No. 16 OF VOL. XII.] BALTIMORE, SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1817. Hac olim meminisse juvabit.—VIRGIL PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT THE HEAD OF CHEAPSIDE, AT $5 PER ANNUM. Revolutionary Pamphlet. [that throws his mind back to their period, and The character of Bernard and the tory junto QUINCY, MAY 25, 1817. SIR-Thanks for your favour of the 13th, "BERNARD was the man for the purpose of the and the return of the pamphlet with a copy. You revive me, when you assure me, that the original principles of the revolution are Junto-educated in the highest principles of mocoming again into fashion; and that foreign narchy, skilled enough in law and policy to do mising a numerous family to provide for-he was an feelings are giving way to a national charac- chief, avaricious, and needy at the same time, hav instrument suitable in every respect excepting one, ter." for this Junto to employ. The exception was blunt frankness, very opposite to that cautious cunning, that deep dissimulation, to which they had they did not despair of teaching him this necessary by long practice disciplined themselves. However, artful quality by degress; and the event shewed they were not wholly unsuccessful in their endea As you are "zealous to help on the latter," I should be happy, if I could, to help you. As doubts and questions are easily started upon almost every political subject, many be raised concerning "the principles of the revolution," as well as concerning "a national cha racter." The enclosed pamphlet may shew the sense in which some people understood those principles. at vors to do it." mean Among other designs of the ministry these are mentioned, and supported by proofs from gov. Bernard's letters "They intended further to new model the whole The story of it is this. A series of political essays were published by me, in the Boston continent of North America; make an entire new and less numerous colonies; to sweep away all the Gazette, in the latter part of December, 1774 division of it into distinct, though more extensive and the beginning of 1775, over the signature charters upon the continent, with the destroying Those news-papers went of besom of an act of parliament, and reduce all the of Novanglus. papers governments to the plan of the royal governments, course to England, as all American that time did, and fell into the hands of Almond, with a nobility in each colony, not hereditary inthe bookseller, who printed them in a volume deed, at first, but for life." of "prior documents," as a supplement to his Remembrancer, for the year 1775. From that copy they were reprinted by Stockdale, who had been an apprentice of Almond, in 1784, in the form of the pamphlet enclosed. After noticing the letters of gov. B. the writer says "Now let me ask you-if the parliament of Great wisdom, goodness, justice, power, in as great per Britain had all the natural foundations of authority, fection as they ever existed in any body of men Whether it is consistent with your plan to since Adam's fall: And, if the English nation was make any use of it or not, I know not, but you the most virtuous, pure, and free that ever was, may do what you will with it, as well as with would not such an unlimited subjection of three this letter, provided you return the pamphlet millions of people to that parliament, at three thouto me; a favour which I am obliged to ask, be-sand miles distance, be real slavery? There are but cause I have no other copy, and because I know of no other copy, but one, in America, and that is in Connecticut. I am, sir, your obliged servant, Mr. Niles. The pamphlet alluded to is entitled "HISTORY OF THE DISPUTE WITH AMERICA; FROM ITS OTIGIN IN 1754. WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1774. BY JOHN ADAMS, ESQ.” two sorts of men in the world, freemen and slaves The very definition of a freeman, is one who is Americans would have no way of giving or withbound by no law to which he has not consented. holding their consent to the acts of this parliament; therefore they would not be freemen. But, when luxury, effeminacy and venality are arrived at such a shocking pitch in England; when both electors and elected are become one mass of corruption; when the nation is oppressed to death with debts and taxes, owing to their own extravagance, and want of an absolute subjection to parliament? You would not wisdom, what would be your condition under such only be slaves-but the most abject sort of slaves the worst sort of masters!" Exhorting his fellow citizens, Mr. A. ob serves It is not easy, by extracting a passage here and there, to do justice to this patriotic work, to "The grand aphorism of the policy of the whigs and it is too long for entire insertion, making abut 90 pages. But the following may parThere is a freedom has been to unite the people of America, and divide tially effect our purpose. of remark and boldness of expression that can-those of Great Britain. The reverse of this has been Q not fail to claim the admiration of every one the maxim of the tories, viz. to unite the people of Great Britain, and divide those of America. All the credit, in the account of public burdens and ex movements, marches and counter-marches of both pences, so much paid in taxes, as we are obliged to parties, on both sides of the Atlantic, may be re-sell our commodities to her cheaper than we could duced to one or the other of these rules. I have get for them at foreign markets. This difference shewn that the people of America are united more is really a tax upon us for the good of the empire. perfectly than the most sanguine whig could ever We are obliged to take from Great Britain, comhave hoped, or than the most timid tory could have modities that we could purchase cheaper elsewhere. feared. Let us now examine whether the people of This difference is a tax upon us, for the good of the Great Britain are equally united against us. For, empire. We submit to this cheerfully, but insist if the contending countries were equally united, the that we ought to have credit for it, in the account prospect of success in the quarrel would depend of the expences of the empire, because it is really upon the comparative wisdom, firmness, strength, a tax upon us.-Another thing. I will venture a and other advantages of each other. And, if such bold assertion: The three million Americans, by a comparison was made, it would not appear to a the tax aforesaid, upon what they are obliged to demonstration that Great Britain could so easily export to Great Britain only, what they are obliged subdue and conquer. It is not so easy a thing for to import from Great Britain only, and the quanthe most powerful state to conquer a country a tities of British manufactures, which in these clithousand leagues off. How many years time, how mates they are obliged to consume, more than the many millions of money did it take, with five and like number of people in any part of the three king. thirty thousand men, to conquer the poor provinces doms, ultimately pay more of the taxes and duties of Canada? And after all the battles and victories, that are apparently paid in Great Britain, than any it never would have submitted without a capitula- three million subjects in the three kingdoms.-AŬ tion, which secured to them their religion and pro- this may be computed, and reduced to stubborn perties." figures by the minister, if he pleases. We cannot Agamdo it. We have not the accounts, records, &c."In a land war, this continent can defend itself Now let this account be fairly stated, and I will against all the world. We have men enough; and engage for America, upon any penalty, that she those men have as good natural understanding, and will pay the overplus, if any, in her own constituas much natural courage as any other men. If they tional way, provided it is to be applied for national were wholly ignorant now, they might learn the art purposes, as paying off the national debt, maintainof war. But at sea, we are defenceless. A navy might ing the Acet, &c. not to the support of a standing burn our sea-port towns. What then? Three hun- army in time of peace, placemen and pensioners, dred and fifty thousand land-holders will not give up their rights, and the constitution by which they On the political principles of the people, he hold them, to save fifty thousand inhabitants of ma-saysritime towns. Will the minister be nearer his mar "It is true, that the people of this country in ket, after he has burnt a beautiful town, and mur-general, and of this province in special, have an dered thirty thousand innocent people? So far from hereditary apprehension of, and aversion to lordit, that one such event would occasion the loss of ships temporal and spiritual. Their ancestors fled ail the colonies to Great Britain for ever. It is not to this wilderness to avoid them; they suffered so clear that our trade, fishery and navigation could sufficiently under them in England; and there are be taken from us. Some persons, who understand few of the persent generation who have not been this subject, are of a different opinion. They think warned of the danger of them, by their fathers or that our trade would be increased. grandfathers, and enjoined to oppose them. &c.' "It is curious to observe the conduct of the FurtherObsta principiis-Nip the shoots of arbitrary pow-tories towards the clergy. If a clergyman preaches er in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever against the principles of the revolution, and tells preserve the liberties of any people. When the peo-the people, that upon pain of damnation they must ple give way, their deceivers, betrayers, and de- submit to an established government, of whatever stroyers, press upon them so fast, that there is no character; the tories cry him up as an excellent resisting afterwards. The nature of the encroach-man, and a wonderful preacher; invite him to their ment upon the American constitution is such, as to tables, procure him missions from the society, and grow more and more encroaching. Like a cancer, chaplainships to the navy, and flatter him with the it eats faster and faster every hour. The revenue hopes of lawn sleeves. But, if a clergyman preaches creates pensioners, and the pensioners urge for more Christianity, and tells the magistrates, that they revenue. The people grow less steady, spirited and were not distinguished from their brethren for virtuous, and the seekers more numerous and nore their private emolument, but for the good of the corrupt, and every day increases the circles of their people; that the people are bound in conscience to dependants and expectants, until virtue, integrity, obey a good government, but are not bound to subpublic spirit, simplicity, frugality, become the oh-mit to one that aims at destroying all the ends of jects of ridicule and scorn; and vanity, luxury, fop. government-oh sedition! treason! pery, selfishness, meanness, and downright venality, swallow up the whole society." "There is not in human nature a more wonderful phenomenon, nor in the whole theory of it, a more intricate speculation, than the shiftings, turnings, windings and evasions of a guilty conscience." Justifying the refusal of the Americans to pay taxes, there are the following remarks We have much more to say still. Great Britain has confined all our trade to herself. We are willing she should, as far as it can be for the good of the empire. But we say that we ought to be allowed as in particular, are disposed enough to be on the side The clergy in all ages and countries, and in this of government, as long as it is tolerable: If they have not been generally in the late administrations on that side, it is a demonstration that the late administration has been universally odious." "Nero murdered Seneca, that he might pull up virtue by the roots; and the same maxim governs the scribblers and speechifyers on the side of the minister. It is sufficient to discover, that any man has abilities and integrity, a love of virtue and liberty; he must be run down at all events. Witness Pitt, Franklin, and too many others." pelled to send the ships hence? An army and navy was at hand, and bloodshed was apprehended. At last, when the continent as well as the town and province, were waiting the issue of this deliberaion with the utmost anxiety; a number of persons, in the night, put them out of suspense, by an oblation to Neptune." The following is full of the spirit of the times: selves odious and infamous, when they might be "But what a pity it was, that these worthy gen-respected and esteemed. It must be said, how. tlemen could not be allowed, from the dearest af ever, in vindication of the town, that this breed is fection to their native country, to which they had spawned chiefly by the Junto-the consignees would every possible attachment, to go on in profound not resign; the custom-house refused clearances: confidential secrecy, procuring troops to cut our governor Hutchinson refused passes by the castle. throats, acts of parliament to drain our purses, The question then was, with many, whether the destroy our charters and assemblies, getting estates governor, officers and consignees should be comand dignities for themselves and their own families, and all the while most devoutly professing to be friends to our charter, enemies to parliamentary taxation, and to all pensions, without being detect ed! How happy! If they could have annihilated all our charters, and yet have been beloved, nay deified by the people, as friends and advocates for their charters. What masterly politicians! Το "If Boston could have been treated like other have made themselves nobles for life, and yet have places-like New-York and Philadelphia, the tea been thought very sorry that the two houses were might have gone home from thence as it did from deprived of the privilege of chusing the council. those cities. That inveterate, desperate junto, to How sagacious, to get large pensions for them-whom we owe all our calamities, were determined to selves, and yet be thought to mourn, that pensions hurt us in this, as in all other cases, as much as they and venality were introduced into the country! could. It is to be hoped they will one day repent, How sweet and pleasant! To have been the most and be forgiven; but it is very hard to forgive with popular men in the community, for being staunch out repentance. When the news of this event arand zealous dissenters, true-blue Calvinists, and rived in England, it excited such passions in the able advocates for public virtue and popular go- minister as nothing could restrain; his resentment vernment, after they had introduced an American was kindled into revenge, rage and madness; his episcopate, universal corruption among the leading veracity was piqued, as his master-piece of policy men, and deprived the people of all share in their proved but a bubble: The bantling was the fruit of supreme legislative council! I mention an episco- a favorite amour, and no wonder that his natural pate; for although I do not know that governors Hutchinson and Oliver ever directly solicited for bishops, yet they must have seen, that these would have been one effect very soon, of establishing the unlimited authority of parliament." affection was touched, when he saw it dispatched before his eyes.-His grief and ingenuity, if he had any, were affected at the thought that he had misled the East-India company, so much nearer to destruction, and that he had rendered the breach between the kingdom and the colonies almost The character of Hutchinson is thus drawn: irreconcileable; his shame was excited because op"This gentleman was open to flattery in so re-position had gained a triumph over him, and the markable a degree, that any man who would flatter three kingdoms were laughing at him for his him was sure of his friendship, and every one who obstinacy and his blunders: Instead of relieving would not was sure of his enmity. He was credulous the company, he had hastened its ruin: Instead of in a ridiculous degree, of every thing that favored establishing the absolute and unlimited sovereignty his own plans; and equally incredulous of every of parliament over the colonies, he had excited a thing which made against them. His natural abili- more decisive denial of it, and resistance to it.-An ties, which have been greatly exaggerated by per-election drew nigh, and he dreaded the resentment sons whom he had advanced to power, were far from even of the corrupted electors." being of the first rate. His industry was prodigious. The necessity of union is thus pointed outHis knowledge lay chiefly in the laws, and politics, and history of this province, in which he had a long liberties, merely from want of communication with "If we recollect how many states have lost their experience. Yet with all his advantages, he never each other, and union among themselves, we shall was master of the true character of his native think that the committees of correspondence may be country, not even of New-England and the Mas-intended by Providence to accomplish great events. sachusetts bay-Through the whole troublesome What the eloquence and talents of Demosthenes period since the last war, he manifestly mistook the temper, principles, and opinions of this people. have been effected by so simple a device. Castile, could not effect, among the states of Greece, might He had resolved upon a system; and never could Arragon, Valencia, Majorca, &c. all complained of or would see the impracticability of it." oppression under Charles the fifth; flew out into offi-transports of rage, and took arms against him-But they never consulted or communicated with each other. They resisted separately and were separately "Low as the wages were, it was found that when subdued. Had don Juan Padilla, or his wife, been ever a vacancy happened, the place was solicited possessed of the genius to invent a committee of with much more anxiety and zeal than the king-correspondence, perhaps the liberties of the Spanish dom of Heaven." nation might have remained to this hour." Speaking of the salaries paid to certain cers of the crown, Mr. A. says The business of the tea at Boston is mentioned as follows These are the most material things that bear "Boston is the only place upon the continent, honor the editor with the loan of his pamphlet upon the subjects that induced Mr. ADAMS to perhaps in the world, which ever breeds a species-it is chiefly what its title purports to be, a for their private interest, with such obstinacy, in history of the dispute;" and to the historian, opposition to the public good; disoblige all their wishing to dive into the minute matters of the fellow-citizens for a little pelf, and make them-revolution, is of great value. of Misanthropos, who will persist in their schemes Ross' arms and Parker's monument. DESCRIPTION OF THE ARMS. Per fess embattled argent and or, in chief issuant A gentleman of the first distinction has furnished the editor of the REGISTER, with an authentic a dexter arm embowed vested gules, cuff azure, copy and description of the coat of arms granted to encircled by a wreath of laurel, the hand grasping the family of gen. Ross, and shewing the "honora a flag-staff broken in bend sinister, therefrom flowble augmentations" made thereto by the approbation ing the colors of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of the prince regent; and of the inscription on the Proper, in base the arms of Ross, of Ross Trevor, monument lately erected to the memory of sir PE-on a canton of the third pendent from a ribbon, a TER PARKER, at Westminster Abbey. They may representation of the cross presented by command be relied on as authentic-the former being copied of his majesty to the late major-general in testimoat the Herald's office from the original designation ny of this royal approbation of his services, with the and record, and the other taken on the spot by the motto BLADENSBURGH, and for a crest of honora hand of an honorable American, who forwarded ble augmentation in addition to the crest of the fathem to his friends in the United States as curiosimily of Ross of Ross Trevor, the following, that is to say, on a wreath of the colors out of a mural ties. arms. On communicating these-the gentleman, with crown or, a dexter arm grasping the colors as in the regard to sir Peter's monument, observes "as your "REGISTER is as likely to be referred to by posterity rant of the facts as to believe that gen. Ross was Can it be possible that the British are so igno"for the character and conduct of the principal ac "tors in the late contest between our country and killed at WASHINGTON, and on the fourth of August "England as the tomb-stones of Westminster Abbey, 11814-No-no-it is impossible; but, by coupling "lesve it to your judgment to determine if it would his name with "Washington," they hoped to gratify "be doing more than common justice to ourselves a pride as mean in its practice as it is false in its to give it a place in your work, accompanied with principle. The affair at Bladensburg took place on "such facts as belong to the case," &c. The like the 24th of that month, and every body knows that the general was killed near BALTIMORE, on the remarks apply equally to the "honorable augmentations" to the arms of the family of general Ross, twelfth day of September, 1814. But this "would and we enter fully into the feelings of the gallant not tell well in history"-and the glories of Washofficer who sent us the copies of them-considerington were to be made a channel for those of the ing it as a "dastardly disposition" thus to attempt bolster up the fame of the deceased by the degra dation of our country. wanton destroyer of "costly monuments of taste chives, not only precious to the nation as memori and of the arts," "depositories of the public ar als of its origin and its early transactions, but interesting to all nations, as contributions to the gener al stock of historical instruction and political sciencet." We war not with the dead-whatever we might have thought of Ross and Parker, living, they have paid the great debt that they owed to nature and to the United States, and let them rest in peace. Nor can they be affected by any thing to be said of them now; but their officious friends are not entitled to such forbearance. The "STAR SPANGLED BANNER" shall not be so easily disposed of by the Guelphs; nor shall falsehood wrest from a brave yeomanry for his after-conduct was barbarous; belonging to their well-earned reward-if we can help it. COATS OF ARMS OF THE FAMILY OF GEN. ROSS. [The second cut represents the original coat of arms of the family of Ross; the first shews the augmentations, accompanied by an heraldic account of the same ] MAJ. GEN. ROBERT ROSS, Died August 4, 181-4; DAVID ROSS, will be disposed to deny; and that he was a "dashThat general Ross was a brave man, no person ing" officer must be admitted from the character of if these things are merits, appear to have an end, his attack at Bladensburgh-and here his merits, ages long past, and without a parallel in the history of modern wars. Most of the capital cities of Europe have latterly been captured and recaptured, and among the whole we have not one solitary case to compare with the proceedings of gen. Ross at Washington city. But it may be said he had or ders to "destroy all places assailable"-this is no excuse; his government had no right to convert a military officer into a house-burner. He might have found an example in the conduct of the French general who told one of the merciful BOURBONS, many years ago, that he was always ready to fight and would do all that he could to defeat, the king's enemies in the field-but if an assassin were wanted, they must employ some one else; he was not fitted for such an office, nor was the office fitted for him. That general Ross, after the burning of Washington, intended also to have burnt Baltimore, is unanimously admitted-that such was his design, we believe, has never been doubted. But it is useless to comment on these things. They are calcu lated only to rouse feelings which, though they ought not to be forgotten, should be allayed. The general as justly died for his offences against the *It is worthy of remembrance, that in the highest fury of the French revolution, and at times when Stain at Washington. in Ameries, or ROSS TREVOR LE DOWN, the most unprincipled men had sway, that orders commanding his majesty's troops. His widow and descendants to be called TOSS OF BLADENSBURGH, ESQUIRE, FATHER OF GENERAL ROSS. were given to preserve the "monuments of the arts," even though they pertained to kings. Proclamation of the president, Sept. 1, 1815. laws of nations, as ever did a poor solitary indivi-vented the annihilation or capture of the whole Inscription on the monument of sir Peter Parker, at In the pious hope of a glorious resurrection, HERE LIES INTERRED THE MORTAL REMAINS OF SIR PETER PARKER, BARONET, AGED 28 YEARS, Defeated an enemy, supported by cavalry & artillery, wound, Under which he continued to cheer his men to follow Until, sinking under its fatal result, Poor Sir Peter-he little expected thus to be Crease's account would give us to believe that Sir Commodore Rodgers. BUT THE The compliment designed to be paid by certain citizens of Baltimore to this able and patriotic offcer, is ready for delivery. It is a most superb service of a large fish dish: four large meat and four smalof plate "intended for the dinner table, and consists ler dishes: four covered dishes for vegetables; two sauce boats and ladles: a bread basket, and a dozen soup tureens and ladles: two large pitchers; four reflecting on the artists, Messrs. Fletcher and Garforks all of the most substantial workmanship, and diner, of Philadelphia, the highest degree of credit." Each piece has the following inscription: "Presented by the citizens of Baltimore to COM JOHN RODGERS, in testimony of their high sense of the important aid afforded by him in the defence of Never was such a compliment more honestly, Baltimore, on the 12th and 13th of September, 1814." more faithfully, earned-never was one presented with a deeper interest and feeling than this occasion The Menalaus frigate had been for a considerable will give rise to. The unwearied volunteer-like time near the head of the Chesapeake bay [not on the services of com. Rodgers in the defence of Baltimore, coast of America] committing the most disgraceful in Sept. 1814, were as a host in strength-teaching by and most contemptible depredations on the people example, spreading confidence every where, and innear its shores-destitute of any national object fusing into each breast a portion of his own invinciThis service of plate cost $4000. It is splendidand only derogatory to the character of her officers ble spirit. and crew; among which were the burnings of cottages, after plundering the poor inhabitants of ly "ornamented with borderings and embrossed fitheir few goods, and destroying all that they did gures after the manner of the Egyptian and Grecian not see proper to carry away-a species of warfare sculpturings," and is universally admired. It was such as we might expect only from Algerines. exhibited a few days for the gratification of the subWhen things were ripening for the attack upon scribers and others. Baltimore, he was ordered down the bay; but before he obeyed he resolved to have a "frolic with the yankees," and landed nearly the whole force of his frigate for the purpose of attacking colonel Reed, gentlemen of the house of representatives: who had collected a few militia at Moore's Fields, The return of the election season brings with it not far from Georgetown X Roads, on the eastern shore of Maryland, to check his depredations. Ac. cording to the British account of this affair, signed little novelty, but much to engage and interest us. "Hen. Crease, act. com."-[see WEEKLY REGISTER, Past events, and a long catalogue of patriots and suppt. vol. VII. p. 150] he landed 104 bayonets and statesmen, with the recollection of whom the trans20 pikes-(but col. Reed estimated sir Peter's force actions of the season are associated, recur to the as being superior to his own, which amounted to mind and enter deeply into the meditations of the 170 men, all told-see vol. VII p. 11, and suppt. to occasion, vol. vii. p. 157) and rashly rushed upon his fate. Legislature of Massachusetts. GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Gentlemen of the senate, und History, the instructive epitome of the character He was met by a raw militia, "few of whom had of man, exhibits to us not only the perpetual conflict ever heard the whistling of a ball," and in a few of reason and the passions, of striking alterations of minutes was completely beaten, with the loss of his rectitude and error and the commanding powers and own life and 13 others killed and 27 wounded, ac-extreme imbecility of the human mind, but the cording to the acknowledgment of Mr. Crease, and formation of the governments, their progressive his force retired leaving behind it a quantity of changes and ultimate catastrophe. arms, ammunition and other apparatus of war, with But without extending our views over the genethe dead, and nine of the wounded;-nothing pre-ral history of man or of governments, the annals of |