Virginia Argus

GOVERNOR TOMPKINS TO THE REV. B. WOOSTER.

(Communicated for the Weekly Register.)

ALBANY, April 21, 1815.

REVEREND SIR—General Strong, who commanded the intrepid volunteers of Vermont, on the memorable September 11th, 1814, has made me acquainted with the very distinguished part you bore in the achievements of that day.

A portion of your parishioners, roused by the dangers which hung over our invaded country, generously volunteered in her defence, and chose you, their pastor, for their leader. You promptly obeyed the summons, and placing yourself at the head of your little band, repaired with alacrity to the tented field. There you endured, with patient fortitude, the vicissitudes of the camp, spurning the proffered indulgences which were justly due to the sanctity of your character. In the hour of battle you were found with your command in the ranks of the regiment to which you were attached, bravely contending for the imperishable honors of the victory. The invaders being expelled, you quietly returned, with your small but patriotic troop, to the duties of your sacred calling, and there inculcated by precept, those principles of morality, patriotism and piety, of which you had just given a practical demonstration.

At a period, sir, when principles inconsistent with what we owe to ourselves, our country and our God, had gone abroad, your example, on the occasion alluded to, could not fail to carry with it, an irresistible influence. It illustrated the perfect compatibility of the injunctions of patriotism with the duties of religion, and was a striking and affecting instance of that attachment and self devotedness to the cause of a beloved country which ought always to distinguish the conduct of the virtuous and the pious in times of peril and of war.

As a memorial of my veneration of your distinguished, noble and patriotic conduct on the 11th of September, 1814, and of my grateful sense of the eminent benefits which this state and the union have derived from your example and exploits, I request your acceptance of this sacred volume,* and beg you to convey to your brave associates, the assurance of my high estimation of their patriotism and signal services.

DANIEL D. TOMPKINS.

To the reverend Benjamin Wooster, Fairfield, Franklin county, Vermont.

* This letter was written on a blank leaf of a very elegant folio bible, presented by governor Tompkins to Mr. Wooster.