the salutary decision. The British general found himself completely disappointed, after all his toil and all his danger. They would occasionally visit his camp, and renew their protestations of attachment; but no additional regiment could be

April, 1801.

family, some of whom, once or twice in the year, came to him in the woods. That his only crime was being a loyalist, and having given offence to one of the republican leaders in that part of the country where he used to reside."

It excites in my mind all the surprise which Mr. Stedman must have felt when he heard these tales, on reading them from his pen. He believed in their truth, I am sure, or he would not have recorded them; yet it seems to me, to require a stock of credulity not common to soldiers to have seriously regarded either the Quaker or the escaped tenant from Surgeons' Hall. Suppose Mr. Stedman had doubted for a moment, and the odd tale warranted at least a pause before belief; suppose in this moment of doubt he had asked the Quaker, "How came it, that when for two years we have had a post at Camden, and for months another at Cheraw Hill (both convenient to the district in which Mr. Stedman held this conversation); that last year the British head-quarters were at Charlotte, and this year Lord Cornwallis had traversed the State; how came it that the out-lying, maltreated loyalists did not resort to one of the points of safety so near to them? The same patience and caution which secured them from discovery, lying out in the woods for years, could not have failed to secure safe passage to some one of our posts, which required but a few days."

To this query the Quaker would have replied, "Why really, friend, I cannot say; but I assure thee, that I have told thee precisely what was currently reported." If further pressed, the sensible Quaker would have added, “I never believed it myself; and I wonder how thou canst take it so seriously."

There is a feature in the Quaker's tale, which Lieutenant-Colonel Webster would not have misunderstood, had the conversation been addressed to him. It is his bitter sarcasm on British operations, when accounting for the cautious conduct of the loyalists. He speaks of "deception in promise," and "relinquishment of posts." Mr. Stedinan seems to have given no attention to this just admonition; but is entirely engrossed with the accusation levelled against the American people, which was nothing more than a report; as the Quaker does not say (the interrogation being omitted by Mr. Stedman), that he knew any of the particulars stated by him, from his own knowledge. It appears evident to me, that the defamation was only meant as a pleasing supplement to the philippic he had ventured to pronounce against the conduct of the war. The Quaker goes on to add, that a husband was shot in bed with his wife. Such a thing is possible, but very improbable, and entirely repugnant to the American character, which is tender and respectful to the fair sex. It would not have been difficult for the party to have taken the individual off to a fit place for their purpose, and thus to have spared their own as well as the feelings of an innocent woman. But here again we find the Quaker does not assert it from his own knowledge; and yet it is ushered to the world as a truth. To a Briton, who should accredit this fable, I answer, that we are descended with his countrymen from one stock; that he would not believe such stuff told upon an Englishman, and that he ought not to believe it when applied to an American. We have not degenerated by transplantation, notwithstanding Mr. Buffon's reveries, as our short history testifies.

The second anecdote fits so exactly the first, that I should treat it as a fabrication, made to aid the Quaker, but for my just respect for the character of Mr. Stedman. Considering it as a real occurrence, I have no doubt but that the unhappy being was deranged. Recollect that he joined the army the day

formed; nor could even Hamilton's North Carolina corps, with all his address and influence, be restored to its complement; so unpropitious in the opinion of the loyalists had been the result of the late active and sanguinary operations.

While the British army was enjoying the stores which the providence of their leader had prepared for its use, General Greene continued in his camp at Ramsay's mill. Equally affectionate and equally provident, he could not present to his much-loved troops refitments and refreshments so much wanted. No magazines were opened for our accommodation; rest to our wearied limbs was the only boon within his gift. Our tattered garments could not be exchanged; nor could our worn-out shoes be replaced. The exhilarating cordial was not within his reach, nor wholesome provision in abundance within his grasp. The meagre beef of the pine barrens, with corn-ash cake, was our food, and water our drink; yet we were content; we were more than content-we were happy. The improved condition of the South, effected by our efforts, had bestowed the solace of inward satisfaction on our review of the past; and experience of the lofty genius of our beloved leader, encouraged proud anticipations of the future.

before it reached Cross Creek, the centre of an extensive settlement of Highlanders, by Mr. Stedman's own authority, devoted to the royal cause. His weak state of body forbade long travel; and his singular dress exposed him to notice and detection if his journey to camp had been from a distance. It clearly results that the Surgeon's Hall tenant had been in the vicinity or in the midst of the Highland settlement; and yet from lunacy, I presume, he preferred the solitude of a cavern and the food of acorns to the hospitable fare which distressed loyalists were sure to receive from the Highland emigrants.

Who can believe that a being thus acting possessed his senses? No rational unprejudiced man can so believe. But why did not Mr. Stedman give us the name and place of residence of this miserable? Secrecy in this case was unnecessary; and the fallacy of the accusation might readily have been confronted with legal testimony. The fact is, that the constitution of the Southern people is warmer than that of their Northern brethren, or of their late enemy; consequently the war in some parts of Georgia and the Carolinas was conducted with great bitterness among the inhabitants, and some tragical scenes took place on both sides. These were, however, confined to a few neighborhoods, and to a few instances. But the demeanor of the mass of the people was kind and forgiving, the policy of Congress and of the State governments humane, and the conduct of the army amiable. Seldom, during the war, was even retaliation resorted to, though often menaced; and surely it cannot be pretended that we had not ample opportunity to gratify such menace if it had comported with our disposition. This discussion proceeds from a desire to vindicate the national character from unjust detraction.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Arnold's invasion of Virginia.-Unprepared condition of the State.-Debarks at Westover.-Marches to Richmond.-Simcoe destroys the public stores and cannonfoundry at Westham.-Arnold returns to Westover and descends the river.- Baron Steuben and Gen. Nelson follow.-Reflections on these operations.-Their effect upon Greene and Cornwallis.--Abortive attempt to relieve Virginia.-Drawn battle of a French and English squadron at sea.-Arnold re-enforced by Phillips, who takes command in Virginia.-La Fayette detached there.-Continued repineness of Virginia.-Phillips carries on the work of destruction.-Our squadron sunk and burned.-Prevented from crossing to Richmond.-Phillips moves to Petersburg.La Fayette establishes himself on the north side of James River.

IT has been before observed, that the British cabinet, despairing of the subjugation of the United States, had changed its plan of operations, in the expectation of wresting from the Union its richest though weakest division.

In pursuance of this system, the breaking-up of Virginia was deemed of primary importance, and to this object Sir Henry Clinton devoted all his disposable force. It will be remembered, that General Mathews, with a small detachment, in 1779, laid waste the sea-board of the State; destroying, or transporting to New York, a large quantity of naval and military stores, besides private property; and that a subsequent expedition under Major-General Leslie had taken place, which was soon abandoned, in consequence of the derangement which occurred in the plans of Lord Cornwallis by the defeat and death of Lieutenant-Colonel Ferguson.

The British commander-in-chief, pursuing steadily this favorite object, prepared as soon as it was practicable, a third expedition for that devoted country. It consisted only of one thousand six hundred men, and was placed under the direction of Brigadier-General Arnold; who, preferring wealth with ignominy, to poverty with honor, had lately deserted from the service of his country, having been detected in the infamous attempt to betray West Point, with the care of which fortress he was then intrusted. The object being devastation and plunder, Sir Henry Clinton could not have made a more appropriate selection; but when we consider the nice feelings inherent in soldiership, he ran no inconsiderable risk of alienating the affections of his army, by honoring a traitor with the command of British troops. Mortifying as was this appointment to many, it seems that the British officers determined to submit in silence, lest their opposition might delay, if not prevent, an expedition deemed necessary by their commander-in-chief. Arnold, foul with treason to his country and with treachery to his friend,

escaped from the probable consequence of a well-digested plan laid by Washington for his seizure, which had advanced almost to the point of consummation, when he removed from his quarters to prepare for the expedition to Virginia. He was accidentally withdrawn from surrounding conspirators, ready, on the night of that very day, to seize his person, and convey him across the North River to Hoboken, where they would have been met by a detachment of dragoons, for the purpose of conveying the traitor to headquarters. Thomas Jefferson still continued at the head of the government; a gentlemen who had taken an early and distinguished part in the revolution, highly respected for his literary accomplishments, and as highly esteemed for his amiability and modesty. General Greene, when passing to the South through Richmond, had left, as has been mentioned, Major-General Baron Steuben in command in Virginia.

Early in December the governor was informed, by letter from the commander-in-chief, of the preparations in New York for an expedition to the South; but neither the governor nor the baron seems to have acted under this communication, presuming, probably, that the detachment making ready in New York was destined for South Carolina, to re-enforce the British force under Lord Cornwallis. It would appear that a due recollection of the preceding attempts upon Virginia, with the knowledge that as long as that State could hold safe its resources, so long would resistance in the South be maintained, ought to have admonished, the governor and the general to prepare, at once, means to meet the invasion, should it be directed against that quarter. General Arnold's preparations were slow; for the British had not yet relinquished their apprehensions that the Count de Terney, commanding the French squadron at Rhode Island, would receive from the West Indies a re-enforcement that would give him such a naval superiority as to endanger any maritime expedition of theirs. In November this apprehension ceased, and about the middle of the next month the convoy with the expedition left the Hook. After a tedious passage, it reached the Chesapeake on the thirtieth, when was felt the fatal effect of omitting timely preparations to defend the country. The governor detached General Nelson to the coast, as soon as he was informed of the entrance of the enemy into the bay, for the purpose of bringing the militia into the field; while Baron Steuben, believing Petersburg, the depot for the Southern army, to be the object, hastened his Continental force, about two hundred

recruits, to that town. Arnold, embarking his troops in the lighter vessels, proceeded up James River, and on the fourth of January approached City Point, situated at the confluence of the Appomattox with James River., It was now evident, and, indeed, a little reflection would have before demonstrated that the lower country was not the primary object with the enemy. Mathews, in his incursion, had deprived the State of the contents of her arsenals in that quarter; and had our ability permitted their renewal, prudence would have forbidden the collection of articles of value in

spots so accessible. As soon, therefore, as the governor and general learned that the squadron had cast anchor in Hampton Roads (however hope may heretofore have prevailed over vigilance), due reflection would have shown, that Richmond or Petersburg, or both, were the probable destination of this small armament, more formidable from the suddenness of its approach, than its force. It is true that the honorable and continued efforts to support the Southern States, had exhausted much of the resources of Virginia; yet she possessed enough, more than enough, to have sustained the struggle for their restoration, and to have crushed any predatory adventure like that conducted by Arnold. But unfortunately we were unprepared, and efforts to make ready commenced after the enemy was knocking at our doors. The government which does not prepare in time, doubles the power of its adversary, and sports with the lives of its citizens; for to recover lost ground, when the required force becomes ready, compels resort to hazardous enterprise, sometimes ruinous by disappointment, always debilitating by the prodigal expense of blood and treasure.

Upon this occasion, the celerity of the enemy's advance, however unequivocally it exemplified the first, furnished no illustration of the last part of the remark.

On the 4th of January, Arnold debarked at Westover, the seat of Mrs. Byrd, relict of Colonel Byrd, the honorable associate of Washington in defence of the frontiers of Virginia against the Indian enemy, then guided and aided by France. This step, though indecisive, from the facility with which the conveyance derived from naval co-operation admitted him to withdraw to the southern banks of the river, in case Petersburg had been his principal object, gave serious alarm to the governor and general. Now, for the first time, they discovered that the seat of government was to receive a visit from Arnold; and now they ascertained, that although General Nelson had been sent below, and the militia commandants had been