The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-05-25

from the angry artillery to the powder-stained
rigging of the Asia. Moreover the feld-peces,
which but yesterday guarded the battery, were
gone. These the timid accepted as tokens of
danger, and prepared to depart the intrepid hailed
them as suspicious omens Of future victories.
| The twenty-one pieces of ordnance had been
removed, by order of the Provincial Congress
Captain John Lambs artillery corps, and the Sons
of Liberty headed by King Sears were the
heroes of the adventure. The efforts of the en-
envy to protect these royal stores, had proved
unavaHng. Warned of the intended movement,
Captain Vandeput, of the Asia, detached an armed
barge to watch, and if needful, interfere with its
execution. musket discharged from this boat,
drew Captain Lambs voey, and a man on board
was killed. The Asia fired three cannon. The
sustained the cannonade. Three citizens We're
wounded, and the upper parts of various houses
near Whitehall and the Fort, received much in-
jury. son of Captain Lamb, whose regiment
covered the lannon's retreat is now living in this
city, and in the rooms of the Historical Socie-
ty' may be seen one of the very balls fired into
New York that night.
| Captain Sears, the other leader of this exploit,
was one of our earliest patriots. AS far back as
the fifth of March, 1775, in an encounter between
the Wings and Tories, the latter, being worsted,
were said to have dispersed, lest King Sears, as
he was called in ridicule in his fury should head
mob and do them some capital injury. He had
been member of the New York Provincial Con-
gress, had acted conspicuous part in the excite
ments occasioned by the Boston Port Bill, and
was in after months warmly recommended by
General WASHINGTON to Major General Lee for
his zeal and fidelity. Immediately otter this affair,
he disappeared from our city, and sought in Con-
necticut livelier sympathies than were then to be
encountered here.
A detailed account of the-Asa affair, and of its
consequences, may be found in the columns of the
New York Gazette newspaper issued in those
days from the southeast corner of Wall and Pearl
streets, by one James Rivngton, loud-voiced
royalst. 1t is almost impossible to turn over its
tme-stained leaves, filled with the records of frivol
ity and faction, of benevolence and crime, of the
current opinions and absurdities, and of the wants
and supplies of an olden day, without rejecting
on that strangest feature of modern times, the press
or imagining how different would be our views
of remote ages had the nations we admire, pos
sessed so authentic source of history The Ro-
mans have been shown, by recent French writer,*
to have had their journals; but these did not, like
ours, chronicle the wishes and feelings, the hopes
and the vices ofthe many; else we should not eter-
nally depore lost decades, or incur danger of hay
ing our early faith controverted by the ingenuity
of Nihbuhr. -
James Rivington was then the editorial and pro-
prietary publisher of the New York Gazette and
as the opposite party subsidized in the expression
of its political sentiments, and loyalism was no
longer in terror of Sears, he not only gave free
vent to his own views but so far forgot himself,
as sadly to abuse those of his radical neighbors.
Emboldened by their quiet reception of his de-
he cd
ones, and doubtless exulted in this victory over
whig opinions.
| TWAS high noon, on Thursday the twenty-hrd
of November. The Gazette had been issued that
morning, and the worthy editor was seated in his
cabinet, examining the newborn sheet, just like
any gentleman OF the press of our day, when the
sound of hoofs on the pavement beneath, drew his
attention to the window. Looking out into the
street, he beheld with dismay, his old enemy, King
Sears, at the head of an armed troop of horsemen,
drawn up before his door The men and their
leader dismouned with the utmost deliberation,
and part of.them entered the printers abode. A
few moments AFTER he saw his beloved printing
press cast into the street. and heard the tumut rails
ed in the compositors room above him, by those
engaged in the work Of demolition. To his de-
spair, the materials thrown upon the pavementwere
speedily transferred to the dock, and the invaders
SdIlleu lottH WIFI many Il pounu Vi precious types
in their pockets and handkerchiefs A large crowd,
collected by so unusual an event. stood aloof, quiet
spectators of the scene. The cavaliers remounted
their steeds, and rode off toward Connecticut,
whence they came and where, as was subsequent
ly ascertained, the offending types were melted
down to bullets. Thus liberty assaulted the free
dom of the press and the balls whilome cast with
joy into types reassumed their pristine shape and
destination; the ploughshare was re-converted
to the sword.
Although no opposition was offered to these
proceedings by the body of citizens assembled
near Rivington's door, there stood upon neigh
boring stoop, lad of eighteen years of age, with
an eye of fire, and an angry arm, haranguing the
multitude in a tone Of earnest eloquence. He ur-
ged that order should be preserved; appealing
warmly to the dignity of citizenship which,
said he should not brook an encroachment of
unlicensed troops from another colony and offer
ing to join in checking the intruders' progress.
The sins OF Rivington could not be forgiven; but
the youthful orator was listened to with respectful
Difference by that crowd, which already recog-
nized the genius and fervor of ALEXANDER HAM
ILToN.
On the following Thursday, no Gazette appear
ed. Whether on this account, or because the
vic