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72 MARYLAND RESOLVES.
1 Maryland resolves. This song was published in Rivington's Gazette, with the accompanying letter, from its anonymous author, to the editor of that paper. " You, no doubt, have seen the resolves of certain magnates, naming themselves a Provincial Congress! I will not say these worthies are under the influence of the moon, or are proper subjects for confinement, but one of their resolves is exactly calculated for the meridian of the inquisition, and the others smell furiously of Bedlam. I gladly contribute my humble mite to ridicule the folly, ingratitude, and violence of our deluded patriots."
2 Since mad Lee now commands us. Major-general Charles Lee, was an officer in the British Army, at the age of eleven years. He served under Abercrombie, at the unsuccessful attack of Ticonderoga, and was wounded. Under General Burgoyne, in Portugal, he distinguished himself. After this, he spent a few years in rambling over Europe, and some time in the Polish service, finally sailing for New York, where he arrived just in time to embrace the cause of the Colonists, which was now grown serious and decided. He re-' ceived a commission from the Continental Congress in 1775, and was very active during the war, until the battle of Monmouth, where he disobeyed the orders of the commander-in-chief, and, by this means, threw the troops into confusion. He was reprimanded by Washington, and in the warmth of his resentment used improper language in return. For this he was tried by court martial, found guilty, and suspended from duty for twelve months. He made a splendid defence of his course, but Congress confirmed the sentence, which was like a mortal wound to his ambitious spirit. When he heard the confirmation he exclaimed, pointing to his dog, " Oh that I were that animal that I might not call man my brother." He became vindictive, and abused General "Washing! n in his conversation and writings. Finding himself abandoned by his friends, he retired to his plantation, in Virginia, where he amused himself with his books and dogs, and in the autumn of 1782, weary of his life, he went to Philadelphia, where he died soon after, calling upon his " brave grenadiers to stand by him."
In his will, he earnestly desired that he might not be buried in |
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