ed to sin against him. Still I was not aware, at this period, of the fountain of iniquity which existed within my heart. From that period I occasionally prayed; sometimes felt my affections considerably excited, especially when thinking of home. I am now persuaded that I had no small degree of Pharisaic pride about me. I was however but a child, and much, very much needed an instructer.

I must now call the attention of the reader to circumstances of a different kind, and wish that he with myself may keep the providence of GoD in view. The celebrated Stamp Act passed the British Parliament in 1765, the year of my birth. That act excited a general alarm among the American Colonists. Resolutions were passed against the act by most of the colonial assemblies. I had breathed but a few days when ten of the colonies, by their representatives, formed a Colonial Congress in the City of New-York, in October, 1765.

I was about nine years of age when Gen. Gage, with a land and naval force, took possession of Boston, which has been termed the "cradle of American independence." The seizure of Boston exasperated the feelings of the colonists in every section of our country. I distinctly recollect the period when the farmers of Londonderry could scarcely settle themselves to their work. They felt that their rights were invaded. Many persons of talent or influence were friendly to the measures pursued by the British parliament; they were termed "Tories." Another class, which remonstrated against those measures, received the name of " Whigs.” My uncle with whom I resided was a decided Whig. Having formed acquaintances in Boston, where he had served his time at the cabinet-maker's business, he felt a deep interest in the events which occurred there. He took the news-papers; (there were comparatively few published at that day,) his neighbours assembled about him, and the fire-side conversation turned on the rights of the people, the injustice of parliament, the detection of Tories, &c. The conflicts at Lexington and Bunker's hill, and the burning of Charleston, roused the Irish "Yankies" of Londonderry. The young men posted off to the bat

tle ground, prompted by their sires, who followed them with their horses laden with provisions. My ears were open to all the passing news. I wished myself old enough to take an active part in this contest. Little did I realize at that time the horrors of war. I had not yet

heard the clash of arms, the groans of the dying, and the shouts of the victors. Nor did I imagine at this period, when I so much abhorred swearing, that the time would arrive when I should become a profane sailor. What is man? "At his best estate he is altogether vanity."

In Londonderry the influence of Doct. Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, was exerted with great effect, on the side of liberty.When I was about eleven years of age, my uncle removed from Londonderry to Epsom. Here another distinguished patriot had resided, Capt. Mc'Leary. He fell with General Warren, on Bunker's Hill. I recollect the four following lines of a dirge, commemorative of the deaths of Warren and Mc'Leary, and their companions.

"My trembling hands and aching heart,

O how it throbs this day;
Their loss is felt in every part

Of North America."

These lines indicate the spirit of the times, rather than the poetic talent of their author. A martial spirit was diffused through the little circle of my acquaintances.As the men were frequently called together for military discipline, their example was not lost upon the boys.Lads from seven years old and upwards, were formed into companies, and being properly officered, armed with wooden guns and adorned with plumes, they would go through the manual exercise with as much regularity as the men. If two or three boys met, their martial ardor showed itself in exercising with sticks instead of muskets. Many a bitter sigh and broken heart, however, testified in the end the result of this military excitement.

Parents saw with pain their sons advancing from childhood to youth. My reader can but faintly imagine the feelings of an aged father, or an affectionate mother, perhaps a widow, when news arrived that a son had fal

len in the field of battle, or had languished and died in a hospital, or still remained a prisoner in the hands of a foe, whose tender mercies were cruel. Danger however did not deter our young men from pressing forward to the battle ground, or sailing to meet the foe upon the

ocean.

I turn to myself. While residing in Epsom, on a Sabbath I went to a meeting in Chichester, accompanied by a number of others. I do not recollect to have heard the preacher's name, but I am inclined to think that it must have been Elder Eliphalet Smith, [commonly called "Mountain Smith." At this period I was about twelve years of age. I had enjoyed but little opportunity for hearing preaching. Although the congregation assembled in a barn, the worship was conducted with great solemnity, and the preacher had my whole attention. I felt a solemn sense of my responsibility to GOD. In the intermission I retired into the woods, my mind was filled with serious reflections, and I earnestly wished to continue in this frame of mind. While returning home, I had no inclination to join the young company in their light and careless conversation. I felt inclined to walk alone. The impression made on my mind continued for some time. I do not recollect, however, to have formed any opinion respecting my situation. Indifference at last succeeded, but I did not indulge myself in outbreaking sins as usual. Soon after this I returned to my parents in Portsmouth. An abundance of new objects was here presented to my view. Ships were building, prizes taken from the enemy unloading, privateers fitting out, standards waved on the forts and batteries, the exercising of soldiers, the roar of cannon, the sound of martial music and the call for volunteers so infatuated me, that I was filled with anxiety to become an actor in the scene of war. My eldest brother, Thomas, had recently returned from a cruise on board the "General Mifflin," of Boston, Capt. Mc'Neal. This ship had captured thirteen prizes, some of which, however, being of little value, were burnt, some were sold in France, others reached Boston, and their cargoes were divided among the crew of that ship. On my brother's return,

I became more eager to try my fortune at sea. My father, though a high Whig, disapproved the practice of privateering. Merchant vessels, at this period, which ran safe, made great gains, seamen's wages were consequently very high. Through my father's influence Thomas was induced to enter the merchants' service Though not yet fourteen years of age, like other boys, I imagined myself almost a man. I had intimated to my sister, that if my father would not consent that I should go to sea, I would run away, and go on board a privateer. My mind became so infatuated with the subject, that I talked of it in my sleep, and was overheard by my mother. She communicated what she had heard to my father.My parents were apprehensive that I might wander off and go on board some vessel without their consent. At this period it was not an uncommon thing for lads to come out of the country, step on board a privateer, make a cruise and return home, their friends remaining in entire ignorance of their fate, until they heard it from themselves. Others would pack up their clothes, take a cheese and a loaf of bread, and steer off for the army. There was a disposition in commanders of privateers and recruiting officers to encourage this spirit of enterprise in young men and boys. Though these rash young adventurers did not count the cost, or think of looking at the dark side of the picture, yet this spirit, amidst the despondency of many, enabled our country to maintain a successful struggle and finally achieve her independence.

The continental ship of war Ranger, of eighteen guns, commanded by Thomas Simpson, Esq. was at this time shipping a crew in Portsmouth. This ship had been ordered to join the Boston and Providence frigates and the Queen of France of twenty guns, upon an expedition directed by Congress. My father having consented that I should go to sea, preferred the service of Congress to privateering. He was acquainted with Capt. Simpson.On board this ship were my two half uncles, Timothy and James Weymouth. Accompanied by my father, I visited the rendezvous of the Ranger and shipped as one of her crew. There were probably thirty boys on beard

this ship. As most of our principal officers belonged to the town, parents preferred this ship as a station for their sons who were about to enter the naval service. Hence most of these boys were from Portsmouth. As privateering was the order of the day, vessels of every description were employed in the business. Men were not wanting who would hazard themselves in vessels of twenty tons or less, manned by ten or fifteen hands. Placing much dependence on the protection of my uncles, I was much elated with my supposed good fortune, which had at last made me a sailor.

I was not yet fourteen years of age. I had received some little moral and religious instruction, and was far from being accustomed to the habits of town boys, or the maxims or dialect of sailors. The town boys thought themselves vastly superior to country lads; and indeed in those days the distinction was much greater than at present. My diffidence and aversion to swearing, rendered me an object of ridicule to those little profane chaps. I was insulted, and frequently obliged to fight. In this I was sometimes victorious. My uncles, and others, prompted me to defend my rights. I soon began to improve in boxing, and to indulge in swearing. At first this practice occasioned some remorse of conscience.I however endeavored to persuade myself that there was a necessity for it. I at length became a proficient in this abominable practice. To counterbalance my guilt in this, I at the same time became more constant in praying; heretofore I had only prayed occasionally; now I prayed continually when I turned in at night, and vainly imagined that I prayed enough by night to atone for the sins of the day. Believing that no other person on board prayed, I was filled with pride, concluding I had as much or more religion than the whole crew besides. The boys were employed in waiting on the officers, but in time of action a boy was quartered to each gun to carry cartridges. I was waiter to Mr. Charles Roberts, the boatswain, and was quartered at the third gun from the bow. Being ready for sea, we sailed to Boston, joined the Providence frigate, commanded by Commodore Whipple, the Boston frigate and the Queen of France. I believe