part of what a single state has since been willing to squander in one year, on the most visionary schemes, of what is called internal improvement.

If in those times the country was indebted for its independence to the courage of its soldiers, it was not less indebted for the same great acquisition to the generosity of its merchants. When, therefore, we commend the patriotism of Warren, Mercer, and Greene, let us not forget the disinterestedness of Hancock, Morris, and Langdon. The mention of this last name recalls to our recollection an act of noble generosity, which is thus recorded in Governor Everett's Life of General Stark. The "state of affairs" referred to in the opening words is that which existed when Burgoyne was advancing into the country from Canada, and carrying all before him.

"It must be confessed that it required no ordinary share of fortitude, to find topics of consolation in the present state of affairs. The British were advancing with a well appointed army, into the heart of the country, under the conduct, it was supposed, of the most skilful officers, confident of success, and selected to finish the war. The army consisted in part of German troops, veterans of the Seven Years' War, under the command of a general of experience, conduct, and valour. Nothing could have been more ample than the military supplies, the artillery, munitions and stores, with which the army was provided. A considerable force of Canadians, and American loyalists, furnished the requisite spies, scouts, and rangers; and a numerous force of savages in their wardresses, with their peculiar weapons and native ferocity, increased the terrors of its approach. Its numbers were usually rated at ten thousand strong.

"On the evacuation of Ticonderoga, and the further advance of such an army, the New England States, and particularly New Hampshire and Massachusetts, were filled with alarm. It was felt that their frontier was uncovered, and

THE PATRIOT MERCHANTS.

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that strenuous and extraordinary efforts for the protection of the country were necessary. In New Hampshire, as being nearer the scene of danger, a proportionably greater anxiety was felt. The Committee of Safety of what was then called the New Hampshire Grants, the present state of Vermont, wrote in the most pressing terms to the New Hampshire Committee of Safety, at Exeter, apprising them, that if assistance should not be sent to them, they should be forced to abandon the country, and take refuge east of the Connecticut river. When these tidings reached Exeter, the Assembly had finished their spring session, and had now gone home. A summons from the committee brought them together again, and in three days they took the most effectual and decisive steps for the defence of the conntry. Among the patriotic members of the Assembly, who signalized themselves on this occasion, none was more conspicuous than the late Governor Langdon. The members of that Assembly were inclined to despond; the public credit was exhausted; and there were no means of supporting troops, if they could be raised. Meantime, the defences of the frontier had fallen, and the enemy, with overwhelming force, was penetrating into the country. At this gloomy juncture, John Langdon, a merchant of Portsmouth, and Speaker of the Assembly, thus addressed its members:

"I have three thousand dollars in hard money; I will pledge my plate for three thousand more; I have seventy hogsheads of Tobago rum, which shall be sold for the most it will bring. These are at the service of the state. If we succeed in defending our firesides and homes, I may be remunerated; if we do not, the property will be of no value to me. Our old friend Stark, who so nobly maintained the honour of the state, at Bunker's Hill, may be safely intrusted with the conduct of the enterprise, and we will check the progress of Burgoyne."

This proposal infused life into the measures of the Assem

bly. They formed the whole militia of the state into two brigades. Of the first, they gave the command to Wm. Whipple, of the second, to John Stark. They ordered onefourth part of Stark's brigade, and one-fourth of three regiments of Whipple's, to march immediately, under the command of Stark, "to stop the progress of the enemy on our western frontiers." They ordered the militia officers to take away arms from all persons who scrupled or refused to assist in defending the country; and appointed a day of fasting and prayer, which was observed with great solemnity.

The events which now followed in rapid succession are familiar to every school-boy. The battle of Bennington, being the first check given to Burgoyne, raised the drooping spirits of our countrymen, and formed the starting point of those brilliant successes which terminated only in the fall of Yorktown. When the patriot merchant in the decline of an honourable life, surveyed all the splendid results of this single act of generosity, he must have felt a glow of pardonable pride and exultation. The recollection of such an act is an inheritance of which his children's children may be proud.

GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS, KING OF SWEDEN.

This great general was certainly one of the heroes of the 17th century—a century abounding in heroes; his courage, his general force of mind, his integrity, and his piety, well entitling him to that dignified appellation.

In one of his letters to Louis XII. of France, who had written to him to express his sorrow at being told that he was dejected on account of Wallenstein's successes in the field against him, he says, "I am not so ill at my ease as my enemies wish to give out, I have troops enough to oppose to them, and