life. He has never been betrayed into selfishness or seduced into weakness.

The crisis to which we have alluded, was one worthy the sagacity of the great FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY. In his choice of a commander whose genius could master these difficulties, he balanced, for a while, between George Rogers Clarke and the renowned Anthony Wayne ; and, at length, decided to appoint the latter. Early in the year 1792, General Wayne arrived at the seat of war and assumed the command. The United States Legion, as Wayne's army was called under the new organization after St. Clair's defeat, was at this time alike destitute of confidence in themselves, skill in the use of their weapons, and knowledge of their foe. He revived their confidence, drilled them in rifle shooting, and instructed them in the artifices of the enemy. About this time Harrison was promoted by GENERAL WASHINGTON, to a lieutenancy, and shortly after joined WAYNE'S LEGION. His fearlessness and energy, with his strict attention to discipline, soon attracted the notice of his commander, himself a bold and daring soldier and a rigid disciplinarian, and GENERAL WAYNE, not long after his arrival, selected him as one of his aides-de-camp. It is thus seen at how early an age, and in what trying scenes, young Harrison was thought worthy of honourable distinction, and how soon too he drew upon himself the attention and especial notice of a man and a soldier like Wayne, whose well known

a independence of character was such, that no influence save that of intrinsic merit was ever known to prevail with him, and whose daring, and almost reckless intrepidity, had won for him in our Revolutionary war, the peculiar appellation of "MAD ANTHONY." At one period, during the darkest hour of the Revolution, he proposed to General Washington that a limited number of men be selected from the British and American armies—that the command of the Americans should be given to him, and let the contest between the two nations be thus decided. Though: Washington had the greatest admiration for his boldness and military skill, and Wayne expressed the utmost confidence in the result—and no doubt would have gained an easy victory—the Father of his Country regarded the hazard too.

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great to submit the vast interests of America to a pitched battle or single contest.

Lieutenant Harrison acted as aid to General Wayne, during the whole of the ensuing campaigns, and his bravery and gal-• lant conduct throughout were such, that he was repeatedly officially noticed by his commander in terms of the highest encomium.

The war was conducted by Wayne, with all the cool daring of a veteran soldier, and the sagacity of a prudent general. Negotiations with the Indians failing, he had recourse to military operations; and, on the 23d of December, a small detachment of infantry and artillery were ordered to re-possess themselves of the field of battle of the 4th of November, 1791, the scene of St. Clair's defeat. After a sharp conflict it was done ; and in a general order, issued after the battle, the gallant Wayne, PUBLICLY TENDERED HIS THANKS TO LIEUTENANT HARRISON, for the COURAGE and Good Conduct manifested by him during the contest.* If any thing could inflame the passions of a young soldier, it must be such a notice, by such an officer, as the patriotic and chivalrous WAYNE.

This action, in which Harrison bore so distinguished a part, turned the tide of war against the foe. In the July following, Wayne moved into the heart of the Indian country, and took up a position at Grand Glaise. The Little Turtle here urged his red brethren to accept the terms offered by General Wayne. They however rejected them, and the two armies immediately encountered each other in battle, on the 20th of August, 1794, at the Maumee Rapids. A bloody and desperate conflict ensued. HARRISON was by turns in every part of the field; and such was his bravery, that the commander, in his general orders, a second time thanked his “FAITHFUL AND GALLANT AID-DECAMP, LIEUTENANT HARRISON, FOR HAVING RENDERED THE MOST ESSENTIAL SERVICE, BY COMMUNICATING HIS ORDERS IN EVERY DIRECTION, AND BY HIS CONDUCT AND BRAVERY ENCOURAGING THE TROOPS TO PRESS FOR VICTORY.' Had not his whole career—a career marked with uniform success, and

abounding in instances of unexampled heroism-attested the energy and dauntless intrepidity of Harrison's character, such testimony would, of itself, be conclusive.

Thus do we find Harrison, a second time the theme of eulogy with a commander who rarely praised at all, and never but when it was deserved. He had hardly arrived at the age of twenty-one years; but whilst yet a boy he had performed deeds of daring, and earned, with his sword, a distinction which few attain throughout a long life. By the sequel it will be found that the laurels thus acquired, were never suffered to fade.

The fruit of this victory, so decisive in its character, was the conclusion of a treaty of peace with all the hostile Indians, on the 1st of January, 1795, at Greenville, on such terms as our victorious commander dictated. Harrison took an active part, under the direction of Wayne, in the formation of this important treaty. The sąvages had learned the power of our government to punish; they had also been taught the inability of Great Britain to protect them.

On the conclusion of this treaty, Harrison, now promoted to the rank of Captain, BY THE SAGACIOUS WAYNE, was intrusted with the command of FORT WASHINGTON-a station of more consequence than any other on the western frontier-and the management of the public property, chiefly collected at that post, in charge of which he continued until the death of General Wayne.*

CHAPTER II.

Marriage of Harrison-Anecdote-Resigns his Commission-Is appointed by Washington Secretary of the Northwestern Territory-His well earned popularity—Is elected Delegate to Congress at the early age of twenty-five-His patriotic course in dividing the public Lands-Important results of that measure-Gratitude of the West-The People apply for his appointment as Governor of the Northwestern Territory-He declines from patriotic motives-Is appointed Governor of IndianaUnbounded power of the office-Unexceptionably exercised by Harrison-Illustration of his republican purity-Treaties with the Indians-Tecumseh and the Prophet-Council at Vincennes-Notice of Tecumseh-Decision and gallantry of Harrison.

WHILE in command of Fort Washington, which occupied the present site of the city of Cincinnati, Captain Harrison married the daughter of John Cleves Symmes, the celebrated founder of the Miami settlements-a lady whose estimable social and domestic virtues have endeared her to a large circle of friends. An anecdote is related of his marriage, which illustrates the admirable self-reliance that has ever characterized Harrison, and the entire absence of the advantages of fortune with which he entered the busy scenes of life. On applying to Mr. Symmes for his consent to the marriage of his daughter, Harrison was asked what were his resources for maintaining a wife. Placing his hand upon his sword, he replied, “This, sir, is my means of support!" It is hardly necessary to add, that Mr. Symmes was so much delighted with the daring chivalry and undaunted confidence of the young soldier, as at once to yield him an unqualified assent to his proposal of marriage.

Anthony Wayne died in the year 1797. Immediately after this event, there being no prospect of further hostilities, Captain Harrison left the army and retired to his farm. In this step he exhibited the same regard for the best interest of his country, which has ever distinguished the career of this great and good man. He had encountered her enemies and had subdued them; and although his services, acknowledged and applauded by all, gave him the strongest claim on her for support, and fully justified his retaining a situation under her, equal to his mainte

GENERAL HARRISON.

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a

nance, yet he refused to occupy that station one hour after it had become a sinecure. HE WAS UNWILLING TO BE PAID WHEN HE RENDERED NO SERVICE, OR NOT AN ADEQUATE ONE.

As a reward for his fidelity, the IMMORTAL WASHINGTON APPOINTED HIM SECRETARY OF THE NORTHWESTERN TERRITORY, and ex officio LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. Let it be borne in mind, that at this period he was only twenty-four years old. Yet, at this early age, his MERIT, and MERIT ALONE, secuired him a place in the confidence of that wise and virtuous man, which at this day thousands would regard as an ample recoinpense for a life of labour. WASHINGTON, the wise and reverel WASHINGTON,* made the appointment. If any are disposed to doubt the propriety of conferring this high honour upon one so young, they must first call in question the soundness of judyment, or purity of heart, of the FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY. Harrison possessed the merit to attract the attention of Washington, and Washington had the discernment to perceive, and the justice to reward it.

In this situation, Harrison mingled with the people in all the varied tasks, toils, and amusements which characterize frontier life. In their company he wielded the axe; with them he held the stilts of the plough, or scattered the seed over the bosom of the virgin soil; with them he shouldered his rifle to expel the howling panther, or to guard them against the subtle Indian. The farmer, the trader, and the hunter, were his companions, In the school of experience he learned their wants; in the same school they had been taught to look to him for relief. His political economy was drawn from the book of nature itself.

In this way he became the favourite of the people; and in the ensuing year, when the Territory was admitted to send a delegate to Congress, he was the first man to fill that office, though only twenty-five years old. He had just arrived at that age when, by the Constitution, he was able to hold a seat in that body. He was, without doubt, the youngest man in Congress; yet we shall shortly see him grappling with the most experienced and able, with signal credit and eminent success.