New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-22
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES "REMINISCENCES

EENOlUllONAhI
MEN AND TIMES OF THE REVOLUTION, y. 80 uAt W.
Horss or ELkmAa WATSON. Edited BY his son. WINS
Low c. WArsos. svo PIP. 49, Dams 90
The subject of this memoir was IN intirna'e reis-
tons with several of the most distinguished men of
his day throughout an unusually protracted life.
During tbs Revolutionary War for about FIVE
wears he resided in Europe, and travelled exten-
sively In France, England, Flanders, and Holland.
His intimacy with Benjamin Franklin aud John
Adsns introduced him to the best social circles in
Paris, and procured for him personal acquaint-
snce with the leading statesmen and philosophers
Of England. He was the bearer Of dispatches
from Paris to London during the negotiation ofthe
treaty of peace, and was one Of the few Americans
that were present ia the House Of Lords when the
King of Great Britain acknowledged the iDdepend-
eoce Of the United States. Nearly his whole life
long be was in the habit Of keeping an accurate
journal of his experiences, and was engaged In an
extensive correspondence with numerous ceie-
brsted contemporaries. From the materials tnus
furnished the present volume has been prepared
II il important as an illustration Of bygone cond'-
tion of ofsociety and affords excellent standard OF
comparison to estimate the changes which have
aimee occurred in the manners, habits, and nstitu
tions of the people.
Mr.. Watson was born in the old town of Ply
mouth, near the famous Pilgrim Rock, in the year
175S. He was direct descendant on his moth
er's side from Edward Winslow one Of the
original May Flower stock, and the third governor
of the infant colony. After receiving his educa-
ton at the common school in Plymouth, be left his
native place at the age of fifteen, aud became an
apprentice to John Brown in Providence, then ono
of the most enterprising merchants Of America.
Soon after bis arrival in Providence the difficulties
with Great Britain began to assume serious as
pect. The tea had just been destroyed in the har-
Dor of Boston. The youth of Providence had
formed themselves into military associations.
Young Watson Joined cadet company consisting
OF seyenty-fye young men, the flower OF the city.
They often met to drill, were well equipped, and
wore uniform of scarlet coats, faced with yell
low. The discipline of these companies five In
number, was so admirable as to call forth the en-
comiums of Gen. Lee, by whom they we're re-
viewed in the Autumn of IVA. When the intell-
seuce of the march upon Lexington reached Prov
idence, in the afternoon of April 10, 1775 all the
companies few to arms. The whole town was In
q state of convulsive excitement. No cartridges
were ready, and they were obliged to defer their
march until morning. The night was spent In
casting bullets and preparing ammunition. Early
the next morning they started for the scene OF ac-
tion. Having advanced six miles amid the cries
and tears of women, with all the roads envelOped
in dust from the march of armed men, they were
met by an express announcing that the British
troops had been driven back to Boston. Soon after
Gen. Washington had assumed the command of
the American forces, Watson was sent to the head.
quarters at Cambridge in charge Of supply OF
powder, which had just been brought in one OF
Mr.. Browns ships. 1t came at a fortunate mo-
ment The army before Boston had not four
rounds 10 9 man. Taking with him six or eight
recruits to guard the precious freight the
young patriot made the best of his way to the camp
81 delivered my letter to Gen. Washington in per-
son, and was deeply impressed with an awe can
not describe In contemplating that great man, his
august person, his majestic mien, his dignihed and
commanding department, more conspicuous, per-
hsps, at that moment from tho fact that he was in
the act Of admonishing militia colonel with some
animation. He directed young officer to accom-
pany me and superntend the delivery of the powder
at Mystic, two miles distant. While delivering it at
the powder. house, observed to the officer, Sir,
am happy to see so many barrels ofpowder here
He whispered secret in my ear, with an indis-
cretion that marked the novice in military aftars
These barrels are filed with sand And where
sors1 inquired. To deceive the enemy he
replied, should any spy, by chance, look in' Such
wss the wretched appointment of that army upon
which rested the hopes Of American liberty"
About two years after, proposal was made to
tho trustworthy Elksnah by his employer and bis
brother to proceed to South Carolina aud Georgia,
in charge Of some $50, 600 in money to be placed
in the hands Of their agents in the Southern States
for investment in csrgoes for European mar
kets. He was at that time but nineteen years
old, and was deeply impressed with the magnitude
of his trust 1t was in the very crisis Of the Revo-
luton. Burgoyne was bearing down with q veteran
army upon Albany; Howe was approaching Phila-
delphia with powerful force; the royslists were
active in every part of the Union; and the negroes
In some Of the Southern States on the verge OF
insurreotion. But the prospect had no terrors for
the bold Yankee boy. Leaving Providence Sept.
4, 1777, on good horse, hanger at his side, and
q pair Of pistols in his holster, he arrives on
the fourth day at Fairfield, Connecticut, and
soon reached the banks of Connecticut
river. Hartford at that time was ga respectable
and wealthy place." with about three hundred
houses, q State House and other public edi6ces.
He found New-Hsyeu "a delightful village" con.
1rrall md m