American Political and Military Biography: In Two Parts. Part I. The Political Lives and Public Characters of the Presidents of the United States, and Other Distinguished Public Men. Part II. The Lives, Characters, and Anecdotes of the Military and Naval Officers of the Revolution , who Were Most Distinguished in Achieving Our National Independence, Parts 1-2subscribers, 1825 - 424 pages |
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action Adams afterwards American army appointed arms Arnold arrived assembly attack attempt Baron battle battle of Monmouth Boston brave Britain British British army Burgoyne Burr Captain capture character Clinton Colonel colonies commander in chief commenced commodore conduct congress considered constitution Count D'Estaing court danger declared distinguished duties enemy engaged entered eral exertions fire force France French friends frigate garrison Gates George Clinton governor Greene gress guns Hamilton honor hundred immediately James Clinton Jefferson Lafayette letter liberty Lord Cornwallis Lord Rawdon Major-General measures ment miles military militia Montgomery nation Ness New-York officer Olmutz party passed patriotism peace person political President principles prisoners Putnam received regiment retired retreat revolution Schuyler sent Serapis ship siege of Yorktown soldiers soon spirit Stark talents Ticonderoga tion took town troops United vessels victory Virginia Warner Washington whole wounded
Popular passages
Page 40 - All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency.
Page 29 - As a remarkable instance of this, I may point out to the public that heroic youth, Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some important service to his country.
Page 55 - The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.
Page 38 - Welcome, mighty chief, once more Welcome to this grateful shore : • Now no mercenary foe Aims again the fatal blow ; Aims at thee the fatal blow. " Virgins fair and matrons grave, Those thy conquering arms did save, Build for thee triumphal bowers. Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers ; Strew your Hero's way with flowers.
Page 40 - ... accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.
Page 211 - I feel a sense of obligation towards my creditors; who in case of accident to me, by the forced sale of my property, may be in some degree sufferers. I did not think myself at liberty as a man of probity, lightly to expose them to this hazard. 4. I am conscious of no ill will to Colonel Burr, distinct from political opposition, which, as I trust, has proceeded from pure and upright motives. Lastly, I shall hazard much, and can possibly gain nothing, by the issue of the interview.
Page 196 - I have become convinced, that I could not, without manifest impropriety, make the avowal or disavowal which you seem to think necessary. The clause pointed out by Mr. Van Ness is in these terms : " I could detail to you a still more despicable opinion which General Hamilton has expressed of Mr. Burr.
Page 143 - I found myself under a necessity to attack the fort, before the rear could cross the lake ; and, as it was viewed hazardous, I harangued the officers and soldiers in the manner following: "Friends and fellow soldiers: You have, for a number of years past, been a scourge and terror to arbitrary power.
Page viii - Britain; and that the King's Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords spiritual and temporal and Commons of Great Britain in Parliament assembled, had, hath and of right ought to have, full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, subjects of the Crown of Great Britain in all cases whatsoever.
Page 37 - I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping.