a satisfactory answer from any person, who claimed the title of a gentleman. The answer, which she actually received, was, however, rude, and brutal; and spoke the want not only of politeness, and humanity, but even of vulgar civility. The house was sentenced to the flames, and was speedily set on fire. An attempt was made, in the mean time, by some of the soldiery, to rob her of a valuable watch, with rich furniture: for Gov. Tryon refused to protect her, as well as to preserve the house. The watch had been already conveyed out of their reach: but the house, filled with every thing, which contributes either to comfort or elegance of living, was laid in ashes.

While the town was in flames, a thunder-storm overspread the heavens, just as night came on. The conflagration of near two hundred houses illumined the earth, the skirts of the clouds, and the waves of the Sound, with an union of gloom and grandeur, at once inexpressibly awful and magnificent. The sky speedily was hung with the deepest darkness, wherever the clouds were not tinged by the melancholy lustre of the flames. At intervals, the lightenings blazed with a livid and terrible splendour. The thunder rolled above. Beneath, the roaring of the fires filled up the intervals, with a deep and hollow sound, which seemed to be the protracted murmur of the thunder, reverberated from one end of heaven to the other. Add to this convulsion of the elements, and these dreadful effects of vindictive and wanton devastation, the trembling of the earth; the sharp sound of muskets, occasionally discharged; the groans, here and there, of the wounded and dying; and the shouts of triumph: then place before your eyes crowds of the miserable sufferers, mingled with bodies of the militia, and from the neighbouring hills taking a farewell prospect of their property and their dwellings, their happiness and their hopes: and you will form a just but imperfect picture of the burning of Fairfield. It needed no great effort of imagination to believe, that the final day had arrived; and that, amid this funereal darkness, the morning would speedily dawn, to which no night would ever succeed; the graves yield up their inhabitants; and the trial commence, at which was to be finally settled the destiny of man.

The apology, made by Gov. Tryon for this Indian effort, was conveyed in the following sentence. "The village was burnt, to resent the fire of the rebels from their houses, and to mask our retreat." This declaration unequivocally proves, that the rebels were troublesome to their invaders; and at the same time is to be considered as the best apology, which they were able to make. But it contains a palpable falsehood, intended to justify conduct, which admits of no excuse, and rejects with disdain every attempt at palliation. Why did this body of men land at Fairfield at all? There were here no stores; no fortress; no enemy; except such as were to be found in every village throughout the United States. It was undoubtedly the original object of the expedition to set fire to this town, and the apology was created after the work was done. It was perfectly unnecessary to mask the retreat. The townsmen, and the little collection of farmers, assembled to aid them, had no power to disturb it. No British officer, no British soldier, would confess, that in these circumstances he felt the least anxiety concerning any molestation from such opposers.

The injuries done to a single family, were an immense overbalance for all the good acquired in this expedition, either by the individuals engaged in it, or the nation in whose service they acted. Particularly that highly respectable pair, Mr. and Mrs. Burr, in the loss of the mansion of their ancestors, and the treasures, with which it had been stored through a long succession of years; where the elegant hospitality, which had reigned in it; the refined enjoyments, which were daily felt, and daily distributed to the friend, and the stranger; the works of charity, which were there multiplied; and the rational piety, which was at once the animating, and controlling principle; diffused a brilliancy, marked even by the passing eye; lost more than the whole British nation gained by this devastation.

The next morning the troops re-embarked; and, proceeding to Green's Farms, set fire to the church, and consumed it; together with fifteen dwelling-houses, eleven barns, and several stores. Among the houses was that of the Rev. Dr. Ripley; the respectable clergyman of this parish. Here, also, was another proof,

that burning was the object of the expedition. The number of dwelling-houses consumed in Fairfield was eighty-five; of barns, fifty-five of stores, fifteen; of shops, fifteen; &c. &c.

The question has often been asked, "Why do so many of the Americans entertain such hostile feelings towards Great Britain?" One answer to this question will be found in the scenes which I have described. Let us admit that an enemy may be justified, even in burning a town, when the strength of his foe will be materially lessened by the conflagration; his resolution broken; his hostility essentially diminished; and the prospect of bringing the controversy to a speedy termination, in an important degree increased. Here, neither of these objects was achieved. The strength of the Americans remained entire; and their animosity was more intense. Nothing was done, but mischief: and nothing was probably aimed at, but the gratification of ill-nature. The name of Tryon is, here, that of an incendiary; and will go down to succeeding generations with unmingled infamy.

Near the Eastern limit of this township is the harbour of BlackRock its shores ornamented with a small, but neat, village. This, next to that of New-London, is the best harbour in the State. The land, by which it is enclosed, is perhaps unrivalled in its beauty. A more elegant piece of ground than Grover's hill can scarcely be conceived. But notwithstanding the excellence of the harbour, and the conveniences which it furnishes for commerce, the place has been long neglected. Business is now commencing in it with a fair promise of success.

In the year 1756, Fairfield contained 4,455 inhabitants; blacks 260. In 1774, it contained 4,863; Indians 4; blacks 315. Both these enumerations included the township of Weston, afterwards taken from Fairfield. In 1790, the number of inhabitants in Fairfield was 4,009; in Weston 2,469. In 1800, the number of inhabitants was 3,735, in Fairfield; in Weston 2,680. In 1810, Fairfield contained 4,125; and Weston 2,618.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

LETTER VIII.

Stratford-Bridgeport-Rev. Dr. Johnson-County of Fairfield-Its boundaries, surface, soil, divisions, healthfulness, &c.-Milford-Rev. Samuel Andrew-Milford Marble-Long-Island Sound-Hellgate, or Hurlgate.

Dear Sir,

STRATFORD borders upon Fairfield Eastward. The surface, though less beautiful than that of Fairfield, is yet very pleasing to the eye of a traveller. A plain extends along the Sound from its Western boundary to the Hooestennuc, about six miles. This plain is a handsome piece of ground, bordered on the North by several hills. The soil also is of an excellent quality.

Stratford contains two parishes: Stratford, and Stratfield; four villages: the town, the borough of Bridgeport, the Old Mill, and Pughquonnuck; and four Congregations: two Episcopal, and two Presbyterian. Two of these Congregations are in Stratford; the other two in Stratfield, which includes Bridgeport.

Stratford was originally known by the Indian name of Cupheag. It was purchased in 1639 by Mr. Fairchild, the principal planter; and settlements were begun the same year. The Indians in this sale reserved several valuable tracts for their own cultivation; but both the title, and the proprietors, are now, I believe, extinct.

Stratfield, the Western parish, is extremely pleasant. There is not in the State a prettier village than the borough of Bridgeport. In the year 1783, there were scarcely half a dozen houses in this place. It now contains probably more than one hundred, built on both sides of Pughquonnuck river, a beautiful mill-stream, forming at its mouth the harbour of Bridgeport. The situation of this village is very handsome, particularly on the Eastern side of the river. A more cheerful, and elegant piece of ground can scarcely be imagined than the point, which stretches between the Pughquonnuck, and the Old-mill brook; and the prospects, presented by the harbours at the mouths of these streams, the Sound, and the surrounding country, are in a fine season gay and brilliant, perhaps without a parallel. The style of building, adopted

here, is also unusually happy. None of the houses are large, or splendid; but almost all of them, together with their appendages, leave upon the mind an impression of neatness, and cheerfulness, not often found elsewhere.

There are two churches in this village: an Episcopal, and a Presbyterian; both respectable buildings, appearing like twins on the opposite sides of a small green. The Episcopal church in Fairfield is a plurality, belonging to this cure.

There is a Baptist church, built in the rear of this parish, within the limits of Fairfield; the congregation of which is collected out of several townships, whose corners are near this spot.

The two parts of Bridgeport are connected by a bridge, ninety rods in length, which crosses the Pughquonnuck in the centre of the village, and was the origin of its name.

The

The inhabitants are almost all merchants, and mechanics. Their commerce is principally carried on coastwise. For several years there was an academy here; but it is now discontinued. Scarcely any situation is more distinguished for health. number of inhabitants is between six and seven hundred. Stratford is a considerable town, containing, as I should judge, more than one hundred and fifty houses; and is better built than either of the preceding towns. The principal street is a mile in length, running parallel with the Hooestennuc, straight, and wide. It contains also two churches: a Presbyterian, and an Episcopal. The inhabitants have long been agitated by religious and political controversies. The usual effects, as well as causes, have existed here in their full extent. To detail them would be an invidious

task.

The people of Stratford are excellent farmers; and their fields in tolerable seasons, exhibit crops, which are rarely exceeded in this country.

The Rev. Dr. Johnson, the first Episcopal Minister in this town, was a man of distinguished reputation; and may be considered as the father of Episcopacy in Connecticut, and perhaps as the most distinguished Clergyman of that description, who has been settled within its limits. This gentleman was born at GuilVOL. III.

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