judges of the court-Major Curtis presiding. | enemies—may America never want brave sons After the cloth was removed, the following to storm them. sentiments were drank, accompanied by cannon and the whole scene was closed by the patriotic and revolutionary song of 'God save America' in full chorus. TOASTS. I. The American revolution ;—the Jordan of death between the Egypt of oppression and the Canaan of liberty.- -2 guns. II. The departed heroes of the revolution; fallen beneath the harvest sickle-but the sun shines not upon a wider field of liberty than has sprung from their deeds.- -2 guns. III. GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON -our leader in battle here; may we all be mustered with him in Heaven. [Drank standing]-2 guns. IV. The surviving patriots of the revolution -may they not survive the liberty they won. -2 guns. V. General Joseph Warren ; "Hope for a moment bade the world farewell, VI. General Israel Putnam 2 guns. while alive, neither Danger nor Treason dared look him in the face; even his memory has proved an overmatch for titled Defamation.- -6 cheers and By major Natch.-May our sons never relinquish the liberties purchased by their fathers at the price of their blood. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS OF THE DAY. An old officer to whom was assigned the duty of forming the company, after the line was formed, said with as much strength as age and infirmity would permit-" fellow soldiers! dress by the right," finding that he was not heard upon the two extremes of his company he exclaimed with new energy-" soldiers, look to the right; the soldier's friends are always found on the right." After the company was formed, they found themselves much annoyed by the spectators, whose eager curiosity led them to encroach too close upon these old veterans, upon which one of the sergeants stepped briskly forward'Gentlemen," said he, stand back; these men shall not want for room to-day-they shall have the whole city if they want it: you may look at us if you will, but you must not press upon our ranks-the British never dared to do that. In the morning after the troops were mustered, it was proposed to major Curtis, an aged and venerable patriot, that he should march at their head, and a sword was accordingly procured for his use. When it was presented to VII. The battle of Lexington ;-" How great that it was now an unfit instrument for his feehim he strongly declined wearing it, saying a matter a little fire kindleth! 2 guns. 2 guns. -6 VIII. Bunker-Hill-let its thunders never cease to ring in the ears of our enemies.cheers and 2 guns. IX. Captain Nathan Hale ;-the blood of such martyrs is the sure seed of future patriots and heroes. -2 guns. X. Our pensions : "The broken soldier kindly bade to stay- XI. The spirit of '76-may it descend to posterity, and ever stand at 4th proof.- -2 guns. XII. The rising generation ;-while they enjoy the blessings of liberty, may they never forget those who achieved it.- ———2 guns. XIII. Ourselves-We must all soon meet where the poverty we now plead shall be our best title to a pension of eternal rest. -2 guns [Drank silent and standing.] VOLUNTEERS. By major Curtis.—The citizens of Hartford; -"We were hungry, and they gave us meat.' By captain Miller. The batteries of our "" Mon ble palsied hand. Upon this an old comrade stepped up-" Major," said he "you did not behave thus at Monmouth battle." mouth! Monmouth!" said the major, "let me feel of it;" then raised the sword aloft, his hand trembling like the aspen, he added—“I once could wield it, but the day has gone bystill if you wish it, I will try to carry it." After a short march the troops were halted a few moments in order to give the more aged and infirm an opportunity to rest. The old major mentioned above, after seating himself on a stone, observed to the by-standers that it was pleasant to them to measure their steps once more to the martial drum and fife," but added he with feeling—“ Hark! from the tombs is now our appropriate music." The second volunteer toast, which was given by captain Miller of this town, may be read with additional interest, when it is known that he was the hero who commanded the forlorn hope at the storming of Stony-Point. The story, as we heard it related by a pensioner who was at his side at the time, is worth preserving. Miller, upon reaching the enemy's works, from his small size, was unable to reach the tops of the pickets; after making one or two unsuccessful leaps, and fearing that he should be preceded by his companions, exclaimed-" throw me into the fort with your bayonets," and he was literally tossed over with the muzzles of their muskets. The age, infirmities and extreme poverty of these pensioners, was calculated to render the scene peculiarly affecting. Most of them, as appeared by their declarations, possessed little or nothing. A great part of the inventories fell short of fifty dollars, and many of them amounted to a much smaller sum: one, in particular, contained but one item, and that an empty tobacco box! Captain Nathan Hale, whose virtues and misfortunes suggested the sentiment contained in the eighth toast, was a brave and valuable officer belonging to colonel Knowlton's regiment of Connecticut light-infantry. He was a native of Coventry, in this state, and graduated at Yale College in 1773. After the unfortunate battle on Long-Island and the retreat of the American troops to New York, general Washington became very solicitous to obtain accurate information of the resources and movements of the British army. To spy out an enemy's camp is one of the most difficult and hazardous undertakings which a soldier is ever called upon to execute. But the salvation of America was at stake, and Washington had no difficulty in finding enough who were ready to yield up their lives in her defence. Hale promptly volunteered his services and immediately set forth upon the undertaking. He visited the British army in disguise, and collected all the necessary information, but, just as he was on the eve of returning, he was so unfortunate as to be detected. Circumstances being strongly against him and his inflexible integrity not permitting him to dissemble, he frankly confessed the object of his visit. He was not allowed even the form of a trial, and was barbarously executed the following morning. How unlike was the conduct of the American commander in the case of the unfortunate Andre.-Washington not only gave him every indulgence which the laws of war would allow, but to these he added his sympathy and tears. The following just tribute to the memory of captain Hale is from the pen of the late president Dwight. Thus did fond virtue wish in vain to save, And round them the garlands of victory were spread. They now march in glory--still memory sheds, Yes! Saviours and Sires, though the pittance be small, Among the applicants for pensions was lieut. M., who obtained his title by his valor. His declaration was made out in due form, and certified by the judge who knew him well, and could safely attest his merits and his services. The needy veteran possessed an infirmity which rendered him unable to write his name, and in signing the necessary documents, he could only make his mark. At the storming of Fort Montgomery, by the British, he was in the act of touching off a cannon, loaded to the muzzle with every kind of missile, when a shot carried away his arm, and the match dropped upon the ground; he immediately seized it with his left hand, and fired the piece, at the very point and at the very instant the enemy were entering the fort, which swept down a whole phalanx of the foe. For this heroic action he was honored with a commission; but in his old age he could not write his name with his left hand. Another of these venerable men, trembling with age, applied for the necessary papers to obtain a pension. The judge inquired where he had served? "Why, first," said he, "in the old French war." Ah, said the judge, you cannot obtain a pension for services at that period, did you serve in the revolutionary army? O yes, I served all the war. I was at the battle of Bunker's Hill-afterwards at Long Island, and the capture of the Hessians at Trenton-I was at the attack of Germantown, and the battle of Monmouth,—and, finally, at the capture and siege of Yorktown, in Virginia—and," added the old man, his eyes kindling with the fire of '76, “I was the first American sentinel placed at the quarters of lord Cornwallis, after he was an American pris- | oner." BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF CAPTAIN EZRA LEE, LYME, CONN. DIED, at Lyme, (Connecticut), on the 29th ult., Captain EZRA LEE, aged 72, a revolutionary officer. It is not a little remarkable, that this officer is the only man, of which it can be said, that he fought the enemy upon land-upon water—and under the water; the latter mode of warfare was as follows: When the British fleet lay in the North River, opposite to the city of New York, and while general Washington had possession of the city, he was very desirous to be rid of such neighbors. A Mr. Bushnell, of Saybrook, (Conn.) who had the genius of a Fulton, constructed a submarine machine, of a conical form, bound together with iron bands, within which one person might sit, and with cranks and sculls, could navigate it to any depth under water. In the upper part was affixed a vertical screw for the purpose of penetrating ships' bottoms, and to this was attached a magazine of powder, within which was a clock, which on being set to run any given time, would, when run down, spring a gunlock, and an explosion would follow. This Marine Turtle, so called, was examined by general Washington, and approved; to preserve secrecy, it was experimented with in an inclosed yard, over twenty to thirty feet water, and kept during day-light locked in a vessel's hold. The brother of the inventor was to be the person to navigate the machine into action, but on sinking it the first time, he declined the service. Gen. Washington, unwilling to relinquish the object, requested major general Parsons to select a person, in whom he could confide, voluntarily to engage in the enterprise; the | latter being well acquainted with the heroic spirit, the patriotism, and the firm and steady courage of the deceased above mentioned, immediately communicated the plan, and the offer, which he accepted, observing that his life was at general Washington's service. After practicing the machine, until he understood its powers of balancing and moving under water, a night was fixed upon for the attempt. General Washington, and his associates in the secret, took their stations upon the roof a house in Broadway, anxiously waiting the result. Morning came and no intelligence could be had of the intrepid sub-marine navigator, nor could the boat who attended him, give any account of him after parting with him the first part of the night. While these anxious spectators were about to give him up as lost, several barges were seen to start suddenly from Governor's Island, (then in possession of the British), and proceed toward some object near the Asia ship of the line,- —as suddenly they were seen to put about and steer for the Island with springing oars. In two or three minutes an explosion took place from the surface of the water, resembling a water spout, which aroused the whole city and region; the enemy's ships took the alarm-signals were rapidly given-the ships cut their cables and proceeded to the Hook, with all possible dispatch, sweeping their bottoms with chains, and with difficulty prevented their affrighted crews from leaping overboard. During this scene of consternation, the deceased came to the surface, opened the brass head of his aquatic machine: rose up and gave a signal for the boat to come to him, but they could not reach him, until he again descended under water to avoid the enemy's shot from the Island, who had discovered and commenced firing in his wake. Having forced himself against a strong current under water until without the reach of shot, he was taken in tow and landed at the battery amidst a great crowd, and reported himself to general Washington, who expressed his entire satisfaction, that the object was effected, without the loss of lives. The deceased was under the Asia's bottom more than two hours, endeavoring to penetrate her copper, but in vain. He frequently came up under her stern galleries searching for exposed plank, and could hear the sentinel's cry. Once he was discovered by the watch on deck, and heard them speculate upon him, but concluded a drifted log had paid them a visit—he returned to her keel and examined it fore and aft, and then proceeded to some other ships; but the impossibility of penetrating their copper, for want of a resist- | per, and correctness of principles, were provering power, hundreds owed their lives to this circumstance. The longest space of time he could remain under water was two hours. For a particular description of this sub-marine curiosity, see Silliman's Journal of arts and sciences. bial and pleasing to all his acquaintance. He enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-citizens, to an extent almost unparalleled. His desk was the repository of deeds, contracts and other evidences of property, as well as the widows' and orphans' wealth for safe keeping. The deceased, during the war, ever had the He constantly read the papers of the day, and confidence and esteem of the commander-in- was by many considered a political prophet. chief, and was frequently employed by him on His christian and moral life was sternly strict; secret missions of importance. He fought his Bible his guide and rule of action. To do with him at Trenton and Monmouth, at Bran- unto others, as he would they should do unto dywine the hilt of his sword was shot away, him," was his universal maxim and rule of life. and his hat and coat were penetrated with the His benevolence and charity was only circumenemy's balls. On the return of peace, he scribed by his means. Contented and happy, laid aside the habiliments of war, and returned he was an example of the great blessings to his farm, where, like Cincinnatus, he tilled which flow from the perfect enjoyment of life, his lands, until now called by the great com-regulated by christian and moral virtue. He mander-in-chief to the regions above. He died has left a widow (with whom he has lived fifty without an enemy; he was universally beloved. | years), and a numerous offspring to mourn the The suavity of his manners-evenness of tem- loss of one of the best of men. NEW YORK. JOURNAL OF THE STAMP-ACT CON- | cilable with a state of servitude, and highly GRESS, held at NEW YORK, 1765. worthy of imitation at the present day. The difficulties the people encountered in forming this congress, unknown to the laws and opposed by the Royalists invested with power, are honorable to their cause and its agents. With an eye steadily fixed on freedom, they cast behind them the cold maxims of prudence, and nobly resolved to systematize an opposition to the growing tyranny of the "mother country." They did so, and therein generated a spirit of union, that finally brought about the independence of these states, and led to the establishment of our present happy constitution.-Niles' Weekly Register, of July 25, 1812. We have several times promised to treat our readers with a correct copy of this venerable manuscript, detailing the first movements of the friends of freedom in the new world. It is an official copy, under, the signature of John Cotton, Esq. clerk to that illustrious body; and, we have reason to believe, the only one extant. It was handed to the editor by his much respected friend, Cæsar A. Rodney, Esq., of Delaware, who found it among the papers of his late revered uncle, the estimable and patriotic Cæsar Rodney, one of the delegates, and for many years the great prop and stay of Whiggism in the lower parts of his native state. On a loose piece of paper, in the manuscript book, is a list of the members, with which we have preceded the journal itself, in the hand writing of Mr. C. R. We are thus particular | Rhode Island. to shew the entire authenticity of the document: which, we are informed, many of our sages have Connecticut. sought for in vain. In this journal the reader will not find any DELEGATES TO THE CONGRESS OF 1765. Massachusetts.. thing to astonish or surprise him; but there is New York. much to admire. In every line he will discover a spirit of decision and firmness totally irrecon James Otis, BOSTON, June, 1765. SIR-The house of representatives of this province, in the present session of general court, have unanimously agreed to propose a meeting, as soon as may be, of committees from the houses of representatives or burgesses, of the several British colonies on this continent, to consult together on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the difficulties to which they are and must be reduced by the operation of the acts of parliament, for levying duties and taxes on the colonies; and to consider of a general and united, dutiful, loyal and humble representation of their condition to his majesty and to the parliament, and to implore relief. The house of representatives of this province have also voted, to propose that such meeting be at the city of New York, in the province of New York, on the first Tuesday in October next, and have appointed the committee of three of their members to attend that service, with such as the other houses of representatives or burgesses, in the several colonies, may think fit to appoint to meet them and the committee of the house of representatives of this province, are directed to repair to the said New York, on the first Tuesday in October next, accordingly: if, therefore your honorable house should agree to this proposal, it would be acceptable, that as early notice of it as possible might be transmitted to the speaker of the house of representatives of this province. : SAMUEL WHITE, Speaker. In consequence of the foregoing circular Who produced their appointment as follows, viz: To James Otis, Oliver Partridge, and Timothy Ruggles, Esquires. Gentlemen,-The house of representatives of this province, have appointed you a committee to meet at New York on the first Tuesday in October next, such committees as the other houses of representatives or burgesses in the several colonies on this continent, may think fit to appoint, to consult together on the present circumstances of the colonies, on the difficulties to which they are, and must be reduced by the operation of the late acts of parliament. By this choice, the house has reposed in you a trust of singular importance, and have just reason to expect you will give your utmost attention to it. In case you should receive advice that the houses of representatives or burgesses of the other colonies, or any of them, agree to such committees, to join you in this interesting affair, you are directed to repair to New York at the time appointed, and endeavor to unite with them in sentiment, and agree upon such representations, as may tend to preserve our rights and privileges. And it is the opinion of this house, that no address or representation shall be esteemed the act of this house, unless it is agreed to and signed by the major part of their committee. If it should be said, that we are in any manner represented in parliament, you must by no means concede to it; it is an opinion which this house cannot see the least reason to adopt. Further, the house think that such a representation of the colonies as British subjects are to enjoy, would be attended with the greatest difficulty, if it is not absolutely impracticable, and therefore, you are not to urge or consent to any proposal for any representation, if such be made in the congress. It is the expectation of the house, that a most loyal and dutiful address to his majesty and the parliament, will be prepared by the congress, praying as well for the removal of the grievances the colonies labor under at present, as for preventing others for the future; which petitions, if drawn up, as far as you shall be able to judge, agreeable to the mind of the house, you are empowered to sign and forward; and you are to lay a copy of the same |