recently arrived in the vicinity of Morristown; that from the last returns, the American army, at its several positions, which might be readily concentrated, amounted to nearly twenty thousand men; and that an attack on the enemy was only delayed, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements, already in great forwardness; adding, that as the capture of the commanding officer at Brunswick was an object of the first importance, it was material to ascertain particularly the situation of his quarters in the town, and also the force and position of the guards, out-posts, &c. &c.

The spy, giving general Dickinson every assurance that he would faithfully execute his commission, was permitted to proceed on his visit. On reaching New Brunswick, he communicated, without delay, to lord Cornwallis, all that passed in the conversation between the general and himself, which induced his lordship to relinquish his meditated attack.

"During the fall of 1777, general Dickinson, after informing himself precisely of the force and situation of the enemy on Staten Island, projected another expedition against that post, in the hope of being able entirely to cut off Skinner's brigade of loyal Americans, which was stationed there. His perfect knowledge of the country enabled him to make such a disposition, as promised success, and authorized a hope that his plan would be executed as formed. He collected about two thousand men, and requested from general Putnam, a diversion on the side of King's bridge, in order to prevent a sudden reinforcement from New York.

"Knowing well that success depended on secrecy, he had concealed his object, even from his officers, until 8 o'clock of the night on which it was to be executed; yet by three in the morning, information of the design was given to general Skinner, who was thereby put on his guard: and on the first alarm, he saved himself and his brigade by taking refuge in some works too strong to be carried by assault. In the flight, a few prisoners were made, and a few men killed; after which, general Dickinson brought off his party with a loss of only three killed, and ten slightly wounded. Soon after the British army reached Philadelphia, in the autumn of 1777, count

Donop crossed the Delaware, with the intention, as it was believed, of investing Red Bank, a post on the Jersey side of the river. Immediate measures were taken to raise the militia of that state: this was rendered particularly difficult at this moment, by an event by no means common. The time for which the governor was elected had expired, and no new election had been made. The late executive, therefore, did not think itself authorized to take any measures, as an executive; and had not general Dickinson ventured to order out the militia, by his own authority, they could not have been put in motion." Marshall's Life of Washington.

General Dickinson was present at the battle of Monmouth, with all the militia he could assemble. He was also a member of the council of war, held on the night before the action. He there took an opportunity of representing to general Washington, that though the militia might be less efficient in the field than regular troops, yet they were capable of performing a very important part in guarding the army against an attack that night; by which the whole of the continental troops would have an opportunity of obtaining that repose they so much needed; and if the commander in chief would confide to them that honour, he would pledge himself that the camp should not be surprised. General Dickinson's offer was accepted, and on the following morning, before day-light, information was conveyed to the commander in chief, that the enemy had resumed his line of march.

At the close of the war, general Dickinson retired to his seat on the banks of the Delaware.

In December, 1784, congress appointed three commissioners to select a spot for a federal city, on either side of the river Delaware, not more than eight miles above, nor eight miles below its lower falls. The persons chosen were Robert Morris, Esq. general Schuyler, and general Dickinson.

General Dickinson was a member of the senate of the United States for several years, previously to the removal of congress to Washington. He died in Februa iry, 1809.

DRAYTON, HENRY WILLIAM, an ardent patriot, and a political writer of considerable eminence, was born in South Carolina, in the year 1742. He spent his youth, and acquired his education, in England. Soon after he came to manhood, he returned to Carolina, and there, with inferior opportunities, but superior industry, prosecuted his studies. In it he acquired the greater part of that knowledge for which he was afterwards distinguished. He first began to write for the public about the year 1769. Under the signature of "Freeman" he stated several legal and constitutional objections to an association, or rather the mode of enforcing an association, for suspending the importation of British manufactures, which was then generally signed by the inhabitants. This involved him in a political controversy, in which he was opposed by Christopher Gadsden, and John Mackenzie. În the year 1774, he wrote a pamphlet under the signature of "Freeman, which was addressed to the American congress. In this he stated the grievances of America, and drew up a bill of American rights. This was well received. It substantially chalked out the line of conduct adopted by congress, then in ses sion. He was elected a member of the provincial congress, which sat in January, 1775; and in the course of that year was advanced to the presidency thereof. In the latter character, he issued, on the 9th of November, 1775, the first order that was given in South Carolina, for firing on the British. The order was addressed to colonel William Moultrie, and directed him "by every military operation to endeavour to oppose the passage of any British naval armament that may attempt to pass fort Johnson." This was before congress had decided on independence, and in the then situation of Carolina, was a bold, decisive measure.

Before the revolution, Mr. Drayton was one of the king's counsellors, and one of his assistant judges for the province.. The first of these offices he resigned, and from the last he was dismissed by the officers of his Britannic majesty. On the formation of a popular constitution, he was reinstated in the corresponding offices of the state, and in the last, advanced to the rank of chief justice. He published his charge to the grand jury, in

April,-9CJWW breathes all the spirit and energy of the mind which knows the value of freedom, and is de termined to support it.

The following is an extract from the charge:

"In short, I think it my duty to declare in the awful seat of justice, and before Almighty God, that, in my opinion, the Americans can have no safety but by the Divine favour, their own virtue, and their being so prudent as not to leave it in the power of the British rulers to injure them. Indeed, the ruinous and deadly injuries received on our side, and the jealousies entertained, and which, in the nature of things, must daily increase against us, on the other, demonstrate to a mind in the least given to reflection upon the rise and fall of empires, that true reconcilement never can exist between Great Britian and America, the latter being in subjection to the former. The Almighty created America to be independent of Britain: Let us beware of the impiety of being backward to act as instruments in the Almighty hand, now extended to accomplish his purpose; and by the completion of which alone, America, in the nature of human affairs, can be secure against the craft and insidious designs of her enemies, who think her prosperity and power ALREADY BY FAR TOO GREAT. In a word, our piety and political safety are so blended, that to refuse our labours in this Divine work, is to refuse to be a great, a free, a pious, and a happy people!

And now having left the important alternative, political happiness or wretchedness, under God, in a great degree in your own hands, I pray the Supreme Arbiter of the affairs of men, so to direct your judgment, as that you may act agreeably to what seems to be his will, revealed in his miraculous works in behalf of America, bleeding at the altar of liberty." This being anterior to the declaration of independence, was bold language. Several publications appeared from his pen, explaining the injured rights of his country, and encouraging his fellow-citizens to vindicate them. He has also left a manuscript history of the American revolution, in three folio volumes, brought down to the end of the year 1778, which he intended to continue, and publish. His coun try, pleased with his zeal and talents, heaped offices upon

him. He was appointed a member of congress in 1776 and 1779. Soon after he had taken his seat, British com missioners came to America, with the hope of detaching the states from their alliance with France. Drayton took an active and decided part in favour of the measures adopted by his countrymen. His letters, published expressly to controvert the machinations of the British commissioners, were considered as replete with irresistible arguments, and written in the best style of composition.

He died in Philadelphia, in 1779, while attending his duty in congress, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. He was a statesman of great decision and energy, and one of the ablest political writers South Carolina has produced.

FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, a philosopher and statesman, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, January 17, 1706. His father, who was a native of England, was a soap boiler and tallow-chandler in that town. At the age of eight years, he was sent to a grammar school, but at the age of ten, his father required his services to assist him in his business. Two years afterwards, he was bound an apprentice to his brother, who was a printer. In this employment he made great proficiency, and having a taste for books, he devoted much of his leisure time to reading. So eager was he in the pursuit of knowledge, that he frequently passed the greater part of the night in his studies. He became expert in the Socratic mode of reasoning by asking questions, and thus he sometimes embarrassed persons of understanding superior to his own. In 1721, his brother began to print the New England Courant, which was the third newspaper published in America. The two preceding papers were the Boston News Letter, and Boston Gazette. Young Franklin wrote a number of essays for the Courant, which were so well received, as to encourage him to continue his literary labours. To improve his style, he