The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-09-29
From, the .Nao York Euening Post.
A CURIOUS PUBLICATION.


| Mr.. George A. Wall has in press the Journal
and Letters of Samuel Curwen, an American refu-
gee, Judge of Admiralty in England during the Rev
olution"
! The work has been submitted to Mr. Folsom,
! chairman OF the publishing committee of the New
York Historical Society, and Professor Sparks, the
! biographer of Washington and Franklin who speak
of as throwing much light on the history of the
eXiled loyalsts, whose motives were unquestlonably
purer and their sacrifices serious than is gene
rally supposed. They speak of it also narrative
full of interesting incidents; as containing numerous
facts Of historical value and Importance and pre-
senting animated picture Of the course of events
in England during the war; written in an attractive
| manner, and with such evident sincerity and equa-
nimy of temper to win the confidence Of the rea-
der. 1t must think, be valuable addition to our
stock of biographical and historical literature.
The following extracts give some idea of the style
and matter:
Ereier, Dec. Is, l776.-A Major Lloyd, of the Goth
regiment just arrived from Quebec and was on the
lake with Burgoyne and Carleton, speaks of the Yam
KEGS, he is pleased to call them, in the most con-
temptuous terms, towards, poltroons cruel, and
possessing every bad quality the depraved heart
be cursed with and says the regulars at Trois- Ri
veres took five hundred prisoners, killed hun
dred, and lost only three men, who were killed by
Yankees, who had got upon trees and fired down
on them
1t is my earnest wish, despised, the Americans
may convince these conceited islanders that, without
brave soldiers and judcious and expert commanders,
by some knock-down, rrefragibc argument for
then, and not till then, may we expect generous or
fair treatment 1t pques my pride, | confess, to
hear us called our colonies, plantations" in such
terms and with such airs if our property and per-
were absolutely theirs like the /" villeinsn and
their cottages in the old eudaI system so long since
abolished, though the spirit leaven is not totally
gone, it seems.
EXETER, Dec 30, 1776
To MIR. George Russell, at Moseley Wake Green,
near Birmingham
Dear Sir: have delayed answering you till this
time, from an hourly expectation of hearing some
important advices from New York but in this have
been hitherto mistaken the season having too far adj
vanced to expect any military achievements by the
British forces, and the Americans, you know, have
formed no active plan of operation by land combining
their views OF activity to the depredatory naval de-
partment As to treaty, | am without the smallest
hopes of its taking place present; the Americans
do not despair of maintaining their Independence
and the court, am told has not given up it views of
laying America at its feet for such is and has been
the court language and the intention to force her to
submit TO the unconditional authority of Parliament;
however, should General Washington be beaten out
OF his entertainments it would be but one advantage
out OF a score that must be gained to make them
CLOVER their topsails." The Americans are not
without resources whatever NAV be thought on that
subject in England.
Among Others France and Spain are no idle look
ers on resentment as well Official reasons infu-
ence them to keep the trammels on the neck Of our
court TIL favorable opportunity may offer TO strike
blow which shall efectually humble the pride of
Great Britain, perhaps destroy her Independence or
at best reduce her to state of little importance
in the grand political balance of Europe as Portugal
or Genoa holds and that is the general opinion
here whatever may be the opinion elsewhere. As to
the objects Of the impolicy of court, we know
from history that statesmen TO gain present purpose
sometimes disregard the true interests and honor of
the nation and all distant consequences The king
of Spain is Englands avowed enemy the court owes
this country grudge for her success against her
commerce and PRISONS last war nor does France
love her better and ever since her open opposition
to the ambitious views of that court in the beginning
of Louis XlNth's reign who aimed at universal en-
pre- has looked on her rising greatness with cal-
GUS not to say envious eye Ii no proof of want
OF bravery in the Americans not TO face the regulars
many good reasons may be assigned to Justify their
conduct, and though II be the ground of much re-
proacb here, see in it the effect of sound Judgment
that little dependence be placed on newly rails
ed troops Is well known the world over. On account
OF the amazing expense with which Great Britain
carries on land war in America, unless she can |
command the troops of Europe and the wealth of the
Indies, men and money must in few campaigns be |
wanting with regard 10 the nsdious offers made Ia
America as the warm partisans against the court call
them, pretend not 10 such acquaintance with court
measures to determine about It if they be So the |
greater is the pity They may, however if that should
be the case be taken IN the snares laid for others
and if good be derived from evil thanks to an over
ruling Providence, who sometimes makes itself sub
servien to the happiness Of society That more trea