Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-26


The death of the veteran SUMTER, of South
Carolina, reminds US Of another Patriot whose line
are connects him with that State: PHILIP FIRE.
NEAU vet lives near the Battle. Ground OF Mon
mouh-an estimable relic Of the " times that tried
mems souls"
A secluson of many years created general
impression that Freneau was no more. PhIOsO-
phc in mind, though poetic in imagination, he
has for the last quarter century preferred the
calmness of country life to the busting scenes
which occupied his earlier years.
His career is worthy of his Gallo Ancestry
Descended from the Huguenots that abandoned
France for Ireland, and finally sought refuge in
the American forests, on the revocation OF the
Edict of Nantes, Philip Freneau participated too
warmly in the free principles OF his ancestry to
remain an unconcerned spectator OF the struggle
for Independence. These familiar with Revolu-
tionarv History, need not be told the share which
he took in that eventful strife. The friend and
companion of Jefferson and Hopkinson, Frencau
was their enthusiastic associate IN arousInS the
colonlsts to the assertion of liberty and lndePen-
dence. His efforts were incessant during the
fearful struggle His patriotic ettusnns thrilled
through the Revolutionary army in times when all
bnt Honor seemed lost TO The friends of Freedom
His satire overwhelmed with ridicule tile royal
proclamatons: and laugh, the small but devoted
band of Washington TO laugh at the anathemas OF
mower which threatened its annihilation. The
doeurel rhymes with which, bosb Freneau ano
Hupkinson burlesqued the bWnbashc Proclama'
nm, of "Royal Georde and his Generals" are
not unfamiliar to many old Jerseymen settled IN
Western New York.
Freneau's recollection is yet vivid of. the hor.
rors winch betei the prisoners IN that foat-
inv Hell, "the Jersey" prisonship. HIS CONVEX
g. iion is rppie;e with anecdotes OF "mOvIng ac-
cidents BIZ field and lood"-ior his nautical adj.
ventures in The infancy OF our nation ior'ned an
in,crestin counterpart to The 'sea Of troubles
which beset him ashore.
His patriotic exsrtions and private worth were
not uaappreciated BY the immortal Jefferson.-
He was invited to an honorable post IN the State
Department under theSccretaryshp OF that states
man. He was connected with the newspaper
press in New York and Philadelphia in the ear.
" conflicts between the Democratic and Fede-
raj parties; and maintained long intercourse
with the Great Heads OF the former. Ills cor
respoDdence included most of the distinguished
men of the Revolution; but unfortunately his vo'
luminous piles Of letters from. Washington, JET
ferson, Madison, &c. sc. were mostly, u not to-
tally DESTROYED, with his house and library, d.
| rinS the absence Of the family at church some
years since.
When the writer Of this last visited Mr.. Ere.
neau, the aged patriot was in the full fruiton oil
health and,its attendant blessings. Even now.
when about his nineteth year. he occasionally
exercises himself by walking from his seat atFree
hold. near Monmouth, to visit his grand children
near Middletown- Point, about 10 or l | miles.
The "reminiscences of such a man as Freneau
could not fail to throw some interesting light on
1.-THE history of the country during the most event
full period of the last century Such publications
increase in value like the sybilline leaves, a.