium, it is frenzy to think of dragooning three millions of English people out of their liberties, at the distance of 3000 miles. It is still more extravagantly wild for a nation to think of doing it, when itself is sinking down into a bottomless gulph of debt, in order to make the conquered lift her out of it.

sive jurisdiction in all interior concerns, and in all "There is a spirit prevailing here, such as Inecases of taxation. They have left to Great Britain ver saw before. I remember the conquest of Louthe exclusive sovereignty of the ocean, and over isburg in 1745; I remember the spirit here when their trade. They have placed both upon consti- the duke d'Anville's squadron was upon this coast, tutional principles; and if Britons are not content when forty thousand men marched down to Boswith all we have but our liberty, we say as the cor-ton, and were mustered and numbered upon the poration of London said to the king in 1770, "We common, complete in arms, from this province oncall God and men to witness, that as we do not ly in three weeks, but I remember nothing like owe our liberty to those nice and subtle distinc-what I have seen these six months past." tions which pensions and lucrative employments have invented, so neither will we be deprived of it by them; but as it was gained by the stern virtue of our ancestors, by the virtue of their descendants it shall be preserved."

[Almon's Remembrancer.

Anecdote of general Putnam.-During the late war, when general Amherst was marching across the country to Canada, the army coming to one of the lakes, which they were obliged to pass, found "The congress consisted of the representatives the French had an armed vessel of twelve guns of twelve colonies. Three millions of free white upon it. He was in great distress; his boats were people were there represented. Many of the memno match for her; and she alone was capable of bers were gentlemen of ample fortunes and emisinking his whole army in that situation. While nent abilities. Neither corruption nor intrigue had he was pondering what should be done, Putnam any share, I believe, in their elections to this ser comes to him, and says, “general, that ship must be vice, and in their proceedings you may see the taken." Aye, says Amherst, I would give the world sense, the temper and principles of America, and she was taken. "I'll take her," says Putnam.-which she will support and defend, even by force Amherst smiled, and asked how? "Give me some of arms, if no other means will do. wedges, a beetle, (a large wooden hammer, or maul, used for driving wedges) and a few men of my own choice." Amherst could not conceive how an armed vessel was to be taken by four or five men, a beetle, and wedges. However, he granted Putnam's request. When night came, Putnam, with his materials and men, went in a boat under the vessel's stern, and in an instant drove in the wedges behind the rudder, in a little cavity between the rudder and ship, and left her. In the morning, the sails were seen fluttering about: she was adrift in the middle of the lake; and being presently blown ashore, was easily taken.

"The state of this province is a great curiosity: I wish the pen of some able historian may trans. mit it to posterity. Four hundred thousand people are in a state of nature, and yet as still and peaceable at present as ever they were when gov. ernment was in full vigor. We have neither legislators nor magistrates, nor executive officers. We have no officers but military ones. Of these, we have a multitude, chosen by the people, and exercising them with more authority and spirit than ever any did who had commissions from a gov.

ernor.

"The town of Boston is a spectacle worthy of the attention of a deity, suffering amazing distress, yet determined to endure as much as human na ture can, rather than betray America and posterity.. General Gage's army is sickly, and extremely addicted to desertion. What would they be, if things were brought to extremities? Do you think such an army would march through our woods and thick. ets, and country villages, to cut the throats of honest people contending for liberty?

The Rev. Mr. Payson, of Chelsea, near Boston, a gentleman of the mildest manners, soundest learning, and most amiable character, who has ever been so warm on the side of government, that parson Treadwell, and others, on the side of the people, have repeatedly refused to let him preach in their pulpits; being at Lexington, and with his own eyes seeing that the king's troops had fired first, and committed murder—and, being himself a witness of other of their barbarities, could not endure the sight without taking vengeance; he therefore "The neighboring colonies of New Hampshire, put himself at the head of a party, and with his Rhode Island, and Connecticut, are arming and musket, led them on to the attack-engaged, and training themselves with great spirit, and if they killed, or wounded, and took prisoners, the whole must be driven to the last appeal, devoutly pray-party mentioned in one of the accounts, as going ing for the protection of heaven. lup with provisions and ammunition for the main

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