Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-12-22

COlOnel-defeating the enemy at Villa Nelha,
by reckless assault, accompanied with great
slaughter. This service secured for him splen
did military distinction, and the public thanks
of his Portuguese Majesty. Again returning
to England, he seemed on the high road to
fame and fortune Recommended warmly to
the attention of the ministry, and backed
doubtless by family influence, he would have
risen rapidly says his biographe but for his
old weakness in favor of America. The Indian
or Pondacks war broke out, aud his scathing
pen again asSauting the ministry, he was ruin
ed. DeSpairing OF advancement in the Eng
ljSh service, he then looked around him tor
some other field in which his military talents
might secure reward. Poland was selected,
and thither he accordingly went. His military
reputation had preceded him. lie soon Sc
cured the high respect and warn friendship OF
Stanislaus who entrusted him with responsible
employments and important undertakings.
Fighting, diplomatiziRg, hurrying from place
to pIace-now towards Turkey, then into Rus
sia-thus passed some years. Then, driven
by his restless spirit, we hnd HIM securing
Europe The years l77l, 10 and '73 were
spent in this manner, and his adventures were
manifold In Italy he fought more than one
duel From every capital which he paused IN,
issued bitter attacks on the English ministry !;
50 bitter and terrible that they raised the Sus-
pcion Of the identity of Lee with JuHluS LII
1873 he returned TO England, aad in the month
OF August of the same year embarked for
New York, which he reached on the 10th of
November He had long torseen the break,
ing out of the American Revolution. As Tar
IL ha had writ on In q
from Warsaw Il have an unSpeakable
curiosity of seeing this campaign Ioish, by
practice TO make myself a soldier, for purpose
honest, but 1chich shall not mention." There
is little reason to doubt that he had conceived
the bold aud characteristic idea OF Offering
his military experience to the North Amer
lean rebels, with whose temper he was perfect
ly familiar, Indeed, there are but two by
pOtheSeS to explain Lees career up to the
time when he embarked for America. lie was
either the braveSt aud most diSlntercStcd friend
of liberty, or he promised himself a rich re
ward for his adhesion TO the American cause.
The leadership of three millions of men against
the Empire which he had grown TO hate BIT
terly, was a glittering bait for simple colonel
and soldier of fortune An examination of all
the circumstances leads the present writer to
believe that Lees daring political philosophy
moulded upon that of the French school, united
to his restless ambition, early pointed out this
dazzling future. His reception did not disap
point him. The American leader clearly fore
saw the impending conflict, and hailed th"
presence OF il man whose military genlls had
been widely bruted throughout Europe and
America 4 thoroughly trained soldier was
~, iurr lt.lal n a d
above al the aid OF men skilled in martial tac-
ties. and Lee Immediately found himself in
rapport with the first men of the continent
He visited Philadelphia, Maryland, Virginia
Mount Vernon, pushing onward with his con
versatiQn, aud his eyer active pen, the minds
Of all towards the contest At Mount Ee"-
n0u he met with Horatio Gates, another mil
tary adventurer of high rank and reputation.
Suavc polite, cautions, diplomatic and plaus-
IDLE IN his manners, Gates presented a strong
contrast to the bitter and cynical partisan who
with his dogs trOoping after him, to the great
disgust OF Mrs. Washington, strobe through
the apartments Of his host, breaking jests and
sarcasmS upon all which came in his way. The
two men and ther future military superior
consuted long and profoundly upon the aspect
of affairs Lee and GGtes had been old com
RAIDS. and they were doubtless impeiled by the
same ambition-that of leading the revolt Of
the Colonies against the Crown. The thoughts
and motives of the third of the trio-the great
patriot who had &o ambition to gratily, no aim
to accomplish who looked to the good Of his
land alone, and never for a moment 10 his per-
S0naI ACKNOWLEDGEMENT the sentiment in the
heart of Washington may we'll lie understood,
He no doubt read the minds OF his guess, and
his serene wisdom accepted the assistance
which they promised to render.
Rapidly passing to Boston, Lee, we are
told, now bazed forth Wing Of the first
magnitude In May l775, we fad him il
Philadelphia, becoming " daily greater en-
thusiast in the cause of liberty The explain
alton may possibly be found in the presence
there of the national delegates. The general
Congress had assembled, aud one of the first
acts which they would proceed to would be
the election OF q Ccmmauder-iu-Chief Lee
transmitted to Lord harrington, De, retary Of
War, his resignation OF his cO,onelcy il the
British army, and was regularly candidate
for the great post to be filed by Congress-
As all know, 1t was bestowed upon Washing
ton, aud Lee, to his great disappointment, was
compelled to content himself with the rank OF
Major General. He accepted, however, and
set out with Washington on the 2Ist of June
fer Boston, the news of the battle of Bunder
Hill reached them upon their route.
Thus Commenced the official connection of
the soldier of fortune with the American Rev
olut on He had forseen that event, and
played with extraordinary skill and boldneSS
for the great stake, the post OF Commander-in-
Chief. 1t had escaped him but he had gone
too far to recede, and he took the place as
signed him with outward cheerfulness, but
doubtless with internal anger. If this repre-
sontaton Of his designs and motives be unjust,
the present writer can only regret it-he has
written from a conviction of the truth of the
sketch, which presents fair compromise be-
bo oc 7 ,b,