Ensign of so worthy a fraternity as that of the Sons of St. Patrick in this city;-a Society distinguished for the firm adherence of its members to the glorious cause in which we are embarked. "Give me leave to assure you, sir, that I shall never cast my eyes upon the badge with which I am honored, but with a grateful remembrance of the polite and affectionate manner in which it was presented. "I am, with respect & esteem, "Sir, your most obedient Servant, "GEORGE WASHINGTON. "To GEORGE CAMPBELL, ESQ., President, &c." The Society dined at the City Tavern, Philadelphia, New Year's day, 1782, and its invited guests included such men as Generals Washington, Lincoln, Steuben, Howe, Moultrie, Knox, Hand, and McIntosh; the French and Spanish Ministers, and their Secretaries; the principal French officers in the American service; and Governor Moore, of Pennsylvania. The English translator of the "Travels of the Marquis de Chastellux," in a note to that work (N. Y. Edition, 1828, pp. 225-6), speaking of the countrymen of the chief founders of the Society and of the Society itself, says: "An Irishman, the instant he sets foot on American ground, becomes ipso facto an American: this was uniformly the case during the whole of the late war. While Englishmen and Scotchmen were regarded with jealousy and distrust, even with the best recommendation of zeal and attachment to their cause; a native of Ireland stood in need of no other certificate than his dialect; his sincerity was never called in question; he was supposed to have a sympathy of suffering, and every voice decided, as it were intuitively, in his favor. Indeed, their conduct in the late Revolution amply justified this favorable opinion; for while the Irish emigrant was fighting the battles of America, by sea and land, the Irish merchants, particularly at Charleston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, labored with indefatigable zeal, and at all hazards, to promote the spirit of enterprise, to increase the wealth, and maintain the credit of the country; their purses were always open, and their person devoted to the common cause. On more than one imminent occasion, Congress owed their existence, and America possibly her preservation, to the fidelity and firmness of the Irish. I had the honor of dining with the Irish Society, composed of the steadiest Whigs upon the continent, at the City Tavern in Philadelphia, on St. Patrick's day; the members wear a medallion suspended by a ribbon, with a very significant device, which has escaped my memory, but was so applicable to the American Revolution, that until I was assured that it subsisted prior to that event, and had reference only to the oppression of Ireland by her powerful sister, I concluded it to be a temporary allusion. General Washington, Mr. Dickinson, and other leading characters, are adopted members of this Society." The medallion referred to, is thus described in the Rules of the Society: "On the right, HIBERNIA; on the left, AMERICA; in the centre, LIBERTY, joining the hands of Hibernia and America; to be represented by the usual figure of a female supported by a harp, for HIBERNIA; an Indian, with his quivers on his back and his bow slung, for America. Underneath, UNITE. On the reverse, ST. PATRICK, trampling on a snake, a cross in his hand, dressed in Pontificalibus. The motto, HIER." (Samuel Hood's "Brief Account of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick," pp. 91, 92. The "Account," constituting a very interesting little volume, was published in Philadelphia, 1844, and is now extremely rare.) John Nixon was an ardent patriot, and on the organization of the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, he was chosen a member. He frequently presided, as chairman, at its meetings, and was, for a while, its president,-serving also, as chairman, on the committee of accounts. Four days after the final adoption of the Declaration of Independence, according to all admissible authorities, it was first read in public by Lieutenant-colonel John Nixon, from the platform of an old observatory, near the Walnutstreet front of the State House, Philadelphia, to an immense assemblage of the people of that city and vicinity. Mr. Lossing (Field Book, vol. ii., p. 66) credits the act to Col. Nixon, of Massachusetts, who, at the time, was with the army, under Washington, at New York. Lieut.-colonel Nixon was appointed to the cominand of the City Guard of Philadelphia, by the Committee of Safety, July 19, 1776. He has been represented as having served under General Mifflin at the battle of Long Island, August, 1776; but thus far I have been unable to verify this statement. He was the first of three well-qualified Philadelphia merchants, chosen by the Continental Congress, Nov. 6, 1776, to constitute the "Continental Navy Board, or Board of Assistants to the Marine Committee," having the actual management of the Revolutionary Navy. Mr. Lossing (Index to the Field Book, vol. ii., p. 743), assigns this honor to John Nixon, of Mass., who, having been elected brigadier-general, was then serving on the Hudson. Col. Nixon, commanding the 3d Philadelphia Battalion, participated in the defence of the Delaware, during the winter of 1776-7. President Sparks (Index to Life and Writings of Washing- the fifty thousand dollars to which Mr. Lossing ton, vol. xii., p. 554), refers to this circumstance, alludes. (See Almon's "American Remembranas a portion of the history of the Massachusetts officer. It has been stated that Col. Nixon was with his Philadelphia battalion at Valley Forge; and I have been informed, that it was for abusing his family that a court-martial-held, May 16, 1778, and of which Col. Bowman was president ordered Lieutenant Edison, of the German battalion, to be discharged from the service,-a sentence which the commander-in-chief, May 22, formally approved of, and gave instructions to have immediately enforced. During his absence at the camp of Valley Forge, and the occupation of Philadelphia by the British, winter of 1777-8, Col. Nixon's country-seat was burned by the enemy. cer," vol. x., p. 229; 6 Haz. Reg. of Penn., p. 28; 2 do., p. 259–61.) Custis, in his text, is mistaken as to the name, but correct as to the date, of the first bank, of which Mr. Morris aided in the organization. The Bank of North Americawhich grew out of and superseded the old Bank of Pennsylvania-was incorporated Dec. 31, 1781, and forinally opened Jan. 7, 1782. John Nixon was president of the institution, from its establishment until his death, about New Year's day, 1809. To Colonel Nixon-who was a very tall, robust, and portly gentleman,-v -was delegated the honor of carrying the flag of the United States, in the great procession which celebrated, in Philadelphia, the formation and adoption of the Constitution. Col. Nixon was a gentleman of more than average ability,-upright, patriotic, enthusiastic, and hospitable. He was highly esteemed by his brother officers and fellow-citizens generally. Some of his descendants reside in Philadelphia. 54 CARROLL-STREET, BROOKLYN, Obituary. When the old Bank of Pennsylvania was established by subscription, July 17, 1780, to procure supplies of provisions for the then extremely destitute armies of the United States, Col. Nixon, of Philadelphia, and George Clymer, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, were chosen directors. Twenty-seven members of the Irish-American Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, subscribed, on that occasion, £103,500 Pennsylvania currency, payable in gold or silver; and of these subscribers was Nixon, whose contribution amounted to £5,000. President Sparks is wrong in connecting the name of Brigadier-general Nixon with this bank. (Index to "Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington," vol. iv., p. 541.) Mr. Lossing, ignoring the history of the Bank of Pennsylvania, calls its successor, the Bank of North America, the first in the United States, adding that it "went into successful operation, in December, 1781." ("Field Book,” vol. ii., p. 656, note; and "Custis' Recollections of Washington," p. 350, note.) He also mentions a subscription-list, headed by Robt. Morris, with fifty thousand dollars, as a guaranty for the solvency of the younger institution; and refers to the Pennsylvania Packet, June, 1781, for full particulars, as to the names of the subscribers. I have now before me a transcript of the pledge, signed by the subscribers, and dated "this 17th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1780." The result of the pledge and subscription was the establishment of the Bank of Penn- CHARLES FRASER, of Charleston, long honorasylvania, which opened for business, in Front-bly known as a gentleman who had consecrated street, two doors from Walnut-street, Philadel- his leisure to art and literature, died at Charlesphia, July 17, 1780. Five inspectors and two ton, on Friday, Oct. 5, 1860. He was born in directors had the management of the institution; the same city, August 20, 1782, and was conseand Tench Francis was its factor,-all serving quently in his 79th year. A beautiful tribute to gratuitously. It was to establish this bank, and his memory will be found on a preceding page in not the Bank of North America, that Robert the proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Morris, one of the inspectors, originally subscribed Society. COMMODORE CHARLES M. SKINNER, who for nearly fifty years had been attached to the United States Navy, died at Richmond, Virginia, on the 15th instant. He entered the service, in 1809, as a midshipman, and served in various capacities until 1855, when he was placed upon the retired list. About thirty-six years of his life was passed on shore or unemployed. His sea duty extended over but fourteen years. The principal command in which he was placed was in relieving Commodore Perry on the African squadron. Notes on Books. will doubtless be acceptable to the family and collectors. The summary at the end embraces some curious tables. Of the original ancestor, Abridged History of the United States, or Re-William Redfield, there are supposed to be 1047 public of America. By Emma Willard. New and enlarged edition. A. S. Barnes & Burr, 1860. FEW school-books have been longer before the public or longer retained its favor, than Mrs. Willard's History; the first edition of which appeared more than thirty years since, before Bancroft and a host of others had rewritten in whole or in parts the chronicle of the past. Each successive edition has however profited by the new lights given, and in the present issue, probably the last to come from the hand of the venerable instructress, we have a history not inferior to any of the more recent competitors for popularity and favor. Humanics. By T. Wharton Collins, Esq. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1860. 8vo, 358 pp. THE talented author here endeavors to erect the Science of Human Nature into a special study, under the title of "Humanies;" distinguishing it from Philosophy in general. Viewing man as one organism formed of sensation, thought, emotion, vitality, and action, he makes these the heads or divisions under which he considers the subject. As a contribution to our limited library of American philosophical works, it will, we trust, be received and examined with the sound and sure criticism that it merits. History of the Town of Gloucester, Cape Ann, including the Town of Rockport. By John J. Babson. Gloucester: Procter Brothers, 1860. 8vo, 610 pp. THIS beautiful and well-written volume contains the history of probably the largest fishing-town in the world. The work is very well digested, and written in an agreeable and pleasing style that does not always appear in our local histories, where care and artistic arrangement are too often overlooked. To such as know little of Cape Ann, we may state that Gloucester is the place where the useful craft, the "Schooner," was born and christened. Genealogical History of the Redfield Family in the United States. By John Howard Redfield. Being a Revision and extension of the Genealogical tables compiled in 1839 by William C. Redfield. Albany: Munsell & Rowland, 1860. 8vo, 337 pp. descendants living, bearing the name, and 1179 not bearing the family name, and following but one degree in each generation. The largest number of children in one family is 18, and in "five instances there have been fourteen children of the same mother." Historical and Literary Intelligence. THE Second Series of the paper, entitled "The First Settlements in the Mississippi Valley by the French," including the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, &c., translated from original manuscripts from the Archives of the Marine at Paris, by John N. Carrigan, State Librarian, is announced as in press. A SECOND and enlarged edition of Mr. S. Mordecai's "Virginia, especially Richinond, in ByGone Days; with a glance at the Present: being Reminiscences and Last Words of an old Citizen," has been issued by West & Johnson. WINTHROP SARGENT has in preparation "The Life and Career of Major John André," to be published by Ticknor & Fields. A STATUE to Gen. James Oglethorpe, is to be erected in one of the public squares, of Savannah, Ga. The statue is to be colossal, and together with the pedestal is to be of the best quality of Carrara marble. The entire structure will be upward of twenty feet in height. The model represents the general standing erect, in the military costume of 1730. 66 THE Preachers of the Revolution, with Portraits and Sketches," announced last year as in the course of preparation by J. Wingate Thornton, Esq., is nearly ready. It will doubtless be a carefully prepared and valuable volume. THE "Life of Samuel Adams," is about to make its appearance. One of his great-grandsons, who for some years has been engaged in gathering the requisite materials, has nearly completed his labors. The work will appear in the course of next spring. THE 56th Anniversary Discourse before the New York Historical Society, will be delivered by THIS family history is handsomely printed, and Hon. Win. B. Reed, of Philadelphia. INDEX. Abbott Collection, 191. Adirondack, Etymology of the Annals of Scientific Discovery, 95. Ante-Revolutionary Bibliogra- Appalachian language, Speci- men of the, 40, 120. Author forgetting his own writ- Bacon, Nathaniel, 154. Indians of Merrimac, 175. canisms, 17, 52. Battles of the United States, by Belisle, D. M., History of Inde- Bennington, Battle of, 200, 268. Berrian, Rev. H., Semi-centen- | Boston Folks, a Song, 184. Brewer, William, Printer at Brewster, William, The Pil- Brown, Miss E'eanor, Obituary Brown, Col., English leader in Bruté, Bishop, Memoir of, 96. Buff, a color, 87, 147, 309. Burgoyne, Gen., defeated, 8; Burns, Centennial Birthday of, 95. Burton, W. E., Obituary notice Bethune, Mrs. Joanna, Notice Bushnell, C. I., Work on Amer- of of, 285. Blanc, Most Rev. A., Obituary Bolling of Chellow, 19, 216, Booth, Lebbeus, Obituary of, Boston, Game of, 57, 185; Great Elm, 249; oldest build- ican Tokens, 32. Byron, Admiral, at Newport, Canadian Exploring Expedi- 224. Carey, Mathew, Hennessy's Catalogues, A chapter on, 38. Chad's Ford, 15. 96. Charles Edward, 88. Chassanis, Pierre, 34. 118. Chauncy, Dr. Charles, 118. Chiffinch, Thomas, 347. Christian Economist, 279. 19. Church membership. 279. Clarke, Jo., Letter of, 50. Coke, Thomas, Strictures on Colden, Cadwallader, 179. torical Society, 30; Connec- 121. Constellation, Guns of the, 122, Copyright, First instance of, in Council of Revision of the Counterfeit coins, 119. Cushing, Thomas, Letter to Dawson, H. B., Battles of the Autographs of Signers of, 20; De Jih non Da Weh Hoh, Obit- De Soto, Memorial on Expedi- 105. Detail of some particular servi- Detroit, Diary of the Siege of, 127. Dexter, Lord Timothy, 370. Dunmore, Governor, of Va., Dutch Psalm Book, 317. Edwards, Gov., of Ill., Life of Essex Institute, Historical Col- Fillibuster, Derivation of, 146. of the Jews in America, 11. Franklin, Benjamin, Letter to, 313. Gadsen, Gen. C., Duel with Gales, Joseph, Obituary of, Galvez takes Pensacola, 166. Gates, Gen. H., Letters of, 9, Geisinger, Com. D., Obituary 217. Gilpin, H. D., Obituary of, 91; Griffin, George, Obituary of, Groton (Ct.), Annals of, 32. Half-cent of 1828, 153, 251, 220. 96. Hancock, John, Library of, 150. Heck welder, Mary, 57; Letter Historical Collections of the Junior P. Association, 350. 61. Hosack, Memoir of Dr. David, 161. Hough, F. B., on Castorland Half-dollar, 33; edits Hat- Howland, Lieut. John, 6, 122, 251. Hudson, Henry, Work on, 32. Iroquois, Account of the, 216. an's reminiscences of, 138. Jennison, Samuel, Obituary of Jessup, Gen. Th. S., Obituary Jewett, J. R., 91. Journal of Education (Canada), 254. King's Arms Tavern, N. Y., Kraitser, Dr. Obituary of, 189. La Tour, Claude de, 280. Lee, Maj.-gen. Charles, Papers Lee, Z. C., Obituary of, 29. Levett, Christopher, Grant to, Levin, L. C., Obituary of, 127. |