The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

NEW YORK, JANUARY 18.

AN EVACUATION ANECDOTE.

With some Occasional Observations.

A FEW days after the evacuation of New-York, and while the British fleet with the troops and refugees on board, lay within sight of the city, a British officer was sent on shore to remove some effects, which in the hurry of evacuation had been left forgotten. Struck, no doubt, with the recollection of the tyrannical conduct of the British army for such a length of time, and apprehensive for his own safety, he applied to the government of the state for a protection; and though he was told that while he conducted himself peaceably and decently, he would meet with no ill usage; he still urged his request, and to ease his fears, was, I believe, indulged with one.

Observing afterwards that every thing in the city was civil and tranquil, no mobs--no riots--no disorders, he finished unmolested, the business he was sent upon, and prepared to return on board,

Well! said he, to a gentleman in company, this is a strange scene indeed! Here, in this city, we have had an army for more than seven years, and yet could not keep the peace of it--scarcely a day or night passed without tumults. Now we are gone every thing is quietness and safety. These Americans, continued he, are a curious original people, they know how to govern themselves, but nobody else can govern them.

Though this remark was produced by the force of immediate observation, and with very little reflection, it has something in it that is strong and striking.

To know how to govern ourselves is the nicest point of human wisdom. It is the foundation of character and greatness either in the individual or the nation collectively. The highest abilities or the best of causes without prudence and temper to manage them, lose, in a little time, their grace and influence; and the experience of the world has shown us, that power without discretion undermines itself.

The British appear to have been exceedingly disappointed and mortified at the order and regularity which immediately took place upon the evacuation. They had predicted nothing but riots, revenge and tumults; and, under this expectation, the last scene they were witness to in America, confounded them like a conquest.

It is melancholy to reflect (for reflection will find its way even to the severest heart) how many thousands their assuming arrogance and delusive proclamations have ruined, and how many more their false alarms have unnecessarily frightened away--Hundreds, who might have stayed in safety: and many, no doubt, remain, who can have no good pretension to be here:

It was impossible to view this city at the time of the evacuation, and the immediate repossession of it by its exiled inhabitants, without experiencing a conflict of affecting passions. To see so many hundreds made immediately happy, by a safe return to their long forsaken homes, and others made wretched by having new habitations to seek, in a comfortless region, and at a stormy season, were circumstances that, by contrasting each other, produced in the mind a disquieting compound of joy and pity.

Distress, in any shape it can be presented to us, will, in spite of resentment, find a way to soften it: and the difference between threatening revenge and acting it, is so exceedingly great, that those who threaten the highest, generally punish the least.

A fallen enemy appears a different being to what he did before: and in our conquest over him, one half our resentments are conquered with him.

Clemency and generosity are naturally the companions of a great mind, as revenge and cruelty are of a little one. The former disdains to trample on the vanquished, and the latter makes it his only scene of action. If we look into the characters that have been the most eminent throughout the whole of the contest, we shall find, greatness and benevolence are united qualities.--For the heart that can be generously warmed with the love and principles of liberty, feels its happiness increased, by sharing it with the world.