yet I take it to be the duty of those persons whom the goodness of the Kings of England hath at any time cloathed with Extraordinary Powrs in these Parts of the world, to show their deferance to the Imperiall Majesty they are tributarys to, and their dependence upon it, by the mission and attendance of agents in their names at the Court. I have only now, great Prince, to Pray Pardon and acceptance for a Poor Present, of Country produce, and that it would graciously Please the King to take me still into his favour, his young Province into his Protection, and God, the Bountefull Rewarder of good and gracious acts, Retaliate the both with temperall and Eternall glory.-I am, with Reverence and truth, great and gracious Prince, thy most thankfull, humble, and obedient Subject and Servant in all I can. (Signed) WM. PENN. Fort George, immediately above it. Oyster Battery, behind Gen. W.'s head-quarters. Jersey Battery, on the left of Grenadier Battery. Bayard's Hill Redoubt, on Bayard's Hill. Spencer's Redoubt, on the hill where his brigade is encamped. Waterbury's Battery (fascines), on a wharf beBadlam's Redoubt, on a hill near the Jew's burylow this hill. ing-ground." Can any of your correspondents give what would be the present position of these batteries? THE SALT BOX-RICHARD PORSON-FRANCIS HOPKINSON. In the London Notes and Queries, June, 1861, C. H. & Thompson Cooper make a "Note" of the fact that Mr. Watson in his recent "Life of Porson," pp. 411-415, gives the Dialogue on a Salt-box, with a statement that it is so much in Porson's manner that there can hardly be a doubt of its being his. The Messrs. Cooper say that it has been attributed to Judge Francis Hopkinson, and cite Duyckink's "Cyc. Am. Lit.," vol. i., p. 213, and Allen's "Amer. Biog. Dict." find this jeu d'esprit at p. 340, vol. i., of the “Miscellaneous Essays and Occasional Writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq. Philadelphia, printed by T. Dobson, at the Stone-house, No. 41 Second-street, 1792." It bears the date, "May, 1784." It seems to me that its first appearance was in a periodical called The Columbian Magazine, published in Philadelphia, it may be, about the year 1784; an odd volume of which, as containing "the Battle of the Kegs," unquestionably by Mr. H., and this very piece, I remember as being one of the delights of my early boyhood. Porson was born in 1759, and was, therefore, old enough, and certainly had wit enough, to have been the author of this dialogue. But in these respects Hopkinson was his equal; and the question between them as to its authorship, comes down to this, Which of them published it first as his? and where? J. P. J. READING, Pa. The KEYSTONE STATE (vol. v., p. 316). term, I believe, was applied about the close of the last century, in consequence of the initials of the State being engraved on the keystone of the arch of the stone bridge that was erected over Rock Creek, between the city of Washington and Georgetown. This bridge, which has since been destroyed, was built of stones brought to build the walls of the first capitol, and unused for it. Its arch is said to have consisted of thirteen stones, the keystone of which had engraved on it the initials of Pa., and the twelve others, those of the other States at that period, one on each. Probably Pa. may have been put on the keystone, from the fact of the bridge being at the termination of Pennsylvania Avenue. S. H. STITH'S VIRGINIA (vol. i., pp. 27, 59).—There were evidently three editions of Stith, one with the London and two with the Williamsburg imprint, one of them being on poor paper and the others on good paper. All three copies have signature x., pp. 295–310, on the poor paper. The type in all is the same, and evidently from the same office. The pages of the London, and the good paper Williamsburg, correspond entirely, in type, lines, pages, ornaments. The pages run to 304, then back to 295-310. The poor paper Williamsburg edition differs frequently from the other two in the lines, but generally ends the pages in the same way, with occasionally a word or two more or less. It differs from them in many of the ornaments. Its paging runs on correctly to 256, and then begins again 247. All copies end on p. 331. D. P. S. RUSSELL (vol. iii., p. 280).—The brother of was Lord William Russell, who served in America, Lord George Russell, who graduated at Oxford in 1666-7. He was in Boston in 1680, and was an ensign at Albany in 1687, and at New York in 1689. In the latter year he was sent out of the province by Lieut.-gov. Nicholson, because RAIN WATER Doctor (vol. v., p. 252).—In your he was a Roman Catholic. He died in 1692. Magazine of August, I notice a query in refer- See Dr. O'Callaghan's "Woolley's New York," ence to the Rain Water Doctor, of East Hartford | p. 94. REPLIES. HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA (vol. v., p. 316).— It is believed that Dr. Eberle did not make any very considerable progress in his projected translation of that part of Büsching's Algemeine Erdbeschreibung, which relates to Pennsylvania. The active part of his professional career was opening about the year 1819, and soon after that he was drawn almost exclusively into those deep medical studies, which he pursued with so much distinction to himself and with so much profit to his profession. Dr. Eberle's MSS. are probably with some of his descendants, who may be living at Cincinnati or in Kentucky. Ebeling's "Geography and History of North America" was a contribution, in five volumes, to the work before mentioned, which reached seventy odd volumes. The history of Pennsylvania was a part of that contribution. Ebeling had a large and good library relating to America, containing four thousand volumes. This work of his enjoyed a high reputation in Europe; and, though it may now as a whole be superseded, its parts may be well worth the consideration of the several Historical Societies of the States, whose histories it presents. READING, Pa. Notes on Books. J. P. J. The Wetmore Family of America, and its collateral branches; with genealogical, biographical, and historical notices. By James Carnahan Wetmore. Albany: J. Munsell, 1861. 8vo, 670 pp. A MOST elegant volume, creditable to the taste of the author and publisher. To most readers, family histories have a very repelling appearance, which in comprehensive works like Savage's Dictionary reaches its most formidable point. Mr. Wetmore has avoided this by his arrangement, which is certainly more attractive and easy for reference than the usual one. The Introduction is devoted to the English Wetmores. The founder in this country was Thomas Whetmore, born in 1615, and an emigrant in 1635, to Middletown, Connecticut. He left sixteen children. And Mr. Wetmore treats of each separately, and then of the descendants of each, generation by generation, quoting very largely from published and unpublished sources matter referring to the various members. Among the more distinguished of the descendants of Thomas Whetmore, were Captain John Wetmore and his sons, John and Prosper Wet more, all of the army of the Revolution; Hon. Seth Wetmore, of Montgomery county, N. Y., Major Alphonzo Wetmore, U. S. A., Capt. Leonidas Wetmore, U. S. A., Com. W. C. Wetmore, U. S. N., Rev. Izrahiah Wetmore, Dr. Charles H. Wetmore, Prosper M. Wetmore, Rev. J. Wetmore, identified with the early Episcopal history of Connecticut, David B. tmore, a judge in New Brunswick, and Thomas torney-general of that province, Judge Seth etmore, Hon. Lansing Wetmore. Sketches of these, and of several eminent persons connected with the family, are given. The appendix contains very good sketches of President Edwards, Elder Brewster, and Hon. John Treadwell, and a very full one of Miles Standish. History of the Town of Newburg;_general, analytical, and geographical. By E. M. Ruttenber. Illustrated with views, maps, portraits, &c., drawn by Chas. W. Tice, engraved by David Nichols. Newburg: E. M. Ruttenber & Co., 1861. No. 10. THIS handsome local history, of which we noticed the opening two years since, is now brought to a close. The present number contains a part of the family history of the town, with the Index to the whole work. Mr. Ruttenber has done his various shares of author, printer, and publisher, in a most creditable manner, and affords Newburg a history, which for accuracy, arrangement, and skill, as well as for typographical and artistic excellence, is one of the first in the State. Inauguration of the Perry Statue, at Cleveland, on the 10th of September, 1860; including a history of the Battle of Lake Erie, by George Bancroft; Addresses and other proceedings, with a Sketch of William Walcutt, the sculptor. Published by direction of the City Council. Cleveland, Õ.: Fairbanks, Benedict, & Co., Printers, 1861. 8vo, 128 pp. THIS extended pamphlet is not only creditable to the city of Cleveland, but valuable as an historical contribution. Besides the paper of Mr. Bancroft, and his address, it contains a considerable number of letters and sketches relative to the Battle of Lake Erie, well worth preserving in this shape. Cleveland shows an example which other cities may well imitate. New York is sadly deficient in statues or monuments of her illustrious men. The statue of Washington, the monuments of Montgomery, Emmet, and Worth, alone catch the eye, unless we add that in Trinity, to the martyrs of the prisons. But will New York never raise a statue to Hudson, who discovered it? to a Knowlton, who lies in his unadorned but glorious grave? The Southern Rebellion and the War for the Union. Nos. 6-10. F. Gerhard. New York: 1861. THESE numbers bring the history of the movement to the commencement of the year, and embrace the history of the important debates in that Congress where the delegates of the whole Union last met. The debates are well given, with however some party leaning, but so far as we have seen, with no positive injustice. All who talk of compromise or peace, should go back and read the words of the South before they seceded. No compromise that could have been offered would have met acceptance then or will now. It is on our part a struggle for national existence, and for democratic institutions. The publication which we notice, is of great value in thus keeping the real causes and objects of the movement before the people. Journal of the Legislative Council of the Colony of New York. Began the 9th day of April, 1691; and ended the 27th of September, 1743. Published by order of the Senate of the State of New York. Albany: Weed, Parsons & Co., 1861. Folio, 814 pp. THIS Volume contains a most interesting historical introduction by Dr. O'Callaghan, which embodies the material part of the early legislative history of New York; a matter of some difficulty, from the various questions as to the period of the Dutch rule and the powers of the people after the conquest. The minutes of the Council existed in a single copy in manuscript, and Dr. O'Callaghan, deeming their preservation of great importance, suggested their publication. The Journals of the Assembly from 1691 were published prior to the Revolution. The present work therefore completes the Legislative Journals of the colony. index at the close of this valuable work, which contains an immense mass of information, not only as to Vermont itself, but also as to the history of Vermonters elsewhere. Further Traces of the Ancient Northmen in America; with Geological Evidences of their Vineland. By Rev. Abner Morse, A. M. Boston: Dutton & Co., 1861. 16 pp. DESPITE the ridicule which a school has for some years thrown on all attempts to investigate the question of a Northman visit to our shores, Mr. Morse has here, after considerable investigation, brought forward a class of monuments, evidently not of Indian origin, and which in his opinion may be ascribed to the Northmen, and be a new motive of crediting the accounts given. When the question is again considered these will doubtless have some weight. One thing is certain, Mr. Morse puts forward his views with the modesty of a scholar, and with no dogmatism whatever. Miscellany. WILLIAM B. WOOD, long known from his connection with the American stage, died recently in Philadelphia. He was born in Montreal, C. E., May 26, 1779, but was brought up in New York, Revolution. His father intended him for a merto which his family removed at the close of the cantile career, and placed him with John Pintard, Esq.; but as a merchant he failed, and in 1798 went on the stage with Mr. Wignell's company. satile talents long retained the public applause. He soon became a favorite actor, and by his verHe was for some years one of the proprietors of the New Theatre, but lost every thing by its destruction by fire, in 1820. associates by many years, and was one of the last links connecting us with the last century. He outlived all his The Vermont Quarterly Gazetteer; an Historical On the 19th day of October, 1861, Thomas Magazine, embracing a Digest of the History of Wildey, the founder of the Odd Fellows, in Amereach Town, Civil, Educational, Religious, Geo-ica, died at Baltimore. The first lodge was establogical, and Literary. No. II. Bennington lished in that city in 1819; and as others sprang County. Edited by Messrs. A. M. Hemenway. up, Mr. W. united them all, and was Grand Master Ludlow, Vt.: 1861. THIS second number of this valuable collection of Vermont local history bears a portrait of Gov. Hiland Hall. The history of Bennington County, with sketches of prominent men, is here given fully. The names of the contributors are not always given; but we hope to find these and a full or Grand Sire from 1825 to 1833. He was born Jan. 15, 1783. WHITMORE'S "Hand Book of American Genealogy" is now in press. JUDGE JOHN M. McDONALD is preparing for the press a volume of his "Historical Sketches." VOL. V.] THE HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. General Department. DECEMBER, 1861. INTRODUCTION OF HORSES INTO THE NORTH ERN COLONIES OF AMERICA. An article in the Historical Magazine, vol. i., p. 154, states that, according to Prince's Annals, there were no horses in New England in 1632, but that they evidently made their appearance between that year and 1636; moreover that the animal seems to have been introduced into New Netherlands under the administration of Gov. Van Twiller, 1633-38. The following is a somewhat detailed examination of this not uninteresting point: The Dutch West India Company, having received their charter during the year 1621, dispatched their first vessel, called the "New Netherland," in the spring of 1623, with thirty families, chiefly Walloons, to form a colony upon the Hudson river, near the present site of Albany. These were under the control of a commissary, the Hon. Daniel Von Krieckebeeck, who was also commander of the Fort Orange, which they there raised on Castle Island. At this time the only domestic animal known among the natives was the dog; for although the earlier traders had brought over bucks, goats, and rabbits, these had all perished from eating some poisonous herbage. In April, 1625, the Hon. Pieter Evertsen Hulft agreed to ship, at his own risk, for the directors of the West India Company, one hundred head of cattle, including stallions, mares, steers, and cows for breeding; besides all the hogs and sheep deemed requisite. Three vessels were accordingly prepared, one carrying horses, another cows, and the third, hay: "Each animal had its own stall, with a floor of three feet sand," and being well attended, and provided with abundance of water and forage, only two died upon the voyage out; subsequently about twenty were poisoned, on being turned out to pasture, from weeds growing in the rank soil. With these vessels went six families, probably Walloons, and some freemen, in all forty-five settlers, to form an establishment on HIST. MAG. VOL. V. 45 [No. 12. Manhattan Island,* under a new Director,† Willem Verhulst. During the succeeding year they constructed a stone fort, called Amsterdam, a horse-mill, over which was a large room for worship, and a bell-tower; these buildings were erected at the order of the third Director or Governor, the Hon. Pieter Minuit, and were situated sequent to 1630, when the country began to be upon the southern extremity of the island. Submore thickly populated through the colonies introduced by the Patroons, cattle, horses, and live stock of course rapidly increased. Father Jogues, writing in 1644, informs us, that when any one was desirous of settling in the Novun Belgium, he was loaned horses, cows, &c., and given a certain quantity of provisions, which he repaid at his own convenience. From the same authority we learn, that at Rensselaerswick, on the Nassau, or North River, the people raised chiefly wheat and "oats, for beer and for their horses, of which they had a great stock." Six years after Corn. Van Tienhoven, secretary of the Province, while giving certain information relative to taking up land in New Netherland, states that a young mare with her second or third foal was worth from 150 to 160 florins ($60), and a four or five year old stallion 130 florins, while in New England, where these and other cattle were especially abundant "and to be had at a reasonable price," a good mare sold for from 100 to 120 florins, and a stallion for 100 florins. Arnoldus Montanus, in his “ Description of the New Netherlands," published at Amsterdam, in 1671, informs us that the horses there" are brought from England, or from the diocese of Utrecht. Those from the bishopric far excel the English. Both are subject to a curious disease, whereof many die within a few hours. The same disease attacks horned cattle that are pastured in new ground. But hay grown in salt meadows is found to be a remedy against this." From Bradford's "History of Plymouth," we learn that in March, 1624, Mr. Edward Winslow, *The old settlers or traders, who had been located on Manhattan Island since 1615, abandoned their fort on the South River, and united with these last comers. + Cornelis May, of Hoorn, had been the Company's Director in 1624. |