The following documents accompany the memorial of Sarah Easton and Dorothy Storer.

THE services rendered by the late Col. Robert H. Harrison, in our revolutionary war, were of that distinguished character, to be known to the whole army, to the Congress who conducted the affairs of the revolution, and in general to the American people. In the commencement of the war, being a neighbor of General Washington’s, and well known to him, he was invited by the general to join him as aid-de-camp and principal secretary, and he served in that station with as pure and unsullied a fame as any person ever enjoyed. In all the actions in which general Washington commanded, colonel Harrison was present, near the person of the general, and exposed with him to equal danger. He assisted, as I have always understood, in the councils of war, where his opinions were highly respected. He was the faithful depository of the secret councils of the general, of the confidential communications to him from Congress, of the military movements that were intended to be made, and of all those secret councils, on the preservation of which the success of the army, and of the revolution itself, depended; and he was a most virtuous, able, and active agent in promoting every measure that was decided on.

In the most gloomy periods of the revolution, he was firm, persevering, and undaunted. I particularly remember that in the ever memorable retreat through Jersey, his example, in aid of that of the illustrious commander in chief, cheered the drooping spirits of others, and animated them to action. No person was more brave than Col. Harrison, none more faithful, and I say with confidence, that few, very few, rendered more important services to their country. Had he sought promotion in the army, there can be no doubt that he might easily have obtained it; but he had no such ambition. To be eminently useful in the station which he held, was the sole object of his heart. It is impossible to look back to this eventful period, and especially to the great achievements of the army, in which he sustained so distinguished and useful a part, by the various, important and complicated duties he had to perform, without being deeply impressed with a sense of his rare merit, and acknowledging, with gratitude his very important services. He did not leave the army until the liberties of his country were secured; nor then, till his constitution had received a severe shock. No sooner, however, was an opportunity afforded to the late commander in chief, than he seized it, to bestow on him a new and strong proof of his confidence and attachment, as well as of his high respect for his merit. On the adoption of the present constitution of the United States, when general Washington was called to the head of the government, he appointed Col. Harrison a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. His constitution, however, was too far exhausted to permit him to enter on the duties of that office. He set out to undertake them, but did not survive the effort.

I certify1 these facts from a personal knowledge of them, in their most important circumstances, having served myself in our revolutionary war three campaigns, those of 1776–’7, and ’8; in the first as a lieutenant in the third Virginia regiment, and in the two last, as aid-de-camp to major general lord Sterling, and they were afterwards known to me in common with other citizens who enjoyed public trusts, by which they became acquainted with public affairs. The documents, however, of the late army, and of the Congress, will sufficiently prove the facts. Of the recompence which Col. Harrison received for his important services, I can say little: I have no doubt, however, that he received nothing more than his pay by the month, depreciated as it was when received. He was among the most diffident and modest of men, and the last to set up a pretension, or to make any claim for his services.

[The following letters, which were found among the papers of Colonel R. H. Harrison, will establish some of the important facts set forth in the Memorial, and stated in the above certificate, and particularly the great confidence reposed in Colonel Harrison by General Washington. They form a small portion only of the correspondence which took place between them, as nearly the whole of the valuable papers of the former were unfortunately lost after the death of his widow, Mrs. H.]

I often intended, but before I had it in my power forgot, to ask you whether your brother-in law, major Johnson, would not, in your opinion, make a good aid-de-camp to me; I know it is a question that will involve you in some difficulty, but I beg you will not consider the connexion between you in answering of it. I have heard that major Johnson is a man of education, I believe him to be a man of sense; these are two very necessary qualifications; but how is his temper? As to military knowledge, I do not expect to find gentlemen much skilled in it; if they can write a good letter, write quick, are methodical and diligent, it is all I expect to find in my aids. Do not, therefore, if major Johnson possesses these qualities, and a good disposition, refrain (from false modesty) to withhold your recommendation, because, in that case, you will do him injustice and me a disservice.

If you think Mr. Johnson will suit me as well as any other, I should prefer him, and therefore beg that he may be sent hither immediately, as Webb only waits the arrival of another aid to set out for Connecticut,

A few days previous to my leaving the camp before York, I was favored with your letter of the   ultimo. Thinking I should see you on my return, I postponed acknowledging the receipt of it till now that I despair of that pleasure, being on the eve of my departure for Philadelphia, without making any stay on the road, except one day at Annapolis, if the governor should be there.

I desired doctor Draper, who came to this place with me on Tuesday last, and proposed being at Port Tobacco next day, to let you know I should stay a few days at home, and should be glad to see you; he possibly did not go there, or you might be attending the courts.

I thank you for your kind congratulations on the capitulation of Cornwallis. It is an interesting event, and may be productive of much good, if properly improved; but if it should be the means of relaxation, and sink us into supineness and security, it had better not have happened. Great Britain for some time past, has been encouraged, by the impolicy of our conduct, to continue the war; and should there be an interferance of European polities in her favor, peace may be further removed from us than we expect; while one thing we are sure of, and that is, that the only certain way to obtain peace is to be prepared for war. Policy, interest, economy, all unite to stimulate the states to fill the continental battalions, and provide the means of supporting them. I hope the present favorable moment for doing it, will not be neglected.

Mr. Custis’s death has given much distress in this family. I congratulate you on your late change, and am, dear sir, your most obedient and affectionate servant,

In the interval between your leaving this and the arrival of Mr. Briscoe, Mr. Montgomery (of Dumfries) recommended a young man whom he thought would answer my purpose;3 and being desired to speak to him, he accepted my offer, and will be with me in the course of a few days. Had it not been for this, the good character given of Mr. Briscoe by you, and others, would have induced me, without hesitation to have accepted his services. I thank you, very sincerely, for the ready and early attention you paid to my enquiries. To assure you of the great esteem and regard I have for you, is unnecessary, because you must be convinced of it; I shall only add therefore, that I am, very affectionately, your obedient and obliged humble servant,

IT would be unnecessary to remark to you, that the administration of justice is the strongest cement of good government, did it not follow as a consequence, that the first organization of the Federal judiciary is essential to the happiness of our country, and to the stability of our political system.

Under this impression it has been the invariable object of my anxious solicitude, to select the fittest characters to expound the laws and dispense justice. To tell you that this sentiment has ruled me in your nomination to a seat on the supreme bench of the United States, would be but to repeat opinions with which you are already well acquainted; opinions which meet a just coincidence in the public mind.

Your friends, and your fellow-citizens, anxious for the respect of the court to which you are appointed, will be happy to learn your acceptance, and no one among them will be more so than myself.

As soon as the acts which are necessary accompanyments of these appointments, can be got ready, you will receive official notice of the latter. This letter is only to be considered as an early communication of my sentiments on this occasion, and as a testimony of the sincere esteem and regard with which, I am, dear Sir, your most obedient and affectionate humble servant,

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICES.

No. 300.      To lieutenant colonel Robert Hanson Harrison.

I certify that Robert Hanson Harrison, Esquire, lieutenant colonel in the continental army, entered the service in the month of October, 1775, as one of my aids-de-camp, and in May following became my secretary; the duties of which offices he discharged with “conspicuous abilities:” That his whole conduct, during all the interesting periods of the war, has been marked by the strictest integrity, and the most attentive and faithful services, while by personal bravery he has been distinguished on several occasions.

I certify that the above is a true copy taken from a volume in my possession, containing private letters from general Washington, from January, 1780, to December 18, 1782. Marked P. vol. 2, page 201.