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[Illustration: The Old State House Bell]
With Illustrations.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by LINDSAY AND
BLAKISTON, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United
States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
To awaken in the minds of all Americans that veneration of the patriotsand heroes of the War of Independence, and that emulation of their nobleexample which is so necessary to the maintenance of our liberties, arethe objects of this little work. Every day's developments illustratethe importance of these objects. In the enjoyment of the freedom andprosperity of our country, we are apt to under-rate the means by whichthat enjoyment was secured to us, and to forget the men who worked forthat end. A knowledge of the toils and sufferings of the noble-heartedfathers of the Revolution is the best preventative, or curative, forthis "falling off." War, clothed as it is, with horrors, is to becondemned, and the spirit which leads to it should be driven from thebreasts of men. But generous devotion, strength of resolution, andfar-reaching skill, are things to be commended and imitated whereverdisplayed. In these pages, will be found stories of the chief men of theRevolution, so connected, by the manner in which they are narrated, asto give a general interest to them—"The Old Bell of Independence" beingthe rallying point of the veteran story-tellers.
MURDER OF MISS McCREA
It was a season of unparalleled enthusiasm and rejoicing, when GeneralLafayette, the friend and supporter of American Independence, respondedto the wishes of the people of the United States, and came to see theirprosperity, and to hear their expressions of gratitude. The nationalheart beat joyfully in anticipation; and one long, loud, and free shoutof welcome was heard throughout the land.
Arriving at New York in Au