Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 05.pdf/429

This page needs to be proofread.
394
The Green Bag.

manner. But no matter how great the press tary. Jasper Yeates's work on this com of business, Judge Yeates was, at all times mittee was earnest and successful; he had a in his life, methodical and studious. Inside trying position to fill at a trying time, but he of ten years after his admission to the bar, none the less gave entire satisfaction. Jasper Yeates became known throughout In the summer of 1776 he made a journey Pennsylvania as a distinguished advocate. to Western Pennsylvania to the scene of His specialty seemed to be Orphans' Court Braddock's defeat. He thus describes the work and Decedents' Estates. field : — PITTSBURGH, Aug. 21, 1776. In 1774 the people of Boston were suffer DEAR SIR, — We yesterday made a party to ing much from General Gage's oppressive conduct; associations for their relief were visit Braddock's Field. We went in a large canoe, with six oars, fourteen persons in number. A formed in nearly every colony, and the in platform was raised on each end for a .place to habitants of Pennsylvania were not behind sleep, and then hoop poles bent over about four in the good work. In June of that year a feet in height, on which blankets were stretched letter from the "Committee of Correspond to keep off sun or rain. We were well supplied ence " of the city of Philadelphia, and di with provisions and refreshments. One- of our rected to the freeholders of Lancaster, was companions played delightfully on a German flute; received by Judge Yeates. After announc our time, therefore, did not pass heavily while we ing a meeting of the inhabitants of the city ascended the Monongahela. We arrived at the and county of Philadelphia to be held in the field in about four hours; we made a hearty din State House, Wednesday, June 15, the com ner not far from the battle-ground, near a fine mittee requested that a meeting of the people spring. It was wise in eating before we visited of Lancaster County be held for the purpose the field, for I would have had but little appetite of ascertaining their sentiments in the mat if we had pursued a different course. When we ter. A meeting was therefore held in the commenced our ramble, our hearts sickened; the Court House on June 15. At this meeting skulls and bones of our unburied countrymen met "Jasper Yeates, Esq., Edward Shippen, Esq., our eyes, and we contemplated in imagination as George Ross, Esq., Mathias Slough, Esq., an event but recently happened. Any person of common humanity would have experienced pain James Webb, Esq., William Atlee, Esq., Wil from the reflection that between five and six hun liam Henry, Esq., Mr. Ludwig Lanman, Mr. dred brave men fell victims to the merciless savages. William Bausman, and Mr. Charles Hall " The marks of cannon and musket balls are still to were appointed a committee " to correspond be seen on the trees; many of the impressions with the general committee of Philadelphia." are twenty feet from the ground. My indignation In pursuance of a general notice sent out in was greatly excited against the commander of the November, 1774, an election was held, De British army in suffering so many brave men to cember 15, to elect "sixty proper persons perish from an obstinate adherence to European for a committee to observe the conduct of rules of war. The observations I heard Sir Fran all persons touching the general Association ces Halket make of the disasters of that bloody of the general Congress." At this election day, and his filial expressions of affection to the Jasper Yeates was elected a delegate from memory of his worthy father, Sir Peter Halket. the borough of Lancaster. We find his name rushed to my recollection. My feelings were on the records of " the Committee of Obser heightened by the warm and glowing narration of that day's events by Dr. Walker, who was an vation " as present regularly, and as always eyewitness. He pointed out the ford where the taking an active part in the proceedings; army crossed the Monongahela (below Turtle and on Nov. 8, 1775, he was duly elected Creek eight hundred yards). A finer sight could chairman, with George Ross — whose name not have been beheld : the shining barrels of the was afterwards to stand in solemn attest on muskets, the excellent order of the men, the clean the Declaration of Independence — as secre liness of their appearance, the joy depicted on