of the man being much excited by these hints, gencral Dickinson at length took him into a private room, and observed, that an opportunity was now afforded him of rendering his country a very important service, for which he should be liberally rewarded. He then stated that the return, which the officer who had deserted had in his possession, was a forgery, intended to secure to himself a favourable reception from the enemy: also, that large bodies of troops, both from the east and the south, had recently arrived in the vicinity of Morristown; that from the last returns, the American army, at its several positions, which might be readily concentrated, amounted to nearly twenty thousand men; and that an attack on the enemy was only delayed, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements, already in great forwardness; adding, that as the capture of the commanding officer at Brunswick was an object of the first importance, it was material to ascertain particularly the situation of his quarters in the town, and also the force and position of the guards, out posts, &c. &c.

The spy giving general Dickinson every assurance, that he would faithfully execute his commission, was permitted to proceed on his visit. On reaching New Brunswick, he communicated, without delay, to lord Cornwallis, all that passed in the conversation between the general and himself, which induced his lordship to relinquish his meditated attack.

"During the fall of 1777, general Dickinson after informing "himself precisely of the force and situation of the enemy on "Staten Island, projected another expedition against that "post. in the hope of being able entirely to cut off Skinner's brigade of loyal Americans, which was stationed there. "His perfect knowledge of the country enabled him to make "such a disposition, as promised success, and authorized a "hope that his plan would be executed as formed. He col"Jected about two thousand men, and requested from general "Putnam, a diversion on the side of King's bridge, in order "to prevent a sudden reinforcement from New York.

"Knowing well that success depended on secrecy, he had "concealed his object, even from his officers, until 8 o'clock "of the night on which it was to be executed; yet by three in "the morning, information of the design was given to ge"neral Skinner, who was thereby put on his guard: and on "the first alarm, he saved himself and his brigade by taking "refuge in some works too strong to be carried by assault. "In the flight, a few prisoners were made, and a few men "killed; after which, general Dickinson brought off his party "with a loss of only three killed, and ten slightly wounded. "Soon after the British army reached Philadelphia, in the

autumn of 1777; count Donop crossed the Delaware, with the intention, as it was believed, of investing Red Bank, a "post on the Jersey side of the river. Immediate measures "were taken to raise the militia of that state: this was ren"dered particularly difficult at this moment, by an event by "no means common. The time for which the governor was "elected had expired, and no new election had been made. "The late executive, therefore, did not think itself authorised "to take any measures, as an executive; and had not general "Dickinson ventured to order out the militia, by his own au"thority, they could not have been put in motion." Marshal's Life of Washington.

General Dickinson was present at the battle of Monmouth, with all the militia he could assemble. He was also a member of the council of war, held on the night before the action. He there took an opportunity of representing to general Washington, that though the militia might be less efficient in the field than the regular troops, yet they were capable of performing a very important part in guarding the army against an attack that night; by which the whole of the continental troops would have an opportunity of obtaining that repose they so much needed; and if the commander in chief would confide to them that honor, he would pledge himself that the camp should not be surprised. General Dickinson's offer was accepted, and on the following morning, before day-light, information was conveyed to the commander in chief, that the enemy had resumed his line of march.

At the close of the war general Dickinson retired to his seat on the banks of the Delaware.

In December, 1784, congress appointed three commissioners to select a spot for a federal city, on either side of the river Delaware, not more than eight miles above, nor eight miles below its lower falls. The persons chosen were Robert Morris, Esqr. general Schuyler, and general Dickinson.

General Dickinson was a member of the senate of the United States for several years, previously to the removal of congress to Washington. He died in February, 1809.

DRAYTON, WILLIAM, HENRY, an ardent patriot, and a political writer of considerable eminence, was born in South Carolina, in the year 1742. He spent his youth and acquired his education in England. Soon after he came to manhood, he returned to Carolina, and there with inferior opportunities, but superior industry, prosecuted his studies. In it he acquired the greater part of that knowledge for which he was afterwards distinguished. He first began to write for the public about the year 1769. Under the signature of "Freeman" he stated several legal and constitutional objections to an as

sociation, or rather the mode of enforcing an association, for suspending the importation of British manufactures, which was then generally signed by the inhabitants. This involved him in a political controversy, in which he was opposed by Christopher Gadsden and John Mackenzie. In the year 1774, he wrote a pamphlet under the signature of "Freeman," which was addressed to the American congress. In this he stated the grievances of America, and drew up a bill of American rights. This was well received. It substantially chalked out the line of conduct adopted by congress, then in session. He was elected a member of the provincial congress, which sat in January, 1775; and in the course of that year was advanced to the presidency thereof. In the latter character he issued on the 9th of November, 1775, the first order that was given in South Carolina for firing on the British. The order was addressed to colonel William Moultrie, and directed him "by every military operation to endeavor to oppose the passage of any British naval armament that may attempt to pass fort Johnson." This was before congress had decided on independence, and in the then situation of Carolina, was a bold, decisive measure,

Before the revolution, Mr. Drayton was one of the king's counsellors, and one of his assistant judges for the province. The first of these offices he resigned, and from the last he was dismissed by the officers of his Britannic majesty. On the formation of a popular constitution, he was reinstated in the corresponding offices of the state, and in the last advanced to the rank of chief justice. He published his charge to the grand jury, in April 1776, which breathes all the spirit and energy of the mind, which knows the value of freedom, and is determined to support it.

The following is an extract from the charge

"In short, I think it my duty to declare in the awful seat of justice, and before Almighty God, that in my opinion, the Americans can have no safety but by the Divine favour, their own virtuc, and their being so prudent as not to leave it in the power of the British rulers to injure them. Indeed the ruinous and deadly injuries received on our side; and the jealousies entertained, and which, in the nature of things, must daily increase against us, on the other; demonstrate to a mind, in the least given to reflection upon the rise and fall of empires, that true reconcilement never can exist between Great Britain and America, the latter being in subjection to the former. The Almighty created America to be independent of Britain: Let us beware of the impiety of being backward to act as instruments in the Almighty hand, now extended to accomplish his purpose; and by the completion of

which alone, America, in the nature of human affairs, can be secure against the craft and insiduous designs of her enemies zuho think her prosperity and power ALREADY BY FAR TOO GREAT. In a word, our piety and political safety are so blended, that to refuse our labours in this Divine work, is to refuse to be a great, a free, a pious, and a happy people!

"And now having left the important alternative, political happiness or wretchedness, under God, in a great degree in your own hands, I pray the Supreme Arbiter of the affairs of men, so to direct your judgment, as that you may act agreeably to what seems to be his will, revealed in his miraculous works in behalf of America, bleeding at the altar of liberty." This being anterior to the declaration of independence was bold language. Several publications appeared from his pen, explaining the injured rights of his country, and encouraging his fellow citizens to vindicate them. He has also left a manuscript history of the American revolution in three folio volumes, brought down to the end of the year 1778, which he intended to continue and publish. His country, pleased with his zeal and talents, heaped offices upon him. He was appointed a member of congress in 1778 and 1779. Soon after he had taken his seat, British commissioners came to America, with the hope of detaching the states from their alliance with France. Drayton took an active and decided part in favour of the measures adopted by his countrymen. His letters published expressly to controvert the machinations of the British commissioners, were considered as replete with irresistible arguments, and written in the best style of composition.

He died in Philadelphia, in 1779, while attending his duty in congress, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. He was a statesman of great decision and energy, and one of the ablest political writers South Carolina has produced.

DYER, ELIPHALET, distinguished for his civil and military employments, was born on the 28th of September, 1721, in Windham, Connecticut. He was educated at Yale college, where he received his first degree in 1740. Soon after this, he entered upon the study of law, which he pursued as a profession. In 1743, when he was but twenty two years of age, he was appointed a justice of the peace; and in 1745, he was chosen a representative of the town in the general court, and continued to be elected to this office, a few sessions excepted, until the year 1762. At the commencement of the French war, in 1755, he was appointed to the command of one of the regiments raised by the colony of Connecticut for that service. He continued in the service, having the command of a regiment, during most of the war, and acquired considerable reputation as a faithful and brave officer. In 1762, he was

elected a member of the Council, and continued in this situa tion for several years. In 1763, he went to England, having been constituted the agent of the Susquehanna Company, to prosecute their claims in Great Britain. At this period a spirit of jealousy and hostility to the rising prosperity and the rights of the colonies, began to disclose themselves in the parent country; of which, and of the ultimate policy and designs of that country, colonel Dyer discovered clear indications, and communicated his views and apprehensions on his return. He was appointed a delegate from that state to the continental congress, holden at Philadelphia, in 1766. He was also appointed a delegate to the congress of 1774, which preceded the commencement of the revolutionary war; and during the interesting period of this momentous contest, he was, a considerable portion of the time, a member of that dignified and important body. He was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of the state, and subsequently Chief Justice, which office he held until the year 1793, which closed & very protracted public life.

He died in 1807, aged eighty-six years, having lived during a very interesting period of our history, and taken a part in many of the important events by which it is characterized.

ELLSWORTH, OLIVER, chief justice of the United States, was born at Windsor, Connecticut, April 29, 1745, and was graduated at the college in New Jersey in 1766. He soon afterwards commenced the practice of the law, in which profession he attained an acknowledged eminence. His perceptions were unusually rapid, his reasoning clear and conclusive, and his eloquence almost irresistible. In the year 1777, he was a delegate to the continental congress. He found himself in a new sphere; but his extraordinary powers did not fail him, and he met the exigencies of the times without shrinking. In 1780, he was elected into the council of his native state, and he continued a member of that body till 1784, when he was appointed a judge of the superior court. In 1787, he was elected a member of the convention, which framed the federal constitution. In an assembly, illustrious for talents, erudition, and patriotism, he held a distinguished place. His exertions essentially aided in the production of an instrument, which, under the Divine blessing, has been the main pillar of American prosperity and glory. He was immediately afterwards a member of the state convention, and contributed his efforts towards procuring the ratification of that instrument.

When the federal government was organized in 1789, he was chosen a member of the senate of the United States. This elevated station, which he filled with his accustomed dignity, he occupied till in March, 1796. He was then nominated by