mounted.

that was gallopping officer. Had Ctn. Lamb been only a around us. Then we had our turn, and Major, I should have asked for him. I for many, many mile had the pleasure to wish Ctn. Stephens might make it conoccupy his lordship's Hd. quarters. You venient to return.

had accounts of the two skirmishes. I My most respectfull and affectionate thought all was over, and owing to your compliments to Mrs. Knox. I am so imsiege of New York, I anticipated great prudent as to take the liberty to address a deal of ease and happiness. Indeed, I kiss to Lucy and a paternal one to my son. could not help growing jealous, and began Adieu. to think of a visit to your Batteries, But soon found there was in this quarter work enough for me, great deal to much indeed for my youth and the means that I have.

Yours for ever,

LAFAYETTE.

General Knox.

Lord Cornwallis Having not succeeding QUEBEC IN 1701.-In a manuscript enin land journeyings, has undertaken a water titled "Lettres Canadiennes" is the followvoyage. I thought first the man was going ing description of Quebec in 1701: to New York, then to Pottomack, or Bal- The curiosity of learning and knowing, timore, But on a sudden he entered York so common to all mankind, made me exRiver, and is at York and Gloster out of amine Kebec closely on my arrival. This our reach, refreshing his troops and town is situated 2000 leagues from France. meditating mischief. York is on high It is divided into the upper and lower ground, surrounded with creeks and town. In the latter reside the merchants marshes available by one high a and those who trade by sea. The houses this to my surprise he does not fortify. are all built quite comfortably of a black Gloster is a neck of land projecting into stone as fine and hard as marble. The the River, and very useful to the defeat of roadstead is defended by a large platform shipping, these my lord is fortifying. Ports in the middle, which is level with the water, mouth is not evacuated, so that he is so that hostile vessels could not be at divided in three points, two of which I anchor without being badly handled as confess are the same thing. But should a well by the cannon of this platform as by naval superiority come great advantages those of a fort which commands the city might be obtained in this quarter. I wish and harbor, on one of the most precipitous my dear friend our conduct may have points. met with your approbation. I wish both From the lower to the upper town there from esteem and friendship. is a road which winds around imperceptibly for carts and waggons, which have nevertheless much difficulty in ascending. The upper town is situated at an extraordinary

At the present I am trying to conjure up a cavelry to collect levies, to arm and assemble militia, to replenish our few continentals, to have a part of them in re- height. diness to Reinforce General Green, and am The house of the viceroy or governorwaiting at that fork of York River to general is in the upper town in the most oppose either way His lordships ma- prominent point. It is one hundred and nuievers Р twenty feet long, and two stories high,

Lord Cornwallis abilities are to me more with several pavilions which form additions alarming than his superiority of forces. I in front and behind, with a terrace of ever had a great opinion of him, our papers eighty feet overlooking the lower town call him a Mad Man. But was any ad- and the river below, whence you can devantage taken of him when he commanded scry all that you desire to see. in person? To speak plain English, I am devilish afraid of him.

The governor-general who now resides in this castle is called M. C. Chevalier de Major Cush Having gone to the North- Caillieres, formerly governor of the city of ward, we are in want of an artillery field Montreal, sixty leagues above Quebec.

This gentleman is respected and beloved New York: T. and J. Swords, 1796, both by the French and the Indians, who 8vo. 16 pp.; of the visits in 1798, Mr. equally regard him as the common father Hardie published an account that I have of all the inhabitants of Canada. To him not seen; of those in 1799 and 1803, I we are indebted for all the fortifications of know no accounts published at the time; the country, which have been erected by of that of 1805, there is "An Account of the his care. All persons of distinction also Malignant Fever which prevailed in the reside in the upper town. There is a city of New York, during the Autumn of bishop and canons whose chapter is com- 1805." By James Hardie. New York: plete. There is also a fine seminary and Southwick and Hardcastle, 1805, 8vo. several churches, among which that of the 196 pp.; of the last great visit there is Jesuits and that of the Recollects are the "An Account of the Yellow Fever which first. This last faces the castle, and is the occurred in the city of New York in the most modern in the country. The cloister year 1822, to which is prefixed a brief of these good fathers is lighted on all sides sketch of the different pestilential diseases with stained glass windows bearing the with which this city was afflicted in the arms of several benefactors of the house. years 1798, 1799, 1803, and 1805," &c., by The intendant's office alone is badly situated James Hardie. New York: Samuel on a low spot near the little river. Marks, 1822, 12mo., 120 pp.

The city, upper and lower, is situated The reports of Dr. Miller to the governor between two considerable mountains, one in 1803 and 1805, contain accounts for those higher than the other. One is called Cap years, but I do not know that they were au Diamants, because an extraordinary printed separately. quantity is found on the rocks, which are Many medical treatises on the fever not surpassed in beauty by real diamonds, appeared during these visitations, or after and only lack hardness. The other moun- them, as "Inquiry into the cause of the tain is called Saut au Matelot, so termed, prevalence of the Yellow Fever in New because during the first times of the esta- York," by Dr. Valentine_Seamen; "Oriblishment of the French in this colony, a gin of the Pestilential Fever," by Dr. sailor who went too near the brink went E. Smith; Manley's Dissertation on the down in spite of himself. Around this last Yellow Fever," etc. mountain a little river runs by the intendant's.-L'Abeille.

66

"SIR CHRISTOPHER GARDINER, Knight OF THE GOLDEN MELICE.-Hon, Robert C. Winthrop, in his remarks at a meeting ACCOUNTS OF THE YELLOW FEVER IN of the Massachusetts Historical Society, in NEW YORK.-The city of New York was 1858, was, I believe, the first to suggest several times visited by this dreadful that the "melice," which has puzzled so scourge, which had become habitual at many readers of Winthrop's Journal, and New Orleans till a beast removed the given occasion to much fanciful speculabeastly things which engendered it. Of tion, was nothing more than the Italian the first visit, in Aug., Sept., and Oct., milizia, or French milice, applicable, in 1791, there is a dissertation by Dr. J. S. either language, to any order of knightAddom; of that of 1793, I know no special hood. Thus, the vocab. della crusca, with account; of that of 1795, there is "A brief other significations of milizia, gives “per Account of the Epidemical Fever which late- ordine di grado cavalleresco." ly prevailed in the city of New York," &c., Mr. Winthrop does not, however, appear by M. L. Davis. New York; 1795, 8vo. to have been aware that the title assumed 66 pp.; and also, "An Account of the by this English adventurer was literally Epidemic Fever which prevailed in the translated from the Italian "Cavaliere city of New York during part of the Sum- della milizia aureata," or the correspondmer and Fall of 1795," by Richard Bayley. ing French, "Chevalier de la

milice

66

dorée," the proper designation of a Papal SEMMES ON PRIVATEERING.-The famous order formerly in high repute, and which captain of the Alabama, whose career has is more popularly known as Knights of been so destructive to our shipping and the Golden Spur" (Cavalieri dello Sperone may prove so expensive to England, thus d'oro). The diploma of a knight of this discourses of privateering in his "Service order names him" Auratæ militiæ equitem, afloat and ashore :"

ac Aulæ Lateranensis et Palatii Apostolici "General Salas made strenuous efforts to comitem," etc., with permission to bear get afloat a number of privateers which "torquem aureum, et ensem, et aurata should prey upon our commerce. If calcaria (Bonanni, Catalogo delli Ord. Mexico had been a maritime people, this Equest. e Milit., 16). This honor was would have been her true policy. A few conferred by the Pope in person (or some- fast-sailing vessels, distributed in different times by a nuncio, or prelate of the highest seas, and officered and manned by bold Papal court)," on official persons, learned fellows in the pursuit of plunder, might men, artists, and other persons who had have inflicted incalculable injury upon us. rendered service to the State, or whom the This system of predatory warfare, more Holy Father selected for such distinction, than any other, equalizes the strength of and even upon foreigners. Neither rank nations on the water. Fleets and heavynor station, but simply the profession of armed ships are of no avail against the the Roman Catholick Religion, is required lighter heels and more erratic_wanderings as a qualification to receive it" (Carlisle's of this description of force. But Mexico Orders of Knighthood, p. 292). Anciently had no materials whereon to operate. To this ranked first among the Papal orders render privateering available to her, under of merit, and Knights of the Golden Militia the laws of nations, it was necessary that took precedence of Knights of Malta. But at least a majority of the officers and crew even in Sir Christopher's time, the suspi- of each cruiser should be citizens; not cion that the honor was to be obtained for citizens made ad hoc, in fraud of the law, money had somewhat depreciated its but bona fide citizens; and any vessel value; and now the rights and privileges of which might have attempted to cruise the knights are merely nominal. Some under a letter of marque and reprisal, withtwenty years ago the Abbé Glaire was out this essential requisite, would have becreated "Chevalier de la Melice dorée" come, from that moment, a pirate. As by Gregory XVI., in recognition of his Mexico had never possessed any marine, services to the Church, in the compilation military or commercial, worth the name, of the "Encyclopédie Catholique." and as what little she had at the commenceIt is not probable that the name of the ment of the war had been taken from her order or its source was known to Gov. Win- by our cruisers, she found it impossible to throp and his fellow-magistrates, which was fulfil this condition, except to a very limited well for Sir Christopher's interests, perhaps. extent. President Salas, in order to overSo patent evidence of his being a favorite come the difficulty, endeavored, contrary son of Rome would hardly have been regard to the good faith which should exist among ed as a title of honor by the good people of nations, even when at war, and in violation the Bay, or induce them to judge the of the plainest principles of common sense, English knight more leniently in the mat- to manufacture citizens for the occasion, ters whereof he was accused.

HARTFORD, Conn.

J. H. T.

For this purpose he issued blank certificates of naturalization to the Mexican consuls at Havana and other places, with directions [There are, we think, knights of this to these officers to fill them up with the order in the United States at present; names of any adventurers that might offer, among others, the Rev. Charles Constan- irrespective of those great principles so well tine Pise, of Brooklyn, well known as a understood and practised upon by all civilpoet and polished writer.] ized nations, in a procedure of such mo

ment.

Every foreigner who kingdom of Valencia, came to America in might have undertaken to prey upon our 1770, two years in Texas, killed by the Incommerce would have been deemed to be, dians in Sonora, April 27, 1778; Father and would have been treated, as a Francis Casañas de Jesus Maria, born at pirate. There is a growing Barcelona in 1656, entered the order at disposition among civilized nations to put the age of 14; was one of the founders of an end to this disreputable mode of war- the College of Queretaro; missionary in fare under any circumstances. It had its Campeachy, Texas, and New Mexico; killed origin in remote and comparatively bar- by the Apaches in New Mexico in 1696; barous ages, and has for its object rather Father José Guadalupe Ramirez de Prado, the plunder of the bandit than honorable born at the mission de las Palmas in the warfare. The cruisers being private vessels, Sierra Gorda, near Mexico, 27 years in fitted out for speculation, and officered and Texas, died at Queretaro, August 19, 1777, manned generally by unscrupulous and un- aged 72, having been 55 years in the order; principled men, it is impossibe for the Father Juan Salvador de Amaya, sent to government which commissions them to Texas about 1728, remained 24 years; died have them under proper control. Bonds there November 17, 1752. J. DE C. and penalties, forfeiture of vessel, etc., are entirely powerless to restrain the passion of cupidity and revenge when once fairly SLAVERY IN NEW YORK.-It is somearoused. From the nature of the materials what curious to find slavery recognised as of which the crews of these vessels are existing in New York, in the ordinances composed-the adventurous and desperate revised in 1845, and in force till 1859, yet of all nations--the shortness of their cruises, such is the fact; and a fine of $25 imposed and the demoralizing pursuit in which they upon any pawn-broker, dealer in secondare engaged, it is next to impossible that hand articles, or keeper of a junk shop, any discipline can be established or main- dealing with a slave.

tained among them. In short, they are little better than licensed pirates; and it

MICHEL GAUVIN.-In his tour from

behoves all civilized nations, and especially Hartford to Quebec, Professor Silliman nations who, like ourselves, are extensively says:engaged in foreign commerce, to suppress the practice altogether."

"Our driver (to the Falls of Montmorency) was Michel Gauvin, a very intelligent and obliging young man, a French EARLY SPANISH MISSIONARIES IN TEXAS. Canadian, who spoke both English and -I find, in a curious account, mention made French; and his horse (an iron grey) was of the following Texas missionaries: Fa- one of that small but hardy breed which, ther José del Rio, 52 years on the mission, being in this country left in their natural chiefly in Texas and Sonora; F. Cayetano state, are extremely stout and courageous, Aponte y Lis (a native of Pontevedra, and carry the heavy calash and three men came to America in 1730, died May 25, apparently with more ease than our horses 1791, aged 93), ten years in Texas; F. draw our chaises and two grown perEsteban de Salazar, a native of Cascajares, sons."

a missionary in Texas and Sonora, died Mr. Michel Gauvin, who is now adAugust 6, 1797, aged 77; Father Juan vanced in age, is one of the most respectSaenz de Gumiel, a native of Mendavia, able citizens of Quebec. He has fully reeight years in Texas, twice Guardian of alized the good prognostics of the worthy the College of Queretaro, died March 11, professor, has been at the head of a large 1807, aged 83; Father Antonio Perera livery stable for many years, and is still died at Queretaro, April 16, 1698; Father one of the proprietors of the winter stage Antonio Margil died August 6, 1726; Fa- line between Quebec and Montreal, on ther Felipe Guillen, a native of Piles in the the north shore, a concern which is not,

however, so flourishing since the opening the City of New York (ed. 1845, p. 342, of the railroad on the north shore.

ed. 1859, p. 330), I find this word in this phrase: No person shall cast any anchor, grappling or killick (ed. 1859, killock) into or near any of the docks, &c. What does it mean, and what is its origin?

HENRY FRANCISCO.-In his interesting tour from Hartford to Quebec (New Haven, 1820), Professor Silliman has a chapter under the title the "Old Man of the age of Louis XIV."

When did Henry Francisco, the person referred to, die? Where, and in what

PATER VAER.-A suit was brought in manner? the court at New Amsterdam in 1646 by: When Professor Silliman saw him on Pater Vaer for the possession of a negro the Salem road, two miles from Whitewench he had purchased from one John hall, he was said to be 134 years of age, . Wilcox. The judgment of the court was that Wilcox should satisfy the Swedish Governor and Pater Vaer. In what sense is Pater used here, and who was he? o'c.

HORSEHEADS.-This is the name of a new town, erected in Chemung county in 1854. Can any of the readers of the Hist. Mag. explain its origin ?

and said he was born in France, in a place which he pronounced something like Essex.

Was Francisco (which is not a French name) his real name? Was it not rather a nick-name from his being French?

In that case, what was his real name, and where and when was he really born?

INTRODUCTION OF THE HONEY BEE.When and by whom was the first colony of honey bees introduced into North America?

They evidently were cultivated in New Jersey as early as the year 1683 (vide Hist. Mag., vol. vi., page 268); and, according to Peter Kalm, in 1748, they had become wild in Pennsylvania, but had not THARIOLIN. The last Huron of pure then extended their flights westward beblood at the mission of Lorette, near Que-yond the Blue Ridge, which is the eastern bec, bore the name of Thariolin. His range of the Alleghanies.-Vid. Kalm's portrait was painted about 1840 by Pla- Travels, vol. i., page 226. mondon. Can any reader inform us where it is preserved ?

BARBASTRO'S ACCOUNT OF SONORA. The Franciscan Father, Francis Antonio Barbastro, who was one of the first Franciscans in Sonora after the expulsion of the Jesuits, and who died June 22, 1800, at Aconchi, among the Opatas, left a history of Sonora. Does it still exist?

ÜLEVELAND, O., January 8, 1864.

K.

DOCTOR COWDRY'S JOURNAL.-A diary kept by Dr. Cowdry, Surgeon of the U. S. frigate Philadelphia during the captivity and enslavement of her officers and crew by the Tripolitans, from October 21st, 1803, to June 3d, 1805, was published in a series of numbers in the American Mercury, at Hartford, Ct., in the autumn of

KILLICK-KILLOCK.-In the Ordinances of the last-named year.