Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-06-29

Il
and his daughters and their husbands and his
grand children lived together, composing one
household. This charming circle, enlivened by
numerous visitors of both sexes, comprising what
was most agreeable, and much that was most dis
tinguished in France, he and his friend Mr.. P. of
New York, often visited. Gen. Lafayette, too,
during that agitated period, for It just preceded
tho expulsion of Charles y, was much in Paris,
and to the statesmen and civilians and the great
oldiers Of Napoleon, whom death had spared the
General gave or procured him introduction,. This
was another opportunity which his COED fortune
afforded, to observe and enjoy what was most in-
terssting to military man, under conditions the
most favorable to observation.
But the medical decision was that his deafness
had become organic; and prospect Of benefit
from an operation existed, to justify the risk Of
| destroying the hearing that remained. He crossed
the channel to take the packet for home, aud
while in London, the city electrified by the
news that Charles X. was dethroned, and Lafay-
| ette Dictator Of France
Arrived home, though somewhat improved in
general health, and gratiied by the acquaintances
he had formed and the interesting scenes he had
mingled in, he brought with him the depressing
conviction that his deafness was beyond
the reach Of medical skill, disappOiut-
meet none the less 4evere because,
probably, he had little esl ground for expecting
any essential relief. For number Of years, he
remained at home, or on duty at naval stations
In the meanwhile, he had happily married Mis'
Wadsworth Of Burlington ; and young family
was growing up around hin. After many years of
active duty, and no longer young himself service
ia subordinate capacity, became irksone. And,
| undoubtedly, his inlrmity was a seriou, embar-
rAssment in that position, from which command
would relieve him, and promotion would entitIe
him 70 command. Moreover, exigences arose, from
time to time, which promised to accelerate 1t. Du
ring this period therefore he did not spply for
sea-seryice.
On the occurrence Of the pattiot war in Canada,
as It was termed by some, or the Canadian Iebel-
lion, IS it is now called--since all unsuccessful
insurrectons rebellions-Lieut. Sawyer was
assigned to e new and unusual duty. Il will hs
remembered that the long discussion. and nego-
tistions for the settlement Of our boundaries under
the Treaty on753 hhI arrived .. a point in which
a ;reelasnt seemed impossible. The blundering
award Of the King of the Netherlands was reiec ej
by both parties and the British Government, L.
aoring or evading by transparent sophistry, the
plain language Of th= Treaty Of I1s3 a veil "a
tia maps before the commissioners At the time
either Of which was fatal % their pretensions-
perinaoiou-ly laid claim 70 a considerable portion
OF the State of Maine That claim, prt ia ITS
simplest form. might be stated thus you don't
need that terrltory,-re do, in order to compact
ly unite gu5 possessions and the easier to molest
and inv ade yo'vs, in the event Of var between
US" That pretension which touched at once tho
national pride ard interest should provoke keen
indignation was natural and the argument
was exhausted, resort 70 the u't,r1 -1tr~ seemed
inevitable
Il was at this precise juncture that the insur-
rection broke out-battles we're fought and blood
was flowing profusely in both provinces Of Cana
dn and the strongest sympathy vas manifested
for the weaker party along the whole line of the
American fronder from the Aroostook to uacki-
nav. =
The Administration however, determined 70
pursue pacific polieyTto meet the emergency re-
commended, and Congress passed, a stringent act,
supplementary to the General Neutrality Law Of
1898; and Gen. Scott and Gen. Wool were des-
patched to the Northern frontiers to enforce its
execution Lieut.. Sawyer was directed by the
Navy Department to report to those officers, and
place himself subject to their orders. III was sta
toned at Derby Line. and, having charge Of the
Northern frontier Of Vermont. necessarily vest
ed with large discretion. 4 small detachment
Of troops was placed under his orders. To use
taese, if necessary to restrain and repress incur-
siors from either side of the lnes-to select /
proper agents to obtain information of meditated
movements and disconcert them; To- appeal to
those disposed 10 preserve the peace; 20 remon-
strate with and defeat those inclined % disturb I
ance; O. prevent the burning of buildings aud .
other schemes of mischief and violence designed /
to enbroil the two countries; anil 10 cooperate I
With the authorities, military ami civil On the .
other side engaged IN similar measures Of repIes-
son--such we're the duties imposed On lieut.
sawyer. And the confidence implied ir the SC
lection Of naval officer to perform duties strict
" military, was justified By the frmue's and ac-
tiyity the prudence, good temper. and sucoess
With which those duties were performed. HI.
conduct received the appreciation Of those dis.in-
gUish cfiaers and Of the Goyernmau., and *
tortea the eommendation OF those &, whom his
mission Nas SO distasteful.
While engaged in this duty, lie received his pr
motion a commander in the Navy His friend Capt
Claxtou, who so gallautly conducted in his youth in
Perry's battle, incurred deafness on Lake Erie. by
accident, and under circumstances almost sim
liar to what happened to Capt Sawyer Oh lake
-hamplain, aui yet received command. The
latter was not So fortunate. His repeated aprji-
'ations for the command. which i the object e
naval mans ambition, we're unsuccessful; he
undoubtedly felt wounded bat setting
IN the principle tdat Sparta hath many
woIthier son than he he applied no more.
And yet, Ms disability, If such it was, Mas in
urrcd in battle aad aggravated by disease vhioh
ccrued in hard service. and was justly entitled to
he allowance conceded the loss Of limb in battle.
tie was much employed, it may just be noted,
1t the naval stations at Norfolk, Georgetown , D.
:, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Boston,
jackets Trarhour,-routiur duties pbich afforded
Incidents.
In 1857. he was promoted to : P3s ClPtAiucy
1t their session in 1855 the Legislature Of
Vermont presented him sword for his services in
he war with great Britain. In 1851, his uomina-
ion for restoration to the position in his grade
rom which he had been displaced by the Naval
commission. WAS unanimously confirmed by the
senate.
He had taken up his residence at Plattsburgh,
place now classical in tho naval and military
history Of the country, with which no becam.
amilisr in his frat service, and with whose hospit
bile people he lad always maintained the most
riendly acquaintance. There he hoped to retire
Fhen years and infrnities demanded rest Thi.