V.Some Baltimore Jews.

"Samuel Noah.

"Class of 1807.

"Died March 10, 1871, at Mount Pulaski, Ill., aged 92.

"Samuel Noah, who was born July 19, 1779, in the City of London, died March 10, 1871, at Mount Pulaski, Logan county, Illinois, at the advanced age of nearly 92, he having been for several years the senior surviving graduate of the United States Military Academy. He was of Jewish descent, and was a cousin of Mordecai M. Noah, formerly consul toTunis, and for many years the editor of various New York journals.

"When twenty years old he emigrated to this country, and after a residence of several years in New York City, solicited a midshipman's appointment, but not succeeding, accepted, May 5, 1805, that of a cadet in the First Regiment of Artillery. Being intelligent and a good penman, he was often selected as amanuensis to the Superintendent of the Military Academy, and frequently acted as Judge Advocate or Recorder of Courts at West Point. Upon graduation, Dec. 9, 1807, preferring the Infantry arm, he was promoted an ensign in the Second Regiment, which, after a tedious journey, he joined at Cantonment, Columbia Springs, in the rear of Fort Adams, Miss. Here he devoted his leisure hours to the study of the early campaigns of Napoleon, who was then the military prodigy of the world; but this fascinating occupation was soon interrupted by his having to watch smugglers on the Florida frontier and march from one unhealthy camp to another in the Gulf States. During these migrations he met Captain Winfield Scott just after his duel near Natchez with Dr. Upshur (brother of the Secretary of State blown up on board the Princeton), Lieutenant James Gibson, subsequently killed at the sortie from Fort Erie, Gen. James Wilkinson, Captain Edmond P. Gaines, Gen. Wade Hampton, and other since famous officers of whom he had many anecdotes to relate. Wearied finally with slow promotion, and disgusted that ignorant civilians were appointed to rank him, he resigned March 13, 1811, his commission of First Lieutenant in the Army.

"Soon after this period a Mexican deputation from the Junta of Coahuila, Gen. Bernado Guiteras and Captain Manscac arrived at Natchitoches, where Lieutenant Magee, a graduate of 1809, was stationed, and offered him the command with the rank of Colonel of the combined forces there assembled of Mexicans and Anglo-Americans. After Magee assumed the command, Noah, allured by visions of a golden future, joined, as First Lieutenant, this little undisciplined Falstaffian regiment on the Brazos river, while on its march to Fort Bahia, which it entered Nov. 14, 1812; but no sooner was the fort in possession of the Patriot Army than the Spanish royalists besieged itwith a force of five times the strength of the garrison. In this struggle poor Col. Magee sickened and died, and was buried with the honors of war during the enemy's cannonade, a six-pounder ball lodging close to the grave. After the siege was raised, March 28, 1813, and the patriots reinforced, this little army, with Noah in command of its rear guard, pursued and routed the Royalists, April 4, 1813, in a sharp combat near San Antonio, and three days later entered the capital of Texas, Salcido, the governor, surrendering at discretion with his entire force.

"Informed soon after of the declaration of war by the United States against Great Britain, Noah, true to the flag of his adopted country, left Texas, and, escaping through many perils by flood and field, reached the city of Washington, where he was most sadly disappointed in not being re-commissioned by President Madison in the United States Army. Nothing daunted, however, he proceeded to New York, and volunteered his services as a private soldier with Captain Benjamin Dunning's company for the defence of Brooklyn, then being fortified by Gen. Joseph G. Swift, to repel an anticipated descent of the British on Long Island at Sag Harbor. His services here and at Harlem Heights, to the close of the war, in aid of the militia force, were most zealous and untiring, his military education, practical knowledge and quick intelligence proving powerful auxiliaries to his patriotic devotion to duty. After the termination of Noah's military career, he taught school near Goshen, New York, till 1820; then for two years was in England, being present at the trial of Queen Caroline and the Coronation of George the Fourth; resumed school teaching and was employed in various academies in Virginia until May 24, 1848; and subsequently resided with a faithful friend at Mount Pulaski, Logan county, Ill., where he died. The romantic record of Samuel Noah's early life is full of wild adventure and thrilling incidents; his after history was a curious medley, almost the very counterpart of the vicissitudes to which Gil Blas was exposed; and his declining years were an old age of poverty, with little relief even from sources upon which he confidently counted to ease his weary journey to the grave."

In this connection reference would also seem to be in order tosome New York Jews who served in the Mexican War, one of them with particular distinction and honor. This list includes Sergeant Jacob David, Sergeant Samuel Henry, and Private Abraham Adler (killed); Corporal Jacob Hirshhorn and Private Otto Neubauer, Phillip Myers, and Jacob Lema, Mark Kahn, Alexander Simm, John Myers, James Hart and William Hart, ---- Myers, Marx M. Hart, Henry Phillips, Joseph Henriques, and Jacob C. Somers. (See article by the present writer inAmerican Hebrew, February 9, 1894.)

Turning next to Baltimore, two interesting incidents are in point. The one carries us back to Revolutionary times, and is to be connected with the name of Jacob Hart, one of a number of patriotic merchants of Baltimore; whether he was the only Jew in the group is unknown. The incident is briefly referred to as follows, in a letter written by Lafayette to Washington, April 18, 1781. (Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette, Vol. I, page 403.) "To these measures for punishing deserters, I have added one which my feelings for the sufferings of the soldiers and peculiarity of their circumstances have prompted me to adopt. The merchants of Baltimore lent me a sum of about £2000 which will procure some shirts, linen, overalls, shoes and a few hats; the ladies will make up the shirts, and the overalls will be made by the detachment, so that our soldiers have a chance of being a little more comfortable. The money is lent upon my credit, and I become security for the payment of it in two years' time, when, by the French laws, I may better dispose of my estate. But before that time, I shall use my influence with the French court, in order to have this sum of money added to any loan Congress may have been able to obtain from them." The following entry "Accounts of the United States with the Superintendent of Finance" (Robert Morris) serves to identify the merchants: "May 27, (1782) Jacob Hart and others for the Repayment of Money Loaned the Marquis de Lafayette at Baltimore—7256 dollars." Further details appear from the following passagesin the Journals of Congress, Vol. VII p. 86: "Thursday, May 24, 1781. On the report of the committee to whom was referred a letter of April 22 from Maj. Gen. the Marquis de la Fayette:

Resolved, That Congress entertains a just sense of the patriotic and timely exertions of the merchants of Baltimore who so generously supplied the Marquis de la Fayette with about 2000 guineas, to enable him to forward the detachment under his command; That the Marquis de la Fayette be assured that Congress will take proper measures to discharge the engagement he has entered into with the merchants."

Compare with this an article on "Old Maryland Homes and Ways," by John W. Palmer, in theCentury, December 1894, p. 258. Markens in his "Hebrews in America" (p. 93) briefly refers to the incident, describing Hart as a Hebrew of German birth, who came to this country in 1775; he was the father-in-law of Haym M. Salomon, son of the patriot, Haym Salomon. Certainly not less interesting, though less well known, is the following incident in the Mexican War, which is translated from the "Allgemeine Zeitung des Judenthums," Vol. X p. 508, August 24, 1846: "TheNew York Heraldof July 15, (1846) contains the following item, in reference to the call for 50,000 volunteers to join the army against Mexico: Baltimore July 3. Among the companies which have been formed here, a volunteer corps of Jews attracts particular attention. Although composed for the most part of immigrants, they have given, by the raising of this company, to fight with the native militia on behalf of our institutions, a splendid instance of their love and devotion for these and for their new fatherland. Yes, their love for the fame and independence of our country has been displayed all the more pointedly as they have organized their company by selecting one not of their faith as their chief officer, namely, Captain Carroll, who was paymaster of the Fifth regiment, but willingly resigned his position to accept the command of this patriotic company of volunteers. Its other officers are: Mr. Levi Benjamin, first lieutenant; Joseph Simpson, second lieutenant; Samuel G. Goldsmith, third lieutenant; S. Eytinge, first sergeant; Dr. J. Horwitz, surgeon." An examination of the copy of theHeraldthus referred to, fails to showthe English original of the above item; either the date or the name of the paper is incorrectly cited, though the facts are no doubt correctly given.

The following item from an article by Rev. Isaac Leeser, inThe Occident, Vol. XVI, p. 142 (1858) gives in some little detail a story since then oft repeated; the primary authorities for the incident are still unknown to the writer thereof: "A company of soldiers who did good service in the defence of Charleston Harbor were nearly all, if not all Jews. The names of Daniel W. Cardozo, Jacob I. Cohen, Sr., and Isaiah Isaacs, we think, must have been on the roll of that company. Relations or descendants of all of these are still to be found among our most respectable families. Sheftall Sheftall, Isaac N. Cardozo, a brother of David, and Colonel Bush, occur to us just now as brave soldiers in the Revolution, and no doubt many others are known to other persons." Compare with this the following passage from a speech of Col. J. W. D. Worthington on the Jew Bill, Maryland, 1824 (Speeches on the Jew Bill, etc., by H. N. Brackenridge, Phila. 1829, p. 115): "Here is another paper which contains the names of a corps of volunteer infantry, in Charleston, South Carolina, in February, 1779. It was composed chiefly of Israelites, residing in King's Street and was commanded by Captain Lushington, and afterward fought under Gen. Moultrie at the Battle of Beaufort." Also Westcott's "Persons Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to Pennsylvania." "Abraham Seixas, formerly an officer in the Militia of Charleston, South Carolina, lately arrived in this city, Philadelphia; Merchant, May 31, 1782."

We may fittingly close this paper with an account of a Jewish patriot of the Revolution who held important and responsible positions under both Congressional and Georgia State control,and who had occasion to find that the Sovereign will often decline to pay even the most bona fide debts, where powerful influence to force bills for their payment through Congress is wanting. One of the witnesses in the Court Martial Proceedings, of Major General Howe, in 1780, (N. Y. Hist. Soc. Collections, 1879, pp. 260-263, 301) was Mordecai Sheftall, who was Deputy Commissary General of Issues to the Continental troops in Georgia during the period of the British invasion of that State, and also Commissary General of Purchase and Issues to the Militia. He testified to various measures he had recommended for removing supplies from positions of danger, to prevent their falling into the hands of the British, and it is very suggestive that these provisions should be referred to in the Index, under the heading: "Jewish Thrift," (Collections, 1880, p. 461). In his defence, General Howe referred to him as follows: "Mr. Sheftall, the Deputy Commissary General of Issues, has been brought by the prosecutors to prove upon me, as I suppose, a neglect of the public stores. I have ever had a favorable opinion of Mr. Sheftall, as an honest man, and from the testimony of such, I know I have nothing to fear; his evidence, therefore, is in my favor. Many measures, however, were pursued that Mr. Sheftall might have had no knowledge of." Mr. Sheftall's was one of the earliest Jewish families in Georgia, and various items in regard to his character and standing are collated in Judge Daly's work (p. 70, et seq.), where his name is, erroneously, it seems, spelt Sheftail. On page 72 reference is made to Cushman Polack, who was also a witness in the Howe trial, (pp. 264-5) he having been a private in the militia in Georgia at the same time; his name is there spelt "Coshman Pollock". Markens also adds, on what authority I am unable to state, (p. 49) that when the British took possession of Savannah, December 29, 1778, Mordecai Sheftall, with his son Sheftall Sheftall, endeavored to make his escape, but was compelled to surrender by a body of Highlanders. He was taken to the guard-house, where the officer in charge was instructed to guard him well, as he was "a great rebel." There he was confined with a number of soldiers and negroes without a morsel to eat until a Hessian officer named Zeltman, finding he could speak his language, removed him to his quarters andpermitted him to communicate with his wife and son. In an interesting narrative, published many years ago, Mr. Sheftall states that he was treated with abuse by Captain Strarhope of the "Raven" sloop of war, and he and his son were ordered on board the prison ship. His name, with the inscription, "Chairman Rebel Provisional Committee," is enrolled on the list of those who were selected as coming under the Disqualifying Act of July, 1780, and thus rendered "incapable of holding or exercising any office of trust, honor or profit in the Province of Georgia."

The writer hereof believes that, until now, no particulars have been known to the Jewish historian in regard to a claim urged by Sheftall, and afterwards his widow, before Congress. It appears that he presented a petition to the House of Representatives on March 29, 1792, asking for a settlement of his accounts as Deputy Commissary General of Issues for the Southern Department during the Revolutionary War with Great Britain. The claim was referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, who reported it to the next Congress, though the nature of his report is not known to the writer. In the fourth Congress the petition was referred to the Committee on Claims, which reported it back to the House, February 11, 1797. In the House List of Private Claims (Vol. III, p. 305-6), this report is marked "adverse." No authority seems to exist for this statement. In fact, another claim reported at the same time was rejected at once, but the Sheftall claim was referred to the Committee of the Whole on the following Wednesday, but on that day it does not appear to have been considered. In the Seventh Congress, Frances, widow of Mordecai Sheftall, renewed her husband's petition and it was again referred to a committee. This committee's report was read and considered on April 3, 1802, but further Consideration was postponed till the 4th Monday of November following, which was practically equivalent to killing the measure, as Congress never meets in ordinary session in November. (Journals of Congress, House, Second, 1st Session, p. 554; Third, 1st Session, pp. 77-8; Fourth, 1st Session, p. 451; Fourth, 2d Session, p. 691; Seventh, 1st Session, 136, 177, Carpenter; American Senator, III, 449-50). No further information as to the claim is at hand. From the persistencein pressing it, it must be concluded that some substantial sum was involved. It may be that it was rejected because the United States declined to assume liability for the acts of the State of Georgia, there having been a series of controversies between the State and General Government as to the liability of the latter for military services and expenditures incurred in behalf of the former. At any rate, the claim does not appear to have been paid, and like the Haym Salomon claim, is another illustration of our country's ingratitude to those who made sacrifices for it of worldly goods and life and limb in its hours of need.

Scant and unsatisfactory as are the army records of the Revolutionary period, enough of an authentic character has been preserved to fully sustain the statement of Solomon Etting, who, writing in Baltimore in 1824, notes that among the soldiers of the Revolution "were many Hebrews who were always at their post and always foremost in all hazardous enterprises." This almost contemporary notice emanates from a Jew whose father had served in the Continental army from the beginning of the Revolution to the capture of Charleston, and who, through the prominence of his family had been brought in contact with many of the distinguished participants in the momentous struggle.

The active co-operation of Jewish citizens in the non-importation movement of 1763 has already been adverted to, but even before that time we find references to prominent Jewish participants in the public defense. In 1754, during the French and Indian War, Isaac Myers, a Jewish citizen of New York, called a town meeting at the "Rising Sun" Inn and organized a company of bateau men of which he became captain. Two other Jews are named as taking part in the same war, both of whom served in the expedition across the Allegheny mountains in the year above noted. It is altogether probable that these three were not the only Jewish soldiers of that early war, but only these have left traces of their presence. In the following year, 1755, when the colonies were agitated by the disastrous ending of the Braddock campaign and the incipient movement toward federation, we find a Jew, Benjamin Cohen, a member of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania and Attorney-General of the colony.

The chronicles of the Revolutionary War afford a considerable and in many respects an interesting list of Jewish names. A few of the more prominent of these have already been mentionedunder preceding heads, and others cited on the records are here added in alphabetical order:

CaptainNoah Abraham

was called out with the battalion of Cumberland County Militia, of Pennsylvania, "by an order from Council, July 28, 1777."

Aaron Benjamin,

Ensign of 8th Connecticut Regiment, January 1, 1777; Second Lieutenant, February 14, 1778; First Lieutenant, May 7, 1778; Regimental Adjutant, April 1, 1780, to January, 1783; transferred to 5th Connecticut Regiment January 1, 1781; transferred to 3d Connecticut Regiment January 1, 1783; retained in Swift's Connecticut Regiment June, 1783, and served to November 3, 1783; Lieutenant-Colonel of 37th United States Infantry March 11, 1813; honorably discharged June 15, 1815; died January 11, 1829.

Samuel Benjamin,

Ensign of 8th Massachusetts Regiment January 1, 1777; Second Lieutenant October 3, 1777; First Lieutenant March 28, 1779, served to June, 1783.

Joseph Bloomfield,

Captain of 3d New Jersey Regiment February 9, 1776; Deputy Judge Advocate-General November 17, 1776, to October 29, 1778; Brigadier-General United States Army March 27, 1812; honorably discharged June 15, 1815; died October 3, 1823.

Moses Bloomfield,

(New Jersey) Hospital Surgeon May 14, 1777; Hospital Physician and Surgeon October 6, 1780; resigned December 13, 1780; died August 14, 1791.

Henry Pike Bush

is recorded as a soldier in the "Associators and Flying Camp," Pennsylvania.

ColonelSolomon Bush

was an officer in the Pennsylvania Militia (1777-1778), whose record is highly creditable and whose services wonfor him a well-deserved promotion. He was appointed Deputy Adjutant General of the Militia of the State on July 5, 1777. As to his subsequent career in the army, no stronger testimony could be desired than that set forth in the resolution adopted by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, at its session on Wednesday, October 20, 1779. It reads thus:"The petition of Major Solomon Bush, in the militia of this State, being read, and due inquiry having been made into the circumstances of his case, it appears that Major Bush has, on many occasions, distinguished himself in the public service, especially in the winter of 1776, when the service was critical and hazardous."That he entered again into the said service in the summer of 1777, when General Sir William Howe invaded the State and the militia were called out pursuant to the resolutions of Congress and the requisition of His Excellency, General Washington; and in the month of September, 1777, acting as Deputy Adjutant General, he was dangerously wounded in a skirmish between the militia and the advance of the British Army, his thigh being broken and he brought off with great difficulty; that being carried to his father's house, on Chestnut Hill, and incapable of being moved, he fell into the hands of the British Army, when it moved up to Whitemarsh, in December, 1777, who took his parole; That he has ever since been confined with his wound, and incapable of performing any military duty, or acquiring a livelihood, but on the other hand, his situation attended with much difficulty and expense."All which circumstances being considered, and that the said Major Bush being at the time of receiving his wounds in Continental Service and now a prisoner of war."Resolved, That he be recommended to the especial notice of the Honourable Board of War, in order to obtain pay and rations equal to his rank; and that this Board in consideration of the services and sufferings of Major Bush, will permit him to draw from the State store, from time to time, such articles as may be necessary for his comfortable Subsistence and Support."That Major Bush had already been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, is evidenced by another resolution, complimentary to him, adopted by the same Council seven days later, when he was "recommended to the Honourable the Board of War, for pay and rations accordingly." Again on November 5, 1785, the Council, over which Benjamin Franklin then presided, passed an order for the payment of a pension due to Lieutenant-Colonel Bush.

"The petition of Major Solomon Bush, in the militia of this State, being read, and due inquiry having been made into the circumstances of his case, it appears that Major Bush has, on many occasions, distinguished himself in the public service, especially in the winter of 1776, when the service was critical and hazardous.

"That he entered again into the said service in the summer of 1777, when General Sir William Howe invaded the State and the militia were called out pursuant to the resolutions of Congress and the requisition of His Excellency, General Washington; and in the month of September, 1777, acting as Deputy Adjutant General, he was dangerously wounded in a skirmish between the militia and the advance of the British Army, his thigh being broken and he brought off with great difficulty; that being carried to his father's house, on Chestnut Hill, and incapable of being moved, he fell into the hands of the British Army, when it moved up to Whitemarsh, in December, 1777, who took his parole; That he has ever since been confined with his wound, and incapable of performing any military duty, or acquiring a livelihood, but on the other hand, his situation attended with much difficulty and expense.

"All which circumstances being considered, and that the said Major Bush being at the time of receiving his wounds in Continental Service and now a prisoner of war.

"Resolved, That he be recommended to the especial notice of the Honourable Board of War, in order to obtain pay and rations equal to his rank; and that this Board in consideration of the services and sufferings of Major Bush, will permit him to draw from the State store, from time to time, such articles as may be necessary for his comfortable Subsistence and Support."

That Major Bush had already been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, is evidenced by another resolution, complimentary to him, adopted by the same Council seven days later, when he was "recommended to the Honourable the Board of War, for pay and rations accordingly." Again on November 5, 1785, the Council, over which Benjamin Franklin then presided, passed an order for the payment of a pension due to Lieutenant-Colonel Bush.

MajorLewis Bush

became First Lieutenant of the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion on January 9, 1776 and Captain the following June. He was transferred to Colonel Thomas Hartley's Additional Continental Regiment January 13, 1773 and was commissioned Major, March 12, 1777. That he proved a brave soldier, his efficient service in a number of battles affords ample evidence. At the battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, he was fatally wounded, and four days later he died.

Jonas Bush

was in the roll of revolutionary soldiers, but there is no information given as to his rank or date of enlistment.

Jacob I. Cohen

in 1783 went to Charleston, S. C., and during the campaign which followed, took part as a volunteer soldier in the Continental army, serving under Moultrie and Lincoln. Frequent references to Mr. Cohen are found in the Madison papers, and his valuable services are repeatedly adverted to.

Philip Jacob Cohen

became so distinguished for the services he rendered to the Colonies that he was singled out by the British authorities through a special order depriving him of the right of holding or exercising any office of trust, honor or profit in the Province of Georgia.

Mordecai Davis,

Ensign of 2nd Pennsylvania Battery January 5, 1776; died on August 12, 1776.

Reuben Etting

was a clerk in Baltimore at the time of the battle at Lexington. Although only 19 years of age, he enlisted in a Maryland company, which hastened north to join the forces of Congress. He served in various battles and was taken prisoner by the British at the surrender of Charleston. When released from imprisonment by exchange he was broken in health from ill treatment in prison and exposure on the field. He was a captain of the Independent Blues in 1798, and Marshal of Maryland, appointed by President Jefferson.

Solomon Etting,

a native of York, Pennsylvania, appears as one of the committee of citizens appointed to forward resolutions to Washington expressive of disapprobation of a proposed treaty with Great Britain. Subsequently settled in Baltimore and became President of the Municipal Council.

ColonelIsaac Franks,

who then lived in Philadelphia, entered the army shortly after the battle of Lexington. He became aide-de-camp to General Washington, holding the rank of colonel, and serving throughout the war. After the Revolution Colonel Franks became the incumbent of various civil offices, among them Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, being appointed to that position on February 18, 1819. His residence in Germantown was for some time occupied by President Washington.

ColonelDavid S. Franks, Aide-de-camp. See sketch on p. 27.

Michael Gratz,

of Philadelphia, aided the Colonists in the Revolutionary war. He was one of the signers of the Non-Importation Resolutions (October 20, 1765), after the passage of the Stamp Act, and was among the most active, patriotic and respected Israelites of Philadelphia, being a conspicuous character in public affairs.

Bernard Hart

was Quartermaster of a brigade of State troops during the Revolution.

Michael Hart,

a public spirited and leading citizen of Easton, Pa., of whom it is recorded:"Let it be remembered that Michael Hart was a Jew, practically pious, a Jew reverencing and strictly observant of the Sabbath and Festivals; dietary laws were also adhered to. * * * Mark well that he, Washington, the then honored as 'first in peace, first in war, and first in the hearts of his countrymen,' even during a short sojourn, became for the hour the guest of the worthy Jew."

a public spirited and leading citizen of Easton, Pa., of whom it is recorded:

"Let it be remembered that Michael Hart was a Jew, practically pious, a Jew reverencing and strictly observant of the Sabbath and Festivals; dietary laws were also adhered to. * * * Mark well that he, Washington, the then honored as 'first in peace, first in war, and first in the hearts of his countrymen,' even during a short sojourn, became for the hour the guest of the worthy Jew."

Moses Hammer

enlisted as a private in the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion November 15, 1775.

David Hays, Jr.,

was an active participant in the struggle for independence and served with the Colonial Army on Long Island. In retaliation for his patriotic services the Tories burned his house and store. Prior to the Revolution he was one of the Commissioners appointed by the British authorities to lay out public lands. All of his family sided with the Colonists during the War of Independence.

David HaysandJacob Hays,

father and son, fought in various of the battles for independence.

ColonelIsaacs,

of North Carolina Militia; wounded and taken prisoner at Camden August 16, 1780; exchanged July, 1781.

Moses Isaacks,

one of the early settlers of Newport, R. I., was an active supporter of the Army of the Revolution. He had the honor of receiving General Washington as a guest at his house.

Solomon Isaac

enlisted as a private in the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion, company of Capt. Robert Adams, February 6, 1776.

Isaac Israel,

2nd Lieutenant of 8th Virginia Regiment, February 9, 1776; 1st Lieutenant, January, 1777; Captain, November 23, 1777; transferred to 4th Virginia Regiment, September 14, 1778.

Joseph Israel

volunteered as a soldier during the Revolution.

Jacob Leon

was an officer on the staff of General Pulaski.

Jacob De Leon,

of Charleston, S. C., was a distinguished officer of the War of the Revolution. He served as captain on the staff of General de Kalb, and when the latter was mortally wounded at the battle of Camden, S. C., de Leon in company with Major Benjamin Nones and Captain Jacob de la Motta, of the staff, carried de Kalb from the field.

Asher Levy,

Ensign of 1st New Jersey Regiment, September 12, 1778; resigned June 4, 1779.

Nathaniel Levy,

of Baltimore, served under Lafayette during the Revolutionary War.

Israel de Lieber

was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who rose from the ranks to military positions of honor and trust.

Jacob Moser,

Captain of 6th Pennsylvania Regiment, February 15, 1777; retired, July 1, 1778.

Benjamin Moses

served on the staff of General Pulaski.

Isaac Moses,

of Philadelphia, advanced three thousand pounds when Robert Morris undertook to raise money to prosecute the War of Independence; he was active in the Jewish communities of New York and Philadelphia.

Emanuel de la Motta

served in the Revolution and in the War of 1812. In recognition of his valor as displayed in battle he was promoted from the ranks to a military position of honor.

Jacob de la Motta

was a captain on the staff of General Pulaski.

Manuel Mordecai Noah,

of South Carolina, (1747-1825) patriot and soldier; heretofore referred to as having contributed twenty thousand pounds to the support of the American army; served with General Marion, also on the staff of General Washington.

Major Benjamin Nones,

a native of Bordeaux, France, came to Philadelphia in 1777. He served at various times on the staff of General Lafayette and on that of General Washington. He had previously been a private under General Pulaski, and had, as he writes, "fought in almost every action which took place in Carolina, and in the disastrous affair of Savannah, shared the hardships of that sanguinary day." He became major of a Legion of four hundred men attached to Baron De Kalb's command and composed in part of Hebrews. At the battle of Camden, S. C., on August 16, 1780, when the brave De Kalb fell mortally wounded, Major Nones, Capt. Jacob De la Motta and Capt. Jacob de Leon bore their chief from the battlefield.Major Nones rendered many conspicuous services, civil and military, to his adopted country.

Major Nones rendered many conspicuous services, civil and military, to his adopted country.

Abraham R. Rivera

was a member of the artillery corps of Newport, R. I., in 1790.

Philip Moses Russel

was born 1745, and resided in Germantown, Pa. When the war broke out in the Spring of 1775 he enlisted as surgeon's mate under the command of General Lee, serving about ten months. After the British occupation of Philadelphia, in September, 1777, he became surgeon'smate to Surgeon Norman, of the Second Virginia Regiment.Russell went into winter quarters with the army at Valley Forge, 1777-1778. An attack of sickness, which impaired both his sight and hearing, forced him to resign in August, 1780. He received a letter of commendation from General Washington, "for his assiduous and faithful attentions to the sick and wounded."

Russell went into winter quarters with the army at Valley Forge, 1777-1778. An attack of sickness, which impaired both his sight and hearing, forced him to resign in August, 1780. He received a letter of commendation from General Washington, "for his assiduous and faithful attentions to the sick and wounded."

Ezekiel Sampson,

Lieutenant of Baldwin's Artillery, Artificer Regiment, May to December, 1775.

Joseph Sampson,

2nd Lieutenant of Cotton's Massachusetts Regiment, May to December, 1775.

Abraham Seixes, was a lieutenant in the Georgia Brigade of the Continental Army.

Mordecai Sheftall. See biographical sketch, p. 40.

[Papers collated byLewis Abraham, Esq., and presented at the meeting of the American Jewish Historical Society, at Washington, December 27th, 1894.]

When Washington had concluded his labors in the field of war and had attained deserved civic honors, and when laurels were showered upon him from all quarters the Hebrews joined their fellow-citizens in felicitating the hero and statesman.

The following correspondence is collated fromThe United States Gazette, of 1790; a partial file of this paper can be found in the Congressional Library. It is strange that the letters are not all to be found in books in which the Washington correspondence are compiled.

The original letter addressed to the "Beth Elohim" congregation of Charleston, S. C., was carefully preserved among the many other valuable records of that city, but was destroyed by the great fire of 1838. The Mayor of Charleston endeavored to obtain a copy from the general government, but after a thorough examination of the records, no such document could be found. After a prolonged search, however, the present writer was enabled to discover the missing document, and was well rewarded with the thanks of the authorities of Charleston. (Year-Book of the City of Charleston for 1884, page 280.)

The "Address from the Hebrew Congregation of the City of Savannah, Ga., to George Washington, the First President of the United States," presented by Mr. Jackson, one of the representatives from Georgia.

Sir: We have long been anxious of congratulating you on your appointment, by unanimous approbation, to the Presidential dignity of this country and of testifying our unbounded confidence in your integrity and unblemished virtue. Yet however exalted the station you now fill, it is still not equal tothe merit of your heroic services through an arduous and dangerous conflict which has embosomed you in the hearts of her citizens.

Our eccentric situation, added to a diffidence founded on the most profound respect, has thus long prevented our address, yet the delay has realized anticipation, given us an opportunity of presenting our grateful acknowledgements for the benediction of Heaven through the magnanimity of federal influence and the equity of your administration.

Your unexampled liberality and extensive philanthropy have dispelled that cloud of bigotry and superstition which has long, as a vail, shaded religion—unrivetted the fetters of enthusiasm—enfranchised us with all the privileges and immunities of free citizens, and initiated us into the grand mass of legislative mechanism. By example you have taught us to endure the ravages of war with manly fortitude, and to enjoy the blessings of peace with reverence to the Deity and with benignity and love to our fellow-creatures.

May the Great Author of the world grant you all happiness—an uninterrupted series of health—addition of years to the number of your days, and a continuance of guardianship to that freedom which under auspices of Heaven your magnanimity and wisdom have given these States.

Levi Sheftall,President.In behalf of the Hebrew Congregations.

To which the President was pleased to return the following reply: (Printed in Jared Sparks collection, Vol. XII, p. 185).

To the Hebrew Congregations of the City of Savannah, Georgia:

Gentlemen: I thank you with great sincerity for your congratulations on my appointment to the office which I have the honor to hold by the unanimous choice of my fellow-citizens, and especially the expressions you are pleased to use in testifying the confidence that is reposed in me by your congregations.

As the delay which has naturally intervened between my election and your address has afforded me an opportunity for appreciating the merits of the Federal Government and for communicating your sentiments of its administration, I have ratherto express my satisfaction rather than regret at a circumstance which demonstrates (upon experiment) your attachment to the former as well as approbation of the latter.

I rejoice that a spirit of liberality and philanthropy is much more prevalent than it formerly was among the enlightened nations of the earth, and that your brethren will benefit thereby in proportion as it shall become still more extensive; happily the people of the United States have, in many instances exhibited examples worthy of imitation, the salutary influence of which will doubtless extend much farther if gratefully enjoying those blessings of peace which (under the favor of heaven) have been attained by fortitude in war, they shall conduct themselves with reverence to the Deity and charity toward their fellow-creatures.

May the same wonder-working Deity, who long since delivered the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors, planted them in a promised land,whose providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation, still continue to water them with the dews of heaven and make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of that people whose God is Jehovah.

G. Washington.

Address of the Newport Congregation to the President of the United States of America:

Sir: Permit the children of the stock of Abraham to approach you with the most cordial affection and esteem for your person and merit, and to join with our fellow-citizens in welcoming you to Newport.

With pleasure we reflect on those days of difficulty and danger when the God of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword, shielded your head in the day of battle; and we rejoice to think that the same spirit which rested in the bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel, enabling him to preside over the province of the Babylonian Empire, rests and ever will rest upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of the Chief Magistrate of these States.

Deprived as we hitherto have been of the invaluable rightsof free citizens, we now—with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty Disposer of all events—behold a government erected by the majesty of the people, a government which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance, but generously affording to all liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship, deeming every one of whatever nation, tongue, and language equal parts of the great governmental machine.

This so ample and extensive Federal Union, whose base is philanthropy, mutual confidence and public virtue, we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God who rules in the armies of the heavens and among the inhabitants of the earth, doing whatever seemeth to Him good.

For all the blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Ancient days, the great Preserver of men, beseeching Him that the angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness into the promised land may graciously conduct you through all the difficulties and dangers of this mortal life; and when, like Joshua, full of days and full of honors, you are gathered to your fathers, may you be admitted into the heavenly paradise to partake of the water of life and the tree of immortality.

Done and signed by order of the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island.

Moses Seixes,Warden.

Newport, August 17, 1790.

Washington's reply to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, R. I.:

Gentlemen: While I receive with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport, from all classes of citizens.

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger, which are past, is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.

If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the justadministration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.

The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy, a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were by the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity.

May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.

May the Father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.

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