The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-03-04
NO. $50.

i thus indicated. He had known Alexander
Hamilton too well in life, at the bar and in the
forum, be had read the productions of his pen
too Often to doubt of his intellectual powers or to
imagine that they could be successfully despised'
But, whatever might be Burr's secret or avowed
opinions of Hamilton, if anything could alter the
Judgment of posterity as to his standing among
the men of the Revolution, it would be the idea
that his son, in the work before us, is fair
representative of the fathers character and
mode Of acting. Alexander Hamilton needs no
borrowed laurels. The attempt, therefore, to
transfer to him the whole C. edit of the letters
and papers signed by Washington, which ap-
pear in the handwriting of his Secretary, we feel
assured Hamilton would not have desired or
approved. This feature of the volume mars its
value. Otherwise, it contsins good summary
of events that trsnspired. The design, however,
is so apparent on almost every page, that it de-
tracts no little from its merits in other respects
Readers will view with distrust a writer who
enters upon his work with so glaring per-
version as they cannot but feel, of the relations
Of two men, both entitled to their countrys graf
Jude and remembrance.
Among Harniltons private correspondence,
there is one letter and reply from which we can.
no. avoid quoting few passages, as being d.
rectly in the very face of Judge Taney's decla-
ration on the bred Scott decision, in respect to
the utter disregard of the degraded state or per.
feet contempt of the capacity of the blacks by
the men Of the Revolution and few years after.
Col. Lawrence had obtained permission of
Washington to repair to South Carolina, in pros
pee! of bis mother State being invaded by the
British. On his departure, Hamilton, who had
known of black troops in the West Indies,
suggested the idea of raising body of black
sves;" and, introducing Lawrence to Mr.. Jay,
the President of Congress, ne says: 81 foresee
that this projec will haveto combstmucb oppoei-
ton from prejudice and self interest. The con.
tempt we have been taught to entertain for the
blacks makes us fancy many things that are
founded neither in reason nor experience; and
al unwillingness to part with property of 30
valuable kind, will furnish thousand argu-
ments to show the impracticability or pernicious
tendency of scheme which requires such sacri-
fees. " An essential part of the plan is to give
them their freedom with their swords. This will
secure their fidelity, animate their courage, and,
believe, will have a good influence Epon those
who remain, by opening a door to their enamel
PATTON"
Col. Lawrence, In his letter to Hamilton,
dated at Charleston, says: 1t appears to me
that should be inexcusable in the light of
citizen, if did not continue my utmost efforts
for carrying the plan of the black levies into
execution, while there remains the smallest
hopes of success"
We see, therefore, that he was heart and
hand in trying to carry out the views expressed
BY Hamilton, and must have been aware of his
Object, and sympathized with him in the same.
No one, we think, will deny to Lawrence pa
trictism and intelligence, or regard for his own
State and though he failed, because of the Gu
pidity Of men less patriotic than himself, yet
we have here a clear proof that the position
taken in Judge Taney's opinion does not com.
por! With history.
The volume before US is finely printed, and,
had it been brought out on different principle,
must have had extensive circulation.
The Christian Examiner. January, 1853
The Christian Examiner has long held high
place rs the accredited organ of the Unitarian
denomination in our country, and its ability as
q literary work is conceded By those who can.
not accord with its religious views. The mum.
Der now before u.s. which opens the year, has
seven articles The first of them is well-di-
gested summary of the labors of DR.. Ferdinand
CHRISTIAN Baur, who stands at the head of the
Tnbingen School of divnes and critics in Ger
many. While exhibiting the great ability of
D. Blur, and the benefits that may be de-
rived from proper use of his Investigations,
are glad to see that the writer of the article
does not harmonize with his conclusions in his
attack on the New Testament. And nothing
more clearly evinces the truth of the Bible
than this fact, that it has so long withstood, and
still withstands, so many and varied modes of as
saul, urged with such keen critical acumen, and
upheld by the preparation of long years of re-
search and study. They have not ard cannot
shake the foundations, which will stand un-
harmed forever. The articles on "Dante's
Beatrice as Type of Womanhood," and
"Agsssz's Natural History" the shorter one
On Hebrew Poetry" with the others on The
Strength and Weakness of the Popular Reli.
zion and Of Liberal Christianity" and The
Revolt and the English" and Review of Cur
Literature y into fnr 1iHapanf
classes Of readers, and, though many may prob
ably disagree in the views maintained, will not
be passed over unregarded, as they are sugges-
tive ard instructive.
English Hears and English Hands; Or, The Railway
and the Trenches BY the author OF the Memorials of
Captain Hedley Wears New York: Robert Carter
BrOihers. ISIS. For sale by w. Ballantyne, Wash
Ton, d c.
those who have read Hedley Wears" and
Victory Won," will need no assurance that
the present volume 10 one likely to enlist their at
tention as well as improve their hearts. If we
are rightly informed, the author is a Miss Marsh,
sni We believe, though of this we are not 80
sure, sister of lady formerly of the same name,
well known as the writer Of various tales, and q
history Of the Hugueno.s, and who is now the
vile Of the Rev. Mr. Chalmers, Rector of Beck
enham Kent, in England, who furnishes pre-
lace 10 this work. The author herself states
that the purport of her book " is to show men
and women, who are placed by the providence
Of God in another position of life, how much of
dlgh and delicate feeling Is to be found amongst
hat great mass Of their countrymen who eat
their bread under the heavier portion of the
lHmevel curse. lis object, also, is to suggest
how much of that trial may be softened, and of