of Otaheite had been enticed on board of an English vessel, and brought to England. "Being an expert swimmer and diver, his skill had been very profitably employed during the voyage, in the capture of seals, of which he had succeeded in killing a great number. The master of the vessel refused to pay him for his services, and the owners declared, that they would spend £ 500 rather than allow him a farthing. Information of this having reached Mr. Sharp, he called on a friend of the poor stranger, stated to him the course he should pursue, and observed, if any subscription became necessary, that his name might be set down at the head of the list for two guineas. No sooner, however, were the merchants informed that Mr. Sharp's sanction had been obtained for proceeding against them, than they proposed a settlement by arbitration, and the Otaheitan was adjudged, by the person selected by themselves, the compensation solicited; which was that of an ordinary seaman, amounting in all to about £30." "Of such value," says Mr. Hoare, 66 was the nominis umbra.”

The intense and vigilant concern felt by Mr. Sharp, in the great event of the American revolution, traceable, as it unquestionably was, to his sacred regard to the rights and interests of humanity, prompted him, after the Declaration of Independence, anxiously to watch the progress of our infant nation, and to contribute, as far as possible, to literary and religious improvement. Hence, he sent presents of books to most of the colleges and public libraries, and indeed to all the principal places in our country. It was probably some donation of this kind, which called forth the following acknowledgment from the acting officers of the African church in Philadelphia:

"We want words to express our gratitude to you, for all your labours of love to our afflicted nation. You were our advocate when we had but few friends on the other side of the water. We request of you to accept of our thanks for all your kind and benevolent exertions in behalf of the people of our co. lour, and in particular, for your late humane donation to our church.

Our prayers shall not cease to ascend to the Father of all mercies, and God of all grace, for your health and happiness in this world, and for your eternal happiness in the world to come."

Mr. Hoare observes, "Besides the valuable presents of books, to the American libraries, he extended his views to various regulations, which he conceived might be most useful to an advancing state, and he communicated them to the leading statesmen of that continent.

The following extracts from letters addressed to him about this time, by several of our eminent countrymen, will show the high place which he held in their estimation:

DR. FRANKLIN TO GRANVILLE SHARP.

Passy, July 5, 1785.

"DEAR SIR: "I received the books you were so kind as to send; please to accept my hearty thanks. Your writings, which always have some public good for their object, I always read with pleasure. I am perfectly of your opinion with respect to the salutary law of Gavelkind, and hope it may in time be established throughout America. In six of the states already, the lands of intestates are divided equally among the children, if all girls; but there is a double share to the eldest daughter; I think there should be no distinction.

I am departing for America, where I shall be glad occasionally to hear from you, and of your welfare, being, with sincere and great esteem, &c. &c. B. FRANKLIN."

HIS EXCELLENCY J. ADAMS TO MR. G. SHARP.
"Grosvenor Square, March 8, 1786.

"SIR:
"You have merited the respect and esteem of all men, among whom liberty
and humanity are not disregarded, by your writings. The idea that captives
in war are slaves, is the foundation of the misfortunes of the negroes. This
principle is honoured and admitted by all the powers of Europe, who pay
tribute to the states of Barbary. I expect that one part of Africa will avenge
upon my fellow-citizens, the injury they do to another, by purchasing their
captives. Yet, I presume, we shall be compelled to follow the base example
of submission, and pay tributes or make presents, like the rest of christians,
to Musselmen. I wish you would take up this African system, and expose it
altogether. Never, never will the slave-trade be abolished, while christian
princes abase themselves before the piratical ensigns of Mahomet.

"The Pennsylvania Society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes unlawfully held in bondage, have taken the liberty to request your acceptance of a few copies of their constitution, and the laws of Pennsylvania, which relate to one of the objects of their institution.

From a most grateful sense of the zeal and abilities with which you have long and successfully defended the claims of the oppressed Africans, the society have done themselves the honour of enrolling your name in the number of their corresponding members; and they earnestly request the continuance of your labours in the great object of their institution; for in this business, the friends to humanity in every country, are of one nation and religion. I am, in behalf of the society, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.”

"SIR:

1

HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN JAY TO GRANVILLE SHARP.
"New-York, September 1, 1788.

"The society established in this city, for promoting the manumission of slaves, &c. did, at their last meeting admit you an honorary member of it. And I have now the pleasure of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, a certified extract from the minutes, on the subject. Be pleased, sir, to consider this as a mark of the esteem and respect with which your exertions in the cause of humanity have inspired them; and permit me to assure you, that with similar sentiments, I have the honor to be, &c. &c.

JOHN JAY, President."

Not only individuals and humane societies in America, but literary institutions also rendered to Mr. Sharp their public testimonials of respect. The universities of Providence, Rhode Island, of Cambridge, Mass. and Williamsburg, Virginia, severally admitted him to the degree of Doctor of Laws. The presidents of these institutions announced the honours to which he was judged entitled, in terms most expressive of a deep sense of his worth, and of the highest personal esteem.

Thus have we seen an obscure individual, undistinguished by the gifts of fortune, rising to a height of respectability and usefulness, far above the nobles and princes of his age; and while at tracting by his virtues the admiration of the world, wearing meekly and humbly as a child, its honours. Among the excellencies which elevated him to so lofty an eminence, we have mentioned his CONSCIENTIOUSNESS and INDUSTRY, and we may add to these, his DECISION and INTREPIDITY. With a heart compassionate and tender as ever beat in a human bosom, his principles were firm as the rock, on which they rested; and in their defence, he was bold as a lion. His penetrating intellect, discerned through all the errors and sophistry by which they were incumbered, the foundations of human duty, and clearing away false principles, sought to bring back society to those simple moral truths, which alone constitute the safe and durable basis of social and political institutions. The light by which he investigated all the relations and duties of private and civil life, was the Revelation of God. His DECISION resulted from his entire submission to the Divine Word. His INTREPIDITY was but the manifested sentiment of the ancient martyrs, "We ought to obey God rather than man."

(To be continued.)

Memoir of the Sufferings, &c. of the

American Colonists.

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 152.)

The Agent, as soon as the force of his disease had so far subsided as to enable him to look abroad, discovered with great satisfaction, that the people had plied their labours with so much diligence, as to produce a wide opening on the whole of the southern quarter of the settlement. The branching tops of the fallen trees formed so perfect an obstruction to the passage of human beings, as nearly to assure the safety of the settlement against an attack from that side. But the want of system in carrying on the diversified services devolving on the people, of whom several were nearly overpowered by an incessant routine of nightly watching and daily labour, had still left the other preparation too little advanced to authorize an opinion of the safety of the place, for an hour. The carpenters, who alone were able to direct or assist in the construction of the gun-carriages, had, for the encouragement and direction of the labourers, given up too much of their time to the common fatigues of the field. The western station, which in the present state of the defence, was obviously the most exposed, not only remained entirely uncovered, but the long revolving nine pounder, which was to constitute its chief strength, was still unmounted.

But the Agent could not walk at this date without support; and with a mind shattered by the strokes of a malady believed to be mortal, could neither decide upon nor enforce, any arrangement which should much accelerate their most essential preparations. But, from this period, his febrile paroxysms were daily less subduing and protracted-and by a recurrence to the journal, it appears, that he was able on the 7th of November, to recommence the daily entries, and thereafter take a daily increasing share in the operations of the people.

It is here proper to return to a period already considerably passed in the foregoing narrative, in order to take a connected view of the movements of the natives; who, without formally denouncing war, had been constantly busied in hostile machinations; which at this date were so far matured, as to want nothing but a proper opportunity of being carried into effect.

It has been seen that out of the dread of provoking Boatswain's resentment, they had reluctantly assumed a show of friendship. But this disguise of the true state of their intentions, was too slight to conceal them from the most superficial observer. Unhappily, the chiefs had attributed the abrupt departure of the Agents to a want of spirit, and a dread of their power: "and were naturally stimulated by the absence of so important and formidable a means of defence as was afforded by the too schooners, to make the most of the circumstance, and directly attack the settlement; hoping, if successful, to be able either to bribe, or resist the indig nation of king Boatswain.

The arrival of the "Strong," in August, delayed for a while the execution of their purpose. But no sooner had that vessel sailed, about the first of October, than secret meetings for discussing the question of renewing hostilities were again holden. The Agent had arranged a plan for obtaining intelligence, which left him ignorant of none of their movements-and by the singular fidelity and diligence of an individual who has never yet been properly compensated, and whose name it is necessary to conceal, was perfectly informed of the temper and stand of every influential head-man in the country, and often furnished with the very arguments used by them in their debates.

At this time a diversity of views were entertained by the differ. ent members of their war-council. It was contended by kings Peter and Bristol, that "The increased numbers of the Colonists, gave them a superiority which would insure their success-that they were not a settlement of foreigners and enemies, but of their countrymen and friends, as was proved by the identity of their colour, and therefore had a right to reside in their country, and might be expected to turn all the civilization which they had learnt abroad, to the improvement of their common country."

Kings George, Governor, and all the other head men of the tribe, contended that "The Americans were strangers who had forgot their attachment to the land of their fathers; for if not, why had they not renounced their connexion with white men altogether, and placed themselves under the protection of the kings of the country? King George had already been under the necessity of removing from his town, and leaving the Cape in their hands. This was but the first step of their encroachments. If left alone, they must, in a very few years, master the whole country. And