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Carroll Judson. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + color: silver; +} /* page numbers */ + +.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-style: italic; font-size: 80%;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Custom */ +.clr {clear: both;} + +.tn { background-color: #EEE; color: inherit; font-size: 80%; margin: 2em 10% 1em 10%; padding: 0.5em 1em 0.5em 1em; font-family: sans-serif; border: thin solid black; } + +.correct {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted red;} + +li {margin-bottom: .5em;} + +.noin {text-indent: 0em;} + +.right {text-align: right; text-indent: 0em;} + +.col3l {clear: both; margin-left: 5%; float: left; width: 30%;} +.col3m {float: left; width: 30%;} +.col3r {float: left; width: 30%; margin-right: 5%;} + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution, by +L. Carroll Judson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution + +Author: L. Carroll Judson + +Release Date: October 25, 2010 [EBook #33905] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SAGES AND HEROES OF THE *** + + + + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Patrick Hopkins and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of +public domain works from the University of Michigan Digital +Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="tn"> + +<h3>Transcriber's Note</h3> + +<ul> +<li> The table of contents and chapter headings have been maintained as in +the original text. In the table of contents, all names (which act as +chapter and section headings) are listed in alphabetical order in the +format Lastname Firstname. In Part I of the main body the chapter +headings are in the format Firstname Lastname. The section headings +in Part II are in the format Lastname Firstname.</li> + +<li> The position of some illustrations has been changed to better fit with +the context.</li> + +<li> Illustration captions in {brackets} have been added by the transcriber +for reader convenience.</li> + +<li> In general, geographical references, spelling, hyphenation, and +capitalization have been retained as in the original publication. This +includes a number of inconsistencies across the text. For example, the +Whiskey Rebellion of Pennsylvania is referred to using both the +spellings <i>whiskey</i> and <i>whisky</i>. Also, variations of <i>yoemanry</i> (<i>yeomanry</i>, +<i>yoemanry</i>).</li> + +<li> Minor typographical errors—usually periods and commas—have been +corrected without note.</li> + +<li> Significant typographical errors have been corrected and are marked with +dotted underlines. Place your mouse over the highlighted word and the original text will +<ins class="correct" title="Like this!">appear</ins>. A full list of these same corrections +is also available in the <a href="#TC">Transcriber's Corrections</a> section at the end of +the book.</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 393px;"> + <img src="images/p000.jpg" width="393" height="600" alt="{George Washington portrait and signature}" title="" /> + <span class="caption">ENGRAVED BY T.B. WELCH FROM A PORTRAIT BY G. STUART.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> + + +<h1><span style="font-size: 50%;">THE</span><br /> +<br /> +SAGES AND HEROES<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: 50%;">OF THE</span><br /> +<br /> +AMERICAN REVOLUTION.</h1> + +<p class="center"><span style="font-size: 150%;">IN TWO PARTS</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">INCLUDING THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.</span><br /> +<br /> +TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE OF THE SAGES AND<br /> +HEROES ARE PRESENTED IN DUE FORM<br /> +<br /> +AND MANY OTHERS ARE NAMED INCIDENTALLY.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: 150%;">BY L. CARROLL JUDSON,</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">AUTHOR OF A BIOGRAPHY OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,<br /> +MORAL PROBE, ET CET. ET CET.</span><br /> +<br /> +<i>REVISED</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span style="border-top: 1px solid black; border-bottom: 1px solid black; font-size: 80%; padding: 5px;">STEREOTYPE EDITION.</span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">PHILADELPHIA:</span><br /> +MOSS & BROTHER.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">1854.</span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center">Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1851,</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By L. Carroll Judson</span>,</p> + +<p class="center">in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Transferred to Moss & Brother.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span style="border-top: 1px solid black; border-bottom: 1px solid black; font-size: 80%; padding: 5px;">Stereotyped by <span class="smcap">Slote & Mooney</span>, Philadelphia.</span><br /> +<br /> +<br /></p> +<div style="width: 25%;"><p class="center"><span class="smcap">Kite & Walton</span>,<br /> +Printers.</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> volume contains the condensed substance of more expensive works +that have been published relative to the men and times of the American +Revolution. The character and acts of the most prominent Sages and +Heroes of that eventful era are delineated. A sufficient amount of +documentary matter is inserted to enable the reader to fully understand +the causes, progress and triumphant termination of that sanguinary +struggle that resulted in <span class="smcap">Freedom</span> to the new world and prepared an +asylum for the oppressed. The French and Indian wars are prominently +noticed. More Revolutionary names are rescued from oblivion in this book +than in any other extant. I have introduced many practical remarks +intended to rouse the reflective powers of the immortal mind and +increase a patriotic love for our expanding Republic and glorious +institutions. These remarks are designed to be living epistles animated +with "thoughts that breathe and words that burn." There are many +festering wounds on our body politic that need probing to the +bottom—cancers that require the best treatment of the boldest operators +in moral, religious and political surgery. The text is concise and not +dressed in the dogmatical garb of <i>arbitrary</i> punctuation. In preparing +the historical part I have consulted numerous documents and the most +approved works in our libraries. Once for all I award a general credit. +The relation of events is usually in my own plain laconic language. I +believe this volume as free from errors as any of its illustrious +predecessors. It has long been a cherished <i>desideratum</i> in my mind to +place this <i>multum in parvo</i> within the reach of every working man in +our land. I have exerted my best efforts to make it interesting and +instructive by blending a perspective chart of human nature with the +thrilling history of the times that tried the souls of the patriots of +'76. It is my ardent desire that it may prove beneficial to readers and +publisher.</p> + +<p class="right">L. CARROLL JUDSON,<br /> +<i>of the Philadelphia Bar</i>.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Philadelphia, March 4, 1851.</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a><br /><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<h3>PART I.</h3> + +<div class="col3l"> +<pre> +Adams John <a href="#JOHN_ADAMS">7</a> +Adams Samuel <a href="#SAMUEL_ADAMS">24</a> +Arnold Benedict <a href="#BENEDICT_ARNOLD">32</a> +Barney Joshua <a href="#JOSHUA_BARNEY">39</a> +Bartlett Josiah <a href="#JOSIAH_BARTLETT">49</a> +Braxton Carter <a href="#CARTER_BRAXTON">54</a> +Butler Zebulon <a href="#ZEBULON_BUTLER">58</a> +Carroll Charles <a href="#CHARLES_CARROLL_OF_CARROLLTON">63</a> +Chase Samuel <a href="#SAMUEL_CHASE">68</a> +Clark Abraham <a href="#ABRAHAM_CLARK">77</a> +Clymer George <a href="#GEORGE_CLYMER">80</a> +Dickinson John <a href="#JOHN_DICKINSON">87</a> +Ellery William <a href="#WILLIAM_ELLERY">90</a> +Floyd William <a href="#WILLIAM_FLOYD">96</a> +Franklin Benjamin <a href="#BENJAMIN_FRANKLIN">101</a> +Gates Horatio <a href="#HORATIO_GATES">110</a> +Gerry Elbridge <a href="#ELBRIDGE_GERRY">114</a> +Greene Nathaniel <a href="#NATHANIEL_GREENE">121</a> +Gwinnett Button <a href="#BUTTON_GWINNETT">129</a> +Hall Lyman <a href="#LYMAN_HALL">132</a> +Hancock John <a href="#JOHN_HANCOCK">135</a> +Harrison Benjamin <a href="#BENJAMIN_HARRISON">141</a> +Hart John <a href="#JOHN_HART">148</a> +Henry Patrick <a href="#PATRICK_HENRY">151</a> +Hewes Joseph <a href="#JOSEPH_HEWES">161</a> +</pre> +</div> + +<div class="col3m"> +<pre> +Heyward Thomas <a href="#THOMAS_HEYWARD">168</a> +Hopkins Stephen <a href="#STEPHEN_HOPKINS">172</a> +Hopkinson Francis <a href="#FRANCIS_HOPKINSON">179</a> +Hooper William <a href="#WILLIAM_HOOPER">182</a> +Huntington Samuel <a href="#SAMUEL_HUNTINGTON">186</a> +Irvine William <a href="#WILLIAM_IRVINE">189</a> +Jefferson Thomas <a href="#THOMAS_JEFFERSON">191</a> +Kalb Baron de <a href="#BARON_DE_KALB">205</a> +La Fayette G.M. de <a href="#GILBERT_MOTTIER_DE_LA_FAYETTE">208</a> +Lee Francis Lightfoot <a href="#FRANCIS_LIGHTFOOT_LEE">219</a> +Lee Richard Henry <a href="#RICHARD_HENRY_LEE">228</a> +Lewis Francis <a href="#FRANCIS_LEWIS">230</a> +Livingston Philip <a href="#PHILIP_LIVINGSTON">233</a> +Lynch Thomas Jr. <a href="#THOMAS_LYNCH_Jr">237</a> +McKean Thomas <a href="#THOMAS_McKEAN">240</a> +Marion Francis <a href="#FRANCIS_MARION">246</a> +Middleton Arthur <a href="#ARTHUR_MIDDLETON">251</a> +Morris Lewis <a href="#LEWIS_MORRIS">255</a> +Morris Robert <a href="#ROBERT_MORRIS">261</a> +Morton John <a href="#JOHN_MORTON">267</a> +Nelson Thomas <a href="#THOMAS_NELSON">270</a> +Otis James <a href="#JAMES_OTIS">278</a> +Paca William <a href="#WILLIAM_PACA">280</a> +Paine Robert Treat <a href="#ROBERT_TREAT_PAINE">284</a> +Penn John <a href="#JOHN_PENN">288</a> +</pre> +</div> + +<div class="col3r"> +<pre> +Quincy Josiah <a href="#JOSIAH_QUINCY">294</a> +Read George <a href="#GEORGE_READ">296</a> +Rodney Cæsar <a href="#CAESAR_RODNEY">300</a> +Ross George <a href="#GEORGE_ROSS">306</a> +Rush Benjamin <a href="#BENJAMIN_RUSH">311</a> +Rutledge Edward <a href="#EDWARD_RUTLEDGE">316</a> +Sherman Roger <a href="#ROGER_SHERMAN">321</a> +Smith James <a href="#JAMES_SMITH">329</a> +Stark John <a href="#JOHN_STARK">336</a> +Stockton Richard <a href="#RICHARD_STOCKTON">343</a> +Stone Thomas <a href="#THOMAS_STONE">348</a> +Taylor George <a href="#GEORGE_TAYLOR">352</a> +Thornton Matthew <a href="#MATTHEW_THORNTON">355</a> +Varnum Joseph B. <a href="#JOSEPH_B_VARNUM">359</a> +Walton George <a href="#GEORGE_WALTON">361</a> +Warren Joseph <a href="#JOSEPH_WARREN">366</a> +Washington George <a href="#GEORGE_WASHINGTON">368</a> +Wayne Anthony <a href="#ANTHONY_WAYNE">379</a> +Whipple William Jr. <a href="#WILLIAM_WHIPPLE_Jr">387</a> +Williams William <a href="#WILLIAM_WILLIAMS">391</a> +Wilson James <a href="#JAMES_WILSON">394</a> +Witherspoon John <a href="#JOHN_WITHERSPOON">399</a> +Wolcott Oliver <a href="#OLIVER_WOLCOTT">404</a> +Wythe George <a href="#GEORGE_WYTHE">406</a> +Yates Robert <a href="#ROBERT_YATES">410</a> +</pre> +</div> +<div class="clr"></div> + +<h3>PART II.</h3> + +<div class="col3l"> +<pre> +Allen Ethan <a href="#Page_415">415</a> +Allen Ebenezer <a href="#Page_416">416</a> +Allen Moses <a href="#Page_416">416</a> +Alexander William <a href="#Page_416">416</a> +Armstrong John <a href="#Page_416">416</a> +Barry John <a href="#Page_416">416</a> +Beatty William <a href="#Page_417">417</a> +Biddle Nicholas <a href="#Page_417">417</a> +Bland Theodoric <a href="#Page_418">418</a> +Blount Thomas <a href="#Page_418">418</a> +Boudinot Elias <a href="#Page_419">419</a> +Bowdoin James <a href="#Page_419">419</a> +Bradford William <a href="#Page_419">419</a> +Broad Hezekiah <a href="#Page_419">419</a> +Brooks Eleazer <a href="#Page_419">419</a> +Brooks John <a href="#Page_420">420</a> +Brown Andrew <a href="#Page_420">420</a> +Brown John <a href="#Page_420">420</a> +Brown Moses <a href="#Page_420">420</a> +Brown Robert <a href="#Page_420">420</a> +Bryan George <a href="#Page_421">421</a> +Burd Benjamin <a href="#Page_421">421</a> +Burr Aaron <a href="#Page_421">421</a> +Butler Richard <a href="#Page_422">422</a> +Butler Thomas <a href="#Page_422">422</a> +Cadwalader Thomas <a href="#Page_423">423</a> +Caswell Richard <a href="#Page_423">423</a> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>Champe John <a href="#Page_423">423</a> +Chrystie James <a href="#Page_424">424</a> +Clark George Rogers <a href="#Page_424">424</a> +Clinton Charles <a href="#Page_424">424</a> +Clinton George <a href="#Page_425">425</a> +Clinton James <a href="#Page_425">425</a> +Comstock Adam <a href="#Page_425">425</a> +Coward Joseph <a href="#Page_426">426</a> +Croghan William <a href="#Page_426">426</a> +Cropper John <a href="#Page_426">426</a> +Cushing Thomas <a href="#Page_427">427</a> +Dale Richard <a href="#Page_427">427</a> +Darke William <a href="#Page_427">427</a> +Davie Richardson W. <a href="#Page_427">427</a> +Davidson William <a href="#Page_428">428</a> +Dickinson Philemon <a href="#Page_428">428</a> +Drayton Wm. Henry <a href="#Page_429">429</a> +Dyer Eliphalet <a href="#Page_430">430</a> +Elsworth Oliver <a href="#Page_430">430</a> +Forrest Uriah <a href="#Page_430">430</a> +Gadsden Christopher <a href="#Page_430">430</a> +Gansevoort Peter <a href="#Page_431">431</a> +Gibson John <a href="#Page_432">432</a> +Gibson George <a href="#Page_432">432</a> +Greene Christopher <a href="#Page_433">433</a> +Graeff George <a href="#Page_433">433</a> +Griffin Cyrus <a href="#Page_433">433</a> +Gurney Francis <a href="#Page_434">434</a> +Gwinn William <a href="#Page_434">434</a> +</pre> +</div> + +<div class="col3m"> +<pre> +Hale Nathan <a href="#Page_434">434</a> +Hamilton Alexander <a href="#Page_435">435</a> +Hamilton Paul <a href="#Page_436">436</a> +Hathaway Benoni <a href="#Page_436">436</a> +Hawkins Nathan <a href="#Page_437">437</a> +Hawley Joseph <a href="#Page_437">437</a> +Hayne Isaac <a href="#Page_437">437</a> +Heath William <a href="#Page_437">437</a> +Heston Edward <a href="#Page_438">438</a> +Holden Levi <a href="#Page_438">438</a> +Houston John <a href="#Page_438">438</a> +Howard John Eager <a href="#Page_439">439</a> +Humphrey David <a href="#Page_439">439</a> +Huntington Jedediah <a href="#Page_439">439</a> +Irvine Andrew <a href="#Page_440">440</a> +Irwin Jared <a href="#Page_440">440</a> +Jackson Andrew <a href="#Page_440">440</a> +Jackson James <a href="#Page_441">441</a> +James John <a href="#Page_441">441</a> +Jasper William <a href="#Page_442">442</a> +Jay John <a href="#Page_443">443</a> +Johnson Francis <a href="#Page_443">443</a> +Johnson Samuel <a href="#Page_443">443</a> +Johnson William <a href="#Page_443">443</a> +Jones John Paul <a href="#Page_444">444</a> +Kennard Nathaniel <a href="#Page_445">445</a> +King Rufus <a href="#Page_445">445</a> +Kirkwood Robert <a href="#Page_445">445</a> +Knowlton Thomas <a href="#Page_446">446</a> +Knox Henry <a href="#Page_446">446</a> +Kosciuszco Thaddeus <a href="#Page_446">446</a> +Lacy John <a href="#Page_447">447</a> +Laurens Henry <a href="#Page_448">448</a> +Laurens John <a href="#Page_449">449</a> +Ledyard William <a href="#Page_449">449</a> +Lee Arthur <a href="#Page_449">449</a> +Lee Charles <a href="#Page_450">450</a> +Lee Henry <a href="#Page_450">450</a> +Lee Ezra <a href="#Page_451">451</a> +Lee Thomas Sim <a href="#Page_451">451</a> +Lincoln Benjamin <a href="#Page_451">451</a> +Lippitt Christopher <a href="#Page_452">452</a> +Livingston Robert R. <a href="#Page_452">452</a> +Livingston William <a href="#Page_453">453</a> +McClintock Nathaniel <a href="#Page_453">453</a> +McKinstry John <a href="#Page_453">453</a> +McPherson William <a href="#Page_454">454</a> +Madison James <a href="#Page_454">454</a> +Manly John <a href="#Page_454">454</a> +Marshall John <a href="#Page_455">455</a> +Mathews Thomas <a href="#Page_455">455</a> +Mercer Hugh <a href="#Page_455">455</a> +Meigs Return Jona'n <a href="#Page_456">456</a> +Mifflin Thomas <a href="#Page_457">457</a> +Miller Henry <a href="#Page_457">457</a> +Monroe James <a href="#Page_457">457</a> +</pre> +</div> + +<div class="col3r"> +<pre> +Montgomery Richard <a href="#Page_458">458</a> +Morgan Daniel <a href="#Page_458">458</a> +Morgan John <a href="#Page_459">459</a> +Morris Governeur <a href="#Page_459">459</a> +Moultrie William <a href="#Page_459">459</a> +Muhlenberg Peter <a href="#Page_460">460</a> +Nicholson James <a href="#Page_460">460</a> +Ogden Matthias <a href="#Page_461">461</a> +Olney Jeremiah <a href="#Page_461">461</a> +Orr John <a href="#Page_461">461</a> +Paine Thomas <a href="#Page_461">461</a> +Parsons Samuel H. <a href="#Page_462">462</a> +Paulding John <a href="#Page_462">462</a> +Peters Nathan <a href="#Page_462">462</a> +Peters Richard <a href="#Page_463">463</a> +Pettit Charles <a href="#Page_463">463</a> +Pickering Timothy <a href="#Page_463">463</a> +Pickens Andrew <a href="#Page_464">464</a> +Porter Andrew <a href="#Page_464">464</a> +Preble Edward <a href="#Page_465">465</a> +Prescott William <a href="#Page_466">466</a> +Prioleau Samuel <a href="#Page_466">466</a> +Pulaski Count <a href="#Page_466">466</a> +Putnam Israel <a href="#Page_467">467</a> +Putnam Rufus <a href="#Page_467">467</a> +Ramsay David <a href="#Page_468">468</a> +Randolph Edmund <a href="#Page_468">468</a> +Randolph Peyton <a href="#Page_468">468</a> +Reed Joseph <a href="#Page_468">468</a> +Revere Paul <a href="#Page_469">469</a> +Sargent Winthrop <a href="#Page_469">469</a> +Scammel Alexander <a href="#Page_469">469</a> +St. Clair Arthur <a href="#Page_470">470</a> +Schaick Gosen Van <a href="#Page_470">470</a> +Schuyler Philip <a href="#Page_470">470</a> +Sedgewick Theodore <a href="#Page_471">471</a> +Sergeant Jonathan D. <a href="#Page_471">471</a> +Smallwood William <a href="#Page_472">472</a> +Steuben Francis Wm. + Augustus Baron de <a href="#Page_472">472</a> +Strong Caleb <a href="#Page_472">472</a> +Sullivan John <a href="#Page_472">472</a> +Sullivan James <a href="#Page_473">473</a> +Stevens Edward <a href="#Page_473">473</a> +Thomas John <a href="#Page_473">473</a> +Thomas Thomas <a href="#Page_474">474</a> +Truxton Thomas <a href="#Page_474">474</a> +Wadsworth Jeremiah <a href="#Page_474">474</a> +Ward Henry <a href="#Page_475">475</a> +Washington William <a href="#Page_475">475</a> +Wheelock John <a href="#Page_476">476</a> +Williams Otho H. <a href="#Page_476">476</a> +Winder Levin <a href="#Page_476">476</a> +Wolcott Erastus <a href="#Page_476">476</a> +Wooster David <a href="#Page_476">476</a> +Wyllis Samuel <a href="#Page_477">477</a> +</pre> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<h1>THE<br /> +<br /> +SAGES AND HEROES<br /> +<br /> +OF THE<br /> +<br /> +AMERICAN REVOLUTION.</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2>PART I.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOHN_ADAMS" id="JOHN_ADAMS"></a>JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 410px;"> + <img src="images/p008.jpg" width="410" height="600" alt="{John Adams portrait and signature}" title="" /> + <span class="caption">ENGRAVED BY T.B. WELCH FROM A PORTRAIT BY G. STUART.</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> history of men should interest every reader. It is the mirror of +mind—imparting lessons of thrilling interest, essential improvement, +exquisite pleasure—substantial advantage. It is a matter of deep +concern to the investigating student. Remoteness increases veneration. +Human foibles are buried in the tomb. Faults are often eclipsed by +towering virtues—find no place on the historic page and after +generations gaze upon a picture of rare perfection, which, as time +advances, assumes shades—richer and holier—until it commands the +reverence of every beholder. The names of many of the ancients, whose +crowning glory was virtue, over whose ashes centuries have rolled, are +often referred to with as profound respect as if angel purity had given +the impress of Divinity to their every action. A country—a nation may +be lost in the whirlpool of revolution—the fame of good and great men +is enduring as time. In the persons of the Sages and Heroes of the +American Revolution, ancient and modern wisdom, patriotism and courage +were combined. Let us join the admiring millions who are gazing on their +bright picture and impartially trace the character of those who pledged +their <span class="smcap">lives, fortunes and sacred honors</span> in behalf of FREEDOM.</p> + +<p>Among them, John Adams was conspicuous. He was a native of Quincy, Mass. +born on the 19th of Oct. (O.S.) 1735. He was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> fourth in descent from +Henry Adams, who removed from Devonshire Eng. with eight sons and +located near Mount Wollaston.</p> + +<p>During his childhood he was under the instruction of Mr. Marsh of +Braintree and made rapid progress in his education. At the age of +sixteen he entered Harvard college at Cambridge and graduated at the age +of twenty-one with high honors.</p> + +<p>At Worcester he commenced the study of law under Mr. Putnam, finished +with Mr. Gridley, supporting himself by teaching a grammar class. Wisdom +to discern the path of rigid virtue and uncompromising justice, with +moral courage to <i>act</i>, marked his career from the dawn of manhood. He +boldly grasped the past, present and future and made deductions truly +prophetic. On the 12th of Oct. 1755, he wrote the following paragraph in +a letter.</p> + +<p>"Soon after the reformation, a few people came over into this new world +for conscience sake. Perhaps this apparently trivial incident may +transfer the great seat of empire into America. It looks likely to me, +if we can remove the turbulent Gallics, our people, according to the +exactest computation, will, in another century, become more numerous +than England herself. Should this be the case, since we have, I may say, +all the naval stores of the nation in our hands, it will be easy to +obtain the mastery of the seas and then the united force of all Europe +will not be able to subdue us. The only way to keep us from setting up +for ourselves, is—<i>to disunite us</i>. Keep us in distinct colonies and +then some men in each colony, desiring the monarchy of the whole, will +destroy each other's influence and keep the country in equilibrio."</p> + +<p>Mark two things referred to in this letter. He plainly saw that the navy +is our right arm of defence and yet treated, by our government, with a +parsimony that has long astonished the old world. "<span class="smcap">To disunite us</span>"—the +only thing that can <i>ruin us</i> now that we <i>have</i> set up for ourselves. +Lay this to heart ye demagogues who are sowing broadcast the seeds of +disunion and no longer court a monarchy.</p> + +<p>At the end of three years study Mr. Adams was admitted to the practice +of law and commenced a successful professional career at Braintree. +Constitutional law had become a subject of investigation. Disputes had +commenced between the people and the officers of the crown who were +employed in the custom-house and claimed the right to search <i>private</i> +dwellings for the pretended purpose of discovering dutiable goods. This +preliminary act of usurpation was frequently prompted by personal +animosity without a shadow of evidence to raise even suspicion. The +right of search was vigorously resisted. Writs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> of assistance were +issued—the seeds of the revolution were sown. Mr. Gridley, the friend +and admirer of Mr. Adams, defended the officers—not on constitutional +ground but from the necessity of the case to protect the revenue, from +which Mr. Adams strongly dissented. The question was argued before the +Superior Court at Boston—Mr. Gridley for and Mr. Otis against the +crown. Mr. Adams listened to both gentlemen with intense interest and +has often been heard to say—"The oration of Mr. Otis against writs of +assistance breathed into this nation the breath of life. American +independence was then and there born."</p> + +<p>The court <i>publicly</i> decided against the writs but <i>secretly</i> issued +them. No richer fuel could have been used to increase the volume and +force of the revolutionary fires already kindled. Mr. Adams was roused +by the hypocrisy of the court and the audacity of the crown officers and +at once took a bold stand in favor of justice. The Assembly interfered +in behalf of the people and in 1762, prepared a bill to prevent the +issue of these volcanic writs only upon specific information on +oath—which was vetoed by the governor. The Assembly retaliated by +reducing the salary of the judges.</p> + +<p>In 1761 Mr. Adams rose to the rank of Barrister—in 1764 married the +accomplished Abigail Smith, daughter of Rev. William Smith, who nobly +participated with her husband in the thrilling scenes of their lives for +fifty-four years. Judge of her patriotism from the following extract +from one of her numerous and able letters.</p> + +<p>"Heaven is our witness that we do not rejoice in the effusion of blood +or the carnage of the human species—but, having been forced to draw the +sword, we are determined never to sheathe it—<i>slaves to Britain</i>. Our +cause, Sir, I trust, is the cause of truth and justice and will finally +prevail, though the combined force of earth and hell should rise against +it."</p> + +<p>The Stamp Act kindled an enduring flame of indignation in the patriotic +bosom of Mr. Adams. He at once became a champion for chartered rights +and rational freedom. He published an essay on Canon and Feudal Law +which proved him a fearless, able and vigorous writer. It penetrated the +joints and marrow of royal power as <i>practised</i> and parliamentary +legislation as <i>assumed</i>. He traced the Canon law to the Roman +clergy—shrewdly planned, acutely managed and rigorously enforced to +advance their own aggrandizement. He delineated the servile dogmas of +the Feudal code, each manor being the miniature kingdom of a petty +tyrant. He exposed the unholy and powerful confederacy of the two, +aiming to spread the mantle of ignorance over mankind, drive virtue from +the earth, producing the memo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>rable era of the dark ages, shrouded in +mental obscurity. He then ushered in the dawn of returning light, +exhibited the gigantic struggles of the reformers—the bloody scenes of +persecution and finally placed his readers upon the granite shores of +New England, where, for a century, <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> had shed its happy influence +upon the sons and daughters of freemen, undisturbed by canons or feuds. +"Tyranny has again commenced its desolating course—it <i>must be</i> +arrested or we are <i>slaves</i>." This is a mere syllabus of a pamphlet of +over forty pages, strong in language, bold in sentiment, and nervous in +style.</p> + +<p>Mr. Adams became associated with other prominent whigs, Samuel Adams, +Quincy, Otis and many kindred spirits, whose influence produced the +repeal of the Stamp Act and the removal of Mr. Grenville from the +ministry. An apparent but delusive calm ensued on the part of the crown +officers. At intervals, a cloven foot would be seen, festering wounds +would be irritated and no balm was found to restore them to perfect +soundness.</p> + +<p>In 1766 Mr. Adams removed to Boston where his talents became so strongly +developed that the king's governor thought him worth purchasing. He was +offered the most lucrative office in the colony—Advocate General in the +court of Admiralty. He spurned the bribe with the disdain that none but +freemen can exhibit.</p> + +<p>In 1769 he was on the committee that prepared instructions for the +legislature, which were very obnoxious to the royal governor. He had +outraged the people by quartering a mercenary army in the town—was +unyielding in his purposes and hastened a tragedy that gave a fresh +impetus to the embryo revolution.</p> + +<p>On the 5th of March 1770, an affray occurred between the military and +citizens, in which five of the latter were killed and others wounded. +Mr. Adams thus describes the result.</p> + +<p>"The people assembled, first at Faneuil Hall and adjourned to the old +South Church, to the number, as was conjectured, of ten or twelve +hundred men, among whom were the most virtuous, substantial, +independent, disinterested and intelligent citizens. They formed +themselves into a regular deliberative body—chose their moderator and +secretary—entered into discussions, deliberations and debates—adopted +resolutions and appointed committees. These public resolutions were +conformable to the views of the great majority of the people—'<i>that the +soldiers should be banished at all hazards</i>.' Jonathan Williams, a very +pious, inoffensive and conscientious gentleman, was their moderator. A +remonstrance to the governor, or governor and council, was ordained and +a demand that the regular troops should be removed from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> town. A +committee was appointed to present this remonstrance, of which Samuel +Adams was chairman. The soldiers were removed and transient peace +restored."</p> + +<p>Captain Preston was brought before the court charged with giving the +order to fire upon the citizens. The regulars who committed the fatal +act were also arraigned and tried. Each party charged the other with +commencing the affray. Some inconsiderate citizens had thrown snow-balls +at the King's troops who returned lead in payment. Mr. Adams was +employed to defend the accused. A delicate task he performed, but so +ingeniously did he manage the case that Captain Preston and all the +soldiers but two were acquitted and the two were only convicted of +manslaughter. When the trial closed Mr. Adams stood approved by the +citizens, having performed his professional duty to his clients and at +the same time vindicated the rights of the people.</p> + +<p>The same year he was elected to the legislative body and boldly opposed +the arbitrary measures of the British cabinet. He was one of the +committee that prepared an address to the governor, the style of which +induces me to think that it was penned by him. After clearly pointing +out the violation of chartered rights the address concludes, "These and +other grievances and cruelties, too many to be here enumerated and too +melancholy to be <i>much longer borne</i> by this injured people, we have +seen brought upon us by the devices of ministers of state. And we have, +of late, seen and heard of <i>instructions</i> to governors which threaten to +destroy all the remaining privileges of our charter. Should these +struggles of the house prove unfortunate and ineffectual this Province +will submit with pious resignation to the will of <i>Providence</i>—but it +would be a kind of suicide, of which we have the utmost abhorrence, to +be instrumental in our own servitude."</p> + +<p>A blind obstinacy on the part of the ministers increased the opposition +of the people, inducing a rapid accumulation of combustible materials, +increasing the volcanic fires by their own strong exertions. Being +alarmed at the boldness of the citizens, the governor ordered the +legislature to convene at Cambridge contrary to the law which fixed the +place of meeting—consequently, the members refused to do anything more +than to adjourn to the proper place. A war of words and paper ensued, in +which the patriots were victorious. Mr. Adams was one of the +sharp-shooters and made great havoc among the officers of the crown. Mr. +Brattle, the senior member of the council<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> entered the field in defence +of the ministry but was put <i>hors de combat</i> by our champion. The +governor was compelled to direct the legislature to convene again at +Boston. New causes of complaint were constantly accruing. The governor, +judges and troops were paid by England instead of the colony—thus +aiming to render the executive, judiciary and military, independent of +the people, destroying all confidence in the servants of the crown. The +tax on tea was another source of aggravation, striking more tender +chords. Wo to the ruler who rouses the fair sex. He may more safely defy +the fury of Mars and challenge the speed of Atalanta.</p> + +<p>Tea became forbidden fruit—several vessel loads were sacrificed to +Neptune—an oblation for the sins of the British cabinet—a +jollification for the fish of Boston harbour. Royal authority increased +in cruelty—patriots increased in boldness. The message of the governor +to the legislature of 1773 maintained the supremacy of parliament. This +was denied by the members and a reply written by Mr. Adams in answer to +a second message from the governor, more strongly in favor of the crown. +The pen of this functionary was paralyzed—his arguments proved +fallacious—his mouth sealed upon this exciting subject. The reply of +Mr. Adams was an exposition of British wrongs and American rights, so +clearly presented that no sophistry could impugn—no logic confront. So +highly was it appreciated by Dr. Franklin, that he had it republished in +England—a luminary to patriots—confusion to tyrants.</p> + +<p>On taking his seat in the legislature Mr. Adams was placed on the list +of committees. So vindictive was governor Hutchinson that he erased his +name—an act that recoiled with such force as to rapidly close his +public career in the colony. He was succeeded by Governor Gage, who was +more fully charged with ministerial fire—more successful in +accelerating the millennium of Liberty. He placed his cross upon the +name of John Adams—removed the legislature to Salem—enforced the +Boston Port Bill and seemed to tax his ingenuity to enrage the people. +On convening, the members of the legislature requested the governor to +fix a day for a general fast which he peremptorily refused. As well +might he have undertaken to extinguish a flaming fire with pitch, as to +refuse this boon to the descendants of the Puritans. The people <i>en +masse</i> venerated religion and would not yield to the violation of +ancient custom.</p> + +<p>The legislature then proceeded to project a general congress. Governor +Gage sent his secretary with an order to <i>prorogue</i>—the door was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +locked against him—patriotic resolutions were passed and five delegates +appointed to meet a national convention, one of whom was John Adams.</p> + +<p>At the appointed time he repaired to Philadelphia—took his seat in that +assemblage of sages, whose wisdom has been sung by the most brilliant +poets, applauded by the most eloquent orators—admired by the most +sagacious statesmen of the civilized world. On reading the proceedings +of the first congress in 1774, Chatham remarked, "I have studied and +admired the free states of antiquity, the master spirits of the +world—but, for solidity of reasoning, force of sagacity and wisdom of +conclusion, no body of men can stand above this congress."</p> + +<p>Some supposed the ardent zeal of Mr. Adams might induce rashness. Not +so—he was calm as a summer morning but firm as the granite shores of +his birth-place. He was discreet, prudent—the last man to violate or +submit to the violation of constitutional law. He kept his helm +hard-up—knew when to luff—when to take the larboard tack—when to +spread and when to take in sail. He was one of the few who believed the +mother country would remain incorrigible—that petitions would be +vain—addresses futile—remonstrances unavailing.</p> + +<p>At the close of that congress Mr. Adams had a close conversation with +Patrick Henry in which he expressed a full conviction, that resolves, +declarations of rights, enumeration of wrongs, petitions, remonstrances, +addresses, associations and non-importation agreements—however they +might be accepted in America and however necessary to cement the union +of the colonies, would be waste water in England. Mr. Henry believed +they might make an impression among the <i>people</i> of England, but that +they would be lost upon the government. Mr. Adams had just received a +hasty letter from Major Hawley of Northampton, which concluded with +these prophetic words, "<i>after all we must fight.</i>" Mr. Henry raised his +hands and vehemently exclaimed, "I am of that man's mind." Richard Henry +Lee held a contrary opinion—Washington was in doubt. The two former +based their conclusions on the past and present from which they drew +deductions for the future. They penetrated the arcanum of human nature, +passed in review the multiform circumstances that inflated power-backed +by superior physical force—deluded by obstinacy and avarice, is callous +to the refined feelings of humanity—deaf to wisdom—blind to justice. +Lee, equally determined to vindicate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> <i>right</i> and oppose <i>wrong</i>, could +not believe the ministry would dethrone reason and court ruin.</p> + +<p>Washington, deep in reflection, an impartial and strong +investigator—his soul overflowing with the milk of human kindness, did +not arrive rapidly at conclusions on so momentous a subject. In weighing +the causes of difference between the two countries—reason, justice and +hope, on the one side—power, corruption and avarice on the other—at +that time held his mind in equilibrio. He clearly perceived the right +and fondly but faintly hoped England would see it too and govern herself +accordingly. He was as prompt to act as the others when action became +necessary.</p> + +<p>Mr. Adams returned among his friends and stood approved by his +constituents and his country. His pen was again brought into service, in +answering a series of ingenious essays written by Mr. Sewell in favor of +the supremacy of Parliament. Over the name of "Nonvanglus," Mr. Adams +stripped the gay ornaments and gaudy apparel from the brazen image Mr. +Sewell had presented to the public gaze. A meagre skeleton of visible +deformity was all that remained. Attorney General Sewell trembled us he +received the deep cuts from the falchion quill of this devoted patriot. +So profound was his reasoning—so learned were his expositions—so clear +and conclusive were his demonstrations—that his antagonist exclaimed, +as he retired in a rage from the conflict, "He strives to hide his +inconsistencies under a huge pile of learning."</p> + +<p>The pile proved too "huge" for royal power and supplied the people with +an abundance of light.</p> + +<p>The supremacy of parliament was an unfortunate issue for ministers. It +placed the patriots in a position to hurl their darts at <i>them</i> without +refusing allegiance to the <i>king</i>. The British cabinet worked out its +own destruction with regard to the American colonies—if not with fear +and trembling it was with blindness and disgrace—impolicy and +injustice—obstinacy and infatuation.</p> + +<p>In May, 1775, Mr. Adams again took his seat in Congress with renewed +responsibilities resting upon him. Revolution was rolling fearfully upon +his bleeding country—hope of redress was expiring like the last +flickerings of a taper—dark and portentous clouds were +concentrating—the ministerial ermine was steeped in blood—the dying +groans of his fellow-citizens and the lamentations of widows and orphans +had fallen upon his ears and the prophetic conclusion arrived at by him +and Henry but a few months previous, was forced upon the mind of every +patriot, "<i>after all we must fight.</i>"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<p>As a preliminary measure it was necessary to appoint a leader of the +military forces to be raised. To fix upon the <i>best</i> man was of vital +importance. Some thought the measure premature. Not so with the sons of +New England. When the blood of their friends was wantonly shed upon the +heights of Lexington they hung their siren harps upon the weeping +willows that stood mournfully over the graves of their murdered +brethren. In their view, war was inevitable. A commander-in-chief must +be appointed. Several prominent persons were named in private +conversations. John Adams, alone, had fixed his mind upon George +Washington, in whom he saw the commingled qualities of philanthropist, +philosopher, statesman, hero and Christian. All opposed his appointment +at first but gradually yielded to the reasons urged by John Adams. +Satisfied that the measure would be approved by a majority, he rose in +Congress and proposed that a commander of the American armies should be +appointed. When his resolution passed, he described the requisite +qualities of the man to fill this important station and remarked with +great emphasis—"<i>such a man is within these walls.</i>" But few knew to +whom he referred, no one believing himself duly and truly prepared or +properly vouched for as a military man. A pause—a painful +suspense—then the name of Col. <span class="smcap">George Washington</span> of Virginia was +announced by Mr. Adams. No one could be more surprised than the nominee. +No intimation of the intended honor had been made to him. The vote was +taken the day following and was unanimous in his favor. So judicious was +this selection that La Fayette remarked—"It was the consequence of +Providential inspiration." Be it so—John Adams was the patriot who +nominated him—thus placing at the head of the American armies just such +a man as the crisis required—prudent, dignified, bold, sagacious, +patient, persevering—universally esteemed by the friends of +<span class="smcap">freedom</span>—admired by the most fervent friends of the crown.</p> + +<p>In 1776 Mr. Adams again took his seat in the National Assembly. The +period had arrived for decisive measures. Massachusetts had been +disfranchised by Parliament. England had hired legions of soldiers from +German princes to subdue rebels in America. The last note of peace had +been sung by echo—every patriot became convinced that <i>resistance or +slavery</i> were the two horns of the dilemma presented. <span class="smcap">Independence</span> had +been conceived but by a few. It was a startling proposition. At this +juncture Mr. Adams marked out a bold course and had the moral courage to +pursue it. On the 6th of May he offered a resolution, proposing that the +colonies should organize a government<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> independent of England. On the +10th of the same month it was modified and adopted, recommending such +government by the colonies "as might be conducive to the happiness and +safety of their constituents in particular and America in general." All +admitted the justice of this measure but some opposed it on the ground +of the physical imbecility of the colonies—already crowded with a +hireling army and their shores lined with a powerful navy. Mr. Adams +knew no middle course. He had succeeded in obtaining the adoption of the +preface to his broad folio of an independent compact—he then proceeded +to prepare the text. He had commenced the work of political +regeneration. Each day new and genuine converts were made. The +legislature of his own state encouraged him to strike for independence. +North Carolina had openly started the ball—Virginia gave it a now +impetus and on the 7th of June, Richard Henry Lee became the organ to +present the proposition to Congress. A most animated discussion ensued. +Then the powers of Mr. Adams were more fully developed. Mr. Jefferson +said of him, in alluding to his debates on the Declaration of +Independence—"John Adams was the pillar of its support on the floor of +Congress—its ablest advocate and defender against the multifarious +assaults it encountered. He was our Colossus on the floor—not graceful, +not elegant, not always fluent in his public addresses—yet he came out +with a power, both of thought and expression, that moved us from our +seats."</p> + +<p>The noblest powers of his soul were raised to the zenith of their +strength, determined to accomplish the mighty work he had commenced. +Although one of the committee to prepare the instrument of eternal +separation, he confided the labor to his colleagues—spending his whole +force upon the opponents of the measure. Manfully did he +contend—gloriously did he triumph. He bore down upon his adversaries +like a mountain torrent—a rushing avalanche—hurling the arrows of +conviction with such precision and effect that a majority soon became +converted to the measure.</p> + +<p>The day for decision arrived. The 4th of July, 1776, dawned auspiciously +upon the patriots. At the appointed hour they assembled. The past, the +present, the impenetrable future, big with coming events—rushed upon +their minds. Moments flew—the pulse quickened—the heart-throb +increased—bosoms expanded—eyes brightened—patriotism rose in majesty +sublime—the question was put—the Gordian knot was +sundered—<span class="smcap">Independence</span> was declared—the colonies were free—<span class="smcap">Lib<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>erty</span> +was proclaimed—a nation was redeemed—regenerated—disenthralled and +born in a day.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 298px;"> + <a href="images/p019_full.jpg"><img src="images/p019.jpg" width="298" height="487" alt="{Signatures from Declaration of Independence}" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>Early in the winter of 1776 Mr. Adams wrote a form of government for the +colonies which was substantially the same as the present constitutions +of the states. It was first submitted to Richard Henry Lee in a letter +with these remarks.</p> + +<p>"A constitution founded on these principles introduces knowledge among +the people and inspires them with a conscious dignity becoming freemen. +A general emulation takes place which causes good humor, sociability, +good manners and good morals to be general. That elevation of sentiment, +inspired by such a government, makes the common people brave and +enterprising. That ambition which is inspired by it makes them sober, +industrious and frugal. You will find among them some elegance, perhaps, +but more solidity—a little pleasure but a great deal of business—some +politeness but more civility. If you compare such a country with the +regions of domination, whether monarchical or aristocratical, you will +fancy yourself in Arcadia or Elysium."</p> + +<p>Here is inscribed upon the tablet of truth the blessings derived from a +government like our own in its principles—faithfully adhered to by +every <i>true</i> patriot but trampled under foot by the demagogues of the +present day and the aristocracy of all time.</p> + +<p>Among all the great men of our country, no one has exhibited a more +clear and minute conception of human nature and human government, than +John Adams. He traced causes and effects through all their labyrinthian +meanderings and deduced conclusions that seemed the result of +inspiration. Many of his predictions of the future bear the impress of +prophecy and show how deeply he investigated—how clearly he perceived.</p> + +<p>On his return from Congress, Mr. Adams was elected to the legislature of +Massachusetts under the new constitution. He was also appointed Chief +Justice which he declined.</p> + +<p>In 1777 he resumed his seat in Congress and performed an amount of +labor, which, if imposed upon any ten <i>demagogue</i> legislators of the +present day might induce suicide. He was an active member of ninety +committees—chairman of twenty-five—chairman of the board of war and +appeals, discharged all his duties promptly and was uniformly in his +seat when any important measure was under discussion.</p> + +<p>In December, 1777, he was appointed a commissioner to France. In +February following he embarked on board the frigate Boston. During the +voyage a British armed ship hove in sight—an action com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>menced—Mr. +Adams seized a musket, gave the enemy a well-directed shot but was +immediately deprived of this recreation by Capt. Tucker, who led him out +of danger, pleasantly remarking—"I am commanded by the Continental +Congress to carry you in safety to Europe and I will do it."</p> + +<p>Before his arrival, Dr. Franklin and his colleague had succeeded in +concluding a treaty of alliance with the French nation. After an absence +of a little more than a year he returned and was elected to a convention +of his native state, convened for the purpose of perfecting a +constitution and the full organization of government. The original draft +of the constitution of Massachusetts is from his pen. Before his term +closed in this convention he was appointed by Congress—"A minister +plenipotentiary for negotiating a treaty of peace and a treaty of +commerce with Great Britain." In Oct. 1779, he embarked from Boston. The +passage was boisterous, it being February before he arrived at Paris. +Chagrin and pride prevented the British ministry from at once placing +themselves on an equality with our own. The negotiation, on their part, +commenced with equivocations. Mr. Adams could not be ensnared and was +determined to submit to nothing wrong and left them to farther +reflection.</p> + +<p>On learning that Mr. Laurens, American commissioner to Holland, had been +captured, Mr. Adams repaired to that kingdom. In August he received a +commission from Congress to negotiate a loan—to conclude a treaty of +amity and commerce and to accede to any treaty of neutral rights that +might arise from regulations to be made by a congress of the European +states then in contemplation. In a few months he was overwhelmed with +important duties. Minister to Great Britain—to the States General of +Holland—to all the European states for pledging the United States to +the armed neutrality—with letters of credit to the Russian, Swedish and +Danish envoys in Holland and a commissioner to negotiate a loan of ten +millions of dollars for the support of the Home department and foreign +embassies. All these duties he discharged with skill and approbation, a +lasting monument of the gigantic powers of his mind. At every point he +encountered intrigue which he uniformly discovered and crushed in +embryo.</p> + +<p>In July, 1781, he was directed to repair to Versailles to make a further +attempt at negotiation with England. The terms offered did not fully +recognize the rights of the United States as an independent nation. +Peace was desirable and ardently urged by the Duke de Vergennes, who was +the head and front of the French cabinet. Mr. Adams was anxious for +peace—but only on just, dignified and honorable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> terms. The Duke, who +had uniformly manifested a disposition to make the United States <i>feel</i> +a dependence on France, dictated to Mr. Adams, placing him in the +position of a subordinate agent. This was a <i>French</i> bull. Mr. Adams +recognized no dictator but the Continental Congress and his own keen +perception and penetrating judgment. This independence of the American +minister enraged the Duke. He wrote to the minister of France in the +United States to lay a formal complaint before Congress against the +recusant for insubordination. This the minister did ingeniously but not +successfully. As a matter of respect for their new and important ally, +Congress partially modified the instructions of Mr. Adams but did not +place him under the dictation of the Duke as requested. They knew the +granite man too well to suppose he would ever compromise the dignity of +his country. They had full confidence in his capacity to perceive +right—in his moral courage to enforce it.</p> + +<p>From all the evidence in the premises I am fully convinced that the +motives of the French <i>Court</i> in aiding our country during the +revolutionary struggle, were not based on patriotism but had ulterior +objects in view. Not so with the noble La Fayette and others who came to +the rescue.</p> + +<p>Again Mr. Adams left ministers to arrive at a second sober thought and +learn their true position. He then returned to Amsterdam.</p> + +<p>Owing to sad reverses in the cause of freedom the French minister made +such an impression in favour of the position of the French cabinet as an +umpire between England and the United States, that congress added to the +commission of Mr. Adams—Dr. Franklin, Jefferson, Jay, and Laurens—with +the humiliating directions, "That they should govern themselves by the +advice and opinion of the ministers of the King of France." The Duke de +Vergennes was elated with triumph. He was virtually made sovereign +minister of the United States. This act is the darkest spot upon the +proud escutcheon of the Continental Congress—an act that I would gladly +"expunge from the record." No full apology can be found. The tremendous +revolutionary tornado that was then sweeping over our country, charged +with the dismaying materials of terror, is a <i>partial</i> one and the true +cause of this quailing error.</p> + +<p>The exultation of the Duke was transient. Adams and Franklin were there, +masters of ceremony. They dared to disobey instructions believing they +had been improperly extorted by an intriguing and designing court. They +at once took a bold stand and were promptly sustained by their +colleagues and ultimately by congress, to which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> Adams communicated the +chicanery of the Duke and the duplicity, or rather the <i>toolicity</i> of +the French minister in the United States. The result was glorious. An +honourable peace was obtained—the dignity of our nation preserved. A +provincial treaty was signed at Paris on the 30th of November, 1782 and +a definitive treaty on the 3d day of September, 1783 and all without the +advice or consent of the Duke de Vergennes, whose golden schemes of +finesse proved abortive. He addressed a bitter letter of reproach to the +American commissioners, expressing great astonishment at their +presumption in daring to act independent of him, which was not answered.</p> + +<p>Among the golden schemes of the court of France, two are worthy of +particular note. 1. To secure to France and Spain the fisheries of the +United States. 2. To secure the perpetual and uninterrupted navigation +of the Mississippi. Very modest. Other propositions were made, equally +absurd, all of which form an unanswerable excuse for our commissioners +in disobeying instructions.</p> + +<p>After the important commission of concluding peace with England was +completed, Mr. Adams returned to Holland where he had negotiated a loan +of eight millions of guilders in September, 1782, which was one of the +means of terminating the war by enabling the United States to prosecute +it with more vigor. It had a direct influence on England, inducing Lord +Shelburne to make proposals of peace soon after this was known.</p> + +<p>During the same year he was placed at the head of a commission empowered +to negotiate commercial treaties with all foreign nations. He returned +to Paris where he met Franklin and Jefferson who were associated with +him—forming a trio of combined, versatile and exalted talent—never +surpassed if ever equalled.</p> + +<p>In 1785 Mr. Adams was appointed the first minister to Great Britain +after the acknowledgment of the Independence of the United States. He +was received with marked attention and courtesy so far as courtly +etiquette was concerned but found the ministry morose and bitter towards +the new Republic. They seemed disposed to treat the peace as a mere +truce between the two nations. Mr. Adams performed the delicate duties +of his station with great sagacity and wisdom—patiently removing +subsisting difficulties. Nor did he forget the internal interests of his +country at home. To win independence was <i>one</i> thing—to preserve it +<i>another</i> and more important matter. The theories of a Republican form +of government by Thurgot and others, had been freely circulated in the +United States. These he deemed wild and visionary. This was proved by +the transient existence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> the first French Republic and has been more +fully demonstrated recently in Europe and South America. More success +might attend these experiments, even with imperfect skeletons of a free +government were the people as well prepared to receive it as were the +colonists at the time of the American Revolution. <i>Intelligence and +primitive Christianity must pervade the mass.</i> The European pioneers +came to this country with the bible in their hands and based our +government upon its eternal principles, where it will securely rest +until ignorance darkens intellect and the bible is banished. Let <i>all</i> +read its plain truths, teaching, as they do, freedom in religion, +freedom of conscience—pointing us to our high origin and final +destiny—then our Republic cannot be destroyed by kingly influence, +aristocratic corruption, ultra fanaticism, reckless demagogues, or +heartless politicians. Troubles have arisen, now exist, may continue to +occasionally break out—but they ever have been and I trust ever will be +confined to a small portion of the great and accumulating mass—<i>the +bone and sinew of our beloved country</i>.</p> + +<p>To strip from these delusive theories of a free government their +sophistry, Mr. Adams published a learned and able disquisition on +Republican constitutions which became a polar star to his own country +and operated powerfully in correcting error and allaying prejudices in +England adverse to the United States. His "<span class="smcap">Defence of the Constitution</span>" +placed him on a lofty literary eminence in view of the <i>literati</i> of +Europe.</p> + +<p>In 1788 he obtained permission to return home and in the autumn of that +year was elected the first Vice President of the United States. He +became the confidential counsellor of Washington on all important +questions. He was re-elected in 1792 and in 1796 was elected President +of that Republic for which he had freely periled life, fortune and +honor.</p> + +<p>At that time party spirit had commenced its reckless career which +afforded an example set by Adams and Jefferson worthy of all praise and +imitation. No bitterness of party spirit, no abuses from their partisans +and party press, could sever the patriotic and moral ties of friendship +that bound them together up to time death removed them from the theatre +of life. So high did party spirit rage that Mr. Jefferson thus rebuked a +clique of politicians who were hurling slanders against Mr. Adams.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, you do not know that man. There is not upon earth a more +perfectly honest man than John Adams. Concealment is no part of his +character. Of that he is utterly incapable. It is not in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> nature to +meditate anything he would not publish to the world. The measures of the +general government are a fair subject for difference of opinion—but do +not found your opinions on the notion that there is the smallest spice +of dishonesty, moral or political, in the character of John Adams for I +know him well and I repeat—that a man more perfectly honest never +issued from the hands of the Creator." Demagogues—read the above just +encomium upon his opponent by a candidate for an office—then search for +a parallel case of magnanimity among modern politicians—if you find +one, proclaim it to the people of our vast country that they may be +convinced a true patriot is in our midst—a lump of genuine salt in the +body politic.</p> + +<p>Mr. Adams proceeded to the conscientious and independent discharge of +his presidential duties, prompted by the best motives for the good and +glory of the infant Republic. He was an open, frank old-school +federalist. During his administration the ranks of the democratic party +increased rapidly, which defeated his re-election. Much has been written +and more said relative to the causes that produced his political +overthrow. To my mind the solution is plain and brief. His cabinet was +not of his own choice—he was too independent to bend to party +intrigue—he opposed the humiliating demands of the then self-styled +democratic France—he advocated the augmentation of the navy of the +United States and recommended the law for the suppression of the +venality of the press. In the two first points he was impolitic as the +head of a party—in the two next he did what all now acknowledge to be +right in principle. On the last, he took the wrong method to correct an +evil that has caused unceasing trouble from that time to the present—an +evil that will ever exist in a government like ours, because, in +annihilating this, we should destroy an essential part of our political +machinery—<span class="smcap">a free press</span>. The three last were the strong points seized +upon by his opponents, which enabled them to achieve an easy victory. He +retired with a good grace on the best of terms with his successful +opponent and his own conscience. He supported the policy of Mr. +Jefferson towards England and approved of the declaration of war in June +1812. He attributed the opposition of the eastern states to the impolicy +of our government in neglecting the navy. He compared them to Achilles, +who, in consequence of his being deprived of Briseis, withdrew from the +Grecian confederacy. The increase of the navy was a long-nursed theory +of his national policy. Had his views been carried out by our country, +our nation would now have been mistress of the seas. As it is, we have +scarcely armed vessels enough to protect the expanding commerce of our +enterprising merchants—a fact that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> is often tauntingly referred to by +Englishmen and has often crimsoned the cheeks of liberal-minded +Americans. If all the money that has been expended within the last +twenty years in worse than useless legislation and speech-making +throughout these United States had been appropriated in building ships +of war, our navy would now be larger than that of Great Britain. Add +what has gone into the hands of peculators since the formation of our +Republic—it would sustain that navy for thirty years. Some of our +people have been occasionally a little <i>too</i> free.</p> + +<p>Soon after his retirement from the presidential chair, Mr. Adams was +solicited to become the governor of his native state, which he declined +on account of his advanced age. In 1817 he was placed at the head of the +list of presidential electors. In 1820 he was elected president of the +convention that revised the constitution that he had written forty years +previous. The compliment was duly appreciated by him but his infirmities +did not permit him to preside. He imparted much counsel and rendered +special aid in the revision. This was the last public act of this great +man. Two years before this, the partner of his bosom had gone to her +final rest—an affliction most keenly felt by him. She was a +Christian—to know was to love her.</p> + +<p>Surrounded by friends who delighted to honor him—his country prosperous +and happy—enjoying the full fruition of divine grace which had produced +the green foliage of piety through a long life—political animosities +buried in oblivion—his now frail bark glided smoothly down the stream +of time until the fiftieth anniversary of Independence dawned upon our +beloved country. On the morning of the 4th of July 1826, an unexpected +debility seized him but no one supposed he was standing on the last inch +of his time. He was asked for a sentiment to be given for him at the +celebration on that day. "<span class="smcap">Independence forever</span>," burst from his dying +lips, which were the last words he ever uttered with a loud and animated +voice. He expired about four in the afternoon without a groan, sigh, +murmur or apparent pain, with a full assurance of a happy reception in +that brighter world where sin and sorrow never interrupt the peaceful +joys of the angelic throng.</p> + +<p>On the same day and but a few hours previous, the immortal spirit of the +illustrious Jefferson had left its tenement of clay, thrown off its +mortal coil and returned to Him who gave it. Perhaps these kindred +spirits met in mid air and ascended together to an ecstatic meeting with +the friends they had loved and lost and whom they should gain, love and +never lose.</p> + +<p>This unparalleled coincidence in death produced a deep sensation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> in the +United States and in Europe. The simultaneous departure of two of the +noblest spirits that ever graced the theatre of human life—illuminating +the world with freedom—whose acts had elicited the admiration of all +civilized nations—whose mighty deeds will be a theme of praise through +all time—was an incident that seemed designed by the great Jehovah to +impress their precepts—their examples and their names upon the minds of +the human family with all the force of Divinity.</p> + +<p>Mr. Adams was a plain man, low in stature, not graceful in his +movements—at times rather repulsive. In public he was austere but in +the social circle, familiar, pleasing and instructive. He disliked +formal ceremony and abhorred pedantry. He admired and exemplified strong +common sense. He spoke his sentiments freely and could not have been +transformed into a modern <i>technical</i> politician. His open frankness was +proverbial. He called it one of his failings. When looking at Stuart's +fine paintings, he fixed his eyes upon the portrait of Washington with +compressed mouth—then upon his own, with open lips, and facetiously +remarked—"Ah! that fellow never could keep his mouth shut." Such a man +never can be a <i>popular</i> politician as the writer knows from experience.</p> + +<p>The highest eulogy that can be pronounced upon John Adams is the history +of his bright and useful career. For more than half a century he served +our country ably and faithfully. He continued to impart salutary counsel +until the curtain of death closed the scene.</p> + +<p>In all the relations of private life he was too pure for the palsying +touch of slander. The foulest of all pestiferous atmospheres—party +spirit—could not, <i>dare</i> not approach his private character with its +damning miasma or impute to his public action an iota of political +dishonesty or impurity of motive. If any demagogue dares to contradict +this position, let him hear the voice of Jefferson from the tomb—"<span class="smcap">An +honester man than John Adams never issued from the hands of the +Creator.</span>"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="SAMUEL_ADAMS" id="SAMUEL_ADAMS"></a>SAMUEL ADAMS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Many</span> of the sages and heroes of the American Revolution were consistent +and devoted Christians—some of them eminent ministers of the gospel of +Christ. They all were evidently actuated by motives of purity, prompted +by the demands of imperious duty based upon the inalienable rights of +man. They had no innate love of military glory<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> aiming only at conquest. +Their pilgrim fathers fled front servile oppression—planted the +standard of <span class="smcap">freedom</span> in the new world—spread civilization over our happy +land and transmitted the rich behest to their children. With the +principles of rational liberty each succeeding generation was made +familiar. When tyranny reared its hydra head, the monster was readily +recognized. The people were prepared to drive the invading foe from +their shores.</p> + +<p>Samuel Adams was one of the revolutionary sages who boldly espoused the +cause of equal rights. He was born in Boston, Mass. on the 22d of Sept. +1722. His parents were highly respectable. His father was long a member +of the Assembly of Massachusetts, from whom this son imbibed those +liberal principles which he so fearlessly and successfully vindicated +during his subsequent life. In childhood he exhibited a strong inquiring +mind—talents of a high order. He was prepared for college by Mr. +Lovell. His application to study was close—his progress rapid. His +highest pleasure was found in his books. Being naturally sedate, his +father placed him in Harvard College, believing him destined for the +gospel ministry. In that institution he advanced rapidly in science and +in favor. During his whole course he was reproved but once and that for +sleeping too late. In conjunction with other studies he had thoroughly +investigated theology. The affairs of state had also occupied his mind. +When he graduated, he chose for his subject of discussion the following +question. "<i>Is it lawful to resist the supreme magistrate if the +commonwealth cannot otherwise be preserved?</i>"</p> + +<p>His hearers were astonished at the masterly manner he advocated the +affirmative of this bold proposition. With enrapturing eloquence and +convincing logic, he painted in vivid colors the beauties of that +liberty for which he so nobly contended during the Revolution. From that +time he became a prominent politician—an advocate of equal rights—a +stern opposer of British wrongs.</p> + +<p>By rigid economy during his time in college he had saved a sum of money +from that allowed him by his father to defray expenses. This first fruit +of his pecuniary prudence he sacrificed upon the altar of Liberty. With +it he published a pamphlet from his own pen entitled—"The Englishman's +Rights." This was one of the entering wedges of the Revolution. It +awakened a spirit of inquiry—kindled a flame of opposition to the +increasing oppression of the crown. It did great credit to the head and +heart of this devoted patriot then dawning into manhood.</p> + +<p>Anxious that his son should embark in some business his father<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> placed +him in the counting-house of Thomas Cushing, an eminent merchant, that +he might be prepared for commercial business. For this sphere nature had +not designed him. Political knowledge, international law and the rights +of man engrossed his mind. To this end he formed a club of kindred +spirits for the purpose of political inquiry and discussion. They +furnished political essays for the Independent Advertiser which were so +severe in their strictures upon the conduct of the creatures of the +crown, that the association obtained the name of "Whipping Post Club." +The hirelings of the King treated these essays with derision—upon the +people they exerted an influence that prepared them for the approaching +crisis. Stamped with plain truth, sound reasoning, uncontroverted +facts—they operated upon British power like the sea-worm upon a +vessel—silently and slowly but with sure destruction. They contributed +largely in perforating each plank of the proud ship of monarchy, then +riding over the American colonies, until she sank to rise no more.</p> + +<p>After remaining a suitable time with Mr. Cushing, his father furnished +him with a liberal capital with which he commenced business. Owing to +the pernicious credit system he lost all his stock in trade. By the +death of his father he was left, at the age of twenty-five, to take +charge of the paternal estate and family. In the discharge of that duty +he proved himself competent to manage pecuniary matters. The estate was +involved and under attachment—he relieved it entirely from debt. This +done he again spent the most of his time in disseminating liberal +principles. He was a keen sarcastic writer—analyzed every point at +issue between our own and the mother country—exposed the British +ministry in their corrupt and corrupting policy and roused the +indignation of the populace against their oppressive measures. He was +hailed as one of the boldest leaders of the whig party.</p> + +<p>No man had examined more closely or understood better the relative +situation of Great Britain and her American Colonies. He weighed every +circumstance in the scale of reason—based his every action upon the +sure foundation of immutable justice. He was not impetuous—appealed to +the judgment of his hearers and readers—sought to allay—not to excite +the passions of men. He was a friend of order—opposed to sudden bursts +of popular fury—to every thing that could produce riotous and +tumultuous proceedings. Religion, in its pristine purity, was ever his +polar star.</p> + +<p>Organized and systematic opposition against the unwarranted +encroachments of the crown, emanating from the great majority of the +sovereign people was his plan. Petitions, remonstrances—every thing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +consistent with the dignity of man to be resorted to before an appeal to +arms. If this was rebellion it was in a very modified form.</p> + +<p>When the offensive Stamp Act was proclaimed he exposed its odious +features with unsurpassed severity and boldness. When the climax of +oppression was capped by the imposition of taxes upon articles of daily +consumption he believed forbearance no longer a virtue and openly +advocated resistance as an imperious duly. He demonstrated fully that +Great Britain had violated the constitution. Americans had vainly +claimed protection under its banner—its sacred covering was rudely +snatched from over them—they were left exposed to foreign officers who +were drawing them closer and more effectually within the coils of +tyranny. To be <i>slaves</i> or <i>freemen</i> was the question.</p> + +<p>Being a member of the assembly and clerk of the house, Mr. Adams +exercised an extensive and salutary influence. With great zeal he united +prudence and discretion. From 1765, to the time he took his seat in +congress he was a member of the state assembly. He had exerted the +noblest powers of his mind to prepare the people for the approaching +storm and had kindled a flame of patriotic fire that increased in volume +as time rolled on. He was the first man who proposed the non-importation +act—the committees of correspondence and the congress that assembled at +Philadelphia in 1774. He corresponded with the eminent patriots of the +middle and southern states and contributed largely in producing unity of +sentiment and concert of action in the glorious cause of liberty +throughout the colonies. Over his own constituents his influence was +complete. At the sound of his voice the fury of a Boston mob would +cease. He could lead it at pleasure with a single hair. The people know +well he would maintain what was clearly right and willingly submit to +nothing clearly wrong.</p> + +<p>When the affray occurred on the 5th of March, 1770, between the British +soldiers and citizens, the influence of Samuel Adams prevented the +further effusion of blood <i>after</i> the populace had become roused and +were on the point of avenging the death of their friends who had just +fallen. He obtained the immediate attention of the assembled enraged +multitude—proposed the appointment of a committee to wait on the +governor and request the immediate removal of the troops. His plan was +approved—a committee appointed of which he was chairman. The governor +at first refused to grant the request. The chairman met all his +objections fearlessly—confuted them triumphantly and told him plainly +that an immediate compliance with the wishes of the people would alone +prevent disastrous consequences and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> he would be held responsible +for the further waste of human life. The governor finally yielded.</p> + +<p>Mr. Adams was one day surprised by a message from Gov. Gage communicated +through Col. Fenton, offering him what modern truckling politicians +would call a great inducement to <i>change</i> and in case he refused, to +inform him he would be arrested and sent beyond the seas there to be +tried for high treason. To the last part of the message he listened with +most attention and asked Col. Fenton if he would truly deliver his +answer. Receiving an affirmative assurance Mr. Adams rose from his +chair, assumed an air of withering contempt and said—"I trust I have +long since made my peace with the <span class="smcap">King of Kings</span>. No personal +consideration shall induce me to abandon the righteous cause of my +country. Tell Gov. Gage it is the advice of Samuel Adams to him—<i>no +longer to exasperate the feelings of an insulted people</i>." This reply +roused the ire of the royal governor and when he subsequently issued a +proclamation offering a free pardon to those rebels who would return to +what <i>he</i> termed their duty he expected Samuel Adams and John +Hancock—the highest compliment within his power to bestow on the two +patriots. They received this mark of distinction as a special commission +from the throne directing their future course—a royal diploma of +liberty that left them as free as mountain air in their future action.</p> + +<p>No bribe could seduce—no threat divert Mr. Adams from the path of duty. +He placed his trust in the Rock of Ages—enjoyed the rich consolations +of an approving conscience—the unlimited confidence of his friends, the +approbation of every patriot. These were more dearly prized by him than +all the dazzling honors of kings and potentates. He became an object of +vengeance and was the immediate cause of the memorable battle at +Lexington on the 19th of April 1775—the troops sent being in pursuit of +him and John Hancock. Apprised of their mission Gen. Joseph Warren sent +an express late in the evening to the two patriots warning them of +approaching danger. In a few minutes after they had left, the British +troops entered the house which they had just emerged from. In a few +ominous hours the crimson curtain rose—the revolutionary tragedy +commenced. The last maternal cord was severed—the great seal of the +original compact was broken—the covenants of the two parties were +cancelled in blood.</p> + +<p>Mr. Adams remained in the neighborhood during the night. The next +morning, as the sun rose without an intervening cloud, he remarked to a +friend, "This is a glorious day for America." He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> viewed the sacrifice +as an earnest of ultimate success and future blessings.</p> + +<p>To rouse the people to action now became the sole business of this +devoted friend of his bleeding country. The grand signal for action had +been given—the tocsin of war had been sounded—the requiem of battle +had been sung—its soul-stirring notes had been wafted far and wide on +the wings of wind and were responded to by millions of patriotic hearts.</p> + +<p>Mr. Adams mourned deeply the death of his friends, the martyrs of that +tragical but auspicious day. He knew well that martyrs must be +sacrificed and that the funeral knell of those who had just fallen would +shake British colonial power to its very centre. He believed their blood +would cry to Heaven for vengeance and incite the hardy sons of +Columbia's soil to vigorous and triumphant action. The event added new +strength to his propulsive powers and doubly nerved him to meet the +fiery trials in reserve for him. As dangers increased he became more +urgent for the people to maintain their rights. As the wrath of his +enemies waxed hotter he was more highly appreciated by the people and +was uniformly styled—<i>Samuel Adams the Patriot</i>. His fame and influence +strengthened under persecution, his friends were animated by his +counsels, his foes were astounded and chagrined at the boldness of his +onward career. In the Assembly he effected the passage of a series of +resolutions deemed treasonable by the royal governor.</p> + +<p>In the Congress of 1776 he was among the first to advocate the +Declaration of Independence—contending that it should have followed +immediately after the battle of Lexington. In all his debates he was +earnest and zealous but not rash—ardent and decisive but wise and +judicious. When the Declaration of Rights was adopted he affixed his +name to that important instrument without the least hesitation although +he stood proscribed by the royal power.</p> + +<p>During the darkest periods of the Revolution he was calm and cheerful +and did much to reanimate the desponding. In 1777 when Congress was +obliged to fly to Lancaster and a dismal gloom hung over the cause of +the patriots like a mantle of darkness several of the members were in +company with Mr. Adams lamenting the disasters of the American arms, +concluding that the chances for success were desperate. Mr. Adams +promptly replied—"If this be <i>our</i> language, they are so indeed. If +<i>we</i> wear long faces they will become fashionable. Let us banish such +feelings and show a spirit that will keep alive the confidence of the +people. Better tidings will soon arrive.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> Our cause is just and +righteous. We shall never be abandoned by Heaven while we show ourselves +worthy of its aid and protection." At that time there were but +twenty-eight members in Congress. Mr. Adams said—"It was the <i>smallest</i> +but <i>truest</i> Congress they ever had."</p> + +<p>Soon after that dark period the surrender of Burgoyne was announced +which proved a panacea for long faces and put a new aspect upon the +cause of Liberty. Many recovered from a relapsed state—hearts beat more +freely, courage revived from a typhoid stupor—the anchor of hope held +the ship of state more firmly to her moorings.</p> + +<p>The arrival of Lord Howe and Mr. Eden with what <i>they</i> termed the olive +branch of peace from Lord North, added to the excitement. Mr. Adams was +one of the committee to meet these high functionaries. On examining the +terms proposed, the committee found that the proposed <i>olive branch</i> had +been plucked from the Bohun Upas of an overbearing and corrupt ministry +and promptly replied through Mr. Adams—"Congress will attend to no +terms of peace that are inconsistent with the honor of an independent +nation." This reply was as unexpected to the royal messengers as it was +laconic and patriotic. The grand Rubicon had been passed—the galling +chains had been thrown off—the Sodom of British power was doomed and +nothing could induce the sages and heroes of '76 to look back or tarry +on the plain of monarchy. Lord Howe and his colleague had permission to +return—report progress of locomotion and walk again. Mr. Adams +continued one of the strong pillars in the rising temple of liberty +until the superstructure was completed—recognized and approved by the +mother country and all Europe.</p> + +<p>In 1787 he was a member of the convention of Massachusetts convened to +act upon the Federal Constitution. He did not fully approve of some of +its provisions but avoided opposition believing it to be the best policy +to adopt it, subject to future amendments. He was most particularly +opposed to the article rendering the states amenable to the national +courts. He submitted sundry amendments that were adopted by the +convention and submitted with the Constitution for the future +consideration of Congress, some of which have since been adopted.</p> + +<p>From 1789 to '94, Mr. Adams was lieutenant-governor of his native state +and from that time to '97, was governor. He performed the executive +duties with great ability and contributed largely in raising the +commonwealth to a flourishing and dignified condition. He watched over +all her interests with parental care—viewed her rising greatness with +an honest pride. He had seen her sons writhing under the lash of +oppression and their bones bleaching in the field. He now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> beheld the +people independent, prosperous, virtuous and happy. He could now be +gathered peacefully to his fathers when his time should arrive to +depart. Age and infirmity compelled him to retire from the great theatre +of public life where he had been so long conspicuous. His health +continued to fail sensibly with each returning autumn. On the 3d of +October 1803, his immortal spirit left its mansion of clay—soared aloft +on the wings of faith to mansions of bliss beyond the skies. He died +rejoicing in the merits of his immaculate Redeemer who had given him the +victory. He had fought the good fight of faith as well as that of +<span class="smcap">Liberty</span> and felt a full assurance of receiving a crown of glory at the +hands of King Immanuel.</p> + +<p>Amidst all the turmoils of political and revolutionary strife Mr. Adams +never neglected religious duty. When at home he was faithful to the +family altar and uniformly attended public worship when practicable. He +was a consistent every day Christian—free from bigotry and +fanaticism—not subject to sudden expansions and contractions of +mind—rather puritanical in his views yet charitable in his feelings and +opposed to censuring any one for the sake of opinion. He adorned his +profession by purity of conduct at all times.</p> + +<p>Mr. Adams was of middle size, well formed, with a countenance full of +intelligence indicating firmness of purpose and energy of action. As a +public man and private citizen he was highly esteemed and richly earned +a place in the front rank of the American patriots. He placed a low +value upon wealth—died poor but not the less esteemed for his poverty +which was <i>then</i> no crime. He placed a high value upon common school +education and <i>properly</i> estimated the higher branches of science. +General intelligence among the great mass he considered the strongest +bulwark to preserve our independence.</p> + +<p>As a writer Mr. Adams had few equals. His answer to Thomas Paine's +writings against Christianity is probably superior to that of any other +author. His few letters on government published in 1800, show a clear +head, a good heart and a gigantic mind.</p> + +<p>As an orator he was eloquent, chaste, logical—rising with the magnitude +of his subject. He always spoke to the point—addressing the +understanding—not the passions.</p> + +<p>His manners were urbane, unaffected and plain—his mode of living frugal +and temperate—his attachments strong—his whole life a golden chain of +usefulness. Let his examples be imitated by all—then our UNION will be +preserved from the iron grasp of ambitious partisans—the snares of +designing demagogues—the whirlpool of blind fanaticism—the tornado of +party spirit. Let these examples be discarded—our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> <span class="smcap">Union</span> will prove a +mere rope of sand—the temple of our <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> will crumble and moulder in +the dust with <span class="smcap">Samuel Adams</span>. O! think of this disorganizers and tremble!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="BENEDICT_ARNOLD" id="BENEDICT_ARNOLD"></a>BENEDICT ARNOLD.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Cause</span> is treated with cold neglect by a large portion of the human +family. All gaze at effect—but few trace it to its producing original. +Especially is this true with men in forming opinions of the conduct of +their fellow-men. Petty errors are construed into crimes—petty crimes +into felonies. Often have I known this to be the case in sectarian +churches where charity was loudly professed but sparingly practised. The +causes that operated upon the erring brother may have been extenuating +but are not examined. <i>Away</i> with him is the simultaneous cry. Kindness +might have reclaimed and saved him. Too rarely are extenuating causes +sought for—too partially are they credited when brought to light. But a +limited number stop to analyze human nature—divest themselves of +prejudice and become competent to pass an intelligent, impartial +judgment upon the conduct of others. They do not inquire how formidable +a force of temptation <i>they</i> could vanquish if attacked by the arch +enemies of ethics and Christianity. They can never fully know their own +strength in morals until they measure arms with the foe. In the balmy +days of prosperity a man may act justly in all things and be the censor +of others. Reverses may drive this same man into great error—perhaps +crime. Keen adversity is a crucible from which but few emerge like gold +seven times tried. Charity is the specific to ameliorate these evils but +too cheap to obtain a wide circulation. Abstruse dogmas cost more labour +and by many are more highly prized.</p> + +<p>There are crimes so flagrant that no extenuating circumstances can form +a legal excuse—crimes that blight like the sirocco—crimes so dark that +they hide the noblest deeds—the most brilliant talents—the most +towering genius—consigning the perpetrator to lasting +disgrace—enduring infamy. Treason stands high on the black catalogue. +But one traitor was found among the disciples of Christ—but one was +found among the sages and heroes of the American Revolution. That +traitor was Benedict Arnold, a Major General in the army of the +illustrious Washington.</p> + +<p>He was a native of New London, Connecticut. At the commencement of the +struggle for liberty he resided at New Haven and was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> captain of a +volunteer company. When the hoarse clarion of war was sounded on the +heights of Lexington he was among the first to march his company to the +American headquarters at Cambridge where he arrived in ten days after +that painful event.</p> + +<p>The Massachusetts authorities conferred upon him the commission of +Colonel with directions to raise 400 men and make an attempt to capture +Ticonderoga. He repaired to Castleton, Vermont, where he met Col. Allen. +On the 10th of May, 1775, this fortress surrendered at discretion. On +the 6th of September of that year he commenced his march for Canada +through the dense forest with 1000 men from New England consisting of +infantry, one company of artillery and three companies of riflemen. A +portion of his troops were obliged to return for want of provision to +sustain them all, through the wilderness. The balance endured the +severest hardships on the march and arrived at Point Levi opposite +Quebec at the end of six weeks. But from the fact that Arnold had sent a +letter forward to a friend by an Indian who betrayed his trust by giving +information of the approaching troops it is believed Quebec would have +been easily captured. To prevent this all means of crossing the river +had been removed and the fortifications put under rapid improvement. It +was not until the night of the 14th of October that he led his little +band of 700 men up the heights that had been surmounted by Wolfe and +formed them near the memorable plains of Abraham. The city had become so +well fortified that the summons to surrender was treated with contempt. +To attack with so small a force would be a reckless waste of human life. +In a few days he marched to Point aux Trembles twenty miles above Quebec +to await the coming of Gen. Montgomery who arrived on the first day of +December. A siege upon the city was immediately commenced which was +successfully resisted. On the morning of the 31st of that month a +simultaneous assault was made on two sides of the city in which +Montgomery was killed and Arnold severely wounded in the leg. Officers +and men behaved with great gallantry. No other assault was +attempted—the blockade was continued to May 1776. On the 18th of June +Arnold withdrew from Canada. He subsequently commanded the small fleet +on Lake Champlain and exhibited great skill and bravery.</p> + +<p>In August, 1777, he relieved Fort Schuyler, then besieged by Col. St. +Leger with, an army of near 1800 men. At the battle near Stillwater on +the 19th September he fought like a tiger for four hours. After the +British had been driven within their lines in the action of the 8th of +October, Arnold pressed forward under a destructive fire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> and assaulted +their works, forced their entrenchments and entered their lines with a +handful of desperate followers and only retreated upon his horse being +killed and himself severely wounded again in his unfortunate leg. For +desperate bravery on the field of battle he had no superior. He seemed +enchanted with danger and infatuated with military glory. But this was +not his ruling passion. He was licentious, voluptuous, amorous and +epicurean. The want of means to fully pamper these ruinous propensities, +which had destroyed all sense of moral rectitude—solves the problem of +his treason.</p> + +<p>Being disqualified by his wounds for field service he was put in command +of the garrison at Philadelphia. He made the house of Gov. Penn his +headquarters which he furnished in princely style and commenced a course +of extravagant living and equipage far beyond his salary. To raise funds +he laid violent hands upon all property belonging to those who did not +enter fully into the cause of the patriots. He oppressed, extorted, used +public money and properly for private purposes and made his public +accounts more than duplicate. He rushed into unsuccessful trading +speculations and made himself amenable to a series of grave charges and +was summoned to appear before the commissioners of accounts who rejected +more than half the amount of his charges against government. He appealed +to Congress whose committee confirmed the report of the commissioners +with the remark that Arnold had been allowed too much. So violent was +his language and conduct towards his superiors that he was arraigned +before a court-martial and sentenced to be reprimanded by Washington. +This sentence was sanctioned by Congress and promptly executed. His +mortification had now reached its zenith. He was bankrupt in means—his +reputation wounded—his pride lacerated. He became surcharged with fell +revenge—treason was the best panacea for that dark passion. He was +quick to see that West Point would command the most money and inflict +the deepest wound upon the cause of liberty. He suddenly professed deep +repentance and applied to the New York delegation in Congress to obtain +for him the command of that important post. Through Gen. Schuyler the +same application was made to Washington who was anxious to have his +services in the field but willing to comply with his wishes. Early in +August, 1779, Arnold repaired to the camp of Washington and made the +application in person without apparent anxiety, stating that his wounds +disqualified him for field service. With full confidence in his fidelity +he received the desired command.</p> + +<p>It has been intimated by some writers that the plan of treason was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +suggested to Arnold by an English courtesan with whom he was intimate. +It is true that he wrote to Col. Robinson of the British army upon the +subject before he applied for the command. That letter opened to him a +correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton who sanctioned the project and +probably fixed the price of the base deed. On the conclusion of these +preliminaries the traitor solicited the appointment he received. He +repaired to the garrison at West Point and opened an ostensible +mercantile correspondence with Major Andre the British agent to +consummate the nefarious plot. The names assumed were Gustavus and +Anderson. For convenience of escape the British sloop of war Vulture was +moved up the river at a distance not to excite suspicion. An interview +was arranged for the night of September 21, 1780. Andre was landed below +the garrison under a pass for John Anderson. Arnold received him at the +house of a Mr. Smith <i>within</i> the American lines in violation of his +sacred promise not to do so to avoid the penalty of a spy—showing the +reckless daring of the traitor. The sun rose upon them before their +plans of operation were completed. Andre remained with Arnold during the +day. When ready to leave in the evening it was found the Vulture had +been compelled to move too far down the river for him to reach her with +a boat. He exchanged his regimentals for a plain suit—received a pass +from Arnold and proceeded by land for New York. On the 23d he had +proceeded so far that he felt perfectly secure when one of a militia +scout suddenly seized the reins of his bridle and brought him to a +stand. Instead of producing his pass he asked the man where he belonged. +He answered—"below." "So do I" was the response and declared himself an +English officer on urgent business and wished not to be detained. At +that moment two others of the scout came up when the spy discovered his +true position. He offered a purse of gold and his gold watch to let him +pass. To those patriot soldiers the offer was an insult. He then offered +them any amount they would name in money or dry goods, with himself as a +hostage until the amount should be received. Fortunately for the cause +of freedom, British gold could not purchase these honest men in humble +life. They had met the tempter and had moral courage to repel all his +assaults. Their virtue paralyzed the treason of the only traitor in the +American army. Let their names be handed down to posterity with profound +veneration. John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Vanwert secured +Andre and foiled Arnold. Williams lived respected and died regretted in +my native neighborhood. Often have I heard him relate the minute +circumstances of that important capture. He claimed to be the one who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +first arrested the spy. These three men proceeded to examine their +prisoner and found concealed in his boots an exact account of the +garrison at West Point in detail in the handwriting of Arnold. They took +him to Lieut. Col. Jameson who commanded the scouting parties. Anxious +to save the traitor, he persisted in the character assumed and shrewdly +asked that Arnold should be informed that Anderson was taken, who would +explain and make every thing satisfactory. The ruse succeeded—an +express was sent to the garrison which enabled Arnold to escape on board +the Vulture on the 25th of September, a few hours only before Gen. +Washington reached West Point. He proceeded to Sir Henry Clinton at New +York where he received $50,000 and the commission of brigadier general +in the British army—the price of his base treachery. Although the foul +transaction was tolerated by the English government, all honorable men +in England detested the traitor and his treason. This was frequently +manifested after his location in that country at the close of the +Revolution. Lord Lauderdale expressed his disgust on seeing Arnold +seated on the right hand of the king and exclaimed—"His majesty is +supported by a traitor." Lord Surry rose to speak in the House of +Commons and on perceiving the traitor in the gallery sat down and +exclaimed—"I will not speak while that man is in the House." In +addition to the money paid and the disgrace of associating with this +vile man—the British army lost one of its brightest ornaments in the +death of Maj. Andre. Contrary to his sacred pledge Arnold made him a spy +by taking him within the American lines. He was tried, convicted and +hung. Washington would gladly have warded off the dreadful sentence +could he have found any excuse for doing so. The law demanded the +sacrifice—it was made from the necessity of the case.</p> + +<p>The news of Arnold's treason created surprise and indignation among the +people of his native country. At Philadelphia his effigy was made large +as life and drawn through the streets at night in a cart with a figure +of the devil at his side holding a lighted lantern to his face and the +inscription in large capitals—TRAITOR ARNOLD. The cart was followed by +a dense crowd with martial music playing the rogue's march. The +principal being absent the representative was hung and then burnt. +Arnold had become so hardened by a long indulgence in improper practices +that he was apparently steeled against all reflection upon the past. +Soon after he commenced his murderous career in the British service, +Washington remarked of him in a private letter-"I am mistaken, if, <i>at +this time</i> Arnold is undergoing a mental hell. He wants feeling. From +some traits of his character<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> which have lately come to my knowledge, he +seems to have been so hackneyed in crime—so lost to all sense of honor +and shame, that while his faculties still enable him to continue his +sordid pursuits there will be no time for remorse." An ingenious, bold +but unsuccessful attempt was made to abduct him from New York before the +execution of the unfortunate Andre. He made a hair-breadth escape.</p> + +<p>The baseness of Arnold's treason was increased in blackness by his +subsequent conduct. He had the assurance to write to Washington the day +he escaped on board the Vulture, stating that he was acting for the good +of his country and requesting the commander-in-chief to protect his wife +and pass her and his baggage to him. Mrs. Arnold was immediately +forwarded to New York with her effects and those of her husband. Arnold +professed to his new companions in arms to be radically changed to a +staunch loyalist. The Declaration of Independence he declared a +treasonable paper—its authors a company of ambitious rebels seeking +power to enslave the people. He wrote a threatening letter to Washington +relative to the execution of Andre and assured him of a fearful +retaliation unless a reprieve was granted. He published an address to +the people of America fully justifying his treasonable conduct. He then +issued an artful tirade of insulting sophistry for the purpose of +inducing others to plunge into the same quagmire of disgrace with +himself—calling it a proclamation with the following caption. "To the +officers and soldiers of the Continental army who have the real +interests of their country at heart and who are determined no longer to +be the tools and dupes of Congress or of France."</p> + +<p>All his vile paper demonstrations deepened his infamy, increasing the +boiling indignation of the American people without inducing a single one +to desert the cause of his country. To do this was a part of the +consideration of the Arnold purchase. Sir Henry Clinton was deceived by +the traitor and egregiously mistaken in the stern integrity of the +patriots. Finding his Proteus brigadier powerless over the minds of his +former companions, Sir Henry deducted $100,000 from the $150,000 which +was the stipulated price for West Point and the traitor and despatched +him to Virginia to act upon the persons and property of the obstinate +rebels. In January 1781 Arnold entered Chesapeake Bay with a protecting +naval force and landed with about 1700 men. His cruelties, ravages and +plunders along the unprotected coast could not be surpassed by a band of +practised pirates. Revenge seemed to be the motive power of his action. +During one of his predatory excursions he captured an American captain +of whom he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> inquired what the Americans would do with him if he fell +into their hands, to which the officer replied—"If my countrymen should +catch you I believe they would first cut off that lame leg which was +wounded in the cause of <span class="smcap">freedom</span> and bury it with the honors of war and +afterwards hang the remainder of your body in gibbets."</p> + +<p>After returning from Virginia he was sent on an expedition against New +London where he first breathed the vital air. He landed his troops in +two detachments—one on each side of the harbor. He led one against Fort +Trumbull which could make but a feeble resistance. Fort Griswold made a +spirited defence against the other division commanded by Lieut. Col. +Eyre but was compelled to yield to an overwhelming force. When the +Americans surrendered but seven men had been killed within the +lines—after the surrender a murderous slaughter was commenced by the +British and about 100 killed and wounded. On entering the fort an +English officer inquired who commanded the garrison. Col. Ledyard +presented his sword and answered—"<i>I</i> did—but <i>you</i> do now." His sword +was taken by the officer and immediately plunged through his heart. In +the attack the enemy had 48 killed and 145 wounded. Arnold commenced his +favorite work of plunder—loaded and sent away 15 vessels mostly +freighted with private property—fired the place and reduced 60 +dwelling-houses and 84 stores to ashes and in his haste four of his own +ships were burned. He completed this work of destruction and was absent +from New York only eight days. Such expeditions afforded the richest +aliment for the black heart of this traitor. He continued the scavenger +of the British army to the close of the war and then removed to London +where he died in 1801. To the lasting disgrace of the British government +Arnold received a liberal pension to the time of his death which is +continued to his descendants and is frequently complained of by the +British press.</p> + +<p>With the blackness of eternal disgrace resting upon his character this +traitor has had apologists among American writers. They attribute his +treason to a want of liberality on the part of our government. I have +said the want of means to give full scope to his sordid passions was the +cause. A want of liberality does not appear upon the record. He was +allowed more than justice demanded—more than other officers under like +circumstances. He was unsound at the core—void of moral rectitude—was +proved dishonest before the commissioners of accounts—the committee of +Congress and the court-martial. His name should <i>then</i> have been erased +from the roll of officers regardless of consequences. That would have +saved him from the treason he perpe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>trated—the accomplished Andre from +the scaffold and thousands from the ravages subsequently committed by +the reckless traitor. All apologies for Arnold are sophisms. His name is +stamped with a lasting infamy that blots out the noble deeds that +preceded his Lucifer-fall.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOSHUA_BARNEY" id="JOSHUA_BARNEY"></a>JOSHUA BARNEY.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> navy of a nation is justly termed the right arm of its strength. The +life of a mariner is full of romance—often spiced with thrilling +events—sometimes fraught with danger. The sons of the main are a hardy, +noble, generous, bold class of men. None but those who have rode upon +the green mountain waves of old ocean when lashed to a foaming fury by +mighty wind, can fully appreciate the perilous service of a seaman.</p> + +<p>The importance of increasing our navy is felt but by a few of our +legislators and not urged by them. Americans are the favorite sons of +Neptune. With shamefully limited means they have fought their way to the +temple of fame. With a maritime force far inferior to the resources and +magnitude of our prosperous and expansive country—far inferior to that +of the enemy whom they met and conquered—they have snatched the laurels +of victory from the mistress of the seas and placed them upon their own +manly brows. Had our government been as forward in providing ships of +war as our naval officers and noble tars have been in courting danger, +shedding their blood and sacrificing life in defence of the star +spangled banner—the combined forces of the old world would dread our +power more than they now respect our flag. By an equal force our seamen +cannot be conquered. History points to a long list of heroes—sons of +America—who have carved their names as high on the temple of fame as +Sidney and Nelson.</p> + +<p>Among them is that of Joshua Barney—born in Baltimore, Maryland on the +6th day of July 1759. His father was a respectable farmer cultivating +the soil now within the city limits. His son was sent to a common school +until he was ten years of age and was then placed in a retail dry goods +store at Alexandria. In 1771 he revealed to his parents his long nursed +vision of a seaman's life. Reluctantly his father obtained for him a +place on board a pilot boat commanded by an intimate friend. After a few +months service he was apprenticed to Capt. Drisdall whose brig was bound +to Ireland. After a long and rough passage the vessel reached the cove +of Cork. From thence the Captain proceeded to Liverpool where he sold +his cargo and brig.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> Young Barney returned home by the way of Dublin. +Soon after his arrival his father was killed by the accidental discharge +of a pistol in the hands of a young son but seven years of age. Joshua +subsequently made a voyage to Cadiz and Genoa. In 1775 he sailed to +Italy. On arriving there the mate was discharged, the captain taken sick +which put Barney in command of the ship. He was not then sixteen years +of age.</p> + +<p>In July of that year he joined an unsuccessful Spanish expedition +against Algiers. In October 1776 he arrived in Chesapeake Bay where he +was boarded by the officers of the British sloop of war King Fisher and +plundered of all his letters and arms. He there first received +intelligence of the battle of Bunker Hill. He was at length permitted to +proceed to Baltimore where his vessel was laid up. He had been her +captain eight months—had passed through many perils with courage and +skill that would have done credit to a man ripe in years and experience. +He had earned the fame of a skilful navigator and judicious commander. +He was not long in choosing whom he should serve for the future. He was +born a patriot. The fire of liberty illuminated his soul. Freedom +pointed him to the service of his beloved country. He was appointed +master's mate on the sloop of war Hornet under Capt. Stone. Com. Hopkins +presented him with a flag which he mounted on a staff—obtained martial +music—beat up for volunteers and in one day raised a full complement of +men for the sloop. He was the first one who unfurled the star spangled +banner in Maryland.</p> + +<p>In November the Hornet and Wasp sailed for the Delaware to join Com. +Hopkins. The British fleet was in Hampton Roads to intercept them but +could not bag the game. On their arrival the fleet of the Commodore +consisted of two small frigates, two brigs and four sloops. With this +infant navy just bursting into life he sailed for the Bahama Island New +Providence—took the fort without opposition—secured the military +stores—treated the people and private property with due respect and +returned safely to the Delaware with his booty. Soon after his return +Barney was stationed on board the Wasp under Capt. Alexander who was +ordered to conduct the ship beyond the capes that conveyed Benjamin +Franklin to France. On its return the Wasp was closely pursued by two +British ships carrying 72 guns and escaped by running into Wilmington +creek. The next morning Com. Hazelwood went down from Philadelphia with +several row gallies and boldly attacked the Englishmen which enabled the +Wasp to come out and take part in the action. This little schooner stung +the British brig<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> Tender so severely that she surrendered in a short +time and was immediately taken to the Jersey shore. On his return to +join the games amidst a dense fog, Capt. Alexander came in close contact +with the fleet of the enemy. He met with a warm reception and returned +the salutation promptly and effectually. After an exchange of the most +impressive compliments he returned to the gallies. A brisk fire was kept +up during the day which convinced the creatures of the crown that the +infant navy was not to be trifled with. During the action young Barney +went on board another vessel that was not fully manned. His bold and +noble daring on that occasion elevated him in the esteem of his +superiors and companions in arms. Robert Morris, then President of the +Marine Committee, presented him with a lieutenant's commission and put +him in command of the sloop of war Sachem. He was then but seventeen +years of age. Shortly after receiving his commission Lieut. Barney +participated with Capt. Robinson in a severe action of two hours which +resulted in the capture of an English brig. A large sea turtle, designed +as a present to Lord North, was one of the delicacies of the prize. It +was presented to Robert Morris. In a few days after his return Lieut. +Barney spread the canvas of his little craft in company with the Andrew +Dorin with fourteen guns and the Lexington—all under the command of +Capt. Barry and sailed for the West Indies. On their return they fell in +with the British sloop of war Race Horse—tender to Admiral Parker's +fleet, which he had sent out from Jamaica on purpose to capture these +American "small craft." After a sanguinary action of two hours the +English nag was cut in pieces, distanced and surrendered at discretion. +Shortly after that brilliant victory the British sloop of war Snow was +captured and Lieut. Barney placed on board as prize-master. He was +overtaken by a gale that threatened to land all hands in Davy Jones' +locker—was badly crippled and captured by the Perseus of twenty guns. +During the passage young Barney was insulted by the purser of the +Perseus and knocked him down the hatchway for which he was commended by +the British captain. On their arrival at Charleston an exchange of +prisoners took place which enabled Lieut. Barney to return to +Philadelphia with fresh laurels on his youthful brow.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1777 he joined the squadron for the defence of the +Delaware composed of the Delaware—32 guns—the Sachem, Andrew Dorin and +several smaller vessels—all under the command of Com. <ins class="correct" title="Hazlewood">Hazelwood</ins>. They +were stationed near Fort Mifflin and bravely maintained their position +until the next autumn when the little fleet and fort were compelled to +yield to a superior force. Lieut. Barney<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> was then ordered on board the +frigate Virginia at Baltimore commanded by Capt. Nicholson. In an +attempt to run her to sea at night the pilot brought up on the opposite +shore where she and her crew fell an easy prey to the enemy. In August +the ensuing year Lieut. Barney was exchanged—proceeded to +Baltimore—took command of a small schooner with two guns and eight men +and was again captured in an attempt to run out of Chesapeake Bay. He +was soon exchanged and joined his old friend Capt. Robinson at +Alexandria on board a vessel with 12 guns, 35 men and but a small supply +of ammunition. On the third evening after leaving port they fell in with +the British privateer Rosebud—fully manned and eager for action. A +running fight was continued during the night. Daylight revealed a rapid +opening and expansion of the Rosebud—she hauled off with 47 of her men +killed and wounded. Capt. Robinson had none killed and but one man +wounded. He then sailed to Bordeaux—mounted eighteen guns—shipped 70 +men—took in a cargo of brandy and sailed for home. On his way he +captured a valuable prize—placed it in charge of Lieut. Barney who +arrived with it at Philadelphia in October 1779. He was received with +great enthusiasm and applause. Lavished praises did not inflame his +youthful mind. Vanity had no resting-place in his noble soul. Pomp and +parade had no charms for him. He bore his prosperity with the calm +dignity of a Socrates. He steered clear of the alluring quicksands of +vice—the rocks of sinful pleasure on which many young men founder and +are lost forever. His manly conduct gained the esteem of the great and +good—his fame was based on substantial merit. Familiarity with scenes +of blood and carnage—the rage of battle and the clash of arms did not +enervate the exalted powers of his refined sympathies and softer +passions. These were commingled with those of an accomplished daughter +of Alderman Bedford of Philadelphia and were consolidated in one at the +hymeneal altar before he left the city of brotherly love. After basking +in the rays of the honey-moon for a few days he proceeded to Baltimore. +On the way his money was stolen from the box of his carriage where he +thought it more safe than in his pocket. He returned to +Philadelphia—concealed his loss—went to sea in the Saratoga of 16 guns +under Capt. Young.</p> + +<p>Their first prize was a vessel carrying 12 guns. In a short time they +came in contact with an English ship mounting 32 guns with 90 men +accompanied by two brigs. Under the disguise of British colors Capt. +Young ran alongside the ship. In a few brief moments the star spangled +banner was floating in the breeze upon the three Eng<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>lish vessels. +Lieutenant Barney was put in charge of one of them. Becoming separated +from the others he was captured by the seventy-four Intrepid commanded +by Capt. Malloy and treated with great cruelty. On arriving at New York +Lieut. Barney and 70 other prisoners were placed on board the ship of +war Yarmouth by Admiral Rodney. They were confined under five decks in a +dark filthy apartment but three feet between floors—twelve feet by +twenty in area and ordered to England. They were 53 days performing the +passage. Eleven of the prisoners died on the way—the survivors were +scarcely able to walk. They were covered with vermin and when landed +could not bear the light for some time. They were sent to Mill prison +where they found nearly three hundred of their fellow-countrymen sharing +the same tender mercies with themselves. Soon after this new accession +of rebels preparations for escape were discovered. Lieut. Barney was +suspected—loaded with heavy irons and thrown into a dungeon for thirty +days. By the assistance of a soldier he made his escape from prison on +the 18th of May 1781—was discovered and remanded. In a second attempt +he succeeded—visited Bristol, London, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the +Hague. He reached Philadelphia in March 1782 amidst the heart-felt +congratulations of his family and numerous friends. His sufferings had +been aggravated and heart-rending. He had almost tasted death. The +barbarous treatment of the American prisoners on board the English +prison-ships is without a parallel. It has left a stigma on the +Christian escutcheon of the British nation that time or angels' tears +can never expunge—a foul blot, lasting as the pages of history. My +strong language may be excused when I inform the reader that one out of +eight of my patriot uncles was literally suffocated and starved to death +on one of those ships in the port of New York. Were I to draw a full +picture of the demoniac cruelties heaped upon the American prisoners in +the loathsome dungeons of these floating Pandemoniums—a horror too +painful to be borne would oppress the aching heart of the reader.</p> + +<p>As a manifestation of the high value placed upon the services of young +Barney, the State of Pennsylvania presented him with a captaincy and +placed him in command of the Hyder Ally of 16 guns with 110 men. In a +few days he proceeded down the Delaware as a convoy. On the 8th of April +1782 he was anchored in Cape May road waiting for a move favorable wind. +At 10 A. M. he discovered four vessels making all sail towards him. On +nearing they proved to be a British frigate, ship, brig and sloop of +war. About noon the frigate made for Cape Henlopen channel—the other +vessels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> steering for Cape May. Capt. Barney weighed anchor and sailed +up the bay to elude pursuit. At 1 P. M. the ship and brig came into the +bay by Cape May channel—the frigate coming round under Cape Henlopen. +The following account of the action is from a gentleman who was a +volunteer on board the Hyder Ally.</p> + +<p>"At one P. M. prepared for action—all hands to quarters. At three +quarters past one the brig passed us after giving us two fires. We +reserved our fire for the ship then fast coming up. We received very +little, damage from the brig which stood after our convoy. She mounted +16 guns and was formerly the Fair American privateer commanded by Capt. +Decatur and equal to us in force. At 2 P. M. the ship ranged upon our +starboard quarter and fired two guns at us. We were then at good pistol +shot. We attempted to run her on board by laying her across the +starboard bow—at the same time poured in our <ins class="correct" title="broad-side">broadside</ins> from great guns +and small arms. Our fire was briskly kept up for twenty-six minutes when +she struck her colors. Immediately sent our first lieutenant on board +and stood up the bay—the frigate being in chase under all sail and the +brig ahead in pursuit of our convoy. We again prepared for action and +stood for the brig. On perceiving this she tacked for the frigate and +got aground. We were obliged to pass her as the frigate was gaining upon +us. At 4 P. M. the frigate came to anchor in the bay—as we supposed for +want of a pilot. We then spoke the prize for the first time and learned +that she was his majesty's ship Gen. Monk—Capt. Rodgers—with 20 +<i>nine</i>-pounders—136 men of whom 30 were killed and 53 wounded, +including 15 out of 16 officers." The Hyder Ally had four killed and +eleven wounded—mounted 12 <i>six</i> and 4 <i>nine</i>-pounders—a little more +than half the weight of metal carried by the Gen. Monk—with a crew of +110 men and 5 volunteers who went on board as a matter of recreation. +Capt. Barney proceeded to Philadelphia with his prize—treating his +conquered foe with great kindness, soaring above retaliation for the +recent base treatment he had received when a prisoner.</p> + +<p>On his arrival at Philadelphia the welkin rang with plaudits of praise +from the multitude who hailed him as one of the deliverers of their +oppressed country. For his gallantry the legislature of Pennsylvania +voted him a splendid sword which was presented to him by the governor +with appropriate ceremonies. The General Monk was purchased by the U. S. +government—fitted for a cruise and placed in command of Capt. Barney. +He sailed for Paris in November of that year with despatches to Benjamin +Franklin. His naval fame had preceded him in France and prepared the way +for an enthusiastic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> reception at her proud metropolis. On his return he +brought the loan that had been obtained by Franklin for the United +States. That voyage closed his useful, adventurous, brilliant +revolutionary career.</p> + +<p>Subsequent to the revolution Capt. Barney purchased a tract of land in +Kentucky for the purpose of a permanent residence. During 1786-7-8 he +travelled through the West, the Carolinas and Georgia. He was a strong +advocate of the Federal Constitution and freely expressed his views on +all proper occasions. In 1789 he was in poor health and joined with +another gentleman in the purchase of a brig. They sailed to Carthagena, +South America and returned by the way of Havana. In 1792 he was at Cape +Francois when the town was burned. Being on shore he was compelled to +fight his way to his ship and brought off with him about sixty +distressed women and children. On his return he was captured by an +English privateer and all his crew taken from him except his carpenter, +boatswain and cook. Three officers and eleven men were put in charge of +the prize and ordered to New Providence. Capt. Barney was treated with +cruelty because he refused to surrender the keys of his iron chest. +Having secreted several loaded guns he and his three men retook the +vessel, wounding two of the officers and compelling the Englishmen to +work the ship into Baltimore. The little sleep Capt. Barney obtained up +to the time his craft was moored at the monumental city was in his +arm-chair on the quarter-deck. The next year he repeated his visit to +Cape Francois and on his way home was captured by a British +privateer—taken to Jamaica—his ship condemned and he confined in +prison. It was acts like this that hastened the war of 1812. In 1794 +Capt. Barney was again restored to his family. In company with James +Monroe he visited the transient Republic of France in 1795 and was the +bearer of the star spangled banner to the French convention. So +delighted were the members with the veteran captain that they proffered +him a command in their navy. The ensuing year he accepted the offer and +arrived at Norfolk with two frigates where he was a long time blockaded +by a British squadron. He offered to measure skill with an equal force +which was prudently refused. In 1800 he surrendered his command without +having had an action with the enemy. In 1805 he declined the offered +command of the Navy Yard at Washington. In 1806-8 he was an unsuccessful +candidate for Congress—the interests of party having become paramount +to the substantial merit and righteous claims of a candidate who was not +<i>politically available</i> although covered with scars and wounds received +in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> the purchase of our liberty—endowed with sterling talents matured +by cool reflection and long experience—with a pure and honorable +reputation in all respects—deficient in one thing only—<i>a political +gum-elastic conscience</i>.</p> + +<p>In 1812 he removed to Elkridge with his family. On the declaration of +war against Great Britain in June of that year he was immediately called +into service. He was first commissioned to cruise in a privateer and +succeeded in speedily capturing eighteen British vessels—several of a +superior force to his. In 1813 he was invited to take command of the +armed flotilla in Chesapeake Bay. On his arrival at Washington he was +surprised to find a letter to the Secretary of the Navy from a merchant +in Baltimore derogatory to his character. He at once called the writer +to an account and settled the matter by the inverse rule of <i>false</i> +honor by probing his breast with a blue pill which did not prove mortal. +With the rank of Commodore, Barney took command of the flotilla in the +spring of 1814. It consisted of twenty-six barges and nine hundred men. +He first intended attacking the enemy at Tangier Island. On his way he +met the British squadron off Patuxet and was compelled to run in there. +During the summer he annoyed the enemy constantly—captured several of +their smaller vessels and several times boldly attacked their +frigates—materially injuring them—then retreating quickly into shoal +water beyond their reach. On the first of July he was called to +Washington to aid in devising the best plan of defence against the +contemplated attack by the enemy. On the 3d he returned and moved the +flotilla farther up the river. On the 16th of August the British fleet +entered the Patuxet in full force. An express was despatched to the +Secretary of the Navy apprising him of the movement. On the 21st Com. +Barney landed most of his men—marched for Washington and joined Gen. +Winder and Capt. Miller with his marines and five pieces of artillery. +The marines were put under the command of the Commodore. On the 23d the +troops were reviewed by the President and looked fine. On the 24th the +enemy halted within three miles of the American camp. Skirmishing +occurred between small advance parties. Com. Barney proceeded to the +city and took station at the marine barracks determined to defend the +bridge to the last extremity. Being advised of this the British changed +their route by way of Bladensburg. The main body of the American troops +met them there on the 25th about 11 A. M. At a late hour Com. Barney +obtained permission from the President to join them. Within a mile of +that town he found the Americans formed in irregular detached parties +engaged in battle. His troops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> were nearly out of breath—having +ran—not marched to the scene of action under the burning rays of an +August sun. He had scarcely formed and brought his guns to bear when the +militia broke in confusion and ran for dear life. The whole British army +then advanced upon the Spartan band of Barney. He saw no hope of +rallying the mushroom troops that were flying but determined not to be +shot on the wing himself and fill a coward's grave. He reserved his fire +until the enemy came within a few yards when a discharge of round and +grape shot left the front ranks struggling in death. A second time the +English veterans advanced—a second time their front ranks fell like +grass before a scythe. The British then left the road and approached +from another direction by fording the creek then very low. All the +so-called American troops had left the Commodore and his brave phalanx. +Still he stood his ground against an overwhelming force of the veterans +of Waterloo. Although simultaneously charged on the right and left, he +repulsed them several times with great slaughter. He had received a ball +in his thigh which was bleeding profusely. At the same time his horse +was killed under him. To add to his chagrin the mushroom militia had ran +off with his ammunition wagon. On being nearly surrounded by the enemy +and Capt. Miller severely wounded, he ordered those to retreat who were +able to do so. He was carried a few yards by three of his officers and +fell from loss of blood. Two of them he ordered to conduct the retreat +of his gallant men. Gen. Ross and Admiral Cockburn were conducted to him +and treated him kindly. They ordered him and Capt. Miller to be carried +to a house in Bladensburg where their wounds were dressed and they made +as comfortable as circumstances would permit. The British left 80 of +their killed and wounded on the battle ground—who had fallen through +the bravery of the bold sailors and marines who stood like men and +fought like lions. The Americans had 60 killed and wounded 50 of whom +were those who nobly defended the star spangled banner of the brave +Barney and Miller, showing how early in the action the shrimp militia +entered leg bail and distanced all pursuit—only ten being shot on the +wing as they were courageously flying from the field of glory. Had they +fought as did Barney and Miller with their ocean band they would have +repelled the invading foe and saved the capital of our nation from +desecration. The means for success were as formidable at Bladensburg as +at Baltimore and New Orleans.</p> + +<p>After having committed the most wanton waste at the shamefully deserted +city of Washington Gen. Ross retreated on the 26th with a loss of over +1000 men. He could boast of having visited and devas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>tated the capital +of a great nation filled with defenceless females and children left to +his mercy and generosity by most of their <i>gallant</i> husbands and +fathers. The whole transaction as conducted by both armies does not +reflect the <i>highest</i> honor on any concerned but the brave Commodore and +his companions in arms.</p> + +<p>The day after the battle Mrs. Barney, a son and the family physician +repaired to Bladensburg to aid and comfort the Commodore. It was +impossible to extract the ball from his thigh which remained through +life. In a few days he was able to ride home in a carriage. On the 7th +of October he was so far recovered as to visit the British fleet for the +purpose of exchanging prisoners. For his gallantry on the battle ground +of Bladensburg the state of Georgia voted him hearty thanks—the city of +Washington presented him with a splendid sword. On the 15th of October +he resumed the command of the flotilla—still suffering severely from +the pressure of the ball. During the ensuing winter he prepared for a +vigorous spring campaign. Peace put an end to further military +operations. He sailed on a mission to Europe on the 25th of May 1815 and +returned on the 19th of the ensuing October. So much did his wound +disable him that he was compelled to send his despatches from Baltimore +to Washington. He was conveyed to his family at Elkridge and +subsequently removed to Baltimore.</p> + +<p>In 1816 he visited his lands in Kentucky in company with his lady. They +were received with marked attention on their whole route. So highly +pleased were they with the noble bearing, open frankness and proverbial +hospitality of the Kentuckians, that they resolved on removing there at +the earliest time possible. In 1818 the arrangements were completed and +the journey commenced. He started his men and effects in advance and met +them at Brownsville on the Monongahela. Owing to low water he was +detained for some time before reaching Pittsburgh. At that place he was +detained from the same cause. When the water rose he went on board with +his family in the evening for the purpose of an early start the next +morning. During the night he was taken ill and was removed on shore. His +disease increased—his wounded thigh became highly inflamed—death did +its work. On the 1st day of December 1818 Com. Joshua Barney was +numbered with the silent dead. He breathed his life calmly away and +descended to the tomb in peace. He was buried by the sympathizing +citizens of Pittsburgh with all the honors of sepulture in the graveyard +of the first Presbyterian church where his remains reposed until 1849 +when they were removed to the splendid Allegheny Cemetery three miles +from Pittsburgh. After the funeral obsequies were over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> and the widow +and her family had partially recovered from the shock of their sudden +bereavement they proceeded to their place of destination and located +upon their land in Kentucky. As a small compensation for the valuable +services of her husband, Congress granted Mrs. Barney a pension for +life.</p> + +<p>But few men have lived whose web of life has been filled with as many +exciting events and sudden changes as was that of Com. Barney. His was a +life of industry and usefulness without reaching the lofty summit of +fame on which many have perched whose substantial worth was inferior to +his. He discharged every duty that devolved upon him with the strictest +fidelity—with an eye single to the good and glory of his +country—without parade, pomp or vain show. Such men should elicit the +gratitude of our nation as much as those who have filled a higher rank +but have not been more useful.</p> + +<p>In all the relations of public and private life Com. Barney stood +approved, admired and beloved. He lived respected and died regretted.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOSIAH_BARTLETT" id="JOSIAH_BARTLETT"></a>JOSIAH BARTLETT.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">UNION</span>—enchanting word—a harmonious euphony vibrates from its sound. It +is the most mellow word in our language. It was the watchword in Heaven +before this mighty globe was spoke into existence—its melody will be +chanted there through the rolling ages of eternity. This magic word has +rallied millions to deeds of noble daring both for good and evil. No +language thrills through the soul of a patriot like the watchword of +'76—"OUR UNION." Is this still the watchword of the great mass of the +American people?—or is the unholy leaven of <i>Dissolution</i> working its +fearful progress from demagogues and factionists? Shall our UNION be +preserved to millions yet unborn? or will we follow in the awful wake of +nations who once were but now are not? Will the bone and sinew of our +dear America suffer patriotism to be basely strangled by party spirit +and internal dissensions? These are questions big with importance and +should be promptly answered by every friend of the UNION in a voice of +patriotic thunder that shall carry terror into the heart of every +fanatic and disorganizer in our land.</p> + +<p>For years too little attention has been given to the mental and moral +qualifications of our legislators. <i>Available</i> to the party has been the +watchword in most cases. Cliques nominate—electioneer and hoodwink the +dear people so that the destinies of our nation are emphati<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>cally placed +in the hands of a meagre minority and many of this minority men of just +seven principles—two loaves and five fishes. People of the United +States! awake to a sense of impending danger! Return no man to a +legislative hall whose uniform conduct has not proved him to be a pure +patriot and no one a second time who deals in billingsgate, legislates +by force of arms or favors dissolution. Unless <span class="smcap">Union</span> is his watchword he +cannot be trusted.</p> + +<p>UNION was the glorious rallying word of the Sages and Heroes of the +American Revolution among whom was Josiah Bartlett born at Amesbury, +Mass. in November 1729. He was the son of Stephen Bartlett a man of +sterling merit and liberal principles. Josiah received a good academic +education which he completed at the early age of sixteen. He then +commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Ordway and pursued it with +great industry for five years. He then entered upon a successful +practice at Kingston, New Hampshire, where he gained the confidence and +esteem of the community. Two years after he commenced practice he was +reduced very low by a fever and given up by his attending physicians. +More consistent than some physicians he experimented upon <i>himself</i> and +saved his life. He commenced taking small and frequent doses of cider—a +free perspiration ensued—the fever left and he soon recovered. From +that time he watched the indications and wants of nature more closely in +his patients and often made judicious and successful deviations from the +old beaten path of practice.</p> + +<p>Dr. Bartlett was the first physician who boldly assumed the position +that the <i>angina maligna tonsillaris</i> [canker] was <i>putrid</i> and not +<i>inflammatory</i> and first gave Peruvian bark for this distressing +disease. He also introduced the successful practice of using +antiphlogistic remedies for <i>cynanche maligna</i> [sore throat] at that +time terrific among children—four being sometimes buried in one grave +from the same family. By the skill of this able physician this awful +scourge was checked and stripped of its terrors. These improvements in +his practice resulted from a close study and investigation of the laws +of nature, ever in operation, which may be <i>aided</i> but never +<i>controlled</i> by artificial means. Let doctors remember this fact and +govern themselves accordingly.</p> + +<p>Dr. Bartlett held several important offices under Gov. Wentworth both +civil and military. Enjoying the confidence of the people he was elected +to the New Hampshire Assembly where he became a prominent opposer of the +infringements of the crown upon chartered rights. Republican blood only +flowed in his veins. With an Argus eye he watched the movements of the +British ministry and the royalists<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> around him. In granting charters for +towns the royal governors had uniformly reserved for the ostensible use +of the Episcopal Church the cream of the location. This was one of the +bones of contention between the people and the governors. Taxation for +illegitimate purposes was the vertebra of the hated animal. In effecting +their settlements the colonists had conquered the wilderness and the +savage unaided by the mother country. They were unwilling to be robbed +of their hard earnings by those who desired to roll in luxury at their +expense. Resistance was natural—was right. Taxation and representation +are inseparable principles that cannot be divorced. They were +incorporated in the eternal code of Nature and like the Siamese twins +must journey together where intelligence and social order predominate. +Kingly power adopts the unholy aphorism that <i>might makes right</i>. Upon +this sandy foundation the British ministers based their policy towards +the American Colonies. <i>They</i> put the Revolutionary ball in motion—its +rebounding force demolished the superstructure of their power over our +hardy ancestors. At the commencement of their oppressions, so prompt was +resistance that the king loosened the screws for a time. But under his +old preceptor, Lord Bute, backed by Lord North, he was bound to court +ruin and affiance it. Most effectually did he perform his plighted vows +which were freely sanctioned by the patriots of America.</p> + +<p>Gov. Wentworth thought to secure Dr. Bartlett by making him a member of +the judiciary. But there was no gift within the power of monarchy that +could seduce him from the path of liberty. As the crisis was urged on by +the hirelings of the crown his opposition increased in an equal ratio. A +circumstance occurred that made him at once conspicuous. The favorite +measure of securing a majority in the Assembly at all hazards was +resorted to by the Governor. He obtained the king's writ for three new +members from towns that were then fully represented. This open violation +of the known law of the land roused the indignation of the Doctor who +carried with him others who had not before come out in favor of freedom. +The three new members were expelled—opposition to the governor rose +like a July thunder gust. He was obliged to take refuge from the popular +fury on board the man-of-war Fowey. His Excellency proceeded to annul +the power of all liberals under commission from him. By using this +air-pump too freely he produced a vacuum that caused an irreparable +collapse of his own power. The line of demarcation was drawn—the war +cry was raised.</p> + +<p>Dr. Bartlett was elected to the Congress of 1774 but on account of the +recent destruction of his house by fire was unable to attend. In +Septem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>ber 1775, he took his seat and was at once placed upon several +important committees. About the same time he was made colonel of a +regiment of provincial troops. In Congress his duties were arduous. That +body met at nine in the morning and continued in session until four in +the afternoon. After that hour most of the business of the committees +was faithfully attended to. At this day of inglorious ease no one can +fully appreciate and but few bestow a thought upon the immense labor, +treasure and blood that our UNION cost. When we learn from the historic +page the difficulties that surrounded the Continental Congress—a +tremendous storm bursting over their heads—retreating before a +relentless foe from place to place—their country bleeding at every +pore—without resources—their army nearly annihilated—we are led to +wonder and admire and ask why their well formed resolutions were not +shaken when the yawning gulf of destruction seemed open to devour them. +To my mind the solution is plain. A majority of the Sages and Heroes of +that eventful period were truly pious and put their trust in Him who +directs the destinies of nations. Their trust was well founded.</p> + +<p>In 1776 Dr. Bartlett was again a member of Congress and took a decided +stand in favor of severing the maternal cords of allegiance to the +mother country and declare the child capable of self government. Many +zealous patriots feared it was yet too weak. Much discussion occurred +and a majority pledged themselves to take the nursling in charge. On the +4th of July 1776 the contract was signed which relieved mother Britain +from further responsibility.</p> + +<p>When the final question was taken the name of Josiah Bartlett was first +called. With his eyes raised to Heaven he responded in a loud +voice—<i>Yea</i> and <i>Amen</i>! Echo caught the words from his lips and carried +them on wings of wind to the remotest bounds of a nation of freemen. +They ran through the dense crowd of spectators hovering around the Hall +of Independence who made the welkin ring with long and repeated +responses—<i>Yea</i> and <i>Amen</i>!!!</p> + +<p>Worn down by fatigue the health of the Doctor became impaired and +prevented his further attendance in Congress for two years. During that +time he was able to aid his state in organizing her new government and +in raising troops for the northern army. He served in 1778 and took a +final leave of the National Legislature that he might gather up the +scattered fragments of his ruined fortune and aid his own state in her +effort to advance the glorious cause of national freedom. He was +appointed Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and muster master of the +troops then enlisting. In 1782 he was made a justice of the Superior +Court and in 1788 was appointed Chief Justice. His marked usefulness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +did not close with the war. The ushering in of peace made a false +impression upon the great mass. Few understood the herculean task of +rising from the paralysis of a seven years contest with a powerful +foe—the formation of a government entirely different from the one which +had stamped its customs upon the people. In my view the wisdom of the +sages of the revolution was more severely taxed in perfecting our system +of government than in driving the Britons from our shores. It often +requires more wisdom to retain and enjoy, than to obtain an object.</p> + +<p>In the new work of preparing the people for the rational enjoyment of +the Independence they had achieved Dr. Bartlett took an active part. +Numerous conflicting interests were to be reconciled—an enormous debt +was to be paid—many abuses and corruptions were to be corrected—a +concert of feeling and action to be produced—the art of self government +to be acquired. Storm after storm arose that threatened to throw our +nation back into primeval darkness. It required the combined sagacity +and wisdom of the boldest sages to preserve the laurels of victory, the +trophies of freedom and the chart of our liberty. Long and arduous were +the labors that effected a confederated consolidation. During the time +this subject was under consideration several of the states were shook to +the very centre by internal commotion. That concert of feeling and +action which had carried the people through the perils of the war was +now lost in the whirlpool of self. UNION was no longer the rallying word +with the mass. Fortunately for our country those who stood at the helm +during the revolutionary storm were still at the post of duty. Reason +slowly resumed her sway—wise counsels prevailed—order was +restored—liberty was saved.</p> + +<p>Dr. Bartlett was a member of the Convention of N. H. that adopted the +Federal Constitution and gave it his zealous support. In 1789 he was +elected to the U. S. Senate—the next year President of N. H. and in +1793 was elected the first governor of the state under the new order of +things. He enjoyed the universal esteem of his constituents and +discharged the duties of the numerous offices he filled with so much +dignity, wisdom and prudence that envy and slander could find no crevice +for an entering wedge.</p> + +<p>Worn down with toil—old age ploughing deep furrows in his face for the +last seed time—the confines of a brighter world just before him, he +resigned his authority and closed his public career on the 29th of +January 1794, covered with living honors and not a spot to tarnish the +glory of his fair escutcheon. He then retired to private life full of +hope—anticipating the domestic enjoyments always desirable to those who +accept of public office for the sake of their country—not for the sake +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> the loaves and fishes. But these long desired enjoyments were of +short duration. Disease fastened its relentless grasp upon him. On the +19th of May 1795, his happy spirit left its tenement of clay—ascended +to Him who gave it—leaving a nation to mourn the loss of one of its +brightest ornaments—one of its noblest patriots.</p> + +<p>In his private character he fulfilled the duties of citizen, friend, +husband, father and Christian. No man was more generally esteemed—no +man more richly deserved it. In his whole life we have one of the +fairest pictures drawn upon the easel of history. His public career was +of that solid character that imparts substantial usefulness. Without +dazzling, his course was right onward in the cause of universal +philanthropy. He could look back upon a life well spent—he stood +approved at the stern tribunal of conscience. He nobly fulfilled the +design of his creation—discharged his duty to his country, his fellow +men and his God. He left examples that stand as beacon lights to erring +man to guide him safely through this vale of tears—to statesmen and +patriots to induce them to put forth their noblest powers to preserve +our UNION.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="CARTER_BRAXTON" id="CARTER_BRAXTON"></a>CARTER BRAXTON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Men</span> who forget right and abuse power often undermine the foundation of +their own citadel. In reaching after more authority and larger +enjoyments improperly, they are often shorn of what they have. Thus it +was with England when she imposed unwarranted taxes and restrictions +upon the American Colonies. Previous to the causes that produced the +Revolution the plan of an independent government was ideal and had +entered the minds of but few. With these it was only a nursling in +theory not practically anticipated. When the impolitic measures of the +British ministry were first reduced to practice the Colonists stood upon +the firm basis, the broad platform of their chartered rights clearly +defined and well understood and believed their grievances must and would +be redressed when respectful petitions should be laid before the king. +These were repeatedly forwarded to him couched in allegiate and eloquent +language to which he turned a deaf ear, thus forging the first link in +the revolutionary chain. Parliament was vainly appealed to. +Remonstrances formed the next link in this chain. These were treated +with contumely. A formal demand to desist from oppression in bold but +still respectful language—every word breathing allegiance to the king +was the third link in this chain but all to no purpose. The ministerial +horse leech cry—<i>give</i>—<span class="smcap">give</span>—GIVE—came rushing across the broad +Atlantic from Albion's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> shore and pierced more deeply the wounded hearts +of the imploring suppliants. Resolutions of non-importation formed the +fourth link. These were answered by threats and menaces. Preparations to +resist formed the fifth link. These resulted in an open and wanton +attack upon American citizens on the heights of Lexington when the great +seal of allegiance was dissolved in blood. The sixth link was the war +cry which roused millions to resolve on liberty or death. The +Declaration of Rights was the seventh and swivel link to the golden +chain of Liberty forged by the patriots of '76 which formed an +impassable barrier to the power of Great Britain over the colonies. The +broad ring of the Federal Constitution perfected this mighty chain which +has thus far held the ship of state safely to her moorings amidst the +storms that have been raised by foreign foes and internal traitors.</p> + +<p>Among those who aided in forging this golden chain of Liberty was Carter +Braxton son of George Braxton a wealthy planter who resided on the north +bank of the Mattapony river, where he owned a large tract of valuable +land situated in the county of King and Queen in Virginia. At this +delightful place Carter was born on the 10th of September 1736. His +connections were numerous, wealthy and of the first respectability. +Several of them were crown officers at various periods. Carter was +raised amidst the splendor of opulence without the tender care of a +mother to correct his childish foibles or the wise counsels of a father +to guard him against the errors of youth. The former died when he was +but seven days old—the latter when he was a small boy. He was liberally +educated at the college of William and Mary. At the age of nineteen he +married the beautiful and amiable Judith Robinson who was very wealthy. +He entered into full possession of his large estate, which, united with +that of his wife, constituted a princely fortune. She survived but a +brief period leaving two daughters, the youngest but a few hours old.</p> + +<p>Borne down by grief Mr. Braxton visited England where he remained nearly +three years and added greatly to his previous stock of knowledge. He +became familiar with the feelings and designs of that kingdom towards +his native country. His rank and fortune gave him access to the nobility +from whom he obtained much valuable information relative to the +ministerial conclave then concocting plans to support royalty in Great +Britain by forcing money from the hardy pioneers of America. Although +his relatives and friends were many of them favorites of the King and +everything around him was calculated to foster aristocracy and bind him +to those in power, he became a bold opposer of British usurpations and a +warm advocate of liberal principles and equal rights.</p> + +<p>In 1760 he returned from Europe and was elected to the House of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +Burgesses and became an active and prominent member. His knowledge of +the intentions of the mother country to impose increasing burdens upon +the Americans enabled him to fully understand every movement of the +monarchical hirelings around him. In 1765 he was in the House of +Burgesses and was a warm supporter of the bold resolutions offered by +Patrick Henry relative to the Stamp Act. He was in the House in 1769 +when the proceedings of the members excited the ire of Gov. Bottetourt +so highly that he dissolved them without ceremony. They immediately +repaired to a private room in Williamsburg and entered into a solemn +agreement not to import any articles from the mother country until their +chartered rights were restored. The same members were elected to the +next session. Being aware of the kind of material he had to manage the +shrewd Governor lulled them into a more quiet mood by the siren song of +promises of redress. They had yet to learn that deceit is an important +part of political machinery. Still cherishing hopes that their rights +would be restored they waited in respectful but watchful silence. In the +House there were seven standing committees—on courts of justice, public +claims, elections, privileges, trade, grievances, proposition and on +religion. Of the three last Mr. Braxton was uniformly a member.</p> + +<p>In 1771 Governor Bottetourt died and was succeeded by Lord Dunmore. +Being fresh from the fountain of high notions and ministerial corruption +he dissolved the turbulent Assembly then in commission and issued his +king's writ for a new election. Mr. Braxton was then sheriff of the +county and could not serve in the House. Promises of redress were +renewed with apparent sincerity. The people lived on hope until the 27th +of May 1774, when the House of Burgesses again took a bold stand against +oppression and were unceremoniously dissolved by the Governor. By this +act he dissolved the original contract in view of the people—they +became enraged and doffed their allegiance <i>instanter</i>. Immediately +after the dissolution, eighty-nine of the members and many other bold +patriots formed themselves into an association of resistance. From these +live sparks the fire of freedom rose in curling flames.</p> + +<p>In August of that year a convention met at Williamsburg to devise plans +for future action of which Mr. Braxton was an efficient member. Seven +delegates were elected to meet the Congress at Philadelphia and an +agreement made to act in concert with the people of Boston in the common +cause against the common enemy. Lord Dunmore had a new set of members +elected to the House but being displeased with their proceedings +prorogued them several times. On the night of the 7th of June 1775 the +people in turn prorogued his lordship who took his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> final exit on board +the armed ship Fowey never again to wield his iron rod of despotism over +the freemen of America. He took up quarters on board this ship and +occasionally issued his mandates which came to the people as talismanic +messengers to invigorate their patriotism. In April following he caused +the powder to be removed from the magazine under a pretence that it +would be needed in another part of the province to repel an expected +insurrection of the blacks. The enraged people assembled in large +numbers with a determination to take this important item into their own +keeping. Through the persuasion of Peyton Randolph they dispersed. Some +being still discontented a Spartan band assembled headed by Patrick +Henry and proceeded to Williamsburg determined to have the powder or its +equivalent. An armed force was sent from the Fowey to sustain the +governor's orders. This was like adding bitumen to a blazing fire. The +fury of the patriots was about to be poured out upon the minions of the +crown—blood was about to flow when Mr. Braxton and others +interfered—the powder was paid for by a crown officer—Mr. Henry gave +his receipt for the money and his young Spartans returned home.</p> + +<p>For a time the government of Virginia was managed entirely by the +Committee of Safety of which Mr. Braxton was an active member. On the +15th of December 1775, he was elected to the Continental Congress and +entered upon his duties with great zeal. He advocated, voted for and +signed the Declaration of Rights that formally dissolved the maternal +ties that bound the pilgrim fathers in slavery. On his return from +Congress the next year Mr. Braxton took his seat in the first +legislature of his state convened under the new form of government. A +formal vote of thanks to him and Thomas Jefferson for their faithful +services in Congress was entered upon the records of that body on the +12th of October 1776. From that time to his death he was almost +constantly a member of one or the other branch of the legislature and +but four days previous to his decease had taken his seat in the Council.</p> + +<p>He had lost a large portion of his princely fortune by the British and +after the war closed was the child of adversity. For a time his friends +assisted him in the prosecution of several speculative projects, all of +which proved abortive, injuring them without benefiting him. He finally +sunk under a ponderous weight of affliction which produced paralysis, a +second attack of which closed his useful and eventful career at +Richmond, Virginia, on the 10th of October 1797.</p> + +<p>Under all these adverse and trying circumstances his reputation did not +suffer. He was known to be an honest man and poverty <i>then</i> was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> not an +unpardonable sin or even <i>prima facie</i> evidence of dishonesty. He lost +none of his well-earned fame as an able and faithful public servant and +worthy upright man. His private character was pure. He fulfilled all the +relations of life with fidelity. He was one of the most polished +gentlemen of the old school. His name is justly placed high upon the +list of enduring fame. He was a faithful sentinel in the cause of +freedom and contributed largely in consummating the Independence we now +enjoy, the <span class="smcap">Freedom</span> we inherit, the <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> we are bound to cherish, +protect, preserve and perpetuate with our lives, fortunes and sacred +honors and transmit it to our children in all the beauty of pristine +purity.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="ZEBULON_BUTLER" id="ZEBULON_BUTLER"></a>ZEBULON BUTLER.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Wyoming Valley</span> is the Paradise of Pennsylvania. Captivating in its +location—rich in its soil—irrigated by the crystal +Susquehanna—bordered with magnificent scenery of romantic +grandeur—enlivened by beautiful farm-houses and productive +fields—crowned with the flourishing town of Wilkesbarre—ornamented by +several small villages of tasteful neatness—refreshed by cooling +springs and mountain streams filled with sportive trout—evergreen +forests adjacent towering to the clouds and full of game—graduated +hills on every side rich with minerals and reaching to the mountains—a +healthful atmosphere rendered pure by the untiring operations of +nature's laboratory—inhabited by intelligent, enterprising, hospitable +people—it is one of the most beautiful and delightful valleys in our +expansive country. Its early history renders it sacred to the +philanthropist and is read with thrilling sensations of painful +sympathy. It has engaged the pens of our best historians—our ablest +poets. It has been painted with the finest touches of our boldest +artists. When strangers pass the narrow confines of the majestic +mountains on the south and are ushered into this grand amphitheatre of +creative wisdom—they gaze with pleasing surprise and wonder at the +weakness of the most vivid descriptions they have read, compared with +the sublime reality of the enrapturing view before them.</p> + +<p>In this far-famed valley Zebulon Butler acted a conspicuous, brave and +noble part. He was born at Lyme, Conn. in 1731. He received a good +common school and religious education. The New Testament was then an +approved school-book. He early planted himself on the firm basis of +moral rectitude and primitive religious truth. Without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> these the +laurels of the hero are less fragrant—the talents of the legislator +less brilliant—the noblest attributes of man less perfect. By these +remarks I do not mean Pharisaical religion, poisonous fanaticism nor +blighting sectarianism. It is the honest, consistent, Golden Rule man I +admire. Such a man was Zebulon Butler. He was one of the first patriots +who opposed British tyranny and dared to be free. He entered early into +the Provincial service and served the mother country through the French +war. He commenced his military career an Ensign and soon rose to the +rank of Captain. He participated in the memorable hardships of the +campaign of 1758 on the frontiers of Canada—at Fort Edward, Lake +George, Ticonderoga and Crown Point. In 1762 he was at the protracted +siege of Havana. On his way he was on board one of the six vessels that +were shipwrecked. All on board narrowly escaped a watery grave. They +were on the beach nine days before they were relieved. On the 9th day of +August the last of the fleet arrived before Havana. The defence was +obstinate—the sufferings of the besiegers great.</p> + +<p>Capt. Butler shared largely in the dangers of the attack—the glories of +the victory. He sailed for his long absent home on the 21st of the +ensuing October in the Royal Duke. He encountered many perils during the +voyage. On the 7th of November the ship began to leak so rapidly that it +was with difficulty that her crew were transferred to another vessel +near by before she went to the bottom. He arrived at New York on the +21st of December and once more met the warm embrace of anxious relatives +and friends. He had won enduring laurels—he stood high as a brave and +skilful officer—an esteemed and valued citizen. He then left the army +and enjoyed the peaceful pleasures of private life until the +revolutionary storm began to concentrate its fearful elements. He was +ready to brave its pitiless peltings. He had rendered arduous and +valuable service to the mother country—he was well qualified to repel +her ungrateful conduct and render efficient aid in the defence of his +native soil. The goadings and insolence of British hirelings had deeply +penetrated his patriotic soul and prepared him for bold and noble +action. When the tocsin of war was sounded from the heights of Lexington +he promptly tendered his services—was appointed a lieutenant-colonel in +the Connecticut line and repaired to the post of honor and danger. He +was actively engaged in the campaigns of 1777-8-9. During the last year +he was commissioned colonel of the 2d Connecticut regiment. He was with +Washington in New Jersey and greatly esteemed by him.</p> + +<p>A short time previous to the revolution he was one of a company<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> from +his native place that had purchased Wyoming Valley from the Indians for +a fair consideration. Many settlers had located there and cleared up +much of the forest. Although fully remunerated for their lands pursuant +to contract made with the Chiefs in grand council assembled—the red men +were unwilling to leave a place so enchanting and congenial with their +views of happiness. In that salubrious vale, fringed with hills and +mountains on all sides, they fancied the Great Spirit had his +dwelling-place and gave them audible audience as echo reverberated their +stentorian yells from hill to mountain and back to the shores of the +majestic Susquehanna. As the towering forest fell before the axe of the +white man the Indians murmured and designed the extermination of the +pale faces. In this they were encouraged by the British and +black-hearted tories—most of the inhabitants having declared for +liberty. Most of their effective force of near 200 men was in the +American army. Soon after the departure of these troops the savages +assumed a menacing attitude—manifesting a disposition to violate the +terms of peace they had solemnly sanctioned when paid for their lands. +Several stockade forts were erected—a company of rangers organized and +placed under the command of Captain Hewitt. Every precaution was taken +to guard against surprise—the movements of the red men were narrowly +watched, their apparent designs closely observed. It soon became evident +that they were preparing for a bloody sacrifice. An express was +despatched to the board of war representing the approaching danger +requesting the return of the troops who had recently joined the +army—leaving their homes exposed to all the horrors of savage cruelty +rendered more awful by the more bloodthirsty tories. The request was +promptly granted but too late to ward off the fatal slaughter and +carnage that took place when these brave men were within two days' march +of their murdered wives, children and friends who slumbered in death +deeply gashed with the tomahawk.</p> + +<p>About the 1st of June 1778, a number of canoes were discovered +descending the river just above the valley filled with Indian warriors. +They attacked a party of the inhabitants who were at work on the bank of +the Susquehanna—killing and making prisoners of ten. They were +evidently concentrating their forces for the purpose of an attack upon +the settlement. At that critical juncture Col. Butler arrived. A large +body of the savages had assembled at the mouth of the Lackawanna at the +head of the valley. The militia under the command of Col. Dennison +assembled in the fort at Wilkesbarre on the 1st of July. They scoured +the borders of the valley—discovered the bodies of those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> who had been +massacred a few days before—killed two Indians and returned. Not +supposing danger so near each man repaired to his own house for +provisions. On the 3d most of the men able to bear arms assembled at the +fort amounting to about 350. Some remained in the smaller forts with +their families presuming on the delay of an attack. The command of the +troops was given to Col. Butler. They were poorly armed and had but a +small supply of ammunition. But few of them had ever been engaged in +battle and were not familiar with military tactics. In a few moments +after Col. Butler had assumed the command news was brought that the +enemy had entered the upper end of the valley and were advancing +rapidly. Fort Wintermote and another stockade fort was then in flames +and their inmates weltering in blood and struggling in death. A council +of war was held and an unfortunate resolve made to march out and attempt +to arrest the savages in their career of desolation and carnage. The +troops proceeded some distance from the fort and took an advantageous +position on the bank of a creek where they supposed the enemy would pass +on their way to the principal fort. There they remained for half a day +without seeing the foe. Another council of war was held which resulted +in adding to the error of leaving the fort that of attacking the enemy +in their position contrary to the opinion of several officers who were +as brave but more judicious than those who urged the fatal movement. The +order to advance was given. They had not proceeded more than a mile when +the advanced guard fired upon several Indians who were firing a house. +The force of the enemy was concentrated at fort Wintermote amounting to +near 1000 effective men commanded by Brandt, an Indian half-blood and +Col. John Butler—not a relative of Col. Zebulon Butler as some writers +have erroneously stated. Echo returned the demoniac yells of the savages +from the surrounding hills—the forest resounded with the appalling war +whoop. Another serious error was committed by the ill-fated Americans. +Not until they were upon the battle-ground did they learn the superior +force of the revengeful foe. As the little band approached they found +the Indians and tories formed in a line—the right resting on a swamp +commanded by Brandt—the left reaching to fort Wintermote headed by Col. +John Butler. Col. Z. Butler led the right and Col. Dennison the left of +the Americans to the attack. So determined was this Spartan band on +victory that the left of the enemy gave way in a few minutes closely +pursued by Col. Butler. In consequence of part of the Indians passing +the swamp to gain his rear Col. Dennison ordered his men to fall back. +Many supposing he had ordered a retreat the line became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> confused and +broken. At that unfortunate juncture Brandt rushed upon it with such +fury that it could not be rallied. At that critical moment Col. Butler +rode towards the left and first learned the misfortune of Col. Dennison +and saw his men retreating in disorder. He was then between two fires +and near the advancing enemy. Before the troops on the right were +apprised of the fate of the left they were nearly surrounded by the +savages and compelled to retreat precipitately. The route was +general—the slaughter horrible—the scene terrific. But about 50 +survived among whom were Colonels Butler and Dennison who were more +exposed than most of the others. The few who escaped from the dreadful +carnage of that fatal day assembled at Forty Fort. So heart-rending was +this defeat that the surviving inhabitants were willing to submit to any +terms to save their lives. The enemy refused to treat with any officer +of the continental army as unquestionably advised by the hyena tories. +Nor would they give them or regular soldiers any quarter but insisted on +their being delivered up to the Indians at discretion. Col. Butler at +once left and proceeded to Gradenhutten on the Lehigh. On the 4th of +July Col. Dennison entered into a capitulation with Col. John Butler and +Brandt to surrender the Fort on condition the lives of the survivors +should be preserved and not further molested in person or property. +These conditions were solemnly agreed to by tory Butler and Brandt but +most disgracefully violated. As the Indians marched in they commenced an +indiscriminate plunder. Butler was appealed to and replied he could not +control them—walked out and left them to finish their work in their own +way. The man who could urge the savages on to murder could leave them to +rob the helpless, regardless of his sacred pledge of honor.</p> + +<p>Finding themselves still at the mercy of the Indians the inhabitants +fled to the nearest settlement towards the Delaware about 50 miles +distant through a dense wilderness and over rugged mountains. So rapidly +did they fly on the wings of terror that numbers became exhausted from +over fatigue and hunger and were carried on the last day by the stronger +ones. After their departure the savage tories and red men laid waste the +town of Wilkesbarre and most of the houses in the valley—plundering or +destroying all the property they could find. They then drove the cattle +and horses to Niagara. They had fully satiated their thirst for +blood—desolation was completed—vengeance was gorged—nature mourned +over the dismal scene.</p> + +<p>From Gradenhutten Col. Butler communicated the sad intelligence of the +bloody massacre to the Board of War and then proceeded to Stroudsburg +then in Northampton county, where he met the returning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> Wyoming troops +and a few of those who had escaped on the day of the unfortunate battle. +In August he was ordered to return with such force as he could collect +and take possession of Wyoming valley. On his arrival he found a few +Indians who were collecting the cattle that the main body had left. They +fled precipitately without their plunder. Col. Butler erected a new fort +at Wilkesbarre and established a well regulated garrison which he +commanded until the winter of 1780—keeping the tories and savages at +bay—not risking a general action but killing them off in detail by +scouting parties of sharp-shooters whenever they approached the +settlement. The expedition of Gen. Sullivan in 1779 paralyzed the Indian +power upon the Susquehanna and restored a good degree of confidence in +the inhabitants.</p> + +<p>In December 1780 Col. Butler was ordered to join the continental army +and left Capt. Alexander Mitchell in command of the fort. After serving +his country faithfully to the close of the war of Independence the +Colonel returned to the vale of Wyoming to enjoy the fruits of his +perilous toils and the gratitude of the inhabitants whom he had nobly +aided and protected. He subsequently filled sundry civil offices with +credit and fidelity. He lived to see his loved Wyoming bloom with the +fruits of industry—its inhabitants peaceful, prosperous, happy. He was +amply rewarded for the perils and hardships of the past by the full +fruition of the enjoyments of the present. His happiness was as complete +as it could be made this side of heaven. Dearly beloved by his immediate +friends, esteemed by all who knew him—the waning years of Col. Butler +were crowned with the most refined comforts of social and domestic life. +He glided down the stream of time smoothly and calmly to the 28th of +July 1795, when he threw off his mortal coil—resigned his quiescent +spirit into the hands of its Creator—fell asleep in the arms of his +Lord and Master deeply mourned and sincerely lamented. His career closed +as brightly as it had been glorious and useful. He was an amiable +companion, a virtuous citizen, a consistent Christian—a brave, noble, +worthy, honest man.</p> + +<p>A creditable monument has been erected on the battle ground in memory of +those who fell on the memorable 3d of July 1778 in the far famed valley +of Wyoming.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="CHARLES_CARROLL_OF_CARROLLTON" id="CHARLES_CARROLL_OF_CARROLLTON"></a>CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> fond and faithful parents who have guided to manhood a family of +sons whose every action is a source of pleasure and delight—who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> walk +in wisdom's ways—who prove virtuous, generous, bold, brave and +patriotic—whose lives shed new lustre on the world—whose achievements +on the battle field or in the senate chamber stamp their names with +enduring fame—enjoy a rich consolation, pure as the etherial +sky—refreshing as evening zephyrs. More especially do their souls +become enraptured with love if these sons deliver them from the iron +grasp of a merciless tyrant—disenthrall them from the chains of slavery +and make them free and independent.</p> + +<p>All this was done for our country by her valiant sons who graced the +memorable era of '76. Like a blazing meteor bursting from the clouds +amidst the gloom of midnight darkness, they illuminated our nation with +light—the world with glory—raised the star spangled banner and planted +the tree of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> deep in the soil of <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>. Noble sons of Columbia! +Sages and heroes of the American Revolution! Your names will be held in +grateful remembrance through the rolling ages of time. Millions yet +unborn will chant your brilliant achievements, your triumphant +victories, your unsurpassed wisdom, your god-like actions.</p> + +<p>Among the sons of noble daring—champions of their injured country, was +Charles Carroll of Carrollton, born at Annapolis on the 20th of +September 1737. He was the son of Daniel Carroll who came from King's +county Ireland and was named for his grandfather Charles Carroll. The +elder Carrolls were highly charged with liberal principles and planted +them deeply in the minds of their sons. Nor did the precious seed fall +on barren ground. Obeying the precepts and imitating the examples of his +patriotic sire, young Charles Carroll proved worthy of the high source +from which he sprang. He was emphatically one of the same stamp.</p> + +<p>At the early age of eight years his embryo talents shone so brightly +that his father determined on giving them an opportunity to bud, blossom +and expand amidst the literary bowers of Europe. He was first sent to a +seminary in France. His untiring application to his studies and manly +deportment at the different seminaries through which he passed, gained +for him a finished education and the esteem of all his acquaintances. At +the age of twenty he commenced the study of law in London, England, +where he ripened into manhood and returned to his native State in 1764 +with a rich fund of useful knowledge, prepared to act well his part +through life.</p> + +<p>The subject of oppression upon the Americans by the British ministry was +freely discussed in England before he left and had prepared his mind for +the exciting crisis that awaited the colonies. On his re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>turn he became +an unflinching and able advocate for freedom. He possessed a clear head +and discriminating mind. In action he was cool, deliberate, firm and +decisive. His writing talent was of a high order. This was admirably +developed in 1772. The governor had issued a proclamation derogatory to +the constitutional rights of the people. In a series of essays published +in the public papers, Mr. Carroll triumphantly vindicated the cause of +his insulted constituents—conclusively answering and confuting the +combined arguments of the governor and his cabinet in favor of the +unwarranted pretensions of their master. So fully did these essays +convince the people that the governor aimed at illegitimate power that +they hung his proclamation upon a gallows and bid defiance to the +minions of despotism. Before the writer was known the people instructed +their representatives to record a vote of thanks to the author. When it +was ascertained that Mr. Carroll was the champion who had bearded the +British lion, they repaired to his house in great numbers and made the +welkin ring with plaudits of thankful praise.</p> + +<p>From that time he became a prominent leader of the liberal party—an +espouser of equal rights—a stern opposer of ministerial wrongs. His +benign influence radiated its genial rays upon the hearts and confirmed +the wavering minds of many in the glorious cause of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. In bold and +glowing colors he portrayed the aggressions of the king, the corrupt +designs of his ministers and the humiliating consequences of tame +submission to their arbitrary demands. He was among the first to kindle +the flame of resistance and light up the torch of Independence. He was +among the first to sanction the Declaration of Rights—the last of the +noble band of sages who signed it who lived to see 1832.</p> + +<p>On the 18th of July 1776 he was a member of the Maryland Convention +convened to elect delegates to the Continental Congress. He was selected +for that important station—took his seat on the 2d of August and signed +the Declaration of Independence. His talents and zeal were highly +appreciated by the members of Congress. He had previously endeared +himself to them by a voluntary mission to Canada in conjunction with +Franklin, Chase and Bishop Carroll. The object of their visit was to +persuade the people of the Canadas to unite with the Colonies in +throwing off the yoke of bondage imposed by the mother country. The +Messrs. Carrolls were Roman Catholics, the prevailing religion of the +Canadians. The other two gentlemen entertained universal charity for all +good men irrespective of manufactured creeds. It was fondly hoped their +mission would be crowned with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> success. The defeat of the American +troops at Quebec and the death of Gen. Montgomery had thrown so much +darkness over the future prospects of the American cause that they +refused to enter the compact. The consequences of that course have been +fearfully developed for years and the time is not far distant when the +Canadas will be free from England to the mutual benefit of both +countries.</p> + +<p>On his return he was surprised to find that the Maryland delegates in +Congress had been instructed by a vote of the Assembly to oppose the +Declaration of Independence. His influence caused the rescinding of that +vote and a reversal of the instructions. He felt a strong desire that +his native state should do full service in the cause of freedom. To +effect this he spent more time in her legislative hall than in Congress. +In the formation of her constitution and laws he rendered efficient aid. +From 1788 to 1791 he was a member of the U.S. Senate. From that year to +1801 he served in the senate of his own state. He then retired from the +great theatre of public action in the rich enjoyment of the esteem of a +nation of freemen. For thirty years he was spared to enjoy the cheering +comforts of domestic felicity and survived all the others who had placed +their names upon the Chart of our liberty.</p> + +<p>In his retirement he delighted in beholding the onward march of this +favored country, prospering under the care of an all-wise +Providence—populated by a free and independent people—in rank second +to no nation on earth—in enterprise traversing the globe—in genius +eclipsing the old world—in talent equal to the best. Like a majestic +oak that had long braved the raging tempest, he stood alone as a signer +of our Magna Charta calmly awaiting the time when he should be riven and +gathered to his fathers. Gradually the world lost its former charms. +More and more his mind became fixed on anticipated scenes of future and +purer bliss. He seemed to ascend the ladder of faith and reach out his +hand for that crown of unfading glory prepared for him by his Lord and +Master. In this beatific state his soul was summoned from its tottering, +trembling, falling tenement of clay on the 14th of November 1832. Calm +and resigned he entered Jordan's flood—angels escorted his immortal +spirit to Immanuel's peaceful shores whilst his grateful country deeply +mourned and strongly felt the loss of one of her noblest sons—society +one of its brightest ornaments—his relatives one of their dearest +kinsmen.</p> + +<p>Charles Carroll was a man of consistency in everything. He was a devoted +Christian in communion with the Roman Catholic Church but decidedly +opposed to a want of charity and kind feeling. He deprecated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> a spirit +of persecution by one sect of Christians towards another. He was one of +the few who reasoned correctly and acted wisely upon this important +subject. It is a fact known to but few at this late day that the Roman +Catholics of Maryland were the first who placed religious toleration on +a statute book in America. [See laws of Maryland 1647.] It is also a +fact that the Protestants first introduced proscription there. After the +restoration of Charles II. in 1761, they obtained an order from him +prohibiting all Roman Catholics from holding any office, which was in +violation of the charter granted to Lord Baltimore by Charles I. upon +which the colony was based. Still more. The Protestants having become +the bride of the state, continued to draw more tightly the cords of +persecution by authority from William III. The Catholics were taxed to +support the churches of their oppressors. By an act passed in 1704, the +celebration of mass or the instruction of youth by a Catholic insured +him transportation to England. In the land of the Puritans, the Baptist +and Quaker sects were treated more rigorous, being persecuted even unto +death and by those too who fled from the very persecution they practised +the moment they obtained the power. So it ever has been—so it ever will +be until mankind become fully and feelingly sensible that <i>sectarianism +is not religion</i>—<i>is not a child of Heaven</i>—that charity is the +crowning attribute of Deity—the brightest star in the Christian's +diadem.</p> + +<p>During the excitement in Maryland upon the unhallowed connection of +church and state, the Carrolls used their best exertions to effect a +reconciliation between the parties which was never fully done until the +revolution compelled sectarianism to hide its hydra head by uniting all +sects in the common cause against the common enemy and forever banishing +its power from our land by the adoption of our Federal Constitution. Men +are as prone to abuse power as the sparks are to fly upward.</p> + +<p>In the life of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, we have examples rich with +instruction for youth, manhood and old age—for the lawyer, the +statesman, the patriot and the Christian. His career was guided by +prudence and virtue. His every action was marked with frankness and +honesty. He richly merited and freely received the esteem and veneration +of a nation of <span class="smcap">Freemen</span>. His private and public career were prompted and +directed by a purity of motive that never fails to render a man useful +in life—triumphant in death.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="SAMUEL_CHASE" id="SAMUEL_CHASE"></a>SAMUEL CHASE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Ostracism</span> was the title of a law once in full and practical force in the +Republic of Athens. It required the banishment of any citizen when six +thousand of the people voted for his expulsion—there being about twenty +thousand voters—thus violating the fundamental principle of a +republican government—<i>the majority must rule and be obeyed</i>. Ruin was +the natural result.</p> + +<p>Each voter wrote the name of the citizen that was to be banished on a +shell called in Greek—<i>Ostralcon.</i> These were deposited as are ballots +at our elections and were counted by persons appointed by law. To the +ruin of Athens, envy, jealousy, and intrigue caused the banishment of +several of her most illustrious sages and heroes who loved their country +more than they did political corruption. Among them was Aristides—a +noble patriot, statesman and general. When the people were voting in his +case he mingled with the crowd and met an illiterate peasant who did not +know him, who asked him to write Aristides upon his shell. <i>What injury +has Aristides done you?</i> The peasant quickly answered—<i>None at all but +I am tired of hearing him called the just.</i> Without revealing himself +the patriot wrote his own name upon the fatal shell and handed it back +to the deluded voter. He bowed submissively to his sentence of +banishment for ten years and invoked a blessing on his enemies as he +departed.</p> + +<p>A species of political persecution practically analogous to the law of +ostracism commenced its career in our country as early as the American +Revolution. Political cliques and venal presses have been the +executioners. No one of the sages or heroes of that eventful period was +so severely persecuted by party ostracism after the formation of our +republic as Samuel Chase who was born in Somerset County, Maryland, on +the 17th day of April, 1741. He was the son of Rev. Thomas Chase who +came from England to that province and became pastor of St. Paul's +Parish in Baltimore, then a new country village and destitute of good +schools. At the age of two years Samuel was deprived of the tender care +of his mother by her premature death. Under the instruction of his +father he became an accomplished classical scholar. At the age of +eighteen he commenced the study of law under the direction of John +Hammond and John Hull of Annapolis. At the age of twenty he was admitted +to the bar of the Mayor's Court and two years after to that of the +County Court and the Court of Chancery. He located at Annapolis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> and +filled up the rib vacuum by marrying the worthy and intelligent Ann +Baldwin—a very sensible and fair business transaction.</p> + +<p>Mr. Chase was not long in acquiring the reputation of a sound lawyer and +able advocate. He was of a sanguine temperament—bold, fearless, +undisguised, independent in mind, language and action but honest, +patriotic, and pure in his motives—immovable in his purposes—qualities +that dignify a man if prudently balanced and prepare him for just such +times as the Revolution—qualities that often rouse the spirit of +ostracism in those who aim to ruin those they cannot rule. These leading +traits, constitutional with Samuel Chase, with the times and +circumstances that influenced his judgment and governed his actions must +be kept constantly in view to enable the reader to form a just estimate +of his character which I will impartially and plainly portray.</p> + +<p>On the flood tide of a prosperous business—celebrated for his legal +acumen and forensic fame—in the full enjoyment of domestic felicity and +social intercourse with friends—Mr. Chase glided smoothly along until +his country began to writhe under kingly oppression. The Stamp Act, the +first born of the scrofulous revenue system devised by the putrescent +British ministry, met with a hostile reception at Annapolis. Mr. Chase +and a band of kindred spirits under the cognomen of "Sons of Liberty," +forcibly seized and destroyed the newly imported stamps and burned in +effigy the stamp distributer. No further violence was then committed. +The king's officers opened a newspaper battery against this "furious +mob" directing their whole artillery against Mr. Chase complimenting him +with the courtly names—"busy restless incendiary—ringleader of +mobs—foul mouthed inflaming son of discord and faction—a common +disturber of the public tranquillity—a promoter of the lawless excesses +of the multitude" and other similar emphatic appellations—conferring +upon the young patriot a diploma of distinction little anticipated by +them. His answers to these vituperations were manly, charged with strong +and conclusive logic—keen and withering sarcasm. The attack brought him +fairly into the political field. So delighted were the people with the +manner he handled the hirelings of the crown that they elected him to +the colonial assembly. There he took a conspicuous part and became the +uncompromising opposer of all measures that were not within the pale of +the constitution or were tinctured with oppression. So strongly was he +in favor of liberal principles that he gave his whole influence and vote +in favor of the repeal of the law that compelled the people to support +the clergy by which the stipend of his father was reduced one-half. +Pursuant to the law of primogeniture then in force this was voting money +out of his own pocket. His bold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> and independent course made him a +subject of persecution with the creatures of the crown and an object of +pride and admiration with the people. His enemies found him a bramble +full of the keenest thorns and were awfully scarified every time they +approached him. His tongue, pen, logic, sarcasm—all were blighting as a +sirocco wind.</p> + +<p>After the repeal of the Stamp Act a calm in the public mind ensued but +it was a calm of delusion such as precedes a tornado. The inquisitorial +rack of the ministry was again put in motion—fresh impositions +commenced—the fire of discontent was again blown to a blaze. The Bill +closing the port of Boston with directions to the King's officers to +seize and send to England for trial those who dared resist the royal +authority—roused the indignation of colonies that had been rather +passive. The Congress of 1774 was then devised of which Mr. Chase was a +member. The deep solemnity, unparalleled wisdom and patient +deliberations that marked the proceedings of that Congress—shed a +lustre upon the cause of liberty then in embryo that forced applause +from its most violent opposers. Had not the cabinet of Great Britain +been blinded by sordid avarice, mad ambition and political delusion—had +not the King been a mere automaton, scarcely a moving, walking, talking +machine—the loyal and logical appeals from that august body of sages +would have been treated with merited respect and quiet restored. The +colonists asked for nothing but what was clearly right and asked in the +most respectful and even suppliant manner. Ministers were left without +excuse for their subsequent course. <i>Their</i> sacrilegious hands broke the +great seal of the social compact—<i>their</i> agents sowed the seeds of +rebellion—<i>their</i> cruelty kindled the flame that devoured them—<i>their</i> +visionary policy severed the cords of maternal affection—<i>their</i> +treachery spread the mantle of righteousness over the cause of the +Revolution. We justly censure them for their corrupt designs but rejoice +in the glorious result of their plans. Haman erected his own gallows. +Grenville and North destroyed their own power.</p> + +<p>In 1775 Mr. Chase was returned to Congress with instructions to pursue a +conciliatory course contrary to his judgment but which he implicitly +obeyed. He was active and persevering on committees and took a deep +interest in every measure proposed in favor of freedom. He was returned +to Congress the next year still trammelled with instructions which he +truly predicted would soon be removed. In the spring of 1776 he was +associated with Messrs. Franklin, Charles and Bishop Carroll on a +mission to Canada to induce the people there to join in the struggle for +liberty. They wanted courage to be free and still wear the yoke of +bondage. On his return he was delighted to find the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> question of final +separation from mother Britain under consideration and boldly advocated +the measure. It was the very proposition to animate the soul of Samuel +Chase. His instructions became burdensome as the discussion increased. +They were removed just in time for him to record his vote in favor of +that imperishable instrument that has immortalized the names of the +signers and is the pride of every true American. The act of signing the +Declaration of Rights gave him more joy than any public duty he had ever +performed. A short time previous to the glorious 4th of July Mr. Chase +discovered that a Judas was among them in the person of Rev. Dr. Zubly +of Georgia who was clandestinely corresponding with the enemy. So bold +and so suddenly did he expose the traitor on the floor of Congress that +"the gentleman from Georgia" plead guilty and suddenly retired. His +arrest was ordered but when the officer went to his cage the bird had +flown and was never bagged. As an able statesman recently remarked, he +was left in the very worst company—with himself. Mr. Chase was all +industry in every position in which he was placed. In the discussions +upon the Articles of Confederation he took a deep interest and active +part. He considered their adoption indispensable in carrying on the good +work of political regeneration. The basis of representation and the mode +of voting were the two great points at issue that consumed the most time +in argument.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1776 Messrs. Chase, Wilson, Clymer, Stockton and Smith +were made a committee to take charge of the War Department—then the +most important of either. Mr. Chase was upon the committee for +suppressing internal enemies and became a terror to the tories and +certain Quakers in and adjacent to Philadelphia who were circulating +papers adverse to the American cause and were in communication with the +enemy. A report, with documents proving the charge was submitted to +Congress. Several leading members of the Society of Friends were +confined—the seditious papers suppressed and a respectful neutrality +induced on the part of that very respectable Society whose creed +opposing war had led some of its members into an erroneous interference. +The tories took shelter under the wings of the British army. The course +pursued by Congress was then deemed harsh by some and will still appear +so to a casual reader who is not familiar with the rules of war. +Agreeably to the martial code of other nations—then the precedent guide +for Congress—the punishment would have been much more severe. The +mildness of the sentence was an antepast of a more enlarged liberty +under the new form of government. By the religious tenets of the Friends +it can never be sanctioned—by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> every friend of liberty the necessity of +such a case is always regretted. Each social compact and individual in +every government must be subject to the laws of the land—must submit to +the ruling power that order may be maintained.</p> + +<p>In 1778 the British Parliament devised a stratagem by which they hoped +to create a division among the patriots. Printed papers were circulated +among the people containing conciliatory and flattering propositions and +announcing the appointment of commissioners to perfect these inglorious +terms of peace. So ingeniously were these papers worded that it was +deemed necessary to prepare an answer. This important task was imposed +upon Mr. Chase. Most ably did he perform his duty. He unmasked the base +hypocrisy of the scheme—exposed the delusive gull-trap to the consuming +fire of sarcastic logic—poured upon it the burning lava of ridicule and +raised the indignation and scorn of the people against it to ninety +degrees above zero. So well was it received by Congress that a larger +number than usual was ordered printed and a resolution passed +recommending all the clergy to read it to their congregations after +service on Sunday. Like all the other plans the British ministers +devised to enslave the colonies—it recoiled upon their own heads with +all the force of fearful reaction.</p> + +<p>This brilliant display of talent closed the congressional labors of this +devoted friend of liberty. He retired crowned with the rich honors of an +able statesman, sage, patriot and honest man. He had stood firm at his +post—a faithful public servant, a bold advocate for freedom, a safe +counsellor in every emergency, a fearless champion when danger pressed, +an ornament to his country, a terror to the enemies of liberty. As a +working man he had no superior—as a debater he had few equals. Without +the mellifluous elocution of a Cicero—free from pleonastic parade—he +spoke forcibly, reasoned closely, demonstrated clearly, deduced +conclusively. He sought to inform the judgment, enlighten the +understanding and convince by sound argument. Until the close of the +struggle for freedom he continued to render efficient service to the +glorious cause and then resumed his profession in the full enjoyment of +the confidence of his constituents and the consolation of an approving +conscience.</p> + +<p>Soon after the close of the Revolution Mr. Chase was employed by the +state of Maryland to prosecute a claim for bank stock in England and +obtained for it six hundred and fifty thousand dollars. His journal +shows that he was a minute observer of men and things. His high legal +attainments, scholastic and legislative reputation, gentlemanly +deportment, thorough business habits—combined to make a favorable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +impression upon parliament, the English courts and barristers generally. +He was absent less than a year and accomplished more business than some +would have done in five. On his return he again took his place at the +Bar.</p> + +<p>In 1786 his worthy friend, Col. Howard, conveyed to him a square of ten +lots in the city of Baltimore near the site of the public buildings, on +condition of his locating there. He accepted the proposition and changed +his residence to that city. This square is bounded by Eutaw, Lexington, +Fayette and Paca streets. The mansion-house built by Mr. Chase is still +owned by his descendants. In 1788 he was appointed Chief Justice of the +new criminal court organized for the county of Baltimore. The same year +he was a member of the Maryland Convention that ratified the Federal +Constitution. In 1791 he was appointed Chief Justice of the General +Court of Maryland. In 1796 he was appointed an Associate Judge of the +Supreme Court of the United States by President Washington which +dignified station he filled with great ability to the time of the +illness which terminated his life. He was considered one of the ablest +judges upon the bench. When he presided in the lower courts his +decisions, when carried up to the higher legal tribunals, were seldom +reversed. His expositions of law and charges to juries were plain, +learned, luminous, logical, profound. His manner was forcible, +impressive, commanding. With all this lustre clustering around him, +encircled by the sacred halo of great and acknowledged services in the +cause of Independence, still green and fresh in the memory of +millions—Judge Chase was placed in the crucible of unrelenting +ostracism prompted by political animosity created by the lofty +independence of thought and expression constitutional with him and which +prompted him to act a bold and conspicuous part when the vials of +British wrath were poured out upon our bleeding country. As I shall +attempt carrying him through his persecutions unscathed the critical +attention of the reader is requested. He was a federalist—I am an old +school democrat and go for the compromises and our UNION.</p> + +<p>In January 1804, John Randolph obtained the passage of a resolution in +the House of Representatives of the United States instituting an inquiry +into the official conduct of Judge Chase. As a hypocritical salvo the +name of Judge Peters was joined with his. No one was more competent and +no one could be more persevering than was Mr. Randolph in his gigantic +efforts to destroy Judge Chase. The committee to which the resolution +was referred reported on the 6th day of the ensuing March, acquitting +Judge Peters and recommending the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> impeachment of Judge Chase, the real +object of political revenge. On the 26th of the same month articles of +impeachment were reported based upon the following premises.</p> + +<p>In 1800 Judge Chase presided on the bench of the U. S. Circuit Court at +Philadelphia, assisted by Judge Peters of the District Court of +Pennsylvania when and where John Fries was put upon his trial a second +time for high treason against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, owing to +some informality in his previous trial before Judges <ins class="correct" title="Iredel">Iredell</ins> and Peters. +Having been fully informed of the points of law at issue and of the +proceedings at the first trial, Judge Chase had prepared an elaborate +exposition of the law upon treason without referring to a single fact in +the case. With the approval of Judge Peters he furnished a copy to the +counsel for defendant, the District Attorney and reserved one for the +jury after the trial should be completed. Messrs. Lewis and Dallas, +counsel for the prisoner, affected to consider this a pre-judgment of +the case and permitted Fries to be tried without the aid of +counsel—unquestionably intending and successfully succeeding in +creating a general sympathy that procured his pardon immediately after +conviction. Fries subsequently called on Judge Chase and thanked him for +his impartial and generous course upon the trial. The whole matter was +then looked at in its true light—a <i>ruse</i> of ingenious counsel. No one +attributed bad motives to the bench. The approval of honest clear-headed +Judge Peters is conclusive proof that Judge Chase was judicially +right—<i>prima facie</i> evidence that his motives were pure. He had written +an opinion upon the <i>law</i>—not upon the <i>facts</i> of the case. This he had +frankly furnished to the counsel—not to the jury before the trial. He +was bound to explain the law to the grand jury before they should +proceed to their business—to the traverse jury when he gave them their +charge. This constituted the first charge in the articles of +impeachment.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the trial of Fries he presided at Richmond, Virginia, when +and where one Callendar was tried under the Sedition Law for publishing +a libel upon the President. During the trial Judge Chase refused the +admission of certain testimony offered on the part of the prisoner which +exasperated those who were opposed to the law in question. He honestly +believed the law salutary as a check upon the venality of the +press—others thought differently. Right or wrong—his oath of office +bound him to act <i>under</i> the law so long as it remained in force. That +his decision was legally correct must be presumed from the fact that +under the great excitement then existing no writ of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> error was taken in +the case. This formed the foundation of the second charge.</p> + +<p>From Richmond he proceeded to New Castle, Delaware, where he presided, +aided by Judge Bedford. In his charge to the grand jury he gave his +views frankly upon the Sedition Law that they might fully understand +what constituted a breach of its provisions, knowing that one or more +cases of its violation would come before them. As an illustration he +alluded to certain matter published in a high-toned party paper printed +in that district that violated the provisions of this law. This gave +great offence to the opposite party. The allusion to the paper was legal +under any circumstances by way of explanation but may be considered +uncourteous until we understand that it went immediately into the hands +of the grand jury as testimony which made it in all respects a +legitimate document to be alluded to by him. Ingenuity could not <i>then</i> +nor with its prolific growth could it <i>now</i> construe the act into a +pre-judgment of the case. The publication was before him—he alluded to +<i>that</i> but to no individual. It was clearly a violation of the meaning +and intent of the law—who published it was left for the jury to +determine if they could. This constituted the ground of the third +article of impeachment.</p> + +<p>In delivering his charge to the grand jury in 1803, Judge Chase made +sundry remarks upon the polities of the day reflecting upon certain acts +of the democratic party. This was a surplusage of duty but not cause for +impeachment. It resulted from his sanguine temperament, the great +political excitement of that period—not from any impurity of motive. He +believed laws had been passed for party purposes that were +unconstitutional. If <i>he</i> was in error then, his position has often been +verified since. Freedom of speech is a constitutional privilege—he used +the same liberty practised by his opponents and which was not then +trammelled by the obnoxious Sedition Law. It was not a proper time or +place to read a political lecture but it does not follow that his +designs were corrupt or his conduct criminal. The ermine of a judge is +not beautified by being powdered with the farina of politics—his right +to think and speak upon the subject none will question. If he speaks at +an improper time and place it is an error—not a crime. He animadverted +upon the change of the right of suffrage in the constitution of his own +state to which he had strong objections. With him many of the devoted +patriots of the revolution deemed the elective franchise unsafe with +ignorant men who did not fully comprehend and appreciate their rights. +The reasons for this opinion grow less as intelligence increases. In +some of the states a property qualification<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> is still necessary to +entitle a man to vote and in others he must be a freeholder to entitle +him to hold certain town offices. An anxiety to preserve the government +pure unquestionably pervaded the bosom of Judge Chase.</p> + +<p>In concluding his charge he spoke strongly against the changes that had +been made in the judiciary system of the United States. He attributed +them to party politics—deemed them personal in their object and not +conducive to public good in their operations. As these related to his +official duties they were legitimate points for remark. It was a matter +of course that a man like him should comment freely and severely upon +what he conceived a personal and public wrong. He never dined at the +half-way house. In all that has been presented I can find nothing to +impugn the honesty of his intentions or the purity of his motives.</p> + +<p>Upon these premises six articles of impeachment were framed at first and +at the next session of Congress two more were added—the natural +increase of a year. On the 2d of January 1805 Judge Chase was arraigned +before the Senate of the United States. A majority of the members were +politically opposed to him but amongst them were men who loved justice +more than party. The herculean powers of John Randolph were brought to +bear upon him in the full plenipotence of their force. The trial +continued until the first of March except a short recess. A portion of +this time the Judge was confined by illness. He was ably and +successfully defended by Messrs. Martin, Hopkinson, Harper and Key. Of +five of the charges he was acquitted by a majority of the Senate. A +constitutional number could not be obtained to convict him on the +others—he stood approved, acquitted, triumphant over his enemies at the +highest tribunal of his country—looking upon his <ins class="correct" title="collossal">colossal</ins> vanquished +political foes, with mingled pity and contempt. He had never doubted the +favorable result and properly regarded the prosecution as a political +bagatelle.</p> + +<p>From that period to the time of his last illness his peace was +undisturbed. He continued to be an ornament to the judiciary, an honor +to his country, the faithful friend of human rights and equal justice. +On the 19th of June 1811, surrounded by his family and friends, he bade +a last farewell to sublunary things and died peaceful and happy. A large +number of relatives, an extensive circle of friends and a grateful +nation mourned his loss.</p> + +<p>In the character of this great and good man we find no corruption to +condemn—many strong and brilliant traits to admire. As a revolutionary +patriot he stood on a lofty eminence—as a statesman he rendered many +and important services—as a lawyer he enjoyed a high reputation—as a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +judge he sustained an exalted position. All the charges against him have +been faithfully spread before the reader. The result of their +investigation caused his powerful enemies to weave for him a higher +eulogium than language can express. I find no evidence of guile in his +heart. He felt strongly—expressed his opinions freely and acted +sincerely so far as we can judge from the record.</p> + +<p>Against his private character slander and malice never directed an +arrow. He was in all respects above suspicion. He was a kind husband, an +affectionate father, a warm friend—an open, honorable, scarifying +opponent. His sanguine temperament was calculated to gain strong friends +and violent enemies. He handled his political opposers with great +severity which accounts for the mighty effort made to ostracise him from +the Bench. He possessed a noble and benevolent disposition—was a friend +to the poor and needy, to education and to everything that enhanced the +happiness of those around him and the human family. Under his +benefaction the celebrated William Pinkey was educated and made a man. +He often referred gratefully to his benefactor in after life. He was an +active member of St. Paul's church and did much to promote practical +piety, sound morals and social order. His force, vigor, decision of +character and stern integrity were well calculated for the period in +which he lived. If he sometimes offended by soaring above the +non-committal system of technical politics, it resulted from the strong +combination of conflicting circumstances that uniformly attend the +period of a revolution, the formation of a new government and the +asperity of high toned party feeling operating upon the sensitive +feelings of an ardent, patriotic, honest, independent mind.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="ABRAHAM_CLARK" id="ABRAHAM_CLARK"></a>ABRAHAM CLARK.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A</span> large proportion of the most substantial and useful men who have +filled the measure of their country's glory and enrolled their names on +the scroll of fame, were not ushered into public notice under the +streamer of a collegiate diploma fluttering in the fickle wind of +popularity. A clear head, strong common sense, an investigating and +analyzing mind, with a judgment matured in the school of experience, are +the grand requisites to prepare a man for sterling usefulness. Without +these you vainly pour upon him the classic stream. It is like water +poured upon the interminable sand—it invigorates for a moment, then +sinks and leaves the surface dry and unproductive. If there is no +substratum to retain the appliances of irrigation, the soil is not worth +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> labor. I do not undervalue high seminaries of learning and highly +appreciate a liberal education. I only wish to correct the opposite +extreme that is gaining rapidly among us, of placing too <i>high</i> a value +upon them, making a classical course the grand requisite of prospective +usefulness. I also wish to encourage those who have talent and only a +good English education, to expand their wings of usefulness and imitate +the examples of Franklin, Sherman, Abraham Clark and others who have +graced the theatre of human action without the aid of a collegiate +education. If they do not soar like eagles they may still be useful for +there is more good to be achieved and more need of labor in low life +than high. An humble bird saved Rome.</p> + +<p>Abraham Clark was born at Elizabethtown, Essex county, New Jersey on the +15th of February 1726. He was the only son of Thomas Clark who held the +office of Alderman, at that time a dignified station filled by men of +merit. He was a farmer, a man of strong common sense and instilled into +the mind of his son the enduring principles of moral rectitude that +governed his actions through life. He received a good English education +and was designed for the ennobling pursuit of agriculture. Of a slender +frame and feeble constitution he was unable to endure hard labor but +continued to superintend the improvement of the paternal domain left him +by his father. He was an accomplished mathematician and was extensively +employed in surveying and conveyancing. He was also an elementary lawyer +and a safe gratuitous counsellor. He often saved his friends from the +vexatious labyrinth of litigation by assuaging the angry elements of +passion and leading them to the pure fountain of equal justice. He was +called the poor man's counsellor and did much to allay disputes and +promote harmony among his neighbors. He enjoyed the blessing pronounced +on peace makers. His decisions were based on correct legal principles +and impartial justice. He was often selected an arbitrator in different +counties to settle disputed land titles. His knowledge and legal +acquirements, united by an acute judgment, became so highly appreciated, +that he was appointed by the Assembly to settle the claims to undivided +commons. He filled the office of sheriff—was appointed clerk of the +Legislature—doing credit to himself and dignifying every station he +occupied. As he became known to the public his talents were more highly +appreciated—not because they kindled to a blaze calculated to excite +the huzzas of the multitude one day and possibly receive their +execrations the next—but because they exemplified unwavering rectitude, +strict justice, moral worth and disinterested patriotism.</p> + +<p>When the vials of oppression were poured upon his native colony by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> the +mother country Mr. Clark was among the first to contend for liberal +principles and equal rights. Cool, reflective and deliberate—he had the +confidence of his fellow citizens and exercised a wise and salutary +influence over them. His actions flowed from the pure fountain of a good +heart guided by a clear head and a mature judgment. He weighed +impartially and felt most keenly British injustice towards the colonies. +He was an active and bold leader in primary meetings firmly opposing the +unreasonable claims of the crown. He was a prominent member of the +Committee of Safety and did much to consolidate that phalanx of sages +and heroes which stood firm and unbroken amidst the storms of wrath +poured on them for seven years. He had a peculiar talent to rouse his +fellow citizens to action on all proper occasions, always moving within +the orbit of sound discretion.</p> + +<p>In June 1776 he took his seat in the continental Congress where he fully +sustained his previous high reputation for patriotism and good sense. To +such men as him we owe the liberty we now enjoy. Revolution is too often +the offspring of faction. When so, the successful actors, after +annihilating the power assailed often plunge into tenfold corruption. +Demagogues may rouse the angry passions of the multitude to a curling +flame but it requires such men as Franklin, Sherman and Clark to ride +upon the whirlwind, direct the tornado and rule the storm of passion. +They could guide the liquid streams of mental fire and conduct them +harmless in their course.</p> + +<p>Although the American Revolution did not originate in fanaticism—the +centrifugal zeal of many of its able advocates carried them beyond the +orbit of prudence. Upon such men Mr. Clark exercised a happy influence. +Although they may not be able to make a flowery speech of three hours or +three days at the expense of thousands to our nation—yet it is to such +men we must look for the perpetuity of our UNION. It is for them to +steer the ship of State clear from the rocks and shoals of error and +avoid the breakers of rashness, intrigue and corruption. They are the +neutralizers of the inflammatory gases that fly from the fiery craniums +of many of our legislators who are more classical than discreet—more in +the forum than in the committee room—more anxious to advance their +<i>party</i> than the good of their country.</p> + +<p>Mr. Clark was warmly in favor of the Declaration of Independence. For +this strong and important measure he had long been prepared from a +strong conviction that no reasonable or honorable terms would be +sanctioned by the ambitious and haughty ministry of Great Britain. He +believed that abject slavery awaited the colonists unless the gordian +knot of allegiance was cut at one bold stroke. On the 4th<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> of July 1776, +his affirmative vote and signature upon the chart of Liberty proved his +sincerity and gained for him the approval of his conscience and the +approbation of admiring millions.</p> + +<p>He was continued in Congress for seven consecutive years, except +spending one session in the state legislature. Owing to his naturally +strong and highly cultivated mind, great industry and extensive fund of +practical knowledge, he was one of the most useful members of the +national legislature. From 1783 to 1788 he was a member of the +legislature in his own state. So great was his influence that every act +that excited public attention was attributed to him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Clark was a strong advocate for the Convention that framed the +Federal Constitution. He was appointed a member but extreme illness +prevented his attendance. In 1788 he was again elected to Congress. At +the next congressional election he was defeated for the first time. This +reminds me of the law of Ostracism in the Republic of Athens under which +many of its citizens were banished by the same demagogue party spirit +that has banished many of our best men from the political arena. Mr. +Clark was then appointed to the important station of commissioner to +settle the state accounts with the general government. At the ensuing +election the people, upon a sober second thought, again elected him to +Congress of which he remained a member up to the time of his death. He +died in June <ins class="correct" title="1774">1794</ins> from the effects of <i>coup de <ins class="correct" title="soliel">soleil</ins></i> [a stroke of the +sun] in two hours from the time he was taken ill.</p> + +<p>Mr. <ins class="correct" title="Clarke">Clark</ins> was truly pious, a pure patriot and an honest man. He was a +faithful public sentinel, a kind and affectionate friend, an honorable +and generous opponent. His death was deeply mourned by our nation and +most keenly felt by his numerous personal friends. His fame is worthy of +the highest encomiums—his example should be more closely imitated.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="GEORGE_CLYMER" id="GEORGE_CLYMER"></a>GEORGE CLYMER.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Learning</span> makes the man, is an adage too old to be used as a quotation +but which time or angels can never stamp with truth. Unless the <i>man</i> is +made by the Creator of all good, learning cannot do it. The mental +powers of man are as diversified as the soils of earth and as well +deserve classification. Upon the minds of some we may pour a continued +stream from the fountain of knowledge but like the desert of Sahara they +are barren of fruit or flower. Upon other minds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> laborious efforts +produce an improvement but never enrich them. Their upper crust is too +light—their substratum too porous to retain the fructifying substances +lavished upon them. Others yield a liberal harvest by good culture and +become valuable by use. Like the alluvial prairies, others are adorned +with fruits and flowers. They only require the introduction of seed to +afford all the rich varieties of products that may be desired. Expose +them to the genial rays of the sun of science—the germs of genius will +immediately spring up—the embryo forms will bud and blossom like the +rose.</p> + +<p>The mental powers of George Clymer were composed of a deep and prolific +mould capable of producing the richest fruits. Fortunately for our +country it was not appropriated entirely to ornamental flowers and +blooming shrubbery but to the substantial fruits that invigorate and +support life. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1739. His father +removed to that city from Bristol, England and died when George was but +seven years old. William Coleman, his maternal uncle, took him into his +family, treated him as a son and made him heir to most of his property. +Being a literary man he gave his nephew every facility for the +acquirement of a good education. He had an extensive library and +rejoiced to see it explored by young George who manifested an early +taste for reading and investigated critically every subject that came +before him. He traced it through all its meanderings to its primeval +source. This trait in his character rendered him vastly useful in the +momentous concerns of his subsequent life. He dug deep and laid firmly +the foundations of his education—the superstructure was on a firm +basis.</p> + +<p>From the seminary George went into the counting-house of his uncle and +became thoroughly acquainted with the mercantile business in which he +finally embarked. This calling was too precarious to suit his equipoised +mind. He was opposed to sudden gains or losses—the one elated the mind +too much—the other depressed it too low—destroying the divine +equilibrium calculated to impart the greatest happiness to man and +assimilate him to his Creator. He believed a virtuous equality in life +more conducive to the prosperity of a nation than to have the majority +of wealth wielded by a favored few. The former tended to +republicanism—the latter to aristocracy. He was in favor of equal +rights, a patriot of the Roman school, a philanthropist of the first +water—opposed to all monopolies. His genius was of that original order, +that, like some comets, visit our world only at long intervals. It +traversed the circuit of human nature, metaphysics, philosophy, +physiology, ethics and general science without an apparent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +effort—drawing from each conclusions peculiarly its own. He was a +<i>virtuoso</i>, an amateur, a deep logician and an acute mathematician. A +love of liberty was innate with him. His mind was richly stored with the +history of other times and nations—he was well versed in the principles +of law and government—he understood the chartered rights of his country +and felt, most keenly, the increasing infringements upon them by the +very power that was bound by the laws of nature, man and God to respect +them. He was among the first to resist the oppressors of his country and +proclaim to his fellow-citizens the principles of freedom. At the <i>tea +meeting</i> held by the people of Philadelphia on the 16th of Oct. 1773, +his powerful reasoning, deep sincerity, ardent zeal and enthusiastic +patriotism—commanded the admiration of all who heard him. Free from +pedantry and naturally retiring—his powers of mind were known only to +his immediate friends. From that time his talents were claimed as public +property. He was compelled to surrender possession without the formality +of a <i>mandamus, quo warranto certiorari</i> or appeal.</p> + +<p>When the final crisis arrived—when the shrill war-cry came rushing +through the air from the heights of Lexington, Mr. Clymer took command +of a company under Gen. Cadwalader and repaired to the tented field. He +was a member of the Council of Safety and had served on most of the +committees to prepare petitions, remonstrances and other measures of +redress. On the 29th of July 1775 Congress called him from the camp to +aid Michael Hillegas in managing the public treasury. He subscribed +liberally to the loan raised for the public service and placed all the +specie he could raise into the public chest and took in return ephemeral +paper. His examples and influence caused many to rush to the rescue +regardless of consequences. In July 1776 he was elected to Congress +after the 4th and on taking his seat placed his name upon the +Declaration of Independence. A part of the preceding delegation from +Pennsylvania, finding the Declaration of Rights would be adopted, were +seized with crown fits and nothing but absquatulating powders promised +any relief to the spasmodic attack. As security for the payment of this +medicine they put in leg bail and vanished. The people promptly filled +their places with men who dared to be free.</p> + +<p>In September of that year Messrs. Clymer and Stockton were sent by +Congress to visit the northern army and confer with Gen. Washington upon +future arrangements. In December of the same year Congress retired to +Baltimore in consequence of the approach of the enemy, then devastating +New Jersey. Mr. Clymer was one of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> committee left to superintend the +public interests and brave the perils that were rushing on like a +tornado. He was re-elected to Congress and in April 1777 was again upon +a visiting committee to the army to confer with Washington upon all +subjects that required prompt attention which were neither few, small or +far between. In the autumn of that year a fresh momentum was given to +the patriotism of Mr. Clymer. He had removed his family and goods to +Chester county. Immediately after the battle of Brandywine the tories +led the British to his house who destroyed a large amount of his +property. His family fled just in time to be saved the worse than savage +tortures inflicted upon every prominent patriot's wife and mother they +could seize. This sacrifice upon the altar of liberty strengthened him +in the cause of freedom imparting fresh vigor to his exertions. Such +conduct on the part of the British operated as a talisman in +consolidating the colonies in one solid phalanx of unyielding +opposition. Its eloquence soared above all words—it was +action—action—action—demoniac action.</p> + +<p>In December 1779 Mr. Clymer was one of a committee sent to Fort Pitt to +induce the Indians to desist from hostilities. The mission consumed four +months and was principally executed by him alone, narrowly escaping the +tomahawk during his absence. It was found necessary to carry the war +into the Indian settlements. During the year after his return he devoted +his time in raising supplies for the army then in a very destitute +condition. In 1780 he was again returned to Congress and served until +November when he was associated with John Nixon in the organization of +the Bank of North America which contributed largely in raising the +prostrate credit of the government and yet stands upon a firm basis with +fair prospects of surviving whilst our Republic continues. In May 1782 +he was associated with Mr. Rutledge on a mission through the Southern +States to induce them to meet more promptly the requisitions for +supplies. During the entire period of the Revolution he devoted his +whole time to the service of his country and discharged every duty +faithfully. He stood high as an able and efficient co-worker in the +vineyard of Liberty and when the harvest was past and the war ended, he +retired from the field crowned with living honors enduring as the +historic page.</p> + +<p>When peace was proclaimed he removed to Princeton, N. J. for the purpose +of resting from his toils and educating his children. The ensuing year +he was persuaded to return to Philadelphia. He was immediately elected +to the legislature and contributed largely in cutting from the old +Constitution and laws of his native state the obnoxious branches of +tyranny that still clustered around them. He stripped the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> penal code of +its inquisitorial features and originated and successfully advocated the +abolishment of death in all cases except for murder in the first degree. +He was the father of the salutary penitentiary system now in full force +at Cherry Hill near the city of Philadelphia—solitary confinement and +labor. It may not be known to every reader that prisoners were formerly +compelled to labor in chains, often in public places. The superiority of +solitary confinement over all other modes of punishment has been fully +demonstrated and is in a slow course of adoption throughout the confines +of civilized humanity.</p> + +<p>The mind of Mr. Clymer was prolific and happy in plans of usefulness and +utility. To benefit his country and better the condition of mankind was +his constant aim. To effect this he saw the necessity of reducing every +department of government to system and order. American Independence was +achieved—to preserve it by reconciling conflicting interests, +green-eyed jealousies, incongruous clamors and imaginary evils, was a +herculean task only in embryo. He hailed with joy the convention to form +the Federal Constitution and had the pleasure of being a member. The +result of the labors of that body was charged with a deeper interest +than the war-struggle for victory over the invading armies of England. +It involved the fate of our infant Republic—then trembling on the verge +of ruin. One more plunge and it would have been lost in the gulf of +primeval chaos. The conflict was between members of the same family who +had fought the enemy in one solid unbroken phalanx—now this band of +brothers were separated by local interests and sectional jealousies. To +bring the issue to a safe termination it required the deepest sagacity, +the acutest wisdom, the most matured judgment, the profoundest legal +learning, the most disinterested patriotism, the most exalted charity +and the purest spirit of conciliation. Happily for our country and the +cause of liberty these noble principles predominated—the glorious work +was accomplished in which Mr. Clymer participated largely.</p> + +<p>This noble patriot was elected to the first Congress that convened under +the Federal Constitution. He was a stern republican in every thing. He +was very properly opposed to tacking any titles to the name of any +public man except that of the office which he held. Excellency, +Honorable, &c., he considered to be what they really are—shadows of a +shadow, too vain and imbecile for a freeman. He was wisely opposed to +the right of instruction from his constituents because they must decide +without hearing evidence or argument and were themselves uniformly +directed by a few designing men actuated by motives based on prejudice +or ignorance. He could not be made the passive tool of demagogue<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> power +or the automaton of party spirit. We greatly need many more of the same +sort at the present time. In the organization of the general government +he took a very active part. Every subject presented to Congress he +analyzed with the acumen of a sage, philosopher and statesman. He was +continued a member until 1790, when he made an effort to close his +public career. But this he was not permitted to do. Under the Act of +Congress passed in 1791, imposing a duty on distilled spirits Mr. Clymer +was appointed to enforce its collection in his own state. In +Pennsylvania this law produced the <i>whiskey rebellion</i> which required +military force to restore order. No display of force could prevent Mr. +Clymer from the performance of his duty. He appointed collectors in the +different counties, advising the people to submit to the law whilst in +force and pursue the constitutional remedy for its repeal if they +believed it wrong. During the height of the excitement he mingled freely +with the mobocracy when but few men would have been spared if clothed +with the same office. When order was restored he resigned his situation. +The last public service he consented to render was in conjunction with +Colonels Pickens and Hasskins in negotiating a treaty with the Creek +Indians which was consummated on the 29th of June 1796. He then retired +to enjoy the fruits of his labors without any to disturb or make him +afraid. He had periled his life, fortune and honor for his country—he +had been her fearless advocate amidst the storms of revolution, civil +discord and open rebellion—in his retirement he saw her peaceful, +prosperous and happy with the illustrious Washington directing her +destiny to fame and glory. The measure of his ardent desires was +filled—he asked no more.</p> + +<p>Although retired from the more prominent public arena, Mr. Clymer did +not seek for inglorious ease—he remained active through life. He took a +deep interest in every kind of improvement and to many extended his +fostering care. He was a friend to the laboring classes and became +familiar with the principles of agriculture and the mechanic trades. +Among his private papers are many drawings of plans for bridges, canals, +and various kinds of machinery and implements of husbandry with numerous +recipes relative to the fine arts. Like Franklin he extended his +researches to almost every subject within the grasp of man and extracted +the essential oil from each. He always sought for solid substance that +was of substantial use. He was opposed to pedantry, pomp and parade. He +was what would now be called a plain blunt man. His bluntness was not of +an offensive kind to common sense men. It consisted in laconic truth +dressed in republican simplicity—a garb that was much admired <i>then</i> +but is quite out of fashion <i>now</i>—a change of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> rather doubtful utility. +Although he originated many important measures in the national and state +legislatures, he seldom spoke in the forum and was often unknown to the +public when the author of wise and salutary propositions. He was +ambitious only to do good and was not anxious that his name should be +wafted on the breeze of popular applause or sounded in the high places +of the earth. To be instrumental in benefiting the human family was the +<i>ultimatum</i> of his soul.</p> + +<p>When the importance of a subject induced Mr. Clymer to rise in <ins class="correct" title="deba e">debate</ins> he +was listened to with profound attention. As a speaker his example is +worthy of all imitation. Without any effort at refined eloquence he +expressed in strong language what he strongly felt. He came directly to +the point—adhered closely to it in a strain of keen, cutting, +conclusive and laconic reasoning avoiding recrimination—was always +brief, often casting into the shade in a few moments the labored and +finely dressed speeches of his opponents that had cost them days, +perhaps weeks to prepare and hours to deliver. He aimed his blows at the +syllabus of their finely spun arguments and often demolished their +ornamented superstructure at one bold stroke with the damask blade of +sound logic drawn from the scabbard of plain common sense and wielded by +the vigorous arm of lucid reason.</p> + +<p>This useful man closed his earthly career at the residence of his son in +Morrisville, Berks County, Pa., on the 23d of January 1813—most deeply +mourned by those who knew him best. He was of the middle size, well +formed, fair complexion, with a countenance attractive, intelligent, +ingenuous, pleasing and expressive of a strong mind. In the private +walks of life he was a model of human excellence. He was proverbial for +punctuality in all things, if only to take a walk with a friend or +present a promised toy to a child. In conversation he was agreeable and +instructive—illuminating and enlivening the social circle with +apothegms, aphorisms and pungent anecdotes—imparting pleasure and +intelligence to all around him. In all this he was modest, chaste and +discreet—avoiding any appearance of superiority, never making personal +allusions even to his opponents. He spoke ill of no one and rebuked +slander whenever he discovered it. His morals were of the purest +order—his philanthropy of the loftiest kind. As a public servant, a +private citizen, a kind husband, a faithful father, a warm friend, an +honorable opponent and a noble patriot—George Clymer had no superior. +He visited the widow and the fatherless in their distress and relieved +them. He kept himself unspotted from the world and did all the good in +his power. His were the fruits of primitive Christianity as taught by +the Apostles. Let his examples be imitated by all—then our UNION is +safe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOHN_DICKINSON" id="JOHN_DICKINSON"></a>JOHN DICKINSON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Frugality</span> is an old fashioned virtue that is deeply covered with the +alluvion of modern extravagance. With a large proportion of the +community—economy is no longer a governing principle. More generally is +this the case with public bodies and associations. When we look at the +enormous and worse than useless expense of public buildings a large +proportion of them are marked with an extravagance far from republican +simplicity—large expenditures without enlarging comfort or convenience, +Girard College is an example in point. A large portion of the money +expended on that too splendid structure, was diverted from its +legitimate channel—<i>the support and education of the poor orphan</i>. It +is a tolerated—not an excusable error. So with many other public +buildings erected with money drawn directly and indirectly from the hard +earnings of the people. As inconsistent as it is—professing Christians +have adopted this error with a vengeance—although the great Author of +Christianity was born in a stable—cradled in a manger and preached his +thrilling soul-cheering sermons in the open air. As churches are now +conducted—how great the change—how alarming the contrast. The +landmarks of primitive Christianity are buried by the alluvion of human +inventions. Millions are expended in building extravagant +edifices—furnishing them with velvet, damask or other cushions—the +congregation involved in debt—the poor necessarily excluded—when half +the amount contracted would have been sufficient and the other half +should have been expended to alleviate the wants of the suffering poor +and in sending the Gospel of Peace to the destitute. Extravagant +professed followers of the lowly Jesus—think of this when you rise from +reposing—perhaps <i>sleeping</i> on your gaudy church cushions. Think of the +birth place of your Lord—of his life of poverty—his friendship to the +poor—his constant efforts to do them good—of the habits and limited +comforts of his disciples—and more—think how destitute you are of the +very foundation of true religion—<span class="smcap">humility</span>. How will you answer for +these things at the searching tribunal of the great Jehovah? Even your +funerals are marked with an extravagance that should be reduced to an +amount that would leave a sum sufficient to make your poor neighbors +comfortable for a long time. If you would honor the religion of the +immaculate Redeemer—learn and practice frugality—enlarge your charity +and adorn your conduct with consistency.</p> + +<p>With the <i>true</i> patriots of the American Revolution frugality was +proverbial. Independence Hall, built of plain brick and mortar, was +deemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> sufficiently splendid for the accommodation of the master +spirits of that eventful era. A plain yard, with native forest trees for +an ornament, was satisfactory. Now nothing but a marble structure, +surrounded by extensive highly ornamented pleasure grounds, at an +expense of <span class="smcap">millions</span>, will answer for the legislators of this +anti-republican era. The dear people are no longer consulted relative to +the expenses of our government—to <i>pay</i> is their only privilege. +Imported extravagance—imported customs—apish imitations of European +usages—are fast driving republican simplicity from our once happy land. +If the people tamely submit to these gross innovations they will +ultimately reap the bitter fruits of their culpable neglect of duty.</p> + +<p>Among the sages of the American Revolution, John Dickinson figured +conspicuously. He was born in Maryland in 1732. After acquiring a good +education he read law and had a lucrative practice in the city of +Philadelphia. He was elected to the legislature at an early age and +became a prominent member—an eloquent speaker and ready writer. He was +a member of the General Congress in 1765 when he boldly exposed the +unwarranted conduct of crown officers urged on by corrupt ministers. In +1767 he published a series of letters—boldly exposing the +unconstitutional features of sundry acts of parliament. They contributed +largely towards preparing the people for that resistance which resulted +in <span class="smcap">freedom</span>.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dickinson was a member of the important preliminary Congress of 1774 +and wrote the lucid petition to the King that emanated from that body. +He was the author of the declaration published by the Congress of 1775 +which ably set forth the causes that impelled the down-trodden colonists +to take up arms and resolve on victory or death. The second petition to +the King was from his pen and adopted by Congress. All his writings were +well suited to the occasions that induced them and were eminently +calculated to advance the cause of the patriots. He was slow to believe +England could not be brought to see and relinquish her suicidal course. +He believed the Declaration of Independence premature and did not vote +for it. He had great confidence in his own persuasive powers. His +opposition to the Declaration of Rights caused his constituents to give +him leave of absence. He subsequently sanctioned it and repented of his +error. In 1779 he was again elected to Congress and became a zealous, +active, useful member. The following extract from an address, adopted by +Congress on the 26th of May 1779, is from his pen.</p> + +<p>"Infatuated as your enemies have been from the beginning of this contest +do you imagine they can flatter themselves with a hope of con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>quering +you unless you are false to yourselves? When unprepared, undisciplined +and unsupported—you opposed their fleets and armies in full conjoined +force—then, if at any time, was conquest to be apprehended. Yet, what +progress towards it have their violent and incessant efforts made? Judge +from their own conduct. Having devoted you to bondage and after vainly +wasting their blood and treasure in the dishonorable enterprise—they +deigned at length to offer terms of accommodation with respectful +addresses to that once despised body—the Congress—whose humble +supplications, only for peace and safety, they had contemptuously +rejected under pretence of its being an unconstitutional assembly. Nay +more—desirous of seducing you into a deviation from the paths of +rectitude from which they had so far and rashly wandered, they made most +specious offers to tempt you into a violation of your faith given to +your illustrious ally."</p> + +<p>"Foiled again and stung with rage, embittered by envy—they had no +alternative but to renounce the inglorious and ruinous controversy or to +resume their former modes of prosecuting it. They chose the latter. +Again the savages are stimulated to horrid massacres of women and +children and domestics to the murder of their masters. Again our brave +and unhappy brethren are doomed to miserable deaths in jails and +prison-ships. To complete the sanguinary system—all the '<span class="smcap">extremities</span> of +war' are denounced against you by authority. * * Rouse yourselves, +therefore, that this campaign may finish the great work you have so +nobly carried on for several years past. What nation ever engaged in +such a contest under such a complication of disadvantages so soon +surmounted many of them and in so short a period of time had so certain +a prospect of a speedy and happy conclusion. We will venture to +pronounce that so remarkable an instance exists not in the annals of +mankind. * * * Consider how much you have done and how comparatively +little remains to be done to crown you with success. Persevere and you +insure peace, <span class="smcap">freedom</span>, safety, glory, sovereignty and felicity to +yourselves, your children and your children's children." * * *</p> + +<p>"Fill up your battalions—be prepared in every part to repel the +incursions of your enemies—place your several quotas in the +constitutional treasury—lend money for public uses—sink the emissions +of your several states—provide effectually for expediting the +conveyance of supplies for your armies and fleets and for your +allies—prevent the produce of your country from being +monopolized—effectually superintend the behaviour of public officers +(what a poser if the dear people should do this imperious duty now) +diligently promote piety, virtue, brotherly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> love, learning, <span class="smcap">frugality</span> +and moderation and may you be approved before Almighty God—worthy of +those blessings we devoutly wish you to enjoy."</p> + +<p>Here is a bright specimen of the republican principles that governed the +public officers and people of the Revolution. They are too simple for +the present portentous era of imported extravagance and customs—too +pure for the politicians of our time. They will be read with approving +admiration—but few will put them in practice.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dickinson filled the office of President of Pennsylvania and +subsequently removed to the state of Delaware and there filled the same +chair. His political writings were collected and published in 1810 +making two volumes octavo. His famous "Farmer's Letters to the +Inhabitants of the British Colonies" were so highly prized by the astute +Franklin that he had them republished in London and sent a French +translation to Paris. But few of the sages did as much with their pen as +this patriot. He lived to enjoy the fruits of his labors to a good old +age. He resided at Wilmington, Delaware, for a long time where he closed +his earthly pilgrimage on the 15th of February 1808. He was a member of +the Society of Friends. His private character was without reproach.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="WILLIAM_ELLERY" id="WILLIAM_ELLERY"></a>WILLIAM ELLERY.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Contracts</span> fairly entered into by parties competent to make and +consummate them should be sacredly fulfilled in the minutest +particulars. Individuals and social compacts from the common business +firm up to the most exalted national engagements are bound by the laws +of God, man and honor to keep inviolate their plighted faith. A +deviation from the path of rectitude in this particular is uniformly +attended with evil consequences and often with those most disastrous. +The party that violates its obligations without a justifiable reason and +especially if it attempts to advance its own interests regardless of, +perhaps injurious to those of the other, comes to court with a bad +cause. I have repeatedly remarked that the American Revolution resulted +from a violation of colonial chartered rights by the mother country. To +enter into a full exposition of the relations between the two high +contracting parties would require more space than can be allowed in this +work. Reference to some of the cardinal points in a single charter will +give the reader a clue to them all. Some of a later date are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> rather +more limited in privileges than that of Rhode Island to which I refer.</p> + +<p>This charter secured religious freedom, personal liberty, personal +rights in property—excluding the king from all interference with the +local concerns of the colony and was virtually republican in its +provisions. One of the early Acts of Parliament referring to Rhode +Island contains the following language. "That no person within the said +colony at any time hereafter shall be in any way molested, punished, +disquieted or called in question for any difference of opinion in +matters of religion that does not actually disturb the civil peace of +said colony." The loyalty of the inhabitants up to the time oppressions +commenced was unquestionable. The ancient records give full evidence of +the fact. The addresses to the king begin thus. "The general Assembly +judged it their duty to signify his majesty's gracious pleasure +vouchsafed to us." Extract of a letter written to Sir Henry Vane in +England. "We have long drunk of the cup of as great liberties as any +people we can hear of under the whole heavens. We have not only been +long free, together with all English, from the yokes of wolfish bishops +and their popish ceremonies against whose grievous oppressions God +raised up your noble spirit in parliament but we have sitten down quiet +and dry from the streams of blood spilt by war in our native country. We +have not known what an excise means. We have almost forgotten what +tythes are, yea or taxes either to church or common weal."</p> + +<p>In addition to other declaratory acts of Parliament sanctioning and +continuing chartered privileges generally in all the colonies, one was +passed in March 1663, involving the very hinge upon which the question +of the Revolution turned. Extract—"Be it further enacted—<i>That no +taxes shall be imposed or required of the colonies but by the consent of +the General Assembly</i>"—meaning the General Assembly of each colony +separably and including the whole. This single sentence of that +declaratory act, based upon a cardinal point in the British constitution +and guarded by the sanctity of charter contracts that could not be +annulled but by the mutual consent of the high contracting parties, +solves the problem of the Revolution. Having lived in the full enjoyment +of chartered privileges which had become matured by the age of more than +a century, the colonists would have been unworthy the name of men had +they tamely submitted to their annihilation. To the unfading honor of +their names—<i>they did not submit</i>. A band of sages and heroes rose in +all the majesty of man—met the invaders of their rights and drove them +from Columbia's soil.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> + +<p>Among them was William Ellery, born at Newport Rhode Island on the 2d of +December 1727. His ancestors were from Bristol, England. He was the son +of William Ellery a graduate of Harvard College and an enterprising +merchant. He filled many public stations and became one of the first men +in the colony. Pleased with the docility of his son he became his +instructor and prepared him for college. He entered Harvard and became a +close and successful student. He was delighted with the classics and was +enraptured with the history of the ancient republics. So great was his +veneration for ancient authors that he continued his familiarity with +them to the moment of his death. He was one of the most lucid classic +philologists of that age. He graduated at twenty and commenced the study +of law. In that ever expanding field of labor he was all industry and +was admitted to the bar with brilliant prospects before him. Located in +one of the most delightful towns on the Atlantic, surrounded by a large +circle of friends who desired his success, blessed with superior talents +improved by a refined education, esteemed by all who knew him—his +situation was truly agreeable. He possessed an amiable disposition, a +strong mind, a large share of wit and humor, polished manners and a +vivid animation in conversation that dispelled ennui from every circle +in which he moved. With these accomplishments he spread his sails to the +public breeze.</p> + +<p>He commenced a successful practice at the bar of Newport and realized +the fond anticipations of his friends. He was highly honorable in his +course and had the confidence of the citizens, the respect of his +professional brethren and the esteem of the courts. To make more +complete his standing and importance in community he entered into +partnership with a most estimable lady until death should them part. The +firm proved prosperous and happy. Up to the time British oppression +commenced, his days passed peacefully and quietly along with an +accumulating fortune flowing in. When the revolutionary storm loomed up +from the horizon he became roused. A new impetus was given to his mental +and physical powers. His townsmen were the first who had dared to beard +the British lion. On the 17th of June 1769, in consequence of the +oppressive conduct of her captain, the revenue sloop Liberty belonging +to his Britannic majesty was forcibly seized by a number of citizens in +disguise who cut away her masts, scuttled her, carried her boats to the +upper part of the town and committed them to the flames under the +towering branches of a newly planted <span class="smcap">Liberty Tree</span>. This act was followed +by another on the 9th of June 1772 in which blood was shed—that of +seizing and burning the British schooner Gaspee. This was made a pretext +for more severe measures by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> hirelings of the crown who recommended +to Parliament the disfranchisement of the colony. The revolutionary ball +was in motion at Newport. In the midst of these turmoils Mr. Ellery was +with the people and for freedom. He went for the preservation of rights +that had become sacred and venerable by age and had the high sanction of +the laws of man, of nature and of God. In 1774 he approved a suggestion +made in a letter from Gen. Greene—<i>that the colonies should declare +themselves independent</i>. This spirit took fast hold on the people of +Rhode Island at the very inception of the Revolution.</p> + +<p>In 1776 Mr. Ellery was elected to the Continental Congress. His +constituents left him to act free as mountain air. He stood up to the +post of duty boldly and became an active member. He was fully prepared +to advocate and sanction the Declaration of Independence. An agreeable +speaker, master of satire, sarcasm, logic and philosophy—he exercised a +salutary and judicious influence. He was appointed on several important +committees and rendered efficient service. Upon the marine committee he +was the leading man. He was a strong advocate for the navy. Many of his +constituents were bold mariners. He felt a just pride in referring to +his fellow citizen—Commodore Ezek Hopkins, as the first commander of +the little fleet of the infant republic. It was he who took New +Providence by surprise—seized a large amount of war munitions amongst +which were one hundred pieces of cannon—took the royal Governor, +Lieutenant Governor and sundry others of his majesty's officers +prisoners and gave an earnest of the future glory to be achieved by +Yankee seamen.</p> + +<p>When the time arrived for the final question upon the momentous +instrument that was to be a warrant of death or the diploma of freedom, +Mr. Ellery was at his post and fearlessly gave it his approving vote and +sanctioning signature. With his usual vivacity he took his stand by the +side of the Secretary, Charles Thomson, for the purpose of observing the +apparent emotions of each member as he came up and signed the important +document. He often referred to this circumstance in after life and said +an undaunted resolution was observed on every countenance. He was +continued a member of Congress until 1785—full evidence of the high +estimation in which he was held by his constituents. In 1777 he was upon +the committee that originated the plan of fitting out seven fire ships +to annoy the British fleet and had the credit of suggesting and +perfecting it.</p> + +<p>When the enemy obtained possession of Newport their vengeance against +this noble patriot was manifested by burning all his property within +their reach. This did not move the equanimity of his mind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> only to make +him more zealous in the glorious cause of liberty. In 1778 he strongly +advocated a resolution making it death for any citizen—<i>alias</i> tory who +should betray or aid in delivering into the hands of the enemy any of +the adherents of the cause of freedom or give any intelligence that +should lead to their capture. He spent nearly his whole time in Congress +and toiled incessantly. In 1779 he was on the committee of foreign +relations which had the settlement of some very unpleasant difficulties +between the United States and the foreign commissioners. He was chairman +of a committee to provide provisions for the inhabitants of Rhode Island +who were destitute of the necessaries of life. From year to year he was +arduously employed on most of the standing and many other important +committees. Marine difficulties occurred between the general government +and some of the states arising from a difference of opinion relative to +the powers conferred by the Articles of Confederation. A committee was +appointed to define those powers of which Mr. Ellery was the leading +member. This committee determined that all disputed claims were subject +to appeal from the Court of Admiralty to Congress where the facts and +law were to be fully settled. On all occasions and in all situations he +was diligent and punctual. When he discovered any long faces or forlorn +countenances in Congress the artillery of his wit and humor was sure to +pour a broadside upon them and often dispelled the lowering clouds that +hung gloomily over the minds of members.</p> + +<p>In 1782 he was an efficient member of the committee on public accounts +the duties of which were large and perplexing. Speculation and +peculation had rolled their dark waves over the public business of the +nation—to do justice to all who presented claims was a problematical +matter. In 1784 he was upon the committee to act upon the definitive +treaty with Great Britain. He was upon the committee to define the power +of the Treasury Board—the one upon Foreign Relations and the one upon +the War Office. To crown his brilliant labors in Congress with +resplendent glory, he advocated the resolution of Mr. King to abolish +slavery in the United States. His whole force was brought to bear upon +this subject in a strain of forensic eloquence and powerful logic that +added fresh lustre to the substantial fame he had long enjoyed. <i>Then</i> +the subject was legitimate for Congress—<i>now</i> it belongs to each state +interested.</p> + +<p>In 1785 Mr. Ellery retired from political life and repaired to his now +peaceful home to replenish his ruined fortune and enjoy the blessings of +the Independence he had so much aided in consummating. In the spring of +1786 Congress made him commissioner of the National<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> Loan Office for +Rhode Island. Shortly after he was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme +Court of his native state. On his accession to the Presidential chair, +Washington appointed him Collector of Customs for Newport which station +he ably filled until he took his tranquil departure to a brighter world. +The evening of his life was as calm and mellow as an Italian sunset. +Universally esteemed—he enjoyed a delightful intercourse with a large +circle of friends. Honest, punctual and correct—he had the confidence +of the commercial community in his official station. During the thirty +years he was Collector of Customs, a loss of only two hundred dollars +upon bond accrued to government and upon that bond he had taken five +sureties. He spent much of his time in reading classic authors and in +corresponding with eminent men. But three weeks before his death he +wrote an essay upon Latin prosody and the faults of public speakers. His +bible was a favorite companion from which he drew and drank the living +waters of eternal life. Always cheerful, instructive and amusing—his +company was a rich treat to all who enjoyed it. His writings combined a +sprightliness and solidity rarely found.</p> + +<p>His death was as remarkable as it was tranquil and glorious. It was that +of a Christian and philosopher. On the morning of the 15th of February +1820 he rose in usual health and seated himself in the flag-bottom chair +which he had used for fifty years and which was a relic rescued from the +flames when the enemy fired his buildings. He commenced reading Tully's +<i>Officiis</i> in his favorite Latin without the aid of glasses the print +being no larger than that of a pocket bible. During the morning the +family physician called in and seeing him very pale felt his wrist and +found his pulse had ceased. He administered a little wine which gave a +transient impetus to the purple current. The physician spoke +encouragingly to whom Mr. Ellery replied—"It is idle to talk to me in +this way. I am going off the stage of life and it is a great blessing +that I go free from sickness, pain and sorrow." Becoming extremely weak +his daughter helped him on the bed where he sat upright and commenced +reading <i>Cicero de Officiis</i> with the same composure as if in the full +vigor of life. In a few moments his spirit left its tenement of clay +without a motion, groan or sigh—his body still erect with the book +under his chin as if asleep. William Ellery was dead—relations and +friends wept—our nation mourned.</p> + +<p>Thus usefully lived and happily died one of the brightest specimens of +human excellence. His whole career presents a rare and rich picture upon +which the imagination may feast, with increasing delight and which +cannot be rendered more beautiful or interesting by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> finest touches +of the pencil of fancy dipped in the most brilliant color of romance. He +was of the middle stature, well formed, with a large head; an +intelligent and expressive countenance, moderate in his physical +movements and with all his vivacity generally had a grave aspect. He was +temperate, plain and uniform in his habits and dress and could seldom be +induced to join in chase after the <i>ignis fatuus</i>—<span class="smcap">fashion</span>. For many +years before his death his wardrobe was of an order belonging to a +by-gone generation. His courtesy and hospitality were always +conspicuous—the whole frame-work of his character was embellished with +all the rich varieties of amiable and good qualities—uniting beauty +with strength which ever gain esteem in life and tranquillity in death. +Reader contemplate this bright picture until its impress is so deeply +fixed upon your mind that nought but death can erase it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="WILLIAM_FLOYD" id="WILLIAM_FLOYD"></a>WILLIAM FLOYD.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Lexicographers</span> define ambition to be an earnest desire of power, honor, +preferment, pride. Some who study party politics more than philosophy, +physiology or ethics, call all the laudable desires of the heart +<span class="smcap">ambition</span>—aiming to strip the monster of its deformity that they may +sail under false colors and play the pirate whenever an opportunity +offers. The power that is gained by ambition is held by a slender +tenure—often a mere rope of sand. Its hero may receive the homage of +the multitude one day and be the victim of their fury the next. The +summit of vain ambition is often the depth of misery. Based on a +volcanic foundation it is in constant danger of an eruption. Inflated by +a gaseous thirst for power, like a balloon with hydrogen, it is liable +to an explosion from the very material that elevated it. Predicated on +self—it spurns philanthropy, banishes charity, tramples on justice, +despises patriotism, deals largely in the corrosive sublimate of +falsehood, the elixir vitriol of revenge—the assafœtida of duplicity. +Like a kite, it cannot rise in a calm and when up, is subject to fly +from its fastenings and be rent by the cross currents ever in motion. +The fulcrum of ignorance and the lever of party spirit form its magic +power.</p> + +<p>Some European writers have charged the patriots of the American +Revolution with selfish ambition. They may be excused for this +supposition from the fact that this is the motive power of <i>their</i> +actions and they can understand no other. Very different was the fact. +Private virtue, broad charity, genuine philanthropy, undisguised +patriotism<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> were marked characteristics of those who achieved our +Liberty. They were actuated by pure and honest motives—not by wild +ambition and political frenzy. Noisy partisans and intriguing demagogues +were not the favorites of the people at that trying period. The man of +genuine worth and modest merit was the one they delighted to honor and +trust.</p> + +<p>In the character of William Floyd these qualities were happily blended. +He was born at Suffolk county, Long Island, State of New York on the +17th of December 1734. He was the son of Mr. Nicoll Floyd and the +grandson of Richard Floyd who came from Wales in 1680 and settled at +Setauket, Long Island. During his childhood William was remarkable for +frankness, truth, docility and pleasing manners. He was an industrious +student and acquired a liberal education. During the prosecution of his +studies he devoted a short period almost daily to his gun in pursuit of +game which gave him healthful exercise and a strong frame. His father +died before William arrived at his majority leaving him an ample +fortune. This he managed with prudence and economy. From his youth he +had been the advocate of liberal principles. At manhood he became a +prominent opposer to the innovations of the British ministers upon the +chartered rights of Americans. As oppression increased his patriotic +feelings were more frequently and freely expressed. He was an active and +zealous member of the Congress of 1774. He had the unlimited confidence +of his constituents—the esteem of all who knew him. His cool +deliberation and calm deportment were well calculated to preserve an +equilibrium among those of a more fiery temperament and rashness in +action. That Congress was remarkable for clear and unanswerable +argument, calm and astute discussion, wise and judicious +plans—reasonable but firm purposes. The course pursued operated +powerfully and favorably upon the minds of reflecting men whose +influence it was important to secure.</p> + +<p>Mr. Floyd had command of the militia of the county in which he lived. +When the British attempted to land at Gardner's Bay he promptly +assembled the yeoman troops and repelled the invading foe. In 1775 he +was again at his post in Congress and became one of its very efficient +members. He was a working man and almost constantly engaged on important +committees. During his absence the enemy obtained possession of Long +Island and compelled his family to flee to Connecticut for safety. His +property was materially injured—his house converted into a military +barrack and for seven years he was deprived of all resources from his +farm. In 1776 he was a warm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> advocate of the Declaration and with great +satisfaction placed his name upon that sacred instrument. In 1777 he was +elected to the first Senate of the Empire State convened under the new +order of things. He was a leading member and rendered important services +in forming a code of republican laws.</p> + +<p>In January 1779 he again took his seat in Congress and entered +vigorously upon the work before him. In August of that year he resumed +his seat in the New York Senate. Much important business was before the +legislature, requiring experience, energy and unity of action. To raise +the pecuniary credit of the state was of great importance. Mr. Floyd was +at the head of a joint committee on this subject and reported a plan +that proved him an able financier—a man of deep thought and +investigation. It was based upon gradual, equal and just taxation. In +October of that year he was one of three delegates appointed by his +legislature to meet a convention of the Eastern States for the purpose +of perfecting a system of furnishing supplies for the army without being +compelled to suffer the enormous shaves of avaricious monopolists. On +reading the account of the awful sufferings and privations of the army +at certain periods of the Revolution and in view of the glory of the +cause and the limited means of carrying on the unequal struggle, an +honest man can scarcely believe men then existed who would +speculate—yes more—<i>peculate</i> upon suffering humanity. So was the fact +to an alarming extent—at least three millions a year. Avarice knows no +mercy—seldom any honesty.</p> + +<p>On his return from this convention he repaired to Congress. On the 3d of +December he was elected one of the Board of Admiralty and on the 13th a +member of the Treasury Board. By incessant application his health became +impaired and in the ensuing April he obtained leave of absence. In June +he took his seat in the New York Senate and was appointed upon a joint +committee to act upon resolutions of Congress involving the important +relations between the state and general government. He unsuccessfully +opposed making bills of credit a legal tender but lived to see the law +repealed. In September he was one of a committee of the senate to +prepare a reply to the governor's message. To effect a proper +organization of the general government was a desideratum with all the +states. To this important subject the governor had specially referred. +To confer upon Congress all necessary power clearly defined, was +considered the only safe policy to insure future harmony and safety. +This committee reported several resolutions upon this subject which were +adopted and forwarded to Congress for consideration. They recommended +the enactment of laws that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> should impose an equal responsibility on +each of the states to bear its <i>pro rata</i> proportion of the war expenses +in the way and manner prescribed by the general government.</p> + +<p>In 1780 he again took his seat in Congress. An important and delicate +duty devolved upon the New York and New Hampshire members under +legislative acts—the subject of disputed territory comprising the +present state of Vermont. The question was submitted to Congress, the +members of each state advocating the claim for their constituents. In +this matter Mr. Floyd rendered great service. During the same session he +introduced a resolution for the cession of the western territories to +the United States. On the 10th of August he nominated Robert L. +Livingston to be Secretary of Foreign Affairs whose nomination was +immediately confirmed. He was continued a member of Congress up to 1783 +when he joined in the general soul-cheering peace and the freedom of his +beloved country. He then retired and took possession of his once +flourishing plantation amidst the sincere congratulations of his +numerous friends, all animated by the resplendent glories of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. +That he might repair the ruin of his home he declined the urgent +solicitations of his friends to return to Congress. He continued to +serve in the senate of his native state up to 1788 when he was elected +to the first Congress under the Federal Constitution. Worn out in the +service of his country he retired from the public arena at the end of +the term.</p> + +<p>Owning a large tract of valuable wild land upon the banks of the Mohawk +river he commenced gradual improvements upon it and in 1803 removed +there. He was often urged to return to Congress but declined all +legislative labors. With the exception of serving one year in the state +senate and in the convention for the revision of the New York +Constitution in 1801, he kept aloof from the turmoils of political life. +He was four times a member of the Electoral College of his state for the +election of President and Vice President. So ardent were his feelings in +his old age that he travelled two hundred miles in the dreary month of +December 1806 to give his vote for his old companion and friend—Thomas +Jefferson.</p> + +<p>He continued to improve his new home until he became surrounded by happy +neighbors all basking in the clear sunshine of that freedom he had +largely aided in acquiring. In all things he was systematic and +practical—free from pomp and vanity—strong in his purposes and +persevering in their accomplishment. He was blessed with a clear head, +vigorous mind, good heart, sound judgment, great experience and a close +knowledge of men and things. As a politician he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> free from selfish +ambition and went for his country—his whole country and the UNION for +ever. He spoke but seldom in public assemblies and rarely entered into +debate. Brighter would be the prospects of our UNION if we <i>now</i> had +more men like William Floyd who would <i>talk</i> less and <i>work</i> more. Long +and often electioneering speeches hang over our legislatures like an +incubus and prevent the <i>few</i> who are well-disposed from doing the +business of the people promptly.</p> + +<p>General Floyd was of middle size, well-formed and commanding in his +appearance. He was dignified in his deportment—affable in his manners. +His physical powers were remarkable when in his prime. In all the +relations of private life he was a model as worthy of imitation as that +of his public career. He was warm in his friendship and rigidly honest. +His morals were pure, his religion practical, his charity broad—his +philanthropy co-extensive with the human family. For the last two years +of his life his health was not good and on the 20th of August 1821 he +was seized with general debility and on the 25th of that month, folded +his arms quietly, closed his eyes peacefully and met the cold embrace of +death with the fortitude of a sage, patriot and Christian.</p> + +<p>Although Gen. Floyd did not possess the Ciceronean eloquence of a Lee or +the Demosthenean powers of Adams and Henry, he was one of the most +useful men of his day and generation. He marked out his path of duty +from the reflections of his own mind and pursued it strictly and +fearlessly. For more than fifty years he enjoyed the confidence of his +fellow-citizens as a public man and but one year before his decease was +made a member of the Electoral College. His example and his labors shed +a lustre over his character as rich and enduring as those who were +conspicuous in the forum. He was an important link in the golden chain +of Liberty. He was a working man—working men were <i>then</i> properly +appreciated. The congressional speakers of that day were also more +highly appreciated than nine-tenths of them are now for the very good +reason that they were laconic on all subjects. Long speeches were as +uncommon as they are now frequent and useless. If we desire the +prosperity of our country and the perpetuity of our UNION let us imitate +the examples of the patriots whose actions we delight to rehearse and +preserve in its pristine purity the rich boon of <span class="smcap">liberty</span> they have +transmitted to us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="BENJAMIN_FRANKLIN" id="BENJAMIN_FRANKLIN"></a>BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A</span> man who is self-made and by his own exertions and untiring industry +becomes a great man, often excels the mere student of the college in +mental vigor as much as the hard fisted mechanic excels him physically.</p> + +<p>The former, usually without the means and often without the advantages +of paternal or maternal care, is compelled to become familiar with men +and things, without a knowledge of which, the classics are a mere toy +and the high branches of science only an ornament. With the never ending +every day concerns of life where usefulness holds her dominion they have +little to do. A man of letters who is unacquainted with the routine of +business transactions is incapable of protecting his own interests—of +course he cannot be useful to community until he goes through another +and more important course of study. A great change is necessary in most +of our colleges to make full men of students. Hence the blasted hopes of +many a fond father who is led astray by the popular error—that colleges +mould all their students into <span class="smcap">men</span>. A large majority of the most useful +citizens of our country, from its first settlement to the present time, +never enjoyed a collegiate education. Especially was this the case with +many of the sages and heroes of the Revolution whose memory we delight +to honor and perpetuate.</p> + +<p>Such was the case of Benjamin Franklin, born at Boston on 17th of +January 1706—exactly ninety years before the writer. His father was +among the Puritans who fled from persecution and sought repose in the +wilds of Massachusetts. His parents were poor but honest and +respectable. This may seem paradoxical to the aristocracy of the present +day—but is unquestionably true. The time <i>was</i> when poverty was not a +<i>crime</i> nor wealth a mask for corruption. Honesty and industry were +<i>formerly</i> the brightest stars on the escutcheon of fame.</p> + +<p>At an early age Benjamin Franklin exhibited a mind of superior cast and +a strong desire for improvement. His pious parents advanced his +education as far as their limited means would enable them being anxious +to see this son prepared for the pulpit. At the age of ten years his +father was compelled to take him from school to aid him in the chandler +business. This did not arrest the onward course of his genius. Original +in every trait of his character, eccentric in his manner, the child of +bold experiment, he commenced the study of natural philosophy in the +midst of candle wicks, tallow and soap. He first ascertained the precise +quantity of sleep and food requisite to sustain nature and the kind of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +aliment most conducive to health. At that early age he adopted a system +of temperance, frugality and economy, worthy the imitation of men. He +accustomed himself to meet every disappointment without a murmur. He +continued to improve his mind by reading during every hour he was not at +labor. Nothing passed by him unnoticed. His expanding intellect drew +philosophy from nature, things and men. He reasoned, analyzed, moralized +and improved from everything he saw. Hence the vast and rapid expansion +of his towering genius that ultimately commanded the awe of kings and +the admiration of the world—comprehending the philosophy of mind, +nature, science, art, government—all the relations of creation from the +dust under his feet—the myriads of animalculæ in a drop of water, up to +the bright seraphs in the skies and up to Nature's God.</p> + +<p>A mind like his would not long be confined in a chandler shop. Open and +honest at all times and under all circumstances, he apprised his father +of his wish to change his occupation. He was bound to his brother to +learn the art of printing. His industry enabled him to master his +profession rapidly. All his leisure moments were employed in study, thus +preparing himself for a useful and glorious career through future +life—leaving a bright example worthy the imitation of every apprentice +in our country.</p> + +<p>So intently bent on the acquisition of knowledge—he often preferred his +book to his meal and studied whole nights—defying the commands of +Morpheus. He was paid a weekly sum for his board and adopting a simple +vegetable diet was enabled to save money for the purchase of books. He +selected them with reference to substantial usefulness. He studied with +enthusiasm the Memorabilia of Xenophon and found a model in Socrates +which he delighted in imitating.</p> + +<p>About this time he was seized with the scribbling mania. Committing the +usual error of youthful authors—he offered his first sacrifice to +Calliope the goddess of heroic poetry. The production was applauded but +his father turned his rhyming propensity into ridicule and encouraged +him to write prose. Fearing the shafts of criticism, he had several +articles published in the paper edited by his brother, in so clandestine +a manner that the author was not suspected. Finding that they were +admired, he says his vanity did not long keep the world ignorant of the +writer.</p> + +<p>Flattery from others caused him to assume an air of importance that soon +resulted in an open rupture between him and his brother. For some time +he endured a course of harsh treatment and at length resolved to free +himself from the chains of bondage. He embraced the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> opportunity +for New York. Not being able to obtain business there he proceeded to +Philadelphia on foot and alone. On his arrival he had but one +dollar—was a stranger only seventeen years of age and knew not where to +go. On entering Market street his eccentric appearance excited the gaze +of the multitude as much as his gigantic talents subsequently did the +gaze of the world. He had a roll of bread under each arm and proceeded +to the margin of the Delaware river and partook of his bread and pure +water. His pockets were enormously enlarged with the various articles of +his wardrobe rendering him a fair representation of old Boniface.</p> + +<p>There were then but two printing offices in Philadelphia. In one of +these he obtained the situation of compositor. He now reduced his +theories of economy to successful practice maintaining himself at a +trifling expense—pursuing a correct and industrious career which gained +for him the esteem of all his acquaintances. Among others, his talents +attracted the attention of Sir William Keith, then Governor of the +province, who invited him to his house and treated him with great +kindness. The Governor was a man whose liberality in <i>promises</i> went +beyond the dust in his purse. Anxious to see his young friend placed in +more prosperous circumstances by his benefaction he proposed to set him +up in business. He at once gave him letters to London. On his arrival +there, Franklin found that no pecuniary arrangements had been made for +him by his <i>tongue</i> benefactor. He was in a strange land, without money +to pay his return passage. He took a new lesson in the school of +experience in which he delighted to study. Disappointment did not deject +him. He soon obtained employment and gained the confidence and esteem of +his new acquaintances. At the end of eighteen months he embarked for +Philadelphia. On his passage he digested a set of rules for future +action substantially as follows. I resolve to be frugal—to speak truth +at all times—never to raise expectations not to be realized—to be +sincere, industrious, stable—to speak ill of no man—to cover rather +than expose the faults of others and to do all the good I can to my +fellow man.</p> + +<p>Upon this foundation, formed of the unadulterated materials of +<i>primitive</i> Christianity, he raised a superstructure, more beautiful and +as enduring as the proudest memorials of Greece and Rome. When the whole +human family shall adopt and fully exemplify these rules, we may hope to +see millennial glory eclipse the meridian sun and cover the earth with +one broad sheet of celestial light.</p> + +<p>He arrived at Philadelphia on the 11th of October 1726 and became the +clerk of the merchant who owned the goods brought over by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> ship in +which he took his passage. His proverbial industry made him as +successful in the counting house as at the press—showing a rare +versatility of talent. His future prospects in this new sphere of action +brightened as time rolled on but were suddenly blasted by the death of +his employer. He then returned to the types—worked a few months for his +old patron where he found a partner with more money than skill and with +him commenced a lucrative business. His industry and artistic talents +were now put in full requisition. He manned his wheel-barrow in +collecting material for business—put nature on short allowance and by +punctuality and perseverance gained many valuable friends and money +enough to purchase the interest of his partner who had become worthless +and embarrassing to the firm.</p> + +<p>Up to this time Franklin had been fortune's foot-ball. His life had been +a complete checker board of changing vicissitudes, blasted hopes and +keen disappointments. Amidst all the stormy trials that had tossed his +youthful bark on the surges of misfortune—surrounded by the foaming +breakers of vice in all its delusive and borrowed forms—he never became +tarnished by corruption or the commission of a bad or mean action. The +moral and religious principles deeply planted in his mind during +childhood by parental instruction—were as lasting as life—a happy +illustration of the faithfulness of parents towards their children. +Fathers and mothers think of this and govern yourselves accordingly.</p> + +<p>Having become liberated from his business partner, he felt the necessity +and propriety of choosing one that would fill up the vacuum in his side +and share with him the joys and sorrows flesh is heir to. In 1730, he +entered into partnership for life with a widow lady whose maiden name +was Read, for whom he had contracted an attachment previous to her first +marriage. In him she found a kind husband—in her he found an agreeable +and discreet companion.</p> + +<p>Philanthropy predominated in the heart of Franklin. To better the +condition of his fellow men gave him exquisite pleasure. The rules +governing the "Junto" formed by him and now merged in the "Philosophical +Society," exhibit a superior knowledge of human nature—illustrating +clearly the duty of man to the creature and Creator. They breathe +universal charity, kindness, benevolence and good will to all mankind. +Among them is one for the suppression of intemperance—a prophetic +prelude to the exertions of the present day in this noble cause. He had +profited by the experience of the past which enabled him to steer clear +of the rocks and quicksands of error on which many are ruined and lost. +His bark had outrode many a storm—prosperity was his future lot. His +new partner smiled upon him, his friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> esteemed him, a life of +usefulness was before him—in the pleasures of the present, past pains +were lost.</p> + +<p>In 1732 he commenced the publication of the "Poor Richard's Almanac" +which he continued up to 1737, circulating 10,000 copies annually. +Although under a humble title it was a work of great merit and +usefulness—being replete with maxims and rules calculated for everyday +use in the various relations of life—rules and maxims of the highest +importance to be known and practised but not learned in high seminaries. +So highly was it prized in Europe that it was translated into several +languages. He also commenced the publication of a newspaper which was +conducted with great ability—free from all personal abuse and +scurrility—a messenger of truth and wholesome instruction. Would to God +the same could be said of <i>all</i> the present public prints.</p> + +<p>Franklin continued to pursue his studies—mastering the French, Italian, +Spanish and Latin languages. By the "Junto" a small library was +commenced which was the nucleus to the present large collection in the +city of Philadelphia. He wrote and published a highly interesting +pamphlet on the necessity of paper currency. He added to his literary +fame by the production of essays on various subjects written in his +peculiar style. He filled successfully the office of state printer, of +clerk to the Assembly and of post-master in Philadelphia. He used +unwearied exertions to perfect the municipal regulations of the city. He +was the father and patron of the Philosophical Society, the Pennsylvania +University and Hospital. All the enterprises in the city and province, +of that time, were either originated by him or were advanced by his +wisdom and counsel.</p> + +<p>In 1741 he commenced the publication of a General Magazine filled with +much useful matter but less acceptable than his former productions to +many—probing, as it did, litigated points in theology. It was too +universal in its charity to suit sectarians. Let these barriers be +removed—then the gospel will have free course-run and be glorified.</p> + +<p>The mechanic arts were also improved by him. He brought to their aid +philosophy, chemistry and a combination of science, economy and the laws +of nature. He improved chimneys—constructed a stove and proposed many +useful and economical corrections in domestic concerns from the cellar +to the garret—from the plough to the mill. Science bowed to his master +spirit, the arts hailed him as a patron, the lightning obeyed his magic +rod and nature was proud of her favorite son.</p> + +<p>In 1744 he was elected to the Assembly and continued a member for ten +consecutive years. Although not a popular speaker, his clear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +conceptions of correct legislation and the duties of a statesman gave to +him an influence over that body before unknown. In all his propositions +he was listened to with profound attention.</p> + +<p>During the period he was serving his province in the Assembly he +explored the fields of experimental philosophy—explaining many of the +mysterious phenomena of nature which spread his scientific fame to the +remotest bounds of the civilized world. His discoveries in electricity +were sufficient to have immortalized his name. He is the first man on +record who imparted magnetism to steel—melted metals—killed animals +and fired gunpowder by means of electricity. He was the first who +reduced to practice the method of conducting the electric fluid from the +clouds to the points of steel rods and by them harmless to the ground. +All the elements—fluids, air, sea and land with their millions of +various substances, passed in review before him.</p> + +<p>In 1753 he was sent to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to conclude a treaty with +the Indians. In 1754 he was a delegate to the Congress of Commissioners +which met at Albany to devise means of defence against the anticipated +hostilities of the French and savages. He then submitted a plan that was +unanimously approved by the Congress but was too republican for the +creatures of the king.</p> + +<p>On the decease of the Deputy Postmaster-General of America, Franklin was +appointed to fill the vacancy and raised the department from +embarrassment to a fruitful source of revenue to the crown.</p> + +<p>Difficulties arose between the proprietaries and government of the +province of Pennsylvania, which were referred to the mother country for +adjustment. Dr. Franklin was sent by the province to guard its interests +and embarked for England in June 1757. He executed the duties of his +mission with his usual ability and address—the difficulties were +settled and in 1762 he returned. He was then variously +employed—regulating the Post-Office Department—making treaties with +the Indians and devising means of defence on the frontiers.</p> + +<p>New troubles arose between the proprietaries and assembly and in 1764 +Dr. Franklin again sailed for England, with instructions to obtain the +entire abolishment of proprietary authority. On his arrival he was +called upon to perform more important and perilous duties. The plan for +taxing the colonies had been long agitated and was now matured by the +British ministry. This project he had boldly opposed at the threshold +and was now arraigned to answer numerous accusations brought against him +by the enemies of liberty.</p> + +<p>On the 3d of February 1766, he appeared before the House of Commons to +undergo a public examination. He was found equal to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> task—his +enemies were astounded at his boldness, logic, dignity and skill, whilst +his friends were filled with admiration at the able manner he confuted +every accusation and defended the rights and interests of his native +country. Amidst the attacks of artifice and insolence of power he stood +unawed—unmoved—firm as a granite rock. He remained in England eleven +years as the agent of the colonies, opposing the encroachments of the +ministry upon the rights of Americans. During the whole time the +combined efforts of flattery, malice and intrigue could not intimidate +or ensnare him. He well understood the etiquette, corruptions and +devices of diplomacy. He never bowed his knee to Baal or kissed the hand +of a king.</p> + +<p>The relations between the two countries had now arrived at a point so +significant that Franklin returned to his long neglected home. His +person was not safe in England—his services were needed in his now +suffering country. He arrived in Philadelphia early in May 1775. He was +received with great <ins class="correct" title="enthusia m">enthusiasm</ins> and immediately elected to the +Continental Congress. To this august body he added fresh lustre and +dignity. In England he had exhausted every source of prospective +reconciliation between the two nations. He feared the colonies were too +weak to achieve their Independence but his course was right onward with +his colleagues—resolved on <span class="smcap">liberty or death</span>.</p> + +<p>The talents of Franklin were put in constant requisition. He was always +selected to meet the agents of the crown who were at various times +commissioned to offer terms of inglorious peace. He always proved +himself the uncompromising advocate of Liberty—the shrewd and wary +politician—the bold and zealous defender of the rights of his bleeding +country—the unflinching friend of universal <span class="smcap">freedom</span>.</p> + +<p>The disasters of the American army during the campaign of 1777, induced +Congress to apply to France for aid. All eyes were turned on Franklin to +execute this important mission. In October 1777 he embarked to perform +this delicate embassy and succeeded in concluding a treaty of alliance +with that nation on the 4th of February 1778, to the great joy of +himself and his suffering countrymen. When the news of the alliance +reached England, the ministry was much alarmed and despatched messengers +to Paris to endeavor to induce Franklin to enter into a compromise with +Great Britain. The terms rendered the effort too abortive to make him +the bearer of even a message to Congress. To Mr. Hutton and others who +came to him with the olive branch of peace, wreathed with scorpions, he +replied—"I never think of your ministry and their abettors, but with +the image strongly painted in my view of their hands red and dropping +with the blood of my countrymen, friends and relations. No peace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> can be +signed with those hands unless you drop all pretensions to govern +us—meet us on equal terms and avoid all occasions of future discord."</p> + +<p>He met all their intrigues at the threshold and convinced them that the +hardy yoemanry of America could not be dragooned, flattered or driven +from the bold position they had assumed. During the several interviews +he had with these commissioners, Franklin was cautioned by Mr. Heartley +to beware of his personal safety which had been repeatedly threatened. +He thanked his friend and assured him he felt no alarm—that he had +nearly finished a long life and that the short remainder was of no great +value and ironically remarked—"Perhaps the best use such an old fellow +can be put to is to make a martyr of him."</p> + +<p>If it required all the skill and energy of a Franklin to <i>negotiate</i> a +treaty of alliance with France, it required the combined skill of all +Congress to preserve it. The French is the most effervescent nation +known to history. A republican form of government is ever repugnant to +kingly power. That the French officers and soldiers in the American army +would drink freely at the fountain of liberal principles no one could +doubt. That the thrones of Europe would be endangered on their return +was truly predicted. By this very natural course of reasoning the +British ministry exerted a powerful influence against the continuation +of the alliance. Franklin and his colleagues anticipated all their dark +intrigues—penetrated and frustrated them up to the time Great Britain +was compelled to comply with the terms of an honorable peace and +acknowledge the Independence of the United States of America by a +definitive treaty of peace concluded at Paris on the 3d of September +1783.</p> + +<p>Although anxious to be discharged from further public service it was not +until 1785 that Franklin was permitted to return to his beloved country +where he could breathe the pure air of republican <span class="smcap">freedom</span>—no longer +polluted by kingly power. During his stay he concluded treaties of +commerce between the United States and the Kings of Sweden and Prussia. +On his departure from Europe every mark of respect was paid to him by +Kings, courts, <i>literati</i> and by all classes of society whose adulation +the loftiest ambition could desire. He was beloved by the millions—his +departure was deeply regretted by all. His reputation was the +personification of purity.</p> + +<p>At the age of eighty years, borne down by disease, he returned to +Philadelphia. He was hailed with enthusiastic joy, affection, esteem and +veneration by all the friends of liberty—from the humblest citizen up +to the illustrious Washington. He had been a pillar of fire to the +American cause—a pillar of smoke to the enemies of human rights. As +Thurgot truly observed—"He snatched the thunder bolt from Jove and the +sceptre from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> Kings." He stood—the <ins class="correct" title="Collossus">Colossus</ins> of Liberty among the +monarchs of Europe and wrung from them the homage due to a nation that +dared to be <span class="smcap">free</span>.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding his advanced age and his ardent desire for retirement, +he was placed in the gubernatorial chair of Pennsylvania and in 1787 +elected a delegate to the Convention that formed the Federal +Constitution. Many of the bright trails of that important instrument +received their finishing touch from his master hand. He was anxious to +see his long nursed theory of a republican government reduced to as +perfect system as its infancy would permit. He well knew, that for its +manhood and old age additional provisions would be required. As +necessary as this now is, so sacred has that instrument become that the +mass would deem it sacrilege to disturb its long repose. It might be +made to meet more fully the wants of an expanding country in some +particulars but if once disturbed might be polluted by the apoplectic +touch of party spirit and never recover from the shock. Caution is the +parent of safety.</p> + +<p>Early in 1790, Dr. Franklin was confined to his room by his infirmities +but his mental powers remained in full vigor. Some of the strongest and +most soul-stirring productions from his pen were written during his +confinement. Early in April he began to fail more rapidly. He was fully +sensible that he stood on the confines of eternity and that he should +soon go to his final rest. On the 17th of April 1790, calm and +resigned—cool and collected—peaceful and happy—he commended his +spirit to Him who gave it—quitted this vale of tears with a full +assurance of rising to a glorious immortality at the final resurrection +and slumbered quietly and sweetly in the arms of death with a full +assurance that his Lord and Master would rebind him in a new and more +beautiful edition fully revised.</p> + +<p>By his will he prohibited all pomp and parade at his funeral. He was +anxious that the mournful obsequies of his burial should be marked with +republican simplicity. He was laid in his grave on the 21st of April. It +is in the northwest corner of Christ Church yard in the City of +Philadelphia, where a plain marble slab—once even but now below the +surface of the earth, shows where his ashes repose. By the side of his +moulders the dust of his amiable wife.</p> + +<p>His death was deeply lamented throughout the civilized world. Congress +ordered mourning to be observed throughout the United States for thirty +days. The event was solemnized in France and many eloquent eulogies +pronounced. The national Assembly decreed that each of its members +should wear a badge of mourning for three days. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> sensation produced +there by his death was similar to that evinced by our country on the +death of La Fayette.</p> + +<p>In the recapitulation of the life of this great and good man we are +charmed with a versatile richness that has no parallel on the historic +page. He filled every sphere in which he moved to the remotest lines of +its orbit. No matter how bright the galaxy around him he was a luminary +of the first magnitude. He entered upon the stage of notion at a time +when the world needed just such a man and continued upon it just long +enough to complete all he had commenced. He was found equal to every +work he undertook and always stopped at the golden point—when he had +finished. He was emphatically the architect of his own fortune. No +chartered college can claim him as a graduate—no patron rendered him +gratuitous aid. Let the young men of our country imitate his examples +that they may become useful—let our public men who have in charge our +national destiny imitate them that they may be wise—let old men imitate +them that they may be revered—let us <i>all</i> imitate them that we may do +all the good we can to our fellow men in life and be happy in death.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="HORATIO_GATES" id="HORATIO_GATES"></a>HORATIO GATES.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">War</span> is a calamity to be deprecated at all times. Its history, from its +sanguinary embryo to the present time, has but a few bright spots on +which the philanthropist can gaze with admiring delight. The back-ground +of most of these is so vividly shaded with crimson that the eye grows +dim and the heart sickens on too close a scrutiny. We have many among us +who preach loudly against war without delineating the innate materials +in human nature that cause it. We have anti-war societies that have +originated from motives pure as heaven but are planted on the abstract +foundation of ills—futile as the baseless vision. Its evils may be +portrayed in colors clear as the sunbeams of living light and enforced +by all the arguments of human logic and Holy Writ without removing the +smallest particle from the <i>cause</i> that produces this fearful calamity. +This and the best remedy are not fully defined by the preamble, +constitution or by-laws of any society within my knowledge and where +partially explained are not always practically carried out by the +members. <i>They</i> sometimes engage in a fierce personal war.</p> + +<p>The cause exists in the nature of man influenced by the baser pas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>sions. +Retaliation is among the first developments of the child. Self is a +relentless tyrant. Revenge is as natural as our respiration. Anger, +envy, jealousy, malice—all combine to perpetuate a disposition for war +and lead men from the sublime destiny of immortal bliss.</p> + +<p>The only remedy exists in the universal sway of that love inculcated by +our immaculate Redeemer. It is under the melting influences of the +religion of the Cross, stripped of all dogmatical illusions, that +sullied human nature must be brightened—its tarnished lustre +renovated—its pugnacious character changed and man prepared for peace +and heaven. Let broad and universal charity pervade the whole human +family—then a blow will be struck against war that will resound through +the wilderness of mind and cause it to bud and blossom as the rose.</p> + +<p>The war of the American Revolution stands pre-eminent in point of +justification. Among those who took a conspicuous part in its perils was +Horatio Gates who was born in England in 1728. In early life he rose to +the rank of major and was the aid of the British commander at the +capture, of Martinico in 1747. In 1748 he was stationed at Halifax where +he continued for a considerable time. He was relieved from the monotony +of a garrison in time of peace by the French war which resulted in the +conquest of Canada. Under Braddock he was captain of infantry and fought +by the side of the illustrious Washington and was saved by him in the +judicious retreat of the survivors of that memorable day. He was +severely wounded and for a long time unfit for duty. In 1763 he visited +England with a high military reputation. He returned and located on a +plantation in Virginia. He had the esteem and confidence of Washington +and was warmly recommended by him to Congress as worthy of a conspicuous +station in the Continental army. He was appointed Adjutant General with +the rank of Brigadier in 1775. The ensuing year he was invested with the +command of the troops destined to act against Ticonderoga and Crown +Point. In the spring of 1777 he and Gen. Schuyler were appointed to the +command of the northern army. For a short time he was superceded by Gen. +Schuyler. Burgoyne was then advancing with his victorious army. The +Americans were driven from Ticonderoga, Fort Ann and Skeensborough. From +that point obstacles were thrown in his way by Sinclair, Schuyler, Stark +and their companions in arms. Bridges were demolished, the navigation of +Wood Creek obstructed—the roads filled with fallen trees—the cattle +and other supplies removed which caused the British army a delay of +twenty-five days before reaching Fort Edward on the Hudson. Gen. +Burgoyne<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> then supposed his embarrassments at an end. His reckoning was +wrong. St. Leger failed in capturing Fort Schuyler—many of the Indians +and Canadian militia took their back track—scanty supplies were +obtained with great difficulty—his army was decreasing—the Americans +were rallying—every day made his condition more perilous—his prospects +more gloomy. Everything was prepared to insure his capture.</p> + +<p>At this fortunate juncture for him, Gen. Gates superceded the +indefatigable Schuyler and took the command on the 21st of August 1777. +Anticipating aid from Sir Henry Clinton at New York, Burgoyne passed the +Hudson and encamped at Saratoga. Gates advanced to Stillwater determined +to oppose the further progress of the enemy. The British general +resolved to open a passage with the sword and bayonet and on the 17th of +September the armies were only four miles distant from each other. On +the 19th a pretty general engagement occurred, which resulted in a drawn +battle. Seeing no prospect of assistance from New York and the +impossibility of then retreating with his cannon, Burgoyne resolved to +fortify his position and act on the defensive. On the 8th of October the +Americans made a vigorous attack and repulsed the British in every +charge, occupying a part of their lines. Burgoyne hastened to his former +camp at Saratoga in the night and meditated a retreat without artillery +or baggage. He found every avenue securely guarded—the lion was +caged—retreat he could not. Knowing that the British army had but a +short supply of provisions, Gen. Gates well knew an attack upon his well +fortified position or a surrender must speedily take place. He was well +prepared for either. Finding it only a waste of human life to further +engage the Americans in battle, Burgoyne surrendered on the 16th of +October. Over 5000 prisoners, a park of fine artillery, 7000 muskets, a +large amount of clothing, with all the camp equipage and military stores +and the evacuation of all the frontier fortresses—constituted the +spoils of this victory. What was of more vital importance—it imparted +fresh lustre to the American arms and gave a vigorous impetus to the +languishing career of Independence. It destroyed British power in the +north—encouraged France to close the treaty of alliance and greatly +deranged the equanimity of mother Britain. If impartially analyzed, it +will be found the most important victory during the war of Independence +and in closer alliance with that of Trenton than the final triumph over +Cornwallis.</p> + +<p>Although Gen. Gates had escaped the hard service of that campaign, he +was the fortunate commander at its termination and was crowned with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> the +laurels of a conquering hero in accordance with military usage and +received the plaudits of his grateful country men—the thanks of +Congress and a gold medal. As a further testimony of high esteem, he was +placed at the head of the Board of War—a station next to that of +commander-in-chief. He retired from that to his home in Virginia and for +a time enjoyed domestic life. On the 15th of June 1780 he was put in +command of the Southern army. The conquering troops of Cornwallis were +sweeping over the Carolinas like a tornado—the few American soldiers +were flying before them—towns were burning—everything seemed rapidly +drawn towards the vortex of ruin. When Gen. Gates consented to go to the +field an army of 15000 men, with complete supplies, was represented to +him on paper, concentrating from the Carolinas and Virginia. When he +arrived at head quarters he found about 1500 undisciplined troops, +poorly armed, worse clad, with little food. Elated with his brilliant +victory over the Northern army he was over anxious to meet the enemy and +strike an effective blow. Contrary to the advice of those who better +understood the country and the means of obtaining supplies on the march +by taking a circuitous route—he selected a shorter road through a +dismal district of pine thickets and swamps pregnant with disease and +destitute of almost any kind of food except cattle occasionally found in +the forest. Many of his men perished on the way—others were rendered +unfit for duty by sickness. He ultimately reached Clermont from which +Lord Rawdon had withdrawn and was joined by a few North Carolina militia +and a small company under Capt. Potterfield. Troops continued to arrive +from Virginia and other points until the army of Gen. Gates amounted to +about 4000—mostly undisciplined militia unaccustomed to standing fire +or steel. Rawdon and Cornwallis concentrated their troops at Camden +amounting to less than 2000 men but all of the highest order of +soldiers. Gen. Gates resolved on an attack. On the 16th of August the +two armies met in mortal combat. The militia under Gen. Gates were +quickly thrown into confusion—the regulars overwhelmed and the whole +completely routed. This defeat of the Americans had no parallel during +the war. Among those who did not trace effects to causes the fame of the +Hero of Saratoga sank below zero. His error consisted in risking a +battle with an army of British veterans opposed by the rawest kind of +militia—not in any want of military skill in time of action. He was +superceded on the 5th of the ensuing October—subjected to a court of +inquiry—honorably acquitted and re-instated in 1782. The time had then +passed for him to renovate his military laurels. The battles for +Independence had been fought—the crowning victory won—<span class="smcap">liberty</span> +achieved—<span class="smcap">freedom</span> secured.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<p>Gen. Gates retired to his plantation in Virginia where he remained seven +years when he liberated his slaves and removed to the vicinity of the +city of New York where he lived respected until the 10th of April 1806, +when he threw off his mortal coil and slumbered in death.</p> + +<p>In person Gen. Gates was well formed—in his manners, polished and +urbane—in disposition, mild and amiable—in his intercourse, just and +honorable. In 1800 he served in the New York Legislature and enjoyed the +confidence and esteem of all around him. He was an ardent patriot, a +good citizen, a perfect gentleman, an honest man.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="ELBRIDGE_GERRY" id="ELBRIDGE_GERRY"></a>ELBRIDGE GERRY.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Gambling</span> has become a fearful scourge in our expanding country. It is +practised upon the humblest watercraft that floats upon our canals—the +frail flatboat that descends our streams—the majestic steamboat that +traces our mighty rivers. It lurks in the lowest groggeries that curse +community—is tolerated in some of the most fashionable hotels. Its +victims are found in all classes from the hod carrier in his bespattered +rags up to the members of Congress in their ruffles. The gambling room +is the enchanted ground of destruction. Once within its serpentine +coils—a centripetal force rushes its votary to the vortex of ruin. +Interested friends may kindly warn—the tender wife may entreat with all +the eloquence of tears—children may cry and sob for bread—if within +the fatal snare the infatuated mortal is seldom extricated in time. He +combines the deafness of the adder with the desperation of a maniac. At +the gambling table men and youth have been prepared to commit deeds +registered on the black catalogue of crime. In blazing capitals RUIN is +marked over the outer door of every gambling den. On the inner door is +written in bold relievo—<span class="smcap">castle of despair</span>. <span class="smcap">Wrecks of fortune and demons +made here.</span> One of the wicket gates that leads thousands into this +labyrinth of misery consists in fashionable circles where games are +played as an <i>innocent</i> amusement. It is there that many young men of +talent, education and wealth, take the entered apprentice degree that +leads them to the knight templars of destruction. Without any knowledge +of a game but few would venture money at a gambling table. The gaming +examples of men in high life have a baneful influence and practically +sanction the high handed robberies of the finely dressed boa-constrictor +black legs. The gambling hells tolerated and patronized in our cities +are a disgrace to any nation bearing a Christian name<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> and would be +banished from a Pagan community with a Vicksburg vengeance. To the honor +of the members of the Continental Congress they placed a veto upon this +heaven provoking, soul destroying, reputation ruining, wealth devouring, +nation demoralizing vice.</p> + +<p>Among those who abhorred this practice was Elbridge Gerry, born at +Marblehead, Massachusetts, on the 17th of July 1744. His father was an +enterprising merchant and bestowed upon this son a classical education. +He graduated at Harvard University in 1762 with a high scholastic +reputation. Judging the tree by its fruit, the seed from which it sprang +must have been of the purest kind and its vegetation not retarded by the +absorbing and poisonous weeds of vice. Its incipient pruning must have +been performed by a master hand to produce a specimen of so much +symmetry of proportion, beauty of form and richness of foliage.</p> + +<p>After having completed his collegiate studies Mr. Gerry entered the +counting house of his father and ultimately became one of the most +enterprising and wealthy merchants of his native town. In his kind of +business he was amongst the first to feel the weight of the impolitic +and unconstitutional revenue system. From the nature of his composition +he was amongst the first to meet oppression at the threshold. A man of +deep reflection and philosophical investigation—he examined closely the +extent of American rights and British wrongs. He made himself acquainted +with the principle and structure of government, international, civil, +common, statute and municipal law, political economy, home and foreign +policy. No one was better informed upon the natural, legal and practical +relations between the mother country and the colonies. He was prepared +to act advisedly and firmly. His extensive influence, decision of +character, sound discretion and exalted patriotism—made him a master +spirit to guide the public mind. He participated in all the movements in +favor of liberty.</p> + +<p>On the 26th of May 1773 he commenced his official career as a member of +the Assembly of Massachusetts Bay then called the General Court. That +body and the royal governor took a strong issue upon rights and wrongs. +The unconstitutional acts of parliament were sanctioned by the latter +and fearlessly censured by the former. A standing committee was +appointed to scan the proceedings of ministers and parliament and to +correspond with the other colonies relative to the important concerns of +the nation. Mr. Gerry had been in that body but two days when he was +made a member of this important committee. He became one of the +principal actors on the tragic stage of the revolution, the drama of +peace and formation of the Federal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> government. He walked shoulder to +shoulder with Samuel Adams and John Hancock in the bold measures that +roused the lion from his lair—the people to their duty. At the Boston +tea party—in the opposition to the Port Bill—the impeachment of the +crown judges—the controversy with Gov. Hutchinson—non-intercourse with +Great Britain—Mr. Gerry stood firm as the granite shores of the Bay +State. Nor did he waver when Gov. Gage took the helm with a military +force to do his will and pleasure. When it was found that reason, +appeal, remonstrance—all fell upon his adamantine soul like dew upon +the desert of Sahara, the legitimate source of a righteous government +was resorted to—<span class="smcap">the people</span>—who nobly sustained their leaders in the +hour of peril. Severe measures were adopted by parliament—the charter +of Massachusetts was altered by <i>ex-parte</i> legislation—illegal taxes +were increased—the hirelings of the King became more insolent—the +indignation of the people rose like a tornado—colonial blood +flowed—the war cry was raised—the clash of arms commenced—the fury of +battle raged—the struggle was terrific—the lion was conquered—<span class="smcap">America +was free</span>.</p> + +<p>In all the thrilling scenes that passed in Massachusetts before his +election to Congress, Mr. Gerry took a leading part. He was an efficient +member of the Committee of Safety and Supplies that were for a time +virtually the government. In April 1775 he narrowly escaped the grasp of +his foes. The night previous to the battle of Lexington Messrs. Gerry, +Lee and Orne were at Cambridge through which the British passed on their +way to the opening scene of hostilities. When opposite the house where +these gentlemen were in bed a file of soldiers were suddenly detached +and approached it rapidly. The patriots barely escaped by the back way +in their linen. After the military had left they returned for their over +clothes and immediately roused the people to resistance. The night +previous to the death of his intimate friend, the brave Warren, Mr. +Gerry lodged with him. The anxiety they felt for their country induced +them to concert plans for future action rather than sleep. The lamented +hero of Bunker Hill appears to have had a presentiment of his premature +fate as indicated by the last words he uttered as they parted. "It is +sweet to die for our country."</p> + +<p>In July 1775 the government of Massachusetts adopted a new form of +government. A legislature was organized and a judiciary established. Mr. +Gerry was appointed Judge of the Court of Admiralty but declined that he +might do more active service. On the 18th of January 1776 he was elected +to the Continental Congress. Fearless, cautious, prudent—he was the +kind of man to meet the momentous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> crisis of that eventful era. Standing +on a lofty eminence of public reputation he was hailed as an able +auxiliary in the cause of freedom. He had a place upon the most +important committees and performed his duties strictly. To speculators +and peculators that prowled around the public offices and army he was a +terror during the war. He introduced into Congress many salutary guards +against dishonest men who prey upon government like promethean vultures. +With its age and experience our republic is now occasionally tapped at +the jugular and gets a cut under the fifth rib—producing a laxity of +the sinews of power.</p> + +<p>When the Declaration of Independence was proposed in Congress the soul +of Mr. Gerry was enraptured in its favor. He had long been prepared for +the measure and gave it his ardent support. When the thrilling moment +arrived for final action upon this important question he sanctioned it +by his vote and signature and rejoiced in the fulfilment of prophecy—<i>A +nation shall be born in a day</i>. He was continued in Congress and +faithfully discharged his duties with unabated zeal. The committee rooms +and the house were alike benefitted by his intelligence and extensive +experience in general business. He rendered efficient aid in reducing to +system every branch of the new government. He took a conspicuous part in +the debates upon the Articles of Confederation and was listened to with +great attention. He spoke well, reasoned closely—demonstrated clearly. +He was truly republican and opposed to everything that did not bear the +impress of sound sense, practical usefulness—equality of operation. For +these reasons he opposed a resolution of thanks to his bosom friend, +John Hancock, for his services as President of Congress. He said his +friend Hancock had done no more than to ably perform his duty—all the +members had done the same. It would be a singular entry upon the journal +to record a vote of thanks to each. Etiquette prevailed over sound +logic—the vote of thanks was passed—introducing a custom in the new +government that has long since lost all efficacy by too frequent use on +occasions of minor importance. Mr. Gerry was on the committee that +devised the plan of operations for the Northern army that resulted in +the capture of Burgoyne. He was upon the one to obtain supplies for army +and visited the camp of Washington in the winter of 1777. These +multiform duties strictly discharged are stronger encomiums upon his +talents, energy and patriotism than a volume of panegyric from the most +accomplished writer.</p> + +<p>It has afforded me great pleasure to be able to frequently refer to the +religious and moral character of the members of the Continental +Con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>gress. The fact is illustrated in the history of the men and +corroborated by the records of that body and responded to by the States. +In 1778 a resolution was passed in Congress recommending them to adopt +decisive measures against "theatrical entertainments, horse racing, +gaming and such other diversions as are productive of idleness, +dissipation and a general depravity of principles and manners." Another +resolution strictly enjoined upon the officers of the army—"to see that +the good and wholesome rules provided for the discountenancing of +profaneness and vice and the preservation of morals among the soldiers +are duly and punctually preserved." A third one was passed that would be +a sweeper if revived at the present day. It arose from a disposition on +the part of a few officers to disregard the one first cited and was a +supplement to that. "Resolved—That any person holding an office under +the United States who shall act, promote, encourage or attend such +plays—shall be deemed unworthy to hold such office and shall be +accordingly dismissed."</p> + +<p>Mr. Gerry supported and voted for all these resolutions and for those +recommending days of fasting, humiliation and prayer. Sectarianism never +polluted the members of the Continental Congress. Charity was the bright +star in their diadem of fame. He was upon the grand committee of one +from each State to examine foreign affairs and the conduct of foreign +commissioners particularly that of Mr. Deane. This committee used the +probe freely and recommended Congress to use the amputating knife upon +every limb affected by the gangrene of political corruption. O! Jupiter! +what a slaughter such an operation would make at the present time. On +the 14th of October 1779 Mr. Gerry proposed the expedition against the +Indians which was successfully executed by Gen. Sullivan. He proposed a +resolution designed to guard against inducements to corrupt +influence—"No candidates for public office shall vote in or otherwise +influence their own election—that Congress will not appoint any member +thereof during its time of sitting or within six months after he shall +have been in Congress, to any office under the States for which he or +any other for his benefit may receive any salary, fees or emolument." It +was then lost but he revived and carried it in 1785. The principle has +since been partly adopted under the Federal Constitution. As a member of +the Committee of Finance he stood next to Robert Morris. In 1780 he +retired from Congress after an arduous and faithful service of five +years. In all situations and at all times he was energetic, zealous and +active in the cause of liberty. When his duties called him to the army +if there was any fighting on the tapis whilst he was in camp he always +took an active<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> part. In the battle of <ins class="correct" title="Chesnut">Chestnut</ins> Hill he shouldered a +musket and entered the ranks. When Gen. Kniphausen engaged the American +army at Springfield Mr. Gerry took his station by the side of Washington +who invested him with a volunteer command during his stay.</p> + +<p>The second year after his retirement he again took his seat in Congress. +The business of the nation was then more perplexing than in the heat of +the war. An empty treasury, a prostrate credit, an enormous debt +presented a fearful aspect. To aid in bringing order out of chaos he was +of great service. Committee labors were piled upon his shoulders as if +he was an Atlas to carry the world or an Atalanta in the celerity of +business. The local feelings and interests of the states had become +effervescent. The half pay for life guaranteed to all officers who +remained in the army during the war was satisfactory to but a few. This +was settled by compounding the annuity for five years full pay. In 1784 +he was on the important Committee of Foreign Relations—on the one to +revise the Treasury Department. The same session he presented a +resolution for the compensation of Baron Steuben who had rendered +immense services by introducing a system of military tactics and +discipline into the American army by which it was governed and which was +strictly adhered to long after the Revolution. It was warmly supported +by Mr. Jefferson and others but was lost, charity would suggest, in +consequence of the embarrassed state of the finances. In 1785 Mr. Gerry +closed his services in Congress and retired to Cambridge near Boston, +with all the honors of a pure patriot crowned with the sincere gratitude +of a nation of freemen.</p> + +<p>Time soon developed to the sages of the Revolution that the Articles of +Confederation that bound the colonies together when impending dangers +and one common interest created a natural cement—were not sufficient to +secure the liberty they had achieved. Local interests engendered +jealousies, these produced dissatisfaction and this threatened to +involve the government in anarchy. To remedy these evils Mr. Madison +made a proposition that each state send delegates to a convention which +convened in May 1781 at Philadelphia and framed the Federal Constitution +in which Mr. Gerry took a very active part. He was amongst those who did +not sanction or sign that instrument. For this act, dictated by his +conscience, he was liberally abused by out door cynical partisans—not +by the noble minded statesmen who differed with him in opinion—all +honest in their views and patriotic in their motives. They soared above +the acrimonious scurrility of venal party spirit. After the constitution +was adopted no one adhered to it more strictly than Mr. Gerry—always +holding sacred the great republican principle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>—<i>the majority must rule +and be obeyed</i>. He was a member of the first Congress under it and did +much toward raising the beautiful superstructure now towering sublimely +upon its broad basis. He served four years and again sought retirement. +This was transient.</p> + +<p>In 1797 the relations between our country and France had assumed a +portentous aspect. President Adams determined on sending an able embassy +to that government—to make a strong effort to conclude an amicable +arrangement of difficulties before appealing to arms. Gen. Pinckney was +then there. Mr. Gerry and Mr. Marshall, since Chief Justice of the +United States, were appointed to join him, each empowered to act +collectively or separately as a sound discretion should dictate. On +their arrival the French Directory refused to recognize them. To prevent +an immediate rupture—prudence and patriotism were necessary. After many +fruitless attempts to enter upon a negotiation Messrs. Pinckney and +Marshall were peremptorily ordered home and Mr. Gerry recognized as the +official organ of the United States. By his discreet, firm and manly +course he effected a settlement and prevented a war that seemed +inevitable.</p> + +<p>In 1805 he was a member of the electoral college. Although his state was +decidedly federal he was elected governor in 1810 by the republican +party by a large majority—conclusive evidence of his great popularity. +He never entered into partisan feelings. In his first message he lucidly +portrayed the danger of high toned party spirit. He felt and acted for +his whole country. For many years he had anxiously desired to be excused +from public duties but no excuse was accepted. In 1813 he was +inaugurated Vice President of the United States. He discharged the +duties of the office with great ability and dignity. His impartiality, +correctness and candor gained for him the esteem of the elevated body +over which he presided to the last day of his eventful and useful +life—teaching by example his favorite precept—"It is the duty of every +citizen though he may have but one day to live to devote that day to the +service of his country." At the city of Washington a beautiful monument +is erected to his memory with an inscription as follows.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The tomb of<br /> +<br /> +ELBRIDGE GERRY,<br /> +<br /> +Vice President of the United States,<br /> +<br /> +who died suddenly in this city on his way to the<br /> +<br /> +Capitol, as President of the Senate,<br /> +<br /> +November 23d, 1814,<br /> +<br /> +Aged 70.</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +In the review of the life of Elbridge Gerry the pure patriot finds much +to admire—the Christian nothing to condemn. Partisans may censure +because he kept aloof from high toned party spirit—the maelstrom of +nations that once were but now are not. His examples of devotedness to +the good of his country, his untiring industry, his intelligence, his +moral worth—are all worthy of imitation and shed a rich unfading lustre +upon his character. He discharged all the duties of private life with +the strictest fidelity. He was useful in every station where duty +called, no perils retarded his onward course towards the goal of <span class="smcap">right</span>. +His purposes were deliberately formed and boldly executed. He was an +honor to our country, the cause of freedom and enlightened, +philanthropic and liberal legislation. He was a noble specimen of +unalloyed patriotism—a patriotism that must be widely diffused among +the increasing masses of our expanding country—then our UNION will be +preserved—our land continue to be what it now is—<span class="smcap">the land of the +brave—the home of the free</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="NATHANIEL_GREENE" id="NATHANIEL_GREENE"></a>NATHANIEL GREENE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> history of the American Revolution will be read with intense +interest through all time whether presented as a ponderous whole or in +sections. Its most attractive form to the impatient and romantic reader +is the delineation of noble and god like individual action. Numerous +bold exploits were performed—hair-breadth escapes made by the private +soldier that had an exciting ephemeral history worthy of record which is +now buried with the meritorious actor and his immediate acquaintances. +Some thrilling stories will have a more protracted existence in the +annals of tradition but will ultimately lose their freshness, wither and +die. Truthful living tradition belongs to the red man—not to us. In all +nations—from the barbarous up to the refined civilized, the glory of +the battle field has been awarded to the leaders who planned—not to the +soldiers who executed. In our republican land of professed equality +partial inroads upon this rule have been made. In our common militia and +volunteer companies the soldier is often equal and sometimes superior to +his commanding officer in point of talent and weight of character. This +can rarely be the case among an oppressed people and still more rarely +would the existing fact be admitted. During the revolution merit was +clothed with its true dignity more than now. Many who stood upon this +first legitimate stepping stone to office ascended from the ranks of the +army to high commands—from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> the retired walks of life to the +legislative halls and posts of honor in the various departments of +government. The frame-work of the most liberal military system is +adverse to the recognition of individual merit below the officer. The +case must be very extraordinary to be officially announced. Hence large +standing armies bind in the fetters of ignorance a vast amount of +intellect that would be brought into mellow life and usefulness in a +free enlightened republican government like our own.</p> + +<p>Among the Heroes of the American Revolution whose merit brought him into +notice was Nathaniel Greene, born at the town of Warwick, Rhode Island, +in 1741. His parents were respectable members of the Society of +Friends—of course opposed to the profession of arms. His father was an +anchor manufacturer and gave his son a limited chance to obtain a common +education. With this the mind of Nathaniel was not content. He pursued +his studies every leisure hour and with his extra earnings purchased +books. He mastered the Latin with but little aid from an instructor. The +history of military chieftains he read with great delight. When he +arrived at manhood he was a good mechanic and a bright scholar. For a +time he followed the business of making anchors for vessels but was soon +called to the more important work of aiding in the construction of the +sheet anchor of <span class="smcap">freedom</span>. At an early age he was elected a member of the +legislature where he became a conspicuous advocate of equal rights and +boldly opposed the usurpations of mother Britain. His course obtained +for him an expulsion from the Society of Friends and the esteem of every +patriot. I respect the Quakers but not this paradox in their creed. They +profess to love liberty—but few of them are willing to pay its price in +coin—none of them can bear arms without excommunication.</p> + +<p>On his return from the Assembly Nathaniel enrolled himself a private in +a military corps that was suggested and formed by himself and chartered +under the title of the <i>Kentish Guards</i>. It was placed under the command +of Gen. Varnum. In 1775 the little patriotic state of Rhode Island +raised three regiments—in all sixteen hundred rank and file—officered +by the most distinguished military characters of the colony. No one +could have been more surprised than young Greene on receiving the +commission of Brigadier General. He was put in command of this small +brigade and immediately marched them to head quarters at Cambridge, +Mass. He applied himself closely to the study of military tactics and +soon became an excellent disciplinarian—an able officer. For +correctness of evolution, subordination and good order—his was a model +brigade. His merits were quickly discovered by the acute Washington who +often<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> consulted him with confidence in cases of doubt and difficulty. +This confidence he communicated to Congress. It arose from two strong +points—Greene had superior talents and was a Christian. On the 26th of +August 1776 Greene was commissioned a Major General of the regular army +of the United States and put forth his noblest exertions to promote the +interests of his bleeding country. At the battles of Trenton and +Princeton he exhibited great skill and judicious conduct. At the battle +of Germantown he commanded the left wing of the army and received the +unqualified approbation of Washington for his coolness and bravery. In +March 1778 he accepted the appointment of Quarter Master General +retaining his rank and right to command in time of action according to +the seniority of his commission. At the victorious battle of Monmouth he +commanded the right wing of the army and led his troops to the onset +with the terrific force of an avalanche.</p> + +<p>In the siege of the British garrison at Newport, R.I. he served under +Gen. Sullivan. When it was found necessary to retreat in consequence of +the dispersion of the French fleet by a storm which prevented it from +rendering the contemplated aid, the army was greatly indebted to the +judgment and skill of Gen. Greene in extricating it from a perilous +position.</p> + +<p>The British power being measurably paralyzed in the north Lord +Cornwallis turned his attention to the south where the defences were +less—the plunder more. On the 26th of December 1779 he commenced his +movement and landed thirty miles from Charleston, S.C. on the 11th of +February ensuing. He then commenced the work of destruction and +brutality with increased rigor. No respect was paid to private property, +religious sanctity or defenceless females. After a spirited defence +Charleston was compelled to surrender. The British carried dismay, +victory and death in their whole course. Plunder, rapine and murder were +the order of the day. <i>Booty</i> and <i>beauty</i> were the watch words of his +most Christian majesty's officers and soldiers.</p> + +<p>Under these heart rending circumstances Washington directed Gen. Greene +to take command of the Southern army. In company with the brave Morgan +he arrived at Charlotte on the 2d of December 1780. The so called army +numbered 970 regulars—1013 militia, destitute of military stores, +unpaid, nearly naked, poorly fed and no government supplies nearer than +two hundred miles. Opposed was a powerful army rich in plunder, flushed +with victory, liberally paid, abundantly fed, well clothed and amply +supplied with military stores of every kind. The front view of the +picture was dark and gloomy—on the back ground Greene and Morgan saw +the rays of hope shedding their cheering beams on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> spire of Liberty. +Gen. Greene went to work for dear life. By his amiable deportment he +gained the love and confidence of his soldiers—the esteem and respect +of the inhabitants. From the surrounding country he gained short +supplies and raised a few recruits. He despatched Gen. Morgan with a +small force to the western part of the state which gave fresh courage to +the patriots of that section. By a falling into the ranks the force of +Morgan increased so much that Cornwallis ordered Col. Tarleton to +disperse this band of rebels and put all to the sword who did not +surrender at discretion. On the 17th of January 1781, Tarleton came up +to this rough and ready party at the Cowpens. Although his force was +inferior in numbers and two-thirds raw militia, Gen. Morgan determined +to stand fire. Sure of an easy victory the proud Britons rushed on to +action and were as much astonished to meet with an unbroken line +streaming with fire as if they had been brought up all standing against +an unperceived wire fence across the high way. Tarleton roared, foamed, +raved and commanded his men to <i>charge</i>. Again the blazing streams of +fire illuminated the lines of Morgan whose troops rushed upon the broken +ranks of the enemy with the fury of a tornado. The struggle was short, +the victory complete, the amazement of Tarleton paralyzing. Besides the +killed, over five hundred of the enemy were taken prisoners and a +convenient amount of the munitions of war fell into the hands of the +victors. Supposing he had crushed the rebel power in the south +Cornwallis was astounded at the result of this hasty recreative +expedition. He immediately marched in pursuit of Morgan determined to +rescue the prisoners and wipe out the disgrace Tarleton had brought upon +the British arms. The hero of the Cowpens was too old a fox to be easily +caught. He could do some things as well as others. He was as skilful in +retreat as he was desperate in battle. He knew when, where and how to +fight. He was courageous, not rash—bold, not imprudent and as watchful +as an Argus. He effected a junction with Gen. Greene on the 7th of +February. The chagrined Cornwallis advanced rapidly determined to +annihilate the little American army at one fell swoop. Greene retreated +into Virginia where he added to his numbers and supplies. So confident +was the British general of overtaking him that he destroyed his heavy +baggage to accelerate his movements. The patriots were not thus +encumbered. Many of them had only their arms and remnants of tattered +garments, being obliged to place tufts of moss on their shoulders to +prevent the friction of the cartouch straps. To the pursuing enemy the +Americans seemed an <i>ignis fatuus</i>—often to be seen but never reached. +The chase was abandoned. In turn Greene annoyed Cornwallis by cutting +off his supplies, capturing foraging parties and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> constantly watching +all his movements. His situation became perilous, his numbers were +constantly growing less by capture, desertion and disease. His supplies +cost blood as well as treasure—the force of Greene was constantly +augmenting—the tables were turned—he retreated to Hillsborough where +he endeavored to raise new recruits by liberal offers of British gold. +The yellow dust had lost its magic charm on Americans—patriotism was +the more current coin.</p> + +<p>Unwilling to be long separated from the noble lord, Green paid him a +visit on the 15th of March. The interview took place at Guilford court +house between one and two o'clock P. M. and continued nearly two hours. +Owing to the militia that formed the front line flying at the sight of +the red coats the Americans were obliged to give ground and make it a +drawn battle—but the meeting was a sad one for Cornwallis. His loss was +532 killed, wounded and missing, among whom were several of his most +distinguished officers. So crippled was the British army that a +<ins class="correct" title="pecipitate">precipitate</ins> retreat to Wilmington was ordered leaving those of the +wounded who were not able to march. The loss of Gen. Greene was about +400 killed and wounded. Cornwallis claimed the victory—one not very +auspicious to his military glory or royal master. Gen. Greene commenced +offensive operations. He determined on attacking Lord Rawdon who was +strongly fortified at Camden S. C. with 900 men. The American forces +amounted to only 700 and encamped within a mile of the British lines +cutting off all supplies from the enemy. Anticipating a reinforcement to +the little army of Gen. Greene and being on short allowance his lordship +made a sally on the 25th of April and boldly attacked the offending +invaders. For some time victory perched upon the brow of Greene—his +cavalry had taken over two hundred prisoners. One of his regiments made +a move which compelled him to retreat with a loss of about 200 killed, +wounded and prisoners. The loss of Lord Rawdon was 258. So flushed was +the British general with this dear victory that he fled from Camden +leaving his sick and wounded to the care of those who he knew would care +for them. The back handed victories of Guilford and Camden so paralyzed +the enemy that they soon abandoned a number of small +fortifications—large quantities of military stores and concentrated a +considerable force at the strong garrison of Ninety Six. On the 22d of +May Greene commenced a siege upon that place but modestly retired to +give place to three regiments of strangers fresh from England. Before +doing this he made an unsuccessful assault at a cost of about 150 men. +But for the reinforcements the garrison would have shortly surrendered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<p>During the ensuing two months nothing but skirmishing occurred. On the +9th of September the army of Gen. Greene had increased to 2000 men. The +division of the British army under Col. Stewart was posted at Eutaw +Springs. An immediate attack was made by the Americans in the following +order. As he approached the enemy Gen. Greene formed his troops in two +lines—the first composed of Carolina militia under Generals Marion, +Pickens and Col. de Malmedy. The second was composed of regulars under +Gen. Sumpter, Lieut. Col. Campbell and Col. Williams. Lieut. Col. Lee +covered the right flank with his legion—Lieut. Henderson covered the +left with the state troops. The cavalry under Col. Washington and the +Delaware troops under Capt. Kirkwood were held in reserve. Scarcely was +the line of battle completed when the British rapidly advanced. The +Americans met the onset with the bravery of veterans but were compelled +to give way. The battle raged with fearful fury. All depended on a +sudden and desperate movement. Gen. Greene ordered the Virginia and +Maryland regulars to advance with trailed arms—facing a shower of +musket and grape shot. The order was instantly obeyed—they broke the +lines of the British and drove them some distance to a thicket of trees +and brick houses where they rallied and took a stand. The Americans took +over 500 prisoners and remained on the field of battle. Under cover of +night Col. Stewart retreated towards Charleston leaving 70 of his +wounded and 1000 stand of arms. His total loss in men was near +1200—that of Greene 500 in killed and wounded. The English had the +largest force in action. For this display of skill and bravery Congress +presented Gen. Greene with a British standard and gold medal. What was +dearer to him than all else—he received the high approbation of +Washington and his country. From that time the torch of kingly power +rapidly decreased until its last flickering light expired. For a time +Charleston was occupied by the crown troops—offensive operations they +dare not undertake only by small and transient <i>booty</i> and <i>beauty</i> +squads.</p> + +<p>It may seem mysterious to the young readers why soldiers fought so +valiantly who were poorly paid, scantily fed and scarcely clothed. +Hundreds of them were entirely naked at the Eutaw battle. Their loins +were galled severely by their cartouch boxes. It was considered a great +favor to obtain a folded rag to lay on the scarified part. Their food +was often a scanty supply of rice or a few roasted potatoes. The +officers suffered alike with the common soldiers. Gen. Greene was in the +southern field seven consecutive months without taking off his clothes +to retire for a night. <i>Love of liberty and love of their leading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +general and his brave officers</i> kept these soldiers together and +rendered them desperate on the field of battle. This removes the +mystery. If all could be made to realize the price of our Liberty, +political asperity and party spirit would hide their polluting forms +under the mantle of shame and retire to the peaceful shades of oblivion. +Reader—never forget the blood, treasure and anguish your Liberty cost.</p> + +<p>Finding that the wary Greene could not be conquered by force of arms +British gold was once more put in requisition by the enemy. Several +native foreigners had deserted to the English and were induced to form a +plan to deliver up Gen. Greene and his principal officers. A sergeant +and two domestics attached to the person of the General were bribed and +in correspondence with the British. A time was fixed to deliver him and +every officer of rank to the enemy. As usual a guardian angel was there. +A female heard some unguarded expressions from the sergeant and promptly +informed Gen. Greene. The troops were at once ordered on parade—the +sergeant was arrested—confessed his guilt, was condemned and shot. When +led to execution he warned all not to sully their glory or forego the +advantages they would speedily realize from the successful termination +of the war and if a thought of desertion was in their bosoms to banish +it at once and for ever. He acknowledged the justice of his +sentence—distributed his little all among his comrades—gave the signal +and paid the penalty of his crime. Thus was a base and cowardly plot +detected by angelic woman—the ringleader executed and the southern army +saved from probable destruction. Not a single <i>native American</i> was +concerned in this conspiracy.</p> + +<p>Another circumstance occurred shortly after this that marred the +happiness of Gen. Greene for a little time. The appointment of Col. +Laurens to a command in their little army gave great umbrage to the +officers generally who immediately tendered their resignation to the +General. He affectionately recommended them to appeal to Congress for +redress and not desert the noble cause of Liberty prematurely. They +seemed determined in their course—he reluctantly received their +commissions. On being separated from him their attachment was fully +revealed to them. They found it impossible to leave their beloved +General—again took their commissions and followed his advice. No +officer could gain the affections of those under him more fully than did +Gen. Greene. Kindness and even handed justice to all were amongst his +marked characteristics. He shared the hardship and glory of the field +with his soldiers. He did all in his power to supply their wants and +alleviate their distress. By example and precept he taught his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> men to +meet calamity with heroic fortitude, pointing to the goal of liberty as +a final rest from the toils of war—to realms of bliss beyond the skies +as the eternal rest of the virtuous and good.</p> + +<p>Early in October the last lion was caged at Yorktown. There the struggle +closed—there the victorious Cornwallis—the pride of mother Britain, +was humbled, the shouts of victory and the clarion of freedom sounded +and the sons of Columbia crowned with laurels of enduring fame. The +battles of Gen. Greene were finished. He had served his country long and +faithfully. He had surmounted the mighty barriers that opposed him—he +had contributed largely in breaking the chains of slavery—Liberty had +triumphed over despotism—his country was free, and was acknowledged +independent by the power that had long sought to enslave it. Gentle +peace shed fresh lustre on the care-worn countenances of the sages and +heroes and diffused her refulgent rays from the shores of the broad +Atlantic to the silver lakes of the far west.</p> + +<p>On his way home Gen. Greene was hailed with grateful enthusiasm in every +town through which he passed. On his arrival at Princeton Congress was +in session there. As a testimony of respect for his valuable services +that body presented him with two pieces of ordnance taken from the +British army. The state of Georgia presented him with a valuable +plantation near Savannah. The State of South Carolina conveyed to him a +large tract of rich land which he sold to enable him to pay debts +contracted to obtain supplies for his soldiers. In the autumn of 1785 he +removed to his plantation in Georgia anticipating all the enjoyment of +domestic felicity. This was of short duration. On the 12th of June 1786 +he was attacked with inflammation upon his brain caused by a stroke of +the sun and on the 19th of that month his spirit returned to the bosom +of his God. Thus closed the brilliant career of one of the most +distinguished sons of the Revolution. From his childhood to his grave he +was the pride of his friends, a shining light to his country—a blessing +to our nation. He was a prudent and brave general, an accomplished +gentleman, a good citizen, an honest man, a consistent Christian. His +character was pure as the crystal fountain—his fame enduring as the +records of time. His examples are models for imitation, his history is +full of instruction, his merits worthy of our highest admiration. His +faults were completely eclipsed by the brilliancy of his superior +worth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="BUTTON_GWINNETT" id="BUTTON_GWINNETT"></a>BUTTON GWINNETT.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">False</span> honor like false religion is worse than none. They both lead to +destruction and are deprecated by all good men. The one is a relic of +the barbarous ages—the other is older, having first been imposed on +mother Eve amidst the amaranthine bowers of Eden. Inconsistency is an +incubus that assumes numerous forms. In some shape it hangs over every +nation and most individuals. It is human nature to err—but some errors +are so plainly a violation of reason and common sense that it is passing +strange sound men do not avoid them. Yet we often see those of high +attainments rush into the whirlpool of inconsistency with a blind +infatuation that the fine spun rules of the acutest sophistry cannot +justify.</p> + +<p>One of the fallacious and opprobrious inconsistencies that now disgraces +our nation is duelling. Many in this country boast of our intellectual +light and mourn over the ignorance of the poor untutored red man. In +turn he can point us to a dark spot on our national character that never +tarnished the name of a western or eastern Indian. This bohun upas +thrives only in communities that claim civilization. In no country has +it been tolerated with so much impunity as in our own. By our law it is +murder. In no instance has this law been enforced. Widows may mourn, +orphans languish, hearts bleed, our statesmen perish and the murderer +still run at large and be treated by many with more deference than if +his hands were not stained with blood. This foul stigma upon the +American name should be washed out speedily and effectually. Let the +combined powers of public opinion, legislative, judicial and executive +action be brought to bear upon it with the force of a rushing avalanche. +Flagrant crimes are suppressed only by strong measures.</p> + +<p>Among the victims of this barbarous practice was Button Gwinnett, a man +of splendid talents and a patriot of the American Revolution. He was +born in England in 1732. His parents were respectable but not wealthy. +Being a boy of promise they bestowed on him a good education. At his +majority he commenced a successful mercantile career at Bristol in his +native country. Surrounded by a large family he resolved on changing his +location and came to Charleston S. C. in 1770, where he pursued +merchandizing two years. He then sold out his store, purchased a +plantation on St. Catharine Island, Georgia, to which he removed and +became an enterprising agriculturist. He pos<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>sessed an active mind and +was a close observer of passing events. Having resided in England during +the formation of the visionary and impolitic plan of taxing the +colonies, he understood well the <ins class="correct" title="framework">frame-work</ins> of the British cabinet. From +the course he promptly pursued it is plain he was a Whig in England. The +subject of raising revenue from the colonies of the new world had been +fully and ably discussed in Great Britain. Many of her profound +statesmen had portrayed, with all the truth of prophecy, the result of +the blind unjust course of ministers towards the Americans. The most +sagacious English statesman then in Parliament, Lord Chatham, exerted +his noblest powers to bring the cabinet to a sense of common +justice—the only path of safety. Mingling with intelligent men at +Bristol, Mr. Gwinnett had become well informed upon the litigated points +in controversy and was well acquainted with the relative feelings and +situation of the two countries. When the question of liberty or slavery +was placed before the people of his adopted land he declared in favor of +freedom. Knowing the superior physical force of Great Britain and the +weakness of the colonies, a successful resistance seemed to him +problematical. His doubts upon the subject were removed by the +enthusiasm of the patriots generally and especially by the lucid +demonstrations of Lyman Hall, a bold and fearless advocate of equal +rights with whom he became intimate. Convinced of the justice and +possible success of the cause he at once became a champion in its favor. +He had counted the cost, he had revolved in his mind the dangers that +would accumulate around him and truly predicted his property would be +destroyed by the devastating enemy—yet he nobly resolved to risk his +life, fortune and honor in defence of chartered rights and +constitutional franchises.</p> + +<p>He enrolled his name among the leaders of the patriotic +movements—became a member of several committees and conspicuous at +public meetings. In her colonial capacity Georgia was the last to come +to the rescue. Some of her noblest sons had become shining lights in the +glorious cause. Patriotism was extending—oppression increasing, eyes +opening, ears listening, minds working, hearts beating and those who +were perching on the pivot of uncertainty were fast losing their +balance. At length the cry of blood was heard from Lexington. The work +was done. Georgia started from her lethargy like a lion roused from his +lair and prepared for the conflict. Like green wood—she was slow to +take fire but gave a permanent heat when ignited.</p> + +<p>On the 2d of February 1776 Mr. Gwinnett was appointed to the Continental +Congress and took his seat on the 20th of May ensuing. Although his +constituents were determined to maintain their rights at all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> hazards +most of them looked upon the plan of Independence as a project of +visionary fancy—ideal, not to be hoped for or attempted. It gained +strength by discussion and emerged from its embryo form. At this +juncture a colleague of Mr. Gwinnett, the Rev. Mr. Zubly with a Judas +heart, wrote a letter to the royal governor of Georgia, disclosing the +contemplated measure, a copy of which was in some way obtained and +placed in the hands of Mr. Chase who immediately denounced the traitor +on the floor of Congress. The Iscariot at first attempted a denial by +challenging the proof but finding that the betrayer had been betrayed he +fled precipitately for Georgia in order to place himself under the +protection of the governor who had just escaped from the enraged +patriots on board a British armed vessel in Savannah harbor and had +enough to do to protect himself without rendering aid or comfort to a +traitor. He was followed by Mr. Houston one of his colleagues. Swift was +the pursuit but swifter the flight. On the wings of guilt he flew too +rapidly to be overtaken.</p> + +<p>When the proposition came before Congress for a final separation from +the mother country Mr. Gwinnett became a warm advocate for the measure. +When the trying hour arrived, big with consequences, he gave his +approving vote and affixed his name to the important document that +stands <ins class="correct" title="acknowled">acknowledged</ins> by the civilized world the most lucid exposition of +human rights upon the records of history—the Declaration of American +Independence. In February 1777 he took a seat in the convention of his +own state convened to form a constitution under the new government. He +at once took a leading part and submitted the draft of a constitution +which was slightly amended and immediately adopted. Shortly after this +he was elevated to the Presidency of the Provincial Council, then the +first office in the state—rising in a single year from private life to +the pinnacle of power in Georgia. At this time an acrimonious jealousy +existed between the civil and military authorities. At the head of the +latter was Gen. McIntosh against whom Mr. Gwinnett had run the previous +year for Brig. General and was unsuccessful. His elevation and influence +annoyed the General. The civil power claimed the right to try military +officers for offences that Gen. McIntosh contended came only under the +jurisdiction of a court martial. Mr. Gwinnett had planned an expedition +against East Florida and contemplated having the command. Gen. McIntosh +conferred it upon a senior lieutenant-colonel. The expedition was a +failure. The General publicly exulted over his hated enemy and gloried +in the misfortune. Under the new constitution a governor was to be +elected on the first Monday of the ensuing May. Mr. Gwinnett became a +candidate. His competitor was a man far inferior to him in point of +talents and acquirements but was elected.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> Gen. McIntosh again publicly +exulted in the disappointments that were overwhelming his antagonist. A +challenge from Mr. Gwinnett ensued—they met on the blood stained field +of false honor—fought at four paces—both were wounded, Mr. Gwinnett +mortally and died on the 27th of May 1777, the very time he should have +been in Congress. Comment is needless—reflection is necessary.</p> + +<p>Aside from this rash error the escutcheon of Mr. Gwinnett was without a +blot. He was a splendid figure, commanding in appearance, six feet in +height, open countenance, graceful in his manners and possessed of fine +feeling. He was a kind husband, an affectionate father, a good citizen +and an honest man.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="LYMAN_HALL" id="LYMAN_HALL"></a>LYMAN HALL.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Decision</span> gives weight to character when tempered with prudence and +discretion. The individual who is uniformly perched on the pivot of +uncertainty and fluttering in the wind of indetermination can never gain +public confidence or exercise an extensive influence. To be truly +beneficial decision must receive its momentum from the pure fountain of +our own matured judgment and not depend upon others to point us to the +path of duty. When the child becomes a man he should think and act as a +man and draw freely from the resources of his own immortal mind. He may +enjoy the reflective light of others but should depend upon the focus of +his own, made more clear by reflectives. The man who pins his faith upon +the sleeve of another and does not keep the lamp of his own +understanding trimmed and burning, is a mere automaton in life and never +fills the vacuum designed by his creation. When he makes his final exit +from the stage of action he leaves no trace behind—no rich memento to +tell that he once lived, moved and had a being upon the earth or bore +the moral image of his God. The Sages and Heroes of the American +Revolution left bright examples of self-moving action and decision of +character.</p> + +<p>Among those who were roused to exertion by the reflection of their own +minds was Lyman Hall, born in Connecticut 1731. He graduated in Yale +College at an early age, studied medicine, married a wife before he was +twenty-one, removed to Dorchester, S. C. in 1752 and commenced the +practice of medicine. After residing there a short time he joined a +company of some forty families, mostly New Englanders and removed to +Medway in the parish of St. John, Georgia. He became a successful +practitioner and was esteemed for his prudence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> discretion, clearness +of perception, soundness of judgment—united with refinement of feeling, +urbanity of manners, a calm and equable mind and great benevolence. He +had only to be known to be appreciated. As years rolled peacefully along +Dr. Hall became extensively acquainted and greatly beloved. He took +great interest in the happiness of those around him and in the welfare +of the people at large. He was a close observer of men and +things—understood well the philosophy of human rights and the +principles of the tenure by which the mother country held jurisdiction +over the colonies. When the marked bounds of that jurisdiction were +passed he was one of the first to meet the aggressors and point his +countrymen to the innovations. As encroachments increased his patriotism +grew warmer—enthusiastic zeal followed, tempered by the purest +motives—guided by the soundest discretion. The indecision and +temporizing spirit of Georgia, for a time, was painful to her truly +patriotic sons who early espoused the cause of Liberty. It was extremely +annoying to Dr. Hall but only tended to increase his exertions in the +work of political regeneration. Over the people of his own district he +exercised an unlimited—a judicious influence. He attended the patriotic +meetings held at Savannah in 1774-5 and contributed much in promoting +the glorious cause just bursting into life. His immediate constituents +were with him in feeling and action. All the other colonies had united +in defence of their common country determined to resist the common +enemy. St. John being a frontier settlement and more exposed than any +other in the province, he prudently laid the subject before his people +and called upon them to choose whom they would serve. They promptly +decided against domination of royalty and declared for Liberty. They at +once separated from the other parishes—formed a distinct political +community—applied for admission into the confederation of the other +colonies—passed resolutions of non-intercourse with Savannah so long as +it remained under kingly authority except to obtain the absolute +necessaries of life and organized committees to carry these patriotic +and decisive measures into effect. Placed on such an eminence they were +welcomed into the general compact as men worthy of freedom. In March +1775 they elected Lyman Hall to the Continental Congress to represent +the parish of St. John that stood like an isolated island of granite in +the ocean regardless of the waves of fury that were foaming around it. +This example had a powerful influence on the other parishes. From this +lump of liberty-leaven the whole mass became rapidly impregnated—rose +beautifully and was admirably baked in freedom's oven and soon fit for +use. In July following Dr. Hall had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> the proud satisfaction of seeing +Georgia fully represented by men honest and true—always excepting Judas +Iscariot <i>alias</i> Zubly. To Dr. Hall may be justly attributed the first +impetus given to the revolutionary ball in his district which was formed +into a new county in 1777 and named <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>.</p> + +<p>On taking his seat in Congress Dr. Hall was hailed with enthusiasm as +the nucleus of patriotism that would eventually draw to one common +centre the people of his province. He was a valuable acquisition to the +various committees on which he was placed and gained the esteem of all +around him. On the floor he was listened to with profound attention. He +reasoned closely and calmly, confining himself to the question under +consideration without any effort to shine as an orator. His known +patriotism, decision of character, purity of purpose and honesty of +heart—gave him a salutary influence that was sensibly felt, fully +acknowledged and judiciously exercised. In 1776 he again took his seat +in Congress and became decidedly in favor of cutting loose from the +mother country. He had induced his own district to present a miniature +example that stood approved by every patriot. He felt the justice of the +cause of Liberty. He believed Providence would direct a successful +result. He was fully convinced the set time had come to free the +colonies. With such feelings he hailed the birth day of our Independence +as the grand jubilee of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. He cheerfully joined in passing the +mighty Rubicon—aided in preparing the sarcophagus of tyranny and signed +the certificate of freedom with a joyful heart.</p> + +<p>He was continued in Congress up to 1780 when he took his final leave of +that body where he had rendered faithful and important service. In 1782 +he returned to his own State and aided in rendering more perfect the +organization of her government. The enemy had destroyed his property and +wreaked a special vengeance on his district generally. His family had +been compelled to fly to the North and depend on the bounty of others +for support. In 1783 he was elected Governor of Georgia and contributed +largely in perfecting the superstructure of her civil institutions and +in placing her on the high road to peace and prosperity. This +accomplished he retired from public life under the broad banner of an +honest and well earned fame. He then settled in Burke County where he +was again permitted to pursue the even tenor of his ways and enjoy the +highest of all earthly pleasure—the domestic fireside with his own dear +family. Calmly and quietly he glided down the stream of time until 1790 +when he closed his eyes upon the transitory scenes of earth—entered the +dark valley<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> of death and disappeared from mortals to enjoy a blissful +immortality. He was deeply mourned by his relatives and numerous +acquaintances and by every patriot in our nation. His name is +perpetuated in Georgia by a county being named after him as a tribute of +respect for his valuable services.</p> + +<p>Dr. Hall was among those who do good for the sake of goodness—not to be +seen of men and applauded by the world. In person his appearance was +prepossessing. He was full six feet in height with a graceful deportment +and benignant countenance. His examples are worthy of imitation. Without +the luminous talents that tower to the skies in a blaze of glory that +dazzles every eye—he rendered himself substantially and widely useful. +He was like a gentle stream that passes through a verdant field +producing irrigation in its course without overflowing and tearing up +its banks. Decision of character, prudence in action and discretion in +all things marked his whole career. Not a stain tarnishes the bright +lustre of his public fame or private character. He lived nobly and died +peacefully. With such men our UNION is safe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOHN_HANCOCK" id="JOHN_HANCOCK"></a>JOHN HANCOCK.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> thrilling history of American Independence is ever a subject of deep +interest to the patriot and philanthropist. It has no parallel in the +history of nations. Its causes, progress and successful termination +combine to throw around it a sacred halo that fills the reader with +wonder and admiration. The noble spirits who planned and achieved it +command the profoundest respect over the civilized world. As time +advances that respect is ripening into veneration. The names of the +signers of the Declaration of Independence, like those of the twelve +Apostles, are surrounded with a refulgent glory—unfading and enduring +as the planetary system. Among them was John Hancock, born near Quincy, +Mass., in 1737. His father was a clergyman of eminent piety, highly +esteemed by his parishioners. He died when this son was an infant, +leaving him under the guardian care of an uncle, who bestowed upon him +all the attention and tenderness of a father. He graduated at Harvard +College in 1754, with great credit to himself and satisfaction to his +numerous friends.</p> + +<p>His uncle was a wealthy and thorough merchant and placed his nephew in +his counting house that he might add to his collegiate acquirements a +more important acquisition—a knowledge of men and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> things. In 1760 he +was sent to England—saw the mortal remains of George II. laid in the +tomb and the crown placed upon the head of his successor. He continued +in the employment of his uncle until 1761, who then died, leaving this +nephew his entire estate, supposed to be the largest of any one in the +province at that time.</p> + +<p>John Hancock was long one of the Selectmen of Boston. In 1766 he was +elected to the General Assembly. He there exhibited talents of a high +order as a statesman, at once gaining the esteem and admiration of his +colleagues. He also gained the particular attention of a certain clique, +who determined to rule or ruin him. They placed him in the crucible of +slander, from which he came like gold seven times tried—triumphant and +unscathed.</p> + +<p>In the Assembly he was uniformly chairman of the most important +committees. He was also elected speaker but the Governor, jealous of his +rising popularity and liberal principles, put his veto upon the +election.</p> + +<p>He was a man of deep thought, general intelligence and strong mind. He +had thoroughly investigated the laws of God, of nature and of man. He +well understood that men are endowed by their Creator with certain +inherent privileges—that they are born equal and of right are and +should be free. He drank largely at the refreshing fountain of liberal +principles and was among the first to expose the blind and cruel policy +of the British ministers. He contributed largely in rousing his fellow +sufferers to a sense of impending danger.</p> + +<p>Although deeply interested in commercial business and more exposed to +the wrath of kingly power than any individual in the province—he boldly +placed himself at the head of the association prohibiting the +importation of goods from Great Britain. The other provinces caught the +patriotic fire from these examples and became prepared to act their part +in the tragic scenes that resulted in the emancipation of the pilgrim +fathers from monarchical domination.</p> + +<p>As a mark of special attention to this uncompromising patriot, the first +seizure that was made by the revenue officers under pretence of some +trivial violation of the laws was one of his vessels. So great was the +excitement produced by this impolitic transaction, that large numbers +were speedily collected to rescue the property. It was placed under the +guns of an armed ship ready to open a broadside upon any who should dare +to reclaim the vessel. The populace rose like a thunder cloud—rushed to +the onset—brought away the vessel—razed to the ground some of the +buildings occupied by the custom house officers and committed to the +flames the boat of the collector. For a time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> this fire was arrested by +the strong arm of power but it was never extinguished—it was the fire +of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. It only required to be fanned by that ministerial oppression +that ultimately blew it into curling flames.</p> + +<p>To prevent the recurrence of a popular outbreak several regiments of +British troops, with all their loathsome vices fresh upon them, were +quartered upon the inhabitants. This was like pouring bituminous coal +tar upon a lurid flame. The independent spirits of Boston were not to be +<i>awed</i> into subjection. The consequences were tragical. On the evening +of 5th of March 1770, a party of these soldiers fired upon and killed +five and wounded others of the citizens who had collected to manifest +their indignation against those they <i>hated</i> more than they <i>feared</i>. +Had the town been placed in the terrific cradle of an earthquake and its +foundations moved to the centre, the agitation could not have been +greater. Had it been melting before the burning lava of a volcano the +commotion could not have been increased. The tolling of bells—the +groans of the dying and wounded—the shrieks of mothers, widows and +orphans—the flight of soldiers—the rush of the inhabitants—the cry of +revenge—popular fury rising into a tornado of vengeance—all combined +to create a scene of consternation and horror at which imagination +recoils, description quails, sympathy trembles, humanity bleeds. It is a +commentary, eloquently strong, upon the gross impropriety of quartering +soldiers upon citizens—of enforcing civil law by military force—of +invading the sanctity of domestic peace and private enjoyment.</p> + +<p>On the following day a meeting was called composed of the concentrated +talent and virtue of Boston. Strong but discreet resolutions were +passed. A committee was appointed to wait upon the governor to request +him to remove the troops from the town, at the head of which were Samuel +Adams and John Hancock. His excellency at first refused but finding that +discretion was the better part of valor, at once ordered the soldiers to +the castle. He also gave a pledge that the offenders should be arraigned +and tried and thus restored transient tranquillity.</p> + +<p>The solemn and imposing ceremony of interring those who were killed was +then performed. Their bodies were deposited in the same grave. Tears of +sorrow, sympathy, regret and indignation were mingled with the clods as +they descended upon the butchered bodies of those victims of tyranny. +For many years the sad event was commemorated with deep and mournful +solemnity. A hymn was sung to their memory and the torch of Liberty +re-illumed at their tomb.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> + +<p>At one of these celebrations during the progress of the Revolution John +Hancock delivered the address. A few brief extracts will be read with +interest.</p> + +<p>"Security to the persons and property of the governed is so evidently +the design of civil government that to attempt a logical demonstration +of it would be like burning a taper at noonday to assist the sun in +enlightening the world. It cannot be either virtuous or honorable to +attempt to support institutions of which this is not the principal +basis. Some boast of being friends to government. I also am a friend to +government—to a righteous government, founded upon the principles of +reason and justice—but I glory in avowing my eternal enmity to +tyranny."</p> + +<p>He then portrayed vividly the wrongs inflicted by the mother country and +urged his fellow citizens to vindicate their injured rights. On speaking +of the massacre his language shows the emotions of his heaving +bosom—the feelings of his noble soul.</p> + +<p>"I come reluctantly to the transactions of that dismal night, when, in +quick succession we felt the extremes of grief, astonishment and +rage—when Heaven, in anger, suffered hell to take the reins—when +Satan, with his chosen band opened the sluices of New England's blood +and sacrilegiously polluted her land, with the bodies of her guiltless +sons. Let this sad tale be told without a tear—let not the heaving +bosom cease to burn with a manly indignation at the relation of it +through the long tracts of future time—let every parent tell the story +to his listening children till the tears of pity glistens in their eyes +or boiling passion shakes their tender frames."</p> + +<p>"Dark and designing knaves—murderous parricides! how dare you tread +upon the earth which has drunk the blood of slaughtered innocence shed +by your hands! How dare you breathe that air which wafted to the ear of +Heaven the groans of those who fell a sacrifice to your accursed +ambition!! But if the laboring earth doth not expand her jaws—if the +air you breathe is not commissioned to be the minister of death—yet +hear it and tremble! the eye of Heaven penetrates the darkest chambers +of the soul and you, though screened from human observation, must be +arraigned—must lift up your hands, red with the blood of those whose +death you have procured, at the tremendous bar of God."</p> + +<p>So bold had Mr. Hancock become that the adherents of the crown put every +plan and artifice in operation that could be devised to injure him. His +worst enemy, the governor, nominated him to the Council, knowing that +his acceptance would turn the populace against him. The plan was just as +feasible as to think of baking griddle cakes on the moon.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> By a prompt +refusal he put his enemies to shame and increased the confidence the +patriots reposed in him. He was at this time Captain of the Governor's +Guard and was immediately removed. His company was composed of the first +citizens of Boston. As a testimony of respect to him the members +promptly dissolved.</p> + +<p>The dread crisis finally came. The war car was put in motion on the +heights of Lexington. American blood was again shed by British soldiers. +The people heard the dread clarion of Revolution—multitudes rushed to +the conflict—the hireling troops fled in confusion—messengers of death +met them on the whole route—retribution pressed on them at every +corner—the trees and fences were illuminated with streams of fire from +the rusty muskets of the native yoemanry and many of Briton's proud sons +slumbered in their gore on that eventful day. The watchword was then +fixed—<span class="smcap">Liberty or Death</span>.</p> + +<p>On the reception of this news the governor issued his proclamation in +the name of his most <i>Christian Majesty</i>, George the III. declaring the +Province in a state of rebellion but <i>graciously</i> offering a pardon to +all returning penitents—<i>excepting</i> John Hancock and Samuel Adams. A +secret attempt was made to arrest them but was foiled by information +sent by Gen. Warren. They were preserved to aid in the glorious cause +they had boldly and nobly espoused and to become shining lights in the +blue canopy of <ins class="correct" title="FREDDOM"><span class="smcap">freedom</span></ins>—bright examples of patriotism for future +generations. Their proscription by the royal governor endeared them +still more to the people and their personal friends. They asked no +pardon—desired no royal favor.</p> + +<p>In 1774 Mr. Hancock was unanimously elected President of the +Massachusetts Provincial Congress and in 1775 he was called to preside +over the Continental Congress. It was with great diffidence he accepted +this high mark of esteem, many of its members possessing towering +talents and were much his seniors in age. He discharged the duties of +his station with fidelity, great ability and to the satisfaction of the +members and the country. His was the only name affixed to the +Declaration of Independence when first published and stands, in bold +relievo, at the head of the list of that noble band of fearless patriots +who bearded the British Lion in his den and drove him from Columbia's +soil—whose names are enrolled on the historic sunbeams of unfading +light, there to remain in living brightness to the remotest ages of +time.</p> + +<p>Impaired in health and worn down by fatigue, Mr. Hancock resigned his +responsible station in Congress in October 1777, having presided over +that body for two and a half years with a credit highly gratifying to +his numerous friends and advantageous to the cause of human rights.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<p>Soon after his return he was elected to the convention of his native +state to form a constitution for its government. His talents and +experience were of great service in aiding to produce a truly republican +instrument. In 1780 he was elected the first governor under the new +constitution and continued to fill the gubernatorial chair five years +when he resigned. At the expiration of two years he was again elected to +that office and continued to fill that important station during the +remainder of his life.</p> + +<p>During his administration there were many difficulties to overcome—many +evils to suppress. The devastation of the war had paralyzed every kind +of business—reduced thousands from affluence to poverty—polluted the +morals of society and left a heavy debt to be liquidated. Conflicting +interests were to be reconciled—restless spirits subdued and visionary +theories exploded. A faction of 12,000 men threatened to annihilate the +new government. Riots were of frequent occurrence—the civil authority +was disregarded and it became necessary to call out the military to +enforce order. By the prudence, decision and wise conduct of the +Governor and those acting under him, all difficulties were adjusted—the +clamor of the people hushed—order restored and but few lives sacrificed +at the shrine of treason.</p> + +<p>By his firm and determined course the Governor incurred the displeasure +of many prominent men for a time—but when reason resumed her station +and prosperity alleviated the burdens that had been so strongly felt, +their better judgment gained the ascendency, the sour feelings of party +spirit lost their rancor—admiration and esteem for his sterling virtues +and useful talents—the long and arduous services he had rendered his +State and country—disarmed his enemies of their resentment and produced +uniform love and respect. None but those who then lived can fully +appreciate the Alpine barriers the patriots had to surmount to preserve +the Independence they achieved and reduce to practice the long nursed +vision of a Republican government. To recount them would require a +volume. Let them slumber in the shades of oblivion.</p> + +<p>Gov. Hancock was strongly in favor of the adoption of the Federal +Constitution and left his sick bed in the last week of the session of +the Assembly and did much by his advice and influence to induce his +State to sanction that important instrument of confederation which has +thus far withstood the assaults of demagogues—the thunder gusts of +party spirit and held us in the bonds of Union, strength and power. +Paralyzed be that arm that would cut the smallest fibre of the—cord of +our UNION. Silenced be that voice that would whisper the word +<i>disso<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>lution</i> even to a zephyr. If we are true to ourselves we are +destined to become the greatest nation known to history. We are +appointed by the sages and heroes of the Revolution executors in +perpetual succession of the richest estate ever bequeathed to a +nation—<span class="smcap">Liberty</span> in its pristine purity. Let us see well to its +preservation that when we meet the testators in the realms of bliss, we +may find our account approved and passed in the high court of heaven.</p> + +<p>John Hancock lived to see prosperity shed the benignant rays of +happiness over the broad expanse of the infant republic. He saw her +institutions, laws, trade, manufactures, commerce, agriculture—all +based on the firm pillars of purchased freedom and eternal justice. His +Pierian vision was reduced to a happy reality—he could then die +peaceful and happy.</p> + +<p>His ill health continued until the 8th of October 1793 when suddenly and +unexpectedly his soul left earth and returned to Him who gave it to join +the kindred spirits that had gone before and entered upon the untried +realities of the eternal world.</p> + +<p>Governor Hancock was a man of elegant person and +accomplishments—amiable and pure in all the private relations of +life—highly honorable in all his actions—a polished gentleman in his +manners—fashionable in his dress and style of living—charitable and +liberal—a friend to the poor—a visitor of the widow and +orphan—diligent in business—open and frank in his disposition—a +faithful companion—a consistent patriot—an <span class="smcap">honest man</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="BENJAMIN_HARRISON" id="BENJAMIN_HARRISON"></a>BENJAMIN HARRISON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Coolness</span>, united with sound discretion, deep penetration, wisdom to plan +and energy to execute, is an important quality. In times of high +excitement it is indispensably necessary in those who wield the destiny +of a community. When the fires of passion, burning in the bosoms of an +enraged multitude, unite in one cyclopean volume, the mental rod of +cooling discretion is necessary to regulate, guide and direct it to a +proper destination. If all were alike charged with boiling desperation +in times when angry commotions disturb the public peace, the holiest +cause would lose its efficacy and be overwhelmed by the murky waters of +fell revenge. The cool deliberations of the first Continental Congress, +writhing under the lash of oppression, shed upon it a lustre that +attracted the admiration of a gazing world, the smiles of angels and the +approval of Heaven. The mother country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> was left without an excuse or +just reason for the continuation of her suicidal course. To the cool and +discreet conduct of the Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution we +may attribute the <span class="smcap">liberty</span> we now enjoy.</p> + +<p>No one among them demonstrated more fully this quality combined with +firmness of purpose and boldness of action than Benjamin Harrison a +native of Berkley, Virginia, supposed to have been born about 1730, the +precise time not being a matter of record. His family descended from a +near relative of Gen. Harrison, a bold leader in the revolution of the +English Commonwealth who was sacrificed on the scaffold for his liberal +principles. This relative settled in Surrey, Virginia, about 1640. His +descendants sustained the high reputation of their ancestors and filled +many important stations in the colony. It is recorded of Benjamin +Harrison, son of the ancestor that located in Surrey, that "he did +justice, loved mercy and walked humbly with his God," leaving a memento +of character that forms the crowning excellence of human attainments. +Benjamin Harrison, the father of young Benjamin now under review, was +killed by lightning with two of his daughters. At that time this son was +prosecuting his studies at the college of William and Mary where he +finished his education at an early age. Before he arrived at his +majority he had the management of a large estate left him by his father. +As good sense dictated and as in duty bound, he shortly after married +Elizabeth, the accomplished daughter of Col. William Bassett and niece +to Lady Washington. She possessed all the high requisites of a wife.</p> + +<p>Before he arrived at the age then required by law, he was elected to the +House of Burgesses and became a leading member. His talents were of the +peculiar kind calculated to lead without an apparent desire to command. +His magic wand was sound discretion coolly and firmly exercised, +enlivened by a good humor and sprightliness that mellowed his otherwise +stern qualities. Wielding a powerful influence, the creatures of the +crown were particularly courteous to him just previous to the revolution +and proposed to confer upon him the highest official dignity in the +colony—except governor—who must be a <i>native</i> of the mother country. +Mr. Harrison was too republican and far seeing to be caught in the +silken web of ministerial intrigue or royal cunning. With all his wealth +and influence he was a plain common sense man opposed to the pomp of +courts and the flourish of high pretensions. He went for his country and +the people. He scorned to be the hireling or slave of a king. As early +as 1764 he was on the committee in the House of Burgesses that prepared +an address to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> crown, a memorial to the House of Lords and a +remonstrance to the House of Commons of Great Britain predicated upon +the Virginia Resolutions anticipating the odious Stamp Act. These +documents as reported were then too hard metal in view of a majority in +the House and were transmuted to soft solder by the process of political +alchemy well understood by the creatures of the king. The time rolled on +rapidly when hard metal was made the order of the day. As British +oppression increased Virginia indignation kindled to a flame that +illuminated the old Dominion to its utmost bounds. Mr. Harrison was a +member of the convention that met at Williamsburg on the 1st of August +1774 and passed a series of strong resolutions in favor of equal +rights—sanctioned the measures of opposition adopted by New England and +appointed seven delegates to the general Congress, Mr. Harrison being +one. The benefits resulting from the labors of that Congress may not now +be apparent to many young readers as a deaf ear was turned to the +dignified proceedings by the mother country. They were twofold. 1. The +true position of the two countries was clearly defined and held up to +the world leaving England without an excuse for her subsequent course. +2. A personal acquaintance and free interchange of views served to +establish mutual confidence and produced a concert of action between the +colonies.</p> + +<p>On the 20th of March 1775 Mr. Harrison was a member of the convention +that met at Richmond and passed the bold resolutions offered by Patrick +Henry. Many had the royal film removed from their eyes at that time and +came to the rescue. Anticipating the appointment of delegates to a +second Congress, Lord Dunmore issued his proclamation forbidding the +procedure affecting to treat the convention as a mere bagatelle. Royal +proclamations had lost their original efficacy. The delegates were +elected, among whom was Mr. Harrison. He repaired to his post which was +then more imposing than the year proceeding. A crisis had arrived big +with consequences. Amidst the flashes and roar of the gathering storm +cool deliberation pervaded his bosom. Mr. Randolph, the President of the +first Congress being absent, Mr. Hancock was elected to fill the +vacancy. When his name was announced he seemed overcome with a modest +diffidence and did not move. Mr. Harrison took him in his gigantic arms +and placed him in the chair saying—"We will show mother Britain how +little we care for her—by making a Massachusetts man our President whom +she has excluded from pardon by public proclamation."</p> + +<p>Action—noble and god-like action became the order of that eventful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +era. Each gale from the north brought tidings of fresh outrages and +increasing aggressions on the part of mother Britain. Congress prepared +for the worst although many of the members turned a willing ear to the +siren song of peace. Mr. Harrison was one of the committee appointed to +devise ways and means for defence and to organize the militia throughout +the colonies that were represented. After laboring arduously for a month +the plan of military operations was reported that carried the American +Colonies through the war. Mr. Harrison was the military man of Congress. +He had the unlimited confidence of Washington. In September of that year +he was one of the committee of three to consult with the +Commander-in-chief and with the authorities of the regenerated colonies +relative to a preparation for vigorous action. On the 29th of November +he was made chairman of the committee of five to take charge of the +foreign correspondence. On the 2d of December he was sent to Maryland to +aid in organizing a naval armament to repel the predatory warfare of +Lord Dunmore along the shores of the Chesapeake. On the 17th of January +1776 he laid before Congress a plan for the recruiting service which was +adopted. On the 21st of the same month he was placed upon the committee +to organize the War Department On the 23d he went to New York with +Messrs. Lynch and Allen to aid Gen. Lee in devising plans and means of +defence and for erecting fortifications upon the two confluent rivers. +On his return he was placed on the committee for organizing the military +departments of the middle and southern Colonies. On the 6th of March he +was placed on the Marine Standing Committee—bestowing on him labor in +proportion to his physical as well as mental powers. He was found equal +to the task imposed.</p> + +<p>On the 26th of March 1776 Congress published a full preface to the +Declaration of Independence, setting forth the contempt with which the +petitions, remonstrances and appeals for relief had been +treated—portraying in lively colors the constitutional and chartered +rights of the American people and the manner they were trampled under +foot and steeped in blood by British hirelings. The same document +authorised the colonies to fit out vessels of war to meet the mistress +of the seas on her own element. Mr. Harrison was chairman of a committee +to select and have fortified one or more ports for the protection of +these vessels and such prizes as they might take. In May he was made +chairman of the committee on the Canada expedition. After consulting +Generals Washington, Gates and Mifflin, he laid a plan of operations +before Congress which was adopted. On the 26th of the same month he was +made chairman of a committee of fourteen to confer with the general +officers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> of the army relative to the plan of operations for the ensuing +campaign. When matured he laid it before Congress and during its +consideration was chairman of the committee of the whole. With slight +amendments the report was adopted. On the 15th of June he was made +chairman of the Board of War and continued in that important station +until he retired from Congress. In his discharge of its duties Judge +Peters remarks of him—"He was chairman when I entered upon the duties +assigned me in the War Department. This gave me an opportunity of +observing his firmness, good sense and usefulness in deliberation and in +critical situations and much use indeed was required of these qualities +when everything around was lowering and terrific."</p> + +<p>Mr. Harrison became very popular as chairman of the committee of the +whole. If in the House he uniformly presided when important questions +were under consideration. He was in the chair during the discussion of +the Declaration of Independence. He presented the resolution that +recommended the formal preparation of that sacred document and on the +glorious 4th of July 1776 sealed his heart felt approval with his vote +and signature. At the thrilling moment when the members were signing +what many called their death warrant, as the slender Mr. Gerry finished +his signature Mr. Harrison pleasantly remarked to him "when the hanging +scene commences I shall have all the advantage over you. It will all be +over with me in a minute but you will be kicking in the air half an hour +after I am gone." During the protracted discussions upon the Articles of +Confederation Mr. Harrison was uniformly in the chair. From August to +the 5th of November he was engaged in the service of his own state in +the formation of the new government when he again returned to his place. +He was one of the committee to advise in the movements of the northern +army. When the members of Congress were compelled to fly from Baltimore +to Lancaster, where they remained but one day and from there to York, +Pa. he remained firm at his post. The enemies of Liberty predicted a +final dissolution but proved false prophets. They even reported that Mr. +Harrison was about to desert the American cause. His coolness and +deliberation were often made useful in softening down hasty and harsh +propositions. When the question was agitated relative to punishing the +Quakers he interfered in their behalf. In after life one of them often +remarked of him—"He saved us from persecution. He had talents to +perceive the right and firmness enough to pursue it however violently +opposed."</p> + +<p>At the close of 1777 Mr. Harrison resigned his seat in Congress and +returned to the bosom of his family. No one member had performed more +labor than him—no one was more highly esteemed and honored.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> He was +emphatically a working man—a colossus in the cause of liberty and human +rights. He returned home to enjoy repose. This was of but short +duration. He was immediately elected to the Virginia Legislature and +made Speaker, which station he ably filled for five consecutive years. +During that period the revolutionary storm spent its fury upon the Old +Dominion. The traitor Arnold and the tyrant Cornwallis were tinging its +streams and saturating its soil with the blood of its noble sons. Fire, +sword, murder, rapine, ruin and destruction marked their savage course. +Her legislature was driven from Richmond to Charlotteville—to +Staunton—to the Warm Springs and found but a transient rest at either +place. During these rapid removes Mr. Harrison remained cool, collected +and firm and was prolific in the best measures to ward off impending +dangers. He did much to rouse the people to action and dispel the +terrors of their minds. He knew no "fugitive fear"—the assertion of +another writer to the contrary notwithstanding and without any +foundation in fact, for the purpose of raising his own hero above his +proper level by climbing upon the shoulders of the towering reputation +of Mr. Harrison. This fictitious capital will not answer even at this +late day. Records speak for the dead in a voice that paralyzes the +slanderer like the hand writing that shook the sturdy frame of +Belshazzar.</p> + +<p>In 1782 Mr. Harrison was elected Governor of Virginia and assumed a +herculean task. The recent devastations of the British army aided by +tories who remained on the soil, had thrown everything into one chaotic +mass. He entered upon the discharge of his duties with an energy that +showed no "fugitive fear" and became one of the most popular chief +magistrates that ever filled the gubernatorial chair of the Old +Dominion. He was re-elected twice and was then inelligible by the +constitution and once more sought retirement. Without his knowledge or +consent he was immediately after nominated for the legislature and for +the first time defeated. This was effected by a cunning device of his +opponent. When Governor he had ordered the militia to level the +embankments at Yorktown which was the first and last unpopular act of +his life. This was the political hobby-horse on which his opponent +gained the race. Mr. Harrison removed into the adjoining county of +<ins class="correct" title="Surry">Surrey</ins> and was returned to the same Legislature with his successful +competitor. To add to the chagrin of his opponents he was elected +Speaker of the House. Before the year expired he was urged to return to +his former residence. Old age and declining health induced him to +permanently retire from public life.</p> + +<p>In 1788 he was a member of the Convention of his State to which the +Federal Constitution was submitted and was chairman of the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +committee—that of privileges and elections. He opposed the document in +some of its details as being too indefinite in defining the powers of +the General and State Governments but approved it as a whole with +certain amendments that were returned with it. So strong was the +opposition to its adoption by nearly half of the delegates that this +large minority held a private meeting in the night for the purpose of +adopting plans of opposition that were calculated to produce the most +fatal consequences. Fortunately this cool and deliberate patriarch of +Liberty gained admittance and prevailed upon them to submit to the +majority of nine and pursue the legal remedy for obtaining amendments +after it became the law of the land. This noble and patriotic act formed +the crowning glory of his public career.</p> + +<p>In 1790 he was nominated for Governor but declined serving and used his +utmost influence in favor of Mr. Randolph and induced his own son to +vote against him who was a member of the House which elected the Chief +Magistrate. Mr. Randolph was unpopular with some of the members who were +confident of defeating him could they prevail upon Mr. Harrison to +consent to be used as a party man. His Roman integrity and influence +prevailed and Mr. Randolph was made Governor.</p> + +<p>During the next year his health declined rapidly. Shortly after his +unanimous election to the Legislature he was prostrated by a severe +attack of the gout which terminated his long and useful life in April +1791, leaving a large family of children to mourn the loss of a kind +father—his country to lament the exit of a favorite son and noble +patriot. He was the father of the late President Harrison who survived +just one month after his inauguration.</p> + +<p>Mr. Harrison was a man of great muscular power—above the middle height, +graceful but plain in his manners with an intelligent countenance +indicating strength of mind and decision of character. During the latter +part of his life he became quite corpulent in consequence of a quiet +mind and good dinners. His private character was above reproach. His wit +and humor made him a pleasant companion—his intelligence and good sense +made him an instructive one. His cool head, good heart, sound judgment +and agreeable temperament made him an important public servant just +suited to the times in which he lived. Were all our legislators of the +present day like him—fanaticism and ultraism could not flourish—our +UNION would be safe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOHN_HART" id="JOHN_HART"></a>JOHN HART.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">No</span> occupation is so well calculated to rivet upon the heart a love of +country as that of agriculture. No profession is more honorable—but few +are as conducive to health and above all others it insures peace, +tranquillity and happiness. A calling independent in its nature—it is +calculated to produce an innate love of Liberty. The farmer stands upon +a lofty eminence and looks upon the bustle of mechanism, the din of +commerce and the multiform perplexities of the various literary +professions, with feelings of personal freedom unknown to them. He +acknowledges the skill and indispensable necessity of the first—the +enterprise and usefulness of the second—the wide spread benefits of the +last—then turns his mind to the pristine quiet of his agrarian domain +and covets not the fame that clusters around them all. His opportunities +for intellectual improvement are superior to the two first and in many +respects not inferior to the last. Constantly surrounded by the varied +beauties of nature and the never ceasing harmonious operation of her +laws—his mind is led to contemplate the wisdom of the great Architect +of worlds. The philosophy of the universe is constantly presenting new +phases to his enraptured view. Aloof from the commoving arena of public +life but made acquainted with what is passing there through the medium +of the magic <span class="smcap">press</span>—he is able to form deliberate opinions upon the +various topics that concern the good and glory of his country. In his +retired domicil he is less exposed to that corrupt and corrupting party +spirit that is raised by the whirlwind of selfish ambition and often +rides on the tornado of faction. Before he is roused to a participation +in violent commotions he hears much, reflects deeply, resolves nobly. +When the oppression of rulers becomes so intolerable as to induce the +yeomanry of a country to leave their ploughs and peaceful firesides and +draw the avenging sword—let them beware and know the day of retribution +is at hand.</p> + +<p>Thus it was at the commencement of the American Revolution. When the +implements of husbandry were exchanged for those of war and the farmers +joined in the glorious cause of Liberty, the fate of England's power +over the Colonies was hermetically sealed. The concentrated phalanx of +commingling professions was irresistible as an avalanche in the full +plenipotence of force.</p> + +<p>Among the patriots of that eventful era who left their ploughs and +rushed to the rescue was John Hart, born at Hopewell, Hunterdon County, +N. J. about the year 1715. The precise time of his birth is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> not a +matter of record—his acts in the cause of Liberty are. He was the son +of Edward Hart, a brave and efficient officer who aided the mother +country in the conquest of Canada and participated in the epic laurels +that were gained by Wolfe on the heights of Abraham. He raised a +volunteer corps under the cognomen of Jersey Blues—an appellation still +the pride of Jerseymen. He fought valiantly and was recompensed with +praise—not the gold of the mother country. John Hart was an extensive +farmer, a man of strong mind improved by reading and reflection, ever +ambitious to excel in his profession. In Deborah Scudder he found an +amiable and faithful wife. In the affections and good conduct of a +liberal number of sons and daughters he found an enjoyment which +bachelors may affect to disdain but for which they often sigh. Eden's +fair bowers were dreary until Heaven's first best gift to man was there.</p> + +<p>Known as a man of sound judgment, clear perception, liberal views and +pure motives, John Hart was called to aid in public business long before +the Revolution. For twenty years he had served in various stations and +was often a member of the legislature. He took a deep interest in the +local improvements necessary in a new country. He was a warm advocate +for education, was liberal in donations to seminaries of learning. He +was a friend to social order and did much to produce an equilibrium in +the scales of justice. In organizing the municipal government of his +county he rendered essential service. He looked on public business as a +duty <ins class="correct" title="to to be">to be</ins> performed when required—not as a political hobby-horse to +ride upon. The public men of that day said but little. They despatched +business promptly with an eye single to the general good. Sinecures were +unknown—office hunters few and far between. Industry, frugality and +economy in public and private matters were marked characteristics of the +pilgrim fathers. Golden days! when will ye return in the majesty of your +innocence and banish from our land the enervating follies, the poisonous +weeds, the impugning evils that augur the destruction of our far famed +Republic.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hart was quick to discern the encroachments of the British ministry +upon the chartered and constitutional rights of the colonies and prompt +to resist them. The passage of the Stamp Act on the 22d of March 1765 +was followed by a commotion that indicated a slender tenure of kingly +power in America. This odious Act was repealed on the 18th of March +1776. But the ministerial alchemists were madly bent on new experiments. +The colonists had borne the yoke of artful and increasing restrictions +upon their trade and industry for fifty years.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> It was presumed their +necks were hardened so as to bear a heavier burden. Deluded +alchemists—they little understood the kind of metal put in their +crucible. Direct taxation without representation was no part of the +English constitution. This violation could not be tamely submitted to. +The second edition of the revenue plan revised and stereotyped in 1767 +by Charles Townshend, Chancellor of the Exchequer, imposing a duty on +glass, paper, pasteboard, tea and painters' colors—kindled a flame in +the Colonies that no earthly power could quench. Public meetings against +the measure—resolutions of the deepest censure, remonstrances of the +strongest character, arguments of the most conclusive logic were hurled +back upon the ministry. Boston harbor was converted into a teapot and +all the tea afloat used at one drawing. Non-importation agreements, +committees of safety, preparations for defence, non-intercourse, +bloodshed, war and Independence followed. In all these movements Mr. +Hart concurred and firmly opposed the encroachments of the crown.</p> + +<p>In 1774 he was elected to Congress and entered upon the high duties of +his station with a deep sense of the responsibilities that rested upon +that body at that particular time. Mild, deliberate, cautious, discreet +and firm in his purposes—he became an important member in carrying out +the measures then contemplated—reconciliation and a restoration of +amity. On the 10th of May 1775 he again took his place in Congress. The +cry of blood, shed on the 19th of the preceding April at Lexington, had +infused a spirit among the members widely different from that which +pervaded their minds at the previous meeting. It was then that the cool +deliberation of such men as Mr. Hart was indispensable. The ardor and +impetuosity of youth had passed away—propositions and arguments were +placed in the balance of reason. Causes, effects, objects, ends, plans, +means, consequences—all were put in the scales of justice and honestly +weighed. In this manner every act was performed with clean hands, the +cause of Liberty honored, prospered and crowned with triumphant success. +At this time Mr. Hart was a member and Vice President of the Assembly of +New Jersey and shortly after had the proud satisfaction of aiding in the +funeral obsequies of the old government and joined in the festivities of +forming a new one upon the broad platform of republicanism.</p> + +<p>On the 14th of February 1776 he was again elected to the Continental +Congress and when the Chart of Liberty was presented he carefully +examined its bold physiognomy—pronounced its points, features, +landmarks, delineations and entire combinations worthy of freemen gave +it his vote, his signature and his benediction. At the close of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +session he retired from public life and declined a re-election. As he +anticipated, the British drove away his family, destroyed his property +and after he returned hunted him from place to place and several times +had him so nearly cornered that his escape seemed impossible. His +exposure in eluding the pursuit of the relentless foe brought on illness +that terminated his life in 1780. He was a worthy member of the Baptist +church—a devoted Christian—an <span class="smcap">honest man</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="PATRICK_HENRY" id="PATRICK_HENRY"></a>PATRICK HENRY.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Genius</span> is one of the indefinable attributes of man. We may think, see, +talk and write upon this noble quality, rehearse its triumphant +achievements, its magic wonders, its untiring efforts—but what <i>is</i> +genius? that's the question—one that none but pedants will attempt to +answer. The thing, the moving cause, the <i>modus operandi</i> can no more be +comprehended and reduced to materiality than the spirit that animates +our bodies. The man who can do this can analyze the tornado, put the +thunder cloud in his breeches pocket and quaff lightning for a beverage. +Metaphysicians, physiologists and craniologists may put on their robes +of mystery, arm each eye with a microscope, each finger with the acutest +phrenological sensibility, whet up all their mental powers to the finest +keenness, strain their imagination to its utmost tension, tax +speculation one hundred per cent, and then call to their aid the +brightest specimens of this occult power—the combined force could not +weave a web and label it <span class="smcap">genius</span> that would not be an insult to common +sense. Genius is the essential oil of mental power. No frost can freeze +it, no fog can mildew it, no heat can paralyze it, no potentate can +crush it. In all countries and climes it springs up spontaneously but +flourishes most luxuriantly and attains a more perfect symmetry and +greater strength when nurtured by intelligence and freedom. So versatile +is this concentrated essence of mental power that we can form no rule to +pre-determine its personal locality, its time of development, its +measure of strength or the extent of its orbit. Like a blazing +meteor—it bursts suddenly upon us as in the darkness of night, +illuminating the world and like the lightning thunder bolt—shivers +every obstacle that stands in its way.</p> + +<p>Thus it was with Patrick Henry born at Studley, Hanover County, +Virginia, on the 29th of May 1736. His father was a highly reputable man +of Scotch descent—his mother was the sister of Judge Winston who was +justly celebrated as an eloquent speaker. During his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> childhood and +youth Patrick was remarkable for indolence and a love of recreation. He +arrived at manhood with a limited education and ignorant of all +occupations. His mind was not cultivated, his native talents were not +developed, his genius was not awakened until after he was a husband and +a father. His friends vainly endeavored to put him on a course of +application to business by setting him up in the mercantile line. +<ins class="correct" title="Prefering">Preferring</ins> his fishing rod and gun to measuring tape he soon failed. +Finding himself bankrupt he concluded that the increasing troubles of +his pilgrimage were too numerous to bear alone. He married the daughter +of a respectable planter and became a tiller of the ground. Unacquainted +with this new vocation he soon swamped in the quagmire of adversity. He +then gibed, put his helm hard up and tacked to the mercantile business. +Still he was unfortunate. Poverty claimed him as a favorite son and +bestowed upon him special attention. An increasing family needed +increased means of support. Creditors had the assurance to shower duns +upon him and cruelly reduced him to misery and want. He then conceived +the idea of studying law. For the first time he felt most keenly the +waste of time in his childhood and youth. He saw many of his age who had +ascended high on the ladder of fame whose native powers of mind he knew +to be inferior to his. He bent his whole energies to study and in six +weeks after he commenced was admitted to the Bar, more as a compliment +to his respectable connexions and his destitute situation than from the +knowledge he had obtained of the abstruse science of law during the +brief period he had been engaged in its investigation. Folded in the +coils of extreme want for the three ensuing years he made but slight +advances in his profession. He obtained the necessaries of life by +aiding his father-in-law at a <i>tavern</i> bar instead of being at the Bar +of the court. He was still ardently attached to his gun. He often look +his knapsack of provisions and remained in the woods several days and +nights. On his return he would enter the court in his coarse and blood +stained hunting dress—take up his causes—carry them through with +astonishing adroitness and finally gained a popular reputation as an +advocate.</p> + +<p>In 1764 he was employed in a case of contested election tried at +Richmond, which introduced him among the fashionable and gay whose dress +and manners formed a great contrast with his. He made no preparation to +meet his learned and polished adversaries. As he moved awkwardly among +them, some, who were squinting at him and his coarse apparel, <ins class="correct" title="suppossed">supposed</ins> +him <i>non compos mentis</i>. When the case was tried the audience and court +were electrified by his torrent of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> native eloquence and lucid logic. +Judges Tyler and Winston who were upon the bench declared they had never +before witnessed so happy and powerful an effort in point of sublime +rhetoric and conclusive argument. The towering genius of Patrick Henry +then burst from embryo into blooming life. From that time his fame +spread its expansive wings and soared far above those of gayer plumage +but of less strength. A lucrative practice banished want, sunshine +friends returned and flashed around him, he leaped upon the flood tide +of prosperity. From his childhood he had been a close observer of human +nature—the only germ of genius visible in his juvenile character. He +had studiously cultivated this important attribute which was of great +advantage to him through life. So familiar had he become with the +propensities and operations of the mind that he comprehended all its +intricacies, impulses and variations. This gave him a great advantage +over many of his professional brethren who had studied Greek and Latin +more but human nature less than this self-made man. He took a deep and +comprehensive view of the causes that impel men to action and of the +results produced by the multifarious influences that control them. He +grasped the designs of creation, the duty of man to his fellow and his +God, the laws of nature, reason and revelation and became a bold +advocate for liberty of conscience, equal rights and universal freedom. +From the expansive view he had taken of the rights of man, the different +forms of government, the oppression of kings, the policy pursued by the +mother country towards the American colonies, he was fully convinced +that to be great and happy a nation must be free and independent. With +the eye of a statesman he had viewed the increasing oppression of the +crown. They had reached his noble soul and roused that soul to action. +Patrick Henry first charged the revolutionary ball with patriotic fire +in Virginia and gave it an impetus that gathered force as it rolled +onward.</p> + +<p>In 1765 he was elected to the Assembly and at once took a bold decisive +stand against British oppression. He introduced resolutions against the +Stamp Act that were so pointed and bold as to alarm many of the older +members although they admitted the truth and justice of the sentiments +expressed. They had not his genius to design or his moral courage to +execute. To impart a share of these to them and allay the palpitations +of their trembling hearts was the province of this young champion of +freedom. In this he succeeded—his resolutions were passed. Each was +drawn from the translucent fountain of eternal justice—based upon +equity and law and within the orbit of Magna<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> Charta that had been the +polar star of the English government ever since the 19th of June 1215. +Read them and judge.</p> + +<p>"Resolved—That the first adventurers and settlers of this his majesty's +colony and dominion brought with them and transmitted to their posterity +and all other his majesty's subjects since inhabiting in this his +majesty's said colony—all the privileges, franchises and immunities +that have at any time been held, enjoyed and possessed by the people of +Great Britain.</p> + +<p>"Resolved—That by two royal charters granted by King James I. the +colonies aforesaid are declared entitled to all the privileges, +liberties and immunities of denizens and natural born subjects to all +intents and purposes as if they had been born and abiding within the +realm of England.</p> + +<p>"Resolved—That the taxation of the people by themselves or by persons +chosen by themselves to represent them who can only know what taxes the +people are able to bear and the easiest mode of raising them and are +equally affected by such taxes themselves, is the distinguishing +characteristic of British freedom and without which the ancient +constitution cannot subsist.</p> + +<p>"Resolved—That his majesty's liege people of this most ancient colony +have uninterruptedly enjoyed the right of being thus governed by their +own Assembly in the article of their taxes and internal police and that +the same hath never been forfeited or in any other way given up but hath +been constantly recognized by the king's people of Great Britain.</p> + +<p>"Resolved therefore—That the General Assembly of this colony has the +sole right and power to lay taxes and impositions upon the inhabitants +of this colony and that any attempt to vest such power in any person or +persons whosoever other than the General Assembly aforesaid has a +manifest tendency to destroy British as well as American freedom."</p> + +<p>The cringing sycophants of a corrupt and corrupting ministry could +not—<i>dare</i> not deny the correctness of these resolutions. They were +hailed by every patriot as the firm pillars of American liberty. They +were based upon the well defined principles of the English constitution +and confined within the limits of the ancient landmarks of that sacred +instrument. They were enforced by the overwhelming eloquence and logic +of Mr. Henry and seconded by the cool deep calculating Johnson, who +sustained them by arguments and conclusions that carried conviction and +conversion to the minds of many who were poising on the agonizing pivot +of hesitation a few moments before. Some members opposed them who +subsequently espoused the cause of equal rights<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> with great vigor. This +opposition brought out in fuller, richer foliage the genius of the +mover. He stood among the great in all the sublimity of his towering +intellect the acknowledged champion of that legislative hall which he +had but recently entered. Astonishment and delight held his electrified +audience captive as he painted the increasing infringements of the +hirelings of the crown in bold and glowing colors. He presented in +perspective the torrents of blood and seas of trouble through which the +colonists had waded to plant themselves in the new world. With his +paralyzing finger he pointed to the chains forged by tyranny already +clanking upon every ear with a terrific sound. To be free or slaves was +the momentous question. He was prepared and determined to unfold the +banner of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>—drive from his native soil the task-masters of mother +Britain or perish in the attempt. His opponents were astounded and found +it impossible to stem the mighty current of popular feeling put in +motion by the gigantic powers of this bold advocate of right. The +resolutions passed amidst cries of <i>treason</i> from the tories—<i>Liberty +or death</i> from the patriots. The seeds of freedom were deeply planted on +that day and Old Virginia proved a congenial soil for their growth. From +that time Patrick Henry was hailed as one of the great advocates of +human rights and rational liberty. He stood on the loftiest pinnacle of +fame, unmoved and unscathed by the fire of persecution calmly surveying +the raging elements of the revolutionary storm in boiling commotion +around him.</p> + +<p>In August 1774 a Convention met at Williamsburg and passed a series of +resolutions pledging support to the eastern Colonies in the common cause +against the common enemy. Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, George +Washington, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, Edmund Pendleton and +Patrick Henry were appointed delegates to the general Congress. On the +4th of September this august assembly of patriotic sages met in +Carpenter's Hall at the city of Philadelphia. The object for which they +had met was one of imposing and thrilling interest, big with events, +absorbing in character and vast in importance. The eyes of gazing +millions were turned upon them—the burning wrath of the king was +flashing before them—the anathema of the ministers was pronounced +against them. But they still resolved to go on. The hallowed cause of +freedom impelled them to action. After an address to the God of Hosts +imploring his guidance the proceedings opened by appointing Peyton +Randolph of Virginia President. A deep and solemn silence ensued. Each +member seemed to appeal to Heaven for aid and direction. At length +Patrick Henry rose in all the majesty of his greatness. Echo lingered to +catch a sound. Like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> a colossal statue there he stood and surveyed the +master spirits around him—his countenance solemn as eternity. O, my +God! what a moment of agonizing suspense! His lips opened—his +stentorian voice broke the painful silence—respiration regained its +freedom—the hall was illuminated with patriotic fire. With the +eloquence of Demosthenes, the philosophy of Socrates, the justice of +Aristides and the patriotism of Cincinnatus he took a bold, broad, +impartial and comprehensive view of the past, present and future—held +up to the light the relations between the mother country and the +Colonies—unveiled the dark designs of the corrupt unprincipled +ministry—exposed their unholy claims to wield an iron sceptre over +America—demonstrated clearly that their ulterior object was the slavery +of the people and extortion of money and painted a nation's rights and a +nation's wrongs in flaming colors of lurid brightness. The dignity and +calmness of his manner, the clearness of his logic, the force of his +arguments, the power of his eloquence, the solemnity of his countenance +and voice—combined to inspire an awe and deep toned feeling until then +unknown to the astonished audience. His elevation of thought seemed +supernatural and purified by divinity. He seemed commissioned by the +great Jehovah to rouse his countrymen to a sense of impending danger. He +sat down amidst repeated bursts of applause the acknowledged Demosthenes +of the new world—the most powerful orator of America.</p> + +<p>In March 1775 he was a member of the Virginia Convention that convened +at Richmond, where he proposed resolutions to adopt immediate measures +of defence sufficient to repel any invasion by the mother country. In +these he was strongly opposed by several influential members who were +still disposed to cringe to royal power. Reeking with wrongs and +insolence as it was, <i>he</i> held that power in utter contempt. His +dauntless soul soared above the trappings of a crown backed by bayonets +and sought for rest only in the goal of freedom. The following extract +from his speech on that thrilling occasion will best convey the tone of +his emotions—deeply felt and strongly told. His overwhelming eloquence +we can but faintly imagine.</p> + +<p>"Mr. President—It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of +hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth and listen to +the songs of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the +part of wise men engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? +Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who, having eyes see not +and having ears hear not the things that so nearly concern their +temporal salvation? For my part whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, +I am willing to know the whole truth—to know the worst and provide<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> for +it. I have but one lamp to guide my feet and that is the lamp of +experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past. I +wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry +for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen are +pleased to solace themselves and the House? Is it that insidious smile +with which our petition has lately been received? Trust it not sir—it +will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed by +a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of your petition +comports with those warlike preparations that cover our waters and +darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and +reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled +that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive +ourselves sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation—the last +arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this +mortal array if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can +gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any +enemy in this quarter of the world to call for all this accumulation of +navies and armies? No sir—she has none. They are meant for <i>us</i>, they +can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us +those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And +what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been +trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon +the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of +which it is capable but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to +entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find that have not +already been exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you sir, deceive ourselves +longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the +storm that is coming on. We have petitioned—we have remonstrated, we +have supplicated, we have prostrated ourselves before the throne and +have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the +ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted, our +remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult, our +supplications have been disregarded and we have been spurned with +contempt from the foot of the throne.</p> + +<p>"In vain after these things may we indulge the fond hope of peace and +reconciliation. <i>There is no longer room for hope.</i> If we wish to be +free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for +which we have been so long contending—if we mean not basely to abandon +the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged and which we +have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of +our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> contest shall be obtained—<i>we must fight</i>! I repeat it sir—<i>we +must fight</i>!! An appeal to arms and the God of Hosts is all that is left +us. It is vain sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry—<i>peace</i>! +<i>peace</i>!—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The next +gale that comes from the north will bring to our ears the clash of +resounding arms. Our brethren are already in the field. What is it +gentlemen wish? What would they have? Why stand we here idle? Is life so +dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and +slavery? <i>Forbid it Almighty God!</i> I know not what course others may +take but as for <i>me—give me Liberty or Death</i>!!!" See the resolutions +to which he thus spoke in the life of Nelson.</p> + +<p>The effect of this speech was electrical. It insulated nearly every +heart with the liquid fire of patriotism. The cry <i>to arms—Liberty or +death</i> resounded from every quarter, rang through every ear and was +responded by every patriot. The resolutions were seconded by Richard +Henry Lee and adopted without further opposition and a committee +appointed to carry them into effect. From that time the Old Dominion was +renewed, regenerated and free. Her noble sons rushed to the rescue and +cheerfully poured out their blood and treasure in the cause of rational +liberty. Soon after, the convention adjourned to August. About that time +Lord Dunmore removed a quantity of powder from the magazine at +Williamsburg on board the armed ship to which he had retreated. On +learning this fact Mr. Henry collected a military force and demanded the +restoration of the specific article or its equivalent in money. The +needful was paid and no claret drawn. A royal proclamation was issued +against these daring rebels which united the people more strongly in +favor of their orator and soldiers whose conduct they sanctioned in +several public meetings.</p> + +<p>In August when the Convention met Mr. Henry was again elected to the +Continental Congress and remained one of the boldest champions of right +and justice. In June 1776 he was elected governor of his native state. +He served faithfully for two years and although unanimously re-elected +declined serving longer. In 1780 he was a member of the legislature of +his state and manifested an unabating zeal in the cause he had nobly +espoused and essentially advanced. In 1788 he was a member of the +Virginia Convention convened to consider the Federal Constitution. To +that instrument he was strongly opposed because he believed it +consolidated the states into one government destroying the sovereignty +of each. His eloquence on that occasion is believed to have reached its +zenith for the first time. His closing speech surpassed all former +efforts and operated so powerfully that only a small majority voted for +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> adoption of the Constitution. During his remarks an incident +occurred that enabled him almost to paralyze his audience. After +describing the magnitude of the measure on which hung the happiness or +misery of the present generation and millions yet unborn—with a voice +and countenance solemn as the tomb—his eyes raised upward, he appealed +to the God of Heaven and to angels then hovering over them to witness +the thrilling scene and invoked their aid in the mighty work before him. +At that moment a sudden thunder storm commenced its fury and shook the +very earth. Upon the roar of the tempest his stentorian voice continued +to rise—he figuratively seized the artillery of the elements as by +supernatural power—enveloped his opponents in a blaze of liquid +lightning—hurled the crashing thunderbolts at their heads and seemed +commissioned by the great Jehovah to execute a deed of vengeance. The +scene was fearfully sublime—the effect tremendous. The purple current +rushed back upon the aching heart—every countenance was pale, every eye +was fixed, every muscle electrified, every vein contracted, every mind +agonized—the sensation became insupportable—the members rushed from +their seats in confusion and left the room without a formal adjournment.</p> + +<p>Mr. Henry remained in the legislature of his state until 1791 when he +retired from public life. He had toiled long, faithfully and +successfully for his country and his state. He anxiously desired and +sought that felicity and repose found only in the family circle. In 1795 +his revered friend, President Washington, tendered him the important +office of Secretary of State. With a deep feeling of gratitude he +declined the proffered honor. In 1794 he was again elected governor of +Virginia but was in too poor health to serve. In 1799 President Adams +appointed him Envoy to France in conjunction with Messrs. Murray and +Ellsworth. His rapidly declining health would not permit him to accept +this last of his appointments. Disease was fast consummating the work of +death and consuming the iron constitution and athletic frame that had +enabled him to perform his duty so nobly during the toils of the +Revolution. He was sensible that the work of dissolution was nearly +completed and looked to his final exit with calm submission and +Christian fortitude. On the 6th of June 1799 he bowed to the only +monarch that could conquer him—the death king. With a full assurance of +a crown of unfading glory in Heaven he threw off the mortal coil and was +numbered with the dead. His loss was deeply mourned by the American +nation and most strongly felt by those who knew him best. The following +affectionate tribute is from one who knew him well.</p> + +<p>"Mourn, Virginia, mourn! your Henry is gone. Ye friends to liberty in +every clime drop a tear. No more will his social feelings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> spread +delight through his house. No more will his edifying example dictate to +his numerous offsprings the sweetness of virtue and the majesty of +patriotism. No more will his sage advice, guided by zeal for the common +happiness, impart light and utility to his caressing neighbors. No more +will he illuminate the public councils with sentiments drawn from the +cabinet of his own mind ever directed to his country's good and clothed +in eloquence sublime, delightful and commanding. Farewell—first rate +patriot—farewell! As long as our rivers flow or mountains stand—so +long will your excellence and worth be the theme of our homage and +endearment and Virginia, bearing in mind her loss, will say to rising +generations—<span class="smcap">imitate my Henry</span>!"</p> + +<p>In tracing the character of this great and good man his examples in +public and private life are found worthy of imitation. As by magic he +threw off the cumbrous mass that so long confined his mighty genius and +at once became a gigantic and brilliant intellectual man. Nature had so +moulded him that the ordinary concerns of life never roused him. Had not +the momentous subject of freedom engaged the mind of this bold and noble +patriot he might have closed his career with its strongest powers +unspent and left his loftiest talents to expire beneath the surface of +the quarry from which they sublimely rose in peerless majesty. It +required occasions of deep and thrilling interest to bring his latent +energies into action. The exciting causes of the revolution were exactly +calculated to bring him out in all the grandeur of his native greatness. +As an advocate, orator, patriot and statesman—he was the colossus of +his time. As Grattan said of Pitt—there was something in Patrick Henry +that could create, subvert or reform—an understanding, a spirit, an +eloquence to summon mankind to society or break the bonds of slavery +asunder and rule the wilderness of free minds with unbounded +authority—something that could establish or overwhelm empires and +strike a blow in the world that should resound through the universe. He +maintained his opinions with great zeal but held himself open to +conviction of error. When under discussion he opposed the Federal +Constitution but subsequently approved its form and substance.</p> + +<p>His private character was as pure as his public career was glorious. He +was twice married and the father of fifteen children. As a husband, +father, friend, citizen and neighbor he had no superior. The closing +paragraph of his will is worthy of record, showing a profound veneration +for religion. "I have now disposed of all my property to my family. +There is one thing more I wish I could give them and that is the +Christian religion. If they had this and I had not given<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> them one +shilling they would be rich and if they had not that and I had given +them all the world they would be poor."</p> + +<p>Coming from one of the clearest minds that ever investigated the truths +of revelation this short paragraph speaks volumes in favour of that +religion which is despised by some—neglected by millions and is the one +thing needful to prepare us for a blissful immortality beyond the +confines of the whirling planet on which we live, move and have a +transient being. Ponder it well, dear reader and govern yourself +accordingly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOSEPH_HEWES" id="JOSEPH_HEWES"></a>JOSEPH HEWES.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Charity</span>, like the patriotism of '76, is more admired than used—more +preached than practised. It descended from heaven to soften the hearts +of the human family—mellow the asperities of human nature. It is the +substratum of philanthropy, the main pillar of earthly felicity, the +brightest star in the Christian's diadem, the connecting link between +man and his Creator, the golden chain that reaches from earth to +mansions of enduring bliss. It spurns the scrofula of green-eyed +jealousy, the canker of self-tormenting envy, the tortures of +heart-burning malice, the typhoid of boiling revenge, the cholera of +damning ingratitude. It tames the fierce passions of man, prepares him +for that brighter world where this crowning attribute of Deity reigns +triumphant. Could its benign influence reach the hearts of all mankind +the partition walls of sectarianism would be lost in pure philanthropy, +individual and universal happiness would be immeasurably advanced, many +of the dark clouds of human misery would vanish before its heart +cheering soul reviving rays like a morning fog before the rising sun. It +is an impartial mirror set in the frame of love embossed with equity and +justice. Let broad and universal charity pervade the family of man with +its sunbeams of living light—then a blow will be struck for the <span class="smcap">King</span> of +kings that will resound through the wilderness of mind and cause it to +bud and blossom as the rose. Then the human race will be rapidly +evangelized and made free in the fraternizing gospel of the <span class="smcap">word</span>—a +gospel untrammelled by the inventions and dogmas of men—a gospel +crowned with all the glory of original simplicity and heavenly love.</p> + +<p>These practical remarks are induced from a review of the life of Joseph +Hewes whose father was one of the persecuted Quakers of New England and +was compelled to fly from Connecticut in conse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>quence of his religions +tenets. A marked inconsistency has often been fearfully exemplified by +those who have fled from religious persecution. The moment they obtained +the reigns of power they have become the relentless persecutors of all +who would not succumb to their authority and dogmatical dictation. In +the biography of Charles Carroll the reader has one example. Under the +administration of the Saybrook and Cambridge platforms a sterner policy +was pursued towards the Quakers of New England than against the Roman +Catholics of Maryland. Before these platforms were systematically +dovetailed together the Baptist denomination was banished from the old +settlements. Roger Williams came from Wales to Massachusetts in 1631 and +preached the Baptist doctrine at Salem and Plymouth until 1636 when he +and his flock were banished for their religious opinions. He and his +adherents removed into the wilderness of Rhode Island and commenced the +town of Providence. They formed the first church in New England where +undisturbed freedom of conscience was enjoyed with a republican form of +church government. The frame-work of the Cambridge platform was +commenced by an ecclesiastical convention in 1646 and the superstructure +completed in 1648. On this platform the municipal and legislative +proceedings of Massachusetts were based for sixty years. In 1656 the +legislature passed a law prohibiting any master of a vessel from +bringing a Quaker into the Colony under a penalty of one hundred pounds. +The next year a law was passed inflicting the most barbarous cruelties +upon the members of this peace-loving sect—such as cutting off their +ears, boring their tongues with a hot iron, unless they would desist +from their mode of worship and doff their straight coats and ugly +bonnets. In 1669 a law was passed banishing them on pain of death. Four +of them who refused to go were executed. Some historians have had the +effrontery to excuse this cruelty because the Quakers promulged their +doctrines too boldly and thus provoked the Cambridge authorities. This +sophistical apology is too far fetched. It shrinks from the mellow touch +of charity and the fair scrutiny of justice. The cruelty admits of no +palliation until we can convert the baser passions into virtues. By +recurring to the bigotry and fanaticism of that period we can readily +learn <i>why</i> such a course was pursued. This affords no healing balm for +the mind of a true philanthropist. We can only regret the past and +rejoice that charity and liberty have so far triumphed in our now free +and happy country as to dispel religious darkness and restore man to a +degree of reason that has paralyzed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> persecution unto blood for +opinion's sake—the brightest luminary in the constellation of a free +government.</p> + +<p>To avoid the penalties imposed, Adam Hewes, the father of Joseph, fled +from Connecticut with his wife Providence and located near Kingston, New +Jersey, where they lived peacefully and died happily. When they crossed +the Housatonic river in their flight they were so closely pursued by the +Indians that Providence was severely wounded in the neck by a ball from +one of their guns. Joseph Hewes was born at the new residence of his +parents in 1730. After receiving a good education in the Princeton +school he commenced a commercial apprenticeship in Philadelphia. On +completing this he entered into a successful mercantile business. For +several years he spent his time in New York and Philadelphia and engaged +largely in the shipping business. He was of a cheerful turn, had a +penetrating mind, a sound judgment, a good heart and was persevering in +all his undertakings. He was fond of social intercourse, convivial +parties and sometimes exhibited the light fantastic toe. He entered into +the full fruition of rational enjoyment without abusing it.</p> + +<p>In 1760 he located at Edenton, North Carolina. He was soon after elected +to the Assembly of that province and became a substantial and useful +member. He made no pretensions to public speaking, was a faithful +working man, a correct voter and punctually in his place. When the +revolutionary storm commenced he faced its fury without the umbrella of +doubt or the overcoat of fear. He was among those who pledged their +lives, fortunes and sacred honors in the cause of Independence. He was a +member of the Congress of 1774 and one of the committee that reported +the rights of the American Colonies—the manner they had been violated +and the proposed means for obtaining redress. From this circumstance we +may infer that Joseph Hewes was a man of cool deliberation, clearness of +perception and understood well the principles of constitutional law and +chartered rights. The report of this committee is a lucid and elaborate +document. By referring to the Declaration of Independence the reader +will have the features of the first part portraying the rights of the +colonies. By reading the instructions from the primary convention of +Pennsylvania in the biography of James Smith the second part will be +seen pointing out the violations. The third part proposing the +preliminary means for obtaining redress are fully set forth in the +following extract. After relating the injuries of the mother country the +report proceeds—</p> + +<p>"Therefore we do, for ourselves and the inhabitants of the several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +colonies whom we represent, firmly agree and associate under the sacred +ties of virtue, honor and love of our country as follows—</p> + +<p>"<i>First.</i> That from and after the first day of December next we will not +import into British America from Great Britain or Ireland, any goods, +wares or merchandize whatsoever or from any other place any such goods, +wares or merchandize as shall have been exported from Great Britain or +Ireland—nor will we, after that day, import any East India tea from any +part of the world nor any molasses, syrups, coffee or pimento from the +British plantations or from Dominico nor wine from Madeira or the West +Indies nor foreign indigo.</p> + +<p>"<i>Second.</i> We will neither import nor purchase any slaves imported after +the first day of December next, after which time we will wholly +discontinue the slave trade and will neither be concerned in it +ourselves nor will we hire our vessels nor sell our commodities or +manufactures to those who are concerned in it."</p> + +<p>"<i>Third.</i> As a non-consumption agreement, strictly adhered to, will be +an effectual security for the observation of the non-importation, we as +above solemnly agree and associate, that from this day we will not +purchase or use any tea imported on account of the East India Company or +any on which a duty has been or shall be paid and from the first day of +March next we will not purchase or use any East India tea whatever—nor +will we nor shall any person for or under us purchase or use any of +these goods, wares or merchandize we have agreed not to import which we +shall know or have cause to suspect were imported after the first day of +December, except such as come under the rules and directions of the +tenth article hereafter mentioned.</p> + +<p>"<i>Fourth.</i> The earnest desire we have not to injure our fellow subjects +in Great Britain, Ireland or the West Indies, induces us to suspend a +non-importation until the 10th day of September 1775 at which time, if +the said Acts and parts of Acts of the British Parliament therein +mentioned [see them in the life of James Smith] are not repealed, we +will not directly or indirectly export any merchandize or commodities +whatsoever to Great Britain, Ireland or the West Indies except rice to +Europe.</p> + +<p>"<i>Fifth.</i> Such as are merchants and in the British and Irish trade will +give orders as soon as possible, to their factors, agents and +correspondents in Great Britain and Ireland not to ship any goods to +them on any pretence whatever as they cannot be received in America and +if any merchants residing in Great Britain or Ireland shall directly or +indirectly ship any goods, wares or merchandize for America in order to +break the said non-importation agreement or in any manner contra<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>vene +the same, on such unworthy conduct being well tested it ought to be made +public and on the same being so done we will not from henceforth have +any commercial connection with such merchants.</p> + +<p>"<i>Sixth.</i> That such as are owners of vessels will give positive orders +to their captains or masters not to receive on board their vessels any +goods prohibited by the said non-importation agreement on pain of +immediate dismission from service.</p> + +<p>"<i>Seventh.</i> We will use our best endeavors to improve the breed of sheep +and increase their number to the greatest extent and to that end we will +kill them as seldom as may be, especially those of the most profitable +kind nor will we export any to the West Indies or elsewhere and those of +us who are or may become overstocked with or can conveniently spare any +sheep will dispose of them to our neighbors, especially to the poorer +sort, on moderate terms.</p> + +<p>"<i>Eighth.</i> We will in our several stations encourage frugality, economy +and industry and promote agriculture, arts and the manufactures of this +country especially that of wool and will discountenance and discourage +every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially all +horse-racing and all kinds of gaming, cock-fighting, exhibitions of +shows, plays and other expensive diversions and entertainments and on +the death of any relation or friend, none of us or any of our family +will go into any further mourning dress than a black crape or ribbon on +the arm or hat for gentlemen and a black ribbon and necklace for ladies +and that we will discontinue the giving of gloves and scarfs at +funerals.</p> + +<p>"<i>Ninth.</i> Such as are venders of goods and merchandize will not take the +advantage of the scarcity of goods that may be occasioned by this +association but will sell the same at the rate we have been respectively +accustomed or merchandize shall sell any such goods on higher terms or +shall in any manner or by any device whatsoever depart from this +agreement, no person ought nor will any of us deal with any such person +or his or her factor or agent at any time hereafter for any commodity +whatever.</p> + +<p>"<i>Tenth.</i> In case any merchant, trader or other persons shall import any +goods or merchandize after the first day of December and before the +first day of February next, the same ought forthwith, at the election of +the owners, to be either re-shipped or delivered up to the committee of +the county or town wherein they shall be imported, to be stored at the +risk of the importer until the non-importation agreement shall cease or +be sold under the direction of the committee aforesaid—and in the last +mentioned case the owner or owners of such goods shall be reim<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>bursed +out of the sales the first cost and charges, the profits, if any, to be +applied towards relieving and employing such poor inhabitants of the +town of Boston as are the immediate sufferers by the Boston Port Bill +and a particular account of all goods so returned, stored or sold, to be +inserted in the public paper and if any goods or merchandize shall be +imported after the first day of February the same ought forthwith to be +sent back again without breaking any of the packages thereof.</p> + +<p>"<i>Eleventh.</i> That a committee be chosen in every county, city and town +by those who are qualified to vote for representatives in the +legislatures whose business it shall be attentively to observe the +conduct of all persons touching the association and when it shall be +made to appear to the satisfaction of a majority of any such committee +that any person within the limits of their appointment has violated this +association, that such majority do forthwith cause the truth of the case +to be published in the Gazette to the end that all such foes to the +rights of British America may be publicly known and universally +condemned as the enemies of American liberty and henceforth we +respectively will break off all dealings with him or her.</p> + +<p>"<i>Twelfth.</i> That the committee of correspondence in the respective +Colonies do frequently inspect the entries of the custom house and +inform each other from time to time of the true state thereof and of +every other material circumstance that may occur relative to the +association.</p> + +<p>"<i>Thirteenth.</i> That all manufactures of this country be sold at +reasonable prices so that no undue advantage be taken of a future +scarcity of goods.</p> + +<p>"<i>Fourteenth.</i> And we do further agree and resolve that we will have no +trade, commerce, dealings or intercourse <ins class="correct" title="whatsover">whatsoever</ins> with any colony or +province in North America which shall not accede to or which shall +hereafter violate this association but will hold them unworthy the +rights of freemen and inimical to the rights of their country.</p> + +<p>"And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents under the ties +aforesaid to adhere to this association until such parts of the several +Acts of Parliament passed since the close of the [French] war as impose +or continue duties on tea, wine, molasses, syrups, coffee, sugar, +pimento, indigo, foreign paper, glass, painter's colors imported into +America and extend the powers of the Admiralty Courts beyond their +ancient limits, deprive the American subjects of trial by jury, +authorize the judge's certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from +damages that he might otherwise be liable to from a trial by his peers, +require oppressive security from a claimant of ships or goods before he +shall be allowed to defend his pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>perty are repealed. And we recommend +it to the Provincial Conventions and to the committee in the respective +Colonies to establish such further regulations as they may think proper +for carrying into execution this association."</p> + +<p>Upon this report all the subsequent proceedings of Congress were +predicated. It is a reasonable conclusion that nothing but the most +aggravated violations of their rights could induce such men as composed +the first general Congress to enter into a solemn agreement like the one +here recited. By every true patriot it was adhered to with the most +scrupulous fidelity. The spirit of liberty was infused through the whole +mass of patriots—men, women and children. The oppression had become +intolerable.</p> + +<p>After a session of about two months Congress adjourned to the ensuing +May when Joseph Hewes again took his seat with the venerable sages of +the nation. He was an important member of committees. He was continued +at his post the next year and hailed with joy the proposition to cut the +gordian knot that bound the Colonies to mother Britain. When the set +time arrived to strike the final blow for liberty he sanctioned the +procedure with his vote and signature. His industry, accurate knowledge +of business, his systematic mode of performing every duty, gained for +him the admiration and esteem of all the members, one of whom remarked +of his duties upon the secret committee—"Mr. Hewes was remarkable for a +devotedness to the business of this committee as even the most +industrious merchant was to his counting house." He was upon several of +the most important committees. Upon the one for fitting out a naval +armament he stood in the front rank. He was virtually the first +Secretary of the Navy. With scanty funds he speedily fitted out eight +armed vessels. He was very active in raising supplies in his own state +to strengthen the sinews of war and oil the wheels of the general +government. In 1777 when the enemy threatened vengeance on his state he +declined his seat in Congress and gave his services specially to her +until 1779 when he resumed his place in the national legislature. He was +then worn down with labor and in poor health. He attempted active duty +but disease had prostrated his physical powers and sown the seeds of +death. He continued to attend in the House when able until the 29th day +of October when he left the Hall for the last time. On the 10th of +November 1779 his immortal spirit left its earthy tabernacle and +returned to Him who gave it. His premature death was deeply lamented and +sincerely mourned. Congress passed the usual resolutions—the members +and officers wore the badge of mourning for thirty days. His remains +were buried in Christ Church yard, Philadelphia, followed by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> the +members and officers of Congress, the General Assembly and Supreme +Executive Council of Pennsylvania, the French minister, the military and +a large concourse of other persons all anxious to pay their last +respects to one whom they esteemed in life and whose memory they +delighted to honor after death. The funeral ceremony was performed by +Bishop White, then chaplain of Congress. His dust has ever since reposed +in peace undisturbed by malice or slander. His name is recorded on the +Magna Charta of our Liberty—his fame will live until the last vestige +of American history shall be blotted from the world. Not a blemish rests +upon his private character or public reputation. In all things he was an +honest man.</p> + +<p>The person of Joseph Hewes was elegant, his countenance open and +intelligent, his manners pleasing and polished, his whole course +honorable and just. He would have been a good man had there been no +Heaven to gain or misery to shun. He practised virtue for its intrinsic +worth—not to gain the applause of men. It was not a cloak for him—it +emanated from the inmost recesses of his pure heart. With such men to +guide our ship of state our UNION is safe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="THOMAS_HEYWARD" id="THOMAS_HEYWARD"></a>THOMAS HEYWARD.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Man</span>, to understand and correctly estimate the magnitude and design, of +his creation, must become familiar with the thousand springs of the +undying spirit within him. The labyrinthian mazes of the immortal mind +must be explored and traced from earth to native heaven. The depths of +human nature must be sounded and its channels clearly marked.</p> + +<p>Upon the axis of reason revolving thought performs its endless circuit +with mathematical precision guided by the centripetal force of sound +discretion—or it is projected from its legitimate orbit by the +centrifugal power of random folly into the regions of senseless vacuity +or visionary sophistry. Its ceaseless motion is as perpetual as the +purple stream of our arteries—its momentum is inconceivable—its +tenure—<span class="smcap">eternity</span>. It travels through space with more celerity than +lightning—its earthly career can be arrested only by death.</p> + +<p>To reflect, investigate, reason, analyze—is the province of our +intellectual powers. To comprehend the grand and harmonious organic +structure of nature—the wisdom of the great Architect of universal +worlds—the relation man bears to his God and his fellow man—is to +learn that human beings are endowed by their Creator with equal and +inalienable rights and that they are in duty bound to maintain them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +Justice marks out the golden path, reason leads the way—patriotism +impels to action. The man whose mind is cast in the mould of wisdom by +the almighty hand of the great Jehovah—if he brings into proper +exercise the combined powers of intellectual and physical force, can +never be made a pliant slave. As his soul is expanded by the genial rays +of intelligence he duly appreciates his native dignity, becomes +enraptured with the blessings of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>—resolves to be free. If he is +groaning under the oppressions of tyranny and wears the galling chains +of servility—as light shines upon him he will be roused to a mighty +effort to burst the ignominious thongs that bind him—assert his +inherent rights—assume his proper sphere.</p> + +<p>Thus acted the patriots of the American Revolution with whom Thomas +Heyward was associated during that eventful period. He was the eldest +son of Col. Daniel Heyward a wealthy and respectable planter and was +born in the parish of St. Luke, S. C. in 1746. His opportunities for +obtaining a liberal education were freely afforded by the father and +faithfully improved by the son. He became ardently attached to the Greek +and Roman classics and was enraptured with the history of old Republican +Freedom with all its corruptions clustering around it. The principles of +rational Liberty became deeply rooted in his mind at an early age. As +manhood dawned upon him they were thoroughly matured.</p> + +<p>On completing his collegiate education he commenced the study of law +under Mr. Parsons. His proficiency in that intricate branch of science +was rapid—substantial. He possessed an analyzing mind and never passed +over a subject superficially. He was a close student—explored the vast +fields of civil and common law with a zeal and rapidity as rare as it is +necessary and commendable. When he became familiar with the principles +laid down by Blackstone and understood fully the rights secured to +persons and property by Magna Charta and the British Constitution and +compared them with the iron rod of restriction held over the Colonies by +the mother country—he was roused to a just indignation—more than +<i>prima facie</i> evidence of a clear head and sound common sense.</p> + +<p>After completing his course with Mr. Parsons he went to England and +entered the Middle Temple where he became a finished lawyer—a polished +gentleman. Although amply supplied with money he was not led astray by +the fascinating allurements of pleasures that flatter to seduce—then +ruin and destroy. To enrich his mind with science, legal lore and useful +knowledge, was the <i>ultimatum</i> of his soul. He mingled with what was +termed <i>refined</i> society in London which formed a strik<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>ing contrast +with the republican simplicity of the same grade in his own country. The +fastidious hauteur of English etiquette was far from being congenial to +his mind and did not accord with his ideas of social life. He there met +claims of superiority over native Americans that he knew were based +alone on vain pride or wilful ignorance. His feelings were often wounded +by indignities cast upon his countrymen. This riveted his affections +more strongly upon his native land. They served as fuel to replenish the +glowing fire of patriotism already burning in his bosom. The pomp of +royalty and the empty splendor of the court had no charms for him. The +awful distance between the haughty monarch and the honest peasant—the +towering throne and the worthy yeomanry, operated on his mind like a +talisman and gave his soul a fresh impetus towards the goal of Liberty. +The more he saw of practical monarchy, the more he became opposed to its +iron sway. The more he saw of the action of ministers the more he was +convinced the king was a mere automaton and did not exercise common +volition. Officially he was a marble Colossus—impervious to all +feeling—only to be gazed at. As a human being he was not to be +consulted or troubled with complaints from his subjects but to act as +directed by those whose tool he was.</p> + +<p>After closing his course in the law temple he made the tour of Europe +and returned to the warm embrace of his relatives and friends richly +laden with legal attainments and experimental knowledge. He had become +familiar with the theories of monarchical government and their practical +demonstration. He understood well the policy of the mother country +toward the American Colonies. He had seen her political artificers +engaged at the forge of despotism preparing chains for his beloved +countrymen. He had seen her coffers yawning to receive the ill gotten +treasures wrested from his fellow citizens by the hireling tax +gatherers. His own estate had been laid under contribution to swell the +unholy fund. His neighbors were writhing under the lash of British +oppression. To enlighten their minds, to make them fully understand +their danger, their interests and their duty, became the business of +this zealous patriot. Possessed of a bold and fearless mind directed by +a clear head, an honest heart, a sound judgment and a rich store of +useful intelligence—his exertions were crowned with auspicious success. +His salutary influence was extensively felt—his sterling worth was duly +appreciated.</p> + +<p>Mr. Heyward was a member of the first Assembly of South Carolina that +set British power at defiance. He was also a member of the council of +safety. He discharged his duties with firmness, prudence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> and zeal. No +fugitive fear disturbed his mind—no threatened vengeance moved his +purposes. His eyes were fixed on the temple of freedom, his soul was +insulated by the electric fluid of patriotism, he was resolved on +liberty or death. His life, property and sacred honor were freely +pledged in the glorious cause. He was elected to the Continental +Congress in 1775 but declined serving because so young. A large +delegation of his constituents subsequently waited upon him and +persuaded him to take his seat in the Congress of 1776. He was a warm +advocate for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence—the +revered instrument that shed new lustre on the intellect of man. By his +signature he confirmed the sincerity of his soul in all he had said in +its favor. His conscience, his country and his God approved the act.</p> + +<p>Under the new form of government he was appointed a Judge of the civil +and criminal courts. In that capacity he was called to perform a painful +but imperious duty. Several persons were arraigned before the court +charged with treasonable correspondence with the enemy. They were tried, +found guilty and condemned to be hung in sight of the British lines at +Charleston. With feelings of deep sympathy and humanity but with the +firmness of a Roman he performed his duty with great dignity and +delicacy. He knew they had immortal souls and soared above the cold +indifference—the keen invective that sometimes <i>have</i> but <i>never</i> +should be resorted to.</p> + +<p>Judge Heyward also participated in the perils of the field. He commanded +a company of artillery at the battle of Beaufort and was severely +wounded. At the attack upon Savannah he exhibited the bravery of a +practised veteran. At the siege of Charleston he commanded a battalion +and was one of the unfortunate prisoners who were incarcerated in the +Spanish castle at St. Augustine, Florida. During his absence his +property was destroyed by the enemy. To cap the climax of his severe +afflictions, his amiable and accomplished wife had been laid in the +tomb. She was the daughter of Mr. Matthews and married in 1773. The +tidings of these heart rending occurrences did not reach him until he +was exchanged and arrived at Philadelphia. With the calm and dignified +fortitude of a Christian, philosopher and hero—he met the shafts of +afflictive fate. He mourned deeply but submissively the premature exit +of the wife of his youth, the companion of his bosom. His physical +sufferings and loss of property he freely offered at the altar of +liberty without a murmur.</p> + +<p>He again resumed his duties upon the judicial bench and discharged them +ably and faithfully up to 1798. He was an influential member of the +convention that framed the constitution of his native state in 1790.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> He +married Miss E. Savage for his second wife. After the close of the +trying and bloody scenes through which he had passed he sat down under +his own vine and fig tree and enjoyed the rich fruits of that <span class="smcap">liberty</span> he +had sacrificed so much to obtain. A peaceful quiet reigned in his bosom +and around him. The British yoke had been thrown off—the Gallic chain +had been broken—the increasing millions of his countrymen could look +through the vista of the future with cheering hope and exquisite +pleasure. In the enjoyments of the present—past pains were merged. He +was happy.</p> + +<p>Infirmity and old age admonished him that his mission on earth was fast +drawing to a close. He retired from the public arena covered with epic +and civic honors enduring as the pages of history. In the full fruition +of a nation's gratitude and a nation's freedom his last years passed +smoothly away. He went to his final rest in March 1809, leaving his +tender wife to mourn the loss of a kind husband, his interesting +children to feel deeply the loss of a tender father—his country to +regret the exit of a devoted patriot, an able judge, an honest man. He +was a noble philanthropist—an able judge—a discreet statesman—a pure +citizen—a sterling patriot—a friend to our UNION.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="STEPHEN_HOPKINS" id="STEPHEN_HOPKINS"></a>STEPHEN HOPKINS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Many</span> gravely contend that there should be at least two political parties +to insure the safety of our Republic that one may watch and detect the +corrupt designs of the other. If this position is sound we are +pre-eminently safe for we have some half dozen distinct organizations +besides remnants of old ones and guerrilla squads that plunder from +each. The argument would have force if the people would fix political +landmarks as distinctive as those of 1800—banish demagogue +leaders—revive the patriotism of '76—be guided entirely by love of +country, prudence, strict justice and the fear of God which is the +beginning of all wisdom. As now constituted, for one to correct the +faults of the other would be like Satan rebuking sin. There are good men +under the banners of each party but they have neither brass or intrigue +enough to become leaders. According to modern political tactics as +<i>practised</i>, a successful party leader must unite an oily tongue with a +gum elastic conscience, a grain of truth with a pound of falsehood, a +spark of honesty with any quantity of deception circumstances may +require and be ready to sacrifice honor, integrity and friends to carry +out party plans—ever pressing toward the end with the force of a +locomotive regard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>less of the means put in requisition. Merit is not +sought for by demagogues. <i>Available</i> is the omnipotent word—the grand +countersign—the magic passport to a nomination and <i>when</i> nominated the +candidate <i>must</i> be voted for although destitute of capacity, moral +virtue and every requisite of a statesman. The sad consequences are more +fearfully demonstrated as time rolls onward. Dignity, decorum, common +courtesy are often banished from our legislative halls. Crimination and +recrimination usurp the place of sound logic—reason is dethroned, +common decency outraged, the business of our country neglected, our +national character disgraced—all because the people do not rise in +their majesty and do their duty. We have an abundance of men in the back +ground as pure as the patriots of '76. Let them be brought forward and +put to work. The few of this kind who are in the public arena cannot +long stem and never roll back the mighty torrent of political corruption +now sweeping over this land of boasted freedom. To render our UNION safe +our political leaders and public functionaries must be men who are +influenced alone by an ardent desire to promote the general good of our +whole country—aiming at holy ends to be accomplished by righteous +means. Such were the sages of the American Revolution.</p> + +<p>The patriarch Stephen Hopkins stood among them in all the dignity of an +honest man. He was born at Scituate, Rhode Island, on the 7th of March +1707. He was the son of William Hopkins a thorough farmer whose father, +Thomas Hopkins, was one of the pioneers of that province. The school +advantages of Stephen were limited to the elementary branches of an +English education, then very superficially taught. By the force of his +own exertions he perfected this embryo basis and reared upon it a +magnificent superstructure. He spent all his leisure hours in exploring +the fields of science. At his majority he was a farmer in easy +circumstances and devoted a portion of the day and his quiet evenings to +the acquisition of useful knowledge. No profession not literary affords +so much facility for mental improvement as that of agriculture. +Independent tillers of the soil—if you are not intelligent the fault is +your own. The time was when ignorance was winked at. That dark age has +passed away. Now common sense and reason command all to drink at the +scholastic fountain.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hopkins acquired a thorough knowledge of mathematics at an early age +and became an expert surveyor. At the age of nineteen he was placed in +the ranks of men by marrying Sarah Scott whose paternal great +grandfather was the first Quaker who settled in Providence. She died the +mother of seven children. In 1755 he married the widow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> Anna Smith a +pious member of the Society of Friends. In 1731 he was appointed Town +Clerk and Clerk of the Court and Proprietaries of the county. The next +year he was elected to the General Assembly where he continued for six +consecutive years. In 1735 he was elected to the Town Council and for +six years was President of that body. In 1736 he was appointed a Justice +of the Peace and a Judge of the Common Pleas Court. In 1739 he was +elevated to the seat of Chief Justice of that branch of the judiciary. +During the intervals of these public duties he spent much of his time in +surveying. He regulated the streets of his native town and those of +Providence and made a projected map of each. He was the Proprietary +surveyor for the county of Providence and prepared a laborious index of +returns of all land west of the seven mile line, which still continues +to be a document of useful reference. Beauty and precision marked all +his draughts and calculations.</p> + +<p>In 1741 he was again elected to the assembly. The next year he removed +to Providence where he was elected to the same body and became Speaker +of the House. In 1744 he filled the same station and was appointed a +Justice of the Peace for that town. In 1751 he was appointed Chief +Justice of the Superior Court and for the fourteenth time elected to the +assembly. In 1754 he was a delegate to the Colonial Congress held at +Albany, N. Y. for the purpose of effecting a treaty with the Five +Nations of Indians in order to gain their aid or neutrality in the +French war. A system of union was then and there drawn up by the +delegates similar to the Articles of Confederation that governed the +Continental Congress which was vetoed by England.</p> + +<p>In 1755 the Earl of Loudoun in command of the English forces made a +requisition for troops upon several colonies and on Rhode Island for +four hundred and fifty men to check the triumphant career of the French +and Indians then devastating the frontier settlements. Mr. Hopkins +rendered efficient aid in this service and had the pleasure of seeing +the complement promptly made up. In 1756 he was elected Chief Magistrate +of the colony and was found fully competent to perform the duties of the +office. In 1757 the loss of Fort William Henry and the sad reverses of +the English army made it necessary that the colonies should raise an +efficient force for self-protection. A company of volunteers was raised +in Providence composed of the first gentlemen of the town and Mr. +Hopkins put in command over it. The timely arrival of troops from +England deprived them of their anticipated epic laurels. The next year +this useful man was again elected Chief Magistrate and served seven of +the eleven following years.</p> + +<p>In 1767 party spirit was rolling its mountain waves over Rhode Island<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +so fearfully that it threatened the prostration of social order and +civil law. Anxious for the welfare of the colony this patriotic Roman +put forth his noblest efforts to check its bold career. In his message +to the Assembly he expressed his deep solicitude for the restoration of +harmony and proposed retiring at once from the public service if it +would contribute in the slightest degree to heal the political breach. +To prove his sincerity he shortly after left the public arena contrary +to the wishes of his friends. His picture of that era so much resembles +the political map of our country at the present time that an extract may +be excused.</p> + +<p>"When we draw aside the veil of words and professions—when we attend to +what is <i>done</i> and what is <i>said</i>—we shall find that Liberty is a cant +term of faction and freedom of speaking and acting, used only to serve +the private interests of a party. What else can be the cause of our +unhappy disputes? What other reason for the continual struggle for +superiority and office? What other motive for the flood of calumny and +reproach cast upon each other? Behold the leading men meeting in cabals +[caucusses] and from thence dispersing themselves to the several +quarters to delude the people. The people are called together in +tippling houses, their business neglected, their morals corrupted, +themselves deluded—some promised offices for which they are unfit and +those with whom these arts will not prevail are tempted with the wages +of unrighteousness and are offered a bribe to falsify their oath and +betray their country. By these scandalous practices elections are +carried and officers appointed. It makes little difference whether the +officer who obtains his place in this manner is otherwise a good +man—put in by a <i>party</i> he must do what <i>they</i> order without being +permitted to examine the rectitude even of his <i>own</i> actions. The +unhappy malady runs through the whole body politic. Men in authority are +not revered and <ins class="correct" title="loose">lose</ins> all power to do good. The courts of judicature +catch the infection and the sacred balance of justice does not hang +even. All complain of the present administration and hard times and wish +they might grow better. But complaints are weak, wishes are idle, cries +are vain—even <i>prayers</i> will be ineffectual if we do not universally +amend."</p> + +<p>This catalogue of evils is followed by a strain of paternal advice that +should come home to the reader like a voice from the tomb.</p> + +<p>"My countrymen permit me to remind you of the blood, the suffering, the +hardships and labors of our ancestors in purchasing the Liberty and +privileges we might peaceably enjoy. How can you answer it to fame, to +honor, to honesty, to posterity if you do not possess these inestimable +blessings with grateful hearts, with purity of morals and transmit them +with safety to the next generation. Nothing is desired but that every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +man in community act up to the dignity of his own proper character. Let +every freeman carefully consider the particular duty allotted to him as +such by the constitution. Let him give his suffrage with candor for the +person he sincerely thinks <i>best</i> qualified. Let him shun the man who +would persuade him <i>how</i> to vote. Let him despise the man who offers him +an office and spurn the sordid wretch who would give him a bribe. Let +him think it his duty to give his vote according to his conscience and +not depend on others to do his duty for him. * * * * Officers and +magistrates I would humbly entreat to consider that your turn has come +to serve the <i>commonwealth</i> and not yourselves. Your own discreet and +exemplary behaviour is your best authority to do good. It is vain to +command others to practice what we ourselves omit or to abstain from +what they see us do. When moderation and example are insufficient to +suppress vice, power ought to be used even to its utmost severity if +necessary and above all—that in all cases and under all +circumstances—<i>justice should be equally, impartially and expeditiously +administered</i>."</p> + +<p>This plain lucid exposition of the duties of freemen merits the highest +consideration of every private citizen and public officer. It is the +inspired effusion of a clear head, a good heart and a noble soul. In +language of sublime simplicity it exhibits laconically the only sure +foundation of a republican government. It strikes at the very root of +alarming evils that are now hanging over our beloved country like an +incubus. It is plain truth plainly told and should be strongly felt and +implicitly obeyed by all who desire the perpetuity of our glorious +UNION.</p> + +<p>In June 1769 Mr. Hopkins was called to aid in taking observations upon +the transit of Venus over the disk of the sun. So highly were his +services prized on that occasion that the pamphlet published on the +subject was dedicated to him. This rare phenomenon occurred in +1739—61—69 and will occur again in 1874 and 1996 if the planetary +system continues its usual revolutions—of which no man knoweth—not +even the angels in Heaven.</p> + +<p>Previous to the American Revolution Governor Hopkins had incurred the +displeasure of the British ministry by licensing vessels from his +province to trade with the French and Spanish Colonies. In this he did +not violate the constitution or any law of England. He continued to +grant the privilege regardless of the authority illegally assumed by +Great Britain to direct the local concerns of the Colony. He had long +been convinced that the mother country cared more for the <i>fleece</i> than +the <i>flock</i> she claimed in America which had been often left to contend +alone against a merciless foe. With such convictions on his mind, a +republican to the core and valuing liberty above life—he was pre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>pared +to resist the first scintillations of the unconstitutional claims made +by corrupt and corrupting ministers. When the Stamp Act was passed his +voice and pen were arrayed against it. He showed clearly that this and +other Acts of parliament had no foundation in justice and were in +violation of the British constitution.</p> + +<p>In 1772 the mountain waves of local party spirit having subsided in +Rhode Island and its effervescence calmed by the absorbing question of +British oppression Mr. Hopkins again took his seat in the Assembly and +was continued for three years. In 1774 this patriarch statesman was +elected to the Continental Congress and entered with a calm determined +zeal upon the responsible duties of that august Convention. The same +year he proposed and obtained the passage of a bill prohibiting the +slave trade in his Colony which greatly incensed the crown officers. To +show that he strongly felt what he earnestly advocated—he emancipated +all his negroes—the descendants of whom still reside in Providence. He +had incorporated their freedom in his will dated some time previous.</p> + +<p>In 1775 he was appointed Chief Justice of his Colony—was a member of +her Assembly and member of Congress. The ensuing year he was one of the +immortalized band of patriots by whose exertions a nation was born in a +day and who signed and delivered the certificate of legitimacy to their +grateful constituency. The same year he was President of the board of +commissioners of the New England States who convened at Providence to +devise plans for the promotion of the glorious cause of freedom. The +next year he presided over a similar board at Springfield, Mass. In 1778 +he was a member of Congress for the last time. The next year he closed +his long, useful and arduous public career in the Assembly of his native +state and retired crowned with the rich foliage of unfading honors—the +growth of near half a century. The pure escutcheon of his public fame +and private worth was without a spot to obscure its brilliant lustre. As +a municipal officer, judge on the bench, legislator, Chief Magistrate of +the Colony and member of the Continental Congress—he discharged his +duties faithfully, honestly and ably—with an eye single to the glory of +his country.</p> + +<p>As a public speaker Mr. Hopkins made no pretensions to elocution but was +ever listened to with profound attention. His reasoning was +strong—always to the point and his speeches short. His was a vigorous, +clear, inquiring, analyzing mind, that surmounted every barrier with the +same fortitude, energy and determined resolution that carried Bonaparte +over the Alps, Roger Sherman to the pinnacle of fame,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> Franklin to the +summit of science. He was a laborious and extensive leader and a friend +to education. He was the principal founder of the Providence library in +1750 and when it was destroyed by fire in 1760—contributed largely +towards the purchase of a new supply of books. He was the father of the +free school system still in successful operation in Rhode Island. He was +a friend to unshackled religion—breathing charity for all whose +deportment gave them the impress of divine grace—the only genuine +touchstone of true piety. He admired most the creed of the Society of +Friends who frequently held meetings at his house. All gospel ministers +were made welcome to his hospitable mansion which many called the +ministers tavern. He was plain in everything and deprecated pomp and +vain show in others.</p> + +<p>In addition to his multifarious public duties he was extensively engaged +in agriculture, manufactures and commerce. He was a systematic and +thorough business man—scrupulously honest, honorable and liberal. He +never became wealthy but enjoyed a competence through life. He was +repeatedly placed in the crucible of domestic affliction. Of the seven +children by his first wife not one survived him. One son was murdered by +the Indians, another died in Spain—the youngest, who was the fourth sea +captain of the brothers, was presumed to have been lost at sea as his +vessel was never heard from after leaving the port of Providence.</p> + +<p>The eventful career of patriarch Hopkins was closed on the 13th of July +1785 after enduring the course of a lingering fever with the same calm +fortitude that had marked his whole life. He had lived respected and +esteemed—he died peaceful and happy. To the last moments of his life he +retained full possession of his mental powers and approached the +confines of eternity with a seraphic smile that augured heaven. He had +long labored under physical infirmities of a nervous nature. For many +years it had been difficult for him to write his name in consequence of +an attack of paralysis. His ashes rest peacefully in the city of +Providence in his native state. His death produced a mournful sensation +over the whole country.</p> + +<p>In the relations of husband, father, kinsman, friend, gentleman, +citizen, benefactor, philanthropist, neighbor and Christian—this public +<ins class="correct" title="sprited">spirited</ins> man and pure patriot was a model of human excellence. By the +force of his own exertions be made himself one of the most useful men on +record in our history. Let us all imitate his bright examples that we +may do our duty in life, be triumphant in death and happy through the +rolling ages of eternity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="FRANCIS_HOPKINSON" id="FRANCIS_HOPKINSON"></a>FRANCIS HOPKINSON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Wit</span> and wisdom are seldom both prominently developed in the same person. +Wit serves to amuse or exhilarate but rarely produces useful reflection +or an improvement of mind. It is emphatically a plume and exposes the +head it ornaments to many an arrow from the bow of revenge. Wit makes +many conquests but no willing subjects. It produces many <i>bon mots</i> and +but few wise sayings. It is an undefined and undefinable +propensity—more to be admired than coveted—more ornamental than +useful—more volatile than solid—a dangerous sharp edge tool—like a +coquette, pleasing company for the time being but not desirable for a +life companion.</p> + +<p>Rare instances have occurred where the sage, statesman, philosopher and +wit have been combined in the same person. Sheridan was such a man and +in our own country Francis Hopkinson was the American Sheridan. He was +the son of Thomas Hopkinson of Philadelphia, born in that city in 1737. +His father was a man of superior attainments—his mother one of the +best, and most intelligent matrons of that age. His father died in 1751 +and left the widowed mother with limited means to struggle with all the +accumulating difficulties of raising and educating a large family of +children.</p> + +<p>Under her guidance and instruction young Francis improved rapidly in his +education and exhibited a bright and promising intellect. To advance the +interests of her children she confined herself to the absolute +necessaries of life. Being devotedly pious, she took peculiar care in +planting deeply in their tender minds the pure principles of virtue and +cautiously guarding them against all the avenues of vice, the portals of +which are ever open. She taught them the design of their creation—the +duty they owed to God and their fellow men and that to be truly happy +they must be truly good. With this foundation firmly laid, she placed +this son in the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated at an +early age and commenced the study of law under Benjamin Chew. He was a +close student and made rapid advances in legal acquirements. He +possessed a brilliant and flowing fancy, a lively imagination and +captivating manners. Although ardently attached to the solid sciences he +was fond of polite literature, poetry, music and painting. He excelled +in humorous satire, keen as that of Swift and Sheridan. Fortunately +these combined talents were brought into extensive usefulness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1765 he visited London where he continued two years making the +acquaintance of the leading men of that metropolis and learning the +political aspect and designs of the ministers toward his native country. +He added largely to the fund of knowledge before acquired and came home +prepared to work.</p> + +<p>Soon after his return he married the accomplished Ann Borden of +Bordentown N. J. thus fulfilling an important part of the design of his +creation. He also appreciated the value of the institution he had +honored and the joys of connubial felicity. In rearing his children he +took the system that had been so successfully adopted by his venerable +mother whose instructions were fresh upon his memory. He could adopt no +better plan or find a more perfect model to imitate. For a time the +cares and pleasures of his family and his professional business +engrossed his attention. A crisis soon arrived that arrested this +translucent stream of happiness. The oppressions of the mother country +had become alarming. Agitation had commenced among the people. The best +services of every patriot were needed. His were promptly and efficiently +rendered. It was for him to do much in opening the eyes of the great +mass to a just sense of their violated rights. This he did by various +publications written in a style so humorous and fascinating as to be +generally read. He painted the injustice of the crown and the insults of +its hireling officers in vivid colors. His Pretty Story—his Letters to +James Rivington—his Epistle to Lord Howe—his two Letters by a +Tory—his translation of a Letter written by a Foreigner—his Political +<ins class="correct" title="Chatechism">Catechism</ins> and the New Roof—were all productions of taste and merit. +They were of vast importance in rousing the people to a vindication of +their rights—the achievement of their Independence.</p> + +<p>During the administration of Gov. Dickinson, political dissensions and +party spirit rolled their mountain waves over Pennsylvania threatening +to destroy the fair fabric of her new government. The pen of Mr. +Hopkinson was instrumental in restoring order. In an essay called—"A +full and true Account of a violent Uproar which lately happened in a +very Eminent Family"—he exposed the factious partisans to such keen and +severe ridicule that they threw down the weapons of rebellion sooner +than if a thousand bayonets had been pointed at their breasts.</p> + +<p>He was among the first delegates elected to the Continental Congress and +fearlessly recorded his name on the Declaration of Rights that has +proved a consolation to the sons of <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>—a Boanerges to the enemies +of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. Always cheerful and sprightly, he contributed much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> towards +dispelling the gloom that often pervaded the minds of his colleagues +amidst disaster and defeat. He knew their cause was righteous—he +believed Heaven would crown it with ultimate success and triumphant +victory. His personal sacrifices had been many—still he was ever +cheerful and illuminated all around him with flashes of the most +brilliant wit. At the commencement of the struggle he held a lucrative +situation in the Loan Office under the crown and was a favorite of the +king—but the king was not a favorite of his—he promptly severed the +connection. With all his wit and humor he was firm as a Herculus. With +the fancy of a poet he united the soundness of a sage—with the wit of a +humorist he united the sagacity of a politician.</p> + +<p>He succeeded George Ross as Judge of the Admiralty Court and was +subsequently Judge of the U. S. District Court in Philadelphia. He was +highly esteemed for his judicial knowledge, impartial justice and +correct decisions. He filled every station in which he was placed with +credit and dignity. His frequent essays continued to do much towards +correcting the morals of society by ridiculing its evils and abuses. +Guided by a sound discretion, sarcasm and satire are the most powerful +weapons wielded by man. Their smart upon the mind is like cantharides on +the skin but often requires something more than a cabbage leaf and +cerate to heal it. The wit of Mr. Hopkinson was of a noble cast flowing +from a rich and chaste imagination—never violating the rules of +propriety—always confined within the pale of modesty but keen as a +finely finished rapier. He was an admirer of sound common sense and a +zealous advocate of Common School education. He properly appreciated the +bone and sinew of our country and knew well that the perpetuity of our +Liberty depends more upon the general diffusion of <i>useful</i> knowledge +fit for <i>every</i> day use in the ever varying business concerns of life +than upon the high toned literature of colleges and universities. He +admired the industrious mechanic—he esteemed the honest farmer. In the +yoemanry of the soil and inmates of the shops he recognized the +defenders of our country.</p> + +<p>The useful career of Judge Hopkinson was closed prematurely by an +apoplectic fit on the 9th of May 1791. He left a widow, two sons and +three daughters to mourn his untimely end and their irreparable loss. He +was amiable and urbane in his manners—open and generous in his +feelings—noble and liberal in his views—charitable and benevolent in +his purposes—an agreeable and pleasant companion—a kind and faithful +husband—an affectionate and tender parent—a stern and inflexible +patriot—a consistent and active citizen—a useful and honest man. He +was like some rare flowers—while their beauty pleases their medicinal +qualities are of great value. In the hands of such men our UNION can be +preserved.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="WILLIAM_HOOPER" id="WILLIAM_HOOPER"></a>WILLIAM HOOPER.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">An</span> astute writer has beautifully observed—"If the sea was ink, the +trees pens and the earth parchment, they would not be sufficient to +write down all the praises due to God for Liberty." How few there are in +our wide spread Republic who realize the truth of this sublime +sentiment. How few among the directors of the destiny of our nation who +make the law of God the beginning of wisdom. This apothegm is based upon +reason, justice and sound philosophy. No sophistry can controvert it—no +casuistry entangle it. To shun all wrong and practise all right is the +great <i>desideratum</i> of earthly bliss. Vice is crowned with thorns and +plumed with thistles. All the evil passions are a laboratory for the +manufacture of the miseries of human life. The futile pleasures of +earth-vanity, vain glory—the whole category may be richly clustered +with blossoms but bear no nutritious fruit. We must look to the great +Author of all good for substantial enjoyment. We must implicitly obey +his laws to be truly wise. The greatest men who have ever graced the +stage of action fully recognized the power and feared to offend the +great Jehovah. The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution were +constantly under the influence of this salutary principle. This is +inferred from their writings, examples and the proceedings of the +Continental Congress. Days of humiliation and prayer were frequently +fixed and recommended by legislative proclamation by the general +government and by the states.</p> + +<p>Among those of the sages who appear to have lived in the fear of God was +William Hooper, born at Boston, Massachusetts, on the 17th of June 1742. +He was the son of the Rev. William Hooper who came from Kelso, south of +Scotland and was for many years pastor of Trinity Church in Boston. He +was a man of high accomplishments, a finished scholar, a learned +theologian, an eloquent preacher, a devoted Christian, a useful and +beloved pastor. Being of a slender constitution William received the +first rudiments of his education from his father. At the age of seven he +entered the school of Mr. Lovell where he remained eight years. He then +became a student of Harvard University. His talents were of a high +order—his industry untiring. He was ever averse to fleeting pleasures +and trifling amusements. During vacation he explored his father's +library instead of indulging in a relaxation from study and mingling in +the convivial circle. He had a great taste for the classics and belles +lettres. He paid close attention to elocution and composition. He aimed +at refinement in everything.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> + +<p>He graduated in 1760 and commenced the study of law under James Otis one +of the most distinguished counsellors of that time. From the piety he +had exhibited from his youth his father had hoped he would incline to +the pulpit but freely yielded to his choice. He was a thorough law +student and was admitted to the Bar richly laden with the elements of +his profession. By several wealthy connections residing in Wilmington, +North Carolina, he was induced to locate at that place where he soon +obtained a lucrative business. To convince the people that he +contemplated a permanent residence and a fulfilment of all the noble +designs of his creation—he married Anna Clark, a lady of unusual +accomplishments, strength of mind and high attainments. His legal fame +rose rapidly upon a substantial basis. In 1768 he was employed to +conduct several important public trials which he managed with so much +skill and address as to place him in the first rank of able advocates. +He was treated with marked attention by Governors Tryon and Martin and +by Chief Justice Howard. His estimable character, superior talents and +extensive influence were worth securing for their royal master. The +ulterior object they had in view it required no Daniel to interpret. Mr. +Hooper was one who had no price. He was not a man of principle according +to his personal interest but a noble patriot of the first water. He had +received his legal education in Boston where the designs of the British +ministers had been probed for years. He had imbibed liberal views, was a +friend to equal rights and had planted himself upon the firm basis of +eternal justice from which flattery could not seduce or dangers drive +him.</p> + +<p>Previous to the Revolution he gave a sample of his moral and personal +courage worthy of record. In 1766 a dangerous association was formed in +North Carolina called <i>Regulators</i>—composed mostly of poor, ignorant, +desperate men who were led by those of more intelligence but with baser +hearts who promised them large rewards in the end. They had increased so +rapidly that in 1770 they amounted to three thousand. They opposed the +civil authorities—drove the judges from the bench, committed personal +outrages and threatened to destroy all order, defying civil and military +power. Mr. Hooper took a bold stand against them—advised a prompt +attack by the military—his plan was approved—a severe battle +ensued—the insurgents were dispersed and quiet restored. In 1773 he was +elected to the Assembly of his province at the very time the creatures +of the crown attempted to throw a ministerial coil around the people. In +William Hooper they found a troublesome customer—a bold, fearless, +eloquent, uncompromising opponent to their schemes of tyranny. In the +legis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>lative hall he met them with unanswerable arguments. By a series +of essays he spread their designs before the people. He was no longer +flattered by the crown officers but became a favorite with those he +esteemed more highly—the people who returned him again to the Assembly. +A question came before that body that tested the powers of Mr. Hooper. +The statute creating the judiciary had expired. In framing a new one an +attempt was made to model it so as to meet the designs of the British +cabinet. So powerful was the influence of this friend of the people that +he kept his opponents at bay and the province was a year without courts. +He was then fully before his constituents the champion of equal rights. +By the people he stood approved and admired.</p> + +<p>On the 25th of August he was elected to the general Congress in which he +rendered efficient services. He was one of the important committee that +prepared a statement of the rights of the colonies, the manner these +rights had been infringed and the most probable means of effecting their +restoration. He was one of the committee that reported the statutes that +affected the trade and manufactures of the colonies. Upon the report of +these two committees the proceedings of that Congress were based which +raises a fair presumption that the very best men were placed upon them. +The next year he was returned to Congress and was chairman of a +committee to prepare an address to the people of Jamaica relative to +British oppression. It was written by him in a bold and vigorous style +and proved conclusively that ministerial insolence was lost in +ministerial barbarity—that resistance or slavery had become the issue.</p> + +<p>On the 12th of June 1775 Mr. Hooper offered the following preamble and +resolution which were passed by Congress, corroborating the intimation +in the exordium to this article.</p> + +<p>"It is at all times an indispensable duty devoutly to acknowledge the +superintending providence of the great Governor of the world, especially +in times of impending danger and public calamity—to reverence and adore +His immutable justice as well as to implore his merciful interposition +for our deliverance—therefore</p> + +<p>Resolved—That it is recommended by Congress that the people of the +American Colonies observe the 20th day of July next as a day of public +humiliation, fasting and prayer."</p> + +<p>The zeal and exertions of this ardent patriot in the glorious cause of +freedom were constant and vigorous. He served industriously in committee +rooms and was greatly esteemed as a forcible debater in the House. In +the spring of 1776 he was a member of the conventions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> that convened at +Hillsborough and Halifax in N. C. and was one of the leading and most +eloquent speakers. He also prepared an address to the people of the +British empire which was written with great nerve and energy. He then +took his seat in Congress and boldly supported the Declaration of +Independence. He had long been convinced of its necessity and rejoiced +to find his views so warmly supported by the ablest men of that eventful +era. When the thrilling moment arrived to take the final question his +vote and signature sanctioned the bold measure.</p> + +<p>In February 1777 he obtained leave of absence from Congress and returned +to his family. When the news of the defeat of Washington at Germantown +reached him he was surrounded by a circle of his friends who seemed +dismayed at the intelligence. He rose calmly from his seat and earnestly +remarked—"We have been disappointed but now that we have become the +assailants there can be no doubt of the issue." Before his return from +Congress his property at Wilmington had suffered from royal vengeance. +His personal safety was then in jeopardy—he was compelled to flee to +the interior to avoid the hemp. His family had removed several times. He +and all the signers had made arrangements with the French minister to +remove to one of the French West India islands in the event of the +failure to maintain Independence. He did not return to Wilmington until +it was evacuated by the enemy in 1781. During his absence his family +remained exposed to the proverbial insults of his Christian majesty's +officers and soldiers. He remained in the province for the purpose of +rousing the people to action and was an efficient member of the new +government. In 1782 he removed to Hillsborough for the purpose of +resuscitating his long neglected private affairs and again took his +place at the Bar. In 1786 he was appointed by Congress a member of the +court organized to determine the controversy between New York and +Massachusetts relative to disputed territory which was amicably settled +by the parties.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hooper continued to aid in the legislation of his adopted state and +pursue his profession until 1787 when his health became impaired which +compelled him to retire from public life and the bar and seek that +repose in domestic enjoyment that had always been more congenial to his +mind than public stations however lofty. In his retirement he carried +with him the esteem of his fellow citizens and the gratitude of a nation +of freemen. Not a blemish soiled the bright escutcheon of his public +character or private reputation. He had served his country faithfully +and sacrificed his fortune on the altar of liberty. With the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> strictest +fidelity he had discharged the duties of husband, father, friend, +citizen, lawyer, patriot, statesman. From the high eminence of conscious +integrity he looked down upon a life well spent. With the eyes of faith +he looked forward to a crown of unfading glory. In October 1790 he +closed his eyes in death and returned to the bosom of that God whom to +fear is the beginning of wisdom. Dear relatives, ardent friends and a +grateful nation mourned his premature death. Mr. Hooper was of the +middle height, slender and elegant in form, gentlemanly and engaging in +his manners, with strangers rather reserved, with his friends frank and +familiar, free from affectation, of a serious turn, at all times candid +and sincere. His countenance beamed with intelligence and benignity, his +powers of conversation were pleasing, instructive, chaste and classical. +His habits were in strict accordance with the religion he exemplified. +His disposition was benevolent, hospitable and kind. As a public speaker +he was eloquent, logical, persuasive, sometimes sarcastic. As a whole he +was among the best specimens of man as he comes from the clean hands of +the Creator. Whilst we admire his virtues let us imitate his examples.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="SAMUEL_HUNTINGTON" id="SAMUEL_HUNTINGTON"></a>SAMUEL HUNTINGTON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Consistency</span> is the crowning glory of meritorious fame. It is a bright +jewel in the escutcheon of a name. It sheds a radiating lustre over the +actions of men. "Be consistent" was a Roman motto and once guided its +sages, heroes and <i>literati</i> in the path of duty—the surest path of +safety. Consistency dignifies the man and prepares him for noble and +god-like deeds. It is based upon wisdom and discretion—the pilot and +helm of the bark of life in navigating the ocean of time. Without it the +breakers of chaos, the sand bars of folly—the rocks of disaster cannot +be avoided. Without it the brightness of other talents and attainments +of a high order are often eclipsed by the clouds of error and obscured +by the breath of ridicule. With it—mediocrity shines and enables the +plough-boy of the field—the mill-boy of the slashes—the apprentice of +the shop to reach the pinnacle of enduring fame and leave the indiscreet +classical scholar to sink into a useless gilded ornament in the world. +Dr. Young has truly said—"With the talents of an angel a man may be a +fool." Consistency is susceptible of cultivation and should be kindly +and earnestly pressed upon youth by parents and teachers. It is of more +importance than the entire con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>tents of the magazine of classic lore +combined with an eloquence that could move the world of mankind.</p> + +<p>The sages of the American Revolution were remarkable for consistency. +Many of them rose from the humble walks of life to eminence by the force +of their own exertions guided by this darling attribute and became the +most useful men of that eventful epoch.</p> + +<p>Among this class Samuel Huntington held a respectable rank. He was born +on the 2d of July 1732 at Windham, Connecticut. He was the son of +Nathaniel Huntington a plain farmer, who gave this son only a common +English education whilst three of the others graduated at Yale College, +all of whom became ministers of the gospel, one of them attaining a fair +eminence as a theological writer. Their pious mother led them to the +pure fountain of gospel truth and had the pleasure of seeing the four +walking hand in hand towards the goal of unfading joy. Samuel followed +the plough until he was twenty-two years of age. He was remarkable for +industry and sterling honesty. He was an extensive reader and a close +observer of men and things. His native talent was strong, his judgment +clear, his reflections deep. From his childhood to his grave consistency +chastened every action. This was his strong forte and insured his +success through life. It was a passport beyond the power of a college to +give.</p> + +<p>Samuel Huntington went from the plough to the study of law in his +father's house, loaning books from Zedekiah Elderkin of the Norwich bar. +With astonishing rapidity he mastered the elementary books—was admitted +and opened an office in his native town. His reputation as an honest and +consistent man was already on a firm basis. His fame as a safe +counsellor and able advocate soon added another story to this +superstructure. He did not aim at Ciceronean power or Demosthenean +eloquence but closely imitated Solon and Socrates. His manner was plain +but marked by a deep sincerity that seldom fails to impress the minds of +a court and jury favorably—often foiling the most brilliant displays of +forensic eloquence. With his other strong qualities he combined the +motive power of business—<span class="smcap">punctuality</span>. Although he had gained a +lucrative practice in his native town he removed to Norwich in 1760 +where a wider field opened before him. Carrying out the principle of +consistency, in 1762 he emerged from the lonely regions of celibacy with +Martha, the accomplished daughter of Ebenezer Devotion and entered the +delightful bowers of matrimony—thus giving him and her an importance in +society unknown to single blessedness. Martha proved an amiable +companion—blending the accom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>plishments of a lady, the industry of a +housewife, the economy that enriches, the dignity of a matron—the piety +of a Christian.</p> + +<p>In 1764 Mr. Huntington was elected to the Assembly and made a very +efficient member. In 1765 he was appointed king's attorney and performed +the duties of that office until the pestiferous atmosphere of +monarchical oppression drew him from under the dark mantle of a corrupt +and impolitic ministry. In 1774 he was elevated to the bench of the +Superior Court and the next year was a member of the Council of his +state. When the all important subject of American rights and British +wrongs came under discussion he threw the whole force of his influence +in favor of the cause of equal rights. In October 1775 he took his seat +in the Continental Congress and became a prominent and useful member. In +January following he again took his seat in the Hall of Independence and +fearlessly advocated the necessity of cutting the Gordian knot that held +the Colonies to England. The solemnity of his manner, the strong force +of his reasoning, the lucid demonstrations of his propositions and the +unvarnished sincerity of his patriotism—were calculated to carry +conviction to every heart and impart confidence to the wavering and +timid. He was present at the birth of our nation on the 4th of July 1776 +and aided in presenting the admired infant at the sacred font of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> +and became a subscribing witness to the imposing ceremonies of that +eventful day. He was continued in Congress until 1781 when ill health +compelled him to retire for a season.</p> + +<p>He was a man of great industry, honesty of purpose, profound research, +clearness of perception and had acquired a large fund of practical +knowledge. Human nature he had studied closely. He was well versed in +general business, political economy, principles of government and rules +of legislation which gave him a place upon important committees. He +succeeded Mr. Jay as President of Congress and so ably discharged the +duties of that responsible station that when compelled to retire from +ill health a vote of thanks was placed upon the record. Hoping that he +might be able to return the chair was not permanently filled for a long +time. During a part of the <i>interim</i> of his absence from Congress he +presided on the bench and was a short time in Council. In 1783 he +returned to Congress and at the termination of the session declined a +re-election. He had aided in finishing the mighty work of national +freedom—the star spangled banner was floating in the breeze of +Liberty—his country had triumphed over a merciless foe—her political +regeneration had been consummated—America was disenthralled and he +desired retirement from public life. This he was not permitted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> to +enjoy. In 1784 he was appointed Chief Justice of his state—the ensuing +year Lieutenant Governor and the next year was elected Governor of +Connecticut, which office he held until the 5th of January 1796, when +death took him from earth and its toils. He had lived the life of the +righteous man—his last end was like his. He was a ripe shock full of +corn—uniformly beloved in life—deeply mourned in death.</p> + +<p>Mr. Huntington was a man of middle stature, dark complexion, keen eyes, +countenance expressive, with a deportment calculated to make a favorable +impression at first sight. In his life we find much to admire—nothing +to condemn. His superior virtues and uniform consistency eclipsed the +frailties of his nature. In the performance of all the duties of public +and private life he was a model worthy of the closest imitation. From +the plough in the field through his bright career to the presidential +chair in Congress—to the chief magistracy of his own state—his every +action was marked with consistency. His fame is based upon substantial +merit—he rendered his name dear to every freeman. The history of his +examples should exercise a salutary influence over the mind of every +reader capable of appreciating the high importance of being consistent +in all things and of perpetuating our UNION through all time.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="WILLIAM_IRVINE" id="WILLIAM_IRVINE"></a>WILLIAM IRVINE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Mobocracy</span> is a fearful spirit that is roused to action by a greater +variety of elements than either of the unfortunate propensities of human +nature. Based upon the boiling anger of those who put this ball in +motion—reason is dethroned—reflection paralyzed—justice +unheeded—mercy banished—the laws disregarded—power defied. It is the +volcano of human society—the earthquake of social order—the whirlpool +of brutality—the vortex of destruction. It is fanned by fell +revenge—inflamed with burning fury—propelled by reckless +impulse—delights in human gore—revels in demoniac confusion—rides on +the tornado of faction—snuffs the whirlwind of discord and provokes the +indignation of all peaceful citizens.</p> + +<p>Occasions rarely occur to justify these sudden demonstrations of +disorder and more rarely result in good. Deliberate action is usually +the best to remedy evils that exist in fact—most certainly the best to +cure those that are only imaginary. Thus reasoned the Sages and Heroes +of the American Revolution and governed themselves accordingly. After +petitions and entreaties for redress failed to remove the wrongs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> heaped +upon them—a systematic and dignified mode of resistance was +adopted—not mobocracy. They could then appeal to Heaven for the justice +of their cause and elicited the admiration of gazing nations in the +course they pursued.</p> + +<p>Among those who put forth their noblest exertions to advance the +interests of the cause of equal rights was William Irvine who was born +near Enniskillen, Ireland, in 1742. His ancestors removed from the north +of Scotland to the Emerald Isle. His grandfather was an officer in the +corps of grenadiers that fought so desperately at the battle of the +Boyne. The grandfather of General Wayne was a brave officer in the same +service. The noble descendants of both were in the same corps in the +glorious cause of American Independence.</p> + +<p>After completing his school education Mr. Irvine became a student of the +celebrated Dr. Cleghorn and proved to be an excellent surgeon and +physician. On the completion of his studios he was appointed a surgeon +on board a British man of war where he served for several years with +great diligence and success. In 1763 he came to America and located at +Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His eminent talents—professional acquirements +and large experience, soon gained for him a liberal practice and proud +reputation. Having no innate love for mother Britain, he was prepared to +meet the fearful crisis of the American Revolution. There were numerous +powerful influences in Pennsylvania adverse to war with England. There +was a large number of the Society of Friends opposed to war under all +circumstances, although quick to seize the benefits resulting from it. +The Proprietary interests were very extensive and in favor of the crown. +To rouse the people to resistance was a herculean task. In this work Mr. +Irvine was active and successful. He was a member of the several +preliminary conventions in the colony and became extensively influential +in preparing the people for action.</p> + +<p>In January 1776 he was commissioned to raise and command a regiment +which duty he performed promptly. On the 10th of the following June he +joined Gen. Thompson's brigade with his troops near the village of Trois +Rivieres. A disastrous attack was immediately made upon the vanguard of +the British army stationed at that place. Gen. Thompson, Col. Irvine and +near two hundred subordinate officers and privates were taken prisoners +and sent to Quebec. An exchange was not effected until April 1778. On +his return Gen. Irvine was put in command of the second Pennsylvania +brigade and continued in that position until 1781. He was then +transferred to Pittsburgh and assigned to the important and delicate +duty of guarding the north-western fron<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>tier. It was important because +difficult to obtain supplies and was menaced with British and Indians. +It was delicate because there existed strong animosities between the +first inhabitants of that region and those from Western Virginia who +claimed the territory occupied. Under those circumstances the +appointment was a high compliment from the sagacious Washington. The +happy results were a strong eulogy upon the wisdom of both. Gen. Irvine +succeeded in reconciling the two contending factions—brought order out +of confusion and restored harmony and good feeling among those who had +long been at variance. This augmented his strength against the enemy and +increased the confidence of the people in that entire section of +country. He was continued in that command until the war closed and the +star spangled banner waved triumphantly over the United States of +America.</p> + +<p>In 1786 Gen. Irvine was elected to Congress and proved an efficient and +valuable member. He was active and useful in the board to settle the +accounts between the states and the general government. He was a member +of the Pennsylvania convention that sanctioned the Federal Constitution. +In 1796 he was one of the commissioners who were despatched to visit the +whiskey boys and endeavor to bring them back to reason, duty and safety. +When it became necessary to order out a military force to quell the +insurrection Gen. Irvine was put in command of the Pennsylvania troops.</p> + +<p>A short time after he rendered this last service in the tented field he +removed to Philadelphia. He there received the appointment of Intendant +of military stores which office was subsequently long and ably filled by +his son Callender. He was also President of the Society of Cincinnati. +Peacefully and calmly Gen. Irvine glided down the stream of time until +the summer of 1804 when he closed his active and useful career and took +his departure for "that country from whose bourne no traveller returns." +He had lived highly respected—his death was deeply mourned. His public +and private reputation were untarnished—he performed all the duties of +life nobly and fulfilled the great design of his creation.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="THOMAS_JEFFERSON" id="THOMAS_JEFFERSON"></a>THOMAS JEFFERSON.</h3> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 406px;"> + <img src="images/p196.jpg" width="406" height="600" alt="{Thomas Jefferson portrait and signature}" title="" /> + <span class="caption">ENGRAVED BY T.B. WELCH FROM A PORTRAIT BY G. STUART.</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Genuine</span> moral courage is a sterling virtue—the motive power of the true +dignity of man. It invigorates the mind like a refreshing dew falling +gently on the flowers of spring. It is a heavenly spark—animating the +immortal soul with the fire of purity that illuminates<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> the path of +rectitude. It is an attribute that opposes all wrong and propels its +possessor right onward to the performance of all right. Based on virtue +and equity, it spurns vice in all its borrowed and delusive forms. It +courts no servile favors—fears no earthly scrutiny. No flattery can +seduce it—no eclat allure—no bribe purchase—no tyrant awe—no +misfortune bend—no intrigue corrupt—no adversity crush—no tortures +can subdue it. On its breastplate is inscribed in bold relievo—<i>Fiat +justitia—ruat calum</i>. [Let justice be done though the heavens fall.] +Without it, fame is ephemeral—renown transient. It is the saline basis +of a good name that gives enduring richness to its memory. It is a +pillar of light to revolving thought—the polar star that points to +duty, secures merit and leads to victory. It is the soul of reason—the +essence of wisdom—the crowning glory of mental power. It was this that +nerved the leaders of the American Revolution to noble and god-like +action.</p> + +<p>In the front rank of this band of patriots stood Thomas Jefferson, who +was born at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia, on the 24th of April +1743. His ancestors were among the early pioneers of the Old Dominion +and highly respectable. They were Republicans to the core—in affluent +circumstances and exercised an extensive and happy influence.</p> + +<p>Thomas was the son of Peter Jefferson, a man much esteemed in public and +private life. The liberal feelings imbibed from him by this son were +conspicuous at an early age. From his childhood the mind of Thomas +Jefferson assumed a high elevation took a broad and expansive view of +men and things.</p> + +<p>He was educated at the college of William and Mary and was always found +at the head of his class. Untiring industry in the exploration of the +fields of science marked his collegiate career. He analyzed every +subject he investigated, passing through the opening avenues of +literature with astonishing celerity. His mind became enraptured with +the history of classic Greece and republican Rome. Improving upon the +suggestions of liberal principles found in the classics, he early +matured his political creed and opposed every kind of government +tinctured with the shadow of monarchy, hierarchy or aristocracy.</p> + +<p>After completing his collegiate course he commenced the study of law +under Chancellor Wythe, whose liberal views were calculated to mature +and strengthen those already preponderating in the mind of Jefferson. +With regard to the oppressions of the mother country—the justice and +necessity of resistance by the Colonies, their kindred hearts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> beat in +unison. By a thorough investigation of the principles of law and +government, Jefferson became rapidly prepared to enter upon the great +theatre of public life—the service of his injured country. Planting +himself upon the broad basis of Magna Charta—encircling himself within +the pale of the British Constitution—he demonstrated most clearly that +the ministry of the crown had long been rapidly advancing beyond the +bounds of their legitimate authority—exercising a tyranny over the +Colonies not delegated to them by the constitution of the monarchy they +represented. So luminous were his expositions of chartered rights on the +one hand and accumulating wrongs on the other, that he became the +nucleus of a band of patriots resolved on <span class="smcap">liberty or death</span>.</p> + +<p>At the age of twenty-two he was elected to the legislature which enabled +him to disseminate his liberal principles throughout the Colony. He +proclaimed himself the unyielding advocate of equal rights and had +engraved upon his watch seal—"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to +God." By his eloquence and unanswerable arguments he kindled the flame +of opposition in old Virginia which increased as tyranny advanced. In +1769 a resolution was passed by the legislature—<i>not to import a single +article from Great Britain</i>. In the advocacy of this proposition by Mr. +Jefferson, the adherents of the crown were astonished at the boldness +and firmness with which he exposed and laid bare the venal corruption of +the British cabinet. It gave a fresh impetus to the cause of Liberty +just bursting into life.</p> + +<p>With ample pecuniary means—with talents equal to the work he had +undertaken, his soul illuminated with the fire of patriotism—his +indignation roused against the hirelings of the king—his sympathies +excited by the sufferings of his country—his moral courage raised to +the zenith of its glory—Mr. Jefferson was amply armed for the conflict +and became one of the master spirits of the Revolution—a gigantic +champion of universal freedom—a pillar of fire, flashing terror and +dismay into the ranks of the foe.</p> + +<p>He wrote "A Summary View of the Rights of British America"—addressed it +to the king respectfully but very plainly pointed to the true position +of the two countries and the final result of the policy of ministers. +The following is an extract. "Open your breast, sire, to liberal and +expanded thought. It behooves you to think and act for your people. The +great principles of right and wrong are legible to every reader. To +perceive them needs not the aid of many counsellors. The whole art of +government consists in the art of being honest." The art of being +<i>honest</i> in matters of government is a knotty problem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> for some modern +politicians to solve. Were they all <i>honest</i> a political millennium +would illuminate our country—bring us back to primitive <i>tangible</i> +landmarks and unmask multitudes of political wolves cunningly dressed in +sheep's clothing.</p> + +<p>So exasperated was Lord Dunmore on perusing this article from the pen of +Jefferson that he threatened to arrest him for high treason. Finding +most of the members of the legislature, then in session, quite as +treasonable in their views he at once dissolved that body.</p> + +<p>The following year the British ministry, in answer to petitions for +redress of grievances, sent to the legislature of the Old Dominion a +series of propositions that <i>they</i> termed conciliatory but which added +insult to injury. Their fallacy was exposed by Mr. Jefferson in such a +masterly strain of eloquent burning logic and sarcasm, that conviction +was carried to a large majority of his colleagues. They were referred to +a committee which reported an answer written by him and was very similar +to the Declaration of Independence. This reply was immediately adopted. +The ball of resistance was put in motion—the electric fluid of +patriotism commenced its insulating powers in the north and +south—extending from sire to son, from heart to heart, until the two +streams of fire met in the centre—then rising in grandeur, formed the +luminous arch of Freedom—its chord extending from Maine to Georgia—its +versed sine resting on the city Penn.</p> + +<p>Under its zenith at Philadelphia, Mr. Jefferson took his seat in the +Continental Congress on the 21st of June 1775. Although one of the +youngest members of that venerated assembly of patriotic sages, he was +hailed as one of its main pillars. Known as a man of superior +intelligence, liberal sentiments, strict integrity, stern republicanism +and unbending patriotism—his influence was strongly felt and +judiciously exercised.</p> + +<p>From the beginning he advocated a separation from the mother country and +ably met every objection urged against it. In his view, oppression, not +recognised by Magna Charta, had dissolved all allegiance to the +crown—that the original contract had been cancelled on the heights of +Lexington by American blood. Submission was no longer a virtue—the +measure of wrongs had been overflowing for years—public sentiment +demanded the sundering of the Gordian knot—a voice from Heaven +proclaimed in tones of thunder—"<i>Let my people go</i>."</p> + +<p>The following year the Declaration of Independence was proposed. Mr. +Jefferson was appointed chairman of the committee to prepare this +momentous document. The work was assigned to him by his colleagues. He +performed the task with a boldness of design and beauty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> of execution +before unknown and yet unrivalled. The substantial result of his labor +has long been before the world. Admiring nations have united in +bestowing the highest encomiums upon this sacred instrument. As a +masterpiece of composition—a lucid exposition of the rights of man—the +principles of a free government—the sufferings of an oppressed +people—the abuses of a corrupt ministry and the effects of monarchy +upon the destinies of man—it stands unequalled. Pure in its +origin—graphic in its delineations—benign in its influence and +salutary in its results—it has become the chart of patriots over the +civilized world. It is the <i>ne plus ultra</i> [nothing more beyond] of a +gigantic mind raised to its loftiest elevation by the finest touches of +creative Power—displaying its noblest efforts—brightest +conceptions—holiest zeal—purest desires—happiest conclusions. It +combines the attributes of justice—the flowers of eloquence—the force +of logic—the soul of wisdom. It is the grand palladium of equal +rights—the polar star of rational <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>—the Magna Charta of +universal <span class="smcap">freedom</span> and has crowned its author with laurels of enduring +fame.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1776 Mr. Jefferson was appointed a commissioner to the +court of France in conjunction with Messrs. Franklin and Deane for the +purpose of forming a treaty of alliance. Ill health of himself and +family and an urgent necessity for his services in his native state, +induced him to decline the proffered honor and resign his seat in +Congress.</p> + +<p>He was immediately elected to the first legislature of his state +convened under the new Constitution. On taking his seal in that body his +attention was at once directed to the demolition of the judicial code +which had emanated from the British Parliament. The work of rearing a +new superstructure was mostly performed by him. The first bill he +introduced was aimed at the slave trade and prohibited the farther +importation of negroes into Virginia. This is a triumphant refutation of +the accusation often reiterated against Mr. Jefferson—<i>that he was an +advocate of slavery</i>. To its <i>principles</i> he and a large majority of the +South were always opposed and submitted to it <i>practically</i> by <span class="smcap">entail</span>. +It is a fact beyond dispute that he struck the first blow in the +Colonies at the unhallowed trade of <i>importing</i> human beings for the +purpose of consigning them to bondage. That this was the first great +step to towards a correction of the most cruel feature of this system, +originated by philanthropic England, is equally true. To transfer those +negroes, born in the United States, from one section of this country to +another, bears no comparison in cruelty to the heart-rending barbarity +of forcing the African from his native home—even should he fall into +the hands of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> those <i>emancipators</i> who, instead of returning him to his +native shores—<i>put him an</i> "<span class="smcap">apprentice</span>" <i>to hard labor on their own +plantations</i>. Consistency thou art a jewel rather rare. Common humanity +forbids the sudden emancipation of the slaves as proposed by emissary +Thompson and his converts.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jefferson next effected the passage of bills destroying +entails—primogeniture—the church as established by England and various +others—assimilating the entire system of jurisprudence in the state to +its republican form of government. He reported one hundred and +twenty-six bills, most of which were passed and constitute the present +much admired statutory code of Virginia.</p> + +<p>In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was called to the gubernatorial chair of his +native state, then surrounded by perils. The British troops, led on by +the proud Tarleton and the traitor Arnold, were spreading death and +devastation over the Old Dominion and contemplated the capture of the +governor. Terror seized the more timid patriots—the boldest were +alarmed at the approach of the merciless foe. The energy of the governor +was equal to the emergency. He rallied the bone and sinew of old +Virginia, who "with hearts of oak and nerves of steel," checked the +enemy in their bold career of indiscriminate slaughter. He imparted +confidence and vigor to the desponding and roused them to bold and noble +action. He dispersed the black cloud that hung over his bleeding state +and inspired the friends of liberty with cheering hopes of ultimate +success. So highly were his services appreciated during the eventful +term of his administration that the legislature entered upon their +records a unanimous vote of thanks to him for the able and efficient +manner he had discharged his public duties—highly complimenting his +talents, rectitude, moral courage and stern integrity.</p> + +<p>In 1783 he again took his seat in Congress—one of the brightest +luminaries in the galaxy of statesmen. The chaste and moving address to +Washington when he surrendered his commission, was from the +soul-stirring pen of Jefferson. He was chairman of the committee to form +a territorial government for the extensive regions of the then far west. +True to his long cherished desire to ultimately emancipate the negro, he +introduced a clause prohibiting slavery in any of the territories or the +states that should be formed from them after 1800.</p> + +<p>In May, 1784, he was a minister plenipotentiary in conjunction with Dr. +Franklin and John Adams, with power to negotiate treaties of commerce +with several European nations. In July he embarked for France and +arrived in Paris on the 6th of August. During his absence he visited +several foreign courts but spent most of his time in France.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> He +commanded the highest respect and was made a welcome guest in the halls +of literature, legislation and jurisprudence. Kings and courtiers +treated him with profound deference and were convinced intelligence and +talent were not exclusively confined to the old world.</p> + +<p>He was in Paris when the French Revolution commenced and was often +consulted by the leading members of the national convention relative to +the best course to be pursued in order to establish their government +upon the Republican basis. So far as was proper he gave his opinions +freely in favor of rational Liberty.</p> + +<p>He returned on the 23d of November 1789 and was received with great +enthusiasm and kindness by his fellow citizens. Soon after his arrival +he resigned his ministerial commission and became Secretary of State +under President Washington. The appointment was a compliment to the +matured judgment of the chief magistrate and proved a lasting benefit to +our country. Familiar with every principle of government—comprehending +the requisites necessary to perfect and perpetuate the new +confederation—he proposed amendments to the constitution, which, with +some suggested by John Adams and others, were adopted. He did much +towards reducing the new order of things to harmonious system. Well +versed in diplomacy, international law and the policy of European +courts—he was prepared to plant the permanent land marks of foreign +intercourse which stand as beacon lights to guide our nation safely in +its onward career. A reciprocity of commerce and honorable peace with +other governments—a rigid neutrality with belligerents—a careful +avoidance of entangling alliances were some of his leading principles. +To submit to nothing that was clearly <i>wrong</i>—to ask for nothing that +was not clearly <i>right</i>—was a doctrine of Jefferson forcibly inculcated +in his able correspondence with the French ministers during the brief +period of their Republic. This motto has been handed down from sire to +son and is firmly nailed to the flag staff of the star spangled banner.</p> + +<p>To the domestic concerns of our country he devoted a laudable and +laborious attention. He recommended the adoption of a uniform system of +currency, weights, measures and many other things designed to advance +the best interest of the infant Republic. He urged the importance of +protecting our fisheries and of encouraging enterprise in all the +branches of industry. He demonstrated the advantages of every species of +commerce and the necessity of preventing others from monopolizing the +sources that legitimately belonged to the United States. He exhibited a +masterly exposition of existing facts, showing the increasing policy of +European courts to restrict the inter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>course of America that they might +engross trade. He submitted to Congress an elaborate and able report +relative to the privileges and restrictions of the commercial +intercourse of this with other countries, which showed great foresight, +close observation and thorough investigation. It received great +attention and was the foundation of a series of resolutions introduced +by Mr. Madison, embracing the doctrines it contained—forming the great +line of demarkation between the <i>old</i> school federal and democratic +parties. It would require a skilful engineer to trace the original line +<i>now</i> in consequence of the rapid growth of under brush.</p> + +<p>Having served his country long and faithfully and contributed largely in +placing her on the great highway of <span class="smcap">freedom</span> and prosperity, Mr. +Jefferson retired from public life on the 31st of December 1793 enjoying +for a season the more peaceful and substantial comforts of life at +Monticello. He imparted comfort to all around him—treated his slaves in +the kindest manner, reducing to practice the mode of treatment he always +recommended to others. The education of his children—the cultivation +and improvement of his land and the resumption of his scientific +researches, gave to him an exhilarating consolation he had long desired +and could never enjoy in the arena of public business and political +turmoil. His manner of life at the time alluded to is happily described +by the Duke de Liancourt who visited him during his brief time of +repose.</p> + +<p>"His conversation is of the most agreeable kind. He possesses a stock of +information not inferior to any other man. In Europe he would hold a +distinguished rank among men of letters and as such he has already +appeared there. At present he is employed with activity and perseverance +in the management of his farms and buildings and he orders, directs and +pursues, in the minutest detail, every branch of business relating to +them. I found him in the midst of harvest from which the scorching heat +of the sun does not prevent his attendance. His negroes are nourished, +clothed and treated as well as white servants could be. Every article is +made on his farm—his negroes being cabinet makers, carpenters and +masons. The children he employs in a nail manufactory and the young and +old negresses spin for the clothing of the rest. He animates them all by +rewards and distinctions. In fine, his superior mind directs the +management of his domestic concerns with the same ability, activity and +regularity, which he evinced in the conduct of public affairs and which +he is calculated to display in every situation of life."</p> + +<p>During his recess from the toils of public life Mr. Jefferson was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +unanimously elected President of the American Philosophical Society with +which he was highly gratified. It afforded him much pleasure to occupy +the chair which had been ably filled by his revered friends—the +illustrious Franklin and philosophic Rittenhouse.</p> + +<p>After a repose of three years he was again called to the theatre of +public action. President Washington had announced his determination to +retire to the peaceful shades of Mount Vernon. The people had become +divided in two political parties, each determined to nominate a +candidate for the high and responsible office about to become vacant. +The federalists nominated John Adams—the democrats Thomas Jefferson. +The former was elected President—the latter Vice President of the +United States. As the presiding officer of the Senate Mr. Jefferson +discharged his duty with dignity and impartiality. Familiar with +parliamentary rules, he was prepared to decide questions promptly and +uniformly to the satisfaction of members.</p> + +<p>At the next Presidential Election he was again opposed to Mr. Adams. The +mountain waves of party spirit rolled over the United States like a +sweeping torrent. Each party presented a bold front regardless of danger +pressed on by a rear rushing to conflict. The two candidates were bosom +friends. Honest political differences did not interrupt their private +good feelings. Not a word fell from the lips of either disparaging to +his opponent. They regretted the fever heat of their partisans during +the canvass but could not allay it. The Democrats carried the election +and returned an equal number of votes for Mr. Jefferson as President and +Col. Burr as Vice President. This singular circumstance imposed the +election of the Chief Magistrate upon the House of Representatives. To +defeat the election of the great leader of the popular party, several of +his opponents voted for Col. Burr. A very spirited contest ensued. +Thirty-five ineffectual ballotings were made. The ambition of Burr for +promotion induced him to omit doing at once what propriety dictated and +that which would have rendered him popular and perhaps saved him from +the vortex of disgrace into which he subsequently plunged—<i>the +immediate withdrawal of his name</i>. This he was finally compelled to do +and on the thirty-sixth ballot Mr. Jefferson was duly elected President +by a majority of eight votes and Col. Burr Vice President.</p> + +<p>I have long been convinced that the Federal Constitution should be +amended with reference to the election of these two officers. The votes +for each should be confined to each office independent of the other. +<i>The election should never go to the House of Representatives</i>, +especially as political honesty is constantly deteriorating. The history +of all time shows clearly, that as a government grows older corruption +increases<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> until it finally dissolves the state. Let the President be +elected for four years and until another shall be elected in his place +and let this be done directly by the <span class="smcap">people</span>. Reckless party management +would then be stripped of half its horrors. Better pay the expense of +two elections than have one unworthy incumbent in the Presidential +Chair. The following extract from the Inaugural Address of Mr. Jefferson +should be committed by every man and boy in our country—the principles +would then be better understood and perhaps more generally exemplified +in practice.</p> + +<p>"Equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or +persuasion—religious or political—peace, commerce and honest +friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none—the support +of the state governments in all their rights as the most competent +administrations for our domestic concerns and the surest bulwarks +against anti-republican tendencies—the preservation of the general +government in its whole constitutional vigor as the sheet anchor of our +peace at home and safety abroad—a zealous care of the right of election +by the people—a mild and safe corrective of abuses which are lopped by +the sword of revolution when peaceable remedies are unprovided—absolute +acquiescence in the decisions of the majority, the vital principle of +Republics from which there is no appeal but to force—the vital +principle and immediate parent of despotism—a well disciplined militia +our best reliance in peace and for the first moments of war till +regulars may relieve them—the supremacy of the civil over the military +authority—economy in public expenses that labor may be lightly +burthened—the honest payment of our debts and sacred preservation of +the public faith—encouragement of agriculture and of commerce as its +handmaid—the diffusion of information and arraignment of all abuses at +the bar of public reason—freedom of religion, freedom of the press and +freedom of the person under the protection of the <i>habeas corpus</i> and +trial by juries impartially selected. These principles form the bright +constellation which has gone before us and guided our steps through an +age of revolution and reformation. The wisdom of our sages and blood of +our heroes have been devoted to their attainment. They should be the +creed of our political faith, the text of civic instruction, the touch +stone by which to try the service of those we trust and should we wander +from them in moments of error or alarm, let us hasten to retrace our +steps and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty and +safety."</p> + +<p>Here is a statesman's chart drawn by one of the ablest, navigators that +ever stood at the helm of government. His soundings were frequent—his +observations were made with mathematical precision—he combined science +and experience and traced his lines with boldness and truth. To follow +its directions is to ensure safety. Its delineations are not designed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +for partisan use but for our whole country and the freemen of the world +through all time.</p> + +<p>Based upon these principles practically, the administration of Jefferson +became popular, peaceful and prosperous. He understood the reasonable +desires of the people and exerted his noblest powers to gratify them.</p> + +<p>He knew that the art of governing harmoniously consisted in <span class="smcap">honesty</span> and +governed himself accordingly. He anticipated the future wants of the +rising and expanding Republic and proposed in his annual and special +messages to Congress wise and politic measures to meet them. So fully +was his course approved that he was re-elected by a majority of one +hundred and forty-eight. His second inaugural address reiterated the +same magnanimous principles of his first, manifesting a deep and growing +interest in the prosperity and welfare of our common country.</p> + +<p>As he has been repeatedly charged with infidelity by those who descend +so low as to desecrate the ashes of the illustrious dead and the charge +repeated but a few days ago in a prominent print in the city of New +York, I insert the following extract from his annual message, which +sentiment is found in all his writings where the subject is alluded to. +I have recently read two of his unpublished letters to a gentleman who +is now a member of the New Jersey Senate, in which the same view is +expressed.</p> + +<p>"I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who +led our forefathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and +planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaries of life—who +has covered our infancy with his Providence and our riper years with his +wisdom and power." Washington and Adams said no more.</p> + +<p>If all who profess the religion of the Cross discarded sectarianism and +honored unsophisticated <i>practical</i> religion as much as did Thomas +Jefferson, the prospect of christianizing the world would burst upon us +with refulgent brightness. The partition walls of various creeds, +claimed to be drawn from the same pure fountain, would be dissolved by +heaven-born Charity and the superstructure of the Redeemer's kingdom +would rise in majesty sublime.</p> + +<p>Soon after Mr. Jefferson entered upon the duties of his second term, a +portentous storm darkened the horizon of our country, charged with the +lightning of discord. In consequence of being disappointed in riding +into the presidency on the whirlwind of confusion he created at the time +he was made Vice President and at the end of four years—dropped like a +traitor as he was, Aaron Burr mounted upon the tornado of his wild +ambition and attempted the formation of a new Republic in the Spanish +Provinces on the Mississippi, aiming at an ultimate division, if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> not +dissolution of the Union. He was arrested and tried for high treason but +being a man of great foresight, consummate genius and deep cunning—no +<i>overt</i> act could be proved against him within the technical meaning of +the law and he was acquitted—yet the dark stigma is marked upon the +splendor of his brilliant talents in traces so deep, that time nor +angels' tears can ever remove it. Like a comet propelled by its own +centrifugal force from its constitutional orbit, he fell to rise no +more—our country was saved from his Cataline grasp by the Cicero of our +nation.</p> + +<p>About the same time France and Great Britain were at war—both of whom +and more especially the latter—had repeatedly insulted the American +flag under various but false pretences. Redress was promptly demanded +and measures pursued to obtain it. Anxious to preserve peace but +determined to vindicate our rights and dignity—Mr. Jefferson +simultaneously prosecuted a negotiation and prepared for war. He well +understood the importance of the importing and exporting trade to +England. Among the means used to bring her to honorable terms, he +recommended to Congress the embargo law which was passed on the 22d Dec. +1807. This measure was violently assailed by those opposed to his +administration. As he anticipated, it had a salutary effect upon the +British government and caused propositions to be made by England for an +honorable adjustment of all differences.</p> + +<p>Thus were the foreign relations of the United States situated when the +second term of Mr. Jefferson closed. He then bid a final farewell to +public life and consigned the destinies of his beloved country into +other hands. He had been an efficient and faithful laborer in the +vineyard of American Liberty nearly forty years. He left it richly +covered with green foliage and fruit—in the full vigor of +health—enclosed by the palisades of truth and honesty—adorned with the +crowning glories of philanthropy and patriotism.</p> + +<p>From that time he declined all public honors and remained in peaceful +retirement to the day of his death—seldom leaving his sweet home—the +beautiful Monticello. Unlike too many with ample means he did not lead a +life of inglorious ease. The same innate activity that had marked his +bright career from youth—the same nobleness of mind and energy of +character that raised him to the loftiest pinnacle fame could rear, +still promoted him to action. He reduced his time to a harmonious +arrangement—his business to perfect system. He uniformly rose before +the sun and held a supervision over all the concerns of his plantation. +The various productions of his pen during the period of his retirement, +show that he labored arduously in the fields of science and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> philosophy. +For the promotion of literature and general intelligence, he opened an +extensive correspondence with men of letters in this country and Europe. +He considered the diffusion of knowledge among the great mass of the +human family the greatest safeguard against tyranny and oppression—the +purest source of earthly bliss—the surest passport to freedom and +happiness.</p> + +<p>Acting from this impulse, he submitted the plan of a University to the +legislature of Virginia to be erected at Charlottesville, situated at +the foot of the romantic mountain in front of his mansion. It was to be +built with funds raised by donations from individuals in the state, +himself to be a liberal contributor. The plan of the buildings and +course of instruction were drawn by him and so much admired and approved +by the members of the legislative body that an act was passed to carry +into effect the design and Mr. Jefferson was appointed Rector. For the +completion of this object he spent all necessary time and more money +than strict justice called for. It became the doating object of his old +age. His best efforts were exerted in its accomplishment, which were +crowned with success and the University filled with students to whom he +paid great attention. The course of instruction was designed to prepare +youth for the general routine of business, public and private and was +not strictly classical. The library was selected by him with great care, +being composed entirely of solid useful books, treating on subjects +important to every citizen in preparing him to discharge properly the +duties he owes to his God, his family, his country and himself. A +catalogue, written by Jefferson, is still there in a good state of +preservation. He exercised a parental care over this institution until +his physical powers failed.</p> + +<p>Much of his time was devoted to visitors to whom he was hospitable and +kind. Thousands of his own countrymen paid their grateful respects to +him—Europeans of distinction thought their tour in this country +incomplete until they took by the hand the patriot, sage, philosopher +and philanthropist of Monticello. He was ever anxious to please, delight +and instruct. He was familiar with every subject. His mind united the +vigor of youth with the experience of age. The broad expanse of the +universe—the stupendous works of nature—the Pierian fields of +science—the deep recesses of philosophy and labyrinthian avenues of the +intellect of man—seemed spread before him like the map of the world. He +was an encyclopædia of the age he adorned—a lexicon of the times he +enlightened—one of the brightest diadems in the crown of his country's +glory.</p> + +<p>With a calm and peaceful quietude Mr. Jefferson glided down the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> stream +of time toward the ocean of eternity until he reached the eighty-fourth +year of his age. Forty-four years had passed away since his amiable +companion had been laid in the tomb. She was the daughter of Mr. Wayles, +an eminent lawyer of Virginia. One of two interesting daughters was also +resting in the grave. The charms of earth were receding from him—he +felt sensibly that he stood on the confines of another and a better +world. The physical powers and mechanical structure of his frame were +fast decaying—the canker worm of disease was doing its final work—the +angel of death hovered over him with a keen blade awaiting Jehovah's +signal to cut the silver cord of life and set the prisoner free.</p> + +<p>Early in the spring of 1826 his bodily infirmities increased. From the +26th of June to the time of his death he was confined to his bed. He +then remarked to his attending physician—"My machine is worn out and +can go no longer." His friends who attended him thought he would again +recover but he was convinced that his voyage of life was about to close +and that he would soon cast his anchor in the haven of rest. To those +around him he said—"Do not imagine that I feel the smallest solicitude +as to the result. I do not indeed <i>wish</i> to die but I do not <i>fear</i> to +die." Do infidels die thus calm and resigned? Echo answers—Do infidels +die thus?</p> + +<p>On the second day of July his body became extremely weak but his mental +powers remained as clear as a crystal fountain. He called his family and +friends around him and with a cheerful countenance and calm dignity gave +direction for his funeral obsequies. He requested that he might be +interred at Monticello without pomp or show and that the inscription on +his tomb should only refer to him as "The author of the Declaration of +Independence—of the Statutes of Virginia securing religious Freedom and +the Father of the University." He then conversed separately with each of +his family. To his surviving daughter, Mrs. Randolph, he presented a +small morocco case which he requested her not to open until after his +death. It was found to contain a beautiful and affectionate poetic +tribute to her virtues.</p> + +<p>The next day, being told it was the 3d of July, he expressed a desire +that he might be permitted to inhale the atmosphere of the fiftieth +anniversary of our national freedom. His prayer was granted—the +glorious 4th of July 1826 dawned upon him—he took an affectionate leave +of those around him and then raising his eyes upward articulated +distinctly, "<i>I resign myself to God and my child to my country</i>"—and +expired as calmly as an infant sleeps in its mother's arms. Thus lived +and thus died <span class="smcap">Thomas Jefferson</span>, universally esteemed in life—deeply<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +mourned in death by a nation of freemen—sincerely lamented by every +patriot in the civilized world.</p> + +<p>In person he was slender and erect—six feet two inches in height—light +and intelligent eyes—noble and open countenance—fair +complexion—yellowish red hair and commanding in his whole appearance. +In all the relations of public and private life he was the model of a +great and good man. His whole career was calm and dignified. Under all +circumstances his coolness, strong moral courage—deliberation and +equanimity of mind, placed him on a lofty eminence and enabled him to +preserve a perfect equilibrium amidst all the changing vicissitudes and +multiform ills flesh is heir to. He kept his passions under complete +control and cultivated richly the finer qualities of his nature. His +charity, the brightest star in the Christian diadem, was as broad as the +human family—his sympathies co-extensive with the afflictions of Adam's +race. He was created for usefulness—nobly did he fulfil the design of +his creation. If his were not the fruits of <i>practical</i> Christianity, +the immaculate Redeemer and the Apostles did not truly describe them. +You who basely charge <span class="smcap">Thomas Jefferson</span> with infidelity, remember—O! +remember, that his last words were those uttered by many of the +martyrs—"<span class="smcap">I resign myself to God and my child to my country</span>."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="BARON_DE_KALB" id="BARON_DE_KALB"></a>BARON DE KALB.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A love</span> for the land of our birth is natural—commendable. A continued +oppression from those in power may drive us from that land—compel us to +seek an asylum under a more congenial government—still the associations +of our native spot are a source of frequent and pleasing thought never +to be entirely eradicated from our minds.</p> + +<p>No man should ever adopt a new country and government without a full +determination to become a good and useful citizen and submit implicitly +to the laws as they are until he shall find himself in a majority of the +virtuous who rise in their majesty to change for the better. With this +principle for a polar star—foreigners who seek a peaceful asylum in our +country may become as staunch supporters of our national Constitution +and <span class="smcap">Union</span> as native born patriots. If they cannot—they should retrace +their steps quickly and return to the iron blessings of monarchy. We +want none among us who do not love our country and her noble +institutions. An open door—a hearty welcome awaits every foreign +<i>patriot</i> that comes to this land of the brave and home of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> the free. We +have an overplus of native demagogues, fanatics, ultraists, disunionists +and bigots—without importing any from Europe.</p> + +<p>During the American Revolution a number of illustrious and noble +patriots of high standing came from the old world to aid in planting the +tree of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> in the new. Among them was the brave Baron de Kalb, a +native of Germany. Of his early history we have no record. He was a +brigadier-general in the French army and had earned a high military +reputation. He was a knight of the order of Military Merit and highly +esteemed by his fellow officers. A philanthropist of high order—imbued +with liberal principles—in favor of a Republican form of +government—familiar with the oppressions of England in +America—acquainted with the noble efforts of the oppressed to free +themselves from tyranny—Baron de Kalb at once resolved to be the +companion of the patriotic La Fayette. On his arrival he was +commissioned a major-general in the Continental army and placed in +command of the Maryland division. He readily gained the esteem and +confidence of all who made his acquaintance. He was a man of strong +common sense—great experience—a close observer of men and things—an +admirable disciplinarian—a brave and prudent officer. With a robust +frame and iron constitution—he was able to endure the proverbial +fatigues and privations of the American army. He was remarkably +abstemious—living mostly on bread and water. His industry and zeal in +the glorious cause he had espoused were worthy of all praise. He was up +early and late and spent all his leisure from official duty in writing +in some retired place. Unfortunately his writings were lost and the +subject matter was known to no one but himself.</p> + +<p>The brilliant career of this noble patriot soldier was closed at the +battle of Camden, S. C. He there commanded the right wing of the +American army composed of regulars. The left wing was composed of +militia who fled at the sight of the red coats advancing with fixed +bayonets—as terrified as young horses at a locomotive. Not so with the +right wing. Although contending against overwhelming numbers they stood +their ground and fought like tigers. In his last desperate attempt to +seize the laurels of victory—the Baron fell helpless with eleven +wounds. In this prostrate condition a base attempt was made to pierce +him with several bayonets which was prevented by one of his +aids—Chevalier de Buysson—who threw himself over the fallen hero and +received the bayonets in his own body—exclaiming "<i>Save the Baron de +Kalb!</i>" The British officers interfered—saved him from instant death +and made him their prisoner. He was kindly treated by his captors and +survived but a short time. To an officer who expressed his sor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>row for +his sufferings he replied—"I thank you for your sympathy—I die the +death I always prayed for—the death of a soldier fighting for the +rights of man."</p> + +<p>In his last moments he dictated a letter to Gen. Smallwood who succeeded +him in command of his division. He expressed his ardent affection for +his officers and men—lauded their bravery which had forced admiration +from their enemies—urged them to persevere in the glorious cause of +<span class="smcap">freedom</span> until triumphant victory should perch upon their manly brows. He +then invoked a benediction on his beloved division—reached out his +trembling hand to Col. de Buysson—resigned his soul to God and closed +his eyes in death.</p> + +<p>In that battle both armies suffered severely. Several others of the +American officers were killed—among them Col. Potterfield who was a +favorite of the whole army.</p> + +<p>Baron de Kalb was a man of amiable disposition—modest and unassuming in +his manners—frank and generous in his intercourse—strictly moral and +temperate in his habits—was highly esteemed by all who knew him and +died deeply lamented. He was buried at Camden. His memory is cherished +by every friend of <span class="smcap">liberty</span>.</p> + +<p>Some years after he had slumbered under the clods of the valley, Gen. +Washington visited his grave. He contemplated it thoughtfully for a few +moments and remarked—"So there lies the brave De Kalb—the generous +stranger who came from a distant land to fight our battles and to water +the tree of our <span class="smcap">liberty</span> with his blood. Would to God he had lived to +share its fruits."</p> + +<p>In 1780 Congress caused a monument to be erected to his memory in +Annapolis, Maryland, with the following inscription,</p> + +<p class="center"> Sacred to the memory of the<br /> + BARON DE KALB,<br /> + Knight of the royal order of Military Merit,<br /> + Brigadier of the armies of France,<br /> + and<br /> + <span class="smcap">Major General</span><br /> + In the service of the United States of America.<br /> + Having served with honor and reputation<br /> + For three years,<br /> + He gave a last and glorious proof of his attachment<br /> + to the liberties of mankind<br /> + And the cause of America,<br /> +In the action near Camden in the State of South Carolina<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> On the 16th of August 1780,<br /> + Where, leading on the troops of the<br /> + Maryland and Delaware lines<br /> + Against superior numbers<br /> + And animating them by his examples<br /> + To deeds of valor,<br /> + He was pierced with many wounds<br /> + And on the nineteenth following expired<br /> + In the 48th year of his age.<br /> + <span class="smcap">The Congress</span><br /> + Of the United States of America,<br /> +In gratitude to his zeal, services and merit,<br /> + Have erected this monument.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="GILBERT_MOTTIER_DE_LA_FAYETTE" id="GILBERT_MOTTIER_DE_LA_FAYETTE"></a>GILBERT MOTTIER DE LA FAYETTE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Patriotism</span> is one of the noblest attributes of man. It is the soul of +freedom—the fulcrum of liberty—the lever of independence. It soars +sublimely above self—is prompted by honest motives—aims at glorious +ends. It is the motive power of philanthropy and would gladly +consolidate the human family in one harmonious universal brotherhood by +the heavenly law of love which can fraternize the world. It is opposed +to all oppression—abhors all tyrants—rejoices in the promulgation of +liberal principles. Its desires to do good are diffusive as the sun +light—it is not confined to country—nation or caste. No sectarianism +can swerve it—no monarch suppress it—no obstacle paralyze it. The +patriot may be crushed in person by illegitimate power—the +principle—<i>never</i>. Chains and dungeons will kindle it to a brighter +flame—persecution will increase its volume. The history of all time +proves the truth of these assertions—they form a corollary firm as the +perpetual hills—incontrovertible as the problems of Euclid. The man who +is destitute of this noble attribute is a mere automaton. There is a +vacuum in his soul which nature abhors and all despise—except kings, +aristocrats and demagogues. Patriotism is the dread incubus that hangs +over thrones. The true patriot delights to see all basking in the +refulgent rays of rational liberty and is ever ready to peril life and +fortune in the cause of equal rights whenever the people of any nation +rise in their native dignity to reclaim them from oppressors.</p> + +<p>Thus it was with Gilbert Mottier de La Fayette, born on the 6th of +September 1757 at the castle Chavaniac in Auvergne. Soon after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> the +birth of this son, his father fell at the battle of Minden. As childhood +dawned upon young La Fayette he exhibited talents of unusual strength +and vigor. Under the genial rays of science they rapidly burst from +embryo—budded, blossomed and ripened into fruit of the most perfect +kind. At the age of seven years he was placed in the college of Louis le +Grand at Paris. His rapid progress in the elements of his education +exceeded the fondest anticipations of his numerous friends. By his +modesty, urbanity and innate goodness of heart he gained the esteem of +all who knew him. He graduated at an early age and was made a page to +the queen and soon rose to the rank of a commissioned officer—an honor +then conferred upon none but those presumed to possess superior merit +and talent. At the age of seventeen he married the Countess Anastatie de +Noailles—one of the most beautiful and amiable ladies of France. With +kindred spirits they united splendid fortunes sufficient to support them +in princely style through a long life. They were in the enjoyment of all +the pleasures earth could give—favorites at the gayest court in +Europe—caressed and beloved by those they held most dear—an ornament +to every circle in which they moved. Mutual esteem gave a rich zest to +every enjoyment—their social felicity was complete. All things combined +to rivet La Fayette to his happy—his enchanting home. Nothing but the +loftiest patriotism—the purest <ins class="correct" title="philanthrophy">philanthropy</ins> could have induced him to +burst these infatuating bands and peril his life, fortune and sacred +honor in the cause of human rights in a foreign country.</p> + +<p>Amidst the fascinating allurements that surrounded him, this noble youth +paused, reflected and reasoned. Through the bright vista of the future +Columbus saw the cheering vision of a new world. Through the same clear +mirror La Fayette saw the sun of <span class="smcap">freedom</span> reflecting its refulgent rays +over Columbia's prolific land. A band of patriots had sounded the +clarion of <span class="smcap">liberty</span>. Echo had wafted it from Bunker's bloody mount to the +ears of this young hero. The thought that there was a remnant left in +the world who dared to assume their native dignity and strike for their +just rights enraptured his soul. Contrary to the wishes of his friends +and the King of the French, he resolved to fly to the aid of the +oppressed Americans and participate in the unfading glory of planting +the standard of <span class="smcap">freedom</span> in the western hemisphere. Nor did he split on +the rock of resolves and re-resolves where many waste away their lives. +He at once proposed to the American Commissioners, then in Paris, to +enter the army of Washington. They informed him of the recent adverses +of those who were struggling for Liberty. They could present no bright +picture to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> induce him to hope for laurels or emolument. It was not +necessary. Nobler motives incited him to action. He still resolved to +go. Anxious as were Messrs. Franklin, Dean and Lee to secure his +services, they had not the means to convey him to the scene of action. +Obstacles of various kinds were vainly thrown across his path. Impelled +to an onward course by the noble impulses of patriotism—no difficulties +were too great for him to surmount—no hardships too severe for him to +endure, no sacrifice of wealth too large for him to make. Embarrassments +strengthened the resolution he had formed to enroll his name with the +brave and the free, even should he perish in the attempt.</p> + +<p>He immediately fitted out a vessel at his own expense—freighted it with +munitions of war and clothing—received letters of high commendation +from the American commissioners to the Congress of their bleeding +country and embarked secretly for the land of the pilgrim fathers in the +winter of 1777. He then looked forward with anxious solicitude to that +happy day when he should aid in unfurling the banner of freedom—in +planting deep the tree of liberty in a soil congenial to its growth and +take by the hand those bold and daring sages and heroes who had thrown +the stars and stripes to the breeze in defiance of despotism—resolved +on freedom or death. Nothing short of a deep, strong, inherent devotion +to liberal principles could have induced La Fayette to leave his native +country under the existing circumstances and peril everything in behalf +of strangers. In vain we search history for a benevolence so broad and +disinterested. Call it ambition if you please. Would to God the same +laudable ambition reigned triumphant in the breast of every human being. +We should then see tyrants trembling—thrones crumbling—crowns +falling—fetters bursting and the grand jubilee of <span class="smcap">freedom</span> celebrated +amidst the expiring groans of monarchy—the chaotic ruins of tyranny. +Call it a thirst for glory. Would to God that all who have figured +largely on the grand theatre of public action could have the same glory +emblazoned on the escutcheon of their names. A purer, fairer sheet of +biography would then meet the eyes of the present and generations to +come.</p> + +<p>On the 25th of April 1777 Lafayette and his companions landed in South +Carolina near Charleston and were warmly welcomed by Gen. Moultrie, +Major Huger and the little band of veterans around them. The destitute +condition of the American soldiers excited the sympathy of the Marquis. +He distributed clothing to those under Gen. Moultrie and a sword to each +of his officers. From Charleston he hastened to Philadelphia and +delivered his letters and despatches from the American Com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>missioners to +Congress. He offered himself as a volunteer—desiring to enter the army +with no remuneration except the proud satisfaction of enrolling his name +with the brave heroes whose motto was—<span class="smcap">Liberty or Death</span>. His unassuming +manners, patriotic sentiments, stern resolution, devotedness to the +cause and dignified bearing—combined to inspire confidence in all who +made his acquaintance. In July Congress passed a resolution accepting +his services and commissioned him a Major-General in the Continental +army. He immediately placed himself under the supervision of Washington +and commenced a brilliant career that gained increased lustre during a +long life of usefulness. Shortly after he entered the service he acted a +conspicuous part in the battle of Brandywine where he was wounded and +disabled for six weeks. In the battle of Germantown he proved himself a +cool, brave and skilful officer. He soon gained the full confidence of +Washington and was put in command of a choice corps of daring young men +selected by himself and was entrusted with several expeditions which he +conducted with great prudence and success and to the entire satisfaction +of Washington and Congress. On all occasions he exhibited talents of the +highest order. Discretion—the strong helm of human action, guided him +in all his actions.</p> + +<p>At that period the question of maintaining American Independence was +truly problematical. Prospects darkened as time rolled on. The general +gloom was an impetus to this young patriot that impelled him to more +vigorous exertion. In the autumn of 1778 he returned to France and +exerted his influence in favor of a treaty of alliance and greatly aided +in consumating that <i>desideratum</i>. This imparted fresh courage to the +American army—then writhing under privations and distress that truly +tried the souls and bodies of men. Nothing short of an Almighty hand +could have sustained the Sages and Heroes of the Revolution and nerved +them to persevere in their noble undertaking until crowned with +triumphant victory. La Fayette returned in the spring of 1780 and was +followed by a French naval force in July which came to the rescue. A new +impetus was thus given to the cause of human rights in America. La +Fayette was put in command of the expedition against Lord Cornwallis in +Virginia. He found his troops in a naked, forlorn condition and Congress +without means to furnish them with the common comforts of an army. Upon +his own credit he borrowed money from merchants in Baltimore—purchased +a portion of the necessary supplies—appealed to the fair daughters of +the monumental city who responded nobly to the call. Their eyes and +needles brightened as they made up garments for the brave soldier +boys—soon the Marquis saw his men comfortably clad,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> fully +equipped—eager to drive the minions of tyranny from their blood stained +soil.</p> + +<p>La Fayette took the field with a force far inferior to that of +Cornwallis who was the pride of his king and acknowledged no superior in +the science of military tactics. In the wary and sagacious "boy" as La +Fayette was termed by the veteran British General, Cornwallis found a +leader too formidable to be treated with contempt—too cautious to be +easily ensnared. He was constantly annoyed without being able to bring +his antagonist to a general action. Chagrined and disgusted he retired +to Yorktown and commenced formidable fortifications. As his army was now +the bulwark of England in America, the combined forces of the United +Colonies and France lost no time in concentrating in front of his +entrenchments. A vigorous siege was commenced on the 29th of September +1781. The British General felt that an awful crisis had arrived. By a +surrender—the Colonies were lost. A tremendous responsibility rested +upon him. His resistance corresponded with these high considerations. +His spirited defence was worthy of a better cause.</p> + +<p>On the 14th of October it was found necessary to silence two redoubts +that were pouring a destructive fire into the works of the <ins class="correct" title="beseigers">besiegers</ins>. +This was to be done with the bayonet. The young Marquis was selected to +lead the assault. The order was no sooner received than obeyed. He led +his men to the charge with the impetuosity of a tornado. Like a mighty +avalanche, rushing from the mountain top with the fury of Mars—they +bore down all opposition. Although the enemy were double in number—so +sudden and irresistible was the onset that they were all killed or taken +prisoners but six. Against such troops fighting for Liberty, Cornwallis +found it useless to contend. The injured Colonists had risen in their +might—a fearful retribution awaited him. The last ray of success was +expiring in the socket of hope—his cruel military career was about to +close in the new world. Keen and blighting anguish seized his tortured +soul in view of outrages committed upon an oppressed people. The cries +of murdered innocents rang through his ears—his courage lost its +equilibrium and was supplanted by despair. On the 18th of October the +proud hero of Britain surrendered his whole army to the illustrious +<span class="smcap">Washington</span> and the brave <span class="smcap">La Fayette</span>—the champions of liberal principles +and human rights.</p> + +<p>That signal victory closed the long, bloody, doubtful struggle. Several +nations promptly acknowledged the Independence of the United States. The +ensigns of royalty were banished from our shores—the star spangled +banner waved triumphantly over the land of the brave and free. +Washington and La Fayette mingled tears of gratitude and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> thankfulness +for their preservation, success and final deliverance. They richly +merited and freely received the plaudits of the American people and of +admiring nations. A gazing world looked upon them with <ins class="correct" title="extatic">ecstatic</ins> delight +as they stood on the loftiest pinnacle of fame in all the sublime +majesty of republican simplicity. They were among the brightest of the +dazzling luminaries of emancipation—the terror of tyrants—the hope of +<span class="smcap">freemen</span>. The consummation of Liberty was then and there proclaimed to +grateful and happy millions. Seraphs listened to the cheering news with +thrilling joy—carried the glad tidings to the unerring chancery of the +great Eternal where they received the sanction of Jehovah's high +authority and were recorded on the unfading pages of the book of lasting +renown in letters of gold by the Grand Scribe of Heaven. Echo caught the +talismanic sound and wafted it to the remotest bounds of every nation on +wings of mighty wind.</p> + +<p>Having accomplished all in his power to establish the Independence of +our country La Fayette prepared to return to the bosom of his anxious +family in France. He had served more than six years and expended <i>one +hundred and forty-seven thousand dollars</i> in the glorious cause he had +nobly, ardently, successfully espoused. He asked no pecuniary emolument +at the commencement of his services—he demanded no pay—presented no +account at their termination. He had a richer reward, more precious than +gold—more valuable than rubies—<i>the gratitude of the American nation</i> +deeply felt and strongly expressed. He had the invaluable satisfaction +of having contributed largely towards preparing a nursery for +freemen—an asylum for the oppressed. His conduct stood approved at the +dread tribunal of conscience.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="noin">"The man who stands acquitted at that fearful bar<br /> + Holds the first round prize the world has to give.<br /> + 'Tis like Heaven's sunshine—<span class="smcap">priceless</span>."</p></blockquote> + +<p>At his departure he received the highest tokens of respect from +Congress, the officers of the army and our nation at large. The richest +blessings of a kind Providence were invoked for him. He was received +with great enthusiasm on his arrival at home. He was hailed as a +prominent hero of the new world—the tried friend of Liberty—the +unyielding advocate of universal Freedom—the spotless patriot—the +brave and skilful officer—the hope of the down-trodden and oppressed in +the old world.</p> + +<p>The success of the United States in shaking off the yoke of bondage had +its influence on the nations of Europe as a natural consequence. That +the people of France felt it <i>most</i> is not surprising. The French<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> army +had drank freely at the fountain of Liberty that had gushed out in the +United States. The holy flame of freedom was burning in their bosoms and +was soon communicated to their brethren at home. The insulating fire of +patriotism ran through the mass and the too resolved to be free. +Unfortunately for the cause of human rights they seized upon the +abstract principles of Liberty without learning the art of +self-government. They plucked the fruit before it was ripe—it +disorganized their system producing a raging fever and wild delirium. So +rapidly did the excitement rise that it was found necessary to convene +the States General—an assembly that had slumbered 172 years—the +dernier resort of that nation to suppress internal commotion. It +consisted of deputies chosen by the nobility, clergy and common people. +So terrific was the storm of passion that this august body trembled like +a reed shaken by the wind. Anarchy mounted its desolating car—mad +ambition rolled its mountain waves over reason and justice—malicious +jealousy sought its victims in every avenue—Jacobinism reared its hydra +head—the fountain of mercy was dried up—the bloody guillotine did its +fearful work. Civil war raged in all the plenipotence of exterminating +revenge—cruelty ceased only for the want of victims—the streets were +deluged with purple current. Such are the outlines of the first French +Revolution. The picture is filled with darker shades.</p> + +<p>Amidst this scene of dreadful carnage—this tornado of angry +passions—La Fayette stood calm and undismayed. He commanded the +military and had their confidence. At one bold stroke he might have cut +off the cold hearted Robespierre—the cruel Mirabeau—the treacherous +Duke of Orleans—the ambitious Paine—the bloody Nero—Murat. Under +Washington and from his own innate goodness he had learned to soar above +revenge and practice humanity. For some time he paralyzed the efforts of +the various factions and succeeded in giving France a constitution +approximating towards republicanism. But the typhoid of faction had +become too firmly fixed on the body politic to be arrested in its +sanguinary career by this panacea. It gathered new strength as it +advanced. The awful whirlpool of boiling passion was fast drawing La +Fayette to its vortex of destruction. The National Assembly yielded and +became subservient to the Jacobins. Plans were suggested by which to rid +themselves of the man they most dreaded. At this alarming crisis he +exhibited moral and physical courage without a parallel. He repaired to +the National Assembly and in language bold and strong portrayed the +conduct of those whose wild ambition had brought upon France threatened +ruin and impending destruction. His dignified manner, unanswerable +logic, powerful eloquence, stern inte<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>grity, open frankness, anxious +solicitude and noble boldness filled the delegates and leading Jacobins +with awe and astonishment. They believed he had an armed force within +call to protect him. When he had finished his address he immediately +withdrew and resumed the command of the army then marching against the +Austrian Netherlands. Learning that he had gone, the National Assembly +became so courageous that they proscribed him and set a price upon his +head. Finding the wild disorder of his country beyond his control and +his life in jeopardy, he resolved to fly to the United States. With an +aching heart he left, with seven companions. In their flight they fell +into the hands of the Prussians and were delivered over to the +Austrians. After enduring every indignity and insult La Fayette was +thrown into a loathsome dungeon at Olmutz where a bed of rotten straw, a +broken chair and an old table constituted all the furniture of his +wretched apartment. There he suffered by privations and +disease—neglected and alone until he was so reduced that the hair fell +from his head and death seemed sure of an early victim. At the same time +his estate was confiscated by the Jacobins and his amiable wife thrown +into prison. To advocate him in France was a sure passport to the bloody +guillotine.</p> + +<p>England, the United States and several other governments looked upon the +incarceration of La Fayette as a violation of the laws of nations, of +common justice and humanity. Washington and many others made great +exertions to obtain his release. The Emperor of Austria was inexorable. +The staple of his mind was adamant—he delighted in human misery. He had +caged the European Eagle of Liberty determined to immolate him slowly +but surely on the altar of revenge and crush the embryo buds of liberal +principles in the old world. A bold but unsuccessful attempt to rescue +the prisoner was made by Col. Huger and Dr. Bollman of South Carolina. +Its history is full of thrilling interest and does great credit to the +heads and hearts of its persevering and ingenious authors.</p> + +<p>The amiableness and dignity of Madame La Fayette forced respect from the +bloodthirsty Jacobins who ultimately released her. Learning the forlorn +condition of her husband her native tenderness rushed upon her noble +soul like a mighty flood. She at once resolved to fly to him and share +in all the vicissitudes that awaited him. With her two daughters she +left France in disguise and arrived safe at Olmutz. Her application to +see her husband could not be granted unless she consented never to leave +the prison after entering it. With this inhuman decree she cheerfully +complied. The most brilliant imagination can but faintly conceive—the +strongest language can never portray to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> life the thrilling—the +melting scene that followed. The sunburnt cheeks of the soldiers who +guarded the prison were flooded with the tears of sympathy and +compassion. With the two pledges of their love Madame La Fayette passed +the grating iron doors. The next moment she was clasped in the arms of +the companion of her youth. <i>My loyal husband</i>—was all she could utter. +<i>My dear father</i>—burst from his angelic daughters as they clung around +his emaciated form. <i>My dear wife—my lovely daughters</i>—passed his +trembling lips in broken accents—a flood of tears from each told a tale +of mingling woes and joys in the language of that mute eloquence which +casts words into the shade. That scene can never be presented in full +original force by the finest touches of the painter's pencil—the +boldest stroke of the poet's pen—the loftiest flights of historic +eloquence. At that meeting with his family the situation of La Fayette +in prison was more enviable than that of a king of nations or a +conqueror of worlds. The ministering angel—<span class="smcap">woman</span>—can convert a dungeon +into a paradise and light up a smile in the deepest aspect of woe. +Without her earth would be desolate—man miserable—a savage.</p> + +<p>With Christian fortitude and heroic patience this affectionate family +bore their privations and sufferings. Madame de Stael has well +observed—"Antiquity offers nothing more admirable than the conduct of +Gen. La Fayette, his wife and daughters in the prison of Olmutz."</p> + +<p>Fresh exertions were made to obtain the release of these innocent +sufferers. The question was agitated in the United States Congress and +in the House of Commons in England. Nothing could move the obdurate +heart of the tyrant who held them. They seemed doomed to waste away +their lives in that loathsome dungeon. God had otherwise determined. The +time was rolling on rapidly when they should be restored to liberty, +their friends and their home. The conquering Bonaparte humbled the proud +and cruel Emperor and compelled him to release these illustrious +prisoners. In the treaty of Campo Formio in 1797 it was expressly +stipulated that all the French prisoners at Olmutz should be immediately +liberated. The Emperor of Austria attempted to impose restrictions on +the future conduct of the Marquis. Amidst all his sufferings his dignity +and liberal principles remained unimpaired. He spurned all conditions of +a restrictive nature. His unconditional release occurred on the 25th of +August 1797 when he and his family again inhaled the exhilarating +atmosphere of Freedom. He had been in prison five years. His noble wife +and affectionate daughters had shared with him the miseries of a damp +dungeon twenty-two months. The release of these prisoners is one of the +brightest stars in the diadem of Bonaparte.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the French nation became more tranquil La Fayette and his family +returned to the land of their birth. He located at La Grange and soon +gained a salutary influence over those around him. He did all in his +power to promote the interests of his country and the cause of human +rights. Although he was truly grateful to Bonaparte for his release from +a gloomy dungeon he believed he owed a duty to his nation paramount to +all private considerations. He opposed all his measures that he +considered dangerous to the prosperity and happiness of France. From the +time of his return to that of his last illness, La Fayette took a +conspicuous part in the civil and military departments of his country. +With an Argus eye he watched her destinies through all her convulsing +changes. The smiles of princes and the huzzas of the multitude could not +flatter him—the miseries of a dungeon and frowns of tyrants could not +depress him. Without those brilliant talents that dazzle and captivate +every beholder, like his revered Washington he possessed an uncommon +share of sound common sense, a clear head, a good heart, a +discriminating judgment that gave him a more universal influence than +any man then in Europe. His magic power over the enraged populace of +Paris during the Three Days' Revolution of 1830 has no parallel when we +consider the effervescent nature of the French people. In the short +period of seventy-two hours he restored tranquillity—formed a new +government and commenced a new era in the history of that impulsive +nation. He could then have been crowned King of France. To him crowns +were empty bubbles, expanding only to burst—airy phantoms, formed to +allure for a time—then vanish in abdication, chaos or blood.</p> + +<p>When he visited our country in 1824 his reception at every point was an +earnest of the deep feeling of gratitude that pervaded the bosoms of our +people. The presence of no man ever elicited more enthusiastic joy in +any country. During his stay party spirit retired to its lair—all +united in paying the profoundest respect to the benefactor of our +nation—the companion of Washington—the noble philanthropist. In every +crowd La Fayette sought his surviving companions in arms who had fought +and bled by his side in the glorious cause of American Independence. +When he met them the scene was always interesting—sometimes affecting. +In some instances a simultaneous rush to each other at the moment of +recognition and the eloquent tears that rolled down their veteran cheeks +told what was passing in their kindred hearts more strongly than words +can express. It affords me great pleasure to state—that the finances of +our government were such at that time and the liberality of Congress in +such a state of expansion that La Fayette was remunerated for his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +services and the large amount of money expended in obtaining our +Independence—reversing the adage—<i>Republics are always ungrateful</i>. +When he departed from our shores—bid a last farewell to his American +friends and our country—he left a painful vacuum in the hearts of +millions that was not speedily supplied. He was emphatically a man whom +the people admired, loved, and delighted to honor. He arrived safely in +France and continued to watch over her interests until the 18th of May +1834 when he took a violent cold in following on foot the remains of the +patriot Dulong, to Pere le Chaise, or Garden of the Tombs. So violent +was his illness that it baffled all medical skill and ended his eventful +and useful life on the 21st of May 1834. He died in full faith of a +blissful immortality in a better and brighter world. He expired at his +hotel in Paris.</p> + +<p>The pageant of his funeral was of the most imposing character. He was a +member of the Chamber of Deputies at the time of his decease. The marked +attention and mingling tears of the members of that body—the deep +lamentations of the French and American people—the demonstrations of +grief by every civilized nation on receiving intelligence of his +death—combined to show the high estimation in which he was held by the +old and new world.</p> + +<p>The grateful memory of La Fayette is held sacred by every friend of +Liberty. His history has no parallel on the Eastern continent. His +career was not tarnished with bold strides of misguided ambition or base +attempts at self-aggrandizement. He was consistent to the last. Compared +with his—all borrowed greatness is an empty show. Unblemished virtue +marked his bright career—philanthropy his whole course—integrity his +entire conduct—justice his every action. A calm resignation to the will +of God under all circumstances and a confiding trust in His wisdom added +a more brilliant lustre to all his noble and amiable qualities. Unborn +millions will read his biography and sing the praises of this great and +good man. He has left examples of human conduct worthy the contemplation +and imitation of all who move in the private or public walks of life. +His influence did not terminate with his existence. Ages to come will be +benefited by the rich fruits of his useful and monitory life. The sweet +incense of <span class="smcap">freedom</span> will continue to ascend from his hallowed grave in +cerulean perfumes with increasing fragrance until the old world shall be +revolutionized, regenerated and <span class="smcap">free</span>. Coming generations will gaze upon +the bright picture of his history with enrapturing delight—the holy +flame of patriotism and the pale torch of Liberty now glimmering in the +old world will be replenished at the sacred tomb of <span class="smcap">La Fayette</span>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="FRANCIS_LIGHTFOOT_LEE" id="FRANCIS_LIGHTFOOT_LEE"></a>FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> actions of men cannot be well understood without a thorough +knowledge of human nature. We must trace the map of the immortal mind, +learn the avenues of its circuit, follow it through the regions of +revolving thought, become familiar with the passions that influence and +control it—learn its natural desires, innate qualities, springs of +action—its multifarious combinations. We must understand its native +divinity, earthly frailty, malleability, expansions, contractions and +its original propensities. In addition to all this knowledge, to judge +correctly of the actions of an individual we must know the predominants +and exponents of his mind—the impress it has received from education, +the motives that impelled him to action, his propulsive and repulsive +powers, the ultimatum of his designs and his ulterior objects. With all +these guides we may still become involved in error unless we move within +the orbit of impartiality, divest ourselves of all prejudice and have +our judgments warmed by the genial influence of heaven-born charity. +With all these lights we should never pass judgment of censure upon any +person unless the good of community requires it or a court of justice +demands it. Could this rule be strictly adhered to by individuals and +the press—rays of millenial glory would burst upon the wilderness of +mind and cause it to bud and blossom as the rose. A peaceful and +quiescent rest would calm the angry feelings and boiling passions of +men, daily lashed to a foaming fury by the unnecessary and often +erroneous expressed opinions of others. On this point the Sages and +Heroes of the American Revolution were examples worthy of imitation. +Each one held most sacred the reputation of his co-workers. The few +violations of this principle were frowned upon with an indignity that +gave the recusants the Belshazzar trembles.</p> + +<p>Among them no one was more tender of character than Francis Lightfoot +Lee. He was the son of Thomas Lee—born in Westmoreland county, +Virginia, on the 14th of October 1734. He was the brother of Richard +Henry Lee whose eloquence rose higher but whose reflections were no +deeper than those of Francis. In childhood he was admired for his +docility and amiable deportment—in youth he was the pride of every +circle in which he moved and when manhood dawned upon him he exhibited a +dignity of mind and maturity of judgment that all delighted to honor.</p> + +<p>He was educated by the Rev. Mr. Craig a Scotch clergyman of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> high +literary attainment and profound erudition. Under his tuition the germs +of knowledge took deep root in the prolific mental soil of young Lee and +produced plants of rapid and luxuriant growth. The Scotch <i>literati</i> are +remarkable for deep investigation, thorough analyzation and lucid +demonstration. I have never met one who was a pedant, a vain pretender +or a superficial scholar. Under such an instructor the intellectual +powers of Francis assumed a vigorous and healthful tone that placed him +upon the substantial basis of useful knowledge and enduring fame. He was +delighted with the solid sciences and spent less time in the bowers of +Belles Lettres than his Ciceronean brother. The history of classic +Greece and Republican Rome enraptured his mind with the love of liberty +and liberal principles. He read closely, thought deeply and investigated +thoroughly. He prosecuted his studies with untiring industry and became +an excellent scholar without the advantages of European seminaries to +which most of the sons of wealthy men were then sent to complete their +education. Imitating the examples of his elder brothers who had received +the highest polish of English gentilesse and French etiquette he became +a polished gentleman in his manners. Raised in the midst of affluence, +actuated by the purest ethics, free from a desire to participate in the +follies of the world, living in the peaceful enjoyment of those refined +pleasures that promote felicity without enervating the body or +corrupting the heart, the favorite of his numerous acquaintances—his +earthly happiness was of the purest kind. His mind richly stored with +scientific theory and with correct moral and religious principles, he +entered the school of experience and became emphatically a practical +man. Possessed of an ample fortune he could devote his time to what he +deemed most useful. Having early imbibed a love for rational liberty and +having fully canvassed the conduct of the British ministry towards the +American Colonies, Mr. Lee resolved to oppose the encroachments of the +king upon the rights clearly guaranteed by the English constitution. He +could not consent that the trappings of the crown, the pomp of the +courts, the extravagance of the ministry and the expenses of the +Parliament of Great Britain should be borne by the yoemanry of America +who were eloigned from the protection and fraternal feeling of that +power, deprived of participating in legislation, subject to the caprice +of every new cabinet created by the King, dragged from their native +homes to be tried by a foreign jury, oppressed by the insolence of +hireling officers, driven from under the mantle of constitutional rights +and treated as mere vassals of the mother country.</p> + +<p>In 1765 he was elected to the house of Burgesses to represent Loudoun +county where his estate was situated. He at once took a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> bold stand in +favor of rational Liberty. Blessed with a strong and investigating mind, +a deep and penetrating judgment, a clear and acute perception, a pure +and patriotic heart, a bold and fearless disposition—he became one of +the most efficient advisers in the legislative body. He continued to +represent Loudoun county until 1772 when he married the estimable +Rebecca—daughter of Col. Taylor of Richmond county where he located +permanently. The same year he was elected from his new district and +continued to do good service in the house of Burgesses until he repaired +to the Continental Congress. Amidst the gathering storm of the +Revolution and the trying scenes that accumulated thick and fast around +him—he stood unmoved and undismayed. He advocated every measure +calculated to promote the independence of his country and was prolific +in plans for the accomplishment of that much desired object. As a member +of committees he had no superior. He was familiar with every form of +government and understood well the rights conferred by Magna Charta and +the British constitution. He was prepared to act advisedly and was +resolved to resist unto blood the illegal advances of the designing and +avaricious ministry. He made no pretensions to oratory, seldom spoke in +public but when so highly excited as to rise he poured upon his +opponents a flood of keen and withering logic that often made them +quail.</p> + +<p>On the 15th of August 1775 Mr. Lee was elected to the Continental +Congress. A more expansive field was then opened before him. To do or +die—to live in chains or peril everything for Liberty had become the +dilemma. Columbia's soil had been saturated with the blood and serum of +Americans shed by the very men who had been cherished by their bounty +and fed by their labor. The dim flickerings of hope for redress and +conciliation were fast expiring in the socket of forbearance. The great +seal of the compact had been broken by the British ministry—the last +petitions, addresses and remonstrances were prepared—the final course +for the Colonies to pursue was soon to be determined. Inglorious peace +or honorable war were the two propositions. In favor of the last Mr. Lee +put forth the strong energies of his mind. Eternal separation from +England and Independence for America could only satisfy his views. Being +upon numerous committees his influence was strongly felt. Liberty had +become a <i>desideratum</i> with him. When the proposition of final +separation from the mother country was submitted by his brother his soul +was raised to the zenith of patriotic feeling. When the Declaration of +Rights was adopted his mind was in an ecstacy of delight. His influence, +vote and signature told how pure and strong were his desires in its +favor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> + +<p>He rendered essential aid in framing the Articles of Confederation that +governed Congress and the Colonies during the Revolution. This was a +subject of great delicacy and labor. Besides the work of the committee +it passed through thirty-nine discussions in the House. He contended +that the rights of contiguous fisheries and the free navigation of the +Mississippi river should be incorporated in the claims of the United +States in all propositions of peace. The wisdom and sagacity of his +position are now fully demonstrated. It was then opposed by some and not +duly appreciated but by few.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lee was continued in Congress up to 1779 when he declined a +re-election and retired from the public arena to scenes more congenial +to him but less beneficial to the deliberations of the august body he +had long graced with his wisdom. His enjoyment of domestic life was +transient. Contrary to his wishes he was elected to the legislature of +his native state and repaired to the post of duty. After aiding in +removing the perplexing difficulties that embarrassed the government of +the Old Dominion he again retired to the peaceful retreat of private +life where he remained until April 1797 when he was summoned to appear +forthwith at the Bar of the God he loved and had honored through life. +Calm and resigned he bowed submissively to the messenger who bore the +mandate—bid his friends an affectionate farewell and took his departure +triumphing in faith with a full assurance of a joyful reception in a +brighter and better world. He died of pleurisy and was followed in a few +days by his wife. They had no children but their graves were moistened +by the tears of numerous relatives and friends.</p> + +<p>In public life Mr. Lee was eminently useful—his private worth shone +with equal brilliancy. Always chaste, cheerful, amusing and +instructive—he delighted every circle in which he moved. Wealthy, +benevolent and liberal—he was the widow's solace, the orphan's father +and the poor man's friend. Kind, affectionate and intelligent—he was a +good husband, a faithful companion and safe counsellor. Polished, urbane +and gentlemanly—his manners were calculated to refine all around him. +Moral, discreet and pious—his precepts had a salutary influence upon +the minds of all who heard them and were not callous to good advice. He +spurned the slanderer, kindly reproved the vicious and by counsel and +example disseminated the principles of morality and religion. He was a +bright model of human excellence.</p> + +<p>It has been erroneously stated that he was unfriendly to Washington. The +mistake of the writer probably arose from incorrectly associating Gen. +Charles Lee, who came from Wales in 1773, with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> Lees of Virginia and +who was suspended from his command one year for disobedience to orders +at the battle of Monmouth. He was a brave officer and only made a small +mistake which he deeply regretted. The approval of the sentence was +voted for in Congress by Francis. After the adoption of the Federal +Constitution he was asked his opinion upon it. His answer shows his +confidence in Washington. "I am old and do not pretend to judge these +things now but one thing satisfies me it is all right—General +Washington is in favor of it and John Warden is opposed to it." Warden +was opposed to our Independence.</p> + +<p>Let the shining examples of Mr. Lee be reflected forcibly on our minds +and lead us to do all the good in our power whilst we live and prepare +for a peaceful and happy exit from the abysm of time.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="RICHARD_HENRY_LEE" id="RICHARD_HENRY_LEE"></a>RICHARD HENRY LEE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Rhetoric</span>, as defined in the lexicons, as taught in the schools, as +practised in times of peaceful leisure—is not the kind that graced the +forum during the American Revolution. No studied or written speeches +were then crowded upon the audience to kill time or gain popularity. +Judge McKean remarked just before his death—"I do not recollect any +formal speeches, such as are made in Parliament and our late Congresses. +We had no time to hear such speeches—little for deliberation—action +was the order of the day."</p> + +<p>School eloquence is very different from native heart-thrilling +soul-stirring rhetoric. The former is like the rose in wax without +odor—the latter like the rose upon its native bush perfuming the +atmosphere with the rich odors distilled from the dew of heaven. The +former is the finely finished statue of a Cicero or Demosthenes, more +perfect in its lineaments than the original—the latter is the living +man animated by intellectual power—rousing the deepest feelings of +every heart—electrifying every soul as with vivid lightning. The former +is a picture of the passions all on fire—the latter is the real +conflagration pouring out a stream of impassioned words that burn like +liquid flames bursting from a volcano. The former brings the fancy of an +audience into playful action—the latter sounds an alarum that vibrates +through the tingling ears to the soul and drives back the rushing blood +upon the aching heart. The former moves the cerebral foliage in waves of +recumbent beauty like a gentle wind passing over a prairie of tall grass +and flowers—the latter strikes a blow that resounds through the +wilderness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> of mind like rolling thunder through a forest of oaks. The +former fails when strong commotions and angry elements agitate the +public peace—the latter can ride upon the whirlwind of faction, direct +the tornado of party spirit and rule the storm of boiling passion. This +was the only kind of eloquence practised by the Sages and Heroes who +achieved our Independence. At such times school elocution is a +mockery—a vain show that disgusts men when the fate of millions is +suspended by a single hair. At such a crisis the deep fountains of the +soul are broken up and gush out in living streams of natural +overwhelming eloquence.</p> + +<p>Among the powerful orators of '76 was Richard Henry Lee, son of Thomas +Lee, born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on the 20th of January 1732. +His ancestors were among the early settlers of the Old Dominion and were +prominent in directing the destiny of the Colony. They were men of +liberal principles and at all times promptly resisted every encroachment +upon their rights. The arbitrary power exercised by Charles I. over his +European subjects which hurled him from his throne, was resisted by the +Lees. When Cromwell assumed the crown he was never recognised by +Virginia. The mandate that proclaimed the second Charles +King—originated with Lee and Berkley of the Old Dominion. The plan of +ultimate Independence was cherished by the elder Lees. Through the +bright vista of the future they contemplated the millennium of Freedom +in America. So strongly impressed was the father of Richard Henry with +this idea that he fixed in his mind the location of the seat of +government and purchased lands in the vicinity of Washington. By some +historians this act is called a paradox that philosophy has been +perplexed to explain. To my mind the solution has no perplexity. A man +of deep reflection and large intelligence does not draw his conclusions +alone from present appearances. He compares the past with the present +and makes deductions for the future. The historic map of the world is +covered with the rise, progress and extinction of nations, kingdoms and +empires. From the causes and effects delineated upon the same map, it +was the natural conclusion of a penetrating mind that the expansive +territory of this country, with all the bounties of nature lavished upon +it, must eventually become so densely populated that its physical force +would be too powerful for any European country to hold dominion over it. +The geographical centre was also plain as the settlements were then +progressing. This prophecy, as it has been termed, was the result of +deep thought arriving at conclusions drawn from the unerring laws of +nature, showing that Mr. Lee possessed an analyzing mind that moved in +an extensive orbit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + +<p>Richard Henry Lee commenced his education at Wakefield, Yorkshire, +England and remained in that kingdom until he completed it. He returned +a finished scholar, an accomplished gentleman with a reputation +untarnished by vice or folly. From his childhood honesty and morality +were his darling attributes—he delighted in reposing under the ethic +mantle. During his absence his innate republicanism did not become +tinctured with the farina of European courts or the etiquette of +aristocracy. In classic history he found the true dignity of man +portrayed—his inalienable rights delineated. In the philosophy of Locke +he saw the rays of light reflected upon human nature—the avenues of the +immortal mind opened to his enraptured vision. In the Elements of Euclid +the laws of demonstration were presented to his delighted understanding +and gave fresh vigor to his logical powers. Endowed with these +qualifications he was prepared to enter upon the great theatre of public +action and adorn the circle of private life.</p> + +<p>His first public act was in raising a company of troops and tendering +his services to Gen. Braddock. That proud Briton considered the +Provincials puerile and declined the proffered aid. His fate is a matter +of history. In 1757 Mr. Lee was appointed a Justice of the Peace and +President of the Court. Shortly after he was elected to the House of +Burgesses and made himself thoroughly acquainted with the laws of +legislation and government—the true policy and various interests of the +colony and with the rules of parliamentary proceedings. Retarded by an +almost unconquerable diffidence, he took very little part in debate at +first. It was not until he became excited by a subject in which he felt +a deep interest that his Ciceronean powers were developed. A bill was +before the House imposing a duty on the importation of slaves into +Virginia—virtually amounting to a prohibition. It was strongly opposed +by several influential members. Mr. Lee became roused and poured upon +his astonished audience such a flood of burning eloquence against the +importation of human beings to be made slaves, that his opponents +trembled as they listened. In vivid colors he painted the cruelties of +Cortes in South America, the Saracens in Spain and passed through the +dark catalogue of monsters who had disgraced humanity with +barbarism—then pointed his colleagues to the darker blot—the more +barbarous practices that branded with infamy the unhallowed slave-trade +then monopolized by mother Britain. He pointed to the bloody scenes of +other times when the physical force of the slaves had enabled them to +rise and crush their masters at one bold stroke. By stopping the +traffic, the evil entailed upon them might be provided for and the +certain and dreadful consequences of a constant influx from Africa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> be +warded off. His eloquence was applauded but his philanthropic views were +voted down by the friends of the crown. The trade was virtually +originated and long continued by Great Britain, now so loud in +complaints against us for not at once providing for an evil entailed by +her. Had this bill passed, her revenue would have been less and +thousands of Africans left at their peaceful homes. O! shame where is +thy blush!</p> + +<p>This powerful effort raised Mr. Lee to the rank of the Cicero of +America. The exposure of the base corruptions practised by Mr. Robinson, +then treasurer of the Colony, was the next important service rendered by +him. As this was an attack upon the aristocracy, it required much skill, +boldness and sagacity to introduce the probe successfully. This he did +in a masterly manner and proved clearly that the treasurer had +repeatedly re-issued reclaimed treasury bills to his favorite friends to +support them in their extravagance by which the Colony was robbed of the +amount by their payment a second time without a <i>quid pro quo</i> +[equivalent.] For this bold act Mr. Lee was applauded by every honest +man—hated and dreaded by public knaves.</p> + +<p>When Charles Townshend laid before the British Parliament the odious and +more extensive plan of taxing the American colonies which Mr. Grenville +called <i>the philosopher's stone</i>, Mr. Lee was among the first to sound +the alarm. Within a month after the passage of the preliminary Act in +Parliament followed by a revolting catalogue of unconstitutional and +oppressive laws, he furnished his London friends with a list of +arguments against it sufficient to convince every reasonable man of the +injustice and impolicy of the measure. When Patrick Henry proposed his +bold resolutions against the Stamp Act in 1765 Mr. Lee gave them the +powerful aid of his eloquent and unanswerable logic. He was very active +in the formation of associations to resist the encroachments of the +crown. He aided in compelling the collector of stamps to relinquish his +office, deliver up his commission and the odious stamp paper. The people +were advised not to touch or handle it. His pen was also ably used and +produced many keen, withering, logical, patriotic, pungent essays that +had a salutary influence upon the public mind. He corresponded with the +patriots of New York and New England. According to the testimony of Col. +Gadsden of S. C. and the public documents of that eventful era, Mr. Lee +was the first man who proposed the Independence of the colonies. He had +unquestionably imbibed the idea from his father whose ancestors had +predicted it for the last hundred years and had probably handed it down +from sire to son. In a letter from Richard Henry Lee to Mr. Dickinson<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +dated July 25th 1768 he proposes upon all seasonable occasions to +impress upon the minds of the people the necessity of a struggle with +Great Britain "<i>for the ultimate establishment of independence—that +private correspondence should be conducted by the lovers of liberty in +every province</i>." His early proposition in Congress to sever the +material ties was considered premature by most of the friends of +Liberty. He had long nursed this favorite project in his own bosom—he +was anxious to transplant its vigorous scions into the congenial bosoms +of his fellow patriots.</p> + +<p>Soon after the House of Burgesses convened in 1769, as chairman of the +judiciary committee, Mr. Lee introduced resolutions so highly charged +with liberal principles calculated to demolish the Grenville +superstructure and reduce to dust his talismanic <i>philosopher's stone</i>, +that they caused a dissolution of the House and concentrated the wrath +of the British ministry and its servile bipeds against him. The rich +fruits of their persecution were the formation of non-importation +associations, committees of safety and correspondence and the +disaffection of the English merchants towards the mother country in +consequence of the impolitic measures calculated to prostrate their +importing and exporting trade. Lord North now assumed the management of +the grand drama of oppression and laid more deeply the revenue plan. By +causing a repeal of the more offensive Acts he hoped to lull the storm +of opposition that was rapidly rising and prepare for more efficient +action. Had the Boston Port Bill been omitted his dark designing +treachery might have succeeded more triumphantly. This fanned the +burning flame of resentment to a white heat. It spoke in language too +plain to be mistaken—too strong to be endured.</p> + +<p>In 1774 Mr. Lee was a delegate to the Congress convened at Philadelphia. +At that memorable meeting he acted a conspicuous part. After Patrick +Henry had broken the seal that rested on the lips of the members as they +sat in deep and solemn silence, he was followed by Mr. Lee in a strain +of <i>belles-lettres</i> eloquence and persuasive reasoning that took the +hearts of his audience captive and restored to a calm the boiling +agitation that shook their manly frames as the mountain torrent of +Demosthenean eloquence was poured upon them by Henry. He was upon the +committee that prepared an address to the king—the people of Great +Britain and to the Colonies. Those documents were written by him and +adopted with but few amendments. He was upon the committee that prepared +the address to the people of Quebec and upon the committee of rights and +grievances and non-intercourse with the mother country. In the warmth of +his ardor he proposed several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> resolutions that were rejected because +considered premature at that time—not that the purity of his motives +were doubted. Many of the members still hoped that timely redress of +grievances would restore peace. They had clearly and forcibly set forth +their complaints and desires and could not yet be persuaded that +ministers were madly bent on ruin. For solidity of reasoning, force of +sagacity and wisdom of conclusion—the proceedings of that Congress +stand without a parallel upon the historic page. So thought Lord +Chatham, Burke and many of the wisest English statesmen at that time.</p> + +<p>In 1775 Mr. Lee was unanimously elected to the Virginia Legislature +where the same zeal for Liberty marked his bold career. He received a +vote of thanks for his noble course in Congress and was made a delegate +for the next session. A more congenial field now opened for this ardent +patriot. Temporizing was no longer the order of the the day. Vigorous +action had become necessary. His zeal and industry had ample scope. With +all his might he entered into the good work. Upon committees—in the +house, everywhere he was all activity. In 1776 he was a member of +Congress. In obedience to the instructions of the Virginia Legislature +and his long nursed desires, on the 7th of June he rose amidst the +assembled patriots of the nation in the Hall of Liberty and offered the +resolution for the adoption of a Declaration of Independence. This +resolution he enforced by one of the most brilliant and powerful +displays of refined and forcible eloquence ever exhibited in our +country. On the 10th of the same month he was called home by the illness +of his family which prevented him from taking his place as chairman of +the committee upon his resolution agreeably to parliamentary rules. Mr. +Jefferson was put in his place. The wrath of British power against him +was now at its zenith. During his short stay at home an armed force +broke into his house at night and by threats and bribes endeavoured to +induce his servants to inform them where he could be found. He was that +night a few miles distant with a friend. They were told he had gone to +Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>In August he returned to Congress and most gladly affixed his name to +that sacred instrument upon which his imagination had feasted for years. +He continued at his post until June 1777 when he returned home to +confute a base slander charging him with unfaithfulness to the American +cause in consequence of having received rents in kind instead of +Continental money. He was honorably acquitted by the Assembly and +received a vote of thanks from that body for his fidelity and industry +in the cause of freedom—rather a cooler to his semi-tory enemies. +During the two ensuing years his bad health compelled him to leave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +Congress several times, but his counsel was at the command of his +colleagues at all times. Nothing but death could abate his zeal in the +good cause.</p> + +<p>The portals of military glory were now opened to Mr. Lee. He was +appointed to the command of the militia of his native county and proved +as competent to wield the sword and lead his men to action as he was to +command an audience by his powerful eloquence. Defeated in the north the +British made a rush upon the Southern States. Whenever they approached +the neighbourhood under the charge of Mr. Lee they found his +arrangements a little too precise for their convenience and abandoned +their visits entirely. In 1780-1-2 he served in the Virginia +legislature. The proposition of making paper bills a legal tender—of +paying debts due to the mother country and of a general assessment to +support the Christian religion—were then before the House and excited +great interest. Mr. Lee advocated and Mr. Henry opposed them. From the +necessity of the case he was in favor of the first. Upon the sacredness +of contracts he based his arguments in favor of the second and from +ethics he drew conclusions in favor of the last. He said refiners might +weave reason into as fine a web as they pleased but the experience of +all time had shown religion to be the guardian of morals. He contended +that the declaration of rights was aimed at restrictions on the form and +mode of worship and not against the legal compulsory support of it. In +this Mr. Lee erred. He probably had forgotten that Christ declared his +kingdom was not of this world and that the great Head of the Christian +religion had for ever dissolved the bans of church and state by that +declaration. In other respects the position is untenable in a republican +government and can never promote genuine piety in any.</p> + +<p>In 1784 he was again elected to Congress and chosen President of that +body. At the close of the session he received a vote of thanks for the +faithful and able performance of his duty and retired to the bosom of +his family to rest from his long and arduous toils. He was a member of +the Convention that framed the Federal Constitution and took a deep +interest in the formation of that saving instrument. He was a U. S. +Senator in the first Congress that convened under it and fully sustained +his previous high reputation. Infirmity at length compelled him to bid a +final farewell to the public arena. His last public services were +rendered in the legislature of his own state. On his retirement a most +flattering resolution of thanks for his numerous valuable services was +passed by that body on the 22d of October 1792. He then retired to the +peaceful shades of Chantilly in his native county<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> crowned with a +chaplet of amaranthine flowers emitting rich odors lasting as time. +There he lived—esteemed, beloved, respected and admired until the 19th +of June 1794 when the angel of death liberated his immortal spirit from +its clay prison—seraphs conducted his soul to realms of bliss there to +enjoy the reward of a life well spent.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lee was a rare model of human excellence and refinement. He was a +polished gentleman, scholar, orator and statesman. In exploring the vast +fields of science he gathered the choicest flowers—the most substantial +fruits. The classics, <i>Belles Lettres</i>—the elements of civil, common, +national and municipal law—the principles of every kind of government +were all familiar to his mind. He was ardently patriotic, pure and firm +in his purposes, honest and sincere in his motives, liberal in his +principles, frank in his designs, honorable in his actions. As an orator +the modulation of his voice, manner of action and mode of reasoning were +a <i>fac simile</i> of Cicero as described by Rollin. He richly merited the +appellation—<span class="smcap">Cicero of America</span>.</p> + +<p>His private character was above reproach. He possessed and exercised all +those amiable qualities calculated to impart substantial happiness to +all around him. To crown with enduring splendor all his rich and varied +talents—he was a consistent Christian—an honest man. As his dust +reposes in peace let his examples deeply impress our heart: and excite +us to fulfill the duties of life to the honor of ourselves, our country +and our God.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="FRANCIS_LEWIS" id="FRANCIS_LEWIS"></a>FRANCIS LEWIS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> patriotic sages and daring heroes of the American Revolution were +from different countries and of various pursuits. One feeling pervaded +the bosoms and influenced the actions of all—the love of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. This +main spring of action was confined to no business or profession. All +classes who loved their country and hated chains flew to the rescue. +Self interest lost its potent powers and thousands pledged their lives +and fortunes to defend their bleeding country against the merciless +oppression and exorbitant demands of an unyielding monarch. No class of +men better understood the injustice of the mother country than those +engaged in commerce. Many bold spirits rushed from the counting house to +the forum and the field, resolved on victory or death.</p> + +<p>Among them was Francis Lewis, born at Landaff, in the shire of +Glamorgan, South Wales, March 1713. His father was an Episcopal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +clergyman, his mother was the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Pettingal of the +same sect who officiated at Cærnarvonshire in North Wales.</p> + +<p>Francis was an only child and lost both his parents when only fifteen. A +maternal aunt, named Llawelling, became his guardian. She had him early +instructed in the Cymraeg language which he never lost. He was +subsequently sent to a relative in Scotland where he was taught the +original Celtic language. From there he entered the Westminster school +at London and became a good classical scholar. He then entered a +counting house and became thoroughly acquainted with the entire routine +of commercial transactions which prepared him to enter into business +understandingly and with safety.</p> + +<p>When arrived at his majority he inherited a small fortune which he laid +out in merchandize and embarked for New York where he arrived in the +spring of 1735. He found his stock too large for that city—entered into +partnership with Edward Annesley, leaving with him a part of his goods, +proceeding with the balance to Philadelphia. At the end of two years he +settled permanently in New York and married Elizabeth Annesley, sister +of his partner in trade. To these ancestors may be traced the numerous +and respectable families of the same name now residing in and about New +York.</p> + +<p>Commercial transactions frequently called Mr. Lewis to the principal +ports of Europe and to the Shetland and Orkney Islands. He was twice +shipwrecked on the coast of Ireland. His great industry, spotless +integrity and skill in business, gave him a high position in commercial +circles, showing clearly the great advantage derived from a thorough +apprenticeship in business before a young man sets up for himself.</p> + +<p>At the commencement of the French war he was the agent for supplying the +British army with clothing. At the sanguinary attack and reduction of +Oswego by the French troops under Gen. Dieskau, Mr. Lewis was standing +by the side of Col. Mersey when he was killed. He was taken prisoner and +held a long time by the Indians enduring the severest sufferings. As a +small compensation the British government granted him five hundred acres +of land.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lewis was among the early and determined opposers to the unjust +pretensions of the British ministers. He was a distinguished and active +member of the Colonial Congress that assembled in New York in the autumn +of 1765 to devise and mature measures to effectuate a redress of +injuries. A petition was prepared to the King and House of Commons and a +memorial to the House of Lords. The language was respectful but every +line breathed a firm determination no longer to yield to injury<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> and +insult. The chrysalis of the Revolution was then and there formed. The +eruptions of the volcano occasionally subsided but as the lava of +insubordination would again burst out the crater was enlarged and the +volume increased until the whole country became inundated by the +terrific flood of war, red with the blood of thousands.</p> + +<p>In 1771 Mr. Lewis visited England and became familiar with the feelings +and designs of the British ministry. From that time he was fully +convinced that the infant Colonies in America could never enjoy their +inalienable rights until they severed the parental ties that bound them +to the mother country. On all proper occasions he communicated his views +to the friends of freedom and did much to awaken his fellow citizens to +a just sense of impending dangers.</p> + +<p>When it was determined to convene the Continental Congress Mr. Lewis was +unanimously elected a member by the delegates convened for that purpose +on the 22d day of April 1775. He immediately repaired to the Keystone +city and entered upon the important duties assigned him. The following +year he was continued in Congress and recorded his name upon the chart +of Independence. His great experience in commercial and general business +united with a clear head, a patriotic heart, a matured and reflecting +mind richly stored with intelligence—rendered him a useful and +influential member. As an active and judicious man on business +committees he stood pre-eminent. As a warm and zealous advocate of his +country's rights he had no rival.</p> + +<p>He was continued a member of Congress to April 1779 when he obtained +leave of absence. He had suffered much in loss of property which was +wantonly destroyed by the British troops.</p> + +<p>Time or angel's tears can never blot out the damning stigma that rests +upon the escutcheon of Great Britain for personal abuse and the wanton +destruction of private property during the Revolutionary War. Talk of +savage barbarity. He is a Pagan and knows none but his own mode of +warfare. England has professed to be the conservatory of Christianity +for centuries. Compared with the brutality of her armies in America, +looking at her in the light of even a <i>civilized</i> nation, savage +barbarity is thrown in the distance so far that it could not be seen +through a microscope of a million power.</p> + +<p>Not content with destroying the property of Mr. Lewis, the British +seized his unprotected wife and placed her in close confinement without +a bed—a change of clothes—almost without food and exposed to the +cowardly and gross insults of wretches who were degraded so far below +the wild man of the wilderness, that could an Archimedian lever of +common decency have been applied to them with Heaven for a fulcrum and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +Gabriel to man it, they could not have been raised, in a thousand years, +to the grade of common courtesy. No true American can trace the +cruelties of the British troops during the times that verily tried men +and women's souls, without having his blood rush back upon his aching +heart—his indignation roused to a boiling heat.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lewis was retained in prison several months and finally exchanged, +through the exertions of Gen. Washington, for a Mrs. Barrow, the wife of +a British paymaster retained for the express purpose but treated in the +most respectful manner and made perfectly comfortable with a respectable +family. The base imprisonment of Mrs. Lewis caused her premature death.</p> + +<p>At the close of the war Mr. Lewis was reduced from affluence to poverty. +He had devoted his talents, his property to the cause of Liberty and +what was infinitely more—the wife of his youth—the mother of his +children had been brutally sacrificed by the hyenas of the crown. +Notwithstanding these heart rending misfortunes the evening of his life +was made comfortable by his enterprising children and on the 30th day of +December 1803, calm and resigned, peaceful and happy, he closed his +eventful and useful life.</p> + +<p>He left a well earned fame that will survive, unimpaired, the +revolutions of time. His private character was a fair unsullied sheet as +pure and valued as his public life was useful and illustrious. As a man +of business he stood in the front rank. He was the first merchant who +made a shipment of wheat from America to Europe. He was the pioneer in +the transporting trade. He was a full man in all that he undertook. His +shining examples are worthy of our imitation in all the walks of a good +and useful life.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="PHILIP_LIVINGSTON" id="PHILIP_LIVINGSTON"></a>PHILIP LIVINGSTON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Men</span> often originate and engage in transactions that produce results in +direct opposition to their desires. Religious persecution scattered the +primitive Christians to various parts of the world and instead of +annihilating the doctrines of the Cross they were thus more widely +spread over the earth. For the enjoyment of the liberty of conscience +the emigrants to New England left their native homes. For the same +reason the Huguenots of France fled before the blighting edict of Nantes +in 1685, many of them settling in the city of New York. To the +persecuted and oppressed—America was represented as a land of rest. +Immigrants poured in upon our shores from France, Holland,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> Germany, +England, Ireland and Scotland—among whom were many eminent for piety, +intelligence and liberal principles. They were also men of courage and +fortitude, at that time considered necessary requisites in the perilous +undertaking of leaving the old for the new world. Among those who came +to our country were men of all the learned professions, the liberal arts +and sciences, trades and occupations.</p> + +<p>Robert Livingston was the son of an eminent Scotch divine who died in +1672. Robert then came to this country and obtained a grant for the +manor along the Hudson River. He had three sons—Philip, father of the +present subject—Robert, grandfather of Chancellor Livingston, and +Gilbert, grandfather of the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston.</p> + +<p>Philip, the subject of this brief sketch, was born at Albany on the 15th +of January 1716. He was one of the few who enjoyed a collegiate +education at that period. After his preparatory studies he entered Yale +College and graduated in 1737. He had strong native talent improved by +the lights of a liberal education. Religion and moral rectitude prepared +him for a career of usefulness. In those days of republican simplicity +and common sense the graduates of an American college did not believe +themselves licensed to ride rough shod over those whose literary +advantages were less—nor did they believe themselves exonerated from +the field, the shop and the counting house and destined only for the +learned professions. They thought it no disparagement to apply +themselves to agricultural, mechanical and commercial pursuits and wear +apparel spun and wove by the hands of their noble mothers and hale +sisters. An enervating change is visible.</p> + +<p>Mr. Livingston engaged extensively and successfully in mercantile +business in the city of New York and became noted for punctuality, +honesty and fair dealing. Reposing full confidence in his integrity, +<i>then</i> a necessary passport to public honors, his fellow citizens +elected him an alderman in 1754, which office he filled for nine +consecutive years, doing much to promote the peace and prosperity of the +city. In 1759 he was elected to the colonial assembly which had +important business on hand. Great Britain was at war with France which +brought the northern Colonies in contact with the French and Indians. +Twenty thousand men were to be raised by the colonials to guard the +frontier settlements and carry the war into the Canadas. The province of +New York raised 2680 men and 250,000 pounds to aid in the proposed +object.</p> + +<p>Mr. Livingston took an active and judicious part in these deliberations. +He introduced laws for the advancement of commerce, agriculture and +various other improvements—manifesting a sound judgment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> and liberal +views. He was an active member on the Committee of Foreign Relations +that wisely selected Edmund Burke to represent the interests of the +Colony in the British Parliament. Through the lucid communications of +Mr. Livingston that celebrated statesman and friend to America was made +thoroughly acquainted with the situation, feelings and interests of the +colonists.</p> + +<p>After the dissolution of the Assembly by the death of George II. Mr. +Livingston was elected to the one organized under the new dynasty. In +1761 he wrote an answer to the message of Lieutenant Governor Colden, +pointing out, in bold but respectful language, the oppressions and +infringements of the British ministry upon colonial rights. He at once +became the nucleus around which a band of patriots gathered and formed a +nut too hard to be cracked by the sledgehammer of monarchy. The governor +uniformly dissolved the Assembly at the commencement of its session if +he found a majority of the members were liberals.</p> + +<p>In 1768 the Assembly consisted of the brightest luminaries of talent +then in the Colony. Mr. Livingston was unanimously elected Speaker. +Discovering that a majority of the members were not pliant enough for +tools nor submissive slaves, Governor Moore dissolved them and ordered a +new election. He succeeded in obtaining a majority of creeping things +but patriots enough were elected to hold the minions of the crown in +awe. Disgusted at the tyranny of the governor, Mr. Livingston declined a +re-election in the city but was returned to the Assembly by the people +upon his manor. On mature deliberation he took his seat but was objected +to because not a resident of the district for which he was elected. The +Argus eyes of the patriots quickly discovered that by this very plan the +governor had succeeded in obtaining a majority in his favor—most of his +creatures being in the same predicament. To save their own glass houses +from a smash they withdrew their objection to Mr. Livingston. During the +session he offered a resolution setting forth the grievances of his +countrymen and the violation of chartered rights. This gave great +umbrage to the adherents of the crown and they determined to expel him +from his seat on the ground of his non-residence in the district he +represented. This was done by a vote of 17 to 6, a very large majority +of the members being in the same situation. This blind act was on par +with the whole course of the infatuated ministry and their hirelings. It +constituted a thread in the web that England wove to make a straight +jacket for herself.</p> + +<p>A wider field now opened for Mr. L. He was elected to the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +Congress at Philadelphia and became a brilliant star in the galaxy of +national patriots. He was one of the committee that prepared the +spirited address to the British nation and roused from their lethargy +those whose attention had not been turned to the all important subjects +then in agitation—involving a nation's rights and a nation's wrongs. He +was continued a member of Congress and when the grand birthday of our +nation arrived—aided in the thrilling duties of the occasion—invoked +the smiles of Heaven upon the new swathed infant and gave the sanction +of his name to the Magna Charta that secured to our nation a towering +majesty—a sublime grandeur before unknown.</p> + +<p>In 1777 he was a member of the convention that framed the constitution +of New York. He was elected to the Senate and attended the first +legislature of the empire state. The same year he was elected to +Congress, then in session at York, Penn. having been compelled to flee +before the conquering foe. Deeply afflicted with <i>hydro-thorax</i> [dropsy +of the chest] he felt that his labors must speedily close. It was in the +spring of 1778 when the dark mantle of gloom hung over the bleeding +Colonies. Under these circumstances he was willing to devote his last +hours to the interest of his beloved country. He had freely given her +his best services and a large portion of his pecuniary means. His family +had fled to Kingston on the approach of the enemy. He repaired there to +arrange his private business in the best possible manner. He wrote a +valedictory letter to his friends at Albany—urged them to remain firm +in the cause of Liberty—trust in God for deliverance and bade them an +affectionate—a final farewell. He then clasped his lovely wife and dear +children to his bosom for the last time on earth—commended them to +Heaven's guardian care—gave them a look of tenderness—a fervent kiss +and was gone.</p> + +<p>On the 5th of May he took his seat in Congress, exhausted and feeble, +but determined to remain at his post until the lamp of life should burn +out.</p> + +<p>Although standing on the confines of eternity, his zeal in the cause of +human rights shone brightly to the last. For himself he could not +anticipate the enjoyment of the fruit of his numerous and protracted +toils but for his family and his countrymen he felt deeply—hoped +ardently. He had full confidence that Independence would be sustained +and that a glorious Republic would rise upon the ruins of monarchy.</p> + +<p>In June his health failed rapidly and on the 12th of that month, 1778 he +yielded to the monarch Death to whom he owed a momentary +allegiance—paid the debt—took a release and a passport to mansions in +the skies. He was buried the same day with all the mournful honors due<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +to his great worth—deeply lamented by all the friends of freedom. His +amiable wife was not with him but he had a friend that sticketh closer +than a brother—one that had been his stay and support in every hour of +trial and smoothed the pillow of death—<span class="smcap">Religion</span>. Angels waited for the +transit of his immortal soul—opened wide the gates of Heaven to let the +patriot in—the King of glory decked him with a robe of white, enrolled +his name in the book of life and crowned him with that peaceful rest +which is the reward of a pure heart and a virtuous life.</p> + +<p>The private character of Mr. Livingston was a continued eulogy upon +virtue, philanthropy, benevolence, urbanity, integrity, nobleness, +honesty, patriotism, consistency and all the leading qualities that +render man dignified on earth and fit for Heaven.</p> + +<p>His public career was an exemplification of all the noble qualities that +render a patriot complete and endear him to a nation of freemen. With +such men to wield the destiny of our expanding nation—our country is +safe—our UNION secure.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="THOMAS_LYNCH_Jr" id="THOMAS_LYNCH_Jr"></a>THOMAS LYNCH <span class="smcap">Jr.</span></h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> prudent man soars in peerless majesty above the trifling vanities +and corrupting pleasures of this world and lives in constant readiness +to enter the mansions of bliss beyond this vale of tears. He regards the +past, present and future in the light of Revelation and views mankind in +the bright sunshine of charity—exemplifies the golden rule in his +intercourse with the world. He investigates impartially, reasons +logically—condemns reluctantly. Prudence is not the necessary result of +shining talents, brilliant genius or great learning. A profound scholar +may astonish the world with scientific discoveries—pour upon mankind a +flood of light—enrapture the immortal mind with theological +eloquence—point erring man to the path of rectitude and render himself +powerless by imprudent conduct. One grain of prudence is of more value +than a cranium crowded with unbridled genius or a flowing stream of vain +wit. Dangers gather thick around the frail bark of man without it and +harry him lo destruction. It is the real ballast of human life. So +thought and so acted the Sages of the American Revolution, else their +efforts would have been vain, their exertions powerless.</p> + +<p>Among them stood the young patriot Thomas Lynch Jr. born on the +plantation of his father on the bank of the North Santee river in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> the +parish of Prince George S. C. on the 5th of August 1749. His paternal +ancestors were of Austrian descent and highly respectable. The direct +ancestor of young Thomas removed to Kent in England, from thence to +Ireland, a son of whom, Jonack Lynch, removed from Connaught to South +Carolina in the early time of its settlement. He was the great +grandfather of the subject of this short sketch—a man of liberal views +and pure morals.</p> + +<p>In childhood Thomas Lynch Jr. was deprived of his mother by death. At +the proper age he was placed at the Indigo Society School at Georgetown, +S. C. where some of the most eminent sages of the south were educated. +Warmed by the genial rays of science the mind of young Lynch soon burst +from its embryo state and exhibited a pleasing and luxuriant growth. His +progress was rapid and highly gratifying to his anxious father whose +only child he was. At the age of thirteen he entered the far famed +school at Eton, Buckinghamshire, England, founded by Henry VI. At that +school he commenced his classical studios. After completing his course +there he was entered as a gentleman commoner in the University of +Cambridge where he became a finished scholar and polished gentleman, +esteemed and respected by his acquaintances. He then entered the law +temple and became well versed in legal knowledge and general science and +was well prepared to enter upon the great theatre of action.</p> + +<p>During his stay he cultivated an extensive acquaintance with the whigs +of England and became familiar with the designs of British ministers +upon the Colonies. He investigated closely the relative situation of the +two countries and came home in 1772 prepared and determined to oppose +the oppressions of the crown and strike for <span class="smcap">liberty</span>. As the dark clouds +of the Revolution loomed up from the horizon and increased in fearful +blackness the firmness of his purpose increased. These were fostered by +his patriotic father and responded to by the people of the parish. Hand +in hand, shoulder to shoulder did the sire and son march to the rescue +resolved so put forth their noblest efforts to throw off the chains of +tyranny.</p> + +<p>The first attempt of this young patriot to speak in public after his +return was at a large town meeting in Charleston. His father had just +addressed the assembled multitude on the subject of British oppression +and sat down amidst the enthusiastic cheers of his fellow citizens. His +youthful son then rose. A profound silence ensued. The eyes of the dense +mass were fixed upon him. For a moment he paused. The blood rushed back +upon his aching heart. It returned to its thousand channels—his bosom +heaved—the struggle was over—an impassioned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> strain of eloquence burst +from him that carried the insulating fluid of patriotism to the hearts +of his astonished and delighted audience with irresistible force. Tears +of joy ran down the furrowed cheeks of his father—bursts of applause +from the enraptured multitude made the welkin ring. Such men could not +remain slaves.</p> + +<p>When the crisis arrived for physical action he was among the first to +offer his services. In July 1775 he received a captaincy and repaired to +Newbern, N. C. where he unfurled the star spangled banner and in a few +weeks enlisted a full complement of men. His father objected to his +acceptance of so low a grade to whom his affectionate son modestly +replied—"My present command is fully equal to my experience"—a reply +worthy the consideration of every young man who desires to build his +fame upon a substantial basis. If a man is suddenly placed upon a +towering eminence to which his is unaccustomed, the nerves of his brain +must be unusually strong if he does not grow dizzy, tremble, +totter—fall. If he ascends gradually—pauses at different points of +altitude as he advances, he may reach the loftiest spire, preserve his +equilibrium and stand in safety. Sudden elevations often prove +disastrous.</p> + +<p>On his way to Charleston with his company Capt. Lynch was prostrated by +the bilious fever from which he never entirely recovered and was not +able to join his regiment for several months. Soon after this he +received intelligence of the dangerous illness of his father—then a +member of Congress at Philadelphia. He applied to Col. Gadsden for +permission to leave for that city which was refused on the ground that +his services were paramount to all private considerations. His +unexpected election to Congress to succeed his father, by a unanimous +vote of the Assembly, enabled him to leave at once. With great +diffidence he look his seat in the Congress of 1776 amidst veteran sages +and statesmen whose combined talents and wisdom are without a rival on +the pages of history.</p> + +<p>On his arrival at Philadelphia he found his revered father partially +relieved from a paralytic attack and in August started with him for +home. They only reached Annapolis where the venerable sage died in the +arms of his son.</p> + +<p>On entering the national legislature Capt. Lynch became a bold and +eloquent advocate for the Declaration of Independence and soon convinced +his senior colleagues that he had a full share of wisdom to conceive, +patriotism to impel and prudence to guide him in the glorious cause of +freedom. He cheerfully and fearlessly affixed his name to the Magna +Charta of our rights and did all in his power and more than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> his feeble +health would warrant to advance the best interests of his +excoriated—bleeding country. He was finally compelled to yield to +increasing ill health and relinquish his honorable station.</p> + +<p>Medical skill proved futile and as advised by his physicians, he and his +accomplished wife embarked for Europe at the close of 1779 with Capt. +Morgan, whose vessel was never heard from after she had been a few days +at sea and then from a Frenchman who left her from some cause +unexplained and went on board another vessel. Soon after he left her a +violent gale came on and beyond all doubt the vessel went down with all +on board. Previous to embarking he made a will bequeathing his large +estate to three sisters in case of the death of himself and wife, having +no children.</p> + +<p>The private character of this worthy man was pure and in all respects +amiable. Had his valuable life been spared his eminent talents and great +zeal promised important services to his country and an elevated rank +among the sages and patriots of the eventful era at which he commenced +his brilliant but transient career. Short as was his public tenure he +did enough to immortalize his name. Although his bright morning sun did +not reach its meridian, its splendor contributed largely in illuminating +the horizon of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> and shed a rich lustre over his name that will +render his memory sacred through all future time.</p> + +<p>The brief career of Thomas Lynch Jr. admonishes us that life is held by +a slender cord and that exalted talents and splendid accomplishments, +like some rich flowers, often bloom just long enough to be gazed at and +admired—then close up their petals and hide their beauties for ever +from enraptured sight.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="THOMAS_McKEAN" id="THOMAS_McKEAN"></a>THOMAS McKEAN.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Great</span> designs require the deep consideration of strong, vigorous and +investigating minds. Imposing events open a wide field for fame and +bring to view powers of intellect that would never unfold their beauties +under ordinary circumstances. Hence the brilliancy of talent that +illuminated the glorious era of the American Revolution. Many who became +eminent statesmen and renowned heroes during that memorable struggle +would have remained within the sphere of their particular occupation in +time of peace. The public gaze would never have been fixed upon +them—they would have passed away with a rich mine of undeveloped mental +powers. Hence the erroneous expression<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> I have heard from men who do not +analyze all they read, hear and see—that we have no men among us <i>now</i> +with the exalted talents of the sages of '76. Just such an occasion +would explode the error.</p> + +<p>That many of the patriots of that eventful period were men of unusual +ability and acquirements—I freely—proudly admit. That the momentous +transactions that engaged their attention served to add an unequalled +lustre to their names is emphatically true. The perils that encompassed +them—the dangers that surrounded them—the mighty work they conceived, +planned and consummated—all combine to shed a sacred halo around their +well earned fame.</p> + +<p>Prominent among them was Thomas McKean, a native of Chester County, +Pennsylvania, born on the 19th of March 1731. He was the son of William +McKean who immigrated from Ireland at an early age. He placed this son +under the tuition of Rev. Francis Allison then principal of the most +popular seminary of the province. He was a gentleman of profound +erudition and science.</p> + +<p>The intellect of Thomas budded and bloomed like the rose of spring. He +was a close student—his rapid attainments gave an earnest of a bright +future. He left the seminary a thorough linguist, a practical +mathematician, a moral philosopher, a finished scholar, an accomplished +gentleman—esteemed, respected and admired by his numerous friends.</p> + +<p>He then commenced the study of Law under David Kinney, of Newcastle, +Delaware. He explored the interminable field of this science with +unusual success and was admitted to the bar under the most favorable +auspices. He commenced his professional career at Newcastle—soon +acquiring a lucrative practice and proud reputation. He extended his +business into his native province and was admitted to the Supreme Court +of Pennsylvania in 1757. His strict attention to business and superior +legal acumen made him extensively and favorably known. He avoided the +modern error of too many young lawyers who suppose an admission to the +bar closes the toils of the student. Fatal mistake my young friends. You +are at the very threshold of your reading. Relaxation is professional +suicide. This is a rock on which many have been shipwrecked in all the +learned professions. The laws of nature demand a constant supply of food +in the intellectual as well as in the physical economy. The <i>man</i> +requires more and stronger food then the <i>child</i>. The corroding rust of +forgetfulness will mar the most brilliant acquirements of science if +laid upon the shelf of neglect. Much study is required to keep up with +the march of mind and the ever varying changes produced by the soaring +intellect and reaching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> genius of man. It has been said that the basis +of law is as unchangeable as a rock of adamant. Of elementary law this +is true. It does not follow, <i>a priori</i>, that the superstructure is so. +Precocious legislators have made <i>that</i> a labyrinthian maze. <i>They</i> use +a political kaleidoscope in legislating and that not skilfully. It +puzzles <i>competent</i> judges to arrive at a satisfactory construction of +statute laws. The <i>incompetent</i>—not few and far between—use the +instrument above named carelessly if not politically. Hence no lawyer +can succeed without an endless round of reading.</p> + +<p>In 1762 Mr. McKean was elected to the Delaware Assembly from Newcastle +county and continued in that body for eleven consecutive years. He then +removed to Philadelphia. So much attached were the Delawarians to him +that they continued to elect him to their Assembly for six years after +his removal although he could not serve them in that. Under the old +regimen, he was claimed by both Delaware and Pennsylvania and served +them conjointly in the Continental Congress.</p> + +<p>In 1765 he was a member from Delaware to the Congress in New York. He +was upon the committee that drafted the memorable address to the House +of Commons. His patriotism, love of liberty and firmness of purpose were +fully demonstrated in that instrument and by his subsequent acts. He was +republican to the core—despised the chains of political slavery—the +baubles of monarchy and the trappings of kingly courts. He struck high +for Liberty and scorned to be a slave.</p> + +<p>On his return from New York he was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas, +Quarter Sessions and Orphans' Court of Newcastle county. The Stamp Act +was then in full <i>life</i> but not in full force in Delaware. Judge McKean +was the first judicial officer who put a veto on stamped +paper—directing the officers of the courts over which he presided not +to use it, as had been ordered by the hirelings of the crown. He set +them at defiance and was sustained by the people of the nation. That +circumstance, trifling as it may <i>now</i> seem to superficial readers, was +big with consequences. It was one of the entering wedges to the +Revolution that made an awful opening in the monarchical mass that was +ultimately split into atoms and annihilated by the wedges and malls of +the hard-fisted sons of America. From that time Judge McKean was hailed +as one of the boldest champions of Freedom—one of the ablest defenders +of his country's Rights.</p> + +<p>He was a prominent member of the Congress of 1774. He had talent to +design—energy to execute and at once made himself useful.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> He was the +only man who served in the Continental Congress during the whole time of +its duration. He was a strong advocate for the Declaration of +Independence and promptly put his name to that revered instrument. When +it came up for final action, so anxious was he that it should pass +<i>unanimously</i>—that he sent an express for Mr. Rodney who arrived just +in time to give an affirmative vote.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the arduous duties that devolved on him as a member of +Congress—of several important committees and Chief Justice of +Pennsylvania—so ardent was his patriotism that he accepted a colonel's +commission—took command of a Philadelphia regiment and marched to the +aid of Gen. Washington, remaining with him until a new supply of +recruits was raised. During his absence his Delaware constituents had +elected him to a convention to form a constitution. On his return he +proceeded to Newcastle, put up at a tavern and without consulting men or +books, hastily penned the constitution that was adopted by the +convention. Understanding the feelings and wants of the people—well +versed in law and republicanism—a ready writer, he performed the labor +in a few hours that has required a large number of men nearly a year to +accomplish in more modern times. How changed are men and things since +the glorious era of '76. How changed the motives that impel many +politicians to action—how different the amount of useful labor +performed in the same time and for the same money. <i>Then</i> all were +anxious to listen—<i>now</i> nearly all are anxious to speak. <i>Then</i> +legislators loved their country <i>more</i> and the loaves and fishes <i>less</i> +than at the present day. I do not blame the politicians—it is their +trade and living. Office seeking has become a card game in which the +applicants are the pack—demagogues the players and the <i>dear</i> people +and government the table played upon. The bone and sinew of our country +can and should block this ruinous game at once. We have as good men as +lived in '76 and a <i>few</i> of them on duty. There should be no others +selected. They will not <i>seek</i> office but we should be careful to seek +<i>them</i> and cleanse the temple of our Liberty from political peculation +and venality. If our country is ruined it will be the fault of the mass.</p> + +<p>On the 10th of July 1781, Judge McKean was elected President of Congress +but declined serving in consequence of his duties as Chief Justice of +Pennsylvania. He was then urged to occupy the chair until the court +should commence the next term. To this he assented and made an able +presiding officer. On the 7th of November he vacated the chair and was +complimented by the following resolution:—"<i>Resolved</i>—That the thanks +of Congress be given to the Honorable Thomas McKean, late President of +Congress in testimony of their approbation of his conduct in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> the chair +and in the execution of public business." His duties upon the Bench of +the Supreme Court commenced in 1777 and were extremely onerous. He did +not recognize the power of the crown and held himself amenable only to +his country and his God. An able jurist—an unbending patriot—at the +hazard of his life he punished all who were brought before him and +convicted of violating the laws of the new government. No threats could +intimidate—no influence reach him when designed to divert him from the +independent discharge of his duty. His profound legal +acquirements—ardent zeal—equal justice—vigorous energy and noble +patriotism—enabled him to outride every storm and calm the raging +billows that often threatened to overwhelm him. He marched on +triumphantly to the goal of Liberty and hailed the star spangled banner +as it waived in grandeur from the lofty spire of the temple of <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>. +He beheld, with the eye of a sage, philosopher and philanthropist, the +rising glory of Columbia's new world. He viewed, with emotions of +pleasing confidence, the American eagle descend from the ethereal +regions beyond the altitude of a tyrant's breath and pounce upon the +British lion. With increasing vigor and redoubled fury the mighty bird +continued the awful conflict until the king of beasts retreated to his +lair and proclaimed, in a roar of thunder—AMERICA IS FREE! Angels +rejoiced—monarchs trembled—patriots shouted a loud—AMEN!!! The torch +of England's power over the Colonies expired in its socket—the birth of +a new nation was celebrated by happy millions basking beneath the genial +rays of the refulgent glories of the sun of Liberty. The harvest was +past—the summer ended—our country saved. The stupendous work of +political regeneration was accomplished—the Independence of the United +States acknowledged—an honorable peace consumated. Judge McKean then +sat down under his own fig tree to enjoy the full fruition of the +comforts resulting from his faithful labors in the cause of equal +rights.</p> + +<p>He continued to discharge the important duties of Chief Justice up to +1799 illuminating his judicial path with profound learning, sound +discretion and impartial decisions. His Supreme Court opinions, based, +as they generally are—upon equal justice, correct law and strict +equity—delivered when the form of government was changed, the laws +unsettled, the stale constitution just formed, the Federal Government +under its Constitution bursting from embryo—are monuments of legal fame +enduring as social order—revered, respected—canonized.</p> + +<p>He was a member of the convention that formed the constitution of +Pennsylvania adopted in 1790 and exercised a salutary influence in that +body. In 1799 he was elected Governor of the Keystone state and +con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>tributed largely in adding new strength and beauty to the arch of +our Union. For nine successive years he directed the destinies of the +land of Penn—commencing at a period when the mountain waves of party +spirit were rolling fearfully over the United States with a fury before +not dreamed of. Amidst the foaming and conflicting elements, Governor +McKean stood at the helm of his commonwealth calm as a summer +morning—firm as a granite rock and guided his noble ship through the +whirling storm—unscathed and unharmed. He proved himself a safe and +skilful pilot.</p> + +<p>For elegance and force of language—correct and liberal views of +policy—a luminous exposition of law and the principles of +government—his annual messages to the legislature stand unrivalled. The +clamors of his political enemies he passed by as the idle wind. The +suggestions of his friends he scanned with the most rigid scrutiny. +Neither flattery or censure could drive him from the strong citadel of +his own matured judgment.</p> + +<p>The fawning sycophant—the designing demagogue he spurned with contempt. +By honest means only he desired the advancement of the party that had +elevated him to a post of honor. Open and avowed principles—fully +proclaimed and strictly carried out were frankly and without +prevarication or disguise submitted to the people by him. He was a +politician of the old school when each party had plain and distinctive +landmarks, significant names and fixed principles. Political chemists +had not then opened shop and introduced the modern mode of +amalgamation—producing a heterogeneous mass that defies the power of +analysis, analyzation or scientific arrangement. No one of the yclepped +classes is homogeneous.</p> + +<p>Governor McKean respected those who honestly differed from him in +politics and had among them many valued friends. He was free from that +narrow minded policy based upon self, which is too prominent at the +present day among those who assume the high responsibility of becoming +the arbiters of the minds of their fellow men. His views were expanding, +liberal—broad—charitable. He aimed at distributing equal justice to +all—the rich and poor, the public officer and private citizen. He +preferred future good to present aggrandizement. To lay the deep +foundations of increasing and lasting prosperity in his own state and +through our nation was the object of this pure patriot, enlightened +statesman and able jurist. The vast resources of our country, her wide +spread territory, majestic rivers, silvery lakes, mineral wealth, rich +valleys, majestic mountains, rolling uplands, beautiful prairies, +extensive sea board, enterprising sons and her virtuous daughters—were +all arrayed before his grasping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> mind and passed in grand review. He was +firmly convinced that our people have only to be wise and good to be +great and happy. With this end in view he embraced every opportunity in +public and private life to inculcate those great principles of moral +rectitude, inflexibly virtue, purity of motive and nobleness of +action—that alone can preserve a nation. He cast a withering frown upon +vice in all its deluding forms. He exerted his strongest powers to +arrest the career of crime. He was a terror to evil doers and inspired +confidence in those who did well.</p> + +<p>In 1808 he retired from public life. He had devoted forty-six years to +the faithful service of his country and had earned an imperishable fame. +He stood approved at the bar of his country—his conscience and his God. +He had acted well his part and contributed largely in raising our +country to a proud elevation among the nations of the earth. He outlived +all the animosities that a faithful discharge of duty too often creates. +On the 24th of June 1817 he resigned his immortal spirit to Him who gave +it and fell asleep in the arms of death as peacefully as a babe +slumbers. He died at Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>The private character of Judge McKean was unsullied as the virgin sheet. +His person was tall and erect—his countenance intelligent, bold and +commanding—his manners urbane, gentlemanly and affable—his feelings +noble, generous and humane—his actions open, frank and republican. He +was a refined philanthropist, a sterling patriot, an acute philosopher, +an enlightened statesman, a profound lawyer, an impartial judge, an able +magistrate and a truly good man. Legislators, statesmen, magistrates and +judges—imitate the bright examples of this friend to his country—then +our Republic is secure—our UNION safe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="FRANCIS_MARION" id="FRANCIS_MARION"></a>FRANCIS MARION.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> patriots of '76 proved the purity of their motives in the pursuit of +emancipation more by <i>acts</i> than <i>words</i>. They were a united band of +brothers who aimed at the general good of their <i>whole</i> country—pledged +to make her free or perish in the effort. No local interests—no +sectional jealousies—no fire-brands of discord could <i>then</i> disorganize +the phalanx of sages and heroes who struck for <span class="smcap">liberty</span>. Under the +guidance of Heaven they were crowned with victory. They purchased +<span class="smcap">freedom</span> with torrents of blood and millions of treasure. That sacred +boon they transmitted to us in pristine purity. Do we <i>all</i> fully +appreciate this priceless legacy? Far from it. For years it has been the +foot-ball of reckless demagogues—the neglected nursling of our people.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +Many <i>talk</i> loud and long of their patriotism—sing the pæans of our +<span class="smcap">freedom</span>—laud the dear sovereign people to the skies—whose <i>acts</i> too +plainly show that they look upon our UNION as a mere rope of sand and +not as an invaluable treasure to be preserved at all hazards. They look +upon the people as a mass of hood-winked worshippers at the shrine of +party spirit—not as those who can, should and <i>must</i> banish them from +our councils or be plunged into the vortex of fearful destruction. +People of America! open your eyes to our true position! Look at the +mighty struggles, the herculean labors, the gigantic efforts of the few +pure patriots in our national council who have nobly warded off the +lightning thunderbolts of the disorganizers. See the upheaving throes of +the volcano that is rocking us in the consuming cradle of civil discord! +Ponder well the danger of concentrating men in Congress whose boiling +passions cannot be restrained by the safety-valve of reason—men who do +not prize our UNION above all other considerations—whose burning zeal +for local measures—party success and self interest would be their +ruling passion amidst the smoking ruins of the temple of our <span class="smcap">liberty</span>. +People of America! it is for you to perpetuate this expanding Republic. +You <i>can</i> and <i>should</i> preserve it. Banish all questions that can place +it in jeopardy—permit all agitators to remain at home—let the people +of each state strictly observe the eleventh commandment—then we may +fondly hope that our course may be onward and upward for centuries to +come.</p> + +<p>Among those who acted a noble part in the American Revolution and +exemplified patriotism by his acts—was Francis Marion who was born in +1733 near Georgetown in South Carolina. His early inclination led him to +embark on board a vessel bound for the West Indies at the age of +sixteen. During the voyage the vessel was upset in a gale and nothing +saved but the boat in which the crew and a dog took refuge. They had no +provisions but the raw flesh of Carlo and were out a week during which +time several of them died. The sufferings and perils then endured cured +Marion of his partiality for Neptune. As soon as possible he planted +himself on terra firma and devoted his time to agriculture until 1759 +when he received the commission of a lieutenant under Capt. Moultrie who +was engaged in the expedition against the Cherokee Indians conducted by +Gov. Lyttleton. Two years subsequent Marion was raised to the post of +captain and served under Col. Grant in a second attempt to chastise the +Cherokees. At the commencement of the Revolution of Independence he was +on hand and ready for action. He was soon raised to the rank of major +and served under Col. Moultrie in his gallant defence of the fort named +in honor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> of that officer. He was then promoted to the rank of +lieutenant-colonel and commanded a regiment at the siege of Charleston. +In the early part of the siege one of his legs was fractured which saved +him a journey to the Spanish Castle in Florida where all the unwounded +prisoners were sent.</p> + +<p>On his recovery he proceeded to North Carolina and was commissioned a +Brigadier General of the militia and became one of the severest scourges +the enemy had to encounter. He was enthusiastic in the cause of freedom +and imparted this enthusiasm to all who rallied under him. He was +remarkably shrewd, bold, energetic and persevering. With a small chosen +band around him he retired to the intricate retreats in the low grounds +of the Pedee and Black rivers, from which he would suddenly emerge and +strike a sanguinary blow into the ranks of the enemy at an unexpected +moment and retreat so quickly that they knew not from what direction he +came or where to follow him. Even his friends were often ignorant of his +location for days. He became a terror to the British army and led +detached parties into many a quagmire where they frequently surrendered +at discretion—knowing him to be as humane and generous as he was brave +and wary. Col. Horry relates the following pleasing incident of Marion.</p> + +<p>"About this time we received a flag from the enemy in Georgetown S. C. +the object of which was to make arrangements about the exchange of +prisoners. The flag, after the usual ceremony of blindfolding, was +conducted into Marion's encampment. Having heard great talk about Gen. +Marion, his fancy had naturally enough sketched out for him some stout +figure of a warrior, such as O'Hara or Cornwallis himself, of martial +aspect and flaming regimentals. But what was his surprise when led into +Marion's presence and the bandage taken from his eyes, he beheld in our +hero, a swarthy, smoke-dried little man with scarcely enough of +thread-bare homespun to cover his nakedness and instead of tall ranks of +gay dressed soldiers, a handful of sun burnt, yellow legged +militia-men—some roasting potatoes and some asleep, with their black +firelocks and powder horns lying by them on the logs. Having recovered a +little from his surprise, he presented his letter to Gen. Marion, who +perused it and settled everything to his satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"The officer took up his hat to retire. 'Oh no'—said Marion—'it is now +about our time of dining and I hope, sir, you will give us the pleasure +of your company at dinner.'</p> + +<p>"At the mention of the word dinner, the British officer looked around +him, but to his great mortification, could see no sign of a pot,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> pan, +Dutch oven, or any other cooking utensil that could raise the spirits of +a hungry man.</p> + +<p>"'Well Tom'—said the General to one of his men—'come give us our +dinner.' The dinner he alluded to was no other than a heap of sweet +potatoes that were snugly roasting under the embers and which Tom, with +his pine stick poker soon liberated from their ashy +confinement—pinching them every now and then with his fingers, +especially the big ones, to see whether they were well done or not. +Then, having cleansed them of the ashes, partly by blowing them with his +breath and partly by brushing them with the sleeve of his old cotton +shirt, he piled some of the best on a large piece of bark and placed +them between the British officer and Marion on the trunk of the fallen +pine on which they sat."</p> + +<p>"'I fear sir'—said the General—'our dinner will not prove as palatable +to you as I could wish—but it is the best we have.'</p> + +<p>"The officer, who was a well bred man, took up one of the potatoes and +affected to feed, as if he had found a great dainty—but it was very +plain he ate more from good manners than good appetite. Presently he +broke out into a hearty laugh. Marion looked surprised. 'I beg pardon +General'—said he—'but one cannot, you know, always command one's +conceits. I was thinking how drolly some of my brother officers would +look if our government were to give them such a bill of fare as this.'</p> + +<p>"'I suppose'—replied Marion—'it is not equal to their style of +dining.'</p> + +<p>"'No, indeed'—quoth the officer—'and this I imagine is one of your +accidental dinners—a sort of <i>ban yan</i>. In general, no doubt, you live +a great deal better.'</p> + +<p>"'Rather worse'—answered the General—'for often we don't get enough of +this.'</p> + +<p>"'Heaven!' rejoined the officer—'but probably what you lose in <i>meal</i> +you make up in <i>malt</i>—though stinted in <i>provisions</i> you draw noble +<i>pay</i>.'</p> + +<p>"'<i>Not a cent</i>'—said Marion—'<i>not a cent</i>.'</p> + +<p>"'Heavens and earth! then you must be in a bad box. I don't see, +General, how you can stand it?'</p> + +<p>"'Why, sir'—replied Marion with a smile of self approbation—'these +things depend on feeling.'</p> + +<p>"The Englishman said—'he did not believe it would be an easy matter to +reconcile <i>his feelings</i> to a soldier's life on Gen. Marion's +terms—<i>all fighting, no pay and no provisions but potatoes</i>.'</p> + +<p>"'Why sir'—answered the General—'the <i>heart</i> is all and when that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> is +much interested a man can do anything. Many a youth would think it hard +to indent himself a slave for fourteen years. But let him be over head +and ears in love and with such a beauteous sweetheart as Rachel and he +will think no more of fourteen years servitude than young Jacob did. +Well now this is exactly my case. I am in love and <i>my</i> sweetheart is +<span class="smcap">liberty</span>. Be that heavenly nymph my champion and these woods shall have +charms beyond London and Paris in slavery. To have no proud monarch +driving over me with his gilt coaches—nor his host of excisemen and tax +gatherers insulting and robbing—gloriously preserving my national +dignity and pursuing my true happiness—planting my vineyards and eating +their luscious fruit—sowing my fields and reaping the golden grain and +seeing millions of brothers all around me equally free and happy as +myself. This, sir, is what I long for.'</p> + +<p>"The officer replied 'that both as man and a Briton he must certainly +subscribe to this as a happy state of things.'</p> + +<p>"'<i>Happy</i>'—quoth Marion—'yes, happy indeed. I would rather fight for +such blessings for my country and feed on roots, than keep aloof though +wallowing in all the luxuries of Solomon. For now, sir, I walk the soil +that gave me birth and exult in the thought that I am not unworthy of +it. I look upon these venerable trees around me and feel that I do not +dishonor them. I think of my own sacred rights and rejoice that I have +not basely deserted them. And when I look forward to the long-long ages +of posterity, I glory in the thought that I am fighting their battles. +The children of distant generations may never hear my name but still it +gladdens my heart to think that I am now contending for <i>their</i> freedom +with all its countless blessings.'</p> + +<p>"I looked at Marion as he uttered these sentiments and fancied I felt as +when I heard the last words of the brave De Kalb. The Englishman hung +his honest head and looked, I thought, as if he had seen the upbraiding +ghosts of his illustrious countrymen—Sidney and Hamden. On his return +to Georgetown he was asked by Col. Watson why he looked so serious?</p> + +<p>"'I have cause, sir, to look serious.'</p> + +<p>"'What! has Gen. Marion refused to treat?'</p> + +<p>"'No, sir.'</p> + +<p>"'Well then, has old Washington defeated Sir Henry Clinton and broke up +our army?'</p> + +<p>"'No sir, not that neither—but <i>worse</i>.'</p> + +<p>"'Ah! what can be worse?'</p> + +<p>"'Why sir, I have seen an American General and his officers <i>without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +pay</i> and almost <i>without clothes</i>, living on <i>roots</i> and drinking +<i>water</i>—all for <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>! What chance have we against such men?'</p> + +<p>It is said Col. Watson was not much obliged to him for his speech. But +the young officer was so struck with Marion's sentiments that he never +rested until he threw up his commission and retired from the service."</p> + +<p>It would be well if more of our own countrymen were as deeply impressed +with the sentiments of Marion as was that honest Briton. It would be a +new and glorious era in the later history of our Republic if the +unadulterated patriotism of Marion could be revived in the bosoms of the +increasing millions of our land. Then our national council would not be +disgraced by wrangling, pugnacious, reckless demagogues. They would be +left to blow off their explosive gas in retirement instead of exerting +their thunder for nearly a year at a time at the capitol at an enormous +expense and with less sense and benefit than boys exhibit with fire +crackers in the streets.</p> + +<p>Gen. Marion continued in active service until that Liberty was won with +which he was so deeply in love. He then retired to private life, had the +good sense to marry an amiable lady and continued to enjoy the fruits of +his toils in the camp until February 1795 when, an arrow from the quiver +of death pierced the shining mark and consigned his mortal remains to +the peaceful tomb. In life he was beloved by all who knew him—in death +he was deeply mourned. His whole course had been marked by a stern +integrity—an untarnished virtue—a lofty patriotism—that ever command +sincere respect and merited admiration. He was small in stature but +large in soul. Strong common sense guided him in every action. He rarely +said or did what was not absolutely necessary and for the best. Few men +have lived who were as free from all surplusage. Let every reader ponder +well the useful career of the noble Marion and profit by his examples. +Then our UNION will be safe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="ARTHUR_MIDDLETON" id="ARTHUR_MIDDLETON"></a>ARTHUR MIDDLETON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A</span> careful examination of the history of England—of her Magna Charta and +Constitution—of the rights by them secured and of the gross violation +of those rights at various periods will show the reader why so many men +of high attainments and liberal minds came to America. Disgusted with +oppression at home they sought Liberty abroad. They fled from religious +and political persecution as from a pestilence. The same cause that +induced them to leave their native land prompted them to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> vigorous +action when imported tyranny invaded their well earned privileges. The +mind of every man and woman who came to this asylum of the oppressed for +the sake of freedom was as well prepared to meet the crisis of the +Revolution as were our native citizens. The feelings created by +remembered injuries which drove them from the mother country rendered +them as formidable opponents to the unjust pretensions of the crown as +those who had never breathed the atmosphere of Europe. In tracing our +own history back to the early settlements we find frequent struggles +between the people and the officers sent by the king to rule them—the +former claiming their inherent rights—the latter often infringing them. +The time finally arrived when forbearance was no longer a virtue.</p> + +<p>Among those who espoused the cause of inalienable rights at an early +period was Edward Middleton the great grandfather of the younger Arthur. +He came from England to S. C. near the close of the 17th century. He +left a son Arthur who imbibed the liberal views of his father. In 1719 +he headed an opposition that boldly demanded and obtained the removal of +the insolent crown officers then in power. He left a son Henry, one of +the same sort who was the father of the subject of this sketch and took +an active part at the commencement of the Revolution by rousing his +fellow citizens to action.</p> + +<p>His son Arthur was born at Middleton place on the bank of Ashley rivers +S. C. in 1743. His mother was the daughter of Mr. Williams a wealthy +planter and was faithful to her children. She lived until 1814, esteemed +in life—lamented in death. Arthur was the eldest child and received the +best advantages of an early education. At the age of twelve years he was +placed in the celebrated seminary at Hackney near London and two years +after entered the classic school of Westminster. His industry was +unremitting—his conduct unexceptionable. At eighteen he became a +student in the University of Cambridge and at the age of twenty-two +graduated. He was a profound scholar and untarnished in his morals. +Trivial amusements and dissipation had no charms for him. Although +liberally supplied with money economy was a governing principle, wisdom +his constant guide. Students of our country will do well to imitate his +example. After the completion of his education he made the tour of +Europe. Familiar with the Greek and Roman classics he enjoyed great +pleasure in visiting the ancient seats of learning. He was well versed +in all the technicalities of sculpture and architecture and had an +exquisite taste for poetry, music and painting. He took notes of all he +saw—improved by all he learned.</p> + +<p>After travelling for two years he returned to his native home and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> bosom +of his family and friends. His education completed he took the next wise +step of a young man about to enter upon business and married a worthy +daughter of Walter Izard. The next year the happy pair visited their +relatives in England—spent some time in France and Spain—returned in +1773 and took possession of the old paternal mansion which his father +had conveyed to him placing him in affluent circumstances.</p> + +<p>Possessed of an observing mind his knowledge of English policy and of +the principles of monarchy was of a superior order. The effects of this +policy and of these principles were painfully visible throughout the +American Colonies. Rocked in the cradle of patriotism by his +father—tracing its fair lines in the history of his genealogy—<span class="smcap">Liberty</span> +was to him an heir-loom. Everything around him prompted his onward +course towards the goal of freedom. He boldly espoused the cause of the +people which is uniformly the cause of <span class="smcap">right</span>. The Middletons were the +nucleus of the opposition to tyranny in South Carolina. Their influence +reached over the entire province. Although wealthy, aristocracy found no +resting place with them. They were Republicans of the first water. They +freely and promptly pledged life, fortune and honor in behalf of +rational liberty.</p> + +<p>Arthur Middleton was upon the various committees of the people to devise +means of safety. He was one of the committee of five that decided a +recourse to arms and led the people into the royal magazine who removed +the deposits in defiance of the threats and growls of the British lion. +This occurred on the 17th April 1775. On the 14th of June following the +provincial Congress appointed a Committee of Safety composed of thirteen +of which Arthur Middleton was one. This committee was fully authorized +to organize a military force and adopt such measures as might seem most +expedient to arrest the mad career of the royalists.</p> + +<p>During the session of the first provincial Congress of South Carolina +Lord William Campbell, the new governor, arrived fresh from the British +office mint. He was to reduce the rebels at one bold stroke. At first he +was all mildness and did not pretend to justify the oppressions of which +the people complained. To prove the insincerity of which Mr. Middleton +believed him guilty, Adam McDonald, a member of Council, was introduced +to him as a Tory from the upper country who seemed anxious to have the +rebels put down. The governor requested him to keep quiet a short time +as troops would soon arrive to put a quietus upon the <i>new fangled</i> +authorities. When this report was made known to the Council Mr. +Middleton moved to have the gover<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>nor arrested although nearly related +to him by marriage. His colleagues were too timid <i>then</i> for such a +measure, but so rapidly did their courage increase that his excellency +soon retired on board a sloop of war to avoid the popular fury. In a few +days Sir Henry Clinton and Sir Peter Parker arrived with an armed fleet +and troops to enforce the authority of Lord Campbell and teach peace to +the rebels. An immediate attack was made on Fort Moultrie which was a +perfect failure. The governor was wounded and Sir Peter had the nether +part of his silk unmentionables badly mutilated by an unpolished rebel +cannon ball.</p> + +<p>On the 11th February 1776 Mr. Middleton was one of the committee that +drafted the first constitution of his native State. Soon after he was +elected to the Continental Congress and became a conspicuous member. He +boldly advocated and by his signature sanctioned the adoption of the +Declaration of Independence. He used but few words in debate briefly +presenting the strong points of the subject under discussion. He was +always heard with attention and had great influence. He stood at the +head of the delegation of his State. He exemplified strong common +sense—attending to the business of his constituents and the good of his +country. He was an intimate friend of John Hancock who held him in high +estimation.</p> + +<p>In 1778 he was elected governor of his native State without his +knowledge, advice or consent. The mode of election was by the +legislature and secret ballot. Caucuses, insulated with intrigue and +corruption, were then unknown. Love of Liberty and country, exemplified +by the acts of freemen, were all the "pledges" required. He declined +accepting the office for the reason that a constitution was before the +legislature not as republican as he desired and if adopted required the +assent of the executive. Believing it would be sanctioned and could be +amended at some future time he preferred not placing himself in the way. +Rawlin Lowndes was then elected who approved of the constitution on the +19th March 1778.</p> + +<p>Political honesty was a marked trait in the character of Arthur +Middleton. No inducements could turn him from the path of rectitude and +duty. He weighed measures, men and things in the unerring scales of +justice. He went with no man unless he believed him clearly right. He +was sound at the core. His mind was pure and free as mountain air—his +purposes noble, bold and patriotic. In 1779, when the British troops +were devastating S. Carolina, he took the field with Gov. Rutledge and +cheerfully endured the privations of the camp. At the attack upon +Charleston by Gen. Provost, he manifested great coolness and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> courage. +His family was driven away by the destroying enemy and his property +plundered. Several valuable paintings were mutilated in the most +shameful manner. At the surrender of Charleston in 1780, he was among +the prisoners sent to the Spanish Castle at St. Augustine, Florida and +manfully endured the cowardly indignities there imposed upon the +Americans. In July 1781 a general exchange of prisoners took place when +he returned to Philadelphia. He was again elected to Congress and +resumed the important duties of legislation. Soon after this the last +important act of the revolutionary tragedy was closed at Yorktown, where +the Heroes of the revolutionary stage took a closing benefit at the +expense of British pride and kingly ambition. With the surrender of Lord +Cornwallis the last hope of the crown in America expired in all the +agonies of mortification.</p> + +<p>In 1782 Mr. Middleton was again returned to Congress where he continued +until November when he returned to his long neglected home. He declined +remaining in Congress that he might serve his own state. He did much +towards restoring order, harmony and stability in the new government of +South Carolina. He was several times a member of her legislature and +used his best efforts to advance her prosperity. At intervals he +improved his desolated plantation and looked forward to years of +domestic felicity. But alas! how uncertain are all sublunary things. In +the autumn of 1786 he was attacked with the intermittent fever which +terminated in serious disease and caused his death on the first day of +January 1787, leaving a wife, two sons and six daughters to mourn their +irreparable loss. He was deeply lamented by the nation at large. He was +held in great veneration by every friend of freedom in the country. He +had only to be known to be loved and admired. He was a consolation to +his friends, a shining light in the cause of freedom, an ornament to +society, a good and honest man. The examples of such a man are living +epistles, worthy to be known and read by all who desire the happiness of +our beloved country and the perpetuity of our glorious UNION.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="LEWIS_MORRIS" id="LEWIS_MORRIS"></a>LEWIS MORRIS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A military</span> despotism is a national curse, a blighting sirocco, a foe to +liberty. Laws that require the bayonet to enforce them for an extended +length of time are bad or the people for whom they are made are unworthy +of freedom. Moments of excitement do occur in the best organized +communities arising from a sudden local impulse that require<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> a show of +military power and even its force—but in a little time reason resumes +her sway, the spirit of mobocracy subsides, the soldier again becomes +the peaceful citizen and rests for security upon the strong arm of civil +power.</p> + +<p>Quartering the military upon the citizens of a community is full of +danger. After having enjoyed the bounty and hospitality of the +inhabitants let that military be directed to enforce laws that are +obnoxious to the people—an indignation is roused that is increased +tenfold from the circumstance of previous familiarity. The citizen +conceives he has bestowed a special favor upon the soldier. He looks +upon the attempt to force unjust laws upon him as base ingratitude—the +blackest crime out of pandemonium. Favors forgotten and ingratitude +displayed add desperation to revenge. Previous to the American +Revolution the military were quartered upon or drew their support +directly from the people. The Colonies had contributed largely in money +and blood to aid the mother country in conquering her most inveterate +foe in America—the French in Canada. No return was asked but the quiet +enjoyment of chartered privileges guarantied by the constitution. This +was denied them. Petitions were treated contumely—remonstrances were +laughed to scorn. Then it was that a band of Sages and Heroes rose in +all the majesty of man's native dignity and vindicated their inalienable +rights.</p> + +<p>Among the boldest of the bold was Lewis Morris, born at Morrisania in +the vicinity of the city of New York in 1726. The preserved documents of +this family trace their genealogy back to Rhice Fitzgerald. Rhys or +Rhice Fitzgerald was a Cambrian chieftain who carried his military +operations and conquests into Ireland during the reign of Henry II. By +his valor and success he obtained the name of Maur [great] Rhice and the +penultimate Fitzgerald being dropped gives us the name in plain +English—Morris. In tracing genealogy we find names more changed than +this. Genealogy and the origin of names is an amusing study—if you have +leisure try it.</p> + +<p>Lewis was the son of Judge Morris of the same Christian name who +retained possession of the paternal estate formerly purchased by his +grandfather, Richard Morris, who was a leader under Cromwell and came +from Barbadoes in 1663 and purchased a tract of land near Harlaem on +York Island. He left an only son, Lewis, who was Chief Justice of New +York and subsequently governor of New Jersey.</p> + +<p>After his preparatory studies Lewis entered Yale College at the age of +sixteen. From the President, Dr. Clap, he imbibed a relish for moral and +religious principles and became a good scholar. In 1746<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> he +graduated—returned to his estate and became extensively engaged in +agriculture. At that period the Colonies were free, prosperous and +happy. The mother country had not discovered the philosopher's stone of +taxing her distant children to support royalty. They were left to pursue +their own course—enjoy the fruit of their labors and repose in peace. +In this delightful retirement Mr. Morris continued to improve his farm +and mind. By his suavity of manners, moral rectitude and honorable +course he gained the confidence and esteem of all who made his +acquaintance. He was the nucleus to a circle of friends of the highest +attainments and respectability. He became a great favorite among the +people and did all in his power to improve their condition and promote +general good. He was a philanthropist and patriot.</p> + +<p>The time rolled on rapidly when colonial repose was to be plucked up +from the roots and perish under the burning heat of British oppression. +The treasury of England had been drained by extravagance and war—her +national debt had become frightfully large. The story of prosperity and +wealth in America had been told to Mr. Grenville by an evil person in an +evil hour. The plan of imperious taxation was devised. The Stamp Act was +passed as a feeler. The descendants of the pilgrim fathers thought its +feeling rather rough and recoiled from the touch with amazement. They +loved their king but they loved their chartered privileges and country +more. Legal remedies were resorted to. A Congress was convened at New +York and several Colonies ably represented. Powerful addresses to the +throne and people of Great Britain were prepared breathing the purest +allegiance conditioned on the restoration of constitutional rights. The +Stamp Act was repealed only to give place to a more voracious and +obnoxious budget of Acts. The ministry bent all their force to +accomplish their impolitic designs. They did more to prepare the people +of America for Independence than the combined energies of the Sages +could have effected without their co-operation. In devising a great evil +they consummated a great good.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morris took a deep interest in passing events—at first only as an +adviser. Although Massachusetts took the lead in resisting oppression +New York was not tardy in coming to the rescue. In 1767 an Act was +passed by Parliament compelling the people of that Province to furnish +the British soldiers that were quartered among them with provisions. By +this order the burden fell upon certain portions of the inhabitants +exclusively and not <i>pro rota</i> upon the whole. It was a direct invasion +of personal rights and was most severely felt by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> citizens of the +city of New York and its vicinity. This measure brought Mr. Morris out. +He publicly proclaimed it unconstitutional and tyrannical and +contributed largely towards influencing the legislature to place a veto +upon it. Might triumphed over right and enforced the contribution from +the citizens. Spirits like that of Lewis Morris were not to be subdued. +An unquenchable fire was only smothered to gather volcanic force under +the brittle crust that covered it. It was constantly increased by +supplies of fuel from Mr. Grenville and his more subtle successor Lord +North. The statute of Henry VIII. was revived which doomed the +disobedient to be sent to England for trial. Its eldest daughter—the +Boston Port Bill was ushered into life and other screws of the rack +tightened. The last petitions and remonstrances in the magazine of +patience were finally exhausted. It was speedily replenished with +materials more weighty than paper. Mr. Morris had become a prominent +leader, a bold and substantial whig, rather too highly charged for the +conciliatory Congress of 1774. The time came on apace when the people +required just such a man and in April 1775 elected him to the +Continental Congress. Even then most people attributed their sufferings +to the venal ministry and hoped the king would cease to be an automaton +and prove himself a man worthy of the high station he occupied. But +hopes were vain—the olive branch withered beneath the scorching rays of +corrupted power. The virtues of steel, powder and lead were then to be +tried. Already had the purple current of Americans saturated the streets +of Boston and the heights of Lexington. Already had the groans of dying +citizens, slain by the hands of those whom they had fed—pierced the +ears of thousands. Already were widows weeping for husbands weltering in +blood and orphans for fathers covered in gore. If imagination +sickens—if language fails, if history is impotent in conveying but a +faint idea of the consuming anguish, the bitter grief, the palsying +terrors, the boiling revenge, the deep resolves of those dark hours—how +heart breaking—how overwhelming must have been the dreadful reality to +living witnesses.</p> + +<p>Soon after he took his seat in Congress Mr. Morris was placed upon a +committee of which the illustrious Washington was chairman to devise +measures to obtain the munitions of war. This was a <i>desideratum</i> rather +problematical. Comparatively a sling and a few smooth stones were all +the patriots had with which to combat the British Goliah. But the battle +of Bunker Hill convinced all parties that rusty guns in hands with +nerves of steel guided by hearts of oak could do good service and that +men resolved on liberty or death were not to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> tamely yoked without a +desperate effort to be free. Mr. Morris became an active member and +advocated strong measures. The year previous he was considered rash—the +time had arrived when all saw the necessity of pursuing the course he +had marked out. He became early convinced that an honorable arrangement +could not be had <i>under</i> Great Britain—nothing but a triumph <i>over</i> her +would restore the equilibrium of justice. He was one of a committee to +visit the Indian tribes to persuade them not to enlist under the blood +stained banner of England. But British gold was stronger than the most +eloquent reasoning. To the eternal disgrace of those who were then +wielding the destinies of the mother country, a premium was given for +<i>scalps</i> not for prisoners. So dark, so deep, so damming a blot rests +not upon the escutcheon of any other nation upon earth. Why? Because +that kingdom had been the proclaimed conservator of the peaceful, humane +religion of the Cross for centuries—the crowning glory of which is +love. The foul deed was committed in the full blaze of Gospel light and +boasted civilization. There were noble souls in parliament at that time +and millions of British subjects who looked upon the horrors of that +demoniac policy with as much indignity as an American can. Mr. Morris +also visited the New England States for the purpose of maturing plans to +raise supplies and commence concentrated vigorous action.</p> + +<p>In 1776 he again took his seat in Congress and was pleased to find the +general pulse beating in unison with his own—a determination to sever +the Gordian knot and proclaim an eternal separation from a nation that +held power only to abuse it. He was on many important committees—was +all activity in and out of the House. In his native neighborhood he had +a herculean task in rousing the people to a sense of their true +position. Gov. Tryon mingled the poison with the wisdom of the +serpent—affected to be harmless as a dove and exercised a powerful +influence over the people of the city of New York in favor of the crown. +He pointed them to the certain destruction of the commercial interests +by a war—the inequality of the two powers—the impossibility of Whig +success and construed self interest into self preservation. To paralyze +his influence required great exertion. Mr. Morris and his friends put +forth their noblest energies in the mighty work. What they could not +effect, British oppression and the powder and ball of Gen. Howe soon +accomplished.</p> + +<p>When the Declaration of Independence was proposed Mr. Morris became one +of its ardent supporters. At that very time his large estate was within +the power of the enemy. He well knew that his signature to the proposed +instrument would be destructive to all his pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>perty within the reach of +British hirelings. Most faithfully was the work executed. Even his +extensive woodlands of a thousand acres were subjected to axe and +fire—his family driven from home and every species of devastation +resorted to that malice could invent, hatred design, revenge execute. +But <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> was dearer to this devoted patriot than earth and all its +riches. He boldly sanctioned and fearlessly affixed his name to the +great certificate of our national birth and rejoiced in freedom +illumined by the conflagration of his own Elysian Morrisania. His family +and himself suffered many privations during the remainder of the war. +They endured every hardship with heroic fortitude without regret for the +past and with buoyant hope for the bright future.</p> + +<p>In 1777 he resigned his seat in Congress and rendered important services +in the legislature of his native State. He also served in the tented +field and rose to the rank of major-general of militia. He was a good +disciplinarian and reduced the state troops to an excellent +organization. In every situation he ably and zealously discharged all +his duties and did not leave the service of his country until the +American arms were triumphant and the Independence of our nation +acknowledged by Great Britain. Then he retired to his desolated +plantation—converted his sword into a pruning hook—his musket into a +ploughshare and his farm into a delightful retreat where his friends +from the city often visited him to enjoy his agreeable society—talk of +times gone by and rejoice in the consolations of blood-bought Liberty. +Peacefully and calmly he glided down the stream of time until January +1798 when his immortal spirit left its frail bark and launched upon the +ocean of eternity in a more substantial vessel. He died serene and happy +surrounded by an affectionate family and kind friends. His remains were +deposited in the family vault upon his farm under the honors of an epic +and civic procession.</p> + +<p>The private virtues and public services of Mr. Morris rendered him dear +to all who knew him. His appearance was in every way commanding. A noble +and graceful figure, a fine and intelligent face, an amiable and +agreeable disposition, a warm and ardent temperament, a benevolent and +generous heart, an independent and patriotic soul—crowned with +intelligence, refinement and goodness—he was in all respects worthy to +be admired and beloved. His examples illustrate the patriotism that +impelled to action during the Revolution. He had everything that could +be destroyed to lose if successful—if not—death was his probable doom. +Previous to the war he was a favorite of the king—his brother Staats +was a member of Parliament and a general officer under the crown. But +few made as great personal sacrifices<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> and no one made them more +cheerfully. Like Marion—he preferred a morsel of bread, a meal of +roasted potatoes with Liberty—to all the trappings of royalty and all +the honors that could be conferred by a king. So long as this kind of +patriotism finds a resting place in the bosoms of a respectable majority +of Columbia's sons—our UNION is safe. Let this be banished by the +majority as it is by a fearful minority—the fair temple of our <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> +will perish in flames kindled by its professed guardians. Freemen of +America! I warn you to preserve, in original purity, the <span class="smcap">freedom</span> +purchased with the rich blood of our fathers.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="ROBERT_MORRIS" id="ROBERT_MORRIS"></a>ROBERT MORRIS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Self</span> is the Sahara of the human heart where all the noble powers of the +soul are buried in its scorching sands. We may pour upon it floods of +human woe and streams of melting kindness without producing the least +appearance of sympathy or gratitude. The blighting sirocco of cold +indifference sweeps over this desert mind, increases the powers of +absorption—annihilates all that is cheering and lovely. The keenest +miseries of a fellow man cannot move it—the mournful obsequies of his +death cannot shame it. It is one of the foul blots imprinted on human +nature by Lucifer and should be hurled back to Pandemonium. It dwells +only in little minds and pinches them as dandy boots do the +feet—covering them with excrescences as painful as corns and +chilblains. He who is a slave to self could calmly look on the "wreck of +matter and the crash of worlds" if it would add one item to his sordid +gains.</p> + +<p>Man was created a social being—benevolent, sympathetic, kind, +affectionate—quick to feel and prompt to alleviate the misfortunes of +his fellow man. But for the soul-killing influence of self these noble +germs of human nature, as originally cast in the mould of creative +wisdom, would bud and blossom as the rose and crown the human family +with millennial glory.</p> + +<p>On the pages of history we find many bright spots of self sacrifice and +blooming benevolence. Individuals have lived who banished self and +devoted their lives, fortunes and sacred honors to promote the best +interests of the human race—men whose motives, impelling them to +action, were chastened by purity, who aimed to promote public good and +personal happiness.</p> + +<p>In the history of the American Revolution we find a cheering catalogue +of such philanthropists whose memories we delight to honor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> No one +among them did more to accomplish the great end in view than Robert +Morris. He was born at Liverpool, Lancashire, England on the 20th of +January 1734. His father was a respectable merchant and settled at +Oxford on the eastern shore of Maryland in 1746. He then sent for this +son who arrived at Oxford at the age of thirteen. He received only a +good commercial education. At the age of fifteen he lost his father by +death. He was then in the counting house of Charles Willing one of the +most thorough and enterprising merchants of Philadelphia. After having +served a faithful apprenticeship Mr. Willing set him up in business and +remained his fast friend and adviser. For several years he prospered +<i>alone</i> but finding the cares of life pressing upon him he wisely +resolved to take a partner to accompany him in his pilgrimage through +this vale of tears. That partner was the meritorious Mary, daughter of +Col. White and sister to the pious and learned Bishop White. She +possessed every quality that adorns her sex and renders connubial +felicity complete. What is <i>now</i> more than <i>then</i> considered by too many +heartless bipeds a <i>sine qua non</i>—she brought with her—<span class="smcap">wealth</span>. This +<i>desideratum</i> is often a blighting substitute for genuine affection—too +often the corroding mildew of matrimonial happiness. No man or woman +with a good heart, clear head and sound discretion—ever married +<i>riches</i> instead of the <i>person</i>. It is the quintessence of self.</p> + +<p>Not so with Mr. Morris and his partner. Their richest treasure was +mutual esteem flowing from the pure fountain of their kindred hearts +anxious to promote the reciprocal happiness of each other and the +felicity of all around them. Nothing occurred to mar their refined +enjoyments until the revolutionary storm burst upon the Colonies.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morris was a sterling patriot and did not look upon the commoving +political elements with indifference. He had inhaled the atmosphere of +inherent freedom—his soul was roused to god-like action—he resolved to +hold his life and fortune subject to the drafts of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. If self had +held her withering sway he would have remained a loyal slave. His +interests were entirely commercial—his wealth was exposed to the +destructive power of the mother country. He amassed it only to do good. +He was not fastidious as to the manner it was distributed so that his +noble aim might be accomplished—the salvation of his country.</p> + +<p>He was a member of the Congress of 1774 and took an unflinching stand +against British oppression. Extensively and favorably known—his +influence was of high importance to the friends of justice. Being an +able financier he was hailed as the most efficient manager of the +monetary department. To provide ways and means he was fully authorized.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> +Most nobly did he discharge his duty. Unfortunately no office of finance +was then created to enable him to control the disbursements. The money +he continued to provide—often from his private funds. When Congress +fled before the conquering foe to Baltimore in 1776 Mr. Morris remained +in Philadelphia some days after his colleagues left, for the purpose of +raising government funds. In so doing he periled his life, as he had +placed his name upon the Declaration of Independence—then sneeringly +called the death warrant of the signers by the Tories and their +coadjutors—the British. During his stay it became necessary for +Congress to raise a specific sum. The treasury was empty. Notice of the +wants of the army was communicated to him. Shortly after he met a member +of the Society of Friends whose confidence he had. "What news friend +Robert?" "The news is—I am in immediate <ins class="correct" title="want of of">want of</ins>——dollars hard money +and you are the man to obtain it for me. Your security is to be my note +of hand and my word of honor." "Robert thou shall have it." The money +was promptly forwarded to Washington which enabled him to meet the enemy +at Trenton with signal success.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morris made no parade or vain show in the performance of his duties +and often furnished funds through agents under the injunction of secrecy +who then had the credit of affording relief on their own account. When +Gen. Greene took command of the troops in S. C. they were deplorably +destitute of food, clothing and ammunition. To the agreeable +astonishment of the army and people Mr. Hall of that state advanced the +money to purchase supplies and enabled the General to commence vigorous +operations. After the war had closed the accounts of disbursements +showed that Mr. Hall had acted under Mr. Morris who furnished the +needful from his private purse and saved the army from dissolution. On +being made acquainted with the fact at the finance office, General +Greene was at first displeased with the act but on analyzing it +applauded the wisdom of this secrecy and said—"If I had known that I +might have drawn on Robert Morris I should have demanded larger sums and +effected no more than was accomplished with the means placed in my +hands." His advances to the Southern army nearly produced his pecuniary +ruin.</p> + +<p>As a financier his genius was of the most prolific kind. When he found +every government resource exhausted—the credit of the infant Republic +paralyzed—the army writhing under the keenest privations—had his mind +been of ordinary calibre he would have abandoned the ship of state +amidst the breakers that were dashing over her and reported her to the +underwriters as wrecked. But he had resolved never to desert her so long +as a plank remained upon the hull or a beam retained its fastenings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +upon the keel. His own resources were large and his credit upon a firm +basis. These were thrown in the breach and warded off the threatened +destruction. To save himself and his country he proposed the plan of +establishing the Bank of North America. This was sanctioned by Congress +and a charter granted on the 7th of January 1782. This bank has ever +stood firm amidst all the pecuniary panics and revolutions that have +occurred to the present time.</p> + +<p>As astounding as the fact may appear the office of Finance was not +created until 1781. Up to that time there was no disbursing agent and +large sums of money were placed in the hands of irresponsible agents and +never reached their legitimate destination. When established it was +placed under the control of Mr. Morris who reduced the expenditures of +military operations three millions in a single year, showing that self +can convert ostensible patriots into knaves no matter how sacred the +cause engaged in or how binding the obligation to do justice. Avaunt! +thou thing infernal! Had the office of Finance been established at the +commencement of hostilities and Mr. Morris made the disbursing agent, +the means of prosecuting the war would have been ample—our army would +have been full and saved from the dreadful privations endured—our +country would have been saved from a large portion of the devastations +committed by the enemy—the struggle would probably have been terminated +in half the time and the government been able to redeem every dollar of +its paper issues. With so much concentrated talent and wisdom as were in +the Continental Congress at all times, the problem of this disastrous +omission cannot be solved by any approved rules of government or +legislation. I have ever looked at it with deep regret and surprise.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morris was the Roman Curtius of America, pledging his own fortune to +save his country and deliver her from worse than Egyptian bondage. As a +demonstration I will particularize one other instance of supplies +furnished upon his private credit, which was the means of closing the +unequal contest.</p> + +<p>When the expedition against Cornwallis was planned by Washington the +government treasury was empty and her credit shivering in the wind. The +army was in a destitute situation and without the means of prosecuting a +siege. Impressed deeply with the importance of the plan Mr. Morris +undertook the herculean task of providing supplies for the expedition +upon his private credit. Such confidence had Washington in this able +financier that he at once took up the line of march. In the short space +of four weeks he furnished near eighty pieces of battering cannon and +one hundred pieces of field artillery with other neces<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>sary supplies not +furnished by the South. Although aided by the patriotic Richard Peters +he gave his own notes to the amount of one million four hundred thousand +dollars which were all paid at maturity. This enabled the Americans to +triumphantly close the long and bloody struggle of the Revolution and +lay firmly the foundations of the prosperity and government we now +enjoy. There was disinterested benevolence crowned with all the majesty +of pure devotion to the interests of country and the human family—as +free from self as angels are.</p> + +<p>Under cover of the firm in which he was a partner—Willing, Morris & Co. +many important and advantageous transactions were made for government +although apparently for the firm, the large profits of which were placed +to the credit of the public treasury. This was conclusively shown by an +investigation instituted in Congress on motion of Mr. Laurens at the +instance of Mr. Morris in order to repel base slanders put in +circulation against this pure and honest patriot.</p> + +<p>All the accusations that have been brought against Robert Morris before +and since his death, charging him with peculation or speculation in +government funds or of any improper conduct towards his country as a +public agent are without foundation in fact and out of the record. From +the numerous documents I have examined, I am fully convinced that Robert +Morris was one of the most disinterested patriots of the Revolution and +one of the most efficient instruments in consummating that glorious +enterprise. He was so considered by the illustrious Washington—the +Continental Congress and by all who were and are properly posted on the +subject. General Greene was one of his most ardent admirers, whose +biographer—long after the <span class="smcap">sage</span> and the <span class="smcap">hero</span> had gone where none but +slanderers dare rake up the sacred ashes of the dead, published a tirade +of abuse against Mr. Morris that has impaired his dignity as an +impartial writer so as to render his envy abortive—his malice +powerless. His extracts from public documents are garbled—his +conclusions are based on false premises—his innuendos are +ungenerous—his attack gratuitous and has justly recoiled upon the proud +escutcheon of his literary fame.</p> + +<p>The shafts of slander can never mar the fair reputation of this +benefactor of our country although hurled like lightning thunderbolts +from the whole artillery of malice and revenge. Upon the enduring +records of our nation his acts are written. There they stand in bold +relievo, bright as the moon, clear as the sun and as withering to his +enemies as the burning sand of Sahara.</p> + +<p>Congress elected Mr. Morris Superintendent of Finance on the 20th of +February 1781. It was only from a deep sense of duty he could be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> urged +to accept the office. It was at a dark and fearful period of the +Revolution. His duties were onerous and multiform. He immediately +instituted an examination of the public debts, revenue and +expenditures—reduced to economical system the mode of regulating the +finances and disbursing the public funds—executed the plans of Congress +relative to monetary affairs—superintended the action of all persons +employed in obtaining and distributing supplies for the army—attended +to the collection of all monies due the United States—held a +supervision over all the contractors for military supplies—provided for +the civil list—corresponded with the Executive of each state and with +ministers of our government in Europe and transacted business with all +the public departments. Through the agency of the Bank of North America +and with his own proverbial responsibility he improved the national +credit so far that money was obtained from Europe on loan and a brighter +prospect opened before the desponding patriots. He introduced rigid +economy through all the avenues of public operations. He boldly entered +the Ægean stable and was the Hercules to cleanse it. Corrupt agents and +corrupting speculators fled before his searching scrutiny—hissing like +serpents disturbed in their dens. Perfect system pervaded all his +transactions reducing them all to writing so that he was able to produce +a conclusive voucher for each and every public act during his term of +service. He believed system to be the ballast, main-mast and helm of +business.</p> + +<p>At the time of his resignation he placed himself in the crucible of an +examining committee of Congress before whom he exhibited a schedule of +all his public transactions. The report of the committee placed him on a +lofty eminence as an able and skilful financier—a patriotic and honest +man. President Washington tendered him the office of Secretary of the +Treasury, which he respectfully declined. He was a member of the +convention that framed the Federal Constitution and a Senator in the +first Congress that convened under it. He seldom spoke in debate but +when he did he was eloquent, chaste and logical. He was heard with +profound attention and had great influence with his colleagues. He +possessed an inexhaustible store of useful information applicable to all +the relations of public and private life. When the peace of 1783 was +consummated Mr. Morris again entered largely into commercial business. +He favored every kind of improvement and did all in his power to promote +general good and individual happiness. He first introduced ice and +hot-houses in our country. He was a rare specimen of industry, system, +punctuality and honesty.</p> + +<p>After spending a long life in skilfully wielding a capital of millions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> +he at last foundered upon the rock of land speculation and closed his +eventful career in poverty on the 8th of May 1806 at the city of +Philadelphia sincerely mourned by his country and most deeply lamented +by those who knew him best. He met the grim messenger of death with +resignation and calmness—bid a cheerful farewell to friends, the toils +of earth and all sublunary things.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morris was a large man with an open countenance, pleasing in his +manners and agreeable in all his associations. His private character was +as pure as his public career was illustrious. Dying poor, no marble +monument is reared to his memory but his name is deeply engraved upon +the tablet of meritorious fame and will be revered by every true +American and patriot until the historic page shall be blotted from the +world—social order submerged by chaos.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOHN_MORTON" id="JOHN_MORTON"></a>JOHN MORTON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Courage</span> and perseverance, unaided by wisdom and sound discretion, often +lead men into unforeseen and unanticipated difficulties. Combined—they +are the fulcrum and lever of action. Guided by a wise discretion, with +talent to conceive and boldness to execute, the weak become strong and +effect wonders at which they look with astonishment after the mighty +work is accomplished. To these combined qualities of the Sages and +Heroes of the American Revolution we owe the blessings of liberty we now +enjoy more than to the physical powers of our nation at that time. +Compared with the fleets and armies of the mother country at the +eventful era when the Declaration of our Independence was adopted, the +available force of the Colonies dwindles to insignificance. The one a +giant in the pride of his glory—the other an infant just bursting into +life. The one a Goliah clad in bristling armor—the other a pioneer boy +with a puerile sling. The one with a veteran army and navy united in +panoply complete, well clothed, fed and paid—the other with scattered +fragments of raw recruits, a few light vessels—the men poorly equipped, +sparingly fed, worse clothed and seldom paid. Without referring the +successful termination of the revolutionary struggle to the wisdom and +perseverance of the patriots, who, under God conceived, planned and +executed the noble work it would be an unsolved enigma.</p> + +<p>John Morton was proverbial for his discreet, wise, courageous and +persevering course of life. He was a posthumous child born in Ridley, +Delaware county, Pennsylvania, in 1724. His ancestors came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> from Sweden +at an early period and settled on the bank of the Delaware river near +Philadelphia. John's father, of the same Christian name, married Mary +Richards when he was very young and died before his majority. The widow +subsequently married with John Sketchly an intelligent Englishman who +proved a good husband and kind step-father. To him John was principally +indebted for his substantial English education, having enjoyed the +advantages of a school but three months. Being a good mathematician and +skilful surveyor, his step-son became perfect master of this important +branch of science, which, more than any other, is calculated to lead a +man into precision of thought and action. Based on invariable truth and +lucid demonstration, never resting on false premises, always arriving at +incontrovertible conclusions, it gives a tone to the mental powers +calculated to produce the most salutary results. Education is incomplete +without mastering mathematics.</p> + +<p>Young Morton continued with his faithful guardian until manhood dawned +upon him, aiding in the business of agriculture and surveying, +constantly storing his mind with useful knowledge—testing theory by +practice. In 1764 he was commissioned a justice of the peace and shortly +after was elected to the Assembly of his native state. He soon became +conspicuous and was subsequently speaker of the House during several +sessions. He took a deep interest in the welfare of his country and was +a member of the Congress assembled at New York in 1765 to concert +measures for the repeal of the odious Stamp Act. He concurred in the +strong and bold appeals of that body which virtually kindled the fire of +the Revolution. Although smothered for a time it was never extinguished +until it consumed the last vestige of British power in America and +expired for want of fuel. In 1767 he became the sheriff of his county +which station he ably filled for three years. He was then appointed +president judge of his district and gained the admiration and esteem of +the entire community. About this time he performed a very sensible act +by marrying Anne Justis of the State of Delaware who was worthy to be +the wife of a patriot and contributed largely to his happiness through +life.</p> + +<p>When the dread clarion of war was sounded from the heights of Lexington +the indignation of the people in his neighborhood was so roused that +they at once raised a battalion of volunteers and elected Judge Morton +colonel. He was compelled to decline the epic honor having been recently +appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In July 1774 he +was made a member of the Congress that convened in Philadelphia the +following September. The grand object<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> of that Congress was to make a +last and noble effort to effect a reconciliation between the two +countries and heal instead of increasing the unfortunate breach. To this +end men of cool deliberation, deep thought, matured judgment, profound +wisdom and pure patriotism were selected for this important work on +which depended the destiny of themselves and unborn millions. When the +delegates assembled a deep and awful solemnity seemed to pervade every +mind. No noise was heard but the still murmuring of the rushing blood, +the beating of anxious hearts and the quick respiration of those who had +congregated. The proceedings were opened by prayer. Every soul seemed to +commune with the spirits of another world as by vesper orisons. After +the address to the throne of grace the same awful silence reigned. Still +nothing was heard but the rush of the purple stream and the throb of +anxious hearts. Trembling tears and quivering lips told the emotions of +many a bosom—too full to be expressed, too deep to be fathomed, too +strong to be endured. At length the mighty spirit of Patrick Henry burst +forth in all the sublimity of its native majesty and broke the mighty +spell. In bold and glowing colors, shaded with dignified +sincerity—painted upon the canvas of eternal justice with the pencil of +unerring truth—he delineated American rights and British wrongs. When +he closed every patriot responded a hearty—<span class="smcap">Amen</span>. Their mouths were +opened, their burdens lightened—they breathed more freely.</p> + +<p>In May 1775 Judge Morton took his seat in Congress and was re-elected in +November. In July 1776 he closed his congressional career. Before +leaving, he placed a brilliant star upon the bright escutcheon of his +name by voting for and signing the chart of our Liberty—the manifesto +of freemen against the usurpations of tyranny. During the time he was in +Congress he was highly esteemed as a cool deliberate discreet +man—purely patriotic and anxious to do all in his power to promote the +righteous cause of his bleeding country. He weighed well the +consequences of severing the bonds that bound the Colonies to the mother +country. Unsustained, the Declaration of Independence was probable death +to many—a more severe slavery for the survivors. To all human +appearance the patriots must be crushed by the physical force of their +enemies then pouring into the country by thousands and sweeping +everything before them like a mighty torrent. There were five delegates +from his colony. Two of them were bitterly opposed to the measure and +two in favor, which gave him the casting vote. On him depended the +enhanced misery or happy delivery of his country. When the final moment +arrived he cast his vote in favor of the import<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>ant instrument that +should prove either the death warrant or the diploma of freedom. Some of +his old friends censured him severely for the bold act and were so +strongly tinctured with toryism that they would not be reconciled to him +when he lay upon the bed of death. Such were the strong party feelings +during the Revolution. His dying message to them was worthy the sage and +Christian. "Tell them that they will live to see the hours when they +shall acknowledge it to have been the most glorious service that I have +ever rendered to my country." The truth of his prophecy has been most +happily verified so far as his services were concerned—if the other +part has not do not go in mourning for its failure.</p> + +<p>When the Articles of Confederation were under discussion in Congress +Judge Morton was frequently chairman of the committee of the whole and +presided with great ability and dignity. In April 1777 he was attacked +with a highly inflammatory fever which terminated his life in a few days +in the midst of usefulness with fresh honors awaiting him as time rolled +onward. His premature death was deeply mourned by his bereaved +companion, eight children, a large concourse of bosom friends, the +members of the bar, his associate judges, the State legislature, +Congress and by every patriot of his country.</p> + +<p>As a private citizen Judge Morton possessed an unusual share of esteem. +He was endowed with all the amiable qualities that enrich the domestic +circle and social intercourse. As the crowning glory of his fair fame he +professed and adorned the religion of his Lord and Master and died +triumphing in faith. His dust reposes in the cemetery of St. James' +Church in Chester, Pa. His examples are worthy of the closest +imitation—his brief career admonishes us of the uncertainty of human +life—his happy death is an evidence of the truth of unvarnished piety.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="THOMAS_NELSON" id="THOMAS_NELSON"></a>THOMAS NELSON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Honesty</span> is a virtue that commands universal respect. Like many others +this term has lost much of its original force. When Pope pronounced an +honest man the noblest work of God—he included purpose, word and action +in all things, under all circumstances, at all times. He alluded to a +man whose purity of heart placed him above every temptation to violate +the original laws of integrity that emanated from the high Chancery of +Heaven. He referred to a man whose every action through his whole life +should pass the scrutiny of Omniscience unscathed and stand approved by +the great Jehovah. Such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> man is a noble work indeed worthy of the +highest admiration and closest imitation. He would not take an umbrella +or a newspaper from the owner without liberty. He is honest for the sake +of this virtue—not from <i>policy</i>, the essential oil of dishonesty in +disguise. Honesty that is based only on self interest is as unsafe as a +keg of powder in the fire room of a steamboat. We have too much <i>policy</i> +in morals and religion. It is cunning without wisdom, cowardice with +hypocrisy, fear of man—not God. The devil preaches religion from policy +and the man who is honest only from <i>policy</i> is no better. Anecdote to +the point. The Chinese philosopher Confucius met an insane woman with a +pitcher of water and faggot of fire and asked her how she intended to +use them. She replied—"With the fire I will burn up heaven—with the +water I will put out hell—we shall then know who are good for the sake +of goodness."</p> + +<p>The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution who persevered to the +end were remarkable for integrity and freedom from self interest. None +of them were more so than Thomas Nelson, born at Yorktown, Virginia, on +the 26th of December 1738. He was the son of William Nelson whose father +came from England at an early period and located at Yorktown. The father +of Thomas was a wealthy merchant and planter. He filled many public +stations with great ability. During the interval between the +administration of Lord Bottetourt and Lord Dunmore, he presided over the +Colony <i>ex officio</i>, being then President of the Executive Council.</p> + +<p>At the age of fourteen Thomas was placed under the tuition of Mr. +Newcomb whose school was near Hackney, England. He graduated at Trinity +College under Dr. Beilby Porteus, the bright literary ornament of that +time and afterwards Bishop of London. Guided by the master genius of +this finished scholar, accomplished gentleman and pious divine, Mr. +Nelson traced the fair lines of science and explored the avenues of +literature. The principles of strict virtue and stern integrity were +deeply impressed upon his mind and governed his actions through life. +After spending eight years at the classic fountain in England he +returned to his native home highly improved in mind and person. He +entered upon the enjoyment of a large real estate and over one hundred +and thirty thousand dollars in money. Not selfish at heart—unwilling to +enjoy so much alone, as in duty bound he led to the hymenial altar +Lucy—daughter of Philip Grimes of Brandon and settled happily and +quietly at his native place. His house became the seat of domestic +felicity and hospitality.</p> + +<p>For a long time great intimacy existed between the leading men of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +Virginia and England. This arose from consanguinity and the wealth that +enabled the most prominent men of the Old Dominion to educate their sons +in the mother country. For more than a century an interchange of good +feelings and kind offices were kept up. The sons who were educated in +Great Britain imbibed the same ideas of Independence as those which were +the boast of the noblemen of that kingdom and very properly felt +themselves entitled to as much confidence from the King as a native +resident of Albion. For this reason, when the British ministry put the +car of oppression in motion in Virginia, her wealthy and noblest sons +were the most vigorous opposers of regal power. The very fact of former +intimacy charged this opposition with stronger bitterness. The very +chivalry that the proud Britons had taught the sons of the Old Dominion +was brought to bear upon the hirelings of the crown with the force of an +avalanche.</p> + +<p>In 1774 Mr. Nelson was elected to the House of Burgesses and took a bold +stand in favor of liberal principles. He was one of the eighty-nine +members who assembled at a tavern the day after Lord Dunmore dissolved +them and formed themselves into an association of non-intercourse with +Great Britain. At the next election he was again returned. He was a +member of the two conventions that appointed Congressional delegates in +1774-5. He supported the bold measures proposed by the daring Henry from +which many of the patriots at first recoiled with terror and amazement. +He had no ear for the siren song of peace when the shores of his country +were darkened by foreign fleets and armies. At the convention in March +1775 the following resolutions were proposed by Patrick Henry and +passed. The first germ of our militia system then burst from embryo.</p> + +<p>"Resolved—That a well regulated militia, composed of gentlemen and +yeomen, is the natural strength and only security of a free +government—that such a militia in this colony would forever render it +unnecessary for the mother country to keep among us, for the purpose of +our defence, any standing army of mercenary soldiers, always subversive +of the quiet and dangerous to the liberties of the people and would +obviate the pretext of taxing for their support. That the establishment +of such a militia is at this time peculiarly necessary by the state of +our laws, some of which have already expired and will shortly be so and +that the known remissness of government in calling us together in +legislative capacity renders it too insecure in this time of danger and +distress to rely that opportunity will be given of renewing them in +general Assembly or making any provision to secure our inestima<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>ble +rights and liberties from those further violations with which they are +threatened.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>—That this Colony be immediately put in a state of defence +and that —— be a committee to prepare a plan for embodying, arming and +disciplining such a number of men as may be sufficient for that +purpose."</p> + +<p>These resolutions were warmly supported by Mr. Nelson regardless of the +certain destruction of a large portion of his property in case of an +open rupture with mother Britain. The resolutions were carried and July +fixed for the division of the Colony into military districts. From that +time Virginia presented a bold front against the unwarranted pretensions +and insolent assumptions of power on the part of the crown officers. In +July the Convention again assembled and divided the Colony into sixteen +military districts—the Eastern to immediately raise a regiment of six +hundred and eighty men rank and file, the others to raise a battalion of +five hundred men each—all to be at once armed and held in readiness to +march at any moment. The Convention further directed the raising of two +regiments of regulars of one thousand and twenty privates each—the +first to be commanded by Patrick Henry, the other by Thomas Nelson. +Virginia stands number one in the organization of a military system +independent of mother Britain—a system that now pervades the United +States.</p> + +<p>On the 11th of August this Convention met again and elected Mr. Nelson +and others to the Continental Congress in which he look his seat on the +13th of September following. He was an industrious and efficient member +of many important committees but rarely took part in debate. By the +following extract from his letter to Gov. Page dated 22d January 1776 it +appears he was one of those who early agitated the question of +Independence. "I wish I knew the sentiments of our people upon the grand +points of Confederation and Foreign Alliance—or in other words—of +Independence—for we cannot expect to form a connexion with any foreign +power as long we have a womanish hankering after Great Britain and to be +sure there is not in nature a greater absurdity than to suppose we can +have any affection for a people who are carrying on the most savage war +against us." On the 13th of February following he wrote to the same +gentleman in the following strong language—"Independence, Confederation +and foreign alliance are as formidable to some members of Congress—I +fear a majority, as an apparition to a weak enervated woman. Would you +think we have some among us who still expect honorable proposals from +the administration! By heavens! I am an infidel in politics for I do not +believe were you to bid a thousand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> pounds per scruple for honor at the +court of Great Britain that you would get as many as would make an +ounce. We are now carrying on a war and no war. They seize our property +whenever they find it either by land or sea and we hesitate to retaliate +because we have a few friends in England who have ships. Away with such +squeamishness say I."</p> + +<p>By this language we can judge of the ardent feelings that moved this +friend of equal rights to noble and god-like action. It was the pure +fire of patriotism fanned to a brilliant flame by a just indignation +against a tyrannical and insolent foe. It was a fire that reflected a +genial heat upon those around it and increased in volume as time rolled +onward. Like separate particles of metal in a crucible, one member after +another yielded to the power of the patriotic flame until all were +united in one liquid mass and on the 4th of July 1776 the mould of +<span class="smcap">Liberty</span> was filled. When opened to the admiring view of a gazing world a +new and purely original table of law and government was presented +enriched with the embossments of equal rights and equal justice. On this +fair tablet, more beautiful than mosaic work, Mr. Nelson engraved his +name in bold relievo. Here we might leave him with glory enough for one +man. But he had then just entered the vestibule of his useful career. +His whole soul and body were enlisted in the glorious cause. He worked +on, hoped on and hoped ever. He was again returned to Congress but was +compelled to retire in May in consequence of a dangerous attack of brain +fever that for a time threatened to impair his mental powers. +Fortunately for the cause of Independence his health was restored.</p> + +<p>During the ensuing August the British fleet entered the capes for the +purpose of chastising the rebels of the Old Dominion. A general rally of +the military was the immediate consequence. Mr. Nelson was made Brig. +General and commander of all the Virginia forces. The appointment was +popular—the incumbent competent. His appearance among the people +inspired confidence. The troops rallied around him like affectionate +children around a fond parent. Learning how the land lay the fleet went +its way for that time and waited for a more convenient season. The +soldiers again became citizens.</p> + +<p>In October of that year Gen. Nelson took his seat in the legislature of +his state and took an active part in the deliberations of that body. +During the session a bill was brought before the House sequestering +British property and authorizing those of the Colonists who were in +favor of Liberty and owed subjects of Great Britain, to pay the amount +into the public treasury. If the wives and children of such subjects +remained in the state the Governor was authorized to pay them certain +portions of this money for their support. With all his indignity against +mother Britain,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> his sense of justice induced him to oppose the bill +because it violated individual contracts. He became roused and made an +able and eloquent speech against the measure and closed with the +following emphatic language—"For these reasons I hope the bill will be +rejected—but whatever be its fate—<i>so help me God</i> I will pay <i>my</i> +debts like an honest man."</p> + +<p>On the 2d of March 1778 Congress made an appeal to the patriotism of the +wealthy young men of the several states urging them to raise a troop of +light cavalry at their own expense. When this proposition was received +in Virginia Gen. Nelson sent a circular to all the young gentlemen of +fortune in the state recommending them to rush to the rescue in person +and to open their purses to other high-minded young men who were poor in +money but rich in patriotism. A company of seventy was promptly raised +in that state and elected Gen. Nelson to command them. He proceeded with +his charge to Baltimore and reported his youthful band to the brave +Pulaski who received the young volunteers with admiration and delight. +From that place the company proceeded to Philadelphia where the General +and the young gentlemen soldiers received the applause and thanks of +Congress. As their services were not needed at that time they returned +home. Their expenses were principally paid by Gen. Nelson without any +charge to government. For his services during the war he took no pay and +expended a large portion of his fortune in the cause of freedom.</p> + +<p>On the 18th of February 1779 he again took his seat in Congress and +labored so intensely in the committee rooms that he brought on another +attack similar to the former and was compelled to return home in April. +Relaxation from business and domestic quiet soon restored his health. In +May the British made a descent upon Virginia and marked their course +with relentless cruelty and destruction. Gen. Nelson at once took the +field and marshalled his troops near Yorktown. The enemy dared not +approach him and filed off. During that short campaign he was a father +to his soldiers and supplied them with food from his own funds. He +distributed his laborers and servants among the poor families of the +militia from his neighborhood to labor during the absence of the men. He +was as benevolent as he was patriotic and brave. For the state he raised +large sums upon his own credit for which he was remunerated but in part. +This was done freely without any noise or boasting. He was good for the +sake of goodness—honest for the sake of honesty—not from policy or to +be seen of men.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1781 Virginia was the scene of murder, rapine and ruin. +Judas Arnold and Lord Cornwallis were sweeping over the state like a +tornado. Gen. Nelson was constantly in the field doing all in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> his power +to arrest the savage career of the merciless foe. He became the hero of +the Old Dominion. In June of that year he was elected governor of the +state. He at once entered upon the duties of his office and bent his +whole energies on raising troops to resist the enemy. About that time La +Fayette arrived with a body of regulars. Gov. Nelson joined him in the +field and placed himself and his troops under command of the Marquis. +Everything in his power he grasped to aid his bleeding country. He +placed his work horses and negroes in the public service. In the midst +of these struggles a circumstance occurred that was exceedingly trying +to his noble soul. By the constitution the governor could act only in +concert with the Council. Two of that body had been taken prisoners by +Tarleton—two had resigned when most needed. A quorum could not be +raised. The crisis required prompt and decisive action. In this dilemma +he proceeded to act as if a quorum of the Council was present. Long +after he had retired to private life and at a time when he was sinking +under disease, some wretches, who would be only scavengers in +Pandemonium, made this a ground of complaint against him. A just +legislature put the matter forever at rest by passing a special law +sanctioning every act of the governor during his administration under +the circumstances alluded to. Ingratitude is the prime minister of +Satan—revenge its secretary.</p> + +<p>By the vigilance of Governor Nelson and La Fayette Lord Cornwallis was +snugly ensconced in Yorktown. A dark cloud hovered over his military +fame. Awful forebodings haunted his blood-stained imagination. +Retributive justice pierced his guilty conscience with a thousand viper +stings. The cries of widows and orphans—the curling flames of +hospitable mansions—the sweeping destruction of villages and towns—the +dying groans of innocent victims—the damning fruits of his savage +career, preyed upon his agonized soul like a promethean vulture. The die +was cast. The siege was commenced. Washington was there. At the head of +the Virginia troops was Governor Nelson—cool, brave, fearless, +vigorous. His native town—his own mansion and properly were now to be +razed to the ground. At first he observed the American batteries +carefully avoid his house. The principal British officers had made it +their head quarters for this reason. Learning it was out of respect for +him he directed the gunners to point their cannon at his mansion. The +first discharge after this order sent several shot through it—killed +two of the officers and frightened the rest from a table well spread +with edibles and wines. They were at dinner and feared no danger. The +result of the siege was glorious and closed the war of the Revolution.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following extract from the general orders of the illustrious +Washington of the 20th of October 1781 will best inform the reader of +the estimate placed upon the services of Governor Nelson at that +memorable siege.</p> + +<p>"The General would be guilty of the highest ingratitude—a crime of +which he hopes he shall never be accused, if he forgot to return his +sincere acknowledgments to his excellency Governor Nelson, for the +succors which he received from him and the militia under his command, to +whose activity emulation and bravery the highest praises are due. The +magnitude of the acquisition will be ample compensation for the +difficulties and dangers they met with so much firmness and patriotism."</p> + +<p>The fatigues of this campaign and his arduous gubernatorial duties +proved too much for the physical powers of Governor Nelson. He again +sunk under disease and resigned his office on the 20th November 1781 and +retired from the public arena to private life. He spent the remainder of +his days on a small estate he had gathered up from the wreck of his +princely fortune, situated at Offly in the county of Hanover. His health +continued to decline until the 4th of January 1789 when he was numbered +with the dead. His obituary, written by his bosom friend Col. Innes, +fully portrays the character of this devoted patriot and will best close +this annal.</p> + +<p>"The illustrious Nelson is no more! He paid the last debt of nature on +Sunday the fourth day of the present month at his estate in Hanover. He +who undertakes barely to recite the exalted virtues which adorned the +life of this great and good man will unavoidably pronounce a panegyric +upon human nature. As a man, a citizen, a legislator and a patriot, he +exhibited a conduct untarnished and undebased by sordid and selfish +interests and strongly marked with the genuine characteristics of true +religion, sound benevolence and liberal policy. Entertaining the most +ardent love for civil and religious Liberty, he was among the first of +that glorious band of patriots whose exertions dashed and defeated the +machinations of British tyranny and gave to united America freedom and +independent empire. At a most important crisis during the late struggle +for American Liberty, when this State appeared to be designated as the +theatre of action for the contending armies, he was selected by the +unanimous suffrage of the legislature to command the virtuous yeomanry +of his country. In this honourable employment he remained until the end +of the war. As a soldier he was indefatigably active and coolly +intrepid. Resolute and undejected in misfortune, he towered above +distress and struggled with the manifold difficulties to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> which his +situation exposed him with constancy and courage. In the memorable year +of 1781 when the whole force of the southern British army was directed +to the subjugation of this State, he was called to the helm of +government. This was a juncture which indeed 'tried men's souls.' He did +not avail himself of this opportunity to retire in the rear of danger, +but on the contrary took the field at the head of his countrymen and at +the hazard of his life, his fame and individual fortune. By his decision +and magnanimity he saved not only his country but all America from +disgrace if not from total ruin. Of this truly patriotic and heroic +conduct the renowned commander-in-chief, with all the gallant officers +of the combined armies employed at the siege of York, will bear ample +testimony. This part of his conduct even contemporary jealousy, envy and +malignity were forced to approve and this, more impartial posterity, if +it can believe, will almost adore. If, after contemplating the splendid +and heroic parts of his character we shall inquire for the milder +virtues of humanity and seek for the <span class="smcap">man</span>, we shall find the refined, +beneficent and social qualities of private life, through all its forms +and combinations, so happily modified and united in him, that in the +words of the darling poet of nature, it may be said,</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="noin">'His life was gentle, and the elements<br /> + So mixed in him, that nature might stand up<br /> + And say to all the world—<span class="smcap">this is a man</span>.'"</p></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JAMES_OTIS" id="JAMES_OTIS"></a>JAMES OTIS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Death</span> is a source of terror to most persons. It should be a source of +anticipated joy to every reasonable being. Death is viewed as the great +enemy of man. He is our best friend. Many Christians tremble at the +thought of being folded in the arms of this friend who performs for us +the last—the greatest kind office that can be awarded this side of +eternity. Why should we treat death as an enemy? Is he an enemy who +delivers us from pain, disappointment, folly, error, misery and all the +ills of our earthly pilgrimage? Is he an enemy who transfers us from the +land of delusive dreams, the region of phantoms and corroding cares—to +an Elysium of substantial joys and enduring bliss? It is a <i>libel</i> on +<span class="smcap">death</span> to call him a foe—a king of terrors—an enemy.</p> + +<p>Frail man comes into this world crying—cries on through life and is +always seeking after some earthly object he intends to christen +happiness when obtained. When he reaches the bubble it often bursts at +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> slightest touch—it never imparts unalloyed comfort. He is often +mourning over the misfortunes that lie thickly along the road of life. +He is forced to learn there is nothing pure but Heaven. Within the +restless mortal body there is an immortal soul that requires more than +earth can give to satisfy its lofty aspirations. This soul hails death +as the welcome messenger to deliver it from its ever changing decaying +prison of clay—called <span class="smcap">man</span>—on which time wages an exterminating war +until <span class="smcap">death</span> breaks the carnal fetters—sets the prisoner free—opening +the door of immortality—returning the redeemed spirit to its original +abode of refulgent glory to go no more out for ever. To be terrified at +the thoughts of death is to endure unnecessary fear and add to the +discomforts of life. We should be in constant readiness to give this +friend a hearty welcome. All who are wise will do so.</p> + +<p>It is evident the Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution did not +quail at the thought of sacrificing their lives upon the altar of +<span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. By the British and Tories the Declaration of Independence was +called the death warrant of the signers. Had the first open opposers of +the crown fallen into the hands of the royalists their lives would have +been terminated in a summary manner. Among these was James Otis who was +born at Barnstable, Mass. in 1725. He graduated at Harvard College when +but eighteen years of age. He read law with Mr. Gridley—settled in +Plymouth and became one of the most brilliant lights of the profession. +He was an uncompromising and fearless opposer of British wrongs—an able +and unwavering advocate of American rights. In 1761 he appeared before +the judges of the Supreme Court in defence of the people against the +writs of assistance. His logic, eloquence and boldness astonished all +who heard him. He insulated the people with patriotic fire that all the +powers of mother Britain could never extinguish. Among others he was +listened to by John Adams who often remarked—"Independence was then and +there born." By the patriots of that day he was called the originator of +the Revolution. He was the first man who placed his name to a bold and +vigorous pamphlet which he wrote and published—exposing the innovations +of the British ministry upon the chartered rights of the Colonies. He +was threatened with arrest which only roused him to more vigilant action +in defence of human rights. He was a member of the Congress that +convened in New York in 1765. During that year he wrote his "Rights of +the Colonies Vindicated"—which was a masterly production and published +in London. He was of a warm temperament—impulsive—if hard pressed was +sometimes harsh in his language. He was lashed severely by the +ministerial organs which caused him to publish pungent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> strictures upon +the conduct of several of the crown officers. Soon after these appeared +he was attacked in a public room by a band of British ruffians led on by +custom house commissioner Robinson, who nearly took his life. This +occurred on the 5th of September 1769. So much was he injured that his +reason soon fled for ever. He may appropriately be called the first +mover and the first martyr of the American Revolution. He obtained a +judgment of $20,000 against Robinson for the base assault and on +receiving a written apology relinquished it.</p> + +<p>His towering mental powers broke rapidly until he became a mental wreck. +The repeated blows upon his head had permanently deranged his brain. +Occasional lucid flashes would pass over his mind like brilliant meteors +and pass as quickly away. He had often expressed a wish that he might be +killed by lightning. That desire was granted on the 23d day of May 1783 +while leaning on his cane at the door of Mr. Osgood. His body was taken +to Boston and buried with every mark of respect attended by an +unprecedented concourse of sympathizing freemen.</p> + +<p>No patriot of the Revolution merits our reverence, admiration and +gratitude more than James Otis. He commenced that opposition against +tyranny which resulted in the emancipation of the new +continent—prepared an asylum for the oppressed and set an example for +patriots worthy of imitation through all future time and over the +civilized world.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="WILLIAM_PACA" id="WILLIAM_PACA"></a>WILLIAM PACA.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Creative</span> wisdom has not designed every man for a Demosthenes or a Cicero +but every man of common sense is designed to be good and useful. If all +were alike gifted with splendid talents the monotony would become +painful. Variety, the spice of life, would lose its original flavor. If +all our legislators were eloquent orators and were affected by the mania +of speech making as most of our public speakers are at the present day, +we should be constantly as we are frequently, overwhelmed with talk and +have but little work commenced and less completed. No one admires true +eloquence more than the writer but not too much of this good thing at +the expense of the dear people. Business is of higher importance. Like +our bodies that end in a narrow cell—the long, elaborate and in some +instances—sensible and eloquent speeches of our legislators receive +their finale in the approv<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>ing—<i>Aye</i>—or the emphatic—<i>No</i>. Although +based upon the purest motives—dictated by the most enlightened +understanding—strengthened by the soundest logic—embellished with the +richest flowers of rhetoric—illumined by the most brilliant +intelligence—<i>Aye</i> or <i>No</i> decides the most gigantic efforts of every +speech maker. I indulge no desire to extinguish these intellectual +lights or to snuff them too closely. Their wicks should be cut shorter +and the volume of their flame diminished so as to emit less smoke. +Brevity is the soul of wit—despatch the life of business. In the +committee room every man can be useful. The responsibilities of a vote +bear equally upon all. Let the importance of no man be undervalued by +himself or compeers because he was not born with a trumpet tongue. If +his head is clear and his heart right he can do good and be useful.</p> + +<p>Among those who rendered essential service in the cause of the American +Revolution in a retiring and unassuming manner, was William Paca born at +Wye Hall on the eastern shore of Maryland October 31st 1740. His father +was an estimable man. He gave this son a good education and planted +deeply in his mind the principles of virtue and moral rectitude. He +graduated at the college in Philadelphia and in 1758 commenced the study +of law at Annapolis in his native state. He applied himself closely to +the investigation of that branch of science that unfolds the nature and +duty of man in all the relations of life—shows what he is and what he +should be under all circumstances—unveils his passions, his +propensities and his inclinations—carries the mind back through the +abysm of lights, shadows and darkness to pristine happiness and +illuminates the understanding more than any other course of reading. Law +is a compound of all the sciences in theory and practice. An honest +lawyer who is actuated by principles of strict justice, pure ethics, +equal rights and stern integrity—can do more to sustain social order +and promote human happiness than a man pursuing either of the other +professions. A lawyer is not complete until he understands at least the +theory of all the practical sciences, professions, trades and the whole +routine of business and the nature of man. The acquisition of elementary +law is only the vestibule to a full <ins class="correct" title="prepation">preparation</ins> for practice.</p> + +<p>Upon the firm basis of an honest lawyer Mr. Paca commenced a successful +business and built an enduring fame. He was esteemed for his clearness +of perception, purity of purpose, decision of character, prudence of +action and substantial usefulness—all exhibiting a clear light but not +a dazzling blaze. Upon a mind like his the oppression of the mother +country made a gradual impression that was deepened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> by the graver of +continued violations of right until it became so firmly fixed that all +the powers of earth could not efface, deface, erase or expunge it. As +constitutional privileges were more openly infringed his soul became +more strongly resolved on liberty or death. He was on intimate terms +with Mr. Chase who possessed all the powers to command whilst Mr. Paca +was endowed with the indispensable requisites of a sale and skilful +helmsman. With qualities thus differing these two patriots +simultaneously commenced their voyage upon the boisterous ocean of +public life destined for the same port—the haven of <span class="smcap">liberty</span>.</p> + +<p>Soon after he commenced practice at the bar Mr. Paca was elected to the +Maryland legislature and became a very useful member. In 1771 he was one +of the committee of three that prepared a letter of thanks to Charles +Carroll for his able advocacy of the cause of freedom in a written +controversy with the royal governor and his subordinates. In that letter +the committee expressed a determination never to submit to taxation +without representation or to the regulation of taxes by the executive +authority—thus furnishing the crown with an index of the public mind in +advance of the text. Mr. Paca was a member of the Congress of 1774 which +was rendered illustrious by proceedings of propriety and wisdom +emanating from minds like his. Upon such men we can always rely in times +of peril. They view everything in the calm sunshine of reason and +justice being never overwhelmed by sudden emotions or angry passions. +Ever upon the <i>terra firma</i> of prudence ready for action they are +prepared to render assistance to those whose loftier barks often run +into the breakers and need a cable from on shore to haul them in.</p> + +<p>Mr. Paca was continued in Congress until 1778 and rendered <ins class="correct" title="valuble">valuable</ins> +service to his country. In 1775 he joined Mr. Chase in furnishing a new +military corps with rifles to the amount of nearly a thousand dollars +from their private funds. He devoted his time, talents and fortune to +the cause of freedom. His examples had a powerful influence upon +reflecting men. All had unlimited confidence in his opinions—always +deliberately formed. When the Declaration of Independence was proposed +his feelings and views were decidedly in its favor but his instructions +were opposed to it. The Maryland members of Assembly considered the +project wild—believing the power of the mother country would crush all +opposition in embryo. Redress they fondly but vainly hoped for. The +British authorities soon furnished arguments steeped in blood that +removed all restrictions and left Mr. Paca and his colleagues to act +freely. The first decided vote in favor of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> stringent measures was on +the 28th of May 1776 at which time the Chaplain of the Maryland Assembly +was directed not to pray for the King. As trifling as this may now +appear it then had a favorable and potent influence upon the people. +When the glorious day arrived to decide the fate of the Chart of Liberty +Mr. Paca was at his post and enrolled his name with the apostles of +<span class="smcap">freedom</span> whose fame will continue to rise in peerless majesty until the +last trump of time shall sound its closing notes and assemble the world +of mankind in one grand army for the final inspection of the great +Jehovah.</p> + +<p>In 1778 Mr. Paca retired from Congress and was appointed Chief Judge of +the Superior Court of Maryland. In 1780 his duties were increased by his +appointment to preside over the Prize and Admiralty Court. He stood +approved as an able statesman—he was an ornament to the judiciary. The +acumen of his mind and legal acquirements made him a <i>strong</i> judge—his +honesty and impartiality made a <i>popular</i> one. In 1782 he was elected +governor and discharged the duties of the office with great usefulness. +He was a devoted friend to religion and education and did much to render +them prosperous. He inculcated principles of economy and morals and held +a parental supervision over every department of state that came within +the pale of his executory or advisory jurisdiction. His wise and +judicious administration rendered malice powerless, paralyzed slander +and left no loop for jealousy to hang upon.</p> + +<p>At the end of his term he retired to private life which he enjoyed until +1786 when he was again called to direct the destinies of his native +state. In 1789 President Washington appointed him Judge of the U. S. +District Court of Maryland which office he ably filled up to 1799 when +he was summoned to appear at the Bar of God to render an account of his +stewardship. He cheerfully obeyed the summons, launched his immortal +spirit on the ocean of eternity and disappeared from earth. He had lived +the life of the righteous—his last end was like his.</p> + +<p>Mr. Paca was a man of polished manners, plain and dignified in his +deportment with an intelligent and benignant countenance. His course in +life demonstrated clearly that moderation and mildness joined with +discretion and firmness govern more potently than authoritative +dictation. His memory is revered—let his examples be imitated.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="ROBERT_TREAT_PAINE" id="ROBERT_TREAT_PAINE"></a>ROBERT TREAT PAINE</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Virtue</span> affords the only sure foundation of a peaceful and happy +government. When the wicked rule corruption accumulates. Not that rulers +must be members of some visible church—but they should venerate +religion and be men of pure morals and political honesty. Disease +affects the body politic and produces dissolution with the same fearful +certainty that it destroys the physical powers of man. If the head is +disordered the whole heart is sick. If the political fountain becomes +polluted its dark and murky waters will rapidly impregnate every branch +of the body politic with their contagious miasma. The history of all +time proves the truth of this proposition. The passing events of the +present exciting era are fruitful with demonstrations of the baneful +effects of intrigue, peculation, political fanaticism and disunion.</p> + +<p>Without virtue our UNION will become a mere rope of sand—a spoil for +knaves and the sport of kings. Self-government will be an unsolved +enigma, rational liberty a paradox, a republic the scoff of monarchs. +With Argus eyes the crowned heads of Europe are watching our career and +embracing every opportunity to weaken our government. Each year of our +prosperous existence endangers their power. The Elysian story of our +liberty is enrapturing their subjects and preparing them for freedom. +The tenure by which they hold their thrones is becoming weaker as time +rolls onward. If we are true to ourselves, if virtue predominates—if +patriotism, discretion and an enlightened honest policy guide our +rulers—the American Republic will increase in beauty, strength and +grandeur and become the nucleus of Liberty for the world. Freemen! look +to this matter in time and nobly perform your whole duty. Obey the +precepts and imitate the examples of the Sages and Heroes who wisely +conceived and boldly achieved the Independence we now enjoy. They were +virtuous, many of them devotedly pious—all of them politically honest.</p> + +<p>Holding a conspicuous place among them was Robert Treat Paine, born at +Boston, Mass. in 1731. He was blessed with truly pious parents. His +father performed the duties of a clergyman until his health compelled +him to leave the sacred desk. He then commenced the mercantile business. +The mother of Robert was the daughter of the Rev. Robert Treat, an +eminent divine of Eastham. From these religious parents he imbibed those +virtuous principles that guided his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> course through life. Were there no +other blessings flowing from Christianity than its salutary influence +upon social order and harmony of society, mankind would be richly paid +for obeying its precepts. This consideration alone should close the +<i>mouth</i> of every infidel let the conclusions of his <i>mind</i> be what they +may with reference to its origin and reality. No other system has ever +been devised that confers as much happiness upon the greatest number.</p> + +<p>At an early age Robert Treat was placed in the classical school of Mr. +Lovell in Boston where his embryo talents expanded into a rich and +luxuriant growth. At the age of fourteen he entered Harvard College. +When he graduated his parents had become so reduced in circumstances as +to need pecuniary aid. To provide ways and means he at once commenced +teaching a public school—an occupation of more importance and dignity +than is generally awarded to it. When Greece and Rome +flourished—teaching took the front rank in professions. For a single +course in rhetoric, one hundred Athenean scholars paid Isocrates +fourteen thousand eight hundred dollars. It is not surprising that the +highest order of talent was employed to advance literature in Greece. +The same liberality would effect wonders in our country.</p> + +<p>From the avails of his school Mr. Paine supported his parents and a +maiden sister in poor health and at the same time pursued his +professional studies. He commenced theology but subsequently read and +entered upon a successful practice of law. For a time he continued at +the Boston Bar but ultimately settled at Taunton where he acquired a +substantial reputation as an active, sound and discreet lawyer. He +enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his numerous acquaintances and +became celebrated as an advocate. He was among the first to oppose the +innovations of the crown and promulge liberal principles. He was a +member of the Convention called by the citizens of Boston in 1768 to +devise measures for the preservation of their sacred rights and which +Governor Bernard vainly attempted to disperse before the members had +completed their deliberations. At the instance of Samuel Adams he was +employed to conduct the prosecution against Capt. Preston for ordering +his men to fire upon the people of Boston on the 5th of March 1770. Upon +that trial he exhibited great zeal and ability. During the accumulation +of the revolutionary storm he was uniformly in the conventions and upon +the important committees of the people. Many of the boldest resolutions +that were adopted came from his pen.</p> + +<p>In 1773 he was elected to the Assembly of his Province and was one of +the members who conducted the impeachment of Peter Oliver, then Chief +Justice, who was accused of acting under the dictation of the king<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> +instead of the Assembly. In the prosecution of that trial Mr. Paine +manifested strong talent and great professional skill. In 1774 he was +again returned to the Assembly and boldly warned the people against the +dangers to be apprehended from the appointment of Gov. Gage to succeed +Gov. Hutchinson. It was plain to his mind that the nefarious designs of +the British ministry were to be enforced by the bayonet unless the +people tamely submitted to slavery. An awful crisis was approaching. A +larger committee than at any previous time convened at Boston, which +proposed and urged the plan of a General Congress to be convened at +Philadelphia. Gov. Gage sent an order for them to disperse but his +orderly was refused admittance. Five delegates were appointed to meet +the General Congress of whom Mr. Paine was one. This measure was +originated in Massachusetts in 1765 and was strongly urged in a circular +in 1768. The set time to favor Liberty had now come. The galling yoke +had become painful—most of the colonies approved the plan. By the +originators of this proposition a separation from England was not +contemplated—a restoration of chartered rights was all that was asked +and this in the most loyal and respectful language. With this object in +view the Congress convened. When the delegates compared notes they were +astonished at the wide spread system of abuses that was on the flood +tide of advancement throughout the Colonies. Each had supposed his own +constituents most oppressed. Indignation increased but wisdom and +deliberation stamped every transaction with a manly dignity. The +proceedings were calm as a summer morning but firm as the rock of ages. +The delegates appealed to the king, to Parliament, to the British +nation, to the American people—to a gazing world for the justice of +their claims—the equity of their demands. But appeals were vain, cries +useless, remonstrances unheeded. They were answered by legions of +hireling troops in all the panoply of war with the shrill bugle grating +harshly upon the ear. They saw the glittering steel of the foe dazzling +in the sun beams. Open resistance or servile submission were the +alternatives.</p> + +<p>Mr. Paine was a member of the Provincial Congress convened in Concord, +Mass. in October 1774. He superintended the preparation of a spirited +address to the people of England which put many in the mother country +right and did much to rouse the Colonists to a just indignation towards +the overbearing ministry. In 1775 he was a member of the Continental +Congress and was placed upon many important committees. He was chairman +of the committee on the manufacture of arms and for furnishing the army. +He was indefatigable in his labors in the glorious cause of Liberty. He +often said—"I fear we shall become slaves because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> we are not +industrious enough to be free." Mr. Paine was one of the committee to +prepare a constitution for his native state and had the credit of +framing that instrument. In 1776 he was a member of the Continental +Congress. He was on the committee with Messrs. Jefferson and Rutledge +who prepared the rules that governed the action of that body. He was one +of the committee to inquire into the causes of the disasters of the +campaign in Canada. When the glorious 4th of July 1776 dawned upon +Columbia's sons like smiling Heaven and the Eagle of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> soared in +peerless majesty over their blood-stained soil—Mr. Paine was at his +post. With a buoyant heart and firm hand he wrote his name upon that +matchless instrument which is the consolation of freemen—the +consternation of tyrants.</p> + +<p>He did much to rouse his friends to action by his letters written in the +most happy style. In his native state he stood high in the temple of +fame—in Congress he was esteemed by all its members. He was continued +in that body for several years and when he could be spared served in the +legislature of his State. In 1777 he was speaker of the House of +Representatives. The same year he was appointed attorney-general by the +unanimous vote of both branches of the legislature. He was a prominent +member of the committee that formed the Act reducing the price of labor +and goods to a standard of equality. In 1779 he was elected to the +Executive Council. The numerous duties imposed upon him he discharged to +the satisfaction of his constituents. He was continued in the office of +attorney-general until 1790. He then declined in order to pursue some +more lucrative business to provide for the increasing wants of a large +and destitute family. He had expended all his earnings in the cause of +freedom but a scanty support. He was then appointed a judge of the +Superior Court. He continued on the bench until 1804 when ill health +compelled him to resign. He discharged his judicial duties with justice +and ability and did much to advance the interests of religion, social +order and a sound state of society. On his resignation he was appointed +a counsellor of the commonwealth and continued to impart his salutary +advice and shed around him a benign influence until the king of terrors +closed his useful career on the 11th of May 1814. Calm and resigned he +slept in death. He entered Jordan's flood with a full assurance of being +hailed with the joyful sentence—"Well done good and faithful servant, +enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." If the bright examples here +presented fail to benefit the reader his virtue and patriotism are +paralyzed.</p> + +<p>In the life of Judge Paine we have a picture which the Christian, +patriot, jurist and statesmen may contemplate with delightful pleasure.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> +Because he administered the laws strictly some called him harsh but no +one dared accuse him of injustice. His integrity was beyond the reach of +slander and the assaults of malice. From his solicitude to direct a +wayward son in the paths of rectitude he was reported unkind to his +family. The tale was as false as the heart was base that originated it. +He was all kindness and affection. His anxiety for the welfare and +usefulness of this very son is proof of the deepest paternal regard. He +was a friend to common school education and the sciences. He was the +founder of the American Academy of Massachusetts in 1780. The degree of +LL.D. was conferred upon him by the Cambridge University.</p> + +<p>Mr. Paine was a striking example of the happy results of perseverance +and industry. He became greatly useful and acquired his fame without the +aid of patrons in early life—rising by his own exertions and supplying +the wants of his destitute and aged parents to the day of their death. +His career in public and private life was marked with the purest +integrity, the loftiest patriotism, the strictest morality, the most +refined consistency and the most exemplary piety. His life was a +continued round of usefulness—his labors a blessing to mankind—his +death a loss that was keenly felt by his personal friends and the nation +at large. A review of his bright examples affords the highest eulogy +that can be pronounced upon his character. They will be held in +veneration to the remotest period of truth-telling time by all who +revere virtue and love Liberty.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOHN_PENN" id="JOHN_PENN"></a>JOHN PENN.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A federal</span> republican government is an unlimited partnership of the +noblest character. Based upon an equality of original representative +stock, an equality of interest in the welfare of the firm devolves upon +each individual of the compact. Unlike monopolizing corporations that +often make the poor poorer and the rich richer—each stockholder has a +right to speak, vote and act upon all questions in primary meetings +irrespective of the number of shares held. The specie of the firm +consists in equality of representation, natural rights, protection in +person, properly and freedom. These precious coins cannot be diminished +in quantity or reduced in quality by alloy without courting danger. To +aid in preserving them pure is the duty of <i>all</i> and should not be +entrusted to the aspiring <i>few</i>. Separately and collectively each and +the whole are solemnly bound to pursue all honourable means to ad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>vance +the general good. Each one is bound to bring every talent into use—to +leave none in the dark quarry of ignorance, the quagmire of negligence +or to rust by inertness. The unfaithful steward that had but one talent +was condemned because he did not put it to use. Who can tell what his +talents are until he brings them to the light? Rich ores often lie deep. +Many men have passed their majority without rising to mediocrity in +point of developed intellect and have then suddenly risen, like a +blazing meteor and illuminated the world. By several of the signers of +the Declaration of Independence this was beautifully demonstrated.</p> + +<p>Among these was John Penn, born in Caroline county, Virginia, the 17th +of May 1741. He was the only child of Moses Penn who married Catharine, +the daughter of John Taylor. The education of the son was confined to +the commonest of common schools—the only kind then in his +neighbourhood. A little learning has been called a dangerous thing but +the amount taught in some common schools at the present era of light is +too small to be dangerous—too limited to do much good. The most +important branch of the education of that era his parents attended to +themselves. By example and precept they taught him the principles of +religion, social virtue and moral honesty. Upon a farm young Penn +labored with his sire who had but few books and did not desire more. +When John was but eighteen years of age his father died and left him a +small fortune. He had an increasing thirst for knowledge but no library +fountain at which he could drink and drink again until he should have +within himself a living stream of mental light. He communicated his +ardent desire to improve his education to his neighbor and relative, +Edmund Pendleton who was a profound lawyer and an able statesman. +Convinced that young Penn possessed strong native talent he made him +welcome to his valuable library and became deeply interested in his +improvement. After exploring the fields of general science this young +philomath commenced the study of law with his relative and brought out +mental ores from his long neglected intellectual quarry of a rare and +rich variety. Mr. Pendleton was delighted with his pupil and the <i>pupil</i> +delighted in pleasing him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Penn surmounted the barriers that lay before him with an astonishing +rapidity. Before some of his friends supposed he had mastered the +elementary principles of Blackstone he presented himself at the court +for examination—was admitted to the Bar and at once exhibited the +bright plumage of a successful lawyer. But three years previous his now +soaring talents were buried deep in their native quarry—un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>known and +unsuspected—a strong admonition to every reader under similar +circumstances to examine closely the quarry of his own immortal mind. +The professional eminence of Mr. Penn rose as rapidly as his appearance +in the forum was surprising. He gained the confidence of the community, +the respect of the courts and the esteem of his senior brethren. In 1763 +he doubled his original stock in the firm of the social compact by +leading to the hymenial altar the amiable and accomplished Susannah +Lyme—thus avoiding the hyemal frost that creeps chillingly over lonely +bachelors.</p> + +<p>In 1774 Mr. Penn removed to North Carolina. Carrying with him a high +legal reputation he soon obtained a lucrative practice. He had +participated largely in the patriotic feelings that were spreading over +the Colonies like an autumn fire on a prairie. He had fully imbibed the +principles of his venerable preceptor who was one of the boldest of the +bold Virginians in the vindication of chartered rights and was a member +of the general Congress of 1774. The liberal views and splendid talents +of Mr. Penn were soon appreciated by his new acquaintances. On the 8th +of September 1775 he was appointed to the Continental Congress and +repaired to the post of duty and honor the ensuing month. He became an +active and prominent member of that venerated assembly of sages whose +wisdom, sagacity and intelligence emblazoned the historic page with a +new and more brilliant lustre. He served on numerous committees and +acquitted himself with great credit in the discharge of every duty that +devolved upon him. In the committee room, in the House, among the +people—in every situation in which he moved he made the cause of +liberty his primary business. So highly were his services appreciated by +his constituents that they continued him in Congress until the +accumulating dangers that were threatening his own state induced him to +decline a re-election in 1779. He was an early and warm supporter of the +Declaration of Independence. When the joyful day arrived to take the +final question he most cheerfully and boldly sustained it by his vote +and signature—enrolling his name with the brightest constellation of +illustrious statesmen that ever illuminated a legislative chamber.</p> + +<p>South Carolina had been devastated by Lord Cornwallis who was preparing +to carry destruction to North Carolina. Emissaries from the British were +already within its precincts to prepare the way for the triumphant entry +of the cruel foe. Already had the friends of royal power received +instructions to seize the most prominent whigs and the military stores +with an assurance of immediate support. The cruelties that had been +practised in South Carolina carried terror to all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> but hearts of oak. +The sacrifice of Col. Hayne at Charleston in that state, will give the +reader a faint idea of the spirit of demoniac revenge that characterized +some of the refined and christianized British officers.</p> + +<p>When that city fell into his hands, Lord Cornwallis issued a +proclamation promising all who would desist from opposing the authority +of the king the most sacred protection of person and property on +condition that each should sign an instrument of neutrality which +obligated the signers not to take up arms against the mother country and +exonerated them from serving against their own. Being a prisoner and +separated from his wife and six small children then residing in the +country—his lady confined with the small pox—Col. Hayne finally signed +the fatal instrument with great reluctance upon the solemn assurance of +the highly civilized and professedly christianized English officers and +James Simpson—intendant of British police, that he should never be +required to bear arms in support of the crown. Like Bishop Cranmer, Col. +Hayne subscribed to that which his soul detested that he might fly to +the relief of his suffering family. As in the case of Bishop Cranmer his +enemies pursued him with a relentless persecution that nothing but death +could allay—a persecution that would have made the untutored Indian +shudder at broken faith and weep tears of blood over violated vows. It +was a total disregard of law, justice and humanity.</p> + +<p>Soon after his return to his dying wife and little ones the British +called at his house and ordered him into the army of the mother country +and threatened him with close confinement if he refused. In vain he +referred them to the conditions upon which he so reluctantly signed the +article of neutrality. In vain he claimed protection under the +provincial militia law that imposed a fine when a citizen chose not to +render personal service. To his relentless oppressors all was a dead +letter. He pointed them to the wife of his bosom—the mother of his +children—sinking under the small pox and rapidly approaching another +world. Their sympathy was sealed—their compassion frozen up. In a few +short hours Mrs. Hayne closed her eyes in death. She rested in peace. A +different fate was in reserve for the afflicted husband. The order to +enter the British army must be obeyed or immediate imprisonment would +follow. By the violation of the pledges made to him on their part he +correctly considered himself absolved from all obligations to the +officers of the crown. He at once entered the American army, preferring +death to the ranks of the invaders. A brilliant but short career in the +service of his country awaited him. He was soon made a prisoner and sent +to Charleston where Lord Rawdon, a general of his most <i>Christian</i> +majesty, loaded him with irons—submitted him to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> a mock trial—<i>ex +parte</i> in its proceedings and conclusions—based on revenge and cruelty, +resolved on the speedy and ignominious death of his victim. Col. Hayne +was sentenced to be hung. Amazement and dismay, indignation and surprise +were strongly manifested by all classes. A large proportion of the +friends of the crown deemed the transaction a species of murder. A +petition—headed by the royal governor and numerously signed by persons +of high standing who still adhered to the mother country was presented +to Lord Rawdon in behalf of the unfortunate prisoner but all in vain.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="noin"> +"Still revenge sat brooding on his dark and sullen brow<br /> + And the grim fiends of hell urged his soul on to murder."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The ladies of Charleston—wives and daughters of royalists and whigs, +then united in a petition couched in the most moving language—praying +that the life of Col. Hayne might be spared. This met with a cold +reception and peremptory refusal. As a last effort to rescue their +father from the gallows—his infant children, dressed in deep mourning +and bathed in tears, were led before Lord Rawdon. Upon their knees, with +their suffused eyes fixed upon him, they addressed the monster in a +strain of heart-moving eloquence that none but infant innocents can +express—none but fiends resist. "<i>Our mother is dead—spare! O! spare +our dear father!!!</i></p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="noin">"But still he stood unmoved,<br /> + Hard as the adamantine rock,<br /> + Dark as a sullen cloud before the sun."</p></blockquote> + +<p>So melting was this scene that veteran soldiers wept aloud and all were +astounded at the demoniac course of the blood thirsty and relentless +Rawdon. A request was then made that Col. Hayne might be permitted to +die as a military officer and not hung as a felon. This was also denied. +As a devout Christian the martyr resigned himself to his cruel fate and +prepared his mind for the approaching crisis. His little son was +permitted to visit him in prison. When he saw his father loaded with +irons he burst into tears. The parent remarked to him, "Why will you +break my heart with unavailing sorrow? Have I not often told you that we +came into this world to prepare for a better? For that better life, dear +boy, your father is prepared. Instead of weeping, rejoice with me that +my troubles are so near an end. To-morrow I set out for immortality. +When I am dead bury me by the side of your mother." No imagination can +fully conceive—no fancy can truly paint—no pen clearly portray, no +language can half express the heart rending reality of that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> last sad +interview between the father and his son. When upon the fatal drop with +the accursed halter around his neck—Col. Hayne shook hands with his +friends—bade them an affectionate farewell—urged them to persevere in +the glorious cause of freedom—recommended his children to the +protection of three gentlemen present and the next moment was struggling +in death. The sight was too much for his son—his brain became +disordered—his reason fled—he died insane. With his expiring breath he +faintly whispered—"<i>My mother is dead!—Spare! O! spare my dear +father!!!</i>"</p> + +<p>Fortunately for North Carolina the efficient and sagacious Greene with +his brave officers and half clad soldiers checked the triumphant and +murderous career of the British army. The operations of this brave +General were greatly accelerated by Mr. Penn. In 1780, when Lord +Cornwallis penetrated the western part of the state to Charlottetown, +the crisis became alarming and this bold patriot was placed at the helm +of public affairs with almost unlimited power. He was authorized to +seize supplies by force and do all things that he deemed necessary to +repel the invading foe. He proved equal to the emergency. He knew his +duty and performed it with such discretion and prudence that no +complaints of injustice were heard. The state was saved from a merciless +enemy—Tarleton was humbled—Ferguson killed and Cornwallis put on his +back track at double quick time.</p> + +<p>After discharging the duties imposed by his own state Mr. Penn retired +to private life and the pursuit of his profession. In 1784 he was +appointed Receiver of Taxes for North Carolina—a high encomium upon his +reputation for integrity. Fatigued with public service he resigned this +office in a few months. He then bid a final farewell to the perplexing +duties of political life and took his exit from the public arena decked +with a civic wreath of unfading honor. He again entered into the +soul-cheering enjoyments of domestic felicity which were soon exchanged +for those of another and brighter world. In September 1788 he was +gathered to his fathers and laid in the silent tomb there to await the +resurrection of the great day. He was cut down just as he began to enjoy +the fruits of his labors—in the prime of life and left a vacuum in +society not readily filled. His grave was moistened with tears—a nation +mourned his loss.</p> + +<p>In all the relations of private life and public action Mr. Penn was a +model of rare perfection. As a counsellor and advocate he stood on a +commanding eminence. His forensic eloquence was strongly pathetic. The +court and jury were often suffused with tears when listening to his +appeals. As a patriot and statesman he stood approved by his country.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> +His disposition was mild and benevolent—his purposes pure and firm. He +was a good and honest man. Let the young men who are just stepping on +the stage of action imitate John Penn in his successful efforts to be +useful. Banish the doctrine that power shall be monopolized by a few. +This principle should never gain credence in a republican government +where every individual is equally interested in the cardinal points of +freedom—<i>personal liberty equally secured—personal rights equally +enjoyed</i>. So long as these points are fully exemplified our UNION is +safe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOSIAH_QUINCY" id="JOSIAH_QUINCY"></a>JOSIAH QUINCY.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> magic power of the press cannot be too highly appreciated nor its +abuses too deeply deprecated. The newspapers of the day have become the +controlling power of public opinion. No course of reading so fully +presents the present aspect of society. Were all our editors governed by +lofty patriotism, sound logic, strict justice, enlarged philanthropy, +universal charity, moral courage, sterling integrity and undeviating +courtesy—a harmonious tone would be given to community that would usher +in the day-spring of transporting harmony. But few of the editorial +corps seem to feel the high responsibility resting upon them. Too many +are the automatons of political parties and issue sheets not calculated +to improve the mind, correct the head or better the heart. The politics +of the present day have become disgusting to genuine patriots who deem +the good of their country paramount to party triumph. Demagogues discard +the old landmarks of '76. Many of our laws are based upon party +principles without reference to the good of our country—a very sandy +foundation. Let editors banish all party control and venality from the +press and send forth rays of living light that will purify our political +and moral atmosphere—then our government will be healthful, vigorous +and strong.</p> + +<p>The silken cords of our Union have been strained to their utmost tension +several times. We have an accumulating mass of combustible materials in +our midst. Our bond of Union has been put at issue by the meddlesome and +sensitive—the fanaticism of the one part and the boiling passions of +the other are encouraged by demagogues—the virtue of the people can +alone preserve it. A little more steam upon the locomotive of +disunion—a little more fuel from the north and fire from the south may +burst the boiler and destroy the beautiful engine of our <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. More +than any other class—editors can insure the perpetuity of our UNION. +Let conductors of the public press soar above all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> selfish and demagogue +influences and become shining examples of purity in the broadest sense +of the term. Then our tree of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> will continue to rise in majesty +sublime and as it towers upward will send forth flashes of light upon +the oppressed millions of the old world who will yet rise in all the +might of their native dignity—demolish the thrones of monarchs—sing +the requiem of tyrants and strike for <span class="smcap">freedom</span>—the crowning glory of +man.</p> + +<p>All the patriots of the American Revolution whose opinions we know, +deprecated the venality of the press. Among the pioneer sages was Josiah +Quincy who was born in Boston, Mass. in 1745. In childhood he manifested +unusual talents which were highly cultivated in Harvard College where he +graduated with high honors. He then read law and became an ornament to +the Boston bar. His eloquence was of that commanding kind that at once +rivets the attention of an audience. His logic was forcible, his +demonstrations clear, his arguments convincing, his conclusions happy, +his action captivating. A bright career was apparently before him which +gave promise of extensive usefulness to his country and honor to +himself.</p> + +<p>He was among the first to espouse the cause of the oppressed Colonies. +He was one of the boldest champions of the people. He had their +confidence, esteem and admiration. Although surrounded and threatened by +the myrmidons of the crown he fearlessly and publicly opposed the +unrighteous pretensions of the British ministry. He lucidly pointed out +the various innovations upon chartered rights that had become sacred by +long enjoyment and repeatedly sanctioned by declaratory Acts of +Parliament. Had the colonists tamely surrendered them they would have +been unworthy of the rights of freemen. Thank God—they did not +surrender them. Anxious to maintain them peaceably, they sent Mr. Quincy +to England in 1774 for the purpose of reconciling, existing +difficulties. Among the people he found many who deprecated the course +of ministers—a respectable minority of the eminent British statesmen +considered the advisers of the king visionary in their +plans—unreasonable in their demands. Finding that mother Britain was +madly bent on ruin Mr. Quincy left for his native land. He reached Cape +Ann Harbor on the 25th of April 1775 and died the same day deeply +mourned by a nation just bursting into life.</p> + +<p>His course was brilliant but transient. Like some rich flowers that +bloom at distant periods only for a short time—so bloomed this +distinguished patriot—then disappeared for ever from the human gaze. He +bloomed long enough to richly perfume the atmosphere of patriotism +around him and rouse those to action who inhaled the rich perfumes of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> +<span class="smcap">Liberty</span> emitted from his noble soul. With such men as Josiah Quincy our +Press would be pure—our UNION safe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="GEORGE_READ" id="GEORGE_READ"></a>GEORGE READ.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> an individual is presented with both horns of the dilemma—Liberty +or slavery—the one to be obtained with blood—the other a tame +submission to chains—if he is worthy the name of <span class="smcap">man</span>—his mental and +physical powers are at once roused to action. He does not stop to +explore the avenues of obtuse metaphysics, speculative dogmas or +fastidious etiquette. He flies to first principles and strains his +reason and genius to their utmost tension to aid him. He puts forth his +mightiest efforts—boldest exertions—strongest energies to extricate +himself from surrounding difficulties—impending dangers. He performs +astonishing feats rather than become a serf and surmounts the +cloud-capped summit of an Alpine barrier that he would have never +reached under ordinary circumstances.</p> + +<p>The same proposition may be extended to a nation. The history of the +American Revolution demonstrates it most clearly. The colonists were +placed upon the piercing horns of an awful dilemma—apparently doomed to +slavery or death. By their unparalleled efforts, crowned with the +blessing of God, they were ultimately delivered from their perilous +situation and survived the gores and bruises received in the unequal +conflict. This was effected by men of strong intellect, clear heads, +good hearts and sound judgments—men of strong moral courage who could +reason, plan, execute. The <i>flowers</i> of literature were not then culled +to form a <ins class="correct" title="boquet">bouquet</ins> for legislative halls. Plain common sense, sterling +worth, useful knowledge, practical theorems, honesty of purpose, energy +of action—all based upon pure patriotism and love of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> were the +grand requisites to ensure popular favor.</p> + +<p>All those were concentrated in George Read who was the son of John Read +a wealthy and respectable planter who came from Dublin, Ireland and +located in Cecil County, Maryland, where George was born in 1734. The +father subsequently removed to Newcastle County, Delaware and placed +this son in a school at Chester, Pennsylvania, where he received his +primary tuition. From there he was transferred to the seminary of Rev. +Dr. Allison who was eminently qualified to mould the mind for usefulness +by imparting correct and liberal principles, practical knowledge and +general intelligence fit for every day use—combining the whole with +refined classics and polite literature. Under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> this accomplished teacher +Mr. Read completed his education and at the age of seventeen commenced +the study of law under John Moland a distinguished member of the +Philadelphia bar. So astonishing was his proficiency that he was +admitted to the practice of his profession at the age of nineteen with a +better knowledge of the elements of law than some practitioners obtain +through life. He was also well prepared to enter upon the practice of +his profession, having had the entire charge of Mr. Moland's business +for several months. He was one of those rare geniuses that seemed +endowed with intuition.</p> + +<p>He commenced a successful practice at Newcastle in 1754 and at once +grappled with old and experienced counsellors. His thorough knowledge of +the primary principles of law, his acuteness in pleading, his urbanity +of manners, his noble and courteous bearing in court, gained for him the +esteem and confidence of the judges, his senior brethren and of the +community. As a natural consequence his practice soon became lucrative. +His forte did not consist in a flowery show but in a deep-toned and +grave forensic eloquence that informs the understanding and carries +conviction to the mind. He rarely appealed to the passions of court or +jury—preferring to stand upon the legitimate basis of the law clearly +expounded—the testimony honestly stated.</p> + +<p>On the 13th of April 1763 he was appointed Attorney General for the +three lower counties of Delaware and held the office until called to the +duties of legislation. The same year he led to the hymeneal altar an +amiable, pious and accomplished daughter of the Rev. George Ross of +Newcastle—thus adding largely to the stake he held in the welfare of +his country—enhancing his earthly joys and giving him an influence and +rank in society unknown to lonely bachelors. She fully supplied the +vacuum abhorred by nature and proved a consolation to him amidst the +toils, perils, pains and pleasures of subsequent life.</p> + +<p>Mr. Read was a republican to the core. From the commencement to the +close of the Revolution he was a bold and unyielding advocate of equal +rights and liberal principles. When the questions in dispute assumed the +form of serious discussion between the two countries he at once resigned +the office of Attorney General held under the crown. In 1765 he was +elected a member of the Delaware Assembly and was instrumental in laying +deep the foundations of the superstructure of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. He was prudent, +calm and discreet in all his actions—but firm, bold and resolute. He +was a member of the committee of the Delaware Assembly that so ably +addressed the king upon the subject of grievances and redress. He was in +favor of exhausting the magazine of petition and remonstrance—if to no +purpose then to replenish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> with powder and ball. He did not nor did any +of the Signers of the Declaration originally contemplate a dissolution +of the ties that bound the Colonies to the mother country. They could +not believe until "the death" forced the truth upon them—that ministers +would commit political suicide. This done, as Americans are proverbial +for humanity and decency the compound <i>felo de se</i> was interred with a +calm dignified solemnity.</p> + +<p>Mr. Read and his coadjutors understood the rights secured by Magna +Charta and the Constitution of England and knew that those rights were +trampled upon by the hirelings of the crown. To vindicate them was his +firm resolve. He knew and weighed well the superior physical powers of +the oppressors but he believed the majesty of eternal justice and the +kind aid of Heaven would be vouchsafed to sustain the patriots in their +struggle to sustain their inalienable rights. He believed the project of +taxation without representation to pamper royal corruption to be so +heinous that the scheme would be crushed by the blighting curse of an +offended Deity. Nor did he err in his reasonable conclusions. That curse +came with the force of a sweeping avalanche—British power was +annihilated in America.</p> + +<p>On the 17th of August 1769 he published an appeal to his constituents, +calling upon them to resist the encroachments of tyranny. Its language +was bold and forcible, portraying in colors deep and strong their rights +and wrongs, pointing out the path of duty so plain that a tory need not +have erred therein. This talismanic production sealed the fate of +British power in patriotic Delaware—small in size but a giant in +action. The hirelings of the crown saw the writing upon many walls and +were suddenly attacked with a Belshazzar tremor and found no balance in +America to restore an equilibrium.</p> + +<p>Mr. Read sanctioned the various non-importation resolutions passed by +his own and other Colonies. This was the first measure adopted to +negative the designs of ministers by refraining from the use of all +taxable articles whether of luxuries or daily consumption. Had the +colonists not presented so bold a front at the onset the non-importation +resolutions would have probably been paralyzed by an Act of Parliament +compelling them to use the taxable articles in quantities so large that +the accruing revenue would have enabled the cabinet to revel in +profligacy.</p> + +<p>He was chairman of the committee of twelve appointed by the people of +Newcastle on the 29th of June 1774 to obtain subscriptions for the +Boston sufferers, then writhing under the lash of the infamous Port Bill +passed by Parliament for the purpose of chastising the refractory +"re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>bels" of that patriotic city. In February following he had the +exquisite pleasure of remitting nine hundred dollars to them. The +receipt was eloquently acknowledged by Samuel Adams who was one of his +faithful correspondents.</p> + +<p>Mr. Read was a member of the Congress of 1774 and continued a member +during the Revolution. He was also President of the Convention that +formed the first Constitution of Delaware in 1776. He was a member of +the Delaware Assembly for twelve years in succession and a portion of +that time Vice President of the state. In the autumn of 1777 President +M'Kinley fell into the hands of the enemy which compelled Mr. Read to +leave Congress for a season and perform the duties of Chief Magistrate +of his state. On his way home with his family he was compelled to pass +through Jersey. In crossing the Delaware from Salem his boat was +discovered by those on board the British fleet then lying just below. An +armed barge was sent in pursuit. Mr. Read's boat stuck in the mud and +was soon overtaken. By effacing the marks upon his baggage before he was +boarded and having with him his wife and children he convinced those +from the fleet he was a country gentleman on his way to his farm and +solicited their assistance to put him and his family on shore. They +cheerfully complied with his request and landed him and his precious +charge safely on the Delaware side of the river. The open frankness and +calmness of himself and lady saved them from the horrors of a +prison-ship and probably him from an exhibition upon the yard-arm of a +man of war.</p> + +<p>The duties of Chief Magistrate of his state were very imposing at that +time. Internal <ins class="correct" title="disscusions">discussions</ins> were to be reconciled—an intercourse by many +of the inhabitants with the British fleet to be broken up—ways and +means for his own and the general government to be provided and some +plan devised to procure the release of the President. A conquering foe +was flushed with victory in all directions. In the midst of all these +perils he stood firmly at the helm and outrode every storm. He proved +equal to every emergency and added fresh lustre to his growing fame.</p> + +<p>When the Declaration of Independence was under discussion he believed +the measure premature but when adopted he cheerfully placed his name on +this monument of fame. In 1779 ill health compelled him to retire from +the public arena for a year when he again resumed his legislative +duties. In 1782 he was appointed a judge of appeals in the Court of +Admiralty. In 1785 he was one of the commissioners to settle the +boundary line between New York and Massachusetts. The next year he was a +delegate to the convention of states convened at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> Annapolis to regulate +the Commerce of the Union. In 1787 he was one of that talented +convention that framed the Federal Constitution. He was a Senator in the +first Congress convened under that Constitution and served six years. He +was Chief Justice of Delaware from 1793 to the time of his death. Upon +the Bench he had few equals and no superior. In all these responsible +stations he acquitted himself nobly and did honor to his country and the +cause of rational freedom.</p> + +<p>The person of Mr. Read was above the middle size, well formed with a +commanding and agreeable deportment. He was scrupulously honest, rigidly +just. When he arrived at his majority he assigned his portion of the +paternal estate to his brothers, deeming the expenses of his education +equivalent to his share. He was systematic even in the smallest concerns +of life. He abhorred vice of every kind. He enjoyed a good health in his +old age up to the autumn of 1798 when, after a sudden and short illness, +he closed his eyes on terrestrial scenes and resigned his spirit into +the hands of the wise Disposer of all events.</p> + +<p>As a civilian, statesman, magistrate, patriot, philanthropist, +gentleman, husband, father, citizen and public benefactor—George Read +was a model worthy of all admiration and the exactest imitation. All who +imitate his noble career will go for the UNION forever.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="CAESAR_RODNEY" id="CAESAR_RODNEY"></a>CÆSAR RODNEY.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Genealogy</span> was once a kind of titular idol held in great veneration. The +biographer made it his first stepping-stone—one of the main pillars of +his superstructure. In countries where the iron sceptre of monarchy is +still swayed—where titles of honor create lineal dignity without regard +to merit—where blood is analyzed by political chemistry and all the +precipitants are rejected but the carbonate of noble and royal +pedigree—where the crown descends upon a <i>non compos mentis</i> incumbent +with the same certainty that it reaches a man of good +intellect—genealogy is still measurably the criterion by which to +determine the importance and weight of character. As light and +intelligence shed their benignant rays upon mankind the deference paid +to this titular phantom will be diminished. Where rational liberty +reigns triumphant merit alone creates dignity. The man is measured by +his actions—not by the purple fluid in his veins or conduct of his +relations. In our free country genealogy is a matter of curiosity—not +of veneration. The son of a coal cracker or cobbler can rise to the +highest station within the gift of the people by the force of talent and +merit. I am aware that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> aristocracy of wealth is a noxious weed that +spreads its deleterious branches through our cities and large towns but +not yet so widely and luxuriant as to prevent merit and genius from +acquiring a rapid and healthful growth. In times of danger and peril its +power will be lessened in the same ratio that these increase. In an +atmosphere purely republican it withers and dies.</p> + +<p>But few families in these United States can trace their ancestors so far +back as the Rodneys of Delaware. They came into England with the Norman +queen Maud [Matilda] in 1141 and were among the bravest military +chieftains who led in the Norman conquest. At all subsequent periods +they were prominent in directing the destinies of Britain. To those who +are conversant with the history of the various periods of public +commotion in that kingdom—the name of Sir Walter de Rodney is familiar, +with many others of the same lineage. They were able in council and war. +They were conspicuous in the civil, military and naval departments and +received the highest honors that could be awarded to their rank by kings +and queens. They were marked for magnanimity and liberal views.</p> + +<p>Under the auspices of William Penn William Rodney came to Philadelphia +who was a branch of this ancient family. He was the son of William +Rodney of England and settled in Kent, Delaware. His mother, Alice, was +the daughter of Sir Thomas Cæsar a wealthy English merchant. William +Rodney left one son, Cæsar, who was the father of the subject of this +biographette. This son was born at Dover, Kent county, Delaware in 1730. +He received a good education and inherited a large real estate from his +father. He possessed a strong and penetrating mind, firmness of purpose, +decision of character, an abundant share of keen wit and good humor, a +large stock of experimental intelligence and practical knowledge with +discretion to know how, when and where to bring these important +qualities into action. With endowment's like those Mr. Rodney spread his +canvass to the popular breeze and commenced his voyage of public life. +His cabin stores were purely republican and liberal in quantity.</p> + +<p>In 1758 he became high sheriff of his native county and discharged his +duties in a manner that gained for him the confidence and esteem of the +citizens generally. At the expiration of his term he was appointed a +Justice of the Peace and a judge of the lower courts. In October 1762 he +took his seat in the Legislature at Newcastle and became an active and +influential member. He was one of the committee that prepared the answer +to the message of the governor and was on other important committees. At +the close of the session he was put in possession of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> great seal to +be affixed to the laws that had been passed at that term.</p> + +<p>When the rights of the Colonies were infringed by assumptions of +arrogated power on the part of mother Britain, Mr. Rodney was among the +first who took a bold stand in favor of justice. He was a member of the +Congress that convened at New York in 1765 to remonstrate against the +Stamp Act and other threatened innovations upon the privileges of the +Colonies that had been long enjoyed and were guarantied by the social +compact between the king of Great Britain and his "dutiful and most +loyal subjects in America." After the Stamp Act was repealed Messrs. +Rodney, M'Kean and Read were appointed a committee to prepare an address +to the king expressive of the joy produced throughout the Colony by this +event. It is substantially the same as those prepared by the other +Colonies and shows clearly the feelings of loyalty that pervaded the +people at that time. The following is the body of the address.</p> + +<p>"We cannot help glorying in being the subjects of a king that has made +the preservation of the civil and religious rights of his people and the +established constitution the foundation and constant rule of government +and the safety, ease and prosperity of his people his chiefest care—of +a king whose mild and equal administration is sensibly fell and enjoyed +in the remotest part of his dominions. The clouds which lately hung over +America are dissipated. Our complaints have been heard and our +grievances redressed—trade and commerce again flourish. Our hearts are +animated with the warmest wishes for the prosperity of the mother +country for which our affection is unbounded and your faithful subjects +here are transported with joy and gratitude. Such are the blessings we +may justly expect will ever attend the measures of your Majesty pursuing +steadily the united and true interests of all your people throughout +your wide extended empire assisted with the advice and support of a +British Parliament and a virtuous and wise ministry. We most humbly +beseech your Majesty graciously to accept the strongest assurances that +having the justest sense of the many favors we have received from your +royal benevolence during the course of your majesty's reign and how much +of our present happiness is owing to your paternal love and care for +your people. We will at all times most cheerfully contribute to your +majesty's service to the utmost of our abilities when your royal +requisitions, as heretofore, shall be made known—that your majesty will +always find such returns of duty and gratitude from us as the best of +kings may expect from the most loyal subjects and that we will +demonstrate to all the world that the support of your majesty's +government and the honor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> and interests of the British nation are our +chief care and concern, desiring nothing more than the continuance of +your wise and excellent constitution in the same happy, firm and envied +situation in which it was delivered to us from our ancestors and your +majesty's predecessors."</p> + +<p>With the feelings expressed in this address the conclusion is +irresistible that nothing but the most cruel oppressions could have +driven the American people to a revolution. A similar expression of +feeling was sent to the king from all the Colonies.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="noin">"Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad."</p></blockquote> + +<p>So with the British ministry—they were madly bent on reducing their +American brethren to unconditional subjection and after a short interval +commenced a system of oppression upon a broader, bolder scale. Again the +people appealed to their king—but appealed in vain. Mr. Rodney was upon +the committee that prepared a second address to his majesty just before +the Revolution in the following language:</p> + +<p>"The sense of our deplorable condition will, we hope, plead with your +majesty in our behalf for the freedom we take in dutifully remonstrating +against the proceedings of a British Parliament—confessedly the wisest +and greatest assembly upon earth. But if our fellow subjects of Great +Britain, who derive no authority from us, who cannot, in our humble +opinion, represent us and to whom we will not yield in loyalty and +affection to your majesty, can, at their will and pleasure, of right +give and grant away our property—if they can enforce an implicit +obedience to every order or act of theirs for that purpose and deprive +all or any of the Assemblies on this continent of the power of +legislation for differing with them in opinion in matters which +intimately affect their rights and interests and everything that is dear +and valuable to Englishmen—we cannot imagine a case more miserable—we +cannot think we shall have the shadow of Liberty left. We conceive it to +be an inherent right in your majesty's subjects, derived to them from +God and nature—handed down by their ancestors—confirmed by your royal +predecessors and the constitution, in person or by their +representatives, to give and to grant to their sovereign those things +which their own labor and their own cares have acquired and saved and in +such proportions and at such times as the national honor and interest +may require. Your majesty's faithful subjects of this government have +enjoyed this inestimable privilege uninterrupted, from its first +existence till of late. They have at all times cheerfully contributed to +the utmost of their abilities for your majesty's service as often as +your royal requisition was made known and they cannot, but with the +greatest uneasiness and distress of mind, part with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> the power of +demonstrating their loyalty and affection for their beloved king."</p> + +<p>Addresses similar to this were laid before the king from all the +Colonies and from the Congress of 1774. The struggle between loyal +affection and a submission to wrongs was truly agonizing. This affection +and the physical weakness of the Colonies are proof strong as holy writ +that British oppression was raised to the zenith of cruelty. The history +of the American Revolution should be a striking lesson in all future +time to those in power not to draw the cords of authority too tightly. +It affords a cheering example to all persons to resist every +encroachment upon their liberty.</p> + +<p>In 1769 Mr. Rodney was chosen speaker of the Assembly of Delaware and +continued to fill the chair for several years with honor and dignity. +Among other things he introduced an amendment to a bill relative to +slaves, prohibiting their importation into the Colony. So ably did he +advocate this humane proposition that it was lost only by two votes. The +same philanthropic feeling was increasing through the states until +England, by her emissary Dr. Thompson, sowed the seeds of abolition +broadcast in our country for the express purpose of dissolving our UNION +and of destroying the only republic Europe fears. Digging around the +roots of a decaying tree often revives it. Honest men may err.</p> + +<p>As the specks of war began to concentrate Mr. Rodney became one of the +most active opposers of British tyranny. Excepting a short interval he +was a member of Congress from 1774 to 1776 and took a conspicuous part +in the general business and discussions of that august body. In his own +province he had much to do. The royal attachments were deeply rooted. It +required greater exertions to thwart the intrigues of foes within than +to repel the attacks of enemies without. In addition to his duties of +speaker of the Delaware Assembly and member of Congress those of +brigadier-general of militia devolved on him. His numerous messages to +his legislature and letters to his officers urging them to decisive +action manifested great industry, clearness of perception, firmness of +purpose and patriotic zeal. He was in favor of the Declaration of +Independence from its first inception. The day previous to the final +decision upon this important measure he was in Delaware devising means +to arrest the career of certain Tories in the lower end of the province. +Mr. McKean informed him by express of the approaching crisis. He +immediately mounted his horse and arrived at Philadelphia just in time +to dismount and enter the hall of Congress and give his vote for <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> +and affix his name to that bold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> instrument that dissolved allegiance to +England's king and created a compact of freemen.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1776 the Tories defeated his election to Congress. With +increasing zeal he entered the field of military operations. He repaired +to Princeton soon after the brave Haslet and Mercer fell, fighting for +the cause of justice and freedom. He remained with the army two months +and received the approval of Washington expressed in the following +letter written from Morristown, N. J. on the 18th of February 1777.</p> + +<p>"The readiness with which you took the field at the period most critical +to our affairs—the industry you used in bringing out the militia of +Delaware State and the alertness observed by you in forwarding troops to +Trenton—reflect the highest honor on your character and place your +attachment to the cause in the most distinguished point of view. They +claim my sincerest thanks and I am happy in this opportunity in giving +them to you."</p> + +<p>On his return he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court organized +under the new order of things. He declined serving believing he could be +more useful in some other sphere. About that time an open insurrection +broke out in Sussex County in his State. He immediately repaired to the +scene of insubordination and quelled it with only the appearance of +force. At the time the British were preparing to march from the +Chesapeake to the Brandywine he was stationed south of the American army +for the purpose of throwing his force between the enemy and their +shipping. In the field and in the legislative hall he was alike active.</p> + +<p>In December 1777 he was again elected to Congress. The legislature of +his State being in session he concluded to remain until it rose. Before +its adjournment he was elected President of Delaware which prevented him +from serving in the national legislature. His services in his new +station were of great importance. His exertions in raising supplies for +the army were of the most vigorous character—especially during the +winter and spring of 1779 when the troops were often on half allowance +and the magazines so bare that it seemed impossible to sustain the army +a single week. During the four years he directed the destinies of +Delaware he had many refractory spirits to manage—many difficult +questions to decide that brought into useful action his prudence, wisdom +and firmness. Upon his own matured judgment he relied. So well did he +balance the scales of justice that he gained the admiration of his +friends and the approval of his enemies. The affairs of the State were +never in better hands.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Rodney was remarkably fond of a good joke if inoffensive and chaste. +He often exhibited brilliant displays of wit but was extremely careful +of personal feelings. When in Congress Mr. Harrison had often called +Virginia the Dominion of the Colonies. When threatened with invasion by +the enemy he asked immediate aid to protect her from the approaching +foe. When he sat down Mr. Rodney rose with assumed gravity and apparent +sympathy and assured the gentleman that the <i>powerful Dominion</i> should +be protected—"Let her be of good cheer—she has a friend in +need—<i>Delaware</i> will take her under protection and insure her safety." +The portly Harrison and the skeleton Rodney both enjoyed the hit which +convulsed the other members with laughter.</p> + +<p>In view of the great amount of business performed by Mr. Rodney and his +proverbial cheerfulness and playful good humor the reader will be +astonished to learn that he was afflicted with a cancer upon his nose +from his youth which spread over one side of his face and compelled him +to wear a bandage over it for many years before his death. It so reduced +his flesh that he was a walking skeleton. It terminated his active and +useful life in 1783. He met death with calm submission and Christian +fortitude and died rejoicing in the bright prospects that were dawning +upon the country he dearly loved and had faithfully served.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rodney was naturally of a slender form with an animated countenance, +easy and polished manners and very agreeable and gentlemanly in his +intercourse. From his writings he appears to have held religion in high +veneration and practised the purest morals—producing the fruits of +righteousness in richer abundance than many who make loud pretensions to +piety but do not prove their faith by their works. He was liberal, kind, +benevolent and so strongly sympathetic that he was obliged to avoid +scenes of physical suffering if possible. He could not endure to be in +the room of a dying friend or relative. The poor, the widow, the orphan, +his relatives and friends, his country—all deeply mourned the loss of +<span class="smcap">Cæsar Rodney</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="GEORGE_ROSS" id="GEORGE_ROSS"></a>GEORGE ROSS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Idleness</span> is the tomb of a living man—the progenitor of want, the +substratum of misery—the fountain of crime. It was scarcely known and +never countenanced by the pilgrim fathers or revolutionary patriots. We +now have many among us who had rather be pinched with hunger and shine +in rags than labor. A more numerous and dangerous class is composed of +gentlemen idlers who pass down the stream of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> time at the expense of +those who constantly pull at the oar. They live upon the best, dress +finely by borrowing and spunging and when these fail they take to +swindling, stealing, gambling, robbing and often pass on for years +before justice overtakes them. So long as they can keep up fashionable +appearances and elude the kind hearted police whose good will they +generally have, they are received into the company of the upper ten +exquisites with marked complacency. By virtue of a fine coat, lily hand +and graceful bow, which cover more sins than modern Christian charity, +many an idle knave has been received into fashionable circles with eclat +and walked rough-shod over a worthy young clerk, mechanic or farmer who +had too much good sense to act the monkey flirtations of an itinerant +dandy. When the counting-house, the mechanic shop, the plough and the +kitchen fall into disrepute and are submerged by vain show, pomp and +parade—the sun of our country's glory will set to rise no more. When +the republican simplicity of Greece and Rome receded before imported +fashions, luxuries and rules of etiquette—when they ceased to call men +from the shop and the plough to the cabinet and the field—when the +women exchanged the kitchen for the drawing-room and plainness for +extravagance of dress—corruption supplanted virtue—the genius of +<span class="smcap">Liberty</span> veiled her face and fled—dissolution followed—RUIN closed the +dreadful scene.</p> + +<p>Industry and plainness were marked characteristics of the Sages and +Heroes of the American Revolution. Among them George Ross stood +conspicuous. He was born at Newcastle, Delaware, in 1730. He was the son +of Rev. George Ross, pastor of the Episcopal church at that ancient +town. Under the instruction of his father the strong native talents of +George unfolded their richness. At the age of eighteen he was a good +classical scholar. He then commenced the study of law in Philadelphia +with an elder brother, John Ross, where he was admitted to the Bar in +1751. To have elbow room he located at Lancaster, Pennsylvania—then on +the confines of civilization bordering on the far west. Noble in his +disposition, plain and agreeable in his manners, learned and diligent in +his profession, candid, honest and just in his course—he gained the +confidence and love of the people and a lucrative practice. To plant +himself more firmly in his new location and give additional proof of his +good sense, he married Ann Lawler a highly esteemed lady who proved an +affectionate and worthy companion.</p> + +<p>He built his legal fame on the genuine basis—close application to his +professional business unconnected with public politics. Unfortunately +for themselves many young lawyers enter the political arena for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +purpose of obtaining professional notoriety and business. This error has +prevented many talented young men from rising to legal eminence in +modern times. The Revolution was a different matter. Liberty or death +was then the issue. Now it is a feigned one. If a young attorney becomes +pledged to a political party he has not a <i>client</i> but a <i>master</i> that +exacts the most abject, humiliating services with a contingent promise +to pay in bogus coin. Either his legitimate business or that of the +party must be neglected. Reflecting men know this. Aware that it +requires close application to become learned in the law they keep aloof +from young political lawyers. A few high toned partisans, whose tools +they are, may employ them in small cases but when <i>they</i> have an +important one—the studious industrious counsellor who has not inhaled +the corrupting atmosphere of modern politics is the one employed. A word +to the wise should be sufficient.</p> + +<p>It was not until long after his location at Lancaster that Mr. Ross +entered upon his legislative course. The time had arrived when the +people began to feel the smart of British oppression and became more +particular in selecting men of known worth and talents to guard their +interests against the machinations of an avaricious and designing +ministry. He was elected to the Colonial Assembly in 1768. His +reputation stood high as an able lawyer and a man of liberal views, +sound judgment and decision of character. His influence was sensibly +felt—his labors highly appreciated. At that time the legislative body +replied to the message of the governor <i>in extenso</i>. At his first +session Mr. Ross was appointed to reply to this document. In respectful +but bold language he objected to every proposition that he considered +impolitic or in opposition to the best interests of the people. He was a +fearless sentinel, a powerful champion in the cause of Liberty. In every +leading measure in favour of freedom he was a leading man. He was +continued in the Assembly until he took his seat in Congress in 1774. He +was upon the committee that reported in favor of sending delegates and +the man who prepared the instructions of the Assembly to the +congressional delegates. As these are substantially the same as those +that were given to all instructed delegates I insert them that the +reader may see that redress of grievances was all that was asked or then +anticipated.</p> + +<p>"The trust reposed in you is of such a nature and the modes of executing +it may be so diversified in the course of your deliberations, that it is +scarcely possible to give you particular instructions respecting it. We +shall therefore only in general direct—that you are to meet in Congress +the committees of the several British Colonies at such time and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> place +as shall be generally agreed on, to consult together on the present +critical and alarming situation and state of the Colonies and that you, +with them, exert your utmost endeavors to form and adopt a plan which +shall afford the best prospect of obtaining redress of American +grievances, ascertaining American rights and establishing that union and +harmony which is most essential to the welfare and happiness of both +countries. And in doing this you are strictly charged to avoid +everything indecent or disrespectful to the mother state."</p> + +<p>Under instructions like these the first general Congress convened and +acted. The Colonies used all honorable means to restore harmony—more +than the British Constitution and common justice required. Nothing but +an infatuation that makes men blind, deaf and dumb could have resisted +the appeals and unanswerable arguments in favor of chartered rights, +showing their violations—that were poured upon the king, Parliament and +people of Great Britain from the deep translucent fountain of +intelligence concentrated in the Congress of 1774. The members were +determined to clear their own skirts of blood and not draw the bow of +physical opposition until their arrows were barbed with divine wisdom +and dipped in the refining fire of eternal justice.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ross was continued in Congress until 1777 when ill health compelled +him to retire. He had rendered great service on numerous committees and +was listened to with marked attention when he spoke in debate. When he +could be spared from his place he served in the legislature of his State +where his salutary influence was strongly felt. For some time the royal +governor and his friends presented a formidable opposition. Mr. Ross put +his whole weight on the people's end of the political lever with his +popularity for a fulcrum and greatly aided in hoisting the tree of +monarchy from its deep bed of alluvial corruption. He was a member of +the convention of his State that commenced the new government and on the +committee that prepared the declaration of rights. He was chairman of +the committee that organized the government and of the one that prepared +the declaratory ordinance defining high treason and misprision of +treason and the kind and measure of punishment to be inflicted. His high +legal knowledge rendered him an important member upon such committees.</p> + +<p>Immediately after he closed his legislative career the citizens of +Lancaster County passed the two following resolutions with great +unanimity.</p> + +<p>"Resolved—That the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds out of the +county stock be forthwith transmitted to George Ross ['<i>Honorable</i>' was +not then republican] one of the members of the Assembly for this county<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +and one of the delegates for this Colony in the Continental Congress and +that he be requested to accept the same as a testimony from this county +of their sense of his attendance on public business to his great private +loss and of their approbation of his conduct.</p> + +<p>"Resolved—That if it be more agreeable, Mr. Ross purchase with part of +the said money a genteel piece of plate, ornamented as he thinks proper, +to remain with him as a testimony of the esteem this county has for him +by reason of his patriotic conduct in the great struggle for American +Liberty."</p> + +<p>Here is old fashioned republican simplicity in language and sentiment +flowing from its native fountain—gratitude strongly felt and plainly +expressed. It forms a rebuking contrast with the fulsome, hypocritical, +heartless flattery of modern times showered upon our statesmen by +fawning sycophants whose gratitude is based alone upon the loaves and +fishes of favor and office. Mr. Ross declined accepting the gift, +assuring the committee that waited upon him that he had performed no +more than his duty and that at such a period all were bound to exert +their noblest energies to secure that Liberty which would afford a +reward more precious than gold—more valuable than diamonds.</p> + +<p>On the 19th of July 1779 Mr. Ross was appointed Judge of the Court of +Admiralty for Pennsylvania. He continued to discharge his duties ably +until confined by a sudden and excruciating attack of the gout which +terminated in death the same year he was appointed judge. In the full +career of life and usefulness—rising on the wings of fame—flushed with +hopes of Liberty for his country—pressing right onward toward the goal +of freedom—an arrow from the quiver of death pierced his patriotic +heart and consigned him to the insatiate tomb near the close of 1779. +His dust reposes in peace whilst the lustre of his living examples will +continue to shine and enlighten millions yet unborn.</p> + +<p>In private as in public life Judge Ross stood approved, admired and +beloved. No blemish rests upon the fair escutcheon of his name. He +soared above the vanities of this world and dignified his bright career +with purity of motive, firmness of purpose, wisdom in action and +usefulness to his fellow men and beloved country. Could the lofty +patriotism that impelled him to enter the thorny arena of politics be +imparted to <i>all</i> the public men of the present day—the Federal +Constitution would be venerated—our government safe—our UNION +preserved.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="BENJAMIN_RUSH" id="BENJAMIN_RUSH"></a>BENJAMIN RUSH.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Benevolence</span> is a celestial quality imparting consolation to its +possessor and the recipient of benefits bestowed. It renders its favors +valuable by the delicacy with which they are conveyed. Those who most +merit the aid of the benevolent are usually possessed of fine feeling. +The subjects of real misfortune—they are the keenly sensitive and dread +the approach of those who carry a speaking trumpet or a public scroll to +proclaim to the world the alms they have bestowed.</p> + +<p>Pure benevolence falls upon its object like the dew on drooping +flowers—not at the blaze of noon day but in the stillness of night. Its +refreshing effects are felt, seen and admired—not the hand that +distilled It. It flows from a good heart and looks beyond the skies for +an approving smile. It never opens but seeks to heal the wounds of +misfortune. It never ruffles but seeks to calm the troubled mind. Like +their Lord and Master—the truly benevolent go about doing good. No +parade—no trumpet to sound their charities—no press to chronicle their +acts. The gratitude of the donee is a rich recompense to the +donor—purity of motive refines the joys of each. Angels smile on such +benevolence. It is the attribute of Deity—the moving cause of every +blessing we enjoy.</p> + +<p>So thought Benjamin Rush, a native of Bristol, Bucks County, Penn. born +on the 24th of Dec. 1745. His ancestors came to this country under the +auspices of William Penn in 1683. His father was a respectable farmer +and died when this son was a child. At the age of nine years Benjamin +was placed under the tuition of his maternal uncle, Rev. Dr. Samuel +Finley. He continued under his instruction five years when he entered +Princeton College, then under the direction of President Davis. Like an +expanding flower courting the increasing warmth of spring the talents of +this young freshman rapidly unfolded their rich and varied hues as they +were brought into mellow life by the genial rays of the sun of science. +At the end of the first year he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. +During his brief stay at Princeton he was highly esteemed and was +considered one of the most eloquent speakers among the students. At the +age of sixteen he closed his collegiate studies and commenced reading +medicine with Dr. John Redman, then one of the most eminent +practitioners in the city of Philadelphia. The same industry that had +marked his previous course made him a favorite son of Æsculapius. The +same urbanity and modesty that had made him a welcome guest in every +circle in other places, gained for him good and influential friends in +his new location.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p> + +<p>After pursuing his studies with great industry for six years under Dr. +Redman he entered the Medical University at Edinburgh, Scotland, where +he reaped the full benefit of the lectures of the celebrated Munro, +Cullen, Black and Gregory. In 1768 he received the degree of M.D. having +toiled severely for <i>seven</i> years to prepare himself to take in charge +human life. As in the study of law, theology and most of the professions +and trades—how great the change in numerous instances. I have known so +called doctors made in a month—lawyers in six months and preachers in a +single night—sprouts of quackology to be sure—but they pass in these +days of humbuggery and often distance the man of acquirements and real +merit who is too modest to make a bragadocia dash. Self-assurance and +brazen impudence are performing wonders in this enlightened age. As +elementary and practical books increase terms of study decrease. When +Cheselden's Anatomy and Cullen's Materia Medica stood almost alone in +this country, students were longer at their studies. The lectures you +may reply have shortened the term. True—but why so few Rushes, Physics, +&c. among the flood of modern M.D.'s?</p> + +<p>On receiving his diploma he went to London and was admitted to practise +in the hospitals of that city where he remained nearly a year and became +eminent as a bold and successful operator—a skilful and judicious +physician. He then visited the hospitals of Paris and returned to +Philadelphia in the spring of 1769, where he met the warm embrace of his +connections and friends and commenced his useful career in that city.</p> + +<p>His professional fame had preceded him and his superior acquirements +were immediately had in requisition. In addition to a rapidly increasing +practice he performed the labors of a Professor in the Medical School +that had been recently organized by Drs. Bond, Kuhn, Morgan and Shippen. +He was elected to that important station a few months after his return. +Upon a substantial basis he continued to build an honest and enduring +fame—participating in all the passing events that concerned the good +and glory of his country and his fellow men.</p> + +<p>Although a close student of medicine and surgery, it was soon discovered +that he well understood the relative situation of the mother country and +the American Colonies. He had closely examined the unwarranted +pretensions of the former and the aggravated grievances of the latter. +His benevolent soul was touched by the sufferings of oppressed humanity +and warmed by the patriotic fire of <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>. He at once became a bold +and able advocate in the cause of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>—a firm and fearless opposer +of British tyranny—a strong and energetic sup<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>porter of equal rights. +Mingling with all classes through the medium of his profession, his +influence was as extensive and multiform as it was useful and salutary. +The Independence of his country was the <i>ultimatum</i> of his desires. To +see her regenerated and free was the anxious wish of his heart. So +conspicuous was he in the glorious cause, that he was elected a member +of the Congress of 1776 and had the proud pleasure of placing his name +upon the chart of <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>.</p> + +<p>The year following he was appointed Surgeon General of the Military +Hospital for the middle department and rendered himself extensively +useful during the entire period of the Revolution. He was ever ready to +go where duty called and exerted his noblest powers in the glorious +cause he had espoused until he saw the star spangled banner wave in +triumph over the land of the brave and free and the incense of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> +ascending to Heaven in cerulean clouds from the altar of <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>.</p> + +<p>The Independence of his country secured—he desired no occupation but +that of his profession. For a time his services were diverted from this +channel in the Convention of his state to take into consideration the +adoption of the Federal Constitution. Having carefully read the +published arguments as they progressed in the National Convention, he +was fully prepared to enter warmly into the advocacy of the adoption of +that instrument. When this was adopted by the states, the measure of his +political ambition was filled and hermetically sealed. He retired from +that arena of turmoil crowned with the evergreen laurels of fame that +will bloom with living freshness until patriotism shall be lost in +anarchy and the last vestige of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> be swept away by the tornado of +faction. The only station he ever consented to fill under government +subsequently was Cashier of the U. S. Mint.</p> + +<p>During the remainder of his life his time and talents were devoted to +his profession, the improvement of medical science and the amelioration +of the ills of afflicted humanity. In 1789 he was elected Professor of +the Theory and Practice of Physic. In 1791 he was appointed Professor of +the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Practice. In 1806 he was honored +with the united Professorships of the Theory and Practice of Physic and +Clinical Medicine, the duties of which he ably discharged until sickness +and death closed his useful career.</p> + +<p>Besides the multiform duties already enumerated he was an efficient +member of various benevolent associations. He was President of the +American Association for the Abolition of Slavery—Vice President of the +Philadelphia Bible Society—President of the Philadelphia Medical +Society—a Vice President of the American Philosophical Society and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +member of several other philanthropic institutions in this country and +in Europe. For many years he was a physician of the Pennsylvania +Hospital and did much to promote its prosperity. He was ever anxious to +be useful in counsel, influence and action. To soothe the troubled bosom +heaving with anguish—to alleviate the suffering patient writhing under +pain—to aid the poor and needy sinking under misfortunes—to visit the +widow and the fatherless in their distress—afforded Dr. Rush a richer +pleasure than to have reached the loftiest pinnacle of political fame—a +holier joy than to have been the triumphant chieftain of a conquered +world.</p> + +<p>Although his duties were onerous and various he arranged his time with +such system and order that a harmonious routine was produced. His +professional duties, his books, his pen each had their specific time. He +wrote numerous literary, moral and philosophical essays—several volumes +on medical science among which were his "Medical Inquiries and +Observations" and a "History of the Yellow Fever." He spent much time in +the investigation of that alarming disease—endeavoring to arrive at the +best mode of treatment. In this, as in many other cases of disease—the +lancet was his anchor of hope. His theory and practice of medicine have +virtually turned a somerset within the last half century in the regular +departments of the science—to say nothing of the locust swarms of +mycologists who are making awful havoc on the foliage of human life.</p> + +<p>During the prevalence of any disease his exertions to arrest its +progress and alleviate distress were unremitting. He obeyed the calls of +the poor as promptly as those of the rich. He was particularly attentive +to those in adverse circumstances who had employed him when in +affluence. He put a veto on sunshine friends by precept and example. A +pious and consistent Christian—he often cheered the desponding heart +where medicine failed to save the body from the grave. His counsels were +full of wisdom and benevolence and saved many a frail bark from +shipwreck. His enlivening presence and soul-cheering advice drove +despair from many an agonized mind—imparting fresh vigor by +administering the elixir of hope and the tonic of fortitude. This is an +important talent in a physician—often more potent than any chemical.</p> + +<p>Blessed with a vigorous constitution—Dr. Rush was active until a short +time previous to the 19th of April 1813, when he rested from his labors +and was numbered with the dead. As the news of his death spread, a +universal sorrow pervaded all classes—funeral sermons were +preached—eulogies pronounced and processions formed throughout the +United States as a just tribute to the memory of the departed sage,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> +patriot, scholar and philanthropist. His goodness had decked his name +with the rich garniture of profound esteem.</p> + +<p>When the sad tidings reached England and France, the same demonstrations +of respect were manifested there. The tears of sympathy suffused many +European eyes. In the halls of science on both sides of the Atlantic, +Dr. Rush was well known and highly appreciated. By our own country his +loss was most keenly felt—by the civilized world deeply lamented. The +graves of but few men have been moistened by as many tears from the rich +and poor—high and low—as that of Dr. Rush. His fame is based upon +substantial merit. His name is engraved in deep and indelible traces on +the hearts of our countrymen. His untarnished reputation is written on +the monument of history in letters of gold by the pan of justice dipped +in the font of gratitude and will endure, unimpaired, until the last +trump shall proclaim to the astonished millions on this whirling +planet—<span class="smcap">time shall be no longer</span>!!!</p> + +<p>The private character of this great and good man was as unsullied and +pure as his career was brilliant and useful. His heart overflowed with +the milk of human kindness—his benevolence often carried him beyond his +professional income. He was temperate in his habits—neat in his person +and dress—social and gentlemanly in his intercourse—urbane and +courteous in his manners—interesting and instructive in his +conversation—modest and unassuming in his deportment. He was a warm and +affectionate companion—the widows' friend and the orphans' father.</p> + +<p>He was a little above the middle height—rather slender but a good +figure. His mouth and chin were well formed—his nose <ins class="correct" title="aqueline">aquiline</ins>—his eyes +blue and animated—his forehead high and prominent. The diameter of his +head from back to front was unusually large. His combined features were +commanding and prepossessing, his physiognomy indicating a gigantic +intellect.</p> + +<p>When attacked by the disease which terminated his life he was aware a +rapid dissolution awaited him. He was fully prepared to enter upon the +untried scenes of the other and brighter world. He could look back upon +a life well spent. He had run a noble race—was ready to finish his +course—resign his tabernacle of clay to its mother dust—his immortal +soul to Him who gave it.</p> + +<p>In the history of this great and good man we see nothing to censure but +much to admire. To be useful and do all the good in his power was his +constant aim. No blanks appear on the record for the apologist to fill +up. But few men have performed as much—no one performed more in the +same time. If such examples as his, spread out in bold <i>relievo</i> on the +historic page, will not exercise a salutary influence on the reader—if +his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> devotion to his country—benevolence and unsurpassed virtues do not +mellow your heart—you cannot be a patriot or a philanthropist—you do +not realize the priceless value of our UNION.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="EDWARD_RUTLEDGE" id="EDWARD_RUTLEDGE"></a>EDWARD RUTLEDGE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> name of every patriot, sage and hero who aided in gaining the +Liberty we now enjoy, is repeated with veneration and respect. But a few +of those noble spirits who breasted the storm of the Revolution are +lingering on earth. All who were prominent leaders have paid the debt of +nature and gone to their permanent and final home. A particular +veneration is felt for those whose names are enrolled on that bold and +soul-stirring production—the Declaration of Independence. Their names, +with many others, will glide down the stream of time on the peaceful +waves of admiration and gratitude until merged in the consummation of +this whirling planet—"the wreck of matter and the crush of worlds." +Among the names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, is +that of Edward Rutledge, born in Charleston S. C. in November 1749. He +was the son of Dr. Rutledge, a native of Ireland, who married Sarah +West, a lady of refined accomplishments, piety and good sense.</p> + +<p>Edward lost his father at an early age and like those of many great and +good men, his mind was happily moulded by his accomplished mother. After +passing through the usual routine of an education he commenced the study +of law with an elder brother who stood high at the Charleston bar. As a +relaxation from Coke and Bacon he occasionally entered the bowers of +elocution. In 1769 he went to England, became a student at the +temple—made himself familiar with the courts, rules of parliament, the +policy, designs and feelings of the British ministry and cultivated an +acquaintance with the celebrated orators and statesmen—Chatham, +Mansfield and others. He returned in 1773, richly laden with stock for +future use.</p> + +<p>He commenced a successful practice—uniting an expressive countenance, a +good voice, a rich imagination, elegance of action, an honorable mind +and a good heart—with strong native talent improved by superior +advantages and great industry. He soon acquired a well earned eminence +as a bold, discreet and able advocate. He was ever ready—the spur of +the moment made him shine most conspicuously. His lamp was always +trimmed and burning. With true Irish zeal he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> was always ready to enter +the arena where duty called—especially if it was to defend the +weak—aid the oppressed or relieve the distressed.</p> + +<p>It was self-evident that with a soul and talents like his, he could not +remain an idle spectator of the elements of revolution that were in +motion. He was the kind of man to rouse the popular fury when +circumstances would justify and required it. Warm-hearted, zealous, bold +and daring—he was a necessary part in the political machine of that +time to put the more sluggish parts in motion. He was an admirable +fireman, a safe engineer, a good pilot and a popular captain. Liberal in +his views, republican in his principles, a stickler for equal rights—he +was among the first to strike for Liberty.</p> + +<p>He was elected a member of the first Congress in 1774. None but men of +superior merit, known fortitude and pure patriotism were selected to +represent their country's rights and repel the wrongs of monarchy. Such +a man was Mr. Rutledge. His open frankness and bold exposure of the +corruptions of the British ministry—preying upon the Colonies like +canker worms, rendered him obnoxious to the adherents of the crown—the +very thing to rouse such a man to determined action. Opposition seemed +to kindle in his manly bosom a brighter flame of patriotic fire which he +imparted to the friends of freedom without stint or measure.</p> + +<p>With his ardor and zeal he united prudence and discretion—was a friend +to order and cool deliberation. He acted from enlightened +principles—aiming to build every superstructure on the firm basis of +reason and justice. To this nobleness of design—conceived and adhered +to by all the signers of the Declaration, may be attributed that lofty +dignity which pervades that unique document.</p> + +<p>Revolution is a tornado rarely chastened by prudence or discretion to +neutralize its baneful effects. Up to the time of the American +Revolution history claims no body of men to compare with those who +constituted the Continental Congress—men who commanded the whirlwind of +passion to stay its fury—who conducted the lightning of revenge by the +silken thread of reason to the goal of deliberation.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutledge was made a member of several important committees. He was +appointed, in conjunction with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to meet +Lord Howe when he came to offer terms of ministerial peace. They were +received with marked attention and respect by the royal messenger. He +only had power to pardon repenting rebels—these were not to be found. +His insulting proposition was repelled with indignation. The committee +disclaimed all allegiance to the crown—it had been sacrificed at the +shrine of an ambitious and oppres<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span>sive ministry. <span class="smcap">Freedom</span> was their +motto—<span class="smcap">Liberty</span> their watchword—their terms—<span class="smcap">Independence or Death</span>. They +had nobly resolved "to do or die."</p> + +<p>As a sound, judicious and able statesman, Mr. Rutledge was highly +appreciated. He had also earned laurels in the battle field. He had long +commanded a company in the ancient battalion of artillery. When the +British landed at Port Royal in 1779, he led his company to the attack +with the skill and courage of a veteran. At no Revolutionary battle was +more personal bravery displayed than at this—nor was the enemy at any +time more chagrined at a total defeat by raw militia. It was a mystery +to them to find in the same man the statesman and the hero. He was +<ins class="correct" title="subsequenly">subsequently</ins> elected colonel. During the investment of Charleston on +1780, he was again on military duty—taken prisoner—sent to St. +Augustine and was not exchanged for nearly a year. Before his return the +dark clouds began to recede before the rays of rising hope and the day +star of Liberty.</p> + +<p>He returned to his native state and aided in restoring the civil +government to order and systematic arrangement He was a member of the +enraged Assembly at Jacksonborough in 1782. With his recent personal +injuries pressing upon him and those of his friends bleeding fresh +before him, he was induced to sanction the bill of pains and penalties, +which, under other circumstances he would have opposed. During the time +it remained in force he smoothed its roughness as much as possible.</p> + +<p>Among those who had been tortured by persecution was his venerable +mother who had been taken from her quiet home in the country and +confined in Charleston then occupied by the British—because she was the +mother of one of the rebels who had signed that burning instrument—the +Declaration of Independence—a high compliment to her talents and +patriotism—placing her on the list of fame with the noble matrons of +Greece and Rome.</p> + +<p>During the entire period of the unequal struggle with Great Britain, Mr. +Rutledge rendered all the aid in his power to his injured country. At +the final termination of hostilities—in a free land and with a free +heart he returned to the bosom of his friends and the labors of his +profession. His private worth, urbanity of manners and persevering +industry in business, gained for him the confidence and esteem of +community.</p> + +<p>In the organization of the government of the state he took a conspicuous +and useful part. Many difficulties were to be surmounted—clashing local +interests reconciled and laws adopted to restore to order and harmonious +system the confusion consequent upon a change of government. A great +commotion existed between debtors and creditors.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> Specie was not to be +had—the paper currency was nearly annihilated—many who had periled +life for Liberty and shaken off the foreign yoke felt that they were +again in cruel bondage. Many avaricious creditors were as destitute of +mercy as the pirate is of compassion. Such bipeds still live, move and +have a being—but thanks to the philanthropy and good sense of our +legislatures, they are disarmed in many of the states from the most +barbarous feature of their power—that of thrusting a poor debtor into +prison for the crime of poverty. I am pained to own that there are +instances on record in our country where veterans, who bled for our +boasted freedom, have been incarcerated by the cold inquisitorial +creditor for a sum so trifling that the miser would blush to name it.</p> + +<p>As a panacea for this malady a law was passed making land a lawful +tender for debts—a law purely republican but obnoxious to avarice and +aristocracy. Mr. Rutledge did much to effect the adoption of this +measure, imperiously demanded by the then existing circumstances of the +community. He also advocated the instalment law and used his best +exertions to ameliorate the condition of the poor and do justice to the +rich by salutary and humane legislation. He took an active part in the +public business generally. When the Federal Constitution was presented +to his state for consideration he was in favor of its adoption although +it contained some objectionable features in his mind. He was always +opposed to slavery deeming it a national curse entailed by England.</p> + +<p>If slavery did not exist in the South and the people knew its evils as +<i>they</i> only can know and feel them, a very large majority would oppose +its introduction. I have recently travelled in most of the southern +states and speak from the record. Two-fifths of the white population of +those states do not own a slave. The institution is one of a domestic +nature to be governed and regulated by themselves. But for the +unfortunate interference of our northern brethren, many, but not <i>all</i> +of them prompted by philanthropic motives, gradual emancipation would +have commenced years ago and left no food for demagogues and +disorganizers to gorge themselves upon. Should the South interfere with +any of the domestic concerns of the North, resistance would be +instantaneous. I am no advocate of slavery—but understanding its +origin, progress, present condition and practical operation and the +feelings of the South—I repeat, that the interference of the North is a +misfortune to the slave and the peace of our common country. But for +this, four of the slave states would now be free. This Bohun Upas was +dying a natural death—digging around it has renewed its age fifty +years. The plan was conceived and put in operation by England through +her emissary Dr. Thompson, as a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> <i>dernier</i> resort to destroy the only +republic hated and feared by the crowned heads of Europe. Let the South +alone to correct their own evils. Let the subject be consigned to the +capulet tombs rather than it should for a moment disturb the harmony of +our glorious UNION. To the slave—sudden emancipation would be an +irreparable injury. The question is one of <i>fact</i> rather than <i>law</i>—of +imperious expediency rather than abstract reasoning. The slaves of the +South are better bred, fed and clothed and more intelligent than the +great majority of free negroes in free states.</p> + +<p>Although partial to the French, when difficulties arose between that +nation and England, Mr. Rutledge strongly censured the conduct of M. +Genét and the French Directory for the stringent measures adopted. He +was a moderate—not an ultra party man and always acted from a sense of +duty and a pure desire for the good of the whole. His was a stern +unflinching moderation—calculated to awe a mob, paralyze a faction and +preserve pure and undefiled that lofty patriotism which commands esteem +and respect and leads to peace and safety.</p> + +<p>In 1798 Mr. Rutledge was elected governor of his native state. Soon +after he entered upon the imposing duties of his office, disease +suddenly seized and handed him over to the King of Terrors in the bright +career of his gubernatorial term. During the legislative session of +1800, his health failed so rapidly that he felt a full assurance that +his dissolution was fast approaching. He was anxious to return to +Charleston that he might yield up his breath where he first inhaled the +atmosphere. The constitution required the presence of the governor +during the session of that body and so scrupulous was he to fulfil its +letter, that he determined to remain unless both branches passed a +resolution sanctioning his absence. The subject was submitted and +becoming a matter of debate he at once withdrew it and remained until +the adjournment. He was barely able to reach home when he laid down upon +the sick bed and yielded to the only power that could conquer +him—Death—on the 23d of January 1800. The same fortitude that had +characterized his whole life was fully exemplified during his illness +and dying hour. His loss was keenly felt and deeply mourned by the +entire community of the state and by the friends of freedom throughout +the nation. South Carolina had lost one of her brightest ornaments—one +of her noblest sons.</p> + +<p>Governor Rutledge stood high as an orator. He was familiar with the +machinery of human nature—knew when to address the judgment and when +the passions. In exciting the sympathy of a jury he had no equal at the +Charleston Bar. He knew how, when and where to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> logical and what is +all important in public and private life—he knew how, when and where to +speak and what to say and stopped when done. His private worth and +public services were an honor to himself, gratifying to his friends and +beneficial to his country. His usefulness continued to the close of +life—his fame is untarnished with error—his examples are worthy of +imitation—his life had no blank. He married for his first wife, +Harriet, daughter of Edward Middleton his colleague in the Continental +Congress. By her he had a son and daughter—the latter settled in +Charleston—the former, Maj. Henry M. Rutledge, was one of the pioneers +of Tennessee. God grant that his descendants may imitate the virtues of +their ancestor and fill the blank occasioned by the death of the wise, +judicious, benevolent, patriotic and high-minded <span class="smcap">Edward Rutledge</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="ROGER_SHERMAN" id="ROGER_SHERMAN"></a>ROGER SHERMAN.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> man who has been rocked in the cradle of letters from his +childhood—who has become familiar with general science, the classics +and the philosophy of the schools—who has had a wealthy father to aid +and doting mother to caress—who has enjoyed an uninterrupted course in +some far-famed college and the most refined society—such a man is +expected to mount the ladder of fame and become a shining light to those +whose advantages have been limited to a primary school or no school. If, +with all these advantages lavished upon him he sinks into obscurity, the +fond anticipations of his doting parents and anxious friends set in +gloom. Such has often been the case.</p> + +<p>When we see a man whose opportunities of acquiring an education during +childhood and youth carried him not far beyond the spelling-book—a man +who had no father to aid him by wealth—warn him against the quicksands +of error or point him to the temple of science—his intellect encased in +the rude quarry of nature at the age of twenty—when we see such a man +bursting the fetters that bind his mental powers-throwing off the dark +mantle of ignorance—by a mighty effort unveiling his dormant talents +and shining in all the beauty of intelligence and greatness, we are +filled with admiration and delight.</p> + +<p>Such a man was Roger Sherman, the great grandson of Capt. John Sherman, +who came from England to Watertown, Mass, in 1635. Roger was the son of +William Sherman, born in Newton, Mass. on the 19th of April 1721. His +father was a respectable farmer with means too limited to educate his +son and bound him an apprentice to a shoe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span>maker. At the age of nineteen +he left his master to seek his fortune. His genius had become restless +in embryo and pressed for enlargement. No shop could confine—no +obstacle deter, no impediment prevent its expansion. The course of his +mind was onward and upward like a blazing star, illuminating the horizon +of his intellect as it rose. Nature designed him to be great and +good—he obeyed her kind commands.</p> + +<p>He went to New Milford, Conn. where he followed his trade for three +years, devoting every leisure moment to his books, often having one open +before him when using his lap-stone. Every obstacle to the pursuit of +knowledge was removed by his untiring industry—he ascended the hill of +science with a steady pace. He lived within the strictest rules of +economy, appropriating a part of his earnings to the support of a +widowed mother with a family of small children. The education of these +children also received his attention.</p> + +<p>In June 1743 he removed his mother and children to New Milford ad +entered into the mercantile business, still improving every leisure hour +in the acquisition of an education. He rapidly stored his mind with a +fund of useful information that ultimately enabled him to commence a +public career of usefulness. He also became a member of the church and +adorned his profession through life. In 1745 he was appointed surveyor +of Litchfield County, having mastered mathematics. Like his cotemporary +and friend Benjamin Franklin, he made the calculation for an almanac for +several years for a publisher in New York.</p> + +<p>At the age of twenty-eight he married Elizabeth Hartwell of Staughton, +Mass. who died in 1780 leaving seven children. He subsequently married +Rebecca Prescott who had eight children. His fifteen children were +carefully trained in the paths of wisdom and virtue. He also supported +his mother and a maiden sister until death relieved them from the toils +of life.</p> + +<p>In the prosecution of his literary pursuits he turned his attention to +the study of law in which he made astonishing proficiency. In 1754 he +was admitted to the bar, better prepared to enter into this arduous +profession and do justice to his clients than many who are ushered into +notice with great <i>eclat</i> under the high floating banner of a collegiate +diploma.</p> + +<p>The following year he was elected a member of the colonial Assembly and +remained in that body during the remainder of his residence at New +Milford. He had the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens which +enabled him to exercise a salutary influence upon those around him. His +reputation as a lawyer and statesman stood high. For industry, prudence, +discretion and sound logic—he was unrivalled in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> Colony. Strong +common sense, the safety valve of human action, marked his whole career. +He was a philanthropist of the highest order—a patriot of the first +water—rendering himself substantially useful to his fellow men and +common country.</p> + +<p>In 1759 he was appointed a judge of the county court of Litchfield, +discharging his duties with great faithfulness and +impartiality—correcting vice and promoting virtue.</p> + +<p>In 1761 he removed to New Haven where he was appointed justice of the +peace—elected to the Assembly and in 1765 was placed upon the judicial +bench of the county court. He received the degree of Master of Arts from +Yale College, of which he was treasurer for many years, fulfilling the +trust with scrupulous honesty and fidelity.</p> + +<p>In 1766 he was elected to the Executive Council which was hailed as an +auspicious event by the friends of liberal principles. The mother +country had manifested a disposition to impose unjust taxation upon the +Colonies. It required discretion, experience, nerve and decision to +comprehend and expose the corrupt plans of an avaricious and reckless +ministry. The Colonies had borne the great burden of the French war in +which they had sacrificed large sums of money and fountains of their +richest blood. After years of incessant toil the foe had been +conquered—an honorable peace obtained for England—the frontier +settlements measurably relieved from danger and the soldier had again +become the citizen. Whilst their rejoicings on that occasion were yet on +the lips of echo, oppression from the crown threatened to blast their +fond anticipations of happiness and repose and bind them in chains more +to be dreaded than the tomahawk and scalping knife.</p> + +<p>His Colony had furnished more money and men and lost more of her brave +sons in the French war than any other with the same population. Mr. +Sherman had been an active member of the Assembly during the period of +its prosecution and remembered well the sacrifices that had been made to +oblige the king. He understood well the rights of his own country and +those of the crown. He was eminently prepared to discover approaching +danger and sound a timely alarm. He was fully competent to probe the +intrigues and venality of designing men although the broad Atlantic +rolled between him and them.</p> + +<p>Mr. Grenville was the master spirit of the British ministry. He +determined to put in practice his long cherished theory of taxing the +American Colonies. The alarm was soon spread from the north to the +south. Appeals for redress, petitions and remonstrances, numerously +signed, were forwarded to Parliament. These were passed by like the idle +wind. Reason, justice, mercy—all were banished from the bosoms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> of the +ruling power. The rack of oppression was put in motion—screw after +screw was turned—the sinews of affection for the mother country began +to snap—the purple current rushed from its fountain with increased +velocity—indignation was roused in millions of bosoms. In humble +imitation of the ancient inquisitors, the screws of the infernal machine +were relaxed to give the subjects a confessing respite. The tax upon +glass, paper, &c. was repealed. But the main screw was not turned back. +The tax on tea was still enforced. This exception was death to the +colonial power of England—to America—<span class="smcap">freedom</span>. The indignation of woman +was roused. Her high toned chords were touched—the reverberation +electrified the mass as with vivid lightning. Tea was banished by every +female patriot and with it all British luxuries and taxed articles.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherman remained undaunted at his post calmly watching the moving +elements. Although elevated to the bench of the Superior Court he +remained in the Executive Council, a firm and consistent advocate of his +country's rights—a bold expounder of Britain's wrongs. He viewed the +gathering clouds as they rolled up from the horizon—he saw the streams +of lurid fire with which they were charged and calmly waited the crash +of thunder that should usher on the terrific storm. The British lion +prowled in anger—the Albion Goliah buckled on his armor—the shining +steel dazzled in the sun—American blood flowed—popular fury was +roused—the sword of vengeance was drawn—allegiance was dissolved—the +Colonies were <span class="smcap">free</span>.</p> + +<p>Judge Sherman was a member of the first Continental Congress and +remained firm and unwavering at his post during the heart rending scenes +of the Revolution, the formation of the new government and the adoption +of the Federal Constitution. With a mind of iron strength enlarged and +improved by close study—inured to the toils and intricacies of +legislation—the history of his country and of nations stamped upon his +memory—the ingratitude and insults of a foreign ministry preying upon +his soul—all these combined to press him onward to deeds of noble +daring. His capacity was equal to every emergency. He omitted no duty, +moving, with the mathematical precision of a planet, within the orbit of +sound discretion. He was familiar with all the avenues of men and +things—scanned the deep recesses of human nature—traced causes and +results to their source and probed to the bottom the springs of human +action. The arcana of economies was open before him—solving problems, +demonstrating principles and placing them in the full blaze of +illustration—clear as light, intelligible as Euclid—irresistible as +truth. Youth and young mechanics of our country such was the self-taught +self-made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> Roger Sherman. Read the history of his life closely. Ponder +it well and firmly resolve to make him your model.</p> + +<p>The Congressional session of 1775 was one of great labor, anxiety and +embarrassment. It required veterans in patriotism to sustain the +tremendous shock, the fearful onset. An army was to be raised and +organized, military stores provided, fortifications erected, rules of +government adopted, plans of operation matured, internal foes to be +encountered and legions of hireling soldiers to be repelled. To meet +these pressing emergencies the members of Congress had hearts full of +courage but an empty treasury. A forlorn hope was before them—a +merciless foe on their shores. The torch of hope shed but a dim light. +In the name of high Heaven they resolved on <i>Liberty or Death</i>. Nor did +they "split on the rock of resolves and re-resolves, where thousands +live and die the same." They met the fury of the king with a firmness, +wisdom and patriotism before unknown. Their course was onward towards +the goal of <span class="smcap">freedom</span>. No threats of vengeance dismayed them—the shafts +of terror fell harmless at their feet—the vials of ministerial wrath +were poured out in vain.</p> + +<p>In 1776, the Colonies bleeding, reverses rolling frightfully upon them, +a conquering army sweeping over their land like a tornado, the streams +red with the blood of their kinsmen—the cries of widows and orphans +ringing in their ears, the sky illumined with the curling flames of +their towns—this band of patriots conceived the bold and sublime plan +of <span class="smcap">Independence</span>—a plan that wreathed its projectors with laurels of +unfading freshness.</p> + +<p>Early in the summer Messrs. Sherman, John Adams, Franklin, Livingston +and Jefferson were appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of +Rights. It was prepared with much deliberation—reported and on the +memorable 4th of July 1776 received the hearty sanction of the +Continental Congress amidst the transporting joys of <span class="smcap">freemen</span> who hailed +it as the bright morning star—to them a prelude to future bliss—to +tyrants, a blazing meteor of devouring fire.</p> + +<p>Illustrious in all their actions the signers of the Declaration of +Independence were pre-eminently so—when, assuming their native dignity, +they rose in all the majesty of greatness—bursting their servile +chains—cutting asunder the cords of forfeited allegiance—sublimely +passing the grand Rubicon and in the eyes of an approving God and an +admiring world—declared their country <span class="smcap">free and independent</span>. The era was +one of refulgent glory, sacred to the cause of human rights—enduring as +genuine patriotism—cheering as the oasis of the desert.</p> + +<p>No member of the Continental Congress had studied more closely and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> +understood more clearly political economy and finance than Mr. Sherman. +His mind was moulded in system. He was a practical man and conversant +with every department of government. He was an efficient member of the +board of war, ordnance and the treasury. He served on important +committees during the whole time of the Revolution. His plans for +replenishing the public funds, regulating expenditures and disbursing +moneys, were based on rules of frugality and economy corresponding with +the embarrassments of that trying period. Fraudulent contractors quailed +before his scrutiny—speculations and peculations on government were +often paralyzed by his torpedo touch. He guarded, with an Argus eye and +parental care the interests of the young Republic.</p> + +<p>In the estimation of his colleagues and of our nation, Roger Sherman was +second to no one in that bright constellation of sages for sterling +integrity and substantial usefulness. At that time honesty and modesty +were attributes of merit. It required no stump speeches or bar-room +harangues to gain popular favor. Foaming bragadocia—bullying +gasconade—personal crimination and a violation of the sanctity of the +domestic circle were not then current coin. No bogus politicians were +found among the patriots of the Revolution. <i>Principles</i>—not <i>men</i> were +the political landmarks—not the seven principles of five loaves and two +fishes but the heaven-born principles of eternal justice, truth, +honesty, equality, freedom, love of country, patriotism, humanity, +universal charity and pure benevolence—all harmoniously growing in rich +clusters upon the tree of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>.</p> + +<p>That was also a time of labor. Inglorious ease was not known to +legislators. Long written speeches were not read to the speaker and the +walls to be printed for party effect among constituents. Turmoil and +billingsgate slang were unknown in the halls of legislation. The +business of the nation was performed promptly, faithfully and +effectually. Posts of honor were then posts of duty—not of profit. No +demagogue bipeds were permitted to fatten at the public crib—no droning +sinecures were lounging under the mantle of government. How changed the +scene—how fearful the contrast at the present writing! Awake! patriots +of my beloved country to a sense of our true interests. Throw off the +incubus of ultra party spirit—think, know and act for yourselves—avoid +the paralyzing touch of reckless demagogues and purge our land from +political corruption.</p> + +<p>By his fellow citizens at home Mr. Sherman was held in high esteem. He +was continued in the Council during the Revolution. When the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> city of +New Haven was chartered in 1784 he was elected the first mayor—filling +the office with great dignity to the close of his life.</p> + +<p>When peace was restored Judges Sherman and Law were appointed to revise +the judicial code of Connecticut which duty they performed with great +ability and satisfaction to all concerned. Mr. Sherman was a member of +the convention that framed the Federal Constitution. From a manuscript +found among his papers it appears that this instrument received many of +its bright features from him. To his conceptive mind and practical +wisdom we are much indebted for the towering greatness and unparalleled +prosperity we so eminently enjoy and which will increase and endure so +long as the people protect their own interests and are true to +themselves. Intimately acquainted with all the local conflicting +interests of the Colonies, he was enabled to exercise a salutary +influence among the members in reconciling differences between them, +which, for a time, threatened to hurl back the elements of government +into original chaos and prostrate the fair fabric of Liberty. By +examining the earnest discussions, the variety of opinions, the +multifarious interests, the intense anxiety, the agony of soul and +sacrifice of private views that characterized the formation of the +Federal Constitution—we discover wisdom, discretion, charity and +patriotism of the loftiest kind shining in all the grandeur of self +sacrifice. Based upon the Declaration of Rights—it forms a +superstructure, towering in sublimity above all others—radiating its +heart cheering influence over our increasing millions of +freemen—revered by all patriots at home—respected abroad—unrivalled +in the annals of legislation.</p> + +<p>Judge Sherman did much to remove the objections made to this important +document by the people of his own and adjoining States. He demonstrated +to them clearly and convinced them fully—that to effect and perpetuate +the <span class="smcap">Union</span>, private feeling and interest must yield to public necessity +to procure public good and that each State should strive to produce an +equilibrium of the general government, forming a grand centre towards +which it should ever tend with harmonious and fraternal +gravitation—immovable as the perpetual hills.</p> + +<p>Judge Sherman was elected a member of the first Congress under the new +Constitution and resigned his judicial station which he had so long +adorned with the ermine of impartiality and equal justice. His influence +was beneficially felt in the national legislature. He used his noblest +exertions to promote the wide spread interests of the new-fledged +Republic. Traces of his magnanimous propositions and prophetic policy +are upon the journals and many of them incorporated in the Acts of that +period. When members differed and exhibited the least<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> acrimony, they +were sure to find the peaceful wand of Judge Sherman fanning their +heated feelings into a healthful coolness.</p> + +<p>At the expiration of his representative term he was elected to the +United States Senate of which he was a member when he closed his useful +career—bade a long adieu—a final farewell to earth and its toils. He +died on the 23d of July 1793 in the full enjoyment of that religion he +had honored and practised and which had been a consolation and support +amidst the changing scenes of his eventful pilgrimage. He had lived the +life of a good man—he died calm, serene and happy. Through faith he +triumphed over death and the grave and pressed upward to receive the +enduring prize of unfading glory. He could approach the dread tribunal +of the great Jehovah—smiling and smiled upon and enter into all the +realities of heavenly bliss—enduring as the rolling ages of eternity. +Thus lived and thus died Roger Sherman.</p> + +<p>He had been a faithful public servant nearly forty years. He had +participated in all the trying scenes of the Revolution—he had seen his +country burst the fetters of tyranny and become a nation of freemen. He +had aided in the consolidation of the general government—she was +prosperous and happy. In all the important measures of the state of his +adoption and of the American nation, he had acted an important part from +the commencement of the French war to the time of his departure to "that +country from whose bourne no traveller returns."</p> + +<p>As a Christian he was esteemed by all denominations for his consistent +piety and expansive charity. With him sectarianism was not religion—for +him it had no charms. His philanthropy was broad as the human family—it +reached from earth to heaven. He was familiar with the abstruse branches +of theology and corresponded with several eminent divines. The Bible was +his creed—not the dogmas of men.</p> + +<p>In the history of Roger Sherman we have one of nature's sheets of purest +white covered with all the sublime delineations that dignify a man and +assimilate him to his Creator. His life was crowned with unfading +evergreen produced by the rich soil of genuine worth and substantial +merit. No ephemeral roses decked his venerable brow. A chaplet of +amaranthine flowers surmounts his well earned fame. The mementos of his +examples are a rich boon to posterity through all time. Whilst +patriotism, religion and social order survive—the virtues of this great +and good man will shine in all the majesty of light. His private +character was as pure as his public career was illustrious.</p> + +<p>Roger Sherman clearly demonstrated that man is the architect of his own +fortune. By industry and perseverance in the use of books—now +accessible to all, apprentices and mechanics may surmount every barrier<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> +and reach the summit of science and take their stations, with superior +advantage, by the side of those who have been enervated within the walls +of a college. No one in our land of intelligence is excusable for +remaining under the dark mantle of ignorance. The sun of science has +risen—all who will can be warmed by its genial rays. The means of +acquiring knowledge are far superior to those enjoyed by Sherman and +Franklin. Let their brilliant examples be imitated by Columbia's +sons—our far famed Republic will then be as enduring as time. Let +ignorance, corruption, ultra party spirit and fanaticism +predominate—then the fair fabric of our <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>, reared by the valor +and cemented by the blood of the Revolutionary patriots—will tremble, +totter and fall. Chaos will mount the car of discord—sound the dread +clarion of the dissolution of our <span class="smcap">Union</span> and <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> will expire amidst +the smoking ruins of her own citadel. Forbid it patriotism—forbid it +philanthropy—forbid it Almighty God! O! my country men! remember that +with us is deposited the rich behest of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>—let us guard it with +god-like care and transmit it to our posterity in all the loveliness of +native purity.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JAMES_SMITH" id="JAMES_SMITH"></a>JAMES SMITH.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Men</span> sometimes forsake the path designed for them by their Creator in +their manner of speaking, acting and writing. They vainly strive to +imitate some noble personage of a higher order by nature and cultivation +than themselves and become poor specimens of the Ape. Some young men of +respectable talents and acquirements—when they mount the rostrum, +endeavor to imitate some orator of notoriety instead of acting out free +and unvarnished nature. Originality alone gives beauty and force to +eloquence in all its varied forms. Like a piece of marble under the +skill of the statuary—a more systematic form may be produced by art but +the native material cannot be improved in beauty by the finest art—the +brightest paint. Originality must form the base or the richness is lost. +No ingenuity can remould the work of nature and retain the full strength +of the grand original. We should profit by the wisdom and virtues of +great and good men—improve by their precepts and examples—our <i>manner</i> +in public speaking, our <i>language</i>, our <i>style</i> of writing—all <i>must</i> +be original to render them forcible and interesting. Affectation in +anything is disgusting to sensible men. It is a coin that cannot be +palmed upon the discerning for genuine. Of all counterfeits this is the +most readily detected. Away with this worthless trash.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> If you have not +gold, use silver—if neither, use copper—if you have only <i>brass</i> you +need no urging to use that.</p> + +<p>James Smith was a fine specimen of originality and pleasing +eccentricity. He was born in Ireland in 1713. His father came to this +country when James was a boy and settled on the west side of the +Susquehanna river nearly opposite Columbia in Pennsylvania. James +acquired a good classical education under Dr. Allison and retained a +great partiality for authors of antiquity to the end of his life. He +delighted in mathematics and became an expert surveyor. After finishing +his course of study with Dr. Allison he read law in Lancaster, +Pennsylvania, probably with an elder brother in that town and with Mr. +Cookson. When admitted to the bar he located in the then far west near +the present site of Shippensburg in Cumberland County of that state. He +blended law and surveying in accordance with the desire and wants of the +frontier settlers. Large tracts of valuable land were held under hasty +and imperfect surveys and others were located by chamber surveys. +Litigation was the natural consequence. No witness could tell more truth +than the compass and protractor of Mr. Smith which were free from +prejudice and partiality. Possessed of a penetrating mind he scanned +future prospects and secured much valuable land. In his compound +profession he had full employment. He was on the flood-tide of +prosperity. Not willing to sail alone he took for his mate Eleanor Armor +of Newcastle who superintended his freight and cabin stores with great +skill and prudence.</p> + +<p>Mr. Smith was original in everything. With a strong mind, an open and +honest heart, a benevolent and manly disposition—he united great +conviviality and amusing drollery—yet so discreet and chaste as not to +offend the most modest ear. He delighted in seeing the contortions of +the risible muscles which were uniformly on duty in all proper circles +when James Smith was present. Whenever he came in contact with a pedant +he would propound some ludicrous question to him with the utmost +gravity—such as this—"Don't you remember that terrible bloody battle +which Alexander fought with the Russians near the straits of +Babelmandel? I think you will find the account in Thucydides or +Herodotus." His memory was retentive and stored with numerous anecdotes +which he sometimes related in court and often in company to amuse his +friends. His manner was original beyond imitation. With all his wit and +humor he held religion in great veneration and was a communicant of the +church. No one that knew him dare utter one word against it in his +presence, knowing that his cutting lash of keen ridicule would at once +be applied. Such a mixture of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> qualities are rarely blended in one man. +His mind ranged with the quickness of lightning from the deep-toned +logic and the profoundest thought to the eccentric ludicrous—all +balanced by the equilibrium of discretion and each used at the +appropriate time and place. His manner, language, style—everything +which he said or did from the most trivial circumstance to the momentous +concerns of the nation was purely original.</p> + +<p>Of the affairs of his country James Smith was not an idle spectator. No +man delights in liberty and independence more than an Irishman. Nor have +the Irish people a warm affection for mother Britain. As oppressed as +she is, no nation is more sensitive of her rights than "sweet Ireland." +When British oppression showed its hydra head in the American Colonies +Mr. Smith took a terrible dislike to the <i>baste</i> and declared he would +make fight, unless it withdrew its visible deformity at once. His heart +beat high for his adopted country—he came promptly to the rescue. At +that time he resided at York and was extensively engaged in iron works +and pressed with professional business. He had never consented to fill +public stations. Nothing but the importance of the crisis could have +induced him to enter the public arena. He reasoned as did Josiah Quincy +that—"We must be grossly ignorant of the importance and value of the +prize for which we contend—we must be equally ignorant of the power of +those who have combined against us—we must be blind to that malice, +inveteracy and insatiable revenge which actuate our enemies, public and +private, abroad and in our midst—to hope we shall end this controversy +without the sharpest—sharpest conflicts—to flatter ourselves that +popular resolves, popular harangues, popular acclamations and popular +vapor will vanquish our foes. Let us consider the issue—let us look to +the end."</p> + +<p>Mr. Smith was a man who looked at the beginning and ending. He examined +closely causes, effects and results. He understood human nature and knew +well the pulsations of the colonists. He believed the bone and sinew of +the land would never yield to the tyranny of mother Britain without a +"sharp conflict." For that conflict he was prepared. He well knew that +there was but little sinecure mushroom dandy stock on-hand—that the +great mass was bone and sinew of the first water. He was for prompt +action. A convention of delegates from each county in the state was +convened to consider the course proposed by the patriots of New England +when the Revolutionary storm had commenced its precursory droppings. Of +this convention Mr. Smith was a prominent member and one of the +committee that prepared an address to the members of the general +Assembly recommending them to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> appoint delegates to the proposed general +Congress with the following instructions which specify the grievances +complained of.</p> + +<p>"We desire you therefore—that the deputies you appoint may be +instructed by you strenuously to exert themselves at the ensuing +Congress to obtain a renunciation on the part of Great Britain of all +the powers under the statute of 35th Henry VIII. ch 2d—of all the +powers of internal legislation—of imposing duties or taxes internal or +external and of regulating trade except with respect to any new articles +of commerce which the Colonies may hereafter raise—as silk, wine, &c. +reserving a right to carry them from one colony to another—a repeal of +all statutes for quartering troops in the colonies or subjecting them to +any expense on account of such troops—of all statutes imposing duties +to be paid in the colonies that were passed at the accession of his +present majesty or before this time, whichever period shall be judged +most advisable—of the statutes giving the Courts of Admiralty in the +Colonies greater power than the Courts of Admiralty in England—of the +statutes of 5th George II. ch. 22d and of the 23d of George II. ch. +29th—of the statute for shutting up the Port of Boston and of every +other statute particularly affecting the province of Massachusetts Bay +passed in the last session of Parliament. If all the terms +abovementioned cannot be obtained, it is our opinion that the measures +adopted by the Congress for our relief should never be relinquished or +intermitted until those relating to the troops—internal +legislation—imposition of taxes or duties hereafter—the 35th of Henry +VIII. ch. 2d—the extension of Admiralty Courts—the Port of Boston and +the Province of Massachusetts Bay are obtained. Every modification or +qualification of these points in our judgment should be inadmissible."</p> + +<p>By these instructions, directly from the people, we can judge of the +feeling that pervaded the great mass of the yeomanry at that time. By +referring to the instructions given to the delegates to Congress by the +general Assembly, it will be seen that royal influence pervaded that +body as they contain scarcely a feature or point similar to those from +the primary convention of the people. See them in the life of Ross. That +the reader may more fully understand the points referred to in the +instructions above copied I will explain the statutes alluded to in +their order.</p> + +<p>By the statute of 35th Henry VIII. ch. 2d a citizen of America was +liable to be arrested and taken to England to be tried for high crimes. +By the 5th of George II. ch. 23d the colonists were prohibited from +exporting hats and hatters were limited to a specific number of +apprentices—"that hatting may be better encouraged in Great Britain." +The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> statute 23d George II. ch. 29th imposed similar but more numerous +restrictions—the whole and the other particulars named in the +instructions being in violation of the constitution of England and of +the charters predicated upon it. Constitutional and charter privileges +had grown sacred by long and acknowledged usage, by learned and legal +construction and by numerous declaratory Acts of the British Parliament +passed when sitting under the mantle of reason, justice and sound +policy. So fully convinced was Mr. Smith of the true issue between the +Colonies and mother Britain that on his return home he raised a company +of volunteers and was elected captain by acclamation. This was the +pioneer company of Pennsylvania raised for the purpose of confronting +the ugly <i>baste</i>—tyranny. It was nine months before the bloody affair +at Lexington, showing that Mr. Smith had arrived at a correct conclusion +as to the true issue. He introduced thorough discipline in his new corps +and imparted to every member the same patriotic fire that illuminated +his own noble soul. Around this military nucleus the bone and sinew +continued to rally until a regiment was raised. Mr. Smith accepted the +honorary title of Colonel but imposed the active commanding duties upon +a younger man. He had put the ball in motion and was gratified to see it +rolling onward with increasing momentum towards the goal of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. +When the time arrived for action this regiment did honor to all +concerned.</p> + +<p>Mr. Smith was a member of the next people's convention which convened at +Philadelphia in January 1775. He was one of the foremost to oppose force +to force and peril life for freedom. He was called an <i>ultra</i> whig and +accused of treating the government of his most Christian majesty +indecorously. His patriotism had carried him six months in advance of +most of the leading men. No one could outstrip him in zeal in the cause +of equal rights. His course was onward—right onward to action. For this +the time soon arrived. In the spring of 1776 he was on a committee with +Dr. Rush and Col. Bayard to organize a camp of 4500 troops to be raised +in Pennsylvania. No man was better calculated to render efficient +service in this important branch of business. The committee immediately +prepared an appeal to the yeoman military which was approved by Congress +and widely circulated. It was written in bold and forcible language +pointing to the Independence of the Colonies as the great incentive to +action. It had a powerful and salutary effect and met with a response +from the people that, caused the hirelings of the crown to fly from the +province like chaff before the wind. The complement of men was promptly +raised.</p> + +<p>Almost simultaneous with the promulgation of the Declaration of +In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>dependence by Congress a convention of delegates convened for the +purpose of raising the arch of a republican constitution and government +over the Keystone State. Of this convention Mr. Smith was a prominent +member and one of the committee that prepared the Declaration of Rights. +For this the committee had the guidance of a polar star that had been +brought to light by the illustrious Jefferson and placed in the cerulean +canopy of Liberty by the Sages of Congress a few days previous. The +<i>ultraism</i> of Mr. Smith had become an admired quality and was surnamed +<i>patriotism</i> by the very persons who had misconceived it a few months +previous. His zeal and worth were then properly appreciated. On the 20th +of July he was elected to the Continental Congress without an intimation +to him of the intended honor until he was officially notified of the +fact. Being at the State convention in Philadelphia he immediately took +his seat—enrolled his name with the apostles of Liberty upon the chart +of freedom and then returned to the convention and essentially aided in +completing the new government of the State.</p> + +<p>Early in October he fully assumed his congressional duties. The +instructions to the congressional delegates had become reversed in two +short years. The first clause is worthy of special notice and should be +printed in bold <i>relievo</i> and placed over both chairs in Congress—there +to remain through all congressional time. Read and ponder it well ye +public men who think more of your personal concerns than the business of +your constituents.</p> + +<p>"The immense and irreparable injury which a free country may sustain +<i>by</i> and the great inconveniences which always arise <i>from</i> a delay of +its councils, induce us in the first place strictly to enjoin and +require you to give not only a <i>constant</i> but a <i>punctual</i> attendance in +Congress."</p> + +<p>At the commencement of our free government the will of the people was +respected and obeyed. Their public servants were not then their +political masters. Committee rooms were not then diverted from their +legitimate use by partisan caucuses. The halls of legislation were not +then the forum of chaos, personal crimination—recrimination and +unparliamentary procedure. The mantle of infantile purity was then +hanging from the shoulders of those in high stations in all the beauty +of tasteful drapery. <i>Pro bono publico</i> was the order of the day—<i>pro +libertate patriæ</i> was the motto of each freeman. Mr. Smith obeyed his +instructions to the letter. He entered with all his might upon the work +set before him. A dark gloom hung over the cause of Liberty at that +time. Many of its warmest friends considered success quite +problematical.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> At such a time the sprightliness and proverbial drollery +of Mr. Smith were a talismanic antidote against despondency. Always +cheerful and elastic—spicing his conversations in private and his +speeches in the forum with original wit and humor—he imparted convivial +life to those around him. Amidst the waves of misfortune and the +breakers of disappointment—like a buoy upon the ocean, he floated above +them all and pointed the mariners of Liberty to the port of Freedom. The +following extract of a letter written to his wife when Congress was on +the point of retreating before Gen. Howe shows that no hyppish feelings +cramped the elasticity of his mind.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"If Mr. Wilson comes through York give him a flogging—he should +have been here a week ago. I expect to come home before +election—my three months are nearly up. General left this on +Thursday—I wrote to you by Col. Kennedy.</p> + +<p>"This morning I put on the red jacket under my shirt. Yesterday I +dined at Mr. Morris's and got wet coming home and my shoulder got +troublesome, but by running a hot smoothing iron over it three +times it got better. This is a new and cheap cure. My respects to +all friends and neighbors—my love to the children.</p> + +<p class="center">"I am your loving husband whilst</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">James Smith.</span></p> + +<p>"Congress Chamber, 11 o'clock."</p></blockquote> + +<p>On the 23d of November 1776 Mr. Smith was placed on the committee to +devise means for reinforcing the American army and for arresting the +destructive career of Gen. Howe. The powers of this committee were very +properly transferred to Washington soon after. He was on the committee +that laid before Congress conclusive testimony of the inhuman treatment +of the American prisoners at New York. The ensuing year he declined a +re-election but his constituents informed him he was public property and +must be used <i>nolens volens</i>. He obeyed their will and continued at his +post with unabated zeal and industry. When Congress was compelled to +retreat to York he closed his office against his clients and placed in +it the Board of War. He sacrificed all private interests that would +promote the glorious cause of Liberty. In November 1778 he resigned his +seat in Congress and for a season enjoyed the comforts of domestic life. +Being advanced in years and having full confidence in the ability of the +United States, aided by the French, to maintain Independence—formed his +excuse for leaving the field of his arduous labors. In 1780 he consented +to serve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> in the State legislature. He then retired finally from the +public arena. He continued to pursue his professional business +successfully and profitably up to 1800 having been a member of the bar +for sixty years. His eccentricity, wit and humor retained all the +freshness of originality to the end of his life. He was a great admirer +of the illustrious Washington. A castigation from his ironical tongue +was the certain consequence to any one who spoke against religion or +Washington in his presence at any time or place. Upon these two points +he was very sensitive. The former he adored—the latter he revered. He +corresponded regularly with Franklin and several others of the patriarch +sages of '76. He had preserved a rich cabinet of letters, all of which +were burnt with his office about a year before his death.</p> + +<p>Surrounded by an affectionate family and a large circle of ardent +friends—this happy son of Erin glided smoothly down the stream of time +until the 11th day of July 1806 when his frail bark was anchored in the +bay of death—his immortal spirit in the haven of bliss. In life he was +useful—in death happy. In life he was loved and honored—in death his +loss was deeply mourned. His exit from earth left a blank not readily +filled. His public and private character were unsullied by a spot or +wrinkle. When living he was the life of every circle in which he +moved—no one who knew him could forget him when dead. Ennui could not +live in his presence. He was warm hearted, kind, affectionate and a +friend to the poor. He never entertained malice. He used his opponents +much as a playful kitten does a mouse—teasing without a desire to hurt +them—a propensity that rendered him more formidable than a knight of +the sword and pistols. Such pure originals as James Smith are like the +inimitable paintings of the ancient artists—few in market and hard to +be copied.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOHN_STARK" id="JOHN_STARK"></a>JOHN STARK.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Ingratitude</span> is the extract of baseness, the essence of blackness, the +ergot of meanness, a concentrated poison, the spawn of a demon—the fuel +of Pandemonium. Its breath is pestilence, its touch is palsy. Of all the +vile acts of man towards man none throw such a freezing chill over the +whole body and drive back the rushing blood upon the aching heart like +base and damning ingratitude. Indifference continued, coldness +persevered in, favors forgotten, friendship unrequited and sometimes +cruel abuse—from one who has been the willing recipient of our love, +bounty and voluntary aid—brings a palsying horror over the soul that +thickens<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> the purple current in the veins making the head sick and the +heart faint.</p> + +<p>A nation may be ungrateful as well as an individual. Thus it was with +England towards the American Colonies. In addition to contributing to +the support of the home government of the mother country, much blood and +treasure were expended by the Americans in conquering Canada for the +special benefit of Great Britain. It was owned by the French who were +long the common enemy of the English. Immediately after that conquest +the most ungrateful and unjust oppression was commenced by the ministry +of England upon her Colonies here. To cap the climax—the very Indians +the Americans had conquered and made allegiant to the mother +country—that cruel mother employed to murder and scalp those who had +aided her. A premium was given for <i>scalps</i>—not for <i>prisoners</i>.</p> + +<p>Among those who essentially aided in the conquest of the Canadas was +John Stark, born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, on the 25th of August +1728 O. S. When John was but eight years of age his father removed to +what is now called Manchester. Clearing land and an occasional hunting +or fishing excursion with his father was the business of John in early +life. In this manner the tide of time carried him along until the 28th +of April 1752 when he was taken prisoner by the St. Francois Indians. He +left home with two others to visit their beaver traps and at the time of +his capture was separated from them. The savages ordered him to lead +them to his companions which he pretended to do but led them two miles +in the opposite direction. Their position was discovered by the +discharge of their guns to call Stark to them. The Indians proceeded +below where their boat was moored and ordered Stark to hail them when +they approached. He did so and told them to escape to the opposite +shore. They attempted to do so—one of them was immediately shot and +killed—the other Stark saved by snatching the gun from the Indian who +aimed at him for which he was most cruelly treated. His companion was +then taken prisoner. In about six weeks they were ransomed and restored +to their anxious friends. Thus ended his first lesson in the school of +peril.</p> + +<p>In the winter of 1753 the Court of New Hampshire sent an exploring +expedition into Coos County and employed young Stark as pilot to the +company. He performed his undertaking to the entire satisfaction of all +concerned. In 1754 a party was sent to the upper part of this county to +learn if the French were erecting a fortification—if so, the reason +why. Stark was again employed as conductor and led the expedition upon +the track he travelled when a prisoner. On the commencement of +hostilities<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> with the French and Indians in 1755 he was commissioned a +Lieutenant under Captain Rodgers whose boldness and enterprise were in +unison with those of Stark. They speedily raised a company of brave +hardy men and were ordered to join the regiment at Fort Edward. They +arrived shortly after Sir William Johnson was attacked by the French and +Indians near Bloody Pond. In the fall the troops returned to their +homes. In the winter of 1756 a corps of rangers was raised to protect +the frontier settlements. Rodgers and Stark were put in command and +repaired to Fort Edward in April with their company. Nothing worthy of +note occurred until the winter of 1757 when this company and two others +were ordered to seize the supplies on the way from Crown Point to +Ticonderoga. The Colonial troops had taken a few sleighs and were on +their way to Fort George when they were furiously attacked by the +combined force of the French and Indians. A desperate and bloody battle +was fought—Captain Spickman was killed and Captain Rodgers severely +wounded. The entire command then devolved upon Lieut. Stark. Being +overpowered by numbers he ordered a retreat. With the coolness and skill +of an experienced veteran he drew off his men keeping the enemy at a +respectful distance by a well directed fire when too closely pressed. He +brought away all his wounded men and had them conveyed in sleighs to +Fort George. He was at once elected to fill the place of Captain +Spickman. The next spring he was ordered to New York where he suffered +severely from the small pox and was unfit for duty until the next autumn +when he returned and wintered at Fort Edward.</p> + +<p>In 1758 Gen. Abercrombie planned an attack upon Ticonderoga. The rangers +under Major Rodgers were sent forward to reconnoitre the enemy and make +way for the main body of troops. The evening previous to that fatal +attack the Major received orders to carry the bridge between Lake George +and the plains of Tie early the next morning. On the approach of the +rangers the French and Indians were assembled in force to dispute their +passage. A halt was made—Capt. Stark advised the Major to advance +rapidly by which means the bridge was cleared instantly. During the +whole of that sanguinary action no officer manifested more cool and +determined bravery than Capt. Stark. The Colonial troops were defeated +which ended that campaign. It was an unfortunate affair inspiring the +Indians with boldness in their career of predatory warfare.</p> + +<p>Early in 1759 Capt. Stark obtained leave of absence and hastened to his +fond parents and friends. Above all he consummated his plighted vows to +Elizabeth Page who he promptly led to the hymeneal altar in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> the good +old fashioned way. The tables were covered with spare-ribs, baked pork +and beans, pumpkin pies, short cake, gingerbread and dough-nuts. Smiling +faces, hearty kisses and good wishes had free course and were not +cramped into nonentity by modern etiquette. Imported refinement has been +frittering away the richest enjoyments of American life for the last +fifty years.</p> + +<p>The ensuing spring he repaired to his post in the army and added to his +military fame in the reduction of Crown Point and Tie. He served to the +end of the French war and saw the English standard wave triumphantly +over the Canadas. His bravery forced unqualified applause from his +superiors who were subsequently compelled to witness a new edition of +his military tactics fresh from the font of liberty.</p> + +<p>At the consummation of the conquest of the Canadas he retired to the +bosom of his family where he drank deeply of the untold joys of domestic +felicity until British tyranny roused him to action in a nobler cause. +He had fought in the army of the mother country until her most hated +enemy had been conquered on the heights of Abraham. He had been her +faithful subject but was not willing to become her slave. He boldly +opposed the usurpations of the crown and kindled the fire of patriotism +in all around him who had courage to be free. He was prudent but firm as +the granite rock. He hoped for the best—prepared for the worst. He +delighted in the sunshine of peace but held himself ready to meet the +fury of the impending storm should it burst upon his beloved country. He +pointed his neighbors to the dark clouds as they rose higher and blacker +and urged them to prepare for the approaching crisis. Soon American +blood stained the heights of Lexington—the cry—<i>to arms! to +arms!</i>—rent the air and was carried, as on wings of mighty wind, to the +remotest bounds of the down-trodden colonies.</p> + +<p>On the reception of this heart-rending news Capt. Stark mounted his +horse and hastened to the scene of action. On his way he imparted +patriotic fire to those he met urging them to rally at Medford where he +would meet them on his return. Large numbers assembled there with their +rusty muskets, powder-horns and slugs. By acclamation he was made their +leader with the rank of Colonel aided by Lieut. Col. Wyman and Maj. +McClary. Ten large companies promptly rallied around him with hearts +beating high for their injured bleeding country. The necessary +discipline was introduced—all were anxious to learn military tactics. +Shortly after the organization of his regiment Col. Stark was ordered by +Gen. Ward to examine Noodle's Island for the purpose of locating a +battery. With two other officers he repaired to the place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> designated +and returned under a brisk but harmless fire from a British boat in +close pursuit. At the battle of Bunker's Hill his regiment seemed +invincible. Unbroken and undismayed—his brave soldiers repelled the +repeated attacks of the enemy with dreadful slaughter. When ordered to +retreat his men reluctantly obeyed the command.</p> + +<p>In the service of enlisting troops and obtaining supplies for the army +Col. Stark had no superior. His influence was broad and commanding. When +Boston was evacuated he marched his regiment to New York to aid in +erecting fortifications. The ensuing May he was ordered to Canada. In +June he met his troops at St. Johns and proceeded to the mouth of the +Sorrel. The unfortunate expedition to Three Rivers was undertaken +contrary to his advice. At Chamblee he and his men rendered essential +service to the troops at that place then suffering under the small-pox. +From there he crossed over to Chimney Point and encamped. When ordered +to Ticonderoga by Gen. Schuyler he drew up a formal remonstrance +assigning his specific objections and correctly pointed out the +disasters that must and did render the expedition abortive. On +presenting his views to the General he obeyed the order. When Gen. Gates +took command of the northern army he placed Col. Stark over a brigade. +Towards the close of that campaign Congress was led into the error of +raising several younger Colonels to Brigadiers—a violation of common +justice—a source of discord in the army. About the same time Col. Stark +marched into Pennsylvania and joined Washington a few days before the +battle of Trenton. So poorly shod and disheartened were the soldiers +that then composed the mere nucleus of the American army, that they +melted the snow with gushing blood from their feet and scalding tears +from their eyes. At the battle of Trenton Col. Stark led the vanguard +and contributed largely towards obtaining the most important victory of +the Revolution. At Princeton he was equally efficient. On retiring to +winter quarters at Morristown Washington despatched him to his native +state to raise recruits and supplies. In April he was surprised to learn +that a new roll of promotions had been made out and his name omitted. He +was too patriotic to complain—too high-minded to submit to such +ingratitude. He surrendered his commission and retired to his +farm—still urging every man to action in the cause of Liberty.</p> + +<p>When New Hampshire was called upon to furnish men to oppose the onward +march of Burgoyne Gen. Stark was urged to take command of her troops. He +informed the Council he was willing to lead the troops where duty called +but would not place himself under any power but that of his own state. +His terms were promptly accepted. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> brave Stark was immediately under +way with an independent corps of dauntless soldiers who were ready to +follow <i>him</i> through storms of iron hail and British thunder. He +encamped at Bennington, Vermont, where he was waited upon by Maj. Gen. +Lincoln who had orders to conduct the New Hampshire troops to +<ins class="correct" title="head-quarters">headquarters</ins>. The Maj. Gen. found himself in the wrong box and returned +to Gen. Gates who complained to Congress and Washington that Gen. Stark +was bent on fighting upon his own hook which he was permitted to do with +great effect. Apprised of this apparent discord Burgoyne despatched Col. +Baum to cut off the Americans by detail. Gen. Stark determined to give +the illustrious visitant a warm reception. On the 13th of August 1777 +Baum encamped on an eminence near the town and erected a breastwork of +logs—his ardor for a sudden attack having abated. Early the next +morning Gen. Stark formed his troops into two divisions of attack and a +reserve. The two divisions advanced upon the front and rear of the enemy +at the same time and drove them so rapidly upon the reserve that many +were killed and most of the balance taken prisoners. In a short time a +formidable reinforcement approached from the British army ready to +snatch the laurels of victory from the Americans. At that critical +moment Col. Warner advanced with his bold Green Mountain boys and kept a +far superior number at bay until Gen. Stark could bring all his men into +action that could be spared from guarding the prisoners. The red coats +were routed and were so generous as to leave their artillery for the use +of the patriots. A considerable number of prisoners were taken in the +second engagement—the mantle of night saved many more from the same +fate. As Gen. Burgoyne advanced, Gen. Stark retired to the vicinity of +the American army to take part in a general engagement which he saw must +soon occur.</p> + +<p>On the 15th September his term of service expired when he returned home +with his troops. He immediately reported himself to the council and +urged the necessity of sending new recruits at once to aid in capturing +the British army. In a few days he joined Gen. Gates with a stronger +force than before. He was in favor of a bold movement and placed his +troops in the rear to cut off all communication with Lake George. The +surrender of Gen. Burgoyne took place soon after when Gen. Stark +returned home with his troops. Shortly after his return Congress +commissioned him to prepare an expedition against Canada making his head +quarters at Albany, New York. He performed the duties assigned him with +promptness and fidelity. The project was abandoned and he permitted to +return to his family. Early in 1778 he was put in command of the +northern department<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> which was in a chaotic condition—with but few +troops to protect an extensive frontier—a combination of tories, +peculators, defaulters and reckless speculators around him—all tending +to render his situation unpleasant and embarrassing. He commenced a +rigid reform and continued in the vigorous discharge of his duty until +October when he joined Gen. Gates in Rhode Island where he continued +until the close of that campaign. During the ensuing winter he was +engaged in raising recruits and supplies for the army. The next spring +he was stationed in Rhode Island to attend to any calls that might be +made by the enemy and received all their visiting parties with such +marked promptitude and attention that they took final leave in November. +About this time he was ordered to join Gen. Washington in New Jersey +with such troops as could be spared from the garrison. The campaign +closed without the anticipated battle and Gen. Stark was put upon his +usual winter service of obtaining recruits and supplies for the army. +Early in the ensuing May he joined Washington at Morristown and was in +the battle of the Short Hills. Gen. Washington found it necessary to +send him back to New England to obtain more recruits and supplies and +concentrate them at West Point. This duty he performed nobly and +successfully. He then repaired to his troops at the Liberty Pole in New +Jersey. In September he joined Gen. St. Clair. Shortly after that he was +ordered to advance near York Island with 2500 men and a large train of +wagons and secure all the grain and forage possible and remain their for +further orders. He was completely successful, returning to West Point +with a large supply of necessaries for the army. On his return he was +reduced very low by sickness which rendered him unfit for duty until the +next spring when he was put in command of the northern department. He +found it in a worse condition than when he took charge of it previously. +Tories, spies, traitors and robbers were acting in concert with the +enemy in Canada. Energetic measures were required and adopted. A +military post was established at Saratoga. A leader of the plunderers +was arrested and his company secured. A British Lieutenant's commission +was found upon his person—he was tried by a court martial—condemned as +a spy and hung the next day. His friends were threatening and noisy—a +copy of the proceedings was sent to Washington—received his unqualified +approbation and placed Gen. Stark in a position to restore the +department to a healthy tone. He continued at that station until after +the surrender of Cornwallis when he returned to his native state for the +winter to raise recruits and supplies. It is believed Gen. Stark did +more in this service than any one individual during the Revolution.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> +Deservedly popular, a patriot of the first water, an officer of cool +undaunted bravery and great skill—he exerted a large and salutary +influence. He was very successful during the winter and reported himself +to Gen. Washington early in April—receiving the hearty thanks of the +commander-in-chief for his faithful services during the struggle for +freedom. At West Point he closed his long and useful military +career—took an affectionate leave of his companions in arms—urged upon +his troops the propriety of returning to their homes in peaceful and +dignified order and of preserving pure and untarnished the rich laurels +that decked their manly brows. He was greeted with enthusiastic applause +and tears of affection unknown to the present era. He returned to the +warm embrace of his dear family and bid a last farewell to public life. +His advice was often asked and wisely imparted in public affairs. +Quietly and happily he passed down the current of time until the 8th day +of May 1822 when his frail bark of earth was moored in the port of +death—his immortal spirit in the haven of eternal rest.</p> + +<p>In all the private relations of life Gen. Stark was pure beyond all +suspicion. He was worthy, virtuous, amiable and honest in the fullest +sense of these terms. In reviewing his life we are carried back to that +eventful era when the pilgrim fathers held their lives by a slender +tenure amidst the red men of the wilderness that they might enjoy that +liberty of conscience which is the inalienable gift of God. If all could +but faintly realize the value of the blood and treasure that our Liberty +cost—the reckless party spirit that is now stripping that Liberty of +its richest foliage, would be banished from the heart of every +reflecting man—patriotism would revive like drooping plants after a +summer shower—demagogues would find their proper level and +disorganizers have permission to stay at home or make an excursion up +salt river. Then we might more fondly hope for the perpetuity of our +glorious UNION—the preservation of that <span class="smcap">Freedom</span> which has been sacredly +transmitted to our care.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="RICHARD_STOCKTON" id="RICHARD_STOCKTON"></a>RICHARD STOCKTON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Discretion</span> is wisdom put in practice. It is the development of a sound +judgment and good heart. It seeks a happy equilibrium in all +things—aims at pure happiness in time and futurity—seeks to accomplish +noble ends by honorable means—shuns every appearance of evil—meets the +ills flesh is heir to with Christian fortitude and resignation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> It +applies the touch stone of plain common sense and Revelation to +everything. The discreet man discerns what is clearly right and has +moral courage and energy to pursue it. He is cool, deliberate, resolute, +strong, efficient. He practices economy without parsimony, benevolence +without ostentation, sincerity without dissimulation, goodness without +affectation, religion without hypocrisy, power without abuse.</p> + +<p>Parents should teach this sterling virtue to their children by precept +and example. Teachers should enforce it upon their pupils as the helm of +human action. It should be the bright morning star in the political +arena—legislative halls—cabinet—executive chamber—international +intercourse—courts of justice—seminaries of learning—pulpit—social +meetings—domestic circle—family government—juvenile nursery—in +short—discretion should regulate all our conduct for time and eternity.</p> + +<p>So thought and so acted Richard Stockton, born near Princeton, New +Jersey, in October 1730. His great grandfather of the same name came +from England in 1670—purchased some 7000 acres of land near Princeton +and in 1682 effected the first European settlement made in that part of +the Province. On this estate the Stockton family continued to reside +happily until driven off by the army of Lord Howe.</p> + +<p>Under the instruction of the celebrated Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley, +Principal of West Nottingham Academy in Maryland, the talents of Richard +were rapidly and strongly developed in early youth. From that seminary +he went to the college at Princeton and graduated at the first annual +commencement of Nassau Hall in 1748. At the age of eighteen he commenced +the study of law under David Ogden then at the head of the New Jersey +bar. He studied closely for six years when he was admitted fully +prepared for the practice of law. How different the course of law +students now. Two years of superficial study is deemed a hardship by +some young men. A mere smattering of the elementary principles is +imprinted on their <i>memories</i> not on their <i>understandings</i>. A +collegiate diploma and influential friends are thrown into the dangerous +breach, a slight examination is made—the young <i>men</i> not the young +<i>lawyers</i>, are admitted to the bar, fully prepared to create litigation +and lead their clients into the vortex of error and trouble—perhaps +ruin them.</p> + +<p>Not so with Mr. Stockton. Years of toil had prepared him to become a +safe and judicious adviser. He could clearly discern the right and wrong +between litigants—then kindly enforce the one and correct the other by +sound reasoning and a lucid exposition of the principles of law and +equity applicable to the case. Such lawyers are peace makers—a blessing +in community. The reverse are cancers upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> society—an annoyance to +courts the sepulchres of their clients' money—living nuisances in the +commoving mass.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stockton opened an office at his paternal mansion and rose rapidly +to the zenith of professional eminence. His fame expanded so widely that +he was frequently employed to try important suits in other colonies. In +1763 he was honored with the degree of Sergeant at Law. In 1766, he +closed his professional career richly rewarded for his faithful and +arduous labors. He committed the settlement of his business and his +practice to Elias Boudinot who had married his sister and who was well +qualified to follow in the steps of his illustrious predecessor.</p> + +<p>Anxious to further enrich his mind, in June of that year he embarked for +Europe and arrived safely at London. His legal fame had been spread in +that country—his visit was anticipated and he was received by the +dignitaries of England with marked attention. He was presented at the +Court of St. James by one of the Cabinet members and delivered to the +King an address from the College of New Jersey, expressive of their joy +at the repeal of the peace disturbing Stamp Act.</p> + +<p>During his stay in Europe he rendered lasting service to this college by +inducing Dr. Witherspoon to become its President pursuant to his recent +election to that station—adding another brilliant star to the list of +high minded talented patriots who nobly conceived, boldly prosecuted and +gloriously consummated the emancipation of the colonies. During his +visit he communicated freely with the statesmen of England who were +friendly to the cause of constitutional rights and confirmed them more +strongly in favor of the Americans.</p> + +<p>In February following he visited Edinburgh where he received the kindest +attention from those in commission who gave him the freedom of the city +and a magnificent public dinner at which he delivered an eloquent and +thrilling speech—fully sustaining his reported forensic fame—more than +realizing their most sanguine anticipations. His company was courted by +the most scientific of that ancient seat of learning. He was made the +honored and welcome guest of every nobleman on whom he could call.</p> + +<p>He also visited Dublin and received the hearty Irish welcome so +characteristic of that warm hearted nation. The oppressed situation of +that down trodden people convinced him more strongly of the fate that +awaited his native country if she yielded to the imperious and +humiliating demands of the British ministry. His noble resolves were +then and there made—he was prepared for future action.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stockton was surprised to find so few in England who under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span>stood the +situation and character of the Americans—the English were astonished to +find so great a man from the western wilderness. Misapprehension often +produces disastrous consequences to individuals and nations. The +comprehensive mind of this philanthropist readily saw the result of this +ignorance of the people of the mother country relative to the colonists +and embraced every opportunity to dispel this dark mist that hung over +the land of his ancestors like the mantle of night. With many he +succeeded—but when those who wield the destiny of a nation are wading +in corruption—breathing the atmosphere of tyranny—influenced by sordid +avarice—thirsting for a stretch of power—delighting in cruelly and +oppression—they dethrone reason—would dethrone Jehovah if they +could—defy justice—trample on constitutions and laws—stop at nothing +to accomplish their demoniac purposes. Thus acted the British ministers +when they turned a deaf ear to the petitions and remonstrances of the +Americans and the wise counsels and warning voices of the ablest +statesmen in their Parliament. With untiring industry and determined +perseverance they wove the web of our Independence and gave it an +enduring and beautiful texture before unknown.</p> + +<p>The mind of Mr. Stockton was enriched and embellished by his varied +intercourse with the great men of the United Kingdom. He had listened to +the forensic eloquence and powerful arguments of Blackstone and the +other celebrated pleaders in Westminster Hall. He had treasured his mind +with the clear and erudite decisions of the learned judges who then +graced the English bench. He had witnessed the enrapturing rhetoric of +Chatham—the logical genius of Burke—the fascinating manners of +Chesterfield and saw Garrick on the flood tide of his glory.</p> + +<p>After an absence of a little over a year he embarked for home and +arrived in September 1767. He was received with demonstrations of the +liveliest joy by his fellow citizens and with great kindness and +affection by his relatives.</p> + +<p>In consequence of the high opinion of his talents entertained by the +king he appointed him to a seat in the Supreme Judiciary and Executive +Council in 1769. In 1774 he was appointed an associate judge of the +Supreme Court with David Ogden his law preceptor. Two better judges +could not have been selected for the people—but to the king they +ultimately became as obnoxious as a crown of thorns and plume of +thistles.</p> + +<p>The revolutionary storm was gathering. Dark clouds were rolling into a +conglomerated mass. An awful crisis had arrived. The flames of revenge +were spreading like fire on a prairie in autumn. Mr. Stock<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>ton was a +favorite of the crown. It became necessary for him to choose whom he +would serve. The immense influence he wielded made his decision of great +importance to the king and Colonies. Now came the test of patriotism. +Sordid self and inflated aristocracy could have had no difficulty in +deciding. Nor had he, but came to a very different conclusion from most +of the crown officers. He knew much of the mother country—he knew and +loved his own better. The pomp of kings and pageantry of courts had no +charms for him. He was a republican, a patriot, a friend of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. In +her cause he promptly enlisted—under her banner he took his stand +willing to sacrifice kingly favor, property and life in defence of the +sacred rights of his bleeding injured country. He carried with him his +friend, Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, both of whom were elected to the +Continental Congress in June 1776, just in time to immortalize their +names by recording them on the Magna Charta of our rights. Mr. Stockton +was among its boldest advocates, brandishing the amputating knife +fearlessly in public and private circles. Nor did he stand alone. The +members of that body soon acquired the art of cutting <i>five</i> and <i>six</i>. +They forged and finished a blade, pure as Damascus steel and placed it +in the hands of their proscribed President. At one bold stroke the cords +of parental authority were cut asunder. America was redeemed, +regenerated and free. <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> dipped her golden pen in the cerulean font +of <span class="smcap">justice</span> and recorded the names of the <span class="smcap">fifty-seven</span> upon the shining +tablet of enduring fame. Heaven smiled its approbation—angels shouted +for joy—nations gazed with admiring wonder—every patriot responded a +loud—<span class="smcap">Amen</span>!!!</p> + +<p>The rich store of information, matured experience, soaring talent and +enrapturing eloquence of Mr. Stockton—rendered him one of the most +useful members of that Congress. His acute knowledge of law, political +economy, human nature, chartered rights and of men and things—commanded +the respect and esteem of all his colleagues. He performed every duty +with zeal, industry and integrity. In the autumn of 1776 he was sent +with George Clymer to inspect the northern army, with power to supply +its wants and correct any existing abuses. In the able discharge of this +duty they had the approbation of Congress and the army.</p> + +<p>Soon after his return Mr. Stockton was called to remove his family to +save his wife and children from the proverbial brutality of the +approaching enemy. In the effort to do this he was taken prisoner and in +the most inhuman manner taken to New York and consigned to the common +prison. He was deprived of every comfort—kept twenty-four hours without +any provision and then received a coarse and scanty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> supply—the British +violating the laws of humanity—of nations and all rules of civilized +warfare. This base treatment impaired his health and laid the foundation +of disease that hastened his death. His capture was effected by the +information of a Tory who was subsequently indicted and punished for his +perfidy.</p> + +<p>This abuse of one of its members roused the indignation of Congress. +Gen. Washington was directed to send a flag of truce to Gen. Howe and +through great exertions finally obtained the release of Mr. Stockton. +Simultaneous with his capture the demoniac enemy committed to the flames +his extensive library, papers and everything combustible—leaving his +highly ornamented plantation a blackened waste.</p> + +<p>Oppressed by want and disease he was unable again to take his seat in +Congress but continued to be a consulted counsellor in public affairs at +his residence near Princeton. His opinions had great weight and proved a +national blessing. Among his complicated diseases he had a painful +cancer upon his neck. He endured his severe affliction with Christian +fortitude up to the 28th of February 1781 when death relieved him from +pain and consigned him to the peaceful kingdom of the dead. At his exit +to the world of spirits many warm hearts were sad—thousands dropped the +sympathetic tear—our nation mourned the loss of a valued son.</p> + +<p>Thus prematurely closed the brilliant career of one of the bright +luminaries of that eventful period. His science and knowledge were +unusually extensive. He was the first Chief Justice of his state under +the new constitution. He acquitted himself nobly in all the relations of +life—lawyer, judge, statesman, patriot, gentleman, citizen, friend, +husband, father, Christian and man. He was an ornament to society—an +honor to his country and a blessing to mankind.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="THOMAS_STONE" id="THOMAS_STONE"></a>THOMAS STONE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> man who has a just sense of the responsibilities of a high public +office is the last to seek it. The more clearly a sensible unassuming +man perceives the magnitude of a public trust the more he mistrusts his +capacity to discharge its duties—yet such a man is the very one to be +trusted. It was with great diffidence that Washington assumed the +command of the American armies. No one can be pointed out who possessed +as fully all the requisites to meet the times that tried the souls and +bodies of men. John Hancock quailed under his appointment to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> +Presidential Chair of Congress. No one manifested more firmness in the +cause of freedom—no one could have filled that chair with more dignity.</p> + +<p>It is only in times of danger that men of the greatest worth become most +conspicuous. They are then sought for by the virtuous portion of +community. In times of peace and prosperity the same men may be called +to the councils of a nation without exciting great applause whilst the +names of noisy demagogue politicians are carried over the world on the +wings of venal partisan prints and held up as the conservators of the +body politic. It is at such times that our best men shrink from the +public gaze. It is at such times that the canker worm of political +intrigue carries on the work of death. It is at such times that +peculation stalks abroad at noon day with hideous form and unblushing +impudence. It is at such times that the conclave caucusers consume the +midnight oil to concoct plans to dupe the dozing people and secure to +themselves the loaves and fishes. It is only in times of strong +commotion and certain peril that men of sterling merit become most +prominent and are duly appreciated. This fact was fully demonstrated +during the American Revolution. Many were then called to deliberate in +the solemn assemblies who had not been previously known as public men +and who retired when the mighty work of Independence was completed. They +were selected for their discretion, honesty, wisdom, firmness and +patriotism.</p> + +<p>Of this class was Thomas Stone, a descendant of William Stone who was +governor of Maryland during the reign of Cromwell. He was born at +Pointon Manor, Charles County, Maryland in 1743. He was well educated +under the instruction of a Scotch clergyman and read law with Thomas +Johnson of Annapolis. He commenced a successful practice at that place +and was held in high estimation by the community in which he lived. +Modest, unassuming, industrious, a close student, a judicious counsellor +and an honest man—he was admired and beloved for his substantial worth +and sterling merit. He possessed a clear head, sound judgment and good +heart. His mind was vigorous, analyzing, investigating and +philosophical. He was a friend to equal rights and delighted in seeing +every one happy. He detested oppression in all its various shades from +the abuse of a worm up to the capstone of the climax of creation—<span class="smcap">Man</span>. +He was patriotic, kind, noble, benevolent, generous.</p> + +<p>With such feelings he could not carelessly look upon the oppressions of +the Grenville administration. When the Stamp Act was passed he was a +youth in politics but the discussions upon its odiousness deeply +interested him. He was an attentive listener and a thorough +investi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>gator. His opposition to such encroachments became firm. A holy +indignation was awakened in his manly bosom and prepared him for future +action. Still he avoided the public gaze. In private circles he +conversed freely, lucidly and understandingly upon the subject of +American rights and British wrongs. But just previous to his being +called by his country to deliberate in her councils could he be induced +to mount the rostrum in the forum and display his very respectable +forensic powers. When the Boston Port Dill was proclaimed Mr. Stone +surmounted the barriers of diffidence and came out boldly against abused +power. His example had a salutary influence upon those around him. All +knew there must be something radically wrong—that some portentous cloud +hung over the Colonies if Thomas Stone was roused to public action. In +times of peril the influence of such men is of the highest value. The +declaimer who is always on hand at public meetings charged with a +Niagara cataract of words must be a Demosthenes or Cicero to long keep a +strong hold upon the hearts of the people. And if he does so his +influence is only popular—not of that deep-toned kind that moves the +living mass only from a deliberate conviction of imperative duty. The +cool, the reflecting, the calculating, the timid and the wavering are +operated upon magically when they see such a man as Thomas Stone go +boldly forward and advocate a cause that they at first believed +problematical.</p> + +<p>On the 8th of December 1774 he was elected to the Continental Congress +and took his seat on the 15th of the ensuing May. The meeting had been +deeply solemn and imposing the year before but at that time increased +responsibilities rested upon the members. The cry of blood was ringing +in their ears—the fury of the revolutionary storm was increasing—the +clash of arms and mortal combat had commenced—the vials of British +wrath were unsealed—civil government was at an end. To meet such a +crisis required the wisdom of Solon, the patriotism of Cincinnatus, the +acuteness of Locke, the eloquence of Demosthenes and Cicero, the caution +of Tacitus, the learning of Atticus, the energy of Virginius, the +honesty of Socrates, the justice of Aristides, the boldness of Cæsar, +the perseverance of Hannibal, the concentrated and harmonious action of +all the colonies. These qualities were all represented by the members of +the Continental Congress to a degree that has no parallel in history. +Mr. Stone commenced his legislative duties with vigor and prosecuted +them with zeal. He was at first trammelled by instructions from the +Maryland Assembly the members of which hoped for peace without recourse +to arms. Increasing oppressions soon removed this injunction and enabled +him to join in all measures calcu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>lated to promote the cause of +Independence. When the millennial sun of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> rose upon the new world +on the 4th of July 1776 Mr. Stone was at his post and became a +subscribing witness to the dissolution of that unequal partnership where +the labor had been performed by one party and the profits consumed by +the other.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stone retired from Congress in 1777. He had been a faithful laborer +in the committee rooms—an influential member in the House. He had +bestowed much time and thought upon the Articles of Confederation and +felt bound to remain until they were perfected and adopted. That +important work completed he left the national Council carrying with him +the esteem of his co-workers in the cause of freedom, the approbation of +a good conscience and the gratitude of his constituents. In 1778 he was +elected to the Maryland legislature and became an important and +influential member. During that session the Articles of Confederation +that he had aided in framing at the preceding Congress were submitted +for consideration. At first they met with strong opposition. Better +understanding them Mr. Stone was able to meet every objection and was +largely instrumental in their adoption. In 1783 he again took his seat +in Congress and fully sustained his high reputation for usefulness. +Devoted to the best interests of his country, free from political +ambition, sincere in his profession of republican principles, frank in +his intercourse, honest in his purposes—he was safely entrusted with +every station he was called to fill. He was present when Washington +resigned his commission and retired from the field of epic glory to the +peaceful shades of Mount Vernon amidst the loud plaudits of admiring +millions and the mingled tears of joy and gratitude that stood like +pearly dew-drops in the eyes of his countrymen and compatriots in arms.</p> + +<p>The ensuing year Mr. Stone closed his labors in Congress and retired +from the public arena. During the last session of his services he +frequently presided and was esteemed highly as President <i>pro tempore</i> +by all the members for his ability, dignity and impartiality. As a +further mark of esteem he was elected to the convention in 1787 that +framed the Federal Constitution but declined any further public service +and did not attend. On the 5th of October the same year he was suddenly +called from the judicial Bar of Port Tobacco, Maryland, to the Bar of +the Judge of quick and dead to render an account of his stewardship. His +decease was deeply lamented by his numerous friends, a grateful nation +and millions of freemen.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stone was cut off in the prime of life, in the midst of a brilliant +career of usefulness with the prospect of future honors opening +brightly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> before him. He lived long enough to be extensively useful and +earned a rich fame—imperishable as the pages of history—lasting as +human intelligence. From the moment he first took his place in society +to the present—the tongue of slander or the breath of detraction have +never attempted to cast a slur upon his reputation as a public man or +private citizen. He was a rare model of discretion, propriety and +usefulness—a true specimen of the Simon pure salt of the body politic, +rendering efficient services to his country without noise or parade and +without the towering talents of a Henry. Such men are above all price +and can be relied upon in the hour of danger as safe sentinels to guard +the best interests of our nation. We have more of the same sort who are +living in retirement. Let the people break them in and bring them out +that our UNION may be preserved.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="GEORGE_TAYLOR" id="GEORGE_TAYLOR"></a>GEORGE TAYLOR.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A purely</span> republican government is enrapturing in theory. To reduce this +beautiful theory to successful operation the body politic must be sound +and healthful in all its parts. It must be wielded by enlightened rulers +whose hearts are free from guile, whose judgments are strong and +matured, whose characters are without reproach, whose conduct is always +consistent, whose patriotism extinguishes all self, whose virtue lifts +them above all temptation to digress from the most exalted honesty and +rigid morality, whose minds are stored with useful knowledge—large +experience and whose souls are imbued with wisdom from above.</p> + +<p>In such a condition and in such hands this kind of government is +calculated to bring out and elevate the intellectual powers of man, +unfold to the mind correct and liberal principles, promote social order +and general happiness by diffusing its radiant light, its refulgent +rays, its benign influence to the remotest bounds of the human family. +In such a condition and in such hands it would become the solar fountain +of mental improvement, the polar star of soaring genius, the brilliant +galaxy of expanding science, the prolific field of religious enterprise, +a shining light to benighted man. Its sunbeams of living light would +warm into mellow life the ignorant, the oppressed, the forlorn. Its +harmonious links would form a golden chain that would encircle earth and +reach to heaven. It would be a messenger of peace inviting the weary +pilgrims of bondage in every clime to a reposing asylum of peaceful, +quiescent rest. This is the kind of government the Sages<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> and Heroes of +the American Revolution aimed to form and have perpetuated by posterity.</p> + +<p>Among those who laid the foundation and commenced the superstructure of +our growing Republic was George Taylor, born in Ireland in 1716. His +father was a clergyman and gave him a good education. He then placed him +with a physician under whose direction he commenced the study of +medicine. Not fancying the idea of becoming a son of Æsculapius he flew +the course and without money or the knowledge of his friends entered as +a redemptioner on board a vessel bound for Philadelphia. Soon after his +arrival his passage was paid by Mr. Savage of Durham, Bucks County, +Pennsylvania, for which George bound himself as a common laborer for a +term of years. This gentleman carried on iron works and appointed his +new servant to the office of <i>filler</i>—his work being to throw coal into +the furnace when in blast. His hands became cruelly blistered but being +ambitious to gain the approbation of all around him he persevered +without a complaint. Learning his situation his humane master entered +into a conversation with him and was surprised to find him possessed of +a good education and superior talents. He immediately promoted him to a +clerkship in the counting house. He filled his station admirably and +gained the esteem and friendship of all his new acquaintances. He +endeavored to improve by everything he saw, heard and read. His +reflecting and reasoning powers became rapidly developed. He made +himself acquainted with the formula of business, the customs and laws of +his adopted country and reduced to practice the theories he had acquired +at school. To add to his importance in society Mr. Savage was removed by +death and after the usual season of mourning had passed, the widow +Savage became Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Taylor came in possession of a large +property and a valuable and influential wife. By persevering industry +and good management he continued to add to the estate and in a few years +purchased a tract of land on the bank of the Lehigh River in Northampton +County upon which he built a splendid mansion and iron works, making it +his place of residence. Not being prospered there he removed back to +Durham. During his residence in Northampton County he became extensively +and favorably known.</p> + +<p>In 1764 he was elected to the provincial Assembly and took a prominent +part in its deliberations. He was endowed with a strong mind, clear +perception and sound judgment. He had not been an idle spectator or +careless observer of passing events or of subjects discussed. He had +examined the principles upon which various governments were predicated +and became enraptured with the republican system. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> had closely +observed the increasing advances of British oppression. He had not +imported a large share of love for the mother country. He was too +patriotic to tamely submit to the English yoke. So fully had he gained +the confidence of his fellow citizens that he was placed upon the +important committee of grievances. He took a bold stand against the +corruptions of the proprietary government and strongly advocated an +alteration of the charter that peculation might be diminished and abuses +corrected.</p> + +<p>The ensuing year he was again elected to the Assembly and was one of the +committee that prepared instructions for the delegates to Congress that +convened in New York in 1765 to adopt measures for the restoration and +preservation of colonial rights. This document combined caution and +respect with firmness of purpose and deliberation of action. It +instructed the delegates to move within the orbit of constitutional and +chartered rights and to respectfully but clearly admonish the mother +country and her advisers not to travel out of the same circle. Shortly +after that the Stamp Act was repealed. Mr. Taylor was on the committee +to prepare a congratulatory address to the king on the happy event. So +ably did he discharge his public duties that he was uniformly placed +upon several of the standing committees of great importance, assigning +to him an onerous portion of legislative duties. Upon the committee of +grievances, assessment of taxes, judiciary, loans on bills of credit, +navigation, to choose a printer of public laws, the name of George +Taylor was generally found and often the first. He was a member of the +Assembly for six consecutive years. In 1768 he was upon a committee to +prepare an address to the governor censuring him for a remissness of +duty in not bringing to condign punishment certain offenders who had +openly and barbarously murdered several Indians thereby provoking +retaliation. It was respectful and manly but keen and cutting as a +Damascus blade. It was a lucid exposition of political policy, sound +law, equal justice and public duty. In 1775 Mr. Taylor was one of the +committee of safety for Pennsylvania, then virtually the organ of +government. The awful crisis had arrived when American blood was crying +for vengeance. The revolutionary storm had commenced—the mountain waves +of British wrath were rolling over the Colonies. Firmness, sound +discretion and boldness of action were required. Mr. Taylor possessed +and endeavoured to inspire these requisites in others. He was a faithful +sentinel in the cause of freedom—not a blazing luminary but a reliable +light. Although cautious he was not affected by the temporizing spirit +that paralyzed many who desired Liberty but preferred that others should +fight for it. He continued to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> exercise a salutary influence in the +Assembly until the summer of 1776 when he became a member of the +Continental Congress and sanctioned the principles of freedom he had +boldly advocated by his vote for and signature upon the Magna Charta of +our Liberty. Although he did not tempt the giddy height of declamation +Mr. Taylor knew where and when to speak, what to say and how to +vote—the highest qualifications of a legislator.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1777 he retired from public life crowned with the +honors of a devoted and ardent patriot, an industrious and useful +legislator, an enlightened and valuable citizen, a worthy and honest +man. On the 23d of February 1781 he closed his eyes upon terrestrial +things, bid a last farewell to earth and its toils and bowed +submissively to the king of terrors. He died at Easton, Pennsylvania, +where he had but recently removed.</p> + +<p>From this brief sketch of Mr. Taylor the reader may learn that without +the luminous talents of a Lee, the towering intellect of a Jefferson or +the profound researches of a Franklin, a man can be substantially useful +and render important services to his country and the world. In the grand +machinery of human society there is a place for every individual to +occupy. Let all fulfil the design of their creation and exert their best +energies to preserve our blood-bought <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> and perpetuate our +glorious UNION until <span class="smcap">time</span> shall be merged in <span class="smcap">eternity</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="MATTHEW_THORNTON" id="MATTHEW_THORNTON"></a>MATTHEW THORNTON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> study of human nature is one of the highest importance but +criminally neglected. Many who do undertake it begin at the wrong place. +They commence upon their neighbors instead of first exploring the +avenues of their own nature and there learning the thousand springs that +put their own machinery in motion. In no other school can we +successfully acquire this branch of knowledge. Self examination is +deplorably neglected. But few men know themselves and are sadly mistaken +when they suppose they fully understand those around them. To a large +portion of the human family man is a sealed book. But few parents study +or understand the nature and disposition of their children. If asked to +define them they would succeed no better than the unlettered red man +would in expounding geology and botany. Both live in the midst of the +subjects of investigation but only know them by sight. Upon the closest +application we can only arrive at general rules by which to try others. +I deny the hackneyed doctrine that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> minutiæ of human nature is the +same in every individual. It cannot be deduced from an examination of +man mentally or physically. It cannot be shown from analogy in the laws +of nature. It cannot be proved by revelation but the reverse. Hence so +few become masters of this intricate study. The error lies in looking at +human nature as a mass. The man who does not understand geology may be +shown every variety of rock selected and placed in layers before him and +he can give you but one name for the whole—<i>rock</i>. The same with +reference to the other departments in the kingdom of nature. So in the +great machinery of society. Every observing person knows that what will +impel <i>one</i> man to do certain acts would not move <i>another</i> one inch. +Apply a great principle that operates upon every man—say the law of +self-preservation—its operation is not alike on different persons. On +the field of battle I have noticed a striking difference in the effect +upon different men. This was exemplified at the commencement and during +the American Revolution. The machinery that was put in motion was +composed of wheels from the smallest to the largest and springs of every +elasticity. To rouse the people to a becoming sense of their injured +rights and induce them to rise in the majesty of their might and +vindicate them, was the first business of the illustrious patriots who +boldly achieved our Independence. To effect this all the varied forms of +eloquence were necessary—the rushing torrent of logic that +overwhelms—the keen sarcasm that withers and the mild and winning +persuasion that loads.</p> + +<p>The latter talent was the forte of Matthew Thornton born in Ireland in +1714 and came to this country with his father in 1717 who settled at +Wiscasset in Maine. This son received a good academical education and +was greatly admired for industry, correct deportment and blandness of +manners. After completing his course at school he commenced the study of +medicine with Dr. Grant of Leicester, Mass. He made rapid progress in +the acquisition of that important department of science and gave great +promise of future usefulness. When he finished his course he commenced +practice in Londonderry, N. H. which was principally settled by people +from his native country. He soon acquired a lucrative business and the +confidence of his numerous patrons. In the expedition against Cape +Breton, then belonging to the French, he was appointed surgeon to the +New Hampshire division of the army and performed his duty with great +skill and credit.</p> + +<p>He was an early and prominent advocate of American rights—a bold and +uniform opposer of British usurpations. He had a great opportunity to +disseminate liberal principles among the people and most effectually<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> +improved it. When the revolutionary storm burst upon the Colonies he had +command of a regiment. He had filled various important offices which had +made him widely and favorably known. His urbanity of manners, sincerity +of purpose and uncommon powers of persuasion gave him great influence in +private intercourse and public assemblies.</p> + +<p>He was President of the first convention of New Hampshire after the +expulsion of kingly government. At the commencement of the Revolution +the people of that province did not form into line with the patriots but +Dr. Thornton and other kindred spirits soon brought them into the rank +and file of opposition to the invading foe and banished from them all +fugitive fear. In 1774 they sent delegates to Congress and came nobly up +to the work. In December of that year several members of the committee +of safety in the town of Portsmouth entered the fort and carried off one +hundred barrels of gun powder before the governor could rally crownites +to prevent them. Great Britain had prohibited the exportation of this +article to the Colonies.</p> + +<p>Soon after the flight of Gov. Wentworth upon being apprised of the +battle of Lexington, an address was prepared and published by a +provincial committee over the signature of Matthew Thornton President. +To the young reader this may seem not important unless informed that it +was evidence to convict him of high treason and consign him to the +gallows had he fallen into the hands of the British. The address was +written in strong and bold language. Sample—"You must all be sensible +that the affairs of America have come to an affecting crisis. The +horrors and distresses of a civil war which of late we only had in +contemplation, we now find ourselves obliged to realize. Painful, beyond +expression, have been those scenes of blood and devastation which the +barbarous cruelties of British troops have placed before our eyes. Duty +to God, to ourselves, to posterity—enforced by the cries of slaughtered +innocents, have urged us to take up arms in our own defence. Such a day +as this was never before known either to us or our fathers. We would +therefore recommend to the Colony at large to cultivate that Christian +union, harmony and tender affection which constitute the only foundation +upon which our invaluable privileges can rest with any security or our +public measures be pursued with the least prospect of success."</p> + +<p>On the 10th of January 1776, Dr. Thornton was appointed a judge of the +Superior Court of New Hampshire. On the 12th of September of the same +year he was elected to the Continental Congress and when he took his +seat, affixed his name to the Declaration of Independence. It may be +supposed by many that those who signed this instrument, so often +referred to, were all present on the memorable 4th of July when it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> was +adopted. This was not the case. Messrs. Franklin, Rush, Clymer, Wilson, +Ross, Carroll, Taylor and others, as in the case of Dr. Thornton, were +not members on that day. Finding the measure would probably be +sanctioned by a majority, fear seized several members who resigned their +seats and run for dear life. Let their names rest in oblivion. The name +of Thomas McKean is not upon the printed records although he was present +and signed the Declaration at the time of its adoption. Henry Wisner a +member from Orange County, New York, was present and signed the original +manuscript whose name has never been properly recognized. He was a +highly respectable member and a fearless patriot. How these errors +occurred cannot now be told.</p> + +<p>Dr. Thornton ably discharged the important duties of his station until +his services were required upon the Bench. On the 24th of December of +the same year he was re-elected to Congress and served until the 23d of +January following, when he took his final leave of the National +Legislature highly esteemed by his colleagues, enjoying the approval of +his constituents and the proud consciousness of having performed his +duty toward his country and his God.</p> + +<p>For six years he served on the Bench of the Superior Court and on that +of Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, the combined duties rendering his +services arduous. He filled these stations with dignity and +impartiality. In 1779 he removed to Exeter and soon after purchased a +farm upon the bank of the Merrimack river that he might enjoy that +repose his advanced age required. But in this he was disappointed. He +became a member of the General Court and served in the State Senate from +that time up to 1785. On the 25th of January 1784 he was appointed a +justice of the peace and quorum throughout the state, an important +office under the original constitution but abridged in jurisdiction by +amendments in 1792. In 1785 he retired from the political arena but +continued to afford salutary counsel on all important matters involving +the public good. During the controversy between his state and Vermont +relative to disputed territory, he wrote several letters to those in +power urging conciliatory measures and unconditional submission to the +decision of Congress. They were highly creditable to him as a writer and +a discreet man. In public or private matters he was a peace maker.</p> + +<p>Dr. Thornton was a large portly man over six feet in height, well +proportioned with an expressive countenance lighted up with keen +piercing black eyes. He was one of the most fascinating man of his time. +He was seldom known to smile but was cheerful, entertaining and +instructive—in many respects similar to Dr. Franklin. His mind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> was +stored with a rich variety of useful knowledge which rendered him an +interesting companion. He sustained an unblemished private character and +discharged all the social relations of life with faithfulness and +fidelity. He was wisely opposed to sectarianism—belonged to no church +but was devoutly pious, exemplifying primitive Christianity in all the +beauty of practical development and apostolic simplicity. He was a +regular attendant of public worship.</p> + +<p>He was a kind husband, an affectionate father and a good neighbor. He +was exact in collecting his dues and as exact in paying his creditors. +The poor he never pressed. If he found they were unable to pay he +cancelled their account. He was kind, charitable and liberal.</p> + +<p>He died at Newburyport, Mass. on the 24th of June 1803, whilst on a +visit with his daughter. His remains were conveyed to New Hampshire and +deposited near Thornton's Ferry on the bank of the Merrimack river where +a neat marble slab rests over his dust with the following laconic and +significant epitaph.</p> + +<p class="center">MATTHEW THORNTON,<br /> +<span class="smcap">an honest man</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOSEPH_B_VARNUM" id="JOSEPH_B_VARNUM"></a>JOSEPH B. VARNUM.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> man who despises labor and treats the working man as an inferior +being—except on the eve of an election or time of war—should never be +elevated to an office of honor or profit. Such men seem to forget that +every article used is the result of labor. They do not realize that the +working classes are the original producers of the physical comforts they +enjoy. I refer particularly to those who dig the soil, work our +minerals, shape our timber—manufacture our fabrics and conduct our +commerce—the bone and sinew of our country who have raised it to a +scale of grandeur unparalleled in point of greatness in so short a time. +By the force of labor our lands, wilderness, minerals, rivers, +lakes—all have been made the means of rapidly advancing the prosperity +of our expanding nation. Labor is a dignity conferred on man by his +Creator—a dignity that is highly appreciated by all sensible men. +Aristocracy depreciates it to make serfs and reduce its value. +Monopolists often undervalue it to increase their sordid gains by short +allowance and poor pay. Demagogues look down upon it and aim to impress +the working man with their assumed fictitious superiority that they may +obtain his vote by a little condescending familiarity just before +election. Away with all this trash and much more that might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> be named. +Let the laborer assume his proper dignity—know and feel that without +him our country would become a barren waste—our improvements moulder in +ruins—our nation rush back to original chaos. All should be employed in +some laudable manner. Idleness is not sanctioned by nature, ethics, +theology—Pagan or Christian philosophy—by experience or common sense. +Man was made for action—noble and god-like action. Working men of +America! on you depends the onward and upward course of these United +States. On you rests the high responsibility of perpetuating our +glorious UNION. You have the votes—if you think, judge and act with +intelligence and independence—all will be right. If you are made the +abject tools of dishonest politicians—<span class="smcap">Liberty</span> is lost—<span class="smcap">Freedom</span> is gone.</p> + +<p>The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution were actively laborious. +Most of them were from the classes above enumerated. Washington and +Jefferson thought it a respectable healthful exercise to work on their +plantations. Among those who did not despise labor and highly +appreciated the working man—was Joseph B. Varnum, born in Dracut, +Massachusetts, in 1750. He was raised upon a farm and left his plough to +do battle for his bleeding country. He had acquired a good English +education—had studied men and things thoroughly—understood the rights +of the Colonies and strongly felt the wrongs imposed upon them by mother +Britain. He promptly rendered his best services to advance the cause of +human rights. He became an active military man and filled various +posts—up to Major General of militia. He was long conspicuous in the +political field. He warmly approved of the Declaration of Independence +and every measure calculated to advance the cause of Liberty and drive +from our shores the last vestige of British power. He was also a zealous +advocate for the adoption of the Federal Constitution and a member of +the Massachusetts Convention that sanctioned it. "Federalist" was first +applied to those who were warmly in favor of this sacred +instrument—"Democrat" to the opposite party. Those who understand the +doctrines of the various governments can comprehend the terms.</p> + +<p>Gen. Varnum was repeatedly elected to the legislature of Massachusetts. +He was long a member of the House of Representatives and Senate of the +United States and speaker of the lower house at a time when the storm of +party spirit increased to a tornado and threatened to dash the ship of +state upon the rocks of dissolution. Under all circumstances he was +calm, collected, impartial, just and independent. Nothing could induce +him to swerve from the stern path of strict integrity. Party spirit had +no charms or terrors for him. The good of his whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> country he aimed to +promote regardless of personal consequences. Beyond or short of that he +had no favors to ask or grant. Would to God that all our public men were +of the same stamp at the present day.</p> + +<p>After filling the measure of his country's glory, Gen. Varnum retired +from public life to his paternal mansion in Dracut to enjoy the +refreshing comforts of domestic life. There he glided peacefully down +the stream of time until the 11th of September 1821 when he was taken +suddenly ill and became fully sensible he must enter upon the untried +scenes of eternity in a few hours. He called his family around +him—arranged his earthly concerns—directed that no military display +should be made at his funeral—that it should be conducted without vain +pomp—appointed his pall-bearers and slumbered in death. Not a stain +rests on the fair escutcheon of his public or private character.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="GEORGE_WALTON" id="GEORGE_WALTON"></a>GEORGE WALTON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> this enlightened age and in our free country, ignorance is a +voluntary misfortune arising from idleness—the parent of want, vice and +shame. Under the benevolent arrangements of the present day every child, +youth, woman and man can have access to books and generally to schools. +At no former age of the world has the mantle of education been so widely +spread. All who will may drink at the pure fountain of intelligence and +walk in the light. They may obtain that knowledge which will lead them +to the green pastures of virtue—the parent of earthly happiness and +heavenly joys. By a proper improvement of time the plough boys of the +field—the mill boys of the slashes and the apprentice boys of the shops +may lay in a stock of useful information that will enable them to take a +respectable stand by the side of those who know more of colleges but +less of men and things. Instances of this kind have occurred and I trust +will be rapidly increased. Youth and young men of America—in your own +hands are the materials of future fame and usefulness. Neglect to +properly improve them, oblivial obscurity or withering infamy will be +your fate. You are the architects of your own fortunes. You will rise in +the scale of respectability and importance just in proportion to the +correct culture of your mental powers. Your immortal minds cannot be +dormant. If you do not sow the seeds of wisdom noxious weeds will grow +spontaneously and leave you to reap the whirlwind of keen regret and +consuming anguish. Youth and young men of America—if you desire the +perpetuity of that Liberty purchased by the blood and treasure of your +ancestors—store your minds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> with useful knowledge. If you love a +Republic more than monarchy, freedom more than slavery, religious +liberty more than hierarchy—store your minds with useful knowledge. +Imitate the bright examples of those whose history is spread upon the +pages of this book who raised themselves to usefulness, fame and glory +by the force of their own exertions.</p> + +<p>In the history of George Walton another striking instance of this kind +is beautifully illustrated. He was born in Frederic County, Virginia, in +1740. Without any school education he was apprenticed to a morose +carpenter at an early age, who was too penurious to allow George a +candle to read by although an unusually active and faithful boy. +Fortunately pine knots were plenty and free. By the light of these he +prosecuted his studies during his boyhood and youth. He fulfilled his +indentures to the letter. When manhood dawned upon him he was free in +person and mind. He had accumulated a rich stock of useful knowledge to +what purpose the sequel will show. This he had acquired alone by +untiring industry during those hours of night when a large proportion of +boys and youth are either reposing in the embrace of Morpheus or +hastening on their ruin by associating with corrupt and vicious +companions—demonstrating most clearly that ignorance is a voluntary +misfortune—that man is the architect of his own character.</p> + +<p>At the age of twenty-one Mr. Walton went to Georgia and read law under +Henry Young and became a safe counsellor and able advocate. During his +investigation of the principles laid down by Blackstone and other +elementary writers, he was forcibly impressed with the gross violations +of the charter and constitutional rights of the Colonies. The more +closely he investigated the more his indignation was roused. He freely +expressed his views and feelings and was among the first to oppose the +high-handed policy of the British cabinet. He found a few kindred +spirits—but by a large majority the crown was sustained in Georgia +longer than in any other colony. Many desired freedom but believed its +attainment a visionary idea. They preferred present sufferings rather +than make an abortive attempt to disenthrall themselves lest heavier +burthens should be placed upon them. They felt their own weakness—they +dreaded the power of England. Not so with George Walton and a few others +who had clustered around him. No display of chains or bayonets could +intimidate them. To die in the cause of Liberty was more glorious in +their view than to wear the shackles of a tyrant. They were determined +never to bend a knee to kings or sacrifice at the altar of monarchy. +Freedom or death was their motto.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p> + +<p>In order to test the public mind Messrs. Walton, Noble, Bullock and +Houston published a notice over their proper signatures, calling a +public meeting to be held at the Liberty Pole, Tondee's tavern, +Savannah, on the 27th of July 1774 for the purpose of considering the +constitutional rights and privileges of the American Colonies. This was +the first Liberty pole planted in that state—the first meeting that was +held on that subject. A large concourse of citizens assembled—an +intense anxiety was manifest—hearts beat more quickly—the heaving +bosom, the deep sigh, the quivering lip—all told that the meeting was +one big with importance. Soon George Walton rose with a dignity peculiar +to a man who knows he is right. With the profoundness of an able +lawyer—the wisdom of a sage and the eloquence of a Henry—he portrayed +American rights and British wrongs in such glowing colors that a stream +of patriotic fire ran through the hearts of his audience that +concentrated into a broad and unextinguishable flame. A committee was +appointed to rouse the people to a sense of impending danger. Governor +Wright, with his hireling phalanx, used great exertions to obtain a +written pledge from the inhabitants of each parish to sustain the mother +country and submit more implicitly to the yoke of bondage. Promises of +redress were made only to be broken. But the fire of patriotism had +commenced its insulating course. From Mr. Walton and his companions the +burning flame spread from heart to heart, from sire to son, from parish +to parish and rushing to a common centre rose in one broad sheet of +light—illuminating the horizon of Liberty with cheering refulgence. +Many of the more timid patriots of Georgia were long perched on the +pivot of indecision. Self-interest and self-preservation caused many to +remain inactive for a time—but what persuasion could not do the +increasing insults from the crown officers soon effected and roused them +to action. Mr. Walton did much to remove the incipient paralysis and +produce a healthy tone in the body politic. All the other colonies had +united in the glorious cause of freedom—that his state should form a +doubtful rear-guard was irksome to his noble spirit. But he stood firm +at his post. His exertions became equal to the herculean task he had +undertaken. His powers of mind rose with the magnitude of the +occasion—his eloquence and logic bore down every opponent who dared +confront him.</p> + +<p>When the cry of blood—of <i>murder</i>—was raised on the heights of +Lexington and reverberated from hill to dale, it came upon the Georgians +like a clap of thunder without a cloud. The people started from their +reverie—burst the cords that bound them—rose in the majesty of their +power—buckled on their armor and bid defiance to the British lion. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> +May 1775 the Parish of St. Johns sent Lyman Hall to the Continental +Congress and in July four colleagues took their seats with him. The +Council of Safely was reorganized and vigorous measures adopted to +resist the encroachments of imported dictators. In January 1776 the +legislature appointed Mr. Bullock President of the Executive Council. He +was a bold and active patriot and very obnoxious to the crown officers. +Gov. Wright threatened the members with bayonets—the next hour he was +their prisoner and permitted the liberty of his own house only upon his +parol of honor. This he violated—fled on board the armed fleet in the +harbor—commenced an attack upon the town—was badly whipped and glad to +flee from the vengeance of an insulted and enraged people. British +authority was at an end in that Province.</p> + +<p>In February 1776 Mr. Walton was elected to the Continental Congress and +entered upon the high duties of legislation. He was a bold and efficient +advocate of every measure calculated to advance the cause of +Independence. He warmly supported the Declaration of Rights and proved +his sincerity by his vote and signature. Excepting 1779 when he was +Governor of Georgia, he was a member of Congress until 1781. He was +raised to work and being placed on many committees showed that he could +still endure a vast amount of labor. When Congress was compelled to +retire to Baltimore on the 13th of December 1776, Messrs. Morris, Clymer +and Walton were left as superintendents to aid the army with $200,000 in +funds. Mr. Walton was also a member of the Treasury Board and Marine +Committee. In every station he ably discharged his duty. In 1777 he +performed a very important act in the drama of life by marrying the +accomplished daughter of Mr. Chamber.</p> + +<p>In 1778 he became Col. Walton and behaved with great gallantry in the +battle at Savannah between the American troops and the British. The +regiment under his command made a desperate fight until their Colonel +was severely wounded, fell from his horse and was taken prisoner. After +his wound would permit he was sent to Sunbury and confined with the +other prisoners. He was soon after exchanged and returned to Congress. +In January 1783 he was appointed Chief Justice of Georgia. He also +filled the gubernatorial chair a second time. He was one of the +commissioners that effected a treaty with the Cherokee Indians. He +discharged all the onerous duties imposed upon him with credit to +himself and usefulness to his country. At one time he was involved in an +apparent difficulty which was as singular as it proved harmless and lost +none of its romance in the end. During the war a jealousy existed +between the civil and military authority in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> Georgia. Judge Walton was +at the head of the former—Gen. McIntosh at the head of the latter. In +1779, when Judge Walton was first Governor of the state, a forged +letter, purporting to be from the legislature, was forwarded to Congress +requesting the removal of the General. The governor was charged with a +knowledge of the transaction—positively denied it—but few if any +believed it. It became a party matter—a vote of censure was passed upon +him by the same legislature that had appointed him Chief Justice the day +previous—the Attorney General was directed to institute proceedings +against him in the Court over which he presided—the only one that had +jurisdiction over the offence charged. That was the finale of the great +bubble. It was more like a modern political demagogue compromise than +any farce found in the history of that eventful period. It inflicted no +injury on the fair fame of Judge Walton.</p> + +<p>During his latter years Judge Walton confined his public duties to the +Bench of the Superior Court. Through the intervals between terms he +enjoyed the rich comforts of domestic life with his faithful wife and an +only son. He was not wealthy—was free from avarice and was contented +with the competence afforded by his public emoluments and the produce of +a small plantation. He indulged in good living. Previous to his last +illness he suffered much from the gout and other complicated +derangements of his system. His useful career was closed on the 2d of +February 1803.</p> + +<p>Judge Walton was a close student during his whole life. He added to his +large experience a general knowledge of the sciences and became an +ornament to the judiciary of his state. He was a ready writer and very +satirical upon vice and folly. He was of a warm temperament, resenting +every indignity but honorable and just, moving within the orbit of +consistency under all circumstances showing clearly that the wildest +passions may be controlled by wise discretion. He was a stranger to +disguise, ardent in his attachments, firm in his purposes, stern and +reserved in his manners in general intercourse but free and familiar in +the private circle with his friends. He was an open and manly opponent. +He was fond of brevity in all things, systematic in his public and +private arrangements and remarkable for punctuality.</p> + +<p>Taken as a whole Judge Walton was one of the most useful men of his day +and generation. His examples are worthy the imitation of the apprentice, +the student, lawyer, judge and statesman. By the force of industry he +rose from the humblest walks of life to the most dignified stations +within the gift of his constituents. Youth and young men of +America—ponder well the history of George Walton. Let it stimulate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> you +to embrace every opportunity for improvement—drink often and freely at +the crystal fountain of useful knowledge now open to all. Remember, O! +remember that you are the architects of your own fortunes. Soon the +affairs of a mighty nation, the destiny of increasing millions will +devolve upon you. Prepare yourselves to assume the high stations you +must fill—for weal or for wo will depend upon the fitness you acquire. +Enter upon the great theatre of action free from every vice—armed with +every virtue. Then and then only will you be prepared to guard the +dearest interest of our expanding republic and counteract the fearful +evils that are put in motion by wild ambition, sordid selfishness and +base intrigue. Upon you will soon depend the happiness of moving +millions and of millions yet unborn. Nothing but death can relieve you +from this high responsibility—when death calls you, be found at the +post of duty.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOSEPH_WARREN" id="JOSEPH_WARREN"></a>JOSEPH WARREN.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> popularity of a measure depends much upon the character of those who +engage in it. Its justice is inferred from its ardent and unwavering +advocacy by men of high moral and religious worth. For righteous cause +and consistency in its prosecution—the American Revolution has no +parallel on the pages of history. It commanded the noblest exertions of +the best and most talented men of that eventful era. Their conduct +elicited the admiration of a gazing world. Pure patriotism pervaded +their bosoms—self was banished to its original Pandora box. Truckling +politicians were despised—demagogues frowned down—disorganizers +silenced—the general good of the whole country was the prime object of +deep solicitude. On that bright picture the patriot and philanthropist +can feast their eyes with increasing delight. The artists have passed +away and left to us the priceless gem of republican <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>. In lines of +living light they traced the path of duty in which we must tread to +insure safety and preserve our priceless UNION. In language solemn as +eternity they said to us—<span class="smcap">Walk ye therein</span>. People of America! is this +injunction of the venerated dead implicitly obeyed by all? A fearful +negative must be responded by every thinking, observing, intelligent, +honest man. The alluvion of political corruption has submerged this path +of duty and safety. Reckless party spirit has broken down its <ins class="correct" title="land-marks">landmarks</ins>. +Disorganizes trample under foot the precious blood that cemented its +pavement—the blood of the covenant of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. They treat it as an +unholy thing and put our country and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> themselves to open shame. People +of America! will you, <i>can</i> you hear the portentous thunders of +disorganization—disunion and stand motionless—speechless—until the +crash of our <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>—the wreck of our <span class="smcap">Freedom</span> shall unveil to you the +wild horrors of chaotic ruin? <i>You</i> are the conservators of our +Republic—nobly perform your duty.</p> + +<p>Among the lofty patriots who were sacrificed at the shrine of American +Liberty was Joseph Warren, born in Roxbury, Mass. in 1740. He entered +Harvard college at the age of fifteen with a maturity of mind and a +manly bearing seldom equalled by one of his years. On the completion of +his classical education he studied medicine and acquired a high +reputation and a lucrative practice in the city of Boston. He look an +early and decided stand in favor of emancipation from mother Britain. He +was an able writer and an eloquent public speaker. His pen and voice +were warmly enlisted in the cause of equal rights. He was in favor of +resisting every species of taxation for the support of England. He +believed the people were prepared for self-government and could best +manage their own affairs free from foreign interference. He was one of +the first members of the secret committee in Boston that put the +revolutionary ball in motion. He had a large and happy influence on +those around him. He was bold and energetic, but prudent and discreet. +It was him who sent an express late at night to Lexington to advise +Messrs. Hancock and Adams of their contemplated capture. At the battle +of Lexington he took an active part and had a portion of his ear lock +shot off. In consequence of his high standing and zeal he received the +commission of Major General on the 13th of June 1775. Over the army at +Cambridge he had a salutary influence. He aided greatly in its first +organization—bringing order out of confusion. On the 17th of June he +engaged in the battle at Bunker's Hill as a volunteer where he received +a ball in his head and died in the entrenchment. Thus prematurely fell +one of the brightest ornaments of his day and generation. He was the +first American General whose life was sacrificed in the cause of +Liberty. He was favorably known as an efficient correspondent to the +friends of freedom throughout the colonies and as widely mourned by +every patriot. The nation deeply deplored his fall.</p> + +<p>The battle of Bunker's Hill was of vast importance. It convinced the +British that they had widely mistaken Yankee prowess and our own people +that the enemy was not invincible. A defence of only a few hours' labor +was thrown up—the whole force of the Americans was but 1200. This was +furiously attacked by a superior number of veteran troops. So closely +were they permitted to advance that they supposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> the idea of +resistance was abandoned. At the dread moment when they were on the +point of entering the works a stream of liquid fire sent into their +ranks a storm of lead and iron hail that caused the survivors to retreat +with terror and confusion. Again and again were they repulsed with +dreadful slaughter until the ammunition of the Americans failed and +compelled them to retreat. The returns of Gen. Gage show 1054 of the +British killed. The patriots had 139 killed. In prisoners, wounded and +missing 314. They also lost five pieces of artillery.</p> + +<p>Eulogy cannot add to the lustre of the name of Warren. Nature had +lavished upon him all the noble qualities that adorn a man. In the +spring of 1776 his remains were removed to Boston. Having been Grand +Master of the Masonic institution of the State, he was buried under the +forms of that time-honored order in presence of a large concourse of +mourning friends. His memory is perpetuated by a monument erected by his +fellow citizens.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="GEORGE_WASHINGTON" id="GEORGE_WASHINGTON"></a>GEORGE WASHINGTON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> God resolved to set his people free from Egyptian bondage he raised +up able and mighty men to effect his glorious purposes. These he endowed +with wisdom to conceive, genius to plan and energy to execute his noble +designs. Their oppressive and heartless task-masters had been increasing +their burdens with a relentless severity for years. To mercy they were +blind, to reason they turned a deaf ear, complaints they treated with +contumely, the judgments from heaven they heeded not.</p> + +<p>There is a striking resemblance between the history of the Israelites +bursting the chains of slavery riveted upon them by the short-sighted +Pharaoh and that of the American Colonies throwing off the yoke of +bondage imposed by the British king. Like Moses, Washington led his +countrymen through the dreary wilderness of the Revolution and when the +journey terminated he planted them upon the promised land of Freedom and +Independence. Like Moses he placed his trust in the God of Hosts and +relied upon his special aid and direction under all circumstances. Like +Moses he was nobly sustained by a band of Sages and Heroes unrivalled in +the history of the world.</p> + +<p>The pedigree of Gen. Washington, as traced and illustrated by Mr. +Mapleson, carries back his descent to William de Hertburn, Lord of the +Manor of Washington, in the county of Durham, England. From<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> him +descended John Washington of Whitfield in the time of Richard III. and +ninth in descent from the said John was George, first President of the +United States. The mother of the John Washington who emigrated to +Virginia in 1657 and who was great-grandfather to the General, was +Eleanor Hastings, daughter and heiress of John Hastings grandson to +Francis, second Earl of Huntingdon. She was the descendant, through Lady +Huntingdon of George, Duke of Clarence; brother to King Edward IV. and +King Richard III. by Isabel Nevil, daughter and heiress of Richard, Earl +of Warwick, the King-maker. Washington, therefore, as well as all the +descendants of that marriage, are entitled to quarter the arms of +Hastings, Pole, Earl of Salisbury, Plantagenet, Scotland, Mortimer, Earl +of March, Nevil, Montagu, Beauchamp and Devereaux.</p> + +<p>Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the 22d of +February 1732. He lost his father at an early age and leaned on the +wisdom of a fond and judicious mother for the exquisite moulding of his +youthful mind. He attributed his success in after life to the early +training and faithful pruning of his revered mother. Mothers of America! +imitate the example of the mother of the illustrious Washington. The +prosperity and perpetuity of our UNION depends much upon the training of +your sons. Teach them wisdom, virtue, patriotism, love of country, +Liberty. Teach them to prize, dearer than life, the sacred boon of +<span class="smcap">freedom</span> that was nobly won and sacredly transmitted to us by the Sages +and Heroes of '76.</p> + +<p>During his childhood and youth Washington exhibited a strong and +inquiring mind. Industry, stability, perseverance, modesty and honesty +were early developed in his character and marked his brilliant career +through life. He was frank, generous and humane from his childhood. +Nothing could induce him to utter a falsehood, practise deceit or +disobey his fond mother. He soared above the trifling amusements that so +often lead boys and youth astray and prepare them for a useless, often +an ignominious existence. He was designed by his great Creator to be a +star of the first magnitude on the great theatre of action—the Moses of +America. He studied his part thoroughly before he entered upon the stage +of public life. When the curtain rose he was prepared for his audience, +acquitted himself nobly and retired amidst the grateful plaudits of +admiring—reverent millions.</p> + +<p>At the age of twenty-one Washington was selected by Gov. Dinwiddie to +visit the hostile French and Indians and endeavor to induce them to +withdraw from the frontiers and smoke the pipe of peace. The mission was +one of great peril. His path lay through a dense wilderness for four<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> +hundred miles infested by wild savages and beasts more wild than them. +He arrived at Fort Du Quesne in safety. Whilst the French commandant was +writing an answer to the governor, Washington took the dimensions of the +fortress unobserved by any one. He then returned home unmolested and +unharmed by any accident. Peace was not desired by the red men. It was +necessary to raise a regiment of troops to repel the murderous invaders. +Washington was invested with the commission of Colonel and took the +command. He marched, in April 1754, upon the track he had pursued when +he visited the fort previously. On his way he surprised and captured a +number of the enemy. When he arrived at the Great Meadows he erected a +small stockade fort and appropriately named it Fort Necessity. Here he +was reinforced swelling his little army to four hundred men. He then +contemplated an attack upon Fort Du Quesne, situated at the junction of +the <ins class="correct" title="Alleghany">Allegheny</ins> and Monongahela rivers forming the Ohio and the present +site of the iron city of Pittsburgh. He now learned that the French and +Indians, to the number of fifteen hundred, were advancing upon him. The +attack was commenced with great fury and continued for several hours +when the French commander offered liberal terms of capitulation and +gladly permitted the young champion and his brave Virginians to march +away unmolested. This brilliant achievement placed Washington high on +the scale of eminence, as a bold, skilful and prudent military officer. +It occurred on the 4th of July—a happy prelude to the glorious 4th of +July 1776.</p> + +<p>The ensuing year another expedition was sent against Fort Du Quesne of +about two thousand troops under command of the unfortunate Braddock who +had more courage than prudence—more self-conceit than wisdom. He +spurned the advice of the "beardless boy" and rushed into an ambush +where he and near one-half of his men met the cold embrace of the king +of terrors. The enemy consisted of only five hundred French and Indians +secreted in three ravines forming a triangle. In this triangle of death +Braddock formed his men and remained until he had five horses killed +under him and was mortally wounded. During all this time not one of the +enemy could be seen. One hundred native Virginians with fixed bayonets +and led by Washington would have routed them in ten minutes. I speak +from the record as I have examined every rod of the ground. After the +fall of Braddock Washington saved the survivors under Col. Dunbar by a +judicious retreat. He had warned the British General of his danger who +spurned the "beardless boy." At a subsequent period he negotiated a +peace with the Indians on the frontiers and was voted the thanks of +mother Britain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span></p> + +<p>Unwilling to again witness such a waste of human life Washington +resigned his military command and retired to his peaceful home. Shortly +after this he was elected to the legislature and was highly esteemed as +a wise, discriminating legislator—exhibiting a mind imbued with +philanthropy and liberal principles guided by a sound discretion and +cultivated intellect adorned with a retiring modesty too rare in men of +talent at the present day. From this field of labor he entered one of +greater magnitude, of vaster importance—one big with events involving +consequences of the most thrilling interest to his country and himself. +He was elected to the Congress of 1774. The solemnity that pervaded the +opening ceremony of that august assembly has been before portrayed. +During the opening prayer, Washington only was upon his knees, imitating +the attitude of his pious mother in her earnest appeals to the throne of +Grace. On all occasions his mind seems to have reached from earth to +Heaven. He seemed to dwell in the bosom of his God. Devoted, +unsophisticated, humble, relying piety marked his whole course of +life—a piety sincere in its motives, consistent in its exhibitions and +illumined by the refulgent sunbeams of living charity. He was returned +to the next Congress and took his seat little anticipating the mighty +work in reserve for him. On the memorable 19th of April 1775, American +blood was again made to leap from its fountain by order of Major +Pitcairn on the heights of Lexington. Justice looked at the purple +current as it flowed and sighed. Mercy carried the tragic news to the +ethereal skies—the eagle of <span class="smcap">liberty</span> heard the mournful story—descended +in a stream of liquid fire—planted the torch of freedom in the serum of +the murdered patriots and bid eternal defiance to the British lion. The +alarm spread with lightning rapidity. It was sounded from church bells +and signal guns—echo carried it from hills to dales, from sire to son. +Vengeance was roused from its lair—the hardy yoemanry left their +ploughs in the furrow—the merchant rushed from his counting house, the +professional man from his office, the minister from his glebe, +shouldered their rusty muskets and with powder horn and slug hastened to +the scene of action determined to avenge the blood of slaughtered +brethren, maintain their chartered rights or perish in the attempt.</p> + +<p>In June following Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the +American armies by the unanimous voice of Congress. He accepted the high +command with great reluctance and diffidence—knowing that it involved +responsibilities, consequences and results too mighty for him hastily to +assume, too vast for him confidently to encounter. He did not view the +camp as the field of glory, ambition, conquest or fame. He did not +thirst for human blood or exult in the profession of arms. Love<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> of +country, liberty, human rights, liberal principles—the duty to resist +the oppressions of tyranny, prompted him to action. For these reasons he +consented to serve his country at the perilous post assigned him.</p> + +<p>As soon as practicable he hastened to Cambridge Mass. and entered upon +the duties of his office in July. Before his arrival there, Crown Point +and Ticonderoga had been surrendered to the patriots—the sanguinary +battle of Bunker's Hill had been fought and the British convinced that +men contending for their just rights, their dearest interests—their +bosoms charged with fiery indignation and burning patriotism—could not +be made to yield to the glittering arms of a haughty monarch without a +bold and desperate effort to maintain that Liberty which they inherited +from their Creator and which was guarantied by the British constitution.</p> + +<p>The horrors of war were accumulating like electrified clouds preparing a +tornado. The bloody toils of the Revolution had commenced. England +poured in her legions by thousands. To cap the climax of barbarity she +called to her aid the blood thirsty Indian with his tomahawk and +scalping knife and bid a premium for scalps. The welkin rang with the +savage war-whoop. The terrific screams, the expiring groans of mothers +and babes were enough to draw tears from rocks and dress all nature in +deep mourning. The contest was that of an infant with a giant—a lamb +with a wolf. The dark clouds blackened as they rose and were surcharged +with the lightning of revenge and thunder of malice. Washington viewed +their fiery aspect with calm serenity, heard their portentous roar +without a tremor. With his soul reaching to Heaven he met the awful +crisis with firmness and prudence before unknown. His gigantic genius +soared above the loftiest barriers his enemies could rear. His course +was onward—right onward towards the goal of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. Beneath his +conquering arm monarchy trembled, tottered, fell. His whole energy was +at once directed to the complete organization and perfect discipline of +the army. By the aid of the king's troops some of the royal governors +still maintained a show of authority in several of the colonies. As +opposition assumed a systematic form and military arrangements +increased, they retired on board the British armed vessels from whence +they issued their proclamations with about the same effect as the +puffing of a porpoise would have upon old Boreas.</p> + +<p>Early in March 1776, Washington planted his army before Boston where +Lord Howe had concentrated his forces. On the 17th this caused his +lordship very modestly to evacuate the town. On the 2d of July Gen. Howe +landed nine miles below the city of New York<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> with 24,000 men. He sent +an insulting communication to Washington which he very properly refused +to receive. On the 27th of August that part of the army stationed at +Brooklyn under Gen. Sullivan was attached and defeated with great loss +and Generals Sullivan, Sterling and Woodhull taken prisoners. Two days +after, Gen. Washington effected a retreat and landed his troops safely +in New York without the movement being discovered by the enemy until +completed. Chagrined and mortified at the loss of their prey the British +prepared to attack the city which induced the Americans to evacuate it +and retire to White Plains. Here they were attacked on the 28th of +September—the British were repulsed, a considerable loss was sustained +on both sides and no victory to either. The disasters of the patriots +multiplied—Fort Washington and Lee fell into the hands of the +English—the American army was flying before a relentless foe. +Washington crossed the Hudson and retreated through Jersey into +Pennsylvania with Lord Cornwallis pressing on his rear. His army was now +reduced to 3000 men who were destitute of almost every comfort of life. +They could be tracked by blood from their naked feet upon the frozen +ground. Think of this ye who are now enjoying the rich behest of Liberty +so dearly purchased and but by few properly appreciated. Reverses had +chilled the zeal of many leading men who at first espoused the cause of +freedom but whose hearts were not yet sufficiently harrowed by +oppression to have the good seed take root. A fiery cloud of +indignation, ready to devour them, hung over the bleeding colonies. +Washington was still confident of ultimate success. He believed that in +the archives of eternal justice their <span class="smcap">Freedom</span> was written. Guardian +angels listened to the vesper orisons of those who were true to +themselves, their country and their God who directed their destiny. The +bold career of the roaring lion was arrested. This Spartan band was +crowned with victory. On the night of the 25th of December Washington +crossed the Delaware to Trenton amidst floating ice—surprised and took +one thousand prisoners—pushed on to Princeton, killed sixty and took +three hundred prisoners, spreading consternation in the ranks of the +enemy. This success re-animated many of the cold hearts that could be +warmed only by prosperity—sunshine patriots whose love of freedom was +very similar to self-righteousness. Washington retired to Morristown N. +J. for the winter—the English occupied Brunswick.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1777 the army of Washington amounted to about 7000 men. +No action occurred between the main armies until August when the British +landed in Maryland with the intention of capturing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> Philadelphia. On the +11th of September the two armies met at Brandywine—a desperate battle +ensued and a partial dearly purchased victory was gained by the English. +On the approach of the enemy the City of Penn was abandoned. On the 4th +of October another severe battle was fought at Germantown which proved +disastrous to the American troops in consequence of their becoming +separated and confused by a thick fog. These keen misfortunes were more +than balanced by the capture of the entire British army in the north +under Burgoyne by Gen. Gates on the 17th of October. On the reception of +this news France recognised the Independence of the United States, +entered into a treaty of alliance and furnished important aid by sending +many of her brave sons to the rescue. The English retreated to New York +in the spring of 1778 from which place they made frequent descents upon +various places, destroying private property, murdering the inhabitants +and spreading desolation wherever they went. They sent an expedition to +Georgia and were crowned with victory. During this year no decisive +battle was fought. The same during 1779. The British seemed to be better +pleased with a predatory warfare than pitched battles which they carried +on in a manner that put savage barbarity in the shade and made the +inquisitor general of Madrid mourn for lost humanity. Alas for the +Christian majesty of mother Britain.</p> + +<p>Again the exertions of Washington were almost paralyzed for the want of +men and money. The French Admiral D'Estaing was unfortunate in all his +movements. The British lion was prowling through the land in all the +majesty of cruelty. The anchor of hope could scarcely keep the shattered +bark of Liberty to its moorings—the cable of exertion lost thread after +thread until but a small band of <i>genuine</i> patriots and heroes were left +as a nucleus to breast the fury of the storm that rolled its dashing +surges over them. But they clung to the creaking craft with a death grip +and weathered the terrific gale. The campaign of 1780 terminated more +favorably to the American arms. The south had become the main theatre of +action. The cruelties of the enemy had prepared more hearts to do +service in the cause of Liberty. The people were brought to see their +true interests and rallied under the banner of freedom determined on +victory or death. Gates, the hero of Saratoga, was put in command of the +southern army—fresh aid arrived from France—the conflict was one of +desperation. On the 18th of August a severe battle was fought near +Camden, S. C. The British were the victors. Defeat now only served to +rally the bone and sinew of the land. The hardy sons of Columbia rose +like a phœnix from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> ashes and hurled the thunderbolts of vengeance among +their savage foes with the fury of Mars. Every battle weakened and +disheartened the enemy when a victory was gained. A few more conquests +like those at Camden and Guilford Court House would seal their doom. The +energetic Greene succeeded Gates. The campaign of 1781 opened. +Washington moved to the south. Wayne, Lee, Greene, La Fayette, Nelson +and other brave officers were there. Count de Grasse was co-operating +with his fleet. In their turn the British lords, admirals and generals +found themselves surrounded with impending dangers. An awful crisis was +pressing upon them. Retribution stared them in the face. Their deeds of +blood haunted their guilty souls—consternation seized their troubled +minds. Lord Cornwallis concentrated his forces at Yorktown which he +fortified in the best possible manner.</p> + +<p>On the 6th of October the combined forces of Washington and Rochambeau +commenced a siege upon this place which surrendered on the 19th of the +same month. The grand Rubicon was passed—the work was done—the +Colonies were free. That was the dying struggle of British monarchy in +America. Hope of conquering her indomitable sons expired like the death +flickering of a glow-worm. Heaven had decreed they should be free—that +decree was consummated. Like Jordan's dove, the Eagle of Liberty +descended to cheer the conquering heroes—snatched the laurels from +Britain's brow and placed them triumphantly upon the <span class="smcap">champions of +American Independence</span>. To the friends of <span class="smcap">freedom</span> the scene was joyful, +sublime—to its enemies—painful, humiliating. This victory was hailed +with enthusiastic gratitude. It placed Washington on the loftiest +summit, of immortal fame—secured Liberty to his beloved country, +stopped the effusion of human blood, sealed the foundations of our +Republic—prepared an asylum for the oppressed—planted deep the long +nursed <span class="smcap">tree of Liberty</span>.</p> + +<p>On the 30th of September 1783 a definitive treaty was signed at Paris by +Messrs. Fitzherbert and Oswald on the part of Great Britain and Messrs. +John Adams, Franklin, Jay and Laurens on the part of the United States. +On the 2d of November Washington issued his farewell orders to his army +in terms of affectionate eloquence and parental solicitude. On the 3d +the troops were disbanded by Congress. With mingling tears of joy and +gratitude they parted and repaired finally to their homes to meet the +warm embrace, the fervent grasp of their families and friends—there to +reap the rich fruit of their perilous toils free from the iron scourge +of despotism. On the 23d of December Washington appeared in the hall of +Congress and resigned his commission. This act was one of sublimity and +thrilling interest. The past, present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> and future—all rushed upon the +mind of this great and good man as he invoked the blessings of Heaven to +descend and guard the Liberty of his beloved emancipated country. Every +eye was fixed upon him—every heart beat quicker—emotion rose to its +zenith—he laid the commission on the table—a burst of applause rent +the air—a flood of tears closed the scene.</p> + +<p>No longer under the maternal care of their old mother, the people of the +United States were left to try the yet problematical experiment of self +government. Difficulties arose from local jealousies and conflicting +interests—a debt of forty millions of dollars had been +contracted—government paper became greatly depreciated—the public +credit was shivering in the wind—the Liberty that had been so dearly +purchased seemed doomed to a premature dissolution. To avoid this +threatened disaster delegates convened at Philadelphia from all the +States except Rhode Island for the purpose of devising a plan to +preserve and perfect that freedom which had cost millions of treasure +and fountains of noble blood. Washington was unanimously elected +President of this august body. After long and patient deliberation the +labors of these patriots resulted in the production of the Federal +Constitution, one of the brightest specimens of a republican form of +government on record. It is the grand palladium of our <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>, the +golden chain of our UNION, the broad banner of <span class="smcap">freemen</span>, a terror to +tyrants, a shining light to patriots, the illustrated chart of our +rights and duties, a safeguard against disorganizing factions and +stamped its illustrious authors with a meritorious fame that succeeding +generations will delight to perpetuate.</p> + +<p>On the 17th of September this was reported to Congress and was promptly +approved. It was immediately sent to the several states for +consideration all of which sanctioned it at that time except North +Carolina and Rhode Island. The former acceded to it in 1789, the latter +in 1790. Confidence was then restored and Independence made secure. From +that time to the present our nation has advanced on the flood tide of +successful experiment and been blessed with an increasing prosperity +that has no parallel in the annals of history. The star spangled banner +waves proudly on every sea and is respected by all the nations of the +earth. Our improvements at home have marched in advance of the boldest +conceptions of the most visionary projectors—the fondest anticipations +of their most ardent friends. They have often outstripped the most +adventurous speculators.</p> + +<p>By the unanimous voice of a free and grateful people Washington was +elected the first President of the new Republic. With the same +proverbial diffidence and modesty that had marked his whole career he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> +took the oath of office on the 30th of April 1789. This imposing +ceremony was performed in presence of the first Congress under the +Federal Constitution assembled in the city of New York and in presence +of a crowded audience who deeply felt and strongly expressed their +filial affection for the father of their country. He at once entered +upon the important duties that devolved upon him which were neither few +or small. A cabinet was to be created, a revenue raised, the judiciary +organized, its officers appointed and every department of government to +be established on a firm, impartial, just and humane basis. In all these +arrangements he exhibited great wisdom, exercised a sound discretion and +proved as able a statesman as he had been a general. Deliberation and +prudence guided him at all times. He acted up to but never transcended +the bounds of equal justice and delegated authority. An angel could do +no more.</p> + +<p>During his administration of eight years he brought into full force his +noblest energies to advance the best interests of his country—meliorate +the condition of those who were suffering from the effects of a +protracted war—improve the state of society, arts, science, +agriculture, manufactures—commerce—disseminate general +intelligence—allay local difficulties and render the infant Republic as +happy and glorious as it was free and independent. His patriotic +exertions were crowned with success—his fondest anticipations were +realized—he finished the work assigned him with a skill before +unknown—the government foundations were laid deep and strong—the +superstructure was rising in grandeur—Washington wrote his farewell +address and on the 4th of March 1797 retired from public life honored +and loved by a nation of freemen, respected and admired by a gazing +world—crowned with an unsullied fame that will grow brighter and more +brilliant through all time. He then repaired to Mount Vernon to repose +in the bosom of his family and enjoy that domestic peace by his own +fireside that he had long desired. He had served his country long, ably, +impartially, justly. He could look back upon a life well spent in the +cause of human rights, liberal principles and an enlarged philanthropy.</p> + +<p>For his arduous services during the revolutionary war Washington took no +compensation. More than this, owing to the depreciation of continental +money he paid three-fourths of his own expenses. He kept a correct book +entry of every business transaction and produced a written voucher for +every disbursement he had made of public funds. During his presidential +terms his expenses exceeded his salary over five thousand dollars a year +which he paid from his private funds and refused a proffered +remuneration. With the exception of his appointment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> as +commander-in-chief of the American army in 1798 when France threatened +invasion, Washington was relieved from any farther participation in +public affairs. He continued to live at Vernon's sacred Mount until the +14th of December 1799 when his immortal spirit left its noble tenement +of clay—soared aloft on angel wings to realms of enduring bliss there +to receive a crown of unfading glory—the reward of a spotless life +spent in the service of his country and his God. His body was deposited +in the family tomb where it slumbered amidst the peaceful groves of his +loved retreat until 1837, when it was deposited in a splendid marble +sarcophagus designed by Mr. Strickland and manufactured and presented by +John Struthers, marble mason, both of the city of Philadelphia. Upon the +top of this masterpiece of workmanship is most exquisitely and boldly +carved the star spangled banner surmounted by the American Eagle. Under +these the name WASHINGTON is carved in bold relievo. The design and +finely finished work do great credit to Mr. Strickland as an architect +and to Mr. Struthers as an artist. The gift and the delicate manner it +was presented by the latter worthy gentleman do honor to his head and +heart. The body was in a state of preservation as remarkable as the +history of the man in life. The face retained its full form and fleshy +appearance and was but slightly changed in color. The ceremony of +removal was sublimely interesting and witnessed by a large concourse of +tearful spectators. This hallowed spot is visited yearly by large +numbers who approach it with profound veneration and awe. All nations +revere the memory of the father of our country—unborn millions will +chant his praise. Foreigners are proud to say they have visited the tomb +of Washington at Mount Vernon. This estate was left to George Washington +by his brother Lawrence in 1754. This brother served under Admiral +Vernon in his memorable attack upon Carthagena in 1741. Having been +treated with marked attention by the Admiral he named his estate in +commemoration of him.</p> + +<p>The name of George Washington is associated with every amiable and noble +quality that can adorn a man. It is encircled by a sacred halo that +renders it dear to every philanthropist—respected by all civilized +nations. His fame is too bright to be burnished by eulogy—too pure to +be tarnished by detraction. His praises have been proclaimed by talents +of the highest order, hearts of the warmest devotion, imaginations of +the happiest conception—eloquence of the loftiest tone. It would +require an angel's pen dipped in ethereal fire and an angel's hand to +guide it to fully delineate the noble frame work and perfect finish of +this great and good man. Like the sun at high meridian, the lustre of +his virtues can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> be seen and felt but not clearly described. His picture +is one on which we may gaze with increased delight and discover new +beauties to the last. Like that of our nation—his history is without a +parallel. Unblemished rectitude marked his whole career, philanthropy +his entire course, justice his every action. Under the most trying +circumstances and afflictive dispensations a calm holy resignation to +the will of God added a brighter lustre to his exalted qualities. Like a +blazing luminary—his refulgence dims the surrounding stars and +illuminates the horizon of biography with a light ineffable. His +brilliant achievements were not stained with that reckless effusion of +blood that marked the ambitious Cæsar, the conquering Alexander and the +disappointed Bonaparte. He was consistent to the last.</p> + +<p>In private life he was graced with all the native dignity of man, +reducing all things around him to a perfect system of harmony, order, +economy, frugality and peace. In every thing he was chastened by +sterling merit, actuated by magnanimity, mellowed by benevolence, +purified by charity. He was a living epistle of all that was great and +good. He was the kind husband, the widow's solace, the orphan's father, +the faithful friend, the bountiful benefactor, the true patriot, the +examples worthy the contemplation and imitation of all who figure on the +stage of public action or in the walks of retired life. His private +worth was crowned with amaranthine flowers, richer and sweeter than the +epic and civic wreaths that decked his brow in the public view of an +admiring world. His virtues were enlivened by the richest colors of +godliness—his mind was finished by the finest touches of creative +power. His sacred memory will live through the rolling ages of +time—will be revered until the wreck of worlds and the dissolution of +nature shall close the drama of human action—Gabriel's dread clarion +rend the vaulted tombs—awake the sleeping dead and proclaim to +astonished millions—<span class="smcap">time shall be no longer</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="ANTHONY_WAYNE" id="ANTHONY_WAYNE"></a>ANTHONY WAYNE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> history of the Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution cannot be +too often examined by the present and coming generations. To learn their +disinterested patriotism, bold conceptions, daring exploits, +unparalleled sufferings, indomitable perseverance, noble fortitude, +enduring patience and their exalted virtues—is to know something of the +high<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> price our freedom cost. To properly appreciate the liberty we +enjoy is one of the best safe guards of its perpetuity. In the peaceful +enjoyment of inestimable blessings we are too apt to forget their origin +and their value. Could the torrents of blood shed to obtain the high +privileges we now inherit be placed in one mighty reservoir upon which +all our people could look for a single moment, millions would blush at +their own apathy in the preservation of our dearest interests. We have +many reckless demagogues and bold disorganizers in our midst who should +be baptized in this fountain of blood for the remission of their +political sins—some who set the Federal Constitution at naught and +would glory in the dissolution of our blood bought UNION. When our love +of country grows cold and respect for the chart of our Liberty is +lost—the sooner we emigrate the better for all concerned—not up salt +river but to Chinese Tartary or Chimborazo.</p> + +<p>Among those who freely contributed to the revolutionary fountain of +blood was Anthony Wayne, born in Waynesborough, Chester County, +Pennsylvania on the 1st of January 1745. His grandfather held a +commission in the army of William III. and fought at the battle of the +Boyne on the 1st of July 1690 and at Aughrine on the 12th of July 1691 +at both of which the Irish under James II. were defeated. At the last +battle their struggle for Independence ended and has never been renewed. +His father was a respectable farmer and placed this son at school in +Philadelphia where he received a good English education. He was +delighted with the study of mathematics and became familiar with +surveying and engineering at an early age. His taste for military +tactics was developed during his boyhood. His father and grandfather +were both men of military prowess. As young Anthony listened to the +story of their exploits he contemplated the field of battle, the clash +of arms and the shouts of victory with burning enthusiasm. This grew +with his growth and ripened with his manhood.</p> + +<p>In 1773 he succeeded his father in the Colonial Assembly where he became +an active member and took a bold stand in favor of liberal principles +and equal rights. He did much to rouse the people to a just sense of +impending danger. His boldness inspired confidence—his energy prepared +for action. He preferred digging a grave with his sword rather than +tamely submit to foreign dictation based upon tyranny and enforced by +the insolent task masters of the crown. In 1775 he received a Colonel's +commission and speedily raised a fine regiment in his native county. He +was soon called into active service under Gen. Thompson in his +unfortunate expedition against Canada. When that officer was defeated +and taken prisoner with a part of his little army, Col. Wayne<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> +manifested great presence of mind, skill and bravery in effecting a +retreat although writhing under a severe wound. From that time his +military fame rose and expanded until it reached the maximum of his +patriotic ambition—the pinnacle of his fondest desires. In 1776 his +services were very useful on the northern frontier in conducting the +engineer department in addition to the duties of his command. He had the +confidence of his superiors and the friendship of all around him. His +course was onward and upward. As a merited reward for his active +services and in consequence of his superior talents he was commissioned +Brigadier General at the close of that campaign.</p> + +<p>At the battle of Brandywine he kept a superior British force from +passing Chad's Ford for a long time. After the partial defeat of the +American army Gen. Wayne was detached with his division to keep the +enemy at bay in view of another attack. The invading army was stationed +at what was then called Tredyffrin. Gen. Wayne encamped three miles in +the rear of the left wing near the Paoli Tavern and gave special orders +to guard against surprise. On the night of the 20th of September his +troops were suddenly attacked by a division under Gen. Gray who rushed +upon the Americans with fixed bayonets killing and wounding about 150 +men. Overwhelmed by a superior force Gen. Wayne retreated a short +distance—rallied and formed his men and was no farther molested. At his +own request his conduct on that unfortunate occasion was investigated by +a court martial. Not the slightest fault was found against him. At the +battle of Germantown he led his men on to action with a boldness and +impetuosity that carried terror into the ranks of the imported veterans. +He had two horses shot, one under him and one as he was mounting and was +wounded in the left foot and hand. When a retreat was ordered his +military skill shone conspicuously in protecting his men.</p> + +<p>He was uniformly selected by Washington to conduct hazardous and daring +enterprises, reconnoitre the enemy and collect supplies. His energy was +of the most vigorous tone whether on the field or in a council of war. +Previous to the battle of Monmouth he and Gen. <ins class="correct" title="Cadwallader">Cadwalader</ins> were the only +officers who at first united with Washington in favor of attacking the +British army. So bravely did he act on the day of that brilliant victory +that the commander-in-chief made special mention of him in his report to +Congress. In July 1779 Gen. Wayne was selected to attempt a bold and +daring exploit. Stony Point was in possession of the enemy, strongly +fortified and filled with heavy ordnance. One side was washed by the +Hudson River, on the other was a morass passable only in one place. This +fort was on an eminence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> of considerable height. In front were +formidable breastworks at every accessible point. In advance of these +was a double row of abattis. Col. Johnson was in command of the garrison +with 600 men principally Highlanders, the bravest and most brawny troops +that were imported. A number of vessels of war were moored in the Hudson +in front. All things combined to render a successful attack more than +problematical with a much superior force. It was the very kind of +adventure for Gen. Wayne. To please our young military gentlemen I will +describe the arrangements for attack.</p> + +<p>On the evening of the 15th of July, at 8 o'clock, he arrived within a +mile and a half of the fort and immediately communicated his plan of +operation to his officers. The hour of low twelve was fixed for the +desperate assault. Every officer and non-commissioned officer was held +responsible for each man in his platoon. No soldier was permitted to +leave the ranks until the general halt near the fort and then only with +an officer. When the troops arrived in rear of the hill on which the +fort stood Col. Febiger formed his regiment in solid column of a half +platoon in front. Col. Meigs formed in his rear—Maj. Hull in his rear, +the three forming the right column. The left was formed in the same +manner by Col. Butler and Maj. Murphy. Every officer and soldier placed +a piece of white paper in front of his hat or cap that they might +recognise each other if mixed with the enemy. Col. Fleury was put in +command of 150 picked men and stationed about twenty paces in front of +the right column with fixed bayonets and unloaded muskets. A little in +front of these an officer and twenty of the boldest men were placed +whose duty was to secure the sentinels and remove the abattis that the +main column might pass freely. The same with the left column. The main +columns were to follow the advance with shouldered unloaded muskets +relying entirely on the bayonet—according to the tactics of Gen. Gray +at Paoli. Any soldier who departed in the minutest particular from +orders was to be instantly killed by his officer. A reward of $500 was +offered to the first man who entered the +fortification—$400—$300—$200—$100 to each in succession of the other +four who first followed. The whole being formed, "<i>March</i>!" thundered +from Wayne who led the right column with Col. Febiger—the left was led +by Col. Butler followed by Maj. Murphy. Never were men more determined +on victory or death—never were orders more strictly obeyed. So +simultaneous was the attack by each division and so equally rapid their +movements that they met in the centre of the fort. The victory was as +complete and triumphant as the assault was bold and overwhelming. All +was accomplished without the discharge of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> gun by the Americans who +advanced facing a tremendous shower of musket, grape and canister shot. +On the surrender of the fort Gen. Wayne ordered a salute of iron hail +for the benefit of the armed ships in the river which caused them to +slip their cables and move off with all possible despatch. Fifty-seven +of the enemy were killed and five hundred and forty-three taken +prisoners. As the columns were advancing Gen. Wayne was severely wounded +in the head with a musket ball—as he believed mortally—which felled +him to the ground. He rose on one knee—"<i>Onward my brave +fellows—onward!</i>" burst from him in stentorian accents. He requested +his aids to carry him into the fort that he might die amidst the music +shouts of victory. The garrison made a determined resistance at every +point of attack. Of the forlorn hope of the twenty led by Lieut. Gibbons +seventeen were killed. The wounded and killed of the Americans amounted +in all to ninety-eight. After entering the fort had the Americans opened +a fire the slaughter would have been dreadful. Gen. Wayne preferred +setting an example of humane treatment towards his conquered foes, +proving himself as magnanimous as he was brave and victorious. He +scorned retaliation although the dying groans at the Paoli massacre were +still ringing in his ears. Within an hour after the surrender, writhing +under his severe wound, Gen. Wayne addressed the following laconic +letter to Gen. Washington.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="right">"Stony Point, July 16, 1779, 2 o'clock A. M.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear General</span>—The fort and garrison with Col. Johnson are ours. Our +officers and men behaved like men determined to be free.</p> + +<p class="center">"Yours most sincerely,</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Anthony Wayne</span>.</p> + +<p>"Gen. Washington."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Here is a model letter worthy the imitation of the elaborate epistle +manufacturers of the present prolific era of verbosity, ambiguity and +repetition. It should serve as a modest hint to our speech-makers and +induce them to say less and do more. Millions would then be saved to the +States and our nation.</p> + +<p>So highly did Congress appreciate the capture of Stony Point that on the +26th of the same month the House passed a series of resolutions highly +complimentary to Gen. Washington for conceiving and to Gen. Wayne and +his brave companions in arms for planning and accomplishing the capture +of that important post. The amount of the military stores was divided +amongst the officers and men and the rewards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> offered promptly paid. The +letter of Mr. Jay, the President of the Continental Congress to Gen. +Wayne enclosing a copy of these resolutions, shows the concise and +systematic mode of doing business at that time.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="right">"Philadelphia July 27, 1779.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>—Your late glorious achievements have merited and now receive the +approbation and thanks of your country. They are contained in the +enclosed act of Congress which I have the honor to transmit. This +brilliant action adds luster to our arms and will teach the enemy to +respect our power if not to imitate our humanity. You have nobly reaped +laurels in the cause of your country and in the fields of danger and +death. May these prove the earnest of more and may victory ever bear +your standard and Providence be your shield.</p> + +<p class="right">"I have the honor to be &c.<br /> +"<span class="smcap">John Jay</span>, President."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Here is another <i>multum in parvo</i> worthy of imitation. Plain common +sense plainly and briefly told—every line gemmed with the purest +patriotism.</p> + +<p>Gen. Wayne was blessed with great presence of mind in sudden +emergencies. When in the vicinity of James river, Virginia, he was +incorrectly told that the main body of the British army had passed to +the opposite side. He advanced with only 800 men for the purpose of +capturing the rear guard but found the whole force of Lord Cornwallis +formed in line of battle. He immediately commenced a vigorous attack and +then retreated in good order. Believing this to be an ambuscade +stratagem the British dared not pursue him. In 1781 he was put in +command of the forces in Georgia. After several sanguinary engagements +he expelled the enemy from the state and planted the standard of freedom +upon the ruins of tyranny—upon the firm basis of eternal justice. As a +reward for his services that state presented him with a valuable +plantation reversing the adage—republics are ungrateful. He continued +in active service up to the close of the siege of Yorktown, a bold, +prudent, skilful and reliable patriotic officer. He remained in the army +until the Independence for which he had fought and bled was fully +recognised by mother Britain when he retired to the bosom of his family +crowned with the highest military honors he desired and with the rank of +Major General of the American army. But few of the Heroes of the +Revolution did as much hard service as Gen. Wayne and no one did it up +more brown.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1789 he was a member of the Pennsylvania convention to which was +submitted the Federal Constitution. He warmly advocated its adoption. In +1792 he succeeded Gen. St. Clair in command of the army operating +against the predatory Indian tribes in the far west. Gen. Wayne formed +an encampment at Pittsburgh and thoroughly disciplined his troops +preparatory to future action. So determined were the red men to maintain +the rights that God and nature had bestowed upon them that many of the +powerful tribes combined their war forces to resist their common +enemy—the Christian white man. To meet them on their own ground and +adopt their mode of warfare was the only way to insure success. For such +a service it required time to prepare and energy to execute. In the +autumn of 1793 Gen. Wayne had led his army to Greenville six miles from +fort Jefferson where he established his winter quarters. He fortified +his camp and built fort Recovery on the ground where the whites had been +defeated on the 4th of November 1791. He collected the bones of those +who then fell and had them buried under the honors of war. The presence +of the army kept the Indians quiet during the winter. For the want of +supplies the army did not reach the junction of the rivers Au Glaiz and +Miami until the 8th of August where a fort was erected for the +protection of military stores. Thirty miles from that place the English +had erected a fort near which the Indians were in full force. On the +18th the army reached the Miami rapids. There a fortification was +erected for the protection of baggage and the position of the red men +examined. They were found in a dense forest five miles distant +advantageously posted. On the 20th the attack was arranged and the +troops advanced. When reached the fire from behind trees was so +effective that the front, led by Major Price, was compelled to fall +back. At that moment—<i>trail arms—advance</i>—ran through the ranks with +electric velocity and effect as it thundered from the strong lungs of +Wayne. In a few brief moments the conquered red men were flying in every +direction closely pursued by the victorious troops for two miles. So +rapid was their retreat that Scott, who was ordered to turn their left +flank, found naught but trees like men standing but not like men running +for dear life. Gen. Wayne had 33 men killed and 100 wounded. From this +defeat the injured red men never recovered. They fled before fire and +sword—their corn fields and villages were destroyed, their power +paralyzed and a chain of forts established which kept them in constant +awe and compelled them to relinquish their rightful domain after having +struggled nobly to maintain their inalienable rights. True they were +savages. Newton, Shakespeare, Washington, Henry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span>—savages born—savages +would have died. The Indians have their fixed customs—we have ours. +They had their rights—the white men took them forcibly away. Justice, +money, time, or angels' tears can never expunge the wrong. This is my +opinion—others have the same right to theirs—if different it will be +easier to <i>plead</i> justification than to <i>prove</i> it.</p> + +<p>The result of the vigorous operations of Gen. Wayne was a general and +definitive treaty with many of the different tribes of Aborigines who +were compelled to bury the tomahawk and smoke the pipe of peace. This +treaty was ratified on the 3d of August 1795. Tranquillity then spread +her cheering mantle over our country from the shores of the Atlantic to +the inland seas of the west. General Wayne continued in the field of +operations for the purpose of completing the extended chain of forts +proposed and planned by him. No one was better calculated for that +arduous service. He continued to prosecute the work until December 1796, +when he was cut down by disease in the flood-tide of his eventful +career, deeply mourned and widely lamented. He died far from his family +in a hut on Presque Isle, a peninsula in Erie county, Pa. that extends +into Lake Erie, where he was buried and remained until 1809 when his son +Isaac removed his remains to his native county and deposited them in the +cemetery of St. David's church. The Pennsylvania State Cincinnati +Society has erected a beautiful white marble monument over his grave +with the following inscription on the south front.</p> + +<p class="center"> In honor of the distinguished<br /> + Military services of<br /> + Major General<br /> + ANTHONY WAYNE,<br /> + And as an affectionate tribute<br /> + of respect to his memory<br /> + This stone was erected by his<br /> + companions in arms<br /> +<span class="smcap">The Pennsylvania State Society of<br /> + Cincinnati</span>,<br /> + July 4th, A. D. 1809,<br /> + Thirty-fourth anniversary of<br /> + The Independence of<br /> + <span class="smcap">The United States of America</span><br /> + An event which constitutes<br /> + the most<br /> +Appropriate eulogium of an American<br /> + <span class="smcap">Soldier and Patriot</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> +On the north front is the following inscription.</p> + +<p class="center"> Major General<br /> + ANTHONY WAYNE<br /> + Was born at Waynesborough<br /> + in Chester County<br /> + State of Pennsylvania<br /> + A. D. 1745.<br /> +After a life of honor and usefulness<br /> + He died in December, 1796,<br /> + at a military post<br /> + On the shores of Lake Erie,<br /> + Commander-in-chief of the army of<br /> + <span class="smcap">the United States</span>.<br /> + His military achievements<br /> + are consecrated<br /> + In the history of his country,<br /> + and in<br /> + The hearts of his countrymen.<br /> + His remains<br /> + Are here deposited.</p> + +<p>Although stricken down at the age of fifty-one years Gen. Wayne lived +long enough to fill his measure of glory and see the star spangled +banner wave triumphantly over his native land. Far from his family as he +was and in a rough cabin, he died peacefully. His spirit ascended to +reap the rich reward of his labors in the cause of rational freedom and +equal justice.</p> + +<p>He was a large, portly man of commanding military mien, with an open +bold countenance. All the relations of private life he honored with the +most rigid fidelity. In the legislative hall as in the field he was +active and decisive. As a citizen he was esteemed in life and regretted +in death.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="WILLIAM_WHIPPLE_Jr" id="WILLIAM_WHIPPLE_Jr"></a>WILLIAM WHIPPLE <span class="smcap">Jr.</span></h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> knowledge is of most importance that leads us in the <ins class="correct" title="shortes">shortest</ins> path +to truth. A thorough common education, like common sense, is most +useful. By a close observation of the laws of nature in full operation +around us, of things as presented to our understandings, of men as they +move and act before us—we obtain a treasure of knowledge not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> always +taught in the high schools and seldom hinted at—much less expounded in +modern books. Without this the classic scholar is afloat without a +rudder. This is the kind that best answers the definition of the +adage—<i>Knowledge is power</i>. In the great store-house of literature the +quantity of fancy goods has, for some time past, far exceeded the +coarser kind fit for everyday use. Whether this is an advantage to the +intellect of man calculated to increase its strength and volume—or like +luxurious diet, enervate and weaken, is a problem worthy the solution of +every reader. Certain it is our hardy ancestors were not mentally or +physically pampered with knick-knacks that now supplant much solid +matter. Certain it is that many of the patriots of the Revolution were +self-made practical men and shone as conspicuously in the galaxy of +sages as those whose early literary advantages were greater—conclusive +evidence that there is a shorter path to truth.</p> + +<p>Among them William Whipple Jr. was conspicuous. He was the eldest son of +William Whipple—born at Kittery, Maine, in 1730. At a common English +school he was taught reading, writing, arithmetic and navigation. These +he mastered at an early age and was then entered a cabin boy on board a +merchant vessel in accordance with his father's wishes and his own +inclination. Before he reached his majority he became captain of a +vessel and made several successful voyages to Europe. Some ignoramuses +have vainly attempted to stigmatize his fair reputation at that era in +his life because he participated in the inhuman slave-trade. If they +will learn the true state of feeling at that time upon this subject +their anathemas will evaporate in thin air. The trade was then +sanctioned by Great Britain under whose government Capt. Whipple acted +and according to her laws—<i>The King can do no wrong</i>. The correctness +of the trade was not then doubted but by a few philanthropists and its +first cousin, the <i>Apprentice System</i>, is still a favorite project with +England. Time and reflection caused Captain Whipple to see the +impropriety of the traffic and entirely abandon it at an early day. He +also manumitted the only slave he owned who would not leave him during +the war and fought bravely for the liberty of our country. If every man +is to be condemned for the licensed or unlicensed errors of youth whose +riper years are crowned with virtue, the list of fame will require many +bold erasures and would be robbed of some of its proudest names. He who +would do it must belong to the big crowd ignorant of human nature.</p> + +<p>In 1759 Capt. Whipple relinquished his oceanic pursuits and commenced +the mercantile business in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He also added the +swivel link to his chain of earthly happiness by marrying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> Catharine +Moffat. Every farmer, sailor and blacksmith knows the importance of this +link in the common chain. The wise Creator designed it in the chain of +life and no man should be without it. If of the right metal, it will +save him from many a dangerous twist and often from a break. A word to +the wise should be sufficient.</p> + +<p>During his numerous voyages Capt. Whipple had treasured up a large fund +of useful knowledge. He was a close observer of men and things—an +analyzing reader and mingled with the best and most intelligent men when +in port. In England he had listened to the unwarranted pretensions of +ministers—in America—to the increasing complaints of the Colonists. He +was familiar with the chartered rights of his own country and with the +tyranny of the infatuated step-mother. He was prepared for action and +took a bold stand in favor of freedom. He took a conspicuous part in +public meetings and became one of the Committee of Safety. He rose +rapidly in public esteem—the former cabin boy became a leading patriot.</p> + +<p>In January 1775 he represented Portsmouth in the Provincial Congress at +Exeter convened for the purpose of choosing delegates to the Continental +Congress. On the 6th of the next January he was made a member of the +Provincial Council of New Hampshire. On the 23d of the same month he was +elected a member of Congress then in session at Philadelphia and +continued actively and usefully engaged in that important station until +the middle of September 1779. He was present at the adoption of the +Declaration of Independence and affixed his name to that bold instrument +with the same fearless nonchalance as if signing a bill of lading. He +was emphatically a working man and rendered himself extremely useful on +committees. As a member of marine and commercial boards, his practical +knowledge gave him an advantage over his colleagues. He was one of the +superintendents of the commissary and quarter masters' department and +did much towards correcting abuses and checking peculation. He was +untiring in industry, ardent in zeal, philosophic in views, pure in +purposes and strong in patriotism. When he retired from Congress to +serve his country in a more perilous sphere, he had the esteem and +approbation of his co-workers in the glorious cause of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>.</p> + +<p>In 1777 he became Brigadier General Whipple and took command of the +first brigade of the Provincial troops of New Hampshire acting in +concert with Gen. Stark who commanded the other. Gen. Burgoyne was on +the flood tide of military glory—rushing down upon the north like a +herd of wild buffaloes over a prairie—spreading consternation far and +wide. He was first checked in his triumphant career by Gen. Stark at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> +Bennington, Vermont. Gen. Whipple joined Gen. Gates about the same time +and was in the bloody battles of Saratoga and Stillwater where the palm +of victory was measurably attributed to the troops under his command. To +the consummation of the brilliant victory over the British army Gen. +Whipple contributed largely. Col. Wilkinson and himself were the +officers who arranged and signed the articles of capitulation between +the two commanders. He was one of the officers who conducted the +conquered foe to Winter Hill near Boston. His faithful negro +participated in all the perils of his old <i>massa</i> and could not have +been more elated with the victory had he been the commanding general.</p> + +<p>In 1778 Gen. Whipple was with Gen. Sullivan at the siege of New Port +which was abandoned for want of the aid of Count D'Estaing whose fleet +was injured by a gale. A safe retreat was effected in the night. In 1780 +Gen. Whipple was appointed a Commissioner of the Board of Admiralty +which he declined, preferring to serve in the legislature of his own +state in which he continued for years. In 1782 he was appointed +Financial Receiver for New Hampshire by Robert Morris. The office was +arduous, unpopular and irksome but in his hands lost much of its +odiousness. At the end of two years he resigned. On the 20th of June +1782 he was appointed a judge of the Superior Court. On the 25th Dec. +1784 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and Quorum throughout the +state which latter office he held to the day of his death. He was one of +the commissioners on the part of Connecticut to settle the controversy +between that state and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania relative to +lands in Wyoming valley. In all the multiform duties that devolved upon +him in the various public stations he filled he acquitted himself nobly. +He possessed a strong analyzing mind, deep penetration of thought, a +clear head and good heart.</p> + +<p>During the latter part of his life he suffered much from disease in his +chest which terminated his useful career on the 28th of Nov. 1785. At +his request before death, his body underwent a <i>post mortum</i> +examination. His heart was found ossified. The valves were united to the +aorta and an aperture not larger than a common knitting <ins class="correct" title="kneedle">needle</ins> was all +that remained for the passage of the blood. This explained the reason of +his faintness under sudden emotion.</p> + +<p>In all the relations of private and public life—from the cabin boy up +to the lofty pinnacle of a well earned fame, Gen. Whipple was a model of +consistency and virtue. He left a reputation pure as the virgin sheet. +His career demonstrated clearly that in our country fame is confined to +no grade in life and that practical knowledge, crowned with strong +common sense, enables a man to be substantially useful to his country +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span> fellow men. Citizens of America of only a common education—you can +and should be useful. Look at this bright example and govern yourselves +accordingly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="WILLIAM_WILLIAMS" id="WILLIAM_WILLIAMS"></a>WILLIAM WILLIAMS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Infidelity</span>, in all its multiform aspects, is a legitimate child of +inconsistency. The man who has impartially read the Bible—who +understands physiology, the philosophy of mind—the minutiæ of anatomy, +the unerring laws of nature, the powers of reason—the revolving circuit +of his own immortal soul and denies the existence of Him who spake and +it was done—who commanded and it stood fast—disrobes himself of the +noblest power bestowed by creative Wisdom and forfeits the high dignity +of a man. All things, from the leaf that vibrates in the gentle breeze +to the etherial sky spangled with stars, proclaim the existence of a +God. Most assuredly there is a Supreme Being who rules, with unerring +wisdom, in the kingdoms of Nature, Providence and Grace. Beyond all +cavil this position is most conducive to the happiness of the human +family in this life. The superstructure of the Infidel is clustered with +present misery. If its foundation should prove sandy he curses himself +in this world to be more wretched in the next. Aside from the question +of its divinity—Religion is the substratum of social order and human +felicity. Infidelity is the destruction of both. History is crowded with +demonstrations of this position. Banish the Bible and religion from our +Republic—remove this firm foundation upon which the Sages of the +Revolution based it—anarchy would ensue and we should rush into the +same vortex of ruin which engulphed the French Republic.</p> + +<p>By many of our Revolutionary patriots religion was exemplified—by all +it was venerated. Among those of them who enjoyed its full fruition +through life was William Williams born at Lebanon, Windham County, +Connecticut, on the 8th of April 1731. He was the son of Rev. Solomon +Williams whose paternal ancestor came from Wales in 1630. Solomon was +pastor of the Congregational church at Lebanon for fifty-six years. He +was a man of consistent and uniform piety—of liberal and expansive +views and believed religion to be the foundation of rational liberty. +His own soul enraptured with the substantial joys of practical piety—he +strongly desired his children might inherit the same blessing. His +prayers were answered. Of a large family of sons and daughters—all +consecrated themselves to the Lord of glory<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> and became exemplary +members of the church over which their father presided.</p> + +<p>After completing his preparatory studies William entered Harvard College +and graduated in 1751. He sustained a high reputation for correct +deportment untiring industry and scholastic lore. His father then +directed his theological course preparatory for the sacred desk. But his +talents were too diversified for a clerical life. He had a taste for +classics, architecture, mechanics, mathematics and general science.</p> + +<p>He was also inclined to travel. In 1755 he accepted a commission in the +staff of Col. Ephraim Williams a kinsman of his and founder of Williams +College at Williamstown, Mass. Sir William Johnson, who commanded the +English troops, detached Col. Williams with 1100 men to reconnoitre the +army of Baron Dieskau composed of a large force of French and Indians. +After proceeding some four miles the detachment was attacked by a +superior force lying in ambush. Col. Williams fell in the early part of +the engagement bravely fighting for the mother country. His troops then +retreated in good order until the main body came up and repulsed the +enemy.</p> + +<p>The French war cost the Americans much blood and treasure. It was a +matter of allegiance—not of interest. The Canadas were won by the +Colonies for Great Britain. The pilgrim fathers were long treated and +used as vassals of the English crown. Blended with the unparalleled +cruelties of the hired minions of the mother country was damning +ingratitude—the concentrated essential oil of Pandora that drives back +the rushing blood upon the aching heart.</p> + +<p>During the campaign Mr. Williams became disgusted with the hauteur of +the British officers towards native Americans who were by far the most +efficient troops against the Indians and French, whose mode of warfare +they better understood. Released from the army, he resolved never again +to submit to such indignities. He returned home and commenced the +mercantile business. Soon after, he was elected town clerk, a member of +the assembly and appointed a justice of the peace. These were unsought +favors—purely a tribute to merit. For a long time he was either speaker +or clerk of the House of Representatives in which he served nearly one +hundred sessions. For fifty years he faithfully served in a public +capacity.</p> + +<p>When the Revolutionary storm began to darken the horizon of public +tranquillity he boldly met its raging fury. Extensively and favorably +known—his salutary influence had a wide range. When the tocsin of war +was sounded he closed his commercial concerns and devoted his whole time +to the glorious cause of equal rights and rational<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span> Liberty. His +learning, piety, honesty of purpose, energy of action and large +experience—combined to give great weight to his character. He was an +active member of the council of safety and on the second Thursday of +October 1775, was appointed a delegate to the Continental Congress. He +entered zealously into the deliberations of that revered body and made +himself truly useful. He was ever ready to go as far as any one to +obtain the liberation of his suffering country from the serpentine coils +of tyranny. He was in favor of bold and vigorous measures and advocated +the Declaration of Rights from its incipient conception to its final +adoption. He was greatly instrumental in dispelling the doubts of many +whose motives and desires were as pure but whose moral courage was less +than his. He was well versed in the different forms of government, +international law and the routine of legislation. When he spoke in +public he was listened to with profound attention. He was a member of +Congress in 1776-7 and when the final vote was taken upon the Magna +Charta of our Liberty William Williams responded a thundering—<span class="smcap">aye</span>—that +told his boldness and his zeal. That vote stands confirmed by his +signature—a proud memento of his unalloyed patriotism—a conclusive +proof of his moral firmness.</p> + +<p>He was free from that aspiring ambition that is based on self and +nurtured by intrigue. His motives emanated from the pure fountain of an +honest heart. To promote the glory of his country was the ultimatum of +his earthly desires. Upon the altar of Liberty he was willing to +sacrifice his property and life. To vindicate the cause of Freedom he +was willing to spend his latest breath. He used every honorable exertion +to rouse his fellow citizens to a sense of danger and induce them to +enlist in the common cause against the common enemy. At the time +Congress was compelled to flee from Philadelphia he risked his life to +rescue Colonel Dyer from the fangs of the British who had planned his +arrest. They both made a hair-breadth escape. When the government +treasury was drained of its last dollar, Mr. Williams threw in what he +termed a mite of hard money, being over two thousand dollars for which +he took continental money only to die in his hands. How emphatically +things are changed. Now the public treasury distributes mint drops +profusely upon many whose pretended services are as worthless as +continental rags—in some instances absolutely injurious.</p> + +<p>He was remarkably active and fortunate in obtaining private donations +and necessaries for the army. He went from house to house, receiving +small parcels of any and every article that would alleviate the wants of +the destitute soldiers. At different times he forwarded to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span> them more +than a thousand blankets. During the winter of 1781 he gave up his own +house for the accommodation of the officers of the legion of Col. +Laurens and did all in his power to render officers and soldiers +comfortable. His industry was equal to his patriotism seldom retiring +until after twelve and up again by the dawn of day.</p> + +<p>Mr. Williams was a member of the convention of his state when the +Federal Constitution was adopted and gave it his hearty sanction. He was +never permitted to retire from the public arena until prostrated by +disease which terminated his useful career on the 2d of August 1811. He +had lived the life of a good man—his end was peaceful, calm and happy.</p> + +<p>He was a fine figure of the middle size, dark complexion and hair, +piercing black eyes, an aquiline nose, an open and ingenuous +countenance, a stentorian voice and strong physical powers. He was +blessed with a clear head, a noble heart, a sound judgment, an acute +perception and a logical mind. Not a blot could be found upon the fair +fame of his public or private character. During the latter part of his +life he was troubled with an increasing deafness and spent much of his +time in Christian devotion. But few men have served their country as +much and no one more faithfully than did <span class="smcap">William Williams</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JAMES_WILSON" id="JAMES_WILSON"></a>JAMES WILSON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> history of party spirit is red with blood. Its career has been +marked with desolation and ruin. It often rides on the whirlwind of +faction or on the more dreadful tornado of fanaticism. It has blotted +kingdoms and empires from existence, consumed nations, blighted the +fairest portions of creation and sacrificed millions upon its sanguinary +altar. Confined to no time or place—it has taken deep root in our own +country. Its poison has contaminated our political and religious +atmosphere most fearfully. It has had its victims of blood in this land +of republican and Christian professions. Its miasma has reached our +ballot boxes, violated the peaceful fireside, traduced private +character, invaded patriotism, induced perjury, countenanced forgery, +corrupted our elective franchise and produced mobocracy in its most +direful aspect. Great and good men have been victimized by reckless +partisans who stop at nothing and stoop to everything to accomplish +their purposes—right or wrong. They look at the end regardless of +means.</p> + +<p>In recurring to the eventful period of the American Revolution those who +are not familiar with the history of the local politics of that day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span> may +naturally conclude that party spirit found no place in the bosoms of +those who were engaged in a common cause against a common enemy. Far +different was the fact. Many of the best men of that trying period were +scourged, lacerated and for a time paralyzed by reckless party spirit.</p> + +<p>Among its victims was James Wilson, born of respectable parents near St. +Andrews, Scotland, in 1742. His father was a farmer in moderate +circumstances which he moderated still more by rushing into the +whirlpool of speculation—an unfortunate propensity that adhered to this +son. He graduated at St. Andrews, Edinburgh. This done he took lessons +in rhetoric under Dr. Blair and in logic under Dr. Watts. He then came +to Philadelphia and obtained the situation of usher in the college of +that city. His moral worth, strong talents and high literary <ins class="correct" title="atainments">attainments</ins> +gained for him the esteem and marked respect of Dr. Richard Peters, +Bishop White and many others whose friendship and influence were most +desirable. Those who knew him best admired him most.</p> + +<p>He subsequently studied law under John Dickinson and settled at +Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he rose rapidly to the head of the Bar. A +powerful exhibition of Ciceronian eloquence and legal acumen at the +trial of an important land case between the Proprietaries and Samuel +Wallace gained for him an early professional celebrity. The Attorney +General, Mr. Chew, fixed his eyes upon him soon after he commenced his +argument and gazed at him with admiring astonishment until he closed his +lucid speech. He was immediately retained in another important land +cause and was considered equal to any member of the Pennsylvania Bar. He +removed ultimately to Annapolis, Maryland and at the end of a year to +Philadelphia where he was liberally patronised but rushing occasionally +into the whirlpool of speculation his circumstances were uniformly +embarrassed. As an evidence of his goodness of heart, amidst the most +keen reverses he remitted money regularly to his poor widowed mother in +Scotland to the day of her death using every means in his power to +smooth her path to the tomb.</p> + +<p>With the intolerant commencement of British oppression the political +career of Mr. Wilson began. He boldly spoke and ably wrote in favor of +equal rights and liberal principles. He was an early and zealous +advocate of the American cause. Of a consistent and reflecting mind he +sometimes censured the rashness of others which brought upon him +malicious slanders which enabled his enemies several times to envelope +him so completely in the dark fog of party spirit as to partially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> +paralyze his exertions until the sun of truth would rise and dispel the +vapors of calumny.</p> + +<p>He was a member of the Provincial Convention of 1774, convened for the +purpose of devising plans for the redress of grievances imposed by +England. During the session he was nominated to the Congress soon to +meet. He was bitterly opposed by Mr. Galloway but was elected by a +handsome majority. He was continued a member of Congress until 1777 when +his enemies succeeded in their long nursed machinations against him. At +the commencement of hostilities he was commissioned colonel and +appointed a commissioner to treat with the Indians. On the 4th of July +1776 he proved his sincerity in the cause of Liberty by a fearless vote +and a bold signature in favor of the Declaration of Independence. In the +minds of all who were not blinded by party spirit his action on that day +refuted the base slanders that had been promulged against him. At the +shrine of this dread monster the brightest subjects of purity have often +been sacrificed. No goodness of heart—no brilliancy of talent—no +exalted worth—no sanctity of character can shield a public man from the +base assaults of party spirit—be he benefactor, philanthropist, saint, +sage or hero. Even Washington writhed under the ostracism of this +withering scourge. Some men are born <i>demi-gogs</i> and live under the +influence of Gog and Magog during their deleterious existence.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilson was an esteemed and active member of the Continental +Congress. Born a Scot he would not have exemplified the marked trait of +his nation had he not been cool and cautious in everything. He, with +many others, opposed the immediate adoption of the Declaration of +Independence—not because they doubted its justice but because they +believed the Colonies were not in a physical condition to sustain it. +His patriotism and republicanism both stood forth in bold <i>relievo</i> when +the question was finally put. He venerated the instrument and was bound +by principle to submit to the will of the majority in what he believed +to be clearly right although he believed it premature. His opposition +was based upon the single fact of the physical weakness of the Colonies +clearly expressed, yet his partisan enemies branded him with a want of +patriotism. The people were not long deceived and esteemed him the more +for his candor.</p> + +<p>In 1782 he was again elected to Congress and was hailed as one of its +most efficient members. The same year he was appointed one of the +counsellors and agents of Pennsylvania to meet the commissioners who +convened at Trenton, New Jersey, for the final settlement of the +protracted controversy between Connecticut and that commonwealth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> +relative to certain lands in the Wyoming Valley. The luminous and +unanswerable arguments of Mr. Wilson had a controlling influence over +the commissioners who decided in favor of Pennsylvania and closed an +unpleasant litigation of years.</p> + +<p>During the <i>interim</i> when he was not in Congress he held the office of +advocate-general for the French which led him to a close investigation +of national and maritime law. For this service the French king gave him +10,000 livres. He was at the same time a director in the Bank of North +America and had the full confidence of Robert Morris as a safe and able +financial adviser. As an active and discreet member of important +committees he stood in the front rank. He traced the lines of every +subject with the compass of wisdom and closed its bearings and +measurement with mathematical precision. He arrived at the desired goal +with less show but with more certainty than some whose zeal was more +impetuous but not more pure than his. He sought more to bestow lasting +benefits on his country than to elicit the huzzas of the multitude. He +well knew that effervescent popularity was not an index of that +substantial usefulness which lives long after that transient vapor +consigns its ephemeral subjects to the mellow repose of peaceful +oblivion. Balloon politicians may become inflated by the hydrogen of +party spirit and rise in the political atmosphere followed by the eyes +and elated by the shouts of thousands. A single spark of fire from the +furnace that created the gas will show most of them to be treacherous +and unsafe gasometers. Modest worth avoids ethereal excursions. It +stands like a rock of granite on the <i>terra firma</i> of deep thought, calm +reflection and sound discretion. Nothing but a sense of imperious duty +can induce the very men who should be there to enter the whirling vortex +and thorny arena of politics. How many such men are now in public +stations guarding the rights and directing the proper destiny of our +nation is a subject worthy of careful and anxious inquiry. If the people +in mass are not true to themselves demagogues will not be true to them.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilson was one of the most useful members of the Convention that +formed the Federal Constitution. He strongly opposed the popular project +of the appointment of members of Congress by the legislatures of the +States and was mainly instrumental in placing their election in the +hands of the people. This principle should have been applied to every +office named in that instrument not subject to the control and +supervision of the President and Senate. Mr. Wilson was one of the +committee that put the Constitution in form and reported it to the +Convention. When completed by amendments and presented to his own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> State +he was its most powerful advocate and bore down upon the opposition with +a sweeping torrent of eloquence and logic that was irresistible. He was +also a member of the Convention of Pennsylvania to amend its +Constitution, in which he took a decided stand in favor of placing the +elective franchise in the hands of the people. The last vestige of +aristocracy trembled before him and the last whisper of slander against +the purity of his republicanism died upon the lips of echo. The boldest +features of liberal principles in the old revised Constitution of that +State were penned by James Wilson. Had his views been fully incorporated +in that instrument I presume a second revision would not have been made.</p> + +<p>When the Supreme Court of the United States was organized Washington +selected Mr. Wilson for one of its judges. This high office he filled +with great ability up to the time of his death. In 1790 he was appointed +the first professor of the Law College in Philadelphia. When that and +the University of Pennsylvania were united he filled the chair. As a +learned and eloquent lawyer he had no superior at the Philadelphia bar. +He was honored with the degree of LL.D. and during the first year of his +professorship delivered an admirable course of lectures to the law +students. Like most of the Scotch literati, towards them he was distant +and reserved. His writings were vigorous and logical. In 1774 he wrote a +spirited essay on the assumptions of the British Parliament not +warranted by Magna Charta and portrayed the blessings arising from a +republican form of government in such fascinating colors that it +exercised a wide and salutary influence. To the uninitiated in party +politics it may seem strange that any one accused James Wilson of +aristocracy or a want of patriotism. A purer friend of his country or a +more ardent advocate of the cause of freedom could not be found among +the sages of '76. He passed through the ordeal of party persecution +several times but truth-telling time forced his enemies to retrace their +steps disgraced and shamed.</p> + +<p>On the 28th of August 1798 this venerable sage, eminent lawyer, able +statesman, profound jurist and impartial judge took a final leave of +earth and closed his eyes in death. He died of strangury whilst absent +on his circuit. Fortunately he was with his friend Judge Iredell in +Edenton North Carolina where his ashes repose in peace. During his last +illness he realized the proverbial hospitality of the south and was +cared for in the kindest manner.</p> + +<p>The private character of Judge Wilson was beyond reproach. He was a warm +friend, an affectionate husband, a faithful father, a consolation to the +widow and the fatherless, an upright and honest man.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span></p> + +<p>In reviewing the history of this worthy man no one can doubt his +patriotism and purity. No room is left to question his devotion to the +American cause and his firm opposition to British oppression. Influenced +by noble motives, guided by liberal principles—it is painful to reflect +that he was often wounded in the house of his professed friends by those +who had sworn to support the same cause he so ardently and ably +espoused. The solution of this paradoxical problem may be found in the +present state of things without travelling back to that time of times +when party spirit should have withdrawn its hydra head into its +legitimate Pandora box. We have those among us who live under the +protective mantle of the Federal Constitution and the laws based upon +it, who denounce that Constitution and refuse obedience to statutes +according with it unless those statutes advance their interests and +chime with their revolutionary views. They are cancers on the body +politic loathsome to the sight of every friend of our country—to every +advocate of our <span class="smcap">Union</span>. It would promote our safety and their happiness +to colonize them beyond fifty-four forty.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="JOHN_WITHERSPOON" id="JOHN_WITHERSPOON"></a>JOHN WITHERSPOON.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> man who makes the Bible his counsellor—the polar star of his +actions, will not go far astray. Divine in its origin, the sublimity of +its language caps the climax of composition. As a history of the grand +epoch when God said—"Let there be light—and there was light"—it +stands alone clothed in all the majesty of Divinity. As a chronicle of +the creation of man after the moral image of Deity—of his ruinous +fall—of the glorious plan of his redemption—it must remain unrivalled. +As a chart of human nature—human rights and wrongs and of the +attributes of the great Jehovah—in precision, fullness and force of +description it far exceeds the boldest strokes, the finest touches of +the master spirits of elocution in every age. As a system of morals and +religion—the efforts of men to add to its transcendent beauty—its +omnipotent strength—are as vain as an attempt to bind the wind or +imprison the ocean. As a book of poetry and eloquence—it rises in +grandeur above the proudest production of the most brilliant talents +that have illuminated and enraptured the classic world. As a book of +Revelation—it cast a flood of light upon the wilderness of mind that +shed fresh lustre upon reason, science and philosophy. As a book of +counsel—its wisdom is profound, boundless, infinite. It meets every +case in time and is a golden chain reaching from earth to Heaven. It +teaches our native dignity—the duties we owe to our God,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span> families, +parents, children and our fellow men. It teaches us how to live and how +to die—arms the Christian in panoply complete—snatches from death its +painful sting—from the grave its boasted victory and points the pious +soul to its crowning glory—a blissful immortality beyond the skies. The +man who is led by this sacred book to lean upon the Supreme Ruler of +revolving worlds, has a sure support that earth cannot give or take +away. When we can rightfully appeal to Heaven for aid in our +undertakings, faith bids us onward and fear no danger.</p> + +<p>A large portion of the most prominent patriots of the American +Revolution were pious men. I am not aware of one who did not believe in +an overruling Providence. Several of them were devoted ministers of the +gospel. Among these was John Witherspoon, born in the parish of Yester +near Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 5th of February 1722. He was a lineal +descendant of John Knox the celebrated reformer. The father of John was +minister of Yester parish and moulded the mind of this son in the ways +of wisdom, virtue and science. At an early age he placed him in the +Haddington school where the rare beauties of his young mind unfolded +like the flowers of spring. He soared above the trifling allurements +that too often lead childhood and youth astray. His studies were his +chief delight. He exhibited a maturity of judgment, clearness of +perception and depth of thought—seldom <ins class="correct" title="maifested">manifested</ins> in juvenile life. He +entered the Edinburgh University at the age of fourteen and fully +realized the anticipations of his friends in his educational +advancement. Especially did he excel in theology. He passed the ordeal +of his final examination at the age of twenty-one and was licensed to +proclaim to his fellow men the glad tidings of the Gospel of Peace. He +immediately became the assistant of his revered father—a favorite among +their parishioners—an eloquent preacher of plain practical +Christianity.</p> + +<p>On the 17th of January 1746, he was a "looker on in Vienna" at the +battle of Falkirk and with many others whose curiosity had led them to +the scene of action, was seized by the victorious rebels and imprisoned +in the castle of Doune. After his release he resided a few years at +Beith, subsequently at Paisly—rendering himself very useful as an +exemplary and faithful minister. During his residence at the latter +place he received urgent calls from Dublin, Rotterdam and Dundee. He +also had an invitation to fill the presidential chair of the College of +New Jersey in America to which he had been elected on the 19th of +November 1766. This was done at the suggestion of Richard Stockton. A +general demurrer by his friends and a special demurrer by his relatives +were entered against his acceptance. Ingenious arguments were used to +sustain the pleas put in. The delights of his native home—the horrors +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span> the western wilderness were placed before him in fearful contrast. A +very wealthy bachelor relative offered to will him his large estate if +he would remain. For a year he declined the proffered chair. During that +time his lady caught "the missionary fever" and became anxious to embark +for the new world—removing every obstacle with the ingenuity and +perseverance peculiar to woman when bent upon the accomplishment of a +noble object. On the 9th of December 1767 Mr. Stockton had the pleasure +of communicating his acceptance to the trustees of the college which was +most joyfully received.</p> + +<p>Early in the ensuing August he arrived with his family and was +inaugurated at Princeton on the 17th of that month. His literary fame +had been spread through the Colonies and caused an immediate accession +of students—a new impetus to the institution—a renovation of the empty +treasury of the college. He introduced a thorough and harmonious system +in all its departments and fully answered the most sanguine +anticipations of his warmest friends.</p> + +<p>His mode of instruction was calculated to expand the ideas of his +students and launch them upon the sea of investigation. He expelled the +dogmatical and bewildering clouds of metaphysical fatality and mystic +physiology that rendered darkness visible in the old schools. He +illuminated the minds of his students with the mellow rays of scientific +truth based upon enlightened philosophy, sound reason, plain common +sense and liberal principles. He taught them to explore the labyrinthian +avenues of human nature—the vast circuit of their own immortal minds. +He raised before them the curtain of the material, moral, physical and +intellectual panorama—lucidly demonstrated their harmonious unity of +action—perfected by the great Architect of this mighty machinery made +for man. He pointed them to the duties they owed to themselves, their +fellow men, their country and their God. He awakened in their souls the +living energies of charity that assimilates man to Deity and prompts him +to noble god-like action. He taught them how to live and be useful—how +to throw off this mortal coil when the journey of life should end. His +instructions were luminous and enriching—his precepts fertilizing as +the dew of Hermon.</p> + +<p>On the flood tide of a high literary and theological fame he floated +peacefully along until the revolutionary storm drove him from the +college and the pulpit of his church to a different sphere of action. +Before coming to America he understood well the relations between the +mother country and the colonies. He was master of civilian philosophy, +international law, monarchical policy and the principles of rational +freedom. The enrapturing beauties of Liberty and the hideous deformity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span> +of tyranny passed in review before his gigantic mind. In the designs of +creative Wisdom he saw the equal rights of man and resolved to vindicate +them. He at once took a bold stand in favor of his adopted country. With +an eagle's flight he mounted the pinnacle of political fame—with a +statesman's eye he surveyed the mighty work before him. The plan of +political regeneration stood approved by Heaven—he determined to give +his aid to the glorious cause. Most nobly did he discharge every duty +assigned him.</p> + +<p>From the commencement of revolutionary agitation he was a member of +various committees and conventions formed for the purpose of seeking +redress from the king—<i>peaceably</i> if possible—<i>forcibly</i> if necessary. +He was a member of the Convention of New Jersey that framed the new +Constitution in 1776. On the 20th of June the same year he was elected +to the Continental Congress and most ably and eloquently advocated the +Declaration of Independence to which he affixed his name, appealing to +his God for approval—to the world for the justice of the cause he +espoused. He was continued a member of Congress up to 1782 with the +exception of one year and contributed largely in shedding lustre over +its deliberations. With a mind and intelligence able to grasp, +comprehend and expound the whole minutiæ of government and legislation, +he combined a patriotic zeal and holy devotion for his +country—unsurpassed by any of his colleagues. His labors were +incessant, his industry untiring, his perseverance unyielding—his +patriotism as clear as the crystal fountain—pure as the pellucid +stream.</p> + +<p>During the time he served in the legislative halls he did not neglect +the higher honors of the vineyard of his Lord and Master. He was often +at the family altar, in the closet and the pulpit. He was one of the +most able, eloquent and profound preachers of that eventful period. He +was one of the brightest ornaments of the religion of the Cross—one of +the strongest advocates in the cause of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. As a speaker he was +listened to with deep interest—as a systematic and logical debater he +had few equals. His arguments were <i>a posteriori</i>, <i>a priori</i> and <i>a +fortiori</i>—leading the mind from effect to cause, from cause to effect +and deducing the stronger reason. His corollaries were often of the most +thrilling character. He sometimes resorted to syllogism with great +effect. His speeches would be a syllabus to many of modern times upon +the same subjects. His memory was remarkably retentive, his perceptions +clear, his judgment acute.</p> + +<p>He was a member of the secret committee of Congress the duties of which +were delicate and arduous. He was a member of the committee to +co-operate with Gen. Washington in replenishing and regulating the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span> +army—of the committee of finance and upon several other working +committees. The eloquent appeals to the people from Congress, +recommending days for fasting and prayer were from his nervous pen. The +burning and melting manifesto, protesting against the inhuman treatment +of the American prisoners confined on board the filthy prison-ships at +New York, was supposed to emanate from him.</p> + +<p>Dr. Witherspoon was prophetic in his mode of reasoning when pointing out +the results of propositions laid before Congress and opposed all those +he believed would terminate unfavorably. He strongly remonstrated +against the issue of continental money. His predictions of sudden +depreciation were too fully realized. It took a rapid downward course +and soon reached the ruinous discount of one hundred and fifty dollars +of paper for one of silver and then took a fatal leap and plunged into +the abysm of worthlessness. So deeply did he probe every subject that he +investigated, that his powers of penetration became proverbial. Most of +the measures he proposed when he entered the legislative arena that were +adopted proved successful and those he opposed and were adopted +uniformly proved disastrous.</p> + +<p>In the halls of classic literature, the ecclesiastic courts or on the +floor of Congress, he was a shining light to those around him. His +literary, theological and political writings were numerous, of a high +order and are justly celebrated here and in Europe. They exhibit a +pleasing and rich variety of thought—a strong and chaste imagination—a +luminous and flowing fancy—a keen and sarcastic wit—a brilliant and +fascinating style—broad and liberal views—philosophic and logical +propositions—clear and convincing conclusions—all mellowed with the +rich freshness of living charity and universal philanthropy.</p> + +<p>In 1779 he resigned his seat in Congress in consequence of ill health. +His son-in-law, Rev. Dr. Smith was Vice President of the college and +relieved him from the most arduous duties of President. The next year he +was again elected to Congress and resigned finally in 1782. The trustees +of the college then persuaded him to embark for Europe for the purpose +of raising funds for the institution. As he predicted before he left, +his efforts were unsuccessful. He returned in 1784 and retired to his +country seat a mile from Princeton, there to enjoy the blessings of +peace and the golden fruits that had been richly earned by years of +peril and toil. Surrounded by relatives and friends, enjoying the praise +and gratitude of a nation of freemen—his name immortalized as a +scholar, divine, civilian, statesman and patriot—he sat down under the +bright canopy of a clear conscience—an approving Heaven—anticipating a +crown of unfading glory beyond the skies.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span></p> + +<p>In this manner he glided down the stream of time peaceful and happy +until the 15th of November 1794, when he fell asleep in the arms of his +Lord and Master, calm as a summer morning, serene as a cerulean +sky—welcoming the messenger of death with a seraphic smile. He was +buried at Princeton.</p> + +<p>A review of the life of this great and good man affords an instructive +lesson for every considerate reader. He was endowed with all the +qualities calculated to ennoble and dignify man and assimilate him to +his Creator. His superior virtues and endowments eclipsed his frailties +and placed him on a lofty eminence beyond the reach of envy, malice or +slander. His fame is clustered with refulgent beauty that will spread a +lustre over his name that will brighten and shine until the death knell +of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> shall be sounded and social order rush back to original +anarchy.</p> + +<p>In all the relations of public and private life, Dr. Witherspoon stood +approved, admired, revered. Let all strive to imitate his examples that +our lives may be useful in time—our final exit tranquil and happy—ever +remembering that virtue is the crowning glory of talent.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="OLIVER_WOLCOTT" id="OLIVER_WOLCOTT"></a>OLIVER WOLCOTT.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> unrestrained oppressions of imperial and kingly power, long +exercised with impunity, have been receding before the light of +intelligence with an ominous but rather unsteady pace for the last few +centuries. As the genial rays of Liberty illuminate the crowding +millions of the human family the tenure of thrones will become more +slender—monarchies more limited if not annihilated. In Europe kingly +power has been vibrating for years in the cradle of a political +earthquake. The love of freedom has never been extinguished in the old +world. The same motive power that prompted the pilgrims to court the +dangers and privations of this western hemisphere, still pervades the +bosoms of those held in bondage by military force. Volcanic eruptions +occasionally occur—new craters open—the time is rolling on rapidly +when these craters will rush together and deluge kingly and imperial +power with one broad sheet of liquid fire. In thunder tones of +retribution the people will proclaim their <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>.</p> + +<p>When our ancestors planted themselves on the granite shores of America +they had clear conception of a republican form of government as +organized by Greece and Rome. Many of them had read the thrilling +history of the rise, progress and fall of those republics in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> +original languages where none of the beauties or force are lost by +translation. They were prepared to improve upon those governments by +avoiding their errors and preserving all that was valuable. With these +lights the pilgrim fathers appear to have been illuminated when rearing +the incipient superstructure of a more pure republic than any before +known. At first, articles of association were entered into by the people +of a single or contiguous settlements, based upon the broad platform of +equal rights and universal Liberty circumscribed only by eternal justice +and sterling honesty. Among the earliest of these miniature republics +was that consolidating Windsor, Hartford and Weathersfield in +Connecticut. The articles of association adopted by this infant Colony +were penned by Roger Ludlow. The revised constitution of that state is +either substantially copied from the instrument drawn by Ludlow or the +ideas of republicans must run in a channel that has no change.</p> + +<p>Among those who directed the destiny of the pioneers of the new world +the name of Wolcott stands conspicuous. Henry Wolcott, the patriarch +ancestor, removed from England to Dorchester, Mass. in 1630. In 1636 he +founded the town of Windsor, Connecticut. During the perils of the +Indian wars—the difficulties with the Canadian French and through all +the various vicissitudes that have pervaded New England down to the +present time, the descendants of Henry Wolcott have acted a conspicuous +part. They were ready to go where duty called—to the field or +legislative hall.</p> + +<p>Oliver Wolcott, the subject of this brief sketch, was the son of Roger +Wolcott who was appointed Governor of Connecticut in 1751. This son was +born on the 26th of November 1726 and graduated at Yale College in 1747. +The same year he was commissioned to raise and command a company which +he marched to the defence of the northern frontiers where he remained +until the peace of Aix la Chapelle. He then returned and applied himself +to the study of medicine until he was appointed the first sheriff of +Litchfield County formed in 1751. In 1755 he married Laura Collins a +discreet woman of great merit. In 1774 he was appointed counsellor which +station he filled for twelve consecutive years. He was also chief judge +of the Common Pleas Court and for a long time a judge of the Probate +Court. In the military field he rose from the grade of captain to that +of major-general. In the summer of 1776 he commanded the fourteen +regiments raised by Gov. Trumbull to act with the army in New York. He +headed his division at the memorable battle that resulted in the capture +of Burgoyne and revived the drooping spirits of those who were engaged +in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span> the glorious cause of equal rights. He was uniformly consulted on +important military movements and listened to with great confidence. From +its commencement he was a zealous and efficient advocate of the cause of +freedom and stood firm amidst the revolutionary storm undaunted by the +roaring of the British lion.</p> + +<p>In 1775 Congress made him commissioner of Indian affairs for the +Northern Department then an important trust. During the same year he +effected much towards reconciling disputes between Colonies relative to +their boundaries. Amiable and persuasive in his manners—imbued with a +clear sense of justice, he was an admirable mediator. He merited the +blessing pronounced on peace-makers.</p> + +<p>In 1776 he took his seat in Congress and remained until he affixed his +signature to that Declaration of Rights which burst the chains of +material bondage—gave birth to our nation in a day—astonished gazing +millions—shook the British throne to its centre and gave us a Republic +that surpasses all Greek—all Roman fame.</p> + +<p>He then returned to the field and on all occasions proved a brave, +skilful and prudent officer. When he deemed his services more useful in +Congress than in the army he would take his seat in that body, which he +did at intervals up to 1783. In 1785 he was associated with Arthur Lee +and Richard Butler to conclude a treaty of peace with the Six Nations of +Indians. The year following he was elected lieutenant-governor and +performed the duties of that office with great ability and dignity up to +the time of his death which occurred on the 1st day of December 1797. He +died regretted by the nation at large, but most by those who knew him +best.</p> + +<p>His numerous public services were highly appreciated. They were promptly +and judiciously performed without any parade, pomp or vain show. His +private character was adorned by all the richness of purity—purpose and +action, that render a man an ornament among the virtuous. He possessed +all the sterling virtues—was a devout and consistent Christian—a +useful and honest man. In the hands of such men our government is +secure—our UNION safe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="GEORGE_WYTHE" id="GEORGE_WYTHE"></a>GEORGE WYTHE.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> be born rich is oftener a misfortune than a blessing. Action is +designed by the great Creator—noble and god-like action. Riches are +prone to produce inertness. With the young, who are left to the bent of +their own inclinations either by the erroneous indulgence of parents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span> or +for the want of parents or an efficient and kind guardian, an abundance +of riches often proves their ruin. A thousand emissaries are abroad to +lead them into the purlieus of vice and hurry on their sure destruction. +Money attracts attention in all circles. Although the love of it is the +root of all evil—still it commands undue attention. Thousands live who +will not earn, but must have it. These sharks are ever on the lookout +for young men of fortune and too often succeed in plucking every feather +from their newly fledged wings. The poor young man is in less danger. He +has no attractions for fashionable blacklegs—the vilest things that +creep on earth. Necessity impels him to action. He labors +industriously—studies economy—saves his earnings and eventually +becomes rich. Many of the most wealthy men of our country commenced +without a dollar. Few who are left large fortunes retain them and but +few who have lost them in profligacy have moral courage to break the +letters of vice, spurn the demons who have robbed them, return to the +paths of rectitude, redeem a lost fortune—a shattered reputation and +again stand up like men. We wonder and admire to behold such +instances—rare to be sure—but they have occurred.</p> + +<p>This was fully exemplified by George Wythe born in Elizabeth City, +Virginia, in 1728. His father was a wealthy planter—his mother a woman +of unusual talents, learning and worth. To her this son was indebted for +his education and early impressions of the correct and noble principles +that actuated him after he assumed the dignity of a man. From her he +acquired the Greek and Latin languages and general science. +Unfortunately for him both his parents were snatched away by death +nearly at the same time, leaving him a buoyant youth without a hand to +guide or a voice to warn him against the allurements of vain pleasure or +the seductions of ruinous vice.</p> + +<p>His father left him a fortune which was sufficient to have made a +prudent man in easy circumstances for life. Like too many <i>only</i> sons, +he had been put to no business. He was a stranger to labor and had no +inclination to make its acquaintance. He was soon led away by idle +company, became dissipated and pursued the road to ruin until he was +thirty years of age, neglecting study and business and spending all his +substance.</p> + +<p>Like the prodigal he then came to himself—returned to the paths of +virtue, studied the profession of law, was admitted to the Bar and +became one of its brightest ornaments. During the remainder of his life +he walked in the ways of wisdom most scrupulously and proved to his +friends and the world that a young man may be led astray by the prowling +wolves of vice—be torn and lacerated by the demon robbers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span> that are +permitted to prey upon the community by the official guardians of our +cities and towns and yet recover from his wounds, redeem his character +and become a virtuous and useful member of society. God grant that this +example may influence thousands to go and do likewise.</p> + +<p>No man ever dignified his profession more than Mr. Wythe. He was rigidly +honest and would not proceed in a cause until convinced justice required +his services. If drawn into a cause by misrepresentation that was +tinctured with wrong, he would abandon it the moment he discovered that +fact and return the fee. His virtuous habits, extreme fidelity, legal +acquirements and untiring industry, gained for him the esteem and +confidence of his friends and the people at large. He was a member of +the House of Burgesses for a long time and under the new government was +appointed Chancellor of the State, which office he filled with great +ability to the time of his death. He was highly esteemed as a legislator +for integrity, talent and independence. In politics he was guided by his +own matured judgment irrespective of party. On the 14th of November 1764 +he was appointed on a committee to prepare a petition to the king, a +memorial to the House of Lords and a remonstrance to the House of +Commons on the impropriety and injustice of the proposed Stamp Act.</p> + +<p>The remonstrance was from the able pen of Mr. Wythe and was drawn in +language so bold and strong that it alarmed many of his colleagues and +underwent a modification to divest it of what they deemed a tincture of +treason. He understood and properly appreciated the true dignity of man +and did not live to quail at the tyranny of a haughty monarch or corrupt +ministry. He was a prominent member of the House of Burgesses in 1768, +when Virginia blood and Virginia patriotism were roused and passed the +memorable resolutions asserting their exclusive right to levy their own +taxes—accused ministers and Parliament of violating the British +Constitution and denied the right of the crown to transport and try +persons in England for crimes committed in America. In passing these +resolutions parliamentary rules were dispensed with, the members +anticipating the proroguing power of the governor, who, on learning +their tenor, immediately dissolved the House. He was half an hour too +late—they had passed their final reading—were entered upon the records +and beyond his power to veto or expunge. This action of the governor was +unfavorable to the interests of the crown—the people took the helm as +they should do now and returned all the old patriotic members to the +next session with several new ones of the "same sort."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span></p> + +<p>Among the new members was Thomas Jefferson who had been a law student +under Mr. Wythe—was charged with the same <i>rebel</i> principles and was a +bold and fearless champion of Liberty and equal rights. The atmosphere +was becoming rather too highly charged with patriotic fire to be +comfortably inhaled by the governor and the bipeds of the crown. It was +rather too caloric for the free respiration of monarchical lungs. The +people, awakened to their true position—saw the path of duty and +pursued it. With an enlightened mass there is safety.</p> + +<p>From that time Mr. Wythe continued to oppose parliamentary and +ministerial oppression and boldly vindicated the rights of his injured +country. At the commencement of the revolutionary movements he joined a +volunteer corps, determined to vindicate in the field the principles he +had advocated in the legislative hall. He lived up to the motto—"we do +what we say."</p> + +<p>In August 1775 he was elected a member of Congress and took a high rank +in that body—then the observed of all observers. When the proposition +of Independence was made it met his warm approbation. He was to the hilt +in this measure. When the day arrived for final action he put his name +to that bold instrument that he knew must prove the Chart of Liberty or +the death warrant of the signers. In all the majesty of conscious +dignity these master spirits of freedom shook off the corroding rust of +kingly power, planted deep the tree of Liberty and proved to a gazing +world that a nation can be born in a day and live. Language can never +portray nor imagination fully conceive the enthusiastic joy that marked +the promulgation of the Declaration of Independence among the people. +The bells sounded a requiem and tolled the funeral knell of +monarchy—illuminations and roaring artillery conveyed the glad news +from the central arch of the Union to its remotest bounds—the +replenished torch of Liberty rose, a pillar of fire to guide the +patriots in their onward march—on the wings of thanksgiving and praise +the happy tidings were carried to the throne of Heaven, received the +sanction of Jehovah's high authority and were recorded in the book of +everlasting fame by the hand of justice with an angel's pen.</p> + +<p>In November 1776 Messrs. Wythe, Pendleton and Jefferson were appointed +to revise the laws of Virginia. Although much other business devolved +upon them they prepared and reported one hundred and twenty-six bills by +the 18th of the ensuing June. The new code commenced the revision at the +time of the revolution in England and brought it down to and in +accordance with the new government.</p> + +<p>In 1777 Mr. Wythe was chosen Speaker of the House of Delegates<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span>—the +same year a Judge of the High Court of Chancery and subsequently +Chancellor. A more impartial judge never graced the Bench. Nothing could +induce him to swerve from strict justice. He was a profound jurist and a +lucid expounder of the law. He graced the law professorship in the +College of William and Mary until other duties compelled him to resign. +He was a member of the legislature when Virginia sanctioned the Federal +Constitution.</p> + +<p>He put in full practice his principles of Liberty by the emancipation of +his slaves and providing them with the means of support. He tried the +experiment of education upon one so far as to teach him Latin and Greek +when he suddenly died. He was extremely anxious to see a development of +African intellect that its calibre might be more clearly known.</p> + +<p>Chancellor Wythe died suddenly on the 8th of June 1806, believed to be +from the effects of poison administered by <i>George Wythe Sweny</i>, a +grandson of his sister, for the purpose of arriving immediately at the +enjoyment of a part of his estate which was fortunately prevented by a +codicil made just before his decease. Although there was not proof to +convict, the ungrateful demon, circumstances were so strong against him +that the public verdict stamped upon him the damning +stigma—<i>murderer</i>.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> After publishing my first edition, I was credibly informed +the poison was only intended for two emancipated slaves, who were +legatees in the will, both of whom died a few hours before their +benefactor. Mortification, from being co-heir with them, is the cause +assigned for the murder.—<span class="smcap">Author.</span></p></div> + +<p>In his private character Chancellor Wythe was amiable, modest, +charitable and humane. He sought to improve the society in which he +moved and used great exertions to guard young men against the purlieus +of vice. He was industrious, temperate, frugal but liberal and +proverbial for charity and a practical Christian.</p> + +<p>Jefferson, in delineating the character of his law +instructor—remarks—"No man ever left behind him a character more +venerated than George Wythe. His virtue was of the purest kind—his +integrity inflexible and his justice exact. Of warm patriotism and +devoted as he was to Liberty and the natural and equal rights of men he +might be truly called the Cato of this country without the avarice of a +Roman, for a more disinterested person never lived. Such was George +Wythe—the honor of his own and a model for future times."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="ROBERT_YATES" id="ROBERT_YATES"></a>ROBERT YATES.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Time</span> is wasted by many persons as if it had no limit and they were to +live for ever. But few place a proper value upon it—but a small portion +of <i>these</i> reduce it to an advantageous system. If every person<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> +realized that "time is money" and ends in eternity—it would be used +very differently by many—not by all. The instances are very rare where +a man of fifty can look back upon his career and not see that he has +squandered a large portion of his time in senseless vacuity or improper +appropriation. If he then realizes its full worth he will gaze upon the +past with keen regret and vainly wish he could live his life over +again—a wish that the illustrious Washington said he did not indulge. +If no one of the human family wasted or improperly used time, earth +would be a Paradise—Pandemonium a fable. If all would assign a due +portion of time for each class of incumbent duties—rigidly adhere to +the one and promptly perform the others—a harmony in action and an +amount of labor would be produced that would effect a change in the +social, religious and business departments that would astonish the most +visionary theorist of system and order. Profligacy of time too often +commences in childhood—increases in youth and is made bankrupt in +manhood. Let all feel more deeply the importance of a judicious +arrangement and wise improvement of precious <span class="smcap">time</span>. Its whirling wheels +are rolling us on rapidly to "that country from whose bourne no +traveller returns." It is a boon from our Creator—to Him we must render +an account of every hour from the moment our reason assumed and presided +over its empire. Let all be prepared to render that account with a joy +that shall increase in ecstacy through the ceaseless ages of <span class="smcap">eternity</span>.</p> + +<p>In perusing this history of the Sages and Heroes of the American +Revolution the reader has learned that all of them were +industrious—several of them bright models of perfect system in the +distribution of their time. No one was more diligent in the performance +of his duties than Robert Yates who was born in the city of Schenectady, +N. Y. on the 27th day of January 1738. The early developments of his +mind were of unusual solidity and free from that frivolity that too +often retards the course of boys in their preparation for manhood. Let +my young readers remember this and become men in conduct during your +minority. You will then be prepared to appear upon the stage of action +with credit to yourselves and usefulness to our common country. Improve +your minds by storing them with useful knowledge. If the tree has no +blossoms in spring we gather no fruit in autumn. If your youth is barren +of healthful culture—if the vain allurements—the trifling amusements +of this deceiving world exclude from your immortal minds salutary +improvement—your mental powers may darken with age and rush you into +the murky waters of lasting disgrace—perhaps ruin you for ever. Soon +the mighty concerns of our country will devolve on you.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span> In your hands +will be placed the destiny of our nation. Some of you must fill up the +swelling ranks of the professions—the arena of politics and posts of +honor and profit. Let these reflections raise you above the trifles that +amuse without benefitting you. Learn to be men when you are boys—you +may then be intellectual giants when you reach manhood. Remember your +Creator—study the Bible and let it be deeply impressed upon your minds +that to become eminently great you must be truly good.</p> + +<p>Robert Yates commenced his classical education in the city of New York +and completed it at an early age. He then read law with William +Livingston of that city and became an ornament to the profession. He +located at the city of Albany—obtained a lucrative practice—the high +esteem of his numerous acquaintances and a title of honor too rare and +priceless—"<span class="smcap">the honest lawyer</span>." An additional proof of his good sense +was exhibited by his leading to the hymeneal altar the amiable Miss Jane +Van Ness who proved worthy of the noble man of her judicious choice. +They sailed buoyantly, prosperously and joyfully on the flood tide of +domestic felicity until the angry elements of an oppressed people were +concentrated by British oppression and raised the rough storm of the +Revolution. Mr. Yates was a whig of the first water—bold, fearless, +calm, prudent and firm as the iron mountain of Missouri. No one better +understood the relative condition of the two countries—the powers and +rights of each and the law of nations. He was conversant with the +liberal principles of Magna Charta as granted by King John and as +improved and confirmed by King Henry III. in the ninth year of his +reign. He was familiar with the provisions of the British +Constitution—the Charters of the Colonies and the various declaratory +Acts of Parliament defining the rights of the American people which had +grown sacred by long and peaceful enjoyment. To see them now rudely +trampled upon by a venal ministry roused the patriotism and indignation +of Mr. Yates. He wrote and published several pungent essays exposing the +usurpations of the British Cabinet. He took an active part in the public +meetings of the people that prepared them to strike for <span class="smcap">liberty</span>. At that +time he was a member of the corporation of Albany and attorney for that +board. He was a leading member of the Committee of Safety when it was +virtually the supreme government of the empire state. The <i>tories</i> +greatly feared and most sincerely hated this bold champion of equal +rights. His ardent zeal was tempered with a discreet moderation and +equal justice to all. He never passed the orbit of legitimate power nor +hesitated in performing his whole duty regardless of consequences. He +was an active member of the first Provincial Congress of New +York<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span>—chairman of the committee to organize the military and did much +towards producing a concert of action against the invading enemy. In +1777 he was an efficient member of the Convention that framed the first +constitution of his native state. Under that constitution he was +appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. His acceptance raised him to the +zenith of rebellion in view of the creatures of the crown. He was +menaced by them and threatened by the tories. He promptly assumed the +duties of his responsible station and boldly performed them. Stern +justice, tempered with charity, directed his course. Officially he +favored no friend—persecuted no enemy. His courts were held in the +midst of bitter foes. No dangers could intimidate—no threats deter him +from the faithful discharge of all the duties devolving upon him. When +tories were arraigned before the court the overcharged zeal of jurors +sometimes paralyzed their sense of right. On one occasion he sent out a +jury of this kind four times with a direction to change their verdict of +"guilty" which was not warranted by the testimony. The legislature +talked loudly of calling him to an account for this act but on a sober +second thought wisely determined to permit the old Roman to pursue the +even tenor of his ways. His salary was far below the income of his +practice at the Bar. To advance the interests of his country was above +all pecuniary considerations. His salary for one year was paid in paper +apology for money which depreciated so much in a few days that it took +the whole to buy a pound of tea. This did not disturb his equanimity or +abate his zeal in the glorious cause of Independence.</p> + +<p>After the close of the Revolution Messrs. Robert Yates, Alexander +Hamilton and Chancellor Livingston were chosen to represent the state of +New York in the Convention that framed the Federal Constitution. His +services on that important occasion were highly appreciated. He was +opposed to some features of that sacred instrument but voted for its +adoption when it came before the Convention of his own state. When it +became the supreme law of the land he was one of its firmest supporters. +In his first charge to the grand jury after it had been legally +sanctioned he used the following language which I implore the reader to +ponder well and let it come home with all the force of living truth +proclaimed from the tomb of a departed patriot.</p> + +<p>"The proposed form of government for the Union has at length received +the sanction of so many of the States as to make it the supreme law of +the land. It is not therefore any longer a question whether or not its +provisions are such as they ought to be in all their different branches. +We, as good citizens, are bound <i>implicitly to obey them</i>. The united +wisdom of America has sanctioned and confirmed the act<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span> and it would be +but little short of treason against the Republic to hesitate in our +obedience and respect to the Constitution of the United States of +America. Let me, therefore, exhort you gentlemen—not only in your +capacity as grand jurors but in your more durable and equally +respectable character as citizens—to preserve inviolate this Charter of +our national Rights and safety—a Charter second only in dignity and +importance to the Declaration of our Independence. We have escaped, it +is true, by the blessing of divine Providence, from the tyranny of a +foreign foe—but let us now be equally watchful in guarding against +<i>worse and far more dangerous enemies</i>—<span class="smcap">domestic broils and intestine +divisions</span>."</p> + +<p>Would to God this patriotic language of Judge Yates could be written in +flaming capitals of living fire raised in bold relievo on plates of +burnished gold and suspended in every court room, legislative hall, +church, school-house and public place in our land. It should be +circulated by every press in our country and committed to memory by +every child.</p> + +<p>Judge Yates was one of the Commissioners to settle the boundary question +between New York and the States of Massachusetts and Connecticut. He was +subsequently employed to prosecute claims of his native State against +Vermont. In 1790 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Empire State and +presided with great dignity until the 27th of January 1798 when his age +reached the constitutional limit and closed his long, useful, arduous +and brilliant judicial career. He had been an ornament to the Bench for +twenty-one years. Not a stain had soiled his official ermine. He then +resumed the practice of law and was appointed by the legislature of his +state to settle disputed titles in the military tract which office he +held until the Act creating it expired.</p> + +<p>In comparative poverty and peace he glided down the stream of time until +the 9th day of September 1801 when an arrow from the quiver of death +pierced the shining mark—released his noble soul from its earthly +prison and returned it to its original home of enduring bliss. He had +exemplified primitive Christianity—his last hours were bright with +hope, strong in faith, calm, peaceful and happy. He was greatly beloved +in life—deeply mourned in death. In the performance of all the +multiform duties of public and private life he stood approved by his +friends, his country, his conscience and his God. He was an admired +model of system in all the concerns of life—arranged his time +judiciously, improved it wisely and earned a lofty fame that will endure +while virtue is esteemed and patriotism lives. In the hands of such men +our Republic will continue to rise in majesty sublime until its burning +light shall illuminate the world and become too brilliant for the vision +of all those who do not love and support our UNION.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><a name="PART_II" id="PART_II"></a>PART II.</h3> + + +<p>ALLEN ETHAN was a native of Salisbury, Connecticut and removed to +Vermont when a boy. He was a man of strong mental powers which were +improved by a close observation of men and things—not by a school +education. He took an active part in public affairs from an early age to +the time of his death. He was emphatically a "Rough and Ready." When the +revolutionary storm commenced he was the kind of man to brave its fury. +He was then a militia colonel and at once rallied a brave band of Green +Mountain boys around him. Soon after the battle of Lexington he received +orders from the general Assembly of Connecticut to make a descent on +Ticonderoga and Crown Point. About that time Arnold had been charged by +the Massachusetts Committee to raise 400 men for the same purpose. On +his arrival he found Col. Allen prepared to march with 300 men and +became his aid in the expedition. On the 9th of May 1775 they arrived at +the lake opposite Ticonderoga and with great difficulty landed 83 men +near the garrison during the night. As day was approaching the Colonel +determined on an immediate attack. He led his Spartan band to the wicket +gate where a sentinel snapped his gun at the bold intruders and fled +into the fort closely followed by the Green Mountain boys who rushed in +and formed on the parade ground facing the two barracks and made the +welkin ring with three loud huzzas. One of the guard who begged for +quarter pointed out the apartment of the officers. Col. Allen entered +with his sword drawn and demanded the surrender of the fort from the +astonished Capt. De la Place who was in command. He jumped out of bed, +rubbed his eyes and asked by whose authority the demand was made. The +Colonel quickly replied—"<i>I demand it in the name of the great Jehovah +and the Continental Congress.</i>" The summons was promptly obeyed. Crown +Point surrendered the same day and shortly after, the only British sloop +of war, which gave Col. Allen the mastery of Lake Champlain. In the fall +of that year Col. Brown pledged himself to act in concert in an attack +upon Montreal but failing to meet him Col. Allen was overwhelmed by +numbers and taken prisoner, loaded with irons and treated with +proverbial British cruelty—a mistaken policy on the part of the crown +officers that did much towards rousing the Americans to resistance. He +was sent to England with a strong promise of a halter on his arrival. In +1776 he was returned to N. York and was not exchanged until the 6th of +May 1778. Bad treatment had ruined his iron constitution. A base attempt +was made to bribe him which he resented with the dignity of an honest +freeman. He wrote a history of the cruelties uniformly practised upon +the American prison<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span>ers. During his confinement in N. York he estimated +that over 2000 perished by hunger, cold and disease produced by the +impurity of the prisons and prison ships. Col. Allen was highly esteemed +as a stern patriot, a good citizen—an honest man. He died suddenly at +his home in Colchester, Vermont, on the 13th of February 1789.</p> + + +<p>ALLEN EBENEZER a brave subaltern officer who was with Col. Allen at the +capture of Ticonderoga. At the head of only 40 of his Spartan comrades +he took the fortress on the hill Defiance without the loss of a man. At +the brilliant affair near Bennington he headed the small division that +was stationed behind a ledge of rocks and kept the enemy at bay until +Gen. Stark could form his men to drive back the reinforcement that came +up before he could properly dispose of the large number of prisoners he +had taken. Mr. Allen closed his mortal career in 1805.</p> + + +<p>ALLEN MOSES was born in Northampton, Mass. on the 14th of September +1748. He graduated at Princeton college—prepared for the +ministry—became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Medway, +Georgia—advocated the cause of equal rights in the pulpit and when +mingling with the people. In 1778 the British under Gen. Provost made a +descent upon Medway—laid in ashes the meeting house and most of the +private dwellings. Mr. Allen was made chaplain of the Georgia +brigade—repaired to Savannah—was there taken prisoner—sent on board a +ship of war—was treated with great cruelty—attempted an escape by +swimming to the shore and was drowned on the 8th of February 1779.</p> + + +<p>ALEXANDER WILLIAM was born in the city of New York in 1726. He was a +Major General in the Continental army—fought bravely at the battle of +Long Island on the 27th of August 1776 where he was taken prisoner. At +the battle of Germantown his brigade was a part of the reserve. At the +battle of Monmouth he commanded the left wing of the American troops and +did himself great credit as a brave, discreet and accomplished officer. +This noble veteran died at Albany, New York on the 15th of January 1783.</p> + + +<p>ARMSTRONG JOHN was early enrolled with the list of heroes that periled +life for Liberty. He was one of the brave officers who so nobly defended +fort Moultrie against the desperate attack of Sir Peter Parker when he +visited Charleston harbor on a belligerent pleasure excursion. He was +raised to the rank of Brigadier General and distinguished himself at the +battle of Germantown and other places. After the Revolution he located +in Pennsylvania and was elected to Congress from that state. He was in +all respects a worthy man and took his final leave of his friends in +1795.</p> + + +<p>BARRY JOHN was born in the county of Wexford, Ireland in 1745 and came +to Philadelphia, Pa. when he was but 15 years of age. Previous to the +American Revolution he became a skilful mariner and rose to the rank of +captain of a large merchant vessel. In February 1776 Congress put him in +command of the brig Lexington with 16 guns with which he made several +successful cruises. In 1777 the British attacked the little American +Navy in the Delaware, then under the command of Commodore Barry and +destroyed it at White Hall. He subsequently took charge of the Raleigh +of 32 guns and was run<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span> on shore in Penobscot Bay by the enemy and lost +his ship. He was then transferred to a ship commissioned with letters of +marque and reprisal and cruised among the West India Islands with +success. On his return he was put in command of the Alliance frigate and +left Boston in February 1781 for France with John Laurens, American +minister to that kingdom. When returning he came in contact with the +British ship Atlanta and brig Treposa on the 29th of May and captured +them both after a severe engagement. In February 1782 he had what the +British captain called a drawn battle with an English frigate of equal +metal with his own but could out sail her. The enemy had 37 killed and +50 wounded—Com. Barry but 3 killed and 11 wounded. Lord Howe offered +him 20,000 guineas and command of the best frigate in the British navy +if he would turn traitor. This base proposition was repelled with +contempt. When war seemed inevitable with France he was put in command +of the frigate United States and cruised on the West India Station. He +was noble in spirit, humane in discipline, discreet and fearless in +battle, urbane in his manners, a splendid officer, a good citizen, a +devoted Christian and true patriot. He died in Philadelphia on the 30th +of September 1803.</p> + + +<p>BEATTY WILLIAM born in Frederick county Maryland on the 19th of June +1758. In 1776 he was commissioned an Ensign under Col. Griffith and +served under Gen. Washington at New York. The next year he was +commissioned Lieutenant and in a few months was raised to the rank of +Captain and ultimately transferred to the renowned 1st Maryland regiment +of regulars under Col. Gunby which was ordered south and performed +astonishing feats of noble daring at the battle of Cowpens and at +Guilford court house on the 15th of March 1781. He there engaged in +single combat when the battle was raging with the fury of desperation +and pierced his antagonist through the heart. That battle was +emphatically fought hand to hand like those of Chippewa, Lundy's lane +and Bridgewater during our last war with mother Britain. At the battle +near Camden South Carolina on the 25th of the next April, Captain Beatty +fell mortally wounded as he was gallantly leading on his company to the +charge. His loss was keenly felt. He was in all respects a noble man and +an officer of great promise. In his report Gen. Greene remarked—"Among +the killed is Capt. Beatty of the Maryland line one of the best of +officers and an ornament to his profession."</p> + + +<p>BIDDLE NICHOLAS was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in +1750. He became a seaman when but 14 years of age and gave great promise +of becoming one of the noblest sons of the main. He and his shipmates +were cast away on a barren island on the 2d day of January 1766 two +remaining there with him for nearly two months in a state of extreme +suffering. In 1773 he and Horatio—afterwards Lord Nelson, doffed their +uniforms and shipped before the mast on board the Carcase bound on a +voyage to the north pole and penetrated to 81° 39' north latitude. At +the commencement of the American Revolution Capt Biddle was put in +command of the Camden galley on the Delaware. He was subsequently +transferred to the Andrew Dorin of 14 guns with 130 men and attached to +the infant fleet of Commodore Hopkins, destined for the Island of New +Provi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span>dence. On arriving at the capes the small pox became general among +the other crews—disease obliged the fleet to run into New London. After +replenishing his numbers Capt. Biddle was ordered to cruise off the +banks of Newfoundland where he was so successful in capturing British +ships that when he arrived in the Delaware he had but five of his +original crew, the others having been put on board the prizes.</p> + +<p>On his return he was placed in command of the frigate Randolph of 32 +guns and sailed from Philadelphia in February 1777 with a crew partly +made up of English seamen. Shortly after he got to sea he was overtaken +by a gale which carried away nearly all the masts of his frigate. He +then steered for Charleston to repair. On the way mother Britain's +children formed a plan to dispatch the Americans and take the ship +although they were shipped upon their own urgent solicitation professing +to sustain the cause of Independence. They were promptly put down and +sullenly returned to duty. When thoroughly repaired he again put out to +sea. On the third day he fell in with four English vessels, one the True +Briton with 20 guns, all of which he captured. He took several other +prizes and returned to Charleston. So highly did the citizens of that +city esteem Capt. Biddle as an officer and gentleman that they fitted +out the ship General Moultrie—the brigs Fair American, Polly, and Notre +Dame and placed on board the Randolph fifty men from the first regiment +of the South Carolina infantry to act as marines—the whole of which +were placed under command of Capt. Biddle. His little fleet continued +cruising and capturing prizes until the night of the 7th of March 1778 +when it came in contact with the English two decker ship Yarmouth of 64 +guns, Capt. Vincent. At 8 P. M. a severe action commenced. Capt. Biddle +was severely wounded in the thigh but continued on deck encouraging his +brave tars. His fire was incessant—at least three broad sides to that +of one from the enemy. In 20 minutes after the commencement of the fight +the Randolph blew up—the brave, accomplished, intrepid and gallant +Biddle was launched into eternity. The Yarmouth was so badly crippled +that she permitted the other vessels to depart unmolested.</p> + + +<p>BLAND THEODORIC was born in Virginia in 1742. He was one of the early +patriots and left a lucrative medical practice and took command of a +regiment of dragoons. In several actions he proved himself a brave and +efficient officer. In 1779 he was put in command of the convention +troops at Albemarle barracks. The next year he was elected to Congress. +He was a member of the Virginia Legislature when the Federal +Constitution was adopted and voted with the minority for the same +reasons that induced Patrick Henry to oppose it. When adopted he was its +firm adherent and was a member of the first Congress that convened under +its broad mantle. He died on the 1st of June 1790 while a member of the +House of Representatives. He was a good, discreet and honest man.</p> + + +<p>BLOUNT THOMAS was born in North Carolina in 1760. He entered the +Continental army at the age of 16 and served faithfully to the close of +the war. He was subsequently made a major-general of the militia of his +native state. He was a valued member of Congress for many years. He was +a man in the full sense of the word. He died on the 8th of February 1812 +while at his post in the national legislature.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span></p> + + +<p>BOUDINOT ELIAS was ushered into life on the 2d day of May 1740 in the +city of Philadelphia. He read law with Richard Stockton, a signer of the +Declaration of Independence. In 1776 Congress appointed him Commissary +General of prisoners. The next, year he was elected to the Continental +Congress and proved an able and efficient member. In 1782 he was +elevated to the presidential chair of that bright galaxy of sages and +had the high honor—the untold pleasure: of signing the treaty of peace +forced from mother Britain. In 1780 he was elected a member of Congress +under the new constitution. In 1795 President Washington placed him at +the head of the Mint at Philadelphia which office he filled for 12 +years. He then retired from the public arena and settled at Bordentown, +N. J. where he died on the 24th of October 1821. He was a noble, +generous, talented and good man. He was the first President of the +American Bible Society and made liberal donations to that and several +other benevolent institutions.</p> + + +<p>BOWDOIN JAMES first breathed the vital air in Boston, Mass, in 1727. He +became a prominent public man at an early age—was a bold and sterling +whig—opposed the usurpations of the crown—was one of the trio of the +committee that bearded Gen. Gage, who ostracised him, Dexter and +Winthrop from the General Assembly. Mr. Bowdoin was elected to the first +General Congress in 1774 but was prevented from attending by ill health. +He was President of the Convention that framed the first constitution of +Massachusetts under the new order of things. In 1785-6 he was Governor +of his native state. He was an able statesman, a firm patriot, a devoted +Christian—an honest man. He died at Boston on the 6th of November 1700.</p> + + +<p>BRADFORD WILLIAM was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa. on the 14th +of September 1755. In the spring of 1776 he was made brigade-major under +Gen. Roberdeau who commanded the flying camp. He subsequently commanded +a company of regulars under Col. Hampton for a short time and was then +appointed Deputy Paymaster General and served two years when he left the +military service—resumed the study of law—was admitted to the Bar in +1779 and in 1780 was made Attorney-General of the Keystone state. On the +22d of August 1791 Gov. Mifflin raised him to the Bench of the Supreme +Court of Pennsylvania which office he filled with great dignity until +the 28th of January 1794 when he was appointed Attorney-General of the +United States, which office he held up to the time of his death. He +performed all the duties of public and private life with great ability +and strict fidelity. He stood approved by his country, his conscience +and his God. He died at Philadelphia on the 23d of August 1795 in full +hope of an unfading crown of glory.</p> + + +<p>BROAD HEZEKIAH was born in Massachusetts in 1748. He was a man of strong +common sense, great moral courage, stern integrity—discreet and +consistent in all things. He early and firmly opposed British +oppression. He was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1774 and a +delegate of the Massachusetts Convention that framed the state +constitution in 1779. He filled various public offices with honor to +himself and usefulness to his constituents. He died at Nantick, Mass, on +the 17th of March 1824.</p> + + +<p>BROOKS ELEAZER was first introduced to his friends in Con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span>cord, Mass. in +1726. He was a man of bright intellect and untiring perseverance. +Without the advantages of a school he became a man of extensive +information by studying books, men and things. In 1774 he was elected to +the General Court and remained a distinguished member of the different +branches of the Legislature for 27 years. He was an uncompromising enemy +to all tyranny. At the battle of White Plains in 1776 he commanded a +regiment with the skill of a veteran soldier. At the battle of Still +Water on the 7th of October 1777 his cool and determined courage was the +subject of general remark. He lived esteemed and died lamented at +Lincoln, Mass. on the 9th of November 1806.</p> + + +<p>BROOKS JOHN was first presented to the human family in Medford, Mass. in +1752. He was well educated—became a physician and commenced a +successful practice in the town of Reading near his native place. When +the revolutionary storm commenced its fury he exchanged his amputating +knife for a sword. His noble bearing and skill in military tactics +attracted the attention of Washington. He was soon promoted to the grade +of lieutenant-colonel and rendered important service in the capture of +Burgoyne. At the close of the war he resumed the practice of medicine at +Medford. He became major-general of militia and commanded the military +that put down the insurrection in Massachusetts in 1786. During the last +war with mother Britain he was the adjutant-general of Gov. Strong and +succeeded him as chief magistrate of the State. He performed all the +duties of public and private life with a well tempered zeal and +unquestioned integrity. He died in Medford, Mass. in 1825.</p> + + +<p>BROWN ANDREW was one of those brave spirits who seized their rusty +muskets, powder horns and slugs and met the enemy on the heights of +Lexington. At the noted battle of Bunker's and Breed's Hill he was among +the last who left the entrenchments for want of "a little more grape," +He removed to Philadelphia when his war-toils were over and conducted +the Federal Gazette in Chestnut Street. On the 27th of January 1797 his +office and dwelling house were consumed by fire. His wife and three +children perished in the flames. In an attempt to rescue them he was so +severely injured that he expired on the 4th of February following.</p> + + +<p>BROWN JOHN was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1736. He led the +party that dared to resist the crown task-masters and destroyed the +British sloop of war Gasper in Narraganset Bay in 1772. That was the +second kick the Rhode Islanders gave the revolutionary ball. He was an +enterprising merchant—at one time member of Congress—a friend to +education and public improvements, a good citizen and worthy man. He +died at Providence, R. I. in 1803.</p> + + +<p>BROWN MOSES was welcomed to earth in 1741 at some place in New +England—of the precise location we have no record. He was a bold +mariner—never liked old England—became an active patriot—commanded +several privateers with great success and did good service for his +country until he saw her free and independent with the white, red and +blue floating in the breeze of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. He lived respected and died +regretted in 1803.</p> + + +<p>BROWN ROBERT was born in Northampton County, Pa. in 1745.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> He was among +the first officers who entered the field against the invading foe and +was taken prisoner at the unfortunate affair on Long Island. Being a man +of fine sense, pleasing manners and good address, he was not closely +confined and was permitted to work at his trade of blacksmith and +distributed his earnings among the destitute prisoners. He was +subsequently raised to the rank of brigadier-general of militia in his +native State—filled many civil stations—was member of Congress for +sixteen years—voted for the war in 1812—lived to see mother Britain +flogged a second time—spent his last years in the full sunshine of +quiescent peace—died at Allentown, Pa. in 1823 most deeply mourned by +those who knew him best.</p> + + +<p>BRYAN GEORGE was a native of Ireland—when he came into the world and +made his final exit the record saith not. He came to Philadelphia soon +after he reached his majority and became a wholesale merchant and highly +respected citizen. He had imbibed no love for England during his +youth—in manhood he sternly opposed her innovations upon the chartered +rights of his adopted country. He was a member of the Continental +Congress in 1775. He was subsequently made Vice President of +Pennsylvania and in 1778 filled the presidential chair of that State. He +adorned every station he occupied with becoming dignity and usefulness. +He was a Christian, gentleman and scholar.</p> + + +<p>BURD BENJAMIN was born at Fort Littleton, Bedford County, Pa. in 1755 +and was made a lieutenant in Col. Thompson's regiment of riflemen at the +age of twenty. He was in several fights near Boston in 1775. He was at +the disastrous battle of Long Island and behaved with great gallantry. +In 1777 he was commissioned captain in the 4th Pennsylvania +Regiment—was at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, +Germantown and Monmouth and in every instance stood highly approved by +his superior officers. At Germantown he acted as major. In 1779 he was +with the detachment that dispersed the Indians up the Hudson and burnt +their towns. After the war he located at Fort Littleton—subsequently +removed to Bedford where he lived highly esteemed for his past noble +services, uniform virtue and correctness in the discharge of all the +duties of a life well spent. He died at Bedford on the 5th of October, +1823.</p> + + +<p>BURR AARON commenced his remarkable life in Newark, N.J. in 1756. As +manhood dawned upon him his genius rose in all the brightness of the sun +on a cloudless morning. He was hailed as a brilliant luminary to light +up the pathway to the goal of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>. He was a powerful advocate in the +cause of <span class="smcap">freedom</span> and exemplified his precepts by feats of noble daring +in the battle field. He was aid to the brave Putnam and rose to the rank +of lieutenant-colonel. At the close of the Revolution he stood on a +lofty eminence and commanded the admiration of the populace. His +towering genius was fast ascending to high meridian in refulgent glory. +He was elected to the United States Senate where his giant intellect +became more conspicuous—his thirst for power more prominent. He was +next elected Vice President and made a desperate attempt to supplant +Thomas Jefferson as President. He made an unsuccessful Cataline grasp at +the presidential chair which blotted out his political sun for ever. +Alexander Hamilton made some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span> prophetic remarks upon the prospective +danger shadowed by his reaching demonstrations and ulterior designs. He +planned and consummated the death of that illustrious statesman. The +commingled clouds of wild ambition, consuming malice and fell revenge +eclipsed the sunbeams of his genius. A blacker cloud spread its ebony +mantle over these. The charge of TREASON veiled the bright morning of +<span class="smcap">Aaron Burr</span> in darkness impenetrable and paralyzed his day-spring of +usefulness. His great legal and consummate shrewdness saved him from its +technicality—not from the burning curse of a nation of freemen. To +render this darkness more visible he was the Promethean vulture that +devoured blooming innocence—the blighting sirocco that withered the +bowers of domestic felicity. Like an isolated majestic oak with its +green foliage seared by lightning fire—he stood alone for nearly half a +century exposed to the scorching heat of bitter scorn—the chilling +blasts of cold neglect—a fearful warning to those who wander from the +path of wisdom—the only path of safety. He died on Staten I. 14th. +Sept. 1836.</p> + + +<p>BUTLER RICHARD is first introduced by the record as a brave +lieutenant-colonel in Morgan's rifle corps. For his correct deportment +at all times and noble daring on various occasions at the south under La +Fayette, he was raised lo the rank of colonel. He was next in command +under Gen. St. Clair in his unfortunate expedition against the western +Indians in 1791. At the sanguinary and disastrous battle of the 4th of +November of that year Col. Butler commanded the right wing of the army +with the rank of general and repeatedly led his men to the charge and +for a time seemed certain of victory. Bleeding from several wounds he +retired for surgical aid and in a few moments was rushed upon by an +Indian warrior who gave him a mortal wound with his tomahawk. He +immediately killed the savage with his pistol—they slumbered in death +together.</p> + + +<p>BUTLER THOMAS was introduced into the great family of man in 1754. He +was brother to Col. Richard Butler just mentioned. There were five +brothers engaged in the Continental army. They appear to have been +natives of Pennsylvania. Thomas was a law student under James Wilson of +Philadelphia at the commencement of the Revolution. In 1776 he exchanged +the law office for the camp and proved a brave and efficient officer. He +had command of a company to the close of the Revolution and was in +nearly every severe battle in the middle States. At Brandywine he +received the thanks of Gen. Washington on the field of battle through +his aid Gen. Hamilton, for rallying a detachment of flying troops and +giving the enemy a severe check. At the battle of Monmouth he received +the thanks of Gen. Wayne for defending a defile while Col. Richard +Butler removed his regiment from a perilous position. He had command of +a battalion under Gen. St. Clair on the memorable 4th of Nov. 1791 and +behaved with great coolness and intrepidity. Mounted on his horse he led +his men to the charge after his leg was broken by a ball. His surviving +brother—Capt. Edward Butler, had great difficulty in bringing him from +the field. In 1794 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and +put in command of the 4th sub legion. He commanded at Pittsburgh and by +his undaunted courage more than by the numerical force of his troops he +prevented the whisky insurgents from taking possession of the garri<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span>son. +He was continued on the peace establishment—made several treaties with +the Indians—was persecuted by jealous enemies—charged with +misconduct—tried by a court martial—honorably acquitted and died the +7th of September 1805.</p> + + +<p>CADWALADER THOMAS was ushered into this world in 1743 in the city of +Philadelphia, Pa. At the commencement of the struggle for Liberty he was +in the front rank of the brave revolutionary generals and enjoyed the +unlimited confidence of the illustrious Washington. At the beginning of +the war he commanded a corps called the "Silk Stocking Company"—rather +a problematical name for patriot soldiers as they were—for so perfect +was this corps in military tactics that nearly all of its members were +made commissioned officers. He was soon made a brigadier-general and put +in command of the Pennsylvania troops. During 1776-7 he was constantly +on duty—participated in the battles of Princeton, Brandywine, +Germantown and Monmouth—displaying great courage, skill and prudence on +each occasion. He loved Washington better than his own life. When Gen. +Conway slandered the commander-in-chief he was at once challenged by +Gen. Cadwalader and was dangerously wounded. Supposing he might not +survive, he wrote to Washington acknowledging he had done him great +injustice. Gen. Cadwalader was an ornament to the age in which he lived. +In him the soldier, statesman, gentleman and scholar were all +harmoniously blended. In public and private life he filled up the +measure of a good man and crowned the design of his creation with an +imperishable fame. His career was a continued round of usefulness.</p> + + +<p>CASWELL RICHARD is first introduced by the record in the capacity of +Governor of North Carolina previous to the Revolution. He was an +esteemed member of the Bar and remarkable for his kindness to the poor. +He was a staunch whig and member of the first general Congress in 1774. +In 1776 he commanded a regiment and proved himself a brave and skilful +officer. With 1000 minute men he engaged Gen. McDonald with a force of +1500—killed and wounded 70 of his men—took him prisoner with 1500 +rifles. This victory gave a fresh impetus to the glorious cause of +Independence in North Carolina. This bold patriot ultimately reached the +rank of major-general of militia. He was President of the Convention +that framed the first Constitution of his State and governor for four +years under that Constitution. He was President of the Senate at the +time of his death. His life was nobly spent, his usefulness extensive, +his reputation unsullied, his death deeply lamented. We died at +Fayetteville, N. C. on the 20th of November 1789.</p> + + +<p>CHAMPE JOHN was introduced on this whirling planet in Loudoun county, +Virginia, in 1752. He was naturally a soldier. In 1776 he was appointed +sergeant-major of Lee's legion of cavalry and gained a high reputation +for bravery and noble daring. He was engaged in the hazardous enterprise +of apparently deserting to the enemy at N. York for the purpose of +capturing and returning Arnold to the American camp that the life of +Andre might be saved. Arnold changed his quarters on the very evening +fixed for his abduction and thus saved himself and sacrificed one of the +brightest ornaments of the British army. Had Sir Henry Clinton complied +with the request of Washington and ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span>changed Arnold for Andre, justice +would have been vindicated—humanity honored and England relieved from +supporting a base traitor and his present <ins class="correct" title="descendents">descendants</ins>. Champe went +south with the enemy—returned to his corps the first opportunity and +met with a warm reception from his old companions. Washington rewarded +him liberally and discharged him from the service for fear he might fall +into the hands of the British and be treated with a halter. He removed +to Kentucky where he died in 1797.</p> + + +<p>CHRYSTIE JAMES was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, 1750. At the age of 15 +he came to Philadelphia and the next year received the commission of +Lieutenant in the Continental army. He was soon put in command of a +company and held the commission of Captain to the end of the war. He was +one of Washington's favorites. No one better deserved his esteem. He was +a brave soldier, a firm patriot, a good citizen, an honest man and a +consistent Christian. The time of his death is not on the record. +Lieutenant Colonel James Chrystie of the 15th regiment of U. S. +Infantry, who fought so desperately at Queenston and other places during +the last war with England, was his son and worthy of his noble sire.</p> + + +<p>CLARK GEORGE ROGERS is first introduced to us as a colonel in the +service of the state of Virginia and the pioneer warrior of the then far +west. No man ever understood better the Indian character and mode of +warfare and no man did as much hard service on the frontier as Col. +Clark. He was the protecting father of all the early settlements in +Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and south western Pennsylvania. He +became a terror to the red men. During the whole time of the Revolution +he had command of the small forces on the western frontier and was +commissioned a Brigadier General of the Continental army in 1781. In all +respects Gen. Clark was well qualified to perform the hazardous duties +that devolved upon him and did more than the acutest human sagacity +dared anticipate. After a general peace took place with mother Britain +and ultimately with her savage ally—the red men—Gen. Clark settled +near Louisville, Kentucky to enjoy the fruits of his long and arduous +toils. He was looked upon as the father of that broad section of +country. Respected, beloved and honored—he glided down the stream of +time until 1817 when his noble spirit went to its final rest.</p> + + +<p>CLINTON CHARLES father of James and George, was born in Longford, +Ireland in 1690. On the 20th of May 1789 he embarked for America and +after a tedious passage with a ruffian captain who compelled the +passengers to give him a large sum of money above the price of their +passage, he landed at Cape Cod instead of Philadelphia according to +agreement. Mr. Clinton ultimately located in Ulster County New York, +then a dense wilderness filled with wild beasts and savages more wild +than them. He became a prominent public man and opposed the first +indications of British oppression. He diffused liberal principles among +his neighbors and planted them deep in the minds of his sons who did +honor to their noble sire. He lived long enough to see the lurid clouds +that portended the Revolutionary storm—just long enough to prepare his +brave sons and neighbors for the approaching crisis. He was an honest +man and a Christian. He died<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span> at his original residence in Ulster County +on the 19th day of November 1773.</p> + + +<p>CLINTON GEORGE, a brother of James, born in Ulster county, New York, on +the 26th of July 1739. They were sons of Col. Charles Clinton who was a +native of Ireland. George was liberally educated, possessed a strong +mind, great decision of character and highly charged with original—not +modern demagogue patriotism. He was a member of the Congress of 1775-6. +He was present and voted for the Declaration of Independence but being a +Brigadier General of the Continental army he was compelled to leave +before that sacred instrument was prepared for signatures—the reason +why his name is not enrolled with the other sages. In April 1777 he was +elected the first Governor of the State of New York under the new order +of things and filled that office 18 consecutive years when ill health +compelled him to decline. He commanded at Forts Clinton and Montgomery +on the Hudson when they were taken by an overwhelming force after a most +desperate resistance of several hours. The British force amounted to +4000—the American to only 500 within a very imperfect fortification. +The works were stormed in the night which enabled the governor and many +of his officers and men to escape through the defiles in the mountains. +In 1801 he was again elected Governor of New York and in 1805 Vice +President of the United States in which office he continued until the +time of his decease which occurred at the city of Washington on the 20th +of April 1812 when Congress was in session. A nation mourned the loss of +one of her noblest sons, his friends one of their best companions, his +kinsmen one of their dearest relatives. The closing sentence on his +monument at Washington speaks volumes. "While he lived, his virtue, +wisdom and valor were the pride, the ornament and security of his +country and when he died he left an illustrious example of a well spent +life worthy of all imitation."</p> + + +<p>CLINTON JAMES was first announced to his friends on a bright +Thursday—the 9th of August 1736 in Ulster County, New York. He was by +nature a military genius—by heritage a stern patriot. With an iron +constitution and great physical powers he united an accomplished +education, great military experience acquired in the French war of 1756 +and the subsequent border wars up to the time the American Revolution +commenced. In 1775 he was appointed colonel by the Continental Congress +and fought by the side of the brave Montgomery when he fell at Quebec. +On the 9th of August 1776 Congress raised him to the rank of Brigadier +General. He was at the desperate defence of Fort Clinton in October 1777 +and was severely wounded and escaped after the enemy had stormed the +imperfect works with 4000 regulars against 500 soldiers mostly raw +militia. He commanded a division under Gen. Sullivan in his expedition +down the Susquehanna against the Indians and was one of his most +reliable officers. He was raised to the rank of Major General and closed +his brilliant military career at the siege of Yorktown. He subsequently +filled several civil stations. In all the duties of public and private +life he acquitted himself nobly and with great usefulness to his +country. He died on the 22d of December 1822 near his native place.</p> + + +<p>COMSTOCK ADAM was first introduced to his relatives in 1743.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span> He was a +soldier by nature—powerful in body, of undaunted courage, an +enthusiastic patriot and good disciplinarian. He had the confidence of +Washington who raised him to the rank of Colonel in the Continental +line. At the brilliant victory at Red Bank he was the officer of the +day. Alternately with Gen. Smith of Maryland he commanded at the +successful defence of Mud Fort. After the war he filled various civil +stations and was many years a member of the New York Legislature. His +long and arduous services are a matter of history—no higher Eulogy need +be pronounced. He died at his home in Saratoga County, New York on the +10th of April 1819.</p> + + +<p>COWARD JOSEPH was a native of Monmouth County, New Jersey. In view of +this cognomen we may well exclaim—"What's in a name my lord?" He was a +Coward and yet one of the bravest of the Revolutionary captains. He was +a great terror to the refugees <i>alias</i> tories. At the battle of Monmouth +and several other places his undaunted courage was conspicuous. When the +British fleet lay off Sandy Hook, one of the supply ships ran too near +the shore and stuck fast. With a few men Capt. Coward captured her in +defiance of two barges manned with <ins class="correct" title="superiors">superior</ins> numbers that were sent to +the rescue. At the close of the war he returned to his farm—became the +esteemed citizen and fully exemplified the noble attributes of an honest +man.</p> + + +<p>CROGHAN WILLIAM was born in Ireland in 1752 and came to America at an +early age. He had imbibed no love for mother England in his native +country—he detested her tyranny in America. At the commencement of the +Revolution he pledged his life in favor of equal rights. In 1776 he +received the commission of Captain in the Continental army and took +command of a company of Infantry in the Virginia line. He was in the +battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth and received the high +approbation of his superior officers. When the enemy invaded the south +he was ordered to that field and raised to the rank of Major. At +Charleston he was among the prisoners surrendered by Gen. Lincoln and +was not exchanged during the war. He returned on parole and was a looker +on at the siege of Yorktown but could not participate in that glorious +victory. In the spring of 1784 he located at Locust Grove, Jefferson +County, Kentucky, where he lived respected until September 1822 when he +departed to the spirit world deeply mourned by his numerous friends.</p> + + +<p>CROPPER JOHN was born in Virginia in 1746. He was a captain in the 9th +Virginia Regiment at the age of 19 which joined the northern army in +December 1776. He was soon raised to the rank of major in the 5th +Virginia Regiment which was literally cut to pieces at the battle of +Brandywine. He retreated with those who could march and lay concealed in +a thicket until after midnight and then proceeded to Chester with a red +handkerchief upon a ramrod for a flag. His friends were no less +astonished than rejoiced to see him and his brave remnant of soldiers, +supposing they had fallen or were prisoners. He was subsequently raised +to the rank of colonel and commanded the 11th Virginia Regiment until +the 30th November 1782 when he returned to his long neglected home. When +Commodore Whaley was attacked in the Chesapeake Bay by five British +barges and was deserted by the three that were with him at the +commencement of the fight, Col. Cropper was in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> the barge with him. The +Commodore and half of his men being killed the Colonel continued the +action and for some minutes defended himself against two white men and a +negro of his own who was the means of saving his life. The moment he +discovered it was his young master he cried out—"<i>Save my young +master!</i>"—for which Col. Cropper gave him his freedom and settled him +comfortably in Baltimore. The Colonel was ultimately promoted to the +rank of general—lived highly esteemed at Bowman's Folly until the 15th +of January 1812 when he departed in peace to the upper world leaving an +untarnished reputation and a well-earned fame on the records of history.</p> + + +<p>CUSHING THOMAS was ushered into life at Boston, Mass. in 1725. He +received a good education and commenced a useful public career soon +after reaching his majority. In 1763 he was chosen speaker of the +General Court of Massachusetts and was continued for several years. He +was with Adams, Hancock and the other bold Whigs in all the measures of +that eventful period. He was a member of the Continental Congress in +1774-5 and continued active and unwavering in the cause of freedom until +it was consummated. He filled various legislative and judicial stations +after the Revolution and performed all the duties of public and private +life with ability and fidelity. He adorned the Christian character. He +was lieutenant-governor when he died on the 28th of February 1788.</p> + + +<p>DALE RICHARD was born in Virginia in 1756. In 1776 he was made a +midshipman on board the Lexington. The next year he was taken by the +enemy and sent to the celebrated Mill Prison in England. At the end of a +year he escaped to France and joined Paul Jones on board the American +armed ship Bon Homme Richard and was made first lieutenant. He was in +the desperate action with the British frigate Serapis. In 1794 he became +a captain in the United States navy. In 1801 he was put in command of +the American squadron that sailed to the Mediterranean and humbled the +insolent Bashaw of Tripoli by battering down his caste. On his return in +1802 he located in Philadelphia where he lived in peace and plenty until +1826 when he made his final bow to the king of terrors and launched upon +the ocean of eternity. He earned an enduring reputation for bravery, +skill and humane discipline as a naval officer. As a citizen he +sustained an unblemished character.</p> + + +<p>DARKE WILLIAM made his first appearance on earth in the county of +Philadelphia, Pa. in 1736. His parents removed to Virginia when he was a +child. He was with Braddock at his memorable defeat in 1755. At the +commencement of the Revolution he entered the Continental army with the +commission of captain and served faithfully to the close of the war when +he had reached the rank of major. In 1791 he was put in command of a +regiment under Gen. St. Clair—lost a son in the disastrous battle of +the 4th of November of that year and had several hair-breadth escapes +himself. His latter years were peaceful and happy. He died at his seat +in Jefferson County, Virginia, on the 26th of Nov. 1801. He left an +unsullied reputation.</p> + + +<p>DAVIE RICHARDSON WILLIAM came into the world under the auspices of the +crown of Britain at Egremont, England, on the 20th of June 1756. In 1763 +his father brought him to North Carolina<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span> and left him with the Rev. +William Richardson a maternal uncle, who adopted him as a son and gave +him a liberal education. At the commencement of the Revolution he +resolved to join the patriots in the defence of equal rights. He was +soon put in command of a company of dragoons and annexed to the legion +under Count Pulaski. In a few months Capt. Davie was promoted to brigade +major of cavalry. When Gen. Lincoln attempted to dislodge Lieut. Col. +Maitland at Stono, Maj. Davie was severely wounded and disabled for five +months. After his recovery he raised a corps of one company of dragoons +and two of mounted infantry and spent the last shilling of a large +estate in furnishing equipments and supplies for the service. He +participated in the trying scenes of the southern campaigns under +Generals Gates, Greene and others, until the foe was conquered and +Independence secured. No officer of his grade did more to promote the +cause of Liberty. After the war he became an eminent lawyer. He was a +member of the Convention that framed the Federal Constitution. Every +station he occupied in public and private life he filled with dignity +and integrity. He was major-general of militia—governor of his State +and minister to France in 1799. On his return his amiable wife was ill +and soon died. He then removed to South Carolina and died at Chester in +1820. In life he exemplified all those high qualities that adorn the man +and the Christian. He never united with any church because he considered +manufactured creeds too dogmatical and sectarian lines drawn too closely +for the growth of charity which he considered as broad as the human +family—as diffusive as mountain air.</p> + + +<p>DAVIDSON WILLIAM was first presented to his fond parents in Lancaster +County, Pa. in 1746 and when but four years of age removed with his +father to Rowan County, N. C. At an early age he enlisted under the star +spangled banner and was presented with the <ins class="correct" title="commision">commission</ins> of major in one of +the first regiments raised in North Carolina. Under Gen. Nash he +repaired to the main army then in New Jersey. In 1779 he returned south, +colonel of his regiment. By calling a few days at his home he escaped +being made prisoner at the surrender of Charleston. He was very +efficient in raising troops and supplies in his own state. In an +engagement at Colson's Mills he was severely wounded and disabled for +five weeks. On the last day of January 1780 Gen. Greene detached him +with 300 men to prevent the enemy from passing the Catawba river. His +corps was too small to repel the overwhelming force of Lord Cornwallis. +He made a desperate defence and was instantly killed at his post. Col. +Hall and several more of the British fell at the same time. In life Col. +Davidson was greatly beloved and was an officer of great promise. His +loss was keenly regretted and sincerely mourned.</p> + + +<p>DICKINSON PHILEMON was ushered into blooming life at Dover, Del. on the +5th of April 1739. Previous to the Revolution he located on a farm near +Trenton, N. J. where he soon became prominent in public affairs. As in +duty bound he boldly opposed the arrogant assumptions of mother Britain. +He was a member of the Convention that formed the first constitution of +his adopted state. He was made Commander-in-chief of the militia of N. +J. and was very active in promoting the glorious cause of Independence. +When stationed at Somerset Court House in January 1777 with only 300 +plough boys of the true blue, Lord Corn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span>wallis sent a foraging party of +400 regulars to a mill on the opposite side of Millstone river. Gen. +Dickinson and his men forded the cold river which was up to their hips +and rushed upon the enemy with such impetuosity that the red coats ran +for dear life leaving their field pieces, nearly 50 wagons and over 100 +English draft horses with a considerable number of cattle and sheep. So +rapid was the flight that but 10 prisoners were taken. A number of +killed and wounded were carried away in light wagons. Gen. Washington +reported the brave act to Congress. Gen. Dickinson possessed great +energy of character. When Red Bank was in jeopardy the Governor refused +to order out the militia because his time had just expired and the +election had passed through his own default. The General assumed the +responsibility and brought them into the field in good time. He rendered +essential service at the battle of Monmouth. He performed all the duties +of life with promptness and fidelity. He was a member of the Senate of +the U. S. He died at his residence in February 1809.</p> + + +<p>DRAYTON WILLIAM HENRY commenced his infantile career at some place in +South Carolina in 1742—at what point the record saith not. He was +educated in England but did not fall in love with the principles of +monarchy. He was among the first, boldest, ablest and most energetic +patriots of his native state. He did much with his pen to open the minds +of the people to a sense of their true condition politically. In 1774 he +addressed a pamphlet to the Continental Congress under the title of +"<span class="smcap">Freemen</span>" which raised him to a prominent position among the patriots. +It contained a bill of American Rights which was substantially adopted +by that Congress. In 1775 he was President of the Provincial Congress +and issued the first official order to oppose the enemy by force of +arms. It was addressed to Col. William Moultrie directing him to "oppose +the passage of any British naval armament that may attempt to pass Fort +Johnson." This marked his boldness and his zeal. He passed through +several judicial offices up to Chief Justice of the state. In April 1776 +he used this remarkable language in his charge to the grand +jury—remarkable in point of time and the then existing circumstances of +the Colonies. "The Almighty created America to be independent of +Britain. Let us beware of the impiety of being backward to act as +instruments in the Almighty hand now extended to accomplish his +purpose." So long as South Carolina can produce such men she will not +secede from the UNION but leave the fanatics of the north to blow off +their harmless gas in their political deploys at home. In 1778-9 Mr. +Drayton was a member of the Continental Congress and died at his post in +Philadelphia in September 1779. He was cut down in the prime of life and +in the midst of a bright career of usefulness. He had earned an +imperishable fame and stood approved by his country—his conscience and +his God.</p> + + +<p>DYER ELIPHALET commenced his first stage of human life at Windham, Conn. +on the 28th of September 1721. He was liberally educated and became a +sound lawyer. He took command of a Connecticut regiment in 1755 and +served ungrateful mother Britain faithfully during most of the French +war. In 1763 he went to England on business and there became thoroughly +acquainted with the base designs of the ministry upon the American +Colonies. On his return he was prepared to warn the people of +approaching danger. He was an ardent whig—a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span> fearless opposer of +tyranny. He was a member of the Congress of 1766-74. He was Chief +Justice of his state for many years and retired from public life in +1793. He adorned the prominent virtues that dignify a man and make him +useful in life—happy in death. He closed his earthly pilgrimage in +1807.</p> + + +<p>ELLSWORTH OLIVER was born at Windsor, Conn. on the 29th of April 1745. +He graduated at Princeton College, N.J. and became an eminent member of +the Bar. He was a firm advocate of chartered rights—a stern opposer of +British wrongs. He used his noblest exertions to induce the people to +strike for <span class="smcap">liberty</span>. In 1777 he was elected to the Continental Congress. +His commanding talents, stern integrity, powerful eloquence, keen +perception, conclusive logic, lucid demonstrations—all combined to +render him an efficient and highly appreciated member. He was a useful +delegate of the Convention that framed the Federal Constitution. In 1789 +he was elected to the U. S. Senate—in 1796 appointed Chief Justice of +the Supreme Court of the United States—in 1799 Envoy Extraordinary to +France and dignified each of these high stations. Owing to ill health he +resigned his seat at the head of the Supreme Bench in 1800. Several high +offices were subsequently tendered to him which he respectfully +declined. His whole life was chastened with a republican simplicity and +primitive purity seldom found among those in high life at the present +ominous era. All admire his brilliant examples—too few will imitate +them. Judge Ellsworth slumbered in death on the 26th Nov. 1807.</p> + + +<p>FORREST URIAH was ushered into life in the county of St. Mary, Md. in +1756. In his youth he was commissioned a lieutenant in one of the +Maryland regiments and soon gained the reputation of a brave and +skillful officer. He rose rapidly to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He +acted a brilliant part in the battle of Germantown where he lost a leg +which closed his active military career. A man of strong intellect +improved by a good store of useful knowledge—he had a bright career +before him. He was a man of unbounded popularity and influence—filled +various public stations in his native State—was a member of the +Continental Congress—of the Legislature of Maryland and a member of +Congress under the Federal Constitution. He was for many years +major-general of the Maryland militia. In all his public stations he +acquitted himself nobly—in private life he had the esteem of a large +concourse of friends. The time of his final exit is not upon the record.</p> + + +<p>GADSDEN CHRISTOPHER was born in South Carolina in 1724. He was the +originator of the <span class="smcap">Liberty tree</span> in America. To cut loose from mother +Britain was a cherished project in his penetrating mind long before the +Revolution. He did not join in the general joy caused by the repeal of +the Stamp Act. He looked upon it like the transient calm in a storm that +often precedes the increased fury of the elements. As early as 1762 he +frequently said that nothing but open resistance would ever obtain +justice from Great Britain. Upon these matured conclusions he continued +to act until his long nursed vision became a happy reality and was +eclipsed by the more refulgent glories of the Declaration of +Independence. He was a member of the Congress convened at New York in +1765 and of the one at Philadelphia in 1774. He was also a general of +militia. He was of great service in rousing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span> the people to action. He +was among the prisoners at the city of Charleston and then +lieutenant-governor. Being ill he was paroled. On the 27th of August +1780 he was dragged from his sick bed—put on board a prison ship and +taken to the castle at St. Augustine in violation of the rights of +prisoners on parole. He was there treated with great cruelty. A parole +for the town was offered him at St. Augustine which he indignantly +refused, saying he could place no dependence on any promise from a +British officer. When Maj. Andre was executed Gen. Gadsden was +tauntingly admonished to prepare for death as he would be made the +retaliatory sacrifice. He firmly replied—"I am always prepared to die +for my country." A more inflexible patriot, a more noble spirit, a more +ardent friend of Liberty never came from the clean hands of the Creator. +Gen. Gadsden had the love, sympathy, confidence and admiration of every +friend of the American cause. He died in 1805.</p> + + +<p><ins class="correct" title="GANSEVORT">GANSEVOORT</ins> PETER entered upon the first stage of human life at Albany, +N. Y. on the 16th of July 1749. His taste for military tactics was +manifested in his boyhood. When he arrived at manhood he raised a +company of grenadiers that elicited the admiration of every beholder. +Not one of its members was under six feet—Capt. <ins class="correct" title="Gansevort">Gansevoort</ins> was six feet +three. In point of discipline and martial appearance, this company had +no superior. Being a firm Whig Capt. G. was ready to do good service for +his country at the commencement of the Revolution. He was appointed a +major by Congress on the 19th of July 1795. On the 19th of the next +month he took command of the second battalion of the New York forces and +shared the perilous campaign with Gen. Montgomery which terminated the +life of the latter. Congress made him lieutenant-colonel on the 19th of +March 1776 and on the 21st of November of that year appointed him +colonel of the 3d Regiment in the Continental army. His defence of Fort +Stanwix in August 1777 was one of the most brilliant achievements of the +American Revolution. It was besieged by a large body of British, Tories +and Indians, commanded by Col. St. Leger, who threatened summary +vengeance unless an unconditional surrender was made. He soon found he +had waked up the wrong passenger. He was promptly informed that Col. +<ins class="correct" title="Gansevort">Gansevoort</ins> never surrendered. The fort was defended until aid was sent +when Col. St. Leger was compelled to leave suddenly. For this brave act +Congress recorded him a vote of thanks on the 4th of October of that +year. In 1778 he was ordered to Albany—the next year accompanied Gen. +Sullivan in his expedition against the Indians and with a chosen band of +kindred spirits surprised and took the lower Mohawk castle and a large +number of prisoners. In 1781 an arrangement was smuggled through +Congress by improper influences that legislated this officer and several +other gallant men out of the army to the great mortification of +Washington. His native State made him a major-general Of militia. After +the war he held the office of sheriff in Albany County—was commissioner +to fortify the frontier posts—make treaties with the Indians—military +agent of the Northern Department and in 1802 was commissioned a +brigadier-general in the army of the United States which he held until +the 2d of July 1812 when he was suddenly called from time to eternity at +the moment our country needed just such men to conduct the second war of +Independence. Gen. Gansevoort was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span> endowed with an unusual share of the +noble qualities that dignify a man in public and private life all of +which were purified by a life of practical piety.</p> + + +<p>GIBSON JOHN was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on the 23d of May 1740. +At the age of 18 he was an excellent classical scholar. He was in +service under Gen. Forbes when Fort Du Quesne [now Pittsburgh] was taken +from the French and Indians. He settled there in 1763 for the purpose of +trade. In a short time he was taken prisoner by the Indians and had his +life saved by an old squaw who adopted him in the room of a lost son. He +was detained several years—became familiar with the language of several +tribes—with the general habits of red men which prepared him for future +duties. On gaining his liberty he returned to Pittsburgh and served +under Lord Dunmore in his expedition against the Shawnee Towns which +resulted in a treaty with children of the forest. Gen. Gibson was the +mediator and interpreter. To him alone was the celebrated speech of the +noble hearted Logan delivered in a copse a short distance from the +council ground. By him it was communicated to the other Chiefs and to +Lord Dunmore. At the commencement of the Revolution Gen. Gibson +commanded a regiment in the regular army—served a short time in New +York and New Jersey—was then transferred to his more appropriate place +upon the frontiers to keep in check the Indians. After the war he filled +various civil stations and was appointed Secretary of Indiana in 1800 +and filled the office until the state was formed. He then took up his +residence with George Wallace, near Braddock's Field, who had married +his daughter with whom he lived until the 10th of April 1822, when his +immortal spirit returned to Him who gave it.</p> + + +<p>GIBSON GEORGE first made his appearance among his friends at Lancaster, +Pennsylvania in 1747. He was well educated—became a clerk to a merchant +in Philadelphia—sailed to the West Indies several times as supercargo +and finally went to his brother John at Pittsburgh. There he was +employed in a trading voyage down the Ohio and was unfortunate. He +changed his location and business several times up to the period of the +Revolution when he raised a company of the border men who were not of +polished manners but would fight like tigers. With them he joined the +Virginia troops at Williamsburgh, Virginia. They were all sharp-shooters +of which Lord Dunmore became convinced on the 25th of October 1775 when +he attacked Hampton with a naval force and was driven back by this +company with considerable loss. Capt. Gibson performed a perilous +journey to New Orleans for the purpose of obtaining powder for the army +from the Spanish which was a very delicate mission and was performed +with skill and success. He returned through the wilderness and Indian +tribes and travelled 1800 miles on foot. Wonder how many public +functionaries we have now who would perform a similar journey for the +sake of their country—even if they should get their mileage, hot toddy, +roast beef and $8 per day. On his return he was put in command of a +<ins class="correct" title="Virgiania">Virginia</ins> regiment and joined Lee's division of the Continental army at +New York. This division covered the retreat of the main army and formed +a junction with it on the west bank of the Delaware. At the battle of +Trenton Col. Gibson served under the direct command of Washington.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span> He +continued with him and participated in the battles, privations and +sufferings of that forlorn hope of American Freedom up to 1779 when the +term of his regiment expired. He was then put in command of the prison +station near York, Pennsylvania, where he continued to the close of the +war. In 1791 he commanded a regiment under Gen. St. Clair and acted a +most gallant part in the unsuccessful sanguinary battle of the 4th of +November of that year where his regiment was nearly annihilated and +himself mortally wounded. He lingered in great pain at Fort Jefferson +until the 11th of December following when death relieved him from his +sufferings. While living he was the delight of every circle in which he +moved—noble, generous, warm hearted, persevering, brave, prudent, just +and honest. His well earned fame is enduring as history.</p> + + +<p>GREENE CHRISTOPHER commenced his earthly career at Warwick, Rhode Island +in 1737. He received a good English education—became familiar with +mathematics—was partial to military tactics and became a member of the +"Kentish Guards" at an early age and was made their Lieutenant. In May +1775 he was commissioned a Major in the brigade under his kinsman Gen. +Nathaniel Greene. At the attack on Quebec he commanded a company in the +division of Gen. Montgomery and headed the party that entered the town +and was taken prisoner. Soon after he was exchanged he was put in +command of the regiment previously commanded by Gen. Varnum. In 1777 +Washington placed Fort Mercer, at Red Bank on the Delaware, in his +charge with only 500 men. This was attacked soon after the battle of +Brandywine by Col. Donop on the Jersey side with 1200 men. The enemy +were repulsed with great slaughter—Col. Donop, Lieut. Col. Mingerode +and several other officers were killed and 400 of their soldiers killed +and wounded. At the same time the British fleet and a battery on the +Pennsylvania side opened a heavy fire on the contiguous Fort Mifflin, +then called Mud Fort, and succeeded in having their favorite ship +Augusta, of 64 guns, blown up with a part of her crew and the armed ship +Merlin burned—glory enough for one day. Col. Greene received the thanks +of Congress and was voted a splendid sword which was presented to his +son Job in 1786. In 1781 Col. Greene was posted in advance of the army +near Croton river above New York and had quartered his men in several +farm houses. On the night of the 13th of May of that year he was +suddenly attacked by a superior force of refugees <i>alias</i> tories. They +broke into the room of the Colonel who despatched a number of them with +his sword but was eventually overpowered and cut up in the most horrid +manner. Maj. Flagg was also murdered with every soldier they could find. +No officer fell during the Revolution more deeply lamented—no one of +his grade better deserved the gratitude and esteem of his country.</p> + + +<p>GRAEFF GEORGE was born in Lancaster, Pa. in 1755. He was a brave captain +in the Continental army and did good service in the cause of +Independence. He acted a gallant part at the battle on Long Island in +1776. Subsequent to the war he filled several civil offices with credit +and usefulness. He was emphatically an honest man. He died at his native +town on the 13th of November 1823.</p> + + +<p>GRIFFIN CYRUS was one of the bold Virginians who early<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span> advocated the +glorious cause of Independence. He used every energy to rouse the people +to a sense of impending danger. He ably filled various public +stations—was a member of the Continental Congress and one of the +Presidents of that august assemblage of Sages. He lived in the esteem of +his country and associates until 1810 when he made his exit to the +spirit world.</p> + + +<p>GURNEY FRANCIS was first introduced on this whirling planet in Bucks +County, Pa. in 1738. His military genius became early developed. He +entered the service of mother Britain at the age of 18 and braved the +perils and hardships of the French war from its commencement to its +close. His reputation for bold enterprise and noble daring he carved +high in the temple of epic fame. At the capture of Cape Breton he acted +a conspicuous part. At the taking of Guadaloupe his bravery was a +subject of general remark. At the close of these arduous services he +commenced a successful career in the mercantile business in the city of +Philadelphia. There he was when the revolutionary storm loomed up. He +looked upon the conduct of mother England as basely ungrateful. He +snuffed the breeze of Liberty and struck for Freedom. His noblest +energies were roused to action. His large military experience and keen +perception enabled him to point out those who were best calculated to +make efficient officers. Mifflin, Cadwalader and others were first +recommended by him. His zeal and activity in the cause of suffering +humanity were above all praise. Believing he could render more service +out of the army than in it—he declined a commission until the 25th of +May 1775 when he took command of an infantry company of volunteers. The +next year he entered the regular service with the commission of +lieutenant-colonel in the 11th regiment of the Pennsylvania Line. He was +in the battle of Iron Hill, Brandywine and Germantown where he fully +sustained his reputation for daring bravery. The wire-working system of +promotions that was early introduced and injuriously pursued did not +comport with his fine sense of military usage which caused him to +resign. This did not abate his zeal in the cause—he continued to +advance the best interests of the patriots until he saw his country free +from bondage. After the Revolution he resumed his business at +Philadelphia—filled many municipal and legislative stations—commanded +a regiment in the army of 1794 which put down the whiskey +insurgents—became brigadier-general of militia—performed every duty +that devolved upon him in public and private life with ability and +fidelity—was in all respects a man who commanded the confidence and +esteem of all who made his acquaintance—adorned the Christian character +and slumbered in death at his country seat near Philadelphia on the 25th +of May 1815.</p> + + +<p>GWINN WILLIAM was born in Ireland in 1748. In 1772 he came to +Pennsylvania and from that time to the close of his life manifested a +deep interest for the welfare of his adopted country. During the +Revolution he served in the staff of Gen. Mifflin and was highly +esteemed for his faithful performance of every duty and his uniform zeal +in the cause of Independence. After the war he removed to Monkton Mills, +Baltimore County, Md. where he lived highly respected until the 1st of +October 1819 when he died deeply mourned by his numerous friends.</p> + + +<p>HALE NATHAN entered upon his eventful career of life at Coventry, Conn. +at what time we have no word. He was liberally educated—a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span> young man of +great promise and entered the army at the commencement of the Revolution +in command of a company under Col. Knowlton. He was at the battle of +Long Island on the 27th of August 1776 and one of the 9000 who effected +a retreat during the night to the great chagrin of the British who were +encamped not over 600 yards from the Americans. Shortly after that +disastrous affair Washington employed Capt. Hale to enter the English +camp as a spy. Unfortunately he was detected and executed the next +morning by order of Sir William Howe under circumstances of fiendish +barbarity that left a black spot upon the escutcheon of that proud +officer that time or angel's tears can never expunge. He was denied a +clergyman and a bible and the letters that he wrote to his widowed +mother and relatives were destroyed. He died a brave and willing martyr +to the cause of Liberty and lamented with his last breath that he had +but one life to sacrifice for his country. How great the contrast +between the course our country has pursued in memory of this young hero +and that of England towards Andre. In point of talent and exalted +character, Hale was equal to him. The one was engaged as a simple +spy—the other was in league with a base traitor on a grand scale. The +one has no extended notice in our history—the other has been lauded to +the skies by the historians of both nations. Not a stone marks the +resting place of Capt. Hale—a splendid monument has been erected by +England sacred to the memory of Andre. The family of the one was +neglected by our government—that of the other pensioned in a princely +manner. The fact that our nation was then just bursting into life is the +only apology to be offered.</p> + + +<p>HAMILTON ALEXANDER was born on the Island of Nevis in 1757. His father +was an Englishman, his mother an American and brought him to New York in +1773 and placed him in Columbia college. His towering genius burst upon +the world like a blazing meteor in the darkness of night. At the age of +17 he grasped the mighty concerns that were then rocking England and +America in the cradle of fearful commotion. He then wrote several essays +upon the rights and wrongs of the two nations that were attributed to +Mr. Jay. College walls could not keep him from the field of glory. At +the age of 19 he commanded a company of artillery and was ever ready for +a little more grape when it could be used to advantage. He soon +attracted the attention of the penetrating Washington who appointed him +one of his aids in 1777 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. A selection +was never more judiciously made—no commander could be better served. +From that period to the close of the war our country was benefited by +the combined wisdom and noblest efforts of two of the brightest +constellations of <ins class="correct" title="genuius">genius</ins> that have ever illuminated our world. In every +battle where Washington commanded Col. Hamilton was at his post +regardless of danger. When the two destructive redoubts were carried at +the siege of Yorktown facing a storm of iron hail he led the advanced +corps under La Fayette. Not a gun was fired—the charge was like a +rushing avalanche. The surrender of that garrison closed his +Revolutionary services. His manly brow was decked with epic laurels that +can never lose their amaranthine freshness whilst patriotic fire glows +or history endures.</p> + +<p>In 1782 he was elected to Congress and shed fresh lustre on that august +body of sages. He grasped every subject with a gigantic mental<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span> power +that filled the more experienced members with astonishment and +admiration. He originated measures with a surprising facility and wisdom +that were truly beneficial. He was a member of the Convention that +framed the Federal Constitution. He was in favor of what he considered a +stronger government than the one formed—one that some would call +<i>ultra</i> federal. At the final organization under the new Constitution he +was placed at the head of the Treasury Department. To the surprise and +joy of all concerned he raised the credit of the nation rapidly from the +lowest depths of depreciation to a lofty eminence of credit. At the end +of six years he resigned and resumed the practice of law in the city of +New York. When the provisional army was raised in 1798 in anticipation +of a war with France, he was placed next in command to Washington and +proved one of the most efficient disciplinarians that ever graced the +profession of arms. On the disbanding of this army he again resumed his +profession at the bar. In 1804 he was challenged by Col. Burr and +sacrificed his life on the barbarous field of false honor contrary to +his better judgment and finer feelings. He was mortally wounded on the +11th of July 1804 and died the next day. So opposed was he in principle +to duelling that he fired his pistol in the air. He died deeply +regretting the sad error, with full faith in the merits of his Saviour +to wash every stain from his noble soul and present him with a crown of +unfading glory. His sudden death and the manner his bright career was +terminated spread a mantle of gloom over our country and the civilized +world. His transcendent talents had attracted the admiring gaze of +Europe and America. He was in all respects a remarkable man. His flashes +of genius were like vivid lightning that startles—their force like +crushing thunderbolts that shiver every obstacle in their way. He +mastered everything in the course of his business by talismanic +intuition. He filled the orbit of every station he occupied—he +illuminated his pathway with a brilliancy that dazzled, he left a pillar +of living light on the bright pages of history that will reflect its +mellow rays on the horizon of <span class="smcap">Liberty</span> through all time.</p> + + +<p>HAMILTON PAUL was one of the unflinching native patriots of South +Carolina who resolved on Liberty or death. He filled a large space in +the public mind and performed many public duties with ability and +fidelity. He was governor of his State—Secretary of the Navy under +President Madison and dignified every station he occupied. He bid +farewell to his friends, earth and its toils in 1816.</p> + + +<p>HATHAWAY BENONI was born in Now Jersey in 1754. He was among the first +who boldly struck for Liberty. He did not wait until the iron was hot +before he raised his hammer but heated it by continuous heavy blows. He +commanded a company of citizen rangers that became a terror to the +scouting and foraging parties of the enemy and frequently captured them +and the sentinels of their main camp in the darkness of night. When Gen. +Kniphausen was encamped at Elizabethtown with his Hessians his most +bewitching hours were often interrupted by this sleepless company. At +one of these attacks Capt. Hathaway was wounded in the head by a musket +ball and was unconscious for several hours but recovered and continued +his guerrilla warfare until the last loyal Briton made good his retreat +across the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span> great heron pond. He was highly esteemed through life and +met death with Christian fortitude at Newark, N. J. on the 19th of April +1823.</p> + + +<p>HAWKINS NATHAN was first introduced to the human family in Rhode Island +in 1749. His patriotism grew with his growth and strengthened with his +strength. When a mere youth he was the delegate of South Kingston to +carry assistance to the citizens of Boston when reduced to distress by +the infamous Port Bill. The war-cry from the heights of Lexington broke +his slumbers at the hour of midnight—in less than twelve hours he was +leading a brave volunteer corps to the rescue. He served faithfully +during the whole period of the Revolution—acted a gallant part in +several battles and is fully entitled to a place upon the records of +enduring fame. When the war closed he located and closed his life at +Charlestown, Mass.—filled several civil offices—was highly esteemed by +his fellow citizens—sustained the noble reputation of an honest +man—died October 3d 1817.</p> + + +<p>HAWLEY JOSEPH entered upon his earthly pilgrimage in Northampton, Mass. +in 1724. He was one of the first who opposed the usurpations of the +crown officers and the patriot who wrote to John Adams just as the +Congress of 1774 closed and used the truly prophetic language—"<span class="smcap">after +all we must fight</span>." He was a man of strong intellect, great penetration +of mind, a close observer of men and things, an inflexible friend to the +cause of equal rights. In public meetings, in the legislature, in his +social intercourse—at all proper times and places—he sowed the seeds +of Liberty broadcast. When told the Colonies were too weak for +resistance he replied—"We must put to sea—Providence will bring us +into port." He was a lawyer of eminence and strongly opposed to +accepting public office although he served his State in the Legislature +several times. He exemplified the Christian religion by a life of +primitive piety but was an uncompromising foe to fanaticism, bigotry, +sectarianism and the dogmatical creeds of men. His charity spread its +broad mantle over the whole family of man. He held the commission of +major of militia but owing to his frequent and sudden attacks of illness +he did not serve in the tented field. He enjoyed the esteem and +confidence of every friend of freedom and passed peacefully from earth +on the 10th of March 1786.</p> + + +<p>HAYNE ISAAC—[see the Biography of John Penn <a href="#JOHN_PENN">in Part I</a>.] I can find no +record of his birth.</p> + + +<p>HEATH WILLIAM was born in Roxbury, Mass, in 1737. He left his plough in +the furrow the moment the war-cry reached him and hastened to the field +of epic glory. He was constitutionally a military man. Congress +conferred upon him the commission of brigadier-general in 1775. The next +year Congress raised him to the rank of major-general. He commanded a +division at the battle of King's Bridge in 1776 and next year was placed +over the Eastern Department with his headquarters at Boston and filled +that arduous station until November 1778. Burgoyne and his army were +under his charge as prisoners of war and at first gave him much trouble. +The haughty British general and his officers supposed General Heath a +novice in the rules of military etiquette and put on airs that induced +insubordination among the English soldiers. In this they were mistaken. +Gen. Heath had been a close military student from his boyhood. He had +nothing new to learn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span> from these high dignitaries but an insolent +assumption of importance that he soon cured and reduced them to their +proper level. With the humanity of a philanthropist and the polish of an +old school gentleman he united the firmness of a Roman, the courage of a +hero and the dignity of a nobleman.</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1780 he was master of ceremonies at Rhode Island on the +reception of the French fleet under the command of Admiral de Ternay +with the troops that were sent to aid in sustaining our Independence. A +mutual pleasure was experienced on that occasion which matured into +lasting friendship. In 1781 Gen. H. was successfully employed at the +east in raising supplies for the army. When Gen. Washington repaired to +Yorktown Gen. Heath was left in command of the northern and eastern +branches of the army that remained to sustain the garrisons upon the +Hudson and Atlantic. At all times and under all circumstances he +acquitted himself nobly and received a letter of sincere thanks from +Washington at the close of the war for his zeal and promptness in the +performance of the long and arduous services that had devolved upon him. +After the war closed he filled various legislative and judicial stations +with dignity and ability. He was elected lieutenant-governor in 1806 but +refused to serve. He had earned a lasting fame—was beloved by his +countrymen at large and glided down the stream of time peacefully until +the 24th of January 1814 when his spirit returned to its original happy +home.</p> + + +<p>HESTON EDWARD was ushered into Hestonville, county of Philadelphia, +Pennsylvania in 1745. He was one of the brave farmers who exchanged the +plough for the sword. He entered the army as Captain and rose to the +rank of Lieut. Colonel. By his vigilance in watching Lord Cornwallis +when in Philadelphia he saved the brigade of Gen. Potter from being +captured. The day previous to the battle of Germantown, with a few bold +spirits he faced a heavy fire and succeeded in cutting the rope at the +middle ferry to prevent the communication of the enemy with +Philadelphia. In a skirmish with a party of British he received a severe +sword cut on the back of his head, was taken prisoner and sent to Long +Island where he was detained for seven months. After the Revolution +closed he was an active member of the legislature of his native state +and was esteemed through life for benevolence, charity, patriotism and +rigid honesty. He died at his residence in Hestonville on the 14th day +of March 1824.</p> + + +<p>HOLDEN LEVI was born in New Jersey in 1754. He entered the Continental +army as Captain in 1776 and served faithfully until mother Britain +relinquished her maternal care over the Colonies and left her froward +child to act its own will and pleasure—a prudent course for the old +lady and a fair business transaction. For three years Capt. Holden was +attached to Washington's life guard and was highly esteemed by him. +After the war he located at Newark, New Jersey where he enjoyed the +esteem of the community for 30 years and descended to the tomb on the +19th day of April 1823, ripe in years and rich with honors.</p> + + +<p>HOUSTON JOHN was one of the nucleus of patriots who put the +Revolutionary ball in motion at the Liberty Pole meeting in Georgia. +Himself and Mr. Bullock were among the few who dared express their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span> +opinions at that meeting. Before it adjourned the fire of patriotism was +kindled in so many bosoms that royal power trembled at the probable +result. Mr. Houston was a member of the Continental Congress in 1775 and +performed his duty nobly. He was subsequently a judge of the Supreme +Court and governor of his state. He was a man of fine talents, great +energy, sterling integrity and devoted patriotism. He enjoyed the full +fruition of the love of his country and friends until 1796 when he +passed peacefully from time to eternity.</p> + + +<p>HOWARD JOHN EAGER commenced infancy in Baltimore Md. in 1752. He +resolved on Liberty or death at the commencement of that long and +doubtful struggle that resulted in <span class="smcap">Freedom</span> to America. He was among +those who dared snatch the laurels from the proud sons of mother Britain +and place them upon their own manly brows. He entered the army with the +commission of Captain and was raised to the rank of Lieut. Colonel in +1779. He was one of the bravest of the brave. At the victory of Cowpens +he held the swords of seven British officers at one time who had +surrendered personally to him. His skill and bravery were exhibited at +the battles of Germantown, White Plains, Monmouth, Camden and Hobbick's +Hill. So highly were his services appreciated by Gen. Greene that he +used this strong language—"As a patriot and soldier Col. Howard +deserves a statue of gold no less than the Roman and Grecian Heroes." +This short sentence is the crowning capital of the climax of eulogy. At +the close of the Revolution Col. Howard returned to his large real +estate in the city of Baltimore. Subsequent to the formation of the +Federal government he was a member of the United States Senate and +Governor of Maryland. No man was more beloved by his fellow citizens—no +one better deserved their esteem. He died at his residence in 1827.</p> + + +<p>HUMPHREY DAVID commenced his career of life in Derby, Conn. on the—of +July 1752. He was a graduate of Yale college and frequently danced +attendance to the muses. He was a staunch friend of his country and +entered the army a Captain. In 1778 he was aid to Gen. Putnam and in +turn aid to Parsons, Greene and in 1780 became an aid to Gen. Washington +with the rank of Lieut. Colonel with whom he remained until Lord +Cornwallis fired his last gun at Yorktown. On all occasions Col. +Humphrey acted a brave and noble part. His chivalrous conduct at the +siege of Yorktown induced Congress to vote him an elegant sword. In 1784 +he was the secretary of Mr. Jefferson then minister to France. In 1786 +he retired to his native place and was elected to the legislature. In +1788 he was placed in command of a regiment raised for the western +service. In 1790 he was appointed ambassador to the Court of Portugal +and in 1797 minister plenipotentiary to the Court of Madrid. On his +return from Spain he introduced the Merino sheep into the United States +and deserves great credit for his successful exertions in the +improvement of wool and its manufacture. In all the multiform duties of +his active life Col. Humphrey had the full approbation of his country. +In private life he exemplified the virtues that make a good citizen. He +closed his useful career at New Haven Connecticut on the 21st of +February 1818.</p> + + +<p>HUNTINGTON JEDEDIAH was born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1743. He was a +graduate of Harvard College, an enterprising mer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span>chant and a whig of the +first water. He led his regiment to the head quarters of the army at +Cambridge early in 1775. His activity, zeal, courage and efficiency in +the field gained the admiration of Washington who procured his +advancement to the rank of Brigadier General. He rendered his best +services to promote the glorious cause of Independence and remained in +the field during the whole period of the war. He subsequently filled +various civil offices. He was appointed Collector of the Port of New +London by Washington and performed his duties faithfully during four +consecutive administrations. He enjoyed the profound respect of the very +intelligent citizens of New London until the 25th of September 1818 when +he took his departure to the spirit world.</p> + + +<p>IRVINE ANDREW was a native of Ireland, brother to Gen. William Irvine +spoken of more at length <a href="#WILLIAM_IRVINE">in Part I</a>. Dr. Matthew Irvine of Charleston, +South Carolina was a third brother and served in the Continental army. +Andrew entered the regiment of his brother William as Lieutenant and was +engaged in the Canada service under Gen. Wayne. He was in every action +with that General up to the massacre of Paoli where he received +seventeen bayonet wounds and miraculous as it was, recovered and was +actively engaged in the northern and southern campaigns. No officer of +his rank did more service—no one could do it in a more heroic manner. +After the war he lived in the esteem of the citizens of Carlisle, Pa. +where he died on the 4th of May 1789.</p> + + +<p>IRWIN JARED was born in Mecklinburg, North Carolina in 1751. At the age +of seven years he became a resident of Georgia. At the commencement of +the Revolution he was a pioneer in one of the frontier settlements +adjacent to the Indian tribes where he became the leader of his +neighbors in keeping the red men at bay and teaching the tories salutary +lessons. In that department he rendered himself eminently useful during +the war. He was a member of the first legislature of Georgia under the +new government which convened at Savannah in 1784. From that time +forward he became emphatically a leading public man. He was long a +member of the Georgia Senate and for many years its president. He was +repeatedly Governor of the state. He filled every station in a manner +that gained the unqualified approbation of his constituents. His public +life was adorned by those private virtues that are indispensable to +render a man truly great. He died at Union, Washington County, Georgia, +on the 1st of March 1818.</p> + + +<p>JACKSON ANDREW commenced his brilliant life in the Waxhaw settlement, S. +C. in 1767. He was constitutionally a patriot, soldier and statesman. He +enlisted in the Continental army at the age of 14 and performed feats of +noble courage that would have honored manhood. When fighting bravely for +his country he was wounded and taken prisoner. After much suffering he +was exchanged and at the close of the war prosecuted his studies and +became a respectable member of the Bar. He commanded a successful +expedition against the southern Indians—in 1820 was the commissioner to +receive the Floridas from Spain—was made governor of that territory and +performed many public duties with great energy. He was a major-general +during the last war with mother Britain. His defence of New Orleans +against the veteran<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span> army of Gen. Packenham has no parallel in modern +warfare. In 1828 Gen. Jackson was elected President of the United States +and served two terms. He was emphatically a man of the people. In point +of physical and moral courage he had no superior. He was stern in his +integrity, honest in his purposes, unbending in his resolves—determined +in his course of action. When time shall absorb the bitterness of party +spirit that his bold administration created—the historian will trace +the fair lines of the career of Andrew Jackson and present a picture to +after generations that will command their profound admiration. He lived +a patriot—he died a Christian in 1845.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 435px;"> + <img src="images/p447.jpg" width="435" height="600" alt="{Andrew Jackson portrait and signature}" title="" /> + <span class="caption">ENGRAVED BY T.B. WELCH FROM A DRAWING BY J.B. LONGACRE.</span> +</div> + +<p>JACKSON JAMES first inhaled the atmosphere at Moreton Homstead in the +County of Devon, England, on the 21st of September 1757. His father was +a strong whig and brought him to Georgia in 1772 and left him with his +friend John Wereat, Esquire. James Jackson did not fancy hereditary +monarchy or purse-proud aristocracy. His very nature was republican. At +the dawn of the Revolution he was ready to peril his life in the cause +of equal rights. The war cry that came rushing on mighty wind from the +blood stained heights of Lexington he hailed as the day-spring of +<span class="smcap">freedom</span>—the morning star of <span class="smcap">liberty</span>. At the age of 18 he was a +volunteer in the party of bold spirits that made a descent on Savannah. +At the attack on Tybee his dauntless courage attracted the attention of +Archibald Bullock who was the acting head of the patriots. In a short +time Jackson was in command of a volunteer company of light infantry. In +1778 he rose to the rank of brigade-major of the Georgia militia. At the +storming of Savannah his gallantry could not be excelled. He was in the +battle of Blackstocks on the 20th of August 1780. After Tarleton had +retreated Major Jackson was put on his track and brought back 30 horses. +At the battle of Cowpens the Major received the thanks of Gen. Morgan on +the battle field. When in service under Gen. Pickens his noble daring +was particularly noticed in the reports of that officer. About this time +he was made a Colonel with the privilege of raising his own regiment, +which he quickly accomplished. He commanded at the capture of the +British fort at Ogechee, the post at Butler's White house and seemed to +court danger whenever an opportunity presented. In his victory over Col. +Brown on the 21st of May 1782, Gen. Wayne awarded great praise to Col. +Jackson. On the 12th of July of that year the British surrendered +Savannah and by arrangement delivered the keys to this brave Colonel who +continued to command it until the close of the war. He then commenced a +successful practice of law and stood on a lofty eminence of merit. He +was hailed as one who had contributed largely towards achieving the +Liberty all then enjoyed. He was raised to the office of major-general +of militia—was a member of the legislature—quorum of the state and a +member of the U. S. Senate. He was found equal to every station he was +called to fill. He died at Washington city while at his post in the +Senate on the 19th of January 1806.</p> + + +<p>JAMES JOHN was born in Ireland in 1732. His father and several of his +neighbors came to Virginia in 1783 and settled at Williamsburg which +name they gave to the place in honor of King William. They had all +imbibed an unconquerable dislike towards England. At the commencement of +the Revolution all their descendants were prepared to oppose her unjust +pretensions. No one amongst them was a more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span> determined opponent than +John James. Familiar with border warfare he was prepared to act +efficiently. He had long been a captain of militia under the crown and +at once resigned his commission. His company all declared for Liberty +and retained him in command. In 1776 he left his plough and marched his +men to the defence of Charleston where he remained for some time. He was +soon promoted to the rank of major and became one of the most active +officers in service. He was with Gen. Moultrie when he was closely +pressed by Gen. Provost. At the skirmish at Tulifinny he commanded the +rifle corps. He acted a brave part at the battle of Eotaw. His riflemen +expended 24 rounds of cartridges on the enemy and rarely wasted any +ammunition. He was the original nucleus of Marion's brigade. He +performed many bold exploits—had numerous hair-breadth escapes. At one +time he was alone and attacked by two British dragoons who were in +advance of their comrades. As they drew their sabres to cut him down he +brought them to a sudden halt by drawing an empty pistol and then leaped +over a chasm a little too broad for Tarleton's sportsmen. Just previous +to the close of the war he returned to his rusty plough and lived in the +high esteem of a grateful country and his numerous acquaintances until +1791 when he closed his useful career in death. He was a member of the +Virginia legislature and filled several civil offices with credit and +fidelity.</p> + + +<p>JASPER WILLIAM was a brave sergeant in the division of Gen. Moultrie. +For personal bravery and shrewdness he had few equals. In the heat of +the attack upon Fort Moultrie the flag staff was shot off by a cannon +ball. The banner fell outside of the works. Amidst a storm of iron hail +Jasper leaped from one of the embrasures, recovered the flag, mounted it +on his spontoon staff and unfurled it to the breeze. He was promoted to +the highest rank he would accept—a roving commission and the privilege +of selecting his companions to aid him in his bold and romantic +enterprises. He often brought in prisoners before Gen. Moultrie was +aware of his absence. On one occasion several prisoners were ironed and +put under a guard of eight soldiers with a corporal and sergeant and +started for Savannah with a fair prospect of the hemp. One was a Mr. +Jones whose young wife was in great agony on his account and followed +him with their only child—a lovely boy five years of age. Jasper and +his kindred spirit Sergeant Newton, resolved on their rescue. Within two +miles of Savannah in a copse of wood is a spring of excellent water +about six rods from the road. There Jasper and Newton lay in ambush. +When the party arrived eight of them laid down their guns in the road +and went to the fountain to drink, leaving two to guard their prisoners. +The next moment the two on guard slumbered in death—the rest of the +British party were all made prisoners—the Americans released and the +whole arrived at the American camp the next morning at Perrysburg. The +distressed wife had no intimation of the heroic adventure until the +crack of the two guns from Jasper and Newton. The next moment she +clasped her fond husband to her convulsed bosom. Her joy may be faintly +imagined—not described. Gov. Rutledge presented Jasper with an elegant +sword for his noble daring at Fort Moultrie. Soon after the brave +defence of Fort Moultrie Mrs. Elliott presented a splendid stand of +colors to Col. Moultrie's regiment that composed the force in that +action. At the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span> storming of Savannah two officers fell in an attempt to +plant these colors upon a redoubt of the enemy. When a retreat was +ordered Jasper was mortally wounded while in the act of rescuing this +standard from the enemy. After the retreat Maj. Horry called to see him +and was made the bearer of the following message. "I have got my +furlough. That sword was presented to me by Governor Rutledge for my +services in defence of Fort Moultrie. Give it to my father and tell him +I wore it in honor. If the old man should weep tell him his son died in +hope of a better life. Tell Mrs. Elliott I lost my life in supporting +the colors she presented to our regiment. Should you ever see Jones, +wife and son—tell them Jasper is gone but the remembrance of that +battle which he fought for them brought a secret joy in my heart when it +was about to stop its motion for ever." In a few moments after he closed +this message his noble soul soared to heaven.</p> + + +<p>JAY JOHN was born in the city of New York in 1745. He was one of the +noble sages who dared to be free. He took an early and decided stand in +favor of Liberty. He was of great service in rousing the people to a +sense of their true interests. He was elected to Congress and took his +seat in that body the latter part of 1776 and presided in the +presidential chair for some time. In 1778 he was minister to Spain—in +1782 he was one of the commissioners to negotiate a treaty with Great +Britain. In 1795 he was elected governor of the Empire State. He was an +able public officer—a valuable private citizen. His soul joined its +kindred in the spirit world in 1829.</p> + + +<p>JOHNSON FRANCIS was born in Pennsylvania in 1749. At the commencement of +a conflict with mother Britain he was enjoying a lucrative practice at +the bar. He well understood the merits of the high contending parties +and enlisted under the banner of <span class="smcap">freedom</span>. He commenced his military +career with Gen. Wayne with the commission of lieutenant-colonel in the +first regiment raised by that brave officer. He shared with him all the +fatigues and glory of the numerous expeditions and battles in which he +was engaged up to the time Gen. Wayne went south. He succeeded him in +the command of the 5th Pennsylvania regiment. His services were ably and +zealously rendered and highly appreciated. He ventured his life and +spent his fortune for Liberty. After the close of the Revolution he was +elected sheriff of the city and county of Philadelphia as a tribute of +merit awarded by both political parties. No man could be more generally +beloved—no one better deserved it. He died in Philadelphia on the 22d +of February 1815.</p> + + +<p>JOHNSON SAMUEL was one of the most talented and ardent patriots of the +chivalric south. From the dawn of the Revolution he boldly espoused the +cause of equal rights. He was a member of Congress and after the +adoption of the Federal Constitution he was made a United States +Senator. He was a judge of the Supreme Court of North Carolina and +governor of that State. He discharged the duties of public and private +life with energy, ability and scrupulous fidelity. His career of life +was closed in 1806.</p> + + +<p>JOHNSON WILLIAM SAMUEL was a native of Connecticut and a zealous friend +of the cause of Independence. He was a man of strong native talents +improved by a sound education. He exercised a salutary influence over +his constituents and served them faithfully in various<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span> public +capacities. He was a member of the old Congress—a delegate to the +Convention that framed the Federal Constitution and the first United +States Senator from his native State. He lived in the esteem of his +numerous friends until 1819 when his lamp of life went out.</p> + + +<p>JONES JOHN PAUL commenced his remarkable life in the district of +Galloway, Scotland, in 1747. His original name was John Paul and Jones +was added when he came to America in 1775. He had been a mariner from +the age of 15 and was master of his profession. He left England in +disgust in consequence of improper treatment by the authorities relative +to his quelling a mutiny on board his ship, in doing which he was +compelled to kill the ringleader, for which he was tried and acquitted +and was threatened with a second trial. In the expedition of Com. +Hopkins against New Providence he was a lieutenant and exhibited a +dauntless spirit that at once placed him on the list of the brave. On +his return he was placed in command of a sloop with 12 guns. In a short +time he captured a British vessel with 18 guns. He then cruised boldly +along the coast of Scotland—made several landings and a few +contributions and proceeded to the Irish coast where he found the +English armed vessel Drake in the harbor of Waterford—gave her a +challenge—she entered the list of combat—was quickly flogged and +hastened back to her old moorings crippled and her commander mortified. +In the summer of 1779 he was put in command of the Bon Homme Richard of +40 guns and 415 men with some small craft. After visiting France he +sailed from there on the 14th of August of that year—took several +vessels of war and merchantmen and proceeded in search of the Baltic +fleet which he discovered on the 22d of September at 2 P. M. off +Flamborough Head under convoy of a frigate and sloop of war. He at once +prepared for action. Just as the moon was rising, at quarter before 8 P. +M. one of the most desperate naval actions commenced that can be found +recorded on the pages of history. When the two larger ships came within +pistol shot the British frigate opened the ball with a brisk fire from +her upper and quarter deck. Jones returned the compliment with the grace +of a naval hero. At the onset three of his six 18 pound guns burst and +killed those around them. He ordered the other three not to be used. +This accident induced him to grapple with the frigate and come to close +quarters which he accomplished so completely that the muzzles of the +guns of each were in contact. The rage of battle then commenced with all +the desperation of gladiators. The Englishman had nailed his flag to the +mast—Jones never surrendered. His ship was the most crippled—more of +his guns silenced than on the frigate. This preponderance of metal was +soon changed by a brave tar advancing over the frigate on the main yard +of the American ship with a basket of hand grenades and lighted match. +He dropped these messengers of death among the enemy and through the +scuttles—killing many and setting the cartridges on fire in every +direction. The fight raged on—the frigate was several times on +fire—the Bon Homme Richard was leaking from shots between wind and +water—all her guns silenced but four and not until both ships took fire +was the fury of the conflict relinquished for a moment. When the flames +were extinguished the carnage was renewed. Jones had taken over 100 +prisoners and put them to the pumps under the direction of Lieut. Dale +who was severely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span> wounded. The English flag was at last torn down by the +captain of the frigate which proved to be the Serapis mounting 50 +carriage guns commanded by Capt. Pearson. All hands were removed on +board the prize and at 10 the next morning the Bon Homme Richard went to +the bottom. Capt. Pearson had 137 men killed and 76 wounded. Capt. Jones +had 165 killed, 137 wounded. It is supposed many of his men were killed +and wounded by one of his own vessels that fired into him some time by +mistake at pistol shot. At the commencement of the action he received +the fire of both British vessels until he closed with the frigate. The +next morning the Pallas, Capt. Cotineau, attacked the British sloop of +war and after a severe battle of over two hours compelled her to +surrender. She was the Countess of Scarborough. Capt. Jones then +proceeded home with his prizes and prisoners and was hailed with an +enthusiasm that none but freemen so ardently feel and so strongly +express. On the 14th of April 1781 Congress passed a strong resolution +expressive of their high appreciation of his valuable services. A more +skilful, daring and resolute man never commanded a ship.</p> + +<p>After the termination of the Revolution he visited Russia and held a +naval commission for a time under the Empress Catharine. From there he +went to Paris in France where he died in 1792.<a name="FNanchor_A_2" id="FNanchor_A_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_2" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_2" id="Footnote_A_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_2"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Com. Jones's remains are expected here shortly on board the +Frigate St. Lawrence.</p></div> + + +<p>KENNARD NATHANIEL was born in Massachusetts in 1755. He was a volunteer +in one of the first regiments raised in Massachusetts. In that he served +one year and then entered on board a private armed vessel—was taken +prisoner—taken to England and confined in Mill Prison for 27 months +with a standing threat he should be hanged. He was finally sent to +France and shipped on the Bon Homme Richard and was in the action +described in the preceding article. He was put on board one of the +prizes and ordered for France—was again taken prisoner—put on board +the British frigate Unicorn and compelled to do duty until he found an +opportunity to escape on the Island of Jamaica and reached home just +before the close of the Revolution. During the war of 1812 he commanded +a Revenue Cutter. From that period he was Inspector of Customs at +Portsmouth N. H. up to the time of his death which occurred on the 24th +of June 1823.</p> + + +<p>KING RUFUS commenced his life career in New York in 1755. In his youth +he was an ardent friend to the cause of <span class="smcap">Freedom</span> and a patriot in action. +He was a member of Congress when convened at Trenton New Jersey in 1784. +He was a very efficient member of the Convention in 1787 that formed the +Federal Constitution and was soon after elected to the United States +Senate. From 1796 to 1803 he was minister at the Court of St. James. In +1813 he was elected a United States Senator and was minister to England +during the administration of John Quincy Adams. All his public and +private duties were performed with a single eye to the glory of his +country, the good of the human family and the preservation of our +glorious UNION. He bid farewell to earth, its toys, toils, griefs and +joys in April 1827.</p> + + +<p>KIRKWOOD ROBERT was a native of Newcastle county, Delaware. When the +oppression of mother Britain became so intolerable that forbearance was +no longer a virtue, Robert Kirkwood exchanged the implements of +agriculture for the sword and entered the Delaware regiment under Col. +Hazlet with the commission of Lieutenant. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span> was in thirty-two battles +during the war and received the highest praise from every general +officer under whom he served. At the battle of Camden fought by Gen. +Gates, the Delaware regiment was reduced to 195 men who were formed into +a company under the command of Capt. Kirkwood. A particular history of +his bold exploits would fill a respectable volume. At the close of the +war he was brevet Major. He was a universal favorite and richly deserved +to be so. He fell fighting under Gen. St. Clair on the 4th of November +1791.</p> + + +<p>KNOWLTON THOMAS was a native of Ashford Connecticut and one of the first +brave spirits that entered the field and among the first martyrs in the +cause of <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>. He commanded a regiment at the battle of Long Island +in August 1776 which formed the van of the American army. In September +following he came in contact with Gen. Leslie with a superior force and +fell while gallantly leading his men to the charge. The command then +devolved on Major Leitch of Virginia who was severely wounded but drove +the enemy from the field. Col. Knowlton was an officer of great promise, +an esteemed citizen—an honest man.</p> + + +<p>KNOX HENRY was born in Boston, Mass. on the 25th of July 1750. He was +created a freeman and nobly fulfilled the design of his creation. In +early life he became familiar with the engineer department, of military +tactics. He was among the first Major Generals appointed by Congress and +directed the ordnance operations during the whole period of the +Revolution. The practised veterans of mother Britain were often +compelled to admit that he had no superior in the management of +artillery. His skill was effectually illustrated on every battle field +where he was present. The victory at Monmouth over superior numbers was +attributed by the enemy to the artillery of Gen. Knox. Washington +referred to the fact in his report to Congress. From the commencement of +his useful military career at Cambridge to its brilliant close at +Yorktown, this brave and accomplished General stood on a lofty eminence +of fame, admired and beloved by the commander-in-chief, by the whole +army, by Congress and by our nation. He succeeded Gen. Lincoln in the +War Department after the close of the Revolution and was the first +Secretary of War under the Federal Constitution. On retiring from public +life he settled at Thomastown, Maine, where his death was occasioned by +a chicken bone lodging in his throat on the 25th of October 1806. In the +private walks of life he exemplified those virtues most prominently that +best adorn the man and assimilate him to his Creator.</p> + + +<p>KOSCIUSZCO THADDEUS commenced his noble existence in 1746 in the +palatinate of Brescia, <ins class="correct" title="Lithunia">Lithuania</ins>, once an independent grand duchy +containing 60,000 square miles which was united to Poland in 1569 and +now forms the Russian provinces of Wilna, Grodno and Minsk. When reading +the classics in his youth this noble patriot became enraptured with the +vision of a Republic. He completed his education by a military course +that he might be better prepared to battle for Liberty. When the story +of the American Revolution reached him he at once resolved to enroll his +name with those who dared to make an effort to be free. On his arrival, +Washington appointed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span> him a Colonel of engineers and one of his aids. +His undaunted bravery on all occasions, his patriotic zeal, his amiable +disposition, his purity of life, his noble bearing—all combined to +endear him to the army and to every friend of freedom. He returned to +his native land at the close of the Revolution and left his name carved +high on the temple of our Liberty. Having aided in achieving the +Independence we now enjoy, he saw his long nursed vision of a Republic +reduced to a happy reality. His own countrymen were groaning under a +bondage more servile than that which had oppressed the Americans. He +longed to see them free. A few noble spirits were prepared to strike for +Liberty. The time arrived for action. Kosciuszco was made +Commander-in-chief in 1789. Five years passed in preparation. In 1794 +his army was attacked at Raslavice by the Russian General Denisoff who +was defeated with great slaughter. For six mouths he kept at bay the +combined forces of Russia and Prussia. On the 4th of October of that +year, the officer who commanded the advance position of the Polish army +proved a traitor and permitted the enemy to occupy it without +opposition. This effected the ruin of the liberating army—Kosciuszco +fell covered with wounds and was incarcerated in a dungeon at St. +Petersburg until Alexander was crowned who at once restored him to +freedom. He then visited the United States and landed at Philadelphia +where he was made a welcome guest. He subsequently spent some time in +France. From thence he went to Solence in Switzerland where he died on +the 16th of October 1817.</p> + + +<p>LACY JOHN was born in Bucks County, Pa. on the 4th of February 1755. His +paternal ancestor came from the Isle of Wight under the auspices of +William Penn. John's ancestor and all his descendants belonged to the +Society of Friends. The love of Freedom predominated over the anti-war +creed of John and he made up his mind to obtain it, peaceably if he +could—forcibly if he must. He took the commission of captain from +Congress on the 6th of January 1776 and was at once thrown over the +fence by his Quaker brethren. He left his home, his society and his mill +to do battle for his country. He served under Gen. Wayne in Canada and +performed the hazardous duty of carrying an express from Gen. Sullivan +to Arnold when before Quebec. On his return the next year he resigned in +consequence of a difficulty with Gen. Wayne. He was then appointed by +the legislature of Pennsylvania to organize the militia in Bucks County. +He was soon elected colonel. He was now in the midst of tories and +Quakers who were acting in concert with the enemy and threatened him +with personal vengeance. These threats he disregarded as the idle wind. +He brought his regiment into the field and performed feats of valor that +at once raised him to a high standard on the list of heroes. His conduct +was particularly noticed by Washington and he was honored with the +commission of brigadier-general on the 9th of January 1778 and ordered +to relieve Gen. Potter. He was then but 22 years of age. Probably +influenced by his refugee neighbors—the British in Philadelphia +determined on taking him dead or alive. His duties were onerous, his +watchfulness untiring. On the 1st of the ensuing May he was stationed at +what is now Hatborough with less than 500 men, mostly raw militia. Owing +to the negligence of the officer of his picket guard his little camp was +surrounded just at the dawn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span> of morning by about 800 British infantry, +rangers and cavalry. He formed his men quickly and cut his way through +with such impetuosity that he threw the enemy into confusion and escaped +with the loss of only 26 killed with a few wounded and prisoners who +were treated with a barbarity that casts savage warfare so far in the +shade that their most cruel tortures would appear as refulgent sun light +in comparison. This bold manœuvre of Gen. Lacy and his brave Spartans +was a matter of applause throughout the country. He was constantly +employed by Gen. Washington on hazardous enterprises and in every +instance received his unqualified approbation. After the evacuation of +Philadelphia Gen. Lacy was made a member of the legislature and served +three consecutive sessions. In 1781 he closed his military career and +like a good citizen, married an amiable daughter of Col. Reynolds of New +Jersey and commenced a successful career of domestic felicity. He filled +various civil offices, lived in the esteem of every patriot (not of all +his Quaker relatives) and died at the village of New Mills, Burlington +County, N. J. on the 17th of February 1814.</p> + + +<p>LAURENS HENRY was ushered into the world at Charleston, S. C. in 1724. +He was one of the first in his state to put the revolutionary ball in +motion. He was President of the Provincial Congress of South Carolina +that convened in June 1775. He prepared articles of association that +demonstrated how clearly he perceived—how strongly he felt the +oppressions of mother Britain. In November 1777 he succeeded John +Hancock in the Presidential chair of the Continental Congress. In 1780 +he was <ins class="correct" title="comissioned">commissioned</ins> to proceed to Holland to negotiate a loan and form a +treaty with the United Netherlands. On his passage he was captured by a +British war vessel and on the 6th of October was committed to the tower +in London under the charge of high treason. He was there confined for 14 +months and treated with the proverbial cruelty that has left a dark +stain upon the names of the British ministers then in power, that if +they were linen the concentrated powers of a thousand suns could not +efface it in a million of years. Many stratagems were devised to obtain +from him concessions and promises that would lessen his sufferings and +apparent danger but which did not honor his country. They were spurned +with an indignity that none but <span class="smcap">freemen</span> can so burningly exhibit. When +his son was sent to the court of France the father was requested to +write and request him to desist from his mission or the life of his +parent would be taken. He promptly refused and replied—"My son is of +age and has a will of his own. I know him to be a man of honor. He loves +me dearly and would lay down his life to save mine but I am sure he +would not sacrifice his honor to save my life and I applaud him for it." +The indignation of the Americans and many in the mother country was +roused against those who held Mr. Laurens in bondage. The authorities +found themselves in a tight place. They dare not try and condemn him as +a rebel. For this a swift retribution awaited them. Burgoyne and many +other high functionaries were prisoners of war. The old patriot could +not be moved from the position of a freemen. He correctly considered +himself only a prisoner of war—his own countrymen and other nations +were of the same opinion. After much ado about a plain simple matter the +king's counsellors had him bound, with Messrs. Oswald and Anderson as +sureties, to appear at the Easter term for trial after being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</a></span> compelled +to strike from the recognizance the words "our sovereign lord the king." +Before leaving he was entirely released and requested by Lord Shelburne +to hasten home to assist in consummating a peace. Before leaving he +received a commission from Congress to repair to Paris and act in +conjunction with Messrs. Franklin, Adams and Jay and had the proud +satisfaction of signing the preliminaries of peace on the 30th of +November 1782. His cruel deprivations during his imprisonment laid the +foundation of disease which terminated his life near Charleston, S. C. +on the 8th of December 1792. His name is enrolled with the patriotic, +the virtuous and the good.</p> + + +<p>LAURENS JOHN was the noble son of Henry before alluded to. He was one of +the bravest of the brave. He entered the army in 1777 with the rank of +lieutenant-colonel and was a member of the military family of +Washington. At Germantown he was severely wounded in an attempt to +dislodge the enemy from Chew's house. He gained laurels at Rhode Island, +Monmouth, Savannah, Charleston and at several other points of desperate +conflict. He was among the first to enter the lines at Yorktown. He +courted danger ardently—his courage was impetuous—he knew no fear. Dr. +Ramsay said of him—"A dauntless bravery was the least of his virtues +and an excess of it his greatest foible." His love for Washington knew +no bounds. He challenged Gen. Charles Lee for speaking disrespectfully +of the father of our country and marked him for life. He was asked how +young Laurens behaved and replied—"I could have hugged the noble boy he +pleased me so." His mission to France in 1781 to effect a loan was +successful. His private virtues were as bright as his public career was +brilliant. He was a high-minded, honorable, accomplished gentleman. At a +trifling skirmish after the war was virtually closed this noble young +man was killed in 1782.</p> + + +<p>LEDYARD WILLIAM was born in Connecticut in 1738. He was a murdered +martyr in the glorious cause of Liberty. After bravely defending Port +Griswold at New London against an overwhelming force under the traitor +Arnold he was compelled to surrender [see the Life of Arnold]. A British +officer entered and asked who commanded the fort. Col. Ledyard +replied-"I <i>did</i> but <i>you</i> do now" and handed him his sword which he +immediately plunged through the body of his defenseless prisoner. Nearly +70 were slaughtered after the surrender. The fort was manned by 157 +militia hastily collected and poorly armed. But 6 were killed in the +regular attack. The British had two commissioned officers and 40 +privates killed—135 non-commissioned officers and privates +wounded—conclusive proof of the bravery of Col. Ledyard and his men in +an action of only forty minutes. The following extract from the +inscription on the tomb-stone of Col. Ledyard shows the high estimation +in which he was held.</p> + +<p>"By a judicious and faithful discharge of the various duties of his +station he rendered most essential services to his country and stood +confessed the unshaken patriot and intrepid hero. He lived the pattern +of magnanimity, courtesy and humanity—he died the victim of ungenerous +rage and cruelty."</p> + + +<p>LEE ARTHUR commenced his mortal career in Virginia in 1740. He was +highly educated in England—took the degree of M. D. at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</a></span> medical +university of Edinburgh—returned to Williamsburg in his native State +and commenced the successful practice of his profession. In a few years +he returned to England—read law in the Temple and became a political +writer over the signature of Junius Americanus which gave him an +acquaintance with the popular party and gained him a membership in the +famed society of the supporters of the Bill of Rights. His numerous +political essays in favor of the cause of Liberty gained for him a high +reputation at home. He was associated with Messrs. Franklin and Deane in +negotiating a treaty of alliance with France in 1776. Upon learning that +false accusations had been circulated by Mr. Deane alleging improper +political conduct he resigned and returned home. He was elected to the +Virginia Legislature in 1781 and then to Congress where he remained +until 1785. The previous year he had effected a treaty with the Six +Nations of Indians. He went from Congress into the Treasury Department +where he continued up to 1789 when he left the public arena and died in +1792. He was a man of parts and a zealous patriot.</p> + + +<p>LEE CHARLES was a native of North Wales and held a military commission +at the age of eleven. His was emphatically the life of a soldier. He +served at an early age in Canada—under Burgoyne in Portugal—in the +Polish army—travelled the tour of Europe—killed an Italian officer in +a duel—came to America in 1773—declared for Liberty and was made a +major-general by Congress in 1775. He commanded for a time in New +York—then in the south—was soon transferred to New Jersey where he was +made prisoner in 1776 and treated in the most brutal manner and not +exchanged until the close of the next year. In 1778 he was arraigned +before st court martial for disobeying orders at the battle of Monmouth +and suspended for one year. He lived in seclusion in Virginia until 1782 +when he repaired to Philadelphia and died in October of that year—poor +and friendless—friendless because he was poor. He was a man of +energy—a brave officer—rather morose and not calculated to captivate +or gain popular applause.</p> + + +<p>LEE HENRY was born in Virginia in 1756 and entered the military arena in +1776 with the rank of captain of cavalry. At the battle of Germantown +his company was the body guard of Washington. In 1780 he was +commissioned lieutenant-colonel and put in command of the celebrated +"Lee's Legion" so often referred to and which was a terror to the enemy +during the war. At Eutaw Springs and in numerous battles he gained +imperishable laurels. From 1786 to the time of the adoption of the +Federal Constitution he was a member of Congress and a member of the +Convention that framed that sacred instrument. In 1799 he was elected to +Congress and selected to pronounce the funeral oration of President +Washington. In 1792 he was governor of Virginia. For military courage, +skill and prudence Col. Lee stood in the front rank. His capture of the +garrison of Paulus Hook opposite New York in open day without the loss +of a man and in sight of the main British army and navy, was a feat +scarcely equalled during the Revolution. So perfect were his plans—so +rapid were his movements that he eluded pursuit and took every man found +in the garrison to the American camp. He commanded the army that put a +quietus on the Whisky boys in Pennsylvania. With all his honors fresh +upon him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</a></span> he was incarcerated in prison for the crime of debt. He there +wrote his "Memoirs of the Southern Campaign." He was severely wounded at +the riot in Baltimore in 1814. He died at Cumberland Island in Georgia +at the house of a friend in 1814. His remains repose near those of Gen. +Greene who was his warm friend and companion in arms. His relentless +creditors could rob him of his personal liberty but could not chain his +noble mind nor rob him of a well earned fame or of the glorious title of +an <span class="smcap">honest man</span>.</p> + + +<p>LEE EZRA was born in Connecticut in 1749. He left his plough in the +furrow to avenge the wrongs that were heaped upon his country by the +hirelings of the crown. With the commission of a Captain he entered the +service under Gen. Parsons. He had the marked esteem of Gen. Washington +and performed many secret missions for him. He fought with him at +Trenton, Monmouth and Brandywine. When the British fleet lay in New York +bay he sent every war vessel to Sandy Hook as fast as wind could take +them—the men sweeping the bottoms of the ships with chains for fear +some live Yankee might still be there. An ingenious apparatus for +blowing up ships was invented by David Bushnel of Saybrook, Conn. +Washington employed Capt. Lee to put it in operation. For the want of a +resisting power to work the attaching screw he was not able to penetrate +the copper on the bottom of the vessel. He finally detached the +apparatus containing the magazine of powder and left it under one of the +large war ships. In due time it exploded—put the water in earthquake +agitation and shook the very earth. The brave Britons were as badly +frightened as when they had the dreadful battle with the kegs on the +Delaware opposite Philadelphia. They were missing in a short time. After +the Independence of his country was secured Capt. Lee returned to his +farm where he lived in the esteem of his fellow citizens and pursued the +even tenor of his ways at Lyme Connecticut until the 29th of October +1821 when his noble soul returned to its original happy home.</p> + + +<p>LEE THOMAS SIM was a citizen of Maryland and early espoused his +country's rights and sternly opposed British wrongs. He served his +country in various public capacities—was a member of the Continental +Congress—a delegate to the Convention that framed the Federal +Constitution and governor of his state. He lived in the full enjoyment +of the esteem of his numerous friends until 1819 when his lamp of life +was snuffed out by death.</p> + + +<p>LINCOLN BENJAMIN was introduced on our rolling planet at Hingham, Mass, +on the 23d of January 1733. Like Cincinnatus he left his plough and +hastened to repel the invading foe. As Colonel of militia he had taken +the entered apprentice degree in military tactics and rose rapidly in +rank. In 1776 the Council of Massachusetts made him a Major General and +in February of the ensuing year Congress conferred on him a similar +commission at the suggestion of Washington. He was with him at New York +and in Jersey and rendered efficient aid during that trying period. In +July 1777 he joined the northern army and did much toward preparing the +way for the capture of Burgoyne. He made his head quarters at +Manchester, Vermont. On the 13th of September he sent Col. Brown to lake +George with 500 men who surprised the enemy—seized 200 batteaux—took +293 prisoners<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</a></span> and liberated 100 Americans with a loss of only three +killed and five wounded. He soon united his force with that of Gen. +Gates and was second in command. During the bloody battle of the 7th of +October he commanded within the lines. On the 8th of October he was +severely wounded in the leg and disabled for a long time. He suffered +several surgical operations and lost a considerable portion of the bone +which lamed him for life. In 1778 he was put in command of the southern +division of the army then in a miserable condition. Near the last of +December Gen. Provost arrived with several armed vessels and 3000 fresh +troops and occupied Savannah. In September 1779 Gen. Lincoln and Count +D'Estaing made a bold but unsuccessful attack upon the enemy. A column +under Count Dillion missed their way and were not in the action, to +which accident may be attributed the failure of success. In leading on a +corps of cavalry Count Pulaski was mortally wounded. Gen. Lincoln then +repaired to Charleston and used his best exertions to place it in a +state of defence. In February 1780 Sir Henry Clinton arrived and on the +30th of March planted himself in front of that city. After wasting +considerable powder he demanded a surrender on the 10th of April which +was promptly refused. A vigorous siege was prosecuted until the 11th of +May when terms of capitulation were arranged. Gen. Lincoln had kept the +enemy at bay much longer than was anticipated by friend or foe. His +conduct stood approved by all whose good opinion he valued. At Yorktown +he commanded the central division. His conduct elicited the high +approbation of Washington who mentioned him particularly in his report +to Congress. In 1781 he was placed at the head of the War Department. At +the end of two years he resigned and was complimented by Congress with a +resolution of strong commendation. In 1784 he was one of the +commissioners who made a treaty with the Penobscot Indians. In 1787 he +commanded the troops who quelled the rebellion of Shay and Day. The same +year he was elected Lieut. Governor. In 1789 he was one of the +commissioners who effected a treaty with the Creek Indians and in 1793 +with the Western Indians. He was appointed Collector of the Port of +Boston in 1789 which office he held until two years before his death +which occurred on the 9th of May 1810. In all respects he was a worthy +citizen and exemplified every virtue that renders a man truly useful.</p> + +<p>Lippitt Christopher was born in Rhode Island in 1744. From early life he +took a deep interest in the welfare of his country and filled many +public stations. When the war cry was sounded he was Colonel of a +regiment and marched his yeoman troops to the battle field. He +subsequently entered the Continental army—was raised to the rank of +Brigadier—fought bravely at Harlaem Heights, White Plains, Trenton and +Princeton and received the high commendation of Washington for his zeal, +courage and uniform consistent course. He was elected governor of his +native state before the close of the war and was several times called +out to repel the invading foe. He was always at the post of duty and +knew no fugitive fear. He acted a noble part in the drama of life—when +the curtain of death closed upon him he was ready. He died at Cranston, +Rhode Island in 1824.</p> + + +<p>LIVINGSTON ROBERT R. was a native of the Empire State and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</a></span> one of the +early and bold patriots who bearded the British lion and drove him from +his lair of illegitimate power. He was an acute lawyer, a profound +jurist, an able statesman. He was a member of Congress in 1776 and on +the committee appointed to prepare the Declaration of Independence. He +was Secretary of Foreign Affairs-minister to France and for a long time +chancellor of the State of New York. He dignified every station he +occupied, graced the walks of private life and made a peaceful exit from +earth in 1813.</p> + + +<p>LIVINGSTON WILLIAM was born in New York in 1723. He was a ripe scholar, +a firm patriot and was among the first to expose the usurpations of +mother Britain and rouse the people to a vindication of their chartered +rights. He was an able writer and was most sincerely hated by the +creatures of the crown. He removed to New Jersey just previous to the +war storm. He was an able member of Congress in 1774. He was the first +governor of his adopted State under the new order of things and ably +filled that dignified office for fourteen consecutive years when he was +called "to that country from whose bourne no traveller returns." He died +near Elizabethtown, N. J. on the 25th of July 1790 full of years and +crowned with honors enduring as history.</p> + + +<p>McCLINTOCK NATHANIEL commenced his earthly career in New Hampshire on +the 21st of March 1757. He received a finished education and was a +favorite in every circle where he moved. He was courted by the hirelings +of the crown with the promise of high honors. He was affianced to +Liberty and could not entertain their propositions. Soon after the +war-cry was raised on the heights of Lexington he entered the army wish +the commission of lieutenant. He rose quickly to the rank of major over +older captains which created dissatisfaction among them although they +fully agreed that his talents and services made him worthy of the +promotion. He proved the noble magnanimity of his soul by at once +resigning that perfect harmony might be restored. He had fought bravely +at Trenton—at Ticonderoga and in all the battles with the troops of +Burgoyne up to the time of his surrender. On leaving the army he entered +on board the private armed ship General Sullivan of 20 guns, Capt. +Manning, as second lieutenant. In 1780 this ship was captured by two +British cruisers of much superior force after a severe engagement in +which Maj. McClintock was killed. Thus prematurely fell one of the +brightest and most promising sons of New Hampshire.</p> + + +<p>McKINSTRY JOHN is first ushered into historic notice at the battle of +Bunker's Hill where he acted a brave part in repelling the overwhelming +force of the enemy. From that time to the surrender of Yorktown he was +constantly in the field with a commission of captain often commanding a +partisan corps in bold and daring enterprises. In Canada he had become a +terror to the enemy. At Cedar Keys, 30 miles above Montreal on the St. +Lawrence, he was taken prisoner and soon bound to a tree by the savages +and surrounded with faggots. All hope of escape had fled—a torturing +death seemed inevitable—the torch was ready to be applied—the war +dance was arranged—the Captain uttered what he supposed was his last +prayer. At that awful moment Heaven reminded him that he was a Mason and +had heard that the ruling chief<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</a></span> Brandt, belonged to the same time +honored fraternity. He gained his eye—gave him the proper sign—was +instantly released—treated with great kindness and exchanged in a short +time. Many instances are on record of a similar character and others of +a different nature where a brother has been rescued from the jaws of +death. Gen. Freegift Patchin, of my native place was rescued by Brandt +when a prisoner in Canada under exactly similar circumstances. I have +often heard it from his own lips. If all mankind were true Masons and no +black sheep in the flock—a harmony would succeed before unknown. The +instances above cited should silence every objector to an institution +pure in principle but sometimes dishonored by the unworthy.</p> + +<p>Capt. McKinstry resumed the business of agriculture when the army was +disbanded and lived in the esteem of his countrymen in the town of +Livingston, N. Y. until 1822 when his mourning neighbors performed the +last solemn duty of placing him in his grave.</p> + + +<p>McPHERSON WILLIAM was born at Philadelphia, Pa. in 1756. He was made a +cadet in the British army when but 13 years of age. At the commencement +of the American Revolution he was adjutant of the 16th Regiment of the +king's troops. This did not make him a loyalist. His innate love of +freedom induced him to at once tender his resignation which was not +accepted till 1779 when he repaired to the American camp. Having been +stationed at Pensacola up to this time he had never drawn his sword +against his country. He had been long personally and favorably known to +Gen. Washington who at once made him a brevet major. He was an aid under +Gen. La Fayette for some time and subsequently placed over a corps of +cavalry in Virginia. On all occasions he acquitted himself nobly. On the +19th of September 1789 he was made surveyor of the port of +Philadelphia—in 1792 inspector of revenue—in 1793 naval officer, which +station he held until 1813 when he was called from time to eternity.</p> + + +<p>MADISON JAMES was born in Orange County, Virginia, on the 16th of March, +1751. Although young at the commencement of the Revolution he took a +deep interest in its success. After the close of the struggle for +Independence he was among those who clearly saw that the old Articles of +Confederation could not preserve the priceless Liberty obtained. He has +the imperishable honor of proposing the Convention that framed the +inestimable Federal Constitution that has thus far held our ship of +state to its moorings amidst the dashing waves of party spirit—the +roaring breakers of political fanaticism—the angry purges of impolitic +ultraism. His fame as a far-seeing statesman stands on a lofty eminence. +His voluminous writings bear the impress of giant intellect—unalloyed +patriotism—sterling integrity and untiring industry. He succeeded +Thomas Jefferson in the Presidential chair and served two terms. He +steered the ship of state through the second war of Independence and run +her close to the wind. His life was a continued course of +usefulness—his demise left a vacuum in our nation not readily filled. +The curtain of death closed upon him in 1836.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 428px;"> + <img src="images/p463.jpg" width="428" height="600" alt="{James Madison portrait and signature}" title="" /> + <span class="caption">ENGRAVED BY T.B. WELCH FROM A PORTRAIT BY G. STUART.</span> +</div> + + +<p>MANLY JOHN commenced his earthly pilgrimage in Massachusetts in 1734. He +was one of the first who met the enemy on her favorite element. He was +put in command of the armed schooner Lee on the 24th of October 1775 and +cruised in and around Massachusetts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</a></span> Bay. His success was beyond all +anticipation. He made numerous captures of great value to the American +army and embryo navy. His noble daring and consummate skill were hailed +as germs of future greatness. He was transferred to the privateer +Hancock and launched out upon a more extensive cruise and captured the +British sloop of war Fox and several other prizes. On his return he was +received with great enthusiasm and transferred to the privateer Jason. +Soon after he sailed he was attacked by two English privateers of 18 and +10 guns. He ran the Jason between them before he fired a gun and in a +few brief moments they both surrendered. On his return passage with +these prizes he was captured by the Rainbow of 40 guns on the 8th of +July 1777 and was confined in Mill Prison and at Halifax until near the +close of the war and treated with the proverbial cruelty so often before +noticed. In 1782 he was put in command of the frigate Hague. During his +cruise he was run on a sand bank near Guadaloupe by a 74 gun ship which +was joined by three other ships of the line. They opened a tremendous +fire upon the frigate which was continued for three days. On the morning +of the fourth day the Hague swung clear, hoisted the Continental +colors—fired a farewell salute of 13 guns and returned to Boston. +Charges were there brought against this gallant captain by one of his +officers. Those were partially sustained before a court martial but +appear not to have been placed upon the public records nor well +understood by the community. His unsurpassed bravery may have operated +in his favor. He died at Boston on the 12th of February 1793.</p> + + +<p>MARSHALL JOHN was born in Virginia in 1756. He was one of the noble sons +of the Old Dominion who threw themselves in the breach made upon our +country by the corrupt British ministry. He was a long time in the +tented field under Washington and acted a bold and glorious part in the +achievement of our Independence. He was a man of superior talents—sound +education and strong mind. In 1797 he was envoy to France—Secretary of +State under Thomas Jefferson and soon after was made Chief Justice of +the United States Supreme Court which station he dignified to the close +of his life. He wrote an elaborate Life of Washington. He was +universally esteemed as an ornament to the bench, his country and to +every circle in which he moved.</p> + + +<p>MATHEWS THOMAS is first spoken of as a citizen of Norfolk, Virginia and +a brave officer of the Revolution. It is painful to the historian in +search of facts relative to the Sages and Heroes of the American +Revolution to be unable to ascertain even the birth-place of many who +did good service in the glorious cause of independence. So in this case. +Mr. Mathews was a prominent man—rose to the rank of general—was +speaker of the House of Delegates in Virginia and nobly performed the +public and private duties of life that devolved upon him. He died at +Norfolk, Va. on the 20th of April 1812.</p> + + +<p>MERCER HUGH was born and educated at Aberdeen, Scotland. He became a +physician and was surgeon's mate at the battle of Culloden Moor, +Scotland, where the young Pretender was defeated by the Duke of +Cumberland in 1745. He came to Pennsylvania in 1746 and was actively +engaged in the border wars. He was with Gen. Braddock in 1755 and +witnessed the awful slaughter on the day that general was mortally +wounded. He formed an intimacy with Washington during<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</a></span> that campaign. +The next year he served under Gen. Armstrong and greatly distinguished +himself at the battle with the Indians at Kittanning above Pittsburgh. +He there narrowly escaped being captured—had his right arm broken with +a ball—became separated from his companions and was alone in the +wilderness two weeks before reaching Cumberland without any food but +water and the flesh of a rattlesnake that he fortunately killed. The +city of Philadelphia presented him with a splendid medal for his bravery +on that occasion. In 1763 he removed to Fredericksburg, Va. where he +enhanced his importance in society by leading Isabella Gordon to the +hymeneal altar. He soon gained a good practice in his profession and the +esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. He was an ardent Whig and was +among the first to repel the enemy by force of arms. He was at once made +a brigadier-general. His brigade was a part of the left wing of the +American army at the battle of Trenton in December 1776. On the 3d of +January following he commenced the attack at Princeton with 350 men. +Before the main force could be brought to his support he was charged by +the whole regiment commanded by Col. Mawhood. His line was broken—he +was surrounded in person and compelled to surrender after which he was +mortally wounded. At that moment Washington came up and quickly routed +the enemy and rescued the brave Mercer. He lived but one week and was +buried at Princeton. His death was not only deeply deplored by his +friends, the army and Congress but was a most serious loss to the +country at large. His age, experience, talents, high character—all +combined to render him one of the most important men of our nation at +that eventful era. In the memoirs of Gen. Wilkinson he is placed next in +rank to Washington in point of prospective usefulness. His whole soul +was enlisted in the glorious cause of Liberty.</p> + + +<p>MEIGS RETURN JONATHAN was a native of Middletown, Conn. At the +commencement of the struggle for <span class="smcap">freedom</span> he had his military lamp +trimmed and burning brightly with the fire of patriotism. He was in +command of a splendid company of infantry volunteers in beautiful +uniform, well armed and eager for service. He marched to Cambridge +immediately on receiving intelligence of the battle of Lexington. He was +soon raised to the rank of major and endured the fatigues of the +expedition to Quebec under Arnold. In the desperate attack on that +fortress he commanded a battalion and was among the first who scaled the +walls and entered the city where he was taken prisoner and was not +exchanged until near the close of 1776. In 1777 he was made a colonel +and performed many astonishing feats of valor. On the 23d of May of that +year he proceeded to Sag Harbor, Long Island, with 170 men—destroyed 12 +British vessels fully laden with supplies for the army then in New +York—killed six of the enemy—took 90 prisoners and returned to New +Haven without the loss of a man. For this bold and successful enterprise +Congress voted him an elegant sword. In 1779 he commanded one of the +regiments under Gen. Wayne at the storming of Stony Point. He was a +reliable man on all occasions and under the most trying circumstances. +In 1787 he was one of the pioneer colony that located at the mouth of +the Muskingum river on the Ohio. He was their esteemed governor until +the officers of the territory arrived. He formed a code of regulations +which were subscribed and placed upon a venerable oak where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</a></span> they were +as frequently and more usefully consulted than the oracle Apollo at +Delphi. He was a man of great philanthropy—a warm friend of the injured +red men and accepted the agency of the Cherokee station. He gained the +confidence and love of that noble nation who named him "<i>the white +path</i>." With them he lived usefully and died peacefully on the 28th of +January 1828 strong in hope, rich in faith with a full assurance of a +glorious immortality.</p> + + +<p>MIFFLIN THOMAS commenced his earthly career in Pennsylvania in 1744. He +was an influential Quaker until he was read out of meeting in 1775 +because he dared strike for Liberty. He was an early, warm and able +advocate of equal rights. He was an efficient member of the Congress of +1774. He was commissioned Quarter-Master-General in August 1775. He was +one of the most successful stump-orators of that time. No one could more +effectually excite the populace—when incited to action it needed a +cooler head to direct the tornado and rule the storm of passion. He was +very useful in rousing the militia to rush to the rescue. In 1787 he was +a member of the Convention that framed the Federal Constitution. In +October 1788 he succeeded Franklin in the chair of the Executive Council +of the state. He aided in forming the first republican Constitution of +Pennsylvania and was the first Governor under it. He was eminently +useful in terminating the whisky rebellion. In all that he undertook he +executed with great steal and energy. His life was devoted to the good +of his country—he filled his measure of usefulness and left the theatre +of life at Lancaster, Pa. on the 20th of January 1800.</p> + + +<p>MILLER HENRY is first introduced as one of the bravest officers of the +Continental army. He rose to the rank of colonel and was a thorny +customer of the enemy when retreating through New Jersey. At numerous +battles he was distinguished for cool and undaunted courage. At the +battle of Monmouth he had two horses killed under him while leading his +men to the charge. He commanded a brigade of militia at Baltimore the +last time mother Britain attempted to chastise her truant child. He +filled several civil offices and dignified them with old school +civility—an article rather on the decline in these modern days of new +fangled notions. He died at Carlisle, Pa. on the 5th of April 1824.</p> + + +<p>MONROE JAMES commenced his busy life in Virginian in 1759. He entered +the Continental army at the age of 17 and proved a noble and brave boy. +He distinguished himself in the battles of Harlaem Heights, White +Plains, Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. At the latter he +was aid to Gen. Sterling. At the close of the war he held the commission +of Captain. He then read law with Thomas Jefferson—became a member of +the Virginia legislature—was elected to Congress in 1783—in 1790 was a +member of the United States Senate—in 1794 was minister to France—in +1799 governor of Virginia—in 1803 minister to France, the same year +minister to England—in 1804 minister to Spain—in 1806 minister to +England—in 1811 Secretary of State under Madison—then Secretary of +War—in 1817 President of the United States and served two terms—labor +and glory enough for the life of one man. James Monroe came from the +searching crucible of all these responsible stations like gold seven +times tried—free from dross and full in weight—a fact that renders the +eulogy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</a></span> of words on his fame imbecile. He made his last bow upon the +stage of life on the glorious 4th of July 1831 when the curtain of death +dropped and hid him from the admiring view of a gazing world.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> + <img src="images/p468.jpg" width="400" height="600" alt="{James Monroe portrait and signature}" title="" /> + <span class="caption">ENGRAVED BY T.B. WELCH FROM A PORTRAIT BY VANDERLYN.</span> +</div> + + +<p>MONTGOMERY RICHARD commenced his journey in this world of fickle spirits +in the north of Ireland in 1737. He was one of the noblest sons of the +Emerald Isle. His genius was brilliant—his education finished, his +manners accomplished, his soul patriotic—the whole man was worthy of +admiration. He fought for Great Britain under Wolfe and fell on the very +ground where he had joined in shouts of victory in 1759. He came to +America to remain permanently in 1772—purchased an estate near 100 +miles above New York City—married a daughter of Judge Livingston and +became a prominent citizen and a warm friend to the cause of Liberty. In +1775 he was appointed Major General and in conjunction with Gen. +Schuyler placed over the northern forces. In October the illness of his +colleague left him in sole command. He captured Fort Chamblee, St. Johns +and Montreal by the 12th of November. He then proceeded to Quebec and +formed a junction with Arnold at Point Aux Trembles. On the 1st of +December a siege was commenced on Quebec and continued until the 31st of +that mouth. On the memorable last day of 1775 the gallant little band +under these two ardent soldiers was led to the storming attack of the +town in four divisions with strong fortifications to overcome and double +their force within the walls. The first gun that was fired upon the +division led by the gallant Montgomery killed him and his two aids. His +death spread a general gloom over our land and was deeply lamented in +the mother country. Congress caused a monument to be erected to his +memory in front of St. Paul's church in the city of New York with a +suitable inscription. By direction of the legislature of the empire +state his remains were brought from Quebec and deposited near this +monument on the 8th of July 1818. His widow lived to see the last +vestiges of the husband of her youth—our nation rejoiced to have this +noble hero repose in the bosom of our own soil. The fame of Gen. +Montgomery is above eulogy. It will grow richer with age—time cannot +corrode it.</p> + + +<p>MORGAN DANIEL was a native of Durham, Bucks county, Pa. From there he +removed to New Jersey and then to Virginia where he was a common laborer +for some time and by his industry and economy saved money sufficient to +ultimately purchase a farm in the county of Frederic. When a common +laborer his company was not of the highest order—his habits not rigidly +moral but in that company he was the ruling spirit. He was with Braddock +when defeated by the French and Indians and received a wound that marked +him in the face for life. Like many more with a rough exterior, he had a +noble heart within him—a heart full of daring courage, patriotism and +philanthropy. He was among the first who rushed to the standard of +Washington at Cambridge with the commission of Captain. He was with +Arnold in his memorable expedition to Quebec and was taken prisoner +during the attack on that city. On being exchanged he returned and took +command of the celebrated rifle corps that so often carried death into +the ranks of the enemy. At the capture of Burgoyne the carnage produced +by this corps was terrific—especially among the bravest of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</a></span> British +officers—contributing very largely in achieving that splendid victory +that first rolled back the tide of war upon the conquering foe. Of this +all seemed sensible but Gen. Gates who did not award to him his just +share of credit in his report to Washington and Congress. For a time he +left the service. When Gates was ordered to the command of the southern +army he personally solicited Col. Morgan to accompany him. He was +plainly referred to past improper treatment but the Colonel ultimately +repaired to that field with the commission of Brigadier General. He +became the hero of the Cowpens for which Congress voted him a gold +medal. That brilliant affair has been previously described. About that +time Gen. Greene succeeded Gates. A disagreement occurred between him +and Morgan as to the route to be taken in the retreat. Morgan took his +own way—joined Greene at Guilford court house and then left the +service. He subsequently commanded the Virginia troops in the campaign +against the whisky boys in Pennsylvania. He was elected a member of +Congress and filled the station with dignity. He ultimately located at +Winchester, Va. where he lived in the high esteem of his fellow +citizens—became a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and died +in 1799. He was possessed of strong common sense—a brave but sensitive +soldier—a good citizen—a worthy and honest man.</p> + + +<p>MORGAN JOHN was born in Philadelphia in 1735 and became an eminent +physician and sterling whig. In 1765 he was elected Professor of the +Theory and Practice of Medicine in the Medical College of Philadelphia. +In October 1775 he was appointed chief physician of the hospitals of the +American army. Jealousy and envy put she tongue of slander in motion and +induced false accusations against him and succeeded in effecting his +removal in a few months. He did not again enter the thorny course of +public life and died at Philadelphia in 1789.</p> + + +<p>MORRIS GOVERNEUR commenced his earthly pilgrimage near the city of New +York in 1752. He was liberally educated and became an eloquent and sound +lawyer. He was a member of the Provincial Congress of N. Y. in 1775 and +on the committee that drafted the first constitution of that state. In +1777 he was a member of the Continental Congress—in 1781 was associated +with Robert Morris as assistant superintendent of Finance—in 1787 a +member of the Convention that framed the Federal Constitution—in 1792 +minister plenipotentiary to France and in 1800 was elected to the U. S. +Senate where his extensive acquirements and Ciceronean eloquence shed +fresh lustre on that body—on his country and his own high reputation. +Mr. Sparks has published his speeches and writings with an interesting +biographical sketch of his life. He was an ornament to every circle in +which he moved—an honor to every station he filled—a particular star +in the galaxy of the Sages of his day and generation.</p> + + +<p>MOULTRIE WILLIAM was ushered upon this mundane sphere in England in 1730 +and came to Charleston, South Carolina to enjoy Freedom. When mother +Britain violated that inherent privilege he was among the first to +resist the invading foe. He was a prominent member of the public +meetings and conventions that prepared the people to vindicate their +rights. He was appointed colonel of one of the three regiments raised +in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</a></span> his adopted state in 1775. He superintended the erection of the Fort +Sullivan's Island that bears his name. So hastily was it constructed and +so slender was its formation that he was advised to abandon it on the +approach of the British fleet. On the 28th of June 1776 Sir Peter Parker +came up with eight ships of war and opened a tremendous fire upon this +fragile fortress and the presumptuous rebels. To his utter astonishment +streams of flashing fire gleamed from the American battery—a storm of +iron hail came crashing among his ships. Splinters flew—rigging +dropped—blood flowed—men fell. For ten hours Sir Peter raved and +foamed with anger and urged his men to renewed exertions. At length a +rebel cannon ball kissed off the nether part of his silk breeches which +he considered a personal reflection upon his dignity and sullenly +retired with his fleet after having been badly cut up. This brave +defence by a few raw militia against an overwhelming veteran force was a +theme of enthusiastic praise throughout America and Europe. Col. +Moultrie was raised to the rank of brigadier-general and in 1779 was +made a major-general in the Continental army. He participated in the +most trying scenes of the south up to the surrender of Charleston on the +12th of May 1780 when he became a prisoner and was not exchanged until +near the close of hostilities. He then returned to his home and aided in +perfecting measures to preserve that Independence for which he had so +nobly fought and conquered. He was elected governor of his state and +filled several minor offices with usefulness and dignity. He died at +Charleston S. C. on the 27th of September 1805.</p> + + +<p>MUHLENBURG PETER was born in Pennsylvania in 1746. His father was the +Patriarch of the German Lutheran church in the Keystone state. This son +was liberally educated and became the Rector of an Episcopal church. He +loved his flock well but loved his country and her freedom more. At the +commencement of the struggle for Liberty he exchanged his gown for +regimentals, his pen for the sword, his pulpit for the tented field. In +1776 he received the commission of colonel—raised a regiment and +marched it to <ins class="correct" title="head-quarters">headquarters</ins>. The next year he was raised to the rank of +brigadier and near the close of the war to the rank of major-general. He +was a prudent, deliberate, brave and reliable officer. He had the +unlimited confidence of Washington and performed his duty nobly on all +occasions. At the siege of Yorktown he acted a bold and conspicuous +part. After the war closed he was Vice-President of the Executive +Council, member of the legislature, a U. S. Senator, Supervisor of +excise and Collector of the Port of Philadelphia at the time of his +death which occurred on the 1st of October 1807 at his country seat in +Montgomery Co. Pa. As a Christian, minister, soldier, general, civil +officer, citizen, husband, father, relative and friend—he acted a noble +part and fulfilled the design of his creation.</p> + + +<p>NICHOLSON JAMES was born in Chestertown, Md. in 1737. He was a hardy son +of Neptune from his youth and an uncompromising opponent of tyranny. +When the revolutionary storm commenced he dared to brave its fury and +tempt the bosses of its foaming surges. He was put in command of the +armed ship Defence at the commencement of the war of Liberty and for a +long time was a successful cruiser. Just before the close of the +Revolution he was captured and put on board a prison ship at New York. +He was a skillful, daring, noble and vigilant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[Pg 461]</a></span> officer. His name is +worthy of a place with the Sages and Heroes of our Independence. He died +in 1806.</p> + + +<p>OGDEN MATTHIAS was a brave colonel in the Continental army and among the +first in the field of military glory. He passed through the wilderness +to Quebec with Arnold and was carried from the walls of that city +severely wounded on the day of the unfortunate attack by the Americans. +He served to the close of the war with credit to himself and usefulness +to his country. Near the termination of the Revolution he was raised to +the rank of brigadier-general. He was a man highly honorable in all +things and under all circumstances—liberal, charitable and honest. He +died at Elizabethtown N. J. on the 31st of March 1791.</p> + + +<p>OLNEY JEREMIAH commenced his exemplary life in Rhode Island in 1750. He +was remarkable for mildness and an abundant share of the milk of human +kindness and just as remarkable for his undaunted bravery in the field +of battle and unshaken firmness in the cause of Freedom. He was much +admired by Washington and frequently led the Rhode Island line to +victory. He participated in the dangers and glory of the battles of +Springfield, Monmouth, Red Bank and Yorktown. Subsequent to the war he +was Collector of the Port of Providence and President of the Society of +Cincinnati of his native state. No man enjoyed more fully the affection +of all who knew him—no one more richly merited it. He died at his +residence on the 10th of Nov. 1812.</p> + + +<p>ORR JOHN was born in New Hampshire in 1748. He was an officer under the +brave and independent Stark and so severely wounded in one of his legs +at the battle of Bennington that he was crippled for life. He was a man +of strong intellect and filled several judicial and legislative offices +with ability and strict fidelity. He had the respect and confidence of +his fellow citizens through life and was sincerely mourned at his death +which occurred at Bedford, N. H. in 1823.</p> + + +<p>PAINE THOMAS commenced his eventful life in England in 1737. He pursued +the business of stay maker for some time in London—then went to sea in +a British privateer—was subsequently an excise man and a grocer. On +learning the situation of the American Colonies from Franklin he became +deeply interested in their behalf and came to this country in 1775 when +his intellectual powers suddenly burst into a blaze of light. His +vigorous essays and eloquent speeches in favor of American Independence +did much towards consummating that glorious event. Had he published or +said nothing against that religion which is held sacred by the great +mass of our nation he would have remained as he was at first—one of the +most popular political men of that time. If professing Christians all +honored the religion of the cross infidelity would be robbed of its +richest aliment. Hypocrites, degenerate and lukewarm church members, +bigoted sectarians, dogmatical dictators, deluded fanatics—are all +caterers for infidelity. The editor of the Cottage Bible remarks in +commenting on the 19th chap, of Judges—"More inhumanity and villany may +be found among degenerate professors of Christianity than among infidels +and in general where we expect the most kindness we meet with the +greatest injuries." This remark is painfully true but is not an argument +against primitive Christianity. If we had no pure coin or solvent banks, +counterfeit notes and bogus money could not be circulated. If +Christianity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[Pg 462]</a></span> was not essentially good, hypocrites would be left without +a motive to profess it. Aside from the question of its divine origin, as +a system of social order—as the foundation of rational liberty and +moral rectitude—as a system imparting the greatest amount of happiness +to the greatest number—it rises sublimely above all others. This is +conceded by the ablest infidel writers. I refer to primitive +Christianity as taught and practised by the immaculate Redeemer and his +disciples. As this <i>is</i> not—<i>cannot</i> be denied, common sense dictates +that all should practice at least its moral precepts if only upon the +ground of self-preservation and interest which are ever dependent upon +social order and good government. Thomas Paine took an active part in +the French Revolution—was a member of the National Assembly—incurred +the displeasure of Robespierre—fled to escape the guillotine—returned +to America and died in the city of New York in 1809 not in a quiescent +state of mind.</p> + + +<p>PARSONS SAMUEL HOLDEN was a citizen of Connecticut and an eminent +lawyer. When the Revolution commenced he left his office for the tented +field resolved on Liberty or death. His zeal and daring courage gained +for him the commission of major-general. He had the unlimited confidence +of Washington—the esteem of his fellow officers—the love of his brave +soldiers—the admiration of his numerous acquaintances—the gratitude of +his bleeding country. His useful career was cut short by his being +drowned near Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1789.</p> + + +<p>PAULDING JOHN was born in the State of New York in 1732. He was a brave +soldier and rose from the ranks so the grade of major after he aided in +the capture of Major Andre. For that noble act the names of Paulding, +Williams and Van Wert are embalmed in the affections of every patriot +whilst the name of the traitor Arnold rouses a manly indignation in the +bosom of every man who loves his country. His portrait will darken as +time rolls on. For this important capture Congress passed a highly +complimentary resolution on the 3d of November 1780 and made the +following order which was placed upon the records. "That each of them +receive annually, out of the public treasury, two hundred dollars in +specie or an equivalent in the current money of these States, during +life and that the Board of War procure for each of them a silver medal, +on one side of which shall be a shield with this inscription—'<span class="smcap">Fidelity</span>' +and on the other the following motto—'<i>Vincit amor patriæ</i>' [the love +of our country prevails] and forward them to the commander-in-chief, who +is requested to present the same, with a copy of this resolution and the +thanks of Congress for their fidelity and the eminent service they have +rendered their country." Maj. Paulding died at Staatsburgh, Duchess +County, N. Y. on the 30th of December 1819.</p> + + +<p>PETERS NATHAN was a native of Connecticut and a bold defender of his +country's rights. On the morning after the cry—"<i>To arms! to arms!</i>" +sounded in his ears mid ran through his soul like vivid lightning he was +on his way to the field of battle. He rose rapidly from the grade of +lieutenant to that of major and became one of the boldest of the bold. +He fought bravely at Long Island, Frog's Point, Trenton, Princeton and +in every place where he met the enemy in mortal combat. On the 6th of +September 1781, before Arnold left Port Griswold, he caused a slow train +of powder to be set on fire communicating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[Pg 463]</a></span> with the magazine. Just +before reaching the volcanic mass Major Peters rushed into the fort and +prevented a destructive explosion. No dangers prevented him from the +prompt performance of every duty. At the close of the successful +struggle for freedom be resumed the practice of law at New London where +he lived in the high esteem of his friends and his country to a ripe old +age. He was a sound lawyer, a safe counsellor, a brave soldier, a good +citizen—<span class="smcap">an honest man</span>.</p> + + +<p>PETERS RICHARD was born in the balmy month of June in 1744. He was +educated at Philadelphia and became an eminent member of the bar of that +city. Understanding the rights of his country and the advantages of +freedom he determined to maintain them at all hazards. In 1776 he was +made secretary to the Board of War and faithfully performed the arduous +duties of that important station until 1781 when he was elected a member +of Congress and continued in that august body to the close of +hostilities. He was appointed the first United States District Judge for +Pennsylvania and highly honored that dignified station for thirty-six +consecutive years. His decisions in the Court of Admiralty form the +foundation on which our superstructure of that branch of jurisprudence +is raised. This platform was adopted by the celebrated maritime judge +Lord Stowell of England—a high compliment to the judicial acumen of +Judge Peters. He was deservedly popular because scrupulously impartial, +rigidly just and proverbial for humanity and kindness. In his +performance of all the public and private duties of life he was a +luminous example of human excellence worthy of admiration and imitation. +He was a liberal patron of public improvements and did much to improve +agriculture. He died at his residence in August 1828.</p> + + +<p>PETTIT CHARLES was born in New Jersey in 1737. He was a sensible lawyer +and opposed to the usurpations of the hirelings of mother Britain +although himself secretary of his native province when the revolutionary +storm commenced its pitiless peltings. Congress made him a deputy +quartermaster under Gen. Greene in conjunction with Col. Coxe. They +performed the perplexing and arduous duties of that responsible office +whilst Gen. Greene was in the field to the entire satisfaction of +Washington, the army and Congress—a high encomium upon their +perseverance and activity when we reflect upon their limited means to +perform a mighty work. At the close of the Revolution he removed to +Philadelphia and became a successful merchant. He was a member of +Congress from Pennsylvania under the old Confederation—a member of the +State Convention that sanctioned the Federal Constitution and in every +public station which he was called to fill he performed his duty with +the strictest integrity and great industry. His private virtues rendered +him dear to every good man. He was president of the first insurance +company incorporated in Philadelphia. He died at his residence on the +6th of September 1806.</p> + + +<p>PICKERING TIMOTHY commenced his infancy at Salem, Mass. in 1746. He was +favored with a classical education and superior talents. He took an +early and active part in the cause of equal rights and rendered +efficient service in organizing the new government of his native State. +He was made a judge of the Common Pleas and Maritime +courts—adjutant-general of the United States army and a member<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[Pg 464]</a></span> of the +Board of War. From 1790 to '98 he negotiated several treaties with +sundry tribes of Indians. Under President Washington he was in +succession Postmaster General, Secretary of War and Secretary of State. +From 1803 to 1811 he was a member of the United States Senate—from 1814 +to '17 was a representative in Congress. Few men of his time performed +more public work—no one acted with more fidelity and faithfulness. He +was an able judge, a firm patriot, a judicious legislator, an efficient +officer—a credit to his State—an honor to our nation and in all +respects a worthy man. He died in Salem, Mass. in 1829.</p> + + +<p>PICKENS ANDREW commenced his earthly existence in Bucks County, Pa. on +the 13th of September 1739. When Andrew was a child his father removed +to Augusta County, Va. and then to Waxhaw, in South Carolina. Andrew +commenced a brilliant military career in the French war—served with +Marion and Moultrie in 1761 in the sanguinary expedition against the +Cherokees under Lieut. Col. Grant and became a hardy frontier warrior. +When mother Britain became insolent and oppressive he was as ready to +fight as he had been to serve her. He became a terror to the refugees +<i>alias</i> Tories. At Kettle Creek he pounced upon an army of them under +Col. Boyd of double his force and flogged them so severely that they +were quiet until the British army afterwards spread over the south. At +the Cowpens he commanded the militia and inspired them with the courage +of veteran regulars. Congress voted him a sword for his gallantry on +that occasion. At Eutaw he commanded the Carolina militia in conjunction +with Marion. He was severely wounded in the breast by a musket ball +early in the action and but for the buckle of his sword belt would have +been shot through. When Charleston surrendered he was obliged to flee +before the enemy to North Carolina and was among the first to rally +under the indomitable Greene. In 1781 he commanded the last expedition +against the Cherokees and laid the foundations of the peace that has +never since been broken. Through the entire course of his military +career he stood approved by his superiors and beloved by those under his +command. He rose to the rank of brigadier-general in the regular army +and was made major-general of militia in 1794. At the close of the war +he filled several civil offices and aided essentially in consummating +the treaty of Hopewell with the Cherokees to which place he removed soon +after. He was a member of the convention that formed the Constitution of +his State—a member of the legislature and in 1794 was elected to +Congress. In 1797 he was returned to the legislature of his State where +he remained fourteen consecutive years. He was a commissioner in all the +treaties with the southern Indians. In this department Washington +considered him the most useful man of that time. He took a deep interest +in the war of 1812 and was that year governor of his State. He then +retired to private life full of honors and years with a fame that will +grow richer as it shall be rehearsed by each succeeding generation. His +private character was as spotless as his public life was brilliant. He +died at his residence on the 11th of October 1817.</p> + + +<p>PORTER ANDREW was born in Worcester, Montgomery County, Pa. on the 24th +of September 1743. Without the advantages of a school education he +became an eminent mathematician by the force of his own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[Pg 465]</a></span> genius and +industry. When the Revolution commenced he was at the head of a large +mathematical school in the city of Philadelphia. Deeming the cause of +Liberty paramount to all other interests he tendered his services to +Congress and on the 19th of June 1776 he was made a captain of marines +and placed on board the frigate Effingham. He was shortly after +transferred to the artillery corps where he made himself extremely +useful during the whole period of the war. He was ultimately raised to +the rank of Colonel and commanded the 4th Pennsylvania regiment of +artillery. He distributed iron hail effectually at the battles of +Trenton, Princeton, Germantown and Brandywine. At Germantown he received +the thanks of Gen. Washington on the field for his skill and undaunted +courage. He was with Gen. Sullivan in his expedition against the Indians +on the Susquehanna. It was Col. Porter who suggested to Gen. Clinton the +plan of raising the water of Otsego Lake by a dam at its narrow outlet +which produced a flood sufficient to float his troops on rafts to Tioga +Point where they formed a junction with Sullivan. When the siege of +Yorktown was planned Gen. Washington placed Col. Porter in charge of the +military laboratory in Philadelphia to prepare the shells, cartridges, +&c. for that important occasion. Although deprived the pleasure of being +at the siege he had the high honor of preparing the thunder and hail +that terminated the sanguinary conflict. Subsequent to the war he was +one of the commissioners to run a line by astronomical observations +between Pennsylvania and the adjoining States. He succeeded Gen. +Muhlenberg as major-general of militia. Governor Snyder appointed him +surveyor-general of the State of Pennsylvania in 1809 which office he +ably filled until the 16th of November 1813 when he left earth for a +fairer, brighter world on high. He was buried in the Presbyterian +church-yard at Harrisburg with military honors.</p> + + +<p>PREBLE EDWARD commenced his earthly career at Portland, Maine, on the +15th of August 1761. From his youth he gloried in hazardous enterprises. +At the age of eighteen he became a midshipman on board the Protector of +26 guns commanded by the brave Capt. John Forster Williams. On his first +cruise young Preble had the proud satisfaction of contributing to the +capture of the Admiral Duff of 36 guns after a brief but sanguinary +action which so injured the British vessel that she sunk in a few +moments with 40 of her crew. In the second cruise the Protector was +captured and most of the officers taken to England. Preble was permitted +to return and was made first lieutenant on board the sloop of war +Winthrop. Shortly after that he took a party of brave tars in the night +and captured a British armed brig lying in Penobscot Bay and of superior +force to the Winthrop. This was accomplished with fourteen men dressed +in white frocks. The brig lay near the shore and a large number of the +enemy jumped overboard as the shrouded tars gained the deck and made for +land where lay a considerable British force with artillery. Amidst a +brisk fire Preble towed out his prize and moored her safely along side +of the Winthrop. He continued on this ship till the close of the war. In +1801 he commanded the frigate Essex—in 1804 was made a commodore and +placed in charge of the Mediterranean fleet of seven sail which prepared +the way for placing the Bashaw of Tripoli upon his proper level and +induced him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[Pg 466]</a></span> to enter upon an honorable peace and relinquish all claims +to a tribute. This act placed Com. Preble high on the list of naval +heroes. He died on the 25th of August 1807.</p> + + +<p>PRESCOTT WILLIAM was born at Goshen, Massachusetts in 1726. He early +engaged in the service of mother Britain and acted a distinguished part +at the capture of Cape Breton in 1758. He was a Colonel of militia when +the war commenced and one of the first in the field. He commanded at the +sanguinary battle at Bunker's and Breed's Hill on the 17th of June 1775. +With 1200 men hastily collected and with a temporary <ins class="correct" title="breast-work">breastwork</ins>—made +principally by excavating a shallow ditch and placing two rail fences +parallel near each other and filling the interval with fresh mowed +grass—he continued to repulse 5000 veteran troops, with a slaughter +equalled only at the battle of New Orleans, until his ammunition was +expended when he retreated with a loss of 453 men—killing 1054 of the +enemy. Col. Prescott then entered the regular service and continued in +the army until 1777 and then resigned. He was a volunteer at the capture +of Burgoyne and rendered essential service. After the Revolution he +served in the legislature and filled various civil offices with +fidelity. He was brave, noble, generous and humane. In his "Memoirs" +Gen. Lee beautifully remarks—"When future generations shall inquire +where are the men who gained the brightest prize of glory in the arduous +contest which ushered in our nation's birth? Upon Prescott and his +companions in arms will the eye of history beam. The military annals of +the world rarely furnish an achievement which equals the firmness and +courage displayed on that proud day by the gallant band of Americans and +it certainly stands first in the brilliant events of the war." Col. +Prescott died in 1795 sincerely mourned.</p> + + +<p>PRIOLEAU SAMUEL was a native of Charleston, South Carolina, born in 1743 +and among the first of that noble band of patriots who resolved on +Liberty or death. He was in active service until taken prisoner at the +surrender of his native city. He was then taken to the castle at St. +Augustine and treated with great cruelty. His wife with five children +fled to Philadelphia. He possessed great firmness and was emphatically a +true patriot—a good citizen—an honest man. He died at Charleston on +the 23d of March 1813.</p> + + +<p>PULASKI COUNT was a native of Poland and put forth his noblest efforts +to redeem her from thraldom. In 1771 he called around him a few brave +spirits—penetrated the capitol and carried away King Stanislaus in the +face of his petrified guards. He soon made his escape and proclaimed +Pulaski an outlaw. He then came to America and was created a Brigadier +General. Being unacquainted with our language he could not command to +advantage but no one could better lead a column of cavalry in a charge. +He served some time at the north and was then transferred to the south +and fell at Savannah boldly charging the enemy with his daring dragoons. +His noble bearing, polished urbanity, open frankness and amiable +disposition had gained the admiration of all who knew him—his +patriotism, bravery and unwavering love of Liberty placed his name upon +the records of unfading glory.</p> + + +<p>PUTNAM ISRAEL commenced his eventful life at Salem, Mass.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[Pg 467]</a></span> on the 7th of +January 1718. He was a man of iron constitution and herculean powers. He +served mother Britain faithfully in the French war and had many hair +breadth escapes. He was taken prisoner and nearly burned to death by the +savages. He was rescued by a French officer. His great feat with a wolf +is familiar to every school boy. His manner of capturing an armed vessel +when under Gen. Amherst was as novel as it was simple and successful. +With four others he proceeded under her stern in the night—drove +several wedges between the rudder and hull which placed her at the mercy +of the wind—she drifted on shore and was easily captured the next +morning.</p> + +<p>When the war cry from Lexington reached his ears he left his plough in +the furrow—mounted his horse—rode 100 miles in a single day to reach +the scene of action—was soon created a Major General and carried more +original thunder than any other man in the army. His voice could be +heard above the roar of battle. He was in the sanguinary affair at +Bunker's Hill and had charge of erecting the temporary fortifications. +He was at the battle of Long island—superintended the fortifications at +Philadelphia and in all his duties manifested an energy and skill that +placed him high in the estimation of every patriot. In the spring of +1777 he was placed in command of the troops at the High Lands. A refugee +Lieutenant was detected in his camp as a spy. Governor Tryon wrote him +to at once liberate the officer or he would give him particular thunder. +Old Put replied thus laconically.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>—Nathan Palmer, a Lieutenant in your king's service, was taken +in my camp as a spy—he was tried as a spy—he was condemned as a +spy and he shall be hanged as a spy.</p> + +<p>"P. S. Afternoon. He is hanged.</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Israel Putnam.</span>"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Gen <ins class="correct" title="Putnan">Putnam</ins> was the founder of West Point. Whilst superintending the +fortifications at that place he was disabled from further duty by an +attack of paralysis. This did not impair his mental powers or disturb +the equanimity and cheerfulness of his mind or prevent him from being a +pleasant, amusing and interesting companion. He lived at Brookline Conn. +in the enjoyment of the gratitude of a nation of freemen until the 29th +of May 1790 when his soul left its tenement of clay and returned to its +Creator. He was truly an honest man. On the 16th of June 1776 he spurned +a princely bribe that was tendered to him by Sir William Howe.</p> + + +<p>PUTNAM RUFUS was born in Sutton, Mass. in 1738. At the age of 16 he +commenced serving mother Britain in the French war and proved a gallant +soldier. In the Continental army he was the principal engineer with the +rank of Brigadier General. He was at the head of the Ohio Company for +the purpose of settling the North West Territory. On the 7th of April +1788 he planted about forty emigrants at Marietta on the Ohio river. In +1789 he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of that territory—in +1791 a Brig. General in the army of the United States under Gen. Wayne +and in 1795 Surveyor General of the United States which office he held +until towards the close<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[Pg 468]</a></span> of Jefferson's administration. He adorned all +the virtues that dignify the man and crowned his life with a consistent +course of primitive piety. He continued to reside at Marietta until the +4th of May 1824 when his happy spirit soared to realms of unending bliss +beyond the skies.</p> + + +<p>RAMSAY DAVID was ushered into life at Lancaster, Pa. in 1749. He was +thoroughly educated and became an eminent physician. After a brief +residence in Cecil County, Md. he removed to Charleston, S. C. in 1773. +He was an ardent patriot and was commissioned a surgeon in the +Continental army. At the surrender of his adopted city he was among the +prisoners who were sent to St. Augustine. In 1782 he was elected a +member of Congress and confirmed there up to 1786 except one year. A +part of that time he was President of that body. He became an able +historian and has enriched our libraries with a history of the +Revolution—of South Carolina—of America and a biography of Washington +and several other interesting publications. He stood at the head of his +profession in Charleston. In 1815 he was called into court to give +evidence relative to an insane man who followed him in a rage and killed +him on the street.</p> + + +<p>RANDOLPH EDMUND was a native of Virginia and an eminent member of the +Bar. He aided largely in giving an impetus to the revolutionary ball and +was among the boldest patriots who early resolved to cut the maternal +cords that bound the American Colonies to mother Britain. He was a +member of Congress in 1779—subsequently Governor of +Virginia—Attorney-General of the United States and for a time Secretary +under Washington whose confidence he lost in 1795 for reasons not on the +record. He lived in the esteem of his friends until 1813 when he quietly +retired to the spirit world.</p> + + +<p>RANDOLPH PEYTON was a native of Virginia and early engaged in the border +wars. He was a good lawyer and Attorney-General under the crown as early +as 1748. He became a prominent legislator and was among the first and +boldest to expose and oppose British oppression. He was prudent but +firm. He threw his whole soul into the cause of Liberty. In all the +preliminary meetings of the Old Dominion he was a leading member and a +perfect regulator among those whose zeal sometimes fed them beyond the +orbit of sound discretion. He was President of the important Congress of +1774 and added to the dignity of the proceedings of that august +assemblage of Sages. He was returned to Congress the next year but was +detained as speaker in the legislature of his state until late in the +session. On the 21st of October 1775 he attended a dinner party at the +house of a friend and while there fell from his seat in a fit of +apoplexy and expired in a few moments. His body was taken to Virginia +and interred. Thus prematurely was extinguished one of the bright +luminaries that illuminated the horizon and dawn of the <ins class="correct" title="Revotion">Revolution</ins>. His +loss was deeply deplored.</p> + + +<p>REED JOSEPH was born in New Jersey on the 27th of August 1741. He became +a distinguished member of the Philadelphia Bar where he was pursuing a +lucrative practice when he was called to aid in the emancipation of his +country. He was a member of the committee of correspondence, President +of the Provincial Convention and member of Congress. In 1775 he repaired +to Cambridge where he was made an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[Pg 469]</a></span> Aid and Secretary of Washington. In +1776 he was adjutant-general of the army and acted a brave and useful +part at Trenton, Princeton and in every battle under Washington. During +the campaign of 1777 he was constantly in the field. He had a horse +killed under him at Monmouth, Brandywine and White Marsh but was +preserved from a wound in the numerous hard fought battles at which he +was present. The following answer to a proposition of bribery from the +British Governor Johnstone is attributed to him and has been claimed for +another. "I am not worth purchasing but such as I am the king of Great +Britain is not rich enough to buy me." Nor was she rich enough to buy +the humble soldiers who captured Andre. In 1778 Gen. Reed was elected +President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania which station +he held for three consecutive years and was very efficient in the work +of infusing a proper spirit in the militia of his state. He filled every +place he occupied with great zeal and ability. He was the man to be +substantially useful wherever duty called him. He wore himself out in +the service of his country and died in Philadelphia on the 5th of March +1785 in the very prime of life and when on the flood tide of an enduring +fame.</p> + + +<p>REVERE PAUL was born in Massachusetts in 1735. It was he who carried the +express from Gen. Warren to Messrs. Adams and Hancock the evening +previous to the battle of Lexington. He was a colonel of militia and a +devoted patriot. He was in the unfortunate Penobscot expedition in the +summer of 1779. His was a life of purity and stern integrity. He died in +Boston in 1818.</p> + + +<p>SARGENT WINTHROP was a native of Massachusetts and graduated at Harvard +College in 1771. With all the circumstances of his life before him, the +historian could present him to the admiring reader in a blaze of glory. +Thousands of the noble actors on the stage of the Revolution have passed +away without a place on the historic page. From the commencement to the +close of the long and sanguinary struggle for Independence he was +actively and honorably engaged in the military field. In 1786 he was +appointed Surveyor of the North Western Territory and in 1787 Secretary +of that government. He was adjutant-general of the army of Gen. St. +Clair in his disastrous expedition against the Indians and of the army +of Gen. Wayne when he conquered the same red men who had defeated St. +Clair. He was subsequently Governor of Mississippi. In all the duties of +public and private life he acquitted himself nobly and fulfilled the +design of his creation. He died in 1820.</p> + + +<p>SCAMMEL ALEXANDER commenced his infancy in Mendon, Mass, about 1748. He +was liberally educated and excelled in mathematics—strong evidence of +an analyzing mind. He was among the first and the last in the war field +of the Revolution. In 1775 he was made a brigade-major and the next year +a colonel in the line of Continental troops raised by New Hampshire. At +the battle of Saratoga in 1777 he commanded the 3d regiment and was +severely wounded. He was subsequently appointed adjutant-general of the +American army and was generally beloved. As this did not lead him into +the din of battle and clash of arms he resigned and took command of a +regiment of infantry. On the 30th of September 1781 he was examining the +position of the enemy at Yorktown—was suddenly sprang upon and +captured. After he had surrendered the barbarous foe gave him a mortal +wound which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[Pg 470]</a></span> terminated his brilliant career at Williamsburg, Va. on the +6th of October 1781. The death of no officer was more deeply +lamented—no one of his grade deserved better of his country and his +friends.</p> + + +<p>ST. CLAIR ARTHUR was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a +Lieutenant under Wolfe and served through the French war. He +subsequently located in Pennsylvania, became naturalized and took a deep +interest in the prosperity of his adopted country. He was President of +the Cincinnati Society of his state. At the commencement of the +Revolution he espoused the cause of Freedom and in 1777 was commissioned +a Major General. His military laurels increased and rested gracefully +upon him during the war with mother Britain. In 1785 he was elected a +member of Congress and in 1787 was President of that body. He was the +first governor of the North West Territory. In 1790 he was put in +command of the memorable expedition against the Miami Indians. On the +4th of November 1791 he met them in mortal combat and was defeated with +the loss of many brave officers and soldiers who had braved the fury of +the Revolutionary storm unscathed. By many he was censured—how justly +is not a subject to be discussed in this place. That he was a brave and +skilful officer when opposed to regular troops he had fully proved. +Braddock had done the same. To fight the red man on his own ground is a +very different affair. It is reasonable to presume that his disastrous +defeat arose from an ignorance of Indian warfare—not from any want of +courage or an ignorance of regular military tactics. On his return he +resigned his military commission. He was severely pierced by the keen +arrows of poverty during his latter years. He died in 1818.</p> + + +<p>SCHAICK GOSEN VAN commenced his mortal career at Albany, New York in +1737. He entered the British army in 1756 with the commission of +Lieutenant and served mother Britain faithfully to the end of the French +war at which time he had reached the rank of Lieut. Colonel. Had he not +been a superior officer he could not have attained that rank among +Englishmen. At the first sound of the war cry in 1775 he was on hand +ready for action and spent his life and fortune in the cause of <span class="smcap">Freedom</span>. +He was placed in command of the first regiment of the New York line and +ultimately rose to the rank of Brig. General of the regular army. He +fought bravely at Monmouth and other places and had the high esteem of +Washington. In 1779 he commanded the successful expedition against the +Onondaga Indians for which Congress passed a resolution of most hearty +thanks. Gen. Schaick did honor to his country and to every station in +which he moved. He was an able officer, a good citizen—an honest man +and repaired to his final rest in 1784.</p> + + +<p>SCHUYLER PHILIP was born in New England in 1732. He was commissioned a +Major General and had no superior in energy, vigilance and courage. For +some time previous to the approach of Burgoyne he ably discharged the +multifarious duties of the northern command. When that proud General +advanced he found traces of Schuyler's industry at every point and his +scouts in all directions. Bridges were demolished—the roads blocked +with trees—the navigation of Wood creek deranged—supplies removed and +his army kept in constant alarm by the light troops of Schuyler who laid +the foundation of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[Pg 471]</a></span> victory that virtually saved our Independence. +This opinion was often expressed by a revered uncle of mine who was with +Schuyler during all his services in the north. At the very time this +General was prepared to snatch the laurels of victory from Burgoyne's +brow and place them on his own—Gates superseded him. He loved his +country too well to be governed by the strict rules of military +etiquette at that momentous point of time. He surrendered the command to +him with all the papers and information he had acquired, with these +burning remarks—"I have done all that could be done, as far as the +means were in my power, to injure the enemy and to inspire confidence in +the soldiers of our army and I flatter myself with some success—but the +palm of victory is denied me and it is left to you, General, to reap the +fruits of my labor. I will not fail to second your views and my devotion +to my country will cause me, with alacrity, to obey your orders." This +language would have been more terrible to me than a thousand crashing +thunder bolts. It would have taken more than the laurels of Saratoga to +heal the deep gashes my mind would have received from this keen sarcasm +of the injured but patriotic and magnanimous Schuyler. A sarcastic +remark from Schuyler to Gen. Burgoyne when dining with Gates soon after +the surrender is worthy of record. The British General had caused +Schuyler's house to be reduced to ashes and attempted an apology which +was interrupted by the other—"Make no excuses General. I feel myself +more than compensated by the pleasure of meeting you at this table." +Gen. Schuyler was in all respects a first rate man. Jealously had put +slander in motion against him which was the reason he was superseded. +Investigation cleared away the fog from the minds of those in power but +did not heal the wounds in his. He was subsequently a member of the +Continental Congress and served 12 years in the United States Senate +under the Federal Constitution. He died in 1804.</p> + + +<p>SEDGEWICK THEODORE began his earthly career at Hartford Conn. in 1746. +He became a strong lawyer and firm supporter of the cause of Liberty. He +was frequently in the legislature of Massachusetts and a member of the +Continental Congress. He was a member of the convention of his adopted +state that sanctioned the Federal Constitution and was subsequently a +member of the United States Senate. At the end of his term he was placed +upon the Supreme Bench of Massachusetts and dignified his station until +1813 when he was summoned from earth and its toils to the dread tribunal +of the great Jehovah.</p> + + +<p>SERGEANT JONATHAN DICKINSON was born at Princeton, New Jersey in 1746. +He became an eminent lawyer and a strong advocate for American rights. +He was elected a member of Congress in February 1776 and continued in +that body until July 1777 when he was made Attorney General of +Pennsylvania. Why he did not sign the Declaration of Independence is a +problem I should like to see solved. In the Connecticut controversy he +was employed by his adopted state to advocate her interests. When the +yellow fever raged at Philadelphia in 1793 he was a very efficient +member in the Board of Health and fell a victim to that fearful disease +in October. His private virtues shone conspicuously through his whole +life—his country,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[Pg 472]</a></span> the poor, the widow and the orphan deeply mourned +his premature death.</p> + + +<p>SMALLWOOD WILLIAM was a citizen of Maryland and a brave Brigadier +General in the Continental army—a member of the old Congress and +governor of his state. In every station and in all the departments of +life he performed his whole duty and enjoyed the love and confidence of +his friends and country until 1792 when he cancelled the debt of nature +and descended peacefully to the tomb.</p> + + +<p>STEUBEN FRANCIS WILLIAM AUGUSTUS BARON DE commenced his noble life in +Prussia in 1733. He became perfect master of military tactics at an +early age in the Prussian army—was an Aid to Frederic the great with +the rank of Lieutenant General and was in constant service in his native +land until he embarked for America. He landed in New Hampshire in 1777 +and was soon after appointed Inspector General of the American army with +the rank of Major General. With untiring industry and great energy he +rapidly introduced an effective system of discipline, tactics and +evolutions, that essentially improved the whole army and rendered it +much more efficient in the field. He participated in the battle of +Monmouth and had charge of the entrenchments at the siege of Yorktown. +At the conclusion of peace his valuable services were partially rewarded +in the grant of a farm by the state of New Jersey and 16000 acres of +land in Oneida county New York granted by that state. He died on his +farm near New York city November 28th 1794.</p> + + +<p>STRONG CALEB was born at Northampton, Mass. in 1744. He was a profound +counsellor at the bar of his native town—an able advocate in the cause +of Independence. He was a prominent member of the Committee of Safety +that was virtually the government of the State for some time. He was a +member of the legislature and fearlessly espoused the cause of Liberty. +He was a member of the convention that framed the Constitution of +Massachusetts and of the one that formed that of the United States. He +was elected to the United States Senate and was governor of his native +State eleven years. He was an efficient public officer, a devoted +patriot, an esteemed citizen—an honest man. He died in 1820 sincerely +mourned by his country and most deeply regretted by those who knew him +best.</p> + + +<p>SULLIVAN JOHN entered on his earthly career in Maine in 1741. His father +came from that country called by Aristotle and Strabo <i>Irene</i>—by Cæsar, +Tacitus and Pliny, <i>Hibernia</i>—by Mela and others <i>Juverna</i> all of which +names may be traced to the original—<i>Ir</i>, <i>Eri</i>, <i>Erin</i>—now called +Ireland. Gen. Sullivan left a lucrative practice at the bar and was +commissioned a brigadier-general in 1775 and the next year was raised to +the rank of major-general. On the 4th of June 1776 he superseded Arnold +in Canada and on the death of Gen. Thomas he was left in command of all +the American troops then there. Owing to the illness of Gen. Greene +Sullivan was put in command of his division on Long Island and was taken +prisoner at the battle on the 27th of August. On the 22d of August 1777 +he planned a successful expedition against Staten Island. He acted a +brave part at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and in every place +where he was engaged. In 1778 he was placed in command of the troops at +Rhode Island and commenced a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[Pg 473]</a></span> siege on Newport in August of that year in +anticipation of the co-operating aid of the French fleet which was +prevented by a storm. This compelled him to raise the siege at once and +retreat from a superior force which he effected with consummate skill +and success after repulsing the pursuing enemy on the 29th of that +month. The next year he commanded the successful but cruel expedition +against the Six Nations of Indians. He penetrated the very heart of +their country, killed and captured considerable numbers, burnt eighteen +of their towns, many of their isolated wigwams—destroyed 160,000 +bushels of their corn, all their vegetables, fruits and everything that +could be found to sustain life. The expedition was suggested in +consequence of the Wyoming massacre. It can be sanctioned by the law of +retaliation—no other. Gen. Sullivan was subsequently a member of the +Continental Congress for three years—president of New Hampshire and in +1789 was appointed a judge of the District Court which office he +dignified until the 23d of January 1795 when he cancelled the debt of +nature and slumbered in death. He was very efficient in quelling Shay's +insurrection. In every sphere of life he exhibited talents of a high +order and left a public fame and private reputation untarnished by +corruption.</p> + + +<p>SULLIVAN JAMES was born at Berwick, Me. in 1744. He became a bright +ornament of the bar and an able advocate of the cause of freedom. He was +an active member of the legislature—of the Provincial Congress and of +the Continental Congress. He was a judge of Probate and in 1790 was +appointed attorney-general of his State. In 1807-8 he was elected +governor of Massachusetts and died in December 1808. He was an admirable +model of human excellence, adorned those qualities that dignify a man +and crowned his life with the lucid exemplification of primitive +Christianity.</p> + + +<p>STEVENS EDWARD commenced his earthly career in Culpepper County, Va. and +his bold military achievements at the battle of the Great Bridge near +Norfolk, Va. where he commanded the rifle battalion with a bravery and +skill that elicited general commendation. Soon after that he was placed +in command of the 10th Virginia regiment and repaired to the +headquarters of Washington. At the battle of Brandywine his skill and +courage in covering the retreat of the Americans astonished friends and +foes and saved the army from capture. At the action of Germantown his +gallantry was publicly applauded by Washington upon the field of glory. +He was subsequently placed in command of the Virginia Brigade and fought +with great bravery at Camden under Gates, at Guilford Court House under +Greene and at the siege of Yorktown under Washington. From the formation +of the republican Constitution of Virginia to 1790 he was constantly a +member of her legislature. He was a man of untarnished reputation, +substantial talent and usefulness. His patriotism soared above all party +considerations—he could not be swayed by demagogues. He went for his +whole country—the Constitution and our UNION for ever. He looked upon +the Federal Constitution as the Jews did upon their ark—the repository +of the safeguards and glory of our Republic. He closed his useful life +at his residence in Culpepper, Va. on the 17th day of August 1820—ripe +in years and full of honors.</p> + + +<p>THOMAS JOHN was reared in Kingston, Mass. He was a brave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[Pg 474]</a></span> officer in the +service of England during the French war. He was one of the first who +rushed to the battle field in 1775. At the siege of Boston—on the +heights of Dorchester—in every place where duty called him he acted a +bold and noble part. He was soon raised to the rank of brigadier-general +and ordered to Canada to take command of the troops who had survived the +fatigues of the campaign under Arnold and Montgomery where he fell a +victim to the small pox. His great experience, ardent patriotism, known +courage, untarnished character—all combined to render his loss a great +misfortune to his country and his friends.</p> + + +<p>THOMAS THOMAS was born in the State of New York in 1745. He was among +the first and most devoted patriots. He was a brigadier-general and +commanded a body of troops in 1776 at the battle of Harlaem Heights and +White Plains. In the autumn of that year the British burnt his house and +carried his aged father to New York where their proverbial inhumanity +soon produced his death. Gen. Thomas was a severe scourge to the +enemy—ever on the alert—energetic, bold and shrewd. He was +subsequently taken prisoner, stripped of his regimentals and hat and +marched through the streets of New York in the most disgraceful manner. +He was at length placed on parole and permitted the limits of Brooklyn. +After he was exchanged he sought every opportunity to make up lost time +until the foe was driven beyond the great heron pond. He then removed to +the town of Harrison, Westchester County, New York where he lived +respected and died deeply regretted in July 1824. He was several times a +member of the legislature of his State.</p> + + +<p>TRUXTON THOMAS took his station on this rolling planet at Rhode Island +in 1755. He was delighted with old Ocean from his boyhood and became an +expert mariner at an early age. He loved Liberty and was willing to pay +its price without discount. He was placed in command of an armed vessel +in 1775 and continued capturing prizes during the whole period of the +Revolution without a single reverse of fortune. He made constant inroads +on the commerce of Great Britain and was too wary a fox to be trapped, +cornered or run down by the celebrated British sportsman of the seas. In +1794 he was put in command of the frigate Constitution. In 1799 the +French government became ripe for naval exercise and quite belligerent +in its manners. The frigate L'Insurgent made battle with Commodore +Truxton and after a brief action surrendered. The French ship of war La +Vengeance then met the Constitution and after passing the very +significant salutes usual at hostile meetings surrendered at discretion +to Com. Truxton. On his return to the United States he retired to +Philadelphia where he lived in the esteem of our nation and his friends +until 1822 when his cable of life was cut and his soul launched on the +ocean of eternity.</p> + + +<p>WADSWORTH JEREMIAH was a native of Connecticut and early in the field to +do battle for his loved—his injured country. He rose to the rank of +general and was remarkable for great energy, undaunted courage, ardent +patriotism and untiring industry. He was a member of Congress for some +time. In public and private life he adorned the virtues that ever +dignify the man and passed from the stage of life peacefully in 1804.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[Pg 475]</a></span></p> + + +<p>WARD ARTEMUS was born in New England in 1727. He was a man of fine +parts, strong common sense, thorough education, a zealous patriot. He +was the first major-general commissioned by the Continental Congress, +his commission bearing date the 7th of June 1775. At the siege of Boston +he commanded the right wing of the army resting on Roxbury. His feeble +constitution induced him to resign the ensuing April. In a legislative +capacity he continued to serve his country faithfully. He was repeatedly +a member of the old and new Congress. A more incorruptible man never +came from the clean hands of the Creator. He patiently endured a +lingering illness for years and was relieved from the toils and pains of +earth on the 28th of October 1800.</p> + + +<p>WARD HENRY was a valued citizen of Rhode Island and stood in the front +rank of her noble and daring patriots. He did good service in the tented +field—was Secretary of his state—filled up his measure of usefulness +and called his friends to mourn over his final exit and perform the last +rites of sepulture in 1797.</p> + + +<p>WASHINGTON WILLIAM was a native of Stafford County, Va. He was a distant +relative of George Washington and among the first of the chivalric sons +of the Old Dominion to respond to the thrilling war cry—<i>Liberty or +death</i>. He commenced his military career in command of a company of +infantry in the 3d regiment of the Virginia line commanded by Col. +Mercer. Captain Washington first distinguished himself for undaunted +courage at York Island and in New Jersey. When Gen. Washington attacked +Col. Ralle in command of the Hessians at Trenton, Capt. Washington led +the advance of one of the columns. He received a musket ball through one +of his hands which was not mentioned by him until after the enemy had +surrendered. Soon after the brilliant affair at Trenton and Princeton he +was transferred to Col. Baylor's regiment of cavalry with the rank of +major and proceeded to Virginia with the regiment to increase its +strength with fresh recruits. In 1775 this regiment was surprised by a +superior force under Maj. Gen. Grey and nearly annihilated. Major +Washington escaped and was then put in command of the consolidated +remnants of the cavalry regiments of Cols. Baylor, Bland and Maylan and +ordered to report himself to Gen. Lincoln in South Carolina. He was in +constant service from the time of his arrival. His corps suffered at the +battle of Monk's Corner and at Leneau's Ferry. He then proceeded with +Col. White to North Carolina for the purpose of raising recruits. This +laudable project was not approved by Gen. Gates for reasons not +explained which formed a link in his chain of disasters. Col. Washington +proceeded to replenish his regiment and resumed field service under Gen. +Morgan. At Cowpens, Hobbick's Hill, Eutaw, Guilford Court House—Col. +Washington gained increasing epic laurels for himself and Spartan corps. +At the battle of Eutaw he was unfortunately taken prisoner and not +exchanged until after the surrender of Yorktown. In 1782 he led the +amiable and accomplished Miss Elliott to the hymeneal altar and located +at the ancestral seat of his wife at Sandy Hill in South Carolina. He +there enjoyed life with his family and friends in the happy way that +Virginians well understand and fully exemplify. A braver soldier, a more +noble and generous man than Col. Washington did not exist in the human +family. He made his final exit in 1810.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[Pg 476]</a></span></p> + + +<p>WINDER LEWIS was a resident of Maryland and a brave soldier of the +Revolution. In the struggle for Independence the best men were not +office seekers but sought the good and glory of their country. Many +soldiers in the ranks were men of strong intellect and substantial +education. So with this veteran. After the close of the war toils he +filled various public stations and became governor of his state. He +enjoyed the esteem of his country and friends until 1819 when he +slumbered in death.</p> + + +<p>WHEELOCK JOHN was a favorite son of Massachusetts and one of the noble +patriots who left the halls of literature and periled their lives in +defence of chartered rights. He was an active officer in the army and +had the esteem of his countrymen. He was subsequently a popular +President of Dartmouth College. He made himself extensively useful until +1817 when he took his journey to "that country from whose bourne no +traveller returns."</p> + + +<p>WILLIAMS OTHO HOLLAND was ushered into life at the county of Prince +George, Md. in 1748. At the commencement of the Revolution he resigned a +lucrative office under the crown to teach the man who dishonored that +crown that Americans dared to assert their rights at the cannon's mouth +as well as in paper essays. He was lieutenant in a rifle corps under +Capt. Price and marched to head quarters at Cambridge in 1775. In 1776 +he was raised to the rank of major in the rifle regiment under Col. +Stephenson. He was in the garrison of Fort Washington when attacked by +the overwhelming force of Sir William Howe and was taken prisoner. When +exchanged he was placed in command of the 6th regiment of the Maryland +line and ordered to South Carolina with Baron de Kalb. He was raised to +the grade of adjutant-general under Gen. Gates and shared the keen +reverses of that general. Under Gen. Greene he was retained in the same +office which he bravely filled to the close of the struggle for Liberty. +At Guilford, Hobbick's and Eutaw his efficient services were warmly +acknowledged by the judicious Greene, whose bosom friend and constant +adviser he was. At all times and under all circumstances he nobly +performed his duty in public and private life. At the close of the war +he was commissioned a brigadier-general as a compliment to his high +merit. Subsequent to the Revolution he was appointed Collector of the +Port of Baltimore where he died in July 1794.</p> + + +<p>WOLCOTT ERASTUS was a favorite son of Connecticut of commanding +talents—a strong lawyer—an ardent patriot—a good citizen—a brave +officer—an honest man. He rose to the rank of brigadier-general and +subsequent to the Revolution was elevated to the Bench of the Superior +Court of his state. His measure of usefulness became full in 1798 when +the hermetical seal of death closed his bright career.</p> + + +<p>WOOSTER DAVID was born in Stafford, Conn. in 1711. Although frosted with +near 70 winters when the Revolution commenced, he was eager to share in +the glory of repelling an insolent foe from his native land and in +making that land the happy abode of the brave and the free. In 1775 he +was made a brigadier-general by Congress and put in command of the +Connecticut troops. This commission he resigned and became a +major-general of the militia of his state. On the 27th of April 1777 he +was mortally wounded in leading on his troops against a British<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[Pg 477]</a></span> force +at Ridgefield and died on the 2d of May. His fall was deeply lamented by +Congress and our nation. He had all the ardor of youth united with the +experience of age. Such men were greatly needed in such a contest as the +American Revolution—uniting the sage, hero, citizen and honest man in a +harmonious whole.</p> + + +<p>WYLLIS SAMUEL was a citizen of Connecticut—a major-general of great +promise—a man of sterling merit—a patriot of great zeal—a citizen of +great worth and was killed by a party of British in 1777 on a predatory +"beauty and booty" excursion.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Thus closes a condensed view of the most prominent Sages and Heroes of +the American Revolution. I have aimed at an object of greater importance +than the relation of historical incidents—an illustration of the +heaven-born principles—the god-like actions of the patriots of '76. If +these are not cherished and practised by the present and coming +generations of our expanding Republic—the <span class="smcap">Liberty</span>—the <i>priceless</i> +<span class="smcap">freedom</span> we now enjoy will be buried in the smoking ruins of the Elysian +temple of our <span class="smcap">Independence</span>—now towering in majestic grandeur. I have +honestly and frankly expressed what I strongly feel relative to the +vital interests of our beloved country. My conclusions are based upon +laborious investigation, close observation and large experience. In +common with every true friend to our government I feel a deep interest +in the portentous question of slavery which has so recently rocked our +nation in the volcanic cradle of civil discord. I have taken full notes +of its whole course from its embryo inception to the present time. I +have listened to the arguments of the ablest men in each of the high +contending parties. I have read all I could find upon the subject of +West India emancipation. So far as the British politicians were +concerned I am satisfied that act was a bold stroke of ulterior +policy—not of philanthropy. I have made myself familiar with the +practical operations of the slave system in our own country by leisurely +visiting all the cities, large towns, most of the small ones and the +numerous plantations in all the slave States except Florida and Texas. +Without such a tour no man can well form a correct conclusion upon this +momentous subject. He can only make an imaginary chamber survey—not the +best evidence to present in court. I am not an advocate for the +<i>principle</i> of bondage—but few can be found in the slave States who +are. I look at slavery as it is—not as represented on the high colored +charts of ultra abolitionists. It was <i>forced</i> upon the American +Colonies by mother Britain. It is here by entail—not from original +choice [see the Preamble of the Virginia Constitution.] This charges +George the Third with "prompting <i>our negroes</i> to rise in arms among +us—those very negroes, whom, by an inhuman use of his negative he hath +refused us permission exclude by law." Its present form in the south is +infinitely more humane than the cunningly devised apprentice system of +England. Instead of rescued Africans being returned to their native land +by that arrangement they are put to hard labor on the British Islands +for a season and may then be sent adrift at the pleasure of the +employer. A provision for life is insured to all the subjects of bondage +in the slave States. There the free man may be stripped of the means of +support by process of law—the slaves never. They are practically the +most <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[Pg 478]</a></span>potent freeholders in those States. A large majority of the slaves +there are better cared for than the same proportion of the colored +population in the free States, both menially and physically. Larger +numbers of them enjoy religious instruction and become church +members.<a name="FNanchor_A_3" id="FNanchor_A_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_3" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_3" id="Footnote_A_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_3"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The better condition of these slaves is fully proved by the +fact, that the ratio of their increase, within the last ten years is 3 +to 1 over that of the colored population of the free States.—<span class="smcap">Author.</span></p></div> + +<p>Immediate emancipation would involve these slaves in the keenest misery +unless they were provided with means of support far beyond the resources +of their owners and the abolitionists combined. Humanity would recoil +with horror at the practical workings of the proposed abolition system. +It was originated in Europe for the express purpose of destroying our +<span class="smcap">Union</span>. Its paternity is illegitimate—its object our ruin—its tendency +chaotic. Its tare seeds were first sown broadcast in our country by +Thompson—<i>a hired emissary</i> from Great Britain who is now in our midst +a second time on the same demoniac mission. His breath is +pestilence—his pathway is marked with the fomenting scum of a +meddlesome demagogue. In addition to his salary paid by England he is +filling his pockets from the hard earnings of our people whom he blinds +to destroy. The Syracuse Journal states that after the meeting this +member of the British Parliament addressed at that place a short time +since "<i>had passed resolutions against the Union</i> the remainder of the +time was consumed in receiving subscriptions to support Mr. Thompson in +his anti-slavery itineracy. Thus the anti-slavery agitators are obliged +to call in paid British assistance to help them break up the Union." At +the same meeting this vile emissary made this startling assertion in +substance—You have not famine and pestilence but what is worse you are +cursed with 30,000 recreant priests. No American would be permitted to +pursue this course in Europe a moment. If we tolerate such foreign +interference we are unworthy of <span class="smcap">freedom</span>. When I speak of abolition I +refer to ultra political abolition—that which tramples upon our +Constitution as an unholy thing and would rejoice at the dissolution of +our <span class="smcap">Union</span> and urge the slaves on to murder. I have no sympathy for +ultraism in any section or in any cause.</p> + +<p>We must look at slavery as it exists in our country. Time has planted it +too deeply to be eradicated by the caustic of abolition. Fine spun +arguments upon the Declaration of Rights—the Federal Constitution—the +Missouri Compromise—free soil and philanthropy cannot remove it. The +question is local and belongs exclusively to the slave States. As well +may the south interfere with the internal policy of the north as for us +to dictate to the high minded slave owners who might have been gained by +the talismanic power of love—never by threats or coercion. As a whole, +a more humane, noble, generous people never came from the clean hands of +the Creator. They can be led by a single hair of kindness—fanatical +power may crush but can never drive them. But for the unfortunate issue +of abolition raised by the foreign emissary alluded to—gradual +emancipation would long before this have been on the flood tide of +progress in several of the slave States. I write from the record. A +violation of the eleventh commandment has added greatly to the +perpetuity of slavery in our country.</p> + +<p>For these reasons and others I would name if space permitted, I verily +believe the abolition issue fraught with more danger to our Independence +than any that has yet been conceived and promulged by the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[Pg 479]</a></span>enemies of +our Liberty. It is like cutting off the head of a man to cure a cancer +on his face. The preservation of our glorious <span class="smcap">Union</span> is paramount to all +other considerations which have yet engaged the attention of our nation. +Could the following advice from the Farewell Address of the illustrious +Washington be carefully read and implicitly obeyed by all in our +land—then our <span class="smcap">freedom</span> would be safe—our UNION preserved.</p> + +<p>"In contemplating the causes which may disturb our Union, it occurs, as +a matter of serious concern, that any ground should have been furnished +for characterizing parties by geographical discriminations—northern and +southern—atlantic and western—whence designing men may endeavor to +excite a belief that there is a real difference of local interests and +views. One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within +particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other +districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies +and heart burnings which spring from these misrepresentations. They tend +to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by +fraternal affection.</p> + +<p>"To the efficacy and permanency of your Union a Government for the whole +is <ins class="correct" title="indispensible">indispensable</ins>. No alliances, however strict, between the parts can be +an adequate substitute. They must inevitably experience the infractions +and interruptions which all alliances in all times have experienced. +Sensible of this momentous truth, you have improved upon your first +essay by the adoption of a Constitution of Government better calculated +than your former for an intimate union and for the efficacious +management of your common concerns. This government, the offspring of +our own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation +and mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the +distribution of its powers, uniting security with energy and containing +within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to +your confidence and your support. Respect for its authority, compliance +with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the +fundamental maxims of true liberty. The basis of our political systems +is the right of the people to make and alter their constitutions of +government. But the constitution which at any time exists, till changed +by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly +obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the +people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual +to obey the established government.</p> + +<p>"All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and +associations, under whatever plausible character, with a real design to +direct, control, counteract or awe the regular deliberation and action +of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental +principle and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction—to give +it an artificial and extraordinary force—to put in the place of the +delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but +artful and enterprising minority of the community and according to the +alternate triumphs of different parties to make the public +administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects +of faction rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans +digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[Pg 480]</a></span></p> + +<p>"However combinations or associations of the above description may now +and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and +things, to become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious and +unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and +to usurp for themselves the reins of government destroying afterwards +the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.</p> + +<p>"Towards the preservation of your government and the permanency of your +present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily +discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority but +also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its +principles however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be +to effect in the forms of the constitution, alterations which will +impair the energy of the system and thus to undermine what cannot be +directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, +remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true +character of governments, as of other human institutions, that +experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of +the existing constitution of a country—that facility in change upon the +credit of mere hypothesis and opinion exposes to perpetual change from +the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion and remember, especially +that for the efficient management of your common interest in a country +so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent +with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself +will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and +adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, little else than a name +where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of +faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits +prescribed by the laws and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil +enjoyment of the rights of person and property.</p> + +<p>"Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to +believe me fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be +<i>constantly</i> awake since history and experience prove that foreign +influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.</p> + +<p>"In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and +affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and +lasting impression. I could wish—that they will control the usual +current of the passions or prevent our nation from running the course +which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations! but if I may even +flatter myself that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some +occasional good—that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury +of party spirit—to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue—to +guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism—this hope will be +a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare by which they have +been dictated."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Note</span>—In a recent speech the emissary Thompson used this most specific +language:—"I do not believe there is one minister in the United States +who believes what he says. I know enough of ministers in that country to +believe that they preach wilfully and designedly what they know to be +false! These men deliberately go to their closets, and, for purely +political and pro-slavery purposes, write sermons for the Sabbath-day, +which they all the while know to be palpably and damnably untrue!"</p> + +<div class="tn"> + +<h3><a name="TC" id="TC">Transcriber's Corrections</a></h3> + +<p>Following is a list of significant typographical errors that have been corrected.</p> + +<ul> +<li> Page <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, "Hazlewood" changed to "Hazelwood" (command of Com. +Hazelwood).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, "broad-side" changed to "broadside" for consistency of use +(poured in our broadside).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, "Iredel" changed to "Iredell" (trial before Judges Iredell +and Peters).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, "collossal" changed to "colossal" (upon his colossal +vanquished political foes).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, "1774" changed to "1794" (He died in June 1794).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, "soliel" changed to "soleil" (effects of _coup de soleil_).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, "Clarke" changed to "Clark" (Mr. Clark was truly pious).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, "deba e" changed to "debate" (induced Mr. Clymer to rise in +debate).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, "enthusia m" changed to "enthusiasm" (received with great +enthusiasm).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, "Collossus" changed to "Colossus" (the Colossus of Liberty).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, "Chesnut" changed to "Chestnut" (the battle of Chestnut +Hill).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, "pecipitate" changed to "precipitate" (a precipitate +retreat).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, "framework" changed to "frame-work" for consistency of use +(the frame-work of the British cabinet).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, "acknowled" changed to "acknowledged" (stands acknowledged +by the civilized world).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, "FREDDOM" changed to "FREEDOM" (the blue canopy of FREEDOM).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, "Surry" changed to "Surrey" (adjoining county of Surrey).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, removed repeated "to" (duty to be performed).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, "Prefering" changed to "Preferring" (Preferring his fishing +rod and gun).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, "suppossed" changed to "supposed" (supposed him _non compos +mentis_).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, "whatsover" changed to "whatsoever" (intercourse whatsoever +with any colony).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, "loose" changed to "lose" (and lose all power).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, "sprited" changed to "spirited" (this public spirited man).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, "Chatechism" changed to "Catechism" (his Political +Catechism).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, "philanthrophy" changed to "philanthropy" (the purest +philanthropy).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, "beseigers" changed to "besiegers" (the works of the +besiegers).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, "extatic" changed to "ecstatic" (with ecstatic delight).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, removed repeated "of" (I am in immediate want +of——dollars).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, "prepation" changed to "preparation" (a full preparation for +practice).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, "valuble" changed to "valuable" (and rendered valuable +service).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, "boquet" changed to "bouquet" (to form a bouquet).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, "disscusions" changed to "discussions" (Internal discussions +were to be).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, "aqueline" changed to "aquiline" (his nose aquiline).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, "subsequenly" changed to "subsequently" (was subsequently +elected colonel).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, "head-quarters" changed to "headquarters" for consistency of +use (troops to headquarters).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, "land-marks" changed to "landmarks" for consistency of use +(broken down its landmarks).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_370">370</a>, "Alleghany" changed to "Allegheny" (junction of the +Allegheny).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, "Cadwallader" changed to "Cadwalader" (he and Gen. +Cadwalader).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_387">387</a>, "shortes" changed to "shortest" (the shortest path).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_390">390</a>, "kneedle" changed to "needle" (common knitting needle).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_395">395</a>, "atainments" changed to "attainments" (high literary +attainments).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_400">400</a>, "maifested" changed to "manifested" (seldom manifested in +juvenile life).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_424">424</a>, "descendents" changed to "descendants" for consistency of +use (his present descendants).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_426">426</a>, "superiors" changed to "superior" (manned with superior +numbers).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_428">428</a>, "commision" changed to "commission" (the commission of +major).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_431">431</a>, "Gansevort" changed to "Gansevoort" in three places +(GANSEVOORT PETER entered; Capt. Gansevoort was six feet three; Col. +Gansevoort never surrendered).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_432">432</a>, "Virgiania" changed to "Virginia" (a Virginia regiment).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_435">435</a>, "genuius" changed to "genius" (constellations of genius).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_446">446</a>, "Lithunia" changed to "Lithuania" (palatinate of Brescia, +Lithuania).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_448">448</a>, "comissioned" changed to "commissioned" (was commissioned to +proceed).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_460">460</a>, "head-quarters" changed to "headquarters" for consistency of +use (marched it to headquarters).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_466">466</a>, "breast-work" changed to "breastwork" for consistency of use +(a temporary breastwork).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_467">467</a>, "Putnan" changed to "Putnam" (Gen Putnam was the founder).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_468">468</a>, "Revotion" changed to "Revolution" (dawn of the Revolution).</li> + +<li> Page <a href="#Page_479">479</a>, "indispensible" changed to "indispensable" (whole is +indispensable).</li> +</ul> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sages and Heroes of the American +Revolution, by L. 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