The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-10-06
DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.
LIFE OF WASHINGTON.

AFTER an interval of fome weeks, the pub
lie have been favoured by the appearance of the
fecond volume of this interefting work. Glib
bon fays it is the peculiar advantage of Engiifh
literature, that the fame of book read with ap-
probation in London, Immediately fpreads to
the flores of the Delaware and the Gauges.
Of the work coming from the pen of Mr.. Mar
ihall we may fay, it will Immediately have its
readers from the lakes of st. Mary's, from the
woods to the ocean. What can be 70 intereft-
ing to Americans as the eventful hiftory of their
own empires the recorded patriots. In the pa
ges of Mr.. Marlhall the aged fire calls up the
animating remembrance of his early tolls. The
young are told who were their benefactors, re-
ceive in full fytem, what then had caught as ira
dictionary fragments, and lfen with an enthuii-
aim to the rory that recounts the glory of their
fathers.
After judicious introduction, pretending un-
der one view, the original fettlement and early
progrefs of the different colonies, Mr.. Marfhall
has opened the frf chapter of his fcond vo-
ume with an account of the birth of the illuftri-
Gus fubjeGt of his work. In this chapter mott
readers are prefented with an nterefting fcence.
They are introduced to Warrington at a time
of life when character is unfolding. They fee
him youthful folder, conftant, intrepid and
aipiring and aiming at difinction and thirffing
for glory. They fee him, in potts of inferior
military command, the faithful and jealous ex-
ecutor of every truft, difplaying, in the onfet of
his military career fkill ard valour that drew
admiration s.e!H ;ts experienced and tfncpiir-
ed captains of martial people. The narrative
of this chapter is fuccefsfully conducted, and
attains the fri purpofe of every narrative, that
of leaving upon the mind diRina and lively
mprefiion of its fubiect.
The fecond chapter gives full account of the
caufes of the difference between the colonies
and the mother country. The great quefion
OF the right of Britain to tax her remote fbie6ts
is here viewed in every light. To this chapter
the American reader, in difant generation, will
retort as the voucher Of the re6titude and pa
triotiim of his anceitors. He will fee in it a
ienfe of juhice that perceived wrong, and high
minded fprit that food forth TO refit it. In
icenes Of political collilion he will be reminded
that the birth of his country was in virtuous
iealoufy and honorable pride, and will heiitate
how be ever contents to recall of thofe pledg-
es of national fecurity and independence. The
remainder of the book comprifes hifory of
the military operations Of the revolution, down
to the winter of '76 and IT. OF the expedition
into Canada, a vivid narrative is given. To
| have been ipe6fatOr of the conflict az Quebec
could alone have given more diftin6 idea Of il
than MIR. MarlhaPs recital. The official letters
OF Gen. Wilmington are copioully fpread
throughout the work, and taken in connection
with exiting events, thew in impreiive lights,
the quick lighted and pcrvading apprehension
of an able chief. 1t will be the praifr of MIR.
Marlhall's work that it contains 70 ninute an ac-
count of the war. 1t is properly oblerved, that
hifory is biography. Rofcoe'sIife of Lorenzo
of Medicis is hitory of the learning and arts Of
modern age Of Italy.