The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-07-07

voved her in vortex Of difficulties. Her citf-
Zens were borne down with taxation, and her
government feemed on the verge of bankruptcy.
She begin 20 " at 'efs for means at relief,
wien, like hungry AVID ravencuS we fs rrcpir-
ing TO feiZe its prey, ihe oii,kiy tnIaed her
eyes 70 the peaceful inhabitants of this infahr
country. TO raiie ,nos.sy by taxes was deer,-
eda happy eXpedient, and the colonies were
contemplated fourcss of mmenfe revenue.
for2etfui OF the ties of Kindred, unminjtui Of
the wars we had engaged in on her account 4:
OF the trraiures we had expe nded aud Of the
riches our commerce had poured into her bss-
iom The allumed to herfelf the power of tax
Ing us IN all cafes. Paiiive obedience and uu-
Observation-Disclosures were the terms held out
TO ns by the parliament of that country. Hal
we yielded oUr ii,uation would have been de.
plorable. Our lives and property would have
been entirely at the difpofal of nation, Will
telt no intereR in our welfare, but was wholly
occupied IN its own aggrandizement. We
thoud have had no check, no fecnr.v wba,c-
yer. We determined to reia. Impelied by
the fame hatred to oppreGion and fiivery which
made our foretathers deisrt their native land,
which forced them TO commit themtelves TO
the boiom OF the merci!rfs waves, and encoun-
ter all the terrors Of a tempefuous ocean and
ieek an aiy!um in wild, beitt with BEATS os
prey and iavage men, more cruel than the beans
themielSes, and animated by the fame invinc:-
BILE fpirit, we refnlvcd 10 rfque couteR.
Lexington Preiented the fri fcene Of war;
AT that fpot I fame was kindled which foon
tpread its ranges over our country. An in
human attack was there made by the troops Of
Britain, on our defence!efs and unwsrned rni,;-
tia--'hc alarm was heard and few of our ex-
aiperated citizens dove the veterans of Britain
into precipttate retreat.
Bunker's Hill was next the theatre Of aSGior
here the Americans polted themieives, and the
37iii'h amy, fenhhle of the importance of the
htuation, determined to diiludge them. Our
militia (not amounting to half the number of
the enemy,) had pai!ed &c ncerefs night, in
throwing up entertainments, Narrated with fi-
tigue, when the attack was commenced ex-
Potrd TO briiS and incetiant FIRE; they re.
NAMED fearleis and undapntcd--not a man was
feen to defert his poG. Their enemies ap-
preached almoft within the reach of their bay
ontts, at that moment the Americans com
menced deadly fire and threw the a.Iailing
holt OF brave ard ikiliu warriors into ccnfuli-
on. Twice did they rally and return To the
charge they were as often repealed hy the it,
trepid valonr OF our count'ymcn. They fuc-
ceeded, at Taft, by hyperion numbers but nor
until the greater part had fallen victims on the
held OF battle. This action was glorious to the
Americans, and important 10 its confeouences.
The Britons were confident of fuccefs: thcy
were infPiritcd with TIE idea, that victory O.
yer raw and nndifcip!ined roops, would be OBJ
tanned with the utmof facility; they had con-
iidered themieves as hyperion beings, the ifIuc
of CONTEXT with whom, would be certain def .
trnct'on to ;heir opponents. But this engage
ment removed the veil by which their vifion
had been obicured. It taught them, that "the
vengeance ct an opprehed aud ufulted people
Is rs terrible the wrath of Heaven.'
Let me not pats over in Glence the expedi,;.
10 Canada, conducted By the valiant and
noble minded Montgomery; which, though it
terminated fatally to its gallant leader, and the
greater part OF bis army, affords ftrikiny
proof OF the Perils and dangers freemen will
encounter to maintain their rights. The fluff
ferngs OF our folders during the war, were
terrioie aud aaoniihiug was the magnanimity
win winch thote fufierings were horne, The
contrat between the two nations was remark.
able The colonies pofielIed An immenfe ter.
rltory, thereby fcattered over with inhabitants.
lhey were almof entirely deftitute of refourc-
es Tor war. Congrefs had no means of procpr-
''e money, arms, or troops, but by reQuili,i-
ons from the .eversl Rates. The ffates Them
ieiVes were almoft completely exhaufed by.
the long and labotious conteN. Even Hone
t"hich had carried them through 70 a,any dan
Eers) began now to defert them. The roldicr.
o inc american army, in a!fcmbiing, had not
Only long, toilfome and dreary vsv to paGs.
but left their families expofed TO want. and IN
tue crueties OF the favage Indians. This was
enough to damp that ardent fpirit which had
hitherto Imported them. On the other hand.
inc brItl'h nation WAS regarded as the mott war;
IKE IN the world. Her army was competed of
veteran troops, who haS been trained in all ~
arts or war, and led on to victory and conqnen,
" ihe mott experienced commanders. Her
towering navy rode proudly triu uphant, on
me ocean, WHICH groaned beneath it's weight,
Her cannon, ike the Omuipotence Of Heaven.
was ready 10 hurl its dehruttiye lightning. ON
Inc hcdds OF her daring oppofers. Not content
win heT inpeflority in numbers and difciplinr.
every cruelty was eXercilrd on us. The rules
OF warfare were departed from our prifoners
were inhunaniy butchered our private prr-
perry was dtioiated our Females were infutcd
ana torn nom the bofom of their families to
Ill the mealure OF iDiqnity, the favage Indians
were EXCEED agalnf us. thofc horrid monitors
Whole known rule of warfare was An Z" indif-
cf,mInsfe II :Ch;er of all frxes and ages !" ard
Whole eXu'tiug joy couliitcd in torturng & ago
ming devoted v'Gim. 1t was at this awful
cnhs' whsn the lowering tempet had fpread
hir"' and deemed 20 threaten Our immediate
aeHruction that we declared curfrlves all
lowed from all allegiance TO the Bri.iGi crown.
anc mat The colonies were fee and indepen.i-
ent Rates. We threw ourfcyes on tie pr
teciIon OF divine providence, and mutually
pedged our fortunes, our lives and our lacrcd
homer, IN defence Of the common csufe. The
declaration OF American independence, feemsd
10 be OF divine origin. Jhofe truths, onthe