passion of congress, that aid which distress alone entitled them to receive. Their petition was referred to Mr. Ellery and two other members, who deliberated upon it, with every wish to extend their assistance to the suffering islanders. Finding, however, that British vessels of war were stationed at the island; that it was garrisoned by British troops; and that it was doubtful whether the provisions they might send would ever reach those whose sufferings they were intended to relieve, they expressed their opinion to congress, that so long as Bermuda should continue to be guarded by British ships and garrisoned by British soldiers, how powerfully soever humanity might plead in their behalf, and the disposition of congress incline them to relieve the distresses of Bermuda, yet sound policy and the duty they owed to their constituents, constrained them to refuse a compliance with the request of the memorialists. Whether, however, some incident occurred, which rendered the probability of assistance being more effectual, or the solicitations of the poor islanders were renewed, or for what other cause, is not apparent, yet little more than a week elapsed after this recommendation, when Mr. Ellery brought up one of a different character, and more consonant to his wishes; in it they represented to the house, "that from a reconsideration of the deplorable circumstances of those unhappy persons, who are deprived, as it hath been represented to your committee, of the means of supplying themselves with bread, which are allowed to other inha

bitants who openly profess their attachment to the enemies of these states, they are of opinion, that it be recommended to the executive powers of the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, respectively, to permit one thousand bushels of Indian corn to be exported from each of the said states, for the relief of the distressed inhabitants of those islands." Congress, however, still deemed the measure inexpedient; fearful that while it did not answer the ends for which it was undertaken, it might involve them in disagreeable results, and interfere with the course which they had hitherto adopted in the conduct of the war. They therefore took the report of the committee into consideration, and after much discussion, resolved that they would not at that time proceed farther in the matter.

We have already alluded to the vivacity and sprightliness of Mr. Ellery's disposition. This was constantly displayed throughout his life; and even in the severest times, he often enlivened the discussions of congress by his ready wit. It is seldom, however, that genius of this kind can be sufficiently or properly appreciated by posterity; arising out of some accident or circumstance of the day, depending on some local or temporary allusion, struck off in the ardour of conversation, it passes away, leaving indeed to the individual from whose happy genius it has sprung, the reputation of a wit, but to those who have not heard it, nothing by which to know or taste its excellence. A singular letter, however, of Mr. Ellery

and Madison, probably written by the former about this time, has fallen into our hands, and it may amuse our readers, to see how sober statesmen cracked their jokes upon one another, amid all the bustle of the revolution. It was written to Mr. Matthews, of South Carolina, Mr. Peabody, of New Hampshire, and general Schuyler, of New York, three delegates who had been sent to head-quarters, as a committee of congress. It is as follows:

"In Congress, May 5th, 1780. "Ye poor devils! shivering on the bleak hills of Morris, how we pity you!-Ho! soldier with your canteen;―view that poor committee man-see him trembling. Hark!-hear his teeth chatter-unable to support himself under the chilling blasts, which, unclothed and unfed, you have endured with invincible perseverance and fortitude :-see him expiring! -he was nursed under a fervid sun, and exposes himself to your nipping gales to bring you some relief. For the sake of G-d, one drop of whiskey for poor Matthews!

"As for ye sons of the North, ye can get along well enough, especially, if ye can find, now and then, a cup of beer and a little New England.

"As for our illustrious general, if it were in our choice, for him the rich Maderia should flow in copious streams;—and as for the gallant officers, and faithful brave soldiers under his command, if we had the powers of conversion, we would turn water into

wine, the camp should overflow with that exhilarating and invigorating liquor.

"The last bottle had been broached.-We addressed congress, and used every argument in our power to induce them to order a couple of pipes to be sent to head-quarters, and told them that the general's wine was entirely exhausted. They doubted. We informed them that we had received a letter from the committee giving us that information. They still doubted, and desired that the letter might be produced. We delivered it with the utmost reluctance. Upon reading it, congress immediately concluded that any persons who would dare to charge us with niggardliness, and threaten to run congress 'd-ly' in debt must be d-ly drunk, and utterly refused to send any wine to head-quarters until you should have returned. We wish you had been more guarded in your expressions. However, we shall for once stretch our power, and send forward two pipes immediately. -You will be pleased to consider soberly the business you have undertaken, and the expectations of congress, and not drink more than three glasses of wine at dinner, and six at supper; and whenever you write to us, do it before breakfast.

"We return your word to the wise,' and are your's

as you conduct.

W. ELLERY,

Js. MADISON, JR."

In the year 1781, Mr. Ellery did not take his seat in congress until the nineteenth of November, when he appeared there with his colleague, Mr. Cornell. Before he had been many weeks in the house, the old subject of admiralty jurisdiction again occurred, and he found that it was necessary to form some plan, by which the conflicting interests or feelings of the general government and the separate states, might be less excited. The matter being accordingly referred to him, and two other gentlemen, was taken into consideration with a determination to adopt some measure which would place it eventually at rest, and the following resolution was brought in and passed by congress, with that object. "To render more effectual the provision contained in the ordinance, ascertaining what captures on water shall be lawful, for the capture and condemnation of goods, wares and merchandizes of the growth, produce or manufacture of Great Britain, or the territories depending thereon, in certain cases: Resolved, that it be earnestly recommended to the legislature of each state, to pass acts to be in force during the continuance of the present war, for the seizure and condemnation of all goods, wares and merchandizes of the growth, produce or manufacture of Great Britain, or of any territory depending thereon, which shall be found on land within their respective jurisdictions, unless the same shall have been imported before the first day of March, 1782, or shall have been captured from the enemy."