The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-01-29
Miscellaneous,
ROBFRT MORRIS.

,.otdis great and good man who was the pivot
,,li,b turned the American Revolution. There
M l,,5 hearts and strong hands, to perform the
..l,o the field but the means to support them
,N ocse.sry as the steel which armed their
M ale Those means were in great measure sup
n gl y the credit, patriotism, and abilities Of Rob-
i, oni. and public monument erected to him,
oo Ia as appropriate an expression ofn0tionu graf
,,, rs statute 10 our Fabian COMMANDMENTS
& fhe,
B recent acquaintance with the family of his
a 4 ,.condens whose virtues require panegyrc
y which ny humble pen can bestow, gave me the fol-
s. o,o, anecdotes, which serve to illustrate the nhu
" nee eyerled by the powerful mind and patriotic ec-
fo1, oilhcir ancestor, upon the cause Of American
M betty
" A., Nr Morris was the person 10 whom Washing
"a on looked for the to sustain his military OPP
NV fa,ons, he always consulted him before making any
wv oyemeal Of consequence. During that most gloomy
erol oflho war,preceedng the surprise Of Trenton,
* he American army had been driven from entrench-
H neat after entertainment, without attempting TO make
V stand in the fed-their numbers reduced TO hand
% Of men, and those upon the eve of disbanding-it
IS at tn, crisis, that Nr Morris said to Gen Wash
.iOn, "someihing must be done to rouse the cour-
\ b. -four people they even begin TO doubt your
"a ban courage, You must fight, even if defented, and
rsmoye the doubt" Col. Stark, in council of war
a5ou the same time, used these words in giving his
cpnion-'iIyo You ever intend to make these States
r free and independent, you must teach your men TO
HlnaalO heir firearms, instead of spades and pick
y Csl, for safety" One opinion was that of clear
eajcd, Ilr.sighed statesman the other of a veteran
u iead' SOLDIER who had already passed seven of the
u best ygrOlbi life in the public service Both opn-
x ions iendedO the same end. 1t was agreed by the
Council 70 cross the Delaware and attack the enemy
The result was the surprise and capture of one thou
y 'nd 'IthC enemy at l'renon-and n few days after
wards the rout and capture OF another division of
Them at 'rinceown These important successes,
'c"e'cd by men who marched, many of them bare
JlieI upon frozen ground, gave life and vgor to the
y hopes and efforts Of the Patriots.
Y When Gen Gates appointed to command the
A'my Of the South, he called upon Morris, (who WINS
@Nmate acquaintance before his departure for
'ra Quarters The latter expressed his regret At
DIS Hcep'ance of the command. "Why?" said the
general "Because," replied the other, s'your hah-
Us Of business are not adapted to that command
gu mN'' not only command your troops, but support
''co'-'n other words be your own commissary, and
you Will lind country where supplies will not so
''''F Dc Outlined as in the valley of the Mohawk,
v ." '0e banks Of the Hudson Ifyou accept, ! fear
~"l NE aure's Of Saratoga ,OiH fate in the South"
Tue Oa'lIe Of Camden was fought, the American
army completely routed, and their General, abandon
l"g us broken troops, and the brave De Kalb, ded
!" not haste before nvCtorious enemy. The talent
co and interchangeable Cen Greene, was appointed to
retrieve the disaster
Alter the close of the southern campaign, which
saded with the brilliant action Of The Euaw Springs
' '' ufeene met Mr. Morris at Philadelphia, and
""'' converSng of his operations in the South, said
'''' Out Tor two events, which he deemed nterposi-
"O"S oil Proyidence, he must have disbanded his
~. '"!' lie stated that, at time orhs greatest dis
\, '''-"ls men calling for pay, and money wanted
'iP,es' gentleman whom he had several times
''o ABOUT his camp, and whom he did not
came 10 his tent, and enquired if he were
NV, a." great dlstress' lie answered that he was -
much DO you want?' al cannot keep my
H. ,"' 'sehera month without 10000" answered
A.. a'"''a'' can supply you with that sum-" said
S'"'v''on' and TO the Generals establishment,
, UT" The money and departed.
''0'ner similar occasion occurred. and the sane
''"n again appeared relieved him, and dis
,,'. "''hout any ones knowing whence lie
NIV Ut whittier he went. Then YOU neper knew
uN. :" no'rS' who helped you on those occasons?-
'"'u Tue General. Ido-returned the other
ar, ''"' confidential agent to watch over your
,;o. '' and aid you with money when your necess-
'''' most required it.
q, ''eu mat IT the whole amount was paid over
'"'V' you would be more lavish of If. in conse-
boo, your previous difficulty, than would have
4. b;.' e' and sent him to parcel it out to you
,H- Judgment directed.'' The General looked
,rh;. "' these remarks, and touched the pommel
,yo,,, O'u' but after moments reflection, an
,r,o...,. you were right we were driven to such
,,no 'eS that if all had been paid at once should
y, Speniit too soon.''
,cc,oa :, 0 a'fiVa Of the French Army, it ex-
v,,L, 'u something important would be attempted
INV Il ~" al iirst thought Of attacking the British
hi, ''e" occupying New-York. Mr. Morris opposed
'"'o' i have no means on hand for such