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NO. 44. * THE REFLECTOR. MILLEDOEVILI.E* G. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,1818. BIOGRAPHY. OF RICHARD MONTGOMERY, -neral in the Army of the U. Stales. Montgomery was born in Ireland 1737, n descendant of an ancient lc family. After receiving a li- tion, lie entered the army at an d. In bis twenty-first year we lding the rank of captain in the British regiment, under general Tie had home a full share in all the wars and the reduction of Cana- d therefore no common claims to But although his military abili- ighly distinguished, war anu con- no other charms to him than as of peace and happiness to man- lie found leisure in the midst of ultivate an excellent taste for phi- polite literature. To these lie ad- ful study of the arts of government hts of mankind ; looking forward e when he might return to the still ■rivate life, and give a full flow to and acquired virtues of a heart al excellence. lie had formed an lunent, amounting even to an en- ove for this country. The wood- c plain ; the face of nature, grand, anil yet rejoicing in her prime ; rivers, descending in vast tor- gli wild and shaggy mountains, or ilent majesty through fertile vales : icrous branches and tributary our romantic scenes of rural quiet: icity, then uncorrupted by luxurv t vice ; our love of knowledge and liberty—all these served to convey f primeval felicity to a heart winch ght with benevolent feelings. In country was blessed with peace ami iateiy resigned his commission, am. d to these shores, lie selected a I spot on the hanks of the Hudson, -York; married a daughter of liivingston of that slate ; and om the hustle of a noisy world. In t eligible of all situations, the life oi gentleman, deriving its most cx- disli from reflection upon past dan- past services, he gave full scope to ophical spirit and taste for rural el- Satisfird with himself, and raised vulgar ambition, lie devoted his Jomestic pursuits, the intercourse oi Society, the study of useful books, improvement of bis villa. But nei- *1 nor lawn could make him forget which lie owed society. When the unlawful authority was stretched (ontgomcry was ready to exchangt ful groves for the tented field. From day in which the first American as spilt by the hands of Britisl and the better genius of the em- d abhorrent from the strife of death r children, our hero clmse bis part, appointed a major-general, the su nk of eight who were clmscn by ess in 1775. His principh-s of Inv’- ined unshaken. Love to our bre- m we must oppose, the intcrehang (fires, which had so intimately knit of friendship between the two itiem- meuiory of those days in which he der the same banners ; the vast fa- tuai happiness raised by our union, to be dissolved by ourdissentions ihilation of those plans of improve- hirb we w ere engaged for the glo- empire—all these consideeations to vender this conflict peculiarly to him and every virtuous Aincri- ould have been outweighed by no ddy but the unquenchable love of nd that sacred duty which wc owe s and our posterity. The neces- istancewa? manifest, and no s lid question our right. “ (u cases 1 oppression, (says Blaekstone) hath very justifiably risen to one 'dicate the original contract sub- ween the king and the people.— ’reign power threaten desolation mankind will not be reasoned out 'ngs of humanity, nor sacrifice li- acrupulous adherence to jiolitical mery did not hesitate to accept the n, praying at the same time that might speedily reunite us in every Fretilin and interest; and (hat the pire might again become the envy tion of the universe.” (Letter to luyler, 8th Nov. 1775.) He was jointly with general Schuyler, pedition against Canada ; hut, in e of the illness of that gentleman, f the duty devolved upon him. enevolence in the whole plan of ion. It was to be executed not force as by persuasion, and it ’ suited to the genius of Montgo- understood the blessings of a iment, and coulil display them ting eloquence. He had a soul, terested, affectionate, delighted to alleviate distress, and to diffuse happiness. He possessed an industry not tube wearied, a vigilance that could not he eluded, and courage equal to his other abilities. Witu a few new-raised men, of different colonies and various tempers, ill supplied with arms and ammunition, undisciplined, unaccustom ed to danger—under such circumstances, and in the short space of an autumnal and winter campaign, in rigorous northern dimes, to achieve a work which cost Great Britain and the colonies the labors of several campaigns, and what was a sacrifice of in finitely more value, the life of Wolfe—this certainly required a degree of magnanimity beyond the ordinary reach, and the exertion of the highest abilities of every kind. The command and conduct of an army were hut small parts of this undertaking. The Indians were to he treated with anil retained ; the Canadians were to be managed, protected and supported ; and even his own army in some degree, to be formed, disciplined, and animated ; to be accustomed to marches, encampments, dangers, fatigues, and tin frequent want of necessaries. When lus men labored under fatigue, wanted food, made their beds on the snow or in deep mo rasses, they were ashamed to complain, when they found that their general was willing ti share in the execution of all that lie com manded. Thus his example did more to in spire patience, obedience, anil love of ordi r. than the most rigid exercise of power could have effected. The ifluence of this exampl was still stronger as it did not appear to he the effect of constraint or political necessity, hut the amiable expression of a sympathiz ing soul, leading him to eondeseend to all capacities; exact in his own duti n s, and gteat even in common tilings. His own superior military knowledge he would sacrifice to tin general voice, rather than interrupt that u ninn on which success depended ; and when a measure was once resolved upon by tin majority, however much contrary to his owe advice and judgment, lie magnanimously supported with his utmost vigor, disdaining that work of low ambition which will striv to defeat in the execution what it could not direct in planning. It is not necessary that We should follow hi in through the details of the war in Cana da. After capturing Fort Ghamhte, St. John’s surrendered to him, and the governor of Montreal abandoned that city to his vic torious arms. Beingjoineil by Arnold, with a body of well disciplined New-England troops, lie laid siege to Quebec on the 1st of December. He was now on the same plains which had been consecrated by the blood of Wolfe. Here lie won his earliest laurels, and he seemed to be animated by a kindred spirit with the departed chief. The situa tion of his army was pressing. Snows and frost only quickened his motions. He hop ed by one successful stroke, before the ar rival of succour to the garrison, to complete his plan, and save the effusion of Idood,— Owing to the small size of bis guns, the bom bardment produced no effect, and lie was compelled to make an attempt to storm the garrison. He passed the first barrier, and was about to attack tbesecond, when a fatal shot released his gallant spirit, and united him with the glorious commander whose fame lie emulated ! It. liar, sometimes been stated that the body of the general was privately interred in the evening by a few s ddiers ; but this is not true, and justice to his generous adversary requires that we should vindicate the reputa tion of the lieutenant-general of Canada from such a stigma. We have ample testimony in The Campaign against ffuehec in the year 177 5, by John Joseph Henry. Esq. who was lately a presiding judge in one of the judicial districts of this state.— This is a homely tale, but it is exceedingly interesting, because the writer saw all that he describes. He was under the command of Montgomery, and being taken by the ene my, had an opportunity of witnessing the honors that were paid to his memory. The following passage is transcribed from Mr. Henry’s hook. “It was on this day that my heart was ready to burst with grief at viewing the funeral of our beloved general. Carleton had in our former wars with the French, been the friend and fellow soldier of Montgomery. Though political opinion, perhaps ambition or inte rest, laid thrown these worthies on different sides of the great question, yet the former could not but honor the remains of his quon - dtini friend. About noon the procession pas sed our quarters. It was most solemn. The coffin, covered with a pall, surmounted by transverse swords, was borne by men. The regular troops, particularly that fine body ' of men. the seventh regiment, with revers ed arms, and scarfs on the left elbow, ac companied the corpse to the gravfc. The funerals of the other officers both friends and enemies, were performed this day. From many of us it drew tears of affection for the defunct, and speaking for myself, tears of greeting and thankfulness towards Carleton. The soldiery and inhabitants appearad af fected by the loss of this invaluable man. though lie was their enemy. If such men a* Washington, Carleton and.Montgomery had had the entire direction of the adverse war, the contention in the event might have hap pily terminated to the advantage of both sections the nation. M‘Plierson, Clicesc- man, Hendricks, Humphreys, were all dig nified by the manner of the burial.” In the History of American Revolution, Dr. Ramsay pays a well-earned tribute to the memory of this accomplished soldier. “ Few men have ever fallen in battle, so much regretted by both sides, as general Montgomery. His many amiable qualities had procured him an uncommon share of private affection, and his great abilities an equal portion of public esteem. Being a sincere lover of liberty, he had engaged in the American cause Trom principle, and quit ted the enjoyment of an easy fortune and the Highest domestic felicity to take an active share in the fatigues and dangers of a war instituted for the defence of the community of which he was an adopted member. His 'veil known character was almost equally es teemed by the friends and foes of the side which lie had espoused. In America lie was i elebrated as a martyr to the liberties of mankind ; in Great Britain as a misguided good man, sacrificing to what lie supposed to be the rights of his country. His name was mentioned in parliament with singular respect. Some of the most powerful speak ers in that illustrious assembly displayed their cluqurnite in sounding his praise and iamentiug his fate. Thosein particular who bad been his fellow soldiers in the late war, expatiated on his many virtues. The min ister himself acknowledged his worth, while or reprobated the. cause for which lie fell.— He concluded an involuntary panegyric by saying, • curse on his virtues, they have un done Ins country.’ To express the high sense entertained by his country of his services, congress di rected a monument of white marble, with the following inscription on it, which was executed by Mr. Cassicrs at Paris, and pla ced in front of St. Paul’s church, New-York. This monument was erected by order of Congress, £>5th Janinty, 1776, to trunsm.t to posterity a grateful remem brance of the patr.otisnv, conduct, enterprise, and per.so- ver.mce of Major-^ener.d Richard Montgomery; who. aiier a series of success adn -.dst the most discouraging difficulties, fell in the attack on Quebec, 31st December, 1/V.5, aged 69 years.” in the present number of this Journal we have given a view of the monument, and we ('lose this account by adding that the bones of the deceased have been brought recently from Canada, and are now deposited in the city of New-York, near the monument erect ed by order of Congress. We do not deem it necessary to dwell upon the particulars of the ceremony attending this “sad ostent,”— The following inscription was placed upon the coffin : The state -of New-York, in honor of general Richard Montgomery, who fell gloriously fighting for the Inde pendence and liberty of the CJ. S. before the walls of Que bec, die 61st December, 1775, caused these remains of •Ins distinguised hero to be conveyed fiorn Quebec, and deposited, on the 8th day of duly, 1818, in St. Paul's church, in the city of New-York, near the monument e- rected to his memory by the United Stales. Smith's Sermon, Am, Hint*. TOPOGRAPHY. PENSACOLA. Pensacola stands on the west side of the hay of that name. From a number of good observations by Mr. Ellieot, its latitude is 30 deg. 23 hi. 43 see. north, and its longi tude 87 deg. 14 m. 15 see. west from Green wich. The harbor of Pensacola is rendered of little value, from a singular cause. The worms in the harbor are so numerous that, a vessels bottom is generally ruined in two months ; anti it is absolutely necessary for ail vessels, not copper-bottomed, lying in the harbor, to be hove down and cleaned every 5 or 6 weeks. The entrance into the bay is defended by a small fort, on the west end of St. Rose’s Island, and a battery on the main land, near ly opposite to it. * The Conceah falls into the head of Pensa cola bay, which is a beautiful body of water, well stored with a variety of fine fish, crabs and oysters, and is justly considered one of the best harbors on the whole coast—vessels not drawing more than 21 fret water may cross the bar, at *11 times with safety. This river has generally though errone ously, been called the Escambia, which is the name of a much smaller stream that falls into it from the west, a short distance above Millar’s place. The banks of the Conecali, during a large portion of the spring, are in undated for many miles down the Pcnsatola bay, with very few exceptions. The population of West Florida is very inconsiderable. The principal settlement is on the Mississippi, between the boundary and the Iberville. On the north side of the Iberville, and the lakes, to the Gulf of Mex ico, there, are a few scattering inhabitants. Thence along the coast to Mobile hay there srsrsrnm. .. i. .;san-. .'i.n t ' i are a few more. There are likewise a few more about the bay. From the city of Mo bile, up the Mobile and Tensaw rivers, to the boundary, there may possibly be forty fa milies. From Mobile point to Pensacola bay there are no inhabitants, and no more than half a dozen farms on the bay. Froia the head of the hay, up to the Conecah tu tiic boundary, there are two plantations or farms. The population of the cities of Mobile and Pensacola does not exceed fif teen hundred inhabitants. From Pensacola bay to St. Mark’s there are no inhabitants. The upland of West Florida is generally of a very inferior quality. The river bot toms and flats are fertile, but too inconside rable as to quantity or too low and marshy, to give much value to the province. The governors of West Florida have been always noted for intrigue and duplici ty. Their character is well depicted by a Seminole chief who was present with Mr. Ellicott at drawing the line between the Uni ted States and Spain. Mr. Ellicott says, “ The Mad Dog (Seminole chief) asked col. Hawkins A myself, if we supposed gov.Folrh would attend to the treaty to which we answered in the affirmative. “ No, (replied the Mad Dog) he will not attend ; he knows what I shall say to him about his crooked calks. His tongue is forked; and, as you are here, lie will he ashamed to show it. If lie stands to what he told us, you will be of fended ; and if lie tells us the line ought to he marked, lie will contradict himself; but tie will do neither, lie will not come.” POLITICAL. Premature Controversy and kditoriul Spar ring.—In these piping times of peace, when the ordinary political controversy no longer prevails, it is not a little amusing to observe what light grounds of contention will arise among editorial brethren. The East and the West are already, and very prematurely put ting forth their claims on a very interesting subject ; hut whether these political pioneers are really in advance of a respectable force, or whether their arute sensibilities are con fined to themselves alone, does not clearly ap pear. Kentucky, or rather some of tne news papers of Kentucky, have manifested a dis satisfaction at the administiation of Monroe —that lie has not been sufficiently friendly to the republics of South America—that lie has appointed “ aristocrats” to office—is not friendly to internal improvements, Ac. Ac. The same papers have dwelt with some ener gy and justice, on the distinguished abilities and political sentiments and services of Mr. Clay, which latter circumstance, has alarm ed a Boston editor, who has taken a notion that the Kentuckians are putting forth Mr. Clay as a candidate for the Presidency at iiie next election,in opposition toMr.Monroc. Whether there are or arc not grounds for the suspicions of the Boston editor, we do not pretend at present to decide ; but in the f illness of his zeal and patriotism tie lias not hesitated to name Mr. John Quincy Adams, the Secretary of State, as having claims on the American people, which were now en croached upon. He has asserted that Mr. Clay is making exertions to “ get up a party to supplant Monroe and Adams !” This ig trulygivingahintvvhir.il cannot be misun derstood ; and the Kentucky editor accord ingly retorted w ith some spirit, that it is the right and the duty of an independent people and an independent press to speak with can dor and plainness of the measures of admi nistration—that he had but exercised this right, and the charges of the Boston editors were silly, servile and malicious. It must be gratifying to the people, who generally manage their affairs in their own way, to learn that the Boston editor has just made an important discovery, which ought to have been ap[Wfca«t at the outset of the controversy, vizTthat these speculations are rather premature ! and that it will be well to defer all this delicate sparring for a few years—pledging himself to coincide with and echo the voire of the people, whatever it may be t—Mitional Advocate. ('Jlejmb.J VALUABLE PROPERTY FOR SALE. T HE subscriber wishes to sell his establish ment in the town of Watkinsville, Clark county, at present, and formerly occupied as a Tavern and Store. The establishment consists of five half acre lots in the most eligible part of said town, on which theie is a newly erected building fifty-two feet long, and two stories high ; also an excellent store house, a dwelling house, and all necessary out houses for a tavern, vvitli an excellent garden. The situation is supposed to be as healthy as any in the Southern country, and has of late become n place of considerable resort for persons from the lower country during the summer months—Persons wishing to pur chase are invited to call and view the premises. JAMES LIOON. Watkinsville, August 26. * FUR SALE, V N elegant four wheel CARRIAGE, which will be sold low for cash. Apply to >lr,. John Hunt, Montioello. aept. 1.