nevertheless, form not only a valuable magazine, but such a one as we ought ever to have in reserve. The impossibility of crossing the North River with horses, and some unforeseen business, have hitherto prevented my journey to Newport, and make the time of my setting out precarious."

The following extract is from a letter, written by Washington to Count de Rochambeau, Feb. 24.

"The flattering distinction, paid to the anniversary of my birthday, is an honor, for which I dare not attempt to express my gratitude. I confide in your Excellency's sensibility, to interpret my feelings for this, and for the obliging manner in which you are pleased to announce it. The measures we have been taking for the expedition to Virginia will delay, some time, my visit to Rhode Island. I wait to see, whether Sir Henry Clinton may form any new projects in consequence. When this is ascertained, and the additional precautions we are taking for security here are completed, I shall yield to my impatience for testifying, personally, my attachment to your Excellency and your army.

On the 1st March, Washington writes to Lafayette, thus: "MY DEAR MARQUIS,-I have just received letters from the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier Destouches, informing me of their intention to operate in the Chesapeake Bay, with their whole fleet, and a detachment of eleven hundred French troops, grenadiers and chasseurs included. The Chevalier expects to sail, the 5th of this month, so that you will arrive at the Head of Elk, before he appears in the Bay.

"The Count de Rochambeau requests me to send an aid-de-camp to the commanding officer in Virginia, to assemble the militia, and have every thing else ready against the arrival of the fleet. You know all the necessary directions have been given; but, to gratify the Count, I am to desire you will send Colonel Gouvion, without delay, to Baron Steuben, to communicate this latter intelligence, and press the preparations, directing the Baron, on the arrival of the French troops, to enter, immediately, into their views. You know the infi

nite value of secrecy in an expedition circumstanced like this. The Baron de Viomenil will command the French detachment. I shall set out in the morning for Rhode Island, where I hope to arrive before the fleet sails, to level all difficulties and be in the way to improve circumstances.

"Since writing the above, I have received a letter from General Greene, by which it appears, that Cornwallis, with twenty-five hundred men, was penetrating the country with very great rapidity, and Greene, with a much inferior force, retiring before him, having determined to pass the Roanoke. This intelligence, and an apprehension that Arnold may make his escape before the fleet can arrive in the Bay, induces me to give you greater latitude than you had in your original instructions. You are at liberty to concert a plan with the French general and naval commander for a descent into North Carolina, to cut off the detachment of the enemy which had ascended Cape Fear River, intercept if possible Cornwallis, and relieve General Greene and the southern States. This, however, I think ought to be a secondary object, and only attempted in case of Arnold's retreat to New York, or in case you should think his reduction would be attended with too much delay, and that the other enterprise would be more easy, and, from circumstances, more necessary. There should be strong reasons to induce a change of our first plan against Arnold, if he is still in Virginia. With a view to the second enterprise, you must be making your arrangement for transportation and supplies, and must endeavor to gain all the information you can about the country, which may be the scene of your operations.

"Continuing your march, after the fleet has withdrawn itself from the Bay, may excite suspicions of their intended return. You can cover your design by saying you are going to the assistance of General Greene. You will remember, that your corps is a part of this army, and will let this idea have proper weight in your determinations. I am, &c."

The interview between Washington and the French commanders at Newport was made the occasion of an interesting expression of the sentiments of confidence and good-will which existed between the allied powers, and also of the feelings of joy, gratitude, and pride with which their presence was contemplated by the inhabitants of Rhode Island in general, and Newport in particular. An address was delivered to Washington by the citizens of that place, to which he replied as follows:

"To Christopher Ellery, William Channing, William Taggart, Solomon Southwick, and others, inhabitants of Newport.

"GENTLEMEN,-Among the distinguished honors, which have a claim to my gratitude since my arrival, I have seen with peculiar satisfaction those effusions of esteem and attachment, which have manifested themselves in the citizens of this ancient town. My happiness is complete in a moment that unites the expressions of their sentiments for me with their suffrages in favor of our allies. The conduct of the French army and fleet, of which the inhabitants testify so grateful and so affectionate a sense, at the same time that it evinces the wisdom of the commanders and the discipline of the troops, is a new proof of the magnanimity of the nation. It is a further demonstration of that generous zeal and concern for the happiness of America, which brought them to our assistance, a happy presage of future harmony, a pleasing evidence that an intercourse between the two nations will more and more cement the union, by the solid and lasting ties of mutual affection.

"I sincerely sympathize with you, gentlemen, in lamenting the depredations suffered by the town while in possession of the enemy, and heartily join you in those liberal wishes, the accomplishment of which would soon more than restore it to its former flourishing condition.

"Accept my acknowledgements for the polite and obliging manner, in which you have been pleased to communicate to me the sentiments of your fellow-citizens,

and the assurances of my warmest esteem for them and for you personally. I am, gentlemen, &c."

There was a splendid military exhibition on the occasion. When Washington landed with his suite, at the end of Long-wharf, he was received by the French commanders, at the head of seven thousand troops. It was a brilliant and imposing spectacle. An aged person now living (1839) gives the following glowing description of the pageant:

"I never felt the solid earth tremble under me before. The firing from the French ships, that lined the harbor, was tremendous; it was one continued roar, and looked as though the very river was on fire.

"Never will the scene be erased from my memory. The attitude of the nobles, their deep obeisance, the lifting of hats and caps, the waving of standards, the sea of plumes, the long line of French soldiers, and the general disposition of their arms, unique to us, separating to the right and left, the Chief, with Count Rochambeau on his left, unbonneted, walked through. The French nobles, commanders, and their under officers followed in the walk. Count Rochambeau was a small, keen-looking man, not handsome, as was his son, afterwards Governor of Martinico. Count Noailles looked like, what he was, a great man. He made a noble appearance there, as did also a Prussian Baron and Polish Count, officers of high standing in the army, who walked next. But the resplendent beauty of the two Viomenils eclipsed all the rest. They were brothers, and one of them a general in the army, who bore the title of Count too. Newport never saw any thing so handsome as those two young brothers.

"I thought, as the breeze of morning lifted the shining curls from the fair forehead of the elder Viomenil, and discovered the sparkling eyes and blooming cheeks, and wonderfully fine mouth, that nothing could surpass him; but when I looked at his brother I was puzzled to tell which was the handsomest. Both were of commanding height and well proportioned, as were very many of those who accompanied them. But we the populace were the

only ones that looked at them, for the eye of every Frenchman was directed to Washington.

"Calm and unmoved by all the honors that surrounded him, the voice of adulation nor the din of battle had never disturbed the equanimity of his deportment. Ever dignified, he wore on this day the same saint-like expression that always characterized him. There were other officers too, of inferior grade, that followed, and I afterwards saw them all on horseback, but they did not sit on a horse like Washington.

"They proceeded to the Court or State House, and from thence to the lodgings of Count Rochambeau, down what is now called Spring-street, preceded by the 'Pioneers,' a company armed only with axes, held up straight before their faces, with the edge outwards. It was amusing to see how far these fellows would roll their eyes to catch a glimpse of Washington, for they dared as well die as turn their heads one inch."

The aged writer of the foregoing description concludes his enthusiastic narrative by declaring that it was "a proud day for Newport.”*

* Biographies of General Barton and Captain Olney, by Mrs. Williams of Providence, p. 307.-Another venerable witness bears a similar testimony in reference to the impression made by Washington's appearance on this occasion. The Hon. Asher Robbins was a spectator of the scene. The circumstances which led him to allude to it are explained in the following article from the National Intelligencer. The whole of Mr. Robbins's speech is here given, as it not only illustrates the feeling which was excited by Washington's presence and appearance at Newport, but confirms, in general, the views, given of his character and person, in this biography.

"THE CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON.

"The beautiful effusion which the reader will find below, is the production of the chaste and classic mind of the late venerable and distinguished Senator from Rhode Island, Mr. Robbins, and was occasioned by the following circumstances: During the session of 1837–8, Mr. Webster entertained a large party of friends at dinner; among them, the venerable Senator we have named. The evening passed off with much hilarity, enlivened with wit and sentiment; but, during the greater part of the time, Mr. Robbins maintained that grave but placid silence which was his habit. While thus apparently abstracted, some one suddenly called on him for a toast, which cal was seconded by the company. He rose, and in his surprise asked if