Sir, and to your illustrious sovereigns; by their august and salutary intervention, as by your own, a son is restored to me, to whom my own life was attached. I have the sweet assurance, that my vows for my protectors are heard by Heaven, to whom they are ardently offered; yes, Sir, they will produce their effect before the dreadful and last tribunal, where I indulge in the hope, that we shall both appear together; you to receive the recompense of your virtues; myself, that of my sufferings. I will raise my voice before that imposing tribunal, I will call for those sacred registers, in which your humanity will be found recorded. I will pray that blessings may be showered on your heads, on him, who, availing himself of the noblest privilege received from God, a privilege no other than divine, has changed misery into happiness, has withdrawn the sword from the innocent head, and restored the worthiest of sons, to the most tender and unfortunate of mothers.

"Condescend, Sir, to accept this last tribute of gratitude due to your virtuous sentiments. Preserve this tribute, and may it go down to your posterity as a testimony of your sublime and exemplary beneficence to a stranger, whose nation was at war with your own; but these tender affections have not been destroyed by war. May this tribute bear testimony to my gratitude long after the hand that expresses it, with the heart which at this moment only vibrates with the vivacity of grateful sentiments, shall be reduced to dust; even to the last day of my existence, it shall beat but to offer all the respect and all the gratitude, with which it is penetrated.

THERESA ASGILL."

The tour of duty at Dobb's ferry, having fallen to our regiment, we marched from Nelson's point on the 24th, crossed the river at King's ferry, and on the 25th, encamped near the block house at this place. This afternoon a flag of truce arriv ed here from New York with despatches for General Washington, which were immediately forwarded to him.

August 5th.-Flags are passing and repassing from this post to New York and back every day, and several gentlemen have been permitted to come out of that city. By the intelligence which they bring corroborating those which we receive from other sources, commissioners are sent from the court of London to Paris, where they are to meet French and American commissioners for the important purpose of negotiating a general peace. May God grant them success in bringing to America an honorable peace and national Independence. A very con

siderable number of deserters have come out from New York within these few days past.

31st. The army marched from their different quarters this morning and encamped at Verplank's point in the evening. Part of the troops came down the river in boats, which being in motion and in regular order on the water, made a most beautiful appearance. I shall tomorrow commence a journey to Philadelphia, for the purpose of receiving a sum of money at the American Bank, for the payment of our regiment.

September 10th.-I returned last evening from Philadelphia, where I met my very respectable friends Dr. Treat and Dr. Benney, of the hospital, with whom I dined. Drank tea and spent the evening with Dr. Andrew Craige, our apothecary general. The next day dined with my friend Mr. James Lovell, formerly lieutenant and adjutant of our regiment, but now lieutenant in that fine regiment of light horse, commanded by Colonel Lee. Here I had the pleasure of being introduced to two celebrated characters, Dr. John Jones, of Philadelphia, and the honorable Robert Morris, the great American financier. Dr. Jones formerly resided in the city of New York, where he was "distinguished for his professional merit, urbanity of manners, and moral excellence." As a surgeon, Dr. Jones is considered at the head of the profession in the United States, and his reputation has been considerably extended by a valuable work entitled, "Plain remarks on wounds and fractures,' which he published in the year 1775 for the particular benefit of the surgeons of our army, and which has been received with universal approbation. Mr. Morris stands preeminent as a citizen, merchant and patriot, and the public are greatly indebted to him for his unrivalled efforts as superintendent of the finances of the United States, by which the public interest has been greatly promoted. I waited on Major General Lincoln, secretary at war, to obtain an order on the Bank for the money, which was the object of my visit, but was disappointed, as the state of the Bank would not admit of any discount.* General

*The continental paper money having answered the great purpose of carrying on the war hitherto, being depreciated to a mere shadow, has now ceased to circulate, by common consent of the people. It had by its extraordinary depreciation become the bane of society, corrupting the morals of the people by exciting a rage for speculation among all clases. Reckless of all considerations of honor, justice, gratitude or humanity, the mechanic, the farmer, the merchant, and men of science, scrupled not to involve themselves in paper money speculations, in which brothers defrauded brothers, children parents, and they in their turn spared not their children. Widows and orphans, whose annual interest were their only support, were impoverished and ruined. Creditors were frequently obliged by the tender laws to

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Lincoln introduced me to Mr. Osgood, a member of Congress from Massachusetts.

September 14th.-The whole army was paraded under arms this morning in order to honor his Excellency Count Rochambeau on his arrival from the southward. The troops were all formed in two lines extending from the ferry, where the count crossed, to head quarters. A troop of horse met and received him at King's ferry, and conducted him through the line to General Washington's quarters, where sitting on his horse by the side of his Excellency, the whole army marched before him and paid the usual salute and honors. Our troops were now in complete uniform and exhibited every mark of soldierly disci pline. Count Rochambeau was most highly gratified to per ceive the very great improvement which our army had made in appearance since he last reviewed them, and expressed his astonishment at their rapid progress in military skill and discipline. He said to General Washington "you must have formed an alliance with the king of Prussia. These troops are Prussians." Several of the principal officers of the French army who have seen troops of different European nations, have bestowed the highest encomiums and applause on our army, and declared that they had seen none superior to the

Americans.

16th.-Dined with Major General Howe, with a number of officers of our line, and on the 17th dined with Baron Steuben, in company with Generals Howe, Paterson, and a number of French officers. The baron is never more happy than when he is manifesting his generous friendship and benevolence.

October.-Eight battalions have been selected from the army to perform some grand manoeuvres and a review. The evolutions and firings were performed this day with that

receive their dues in depreciated money, for specie that had been lent in full confidence of realizing its value in return. Instances were not wanting of old debts being paid when the paper money was reduced in value to more then seventy for one; and in Virginia, it is said, when three hundred for one. It is matter of astonishment that such a remarkable revolution in our political economy has not shaken the United States to their foundation. A number of patriotic citizens of Pennsylvania, having associated for the purpose of instituting a national bank, congress highly ap proved of the plan, and in December, 1781, passed an ordinance incorporating the subscribers by the name of the "North American bank." They also appointed Robert Morris, Esq. their financier. No citizen in the U. S. is supposed to he more competent to the arduous duties of this office, nor is any one more respected for genuine patriotism and public virtue. His embarrassments, however, are found to be almost insurmountable, but by the most strenuous and persevering efforts he has effected a very considerable melioration in the financial affairs of our country.

regularity and precision which does them honor, and which received the full approbation of the numerous spectators, and of the American and French officers who were present.

30th.-At reveille on the 26th instant, the left wing of our army, under the command of General Heath, decamped from Verplank's point and marched to the highlands; took our lodging in the woods, without covering, and were exposed to heavy rain during a night and day. Thence we crossed the Hudson to West Point, and marched over the mountain called Butter hill; passed the night in the open field, and the next day reached the ground where we are to erect log huts for our winter quarters, near New Windsor.

November 10th.-I attended the funeral of my late worthy friend, Ensign Trant. This young gentleman at the age of eighteen, came over from Ireland about two years since, and on his arrival in Boston, was appointed an ensign in our regiment. Having a taste for military life, he had acquired considerable reputation as an officer, and was esteemed for his amiable temper and disposition, his liberal and generous sentiments, and his polite and gentlemanly manners. He suffered a lingering illness of eight months. Renouncing all hope of recovery, he conquered the terrors of death and acquired a remarkable degree of patience and resignation during the last weeks of his extreme suffering. His remains were decently interred in the garrison at West Point, and were followed to the grave by his Excellency General Washington, and a very respectable procession.

A melancholy event has recently been announced from South Carolina. Colonel John Laurens, a man of inestimable value, has been slain in a rencounter with the enemy near Charleston. He was the son of Henry Laurens, Esq. late president of Congress, and our ambassador to Holland. He had been employed on a special mission to France, to obtain a loan for the United States, in which he was success ful. The enemy having detached a party into the country to procure provisions, Colonel Laurens, ever foremost in danger, joined the party of continentals as a volunteer, to counteract their object, and while advancing on the enemy with great intrepidity, he received a mortal wound. His death is universally lamented, more especially at this late period, when the contest is supposed to be near a termination. No eulogy can exceed the merit of this noble and very useful officer.

A very extraordinary and melancholy event has recently been announced from England. The ship called the Royal George, of one hundred and eight guns, commanded by Admiral Kempenfelt, being careened on one side to receive some necessary repairs, was by a sudden gust of wind forced over, and her gun ports being open, she instantly filled with water, and went to the bottom. The admiral himself was writing at his table in the cabin, who with about one thousand souls was lost; among them were about three hundred women and children. Admiral Kempenfelt was about seventy years of age, and was considered, in point of professional knowledge and judgment, one of the first naval officers in Europe. A victualler along side was swallowed up in the whirlpool occasioned by the sinking of the ship.

The campaign is now brought to a close, and no glorious deeds have been achieved, not a gun has been fired, between the two armies during the campaign, and the prospect of peace is so favorable and encouraging, that our Congress have passed a resolve to discharge a considerable part. of the army on the 1st day of January next. The supernumerary officers are to retire on the establishment provided by Congress, and are to be entitled to all the emoluments with those who continue in service till peace shall be proclaimed.

December 15th.-Dined with my friends Drs. Townsend, Eustis, and Adams, at the hospital, in company with Generals Gates and Howe, and their aids, Dr. Cochran, our sur geon general, and several other officers. Our entertainment was ample and elegant.

19th. I partook of another entertainment at Dr. Eustis's quarters, New Boston. Our guests were General McDou gall, and his aids, Colonels Jackson, Crane, &c. General Alexander McDougall is the son of a Scotchman, whose employment was that of a milk man in the city of New York; and the son was sometimes his assistant. The General at an early period was distinguished among those who had adopted the whig principles, and known to be a zealous advocate for freedom. Principle and a sense of duty led him to the field of contest, and in August, 1776, he was by Congress appointed a brigadier general, and by his intelligence and active spirit he has acquired a reputable standing as a general officer. He displays much of the Scotch character, is affable and facetious, often indulging in pleasantry, and adverting to his national peculiarities and family origin; at the