The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 108

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 108

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

It is a common saying, the result of experience, that, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." And this is no less morally than physically true. There can hardly be a doubt, that a small portion of the ex- pense and labor, which have been applied to the pun- ishment of crime after it has been committed, expended in its prevention by means of infantile instruction; would have yielded to society an increase of sixty, nay a hun- dred fold of peace, order and good government.

It is but too apparent, that in our extensive and grow- ing country, crime not only keeps pace with our increa- sing population, but that it rapidly accumulates, and that we are verging towards that state of depravity and corruption so manifest in many parts of Europe.

It is evident that our existing institutions, and modes of punishment, are inadequate, and wholly insufficient to check the growing evil. The question then that pre- sents itself to our notice is; what is the best mode of preventing this alarming increase of evil, and of promo- ting the present and future happiness of our fellow men? This of Infant schools appears to me, to have a decided advantage over all the modes hitherto adopted.

Many excellent plans have been devised by the char- itable and the humane, the object of which has been to increase the quantum of human happiness. Instruction has been freely dispensed, nations immersed in the gloom of ignorance have been enlightened, the bible has been sent into all lands, and efforts made to sheathe forever the exterminating sword; the sick are visited and relieved, the deaf and the dumb are restored to the comforts of social communication, the widow and the orphan supported and protected; Angels have assumed

the forms of humanity, and in the persons of a Howard and a Fry, have penetrated the prison and the dungeon, and poured the healing balm of consolation into the bo- som of sorrow and distress! But who has been found to stretch out the hand and snatch the infant from the in- fection of moral depravity, and form its tender mind up- on the model of religion, of order and virtue?

Our blessed Lord says, "suffer little children to come „unto me:" in what possible way, can we better comply with the divine exhortation, than by watching with ten- der solicitude over the first impressions made upou their infant minds, shielding them from the poisonous influence of corrupt example, and by placing before them those objects of excellence and beauty, every where to be seen in the works and in the word of God. Objects which are so well calculated to develope the immortal powers and faculties of the mind, and awaken the kindly affections of the heart. Alas! how has this command of the Redeemer, been hitherto neglected !- What myriads of the human family have been suffered to pass heedlessly along the broad way that leads to guilt, to misery and death! permitted to go astray, and wander from the Lord, instead of being suffered to come to Him!

Strict obedience to this precept would banish crime from human society; prisons and dungeons would no longer pollute the abodes of men, and the gallows and gibbet would be unknown.

Every christian community is bound to obey this in- junction: and "suffer little children to come unto me;" ought to be engraven on every temple and sanctuary in the land. But instead of this, what is the fact; the chil- dren of the poorer classes are for the most part treated like out-laws, permitted to run at large, and as soon as they are old enough to perpetrate mischief and crime, by a sort of retributive justice, they begin to prey up- on that community which has thus suffered them to grow up, under the withering, debasing influence of ignorance and neglect.

Every child should be considered as forming a con- stituent part of the community to which he belongs, and should as early as possible be preserved from all con- taminating influence; and means should be provided for the proper development of his mental and physical powers. Instead of being suffered to run wild, instead of being abandoned to his fate and utterly neglected, not a little lamb should by any means, be suffered to stray away from the field.

This would be acting in accordance with the spirit and tenor of the divine exhortation; this would indeed be suffering little children to come unto Him, this would be worthy of the high original, the exalted destiny of - man, and would prepare him for the end of his exis- tence, a life of usefulness here, and of endless happiness hereafter.

But leaving morality and religion out of the question; as a matter of political economy and actual saving to the state, these establishments have no trifling claims on the attention of cconomists and legislators.

It is not our intention to enter upon any elaborate ar- guments to prove that most of the evil and disorder which infest society may be fairly traced to the neglect of this critical and interesting period of human life .- Reason and experience shew us, that it is in the spring time of life, the seed of knowledge and virtue are to be sown. And a higher authority informs us; "that what- soever a man sows, that shall he reap." .If the ground is not preoccupied with a good seed, the enemy will come by night and sow tares, for the mind cannot remain va- cant.

The fruit of this pernicious seed is perpetually man- ifesting itself in disturbing the peace and order of soci- ety,and the community are burthened with an enormous expense, to keep in check its all pervading influence.

It is a fact capable of demonstration, that the amount which has been expended in the erection of one prison alone in this city, would support a sufficient number of

387

REVOLUTIONARY ANECDOTE OF COL. McLANE.

1829.]

schools to educate ten thousand children upon the plan which we propose!

But the maxim has heretofore been, millions for pun- ishment, not a dollar for prevention!

Fellow citizens of Pennsylvania, awake! turn your at- tention to this subject; to you who have been accused of indifference towards the education of your sons, a glo- rious opportunity presents itself of retrieving your char- acter, and of taking that station among your sister states to which you are so well entitled. No longer spend your time and your money in fruitless attempts at refor- mation, by lopping off the branches whilst the root re- mains untouched; every returning year will then call for renewed and increased exertions, and the poisonous upas will continue to grow and expand, until its branches overspread the land; but strike at once at the root, and it will soon fall before you, never to spring forth again. U.S. Gaz.

REVOLUTIONARY ANECDOTE.

Colonel Allen McLane .- This venerable and disting- uished soldier of the Revolution, after having reached the patriarchal age of 83, closed his earthly pilgrimage at Wilmington, Delaware on Friday the 22d ult.

Colonel McLane was distinguished for daring person- al courage, and for his unremitted activity as a partizan officer. He was long attached to Lee's famous Legion of horse, which, throughout the war, was the terror of the British. An instance of his personal prowess, re- lated to us by himself, we may be permitted to give.

. :

While the British occupied Philadelphia, Col. Mc- Lane was constantly scouring the adjacent country, particularly the upper end of Philadelphia, Bucks, and Montgomery counties-seizing every opportunity to cut off the scouting parties of the enemy, to intercept their supplies of provision, and to take advantages of every opening which offered for striking a sudden blow. In this capacity, he rendered many important services to the army, and caused great alarm to the British; and though they frequently attempted to surprise and take him, yet such was his constant watchfulness, that none of their attempts succeeded. Having concerted with Cap- tain Craig, (now living, we believe, near Belvidere, N. J.) the plan of an attack upon a small detachment of the enemy, they agreed to rendezvous at a house near Shoe- makertown, eight miles from Philadelphia, on the Wil- low Grove Turnpike. Colonel McLane having order- ed his little band of troopers to follow at some distance, commanded two of them to precede the main body,but also to keep in his rear; and if they discovered an ene- emy to ride up to his side and inform him of it, without speaking aloud. While leisurely approaching the place of rendezvous, in this order, in the early grey of the morning, the two men directly in his rear, forgetting their orders, suddenly called out, "Colonel, the British!" faced about, and putting spurs to their horses, were soon out of sight. The Colonel, looking around, discovered that he was in the centre of a powerful ambuscade, in- to which the enemy. had silently allowed him to pass, without his observing them. They lined both sides of the road, and had been stationed there to pick up any straggling party of the Americans that might chance to pass. Immediately on finding they were discovered, a file of soldiers rose from the side of the high-way, and fired at the Colonel, but without effect-and as he put spurs to his horse, and mounted the road-side into the woods, the other part of the detachment also fired .- The Colonel miraculously escaped; but a shot striking his horse upon the flank, he dashed through the woods, and in a few minutes reached a parallel road upon the opposite side of the forest. Being familiar with the country he feared to turn to the left, as that course led to the city, and he might be intercepted by another am- buscade. Turning, therefore, to the right, his frighted horse carried him swiftly beyond the reach of those who had fired upon him. All at once, however, on emerging from a piece of woods, he observed several British

troopers stationed near the road-side, and directly in sight a-head, a farm house, around which he cbserved a whole troop of the enemy's cavalry drawn up. He dash- ed by the troopers near him without being molested, they believing he was on his way to the main body to surrender himself. The farm-house was situated at the intersection of two roads, presenting but few avenues by which he could escape. Nothing daunted by the form- idable array before him, he galloped up to the cross roads; on reaching which, he spurred his active horse, turned suddenly to the right, and was soon fairly out of reach of their pistols, though as he turned, he heard them call loudly to surrender or die! A dozen were in- stantly in pursuit; but, in short time, they all gave up the chase except two, Colonel McLane's liorse, scared by the first wound he had ever received, and being a chosen animal, kept a-head for several miles, while his two pursuers followed with unwearied eager- ness. The pursuit at length waxed so hot, that, as the Colonel's horse stepped out of a small brook which crossed the road, his pursuers entered it at the opposite margin. In ascending a little hill, the horses of the three were greatly exhausted, so much so that neither could be urged faster than a walk. Occasionally, as one of the troopers pursued on a little in advance of his companion, the Colonel slackened his pace, anxious to be attacked by one of the two-but no sooner was his willingness discovered than the other fell back to his station. They at length approached so near, that a con- versation took place between them: the troopers calling out, "Surrender, you damn'd rebel, or we'll cut you in pieces!" Suddenly, one of them rode up on the right side of the Colonel, and without drawing his sword, laid hold of the Colonel's collar. The latter, to use his own words, "had pistols which he knew he could depend upon." Drawing one from the holster, he placed it to the heart of his antagonist, fired, and tumbled him dead on the ground. Instantly, the other came up on his left, with his sword drawn, and also siezed the Colonel by the collar of his coat. A fierce and deadly struggle here ensued-in the course of which Colonel McLane was desparately wounded in the back of his left hand, the sword of his antagonist cutting asunder the veins and tendons of that member. Seizing a favourable op- portunity, he drew his other pistol, and with a steadiness of purpose which appeared even in his recital of the incident, placed it directly between the eyes of his ad- versary, pulled the trigger, and scattered his brains on every side of the road! Fearing that others were in pursuit, he abandoned his horse in the highway; and apprehensive, from his extreme weakness, that he might die from loss of blood. he crawled into an adjacent mill-pond, entirely naked, and at length succeeded in stopping the profuse flow of blood ac- casioned by his wound. We have seen a painting of this desperate encounter, very acurately representing the contest. It used to be common in our auction-rooms, but of late years has become scarce. It should be re- vived, painted on a large scale, and be hung up in the house of every man who venerates the memory of the departed patriots of his country. Sat. Bulletin.

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF MAJOR GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE.

[From the Casket.]

(Continued from page 376.

Some time previously to the opening of the cam- paign of 1778, Sir William Howe, at his own request, was recalled, in consequence of which the command in chief devolved on Sir Henry Clinton, who immediately began to prepare for the evacuation of Philadelphia.

Washington was early apprized of Clinton's intention of movement, and on the 17th June called a council of war, when the opinion of all his general officers was re - quired on the proper course to be pursued, all of whom concurred in sentiment that it would not be advisable to disturb the British army while crossing the Delaware, OF

388

ANTHONY WAYNE.

[JUNE

to enter the works about Philadelphia until they should be entirely evacuated. On the subject of a general or even a partial action, whilst the enemy should be on their march, a diversity of opinion existed.

Out of the number of seventeen general officers, Wayne and Cadwalader were the only two who were decidedly in favour of attacking the enemy; Fayette in- clined to this opinion, without absolutely adopting it; Greene was disposed for something more than the coun- cil were willing to concur in. On the 18th Philadelphia was evacuated by the British, who on the same day commenced their difficult march through Jersey, their destination, as was presumed, being New York. On the same day, General Washington broke up his camp at Valley Forge, for the purpose of following them, with views which were to be regulated by contingen- cies. On the 24th the main body of the American army was encamped about five miles from Princeton, in New Jersey, and that of the British at Allentown.

Being thus relatively situated as to his enemy, Wash- ington again convened his council of general officers, and stated to them the following facts: "The enemy's force is between nine and ten thousand rank and file. The American army on the ground is 10,684 effective rank and file, beside the advanced brigade under Gen- ral Maxwell of about 1200, and about 1200 militia."- After this statement he proposed the question "will it be advisable to hazard a general action:" all the gene- rals composing the council, excepting Wayne, Cadwal- ader being absent, gave a negative answer, like that of the day preceding the movement of the army from Val- Jey Forge. It was however agreed to strengthen the detachments which were then hovering on the flanks and rear of the British army, with an additional number of 1500 men, in pursuance of which General Scott join- ed the advanced troops with that body of men.

Marshall, in his life of Washington, says, "Though every general officer, except Wayne, had signed the ' opinion, given on the 24th, respecting the strength of this last detachment, yet the council had, on that point, been nearly equally divided. Those who were decided- ly against hazarding a serious action, either general or partial, conceived the number agreed on, competent to every purpose which ought to be contemplated; while others, who privately wished to bring on something more than light skirmishing, but had not sufficient con. fidence in themselves to hazard the responsibility of openly advising the measure, were desirous of augmen- ting it to 2,000 or 2,500 men." The fact was, as the same writer has said-"The American officers seem to have been influenced by the councils of the Europe- ans."

General Washington, who although cautious, yet pos- sessing a very enterprising disposition, did, from the commencement, indulge the most anxious desire to close with his antagonist, and finding himself supported by some officers whom he highly valued. he "resolved to take his measures on his own responsibility and with- out calling another council." He, therefore, despatched General Wayne, with 1000 selected men, to join the advanced corps, which now amounting to upwards of 4000, became a major general's command, the Marquis de la Fayette was ordered to that duty. These facts clearly evidenced Washington's intention that his antag- onist should not escape without a general action; inas- much as Wayne had openly advocated that measure, and Lafayette was favorable to a partial one, therefore, if an opening occurred it was certain that those officers would attack with their whole force, which it would be necessary to support with the main army. They were also accompanied by Colonel Hamilton, aid to the com- mander in chief, "who felt the strongest desire to sig- nalize the detachment, and to accomplish all the wishes of his general."

ing declined it, was lessening him in the estimation of both officers and soldiers, he now solicited it. Washing- ington granted his request, provided the marquis had not commenced any enterprise. Lee advanced with two additional brigades, and no enterprise having been com- menced by the marquis, although on the very eve of it, the senior General assumed the command of the advan- ced corps, now amounting to several thousand men .- Lee encamped at English town, and the main army mo- ved forward about three miles in his rear. Sir Henry had taken a strong position near Monmouth Court- house, about seven miles in advance of Lee, whilst Mor- gan's corps hung on the enemy's right, and Gen. Dick- inson on their left.

This being the relative situation of the armies, Wash- ington determined to attack the British rear the moment they moved from their ground. About 5 o'clock in the morning of the 28th June, intelligence was received that the front of the enemy was in motion. The troops were immediately put under arms, and orders dispatch- ed to General Lee, directing him to move on and at -. tack the rear, "unless there should be powerful reasons to the contrary." He at the same time was informed that the main body would be on its march to support him. In pursuance of these orders Lee made his dis- positions for attack, from which Sir Henry discovering that his flanks and rear were both threatened, and be- coming alarmed for his baggage, sent it forward, and covered the rear with "the strength and flower of his ar- my." General Lee, in the first instance, supposing that their rear was protected by no more than 1800 or 2000 men, gave orders to General Wayne to advance on them with 700 men and two pieces of artillery, while he, by a short route on the left, would gain their front, and by these means cut off the covering party from the main body. Sir Henry, discovering Wayne advancing, immediately wheeled about a body of horse and infant- ry, and commenced an attack, which was gallantly and speedily repulsed, and intended to be followed up by the artillery and a charge of bayonet, but while the dis- position was making for this purpose, a general retreat of the whole advance corps was ordered, which Lee af- terwards states was done for the purpose of falling back on more eligible ground, the covering party being in numbers far beyond his first estimate. General Wayne having been unsupported in his movement against the enemy, experienced very great difficulty in reaching the retreating troops. Washington, who had not recei- ved any intelligence from Gen. Lee on the subject of the unlooked for retreat, coming up 'about noon, beheld- with equal mortification and surprise, the whole advan- ced corps retiring before the enemy, without having made but one, and that unsupported, effort to maintain their ground."

The commander-in-chief riding towards the rear met Lee, and proposed certain questions which implied cen- sure-Lee felt it, and replied with warmth and unbe- coming language. Washington passed on to the rear of the retreating troops, whom he found closely pressed by the enemy-when he instantly took an advantageous piece of ground, and there posted a body of troops in order to give the enemy the first check.

General Lee being at this time told by one of his aids that Washington had taken the command, he replied, "then I have nothing further to do," turned his horse and rode after his excellency in front; on Lee's coming up, the general gave him orders to take proper mea- sures with the residue of his division to stop the British column on that ground; when Lee replied, "your orders shall be obeyed, and I will not be the first to leave the field." Washington after this immediately rode forward to the main army which was formed with the utmost ex- pedition. The general action shortly after commenced. The day was remarkably sultry, the army much fatigu- ed by its previous march, and at first thrown into some confusion by the unexpected retreat of the advanced

General Lee in the first instance, although entitled to this command, declined it, as he was against both a par- tial or general action; but, on discovering that his hay- I corps, nevertheless the palm of victory was contended

1829.]

ANTHONY WAYNE.

389

for by Washington's army until night separated the com- batants, with a spirit that will never be forgotten by A- mericans and the friends of freedom.

This engagement produced an additional sprig of lau- relfor the wreath of Wayne. The commander in chief, in his official report to Congress of the action, observes -"'Were I to close my account of this day's transactions without expressing my obligations to the officers of the army in general, I should do injustice to their merit and violence to my own feelings. They seemed to vie with each other in manifesting their zeal and bravery. The catalogue of those who distinguished themselves is too long to admit of particularizing individuals. I cannot, however, forbear mentioning Brigadier General Wayne, whose good conduct and bravery, throughout the whole action, deserves particular commendation."

The following extract of a family Jetter, of General Wayne, gives a concise account of the battle of Mon- mouth, so far as he was personally engaged in it: 1

Spotiswood, 1st July, 1778.

"On Sunday, the 28th of June, our flying army came in view of the enemy about 8 o'clock in the morning, when I was ordered to advance and attack them with a few men; the remainder of the corps under Gen. Lee was to have supported me, we accordingly advanced and received a charge from the British horse and infant- ry, which was soon repulsed. Our general, however, thought proper to order a retreat, in place of advancing, without firing a single shot, the enemy following in force, which rendered it very difficult for the small force I had, to gain the main body, being hard pushed, and frequently nearly surrounded. After falling back al- most a mile we met his excellency, who, surprised at our retreat, knowing that officers as well as men were in high spirits, and wished for nothing more than .to be faced about and meet the British fire, he accordingly ordered me to keep post where he met us, having a bo- dy of troops with two pieces of artillery then under my command, and to keep the enemy in play until he had an opportunity of forming the main army and restoring order.

We had just taken post when the enemy began their attack with horse, foot and artillery, the fire of their uni- ted force obliged us, after a severe conflict to give way; after which a most severe cannonade, accompanied by small arms, was opened by our left wing on the enemy, which gave them an effectual check. During the in- terval, which this occasioned, every possible exertion was made use of by his Excellency and the other gene- rals to spirit up the troops, and prepare them for anoth- er trial.

The enemy began to advance again in a heavy column with the view of turning our left flank, but in this they failed. They then made a similar effort on our right, and whilst our artillery was handsomely playing on them, I advanced with a strong body of troops-we met the enemy-the contest was exceedingly warm and well maintained on each side for a considerable time, at length victory declared for us; British courage failed, and was forced to give way to American valor.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 108

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440