The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-11-07

THE KINGS ARMS AND THE GREAT CHAIN.
The State Of Massachusetts had in her possession
since the war, Ill, recently, large quantity Of Arms
taken frTn the British in the Revolution-but which,
the patotc Gov Morton land his Council sold during
the past year, at auction, for trife The great
Chain, which extended across the Hudson, was
sacrificed in similar manner it seems, by Gen Jack
In the Massachusetts Wing we find the follow
ing account Of each of these transactions:
THE KINGS ARMS AND THE CANNON
Much curiosity is felt to know the history of these
interesting trophies of the war of Independence which
TO the indignation Of every true American have been
trucked off under the hammer OF auctioneer, for
few patry dollars, by the shameless caba at the head
of the State Government. AS far as we can learn
they are genuine trophies Of rs. There is every
reason that they part of the armament OF the
British Government brig Nancy, an ordinance vessel
bound from Woowich to Boston, then in possession
Of the British. This vessel was captured by the
privatcer Lee, Captain Manly, she was attempting
to run into Boston Bay, on the 2sth November, l775
She contained large brass MORTAR several pieces of
fine brass cannon, large quantity ofsnaH arms and
ammunition, and an abundant assortment Of camp and
entrenching tools. Washington declared that if an
order had been sent to supply the Of the Amer
lean army, they could not have made out a more per-
feet invoice.
Armed with these weapons the Americans took pos
Of Lechmere Point and Dorchester heights,
and drove the British from Boston. Yet the Ispat-
rioiic government of Marcus Morton drew these time
hailowed and thrice honorable trophies of victory
these sacred memorials of the vaor and devotion of
our brave sires--from the arsenal of the Common
lIaJ, a. r
rubish!
Mr. EDIroR,-The act of Gov Morton's admin
stration, in selling the old Kings Arms, taken from
the British in the Revolutionary war, must cause pain
to every good citizen. it certainly nAicts disgrace
upon the State.
The act reminds Of similar act of baseness on
the part Of Gen Jackson's administration, which has
never, l believe, been publicly mentioned, and
which any American may regret to mention-but il
is unhnppily true as it is disgraceful. Down to
the time speak of, the visitor at West Point al
ways shewn, a curious relic OF the Revolution the
great chain stretched across the North River by Wash
ington, to prevent the British cruisers from ascending
the river 1t was more especially an object Of inter-
from the fact of being the river at the time
of Arnold's reachery, it prevented the Vulture Frig
ale from coming up the stream SO far as West Point
The chain itself composed Of heavy massive links
of iron, Of great size. The places in the rocks
each side Of :he river where the ends Of the chain
werc bolted to the shore still pointed out; and
after inspecting these places, visit to this formda-
BILE relic Of tho Revolution, it lay coed up in the
repose of peace in the Magazine at West Point, could
hardly be made with indifference by any American.
As a military relic it curious; but as relic init
matey associated with WAsHINGroN, with his la
bors and his exerons and all he suffered at the
mo of Arnold's treachery, it was beyond all value.
Gen Jackson's administration, having occasion for
money to be applied West Point, ordered Iris
chain to be sold for old iron Sold was, and con-