"Thus far for my friend, for whose veracity and sincerity, I will stake every thing which is near and dear to me, and to which I add, ‘Carpe diem quam minimum credule posteri.' ”*

This letter was submitted to lord Dartmouth, and copies were enclosed to the bishop of Peterborough, and the arch-bishop of Canterbury. Mr. Sharp also waited upon the arch-bishop of Canterbury, and urged the propriety of a union among the bishops, to move for the termination of the ruinous war.

But while thus occupied with this great object, other matters of public interest did not escape his vigilant and benevolent attentions. "His desire of public beneficence, was become an intelligent spirit of legal liberty; and his feelings were excited by every important occurrence, and every public measure, which touched in any material part our constitution, or our relative condition in society."

The menacing aspect of public affairs, rendered it important to adopt measures for the defence of the city of London; and Mr. Sharp exhibited his usual ardour and energy for the furtherance of the object.

Aug. 21, 1781. This morning called on the following aldermen, Bull, Plumer, Clark, then on Mr. Vaughan,† who immediately went, at my request, to the Lord Mayor.

He soon after called on me, and said the Lord Mayor desired to speak with me, at six o'clock. I went accordingly, and had a great deal of discourse on the training the citizens to arms, for their own defence, in case of an invasion. As he wanted information concerning the militia laws of London, I promised to search for some remarks, which I had drawn up in June, 1780, soon after the riots. These I delivered to his lordship this morning, with some further remarks on the state of the city militia.

*This will, no doubt, says Mr. Hoare, remind the reader of some anony mous publications, written by Dr. Franklin, while in England; and it was perhaps, from this cause, that Mr. Sharp attached so considerable importance to it. Much of this unauthorized agency appeared during the war.

† Benjamin Vaughan, Esq. L. L. D. former member of parliament; a gen. tleman eminent for his learning and philanthropy. For many years past, he has resided at Hallowell, in the state of Maine; highly respected for his knowledge, hospitality, and virtue. The editor of this journal is greatly indebted to him, for several interesting facts concerning Mr. Sharp, and also, for the loan of a volume of his admirable tracts. Mr. Vaughan's library is not, we believe, exceeded in value and extent, by any private collection of books in the United States.

It was about this time, also, that a correspondence took place between lord Carysfort and Mr. Sharp, respecting the affairs of Ireland. The feelings of the latter were a short time after, much excited by the famous motion of Mr. Grattan, in the Irish House of Commons, "asserting the right of Ireland to legislate for itself, and that the claims of any body of men other than the king, lords, and commons of Ireland, to make laws to bind that kingdom, were unconstitutional and illegal." Letters were addressed by Mr. Sharp, in a style of unusual boldness, to the duke of Portland, Mr. Fox, secretary of state, and the duke of Richmond, on this subject, and the success of Mr. Grattan's motion, and one of the first subsequent acts of the new ministry, expedited the passing of an act expressly removing the legislative authority of the British parliament, in relation to Ireland.

Nor did Mr. Sharp feel less concern for the public morals, than for the political justice of England. The shameful change of the habits of the two sexes in the theatres, gave him great offence, and he requested the bishop of London to confer with the arch-bishop of Canterbury, and by application to the lord Chamberlain, prevent such violation of decorum and good manners. "He also presented a remonstrance to the arch-bishop of York, whose son had acted the part of Thais in Terence's comedy of the Eunuch, at Westminster school. He read his remonstrance, also, to Dr. Smith, the master of the school, who promised to represent it to the bishop of Rochester, and said, that the plays might be prevented next year; but the custom of acting them had continued for two hundred years, and (he believed) was enjoined by the

statutes."

Who that has accompanied us thus far in these interesting me. moirs, does not feel a sentiment of admiration, not only for the singular CONSCIENTIOUSNESS of Granville Sharp, but for his remarkable obedience to that Divine injunction, in view of the shortness of life, so appropriate, and of our responsibility, so impressive, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." He was not less prompt in action, than correct in judgment. The distinct sight of his object, was instantly followed by the pursuit of it. He appears to have laboured like one, who perceived that life was too short to allow of his executing all the plans of his benevolence. With his loins girded, and his lamp ever burning in faith, patience, and works of charity, he waited to give in his VOL. II.-No. 5

2

account to the Judge of All. Undaunted by opposition, and unwearied in effort, careless of all fame which was not built on virtue, but truly ambitious of heavenly honours, he devoted his time and his talents to mankind and to God.

(To be continued.)

Memoir of the Sufferings, &c. of the
American Colonists.

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 119.)

The settlers were particularly embarrassed by their uncertainty as to the actual connexion subsisting between their neighbours of the larger island, and their enemy. Bă Caiä, who was at the head of the former, had constantly held forth the most friendly professions; and at this time, by secretly supplying them with fuel and water, gave a more substantial proof than ever, of their sincerity. But his plantations and numerous detached bodies of his people, were entirely exposed to the power of the Deys, with whom it was of the first necessity for him to maintain an amicable correspondence. Hence he came unavoidably to incur the suspicions of the colonists, who, from the proximity of his town, could at any hour lay it in ashes. Bă Caiä had, for many years, sustained himself in his unprotected and delicate situation by means of a fortunate alliance with king Boatswain*, one of the most fa

* Boatswain is a native of Shebar. In his youth he had served in some menial capacity on board of an English merchant vessel, where he acquired the name which he still retains. His personal qualifications are of the most commanding description; and to them he appears wholly indebted for his present notoriety. To a stature approaching seven feet in height, perfectly erect, muscular, and finely proportioned-a countenance noble, intelligent, and full of animation-he unites great comprehension and activity of mind, and, what is still more imposing, a savage loftiness and even grandeur of sentiment--forming altogether, an assemblage of qualities, obviously disproportioned to the actual sphere of his ambition. He is prodigal of every thing except the means of increasing the terror of his name. "I give you a bullock," said he to an agent of the Society, "not to be considered as Boatswain's present, but for your breakfast." To his friend Ba Caia, he once sent, “King B. is your friend: he therefore advises you to lose not a moment in providing yourself plenty of powder and ball—or, in three days (the least time possible to make the journey) let me see my fugitive woman again."

mous and powerful chiefs of the Condoes. Boatswain's power had been often felt by the maritime tribes, and the most convincing proofs of it were continually given in his bloody wars in the interiour. He had thus been long acquiring a general influence, which gave him, even in the affairs of his neighbours, an authority little short of dictatorial. To this powerful ally, the old man now had recourse; who, with the promptitude which distinguishes all his movements, immediately made his appearance on the Montserado, not, as he said, to pronounce sentence, between the coast people and the strangers, but to do justice: and he had actually brought along with him a force sufficient to carry his decisions into immediate effect. But the Deys, however stung by this insolence, were not in a situation to resent it.

The Agents who had been absent from the Cape since the commencement of these trying events, now rejoined the settlers on the island. Boatswain having by a direct exertion of authority, convoked the head-chiefs of the neighbourhood, sent for the Agents and principal settlers, to come and explain the nature of their claims on the country, and to set forth their grievances. They complained of the 'bad faith of the Deys in withholding the possession of lands which they had sold to the colonists; and of the injurious acts of hostility committed by king George, apparently. with the consent of his superiors.' A desultory and noisy discussion followed, in which the savage umpire disdained to take any part whatever. But having ascertained the prominent facts of the case, he at length arose, and put an end to the assembly by laconically remarking to the Deys, "That having sold their country, and accepted the payment in part, they must take the consequences. Their refusal of the balance of the purchase money, did not annul, or affect the bargain. Let the Americans have their lands immediately. Whoever is not satisfied with my decision, let him tell me so !" Then, turning to the Agents, "I promise you protection. If these people give you further disturbance, send for me. And I swear, if they oblige me to come again to quiet them, I will do it to purpose, by taking their heads from their shoulders; as I did old king George's, on my last visit to the coast, to settle disputes."

Whatever might be thought of the equity of this decision, there was but one sentiment as to the necessity of acquiescing in it. The usual interchange of friendly presents between the parties,

then took place; and the settlers immediately resumed their la bours on the Cape.

That guardian Providence which has so graciously made the protection of this infant settlement, in every stage, the object of its tenderest care, has in few instances been more conspicuous, than in thus employing the ill-gotten power of an ambitious stranger in the interior of Africa, to deliver the colonists, at a moment when hostilities would have defeated their object, from the machinations of their treacherous neighbours. To render this interposition the more remarkable, it had actually proceeded to the length of removing the principal obstacles to the pacification of the Deys, almost without an effort on the part of the settlers, and entirely without the knowledge, or the presence, of either of the Agents. There would be a degree of impiety in repressing in the breast the sentiment of religious recognition, which a single dispensation of so impressive a character is fitted to excite. But it must be perceived, in the progress of this narrative, that every instance of extraordinary providential deliverance and protection, borrows a more affecting lustre from the reflected light of many others.

On the 28th of April, the ceremony of taking possession of the Cape and country was performed, with probably the effect of adding a fresh excitement to the zeal of the people. But, shall we most deplore, or admire in human nature, that weakness which can so easily mistake the present visions of hope, for the prophecies of futurity? On the very spot which was gladdened with the felicitations of this occasion, some who were the objects of them, were soon, alas! to pour out their lives through the wounds received in a doubtful contest for that very occupation which they had so blindly anticipated!

But shortly after this formality, a proof of a much more significant and substantial nature, was afforded by the people, of the entire sincerity of every former profession of attachment to the country of their adoption.

The houses were yet destitute of roofs, for which the material was to be sought in the almost impracticable swamps of the country-the rainy-season-tornadoes had already commenced-the island, if much longer occupied by all the colonists, must prove the grave of many-sickness was beginning to be prevalent; and both the Agents were among the sufferers-the store of provisions was