“From the conclusion of the revolutionary war I have lived with the respect of my countrymen, and have enjoyed repeated marks of their confidence in the offices which have been bestowed upon me.  When I found that the independence, for which I had so often fought, was assailed,—­that again my country must appeal to arms to avenge her wrongs, and to protect her rights,—­I felt that I might yet do her some service.  For though many years had passed since I had fought under her standard, and though my own arm might not have had its wonted strength, yet my spirit was unbroken, and my devotion to her unimpaired.  I thought in the field, where there could be but few who had any military experience, what I had learned in the most active scenes of a seven years’ war, might be useful.  I fondly hoped that in my age, as well as in my youth, I might render services that should deserve the gratitude of my country—­that if I fell by the sword of her enemies, my grave would be moistened with the tears of my countrymen; that my descendants would be proud of my name and fame.  But how vain is anticipation!  I am now accused of crimes which would blast my former honors, and transmit my memory with infamy to posterity.  And in that hideous catalogue, there is none from the imputation of which my nature and my feelings have more recoiled than from that of cowardice, to which I am to answer.”

“The appearance of General Hull was venerable and prepossessing.  Beneath snowy locks, of nearly sixty winters’ bleaching, he exhibited a countenance as fresh and blooming as a youth of eighteen.  His eloquence was perspicuous and graceful.”—­American History.

No. 3.—­Page 322.

Letter from Captain Wool to Colonel Van Rensselaer.

    “BUFFALOE, October 23, 1812.

“I have the honor to communicate to you the circumstances attending the storming of Queenstown battery, on the 13th instant; with those which happened previously you are already well acquainted.

“In pursuance of your order, we proceeded round the point and ascended the rocks, which brought us partly in rear of the battery.  We took it without much resistance.  I immediately formed the troops in rear of the battery, and fronting the village, when I observed General Brock with his troops formed, consisting of four companies of the 49th regiment, and a few militia, marching for our left flank.  I immediately detached a party of one hundred and fifty men, to take possession of the heights above Queenstown battery, and to hold General Brock in check; but in consequence of his superior force they retreated.  I sent a reinforcement; notwithstanding which, the enemy drove us to the edge of the bank:  when, with the greatest exertions, we brought the troops to a stand, and ordered the officers to bring their men to a charge as soon as the ammunition was expended, which was executed with some confusion, and in a few