in his heart's blood; the monster with his own hands murdered his father, mother, brothers and sisters, stripped off their scalps, and cut off his father's head!! Thomas Terry, with his own hands butchered his own mother, his father-in-law, his sisters and their infant children, and exterminated the whole family! A few individuals, mostly women and children, made their escape during the carnage of the day, and dispersed themselves, wandering in the woods destitute of provision or covering, shuddering with terror and distress; their sufferings must be extreme, and their fate uncertain. It is only in the infernal regions that we can look for a parallel instance of unnatural wickedness. The cries of widows and orphans call for the avenging hand of heaven. The name of Colonel John Butler, ought to be consigned to eternal infamy, for the base treachery and cruelty with which he betrayed his kinsman, Colonel Zeb. Butler, a respectable American officer, while under the sanction of a flag.

4th. In company with Mr. Governeur Morris and Dr. Brown, our Surgeon General, I rode to camp near White Plains; waited on Colonel Scammel, Adjutant General, to inquire, whether any regiment is destitute of a surgeon, as I am desirous of exchanging my present station for the office of regimental surgeon. This object I might have effected, but Dr. Brown prevailed on me not to dissolve my connexion with the General Hospital at present. From camp, I performed a journey to Branford, and from thence to Danbury, in Connecticut. Dined with Drs. Eustis and Adams, at their quarters at Branford, and reached Danbury in the evening. On my return, the 5th, dined at a tavern at Crompond, and in the afternoon, I missed my road, and my horse tired. I was directed into an obscure path through a thick forest, and arrived at the hospital late in the evening. Riding through a thick wood, my attention was arrested by a novel spectacle, on a branch of a large oak about

sun.

thirty feet high, I observed a monstrous black snake, suspended by a coil of its tail, his head and about half his length inclining downwards, basking in the It appeared about two yards in length, and the size of a man's arm. Its skin was of a jet black, and its prominent sparkling black eyes were very beautiful. He viewed me as I passed with the fierceness of a tiger; but discovering none of those fascinating charms by which our credulous mother Eve was so wofully beguiled, and disdaining the whole progeny of deceivers, I passed on without viewing him as an object of my civilities.

7th. An unusual number of patients have been brought into our hospital within a few days. Their diseases are putrid fever and dysentery, many of the cases appear so malignant, that it is feared, they will baffle all the skill of the physician.

10th. A friend from Albany informs me, that three men, and two girls have lately been sentenced to suffer death for murder and robbery. The two girls are sisters, and one of the men is their brother. Another brother was executed last autumn, and their mother is now in prison, awaiting her trial for the same crime. The women had disguised themselves in men's apparel, and united with the tories and Indians in perpetrating the most inhuman cruelties, and savage barbarities, among the defenceless and innocent inhabitants. It is time this notorious family should be exterminated from the earth, as an awful example to those wretches who are still in the practice of similar crimes. One of the British ships, in the harbor of New York, took fire by lightning and blew up; the explosion shook the whole city like an earthquake, and excited great consternation among the inhabitants.

September 4th.-A large French fleet has arrived on our coast, under the command of Count D'Estaign, and has blocked up the harbor of Newport. An army, chiefly of militia and volunteers, from the

New England States, with two brigades of continental troops, under command of Major General Sullivan, laid siege to the royal army on the island. From this land force, with the co-operation of the French fleet, very sanguine expectations were formed that the enterprize would have been crowned with success. But the English fleet appeared, and Count D'Estaign was induced to pursue them and to offer battle, when unfortunately a violent storm arose, by which his fleet suffered so considerably that the Count was obliged to quit the expedition, and proceed to Boston to repair his ships. General Sullivan's army continued several days on the island, besieging the enemy, and finally a smart engagement ensued, in which both our regular troops and the militia, emulous of fame and glory, combatted the enemy during the day. The result of the contest was a repulse of the royal forces; they retired from the field with considerable loss, and employed themselves in fortifying their camp. In the absence of the French fleet, Sir Henry Clinton sent from NewYork large reinforcements, in consequence of which it was unanimously agreed in a council of war, to retire from the island. The retreat was conducted by General Sullivan, with great judgment and discretion, without loss of men or baggage, though in the face of an enemy of superior force. This exploit reflects great honor both on the general and the brave troops under his command. In the honors of this expedition, and retreat, Major General Greene, and the Marquis de la Fayette participated conspicuously, but were greatly disappointed in the final result.

5th.-Major General Lee has gone through his trial, before a court martial, appointed for the purpose. The charges exhibited against him were, 1st. Disobedience of orders, in not attacking the enemy on the 28th of June, agreeably to repeated instructions. 2d. For misbehavior before the enemy on the same

day, in making an unnecessary, disorderly and shameful retreat. 3d. For disrespect to the Commander in Chief, in two letters dated June 28th, and July 1st. To these several charges the General made a very able and excellent defence; particularizing all the circumstances attending the unhappy affair, and to the utmost of his ability extenuating and vindicating his conduct. The court, nevertheless, pronounced him guilty, and their sentence was, "that Major General Lee be suspended from his command, in the armies of the United States, for the space of one year." This sentence is like a mortal wound to the lofty, aspiring spirit of General Lee; few men are less calculated to sustain such a rebuff to pride and ambitious views.*

6th.-A duel was fought a few days since between General G. and Colonel W. Two shots were exchanged without bloodshed, and a reconciliation was effected. The gentlemen, it is said, displayed a firmness and bravery becoming their rank and character, and have established their claim to the title of gentlemen of honor. As their courage has never been called in question, the present rencontre was unnecessary, unless it be to evince that they possess malice enough in their hearts to commit a murderous deed. The example of superior officers will have great influence with those of inferior rank, whether contending with the dogs of war, or in adjusting the minor points of honor.

8th.-Major General Putnam has arrived in this vicinity, with the division of Virginia and Maryland troops under his command, and they have encamped on the borders of the river. Brigadiers Woodford and Muhlenburg have taken up quarters in apartments in our hospital. This is my first interview with this celebrated hero. In his person he is corpulent and clumsy, but carries a bold, undaunted

*See Appendix, for General Lee's character and abuse of General Washington

front. He exhibits little of the refinements of the well educated gentleman, but much of the character of the veteran soldier. He appears to be advanced to the age of about sixty years, and it is famed of him that he has, in many instances, proved himself as brave as Cæsar. He visited our hospital, and inquired with much solicitude into the condition of our patients; observing a considerable number of men who were infected with the ground itch, generated by laying on the ground, he inquired why they were not cured. I answered, because we have no hog's lard to make ointment." "Did you never," says the general, "cure the itch with tar and brimstone ?" "No Sir." "Then," replied he good humoredly, 66 you are not fit for a doctor."*

Dr. Ferguson, Secretary to the British commissioners, forwarded to Congress a declaration signed George Johnstone, respecting the resolve of Congress relative to his attempt on the fidelity of one of their members, which resolve he thinks to be calculated by Congress to delude the people of America, and to defeat the design of the commissioners in effecting an accommodation, which he says he would not prevent, and therefore declines acting any more as a commissioner. Another declaration signed by the three commissioners, Carlisle, Clinton, and Eden, in which they disclaim all knowledge of the conduct of Governor Johnstone, in tampering with a member of Congress, till they read it in the newspapers. This paper contains ungenerous reflections on France, and intimates their astonishment that the Americans should prefer an alliance with France to a submission to the government of England. This, their last manifesto, has been published, and by permission of Congress, circulated through the United States. It was addressed to the members of Congress, the members of the general assemblies or conventions of the several colonies, plantations, and provinces, and was See Appendix, for his character.