Fort Hill, where, kindling a fire therewith, they made a burnt offering of the effigies, for the sins of the people, which had caused such heavy judgments as the STAMP ACT to be laid upon them.' NOTE (R). P. 232. His letter, on the subject, to Mr. Richard Corbin, a member of the council, is worthy of preservation. It was obtained from Mr. Francis Corbin, a son of the former gentleman. DEAR SIR, 'In conversation at Green Spring you gave me some room to hope for a commission above that of major, and to be ranked among the chief officers of the expedition. The command of the whole forces is what I neither look for, expect, or desire; for I must be impartial enough to confess it is a charge too great for my youth and inexperience to be entrusted with. Knowing this, I have too sincere a love to my country to undertake that which may tend to the prejudice of it. But if I could entertain hopes that you thought me worthy of the post of lieutenant-colonel, and would favour me so far as to mention it at the appointment of officers, I could not but entertain a true sense of the kindness. 'I flatter myself that under a skilful commander, or a man of sense (which I most sincerely wish to serve under) with my own application and diligent study of my duty, I shall be able to conduct my steps without censure, and in time render myself worthy the promotion that I shall be favoured with now.' DEAR GEORGE, ANSWER. 'I enclose you your commission. God prosper you with it. "Your friend, "RICHARD CORBIN.' MARSH. Life, vol. ii. p. 5. note: NOTE (S). P. 234. WE hardly know whether to consider their answer as serious or ironical; 'We, the officers of the Virginia regiment, are highly sensible of the particular mark of distinction with which you have honoured us, in returning your thanks for our behaviour in the late action; and cannot help testifying our grateful acknowledgements, for your high sense' of what we shall always esteem a duty to our country and the best of kings. 'Favoured with your regard, we shall zealously endeavour to deserve your applause, and by our future actions, strive to convince the worshipful house of burgesses, how much we esteem their approbation, and as it ought to be, regard it as the voice of their country. 'Signed for the whole corps, 'GEO. WASHINGTON.' MARSH. vol. ii. p. 11. note. NOTE (T). P. 254. THE following anecdote is related on the authority of Mr. Edmund Randolph: 'When Colonel Washington had closed his career in the French and Indian war, and had become a member of the house of burgesses, the speaker, Robinson, was directed by a vote of the house, to return their thanks to that gentleman, on behalf of the colony, for the distinguished military services which he had rendered to his country. As soon as Colonel Washington took his seat, Mr. Robinson, in obedience to his order, and following the impulse* of his own generous and grateful heart, discharged the duty with great dignity; but with ⚫ such warmth of colouring and strength of expression, as entirely confounded the young hero. He rose to express his acknowledgements for the honour; but such was his trepidation and confusion, that he could not give utterance to a single syllable. He blushed, stammered, and trembled for a second; when the speaker relieved him by a stroke of address, that would have done honour to Louis XIV. in his proudest and happiest moment. Sit down, Mr. Washington,' said he, with a conciliatory smile; 'your modesty is equal to your valour, and that surpasses the power of any language that I possess.' WIRT'S Life of PAT. HEN. 3d ed. p. 45. * To 'follow an impulse' seems to be rather an inversion of the order; but Aristotle, the father of criticism, has a similar expression:-xoλ80€ IV n gun. Art. Rhet. 1. ii. c. 12. Properly speaking, however, we should think, an impulse could only be obeyed, INDEX. [N. B. The figures refer to the United States; and the numerals to the Aborigines.] A. ABERCROMBIE, commander in chief of North America, 141-goes against Aborigines. See Indians. Abraham, battle on the plains of, 161-3. Acadia, or Nova Scotia, 129. Adams, Mr. John, Mr. M'Kean's letters to, 295-opinion concerning the first Adirondacks, war of, with the Five Nations, cxxix. - duke of, first palatine of Carolina, 68. Albany, Fort Orange, subdued, 63—congress at, 132-council of war at, 140. America, Plato's Atlantis, ix-xii-claimants to the original discovery of, the American military character treated with contempt in England, 217-310. Amidas and Barlow's voyage, 5. An, Mexican and Tartar words ending in, xxxiii. SS |