In June, 1782, when congress were about to form The pyramid on the reverse, signifies strength and an armorial device for a seal for the union, Charles devotion; its unfinished state refers to the infancy Thompson, esq. then secretary, with the honorable of the American government. The eye over it, and Dr. Arthur Lee and E. Boudinot, members of con- the motto, "Annuit captis," "he sanctions our gress, called on Mr. William Barton, and consulted endeavours," allude to the many and single interpohim on the occasion. The great seal, for which Mr.sitions of Providence in favor of the American cause. Barton furnished these gentlemen with devices, was adopted by congress on the 26th of June, 1782. The device is as follows: Arms-Paleways of thirteen pieces, argent,* gules, a chief azure, the escutcheon on the breast of the American eagle, displayed, proper, holding in his dexter talon an olive branch, and in his sinister a bunch of thirteen arrows, all proper; and in his beak a scroll, with the motto "Epluribus unum." The crest-Over the head of the eagle, which appears above the escutcheon, a glory, or, breaking through a cloud proper, and surrounding stars, form. ing a constellation, argent, on an azure field. Reverse-A pyramid unfinished. In the zenith an eye in a triangle, surrounded with a glory. Over the eye these words, "Annuit captis." Remarks and explanations-The escutcheon is composed of the chief and pale, the two most honorable ordinaries. The thirteen pieces pale, represent the several states in the union, all joined in one solid compact entire, supporting a chief which unites the whole, and represents congress. The motto alludes to the union. [Nat. Recorder.] DOCTOR FRANKLIN. The author of the "Systeme de La Nature" says "What imports it to me, that Maupertuis is a good geometrician, if he be a despotic and merciless president, and if I be obliged to live in his domain or his academy? A beneficent man is, in my opinion, much more estimable, than a being who is learned, but cruel.”—Mirabeau the Elder. Not so with our Dr. Franklin-for, "Whatever he writes, his fellow citizens read with eagerness, delight and pleasure -and whatever he performs the civilized part of the world approves."-Targol to Dr. Price. From among "the political, miscellaneous, and philosophical pieces of Dr. Franklin, printed in London, 1779, p. 297," is extracted the following, and CIVIS. placed at your service. "At the conclusion of the peace of 1762, when certain projectors advised the English ministers to leave the French in possession of Canada, in order that they might check the too rapid increase of the English colonies, the celebrated doctor Franklin observed 'It is a modest, word, this CHECK, for masThe pales in the arms are kept closely united by sacreing men, women, and children; and for all the the chief, and the chief depends on that union, and other horrors of Indian warfare." It was being very the strength resulting from it, for its support, to de-far-sighted indeed, to feel so soon the necessity of note the confederacy of the states, and the preser-checking the excessive population of the then Engvation of the union, through congress. The colours of the pales are those used in the flag of the United States of America. White signifies purity and innocence; red, bardiness and valor; and blue, the colour of the chief, signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. The olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace and war, which is exclu. sively vested in congress. lish colonies. 'But,'continues this truly great man, The crest, or constellation, denotes a new state taking its place and rank among other foreign powers. The escutcheon, borne on the breast of an Ameri-ported. The method I mean is, that which was can eagle, without any other supporters, denotes that the U. States ought to rely on their own virtue dictated by the Egyptian policy, when the infinite increase of the children of Israel was apprehended as 'dangerous to the state; and PHARAOH said unto his *In heraldry, argent signifies white, gules red, and azure blue; where these colors cannot be em- priests, behold the people of the children of Israel are blazoned, they are represented on seals, &c. as fol. 'more and mightier than we; come on, let us deal wisely lows: Argent, by a perfect blank: red by perpen-with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass that dicular, and azure by horizontal lines. The chief when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our in our arms, on the horizontal lines in the upper quarter of the escutcheon, or eagle's breast. enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land:-And the king spake unto the Hebrew the remainder, all in the country were closed. In a "midwives, &c.—Exo. Chap 1. Now says the doctor, war of such atrocity there was no safety, where memlet an act of parliament be made, enjoining the co-bers, however peaceful, were collected; we have 'lony midwives to stifle, in the birth, every third seen that the British_tories* violated the sanctity 'or fourth child. By this means may you keep the of private dwellings by their murders, and how 'colonies to their size. And if they were under the could it be expected they would be awed by the ho'hard alternative of submitting to one or the other liness of a church? In a camp where was no perma❝of these schemes for checking their growth, I dare nency, and but little rest, there was no place for answer for them they would prefer the latter.' chaplains-and at home there was no security, even for the pastors of the church; consequently they were compelled to go into exile. Had they gone out of their own families to administer comfort, it would have been said they were stirring up sedition; Note by the transcriber.-They seem to have found out since that time, another method or scheme which, bye the bye, they never have dared to own, 'and have always disavowed' it personally to our ambassadors, though they have never discontinued it' in practice, and, like some bigots of old, they would have until general J. made an example of two of their made themselves voluntary martyrs. They took notorious assistants; and could he have been so for the wiser course of retiring with their families from tunate as to have caught the two principal agents, the murderous rage of the times." col. W-e and Col. N-s, and made them also the objects of 'exact justice,' we should not hear for a length of time of any more 'secret schemes for the de-a population of the frontiers of the United States.' Bost. Pat. GENERAL MARION. A biography of this revolutionary hero, it ap. pears, by an article in the Southern Patriot, has been written by judge James, of South Carolina; and the following extract has been given in that paper as a specimen of the work about to be pub. lished: "Near the close of the year 1780, there took place skirmish between a small patrole of whigs, under capt. Melton, and a large party of tories, under major Ganey, near White's Bridge, two miles from Georgetown; a few shots were exchanged, and Melton was obliged to retreat. But, in this short affair, Gabriel Marion, nephew to the general, was first taken prisoner, and when his name was announced, inhumanly shot. The instrument of death was placed so near that it burnt his linen at the breast. He was a young gentleman, who had received a good education-of whom high expectations were formed, "To people of good principles, particularly the and who was much beloved in the brigade. The religious, at this period (1780 and 1781), was truly general had no children, and he mourned over this distressing. Those fit for military service, includ- youth, as would a father over an only child, and all ing men of sixty years of age and boys of four- his men condoled with him, but he soon publicly teen, few of whom dared to stay at home, were enexpressed this consolation for himself that his negaged in active warfare, and had their minds in conphew was a virtuous young man--that he died in destant occupation, which, in whatever situation man fence of his country, and that he would mourn over may be placed, brings with it a certain degree of satisfaction, if not content. But to the superanuatAt that same place a worthy man, Mr. Swaineau, ed and the female sex, no such satisfaction was af. was killed. Ere this he had been a schoolmaster, forded. Most of those had relatives to whom but, finding there was no emyloyment for men of his they were bound by the most tender and sacred peaceful profession now, he boldly shouldered the ties, who were exposed to constant danger, and for musket and died a soldier. But so prone are manwhose fate they were unceasingly anxious. As a kind to pass over the merits of this useful class of comfort in this situation, they might employ them- citizens, that, had he not fallen by the side of s selves in household affairs, or resort to private de- Marion, perhaps his memory would have been forvotion; but those refined pleasures, which arise gotten. About the same time Mr. Bently, another from social intercourse, were wanting; and particu *The British, under Tarlton, had already, (in larly that faint picture of heaven, the consolation May, 1780), cut to pieces Mr. Samuel Wyley, in his which is derived from meeting one's friends in pub-brother, John Wyley, who was sheriff of the district; own house, at Camden, whom they mistook for his lic worship, was wholly denied them. Most of the and the tories, under Harrison, had murdered in churches in towns and in the country were burnt or their dwellings, the two Mr. Bradleys, Mr. Roberts, and others, in that part of Salem which lies on made depots for the military stores of the enemy-Lynch's creek. Lord Cornwallis soon made Harrisome, in fact, were converted into stables; and, of son a colonel. him no more. schoolmaster, was killed in action. The suspension (times white satin breeches. Buckles were fashion of all public education, which led to the fate of such men, and the fact stated above, that all public worship was now at an end, most forcibly shewed the calamitous state of the country during this eventful period." able till within 15 or 20 years, and a man could not have remained in a ball room with shoe-strings. It was usual for the bride, bridegroom and maids, and men attending, to go to church together three successive Sundays after the wedding, with a change of dress each day. A gentleman who deceased not long since, appeared the first Sunday in white broad cloth-the second in blue and gold; the third in peach bloom and pearl buttons. It was a custom family out of the window over the front door, from the time of his decease until after the funeral. The last instance which is remembered of this, was in "Men at this time, and their general too, had nothing but water to drink-they commonly wore homespun clothes, which lacked warmth-they slept in damp places, according to their means, either to hang the escutcheon of a deceased head of a with or without a blanket; he was well off who had one to himself; the one half of the general's had been burnt-they were content to feed upon sweet potatoes, either with or without beef; there being the case of gov. Hancock's uncle, 1764. Copies of neither mills nor leisure to grind corn-but all sigh- the escutcheon, painted on black silk, were more ed for salt-for salt! that article of the first neces- anciently distributed among the pall-bearers-rings sity to the human race. Little do the luxurious of afterwards—and, until within a few years, gloves. the present day know of the pressure of such a Dr. A. Eliot had a mug full of rings which were want. Salt, when brought from the sea-shore off presented to him at funerals. Till within about 20 Waccanaw, where it was coarsely manufactured, years gentlemen wore powder, and many of them brought at that time ten silver dollars, each more sat from thirty to forty minutes under the barthan ten at present; thus bay salt,one half brine,sold ber's hands, to have their hair craped; suffering no for at least one hundred dollars value of this day. inconsiderable pain most of the time from hair-pulAs soon as general Marion could collect a sufficient ling, and sometimes from the hot curling tongs.quantity of this desirable article, he distributed it Crape cushions and hoops were indispensable in full out from Snow's Island, on Pedee, in quantities not dress, till within about 30 years. Sometimes ladies exceeding a bushel, to each Whig family, and thus were dressed the day before the party, and slept in endeared himself the more to his followers." easy chairs, to keep their hair in fit condition for the following night. Most ladies went to parties on foot, if they could not get a cast in a friend's carriage or chaise. Gentlemen rarely had a chance to ride. THE OLDEN TIME. There is in course of publication, in the Boston Gazette, the long-boarded literary treasures of an The latest dinner hour was 2 o'clock; some offi. accurate observer's common-place-book, giving us cers of the colonial government dined later occa an amusing view of the society and manners of Bos- sionally. In genteel families ladies went to drink ton, rather less than a century ago-differing some-tea about 4 o'clock, and rarely staid after candle what, it will be seen, from those of the present day. light in summer. It was the fashion for ladies to These sketches, one of the numbers of which will propose to visit-not to be sent for. be found below, are appropriately headed REMINISCENCES. Dress, &c.-Seventy years ago cocked hats, wigs, and red cloaks, were the usual dress of gentlemen, boots were rarely seen, except among military men. Shoe strings were worn only by those who could not buy any sort of buckles. In winter round coats were used, made stiff with buckram; they came The drinking of punch in the forenoon, in public houses, was a common practice with the most respectable men, till about five and twenty years; and evening clubs were very common. The latter, it is said, were more common formerly, as they afforded the means of communion on the state of the country. Dinner parties were very rare. Wine was very little in use; convivial parties drank punch or toddy. Half-boots came into fashion about 30 years ago. The first pair that appeared in Boston were worn by a young gentleman who came here from New York, and who was more remarkable for his boots than any thing else. Within 20 years gentle. Ball dress for gentlemen was silk coat, and breech-men wore scarlet coats with black velvet collars, es of the same, and embroidered waistcoats-some- and very costly buttons, of mock pearl, cut steel, or down to the knees in front. Before the revolution boys wore wigs and cocked bats; and boys of genteel families wore cocked hats till within about thirty years. painted glass-and neckcloths edged with lace, and ` a tradesman--(it was not a common thing in those laced ruffles over the hands. Before the revolution, days for tradesmen to eat fresh meat-)the justice from 5 to 600l. was the utmost of annual expendi- went out, saying, he would send the tradesman a ture in those families where carriages and corres- sallad for his lamb. He sent an overdue and unpondent domestics were kept. There were only paid tax-bill. Soon after, the tradesman met the two or three carriages, that is, chariots or coaches, in 1750. Chaises on four wheels, not phatons, were in use in families of distinction. The history of Liberty Tree is said to be this: That a certain capt. McIntosh illuminated the tree, and hung upon it effigies of obnoxious characters, and that these were taken down by the liberty boys and burnt; and the tree thus got its name. The Popes-A stage was erected on wheels; on this stage was placed a figure in the chair, called the pope; behind him a female figure, in the atti tude of dancing, whom they called Nancy Dawson; behind her Admiral Byng hanging on a gallows; and behind him the devil. A similar composition was made at the south-end, called south-end pope. In the day time the processions, each drawing with them their popes and their attendants, met and passed each other, on the mill or drawbridge, very civilly; but in the evening they met at the same points, and battle ensued with fists, sticks, and stones; and one or the other of the popes was captured. The north-end pope was never taken but once, and then the captain had been early wounded and taken from the field. These pope conflicts were held in memory of the powder-plot of Nov. 5, and were some sort of imitation of what was done, in England on the same anniversary. A man used to ride on an ass, with immense jack boots, and his face covered with a horrible mask, and was called Joyce, Jr. His office was to assemble men and boys in mob style, and ride in the middle of them, and in such company to terrify the adherents to royal government, before the revolution. The tumults which resulted in the massacre, 1770, was excited by such means. Joyce, Junior, was said to have a particular whistle, which brought his adberents, &c. whenever they were wanted. About 1730 to 1740, there was no meat market; there were only four shops in which fresh meat was sold-one of them was the corner of State-street and Cornhill, where Mr. Hartshorn now keeps.Gentlemen used to go the day before and have their names put down for what they wanted. Outside of this shop was a large hook, on which carcasses use to hang. A little man who was a justice of the peace, came one day for meat; but came too late. He was disappointed, and asked to whom such and such pieces were to go? One of them was to go to justice near this place, and told him he would return his kindness; which he did, by hanging the justice up by the waistband of his breeches to the butcher's hook, and leaving him to get down as he could. FROM BOTTA'S AMERICAN REVOLUTION. One of the most interesting works that has ever appeared as a history of "the war of the independence of the United States of America," was writ. ten by Mr. Charles Botta, an Italian, a translation of which has been made by Mr. George Alexander Olis. From these volumes we extract the two speeches that follow-previous to the insertion of which, it is necessary to give the "notice of the author" in relation to them. By way of preface to his work, Mr. Botta says "There will be found, in the course of this history, several discourses, of a certain length. Those I have put in the mouth of the different speakers have really been pronounced by them, and upon those very occasions which are treated of in the work. I should, however, mention that I have, sometimes, made a single orator say what has been said in substance by others of the same party.— Sometimes, also, but rarely, using the liberty, grant. ed in all times to historians, I have ventured to add a smail number of phrases, which appeared to me to coincide perfectly with the sense of the orator, and proper to enforce his opinion: this has happened especially in the two discourses pronounced before congress, for and against independence, by Richard Henry Lee and John Dickinson. "It will not escape attentive readers, that in some of these discourses are found predictions which time has accomplished. I affirm that these remarkable passages belong entirely to the authors cited. In order that these might not resemble those of the poets, always made after the fact, I have been so scrupulous as to translate them, word for word, from the original.” On the 8th of June [1776], says Mr. Botta, a motion being made in congress to declare independence, Richard Henry Lee, one of the deputies from Virginia, spoke as follows and was heard with profound attention: "I know not, whether among all the civil discords which have been recorded by historians, and which have been excited either by the love of lib have found among all other nations. And as at erty in the people, or by the ambition of princes, first our forbearance, and then our resistance, have there has ever been presented a deliberation more proved equally insufficient, since our prayers were interesting or more important than that which now unavailing, as well as the blood lately shed; we engages our attention; whether we consider the fu- must go further, and proclaim our independnece.ture destiny of this free and virtuous people, or Nor let any one believe that we have any other op. that of our enemies themselves, who, notwithstand-tion left. The time will certainly come when the ing their tyranny and this cruel war, are still our fated seperation must take place, whether you will brethren, and descended from a commnn stock; or or no; for so it is decreed by the very nature of finally, that of the other nations of the globe, things, the progressive increase of our population whose eyes are intent upon this great spectacle, the fertility of our soil, the extent of our territory, and who anticipate from our success more freedom the industry of our countrymen, and the immensifor themselves, or from our def at apprehend heavity of the ocean which seperates the two states.er chains and a severer bondage. For the question And if this be true, as is most true, who does not is not whether we shall acquire an increase of ter- see that the sooner it takes place the better; and ritorial domition, or wickedly wrest from others that it would be not only imprudent, but the height their just possessions; but whether we shall pre- of folly, not to seize the present occasion, when serve, or lose forever, that liberty which we have British injustice has filled all hearts with indignainherited from our ancestors, which we have pursued tion, inspired all minds with courage, united all opinacross tempestuous seas, and which we have defend- ions in one, and put arms in every hand? And how ed in this land against barbarous men, ferocious long must we traverse three thousand miles of a beasts, and an inclement sky. And if so many and stormy sea, to go and solicit of arrogant and inso. distinguished praises have always been lavished lent men either councils or commands to regulate upon the generous defenders of Greek and of Ro- our domestic affairs? Does it not become a great, man liberty, what will be said of us who defend a rich, and powerful nation, as we are, to look at liberty which is founded not upon the capricious home, and not abroad, for the government of its will of an unstable multitude, but upon immutable own concerns? And how can a ministry of stran. statutes and tutelary laws; not that which was the gers judge, with any discernment, of our interests, exclusive privilege of a few patricians, but that when they know not, and when it little imports which is the property of all; not that which was them to know, what is good for us, and what is not? stained by iniquitous ostracisms, or the horrible The past injustice of the British ministers should decimation of armies, but that which is pure, tem- warn us against the future, if they should ever perate and gentle, and conformed to the civiliza seize us again in their cruel claws. Since it has tion of the present age. Why then do we longer pleased our barbarous enemies to place before us, procrastinate, and wherefore are these delays? Let the alternative of slavery or of independence, us complete the enterprize already so well com- where is the generous minded man and the lover menced; and since our union with England can no of his country who can hesitate to choose? With longer consist with that liberty and peace which are these perfidious men no promise is secure, no our chief delight, let us dissolve these fatal ties, and conquer forever that good which we already enjov; an entire and absolute independence. pledges sacred. Let us suppose, which heaven avert, that we are conquered; let us suppose an accommodation. What assurance have we of the "But ought I not to begin by observing, that if British moderation in victory, or good faith in trea we have reached that violent extremity, beyond ty? Is it their having enlisted and let loose against which nothing can any longer exist between Ameri- us the ferocious Indians, and the merciless solca and England, but either such war or such peace diers of Germany? Is it that faith, so often pledged as are made between foreign nations, this can only and so often violated in the course of the present be imputed to the insatiable cupidity, the tyranni- contest; this British faith, which is reputed more cal proceedings, and the outrages, for ten years re- false than Punic? We ought rather to expect, that iterated, of the British ministers. What have we when we shall have fallen naked and unarmed into not done to restore peace, to re-establish harmony? their hands, they will wreak upon us their fury and Who has not heard our prayers, and who is igno. their vengeance; they will load us with heavier rant of our supplications? They have wearied the chains, in order to deprive us not only of the pow universe. England alone was deaf to our complaints, er, but even of the hope of again recovering our and wanted that compassion towards us which we liberty. But I am willing to admit, although it is |
