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aas been given by report, is not very circumstantial. What has been learned, is, that Colonel Hardin, attended by his interpreter, on his route towards the Miami villages, arrived at an Indian camp, about a day's journey from where fort Defiance was afterwards built, by General Wayne, and nearly the same distance from a town inhabited by Shawances, and Delawares--that he was well received by the Indians in camp, but had not been long there, before five Delawares came in from the town: upon learning of which, the colonel proposed to them, to go with him, the same evening, to the pla e. They however refused to go back that day, but seemed peaceably disposed--and he concluded, to camp with the Indians, the ensuing night; which he did, without molestation. In the morning, however, without provocation or particular reason, a parcel of them shot him to death. If with any peculiar circumstances of barbarity, is not known. They seized his horse, gun, and saddlebags-expecting, no doubt, in addition to the two former, that they would find money, and presents, in the latter. His companion, they made a prisoner, and taking him with them, on the road towards Sandusky, murdered him, by the way.

It has been further said, that when the news was carried to town, "that a white man with a peace talk had been killed at the camp," that it excited a great ferment; and that the murderers were much censured. Which is probably true. For perhaps there is no condition of the human race, when exempt · from the passion of revenge, or the allurement of plunder, so ignorant, or depraved, as not to cherish sentiments of respect for the harbinger of peace. Of Colonel Hardin, they had no personal knowledge; although they very likely had heard of him. Yet, if they had known him terrible in battle, they also should have remembered him magnanimous in victory; and kind, and hospitable in peace. Never taking life, when he could make a prisoner-and having at that time two, in his household; who for several years had been treated as members of his family; with the intention of restoring them to their nation, on the return of peace; and which was accordingly done, by order of his widow.

Colonel Hardin, fell in the thirty-ninth year o his age; in the prime of a life of much usefulness, and after he had by a series of exertions, progressively unfolded many virtuous traits of character. It was by these, he had gained his standing in society. One so interwoven with the respect and affection of his countrymen, that combined with his active disposition, and experience, could but have pointed him out, and enabled him, had he lived, to have rendered important service, of the highest order.

In corroboration of these suggestions, it was stated, that, while he was out, and before his death was known-upon Kentucky's becoming a state, he was appointed a justice of the quarter sessions, in Washington county; where he had resided; and general, of the first brigade of Kentucky militia.

To this eminence, was he raised, for services rendered, and not by address, or intrigue-for never was man who loved honourable distinction, farther from the arts of popularity, or office hunting.

Inasmuch, however, as example teaches more than precept; and mankind are deficient in practising the means, rather than in devising the ends, of self advancement; a short biographical memoir of him, cannot be unacceptable to the reader, in a country, where every man of real worth, is the second maker of himself. Besides, it is within the express design of this history, and therefore to be inserted, of course..

The subject of this biography, was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, the 1st of October, 1753. His parents were poor people, who obtained an honest living, by their labour. Martin Hardin, the father, removed from Fauquier, to George's creek, of Monongahela, when his son John was about twelve years of age. He had already learned the use of the rifle, and delighted in hunting the deer..

The new settlement, was quite a frontier. Old Mr. Hardin had thought it in Virginia; but it turned out when the line was settled, and run, that he was in Pennsylvania; it gave the old man some uneasiness-but the youth said, "he did not care, he would be a Virginian yet."

Hunting was in their new situation, even a necessary occu-` pation; it was not long before the Indians broke out, and war on the frontier, was added to the former motive for carrying. the rifle. Young Hardin, finding even in the first of these, free scope for the exercise of his active enterprising disposition, became a hunter. And being not recalled to any literary occupation, for there was no school; hunting soon became his amusement, and delight. With his rifle, he traversed, the vales, or crossed the hills, or climbed the mountains, in search of the deer, the bear, or the elk; insensible of fatigue, and ruminating on the various modes of detecting their feeding, ficking, or hiding places; until he became one of the most expert of the craft. The rapidity, and exactness with which he pointed his rifle, gave to his shot, whatever fell beneath his eye. And such was his visual ray, that nothing moving within its compass, could escape its glance. A still higher gratification, and one which gave a zest to all besides, was the service which he rendered two or three families, of friends; whom he supplied with meat, by means of his gun.

In the spring of the year 1774, rendered memorable in Virginia, by the expedition of Governor Dunmore, against the Indians, then at war; young Hardin, not then twenty-one years of age, was appointed an ensign in a militia company. In the August ensuing, he volunteered with Captain Zack Morgan, had an action with a party of Indians, in which he was wounded, while on one knee, the better to support his rifle, in aiming it against the enemy. The ball struck his thigh on the outer side, ranged up it about seven inches; and lodged near the groin--whence it never was extracted. The enemy were beaten, and fled. Thus early, was he initiated into the mysteries of Indian warfare.

Before Ensign Hardin, recovered from this wound, or could dispense with his crutches, he joined Dunmore, on his march to the Indian towns. In these transactions, is to be seen the spirit, which prompts, to the exercise of hunting, and the enterprise of war; the spirit, which elevates men, into heroes; and devotes them to the service of their species--and to fame."

Soon after the peace which ensued, Hardin turned his attention towards Kentucky, as to a scene for new adventure; and had actually prepared for the journey, with Colonel Crawford, and some others; but this was declined-probably on account of the increasing rumours of approaching war, on the atlantic. coast. For, his ears, seem to have been forever open to the

voice of Bellona.

The American congress, having determined to raise an army, the business of recruiting, was extended into the part of the country, where young Hardin resided, in 1776; to which he applied himself. His success enabled him to join the camp, with the command of a second lieutenant. He was afterwards attached to Morgan's rifle corps--which was generally upon the lines: and with which he served, until his resignation of a first lieutenant's commission, in December, 1779. In the mean time, he acquired, and held, a high place in the confidence and esteem of General Daniel Morgan. By whom he was often selected, for enterprises, of peril, which required discretion and intrepidity combined, to ensure success, in their execution.

There are a few anecdotes committed to tradition, that deserve to be commemorated, While with the northern army, he was sent out on a reconnoitering excursion, with orders to take a prisoner, for the purpose of obtaining information. Marching silently, in advance of his party, on rising to the top of an abrupt hill, he met two or three British soldiers, and a Mohawk Indian. The moment was both critical, and awful. Hardin felt no hesitation-his rifle was instantly presented, and they, ordered to surrender. The British, immediately threw down their arms--the Indian, clubbed his gun. They stood; while he, continued to advance on them; but none of his men having come up with him, and thinking that he might want some assistance, he turned his head a little as he called to them to come on; and at this moment, the Indian warrior, observing his eye withdrawn from him, reversed his gun, with a rapid motion, in order to shoot Hardin; when he, catching in his vision the gleam of light which was reflected from the polished barrel of this instrument of death, and with equal

rapidity apprehending its meaning, was prompt to prevent the dire effect. He brings his rifle to a level, in his own hands--and fires her--without raising her to his face he had not time--the attempt would have given the Indian the first fire-on that depended life, and death--he gained it; and gave the Indian a mortal wound: who, also firing in the succeeding moment, sent his ball through Hardin's hair.

What a combination of circumstances! What facility--what precision--what fortitude, is here displayed. A happy association, of intellect, and dexterity, ensures his superiority, and saves his life.

The rest of the party, made no resistance, but were marched to camp. On this occasion, Hardin received the thanks of General Gates.

At another time, while the British held Philadelphia, and General Washington was endeavouring to circumscribe them within as narrow bounds as possible; Hardin, being on the lines with his lieutenant's command, in order to pick up stragglers; and receiving intelligence that some of the tories, from the back counties, were driving several wagons laden with provisions, down to the city; he determined at every hazard to seize them. Accordingly he threw himself and party, on their route; and pursued them, within sight of the enemy's outposts, before he came up with the wagons; which, with the escort, he captured--wheeled about the teams, and drove them to his

own camp.

was.

Before he left the army, he was offered a major's commission in a regiment about to be raised--but he delined it; alleging that he thought he could be of most service where he Whether it was, that he thought himself bound to take some care of his own pecuniary affairs, then but limited in extent; by securing Kentucky land--or that the time for which his men had been enlisted was expired; and he did not care to command others--or the concurrence of both these considerations-or the Indian war, on the frontiers-which induced him to leave the regular service, is not known. But