maps extant, I conclude that I have where they have seen pale men and strong grounds on which to found the great boats, &c. These I should natufollowing geographical opinions, viz. rally conclude were Europeans, with 1st, That the great Desert is much vessels; and that it takes three moons higher land on its southern side (as I to get there, (about eighty-five days) had proved it to be on the north by my at the rate of thirty miles a day, which own observations) than the surrounding is the least we can give them with so country, and consequently that its strong a current; it makes a distance whole surface is much higher than the from hence to the sea of about two thouland near it that is susceptible of culti- sand five hundred miles: in computing vation. 2dly, That the river which this distance, one-third or more should Sidi Hamet and his companions came be allowed for its windings, so that the to within fourteen days ride, and west whole length of the river is above four of Tombuctoo, called by the Arabs thousand miles, and is probably the el Wod Tenji, and by the negroes, longest and largest on the African contiGozen-Zair, takes its rise in the moun- nent. 5thly, That the waters of this tains south of, and bordering on, the river in their passage towards the east, great Desert, being probably the north- have been obstructed in their course by ern branch of that extensive ridge in high mountains in the central regions of which Senegal, Gambia, and Niger this unexplored continent, and turned rivers, have their sourses; and that this southwardly; that they are borne along river is a branch of the Niger, which to the southward, between the ridges runs eastwardly for several hundred of mountains that are known to extend miles to Tombuctoo, near which city, all along the western coast, from Senemany branches, uniting in one great gal to the gulf of Guinea, and to round stream, it takes the name of Zolibib, and with that gulf to the south of the equacontinues to run nearly east, about two tor: that they are continually narrowbundred and fifty miles from Tombuc- ed in and straitened by that immense too; when meeting with high land, it is ridge in which the great river Nile is turned more south-eastwardly, and run- known to have its sources; and which ning in that direction in a winding mountains lie in the equatorial region: course, about five hundred miles, it has that this central river receives, in its met with some obstructions, through lengthened course, all the streams that which it has forced its way, and form- water and fertilize the whole country, ed a considerable fall: for Sidi Hamet between the two before-mentioned having spent six days in passing the ridges of mountains: the waters thus mountains, came again near the river, accumulated and pent up, at length which was then filled with broken rocks, broke over their western and most feeand the water was foaming and roaring ble barrier, tore it down to its base, among them, as he observed, "most and thence found and forced their way dreadfully." This must be a fall or to the Atlantic Ocean, forming what is rapid. 3dly, That from these falls, it now known as the river Congo. In runs first to the south-eastward, and corroboration of this opinion, some men then more to the south, till it reaches of my acquaintance, who have visited Wassanah, about six hundred miles, the Congo, and traded all along the where it is by some called Zolibib, and coast between it and the Senegal, affirm, by others Zadi. 4thly, That as the in- that the Congo discharges more water babitants of Wassanah say they go first to the southward, and then to the westward, in boats to the great water; this I conceive must be the Atlantic Ocean,

into the Atlantic, taking the whole year together, than all the streams to the northward of it, between its mouth and Cape de Verd.'

ART. 7. Memoirs of my own Times: by General James Wilkinson.. 8vo. 3 vols. Philadelphia. Abraham Small, Printer.

THIS HIS is, unquestionably, a work of is quite too much of it in the General's great magnitude,and of some im- Book. The second and third volumes portance. But its plan is so desultory of his Memoirs are filled with the deand its contents are so anomalous, that tails of his persecutions, with the prowe hardly know how to attempt a de- ceedings of courts of Inquiry and courts lineation of the one, or a classification Martial, and with the multifarious eviof the other. So much of the work, in- dence requisite to the vindication of deed, is made up of controversy, which, his patriotism, valour, and capacity. though of a personal nature, has a po- Yet these recitals are plentifully interlitical bearing, that we are almost pre- spersed with reflections, not merely on cluded, by the restrictions which we events, but on characters. It is obvihave imposed upon ourselves, from en- ous that this part of his work offers littering into a consideration of its merits. tle allurement to the general readerWe do not mean to violate the pledge though by the statesman and soldier, it we have given, by taking any side in will neither be read with indifference, the General's quarrels, or pretending to nor lightly prized. The first volume is more attractive, pronounce upon the relative deserts of the parties. We may be permitted, and will always be perused with interhowever, to say that there is an acri- est, by readers of every description. mony in his resentiments, and a coarse- About half of it is occupied in describness in his invective, that no provoca- ing those scenes and occurrences of the tion can justify. He who appeals to revolutionary war with which our authe public, owes some respect to the thor was connected: this portion of the tribunal to which lie prefers his com- work comprises much valuable inforplaints, however little of that sentiment mation. General Wilkinson's official he may entertain for his adversaries. situation and the opportunities incident Violence is generally resorted to in the to it, have put it in his power to elucidearth of argument, and brings suspi- date many transactions that had been cion on the best cause. A degree of either misunderstood or misrepresentdignity is inseparable from innocence; ed. He has furnished us, too, with and consciousness of truth disdains asmany anecdotes of his distinguished coseveration. temporaries, tending to illustrate their Memoirs are a very popular species characters, and the circumstances of of writing; and happily suited to Gene- the times. He has taken pains to inral Wilkinson's propensities. It is the most inoffensive mode of gratifying garrulity, since it is at the option of every one whether he will be a listener, or not. But egotism in any shape should has induced him to paint in such som be administered in moderation. There bre shades the sad realities of war. He

troduce us into the very centre of the camp, and to bring us acquainted with its bustle, its confusion, and its distresses. He does not disguise the object which

avows his wish to check the mistaken impulse, which can excite men of senardour of his countrymen in the pur- sibility to seek such scenes of barbasuit of the phantom of military glory. Cilley a straddle on a brass twelverism; I found the courageous Colonel He justly ridicules the rodomontade pounder, and exulting in the capture-with which we have celebrated the whilst a surgeon, a man of great worth, most trivial successes, and deprecates the subserviency with which sturdy republicans can bow to a victorious chief, however indebted to fortune for his tri umphs. He sees in this fondness for military fame, this disposition to magnify military achievements, and this alacrity to fawn upon military heroes, a pregnant source of calamity to our country, and of danger to our most valued institutions. General Wilkinson is not singular in his apprehensions in this regard. We have heard that a gentleman who has occupied the highest station in our government, and whose interest in its welfare has not ceased with bis administration of its affairs, has intimated an intention, at some period, to raise his warning voice against so alarming a predilection.

As a faithful picture of a battle ground, where grim-visaged war' is rioting in recent desolation, we take the following extract from General Wil. kinson's account of the action between

the armies of General Gates and General Burgoyne, on the 7th of October, 1777.

66

who was dressing one of the officers, raising his blood-besmeared hands in a frenzy of patriotism, exclaimed. Wilkinson, I have dipt my hands in British blood. He received a sharp rebuke for his brutality, and with the troops I pursued the hard-pressed flying enemy, passing over killed and weinded, until I heard one exclaim, "protect me, Sir, against this boy." Turning my eyes, it was my fortune to arrest the purpose of a lad, thirteen or fourteen years old, officer who lay in the angle of a wormin the act of taking aim at a wounded fence. inquiring his rank, he answered, "I had the honour to command the grenadiers;" of course, I knew him to be Major Ackland, who had been the back of a Captain Shrimpton, of his brought from the field to this place, on own corps, under a heavy fire, and was here deposited, to save the lives of both. I dismounted, took him by the hand, and expressed hopes that he was not badly wounded; "not badly," replied this gallant officer and accomplished gentleman, "but very inconveniently, I am shot through both legs; will you, Sir, have the goodness to have me conveyed to your camp?" I directed my servant to alight, and we lifted Ackland into his seat, and ordered him to be conducted to head-quarters.'

The painting of the Baroness Reidesel is not less vivid, when she describes the dreadful scenes she was compelled to witness in the British camp.

The ground which had been occupied by the British grenadiers presented a scene of complicated horror and exultation. In the square space of twelve or We have never seen the narfifteen yards lay eighteen grenadiers in the agonies of death, and three officers rative of the Baroness, of which Genepropped up against stumps of trees, two ral Wilkinson has presented us with of them mortally wounded, bleeding, some spirited translations. We are sorry and almost speechless; what a spectacle for one whose bosom glowed with that we have not room for the extracts of -pbilanthropy, and how vehement the this journal of the Baroness, with which F

VOL. I. NO. 1.

the General has favoured us, and which other, perhaps an abler officer, whose are replete with interest.

The following anecdotes exhibit two illustrious men who have long been alike the objects of veneration, in a view equally honourable to both.

During my intercourse with General Hamilton at New-York. in 1799, our official engagements produced frequent references to the opinion of General Washington, and I embraced the occasion, to obtain a more distinct view of the private character of that great man than our military relations had permitted.

character and dispositions we may have to learn.' The General acknowledged these reflections had not occurred to him, but with noble frankness admitted their force, thanked Colonel Hamilton for his suggestion, and the expedition was abandoned. I had heard of this incident, and making inquiry of General Hamilton relative to the fact, he gave me the preceding details.

On other occasions, when in conversation respecting this great man, General Hamilton observed, that it was difficult to decide, whether General Washington was greater in the field or in the cabinet; be said the world had 'There may be many living witnesses of the fact, that Sir Henry Clinton, very naturally decided in favour of his whilst he commanded in New-York, oc- military capacity, but from the sum of cupied the house of Captain Kennedy, least equally sound as a statesman; for his observations, he considered him at of the British navy, near the battery; and that there were no buildings at that whatever might have been the jealoutime between it and the river. In these sies or the insinuations of party, it was no humiliation to him to acknowledge, quarters the chief reposed in security with the ordinary ground in front, rely. that he had in council frequently differing on naval protection for safety in his ed in opinion with President WashingGeneral Washington had by his ton, and that events had generally spies ascertained precisely the ap- dent right. But he dwelt on a specific proved that he was wrong, and the Presiproaches, not only to Sir Henry's quarters, but to his bed-chamber, and the trait in General Washington's characenterprise appeared so feasible, that he ter, which it were devoutly to be wishdetermined to carry him off. The arrangements were made for light whaleboats with muffled oars, and 150 Marblehead seamen, properly commanded ;* every thing being ready, the detachment waited for the approach of night; in the interval Colonel Hamilton took occasion to observe to the General, that

rear.

"there could be little doubt of the suc

ed his successors could imitate; this was, that in "all appointments to office, wherein he was especially called to exercise his own judgment, he nobly divested himself of sympathy or antipathy, and made what he considered the fitness of the agent to the office the ground of his choice;" as an evidence of the fact, he mentioned, that "Colonel Pickering, at

cess of the enterprise, but," said he, the time he was appointed Postmaster"have you examined the consequences general, was no favourite of President of it?" The General inquired "in what Washington, but that he knew the Colorespect?" "Why," replied Hamilton, nel to be a man of industry and method, "it has occurred to me that we shall and had confidence in his integrity; and rather lose than gain by removing Sir as to myself," said he, "there had been Henry Clinton from the command of for some time such a standing, or misthe British army, because we perfectly understanding. between us, that I had no understand his character, and by taking him off we only make way for some

* As well as I recollect, Col. Humphreys, of Connecticut, an aid de-camp to the General, was selected for this service.

more expectation of office than I had of being appointed Pope's nuncio, when I received the invitation to take charge of the treasury department." That a coolness had taken place between the Com

mander in Chief and Colonel Hamilton, respect of the world; my humble suftowards the close of the war, and that frage could add nothing to the fame of the Colonel had left his family, was no- General Washington, after be bas merittorious, but there were very few per- ed the plaudits of mankind, by the rare sons acquainted with the cause, which example of a military chief, who, bavI shall now submit to my readers, as ing led the armies of his country, correctly as memory will serve me, to the establishment of her indepenand should I commit an error, will refer dence, peaceably and proudly laid to General St. Clair for correction, who down his arms, and sought his reward is the only man living, within my know in the bosom of his fellow-citizens. But ledge, acquainted with the facts. I will gratify the reader with a fac siThe army was encamped at New- mile of the heads of General WashingJersey at some point east of the Rari- ton's first official letter, dated at Camton, and perhaps at Perackness. The bridge, July 10th, 1775, to the PresiGeneral was just mounting his horse, to dent of Congress, which will perpevisit his advanced post, when he recol- tuate the character of his manuscript, lected a letter he had recently received and record the extent and accuracy of from the British commander, which it his knowledge, in all the variety of occurred to him he might have occasion military details, a subject little underfor whilst at the lines; he called Colo- stood in this country at that period, and nel Hamilton, and requested him "to of which his own opportunities for corhand the letter to him." The Colonel rect information had been superficial. returned to the office, but not being able The comprehension and correctness of to place his hand on it, reported, that his military views, under those circum"it was mislaid." The General re- stances, must excite the admiration of plied, "I must have it." Search was every competent judge, and I do conagain made, without effect, and Colonel ceive clearly demonstrate, that whatHamilton returning, repeated that the ever may have been the force and enerletter had been mislaid, and expressed gy of his mind, when directed to other his sorrow at not being "able to find subjects, military affairs were undoubtit." The General rejoined with warmth, edly his fort. The letter amplifying "Sir, you shall find it." Hamilton was the topics comprised in these heads was astonished, but replied promptly, "I written by Colonel Joseph Reed, then shall find it, Sir, but must let you know, his Secretary, and afterwards Governor that in addressing me, you do not speak of Pennsylvania, the original rough to a menial." The occasion was ho- draft of which is in my possession, and nourable to the parties; it was the the published copy will be found in the quarrel of Sully and Henry; it furnish- first volume of Washington's letters, ed General Washington an occasion for Boston Edition, 1795, page 8.' the display of his magnanimity, and Colonel Hamilton an opportunity to asA considerable part of the first vo sert his personal dignity and indepen- lume of these memoirs is devoted to dence of mind. Colonel Hamilton re- tracing military movements in the late tired from Head-Quarters, but was ap

pointed to the command of a battalion war, and detecting the causes of the in the elite corps, at the head of which failure of our early campaigns. A he stormed a redoubt during the siege multitude of reasons dissuade us from of York before the surrender of Corn- making any remarks on this division of the work. In truth, from the political

wallis.

It would be presumptuous for me to attempt the eulogy of a man who has animadversions interwoven into the deservedly attracted the attention and very texture of these memoirs, and