[123] Published in the _Freeman's Journal_, January 30, 1782. "Prince William Henry, third son of George III, afterwards William IV, entered the navy as midshipman at the age of fourteen in 1779. He sailed in the _Prince George_ of 98 guns to Gibralter, in the course of which cruise he saw some service under Rodney in conflict with the Spanish fleet; and it was in this ship, accompanied by Admiral Digby, that he arrived at New York in September, 1781."--_Duyckinck._ He was received with great enthusiasm and ceremony. In the _Freeman's Journal_ of January 25, 1782, was the following, doubtless from the pen of Freneau: "It is observable that the arrival of Prince William Henry in New York filled the British with 'joy ineffable and universal.' The very chimney sweeps, smitten with the poetic flame, composed odes in his praise, some of which were inserted in _The Royal Gazette_." The 1809 edition was given a long French motto from Mirabeau, which Freneau translates as follows: "The favourites of a throne bask in its sunshine, like butterflies in a fine day. Their very slaves at the foot of royalty partake of the delusion. They keep a nation under their feet, and their every folly influences and is followed by the multitude. They care not if their fathers and their nearest relatives are trampled into the dust, provided _they_ can figure away in the circles of a court, etc." LORD DUNMORE'S PETITION TO THE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA[124] _Humbly Sheweth--_ That a silly old fellow, much noted of yore, And known by the name of John, earl of Dunmore, Has again ventured over to visit your shore. The reason of this he begs leave to explain-- In England they said you were conquered and slain, (But the devil take him who believes them again)-- So, hearing that most of you rebels were dead, That some had submitted, and others had fled, I mustered my Tories, myself at their head, And over we scudded, our hearts full of glee, As merry as ever poor devils could be, Our ancient dominion, Virginia, to see; Our shoe-boys, and tars, and the very cook's mate Already conceived he possessed an estate, And the Tories no longer were cursing their fate. Myself, (the don Quixote) and each of the crew, Like Sancho, had islands and empires in view-- They were captains, and kings, and the devil knows who: But now, to our sorrow, disgrace, and surprise, No longer deceived by the Father of Lies,[A] We hear with our ears, and we see with our eyes:-- [A] The printer of the Royal Gazette.--_Freneau's note, ed. of 1786._ I have therefore to make you a modest request, (And I'm sure, in my mind, it will be for the best) Admit me again to your mansions of rest. There are Eden, and Martin, and Franklin, and Tryon,[125] All waiting to see you submit to the Lion, And may wait till the devil is king of Mount Sion:--