DURING the revolutionary war, while Fort Motte, situated on Congaree river, in South Carolina, was in the hands of the British, in order to effect its surrender, it became necessary to burn a large mansion standing near the centre of the trench. The house was the property of Mrs. Motte. Lieut. Colonel Lee communicated to her the contemplated work of destruction with painful reluctance, but her smiles, half anticipating his proposal, showed, at once, that she was willing to sacrifice her property if she could thereby aid in the least degree towards the expulsion of the enemy and the salvation of the land. The reply she made to the proposal was that she was "gratified with the opportunity of of contributing to the good of her country, and should view the approaching scene with delight!"

"GOVERNOR GRISWOLD was once indebted to a happy thought of his wife for his escape from the British, to whom he was extremely obnoxious. He was at home, but expected to set out immediately for Hartford, to meet the legislature, which had commenced its session a day or two previous. The family residence was at Blackhill, opposite Saybrook Point, and situated on the point of land formed by Connecticut river on the east, and Long Island Sound on the south. British ships were lying in the sound; and as the governor was known to be at this time in his own mansion, a boat was secretly sent ashore for the purpose of securing his person. Without previous warning, the family were alarmed by seeing a file of marines coming up from the beach to the house. There was no time for flight. Mrs. Griswold bethought herself of a large meat barrel, or tierce, which had been brought in a day or two before, and was not yet filled. Quick as thought, she decided that the governor's proportions-which were by no means

slight must be compressed into this, the only available hidingplace. He was obliged to submit to be stowed in the cask and covered. The process occupied but a few moments, and the soldiers presently entered. Mrs. Griswold was of course innocent of all knowledge of her husband's whereabouts, though she told them she well knew the legislature was in session, and that business required his presence at the capital. The house and cellar having been searched without success, the soldiers departed. By the time their boat reached the ship, the governor was galloping up the road on his way to Hartford.'

"A BRITISH officer, distinguished by his inhumanity and constant oppression of the unfortunate, meeting Mrs. Charles Elliot in a garden, adorned with a great variety of flowers, asked the name of the Camomile, which appeared to flourish with peculiar luxuriance. The Rebel Flower,' she replied. Why was that name given to it?' inquired the officer. 'Because,' rejoined the lady, 'it thrives most when most trampled upon.""

"MRS. DANIEL HALL having obtained permission to pay a visit to her mother on John's Island, was on the point of embarking, when an officer stepping forward in the most authoritative manner, demanded the key of her trunk. What do you expect to find there?' asked the lady. 'I seek for treason,' was the reply. 'You may then save yourself the trouble of search,' said Mrs. Hall. You may find plenty of it at my tongue's end.'"

"MRS. THOMAS HEYWARD, in two instances, with the utmost firmness, refused to illuminate for British victories. An officer

forced his way into her presence, and sternly demanded of Mrs Heyward, How dare you disobey the order which has been issued; why, madam, is not your house illuminated?'-'Is it possible for me, sir,' replied the lady, with perfect calmness, to feel a spark of joy? Can I celebrate the victory of your army, while my husband remains a prisoner at St. Augustine?—That,' rejoined the officer, 'is of but little consequence; the last hopes of rebellion are crushed by the defeat of Green at Guildford. You shall illuminate.'-Not a single light,' replied the lady, 'shall be placed with my consent, on such an occasion, in any window of my house. Then, madam, I will return with a party, and, before midnight, level it with the ground.'-'You have power to destroy, sir, and seem well disposed to use it; but over my opinions you possess no control: I disregard your menaces, and resolutely declare-I will not illuminate !'"

"A REMARKABLE scene is related by Dr. Ramsay, to have occurred on the occasion of Fort Augusta, commanded by Colonel Browne, being taken, which well deserves to be recorded. Passing through the settlement where the most wanton waste had recently been made by the British, both of lives and property, a Mrs. M'Koy having obtained permission to speak to Colonel Browne, addressed him in words to the following effect: Colonel Browne-in the late day of your prosperity, I visited your camp, and on my knees supplicated for the life of my son; but you were deaf to my entreaties. You hanged him, though a beardless youth, before my face! These eyes have seen him scalped by the savages under your immediate command, and for no better reason than that his name was M'Koy. As you are a prisoner to the leaders of my country, for the present I lay aside all thoughts of

revenge; but when you resume your sword, I will go five hundred miles to demand satisfaction at the point of it, for the murder son.''

of my

SHORTLY after the commencement of the war, the family of Dr. Channing, then residing in England, removed to France, and sailed in a stout and well-armed vessel for America. They had proceeded but a little way when they were attacked by a privateer. A fierce engagement ensued, during which Mrs. Channing kept the deck, handing cartridges, aiding the wounded, and exhorting the crew to resist until death. Their fortitude, however, did not correspond with the ardor of her wishes, and the colors were struck. Seizing the pistols and side-arms of her husband, she threw them into the sea, declaring that she would rather die than see him surrender them to an enemy."

"THE haughty Tarleton, vaunting his feats of gallantry, to the great disparagement of the officers of the continental cavalry, said to a lady at Wilmington-'I have a very earnest desire to see your far-famed hero, Colonel Washington.'-Your wish, colonel, might have been fully gratified,' she promptly replied, ‘had you ventured to look behind you, after the battle of the Cowpens.'

"It was in that battle that Washington had wounded Tarleton, which gave rise to a still more pointed retort. Conversing with Mrs. Wiley Jones, Colonel Tarleton observed: "You appear to think very highly of Colonel Washington; and yet I have been told that he is so ignorant a fellow, that he can hardly write his own name. It may be the case,' she readily replied, but no

man better than yourself, colonel, can testify, that he knows how to make his mark.'"

"PRE-EMINENT in malignity stood the Engineer Moncrief. The instances of oppression issuing from his implacable resentment, would fill a volume. I shall confine myself to one anecdote.

"Mrs. Pinkney, mother of C. C. Pinkney, solicited as a favor that he would not suffer certain oak trees of remarkable beauty on a farm which he occupied, to be destroyed, as they were highly valued by her son, having been planted by his father's hand.

And where is your son, madam ?'-' At Haddrels, sir, a prisoner.' -'And he wishes me, madam, to have these trees preserved ?''Yes, sir, if possible.'-'Then tell him, madam, that they will make excellent firewood, and he may depend upon it they shall be burnt.' Colonel Moncrief was no jester. The promptitude of his actions left no room for suspense. An opportunity was offered to injure and to insult, and he embraced it. The trees were burnt."

"MARGARET WHETTEN, the wife of Capt. William Whetten, of New York, was one of the true mothers of the Revolution. During a part of the war, she resided on Cliff street, near the rear of St. George's chapel. There, if we mistake not, she became a widow; and though not left in affluent circumstances, she made her house an asylum, especially for the wounded and suffering whigs. For a long time she prepared food daily for the imprisoned soldiers, and often visited them and cheered their drooping hearts by her lively and hope-giving conversation. She was also accustomed to visit the hospitals; and even the Provost was not