succeeded by Rt. Rev. John Fitzpatrick, the present bishop, who had been coadjutor bishop for a few years previous. The address contained eloquent allusions to the emotions naturally excited on leaving so familiar a place of worship, around which so many interesting associations cluster and during its delivery the bishop, who was seated near the altar, and many of the congregation were deeply affected.

The original cathedral was enlarged by Bishop Fenwick, who, in 1827, converted the basement into the chapel of Saint Aloysius, where the younger portion of the congregation assemble and are instructed in the catechism. Mass is also said and a sermon preached by the pastor.

During the building of a new cathedral,which will be erected on the site selected for a German church, on Tremont-street, and will bear the name of the old one, the congregation will worship on Sundays, in the Melodeon, but will attend daily mass at the Purchase-street church. -Advertiser, 17th.

IMPRISONMENT OF A REVOLUTIONARY PRIVATEERSMAN.-Isaac G―, from whose manuscript memoirs the subjoined extract has been made, was born at Boston, Oct. 13, 1758. On the occasion of the Boston Massacre, he was present with Samuel Maverick, who was leading him along, and had quitted his hand for a moment only, when he received his death-wound. At a still later period, he witnessed the destruction of tea in Boston harbor, and on the 17th of June, 1775, stationed near the Charlestown ferry, he beheld the contest at Breed's Hill, and the men-of-war barges, laden with wounded, returning from the scene of carnage for fresh troops.

with its black leathern sheath and belt, is still preserved among his descendants.

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During the year 1782," he says, "I entered at New London on board the brig New Broom, a vessel mounting sixteen guns, and commanded by one Bishop; and sailed thence on a cruise among the West India Islands. After being out about five weeks, the captain became delirious; and in a few days after, owing to the misconduct of the first lieutenant, we were captured by a British sloop-of-war, and carried into St. John's, Antigua, where we were all put on board of a prison-ship, which lay in a cove on one side of the harbor, where the heat was so severe as to be almost insupportable. We were allowed here but barely enough to sustain nature, and the water they gave us was taken out of a pond a little back of the town, in which the cattle and negroes commingled every sort of impurity; and which was rendered, on this account, and from the effect of the heat upon it, so nauseous that it was impossible to drink it without holding the nostrils. I soon found that life was to be supported but for a short time here, and set myself, therefore, about contriving some way to effect my escape from this floating place of misery and torment. The doctor came on board every morning to examine the sick, and three negro sextons, every night, to bury the dead.

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Early one morning I swallowed tobacco juice, and was so sick by the time the doctor came, that I obtained, without difficulty, a perinit from him to go on shore to the hospital. I was soon ready to disembark; for I had been previously robbed of every thing except what I had on. After arriving at the hospital, I was conducted into a long room, where lay more than The soldiers stood awaiting their turn to be two hundred of the most miserable objects imatransported to the opposite shore, either watch-ginable, covered with rags and vermin. I threw ing their comrades mowed down like grass, or myself down on a bunk, and after suffering extheir blood bailed from the boats before their tremely for some time from the effects of the eyes like water. Their wives, or women, more- tobacco, went to sleep, but was soon waked by a over, were at the ferry encouraging them, but man-nurse, who told me, that there was physic apparently with little effect; for their-"D- for me, and immediately went off to another. I the Yankee rebels, my brave British boys, give it contrived, unperceived, to throw my dose out of to them!" was scarce responded to. After the the window, and was not again disturbed, except English had vacated Boston, I. G. entered the during the following night, when I was waked sevAmerican army for a short time, and afterward eral times by the carrying out of the dead. The served in a middle capacity on board several pri- sickness occasioned by the tobacco having now vate armed vessels. He was twice a prisoner of ceased, it was still necessary to keep up the dewar, being confined the first time in the Crown ception; and accordingly, the next morning, I (Liberty-street) sugar-house, whence he escaped feigned lameness. The doctor told me that my by digging under the walls, and across the street fever had settled in my legs, and said I must into the cellar of an opposite house; the circum- walk about the yard as much as I could. I was stances attending his second captivity are given extremely rejoiced at this good advice, and lost below. Subsequent to the war he resided some no time in following it; hobbling off to a row of years at Providence, R. I., whence he removed small buildings, which were detached from the to New York, where he died in the year 1829. hospital, where I smelt the reviving flavor of The rough, serviceable hanger which he used, | soup, and soon after, upon a bell's ringing, I ex

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the situation of these islands? Upon my reply-
ing in the affirmative, he bid me come up-stairs
with him, and on entering the chamber, he told
me to divest myself completely. What,' asked I,
are you going to do with me?" I am going,' said
he, to metamorphose you into a British officer of
the navy; and d―n you,' he added, don't
flinch.' I was accordingly furnished by him with
a suit of his former uniform clothes (a lieutenant's),
and powdered inside and out. He gave me also
a loaded pistol, and one to the steward; and put
into my hand a blank letter, superscribed to one
Major Thomas, who was navy agent. Go down
the king's wharf,' said he, 'you and the steward
walking together, and the sailor behind you, and
there agree with one of the drogers (or packet-
boats) to take you on board the Daphne frigate,
which lies in St. John's Road. When you have
passed the fort, and he hauls his wind to stand
for the frigate, you must, taking the letter out of
your pocket, feign great surprise, and exclaim
that you have neglected to deliver it to Major
Thomas. The captain of the boat will tell you
directly (for they all know him), that he is not
in town, but has gone down to his estate at Five
Islands. You must then agree with him to carry
you there, for you must see him as the vessel
can't go to sea without bread. After you arrive
abreast of Five Islands, your escape must depend
upon yourselves. You must take possession of
the vessel, and carry her into Montserrat, or St.
Christophers, of both which islands the French
are now in possession, and then you are safe.'
"We showered many blessings upon the cap-

perienced the indescribable joy of partaking of a bowlful of it, which was served out to those of the sick who could eat. Further on than this, there was another small house, separate from the others, where I observed the nurses and cooks to be coming in and going out. I limped up to this place, and stopped in front of the house; and wearing a very doleful look. I chanced to catch the attention of the steward, who lived there. Come in here, you Yankee dog,' says he, 'I like the looks of you.' I accordingly went in, and sat down. He inquired of my name, birth, &c., and we very soon became familiar. Our conversation was interrupted by his being called away, but he gave me a general invitation to call and see him, and I called the next day. Although, on this occasion, he was not as sociable as he had been the day before, I observed a melancholy to be cast over his countenance, and plainly perceived that there was something which was to him a source of grief. From the interest which he had taken in my situation, I could not but sympathize in his affliction, and begged him, therefore, to disclose to me the cause of it. 'I can,' says he, have no apprehension from you. I am an American; my father is a refugee, and is now in Halifax. The pay I get here don't half support me; I am, therefore, involved in debt; and besides all, I am the father of a child, which I must provide for or go to prison. I have not the means to do it; you perceive how unfortunate my situation is, and there is no other way for me to avoid my difficulties, but by leaving the island in some way or other.' I begged him to endeavor to take me with him, which he prom-tain, and bidding him farewell, followed the direcised to do. There is,' said he, 'a friend of mine, Captain King, who lives in town, and if you are able to walk, I will lend you some clothes, and we will go to-morrow and see him. You will see,' rejoined I, whether I am able or not to walk, after I get out of the yard.'

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"The next day, after he had pledged himself to the sentinel for ny safe return, we went together to Captain King's. The latter had been formerly a British naval officer, but from disaffection, or for some other reason, had left the service. To him the steward revealed his situation, and cast himself upon his generosity; he told the steward to call and dine with him the next day, and bring with him one or two more from among the prisoners, who were desirous of escaping; and that he would hit upon a plan to assist us.

"We accordingly went the next day, and took with us an American prisoner, who was employed as a nurse in the hospital, and who, in the habit of a sailor, carried the steward's clothes. We received a hearty welcome, dined, and drank plentifully of his wine. After dinner, he asked me if I understood managing a boat, and knew

·

tions which he had given us. All, however, had like to have been detected; in which case we must have been either hung or shot. Being under the effects of the wine, and also much elated with my new rigging, I made an unusual blustering on the wharf, where we were surrounded with real navy officers. Some of them observed that I made a d- -d noise! I think so,' said another, Who the devil is he?' but while they were thus commenting, the captain of the packet-boat pushed off, and we got clear of them. The sloop was manned with five stout negroes, and a white captain. We succeeded in obtaining possession of her, and arrived the next day at Montserrat, where we reported ourselves to the commanding officer, and remained a few days. From thence we sailed under convoy of a French armed schooner (a national vessel), for Guadaloupe, where we soon arrived, and from whence we set out for the United States in an American ship; not, however, without having previously suffered much from the treachery of the French captain, who on his arrival at Basseterre, on this island, the port to which we were bound, went on shore

POETICAL DESCRIPTION OF PHILADELPHIA IN of reading poetry, and writing soine that was 1730.-From Titan's Almanac:

Yard, Mr. Lemuel Williams, at Dartmouth, Na than Brown, Esq; of Watertown or to any or all of them, being a Committee of Court for buying of Cloathing.

was that recently upon the corner of Centre and Duane streets, New York.

The first successful experiment of burning anthracite coal in an open grate, was made by Jesse Fell, of Pennsylvania, Feb. 11, 1808.

The first Methodist Conference in America, was held at Philadelphia, in 1773. It consisted of ten preachers.

The first Annual Conference of the Methodists in New England, was held in Lynn, Mass., by Bishop Asbury, August 1, 1792, the precursor of a great number on the same spot.

RATIONS OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY.-" The following are the rations of provisions allowed by the Continental Congress unto each soldier, viz.: -1 lb. fresh beef, or 3 lb. pork, or 1 salt fish per day. 1 lb. bread or flour per day; 3 pints of peas or beans per week, or vegetables equivalent @58. sterling per bushel for peas or beans. One pint of milk per man per day, when to be had. The first locomotives in the United States, says pint rice, or one pint Indian meal, per man per the "Journal of the Franklin Institute,' were week. One quart of spruce beer per man per brought over from England by Horatio Allen, of day; or, nine gallons of molasses per company of New York, in the fall of 1829 or the spring of one hundred men per week. 3 lbs. candles to a 1830; and one of them was set upon the Delahundred men per week, for guards. 24 lbs. software and Hudson Railroad, at Carbondale, Pa.; soap, or 8 lbs. of hard soap for one hundred men, but being found too heavy for the track, its use per week. One ration of salt, one ditto fresh, was abandoned. The first locomotive constructed and two ditto of bread to be delivered on Monday in this country was built at the West Point morning; Wednesday morning, the same; Friday Foundry, at New York, in 1830, for the South morning, the same, and one ditto salt fish. All Carolina Railroad, and named the Phoenix; a weekly allowance delivered on Wednesday morn- second engine was built the same year, by the ing. Where the number of regiments are too same establishment and for the same road, and many to be served the same day, then the num- named the West Point. In the spring of 1831, a ber to be equally divided; and one part serve on third engine was built by the same establishment, Monday morning; the other part on Tuesday for the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, from Almorning, and so through the week. bany to Schenectady, and called De Witt Clinton; this was the first locomotive run in the State of New York. This engine was put on the road by David Matthews, who now resides in this city, and has been connected with railroads since that time. The first Stephenson locomotive ever imported into this country, was the Robert Fulton. This engine was brought out in the summer of 1831, for the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad; it was subsequently rebuilt, and named the John Bull. J. G.

"N. B. Two gallons of vinegar per hundred men per week, six ounces butter per man per week." H. W. B.

FIRST THINGS (vol. iii., p. 150).-The following additional list of "First Things," may perhaps be worth preserving in the H. M. The items are selected from the Boston Transcript:

The Declaration of Independence, with its "glittering generalities," was the first National State paper in which the words "United States of America" were used as the style and title of the nation.

The first schooner ever launched in this country, is said to have been built at Cape Ann, in 1714.

The first lime made in New England, was burned in Newbury, Mass., by James Moyes.

The first cotton factory in the United States was established at Beverly, Mass., in 1787. It continued in operation until 1805, and then stopped, 60 per cent. of the capital having been sunk in the enterprise.

In vol. ii. (p. 149), of the H. M., it is stated that the "first cotton yarn ever made in the United States," was spun at Huntsville, Ala. And in the "American Almanac," for 1837, it is said the first cotton factory in the U. S. was erected in Rhode Island, in 1789.

The first cast-iron edifice erected in America,

PITTSBURGH.

INTERESTING LETTER FROM THOMAS CUSHING TO JOHN HANCOCK.

WATERTOWN, May 3, 1776.

TO THE HON. PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.: The General Court of this colony has appointed a committee, whereof I have the honor to be chairman, to give you the following interesting intelligence. Capt. John Lee, a gentleman who may be depended upon, arrived at Newberry, the second inst., in twenty-nine days from Bilboa, and gives information that on the 15th of April, he fell in with a brig from Plymouth, bound to Newfoundland, the master of which informed him that three days before, he parted with a fleet of sixty sail of transports under the Lord Howe, having on board twelve thousand Hessians bound to Boston, together with twenty-seven commissioners; that Gen. Burgoyne with four thousand

"As soon as it was dark, the whole battalion "While the greater part of our army was emgot under arms. Major-general Grey then came ployed at Mud Island, General Washington, availup to the battalion, and told Major Maitland, who ing himself of that circumstance, attacked our commanded, that the battalion was going on a battalion at Biggenstown with his whole army. night expedition to try and surprise a camp, and The first that General Howe knew of Washingthat if any men were loaded, they must immedi-ton's marching against us, was by his attacking ately draw their pieces. The major said the us at daybreak. General Wayne cominandel