losses this Invasion, and am sorry to hear that you propose leaving us. Much, however, as I wish you to continue in the Field, I cannot insist on a measure that may so materially interfere with your private interest. At the same time, I assure you, that your Country will, in my opinion, very sensibly feel the want of your services.

I am, dear Sir, with great esteem,

Your obed't and very humble serv't,

THOS. NELSON.

Note. At this time Col. P. contemplated making a voyage to France in a Brig of which he was part owner, but considering he might be of service to his country, by retaining his command, he gave the command of the vessel to his brother Nathaniel Parker who was lost on his return. Col. P. continued in the service until after the siege of York notwithstanding his pecuniary difficulties, which had been caused by his efforts to serve his Country.

C.

FROM GEN. LAFAYETTE TO COL. PARKER.

HEAD QUARTERS, 27TH JULY, 1781.

Dear Sir, I have your letter before me of the 24th. The deserters from your corps, or those who joined the enemy are punishable by the laws of war, more especially as martial law is declared. This is made to extend twenty miles from our camp and twenty from that of the enemy's. Every military crime within this circle is cognizable by our

courts.

I am truly sensible of your services, and I am persuaded your country cannot be otherwise. As you give me time enough to write my letters, I shall trouble you with some to France.

There appears something mysterious in the delay of the Fleet in Hampton road. One would think they intended to take on board more troops, and yet there are not appearances enough favorable of a general embarkation. Is

it not possible for you to find out what detains the fleet? and will it not be safe, to move nearer the enemy's lines to ascertain their intentions, and improve the opportunity of injuring them, should a general embarkation take place? This, however, does not seem probable from any intelligence I have yet received. But you will settle this matter, by sending proper persons into Portsmouth, to see what they are doing with their cannon and stores, &c.

When you find it necessary to retire, I dare say you will place things in such a train, that I shall be informed as usual. I shall however regret your absence. But before you go, I wish you to learn as much as possible on the points I have mentioned.

I am, dear Sir,

Your ob'dt and h'ble serv't,

LAFAYETTE.

FROM GEN. LAFAYETTE TO COL. PARKER.

MALVERN HILL, JULY 28TH, 1781.

Dear Sir, I had the pleasure of writing to you yesterday, and will only add a request that a communication be opened with General Gregory, and his letters to me forwarded with the utmost dispatch.

Should the Enemy evacuate Portsmouth, a supposition to which I give little credit, you will to the best of your power improve the circumstance,-Should they attempt to go to Carolina by the Eastern side of the Dismal Swamp, you will try to help General Gregory in giving them annoy

ance.

At all events, my dear Sir, I most warmly and affectionately request you will remain with the command until the enemy's intentions are better understood. The moment this fleet sails, and we may ascertain what remains, I will

be able to determine my operations. Then, if necessary, you might leave your present command. Indeed, I do not refuse to grant your request. But though you are at liberty, I hope you will not determine to leave the Corps until we better know what is to be depended upon.

There will be a chain established between us, and I hope often to hear from you.

With the highest esteem I have the honor to be

Yours,

LAFAYETTE.

JOHN LEWIS.

STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, 1851.

Dear Sir,-In examining recently a dusty assortment of old papers belonging to my father, the late John H. Peyton, I accidentally found several documents of a highly interest ng character, which will throw considerable light upon several portions of our early history, heretofore involved in obscurity. Among them is the following tradition of the Lewis family, as related to him by Col. William I. Lewis, late of Campbell county, detailing the causes of the removal of John Lewis his grandfather, with his family from Ireland to Lewis' Creek, near Staunton, Augusta, which differs in one or two important particulars from that contained in Howe's Historical Collections of Virginia, and which for this reason I send you for publication in your Historical Register. Very truly, &c.

WM. MAXWELL, Esq.

JOHN L. PEYTON.

Col. Lewis stated that the account given by the "Son of Cornstalk," in his essays, of the native country and the causes of the removal of his family to the colony of Virginia, was incorrect. That the true history of the matter, as he had obtained it from his father, the late William Lewis,

of the Sweet Springs, who died in the year 1812, at the age of 85 years, and long after Col. Wm. I. Lewis had arrived at manhood, was this.

John Lewis, his grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and was descended of French protestant ancestors who emigrated from France to Ireland in 1685, at the revocation of the edict of Nantz, to avoid the persecutions to which the Protestants, to which sect of religion they belonged, were subjected during the reign of Louis XIV. John Lewis intermarried with Margaret Lynn also a native of Ireland, but descended of Scottish ancestors-the Lynns of Lock Lynn, so famous in Scottish clan legends. John Lewis, in Ireland, occupied a respectable position in what is there called the middle class of society. He was the holder of a freehold lease for three lives, upon a valuable farm in the county of Donnezal and province of Ulster, obtained upon equal terms and fair equivalents from one of the Irish nobility, who was an upright and honorable man, and the owner of the reversion. This lease-hold estate, with his wife's marriage portion, enabled the young couple to commence life with flattering prospects-they were both remarkable for their industry, piety, and stern integritythey prospered and were happy. Before the catastrophe occurred which completely destroyed the hopes of this once happy family in Ireland, and made them exiles from their native land, their affection was cemented by the birth of four sons, Samuel, Thomas, William and Andrew. About the period of the birth of their third son-the Lord from whom he had obtained his lease-a landlord beloved by his tenants and neighbours suddenly died, and his estates descended to his eldest son, a youth whose principles were directly the reverse of his father's. He was proud, profligate and extravagant-anticipating his income, he was always in debt and to meet his numerous engagements he

devised a variety of schemes, and among them one was to claim of his tenants a forfeiture of their leases upon some one of the numerous covenants inserted in instruments of the kind at that day. If they agreed to increase their rents the alleged forfeiture was waived-if they refused they were threatened with a long, tedious and expensive law suit. Many of his tenants submitted to this injustice and raised their rents rather than be involved, even with justice on their side, in a legal controversy with a rich and powerful adversary who could in this country, under these circumstances, devise ways and means to harass, persecute and impoverish one in moderate circumstances. Lewis, however, was a different man from any who thus tamely submitted to wrong. By industry and skill he had greatly improved his property, his rent had been punctually paid, and all the covenants of his lease had been complied with faithfully. To him, after seeing all the others, the agent of the young Lord came, with his unjust demands. Lewis peremptorily dismissed him from his presence; and determined to make an effort to rescue his family from this threatened injustice, by a personal interview with the young Lord, who Lewis imagined would scarcely have the hardihood to insist before his face upon the iniquitous terms proposed by his agent. Accordingly he visited the castle of the young Lord. A porter announced his name. At the time the young Lord was engaged in his revels over the bottle with some of his companions of similar taste and habits. As soon as the name of Lewis was announced, he recognized the only one of his tenants who had resisted. his demands, and directed the porter to order him off. When the porter delivered his Lord's order, Lewis resolved at every hazard to see him. Accordingly, he walked into the presence of the company-the porter not having the temerity to stand in his way. Flushed with wine, the whole