DAVID HUMPHREYS was born in Derby, Conn., in July, 1753, died in New
Haven, Conn., February 21, 1818. He was graduated from Yale College
in 1767, and at the beginning of the Revolution entered the army. In
1778 he was attached to the staff of General Putnam, with the rank of
major.
In 1780 he was made a colonel and aide-de-camp to Washington. He was
custodian of the standards, surrendered at Yorktown and was presented
with a sword by Congress.
In 1784 he was appointed Secretary to the Legation for concluding
treaties with foreign powers.
He resided at Mount Vernon until the framing of the Constitution,
when he came to New York with the President.
In 1790 he was nominated Ambassador to Portugal, and sailed for that
country in 1791. He was afterwards appointed to represent the United
States at Madrid, and during this time concluded treaties of peace
with Tripoli and Algiers. He was the author of a number of works,
including a Life of General Israel Putnam.
THE WIDOW OF MALABAR; OR, THE TYRANNY OF CUSTOM. A Tragedy in Five
Acts. Translated from the French of M. Le Mierre.
This play was published in the _Miscellaneous Works_ of Humphreys,
New York, 1790, pp. 115-176.
First played at the Philadelphia Theatre, 1790. The announcement
of its performance at the John Street Theatre, New York, October
17, 1791, was in these words:
_The Widow of Malabar; or, The Tyranny of Custom._ A play in five
acts, written by a citizen of the United States (acted at
Philadelphia and Baltimore with great applause), with a prologue
by J. Trumbull, LL.D.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, October, 1791.
THE YANKEY IN ENGLAND. A Drama in Five Acts. n. p., n. d. [Conn.,
1815.] 12mo, pp. 110, 1.
Dunlap says he also wrote a comedy, and relates how he endeavored
to persuade the manager, John Bernard, to bring it out, but was
unsuccessful. _The Yankey in England_ was probably the play.