Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-07-06


Of US have lived to hear Congress adopt the
language OF the apostle-no man goeth o
wa rfare at his own charges, but the work.
man is worthy of his meat, and the laborer
of his hire; whereas, previously we got
nothing but rag money which proved good
for nothing. Perhaps it would not be
amss briefly to state the course I took to
obtain a pension. After making out my
declaration and sending it to the Secretary
Of War, be wrote me back that nv name
was not on any Of the rolls Of the regiments
in which stated I served, and he presumed
never was there and that if I intended
still TO obtain pension, must take some
other course. After riding $50 miles, and
not being able to find witnesses enough, I
sent him roll Of three different regiments
was in, beginning at the brigadier general
and going through the line of officers-then
calling the roll of prlvates alphabetically
then naming the battles, the killed, the
wounded, the guards, commanders of the
guards, number of sent,ies day and night,
the court martials, the crimes, the punish
ments, the presidents of courts martial
marches, roads, and the reasons why we
went from place to place--how long we
remained at each place, with Washington's
orders generally; all Of which. and much
more, Judge Parish wrote off. made oath
to it, and stated at the close that by reason
of old age, consequent loss Of memory and
want Of time, should relate no more par
tculars; but if more were required,
would send every mans stature and COM
plexon, with the color OF his hair and eyes!
On receiving this, the Secretary sent me
certificate.
Mr.. President am still of the Washing.
ton stamp. Oft have beheld with plea>
sure, his gentleman like figure. Ia him
behcd the general, the hero, and the phi.
anthropist. The sound of his pleasant
voice was ever music in my ear Although
his body has been Wondering in the banks
of the Potomac more than thirty.eight
years, it seems as if he was here-I feel
that his spirit is near; though dead, he yet
speaketh-and his language is to us this
day-'Stand fast in The Liberty where,oits
you are made free, and be not entaagied
again in the yoke Of bondage.'
Mr.. President, we as a nation ara
threatened by The present Executive with
slavery the most abject; with bondage the
most servIle; aud yet, strange to tell, i:
claims TO rlelt democracy! Mysterious
paradox .4ristocracy would apply much
better. Notwithstanding all their preten.
slons TO democracy, in ell their deliberations
and movements they tend as directly to
monarchy as the magnetic needle points TO
the pole. II matters 60 on thus, the welkin
will soon cease to ring with the glorious
sound Of Liberty, and soon, very soon,
this republic will meet its final overthrow
as completely as the burning lava. which
flows from the mountains Of Etna or Vesu.
vlus, destroys every thing upon The plains
below! 1t reminds me Of the old prophet
who was journeyiDg to certain place, and
met young man, who told him he, too.
was prophet of the Lord, and directed
him another way. On complying with the
direction, Lion slew him. And now, sir,
think if we follow those who are demo.
Gratis in name, and not in nature, we shall
be exposed to more formidable beast than
lion.
Sir, we have a remedy in our hands:
our weapons are not carnal. as the rifle and
the dirk; but we may be mighty, through
The ballot boz, to the pulling down OF strong
holds in the hearts Of our political oppo.
nents.
Mr.. President. you will recollect thai in
the introduction mentioned something in
relation to the sufferings and the expense
Of the revolutionary war. 1t would not
be proper to 60 into full detai il Of them at
this time, but would mention few of the
most prominent particulars. Sir, we were
frequently driven by an enemy comprised
of two nations, Britain and Germany, often
put to the worse, and borne down with
hunger and fa,igue-bul at the sound that
Washington ,cas coming, every lads head
was up, and We could skip like young roe
or hart upon the mountains Of Bother.
Next day after the retreat from New York,
three hundred of Us ambushed in field Of
buck wheat, and charged upon the enemy
1000 in numbcr) and put them to flight,
giving three cheers under cover Of our
smoke. But passing over many things,
would Just mention that the last year Of
war was captured, while on board the
schooner Weazle, Gilbert flaming, CON.
mander; after ten days severe suffering at
sea by starvation and close confinement,
was sent into New York, and put on board
the noted old prison ship, the jersey. aud
was there driven from swil barrel by O.
soldier with his bayonet, with this language
you id yankee. you are going TO-
rob the hogs are your l only mention
his as general specimen of our treatment.
m ght also mention tina: in six years and.
eight months, eleven thousand six hundred
and forty six prisoners died, an exact
account being kept. And now, sir. shall
the rising generation be Indifferent in
rega I'd to our national privileges? | look
with peculiar interest to the rising gener-
alton, | think it probable am the Oldest
man in this Convention | am soon to 90,
off the stage; but leave more than three
scores Of children. grand children and great