A SK ETC H

O F T HE

L IF E AND PU BL IC S ERV IC ES

JAMES MITC HEL L V ARNU M

RH DE IS L AND O F O ,

' Brzgadzer- Gmeml of t/ze Continental Army ; Member of f"e Continental

u m u 5 . S C N. W. ss u d U . Cong re ; j g e pre e o rt,

Maj or- Gmeral Rlzode Island Volu nteer M

BY AMES MIT C HEL L V ARNU M J ,

O F NEW YO RK C IT Y.

B O S T O N

P DAV ID C L AP 8: S ON, PRINTERS . l 9O 6 Tlze am c Mass V u s o a a i . m fBr t ,

7 44 177 534 5 JAMES MIT C HEL L V ARNU M.

8 ' By James Mitch ell Varr mm.

E IT C HEL L ARNU e e e JAM S M V M , ld st son of Major Samu l rae M 011 e e e 17th 4 D u t t s 17 8 . Varnum , was born at , as , D c mb r , After an academical education h e entered Harvard College as e t h e a e 16 e 7 th e a Fr shman at g of y ars and months , in class

1769 c e e e t . e e of , but did not ontinu th r un il graduation Th r is no official record at t he University as to th e reason for his ’ e c l aving Harvard , but inasmu h as in Quincy s history of Har vard Coll ege there is mention of disturbances amongst th e e 1768 e e e e e e stud nts in April , , in cons qu nc of which som w r e e e e e e e e rusticat d and oth rs xp ll d , it is consid r d probabl that " ” the e e e Varnum , who had r putation of b ing rath r wild at

l e e e ee one th e e . co l g , may hav b n of numb r He c e Drac u tt 1767 taught s hool in his nativ town of in , 23d 1768 e e e e e e and on May , nt r d Rhod Island Coll g (now e c h e e Brown Univ rsity) , from whi h institution graduat d with 1769 th e first e honors in , in class to graduat from that

e e. At th e e e e c e e w as coll g comm nc m nt day l bration , Which e t h e e new ee - o e e h ld in th n Baptist m ting h us at Warr n, on e e e 7th 1769 e ce in the S pt mb r , , Varnum took a promin nt pla ” e e e s x rcis s , taking part in a Syllogi tic Disputation in Latin , “ and also being one of two students engaged in a Forensic Dispute entitled Th e Americans in their present c ircum ' stances c annot consistent with good policy aIIect to become an ” e ind pendent state. “ Mr. Varnum ingeniously defended th e proposition by eo e e e d e e he w as g nt argum nts handsom ly r ss d, though subtly, but e e f m o e Mr. ms o h o W d licat ly, ppos d by William Willia , b t ho ” e e ie f e spok with mphasis and propriety . Full cop s o th ir 4

’ a e u d c h rgum nts may be found in Dr . G il s ac ount of t e com * nc 1 h e e e me eme1t . As a sign of t e tim s it may b m ntioned that e e e n th e a d e e e t h e at this comm nc m nt not o ly c ndi at s , but v n ” e e e e e e e c e . Pr sid nt, w r dr ss d in Am ri an manufactur s T

1769 Mr. e e i c e e In , Varnum , aft r l av ng oll g , again taught a e at Draou tt e e e e s ee school for tim , but v n at this arly dat ms _ e e e e his e h e e to hav d cid d to mak futur om in Rhod Island , for soo n thereafter h e entered th e oth ee of th e Honorable Oliver ey e e th e c h he Arnold , Attorn G n ral of olony , with w om was a ’ student at law until t he latter s decease in O c tober 1770. ’ o e h e e arnu ms e i It is pr babl , ow v r, that young V d c sion to settle in Rhode Islan d was chiefly d u e t o t h e fac t th at during his s tudent life at Warren h e h ad fallen in love with a fair e a c h he e on F ebn uar 2d daught r of th t olony , w om marri d y , 1 h 770. Her e h C nam was Mart a (usually known as Patty) ild , th e e e e th e e me" h of W e ld st daught r of Honorabl Cro C ild arr n, e e t h e e e e e one a m mb r of Rhod Island G n ral Ass mbly , and of a e e a nd e e e in h e family of consid rabl , v n notabl , distinction t os

days . B e e O ne h er s e e . e of ist rs marri d Hon B njamin ourn , aft r wards Member of C ongress and United States Distric t and

a e and a e . e e e e Circuit J dg , noth r Dr P t r Turn r , a distinguish d e th e e l A e c z e surg on in Contin nta rmy, and a p romin nt iti n of

Rhode Island . ' ’ ve It may be h eres t at ed that Mr. V arnu ms marriage pro d to be -a lmost happy one h e being represented by t h e c hroniclers

‘ f ” e e e e affec ionat e h u sband of that p riod as an xc ll nt and t , and “ c as - e a nd o n e th e m his onsort a high mind d lady, of ost ” vived e e . ms u r ee e . arnu ch rful , sociabl , and b st of wiv s Mrs V

‘ . t ober 8 e e . on e h er 4 R. I O husband y ars, and di d at Bristol , ,

' ‘ 10th 1837 e th e e a e of 88 1 e 1 . , , without issu , at advanc d g y a s

” - mmen ement ofR 1 h e F r t o o eI an R A: u i o e t on R. . T s s o e e b . i C c h d l d C ll g , y G ld, C ll c i ‘

H . Prov en 1 stor a S ociet vol. 7 e 88 5. i ic l y, id c .

ann n and Brown U n vers t b R. A. u . ou 8: L n o n Boston 1864. fM i g i i y, y G ild G ld i c l , , 5

e h e Ba 1771 Mr. r u t r In , Va n m was admitt d to , and soon

w I. h c ee R. e e e e after settled in East Gr n ich , , w r his d id d ability c e h im e e e c e h e t e e early a quir d for an xt nsiv pra tic , and rav ll d h c t h e c o e u e ee one t e irc uit of ol ny , r aping in an unus al d gr for e u ew r h is so young t h e honors and p c niary r a ds of profession . “ i e in e th e h e Mr. Wilk ns Updyk , his M moirs of R od Island ” e e Mr. h e e Bar, in r f rring to Varnum at t is p riod of his lif , “ : He ee l c e h e c e c e says was d p y atta h d to mat matical s i n , and delighted in its pursuit ; his whole life was an evid en c e that h e was nat urally a mathematic ian his habits were thos e o fintens e study and boisterous relaxation . He w as fond of exhibiting his l e e e e e e h t c e skil in gymnastics , and v r r ady to x rcis in t a an i nt h art one w o e e e e. with any would ngag with him , nobl or ignobl e e e h e ex Strong and activ in fram , and ard ntly attac d to such erc ises h e e c t he e e , gav his in lination for such sports full st rang ” to a late p eriod in his life. In another portion of his biography e e e e e e c c er of G n ral Varnum , and r f rring g n rally to his hara t , d ke a c Mr. U p y s ys : Varnum was p eriodi ally an intens e stu

- de b e e e ee . He e e t h e e nt, and would s clud d for w ks poss ss d rar e reat ment al c h ilos0 hio r pow r of g abstra tion and p p atiocination .

He e h is c ases ' and th e c e e e e was mast r of , all fa ts w r w ll arrang d h h and dig est ed for trial . Varnum told a friend t at e studied

: e bed e u . his cas s in , and oft n had his books bro ght to him This is :th e solution of th e mystery whic h some thought was e intuition , of instantly rising in court and arguing his caus , to e e e public surpris and admiration , without any appar nt pr vious

o n u l ation . e a l preparation or. o s t H e was a great admir r of V tt e an d Mont esqu eiu ; the latter h e would almost rep eat . . He de e i n e e th e e . e e e light d , and cultivat d his tast for, po ts Shak sp ar , Y Po e h e e e e readi oung, p , and Addison would r cit with gr at e e n hi e e n ss , and Wh n a ovel came into his hands s meals w r ” s e e u ntil it fini h ed usp nd d was s . i th s time 15t 1773 Mr. It was about . , on August h , , that Var 6

h num purc has ed for £18 . t e land at East Green wich upon h c h h e c e c e t h e e e th e n w i omm n d r ction of colonial mansio , to

c h e e e e h e e e be e. e e whi r f r nc Will r aft r mad Owing, how v r , to t h e e t h e t h e ar troubl d condition of country , and w which soon

e w c Mr. c e e e follow d , in hi h Varnum took su h an int r st d and e his O e e e e e th e activ part, building p rations w r int rrupt d, and house w as not c ompl eted and occ upied until some four or five years th ereafter .

Mr. e e e e e Varnum , v ry arly in lif , took an int ns and active e f e e e th e inter st in military a fairs , sp cially in vi w of discontent h e c e t h e e e firmc on in t oloni s With rul of Gr at Britain , and his vic tion th at sooner or later war must ensue. He made a c are a th e ful study not only of military tactics , but lso of art and

e e e e . sci nc of war, Which aft rwards stood him in good st ad e 1774 h e e e e e e th e In Octob r, , b cam a chart r m mb r and com e h t h e e th e e mand r, wit rank of Colon l , of K ntish Guards , a e i c ee h e uniform d milit a ompany of infantry in East Gr nwic , th n ch artered by th e Rhode Island Gen eral Ass embly under th e “ styl e of th e First Independent Company of t h e County of ” e ch e e e 32 e offi c er K nt, and whi subs qu ntly gav commission d s th e e e h e . to t e army of Am rican R volution, amongst th m Gen

e ee e Gen . 001. e ee e Nathani l Gr n , Varnum, Christoph r Gr n ,

l . h . C o . Crary and Maj W itmarsh e e W th e It was about this tim , and in conn ction ith Kentish e e e e e e Guards , that th r b gan that intimacy and d vot d fri ndship e ee e ee e J e that existed b tw n Nathani l Gr n and am s M. Varnum until they were parted by th e death of th e latter . in e — Mr. Ge e ee e . en . org Washington Gr n , his lif of Maj G ’ ee e e ee e ee e e th e e Gr n , aft r alluding to Gr n s d p int r st in K ntish

Guards , says

n the first officers w as e M. Amo gst Jam s Varnum , a man of exalted ’ " ’ e h he e e ee e who w as e h tal nts , w om lov d and st m d , to tak an onorable h place in the civil and military history of t e Revolution . 7

Nath aniel eene w as e the c e e Gr only a privat in ompany , but subs qu ntly ec e a c e e e nc a c e h ch met h c on b am andidat for a li ut na y , andidatur w i wit siderable opposition . ' ee e ee had had e h one of his ee h ch e Gr n , it s ms , a troubl wit kn s , w i gav h his the e e e the e c om a slig t limp to gait , and in y s of som of villag and c c s h s h h h e e h u nfittin pany riti , t i limp , alt oug slig t , was a s rious bl mis , g ffi him e e o cer e e e. not m r ly for an , but v n for a privat h e c h e h ee e e . Gr n was t und rstru k at t is opposition , and took it sor ly to art h h hi e e e . e e e s e His fri nds w r indignant Varnum t r at n d to wit draw nam , ’ and the loss of V arnu ms fine p erson and popular eloquence would have ” h h - e c a been a serious blow to t e alf organiz d omp ny .

e finall e e w e How this matt r was y s ttl d know not, but doubt e ee e e h is eu e er l ss Gr n withdr w candidacy for li t nant, and p su aded e ee it h e e e e his fri nds to agr to , for r main d a privat in th e e e h e e t h e e company until about two y ars lat r , w n , ov r h ads t h e e a e - e e of all his cri ics , was promot d to Brigadi r G n ralcy e - e e t he e e e an by his f llow m mb rs of Rhod Island L gislatur , n i i appoi tment which h s subs equent brilliant career fully ju st fied. Ah interesting letter written by Greene to his friend and e th e e th e e- e e command r, V arnum, at tim of abov m ntion d trou ble e ' e er e , is still xtant,1and is worthy of pr s vation in this volum although it has already been printed in full in the life of Gen .

ee e e e e e . Gr n , abov r f rr d to

e e e M. Es ee It is addr ss d to Jam s Varnum , q , East Gr nwich , and W en th e m 1774 e was probably ritt in autu n of , or arly in 1775 ea , and r ds as follows

’

m. e d 2 c c . Cov ntry , Mon ay , o lo k , p Dear Sir a a l ce e ee As I mambitious of maint ining a p a in your st m , and c h e it if sc e c l le I annot op to do , I di ov r in my a tions a itt mind and a mean spirit I think in justice to myself I ought to acquaint you with the — particu lars ofthe su bj ec t upon which w e conversed to- day I was informed

’ W r G. eene s Hist r f r l a o o ene a reene ol. 1 e 50. G y G G , v , p g “ " On ma 1 l ett er is in t h e o f r m York . g l p s session o James M. V a nu ofNew 8 t he gentlemen of East Greenwic h said I was a blemish to the c ompany I c onfess it is the first stroke of mortification that I ever felt from being c onsidered either in private or publick life a blemish to those with whom — I associated hitherto I have always had the happiness to find myself re ted c e e e e h c e e ec e spec in so i ty in g n ral , and my fri nds ip ourt d by as r sp tabl h the e e — e e h he e h h c aracters as any in Gov rnm nt pl as d Wit t s t oug ts , and — anxious to promote the good of my country and ambitious of inc reasing — the c onsequ ence of East Greenwich I have exerted myself to form a mili — tary c ompany there but little did I think that the Gentlemen considered th e h e — m he e e e me in lig t of an obtrud r y art is too susc ptibl of prid , and my sentiments too delicate to wish a c onnexion where I amconsidered in — an inferior point of light I have always made it my study to promote the ee ch c e t he h interest of Gr nwi and to ultivat good opinion of its in abitants , h the e e eech t he e e c r er t at s v rity of sp and union of s ntim nt , oming f om p — sons so unexpected might wound the pride of my heart deeper than the — force of th e observation merited God knows when I first entered this c had c em thee de ompany I not in ont plation any kind of o , but was fully ' t ermined cc e Grefl he h e ee en e not to a pt any , but and ot rs av b n d avouring — to obtain my c onsent for some weeks past I never expected that being a h c e me e ce e member of t at ompany would giv any more c onsequ n in lif , — either as private soldier or c ommissioned ofiic er I thought the c ause of e w as e attackt f ce Lib rty in dang r , and as it was by a military or , it was ece c e r the e e h h n ssary to ultivat a military spi it amongst P opl , t at s ould tyranny endeavor to make any further advances we might be prepared to

‘ fir t e c e e h if e ne er check it in its s salli s . I onsid r d wit myself that w v h be e h ch cte e le c et s ould want d in t at ara r , it would form a pr tty litt so i y in ee he e w e h e e e few h the our m tings , w r mig t r lax ours lv s a ours from various — o ccupations of life and return to our business again With more activity — and spirit I did not want to add any new consequen ce to myself from — the distin ction o f that c ompany if I had been ambitious of promotion in — a publick character you yourself can witness for me I have had it in my — power but I always preferred the pleasures of private society to those ‘ ’ — ' of publick distinction If 1 conceive aright of the force of the o bjection of t he e e e of the officer as er g ntl m n town it was not as an , but a soldi , for ‘ — ‘ that my halt ing w as a blemish to t he rest I confess it is my misfortune e c ce e t be e w e are to limp a littl , but I did not on iv it o so gr at , but not ' ’ e n e c ee th ’ apt to discov r our ow d fe ts . I f l e less mortified at it as it s 9

t or e ec h e e m c — I h natural and not a s ain d f tion , t at r sult d from y a tions ave e e e h the h h e de t he pl as d mys lf Wit t oug ts of s rving un r you , but as it is — general opinion that 1amu nfit for such an undertaking I shall desist I feel not t he less inclination to promote t he good of t he Company bec ause ‘ — ’ I amnot to be one ofits members I Will do any thing that s in my power the h e be n t he e e e th to pro cu re C art r , I will at my proportio of xp ns until e c f e c e l e — L et me e t e ou ompany is orm d and ompl t y quipt n r at you , Sir , if y e a me s e the c t h crititi’c al sea have any r g rd for , not to for ak ompany at is e the c e e ce — it ou e b e me it e son for I f ar ons qu n s y m an to o lig by , I assur u l h e the c e and s fift o it Wil not , I would not av ompany br ak di band for y — y Dollars it would be a disgrace upon the c ounty and upon the mu min eel e mortification h e e e — h particular . I f mor t an r s ntm nt but I t ink it would have manifested a more generous temper to have given me their Opinions e h e c c c ec in privat t an to mak pro lamation of it in publi k as a apital obj tion , — for nobody loves to be the subject of ridicule how ever true th e cause I - — t e . e e and Mr purpose o att nd to morrow if my busin ss will p rmit as . Greene is waiting will add no more only that I amwith great truth ce e re Your sin r f i nd , NATHANAEL R N G EE E .

Th e prominent part taken by Varnum in the Colonial con t roversy inspired him with an ambition to enter t h e military e e e th e e th e e L ex s rvic of his country , and wh n n ws of battl of

in t on e e ee 1775 . g r ach d East Gr nwich , in , Col Varnum as e e th e e h ee e s mbl d K ntish Guards , and wit in thr hours , w ll e e and e e e e e th e uniform d , arm d quipp d , th y w r on march to e e e e e w e e h e e e Provid nc , and th nc to Pawtuck t, h r t y l arn d that th e e e e e B t e e ce e e n my had r tir d to oston , and hat th ir s rvi s w r Th e e ee th e e e no longer required . n xt w k Gen ral Ass mbly of Rhode Island authoriz ed th e raising of a brigade of three e e e e ee e e a mem r gim nts of infantry, und r Nathani l Gr n , th n ber th e e e - e e of Ass mbly , as Brigadi r G n ral , and Varnum was s el ec ted as Colonel of th e regiment to be rais ed in th e counties e and On 8 1775 h e w as c of K nt Kings , and May th , , ommis sioned by the Provincial General Assembly as Colonel of th e 10 l st Regiment Rhode Island Infantry in th e Brigade of Obser e th e 5t h e h vation . Aft r of August of that y ar t e regiment w as th e 12th e th e known as Contin ntal Foot , and during year iall e e t h e 9h 1776 offic y d signat d t Contin ental Foot . Wh en th is first change in name took plac e th e offic ers received c om m th e es e e en W issions from Pr id nt of Congr ss , wh ashington e e - in- e h e was appoint d command r chi f, and t ir commands were then styl ed Continental troops .

u t he 8th e 1775 . e O of Jun , , Col Varnum arriv d with his - e e e e . en . ee e. r gim nt at Roxbury , and r port d to Brig G Gr n Here it was under fire during th e shelling of that place on th e Ju ne 1775 e 17 u 26th . th of , , and also at Plow d Hill on A gust h e th e - e M D uring t e cannonad at last nam d place Adjt . umford e e t h e e e e and another m mb r of r gim nt had th ir heads shot off. n t h e 23d J th e h e e e e O uly, R od Island Brigad r mov d to ’ rn m e Prosp ec t Hill . Col . V a u s r giment continued at th e siege th e e e th e e em 17th of Boston until town was vacuat d by n y,

h 1776 . e e th e e e e t h e of Marc , M anwhil t rms of s rvic of most of e men h ad e e e e e e e enlist d xpir d in D c mb r , but th y continu d on th e l st Janu ar 1776 e r duty until of y , , and th n almost all e enlisted for another year . th e l st 1776 th e e Marching from Boston on of April , , r gi e e e e e e m nt w nt into t mporary quart rs at Provid nc , and then ee e V ia orw ich New e e e e proc d d N to London , wh r it mbark d in New Y e e e th e 1 transports for ork City , and arriv d th r on 7th of April . e e e e e Pursuant to g n ral ord rs from Army H adquart rs , New Y 30th 1776 th e l st 2nd h e ork, April , , and R od Island Conti n ent al Infantry crossed th e East River to Brooklyn on the 3rd of May and began to fortify th e h eights . - u th e l st u ne . Gen . a h O of J , pursuant to Brig N t aniel ’ ee e e e e fi c m Gr n s ord rs of that dat from Brooklyn H ights , ve o ’ anies V arnu ms e e e e e th e p of Col . r gim nt w r station d upon right 11

th e e ee e ee in Fort Box , and oth r thr b tw n that work and Fort

Greene. - h 9h Ju ne . Gen . ee e e e th e l st On t e t of , Brig Gr n dir ct d and ’ 2n d Rhod e Island and Col . Moses Littl e s 12th regiment Con tinent al Foot (8th Mass . Infantry) of his brigade to exercise together four days in each week . - h e 17th J u ne . en . ee e e On t of , Brig G Gr n assign d six com ’ ms anies . V arnu e e h p of Col r gim nt to garrison Fort Box , w ich w as e th e e th e e e Pac ific ee e n ar lin of pr s nt Str t, a short distanc e ee e th e abov Bond Str t , Brooklyn , and two compani s to ” e w as e e Oblong r doubt , which on a pi c of rising ground at th e e t h e e en De e e corn r of pr s t Kalb and Hudson Av nu s ,

Brooklyn . n th e 8th th e e e e offic er e e th e l st O of July , sam g n ral ord r d

e . o Defianc e Rhod Island , Col Varnum , to g and garrison Fort ,

Red Gen . at Hook , Brooklyn , which in a communication to W e e e 5th Ju l ashington from H adquart rs , Brooklyn H ights , y, ” h e said h e regarded as a post of vast importance. Here the regiment remain ed during th e battl e of Long ' - th e e e e flank . Gre . e Island , on xtr m right of Maj n Isra l Put ’ e e e th e e e nam s forc s , ngag d with alli d British and H ssian th e e ’ c e e e e . for s , and n ar st to n my s ships n th e 30th th e l st 2nd e n O of August, and Rhod Isla d hav e e th e e re- e th e e t h e ing vacuat d lin s , cross d East Riv r to City h of New York early in t e morning . th e e e th e e e w as e In action at Harl m H ights , r gim nt an activ - a e e . . C y . particip nt und r its Li ut Col (Archibald rar ) , Col Var h num being at th e time on t e sick report . Soon afterward th e regiment crossed th e Hudson at Fort L ee w as h e e th e 23d e e e th e e , and t r on of S pt mb r with r main ’ ’ der th e e l e ee e h e of brigad (Nixon s , at Gr n s) , whic includ d 2 e th e nd h e . e e th e 13th R od Island From th nc , on of Octob r , ’ - s n . e pur uant to Brig . Ge John Nixon s orders of that dat and 12

- h e i ce . e e n o en . plac , which had issu d c mplian with Maj G ’ ee e c th e e e e e e th e Gr n s instru tions , brigad imm diat ly mov d ov r e t on th e l 6th e w as f rry to Fort Washing on , and of Octob r at ’

h e e mw e e e . arnu ms e East C st r , fro h nc , on that dat , Col V r gi ’ e e a e th e en m nt was order d to m rch toward Throg s N ck , at e e e th e e tranc of Long Island Sound , wh r British had land d on th e 12th e e e. th e e , and to r tard th ir advanc Taking post at w st ’ ’ en d h e e e h a det achmen t of t caus way from Throg s N ck, wit at

. e e e e th e e e e th e, s W stch st r Mill , on caus way wh r bridg plank

ee e o e th e l st . e e e e e had b n r m v d , Rhod Island r main d h r until ’ th e 18th e e e e . , and th n mov d to Val ntin s Hill l h hi e h e C o . w as s e t e Two days lat r, Varnum wit r gim nt at e e on th e l st ovember in ca battl of Whit Plains , and of N mp at

e. n th e 22nd e e th e e e w as North Castl O of Nov mb r, r gim nt e e e u e th e th e quart r d n ar Phillipsb rg , and cross d Hudson with e th e 2n e e e w as e w th e brigad on d of D c mb r, and at Hav rstra on

4th of D ecember .

h . e e As th e terms of service, of t e s v ral Rhode Island C onti n ent al e e e e c lose h e e e e his e r gim nts w r drawing to a , h r l ft r gi e e b e e th e e - in— e m nt, and was s nt y his Exc ll ncy , command r chi f, e h e influ en c e e e e th e to Rhod Island , to ast n , by his and pr s nc , ec e th e r ruitm nt of army .

O n th e 12th c e e e Gen . W of O tob r pr c ding, ashington, from H e e e e e r Army adquart rs , Harl m H ights , had sp cially ec om mended h imfor retention in th e army on its propos ed re- ar ” rangement for th e w ar. He had been at home but a few days When th e Rhode Island e e e e th e 12th e e e G n ral Ass mbly appoint d him on of D c mb r, 1776 er- e e th e e , Brigadi G n ral of Stat Militia, and also of th e e e e th e e e Rhod Island Stat Brigad on Contin ntal Establishm nt . He relinquish ed his regimental commission on acceptanc e of this e e e 8th last commission , and was on duty succ ssiv ly at Tiv rton , 23rd uar 1l th 17th 1777 Jan y, and to March, , Providence 25th 13

e 12th o t 20th January , Warr n March , S u h Kingston April ,

e 2 h 1777. He w as e and Exet r 4t May, appoint d Brig adier e e th e e 21st e r 1777 G n ral of Contin ntal Army of F brua y , , and n otified th ereof by Gen . Wash ington in c omplimen tary terms A e e n J 3rd from rmy H adquart rs , Morristow , N of March , W ’ en . e e e e e e 1777. G ashing ton s l tt r contains ampl vid nc that his military record and bearing had met with th e full approba - - n tion of th e distinguished commander ih chief. This ew ap e e e c h e w as e pointm nt vacat d that und r whi h th n acting , and th e e e e l e th e e 1777 Rhod Island G n ra Ass mbly at March s ssion , , passed a resolution on th e s ubj ect in grateful remembrance ” of his servic es . e influ enc e e e re Using his p rsonal , which was gr at , to hast n enlistment and th e recruitment of the 1st and 2nd Rhode e e e e e Island Contin ntals , aft r th ir r turn in F bruary from Mor rist own N. h e e e th e 8 e , J was nabl d on th of April to s nd for ward to that place to join th e main army a detachmen t from - l. er i . e e e . Oo emah e e Gen . ach , und r Li ut J Oln y Und r Wash ’ ingt on s instruc tions from Army Headquarters at th e last e c e th e 11th t h e e e e e nam d pla , of of May, two r gim nts wh n th y

’ e e e e e e e c t o ee l did l av Rhod Island w r dir ct d to mar h P kskil , in

- th e e e e e e . Gen . e Middl D partm nt , th n und r Maj Isra l Putnam . h e e h e e th e 23rd e e T y arriv d t r on or about of May, and w r at - first quartered in Peekskill . Brig . Gen . Varnum p erson ally

e th e 1st u ne. Ou th e 12th e en arriv d about of J of Jun , G . e e c e e e th e e e Washington , in cons qu n of a mov m nt of n my, di rect ed e e o Ma - e e G n . from Army H adquart rs , Middl bro k , j . Put 1i am to forward to that place a portion of his forces . This ’ e W e d tachment in cluded V arnu ms Brigade. hil with th e b e th e 2 2nd u n e 1777 main army his rigad , on of J , , formed th - . h i part of e forces detac hed under Maj Gen . Nat an el Greene e e th e e e New to mak a d monstration against n my in Brunswick . s c e m e e s o e In this u c ssful ov m nt again t Sir William H w , Var 14

’ h um s Brigade marched down 011 th e west side of th e Raritan e th e e e e e e e and follow d r tr ating n my s veral mil s toward Amboy . On th e l st J th e e e e of uly , brigad was ord r d back by his Ex c ellenc th e e - in— e th e 2nd J y, command r chi f, and on of uly marched from Middlebrook .

- n . Th e 1st Rhode Island w as then sent to Maj . Ge Putnam to garrison Fort Montgomery . ’ O n th e 20th th e e e of August , pursuant to —latt r s ord rs from e e e e ee . Gen . e t D partm nt H adquart rs , P kskill , Brig Varnum l f that place on special service with a detachment to White e e th e 2u d e e e Plains , from wh nc Rhod Island w nt n arly to ’ e in th e e W e e e King s Bridg , n utral ground of stch st r

County . Th e e e e e e xp dition was succ ssful , and incid ntally captur d two subalterns and s everal enlisted men of th e enemy .

It return ed to Peekskill on th e 26th . Ou th e 23d e e e e e S pt mb r, G n ral Washington , from Army

Ma . e e e e Pa. c e H adquart rs ln camp n ar Pottsgrov , , instru t d j him Gen . Putnam to send a certain detachm ent of troops to

e . without d lay , via Morristown ’ ’

h h . n l Inf . J Accordingly t e 4t Regt . Conn C o t y (Col ohn ’ ’ h In . J o n Durkee) and th e 8th Regt . Conn . C ont l fy ( Col ’ - i . m b e t e e e e . Gen arnu s Chandl r) w r add d to Brig V rigad , and ’ ar ell s e again crossed th e Hudson River . It arrived at C y F rry th e e e th e 7th e e e h e e e on D lawar on Octob r, and h r was dir ct d e t he 7th c e e th e l st to halt , and by ord rs of O tob r to d tach and 2d h e e e e e . e Rhod Island to Fort M rc r Soon aft rwards , mov d W J h e e e e e e e e to oodbury, N w r Brigad H adquart rs w r stab lish ed. h 1 e Ou t e st 1777 Gen . N , Washington , from Army H ad e e h ec e e e quart rs Whit mars , dir t d him to tak sup rvision of Fort e e Red Mifllin e e e M rc r, Bank , and of Fort , Mud Island , and r li v ’ ’ - l n h e L t . . e 4th M C ont I f t Col Samu l Smith , aryland y , com e Mifflin wh o e e e be re e e 011 mandm nt of Fort , had r qu st d to li v d th e 18th Octob er . - e e e c L t . C ol. w as How v r, in prosp ct of an atta k , Smith con

inu ed c e e e 011 th e 10 ov. e t h e t in ommand , and x rcis d it N wh n firin e e th e e th e 11th e h e g was r sum d , until aft rnoon of , wh n - h e h . . w as s everely wounded in t e arm and l ft t e fort Brig Gen . - C l. e e c e e e e e e . o Varnum, th n at Fort M r r, imm diat ly d tail d Li ut

e e 8 . e e e Gil s Russ ll , th Conn , Who w nt ov r and assum d command , e e e t h e e e and r li v d part of garrison by a d tachm nt from his own , ’ the 4th Conn . (Col . J ohn Durkee s) .

- 12 h . a Ou t h e t eu . e e e e , Li t Col Russ ll , ill and xhaust d by f tigu , - m e be e e e e . Gen . ask d to r li v d , and whil Brig Varnu was con

siderin w h field offi c er e th e z . g at to d tail to ha ardous duty , Maj e e 2d e ee e e e Sim on Thay r , Rhod Island, volunt r d , and w nt ov r - e e e . e an h e e e e . and r li v d Lieut Col . Russ ll d t r maind r of Li ut ’ Col . Smith s men with a detachment of Rhode Islanders . As th e land defences of th e Delaware had been entrusted by — h h e Gen . . Gen . t e e t Washington to Brig Varnum , anxi ty of latter to fu lfil his whole duty with th e inadequate force under him was extrem e. During th e bombardment of Fort Mitflin and its heroic de

e e th e 15th ov. 1777 h e e e en . f nc on N , , r port d to G Washington i“ - 6 P . M . l : W e e e men at , as fo lows hav lost a gr at many to day e o c er ar fine a gr at many ffi s e kill ed and wounded . My com e e e e pany of artill ry is almost d stroyed . W e shall b oblig d to ” e c va uate t h e fort this night . e th e e e e e h e e e Aft r two forts w r vacuat d march d his brigad , ’ 20th - o m . ve ber M e Gen . ee e N , to ount Holly and join d Maj Gr n s h division t ere a few days later . e th e e e e e th e Having cross d D lawar , his brigad join d main h e e th e 29th Nov. t army at Whit marsh about , and was in ’ e a e op rations in that vicinity gainst Sir William How s army , 5th—8 th e e D c mber . 16

Proceeding with his brigade to Valley Forge on th e 19th * De . e e w e c e e e e e . , it th r r ct d huts and nt into wint r quart rs Th e brigade of General Varnum was stationed on a hill wh ere e e e e h e e an e e e e a star r doubt was r ct d , w nc xt nsiv vi w of both e th e e c be ec e e th e sid s of Schuylkill Riv r ould s ur d , and so n ar steam as to be able to employ th e artillery to chec k any attempt th e e e e e th e e e u se h of n my to cross ov r n ar plac , but th ir for t at Th 1 purpos e was never required . e redoubt was about 1} miles ’ from Washington s headquarters ; and just within th e li nes and a short distance beyond were t h e h eadquarters of General th e e de e a e e th e e Varnum, at r si nc of D vid St v ns , n xt farm house below th at occ upied by Washington . This hous e is still e e ee e c e Th e standing , and has r c ntly b n d s rib d , as follows h e e th e u e ous is of ston with a long porch facing road, and is q it — remarkabl e for th e thickness of th e western wall about 12 Th e ar e e e e ee . e e e e f t c ilings low, and th r is a g n ral app aranc Th t h e of comfort surrounding it . e main room has still large h e e e fire c e. e e t old op n pla It is situat clos to Riv r road , and h ee e ee th e th e e about t r hundr d f t from ruins of Star R doubt, th e e th e e e Which was strong st of works at Vall y Forg , com th e th e e e e manding road and riv r for mil s , and was doubtl ss

” ' t he key to th e situation . 1 Th e ffe th e e trials , su rings and privations of Contin ntal Army at Vall ey Forge are too well known to all students of history e e e e e e e th e e ma be to r quir any xt nd d allusion th r to , and sam y said as to th e bitter attacks and cabals against General Wash in t on e th e e e e g at this tim , but following xtracts from l tt rs of 1777 e e be e e . O n e e e 22d G n ral Varnum may of int r st D c mb r , , h e r e Ge e : w ot to n ral Washington , as follows

A so H or a He r t on ofPenn . H s o et . st ofV e F or e b n oo man o e t . S i y ll y g , y y W d (c ll c i i ci y) l ’ J h n a r mem ame o t n o F . t ou s o in s e o . W . c ll c i - P a a i r er u r Dec l st 18 95 and in J V P. Tu rn er Es . of e n New o t . 2 1 . . , q , hil d lphi , p M c y, , ;

erson a orres on en e w t th e Ed1t ors 1902 . p l c p d c i h ,

18

” ’ z e e e n c . u Janu ar 2d 1778 ni courag b hi d a that h of wool O y , , in view of th e diffic u lty of obtaining sufficient troops for th e e h e e e e e h th Contin ntal Army, sugg st d to G n ral Was ington e propriety of raising a battalion of negroes to make up th e pro portion of Rhode Island in t h e army . Washington submitted this suggestion to th e exec utive of Rhode Island without ap v . Th e e e e h ow proval or disappro al Rhod Island L gislatur , e e m e act h z th e e e v r, pro ptly pass d an aut ori ing nlistm nt in two battalions of negroes and Indians ; every slave enlisting to re c eive ee h is e be the e his fr dom , and own r to paid by Stat an amount not exceeding £125. At least one battalion was suc es full e e e en e e th e e h e c s y rais d , and did xc ll t s rvic at battl of R od * Island . General Varnum seems to have been one of th e most agg res sive and strenuous of th e general offi c ers of th e army in pre e th e de - in - e th e s nting , not only to Comman r Chi f, but also to i e of e e th e ffe Stat Rhod Island and to Congr ss , su rings and e th e e l 00 e e de ne ds of Contin nta tr ps at Vall y Forg , and in e e e e e e e manding som imm diat r li f for th m , and doubtl ss this aggressiveness and insistence led him naturally to inc ur th e e e e e th e e e e e hostility of som activ m mb rs of g n ral gov rnm nt, 23d 1778 Governeu r e e e for on May , , Morris , th n a m mb r of e New Y e e Congr ss from ork, writ s to Washington conc rning Varnum that his temp er and manners are by no means c alcu ” e e e e . lat d to t ach Pati nc , Discipline and Subordination T e o f Dr . William Shaw Bow n says Varnum

le the c c bu smess ffa e er e t hi His ta nts for ondu t of a irs w re v y gr a , and s manners were so engaging that Varnum was c alled on by Washington to c onduct delic ate n egotiations for the Continental as well as for the State ” e W h ce h h e e him. Governm nt . as ington pla d a ig stimat on The solemn visage of t he father of his c ountry must have relaxed when

’ F or s as n ton vol. 6 a e 347. d W hi g , , p g ' ’ F or s as n t on V ol. 7 . 30. 1 d W hi g , , p 19 he referred to himas the light of the c amp during the dreadful winter ” at e e Vall y Forg .

’ Pursuant to General Washington s orders dated Army Head e e e 7th Ma 1778 h e e e quart rs Vall y Forg , y, , was direct d und r th e e e th e 3d e a ec e r solution of Congr ss of F bru ry pr ding , to h r administer th e oath of ofiic e to t e offic e s of his own and Brig . ’ e iah e e Genl . J ded Huntingt on s brigad of Conn cticut Contineu tal Infantry . Oh the 4th 4th 23d 29th i 17t h 26th March , , , and Apr l , , and 28th and 4th Jun e h e e - e e th e of May , was Brigadi r G n ral of “ h o er day to t e Main Army at Valley Forge. So n aft ward and e e th e e e th e e e h e b for vacuation of Philad lphia by n my, went on sp ecial duty to Rhode Island . Here his brigadejoined e e c e th e 3d 1778 e him n ar Provid n on August, , pr paratory to th e e e ew ort . e e Gen campaign b for N p It now consist d , und r ’ 2 u l e . 2 d J e e r Hd. ral ord rs dat d A my Qrs Wright s Mills , y,

1 8 h . e 77 2 . ". e t e d R I. , of Cont Infantry (Col Isra l Ang ll) , ’ ’

B. e Colonels Henry Sherburne s and Saml . W bb s additional

l. nf . . . on I Reg t s C ontl Infy . and the l st Regt . Canadian C t y

(Col . James Livingston) .

~ h . e . Ou t e 14th August pursuant to Gen". Orders of Maj G nl

. I. h e e J . R e Hd . ohn Sullivan dat d Qrs Portsmouth , , was assign d to th e command of th e right wing of th e front line of th e Army e th e e e e in Rhod Island, and by sam authority was dir ct d to command th e covering party in th e lines at th e siege of New port on th e 16th In addition to his other duties h e was detailed as President ’ o f e e er - e e or a G n ral Court Martial , p Major G n ral Sullivan s e 8 e h . 177 Hd. . e e ort 17 d rs , dat d Qrs b for NeWp t Aug , and continued on this duty until th e 29th August when th e Court was dissolved .

- Providence Journal Ma1 h mark as ma e as n on t o C a c 6th 1902 . T s re w t , , "hi d by W hi g p t ain S amu e Pa kard ofPro i en B n an d re uent l re eat v e randfat er ofDr. ow e e b l c d c (g h ) , f q y p d y a t Pa kard C p . c " 20

Ou th e 14th and 31st August h e was Brigadier of th e Day th e to Army . In th e battle of Rh ode Island his comman d bore th e princi l - t part of t h e fighting against th e forces of Maj . Genl . Robt . g1 got .

R. I. e e e e . . e e In G n ral Ord rs dat d Hd Qrs D partm nt of , e 1 hi a e e e 3l st . 778 s e w s Tiv rton , Aug , , brigad ord r d to tak and e d e h e e post at Bristol Warr n , ivid d as shall think b st for h ” t e e Hd. . defence of those posts . He made his Brigad Qrs

e 26th F eb . 1779 e h e w as ee at Warr n until y , , wh n at East Gr n - . e e e e h is wich M anwhil Major G n ral Sullivan, during own 27th e e e e e e Hd. . e c e abs nc , by G n ral Ord rs dat d Qrs Provid n , J 1779 e him e th e De annary, , plac d t mporarily in command of ar m p t ent of Rh ode Island . The ec e e e ff th e n ssity of att nding to his privat a airs , and to e c e e e h im support and maint nan of his family , comp ll d at this time muc h against h is will to tender his resignation to Con

h e . e . hi 26 F b e e s e e . ee e e t gr ss In a l tt r to fri nd , G nl Gr n , dat d y , “i 1779 h e : Th e e w as l e e , says r solution painfu , but hard n c ssity ” e He h urg d it by every cogent motive. was onorably dis ” th e e e e e 5th n from s rvic at his own r qu st , March $23?)

official n o ific a i n e e Upon t t o of acceptanc of his r signation ,

. e e e . e Hd. . e Maj G n ral John Sullivan , in G nl Ord rs Qrs D part e e e e 18th h 1779 m nt of Rhod Island, Provid nc , Marc , , said Brigadier - General Varnum having this day n otified the Commander in- Chief that he has transmitted a final resignation of his c ommission to e h he e the ee e ece the Congr ss , and t at is und r disagr abl n ssity of quitting service of the United States The General esteems it his duty to ret urn his sincere and most cordial h - . e . his e e e e c on t anks to Brig G nl Varnum for brav , spirit d and soldi rlik c h e c e his e e c h e e du t w il a ting und r imm diat ommand in t is D partm nt , and ce e e h officer Who his c c has e e ch sin r ly lam nts t at an , by ondu t , m rit d so mu the c h be e the ee e ec e le from publi , s ould und r disagr abl n ssity of aving a 21

Servic e where his exertions as an officer would have been ofessential ad~ h ” vantage had he been able to continue in t e army .

- Appointed by th e R. I. Gen eral Ass embly to be Major Gen 5t h 1779 h e e otfic e . I. eral R Militia , May , , continu d in this by e e th e 7th 1788 unanimous annual r appointm nts until May , , and 0 h th e 25th th e 8th . 178 e t e was , from July to Aug , , call d into - h e . e actual s ervice of th e United Stat s under Lieut Genl . t

. 7 9 e de e O n th e 26th . 1 7 h e a Comt Rochamb au Oct , , was p pointed by th e Rhode Island General 'Assembly Advocate in the State Court of Admiralty . Upon his resignation from th e army Gen eral Varnum re e t o e ee e e th e c onstru c turn d his hom at East Gr nwich , compl t d h h tion of his dwelling and resumed t e active practice o ft e law . ’ e e e arnu ms As to this hous of G n ral V , which is still stand e e e e e l e ing and in xc ll nt pr s rvation , a though mor than c e e w e e e e e a ntury and a quart r old , hav an int r sting d scription

cle t e e e e c . in an arti writ n by its pr s nt own r and o cupant, Dr m e w as e th e Providence Willia Shaw Bow n , which publish d in Jou rnal 6 th 1892 r w e e of March , , f om which quot as follows Of the pre-revolutionary mansions there are few better sp ecimens in e e ce h the c e ee h The e e xist n t an Varnum pla in East Gr nwic . v n rabl e ’ edifice has ee h e e the che ofthe c c c e e b n s i ld d from approa s i ono lasti r stor r , e one the e fec the e and today , in its int rior , it is of most p r t of r maining ce c l ch ec e the c ff w a a instan s of olonia ar it tur ountry a ords . In its y it is s h h e e h h e t e c V a . t e ce he uniqu as Braddo k ous at Al xandria , , C an llor Wyt V V illiamsbu r the ce the e e e mansion at g , or Brandon pla on Jam s Riv r n ar ch h e ch th e e Ri mond . Varnum ous is not only ri in e p rf ct details of its n h h c e e F h ee . ew e h e are ki d , but it t ms wit istori int r st ous s in R od Island more replete with associations ofthe last days of her colonial history and the e e of e e e e e ce the h e ee the e arly p riod ind p nd nt xist n , iatus b tw n dat of the separation from English rule and that of the final union with t he e a h st blis ed States of the American Union . 22

The present owner cherishes the home of the brilliant and versatile

V e e e e the c e e. arnum , and tak s prid in pr s rving old pla in its original styl ' The h l h ch c e e e e h oft he e h e c e a l , w i los ly r s mbl s t at V rnon ous , is wains ot d

the first ec floors are e all the . The w on and s ond , as n arly of rooms ood h e e h The he c c e work of t e parlor is gr atly admir d by arc itects . avy orni is dentated and the p ediment above the fireplace is peculiarly graceful in Th h flu t All the its effec . e e ed . t doors av small , oval , brass knobs of r la h a t h rooms have open fi ep ces wit tile fac ings . The firepl c e of e dining t The room is seven feet in width and c onstruc ted of cu granite. rooms are filled h e c h ur e s the e wit antiqu bla k ma ogany f nitur , mo tly of G orgian ” a e The l set w as b h r the l ce . g . par or roug t f om England in ast ntury

In th e same article w e find a picturesque and attractive ac count of a V isit paid by th e Marquis de Lafayette and a party e offic ers e e e 1778 e e of Fr nch in S pt mb r, , to G n ral Varnum at his East Greenwich home. It reads as follows

On fe e e e in t he e 1778 l a warm a t rnoon in S pt mb r , y ar , a smal sloop ’ u e the c h ch ou t C ow eset the e e ro nd d ro ks , w i jut into Bay from stat now

cc e e e e ce W . e ce o upi d as a summ r r sid n by illiam Stoddard , Esq , ofProvid n . Th e fresh southerly breeze which prevails a c onsiderable portion of the e e t he c h ch the e ee ch y ar waft d raft to Long Point , w i limits littl Gr nwi g c e. he the e few c ee e n ov T n sloop mad a ta ks , and was sp dily ti d alo side the h the f K ee . The e h e c e w arf at oot of ing Str t loung rs on s or , attra t d ’ he l the new e ec c e t he o ec . he by arrival , b ld a gal ant sp ta l on slo p s d k T re was a handsome young man clad i in the buff and blue regimentals of a 1n th e H a h h e e l officer e . e w s e e e ec g n ra Contin ntal army of m dium ig t , r t di nified his e e e h e one Who and g , and mann rs w r t os of is in a position to n W h he c e he e e e c ommand me . it distinguis d ourt sy assist d s v ral unknown e e the h e The the e military gentl m n to s or . uniform worn by strang rs was unfamiliar to th e barefooted youths w ho clustered on the caplog of t he c f h r d h f. c e ee ce e ce h . w ar It onsist d of a gr n oat a d wit and la d, wit gold - The eeche e e ff c h . ac l c c br s w r of bu lot Bl k si k sto kings , a four ornered c c ed hat e red k h e e he fe e ofthe c e o k and a larg sil sas w r ot r atur s ostum . the e c the e e ff u h O ne of numb r was lad in Contin ntal blu and bu . O im th e e the first e e offi cer e e e eci l e e He att ntion of m ntion d w r sp a ly b stow d . a u h h fe e e e Whe th w s a yo ng man wit s arp atur s and a promin nt nos . n e 23 shore was reached the first o fficer in Continental uniform exclaimed My ’ e M e c e ee ch m h e. d ar arquis , w l om to East Gr nwi and y om - The e e e e e e M che w ho c a sp ak r was Brigadi r G n ral Jam s it ll Varnum , om manded a brigade at t he battle fought on Rhode Island on August 2 9th previous betw een the Americ an army under General Sullivan and the ew r Hi h de e e B h at o t . s e t e M ritis garrison N p gu st was arquis La Fay tt , w h o was sent with two brigades of Contin ental troops by Washington to h reinforce Sullivan . T e failure of the F rench fleet to c ooperate c ompelled Sullivan to evacu t e Rhode Island after the sanguinary c ontest of Butts l e Th ffi r h e h e e o ce s ee e e e c . Hil and Quak r Hill . in gr n w r Fr n m n T y ’ he c K e rnu m h e t a s . c am to ounty seat of nt to partake of Gen . V ospitality The record of what transpired during t he stay of La Fayette rests wholly the e ce ce t he e M e e e e e e on r minis n s of lat iss El anor Fry , a v n rabl Quak r ss w ho lived in an ancient gambrel- roofed house on the site now o c cupied by the e e e e d n t he K e e C ntral Hot l , imm diat ly a joini g nt County Court Hous ’

the h . M the e e e on sout iss Fry , known to villag rs as Cousin Ell n , di d h e . S e w as e her h e many y ars ago a b autiful woman in yout , and a favorit the c c e h he e e t he in ourtly so i ty of t e Revolutionary p eriod . S witn ss d e ce e l h e e hi littl pro ssion of gu sts ed by Gen . Varnum wit La Fay tt at e he c e l K ee c e M ee he c e sid as t y am a ong ing Str t , ross d ain Str t and t n — walked up the short asc ent of Court Street by the house afterwards occu ' e pi d by Dr . Peter Turner ofContinental army fame at the battle of Red - he t e e c e f n ee . Bank to r sid n o Ge . Varnum on Pearce Str t The fa ade ofthe h e e e e c e e e imposing g ous app ar d xa tly as at pr s nt , sav h t at it was n ot shadowed by the two great elmtrees that stand in front . he e e he ee ece e The c w as -it is T y w r t n young tr s r ntly plant d . lo ation , as the e th h e V e. arra an ett e c e today , b st in illag N g s Bay str t d out in front ew ort e The toward N p . Warwick Neck and distant Bristol w ere in vi w . ' he c e e of e h e the quaint old town , t n onsisting almost ntir ly unpaint d ous s , ee — the he , the e h str ts sandy and rain was d lay on sid K ill sloping toward e ee ch 1 w as e e. 778 the wat rs of Gr nwi Cov In Varnum mansion isolat d , with broad fields and meadows on either side and extending far back in the —- - e . e ce ee c e h e ou t ofthee r ar P ar Str t ontain d only four ous s , and was an w a the The h e e e h Wh e e. e y portion of villag ous , r spl nd nt wit it paint , ee h e h c e the f w as re gr n blinds , and ug , s ining brass kno k r on ront door , e ce the e e h ch c e e gard d as a pala by townsp opl , many of w om ara t riz d it as ’ ’ w V arnu ms e c e , Folly , and as savoring of aristocratic and unr publi an pr e e d t ns and isplay . 24

According to Cousin Ellen Fry the several days that the gallant La e e the e ch offic ers e the e of Gen e e Fay tt and Fr n pass d as gu sts . Varnum w r

e e . e e e t ea e e h ch t he e of unwont d gay ty Ev ry v ning was s rv d , to w i villag h e e h e ch e e e e . F e e e the b auti s , wit t ir ap rons , w r invit d La ay tt lodg d in h h e e e c . e c ot e the en nort ast amb r His val t sl pt on a outsid door . G . cc e t he h ch e The e ch offi er e Varnum o upi d sout east amb r . Fr n c s were plac d h the h e ch e . T e h e e e c in sout w st amb r nig ts w r sp nt in onviviality . It ee h a e and t he e e e e was a fr living , ard drinking g , br akfasts w r at a v ry h late our . ’ The cc e e h c e n o asion of La Fay tt s visit was c ara teriz d by Ge . Varnum

- his h ou se w armn e e e h en . w a t h as i g . It is b li v d t at G Sullivan s of e

memorable party . n h e h e V Ge . W R turning from a isit to Boston , as ington pass d a nig t in ’ m h e He h he V arnu s . e e e e t e ous din d and supp d t r , and during aft rnoon e e e the he c h e The e e enjoy d a bri f si sta in nort ast amb r . journ y w stward e e the l e t he old h h e t o was r sum d fo lowing day ov r road t roug Cov ntry , e he e W h e h e onathan L banon , w r as ington stay d wit Gov rnor J Trumbull .

Gen erals Nath anael Greene and John Sullivan and th e e de e th e a e - in- h e th e e ch Comt Rochamb au , Comm nd r C i f of Fr n — h e Gen . e e e army , und r whom Varnum s rv d in R od Island , and between w h om and Varnum there w as formed a sincere e h e e f and lasting fri nds ip , with sundry m mb rs of his sta f, were also guests at this hospitabl e mansion . Commissary General Claude Blanch ard of th e French army e a e e h e e e e r r l t s in his diary that wh n din d with G n ral Va num , ’ th e l e e th e 20th 1780 th e e e at att r s hous on of August, , ntir conversation was c arried on in Latin . It was doubtless at or soon after th e visit of th e Marquis de e e e e e e th e e e e e e e Lafay tt abov r f rr d to , that latt r pr s nt d to G n th e c h c c e e ral Varnum Pun h Bowl , of w i h a pi tur app ars in h e e t h e e 8 0 t is volum , and which is now own d by Rhod Island c iet th e h e e l su bse y of Cincinnati , of whic G n ra Varnum was quently President . 1780 th e e e th e e e i In April , , p opl of Stat of Rhod Island n

26

' 58—61 e e e e he pp . ) r f rs to G n ral Varnum as t Chairman oi the

S e e ee of e 28th 1781 e -fir l ct Committ Congr ss , March , , to inv sti gate and report as to th e conduct of Commodore John Paul e ee e e e in Jon s , which committ , aft r a protract d and s arching e ne e th e e quiry, not only xo rat d Commodor from all charges, but reported resolutions giving him th e thanks of th e United e h e e e e e e Stat s for his distinguis d s rvic s, which r solutions w r

u nanimously passed by Congress by standing vote. e a e Mr. Bu ll lso giv s interesting quotations from General ’ * V arnu ms ow n account of th e proceedings of that committee; It appears also that Varnum was one of a committee ap-r pointed by Congress to draft a proclamation which was adopted i e b e th e 26th e 1781 and ssu d y Congr ss on day of Octob r , , designating December 13th as a day of general thanksgiving ' e e e th e e e of and pray r, in sp cial comm moration of conf d ration th e e th e e e sea th e e Stat s , victori s of our alli s at , prow ss of our th e e e e at troops , and surr nd r of Cornwallis and his whol army

Yorktown . ’ Those familiar with V arnu ms writing and addresses are of th e Opinion from th e style and form of th e proclamation that h e w as its drau ght smanxl'

The e . e Johnson e distinguish d Dr William Samu l , of Conn c icut w h o e 1786 e e n t o t , was in Congr ss with him in , r f rri g ’ e e arnu ms e ee h e G n ral V Congr ssional car r, said that was a ” man of uncommon tal ents and of th e most brilliant eloquence. ” th e Me e ee e In moirs of Elkanah Watson , an xc dingly rar

be e e e e . book , may found int r sting d tails conc rning Varnum Th e writer describes some of his characteristics

first h e e b e 1774 he he him I saw t is l arn d and amia l man in , w n I ard h e had f e c ce n deliver a Masonic oration . Until t at mom nt I orm d no on ptio

ms V arnu m Hi u er i es and ex er t s romhis iar emorial ofJa e it ell . s p blick s vc , c p f d M M ch — y fe en t s r n t e for su bs r b ers . Provi en e 1792 . o v p i d c i d c , “ P am or n u in n al on r ss & - u se1181 r at on f T anks iv ss e b the ont e t e c. n T ocl i h g i g i d y C C g , M

A an 1858 . Rowland, lb y, 27

of the pow er and charms of oratory . I was so deeply impressed that the effects of his splendid exhibition has remained for 48 years indelibly fix ed h e his e f on . e c e e my mind I t n ompar d mind to a b autiful part rr , rom hich he e e c the e c f flowers w was nabl d to plu k most gorg ous and fan i ul , in ” h e e h the his progress to enric and mb llis subj ect .

G en eral Varnum upon his retirement from th e army devoted e l the e th e law e e hims lf assiduous y to practic of , with incr as d e e e e e e e e r putation , and d spit int rruptions lat r for s v ral y ars e e l e e e e z e one caus d by his Congr ssiona duti s , b cam r cogni d as of the leading and most brilliant men at th e bar of Rhode Is

e e the e . land , and was r tain d in all most important caus s Many great and important cases aros e growing out of th e h n h e relations of t e nation to th e state. O e of t e most notabl e e th e e e e e e e of th s , was gr at pap r mon y cas of Tr v tt against

ee e e th e e . W d n, which stirr d community to its v ry foundation Th e questions involved and their importance are fully set forth at considerable length in th e biography of General Varnum in d k ’ U n y e s Memoirs of th e Rhode Island Bar . It was tried in

e e e 1786 . S pt mb r, Gen eral Varnum was th e counsel for th e successful defend

e e e e . ant, and his argum nt was consid r d mast rly and convincing An attempt being afterwards made to impeach the Ju stices th e e e e e t h e e e of Supr m Court for th ir d cision in abov cas , e e e e t he e e G n ral Varnum app ar d for judg s , and his argum nt is e e ee e e elo d scrib d as having b n copious , argum ntativ and ” e th e e e e fe . qu nt , and att mpt at imp achm nt ll through

Mr. e e e Updyk says , It was ulogium nough on Varnum that th e power of those speeches wro ught such a triumphant e th e to e victory ov r public opinion , that dominant party, sav e e e e e e e e e th ms lv s from political prostration, w r comp ll d to r p al ” their arbitrary acts within sixty days after their pas sage. e e r e r w e In anoth r c leb ated cas in which Va num took part , have fortunately handed down to u s a V ivid description of th e 28

e n th e e e . J p rso ality of l ading couns l , Hon William Samuel ohn

e e e . son , of Conn cticut, and G n ral Varnum It was th e fashion of th e bar of that day to be very well or ’ e e e e e e . l gantly dr ss d, and aft r d scribing Dr Johnson s appear

e e e e Mr. e e anc , and his dr ss of black silk cut v lv t, Updyk th n describes th e Opposing counsel

e e h hi c - Gen . Varnum app ar d wit s bri k colored coat; trimmed with gold ce c l c he h c e k ee il c la , bu kskin and smal lot s , wit gold la n bands , s k sto kings n h e e the e le e who and boots (Ge . Barton and ims lf b ing only g nt m n wore h e h h h e c e h e ehe boots all day at t at p riod) , wit a ig , d li at and w it for ad , h c c the h e e e e hu e wit a owli k on rig t sid ; y s promin nt and of a dark . His c e he florid— e h c e e l e ompl xion was rat r som w at orpul nt , w l proportion d and finel e e h a e e e e h y form d for str ngt and agility ; l rg y brows , nos straig t and he ee h e ec h e e he h h the rat r broad , t t p rf tly w it , a profus ad of air , s ort on he e e ee e e e h h f e c . W e e or ad , turn d up som and d ply powd r d and lubb d n offhis c c e hat he h h his h w h le took o k d would lig tly brus up air for ard , w i with a fascinating smile lighting up his countenance he took his seat in ” O e his e court pposit oppon nt .

e e e . e n Mr. Wilkins Updyke in a p rsonal l tt r to Hon B njami

h . F . in t e e J M Varnum ( poss ssion of his son ohn Varnum) , e 1839 dat d in , says

M e e he el e e e e V 1784 y ld st brot r Dani studi d und r G n ral arnum in , and I have al ways been an ardent admirer of the character of the Gene a n th e men h ,ral General Varnum w s o e of e most eloqu nt t at All the e e e this or any other c ountry ever produced . ag d b ar t stimony t o his e c e he e ed unanimously as wond rful oratori al pow rs , and was b lov by m” one h h h e e l h hi . everybody . No t oug t ims lf saf in a tria wit out

General Varnum became an original member of th e Society th e e e e 17 1783 was th e first e of Cincinnati on D c mb r , , and Vic President of th e Rhode Island branch of that distinguished e fe th e e e e ath aniel ee e military ord r, and a t r d ath of G n ral N Gr n , ee e th e e e e h e e e succ d d latt r as Pr sid nt , a position which r tain d H e e th e e the n u ntil his death . e pr sid d for last tim at an ual 29 meeting held in the State House at Providence on the 4th

1787. July, General Varnum w as a warm and unwavering advocate for a federal constitution ; h e knew th e inefficiency of th e confed era ion th e selfish er e e th e e t , and consid ations that gov rn d Stat s , and felt that unless an instrument cementing th e Union was

e e e eff be . spe dily adopt d, futur orts would unavailing Th e e e e 24th 1787 following l tt r, dat d August , , from him to — Mr. . e Hon . Holton , (probably Hon Samu l Holton , a promi — nent member of Congress from Massachusetts) gives General ’ V arnums views as to th e proper form for a constitution . It be e th e finall e e will notic d that Constitution , as y adopt d aft r e e th e e e e his d ath , follow d substantially lin s sugg st d by him in this letter

My worthy friend h e e e l e h e the difficult of e e e You av s v ra tim s int d y xpr ssing upon pap r , ’ e e of e e e c fe e e e h c ce the in on s id as an n rg ti d ral gov rnm nt , alt o onvin d of c of e me e e fift een n e adequa y our present system . P rmit to d vot mi ut s to h ec e i amlification ece n e t is subj t ; and , as d ta l or p is unn ssary to an i form d h l n co fine e f c e . mind , I s al mys l to prin ipl s he e c e be c e e e he The first T s prin ipl s may onsid r d und r two ads . as orig inating from the confederacy and directing the various powers that should be e e c e the c ec e the e . x r is d by nation oll tiv ly , and by Stat s individually The ec flowin f the e c c e h due re s ond , as g rom natur of ivil So i ty aving the c m e c e e of gard to usto s , mann rs , laws , limat s , r ligions , and pursuits h t z e the e e h h be c e t e ci i ns of Unit d States . Und r t is ead may onsider d the e of e e c he e e the f e e the mann r x r ising t s pow rs , or ormal gov rnm nt of

Nation . the first ce h e e es ec the c e c lec e e In pla , w at v r r p t itiz ns ol tiv ly , or as imm diatel e the h e c e e c he he f e e c y r lating to w ol onf d ra y , w t r or ign or dom sti , must be subj ected to the national controul whatever resp ects the citi z e of c e has e he ch h be direc ns a parti ular Stat , r lation to t m as su s ould ted the e e fe e e e by Stat s respectively . But as int r renc s may som tim s arise

This ori inal le s o n oss ss on o G a es V arnumofNew ork. t er i n w e f en J m M. Y g t i p i . 30

the c ec e e ec e e ce Th chec oll tiv pow r must d id and nfor . is k would be bet ter ce the h th he pla d in judiciary t an e legislative branc s . the ec ce The e e the e e h be In s ond pla , Gov rnm nt of Unit d Stat s s ould so modified e e the h the ffe l e ofc z as to s cur rig ts of di rent c ass s iti ens . But as he e are he e c e h e he l t s distinguis d by du ation , w alt tal nts , t y natural y di e c c l ece he vid into Aristocratical and Demo rati a . It is n ssary t n to form a e e e e e h e f e e all Supr m l gislativ , p r aps as Congr ss is now orm d , to originat he t he e i e l wh ch national laws , and submit t m to r v sion of a S natoria body , i h be e ofe c ofthe e e the s all form d out qual distri ts Unit d Stat s , by appoint ment of the Supreme legislative whose commissions shall be so modified e e e of Me e office h the new w ho as to r tain an qual numb r old mb rs in wit , f m ce h h e th of may or a suc ssion . In t is body s ould resid e power making e war and peac . The e ec i ofthe h c i h be ce x ut on laws , bot iv l and military , s ould pla d m e ec e c c c e e of the e e an x utiv oun il , onsisting of a Pr sid nt Unit d Stat s , and the Officers the e e e ofWar ce e ff of gr at d partm nts , Finan , For ign A airs , be e the e e c e and Law , to appoint d by S nat , ommission d during good eh e ce the e e who h be te h the b avior , x pting Pr sid nt , s ould appoin d by bot e e e e c e e e l gislativ and s natorial bodi s , ommission d for a t rm of y ars , or

e. ll e Jud es he officers c l for lif A appointm nts of g ot r ivi and military , h be e the e e h ce the c c l s ould mad by Pr sid nt , by and wit advi of oun i hi he e officer h be cc n e he c ommissioned in s name. T s s s ould a ou tabl for t ir conduct and triable before the respective tribunals beforewhom their actions e ec e be e z e nk the e e h would r sp tiv ly mad cogni abl . I thi Pr sid nt s ould not be liable to any direct prosecution as in himwould reside that part ofthe h h e of sovereignty w ic displays itself in the etiqu tte nations . h e th e ce be ec e M ec be In t is syst m , balan would s ur d , ilitary obj ts would ec e the e e e ec e the e e c chec e dir t d by S nat , x ut d by Pr sid nt and Coun il k d ' th fis al e ofthe e e by e c pow r l gislativ . The ec of e e e h l be few e e l defined obj ts r v nu s ou d , simpl and w l , in c e e c e e e c the e e ec e h be as of v ry un ommon m rg n y , Stat s r sp tiv ly s ould c e c e h ch l u e e e all d upon from onting nts , w i wou d form an ltimat and n v r l failing check against encroachments upon the politica system . 4th 1787 August ,

am . I Sir , Yrs M ARN U . J . V M ’ u Mr. Bo ble Holton . 31

It would have been well . if General Varnum could have been e e own e e c ont nt to r main at his comfortabl hom , with a wife e e a e e e h e whom be loved and ch rish d, in a st t wh r was at on c e e e of th e ~ u e e e e e a l ad r bar , and niv rsally lov d and r sp ct d and ” ' where all were proud to do him honor . But as a matter of f e e e e e h e act, his h alth had b com consid rably impair d, and had e e weakne sp fth el , th e e e a t nd ncy, to s ungs and xposur of army life had implanted th e s eeds of pulmonary c onsumption in his

system,which were, aggravated by his c onst ant laborious and i strenuous work in his profess onal aud in public affairs . ’ arnums m e e th e V judicial ind and public s rvic s , both in army and e e e e e Congr ss , had giv n him a r putation which xt nded th e e e e e t h e throughout whol country, aud h nc wh n North ” ’ e err r et e e e e w st T ito y , a p sch m of Pr sid nt Washington s , was formed (which included all th e t errit ory northwest of th e Ohio) in 1787 e one th e e th , Varnum was chos n as of Dir ctors of e “ ’ ” O C oman of s e u 29th 1787 hio p y v A sociat s on Aug st , ; and 011th e 14 e w n ene O St . th of ctob r following , he G ral Arthur e e e m r was t e a Clai . designa d as Gov rnor , G n ral Varnu was p o e one th e e e Ju d es e p int d of Unit d Stat s g for that T rritory , a position h e accepted . '

e Grifien e e e R. I. Accompani d only by Gren of Cov ntry , , e e e a th e 1788 V arnum l ft his hom in Rhod Isl nd in Spring of , e e e on o e th e e via Baltimor , and journ y d h rs back through for sts t o e s e e e e the New Mari tta, a town it . s l ct d by England Land ' ' ' h h h kin m C ompany at t ejunction of t e Ohio and t eMu S gu rivers . It is known that Varnum invested considerable money in th e e e Th h e e o h nt rprise. e plans outlined partook of t m thods ft e e Th fi sp culative town boomers of th e present a g e. e name nally e e e ee e n e e the s l ct d was that of Qu n Mari A toin tt , but Roman " e e on in rovidin C M classics w r drawn u p g a ampus artius, a ’ f la i via Sacra and a Capito enum for th e infant town . Ma r a was

e e the cation was one e e . pr val nt and d lg a poor in all r sp cts 32

He e e O J une 5th 1788 arriv d at Mari tta, hio , on , , and at a e e e e th e 4th Ju l th e c l bration th r on of y , was orator of th e day . ’ Ju dg e V arnums oration was highly commended by all who e it e e e th e h ard , and was subs qu ntly publish d by Directors of th e Au t . 1788 e are Ohio Company, ( g , ) copi s of which still e e e e e. xtant, but xtr m ly rar On th e e e e e s cond day of July following, th r b ing a quorum e e e e th e Direc pr s nt (G n rals Parsons , Varnum and Putnam) , th e e e first ee e tors of Ohio Company h ld th ir m ting at Mari tta , ee e e e the at which m ting, amongst oth r busin ss transact d, was ‘ * e e e th e l chang of th nam of city from Ade phia to Marietta . A grand celebration of th e national holiday took place at 1 e th e J 788 . Mari tta on fourth of uly, c e It is des rib d as follows by Mr. Charles S . Hall in his inter esting life of General Parsons

There was a procession of the citiz ens and soldiery and a public dinner which w as spread under a long bower built of intertwined oak and maple the h the h th M Th boughs n ear Nort Point at mout of e uskingum . e h the e e e ch the fe wealt of riv rs and for sts was drawn upon to nri ast . the e c c e e e e h one h e Amongst d li a i s s rved was a pik w ig ing undr d pounds . Patriotic toasts were given and an eloquent oration delivered by Judge

Varnum . he e ce fhis e e t h Lamenting t abs n o Excell ncy Gov rnor S . Clair upon t is ’ ’ cc h e ha he he o e he joyous o asion , wit uplift d nds prays may so n arriv , and t n first one he the he he h h z es turning towards and t n towards ot r , t us apostrop i ‘ the all un conscious rivers flow ing on either side : Thou gentle flowing h h e ce c c th e e e refiecteth O io , w os surfa as ons ious of y un quall d maj sty , no the r e the e he e e him oh " e hi images but g and ur of imp nding av n , b ar , b ar m safely to this anxious spot " And thou beautifully transparent Muskin e the e his ch reflect ec of gum , sw ll at mom nt of approa , and no obj ts but ” pleasure and delight . the e e Oh h e the fi st s Thus in f rtil soil of io , by a R od Island man , r eeds ” of w estern eloquence were sown .

f - i i l r H arsons b C S Hall in hamton N. 19 . L fe and ette s ofGen. S . . P , y . . , B g , Y 05 6

34

3d The officers ofthe ofF ort Harmar , Garrison . 4th The e e the m mb rs of Bar .

5th The e e e Generals ' arnu m Supr m Judg s ( V and Parsons) . 6th The Governor zand c e l rgyman . 7 h of t The newly appointed Judges of the. Court Common Pleas e e e a e ( G n rals Rufus Putnam and B njamin T pp r) . They marched up a path that had been cu t and cleared through the forest to Campus Martins Hall (sto ckade) where the whole c ountermarched the ud es he and J g took t ir seats .

h R . th h e e t e ev. e e e ff . e e e Aft r a bl ssing: by Dr Cutl r , S ri Col Eb n z r ” Sproat proclaimed with his solemn Oyez the Opening of a c ourt for th of e e h e u ce e administration v n and d j sti . ‘ Although this scene was ex hibited t hu s early in the s ettlement of the e few e e e e t he the e e ch c e stat , v r quall d it in dignity and xalt d ara t r of prin i al M he e the h c c p participation . any of t m b long to istory of our ountry in the darkest as well as the most splendid periods of the Revolutionary

W ar. e h ec c e e c ec e To witn ss t is sp ta l , a larg body of Indians was oll t d ’ he f e he c i t h e t e c e e e . from most pow r ul trib s , t n o upy ng almost ntir w st

W e learn from another source that the Indians were specially impress ed by th e commanding aspec t and th e piercing eyes of ' th e S erifi el e e th e High h , Colon Sproat , and that th y gav him “ ” ‘ e Het uck c - e e m e e e e th e nam of , or Bu k y , fro wh nc is d riv d cognomen by which the state of Ohio and its residents have since become generally known .

Ju dg e Varnum assisted Governor St . Clair and Ju dg e Par ‘ n e the e h so s in framing a cod of laws for t rritory , but t is was official e w ee s his last act , as his h alth hich had b n con tantly declinln s1nc e h e e home l e e e it be g l ft y b cam wors , and came evident to all that th e e not far off. e Ju d e It was about this tim that g Varnum , who was sup posed by many of his acquaintances to be if not an agnostic at e ee e c e th e in l ast devoid of d p r ligious convi tions , wrot follow g touching and beautiful letter to his wife 5

MAR TTA 18th ece 1 e 788 . IE , D mb r , My dearest and most amiable friend e f m c ch e e h l be the I now writ you rom y si k amb r , and p r aps it wil last M le e h ece e me. are far ffec e h tt r t at you will r iv from y lungs so a t d , t at it is impossible for me to rec over but by exchange of air and a warmer e ec e e h ce M climate. I xp t to l av t is pla on Sunday or onday next for the e f the Oh . If fe e e the h o he alls of io I l mys lf m nd by tour , I s all g no fart r , e h h l c e e ec ce New but if not , and my str ngt s ou d ontinu , I xp t to pro ed to O e f he ce the We e h e h rl ans , and rom t n to st Indi s to R od Island . My p y s101ans most ofthem think the chances ofrecovery in my favor how ever; I amneither elevated nor depressed by the three of Opinion ; but shall m f e h h fr e meet y at wit umility and o titud . c h e e e the h e h h e ce I annot ow v r but indulg op , t at I s all again mbra my e e h h w e e h the e lov ly fri nd in t is world , and t at may glid smoot ly down tid of e few e e e he the m e ha ines tim for a y ars , and njoy tog t r or substantial pp

' f h e had e the and satis action as w e av alr ady desirable pleasures oflife. It is now almost nin eteen years since Heaven c onnected u s by the t en derest the c e e the e e h e h and most sa r d ti s , and it is sam l ngt of tim t at our friendship has b een increased by every rational and endearing motive ; it now r e h e h amfirml e e l w u s is st ong r t an d at , and I y p rsuad d will fo lo into

‘ ‘ e i e e f n fe c an x st nc o n ever endi g li ity . But my lovely friend the gloomy moment will arrive when w e must ‘ and h e e e e a m part ; s ould it arriv during our pr s nt s p ration , y last and only r b e e a ‘ m e c h h s e e e M h . fe lu tant t oug t will mploy d bout y d ar st art a Li , my e e f e e r e e e e : d ar st ri nd , is but a bubbl , it soon bu sts , and is r mitt d to t rnity

‘ Wh c the e e ec ec of outhfu l hou rs en w e look ba k to arli st r oll tions our y , it the e of e w e e e e f seems but last p riod our r st , and app ar to em rg rom a

‘ ’ al x i he w e for night of slumbers to look forward to re e st ence. W n look e e e e e as e e w e h e e ward tim app ars as ind t rminat t rnity , and av no id a of h t c e its termination but by the period ofour dissolution . W a p arti ular r lation

‘ ‘ ‘ e fut ure st at e e e n e c t we it b ars to a , our g n ral otions of r ligion annot poin ,

‘ fee me h s c c e h u s h e e e the l so t ing onstantly a tiv wit in , t at is vid ntly b yond reacht of he he of e e or e mortality , but w t r it is a part ours lv s , lan manation from the pure source of existence or reabsorbed when death shall have

finished his h c e e e. Whe he the e work , uman wisdom annot d t rmin t r d mo lition ofthe ce a ch e in the er of ou r e body introdu s only ang mann b ing , or le es es infinitel al e e e e e e e e cc av it to progr s y , t rnat ly l vat d and d pr ss d a ord 36

the e of c c he he we e the c n ing to propri ty our ondu t , or w t r r turn to ommo h e h h h e e ec e. mass of unt inking matt r , p ilosop y sitat s to d id I know therefore but one source fromwhence can be derived complete c h h the e e c e onsolation in a dying our , and t at is Divin syst m ontain d in the e e h . he e e are h Gosp l of J sus C rist T r , lif and immortality broug t to h he e w e are h e e ce be e e ec e lig t ; t r , taug t our xist n is to t rnal . And s ur in e e the e of ee h w e h l be an int r st in atoning m rits a bl ding Saviour , t at s al h A firm h e h h c e inconceivably appy . and uns ak n fait in t is do trin must e u s e the fe h h u e e he e rais abov doubts and ars t at ang pon v ry ot r syst m , and e e u s e h c l e e the ch ofthe K e nabl to vi w wit a a m s r nity approa ing of T rrors , eh him e e e his h ft and to b old as a kind and indulg nt fri nd , sp nding s a s only h e e h h e be to carry u s t e sooner to our v rlasting home. But s ould t er a e e e e e e the e h the e ch of r l mor xt nsiv r ligion b yond v il , and wit out r a mo ta e the h e e h e he e obs rvation , C ristian r ligion is by no m ans s ak n t r by , and it is not Oppos ed to any principle that admits of the perfect benevolence of

e . M he he the h e h e e e the New d ity y only doubt is , w t r punis m nt t r at n d in Testament is annexed to a state ofunbelief which may be removed here fe e e ce he he the e the a t r , and so r storation tak pla , or w t r stat of mind at fix h h the ine death irretrievably es its doom forever . I 0pe and pray t at div S e me ch ce of cce ce h h h the pirit will giv su assuran an a ptan wit God , t roug e ffe his h e the e e ha m rits and su rings of Son , as to brig t n way to imm diat p in p ess . e ch ne ffe h e e e Dry up your t ars , my arming mour r , nor su r t is l tt r to giv e th f h the ch e . e e c e e e too mu inqui tud Consid r a ts at pr s nt as in t ory , but h he h s entiments suc as will apply w never t e change shall come. h h ll be ee e ef I know t at umanity must and wi indulged in its k n st gri s , r but there is no advantage in too deeply anticipating our inevitable sor ows . If I did not persuade myself that you would c onduct with becoming pru e ce e h cc h e be d n and fortitud , upon t is o asion , my own un appin ss would e c e e e h e h e ch con gr atly in r as d , and p r aps my disord r too , but I av so mu fidence c e in your dis r tion as to unbosom my inmost soul . e ec he m You must not xp t to ar from e again until th e coming Spring , as the e l be h h ice he e be communica riv r wi l soon s ut up wit , and t r will no e t u the e ll e s tion from b low , and if in a si ation for purpos I wi r turn as oon

as practicable. ce e all h I h e see he Give my sin r st love to t ose you hold dear . op to t m o e m f e And and e themmr than e er e e re t r nd. again , lov v . Adi u , y d a s i 37

whie ferve ev e in one e er our so s to l I ntly d ot undivid d pray , immortal ul the c e e e e c all e ce e e ar , forgiv n ss , m r y and pr vailing gra of H av n in time l h h e e e e . and t roug t rnity , I must bid you a long , ong , long far w ll

A E M. J M S V ARNU M.

n h e 10th n 1789 e e e O t day of Jan ary, , G n ral Varnum pass d

a th e e . aw y, at Campus Martius at Mari tta His remains were interred there with great sol emnity and resp ect . Th e following was th e E 1? PR ” ORD R 0 ocnssmN.

Mar h s als .

r Whe e i the c of the de M . aton , b ar ng sword and military ommission

ceased on a mourning cushion .

Mr. e the c il c c h . Lord , b aring iv ommission on a mourning us ion M h h l h n Mr. t e O e t e c ayor , wit dip oma and rd r of Cin innati on a mour

ing cushion .

h h ofM c h . Mr. e t e F aring , wit insignia asonry on a mourning us ion

al u or r Pall u orters . P l S pp te s . S pp Grifiin ee e ud e Gr n , J g Crary , Jud e T e u d e P g upp r , J g arsons ,

W l e Es . u d e . i liam Sarg ant , q J g Putnam

a e Mou rn ers vate Mou rn ers . P riv t . Pri h e e h ee e Mr e e Mr. c . C arl s Gr n , Ri ard Gr n , e Mr h ee e Mr. e c . Fr d ri Crary , P ilip Gr n , c e Dr . S ott , Dr . Tinl y ,

ea . D con Story . Dr . Drown

Private Citizens . h h ef T irty Indian C i s .

Officers of Fort Harmer . ffic er Civil O s .

The Gentlemen of the Order ofthe Cincinnati . ma on s F ree s .

h e e e the Mr. e h Mr. c Mr. c r. M Clark , Stratton , L a and Bal sup rint nd d of the ce the h e e e ece e "e e order pro ssion , and w ol w r pr d d by Captain igl r

iden e az ett e ar h 7th 1789. Prov c G , M c , 38

A of Fort Harmer with troops and music . very affecting oration was the h c anu ar 13th e e e e c c . d liv r d on m lan oly o asion (J y , by Dr Solo

mon Drown . This oration w as subsequently published by th e Ohio Com “i w as e e Th e e e e th e pany . It r print d in First S ttl m nt of North ” 18 e e e e ar. e 88 . w st T rritory, a pamphl t publish d Mari tta in ’ General V arnu ms burial place was on a ridge northeast of th e e th e e e e mound n ar stockad , but his r mains , with thos of a e e offic ers e e e e e e numb r of oth r , w r many y ars aft rwards r mov d

e e e e e e e e . to Oak Grov C m t ry , wh r th y now r st

e e e e Mr. e W h r quot again from Wilkins Updyk , who says

h h e ee f his en co It mig t av b n grati ying to vanity , but G . Varnum m mitt ed an unfortunate error in accepting the ofiice to which he w as ap He had e hi r e f e . s c ee e point d impair d onstitution by a f and lib ral li , and h e ee e h c e e e his l his c c e e wit an nf bl d p ysi al syst m , to l av fami y , ir l of fri nds , the c e e h l e ec e in ao and omforts of an old Stat , and a d lig tfu mansion r t d cordance his e e e his a c ec e n to own tast , and ornam nt d to f n y , to b om a ki d ee new e e c e so of pion r in a and uns ttl d ountry , among strang rs , and in a — ciet c e his h e e e e. y un ong nial to abits , was d lusiv fatally d lusiv P e l c e are h e e e rof ssiona pursuits , in our populous iti s , bot mor r putabl rofit able h l Yet the e - and p t an any of our nationa appointments . ov r pow e ch e e n he fr the e e c e ring arm of b ing pr disti guis d om among p opl as apabl , e e ec e c e e e c h or b ing s l t d from among our asso iat s as ntitl d to publi onor , is the e of c too alluring to individual vanity . But abandonm nt our ountry , firesides t he e e c ec h e sacrifice e our , and nd aring onn tions of om , is a too d ar l h h e al . t e e it c for it And so unfortunat Varnum found , on ors ba k , and e e c Griffin ee e he e c h att nd d by a solitary ompanion ( Gr n ) , l ft a ountry t at h e him e e e e e h h e e onor d ; and an idolizing p opl , and trav rs d ig t undr d mil s ' ’ e e e oft he c e his e of wild rn ss , mostly d void omforts of lif . And at journ y s end w as e c e e c e e e c e e his tab rna l d in a rud sto kad , surround d by x it m nts , e e th e e e e e e e h the disord rs aggravat d for want of r tir m nt and r pos , br at ing e e h l e h e ec e li a d adly x a ations of a gr at and sluggis riv r , and prot t d , by mi t ry h f t e c t he e e e. The e e he array , rom in ursions of w st rn savag issu prov d had ch ce e h c ch e e no an for lif , and wit a onstitution too mu impair d to r turn , h n e e e re he t ere li g r d and xpi d . n h i e i m f e e a Mr. U pdyke co cludes with t e follow ng p to e o G n r l ’ arnu ms career

He The c ee ofGen . c e ef. e ar r Varnum was a tiv , but b ri graduat d at tw en t w as e the t ent a tw o e e e the tw en t y , admitt d to bar at w y , nt r d army at y ’ seven e e his c at tkz rt - one e be of e , r sign d ommission y , was m m r Congr ss hi - i the e e e e s c ce t/z irt three, c e h s c ce sam y ar , r sum d pra ti “ at y ontinu d pra ti fou r e e ec e e thirt - seven e e y ars , was l t d to Congr ss again at y , migrat d to ’ ’ - he e tkz rt mns e t he e a e fort . F the t W st at y , and di d a t arly g of y rom time of his admission to the bar to his departure from the state w as seven een e e c the fou r e he the l e ce t y ars ; d du ting y ars was in mi itary s rvi , and three e he was e his ct fe fe t en y ars in Congr ss , , a ual pro ssional li was only years a as ~K

A century has passed since General Varnum delivered at Marietta th e first oration ever delivered in this country in th e

territory northwest of th e Ohio . O e o th e e e 1888 e e nc again , and n s v nth day of April , , th r is e e e th e e flou rishin e a c l bration at Mari tta, now in gr at and g stat th e th e e e e th e of Ohio , on occasion of c nt nnial anniv rsary of

founding of th e great Northwest . And again in an oration e e e th e th e th e e e e e d liv r d , orator of day is Honorabl G org Frisbi e e th e e e mth e Hoar, a distinguish d S nator of Unit d Stat s fro * e e ma nific ent e stat of Massachus tts , and his oration is a g tribut e e th e e one e e t h e from post rity aft r laps of hundr d y ars , to pi oneers 1788 e th e e of , and incid ntally to subj ct of this biograph e ical sketch . We quote ther fromas follows

I do not believe the same number of persons fitted for the highest da~ ties and responsibilities of war and p eace c ould ever have b een found in a c ommunity of the same siz e as w ere among the men who founded Marietta the 178 in Spring of 8 . ’ e he c e f e e he th e e fift I kn w t m all , ri d La ay tt , w n list of n arly y military officers who 1 2 were among the pioneers w as read to himat Marietta in 8 5. i h e e . he e h e I kn w t m all I saw t m at Brandywin , Yorktown and R od Is ’ l . he e e th e e the e and T y w r brav st of brav .

Pu l s ed b arle Ham r a 1 9 6 h i ion . s t on o est er ss . 8 5. t ed t b i h y Ch il , W c , M , 40

W h o and V r u e and L f e as ingt n a n m , as w ll as Carrington a ayett , dwell ’ chiefl w as W h t f h the e l the y , as as ing on s as ion , upon p rsona quality of offi e e e men and not upon their public c s or titl s . Ind ed to be named with ch c e e e e t he c c su omm ndation , upon p rsonal knowl dg , by autious and onsci e n W h w as e e l e e e h e n h ntio s as ington , to a v t ran so di r b tt r t an b i g knig ted h ld e on t e fie of battl .

Th Your hearts are full of their memories . e stately figu res of illustri e e the ee c e ous warriors and stat sm n , forms of sw t and om ly matrons , living ” e had ee he e e e e e u s and r al as if you s n t m y st rday , ris b for now , and he arn u m h h c e fi u re e e e e th amongst t m V , t an w om a ourtli r g n ver nt r d e e e ce of ee — e e ch of h pr s n a qu n soldi r , stat sman , s olar , orator w om h e e e who had he the e e h T omas Pain , no m an judg , ard all gr at st Englis th e e e a h e e ce ec e t he elo orators in gr at st d ys of Englis loqu n , d lar d most h ” quent man he had ever eard speak .

h the e e e e M. nu Notes to for going biograp y of G n ral Jam s Var m .

L TARY AND V L MM HIS MI I CI I CO IS SIONS . The only one of these commissions now known to be in existence is h e him W ee e e e e l t at issu d to by illiam Gr n , Gov rnor , Captain G n ra and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode Island and Providenc e Planta as M e e the e h e h ch e e tion , ajor G n ral of Stat of R od Island , w i b ars dat 79 w as e e h c h a l 0th 17 . M y , It und r and by virtu of t is ommission t at h h e the e c e 000 e Varnum , alt oug no long r in Contin ntal Army , a t d in p ra h th e e de ch e his c e 1n h e tion wit Comt Ro amb au and for R od Island , during

th e later years of t he w ar of the Revolution . This c ommission is now in m h the e e e e M. New t e e e poss ssion of G n ral Jam s Varnu of York , nam sak

and kinsman of the officer to whom it w as issued .

HIS SWORD .

n his l e e ce e ce e e e O e of swords is stil in xist n , and in x ll nt pr s rvation . the e h the r e e c of h ch It is sam s own in port ait of G n ral Varnum , a opy w i

appears in this volume.