District of New-York, ss. Be it remembered, that on the sixth day of October, in the torty bust year of the Independence of the United States of America, John Low, of the said district, hath deposited in this office, the title of a Book, the right where of he claims as Proprietor in the words following, to wit: "The Biography of the principal American Military and Naval He roes; comprehending details of their achievements during the Revolutionary and Late Wars. Interspersed with authentic Anecdotes not found in any other work. Embellished with Portraits. By Thomas Wilson, of Philadelphia. Assisted by several Literary Gentlemen, in different parts of the United States; and carefully collected from the most authentic sources. Speak of Man as he is, in the language of truth and not of adulation. In two Volumes." In conformity to an act of Congress of the United States, entitled "An act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned And also to an act entitled " an act supplementary to an act, entitled an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints " THERON RUDD, Clerk of the Southern District of New-York. CONTENTS. 27 ADVERTISEMENT. To speak of living characters "in the language of truth, and not of adulation," is a most unwelcome but the imperious duty of the biographer; unwelcome, because it is not garnished with the sweets of flattery; imperious, because the Historic Muse forbids the use of false-colouring. TRUTH is the sturdy mastiff which guards the portals of the Historic Muse. In whatever way the votaries of a false ambition may have attempted to elude his vigilance, he is certain to let them arrive at the destined goal, simply garbed in their own habiliments, regardless of the mantle of patriotism or infamy, attempted to be thrown over them, by themselves, their friends, or their foes, in defiance of their own actions, To Truth, the saccharine juice of the former, and the tart of the latter, are equally unpalatable. Chance and circumstances have sometimes thrown men into stations to which, by their religion, education, and habits, it would seem nature never intended them. When hurled into the current, Fortune, regardless of their real merits, oft appears to roll her favours upon them, in a ceaseless stream. Like birds in borrowed plumage, they bask in the sunshine of power, robed in others' fame. When a man worms himself into public notice, his motives are quickly scanned: He flutters his ephemeral day like the gaudy butterfly, and the winter of Time displays nought but the corruptions of his carcase. His actions are only appreciated from his motives, and his good or ill fame is proportionate to their favourable or successful results. |