Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War.
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CHAPTER XV.
Come, Contemplation, with thy boundless gaze. Inspire my song, while I his merits praise, A true description of his greatness name, And fame's bright annals, shall record the same.
Many were at this time risking their lives in defence of Americanliberty, and privileges;--nor were there at present any prospects ofconciliatory measures between the contending powers. It became necessaryfor the people in the meantime, to call forth all their energies andpatriotism, with the utmost exertion on their parts--in support of theircountry, in order to maintain the burden of the arduous conflict inwhich it was engaged, and sustain the present contest with honour tothemselves, and with the hope that its final settlement might be to thesatisfaction of America, and the future prosperity of the nation.
Many heroes ventured forth to the field of battle, with the ardentendeavour, still to preserve their independence; while at the same timethe hearts of many were failing them with fear. It was a time for thepatriot to use his influence to animate others anew to bravery, andpersuade them to be zealous, in a just cause; at this season of generalexcitement, in which the feelings of the whole community had becomestrongly interested. Party spirit, and the conflicting interests of thedifferent states were found to operate injuriously on many in theircommercial transactions. The people were impoverished by the expenses ofthe war. Some were in debt. Creditors resorted to legal measures toenforce a collection of their demands, which involved many families indeep embarrassment. Peace was sighed for by the multitude, but therewere yet no signs of its realization. An engagement had just taken placeon Lake Erie. The American fleet was commanded by Commodore Perry,a young officer; that of the British under Com. Barclay, an old andexperienced officer, who had served under Nelson. After a contest ofthree hours the Americans gained a complete victory, and captured everyvessel of the enemy. Commodore Perry announced this victory in thefollowing laconic style: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." TheAmericans took six hundred prisoners, which exceeded their whole numberengaged in the action. This battle was succeeded, several weeksafterwards, by another that was alike fortunate, between the Americanarmy under General Harrison, and the British under Gen. Proctor, inwhich they were defeated, and Detroit fell into the hands of theAmericans. The success of this action may be entirely attributed, (underthe favour of heaven,) to the abilities and military skill of GeneralHarrison.
After General Hull had tamely surrendered to the British this importantpost, with the gallant force that composed the garrison, an event whichspread consternation far and wide throughout the western country, andgreatly increased the difficulty and arduous nature of Gen. Harrison'sduties, he immediately organized the brave troops under his command, andcommenced a course of rigid discipline, and military trainings, with theconfident hope of retrieving the consequent disasters of thisproceeding.
The American army advanced in order of battle, and were in the immediateneighbourhood of the enemy; the reconnoitering parties brought inintelligence of the dispositions Proctor had made, wherein he hadcommitted an irretrievable error in ranging his regular soldiers inorder, and extending his line by placing the files at a distance ofthree or four feet from each other. Harrison, with the rapid decision ofan able general, instantly availed himself of the error of his opponent.The extended and weakened line of the enemy, could offer but a feebleresistance to the charge of his gallant troops, who dashed forward atthe earnest solicitation of the people of the territory,--and with thepublic expression of the most flattering approbation, on the part of thechief executive;--till at length they gained a complete victory.
The various and arduous duties of the governor of Indiana, required, forthis office, a man of very superior abilities--one possessed of sternintegrity and prudent moderation, accompanied by the most unwaveringfirmness. Such a man Governor Harrison, in the long course of hisadministration, fully proved himself to be. And in acting his part as ageneral he merits no less the applauses of his countrymen, in trainingand leading their armies to victory. The nervous and impassionedeloquence, and classical felicity of illustration, with which heenforced his arguments, gained him much applause and influence,--anddiscovered his abilities to be of the highest order, blended with thetruest republican principles;--in which were manifested an ardent zealfor the good of his country, and an earnest desire to serve her bestinterests. Though vested with unusual powers, both as governor andgeneral, he was never known during the whole of his command, to exercisehis authority in an unjust or oppressive manner. His measures wereenergetic but always qualified by his characteristic moderation andhumanity, joined with integrity, prudence, and capacity for civilgovernment. Many high encomiums were lavished upon him by those whosefriends and neighbours had participated in this campaign, and who wereconsequently familiar with its details, and with the merits of theircommander.
And Detroit is destined to be remembered, as the place of the battleground of one of the most remarkable and decisive actions that tookplace during the late war.
Shortly after this action was over, Bonville, who was one among thesoldiers, returned to New-York. He furnished plausible reason, andobtained a furlough from his commanding officer, for leave of absence.In the meantime, he thought again to visit Alida; he had at present adouble motive again to address her,--and if he should prove successful,her expected fortune would make him ample amends for what he hadsquandered away in scenes of folly. And if the father of Theodore hadbecome a bankrupt by misfortune, he had now almost become one bydissipation and extravagance.
Albert had been extremely busy through the day, and was just returninghome from his store in Pearl-street one evening, when he met Bonville inBroadway on his way to his father's. He accosted him in a very friendlymanner, and then interrogated him by numerous questions concerning thefamily,--and very inquisitively with regard to his sister. Albert madeno reply that gave him any particular satisfaction. When they arrived atthe house, they found no company except Mr. More. Alida was trulyshocked and surprised at this unexpected visit from Bonville, who shehad no idea was in town. After making to her his compliments, andexpressing his pleasure at finding her well, he by degrees drew her intoa conversation which lasted the greater part of the evening. He offeredan ill-timed consolation for the absence of Theodore, and affected muchregret,--although he said his case was not as deplorable as that of manyothers, as he was still among the living. That though he was a person hecould not esteem, still he had felt so far interested in his welfare, asto make particular inquiries how the British were accustomed to treattheir prisoners. He then gave some dark intimations against his generalcharacter, which could not fail to throw over the mind of Alida a deepdejection.
She was now apprised of the fate of Theodore:--She was unable tosuppress the feelings of sorrow, that these words of Bonville hadexcited. She remained silent; wholly engrossed by the confused thoughtsand sad ideas, that arose in succession in her mind, till at length shebecame regardless of all around her.
The penetrating eyes of Mr. More were fixed upon her during thisconversation. He seemed wholly insensible to every other object. He wasapprehensive that her heart was insensible to the strong affection thatpervaded his own,--and he thought should she prove incapable of lovinglike himself, and should become devoted to another, thoughts he couldscarcely endure,--though they sometimes impressed the idea that shemight never be interested in his favour. Hope would again flatter himwith the pleasing thought, that her bosom may have been fraught withcongenial feelings, and her heart beat with sensations even more ferventthan his own. Her image filled his waking thoughts, and disturbed withvisionary happiness his sleeping hours,--yet it seemed to his devotedmind the love of merit alone; and he imagined that while she was happy,he could never be altogether otherwise.
After Mr. More and Bonville had taken leave, and her parents had retiredto rest, Alida remained by the fire-side till a late hour. She wasmeditating on recent circumstances, on the many late trying events whichhad crowded so rapidly that they could scarcely be sa
id to succeed eachother, and which had given so great variety to her life, that for yearshad rolled on in the same peaceful, unvaried course. She felt displeasedat Bonville for his insinuations concerning Theodore, which wereungenerous and ill-natured,--while he seemed to flatter himself with theidea that she would become forgetful of him. He had hitherto yielded toevery selfish propensity, without once seriously reflecting on itsconsequences to himself or others. His understanding, warped byprejudice, and without control, often misled him, and the superiority anelevated station gave him caused him to neglect to practice those betterprinciples of which his nature might have been capable. His pride wouldsuffer to see Alida united to another, therefore he was determined notto relinquish her. He concluded that finally she would look uponTheodore with indifference, and become favourably disposed towardshimself; while his regard for her should prove unchangeable. That,unacquainted as she was with the world, she would at length be broughtto accede to his wishes. That his rhetoric operating on her inexperiencewould ultimately influence her in his favour.