That the well-
remembered aid-de-camp of its boasted hero, Washington, was received
with warrior honors, need not be here described. He rested that night
under the variegated flag streaming from the topmast head, which his
own volunteer arm had assisted to place there; and he thought of
Poland and of England till he glided into a gentle sleep, and dreamed
of both. By the following letter it may be seen that his eyes were
visited next day by a sweet vision, in real personal existence, of
the same kind beings whose recollections alone had so blandly soothed
his pillow on the surge.
"Letter from General Kosciusko, to----Vanderhorst, Esq., _&c., &c.,
&c._ From the United States of America, No. 36 Queen's Square,
Bristol.
"At sea," (but without further date; circumstances, however,
establishing it to have been written on or about the 21st or 22d
June, 1797.)
"DEAR SIR:
"IT is the subject for a drama only, where the actors can express
with the action and words what may approach nearest to what was
passed yesterday within us, that I try to write. We were highly
pleased, it is true, and with uncommon satisfaction, to see the
approach of your family in a boat to our ship. But how short was the
duration of the pleasure! When separation took place, our hearts were
melted in tears. And we were frightened at their return, with fears
of what might happen to them upon a high sea in so small a boat.
Pages:
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745