The Baron DeKalb [pp. 141-202]

160 The Baron DeKaib. [July,
for the returning vessel, which is to bring' the tidings of
his triumphs, or defeat and death. In this fact we find
the secret of much of his correspondence, of which these
sage grave biographers speak, with such a mysterious
shaking of the noddle. Re had long letters to write to
wife, children and friends; and how much to say, to narrate, to ask, to assure, to entreat! Of the character of
his political correspondence, carried on with public men
in Europe, the objects which he aimed at, and the results
which he hoped to secure by it, we have a sufficient hint
in this letter. Very likely, the Baron overrated his infinence~ but his views must, nevertheless, have had their
weight, taken in connection with those of other persons
and the progress of events.
To proceed to the next letter in this collection. This is
without date. It is endorsed by President Laurens, as
received on the 29th January, 17~8. It is, consequently,
three weeks later than the preceding. It is important
only as it seems to throw additional light upon the character of the writer~shows him hearty in the cause, and
honestly ruffled at the imputation that he is otherwise.
The passage in which he speaks of being of full age, and
needing no guardian, reminds us of certain doubts, which
we have long entertained, in respect to the large number
of years assigned him at this period. The only authority
on this subject, upon which we can lay our hands, is the
romancing Life of Marion, by Weems. This writer claims
to have obtained his materials from Gen. P. liorry. Indeed, liorry and himself appear on the title page as the
writers of the Life. But this imputation liorry resented
with indignation, publicly disclaimed all connection with
the book, and has left his disclaimer on record. According
to Weems, DeKalb was sixty-three at the battle of Camden,
and the good parson, who cared for history only as it served
the purposes of fiction, and who justified his invention by
his religion, treats us to a portrait of the Baron, describing him as "appearing rather elderly," and as "having
the snow of winter on his locks;" but with "cheeks still
reddened over with the bloom of spring." Now, these
passages were esteemed by the worthy parson as sped
mens of very fine writing. lie was strongly tinctured
with Ossian, and held them to be very passable poetry of
that school and fashion~possibly turned them over very