bid the commander-in-chief a final and affectionate adieu, and retired to his ample estates, where he enjoyed that repose which was required by a long period of fatigue and privation. He was, however, frequently called from his retirement by the unsolicited voice of his fellow-citizens, to perform civic duties. He was appointed a commissioner to adjust the boundary line between Pennsylrania and New-York, which important measure was amicably and successfully accomplished. He was also selected by the legislature for an interesting mission to settle controversies about lands in the west, which also terminated favourably. He represented his native county in the assembly and in the convention that adopted the present constitution of the United States, and he was elected, without opposition, a senator from the Middle District; all which trusts he executed with perfect integrity, with solid intelligence, and with the full approbation of his constituents. The temper of General Clinton was mild and affectionate, but when raised by unprovoked or unmerited injury, he exhibited extraordinary and appalling energy. I battle he was as cool and as collected as if sitting by his fireside. Nature intended him for a gallant and efficient soldier, when she endowed him with the faculty of entire selfpossession in the midst of the greatest dangers. He died on the 22d of December, 1812, and was interred in the family burial-place in Orange county, and his monumental stone bears the following inscription : "Underneath are interred the remains of James Clinton, Esquire. "He was born the 9th of August, 1736; and died the 22d of December, 1812. "His life was principally devoted to the military service of his country, and he had filled with fidelity and honour, several distinguished civil offices. "He was an officer in the revolutionary war, and the war preceding; and, at the close of the former, was a major-general in the army of the United States. He was a good man and a sincere patriot, performing, in the most exemplary manner, all the duties of life: and he died, as he lived, without fear, and without reproach." [Biographical Dictionary.] GEORGE CLINTON, Brigadier-General in the American Army. AMONG the many distinguished, patriots of the Revolution, who have become tenants of the tomb, the services of none will be more readily acknowledged, than those of the late venerable George Clinton. He is descended from a respectable and worthy family, and was born on the 26th July, 1739, in the county of Ulster, in the Colony of NewYork. His father, Colonel Charles Clinton, was an emigrant from Ireland. In early youth he was put to the study of law, but long before he became a man, he rallied under the standard of his country, and assisted Amherst in the reduction of Montreal. In this campaign he nobly distinguished himself in a conflict on the northern waters, when, with four gun-boats, after a severe engagement, he captured a French brig of eighteen guns. This war being ended, he returned again to his favourite pursuit, the science of the law, and placed himself under the tuition of Chief Jus tice Smith, where he became a student with Governeur Morris,between whom and himself, a difference of political opinion, in after life wrought a separation. He had scarcely commenced as a practitioner, when, in 1765, the storm appeared to gather round his native land, and the tyrannic disposition of the mother country was manifested. Foreseeing the evil at hand, with a mind glowing with patriotism, correct and quick in its perceptions; and like time, steady and fixed to the achievement of its objects, he abandoned the advantages of the profession to which he had been educated, and became a member of the colonial legislature; where he ever displayed a love of liberty, an inflexible attachment to the rights of his country, and that undaunted firmness and integrity, without which this nation never would have been free; and which has ever formed the most brilliant, though by no means the most useful trait of his character. He was chief of the Whig party. In this situation he remained, contending against the doctrine of British supremacy; and with great strength of argument, and force of popularity, supporting the rights of America, till the crisis arrived when, in 1775, he was returned member of that patriotic congress, who laid the foundation of our independence. While in this venerable body, it may be said of him with truth, that "he strengthened the feeble knees, and the hands that hang down." On the 4th of July, 1776, he was present at the glorious declaration of independence, and assented with his usual energy and decision, to that measure, but having been appointed a brigadier-general in the militia, and also in the continental army, the exigencies of his country at that trying hour, rendered it necessary for him to take the field in person, and he therefore retired from congress immediately after his vote was given, and before the instrument was transcribed for the signature of the members; for which reason his name does not appear among the signers. A constitution having been adopted for the state of N. Y. in April, 1777, he was chosen at the first election under it, both governor and lieutenant-governor, and was continued in the former office for eighteen years. In this year he was also appointed by Congress to command the posts of the Highlands, a most important and arduous duty. The design of the enemy was to separate New England from the rest of the nation, and by preventing succour from the east, to lay waste the middle and southern country. Had this plan been carried into effect, American liberty would probably have expired in its cradle. It was then that his vast and comprehensive genius viewed in its true light the magnitude of the evil contemplated; and he roused to a degree of energy unknown and unexpected. It was then that Burgoyne was, with the best appointed army ever seen in America, attempting to force his way to Albany, and Howe attempting to effect a junction with him at that important place. The crisis was all important, and Clinton did not hesitate-he determined at all hazards to save his country. With this view, when Howe attempted to ascend the river, Clinton from every height and angle assailed him. His gallant defence of Fort Montgomery, with a handful of men, against a powerful force commanded by Sir Henry Clinton, was equally honourable to his intrepidity and his skill. The following are the particulars of his gallant conduct at the storming of forts Montgomery and Clinton, in October, 1777. "When the British reinforcements, under General Robertson, amounting to nearly 2000 men, arrived from Europe, Sir Henry Clinton used the greatest exertion, and availed himself of every favourable circum stance, to put these troops into immediate operation. Many were sent to suitable vessels, and united in the expedition, which consisted of about 4000 men, against the forts in the Highlands. Having made the necessary arrangements, he moved up the North River, and landed on the 4th of October at Tarry-town, purposely to impress General Putnam, under whose command a thousand continental troops had been left, with a belief, that his post at Peek's-kill was the object of attack. At eight o'clock at night, the general communicated the intelligence to Governor Clinton, of the arrival of the British, and at the same time expressed his opinion respecting their destination. The designs of Sir Henry were immediately perceived by the governor, who prorogued the assembly on the following day, and arrived that night at Fort Montgomery. The British troops, in the mean time, were secretly conveyed across the river, and assaults upon our forts were meditated to be made on the 6th, which were accordingly put in execution, by attacking the American advanced party at Doodletown, about two miles and a half from Fort Montgomery. The Americans received the fire of the British, and retreated to Fort Clinton. The enemy then advanced to the west side of the mountain, in order to attack our troops in the rear. Governor Clinton immediately ordered out a detachment of one hundred men toward Doodletown, and another of sixty, with a brass field-piece, to an eligible spot on another road. They were both soon attacked by the whole force of the enemy, and compelled to fall back. It has been remarked, that the talents, as well as the temper of a commander, are put to as severe a test in conducting a retreat, as in achieving a victory. The truth of this Governor Clinton experienced, when, with great bravery, and the most perfect order, he retired till he reached the fort. He lost no time in placing his men in the best man ner that circumstances would permit. His post, however, as well as Fort Clinton, in a few minutes, were invaded on every side. In the midst of this disheartening and appalling disaster, he was summoned, when the sun was only an hour high, to surrender in five minutes; but his gallant spirit sternly refused to obey the call. In a short time after, the British made a general and most desperate attack on both posts, which was received by the Americans with undismayed courage and resistance. Officers and men, militia and continentals, all behaved alike brave. An incessant fire was kept up till dusk, when our troops were overpowered by numbers, who forced the lines and redoubts at both posts. fought their way out, others acciMany of the Americans dentally mixed with the enemy, and thus made their escape effectually; for, besides being favoured by the night, they knew the various avenues in the mountains. The governor, as well as his brother, General James Clinton, who was wounded, were not taken."* Howe, driven to madness by the manly resistance of his foes, inconsiderately landed and marched into the country, and immortalized his name by burning Kingston and other villages. But the great object of the expedition, the forming a junction with Burgoyne, was happily defeated, by the capture of that general, and America was free. From this moment, for eighteen years in succession, he remained the governor of New-York, re-elected to that important station by a generous and wise people, who knew how to appreciate his wisdom and virtue, and their own blessings. During this period, he was president of the convention of that state, which ratified the national constitution: when, as in all other situations, he undeviatingly manifested an ardent attachment to civil liberty. *Am. Biographical Dictionary. After the life of labour and usefulness, here faintly portrayed; worn with the fatigues of duty, and with a disease which then afflicted him, but which had been removed for the last eight years of his life; having led his native state to eminent, if not unrivalled importance and prosperity, he retired from public life, with a mind resolved not to mingle again with governmental concerns, and to taste those sweets which result from reflecting on a life well spent. tending to his duties as Vice-President, and was interred in that city, where a monument was erected by the filial piety of his children, with this inscription, written by his nephew: "To the memory of George Clinton. He was born in the state of New-York, on the 26th July, 1739, and died in the city of Washington, on the 20th April, 1812, in the 73d year of his age." "He was a soldier and statesman of the revolution. Eminent in council, and distinguished in war, he filled, with unexampled usefulness, purity, and ability, among many other offices, those of Governor of his native state, and of Vice-President of the U. States. While he In 1805 he was chosen Vice-President of the United States, by the same number of votes that elevated Mr. Jefferson to the presidency; in which station he discharged his duties with unremitted attention; presiding with great dignity in the Se-lived, his virtue, wisdom, and valour nate, and evincing, by his votes and his opinions, his decided hostility to constructive authority, and to innovations on the established principles of republican government. He died at Washington, when at were the pride, the ornament, and security of his country, and when he died, he left an illustrious example of a well-spent life, worthy of all imitation." THOMAS CONWAY, Major-General in the American Army. "THIS gentleman was born in Ire- | army, with the rank of Major-Geland, and went with his parents to France, at the age of six years, and was from his youth educated to the profession of arms. He had obtained considerable reputation as a military officer, and as a man of sound understanding_and judgment. He arrived from France with ample recommendations, and Congress appointed him a brigadier-general in May, 1777. He soon became conspicuously inimical to General Washington, and sought occasions to traduce his character. In this he found support from a faction in Congress, who were desirous that the commander-in-chief should be superseded. The congress not long after elected General Conway to the office of Inspector-General to our neral, though he had insulted the commander-in-chief, and justified himself in doing so. This gave umbrage to the brigadiers over whom he was promoted, and they remonstrated to congress against the proceeding, as implicating their honour and character. Conway, now smarting under the imputation of having instigated a hostile faction against the illustrious Washington, and being extremely unpopular among the officers in general, and finding his situation did not accord with his feelings and views, resigned his commission, without having commenced the duties of inspector. He was believed to be an unprincipled intriguer, and after his resignation, his calumny and detraction of the commander-in-chief, and the army generally, was exercised with unrestrained virulence and outrage. Gen. Cadwalader, of Pennsylvania, indignant at the attempt to vilify the character of Washington, resolved to avenge himself on the aggressor in personal combat. The particulars of this meeting are given in the biography of General Cadwalader. General Conway, conceiving his wound to be mortal, and be No man was more zealously engaged in the scheme of elevating General Gates to the station of commander-in-chief. His vile insinuations and direct assertions in the public newspapers, and in private conversation, relative to the incapa-lieving death to be near, acted ho city of Washington to conduct the operations of the army, received countenance from several members of Congress, who were induced to declare their want of confidence in him, and the affair assumed an aspect threatening the most disastrous consequences. Conway maintained a correspondence with General Gates on the subject, and in one of his letters, he thus expresses himself:"Heaven has been determined to save your country, or a weak general and bad counsellors would have ruined it." He was himself at that time one of the counsellors, against whom he so basely inveighs. Envy and malice ever are attendant on exalted genius and merit. But the delusion was of short continuance, the name of Washington proved unassailable, and the base intrigue of Conway recoiled with bitterness on his own head."* * Thacher's Military Journal. nourably, in addressing to General Washington, whom he had perfidiously slandered, the following letter of apology: Philadelphia, Feb. 23, 1778. Sir, I find myself just able to hold my pen during a few minutes, and take this opportunity of expressing my sincere grief for having done, written, or said any thing disagreeable to your Excellency. My career will soon be over, therefore justice and truth prompt me to declare my last sentiments. You are, in my eyes, the great and good man. May you long enjoy the love, esteem, and veneration of these states, whose liberties you have asserted by your virtues. I am, with the greatest respect, Most obedient and humble THS. CONWAY." WILLIAM DAVIDSON, lenburgh, which adjoins Rowan. WILLIAM DAVIDSON, Lieutenant- | Charlotte, the county town of MeckColonel commandant in the North Carolina line, and Brigadier-General in the militia of that state, was the youngest son of George Davidson, who removed with his family, from Lancaster county, in Pennsylvania, in the year 1750, to Rowan county, in North Carolina. William was born in the year 1746, and was educated in a plain country manner, at an academy in Like most of the enterprising youth of America, Davidson repaired to the standard of his country, on the commencement of the revolutionary war, and was appointed a major in one of the first regiments formed by the government of North Carolina. In this character, he marched with the North Carolina line, under |