Squatter sovereign., 1855-04-24
aflistellalleolls,
PETER FRANCISCO.
THE SAMSON OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE

was SO remarkable, as 10 WIN MIN the IL
tie of the "Virginia Samson" He knew
nothing of his birth or parentage, but sup.
posed he was born in Portugal, from whence
he was stolen when a child, and carrid tt
Ireland. His earliest recollections were
those of boyhood in the latter country.-
While yet lad, he apprenticed himself te
sea captain, for seven years, in pay for a
passage to this country. On his arrival
his time and services were sold to a Mr.
Winston. of Virginia, in whose service he
remained unit: the breaking out of the Rev.
olution. Being of an adventurous turn o.
mind, he sought and obtained permission
of his master to join the army, and was
engaged in active service during the whole
contest. Such was his strength and person.
al bravery, that no enemy could resist him.
He welded a sword, the blade of which
was five feet in length, as though it had
been feather, and every one who came
in contact with him paid the forfeit of his
life. At Stony Point, he was one OF the
"forlorn hope" which was advanced to cut
away the abatis, and, next to Major Glib
bon, was the first man to enter the works.
AT Brandywine, and Monmouth, he ex-
hibited the most fearless bravery, and moth
ing but his inability to write, prevented
his promotion to commission. Trans.
ferred to the South, he took part in most
of the engagements in that section, and to-
wards the close Of the war, he was engaged
in a contest which exhibited in striking
manner, his remarkable self-confidence
and courage.
One day, while accommodating, he stop
ped at the house of a man by the name of
W, to refresh himself. While at
the table, he was surprised by nine British
troops, who rode up to the house, and told
him he was their prisoner. Seeing that he
was so greatly outnumbered, he pretended
to surrender, and the dragons seeing he
was apparently very peacefully inclined, af-
ter disarming him, allowed him consider
able freedom, while they sat down to par
take of the food which he had left when
disturbed. Wandering out into the door
yard he was accosted by the Paymaster,
who demanded of him everything Of value
about him at the risk of his life, in case Of
refusal. 81 have nothing to give,' said
Francisco, $50 use your pleasure" 'Give
up those massy silver buckles in your shoes
said the dragoon. 'sThey were the gift of
a friend,' replied Francisco, "and give
them to you l never shall; take them ifyou
will, you have the power, but never will
give them to any one." Putting his sabre
under his arm, the soldier stopped down to
take them. Francisco seeing the oppor-
tmity, which was too good to be lost, seiz-
ed the sword, and drawing it with force
from under the arm of the soldier, dealt
him severe blow across the skull. Although
severely wounded, yet being brave man,
the dragoon drew pistol and aimed it at
his ntagonist, who was too quick for him,
however, and as he pulled the trigger,
blow from the sword nearly severed his
wrist, and placed him hors de combat
The report of the pistol drew the other dra-
goons into the yard, as well as W,
who very ungenerously brought out mus
xet, which he handed to one of the soldiers
and told him to make use of it. Mount.
ing the only horse they could get at, he
the muzzle at the breast of Fran
cisco. and pulled the trigger. Fortunate
ly it missed fire, and Francisco closed in
upon him. A short struggle ensued, which
ended In his disarming and wounding the
soldier. Tarlton's troop of four hundred
men were now in sight and the other dra-
goons We're about to attack him. Seeing
his case was desperate, he turned toward
an adjoining thicket, and as if cheering on
a party of men, he cried out, 'sCome on
my brave boys now's your time !; we will
soon dispatch these few and then attack
the main body!' at the same time rushing
at the dragons with the fury ofan enraged
tiger. They did not wait to engage him,
but fled to the troop, panic-struck and dis
mayed. Seizing upon the traitorous VII
lain, W, Francisco was about to
dispatch him, but he begged and plead so
hard for his life, that he forgave him, and
told him to secrete for him the eight hors-
es which the soldiers had left behind them.
Perceiving that Tarleton had dispatched
two other dragons in search of him, he
made off into the adjoining wood, and
while they stopped at the house, he, like
an old fox, doubled upon their rear, and