New York head, is filled with privateer news. In 1745, the rejoicings were excessive all through the colonies for the American prowess displayed at the capture of Louisburgh,it is called "a perpetual honour to his Majesty's American arms." The New Englanders held themselves very high on this event— an expedition planned by a lawyer, and executed by a farmer, with a merchant to lead them on! Our self-gratulation was so high it rather alarmed Great Britain to see our rising military ability and ardour, and they, to mortify us as it was then believed by many, gave it up at the peace of 1748. It was then a heart-burning surrender to the Americans. Every child of that day was familiar with the Walls of Breton"-singing in the streets, "Here we go round-here we go round the walls of Bretoon, the walls of Bretoon," &c. Great fireworks were exhibited on floating machines on the Delaware to commemorate the important conquest! In 1748, the Governor recommends measures to be taken to support a vessel of war at our capes. Then John Churchman, the public Friend, goes, by permission, "with a message" to the Assembly to advise them against such measures of defence as is incompatible with true Friends' principles. About the same time it appears that the Otter sloop of war is up at Philadelphia-a novel sight, I presume, there! and the city authorities, to animate gallantry in their behalf, (vide Council proceedings) present her captain with a pipe of wine and other stores. Captain Ballat, however, notwithstanding his good cheering, soon gave great umbrage by his backwardness to help their cause for a Spanish privateer (as represented in Secretary Peters' letter to the Penns, of 1748) stole up as far as Elsenborough, “35 miles from the city," near Salem, and intended to sack and burn New Castle. But an Englishman on board leaped overboard and swam ashore in the night, and so prepared the people by the morning. In this extremity, the authorities applied to Captain Ballat to be their champion, but no entreaties could avail with him till his careening should be accomplished. Thus tardy he was, although every assistance was offered him, and he was purposely sent for their protection! As early as the year 1744, the citizens for themselves, and the Common Council in behalf of the city, (vide the minutes in this book) prepared and forwarded a petition to the king to send them a military force, saying, as a part of their argument, that the prevalence of the Quaker principle "denies them that security which is the main end of society." The citizens' petition is signed by several names, well known as nominal Friends at least. Their names may be seen to the copy of the petition in my MS. Annals in the Philadelphia Library, page 245. The first foreign military, however, that ever reached our peace ful city of brotherly love, was those arriving and preparing for Braddock's expedition to the West. All the Highlanders encamped in the Northern Liberties-whence the popular name of Camping-town," and all the British were arrayed in Southwark. After the defeat, in 1755, such troops as returned, occupied for a time. the same positions. Those in Southwark, under Colonel Dunbar, were located several months on the ground west of Fourth street, and between Pine and South streets. It was soon after this that the long ranges of barracks in the Northern Liberties were constructed. The history of which, and the occurrences there, before their demolition, will be found under its appropriate head. I should have mentioned also that after the peace, in 1750, the proprietaries' present of fourteen new pieces of cannon (18 pounders) arrived at Philadelphia for the use of the Association Battery-thus making them upwards of 50 pieces of cannon in all. There was among them a 32 pounder, presented by the Schuylkill Company, which, in after years, was called the Old Schuylkill. This got its trunnions broken off by us when abandoning the city to the British, and it has since had its rest at Fort Mifflin. In April, 1765, there was much surprise and uneasiness excited at Philadelphia by finding that all the great guns at the fort, (at Wiccacoa) and all those at the barracks, in the Northern Liberties, were found to be spiked up !—Many conjectures were abroad-finally it was deemed the act of mere wantonness, and a person was arrested as the perpetrator. As a conclusion to the whole, I give the following facts of more modern times, as the reminiscences of my friend Lang Syne, to wit: City Volunteers. From the peace of 1783, until the famous western expedition of 1794, the pride, pomp, and circumstance of the glorious war of independence, continued to be shadowed out in this city on muster days, and on the glorious fourth of July, by two regiments of militia, flanked on the parade ground, by the only two volunteer companies (1791) then in the city.-During this "piping time of peace" the only command obtainable was in the militia; and such command, it seems, was sought after, and held by gentlemen of the first respectability at the time, either for wealth, or services rendered by them during the war. Every thing relative to uniform or tactics still partook, largely, of the old school, colonial, or revolutionary models, framed by that oracle in the art of war, in this country, Baron Steuben. Tradition says, the regiment "down town" was commanded by Colonel Daniel Smith, Majors Joseph Sims and Philip Pancake. The one "up town" by Colonel William Will, (Sheriff at the time) Majors Andrew Geyer and Alexander Boyd. The two regiments forming the one, and the only brigade in the city, under the command of Brigadier-General Francis Gurney. In this article it is intended merely to revive in the memory of some, and to place before the mind's eye of others, but now in their majority, who are "natives here, and to the manner born," who, consequently, may have a sympathetic feeling, and relish for the recollections of Lang Syne, in our beloved city; as articles snatched, like drift wood, floating on the stream of time, which otherwise would naturally seek the ocean of oblivion forever, and be to them as the unrecorded years before the flood. The "Buck Tail Company" was commanded originally by Captain Sproat, who was viewed at the time by the ladies, and others who spoke of him, as a model, in his day, of smartness and military elegance on parade. The uniform consisted of a short dark blue cloth coatee, lappelled with red, and turned up with red at the skirts; white dimity vest, and breeches, (tights,) white cotton stockings, black knee-bands, short gaiters, sharp pointed, long quartered shoes, and buckles. The Captain, and every member of the company, wore a long cue, or club of powdered hair, pendent behind. The head was surmounted by a felt hat or cap, the front presenting a flat surface, being turned up smartly, in an oval shape, above the crown, and ornamented by way of plume or pompon, with a tail (Buck Tail) separated from the dried undressed hide of the forest buck or deer. The other flank company was of the artillery, commanded by Captain Jeremiah Fisher. He, and some of his company, had served during the war, having fought in famous battles, under the gallant Colonel Proctor. The artillery uniform consisted of a long dark blue coat, lappelled, with gilt buttons down the front, and turned up with red at the skirts, and reaching almost to the heels; yellow vest and breeches; stiffened wide ruffles; white cotton stockings, and black leggings, buttoned down the side; sharp-toed shoes, and large buckles, almost covering the toes. In conformity with the universal fashion at the time, they all wore long hair, powdered, clubb'd or cued, and dangling below the shoulder blade. They also wore the large "artillery cocked hat," square to the front, in marching, with a long black feather waving aloft at every step. Duels, “ "The world accounts an honourable man, And stood the test,-perhaps on the wrong side." HARD is the force of tyrant custom, which constrains men to seek its sanctions, even when opposed to their better reason and against the common feelings of nature and humanity. The world's dread laugh which scarce the firm philosopher can scorn" has its frequent victims, in those chiefly who make its applauses their all. The combatant, seeking "the bubble reputation," feels sensibly his flinging away his life in the midst of his years, even while the allurements and blandishments of the world he is about leaving, or, perchance, the fond family he is about bereaving, may be still clinging to his heart. Yet he must wrap himself up in his solitary and secret misery-making himself of sterner stuff than his common nature, and freezing with the necessary dread that in a few hours he may be a cold and bloody corse. This is appalling enough, and all further fate he smothers, as needs he must, in "heroic want of thought." Cheerless they go to their appointment with countenances pale and scowling, or reddened with internal emotions-wrapped in moody silence, and inwardly cursing the silly custom to which they thus sacrifice present and future peace. The heartless apathy of some, whose indifference proceeds from atheism-who believe in no offended God, and rest their hope "in an eternal sleep,"-these may scout "the anguish of a wound," and brave death on terms too unequal for a better informed mind. On whatever terms they occur, they are always an evil deeply to be deplored. Many aged persons have deemed them of such rare occurrence among our citizens as not to have been known before the Revolution, but as I have found here and there a trace of them in all former times, I have been induced to note them, not for commemoration or perpetuity, but as marking the state of society at every time, and in all its relations, to wit: It may sound "passing strange" that a gentleman of the holy office, should possess the scandalous pre-eminence of being the first on the list in the peaceful city of Penn. He did not indeed fight, but his demeanour was so far securalized as to provoke and receive a challenge. The case was this, to wit: In the year 1715, the court enter proceedings against Peter Evans, gentleman, for sending a challenge to Francis Phillips, clergyman. The original challenge in the clerks office has been in my possession, and, as a curiosity, reads as follows, to wit: "To Mr. Francis Phillips, Philadelphia,-Sir, You have basely scandalized a gentlewoman that I have a profound respect for. And for my part shall give you a fair opportunity to defend yourself tomorrow morning on the west side of Joseph Carpenter's garden, [the present Arcade, I believe,] betwixt seven and eight, where I shall expect to meet you gladio cinctus, in failure whereof, depend upon the usage you deserve from―y'r ever— PETER EVANS, at the Pewter Platter, [Inn.] At the same time a billa vera is found against the clergyman himself, for some mal conduct, and not long after, his people, sensible of his misconduct, dismiss him from his pastoral care. 1721-The Grand Jury present the case of Selom Fry, mariner, who challenged Francis Jones to fight with swords-and both were wounded. 1750-Thomas Crosse, gentleman, challenges Hugh Davy to fight with swords, whereby the latter was wounded. About the time of the Revolution there were three cases of duels : Colonel Cadwallader accepted the challenge, and fought General Conway; the latter was wounded. Doctor W. fought a duel with another gentleman about a young Quaker lady.-The former shot his pistol in the air, and so made it a bloodless case and a drawn battle. A singular case of duel occurred in 1778 or '79, be tween Henry Laurens, President of Congress, and John Penn, member of Congress from North Carolina. The parties were fellow boarders, and breakfasted together the same morning. They started to go out Chesnut street to the vacant lot vis a vis present Masonic Hall. In crossing at Fifth street, where was then a deep slough, Mr. Penn kindly offered his hand to aid Mr. Laurens, who was much the oldest, and when it was accepted he suggested to him that their meeting (solicited by Laurens) was a foolish affair, &c.-to which Mr. L. assenting it was made up on the spot. This Penn was no relative of William Penn. While the Congress sat in Philadelphia, about the year 1798-9, the Hon. James A. Bayard, then a member, fought a duel with another member in a disused saw-pit shed, then standing at the north end of Front street, at the corner where the roads lead over the stone bridge to Kensington. It was a rainy day, and they took shelter there. Both this place, and that above-mentioned, present themselves to our minds now as strangely exposed places, by present public resort, for fighting duels! But these facts evince |