The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-11

Tho American Few.
To combat one of tho most obstinate Of preju-
dices and to promote enlightenment on q sub
ject concerning which ignorance has become I'M
pardonaho Is the purpose Of the book entitled
The Amsrfcon Jer. as Patriot, Soldier and
Citizen, by SIMON Wolf lBrcntano's). Tho
author has undertaken to dellneate the part
taken by his coreligionists In the development
OF tho United States. Ho believes IL entirely
possible to prove that. from an early stage of
American history down to the present day, men
Of the Hebrew race and faith have figured in
the van Of the country's progress. The work OF
accommodating the evidence has been performed
by Mr.. Wolf, while the task Of editing the ma
terial has been intrusted to Mr.. LEWIS EDWARD
LEVY. The two colaborcrs have, between them,
accomplished results which deserve serious at
tcntion on the part not only Of their coreligion-
lists but Of the whole American community.
Mr.. Wolf tells us, in an introduction. that he
was first impclled to the researches of which tho
volume before us is the outcome by reading a
letter printed in the North american Review. In
December, 1891, the writer OF which asserted
that he could not remcmber meeting during tho
civil war a single Jew in uniform, and had never
found an old soldier who recalled serving with
Jews. This assertion was answered by Mr..
Wolf in the Washington Post, by an enumer-
alton OF hundreds OF Jewish officers and soldiers,
eliminating in the averment, on information
and belief. that from 5000 to 5000 soldiers of
the Jewish faith served In the Union Army alone.
Observing that his letter was copied and dis
eussed by leading American newspapers, Mr..
Wolf determined to compile as full n list as pos
sible Of American citizens Of Jewish faith who
had fought in tho war of the rebellion, and to
add thereto a record Of many other typical in
stances OF their useful energy and public spirit
in the civil walks of life. Tho task which he
had imagined would require no moro than six
months has occupied more than four years OF
continuous labor. Even now the author regards
the product OF his researches as exceedingly in
adequate; 1t undoubtedly represents, however.
the most valuable contribution to an interesting
chapter of American history that has yet been
given TO the world. We should note. in passing,
that the book seems free from all errors which
could be eliminated through u patient and eau
tious scrutiny. We remark. for instance. that
several hundred names Of the soldiers from
Indiana alone were ultimately excluded from
tho authors lists, notwithstanding the pro-
nounced Jewish character OF their patronymics
MARKS. Abraham. and Isancs). because their
owners were ascertained by Mr.. VOLTS corre-
s%pondent to be non-Jews.
The book before US begins with q brief 40
count OF the jewish patriots Of the Revolution
AIRY period. 1t should DO remembered that, at
tho date of the first census l790), when the in
habitants Of the United States did not number
quite four millions. the number of Jews was
computed at three thousand, or only one to $3.50
of the whole population. AS late as 1925. &C
cording TO O careful estimate by Mr.. Isaac
Harley, there were not over six thousand Jews
In tho ITnifad Statea FCv M ware tho Jawiah
co!onists Of the Revolutionary period, 1t is a mat
ter of record that they furnished more than their
proportion OF supporters to the colonial cause.
They not only riskcd their lives in tho war for in
dependence. but aided materially with their
money to equip and maintain the Cont
mental Army. That, unlike the Quakers, and
unlike oven many Of tho New England Puritans.
they took part in the earliest stages of
resistance to the encroachments Of the mother
country is proved by the signatures to the
Non-Importation Resolutions of 1898. Nine
jews were among the signers of these resolu-
lions. the adoption of which was the first organ
lied movement in the agitation which eventual
ly led to the independence of the colonies. The
original document is still preserved In Carpen-
tors Hall. Philadelphia, and tho following arc
the names of tho Jews on that carly roll of pa
triots: Benjamin Levy. Samson Levy. Hyman
Levy. Jr.. Joseph Jacobs, David Franks. Matthias
Bush, Michael Gratz, Barnard Gratz, and Moses
Mordecai. We proceed to note some of the Jews
whose names have come down to us from the
Revolutionary period as those OF mon Of more
than ordinary consequence. One of the most
notable OF these was Haym Solomon. a sketch of
whom Ia here printed from an unpublished MS.
In tho papers Of Jared Sparks. 1t appears that
Haym Solomon. who dlod in Philadelphia In
January, 1885, and was tho fellow country
man and intimate associate OF tho Polish
Generals Pulaski and Kosctusko. was
first publicly known In 1878. whom ho
was arrested by the British General, Sir Henry
Clinton, in New York. on tho charge that he had
| received orders from Gen. Washington TO burn
the feet OF the British and destroy their store
houses. He was imprisoned and condemned to
death. but he escaped by means of a consider
able bride In gold. A few days aftcrward he ar
rived safely in Philadelphia. where he earned the
confidence of the patriots. who had distinguished
themselves In the Congress of 1910. and were
to render additional services In succeeding
Congresses. 1t was Solomon who was charged
by them with tho negotiation of the largo grants
of pecunlary supplies from the Governments
of France and Holland. In 1884 no was found
to have made considerable advances Of money
to Robert Morris and Judge Wilson. to Gen.
Mihin. Gen. st. Clair. Gen. steuben,
Col. Shoe, Col. Morgan. Major McPhar-
son, major FRANKS, ana otner omcefB Ut
tho Continental Army. To members Of the
delegation from Virginia. namely. Arthur Lee.
Theodore Bland. Joseph Jones, John II. Mercer
and Edmund Randolph. ho rendered timely and
pecuniary aid; indeed, James Madison has tes-
titled that, when tho pecuniary resources of
members of Congress. both public and private,
were cut OF, recourse was made TO Mr.. Solomon
for the means wherowith 10 answer their cur
rent expenses. and he always extended a helping
hand. Whom he died. he left oyor S350.0O0 In
Continental and Virginia securitieS. not a dollar
Of which was ever recovered by his heirs.
Haym Solomon wns not tho only Jew who
proved tho sincerity of his support OF the RevOlu-
ton by q sacrifice or risk OF fortune. Among tho
signers OF the bills OF credit for the Continental
Congress In 1870 were Benjamin Levy OF Phila-
delphia and Benjamin Jacobs OF New York.
Samuel Lyon of tho last named city WAS
among the signers of similar bills in 1870.
I..ac Mnrpia nf philadalnhIa who After the