Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-04-06

WIN. HENRY HARRISON being now be-
fore the people of the United States as candi-
date for the Presidency, it naturally follows that
the events of his life, and the public services he
has performed, should become objects of general
interest and attention. Happily there exists anl-
PIE means Of authentic information to satisfy the
public curiosity concerning him; for The history
Of the Western States, during the period OF their
early struggles al btrumphs is also his history
and his fame is identified with that of the tceming
myriads of the valley of the Mississippi brief
retrospect oil his career, civil and military, while
it exhibits the character and aclso an able states
man, a high minded patriot, brave soldier, and
a successful commander, will approve and justify
the confidence and respect of his countrymen, in
proposing to raise him 10 the eminent post Of
Chief Magistrate Of the Union.
BIRTH AND EDUCATION.
HARRISON was born OF the blood, and bred in
the school, Of the patriots of the Revolution. That
was period when single hearted purity OF pur-
pose and lofty sell-devotion of principle anima-
ted the public men of the day. In the Congress
of the Thirteen States eacn State, and every rep
resentatve Of either State, contended to see which
would most disnterestedly serve their common
country. When Commander in Chief of the
armies of Independence 20 be appointed,
Massachusetts, FASTENED to sacrifice her local
claims and preferences in behalf of George Wash
ington OF Virginia. When John Hancock elect
ed President of Congress, modestly hesitated 10
assume that important station, Benjamin Harrison
OF Virginia, placed him with gentle force in the
Presidential chair, eXcaimlng, "We will show
mother Britain how little we care for her by ma
king Massachusetts man our President, whom
she has excluded from pardon by public proca-
nation" In fact, Benjamin Harrison, acting in
the spirit of the times, postponed his own preten-
sons in favor of Hancock. His name is enrolled
for immortality among the signers of the Decla.
ration Of Independence. At subsequent period,
os Governor Of Virginia, he eXerted all the ener-
gies Of his decided and powerful mind in The APP
pIication Of the resources Of that great Common
wealth, TO tine promotion Of the cause of the Rev
olution.
William Henry, the third son of Ben amin Har-
rson, was born at Berkeley, in Charles city c0un-
~, Virginia, the 9th of February, l779, and edu
Gated at Hampden Sidney College. His father
died in 1871, having expended large fortune in
the service of his country during the Revolution,
in Congress, as Chairman of the Board Of War;
and otherwise, and as governor OF Virginia and
thus leaving TO his children little Inheritance save
the example and lessons of his patriotism aud
love of liberty. Dependant on his own eNertons
and preparing t. enter life AT an interval OF peace,
he applied himself as>iduouSIy 10 the study OF
MEDICINE; hut before loug the ho>tiIitics Of tie
Indians in the Northwest began To awaken public
socitude and he felt irresislihly impeled 10 re
linquish his professional pursuits, and TO dedicate
his HE ~ lIle ueleUCe Oi MS country. L ms ltC-
nation was combatted, bnt in vain, bv his friends
and his guardian, Robert Morris. ~ 1t was hea,-
tily app owed, however, by General Washington,
the intimate friend OF his father and then lhe Pre-
sidenl OF The United STATES, who appreciated the
generous motives OF young Harrirsn, and gave
him an appointment al the age of eighteen, Of
ensign Of artillery in the troops destined 10 ope-
rate OH the Ohio.
SERVICES UNDER WAYNE.
1t was no holiday service in which Harrison
was to learn tie duties of soldier The North
west, at that time, thnly lima bited by the hardy
pioneer Settlers was overrun by numerous bands
OF hostile Indians, their enmily to the u. States,
being stimulated and iostered by the intrigues
Of Great Britain. Indeed, the British ministers
treated the years Immediately following the war
OF Independence, as an imperfect trace, rather
than an assured peace. Notwithstanding the
efforts of the United States, during the war of
Independence, to induce The British Government
TO allow the Indians to stand neutral during that
conlest-notwithstandD the indignGnt denun.
citation of the policy of Great Britain in this re-
spect, by such men as Chatham and Burke, in
the British Parliament, the ministers armed the
Indians the frontier, and let loose upon our de-
fenceess women and children, the savage instru-
ments OF massacre and cOnflagration. Thus, the
lie OF the early settlers in the West was one OF
fearful danger, or Of continued contest with foe
VINO recognized no rules of civilized warfare
When the Independence ofthe United States was
at length acknowledged by Great Britain, our
people considered in good faith that peace was
come, and the tide of their emigration began TO
set in steady stream TO the fertile fields of the
West. Bul they found that the British government
persisted, in violation of the treaty in retaining
military possession of the great frontier posts in
the Northwes; that she still fmented the hostile
passions of the Indians, aud supplied them with
arms; and that she was prompting and combin-
ing them in project to drive our people out OF
a. Robert Morris sgner of tho of Indepen-
dsneo and OF the efficient 10 devg
TO cary tho revolution.