Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

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3MEMOIRS OF JOHN ADAMS DIX.

ber who lived faithfully a hidden life and rest in unvisited
tombs."@
The year 1812 is made memorable in our history by the
declaration of war against Great Britain. Wearied with her
long-continued depredations on our commerce and her insults
to our flag, Congress began early in the year to prepare for
seeking redress by an appeal to arms, and by passing an act
to raise a large military force. I was then nearly fourteen
years of age, and had been fifteen months in College. My
father intended that I should remain there another year; but
in view of the threatening aspect of our relations with Great
Britain he determined to withdraw me, and wrote that he
would call for me and take me with him to Quebec, which he
wished to see.t Before he could execute his purpose he re* My father's stay at the College of Montreal, though brief, was not
without a strong and lasting influence on his life. He held the place,
and the venerable and devoted priests, in loving and grateful remembrance, and delighted to recall incidents connected with the time spent
under their care. I remember, in particular, his account of the Easter
service in the chapel; and how he would repeat, and sing to the old
plain song tune, the hymn which the school-boys sung that day:
"0 Filii et Filie,
Rex coelestis, Rex glorie
Morte surrexit hodie,
Alleluia! Alleluia!"
The visit to his old Alma Mater, to which he modestly alludes, was
made in the year 1865, when he was a major-general in the United States
service, and Commander of the Department of the East. Being in
Montreal on business of the Government, ble was invited to the College,
and received there with every attention and honor. My father had
nothing of that strong feeling against the Roman Catholic Church
which was, and is, so marked a feature in the Puritans and their descendants. He had devoted friends and lovers among its people; when
he lay ill prayers were offered for him daily in more than one religious
house, and, after his death, the holy sacrifice was tenderly offered on their
altars for the repose of his soul.
t - "Boscawen, May, 12, 1812.
"MY DEAR BoY,-I have written to Mr. Peterson to make preparations