ark of patriot ardor that the wrongs and indignities of
our country will kindle into a flame? Is there no thirst in our
bosoms for glory? Is it nothing for your names to be enrolled on
the list of fame? Does it rouse no generous and noble feelings in
your breasts to be a guardian shield and avenging sword to your
country? Are the grateful thanks of your countrymen and posterity
no inducement to valorous acts?

"Go then, fellow soldiers, assist to shield your country from the
destruction of an internal warfare, awake to honor and to glory,
rouse the native courage of an American freeman and march to deeds
of valor!

"Let the wings of fame come laden with the tale of your honors,
and bring joy to your mothers' hearts, and the pride of valorous
deeds to your fathers' bosoms; then shall your country reward and
bless you--posterity shall venerate your names, the world shall
own you as the constituent guardians of liberty and the bulwark of
your nation's freedom!"

I presume the soldiers enlisted at Lancaster were a part of the
army infamously surrendered by General Hull on the 16th of August,
1812. This event opened up the whole of the then western states
and territories to the inroads of the British and Indians, but was
brilliantly compensated by the splendid victory of Commodore Perry
at the battle of Lake Erie, on the 10th of September, 1813, in
which he destroyed the British fleet and announced his victory in
the stirring words, "We have met the enemy, and they are ours!"
This was followed by the complete triumph of General Harrison in
the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, in which Tecumseh was
killed, and the power of the British and Indians in that portion
of the field of operations practically destroyed.

My father was appointed by Mr. Madison, on the 9th of November,
1813, as Collector of Internal Revenue for the Third District of
Ohio. He was then engaged in the active practice of his profession.
He was required to employ deputies in each of the counties of
Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison, Franklin, Delaware, and Knox to
collect internal revenue taxes, when assessed. He took great care
in the selection of his deputies, and in all cases required bonds,
with security, from each deputy. At this period the only money in
Ohio was local bank paper money. No silver or gold coins could be
had, and the purchasing power of notes varied with the success or
defeat of our armies in the field. Internal taxes wer