The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-12
AN EPIToME OF THE LIFE OF GENE
RAJ HARRISON.
CHAPTER 4.


Wa. Henry HARRIsoN was born on the
9th day Of February, l773. al Berkeley, Charles
City county, Virginia, on the James river, 20
miles below Richmond.
| His father, BENJAMIN HARRIsoN, was one
Of the representatives of Virginia in the Con-
tinenal Congress, in l774, rs, and '76-lhe
brother-in-law Of Peyton Randolph, the first
President Of Congress ; chairman Of the com
mittee Of the whole house, when the Declare
tion Of Independence was agreed tome Of
the signers of the Speaker Of
the House Of Delegates. OF Virginia, and
finally Governor ofthat ancient commonwealth
in 1882.
Benjamin Harrison having spent his private
fortune in the public service, left his children
little else than his bright example. After his
death. William Henry Harrison being under
age, became the ward Of Robert Morris, the
great financier. While pursuing his studies
at Hampden Sidney College, the ravages OF
The Indians on our northwestern frontier, in
duced him 10 join the army under General ST.
Clair, and repair, in the service of his coun-
try. to the scene of danger. His resolution,
though opposed by his guardian, was APPROX
ed by General Washington, who gave him The
commission Of an ensign in the lst regiment
Of IT, S. Artillery, then stationed near the
site of the present city Of Cincinnati on the
Ohio. Harrison, at this time, was but l9
years Of age, and his first introduction to a
long career Of public service, was the com
mand Of an escort having charge of a train of
pack horses bound to Fort Hamilton on the
great Miami. That country was then over
run by the Miamies, the Wyandots, the Della
wares, the Shawnees, the Chippewas, the Or
tawas and the Poiowatonlies, who were flush
ed with their victory over St. Clair and were
stimulated 10 still greater hostile exertions by
the British. Difficult and perilous as was this
first entire Of young Harrison into public SER
vice, the duty was performed with such abiii-
ty and complete success as Immediately at
iracted the attention and received the applause
of the commander-n-chief
In 1892, Harrison was promoted to the
rank of Lieutenant; and in 1898, he joined
the army under the command of Gen. Wayne,
who had been selected by Gen. Washington
as St...Clair's successor.
Having joined "mad An,hony's Legion" at
Fort Washington, his spirit, enterprise and sa-
gacity soon attracted the attention Of General
Wayne, who appointed him one Of his aids-de-
camp, in which responsible post he served
throughout that war.
He was particularly and officially COM
mended for his voluntary aid and services
in the recovery Of the ground upon which ST.
Clair had beeu defeated.
In his official account of his decisive victo-
ry over the Indians under Little Turtle
achieved under the guns Of the British fort
near the rapids Of the Maumee, Gen. Wayne
mentions with honor, his " faithful and gallant
aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Harrison, as having
rendered the most essential service, by COM
rnunicating orders in every direction, and by
his conduct and bravery, exciting the troops
to press for victory"
Soon after this campaign, Lieut.. Harrison
was promoted to the rank of Captain, and was
placed in command of Fort Washington, at
the important time when agents of the French
government were employed in Kentucky in
an attempt to get up an invasion Of Louisiana,
in the hope of embroiling the U. States with
Spain. The extensive discretionary powers
given to Captain Harrison under the circum-
stances showed the high confidence reposed
in his talents and prudence.
When the northwestern British posts were
surrendered to the U. S. under jays treaty,
Capt. Harrison discharged the service of TAX
ing possession of those posts and filling them
with troops, provisions and stores, with mark
ed prudence and ability.
While in command of Fort Washington,
Capt Harrison married daughter of John
Cleves Symmes, the celebrated founder Of The
Miami settlements, and Of the city Of Ohio.
ITO be eonfinued)
Mr.. CALHOUN.
This Senator has recently denied over
his sign manual, that he has changed his
views on the tariff, as had been rumored.-
a.. L.