WASHINGTON'S HEAD-QUARTERS, MORRISTOWN, N. J. for thirty-six hours, found rest. After a halt of a day or two, he marched to Morristown, where he took up his winter quarters. But here he was not idle, for he sent out detachments in all directions to harass the enemy, and in a short time not a British or Hessian regiment was left in New Jersey, except at Brunswick and Amboy. "The glory of these achievements" says Sparks, “was rendered doubly conspicuous by their immediate effects. The despondency which had weighed heavily upon the minds of the people, was dispelled as by a charm, the martial spirit was revived, and a new animation was infused into the public council." The cut opposite is a representation of the mansion of the Hon. Judge Ford of Morristown, New Jersey, which was occupied by General Washington during the winter of 1777, as his head-quarters, whither he had retired after the memorable battle of Princeton. The events which had transpired immediately preceding the period when Washington chose Morristown for his winter quarters were as extraordinary as they were vitally important to the cause of American liberty. By great exertions and imminent peril, he had succeeded in crossing the Washington's first care after putting his troops Delaware just at the commencement of a severe into winter quarters, was to complete the army winter, with an army poorly clad, greatly inferior for the spring campaign. To do this he addressin numbers and discipline to the enemy, and ed circular letters to the governors of the norththeir term of service just expired. The hard-ern and middle states, requesting them to be ships of war, the despondency of hope deferred active in the enlistment of men. But his necesand other depressing causes wrought in a great sary policy of publicly magnifying his numbers, majority of them a determination to quit the army to deceive the enemy, made the states less enerand retire to their homes. The commander-in-getic in their action, and spring came and found chief saw that the fate of the country depended his army almost as meager as it was in autumn. on them, and with persuasions and largesses he Yet he did not despair, and as soon as the enemy prevailed on them to remain in service six weeks began to move in the spring, the Americans were longer. prepared to meet them. This was the most gloomy period of the Revolution, but the capture of Burgoyne, the arrival of La Fayette with twenty-four thousand muskets, and other munitions of war, and the important victories soon after achieved shed an inspiring ray over the colonies that illuminated every heart and rallied hundreds of doubters around the standard of Liberty. The following sketch of the death of General Mercer, which occurred but a few days previous to Washington's going into winter quarters at Morristown, may not inappropriately be inserted here. It is taken from the Custis Recollections and Private Memoirs of the Life and Character of Washington. Sir William Howe, observing this bold movement of the little army of Americans, resolved to punish them for their audacity, and sent Cornwallis, who was about embarking for England, to drive them from New Jersey. Washington made immediate preparations for his reception, for he well knew that this struggle would be a decisive one that would terminate in freedom or slavery to the colonies. He knew that fearful odds were against him, but he trusted to the superior strength of that principle which actuates men when fighting for their families and firesides. He was then stationed at Trenton, and learning, that the enemy's battalions were marching toward that place, he prepared for an attack. Detachments harassed them on the road, and they did "The historical records of the War of the not arrive till four o'clock in the afternoon, when American Revolution are all in error as respects a conflict ensued which lasted till dusk. Corn- the death of General Mercer, who fell at the batwallis determined to renew the attack in the tle of Princeton, the third of January 1777. We morning, but when day dawned, the Americans offer the homage of our veneration for this marhad disappeared. By a circuitous route Wash-tyr's memory, by giving to his adopted country ington had marched to Princeton where three and the world, authentic particulars of the hero regiments were stationed, with orders to reinforce Cornwallis, and before sunrise on the morning of the third of January 1777 he commenced an attack upon them, which led to a decisive victory. The British had more than one hundred killed and three hundred taken prisoners. The American loss was small in numbers, but great in the death of the brave General Mercer and Colonels Haslett and Potter. After this battle, Washington marched to Pluckemin, where his troops, who had not slept ism and devotion that attended his fall. "It was immediately after the sharp conflict at the fence, between the advance guard of the American army, led by General Mercer, and the British seventeenth regiment, and the retreat of the Americans through the orchard near to Clark's house and barn, that General Mercer, while exerting himself to rally his broken troops, was brought to the ground by a blow from the butt of a musket. He was on foot at this time-the gray horse he rode at the beginning of the action having been disabled by a ball in the fore leg. the British soldiers were not at first aware of the General's rank, for the morning being cold, | whom Washington mourned as the worthy and he wore a surtout over his uniform. So soon as brave General Mercer. they discovered that he was a general officer, "We shall give a single anecdote of the subject they shouted that they had got the rebel General, of the foregoing memoir, to show the pure and and cried, Call for quarters, you d-d rebel!' high minded principles that actuated the patriots Mercer to the most undaunted courage united a and soldiers of the days of our country's first quick and ardent temperament; he replied with trial. indignation to his enemies, while their bayonets were at his bosom, that he deserved not the name of rebel; and, determining to die as he had lived, a true and honored soldier of liberty, lounged with his sword at the nearest man. They then bayonetted him, and left him for dead. "Virginia at first organized two regiments for the common cause. When it was determined to raise a third, there were numerous applications for commissions; and, these being mostly from men of fortune and family interest, there was scarcely an application for a rank less than a field officer. During the sitting of the House of Burgesses upon the important motion, a plain but soldierly-looking individual handed up to the speaker's chair a scrap of paper, on which was written 'Hugh Mercer will serve his adopted country and the cause of liberty in any rank or station to which he may be appointed.' This, from a veteran soldier, bred in European camps, the associate of Washington in the war of 1755, and known to stand high in his confidence and esteem, was all-sufficient for a body of patriots and statesmen such as composed the Virginia House of Burgesses in the days of the Revolution. The appointment of Mercer to the command of the third Virginia regiment was carried instanter. Upon the retreat of the enemy, the wounded General was conveyed to Clark's house, immediately adjoining the field of battle. The information that the commander-in-chief first received of the fall of his old companion in arms of the war of 1755, and beloved officer, was that he had expired under his numerous wounds; and it was not until the American army was in full march for Morristown that the chief was undeceived, and learned, to his great gratification, that Mercer, though fearfully wounded, was yet alive. Upon the first halt, at Somerset court-house, Washington despatched the late Major George Lewis, his nephew, and captain of the Horse Guards, with a flag and a letter to Lord Cornwallis, requesting that every possible attention might be shown to the wounded General, and permission that young Lewis should remain with him to minister to his wants. To both requests his Lordship yielded a willing assent, and ordered his staff-surgeon to attend upon General Mercer. Upon an examination of the wounds, the British surgeon remarked that, although they were many and severe, he was disposed to believe that they would not prove dangerous. Mercer, bred to the profession of an army surgeon in Europe, said to young Lewis, 'Raise my right arm, George, and this gentleman will there discover the smallest of my wounds, but which will prove the most fatal. Yes, sir, that is a fellow that will very soon do my business.' He languished till the twelfth, and expired in the arms of Lewis, admired and lamented by the whole army. During the period that he languished on the couch of suffering, he exonerated his enemies from the foul accusation which they bore not only in 1777, but for half a century since, viz: of their having bayonetted a general officer after he had surrendered his sword, and become a prisoner of war-declaring that he only relinquished his sword when his arm had become "The battle of Princeton, for the time it lasted powerless to wield it. He paid the homage of and the numbers engaged, was the most fatal to his whole heart to the person and character of our officers of any action during the whole of our the commander-in-chief, rejoiced with true sol- Revolutionary war. The Americans losing one dierly pride in the triumphs of Trenton and general, two colonels, one major, and three capPrinceton, in both of which he had borne a con-tains, killed-while the martial prowess of our spicuous part, and offered up his fervent prayers for the final success of the cause of American Independence. "Thus lived and died Hugh Mercer, a name that will for ever be associated with momentous events in the history of the War of the Revolution. When a grateful posterity shall bid the trophied memorial rise to the martyrs who sealed with their blood the charter of an empire's liberties, there will not be wanting a monument to him "It was while the commander-in-chief reined up his horse, upon approaching the spot in a ploughed field where lay the gallant Colonel Haslett mortally wounded, that he perceived some British soldiers supporting an officer, and upon inquiring his name and rank, was answered, Captain Leslie. Doctor Benjamin Rush, who formed a part of the General's suite, earnestly asked, 'A son of the Earl of Leven?' to which the soldiers replied in the affirmative. The Doctor then addressed the General-in-chief: 'I beg your Excellency to permit this wounded officer to be placed under my care, that I may return, in however small a degree, a part of the obligations I owe to his worthy father for the many kindnesses received at his hands while I was a student in Edinburgh.' The request was immediately granted; but, alas! poor Leslie was soon past all surgery.' died the same evening, after receiving every pos sible kindness and attention, and was buried the next day at Pluckemin, with the honors of war; his soldiers, as they lowered his remains to the soldier's last rest, shedding tears over the grave of a much loved commander. He enemy shone not with more brilliant lustre in any one of their combats during their long career of arms than did the courage and discipline of the seventeenth British regiment on the third of January, 1777. Indeed, Washington himself, during the height of the conflict, pointed out this gallant corps to his officers, exclaiming, 'See how those noble fellows fight! Ah! gentlemen, when shall we be able to keep an army long enough togeth er to display a discipline equal to our enemies.' "The regular troops that constitued the grand | ror-struck at the danger of his beloved commandarmy at the close of the campaign of '76, were er, dropped the reins upon his horse's neck, and the fragments of many regiments, worn down by drew his hat over his face, that he might not see constant and toilsome marches, and suffering of him die. A roar of musketry succeeds, and then every sort, in the depth of winter. The fine regi-a shout. It was the shout of victory. The aidment of Smallwood, composed of the flower of de-camp ventures to raise his eyes, and oh, glorithe Maryland youth and which, in the June pre-ous sight, the enemy are broken and flying, while ceding, marched into Philadelphia eleven hundred dimly amid the glimpses of the smoke is seen strong, was, on the third of January, reduced to the chief, 'alive, unharmed, and without a scarcely sixty men, and commanded by a captain. wound,' waving his hat, and cheering his comIn fact, the bulk of what was then called the grand rades to the pursuit. army, consisted of the Pennsylvania militia and volunteers, citizen soldiers who had left their comfortable homes at the call of their country, and were enduring the rigors of a winter campaign. On the morning of the battle of Princeton, they had been eighteen hours under arms, and harassed by a long night's march. Was it then to be wondered at that they should have given way before the veteran bayonets of their fresh and well-appointed foe? "The heroic devotion of Washington was not wanting in the exigencies of this memorable day. He was aware that his hour was come to redeem the pledge he had laid on the altar of his country when first he took up arms in her cause: to win her liberties or perish in the attempt. Defeat at Princeton would have amounted to the annihilation of America's last hope; for, independent of the enemy's forces in front, Cornwallis, with the flower of the British army eight thousand strong, It was, was already panting close on the rear. mdeed, the very crisis of the struggle. In the hurried and imposing events of little more than one short week, liberty endured her greatest What, then, is due to the fame and memories of that sacred band who, with the master of liberty at their head, breasted the storm at this fearful crisis of their country's destiny? agony. "The heroic devotion of Washington on the field of Princeton is matter of history. We have often enjoyed a touching reminiscence of that ever-memorable event from the late Colonel Fitzgerald, who was aid to the chief, and who never related the story of his General's danger, and almost miraculous preservation, without adding to his tale the homage of a tear. "Colonel Fitzgerald, celebrated as one of the finest horsemen in the American army, now dashed his rowels in his charger's flank, and, heedless of the dead and dying in his way, flew to the side of his chief, exclaiming, 'Thank God! your excellency is safe,' while the favorite aid, a gallant and warm-hearted son of Erin, a man of thews and sinews, and albeit unused to the melting mood,' gave loose to his feelings, and wept like a child for joy. แ 'Washington, ever calm amid scenes of the greatest excitement, affectionately grasped the hand of his aid and friend, and then ordered, Away, my dear Colonel, and bring up the troops, the day is our own!'" OLDEN TIME IN MASSACHUSETTS. In 1627, there were but thirty ploughs in all Massachusetts, and the use of these agricultural implements was not familiar to all the planters. From the annals of Salem, it appears in that year, it was agreed by the town to grant Richard Hutchinson twenty acres of land, in addition to his share, on condition "he set up ploughing." 1630. A sumptuary act of the general court prohibiting short sleeves, and required the garments to be lengthened so as to cover the arms to the wrists, and required reformation "in immoderate great breeches, knots of riband, broad shoulder-bands and taylee; silk rases, double cuffs and ruffs." 1639. "For preventing miscarriage of letters, it is ordered that notice be given that Richard Fairbank, his house in Boston, is the place appointed for all letters, which are brought from beyond the sea, or are to be sent thither, or to be brought unto him, and he is allowed for every such letter 1d., and must answer all miscarriages through his own neg. lect in his kind, provided that no man shall be obliged to bring his letter thither, unless he pleases." 1647. "The court order, that if any young mar attempt to address a young woman without the consent of her parents, or in case of their absence, of the county court, he shall be fined four pounds for the first offence, ten pounds for the second, and be imprisoned for the third." "The aid-de-camp had been ordered to bring up the troops from the rear of the column, when the band under General Mercer became engaged. Upon returning to the spot where he had left the commander-in-chief, he was no longer there, and, upon looking around, the aid discovered him endeavoring to rally the line which had been thrown into disorder by a rapid onset of the foe. Washington, after several ineffectual efforts to restore the fortunes of the fight, is seen to rein up his horse, with his head to the enemy, and, in that position, to become immovable. It was a last appeal to his soldiers, and seemed to say, Will you give up your General to the foe? Such an appeal was not made in vain. The discomfited Americans rally on the instant, and form into line; the enemy halt, and dress their line; the American chief is between the adverse posts, as though he had been placed there, a target for 1653. Jonas Fairbanks was tried for wearing both. The arms of both lines are levelled. Can escape from death be possible? Fitzgerald, hor-great boots, but was acquitted. 1649. Matthew Stanley was tried for drawing in the affections of John Tarbox's daughter without the consent of her parents, convicted and fined fifteen pounds; fees two shillings and six pence. Three married women were fined five shillings each for scolding. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS AT CAMBRIDGE. | pound duty in America. The first cargo of this tea THE house occupied by General Washington as arrived in November; and on the next morning, the his headquarters, during the memorable siege of following notice was distributed through the town:-Boston, in 1775 and 1776, is situated about halfway" Friends, Brethren, COUNTRYMEN! between the Cambridge colleges and Mount Auburn, commands a good view of Charles river, which "That worst of plagues, the detested TEA, shipped for this port by the East India company, is now arrived in this harbour. The hour of destruction, or manly opposition to the machinations of tyranny', stares you in the face. Every friend to his country, to himself, to posterity, is now called upon to meet at Fanueil Hall, at nine o'clock this day, (at which time the bells will ring,) to make a united and successful resistance to this last, worst, and most destructive measure of adminis tration. "Boston, Nov. 29, 1773.” The meeting thus called was fully attended; resolutions were passed against those who had imported tea, and provision was made for the disposal of the vessels which were expected to arrive. The assembled body voted "to carry their votes and resolutions into As early as 1765, the passage of the stamp-act execution at the risk of their lives and property." had caused a great deal of excitement-some acts of About the first of December, another vessel arrived violence also were committed by the mob, but these with tea, and the consignees of the cargoes were were discountenanced by the leading whigs, who ordered to send it back. This, however, was not thought such acts would infallibly injure a just cause. done, and on the 16th of December, the vessels which Their pens, however, were not idle; and in the Bos-contained it were boarded by a party disguised as ton Gazette of March 17th, 1766, a writer remarks:- Indians, the chests of tea were broken open, and in "Since the stamp-act imposed on us is unconstitutional, shall we not then, all as one man, join in opposing it, and spill the last drop of our blood, if necessity should require, rather than live to see it take place in America!" And again, "any one after a thorough search and consideration, would, rather than lose his liberty, be bored through the centre of life with the fatal lead." On the 19th of May, news was received at Boston that the stamp-act was repealed. less than two hours, two hundred and forty chests, and one hundred half-chests, were staved and emptied into the dock. A portion of this tea, which was brought away in the shoes of one of the Indians, is still preserved at the Boston Atheneum. The next important event was the passage of the Boston port bill, to which George III. assented on the 31st of March, 1774: by this bill, the landing and discharging, lading or shipping, of goods at Boston, were discontinued. The news of this bill arrived On the 5th of March, 1770, the animosity of the at Boston about the 11th of May; and on the 13th, Bostonians against the "redcoats" was increased a the following vote was passed at town meeting :little by the murder of Crispus Attucks, Samuel" VOTED, That it is the opinion of this town, that if the Gray, Jonnes Caldwell, Samuel Maverick and other colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all Patrick Carr; and their funeral solemnities which importations from Great Britain, and exportations to took place on the 8th, brought together the largest Great Britain, the same will prove the salvation of concourse of people that probably had ever assem- North America and her liberties. On the other hand, bled in America. The duty on tea, of three pence if they continue their exports and imports, there is high per pound, imposed on the colonists without their reason to fear that fraud, power, and the most odious consent, had been met by combinations among the oppressions, will rise triumphant over right, justice, inhabitants not to pay the duty, and not to use the social happiness, and freedom." article. The British East India company, however, applied to the British government, and obtained a license to export a quantity of tea to America, not exceeding six hundred thousand pounds; they were discharged from the payment of any custom-house duties whatever in the kingdom, but were subject, however, to the payment of the three pence per About this time, General Gage arrived to govern the province. Hutchinson retired; troops also were constantly coming in, and fortifications were thrown up on Boston Neck. In September, a detachment went into the country and took from a powder magazine, on Quarry Hill, about two hundred half-barrels of powder, which belonged to the province; enemies, when the troops again proceeded for a short distance unmolested. But the alarm of the preceding night had gathered the people over an immense extent of country; and having waited for another detachment brought off two fieldpieces from Cambridge. The people armed themselves and assembled, but finding no enemy to contend with, returned to their homes. On the other hand, a party of provincials in the province of New Hampshire, information, those nearest to the scene of action were attacked the fort at Newcastle, captured the garrison, already pressing forward to the assistance of their and took from them one hundred barrels of powder, friends. There was but little order and no concert some small-arms, and sixteen pieces of cannon, all among the Americans; but each party, as it arrived. of which were secured. These facts, though trivial pushed into the fray, and hanging on the skirts of in themselves, were of the utmost importance when their enemies, or making spirited though ineffectual considered in relation to the great events which were efforts to stop their progress. On either side of the soon to follow.. highway, along the skirts of every wood or orchard, in the open fields, and from every house or barn, or cover in sight, the flash of fire-arms was to be seen, while the shots of the British grew, at each instant, feebler and less inspirited." Their ranks now became confused, when, fortunately for them, they were reinforced by Lord Percy with a thousand men; this enabled them to reach Charles river that evening; and the next day all were removed to Boston. The six wounded, and three missing; of the redcoats, The next important step was that taken by the British on the 15th of April. About eight hundred soldiers left Boston in the night-time, in order to destroy some military stores collected by the provincials at Concord. Their object, however, had been suspected by the committee of safety, and reports of their movements had been sent to the interiour. The route taken by the British, led them through West Cambridge to Lexington, which lies about loss of the Americans was forty-nine killed, thirtytwelve miles to the northwest of Boston. Concord being situated in the same direction, six miles from Lexington. Their route was undisturbed until their arrival at Lexington, when a drum was heard beating to arms, and a company of provincials were discovered. The British commander, Major Pitcairn, rode up to them and cried out, "Disperse you rebels-lay down your arms and disperse." Not being obeyed, he commanded his troops to fire: the provincials received the fire without flinching; and kept their ground till another discharge from the enemy proved fatal to several of them; on this, part of the company, if not all, returned the fire, and then dispersed in different directions. The British now continued their march to Concord and arrived there about nine o'clock: here they again fired upon the militia who had assembled, and having destroyed some provisions and stores, commenced their return to Boston. But now retributive measures awaited them; to use the words of the distinguished novelist Cooper: "In place of the high and insulting confidence with which the troops had wheeled into the streets of Concord, they left them when the order was given to march, with faces bent anxiously on the surrounding heights, and with looks that bespoke a consciousness of the dangers that were likely to beset the long road that lay before them. Their apprehensions were not groundless. The troops had hardly commenced their march before a volley was fired upon them from the protection of a barn; and as they advanced volley succeeded volley, and musket answered musket, from behind every cover that offered to their assailants. At first, these desultory and feeble attacks were but little regarded; a brisk charge, and a smart fire for a few moments never failing to disperse their General Washington took command of the army on the 2d of July, 1775; and General Gage, having resigned, he was replaced by General Howe, who was completely shut up in Boston, and compelled to pass the winter in idleness. General Washington, however, becoming tired of this inactivity, wished to make an attack on them; but a council of war being almost unanimous against this measure, he reluctantly abandoned it. "The effective regular force of the Americans. now amounted to upwards of fourteen thousand men : in addition to which the commander-in-chief called out about six thousand of the militia of Massachusetts With these troops he determined to take possession of the heights of Dorchester, whence it would be in his power greatly to annoy the ships in the harbour, and the soldiers in the town. By taking this position, from which the enemy would inevitably attempt to drive him he expected to bring on gene |