Notwithstanding this cruel tragedy, which might have resulted otherwise had he been present, Cornwallis possessed some fine traits of character, had an amiable disposition, was greatly beloved by his men, and was bitterly opposed to house-burning when the fortunes of war were in his favor.  In 1770, he and three other young peers, joined Lord Camden in protesting against the taxation of the American colonies.  Mansfield, the Chief Justice, is said to have sneeringly remarked:  “Poor Camden could only get four boys to join him.”  Although opposed to the course of the British Ministry, yet, when hostilities commenced, he did not refuse to accept active employment against America.  Soon after the war he was appointed Governor-General of the East Indies, which position he held for six years.  During that time, he conquered the renowned Tippoo Sultan, for which service he was created a marquis and master of the ordnance.  He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1798 to 1801, and was instrumental in restoring peace to that country, then distracted by rebellion.  He signed the treaty of Amicus in 1802, and in 1804 was again appointed Governor General of India.  On his arrival at Calcutta, his health failed and he died at Ghazepore on the 5th of October, 1805, aged sixty-seven years.

COLONEL TARLETON.

Colonel Banastre Tarleton was born in Liverpool, England, on the 21st of August, 1754.  He commenced the study of the law, but when the war in America broke out he entered the British army and came to this country with Lord Cornwallis.  He served with that officer in all his campaigns in the South, and by his daring intrepedity, and indomitable energy, greatly contributed to the success of the British arms at Camden.  He possessed a sanguinary disposition, as was exhibited in the cruel massacre of Col.  Buford’s regiment at the Waxhaws.  In tracing his history in America, we look in vain for any redeeming traits in his character.  The ardor of his temper and military ambition received a severe check at the battle of the “Cowpens” on the 17th of January, 1781.  The capitulation of the British army at Yorktown, closed his military services in America.  On his return to England, he received, as might be expected, numerous honors.

In 1798, he married the daughter of the Duke of Ancaster.  He died on the 25th of January, 1833, in the seventy-ninth year of his age, without issue, and without any lingering affection of the American people.

THE CHEROKEE INDIANS.

     “We, the rightful lords of yore,
     Are the rightful lords no more;
     Like the silver mist, we fail,
     Like the red leaves in the gale—­
     Fail, like shadows, when the dawning
     Waves the bright flag of the morning.”

In every history of the United States the different tribes of Indians—­the native “sons of the forest” and “rightful lords of the soil,” from Main to Florida and from the Atlantic ocean to the great Mississippi valley—­justly claim conspicuous notice, whether considered as prowling enemies or warm-hearted friends.