The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-02-05
AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTION.

A circumstance occurred during the gloomy
winter of 1776-7, which has not found its way
into histories, but which we copy from late
number OF the Democratic Rerieto. 1t was one
among the many during the Resolution, which
appeared to be provldential allotments in our
favor. The writer received the account of it
from son of Richard H. Lee, and from Fran
els Lightfoot Lee, who were members Of Con-
gress, and we're in Philadelphia at the time
| These gentlemen were accustomed to mention
II as provldentIal interference in behalf of
! country.
"When General Washington was retreatnq
through the Jerseys in the winter of I776-7
and bad crossed the Delaware, his lead and bull
lets bad nearly failed, and he would be unable,
without considerable supply, to make the bril-
liant and successful movements which recover
ed New Jersey, and re-lnspired the country
with new hope and confidence in their Com
mander-i in-chief. In this darkest hour of the
war, Congress had made every effort to supply
the So-much-needed articles. All the lead that
could be found IN public and private places had
been obtained. Lead pipes bad been melted
and the plates torn from the roofs of houses :
but still a small quantity only could be obtained
Just then IN the darkest moment of despondpncv,
Robert -dorris, who has been called the efnan-
cler" of the Revolution and whose extensive
credit and mercantile transactions in Europe.
and whose unflinching devotion to his country,
has laid that country under never-ceasing obli-
cations, received letter from one of his ships
which bad escaped British cruisers, informing
him that the vessel was within the capps. and
would reach Philadelphia at such time, and
was bditaSted 1oith lead, and amounting TO very
large quantity. This letter the patriotic Morris
for such we delight to call him-received late
in the day, and after Congress had adjourned.
He Joyously informed the members he could see
before morning. Early the next morning,
Morris and many members repaired to the wharf
anxlouSly looking out for the expected vessel.
For some time she did not appear. The mem
bers repaired to the hall with saddened counte-
nances, and on the assembling Of the House,
the letter OF Morris was read and the looked
for supply was eagerly expected. Morris was
too anxious to remain in his seat in the House
he returned TO the wharf, straning his eve
down the river. At length the goodIy vessel
heaves in sight, and her owner recognizes the
stars and stripes. The news spreads rapidly
through the city and reaches Congress, scene
of fjoytuI emotion instantly succeeds, and the
hearts of these glorious, beloved men sent up to
Heaven their grateful thanksgiving for the re-
lief about to be received in the hour OF despair
The ship arrived ballasted tcith lend, which
the Captain Of his own apparent will, (but as
our fathers nationally piously believed, by the
ieadngs ofa good Providence had for the first
time resolved to use for that purpose. BY Gods
overriding providence, the vessel escaped the
perilS OF storm and capture arrives at the ex-
gent moment large supply of lead is imme-
dlateiy obtained our great Commander recros-
sed the Delaware and saves our country.-LauS
Deo."