Sketch of Gen. Roger Nelson. Perhaps no single county in any State of our Union, furnished better soldiers in the war of Independence than Frederick county, Maryland. From this favored spot issued forth to the bloody field O. H. Williams, Beatty, Ford, Weltner and Everheart; who either ended their career in the storm and fury of battle, or triumphed in the shout of victory. To this patriotic band should be added Roger Nelson, who was born near the Point of Rocks on the Potomac, in 1762, and in 178) entered as a Cadet in the old Maryland line, which for courage and discipline was hardly exceeded by Caesar's tenth legion, or the imperial guards of Napoleon. In the summer of this year he was united to the Southern army, now commanded by Gen. Gates, the conqueror of the ill-fated Burgoyne. The American General left his country seat in Berkley county, Virginia, in July of this year, and reached head quarters on the 25th, where the command of the troops was surrendered into his hands by the Baron De Kalb. Great distress prevailed; ammunition, arms and provisions were wanted; the militia were undisciplined; the inhabitants disaffected; the country laid waste by a victorious foe; our countrymen slaughtered by the relentless legion of Tarlton; families flying in grief and despondency, and several of the Southern States in the actual occupation of the royal army, Gates took his position at Rugely's mills, Lord Rawdon at Camden. Cornwallis himself arrived on the 15th of August, and assumed the command. Both armies took up the line of march about half past two in the morning of the 16th August, 1780, and met unexpectedly in the woods, where considerable skirmishing continued for some time, eventuating in some loss and much confusion among our troops. From this disastrous commencement they seem not to have recovered during the day. Gates displayed but little skill, either in the plan of battle or its execution. The continentals under Smallwood, Stephens and De Kalb, performed deeds of daring on that day worthy of their former fame.Neither the shameful flight of the militia, nor the destructive fire of the British van, could induce them to yield the battle field, until nearly 400 were slain, and many hundreds wounded and taken prisoners. The brave Baron, with all the composure of a philosopher, and the calm fortitude of an accomplished soldier, yielded up his spirit on the spot where he fell, with the most ardent prayers for the prosperity of the country, to obtain whose independence he had left his native land and encountered all the accidents "of flood and field." In this disastrous conflict, young Nelson fought with all the native intrepidity of his character. In the retreat he was wounded and fell. A merciless band of the enemy surrounded him, and before their vengeance was gratified, he received several flesh wounds. In vain did he cry for quarters; their response was," we will quarter you." Weltering in blood, exposed to the vertical sun, without any assistance or refreshment of any sort, he lay on the sand until life was almost extinct. He was, however, providentially discovered, his wounds dressed, and borne away a prisoner to Charleston, S. C. He is now in the hands of an exulting and triumphant enemy, far from his friends and fellow-soldiers, ignorant of his future fate; depending for the restoration of his health on the care of those who felt no interest in the result; his beloved Maryland line dispersed amid the disastrous reverses of war; many of his companions, to whom he was attached by the tenderest ties, slain or captured; the star of his country obscured by clouds, and the hope of liberty nearly extinguished.

of Nelson to serve under the chivalric Colonel at Guilford Court House, on the 15th March, 1781. Greene was now the successor of the ill-starred Gates, and after a great variety of military manoeuvres, which alike signalized the skill both of himself and Cornwallis, those two accomplished commanders resolved this day to try once more the fortune of war. The royal army was composed of the best troops, led by the bravest officers. At the head of the American army was Greene, second to none but the Father of his Country, whom none could equal. Greene selected his ground very advantageously, and made the most skilful disposition of his forces. His right flank was commanded by Col. Washing. ton. Leslie, Webster, O'Hara and Cornwallis brought up their troops with admirable coolness and skill, and attacked our line with their usual bravery and perseverance. The battle soon raged with fury; the best troops of both armies met in deadly strife; the roar of artillery and small arms was heard throughout the surrounding country. Victory seemed doubtful; the shout of advancing columns re-echoed through the neighboring woods. For more than two hours the contest was every moment more terrible, and the patriotic bosom of Greene alternately filled with the bright visions of hope, and the suggestions of despair. In the midst of the engagement, Washington charged the British guards with great fury, and broke their ranks. Sergeant Everheart, who had been prevented from participating in the conflict from severe wounds received at the Cowpens on the preceding 17th January, (the good old man yet resides in Middletown valley,) says that he witnessed the charge from the top of an hill, where Washington had left him for the protection of the baggage wagons. He declares it was one of the most splendid feats performed during the war. At this moment the infantry rushed to the aid of the cavalry, and the slaugh ter of the British was severe. It was now that Capt. Smith, of Baltimore, cut down the commander of one of the battalions of the enemy. The circumstances were related to me by the late Col. Anderson, of Montgomery county, who fought on that day as a captain in Gunby's regiment. He happened to be very near when the event occurred. Smith had been captured at Camden, and while a prisoner had been cruelly treated by this very officer; when bidding him adieu on his exchange, Smith sternly remarked: "if the fortune of war should ever bring us in conflict in the same field, be assured that your tyranny shall be surely repaid." On the day prior to the battle of Guilford, Anderson saw Smith busily engaged in sharpening his sword, with the fixed purpose of fulfilling his threat should opportunity offer. That determination was fatally gratified, for he fell a lifeless corpse at the foot of the injured American.

Military men agree that the Battle of Guilford was a well fought action, and that both armies were alike brave and undaunted. Nelson conducted himself with courage and cool. ness throughout the whole conflict. Our loss in killed, wounded and missing, was 14 commissioned officers, and 312 noncommissioned officers and privates; that of the enemy 532, among whom were Lieutenants Colonel Stewart and Webster, two of the finest officers in the army of Cornwallis.Greene, it is true, retreated, but only with the view of soon again seeking battle with his highly gifted adversary. From this time the hostile armies were constantly engaged in the boldest efforts of partizan warfare; in recruiting and disciplining their troops; in carrying on the seige of Ninety Six, and in harassing each other by all the stratagems of warfare. In the Carolinas and Georgia, the civil war in the sumIn this sad and painful condition of body and mind, young mer of 1781 raged with unmitigated fury and violence.— Nelson continued for some months, until he was exchanged, Lord Rawdon left America early in the fall for England, and and was soon after appointed Lieutenant in the Regiment of the command devolved on Lieutenant Col. Stewart. On Cavalry commanded by the celebrated Col. William Wash- the morning of the 8th of September, 1781, at the Eutaw ington, than whom Murat himself was neither more brave Springs, the two armies met. Greene arranged his forces nor skilful. His wounds being now healed, he entered on with much skill. Washington, with cavalry, and the infanthe duties of his rank with zeal and enthusiastic ardor. His try of Kirkwood, formed his corps d' reserve. As the conchief, alone, was a tower in the day of peril; he inspired tinental troops came into the engagement, Washington was every bosom and nerved every arm. When the bugle sound- ordered to act on the left. After viewing the situation of ed for battle, each soldier watched the eye of their Colonel, the enemy, he determined to turn their right flank, commandand panted for the contest as they beheld, in his manly vis-ed by Major Banks, and to charge its rear. In this charge, age, the spirit of patriotism animating and lighting up every feature of his noble countenance. It was the good fortune!

* See Vol. III, p. 220.

to the unspeakable mortification of Lieut. Nelson, he saw his gallant commander wounded, his horse killed under him, and ere he could be disengaged, taken prisoner. This obstinate battle lasted nearly four hours; the loss on each side was estimated at about one thousand, and but for the protection afforded the British troops, who sheltered themselves in a brick house, whence they destroyed great numbers of our men at every fire, the royal army must have been cut in pieces, or have surrendered at discretion. Thus ended the brilliant affair at Eutaw, unequalled by any other engage ment during the Revolution. The British power in the South was at once annihilated. Confidence in the justice of our cause and the valor of our troops was restored and increased, and peace began to dawn once more on our distracted and impoverished country. Lieut. Nelson, however, still remained with the army until it was disbanded after the ca. pitulation of Yorktown.

Through these various and appalling scenes he had passed before he attained his twentieth year. In 1783, on his return to Maryland from the army, he studied law in the of fice of William H. Dorsey, in Georgetown. He subsequently removed to Taney town, and in that small village commenced his professional career, whence he soon after came to Freder icktown, where he acquired a very extensive practice.

Manufacture of Iron in New Jersey.

Remarks of Mr. Miller, of New Jersey, on the amendment offered by Mr. Buchanan, imposing a duty on Railroad Iron of 20 per cent.

In Senate United States, August 30, 1841.

Mr. Miller said the State which he had the honor to represent was deeply interested in the result of any question connected with the manufacture of iron. The mineral wealth of New Jersey was equal, if not superior to that of any other State in the Union. Her iron mines, of superior quality and of inexhaustible quantity, are located within about thirty miles of New York, with a water communication connecting them with that city, and also with the great coal fields of Pennsylvania. We are also supplied by nature with convenient water power, abundantly sufficient to drive any number of works which enterprise and capital may be induced to errect for the manufacture of iron. With these advantages we may even venture into a rivalry with the great State of Pennsylvania; and I would forewarn the Senator from that State not to anticipate a monopoly in this business, for I will assure him that as soon as Pennsylvania " is ready to supply the world with iron," she will find New Jersey an active competitor for at least one-half of that market.

One of the difficulties that our iron manufacturers have to contend with was the high price of coal which they were Charcoal, heretocompelled to employ in smelting the ore. fore used as the principal agent, is limited by nature in its supply, and is becoming every year more scarce and expensive. The late invention, by which our primitive ores can be smelted by the agency of anthracite coal, has, within the This valuable discovery has given a new impetus to the iron last year, been successfully tested by actual experiments.business in this country, and men of enterprise and of capi. tal are now turning their attention to it. During the last year several large establishments have been erected in New Jersey, and are now profitably engaged in making iron upon this new and improved method.

His manners were popular; his life had been full of thrilling incidents; the fortunes of a soldier attracted public attention; and his friends soon clustered around him, feeling strong interest in his welfare. Politics now excited the general attention, and in '95 he was elected to the House of Delegates of his native State. In 1800, and oftentimes after ward, did the voice of Frederick county return him to the same seat with renewed marks of favor and approbation. In one of the warmly contested campaigns, when he was opposed by a very influential man, he discovered that the immense assemblages which had collected at Westminister to hear the candidates on the hustings, was somewhat unfavorable to his pretensions, and that he was likely to lose their support. All his arguments seemed to avail but little.Suddenly he opened his bosom and displayed to their view I believe that the time has now arrived when we are prethe scars received at Camden; it operated like an electric shock; he at once wielded the multitude with the same effect pared to make railroad iron for the supply of the home maras did Anthony when he bid the Romans look on the dead ket; and we ask nothing but the ordinary protection to enbody of Cæsar, and by this happy stratagem ensured his elec-able us to compete successfully with the foreign manufaction by a triumphant majority. During Mr. Jefferson's administration, Mr. Nelson was chosen Representative to Congress, from the district composed of Frederick, Washington and Allegany counties, and notwithstanding frequent opposition, so great was his popularity that he never lost an election. During all this stormy period of our history, when the unjust decrees of Bonaparte on the one hand, and the British orders in council on the other, were destroying neutral commerce, and depriving us of our natural right to navigate the ocean, Mr. Nelson stood up the bold, uncompromising advocate of all the measures adopted by the Administration to protect our commerce. And when naught but an appeal to the sword would avail, we find him advocating the declaration of war in June, 1812, with all the zeal he had display ed in early life. He believed that all negotiation was fruitless, and he relied on the courage and patriotism of our gallant seamen and soldiers to vindicate our wrongs. The result equalled his expectations. Soon our banner was respected in every sea. Hull, Decatur, Bainbridge and Perry taught Britannia that she did not "rule the waves;" while the plains of Bridgewater and Orleans evinced yet to the world that the fire of the Revolution was not extinct. Before the war closed, however, declining health compelled Mr. Nelson to retire from political life.

1793 he organized a troop of cavalry, and in 1794 was, as its cammander, actively engaged in suppressing the insurrection in Pennsylvania during the administration of Washington, and some years afterwards was appointed a BrigadierGeneral of Militia. He died in May, 1815. Such is an imperfect outline of the public life of Gen. Roger Nelson. That he was a brave soldier and tried patriot, must be conceded by all; that throughout his long and arduous career in the political world, love of country was the first and last wish of his heart cannot be denied.-Raleigh Register.

turer. It is asked whether any railroad iron has been made in this country? I answer no; the reason is obvious.— As long as you admit the English iron free of duty, it operates as a premium in favor of the importer, and secures a monopoly to the foreign producers. They have now the sole power of regulating the market, of advancing or lowering the price as may suit their convenience, or as may be necessary to check American competition.

Newark Daily Advertiser.

* Mr. Miller was probably not apprized that Railroad iron has been made for the use of the collieries, in Schuylkill county, Pa. weighing 25 pounds to the yard, supporting 2 tons burthen and costing about $2,000 per mile of straight track.

Also T rails, weighing 34 pounds to the yard, to support 3 tons and costing about $2,700 per mile of single track.— See Vol. IV. p. 411.

Premiums on Tobacco.

To induce Tobacco planters to exercise greater skill in preparing and packing their produce for market, we perceive by a circular of Messrs. John & D. Fehrman, Tobacco Fac tors and Commission Merchants of New Orleans, that they offer premiums on the best hogsheads of such crops as may be shipped to their house for sale next season, of three hundred dollars on the best hogsheads of three different kinds of tobacco, to wit: $100 for the best bright leafy wrapping, $100 for the best sweet rich motted, and $100 for the best black fat. Competitors are requested to mark "premium" on both ends, with their names and the county and State in which they live. The prize to be adjudged in the second week of July

next.

To the Editors of the National Intelligencer.
WASSINGTOS, Sept. 20, 1941.

with offices or agencies in the States, having the privilege, without their assent, to deal in exchanges between them, and in foresen bois He promptly replied that be thought expe riesce had shown the necessity of such a power in the gov ernment. I could not restrain the immediate expression of my gratification upon bearing this avowal. I said to the President at once, that what I had feared would lead to fatal dissensions among our friends, I now regarded as rather for munate than otherwise, that his veto of the bill then before

Gentlemen-Doubts have been attempted to be cast upon the correctness of Mr. Ewing's statement in relation to the part taken by the President in getting up the Fiscal Corporation Bill, by arguing that there was an impropriety in making it which ought to deprive it of credit. There are circumstances in this case distinguishing it from all others that I recollect of the kind. It grows out of a matter of och cial business, transacted by high public functionaries, and is of public and general concern. The public and open conduct of one of these high functionaries is in direct opposition to what the other had, by his express direction and authority, affirmed as to his intentions and purposes. There can, I humbly submit, be no serious question in such a case upon the point of personal propriety, when the injured party seeks to vindicate his honor by disclosing the truth. The obligations arising out of confidential relations, in private or public affairs, are founded in mutual trust. He that disregards his own confidential pledges and engagements cannot allege the obligation of confidence, in the same transaction, against the natural right of self-defence belonging to the injured party. For anything that can ever be known to the contrary, it may have been the object of the original pledge or engagement to sacrifice those who trusted and were misled by it. For these reasons, I do not hesitate to furnish for publication, the accompanying statement, which contains all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, that occur to me as being material, connected with the subject of difference. I do this as an act of justice not only to Mr. Ewing, who requested it, but to myself and the public.

I avail myself of this occasion to say that I have at no time, regarded a difference of opinion between the President and myself in relation to a bank, however important the sub ject, as sufficient of itself to justify a resignation of the office which I lately held in the Executive Administration of the Government. Nor was it because the President thought proper to trifle with or mislead his Cabinet, as there is but too much reason to believe he intended to do, in the affair of the last Fiscal Bank Bill, that I resigned my place. There were other, and some of them pre-existing causes, for such a course, which many will regard as sufficient of themselves; and which could not have been overlooked. But it was possible to explain or remove them, and therefore they were not promptly acted upon. The last act of the President, bowever, was conclusive of the true character of all the other occurrences or circumstances which had previously awakened curiosity or excited distrust.

I shall, at my leisure, state the reasons more at large which impelled me to the course I have thought proper to adopt, and at the same time furnish a narrative of all the causes, so far as they fell under my observation, which have resulted in the separation of Mr. Tyler from the party which brought him into power, and the breaking up of the Whig Administration.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN BELL.

Messrs. GALES & SEATON.

Resignation of the Cabinet-Mr. Bell's Letter.

would lead to the adoption of a much better one. I also congratulated him upon the happy circumstance of the delay which had taken place in his sending in his Veto Message. The heat and violence which might have been expected if the Veto had been sent in immediately upon the passage of the bill, would now be avoided. Time had been given for cool reflection, and as the Message did not exclude the idea of a bank in some form, no unpleasant consequences would be likely to follow. He expressed his great surprise that there should be so much excitement upon the subject = said that he had had his mind made up on the bill before him from the first, but had delayed his Message that there should be time for the excitement to wear off; that nothing could be more easy than to pass a bill which would answer all necessary purposes; that it could be done in three days. The next day, having occasion to see the President again, he requested me to furnish him with such information as the War Department afforded of the embarrassments attending the transfer and disbursement of the public revenue to distant points on the frontier, in Florida, &c. He at the same time requested me to draw up a brief statement of my views upon the subject, showing the practical advantages and necessity of such a fiscal institution as he had thought of proposing. Such information as I could hastily collect from the heads of the principal disbursing bureaus of the Department I handed to him on the evening of the same day, knowing that time was of the utmost importance in the state in which the question then was. He received the statements I gave him with manifest indifference, and alarmed me by remarking that he began to doubt whether he would give his assent (as I understood him) to any bank.

The next day (Wednesday, 18th August) was the stated time for the weekly meeting of the Cabinet with the Press dent Mr. Webster, Mr. Ewing, and myself, went at ten o'clock in the morning, and were informed that the Presi dent was engaged with Messrs. Berrien, Sergeant, and Ithink Mr. Dawson, of Georgia. We waited until they re tired, and the President made his appearance about three quarters of an hour afterwards. Mr. Badger came in soon after the President joined as. Messrs. Crittenden and Gran ger did not attend. The conference which ensued was a long one-lasting two hours at least, according to my recol lection. I cannot pretend to detail all that was said; neither can I undertake to give the language employed by the Pre silent upon every point, nor of the members of the Cabinet I can only state the substance of what was said upon thos points which most attracted my attention.

The President commenced by stating that he had been I waited upon that morning by a committee of Members we Congress, who desired to know his views upon the subjec of a bank-such a one as he could sanction. He had giv them no satisfaction upon that subject, but had informe them that he would first consult with his constitution I called to see the President on official business on the regular that his views should be communicated, advisers-his Cabinet-through whom he thought it in. morning (Monday, 15th August,) before the first Veto Mes. the opinion of his Cabinet upon the correctness of the sage was sent in. I found him reading the Message to the he had taken; remarking at the same time that the habit material passages to me. Upon reading that part of it which of so much interest, subjected him to great embarcami、、 Secretary of the Treasury. He did me the honor to read the expressing his views to members of Congress pin aulge, ness done by the late Bank of the United States in furnish- of, the President adverted briefly, hir without mim.h treats of the superior importance and value of the busi- and much misrepresentation. That question in ing de the Union, I was so strongly impressed with the idea that tion, and his disposition to go as far as his old p ing exchanges between the different States and sections of nexion, to the relation in which he stood to the Tonk bank which should be restricted to dealing in exchanges, existed between him and his Cabdn't med kons understand, by what he had just read, that he was prepared by him! He much pudrud that the weds augs

he meant to intimate that he would have no objection to a with the wishes of his hinda Happe

was that he should have to supp to give his assent to a bank in the District of Columbia, he postponed until the heat geton

that I interrupted him in the reading, and asked if I was to

VOL. V.-28

་་་་་་

to protect our commerce. And when naught but an appeal has been made for the use of the collieries, in Schuylkill counto the sword would avail, we find him advocating the declaration of war in June, 1812, with all the zeal he had display-y, Pa. weighing 25 pounds to the yard, supporting 2 tons bured in early life. He believed that all negotiation was fruit- then and costing about $2,000 per mile of straight track. less, and he relied on the courage and patriotism of our gallant seamen and soldiers to vindicate our wrongs. The result equalled his expectations. Soon our banner was respected in every sea. Hull, Decatur, Bainbridge and Perry taught Britannia that she did not "rule the waves;" while the plains of Bridgewater and Orleans evinced yet to the world that the fire of the Revolution was not extinct. Before the war closed, however, declining health compelled Mr. Nelson to retire from political life.