Gilbert's, at Freetown. This morning, about 200 men assembled at the Ware bridge, in this town, and after choosing a moderator, appointed a committee to warn the towns of Swanzey, Raynham, Norton, Mansfield, Attleborough, and Easton, to meet to-morrow, at 8 o'clock, when, it is thought, two or three thousand men will be assembled, from whence they are to proceed to Freetown, to wait on Col. Gilbert, and desire him not to accept the office of high Sheriff under the present administration of the new laws, and that if he should, he must abide the consequences: also to desire Brigadier Ruggles to depart this County immediately. It is more dangerous being a Tory here than at Boston, even if there were no troops there." Another letter, dated at Leicester, says, "The people of this county seem determined to oppose all officers holding commissions otherwise than our Charter directs, and will to the last extremity oppose those unconstitutional acts, and their being executed in this county. I heard there was a number marching to Hardwick, to wait on the Brigadier, the same day they went to Rutland and Worcester." It was reported, however, before they reached his place of residence, that he was absent on a visit, and they desisted. John Murray, Esq. of Rutland, and Mr. Paine, of this town, were both compelled to decline serving as members of the Council.

Soon after this, he went to Boston, and never returned to Hardwick afterwards. When it was understood that he was going to Boston, the people flocked together from the neighboring districts, and assembled at the bridge across Ware river, but whether with a view to resist him or not, is uncertain. The Brigadier rode an elegant black horse, accompanied by his servants, with his sword and pistols by his side. He passed the multitude without any violence or insult offered him. As he rode by the throng, he very civilly, as was his custom, took off his hat and made a low bow, which was as civilly returned.

He remained in Boston during the time that town was occupied by British troops. He afterwards withdrew to Long Island, where he resided a few months, and, finally, went to Halifax, and passed the remainder of his days, at a place called Roseway, where he died in 1798, at the age of 87.

Few men understood better, or estimated more highly the American character than Gen. Ruggles. He applauded the spirit which lead to the Revolution, but regarded the violent efforts practiced to effect a separation of the provinces from the mother coun

try as impolitic and premature. He was often heard to speak of the event as probable, but observed that it was an event which time alone could determine, and that the colonies would one day fall off from the parent state as ripe fruit from a tree.

On the morning of the battle of Bunker hill, Gen. Gage said to him, that the rebels would disperse at the sight of his cannon; that he should not be under the necessity of discharging a gun : "without discipline, without officers, and under the disadvantage of being engaged in an unjust cause, continued he tauntingly, it is impossible for them to withstand our arms a moment." Ruggles replied with warmth, “Sir, you know not with whom you have to contend. These are the very men who conquered Canada. I fought with them side by side; I know them well; they will fight bravely. My God! Sir, your folly has ruined your cause."

As a public benefactor, Brigadier Ruggles was eminent. No man of his time devoted more attention to the improvement of stock of different kinds than he did. It was a subject in which he took a deep interest, and the result of his labor was highly beneficial to the public. The number of horses he usually kept was about thirty, remarkable for their size and beauty. For this kind of stock he had a peculiar fondness.

He kept a park containing about twenty acres, and between twenty and thirty deer. Although he never hunted himself, he always kept a pack of hounds for the sport and amusement of his friends. His hospitality, with his means of entertainment, gave him numerous visitors from Boston and elsewhere, and the large fortune he inherited from his ancestors, in addition to the money he received from government, enabled him to furnish an elegant table, and extend a prince-like treatment to his guests.

When he left Hardwick, he made no disposition of his property. Five of his farms were confiscated. His estate was large, and almost the whole of it fell into the hands of government. For this loss, however, he was more than indemnified by the King, after his settlement in Nova Scotia.

There are few whose memory has been more traduced than that of Brigadier Ruggles. His name has come down to us as a tory, which, with our republican fathers, was sufficient to justify any reproach. His loyalty and steady adherence to the measures of the British ministry, enkindled the resentments of the people, which could never be extinguished. Anecdotes of him both disgraceful to his memory and inconsistent with his character, have

been circulated and relied on as authentic among those who knew him only by report. His influence was dreaded by the leaders of the popular party, and no means were spared to prejudice the minds of the community against him. His true character was concealed by the false representations given of him, and to keep alive the hostile spirit of the people to the ministerial plans, he was pointed out to them as one of the odious authors of their grievances.

He was remarkably temperate: during the latter part of his life he abstained entirely from animal food, and the use of spirituous liquor. He was a man of most incorruptible integrity, and while a Judge, he discharged the duties of the office with great acceptance to the public, and the respect of the people seems to have been paid to him when the popular phrenzy was at the highest.

Brigadier Ruggles in his person was large, being much above six feet. His appearance was commanding and dignified: his complexion was dark, and his countenance expressive and bold. He was attentive to his dress, but avoided ceremony. He was sometimes profane, but swore only on very urgent occasions. He was of few words, and never said any thing silly. His wit was ready and brilliant; his mind clear, comprehensive, penetrating; his judg ment was profound, and his knowledge extensive. His abilities as a public speaker placed him among the first of his day, and had he been so fortunate as to have embraced the popular sentiments of the time, there is no doubt he would have been ranked the leading characters of the Revolution.

among

B.

APPENDIX TO THE NOTICE OF T. RUGGLES, ESQ. The treaty of peace, at Aix la Chapelle, between England and France, in Oct. 1748, was of short duration. By the articles of this treaty Cape Breton was given up to the French and Acadia, now Nova Scotia, was ceded to great Britain. This excluded the French from all the frontier coast. Their possessions lay along the banks of the St. Lawrence and as they claimed the country about the mouth of the Mississippi, it was their intention to connect the Colonies of Canada and Louisiana by the intermediate waters of the Lakes. Forts were erected between Lake Erie and the junction of the Ohio with the Mississippi and the territory intervening claimed by the French. The Ohio Company which had commenced trading with the indians, and was now, 1753, engaged in surveying the country, was interrupted and driven off by the order of the

Governor of Canada. Governor Denwiddie, of Virginia, to which Colony the disputed ground belonged, sent George Washington to demand the French to desist from the prosecution of their designs. The remonstrance proving ineffectual, the next year, 1754, a military force was raised in Virginia to march against the enemy and dislodge him from the forts erected in Ohio, but without suc

cess.

On the arrival of Gen. Braddock in 1755, the plan of military operations was determined on by a convention of the several Governors of the Colonies, held at Virginia. While Gen. Braddock was to march with a force of 2000 men against fort Du Quesne, now Pittsburg, Penn. Governor Shirley of this State, was to proceed to Oswego, in New York, and thence to Fort Niagara. His strength was composed of two Regiments, one to be commanded by himself and the other by Sir William Pepperell. Major General William Johnson headed the third division of the army which was to make an attack on Crown Point. Ruggles was an officer in this expedition and next in command to Johnson. He received his commission from the colonial Governors, and the men under him were supplied from the provinces.

If the misfortunes attending the expedition of Gen. Braddock against Fort Du Quesne filled the colonies with chagrin and disappointment, the brilliant success of that against Crown Point diffused a general joy throughout British America. Gen. Lyman was directed to advance about sixty miles above Albany and take a stand at the great Carrying-place between the waters of the Hudson and Lake Champlain, where he commenced the erection of Fort Edward, on the east band of the river. Gen. Johnson took post at Fort William Henry, fourteen miles further north, at the south end of Lake George. Ticonderoga was situated on the isthmus between Lake Champlain on the north and Lake George on the south. Crown Point, which was now unoccupied, was fifteen miles beyond. It was thought the possession of this fortress would enable the English to pour their concentrated forces into the heart of the French territories and render them an easy conquest.

Baron Dieskau had, during the summer, arrived at Quebec with a body of 1200 troops. He immediately ascended the St. Lawrence to Montreal, from which place he despatched 700 men against Fort Oswego, and directed his march with a force of 2,000 men to occupy Fort Frederick, at Crown Point. Johnson was impatient to get up his batteaux for the purpose of preoccupying the

fort; but during the delay, Dieskau had resolved upon attacking him in his own camp.

The French commander having embarked at Crown Point with his men in batteaux, landed at South Bay. He now determined to lay siege to Fort Edward, and if that fortress should fall into his hands, to proceed direct to Albany and lay that city and Schenectady in ashes. But when he had arrived within two miles of the fort, disclosing to his men his intentions of making an attack, the Indians and Canadians declined, thinking their force inadequate. Being informed by an Englishman that Fort William Henry was a few days before, but imperfectly fortified, they changed their plans, and determined to surprise that fortress.

During these manouvres, Gen. Johnson having learned from his scouts, that the enemy meditated an attack on Fort Edward, despatched messengers to apprise Gen. Lyman of his approach. The messengers had not proceeded but about four miles, when they were intercepted by the enemy and one of them killed; the other returned with intelligence that Deiskau having abandoned the design of an attack on Fort Edward, was then on his march toward William Henry. Johnson ventured to go out and meet him. The command of a thousand men was entrusted to Col. Ephraim Williams, a distinguished officer, to march out and commence the engagement. Deiskau disposed of his forces in an advantageous manner, to receive him. Placing his own troops in the centre, the Indians and Canadians were directed to advance through thick woods on the right and left, and in this manner the English were at once encompassed on all sides. A sharp and bloody conflict ensued. The provincials manifested great bravery; but being overpowered by numbers, a retreat was ordered. Col. Williams was among the slain. M. St. Pieere, the Indian agent for the Canadas, was also killed.

The Americans being routed, the French pursued them to their camp, when the whole body of troops on both sides was brought into close combat. Dieskau with his regulars occupied the centre, while the Canadians and Indians hung on the English flanks. The enemy at first maintaining a distant fire, the provincials regained their order and commenced the combat with redoubled fury. The cannon were plied with such success and execution as soon to break the French line and immediately a total rout ensued. The greatest confusion and disorder prevailed throughout the enemies ranks: the slaughter was immense. The Baron was wounded in the leg