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To his excellency George Washington, esquire, general, return again in peace and triumph to enjoy the and commander in chief of the armies of the

United States of America,

The address of the citizens of New-York, who have returned from exile, in behalf of themselves and their suffering brethren:

fruits of your virtuous conduct.

The fortitude and perseverance which you and
your suffering brethren have exhibited in the course
of the war, have not only endeared you to your
countrymen, but will be remembered with admira-
tion and applause, to the latest posterity.

May the tranquility of your city be perpetual—
may the ruins soon be repaired, commerce flourish,
science be fostered, and all the civil and social vir-
tues be cherished in the same illustrious manner
which formerly reflected so much credit on the
inhabitants of New York. In fine, may every species
of felicity attend you, gentlemen, and your worthy
fellow-citizens.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The address to gov. Clinton, with the answer.

SIR-At a moment when the army of tyranny is yielding up its fondest usurpations, we hope the salutations of long-suffering exiles, but now happy freemen, will not be deemed an unhappy tribute. In this place, and at this moment of exultation and triumph, while the ensigns of slavery still linger in our sight, we look up to you, our deliverer, with unusual transports of gratitude and joy. Permit us to welcome you to this city, long torn from us by the hard hand of oppression, but now, by your wisdom and energy, under the guidance of Providence, once more the seat of peace and freedom. We forbear to speak To his excellency George Clinton esquire, governor of our gratitude or your praise. We should but echo the voice of applauding millions. But the citizens of New-York are eminently indebted to your virtues; and we, who have now the honor to address your excellency, have often been companions of your sufferings and witnesses of your exertions. Sru-When we consider your faithful labors at Permit us, therefore, to approach your excellency the head of the government of this state, devoid, as with the dignity and sincerity of freemen, and to assure you that we shall preserve, with our latest breath, our gratitude for your services, and venera tion for your character; and accept of our sincere and earnest wishes that you may long enjoy that The state, sir, is highly indebted to you in your calm domestic felicity, which you have so gener-military capacity; a sense of your real merit will ously sacrificed-that the cries of injured liberty secure to you that reputation which a brave man may never more interrupt your repose-and that opposing himself in defence of his country, will your happiness may be equal to your virtues.

Signed, at the request of the meeting,

Thomas Randall,
Danl. Phoenix,
Saml. Broome,
Wm. Gilbert, sen.
Francis Van Dyck,
Geo. Janeway,

Ephraim Brashier,

New-York, Nov. 25, 1783.

Thomas Tucker,
Henry Kipp,
Pat. Dennison,
Wm. Gilbert, jun.
Jeremiah Wool,
Abrm. P. Lott.

the state of New York, commander in chief of the
militia, and admiral of the navy of the same,
The address of the citizens of New York, who have
returned from exile, in behalf of themselves and
their suffering brethren:

we conceive every free people ought to be, of flat-
tery, we think we should not be wanting in grati-
tude to your vigilant and assiduous services in the

civil line.

ever deserve.

We most sincerely congratulate you on your hap. py arrival at the capital of the state. Your excellency hath borne a part with us in the general distress, and was ever ready to alleviate the calamities you could not effectually remove. Your example taught us to suffer with dignity.

We beg leave to assure your excellency that, as prudent citizens and faithful subjects to the people

His excellency's answer to the citizens of New York, of the state of New York, we will do every thing

who have returned from exile:

GENTLEMEN--I thank you sincerely for your affectionate address, and entreat you to be persuaded that nothing could be more agreeable to me than your polite congratulations. Permit me, in return, to felicitate you on the happy repossession of your city.

Great as your joy must be on this pleasing occasion, it can scarcely exceed that which I feel at seeing you, gentlemen, who, from the noblest motives, bave suffered a voluntary exile of many years,

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His excellency's reply.

dition of, and proceedings in, that town many years ago, from which we select the following as suited to the design of this work:

GENTLEMEN--Accept my most sincere thanks for your very affectionate and respectful address: Citizens who, like you, to vindicate the sacred cause of The British army evacuated Boston on the forefreedom, quitted their native city, their fortunes noon of Sunday, the 17th March, 1776. On the afand possessions, and sustained, with manly forti- ternoon of that day I landed (in company with a surtude, the rigors of a long and painful exile, super. geon who was ordered in by genenral Washington) added to the grievous calamities of a vengeful war, at the bottom of the common, near the high bluff, merit, in an eminent degree, the title of patriots which was taken away a few years ago to make and the esteem of mankind; and your confidence Charles-street. The first object that I observed on and approbation are honors which cannot be receiv. landing was a thirteen inch iron mortar on the beach ed without the utmost sensibility or contemplated of extraordinary dimensions and weight, which the without gratitude and satisfaction. British had thrown down from a battery they had To your sufferings and to the invincible spirit erected on the height above. I was told that anowith which they were surmounted, I have been wit.ther of the same size was sunk at the end of the ness, I have deeply lamented that I had not means long-wharf, which was afterwards raised. One of to alleviate them equal to my inclination. them is now at the navy-yard in Charleston, and the

The assurances of your firm support in the admi-other was a few years since on the grand battery at nistration of government, give me singular plea New-York, were it was carried in the same year. sure. A reverence for the laws is peculiarly essen- On crossing the common we found it very much tial to public safety and prosperity under our free disfigured with ditches and cellars, which had been constitution; and should we suffer the authority of dug by the British troops for their accommodation the magistrate to be violated for the sake of private when in camp. To our great regret, we saw several vengeance, we should be unworthy of the number- large trees lying in the mall, which had been cut less blessings which an indulgent Providence hath down that morning. We were informed that the placed in our reach. I shall endeavor steadily to dis-tories were so exasperated at being obliged to leave charge' my duty, and I flatter myself that this state the town, that they were determined to do all the will become no less distinguished for justice and public tranquility, in peace, than it has hitherto been marked, in war, for vigor, fortitude and per

severance.

mischief possible, and had commenced destroying that beautiful promenade; but it being told to some of the selectmen, they went in haste to general Howe, and represented the circumstance, who kindGentlemen-Your kind congratulations on my ar- ly sent one of his aids to forbid the futher destrucrival at this metropolis, after so long an absence, are tion of the trees, and to reprimand the tories for highly acceptable, and I most cordially felicitate their conduct. General Howe could not but feel you on the joyful events which have restored us to some degree of grateful regard and sympathy for the the free and uncontrolable enjoyment of our rights. people of Massachusetts, as they had erected a monWhile we regard, with inviolable gratitude and af- ument in Westminster Abbey to the memory of his fection all who have aided us by their counsel or their brother, whose urbane and gentlemanly deport. arms, let us not be unmindful of that Almighty Be-ment, had gained the esteem and respect of the ing, whose gracious Providence has been manifestly Massachusetts forces, and who was killed in a batinterposed for our deliverance and protection, and tle with the French and Indians in 1758.

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The mall was originally laid out with only two rows of trees, a third was added a few years before the war, which we found were all cut down for fuel, together with the entire fence which surrounded the common, as was also a large magnificent tree which stood on the town's land, near the school house, in West-street, of equal size with that which now stands in the middle of the common, both of which I suppose to be aboriginal.

RECOLLECTIONS OF A BOSTONIAN. In the latter end of the year 1821 and early in 1822, a series of papers were published in the "Boston On passing into the town, it presented an indeCentinel," under the head of "Recollections of a scribable scene of desolation and gloominess, for notBostonian"--in which the public were presented withstanding the joyous occasion of having driven with many curious facts in relation to the con-our enemies from our land, our minds were im.

pressed with an awful sadness at the sight of the Sewall, because he never wore a wig, which restorruins of many houses which had been taken down fed the poor fellow to his senses. It was generally for fuel-the dirtiness of the streets-the wretched supposed to be a trick of one of the English soldiers, appearance of the very few inhabitants who remain-who wished to frighten a superstitious Scotchman; ed during the siege-the contrast between the Sun- and for that purpose, had dressed himself in the day we then beheld, compared with those we for- clerical habit of the rev. Mr. Cooke, of the Menomerly witnessed, when well dressed people, with tomy, which he had plundered, on his retreat at the cheerful countenances, were going to, and retur- battle of Lexington.

ning from church, on which occasion, Boston exhiIn a former communication, I mentioned that bits so beautiful a scene-but more especially when one of the causes which led to the massacre of the we entered the Old South church, and had ocular 5th of March, 1770, was the affray between the inhademonstration that it had been turned into a RIDING bitants and the British soldiers, an account of which SCHOOL, for the use of general Burgoyne's regiment was related to me shortly after the event, by one who of cavalry, which formed a part of the garrison, but was an eye witness. which had never ventured to pass the barriers of the At that time there was only one house on the east town. The pulpit and all the pews were taken side of what is now called Pearl street, in which then away and burnt for fuel, and many hundred loads of resided CHARLES PAXTON, esq. On the west side of dirt and gravel were carted in, and spread upon the the street, stood four or five rope walks, extending floor. The south door was closed, and a bar was from the upper to the lower end of the street, which fixed, over which the cavalry were taught to leap were all burnt in 1794. On Saturday afternoon, on their horses at full speed. A grog shop was erect the 3d March, 1770, a British soldier of the 29th reed in the gallery, where liquor was sold to the solgiment, accosted a negro who was employed in one diery, and consequently produced scenes of riot and of the rope walks, by enquiring "whether his masdebauchery in that holy temple. All these circum-ter wanted to hire a man." (The soldiers who were stances conspired to fill the mind with sombre re-mechanics were sometimes hired as journeymen). flections. But amidst the sadness of the scene, The negro answered that his "master wished to have there was a pleasing satisfaction in the hope that the VAULT EMPTIED, and that was a proper work for men, capable of such atrocities, could not have the a Lobster." This produced a conflict between the blessing of Heaven in their nefarious plan of sub-soldier and the negro, and, before relief came to jugating our beloved country. The English sol- his assistance, the negro was very severely beaten. diers were generally Episcopalians, and viewed this Some rope-walk men, (among whom was Mr. GRAY, act with indifference, but the Scotch, who were the foreman of the walk), came up and parted them. mostly dissenters, and much more moral and pious, Mr. GRAY, (who was a very respectable man), told looked upon it with horror, and not without some the soldier that "as he had obtained satisfaction for feelings of superstition. the insult, he had better go to his barracks." The

I was told that a ludicrous scene took place in the soldier "damned him" and said that "for six-pence course of the preceding winter. A good old wo- he would drub him as he had done the negro”—A man that frequently passed the church, was in the contest then took place between them in which the babit of stopping at the door, and with loud lamen soldier received a much worse beating than the netations, (amidst the hootings of the soldiery), begro, and went off to his barracks over Fort-hill, on wailed the desolation of the house of prayer. She Wheelwright's (now Foster's) wharf swearing redenounced on them the vengeance of Heaven, and venge. In about half an hour the soldier returned assured them that good old Dr. Sewall, the former with about seventy of his comrades, who came over parson of the church, would rise from his grave, and the hill huzzaing, armed with pipe staves split into carry them off.-A Scotch centinel was one night bludgeons, which they obtained at a cooper's shop, alarmed by an appearance of what he thought was and made the attack with great fury. Each party an apparition of the doctor. He screamed violentwas brave and intrepid, but the science in this kind ly, and alarmed the guard of grenadiers, who were of warfare, which the ropewalk men had obtained in always stationed at the Province-house, then occu- their "Pope Day" battles gave them a decided supied by general Howe. There was no pacifying him, until some one asked how the doctor was dressed, and he answered with a large wig and gown. One

*Lobsters was the usual term of contempt, expressed in those days by the citizens of Boston, toof the inhabitants who had been drawn there from don, in a late riot, at the queen's funeral, made use wards the British soldiers, and the citizens of Loncuriosity, assured him it could not have been doctor of the same epithet.

periority,and in their pursuit of the soldiers,halted on reputation for virtuous exertions in the hour of tri. Fort-hill, and gave three cheers in token of victory. al-patience under sufferings-and forbearance under severe provocation.

.

The noise of the shouting and huzzaing resound. ed far around, and excited the curiosity of those at The threats of the soldiers, as mentioned in my a distance. At that time, Mr. Hallowell, (grand- last communication, were put in execution on Monfather of the present Admiral Hallowell, in the day evening the 5th of March, 1770, by insulting British navy), owned and resided in the house in and abusing many inhabitants in various parts of Battery March-street, now occupied by Mr. Good- the town, which resulted in what was called the rich, near which he also owned a ship yard, about "horrid massacre," by which four persons were inwhere now stands the Commercial Coffee House, in stantly killed, one died of his wounds a few days which he usually employed about fifty or sixty men. succeeding, and about seventeen in the total killed There was a mast yard a little south and several and wounded. wood wharfs, on which were also employed har- Language cannot describe the horror and indignady laborers, who, together with the blacksmiths, tion which was excited through the town by this blockmakers, and other athletic mechanics in the dreadful event. The bells rang a terrific peal, neighborhood, (whose brawny arms could wield a which roused the whole population. More than five club with as much dexterity as an Highlander could thousand citizens were collected in State street and manage his broadsword), all ran towards the scene its vicinity. The 29th regt. was marched into the of combat. The bravery of the soldiers was not same street. The 14th reg. was under arms at their doubted, and accordingly, preparations were made barracks. What a scene for contemplation! Lieut. to repel another attack which was expected, and in governor Hutchinson, and the king's council, were which they were not disappointed.-The shouting assembled in the council chamber, even at the of the soldiers, issuing from the barrack yard, to the solemn hour of midnight! Many of the venerable number of more than three hundred, headed by citizens repaired to them and demanded the surthe sergeant-major, moving over the hill towards render of the criminals to justice. The high-shePearl street, soon gave the alarm. The soldiers pul- riff appeared in the balcony of the state house, and led down the fence in High street, (then called Cow ordered silence!!! An awful stillness ensuedlane), which inclosed the field, where now stands when, with a loud voice, he declared, that he was Quincy place. The rope-walk men pulled down the authorized by his honor the lieutenant governor and fence on the opposite side in Pearl street, when his majesty's council, with the consent of col. Dalboth parties rushed on each other with equal intre- rymple, to say that capt. Preston, and the men who pidity. But the Herculean strength of virtuous la- had committed the outrage, should be immediately bor, united with the activity and science of the Yan-delivered to the civil power, and requested the kees, soon obtained a triumph over an idle, inactive, citizens to retire peaceably to their dwellings; which, enervated, and intemperate, though brave soldiery. after the soldiers had marched off, was complied with. The effect of this rencontre was seen in the coun- The next day a town meeting was called, and the tenances and conduct of the soldiers the next and lieut. governor and council assembled, the proceedfollowing day, who looked vengeance on the inhabi-ings of which are very eloquently described by the tants, especially those whom they suspected to be venerable sage of Quincy in one of his letters to concerned in the affray on Saturday; and those of them, who where friendly to the citizens, advised them to remain at home on Monday evening, as revenge would then be taken.

The soldiers asserted on Sunday morning, that one of their men had died of his wounds, but as the body was never shewn, it was supposed to be only a pretence to justify the horrid scene which ensued on the Monday evening following.

Mr. Tudor, lately published.

The result of this melancholy affair was, that all the troops were ordered out of town, and the culprits brought to a trial, and acquitted, excepting two who were found guilty of manslaughter. The trial was one of the most important that had ever come before an American tribunal, especially as the public mind was wrought up to the highest tone of indignation. It established the character of the judiciary for purity and independence, which had So much has been written on the subject of the been questioned by the tories. The law was trimassacre of the 5th of March, 1779, that it is un-umphant, but the needless barbarity of the act never pleasant to repeat "ugly recollections" respecting doubted.

The funeral of the unfortunate victims was attend. that horrid scene, except when it is necessary to vindicate our town from slander-to establish its ed with great pomp and parade. Thousands came

from the country; and the whole number that fol- [ become a member of her illustrious senate, and, aflowed them to the grave, was supposed to exceed ter a peace of thirty years, a strenuous advocate for ten thousand! declaration of war against his native country!

History does not (perhaps) record an instance, where the moral and patriotic character of a city was ever more conspicuous than Boston exhibited on this occasion.

It was supposed by many, that the above recited horrid event, did more to effect an alienation of the affections of the people of New England from the British government, than any other whatever.

When I bring to my recollection, Mr. Russel, that solemn and impressive scene, when the high sheriff was delivering the governor's message from the balcony to the assembled thousands, I am irresistibly drawn to a contemplation of what must have been the wonder and astonishment of any one of that vast crowd of citizens, if an angel had descended from heaven and unfolded to him the events of futurity:-That, in less than seven short years, we should throw off our allegiance to a beloved king, and our connection with our mother country, to which we then looked with solicitude and affection, and fondly called it our home! That to establish our independence, would produce an eight years' war, in which all Europe would be directly or indirectly engaged! That seven young men, among that populace, would array themselves against their native country, and, finally, become admirals and generals in the English service! That one of them, then only an apprentice to a Cornhill shop keeper, should become distinguished, not only as a British officer, but as a general and a count in the German empire! A philosopher of a new school, which for usefulness would be paramount to all others, and at his death, establish a professorship in the university in our neighborhood.

And, "tho' last not least" among the citizens, was a young barrister whose brilliant talents would place hun in the front ranks of patriotism, and cause him to become an ardent asserter of independence-an ambassador to England, France and Holland-the father of a navy, (destined to be the rival of the mistress of the sea), and finally the first magistrate of a great nation. In the council chamber, were many in the height of prosperity and honor, who, in a few years, fell from their elevated stations; and a go. vernor, who, then basking in the sunshine of royal favor, was speedily consigned to infamy and ruin, and, it is said, died of a broken heart.

Such are the wonderful vicissitudes to which the life of man is subjected.

I believe it is Voltaire who says, that the publishing of history does not depend on its truth. The only question the publishers ask, is-“Will it sell?” which brings to my recollection some circumstances relative to Gordon's history of the American revolution.

In the year 1784, I became acquainted with an English gentleman, whose prejudices against our country were as violent, as they had been previous to his emigration in favor of it. One day when he was inveighing most bitterly against our conduct and institutions, he mentioned, with great asperity, the tarring and feathering of John Malcom, (a British custom-house officer), before the revolution, whose only crime, he said, was chastising an impudent boy. I told him, that if Mr. Malcom had not have drawn his sword on the boy, no notice would have been taken of his conduct. I did not however attempt to justify the deed, as it was condemned by good men of both parties; yet I insisted, that

That among them were two youths, a physician and a bookseller, who would become generals in the service of their native country; and one of the character of the town or country ought not to be them, by his heroic exertions in defending a post, implicated, as it was done in the night, by a very few would call forth the astonishment of the oldest ve- disorderly persons in disguise, who, if they had been terans and lose his life in the attempt! That among discovered, would have been amenable to, and puthem were forty young men, members of a military nished by the laws. I then related to him the concompany, most of whom would become officers of duct of colonel Nesbit, of the 47th British regiment, artillery, and would distinguish themselves, (par- who caused an innocent countryman to be tarred ticularly on one occasion), where they would exhi- and feathered,and carted publicly through the streets bit so much science and adroitness, as to command at noon day, with a guard of grenadiers, and the the admiration of their English and German foes! band of the regiment playing "Yankee doodle,” and More wonderful yet-that among the principal offi- himself at the head of the party, in defiance of those cers of the 29th British regiment, then arrayed laws he was sent to protect and enforce. My Engagainst the inhabitants, was one who would become lish friend seemed to think I was mistaken in the an highly respected American citizen! would hold person of col. Nesbit, and thought it impossible that important offices under the American goverment; a colonel of one of his majesty's regiments, could be

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