The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

ITS SO UP CE AND ITS T.R1BUTA2P,IES.
line of march for a wilderness country where land was so cheap as
to be within the reach of his slender means, and located in Hills boro'.
Endowed by nature with superior intellectual abilities, he had, by
perseverance in watching and appropriating every opportunity, over come the imperfections of his education, and was at once recognized
as one of its ablest and most intelligent members by the community
in which he lived. He did not, however, retire from the military
service, but continued to serve in the militia for many years, being
at one time colonel of the famous regiment which furnished the gallant'McNeil and Miller for the war of 1812, and was a general in
the State militia at the time he retired from the service. He held
many civil offices, and in 1818 was elected sheriff of the county.
Finding several poor debtors in Amherst jail, one of them having
been incarcerated four years for no crime, save that he owed a debt
which he could not pay, kind-hearted and generous, he at once
paid their debts and liberated them. Addressing them briefly, he
said: -
" I have a duty to perform. I must either be governed by the
law, and suffer you still to remain the devoted victims of unavoidable
misfortune and honest poverty, shut out from the genial light of
heaven and the vital air, God's equal gift to all, to endure, perhaps
perish under. the privation incident to your situation and the stern
ravages of approaching winter, forlorn and destitute, with no friend
to qpmfort, no society to cheer, no companion to console you; or I
must be directed by the powerful impulse of humanity, pay the debt
myself, and bid you leave this dreary and gloomy abode. My unfortunate fellow-citizens, my duty to myself will not suffer longer to
remain here an old companion in arms, who fought for the liberty
of which he is deprived, for no crime but that of being poor.
In this view, go; receive the uncontaminated air which is diffused abroad for the comfort of man; go to your fkmilies and friends,
if you have any. Be correct in your habits. Be industrious; and
if your tottering and emaciated frames are so far exhausted as to
prevent your getting comfortable support, apply to the good people
for relief. And may the best of Heaven's blessings accompany you
the remainder of your days."'
General Pierce was elected to the principal offices in the State,
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