Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-30

the presence of no ordinary sHow happens il"
said, 'tha you have chosen this solitude, bare and
so conortess, for the asylum of your age' Methpks
that splendid mansions and courtly society might claim
and proudly too, form and mind like yours for
mate and an ornament. What can have driven you
across the circle that encoses social life this solitary
abode!" "foung man." the stranger replied sit is
but common tale, and why should | obscure the fair
light of youthful feeling with the shadows of aged suf
tering? My tale one, which, when told, will leave
dark remembrance, that will hang like cloud on your
brightest aud happest hours II is which shall tell
in sadness, and not in wrath but which YOU will hear
with feelings swelled by BOTH Listen to my words, and
while speak should your voice break forth in curses
upon injury and ingraude, remember that curse not
but fOrgire. You ask what made me an exile from life
and tenant OF this wild spot; answer Is the ngra-
tituGe of others, and my just pride. Could have
tanned my high spirit, 10 bear insulting PITY and scorn-
iul charity would never have forssken the haunts of
men; but prefer the savage independence of noun
tam hunter, to the polished servitude of a conry para
site. You will understand the reason of my exile from
| the events OF my life.
! ''Young stranger, you before you, one whose
name once sounded far and wide the fields of
America one, whose banner your fathers followed to
battle forty years ago. who afterwards presided in
the councils of your nation, and whose head raised
high among the great ones of the land In the tenant
OF tins wretched hut you behold of t:ly ancestry,
and once prInceIy forune the last of a time honored
family, which the cloud of misfortune has settled
darkiy forever. What boots it, that should tell you
that years and ago the freedom of America
/ which
famous by my gallant ancestors the fields where the
British Lion waved boodiiy aud trumphanty-hat the
war cry of our family the oudes in conflict aud IFS
flag foremost IN the charge of the brave? To the Young
and unamed spirit, such recoectons are like the ravs
OF morning which herald glorious and shining day. but
on the old and withered heart they fall like sunset beams
fraught with the memory but with expectation.
But, ton story-my father left his European home for
America, when America yet an appendage TO Bri-
tain. His wealth and his influence descended 10 me-
was IN the prime of my days when the aggressions and
tyrannies OF the English ministry gave birth TO the revo-
luton OF the colonies Although my inheritance placed
me high in the aristocracy of Britain and my fortune
pleaded strongly against the per and chances of such
struggle, did not hesitate for moment. / emhra-
ced the righteous cause, ardeny and firmly and from
That instant ancient ties served and America was
the land of my allegiance. became one of tie lead
ers OF her armies. My country was then poor and
was RICH the brave men commanded were SUFFERING for
the necessares of life; the treasury was bankrupt and
advanced from my purse the means of support TO
my soldiers, who would otherwise have been compelled
TO dispense The events of the revolutionary contest
need not relate to you for they be familiar TO every
man between the Mississippi and the Atlantic. After
lis triumphant termination. the fortunes of my coun-
try were on the increase, my were on the wane
Ill crowded on i'll, and that destiny which oyerurns the
haughtest and most prudent families decreed that mine
should be Frustrated in the dust When the last and
Geadest vial of fate poured upon me, and the last
leaf OF my prosperity had wiered and not till Lten
applied TO my country not for charity, but for the re-
payment of sacred obligation. | asked from her
abundance, return of the money had leaned her in
her destitution; and how, think you, was paid"
''Snrely,n said I, 'with heartfelt gratitude ard
boundless liberaity."
"Wih inhunan neglect and with heartless insensi-
biliy" exclaimed the aged man: ''Ihe men who then
represented the nation, nursed in prosperity until
their hearts hardened, and they sco!ned and ne
elected the veteran warriors who had trampled the
brayes OF England chvay to the earth, that tIei sons
might be free"
What" said |, 'were not such claims as yours
which stood the double foundation of Justice aud era
itude, promptly acknoW lodged and cheerfuily cance
celled?"
"Promplly acknowledged" he replied with grief ard
IRONY ''know you moi, that American Congress is
deberative body, AMI that dclberatiOn prompt
Cheerfully cancelled! know you not that its ruling pin
cipe is economy, and that economy is never cheerful
in parting with Ore"
but surely" inerposed, the nation was just and
paid lis debts fully, if not with good yyPn
"Lisen TO toe sequel, and marvel at national Justice
was the reply: when exhibited my accounts against
the GOV ernment. there ritlng items not sul
GENTLY authenticated, which required examinations
tbs examination was postponed from time to time; more
interesting questions arose. which members display
ed their rhetorical Abilities cangress did not coose 10
be hurried IN It's proceedings; the opportunities Of an
aged, tororn aud amishcd man, were considered as
forward obruSions was friendless and uDnfluenal
could neither np the aspiring nor prop the falling:
my prayer Intellectual that of the oppressed sra
elites to the stern Egyptian, and Heaven did not inter
pose IN my behalf its supernatural Affections TO force
claims undecided another and another rolled away and
still saw me neglected. True, l lingering out a !
contorless old age, obtaining subsistence in summer bv
the game OK the woods and uhabiting in the winter
miserable lodge in of the narraw alleys of the ma
uonal metropolis But what OF that the men who were
TO canvass my claims, Jared sunptuousv and lived in
splendour and felt not the wretchedness of Justice de-
TERED Business must take its course, and my claim
was an affair of business. One generous man who had
known me IN better days did shrink from my adver-
sity lie followed me wintry day from the hall of
the capitol, to my obscure retreat in the metropolis
and with benevoIenCe that the proudest heart could
not resist forced me to his house and gave me the
most honored seat at his bospitabe board. lie |
would listen to no refusal and remained MS guest until
spring 1t heaven has blessings in store for generous
deeds may the eye of heaven beam benigny on that ge
nervous man! at last my claims were heard after |
years OF anxiety and endurance, during which was |
once seized by the fangs of the law and thrown in mid
winter, into prison at Georgetown which would have
been NY grave, but for the active and warm hearted
charity of women. II about month since pension
oil few hundred dollars year awarded inc, in lieu
Of my claim for some thOusands.n