The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-05-01
Dnfttltaf.
To tie Editor. Of the National Intelligence, ::

Some person, either from mistake or from
an over zeal for the cause have espoused, ha-
wing made some mistatements which were inser
tcd in the Wing of Baltimore as = preface, from
which the Albany Register had Incorporated
few words supposed to be part of the observati.
ons i made on the passage of Mr.. CHESS resolu.
tion, am obliged to request you to publish those
remarks as they were taken down by your repor-
ter, together with some reflections which are for
ced from me by the illiberai comments that have
been made upon assertions which have been false
ly ascribed to me. am plain man, sir, and not
very well versed in this kind ofcontroversy but
as have stated nothing but what iknow, and
never vsntured to reason but from my own expe
rience, or what believed to be facts, fhave some
confidence in my argument. As for my political
principles got them in the time that tried mems
souls. 1t is possible that they may be out offash-
ion now, but am sure they are always right, &
cannot, if would, change them.
You know that never made the boasting
serton which is charged to me, of having shed
my blood in the revolutionary war. 1t is true,
and the reflection affords me sincere pleasure,
ShatI never summed any, but on the contrary
have courted several situations in which was
exposed to make this sacrifice but as I never
underwent the suffering of wound, it is not
gust that should reap any of the credit which
such acircumstancc would give. have, it is
krae, been made prisoner, not in the ludicrous
manner that has been published, but in one which
was attended with circumstances that deserve to
ne mentioned because this remembrance strong
~ implanted on my mind, may account for, and
excuse warmth on certain subjects which seems
to have given offence. When I was very young,
my father removed from Ulster county, where
was born, to the Mohawk river, where he pur-
chased q farm nearly adjoining the estate of Sir
William Johnson. On this estate were settled
several hundred tenants warmly attached to their
landlord and the royal cause, which on the brea-
KING out Of the war, they espoused. My father
n nnnfS, krIs C
che committee Of the district Hence arose a
considerable degree Of personal animosity drec-
ted towards my family. The influence of Sir
William Johnson over the savages was unboun.
ded. On his death it was transferred to his son,
and this influence was exerted in persuading them
to take up the Ratchet against the unprotected
inhabitants of the frontiers. Placed, as have
said, IN the frontier adjoining the estate of John
son, where there were several hundred tenants
warmly attached TO the cause of Britain, and al
ded by her savage allies, our situation was diff
cult, and though it may excite the stupid tests of
unprinciPled printers now, it then afforded no
matter OF. mirth. From the time was first en-
rolled IN Che militia in the year 1878, until the
END OF the war, we were frequently alarmed with
Excursions from the enemy, and detachments of
InInna were sent to oppose them. On those oc.
easlons did my duty, and never have pretended
that did more. every man could say the same,
we should have more action and fewer words
In the year seventeen hundred and eighty, for
midable excursion was made by Sir John John
son. with his regiment and a large body of Ind-
ans marching through the wilderness, aided by
some ,Wretches from whose minds British Po,d
and British influence had banishcd all honor and
Aove OF country as well as humanity. In the dead
OF night thay surprised the inhabitants of the
frontier where ! lived. Fortunately for my fam-
ay theParty was not accompanied by any Indians.
Cur lives therefore were spared, but the men
were bound with cords. My father, to nortify
him the more, was amidst the SCOTS of our bru.
sal enemies, tied to negro slave and in this man
her we were forced to march with them and be
witness to their farther barbarites but we did
not go before we saw every thing in flames, that
the rapacity of the soldiers had spared-snd
wish had words here to express the anguish
my heart felt at that moment, when my mother &
sisters were left without shelter without pro-
lection, exposed to the insolence Of the soldiery
and savage barbarity of the Indians who were
Known to be in the neigbborhood. Fortunately
they escaped. We lived, by the blessing of God
10 meet again, but the remembrance of those mo
ments can never be erased from my mind-and if
had the genius of those who amuse them selves
m turning scenes like these into ridicule, should
excite other sentiments than those of mrth
Will relate another circumstance which occurred
at this period, and let them laugh at it if they
can. Driven along, ike cattle, we were, as said,
forced to accompany the parch of the enemy
1t was marked by blood, plumber and conffagra-
fion. KS we approached the house of Mr.. Fon-
va, most respectable man, we heard the dread
zui yell OF the sayages and presently saw large
party OF them running towards us, bringing the
bloody scalp OF our venerable neghbor. Ia like
manner, saw the scalps of col Eishers and his
swo brothers, who fell bravely defending them
selves In similar manner they had mass sacred
MRS. Hannah Putnam and others, whose scalps
were carried to market, and sold fer British eolk
Ihe miiitls were soon collecting and coming to.
wards them in their rear. AT place where thew
had halted on Iohnson's old farm, to prepare for
their retreat, and take fare well Of many of their
wives and relatives, made my escape. NV ia.
ther was released and my brothers carried to Ca
Hada, from whence they made their escape AT.
Ter this time to the end of the war, the greater
part OF the time served in the militia, or in en-.
ilstments of the leyies Of our stste on the from.
tier, but always in the ranks, and never striving
to give myself any more credit than deserved
for doing my duty
1t was Under circumstances like these acoui-
red my political principles, and it was the strong
similarity between The arguments heard in the
beginning OF the revolution by the partizans Of
Great-Britsin and those used on the aoor of con-
gress, that forced me, in spite of myself to make
known my opinion. confess felt indignant to
hear the insults offered to our government by an
English minister, justified by the representatives
of the American people and my blood was
warm when heard the resources Of our country
u1dervaued, and the power of Great. Britain
1nagnihed, IN order to persuade us to submission
to her unjust DEGREES. thought and still think
ebe question was the old one of'76--a question of
submission or ndependence--aq question of whip
and tory-snd perhaps might have felt some lii.
lie IRRITATION from the known principles of the IA.
miy OF my colleague, 10 whom / replied. AS