Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1806-05-15


de- Camp to Gen. Monckton at the
taking of Martinico, and had the
honor of bearing to England the lid
ings of the important conquef (in
which he had al1ilted) of that Ifland.
He was among the hrlf troops that
landed at Halifax after the peace of
AK la Chappelle under Gen. Corn
wallis, was afterwards in the Saith regi-
ment with Gen. Braddock, and was
fhot through the body at the defeat of
that unfortunate officer. After the
peace between 6. Britain and France
he purchafed an eltate in Virginia,
where he reGded until the commence
ment of our revolution, when he was
appointed by Congrefs Adjutant Gen.
eral of the American forces, with the
rank of Major General, in fact the
fecond officer in command, and after
wards appointed to take the chief
command of the Northern army.
What followed after two actions a
gaint the Britifh is too deeply impreE
fed on every mind to be here related.
His name will defervedly live for ever
in the annals of America, to Whole
independence perhaps no Jingle event
contributed 70 much as the Conven-
ton at Saratoga it decided the con-
teft between America and Great Bri-
tain it fecured the reign of liberty,
and began the foundation of the belt
organized and happief government
that time has recorded. May Amefi-
ca know its value
When with the army, Gen. Gates
maintained perfonal dignity without
diitance, thing never accomplished
but by real merit /: he received the
folder and fubal,ern in private in a
friendly and familiar manner but in
public, or in the prefence of fpeeta-
tors, he kept thofe who approached
him in their proper ilations whillf
he fupported fubordination as necef.
fary to diicipline, he refpeded men in
proportion to their merits.
After the peace he retired to his
farm in Virginia, where he remained
until he came to refide at New York
in 1890. But previouny to his quit
ting Virginia he emancipated his ne
groes he thought it was incompati-
bic with his principles and incohfilf-
ent with the part he had taken in the
revolution, to retain a human creature
in bondage; and he made pecunia-
ry provifion for fuch as were unable
to provide for themfelves, with apro-
mife to them all of continuing his
fricndlhip and aililfance. Some of
thefe faithful beings would not part
from 70 kind mater, but followed
him, and continued in his family one
Of the furvivors attended the remains
of her benefaetor, and honored with
grateful tears the author of her liberty
and happineis.
On his arrival at New York, the
Mayor and Corporation came in a bo-
dy TO teltify their fenle of his fervices
and worth, and .prelented him with
the freedom of the city. He after
wards declined all public ltations un-
til 1900, when fenfe of duty and
what he deemed the intereits of his
country induced his content to be
candidate for a feat in the Legislature,
in which he remained no longer than
he thought ufeful 10 that cau(e which
he loved with a rational prediction,
and never for moment abandoned.
But his opinions on public affairs did
not interfere with his private friend
ibips or feparate him from many re-
fpeaable citizens who differed widely
from his political fentiments. His
memory will ever be cherilhed by his
numerous friends, to whom he was
endeared by the warmth of his hofpi-
tali,y. the urbanity of his manners.