Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-08-12

every Gay they were out ON the rive
practicing, their evolutions witnessed b
eager crowds upon the shore.
II is surprising how this philosophe
OF three-score and ten wortcd that sum
NOR. The committee Of safety convene'
at Elk o'clock every morning, and "a
till nearly nine. At nine Congress met
OF which body he was the leading mem
ber, and it seldom adjourned for th,
day until after four in the afternoon
In the evening he was experimenting
with saltpeter, supply of which wa
most sorely needed. Sometimes he wal
considering the hest form OF pike /; a
another the utility OF bows and arrows
or he would be devising financial plans,
corresponding with the friends Of
America in England, and doing the
thousand nameless things which q di-
reoting mind must attend to at such q
4 time.
On fine day in September, 1775, the
committee of safety invited Congress
and the Legislature of Pennsylvania to
make an excursion upon tho river in the
galleys, seven of which were then com.
pleted, the Washington, the Effingham,
the Franklin, the Dickinson, the Otter,
the Bulldog, and another whose name
has not been recorded. The gentlemen
embarked about ten in the morning, and
appear to have had a delightful sail
down the river, past the place where the
three rows Of barbed beams were get
ting into position, conversing upon the
lighter topics which suggest themselves
when people are disposed to pleasure.
Their intention was to have gone down
as far as Fort Mifflin, but wind and tide
being unfavorable, they turned about
and rowed past the city, up as far as the
projection which had then the singular
name of Point-no- Point.
During the latter part of the voyage,
as John Adams records, the converse.
ton took moro serious turn. Mr.. Ad.
ans went in the Bulldog, with Mr.. Rit-
tenhouse, DIR. Rush, and several other
persons of note, of whom he afterward
wrote:
"In the boat, on our return from
Point Point, the principal topic of
conversation was independence. My
sentiments on this head were no secret
in Congress from May, 1775. An inter
cepted letter, early in 1775, had in
formed tho world that was for indie.
pendence. But was left too much |
alone. The company in the boat ap-
peared to me then and ever since to |
have invited me to be Of their party that |
they might all assure me-, in that conf
dental manner, that they were of my
mind.
The works in the river, and those
upon the rivers bank, went on as con-
tinuously as the season would permit
all that winter, and during the next year.
Soon after DR.. Franklin left for France
in 1776, there arrived from that country
a famous military engineer, named Du
Condray, who had been engaged ard
sent over by the American agent in
Paris. He laid out the works in proper
military fashion, and rendered the forts
capable of serious defense against the
enemy. But it was not, however, until
late in the following year, 1777, that the
strength of the position was put to the
test. General Howe had taken posses
sion Of Philadelphia; but as long as the
river was closed, he was cut off from his
and his capture of the city was
useless. The works kept n powerful
o0 n>A o"s D.''Asn
army busy Tor two months. Connt
Donop, at the heael OF force OF twelve
hundred Hesslans, summoned one OF
the forts to surrender IN the words once
familiar to al: :.
Inc Alng. OF england orders his
rebellious SUBJECTS to lay down their
arms; and they are warned that if they
stand the battle no quarters whatever
Will be given.
we ask no quarters, replied Gen
eral Greene, NOR Will we give any"
The twelve hundred Hesslans were
then hurled upon the fort, without the
means OF crossing the moat, and with
out ladders to scale the walls. Blk hun
1red OF them fell before the murderous
ire OF the garrison; and among them
was Count Donop, whose grave may still
oe seen on that Jersey shore. Mean !
while, number OF British frigates were
beaten Oft by Franklin's galleys. Re- !
1ewing the attack next day, all English 8
rigate was blown up by hot shot from
galley, and soon after smaller vessel
ud - ,aa u ~ ' unt;i th.on 1o. %s te.le".ou
o:~~l,k ,,.-. L.l