admiring the versatility of mind which one time finds felicity in towns and midnight masquerades, and at another acknowledges happiness on the contrasted theatre of the rivers and wilderness, we sat down to our repast, and in a short time paid the encomium of a satiated appetite. After which we returned to the house, where, over a bottle of wine, one hour longer we conversed on the pleasures of our rural sports, and retired to rest with that heartfelt ease which follows an innocent and well-spent day. Next morning, after breakfast, I with difficulty tore myself from this interesting family. You will excuse me for omitting the names of this amiable couple. They were from Ireland.

Such is the description which this traveller gives, ere the island became the scene of those events which attracted the attention of the whole country. It was at this time in the zenith of its beauty, and answered fully the glowing description of Wirt in the trial of Burr at Richmond, in the year succeeding. Much mystery has hung over the history of Blannerhasset and his connection with Burr. From a lecture given upon the subject, in New York, in February, 1845, by William Wallace, Esq., the following is principally derived. The lecturer had in his possession the papers of the Blannerhasset family, and other authentic sources of information:

Herman Blannerhasset was from a distinguished and wealthy Irish family, and was born in England while his mother was there on a visit. He received part of his education in England, and afterwards graduated at the University of Dublin, and acquired the profession of the law. He married Miss Adeline Agnew, a grand-daughter of the Gen. Agnew who was with Wolfe at Quebec. Being in principle a republican, he sold his estates, and coming to this country, landed at New York, where he was hospitably received by the first families. About the year 1798, he commenced his improvements on the island. His workmen were principally from Philadelphia. While his house was building, himself and family resided at Marietta. One who knew Mrs. Blannerhasset informed the writer that she was the most beautiful and accomplished lady she ever knew. She was gay and dressy, and an elegant dancer. She was fond of walking and riding, and on one occasion walked up to Marietta, a distance of ten or twelve miles. She was also a splendid equestrian, and was accustomed to ride attired in a scarlet riding-dress, and made her horse leap fences and ditches with ease. While at the island, Mr. Blannerhasset "possessed a voluminous library of choice and valuable books; a full set of chemical apparatus, and philosophical instruments, to the accommodation of which one wing of the dwelling-house was appropriated. He was a fine scholar, well versed in the languages, and refined in taste and manners. So tenacious was his memory, that he could repeat the whole of Homer's Iliad in the original Greek. With an ample fortune to supply every want, a beautiful and highly accomplished wife, and children just budding into life, he seemed surrounded with every thing which can make existence desirable and happy. The adjacent settlements of Belprie and Marietta, although se cluded in the wilderness, contained many men of cultivated minds and refined manners, with whom he held constant and familiar intercourse; so that he lacked none of the benefits of society which his remote and insular situation would seem to indicate. Many were the cheerful and merry gatherings of the young people of these two towns beneath his hospitable roof, while the song and the dance echoed through the halls."*

In 1805, Aaron Burr, then sailing down the Ohio, landed uninvited on the island, where he was received with frank hospitality by the family. He remained but three days; but afterwards frequently visited the island, and finally enticed Blannerhasset into his plans. These were to settle an armed force on the Washita, for the purpose of colonizing that region, and, in case of war between Spain and the United States at that time threatened-to subjugate Mexico. It was charged against Burr at his trial, that he meditated the severing of the eastern from the western states; but the folly of such a scheme was too absurd for the sagacity of this artful man. And he solemnly declared on his death-bed that he never meditated treason against the United States. If he did, Blannerhasset was not aware of the fact, as the letters of himself and wife evince. Burr did not, however, impart to him all his plans. He only wished to excite the cu

* Dr. S. P. Hildreth, American Pioneer, vol. i. p. 93.

pidity of Blannerhasset with the prospect of great gains from his land speculations on the Washita, so as to gain access to his purse. Burr gave security for moneys advanced, on his son-in-law, Mr. Allston, of South Carolina; and while their plans were consummating, the accomplished daughter of Burr, Mrs. Allston, was a guest of Mrs. Blannerhasset. In the mean time Mr. Blannerhasset had constructed a flotilla of about twenty barges, in the vicinity of Marietta, for the expedition. The peculiar form of these boats excited curiosity and apprehension. In December, 1806, he went down the Ohio' with them, having on board about thirty men, and loaded with parched corn meal. In the mean time an order was received by Col. Phelps, the commandant of the militia of Wood county, for his arrest, with his associates. Mrs. Blannerhasset met the military with unblanched cheeks, and forbade their touching any thing not mentioned in the warrant; but "the mob spirit of the militia ran riot, the well-stored cellars of the mansion were assailed, fences were destroyed to feed the sentinel's fires, the shrubbery was trampled under foot, and for amusement, balls fired into the rich gilded ceiling of the wall." "By the aid of some of her kind neighbors in Belprie, who were friendly to her husband, and greatly pitied her unpleasant condition, she was enabled to embark a few days after, with her two little sons, the most valuable of her effects, and black servants, in a boat; but did not rejoin Mr. Blannerhasset until he reached Louisville. Well might they look back in after years with fond regret, to the fair Eden from which they had been expelled by their own indiscretion, and the deceptive blandishments of Aaron Burr. In the year 1812, the dwelling-house and offices were destroyed by an accidental fire. The garden, with all its beautiful shrubbery, was converted into a corn-field, the ornamental gateway which graced the gravelled avenue from the river to the house, was thrown down; and for many years not a vestige has been left of the splendid and happy home of Herman Blannerhasset but the name. Nearly forty years have elapsed since some of these events were transacted, and the thousands of passengers who annually travel up and down the Ohio in steamboats, still eagerly inquire after, and gaze upon the island of Blannerhasset' with wonder and delight."

At the time of the trial of Burr at Richmond, Blannerhasset had been arrested, and was placed in the penitentiary at Richmond. His description of the trial, as preserved in his correspondence, the graphic picture of Judge Marshall, of Wirt, and the celebrated Luther Martin, is drawn with the skill of a master.

As the jury failed to convict Burr, the principal, his accomplice Blannerhasset was not brought to trial, and was set at liberty. He was, however, about ruined. The security which Burr gave for moneys advanced failed, and Blannerhasset, from being a very wealthy man, was reduced to indigence. He had gone through this fiery ordeal with a character unimpeached, although subjected to the severest calumnies. This is evinced by his continuing to enjoy the friendship of that worthy patriot Thomas Addis Emmet, and of many other men of standing.

Mr. Blannerhasset after this settled on a cotton plantation in Mississippi. At the close of the war he came on to the north to educate his children, from whence he removed to Canada, where he practised his profession as a lawyer. In 1822 he went to England with his family; and finally died on the island of Guernsey, at the age of sixty-three years. He left his wife and three children. Mrs. Blannerhasset came to America, and preferred claims against the United States, but without success. died in New York city, in 1842, where one of her sons is now residing.

She

YORK.

YORK was one of the eight original counties into which Virginia was divided in 1634. Chesapeake Bay bounds it on the east, and York River on the NE. It is 30 miles long, with a mean width of 5 miles. Population in 1840, 4,720.

Yorktown, the seat of justice, is on York River, 11 miles from its mouth, 33 from Norfolk, and 70 from Richmond. It was established by law in 1705, and was once a flourishing village, and had

* Dr. S. P. Hildreth.

considerable commerce. There are now only about 40 dwellings, many of which are dilapidated and fast going to decay. The Swan tavern, in this town, is said to be the oldest in Virginia.

The water scenery at York is fine. The river, full a mile wide, is seen stretching far away until it merges into Chesapeake Bayan object of beauty when rolling in the morning light, its ripples sparkling in the sun, or when its broad bosom is tinged with the

cloud-reflected hues of an autumnal sunset. On its banks stand the ruins of the old church. Silence reigns within its walls, and the ashes of the illustrious dead repose at its base.

This church was built about 150 years ago: it was destroyed by the great fire in 1814. The old bell, now preserved, bears the inscription, "County of York, Virginia, 1725." The Hon. Francis Nicholson contributed 20 pounds sterling to its cost, as appears by the following paper that appeared some time since in the Richmond Inquirer, being a literal copy from the records of York county

court:

"York county October ye 26th, 1696. I promise to give five pounds sterling towards building the cott. house at Yorké Town, and twenty pounds sterl'g if within two years they build a brick church att the same towne. As witness my hand ye day and year above written.

p.

"Stiphen ffoward.

"Robt. Bill; November ye 24th: 1696.

"FFRA: NICHOLSON.

"The above writing p'ented in cott: and according to order is committed to Record. "WILLIAM SEDGWICK, cl. cur." The walls " are composed of stone marl, which, it is said, is soft when taken out of its native bed, and becomes hardened by time and exposure, until it acquires the hardness and durability of solid stone."

* Article "Yorktown," by C. C., in Southern Lit. Mess., Jan., 1844.

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In the above view the ruins of the church are partly shown on the left; in front the tomb of Gov. Nelson, and monuments of the Nelson family; and in the distance York River, stretching away towards the ocean. We annex two inscriptions from tombstones beautifully sculptured. The first is upon a quadrangular monument, about 4 feet high, 3 wide, and 6 long. It is the work of Mr. Saunders, Cannon-street, London." Upon one end are sculptured two angel's faces; one of which is breaking out from a cloud, on which is written, "All glory be to God." The other face below, with trumpet in mouth, is heralding the above inscription. Upon the other end are also two angel's heads: one is about receiving a crown from the hand of an invisible body hidden behind the clouds. This monument is that of the progenitor of the Nelson family in Virginia, and the grandfather of Gov. Nelson. He emigrated from Penrith, Cumberland county, England, which county had been transferred by Henry III. to the crown of Scotland, and upon failure of male heirs, reverted as a base fee to England; he was from this circumstance called Scotch Tom. On top is the Nelson coat-of-arms, then follows the inscription:

"Hic jacet, spe certa resurgendi in Christi, THOMAS NELSON, generosus, Filius Hugonis et Sariæ Nelson de Penrith, in Comitatu Cumbriæ, natus 20mo die Februarii Anno Domini 1677, vitæ bene gestæ finem implevit 7mo die Octobris 1745, ætatis suæ 68."

[Translation.]

"Here lies, in certain hope of a resurrection in Christ, THOMAS NELSON, gentleman, son of Hugo and Sarah Nelson, of Penrith, in the county of Cumberland: born February 20, A. D. 1677, died October 7, 1745, aged 68."

The other monument, that of Gov. Nelson's father, is also beautifully ornamented by carved work. Below is the inscription:

Here lies the body of the Hon. William Nelson, late president of his Majesty's council in this Dominion, in whom the love of man and the love of God so restrained and enforced each other, and so invigorated the mental powers in general, as not only to defend him from the vices and follies of his age and country, but also to render it a matter of difficult decision in what part of laudable conduct he most excelled; whether in the tender and endearing accomplishments of domestic life, or in the more arduous duties of a wider circuit; whether as a neighbor, gentleman, or a magistrate; whether in the graces of hospitality, charity, or piety. Reader, if you feel the spirit of that exalted ardor which aspires to the felicity of conscious virtue, animated by those stimulating and divine admonitions, perform the task and expect the distinction of the righteous man. Obit. 19th of Nov., Anno Domini 1772, ætatis 61.

The Nelson mansion is a large two-story brick building, fronting the river, on the main street of the town. It is built on the old English model. It is now the residence of William Nelson, Esq., and in the war of the revolution was that of Gov. Thomas Nelson, by whose father, the Hon. William Nelson, it was erected. Portraits of this last-named gentleman and wife, which were mutilated by the British at Hanover, where they were sent for safety, adorn its walls. A view of this building is shown in the background to the frontispiece to this volume. During the siege of York, the house was bombarded by the American army, and now bears marks of cannon shot. Gov. Nelson, then in Washington's army, had command of the first battery which opened upon

66

the town. Rightly supposing it was occupied by some of the British officers, he pointed the first gun against his own dwelling, and offered a reward to the soldiers of five guineas for every bomb-shell that, should be fired into it. The following is a brief sketch of this genuine patriot:

THOMAS NELSON, jun., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born at York, Dec. 26, 1738. When in his fifteenth year, according to the prevailing fashion among gentlemen of affluence at the south, he was sent to England to receive his education. His first appearance in public life was in 1774, as a member of the House of Burgesses. He was a member of the conventions of 1774 and 1775; and evinced such a boldness and promptitude in opposing British aggression, as to alarm some of his personal friends, particularly when he proposed the organization of a military force among the colonists. In the military organization of Virginia he was appointed to the command of a regi ment. In September, 1775, he first took his seat in the general Congress, to which he was reappointed the following year. In the summer of 1777, ill health compelled him to resign his seat and return to Virginia. The state was at that time threatened with invasion, and Mr. Nelson was appointed brigadier-general and commander-in-chief of all its military forces. His popularity was unbounded, and his appointment gave universal satisfaction. About this time a motion was made to sequester the debts due in this state to English merchants. His inflexible and zealous opposition to the proposition in the legislature redounded to his honor, and evinced the lofty integrity of his character. At this period the American cause was threatened with annihilation, and Congress made an appeal to the patriotism of the young men of property and standing When the appeal was published, Gen. Nelson embarked in the cause with his characteristic ardor. He published an animating address, and succeeded in enlisting about seventy young Virginians in a volunteer corps, and furnished a number of them with the means of defray. ing their expenses, from his own purse. At the head of this Spartan band he marched to the north; but a change of circumstances occurring, their services were not required. In this enterprise Gen. Nelson expended large sums of money, which were never repaid. Early in 1779, he was again a short time in Congress, but ill health again compelled him to return to Virginia. In 1780, when the state undertook to borrow two millions of dollars for the aid of Congress, Gen. Nelson opened a subscription. Calling on several friends, they declared that they would not lend him a shilling on the security of the commonwealth, but they would lend him all they could possibly raise; upon which he added his own personal security to that of the state, and succeeded in raising a large proportion of the sum required. By this and similar patriotic exertions, he suffered severe pecuniary losses, but never relaxed his exertions. He had at the beginning anticipated sufferings and sacrifices in effecting the independence of his country, and prepared his mind to meet and sustain them. In 1781, when the storm of war burst upon Virginia, Gen. Nelson was actively employed in effecting plans to oppose the enemy; and, succeeding Mr. Jefferson as governor, he was compelled to unite in himself the two offices of governor and commander of the military forces. By great exertions Gov. Nelson kept his forces together until the capture of Cornwallis. To do this, he exerted his personal influence, his official authority, and his private fortune, to the utmost extent. After the surrender, Washington, in his account of it, made a very honorable acknowledgment of the valuable services of Gov. Nelson, and the militia under his command, during the siege, in securing its important issue.

In a month after, ill-health compelled Gov. Nelson to retire again to private life, where malice and envy preferred base accusations against him for mal-administration of his office. But he was most honorably exculpated by the legislature. He never again entered public life. His time was passed in retirement at his plantation in Hanover, and at York. His health gradually declining, he died in Hanover, Jan. 4th, 1789, aged fifty years.

About a mile and a half below Yorktown, on what is called the Temple Farm, are many old chimneys, indicating the site of an ancient settlement. About a quarter of a mile from the York, on the margin of a forest, are to be seen the vestiges of an ancient temple. It was surrounded, a few yards distant, by a wall,