"Were we, indeed, to examine and contrast all which this mighty man of words has written, we might suspect the sanity of his intellects; we never could respect him for judgment, or But one reflection, and we are done with him for

candour.

the present.

"What was the killing a few Indians, to the loss of so many valuable citizens? who, but that Governor Harrison wants the qualities and qualifications of a GENERAL, might have been saved; and yet have been lost in one fatal night, to their fami lies and country forever!

"If Governor Harrison invaded the Indian country, and the Prophet's town, uncertain whether he would fight or not, he should have established a strong and fortified camp, at a convenient distance from the town, where he should have required their conferences; and from which, if necessary, he might have readily made his attack. In such a camp, his army would have been safe, as well by night as by day. And although there might not have been killed as many Indians, he would not have merited the execration of the surviving friends of those heroes, whom he has lost.

"Once more we will go back to the camp of this consummate general, Ego; Harrison. For it is by the camp of a general, as much as any other circumstance, that he is known. When Phyrrhus saw the camp of the Romans, entrenched and fortified, he could but exclaim to his attendants: "Truly these are not barbarians.' But what would he have said, had he seen the camp of the renowned General Harrison? Verily, this militia have no general. In front and rear of the camp, a wet prairie, impracticable for horse, and just calculated for the approach or retreat of the Indian enemy.

"Accordingly, after the general had ordered Snelling's, Po sey's, Scott's and Wilson's companies, to reinforce the left flank; and Cook's, and Baen's companies, to reinforce the right flank; Major Wells, not knowing the intentions of the general, (he choosing, we presume, to command every where in person, and to do the duty which might have been done by inferior officers, and before he could form the cavalry, after day.

8

light, to support the intended charge,) proceeded to make the charge, and drove the Indians at the point of the bayonet, into-a-swamp; where neither foot, nor horse, could follow them. Thus ended the battle on the left. On the right, to the rest of the force, was added the riflemen; with these, the enemy was charged, and put to flight. A favourable opportunity, (says the general,) was here offered to pursue the ene my with dragoons, but being engaged at that time on the other flank, I did not observe it until'-when?-it was too late'!-O fie! O fie! Was ever poor general so unfortunate! When the charge was made on the left flank, he was not there; he was forming the dragoons. When the charge was afterwards made on the right flank, by the infantry, he was not there; he was on the left flank. A fine opportunity occurred, for charging the enemy with the dragoons; but it was not observed until it was too late!! Was there ever so consummate a general? Major Sturgeon indeed! why we protest that Major Sturgeon is no more to GENERAL HARRISON, than a duck is to a goose!!!

"It is of no importance, to observe, that Governor Harrison, is a little, selfish, intriguing, busybody! But when he is exalted into the GENERAL, and puffed, and blown into our faces, as possessing military skill in an eminent degree, we can but ask, What has he done? Where did he shew his skill? Was it in the choice of his camp? Was it by his sagacity in penetrating the design of the enemy? Was it in making ulterior movements to circumvent them? Was it in running hither and thither through the camp? Was it in taking upon himself the command of companies, divisions, and platoons? Was it in omitting to have the dragoons ready to charge, or to pursue the enemy?-But stop; the dragoons could not charge in the swamps, with which he had fortified his camp.---Enough. We have said enough to set the reader to thinking; that is what we wanted."

It is pleasant to bury and forget the faults and foibles of an old man's life, in the remembrance of an act of real merit, at the end of his public service. This reflection is the result of comparison, and is intended to express approbation of the docuS**

VOL. II.

ment presented to the legislature by Governor Scott, on the 3d of December, 1811.

The substance of which, the whole being too long for insertion, will close the second volume of the history of Kentucky. It follows:

"We live, gentlemen, in times of no ordinary import; all our wisdom and virtue may be required for our own preservation." "War seems to lower over our horizon." Alluding to the prospects in the east, no less than in the west.

"Justice as well as policy, dictated the pacific course our government has endeavoured to pursue." But "unprovoked and incessant injuries from both Britain and France, with a view to involve us in their wars, has been the consequence." Force, or what is worse, submission, seems the only alternative left us, by these hostile rivals.

If the spirit of the country is so humiliated and debased, as to submit, then indeed we are not worthy to be called freemuch less the only free nation on the earth.

Both the great belligerents have injured us; we have a right to compensation from each. In regulating the relations between themselves, we have nothing to do. Nor should our inclinations know either British or French.

The president has apprized congress, that the nation should assume an attitude of defence. Let us therefore be prepared

for the rencounter.

The energies of our country, if properly called out, and employed, are more than adequate to our protection, against every enemy. But we have too great fondness for indulgence, and for power-too great horror of privation-too much love of foreign commerce.

But, as the health of the body depends upon that of the members, we should more immediately turn our attention to the affairs of our state--improve our resources, and cultivate the means within our reach, without grasping after those beyond it.

Let us be prepared and ready to assist others, if we expect to be assisted by them.

The preservation of our union, the great anchor of our safety, requires that the good of all should be consulted, and promoted. The wealth of a nation is the product of its industry. The fertility of our soil, calls us to agriculture; the exchange of our productions of the land, with internal manufactures, always safe, should form the basis of American commerce. The less we are dependent on other nations, the more they will respect us; and the less shall we be annoyed by them.

People are the strength of a nation. Facility of subsistence will always multiply them. Perhaps no age or country has witnessed such rapid advances, in both population and improvement, as our own.

The militia, a subject often recalled to your recollections, never more demanded your attention. I have seen with pleasure, an improvement in the discipline and military appearance of the men. There is a pride allied to honour; it is the soul of a soldier; it cheers him in toils--nerves him in danger--and in the path of his duty, leads him to victory, or to death, with equal magnanimity. The laws should cherish this pride; the first step to which, is the procurement of good officers; the next, the habit of obedience. Arms are indispensable. Once more permit me to recommend an armory. A beginning should be made; we have resources; we have credit; money might be borrowed; the sale of vacant land might soon replace it. Το preserve our prosperous state, we must be strong: to maintain liberty, we must be able to defend it. Nor should we forget, that to maintain our rights, we should understand them.' Education then becomes expedient, as the handmaid to information-the only substitute. for ignorance. Knowledge is equally necessary in both military, and civil affairs. Every country produces talents sufficient for every purpose, both private and public, if they are but duly cultivated.

Then how important are schools, both civil and military! These are important subjects, gentlemen, which to mention, is to recommend to your aid-there is, however, yet another, still more important; because it is of every day's use; it is the interest and right of every man; it is the administration of

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HISTORY OF KENTUCKY.

justice. There is a tardiness in its progress, which bespeaks something much amiss in the structure, or organization of the courts; or in both.

"A celebrated writer of English history, has observed, that in that country, the king, lords, and commons; the army, navy, and revenue, are all for the support of the twelve judges. Meaning by this, that the whole machinery of government is intended for the correct and uninterrupted administration of the laws, and that this can only be done through the judges.

"The judiciary of that country, is certainly the cause why it is more free than any other, but our own. Their judges are men of the first learning and talents; the tenure of their offices, as well as the receipt of their salaries, are dependent on their good behaviour, alone; and their compensation is so ample, as to require no other fortune for their support, &c. The ef fect of such arrangement, has been the salvation of the nation. from entire despotism. I would not be understood as recommending equal salaries, but such as are both competent and liberal.

"Continued habits of study and reflection, are required for this station, beyond every other. And this holds true, most especially, in the court of the last resort; whose decisions, to a great extent, must form the law of the land."

The tardy administration of justice, and especially in chancery, is again the subject of remark; and proper for revision-as is also, the criminal code. There is too much lenity, for either reform, or punishment.

Allusion is made to the struggle of the southern patriots, with becoming sympathy.

And with expressions of gratitude, for the abundant blessings enjoyed by the nation, and the state, encourages a practice of the necessary means to preserve them.

And next, after a very lengthy address, which is here greatly condensed, he makes his valedictory, and retires, like a patriot, and a sage.