PATRIOTIC QUAKERS. 335 



tion, no wild and rocky sterility, but a beautiful, level 

 plain, a valley reaching away for miles, rich in agri- 

 cultural products, and teeming with the evidences of 

 wealth and civilization. Away off to the right was 

 the Champlain. The spires of Plattsburgh could be 

 seen in the distance, seeming to rise like white pillars 

 from the depths of a belt of forest, while in front of 

 them can be viewed the spot where was fought the 

 naval battle of Lake Champlain, in the last war. The 

 beautiful landscape before me was the valley of the 

 little Au Sable. It was settled by Quakers, men of 

 peace, who till the ground in quiet, and never go up 

 to the wars with weapons of destruction in their 

 hands. The spot was pointed out to me where these 

 peaceful people, startled by the booming cannon, 

 went up and stood to view the conflict on the lake, 

 when McDonough and Downie fought against each 

 other. These men of peace were patriots. They 

 loved their country, and while from principle they 

 refrained from the shedding of human blood, yet their 

 hearts and their prayers were with their countrymen, 

 against their country's foes. When the smoke of the 

 battle floated away, and the triumph of American 

 arms was manifest, there went up a shout of gladness, 



