Francis Glass, Washingtonii Vita
J.N. Reynolds, Ed.

1 Legionis, &c., “ of the Pennsylvania regiment, ” or line; who were generally natives of Ireland, and, although not bound to America by the accidental tie of birth, yet were inferior to none in valor, or in ardor for the cause of liberty.

2 Seditionem compescere, “ to quell the mutiny. ”

3 Tormentis, &c., by this are here meant, cannon, or field-pieces.

4 Rationes, “ an account of their demands.“

5 E vestigio, “ forthwith, ” instantly.

6 Qui nomina, &c., “ who should continue to enlist,“ or remain in the service.

7 Salvum præstaretur, “ should be secured,” or guaranteed.

8 Infectum, “ undone, ” “ unfinished: ” Sir Henry Clinton, the commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, offered these mutineers very advantageous terms, if they would join the British army; but they, only desirous of a redress of grievances, spurned his offers, and actually seized and detained the persons sent by him to effect this object; some of whom were subsequently hanged as spies.

9 Villâ fundoque, “ his country-seat and farm, ” situate on the Potomac, and called Mount Vernon, in honor of a British admiral of that name, under whom our hero's brother had served.

10 Quod, &c., “ which, (that is, that his steward had supplied the enemy with provisions from his estate at Mount Vernon,) when he discovered. ”

11 Fundo, a farm, with a house attached: thus, Horace, “ Apto cum lare fundus, ” “ a farm with a suitable house. ”

12 Marte vario, “ various success. ”

13 Comes, an earl, or count, is so called in modern Latin,

14 Anno, the year above mentioned, that is, 1781.

15 Evicit, “ prevailed. ”

16 Disjecti, “ scattered in all directions. ”

17 Eques, a knight, called usually, Sir Henry Clinton.

18 E vestigio, “ forthwith.” Whether the design of Washington to attack New-York, at this period, was real or feigned, is not, perhaps, perfectly ascertained; the good effects, however, resulting to the American cause, from the continual alarm under which Sir Henry Clinton labored for the safety of New-York, were highly auspicious to the successful termination of the contest between both nations; inasmuch as Sir Henry was prevented from detaching any succor to Lord Cornwallis; for had he sent any, his lordship would have received such an augmentation of force as would have enabled him to bid defiance to, if not to capture, any combination of force which France or America could at that time oppose to him.

19 Motuum, &c., “ for the purpose of watching the movements of the enemy. ”

20 Commeatus, “ provisions; ” this noun properly signfies a passing to and fro, a communicatio

21 Scammellius; Colonel Scammel, an American officer of uncommon merit, who was mortally wounded, and taken prisoner.

22 Certior factus, &c. “ He, (Cornwallis,) was informed that Admiral Digby, ” &c.

23 Appulisse, had arrived on the American cost, with some ships of war.

24 Agmina socia, “ the allied troops ” (of France and America.)

25 Cochranus. This was Major Cochran of the British army, who had been sent by Sir Henry Clinton, with the duplicate of his letter to Lord Cornwallis.

26 Obsessores, “ the besiegers,” viz. the French and American troops.

27 Charonta, “ the Charon,” of forty-four guns, set on fire by the artillery of the besiegers, who, likewise, fired mortars.

28 Exercitus, a genitive case, depending on saluti implied.

29 Receptu celeri, “ by a speedy retreat. ”

30 Impedimenta, &c., “ to leave behind all his baggage. ” What a soldier carries usually in a knapsack, or on his back, is called in Latin, sarcina.

31 Trajicere, &c., “ could neither cross over ” (to Gloucester Point.)

32 Ob, &c. “ By reason of the boisterous state of the weather. ”

33 Recipere, &c., “ to retreat to their fellow-soldiers. ”

34 Inducias, “ a truce, ” or cessation of arms; an armistice.

35 Conveniret. “ It might be agreed upon; ” the verb conveniret is put here impersonally.

36 Legati, &c., “ deputies were sent, ” &c.

37 Sociorum, &c., “ represented the allies, ” i. e., the French and Americans.

38 Undevigesimo, &c., “ on the 19th day of October, 1781, ” Cornwallis, with his whole command, surrendered prisoners of war; which joyous event diffused an universal elevation of spirits throughout the American continent.

39 Præfectis, &c., “ it was allowed the officers and soldiers taken, to possess their baggage untouched; ” a concession, which, although occasionally denied to the vanquished, on this emergency was most assuredly highly honorable to the victors.

40 Naves longœ, “ vessels of war ” are thus called, frequently, in Latin.

41 Copiœ terrestres, &c., “ the land forces were assigned to Congress, the naval ones to the French. ”

42 Eques, a knight; Sir Henry Chnton, commander of the forees.

43 Accepit, “ he heard, ” or understood.

44 Ex animo, “ from their heart; ” that they should return hearty thanks.

45 Capitivi, &c., “ that the prisoners should be treated with the greatest humanity. ” The noun humanity in English, has not precisely the same meaning as the Latin word humanitas; as humanitas, from home, implies a combination of those qualities which tend to the perfection of human nature.

46 Terram Mariœ, the land of Mary, that is, “ Maryland. ”

47 Cibariis, &c., “ were fed on the same provisions as the American army. ”

48 Comiti Gallico, “ a French Count; ” usually called Count De Rochambeau.

49 Versus, “ towards. ”