Part 9

After the fierce fighting was over, Putnam himself hurried out onto the field, to tend the poor fellows. He gathered them together into one place. He gave them what food and drink he could get. He furnished each with a blanket. Under one badly wounded French sergeant, he placed three blankets, and laid him in a comfortable position against a tree.

Gratefully, the suffering man squeezed his hand, while Putnam said reassuringly:--

“Ah! depend upon it, my brave soldier, you shall be brought to the camp as soon as possible, and the same care shall be taken of you as if you were my brother.”

At the Battle of Princeton a Scotch Captain of the British Army was desperately wounded in the lungs and left for dead. Putnam found him in great pain, with no surgeon, and without any friend to cheer him. He had him supplied with every comfort and the best of care.

One day, when Putnam was visiting him, the Scotchman said:--

“Pray, sir, what countryman are you?”

“An American,” answered Putnam.

“Not a Yankee!” exclaimed the Scotchman.

“A full-blooded one,” replied Putnam.

“I’m sorry for that!” rejoined the Scotchman with an oath. “I did not think there could be so much goodness and generosity in an American, or, indeed, in anybody but a Scotchman!”

Thanks to Putnam’s friendly Yankee care, the Scotchman recovered.

PUTNAM NOT FORGOTTEN!

When General Putnam, full of years and honours, retired from the Army, Washington wrote him a letter telling him that he was entitled to full pay till the close of the War, and afterward to half-pay. The letter was cordial and warm, and in it Washington said:--

“Among the many worthy and meritorious officers, with whom I have had the happiness to be connected in service through the course of this War, and from whose cheerful assistance and advice I have received much support and confidence ... the name of Putnam is not forgotten, nor will it be but with that stroke of time which shall obliterate from my mind the remembrance of all those toils and fatigues through which we have struggled for the preservation and establishment of the Rights, Liberties, and Independence of our Country....

“I commend you, my dear sir, my other friends, and with them the interests and happiness of our dear Country, to the keeping and protection of Almighty God.

“GEORGE WASHINGTON”

JANUARY 11

ALEXANDER HAMILTON

DEFENDER OF THE CONSTITUTION

THE CONSTITUTION; OR, THE NEW ROOF

1787

_Our roof is now raised, and our song still shall be A Federal Head o’er a People that’s free!_

_Huzza! my brave boys, our work is complete, The World shall admire Columbia’s fair seat;_

_Its strength against tempest and time shall be proof; And thousands shall come to dwell under our roof._

FRANCIS HOPKINSON (_Condensed_)

ALEXANDER HAMILTON

_He gave the whole powers of his mind to the contemplation of the weak and distracted condition of the Country.... He saw ... the absolute necessity of some closer bond of Union for the States.... He saw at last his hopes fulfilled; he saw the Constitution adopted, and the Government under it established and organized._

_The discerning eye of Washington immediately called him to the post which was far the most important in the administration of the new system. He was made Secretary of the Treasury. And how he fulfilled the duties of such a place, at such a time, the whole Country perceived with delight and the whole World saw with admiration._

DANIEL WEBSTER

ALEXANDER HAMILTON was born in the West Indies, January 11, 1757

Came to New York City, 1772

Signed the Constitution, 1787

Was appointed first Secretary of the Treasury, 1789

He was killed by Aaron Burr in a duel, 1804

THE BOY OF THE HURRICANE

On the 11th of January, 1757, there was born on the little West Indian island of Nevis, a boy who was to become one of the foremost citizens of his adopted Country, and who was to have a large part in determining its Independence, its form of government, and in working out the details of its administration. This was Alexander Hamilton.

His mother died when he was very young. His father was not so situated as properly to care for his son, so he was sent to the adjoining island of St. Croix, to live with his mother’s relatives, who were people of means.

He was given a place in their counting-house, where he acquitted himself with much credit, though the work was not at all to his liking.

When Hamilton was only fifteen years old, a terrible hurricane swept over the island. The sea was lashed into fury. The storm swept across the land, uprooting trees, and carrying devastation in its path. Even the bravest of the inhabitants were greatly frightened, and many were terror-stricken. But young Hamilton watched the storm with the greatest interest and without fear.

A few days later, an account of the storm appeared in a paper printed in a neighbouring island. The account was so vivid, the word-painting so marvellous, that the people were certain some writer of note must have been among them without their knowledge. And when they learned that the account was written by Alexander Hamilton, and he a mere boy, they were greatly astonished.

They felt that such a lad should have a better chance for education than St. Croix could afford, and a wider field in which to exercise his talents. His friends raised a fund for him, and he was sent to America. He entered a preparatory school at Elizabethtown in the Jerseys. He then went to New York City, and entered King’s College, now Columbia University.

At this time, he was disposed to side with the friends of the King of England in the controversy between the Colonists and the Mother Country; but after he had been at college for half a year, he made a visit to Boston where he heard Samuel Adams, James Otis, and other Patriots, and came back a most earnest Patriot himself.

About the time of the breaking out of the War for Independence, Hamilton organized a company of the college students who adopted the name “Hearts of Oak.” Later Hamilton was appointed the Captain of the first company of artillery raised in the Colony. He so thoroughly drilled and disciplined it, that the attention of General Greene was attracted. He sought the acquaintance of Hamilton, and spoke most enthusiastically to Washington about him, saying that he was a natural master of men, and a young man worthy the attention of the Commander-in-Chief.

_Sherman Williams_ (_Arranged_)

CALL COLONEL HAMILTON

While young Hamilton was directing his battery during the passage of the Raritan, Washington, who was anxiously watching the passing of the troops, observed Hamilton’s skill and courage. He ordered one of his officers to find out the young man’s name, and tell him to report at Headquarters.

Therefore, as soon as possible, young Hamilton hurried to Headquarters. As a result of this interview, Washington made him a member of his own staff. Hamilton became Washington’s private secretary.

Many a night, after long hours of work together, Washington and Hamilton would retire to their rooms. Then suddenly a courier with important despatches would gallop up to Headquarters. Washington would arise, read the despatches and say:--

“Call Colonel Hamilton.”

And the young secretary would come and take his dictation.

Washington had the greatest confidence in Hamilton’s judgment. So much did Washington value his advice, that when he wrote his “Farewell Address,” “acting as every wise man would do under the circumstances,” he asked Hamilton for his opinion, as he also asked James Madison for his. Washington desired to get the different points of view of two large minds, on so important a document.

A STRUGGLE

After the Constitution of the United States had been framed by the Constitutional Convention, a severe political struggle took place to bring about its ratification by the States themselves. There were selfish political interests at work to prevent ratification.

The influence of Alexander Hamilton, through his speeches and writings, so brilliant and convincing, did much to bring the People of the United States to understand the absolute necessity for a strong Federal Union and for a Constitution to safeguard the liberties of the Country.

In the State of New York, the opposition to ratification was most violent. But Alexander Hamilton, during weeks of furious debate in the State Convention, spoke again and again in defense of the Constitution. And when the weary weeks of contention were passed, the vote was taken; and Alexander Hamilton’s arguments had won votes enough to carry the ratification of the Constitution. He had saved the day.

“HE KNOWS EVERYTHING”

“He knows everything,” said Robert Morris to President Washington.

Robert Morris, during the War for Independence, had been Superintendent of Finance. When Congress needed funds, when Washington wished money with which to pay the soldiers, Robert Morris provided the means since his private commercial credit was great. Men had confidence in his business ability and honour.

Once, when Congress was utterly without cash, Robert Morris supplied the Army with four or five thousand barrels of flour. And when France sent troops to America to fight for us, Robert Morris personally borrowed through Count Rochambeau, money for our Country’s use.

When Robert Morris sought to procure for Congress, money from abroad, he borrowed large sums through the Patriot, Haym Salomon, “the little friend in Front Street.”

So after Washington was elected President, and while he was making up his Cabinet, he visited Robert Morris, and said:--

“The Treasury, Morris, will of course be your berth. After your invaluable services as Financier of the Revolution, no one can pretend to contest the office of Secretary of the Treasury with you.”

This flattering offer, Robert Morris promptly declined, adding:--

“But, my dear General, you will be no loser by my declining the Secretaryship of the Treasury, for I can recommend to you a far cleverer fellow than I am, for your minister of finance, in the person of your former aide-de-camp, Colonel Hamilton.”

“I always knew Colonel Hamilton to be a man of superior talents,” said Washington, “but never supposed he had any knowledge of finance.”

To which Robert Morris replied:--

“He knows everything, sir! To a mind like his, nothing comes amiss.”

Washington then appointed Hamilton to be Secretary of the Treasury.

Hamilton took up his duties. The Country and the States were in debt. He organized the finances of our young and new Nation, putting them upon a sound basis; he provided funds with which to pay the National debt, so that the United States of America “might command the respect of the Nations of the World.”

It was Alexander Hamilton who laid the foundations of the financial system of our Republic.

JANUARY 17

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

THE AMERICAN SOCRATES

_We have reason to be thankful he was so long spared, that the most useful life should be the longest, also that it was protracted so far beyond the ordinary span allotted to man, as to avail us of his wisdom in the establishment of our own Freedom._

THOMAS JEFFERSON

OUR COUNTRY

_Dr. Benjamin Franklin to General George Washington_

_I must soon quit the scene, but you may live to see our Country flourish, as it will amazingly and rapidly after the War is over; like a field of young Indian Corn, which long fair weather and sunshine had enfeebled and discoloured, and which in that weak state, by a thundergust of violent wind, hail, and rain, seemed to be threatened with absolute destruction; yet the storm being past, it recovers fresh verdure, shoots up with double vigour, and delights the eye not of its owner only, but of every observing traveller._

_March 5, 1780_

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Boston, January 17, 1706

Went to Philadelphia, 1723

Through his diplomacy, France was persuaded to recognize the United States by treaty, February 6, 1778

He signed the Constitution of the United States, 1787

He died in Philadelphia, April 17, 1790

THE WHISTLE

TOLD BY FRANKLIN HIMSELF

When I was a child of seven years old, my friends on a holiday filled my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys for children, and being charmed with the sound of a _whistle_ that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered and gave all my money for one.

I then came home and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my _whistle_, but disturbing all the family.

My brothers and sisters and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth; put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money, and laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation. And the reflection gave me more chagrin than the _whistle_ gave me pleasure.

This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind, so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I said to myself:--

“_Don’t give too much for the whistle!_”

And I saved my money.

As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, _who gave too much for the whistle_.

_From The Whistle_

THE CANDLE-MAKER’S BOY

Benjamin Franklin, when a boy, used to work in his father’s shop at the Sign of the Blue Ball. His father was a tallow chandler, and made soap and candles.

The boy got up early, cut wicks for candles, filled moulds with tallow, ran errands, and tended shop. Though he worked hard and honestly, his heart was not in his work. He wanted to go to sea. His elder brother, a sailor, had come home; and he told the most thrilling tales of his adventures. So Benjamin Franklin could not get the sea out of his mind.

He grew to detest the trade of tallow chandler, and hankered more and more for the sea. His father, wishing him to give up thoughts of a roving life, took him to talk with joiners, bricklayers, turners, and other workmen, and to watch them at work. But none of their trades appealed to the boy.

His place was at home his father urged, adding:

“Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before Kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

THE BOY OF THE PRINTING PRESS

But Benjamin Franklin did not run away to sea. He became a printer’s boy.

Because he liked books, he was apprenticed to his brother James, who had set up a printing press in Boston. To James’s house he went, taking with him his collection of precious volumes.

There he worked hard by day, and read and studied at night. Recollecting his father’s favourite proverb, “Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before Kings,” Franklin saved his money, and worked early and late.

When James began to issue a newspaper, Franklin helped him print it, and delivered copies to customers. He wrote articles and slipped them under the printing-house door, and James published them, without knowing who was their author. Later Franklin wrote clever, audacious, and humorous articles on the questions of the day, which were widely read and much talked about.

So things continued until he was seventeen years old, when he ran away--but not to sea. He and his brother quarrelled often. Benjamin the apprentice was saucy and provoking, and James the master was hot-tempered and beat his younger brother severely. After a particularly bad quarrel, Franklin sold some of his books, and took passage on a sloop bound for New York.

Arriving at New York, he found no employment there, and went on to Philadelphia.

THE THREE ROLLS

Early in the morning of an October day, young Benjamin Franklin, seventeen years old and seeking his fortune, reached Philadelphia. He was tired and hungry, and had only a dollar of his little fund left.

He stopped at a baker’s, and bought three big puffy rolls. He put a roll under each arm, and, munching the third, walked along Market Street.

In the doorway of a house, stood a young girl. She saw the awkward, handsome boy, trudging past hungrily eating a big roll. She laughed to herself; she thought it funny to see him with his broad-brimmed hat, knee-breeches, and buckled shoes all shabby and dusty, and his great pockets stuffed with stockings and shirts.

So she laughed to herself, did Deborah Read. And little she knew that in a few years, she would become that boy’s wife! But so it happened.

Young Benjamin Franklin found work in a printer’s shop. He came to lodge at Deborah Read’s home. In a few years, he owned his own printing press. He married Deborah Read. He became a well-known printer. He issued an influential newspaper, and published “Poor Richard’s Almanack.” He was industrious, studious, thrifty, and prosperous. In time, he became the most famous and learned citizen of Pennsylvania, and a great American Patriot.

STANDING BEFORE KINGS

When the American Colonies rose against the exactions of England, Benjamin Franklin was called upon to serve his Country as a diplomat in France and England.

“My father,” wrote Franklin, “having among his instructions to me when a boy frequently repeated a proverb of Solomon, ‘Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before Kings; he shall not stand before mean men,’ “I from thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction, which encouraged me, though I did not think that I should ever literally _stand before Kings_, which, however, has since happened, for I have stood before _five_, and even had the honour of sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner.”

THE WONDERFUL KITE EXPERIMENT

In Benjamin Franklin’s time, there were no electric trains, no telegraphs, telephones, radiographs, and radiophones. The driving and lighting power of electricity was not understood. People did not know that lightning was due to the presence of electricity in nature.

Benjamin Franklin, who was keen and inquisitive, made scientific experiments with the Leyden jar and with simple machines which produced electricity by friction. He discovered that in certain ways, the action of electricity and lightning was the same, and he observed that electric fluid might be conducted along a pack-string.

So he determined to prove that electricity and lightning were the same, by drawing lightning down from the clouds along a pack-string. He used a silk kite, with a sharp-pointed wire fastened to its framework, and a silk ribbon tied to the end of the kite-string holding a metal key in place.

He secretly flew the kite during a June thunderstorm. And as he saw the kite-string stiffen in a strange way, he eagerly laid his hand against the key. Instantly he felt a shock of electricity pass through him. He had made one of the most important discoveries of all ages!

His discovery was soon known throughout the world. Men made other experiments, and in time invented the wonderful electrical machines and devices which we enjoy to-day.

THE RISING SUN

When the Federal Constitutional Convention met at Philadelphia, General Washington was unanimously made President of the Convention. He took the chair with diffidence. He assured the members that he was not used to such a situation, that he was embarrassed, and he hoped they would excuse his errors. And in what masterly fashion he conducted the convention, history shows.

Behind his chair was painted a picture of the sun. After the debates were over and the Constitution was adopted, Benjamin Franklin, who had just signed the immortal Document, turned to some of the members. He drew their attention to the sun behind General Washington’s chair.

“I have often and often,” said Franklin, “in the course of the session and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that behind the President, without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now, at length, I have the happiness to know that it is a rising, and not a setting, sun.”

TO MY FRIEND

_From Franklin’s Will and Testament_

My fine crabtree walking-stick, with a gold head curiously wrought in the form of the Cap of Liberty, I give to my friend and the friend of Mankind, General Washington.

If it were a Sceptre, he has merited it, and would become it.

_Benjamin Franklin_

FEBRUARY 12

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

THE GREAT EMANCIPATOR

_With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the Nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all Nations._

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

_March 4, 1865_

_Oh, slow to smite and swift to spare, Gentle and merciful and just! Who, in the fear of God, didst bear The sword of power, a Nation’s trust!_

_In sorrow by thy bier we stand, Amid the awe that hushes all, And speak the anguish of a land That shook with horror at thy fall._

_Thy task is done; the bond are free: We bear thee to an honoured grave, Whose proudest monument shall be The broken fetters of the slave._

_Pure was thy life; its bloody close Hath placed thee with the sons of light, Among the noble host of those Who perished in the cause of Right._

WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT

ABRAHAM LINCOLN was born, February 12, 1809

Was elected President, 1860

Issued the Emancipation Proclamation, New Year’s Day, 1863

Was re-elected, 1864

He was assassinated, 1865

THE CABIN IN THE CLEARING

It was only a small cabin in a forest-clearing in the wilderness of Indiana. It stood on a knoll overlooking a piece of ground where corn and vegetables grew. In the woods around the cabin were bear, deer, and other wild creatures. The furniture was rude, brought from the East, or made of logs and hickory-sticks, while the bed was a sack of leaves. In the big fireplace, the logs cut from the forest, burned with a cheerful blaze.

And there lived little Abe Lincoln, nine years old, with his father and sister and his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln.

Abe was born in Kentucky. When he was seven, his family moved to the cabin in Indiana. He helped clear the way through the wilderness to the new home. So with swinging the axe and blazing trails, he was made unusually large and strong for his age, alert and courageous--a real backwoods boy.

He could shoot, fish, cut down trees, and work on the farm in the clearing. In his veins ran the red blood of Kentucky pioneers. His grandfather, in the days of Daniel Boone, had been killed by an Indian, while Abe’s father--a child then--had been rescued from this same Indian by his brother, Mordecai Lincoln, a daring lad, who shot the savage with his dead father’s rifle, so saving his little brother.

HOW HE LEARNED TO BE JUST

_Let us have faith that Right makes Might, and in that Faith, let us to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it._

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, _from his speech at Cooper Institute_

But it was not all work for Abe on the new farm in Indiana. He picked wild plums and pawpaws in the woods, and ate corn dodgers, fried bacon, roast wild turkey, and fish caught in the Indiana streams. He went to school when he could, which was not often, for in those days schools were few and far between, and teachers were not many.

But little Abe had the best teacher of all, his mother, Nancy Lincoln. For, though his father could scarcely write his own name, his mother could read, and she loved books. She taught her little son his letters and how to read. Often they sat together in the cabin, Abe and his sister at their mother’s knee, while she read the Bible to them.

“I would rather my son would be able to read the Bible, than to own a farm, if he can’t have but one,” she said.