May the tranquility of your City be perpetual,—may the ruins soon be repaired, commerce flourish, science be fostered, and all the civil and social virtues be cherished in the same illustrious manner which formerly reflected so much credit on the inhabitants of New York. In fine, may every species of felicity attend you, Gentlemen, and your worthy fellow citizens.
Geo. Washington.
[6] Gen. Jeremiah Johnson, who was present, so stated to the writer, Feb. 15, 1848.
[7] A patriotic song was composed for that day, entitled, "The Sheep Stealers," which was distributed and sung with immense gusto in the evening coteries. Coarse, but designed to cast ridicule on the enemy, it is given as a specimen of the popular songs of the period:
King George sent his Sheep-stealers,
Poor Refugees and Tories!
King George sent his Sheep-stealers
To fish for mutton here,
To fish for mutton here,
To fish for mutton here,
But Yankees were hard dealers,
Poor Refugees and Tories;
But Yankees were hard dealers,
They sold their sheep-skins dear,
They sold their sheep-skins dear,
They sold their sheep-skins dear,
But Yankees were hard dealers,
They sold their sheep-skins dear!
At Boston Britons glorious,
The Refugees and Tories,
Made war on pigs and fowls,
But o'er men un-victorious,
They fled by night like owls!
The Howes came in a huff, Boys,
With Refugees and Tories,
To plunder, burn and sink;
But like a candle-snuff, Boys,
They went—and left a stink!
Burgoyne, that cunning rogue, ah!
With Refugees and Tories,
Of conquest laid grand schemes;
But Gates at Saratoga,
Awak'd him from his dreams!
The noble Earl Cornwally,
With Refugees and Tories,
Of southern plunderers chief,
At Yorktown wept the folly
Of stealing "Rebel" beef!
Clinton, that son of thunder,
With Refugees and Tories,
At New York took his stand.
And swore that he asunder
Would shake the Rebel land!